London & Amsterdam Style

I spent just over a week in London and Amsterdam. I hit all the tourist musts, walked a ton, ate some wonderful food, drank lots of cider and noticed what the locals were wearing.

Luckily, the weather was great in both cities. We had sunshine, a cool breeze and only a little rain. It was in the 60's during the day and in the 40's at night- so a light jacket was still needed even though upon our return it was near 90 degrees here!

Ladies in London are loving leggings and tights still. I saw lots of sheer tights under cut off denim shorts and tunics paired with leggings. I only saw a few people wearing heels, and those were heeled boots. Everyone else was wearing ballet flats or gladiator sandals. Big bags were a must- most people ride a train to/from work and don't have a car to stash their belongings in during the day. Everyone was fairly casual, but still put together.

I saw this woman on a Sunday transferring trains. She was one of the few with an outstanding style and I just had to take a picture. You can't tell, but she has a large white flower clip on the left side of her hair and the skirt of the dress had layers of tulle underneath.

Amsterdam was very casual and laid back. Jeans with t-shirts, tanks or hippy style tops were worn by the women. Sneakers, flip flops and ballet flats kept them comfortable while walking or riding bicycles to their destination.

I was there during their biggest holiday of the year- Queen's Night and Day. Everyone decked themselves in orange, whether it be an orange dress and scarf or a neon orange suit with tails and top hat. The whole city turned orange and partied for 24 hours.

Check back for more pics!

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

$1,000 Jeans

Ok, so they're $995. Hudson jeans normally sale for just over $200, which is still quite a bit for jeans, in my opinion. These extra special, extra fancy jeans are $995. Benjamin Taverniti, the designer, explained that the Resurrection style is a literal hodgepodge from the past styles. Past Hudson jean styles are assembled into one huge piece of fabric. The Resurrection jeans are then cut from that large piece of fabric; each pair is a hand sewn one of a kind.

Go here to find a retailer near you.

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Vacation

Hello, fashionistas! I will be out of town April 23-May 3. But, come back May 3 for London and Amsterdam street style photos. Maybe that ash cloud will trap us....?

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Discount Divas: Online Shopping Hall of Fame

I love online shopping. There is no question about it.

I can click through pages of dresses, shoes, bags, jeans in the time it takes me to lock my door, wait for the elevator and start my car to actually go shopping. I can watch tv, paint my nails, and go through work emails, all while shopping. Sure, you can't try things on, but that is a minor issue. Returns are easy, and I have only had to make 2 or 3 in several years.

Bensoni, $173.75 orig. $695, Chick Downtown

I get so excited when I come home to a UPS sticker on my door. I go straight back down to the lobby to get my package. I often call it a "present" or "prize." Around Christmas I say that Santa has come. Only, I bought it myself. But, that does not diminish my excitement as I rush back to my place, throw down my purse and keys and tear into that box. I throw all the packing materials on the ground as I rush to get to the goods. I then hold it up, admire it, bring it to my closet to mentally pair it with other things and then when my husband gets home, show him proudly what came for me. Of course, I must wear the new item that weekend.

Criminal Jeans, $24 orig. $140, Beyond the Rack

And then the newness is gone. I begin the shopping all over again. It doesn't even seem like real money. The sites have all of your information saved and all you have to do is pick your poison and click. A few days later, a brand new pair of Louboutins or a Nicole Miller dress arrive. But, you say that you saved 50%? Well, my gosh, that is a deal! You simply couldn't have passed that up!

The worst (or, it could be the best!) are the big final sales that many of the sites have. There are several designers, limited quantities and sizes and big discounts. You have to be a quick draw, I mean click, to get what you want. But, don't forget to close out that cart! If you don't, someone might steal it from you. Final sale days are a frenzy of impulse clicking and then reviewing your purchases. I hope you don't have buyer's remorse though- final sales are just that: final.

Cynthia Rowley Navy/Black Reversible Tie Skirt, $89 orig. $250, Rue Lala

In order to be a champion online shopper, you have to sign up for lots of sites, check back often and know when each site starts their sales for the day. I haven't paid full price in years, and yet have never dressed better.

