Guilt-Free At Gilt

Style Shout Out to guilt-free shopping at Gilt.

Christmas is right around the corner.  I have always loved the holiday season and it is especially fun as a Mom because you get to see Christmas through the eyes of your child.

Throughout the year there are a few things that make me feel like a kid at Christmas and one of those things is when I open an email from Gilt and see one of my favorite brands being featured.  From Chan Luu bracelets to 7 For All Mankind jeans I have found some of the best items and today's email did not disappoint.

If you are in the market for the perfect little black dress for the holidays check out this dress by Catherine Malandrino.  I love her designs for their flattering fit and excellent quality.  The price for this dress is pretty fabulous too.  For a fun look I'm wearing this with my Current/Elliott denim jacket and Chanel ballet flats.  For a more dressy look I'm thinking Louboutins or L.K. Bennett pumps.

I also found a great pair of chinos by J Brand.  When I hear the name J Brand I immediately think denim but their chinos are outstanding...super soft...super comfy...super fit.  And, at Gilt they are a super price.  I'll be wearing mine with ballet flats and an LNA tee shirt for a casual look.  To dress them up a little I'll pair them with a top from Joie and my L.K. Bennett pumps.

Make sure to check out Gilt today as things go quickly.


My Style Shout Out Tip:  While I totally enjoy a shopping trip with my daughter to Nordstrom and Neimans I also love the convenience of shopping at Gilt.  The prices are fabulous and so is their customer service.  Happy guilt-free shopping!

40 On Monday

Ribbed Henley @ LnA

Style Shout Out to Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday!

First of all I have to admit that I didn't go to the mall this past weekend.  I am one of those people that loves Thanksgiving for the low-stress day that it is and I like to enjoy the long weekend. For me this weekend was all about family, food, football, music, and decorating for Christmas.

And today is all about checking out the great deals online and getting a little Christmas shopping done.

So you can imagine my delight when I was reading my emails earlier and found that 7 For All Mankind and LnA Clothing, two of my favorite retailers, are offering a 40 percent discount today.

If you are in the market for some fabulous jeans look no further than 7 For All Mankind because today they are offering an additional 40 percent off sale items.  Sevens are a staple in my wardrobe because of the clean lines and the flattering fit.

Boyfriend Shirt @ LnA

And for phenomenal tops check out LnA Clothing.  I love their tee shirts for the quality and the fit.  And for the cooler weather I absolutely love LnA's long sleeve boyfriend shirt and the ribbed v henley.

With 40 percent off this is a great time to pick up something for yourself and something for someone else.

Happy Shopping.

My Style Shout Out Tip:  I wear my LnA tee shirts all year long.  In the warm weather they are fabulous with shorts and flats. Today I wore one with skinny jeans, a leather jacket and Stuart Weitzman boots...hello Fall.

Kitson - A Really Cool Place To Shop

Kitson Pencils

Style Shout Out to the season of giving and gratitude.

I am one of those people that really doesn't like to set foot inside a store during Thanksgiving weekend. While the sales are great, I would rather spend time with my family, enjoy the holiday and do a bit of Christmas shopping online at night...but not on Thanksgiving night. That time is spent playing board games and eating leftovers from dinner.

But when I do sit down with my laptop this weekend there are a few favorite stores I will check out and Kitson is one of them. If you read my blog then you know how much I love Southern California.  Every time we are in Los Angeles visiting family we do a little shopping at Kitson.  This store carries a fabulous selection of merchandise and is, as my daughter describes it, "just a really cool place to shop!"

So you can imagine my delight when I opened an email today from Kitson advertising their Black Friday Sale with free shipping on all orders.  My cart is filled with some fabulous stocking stuffers like PuraVida bracelets,  Fresh Honey Tinted Lip Treatments and Kitson pencils.  I also found some candles that will make wonderful gifts for teachers.

PuraVida Bracelets @ Kitson

Sure I could find some of these items locally but I love when a gift has meaning and since Kitson is one of my daughter's favorite places to shop anything purchased there will mean a lot to her.




My Style Shout Out Tip:  If you are in Malibu visit the Kitson store at the Malibu Country Mart and Lumber Yard.  They have a great selection of merchandise. On a recent visit I found fabulous scarves, fun PuraVida bracelets, and interesting coffee table books.  And speaking of coffee, after you do a little shopping go next door and have a cappuccino and gelato at the ChocolateBox Cafe. It is seriously good coffee and some of the best gelato I have ever had.

Blue Jeans, Bracelets & Giving Back

Pura Vida Bracelets @ puravidabracelets.com

Style Shout Out to the blues Jean Bar and Pura Vida for giving back!

As I watched my daughter walk into school today with her backpack, lunch box, and Target bag stuffed with cans of food for the school's food drive I was reminded of how much I love this time of year. For me Thanksgiving is about being with family, cooking great food, and watching football.  It's also the time we clean out our closets to see what items can be donated to help others.

And usually after a closet clean out there is a little room to add one or two new things and I know exactly where I'll be headed to pick up those items.

