Purely Chic

Stripes Oh My

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:12:00 +0000

Every time I've been out and about in the last few weeks all I see are stripes! I think stripes are definitely a print that never really goes away, but this Spring it will be all over the place. I did a little shopping last week and 4 out of 5 tops I bought were stripe printed. I found myself trying hard to find tops that weren't stripes because it's such a big part of what stores are selling right now and it's hard finding anything else. They can definitely be a flattering print so that's pretty great, but also, chances are you already have something in your closet that matches this trend. If that's the case then you can pull those out of your closet and hold onto your cash a little longer!

Stripes by Stephanie on Polyvore.com

Be Mine

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:46:00 +0000

In case you didn't know... it's almost Valentine's Day! I love Valentine's Day because of the fun colors and delicious sweets! Even if you don't have someone to share it with, there isn't any reason why this fun holiday can't be joyful day for you. Rent a classic and invite some friends over! And if you do have big plans for a night out with someone special, here is a trendy outfit to draw inspiration from. As I've mentioned before, I love mixing textures- especially lace and leather. This may not be your traditional Valentine's outfit but it doesn't have to be. Think outside of the expected red dress. I would even consider changing out the leather skirt for some leather pants if that's more your style. Find something that you love and add your personal touches to it. Maybe take a chance on a bold lipstick color this year :) It would be the perfect day to do that!

Be Mine by Stephanie featuring leather mini skirts

ELLE SHOP [] [sukienka malina] na sprzedaż Rezerwacja | Verunika...
29,400 JPY - hfm.co.jp
Dresses »

Seamed Leather Mini Skirt
$125 - topshop.com
Leather mini skirts »

Tribtoo shimmer leather pumps
545 GBP - harveynichols.com
High heel pumps »

Images of Georgian Almandine Garnet Earrings - The Three Graces
$1,850 - georgianjewelry.com
Garnet earrings »

Valentine's Day Cupcake Decorating Ideas
$12 - squidoo.com

VIRSERUM
$20 - ikea.com

I love my...

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:08:00 +0000

I love my Velvet Angel shoes!! These shoes don't have the typical skinny heel that I usually buy, but I absolutely love them. They look so good with jeans, dresses and tights! I've put them on everyday and walked around in my house just because I'm so excited about them. These shoes are very comfortable and they're not even from one of the newer collections. What I mean by that is, after their first few seasons, Velvet Angels updated their design by adding a suede pad inside the shoe where the ball of your foot is. It's a little extra detail that makes their heels very comfortable in addition to the sexy and unique designs. The heel I bought is called The Charlatan and it is a few seasons old. However, I have absolutely no problem with that. I'm actually thinking about getting them in the cream color as well so that I can wear them with anything. I highly recommend these shoes:) This style isn't available too many places anymore, but I did find a few and attached the links below.
~ eilatan.com
~ jockmyfresh.com

Hello February

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:23:00 +0000

Hello February by Stephanie featuring metal jewelry

3.1 Phillip Lim Open-knit cotton-blend sweater
$375 - net-a-porter.com
Ribbed tops »

Rinsed Tube Kelly Straight Leg Jean by Nudie Jeans
89 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Skinny leg jeans »

L.A.M.B. Crepe (Black Leather) - L.A.M.B. Shoes
$365 - zappos.com
Leather pumps »

Cord And Chipping Hoop Earring
$28 - topshop.com
Metal jewelry »

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 110640 RED/VIOLET SILK E4390
140 GBP - farfetch.com
Printed scarves »

Suplemento de Inverno 2008 8,2-10 Página
$9.80 - stampersanonymous.com

My favorite (non-designer) Jeans!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Monday Favorite

