Calypso+Target= Sensational Summer Looks for LESS!

May 1st has been circled on my calendar for months and this is why...

Tomorrow marks an amazing collaboration for us all!!!! Calypso has joined forces with Target and will be launching their long anticipated (by this girl) collection on target.com and at Target Stores!

Ever since discovering Calypso in the Hamptons years ago it has been one of my favorite stores for quintessential summer threads. Although I would love to own everything in the store, prices can be steep, dresses start at $185 and tops at $95. (aka I have been shopping at Calypso mostly for "wardrobe inspiration")

The collection, which includes separates, swim, accessories and home goods, will range in price from $1.99-$79.99!!!!!! (ALLLL under the Calypso opening price point!!!!)

Sooooo take advantage of this awesome opportunity while you can... I can't guarantee this collection won't sell out quickly!!

**Don't forget, every Target store does not receive every collection! Save yourself the frustration and make a call to ask whether or not your local Target received that Calypso line. If not, have no fear, it is available on Target.com!!

Andd a ROYAL Friday to you toooo!

Today marked a very special day.... We all had to face the facts that Prince William is officially OFF the market and watch as Kate Middleton lived out our secret Princess fantasy!

That being said, THE DRESS... what many learned today is that she HAD TO COVER HER ARMS.

You may notice the sweetheart strapless silhouette beneath the breathtaking lace details.

We also learned that it is not common for the Royals to kiss TWICE??

Whatttttttt?

My Favorite hat???

It takes part in the royal tradition without taking away from her face.

Not OVERRLY distracting like these two...

(gagging)

Welllllllll in honor of this royal occasion, I would like to introduce you to a blog that will allow you to indulge in all the royalness you are looking for to distract you from doing your work today!!!!!

http://katemiddletonforthewin.tumblr.com/

**A special thanks to http://joannafreed.tumblr.com/ for introducing me us to this hilarious blog!

The only time in Soho when the sidewalks are empty and you can't catch a cab...

is when it is rainingggggg.

Thank God for my Mary Poppins umbrella and the Adele CD I downloaded on my ipod last night!!!!!!!

(anddd I secretly Thank God for the "synthetic patent leather" my Steve Madden Kingdom Flats are made of which I have come to find out are water repellent too!!!!!!!!)

Steal of the Day- My look for LESS

With this overcast and mild weather I am obviously wearing my Classic Burberry trench today...

Burberry Trench: $1,195.00

NEWS FLASH: no need to shop Burberry to get this look. After a recent trip to Old Navy with a friend, we found the perfect TRENCH FOR LESS!!!

Old Navy Trench: $16.04

This steal may not be water repellent, but it does look fabulous!!

iced coffee, 3 steals andddddd another steal 4.26.11

Today I set out for 3 steals and a splurge buttt after 1 amazing 20 minute shopping trip... it turned into 3 steals anddddddd another STEAL. I am never out to break the bank and never purchase more than my 4 piece maximum soooo after no deliberation and pure love I sealed the deal on 4 affordable items, choosing to never leave my little 33rd Street H&M heaven.

My trip began as I was completely inspired by H&M's gorgeous WHITE ALL OVER windows (choosing to ignore the disgusting weaves on their mannequins) and saw a dress I had to have.

H&M Shift Dress, $34.95, H&M Leather Braided Belt, $5.95, Timex Gold Watch, $8, H&M Gold Bangles, $5.95, and Vince Camuto Edon Wedges, $98

This Dress is as soft and comfortable as it appears. One of my favorite dresses from last season is a blue animal jacquard shift from Tibi. The print is gorgeous, but what I love most of all is the easy to wear silhouette. This $34.95 H&M dress is the SAME silhouette as that $345 Tibi dress. (**This H&M find does NOT make me regret owning a similar dress 10x the price because nothing beats a Tibi print done right!)

The minute I saw this dress I knew I had to wear it with my new camel colored Vince Camuto Wedges, but not without 1 final touch... A BELT. I marched right over to the accessories section where I found this fantastic leather braided belt for $5.95. Not only was the belt a great deal, it also helped me define my waistline. A shift is great, but don't be shy about accessorizing the dress to make it your own in order to highlight your assets.

