Flower Umbrellas

Um, how gorgeous are these umbrellas? I’m a firm believer in making every little part of your life beautiful–even something as utilitarian as an umbrella. I was never keen on the idea of spending $24 on an umbrella before but definitely had a change of heart when I saw these!

I can’t decide whether I like the pink or the white better! Which do you prefer?

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Juicy Couture “Ronie” Studded Ballet Flats

Juicy Couture is all about exquisite details. Be it a beautiful handbag or a charm necklace from Juicy, the attention to the “little things” is always impeccable. Juicy’s “Ronnie” Studded Ballet Flats are no exception.

Not only is the front of the flats adorned with beautiful rhinestones and a Juicy charm, the inside of the shoe features a beautiful gold crown next to the Juicy logo. These leather flats are not only super stylish. They are also incredibly comfortable because of their “flexible” back, whose elasticity allows it adjust to the size of your foot. In my experience, this style of flats is by far the most comfortable and walking-friendly.

Juicy Couture is just irresistible, really making you want to channel your inner princess.

Technorati Tags: ballet flats, bloomingdales, Couture, Flats, Juicy, juicy couture, Juicy couture flats, Juicy couture shoes, leather, leather flats, Rhinestone, rhinestones, Ronnie, shoe, Studded

Striped Bikinis

Move over,  itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini! I’m really loving the striped 2 piece swim suits this season, so cute and fun! Basically, everything that summer is supposed to be. If you’re looking for affordable bikini separates that you can mix and match, I highly recommend you check out Charlotte Russe. They have some great choices that won’t leave your wallet feeling devastated.

Mitered Stripe Bikini Top ($14.50, Charlotte Russe)

Striped Halter Bikini Top ($14.50, Charlotte Russe)

Mitered Stripe Bikini Bottom ($14.50, Charlotte Russe)

Striped Side Tie Bikini Bottom ($14.50, Charlotte Russe)

Technorati Tags: 2 piece swim suits, bikini bottom, bikinis, charlotte russe, halter bikini, Striped, striped bikini

Lancome ‘Hypnose Drama’: The Mascara That Has It All

These days, there’s a mascara for every taste. Lengthening, volumizing, separating, especially made for tiny bottom lashes–the list goes on and on. But all mascaras are not created equal.

After about a month of alternating between samples of different brands’ mascaras, I went ahead and bought the one that I liked best–Lancome’s Hypnose Drama. I got it because it seems to roll a bunch of mascaras’ powers into one.

Hypnose Drama provides your lashes with a healthy dose of volume. Its brush is curved, so you get a curling effect as well. And I was able to get great length without even having to use primer. In my mind, it’s the ‘superhero mascara.’

Bottom line: Great quality for $25, which is about $5-10 less than other high-end mascaras from brands like YSL or Givenchy.

Technorati Tags: hypnose, lancome, lashes, makeup, mascara, mascaras, nordstrom

CO2 Cashmere Giveaway: Summer Edition

If you’re a StealThisDress! regular, then you remember our recent giveaway where one lucky winner got a black minidress from CO2 Cashmere. I’m really excited to be partnering again with CO2–a brand whose product and style philosophy I really love.

Pascal Benouaiche, the company’s creator and lead designer, was recently interviewed by Joonbug.com. When asked about his source of inspiration, Pascal said “[...] women… I’m inspired by a woman’s strength and vulnerability.  This is something I try to recreate in textures, by mixing leather and cashmere.  Likewise, the colors are bold, but the silhouette remains curvy and feminine.” Read more of Pascal’s interview.

This brilliant juxtaposition of high and low has me dying to know what Pascal will come up with next. It’s not surprising at all that some seriously stylish celebrities love the CO2 look, including Kate Moss and Halle Berry.

This month, we’re bringing you the opportunity to win a brown sleeveless dress from CO2 Cashmere’s “Tees” collection. Part of CO2′s Spring/Summer line, this dress is made from deliciously soft jersey fabric. It’s fun, flowy design makes it a perfect choice for day or night, when  you can accessorize it like crazy with your favorite heels and jewelry. (I think it would look absolutely fabulous with some gold and cream-colored bangles!)

Enter to win by filling out the form below. (Don’t worry, we’ll never send you spam or sell your email address to a third party!) Last day to enter is May 2nd, 2010.

Note: The giveaway is only open to readers residing in the United States. Only one entry per person, please. Thank you for understanding!

1. Your Full Name(required)
2. Email(valid email required)
3. Which celebrities love CO2 Cashmere? (required)
4. Are You Human?

 

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Technorati Tags: Brown Tee, CO2 Cashmere, Contest, Dress, Giveaway, halle berry, Joonbug, minidress, Pascal Benouaiche, sleeveless dress

Givenchy Spring 2010 Ready To Wear Collection: How to Rock the Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits made of light, flowy material are becoming a warm weather staple. If you’re dreading go out this summer in jeans because it’s simply too hot, meet your new best friend. A jumpsuit allows you to pull off the pants look in hot temperatures without having to combust.

A deep v-neck, as Givenchy shows, is just the thing to give a plain black jumpsuit that ‘wow’ factor that makes it an appropriate choice for a cocktail party or a soiree of dancing. If you’re hesitant about trying a jumpsuit because of the ‘puffing’ effect it may have on your midsection, just grab your favorite wide belt and use it to cinch the garment at the waist. Stick to a dark color palette, which is the route Forever21 took with the look-a-like jumpsuit pictured below, or go for a bright color that will pop–the choice is yours.

