NY $pender

fashion disaster - camo pants

2009-11-22T21:45:00.003-05:00

If Boy George would be asked to recruit for the Army, I imagine this is what it would look like.

ann taylor should be on your wishlist this year

2009-11-21T09:12:00.019-05:00

This year I'm really loving Ann Taylor, and specifically the jewelry and the Tiffany colored cashmere collection. As a matter of fact, the whole store has me lusting for things... but let me show you, so that you can share in the beauty.

Every time Christmas comes around I always like to look more polished, and for me this is easier to do with winter clothes (I guess in the summer I like to be more of a free spirit). Ann Taylor is perfect to achieve this polished style:

One look I like this year is the belt on top of a cardigan. Add black skirt. Add black tights. Perfect.

An easy way to look polished is by keeping it simple. And black and white.

Finally, polished means "taking care of all your details". That means you accessorize with style, you use the right belt for the pants, the right amount of sparkle on your wrists and neck, so that everything comes together in an harmonious picture.

Now, if you really want to look polished, come take a look at Ann Taylor's jewelry line...

How can you wear this and not feel instantly more polished??? It is so pretty, but also a little intimidating because you really need to know how to pull it off.

Here is another pretty necklace. At first you might think you can only wear something like this for a party, but if you keep the rest of the outfit simple, you could wear this every day. With a crew neck black cashmere sweater, for example.

Plenty of pearls to choose from!

Gorgeous bangles to stack up

or wear alone

And last but not least, cashmere in the prettiest color!

And until November 22nd, enter code FRIENDS at checkout to receive 30% off your entire purchase!

Don't forget to add Ann Taylor to your wishlist this year! But only if you want to look more polished, of course!

(I promise I won't use the word "polished" for at least 10 future posts)
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win a pair of louboutins!

2009-11-19T13:55:00.001-05:00

Since the chance of going out and buying a pair of Louboutin shoes is slim, I am very excited about the possibility of winning a pair from Shop It To Me!

If you would like to try your luck too, you need to sign up at Shop It To Me, which is a great shopping service that looks for fashion deals and sends them to your email according to you preferences.

Here is a referral link: Sign Up To Win! Hurry because contest ends tomorrow.

Let's hope one of us will get to show off some red soles pretty soon!!!
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reader's question: wrist watch

2009-11-18T19:51:00.007-05:00

Dear NY Spender,
I was putting together my Christmas wish list this afternoon for the hubby and realized that I needed your guidance. It has been about five years since I've owned a wrist watch and believe most individuals rely on their hand held devices to inform them of the time. So, is a wrist watch a do or don't for an office type setting job? If it is a do, any suggestions under $100?
Thanks,
Your #1 CA Fan

Yes, yes, yes!
Sure, a wrist watch is definitely a do! Why would it be a don't, especially in an office environment? You need to make sure you know when five o'clock comes around so that you can get out of there not a minute too late! ;)

For under $100 I immediately think about Swatch watches: the selection is huge, and the different styles should be able to accommodate your taste. But let me show you some examples:

This is BE FOUND, it has a very classic look and it only costs $90!

For a more modern twist you can try ENTANGLED SHINE, for $110.

For a more whimsical look, you can wear something like NIGHT-BLOOM at $110.

And finally, for something more heavy metal, you can go with what's on my wrist right now, the CIEL CLAIR VIOLET for $110.

But don't let me spoil the surprise for you, here is a link to the Swatch store

Have fun and let me know if you find something you like.

weekend links

2009-11-15T07:45:00.002-05:00

For this week’s best of Sass, Style & Substance beauty & fashion news!

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Idol White Teeth Whitening used by the Kardashian sisters for whiter teeth.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher is three years old!

eye4style
eye4style revels in the beauty of Chanel skincare.

Splendicity Accessories
Kristen Stewart upped her glamor factor for the French premier of the latest Twilight movie, New Moon.

tory burch eye wear preview

2009-11-12T09:21:00.022-05:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure to preview Tory Burch's new sunglasses collection directly in her store in the Meat Packing District here in New York.

