For something more trendy and fun this season (even though they will be dated after a season and will probably not quite as versatile), here are a few suggestions: Bold Colors: Adds instant oomph! This electric blue (right) is especially hot this season! (Both: Anthropologie) Plaid: Yes, plaid is still hot. Plus, it fits right into the Christmas mood! Here we have the more classic cut crop by J Crew (left) and a more edgy crop by LAMB (right). I especially like the wide plaid on the J Crew jacket. More Plaid: For something a little bit more subtle, versatile and less festive I am loving these two plaid crops from Vince (left) and Marc by Marc Jacobs (right). Patent: Well they are everywhere for shoes, so why not for cropped jackets? Yes, it may look like a raincoat, but styled by this way by Robert Rodriguez (left), its a very chic raincoat. And I just thought I'd throw in this crop by Ella Moss (right) even though its not patent just because I think the design looks so smart, simple and CUTE! Metallic: The perfect cover over your party outfit! I LOVE these two by Walter (left) and Express (right). The color and print is subtle and versatile, but the material gives it an extra shine that lends it a more night-time feel.
Image Sources: J Crew, Shopbop, Anthropologie, Express and Saks Fifth
Friday, November 30, 2007
I Dream of a Lifestyle Involving Many Cocktail Dresses I: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Since the SS06 season, I haven't really been loving Marc's collections. The colours were sort of murky and unflattering, and some of the pieces looked more fit for a country bumpkin than a chic city girl. But this FW and Resort season, the Marc dresses seem to have really hit all the right notes.
This tiered hemline dress was the first dress that caught my eye this season. I love the hemline layers. The design combines 60's style (mini dress) with a hint of 20's style (the details concentrated at the bottom). It's cute and very modern -perfect for events like dresses-up house parties.
These two dresses are so cute and classy. Imagine yourself going out to a fancy dinner in winter, wearing stockings with platform heels. Fabulous scene huh?
While these two dresses won't flatter short people at all, I like how the designs are good to go from day to night.
For day, you can layer a long-sleeve t-shirt/ sweater and leggings underneath the dress. And for night, wear the dress by itself (in a hopefully warm venue.)
For office parties, this long-sleeve silk dress can take you from the office to the party without looking inappropriate but still chic.
Contrast these two dresses -the black dress is another office party dress choice, while the vibrant pink dress is great for any holiday/ beachy parties if you're spending your holidays at some beach resort.
For something very party-perfect, this black sequined dress and silver dress is sparkly and oh-so-trendy.
If you want a dramatic flair to your dresses, these two dresses are 'omg, so cute!' (As overheard by two girls exclaiming at Neiman Marcus in LA last August.) I'm not sure how practical they are though. They look like dresses that can only be worn to events once or twice.
The Nix Check Halter dress looks versatile enought for many occasions, (think from bars and clubs to restaurants and house parties), and can be worn many times. I'm definitely keeping my eye out for this dress.
These dresses are the other two I'm looking out for. I love how chic, classy and cute the sleeveless dress (left) looks. And the red dress has a nice flattering A-line silhouette with the purple silk tie high up the waist. Plus it's nice to be in a colourful dress that doesn't look like it's from the 80's.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year
Well, everyone knows how much I love lists....
So here is the Christmas New Year Free/Dollarbie list. I'll edit as I usually do with *********** and date~~ so scroll to see any edits.
! WRONG - MAIN STORE, AlterNation (190, 153, 37): is going to put out a free gift EACH day ending on Christmas Eve. $0
The Demons & Angels store has 2 free outfits 1m/1f. $0
The ::MIA:: Sim is having an (60) icicle hunt for decorations. So get some holiday cheer and find the icicles. $0
Kiki's Closet has a Christmas lolli style dress. $0
LVS has a bunch of $1 lolli dresses that I blogged about a while back. $1 ea.
Miss B has a complete female outfit: hair, hat, dress, and fab boots! $1
Wilted Rose has a dress in the freebie jeebies part of the store. $1
Dreaming Alice also has a dress under the stairs. $0
Simply Britnee has 4 $1 dresses for Christmas. $1 ea.
Ok, the next I'm not sure what to call, but I'll call it the great big Japanese Christmas Free Market Expo. You are going to hunt around this huge coliseum and find lots of $0,$1, and bargain stuff. It's just grand! This would be a great place to bring friends along and hunt out the deals.
So here is the Christmas New Year Free/Dollarbie list. I'll edit as I usually do with *********** and date~~ so scroll to see any edits.
! WRONG - MAIN STORE, AlterNation (190, 153, 37): is going to put out a free gift EACH day ending on Christmas Eve. $0
The Demons & Angels store has 2 free outfits 1m/1f. $0
The ::MIA:: Sim is having an (60) icicle hunt for decorations. So get some holiday cheer and find the icicles. $0
Kiki's Closet has a Christmas lolli style dress. $0
LVS has a bunch of $1 lolli dresses that I blogged about a while back. $1 ea.
