Fred Gal Talks Shop

globetrotters

2010-01-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

yes! i love award season, solely because i get to blog about the red carpet choices made by celebs and their stylists. the 2010 golden globes offered up plenty of blog-worthy material. let's get started. so, i actually liked all the color this year, particularly the purple gowns.

krakowski looks elegant in her one shoulder number, bullock a fashion-forward princess, and i truly love rose byrne's fitted eggplant dress. her vintage-feel accessories balance out the modern dress. good choice in my opinion.

unfortunately, i can't say the same for lindsay lohan. i normally love her, but this dress sucks. i retract, it sucks for the globes. really? the sparkly hoodie dress? with the hoodie up? bank robber chic just doesn't sound right. and the shoes are a less than stellar choice for this ensemble. but there's bigger fish to fry here...ick...i'm sorry, but that's just a hot mess. i mean, i guess it's age appropriate with the semi-bedazzled covered arms, but the choker, chandelier earrings and glasses to boot are fashion overkill. the hair is a disappointment and the makeup flat out gross. i loathe frosted lipstick. but hey, that's just me. sorry sophia. but the award for worst dressed goes to....

...tits mcgee. uh, i mean mariah carey. two words--cover up. i'm sure this joke has been done, but please don't take the golden globes so literal next time. just tasteless. at least you made the umbrella holders night. take a hint from halle berry in the future:

if you wanna show a little somethin', do it tactfully. moving on....

y'all know i heart french chic, so penelope cruz impressed me with her very francais-inspired gown.

emily blunt's neutral flowy gown is decent. maybe consider a different shade of foundation and don't double duty the arm cuffs...looks a tad butch chic (haha, that made me laugh...my overuse of chic i mean)..but other than that, i like it.

looking cute were one of the olsen twins and the high school musical girl:

the short bubble-bottom dresses are cutesy, age-appropriate, well maybe for the second chick, but i do like the blue shade of olsen's dress. i can do without the pilgrim-esque shoes, but she's a stylish girl. and she can pull it off.

the best dressed couple award goes to colin firth and his wife:

classic black n white. kinda prom-y meets renewal of vows. but it plays out well. they look great.

to end my unsolicited critiquing is best dressed. i feel like i've put her on my best dressed list every time i write one of these. kate winslet. you rule. time after time, you make the most impressive choices. it doesn't go unnoticed. classic beauty at it's best.

golden globes 2010. done and done.

french connection

2010-01-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

i've always been intrigued by french culture. i love the way the people seem effortlessly stylish sitting in cafes, smoking and sipping their espresso. maybe i was influenced by my mom, who is also a francophile, but my interest in the french culture has always been prevalent. when it comes to french fashion, chanel always comes to mind...tweed ensembles, pearls, little black dresses, etc. or i see the horizontal striped ballet neck top and ankle length pants with a scarf draped carelessly around the neck. i always like to channel my inner french self and add some sort of free spirit eclectic frenchness to what i wear. i don't do it all the time, but when i do, i can't help but feel sexier and a little bit cooler. ask my friend ashlee. she thinks it's hilarious that i seek out the pamplemousse flavor of la croix...even if it means going to four grocery stores in one day. (why is that flavor so freaking hard to come by these days? ugh.) besides the fact that the flavor is by far the best, i do love that the name of it is pamplemousse. where was i going with this? sidetracked....oh, french eclectic. this past weekend was chock full of 50% off sales, and i had my eye on this shirt on consignment at lela. the shirt doesn't look like anything i would ever wear, but i fell in love. it's vintage and crazily over sequined but once i laid eyes on it, i knew it had to be in my closet. my roommate and my friend mari took one look at it and started laughing. adjectives such as hideous and heinous were tossed at me and said shirt. it didn't phase me in the least...i knew the shirt was cool. so i open my email this morning and get a new shopbop email and what's on the front? this...

this is the exact cut and design as my vintage shirt. my shirt is black and gold, but it looks just like this. my shirt was $24 which i had in my lela consignment account. this shirt is $415. BAM. i win. i'm ahead of the game here. i knew my shirt was awesome and i got the steal of the century. i honestly don't know when i'll wear this shirt, but i know regardless of my friends finding it heinous, i'll feel eclecticly french and cool when i do. so, that has me on my french kick again. i want more things that give out that vibe.

i don't know if i could i pull off a cape. probably not. but i love the look of that one. these elbow length fingerless lace gloves seem borderline french. or maybe i'm getting that confused with 80s madonna, but i think with the right outfit, could be really cool.

this neckace kills me. it's called the "froggy" necklace which is hilarious in itself. and the size of it is also laughable. maybe i associate this with the french esthetic because of the frog legs at bastille days here, but i think the necklace could be worn by a risk taking fashion forward chick.

any one of those dresses would be perfect for bastille days...not that that's the only place to wear them, but all this has me wishing it was summer and i was enjoying my beignet and crepe and cafe au lait and champagne and cigarettes...focus danielle. french fashion is inspiring to me. i always tell customers to find inspiration in whatever they love and put it into what clothes they buy and how they wear them. works for me, so give it a shot.

spring in the new year...

2010-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

it's a new year and time for a fresh start. stores are having sales on all their winter merchandise and making way for their spring lines. it's always been hard for me to start thinking spring knowing there's still two months of bitter cold and snow, but this year, i'm turning a new leaf. i resolve to get my spring wardrobe in tip top shape before the flowers start blooming. the trends ahead are all promising: plaids, pale neutrals (my favorite), khaki, florals...and i vow to get my spring must have list in order asap, but for now there are a couple things i'm dying for. i saw these sweaters in lucky magazine and i can't help but feel like i need one, or both:

of course they're both expensive, but i truly need both of these in my closet. i don't have anything similar and how inspirational are these for me? hopefully, they'll go on sale. and they'll be great for the beginning of spring to layer. love them.

i've been wanting a long sleeve black mini dress for awhile now and i think i found the perfect one.

so simple. yet makes a big statement. can be worn with flats, boots, heels, tights, no tights, over leggings (not me), under a thicker longer cardigan...options--plentiful. this one is in my price range, so i'll grab it, but i found so many others i loved:

i know, another black dress, right? but there's something unique about all of these, whether it be the cutout in the sleeves, the bell sleeve detail, the one shoulder bare vs. lace sleeve...it's those subtle touches that make these black mini dresses stand out to me. and i don't care what anyone says, i feel that wearing a little black dress is the best cure for a fashion rut. anytime i slip on something like that, i feel amazing.

i'll save my mini dress for special occassions, but for everyday, i'll stick to my blouses with unique details. muted nude tones are in this season, and i fell in love with this one:

i love how weirdly off center it buttons, the unexpectedly oversized collar...the color..everything. this is for sure on my must have list for spring. also making the cut is this "tee shirt" (that's how it's described). i can't tell what color i want it in though:

or this color: i'll probably opt for the blush color. regardless, i want one. i love the thought of spring shopping and de-layering myself after yet another long cold winter. good thing fred is starting to get spring merchandise in now...time to start compiling my list!

look what the cat dragged in...

2009-12-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

i'm not an animal person. my only pets were three goldfish i won at my grade school church festival named after my uncles, buck, jack and mike. they didn't last long...i'm pretty sure i ate one of my goldfish on a dare for like $3. swallowed it whole. gross. really danielle? three dollars? so silly. so, i've never had that bond with animals. when people treat their pets like children, it makes me cringe. i have nightmares about dogs talking to me in italian. when i see dogs in strollers, i feel my face morphing into a perplexed, disgusted scowl. it's bad. so, it surprises me that i'm obsessed with bizarre animal rings. one of my favorite rings that i own is this blingy alligator one:

probably my favorite ring of all time. until this monstrosity showed up at fred last week and now i've moved on to this crazy guy:

i mean, seriously, who doesn't need an oversized turquoise octopus ring in their repertoire? i certainly do.

and snakes...ugh, my greatest fear. i fainted as a kid when someone put a snake on me. i can't even watch cheesy movies like anaconda or snakes on a plane without closing my eyes at parts because they freak me out so bad. but do i have a snake cuff bracelet? yes. do i want a snake ring like this? uh, yeah.

birds. yuck. when i see birds, i think filth. but is this a cute ring or what?

owls. never gave them a second thought in my life.

yet i'd wear it. i don't really get it. maybe because they're not alive. that sounds bad. i sound like a horrible person. i hope that's not the case. anyway, these rings make me smile. they're the closest thing i'll ever come to being an animal lover. i think they're adorable.

they're the perfect gifts. and we just restocked 'em at fred. come check them out. only three more shopping days. come and get some great gifts. or get the buy one get one gift certificate deal that's so popular and easy on the wallet. happy holidays!

...a few of my favorite things....

2009-12-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

i can't believe christmas is next week. i feel ill prepared. did it just sneak up on us or what? or maybe i've been out of it which is most likely the case. regardless, i need to get my act together and get some shopping done. you'd think, me, the shopaholic, would have been all over this, as in years past. everyone knows i like to take a day off, listen to christmas music, drink coffee or chai, and slowly wrap all my gifts creatively and with a theme. this year, nothing. not one present is bought, not one thought has gone into my wrapping theme, and not one day has been requested off for said wrapping project. ugh. good thing we have our final 50% off sale of the year at fred this thursday. i'm gonna get a few presents, see my favorite customers and get in christmas mode. we have our holiday party immediately after, so that should give me the boost i need to amp up my holiday spirit. i'll go to target on sunday, check out the new rodarte line and decide on my wrapping theme. just writing this is motivating me to enjoy the next couple weeks of festivities. ok, i'm back on track.

we just got in a bunch of holiday dresses that will definitely turn heads. perfect for holiday parties and new years eve...now's the time to scoop some up. here are a few of my favorites that are in fred now:

there are so many options right now...embellished, strapless, one shoulder, sequined...you name it, we have it in store now. i'll stick to my favorite little black dresses, like this one by c. luce:

i'll wear it with black opaque tights and cuter shoes than those (sorry) and possibly throw on this amazing embellished military jacket we have:
ok, now i'm in the mood for holiday dressing and shopping. don't miss out on fred's last 50% sale on thursday and come have a drink on us to celebrate the season!

color me gladd

2009-12-08T09:06:00.000-08:00

i don't wear color. let me restate. i don't wear color very often. so when i do, people go mental. they pay me compliments left and right. yet, for the most part, i stick to black, gray, brown, very neutral beiges and taupes. and that's what i like. i wonder if i get more compliments when i wear color because it genuinely looks better on me? i think a lot of people are like me, and stick to "safe" colors...or for me, i think it's because i can mix n match and wear my key pieces so many different ways. color can be a challenge. you don't want to overdo it for fear of looking like a court jester. so what i like about holiday dressing is all the jewel tones. the purples, deep green, burgundy, even reds (which i'll never wear b/c i instantly look like i have rosacea) are perfect for the season. i like seeing jewel toned dresses worn with black opaque tights and great shoes.

the key to pulling off these satiny colored dresses is keeping everything else simple. wearing a solid color dress and then matching your accessories to it makes me cringe. the dress is the standout piece. don't feel like you have to have the same color chandelier earrings or big cocktail ring. you can do a dramatic piece of jewelry, and if you feel the need to add more color, choose another jewel tone to play off of it. like with this blue dress, wear a big ring like this one:

there are great holiday tops in jewel tones too. i love the silky nature of this emerald green button down.
great way to add color to your wardrobe, worn tastefully with the moto leggings. it's all about balance. i've been saying it for years. edgy rockery pants paired with sexy, demure silk top. done and done. example #2--ruffly feminine jewel toned top, mixed with sliced up jeans. perfection. some might think they're not "trendy" or "young" enough to wear this look. but honestly, it's easier to pull off than one thinks. if you're not a ripped up denim or if you're not a moto detailed fan, just wear your favorite skinny jeans. if it's a dressier occassion, stick to perfectly fitted black pants and your favorite heels. it's really a no brainer here.

when i do wear color, i have to say, my mood is slightly lifted. it's something different for me, and i know what colors work. i can wear purple like there's no tomorrow. greens work...surprisingly yellow is good on me. but put a red, pink or orange hue anywhere near me, and my skin suddenly turns shades of red. i look like i just had a chemical peel. seriously. or wicked wind burn. it's gross. so, try out the color spectrum and find what works on your skin tone and go from there.

if you're still hesitant to rotate your blacks and grays with a color, take baby steps. introduce some colored jewelry into your wardrobe.
either one of these statement necklaces will do wonders to your all-black ensemble. adding a pop of color really makes an impact.

you'd be surprised at how this subtly colored serpant bracelet will stand out against a black dress. just give it a shot. playing with color definitely brightens up any dull winter day. and just your luck, stop into fred for these great savings, and score some jewel toned pieces:

now thru december 18th: all dresses are $25 off, tops $15 off

sweaters, coats n denim are all buy one get one half off!

with sales like that, how can you not afford to scoop up some new garb? or get some gifts for your friends and family? hope to see you at fred soon. happy holiday shopping!

dear santa

2009-12-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

please bring me these ash "tentation over the knee" boots, size 37, from shopbop.com this christmas:

i just saw the macy's commercial where this small well dressed child takes a cab (alone, which is slightly alarming to me) to macy's to drop off her wish list to santa via some grand mailbox type thing. so, i want to let santa know i want these boots and i deserve them after this year. hahahaha. more dramatics. i love the holidays and the decorating and the shopping for gifts. i love everything associated with it. even the cold--now that i have the best winter coat EVER courtesy of my friend jenna at flaire. all i need and want are these boots (and a distressed black leather crossbody bag) and i'm done. my cousin lorri and i always get each other for our secret santa gift exchange at our family function and we plan a trip to woodfield mall, specifically nordstrom, and buy ourselves whatever we want and count it as our gifts to one another. it's become a tradition, and one i look forward to every year.

christmas gift shopping should be fun. but it's pure torture for some people. i see plenty of shoppers in fred struggling to pick out just the right thing for their sister or friend and i feel bad. i like to think of myself as an expert gift giver. it's probably because i'm a professional shopper--or a too-often shopper--and i've done my research. it's second nature to me. clothes are a pretty personal thing, at least to me, so when i shop for gifts, i prefer to buy accessories for people. lucky for me fred has a huge accessories department. tons of scarves, hats, gloves, jewelry... i've been loving bib necklaces for a while now.

you can wear them with anything from blouses, to dressy dresses, to plain tanks and tees. we have this really cool one with metallic beads sewn on leather, kinda like this one:
i think they are great gifts. we have infinity scarves, which i really love and fingerless gloves that make excellent gifts as well. gift giving should not be a chore, which i think some people think of it as. shop at fred and let one of us help you pick out that perfect gift. or take the easy way out and get a gift card, and let her pick out exactly what she wants. Mention that you read this blog post now thru sunday, december 6th and get 20% off your purchase.

check please...

