Style: 20% OFF Everything at Skinstore.com

Love beauty products? 

Indulge yourself this Valentine's Day:

Skinstore.com

20% OFF everything

Use code "HEARTS20" at checkout. Sale ends 2/11/13.

Includes brands like: Philosophy, Bliss, Butter London, Molton Brown, L'Occitane, Bare Minerals, Boots No. 7, Juara, Ahava, & more!

Here are a few of my fave items:

skinstore.com sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Events: LULUS.COM Style Studio 2/9

LULUS.COM Style Studio

Saturday, February 9th | 6-10pm

404 10th Avenue (btwn 33rd & 34th Streets)*

*The flyer says 10th Street but neither East nor West 10th Street is in the 10001 zip code. So, I'm guessing they meant 10th Avenue, which is in the 10001 zip code.

What to Expect:

* Discover your look with the Style Map

* Take home a FREE special Lulu's item

* FREE drinks & snacks

* Beauty & fashion GIVEAWAYS

FREE TO ATTEND

Style: Report on the Elizabeth McKay Sample Sale

Elizabeth McKay Sample Sale

Up to 75% OFF

January 31 - February 2, 2013 | 10am - 8pm

1020 Lexington Avenue (72nd/73rd Streets), 2nd Floor

Prices: 

Tops $40 | Dresses: $60 | Outerwear: $80

(Prices were not posted for skirts, shorts, & pants.)

ALL SALES FINAL

I visited the sale today (the first day) at lunchtime. I was really impressed with the wide selection available in every size: 0-12. There were the most items in size 6; however, everyone was trying on 2 sizes up and 2 sizes down. The fits really varied and there were a lot of styles that seemed to be pretty universal one-size-fits-all. There were definitely ladies saying that they normally wear a 10 and were fitting in 6's. 

This sale was a little different than the one I reviewed last year (last year's review HERE) because there is now 1 cabana-style dressing room available! When that was occupied there were still some women trying things on out in the showroom too, like last time. The prices were the same great ones they offered last year too!! 

As you walk in the door, they have all the spring items displayed. The fall items are in the back towards the window facing the street. The sale associates told me that even more items would be added to the sale over the next couple days and pointed to a large stack of boxes behind their desk. So, rest assured if there's something you love that you don't see in my pictures, it just might end up out there later! The only thing I noticed there weren't so many of were the embroidered Nephew and Chevron tunics.

Here are a few of the items I tried on and/or purchased:

Elephant Scotland Silk Wrap Dress $60 

(Originally $275)

There were some really great patterns! Most of the collection featured Emerald Green, which is sure to be hot this year since it's the Pantone Color of the Year!

There were lots of great long-sleeve styles in the Fall/Winter section in the back!

Spring Julia Jacket $80 

(Originally $295) 

There were lots of party dresses, printed long sleeve silk tops, tunic tops, ruffled solid sleeveless silk tops, & more!

...and last but not least, my awesome stash! Lions and leopards and elephants and alligators, oh my!! I got a Julia Jacket, Scotland Silk Dress, Belle Tunic, another Tunic (older style) & a sleeveless cotton dress.  I cannot wait for Spring/Summer. I'm gonna wear these ALL the time :) If you love Lilly Pulitzer, Roberta Freymann, or Kate Spade then this sale is definitely for you!

Minor Side Note: They did try to charge me sales tax on items that were under $110. I believe that according to NY State Government (see HERE & HERE), there should be no sales tax on any of the clothing items at the sample sale so you may have to rectify this with the store later. They were very nice about it and said they'd look into it. It almost didn't matter because the prices were so good anyway :)

Style: Clothingline Sample Sales - Everything Under $40 Tomorrow!

Clothingline Sample Sales

216 W 36th Street (btwn 7th/8th Ave), 2nd Floor

Thursday, January 31st ONLY

10am - 3pm

Women's Clothing by:

Free People ($10-15), Joe's Jeans ($10-$20), Gryphon ($20-$40), La Fee Virte Lingere ($10-$25), Hat Attack ($10, 2 for $15), Thursday Friday ($10-$25), Julie Brown ($39), Ketz-ke (2 for $15), Qi ($40)

Dressing rooms will be closed. All sales final.

Visa, AmEx, Mastercard, debit, & cash accepted.

Style: Baubles on a Budget, Part I - Bracelets

L-R: C.Wonder, Forever 21, Lilly Pulitzer

| C.Wonder ($48, SIMILAR1, SIMILAR2) |

| Forever21 ($11.99, SIMILAR) |

| Lilly Pulitzer ($48, HERE) |

L-R: All by BCBGeneration.
| Large Dream Bracelet ($18, HERE) |
| Mini Amor Bracelet ($12, HERE) | Mini Fearless Bracelet ($12, HERE) | 
| Large Bow Bracelet ($9.99, HERE) |

Complete BCBGeneration collection available at Dillard's. 
Small $12 (or 2 for $18), Large $18.

