StyleWhipped

Quiet before the frenzy

 Black Friday events and promotions are already starting, even before my turkey has even gone into the oven! This weekend is going to be a shopping frenzy like no other. Despite the fact that retailers are already promoting 30-70% off, people are waiting for this weekend to get an extra 20% on top of those sale prices and, hey, a free gift would be really cool too. Times are tough and budgets are tight. Even more reason why we must resist losing our minds and getting caught up in the swarm -- or the next thing you know, you'll have an armload of cashmere sweaters that were really good deals but no one wants to wear.

So instead of getting carried away by the power of the sale this year, I've  vowed to be more thoughtful and strategic with my holiday shopping. Instead of getting everyone a bunch of bargain throwaways, I'll get fewer gifts that are a little more special. One online shopping destination that I recently found and love is Unsung Emerging Designers. An 'online clothing boutique featuring emerging, indie designers from all over the world', they offer clothing and accessories for women (with some mens stuff as well) that can be custom tailored, one of a kind, and won't be found at your local mall. So avoid the crowds, be a holiday gifting hero, and support our indie designers!  Happy Thanksgiving!

- Cindy 

 

Happy Orange Day!

For tomorrow, I would like to wish all of StyleWhipped's readers a very happy, healthy Thanksgiving!  Also for tomorrow, I have to wish my husband a happy birthday (which he is perfectly happy to share with turkey and football this year)! 

Second, I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of the color orange. With clothing, it alternately makes me feel like a traffic cone or a pumpkin (which is why, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I started thinking about it...). I have no problem with it for a bikini (totally cute with a tan), for shoes (adorable poking out from beneath denim), or in jewelry (who doesn't love a bright orange topaz cocktail ring?!). Last New Year's Eve I wore a rust-colored satin mini dress...and actually really liked it. I wore gold stilettos, lots of gold jewelry and had a satin mauve clutch that complimented the dark orange just perfectly. But since then...only traffic cone or pumpkin...

Until just now. I did a quick search on Net-a-porter.com for "orange" (by now, you all realize that Cindy and I are absurdly obsessed with that site) and found this fabulous dress from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Now, of course most of what he produces is fabulous, but this would work year-round (strappy gold sandals in summer or dark brown suede boots in winter), has an almost universally flattering shape, and provides enough interesting details that you don't feel like just a wall of orange (or, um, a traffic cone!).

So on that note, go buy yourself something orange...and have a wonderful holiday!

~ Alison

Running With Heels: Alison's Fashion & Style Column

It's Tuesday (and I actually remembered to post this!)...click here to read my latest Running With Heels column, "A Lot of Sparkle, A Little Money & Perfect Glamour"!

~ Alison

Event Reminder: Lynx Ensemble Theater Benefit Gala!

                                                                                                                                                           A few weeks ago, I told you about an amazing non-profit theater group who cast against type and explore socially conscious topics with their incredible programming. Lynx Ensemble Theater, led by co-Artistic Directors Mark O'Connell and Aileen Barry, are having their first annual benefit gala on Wednesday, December 3rd in a gorgeous art gallery on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (and I am styling the party!). Tickets to the cocktail party (complete with special performances and a fantastic silent auction) are only $50 and tax-deductible. And because the event has been so generously sponsored, almost 100% of ticket sale proceeds are going directly into Lynx Ensemble's 2009 programming!

Click on the invitation above for all the details, and click here to buy your tickets online!

I hope to see some of StyleWhipped readers at the benefit!

~ Alison

MINT by Jodi Arnold Private Sample Sale!

Our friend Lauren Dimet Waters, the fabulous Editor-in-Chief of SecondCityStyle.com, is hosting a private sample sale for MINT by Jodi Arnold...and StyleWhipped's readers are invited!  There will be up to 70% off MINT's gorgeous, art-inspired Fall '08 clothes and accessories, as well as wine and snacks (definite shopping necessities in my opinion...!). 

Just click on the image of the invitation on the left to read the full details.  Here are the important ones...

* Tuesday, December 2nd from 6-8pm

* MINT Jodi Arnold Showroom, 230 West 39th Street, 2nd floor (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

* Please RSVP to Deenie Hartzog at 212.997.0270 or dhartzog@jodiarnoldnyc.com

See you there!

~ Alison

Running With Heels: Alison's Fashion & Style Column

Oops...last Tuesday, I was so busy packing my entire closet for a 5-day trip to Florida (!) that I forgot to post my Running With Heels column!  It's dedicated entirely to sweater dresses (one of my new favorite wardrobe staples...), and you can read it here!

I promise tomorrow's will actually be posted...tomorrow...!

~ Alison

Interior Designer Serge Van Lian: Designing Down

I wouldn't be surprised if you simply have too much going on in your home. Maybe you're guilty of being a pack rat, or you have unnecessary furniture and accessories lying around. Maybe you have too many conflicting loud colors on the walls. Taking away from your design is sometimes the best solution. So, let's design down a little bit!

 

Here are some things you can try:

 

-Store away useless belongings and decorative accessories that feel out of place. Organize your drawers to clear space for these things.

If this is too time consuming, the dumpster awaits!