2009-11-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

i don't know if it's just me or what, but i swear the number of red n black checked flannel shirts worn around town has multiplied ten fold. lumberjack chic is taking over the city. and it's not just cool hipster types. i'm seeing everyone in them. i'm not gonna lie, i have a fair share of flannel/plaid shirts and even i have one of these lumberjack numbers. purchased at target for $15. i have always liked the look of this style and honestly, am surprised at how trendy it is right now. i saw a big gap ad, all lumberjack chic. i don't know if that is sparking the craze, but i literally saw four people at alterra today in them. one being myself. ugh.

i remember this cover from elle mag, and it revisited my love for the plaid:

i remember when that came out, i busted out the same look. big western belt and turquoise necklace. what a copycat i am. then i saw one of the olsen sisters wearing this:

and i was inspired to work the whole lumberjack chic meets rocker chic look...resulting in a really cool style. i think that's the best way to style this look. i like wearing my flannel with my long sleeve ivory rebecca beeson thermal under it, my current elliott elephant bell jeans with my new favorite hat, a cable knit newsboy hat with brown wood buttons. i can't find a pic of the exact hat, but it looks kinda like this one:

i've recently been on a shopping hiatus, since i moved, and i said i couldn't buy myself one thing for the rest of the year (gross). but i saw these boots, and NEED THEM ASAP.

these need to be in my closet by christmas. i've been doing so well not shopping, but i swear i put these jeffrey campbell tall engineer boots in my online shopping cart once a week. i am to the point of obsessing. i've styled at least twelve perfect outfits with these boots as the centerpiece. one being very lumberjack chic. why can't i just win the lottery?

on that note, you won't need to win the lottery to shop fred's black friday sale. check your email this week to see what we've got in store for you. you'll want to show up early, 6am, for the best deals! we're open 6-6 on black friday and getting in a huge shipment pre-sale. see you there!

disco biscuit

2009-11-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

i was watching a movie the other day and they made a reference to a disco biscuit that they were going to take pre-studio 54. i find the term kinda funny, even though i'm not a big club goer or pill popper. regardless, i have always been intrigued by the 70s. studio 54, andy warhol, the glam, the socializing...all that appeals to me. i probably wouldn't have fit in too well, but i would have tried. i love looking at pics from that place and checking out what people wore. halston was a big one. i love halston fashion. the long flowy dresses are amazing. i love seeing all the stylish people, smoking, drinking...just letting go. and dressed to the freaking nines. i wish i had an unlimited budget. i wish there was a studio 54-ish club here that i could go to. i think it would be ridiculously cool to get all dressed up in sequins for a night and totally let loose. in fact, i think i'm throwing a studio 54 themed party soon.

70s glam. so over the top, but so awesome. born to be alive. i love it. sequins, fur, super high gold shoes....more people should embrace this look. maybe they do and i'm just hanging out at too many hole in the wall places.

high waisted jeans, fur vest..i love those nude colored false eyelashes. and all the thick gold jewelry is awesome. very rachel zoe. i was perusing one of my fave websites, shopbop, and checked out their sequined items that i could wear. these are my picks:

um, seriously, those sequin leggings are insane. i doubt i could pull that one off, but i'd really like to try.

i would totally wear that sequin jacket. i love it with her current elliott skinny studded jeans too. i'm still a huge fan of that denim line. i've decided that this holiday season, i'll attempt to channel my inner studio 54 fashionista and wear some sequins, or fur, or false eyelashes and glittery makeup. stop into fred for your sequins party dresses, fur vests and thick gold jewelry soon!

ode to emily

2009-11-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

keeping with my aspen chic or sporty chic themed posts, i'm going granny chic this week. and my new roommate emily is the inspiration behind this posting. emily is obsessed with granny chic anything. she loves shopping in secondhand or consignment stores and wears the vintage-inspired look with ease. i'm not a vintage-y girl, even though i love the look of it, it's just not me. of course i had my phase of only wearing vintage...i think every girl into fashion does. but i've discovered that i just can't wear it. not cuz it doesn't look good...but because my skin breaks out and i sneeze and i feel like my throat is closing. even after a couple washes, i still feel this way. is it psychosomatic? perhaps. but what i do know is i have the same reaction around cats as i do post secondhand clothes wearing, so i've concluded i'm allergic to it.

there's a certain kind of woman that can pull off granny chic.

this chick can. you don't have to wear actual old vintage clothes for this look. nowadays, i feel like this look is everywhere. embellished cardigans are at every store and boutique i frequent.

whether it's gemstone embelishment or tiny rosette embelishments like on that last picture, cardigans with extra details add that granny flaire. some might be thrown off just by the term granny anything..i mean, who wants to look like their grandma at their age? but when styled in a modern way, with funky vintage-y jewelry or with distressed boyfriend jeans, this look is very now.

her tweed skirt and fur edged wool coat work. add those blush/nude shoes and you look like anything but an old lady.

coats are a pivotal part of this look. all wool knee length, a line coats work. we have great floral brooches at fred that would complete the look. add trendy shoes like hers and a knit beret to solidify this look.

one aspect of granny chic i do love is the jewelry. kenneth jay lane creates some of the most modern vintage jewelry i've seen.

other pieces i love:

i like the cameo pendant on the super long chain. all these pieces can be worn with embellished cardigans or worn with a simple white tshirt and look great.

i think this style is perfect for late fall early winter. it oozes coziness and comfort. if it's not your every day style, i think it could be easily incorporated into your wardrobe by adding just an element or two of the style.

sporto

2009-10-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

i was a huge tomboy growing up. i'd say i was a tomboy thru college. it wasn't til i started working at nine west in my early 20s that i even thought about what i was going to wear. i mean, i always liked clothes, and reading fashion mags and whatnot, but i was a jock. jocko johnson...people actually called me that. i stuffed my "thunder thighs"(thanks for that self confidence blow uncle mike) into my lame-o abercrombie jeans and tossed on a hooded sweatshirt and thought i looked good. i look back now and see that i still have that sporty vibe going on pretty much every time i don't work. i have a ton of clothes, but i reach for the same army green or camouflage cargo pants and my decades old off the shoulder grey sweatshirt that is literally hanging on by a thread at least once a week. as i get older, i realize for me, comfort is a main priority in my life. sometimes that means sacrificing looking fabulously hot, but i accept that. sometimes i think i walk out the door looking like a haunted house, and to my surprise people will compliment me and say i look good. i'll spend two minutes throwing myself together garbed in my newly dubbed "sporty chic" apparel and i'll get more compliments than when i take an hour trying to primp myself and dress to the nines. my friend annie at fred struggles with her casual wardrobe. i think i've mentioned this before. she's constantly in heels and dresses, and looks great, but when it comes time to go the brewer game or something, is plagued with the what should i wear dilemma. a lot of people that come into fred want to have some weekend appropriate clothes and find themselves confused on what to wear to look cute, yet stylish.

my go to outfit as previously stated is army green pants and a gray sweatshirt. not a pull over collegiate-type sweatshirt, but something cut a little "sexier" and more modern. something like this:

there's something about that heather gray that i can't stay away from. i'm always drawn to it. it's another one of my fashion equivalents to comfort food. i love wearing the look with some kind of pumas, or asics or even my bright red and cobalt blue saucony tennis shoes. i'm not a shoe whore, but when it comes to tennis shoes, i can't help myself and want to buy a zillion pairs.

i'm not a color person, but when it comes to shoes like that, i'd wear 'em all. add some cushy yet fashionable athletic socks like these:

and throw on some form of a hat:

they key is not to overthink this look. just put on your favorite articles of comfortable clothing and wear them with confidence. don't think you're a scrub if you're not wearing your skinny jeans and five inch heels. you can look hot in your old standbys. channel your inner emilio estevez in breakfast club..."come on sporto, level with me..."

and stop into fred for your casual basics...new zenana long sleeve knit basics, infinity scarves and don't forget to take advantage of their buy one sweater, get one half off sale.

stay puft marshmallow man

2009-10-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

when i first saw ghostbusters as a kid, i thought the stay puft marshmallow man was the cutest thing ever. my mom even made me a replica of it. it was my favorite toy. this is who i speak of:

awww, look at that guy. he's cute. anyway, since the weather has completely flipped over the last week and it's a mere 40 degrees, all i've been thinking about is a new winter coat. i already feel like i need one. in october. i love jackets..i have a bunch...leather, blazers, cropped military style...you name it, but i struggle year after year with a winter coat. my friend alicia and i finally consigned our same winter coat that we wore for like five years straight. a black and white marled wool number. it was time to retire it. year after year i want to buy a new winter coat, but i never find one that i absolutely love. i'm determined this year. i know what i want. i've had it in my head for two years. olive green, mid thigh to knee length olive green parka/anorak style with a fur lining. i think i've mentioned this before. but i can NEVER find it. ever. i saw one in a lucky magazine two years ago, and have wanted it ever since. what is the connection to the stay puft marshmallow man you ask? well, i wear this puffy north face jacket all the time, even if it doesn't go with my fashion sense, strictly for its warmth. people have called me the stay puft marshmallow man, or they say i look like ralphie's brother randy all bundled up in his snowsuit in a christmas story, or they call me the michelin man. i never took offense to it, because honestly being warm is one of the most important things to me. i don't care how silly i look if i'm warm. i got teased the other night b/c i was wearing a big wool scarf and a knit hat inside a bowling alley...i was cold. 40 degrees is freezing to me. so, i'll wear it. and ignore the comments. but there are tons of women who come into fred looking for jackets and refuse to buy a "bulkier" jacket because they feel fat in it, or say it doesn't show off their bodies. hmmmm, to me a winter coat should shield you from the treacherous and harsh wisconsin winters. i don't think you should be judged on your outerwear here. i understand the need to look chic, believe me, but a little practicality never hurt anyone.

i just re-started my winter coat hunt recently, and i still haven't found "the one." but i'm not giving up. i'll wear my michelin man puffer until i find something practical and fashionable. it's a tough one, even for me. but in phase one of my hunt, i did find some nice coats:

i always wanted a camel colored coat in wool, and i like this one. but for the love of god, put some pants on that chick. jeez. this dark one is sleek, i like the length of it, but it could be almost too long for me at 5'4". i dunno.

see, that's the color i want, but longer and with fur lining. impossible to find. well, not impossible, but it is if you want one under $800.

i would love a faux fur, but it's definitely not for everyday wear. i love how warm that one looks. i think i am gonna get a faux fur this year fur sure. god, i'm lame sometimes.

this one is the closest to what i want, except it's in gray, and has toggle closure on it. i'm not a huge toggle fan, but i do like this coat. and if i don't find something by thanksgiving, i'm gonna have to go for this one:

but that's the extent of the fur lining i want. it looks warm, cozy, kinda log cabin/woodsy chic. i guess that's what i want. only if that was in olive green...ugh, why is my winter coat hunt so hard? i have this black wool coat i wore to the ground too, but i'm sick of it. got it for cheap at a sample sale, but it's beat to hell. buttons falling off the sleeves, small tear in lining...it's looking a little rough around the edges. kinda like me lately. maybe i should cut it some slack and wear it another year. eh, maybe not. this is when i know to end my blogging for the day. i'm having a debate with myself whilst posting. i'm sure it's annoying to read. so, i'll write to y'all next week.

time to ski-daddle

2009-10-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

yeah, my brain's not functioning as creatively as possible today, hence the lame title of this post. who even says skeedaddle? is that even how it's spelled? enough rambling. i'm sitting here writing this and it sounds like the wind is going to bust through one of my windows. it sounds treacherous outside. blustery. scary even. it sounds like winter. i know that's weird, but it does. and it's making me think ski lodge. have i ever gone skiing? no. have i ever stepped foot in a ski lodge? no. i don't know why i'm really thinking of that, but i am. i think perhaps i've been obsessed with the aspen chic look lately. thick chunky knits just made for sipping hot toddys around a fireplace. check out this pic of a ski lodge that inspired this aspen chic posting: are you kidding me with that place? i wanna go there. just so i can wear the clothes that just beg to be worn at a place like that. i saw this sweater at the end of summer and i wanted it:

i hate the shoes and skirt with it, but i love the sweater. ski lodge. aspen chic. of course it was out of my price range and sold out really quick, but i decided when i saw that sweater, i was going to find a similar sweater, and i still plan on it. i checked out a bunch of websites and found some pretty decent options:

each and every one of those sweaters make me happy. i think the thicker the better. the chunkier knit, the better. i love the bundled up look. everyone knows my love of the brand haute hippie, but this sweater, well, blanket sweater is almost too much, but i don't know, i'd probably wear it if i ever made it to a ski lodge.

a bit overwhelming on that model's frame, and probably on most people's frame, but i suppose appropos for a night cap apres ski.

it may be a little premature to post about this stuff, but like i said, it sounds like winter right now. just toss on my new favorite brand of boots, ash, and you have your whole look ready to pack for your winter getaway:

how cute are they? ugh, i want to go on vacation. or shop. we started getting in great sweaters and sweater dresses at fred, and i have to restrain myself from buying every one. i could live in knits, and i pretty much do this time of year. i'm sorry to get you all thinking of winter, and snow, and whatnot, but it's what's on my mind today. come into fred and check out our great selection of sweaters and sweater dresses. get cozy and fashionable as the temperatures keep dropping!

and the emmy goes to...

2009-09-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

so, the fashions at the emmys left me wanting something more. old hollywood glamour, long fitted dresses, jeweled embellishments...i felt like i was seeing a lot of the same thing. i wasn't really wowed. maybe i'm too critical, but really, i usually see something that takes my breath away. this awards show was eh, ho hum. my absolute favorite look was by far the weeds chick. mary louise parker. she stood out--in a good, well, great way. i think i loved it cuz it was short. and everything else was long and fitted with some grand tail like appendage at the bottom. this was awesome on her. she's hot and the color was amazing. i know blake lively's red number was critiqued by some, but i kinda liked it. i usually hate the color red, but i thought she pulled this look off well. and her hair was wacky but cool. that weird ponytail all funked up was different: there were a couple other dresses i thought were ok.

the three of them look glamorous...they stood out a bit. the first dress' color is great and i like the belted action, kate walsh looks stunning and i must say i think julia looks amazing in her blue number. but really, nothing to steal the show. i will say i was grossed out by a couple looks:

padma's purple dress is a nice color, and i have to admit i like the shredding bit on the shoulder, but why on god's green earth would you throw that blob of red flowers on the side? it looks like flowers you get when you win a horse race or something. that's what i thought of. it's just too odd for me.

and the award for the most unflattering fit dress goes to sarah silverman. eeeaashhh. what a trainwreck that is. drapey, ill fitting blob of wrinkly blue. yikes. bad call on that one.

um, are you kidding me with this one? do i need to say anything at all here? ugh, yuck. so, overall, i wasn't impressed.

while, i'm on the topic of formal dressing, jaxie, our line of accessories at fred...headbands, clips, etc...has expanded. check out the great new necklaces we are now carrying. perfect for dressing up your evening dresses:

these pieces are really stunning in person too. made with vintage jewelry--they are definitely statement pieces.

jaxie's new fall/winter headband line is deeply fabulous. stop into fred soon before they sell out.

check out jaxie products, fred and luscious on the morning blend: http://www.themorningblend.com/NewsArticle/tabid/1474/xmid/36082/Default.aspx

with the chilly weather rolling in, now's the time to stop into fred for our selection of sweaters, scarves and coats. our fred fashion show last thursday at hotel metro was a huge success! check back soon for pictures of that great night!

