Store Appeal

Karen Millen: The Little Black Dress

Karen Millen is a glamorous and chic clothing collection brought to you from the UK. Founded in 1983, you can see the European tailoring and style that make Karen Millen special. All of their gorgeous clothing is designed in house, and the collections range from day, work, weekend, and formal wear.

I was especially attracted to the lovely party dresses in the Karen Millen collection. You can see the beautiful couture type details and craftsmanship in each one. Here I’ve picked out a few signature Little Black dresses, a key staple for every woman’s wardrobe. Take a look below:

Karen Millen Ruffle Prom Dress, $160.00. Strapless tutu dress with contrast silk satin panel corset bodice.

Karen Millen Satin Dress, $99.00 (Original price $380.00!). Satin fitted pencil dress with deep v-neckline ruffled small cap sleeve detail. The necklace is detachable so you can wear it with or without depending on the occasion!

Karen Millen Cupro Dress, $59.95 (Original price $350.00!) Soft cupro dress with deep v neckline and shoulder drape detail. I especially love the wonderful draping details on this dress. It’s chic and a bit asymmetrical for a unique twist on the little black dress.

Shop more Karen Millen here.

Clinique: A Classic Favorite

You’ve probably found yourself walking right past the Clinique makeup counter time and time again. Yes it’s been around for ages, but that’s for a good reason! Clinique has been a trusty makeup and skincare leader since 1968. I always have something or another in the bathroom vanity from them, whether it be my mom’s signature lipstick or favorite eye cream. I can always count on Clinique to satisfy my skincare and makeup needs. Check out some of my favorites from Clinique below:

Get long pretty lashes with this mascara set, featuring a cute pink makeup clutch.

For breakout prone skin like mine, choose a lightweight oil-free moisturizer that helps clear up your skin.

And for a moisturizing lipstick that will outlast the others, try Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick.

Find more Clinique products right here.

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Online Bargains

Marc Jacobs is infamous for being creative director with Louis Vuitton, as well as his Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs brands. Seen in the arms of tons of celebrities and stylish people alike, you can’t go wrong with one in your arm too. But, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the Marc Jacobs bag you covet. I’ve been finding tons of really great bargains online. Here are some Marc Jacobs bags I found that won’t leave you feeling broke.

This is an adorable classic, in a color that would go with any outfit in your closet. The Marc Jacobs Natasha Q Crossbody bag, only $138.99 (60% off of $348.00 original price) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The perfect small classic leather saddle bag, in a trend forward olive green. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Bell Saddle Bag, $90.99 (60% off of $228.00) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

This one is my favorites that I found, with it’s adorable slouchy silhouette and sleek grey color. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita Satchel, $347.99 (30% off of $$498.00)

Find more deals from Marc Jacobs here.

Acne: The Best of Cardigans

Acne clothing is a low-key, Swedish fashion house full of simple, comfortable basics. Made with the highest quality fabrics and construction details these are built to last forever and will become wardrobe staples, guaranteed. I love their collection of cardigans. Both elegant and chic, these are perfect for topping off any outfit.

The Acne Frank CSS11, $150 

The Acne Midnight PSS11, $480Acne Ruiz AW10, $230

Buy the Acne collection here.

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

Intermix – Fun, Designer Style

Store Appeal: Intermix is the designer boutique for designers and high-end brands that most stores don’t carry. Always au currant with the latest styles, if you’re a label lover or want to be the first in your group to wear the latest/yet-to-be-seen trends, Intermix is your place.

Our Vote: If you’ve never been to an Intermix store, you’re missing out. Although they’re not in every city, the Intermix store can be somewhat of an anomaly, as it is a boutique with the designer labels and looks most high-end department stores don’t even carry.  However, with discounts and free shipping for qualifying orders, it’s easy to fall in love with Intermix.

Our Favorites:

1.)    Splendid Long Sleeve Stripe Throw – $165

2.)    Guiseppe Zanotti for Balmain Zipper Crisscross Suede Sandals – $995

3.)    Parker Bustier Swing Dress – $218

4.)    Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Stone Cuff – $125

Be&D Handbags, Shoes and Accessories

Store Appeal: Very rarely does an American designer craft handbags that could pass for the Old World glory that is seen in Chanel and Balenciaga – with the exception of Marc Jacobs.  But many American handbag designers have a very streamlined, modern interpretation, which is not a fault, but they find it hard to recreate what’s already been so successful in Europe for over a century.  American designer handbag line Be&D does a brilliant job of melding the two for modern twist on an old favorite, though this is not by accident.  Be&D, which was founded in 2004 by Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain, is now helmed solely by Dumain, who grew up with an affection for antique luggage and in college studied international business, Spanish and art. The handbags, shoes and other leather goods are modern and sexy, but carry elegant and flattering lines. Just what every woman wants.  My personal favorite is the Be&D Kan Kan Tote.

Our Vote: While the online store is easily navigable, the photos are only one-dimensional and can be a bit lackluster, particularly when trying to demonstrate the detail of the fabrics, materials and hardware used on the products. Nonetheless, the shopper still gets a decent idea of what the product might feel and look like in hand, and fortunately, the dimensions and vivid descriptions of the materials used in each product are listed.

Our Favorites:

1.    Be&D Kan Kan Tote - $1,390

2.    Be&D Rizzo Shoes – $458

3.    Be&D Dallas Tote - $895

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