If you read my previous post, I had promised myself to accessorize more, so window shopping for some sunglasses was the perfect way to spend my Wednesday evening!

Her collection includes oversized square models in brown but also in the more colorful teal/grey:

which looked great with my blue coat!

Oversized round in different colors and styles, and I loved the tortoise ones.

which were gracefully modeled for NY Spender's readers by one of Tory's exquisite sales representative.

The classic cat eye, which is probably my favorite Tory model of all, because of its simple shape, and the fact that the "cat" part is not overly accentuated. And I love the placement of the logo on the hinges.

The universally-flattering aviators in many different colors and styles.

And the more glamorous shield sunglasses!

Which looked pretty interesting on me...

You can check out the complete eye wear line at toryburch.com

I also got to meet Tory Burch (such a nice person!!!) and chat with her a little, which was the highlight of the evening for me!

NY Spender: Tory, I would like to start with a question/request from one of my readers, Christiane: "I love Tory's handbags, but I need more color options! When looking for a neutral colored handbag, black seems the only choice since the browns have more of an orange tint, and the purple, well, it's purple! How about a gray handbag?"

Tory Burch: The handbags are our current focus point. We are planning on expanding the line and we have finally hired a professional "handbag designer". As for the gray, it is usually not a great seller when it comes to handbags, but you will definitely see more choices in the near future.

NYS: Thank you! As for your line in general, what I love about it, it's the fact that it is luxurious yet still attainable (read affordable). My blog likes to focus on such collections, the ones my readers and I can dream about but that we can also eventually own. Will you keep it that way?

TB: Absolutely! I completely understand and identify because I don't like to spend thousands of dollars on an item that you will only wear a few times and that might go out of style next year! Every so often my line will have a one-of-a-kind piece that will feature more expensive materials and that will obviously cost more, but as for the overall collection, the prices will always stay in this range.

NYS: That's good to hear! Before one last question, one compliment: I love your flats! I never used to look at flats before, but after your flats came out, I now find myself wanting them in every color!

TB: Thank you! I wear flats too now!

NYS: Your logo is so interesting, I have blogged about how I think there must be a spell associated with it, because the more I look at it the more I want it. How did you come up with it?

TB: I didn't design the logo. I had a professional logo designer submit about 30 different designs to me, and this was the first and only one I looked at.

NYS: But I've also noticed that a lot of new shoes don't have the logo on them but different buckles and sometimes nothing at all. Is there are particular reason for that?

TB: Yes. Not everyone likes to display logos on their shoes or clothes, so I wanted to have different options for different people. As we move forward, you will see the logo a little less, for example, we'll have something similar to this cardigan I am wearing but with logo-less buttons.

If you are wondering about the cardigan Tory is talking about, it's the one she is wearing in this picture below, the one with the Spender in it!!! ;)

And as I was getting ready to leave the event, I was told that I could pick a pair of sunglasses as a gift from Tory (I picked the oversized round)! A great night overall! :)
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book review: closet confidential

2009-11-07T09:01:00.004-05:00

Title: Closet Confidential (Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way)

Author: Winona Dimeo-Ediger

Price: $18.95 (on sale at Amazon for $12.89)

When I first started reading Closet Confidential I was a little skeptical about the content, because there are about a million books about fashion and closets, and it's always the same information recycled over and over again.

What usually makes one book stand out from the crowd is the narrator's voice, and fortunately, Ms. Winona here has a great and funny one!

So while I started this book thinking "this gal can't possibly teach me anything new" (I know, I'm horrible!), by the end of the book I felt the author and I had a lot in common, I was cracking up at her silly adventures, and most importantly, I felt a renewed passion for my clothes (imagine that!)

If you don't know anything about fashion, mixing and matching separates, different body shapes and the clothes that flatter each of them, or the difference between an Oxford and a Polo collar, this book is definitely for you!

