Early holiday hours means that a lot of my last minute beauty emergencies need to taken care of  by the lone 24/7 drugstore down the block from my apartment.  Lucky for me, it’s a Duane Reade, the sole carrier (in the US currently) of one of UK’s top selling products: The Simple Wipes.  I had plenty of this on hand this week when my entire family crammed into my New York apartment for Christmas celebrations.  They, of course, didn’t bring toiletries (as no one should when visiting me) and while my mom used my floral scented cleanser of the moment, the men opted for a simpler (ha!) route. Simple Wipes are oil and alcohol free and contains no fragrance, which was a big plus for the men. It’s a great way to take off the grime of the city in a gentle and effective manner.

Simple Wipes are $6 for 25, which means stocking the bathroom full of these barely dented my Christmas allowance.

Lofli Premium Denim launched in 2006 and I do not know how I missed them for almost 3 years. But when I saw how effortlessly sexy they looked on some of my favorites such as Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson, I had to get a pair for myself to try. Lofli jeans are really comfortable from the first time you wear them and makes your legs look like they go on for miles. Their philosophy is to design a pair of jeans that fits and makes all body types look long and lean - and a couple of their styles that I’ve tried certainly fits me well.  These jeans are not meant to be dressy, and my favorite way to wear my Streamline Bootcut Jeans is with a casual button down shirt like Jennifer Aniston. It’s funny that Lofli hails from London because I think they are the vanguard of all-American style.

Lofli can be purchased on Singer22.com

We all try to make do with what we have in these uncertain times. Closet Couture, a free online community, aims to help you creatively do just that with what you’ve got in your wardrobe. It says it’s the first of its kind–a social network that allows you to upload your wardrobe to the site and connect with other similarly style-minded people to mix and match pieces. After joining Closet Couture, you can begin uploading pictures of your own wardrobe to swap with other members or get tips on how to wear and style your pieces for new looks. The site also features boutiques that sell clothing and accessories at all price points and offers styling services for as low as $25.

You can view a quick video tour on how the Closet Couture community functions or even order stylist gift certificates if you’re in need of some last-minute gifts. Be sure to enter their Hermes giveaway as you network your wardrobe!

Whether it be an office holiday party or a party thrown by your nearest and dearest, dressing and looking chic for holiday parties is not confined to wearing the latest holiday novelty sweater (a la Mr. Darcy of Bridget Jones’s Diary), unless you plan to wear one to make an ironic statement.

Holiday parties give you a chance to dress more festively, and to let those festive dresses hanging your closet a chance to breathe apart from during wedding season.  Dig through your clothes or pick up a few new items to update your wardrobe to incorporate some of these elements into your holiday outfit:

1. Sequins — When I think holiday party, I instantly think shine and sequins, and the best thing is that you can incorporate this element as little or as much as you want to - and still look celebratory.  Whether you choose to embellish your outfit with Bajra Sequin embellished scarf or to pick a dress with subtle sequin details such as this Charlotte Ronson Sequin Racerback Dress, you are sure to catch people’s eyes from across the room or in holiday party photos.  If you are brave and looking for a striking and dazzling sequin detailed option, this Hanii Y Sequin LBD flapper inspired little black dress that is will make you look chic.  My personal favorite is this Sequined Cummerbund belt, which will perfectly accent your waist and add instant glamor to any outfit. (more…)

Levi’s is the quintessential denim brand. It’s been a long while since I’ve picked up a pair, but I’ve been hearing good things about the latest from the line, so I went to the Third Street Promenade store in Santa Monica to try on a few pairs.  I walked away with a pair of jeans, shopping bag and a lighter wallet.

The Low Skinny 531 jean from Levi’s eco line is the pair I bought. Sitting low on the hips and cut slim, this skinny jean is meant to flatter. It comes with three varied inseams (short, medium and long); so no matter your height, you can find a pair that truly fits and avoid a trip to your tailor, solely for alterations. These soft recycled cotton jeans come in numerous washes and colors (I own them in black), and I actually love the weight and texture of them as well. And because they’re only $69.50, you can splurge that pair of you’re coveting!

