If this is your first visit here, please go to my blog's new home, here. You will find more updated posts and if you are lucky, I might just be running a giveaway :-)
If you have been here before, welcome back! I have moved to self-hosted Wordpress, so now you can find me by just typing www.theunlikelyhousewife.com in your browser. I hope to see you there!
XO, Elisa
P.S. This blog's comment are now closed. One more reason to visit me on WP ;-)
Leaving it to the last day of the month, eh Elisa? Cutting it kind of close ;-)
Here's this month's Cool Finds post!
One for our pregnant friends: Christian Siriano, Season 4 winner of Project Runway, has designed a line of pregnancy clothing called (what else!) Fierce Mamas, and , you can find it at Moody Mamas. And for designer pregnancy threads without the hefty price tag, check out InStyle Belly. I bet you are feeling lucky to be sporting a bump right now!
How I miss my InStyle subscription! I'm waiting to move before I start a new one. Luckily, InStyle also has lots of great features online, too: like this Spring Trends for Your Shape guide!
Have you seen the new Bonnie collection by Coach? As usual, they are slightly overpriced and a little too small for my taste, but some of them are stunning! Like the jeweled tote, priced at *gasp* $1,000! (bit steep for cotton twill, no?)
You already know how much I love Sephora. My only gripe: too many chemicals, not enough natural brands. Not anymore! Sephora is carrying more and more natural brands, and not just "fake" ones (read: botanical-based but including no-nos like parabens or sodium lauryl sulphate), also fabulously natural ones like Pacifica, which makes fantastic soy candles and essential-oil based fragrances, for those of us allergic to synthetic fragrance. My favorite: Brazilian Mango and Grapefruit - yum. (If you prefer not to have to read labels, check out Beautorium instead.)
A new magazine has hit... the web. VIVmag, like DuJour, cannot be found on the newsstand, but it can be read online (or downloaded on your computer). The cool part: It's an interactive magazine, which makes the articles much more interesting, like an article on fitness that includes animated exercise moves, or a cooking feature that's the dream of every at-home cook, because it contains a step-by-step video demonstration! Click here for a FREE trial membership.
If you love Rebecca Minkoff's handbags as much as I do, you'll be excited to hear about her new apparel line - drats, now I don't know if I should save for a Nikki or a Tuesday Trench Coat.
Let's talk about shoes: Kate Spade has a lovely, colorful spring collection; SheFinds helps us find great sandals under $100, and the new book (including photographs, sketches, and drawings!! can I get a "squee!"?) about the fabulous Salvatore Ferragamo just came out this month. As PopSugar said, let's put on our reading shoes ;-)
- Shauna from Is it 5 o'clock yet? shares her thoughts on the whole "growing up/getting old" thing.
- The Bloggess gives a great example of why PR people and anyone pitching to bloggers should first read their blogs. (Seriously, please do.)
- Savvy Auntie gives us some ideas to throw the little girls in our lives a Fancy Nancy-themed party.
- Always ready to expand our horizons when it comes to food, Jessie tells us how to make surprisingly delicious eggplant fries.
- The City Sage tells us what online tool is "the human equivalent of a ball of string!"
and last but not least, go here to see Kristen's results on JM's 30-day Shred! Awesome job, Kristen! Great motiovation to the reats of us to get off our... sofas, too ;-)
This end one of my favorite Cool Finds posts! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed compiling it. As usual, if you want to suggest something to be included in the next installment of Cool Finds of The Month, e-mail me or send me a Tweet!
Ok, I'm sorry, is it just me? Am I getting old? (ok, don't answer that)
What is with the whole showing underwear thing? Believe me, I'm Italian, I am a firm believer in pretty underwear. I'm not exactly a prude, either. However I don't believe you should show it to the world. Even Carrie was reluctant to go out in her underwear, and they were D&G!
Problem #1: young men wearing their jeans really low and showing their boxers. I don't know who gave them the idea that this looks good – it really doesn't. I don't want to see your boxer shorts. Pull up your pants!! (And if you don't, you'd better not move to Louisiana.)
Problem #2: super-duper-short skirts/dresses. I mean, that's taking "mini" to a whole other level. The dress Lindsay Lohan wore at the MTV Awards last year? Lovely, but way too short. Are we really surprised that we managed to get a good look under her skirt? Although at least this time she was wearing underwear. But still, did we need to see that? (Hormone-crazed teenage boys, this isn't for you to answer.) I think not.
More: just today, going through my e-mail, I saw two photos, from two different fashion blogs/websites, with gals wearing super-short dresses that I'm pretty sure gave onlookers a good idea of what they were (or were not) wearing.
