Shopping

Believe it or not, it’s finally starting to feel like summer in Southern California (OK, yes, the weather is practically perfect year-round but only now have we been hitting the 90s on a regular basis!). For a swimsuit pack rat, this means heaven — and time to stop parading around the kitchen in my new orange-striped Seafolly Capri separates. Finally, I get to take them outside!

Seafolly, a popular Australian swimwear brand, has been around since the mid-70s selling “sexy yet practical” suits. You can instantly spot the subtle retro influences of the brand in its latest line of ultra-feminine, chic suits and beachwear, from strategically placed ruffles and cutouts to polka dots and sailor stripes. Upon first checking out this season’s styles, I — like many bloggers and editors — immediately fell in love with the one-piece Goddess Boyleg Maillot (about $150). It’s supposed to be great for hourglass figures but I was worried that the boy-leg cut would shorten my already short legs, so next on my list were the shirred Capri separates ($77 for the top and $64 for the bottom, as seen on Victoria’s Secret model Jessica Hart, left). I love how the convertible bandeau bra-top makes my non-existent bust look, well … busty! (more…)

Although Glamour’s September issue has declared leopard print back for Fall (at least on J.Lo), as far as I’m concerned, it should never leave! I am obsessed with the sold-out peep-toe Michael Kors leopard-print canvas platform pumps I recently scored at Bloomingdales for under $100 (after lusting over these oh-so-perfect-yet-out-of-reach Manolo Leopard Pony d’Orsays of course), and now I have my eye on Knitwit‘s lightweight, “tofu-cashmere,” animal-print wares: feather-print scarves, tiger- and zebra-print sweaters, and cheetah-print hoodies!

Having tried out one of their cardigans (you may remember it from our March Lust List, I can attest that each 85-percent soybean and 15-percent “cashmere” piece is very well-made, decadently soft and super cozy without being obscenely heavy. Plus they wear well; I haven’t put a run in my scarf (the feather-print one above) yet, and I usually end up doing so on day one. It’s a good thing, too, because Knitwit is a pricey line for casual wear, so definitely look at any piece you buy as an investment purchase. And lucky for both of us, you can take advantage of sales like the current free shipping and $25 off promotions at shopknitwit.com (enter TOFU at checkout). Happy feeding!

To be completely honest, when I was invited to a Juicy Couture event a few weeks ago, I decided to go – not because I was a Juicy fan- but because I was dying to meet Erin Fetherston- the California native whose clothes I fell in love with at her first Fashion Week show a few seasons ago. Erin is the newest designer on a Juicy collaboration and hosted a night of dinner and shopping for 15 online editors to drum up buzz for her new line, debuting this holiday.

Prior to that night, the last time I had entered the World of Juicy was sometime circa 2004, where I bought my one and only tracksuit top.  Then, as I was maturing in my sartorial tastes, I also began seeing younger and younger clientele in velour track suits and thought that my days of Juicy were over. (more…)

Hmm, are they jeans or leggings? I can’t decide. They’re too thick to be leggings and too thin to be jeans. All I know is that I’ve worn them almost every day for a week and I’m not going to stop anytime soon. From the founders of L.E.I., SOLD Design Lab‘s super-stretchy, pull-on skinny jeans (the “Spanx of jeans,” I’ve been told) are quite possibly the most comfortable piece of skin-tight denim I’ve ever worn. I tried a black pair of Spring Street Skinny Pull-on Jeans, a style recently seen on Cameron Diaz, and while she’s tall and leggy and I’m short and curvy, the jeans truly did conform to our body types. There’s no zipper, just a button; and pulling them on sometimes reminds me of those maternity jeans with the stretch belly on them. But who cares? They feel and look fantastic, and for $98, I can afford to get them in white too. I might even check them out in perforated leather and corduroy!

I normally don’t make a fuss about sales, but it’s payday and I couldn’t resist some seriously glam accessories like this Large Gold Turquoise Bubble Klimt Ring, $116.25, above. Pick it up along with a pair of Miss Havisham Clear Liquid Lucite Earrings, $145, (my fave) for 25 percent off at Alexis Bittar’s annual summer sale, which kicks off July 1st (tomorrow!) online at alexisbittar.com and in his NYC boutiques.

You’ll be able to get discounts on the Spring/Summer 2010 collection, full of sculptural, ethereal, fun and funky pieces made of semi-precious stones and metals. (Inspired by his antique-collecting parents and NYC club days in the ’80s, Bittar makes jewelry fit for the likes of Bergdorf’s, Saks, Burberry, Estee Lauder, Michael Kors — and Sex and the City’s stylist Patricia Field. So this is one designer you’ll want to add to your wardrobe.) Go, go, go!

Love Gilt Groupe?  Us too- though sometimes we admit it can be kind of a mess with all the volume on the site.  But recently we discovered a new Gilt Groupe project that is still in beta (though we can’t resist sharing) and we can actaully buy things.  And if you live in New York, you’re in luck!

Welcome to Gilt City, where you can get weekly deals on shows, restaurants and other events in NYC for up to 70% off- solid discount!  This week they’re doing a 9 course tasting menu and cocktail at the new West Village hotspot Betel for under $50 a person!

We can’t wait to see what else they have! Intrigued?  We’ve got a code for you to join.  Click here and enjoy!

I love my life in Chicago, but sometimes I really miss living in NYC. When I found out that the Saks Fifth Avenue in New York began stocking Hunter Dixon, one of my favorite clothing lines, I really regretted moving. The lovely ladies at Hunter Dixon shared these amazing photos of the collection so I could see just what I’m missing. Here are my favorite picks, starting with the sweet, flirty Regus Dress in Fairy Dust, above. You lucky New York gals should check out the collection at Saks and let us know what you think! Click to see the rest of my faves… (more…)

I have fallen in love. With a “vintage” hoodie.

Last month, I would not have thought it possible to WANT to pay more than $100 for a grown-up version of the hoodie my friend’s big brother wore when we were 8. But this spring, I hope I win the lottery because the first thing I’m doing (after finally buying my dad that Porsche Carrera) is stocking my closet with Aviator Nation‘s pricey, flawlessly flawed recreations of “vintage” tees, tanks and sweats.

Much love goes out to creator and Texas native Paige Mycoskie, who got the itch to make perfect “retro sporty” vintage clothing from her obsession with Cali style and her inability to find a good vintage T-shirt anywhere else but in a thrift store. She began by researching how the real thing was made vs. stylized reproductions we often see today, and coupled with her super picky taste in feel and fabrics, Aviator Nation’s soft, sturdy goods were born. (more…)

Whenever I am across the pond, I always have to stop by the amazing department store Liberty of London near Oxford Circus.  And by stop by, I mean spend half a day in the beautifully curated store, admiring and lusting after everything.  So naturally I jumped at the chance to attend a press preview for the new Liberty of London for Target collection that’s hitting stores nationwide this Sunday.  I snatched a few items to spruce up my apartment (see above) and have got the dish on all the goods you can expect to see. Liberty lovers will be excited to see their signature prints and florals on everything. For luck New Yorkers, there is a pop-up store in progress right now at 1095 Sixth Ave (at 42nd St) March 11-March 13 from 9am to 8pm. (more…)

The Sample Sale is online invitation-only shopping destination that offers great fashion, accessory and beauty brands such as YSL, Tavernito So, Alexander McQueen, Giorgio Armani, Gucci and more! Better yet, in addition to getting a $10 credit from each referral’s first purchase, you also get $10 simply by signing up by January 31! Check it out at TheSampleSale.com and sign up — can’t hurt, right?