 

-Get rid of furniture you rarely or never use. Put an ad on craigslist and see what you can get for it! You can use your earnings on more functional / less bulky furniture that suit your home better.

 

-Paint over some of your bright colors with neutral colors. This helps create the perception of more space when there's too much happening in your color scheme. Don't worry, you can always add pops of color later through wall art and accessories.

 

New Yorkers, you know better than anyone how valuable every inch of your real estate is. So why take up that space with needless clutter or junk? After all, you're the one paying the rent or mortgage!

 

Have fun reclaiming your space!

 

-Serge Van Lian

 

Menswear Expert Nancy Berger: Reach For the Pinnacle

Now more than ever, you need to reach for the pinnacle!  It is time to strive to be your best self…to accomplish great things…to work harder, smarter…to not only understand who you are, but to brand yourself so others see you as you want to be seen.  You must expose your inner strength and confidence.  Contrary to what some people think is appropriate in difficult times, a sober attitude and demeanor will not help you be heard or seen. 

                                                      

So what does this have to do with style? Your appearance is the key!!! You must develop a personal sense of style; one that you own and others identify you with.  The easiest way to do this is to figuratively reach for the pinnacle…by pinnacle in this case, I mean the highest point of your being, your head. There is nothing like a man in a hat!

                                                 

Now, you may be thinking that only really hip or really old guys can pull off a hat, but I am here to tell you that this is absolutely not the case!  A hat completes your outfit…it complements your overcoat, your suit, even your tee shirt and jeans. It tells the world you take pride in your appearance…it displays your strong sense of self.

                                                   

The 2 most versatile hat styles are the Fedora, made famous by Humphrey Bogart and the Driver or Ascot Cap. Both styles look perfect on men of all ages and compliment whatever fashion statement you are currently making.  Both look great dressed up or down and since hats are making a comeback, they are so easy to find.

                                       

For my budget conscious guys or men who just don’t want to splurge on something they aren’t 100% sure of yet, my go to hat resource is Urban Outfitters.  Their Fedora and Driver selection is great!  They come in a variety of classic fabrics, from tweed to houndstooth to plaid and the subdued color range is perfect for all of your fashion needs. Fedoras are about $50 and Drivers about $30, so splurge and buy one of each. Of course if you only want to buy one hat, I recommend buying a Fedora in a subtle tweed, or even a solid in a charcoal color, which will go with black, grey, navy and brown.  Stick with wool right now.  Please, save straw or cotton for the warm weather or a winter vacation!

 

Also, don’t tell anyone that this came from me…the street vendors in Soho sell great hats too…they are dirt cheap and look great.

                                    

Now if you are already a hat guy, I want to tell you about my favorite young hat designer, Victor Osborne.  Victor Osborne, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is one of those little gems I love to write about.  It is both a retail store and a design atelier.  The selection is perfect and I think that if you are really in the market for a Fedora this is the go to place.  Not only can you buy directly from the website, but if you are really feeling compelled to show your colors to the world, they can customize a hat to your exact specifications.  Stock prices range from about $225-$295, though I will tell you a little secret…fall stock is on sale right now.  Custom starts at about $295 and goes up from there.  Ok…one last tidbit…they too, like Freemans Sporting Club (which I wrote about last week if you didn’t catch my column) produce in New York City…I love brands that support American production!

 

So guys…reach for the pinnacle…top it off…proudly wear a hat and show the world, even a more sober world, that you are confident and in command, a force to be reckoned with!

 

- Nancy Berger for StyleWhipped.com

 

 

Daily Devotion: Jeffrey Campbell Engineer Boots

I love high heels -- 4", 4.5", platform, stiletto, stacked, you name it! There's something about a hot pair of power heels that just makes me walk and feel like I'm on top of the world. That said...even I have to take a break every once in a while. Winter in New York can get sloppy and harsh on a pretty pair of shoes, so around this time of year I'm always on the lookout for something that's functional, comfy, a little tough and rugged, but still damn good looking.  My latest find is Jeffrey Campbell's Tall Engineer Boots at Intermix. They feel almost like a hot motorcycle boot that's kept the cool while removing the butch and amping up the glam. In crinkled black patent leather or ultra soft grey leather, you can be sure you look good in even the worst weather. And at $255, they are surprisingly budget friendly.

- Cindy

   

Got a Daily Devotion suggestion? Email me.

Covered Up

Right now, I'm sitting in my hotel room in Naples, Florida (at the Naples Grande Beach Resort), getting ready to head down to the pool. I'm wearing a gold knit Missoni-esque bikini and a black, gold, white & yellow color-blocked tunic. But there is a copy of Vivre Magazine in my room (the print version of the popular website Vivre.com), and I just happened to flip open right to a page filled with gorgeous silk and chiffon kaftans.  Talk about throw-back style...to when women were glamorous all day & all night...at the pool, at dinner, at a cocktail party. I always wish it was still that way (or that no one would find it pretentious if I dressed like that at my beach house in NJ!), so I had to share this Roberto Cavalli chiffon kaftan that I spotted. The black, white and leopard-print pattern, coupled with the flowing silhouette, creates instant drama and glamour. Of course, even on sale it's close to $1,000. But I still love it...and more importantly, I love the attitude it creates and the style it inspires.

~ Alison