Archive for November, 2011

ONE. Raffine Jewelry Issabella Necklace – What girl doesn’t love a sparkly statement necklace? Every fashionista should have one in her jewelry box, and add to her collection with this one made with crystal and chain. Plus, you’ll be supporting an up-and-coming jewelry designer – and your fashionista friend will adore being in-the-know first. (more…)

Confession: I’m a scarf hoarder. I don’t even wear half of them, but I’ve collected enough to sew together and make a curtain. (There’s a thought…) This one by Madewell is a must-have for any scarf-loving fashionista. So versatile. So neutral. So unique and stylish. Made of silk and wool, this version features NYC postal codes. For $59.50, it’s a reasonably priced mini-statement piece. Order yours at Madewell.com!

If you haven’t submitted your biggest online shopping mistakes yet on this post- do so here to be entered to win $250 of merchandise or giftcards through AMEX’s  Membership Rewards partners. We will be picking the winner on November 30 so you still have a couple days to enter.

In part 2 of the American Express Savvy Shopper Program, we’ll be providing our picks for our top 5 must haves for the season.  I think these are particularly relevant right now in the midst of the holiday shopping season- some things to give and some things for yourself!

1. Tumi ‘Zuse Continental’ Carry On: Do your holiday travel in style this season with this versatile bag from Tumi.  I only pack carry-on when I can to save time at the airport and this bag fits into all domestic and international flight restrictions.  The best part of this bag is that there’s an expander so you can pack up to 1.5 in more of extra stuff.  Also, it’s 30% off on sale right now which is one of my favorite ways to shop online!

2. Bobbi Brown ‘Party to Go’ Palette: We love Bobbi Brown here at TDO and we love it even more when you can get a whole face palette for $25- or the price of a lipstick! This eye and lip palette provides beautiful day-to evening looks and is small enough to pop into the tiniest clutch.

3. Ugg Josie Convertible Boots:  A pair of cold weather boots are a must-have every winter, and this pair from Uggs does double duty.  Not only is it super comfortable and warm, it can also be worn two ways: with a tall shaft or folded over for a shorter boot.  For $250, it’ll probably be one the best purchase you make this season especially if you factor in how many times you’ll wear it..with everything!

4. Kate Spade ‘Pearl Street Drop Earrings’:  Every holiday season I always find myself drawn to something pretty and sparkly from Kate Spade.  This year, I’m obsessed with these oversized pearl drop earrings from Kate Spade which feature 14k gold posts, and smokey glass crystal details.  These would make a pretty gift for anyone but it’ll be hard not to get a pair for yourself too!

5. Ray-Ban Cat Eye Sunglasses:  Ray-Bans (which never go out of style) and cat-eye sunglasses (flattering on a lot of people) aren’t just for the winter- they’re for every season.  Finishing off our top 5 must-haves of the season is our pick for a pair of perfect sunglasses that last you month to month and year to year.

Do you have lots of stockings to fill this holiday? We have some ideas for everyone on your list!

Mom: Though we may be in a digital era filled with culinary apps, nothing makes a kitchen feel cozier than cute, custom recipe cards. Help your mother keep her secret family recipes beautifully organized with Invitation Consultants’ personalized recipe cards in a variety of styles (10 for $15).

Dad: Prefect for that dapper dad that prides himself in the fine state of his footwear!  He’ll be looking sharp with this complete Croft & Barrow set packed in a convenient case including brown polish, black polish, 2 applicators, shoe brush, edge brush, polishing cloth. $25.00 now on sale for $17.50 available at Kohl’s.

Dog:  Give your pooch the second best thing to a real lobster dinner with Boots and Barkley Plush Lobster Dog Toy. This will keep your family Fido occupied for hours with joy in every chew! Available at Target (prices vary by store).

Brother: For your brother who committed to Head & Shoulders years ago and is afraid to make the switch– treat him with the Redken For Men Classics Gift Set. This gift set includes some of his soon-to-be favorites: Go clean daily care shampoo, Grip tight holding gel and cleanse acid-balanced cleansing bar. Suggested retail price: $20 at Redken.com.

Sister: Paul & Joe Ornamental Self Select Eye Color are not only gorgeous jewel-toned shades but are perfectly packaged in a paper lantern to add to the tree and disguise the little present inside! Control the shade intensity with this easy to apply creamy powder shadow that she will be sure to love.  Available for $20 at B-Glowing.com.

