Thanksgiving & Black Friday

I have been travelling over Thanksgiving for the last 2 years, thus I'm a bit out of the loop with the whole Black Friday shopping....I'm honestly slightly disappointed in how many shops/stores are opening earlier and earlier ON Thanksgiving Day -WHAT??!!  Isn't this a time to be thankful for what you HAVE, not race around & fight crowds to buy even more?

So, first & foremost, 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

I am SO thankful for my wonderful husband and the greatest family & friends anyone could ask for!

This year I will be celebrating up North in Duluth and the only plan I have for Black Friday is hitting up the Smartwool sale for some fabulous wool socks & possibly a pair of slippers or if I'm lucky enough a warm sweater for my hubby.

I just can't imagine dealing with the crazy crowds just to "score some deals" -which are often not even all that great....  My suggestion is to check out what's happening ONLINE, as many sales are starting NOW, and then support your LOCAL boutiques on Small Business Saturday!

There are a TON of "sales" and deals happening, and I completely understand how great it is to SAVE $$ on anything....especially as we approach "the season of giving." Thus, here are a few of the sales that I might checkout at some point in the next few days:

One of my favorite local boutiques, Houndstooth, will be having a FABULOUS sale on Black Friday -one that you really don't want to miss....2 locations, one in Savage & one in Eden Prairie.

Nelle handbags has FREE shipping & 20% off her gorgeous handbags from November 22-26, use code: HOLIDAY

Hot Mama = 15% off EVERYTHING storewide NOW until November 25 (in stores & online)

Shopbop is offering up to 35% off with code: BIGEVENT12

25% off & free ship on everything at Madewell code: TREAT

Get 25% off your purchase at J. Crew with code: COLOR25

J.Crew Factory- 40% off of everything! Plus 15% off when you spend $100 or more!  

Club Monaco has an extra 30% off sale items

Up to 50% off at Nordstrom (Um, hello sale on Equipment blouses!)

Bloomingdales- Up to 50% off and $25 off every $200 you spend

30% off sale items at DVF with code: HOLIDAYSALE

Last Call by Neiman Marcus- extra 40% off everything including clearance!

Steve Madden- 25% off plus free shipping with code: GIVE25

Happy Shopping!  ....and of course, enjoy the time spent with family & friends! 

GIVE THANKS for all you have!

Madewell

...is FINALLY here in the Twin Cities!

What is Madewell you ask?  

Madewell is J. Crew’s sister store. It started out as a denim brand but has grown into a full fashion collection in its own right—similar to J. Crew, but more casual and perhaps more youthful. 

The Twin Cities' (& Minnesota's) first store recently opened (Nov. 14 to be exact) at Southdale Mall in Edina. It's located on the first floor just outside of the newly renovated Herbergers.

I had a chance to quickly peruse the store this past week and was not disappointed. There were several items I could've easily taken home with me! The sweaters were fabulous, and reasonably priced, as were the blouses & scarves. The jewels were unique & the store was neat & spacious. 

I'm excited to continue to check out what's in store as I do love to shop online, but am always unsure about fit/sizes....I just hate the hassle of returns due to items that don't quite fit right!!

Here are a few items that caught my eye this first time through the store:

As I said, it was a quick perusal before a movie just to check things out, and I will definitely be back... and perhaps just might be adding a few of these items to a certain fashionista's Christmas list!!

If you haven't yet made it to Southdale, I'd highly recommend a stop....not only is Madewell worth the trip, but the mall itself is really starting to come together with its new "updated look" and renovation!

Seeing Spots

Animal print.....treat it like a neutral or use it as a simple, yet perhaps unexpected statement. 

It's easy to think about throwing on a leopard or cheetah print scarf with an all black outfit as your pop of print & color, but you can also mix it in with other prints as if it were one of your neutral pieces. 

Animal print has changed over the years, and there are now so many new versions of this print that may have been viewed at something a "much older" woman might wear. I am loving the prints I'm seeing on bloggers and in stores this fall, and can't seem to find enough reasons to wear my own Madewell printed heels.

This leopard jacket is an unexpected & updated version of the classic blazer. Throw it on with jeans and a tee and you now have a chic & put together look.

I love pairing my Madewell leopard heels (circa fall 2011) with one of my favorite polka dot blouses (Zara)....it's such a fun way to mix prints!

Dots & Spots

Madewell is very much in on this trend again this fall, as they just recently sent out an email about "Trend Spotting." They have fabulous pieces, and always unique versions of the cheetah print. My above shoes are from Madewell last fall -LOVE them! 

Here's a better shot these fabulous heels:


I love how fashion/style blogger Julie (Jules) of Sincerely Jules styled a similar version of my dots & spots:

JCrew is another retailer in love with the leopard look. I'm loving this "wild side" bangle, and these leopard round toe pumps are fabulous as well!

Here's another chic look that includes a leopard jacket paired with denim and the very on trend cap toe heels. LOVE!

Another way to embrace the animal print is to add a simple skinny leopard print belt to a dress or with denim and a print blouse. This is one easy way to slowly begin mixing prints.

above 2 photos courtesy of Pinterest

Animal print is a chic & easy way to add something new to your wardrobe. Whether it's a simple bangle or skinny belt, or an investment pair of pumps or printed jacket, you are sure to be spotted in style!

Summer into Fall: Chambray

Chambray/Denim shirts have returned!  These "80s" style tops are back, but with a bit more "style/shape" & available in so many shades of denim making them more versatile and so easy to wear. I've heard that the denim shirt will be the "new cardi" for fall, which sounds great to me, as I own 3 that I love and I'm always glad to hear that what's in my closet is still "in style," right?!!

The denim shirt has complimented all the colored and printed denim we've seen this spring/summer....it's a perfect piece to add, giving a casual, yet stylish look.

I wouldn't suggest pairing the denim shirt with your regular denim jeans UNLESS you can pull it off as stylishly as this:

The two denims MUST be VERY different in wash colors....you wouldn't want to appear as if you are attempting the "Canadian tuxedo" look!!  I'd highly suggest keeping the bottom the dark wash, as that always gives a more slimming look, and then find a lighter, even distressed washed denim shirt....add heels + accessories & you're ready for a girls' night out or even a casual Friday at work!

It will definitely be a perfect piece to wear as the weather begins to turn cooler in the evenings & we head into Fall weather & fashion!  I do love the look of this "colorblocked" version from JBrand (pictured below), available at Nordstrom.

The Chambray shirt is a staple piece to add to your wardrobe, so if you haven't yet succumbed to purchasing one yet, I highly recommend it!

Here are a few places that have several options of 

chambray/denim shirts:

Madewell

JCrew

Urban Outfitters

Nordstrom

Anthropologie

Happy Shopping!