If you’re reading this, you’re probably already planning to see Confessions of a Shopaholic at some point (it hits theaters Feb 13th).   I’m excited to announce we’re giving away free tickets to advance screenings of the show for you and a friend!

Where: All over the West Coast — San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Portland, Seattle

When: Feb. 4^th, 5^th and 10^th at 7:00 pm

The contest: Confessions of a Shop It To Me-aholic!

For a chance to win, just post a comment telling us one of your Shop It To Me-aholic moments, and include your city. As you leave the comment, be sure to include your email address (only we will see this).  If you’re selected, we’ll contact you with details. Good luck to all our entrants!

        

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Today’s post is by Buford Betty, a Shop It To Me Trendsetter. We love reading her blog to get a window into her fashion-filled life in the ‘burbs, and for some straight-talk advice on saving money. Here she dishes on her awards season style icon.

As a self-proclaimed awards show junkie, I have to say this time of year is one of my favorites!  The Golden Globes….the SAG Awards… and in a few weeks, the Academy Awards!  I’m glued to the shows from beginning to end, but nothing beats watching the stars glide down the red carpet.  I imagine actors especially love the opportunity to showcase their own style.  After all, they’re on screen portraying someone else most of the time, right?

Can you imagine the pressure though?  Knowing the world will be scrutinizing you from head to toe the minute you step out of your limo?  The hits and misses are always fun to gab about at the water cooler on Monday morning.  And one actress that continues to surprise me year after year, show after show, is Cate Blanchett.  She always hits the mark, but fashion aside, I think she’s absolutely stunning.  Her beauty is simple and pure, but when she steps on the red carpet, she’s breathtaking.  And it’s not just the fabulous frocks she’s draped in… it’s how she’s carries herself.

Among my favorite Cate Oscar gowns is the metallic grey Armani Prive number from 2007.  Can we say *fierce*?!

And then she follows up in 2008, sporting a beautiful baby bump under a gorgeous purple gown by Dries van Noten.  Two completely different looks that she pulls off effortlessly!

But I must say my all-time favorite (at least so far), is Cate’s lemon yellow Valentino from the 2005 Oscars.  One of my least-favorite Oscar shows actually… that was the year they tried to do that whole award hand-off in the aisle thing.  Not cool, Academy.  If I’m winning an Oscar, I’m getting my moment on stage! Ahem…  anyway, Cate’s gown that evening stole the show for me.  I loved the unusual color and it was so crazy fabulous with the brooch on the shoulder and the belted waist.

So needless to say, I’m super excited to see what Cate will step out in at this year’s Academy Awards.  Who will you be watching?

        

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Today’s post was written by Shop It To Me Trendsetter Aharon Hill, author of the blog Truly, Madly, Deeply. We love the artistic eye Aharon brings to her blog posts and to Kaleo Designs, her photography and jewelry design company. Aharon was lucky enough to attend this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where she celebrated indie film and observed some fashion dos and don’ts.

        

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$60, $70, $80 statement clutches from great labels?  In what world?!  Unless someone was referring to a knock-off or second-hand purchase, I would rarely believe them.

My Salemail today proved me wrong.  Check out these finds, all for under $100.  And fun spring colors too!  Next paycheck…

Jill Stuart – Tabitha Bag Reg: $298.00 Now: $89.40 70% off!

Michael Kors Continental Black Flat Wallet Reg: $98.00 Now: $59.99 39% off!

Botkier – Layla Clutch Reg: $245.00 Now: $73.50 70% off!

        

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Ordinarily you’d be hard-pressed to find any Orla Kiely items for less than $75. The hunt will soon be over. Orla Kiely has teamed up with Target to offer a collection of housewares priced at around $20 or less, and it debuts February 1st. (Funny – because I unknowingly commended both Orla Kiely and Target for their great graphic prints in an earlier post.)

The collection includes storage boxes, melamine dishes, trays and more. I particularly like the oven mitt and apron. They look high quality since they’re made of fabric rather than plastic or cardboard.

Target has a knack for teaming up with designers who offer modern prints. The Orla Kiely items will provide a nice substitute for the Target orange bird oven mitts and apron and  I never got around to buying.

        

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Welcome Laura, our Spring Shop It To Me intern!

She’s sweet and smart, and more importantly — she loves a great sale! She’ll be posting soon, but first, here’s a quick introduction.

        

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Last month I blogged about “mimosa,” the happy yellow shade Pantone chose as its 2009 color of the year. Now the trendspotters at PSFK report that only a month later, Pantone is already creating buzz over the shade by teaming up with Gap to create mimosa-colored shirts. The bold tees, along with other Pantone-colored shirts, will be available at a pop-up store on 5th Ave. More mimosa shirts may become available at Gap.com later on.

I like the way Pantone operates. Instead of waiting for color trends to develop, why not just inspire and create them?

        

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In the past decade we’ve seen leggings, colorful denim, off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and leg warmers all make a comeback. As if the 2000s didn’t get enough of the ’80s already, now acid wash jeans have officially returned to mainstream fashion.

Levis at Urban Outfitters                   Topshop

I didn’t believe it when The Cut warned the unsightly wash was being spotted in Berlin and was potentially poised to make its way across the Atlantic. But it’s happened. Marie Claire even dedicated a page to the trend in the February 2009 issue. Marie Claire blames — er — credits Balmain’s Spring 2009 collection rather than the Berliners for the “recent resurrection”. (Although apparently the wash has been somewhat popular in Europe for some time now.)

Balmain

Balmain does offer a completely fresh take on the look, but the question remains. Acid wash jeans – heinous or hip?

        

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Did you know that the Smithsonian Museum actually procures and collects memorabilia from various historical Presidents and First Ladies?  And, perhaps not surprising, the volume of such material associated with Obama is above-and-beyond the normal amount!  Rubinstein, the museum’s chair of the division of politics and reform said, “we’re paying more attention to and collecting more items created by individuals that tend to be personal expressions of their affinity with the new president and their own expressions of this historic event.”

The inaugural dresses worn by the First Ladies are among the many items captured by the Smithsonian.  Michelle Obama is no question a new fashion icon.  But, it goes beyond the First Lady!  Presidential-inspired apparel is the rage:

To start, here’s a cocktail dress made from Obama yard signs! (source: WSJ)

The Wall Street Journal elaborated on the ‘Trashion Trend’ highlighting a woman who has created a Men’s coat completely out of Obama campaign fliers.  Took 200+ hours to sew it!

Everyday retailers are also getting in on the action, including Chico’s:  As the WSJ shared: “The women’s apparel chain will start selling a $24 “Hope and Change” necklace at 13 Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia stores, starting (this past) Sunday. The two-tiered necklace features gold- and silver-plated charms etched with the words “Hope” and “Change.” Chico’s is stocking just 400 of the necklaces.”

And, from Barack barrettes to earrings, Shecky’s had a great spread of all types of Obama related apparel and accessories (see the full item descriptions and links to purchase here):

Are you sporting any Presidentially-inspired items?  Tell us here!

        

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I got the feeling Coach was trying to attract a new market when it came out with its photoprint totes. They’re a little unexpected, and they’re edgier than Coach’s other collections.

Now that Coach is coming out with loads of ultra-girly accessories, I feel like the brand is just trying things out and seeing what sticks. Two things of note:

1.  I don’t remember them offering so many accessories in the past in the first place. I’m guessing part of it has to do with the economy – keychains and cellphone lanyards are less expensive than bags and shoes.

2.  The accessories look eerily Juicy-esque.

Coach:

Juicy:

Time will tell if Coach likes its new look or if it gives itself another makeover.

        

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