Raid My Closet: My Recent Purchases

Just to show you that I follow my own fashion advice, I thought I'd go ahead and post a few of my most recent purchases, many of which are in keeping with the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion trends that I have been posting! If you would like any more details about these items, all of which I am loving, just let me know. The majority of them I believe are still available. Above: Double ruffle trench for $168 at www.anthropologie.com (Trend: Trench Dressing); Lovely People "Goldie" wedge for $139 at www.piperlime.com (Trend: Stacked Wedges); Heritage batwing-sleeve cardigan on sale for $59.99 on www.bananarepublic.com (Trend: Soft Neutrals). Below: Alfani embellished dress on sale for $79.99 on www.macys.com; Gleaming loops headband for $32 at www.anthropologie.com; Liberty of London for Target ruffle halter dress for $29.99 at www.target.com; Rayban "Wayfarer" sunglasses for $119 at www.macys.com; Banana Republic moto bomber jacket for $298 at www.bananarepublic.com (Trend: Soft Neutrals); Rose-Is-A-Rose headband for $32 at www.anthropologie.com (Trend: Soft Neutrals).

Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Trend: Side Braids

While I suppose this trend is not technically considered a "fashion" trend per se and is more so a "beauty" trend, I just couldn't resist including it in my rundown of the 2010 Spring/Summer trends. The side braid hairstyle was featured prominently on the SS2010 runways (Above: Alexander Wang; Miu Miu) and is popping up left and right on celebrities on the red carpet, at premiers, and other events (Below: Kate Bosworth; Leona Lewis; Mary-Kate Olsen; Nicole Richie; Rachel McAdams). This hairstyle can take multiple forms whether it is a traditional braid like Nicole Richie's braid below or a fishtail braid like Leona Lewis' braid below. This hairstyle also ranges from messy to more polished like Rachel McAdams' braid below. I haven't had a chance to experiment with this trend just yet, but I am excited to give it a try!

TODAY ONLY: 25% Off Your Regular-Priced Purchase on BananaRepublic.com

TODAY ONLY get 25% off regular-priced merchandise on www.bananarepublic.com. Enter code "WEEKEND25" at checkout.

TODAY ONLY: Save Up to $20 on DSW.com

TODAY ONLY get $10 off your purchase of $49 or more on www.dsw.com; get $15 off your purchase of $74 or more; and get $20 off your purchase of $99 or more. Enter code "SAVE326" at checkout.

Deals for the Week of March 29, 2010

American Eagle
April 2-April 4
15% off your purchase of $50 or more and free shipping on www.americaneagle.com
Enter code "34799021" at checkout
April 2-April 4
30% off all clearance items and free shipping on www.americaneagle.com
Enter code "83461705" at checkout

ASOS
April 2-April 5
Free shipping on your purchase on www.asos.com
No code necessary

Ann Taylor
April 1-April 4
40% off your purchase on www.anntaylor.com
Enter code "SAVE40" at checkout

Amazon.com
April 1-April 7
Clothing Clearance Sale: Extra 20% offalready-reduced merchadise for savings up to 75% off on www.amazon.com
No code necessary
Click here to access sale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=pe_78630_14789770_pe_g1/?node=2257247011&emi=ATVPDKIKX0DER

DSW
April 1-April 5
15% off regular-priced merchandise on www.dsw.com
Enter code "TAKE15" at checkout

Ann Taylor Loft
March 31-unknown
30% off all full-priced dresses on www.anntaylorloft.com
No code necessary
Click here to access sale: http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/category.jsp?pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&N=1200007&cid=E0002770
April 1-April 3
25% off all full-priced merchandise on www.anntaylorloft.com
Enter code "STYLE25" at checkout

Express
March 31-April 5
$15 off every $60 you spend on www.express.com
Enter code "4191" at checkout
Offer also good in-stores with coupon
Click here to print coupon for in-store use: http://www.express.com/assets/cms/coupons/mar/coupon-15-off-email1.pdf?om_rid=DzHLIG&om_mid=_BLsw$aB8Gt7Ctc&

Arden B
March 31-unknown
Up to 50% off select dresses on www.ardenb.com
No code necessary
Click here to access sale: http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=136&ref=ab_eml_ret-21100941
Free shipping on orders over $25

