Style

Sweet Sneaks

Summer is officially here in DC. It appears that spring didn’t deem 2013 worthy of its appearance, as we’ve gone from 50 degree temperatures to 80 degree temperatures with a heaping serving of humidity!

While I typically spend the summer sporting an array of sandals, this year I’m loving the fashionable selection of sneakers available from some of my favorite designers.

Talk about a throw back! I lived in Keds of all colors when I was a kid. These perforated, lace-less slip-ons are low maintenance, high style and let’s face it, the polka dot sneaker is adorable while still managing to be adult enough for a twenty-something.

Keds Rookie Slipon | $49.95
Keds Rookie Slipon | $49.95
Keds Champion Dot Sneaker | $44.95
Keds Champion Dot Sneaker | $44.95

Keds and Kate Spade are a match made in fashionista heaven. I love chevron and I love shoes; ’nuff said.

Keds for Kate Spade New York Kick Sneaker | $75
Keds for Kate Spade New York Kick Sneaker | $75

Chuck Taylor’s are classic but the new range of colors to choose from kick up the style factor a notch or two! No surprise the mint is my favorite!

Chuck Taylor Low Sneaker in Beach Glass | $44.95
Chuck Taylor Low Sneaker in Beach Glass | $44.95

I’ll have to take advantage of some Memorial Day sales and pick up a pair of cool kicks in which to spend the summer strolling the streets of NYC!

 

 

Upscale Sale Roundup!

Oh, it’s that time of year again! For what you ask?

Time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Apparel, accessories, shoes, handbags, makeup and more is on sale now at some majorly discounted prices. You can snag Fall’s top picks for a fraction of their regular retail prices. There are some good deals online, but you’ll find the best steals in-store. The sale is over August 6th, so don’t miss it! Here are some of my favorite items online:

Michael Kors ‘Bradshaw’ Watch: Sale: $183.90 After Sale: $275.00
Michael Kors ‘Lucy’ Crystal Bezel Watch – Sale: $129.90 After Sale: $195.00

Michael Kors watches are classic, yet contemporary. They are one of my favorite accessories and I believe a girl can never have too many  MK watches!

La Mer ‘The Collection’ Anniversary Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($325 Value) $270.00

I’m not sure I could justify nearly $300 on my face, but if you have the additional income and are looking to get rid of some wrinkles sans Botox, La Mer is for you. Renowned as the best skincare product in the business, La Mer always comes with a hefty price tag no matter how you slice it, but you can save yourself a pretty penny during the Annual Sale!

Frye Melissa Trapunto Boots – $239.90! You’ll pay $357.95 regular price.

Frye boots should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. The quality makes the price well worth it, as you can get several seasons out of them. This price is hard to believe at $239.50 – you can save more than $100!

Bod & Christensen Leather & Ponte Crop Jacket
Sale: $279.90 After Sale: $425.00

It is hard to think about leather when its 90+ degrees outside, but your bank account will thank you for thinking ahead with this purchase. You can save almost $150 on this jacket.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Click on over to Neiman Marcus for an additional 25% off of all of their Last Call merchandise. You’ll find some top designer brands on sale, including Dian von Furstenburg, Rebecca Taylor, Michael Kors and even Lanvin. The best deals are on dresses, most of which you can expect to start around $100 and go up to as much as $1,200.

DVF Karin Tie-waist Dress
Originally: $365.00
NOW:$127.00 (+25% off)

Need I say more? DVF under $100? Sign me up!

Rachel Zoe Krista Bubble Dress
Originally $395.00
NOW:$138.00 (+25% off)

Another brand name, Rachel Zoe, at close to $100. Designer duds at dramatically discounted prices. Sizes are limited and the sale ends tomorrow, so start shopping!

 

Fourth Fashion: Don’t let the Fireworks be the Only Show Stopper!

First of all, I can hardly believe it is July already. It seems like I was just celebrating New Years Eve and here we are nearly halfway through 2012! But, I digress. Let’s focus on more important things – like the fashions we can don while celebrating America’s birthday!

I usually travel for the 4th of July, but I am very excited to be celebrating here in our Nation’s Capital for once! There is nothing quite like the displays of patriotism that occur, leaving us all feeling more American than a slice of Apple pie washed down by a swig of Budweiser.

As you can imagine, here in D.C., there is no shortage of things to do, places to be and people to see on the 4th. In fact, the trouble often is choosing just one option! I’m taking a more laissez faire approach to my plans tomorrow and just seeing where the day takes me. However, if you have your plans all ironed out you are probably now wondering what the heck to wear! Fret no further and take a peek at some of the outfit ideas below. No matter what your plans are, you’ll be prepared to do America proud in these patriotic ensembles!

One tip to make sure you look like Miss America and not Uncle Sam – don’t over do it! Anchor your outfit with one patriotic color and accessorize with the others; don’t try to let them all compete.