Example #1: straight out of the latest WhoWhatWear newsletter Their suggestion: wear trendy accessories with great basic pieces. What they forgot to add: you know what's a great basic piece? Pants.
Example #2: from today's Shopbop's* Stylefile Their tip: you've got it, flaunt it. What they forgot to add: by "legs" we mean the part below your butt. Our model here is actually still getting dressed.
I mean, really.
I do admire these girls for being proud of their bodies, and I understand if people want to live by the old adage slogan "Nothing gets between me and my Calvins". I get it. But there really should be something between me and your Calvins.
*I still love you, Shopbop. This is by no means a reflection of how much you rock. Or maybe it is, just a little ;-)
Wow, I seem to be running late on everything this month (well, not everything, thank goodness - my baby dust deflector seems to be working ;-)). Someone might question whether I deserve a Swiss passport ;-)
Let's move on to what we are here for, shall we? Here are the Cool Finds Of The Month.
The beauty world seems to be having a midlife crisis: all of a sudden we see lines dedicated to iconic childhood characters, like Hello Kitty and Barbie. That's right, the MAC Hello Kitty collection debuted this month, and not only it includes makeup, but also designer Hello Kitty-inspired designer clothes, currently being auctioned off.
The above is followed, quite expectedly, with an obsession with pink. Bergdorf Goodman shows us the prettiest pink things we can't afford now in it's current Color Story.
Craving more bright colors? If you, like me, are sick of the snow and cold, brighten up your day and accessorize for spring with Accessories & Beyond new colorful leather bracelets, available at Fragments, starting at $30.
Need a special outfit for your little princess? Look no futher. Alice + Olivia's new girls line is now available at Neiman Marcus, and if the Eloise dress (pictured here) isn't enough to make you melt into a puddle you have a black, black heart.
If you already love your MasterCard, I bet you'd love it even more if it got a little facelift... especially if it was done by Roberto Cavalli. The Italian designer, in association with MasterCard and a number of luxury retailers, has designed a new credit card for the fashion-obsessed. Together with the gorgeous python-print card you get VIP services at Cavalli boutiques, and some pretty exclusive perks. Salivating yet? You can apply here.
Last but not least: for those of us not so much into yellow (like yours truly), luckily coral is another hot hue for spring and summer. And here's a fabulous coral-inspired giveaway sponsored by Benefit and Banana Republic: Coralista Fashionista Sweepstakes (bad name, good contest!)
- Whether you love crafts or like me, despise them, you must check out Craftastrophe. If you thought your craft efforts were a little less than awesome, you'll definitely feel better after seeing some of the... ehm... inventive crafts posted.
- Racked give us the scoop on the McQ line for Target (and the launch party - making me regret not going!)
- Bakerella showed us how to make a chocolate praline box... out of of cake.
That's it for this month! I hope you enjoyed this post. If you want to suggest something to be included in the next installment of Cool Finds of The Month, e-mail me or send me a Tweet!
You can enjoy free drinks, 20% off the new Vivienne Tam collection, a free tote with the purchase of a Vivienne Tam HP Mini, the chance to win gift certificates from HP and Vivienne Tam.
Here it is again! It's back. There may be no sales in the new edition, but there are some cool things from the web and the blogosphere. Enjoy!
We used to think that fashion and technology were two separate things. Now we know better. And here's the latest example: World-renowned designer Vivienne Tam and HP created the perfect fusion of fashion and technology for the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook. This gorgeous "digital clutch" is now finally available on HP Direct, starting at $699.99 (U.S.).
Looking for affordable edgy, unique accessories? Check out Love Madds. Madeline Rhodes' pieces are pretty without being boring, girly but with a bit of an edge. And best of all, they are very affordable. I dare you to get just one!
Private sale websites have become increasingly popular, because of the possibility to buy designer and brand items at more affordable prices. The latest addition is RedTagCrazy, where you can score apparel and accessories from popular labels and get $5 off you first purchase, which will already be discounted at 50-80% retail prices. RedTagCrazy says it best on their website: "Quantities are limited, time is limited, and our attention span is limited - so stay awake."
Being single in New York was never as celebrated as it has been since Sex and The City started airing, and now there's a great post-SATC chance for celebration: New York City's Hotel Giraffe offers a Single & Fabulous package for you and friends to celebrate Valentine's Day with brunch, Bloomingdale's discounts, makeup sessions at MAC, and VIP passes to nightclub Marquee.
With more and more people using Wii Fit to get back into regular exercise, it was just a mater of time before someone came up with more gadgets to use in conjunction with it. Riiflex is a not-yet-produced-but-already-promoted dumbbell-like weight to click onto the Wii Remote to add weight to strength training exercises. It may work or not, but you have to admit it's an interesting idea.
