Lame

-noun, an ornamental fabric in which metallic threads, as of gold or silver, are woven with silk, wool, rayon, or cotton.

Very strange. Very bold. Very uncomfortable. Check out all these crazy places lame has been spotted:

1.       At Wimbledon? Roger Federer sported a custom made tennis outfit designed by Nike. Lame adorned Federer’s jacket, t-shirt, shoes, and even his duffle bag.

2.       For Kids? American Apparel has just added a new item to their line of clothes…gold lame leggings…for kids. Now, for just $25, your 4 year old can make this bizarre trend a little bit weirder.

3.       On Kate Moss? Kate Moss actually makes lame look rather stunning. Or maybe it was Marc Jacobs brilliant design. Either way, this is one lame number that I would actually love to own.

4.       In my own wardrobe? I think it would be deceitful for me to write this post without mentioning that I do in fact own a gold lame item of my own. It is officially titled the “shiny halter body-suit” and can be yours for $30 from American Apparel. FYI I wore it to a gold themed party, and it was my sophomore year in high school…are those valid excuses?

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Recession talk is rampant, and it’s certainly not the time to be purchasing ostentatious one-time wear outfits. Learn how to maximize your dollar while still remaining chic with our Trendsetter Sally’s tips on when to save and when to splurge. Her blog Already Pretty covers everything from budget-friendly trends to self-empowering ways to make the best you visible to all.

When to Splurge

Did your mother or grandmother hit you with the “shoes, bag, coat” mantra? As in, sinking some serious cash into a fantastic coat, quality everyday handbag, or classic pair of shoes is a worthwhile investment? Well, kittens, I’m with the matriarchs, there. That old chestnut got to be old and chestnutty for a reason: It makes a heap of sense!

But which other pieces should you consider splurge-worthy? And which pieces can be done on the cheap? Here’s my two cents:

SPLURGE:
Perfect dress: A classically cut day-dress that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories, or even a timeless cocktail number that makes you want to paint on a smoky eye and haul out the martini shaker is well worth your buxx.

Sally’s Perfect Dress from Etsy vendor Liza Reitz

Signature piece: Remember that a signature piece is something that you can imagine deploying approximately every other week, and in outfits that run the gamut from hip-casual to office-friendly to out-on-the-town. Signature pieces are versatile by definition, so don’t confuse them with trendy pieces.

Sexy boots: Nearly all cultures and climates require boots at some point during the year. And while pumps are pretty, sandals sexy, and sneakers sensible, I believe that an amazing pair of boots will serve you best.

Keystone bottoms: For me, this means the perfect black pencil skirt. For you, it might mean a pair of tropical-weight wool wideleg slacks. For someone else, a navy a-line that hits just above the knee. The majority of us cycle through tops quickly, and utilize tops to experiment with color, pattern, fit, trend, layers, and texture. But a keystone bottom is likely to get worn almost as hard as an investment coat, and is therefore investment-worthy itself.

SCRIMP:
Tees: Tees frequently get ruined within a year. Less if you’re me and prone to spaghetti-sauce-related accidents. They are flimsy, simple, easily procured items that really shouldn’t cost more than $20 a pop.

Jewelry: I very seldom spend big on jewelry. It’s a matter of taste, of course. If you love the real deal and it suits your style, that’s more than valid. My argument is this: Sparkly is sparkly, and if you’re feeling broke, cheap costume jewelry can totally tide you over.

Layering pieces: I have a vast collection of long-sleeved layering tees and not a ONE of them cost me more than $10. They never get worn alone, they only ever peek out from beneath a higher quality garment, and they will always be a scrimping item for me. Garments that serve as base layers needn’t suck up tons of cash. Save your pennies for the stuff that shows.

So those are MY rules of thumb, and a good jumping-off point. Now let’s hear some other opinions. Do you think that quality tees are well worth the dough? Is blowing the wad on a great dress something you’d never do? What are your spend-and-save guidelines?

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Organizing your closet can be tough, especially when you have limited space to work with and an abundance of clothing. Buford Betty has some great tips that will leave your closet meticulously neat and certainly relieve the stress of getting dressed every morning. To read Buford Betty’s unique perspective on suburban chic living don’t forget to check out her blog.

With many of us pinching our pennies these days, we tend to get a little more creative with what’s already hanging in our closets.  We can often interpret trends with the items we’ve already got.  A cluttered closet, however, can turn getting dressed into a real chore.  You think you’ve pulled something together, but you can’t find that certain top… or maybe your left shoe.    Most of us don’t have Cher Horowitz’s automatic garment locator, so what’s a girl to do?

The key to knowing what you have is being able to find it!  Get that mess of a closet reorganized and you’ll be surprised what you find…

1. Pull everything out of your closet so you can fully access your space.  Big or small, you want to be able to maximize it.  This is a great chance to toss out those items you haven’t worn in years.  Start a bag to for charity or a clothing swap.
2. Group pieces into categories. My own closet is broken up into tops (sleeveless, short sleeve, etc), skirts, other bottoms, blazers/jackets, dresses, and sweaters (all folded and stacked). 
3. Once you’ve sorted your items, begin to hang them in your closet by color.  Make sure your hangers have rounded edges that won’t stretch fabrics.  Start with whites and work your way into darker colors.  Hang any prints together next to the solids.
4. And if you’re like me, you’ve got as many accessories as you do clothes.  Group shoes and accessories together into categories.  Conserve space by using stackable shelves and boxes.

After getting your closet in shape, you’ll not only feel more organized and refreshed, but you’ll be able to find that favorite hot pink polo of yours at lightning speed!  Shopping your closet has never been so fun…

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Trying to update your look? Afraid of going too overboard? Shop It To Me is delighted to announce that our Trendsetter Reachel  has some pretty keen insights into how to effectively mix and match prints. Discover how to coordinate bold patterns and still look sophisticated at the same time!  Don’t forget  to check out her blog Cardigan Empire to view amazing vintage shots and gain some inspiration for your own  wardrobe.

It is reprehensible for you to wear the same blouse with the same trousers every time you retrieve them from your closet.  Let your wardrobe crossbreed. Add some diversity to your ensembles.

To truly expand your wardrobe to its maximum potential, try the advanced mix & match technique of combining prints and patterns.  Yes, you can wear multiple patterns in a single ensemble. The trick is choosing lead motifs and supporting ornamentation. Choose one Prima Donna pattern (say a large abstract floral) and allow any other players to support it subtly (ie a neutral colored pinstripe).

Another option for multiple pattern play is to refuse them immediate contact.  Wear an ikat print blouse, a dark pair of jeans, and red polka dot shoes.  Solids provide critical white space for your ensemble.  Keeping all your patterns in the same color family can add further sophistication. The more colors you introduce, the greater chance you have of looking like Carmen Miranda.

Finally, remember it doesn’t need to match, it needs to go.  Experiment with analogous color clusters, those are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (ie yellow, green, and blue).  Create some chromatic drama with complementary colors, or colors that lie opposite of each other on the color wheel (ie purple and green).

If you are still too afraid to experiment with mixing prints, try adding some zest to your wardrobe through accessories. A patterned handbag, scarf, or stocking might be your perfect entry point.

Mixing & matching allows you to have a vast set of outfitting options, providing the rush of a new ensemble without draining a dime for the fix.

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According to Forbes, the “world’s most stylish cities” are ranked as follows:

Though it’s no shock that Paris was chosen as #1, we were pleasantly surprised to find San Francisco among the top 10!

So, for the question of the day: Is living in a stylish city important to you?

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Modcloth Tie Dye for Dress: 59.99

Hardtail Tie Dye Tank Top: $46.00

DIY Tie Dye Tutorial courtesy of Catwalk Queen: Free!

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Life just got sweeter - some new fantastic retailers are now included in your Shop It To Me Salemail! We are extremely excited to welcome to ToryBurch.com, which appeared in Salemail for the first time today, showcasing some gorgeous items to make any lady look summer-chic and glowing.

Also, welcome to 7ForAllMankind.com, KateSpade.com, and Splendid.com.  If you’ve selected these brands as part of your profile, you’ll now see additional items in your Salemail!  If you haven’t already selected these brands, edit your profile now.

Here’s a sample from today’s Salemail - items you’ll want to pounce on:

1.Tory Burch ‘Letitia Jacket’ Reg: $495.00, Now: $297.00

2. Kate Spade ‘Park Slope Opus’ Reg: $375.00, Now: $281.00

3. Tory Burch ‘Metallic Zander Sandal’ Reg: $375.00, Now: $225.00

4. 7 for All Mankind ‘Keyhole Dress’ $185.00, Now: $89.00

5. Splendid ‘Mini Melange Stripe Short Sleeve’ Reg: $47.00, Now: $32.90

6. Tory Burch ‘Daniela Thong’ Reg: $250.00, Now: $150.00

7. Kate Spade ‘Plaza Jocelyn’ Reg: $195.00, Now: $99.00

8. Tory Burch ‘Briza Sandal’ Reg: $265.00, Now: $159.00

9. Splendid ‘Jersey Cardigan with Epaulets’ Reg: $76.00, Now: $53.20

10. 7 for All Mankind ‘Zipped Gwenevere in Los Feliz’ Reg: $215.00, Now: $129.00

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You love the designer collections of Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, and John Galliano but you could care less about their personal lives. Right? Wrong!

Don’t lie to yourself - you love reading about their fabulous lives and eccentricities. In fact, one of them has interesting opinions on exposing personal information himself. (Can you guess who? Check out quote #1 below!)

Tamra, Laura, Nicole and I each found a few fun facts about these amazing designers. Try to match each fact or quote with the corresponding person. Remember - choose from Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs and John Galliano.

Guess the designer!

1. Thinks you should poke your nose into young people’s personal business. He said, “Young people want to be exposed, and the idea of nobody being interested in your personal life is the worst horror.”
2. Is fitness crazed. An extreme workout buff known for exercising with a personal trainer, doing 150 push-ups and jogging 6 miles every single day.
3. Thinks swans are dreadful. He said, “Swans, they are the meanest animals in the world, you know. I had problems with them as a child. They hate children. I was caught by one, so I know.”
4. Has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on iPods. He owns not one, not 10, not 100 but hundreds of different iPods and keeps them at his various homes so he always has access to the music he wants.
5. Is off balance. He said, “I’m a very black-and-white person. I’m feast or famine. I’ll work out seven days a week or none at all; I’ll work all hours of the day or as little as possible. Balance is something that I’ve just not been able to obtain.”

Answers:
1.  Marc Jacobs 2. John Galliano 3. Karl Lagerfeld
4. Karl Lagerfeld 5. Marc Jacobs

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Sadly, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson passed away yesterday (June 25). Farah lost her long battle with cancer at age 62, and Michael, at just 50 years old, died of cardiac arrest.

As both of them certainly left their mark on the world of fashion, we thought it appropriate to take a glance back on their style over the years:

His musical talent, crazy moves, and “out there” wardrobe brought a whole new meaning to the word “entertainment”. Clearly, Michael Jackson had the concept of unique style cornered: from the fro and velour jacket to the single glove and metallic suit! Oh Michael, you were truly one-of-a-kind.

And we will always remember the lovely Farrah Fawcett for her signature feathered hair, luminous smile, and of course, the famous red bathing suit.

R.I.P. Michael and Farrah - you will not be forgotten!

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I hate the feeling of buying a full-price item only to see it on sale later on. I wonder if celebrities like Eva Longoria ever feel that way. I hope not, because because her Juicy Couture dress showed up in my Salemail for around $80 off.

Juicy Couture dahlias tiered ruffle dress, Reg: $278, Now: $194.60

According to People magazine, she wore it while vacationing with her hubby Tony Parker in Rome. Sale or no sale, she looked beautiful in it! You can too, for less.

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