If you can guess how much this jewelry is, I’ll send you the piece of your choice?

As I was wandering the great streets of NYC the other day, I came upon a store that was selling jewelry at unbelievable prices. Granted some of these pieces may not look that expensive but I think others look like they cost more than what I paid for them. So here is the challenge I put towards you readers: The first person who correctly guesses how much I paid for each of these items wins one of the items (the winner can pick the item). Good Luck.

Ebay store: a-girls-gotta-eat

Technorati Tags: Jewelry, ring, necklace, earrings, cheap, steal, new york city, challenge

Fashion Victims are everywhere……here are just a few

Fashion victims are everywhere. While I was in the Caribbean I encountered a few. Now my fellow Caribbeaners love color so I’m not talking about that because I love color and Spring/Summer 08 is about Bold Color. And I’m not talking about cheap clothing versus expensive clothing because you all know how I love a bargain ;).

It was Carnival in St Maarten when I was down there so there was lots of costumes and bands. Carnival is a time to let loose and express yourself but not to lose your sense of style completely!! And I feel that some of these women didn’t just lose it, they may never have had it. Some ladies just need some Fashion help. I mean REAL help. Like the lady who had on black lace leggings with white short shorts over them topped with a white t-shirt imprinted with black block letter words. My friend who saw the women was as aghast at her outfit as I was and thought she needed my help with fashion. But I mean SERIOUSLY people does the outfit I described above sound like the person needs Fashion advice OR should they have just known that the outfit was a Glamour Don’t!! I think it is the latter but hey maybe that is just me.

I didn’t get a picture of the outfit above but I did catch some other ladies in need of the Glamour Don’t black bar.

This lady looked like she was attacked by Edward Scissorhands

This woman looked like The Abominable snowman in 90 degree heat…..Fishnets and snowboots do NOT go together WOMAN!! I really thought this was a given

To this woman I wanted to say, if your belly is a little bigger than you would like it to be…..Either get some Spanxs or wear a LOOSER dress.

And in conjunction with that, if you have some cottage cheese hanging around your thighs and butt like I do, DO NOT wear tight WHITE bottoms. They just do not look good.

And lastly we have this nice lady sporting a hair trend I never really got….The curler look….:/

Now if you are putting curlers in your hair so your hair will look nice when you get OUT….Why do you still have them in when you do go OUT!! Is there some other reason you have for wearing the curlers that I don’t know about? Are woman wearing them out because they want to have nice curly hair when they go INSIDE the house? If anyone can enlighten me as to why women do this I would really apprciate it.

And as usual I appreciate all your comments on my review. Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts on these ladies? Have you spotted some fashion victims of your own that you would like to share with me?

I’m waiting for your thoughts.

Ebay store: a-girls-gotta-eat

Ombre & Patent Leather - Two Trends that go well together

I’ve noticed for awhile that Ombre has become a trend this year. I really like this trend. I think I really became aware of it and how much I liked it when I saw Gwen Stefani’s wedding dress by John Galliano for Dior back in 2002.

Before I left for vacation I bookmarked several Ombre items I found that I liked but I’ll post some of those another time. This post is about some items I recently found that incorporate the Ombre trend with another popular trend I like Patent Leather.

Bloomingdales

Bloomingdales showed an Ombre and Patent Leather bag by Maxx in their recent catalog.

Maxx New York Women’s Degradé Ombre Large Tote Bag - $198
Comes in Purple as well.

Also at Bloomingdale’s was this bag by L.A.M.B (seems Gwen likes the Ombre trend in things other than Wedding Dresses)

L.A.M.B. Manchester Ombre Patent Leather Tote - $495

The above bags can be yours with a 20% discount by using the code FLOWER now thru May 21st at Bloomingdales.com.

But Bloomingdales is not the only place offering items combining these two trends. Some of my other favorite shopping sites have some cool Patent and Ombre items. Enjoy!

Nordstrom

Elliott Lucca Ombré Patent Leather Tote - $298
Comes in black as well.

BCBGirls ‘Edith’ Pump - $97.95
Comes in Dove & Black as well

Stuart Weitzman ‘Degdais’ Pump - was: $255 Now: $169.90
Comes in Coal as well

Zappos

RSVP Dinda Ombre Patent Leather Peep Toe Pumps - $65.00
Comes in Blue, Ivory & Pink as well.

Lodis Romano Ombre Primadonna Wallet - $176
Comes in Azure & Fuschia as well. There is also a smaller wallet with Gusset that come in the same colors for $129.

Target

Mossimo Deann Ombre Patent Flats - $19.99
Comes in Purple and Gray as well.

