Store Appeal

Uggs for Men

Yes I understand the idea of men in Ugg boots may make your stomach churn, but with Fall soon approaching as the end of August nears it’s time to start thinking about some warm footwear options. Ugg Australia is the company who started creating these sheepskin boots with a cult following (note celebrities sporting their Uggs below) and they’re going strong with their collection of boots for men, women and children.

Yes, Uggs aren’t just for women. Uggs boasts a strong collection of footwear for men as well, and to be honest they really are an approachable, comfortable pick for fall without being a terrible fashion faux pas. Check out my top picks for men below:

#1. Love these chocolate brown ascots for lounging around the house in comfort and warmth. Ugg Ascot Slippers.

#2. I had to include the Classic Short Boot Uggs. Keep your calves and toes warm with these easy to slip on, super comfortable Ugg classics with your favorite pair of sweats.

#3. Last but not least, you can’t forget that Ugg doesn’t just make the classic lounge type footwear you’re accustomed to seeing. Here’s a great pair of suede and rubber soled UGG Australia “Lenox” boots. Perfect to complete any fall outfit.

More totes: Lilly Pulitzer and Kooba Denim

This week I discovered some cute totes from Lilly Pulitzer. Known for her citrus-y bright pink and lime green prints, she’s been the retro uniform for the affluent since the 50′s, and I love the happy mood her clothing and accessories evoke. Even Jackie O rocked Lilly Pulitzer so you know it’s gotta be chic!

Check these totes out:

Lilly Pulitzer Original Carry On, $148.00. So retro 70s and fun; I love the hot pink and orange combo!

Lilly Pulitzer Polka Dot Tote, $109.99.

As always, I understand not everyone wants to carry around a loud, cheery bright tote like the Lilly Pulitzer ones above. So here is a great, low-key option. Kooba Denim Canvas tote, $295.00.

Great light washed denim with a cool shape and leather pocket details. I think it’d be really comfortable to tote due to that little arch in the middle they took out for more room for your arm. The adjustable strap handle is also a great style detail. Plus denim is classic and timeless as well, so investing in a denim tote might be a good idea!

> shop more Lilly Pulitzer totes

> shop more denim totes

DKNY Home – High Fashion Comes Home

Store Appeal:  Ever wanted your home furnishings to look as stylish and chic as your closet? Of course you do! And Donna Karan knows that! Since 2001, Donna Karan has been helping savvy fashionistas make the most out of their bed, bath and home décor through her domestic line, DKNYHome.com. Her philosophy is simple: “To me, the bedroom and bath are our inner sanctums, the places where you get to be truly be yourself. And just like your clothes, every piece should be multidimensional, expressive and a gift to give yourself.”

Our Vote: What’s most helpful about DKNYHome.com is the a la carte or pre-fixed menu offerings. When buying bedding, sometimes you may want just the sheets, sometime the entire collection. DKNYHome.com offers that ease to shoppers along with individual pricing or pricing for the entire collection.

Our Favorites:

1.)    DKNY Floral Garden Bedding Collection – $729.99

2.)    Donna Karan Liquid Silk Pillow Cases – $99

3.)    Lilac Shadow Bath Accessories – $119

Bright Bags for Fall from Miu Miu & Kate Spade

This Fall, don’t let yourself get caught up in the earth tones that swarm the stores post Labor Day.  If you’re shopping for bags this Fall, consider a major POP of color!  If you’re brave enough to try a really wild bag, check out this amazing Miu Miu handbag that I saw on Net a Porter.

Miu Miu Patent Leather Ruffle Bag, $1050

If this is too wild for you, consider maybe a more standard style bag, but in a wild color.  How about this awesome Kate Spade handbag? 

Kate Spade La Casita Sammie, $275

The Kate Spade La Casita Sammie is a vivid bright purple and is hot as it gets!  I think this is probably the more reasonable option, its less than a quarter of the price of the Miu Miu bag and a lot more practical.  But hey, practical isn’t always what motivates women to buy handbags, right?

Paul Smith Socks for Men

Men out there: looking for a way to add some personality to a boring corporate suit? Have some fun with your socks! I’ve got a strange weakness for cute socks (thigh highs, argyle socks, etc.) but when I spotted the awesomely colorful and zany collection of Paul Smith socks I knew fun accessories don’t have to be reserved only for women.

Paul Smith is an English designer whose trademark colorful stripes have gained notoriety all over the world, and you can see his signature style on the wickedly fun trouser socks pictured below.  Pump some personality into that drab sock drawer of yours. See all the fun you could be having underneath your slacks!? Click on the images for prices and information.

> Find more Paul Smith socks

MNG by Mango for JCPenny!

I just had to share the latest breaking news on the hot collaboration between JC Penny and Mango.  If you haven’t heard of Mango, they’re the company from Spain who’s made their name on stylish fast fashion at affordable prices. Their ad campaigns have included Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz, and they’ve got over 1,000 stores worldwide! Don’t have a Mango store near you? Now you can find a Mango store within a store at your nearest JC Penny.  Fabulous idea, no?

Nylon Magazine has posted a first look of this highly anticipated collab and these are some of the lovely images.

These are the much talked about skinny motocross khakis:

Sophisticated yet casual:

Tomboy chic:

Like what you see? Hit your nearest JC Penny beginning Fall of 2010 to start seeing these Mango items in stores. Look for new products each month and online at jcp.com.

