STARTS TODAY: Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy Friends & Family Sale

Today to August 2nd, take 30% off everything at Banana Republic, the Gap, and Old Navy online and in-store. The code that I received can be used online only once, but I can send you an invitation to receive a code of your own for online use, as well as a coupon for in-store use. Just leave me a comment and I will send you the code.

Raid My Closet: Romantic

Cream blouse: Joie, purchased on Shopbop a few months ago

One shoulder white blouse: Banana Republic, purchased a few months ago

Handbag: Prada, Fall 2008, purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue last winter

Tunic: Purchased at the Limited a few years ago

Beaded sandals: Nine west, purchased at Nine West outlet store several years ago

Headband: Purchased at Anthropologie a few months ago

Chandelier earrings: Kenneth Cole, purchased at Macy's several years ago

Style Muse: Hayden Panettiere

Whether she is dressed up for an event or dressed down to run errands, Heroes TV starlette Hayden Panettiere's style has been on point lately. As she matures out of adolescence into womanhood, her style seems to be following suit. Long gone are the days of t-shirts and cut-offs. As pictured above, Hayden really knows how to dress her petite frame, opting for short hemlines to elongate her legs. I am also really loving her casual style lately. The outfits below are rather simple, but they don't seem frumpy or outdated to me. Neutral colors are always in style!

TODAY ONLY: Select Taryn Rose Shoes $49.95 on 6pm

TODAY ONLY select Taryn Rose shoes including those pictured above, originally priced around $500, are on sale at http://www.6pm.com/ for $49.95.

Upcoming Fashion Events at Saks Fifth Avenue Columbus

NEXT WEEK:
Soccer & Spirits
August 4, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Benefitting the Crew Soccer Foundation
Wine tasting, silent auction, and runway show featuring the Columbus Crew
Tickets are $40
To purchase tickets call (614) 447-4175 or e-mail rungerleider@thecrew.com

Chanel Fall 2009 Handbag and Accessories Trunk Show
August 6, 2009
For more information call (614) 430-3500

TODAY ONLY: Extra 20% Off Designer Handbags on Smartbargains

TODAY ONLY select Gucci, Prada, YSL, Balenciaga, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, Miu Miu, Bottega Venetta, and Salvatore Ferragamo handbags, including those pictured above, are discounted an extra 20% off. Click here for the sale: http://www.smartbargains.com/events1.aspx?ltype=5&ev=17414&deptid=11&aid=130&edid=EXKCXD-XFNHO-BKYJB2-5QZPV-1849FH-v1&program=0&ls_sid=19211477733. These items are final sale.

Deals for the Week of July 27, 2009

Shopbop
July 26-July 28
Take 25% off select Juicy Couture terry on www.shopbop.com
including some items already reduced 30% off
Enter code "VIVATERRY" at checkout

6pm
July 26-July 31
55% off Frye footwear on www.6pm.com
No code necessary

Neiman Marcus
July 26-July 28
Extra 25% off last call sale items on www.neimanmarcus.com
No code necessary

Funkylala
July 28-July 30
Extra 20% off all sale items on www.funkylala.com
Enter code "LUCKY20" at checkout

Coach Outlets
July 29-August 2
Extra 20% off items already reduced 25%-60% off
Click here to print coupon: https://e.coach.com/servlet/website/PersonalizedForm?JhHJoEVTTCTAVB_XTCVX_.40HJmhkR_0LQmE.26f7be_7.2e.2ey.26zzElHIkpgHoHNkpgFohmtHpsDJhtEikpgmwHnLEmkNL

Ann Taylor
July 28-August 2
$20 off a purchase of $100 or more online at www.anntaylor.com
Enter code "PERFECT20" at checkout
Offer also good in-store with this coupon: http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBKbtpcBdYR8vB7uhOS-ODiTrlt/doc.html?&email=tracy4026@cox.net

Tobi
July 29-July 30
30% off all regular-priced items online at www.tobi.com
Enter code "ENDLESS30" at checkout

Philosophy
July 29-August 3
$10 off a purchase of $50 or more on www.philosophy.com
Enter code "BUZZWORTHY" at checkout

Kooba
July 29-August 1
15% off everything on www.kooba.com
Enter code "NEWSITE09" at checkout

Wink
July 30-August 4
Extra 20% off sale items on www.winknyc.com
Enter code "SUMMER" at checkout