Miss B has a complete female outfit: hair, hat, dress, and fab boots! $1
Wilted Rose has a dress in the freebie jeebies part of the store. $1
Dreaming Alice also has a dress under the stairs. $0
Simply Britnee has 4 $1 dresses for Christmas. $1 ea.
Ok, the next I'm not sure what to call, but I'll call it the great big Japanese Christmas Free Market Expo. You are going to hunt around this huge coliseum and find lots of $0,$1, and bargain stuff. It's just grand! This would be a great place to bring friends along and hunt out the deals.
******** 29 Nov added:
Talisman Designs has a $1 snowman shoulder pet and $0 snowman earrings. These earrings are super cute and the first Christmas jewelery added to the list! There are also 4 dresses and a set of legwarmers by the Christmas accessories for $0.
PixelDolls has a free box of holiday decorations. $0
Reaction Girl is putting out a special present *EVERYDAY* until Christmas. $0
Fluky has a Christmas hoodie available and a box of freebies right outside the main entrance. $1 ea.
Inspired has sculpty stockings! $1
Christmas present hunt at the Seasonal Mall for a mix of fp stuff (you've been warned) and Christmas decorations. $0
Solstice has 2 pairs of pj-s, one Rudolf nose and antler set, and a pair of snowman slippers all for $0.
A Full Perm Reseller store has put up some full perm stuff under the Christmas trees located on each floor. $0
Outy Banjo has provided a free holiday poofer. $0
*******30th Nov
Inspired has a 12 stocking hunt going on (SKINS, wings, eyes). $0
Free Heels at K&K Fine Quaility and Prism Haute. $0
Crushed Velvet is having a hunt. Some unisex. ;) $0
Ephemeral Creations has a chenille scarf. $0
Love, Aly has a bikini and Christmas accessories. $1 ea.
******** 1st of Dec********
Sorry, Today was my Rez day and I took the day off. ;)
******** 2 Dec.******
There is a free dress, shoes and *everyday* advent calendar at Angels-Shoes Dress Bag. $0
Bossa Nova has a cute red and white Christmas Dress.
Tuli has 7 gift boxes at the Le Zoo sim. $0
Second Mirage has an advent calendar that dispenses a free jewelry set *everyday*. $0
Solange has 3 sets of christmas silks and also underwear set downstairs. $1 ea.
Dark Eden has a couple of free Christmas chains sets. $0
*DawnShop Dusk till Dawn*** has a couple of Christmas dresses. One has a pair of sculpty boots included with the outfit. There is also a complete avatar for girls and shoes in the shop. $1-0
Cindarella Designs has a pair of red heels. $1 ea.
Kitsch has a Christmas crotch swan available with funny dance. $1
Bonita's Jewelry & Furniture has ornament earrings along with several non-Christmas jewerly: necklace, chocker, and 2 bracelets. all $0
IBizarre also has an advent calendar with *everyday* gifts. $0
********** 3rd Dec
Sylfie's Prim Seduction has a pair of ankle boots in Christmas colors along with the essential navy stilettos that are offered year around. $0
Another *everyday* advent calendar is at Mondira Fashion. $0
Dresses by Gracies will have a new dress under the tree every monday until Christmas. $0
Ingenue has a free red dress among others. $0
FRD is having a stocking hunt. 45 stockings are hidden around the store. $0
********* 4th Dec
Chicanery has 3 Santa hats and one is lovely and dirty. $0
Talisman Designs has a $1 snowman shoulder pet and $0 snowman earrings. These earrings are super cute and the first Christmas jewelery added to the list! There are also 4 dresses and a set of legwarmers by the Christmas accessories for $0.
PixelDolls has a free box of holiday decorations. $0
Reaction Girl is putting out a special present *EVERYDAY* until Christmas. $0
Fluky has a Christmas hoodie available and a box of freebies right outside the main entrance. $1 ea.
Inspired has sculpty stockings! $1
Christmas present hunt at the Seasonal Mall for a mix of fp stuff (you've been warned) and Christmas decorations. $0
Solstice has 2 pairs of pj-s, one Rudolf nose and antler set, and a pair of snowman slippers all for $0.
A Full Perm Reseller store has put up some full perm stuff under the Christmas trees located on each floor. $0
Outy Banjo has provided a free holiday poofer. $0
*******30th Nov
Inspired has a 12 stocking hunt going on (SKINS, wings, eyes). $0
Free Heels at K&K Fine Quaility and Prism Haute. $0
Crushed Velvet is having a hunt. Some unisex. ;) $0
Ephemeral Creations has a chenille scarf. $0
Love, Aly has a bikini and Christmas accessories. $1 ea.
******** 1st of Dec********
Sorry, Today was my Rez day and I took the day off. ;)
******** 2 Dec.******
There is a free dress, shoes and *everyday* advent calendar at Angels-Shoes Dress Bag. $0
Bossa Nova has a cute red and white Christmas Dress.