Mossimo® Darby Ombre Peep-Toe Pumps - $24.99
Comes in Purple and Gray as well.

Topshop

Patent Ombre T Bar Shoe - Was 55.00 Now: 35.00 pounds
Comes in Gray as well.
Technorati Tags: Ombre, Patent Leather, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Zappos, Target, Topshop, Maxx, Lamb, Gwen Stefani, Wedding Dress

Ok enough of a Hiatus…I’m back

Hi faithful readers. I’m back from the Caribbean. I appreciate all you people who have been reading even though I haven’t been writing new posts. I was amazed how my readership remained the same or went up even without new posts. WOW. I especially appreciate Meredith from Daily Dose Of Coffee blog who added me to her blogroll. Thanks Much!
I also want to thank again Fashion Sensei and Shopping Feet for adding me to their blogrolls as well. Such great fellow bloggers out there in cyberspace. Fashion Air Kisses to you all.
Also in blog related news is my addition to the INDEPENDENT FASHION BLOGGERS family. The blog was started in reaction to corporate networks and media companies springing up faster than I can keep track of. The purpose of INDEPENDENT FASHION BLOGGERS is to reflect what’s going on in the fashion blogging world. You should check this interesting blog How Stressful Is Blogging? Really?.
OK I’m off now to write up more posts about my trip, Bergdorf Goodman’s windows, which were really fabulous, and try to remain in the Caribbean “Don’t worry, be happy” frame of mind…..

Technorati Tags: Vacation, Hiatus, Caribbean, Blogging, Stress, Independent Fashion Blogger, Bergdorf Goodman

Caribbean Handmade Jewelry

In my travels thru this gorgeous island I’ve found some pretty jewelry items that I thought I would share with all of you.

Some of the pieces I loved best I found in Marigot. Marigot is the capital of the French side of this island. In the
morning, on Wednesdays thru Saturday, many local people come into the
center of town to sell their products to the tourists who come off the
Cruise Ships. Some of the items, like the below jewelry, are handmade. These beautiful silver and colorful stone pieces were handmade by a cool local woman here on the island.

You know how I love unique jewelry and when I found these I just fell in love with them. Lemme know if you agree.

Don’t you wish you were here?

Soooo long time no blog readers. Did you think I fell off the face of the earth? Well actually I fell off it into the glorious Caribbean!! You read that right. The sunny, warm, paradise-like Caribbean.

I had some time and I came to visit some relatives. I originally was going to only spend 2 weeks here but have ended up extending my stay 2 times! I mean it was still cold in the Northeast USA and it is in the 80s here everyday. How could I pass up the chance to liven up my pasty winter skin. On top of that Carnival is about to start here and I’ve never been. So I’m now staying to experience Carnival. My first one!! Should be exciting. I will of course be sharing experiences and most importantly pictures of it so you can vicariously live thru me. So if you are home in the cold or less than warm weather and need a vacation, come along with me and read about my experiences so you can have a mini vacation for yourselves. Cause you know you need it.

Tax day has just past. If you just put your taxes in and are eagerly awaiting your check maybe I can give you some inspiration as to what to do with that check. Maybe you need to indulge in some Sun, the Beach or my personal favorite Shopping!!

I’ll be blogging about beaches I love here, nightclubs and venues I’ve found fun, restaurants I’ve found delectable (including my favorite pastry shops and desserts ) and unique items I’ve found while shopping…So stay tuned!!! I’m off to the beach now but before I go here are some pictures.

Below are pictures of the view I wake up to every morning:

And the view of where I’m blogging this post from:

And the Garden below where I’m blogging from:

Jealous yet ;)….If not, wait to see what I have for you later.

Au revoir mes amis

It’s Easter and you need a cheap cute dress to go to your Mom’s or future Mom-in-law’s House? Look Here

Ackkk….So you just woke up, realized it is Easter, you have a family dinner to go to later and you have nothing to wear :o. You need something cute to wear to impress a Mother-In-Law (either soon to be, hope to be or already are), a Mother or just so your Mother won’t nag you ;). And if it is cheap that would be an added bonus. Here are a few suggestions that should be in the stores for you to pick up:

 

Target

 

 

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Toile Print Dress - Silver Birch : $39.99

I saw this dress in person when I was at my local Target® and I liked it even better in person. 