Don't buy this for your Valentine, unless you are trying to send a message: the Kissometer is a device that works much like a breathalyzer, except it will rate your "kissability" based on your breath, and gives you one of five possible answers: Kiss me, Possible, Maybe, Risky, and Never.
- Allison Worthington, beloved author of the popular blog Mrs. Fussypants and Editor in Chief of Blissfully Domestic, has another winner on her hands: Worthington Wire pulls all the latest news in many different fields and topic, including but not limited to: Politics, Pop culture, Healthy Living, Recipes and much more. Follow Allison's updates on Twitter @WorthyWire
- Marie Denee tells us about a vintage store catering to plus-size and full-figured women.
- On Running in Heels, Alison Stewart tells us which jeans to pick for different looks, and how to accessorize them.
- Sue at Happy Meals and Happy Hour shares a helpful video for those of us who want to exercise at home.
That's it for this month! I hope you enjoyed this post. If you want to suggest something to be included in the next installment of Cool Finds of The Month, e-mail me or send me a Tweet!
I'm like a shy guy: pretty girls make me nervous. Maybe because often they will look you up and down (what Becky Bloomwood refers to as the "Manhattan once-over") and on a low-self-esteem day, it's all I can do not to hit the ground running. Jean Vouté Pratt, the fabulous woman behind the popular fashion blog Style Observer, is nothing like that. She is as nice and friendly as she is gorgeous – translation: very.
I had the chance to meet Jean and her lovely husband for coffee, and when I asked her if I could interview her for my blog, she gracefully accepted. (My reply? A very professional "Yay!") If you know and love Style Observer (and why wouldn't you?) you'll love this, so get reading!
Hi Jean!
I'm really excited to have you on my blog, so before I start babbling, let's get right down to it:
Mother of two, happily married, but also business woman and renown fashion expert. You are an inspiration! How do you do it all?
Since I work from home now, it's easier to manage my time. I can work into the night if I have to. I make it clear to myself and anyone else that my boys come FIRST. So, I work around their needs – which sometimes means I'm up until 2 A.M.
I have been a fan of Style Observer since I first found it, last year. You never seem to miss a beat! Like the recent "Splurge vs. Steal" post, a really fitting topic in the current economic climate. These days people are more careful what they spend their money on. What do you think are the things one should splurge on, and get the best available? Is it the shoes? Handbags? The perfect pair of jeans? Special occasion clothing?
Everyone is feeling it [recession] right now! So, we're all looking to save money. I don't think many people are splurging on big items right now. If you want to invest in items right now, it should be the classics: handbags, shoes, trench coat... pieces that you will use for years.
I love the most recent posts where you show how to dress for yourbodyshape! We all want to highlight our best features and... well, hide our flaws a bit :-) I have enjoyed the "universal" tips a lot too, like when you showed us how the perfect pair of black pants can get you out of a "what to wear?" conundrum. Are there other "key" pieces you think every woman should own?
Absolutely! Every woman should own: a crisp white shirt, a pair of black pumps, a black skirt, a festive top - in a color that suits them, a pair of well constructed jeans, a great white tee, a trench coat, a pair of brown boots, a tote bag, and a clutch. These are your "go to" pieces that will never let you down.
I noticed you included pieces from the Anya Hindmarch for Target line in some of your posts. What do you think of the partnerships between designers and popular store chains? Target's Go Designers, Vera Wang for Kohls and so on. Do you own any items from these collections?
Yes, I have an Anya Hindmarch shoulder bag and clutch form Target. I love when designers partner-up. I want their designs at reasonable prices, just like the next girl. I have no problem carrying a Target bag to fashion week, as long as it's chic and good looking. Anya Hindmarch did a phenomenal job with her design for Target – it translated really well! I'm usually really hopeful when I hear a designer is doing a collection for Target or H&M etc – BUT I'm usually disappointed with what comes out. Except for Anya.
You seem to enjoy casual clothing as much as dressing up. What is your favorite item in your closet?
I love to dress up sometimes, but I need to be able to hang around with my boys most of the time. Casual clothes are a huge part of my life . I have a pair of motorcycle boots that I have had for almost 15 years, and they are perfect! They are my everyday boots that I can wear into the city or running around with my kids.
You and your blog work as inspiration for many women out there. Who is your inspiration?
My parents! They grew up in the Bronx together, and worked their "bottoms" off to build a great marriage, family, and business. It's truly an American Dream story. I've learned such different things from each of them that I use in business everyday. My Mom taught me to trust my "gut" instincts, and my father taught me to "never give up". They both taught me that family comes first- no matter what. I always refer back to that.