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:50:00 +0000

If your hair is feeling very dry and weak maybe it's time to switch to a new thermal protectant! And if you don't use one at all, then it's REALLY time for a new thermal protectant:) I was iffy about these products when they first became popular, but now it's become second nature. Think of it as sunscreen for your hair...what the sun does to your skin without it, is exactly what it (including heat products) do to your hair without a thermal protectant. If you're not sure what kind to try out first then head over to Sephora and purchase a bottle of the Carol's Daughter Heat Protectant Gloss. It's one of Sephora's best sellers and it smells great! You can purchase the 2 oz bottle for $18, but if money is tight then I would ask if they have any samples. If they won't give you any to take home then you should at least be able to try some while you're in the store. Spray some on your hair and see how it feels. If you're still thinking about it the next day then don't hesitate to go back and purchase a bottle...your hair will thank you!

Outfit of the Day! 1-21-11

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 06:30:00 +0000

AF Deal of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Okay so it might be a little early to be thinking about Spring clothes but I just love this strapless top at Abercrombie & Fitch. And what I love even more is the price! On sale for only $12.90! Yes, they have other colors if pink isn't your style, but I really like how bright it is. The link to purchase is below just in case you're already thinking about warmer weather :)

* Belle Strapless

Outfit of the Day & Boots Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 08:31:00 +0000

So I had some trouble finding the brown pair- they seem to be sold out in most places. I did find a place to buy the black pair, which are just as great, have them as well and attached the link below. I'll keep looking for the brown and post an update if I find them!

Report Fairfax 3 Boots- Black

Scarf Tying Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:11:00 +0000

Great Booties!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 06:27:00 +0000

I wanted to quickly share about how much I love the booties I just bought! These are Chinese Laundry and I found them at TJ Maxx for $45! Originally when I saw them they didn't have my size, so I went home and tried finding them online which I did but for more money. I went back to the store the next day and I found my size, which was a relief because I was considering spending the extra money online. My favorite is the sheer material/netting that forms the main part of the shoe. I appreciate that it's not a solid color because somehow it feels more feminine this way. If you're interested in purchasing a pair check out your local TJ Maxx to see if they're carrying them or purchase them online by clicking the links below!

Endless- $62.30

Zappos- $60.50

Amazon- Price Varies

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 04:43:00 +0000

Jimmy Choo & UGG

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 02:46:00 +0000

Happy New Year's!! We are in our second day of 2011 which coincidentally feels a lot like 2010:) January might be one of my least favorite months simply because I associate it with Christmas being over, but I know some may like it due to it being a fresh start to a new year. Either way, we are still in the winter season which means we're still dressing warm and wearing boots!
Right before the holidays I was shopping with my mom and we stopped by the Jimmy Choo store to take a look at the new boots they've collaborated with UGGs on. These are two very popular brands both of which almost everyone has heard of but they also couldn't be any different. The boots are a limited edition collection and range in prices from $595-$795. I really love the UGG brand but I'm a little disappointed that the design team dropped the ball on these. They really could have come up with some sleek boots, but apparently their idea of that was adding lots of studs. I shouldn't be too disappointed because it's not as though I had planned on buying a pair, but i did think the collaboration of the two brands was very interesting. Email me if you own or pair or know someone who does because I'd love to hear your opinion on them!

Such a Steal!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 02:56:00 +0000

Like many of you, I have been doing a lot of boot shopping. I can be very indecisive about these because I prefer to buy a pair that's more expensive so that they will last me a few seasons. I have a few pairs on my list that are sure to be in my closet for the long term, but I'm waiting for Christmas gift cards before I make my purchase:) Now of course I couldn't wait until Christmas for everything so when I walked by the window at Cathy Jean and saw the sale sign, it was destiny stepping in. It had only been days earlier that I walked by that store and saw a pair of flat suede over the knee boots on display, and said to myself (and my husband) "I really want those boots!". The difference this time is that they were on display with a 70% off sign! Now I'm not sure if you realize this but typically the clothes and shoes that are in season and style do not go on sale for a substantial amount. In other words, I wouldn't have expected to see these boots so cheap until the beginning of Spring. I did indeed make the purchase of these boots and I absolutely love them! Not only that, but I've received compliments on them every time I have worn them. The regular price of the boots are $119.99, but they are now on sale for $36.00. I bought them in taupe but they come in a total of 4 colors. I would really recommend these boots to anyone who is looking for a new pair this season!