Dress
July 30-unknown
Pre-fall Ugg boots 20% off and free shipping on www.shopdressonline.com
No code necessary
Click here for the sale: http://www.shopdressonline.com/ugg.html

6pm
July 31-August 2
All Franco Sarto shoes are $39.95 on www.6pm.com
No code necessary
Click here for the sale: http://www.6pm.com/search/brand/287/filter/productTypeFacet/%22Shoes%22/sort/price/desc

Extra 25% Off Select Sale Items at Saks

From July 24th to July 28th, Saks has marked select sale items an extra 25% off online at http://www.saks.com/. Enter code "SFASUM9" at checkout for free shipping. The website is very slow right now, but I managed to find these great deals. Above: Alice + Olivia one-shoulder dress for $88.42 down from $198; Karta blouse for $57.67 down from $194; Leyendecker fringe tank for $52.42 down from $175. Below: Loeffler Randall sandal for $172.42 down from $575; Zac Posen Calen clutch for $298.42 down from $995; Oscar de la Renta pump for $187.42 down from $625.

TODAY ONLY: Extra 20% Off Sale Items on Piperlime

TODAY ONLY take an extra 20% off sale items on www.piperlime.com. Enter code "JUST4U" at checkout.

Raid My Closet: Classic

The following is a list of eight items from my closet that I truely believe are timeless, will never go out of style, and that every woman should have in her closet. Tim Gunn eat your heart out!

1. Trenchcoat: I have a few trenches, but I chose this one to photograph because it is not the traditional beige. Plus the shorter length lends itself to my petite frame. I purchased this red trench at Banana Republic last summer.

2. White button down: Perhaps one of the most versatile items in my wardrobe because it can be worn to work or casually on the weekend, this white button down has 3/4 length sleeves and a longer length to ensure that it stays tucked in. I purchased it at J. Crew a few years ago.

3. Tote bag: Louis Vuitton never goes out of style! I love this Neverfull MM because you can make it smaller by pulling the cords on the end and the coated canvas is extra durable and doesn't scratch like leather.

4. Loafers: Coach, purchaed at Macy's a few years ago.

5. Pearls: Purchased in Bejing, China a few years ago.

6. Diamond studs: Gift from my husband a few years ago.

7. Dark denim medium-rise straight-legged jeans: Every woman needs a pair of jeans without any rips, holes, crystals, studs, or fading. I purchased this pair by Calvin Klein at Macy's last year.

8. Oversized scarf/Wrap: Purchased at Banana Republic a few months ago.

Extra 20% Off Sale Items on Shopbop

Today and tomorrow take an extra 20% off all sale items on http://www.shopbop.com/. Enter code "SALE20" at checkout. Items 30% to 50% off can be returned, but those items discounted 70% off are final sale. As always, there is free shipping on all orders. The site is very slow right now, most likely due to the sale. But, if you are patient, you can find some great deals like the above pair of Charlotte Ronson zipper heels for $72 down from $180, the above cocktail ring by Juicy Couture for $35.20 down from $88, and the above tunic by Tibi for $67.20 down from $168. Other deals include the puma workout bag below for $16 down from $40, the Cocobelle sandals below for $40 down from $100, and if you are in the market for a Rebecca Minkoff Nikki bag (one of my absolute favorite bags pictured below in pool) there are about 8 different colors currently on sale for only $333.20 down from $595. I am sure these items will not last long, so act fast!

5 Things I Love Right Now

From time to time, I run across various items that become such a part of my daily life that I feel like I want to scream from the roof top, "Run out and buy this ladies, it is that wonderful." So the following is a list of 5 of those items that I use, wear, love, and recommend.

Lush Cosmetics BIG Shampoo

I first discovered this shampoo on a trip to Chicago and I have been hooked ever since. It retails at $21.35 for 11.6 oz., so it is not cheap, but I truely believe that it is worth every penny. It is admittedly an odd shampoo; the texture is grainy and you don't squirt it out of a bottle. Rather, you take about a quarter size scoop of it out of the pot and rub it into your scalp. The results are amazing. My hair (which I have a lot of) is shiny and bouncy for the duration of that day. Because it is on the expensive side, I alternate it with various other less expensive shampoos, but if I am going out or just feel like having a great hair day, this is the shampoo that I turn to. It is available online here http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/bottled-shampoos/big. There is also a lush counter in the cosmetics department at the Macy's at Tuttle Mall in the C-bus.
Lucky Magazine

