Shopping for a Cause

So this is the one instance where I break one of my own commandments (See Commandment #7.) The fabulous non-profit HerShe is sponsoring this fantastic opportunity to give back while upgrading your wardrobe. See deets below & I hope to see you there Angelenos...

From Commoner to Princess

Although Kate Middleton's sapphire-blue Issa dress (retail price: $636 USD) sold out in less than a day in London following the announcement of her royal engagement, you can still dress like a princess. Middleton's not the only fan of Brazilian-born Daniella Issa Helayel's designs. Other celebrity followers include Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley and Kate Moss. Check out more of Issa's FAB collection HERE. I need one of the short kimono dresses in my closest this minute!

ATL! Save the Date: 12.5.10

My latest Heiress Apparel creations will be on sale at An Opulent Affair's 2010 Holiday Event Expo. Not in ATL? No worries...visit my Etsy page. Check back next month for new pieces just in time for the holidays. Custom orders are also available. There's nothing better than a one-of-a-kind gift! You'll never have to worry about copycats :-)

Anna Wintour Wants YOU to Come to the Party: FNO Takes Over the Globe TOMORROW!

The biggest event in fashion, Fashion's Night Out, invades the world tomorrow! Of course the epicenter will be in THE fashion capitol, NYC. However, there will be fabulous events ALL over the world to celebrate our passion for fashion.

Fashion’s Night Out is an initiative to celebrate fashion and boost the retail industry. FNO was launched in 2009 by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and NYC & Company in response to the global economic downturn. This year’s event kicked off with the largest public fashion show in New York City history at the new Lincoln Center earlier this week & featured approximately 200 models. Check out the entire show below:



CBS takes viewers behind the scenes in a primetime special: “FASHION’S NIGHT OUT 2010” that will air on Tuesday, September 14, 10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT on CBS & hosted by Emmy Award Winner Neil Patrick Harris. Peep this CBS clip below of Macy's CEO discussing the purpose & importance of FNO:



If you're in NYC check out the endless list of parties & events HERE. If you're outside of NYC find out about the festivities in your area HERE.

Don't forget to buy your FNO tee!

Spring Showers = Spring Splurge (Again)

So almost a YEAR ago I told yall about these limited edition Jimmy Choo/Hunter Rain boots. I was a lil' obsessed. I went as far as having my personal shopper call me with weekly updates until he finally got his hands on a pair of size 6s in July. I'll admit I having urban addiction relapses every now and again. But when he called to say he had them I found the strength to say "NO" (although I went back & forth with the decision for 3 days!!). Anyway, I was fine until I recently spotted an urbanista on Michigan Ave. Here I was minding my own biz when she sauntered past me in MY boots! I just had to whip out my CrackBerry and get pics of my boots in action.

Now I can't stop thinking about them. And the kicker? The boots are now retailing for $425 when just last year they were $395. What's that...we're still in a recession? That's what I thought too. But you can find some legit deals on eBay. I'm torn. What to do?

NYC Urbanistas: Shop W Style this Saturday

W Mag is celebrating its first-ever shopping issue with a fab event this Saturday that includes in-store events, appearances by W editors & experts and special offers at over 40 retail destinations.

Go by the Shop W Style Lounge at The Standard, New York where you will:
* Pick up a W shopping bag and detailed map of the day's special events and offers
* Book a make-up appointment with Shiseido
* Meet your stylist-on-demand or sign up for a
Style Session at HUGO BOSS
* Sign up to attend a W Fashion Forum
* Check out the new Kate Moss for Longchamp Collection
* Be among the first to shop the new Tacori 18k925 collection.

Lounge will be open from 10am-6pm and the entrance is located at 69 Little West 12th Street at Washington. For more info, CLICK HERE.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - FREE BareMinerals Foundation

Sephora is giving away a 10-day supply of Bare Escentials BareMinerals foundation. The original or matte foundation comes in seven different shades. You can either redeem the offer w/o purchase at your nearest Sephora or w/ an online purchase.

Chi-town Vintage Sale

Ch-ch-check it out...

Urbanista Files #103: Up to Your Knees in Style

So this fall's hautest trend is over-the-knee boots. Before now you may have only associated this look with "ladies of the night" like the immortalized Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman), but this fall this style is a MUST-HAVE. Here are some tips on what to keep in mind when shopping for your perfect pair so no one will mistake you for Diamond from the "Players Club":

*Instead of opting for a stiletto heel, go for a chunky or wedge heel. Or go with a flat boot which is a guaranteed fashion "do."



*Avoid pairing the boots with a short skirt/dress or Daisy Dukes. For a clean, chic look rock your boots with a nice pair of leggings or skinny jeans (I prefer leggings b/c there's no tucking war) & a tunic/long cardigan.