The final element–some super strappy black platforms to show off your bright summer pedicure.

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Belted Halter Jumpsuit ($23.84, Forever21)

Nine West ‘Ponti’ ($68.95, Zappos)

Technorati Tags: black jumpsuit, forever21, givenchy, jumpsuits, nine west, platforms, ponti, ready-to-wear, Spring 2010, zappos

Tyra Banks: Red and Yellow DO Go Together!

When many women think of wearing red and yellow together, they automatically think of either clowns or frumpy, old lady outfits. But red and yellow is not always a fashion faux-pas. Far from it actually, as Tyra Banks recently showed. At the 2010 Kids’ Choice Awards she wore a beautiful cap-sleeved coral red dress with a yellow clutch and pointed-toe pumps.

The trick to making your inexpensive version of Tyra’s outfit pop like she does is to pick your yellow accessories in two different shades. Tyra’s pumps are a lighter, more neon yellow than her clutch, which is a richer mustard color. Keeping the colors too similar can kill the sophistication of the look and may make others wonder where your clown nose is. But balance out the intensity of the colors and you’re golden (well, actually you’re yellow–but you know what I mean!)

I really love all the pieces that make up our look-alike outfit. The Guess ‘Carrie’ pumps have that perfect heel that won’t kill your feet but is still tall enough to be sexy. And how gorgeous is that yellow crochet clutch from Bebe? And only $19, which pleasantly surprised me.

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Romantic Pleated Satin Dress ($24.80, Forever21)

Crochet Metallic Clutch ($19, Bebe)

Guess ‘Carrie’ Pump ($89.95, Nordstrom)

Technorati Tags: accessories, bebe, clutch, Dress, forever21, Guess, heel, kids choice awards, Metallic, neon, neon yellow, nordstrom, Pump, pumps, red dress, satin dress, tyra banks

Vanessa Hudgens: Transforming a Shirtdress from Drab to Fab

Though at first glance they may look shapeless and bland, I love shirt dresses. I just bought one in seersucker pattern at H&M last weekend and wore it today with a wide belt, which is the key to making these sack-like garments flatter your shape. These dresses are so flowy and comfortable, perfect for the scorching temperatures that are heading our way.

Vanessa Hudgens recently wore a light blue shirtdress. I think this look suits her style so well; it’s a more sophisticated interpretation of the laid-back, boho styles that she often rocks.

You can easily make a plain, light-blue shirtdress pop with a brown leather belt and sandals, a black tote and a cream colored sunhat.

Fab Floppy Sun Hat ($6.50, Forever21)

Lianna Shirt Dress ($44.50, Delias)

Forever A Squared Handbag  ($50, Baghaus)

Leatherette Weave Sandals ($16.80, Forever21)

Real Leather Buckled Belt ($9.99, Papaya)

Technorati Tags: Bag, baghaus, brown leather, dresses, forever21, handbag, Hat, leather, leather belt, sandals, seersucker, tote, vanessa hudgens

“Best Of Inexpensive Style” List

As promised in our 1st year anniversary post, check out my favorite places for scoring the best deals on clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as the particular items to look out for at each:

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Forever 21: designer-inspired clothing, great heels, amazing jewelry for under $10

Overstock.com: fantastic deals on jewelry and shoes

Papaya Clothing: great for both casual and dressy clothes that have a ‘youthful,’ sassy feel

A’gaci: another top destination for designer-inspired items

H&M: great prices on basics such as t-shirts, tanks, tights and sweaters

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Charlotte Russe: beautiful dresses and other “going out wear”

Zara: beautiful, quality suits at reasonable prices and an awesome casual section, GORGEOUS shoes!

DSW: huge selection of shoes at discounted prices, check out also their handbag section

Zappos: shoes in every style and color you can imagine–not an exaggeration, also some fab deals on designer handbags from previous seasons

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Keep these in mind as you’re shopping or planning where you want to buy a certain outfit–chances are good that you’ll find yourself looking fabulous while spending less.

Technorati Tags: A'Gaci, charlotte russe, designer handbags, designer inspired clothing, DSW, forever21, inexpensive style, overstock, Papaya, quality suits, zappo, zappos, zara

Happy Birthday to Us!

I started StealThisDress in April of last year. The project was intended to be primarily a creative outlet during quite a stressful time when I was laid off from my job. It’s been a really crazy year. Fortunately, things are back on track for me now and I love what I’m doing.

What makes me equally as happy is logging on everyday to share with you my latest findings about the world of affordable fashion. The experience has been more rewarding than I could have imagined. In addition to giving opportunities I never thought I’d have, it’s put me in touch with so many amazing people whom I now consider colleagues and friends.

I’m really excited for what’s in store for StealThisDress. In the coming months, you’ll see more fabulous giveaways, an opportunity to be a model (stay tuned for more on that!), and much more.

Working on StealThisDress week after week has pushed me to constantly be on the lookout for the latest trends and new places to find the best deals on clothing, shoes and accessories. For our first anniversary I thought I’d throw together a list of the my top stores and sites that I constantly use when writing my posts and, of course, where I often shop myself.

And so, without further ado, check out our “Best Of Inexpensive Style” List.

Technorati Tags: anniversary, happy birthday, inexpensive style, StealThisDress