Black Friday Special

Black Friday: you either love it or hate it. If you're in the "love it" party, this post is for you. A lot of the deals haven't been announced yet... but I'm all for spreading the word on a great deal, so here's what I've found so far (and if you know about more, feel free to mention them in the comments!).

Bloomingdale's is opening at 7am on Black Friday and will have steal-deals, like 25% off women's denim. However, they've started their deals already--including the designer handbag sale--in-store and online, so get shopping!

 

Shopbop.com also started their sales earlier this week--forget Cyber Monday, they're celebrating Cyber Week! Shop online and use the code BIGEVENT12 to save until 11:59pm on Monday. 

 

Remember my ode to C.Wonder? They win again, this time by doing a half-off sale between midnight and 8am on Black Friday, and 25% off purchases $100+ from Saturday to Monday. Now there's really no excuse to check out this amazing store!

Target is giving shoppers a head start by opening at 9pm on Thanksgiving. Here's a preview of their great deals: 

Banana Republic already has a lot on sale for 40% off, and that sale will continue until Black Friday is over. Need a new coat? This might be your best bet!

 

If beauty is your focus, check out Nordstrom. Bobbi Brown is holding the Pretty Powerful Event, where you can get a make-up lesson and a Pretty Powerful tote bag with purchases $50+. There will also be discounts on Chanel, MAC, L'Occitane, and other great beauty brands. 

 

For more Black Friday beauty finds, check out MAC. They'll be previewing their new Taste Temptation collection at Macy's MAC counters, and from 12pm to 4am at the Times Square location and online, you can find this exclusive nail polish and lipstick duo. 

 

H&M will have sweaters and dresses starting at $5, outerwear, kid's jackets, and pants starting at $10. Street locations will open at midnight. 

 

Were you inspired by my post on JCP (JC Penney) to find those inexpensive, on-trend items we all need? On Black Friday, JCP will open at 6am and you can find stylish boots starting at $25 and coats starting at $40. 

 

And if you're looking to tackle BlackFriday with some digital help, use mobile apps to shop instead. To buy shoes, use the Zappos mobile app: 

 

 

 

Get Your 15 Minutes of Fame with the NARS Andy Warhol Collection

You know how I promote trends in fashion because they are a great tool to get one excited to get dressed every day? Well, an eyeshadow palette is what is getting me excited to put on makeup these days! Beauty is literally art with the Andy Warhol-inspired collection from NARS Cosmetics. This collaboration was a natural match for Francois Nars, who said that he has been very influenced by Warhol's sense of rebellion and playfulness with color even before this collaboration.

The collection includes eye shadow palettes, lip gloss, nail polish, and beauty sets--and they sell for no more than regular NARS products! Each item is named after Warhol's factory, quotations, or creations, which makes them extra glamorous. So really, the only problem is that the products are so beautiful that I don't want to use them! Last month, Sephora and narscosmetics.com launched part of the line, and now the full line will be carried in department stores until January 15. Each department store carries exclusive products from the line... as if we needed another reason to keep shopping around! Check out some of the amazing pop-art make-up and channel your inner Superstar:

Warhol in the photobooth: classic. This set of nail polishes would make a great holiday gift for any glamour girl. 

Photo Booth Nail Set $35



 

NARS perfected this self-portrait eye shadow palette (which comes in three colors) by making sure that the design goes all the way to the bottom--can we call that "art preservation"?

Eyeshadow Palette $55


This amazing beauty set is one of Saks' exclusive products. No, the case isn't big enough for your iPad... I already checked!

Silver Factory Set $200

The flower palette is exclusive to Sephora. It comes in three colors, like the self-portrait, and each color set has its own awesome Warhol quote etched in the mirror! This one is my favorite...

Flowers Eyeshadow Palette $55

Debbie Harry's silkscreen portrait is one of Warhol's most iconic works, so it makes sense that it gets an entire eye and cheek palette. This is also one of Sephora's exclusive sets.

Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette $65

Warhol worshipped Marilyn Monroe's lips. With these lip glosses, everyone will envy your lips!

Kiss Mini Larger Than Life, Lip Gloss Coffret $55

Be a "Superstar" with this on-trend teal polish. 

Superstar Opaque Nail Polish $18

The line wouldn't be complete without the Factory Girl herself. This beauty set mixes thin & dark, shimmery & light, and flirty & innocent--just like Edie!

Edie Set $75

And if you want the whole "Factory Look," check out these Get The Look videos on narscosmestics.com!

