BrandHabit

White Stripes

 

by Carlina Harris

Stripes are huge any time of year, but this year the emergence of french girl chic has been even more pronounced, especially once the spring/summer weather hit! I am loving it, stripes and I are definitely having a moment, and so can you no matter what your budget is. Whether you are as strapped as Lindsey, or filthy rich like Melania Trump, there is a striped number out there for you. Read on for BrandHabit's top picks for the season....

Click here, to see how I do the nautical look! Its the same shirt as the first model!

                                           

                           

   

                                

from top to bottom: Mossimo Striped boat neck shirt,Target, $12.99; Roxy Seascape Crop Top, roxy.com, $34.50; T-Los Angeles Boat Neck top, $66; Splendid mini stripe loose tee in nautical, Revolve, $83; Theory cashmere blend sweater, $200, Saks Fifth Avenue.

                                     

Mother’s Day Inspiration Travel Bag Giveaway

Tell us about a Mom who inspires you!

Vera Bradley was founded by two life-long friends while on vacation in 1982. The savvy women wanted feminine looking luggage and soon founded the company named after and inspired by Barbara’s mother, Veronica Bradley born August 9, 1909. Vera Bradley was a Model, Mother, Hostess and Friend and even worked in Florida as a sales represenative until her passing in the early 1990’s. Today Vera Bradley headquarters are based in Fort Wayne Indiana with retail locations across the nation and many new fabric designs introduced season. This giveaway is inspired by mothers every where in celebration of Mother’s Day. Enter for a chance to win this fabulous prize for the special mom in your life!

To enter: Leave a comment at TheFind Blog telling us about a mom that inspires you and why you want to win the Vera Bradley Travel Bag in Black!

The Vera Bradley Travel Bag in Black, valued at $165, is a stylish and practical piece to add to update your summer travel essentials. This microfiber tote makes the perfect overnight bag that has room for everything you need. There are even large pockets designed to carry your favorite summer sandals! The satchel bowler shape is roomy yet sleek for a sophisticated jet-setter look. It even comes with a matching slim shoulder strap.

The contest begins Monday April 26, 2010 and ends Sunday May 9, 2010 11:59 p.m. PST. A winner will be chosen via Random.org. The winner will need to reply to our email within 24 hours after notification of winning. If there is no response an alternate winner will be chosen.

An exclusive coupon code for Vera Bradley Fans from TheFind Coupons here.

From our friends at thefind.

Win Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift

By Tracey Brown

aka The Beauty Guru

I'm almost 53 and I don't have a line around my eyes. And I'm sure that's in part due to genetics, and also in part due to the fact that I am an eye cream fanatic.  I have used a gazillion eye creams, gels, lotions, masks — low and high end— and there are a few that really do what they claim.  Most feel great and provide hydration, but it's rare to find an eye product that actually delivers on a promise of anti-aging.

I was  part of the Beauty Advisor team at a prominent e-tailer when Dr. Perricone launched his product line several years ago.  One product in particular that I still love is the High Potency Eye Lift. I personally subscribe to Dr. Perricone's blog as he  is full of information on how to live a productive anti-aging lifestyle and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.  You can too...

e Lift

Here is the claim for High Potency Eye Lift:

A fast absorbing intensive eye treatment that helps repair the advanced signs of aging that appear around the delicate eye area, making us look older than we are. High Potency Eye Lift actually lifts skin for a visibly transformed appearance while minimizing deep lines, wrinkles and bags under eyes with Dr. Perricone's patented anti-aging ingredients: DMAE and Phospholipids. Also formulated with Pycnogenol to address loss of elasticity and help brighten skin's appearance. Paraben-free.

Sound good?  Do you want to win a bottle?  Here's what you need to do:

1.  Leave a comment stating why you need or want the High Potency Eye Lift.

2.  Sign in to my blog with Google or Facebook.  (Click here to go to my personal blog.)

3.  You must live in the continental United States.

One winner will be randomly chosen on May 5 to receive a bottle of High Potency Eye lift.

That's pretty easy isn't it? Log in to Blinging Beauty and leave a comment!

H&M: Fashion For Aids

by Carlina Harris

I have been dying to attend a music festival of late, and the newest launch campaign from H&M is in no way squelching my burning desire to pay the fashion forward of the music world a visit-- this summer! This will be H&M’s third Fashion Against AIDS collection, and it hits stores May 20. I am loving the cause, 25% of all the proceeds from this collection go towards supporting youth HIV/AIDS awareness and education. Do good, and look good, how fab is that?!

I have already picked out my favorites! The collection encompasses a bo-ho summery vibe (think Nicole Richie) for the ladies, and a cool Euro-hipster feel for the gentlemen. Of course no outdoor concert would be complete without sleeping bags, tents, and lawn chairs, so obviously H&M thought of that too! Never fear, they are just as chic, as you'd think they'd be, paisley print and all!

