Turquoise, Turquoise and More Turquoise!

That's right! The most fashionable color for 2010 will be turquoise! Pantone, the renowned authority in color-forecasting, has declared turquoise as the Color of the Year for 2010.  The company states that "turquoise transports us to an exciting, tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times."  But it also looks great on everyone and on everything!  

Turquoise has long been a popular choice for jewelry, but look for it on clothing, shoes, handbags, and more in the next year.  I love turquoise, so I can't wait to see what's in store for all of us fashionistas in 2010!

http://www.pantone.com/

Town and Country Crossing Shopping Extravaganza

'Tis the season to spend all of that hard-earned cash!  And what better way to do that than go shopping for clothes, shoes, handbags, and jewelry?

A great place for one-stop shopping this holiday season is Town and Country Crossing.  And this month, four fabulous boutiques will be offering a shopping extravaganza!  Laurie Solet, Klutch, Susan Lynn's, and Codi are teaming up to offer the chance to win a $1000 shopping spree.  Every Thursday in December (that means today!), if you shop from 4 to 8pm, you can register to win the shopping spree.  Imagine what you could buy for the holidays with $1000, whether it be for your family and friends, or just for you. Oh, and there will be complimentary wine for shoppers as well!

These four boutiques offer many different items for all of the fashionistas on your shopping list.  So go to Town and Country Crossing today and register for your chance to win.  Happy Shopping!

Rent-A-Dress

Check out my new obsession to find all of the best dresses for your holiday parties: Rent the Runway.  This website is like a Netflix for dresses.  You become a member, browse the dress selection, and rent a dress for a party, date, or just for fun.  The dresses are from designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Alice + Olivia, and many more.  You can search by dress style, designer, occasion, or trend.  When you order your dress, Rent the Runway will send you two sizes to make sure you get the perfect fit.  At prices from $50 to $200, this website is a great way to get a fabulous dress for a low price.  And plus, you won't have to worry about wearing the same outfit twice, because you just return the dress after you wear it.

Simple, inexpensive and fun!

http://renttherunway.com

Burberry Perfects the "Art of the Trench"

We all know that Burberry makes fabulous trench coats, and has been since the early 20th century.  And now the historic company has added a new concept to their business plan: a social networking site.  Art of the Trench is an online forum for people who love Burberry trench coats.  Visitors can explore the history of the company and of the trench, and they can also share their personal pictures showing their love for the Burberry trench.   Other people can comment on the pictures and pick their favorites.  It's a fun way for Burberry lovers to share their stories through pictures.  As the website states, "Art of the Trench is a living document of the trench coat and the people who wear it."  Art of the Trench is a great marketing tool for the company, and a good way for visitors to see the history of Burberry and how it is still popular today.

http://artofthetrench.com/

Ivy Hill Boutique Anniversary Party

It's tonight! From 5pm-7pm, at Ivy Hill Boutique, you will receive 30% one item when you shop! There will also be some yummy holiday treats for shoppers.  Make your way over to the Central West End and celebrate with Ivy Hill!

Ivy Hill

304 N. Euclid Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63108

For the Fashionista Cook in You

For all of us fashionistas out there, there is rarely a time that we will sacrifice looking great, no matter what we are doing.  This includes cooking and entertaining.  Enter Jessie Steele, a selection of vintage-inspired hostess and kitchen aprons.

Started by a mother and daughter who love vintage fashion, Jessie Steele offers adult aprons, child aprons, and coordinating mitts and tea towels. These designs are adorable and chic and will brighten up any kitchen! Although they are not sold in stores yet, you can order by phone, online, or through one of their reps.

Check out these fashionista-approved aprons at www.jessiesteele.com.

Must-Have Trend of the Moment

You've probably seen this trend all over fashion magazines, websites, and celebrity news stories: over-the-knee boots.  These boots are chic, yet edgy at the same time, and they can look good on anyone.  Whether suede or leather, these boots are a hot item right now and they come in all different colors.

