Shoe Sale: United Nude Sample Sale

I hear, thanks to The Fabulous Report, my shopping enabler (I say that with love), that United Nude is having a sale! Here are the deets (I'll be your shopping enabler):

When: January 29 – February 4
Monday to Friday, 11am-8pm, Saturday, 11am-7pm, Sunday, 11am-6pm

Where: 25 Bond Street

Sale Scoop: Fall/winter collection as well all samples (size 8 and 9) discounted at 70% off.

Happy Shopping!

Style Snaps: Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff was photog'd with hubby Mike Comrie on Wednesday in Beverly Hills. Now while there is nothing extra special about this photo, I just wanted to highlight Hilary's easy breezy mama-to-be style. She looks effortless in a black belly-hugging elongated top, leggings, sandals, and a classic Birkin bag. Not to mention her non-chalant hairstyle and aviator sunglasses. It just goes to show that it doesn't take much to look stylish...and it's a look we can all copycat, preggers or not. So style snaps to you Hil!

*Thanks to People for the photo.*

Thursday Love: Workaholism...How Detrimental?

Jewel of wisdom du jour: Time is what we want most...but what we use worst. - William Penn

As a young entrepreneur who’s starting to come into his own, I often find it difficult to find a good balance between trying to build my brand and my responsibilities as a husband and father. There are times I find myself glued to my laptop so long that hours have passed and I've completely blocked out what’s going on around me because I’m trying to get “just one more thing done”. And when I finally take a break and look up from the computer screen, I look over to the couch to find my wife and son fast asleep. Then it dawns on me, “I just spent the last six hours basically ignoring my family until they fell asleep”.

Rarely do I hear complaints from my wife about the amount of time I spend trying to build my brand because she knows I’m doing it for us. But there are times when I even get disgusted with myself because of the inordinate amount of time I spend working. I guess to an extent I try to justify it like anyone else would say, “If I put in this much time now…I won’t have to in the future.” But we all know that’s not true.

So what I wanted to focus on this week is how mismanaging our time could have a negative impact on our relationships and families. Over time this type of behavior can start to cause partners to drift away from each other. So what can be done from the workaholic’s perspective to improve things?

1. Examine the work that you do and whether the amount of time you’re putting into it is really beneficial. If you find yourself sitting on the computer for hours, but not many really tangible benefits are being achieved, you’re kind of wasting important time that could be spent with your partner.
2. Minimize how many projects you’re trying to accomplish all at the same time. Working on too many different things at once ensures nothing but being overly busy while accomplishing very little. Itemize the tasks you need to get done and list them in levels of importance and then work through your list in an efficient manner.
3. Set aside an entire day where you do nothing work related. You rest and spend time with your significant other. I know that’s easier said than done, especially if you’re trying to build a brand or get a business off the ground, but it’s absolutely essential for the health of your relationship that your partner know that they still are important to you.
4. Don’t set unrealistic deadlines on your goals. When you try to force yourself to meet deadlines that aren't really realistic, it forces you to have to work longer hours than you really need to…therefore pushing everything else of importance in your life…straight to the back burner.
5. Ask yourself this question: “If I was to die in my sleep tonight…what would be my biggest regret?” Most people on their deathbed aren’t regretting the lack of time they spend in the office or securing their financial future…they regret the lack of quality time they’ve spent with their loved ones. I know this is a little bit of a somber thing to think about, but by thinking about that periodically it can really help to push our priorities into their proper places.

So try to keep this in mind…Rome wasn’t built overnight, and neither will your entrepreneurial effort. So taking one night off to spend some quality time with your partner won’t kill your business. However, refusing to do so…over time…could very well kill your relationship.

Model Walk: Naro Lokuruka

You're Invited: Art Meets Fashion @ Limelight

SALE: Vintage Shaun First Annual Blowout Sale

You're Invited: KARL by Karl Lagerfeld Launch

Thursday Love: Preventing Relationship Issues due to Rough Economic Times

Today I want to talk about something that affects more couples and relationships than can accurately be counted. The impact that rough economic times have on relationships. I've seen time and time again how insufficient income and piling bills can have a negative impact on a relationship...and I've experienced growing anxiety in my own relationship from time to time because of the same thing.

Across the entire country and across all color/race lines, economic hardships are negatively affecting everyone! The rising costs of inflation on all the basic goods/services we all need on a daily basis while our income stays the same is a constant problem. The top two causes of relationships ending or marriages breaking up are communication and money problems. Now we won't go too deep into the money problems because we all have them and if I actually had a solution....I'd be sitting on a beach in the Dominican Republic right now instead of my office pretending that I'm working right now instead of writing this. LOL! So we're going to focus on how keeping the communication lines open (regardless of financial issues) can help couples through the rough patches.