It's a 101 guide that will teach you how to find your perfect pair of jeans, how to layer tops, when it's ok to wear a T-Shirt, when it's not ok to wear a T-Shirt, how to pick a bra, how to pick a coat... you get the point.

And as I said before, all this advice is not written in the common and sterile "guide-format", but every tip usually comes with a story and every story has the author either having to wear a garbage bag, or choosing to wear a pink and a purple sneaker, or casually displaying bracelets that gave out, unknowingly to her, unusual sexual messages... because as the subtitles specifies, most of these style lessons were learned the hard way.

I certainly don't agree with everything she writes - I am, after all, a fashion expert as well ;) - for example, she hates sneakers worn outside an exercise environment, while I sometimes wear sneakers to pretty much everything 'except' to exercise!

And she hates "lounging around the house robes" because she feels nothing gets accomplished while wearing one, while I love them for exactly the same reason: "sorry honey, I couldn't iron your shirts, I had my robe on, you know?"

But I do agree with a lot of what she writes, especially when it comes to handbags: "... a purse is so much more than a black hole in which to lose your keys... is laden with deep emotional and personal implications... to take a peek inside a woman's purse is to see an intimate snapshot of her world..." Words well written!

But the most important point to me was what kind of, if any, style lessons was I going to walk away with, and to my surprise the answer was "many"!

Here are the main three:

1) I should go to bed feeling beautiful.
This is the lesson I really hope to put in place. Having a little baby is easy to use as an excuse to wear my biggest XL T-Shirt to bed (I need to be comfy), but I certainly don't feel beautiful wearing it (and I like feeling beautiful). What makes this lesson appealing is the fact that the author doesn't suggest always wearing sexy lingerie or impractical silky gowns to bed every night. She keeps it attainable by suggesting a pretty little nightgown in a soft fabric, or a cute tank top, or a matching flannel pajama set. Basically, anything other than the ugly XL T-Shirt...

2) Pretty shoes don't always have to have crazy high heels
It's hard for me to love shoes other than high heels (and sneakers), but they are pretty much always uncomfortable for me. The thing is I always thought that the problem were my feet, not the shoes: I thought I had pansy feet that couldn't handle the high demands of fashion. Reading about someone else's opinion, and how she firmly believes that anybody that says that 4 inches heels are comfortable is lying, felt good. It made me reconsider the madness that are high heels, and I've promised myself to start paying more attention to 2 inches heels (and below).

3) I need to accessorize more.
Her love for stacking up necklaces, big and small, her creativity in using belts and her philosophy behind sunglasses is so contagious, and it has made me realize that I do not accessorize enough! And you can be sure I will fix that with a few weeks of focused shopping!

This was a fun book to read, and since I've had my baby, probably one of the few I've been able to finish!

So if you like fashion and you need help with the contents of your closet, and if you are looking for a simple to follow how-to guide, this book is definitely for you.

To get a sneak peek at her writing style, you can check out Winona's blog: Daddy Likey

want to win a designer swimsuit?

2009-11-05T14:21:00.003-05:00

Swim Couture's 2010 Swimsuit Giveaway

The nice people over at The Orchid Boutique are giving away one of their designer smiwsuit (you pick which one) to the top commenter (between now and November 16th) on their Swim Couture blog.

So if you love typing and have a lot to say, you definitely have a shot at this giveaway!

Hurry and head on over, because they have already started commenting, and the top commenter already has 268 comments!!!

Good Luck!
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kaitlin went as a duckie :)

2009-11-02T19:10:00.002-05:00

Great costume! Everybody loved her! :)

limelight marketplace

2009-10-30T10:53:00.004-04:00

I used to love the Limelight! I can't believe they're turning it into a shopping center!

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The brainchild of fashion retailer Jack Menashe, the historic 163-year-old venue in Manhattan’s Flatiron district will transform into a three-story shopper’s paradise.

Inspired by the U.K.’s Covent Garden, Dover Street Market and Burlington Arcade, the Limelight Marketplace will display traditional elegance with a modern twist, showcasing a fantastic “street of shops” with elaborate facades and varied designs that invoke the feeling of a stroll down a marvelous European street.

