Shopping

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?

Yes my friends, you are looking at a picture of pieces from the highly anticipated Rodarte for Target line for sale weeks before the official release.  And how do you get your hands on such coveted pieces before the masses?  Well, dear reader, that entirely depends on if you are lucky enough to be in New York, Washington DC, or San Francisco this weekend. Target is hosting Target To-Go, a 3 day only pop-up shopping experience starting today, where residents can shop for holiday gifts in an innovative and hassle free manner.

How does it work?  Well you simply walk up to the pop-up sidewalk shop, pick out what you want, fill out an order sheet, and then take it to checkout where each item will be presented to you, all wrapped and ready to go. In New York, if you buy over $100 of products, they will even deliver them right to your doorstep for free! Hours are 10am-8pm, NYC at the High-Line (13th and Washington), DC in Georgetown (M St. NW and Wisconsin Ave) and San Francisco at Mint Plaza.

We sent our friend Samantha to check out a media preview yesterday (and get us some Rodarte).  She reported back that the experience was super easy and fun- even on a freezing cold day in New York!  So what can you hope to score this weekend?  Check out the full list at Target.com/ToGo and below for some highlights and pictures. (more…)

Listen up, Chicagoans–here’s your chance to shop for the holidays in the most unique way. The One of a Kind Show and Sale is coming to town starting tomorrow till the 6th. This special shopping event features hand-crafted creations from artists and artisans across the continent, including some of our local faves that we’ve featured on TDO before. Among the artists that will be there are Abbey Brown Soap Artisan, erin gallagher jewelry, and Objets d’Envy, which are all local to Chicago. I’m excited to be able to browse their latest creations, as well as the rest of the unique photography, art, furniture, and jewelry from all of the featured artisans.

Tickets to the One of a Kind Show and Sale are $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and students (bring your ID). Head on over to Merchandise Mart starting noon tomorrow, because 100% of Thursday’s ticket sales benefit the Children’s Memorial Hospital. Click here to purchase your ticket and have fun shopping!

As a petite individual with what we like to call “a figure,” I have long maintained that skinny jeans only look good on skinny bodies. But (finally!), it appears you don’t have to be Lindsay Lohan or Angelina Jolie look good in skinny jeans — not if you have a pair of Zana Dis or Z Co.s.

Featured in Lucky and Allure (and on curvy gals like Jessica Simpson), Zana Di Jeansand Z Co. Jeans have made the “impossible” possible: Little women with curves can now wear skintight skinny jeans with confidence (and for less than $45 apiece). I’m so into them, I now have several pairs — from classic black to daring neon purple (keepin’ the trend alive for Spring 2010!) Best of all, I’ve had to alter exactly none to fit. (Hm, I guess miracles do happen.) Slide your hips into a pair at your local Macy’s junior section and say “zip zip hurray”!

Find Zana Di Jeans, $38, and Z Co. Jeans, $44, online at www.zanadi.com and www.zcojeans.com.

P.S. Here’s a handy size chart:

26 = 1; 27 = 3; 28 = 5; 29 = 7; 30 = 9; 31 = 11; and 32 = 13.

Occupying the former Gap space on the corner of Newbury and Exeter is Ted Baker, one of the fastest growing lifestyle brands in the United Kingdom. Ted Baker has recently begun international expansion, with Boston being the 11th city in the United States! Ted Baker sells a variety of items, including men and women’s clothing, accessories, and even small gifts.

I’d never heard of Ted Baker until I learned of the store opening, but after a little research, it seems they have quite a following. While out-and-about today, I stopped in and perused the store. The clothes are fun, trendy, and clearly European, without being over-the-top. In a strange way, Ted Baker’s style and pricepoint reminds me of a cross between Zara and Cynthia Rowley, respectively. Two dresses immediately caught my eye: the Eoke and Namao. If my closet wasn’t overflowing with cocktail dresses, or bank account seriously diminished by purchasing said dresses, I would have surely indulged!

Boston gals- if you’re in the market for something unique with a slight European flair and not completely budget blowing, head over to Ted Baker at 201 Newbury St.

My final day in Portland began with a morning visit to Bijou Café for their infamous pancakes. While the idea of heading up to Stepping Stone in the Alphabet District and tackling their pancake stack featured on Man vs. Food was quite tempting, I was urged to go to Bijou instead, and I’m glad I did. Bijou is quintessential Portland, with an old fashion yet slightly hip vibe. The diners were more mature than other places I’d been, with an equal number locals and businessmen alike. I had never had oatmeal pancakes, but my shortstack was fantastic.  Best part of the pancake experience? Marionberry syrup. In no time at all, I concocted a dipping sauce of maple and marionberry which I happily dipped my pancakes in while people watching and making small-talk with the waitstaff.

After filling up on the pancakes and Stumptown Coffee I began exploring with no specific destination. I made my way through Old Town, which is Portland’s Chinatown. Unfortunately, Old Town has not experience the gentrification as other Chinatown communities across the nation have. While it was interesting to see, Old Town lacks any interesting shops, restaurants, or bakeries. (more…)

After a great first day in the City of Roses, I decided to check out the East side of Portland. My first stop would be the Hawthorne neighborhood, which is a collective of many independent coffee houses, ethnic restaurants, and funky boutiques. I spent a good two hours wandering the street and popping into every store that caught my eye. My favorite stops included Presents of Mind for jewelry, accessories, cards, and funky gifts, Mink Boutique for women’s clothing, and Fat Straw for bubble tea.

From Hawthorne, I made my way up to Alberta Street, an up-and-coming section of the city known as the Alberta Arts District. While Alberta is similar to Hawthorne in the sense of many fun boutiques, coffee houses, and restaurants, it really caters to the artist community in Portland and supports local artists through rotating artwork for sale on café walls, as well and standalone galleries. (more…)

Co-founded by Susan Feldman and Alison Gelb Pincus, One Kings Lane is the online resource for designer home wares – from gorgeous candles to luxurious linens.  Essentially an invitation-only sample sale site (which we told you about earlier this summer), One Kings Lane carries only the best of best – such as John Robshaw, Missoni, Vera Wang and Wedgewood to name a few – at affordable prices.  As a bonus, they’ve interviewed designers/founders of brands they carry for tips on how you can make your home more stylish with your newly ordered goods.

Feldman and Pincus together have worked at top companies such as Ralph Lauren and NBC, before branching out to launch One Kings Lane with the intention of creating an “extraordinary, innovative online resource and sanctuary for anybody looking to create a gracious home.” We think they’ve already succeeded in accomplishing their goal, and so naturally, we wanted to tap into their style sense and find out what they’re loving right now! Let’s find out…. (more…)

You may or may not have heard by now  (WWD, Daily Candy, StyleCaster), but today The Fairest launched to great fanfare!  You know how beauty products NEVER go on sale?  Well, now that’s changing with The Fairest bringing you prestige and niche beauty products at up to 75% off.  Niceee.

I was also honored to be asked to join The Fairest’s all star team of bloggers, led by my friend, author, beauty entrepreneur, and famous blogger Nadine Jolie. My first post isn’t up yet (still working out the technical kinks from my end). but be sure to check back later this week as I reveal my first celebrity how-to…

Today’s sale had Stila lip pots for $8 and mascara for $4.25. ’Nuff said.