Swim 2010 - Sweet as Pie & Summer Glam

Have you been daydreaming about relaxing on a beach with a daiquiri in hand, soaking up the summer sun and the salt water?  Or do you want to play poolside or spend the day staring at the crystal waters from aboard a yacht?  No matter how you get your hot weather fix, I'm digging up the swim styles to get you ready.  It's Swim 2010!

The first look is the perfect mix of cute and retro.  You can go with the classic bandeau-style top or the more modern monokini.  It's adorable paired with the pair of brightly-framed sunglasses.  And check out these shades more closely.  They have a tiny cherry print on them!  The yellow wedges blend perfectly in this sweet retro look.  Throw on this loosely fitting dolman-sleeve coverup that's so spot on for this look, even the name of the shade has a food reference: "Orange Spice."

Sweet as Pie

 

Clockwise from Left:

Pear Bandeau Bikini Top (yellow or orange), $19.99  / Matching Brief, $19.99

Cherry Print Sunglasses, $11.99

(Deal of the Day) Pear Print Monokini (yellow or orange), $21.80

Patent Yellow Peep-Toe Wedge, $20.50

Dolman Sleeve Cover-up Top, Reg $29 / Sale $19 (Special: Buy 2 or more coverups, save $4 each)

If you want something a little less cute, and a little sexier, check out this glam look. Big Bonus:  these suits are part of the ShapeFX line, meaning they are FIGURE FLATTERING and help HIDE THOSE TROUBLE SPOTS.  Oh yeah, I thought that was worthy of all caps.  Yet the thing I love most about them, is that they still don't lose their sex appeal.  Check out the corset-style sides and hot pink color (also available in black) of the one-piece. You'd never guess that has a "power-mesh" lining to help hide those few extra pounds.  The cut of that bikini gives you more coverage than many of the season's styles, plus it features the same "power-mesh" lining to flatter your hips and bum.  That's never a bad thing.

With such a sleek look to these suits, add a little bling to your look with some show-off sandals.  I love the ones with the zipper-detail (they're already packed in my suitcase!).   And of course you need a pair of shades that can keep up.  These silver-framed, purple-lensed pair are hard to beat at less than $12.

Summer Glam

 

Clockwise from Top Left: 

Purple-tinted Sunglasses, $11.99

(Splurge) Shape fx one-piece with lace-up side, Pre-season sale $39 / Will be $59

Shape fx flattering traingle bikini, Reg$49 / Sale $29

Gold & Rhinestone flip-flop, $14

Flat Sandal with Zipper Detail (gold, black, or silver). $15.40

If you want more figure flattering looks, check out the ShapeFX line at Newport News...just pick them up while they're still on pre-season sale. 

Finally, take a look at this awesome and unusual Octopus Necklace over at Modcloth!  Only $14.99.

So, what's your swim style? And stay tuned, there's plenty more of Swim 2010 to come!

--  <3 BF

***Today's Coupon Codes:
Urbanog.com:  15% off order w/code RETAILMENOT, or Free Shipping over $50 with code FREESHIP
Gojane.com: Free Shipping over $50 with code GJSHIP50
ModCloth.com: 10% off order with codes Cute10 or modfriend (not positive these still work)

On the Runway: Karl Lagerfeld

NY Fashion Week just wrapped up recently, with the hottest models strutting the Fall 2010 collections down the runway.  So in honor of that, I backtracked a little to take a peek at some of the hottest trends for Spring.  One of my faves - Karl Lagerfeld's collection.  It's fairly simple with a lot of black and white, plus a pop of orange-red thrown in there. 

Okay, so I wouldn't exactly try to pull off those giant off-the-shoulder sleeves or what I believe is a basically a romper in the center - because, well, I'd look ridiculous.  So how do you to translate those styles to a real closet and a real budget?  Here's a few suggestions: 

 Top Left:  Short-Sleeve Tee with Cut-Out Sleeves in Black, $34.00

Bottom Left: Wide-Elastic Belt w/Metallic Buckle, $4.99

Right: (Deal of the Day) V-Neck Silk Tank Dress in Red, $22.10**

And a few more: 

 Left:  (Splurge) Button-Front Dress w/Elasticized Waistband and Keyhole Back, $79