edge of night

2009-09-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

i've been living and breathing fashion the last couple weeks...with fashion night out last thursday, the big lela fashion show on saturday and planning our huge upcoming fred fashion show next week thursday, along with our ladies night this thursday..it's been event after event. throw in the rachel zoe project, project runway, flaire's styling competition and it seems i don't have any time for anything other than fashion these days. i'm not complaining, but i will say it's making it hard for me to not want everything i see. i'm trying to be good and not spend, but really? how can i not when all the trends are constantly being shoved down my throat? haha, that was dramatic and harsh, but i really am battling my shopaholic tendencies lately. so far, however, i am sticking to my list. i'm not straying. at all. i'm proud of myself that way. but i can't keep my head on straight these days because all i want to do is shop. i think about material things morning, noon and night. is that shallow? perhaps, but i like to think it's part of my job to think about these things...well, that's how i justify it anyway. so, on rachel zoe, taylor has been wearing an army green military-esque jacket and i've wanted one for months now. she wears hers with a huge turquoise statement necklace. i saw a jacket styled with a heather grey vneck tshirt and a floral topshop skirt. so, this is next on my list to purchase. we're getting a super cute one in next week at fred that i'm dying to get. check out what i'm talking about:

they're casual for the most part..i used to have one in the 90s that i wore during my grunge phase, but this time around i'll wear it with skirts and dresses, not my ripped up jeans. i think that's what i love most about fashion right now for myself. wearing things unexpectedly. like a leather bomber or biker jacket over a cocktail dress. wearing this casual jacket with a high waisted floral skirt...wearing anything in an unexpected manner is what i'm about right now. take leather. yes, i'll wear it via my bomber and biker jacket, but how cool is leather when you wear it like this?:

you don't see too many leather cardigans, which is why i love that.

same goes for this leather tank top. and yes, there have been some cute leather dresses, but this leather dress just hasn't been seen too often:

so cute, minus the side boob shot. i'd wear a tank under it. even wearing this fancy cocktail dress with the faux leather bottom part is cool:

so, i'll be getting some leather or faux leather pieces that are unexpected this season. sequins are huge too, so i'm thinking i'll skip the sequin skirt or jacket, even though i love them, and go for something more unexpected like this sequin tshirt:
you get the point, wear the trends in a not-so-obvious manner. i'll continue to daydream, night dream, any dream about obtaining the remainder of my fall must have list. i'm happy to hear that some of my readers are making their own fall binders too. yay! i'm not alone. love it!

taken out of context(ure)

2009-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

my favorite part about fall dressing besides the amazing boots, is experimenting with textures. i feel my best when i'm comfortable, yet i don't want to sacrifice style too much. i saw this picture of a woman in a purple satin corseted balenciaga dress with a cozy looking wool/cashmere blend purple coat over it. i was inspired. i have my favorite fuzzy pale blue coat from fred and i had to get a satin dress to wear under it. so i did. minuet dresses at fred rule. they fit like a glove and are inexpensive, but look like a million bucks. the outfit kinda looks like this:

well, not really, but the strapless dress looks similar, but my coat is much fuzzier/cozier looking with a shawl collar. i love the way the fabrics play off one another. silky satin, which is fitted and sexy, worn with a warm and toasty fuzzy winter coat. i have always been a fan of mixing textures. like wearing leather with cashmere. i swear i'd wear it all through fall if i could afford to. mixing a leather skirt, or the of-the-moment leather legging type pants with a soft knit sweater. how perfect:

for me, i feel like i'm pulling off a rocker look, hard and edgy, but adding a feminine, or not so harsh sweater to balance it out. it works for me. and i don't feel like i'm trying too hard to be cool. same goes for my leg/footwear. i love playing with texture. textured tights, a sweater dress and a shoe of a different texture. i'm all about suede. i love suede shoes even though they're not that practical for this state and its wretched weather, but i love wearing tights with a pattern, a warm chunky knit sweater dress and suede shoes. all i need is a hot toddy or some cold weather beverage in my hand and i'm a happy camper.

yep, it's like comfort food for fashion. and honestly it's my favorite part of cold weather. wearing the clothes to keep me warm, but still looking good. so, that's all i'm thinking about now as the temps keep dropping a little, and the sun goes down earlier....cold weather..ugh, keep it. but bring on the mixed textures and cozy pieces of fall and winter.

there's no stopping me now

2009-08-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

the cooler temps this past weekend have me dreaming about all clothes fall. i keep staring at my new ash "olivia" foldover boots, mentally planning outfits around them. it's so ridiculous how crazed i've been as of late. our new fall merchandise is coming in this week at fred and it's to the point i want to go in on my days off to see the new stuff. sometimes i feel like the luckiest girl in the world that i am in the career i'm in. first looks at all the new styles, get to write this blog and just spew out my fashion thoughts..and i'm watching the new season of project runway while i do it. ah, this is the life.

so today i got a bunch of emails from some of my favorite websites, offering huge sales, like take 30% off of merchandise already 70% off. at first my dummy self thought, well, uh, wouldn't it be free...duh. no airhead it's not, but it's certainly worth checking out. i thought it would be all summer merchandise, but to my surprise and delight it's not! i know i said i was bummed that the styles this season were too much like past seasons, but now i'm overjoyed. i have a base fall wardrobe and can just add on some amazing pieces. check out these finds at shopbop.com:

this torn by robby kobo fringe vest was originally $308. after the extra sale it comes to $64.68! i can add this to my rocker chic ensembles for cheap. you can style it like this chick is wearing it for the last couple weeks of summer, then put it on over a long sleeve blouse and darker skinny jeans and boots for fall.

both of these shoes are perfect for now and early fall. the first pair, tashkent by cheyenne were originally $564, and are now $118.44. the nude colored platform sandals by velvet angels were originally $295 and can be yours for a mere $61.95, and are available in black too. both can be worn now with cute dresses or worn over textured tights with all your fall ensembles.

wear the gray sandals with these hot skinny "sydney" jeans by ever with a plaid button down for fall. i love that gray and black jeans are cool right now. i bought a pair of skinny gray paige premium denim jeans a couple winters ago and have seriously gotten a ton of wear out of them. i love them and i love that gray and muted black and even jet black jeans are in style. the rocker look is kinda 80s which we all know i'm not a fan of, but the modern twists, like pairing it with plaid, or balancing it with deep floral feminine tops makes the look so fresh. oh, so these jeans were originally $242, but can be in your closet for only $50.82. i'm telling you times are still kinda tough, and saving money is always a plus.

this cropped boho-esque sweater was originally $260, and an editor's pick, and is now $54.60. look at how cute it looks with the denim shorts now, wear it with a long tank under it and skinny jeans and comfy uggs or my new favorite brand thanks to my cousin lorri, australian love collective boots (kinda like uggs, but cooler). i know this sweater isn't everyone's cup of tea, but i like the shape of it. the cropped top/sweaters that i'm seeing at fred frightened me at first, but once layered over something look awesome. trust me!

this romantic white blouse on the shopplanetblue.com's sale page would make a nice addition to my fall wardrobe. ruffles still going strong, the feminine shape would work well with my dark destroyed skinny jeans and new suede boots. this la rok ruffle tunic was $269 originally, but now on sale for $69. so, i'm offering up some advice here. and this is to myself too. you can get great pieces for fall without paying the just arrived pricetag. i live check to check and i'm pretty much broke til payday on friday. after surfing all my fave websites this morning and going through all the sale pages, i did find a gem of a steal. and honestly, i don't care if i have to eat glue all week to stay alive because these jeans i found are worth it.

so, on the revolveclothing.com website, i found these current elliott "motorcycle bell" jeans in color: night. everyone knows my obsession with all things current elliott. i have worn my elephant bell in super love destroyed to the ground. i wear them like three times a week. they are the most comfortable, worn in, favorite jeans of mine. so imagine the thrill of finding these, in my size, same fit as my current faves, but with the moto detail on the knee, in this dark wash. um, yeah. i think i came close to crying with excitement. so, i called my two credit cards to try to increase my limits, yeah, no go on that, probably a good thing, but decided to do some researching online. my ex-coworker jenelle told me about retailmenot.com about a year ago, and told me i could always find a coupon for most websites for extra money off. ok, so get this. the jeans were originally $275 (pretty steep, even for me, but worth it)....they were marked down to $138. oh so doable, but gave the ole retailmenot a looksee and found a coupon for an additional 20% off, which totaled me out at $110.40...free shipping. are you kidding me? so, yes, this week is starting off glorious for me. ordered the jeans at 9:35am, just got shipping notification at 10:48 and the jeans should be in my possession by wednesday. it's amazing how happy this can make me. so, point of my whole post today is...yes, we're all excited about fall clothes. and we are sick of summer clothes. i said i wasn't going to buy anything summer, no matter how cheap it is. but as i've learned today, you can get fall items, in the sale pages of a lot of websites. or maybe they're even from last fall/winter, but that's okay since all those looks are still thriving this year. we're all crunched for dough, well not all of us, but some, so why not save a buck or two? or in my case $165 on my new favorite jeans. do i sound like a commercial? save a buck or two. what's wrong with me? ugh. i'm a dork.

anyway, this is a great shopping week. i can feel it. we're getting in tons of stuff at fred this week. and we're having a sale on thursday for our ladies night from 5-10. get your new fall wardrobe started, or updated or whatever you need to do. do it on thursday night when you can save some cash. it's a really good feeling. shopping sans buyers remorse is pure bliss. i know i said i'd have a knock it off this week, but i take it back. i'm waiting for our new stuff to lure you in. i'll do a couple of them next week. but don't forget ladies night on thursday. also, mention that you read my blog and get 20% off anything in store now until the end of august. talk to you soon!

fall(ing) in love again

2009-08-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

all i do is think about fall clothes now. fall must have list, written, and re-written, and re-written, fall binder, done. now all i have to do is buy everything. hahaha, oh how i long for an unlimited budget. all i want to do is shop. i couldn't sleep for four nights in a row because all i could do was think about clothes. sick. my coworker/intern katie and i are starting a milwaukee branch of shopper's anonymous. let me know if you want to join. anyway, saturday was a great shopping day. had an alterra chai for breakfast and followed it up with the sidewalk sale in the third ward and fred. met up with fellow shopaholics and hit up the sales. unbelievably enough, i stuck to my fall list. scored an awesome top by the brand rojas at flaire and my new favorite fall piece, my looser fitting white button down from stephanie horne. i've always been obsessed with finding the perfect white button down, and now, mission accomplished. this is the rojas top, but i plan on styling it with jeans and a longer tank for fall. although a high waisted skirt would complement this top. white button downs look awesome looser fitting, over leggings (not my fave), skinny jeans, or over a sequin skirt. another fall must have:

i love that last look with those tie dye jeans i'm dying for. the look does work with sequin skirts too. sequins have never been my thing, but i really like the idea of a super flashy sequin skirt with a men's style button down, leggings and ankle boots for fall. i'll give it a shot.

i'm happy to see that my key piece of last fall/winter is still huge this season: the boyfriend blazer. i'll wear it over a drapey tee and the sequin skirt, or over pretty much anything again. that bf blazer of mine got a workout last fall/winter/spring and it's totally getting a workout again. i love it. i should probably find a couple more to alternate. i love the elizabeth and james version, but too pricey for me. i'll find something.

i'm at that point now where it's the hottest it has been outside, and i hate getting dressed. all i want to do is wear my new button down, my new mm couture moto style jacket (that i scored at lela today..oops, just went to drop off consignment, left with a fall gem), my olivia foldover boots, sweaters...ah, i can't wait. i'm sick of spaghetti strap dresses and my beat to hell flat jeffrey campbell sandals. gross. i'm even day/night dreaming about my new fall haircolor. i do love the new season. time for change. i ordered up my new fall nail polishes and even the thought of that makes me want to squeal. i love fall fashion. project runway starts again, new rachel zoe...i feel like i'm on a fashion high. our fred fashion show is (mark your calendars): september 24th on the rooftop of the hotel metro...inquire about modeling and/or tickets at fred...lela's fall fashion show is september 12th. i'm just stoked. i love this time of year.

i saw a bag similar to this one...which i can't stop drooling over...it's half a g, really, who do i think i am? can i honestly even think about this bag anymore? how can i afford it? what can i do to obtain this one?

distressed leather/brownish black in color/rocker studs...come on now. this needs to be on my person come september. just amazing.

well, our buyer is in LA now scoring some of the coolest fall merch for fred, so stop in soon. don't forget about ladies night next thursday from 5-10. sorry there's no knock it off today, but look for one soon. i'm waiting to knock off fall stuff. no more summer stuff. all i want to focus on is fall.

back in the saddle again

2009-08-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

okay, so my fashion funk is finally over! i'm now obsessed with a zillion fall trends. yay. i was nervous for a bit. but the second i opened the latest nordstrom catalog, i fell in love with fashion all over again. top it off with the september issue of lucky, and now my fall must have binder is filling up fast! at first i was kinda upset that the fall fashion linuep was similar to last fall/winter in style, but now i see the bright side of that. i don't have to replace my wardrobe from last year...i can just add key pieces to wake up my looks. it's kinda good for the budget too i guess. i can now splurge on some pricey pieces to make my fall wardrobe amazing. i am so glad that i'm inspired again...i can't even wait to get my hands on the new essie and opi nail colors for fall. angora cardi by essie looks ridiculously cool. deep purples and browns are going to replace my nude hues that have coated my nails the last four months and i'm thrilled. i realized i was getting boring. i was settling for blah summer style. but now i have my inspiration board filled and i can't wait to get my hands on all of these things. it started the second that i saw this boot in the nordstrom catalog:

omg, seriously? is that the freaking coolest boot ever? and everyone knows i'm not a heel-wearer, but that's only a 3.5 inch heel and i don't care anything about mangling my feet. if i'm wearing those, i don't care if my foot falls off. the foldover boot is probably the most awesome boot i've ever seen. i'm dying. so, to end my fashion rut, i ordered those puppies via nordstrom at like 3am on a thursday morning. and that sparked my entire fall wardrobe hunt. check out these other foldover styles. so cool:so, fall triggers my obsession with new skinny jeans. ones i can tuck into those boots. i'll keep wearing my skinnies, the darker the better, but i am going to dig deep into my pocket and get these by current elliott, my favorite denim designers. it combines both of the denim trends i'm all about this season, tie dye and moto. i wanted moto style jeans all last year, but didn't purchase, so you know this is my next major buy this year:

i love the distress, the hippie tie dye, the edgy moto...i've been literally having dreams about my new denim lineup this year. after wearing all my bohemian dresses this summer, i can't wait to do a 180 and wear these rocker/edgy looks.

so, i have my boots, with cool new denim tucked in. i'll probably wear some chunky knits, some drapey tees or tanks, layered, some deep floral print bohemian blouses to keep with my style. but the piece i'm most excited for is a fur vest:
totally channeling my inner rachel zoe, but i'm doing it. fake fur only for me. real fur creeps me out for some reason. ick. i'll wear this fur vest over a subtle floral print blouse or a plain black airy blouse and my boots. done and done.

i'm still mad for plaid and i love how i've seen it styled in magazines. worn open with some super soft layering tanks under it, over a skirt or dress...and when it gets cooler, my last season boyfriend blazer topping off the look. amazing. i've always loved plaid button downs. i probably owned at least fifty in my life. i'm so glad the grungey rockery look is still going strong. i don't know what i was thinking when i said i was bored with fall fashion. good god i must have been fighting off a cold or something. now i can't get enough. all i want to do is read and re-read my lucky mag...and i literally bolt to the mailbox the second my mailman pulls up, dying in anticipation for the next september issue to arrive. unfortunately, it seems my issues are delayed. i see them on the newsstands and get enraged with craze as they are available to john q. public, but as a subscriber they're not at my door yet. ugh. maddening. anyway, i can't wait to wear all my plaid tops.

as an accessories buyer, i love seeing the latest trends in jewelry. i'd rather have a million fashion trendy accessories than real diamonds or expensive tiffany-esque pieces. i love experimenting with accessories and this season, i'm digging all the rockery studs, skulls, spikes, zippers, etc...i still love gold...silver makes my skin look pale, so i'm gonna get my hands on all the trends at fred. annie and i will go crazy buying the latest and greatest fall accessories and everyone can get their mitts on them for cheap at fred. things like this:

i could go on and on and i will, i promise, next week. sorry for my lapse in posts. i felt blah and boring and didn't want that to affect anyone who reads my blog. but i'm happy to report i'm back in the saddle again and i can't wait to spew out more of my fashion must haves for fall very soon.

i'll leave you with this knock it off. kinda edgy still as the summer comes to an end, you can start getting that fall feel with the exposed zipper look in this warm weather ensemble. get your fall lookbooks in order so you can be organized like me when shopping. don't go mental and buy a bunch of cheap junk. fill the gaps in your wardrobe from last fall/winter with some updated pieces that will rock your look.