These are my daily sale habits:

Row Nine

The Skinny

Rue Lala

Gilt/Gilt Fuse/Gilt Jetsetter

Haute Look

The Top Secret

Glam List

Billion Dollar Babes

Beyond the Rack

ideeli

Enviius

Gomatta Girls

Great sales all the time:

Chick Downtown

Tobi

the Outnet

Blue Fly

Get your credit card warmed up and shop!

PS: If you know of other great sites, leave a comment!

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Photos from Chick Downtown, Rue Lala, Beyond the Rack

J'adore Adore Boutique

As a fashionista that loves a serious bargain, I am loving Adore Boutique. Nancy, the owner, is quite stylish herself, serves cosmos Thursday evenings and dishes about her favorite sample sale sites. Walking to Adore is like walking into a friend's closet: designer clothes, cool accessories, lots of bags and shoes and girl talk.

Adore Boutique is a high end consignment boutique where you can find summery Bilingual dresses with the tags still attached, a spring Tahari trench that doesn't look like it has even been tried on, several Fendi bags, Loeffler Randall heels and lots of sparkley accessories. Being located in Cary near Preston Corners attracts affluent consignors with quality goods; lucky for us, Adore Boutique offers us a bargain on these barely worn fashion prizes.

Bilingual Tunic

Since I am in an accessory phase right now, I left with a leather cuff, a three stone cocktail ring, a croc embossed business card compact with mirror, and the most fabulous gold, jeweled snake bracelet. I had to tear myself away before I left with more goodies.

Out of town fashion lovers, don't worry, Adore Boutique is going to begin offering their goods online in the near future. But, if you are in the area, a trip to Adore Boutique will not leave you disappointed.

Location: 4226 NW Cary Parkway, Cary, NC

Phone: 919-481-3400

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Photo from BilingualClothingNYC.com

Alice + Olivia for MAC

MAC's Alice + Olivia collection will be available in stores and online July 8, 2010. The colors are bright and fun, which is perfect for the summer. However, the collection does feature a black pigment with a bit of purple sparkle and a black nail polish that can be used through the fall and winter.

From left to right:

Dazzleglass

Sparklicious- pale pinkish nude, limited edition

I.Want.Candy- neon yellow, limited edition

If It's Pink- bright pink, limited edition

Pigment

If It Sparkles...- white with a bit of pink sparkles, limited edition

Partylicious- turquoise with silver sparkles, limited edition

Later- black with purple shimmer, limited edition

Nail Laquer

So Rich, So Pretty- bright purple frost, limited edition

Morning After- turquoise, limited edition

Military- black matte with silver pearl, limited edition

Available online and stores/counters July 8.

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Photo from MAC

PONO Goodness

PONO is Hawai'ian for goodness. PONO is also jewelry goodness. For refined, unique, and affordable jewelry, you must check out PONO. The jewelry is made from a variety of materials, including Italian resin, wood, shell, metal and horn. The materials are all unique and beautiful in their own way.

Joan Goodman, the designer, is inspired by nature from her time in Hawaii, as well as vintage and modern designs. All of these elements combined make for modern pieces with a classic feel.

The necklaces range in price from $20 for a heart pendant to $130 for an amazing tusk necklace. The alabaster chocker and masonry necklace embody the tribal trend perfectly. Vibrantly colored resin necklaces will brighten up any outfit. Shop their website for even more necklaces.

Utopian Progression Necklace in Petro, PONO $46

Grab some matching bracelets, or pick out a few outstanding cuffs, $12-58. These resin bracelets, bangles and cuffs and made from resin and you will be amazed by what resin can do. Adding one of these bracelets to your outfit will dress it up instantly. Perfect for everyday wear, vacations or date, you just need to get at least one. Or two.

Lattice Cuff in Capri, PONO $42

A wonderful gift would be PONO earrings, $40-55: they are unique, special and can be worn with anything. The resin earrings match the necklaces and bracelets, while the wood earrings are totally different, in a good way. The paradox earrings in seagrass are right on the military trend this spring.

Paradox Earrings in Seagrass, PONO $55

For something fun, interesting and totally unique, think PONO.

Click here to order online (free shipping on orders $50+)

For wardrobe & image consulting visit TheStylista Website

Photos from PONO.