Archive for October, 2008

I bought a great pair of lace fishnet tights from Urban last weekend and wore them for the first time yesterday. Speaking of Urban, they have tons of cool accessories right now, especially hats in case you’re looking. They are also offering 25% off all online orders with code LUCKYBREAKS8 through the month of October.

My only nit with the new tights is how easily they snag, but at least the $14 investment survived their first wear.

I toted around my Love Quotes scarf all day to wrap over my shoulders when I got cold. If you don’t already have one, these scarves are great investment pieces since you can wear them so many ways. Want one? Buy it at Tobi and save 20% with code SOLUCKY through Monday, October 20.

Wearing:

• Top: H&M
• Skirt: Marshall’s
• Belt: Limited
• Tights: Urban
• Pumps: Nordstrom
• Scarf: Love Quotes
• Bracelet: Express

P.S. Happy Birthday Mom!  

Lately I’ve been feeling extra experimental with my wardrobe. In fact, so much that it’s expanded into my boyfriend’s closet (poor guy has no clue half the time).

For this outfit, I couldn’t find quite the right accessories to complete the look, so I decided to borrow a tie and belt from the bf.

To make the tie appear unusually full, I tied it short with a double-loop knot (not sure on the proper name for the double-loop) and tucked it into my vest.

The belt would normally be too big to wear around the waist, so I tried twisting it into a pretzel (it stayed put all day).

• Shirt: Juicy
• Vest: Forever 21
• Pants: Bebe
• Platforms: Aldo
• Belt and tie: Jordan’s closet

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking 1:1 with Chief Marketing Officer of Avelle (a.k.a. Bag Borrow or Steal), Jodi Watson. As a huge advocate for “smart shopping,” I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get hooked on this new borrowing revolution.

If you hadn’t heard of Bag Borrow or Steal prior to May 2008, you were probably made aware by the Sex & the City movie. Carrie’s assistant, Louise (played by Jennifer Hudson), rocked designer bags from Bag Borrow or Steal in the movie.

To my surprise, there was no sponsorship arrangement. Bag Borrow or Steal was written directly into the script and they didn’t find out until it was near final! Talk about a PR/marketing dream come true!

I just started an account and can’t wait to “Avelle” my first accessory. First on my list? Sunglasses (keep a lookout for Avelled items in my outfit posts). You should try it too! Right now they have a promotion going where you get one week free on any monthly rental with code: 1WEEKFREE.

Q&A from the interview:

Q: What was the inspiration behind Bag Borrow or Steal? The company was founded by two men (Lloyd Lapidus and Greg Pippo) who grew up watching their mothers and sisters raid each others’ closets. The built their business for the experimental consumer; for the woman who wants to try before she buys.  

Q: How does the process work? You can choose to rent as a member or a guest (members get lower prices), and you can “borrow” each product for as a little as a week to as long as you like. If you decide you want to keep it, Avelle will provide you with a “steal” quote based on the retail value and how long you’ve rented it. Read more details here.

Q: What are the brands are the toughest to keep in stock? Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

Q: How do you ensure quality control? They have an extensive refurbishment process to restore every product to “new” condition along with a X authentification in place to catch

Q: Why the name change from Bag Borrow or Steal to Avelle? They have been undergoing a brand make-over for almost a year as they branch into new product categories aside from handbags. Bag Borrow or Steal will remain a part of the website and branding indefinitely.

Q: What other product categories are you looking into? Avelle currently offers handbags, jewelry and sunglasses, but the company is in the process of launching additional categories in accessories and clothing. Shoes are a possibility, but we’ll have to wait and see (crossing my fingers because shoes are my weakness).

Q: What are you carrying and wearing right now?

1. Fendi Square Frame Glasses ($32/week; $70/month) 
2. Anna Beck Rectangle Ring ($20/week; $45/month)
3. Anna Beck Starburst Pendant Necklace ($23/week; $50/month)
4. Christian Dior Soft ‘Lady Dior’ Medium Shopping Tote ($60/week; $175/month)

Photo credits: Sexandthecity.org, Sexanthecity.com, Avelle

When I logged in to check my email this morning, there was a pleasant surprise waiting from Glamour.com Style Editor, Tracey Lomrantz. She contacted me a couple of weeks ago requesting photos of my interpretation for some of the hottest fall trends for her Slaves to Fashion feature. She included the look and excerpt below in her latest post on plaid, along with a few other style bloggers. Click here to read the full story and vote for your favorite outfit.

“Jordana of Clutch22.com leaves behind the collegiate/schoolgirl stereotype in favor of pairing her plaid with a sophisticated pencil skirt. I wouldn’t have thought this was an evening trend, but her take is making me rethink it.”

Coincidentally, I happen to be wearing the same shirt today, but in a completely different, more casual way.  Which do you prefer?

Wearing:

• Plaid top and jeans: Forever 21
• L/s tee: Free People
• Pumps: BCBGirls (from 4 yrs. ago)

**Special thanks to Glamour.com’s Dana Oliver for recommending me!  

I bought a black zipper-sleeve dress a couple of weeks ago and I’m really happy with its versatility. Yesterday, I decided to wear it as a top over a simple white tee, with a studded belt and black buckled boots.

Next time, I might layer it over a sheer black shirt and lace tights. Stay tuned…

Wearing:

• Tee: Gap
• Zipper dress: Kill City
• Jeans: Forever 21
• Belt: Hot Topic
• Boots: Report
• Bag: Love Culture

Like many of you, I love studs and zippers, but this is the first time I’ve worn them together. I always thought mixing the metals might be too punk rock for my style, but I think it’s subtle enough to pull off. Would you?

