This weekend was glorious in the Silicon Valley! It was sunny and 80 degrees, the Forty Niners broke their losing streak at home and I was able to heap some great finds at great discounts on my customers. Never have I seen sales on such abundant inventory. It is a shoppers paradise, particularly on high ticket and luxury items. I do not expect that this will last. I look for vastly reduced inventories for Spring as designers make adjustments.
What did I see people buying? I saw high quality, timeless items such as Little Black Dresses, classic pants and jackets and tops that could be worn season over season. Now is the time to pick up a piece or two that will truly extend your wardrobe with high quality items that can be worn again and again. Working on your Holiday list? Look at a small number of the highest quality items that fit your budget.
Shopbop is a preferred vendor at the GlamourByLBD shopping site. Check out the specials that are headlining their website today. Most items are 30 to 70 percent off. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture, Vince; and shoes by Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Derek Lam and Jean Paul Gaultier to name a few.
There is no reason to shop impulsively. Buy the best quality of exactly what you want. Because it is out there and it is on sale. While supplies last.
A practical and popular trend this season is the neckline embellished with jewels. I am seeing it on LBDs, sweaters, jackets and even tops. The reviews from the top fashion editors have been consistently complementary because it is flattering and practical. For one thing, it is so easy to wear when your jewels are sewn right to the neckline of your outfit. And, as long as the piece is properly fitted, the embellishments will fall in just the right place.
Detail is so important this season. Just try it on in the store. Make sure that the neckline is flattering because this will draw attention to your face and neckline (thus, away from your midsection, flabby arms, behind, or whatever you want attention drawn from). If the fit is not really good, consider the possibilities of alteration or simply step away. A proper fit will be flattering and a poor fit will look either sloppy or boxy.
Click here to learn more about this jacket from Doncaster.
I had lunch today with two dear friends at a very fun little haunt in San Jose called The Chic Chateau, which is a wonderful combination of two of my favorite things: boutique shopping and light lunch! While we were shopping, one friend was frustrated because her jeans just did not fit the way that she liked. The choices she had come upon were either too tight or mom jean sloppy.
Upon returning home, I was on the phone with another friend who was very unhappy that her jeans that fit so great in the store stretched beyond comfort after only two hours of wear. It is truly a frustrating proposition to find jeans that look and feel great if you have curves or are over the age of 35.
May I introduce you to the Gatsby from Joe’s Jeans? It has a relatively high waist, but most important a generous thigh and wide leg. Great for celebrating those curves without looking like someone tried to stuff you into the jeans of your past. They are very flattering and comfortable with pockets in just the right places and the perfect flare of the leg from the knee.
I often check in at Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style when seeking inspiration. The other day, I happened upon his three accessory essentials: a classic purse, a good watch and basic black pumps I have to agree except that I don’t wear a watch and use my Red Blackberry Pearl as my timekeeper. Its a practical matter: I just seem to break watches even faster than cell phones!
I talk a lot about purses so here’s a quick summary: a purse should be of high quality but not have the price tag of a vacation; should be large enough to carry essentials but not so large that it adds too much bulk to your stature.
This purse from HOBO is a good value for an investment bag because it has the important classic essentials: the patent leather is true leather, it has high quality hardware, classic styling that will endure and the choice of a strap or a strap. It is on the larger side of acceptable, giving it plenty of room for the daily essentials to be organized. 
Shoes must be beautiful, functional and comfortable. The Marcy Mary Jane Pump is well worth the price because it gets high points for all three of these in my book. It is actually constructed of a perforated patent leather upper for a fun and trendy look. The sole is orhopedic rubber. Check out the shoes on the Endless.com website to learn more about the company and how they built their shoe.
This is a beautiful watch from ESQ, which is my favorite manufacturer of the everyday watch. It is a Swiss watch and has many great qualities generally found in watches with a much higher price tag. It is constructed of Stainless Steel with a Mineral Crystal; Quartz Movement; Pink Mother of Pearl Dial; and Diamond Set Bezel. With its jewelry clasp, it is not likely to slip off of your arm and is water resistant.
With these pieces and a nice set of earrings, you are ready for your day. No additional accessories required.
In honor of our Armed Forces, it seemed only fitting to feature a military inspired piece. It is such an important trend this season and flattering too.
This little jacket from MaxStudio with its front detail and interesting collar that moves the eye toward the neckline is very flattering for the rectangle and triangle body type. And with huge markdowns, its is priced to sell. These sleeves are meant to be worn pulled up above the elbow. Wearing them all the way down puts the sleeve in the same line with the bottom of the jacket, which looks boxy. Wear it with jeans or to the office with dark pants or a skirt. Or as a jacket over your favorite tailored LBD.
Here is what MaxStudio has to say about this piece:
This sleek and seamed stretch faille jacket has lots of fun design touches to lend a chic military vibe: the shrunken shape, the epaulets at the shoulders that create an angular shaped neckline, chain stitching and seaming throughout, along with big utilitarian buttons. Pockets that are cleverly designed into the seams are just another reason to put this on your must-own list. This glam jacket fits true to size and is fully lined. 59% RAYON, 22% NYLON, 15% SPANDEX, 4% POLYESTER
Click here to learn more about this Shrunken Seamed Jacket from MaxStudio.