*If you're interested in buying them online click here- They're offering free shipping on orders over $35

Black Orchid Jeggings

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:03:00 +0000

I see the appeal in a pair of jeggings- they're stretchy and comfortable but you feel more put together because they look like jeans. The fact that they work well with any body type is also a huge bonus. I'm really excited to have found a quality pair that is made well and isn't over priced like other designer jeans. The Black Orchid black jewel five pocket jeggings have become a big hit with many celebrities and they only cost $105.00. That might still be pricey for some, but when you think about these being your go-to pants (the pants you wear with almost everything) the price will start looking better. The two colors in the pictures below are Mist and Midnight, which are my favorites, but they also come in more traditional jean colors. So if you're looking for some pants to get you through this season I would suggest trying these :)

Happy Monday!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:19:00 +0000

To piggyback off of yesterday's blog, here is a picture of my hair today using the Goody Spin Pins :) I like them more every time I use them! Enjoy your Monday!

Spin Pins

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:13:00 +0000

It's amazing that when the weather changes hairstyles do too! Braids were extremely popular this Spring/Summer, which I loved because they quickly turned a boring hairstyle into one that looks like you spent a lot of time on! Braids will still be popular for Fall/Winter especially traditional side braids because they're still visible under hats. Another hairstyle I think we'll start seeing more of are buns. Not tight going to ballet class buns, but loose and messy buns. I've been experimenting with these lately, particularly ones off to the side that sometimes have loose strands hanging down. My hair can be more difficult to work with because I have fine hair, so any style that isn't straight and down doesn't always turn out. That's why I was intrigued when I saw the commercials for the Goody Spin Pins. Basically, these pins come in packs of two and are made to hold your hair when you want to wear a bun. On the commercial it's very simple- you wrap your hair in a bun and stick one barrette in the top and one at the bottom and voila! Of course it wasn't that easy for me but they did prove to be extremely helpful. I needed to add two more bobby pins in order to secure my hair, but that's a lot less than it would have normally taken- it's also possible that I need to play around with them a little more. I did a search on the internet to find out how other people like them and found a 5 out of 5 stars review on Amazon. Forty-six people have reviewed them which is a good amount. All in all, I think these hair accessories are definitely worth having this Fall/Winter. I bought them at Target for $5.99- if you see them selling for more you're being over charged. Any readers who end up buying them please email me and let me know how you like them!

Hello Again

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 04:18:00 +0000

Well I think it's safe to say that it's been WAY too long since I've blogged! I completely missed the whole summer season, which I'm sad about because I had some really fun stuff to share. The reason for the long break is because my husband and I moved to a new city and it's been so busy since we've made the switch- absolutely wonderful, but busy!
So here we are at the very beginning of Fall- it's always in the first stage of a new season when I get the most excited and inspired to write about the trends I'm seeing. I have to say Fall/Winter is probably my favorite season to dress for- at least it always feels that way when Summer ends. I think coats and boots are two items I can never have enough of. I'm not sure why that is considering one could techincally get through a whole Fall/Winter season with only two of each (dare I even say one). Regardless, I'm always searching for another of each- sometimes even in Summer, haha. Well as I start to fill my wardrobe with more weather appropriate items, I look forward to sharing about the wonderful deals I find! Stay tuned!