You recently answered a reader's question about how to update her "business casual" style. This reader had no problem defining her style, but I know plenty of people who are still struggling to find their own. Can you offer some tips?
What do you like? When you see other girls' styles, what catches your eye and why? What do you feel comfortable in? What impression do you want the world to get when they see you? A good tip would be to try on, try on, try on, and play a little with looks. Take someone you really trust with you to a store and ask what looks good etc. Cut out pictures of looks that you like and pin them on your closet wall.
Your posts on Style Observer are really helpful and insightful. Do you offer personal stylist services?
I'm about to start offering some services. A closet consultation, where I will help the girls go through what they have and pull outfits together. Also, I will be available to go on shopping trips for advice on looks etc. I'll probably try to figure out a way to do a Skype call for girls who are not in the NY area. Style Observer is about to expand offering more to the readers. Stay tuned for that!
Thank you Jean, for all the fantastic tips! Thank you also for fitting this chat into your busy life.
Thanks Elisa, I had fun answering your questions!
Jean blogs about fashion on Style Observer, where she breaks down current trends and helps readers put fashion and real life together. If you have a style question for Jean that you'd like addressed on her blog, e-mail her at Questions@StyleObserver.com
A few months ago I was lucky enough to win a Botkier Sasha satchel from ThisNext. I saw it, I really wanted it, and spent many hours doing recommendations on the site, disregarding the household chores (ok, that's nothing new). It paid off. I won it.
The Sasha was my very first designer bag. I've had "brand" handbags, but never a designer bag. I've always been of the opinion that spending several hundred (or several thousand) dollars one one bag was silly and wasteful - why do that when you could have several less expensive bags instead, and have more variety?
That was my opinion, until I started using the Sasha. The bag is a medium size, which means I can fits lots in but no so much that it's so heavy that I can't carry it comfortably. It has two handles but also a wider strap, so it can be held like a satchel or carried on the shoulder like a hobo, leaving my hands free to pick up Stella, hold a coffee, push the stroller and so on. And the fact that the bag is made of nylon (with patent leather accents) means that it won't get ruined if I wear it when it's raining, and that it doesn't stain as easily. In other words, a perfect bag for a fashionable mom. And don't let the word "nylon" put you off: because of the quality of the material and the way it was dyed, the bag looks more like satin, it's really lovely! I get a lot of compliments on it.
Because of the bag's characteristics, I ended up using it for 3 weeks straight after I got it, no change. Needless to say, that had never happened before, and I finally had to admit the truth: when you have a really nice handbag, it will go with almost everything and you won't feel the need to change it as often. Which means that instead of owning the current 20-something bags I have in my closet, now I'd much rather have 3 really great bags (saving up for a Jackie or Asher right now).
The Sasha nylon satchel retails for $480 ($450 online), but is now on sale at Tobi ($270), LunaBoston ($225), Endless ($300), ShopDressOnline ($332, large), Shoes4Go ($315). Mine is burgundy, but the bag also comes in Chocolate Brown, Electric Blue and Black.
Pssst! If you are reading this on January 21 or 22, you might be lucky enough to score a Medium Sasha on RueLaLa for $175! It's by invitation only, so if the link doesn't work, e-mail me for an invite.
Here's the second part of the Cool Find of the Month, Holiday edition. Here you will find a few tips about things you'll need for the Holiday Parties you'll be attending: clothes, accessories, hostess gifts, and even party necessities like decorations and recipes, if YOU will be the one hosting.
I hope you find this helpful!
If you have trouble picking hostess gifts, consider this: those (crazies) who don't like chocolate are few and far between . And when we are talking about one of the scrumptious confections from Recchiuti, the number is even smaller. Order a bunch and be set for all the holiday parties you are going to attend – you'll get 15% off your order using coupon code ARTISAN.
If your hostess is a fashion maven, she will definitely love these cookies by Eleni's! The handbag cookies are fashioned after designer handbags, and will be delivered to your door already in a gift box, ready to give... or keep (they are so pretty!)
A gourmet gift basket is always a welcome present. It includes several things so you can be sure to cater to all tastes. GiftBaskets.com has many different kinds of gift baskets: choose a prepared one of customize it to fit your host's taste. Whatever you pick, you can get 10% off by using this code at checkout: ZK-8978.
If your hostess is a "green goddess", an eco-friendly gift is a must. Browse the Acacia online store for gorgeous eco-friendly gifts that will please anyone, whether they care about their carbon print or not ;-) They also have a clearance section with items priced at 50% off.
