What I am Wearing Today-June 9,2011

Today proved to be a surprising day (60 degrees in June), as far as Chicago weather goes, and I wanted to wear something appropriate for the weather and the season. I was off to my son's end of the year assembly and couldn't quite wear the Maxi dress that I picked out the night before. I wanted to be stylish but yet understated since I was going to be in a gymnasium filled with pre-schoolers, proud parents and teachers. So, I chose these great stretched denim straight legged jeans from Old Navy ($19.50) ; because they are comfortable and appropriate just in case I had to bend or get down on the floor with my little Ian. I also went a little trendy and pulled out this leophard printed shirt ($16) (leophard is all the rage this year) because it is loose fitting and allows me to move around freely. I topped the look of with a brown and blue fedora hat ($16)  that I picked up at target, A light blue coat from H&M ($34 Sale Price)  and these funky black corked heel sandal ($43)  that I bought, on sale from Aldo. I bought everything that I am wearing on sale. If I had not,  the shirt was originally ($29),The Jeans were $29, The shoes were $80 and the coat was $80. In all, the outfit would have cost $224. I paid $129!

Fall 2011-2012 Trends...I know, Already?!

I have always said that Chicago only has two seasons...Winter and Summer! We are just now beginning to be introduced to the summer weather and yet department stores will began to start moving out the summer inventory to make room for the fall fashions in the upcoming weeks! I can't really believe it is June already because now is the time that I stop buying summer flocks and begin to prepare and invest  in my Fall must haves! Tory Burch presented  her Autumn/Winter 2011- 12 Collection during Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week and I absolutely feel in  love with what she presented on the runway. Her Collection was all about “English country" dressing, bold plaids, 70s Fashion, bold colors that included brown, muted orange, taupe, olive green, rust, and soft peach hues. She also resurrected pieces like bell bottom suits, bow blouses and plaid prints and tweeds. Finally... making a come back in her collection were palazzo pants in low-slung pleated and printed versions teamed with silk tops. I am so excited about the resurgence of the classics and retro style...and now the hunt begins!

Handbag of The Week!

I absolutely love when I can get a stylish leather handbag for under $100! I found this great Deux Lux Tribeca Woven Hobo at a fraction of it's $125 price tag. This  amazing bag is just perfect for my spring/summer wardrobe. This bag is vegan “leather” and is a true over sized hob; which is  perfect for me because anyone who knows me knows that I like BIG bags. This bag is totally versatile and can be used as an overnight bag for those weekend trips and can hold your beach wear, your kindle and even an extra pair of shoes ! I found this bag at Marshall's for just $49!!! Talk about a steal!!!

My Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Bucket List!

Since we are in a recession, I vowed to myself that I would shop conservatively and not splurge, too much, on my spring/summer wardrobe. However, as I've been perusing the department stores, there have been at least three things that have made me want to just throw caution to the wind and indulge in fiscal irresponsibility!
I am not going to give into my spending desires; however, I wanted to share the fashion items that I covet the most with you so that I will be held accountable if you see me sporting any of these items!!!  

 

1. Calvin Klein Tribeca Structured Satchel - This bag doesn't look like much in the photo, however, this bag screams classic. No matter how much the fashion trends change from season to season, this bag will never go out of style.

2.Christian Louboutin snake skin shoes - All I can say is WOW!!! I absolutely love these shoes. I can't find them in any department stores, so I had to hunt them down on the Christian Louboutin website. I do not know how much the shoes will leave you in debt, but I do know that a pair of Louboutins will cost you at least $1000.


3. Tiffany and Company Silver Necklace with a lock Pendant - These pendants are so beautiful but will set you back quite a penny. The necklaces and pendants start at $400 and can go up to $2000!!!

 

I am going to hold firm and not go out and buy these three items; but before the summer is over...One of them will be mine!













Win a $150 Visa Card...Take the Style Journals Challenge!