Knock It Off

pete and repeat

2009-07-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

i know it's not just me, because i've had this discussion with a couple fred shoppers recently: what's going on lately with milwaukee fashion? maybe it's the fact that temperatures were a record low the last couple days, or maybe we're just thinking about things other than shopping...which i have been guilty of lately myself, but it seems like everyone is dressing the same. am i crazy? perhaps. but i feel like we're all uninspired lately. i haven't seen anything special on anyone. everyone, including myself, seems to have this ho-hum attitude about getting dressed. i've been guilty of repeating outfits lately, which i never do...and i haven't cared. is it the weather? excess boozing at all the festivals leaving us listless and sloppy? i don't know. whatever the case, i'm really trying to get inspired. all my pre-fall mags are rolling in and even though i don't want to imagine summer ending, it's inevitable. i'm forced to look at all the trends on their way in--more rocker chic, edgy, leather, studs, fringe...and i think, yeah, so what? been there done that last fall/winter. ugh. maybe i'm in a fashion slump. i need to break out. i think it's just mildly premature to think about fall fashion. so i don't even want to write about it yet. but it feels like fall right now, so i guess i should be all about it. i'm trying to shake it off, but i'm struggling. i will say that the new hot color combo trend, tangerine and khaki is new and refreshing to me. i love it:

i guess that's a tiny pic. we just had in the best handbag...khaki with bright tangerine detailing. loved it. scooped up by a stylish chick within two days of arrival. i've always been a big fan of surprising color combos...chocolate brown and baby blue, purple and green, royal and yellow...anything that pops. and this new tangerine and khaki look is cool. sorta militant, sorta safari...but definitely new and appealing.

i have been seeing a lot of 80s inspired looks on people lately. am i a fan? no. hate all 80s. big hair, gross, music, cheesy...everything is off to me. i'm not opposed to retro style in general, but i'm sorry, bright neon, stone washed, flashdance-y styles will never do it for me. but i guess it must be trying to make a comeback...probably with the people who didn't do it the first time around. well, fine, enjoy it, but don't say i didn't warn you when years from now, you're revisiting your pictures in your 80s junque, and just the sight of that costume-like attire sends you crawling into a hole. eh, see, i'm being negative nancy again. i can't get out of this fashion funk. usually i'm inspired by the small things and nothing lately is cutting it.

on the bright side, fred is getting in tons of cute stuff lately. dresses for any occassion, a great brand called ya that fits everyone perfectly, and tons more on the way in within the next couple weeks. we have a fashion show at cans on thursday the 23rd that we're stoked about. we'll showcase all our new dresses. we also have a bunch of new jewelry, with more coming in mid-week. even if i'm in a rut, i guarantee you'll find some gems at fred.

i don't want to leave this blog on such a gloom and doom note, but i'm hoping you can help. comment on what you think is great about fashion lately, what you've seen and liked, or just comment on what you think my problem is. just kidding. but if you are in the same boat as me lately, let me know i'm not the only one. we're giving away a gift certificate to a random blog commenter, so your thoughts will count. let me know what you're thinking. can't wait to hear.

don't forget about fred's ladies night, the last thursday of the month from 5-10pm. take advantage of the buy a dress, get the second at half off special. i'll talk to you soon. hopefully with a list of all the things that inspire me and my new obsessions and must haves!

Knock It Off

wedding crashers

2009-07-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

i haven't worked a shift at fred in the last month, where at least three chicks per day were in the store looking for a dress to wear to an upcoming wedding. yep, it's wedding season, and time to buy dresses appropriate for any summer style wedding. i can't believe how many people struggle with finding the perfect dress to wear. i get asked a zillion questions, can i wear a black dress? is a maxi dress too casual? can i wear a dress with white in it? i don't know if it's just me, but i don't think i've ever questioned what to wear. i didn't realize there were any rules other than don't wear a white/ivory dress...but apparently, there's a lot of confusion. i say, wear whatever you feel comfortable in. i would never wear a white dress anyway; i'm a slob. a calamity, if you will. i drop my coffee on me on average twice a week. so i always tell customers, wear a dress that makes you happy. one that you will wear again. one you can style dressier for the wedding and more casual so you can wear it again. steer clear of white, and you're fine. and don't dress too risque. so those are my rules. i asked my coworker and friend, annie maederer, a couple questions, since she's the queen of getting dressed up, what her thoughts were on weddings. here's her take on what to wear:

what would you wear to a summer wedding that is black tie? a black tie summer wedding requires a formal dress. because it is summer, i would recommend a short dressy cocktail dress. black cocktail dresses always look formal (and yes, it is perfectly acceptable to wear black to a wedding nowadays) and you can differentiate yours with a statement necklace. fred currently has numerous styles of black strapless dresses and is always stocked with statement jewelry. because it is summer though, why not opt for a vibrant or saturated color dress instead? fred has a stunning silk cobalt blue dress. even though it's a shorter style, the silk makes it formal and accesssories can help dress it up even more. black patent or strappy metallic heels always dress things up more too.

how about a "normal" summer wedding? a normal summer wedding really allows you freedom to wear any cute, fun dress. i love this time of year because it's when fred has the most dresses in stock. there are so many styles and patterns to choose from. my favorite is the brand minuet. they make solid colored dresses with unique origami detail, ruffles, box pleats, or flower appliques. they always seem to look great on everyone and sell out immediately when we a get a shipment in! their dresses come in the perfect colors for summer too: magenta, teal blue, yellow, green, etc. there really is such a wide selection of styles and brands of dresses at fred right now and the majority of them would work for any summer wedding. and i'm so thankful we don't have to worry about what tights or jacket we need to wear with them anymore too!

what do you recommend for an outdoor summer wedding? for me, an outdoor casual wedding reception is all about the appropriate fabric choice. i would stick to any cotton or jersey fabric--nothing too formal like silk. and even thought it is casual, it's not a backyard bbq, so a dress is still the most appropriate option. since it's outdoors, i would stay away from black and opt for a colorful flower pattern, which is one of the biggest trends this season. and one more important thing to remember: don't wear stilletos! you'll have sinkage issues in the grass, so a cute strappy metallic flat sandal or wedge would be best.

so, there you have it. your wedding dress dilemmas solved. here are my top picks for dresses we have at fred right now--come scoop 'em up fast:

and don't forget to check out our new store luscious, right next to fred! talk to you next week! here's this week's installment of knock it off. please disregard beyonce's missing arm. :)

Knock It Off

ikat get enough of this print

2009-06-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

i've been smitten by ikat print for years. you've heard me rave on about tribal/boho everything, so i'll slow my roll on that, but ikat is where it's at. a girl came into fred the other day wearing an awesome ikat print tank and my coworker and i just about freaked out when she said she got it at target for $8. i'm so going there and scoring one tomorrow. i know i'm on a no-shopping bender again, but really, $8...might as well be free. my most recent ikat obsession came when i saw rachel bilson wear this outfit: yeah, cutest skirt ever. so now i'll fantasize about ikat everything. dresses:

my favorite, the ikat maxi--perfect for any occassion, not just hanging out at the beach. i love lauren conrad's style and this dress is one of my all-time favorite looks on her:

there's a lot of women that come into fred and love printed items, but say they won't wear them because a. they feel fat in prints, b. they only wear solid colors and c. they feel prints are "too busy"...well, i couldn't disagree more. i think if you keep everything else simple, like shoes and jewelry, this is the most stylish and hot look for summer. i do tend to steer clear of prints in winter, but summer is my time to bust out all the prints. and i realize i get more compliments in my clothing in summer. people remember prints. they don't remember that black tank you wear over and over. i know it's not about other people, but how you feel, but it feels great to have someone compliment you on your ensemble.

our sister store, luscious, opened up last friday next door to fred and is packed with cute printed dresses and tops for the curvier figured. this dress reminds me of something in there and i love it:

stop into luscious thru the end of the month for 25% off your purchase! say hi to my friend, and owner, kotti. she's amazing and can help you look your best this summer.

while you're there, hop on over to fred and score these new items we just got in. i think this dress is one of the cutest dresses we've ever had in:

and even though it seems like summer is finally here, it still is chilly at night. we got in these super cute lightweight wraps in three colors...oatmeal, a subtle aqua-ish color and black:

so, stop into fred and luscious soon and score some hot summer frocks like this dress, similar to one of my favorite fashion mavens, joy bryant:

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new jersey

2009-06-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

ahhhh, the first warm weekend came and went and i'm stoked for what's to come. finally! my neglected summer wardrobe is about to get a workout. summer's all about being comfortable and i live in jersey all summer long. tees, tanks, little jersey dresses...that's what i'm talking about. as much as i love my little silk cami's, i'm just a bit more comfortable in jersey. there are so many options out there, i almost don't know where to begin. when we went to fashion week, i scored this little number at bop in madison, and i wore it today:

i took off the halter strap and wore it strapless, but it looks cute either way. dresses like these are my summer staples. no brainers i call them. throw on, look cute, add sandals, out the door. easy, cute, simple, done. i have loads of dresses like this, and i love each and every one of them. short, knee-length, maxi...check, check and check. fred carries a line called rubicon and they make easy breezy dresses and tops to carry you through summer. i bought a jersey maxi, a light heather gray, kinda like this one:

and i can't wait to wear it with some comfy haviana flip flops. i'm also digging these dresses:
you get the point. for a more casual look, i love a soft tee or tank. i've said it before, alternative apparel is awesome. the cottons are super comfy, the cuts are modern and flattering. check out katie, my new intern, wearing the styles we have at fred.so cute. you can be totally casual in the unisex organic tees, dress them up with statement necklaces or wear the skirt/tank combo, so it looks high-waisted. any way you style it, it's cute. come snag your alternative apparel before it's gone.

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fred and luscious hit up wisc fashion week

2009-06-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

so, annie, kotti, katie and i went to wisconsin fashion week for fred and luscious over memorial day weekend. there used to be a milwaukee fashion week and a madison fashion week, but this year they were combined into one...in madison. so, up we were at 5am, ugh, groggily loaded up the truck and car by 8ish, on the road by 9. the show took place at the overture center just off state street, so that was cool. it turned out to be a hot day, but we quickly cooled off with bloody mary's pre-show. the venue was amazing, and we were happy to be part of the event. maybe memorial day weekend wasn't the greatest weekend for a major fashion production, but it was well done, nonetheless. emmy fink, anchor on the madison cw, was the emcee--check out how adorable she is in her fred dress:

while it was a LONG day, it was worth it. our models looked great. see for yourself:

all fashions are available in stores now. with the weather hopefully starting to warm up, you'll need to stock up on all your summer fred and luscious dresses for festival season. with jazz in the park and riversplash kicking off this week, it's time to break out your warm weather wardrobe and hit the town. if you're like me, you have a closet full of summer clothes, just begging to be worn...it's almost torture that we haven't been able to wear these clothes yet in june, cuz it's just too chilly. hopefully the temps will flip, and we can dive into our closets and get this show on the road soon. i refuse to wear long sleeves anymore this month. it's sickening.

well, another semester came and went and megs, my intern, is about to leave. again, i'm sad and will miss her dearly. good news though, my talented megs, will have her designs available either in-store at fred, or on our website soon. and if any of you out there that read this are inspiring designers, be it clothes, handbags or jewelry...or know of someone who is, check out fredboutique.com's home page for info on showcasing your merchandise on our website.

so, for now, megs says goodbye a la miley cyrus in this week's knock it off. see you soon!

Knock It Off

to sum(mer) it up...

2009-05-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

memorial day weekend marks the start of my favorite time of the year...summer. i love the heat, the festivals, the outdoor patios, the music and most of all, the clothes. for me, summer is the easiest time to get dressed. throw something simple on, sandals, hair in a loose chignon and go. i don't overthink anything about my summer style. what i look for is comfort and simplicity. i can always accessorize accordingly. i live in jersey dresses, tanks and skirts, jeans and flat sandals. sunglasses are pivotal, and the hardest accessory for me...because i feel very few sunglasses look good on me. i tend to look like a beetle in 98% of the sunglasses i put on. do i have a freakishly small face? perhaps. but i see all of milwaukee looking stylish in their shades and i'm seriously jealous. why don't they look good on me? well, i have my ray ban aviators i bought in LA that i wear all the time, and even though they're not perfect, they come close. and now i'm obsessed with another pair of ray bans, the wayfarers with some cool, hippie-ish print on the top and they will be mine this week. my friend jillian has them and every time i see her i put them on. and fall in love. she said they only look good on us because we have baby faces and peanut heads, so yay for peanut heads! anyway, summer is right around the corner. riversplash is next week, summerfest a couple weeks away and i'm stoked. it's time to stop overthinking and just be comfy, casual and easy. the stylish, like annie at fred, will bust out her adorable fashion forward rompers, my friend alicia at lela will sport her printed maxi dresses, and i'll wear my overpriced but awesome william rast boyfriend shorts and we'll hit up all my favorite summer in milwaukee spots...and i couldn't be more excited. here's a photo diary of what exudes summer style in good ole milwaukee:

ahhhhh, now that's what i'm talking about. scroll back and forth and relish in the fact that it's so close. just around the corner. gotta love summer in milwaukee...this is why we endure eight months of wisconsin-weather hell.

so stop into fred and get your hands on all those cute and easy summer dresses, like this assymetric one-shoulder bright pink number below. think of all your favorite summer things and get that summer wardrobe ready!