1. Say what's on your mind, express your worries or fears. Don't bottle them inside, remember relationships are a team sport and all MUST be involved in order to win.
2. If you see your partner/spouse making a questionable decision, don't try to "lay down the law" but ask them why they think that's a wise decision and have an open conversation about it.
3. Remember that communication is not always one-way. Communicating means give and take, talking AND listening.

Good communication is vital to the day-to-day affairs of our lives. Find the ways to be honest with your partner/spouse, express your feelings, converse about financial decisions BEFORE they are made, share not only what you hope to succeed at but also share what you're afraid to fail at. Also, if your partner makes an unwise financial decision that probably will have a negative impact, don't go to them and criticize, approach them with the aim of getting past the bad decision and trying to get to an amicable resolution. Doing these things can deepen and strengthen your relationship through the rough economic state all of us currently find ourselves in. 

Remember....You're Worth It!

Fashionisette News: I'm Writing for Loehmanns.com!

If you follow me on Twitter, hint hint if you don't, then you may have seen me tweeting or RTing links to certain Loehmanns.com posts. Well, yours truly is a Loehmanns.com blog contributor!!! I figured it was about time I made an official announcement on my site to let you all know...as I am already 3 posts in. I am having a lot of fun writing for the site and am so happy they considered me. I have been shopping at the discount designer store since I can remember, and when they opened one in my area I was only thrilled...since it's only 5 minutes away from me now. I have some really cool articles coming up and will definitely make sure to share with you, if you are not following me on Twitter, nudge nudge.

Check out my posts now and show me some love if you love them!
All That Glitters is Sequins
Warming up with Cognac Accessories
Exotic Luxury - Shoes & Handbags

And in case you haven't checked out the new Loehmann's website, you definitely should! You can even shop online now and stay up-to-date with discounts and events!

xo

Fashion Peek: Casadei S/S 12

You know me dolls. I cannot turn down a fierce pair of shoes. Naturally, I have to show you the S/S 12 collection for one of my favorite shoe collections, Casadei. Believe me, I will own a pair to build up my designer shoe-drobe!

Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2012

Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier.

So I picked my Top 15, but I couldn't leave out the ones that get you talking...and not necessarily in the best way, but they just opted to be different. Like case in point, Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier. I am not opposed...but I am not in love. I think the shape of the dress works, but I don't think the canary yellow worked for her skin tone. The gown out-shined her.

Julianne Moore in Chanel.

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen.

Next up is Julianne Moore in Chanel. Again, it doesn't really bother me, but the silhouette of the gown is off. However, I loved her green jewelry, and with her red hair, it just worked. Not to mention, the few minutes I did watch of the awards, I could've sworn the back of her gown had an exposed zipper. If so, then that's just one more point towards the look. (I am a sucker for an exposed zipper.)

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen I was a little disappointed in. I am eager to see how The Fashion Police will handle this case. First off, I am not really a fan of this light gray hair color she has been sporting, but last week on the show when she wore a hot pink lipstick and her hair was down, she recruited me to team gray hair (I just think it should be darker). Ok, back to the red carpet. While I do enjoy a cobalt blue anything (because that pop of color is just never wrong), the dramatic sleeves with a dramatic fishtail bottom cancels each other out. I say when going for dramatic evening wear, just choose one thing to dramatize. But I still adore Kelly O.

Mary J. Blige in Michael Kors.

I don't think I have a major problem with Mary J. Blige in this feather number a la Michael Kors. It's MJB, so I can't bad talk her. But, I do think her hairstyle should've been a sleek and sophisticated updo. Other than that, I think she represented well.

Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta.

I am a HUGE fan of anything Oscar de la Renta. Like you know, I love a dramatic ending to an gown and he always offers up just that. Now, I have to say, I am so thrilled to see funny and smart girl Tina Fey wearing something form fitting and just stepping outside her box to up her glam factor. I think her hairstyle missed the glam memo. A nice chignon or sleek back look would've been preferred...and totally unexpected. I am waiting her for Miss Congeniality moment.

Laura Dern in Gucci.

I found Laura Dern in this sequined green Gucci dress intriguing. It was different. Very Oz-like. She wasn't a best-dressed for me, but she wasn't a worse-dressed. She was more like a "Could've been worse" for me. I'm not sure what I would've changed...if anything.

Lea Michele in Marchesa.

Lea Michele seemed to be a major disappointment on the carpet with this Marchesa choice. Now I love the gown! Do I love it on Lea? No. This is a classic example of the right gown on the wrong person, or vice-versa. Another personality and body type would've worked this gown. Like Halle Berry, which the top part of the gown is something similar she has already worn. So I cannot tear the gown apart, I just don't think it was the right choice for Lea.