I just found the most delicious, affordable natural skincare line ever. Garden Girl is a fantastic line of natural skin care products that do not include parabens, mineral oil, petroleum derivatives or synthetic fragrances. They smell fantastic, have a great texture, and really work. After only 3 days using 3 Garden Girl products on my face, my skin feels incredible and I'm definitely hooked! Today (Saturday 20) is the last day to get $10 off your order, but after hearing my rave review Kristin, the owner of Garden Girl, created a special offer just for readers of this blog: use coupon code HIPMOM through December 31st to get 15% off your entire order! (Though honestly, even without it, these products are fabulous and a real bargain for the quality!) Unlikely Housewife pick: Pucker Up Coconut-Line Sugar Scrub, $22
Get pretty and save a pretty penny: use code SAVEGOOD to get 20% any order from Benefit Cosmetics today (Saturday 20) or get FREE next-day shipping (US) on Sunday and Monday with code LASTGIFT, so you can still get your gifts in time for Christmas!
Tobi is a special online store – and what makes it special isn't just the great selection, the multiple search possibilities on the site, the Beauty Bar section or even the section dedicated entirely to Eco-friendly fashion lines – though all those are definitely good reasons to love it :-) What makes it really special is that when you go on Tobi.com you get to chat one on one with a stylist, who will help you choose the best pieces for your party or occasion, suggest how to wear them (like how to accessorize a great dress) and all without charging you a dime more than the price of the merchandise. Yes, it's true. And on top of that, through December 31 you can get 25% off your Tobi purchase with this coupon code: INSTYLE08.
If you prefer a colorful, bohemian style for your party dress, InStyle helps us there too: December 31st to receive 20% off your purchases at the Oyouki online boutique using promo code INSTYLE08. You will find collections from international designers, and you will have lots of fun looking.
If you like the edgy vibe UK fashion has, you will LOVE the party dress/accessory selection at TopShop! Check out their Christmas offers, get recommendations with their party picks and get ideas on how to put your own party look together with their party looks.
The DVF Holiday Collection is on sale, 40% off! Go to DVF.com to see (and shop!).
You can score DVF and more at the Barney's Designer sale - designer clothes, shoes and accessories up to 60% off.
Other great online retailers where you can get fabulous party dresses: - CoutureCandy: get 25% off already discounted merchandise with code 25DAY - Fashion Chateau: get 20% off all orders, whether you shop for new designer dresses or choose to browse the sale rack (up to 85% off!!); just use code CHATEAU20. Also while there, enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree!
And if you need some lovely (but affordable) shoes to go with your new dress, check out Chinese Laundry, where you'll get 20% off any order (including new merchandise), through December 23. Discount is applied when item is added to shopping cart.
In other words, why brave the crowds, when you have a veritable goldmine of gorgeous fashion and accessories (and better sales!) at your fingertips?
Not to mention the private sales! If you are reading this on December 20, you are in luck: there is a Catherine Malandrino sale going on at GiltGroupe, and it closes tonight! No one is better than Catherine Malandrino at designing perfect party dresses, and with this sale you can score one at a fraction of the retail price!
If you still need a few decorations to get your home ready for the holidays, here are a few places you can get them at, at better prices: - The Crate and Barrel Holiday Sale, where you can find ornaments, everything you need to set your holiday table, and even cookies for Santa :-) - Wrapables.com, which already has lots of stuff on sale, including decorations and "Dining and entertaining" items. - Pier 1 Imports, which has lots of items on sale at 50% off inclusing some really cute gift bags and decorations.
And if every year you scramble to find your favorite holiday recipes, you really need to get a custom-made cookbook at Tastebook. Find a cookbook, customize it or create your own with recipes from Epicurious, Allrecipes, Food Network, MyRecipes and more, or import your own recipes and mix and match! You can even select the cover. I'm totally in love with Tastebook – it was about time someone came up with this!
So there you have it, the cool finds for this month. I hope they make your holidays more fun, less stressful... enjoy!
With the holidays approaching, it is only fitting that I dedicate the cool finds of the month to stuff that can make this lovely season more bearable ;-) No, seriously, with the shopping, the cooking, the planning, the spending, by the time we get to the part where we are supposed to let go and have fun, we don't want to be too tired to enjoy it, do we?
So this first installment of the Holiday Edition will focus on gift-giving and other holiday-related activities – I hope you find it helpful.
Multitaskers tend to get lots done but we also have the highest stress levels, and the holiday season is stressful enough as it is! If you are trying to cramp a whole lot of stuff into your lunch break, and you find yourself trying to catch up on unreplied text messages while out shopping, here's something to make things easier: install Vlingo on your Blackberry and you'll have your very own text-messaging assistant. Just say what you want to send and Vlingo will convert it into a text message. It's easy to use and it's a free service!