“Limelight Marketplace delivers an innovative shopping experience for customers who have ‘seen it all’ – and an unprecedented opportunity for visionary merchants.” said President Jack Menashe. “Our plan offers something for everyone – with high end fashion, unique artwork and home décor, a candy shop that would impress Willy Wonka himself, and an organic market - offering an unprecedented opportunity for visionary merchants across the board.”

Manhattan’s landmark Episcopal Church turned legendary nightclub will open its doors once again this spring reborn as Flatiron’s shopping haven. An unparalleled midtown retail experience, Limelight Marketplace will bring new life to the 6th Avenue stretch of the historic Ladies Mile district, creating hundreds of jobs by housing over 60 shops from the “who’s who” in New York City’s eclectic worlds of fashion, accessories, food, design, art, beauty and more. A premier shopping destination, Limelight Marketplace will house an exceptional scope of retailers where uptown merges with downtown, and street meets luxury.

Menashe commissioned renowned designer James Mansour to create a space that responds to midtown’s desire for a convenient one-stop destination where social interaction meets a unique, fashion-forward shopping experience.

The Limelight Marketplace will house independent jewelry designers on one floor, a cutting edge apothecary around the corner, a street-smart boutique for NYC’s “skater” culture, and a level of classic and organic cuisine that will attract both new business and consumers alike.

The Limelight Marketplace will welcome innovative retailers and entrepreneurs at a fraction of the cost of a street-front address, providing a turn-key solution to startups and established brands looking for a presence in the New York City retail market. Reducing start-up and maintenance costs for boutique brands through a unique in-house business model, Limelight Marketplace will supply participants with state of the art POS systems, technology, store build-out and maintenance support, branded materials, and marketing, PR and visual merchandising services.

Locals will also be able to pick up ingredients for organic cooking or dine-in at one of Limelight’s restaurants, purchase a last-minute gift, unwind at the salon or check out work from up-and-coming artists in the same place where visitors can discover the most compelling elements of Manhattan, all under one historic roof.

Limelight Marketplace is located at 656 Avenue of the Americas, and will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m

something to do today in nyc

2009-10-29T10:03:00.002-04:00

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS SHOW THEIR SHOPPING SKILLS AND WALK THE RUNWAY AT NINTENDO’S STYLE SAVVY “FASHION FEST” EVENT

Charlotte Ronson Makes Guest Appearance at JCPenney’s Manhattan Store to Celebrate New Fashion Styling Game for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi

On Oct. 29, style-minded mothers and daughters will prove their fashion sense and shopping smarts during Nintendo’s Style Savvy™ “Fashion Fest,” a unique launch event for Style Savvy, a new fashion video game for the hand-held Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems.

Co-hosted by Nintendo and JCPenney’s Manhattan store, the event will include a live runway challenge in which mother-daughter teams must use their creativity to select fashionable styles within a set budget.

Expect fashion-forward fun as mothers and daughters tell one another what to wear and put their own “smart shopping” skills to the test.

Attendees can also enjoy a special appearance by acclaimed designer Charlotte Ronson and mini-consultations by professional stylists, snap memorable pictures at a red carpet photo station, win prizes and be among the first consumers to play Style Savvy in advance of its Nov. 2 release date.

Style Savvy lets players express their individual style and creativity by running a virtual boutique on their portable Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi system.

Choosing from a variety of styles, designer labels and price points based on the customer’s budget, players keep customers looking fabulous with more than 10,000 clothing items and accessories.

Style Savvy also allows users to connect wirelessly to visit each other’s stores or strut their stuff in a multiplayer runway show using Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and a broadband Internet connection.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 29: 5 - 7 p.m.

Participant casting call: 3 - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: JCPenney

Manhattan Mall

901 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10001

how to make your own embellished tights a la miu miu's - part 2

2009-10-24T08:56:00.005-04:00

This post is part 2 of "How to make your own embellished tights". Click here for part 1.