One of my favorite websites, shoes.com, has a great selection of over-the-knee boots.  The website makes finding the perfect pair extremely easy, by letting you choose your size, your color, and your favorite brand.  Find boots from BCBG, Sam Edelman, Calvin Klein, Carlos, and many more on this fabulous website.  Right now is the perfect time to buy a pair of over-the-knee boots, which you can wear with your favorite pair of jeans or a cute holiday dress.  Check out shoes.com for the best selection of this hot fall fashion trend!

www.shoes.com

Sale Alert!

Today's Sale Alert is brought to you by Ivy Hill Boutique.  Ivy Hill is a St. Louis boutique that sells clothing, accessories, and gifts.  This Saturday, they are having their Halloween Sale, from 10:30-7:00.  Select fall and winter merchandise will be 50% to 90% off! This sale is for one day only, so put on your Halloween costume and go shop!

Ivy Hill

304 N. Euclid Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63108

Local Designer to Watch

His name is Michael Shead and he is a native resident of St. Louis.  His collection is called Michael Shead est. 1987 and it is full of fabulous dresses, gowns, tops, and bottoms.  He has shown twice at St. Louis Fashion Week, and he has just launched his new website.  Check it out to read his story, scan through his blog, and see his collections.  You won't be disappointed!

http://msheadest1987.com/fall2009.htm

The Olsen Twins for...JC Penney?

Yes, you read that correctly.  Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are designing a line for JC Penney.  The new line, for juniors, is called Olsenboye and will feature denim, tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, bottoms, handbags and shoes.  The prices will range from $20 to $50, a huge price difference from their other collections, The Row and Elizabeth and James, which have prices in the high hundreds.

The Olsenboye collection will be available exclusively at JC Penney on November 6th.  Will any of you be shopping this collection? Do you think these clothes will sell? Let me know your thoughts!

New Boutique

Laurie Solet, the fabulous boutique in Clayton, MO has just opened its second location in Town & Country, MO.  The new store is located next to the Whole Foods store at Clayton and Woods Mill Roads.  Labels include Splendid, Free People, CC Skye, Dogeared, and Ella Moss, among many others.  Go check out the new store!

Laurie Solet
1176 Town and Country Crossing Drive
Town and Country, MO 63017

Luxury Comes to H&M

On November 14th, fashionistas all over will be able to own a coveted pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.  The luxury shoe line, which also includes bags and accessories, will be made more affordable for H&M customers.  The items will be available in 200 stores worldwide, and shoes and bags will be made with real leather!  The H&M line will include clothing as well, bringing consumers sexy glamour at a reasonable price.

Look for the Jimmy Choo for H&M line on November 14th, just in time for the holiday season! Shop this collection ASAP to get the best pieces available!

For All of My Fellow Shoe Lovers...

Would you like to join the World's Premier Shoe Society?  ShoeDazzle is a website, created by Kim Kardashian and her stylist friends, that provides you with your own personal shoe stylist.  For just $39 a month, you get personalized shoe recommendations from qualified shoe stylists, one pair of shoes sent to you each month, and free shipping on all shoes!  The shoes range from stylish heels, to adorable flats, to cute booties.

This site is convenient, very helpful, and so fun--you start out by taking a shoe quiz! So, if you love shoes, I suggest you check out this website.

www.shoedazzle.com

Sale Alert!

Mary Jane's Shoes, a boutique in the Central West End in St. Louis, is having a huge boot sale: 25% off all boots until the end of October! They sell boots from Hunter, Ugg, Frye, and more.  It's boot season, so go check out the fabulous selection at Mary Jane's!

To All of My Chicago Friends...

I know, I know, Chicago is not St. Louis.  But it is still part of the midwest and an amazing shopping destination.  So I wanted to share with you a new website that I came across.  Style Admirer Chicago gives you information about all of the local events, sales, fashion news, and shopping districts in the city of Chicago.  Check it out!

www.styleadmirer.com

Barbie's Getting A Shoe Makeover!

Not only can you buy a pair of beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes for yourself, but now you can buy a pair for your Barbie to match!  The fabulous French designer is teaming up with Mattel, the maker of Barbie, to create three customized dolls, as well as dozens of his famous red-soled shoes.