Meryl Streep

Jessica Lange

Now for the ladies in black. Jessica Lange and Meryl Streep. I don't know who they are wearing, but I kind of liked their choices. Let's face it, they are both respectable actresses (and I am a die hard Streeper! And yes, I just made that up) and I thought they didn't fail on the red carpet. I love the silhouette of Jessica's gown and it looks like black jersey (a fabric I could live my every day in). And Meryl opted for a classic shirt dress silhouette. It's classy, chic, comfortable, and I find nothing wrong with it. Plus the nude inserts upped it a little.


That's it for my red carpet commentary. Am I missing a look that has you talking? What did you think of the Golden Globes red carpet this year?

Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2012

Sunday marked the 69th Annual Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Unfortunately, I couldn't watch the awards show in its entirety. I think I am getting past award shows and just want the red carpet. But last night, it seemed I missed that too. But from what I did watch, and my twitter timeline, I was able to pick my Top 15 Red Carpet Picks of the Golden Globes 2012. The red carpet seemed to have brought out the nudes, navys, creams, exaggerated ballgowns, bridal wear, fishtails, reds, and the just downright "what were they going for exactly?"

But, I like to focus on the hits and not-so-really misses. Here are my Top 15 Looks:

Angelina Jolie in Versace.

Claire Danes in J Mendel.

Dame Helen Mirren
in Badgley Mischka.

Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci.

Julianne Margulies in Naeem Khan.

Kate Beckinsale in Cavalli.

Kate Winslet in Jenny Packham.

Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji.

Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen.

Salma Hayek in Gucci.

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang.
*Top Pick

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann.
*Top Pick

Viola Davis in Pucci.

My thoughts: I think Viola Davis chose the perfect dress, but not necessarily the right color. Reese Witherspoon looked great and I adored the easy breezy hair. Angelina Jolie was a sight of perfection, although it took me a little while to fall in love with the dress. Nicole Richie looked like the dress was poured on her, like liquid silver. I am a sucker for dramatic endings on gowns, so Elle Macpherson was a vision. And Claire Danes always looks effortless. These top 15 picks are the gowns I can't stop thinking about and the ladies I am proud of for "bringing it" to the red carpet.

But my top 2 picks are Tilda Swinton and Sofia Vergara. Tilda is working it from H to T (Tyra talk for head to toe) and Sofia makes Vera "Wong" (couldn't resist) looks good. The gowns were tailored expertly and executed perfectly.

So who were your favorites?

Fashion: Coco Rocha for Longchamp 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2012

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." 

"When I speak of love I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response. I am not speaking of that force which is just emotional bosh. I am speaking of that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life. Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality."

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land."

ADmiring: Herve Leger S/S 2012

Here is the first ad for the Herve Leger S/S 12 campaign. It's featuring ANTM Fatima Siad looking fierce. One of these days I will own a HL body con dress, if it's the last thing I do.

Fashion News: Solange Knowles the NEXT Model

If you haven't heard...Solange Knowles signed on with Next Model Management. That's right. She is officially a model. As she mentioned to Vogue UK:

“Artistic expression is invaluable to me in all walks of my career and I am so excited to continue to develop this path along with such an amazing team at Next Model Management. I feel right at home working with people who have worked beside such creative forces in the world.”

 Congrats to new auntie Solange. It does just seem like a logical step since she has been upping her fashion game.

This Friday, she was seen walking the runway in Milan, Italy at the Alberta Ferretti demi-couture line. Maybe we'll see her in New York on the runways during Fashion Week. I Decided I would like that to happen.

Trending Videos: Sh*t Fashion Girls Say

Ok, ok, I know we are all OVER all of the Sh*t _____ Say videos. I don't know how it all got started, but it took off pretty quickly and there have been some really funny ones! Now I haven't posted the ones that made me laugh out loud, but when I saw this video, I knew I had to post it. Whether you're a fashion girl or not, you're going to think it's "totes amaze."



What did you think? Did you laugh? (Be honest)

Model Walk: Gaye McDonald

Shoe Quickie: Kelsi Dagger "Abrielle" Pump

Kelsi Dagger "Abrielle" in Royal Blue.

Today on Twitter, my friend @nluvwshoes gave me a shoe high. She tweeted a pic of these fierce (very YSL "Palais" Pumps) bell-bottom heel Kelsi Dagger "Abrielle" pumps. Well she tweeted the shoes in a bold orange and can be purchased at Endless.com. Two colors are on sale right now for just $79.99, the yellow and orange. Unfortunately they are sold out in my size, 7.5, but I cannot withhold sales from you dolls. But just in case they don't have your size either, you can find the other colors at Heels.com for a slightly higher price of $129.99. And if you need another option, you can also find them at Macys.com too, on sale for $96.75.

Cipria

Black

Fuchsia

Kelly Green

Orange

Yellow

Just in case you forgot what the Yves Saint Laurent "Palais" Pumps looked like, here you go:

You can still get them at Saks Fifth Avenue for $795, MyTheresa.com for $799, and at Nordstrom for $720. Colors and sizes vary at each store.