Fall Beginnings by Stephanie featuring hobo handbags

autumn's gift floral brown dress
$39 - shopruche.com
Short sleeve dresses »

SUEDE OVERKNEE BOOTS
593 GBP - mytheresa.com
Suede mid calf boots »

Red By Marc Ecko Into The Wild Hobo Bag
$30 - shopecko.com
Hobo handbags »

romantic ruffled scarf - Echo Design » Shop Designer Scarves, Home...
$38 - echodesign.com
Echo Design scarves »

paper
bwgreyscale.com

stars and sons.
starsandsons.tumblr.com

Beautiful autumn leafs
pixmac.com

GAP sandals

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:50:00 +0000

I just wanted to quickly share about these GAP sandals I bought a few weeks ago. I meant to blog about them earlier but hadn't had a chance, so hopefully they'll still be available in stores in case you want to purchase them. The sandals come in two colors, the gold in the picture below, and silver. The reason I think they're worth sharing about is because they are SO comfortable. The sole is really cushioned, which sometimes isn't the case with embellished sandals. They are so stylish and I get compliments on them every time I wear them. I bought the ones in silver, but both are great. So the other reason they're worth blogging about is because they're on sale for only $15 dollars! Hopefully you can still grab a pair!

Here are some of my other favorite sandals this season:

Sandals by Stephanie featuring DV by Dolce Vita shoes

DV by Dolce Vita 'Dylan' Sandal
$50 - nordstrom.com
More DV by Dolce Vita sandals »

Naughty Monkey 'Slim Gem' Sandal - View All - Nordstrom
$30 - nordstrom.com

Rampage Reva Sandals for Women - - Shopping.com
shopping.com

Rompers

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:01:00 +0000

One style that I absolutely love this summer, but still have not purchased one for myself, are Rompers! I'm usually not into a one piece of anything unless it's a dress, but I was quickly won over once I saw how many styles and patterns these come in. I only care for the short rompers, but there are some people who can rock the pants as well- they're just not my style. I would say that almost every woman's/junior clothing company is producing a version of these, so the prices really vary. The other great thing about a romper is that they're mostly loose fitting, so for those who don't usually feel comfortable wearing shorts they're a great alternative. Here are a few of my favorites this season:

Running barefoot

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Who would have thought more cushion for the feet could have a negative effect on your body during outdoor activities? In Christopher McDougall 's book, Born to Run, he talks about how he went from being a runner that was constantly injured, to one that was "unbreakable and unstoppable" all because he started running barefoot. He goes on to explain that so much emphasis is put on making sure you have the right supportive footwear when really it's all about the technique, just like any other sport. As running shoes continue to become more supportive and cushioned it forces the runner to land in an unnatural way which causes more injures and damage to the body. He dug into researching why running shoes are considered so important and what he found was nothing. "Because there is no evidence that running shoes do anything to prevent injuries. None. In fact, research currently in progress indicates that runners in shoes experience far more impact than runners in bare feet."
While this running barefoot debate continues, it is becoming increasingly more popular to wear something that protects just the sole of the foot from glass and other objects, while offering no other support. What would that be you might ask? Vibram Five Fingers is a protective glove for your feet that allow you to still feel the ground underneath you, but stay protected because of the rubber sole. While I was home visiting a few weeks ago I was able to try these out; My mom had ordered a pair after a seeing a man wearing them hiking while they were on a vacation at the Grand Canyon. They take a few minutes to get use to because it literally is a glove on your foot and most people aren't use to that feeling. After the awkwardness wears off you can really get a sense of the appeal. To be able to go hiking and have your feet conform to the rock underneath it instead of possibly slipping is a pretty neat thing. The Vibram Five Fingers cost anywhere between $75.00- $110.00, which is similarly priced to regular running shoes. These "shoes" may get you a few weird looks, as their not as popular in America yet as in Europe, but if you're big into outdoor sports it might be worth the risk.