Tuli has 7 gift boxes at the Le Zoo sim. $0
Second Mirage has an advent calendar that dispenses a free jewelry set *everyday*. $0
Solange has 3 sets of christmas silks and also underwear set downstairs. $1 ea.
Dark Eden has a couple of free Christmas chains sets. $0
*DawnShop Dusk till Dawn*** has a couple of Christmas dresses. One has a pair of sculpty boots included with the outfit. There is also a complete avatar for girls and shoes in the shop. $1-0
Cindarella Designs has a pair of red heels. $1 ea.
Kitsch has a Christmas crotch swan available with funny dance. $1
Bonita's Jewelry & Furniture has ornament earrings along with several non-Christmas jewerly: necklace, chocker, and 2 bracelets. all $0
IBizarre also has an advent calendar with *everyday* gifts. $0
********** 3rd Dec
Sylfie's Prim Seduction has a pair of ankle boots in Christmas colors along with the essential navy stilettos that are offered year around. $0
Another *everyday* advent calendar is at Mondira Fashion. $0
Dresses by Gracies will have a new dress under the tree every monday until Christmas. $0
Ingenue has a free red dress among others. $0
FRD is having a stocking hunt. 45 stockings are hidden around the store. $0
********* 4th Dec
Chicanery has 3 Santa hats and one is lovely and dirty. $0
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Let's here it for the haYer!
This is a quicky list of hair places and free/dollar hairs.
Hair Designers:
GURLYWOOD: Offers a voucher for one free hairpack in the style of your choice for those less than 4 weeks old. Six has 1 male style boyfriend for $1 which is *TRANSFERABLE* available in the men's store and in the larger store there are 5 styles available for $1/color pack. Right now there is also a $1 fat pack named felicity. If you look in the clearance section there is a $0 style season updo. Clearance prices start at $50/hairpack. There are also a couple older styles for the girls at the gnubie store.
Demos:$1
ETD: Elika has 6 $1 hairs for females, 1 male hair for $1. In addition there are three $5 hairs. Discounted hair starts at $100/6 color pack.
Demos:$0
DIVERSITY HAIR: Offers a hair voucher (located at the front door of the shop) good for players under 30 days old that allows them to pick out any style in the store and receive one free hair color pack. Aleri also offers 4 hairs for $1 each 3 f/1 m. Hairs $175/colorpack
Demos: $0
SIMPLY BRITNEE: has 2 f/2 m hairstyles for $1/fatpack. All hair is sold in fatpacks of $150.
Demos:$1
Philotic Energy: has 1 $1 female hairstyle and a unisex hatted hair for $5. Hair $150/color
Demos:$0
Panache: There are 2 fat packs of hair for $5 Candie Vonta and Faith MidNyte, these fat packs have the older texture version of the style applied to them and can also be found at the free dove for $0. The newer version of the Faith MidNyte hair along with a male $1 hairstyle can be found at the Zyrraphotic Hair location. Hair is $250/1 or 2 color at Panache and hair is $250/3 colors at Zyrraphotic Hair location.
Demos: $1
BEWITCHED HAIR: 45 days or younger you can get a choice of 2 male hairs or 5 female hairs. There are also several packs of hair on the Hairspray! Sim in the freebie area for both (1) males and (3) females. Large clearance section with $99 hair color packs. Group members receive free hair and privy to secret sales which include 10 packs of $1 hair hidden around the store. Camp for f/m hair. Demos $1
Goldie Locks: 60 days or younger $1 hair for girls located in the clearance section. There is also a $10 section on the backside of the newbie hair wall. $50 color packs in the clearance section. 2 lucky chairs, camping for f/m hair
Demos $1
CALLA: has 4 female hairs and 1 male hair here. There are also 2 (1m/1f) lucky chairs that give hair here. Hair is $200/5 color pack
Demos:$0
LAG DESIGNS: Offers 6 male hairs for $0. Hairs start at $75/color.
FRANGIPANI DESIGNS: Three $1 hairs for girls (no age limit). Discount styles $70/color pack. Camp for f hair.
Demos $0
Here Comes Trouble, HCT: For men 8 $1 styles (no age limit) & discounted $300 fat packs of hair. For women 2 $1 gift boxes on the dance stage contain a hairstyle each and clothes, upstairs 6 $1 hairstyles (no age limit). In the female discount section there are fat packs that range in price from $69-199. There are two lucky chairs here. I believe the store is under construction because there are usually 4 lucky chairs here; 2 for guys and 2 for girls. ;)
Demos $1
WILTED ROSE: provides a wall of $0-15 hairs aimed at new players (m/f), but there are no age restrictions on the hairs. Discount hairs start at $75/color pack. 1 lucky chair for hairs here. (Outside in the freebie jeebies area there are also hairs $1/and complete av's for $0.)
