Shopping

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.

Yes! Such a thing really exists!  I checked it out on Thursday and it was legit.  Spotted goods that I had spent full price on and the selection was huge.  I scored a ring, a necklace and a bracelet for $700 total – that’s less than what I had spent on just one item before. Sample sales are known for marking prices down even further to clear out their inventory towards the end, so make sure to stop by this weekend!!

As we eagerly await the beginning of Fashion Week, press releases for Fashion’s Night Out, a global event to celebrate fashion and encourage shopping (my two favorite things!), have begun to roll in. Mark your calendars because September 10 in New York City is going to be a night for major bargains, exclusive giveaways, great performances, complimentary cocktails, and some serious star sightings. Shoppers, this night is all about you! Events are free and open to the public, so grab a few girlfriends and take to the streets to kick off yet another exciting week of fashion!

Here are just a few appearances you won’t want to miss. For a full list of all things Fashion’s Night out head to: http://fashionsnightout.com

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I too often find myself standing in front of the closet, gazing upon years (and not to mentions dollars) worth of clothing. As I push past each hanger, I am confronted with the never-ending, always-obnoxious chant. “I have nothing to wear.” At this exact moment, I can think of at least ten different articles of clothing I NEED in order to look fabulous, none of which I own. After years of repeating this exact scene, I have finally discovered the antidote. It is time I start investing in pieces that never go out of style. Without further adieu, may I present to you the ever-stylish, ever-fierce, ever-classy tuxedo blazer!

The tuxedo blazer offers a way to step up your look. Both confident and sexy, this style of blazer creates a beautiful feminine silhouette from a rather boyish article of clothing. Perfect for pairing with a nice fitting pair of jeans, a long necklace, and heels, the tuxedo blazer can provide easy transition from stylish day time attire to sultry evening attire.  (more…)