For just $150, you can own one of these customized Louboutin dolls, which comes with four pairs of his signature shoes.  You can also buy additional shoes for the dolls, and every doll comes packaged in a Christian Louboutin shoe box.  Amazing!

So for all of you Barbie fans and collectors out there, start saving for these limited edition dolls.  The first doll will be available this December, followed by a second one in February, and the final one in May.

 

I’m very excited to see the collection.  I mean, if Barbie has to walk on her toes all day, she might as well do it in a pair of gorgeous Christian Louboutin heels.

More Fashion Week News

Four local boutiques showcased their apparel, shoes, and accessories last night at Saint Louis Fashion Week.  Valerie Mills, Ivy Hill, Mary Jane's, and Byrd Style Lounge all presented shows and there has been a lot of positive feedback.  Congratulations to those four stores!

There are two events going on today and one event tonight for Saint Louis Fashion Week.  All day today there is a Fashion Week Market, where you can shop for items from the designers as well as other creative artists from the area.  Going on right no, DIYStyle is presenting Launch, showcasing four up-and-coming designers: Allyce King, Courtney Stiles, Maggie Laskowitz, and Connie Bourgeois.  These for ladies will each show their collection, as well as a "Rejectamenta" gown in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The final show of the day is Emerge, presented by Bakers.  This show will feature Bolongaro Trevor, TRIM, and Love Brigade.  This show includes a VIP reception beforehand.

If you haven't checked out any of Saint Louis Fashion Week, I encourage you to go to a show and support our local fashion industry.  And, as always, let me know your thoughts on Saint Louis Fashion Week or any of the events.

www.saintlouisfashionweek.com

Top Trend: Long-Sleeved Dresses

It’s definitely feeling like fall outside which means it’s time to break out the fall wardrobe—and buy new pieces, too!  A top trend right now is the long-sleeved dress.  These dresses can be worn during warmer days with heels and colder nights with tights.  You can dress them up for work with a jacket and belt, or dress them down for a night out with some knee-high boots and funky jewelry.

These dresses come in all patterns, materials, and prices.  Whether you buy a low-cut dress or one with shoulder pads, there is a long-sleeved dress that will flatter any body type.  It may be colder outside, but you can still wear a fabulous dress.

Here are some of my favorites below.  French Connection has a great assortment, as does Nordstrom.  For less expensive dresses, try H&M or Forever 21.  And for great local dresses, go to Blush Boutique in Kirkwood, MO.

French Connection Annie Dress $178

French Connection Lust Dress $288

Forever 21 Pleated Waist Knit Dress $19.80

Forever 21 Snap Button Gingham Dress $22.80

Blush: Tart Clothing Joan Tunic $185

Nordstrom Frenchi® V-Neck Dress $39

Bakers Project:Design! Winner

Dragana Jovic, who designs under the label Jelek, was the winner of Bakers Project:Design! competition at last night's opening of Saint Louis Fashion Week.  Dragana recently graduated from Lindenwood University with a masters in Fashion Design.  Her attention to detail and structured silhouettes helped her win the $30,000 prize package.  Congratulations to Dragana and all of the other designers who participated!

Did any of you see her show last night? Is anyone going to the shows today? Let me know your thoughts about Saint Louis Fashion Week!

STL Fashion Week Reminder

Saint Louis Fashion Week kicks off tonight with Bakers Project:Design hosted by Project Runway star Jillian Lewis.  The six collections in the competition are: Evil Kitty by Lidia Wachowska, Jelek by Dragana Jovic, Jennifer Neal Clothing by Jennifer Neal, Katie Kantley by Katie Kantley, Kristian Cortez by Kristin Cunningham and Trashbiscuit by A.J. Thouvenot and Ryan Coyn.  Buy your tickets now and come support these designers and others!

Scientific Marketing: Attacking Your Senses

A new wave of technology is taking over the way that we shop.  Scientific technology and brain scans are being used to entice shoppers to buy products, as well as figure out what consumers want.  Stores that are using sensory imagery to persuade customers include Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister.  If you’ve ever spent time in either of these stores, you know that there is a specific smell associated with the company, as well as dim lighting and loud music.  The stores have concluded that their customers respond the best to those elements and are persuaded to buy more products when entering the stores.

