Celebrity Influence and the Power of the Internet

I have a guilty pleasure. It's called "schmut" magazines. When I hit up CVS for my monthly beauty care I usually throw one of those magazines into my basket at the last second. Just for good measure. Just for my ability to relate to those that enjoy "pop" culture.......alright, I am just saying! Sometimes it's good for the soul to chill out w/ a glass of wine and Hollywood gossip and even more importantly fashion trends!! As I was perusing US Weekly back in January, I saw this beautiful bohemian style dress that Jessica Alba was sporting. It's very rare that I impulse shop - it's typically a very calculated decision making process. One indication is how long I think about a piece.....in this case it was almost two months.

The internet is a powerful tool. Two months after I originally spotted the Tolani Ginger Tunic on Alba I googled the following words: "December Jessica Alba's dress on beach with daughter Honor" and the image popped up. From there I was able to track down the dress.....only to find out it was on backorder until the end of March! Now the second part of my decision making: is it worth the wait? I sat on it for two more days and eventually pulled the trigger - I couldn't get it out of my head! Hopefully the anticipation will prove fruitful! It gives me something to get through the last dark days of winter at least!

http://www.blacklabelboutique.cm/ for more details.

How do you guys decide to make purchases? Are you impulse shoppers or well-thought out shoppers?

xoxo,

kiki

Mango, mi amor, no son sólo una fruta!

One scarf I bought...Tori Burch-esque


TRANSLATION: Mango, my love, you are not just a fruit!! The fabulously affordable Spanish retail store MANGO featuring "off the runway" looks for peanuts has been rediscovered! First time I went to Spain I enjoyed learning about this store, but little did I know until now that I can order online and have it delivered to my very own American front door! This company does it right - from their printed scarves (starting at $20) to their basic tees, they will not fail with fit and style. I call their line: office chic because they show you how to work outfits together that are conservative yet on trend. Just note that European sizes don't always translate perfectly to US sizes....so although it might take a couple tries to get your order perfect, once you do it will be LOVE! Check out http://www.mango.com/ for an indepth look at clothing that will differenciate you from the next girl.....

I love this shift! For $139 in the hottest neutral.

Ingenious: Candy and Shopping in One?

I don't even need to write an entry for this one. The website says it all....where else can you shop for clothes and candy at the same time? This is a perfect "drop the hint" kind of website to send to your loved ones just in time for Valentine's Day! For all you candy lovers, check out A Sweet!!!!!

http://asweetonline.com/index.php.

XOXO,

Kiki

Swirl me Up, Scottie! Earnest Sewn Sale TODAY!!

Earnest Sewn jeans on sale on http://www.swirl.com/! Get on and order your pair for $79! Regularly around the $200 mark - which means you are getting them for 60% off! No bells and whistles, just good, honest, well-made jeans!

Too Trendy to Latch onto? Look for Less or More?

If you read my blog frequently then you know how I feel about trends.....they come and go, so don't sink too much money into pieces that won't last you more then one season. This morning I opened up my email to find Neiman Marcus promoting a bouncy, girly, soft floral skirt (seen above). At the register this Taylor skirt would ring in at $325! Don't get me wrong - it's very sweet and Taylor Swift pulls this look off so elegantly, but if I have over three hundred to spend it is going toward a handbag and not a floral skirt that will end up in the back of my closet or the Salvation Army in 2012! I found some great alternatives at http://www.forever21.com/ for under $20! Now there is a price I can get behind.....spring will be here soon and this trend will most likely only last until Fall 2011 at the very latest. I particularly like the one that has a mix of patterns and the floral is simply a piece of the design instead of the full focus! Enjoy these steals.....