Fourth Fashion: From Day to Night
Not sure what your plans are? Be ready for a daytime celebration, an evening event and everything in between in this outfit.
Fourth Fashion: From Day to Night by kerrychannon featuring cat eye sunglasses
Fourth Fashion: A Daytime Celebration
– Planning for an outdoor bbq or staking out a plot of grass for some evening fireworks? Take the casual approach with these looks.
Fourth Fashion: A Daytime Celebration by kerrychannon featuring peplum and polka dots.
Fourth Fashion - A Dressy Affair
– Does your 4th of July call for playing a bit of dress up? Pair your favorite red, white or blue dress with some eye-catching accessories and you are ready to party the night away!
 

Sale Roundup: J. Crew and Ann Taylor Loft

I’m making this a quick one since I am bouncing around a lot here on the West Coast, but I had to share some of today’s sales with you.

The J. Crew Factory Store is running some nice specials on some of their classic pieces with some items up to an additional 40% off. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Factory Store, it is basically the J. Crew outlet you’d find at your average outlet mall, but J. Crew was smart enough to but the steals and deals online. Now we can pick and choose our favorite items at our leisure, without having to fight our way through the masses and take down that crazy lady who thinks she is getting that last pair of pants. Er…ok, let’s just take a look at some of their best deals…

Factory Drawstring Day Dress – originally $79.50, on sale for $49.50. The perfect casual dress for any summer day. Throw it on with your favorite sandals and you’re ready to go!
Factory Bell Skirt in cotton – originally $54.50, on sale for $29.50. I own this skirt and blue and can attest, it is a versatile piece that you can pair with a tee or tank for the weekend or a button up for polished, work appropriate look.

Ann Taylor Loft is running two different sales today, both with pretty stellar savings! Now, it is no secret that I tend to make a lot of purchases from Loft and a significant percentage of my wardrobe can be attributed to the store. Well, with these savings, you can understand why! Online, you can score 30% off all purchases with the code SHOP30. In stores, you can rack up 50% off all items today as long as you shop from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Check out their Facebook page to snag the deal.

Honey Stripe Knit Maxi Skirt – Originally $59.50. On sale for $54.99 and an additional 50% off – $27.50. Another incredibly versatile piece, pair with a tank or tee and a fun jacket.
Cotton Batik Carnation Print Tie Neck Peasant Tunic – originally 49.50, on sale for 50% off – $24.75. A bold, bright tunic top will help add an element of the unexpected to your wardrobe.

This is a great time to stock up on some of your summer staples. With prices this low, you really can’t afford NOT to treat yourself to something. It is Friday after all!

 

Sale Alert: Kate Spade!

Calling all Kate Spade fans! If you haven’t moseyed on over to her site in the last few days, you should visit. Like now. The top-name designer is running a massive sale on some of its best – and brightest – merchandise from this season. Kate Spade’s designs are preppy, colorful and bold. While most of these summer pieces aren’t for the color-shy, they can function as your next wardrobe workhorse with their classic shapes and pops of brightness that will compliment any outfit. There really is something for everyone though, as the sale also has a few neutral bags.

The sale started on Friday, at which point I had about $700 worth of items in my cart. I resisted the urge, as I did just get my dream purse a few months ago for my birthday (thank you, husband). But, that doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through all of you, so please, take a look at some of the highlights of the sale merchandise and head on over to Kate Spade to pick out some of your own must-haves!

Colorblocking at its best! Stella Heels – Originally $328. On Sale for $171.

 

Make a statement in turquoise – Mulholland Drive Double Row Necklace. Originally $178, now $79.

 

And more turquoise…Cobble Hill Kori purse. Originally $478, on sale for $250.

 

Make everyone green with envy…Irving Place Nadine. Originally $528, on sale for $237.

 

This is just a small selection of the massive savings you can score. Clothing, belts, earrings, wallets, clutches, totes, sandals and more are all on sale, just waiting for you to scoop them up!

 

Friday Fun with Neon

Neon is a great look for summer and a big trend in stores. I am all for bold, bright outfits, but sometimes they can be a bit too loud for the office. A great way to make the most of this season’s neon trend is to scoop up some awesome accessories in fun, neon colors.

I purchased the pink neon belt pictured below on Monday on sale from J. Crew.  It arrived yesterday and I’m wearing it today. I can already tell I am going to get my  money’s worth!

You can also look for earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even sandals in an array of neon colors. Limit your neon pieces to two accessories (such as a belt and earrings) or one bold piece (such as a skirt or top). This will help you avoid looking like you are channeling a package of highlighters, or the 80’s…

Friday Fun with Neon

Friday Fun with Neon by kerrychannon featuring white denim and neon accessories.
 

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Holy heat wave, people! It is HOT out there. If you are anywhere on the East coast, you are likely trying to avoid the 100 degree temperatures while trying to get from Point A to B without looking like you could have just run a marathon. I’ve run two of them and trust me, I think I looked better crossing the finish line than when I arrived at work this morning. Heat, humidity and no air conditioning on the metro do not bode well for this girl.