Demos: $0
BARE ROSE: has one free long hair at it's main location and a shorter unisex style at the Cycling Gang store.
Sirena: At her store there are two hairstyles [(1-f/1-m) (no age limit)] for $1/pack; although these styles are also available at the free dove for $0/fat pack. So, your choice.
Demos $1
ADAM N' EVE: has a style available for both m/f for $0. Hair $250/2 colors
Demos: $1
Analog Dog: 3 $1 hairstyles for women (no age limit). Clearance section has hair for both m/f starting at $100. 3 lucky chairs with non hair items.
Demos: $1
LALA Moon: 2 $0/15 color packs for women.
Demos $0
Inspired: for $1 you can get a female anime inspired avatar which includes hair.
TAUNT: There's a hunt for 5 female hairs on this island. It will cost you $1 for the map to the treasure. $199/color pack
Demos:$1
CURL UP AND DYE SALON: offers a $1 hairstyle for women named Liberty. Hair is $300/color pack. There are 3 camping chairs here 1unisex/2female hairs.
Demos:$1
SALSA: Has a free unisex style. Hairstyles start at $20 here.
Demos: $0
Mage's Factory: Has one unisex style for $0. Hair starts at $30/hair.
Demos: $0
Places that have hair from multiple designers:
Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise: Has 2 styles for men and several for women at $0. Sarah also has several hairstyles available in her NIFTY FIFTY store available for $50/fat pack m/f. 13 lucky chairs are in the nifty fifty store and they appear to rotate through the stock available in the store.
The Freebie area located on Hairspray! has several offerings from hair designers (some are offered in their stores and others are not, so it is worth a look). All styles range from $0-1 and do not have an age limit for purchase and there is hair for both m/f here. Contributors: Diversity, Hairapy, Sirena, HCT, Adimu, Gurl 6, Hair Solutions, Mirada Hair, MAU's & MEJ's, Sinsations, Bewitched Hair, Wilted Rose, and Curl Up and Dye Salon. There is also a complete avatars available for both m/f ($1) from Sky Shop and hair ribbons from Virtual Creations. If you fly around the island there are additional hairs too.
The gnubie store has hair from panache, gurlywood, bryce, wilted rose, and Mirada Hair for both males and females.
***Although I could not teleport to Mau's & Mej's I know that they have a $0 hairstyle for men and $1 box that includes 2 styles for females.
If anyone's feeling generous they can add any $1 or free hair links via comments and I'll eta to the post at some point.
Talisman Designs has a cute hairstyle for $1 on their freebie wall. ;)
Hair Designers:
GURLYWOOD: Offers a voucher for one free hairpack in the style of your choice for those less than 4 weeks old. Six has 1 male style boyfriend for $1 which is *TRANSFERABLE* available in the men's store and in the larger store there are 5 styles available for $1/color pack. Right now there is also a $1 fat pack named felicity. If you look in the clearance section there is a $0 style season updo. Clearance prices start at $50/hairpack. There are also a couple older styles for the girls at the gnubie store.
Demos:$1
ETD: Elika has 6 $1 hairs for females, 1 male hair for $1. In addition there are three $5 hairs. Discounted hair starts at $100/6 color pack.
Demos:$0
DIVERSITY HAIR: Offers a hair voucher (located at the front door of the shop) good for players under 30 days old that allows them to pick out any style in the store and receive one free hair color pack. Aleri also offers 4 hairs for $1 each 3 f/1 m. Hairs $175/colorpack
Demos: $0
SIMPLY BRITNEE: has 2 f/2 m hairstyles for $1/fatpack. All hair is sold in fatpacks of $150.
Demos:$1
Philotic Energy: has 1 $1 female hairstyle and a unisex hatted hair for $5. Hair $150/color
Demos:$0
Panache: There are 2 fat packs of hair for $5 Candie Vonta and Faith MidNyte, these fat packs have the older texture version of the style applied to them and can also be found at the free dove for $0. The newer version of the Faith MidNyte hair along with a male $1 hairstyle can be found at the Zyrraphotic Hair location. Hair is $250/1 or 2 color at Panache and hair is $250/3 colors at Zyrraphotic Hair location.
Demos: $1
BEWITCHED HAIR: 45 days or younger you can get a choice of 2 male hairs or 5 female hairs. There are also several packs of hair on the Hairspray! Sim in the freebie area for both (1) males and (3) females. Large clearance section with $99 hair color packs. Group members receive free hair and privy to secret sales which include 10 packs of $1 hair hidden around the store. Camp for f/m hair. Demos $1
Goldie Locks: 60 days or younger $1 hair for girls located in the clearance section. There is also a $10 section on the backside of the newbie hair wall. $50 color packs in the clearance section. 2 lucky chairs, camping for f/m hair
Demos $1
CALLA: has 4 female hairs and 1 male hair here. There are also 2 (1m/1f) lucky chairs that give hair here. Hair is $200/5 color pack
Demos:$0
LAG DESIGNS: Offers 6 male hairs for $0. Hairs start at $75/color.