 
            

                 
                      

                    

items top to bottom:

stone washed light denim dress with collar cutouts, $34.95; blue coral tribal neck-plate, $17.95; salmon crochet handkerchief top, $34.95; paisley sleeping bag

Celebrity Style Giveaway – Tara Smith Haircare & Boy Meets Girl by Stacy M. Igel

Guess the featured stylish celebrities. Hint: Both of celebrities are hairstyle clients of Tara Smith and one of them is a wearing a Boy Meets Girl bamboo sweater. Enter now for a chance to win a prize package including items from the Tara Smith natural and organic haircare product range and a fashion items from the Boy Meets Girl collection. Tara Smith is the talened young British hair stylist whose clients include Angelina Jolie, Lindsay Lohan, and on the set of Sex and The City movie (LA Leg). The prize package includes Tara’s entire range of hair products including: Feed the Root Shampoo and Conditioner, Big Baby Shampoo and Conditioner, Straight Away Shampoo and Conditioner, C Curls Shampoo and Conditioner, Base Coat Serum, Top Coat Glosser, Rock On Hard Hold Styling Gel. Items from Boy Meets Girl: Nirvana Dress, Believe Tote, Runaway With Me Pant, Stolen Love Tee. Prize retail value is $420.

TheFind is celebrating  Tara Smith’s haircare product launch featuring a clothing makeover by Boy Meets Girl Founder Stacy M. Igel on April 15th in NYC at Duane Reade
 (Herald Square) 
1350 Broadway@ 35th Street, 
New York City on Thursday, April 15, 2010, 
12pm – 2pm!

To enter:
Go to TheFind Blog and leave a comment and telling us who these celebrities are. The winner will be treated to the prize package described above.  Be sure to leave your email address to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen via Random.org.

The contest begins Monday, April 12, 2010 and ends Sunday, April 18th 2010 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will have the correct answer and will be chosen at random if there is a tie. The winner will need to reply to our email within 24 hours after notification of winning. If there is no response an alternate winner will be chosen.

Celebrity photos via Just Jared.

From our friends at thefind.

Ode to Eclos

by Carlina Harris

Although I am only in my twenties, I --as well as most women-- am concerned with keeping my "youthful" glow, and keeping wrinkles at bay!  It all started a few years ago, when I realized that washing my face at night with the nearest .99 cent hand soap, just didn't cut it.  Not only was I doing my face a disservice with those harsh, drying out, un-natural properties, but I didn't even manage to moisturize afterward--oh, the insanity! 

Well I sure learned my lesson, and fast too. But, I spent way too much on pricey creams, and serums, and eye de-puffers. All this extra spending wasn't going to work out on: a just out of college, student loan accruing, money strapped, fashion fiend's budget! Thankfully I have since learned to manage my money a lot better- ain't no shame in clipping coupons ladies! 

So, I guess you could say I was totally into a plant stem cell, cellular rejuvenating facial beauty series (using the much lauded "rare, Swiss Apple"), called Eclos. I had the opportunity to try out the: Anti-Aging Restorative Eye Cream, radiance boosting Facial Cleanser and Facial Scrub.  Firstly the cleanser was unlike any other I have ever tried.  I was sold on the smell alone, it's a airy outdoorsy scent, that is not at all overpowering, yet somehow manages to linger on your face long after!  The scrub (a highlight) was not your typical over sized, harsh "micro bead", yet a finer than fine salt substance.  Upon placing said scrub on face, the magical powers of plant stem cells went to work, the scrub began to warm instantly and practically melted away when placed my skin.  Leaving a very happily, moisturized face behind!  And last but not least, the Anti-Aging Eye Cream.  Really there are no words, but to say it was definitely worth waiting for, after the previously mentioned min-facial I just had.  The best part of this experience, is that I get to do it all again tomorrow, and next day, and the next!

So totally worth it!  Plus the price is spot on, scrub and cleanser come in at under $15, and eye cream retails for about $25! 

Emerging Designer Spotlight – Alyssa Nicole

During our recent visit to New York in February for Fashion week and the Chicktopia 10 Social Influence Summit, TheFind caught up with emerging designer, Alyssa Nicole. Alyssa was one of the featured designers at the Chictopia Summit who treated the audience of fashion bloggers, retailers and media to a preview of her Spring 2010 collection. Alyssa’s romantic whimsical designs caught our eye and we wanted to share her most recent collection with you. Read on to learn more about this youthful and talented designer.

Alyssa Nicole knew at an early age that she would persue a career as a fashion designer. She has been designing since she was 12 when she created her first line of handbags. Alyssa created her very first collection for Spring 2008 at age 16 when she primarily created custom designs and prom dresses. Alyssa’s designs are available on her site AlyssaBird.com.

We interviewed Alyssa to find out a bit more about her most recent Spring 2010 collection and the inspiration behind it.

1. What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
Fashion design is my creative outlet. Every collection I have ever designed has a purpose or meaning behind it. When I realized that I could design a dresses from abstract concepts or emotions, I immediately became inspired to become a fashion designer.

2. What are your influences for this season’s collection?
For this seasons collection my influences were Amanda Palmer and The Dresden Dolls, cupcakes, bike riding hipsters in SF, and punks.

