Archive for March, 2010

Creative Styling, By the Pros

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

This week, we opened up Covet Shop’s virtual closet to see how some of New York’s most stylish shoppers might pull together from our eclectic assortment of fabulous merch. (And, if you think you have what it takes, style an outfit for us by April 14 and you could win $50 off a Covet Shop purchase! See deets below.)

First up: Mindi Smith, a professional stylist and redhead-about-town equipped with a to-die-for closet and, as you’ll see, some of the most haute hippie style in town. A woman after my own heart (as a Boulder grad, myself).

For the Bohemian, or the Mod Squad, in you...

For the Bohemian, or the Mod Squad, in you...

“Haute Hippie” Outfit No 1, at left:

“Those shoes, those shoes, those shoes!,” says Mindi.  ”The lucite wooden heel?  Are you kidding me?” Unfortunately they were snatched up almost immediately, but all the more reason to check Covet Shop “What’s New” as often as you can. Mindi “loves the keyhole” in this Cavalli dress, and designed these looks to wear to a cocktail party or an afternoon wedding — anywhere you’d like to definitely make an appearance or impression “as you’re gliding about.”

For her, the key to looking effortlessly chic is comfort…and this, she adds, “honestly, really looks comfortable.”

Roberto Cavalli Long Floral Printed Dress, Chloe Lucite Wooden Platform Sandals, Bottega Veneta Woven Hobo, Marc Jacobs Gold Bar Sunglasses

“Mod Squad” Outfit No. 2, at right:

Meow. “This reminds me of you, Nicole,” says Mins. “Love the new ‘pattern play’ coming off the runway for spring and this dress nails it.  Very mod, very now.” She recos wearing this this to market appointments, to lunch, dinner or to drinks.  Nothing too formal because it is a shift, but, she comments, “…it definitely goes from office to work lunch or dinner easily in the summer.”

Marni Circle Shift Dress, Jimmy Choo Prize Sandals, Temperley London Flag Bag

A more refined Bohemian...

A more refined Bohemian...

Classic Bohemian, with a Twist:

This outfit, also by Mindi, exemplifies exactly why stylists are good at their job: They have ways of arranging looks in ways you’d never have dreamed, that reinvent pieces in a different light. Take this Balenciaga dress, for example. I’d never think of picking this out for fear of its potential frump-factor, but Mindi designed this around the belt and has instantly made it something covet-able and super hot.

“I originally styled it around the dress (who wouldn’t?) but the belt is stealing the show and that bag is sick!,” she says. “I would wear this anywhere, to lunch, on a date, to a funeral or a party.  You cannot go wrong with a LBD from Balenciaga.”

Like these picks? Mindi is available for personal styling/shopping. Just contact her here.

Gucci Buckle Sunglasses, Balenciaga Baby Doll Dress, Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Patch Tote, Marc Jacobs Cut Out Pumps, Giuseppe Zanotti Python Wedges

And now…the next stylist…Brianne Tammaro, an industry sales/design veteranette and friend of Nancy’s from Parsons (both are alums). Brianne currently works at covet-worthy Italian brand Blumarine.

Black, white, day, night...

Black, white, day, night...

Laid Back, and Luxurious:

Brie really loves the black/white trend we are seeing right now (so do we!), since it’s “…really clean, and black always looks professional but also stylish – especially for New York.” She has paired a boyfriend-like cardigan over a cocktail dress and would wear this with these fabulous flats during the day for a “laid back luxurious” look. “By adding the white bag, it adds interest to my ‘uniform of black’ that I tend to wear during the week.  However, the black dress can also be sexy for night so I like that it is a ‘day-to-play’ look.”

For day, Brianne suggests the flats, of course, and “wearing the cardi open, scrunching up the sleeves and adding some fun jewelry.” But for evening…throw these dangerous Giuseppe Zanotti booties in your oversized bag to put on after work…and start your night on the town on the right foot.

Temperley Mini Kaleidoscope Dress, Roberto Cavalli Jewel Cardigan, Giuseppe Zanotti Platform Booties, Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Patch Tote, Christian Louboutin Mousse Clou Flats

We’d love to see YOUR styling creativity! If you think you have Covet Shop-worthy style, please submit your styling/picks, and reason for your choices, to Nancy [at] Covetshop.com. We’ll select a winner, who will receive $50 toward their next Covet Shop purchase, and post their look on the Covet Shop blog. Deadline: Wed., April 21.