FRANGIPANI DESIGNS: Three $1 hairs for girls (no age limit). Discount styles $70/color pack. Camp for f hair.
Demos $0
Here Comes Trouble, HCT: For men 8 $1 styles (no age limit) & discounted $300 fat packs of hair. For women 2 $1 gift boxes on the dance stage contain a hairstyle each and clothes, upstairs 6 $1 hairstyles (no age limit). In the female discount section there are fat packs that range in price from $69-199. There are two lucky chairs here. I believe the store is under construction because there are usually 4 lucky chairs here; 2 for guys and 2 for girls. ;)
Demos $1
WILTED ROSE: provides a wall of $0-15 hairs aimed at new players (m/f), but there are no age restrictions on the hairs. Discount hairs start at $75/color pack. 1 lucky chair for hairs here. (Outside in the freebie jeebies area there are also hairs $1/and complete av's for $0.)
Demos: $0
BARE ROSE: has one free long hair at it's main location and a shorter unisex style at the Cycling Gang store.
Sirena: At her store there are two hairstyles [(1-f/1-m) (no age limit)] for $1/pack; although these styles are also available at the free dove for $0/fat pack. So, your choice.
Demos $1
ADAM N' EVE: has a style available for both m/f for $0. Hair $250/2 colors
Demos: $1
Analog Dog: 3 $1 hairstyles for women (no age limit). Clearance section has hair for both m/f starting at $100. 3 lucky chairs with non hair items.
Demos: $1
LALA Moon: 2 $0/15 color packs for women.
Demos $0
Inspired: for $1 you can get a female anime inspired avatar which includes hair.
TAUNT: There's a hunt for 5 female hairs on this island. It will cost you $1 for the map to the treasure. $199/color pack
Demos:$1
CURL UP AND DYE SALON: offers a $1 hairstyle for women named Liberty. Hair is $300/color pack. There are 3 camping chairs here 1unisex/2female hairs.
Demos:$1
SALSA: Has a free unisex style. Hairstyles start at $20 here.
Demos: $0
Mage's Factory: Has one unisex style for $0. Hair starts at $30/hair.
Demos: $0
Places that have hair from multiple designers:
Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise: Has 2 styles for men and several for women at $0. Sarah also has several hairstyles available in her NIFTY FIFTY store available for $50/fat pack m/f. 13 lucky chairs are in the nifty fifty store and they appear to rotate through the stock available in the store.
The Freebie area located on Hairspray! has several offerings from hair designers (some are offered in their stores and others are not, so it is worth a look). All styles range from $0-1 and do not have an age limit for purchase and there is hair for both m/f here. Contributors: Diversity, Hairapy, Sirena, HCT, Adimu, Gurl 6, Hair Solutions, Mirada Hair, MAU's & MEJ's, Sinsations, Bewitched Hair, Wilted Rose, and Curl Up and Dye Salon. There is also a complete avatars available for both m/f ($1) from Sky Shop and hair ribbons from Virtual Creations. If you fly around the island there are additional hairs too.
The gnubie store has hair from panache, gurlywood, bryce, wilted rose, and Mirada Hair for both males and females.
***Although I could not teleport to Mau's & Mej's I know that they have a $0 hairstyle for men and $1 box that includes 2 styles for females.
If anyone's feeling generous they can add any $1 or free hair links via comments and I'll eta to the post at some point.
Talisman Designs has a cute hairstyle for $1 on their freebie wall. ;)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Midnight Madness
This Thanksgiving I had the quintessential crazy Black Friday experience. In the last few years, I always thought it was a bit of a hoax to get people into the shopping spirit, because having been to Saks and Macy's etc during Black Friday previously, I did not find anything on crazy sale. Turns out I just wasn't shopping at the right place.
This year after Thanksgiving dinner, we went online to check the hours of the nearby outlet in San Diego, Carlsbad Premium Outlets, so we can go the next day- only to find that it was already opened in at Midnight Madness sale that went from 12am-10am! Excited, we quickly hopped onto the car and made our way there at 2am. Once there, we were delighted to find that the place was packed with happy holiday shoppers. It really put us in the holiday spirit!
And the beauty was that things were actually cheap! Things were on sales on top of sales- I bought a Puma cap for only $6! But anyway, some of the highlights of the night: The BCBG store: The sale was crazy. There were dresses for $39! I've never even heard of that. But alas, I didn't find any my size. Two that I was especially interested was these two dresses (above). I thought the plaid one would be a fun dress to wear for Christmas. It was only about $120. But alas, I decided I didn't really have an occasion to wear it anyway and it was a bit too long and poofy for casual wear. I almost bought the lacey one for $200. It fit perfectly and it felt really Blair from Gossip Girl like. I was actually standing in line to buy it (a huge line at that), until I decided that $200 was still kind of expensive and that the dress was a very thin line between being old fashion and Blair-like.