3. Can you describe the collection for us?
My Spring 2010 collection is inspired by the evolution of my personal style. It is designed into 2 different segments. The “badass” segment is very edgy, with a punk flair to it and my “cupcake cute” segment is very romantic and sweet. The collection was inspired by two completely different concepts, but I used color to make the collection cohesive.

4. Describe the girl you are designing for.
The type of girl I imagine wearing my clothing is very outgoing  and social,
fearless, open-minded, she would generally be interested  many different genres of music and films, her passions would include  art, vintage clothing, and classic films. I picture her having a  very busy and upbeat lifestyle, like going out to lunch with girlfriends on her break from work, then going out for cocktails later that night. She has to be properly dressed for each occasion,  so I try to design many different types of dresses to fit that  lifestyle.

5. What do you love best about designing each collection?
The best part about designing collections is when a collection is completely finished and seeing how beautiful it all comes together after all the hard work I put into making it.

6. What is the worst thing about designing each collection?
There is nothing that I don’t like about designing collections. I love every moment of it.

7. What is the one item every woman needs in the city?
One item every woman needs in the city is hand sanitizer. There are a lot of germs floating around public transportation.

8. What is the one item you can’t live without?
One item I cannot live without is my cell phone, I have GPS on it. If it wasn’t for having maps on my phone, I would be lost all the time.

9. Favorite shops in SF? LA? NY? or online?
My favorite shops are always Betsey Johnson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and anywhere where I can find cute vintage clothing and hats!

10. What is in your handbag today?
Today in my handbag there is: A cell phone, keys, prescription glasses, vintage Raybans, ipod ear buds, a red pen, and black pen, hand sanitizer, lip gloss, lipsticks in 4 different shades of red, my business card holder, my wallet, receipts from Starbucks, and about 4 expired muni transfers.

Thank you to Alyssa Nicole for taking time to share her inspirations. You can see more from Alyssa Nicole at her website, AlyssaBird.com!

From our friends at thefind.

Wedges are all the Rage

by Carlina Harris

Heads up, ladies! You all know I am a big fan of the Target collaborations (Gautier, Proenza Schouler, McQueen--Banana's!) So I am probably way out of the loop, but a little birdie just told me about the Cynthia Vincent for Target collabo going on April 18th--get those iphone calendars out! There are a lot of flats, and a ton of delicious wedges from the promo's I have seen so far. The best part is CV wildly popular Luella wedge from last season, has a spot on similar look alike, that I am dying to get my manicured hands on in two colors! Also she did a beautiful tribal inspired wedge in gorgeous flurry of colors!

{original Cynthia Vincent Luella wedges, $350.00}



 
{Target ad for Gladiator Wedge Sandals}


{Target wedge in Yellow, $29.99}


{Cynthia Vincent for Target Tribal inspired wedge)

Garden Party Worthy Floral Dresses for Spring

It’s hard resist the trend for floral prints this spring. With the buzz around the Liberty of London for Target collection and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland film, fashion is a bloom with floral styles. Just this past weekend I attended a lovely Alice in Wonderland themed tea party in the hills of Marin. The party was hosted for children but the parents had a fabulous time as well – devouring scones topped with Devonshire cream, madeline cookies and a samovar filled with the most delicious chai tea you can imagine! For the tea party, I picked up a couple of Liberty of London dresses for my daughter and myself and so I am on trend for florals this spring! Here are my picks for the most fabulous floral styles to set your wardrobe all a bloom this spring.

Go for florals prints that look modern, not matronly.  Choose dresses with a modern silhouette in smaller floral patterns or larger abstract florals. A mix of two or three floral prints on a dress adds a unique twist. A feminine version of a pool-side worthy caftan is the Liberty of London Draped-Sleeve Caftan (upper left, at Neiman Marcus $330.00). Anna Sui is a master at combining florals for her signature boho chic look. Sui’s Printed silk dress (upper right, at Net-a-Porter $475 ) touts a floral print silk with bow tied high neckline and drapey peplums at the waist. Stella McCartney’s luxe ruffled wisteria print Strapless Ruffled Dress (lower right, at Bergdorf Goodman $1965). This ultra feminine a-line style has an empire waist, strapless neckline and ruffled hem. Floral accessories should be used with restraint with a maximum of one or two per outfit. How about this lovely handmade Multi-floral Lili clutch—Liberty of London cotton Medium clutch (bottom left – top, $69 at BagatellesAndCo’s Etsy shop)? I love the pretty colors on this cheerful floral clutch handmade in England by the designer and lined with corn yellow satin lining. Dolce & Gabbana’s Floral Print Patent Leather Sandal features narrow patent leather straps and is waterproof (bottom left – middle, at Nordstrom $495). Perfect for unexpected April rain showers! Kenneth Jay Lane’s multi-colored enamel and metal flower bracelet is embellished with glass pearls, blue beads and multicolored diamanté and has a push-lock clasp to fasten on your wrist.

Save on your purchases at Nordstrom from TheFind.com’s coupon site

From our friend at thefind.