Order or find your nearest Levi’s boutique at levis.com.

I can always count on Banana Republic for a luxe-looking basic. However, when I walked into a store recently and saw this dress, I thought, “Woah…this looks like it came off a rack at a designer boutique.”

This Puff-Sleeved Belted Dress is made of 100% silk that is slightly crinkled for an effortlessly sophisticated look. Puff sleeves give it a sweet look, while the polished belt finishes it off. This frock accentuates your curves without revealing too much. In this dress, you’ll look equally sophisticated at a work-related holiday party at an elegant restaurant to the annual family holiday dinner (with your parents, aunts, uncles and a whole brood of cousins). Beyond the season, you can work this on a fancy date or an upcoming wedding. You can make it work at the office (if you work in a creative environment) by throwing on a heavy cardigan and flats.

Available at BananaRepublic.com for $150.

We’re quite taken with the antiquated detailing of this embroidered boatneck top by Gap. Who would’ve thought that this mainstream retailer could produce something so adorably quaint? (It truthfully feels more a style that Anthropologie would carry.) This gorgeous top is made of a delicate, but sturdy cotton-silk blend with embroidery on the front. It features a button and loop fastening front, with three-quarter sleeves. So feminine and lovely! We have a few suggestions on how to wear this: 1) with a skirt - A-line for a more old-fashioned feel or pencil for a bit of modernity and 2) with skinny or straight-legged jeans with flats to run around town in - from errands to the farmer’s market. Simply add a subtle piece of jewelry, like these Melanie Auld jade drop earrings, for a touch of glamour.  

Order for $48 in alabaster or earth brown at Gap.com. P.S. Check out Gap’s cute holiday message after the cut. (more…)

We recently heard about Shopflick and wanted to introduce you to a new, innovative way to shop! Shopflick is an online video shopping marketplace that features up and coming designers like Doucette Duvall and Tina Tang. Unlike other online retailers, you’re actually able to see the clothing on a body before you click the purchase button. Videos are made available to watch, each featuring the designer talking about the creative vision behind their designs as well as simply seeing the clothing on a model in motion.

We recently tried the Doucette Duvall Blanche Dress, as seen in the Sex and the City movie. (Fun fact: One half of Doucette Duvall is designer Annebet Duvall aka the best friend of Brad Goreski, one of Rachel Zoe’s assistants. Umm, yes, we watched the Rachel Zoe Project.) The dress is fun and takes preppy to a more downtown level. Watching the video, it was actually nice to see the dress on a body, and it definitely gave us a better feel of the dress we’d get to wear! For holiday, we adore the Stella and Georgia dresses - so make sure to check it out and do some video shopping at Shopflick. View a sample video behind the cut. (more…)

When you chat with your favorite fashionista, you probably think her brain is actually a product catalog because she can identify designers in seconds - and her closet is probably even more impressive. As intimidating as that might be, we’re sure that we’ve found a range of gifts that she’ll not only love, but will allow her to switch up her look throughout the year!

ONE. Free People Parker Plaid Overcoat - Perfect as a gift for your most fashionable friend, Free People’s Parker Plaid Overcoat is a must-have item for winter. It’s a funky twist on the double breasted coat that’s available in two colors, a bright Pomegranate for those who like to stand out, and Charcoal, for those who like a more subdued color. The cable knit collar, front slash pockets and metal buttons add detail to its classic shape, and the pleat at the back gives it a jaunty swing. Normally $198, you can buy it for a fantastic $98 at freepeople.com for a limited time, making it perfect fit for your best friend - and your gift budget. She’ll thank you when she’s warm and toasty walking down the street, looking like a million bucks. - productwhore (more…)

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