Turns out, it was a good thing I didn't spend that $200, because the money was better spent elsewhere. To be more specific, on a suit from Theory. Yes, you read right. This gorgeous black suit with white stripes above was only $200!!! Since a normal suit from Theory usually costs over $600, I was (still am actually) thrilled over this bargain. It fits really well too! My best buy all day! I wish I had more time at Theory.... everything was an additional 30% off!! In additional, I also got a really cute pajama set from Ralph Lauren, sportswear from Adidas and some presents for family. Overall it was a very productive trip! And yes, as you can see from the pictures, we shopped from 2am to sunrise.
Hmm.... though come to think of it Black Friday is still probably a hoax. Since this is the first time I've been to this outlet, I don't know if the prices really are this cheap only for these few hours or if Black Friday just means the start of the sales season. Oh well. I'm happy with my bargains :)
This year after Thanksgiving dinner, we went online to check the hours of the nearby outlet in San Diego, Carlsbad Premium Outlets, so we can go the next day- only to find that it was already opened in at Midnight Madness sale that went from 12am-10am! Excited, we quickly hopped onto the car and made our way there at 2am. Once there, we were delighted to find that the place was packed with happy holiday shoppers. It really put us in the holiday spirit!
And the beauty was that things were actually cheap! Things were on sales on top of sales- I bought a Puma cap for only $6! But anyway, some of the highlights of the night: The BCBG store: The sale was crazy. There were dresses for $39! I've never even heard of that. But alas, I didn't find any my size. Two that I was especially interested was these two dresses (above). I thought the plaid one would be a fun dress to wear for Christmas. It was only about $120. But alas, I decided I didn't really have an occasion to wear it anyway and it was a bit too long and poofy for casual wear. I almost bought the lacey one for $200. It fit perfectly and it felt really Blair from Gossip Girl like. I was actually standing in line to buy it (a huge line at that), until I decided that $200 was still kind of expensive and that the dress was a very thin line between being old fashion and Blair-like.
Turns out, it was a good thing I didn't spend that $200, because the money was better spent elsewhere. To be more specific, on a suit from Theory. Yes, you read right. This gorgeous black suit with white stripes above was only $200!!! Since a normal suit from Theory usually costs over $600, I was (still am actually) thrilled over this bargain. It fits really well too! My best buy all day! I wish I had more time at Theory.... everything was an additional 30% off!! In additional, I also got a really cute pajama set from Ralph Lauren, sportswear from Adidas and some presents for family. Overall it was a very productive trip! And yes, as you can see from the pictures, we shopped from 2am to sunrise.
Hmm.... though come to think of it Black Friday is still probably a hoax. Since this is the first time I've been to this outlet, I don't know if the prices really are this cheap only for these few hours or if Black Friday just means the start of the sales season. Oh well. I'm happy with my bargains :)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
FW07 Trend: Ethnic-Looking Scarves
A large comfortable scarf has always been a staple to one's winter outfits. In the past few years, the trend seemed to be of plain, mono-coloured scarves. But ever since Balanciaga's FW07 show, ethnic-looking scarves have become more and more popular. Walk in to any high street store, Zara in particular, and you would notice that they have been selling a lot of Balenciaga-inspired scarves. Think tie-dyed, or coin/ round metal pieces-embellished scarves. I actaully bought a tie-dyed silk scarf from Zara when I was in a runway-fashion haze, but I returned it later becuase I decided it just wasn't practical. Speaking of Balenciaga, if you haven't seen one of the Balenciaga scarves in real life, go see it and feel it! Your brain might just irrationally equate the quality to the huge price tag.
Anyways, I usually buy myself one to two scarves per FW season. This season, one of my scarves is this green printed scarf. (Excuse the crappy styling and photography.) It's half silk and half wool, so it's not the thickest, warmest scarf around, but it's good for those not-too-chilly days. I especially like the purple and green blocks of colour at the ends of the scarf.
Did you buy an ethnic-looking scarf in the spirit of the FW07 season?
Friday, November 23, 2007
A Random Black Friday Post
OK, so I don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all, but how I wish the UK did. I am extremely jealous of all the sales the Americans are enjoying over there, although I certainly don't envy the crowds and lines of crazy shoppers that I've read about in the news. Friday's a tiring day for me so this post is going to be a bunch of my completely random observations:
If you're bored this long weekend (or you simply want to procrastinate from work), and you loved Sex & the City as much as I did, go read the original column, which is being republished each week over at the Observer. Remember the phrase, 'Welcome to the Age of Un-Innocence'?
- In accounting class last week, I looked around. Three out of seven girls had earrings on. And out of those three, two pairs were Chanel costume jewelry. One pair's design was the big Chanel logo in silver with crystals, (which I thought the girl carried them on nicely); the other pair's design was a pink 'quilted' square that had a black logo on it, (which I thought was bulky and way too toy-like.)