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sack it to me

2009-05-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

sack dresses...otherwise known as a-line, potato sacks, garbage bag dresses...what have you...whatever you call them, they can be tricky. so many people come into fred and say, "are these ever going to go out of style?" or "who actually looks good in them?" i say, anyone can wear the look, regardless of size. i don't mind the bagginess of the dress. a handful of my friends will put one on and say they look knocked up and in maternity wear. here's an example of what i'm talking about:

to some, the style may not be the most figure flattering, but i think they look good. and not only nicole ritchie-size girls can wear them. but nicole does look adorable here:

there is a simple solution to the sack dress. add a belt. it's easy:

did you see how simple that was? here it is again:

that's really all it takes. the belt creates a waist instantly. it changes the look of the dress. it really doesn't matter what kind of belt...thick, thin...anything goes. here posh adds a waist cincher:

i don't know exactly what that is? a braided piece of leather/plastic? can't really tell, but whatever it is, she tied something around her waist, and created a more flattering figure. she might look mad or scared or whatever that expression is, but i tell you, it's really a quick and easy way to change the look of a dress. or a coat. throw on a belt. done, out the door.

i love the look of the sack dress with gladiator sandals. i feel like i see it on mischa barton a lot. even though she gets some slack for being a fashion disaster, i like her look sometimes. reese witherspoon sports this look too and looks fabulous. see my knock it off below for a pic of reese rocking this look.

anyway, to all the women who say they feel pregnant in these dresses, then the look isn't for you. but try it with a belt first. i like to put on a long cardigan or alternative apparel wrap over the dress, then belt it all. i think it's a flattering look.

i'm super excited for wisconsin fashion week. both fred and luscious will showcase their looks in madison on may 23rd. check out their website: http://http//www.wisconsinfashionweek.com/

also, i had to do a quick plug on fred for the event on the madison cw. listen to my fargo-esque accent and enjoy (but do admire my cute outfit. i have no money, but i need that ryu skirt! we have them in khaki at fred now!): http://http//www.madisonscw.com/SubPage.aspx?page=2661

steal reese's look, with an a-line dress by ryu, available at fred now!

Knock It Off

jimson weed and ram's head

2009-05-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

people ask me how i get inspired fashion-wise. this is a tough one for me, since i honestly think i've had the same style forever. i'm earthy. i like boho. always have, always will. it's not hard for me to be inspired. i know what i like, and i wear it. i don't overthink. but i think inspiration comes from everywhere. people you see in the magazines, on tv, in the street...magazines are huge for me...i subscribe to every fashion rag there is, and i read them...cover to cover. i rip out what i like--be it a new perfume that sounds intriguing, a review of a book, a gucci bag i'll never own, a missoni beach towel...and i throw it all in a binder. i keep things that i love to look at, aspire to own, sell my plasma to own...what-have-you...and i keep it all together. i'm not really a spontaneous shopper. my friends will tell you otherwise, but really, i write a list of must haves and just start buying them...that's what i do. i'm inspired everyday. i see a look on someone and have to have it. i then begin my frantic search for the perfect piece. i love it and i live for it. it's who i am. i have always been a huge fan of art. and georgia o'keefe has always been my favorite artist. her work inspires me. i buy clothes that feel like her works. jimson weed, ram's head and sunny day are my favorites. i look at these pictures and i want to buy anything that reminds me of it: my post this week is on clothes that make me think of these works of art. and i know i've mentioned it before, but i am honestly DYING to own a pair of perforated cowboy-esque boots to wear in spring and summer. it's torturous how bad i want these frye boots. i quit smoking to obtain a pair of frye boots once as a bribe. it worked. temporarily. but i'm telling you, once you wear a pair of fryes, everything else pales in comparison. and i want these. oh my god, do i want these:

my birthday is in 14 days. how can i obtain these? ugh, they're such a necessity. (haha, drama queen). anyway, i looked for less expensive options, and yeah, i like them, but the frye's need to be mine:

i love the distress on this last pair, but they're even more expensive. like over a grand expensive. yeah, not gonna happen. but that's the look. i want modern southwestern chic boots. to wear now. with the cutest white dress ever. this is called the cowboy dress by kettle black (who make the best plaid/flannel shirts):

how cute is that dress, the frye boots, a leather bracelet and a chunky turquoise ring? dying. i need it. so, that's how i do it. see something that i love aestetically, find things that remind of me of said thing, purchase. easy. i'm not sure if the southwestern chic look is in per se right now, but i don't care. i'm wearing it. and it makes me happy. that's all i care about. there was a spread in some magazine lately...outlaw chic or something it was called. i loved everything. the jewelry, the models clothes, her hair...everything...let me see if i can find it:

yep, there it is. this made me want denim boyfriend shorts (got 'em), and this made me want to stack a zillion bracelets and layer my necklaces.

could i pull off that last look? no way. but i like it. add a couple southwestern chic touches to your wardrobe if that's what floats your boat. i love the georgia o'keefe paintings and it influences my fashion sense. find a picture you like, and follow that inspiration. just always wear what makes you feel good. and makes you happy. who cares if it's not "in style" at the moment...you feel good and that's what counts.

Knock It Off

totally not southwestern chic, but chic nonetheless. come into fred and check out our great new accessories and clothes arriving this week.

get it together

2009-04-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

i've been posting about all the spring trends i'm obsessing over, so now it's time to put all the looks together. hopefully everyone's got a good start on their spring wardrobes--i know i do. (hello disgusting visa bill that showed up in my inbox today. yikes.) so, let's take a gander at the looks as worn by the truly stylish celebs and get our spring wardrobes on the right track:

trend #1: distressed jeans/scarf look:

jessica alba got it right wearing her distressed boyfriend jeans, cute flats and scarf. i know i've said throw a scarf on before, but really, just do it. you'll look completely put together just like that. carry your cute hobo/slouchy bag and if it's cold (duh) add a cardigan or pick up a must-have wrap/cardi by alternative apparel, the brand i told you about last post (which arrived the other day at fred and has been selling fast!) and you're out the door. this look is casual, easy and best of all comfortable.

trend #2: nude shoes:

how ridiculously cute is isla fisher here? i love the bright yellow dress, with the belt and leather jacket. i have to say this is one of my favorite celebrity looks for spring. nude shoes go with anything. absolutely anything. sometimes i'm intimidated by wearing bright color, but when you tone it down with nude or camel-colored accessories, it's really not scary at all. it stands out and you'll make a great impression.

trend #3: florals:

joy bryant is one of my favorite celeb dressers. she always looks cute to me. i love her mini floral print dress and the way she accessorizes with the fringe boots and cropped blazer. i like the blazer idea too, because i get sick of wearing my little leather jackets all the time over things. ashley tisdale keeps it simple accessory wise with the black shoes and tuxedo jacket. whether you like your floral print subtle like bryant or bold like tisdale, the trick is to balance it out with the right accessories. keep it simple. i'm an accessories fan, and i remember reading once, i think coco chanel said it, but i could be wrong and i'm too lazy to look it up...take one piece of jewelry off before you leave the house...or it could be one accessory. i really do take in that advice. i'd easily walk out wearing three rings, a necklace, earrings, bangles...but i remember reading that. and i adhere to it. less is more. moving on...

trend #4: statement necklace:

i know we're not all loaded and can buy these designer pieces, but i have found some great affordable statement pieces that look amazing. fred, and our sister store, luscious, both have huge accessory departments and we get great necklaces for under $40. while i love the way these models look in their necklaces, i tend to stick with wearing them when i have on a simple outfit, like a white tshirt and jeans, or a simple strapless dress, kinda like the first model here. the idea here is to have the necklace be your outfit. the rest is secondary. it's a great conversation piece and they really are stunning on. lastly...

trend #5: my favorite, the boho look:

nicole richie and those olsen girls have always inspired me fashion-wise and i love how nicole wears the maxi. anyone can wear them, tall, short, curvy, skinny and they look great. i know it's a more summer-time look, but if you're going on a vacation, they're perfect. comfy, stylish..throw on some flat gladiator sandals and you're set.

crazy gladiators are still in style and make any outfit boho. boots too. i'm now obsessed with finding a pair of perforated summer/cowboy-esque boots. mini dresses, flowy skirts, leather jackets and aviators...all key boho pieces. love the look. always will.

so, that's that. my push to get everyone to pull those spring looks together. come see the looks tomorrow at the neroli fashion show at the domes. tickets are $25 at fred or luscious, and $35 at the door. doors open at 6:30. hope to see you there!

Knock It Off

fashion sushi and other ramblings

2009-04-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

so, my friend cheryl and i started talking the other day about sushi. i told her i was going out for sushi with a friend and she went off on this hilarious tangent to me about how she feels so much pressure to like sushi, when she really doesn't. she thinks it's ok, but not the greatest food ever...and that's how people make her feel. when she says, "i'm not really a huge fan of sushi", they'll quickly retort with "what, you don't like sushi, why don't you like sushi...you just didn't have good sushi." hahaha. i find this hilarious. she actually gets angry when sushi is brought up. i find cheryl's rants amusing...and it got me thinking, what's the equivalent to sushi in the fashion world?

for me, it's leggings. i hate them. not a fan. and when someone says, "oh that would look great with leggings, " and i say, "yuck, i don't wear leggings," i feel like i'm being attacked..."what, you don't like leggings? they'd look great on you, you're so little, they're made for you." well, sorry john q. pub, i hate leggings. and i especially hate when people call them "leggins" it sounds so goofy to me. leggins...not legginGs...slang for leggings i guess. leggins. yuck. hate it. and i'm sorry i think they're dumb. i hated them the first time i wore them in the early 90s. and i feel they are my sushi equivalent in the fashion world. everyone loves them, and i hate them. and feel personally attacked when i say that. i will say they look cute on some people. i'm a lindsay lohan fan and she looks cute in her leggings most of the time.

but they're just so bizarre to me. they look like aerobic attire.

i feel like lindsay can pull off the look, but she's young and a total free spirit. i really hope her outfit in the middle was a costume or a joke, because yikes is that gross. but the other ensembles work for her.

i really like how kate bosworth wears the leggings here, and i guess maybe i'd wear that, but it's so not me. sjp's look is cute i guess. borderline maternity but whatev, she looks cute and casual. anyway, leggings are still all the rage, and wear them if you want. just don't yell at me for not liking them. thank you. :)

on a totally unrelated note, my intern meghan was trying on trench coats that we have at fred and she looked adorable. check her out in this printed trench:

i love jackets. i have so many, i don't even have time to wear all of them. this print is perfect for spring and so different. it totally makes the outfit. i love the basic trench too, like this one we have at fred now:

it's such a classic. you really can't go wrong with a basic khaki trench. the modern details like the dark leather buttons and shorter bubble sleeves offer that clean, classic look but with a twist. and that's cool.

i have a trench from a couple years ago from fred. vintage fred i call it. i get compliments on it all the time. it's got a big blob of paint on it from when i stupidly grazed up against a recently painted dresser , but i still wear it. i feel like i'll be wearing my coats/jackets for months to come. still in the 40s. i have people ask me all the time, can i go bare legged to a wedding this weekend? can i wear open toe shoes yet? can i wear a strapless dress now? my answer is yes, um, yes...wear whatever you want. it's not gonna get warm for awhile. we get like 2 minutes of summer here, so yes, dump the depressing winter clothes for now, and wear whatever you want. who cares about rules/seasons anymore? i know i don't. wear what makes you happy. my new motto.

and this tunic/dress we just got in at fred makes me happy. it reminded me a bit of nicky hilton's outfit i liked, so i knocked it off. it's not exact, but close enough.

Knock It Off

oh what to blahg about today...

2009-04-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

i've pretty much given up on the thought of warm weather. spring here is nonexistent, and i'm always cold. people were walking around in short sleeve shirts/tank tops with no jackets the other night and my car's temperature gauge read 34 degrees. insanity. well, whatever, at least fred is always hot inside. most people would say it's sweltering in there, but for me, it's perfect. anything that gives me a remote inkling that it can be warm, or warm weather is coming, makes me happy. but for now, i'm in an early spring slump and all i feel like doing is throwing on my favorite jeans, fleece pullovers and hats. so, i decided i would continue to throw on hats pretty much everyday until it gets warm out. covered up, head to toe, that's me til it cracks 60 outside. done.

i've always been a fan of the hat. at times i've stuck out like a sore thumb in my cowboy hat and braids, or my over-the-top faux fur flapper hat with the big ole pom pom things on it, but i never care. hats are cool. my grandpa wore hats everyday and looked sophisticated and stylish and always made a statement. i like to do the same. i mentioned the fedora i loved, and bought a couple weeks ago, and since then i've bought two more. i'll tell ya, they are conversation starters. i think people are intimidated by hats, and i think that mentality needs to stop. for me, i can get an extra 20 minutes of sleep if i know i'm wearing a hat..dirty hair hidden under hat. awesome. i actually feel more confident in a hat. i think i made my point. i'm rambling per usual. hats=cool. these are some of my current faves:

so, that's that for now. hats are where it's at for me. i can't wait to wear my new hats with all the new merchandise we're getting at fred later this month. i'm soooo excited for the new lines we picked up: alternative apparel and kasil jeans. alternative apparel is this super cool tshirt line and we stocked up on it. shirts, hoodies, a cute skirt, some dresses...all super affordable and the most comfortable material EVER. i have a couple of their burnout tees and i wear them all the time.

kasil jeans are amazing. i actually won a pair about five years ago doing those lucky breaks in lucky magazine. i wore them to death, and they were my faves for a long time. i'm so glad we got this line. check it out: http://www.kasiljean.com/catalog/CategoryTemplate.aspx?CCode=5001;shop%20for%20women

i can't wait for these lines to arrive...look for them at fred towards the end of april. i'll let you know when we're getting them as soon as they ship. so, that's it for now. hopefully i won't be complaining about the weather much longer...hurry up 60 degrees. i'm getting impatient.

until then, stop into fred for your 40 degree temperature outfits, like the one similar to heidi klum's here:

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boy(friend) crazy

2009-03-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

i think i'm developing a split personality. lately i have been obsessed with all things feminine--if it's described as silky, airy, flowy and made of silk or chiffon, i've been all over it. i'm sure you got that from my last couple posts. so, how is it possible that i've gone completely mental over all things boyfriend? boyfriend blazer, check. boyfriend jeans, check. boyfriend shorts (and i hate shorts), check. oversized button down, check. straw fedora, check, check, check, check. completely opposite on the style scale. but yep, i have made it my latest fashion mission to obtain all key pieces to achieve this look. i love how laid back and easy the style is. check out some pics:

i opted to purchase the basic black oversized blazer with the striped silk rolled up sleeves and i love it. i love it with my paige premium denim boyfriend jeans and monrow harlow vneck tshirt. i wear it with my gray jeffrey campbell flats. i tried to wear my fedora, but that's bf overkill i think. the hat is super cute and looks similar to this one:

i think i have to keep it simple like that pic.. just a plain tank, the hat and possibly my new bf shorts:

the shorts i got were the william rast birdie bf short. i love the current elliott ones above here, but the rast ones fit better. anyway, i can't wait for it to be warm enough to wear these shorts! (sidenote: are you kidding me with the snow this weekend? come on now. yuck. and all i can do is stare at my spring wardrobe just begging to be worn. but my stupid sporto fur lined fleet farm boots are laughing at me as i put them on yet again for another trek through wisconsin weather hell this morning.)

okay, back to boyfriend ensembles. as much as i miss the cute girl-next-door-joey days-katie holmes at the ole dawson's creek, i have to say i like katie's fashion sense as of late. she was one of the first celebs consistantly wearing this look.

and the look works for her. with flat sandals, heels, whatever, she looks cute. but i must say suri cruise gets my vote for cutest cruise family member. even if she prefers burberry dresses to her mom's bf style, i think she is hilarious. and adorable:
sorry, i had to put that pic in. it just cracks me up. but really, i love the bf look and i hope it stays in style for a long time. some of my fave celeb bf looks:

again, katie looks cute, reese is perfect and i love the second rachel bilson shot. what's the deal with that dog? it looks like she's carrying it with such ease, but it's not a tiny dog..i just don't get it, anyway, the boyfriend look, styled differently for your viewing pleasure.

and i'll keep it kinda on the same casual note for the knock it off this week. come into fred and score some super discounted denim, like the pair below, half off in store right now.

