MORE NAUTICAL LOVE

After my nautical post yesterday, I was reminiscing about all of the great nautical items I have sold in the past. I dug up the following pictures. Hopefully, their lucky owners will be wearing them for years to come.

This One’s For You…

Above: Onyx Nite Stretch Satin Dress, $59, www.silhouettes.com**

Left to right: Tropical Print Dress, $69; Eyelet Shirtdress, $59; Shirtdress, $49 all available at www.silhouettes.com**

I’ve had a few emails from readers requesting that I include at least one item for women sizes 14 and up in each post. Most times that proves difficult but while looking over Silhouettes.com for an upcoming post, I noticed that a lot of their dresses where relevant to posts I’d written in the past. For example, take the “Take a Leaf Out of Her Style Book: Halle Berry” post. I chose these dresses but you can check out the Eyelet Shirtdress for $59. One of summer’s popular must-have dresses is the Maxi Dress. I loved these choices but try the Tropical Print Dress, $69. And lastly, for an ultra chic Satin Dress you must Onyx Nite Stretch Satin Dress. At just $69, it beats out my original picks.

**Use the search function on www.silhouettes.com to find the dresses above!

NEO NAUTICAL - NAVY AND WHITE

I am happy to say that the Nautical trend is not dead! This one is standing the test of time and evolving every season. This season we are seeing a lot of stars and stripes on the runways and in the magazines. Here are my favorites from a current search on Etsy.


This dress is so sweet! Only $3O from Which Goose on Etsy.


This one's a little steep, but if you can afford it, it is a sophisticated take on the sailor dress. Available from Etsy seller Decades.



The ultimate nautical wedges, white and navy pin-stripes. These are size 8 and only $30. I am so tempted to buy these myself, but I am a 7 1/2. On Etsy.



Fabulous woven and vinyl 60's bag! From Thirteen Leaf Clover on Etsy.

Bargain Hunting at its Best!

I’ll be the first to admit that I hate outlet shopping. Sales at my favorite chain store are exciting. Vintage shopping exhilarating. But outlet shopping I just find exhausting and I rarely get rewarded for my efforts. This all changed Memorial weekend however as my mom dragged me into our local Marshalls. Typically, I avoid this particular store like the plague because the clothes are literally thrown anywhere and the checkout lines are RIDICULOUS! So you can imagine my glee when I found dresses by DKNY, Laundry by Shelli Segal/Design and London Times all priced at a quarter or less of their original prices. I spent close to $200 but I walked out of the store with 4 designer dresses! I have a new found respect for women who spend hours trawling through rails of disorganized clothing in the search for that one precious jewel (be warned that it can become addictive). I encourage all of you still in doubt to try and outlet store at least once. Need more encouragement? The dress pictured is still selling for $395 at Bloomingdales. I bought it for $60 this weekend. I am such a believer!

NEWEST AND LATEST

Here is a sneak peek from our latest shoot! These items will be in the shop soon! Just in case you are wondering who the brunette is, Keslie Block is our newest Salvage Life model!

The Uptown Emerging Designers Market

Launched on May 17th, 2008 by Enyinne Owunwanne and Michelle Gittens, the Uptwon Emerging Designers Market (UEDM) is Harlem’s newest fashion retail destination featuring a variety of cutting-edge designers of apparel and accessories. The aim is to periodically hold market days where keen-eyed fashionistas can scour the exclusive clothing on offer and meet the vendors who created them. According to their site, UEDM's mission is to…

• Underscore the importance of the UEDM as a vehicle for bringing fresh styles and new designers to the public's attention.
• Provide a profitable marketplace and tools/resources necessary (including fashion business workshops and an online community for designers, stylists, models, etc.) for emerging designers to build and expose their product.
• Position the UEDM as an essential resource for Harlem's economic development and provide additional exposure to Harlem based businesses.
• Establish the UEDM as a tourist destination and a must-see attraction for lovers of cutting-edge fashion, affordable styles and affordable accessories.

Every major city should aspire to hold events like this. We need more opportunities for emerging designers to get noticed. I especially love that one of their missions it to raise Harlem’s economic portfolio and exposure to the world. Visit www.uptownedm.com to sign up for their newsletter and learn about their next event. Thanks to Johanna for informing me about this site. :)
Latoya Henry of Memory Lane by Toya and Idyllic4U (Karen Brown) & Metal (Nkrumah Jennings).

Nit Ra Sit & Denise Beckford and necklaces from Mifflin 5.

RUSSEL CROWE WOULD BE PROUD!

So, I have a pair of brown leather gladiator sandals, but I still find myself scouring the internet for hours looking for another pair. I just love the contrast of a rough masculine sandal with a flowing floral dress! On my unnecessary search, I found these four pairs that unfortunately, are not my size. So, I am hoping that one of you, my readers, may be able to provide a loving home for these beauties.


Can you believe these fabulous shoes are only $20?!!!! If you are a size 6, you should snag them before they are gone. The are available from Etsy seller mariemars.



These deadstock 80's sandals with tags still attached are available from Ebay seller Mademoiselle*Vintage. Size 8. Auction closes on May 28, 2008.



Size 7, black closed toe gladiator sandals from my favorite seller IndieCultVintage.



These might be the BEST GLADIATOR STYLE SANDALS I HAVE SEEN ALL SEASON! Size 7 from Ebay seller thevintagedistrict. Available until May 25th, 2008.

UNDER LOCK AND KEY

My good friend and lovely Salvage Life model, Katie, just had a birthday and I wanted to make her something really special. I know she likes big necklaces, so I began digging through my jewelry supplies. I have had a huge collection of keys and I always love how they look around the neck, so a large skeleton key was my first piece. Secondly, I have a collection of hardware and within that was a keyhole plate. The key fit right in the keyhole...I knew it was a match! At first, I put the two on the same chain, but then I thought how great it would be to have the option of wearing them separately, if desired. The final product was a pair of necklaces that I call "Under Lock and Key." Happy Birthday Katie!

Beyonce

Beyonce on her way to the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics game during the 2008 NBA Playoffs at the TD Banknorth Garden May 14, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Beyonce looks extremely well put together here but in general, her style choices are hit and miss. She’s one of those celebrities that always look presentable but doesn’t have a discernible style of her own. In any case, she knocked this look out of the park and the goods news is it won’t cost an arm and three leg to recreate. See below for some tips.

Steal Beyonce’s Steal…

Jacket: Marc Jacobs Cropped Tweed Jacket, $685, www.catwalktocloset.com
Pants: Wide-Leg Cuffed Trousers, $32.50, www.oldnavy.com

Top: Puff Sleeve Drape Top, $9.99, www.wetseal.com
Hat: Space Dyed Beret, $24, www.urbanoutfitters.com
Necklace: Rose Bead Necklace, $7.80, www.forever21.com
Bag: Bow Dacious Large Tote, $99, www.endless.com

I’m guessing most of us can’t afford the $685 Marc Jacob classic cropped jacket (the original cost was $2800!). So in true I Like Her Style! Fashion, I found this Plaid Tailored Blazer for $98, at www.freepeople.com. It’s not tweed but it’ll get the job done. Oh, and don't forget a brooch for your jacket ;)