Fall Trends: Satins and Berries

I'm telling you ladies, the two trends you won't be able to get enough of for the fall will be berries and satin. Coming in every shade from magenta to blackberry, berry shades will be everywhere. You will also see satin used for shirts and dresses. 

Here are a few items to add to your wardrobe without breaking the bank:

City Style Pleated Satin Tank - NY and Company, $9.88

Square Fuschia Bracelet - Old Navy, $5.50

Bordeaux Satin 3/4 Sleeve Top - Old Navy, $15.00

Satin Cap-Sleeved Satin Purple Dress - Twelve by Twelve -$36.00

Bianca Nero Crisscross Halter Dress - Neiman Marcus, $124

Dallas Divas: It's FIG Finale Time!

It's that time of year again: the Fashion Industry Gallery's Finale sale that happens twice a year in Dallas! It is taking place Friday, August 22nd (11 AM - 9 PM) and Saturday, August 23rd (11 AM - 5 PM) at the Fashion Industry Gallery located at 1807 Ross Ave. downtown Dallas.

What can you buy there? Check out my posts from August 2007 and February 2008. I am especially excited about this event since last August I made out so much better than in February. Here are the tips:

1) Bring cash. Some places take credit cards, but even those who do sometimes require a minimum purchase. There is an ATM on site in case you run out.

2) If you want more selection, go on the first day. If you want the best prices, go within the last few hours of the second day (it was on the second day last year when I bough 13 items for a total of under $300).
3) Wear clothes that you can easily try things on over. There are very few dressing rooms (and the ones that are there are not really dressing rooms).

4) Be prepared to pay at the door. This is not a free event. It will cost you $12 at the door per person. However, mention DailyCandy at the door and get two for the price of one!

UPDATE: They wouldn't honor the DailyCandy discount when I went (can you believe it???). They tried to say it was only for online tickets (wrong!). Below is what the DailyCandy deal stated. I was a little perturbed:
What: The city’s best boutiques hole up under one roof to offer up to 75 percent off.
Why: Mention DailyCandy Deal when buying your ticket and get one free.
When: Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 1807 Ross Ave. Tickets at 214-748-4344.

I look forward to hearing all of your stories! Happy shopping!

UPDATE #2: My friend reached out to the FIG Finale staff. They're going to refund our $12 and are now honoring the buy one get one offer.  

15 Shoes Under $50

Check out Splendora's list of top 15 shoes under $50. These black Hotpick slingback peep-toes are only $29.99 from Nine West. Happy shopping!

New York Restaurant Week: 7/21-25 and 7/28-8/1

New York Restaurant Week is coming, so make your reservations ASAP! Don’t know what Restaurant Week is? Basically,over 200 restaurants in NY will offer you a three-course prix-fixe menu for lunch ($24.07) or dinner ($35.00). You just can’t beat it! I’ll have to check back in later in the month to hear about your experiences.

You can find the restaurant listings and more info here.

Flip Flop Fever from Old Navy

I hate to do two back-to-back sandal posts, but I just couldn't help myself. If you didn't make it to Old Navy's $1 flip flop sale this past Saturday, don't fret. Though they don't have anything for $1, check out Old Navy's Flip-Flop Fever section for some unbelievable deals for under 10 bucks! Here are a few:

Multi-Color Toe-Strap Flip-Flops - $2.50
Women's Wedge Flip-Flops - $7.50
Toe Loop Sandals (not quite flip-flops but still made the cut) - $9.99

Under $10 Sandal Madness from DSW

As I mentioned a few posts ago, DSW is finally selling shoes online! I went to the site today and found a fantastic sandal sale going on with many shoes under $10! They have everything from flip-flops to gladiators. Here are a few to check out:

R2 Charmer Embellished Thong - $6.94 (77% off and comes in several other colors!)

Tommy Hilfiger Women's Cape Thing - $9.94 (60% off and also comes in black)

Coconuts by Matisse Devin Jelly Sandal - $9.94 (75% off and also comes in clear)

Adorable Skirts Under $25

I don't know about you, but skirts are my favorite summertime wardrobe staple. Here are some adorable skirt finds - all for under $25!

Mosaic Print Skirt: Forever 21 - $15.80

Merona Chino Skirt: Target - $19.99 (I just bought this one and I love it!)

Petite Flower Paisley Medallion Print Skirt: Ann Taylor - $24.99

Question: Desert Island Shopping

I was on Yahoo Shine and saw this interesting question: If you could only shop in one store for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mine would be Nordstrom Rack.

What store would you pick?

Sex and the City: Did you see it?