Rebecca Taylor Eyelet Top, $275, H&M Pleated Shorts, $17.95, H&M Clutch, $12.95, H&M Silver Bangles, $5.95, and Tibi Juniper Sandals, $375

Not in a MILLLLION years would I have believed you if you told me 2 years ago that my closet would be full of shorts, but never say never. I have recently become a shorts phenatic for 2 reasons, 1. I am a sweater and love nothing more than to shed all the clothing I can (in a ladylike way of course) once we hit summer, and 2. Practicality- They are easier to wear when taking the LIRR and Subway back and forth from the city (aka I am not walking with my legs clenched together as I do the stairs in good old Penn Station)

I absolutely LOVE these shorts, $17.95, as they embody 2 of my favorite trends of the season with a timeless appeal... 1. They are nude. 2. They are high waisted. Also, the texture of the fabric of these shorts is just dreamy. (they feel like pajamas)

As I began to round up my H&M excursion heading for the cashier I spotted from across the store something I felt must have been a trick my eyes were playing on me... as I made my way over to the see of colors I could not believe what I found...

H&M Nude Jeans, $24.95, H&M Chambray L/S Shirt, $29.95, H&M Silver Bangles, $5.95, and Tibi Juniper Sandals, $375

I have been LUSTING over the Rag & Bone Salmon Skinny Jeans for 3 months, ever since I met the most adorable London tourist who was rockin them. (and by meet, i mean i stopped her on the street, complimented her on her amazing style and asked where I could find a pair for myself) I love Rag & Bone but $165 for a pair of jeans that I am not sure would last past this season, I was not willing to take the chance. Now I can't say that these jeans are identical because they are not(they are lighter), but they do play the same color as the salmon. With the peachy hue, I will be wearing these jeans back to white, khaki, and of courseeeee my H&M Denim Chambray Top (aka my first FAVORITE find of the season) seen here. For $24.95, I could not ignore that these jeans filled my need to be seen in some skinny colored jeans.

Insider Tip: My trip to H&M involved a fitting room because as I have shared, sizing is always different. The bottoms I purchased were both an 8. (Note: I am typically a 28 in Denim and a 4-6 in Contemporary Designers bottoms) Also, the dress is a Small, but belt a Medium. You want the belt to be longer so you can style it different ways. That is the best part about braided belts, no need to worry about belt holes.

If you or the men in your life invest in suits LISTEN UP!

As I have worn many hats during my time in fashion, running the men's complex for Neiman Marcus was one of my biggest accomplishments and greatest challenges. Men's fashion is no walk in the park!

While I was outside of my personal comfort zone at first, I soaked up EVERYTHING the experts had to say!

The MOST valuable tip I ever learned was the MOST shocking...

The best care for a suit is:
Dry clean ONLY ‎once to twice a year and have it pressed when needed!

I know you are thinking this is INSANE... BUT the truth is suits are not capable of handling the serious chemicals used in the dry cleaning process often. What many don't know is that when steam is applied to a suit during the pressing process, it does cleanse the fabric. Although it may not remove heavy soil, it will remove natural oils.

If you or the men in your life invest in their suits, this is important to know as the more often they dry clean the weaker the investment!! Suits will have a shorter lifespan.

Ebay...They do!

Designers love to get inspiration for their new collections with vintage apparel and accessories, but don't often have the time to hit vintage boutiques and flea markets...so what's their secret? ebay.com!

Vtg LACE Peasant ROMANTIC Boho Gypsy *ACCORDION* Dress, Current Bid $0.99

Vintage 80s Teal Blue HoundsTooth Secretary Dress M/L, Current Bid $0.99

There are some tricks to the trade when using this fantastic tool.
1. NEVER bid right away, watch the item. Most ebay merchants are professionals and know how to work the system. They will bid in order to have the other bidders react.
2. Read the Seller's reviews. Be sure to check out who you are shopping with and what their reputation is.
3. Some deals really are too good to be true! Be sure to read the entire product description. If you are shopping designer, look for the word replica or inspired by. Remember, many sellers are pros so they know just the spot to throw these details in.

Chanel Black Caviar Evening Clutch, Current Bid $89.99

AUTHENTIC BOTTEGA VENETA HANDBAG/PURSE, Current Bid $51.00

Enjoy the beauty of ebay, but buyer beware, if you do not have the time to spend checking the sources, you may fall victim to scams.