Sweat happens, but that doesn’t mean we have to let it beat us. Dressing for hot summer weather while still remaining office appropriate can be a challenge. Halter tops and shorter hemlines are tempting, but you can still look great while beating the heat with this simple formula:

1 light, airy dress + 1 lightweight blazer = the perfect outfit for a hot day

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Hot Town, Summer in the City by kerrychannon featuring ray ban sunglasses

The key is to pick summer dresses in breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, that are not too form fitting. Go for sleeveless and pair it with a lightweight blazer at the office. The office A/C is usually working overtime on exceptionally hot days, so you’ll likely need that blazer to keep warm indoors.

Take the blazer off on your walk to or from work or for that happy hour cocktail your parched self will clearly need. Pick up a pair of nude wedges if you don’t already have them. They are a summer stable and will take you from work to play and everywhere in between. Not to mention they are in stores everywhere this season, so you can easily find a pair that match your price point.

The even better news? You can get twice the wear by pairing almost any of these dresses with tights, boots and a cute cardigan for the Fall!

Back to standing in front of the A/C vent…

 

Accessorize on a Budget

Earrings and bracelets and necklaces, oh my!

Ahhhh accessories. They can make or break an outfit. A statement necklace will take a cotton dress from casual to chic and the earrings can add just the right finishing touch to a blouse and jeans. They aren’t called “statement” pieces for nothing! Summer is the perfect time for an accessories refresh.

The bright, bold colors of the season are making their mark on accessories in stores everywhere. It is tempting to buy up one of everything in every color, but you don’t necessarily need to spend more, you just need to spend better.

Lou Lou is one of my favorite stores to frequent when I want an envy-inducing piece of jewelry on a budget. The store features all types of accessories – earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, sunglasses, scarves, watches and even bags. Prices for smaller items start in the single digits ($8) and can go up to $200 for top of the line items, but the majority of merchandise can be found for $10 – $75.

I typically visit Lou Lou for earrings and necklaces, but patrons will find a superb variety of choices to accessorize their wardrobe. The selection ranges from the understated, think stud earrings and single-color scarves, to the unique, read: brilliant baubles and bright, funky sunnies.

Here are some of my personal favorites from Lou Lou’s website:

Mint Julep Necklace – $25
Tickled Pink Earrings – $15
Blue Bib Necklace – $20
Ocean Sunrise Earrings – $15
Bali Cuff – $30

With 8 locations in the DC Metro area and a 9th to open soon, there isn’t a Lou Lou far away. If you aren’t a DC area resident, peruse Lou Lou’s website. You’re sure to find something you just can’t live without! At this price point, it is the perfect opportunity to try some of the season’s top trends.

 

Saturday Summer Style

A Saturday in DC in the summer holds infinite potential. A girl just never knows where she might find herself, so she has to be prepared for anything. This past Saturday, I went from a bridal shower, to a snazzy outdoor hotel bar, to the Pride parade and a Pride-celebration house party and miscellaneous other stops along the way.

How’s a girl to be ready for any spontaneous event that might present itself? My answer is a maxi skirt. The length instantly dresses up an outfit and it pairs so well with a casual top and a statement necklace that you can easily transition from one event to the next without looking over or under dressed.

I just blogged about my favorite new basic tank, so of course I had to break it out for the occasion. Here was my outfit of choice (I’m in the middle):

And where you can buy it all:

Saturday Summer Style

Saturday Summer Style by kerrychannon featuring maxi skirts

Seamless tank top
$24 – anthropologie.com

Steve Madden leather shoes
$60 – swell.com

Oasis flat shoes
$36 – asos.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors gold watch
$250 – nordstrom.com

Stella dot jewelry
$198 – stelladot.com

Stella dot jewelry
$138 – stelladot.com

Pintucked Maxi Skirt
$44 – loft.com
 

No Plans Tonight? Check out Trina Turk for BR!

DC ladies looking for something to do tonight?

Head over to the Banana Republic in Georgetown at the corner of Wisconsin and M Street (3200 M Street, NW) at 5 pm to be one of the first to view the new Trina Turk for Banana Republic Collection in stores. Online sneak peeks were available for Gilt Groupe members and Facebook fans, so I can confirm that there are some majorly fabulous pieces available for purchase. Trina Turk’s signature bold colors and prints paired with Banana’s classic silhouettes is a match made in fashionista heaven. As most designer collaborations go, the prices are higher than what you would typically see in Banana, but that is to be expected. The 60 piece collection is said to be inspired by Palm Springs, read: deco inspired, bright colors and prints.

Use your Banana, Gap or Old Navy card for any purchase of $100 or more and you can score a free limited edition Trina Turk bangle.

The store event starts at 5 pm and shoppers can enjoy complimentary refreshments while they shop. Cocktails and shopping? Two of my favorite things – I’m in!

The Pentagon City Banana Republic is also hosting an in-store event. To see where else they are hosting events, click here.

 

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