Martinis, Manolos and mayhem. This was the scene at the Angelika Theater in Dallas last night. You would have thought it was fashion week (or the Dallas equivalent - Fashion at the Park). I went to the 6:00 PM show and as I approached the theater it looked like a zoo - both inside and outside the theater (local news trucks were even there). Let me tell you, these women were DECKED OUT! Cosmos were in hand (you can drink at this theater), LV's were in tote, and the ladies were traveling in packs. I definitely could understand why so many groups of girlfriends were there: they were all waiting in anticipation for the pinnacle fashionista movie of the year. And what is the verdict? Fabulous!

I can honestly say I have never laughed and cried so much in one movie. And I mean I had to keep the "ugly cry" at bay which was hard (I'll leave that one until I buy the DVD and watch it in the comfort of my own home). Some of the tears came from intense laughter, while others came from heart-wrenching moments in the script. Part of the emotion also came from knowing that, at some point, the movie would be over and Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Samantha would be the girlfriends we used to know...again.

Overall the movie did not disappoint. My only criticisms: 1)the product placements were pretty blatant at times and 2) the actor who played Smith seemed to be lacking some of his acting skills (and I used to love Smith!). 

Tell me about your experience. Did you get decked out and go with your friends in true diva style? What did you think about the movie? Let me know!

Sex and the City Wardrobe: Miranda's Black and White Dress

OMG! I can't believe that after several years of waiting and watching re-runs of SATC on TBS, the Sex and the City movie is finally here! As I was checking out a promo for the movie, I was pleasantly surprised to see Miranda sporting a black and white Maggy London Print Silk Twill Shift Dress that I featured in a Fall/Winter 2007 issue of Impressions (page 30), an e-magazine I write for.


Where can you find this fabulous dress (sans the belt)? Well, check it out here at Dillard's for $150 or here at Nordstrom (it's sold out right now, but keep checking back, they may restock).

I'm not the only one who noticed the Maggy London dress. So did Style Mama and Team Sugar.

Save or Splurge: Satin Bow Clutch

Can you tell a $600+ difference between these two?

Splurge: Valentino Black Satin Detailed Clutch - $636 Bluefly.com

Save: Nine West Black Satin Bow Clutch - $19.99 ninewest.com

Thanks, Raquel!

New Must Have Accessory: Glasses?

Glasses have been all over the runways lately. And, according to this Wall Street Journal Article, they're not only for those of us who need to wear them, but people who have perfectly clear vision are also wearing stylish specs. I know you're probably saying, "But I thought men don't make passes to girls who wear glasses?" I know, I heard the same hogwash too, but it looks like that statement may be a thing of the past.

Designer frames can be relatively inexpensive and completely change a look. It's amazing how a pair of frames can make someone look smarter, more modern or (dare I say) fashionable. Even American Apparel has come out with their own line of non-prescription frames! Here are a couple different looks for under $100:

Vegas frames: 39DollarGlasses.com - $39

Vue Eyeglasses: American Apparel - $50

Check out these posts on fashionable glasses at Fashiontribes.com and the Fashion-y Blog.

Diva on a Dollar Undercover: 9 West Handbag

My, my, my....what have I just uncovered? A while back I bought these Chinese Laundry pumps in a beautiful dark turquoise color from a local DSW. So of course I had to find outfits and accessories to match! I found this Nine West multicolor exotic fold-over clutch that was perfect. The bluish color looked very close to the color of the shoes, so I had to have it! However, the bag was only available for pre-order to be shipped July 17th. The site said, "It's been sold out twice already and we're bringing it back later in the season (July) for a third time! Get as many as you can before we sell out again!" July??? Arrggh! But to my surprise I went to Endless.com and saw the same bag available immediately! Free one day delivery no less! Of course I bought it on the spot.

What I learned from this situation:
1) Always, ALWAYS shop around. You may be able to not only find better prices, but also items not available other places.
2) Just because a retailer says they are sold out of something doesn't mean you can't find it elsewhere. Who knows if Nine West tried to create demand for it by saying it wasn't available until July or if Endless just bought some a while back and still had the inventory. Either way it goes, refer back to #1.

Little Black Dress for Less

Something every girl needs is a fabulous little black dress. Who says you have to pay a lot it? This short black satin strapless dress is at Forever 21 for just $22.80!

If you go to their site and grab a few things, they have free shipping for any orders $75 or over. Happy shopping!

New York Divas:$50 and Under Matt Bernson Sample Sale

Shoe designer Matt Bernson is having a sample sale for the next two days! Apparently they will have everything from sandals to boots from the current spring and past fall season. The best part? Everything will be $50 and under! The catch: the sale is cash only, so leave your plastic at home!

The details are as follows:

Location: 434 Greenwich St. (at Vestry)
Date and Time: Friday, May 2 from 12:00-7:00 PM and Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM