StyleITOnline.com

Stylish Saturday: Orange Strappy Sandals, $50 Million Lies, Pop-Ups & Weekend Chic

Sarah Conley — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:41:02 EDT

Finds of the week:

High: K Jacques St Tropez Epicure leather sandals, $260
Low: Joe's Tina leather sandals, $90

Off the wire:

Smart reads:

Off The Rack: The Webster at Target Women's Apparel - The Budget Babe
{weekend wear} - Miss Whoever You Are
Arquiste fragrances - Cult of Pretty

Beauty Break: Molton Brown Launches Anti-Ageing Skincare & Bodycare Collection

Sarah Conley — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:58:42 EDT

What happens when everyone's favorite bodycare line launches anti-aging skincare? A beautifully crafted, diverse and powerful range of products are born.

The 13 piece collection is built around the concept that beauty should be low maintenance and high performance in four simple daily steps. While the collection does have mainstay products like cleansers, toners and moisturizers, there are also targeted (and interesting) solutions like the Pep-Rich Lip Booster, which helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines and boost moisture, or the Karanja Tree Sunshield, a mattifying sunscreen that can be applied over or under makeup.

Prices range from $42 to $98, a reasonable price point for such an established brands entry into anti-ageing skincare. In addition, Molton Brown's collection has clinical studies to back each product's claims and ingredients sourced from all over the world. That's not an inexpensive proposition.

What are your thoughts on Molton Brown? Do you love their products?

Stylish Sunday: The Liquid Line Divide, Karl's Mankini, Betsey's Blowout + More

Sarah Conley — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:35:34 EDT

Finds of the week:

High: YSL's Shocking Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen, $32
Low: Maybelline's Eye Studio Felt Tip Eyeliner, $8

Off the wire:

Karl Lagerfeld once owned (and wore) a mankini. Photo evidence because it happened.
Max Azria only works five hours a day. Redesigning the same bandage dress can't be that difficult.
Betsey Johnson files for Chapter 11, but the reality show is still on.

Smart reads:

LOFT Summer 2012 Lookbook - The Budget Babe
I'm Powerless Against a J.Crew/Pamela Love Collaboration - Eye4Style
It's Like Going On Vacation, But Not - Miss Whoever You Are

Advertorial: Shopping With The Duane Reader From Duane Reade

Sarah Conley — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:04:24 EDT

The lovely team from Duane Reade asked me to take a spin around a store this weekend guided by the latest issue of The Duane Reader. I already had a few things on my list, and since I love any adventure that requires me to shop, I wholeheartedly agreed.

Not familiar with The Duane Reader? Neither was I. I'd seen plenty of signs for it in any of the 20+ Duane Reade locations I've visited in the city, but I've never picked up a copy. It's reminiscent of a circular that you might pick up on your way into the supermarket, but with a tabloid flair. Described as "For New Yorkers In The Know", it's a blending of content & commerce, if you will.

Inside The Duane Reader, the products highlighted are on sale (like the Cheddar Penguins, which are so clearly better than goldfish, are $1.99), but what I loved even more than discovering products on sale was discovering that products that I need were on sale.

For example, there were a couple of big themes throughout the issue, but the two most relevant to me were the latest nail trends and getting outside with your pup. There are plenty of nail-related products on sale, including Red Carpet LED Gel Polish, Prevail lacquers and at-home manicure products, plus leashes and treats for my beloved Lola Belle - but I won't give away the good deals. You'll have to check The Duane Reader for that.

Looking for the closest Duane Reade store near you to check these deals out for yourself? Don't forget to read The Duane Reader before you shop. You can also connect with Duane Reade on Twitter and Facebook for more inside scoop. Want to see how I shop Duane Reade? I've got a photo album that gives you the play-by-play, plus an up close look at the items I picked up.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. My opinions and product selection are entirely my own. #DReade, #CBias, #DReadeVIP

On The Plus Side: Sunny With A Chance Of Showers

Sarah Conley — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT

You know those days. The ones where it's pouring down rain and you can't seem to convince yourself to do anything beyond getting out of bed but there's a full day on your calendar. I couldn't find a weather forecast suitable enough to take the MOMA Design Store's Sky Umbrella out for a test drive, but being one who isn't fond of looking gift horses in the mouth, I decided to use it on a sunny day, just because.

As you may not know (and if you do, congratulations!), this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sky Umbrella, designed by graphic artist Tibor Kalman. Best know for his bold and confrontational pieces, Kalman's Sky Umbrella has become iconic. If the Sky Umbrella has been your sunny companion on a rainy day, you can upload a photo of yourself with it to MOMA's Facebook where they are Celebrating 20 Years of Blue Skies for a chance to win a prize pack from the Design Store.