If you, like me, are expecting house guests for the holidays, and are getting everything ready for them, here's my tip: give THEM your pillow and get yourself a customized pillow from Sleep Number! Their Create Your Perfect Pillow program allows you to personalize the exact outer comfort, inner support and pillow protector materials in their pillow. I recently upgraded to one of these pillows, and I was very surprised to see what a difference something so small makes in the quality of my sleep. Pillow prices start at $90, and gift cards are also available for purchase – check it out at any of the Sleep Number stores nationwide or online.
How gorgeous are Nancy Gonzales handbags? But who can afford them? Well, maybe you don't have to. Enter the Sweepstakes (hosted by Neiman Marcus) for your chance to win a $3000 Nancy Gonzales shopping spree!
Going on a trip for the holidays? Taking your little one with you? If you are staying at a Hyatt hotel, you can travel a lot lighter by using the Hyatt Travel Lite service, which allows you to order anything you might need, from formula and baby food to strollers and carriers, and have it delivered it to your Hyatt destination.
Need to get your home ready for the holiday parties you'll be throwing? Check out Amazon's Home and Garden Holiday Markdowns, to score kitchen equipment, cookware, table linens and tableware at 30-50% discount. Also save on decorations on Amazon's Get Ready for the Holidays section.
If you think your sister or best friend would love to find something cute from Bebe under the tree, make sure you use coupon codes to get it for them: through November 30th, get $20 off your purchase of $125 or more with coupon code BBSAVE20 – heck, get something for yourself too, and get $100 (!) off your purchase of $300 or more with coupon code BBGET100.
If your favorite jewelry is feminine but edgy, you'll love Meredith Kahn's Made Her Think line. And you'll love even more that she has a lot of fantastic pieces on sale, up to 60% off! Perfect time to get a present... especially if it's for you ;-)
Women are so easy to shop for! Another example: makeup. Clinique is, in my experience, the brand with the best "gift with purchase" offers. This year Clinique has teamed up with leading designer Trina Turk and has a great offer at one of my favorite stores, Nordstrom. You will receive Trina Turk’s first-ever cosmetics bag, filled with 6 beauty essentials, plus a mirrored lipstick case, FREE with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more — exclusively at Nordstrom, until supplies last. Or – if you already have too many make-up bags – you can shop at Clinique online get a free tote with your purchase of $50 or more.
This year, Drugstore.com is giving Clinique a run for their money! Their Kooba Beauty Bag is filled with goodies from Stila, Boscia, Sue Devitt, Oscar Blandi, and many more - a $200 value for just $85. The products sound lovely, but the Kooba wristlet is the real catch!
Another great, "no-brainer" gift is pre-packaged gift sets with products already paired up, where you can pick the type of product and/or the scent and get several items already in a lovely gift box. Origins is definitely my favorite place to get gift sets, because they products look and smell lovely, and the gift packages are always so pretty (in fact, I think some of them also make great hostess gifts) – check out this year's Holiday Sets! Bliss is another popular brand, especially here in the NYC area; and their gift sets are very affordable, like The Big Orange set, which includes two products and a tote. If you prefer natural and organic makeup and beauty products, you'll be excited to know that Lavera, one of the top natural brands in the world, is now running a Clearance Sale on their website where you can save up to 90%! There is also an Anniversary Sale going on, with newly released products at 15% off. Personally, I think their lipgloss is one of the best I've ever used, and that includes both natural and not-so-much ones ;-)
Send a positive message by gifting your favorite tot with a lovely organic slogan tee by Eco Ike, and enjoy free shipping on any order of $50 or more, and free holiday packaging (including a card) on all orders. My favorite is the "bee green" tee!
And for the mom of the eco-tot, you can't do better than a gift from NIMLI, which is possibly the most fabulous eco-friendly fashion online store! Right now you can enjoy the extensive selection in the fall sale (check out the pashminas!) as well as 20% off your order with coupon code FALL08, and free shipping on all orders over $100. I don't know about you, but I usually do most of my holiday shopping online. You get great deals, can find coupons to apply (like those at RetailMeNot and CouponNerds) and you can even get money back when you purchase through Ebates. And on top of that, you don't need to go out with the baby in the stroller and fight the madness of the holiday crowds. There is one problem though: some items you really want to see before you buy them. I found a solution, at least as far as toys are concerned: Amazon's Holiday Toy List lets you narrow your choices by age or by price, and then actually see the toys in action! Check it out here.
Get your little ones gorgeous wooden toys and playroom furniture for Christmas and save by shopping the Pottery Barn Kids online sale, with items up to 65% off.
