Lately I have been obsessed with Kate Spade accessories, specifically their bangles. Anything black and white steals my heart, so it's no surprise that I've been keeping my eye on the "In The Spotlight" Bangle. However my heart has fallen for the "No Sleep Till Brooklyn". Taking it back old school with a classic Beastie Boys song AND representin' where I was born? Yes, Please!
And because being an adult is overrated, you can keep taking it back old school with these Kate Spade Friendship Bracelets. They're a part of their Hand in Hand collection that benefits Women for Women International, which provides women in war-striken countries with the resources they need to survive. So not only can you celebrate friendship, but you can celebrate women all over the world who need our help. As the Spice Girls would say, Girl Power!
It's been one year, five months, and eight days (but who's counting?) since Betty Draper's to die for dresses and Joan Holloway's curve hugging frocks graced our television sets, but that's all going to change tonight. It's the Sunday evening we've all been waiting for as Mad Men premieres tonight at 9/8CT on AMC. While you're getting ready to jump into the fifth season of your love affair with Don Draper, check out our favorite outfits and accessories that emulate the television show that delivers us the drama, fashion, and eye candy we crave.
What are some of the looks that have made you feel like you work or date Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce? Vintage Heaven is back and I've never been happier.
Don't worry, you're not limited to showing your Irish spirit with that green boa you found in your closet from two years ago. We have just the thing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style! Here's our favorite green items that are perfect for this lucky holiday. Step out of the kelly green box, and spruce it up with various shades of green!
What are everybody's St. Patrick's Day plans? I will be watching the dyeing of the river, a bit of drinking and shopping around Downtown (probably not a smart combo), and will end up at the #CBNIRISHSTYLE party at Underground! I hope to see other bloggers tomorrow night!
Calling all fashionable moms, big sisters, and aunts out there! Want the little one in your life as fashionable as you? Or are they already self-proclaimed fashionistas? Then, we've got the place for you! Gap and Diane von Furstenberg created an exclusive collection for babyGap (infant and toddlers) and GapKids, full of colorful wrap dresses (of course!), shorts, blazers, leggings, tees, swimwear, and accessories.
DVF window at the Michigan Avenue location.
I'm a proud aunt of a two-year-old named Isabella (and her twin brother Joseph) and I just had to buy a little something for her. I went to the Michigan Avenue location at around 10 AM, and it was already busy! Not quite designer-for-Target crazy, but it looked like a crowded Saturday shopping day. I actually heard that women on the smaller side were trying to fit into the larger kid sizes. I don't expect to see the racks empty by the end of the day, but the weekend won't be friendly for stock levels. So, if you're loving the prints and designs, get to your local Gap now! What they have on the floor is all they have!
Prices start at $25 for accessories and leggings, $30 for tees and shorts, $45 for swimwear, and up to $80 for rompers, jackets, and dresses. Not the most wallet friendly for clothing that lasts a year or so (or more if you have a younger girl that could use some vintage hand-me-downs in the future). I bought my adorable niece a pair printed shorts that I definitely will update with a photo. She's the cutest, I swear!
Check out the photos I snapped while shopping DVF ♥ babyGap and Gapkids and some of my favorite items from the collection (most designs are available in both baby and kid sizes).
Are you buying anything from the exclusive collection? I hope to see more from Gap and especially for us big girls!
In addition to the Michigan Avenue location, Fox Valley (Aurora), Oakbrook Center (Oakbrook), Old Orchard (Skokie), Orland Square (Orland Park), Sheffield (Chicago), and Woodfield (Schaumburg), are currently selling the DVF exclusive collection. Check here for addresses.
We know, ANOTHER fashion reality show? Sure, but don't be so quick to change the channel tonight when you find this fresh tv show on your screen. (Don't worry, those Kardashians reruns aren't going anywhere.) NBC's Fashion Star premieres at 8:30 CT and instead of finding the next big designer, they're taking it to the next level by searching for the next big brand. Executive producer Elle Macpherson will host the show, which will give 14 designers the chance to showcase their creations to celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, and John Varvatos.
Nicole Richie, John Varvatos, Elle Macpherson,
and Jessica Simpson of NBC's Fashion Star.
After pitching their designs, buyers Caprice Willard (Macy's), Nicole Christie (H&M), and Terron E. Schaefer (Saks Fifth Avenue) will act as judges and bid on their favorites. The audience (yes, that means you) will get the chance to shop the winners' looks that night online, or in the store the next day. Those that the judges don't bid on will be on the chopping block and the last one standing will win six million dollars in capsules for Macy's, H&M, and Saks Fifth Avenue! (What?!)