Knock It Off

yellow ledbetter

2009-03-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

what does that even mean? yellow ledbetter? i was trying to come up with something catchy as a title because i'm blogging about yellow dresses and mixed metals. that's all i could come up with. it doesn't really make sense, but then again, it could since i don't know what it means. anyway, i read life and style magazine for the celeb fashion trends...not for creepy octo-mom gossip, but the last issue was full of yellow dresses and it just made me happy. i love the color yellow. it looks iffy on me, but i love it. it's cheery and reminiscent of the sun, i guess, and that's why i love it. mixed metals are huge right now too. i love accessories. probably just as much as clothing. and i'm so glad mixing metals is finally acceptable. i used to always wear black and brown together and people would say, "you can't mix black and brown," and i would just look at them and say i liked it, big deal, but it seemed like i was breaking a fashion law. same went for mixed metals. you could only wear all gold or all silver. well, i'm glad to say, anything goes now. i love this crazy kinda over the top mixed metal necklace. i've really never seen anything like it, so i love it. statement necklaces are still huge, and this one makes a statement. i'm also a fan of this other look-at-me necklace:

if you don't like pieces that mix both metals, just wear your favorite pieces of gold jewelry, with some silver. i wear my hammered gold cuff, that looks like this on one arm:

and i'll wear it with a couple thin silver bangles on the other. or i'll wear that cuff on one arm, and a big chunky hammered silver ring on the opposite hand. i'm just glad the days of matchy matchy are over. yuck. gold and silver make great neutrals too. when i'm not sure of what color footwear to wear with a certain outfit, i can always put on my gold or silver sandals and they look good. with anything really.

so,there's some more examples of mixing metals. you can wear them any season, any occassion and you'll look great. now, to put me in a better mood--yellow! i picture myself on vacation somewhere in this dress:

it just looks comfortable. i'd consider belting it so it's not so sack-like...not that it looks sack-like there, but it never hurts to define a waist. i love the chestnut colored sandals with the yellow too. so cute. pretty much any of these yellow dresses make me smile and i want them all:

i like that they are styled so many different ways. wearing the dress with black opaques is a great going out look, when it's this time of year...too chilly to go bare legged. i love the trendy funky second look with the short cowboy boots and the last dress is so simple and looks great with the gladiator-inspired chestnut brown sandal. the options are endless!

and if you have more time to kill after reading this, check out the new additions to our website at fredboutique.com. click on the kiss and makeup box for product reviews/trends. there's a box for my favorite celeb looks and a box for styling tips. don't forget it's ladies night at fred next thursday, march 26th from 5-10pm! hope you can make it!

so, i'll leave you with eva mendes wearing a yellow dress...and one quite similar in stock now at fred!

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that dvf garden zaria jacket

2009-03-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

i can't get that jacket out of my head. it's about $900 bucks so i really need to stop obsessing. i've resorted to outlining ways to obtain said jacket. donate plasma, be an egg donor, sell random things on ebay, consign more clothes...anything to have this gem hanging in my closet. here it is, incase you haven't seen it. ah, ms. von furstenberg, you've really outdone yourself this time: i fell in love with it the second i received the march issue of elle magazine with jessica alba wearing it on the cover. everything about it is beautiful. must win lottery. anyway, it sparked my latest obsession with all things garden floral. the jacket is like a piece of art. it looks as if the floral pattern was painted on by one of the great impressionist painters or something. my hunt began to find this look, but at a price point i could afford. i learned that this look is easier to find that i thought it would be. it's everywhere! mary kate and ashley's line, elizabeth and james, had a couple pieces that fit the bill. i love this tulip dress from their line. and have been drooling over their "spring bell" skirt for a month now:

and learned it came in dress form too:

but what i chose to own was the elizabeth and james toyko ikat print blouse instead, since it reminds me a bit of the dvf jacket:

i am in love. i'm going to wear it with my new william rast birdie boyfriend shorts. hurry up spring...

anyway, in my search i found tons of clothing items with this dreamy garden-floral print. i especially enjoyed all the silk scarves i found. versace, missoni, gucci...everyone had beautiful scarves right now:

i want to collect them like pieces of art and hang them on my walls. hmmm...maybe i will.

drew barrymore wore an amazing alberta ferretti dress that made me want to stock up on silk floral dresses for spring and summer. and i LOVE the fred dress that meghan is wearing in this picture. i can't wait to own it:

i think i may really be on the color-for-spring bandwagon. just seeing color makes me smile. but of course i'm still a LBD fan and always will be. just as we got this floral dress in, we got in two of the best black dresses EVER at fred. i've knocked them both off as seen on the hopefully soon to be knocked up jennifer aniston. enjoy:

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Knock It Off Again

for the love of god, stop snowing

2009-03-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

posting about spring fashion usually cheers me up. i anticipate happy hours on outdoor patios or walking and shopping around the third ward or brady street in cute floral dresses and sandals. i'm finding it a challenge to even muster up one happy springy thought right now. seriously, i don't think i can take the snow anymore. it's march. please stop. it looks like early january outside my window right now. my friend who lives 10 minutes away from me said it's perfectly sunny and not a lick of snow has fallen by her. i couldn't get my car out of my garage because i was snowed in earlier today. it's a gd blizzard here. agghhh wisconsin weather, you really suck.

so i'm in a darker mood and that's inpiring my trend picks this week. i've been dying for a leather motorcycle jacket for awhile now. i have a pleather one, that i do really like, but since it's colder here more than it's warmer, i think i can justify a real leather one at this point. i've been waiting for this guy to go on sale for what seems like an eternity:

i love the color of that one. and it's the perfect cut/style to go over most things that i'll be wearing this spring. drapey tshirts, floral dresses...anything really. that's the beauty of these jackets. they add the same coverage as a cardigan (kinda) but they're so much cooler and edgier. i like this one a lot too. the details make it stand out to me:

i like the elbow detail:

i don't even care what color i get. i love all the tans, taupes, or even the classic black. they all look good and are extremely versatile:

you can pair them with my other trend of the week...zippers. they're everywhere. i love dresses with a big zipper in the front like these:

or trendier yet, the back zipper. check out my new intern meghan in a couple of fred dresses that nail this zipper trend:

the zipper is almost an accessory on its own, so don't go overboard with jewelry or crazy footwear. the dress is the statement here. keep the rest simple. so, just throw your new leather jacket over the dress and add some pumps and you're done. easy.

and my last trend of the week is the romper. look at little dakota fanning all growns up. hahaha. she looks cute in her onesie. seriously though, rompers are hot for spring. fred just got in a couple styles of rompers and they will go quick. come check them out:

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oscar fashion

2009-02-24T04:27:00.000-08:00

well, it's official. nude is the new black. ivory and beige reigned on the red carpet at the oscars on sunday. everyone knows i'm all about the nude family range of color, but even i was like, ok, enough...it seemed like it was the oscar uniform this year. penelope cruz started the night off in her vintage pierre balmain gown, which i think looked great on her. and i loved vicky cristina barcelona, so i was happy with this one:the oscars should have been subtitled "the bride wore white". star after star paraded out in their ivory/nude gowns. and while i think they looked amazing, i was bored. i wanted something different. i couldn't help but feel like i was looking through an issue of instyle weddings. they seemed pretty wedding dress-y. some of the nude/ivory dresses i liked were jennifer aniston's valentino haute couture gown:

taraji p. henson's tiered roberto cavalli:

and anne hathaway's armani prive:

nicole kidman also chose an ivory l'wren scott feathery number, SJP looked like typical SJP in over the top dior couture, evan rachel wood, marissa tomei, even heath ledger's family..mom and sis popped up in the same color. well, it's hot, i get it. the only nude dress i hated, and i mean, hated, was jessica biel's. look at this thing:

ick. biel gets my vote for worst dress at the oscars. a close second for worst dress goes to miley cyrus in her freaky museum-worthy overly detailed zuhair murad gown:

she just looks uncomfortable. in her interview she said she felt like the dress weighed "100,000 pounds", um, yeah, well it shows. hideous. and wipe that fake smile off your face, you chose that beast of a dress.

as long as we're on my least fave dresses, i have to say, beyonce's house of deron dress was pretty bad:

while it showcased her infamous curves, it looks like a poorly upholstered couch puked on the little mermaid. vanessa hudgens said her marchesa tulle gown reminded her of audrey hepburn, but i'm thinking...eh, not so much:

what's the deal with all the fishtail like bottoms? this dress looks too old for her. and as an audrey fan, i'm thinking not very hepburn-esque at all.

moving on to my favorites, i loved angelina jolie's elie saab gown. while she's not my favorite celebrity, and i'm usually sick of seeing her, i was intrigued by her whole ensemble. those emerald earrings and that huge emerald ring were unbelievable. i'm going to have to put her as my favorite oscar look this year:

rounding out my top three are natalie portman in her lilac rodarte pleated gown and alicia keys in her plum armani prive chiffon gown. it could have been because they weren't wearing a neutral color, i'm not sure, but they stood out:

and the best accessory award goes to amy adams for that fred leighton bib necklace:

so, to sum it up, i wasn't that impressed with the oscar fashions this year. the big trends of neutral colors, strapless looks, fishtail bottoms...whoopty doo. blame the boring looks on the recession. i don't know why, but it seems like that's what everyone's blaming everything on.

come to fred for recession-friendly priced celeb inspired pieces, like this cute strapless number (complete with pockets, always a plus) as worn by rihanna:

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confessions of three shopaholics

2009-02-16T05:17:00.000-08:00

sofie kinsella's shopaholics books were my favorite. i think i read them all in hardcover the day they came out. and i hate hardcover books because my wrists get sore reading them. (weird). i took off of work, last friday, the 13th, over a month ago...when they announced that the movie "confessions of a shopaholic" was going to be released in theaters. so why have i not seen the movie yet? let me tell you...i missed the movie because i was shopping. my shopaholic cohorts, alicia and lorri, accompanied me on what turned out to be a 9-hour day of shopping. we were so tired after, we couldn't even make it to the movie. i was asleep by 8pm the night of the marathon shopping excursion. i missed the shopaholic movie because i was shopping. um, what's wrong with me?

my no-shopping in the month of february promise is out the window. oops. what started as an innocent trek to find lorri a birthday outfit turned into one of the most productive, enjoyable, amazing shopping outings in history. well, i'm exaggerating, but it sure felt that way to us. we woke up early to hit a local sample sale. lorri won for being the most thrifty, scoring 4 tops for $12. alicia dropped the most cash there on dresses, a top, a necklace and i walked out with the cutest ruffly cami i've ever seen. of course my item was full price...probably the only thing at the sample sale full price....but i love it. it was worth only getting four hours of sleep for the sale. well, stores weren't open yet after the sale, so we went to lorri's to hop on her computer and do some online shopping. hautelook.com, gilt.com, eh, nothing special...back to the streets. brady street to be exact.

three hours later, we emerged from detour...all of us on a shopping high. i don't know how we spent so much time in the store, but we did. i think we tried on everything in the women's section of the store...but we all found a ton of stuff. and everything at 25% off. who can't appreciate that? i spent the most, shocker, and left with a new pair of jeans that i'm obsessed with, a sheer button down splendid top, a gray alexander wang tshirt, some hammered gold bangles and a new ring. alicia got a tshirt dress and vest that she immediately wore that night, and lorri dropped a wad of cash on about ten items....which we all justified by reminding her it was her birthday. next stop, miss groove where we found more things. i found my spring handbag, which has always been a daunting task for me. i never find bags i'm obsessed with. but i found this david and scotti one, in a more matte, taupey beige color and a slightly different shape and I'M IN LOVE:

tired, hungry (we kept pushing off lunch due to the excellent shopping) and cold, we kept on going. miss groove intimates...and lastly stephanie horne. by this time it was close to dinner, we were dizzy with a combo of shopping high and hunger...but extremely giddy about our new purchases. we decided we had to see the movie another day...but i'm pretty sure we played out the movie ourselves last friday:

so, now it's back to reality. all my blogging about spring fashion had me in "i need everything" mode. and now i'm off to an excellent start. oh well, i broke my no shopping this month rule. big deal. i had a great day with great friends. and we can justify it so many ways, it's lorri's birthday, everything was on sale, we wanted to stimulate the economy, blah blah blah...i will chalk it up as one of the greatest shopping days i've ever had.

you can knock off rosario dawson's look for less at fred. i think any muted, earth tone dress, whether it be nude, beige, dusty rose/pink, gray would work with big turquoise earrings and stacked bracelets.

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i can't get enough ruffles lately

2009-02-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

ruffled everything is everywhere. and surprisingly, i'm all over this girly trend. who would have thought? i can't look at any fashion mag, website, anything without seeing the ruffle trend featured. for me, i can do the ruffled tops, in silk or satin chiffon with my beat up denim. i have lusted over this yaya aflalo top ever since i saw it on lauren conrad:

but it was $259 everywhere, and really, who can justify that right now? so, i saved it in my favorites and occassionally looked at it and imagined it with my jeans and metallic flat sandals. how cute would i be sitting outside drinking a glass of pinot grigio? well, bring on the warm weather, because i scored that top in "ivy" green on hautelook.com last week! i love that website. check it out:

every morning, like clockwork, i'm logged on to hautelook.com at 9:58. refresh at 9:59, refresh at 10:00. it's exhilarating--and it's become a ritual for me. and when i can't be on my computer at 10am to check the sale, i'm suddenly filled with anger, resentment, anxiety--well, it's not that bad...but it's close. and if that isn't ocd enough, i have to jump back on at 11am when gilt groupe's sale commences. ugh. it's a sickness. but hey, it's something to look forward to every day and something that makes me happy.

back to ruffles...i became obsessed with a ruffled bag that sarah jessica parker has on, cross body when she is getting into a cab. i've searched high and low for this bag, in a beige or gray color, but can't find it anywhere. frustrating. oh, i'll find it eventually, but until then, i'll drool over this valentino bag, which is completely anti-danielle looking...in pink and so feminine, but i do love looking at it. i wouldn't own it (clearly, it's valentino!) but it's something that would look amazing on display in my closet:

i'm even loving ruffles on shoes:

and leather jackets:

there are so many options when it comes to ruffles. you can go all out and wear a totally tiered ruffled cocktail dress, or go the subtle route with a one shouldered (huge spring trend) ruffled top in a cheery spring color, like these:

any way you slice it, ruffles are everywhere. kristina models a couple ruffled looks from fred here:

whether you embrace the trend full-on, or just dabble in the trend with a ruffled clutch, you'll be in style this season. talk to you next week, with more spring trends and style inspiration!