One for the men: girls like jewelery. But we don't necessarily like the classic stuff, maybe we like more interesting pieces, pieces that will still be lovely years from now, but never boring. You can't go wrong with pieces from Melissa Joy Manning – and you can get 15% off any purchase by using coupon code ARTISAN.
You know what else girls like: bags. Luna Boston is having a great handbag sale on designer handbags! Foley + Corinna, Hayden Harnett, Botkier, Gryson and more - great chance to snag a designer bag at a discounted price. LunaBoston.com also ships offers free same day shipping on all orders over $100, and free returns – can't go wrong. But if your budget doesn't allow you to splurge on a designer bag, check out the wide selection of designer-inspired handbags at Baghaus. Through December 1, take $10 off purchases of $50 or more with coupon code TENOFF.
If you'd like more tailored recommendations, you cannot go wrong with GiftGirl. Provide some details about the recipient, and Jean will recommend several fantastic gifts. Whether you choose the 24-hour access option for $5, year-round access ($20) or a personal consultation with Jean ($200), you will get tailored, honest, unbiased suggestions (no paid endorsements!). Here's a little freebie from Jean:
Here is my monthly contribution to keeping you up-to-date with the coolest things I found lately on the web! I compiled some great stuff for you this month - so without further ado...
Although I don't like what Juicy Couture started when they came up with velour pants with writing on the butt, I actually really like a lot of this brand's clothing and accessories. So I was excited to find that they came out with a brand new line of cosmetic pouches, train cases and various adorable pavé rings and pendant necklaces (with lip gloss inside!). The new, Limited Edition line is available exclusively at Sephora, and you can see it here.
If you are thinking of getting a new, more eco-friendly car, check out EcoStiletto's article where they share the top six eco-friendly cars on the market – and on the road.
If you live in NYC or visited and are a healthy eater or have food intolerances, you have probably visited BabyCakes. I don't know about you, but I was really excited to hear that they were finally working on a cookbook! I'm happy to report that it's now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, you can get it here. BTW, BabyCakes has been awarded the title of "Best Vegan Bakery" for 2008! Congratulations!
The Google Phone is here! T-Mobile's G1 cell phone launched yesterday. It can be yours with a a two-year contract and is priced at $399.99 ($349.99 when purchased online by existing customers), but considering how many of us are Google-addicts, I think not many will fear the commitment! I am really curious to see how it stacks up against the iPhone.
The return of grunge/rock-inspired fashion also brought back "dog tag"-style necklaces. I bet you won't find any prettier than these by Willa M.
NYC fashionistas and make up addicts, here's a great chance for pampering: Bergdorf Goodman is hosting a special event next week! All next week you can enjoy a special makeover with the top YSL make up artists! And Wednesday, October 29, you can meet Val Garland, Artistic Advisor to YSL Make Up, who will be holding a master class (8.30am-11am) and sharing hot tips and tricks in the store (11.30am-7.30pm). Call 212.872.8654 to schedule your appointment, and receive a gift from the YSL Beauté line for scheduling in advance.
Ebates is a website that allows you to not only use the best discounts and coupons when you shop, but also get cash back on all your purchases. For instance, if you are looking for designer handbags, shopping through Ebates you will be able to save 30% on this Foley + Corinna bag, as well as get 3% of the purchase price re-accredited on your account. You have to admit that's pretty cool.
Some "gift with purchase" beauty offers: buy $45 of Eau Thermale Avene and get a Face & Eye anti-aging Kit ($33 value) here; or buy $30 of philosophy and get a powdered sugar cookie body souffle ($15 value) here.
Need to spruce up your hairdo for a special night out? Get up to 50% off Tigi Hair care products 60% off salon hair appliances here.
One more beauty coupon code, courtesy of SELF magazine: shop for all the new fall colors at Smashbox.com and get $25 off any purchase of $100 or more by using the code SELF25.
And of course, when I talk about beauty, how could I leave out our beloved Sephora? Get a free 10-Day sample of Bare Minerals (in your shade of choice among 6) plus a baby buki brush by typing MYSHADE at checkout. OR enter BERARE and get a free bare Escentuals Rare Minerals sample plus an applicator brush.
I came home from Florida in wedge sandals and short sleeves, to find nearly-freezing temperatures in NY. The weather is getting chilly! Time to shop for some lovely new sweaters. Armani Exchange currently has many many sweaters on sale, and through October 26 you can get an additional $25 off already discounted prices. Hurry!
Endless.com is running a special on boots: buy two pairs and get 20% off your entire order! There are so many cute pairs that would be great for fall, that it won't be hard to pick two :-)
More shoes: through October 26, get free shipping on your entire order at Steve Madden online store.
