Store Appeal

Accessorize Yourself: Cartier Watches

Store Appeal: The Cartier Watch. The brand is associated with prestige, elegance, and royalty; it’s legacy is in jewelry and watches. Doing my research on this French brand I discovered that in 1904 (according to the Cartier Wikipedia page) Cartier came out with the very first practical wristwatch. With a reputation like that it’s no wonder that famous Princes, Kings, and celebrities have been adorned with Cartier on their wrists for ages. Well not only on their wrists, Cartier’s diamonds and jewelry is renowned all over the world as well. Take for example this gorgeous image of Princess Grace of Monaco in her Cartier engagement diamonds. Absolutely stunning!

Our Vote: If money were no object then it’d be a natural choice to adorn my wrist with the Cartier watch of my dreams. These watches are $$$$$, but their fantastic history among royalty and their timeless appeal make them a treasure worth handing down to future generations. There’s no denying the beauty and class wearing a Cartier automatically brings to any woman, man, king, or queen. I’d like to think that one day I’ll be successful enough to own something with such history and prestige!

Our Favorites:

1. Cartier Santos Dumont watch, $10,985.00.I know this is supposed to be a gentleman’s watch, but I love love love it’s vintage look and the alligator band. So classic.

2. Cartier Tank Francaise Diamond Watch, $15,840.00.

3. Cartier Women’s Santos 100 Automatic Pearl Rose Leather watch, $3,750.00.

Check out more Cartier women’s watches here.

Alexis Bittar Jewelry: Chunky Bangle Bracelets + More

I am a jewelry junkie!  I can’t get enough of jewelry, particularly oversized pieces like chunky bangle bracelets and large necklaces.  That’s why I am such a fan of Alexis Bittar jewelry.  There are eye-popping cocktail rings, big kitchy brooches, embellished bracelets and cuffs, and incredible statement necklaces. 

I love this Gunmental Crystal Encrusted Liquid Link Necklace:

Gunmetal Crystal Encrusted Liquid Necklace, $295

I like the necklace because its a cutting edge design yet manages to look so classic at the same time.  It’s much less busy than many of his other pieces which tend to have a bit more flash.  Here is a more “typical” piece from his line:

Long Gold Vendome Link Topaz Hydroquartz Necklace, $375

The piece above has almost a french antique feel, which a lot of his pieces possess.  You could say that Alexis Bittar incorporates both modern and vintage touches into his work, but the end result is always the same – beautiful.

Urban Fashion: Baby Phat

Store Appeal: Baby Phat is the urban lifestyle and clothing brand brought to you by Kimora Lee Simmons. Who exactly is Kimora Lee Simmons? She can be considered a jack-of-all-trades with her many endeavors including modeling, acting, designing, and being a mom to two adorable little girls. She even had her own reality TV show (a guilty pleasure of mine in the past), Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.  How does she do it? I have no clue. I can barely juggle own life minus all those complications. So I guess she leaves a lot to be admired for. Now let’s take a look at what her Baby Phat line has to offer.

Our Vote: A lot of their stuff I dismissed right away because it’s just not really my style, but taking a closer look at their website I found that it’s not only apparel, but also shoes, accessories, lingerie, handbags, beauty, and even swimwear. There is definitely something for everyone, no matter your fashion sense. Like they say, never judge a book by it’s cover. And that saying holds true to this urban brand that is slowly morphing into a sophisticated and intriguing global brand, much like Kimora herself.

Our Favorites:

1. Baby Phat Marianela Open Toed Cage Heels, on sale for $82.03!

2. Baby Phat Checked Button Up Top, $27.03.

3. Baby Phat 2405 Women’s Sunglasses, $45.99, pictured below.  Cute, right?

4. Baby Phat Patent Leather Hobo Handbag, $125.00.

Stuart Weitzman Espadrilles + Summer Shoes

Store Appeal: For years, I have been a huge Stuart Weitzman fan. His shoes are so beautiful and fit so well. It’s no surprise women all over the world, including celebrities like Jennifer Anniston, have been singing the praises of Weitzman shoes for over 30 years. Possibly more important than the shoe itself is the company’s customer service mantra: “…every woman who walks into a Stuart Weitzman store will be the most important customer we’ve ever had.” Learning the business of shoemaking and design from his father, Weitzman now creates more than 300 new styles of shoes and handbags a year, proclaiming each is a monument to fashion and innovation. Weitzman shoes are even featured in Beso.com’s “Go Nude” shoe promotion – this season’s hottest trend in shoes!