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countdown til spring

2009-02-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

so, i stumbled upon this website: http://holidays.bfn.org/spring/ and learned that as of right now, there are only 46 days til spring. really, that's it. i think that's doable. the website gives you a to-the-minute calculation of when spring will arrive--along with a rather creepy audio of a bird chirping or singing, or dying. i'm not really sure. anyway, that made me happy. it was 39 degrees out on saturday and i didn't even wear a jacket to work. what's wrong with me? 39 measly degrees felt like a heatwave. weird. our winters have seemed long and fierce, and now i'm happy with a 39 degree day. i hate that it has come to that. well, whatever the case, my spring wardrobe is of course the focal point of my days lately and my next spring trend is embellishment. jeweled necklines or beading/embellishments on the bust/hems of clothings may seem busy. especially to someone like me, who likes to keep things simple, but for some reason, i've always been drawn to embellishments on tops and dresses. not the cheesy fake rhinestones or cheap looking plastic jewels, but ones done tastefully like these:

i think that's the perfect cocktail dress. i love black and gold together, the silhouette of the dress is perfect and the neckline classily done (is classily a word?). simple earrings, or a bracelet would complete this look.

i don't have to get dressed up that often, so i like this embellished tshirt dress for spring. besides being one of my favorite colors, i love the jersey tshirt fabric and the embellishment all over the dress. i'll wear it to dinner in spring/summer with my flat silver gladiator sandals:

if you're not a dress person, you can follow this trend by wearing an embellished top or tank. i'm loving this one:i love the pale green color, the simplicity of the neckline and how grecian it feels. again, wear with jeans and gladiator sandals...or just metallic sandals in general. for a more casual look, check out this tank:

one: i love the ikat print. it's been big lately, and still a print that's going strong. two: the colors are phenomenal. i feel like you can dress this up or down. and three: the jeweled neckline has the boho vibe i dig.

so, there are many ways to embrace the embelishment. kristina was inspired by the yellow dresses with jeweled necklines we saw while perusing some magazines, and wanted to try on some dresses we had at fred:

i think when chosen carefully, an embellished top or dress can be a standout piece and totally worth looking into for spring. i know i'll for sure be scooping up something embellished in the next month or so (when my shopping moratoreum is over).

keep reading my blog for more spring trends in upcoming weeks. i'll finish with another celeb look knocked off with fred apparel. graphic tees are hot right now, and we've got them at fred. come in and check 'em out:

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another spring trend i can't wait for

2009-01-26T05:52:00.000-08:00

those who know me wouldn't describe me as girly. yes i love clothes fashion and romantic comedies, but when it comes to personal style, i'd never fall under the catagory of feminine or girly. yet i'm constantly drawn to floral print dresses and tops. i'm not a big pattern wearer, but i can say i have quite a few floral print items in my closet. when i want to feel "pretty" i wear them. most of the time i'll wear a floral top with my distressed jeans or my floral print chiffon dress with my cropped leather jacket over it...i guess to balance the look out and feel more dressed down and casual. but i'm so excited floral print is big this spring. i'm in love with these tops:

i like that one for the print itself. it screams spring to me. i like the drawstring ties and i like the looser fit.

i like the watercolor-esque print of the florals on this one. the jersey material makes it comfortable to wear ruched up with leggings or i'm sure you could wear this as a dress with flat metallic sandals.

but i'd have to say this one is my favorite. as i mentioned before, i love mixing patterns and i love strapless tops with jeans and heels in spring/summer. i am drawn to this one the most and love the colors and pattern.

there are tons of options for floral dresses as well. dresses are so easy in spring/summer and really are a no brainer. just slip them on, add shoes and go. i love this one:

i like how flirty it is. i would wear this for a dinner date or a night out. i like floral dresses in a silk/satin like this one or a more dressy chiffon type material like this:

both of these dresses are examples of floral print i would wear out and feel very feminine and springy. the more daring could do a floral print in either a mini dress or a maxi dress. both are still very much in style. i like this mini for it's asian inspired floral print and detail on the sleeve. also it incorporates the nude colored shoes that are hot this season:
i love the fit of this maxi dress. i always felt like maxi dresses were for tall women, but my friend jillian looks adorable in her fred maxi dress and she's only like 5'3". she wears it with flat sandals and looks so put together and comfortable. i like this one, and am excited to try out wearing a maxi dress this year.
the floral print is so versatile and i think universally flattering. you can wear it subtly in a top, or go all out and wear a floral print maxi. wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and happy. this print has been all over the magazines lately, and the first look was created at fred. come check it out:

that cool corset-type belt is only $16 at fred. we are getting a ton of new spring accessories in this week as well as a major shipment of spring merchandise. definitely stop in and take a look!

well, now i'm sad to say that my style intern kristina that has been photographed for my blog has finished her internship at fred. i'll still have a couple more photos of her in upcoming blogs, but we'll all miss her at fred and wish her continued success. in honor of kristina, i'm going to use her for my knock it off this week. it looks like she's waving goodbye. :(

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all i can do is think about spring

2009-01-19T04:46:00.000-08:00

the february issues of all my fashion mags just started to trickle in and they are stuffed with bright colors, flowy skirts and dresses, strappy sandals...all things i can't even think about wearing when the windchill is negative 30. depressing. i can, and did, start making my spring wishbook though. i'll keep adding spring trend after spring trend in my book until it's busting at the seams. i've already told you i love that nude/beige tones are big for spring, but another trend i can't wait for is plaid. it seems like it's been big since fall, but it's still huge for spring. yay. i think i've said it before, but a lot of people i know automatically think grunge when they think plaid...while i like the grungier plaid look like below, i know it's not for everyone:

these short denim shorts are all over the mags too. i remember wearing them when i was a teenager...yikes. i don't know if i can do it again. anyway, this is a very grungy way of doing plaid, but if it's not you, introduce the more feminine girly plaid to your spring wardrobe, like these:

i love the ruffle detail on the first top and i especially love the mixed prints on the second one. if red looked even remotely good on me, i'd scoop up this second top in a heartbeat. another easy way to mix the plaid trend into your look is with a plaid shirtdress. they're extremely versatile. wear them now with black opaque tights, wear them when it's a little nicer with taller boots, and when it's warm, roll up the sleeves and wear them with gladiator sandals. very practical. i really like this one below:

but if you're super impatient (like i can be), get a head start on the trend with this sweatery feeling coat that kristina is wearing here:

the coat is available in store or online here:http://http//www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_30&products_id=878

so, there really are a ton of ways to wear plaid this upcoming season. kristina wears it the wisconsin way..warm and cozy. stars wear it grungy, california cool and girly feminine. go to one of my favorite websites, http://www.shopstyle.com/ and type plaid in their search engine. you'll find a ton of options to pull off this spring trend.

i'll post another spring trend i'm all about next week! i decided to steal nicole ritchie's look for my knock it off this week. the little leather jacket is my own, but the dress is one of our new spring dresses available at fred. I love throwing my black leather or my dark denim jacket over a floral print or more girly looking dress to balance it out.

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transitioning your wardrobe

2009-01-11T16:48:00.000-08:00

the temperatures are supposed to be below zero in the next couple days, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about my spring wardrobe now. i like to think ahead about what i can wear now and continue to wear come april or may.

1. lightweight cardigans. can be worn now over long sleeve tops, and come spring, layered over a tank.

2. distressed denim. looks great now with sweaters and boots. in spring, roll them up and add a tshirt and strappy sandals.

3. scarves. scarves serve their purpose in winter by keeping us warm. come spring, wear the scarf over a simple tee or tank for a casual cool look.

4. printed top. adding a print in winter instantly makes an outfit pop. we fall into our normal black/gray/brown rut, especially in colder months, but just wearing a top with a print like the one below under a cardigan will cheer you up in these cold and dreary months. come spring/summer, you can wear the top alone with jeans.

you can wear any one of these style components alone, or put them all together for a full-on outfit.

another easy way to punch up your wardrobe is with accessories. if you haven't been to fred in awhile, you haven't seen our great accessories department. stop in later this week for a bunch of new great accessories. you can find all of your basics...hoops and stud earrings, bangle bracelets and chain necklaces with pendants as well as trendy, fun statement pieces, like big jeweled necklaces and large chandelier style earrings that all the celebs wear. we took a vote and we think our intern kristina's earrings look amazing:

we know money's tight, that's why our accessories range from $8-$38. they're a great purchase when you are having a bad day and want to wear something new without breaking the bank. when i'm low on cash and want to make myself feel better, i always go straight to the accessories department. it's ridiculous how a new pair of earrings can turn my mood around just like that!

i hope everyone had a great new year's. one of our loyal fred customers, lori vanover, sent me a pic of her and her husband on new year's eve. note that she is wearing the striped dress that i knocked off a couple weeks ago!

happy new year! i finally am able to take some pictures again, so here is eva longoria's outfit knocked off with fred apparel.

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the holidays are over...now what?

2009-01-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

well the holidays came and went. happy new year. now what? oh, i'll tell you...spring wardrobe planning! don't think just because my credit cards are shredded, i can't plan for my upcoming purchases. i get a lot of style inspiration from magazines, and while the january issues seem slim compared to most months, let me tell you, they're jam packed with spring style inspiration!

so far, my favorite spring trend is nude colored everything! dresses, shoes, sweaters--you name it, i want it. i'm not a heels person, but i'm obsessed with every pair nude heels i have seen. you always read that nude/beige shoes make your legs look neverending, blah, blah, but i just like the color. i've always been drawn to the beige/nude/khaki color family and good thing for me, it's one of the hottest looks for spring. i'm all over these shoes:

type z "trista"--

and nine west's "emmanuel"--

and i love te cesan by zoe lee's "petal pump"--

I think a lot of people think that these colors will wash them out, but really, give them a shot. with the right makeup, a little bronzer and lipcolor...most people can find a nude shade that works for them. i've seen so many dresses, sweaters and blouses that i'm obsessed with, but here's a few that stood out for me:

i can spend hours looking up clothes online. i find comfort in knowing i'm not the only one that spends a good fraction of her life clothes hunting online. i got a text from my friend alicia the other day saying she was up til 6am online shopping! it's addictive i tell ya. my cousin lorri and i send each other long-winded emails listing all the things we want, and reasons why we should have them. it's hilarious. i've wanted that hayden and harnett (for target) clutch that's been plastered all over the magazines recently. the one with the chick and the umbrella. let me see if i can find it. k, here it is:

anyway, i had it marked on my planner for a month, december 28th, the day the clutch hit the shelves at target. stores open at 8am. i was at my local target by 8:10 (on a sunday mind you) clutch in cart. i felt like a crazy person speeding to the store sans coffee at that point, hair all knotty and unbrushed, new christmas loungewear on...for that clutch i've been eyeing up for what seemed like an eternity. where was i going with this? oh yeah, my cousin was supposed to meet me at target to get a clutch too, but she couldn't find that target and went to a different target only to learn that that target didn't put the collection out yet. she called me in a state of panic. i could hear the frustration in her early morning groggy voice when she said that the non-understanding staff told her she could come back later and see if they put them out yet. i told her i grabbed both of the clutches at my target; one for me and one for her (apparently there are only two of these clutches per target store) and that seemed to numb her pain, but i knew it would resurface when she saw the minor flaw in the clutch (a nick on the fake leather--front and center). she drove down to meet me, saw the flaw, decided she could live without the clutch, went back to the hayden harnett collection and found a different bag she liked more anyway. point of this story is i'm not the only one who will go out of her way for an article of clothing or an accessory. i used to feel like i was. my cousin is the same way. hmm, maybe it's in our blood. all i know is that i felt better when i got that text from alicia telling me she stayed up all night shopping.

spring wardrobe planning is that little ray of light for me in these dark, cold months of january and february. i literally make a book of everything i want and need, complete with pictures, comparison prices, outfit possibilities, etc...it gets me through the long wisconsin winter. i'm sure it seems silly to some, but for me, it's my saving grace during this wretched frigid snowy icy ugly period.

you'll notice that i'm not ending with a knock it off, and i apologize. somehow i lost that tiny card thing in the camera that had all my pictures on it and now i have none. i will re-shoot some pictures this week and post a couple knock it offs to make up for not having one this time. check back soon!

merry christmas to anyone who is reading this blog

2008-12-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

it's christmas eve eve and i'm in a state of perma-anxiety. i can't wait to open presents, spend quality time with family and friends and relax. i watched home alone, home alone 2: lost in new york, love actually, the family stone and scrooged (and that was just in the last 24 hours--pathetic). a christmas story is on for a day straight and you better believe i'll dvr it and watch it five times before the new year. even though i like the look of snow, i'm getting sick of it--particularly driving in it, but what are you going to do? nothing but enjoy this time of the year. it'll be over before you know it. before it comes to a screeching halt, i can only keep my fingers crossed that santa brings me the cc skye power ring i asked for months ago:

i love huge rings. i can't get enough of them and this one screams "wear me with your new silk ruffle front top on new years eve."

while we're on the subject of accessories, i've been obsessed lately. with everything accessory-related. i think i have spring clothes on the mind now because i can't get enough gold and turquoise like these pendants: and this one:i've always loved turquoise and the gold adds a bohemian richness to it. i've had my eye on this sharkstooth necklace for awhile, and finally caved. merry christmas danielle:

yep, so being snowed in the last couple days hasn't helped with my online shopping addiction. and the fact that i'm cutting up and not using my credit cards in 2009 has forced me to go crazy getting those last couple purchases in pre-cut up. oops. you never know what will happen come spring. i needed a couple of basics. like these looser-fitting tshirts. merry christmas danielle:
who doesn't need a double layer low v-neck t shirt for spring? my turquoise necklaces will look fabulous with it! i needed a black t shirt too. so i opted for the celeb-fave kain brand pocket tee:

and what outfit wouldn't be complete without my key layering piece: the cardigan? i read good things about this brand, goddis, and had to have one. merry christmas danielle:

and why not throw this seven for all mankind ruffle cami into the spring mix too? (i did.) merry christmas danielle:

so, needless to say, i will have a very merry christmas, anticipating my spring wardrobe. and i'm going to have to be thrifty come 2009 sans credit cards. but for the time being, i don't feel an ounce of guilt making these purchases. i'm just doing my part stimulating the economy.

merry christmas everyone! before i go, get carrie underwood's style for less at fred.

Knock It Off

get the dress here: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_28&products_id=905

holiday spirit

2008-12-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

christmas is a mere 10 days away and i'm in full-on holiday mode now. i've gone to a couple holiday parties, i'm meeting friends for some pre-christmas drinks this week and i'm planning outfits for christmas and new years. even though it's 5 degrees out today, i'm feeling good. fred is having their holiday party this thursday from 5-10pm in store. it is also our wine/martini night, well, i guess i should call it our non-wine/martini night now since we're off the sauce in store...but we are still having some great guests at our party. and the first 50 people to make a purchase receive a swag bag with a lot of great stuff in it, including a discount card to use on their purchase that day. and one lucky winner will have their entire purchase paid for by fred.

speaking of holiday parties, we just took part in an advertising agency's holiday party which was a ton of fun. BVK had us do all the women's clothes for their show which was held at moct. flaire provided the men's clothes. they were a fun group of people and we had a great time! check out the pics from the fashion show:

http://www.bvk.com/review/internal/showOnly-Gallery/

i also want to share an email i received from a fred customer that i helped before a trip she just took to vegas. tammie is a great fred customer and i love helping her pick out clothes. check this out:

"Hi Danielle!

I came into Fred's to shop for a dress that would be perfect for a Vegas trip I was heading out on for Halloween weekend. Thanks for your help that morning as I rushed in to shop hours before my flight was leaving for Vegas, lol. I got so many compliments when I wore it out - I LOVE YOUR STORE!

Attached is a photo from Vegas with the dress I bought from Fred's - I got a lot of compliments when I was wearing it!

I was also at your Black Friday sale the day after Thanksgiving, that was awesome! 40% off was an offer I couldn't miss out on! Thanks for having such a great sale!

Hope you have a great Christmas!