I didn’t realize until I after I shot the outfit pics, but this is definitely something I could see on one of my favorite TV characters, Ugly’s Betty’s Amanda Tanen (played by Becki Newton).  For those who aren’t familiar, she works for a Vogue-esque magazine called MODE and has amazing style (would love to go shopping with her stylist).

Photo credits: TV.com

On tonight’s episode of Project Runway, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia called Kenley out for the striking similarity her wedding dress shared with a dress from Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2008 collection. According to Kenley, there wasn’t even a similar silhouette on the FW08 runways…I’m going to have to side with Michael and Nina. 

I’ll admit the girl has talent, but it’s hard not to feel embarassed for her when she speaks. 

Photo credits: Style.com, Bravo

Anyone else feeling the impact from the economy? My closet definitely is, so I suppose it’s a good time for a little wardrobe reinvention.

For a no-fail fall look without any new purchases, all you need is a tee, jeans, a cardigan and a thick belt. A few months back, I wrote about the belt over the cardi…now I’m all about the belt under the cardi (thanks to my adorable co-worker, Lori, who inspired me with a similar style last week). It’s not only incredibly comfortable, but there are so many different interpretations. Here are a few examples:

Wear it with a relaxed boyfriend jean and heels for a chill night out with friends…

Wearing:

• Sweater and tee: Forever 21
• Jeans: Joe’s
• Belt: Urban
• Pumps: Sam Edelman

Dress it up with a dark bell jean and pumps for a dinner date…

Wearing:

• Sweater: Nordstrom (B.P. like three years ago)
• Tee: AA
• Jeans: J Brand Lovestory (my dog, Bella seems to love them)
• Belt: Fossil
• Pumps: Steven 

Play it casual with ankle jeans, sneakers and a colorful scarf…

Wearing:

• Sweater and jeans: Forever 21
• Tee: AA
• Belt and scarf: Urban
• Shoes: Sperry Topsider

I love what Jennine, aka The Coveted, has done with the new and improved Independent Fashion  Bloggers site. Every Thursday, she posts a weekly round up of links submitted in the IFB forums. While I definitely have my list of regular reads, it’s a great place to see a snapshot of what other fashion bloggers are up to. Here is the round up for this week:

Links à la Mode : October 2nd

• a sense sublime – Make Do and Mend: Brilliant boot fair fashion finds!
• Add Bubbles To Taste – Nikki gives Beautiful People Purple Eaters their fix.
• Clutch 22 – DIY: Bow Headbands (in seconds)
• Debutante Clothing – Vintage Vogues Go To Auction
• Dress Me Up Dollie – Seeking closed-toe wedges!
• Fab Fashion Blog – Skirts Tight Knee Length Almost Pencil Skirts Looks Fall Winter 2008 2009 Trends
• Fashion Architect – Athens Fashion Week is coming!
• fashion in my eyes – a great editorial containing the twelve most important regal women in history!
• Mademoiselle Robot – Let your style age with you.
• O.M.O. Writes – Fashion Icon: Dynasty The fashion sense from the 80s soap opera is seen all over Spring runways! Get style tips on how to make the look your own!
• Or False Glitter – How far do the opinions of others dictate our fashion choices?
• PR COUTURE – Fashion PR Call for Media Kits; Get Featured on PR Couture
• respectfully yours – is fashion taking itself too seriously?
• Retro Chick – The Boyfriend Blazer: Hot Picks
• ShopDiary – ShopDiary gets a piece of Eairth.
• Tainted & Sweet… – Old School Fly Girls!!!
• THE COVETED – Do you ever wear clothes intended for kids?
• The Life and Times of a Problem Child – Rediscovering a forgotten icon of architecture and turning it into a fashion occasion.
• The Ongoing Project – Developing your personal style, part 2

Like a lot of personal style bloggers, I am a firm believer that most rules in fashion are meant to be broken. One rule I’ve been rebelling against lately is wearing navy with black. Subtle tweaks, like a chunky necklace or printed scarf can tie the two colors together.

If you want to try this out, but aren’t sure where to begin, consider navy in the same category as other base colors like black, white and grey. Then, wear it as you would when mixing those base colors together (e.g. instead of black, white and grey…try black, white and navy). If you want to add more color, it’s all about the accessories.

For this look, I added a bold necklace and played with textures by wearing a black latex under a navy cardigan.

Wearing:

• Cardi, Necklace and Jeans: Forever 21
• Latex top: AA
• Shoes: Me Too
• Headband: DIY Bow

Here’s another example from a couple of months ago:

Wearing:

• Blazer: Urban
• Tee, latex tube dress and tights: AA
• Heels: Nine West
• Bracelet: Express

A new online sample sale site is headed your way tomorrow from seasoned professional, Irene Wong, who is known for her FEM sample sale events in LA. iShopFem.com will feature timed sales with 50-75% off top designers including James Jeans, YSL, Pucci and CC Skye, among other hot labels and up-and-comers. 

Here’s how it’s different than similar sites like Rue La La, Haute Look and Gilt – iShopFem.com will sell premium memberships that grant 24 hours of early bird access before each sale goes live. The first 500 shoppers will receive a free premium membership as part of the launch promotion.

The first sale is planned for October 8. Check it out and make sure you sign up tomorrow when iShopFem.com launches at 1:00 pm Pacific.