Scientific marketing helps certain stores stand out from other stores during the economic recession.  If these companies want to make more money, they need to find ways to appeal to their customers, rather than just with the look of their products.

I don’t know how I feel about brain scans and having the store know everything that I want; but I do think that appealing to the senses is important because it makes the consumer want to stay and shop.  If a store doesn’t smell good to you, why would you want to shop there?

Let me know your thoughts about brain scans and sensory technology.  Creepy or fabulous?

Create Your Own Outfit

Here's another great website that lets you explore different outfit options, shop fashion websites, and create your own look online.  It's called Polyvore, and not only is it useful when trying to put an outfit together, but it is also fun!  Members can search through the clothing, shoes, and accessories databases and click on the pieces that they are interested in.  Once you click, the website will tell you how much the item costs, where to buy it, and what pieces to mix it with.  You can also explore different looks including trends of the moment and celebrity-inspired outfits.  The fun part comes in when you create your own outfit.  By clicking and dragging the pieces you like into a box, you can make your own looks and publish them on the site.  Polyvore is a great website that lets you put together your own outfit, and then buy it directly online.  So cool!

Visit the site and become a member at: www.polyvore.com

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

…But these rain boots are so delightful! I’m talking about Target’s adorable and fashionable assortment of rain boots.  It seems like the rain will never stop here in St. Louis, which means that it is the perfect time for a new pair of wellies.  Gone are the days when rain boots were only available in a handful of colors.  Target has the best selection with many different styles and colors to choose from at affordable prices.  These fun boots can be worn in rain or snow.  I have a pair of hot pink Target rain boots and they are my best friends on days like today.  Here are some of my favorites:

Women’s Houndstooth Rain Boots $24.99

Women’s Merona Zandra Flannel Rain Boots $32.99

Women’s Xhilaration Zanthe Duck Shoes $19.99

Women’s Pinky Plaid Rain Boots $24.99

Women’s Mod Dot Rain Boots $24.99

E-Commerce: A New Way of Saving

I want to take some time to talk about online boutiques and online sales.  The specific websites I am referring to are Rue La La, Hautelook, and Gilt Groupe to name a few.  These online boutiques have sales going on every day on everything from jewelry to shoes to appliances and everything in between.  These sales are for limited amounts of time (usually a few days), but the savings are amazing! How amazing? Well, right now Elie Tahari coats are 55% off on Hautelook.  And over on Rue La La, Cole Haan bags and shoes are half off original prices.  Gilt Group sells items up to 70% off and even has a travel site for shoppers who want great travel deals.  Does all of this sound too good to be true? It’s not.

Another great e-commerce site is Shop It To Me.  This site is personalized to your specific needs.  You just fill out a form with all of your measurements and pick your top brands.  The company looks at websites from designers and department stores and e-mails you when your favorite pieces are on sale in your size.  They do the work, you save the time and cash.

So how do you become a member of these exclusive online boutiques? Just go to their websites, listed below, and register with your e-mail address.  Every time a sale is starting or ending, you will receive an e-mail update.  Becoming a member of these sites is a quick and easy way to get great clothes and accessories while saving a lot of money.  And right now, on Rue La La, you can even get $10 credit for referring friends to the site.  And over on Gilt Groupe, you get $25 for referring friends. Now those are pretty good deals!  Check out these online boutiques, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Sales coming up on Rue La La include Dolce and Gabanna, Bare Escentuals, and Narciso Rodriguez.  Gilt Groupe has Narciso Rodriquez accessories and Elizabeth and James sales going on right now.  And on the Hautelook site, Paige Premium Denim and Via Spiga have sales during October. 

Happy Shopping!

www.ruelala.com

www.hautelook.com

www.gilt.com or www.giltfuse.com

www.shopittome.com

Sale Alert!

Today’s Sale Alert comes from Laurie Solet.  Right now at this fabulous Clayton boutique, if you buy two coats or jackets, you get the third for $0.1.  A PENNY! Now, that’s a great deal!

Laurie Solet

8228 Forsyth Blvd.

Clayton, MO 63105

St. Louis, Shopping Destination?