Our Vote: Aside from each pair of shoe being made in Spain with over 80 pairs of expert cobbler hands of the course of 6-7 weeks per pair, each shoe also has its own very special place on StuartWeitzman.com. Click on a shoe, it will take you to its page, where size, color and material availability is presented to the shopper with the greatest of ease. What’s more, to the right are the metrics about each shoe – where it was made, materials it’s made from, design elements like platform rise and type of heel. Additionally, each shoe has photos taken from every angle to give the shopper the best feel for the shoe to aid in their decision-making. With prices that are hard to beat especially considering the craftsmanship, quality and mastery of design and function, Stuart Weitzman shoes are as much as symbol of status as they are a testament to the shrewdness of the woman who wears them.

Our Favorite:

1.)   Stuart Weitzman Alexa Espadrille- $375

2.)   Stuart Weitzman Saxony Bootie – $256

3.)   Stuart Weitzman Blingy Jelly Sandal – $110

4.)   Stuart Weitzman Avignon Platform – $365

Jennifer Aniston Wears Stuart Weitzman Alexa Espadrilles

Alexander McQueen – Legacy through Fashion

Store Appeal: In no capacity is it an overstatement to say that Alexander McQueen was a genius. He did more with clothing than most others could dare to dream. His collections mirrored the boundlessness of his imagination. While I’ve never been one for the oddities of fashion, something about McQueen’s visions, which often left the earthly realm, resonated favorably with the general public. It seems insulting to call his runway theatrics mere “fashion shows,” as they were performance art in every sense of the word. The fashion world lost a leader and a visionary – but his legacy lives on through his fashion. I have written about McQueen several times since I began fashion blogging in late 2008, and am privileged to continue doing so. His works of art became my immediate favorites because of his impeccable attention to tailoring and subtle detailing, like the sunbeam stitching found on his shoes and purses, and the hour-glass inducing curvature of his dresses. The McQueen brand is currently offering its spring/summer sale – 60% off – which in the world of high-fashion is both a steal and a crime. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of the McQueen brand, you do not want to forgo the Alexander McQueen sale.

Our Vote: There are less than a dozen McQueen boutiques in the world, so the majority of your McQueen shopping must be done online or in high-end department stores. This leaves many shoppers, such as yours truly, troubled with selecting a size, but luckily they have a generous return policy and customer service to assist. The website is a treat to navigate as it, unlike many other brands of the same nobility, provides high definition, multi-angle product shots of the products. The shopper may find it a bit laughable to click on “trousers and skirts” only to be met with geometric-print lycra leggings – not the typical “trouser” I’m used to, but the Brits are famous for their wry sense of humour. If you have a moment, check out the Alexander McQueen Experience which houses videos of his runway collections and a very moving tribute video.

Our Favorites:

1. Alexander McQueen Draped Jersey Dress – $750

2. Alexander McQueen Purple Skull and Bee Cocktail Ring – $280

3. Alexander McQueen Skull Brittana Clutch – $1,350

Kenneth Jay Lane Accessories + More

Store Appeal: I love a good funky chunky bracelet once in a while, and Kenneth Jay Lane‘s collection of bracelets has definitely won me over.  The designs range from simple and chic to funky and organic looking. The bracelets are a guaranteed conversation starter, take for example these safari bracelets seen on Hilary Duff.  They’re cute and funky, but not in a gaudy, pre-teen way. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with his great costume jewelry. It adds pizazz to any boring outfit you’d like to update in your closet!

Our Vote: It was impossible to find an official Kenneth Jay Lane website with all his jewelry in an easy to view layout.  Everything I found was either on QVC or specifically for buyers to purchase wholesale. In other words, I highly recommend looking at beso.com’s collection of Kenneth Jay Lane accessories. I was specifically looking at the bracelets, but there are necklaces, pendants, rings, watches and more.

Our Favorites:

1. Kenneth Jay Lane Chunky Link Bracelet, $225.00.

2. Kenneth Jay Lane Tiger Bracelet, $112.00.

3. Kenneth Jay Lane White Enamel Linked Curve Bracelet, $140.00. Check out the amazing design details!:

Shop more Kenneth Jay Lane

On Your Desktop: Kate Spade Paper Products!