And of course Chicago has one of their own on the show! Not surprising since we breed fashionistas. Check out her official bio from NBC.
A recent breast cancer survivor, Barbara Bates is a Chicago native and designer who has been working in the fashion industry for over 25 years and knows what it means to be a fighter. After struggling as a teen mom, Bates began her fashion career while working as a secretary for the First National Bank of Chicago by selling her designs. She began selling designs in the bathroom during her lunch breaks. Within two years, she expanded her clientele and had her own showroom. Bates has designed for numerous celebrities, including Whitney Houston, Michael Jordon, Steve Harvey and Cece Winans. In 1999, she founded the Bates Foundation, which provides custom prom attire/dresses for underprivileged young women and men from inner-city Chicago schools.
Are we just suckers for reality fashion or does this seem somewhat promising? Granted, the show was shot awhile ago, so it'll be interesting to see if these designs can adapt to this season's trends.
Will you be watching Fashion Star? Check out our Facebook and Twitter for some live commentary! And don't forget, if you like what you see, shop on Macy's (111 N. State St. and 835 N. Michigan Ave.), H&M (22 N. State St. and 980 N. Michigan Ave.), or Saks Fifth Avenue (700 N. Michigan Ave.) online or in the stores the next day!
One of the many perks (and trust us, there are many) about being apart of the Chicago Blogger Network is the amazing fashion hook-ups they share with their members. Today we attended a styling session held at the Waldorf Astoria by the fabulous e-boutique Rad and Refined. Between sippin' mimosas and checking out the new fashions, we chatted it up with the lovely owner Jacqueline, a native Chicagoan who relocated to Los Angeles (can you say best of both worlds?). The balance between vintage and new, trendy and classic, and bold and comfy makes Rad and Refined the perfect place to shop. Take a look at some of the photos we snapped, when we actually had the strength to pull ourselves away from the clothes!
What a way to start a Saturday morning!
Accessories, accessories, and more accessories!
Jess ended up getting the fishtail dress in black. We will be thinking of those Givenchy wedges in our dreams tonight!
Make sure to follow Rad and Refined on Twitter and Facebook, and most importantly, check out their website here!
There's nothing we love more than coming across designers who not only make the perfect gifts for those hard-to-get-for girlfriends, but also those whose passion and personality translates into their work. Earlier this month we got to stop by the Kristin Hassan trunk show held at Macy's on State Street, where we quickly fell in love with her line. We chatted with the gorgeous designer about everything, from her busy schedule, upcoming projects, and her daughter, who's accessory collection will be the envy of every girl in school. One of the most unique aspects of her business is her Arm Parties, in which customers can preview and purchase the new line with their guests (think Pampered chef parties- minus the useless tools and add fashionable designs you'll actually use). Kristin's jewelry works as bold statement pieces without being too overstated, making them transitional from daytime to evening attire. Check out our interview with Kristin below and you'll see for yourself how her bubbly yet committed personality reflects in her beautiful jewelry.
When did you start designing? Unofficially - since I was old enough to sew! (About age 8). Officially, since 2006 when I graduated with a BFA in fashion design from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, and opened my own company.
Where do you draw inspiration from? EVERYWHERE! Street style and blogs are obviously hugely influential and easily accessible, but there's nothing like hitting the library for a couple hours and doing some good old fashion research!
How did you come up with the names for each piece? The original metals were all based off of places near and around my lake house in Bloomingdales, Michigan. For example, Allegan is where the county fair happens every year (once did a photo shoot there for my Spring apparel collection) and The Cove is the spot on the lake where you park the boat and make out with your boyfriend ;)
What is your favorite way to wear your pieces? The more the merrier! I love stacking multiples - bangles, watches, etc. Mixing the leathers with the metals is such a cool and chic way to go.
Tell us more about the arm parties! The KH Arm party started because all my friends wanted to see the new collection - so we literally had an Arm Party! Now everyone can have one! A KH representative will help you host a ridiculously fun and fresh girls night in. All you need to do is guarantee 10 of your friends, grab some wine and apps, and we do the rest! We'll set up an entire table full of all sorts of bangles, bracelets, and baubles for you and your girls to shop right then and there - no ordering! Best part is that each hostess receives $200.00 in free merchandise just for booking a party! To book a part or for more information, please email info@kristinhassan.com
Trust us, you're not going to want to miss all the fun things Kristin has coming up. Check out more of the line on her website, kristinhassanllc.blogspot.com and make sure to sign up for the newsletter here. After you're done shopping, make sure you enter JUNCTURE at check out to receive 25% off your entire purchase!