Recently my daughter and I went to the blues Jean Bar because they are the one place in our area that I know of that sells Pura Vida Bracelets.  We discovered Pura Vida at Kitson on our last visit to Los Angeles.  The bracelets are available in an assortment of fun colors and benefit great causes, including the Surfrider Foundation.

When we were at the blues Jean Bar picking out bracelets for Christmas gifts I noticed that they were running a promotion for November.  For every can of food you bring to the store, they will give you five percent off a pair of jeans with the maximum discount being twenty percent.  If you read my blog then you know I absolutely love when companies do something to give back so I figure this is the perfect time to pick up a new pair of jeans and feel good doing it.

The blues Jean Bar is unique in that the stores have a huge bar with a "jeantender" who is waiting to find you the perfect pair of jeans.  They have really taken the guess work out of buying jeans and it's as easy as ordering a grande, non-fat cappuccino from Starbucks.  For me I'll be ordering Paige, skinny, medium blue, ankle length jeans.  My eight year old will most likely be picking out another Pura Vida bracelet and that's okay with me because when she wears them I know she will be reminded that it's always good to give back.

My Style Shout Out Tip:  Visit the blues Jean Bar to find the perfect pair of jeans and don't forget to pick up a few Pura Vida bracelets.  They make great stocking stuffers for Christmas and remember, giving back is always in style!

L.K.Bennett - Classics & Quality!

Style Shout Out to Kate Middleton and bringing classic back.

It's my opinion that if we can credit Justin Timberlake with bringing classy back...think the invitation he recently accepted to the military ball, then I think it's safe to say that Kate Middleton has played a major role in bringing classic back.  I, for one, am very happy about this because I have always gravitated toward a classic look.

My philosophy when it comes to style is that it's important to find what works for you and to be on-trend but not too trendy.

Kate Middleton has put several designers and stores in the spotlight.  The ones that immediately come to mind are her wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Zara and the little blue dress, Reiss and the beautiful cream dress, and L.K.Bennett and the neutral pumps she has worn on several occasions, including her visit to California.

Now being married to a Brit I have heard of L.K.Bennett but have never had the pleasure of shopping in one of their stores.  While Chicago and Atlanta are fortunate in that they have L.K.Bennett stores, we in Dallas are not as lucky.  So after seeing Kate in her Sledge pumps, and being in the market for a neutral pump, I took a chance and called the Atlanta store.  I was told they had a shipment of shoes coming in and that there was a pair of size 8's that were not on hold for anyone yet.  Usually I don't buy shoes online from a brand that I have never tried but as I always tell my daughter, sometimes taking a chance pays off.

Via ShopStyle

So when the Atlanta store called me a few days later to say the shoes had arrived, I reached for my debit card, verified the return policy, was assured that this shoe ran true to size and happily placed my order.  I have to say that I was really impressed with the customer service at L.K.Bennett's Atlanta store.

When my shoes arrived they exceeded my expectations.  The color was the perfect neutral, they fit perfectly, and the quality was exceptional.  I was actually surprised that for a high heel they were so comfortable.

So, if you are lucky enough to be in Chicago or Atlanta, stop by L.K.Bennett and check out the Sledge.  And if you're willing to take a chance you can always call one of the stores and I'm sure you will not be disappointed in the customer service and the quality.

My fingers are crossed that L.K.Bennett will open a store here soon.  Until then, I have the Atlanta store's number in my IPhone!


My Style Shout Out Tip:  If you are looking for a fabulous neutral pump check out L.K.Bennett.  After wearing these shoes for a few hours I realized why they are a favorite of Kate Middleton.  These shoes are as comfortable as they are stylish.  Happy Shopping!

Thank You!

Style Shout Out to our Veterans!

Yesterday after school it was homework time. As we do everyday, I made a cup of tea for myself (being married to a Brit has influenced my choice of afternoon beverage), poured my daughter a glass of water and got her a snack.

My daughter usually does her math homework first and I think this is because math comes to her very easily. So, yesterday when she said she was going to do Language Arts first I was a bit surprised.  She said the assignment was to write a letter to the troops.  As a Mom I have so many moments that have made me feel proud and watching her thoughtfully write a letter of thanks to our troops was one of those moments.

As she was writing we talked about the troops, our country, and freedom.  My daughter said that the American flag and the 4th of July fireworks always reminds her of freedom and how our troops work so hard to protect it.

So today on Veterans Day I would like to take a line from my daughter's letter..."Thank you for serving our country and doing so much for other people and for all of the sacrifices you make everyday."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Happy Veterans Day.


My Style Shout Out Tip:  If you are in the market for a fun pair of boots that will make a difference, check out The Boot Campaign.

Fab Finds At Neimans

Style Shout Out to Neiman Marcus and their First Call Sale...

It's always a good day when it begins with an unexpected surprise.  Today when I opened my email there it was...First Call at Neimans.  So there you have it.  Two great things together...fabulous quality and fabulous prices.

Here are 3 fab finds from the sale...