Store Appeal: Funky, colorful, yet uniquely elegant Kate Spade does it again, but this time with paper products! Kate Spade Paper is the stationary line brought to you by yours truly, launched in 1998. Normally I gravitate towards her adorable purses and shoes (craving this cute pair from beso as of late)  I can’t get enough of her brand’s quirky style, but add it to paper and it makes writing any letter or invitation that much more fun. I love all  the little details she puts into everything she designs and the stationary line really does showcase that unique Kate Spade twist on plain old letter paper. Find a card with a hand drawn, painted watercolor look, or classy elegant thank you note to send someone. There are also some great organizers and pocket calendars to choose from.

Our Vote: So many great details, from letterpress embossed cards to vintage inspired invites. (In case you’re not familiar with letterpress, click on the link for a quick intro. Letterpress is a beautiful and detailed way of printing that adds a class and dimension to paper goods.) At any rate, this paper collection deserves a natural “yes!” from us.  It is a truly great extension of the Kate Spade line of products. Now letter or thank you card writing doesn’t have to feel old fashioned with this fresh and chic stationary collection. Send a personalized note to a fond friend, or write that thank you to your mother in law. They’ll be delighted you put in the time and care to sending something via snail mail, and even more delighted at how cute it looks!

Our Favorites:

1. Vintage Cocktail Invitations, $25.00.

2. Cherry Blossom Thank you Cards, $25.00.

Watch Yourself: Movado Watches

Store Appeal: Movado. Translates to “always in motion”. The name speaks simplicity, drama, class and style. My man is a watch kind of guy, and a Movado watch has been next on his wish list. Why? It’s simple, understated luxurious appeal has made it timeless and unique throughout the years. The company has been around since 1881 (!), and even today the company’s legendary Museum Watch with it’s gold dot at the top center has stood the test of time, with a gorgeous and growing collection of timepieces.

Our Vote: I’ve got to say these are some really sexy watches. That simple, elegant style is the epitome of timeless. The detail on these are absolutely stunning, and the quality is unparalleled. These are gorgeously engineered timepieces, perfect as a graduation gift or for marking an unforgettable occasion.

Our Favorites:

1. Movado Women’s Moderna Goldplated watch, $329.00.

2. Movado Sapphire Crystal watch, $1377.00.

3.  Movado Series 800 Black Chronograph watch, $720.00.

Designer Showcase: Jill Stuart

Store Appeal: New York fashion designer Jill Stuart made her debut in 1993 but according to her NY Magazine bio, her collection really took off with the 1995 release of the movie “Clueless“. Those plaid skirts and knee highs Cher Horowitz donned were all Jill’s doing, creating a spark of interest in her fun sportswear collection and helping her brand really take off. Since then, her label has come a long way, with stores in the Hamptons and Japan, a growing beauty collection, perfume, watches, and other accessories.

Our Vote: Jill’s aesthetic is sexy, sophisticated, and New York chic. Her collection reaches a broad audience, from feminine and frilly to vintage/military influences.  The website showcases her runway collections and ad campaigns from current and previous years, and it has a store listing with online retailers as well.

Our Favorites:

1. This lovely number, a one-shoulder tulle party dress, is over 64% off!  Jill Stuart One-Shoulder Tulle dress, $71.28.

2. Jill Stuart Linen and Lace Zip front dress, $498.00.

3. Jill Stuart Strapless dress with Flowers, $228.00.

Dress to Impress: Bloomingdales

Store Appeal: Looking for  the perfect dress for that summertime dinner party, beach barbecue, or first date? Queue Bloomingdales! (affectionately known as “Bloomies” to beloved customers). The Bloomingdales dress department has everything, from casual and chic to sophisticated and sexy. I found a huge array of dresses to choose from, and the Bloomingdales focus on high end, designer labels really makes their selection unique and outstanding. They’ve got all my favorite brands, from quirky/playful Alice + Olivia to sexy and feminine Rebecca Taylor, as well as much much more.

Our Vote: The website is chock full of clothing, accessories, and shoes galore (including men and children’s wear) so it’s easy to get distracted by all the goodies tempting your every click! By narrowing my search to Bloomingdales women’s dresses (and being able to sort by occasion) the process was quick, easy, and fun. I was also able to take a look at all the dresses on sale, which definitely made my wallet a little happier. There are some great bargains to be found on the website, so definitely take advantage!

Our Favorites:

1. Theory Speckle Print Silk Dress, $221.25.

2. Trina Turk “Lucia” Linen Dress, $268.00.

3. Diane von Furstenburg Cotton Voile Maxi Dress, $288.75.