BF/Hubby: We have lost far too many of our own lip balms to keep sharing. Luckily for us, Jack Black is proudly introducing the latest collection of bestselling balms with two new flavors! Moisturizing and complete with SPF 25 these four flavors will keep your sweetie-pie’s pucker in tiptop shape. Four full-size tubes for $25 available at GetJackBlack.com.

We’re kicking off our gift guide this year with one of our signature categories…Cheap & Chic! We hope that you’ll find delightful finds for your friends and family through our guides in the upcoming month. From all of us at TDO, we wish you a very happy holiday season! (more…)

Now that holiday shopping is kicking into full gear, we’ve been tasked by American Express to blog about our take on making smart online shopping choices. Throughout this week, we’ll be providing some of our trusty tips on making smart shopping decisions for the season. American Express is also extending an opportunity for TDO readers to win $250 of merchandise or giftcards through AMEX’s  Membership Rewards partners.  You don’t have to be an AMEX cardholder to win… but you will need to share with us your online shopping mistakes and favorite shopping tips!

Ready?

In the comments below, share with us your biggest online shopping mistake.  We will publish a list of “top ten” mistakes submitted by our readers in the next week and select a winner of the contest who can choose $250 worth of merchandise or gift cards.

To kick things off, I’ll share a shopping mistake of my own…

Buying “final sale” clothing items when said item costs more than $20.  For $20 or under, I could probably take the risk of committing to a deep markdown without ever having tried it on.  But truthfully, I’ve bought too many things that were “marked down 85% but still $200 because it’s designer” which ended up not fitting… with no recourse. They now sit in a pile in the back of my closet- and just to think, that aggregated together, my mistake purchases could’ve totaled into something investment-worthy and fantastic. Sigh. You live, shop, and learn.

Now be sure to share with us your mistakes to enter to win (and so I don’t make them this season) and stay tuned for more tips this week!

Shiny Happy Holiday is the heading on the press release for the new Essie luxeffects collection and it’s so perfectly apropos that I had to use it myself.  Luxeffects is a new collection of multi-dimensional top coats that Essie’s releasing for the holiday season.  They’re meant to be worn a number of different ways – you can wear them by themselves for a sheerer look or layer them over each other or shades you already own to create your own unique look.  It’s a relatively small collection with only five shades, but the colors are so pretty and feminine that you won’t feel like you’re missing anything.  Here’s what you’ll find in the collection:  (more…)

Suzanne Somersall is the designer of Kirakira Jewelry, a collection of fashion jewelry. Inspired by her upbringing in New Orleans, as well as time spent abroad in Tuscany and Japan, Suzanne is influenced by their patterns, landscapes, and histories, transforming them into special wearable baubles – from oxidized cherry blossoms to pearl studded antlers. Each piece emphasizes elegant forms, feminine flourishes, and superb technique and styling. Find out more about Suzanne’s current obsessions below! (more…)

I never really thought that I liked matte lips, although admittedly I hadn’t tried on a matte lipstick in a very long time.  But recently, I got the chance to try some of Chanel’s new Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colours and now I’m all over the matte trend.

One of the main reasons that I’d avoided matte shades is because I thought they’d be drying, but these aren’t at all.  They have as much moisture in them as all my “regular” lipsticks, so that fear was put to rest immediately.  There are eight shades total, ranging from a few bright colors to other, more subdued neutrals, which were my favorite of the bunch.  (Although shade 41 L’Exquise, a deep red wine shade, is probably my first pick out of the ones I tried.  It’s just so rich and sophisticated).  I like that all the shades are highly-pigmented – these aren’t lipsticks you’ll have to put three layers on to see any color, which is my pet peeve in a lot of lipsticks.  They’re vibrant and colorful right from the first touch.  I also like that although the finish is definitely matte and not glossy, it’s not a formula that settles into the lines on your mouth.  There are no Grandma lips here!  All in all, any of these would make a great addition to your lipstick wardrobe.  Plus, the case is so chic and I love the way you push on the bottom to get the lipstick out.  It means there’s no way that any of the shades will wind up all over the inside of your purse and since that just happened to me with another lipstick and ruined a bunch of things inside, I’m very happy about it.  I heart Chanel!