Hidden Treasures on Magazine Street in NOLA- The Vintage Event

No need to travel far when shopping Uptown for deals on Magazine Street. Just across the way from Designer Social sits Retro Active, aka vintage heaven.

The best find in RA is Haley, their official shop girl and the most adorable "Vintage Connoisseur", who is happy to introduce you to her favorite pieces.

Insider Tip: When shopping in vintage stores, always embrace to seller, as they spend their day playing with the merchandise and always know where the diamond in the ruff is stashed.

(notice the hidden Chanel!)

Enamoured with the vintage handbag collection, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be leaving with 1, narrowing it down was the hard part.

I finally made my decision according to price. I loved 4 bags equally, as I felt they were all classic and timeless, but when it came to purchasing, $54 meant more to me than $100, $94, and $86. This bag screamed classic Ralph Lauren, as the chocolate brown suede was in fantastic shape, and the gold detail was the perfect finishing touch.

Although they don't have a website just yet, Haley is happy to assist you over the phone 504.895.5054 and send you pictures of their prized possessions.

Hidden Treasures on Magazine Street in NOLA- The Designer Attic

Above the Uptown neighborhood Papyrus like store, tucked away behind an tiny red spiral staircase, I was spellbound by what I discovered.

Francine Ballard, a former editor at both InStyle and Lucky Magazine, has provided an exclusive platform for the best of the best in an effort to support aspirational fashionistas at Designer Social.

With a fantastic assortment of handbags, jewelry, and shoes, Designer Social really does have something for everyone.

Offering clients the opportunity to shop both New and Vintage, it is easy to spend hours taking the time to not miss a deal.

The best part of Designer Social, no need to travel to New Orleans to enjoy their collection, shop online at DesignerSocial.com where you are able to request additional product information, as well as a price drop. (it never hurts to ask)

Looking for the perfect Summer Tote?

Don't forget about the classics! My large L.L. Bean Tote bag has been my go to for years. With 11 colors and 4 sizes to choose from, there is something for everyone!

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag with an Open-Top, $17.95-$30.95

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag with a Zip-Top, $24.95-$37.95

You will neverrrrr regret owning one of these!!!

Insider Tip: These totes make the perfect gift for your girlfriends. (Don't forget the monogramming!)

Why pay $52 for 1 when you can buy 6?

When I first started working at NM I fell in love with the brand Splendid. Their soft cotton was this girl’s dream come true.

Seen Here: Splendid Fitted Jersey Tank, $52

About a year ago, I was in search of the perfect fitted black tank. In a bind with time, I was forced to run to the closest store to me on LI, Old Navy. After coming across the Fitted Jersey Tank I became disgusted with the fact that I had been spending $52 one a single cotton tank when at $8.50, I could have been buying 6 at a time!

Seen Here: Old navy Fitted Jersey Tank, $8.50

As you may have noticed, my favorite Old Navy Fitted Jersey Tanks play a supporting role in many of my pictures.

Trust me when I tell you that not only is this tank almost identical, but Old Navy uses more spandex so it never looses its shape!! (nothing is worse than wearing a fitted tank that is no longer fitted!)



<3 Old Navy!

Steal of the Day! - Great Summer Wedges!

Why pay $535 for these?

Christian Louboutin Almeria Wedge, $535

When you can pay $95 for these!!!

Vince Camuto Edon Wedges, $98

These shoes are soo comfortable and soo light!! (they feel like you are walking on air!)

Insider Tip: Shop Now & Enjoy 20% Off All Orders with Code APRIL now through 5/1 at vincecamuto.com.

iced coffee, 3 steals and a splurge 4.20.11

Today, I was on a mission to find belts, which as I have shared, are some the most valuable tools in my closet.

Off to Broadway I went...First, I hit up the mother ship for accessories this season, H&M, where I knew I would find some great options.

Seen Here: Prada Black Tank Dress,$495, H&M Belt, $13.95, and Steve Madden Staciee Heels, $89.95

Among the sea of amazingness, I came across a few chic double buckle, spandex and suede belts. With black as an option, it was hard not to play it safe, but I was committed to staying away from my comfort zone. I felt the nude was the best investment, and along with its classic feel, would go with most of my dresses.