One of the things that drives me crazy about fashion magazines is all the crap that they throw in that has nothing to do with fashion. Like that section in one of the magazines (can't remember which one) called "It's Okay to..." and then they list about ten things below it like, "It's okay to eat two pieces of chocolate cake instead of just one." The whole thing takes up an entire page that could've been devoted to showing me the latest handbag trends or bronzers. Well, there is none of that in Lucky magazine; no advice columns, no stories about how to improve your sex life; just pages and pages of fashion advice, trends, and options. And unlike some of the high end magazines like Vogue, the editors always provide cheaper options alongside the expensive designer pieces. That is why Lucky magazine is the only fashion magazine that I actually subscribe to. While I may pick up other magazines at the drugstore from time to time, because the editors at Lucky have managed to make fashion accessible to the average woman, I consider it a must-have.

Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
I am sure that by now most of you have heard of, if not already tried, the bare minerals product line from Bare Escentuals. I am a huge fan of the mineral veil translucent powder. I have normal to oily skin, and this is the first powder that I've used that provides coverage throughout the day and doesn't wear off. It also hides imperfections (like the sun spots that I've accumulated over the years) nicely. It retails at $19 and is available online at http://www.bareescentuals.com/. There are also Bare Escentuals stores in the malls at Tuttle and Polaris. It is also available at Sephora, also located at Polaris mall, and on QVC.

Banana Republic Bejeweled Orchid Hair Clip

I seriously am in love with this hair clip. Whenever I don't feel like doing my hair for work, I twist my hair up into a bun and put in this hair clip and am ready to go. It is currently available at Banana Republic and retails for only $16. It adds instant femininity to any outfit that I put on!
Scott Barnes Body Bling

This is the best body bronzer that I've found and believe me I have tried quite a few. It doesn't have any self-tanner in it so it actually smells very good unlike many body bronzers that I've tried. The bronzer itself is quite dark even on my medium skin tone, so when I apply it, I mix it with equal parts body lotion for a more natural sun-kissed look. Note that you have to let it fully dry before you put your clothes on though or else it will rub off onto your clothes. The sheen that this bronzer provides though seriously is the best. Retailing at $49, it is not cheap, but one bottle will last you quite a while, particularly when mixed with body lotion. Unfortunately, I just ran out of mine and when I went to purchase another bottle I learned that it is sold out everywhere. The website indicates that it will be relaunced soon and you can sign up to be notified for when you can pre-order it here: http://www.scottbarnes.tv/news/2009/03/26/the-relaunch-of-body-bling/

TODAY ONLY: Steve Madden Shoes $19.95 on 6pm

TODAY ONLY select styles of Steve Madden shoes, including those pictures above, are on sale at http://www.6pm.com/ for only $19.95! Here is the link: http://www.6pm.com/search/sm0509/page/0/sort/goLiveDate/desc/

Miley Cyrus and Max Azria Collaborate to Design Line for Walmart

Pop singer Miley Cyrus is teaming up with fashion designer Max Azria (designer for the Max Azria, BCBG, and Herve Leger lines) to create a clothing line for the mega-retailer Walmart. The line is expected to be released in early August 2009 and will include graphic tees, shoes, accessories, tops and pants all for under $20. Check out this photo of Miley modeling clothes from the yet-to-be-released line. The line is supposed to be inspired by Miley's rock n roll roots.

Style Muse: Blair Waldorf

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to most of you that I absolutely adore the uber feminine style of the character Blair Waldorf on the popular CW television show Gossip Girl, played by actress Leighton Meester. For those of you that have seen Gossip Girl, you know that Blair's style (sweet and ladylike) is ironically the exact opposite of her personality (cold and stuck up). I've noticed that Blair wears a lot of pieces by Milly and Nanette Lepore, two of my favorite designers. And her style wouldn't be complete without her signature headband, many of which are by Jennifer Behr. We owe Blair's fabulous looks to Eric Daman, the head stylist on Gossip Girl, who once worked as an assistant on Sex and the City. Interestingly, Daman recently teamed up with the affordable clothing store Charlotte Russe to assist in the styling of their upcoming fall 2009 collection, which includes three different looks: Brit Punk, Girly Grunge, and Heirloom Romance.