Behind-the-Scenes Downtime with Covet Shop

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Even Covet Shopettes need to be pampered sometimes. Last Wednesday, for St. Patrick’s Day, Nancy invited me to the lovely Maria Bonita Spa, located in New York’s Nolita, to celebrate the day “Brazilian Style.” Fernanda Lacerda, the owner/sultry Brazilian (of course), has purchased from Covet Shop before and befriended Nancy on Twitter.

At the event (where we were happily surprised to run into bloggers from Eye4Style, StyleITOnline, Miss Whoever You Are and Heather Park from M.A.C.) guests indulged in Caipirinhas while the spa gave us the royal pampering treatment consisting of: Envix Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment; the Perfect Blow-Out; and a Maria Bonita “Irish Manicure.” While Nancy got the full trio of services, I only had time for the mani, which was described as “Brazilian Style” by manicurist Rosalina.

My Butter LONDON 3 Free, in Thames, was the envy of the other bloggers...

Green with envy for my Butter LONDON 3 Free, in Thames

I’d never heard of a Brazilian manicure, and thankfully she described it before starting because – otherwise – I’d have mistakenly thought that she was purposefully botching the job (in a rather astounding way).

Rosalina explained that this technique involved a more intense cuticle push and trim on both the sides and bottom of the nail, then “overpainting” the sides and cleaning up at the end.  This allows the color to wrap around the whole nail and, she said, would last longer. I was impressed – not even one little chip until Saturday. They still look fairly presentable today, one week later, but definitely one of the best manicures I’ve had in a while.

Now…what to wear with this color…I’d say this just-in Badgley Mishka Bustier Dress, paired with a Gucci Horsebit Clutch to show off the nails.

Keeping it simple and chic with and LBD and clutch

Keeping it simple and chic with a LBD and clutch

Maria Bonita Salon and Spa, which features South American beauty treatments and hospitality, is open Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The Luck of the Irish Package (an amazing deal!) costs $70 and is available until May 2010.

March Madness

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

It’s been haunting you all winter – your closet. So before the weather gets far too nice to be rummaging around in its dark recesses, best to clean it out now and while you’re at it, consign online and turn your project into hard, cold cash. You’ll need it for these spring necessities…

Irish lassies! Shop no further

Heading out Wednesday for a St. Patrick’s Day party? For those going to a classier affair than your basic frat house tavern, might I recommend the below. We absolutely cannot believe this fabulous Stella McCartney dress has not sold yet – I’d personally pair it with a super short, cropped leather jacket and some peep-toe booties like the ones I scored from Beacon’s Closet yesterday. If you need further inspiration, see how Lindsay Lohan styled it here.

DVF Dylann Wrap Top, paired with the designer's Biby Pant; Stella McCartney Double Layer Dress

DVF Dylann Wrap Top, paired with the designer's Biby Pant; Stella McCartney Double Layer Dress

Spring essentials: The trench

If you purchase nothing else this spring, grab a new trench. Of course trenches never go out of style, but we’ve seen them celebrated in unique ways lately. Vogue UK suggests belted with the buttons undone, while Gryphon has debuted this bell-sleeved version designed by mother-daughter team Judy and Jane Aldridge (of Sea of Shoes fame).

We’re of course suggesting this Covet Shop version, which brings a a bit of noir-ish, yet feminine, glamour to the staid classic.

Who's That Lady? Turn heads with this Dolce & Gabbana Ruffle Trench

Who's That Lady? Turn heads with this Dolce & Gabbana Ruffle Trench

Spring essentials: The new bag and sandals

Nothing puts a spring in your step more than a delicious new bag or some strappy sandals to go with your fresh new pedi. My picks this week…

Sigerson Morrison Davis Sandals, Bottega Veneta Woven Hobo

Sigerson Morrison Davis Sandals, Bottega Veneta Woven Hobo

Spring essentials: The light sweater

Toss either of these gray sweaters in your oversized bag for when it gets chilly people-watching at your favorite sidewalk cafe, and try belting them with any of these smokin’ new belts (from Miu Miu, YSL, and Gucci) posted this week.

Shrug, Blugirl by Blumarine; 3.1 Phillip Lim Pocket Sweater, Miu Miu Rocker Belt

Shrug, Blugirl by Blumarine; 3.1 Phillip Lim Pocket Sweater, Miu Miu Rocker Belt