**Insider Tip: This Prada dress has been in my closet for 4 years and after loosing a good amount of weight, no longer worked for me. The H&M $13.95 belt saved my $495 dress by both concealing the excess fabric and defining my waistline once again!

Next, I made my way to Forever 21 (shocking), for some more affordable belts. Loving everything straw this season, I was pumped to find this black and natural colored spandex straw belt. (the $5.80 price tag didn't hurt either.)

Seen Here: Forever 21 Solid Cami Tank Dress, $11.80, Forever 21 Straw Tote, $6, Forever 21 Belt, $5.80, Timex Gold Watch, $8, and Old Navy Flip Flops, $2.50

I had to make a quick pit stop at Old Navy to pick up one of my favorite go tos, an $8.50 Old Navy Fitted Jersey Tank in army green. (seen below)

My splurge (and steal) of the day comes from Macy's. I hit the retailer to shop a shoe designer who has my full attention these days, as it is impossible to avoid his amazing ad campaigns. Vince Camuto is on fire this season with his killer designer looks.

Seen Here: Old Navy Fitted Jersey Tank, $8.50, Forever 21 Straw Tote, $6, Tibi White Eyelet Shorts, $295, Gold Timex Watch, $8, and Vince Camuto Edon Wedges, $95

All in all, a successful day, with pieces I know will last longer than this long awaited New England summer!

Be careful what you purge for!!

Last year when I was doing my closet switch I came across this dress, a Gap Outlet purchase from 2007 that I actually purchased because of the price, $4.99. I went to toss it as I felt it had seen better days but at the last minute held onto it "just in case".

As this season arrived and maxi dresses and bohemian silhouettes are all the rage, it seems as though with the help of some of my favorite new accessories, my last season's trash is a this season treasure.

Spanx to you!

I know that some of you hate the name SPANX but the truth is they are the most spectacular invention ever! Whether you are petite or curvy, every woman has room in her closet for at least 1 pair.

They are sold in many colors and styles, each created to suit a different need. The beauty of Spanx is that they are the finishing touch on any dress you own. They provide support and smooth out wrinkles and bumps that may be driving you nuts.

I personally own 6 pairs of Spanx, and use them for both support and warmth. Don’t feel discouraged that you turn to your Spanx in most occasions, the truth is EVERY celebrity is most likely wearing at least 1 pair. Yes, that is correct, at least 1, as in many wear 2… and to keep her junk tight in her trunk Kim Kardashian has gone on record saying she wears 3 at a time.

If you love to wear opaque tights and always wish they were a little darker, a pair of opague Spanx tights worn under a pair of Hue opaque tights achieves an opaque look your friends are sure to ask you about! (mine do)

The Hide & Sleek Hi-Rise Panty with Thong Back,$42.00, is my favorite pair!! The high leg prevents any visible end between your body and the Spanx support.

Give yourself the gift of Spanx, I promise they won’t let you down!

Steal of the Day! - Nude Pumps

Why Pay $795 for these?

Yves Saint Laurent Tribtoo Slingback Pumps

When you can pay $89.95 for these!!!

Steve Madden Staciee Pumps

As you have seen, I am crazy about these shoes! Not only do they look great but they are sooo comfortable!

If you hate wearing heels.. Try these!

Steve Madden Kingdom Flat $63.95 (Also in my closet, also 1 of my go tos!)


**Insider Tip: Nude Pumps are not the shoes you want to "invest" big bucks in!!! Although I <3 them, they do get marked up easily!

Beauty of Belts- Tunic with a Twist

I used to completely avoid tunics as they did nothing for my 34D frame except make me look as wide as a house. It was not until I embraced Belts and all that they had to offer that I realized I would be able to make a tunic work for me.

Seen Here: Rebecca Taylor Python Tunic, Old Navy Diva Boot-Cut Jeans, and Steve Madden Kingdom Flats

By highlighting my waistline with this thin $3.95 H&M belt, I am able to tailor this top to my curvy body!

As wide as a house!

I finally found my waistline again!!!

Insider Tip: I love wearing tunics on days I feel bloated. By highlighting your small point, it is easy to appear smaller than you feel!