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Camelot Dress - Fresh Lavender : $39.99

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Seersucker Dress - Navy/ White : $39.99

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Gingham Dress - Fresh Lavender : $39.99

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Printed Net Party Dress - Navy Voyage : $44.99

 

The Gap

 

Pleated pastel shirt dress: Dresses | $33.99 ONLY in SZ L & XL

 

Banana Republic

 

Floral-print jersey dress: dresses sale | Banana Republic - $49.99

 

 

Silk pleated dress: dresses sale | Banana Republic - $59.99 ONLY SZ 14 & 16

 

 

Macy’s

 

 

A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz Cap-Sleeve Shirtdress Orig. $198.00 Was $58.99 Now $35.39

 

 

Tahari by ASL Lantern-Sleeve Dress Orig. $128.00 Was $39.99 Now $23.99

 

 

Charter Club Roll-Tab-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress Reg. $80.00 Sale $60.00

HAPPY EASTER to all who celebrate it.

To all others HAPPY SUNDAY

Ebay store: a-girls-gotta-eat

India Fashion Week Highlights - March 2008 - Part 3

ROHIT BAL - Fashion Week Photos | Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 - Yahoo! India

ROHIT BAL Rohit Bal’s latest collection has been inspired by the tradition of wearing the eight metals together. ‘Ashta Dhatu’ as it’s rightly is complete with metallic hues like Gold, Metallic copper, Silver, Iron and lead. The silhouettes were kept very contemporary and international. The look of the collection is very dramatic and is very wearable. Bal created quite a stir in the last Fashion week with his collection ‘Siyahi’ and of course bringing the designers on the ramp. Some elements from the previous collections have also been incorporated to show a unique fusion.

I thought Rohit Bal designs were the most Theatrical. It seemed he was more into the Show. The Drama.

He showed some hoop skirt that were done in a totally different way. They sure weren’t wearing it this way in the 19th century…LOL

The skirt below looks like it is made out of gum wrappers. You know how we use to make bracelets out of gum wrappers at camp. Am I the only one who did that? I really like the look of it. The texture it gives it.

I like this jacket although I wish there was a closer look at it. I think the jacket and the skirt, although very different, seem to work juxtaposed next to one another. And as I said in an earlier blog about India Fashion week, the mutli layers, in this instance in the skirt, remind me of
layers and layers of colored tissue paper that were cut to make
decorations, like a flower.

Reminds me of the dress Christian created on Project Runway for the Hersey challange. Don’t you think so?

Another dress that reminds me of Christian. This one reminds me slightly of the Dress Christian made for that HIgh School girl in the Prom Dress challange except I like this dress more.

I love the skirt part of this dress. The copper swirls are just fabulous.

I like the sari part of the dress but not the shirt that goes with it. I would have preferred a light shimmering rose shirt, the color of the roses on the sari, to go with it.

VIKRAM PHADNIS - Fashion Week Photos | Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 - Yahoo! India

VIKRAM PHADNIS The first day first show of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion week saw designs from Vikram Phadnis. The designs were very contemporary graced with a mix of vibrant blues browns. Dull orange and pastel green were also a fresh change. Phadnis is a popular bollywood designer and is has adorned many big names of the glamour industry.

It seems Vikram Phadnis was the theatrical headdress designer of India Fashion Week. The headress that he seemed to use throughout the show reminded me of a black metal version of Betty Rubble’s hairdo from The Flintstones…..Anyone else agree with me? Or do you have a better description?

I love this shirt/jacket. The pleating. The cinched in waist. I also like the skirt but not as much as the jacket.

I like this dress. But I especially love the inverted pleats and the bold color that peeks out from them.

GAURI & NAINIKA - Fashion Week Photos | Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 - Yahoo! India

GAURI & NAINIKA Gauri & Nainika offered us a look inspired by the chic that could be found in Paris after the WWII when the Grand Couturiers made women’s dreams come true again. The collection comprised essentially feminine dresses in body curve enhancing dramatic silhouettes. The designers showed slim-fitted pencil cocktail dresses and flowing evening gowns with eclectic folds, subtle drapes and sensual layering of fabrics.The waist was generally narrow and contrasted charmingly with the wide flowing, sometimes even trailing-behind skirts. A colour palette which would have been loved by Grace Kelly contained blushed pinks, acid greens, blood reds and classic blacks.

Dresses seem to be GAURI & NAINIKA’s specialty for this show.

Modern 21st century dress

The two dresses below are interpretations of a dress I could see Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly wearing were they alive in the 21st century.

The three dresses below all use the similar pattern and sheer netting material to give us versions of party dresses. Two cocktail dresses and one evening gown.

Which one of the India Fashion Week March 2008 designers or looks was your favorite?