In an effort to promote The Style Journals blog and generate more traffic to the site, we are having a contest! We will give the winner of this challange a $150 visa gift card so that you can get the hottest accessories for the spring/summer fashion cycle. Many department stores have agreed to give us exclusive insider information on upcoming sales and promotions in their stores if The Style journals blog can generate at least 150 followers. We have already been successful because over 1,500 people have visited our site so with your help we can translate these "views" to followers. This is what you have to do:
CONTEST BEGINS: March 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.
CONTEST ENDS    : March 30, 2011 at 11:59pm

Step 1: You have to get your friends and family members to become followers of my blog. Everytime one of your friends joins the blog, it will be counted as 1 entry. The person who gets the most entries by March 30, 2011, will receive a $150 gift card!

Step 2: When the person you refered to the blog joins, THEY HAVE TO LEAVE A COMMENT after this blog so that they can say who directed them to the site. This is extremely important because If they join but do not leave a comment specifing who refered them to the blog, they will not be counted as an entry.

Step 3: Once all of the new members are tabulated and we determine who the winner is, we will notify the winner by email and will post it on the blog on April 5, 2011.

Rules:
1.Contest is open to my facebook friends and current followers ONLY!
2. There can only be 1 winner. in the event that there is a tie, there will be a contest given to break the tie.
2. Style Journals is not responsible for any problems with your entrys, including technical failures or incomplete, late, or midirected entries.
4. Acceptance of a prize constitutes the winner’s consent to the use of his/her name and likeness by Style Journal for promotional or advertising purposes.
5. Style Journals reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the operation of the Promotion or otherwise violating these rules.
6. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Promotion if it cannot be completed as planned, for any reason.


Operation

One winner will be chosen  from the comments on the designated post to win a $150 USD gift card  to be sent via mail. The winner will be selected and notified via email (if applicable) on 3/30/11, and must claim their prize within 48 hours of initial notification. If selected winner does not respond within that time frame, a different winner will be chosen based on the same criteria as above. The winner will be posted at stylejournals.blogspot.com on 4/05/11. Style Journals will send the Prize to the winner’s requested physical mailing address, and is not responsible for delays or loss due to customs, shipping carrier, or any other uncontrollable circumstance.



Participation

By participating in this Promotion, you agree to be added to StyleJournals email list. Your information will not be shared with outside parties.

Contest will run from March 16 - March 30, 2011( Ends at 11:59 p.m. on 3/30/11)

Look What I Found!

This summer I am going to look posh in these fantastic peep-toe leather slingbacks from MICHAEL Michael Kors. I love the chic cut-out detail at the sides and the wooden heel, these sandals were certainly one of my "must have" items for this spring. These shoes were originally $99 but I got them for $49 at Macy's! These sandals are hard to find. they are out of stock at Lord & Taylor so you had better get them while you can!

Boldness and Color...Thank You!!!!

This season I challenge you to do something different; step out of your comfort zone and get with the color trend! Bold colors  are one of the fashion trends this year, but many of my fashionista's have a problem with experimenting. I know that most fashion mags trumpet neutrals and black as fashion classics Icons; and color is usually frowned upon and considered trendy. However, several designers are changing the way that color is perceived and are introducing us to a pallet of energy and style. Look, I understand the apprehension, because sometimes when I go shopping to buy my wardrobe I also find myself migrating to neutrals and black... like a magnet. However, this season,  I am going to be more of an adventurer, experiment with colors and put those fashion magazines in their place! Fashion is about innovation and experimenting with what is considered off-limits. Designers are rewriting the rules by showcasing a collage of  bright colors in their spring 2011 fashion lines and tangerine is the color that is on top of the list. The Gucci Spring 2011 collection is a great example of this experiment with color. The collection has everyone talking. Gucci has really transformed it's brand this season by investing in innovation, color and energy. Gucci is not the only brand that is reintroducing boldness and color into our fashion dimension. Versace, Prada and Marni succumbed to the appeals for color as well and introduced some fantastic pieces on the runway . So fashionista's... take the plunge,  the plunge into the pool of experimentation and color!