- In an attempt to warm myself up and keep me awake during my two-hour Finance lecture, I stopped by Starbucks first. While attempting to walk to my lecture, the bubbles from the coffee kept coming oozing out from the little hole on top and the coffee kept threatening to spill out. I had to walk snail-pace and channel my inner princess (much like Anne Hathaway did in Princess Diaries). I never thought much about it before, but how does anyone walk around with a paper cup full of coffee in their hands?
- Apart from the fabulous sales, I am so jealous of the short trips people are on this Thanksgiving weekend. My sister is visiting relatives in San Francisco (mostly for good food I'm sure,) and Barneys Girl has left the windy city to visit friends in San Diego. As for me, I'll be hiding inside my flat from the low temperatures this weekend, maybe except for tomorrow, when I'll brave the cold for a Belgian-style dinner.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Winter Getaway
Now that the weather is getting cold (its cold, windy and raining in Chicago today....) and the holiday season is officially upon us, its time to plan our winter getaway wardrobe! This holiday I am going to San Diego- I heard its not actually that warm over there, but I have my fingers crossed anyway!
Now for wardrobe ideas. The first thing that pops up in mind- DRESSES. Cute summery dresses! And lucky for us, this is also the season for the Resort Collections, so there are plenty out there. Here are a few that I wish I had:
Bold dresses by Catherine Maladrino. As the guy at Saks told me- Catherine is smokin' hot this season!
Printed dresses by T Bag (i.e. above left). And to be VERY this season- ethnic inspired dresses like this one by Tibi (right).
Shiny dresses for the evenings. I am loving these two from Ingwa Melero (left) and Mara Hoffman (right). The colors are just so rich and bold and pretty!
Cropped jackets/cardis to keep warm. These two from Catherine Maladrino (left) and What comes around goes around (right) are so cute. The sparkly one is also great for adding a glam factor to your outfit.
Platform sandals to look pretty in and cute flats to walk around in. These two from Marc by Marc Jacobs (left) and Report Signature (right) are just the thing! Have a nice holiday/thanksgiving everyone!
Now for wardrobe ideas. The first thing that pops up in mind- DRESSES. Cute summery dresses! And lucky for us, this is also the season for the Resort Collections, so there are plenty out there. Here are a few that I wish I had:
Bold dresses by Catherine Maladrino. As the guy at Saks told me- Catherine is smokin' hot this season!
Bold PRINTED dresses. I love these ones from Karen Zambos (incidentally Karen Zambos seems to be the queen of winter getaway wear on shopbop- so check her out!).
Shiny dresses for the evenings. I am loving these two from Ingwa Melero (left) and Mara Hoffman (right). The colors are just so rich and bold and pretty!
Cropped jackets/cardis to keep warm. These two from Catherine Maladrino (left) and What comes around goes around (right) are so cute. The sparkly one is also great for adding a glam factor to your outfit.
Platform sandals to look pretty in and cute flats to walk around in. These two from Marc by Marc Jacobs (left) and Report Signature (right) are just the thing! Have a nice holiday/thanksgiving everyone!
Image Source: Shop Bop
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hamming it up in TV Station Sim
If you guys haven't checked out some of the Japanese sims you really should. You will find that the designers are often less ($$$) than English speaking sims and very nice quality. They also know how to enjoy a GAME and often have wonderful freebies out or just things that are good for the lollers!
Earlier today I was exploring a store named Non-Standard on one of the Japanese sims. I really like this store, because not only do they have awesome freebies, but most things are $20 or less (with the exception of skins which are very reasonable at $600). So here is a picture of all the freebies:
Click for bigger image. ;)
Skins, outfits, toys; located both upstairs and downstairs. There are also some great Chirstmas goodies here for $5-10.
As I walked out of non-standard I'd noticed a sign for a TVStation Sim. Well, I've never seen an sl tv station and decided to check it out:
Find the elevator and take it to the exhibition level. You'll notice the space suit is on sale for $5 and there is a complete free female avatar (skin, hair, shape, suit, bag)
After I visited the exhibition I took a stroll through the adjacent sim Machinima and checked out all the different sets available. If you haven't taken a profile picture maybe one of these backdrops will appeal to you. =) Enjoy the pictures and have fun getting acquainted with your SL.
ETA: Check out the sculpted prims exhibition (on Machinima Sim); you may find more freebies.
Earlier today I was exploring a store named Non-Standard on one of the Japanese sims. I really like this store, because not only do they have awesome freebies, but most things are $20 or less (with the exception of skins which are very reasonable at $600). So here is a picture of all the freebies:
Click for bigger image. ;)
Skins, outfits, toys; located both upstairs and downstairs. There are also some great Chirstmas goodies here for $5-10.