India Fashion Week Highlights - March 2008 - Part 2

I explored further some of the designers that showed at India Fashion Week. Below I highlighted a few of the designers I liked and some of their designs that really stuck me.:

First let’s start with my favorite designer of India Fashion Week: PUJA ARYA

PUJA ARYA - Fashion Week Photos | Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 - Yahoo! India

PUJA ARYA ‘Guzel’, Turkish for beautiful - true to the title the Puja Arya’s collection was very feminine. A story of harmonious clothes where Rajasthan meets Turkey is emphasised by abstract motifs set against contrasting rich tones and hues of blacks, tile blue, orange, off whites and subdued gold in traditional bead work and sequence patterns. The garments were made fluid by the flirtatious sleeves in the gowns and dresses. Silhouettes revived the memories of the 60s at the same time were very contemporary as models showed off jackets, dresses in short and long lengths, quilted long skirts and quilted coats. The sarees were gorgeous and the prints from the inspiration along with dull gold and mellowed sequence work made them exotic.

I love this dress and the jacket. I would totally wear this for spring. Look at the great detailing on the jacket. The pleating, the buttons, the collar.

I love the unexpected color combinations used here. I don’t think you usually see this in Western designs. I also like the pattern on the bag and the bag itself is cute.

I am sooo in love with this coat!! The colors used,the silhouette, the inverted pleats…..Will someone buy it for me PLEASE!!

Lastly she showed several different takes on the Sari. On the left I love how she mixed textures and colors in an unexpected way. I would totally wear that Sari.
On the right I like how she used tie dye and sequins. Both of these could be kitsch and together even more so but I think she was able to make both work to create a beautiful garment.

PRASHANT VERMA - Fashion Week Photos | Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 - Yahoo! India

PRASHANT VERMA ‘Giant’ is Prashant’s tribute to the incomplete yet perfect mythology of James Dean. His work reflected an aggression of the youth yet retained an elegant spirit of a blossoming flower that dies young. The designer showed a multi-coloured, wide expanse of a fusion of style elements and carefully planned detailing. The silhouettes were fitted, baggy, balloon hems as well as floor length dresses. Fitted pants and wide leg pants both blended in the collection. The colour palette was picked from paint splashed on the walls of yesteryears. Blues, greens, orange, reds, blacks were all teamed with embellishments around the waistlines and necklines.

Here he uses the material from the dress, I highlighted in the first blog where I reviewed these shows, to make a coat. I love the explosion of color.

Another example of the technique or pattern he used, that I talked about in an earlier blog, of using a large face on the material. I like how he placed the face and I think it is a different idea which I appreciate. I like how he used it better in the dress on the right.

I like the pattern and material of this dress. I also like the top part but I’m not crazy about the asymmetrical hem.But that is just me. Anyone like the hem?

India Fashion Week Highlights - March 2008

India had a Fashion Week. How out of it am I? I had no idea they had a fashion week as well. I know I should get my head outta the sand or my eyes off of CNN and see what the rest of the world is up to. So here is my chance and maybe yours to look at some of the clothes. I thought some of the outfits were interesting. Then again some were typical of the Indian style ie the sari (the draping and the silhouette), sequins, lots of gold jewelry. What I did like about the Indian style is there use of color. Bold vibrant color. It makes the clothes look alive and inviting. Here are some that I liked:

I just like the Orange Jacket on the right in this picture:

India Fashion Week … pieces from the collections of Nitin Bal Chauhan and Prashant Verma. Photo:Reuters

I REALLY like this dress.

India Fashion Week … Prashant Verma’s collection. Photo: Reuters

I like the one on the right in the back that looks like it was made put
of gum wrappers. Designed in the way we use to make bracelets or
picture frames for out family while at summer camp. Anyone else but me
do that?

India Fashion Week … Rohit Bal’s collection. Photo: AFP

I like the mutli layers sleeves on the dress on the left. It reminds me of layers and layers of colored tissue paper that were cut to make decorations, like a flower.
I also like the Multi color pattern on the dress on the right. Bright colors mixed with earth tones. The pattern reminds me of those optical illusion pictures that draw you in and start to make you cross eyed.

India Fashion Week … pieces from the collections of Rohit Bal and Prashant Verma. Photo: Reuters

The dress to the right was reminiscent of Marion Cotillard’s Gaultier dress at the 2008 Oscars. Mermaid/fish scale look. Don’t you think?

India Fashion Week … Rohit Bal’s collection. Photo: AFP

Here are some more links to other sites that reviewed India Fashion Week:

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter ‘08

Hindustan Times

Take a look and let me know what do you thought of the fashions of India?