Outfit details:

Sky Umbrella: MOMA Design Store

Trench: Discovered at Re/Dress (no longer available)

Blue skinnies: Lane Bryant

Flats: Nine West Naughty

Tote: CFDA x eBay (no longer available)

Rope necklace: Target

Striped cuff: Amrita Singh

Photos by Tara Shashaty

StyleIT In The Press: New Beauty Spring/Summer 2012

Sarah Conley — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT

Exciting news! If you happen to flip through a copy of New Beauty's Spring/Summer 2012 issue, you'll find a quote from me on page 70 talking about Sula's Paint & Peel polishes. Also quoted in the issue are my girls Eileen from Miss Whoever You Are, Shannon from A Girl's Gotta Spa, and Carla from Product Girl.

What did I have to say about Sula's Paint & Peel Polishes?

"instead of peeling up at the edges, as I expected, the polish actually wore at the edges like normal formulas. Call me a believer."

For more on this innovative product, check out my review here.

Stylish Sunday: Bubblegum Jelly Totes, Ashley Judd's Face and DIY Nail Art

Sarah Conley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:29:23 EDT

Finds of the week:

High: Michael Michael Kors Jelly Jet Set Tote, $168
Low: Danielle Nicole Jelly Tote, $54

Off the wire:

Smart reads:

Bisou Bisou for JCPenney Spring 2012 Loookbook - The Budget Babe
DIY Nail Stickers - The Beauty Department
Escape Plotting (In Pin, Obviously) - A Little Alytude

Advertorial: What's In My Bag? Plus ELLE + Revlon Power Purse Giveaway

Sarah Conley — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT

Oh, fashion. You make us do the silliest things. Here's a perfect example: I fell in love with the Kate Spade Bond Street Florence (in flo coral, of course) and frankly, it's not as big of a bag as I would like for every day. I had to get strategic about the things I really needed to get me through the day but the biggest economizing came from my makeup bag. I'm a beauty junkie, and while the products I use (and carry) change every day, I still bring way too much. My little Flo - as I affectionately call my bag - has really taught me the value of editing.

This is an excellent example of my version of a "power purse". For the business part of me, I rely on essentials like my Marc Jacobs business card holder, Listerine Strips, a fine point pink Sharpie, my 2012 goal journal and my Graphic Image 2012 Agenda. Of course my Tom Ford sunnies are an absolute essential, for both work and play. When it comes to beauty, I really like to play with my look. I love the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters, seen here in Lollipop and Peach Parfait. They're great for a downsized makeup bag because they deliver a punch of color with the hydrating elements of a lip balm.

Revlon and ELLE Magazine have teamed up to celebrate beauty through the lens of self confidence, personal style and the necessity of being prepared for anything that comes your way. ELLE has curated 8 unique power purses to be given away to very lucky ladies. The value of each bag is $3,000, including both the handbag and contents.

4 of these amazing bags will be given away via Revlon's Facebook page, however another 4 will be dropped at diverse locations throughout the country. Want to get your hands on one? Connect with Revlon on Facebook for clues on how to find the drop location and great daily giveaways. If you aren't one of the lucky eight winners, you can still get your hands on goodies at each drop site, like samples, makeovers and other fun incentives.

Here's what I want to know - what do you pack in your power purse?

Stylish Saturday: Spectator Pumps, Coral Lips and The Drama Llama Comes To Town

Sarah Conley — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:14:30 EDT

Finds of the week:

High: Manolo Blahnik Fonden Spectator Lace-Up Sandal, $945
Low: Brooks Brothers Leather T-Strap Spectator, $198

Off the wire:

Smart reads:

My cherry blossom nail art tutorial - The Budget Babe
Coral Obligation: Three Vibrant Coral Lip Accoutrements For Spring - Beauty Blogging Junkie
Style Journey: Pink Lemonade - Stylish Curves

Fashion Fix: Baublebar's Personalized Pieces

Sarah Conley — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EDT

It's no secret that I love Baublebar. I'm obsessed with the affordable price points, the fashion-forward approach to jewelry and, naturally, the recent collaboration with DKNY. Just in time for the pretty preppy spring trends, BaubleBar released a new series of personalized jewelry.

In just 3 - 5 weeks, you can have your very own personalized pieces, from initials to monograms, for $152 and under. There's something so organic and comforting about monograms. Sure, you can get your initials embroidered on your towels or a plush bathrobe, or if you're extra posh, on your Louis Vuitton luggage.

BaubleBar's collection of custom pieces is pretty extensive. For example, you can customize:

Octagon Initial Bracelet, $50

Initial Stud Earrings, $50

Hexagon Pendant Necklace, $52

Engraved Monogram Necklace, $152

Plus, they offer the classic nameplate necklace or, if you're feeling tech-chic, a Twitter nameplate version.

Since I'm a bit sentimental, I love the idea of personalized jewelry (and wear a few pieces of my own). How do you feel about the trend?