Tammie Figlinski"

she looks like a celeb! especially with that backdrop!

well i hope everyone is trying to get a little bit into christmas. i love that it's fairly acceptable to get a little more dressed up than normal this time of year. while i'm typically a jeans kinda girl, i love that i can wear my gold skirt, or a chiffon top and some glittery eyeshadow and people won't ask me "what's the occasion?". it's the holiday season...time to break out the extra sparkle, chiffon ruffles, strapless dresses, velvet cigarette pants, whatever it is that makes you feel special this time of the year. check out our holiday party on thursday in store at fred or keep checking out fredboutique.com --we add new items weekly!

And this week, in honor of the holiday dressing up spirit, I knocked off the chick from house (olivia wilde) and her one-shoulder dress look. happy holidays!

Knock It Off

both the dress and clutch are available in-store only.

Shopping and mimosas...

2008-12-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

well i was on the cover of the journal sentinel last week "illegally" serving a mimosa to a customer. some lady in wauwatosa complained about wine being served in a tosa boutique and suddenly it is a major news story. see attached link:

http://www.jsonline.com/business/35350294.html

are you kidding me? is there really nothing better to report? the media keeps pushing the recession and the flailing economy down our throats, yet does a sneaky undercover story on us serving mimosas and doughnut holes on black friday as a way to lure customers in. no, we were not told the full scope of the article beforehand. i was under the impression it was more on how busy fred was in the horrid economy. anyway, my point is, who cares? we give customers one tiny cup of wine or a tiny mimosa. we don't do it to lure them in with the intent to get everyone trashed and spend money foolishly, but rather to relax with a couple sips of wine and enjoy their shopping experience. every store in LA i went to did this, and i guess milwaukeeans aren't ready for this here even though there is a bar on every corner in this town. well it doesn't matter, because that one booze nazi in tosa has ruined this miniscule perk that we had...now we have the threat of a 10,000 fine over our heads. i just think the whole thing is a joke. enough of my rant, time to talk shopping!

well, i finished my christmas shopping yesterday! i did a big amount of it online, but had to get some gifts at a mall. i went to woodfield mall in illinois...mostly because i was invited to a private shopping event at nordstrom (my happy place). anyway, i forgot how insane malls get this time of year. the people seemed crabby everywhere. tensions mounted in the parking lot, fast walkers pushed by me in the mall walkways, people looked panicked, irritated and flat out unhappy. i wish i could pass on my happy shopping gene to everyone. i actually feel calmer the second i enter a shopping venue. be it a mall, boutique, online store..i am anxiety-free and filled with an eerie sense of calm. i do think mall shopping can be way more stressful than small boutique shopping, which is why i prefer boutiques..especially ones that hand me a glass of wine upon entering..hahaha.

oh, i know i'm jumping all over the place here, but for those of you who inquired about my new sweater, here is a picture. ok, the first picture is the original sweater i fell in love with. the $400 sweater i wanted by the brand haute hippie. (love the name! ) but come on now, can i really justify that price? no. so, the night my camel cardigan crashed and burned, i found the pic of the second cardigan online and ordered one for myself. that's me on thanksgiving in my new favorite sweater. i look weird, but the sweater looks good i think.

so, i found a sweater i loved for WAY less. i love that feeling. which is why i love my knock it off section too. i can always copy styles of the celebs at fred for so much less. if you haven't been to our online store, check it out. here's a link to my section, "danielle's faves" where each week i update my favorite items in the store:

http://www.fredboutique.com/index.php?cPath=3_23

i'll leave you with my latest edition of knock it off. get miley cyrus' holiday look at fred for a fraction of the cost!

Knock It Off

Statement necklaces and cami available in store only. Find the skirt online here: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_27&products_id=898

the start of the holiday season (and what that means for shopaholics--particularly me)

2008-11-25T18:39:00.000-08:00

i am one of those people that go gaga over the holidays. i get seriously excited when the christmas music starts playing 24/7 on the radio. it didn't even really bother me that it started on november 1st on a couple of our local radio stations. i go to the city's big tree lighting ceremony every year and freeze while i suck down a non-fat vanilla latte with extra foam along with the rest of the hardcore holiday fanatics. i watch all the cheesy holiday movies on lifetime and the hallmark channel for the hundreth time. i take a day off of work to wrap all my christmas presents (which really isn't that many--not enough to warrant a whole day off) in my current year's wrapping theme. (this year, tbd at this point)...and i buy a new flannel pj ensemble to wear during said wrapping session each year (i told you, major shopping problem). you get my point. and this week, thanksgiving week, marks the start of my favorite time of the year. i couldn't be happier.

i think it's because my cardigan that i spoke of in my last post arrived today. and it's the freaking cutest sweater EVER!!!!!! (note my excitement). i am counting the minutes until i wear it on thanksgiving day. it seriously is the best sweater i've ever owned. fit...meticulous. boho vibe...so me. life is good. i'll put a pic of me wearing it on thanksgiving in my next post. it's not camel color like i had wanted, but it's so amazing in the charcoal heather gray that i can temporarily forget about my hunt for the perfect camel color cardigan.

sidetracked...sorry...ok, back to the holidays. it's thanksgiving week. the stores are alive with discounts and sales and holiday decor. black friday is a couple days away--i'm full of thanksgiving cheer. i work black friday at 8am at fred. most people would be disgusted by this. i LOVE it! we're having a huge sale. 40% off everything in the store from 8am til 10am; 30% off from 10-noon and 20% off from noon til 10pm. i get the early morning shift....complete with mimosas and donut holes--and i couldn't be more excited! i love the early morning shoppers out at 5am looking for the best deals. i love the news coverage when you see people charging into the stores for the "hot" item of the season. my mom told me she was physically assaulted one year she went to buy me a cabbage patch kid doll when they were hard to come by...some woman took her out while she was grabbing a doll. UNBELIEVABLE! i find these rough shopping antics amusing. haha. my poor mom. fell to the ground (and wasn't really hurt) just to get me a toy. (she scored one by the way--actually i had like ten of them-spoiled only child).

so, i love battling crowds, partaking in sales, picking out gifts for my friends and family. i love thanksgiving week and knowing christmas is right around the corner. i even went so far as to buy my boyfriend a coordinating thanksgiving outfit today to match my new sweater. i'm over the top, i know. but for me the shopaholic, i feel i can justify the excess spending because it's the holidays! time to give! time to celebrate! time to spend with friends at holiday parties that require new outfits. ah, i love this time of year.

how can you resist a cute dress like the one our intern kristina is wearing here? perfect for holiday parties and festivities, she's just as cute as any one of the celebs who probably paid ten times more for their outfits. pick up this dress at fred or fredboutique.com:

that's kristina in the middle. for some reason i can't make this picture bigger but you get the drift. the dress kristina is wearing is available at fred and fredboutique.com. click here for the dress:

http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_28&products_id=813

just specify that you want the solid purple version. the melie bianco croc clutch kristina is holding and the belt are available in store only. her purple patent shoes are available both in store and online:

http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_34&products_id=746

happy thanksgiving everyone! happy eating, happy shopping! i'll leave you with another knock it off.

Knock It Off

get Blake Lively's look for less at fred. shop fredboutique.com now:

Boots: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_56&products_id=658

Handbag: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_59&products_id=765

Jacket: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_30&products_id=591

Jeans: http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_25&products_id=846

2008-11-25T18:20:00.000-08:00

the economy vs. my shopping problem

2008-11-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

times are tough money wise, yet i haven't curtailed my shopping one bit. i'm sure i have some sort of shopping problem. some people eat when they're depressed. i shop. when i'm in a bad mood, i'll come home and surf the net. just putting something in my shopping basket online makes me a little calmer. i might not buy it, but pretending to buy it eases my stress. even going to walgreens and buying a new lipstick and lipgloss instantly makes me feel a little better. (maybelline lipstick in "chestnut" and revlon gloss in "nude lustre" are the perfect nude lip combo for me i just found out when i made that sporadic purchase the other day). i've been obsessed with finding a camel colored cardigan for years. for some reason, even i'm having a hard time tracking one down that i love.

we had a shopping party at fred last week and one of the guests had on the cutest long cardigan, camel color...i was smitten. i probably freaked her out by staring at it for so long because after my line of questioning about where i could find that gem of a cardigan, she encouraged me to just try it on. so there i was, hard at work, hosting the shopping party by trying on a customer's sweater...i couldn't stop thinking about it, so i tracked it down the next day. it was WAY out of my price range, so i paid for it by rationing the total on three different credit cards (hello, shopping problem) and it arrived on my doorstep last night. i feverishly opened the box and pulled out my new camel colored cardigan. i was so excited. i was going to wear it with my skinny jeans, patent leather riding boots and my black newsboy hat. i had the outfit perfectly planned out in my head. i put on the sweater that was equivalent to my monthly car payment and looked in the mirror. i looked silly. the sweater was nothing like i remembered it on the customer. or myself. it was too big. too long for someone my height. and probably too expensive. although i somehow could justify the price. i showed my boyfriend and he said, "is it supposed to be oversized?" ugh. he probably saw my eyes well up with tears, because he said it looked cute. all i could think about for the last week was this sweater. now i had it, and i hated it. point of my story is my night was ruined--because of the sweater. i was suddenly crabby, irritated, whiny. my mood was trashed. even after a couple glasses of wine, i still felt like a spoiled child. "why couldn't that sweater look good on me?" i said out loud, two hours after i tried it on while i was eating dinner with my bf. he told me to get over it and enjoy the turkey chili. i couldn't. i had to get on the internet and find a replacement camel colored cardigan. so, i did. and i ordered it, and i'm happy again. it's a sickness. i know.

the good thing is, i work in a store where things aren't horribly priced. i never feel even an ounce of guilt when i make a purchase at fred. i get tons of compliments on everything i wear from there and it doesn't really put a dent in my wallet. fred's clothes look just like the clothes that celebs are wearing, but seriously, so much less. check this out:

these pattern printed dresses are hot right now. you can get that look, as seen on our adorable marketing intern, kristina, for next to nothing at fred and fredboutique.com. i know you hear this all the time in fashion mags, but the best way to find your personal style is to mix less expensive things with designer items, or investment items, as i call them. fred and fredboutique.com are perfect for finding those trendy, celebrity-inspired items for less and mixing them with your pricier brand name items. so that is my next style rule.

style rule #3--mix trendier less expensive items with investment pieces to create an outfit that defines your personal style. head to toe designer is boring. and when the economy is in the dumper, it's always smart to save some money here and there when you can. even i know that, and can appreciate saving some dough.

To check out the item Kristina is wearing click http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_28&products_id=674

i'll leave you with another installment of my knock it off section. another example of how to get the celebrity look for less. get anne hathaway's style at fred and fredboutique.com for a fraction of the cost!

Knock It Off

Click the link below to check out the jacket featured in Knock It Off. http://www.fredboutique.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_30&products_id=669

fredboutique.com promo

2008-11-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

hey, i just learned that fredboutique.com is having a great online promotion starting today and ending on november 9th. spend $150 and get a $25 online credit. check out all the great new merchandise!

www.fredboutique.com

home again

2008-11-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

after a three-month hiatus, i am back at fred. i missed helping all my loyal customers with their fashion dilemmas, but i'm back...home again, and can't wait to pursue my career as style director for fred. i'm hoping this blog will be another tool for people to use when style help is needed. Please ask me any fashion/style related questions and i'll be happy to answer them. enjoy my knock it off section each week, where i steal the style of a celebrity and copy the look with fashions we currently have at fred and fredboutique.com. I'll also share my thoughts on trends, must haves and anything else i feel like talking about for the week!

i'm a confessed shopaholic and fall/winter is my favorite time of the year to shop. i can't seem to get enough chunky knit sweaters, new denim and boots. i love cardigans because you can layer them over dresses, wear them with leggings or skinny jeans and boots, or my signature way, longer cardigan, wide leg jeans and pointy toe boots. I can't even count how many striped cardigans i own (ok, that's a lie, but it sounded dramatic) but i can't seem to resist a striped sweater. I love this new cardigan we just got in, available at fred and at fredboutique.com. It's very kate moss or sienna miller-esque, warm (which is a requirement for me) and versatile. i'll wear it all winter. it ties around the waist too, which is a flattering fit as it defines the waist.

my look is pretty defined. most would agree my style is very bohemian. i like to throw in a little rocker chic when i see fit. it took me a long time to find my personal style, but it was worth the trip. i was the biggest tomboy growing up. i've always been interested in fashion and clothes, even when i was a huge jock, and i always had my own style. as horrid as it was. i used to wear umbro shorts and oversized tshirts in the summer, ill fitting jeans and those big handknit wool sweaters you could buy at festivals in the fall/winter. ugh. what a mess. my "collegiate/jock" look continued through high school and college and finally (and thankfully) came to an end when i started working at nine west in mayfair mall. i started to dress up more and wear sweater twinsets with skirts or black dress pants. i wore a lot of black dress pants. always fitted at the waist with a wider bottom to balance out my "thunder thighs." (as dubbed by my family--thanks for that one!). Ever since then, the mid 90s, i knew that wider leg pants/jeans were the right fit for me and i've stuck with them ever since.

STYLING RULE #1: Stick with what works for you. I know a fitted waist and wider leg style is most flattering on me, so I continue to wear this look, no matter what the trends are for the season. A flattering fit for your body type will always be in style!

ok, so anyway, i went to mount mary for fashion merchandising and my obsession with fashion really began. i started embracing dresses, and wearing things that i didn't think i could pull off like tall boots (i had athletic calves that sometimes didn't allow me to zip them up properly). i started wearing things i saw in magazines, and sometimes they worked, sometimes i looked like a fool i'm sure. but it got me to where i am today fashionwise. i know what works for me and i know what i feel most comfortable in and i continue to wear that.

STYLING RULE #2: Always buy clothes that are comfortable. I constantly try to wear heels, but my feet hurt so bad by the end of the day, i'm literally crying. It's just not worth it for me anymore. I'm short and know that heels would elongate my figure and probably make me look better. however, when my eyes are welling with tears, and i have a perma-scowl on my face from pain, i know i look ridiculous. so i'll consistently wear my flat riding boots with denim or bohemian-style dresses. If you feel comfortable in what you are wearing, it will show and you will radiate confidence.

so, i just decided to do this styling rule thing in my blog. i could keep going with more rules that i follow, but i'll just add a couple each week to keep you coming back for more!

now i want to show you this dress i'm completely in love with that we have in the store and on fredboutique.com:

it reminds me so much of the dress that molly sims chose to wear to the independent spirit awards as styled by rachel zoe and seen on the rachel zoe project.

even though rachel said no to the opaque tights, i still think it looks ok. i would have done it too, just because i'm always cold and i have the ugliest tattoo on my ankle, so the tights would conceal it.

i have to say i watched every episode of the rachel zoe project (at least three times each), but i don't think i'd consider myself a zoe-bot. her job is to die for, but i'm happy styling the midwesterners that want my help. having that amazing closet of clothes at my disposal would be bananas though! maybe someday this could be a reality for me, but for now, i'll leave you with my knock it off section and then i'll shut it down for the day! talk to you soon!

Knock it off

i found this picture of rihanna in the instyle makeover issue. this outfit can be replicated at fred and fredboutique.com for a fraction of the price! if you have a dream outfit, send it to me, or stop into fred and i'll do my best to knock it off!