Well, not yet.  But hopefully soon.  The most recent fashion and shopping news has not been the best for St. Louis.  Unfortunately, Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked St. Louis last in shopping out of 33 major U.S. cities.  Ouch.  Although, we did rank 3^rd for most affordable city, so there is some good news.

St. Louis may not be a shopping capital of the U.S. (yet) but it is my belief that the city is on its way to making a name for itself in the fashion world.  It is my goal to bring all of you the latest fashion news and the best places to shop.  There are dozens of amazing boutiques and shopping centers throughout the city.

While writing this blog, I will let you know about local store openings, sales, events, trunk shows, etc. so that you can get the best shopping experience.  I will also mention some of my favorite places to shop in the city, whether it be online, at a boutique, or at a shopping mall.  Stay tuned for some fabulous places to shop in St. Louis. We will make our way toward the top of the list.

Tommy Hilfiger for iPhone

To all of you iPhone and iTouch users out there: a new shopping app has been introduced from designer Tommy Hilfiger.  This free app is available now and it lets users browse the Tommy Hilfiger collection and make purchases directly from the online catalog.  There are other apps available that have “shopping functions,” letting users browse websites, etc.  But Tommy Hilfiger, who partnered with Art Technology Group, Inc. (ATG) to produce this app, is one of the few that allows shoppers to put items in a digital shopping cart, either to purchase now or save for later.

Although this isn’t a new concept, there are few apps on the iPhone and iTouch that work this way.  I’m sure that in the very near future, other designers and companies will follow the lead of Tommy Hilfiger and create apps themselves.  Who wouldn’t want shopping to be quicker and easier?

Saint Louis Fashion Week

This October 12^th kicks off the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion week in St. Louis.  From the 12^th to the 18^th, there will be fashion shows, contests, receptions and after parties that will showcase the best of the St. Louis fashion industry.  The first set of fashion shows will be on October 14^th, when Bakers Project:Design, hosted by former Project Runway contestant Jillian Lewis, shows six lucky designers who will compete for $30,000.  All designers are winners, however, because they get to show their line at one of the top fashion weeks in the country. 

On Thursday, Bakers presents Current, which includes shows from four St. Louis boutiques: Byrd, Valerie Mills, Ivy Hill, and Mary Jane’s.  Friday’s shows include a presentation from DIYStyle, which will introduce four new, young designers.  On Saturday, the final day of shows, FGI will host Evolve, which includes designers such as last season’s Project:Design winner Michael Drummond, as well as another finalist Laura Kathleen.  Laura Kathleen produced a beautiful show last spring when she unveiled her Fall/Winter 2009 collection inspired by birds of Missouri.  Her show this fall will not disappoint!

For the full fashion week schedule, check out the fashion week website at www.saintlouisfashionweek.com.  Buy your tickets today and help support the St. Louis fashion industry!

Cute Booties!

So did anyone watch the new promo for The City, on MTV?  I know the show has already premiered, but the promo and press pictures on the MTV website showcase different pairs of shoes that are TO DIE FOR!  It’s no secret that cute little booties are all the rage this fall, and the shoes from The City are no exception.

Boots of all heights are a great choice for fall, but I listed some of my favorite ankle booties below.  Wish in Ladue, a suburb of St. Louis, is a great local boutique with fantastic shoes and boots.  I think my favorite of the booties I chose are the blue Kapetanos boots from Aldo.  They are bright and fun and definitely eye-catching.  Check them out on the website!  Also, check out shoes.com for even more super cute booties for the fall season! And for all the best shoe news, go to Coco’s blog at shoeskinny.blogspot.com!

Hot Kiss Women’s Ryder in Brown $49.99 at Famous Footwear

www.famousfootwear.com

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Berkley Bootie $73.90 at Nordstrom

www.nordstrom.com

Women's Xhilaration® Kamaria Ankle Boots in Black or Tan $29.99 at Target

www.target.com

Sam Edelman “Maddie” suede ankle boot in Chocolate or Black $145 at Wish

www.wishshoes.com

Women’s Kapetanos in Medium Blue $120 at Aldo

www.aldoshoes.com