As I walked out of non-standard I'd noticed a sign for a TVStation Sim. Well, I've never seen an sl tv station and decided to check it out:
Find the elevator and take it to the exhibition level. You'll notice the space suit is on sale for $5 and there is a complete free female avatar (skin, hair, shape, suit, bag)
After I visited the exhibition I took a stroll through the adjacent sim Machinima and checked out all the different sets available. If you haven't taken a profile picture maybe one of these backdrops will appeal to you. =) Enjoy the pictures and have fun getting acquainted with your SL.
ETA: Check out the sculpted prims exhibition (on Machinima Sim); you may find more freebies.
Monday, November 19, 2007
NYC- Festive Displays
Another thing I love about NYC this time of the year is the window displays. They are just sooo classy, pretty and festive! None of those over the top multicolored flashing light bulbs in the shape on Santa pasted onto a building thing we see in some places....
Walking down midtown on Fifth Ave, there is this (recently lighted this weekend) star hanging in the middle of the street, which I thought was really really cool.
Right next to it, we have THE Tiffany store looking all pretty lighted up.
And my favourite- the Cartier store. Passing by, I initially thought it was under renovation with lights there to make it pretty. But looking at it from afar, I realized that it was in fact in the design of a gift. How cute! Oh and if you happen by at night (when there aren't hoards of people), take a picture under the arches in the lights. Its soo very very pretty.
Onto more subtle displays, we have these very abstract displays from Bendels (Oooo and Bendels reminds me of Gossip Girl!).
And these very artsy looking displays at Bergdorf Goodmans (these are one of my favourites). One would think Saks would be included, but I didn't find the recent displays very inspiring... maybe its not up yet?
And here is turkey made of utensils on display which I thought was really neat!
Onto Madison Avenue, I loved the Ralph Lauren display, its just soo......Ralph Lauren- which is perfect for the festive mood, with its all American family style.Not really festive, but just wanted to throw in the Issey Miyake display because I think that the leaves with the leafy looking costumes are just so neat.
Too bad the Christmas tree at Rockfeller was not up yet. I would've loved to see that. Thanksgiving I heard. Hmm... maybe that means I should go again! :P
Walking down midtown on Fifth Ave, there is this (recently lighted this weekend) star hanging in the middle of the street, which I thought was really really cool.
Right next to it, we have THE Tiffany store looking all pretty lighted up.
And my favourite- the Cartier store. Passing by, I initially thought it was under renovation with lights there to make it pretty. But looking at it from afar, I realized that it was in fact in the design of a gift. How cute! Oh and if you happen by at night (when there aren't hoards of people), take a picture under the arches in the lights. Its soo very very pretty.
Onto more subtle displays, we have these very abstract displays from Bendels (Oooo and Bendels reminds me of Gossip Girl!).
And these very artsy looking displays at Bergdorf Goodmans (these are one of my favourites). One would think Saks would be included, but I didn't find the recent displays very inspiring... maybe its not up yet?
And here is turkey made of utensils on display which I thought was really neat!
Onto Madison Avenue, I loved the Ralph Lauren display, its just soo......Ralph Lauren- which is perfect for the festive mood, with its all American family style.Not really festive, but just wanted to throw in the Issey Miyake display because I think that the leaves with the leafy looking costumes are just so neat.
Too bad the Christmas tree at Rockfeller was not up yet. I would've loved to see that. Thanksgiving I heard. Hmm... maybe that means I should go again! :P
What do you think of ASOS?
A few weeks ago, I had a party to go to and no new dress to wear. My friend told me to check out asos.com, which if you don't know, is a site famous for selling clothes that are 'in the style of x celebrity' and also clothes from a few UK high street brands (like Oasis, French Connection and Mina).
a) ASOS has no physical store and you never know how the clothing item is like in real life until you've actually felt it.
b) The prices are high-street prices, meaning very affordable. This again, makes me very suspicious of how the clothes would look and fit.
c) I've heard mix reviews from friends. A few of my friends said the clothes were decent, and one wasn't a fan of the quality.
d) If I wanted to return the clothes, I would have to mail them back. Talk about inconvenient and the extra cost involved!
Now these are examples of what I think are poor quality and design. The black dress's material looks cheap and the gems a bit too plastic-y. OK, I know the dress doesn't actaully cost a lot (38 pounds), but I have no desire to wear that material. As for the cream-coloured sequined dress, the design is just not very flattering.
This is the dress that has got me seriously thinking to give ASOS a go. I really like this dress. It's stylish, pretty and very youthful.
And on a closer look, even the beads and sequins look ok in quality. So should I dive in and get this dress?
Another dress I'm liking is this waistcoat dress. It's cute and cool. It's made of all polyester though, so I'm not sure how it'll look in real life.
So I need your opinion: If you've ever bought anything (or seen your friend's purchases) from ASOS, let me know what you think of them! Oh, and what do you think of the last two dresses?
Image credits: www.asos.com
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