J. Crew Collection – Where Glam Meets Preppy

Store Appeal: Known for its notoriously preppy selections, J. Crew is a mainstay among yuppies and hipsters alike, mainly for its classic New England frocks and high-end appeal. While the J. Crew Collection doesn’t deviate from their signature style, the glam aspect of the line does incorporate quite a bit of bling that would have the likes of Mariah Carey drooling. Described as couture-quality with to-die-for prices, the J. Crew Collection is quite versatile, particularly if you’re new to the brand. Founded in 1983 (lest we forget the modern prepster movement was born during this era), J. Crew has expanded past oxford shirts (and shoes) and chinos, into refined party dresses, structured purses, men’s suits and even wedding attire. The store’s new collection has a gentle appeal thinly veiled in nautical stripes and distressed denim shorts.

Our Vote: You may never know this by looking at the brick and mortar store, but J. Crew online is laden with tons of products. From sales to new arrivals, high-end new collections and popular basics. But if you’re not a J. Crew enthusiast, it can be rather daunting surfing through 20 pages of women’s tops alone! But I’m up for the challenge and I hope you are, too. Besides, if you’re like me and get a little nauseous from the sea of popped-collars, pearls and ribbon-clad ponytails that rule your local mall’s J. Crew every Saturday afternoon, then you might benefit from shopping online. And one amenity only found online is the “back by popular demand” section that highlights old favorites brought back…well you can figure the rest out.

Our Favorites:

1.)    J. Crew Impressionist Skirt – $110

2.)    Trapp Troubadour Sunglasses – $395

3.)    J. Crew Sequin Skirt – $398

Botkier Handbags & Shoes – Accessories with Downtown Edge

Store Appeal: I know what you might be thinking, with the Tory Burchs and Rebecca Minkoffs of the world, do we really need yet another contemporary-on-the-cusp-of-high-end designer handbag collection? But just like with Tory Burch and Rebecca Minkoff, Botkier offers something unique that sets it apart from the other brands it tends to be grouped in. The eponymous handbags, shoes and accessories line from New York fashion photographer, Monica Botkier, has made a splash on the celeb scene, worn by boho starlets such as Joy Bryant, Ashley Greene and Rachel Bilson. Each style of purse not only has detailed stitching and fun hardware or trendy zippers, but also comes with a fob of sorts. Such as the neutrals line which features an elephant shaped fob. Fans of designer shoes, but hate stilts (aka 5 inch heels), will love the sturdy, cone heels, as they are cutting edge without invoking a fear of falling over the edge of the sidewalk. The brand terms itself “downtown edge” and embodies “luxury through custom detailing, innovation and quality while focusing on functionality.” Quite possibly, Botkier is the answer to all of our fashion woes!

Our Vote: The store’s site is easily navigable and had great photos and will show you the available shoe sizes from a drop-down menu and lists the dimensions of each purse so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting! Plus, there’s a lot of great information about Monica and the brand as well as a blog all about Monica’s Musings which stretch out of the world of fashion and into the culture that breeds it. Because if you’re going to drop $500 on a purse, you want to know there’s a community to back you up!

Our Favorites:

1.)   Botkier Uma Satchel – $595

2.)   Botkier Howard Street Satchel – $575

3.)   Botkier Lula Sandals – $229

Alice + Olivia: Funky + Contemporary

Store Appeal: So if there’s one thing Alice + Olivia are good for – and known for – it’s their impeccable selection of party dresses. The youthful, contemporary line represents the “quirky style” of its founder, Stacey Bendet. In addition to the dresses, the line expands into tops, pants, jackets and even basics (read: white tees with a flair) and some accessories. A kids line and a charity tee selection makes this hipster fashionista brand quite likeable.

Our Vote: With over 60 dresses on their site to choose from, it’s a virtual closet of young Hollywood. Priced well between the $200s and $500s, it’s a great online destination to find that killer cocktail dress that most likely no one else in your circle will have. But probably what’s more entertaining that sifting through the well-stocked online showroom is the “4AM Finds” which truly represents that quirky nature Stacey confesses to have. These pieces include oddball frocks and accessories from other stores like Sephora and Amazon.com that not only make it a pleasure for the online shopper, but make the brand that much more…appealing!

Our Favorites:

1.)    Alice + Olivia Tabitha Dress – $198

2.)    Alice + Olivia Sydney Faux Wrap Dress – $368

3.)    Alice + Olivia CeliaVest – $264

BeddingStyle.com – Affordable Designer Bedding

Bedding can be very expensive to buy, especially if you like designer brands.  I’ve found a great store that sells designer bedding for really low prices.  BeddingStyle.com sells a lot of the top bedding collections – Laura Ashley, Tommy Hilfiger, Steve Madden, and more.  I especially love their Tommy Bahama bedding and Michael Kors bedding.

They carry everything from duvets to comforters to pillow shams, pretty much all that you need to style your bed. 

The Tommy Hilfiger Comforter Set includes the comforter, two shams and a bedskirt.  It can sell at other stores for as much as $374, but everything at BeddingStyle.com is straight from the manufacturer, so they are able to offer lower prices.  And if you spend $150 or more, they will also include free shipping. 

In additiont to standard bedding, BeddingStyle.com also carries beach towels, bath towels, and shower curtains.  They also have a good collection of back to school bedding including lots of twin XL sheets for college dorm beds!  If you are looking for affordable designer bedding and bath items, I highly recommend checking out this site!