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!

The Murse: Man Purses...A Trend or a Staple?

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Some may call it a Murse (man purse). Some may call it a Swag Bag; But whatever you wanna call it, the bottom line is this…these bags are causing a serious stir in the fashion industry! Metro-sexual's around the world are cheering because they can finally carry something, bigger than a wallet, to carry their things in. Personally,when I first heard of the Murse (Man Purse), I thought that it was ridiculous and that the idea would be tossed away like an old handbag...something that would come and go as quickly as it ran through my thoughts. However, this phenomena is really catching on and is something to be taken very seriously. Gucci, Burberry and Louis Vuitton have invested a tremendous amount of talent, time and money developing a purse line strictly for men. Because these designers have invested so much money into this experiment, I decided to really evaluate whether or not this trend would be socially acceptable. After much thought and consideration, I've decided that the "murse" , although controversial, does offer some advantages to women. Men can finally stop asking their girlfriends and/or wives to put things, they don't want to carry, in their purses! Another advantage is, when men get tired of carrying the murse, their girlfriends or wives can use it as an overnight bag or luggage. But seriously, I think a man can chicly pull off a murse but only if he is very confident in his manhood and he has alot of swagger! I think that the "murse" will began to grow on people. I believe the design patterns resembles luggage or briefcases, this was a very good concept because I think it will ease people into the idea of a man carrying a handbag. Some celebrities have embraced the trend as well. Bow Wow, Timberland and Terrance Howard all seem comfortable carrying these swag bags. I don't know if this trend will become a staple but what I do know is...it takes a very confident, secure and good-looking man to carry off this look. So to all you men out there...precede with caution! 

Spring 2011...It's All About The Little White Dress!

The Little Black dress has always been my fashion fallback staple. If I didn't have anything glamourous to wear to a party or an event, I could always count on this fashion staple to make me look good. Although this fashion staple has always been loyal to me...I think I might have to cheat on my trusty and loyal companion and play around with the little white dress this season! All of the industry fashion shows and style magazines are featuring the" Little White Dress" as the affair to have this season. Although the Little White dress made a brief appearance last spring, it has come back full circle this spring and is all the rave! I think there has been a resurgance of interest in this little number because it is cool, crisp and looks wonderful on almost everyone and the patterns and styles are much more feminine. Some designers have also decided to go eco friendly and are using recycled fabrics. H&M has joined the list of industry insiders and have beganselling eco-friendly fashions as well. H&M has a delicious eco-friend little white dress for spring 2011 — featured to the left- for only $19.95! That’s the price of a white recycled fabric dress from H&M’s new Conscious Collection, debuting this April; you heard it here first! The all-white collection of affordable fashions are made with eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, organic linen, recycled polyester, and tencel. Many are very versatile, basic, minimalist pieces that’ll go with most items in your closet and will be a fashion staple for many more seasons to come! I will let you know as soon as it hits the store! Although I will forever be in love with the Little Black Dress, I am going to be strutting my stuff in a white dress this spring...

50% Off Bottles Of Wine Tuesdays!!!!

I am an exclusive member of Style Chicago and I sometimes get this invitations from them. Since I am not a wine drinker, I wanted to share this invite with you. Nia Mediterranean Tapas, Located in the heart of the Randolph Street Market District in Chicago’s West Loop, is offering 50% Off Wine Bottles on Tuesdays!


Nia Mediterranean Tapas  is located in Chicago at 803 W. Randolph St. I only have one exclusive invite and I am willingong to give it to the first person who leaves a comment on the "Ask The Mentor Page". YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER to take advantage of this deal. So start the week off right with 50% off bottles of wine (up to $50) at Nia Mediterranean Tapas!  If you can't make it to Nia's on Tuesday, go to Nia's on Monday for 50% Off Pitchers of Sangria!!

More Offers from Nia Mediterranean Tapas:

* Buy One Tapas, Get One 50% Off

* 3-Course Menu, Only $25
You must present my invitation in order to redeem discount. Not valid with any other coupon, discount or promotion. Offer valid for all bottles of wine priced under $50. Anything over $50, guest must pay the difference. Any parties over 4, discounted price applies to every other bottle.

Look what I Just Bought...A Dolce Vita Spencer Platform Sandal for $32.00!!

These Dolce Vita Spencer Platforms are a great find!!!!! Celebrity's, like Reese Witherspoon, are sporting the look and I must say that I am surprise that I found them. These sandals generally sell for $170.00; however, I got them for just $32.45 at Nordstrom Rack. I love Nordstrom Rack because you can get designer shoes, clothes and purses for a fraction of the price.  These leather platform sandals feature a buckle closure at the crisscross ankle straps. Studded leather overlay with a platform. 4.75" stacked, cutout wedge heel and a leather sole. Nordstrom's already reduced price was $67.90 but I found out when they were going in clearance (from an inside source) and I got them for half off the already reduced price! Check out the "Sales" page on this blog, to get a jump on all the sales scoops!