If you were excited when TopShop opened in the US, how much are you going to love me when I tell you about the TopShop online sale? The silk puffball dresses from the Kate Moss line are 50% off!
I like to start shopping for Christmas in October and November, to get a better selection and avoid late shipping, crowds and last-minute panic. If you like to do that too, one place to check out is Amazon's Toy Saving's Event, where you can get really good offers on Toys and Games of many different kinds, for different ages. Also check the Amazon Toy Outlet for Toys and Games up to 70% off.
A great scoop from Stylehive! To celebrate its new website, Allaboutcute.com is offering new customers an amazing deal! Save $100 off your purchase of any item by entering the code STYLEHIVE at checkout. In addition, until the end of November 2008 you can get 30% off any item(s) when you use the code BEE CUTE at checkout.
I'm a child of the 90s. That is, I was actually a child in the 80s, but my "coming of age", my teen years, my oh-that's-how-the-world-works moments, all happened in the 90s. I'm quite proud of that - afterall the 90s had better fashion, better dance music, better hairdos and makeup - what else is important to a teenager?
Don't get me wrong, I do look to the 80s with fondness in some respects, precisely: - cult movies: Back to the future, E.T., Roger Rabbit, Indiana Jones, and oh, remember when Star Wars movies didn't suck? - dance movies (that didn't involve tap dancing): Footloose, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing - the creation of the modern romatic comedy (I know, movies again, but it does deserve its own category): When Harry met Sally, Say Anything - I love John Cusack!) - music: The Police, The Bangles, The Cures, Duran Duran (sorry boys, not the same since)...
However in other respects the 80s fall squarely in my "things I'd rather not see again, like, EVER" category: I literally cringe when I think of the big hair, flashy eyeshadows, fluorescent clothing and accessories. I mean, seriously - already just a few years into the 90s I looked at 80s fashion and style (or better, lack of style) and thought "wow, that was a mistake - glad it's over". Except it isn't. Except the 80s have been worming their way back into fashion, thanks to some nostalgic or simply out-of-fresh-ideas designer, and now they won't leave.
It started slowly, a few years back, with some leg warmers worn over t-strap heels. Innocent enough, we though, and while I would never wear that, I though it looked sort of grungy-cool, sort of Kate Moss, sort of "it's so uncool it's fabulous", sort of "I don't care but I look fabulous anyway".
Then the skinny jeans came back, and those stuck. Fine, with a modern twist they sort of look ok. (Note: leggings do not get the same pass.)
Then the ballet flats - and I shivered because I had hated them back then too, but then some designers came out with such cool styles I gave in too - afterall a fabulous pair of flat is the best pick for everyday wear for a busy (but always trendy!) mom.
Then it was the toys: Care Bears, My Little Pony, Cabbage Patch kids - I was actually happy about that, not in a nostalgic way, mind you, but more in a "aha! I can afford them NOW!" way (which is kind of sad, I know). My little one loves them, so it's all good.
Then it was Lacoste's turn: after undergoing an apparent overhaul, they came back with a bang. And brought with them the polo, except more colorful, younger, more hip (sort of). And suddenly you see people wearing polo shirts, not just golfers and my dad. Fine, bring them on. Unbuttoned, they are more flattering than t-shirts and look more polished, unless you overdo it and start falling a bit too much on the preppy side (sorry, Ralph Lauren aficionados).
But I draw the line at big hair and tapered pants. That's just too much. I'm not giving in, that's just unflattering, ridiculous and just plain ugly.
Unfortunately not everone agrees. Rihanna has been sporting them often, out shopping and at awards shows - granted, she looks adorable either way, but the pants really should be ditched. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so - Gap had decided to make tapered jeans part of their collection, calling them "classic jeans", but they didn't sell well and now they are on sale for 9.99.
Why uncover perfectly buried ugly trends? Been there, worn that. Ok, now I feel old. But at least I dress well.
Leaving it to the last day of the month, eh Elisa? Cutting it kind of close ;-)
You already know how much I love Sephora. My only gripe: too many chemicals, not enough natural brands. Not anymore! Sephora is carrying more and more natural brands, and not just "fake" ones (read: botanical-based but including no-nos like parabens or sodium lauryl sulphate), also fabulously natural ones like Pacifica, which makes fantastic soy candles and essential-oil based fragrances, for those of us allergic to synthetic fragrance. My favorite: Brazilian Mango and Grapefruit - yum.
- Shauna from Is it 5 o'clock yet? shares her thoughts on the whole "growing up/getting old" thing.
And what about the glamour girl of our childhood, 
lets you narrow your choices by age or by price, and then actually see the toys in action! Check it out 