Before I even start writing about my embellished tights, let me say one thing:

Not as easy as it looks!

Ok, with that out of the way, let me begin.

Material you will need:

1) Some sequins and some beads. These are the ones I ordered online. Since I was planning on working on a pair of gray tights, I bought silver embellishments.

This is a closer look at each of them. Now that I have some experience with the process, I highly suggest getting all your beads and sequins as flat as possible. I was able to use the stars, the sequins and the round wheels, but the see-through flowers ended up being too bulky, so I didn't use it.

2) Of course, you will need a pair of tights.

3) A needle and thread of appropriate color.

With no experience whatsoever, I started my project by sewing all my precious beads and sequins like a mad woman. Everywhere. Randomly.

Half way through, not surprisingly, I didn't like the result:

I wanted it to look neater than that, so I pulled all the beads off, and tried with just the sequins this time:

After I had a neater base, I started adding the little stars:

Once again, I wasn't liking the way it was looking... I kept studying Miu Miu's tights for inspiration, but it just wasn't working.

Then I tried something really ugly: in order to replicate those areas with a lot of beads, I started to sew my biggest beads one next to the other... and it looked like crap again!

By this time I was getting really frustrated, and I wished I had Miuccia Prada's phone number so that I could call her and vent my frustration with her (it was after all her fault since she created these tights...).

Not to mention the fact that to sew these little buggers on the tights I must have tried so many different methods with no clear winner:

1) With the tights worn on my left hand and sewing with my right hand. Difficult because you need two hands to sew.

2) With the tights loose on the table. Difficult because you risk sewing the tights shut.

3) With the tights on. Better because you can use both hands, but a bitch after 10 minutes because you get such a backache from bending forward to sew on your shins.

So after about 2 hours I gave up. I gave up because I realized that despite my best efforts, it was never going to look good and for two main reasons:

- I didn't have the right embellishments

- I mistakenly thought that those areas with a lot of embellishments were just many single sequins and beads put next to each others. Instead, after really looking at it, I realized that those were appliques sewn in. Much easier if you ask me.

I will need to find all the right material before I even attempt going at it again. And maybe, one day, I will write the final chapter on these tights, because I don't think I am done with them (I am stubborn like that!)
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and the winner of the ymi jeans is...

2009-10-23T12:23:00.003-04:00

Congratulations Marie!!!

It looks like your luck is starting to turn! :)

Thank you everybody for partecipating, and stay tuned for another contest this weekend. :)

weekend links and misc.

2009-10-17T11:53:00.006-04:00

I know, I know: I am behind the Miu Miu tights project, and the reason is because I just received my beads a couple of days ago. I will definitely have a post about it next Saturday, I promise.

Stop by Martin + Osa this weekend for their cashmere sale.

Sass, Style & Substance beauty & fashion news:

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher reviews Jill Stuart Jelly Eye Color N.

STYLEnosh
Easy ways to add color to your fall wardrobe.

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge reviews the most lengthening mascara she has ever sampled! Hint: It's Estee Lauder!

Bags, Bling & Beauty
BB&B discovers a chic way to keep warm this winter, courtesy of Wallaroo.

Splendicity Accessories
Here are three budget-friendly options for one of the season's hot trends - gray slouch boots.

Have a great weekend! :)

ymi jeans giveaway

2009-10-15T09:49:00.004-04:00

If you are shopping for a new pair of jeans, please put your wallet back in your handbag, because I am giving away a free pair of jeans! :)

So forget about spending $200 for jeans... seriously!

Jeans were originally designed for the working man, because they were made of such a sturdy and resistant material, denim, but after 1950 and their association with youth and rebellion, their price has just gone up and up and up...

I like the people behind YMI Jeans because they offer a great variety of styles, their prices are still extremely reasonable, and they are giving NY Spender's readers the chance to win a free pair of jeans!

YMI Jeans collection includes skinny jeans, bootleg jeans, distressed jeans, embellished jeans, and so much more that I am absolutely sure you will find the perfect pair for you.