Style: 6 Hour Sale at L'Occitane - Up to 50% OFF + Gift w/ Purchase

L'Occitane of Provence

TODAY ONLY UNTIL 5PM ET

Select products up to 50% OFF Online

Click HERE to shop the sale.

ALSO, receive a FREE Shea Butter gift 

with a $65+ purchase:

Use code "SHEA"

Events: An Evening at Henri Bendel on 2/7

Henri Bendel & Lady Drinks

welcome you to

Cocktails, Networking, & Shopping!

Hosts: Joya Dass & Greta Knutzen

Cocktails & Networking w/ NY Women in Business

AND 20% OFF full priced merchandise

February 7th, 2013

6pm-8:30pm

Henri Bendel

712 Fifth Avenue @ 56th Street

Back of the 2nd Floor

RSVP: MKNAPP@LIMITEDBRANDS.COM

Style: FREE Beauty Set w/ $20 e.l.f. Purchase!

e.l.f Cosmetics

Get the "Girl on the Go" beauty set FREE 

w/ a purchase of $20+!

Enter "LETSGO" at checkout

Offer ends 2/4

Shop e.l.f. by clicking HERE.

Set includes:

- Little Black Beauty Book (Warm & Cool Editions)

- Lotion Wipes in Shea Butter

- Essential Eye Shadow Brush

- Essential Blending Eye Brush

- Mineral Eyeshadow Primer in Sheer

- Essential Liquid Eyeliner in Black

- Essential Lengthening and Defining Mascara in Black

- Studio Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose

- Shimmer Lip Gloss in Hope

[Note: Shipping is $6.95. Alternatively, you can get FREE shipping w/o the free beauty set on purchases of $25+ using the code SHIP25]

Style: There's a BIG Sale at Zara Right Now!

On Saturday I checked out the big sale going on at Zara right now (specifically at the 34th Street store in NYC). I was really impressed with the sale collection and urge all of you to check out your nearest Zara store this week! There's a lot more on sale in the stores than there is on the website.

There were some fantastic printed pants: tile print, jacquard, and more. Many were marked as low as $19.99!

I particularly loved this silky floral dress, 

on sale for around $30 I believe (in limited sizes).

There were boucle jackets abound, all at around $40! 

This white one was very Chanel-esque and would be absolutely perfect for this spring.

This whimsical robot print from a Zara collaborative designer collection really caught my eye.  The short sleeve tops were marked down to $19.99 and there were a few dresses left in this print too!

This flowy leopard print top reminded me of another I'd seen (Forever 21, $22.80). However, with the sale it was even cheaper than the Forever21 version and the print's a bit more subtle. The material felt superior too. 

Going with the theme, these leopard print pants were also adorable! I just love the gold piping along the sides too. They were marked down to $25.99.

Another fab find was this tapestry style zip-front metallic jacquard bomber jacket. It's available on the website too for $39.99, originally $89.90. 

You can view/buy it HERE.

Last but not least were these adorable velvet smoking slippers! They are so reminiscent of fancy Stubbs & Wootton styles with whimsical embroidered moustaches. They were marked down to around $30 I believe.

~~~~~

While I was at the sale, I couldn't help but notice Zara's newest collection of non-sale items. Here's a look at some of my fave styles currently in stores:

These tartan, asymmetrical, and mismatched styles look straight off the runway! The Zara design team's really gone all out to make you look like a million bucks (on a budget) this season.

Designer sweatshirts are quickly becoming a hot new trend. I absolutely fell in love with this bird tapestry one. It's definitely more of a fall/winter piece but so classic you won't be shy wearing it next year too!

Sale of the Day: Take an Extra 70% OFF Sale Items at Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture

Take an additional 70% OFF all sale items.

Valid through 1/31/13 at 11:59 PST

Discount reflected at checkout

In-stores and online

Click HERE to shop the sale.

Here are a few popular items included in the sale:

Juicy 70% OFF Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: Trends from Last Night's SAG Awards

Best Dressed: 

Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) & Morgan Saylor (Homeland)

Hollywood's pint-size princesses were in my opinion the best dressed of the night. I am a huge fan of  the one-of-a-kind embellished gown look and Kiernan and Morgan pulled them off so elegantly. I also love their very natural looking make-up and perfectly polished hair. Their styles are so mature and classy!

~~~~~~~~

Beauty Trend: Bold Plum Lipstick

I first noticed this trend at the Met Costume Institute Gala last year - dark plum lipstick is all the rage! What do you think of Claire Danes's make-up? Would you try it too?

Color Scheme: Neon is STILL All the Rage!

L-R: Nina Dobrev, Freida Pinto, Jane Krakowski, and Lea Michele. Hot pink is definitely going to be one of the most popular colors for Spring/Summer 2013.

Sale of the Day: Extra 40% OFF Sale Items at J.Crew

J.Crew

Take an extra 40% OFF all final sale items.

In Stores & Online.

Enter "GET40" at checkout.

Click HERE to shop the sale.