*If you're more of a dress girl then try a loose-fitting dress that hits more than an inch but less than three inches above your boots.



*To sex up your look add fun accessories like some bling or an edgy jacket/blazer.



To find great deals on boots check out... PIPERLIME AND VICTORIA'S SECRET.

Now go forth and WERK them boots! I'll see you on the runway of life.

Source

Jimmy Choo + H&M = Fashion Coup

I heard about this during my brief "world tour" but forgot to report it then, but better late than never. A-list brand, JIMMY CHOO is teaming up with your fave "affordable chic" retailer H&M this fall to bring customers a limited-edition collection of "to die for" shoes and bags in select H&M stores. This fashion coup will commence November 14th in nearly 200 stores across the world. According to the official press release, "It is the first time that H&M is collaborating with an accessories brand, and to celebrate Jimmy Choo will extend its design vision for this collection to women’s clothing to complement the accessories." Additionally, there will be a men's collections of shoes, bags & accessories. For more, CLICK HERE.

Shoe Dazzling & Shopping for a Good Cause

During Kim K.'s most recent appearance on Chelsea Lately, Kim plugged her latest addition to her ever-expanding empire. Kimmy recently launched SHOE DAZZLE which is a personal shoe stylist service. Each month members of this service get to pick a new pair of shoes from 5 shoe choices personally selected for them by their very own shoe stylist AND the price tag for this luxury is only $39/month!!! If your shoe stylist fails to satisfy your shoe fetish one month then you have the option of skipping a month w/o a hassle.





On another note, Kim also posted on her official website that her BFF LaLa Vazquez is selling her 2006 Range Rover that was customized by her NBA-baller fiance Carmelo Anthony on eBay! No recessionistas...it's not what you think. LaLa is selling this pimped-out ride for a good cause. 5% of the final sale price for the SUV will benefit the US Doctors for Africa charity. To place your bid, CLICK HERE!

Spring Splurge

I believe in "investing" in key, quality wardrobe staples that will keep on giving the fierceness for years to come. Uber-fab designer Jimmy Choo teamed up with Hunter to create these LIMITED EDITION RAIN BOOTS that are sure to NEVER go out of style. With these high-fashion kicks you'll be crossing your manicured fingers for a rainy day. To get your pair, CLICK HERE

Closet Full of $$$

So we can forget about money ever growing on trees, BUT news flash - you can turn all those threads just sitting in your closet into INSTANT cash! All of my impulse buying and impromptu shopping sprees have left me with one asset - lots of pretty things! Who knew I had an emergency cash reserve staring me in the face every time I try to find something to wear. Gone are the days where you have to sell your unwanted items at some dusty consignment store that makes you wait 30 days before you see a penny. Now you can get CASH ON THE SPOT! It's the perfect time to do some spring closet cleaning. Remember if you haven't worn it in the last 6 months then you don't need it! DON'T BE AFRAID TO EDIT!!! After you have a pile of things you are ready to part with then head to the best Recycled fashion stores in your area. Recycled fashion stores are popping up everywhere. These aren't your typical thrift stores. They are trendy shops that specialize in offering quality, designer clothing to their customers. And best of all they buy gently-worn apparel EVERYDAY!!! for on-the-spot cash! It's that simple. Take in your bag(s) of potential resale items anytime & walk out of the door with cash in hand. Now I frequently make my rounds at these stores and here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. They are looking for all the LATEST trends. Anything you purchased within the last 18 months is a hot ticket item.

2. After they determine which of your items they are interested in, they will offer you either a 50% store credit or 35% cash for the retail value of the lot. Hey, it's not a whole lot but it's more than you would get it the crap remained in your closet getting smaller & more outdated.

3. They are looking for things that can be resold so if there are any major imperfections like fuzz, tears or stains you're better off donating these items to a charity for a tax deduction.

4. Make your rounds!!! Don't just try one recycled shop - hit them all up. I gather all my stuff in a suitcase & I go from store to store each season. They each ALL find something.

5. Research the different types of recycled shops. Some specialize in teen wear, others are for the career woman or only feature maternity clothing. All it takes is a little research on Google. But there are 3 recycled stores that have a special place in my heart. They each have several locations across the country & they work best for me. Check them out:

1. BUFFALO EXCHANGE

2. CROSSROADS

3. PLATO'S CLOSET

*Added bonus!!! The cherry on top is that not only are you de-cluttering your own life AND getting paid to do it BUT you've also just committed a very "green" act. The clothing recycling industry is part of a huge initiative that is working to prevent waste & pollution in our world. Talk about warm fuzzies...