Purses under $100

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:55:00 +0000

I love the excitement of buying a new purse! Transferring all your stuff into the new one and getting it all nice and organized. Telling yourself that you really will keep it this organized the whole time you own it. Thinking that this might be the last purse you ever buy because it's so perfect and the thought of needing another one seems ridiculous. For the first week I can usually stick to my word on keeping it organized- I won't throw my gum wrappers or receipts in it, i try to keep lip glosses in a separate pouch so they won't leak, and I keep all my hair accessories together to avoid loose bobby pins roaming around. Once that is over, the satisfaction I felt which led me to think I would never need a new purse fades away too. This is when the purse shopping begins, and the cycle starts all over. To this day, my mom still has a different purse every time I see her. Of course she claims that it's not new and that she's had it forever, but I know the truth because she's passed her love for purses down to me. If you're in the market for a new purse I would start by looking in any discount store like TJ Maxx. They have such great deals on some very high quality bags. Yesterday I saw a great Cynthia Rowley tote for $150, when it would have originally sold for $450. If that doesn't interest you then take a look at a few others I picked out that are all under $100...the pink ones my favorite:)

Purses by Stephanie featuring TopShop bags

Items in this set:
Washed Metal Corner Tote Bag, $80
Purse Boutique: Fuchsia ''Contrast Trim'' Melie Bianco Hobo Handbag,..., $80
adidas by Stella McCartney - Bursa (Pure Blue) - Bags and Luggage, $79
Zipping Around Town Bag, $65

Sun Kissed

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:52:00 +0000

Over the last couple weeks we've had some days with really great weather! On those days, I've really enjoyed not having to worry about bringing a jacket or wearing something light over my tank top when I leave the house. The draw back of it almost being summer is that, although it's warm enough to wear shorts, your legs might not be ready. They may still resemble the tone they do in winter when your skin's not seeing any sun. Luckily this is a quick fix and one that can be done without a toxic tanning bed. Using a tinted moisturizer will do the trick if you're able to be patient and give it a few days before seeing results. If you need something a bit faster try picking up a self tanning lotion and you'll be able to tell a difference within a day. I did a bit of research on the best self tanning lotions and moisturizers to see how they're rated on various things like price, smell, results, streaking etc. Here are my top picks in no particular order:

Ruffles

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:52:00 +0000

I hope the title of this blog doesn't make you think of potato chips, but just in case, I should let you know that that's not what I'm referring to:) I bought a cropped cardigan a few weeks ago (no surprise that I was purchasing another cardigan, lol) that has a ruffle design going down the front. Little did I know that this design is a huge hit this season, and not just with cardigans but shirts and dresses as well. I think it's a very feminine and fun trend as long as it's subtle. Too many ruffles can definitely be over kill, but since there are so many choices out there, it shouldn't be a problem finding something that's not. The white cardigan in the collage below is the one I purchased from Express, except in gray. I believe it's only $20 right now, maybe cheaper, and they have many other colors. Check it out if you have time!

Ruffles by Stephanie featuring Antik Batik dresses

Items in this set:
Embellished draped wool dress, $320
American Eagle AE Women's Ruffle Tube Dress Black, $50
Women's new arrivals - tees & knits - Tissue ruffle tank - J.Crew, $40
Metropark / WYL / Black Racer Ruffle Tank, $39
Old Navy Womens Ruffle-Trim Open-Front Cardigans, $30

Rockin Style

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:19:00 +0000

Yay I have internet again! I should have mentioned this before but we just moved and had to get our internet hooked up, which means I've been unable to blog. Even though I never seem to post as many times as I'd like, I am back! So, I don't know if I've ever said this before, but mixing different styles sometimes produces my favorite outfits. My example below is a black leather bomber jacket paired with a lace feminine skirt. A plain t-shirt and some chunky accessories really complete the look. The point is, don't feel like you can't mix and match your nice pieces with your casual ones!

Rockin Style by Stephanie featuring All Saints jackets

Items in this set:
Cobra Leather Bomber, 250 GBP
LC Lauren Conrad Lace Skirt, $44
Carrissa's Wide Black Woven Knot Cuff Bracelet, $59
stock.xchng - Photo album frames 4 (stock photo by anafa)
Herald Double-Roll Wallpaper - Black/ White : Target, $75