Here are a few of my fave sale items:

40% off Final Sale Items at J.Crew by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

MY PICK:

I love the Jackie Cardigan in Stripe. I saw it online and was amazed to see such a cute sweater on sale for $27 (after the 40% OFF)!  I wasn't sure what size or color I wanted so I went to check it out in the store. At the J.Crew store in Princeton, NJ they had it in the New Arrivals section marked with its original price of $72. The sale items are on an entirely different floor. I tried it on anyways and even though I loved both colors I decided on the Hydrangea Green. I also got it 1 size up from my usual so that I could wear layers underneath. Since the sale is in-store too, I just showed the sales associate the sale price on my phone and she honored it - so watch out in stores and don't be shy to ask! I absolutely LOVE it! What a deal! Shop the Jackie Cardigan Sweater HERE.

Style: Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off at Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor

But one full-price item, get the second 50% OFF.

Also: Take an extra 50% OFF of all SALE items.

Use code: "CHICBOGO" at checkout.

Click HERE to shop the sale.

Here are a few of my fave Ann Taylor items:

Ann Taylor BOGO Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: 3 Items From JewelMint for $29.99

JewelMint

Get 3 Pieces for $29.99 

(items normally $29.99 each)

Use code "TRIPLE3" at checkout.

Click HERE to shop the sale.

Valid for multiple uses while supplies last.

Includes items from the Mix & Match Collection only.

Events: BaubleBar Pop-Up Store Party

BaubleBar is celebrating its 2nd Birthday 

with a party at its pop-up store in NYC!

Right now they're saying they'll be celebrating with two weeks of "extra special treats" at their store - perhaps snacks, bubbly, and/or gifts with purchase? We shall see!

February 1st - 16th

344 West 14th Street (at 9th Ave)

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

Events: Get tickets to NY Fashion Week!

Carolina Herrera + American Express

The Cardmember-Only Show

February 14th at 6:30pm

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Lincoln Center

Includes: Cocktail Party w/ Harper's Bazaar 

& CH Carolina Herrera runway show

Tickets: $100 for a regular ticket, 

$275 for a shuttle bus + private shopping event at the flagship boutique following the show

American Express card-holders: buy tickets HERE.

What better Valentine's Day surprise for your fashionista girlfriend than a night out at Fashion Week?

Style: Elizabeth McKay Sample Sale

This sale only comes around about once a year, folks!

Elizabeth McKay Sample Sale

Up to 75% OFF

January 31st - February 2nd, 2013 (10AM - 8PM)

1020 Lexington Avenue (72nd/73rd St.)

All sales are final.

Click HERE to check out what I snagged at the last Elizabeth McKay sample sale (includes prices & photos)!

Splurge vs. Steal: Black Gel Eyeliner

I recently tested the Bobbi Brown black gel eyeliner I'd used for a long time (MSRP $23) against the super cheap version created by e.l.f (MSRP $3). Check out my results below and let me know what you think! What type of gel eyeliner do YOU use?

SPLURGE

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black

$23, Sephora

Buy it HERE

Pros: easy to apply, creates opaque effect with one coat, makes thick line styles with ease

Cons: smudges when touched and while drying (can leave marks on upper lid just after application which easily wipe off), clots on brush - you need to clean/replace brushes regularly (brush NOT included), thickness makes it somewhat hard to create thin line styles, pricey!

STEAL

e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Black

$3, e.l.f.

Buy it HERE

Pros: doesn't smudge, includes a slanted eyeliner brush in every package, easy to apply in thin lines, overall great value!

Cons: a little bit thinner than other eyeliners, may require two coats to achieve opaque effect

Sale of the Day: Up to 60% OFF Men's & Women's Attire at J.McLaughlin

J.McLaughlin

Up to 60% OFF on Select Items

Men's & Women's Attire. Online & In Stores

Click HERE to shop the women's sale.

Click HERE to shop the men's sale.

Here are a few of my fave sale items:

J.McLaughlin Sale by victoria-harman on polyvore.com

Style: What to Wear with Patterned Pants?

Patterned "busy" pants and jeans * can be pretty tricky to pull off! You have to find the shirt that matches a print JUST right and the search to find the top that matches the most difficult & exotic pair of pants can turn out to be very expensive. In most cases, it's best to go with a simple design and/or solid color. I've included some ideas below for inspiration. You may already have some of these more basic looks in your closet (which saves you some $). If not, they'll at least make practical investment pieces.

The possibilities are endless and express your personal style - just look at how differently Rose Byrne, Kristin Stewart, & Marion Cotillard styled the look!

Let's make a game of it! 

Make your own outfit combos by clicking the arrows to the right of each photo below to view different tops and patterned pants. Keep clicking until you find a combo that speaks to YOU! 

YOUR DIVA-APPROVED OUTFIT MAKER:

* As you can see, these rules also apply to pants that are: printed (including tile print silk), embroidered, ombre, tweed, jacquard, metallic, foulard, & more!