1.  Stuart Weitzman leopard print ballet flats.  These shoes are so versatile and look great with everything from skinny jeans to skirts.  Stuart Weitzman is synonymous with quality and these flats are as comfy as they are stylish.

2.  And speaking of skinny jeans I have and love these Current/Elliott jeans. Because they are cropped they tuck into boots nicely without a lot of extra fabric and the quality and color are excellent.  Wear them with boots, wear them with flats, wear them with heels...you'll wear these jeans everywhere!

3.  Kooba bags always make a statement and are ever so stylish.  I love the color of this hobo bag and think it would look fabulous with the Stuart Weitzman flats and the Current/Elliott jeans.  This is such a perfect bag for Fall and Winter.


My Style Shout Out Tip:  Have fun looking for your own fab finds and maybe you'll find a Christmas gift or two along the way.  Happy shopping.

Ann Taylor & A Few Fabulous Finds!

Ann Taylor

Style Shout Out to Ann Taylor and some phenomenal finds.

Yesterday on my way to pick up my daughter from school I was twenty minutes early so I decided to stop in at Ann Taylor, which is conveniently located two minutes from school.  There are so many things I love about this store and at the top of my list is the fact that it is a one stop shop, the quality is outstanding, and I always find something fabulous.

Paige Jeans

My visit yesterday did not disappoint as I found the most adorable cream striped long sleeve tee which just happens to look great with my Paige Denim Jimmy Jimmy skinny jeans and this great cropped camel trench that I found at Zara last Spring.

My other fabulous find was a leopard print skirt that looks amazing with my Stuart Weitzman black suede Linear boots and my Vince turtleneck sweater.  The fact that the skirt was on sale made the purchase even sweeter and I love versatile pieces that can transition with the seasons.  This skirt fits the bill perfectly as it also looks cute with flats and a black tee.

Ann Taylor

I also found a simple dress in the most amazing shade of blue but they were sold out in my size.  Luckily we have another Ann Taylor not too far away and that little blue dress is on hold.  Again, the dress is versatile and will take me from Fall to Winter in style.

Thanks Ann Taylor for the great quality, great selection, and great customer service!

My Style Shout Out Tip:  Ann Taylor is not just for work clothes any more.  It's also a great place to stock up on quality basics like tees, scarves and belts. Visit Ann Taylor today and I'm sure a few fabulous finds will find their way into your Fall wardrobe.

Rita Hazan Knows Roots!

Rita Hazan At Sephora

Style Shout Out to Rita Hazan for creating fabulous...

Whenever I hear people talking about hair color the first name that usually pops into my head is Rita Hazan.  Over the past 15 years Hazan has gained a reputation as being the "It Girl" of hair color and a real trendsetter. She has also created looks for celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears.  Even though her salon is located in the heart of New York on 5th Avenue, she often travels to Los Angeles to keep her west coast clients looking fabulous.

But no need to worry if you don't live in New York or Los Angeles because you can still keep your hair looking Hazan fabulous with Rita's "Root Concealer" which can be purchased at Sephora or QVC.

The first time I tried this product I was in Los Angeles with my family and my sister and I picked up a bottle of Root Concealer at Sephora in Santa Monica.  Upon application I was immediately impressed by how easy this product was to use and how it actually did what it said it would do.

This product is available in four colors so there is something for everyone.  I like that Root Concealer is not permanent color, and that it's made with quality ingredients and is formulated without parabens and sulfates.

I really can't say enough good things about Rita Hazan's Root Concealer so the next time you're in Sephora pick up a can and try it for yourself and I'm sure you'll be singing Hazan's praises because Rita really knows roots and how to make hair look fabulous!


My Style Shout Out Tip:  Thank you Rita Hazan for creating an easy to use and very useful product. I told my hubby that our next vacation should be to New York so I can finally visit your salon.  But in the meantime I have my Root Concealer and am hoping you will be introducing other products soon.

Kelly Ripa & Nick Lachey Are Winning!

Kelly Ripa & Nick Lachey

Style Shout Out to Kelly Ripa and Nick Lachey for a very fun Halloween show.

When you're a parent of little kids Halloween is always a fun time.  Over the years our daughter has dressed up as a pumpkin, Belle from Beauty & The Beast, a cheerleader and a Pop Star.  I always have so much fun planning her costume with her and seeing the big smile on her face when she tries it on.

Besides my daughter's delight, the other thing I enjoy about Halloween is the Live With Regis & Kelly Halloween show.  It is always a good laugh and even though Regis was absent yesterday morning, Nick Lachey was great with Kelly and the show was very entertaining.  The show opened with a flash mob at Lincoln Center and costumes during the show included Princess Kate & Prince William, Nick Lachey as Charlie Sheen and Heidi Klum as Regis. Another funny moment was Kelly Ripa as the Bachelorette in search of a co-host.

I don't know if Nick is in the running to be the next co-host of Live but he was fabulous with Kelly yesterday and I think they were both winning!



My Style Shout Out Tip: I hope you all had a Happy Halloween and that you enjoyed the day with family and friends.