Center:  Pleated-Stud Zipper Belt, $4.99

Right:  Button-Front Woven Collared-Dress in Gray, $37

Some cute looks and good deals!  But oh, the shoe addict in me couldn't ignore the heals that accompanied Mr. Lagerfeld's styles.  Have a closer look: 

The look for less:

 

 Left:  Peep-Toe, High-Heeled Gladiator Sandal in Black (also available in Taupe & White), $22.20**

Center:  Open-Toe, High-Heeled Studded Sandal in Black (also in Gray or Cream), $29.90**

Right:  Buckle-Trip Peep-Toe Bootie in White, $28.40

Hot!  I'm not the biggest fan of flat-sandals in general, but I can't walk around in platform heels all the time, either.  So here's your flats: 

  Black Vegan Leather Sandal, $15

I've also got a few Bonus Savers for you: 

**Get 20% off your order at UrbanOg.com with coupon code SPRING, or get free shipping with code FREESHIP

Free Shipping off any Go Jane Purchase over $50 -- GJSHIP50

Get $5 coupon code from Lulus.com when you sign up for their e-mail list.

What do you think of these Karl Lagerfeld-inspired looks?  Have you found any other runway-inspired looks for less?

<3 BF

Christmas Countdown

Alright procrastinators (myself included), we're getting down the wire.  Hopefully  your online shopping is all done, but if not, I have some good news for you later in this post.

First, I wanted to share today's Deal of the Day that I found in stores.  At the price listed, you might as well add one to your closet, and wrap one up for a friend.

Mossimo Moto Jacket in Brown or Gray (my fave), Originally $29.99/ Sale $14.98!

Told you that was a killer price.  No luck for you online shoppers though -- I've only been able to find this in stores (particularly at the Target in Murfreesboro.)  And you better act fast.  At this price, most of those are probably already gone.

For anyone still trying to buy online without spending a fortune, here's the good news. Tomorrow is also Free Shipping day, so expect to see shipping deals at over 600 online retailers with guarantees on Christmas delivery.

Steve Madden - Free Express Shipping thru Dec. 21 at 11:59 EST + 25% off orders of $75 or more with code COUNTDOWN25
Amazon.com -  Super Saver Shipping ends tomorrow (Dec. 17).  Order by then and you get Free Shipping on orders over $25.
Sears - $5 off $50 with code SEARS5OFF + Free Shipping thru Dec. 19

Bonus: Use my links and part of your purchase proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more free shippning deals and coupon codes to your favorite stores, check out Cybermonday.com and RetailMeNot.com

Merry Christmas Shopping!

-BF

Back to the Basics

Tons of great deals right now via good ol' Target.  I love Target for clothes now.  In the past few years, they've really amped up their designs by bringing in big names designers to do real-budget clothes.  And if you're willing to dig through the sales racks at the end of a season, you can find some great buys.

Today however, you don't have to do any digging.  Target has their "Back to the Basics" sale going on -- and you can find it online!  And with the temperatures dropping, their sales items are perfect for layering.
Deal of the day: I love the boyfriend cardigan in violet/ivory for $15.00.   I’d recommend an ivory scoopneck shirt (tee, tank top, or long-sleeves.)  However, you can pick up this black-lace trimmed one for less than $4!  Add the dark denim, low-rise bootcut jeans for under $10 (limited sizes available) and you have an entire outfit for less than $30.00!  You can bet that outfit is already in the Bargain Fashionista’s shopping cart. 

Here’s a great deal on a wardrobe staple – the basic black dress -- and this figure-flattering, sleeveless wrap-dress by Merona is on clearance for $14.98.   All sizes from small to xx-large are in stock, but I doubt for long.

While you're there, stock up on long-sleeve crewneck tees for only $6.00.  I especially love the berry for a winter-friendly pop of color, plus they’re great for putting under sweaters of all kinds when it starts getting really chilly outside.  Or for an easy weekend look, just throw on the shirt with a long necklace and jeans and you’re ready in no time.  This is a basic must-have.

Find it here

Today's final find: a sky blue tunic with slit-sleeves and a keyhole back has been marked down to $10.48.  Throw it over some skinny jeans and a pair of black boots.  Add a long necklace (noticing a theme yet?) and you’re good to go.  Kohl's has a lot of fashion jewelry on sale right now, but you’re better off heading to the store for that one.

Bonus Buys: 

+Gray/black canvas tote with zippers – was $44.99, now only $15.74.

+If you spend $50.00 or more at target.com, you get free shipping.