In Spades

Style... in abundance

Save vs. Splurge: Little White Dress

Since I’m all about starting new series’s, I thought I would add one more to the mix!

I give you… Save vs. Splurge.

By no means is this a new idea – my first introduction to the concept was In Style magazine in the late 1990’s – but it’s a timeless one.  What gal doesn’t want to save a buck and look glam for less?

Since the majority of what I feature on In Spades falls between moderate and luxury pricing, I wanted to offer something more accessible.

For this first edition, I’m focusing on a summer staple – the little white dress.  All of these pieces are super on trend right now, yet provide major versatility because of their neutral palette.

You could wear these sandals and this bag with SO many things.  Hair clips are trending and rather than go big, I like the dainty vibe this one gives off.

Let me know what you think of the new series and what looks you’d like to see next!

 

Save vs Splurge White Eyelet Dress

 

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Your Top Five Favorites May 2019

May was quite a month!  Between our first road trip with baby, to cool, rainy weather, my outfits ranged from versatile basics to statement trend pieces.

Below are your Top 5 Favorite Products from May 2019.

Peasant top

I truly believe every woman needs a peasant top.  Understated enough to be versatile, but also statement making thanks to the billowing sleeves, it’s the perfect spring/summer choice.  I wore mine wine tasting in NorCal and loved how comfortable and breezy it was.

Joie Mitney Cotton Top

High waist denim shorts

For the second month in a row, these ultra high rise denim shorts were your faves.  Rightly so!  They suck you in in all the right places and have a long enough hem not to make you feel on display.  Mine fit TTS, but if your waist and hips are relatively the same width, you should size up.  These have a tapered waist and are 100% cotton so there is no give.

Agolde Dee ultra high rise shorts

Wide Leg Crop Pant

I have yet to shoot these pants for the blog, but I shared them via Instagram Stories as a red hot find.  They come in 7 colors, short and regular lengths, sizes 00 – 16 and are ultra flattering.  Made of cotton and elastane they have some stretch so you could literally sleep in them they are so comfy.  I wore them for a day at the aquarium with my daughter and felt elevated yet comfortable.

Everlane Wide Leg Crop Pant

Statement sleeve sweatshirt

This look was a clear winner for you in May.  Who doesn’t love a statement sleeve?  My sweatshirt comes in 5 colors (hurry, it’s selling out fast!) and has a cropped length.  It’s the perfect casual and fun piece to wear with high waisted bottoms.  I love that it’s basically amped up loungewear.

Tibi Shirred Sleeve Sweatshirt

Tie dye dress

My how to style tie dye in 2019 post clearly struck a chord with you.  Cheers to all my former grunge kids.  Since we’re no longer in middle school, I shared ways to style this trend so you look chic and relevant today.  This dress was a clear winner.  I have it in a different color (stay tuned for that post!) and love this tie dye version as well.  It’s a great way to dip your toe in the trend with a silhouette that’s timeless.

Rhode Ella Tie Dye Dress

What was your favorite from May?

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Designer Sale Season: What You Need to Know to Get the Best Deals

Designer Sale Season Shopping HacksTibi sweatshirt // AGOLDE denim cutoffs // Celine Sunglasses // Golden Goose sneakers // Marrow Fine ring

One of my favorite times of year is upon us.  Designer sale season!

Twice a year (in late May and late December) everything from the prior season goes on sale.  This is a carte blanche maneuver, meaning literally every retailer under the sun participates.  No one is left out.

How these sales differ from other big sales – for example, Friends & Family sales or the ever-popular Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – is that things are permanently marked down.  These aren’t promotional prices that will expire.  In addition, inventory will not be restocked.  Once something is sold, it’s gone.  So striking while the iron is hot is imperative.

Designer Sale Season Shopping HacksDesigner Sale Season Shopping HacksDesigner Sale Season Shopping Hacks

Why You Should Pay Attention to Designer Sale Season

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  I buy 80% of my yearly wardrobe during designer sale season.  The deals do not get any better than during this time.  If you’re a bargain hunter, this is when you get rock bottom prices.

Plus, the items on sale are unique.  They’re diamonds in the rough.

I have a confession.  I loathe the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Why?  Because what goes on sale is stuff that literally 10,000 other girls have.  Everyone buys the same thing.  It’s like clone shopping.  And who wants to look like everyone else?  Not me.

Designer sale season is the time to buy those items you’ve coveted all year but haven’t pulled the trigger because the price wasn’t right.  Now the price is right!

Designer Sale Season Shopping HacksDesigner Sale Season Shopping Hacks
Tips for Shopping Designer Sale Season

My top tips for shopping the sales can be found here; one of my most popular blog posts.

The first thing you want to do is scour the wishlists you’ve created with all of your favorite online retailers.  This keeps you focused on what you need and have been coveting, and curbs impulse buying.  The goal is not to buy something just because it’s on sale.

The second thing is to make sure you have relationships built with your favorite stores’ associates.  I have at least 3 experts at Nordstrom that text me information of pieces they think I’ll like that will be going on sale.  Keep your information on file and they can pre-sale these items to lock in your size/availability.

Finally, buy now, return later.  While I will never promote over buying or going beyond your budget, this timeframe in designer sale season still allows for full refunds.  As summer begins and the discounts get deeper – from 30% to 50% to 80% off – your ability to return something for a full refund diminishes.  And so does inventory.  What’s left by the time we get to the 80% off marker is really picked over.