XOXO,
KIKI

The Beginning of the End

I started 2011 thinking that this would be the year to really cut back and watch the spending so Lily and Alice could become the reality that's been haunting me for 7 years. So far I have been really wise with my choices....bought some new running gear......a piece of jewelry here and there....but mostly I have been very conservative. That is........until I found the Savasana Wrap. Phonetically said, sha-vas-anna, is the conclusion of yoga - a place you work hard to get to after a long practice - to lay on the mat. It's a stress reliever, tension reducer, and relaxation enhancer. Ahhhh just writing about it makes me feel serene. If you haven't tried the penetrating 98 degree lovely heat followed by 5 glorious minutes of meditation, otherwise none as savasana, then you don't know what you have been missing. While you are at it - pick up one of these fabulous wraps from Lululemon. A splurge at $118, make it one of your first purchases of 2011 and perhaps it will be a metaphor of the year to come - peaceful, tranquil, and centered.

http://shop.lululemon.com/Savasana_Wrap/pd/c/550/np/550/p/1107.html

XOXO,

KIKI

Finding Sanctuary in a Militant World.....

I am on a serious quest for amazing and affordable brands to carry at Lily and Alice. One that I have always been drawn to is a company called Sanctuary. With their perfect price points and style that is unwaveringly cool, calm, and collected, sign me up!! These pants, for example, are probably the most essential piece for your wardrobe going into spring.....they sit low on the waist and break at exactly the right place. As much as I love my skinny jeans, cords, and colored denim I am really excited to see the cut on these cargos go back to the old school straight leg. $98.00 RETAIL!!!!!! Check them out at http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49815&vid=1&pid=841311&scid=841311002

OutNet is What's IN......

Last night at dinner with a couple of friends, we got to talking about fabulous websites where you can find amazing deals on designer clothes and one of them brought up http://www.outnet.com/. If any of you have ever been to the famed http://www.blogger.com/www.net-a-porter.com website then you will understand the obsession. OutNet is the OUTLET for Net-A-Porter.....

There are certain websites you go to for basics and you buy in bulk....Target, J.Crew, Banana, etc, but this is the type of website you go to when to purchase something you didn't know you needed. It gives you the ability to afford clothes that you never thought would hang in your closet. Alexander Wang, Diane Von Furstenberg, See by Chloe, Burberry, Antik Batik and the list goes on.......unique pieces at a fraction of the retail price. Also jeans at great prices - Citizens of Humanity and James! I know what I will be putting on my weekly list of sites to peruse!

Making Treasure out of ALPINE in the New Year

Bring in the NEW YEAR by making treasure out of the interesting Christmas gifts that you received! "Kiki - what do I do with this alpine teacher's sweater that I got????" This is the question that has stuck with me since last weekend when one of my best friend's revealed what she thought was the worst gift ever! Immediately I reacted and said, "D - trust me you CAN WORK THIS". I proceeded to lend some merchandising tips.....

The "Alpine" look is very popular right now, but as I always say, with most trends it is important to do things in moderation.......I found a couple looks that I think are well-suited for this particular "gift conundrum". Pair this type of sweater w/ a flowing tunic, leggings, a big accessory (long necklace OR big earrings, not both though) and cute knee-high boots. Or wear it with a graphic tee underneath to downplay the look w/ skinny jeans and a pair of Uggs. Either way - DON'T GIVE AWAY that gift!!!! Just use a little creativity and make it work for YOU! Have fun -that's what fashion is all about.

XO,

KIKI

Fresh Design for an Old Concept

Even though my grandmother, Alice, has been gone for several years, I can still picture her handwriting as if she wrote me a letter yesterday. The art of hand writing a thank-you note has long been buried under the piles of email that we send and receive every day. To capture the spirit of the beautiful written word and keep it alive, the website www.minted.com offers simple options for personalized stationary, wedding cards, thank-you notes, save the dates, and holiday photo cards. I love the vintage feel on thick card stock with soft cut corners and a retro yet modern design element. Just think of the recipient, the lucky person who is on the other end of this gorgeous note...you will create a memory for them and have the potential to fill their scrapbook with your words!! How cool is that? It is pretty safe to say that all of those emails will inevitably and undeniably end up in the great big world of cyber junk, but cards, cards last a lifetime. Perk: 15% off almost everything on their site using the code instyle15 at www.minted.com