J. Crew
March 30-April 1
Extra 30% off final sale items on www.jcrew.com
Enter code "EXTRA30" at checkout
Free shipping on orders of $150 or more

Corey Lynn Calter
March 30-unknown
30% off your purchase on www.coreylynncalter.com
Enter code "DCCLC" at checkout

Kate Spade
March 29-April 4
Extra 25% off sale items on www.katespade.com
No code necessary
Click here to access sale: http://www.katespade.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=1872494&csu=30318&csc=30301&csm=129869414&csa=129869294

Bath & Body Works
March 29-April 18
Free Signature Collection shower gel (up to a $10.50 value) with any $10 purchase on www.bathandbodyworks.com
Enter code "SAPPHIRE" at checkout
Offer also good in-stores with coupon
Click here to print coupon for in-store use: http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/r/regf2?D_CODE=2277&aid=528207786&a=0&n=37&cm_mmc=CH-_-20100329RDMSC-_-10010967-_-subPrintCoupon&cm_lm=sabrinahaurin@hotmail.com
April 1-April 2
$1 shipping on purchase of $25 or more on www.bathandbodyworks.com
Enter code "SHIP1" at checkout

DJ Premium
March 29-March 31
20% off your purchase on www.djpremium.com
Enter code "1N9JF6" at checkout

Nine West
March 29-unknown
Dream Sale: 25% off select styles on www.ninewest.com
No code necessary
Click here to access sale: http://www.ninewest.com/Dream-Sale/5456529,default,sc.html?ep_tag=EMMAR29AD1

Skinterra
March 29-March 31
$50 off your purchase of $200 or more on www.skinterra.com
Enter code "SAVE50" at checkout
Excludes iS Clinical, Baby Quasar, and Relastin Trio

Bebe
March 29-April 4
$50 off your purchase of $250 or more on www.bebe.com
Enter code "DCLL-MJL2HB-RFJ9US" at checkout
Offer also good in-stores with coupon
Click here to print coupon for in-store use: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/07/52/98/74/752987490.pdf?ep_mid=67742544&ep_rid=1199179533
March 29-April 4
$20 off your purchase of $125 or more on www.bebe.com
Enter code "Q4GZ-TKGLDE-8LL2GE" at checkout
Offer also good in-stores with coupon
Click here to print coupon for in-store use: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/07/52/98/74/752987450.pdf?ep_mid=67742544&ep_rid=1199179533
March 29-April 4
Free shipping on orders over $150 on www.bebe.com
Enter code "SPRING10" at checkout

Bliss
March 29-March 30
Get a free gift bag of Bliss bestsellers with any purchase of $50 or more on www.blissworld.com
Enter code "WANTIT" at checkout
March 29-March 31
Get free shipping and a deluxe sample of the Youth as We Know It concentrate (a $35 value; 15 ml) with a Youth as We Know It moisturize cream purchase on www.blissworld.com
Enter code "POTM310" at checkout
March 30-April 30
Get a free 7-piece styling kit (a $40 value) and free shipping when you purchase a Sedu blowdryer or full-sized flatiron on www.blissworld.com
Enter code "SEDU" at checkout

Victoria's Secret
March 29-April 6
25% off select styles of pants on www.victoriassecret.com
Enter code "25PANTS" at checkout
March 29-April 6
Free shipping on orders of $100 or more on www.victoriassecret.com
Enter code "SHIPVS10" at checkout

Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Trend: Exotic Accessories

Another popular trend for this Spring and Summer are handbags and shoes in exotic prints. Handbags in snake, croc, alligator, and ostrich prints were all over the SS2010 runways (Above: Christian Louboutin; Michael Kors; Lanvin; VBH). And the good news is that you don't have to get the real thing either -- many of the on-trend handbags for this Spring and Summer are embossed so that you don't have to endanger an animal in the name of fashion! Below are some reasonably priced exotic embossed bags if you are considering giving this trend a try: Abas full frame clutch for $178 on www.piperlime.com; B. Makowsky shopper for $228 on www.nordstrom.com; Botkier "Howard" satchel for $575 on www.lunaboston.com; Coach "Kristin" clutch for $348 on www.macys.com; Stony Island handbag by Hilary Radley for $92 on www.lulus.com; Rebecca Minkoff "Nikki" hobo for $395 on www.piperlime.com; Rebecca Minkoff "Morning After Clutch" for $365 on www.lunaboston.com; MICHAEL Michael Kors "Lily" tote for $248 on www.macys.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs "Percy" crossbody bag for $148 on www.nordstrom.com; Inge Christopher hard case clutch for $144 on www.lorisshoes.com; Furla "Perla Tracolla" hobo for $645 on www.macys.com; Furla "Greta Tracolla" mini bag for $195 on www.macys.com; Furla "Carmen" shopper for $575 on www.piperlime.com; DKNY tote for $295 on www.macys.com; Coach "Kristin" drawstring hobo for $598 on www.macys.com.

The exotic trend is also not just limited to handbags this Spring and Summer. Many designers also debuted some fantastic exotic and exotic print shoes on the SS2010 runways (Below: Jimmy Choo; Tod's; Alexandra Neel; Santoni).

An exotic print shoe is a great way to add interest to an otherwise simple LBD. Below are some exotic print shoes to consider wearing this Spring and Summer: Bandolino "Kimberlyn" sandal on sale for $59.99 on www.piperlime.com; Bernardo "Mistral" sandal for $110 on www.piperlime.com; Jessica Simpson "Terri" peep-toe pump for $89 on www.macys.com; Nude Footwear "Milan" platform pump for $110 on www.piperlime.com; Style & Co. "Pamela" pump for $39.98 on www.macys.com; Via Spiga "Tandy" sandal for $175 on www.nordstrom.com; Nine West "Rocha" pump for $79 on www.piperlime.com; Kenneth Cole New York "925 Hot Streak" sandal for $194.95 on www.nordstrom.com; Naturalizer "Tipton" sandal for $59 on www.piperlime.com; BCBGeneration "Aster" sandal for $79.95 on www.nordstrom.com; Bourne "Kara" sandal for $210 on www.nordstrom.com; Kelsi Dagger "Sydney" sandal on sale for $89.99 on www.piperlime.com; Karen Scott "Benedict" slingback pump for $39.98 on www.macys.com; "Fiona" flat on sale for $12.99 on www.payless.com; Coach "Karolina" sandal for $238 on www.coach.com; Kate Spade "Gwen" peep-toe pump for $325 on www.piperlime.com.

Amazon.com Spring Fashion Sale

Spend $50 or more on New Arrivals direct from www.amazon.com and get 20% off your order plus free shipping. No code necessary. Click here to access the sale: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_272169822_1?ie=UTF8&node=1040660%2C2258791011&emi=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1VCJ8JPRMMWDG66HBEBX&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1250972222&pf_rd_i=2258791011.

Bloomingdale's Friends & Family Sale

From TODAY until March 28th, get 20% off almost all regular and sale-priced merchandise on www.bloomingdales.com. Enter code "FFMARCH" at checkout. Offer excludes Women's Apparel from Chanel, Marc Jacobs, All Saints, UGG® Australia and The North Face®. Offer excludes Fashion Accessories from Chanel Handbags, Soft Leather Goods, Shoes and Sunglasses, Dior Shoes and Handbags, Fendi Handbags, Soft Leather Goods and Shoes, Salvatore Ferragamo Leased Handbags and Soft Leather Goods, Jimmy Choo Shoes and Handbags, Louis Vuitton, Agent Provocateur, UGG® Australia Shoes, The North Face® Shoes and Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes. Offer also excludes Gift Cards, David Yurman, Cosmetics, Fragrances, Martine's Chocolates, Shop at Home Services, Rug Cleaning Services, Interior Design Special Orders and Fur Services.

Free shipping on orders over $300. No code necessary.

Offer also good in-stores with coupon from March 24th to March 27th. E-mail me or leave me a comment if you need the coupon for in-store use.

THIS Thursday, March 25th: Contemporary Week Cocktail Party

THIS Thursday, March 25th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., learn about Saks Fifth Avenue's newest contemporary vendors while listening to music spun by a DJ and enjoying martinis at a martini bar. For more information, call 614.430.3500 ext. 388. The event will be held at the Saks Fifth Avenue located in Polaris mall in Columbus.