Get The Look Video

Wrap Yourself in Luxury and Comfort this Season

Autumn is the adjustment period--it's not winter, so you don't have to commit to bundling up just yet, but you still want to be cozy in the crisp air. Luckily, this fall's trends let you feel cozy while looking fabulous. I am in love with the textures and shapes of this season!

First, the flat shoe of the season is the smoking slipper, which I've explained here is the new ballet flat. It's fresh, good for day and night, and COMFORTABLE! No more ballet flats with that awkward scrunch in the heel. Second, the textures this season are all comfort-meets-luxury. I'm talking about soft furs and velvet. (If you don't believe in wearing fur, faux furs are available everywhere and are a great--and cheaper--option!) Here are a few great ways to incorporate these shapes and textures into your autumn wardrobe.

Charles Philip has been king of the smoking slipper this year. Run errands all day in these smoking slippers, a fur vest, and skinny jeans.

Charles Philip Tasseled Smoking Flats - Lana $155

C&C California Hoodie Vest Black $126

Vince Denim Legging Jeans $185

The Oxford shoe has been popular the last few seasons. This smoking slipper version of an Oxford makes it slightly more feminine and much more wearable. Be daring and try them with a cropped pant. 

DV Dolce Vita Flats Millie Tassel Loafer $79

Patricia Silk Pull-On Pant $99

Dress up a wild pair like these for a night out.

Steve Madden Melter Slipper $140

Want to combine the shoe shape of the season with the texture of the season? Try these awesome velvet smoking slippers with a silver-dip toe for a super cool look!

Rachel Roy Laynnah Flat $250

If you can't stay in your pajamas all day, wearing soft furs and velvet can be the next best thing. They move, keep you warm and comfortable, and give an easy look of luxury. If you really want to feel like you're wrapped in a blanket all day, go for a fur scarf. 

Rachel Zoe Mink Faux Fur Scarf $190

All season, I've been preaching the beauty of mixing materials. The faux shearling on this sweatshirt makes it appropriate for nighttime--just add some ring bling for a pop of color!

Mona Faux-Shearling Sweatshirt $130

BaubleBar Ruby Odyssey Ring $94

I love the texture, color, and shape of this blazer. THIS is how to wear velvet this season!

Vince Camuto One Button Velvet Blazer $189

Remember all the amazing colored jeans I showed you a few weeks ago? Try these in velvet!

J Brand Stretch Velvet Leggings $194

A velvet dress is so decadent. Pair it with gold and jewel tones for a Baroque look. 

Calvin Klein One Shoulder Draped Sleeve Velvet Dress $148

Kate Spade Post Street Little Adair Envelope Clutch $298

DANNIJO Monaco Earrings $172

The Showdown at Paris Fashion Week

The fashion show season is over, unfortunately, but it ended with a bang at Paris Fashion Week. It looks like we'll be seeing a lot of whimsy in Spring/Summer 2013--did you catch the Chanel Hula Hoop bag or the fuzzy Celine shoes?

Never mind hula hoop bags, the excitement during Paris Fashion Week mostly revolved around the Hedi Slimane vs. Raf Simons showdown. Here's the background: Slimane, who has mostly been working as a photographer since he left Dior Homme, is the new creative director at Saint Laurent (the brand has lost the "Yves" under Slimane's direction). Simons is the new creative director at Dior. The two designers are the same age, have equally impressive credentials, are known as masters of minimalism, and head brands that have experienced major changes recently... so of course, the fashion media have pitted them against each other! But as it turned out, the designers showed that the style and direction they're taking their brands are completely dissimilar from each other. Here are some highlights:

Simons said he wanted his collection for Dior to "break free of the restriction of minimalism." That's good, since Dior has always been known for its "maximalism"!

Simons included an iridescent palette in this collection, often combined with asymmetrical lines. 

Simons gave a modern edge to the classic Dior Bar Jacket. 

It wouldn't be a Dior show without show-stopping ball gowns. 

Slimane's collection, which stayed true to the principles of the Saint Laurent brand, was well-received. He included a lot of bohemian-chic looks, which were compared to the style of uber-stylist and fashion designer Rachel Zoe. 

Can't you see Rachel Zoe wearing this patterned caftan and large-brimmed hat?

Slimane channeled 70's glam-rock in many of his gowns. Isn't this one so Stevie Nicks?

Slimane's tailoring skills have been showcased time and time again, and while this collection had a relaxed, 70's hippie rocker vibe, it still included sleek, tailored looks. 

Here are the designers themselves: 

Simons

Slimane

Which collection is the object of your lust?