About YMI:

"A leader in the junior’s denim industry, YMI Jeanswear International creates unique clothing for fashion-forward, young contemporary and junior women and pre-teen girls. Designing and manufacturing jeans, jackets, tops, bottoms and skirts, YMI is available in better national department stores as well as specialty chain stores and independent boutiques across the country and at select retailers in Mexico, Canada and South America.

The YMI name, a play on words asking “why am I?”, relates to all young women and girls seeking the freedom to be what they want to be. The YMI brand statement expands on this question and can be found on display at YMI retailers, promoting YMI product and their company philosophy."

For more information, you can visit their blog: YMI Obsessed and their Facebook page.

For a chance to win a pair of YMI Jeans, visit YMI's website and pick your favorite pair, then come back to this post and leave a comment letting me know which pair you like best.

The giveaway ends next Thursday, October 22nd at midnight EST. I will pick a random winner and announce it on Friday. The giveaway is open to US addresses only.

Good Luck!!!

Full Disclosure: The pair I own was given to me by YMI to try out their product, but having a pair on hand also helps me decide if I want to sponsor a giveaway. And that's how I know you will love these jeans!

baby halloween costumes

2009-10-12T14:50:00.012-04:00

Help Kaitlin pick her Halloween costume:

Baby Lobster
Snow White
Baby Ducky

Baby Caterpillar

ps. Kaitlin will be 4 months old for Halloween, and she doesn't crawl just yet.

october is also lupus research awareness month

2009-10-10T08:09:00.013-04:00

October is famously known as "breast cancer awareness month".

Everywhere you turn you can find ways to buy something pink and benefit the ongoing research for a cure. Later on the week I will share my favorite "pink" products, but today I would like to focus on "purple" products, instead.

See, another illness that unfortunately has chosen October as its research awareness month is Lupus, and purple is its "sponsoring" color.

I write "unfortunately" because any October Lupus awareness voice tends to be overshadowed by the million of screaming pink survivors. Nothing against the pink survivors, but I am somewhat closer to the purple fighters.

If you don't know much about Lupus, you can visit the Lupus Foundation of America for a primer. And the Cure4Lupus site has a great symptoms list page.

In general lines, there are two types of Lupus: a systemic lupus (SLE) that can affect pretty much every organ in your body (and kill you), and a skin lupus (Discoid) which is milder and more forgiving than the systemic one.

One of the slogans of Lupus is: "Someone you know has Lupus" to emphasize how common the illness is, but at the same time how little people know about it.

And while Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44), men, children and teenagers develop Lupus, too.

Case in point: did you know that Seal's face scars were caused by Discoid Lupus?

Lupus in Latin means "Wolf", and the name was given to this illness because of patients that showed these facial markings resembling the marks left by the "bite of a wolf".

And now it looks like Michael Jackson suffered from skin Lupus also.

Was Lupus the reason for Michael's glove?

So this month, together with the pink, buy something purple as well. :)

These are my favorite purple products:

Purple Lupus Wristband

This Chick's Gone Purple for Lupus Awareness shirt

The butterfly is another symbol of Lupus, still relating to the facial marks that people with Lupus might get.

The butterfly rash (a redness that spreads on the nose and across the cheeks in a butterfly shape) is in fact one of the symptoms that help doctors diagnose Lupus.

SuperJeweler.com will donate $60 from each sale of this 1/4ct diamond and amethyst butterfly pendant in 14k white gold to The Lupus Foundation of America-Illinois Chapter

Other ways to donate:

Alliance for Lupus Research

Finally, Woody Johnson (his daughter has Lupus), the New York Jets owner, invites you on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 to walk for Lupus at the New York City ALR Walk with Us to Cure Lupus. If you can't walk, you can always donate.

Thank you.
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lamb booties

2009-10-08T10:53:00.004-04:00

If you're in the market for new winter booties, don't forget to check out L.A.M.B.

I think these are the best looking booties out there right now.