Designer Sale Season Shopping HacksDesigner Sale Season Shopping Hacks
Today’s Look

My entire outfit was purchased during designer sale season (past and present).  Never pay full price!

These denim shorts will be your summer staple.  If you are pear shaped like me or have a smaller waist and bigger hips, go with your normal size.  If you are apple shaped or have a similar hip to waist ratio, go up one size.  Because these shorts are 100% cotton (no stretch) and tapered at the waist, make sure you size accordingly.

My sweatshirt comes in 3 colors and I adore the voluminous sleeves and cropped length.  Perfect for pairing with high waisted bottoms, it’s nice for cool spring days.

Everyone talks about Golden Goose sneakers and I have to say they are worth the hype, especially when you get them on sale.  The first time I saw them in person I was way more impressed than I thought I’d be.  They just scream cool.  Are they comfortable?  Yes.  Should you wear them to work out?  No. They aren’t built for that kind of support, nor will they be as comfortable as a true athletic sneaker, but they are perfect for comfortable, casual days.  Check out this pair, this pair and this pair – all on sale.

What are you shopping for in the sales?

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How to Style Tie Dye in 2019

Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie-dye sweatshirt // Club Monaco pants
Nordstrom sunglasses (similar here and here) // Marrow Fine ring // Givenchy derby shoes

I want to take you back to the mid-90’s.  Picture me in a glorious grunge phase, wearing baggy corduroys, Airwalk sneakers and tie dye Grateful Dead t-shirts.  I know, kind of hard to imagine, but it’s true.  For a brief moment in time, this was my uniform.

Tie dye is back for 2019 and I’m determined to make it chic.  So how do you style tie dye so it’s less hippy and more modern?

1. Make it reflective of your current style.

Tie dye, by nature, is more casual, so if you’re an elevated gal who wears only polished pieces, consider something with a grown-up edge.  I adore this dress and actually own it in a different print.  Stay tuned for how I style it!

For another elegant option, this silk slip dress screams cool girl and would look amazing with a leather jacket or a nude stiletto sandal for an evening out.

This skirt is office appropriate in its style and length and would look amazing with a pastel blazer or an ivory turtleneck.

2. Incorporate it into your activewear.

We all wear yoga clothes on a weekly basis.  This is the perfect opportunity to amp up boring black leggings and basic tees with something fun!

This sweatshirt is so chic and by one of my favorite activewear brands – the quality is top notch.  Here’s a close second in one of springs hottest hues – lavender.

These track pants are so edgy and fun I’ll be purchasing them immediately.

3. Pair it with elevated pieces.

To minimize the casual vibe that tie dye can give off, pair it with elevated pieces as I did in today’s look.  My derby shoes may not have a heel, but their supple leather and structured style take the sweatshirt up a notch.  Going for trousers instead of jeans further elevates the look.

I’m loving this sweater – the fabric creates an instant lift away from casual – and would pair it with a silk midi skirt.

This bodysuit could be worn with a coordinating suit (try wide leg suit pants and a white oversized blazer) for a boss lady look that kills.

What do you think of the tie dye trend?

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Top 5 Favorites April 2019

New series alert!

To help answer your styling questions and give you more of what you want to see, I’m introducing a new series on In Spades.  Each month I’ll be recapping your Top 5 Favorites.  These are the products you purchased, clicked on, and asked about the most.

First up, April 2019!

It’s no surprise you had warm weather on the brain, as your Top 5 Favorites for April were all great basics meant to be worn outside.

Top 5 Favorite Products April 2019

1. The Great Slim Tee – This is hands-down my favorite t-shirt ever.  Super comfortable, impeccably well made with a flattering fit.  It comes in a myriad of colors – you can see my striped version here – and is truly worth the price.  You will have this for at least 5 years before you even think of replacing it.

2. Large Initial Necklace – Initial necklaces are all the rage – see my round-up of the Best Initial Necklaces here – but this one took the cake.  People love the super-size and bamboo texture.  My version is the original, which is no longer available, but this one is less than $15 and an exact replica.  Total no-brainer.

3. Golden Goose sneakers – The number one question I get asked about these sneakers is if they’re worth the hype?  The first time I saw them in person I was way more impressed than I thought I’d be.  There’s something about these sneakers that just screams cool.  The shape and style are amazing – they truly look good with everything.  You could wear them with an evening gown and people would call you an It Girl.

Are they expensive?  Yes.  But if you’re going to spend money on a pair of shoes, your money couldn’t be better spent than on versatile sneakers that you can wear with everything.  Too often we splurge on fancy items.  Think of it in terms of cost-per-wear.  Does it make more sense to spend $500 on a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos that you’ll wear once a month or on these sneakers that you can wear every day?

4. High Rise Denim Shorts – Everyone needs a good pair of denim cutoffs for summer and these are the most flattering style I’ve tried.  They run TTS, and hit right at your belly button.  I love that they are slightly longer than your average cutoffs.  There is no worry of showing too much or having these completely disappear the moment you sit down.  Another thing I love about this particular pair is the wash.  It’s the perfect lived-in, effortless hue.

5. Celine sunglasses – Another item that I fully recommend investing in if you’ve been considering a pair.  This square cat eye frame is just the right touch of glamorous, edgy and suitable for every day.  See how I style mine here.  I adore Celine sunglasses to the point it’s almost creepy.  There truly is no other brand that looks as good or as chic on every face shape.  They just make you an instant stylish badass.  SOLD.

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