L.A.M.B. Women's Jadia Pleated Bootie

how to make your own embellished tights a la miu miu's - part 1

2009-10-03T10:22:00.007-04:00

As I've mentioned before, I really like these embellished tights by Miu Miu.

And I had been thinking about buying them...

Nah!!! Just kidding!

I was thinking about making them myself and I figured I share the creative juices with you.

I'll split the process in two posts, this first one about ideas and materials needed for the project, and the second one, in about a week or so (I'll give us time to find all the material needed), with instructions on how to actually make the tights.

Let's start with inspiration. I was able to find more pictures (from Style.com), that will allow us to see the project from different angles, and also in different colors:

As you can see, we can go light or dark, beige or black or gray. The trick is not to use too many colors when it comes to the embellishments otherwise we end up with clown tights.

Let's say you want to go for the black tights, pick only silver and black beads.

The gray tights will also look good with silver and black beads.

The beige tights will look good in gold and bronze beads.

At least this is how I see them.

You can come up with other color combinations, and when this project is done, you can send me your pictures and I'll post them in a third post about the finished project. :)

Materials:

You will need a pair of plain combed cotton tights. They need to be able to sustain sawing on them, so no nylon stocking for this project. The thicker the better. Just refer to the pictures if you have any doubts.

The fun part comes with the embellishment! ;) Here the sky is the limit. Find the beads you like and get ready to use them! I've found a lot of different stuff on Amazon!

For more sequins, beads and pearls just keep browsing the SeedBeadExplosion store on Amazon, they have pretty much every thing you need!

Stay tuned for post #2 next Saturday.

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my fall shopping list

2009-09-26T07:38:00.005-04:00

I've been barely back at work one week, and my repressed shopping need is already back full strength!

While I was home full time with the baby I lived on a reduced salary and found ways to save and be careful with money. After all, I was content to be with my little princess, and everything else was secondary in importance.

Now that I am, once again, walking the office runways, modeling the streets and riding the fashion subway, there is no way around it: I need new clothes!

Here is my wish list for this fall season:

1) The shoes, the shoes!
We know I want shoes. If I get lucky I might even get them today! Of course, I'm talking about the Tory Burch ones.

2) A new coat.
Holy crap, do I need a new coat! I've had many different coats these past years, but it's been a while since I've really loved any of them. And yes, you should love your coat, especially if you live in New York and you get to wear it eight months out of the year!

3) Fancy Tights.
I really love these ones from Miu Miu.

The problem is they probably cost a million dollar, and if you have it to spend I say: "Great! Go get them!"

But if you are more like me, you try to find ways around the not spending the million dollar you don't have anyway...

So the more I look at these tights, the more I think: "I could make those myself..."

Well, stay tuned, and you might just get a post on how to make your own Miu Miu embellished tights!

4) Cashmere!
On a cool fall morning, I love slipping on a soft cashmere sweater. I could buy 10 new cashmere sweaters every year, all in different colors.

Banana Republic used to be a decent source for cashmere sweaters, and they used to sell them at around $70 each.

I wrote "used to" because they don't sell them anymore. Blame the economy if you wish, but today the closest thing to those cashmere sweaters are these blends of 31% Cotton, 25% Silk, 20% Viscose, 17% Nylon, 4% Cashmere, 3% Spandex. Now say that three times fast!

On a different note, I don't need a new bag (I can't even believe I just wrote that).

The truth is my "handbags space" in my closet is full at this point, and I think I'm pretty much covered, especially if you add "diaper bags" to the equation! ;)

What will you be buying this fall?

birthday present: tory burch shoes?

2009-09-19T07:56:00.016-04:00

Back in July I was debating if spending $325 on a pair of shoes while on maternity leave was a good idea. The pair of shoes in question was Tory Burch's Lillian Pump.

In the end, I decided against it, especially because the high heels didn't look like the best choice to wear while carrying my newborn around.

But, as with any object of desire, the craving never really went away...

Soooo, under completely new circumstances, I feel I am allowed to re-evaluate that old choice of not buying.

What are the new circumstances? Well, for starters, today is my Birthday!!! And I should buy myself a present, don't you think??? Yes! Thank you!

Secondly, on a sad note, I am going back to work next week, boo hoo I know... but at least that means office environment with no infants around, which means I need/can wear nice new shoes! Right?

Ok, so in re-evaluating my choice, I've actually expanded my vision and looked at other Tory Burch's shoes as well, so now I am confused! But let me show you...

The Lillian Pump that started it all!

It comes in the brown suede option I first wanted, but it also comes in the easier to match black suede, or in a gorgeous black leather with patent trim!

The stacked heel (3 3/4") is what I love about it and what scares me at the same time (might be uncomfortable?)

Price is $325

The Efren Mid Heel Pump.

It's basically the Lillian pump with a smaller heel (2"). Just as nice and probably more comfortable.

Price is $295.

The leather Amy Pump.

If I am to get a mid heel, the Amy pump is very similar to the Efren, but it has the famous Tory Burch logo.

The question is, do I want the logo or not?

Price is $250

If I want to spend even less, and get a classic, I would go for the iconic Reva Ballet Flats.

While I am not a flats person, these shoes look appealing to me, because of all the different colors they come in, and because I've heard they are pretty comfortable.

The problem is I wouldn't get the black pair that would be perfect for work, nope, I would probably get the hot pink suede one, which would be a pain to match with anything (even if I do have a hot pink suede handbag!) Price is $195

Melrose 3 Ankle Boots.

Considering winter is fast approaching, it's hard not to look at ankle boots. And I have to say that Tory Burch also has great looking ankle boots!

This Melrose 3 model is perfect! It comes with a pretty zipper in the back and a 4" heel.

But I really need a pair of shoes more than boots...

Price is $395.

Donna Lace-Up Boots.

And since I'm writing about all the Tory Burch shoes that I would love to own, let me finish with a pair that is not appropriate for the office, but that is adorable nonetheless.

These Donna boots are the perfect mix of rugged and feminine.

They have the rugged sole, but they also have a nice stacked heel.

But, let me be honest and show you what I really like about them...
that cute little logo on the back! :)

Price is too expensive ($595).

Which pair would you pick?

new york fashion week ss10: dennis basso

2009-09-16T11:24:00.007-04:00

Anybody that knows me, knows that I am particularly fascinated by France, and the period around the French Revolution. Not as much for the political significance, but for the fashion of the time. ;)

I always tell people I would wear those big and beautiful gowns in a heartbeat! I would even be willing to sign a paper that would take away my right to wear pants.

So imagine how I felt when I saw this dress from Dennis Basso.

To me, this is a step in the right direction!

Made even more real by this other dress...

If he sticks with these designs, maybe the others will follow in his steps, and in a couple of years we could have a season or two of big gowns! How awesome would that be?

In the meantime, let's start slow, and so next time you're looking for a dress, even a short one, don't go for the usual tight, form fitting, little black dress. Try something different, maybe something with a big and flowy bottom, like these ones below.

Images courtesy of Coutorture

new york fashion week ss10: pamella roland

2009-09-16T11:15:00.004-04:00

One day, when I become rich and famous and I will need to have a personal favorite designer (or two) to call up for red carpet gowns, Pamella Roland will be on my speed dial list.

I just adore her style! And I would trust her taste completely with anything she would create for me (and I am a control freak!)

I would probably have her entire ready to wear collection in my closet as well.

Love it all!!!

Images courtesy of Coutorture

new york fashion week ss10: carlos miele

2009-09-16T11:01:00.004-04:00

Miele in Italian means honey, and Carlos Miele's collections can be described as feminine and sweet.

What I like about it most, is the fact that I can see myself wearing every outfit!

Images courtesy of Coutorture

new york fashion week ss10: zac posen

2009-09-16T10:56:00.003-04:00

As usual, I love Zac Posen's collections!

It's always the perfect mix of colors, beauty and originality.

This dress is gorgeous!

But this one is my true favorite!