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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Katie Holmes is the new face of Ann Taylor

The new "model" for Ann Taylor is Mrs. Tom Cruise, aka, Katie Holmes.  I do think Katie is a good choice for the Ann Taylor brand. She does wear expensive designer brands, but she also has made more frugal choices.  When she wore the Rodarte for Gap white shirt with the little ruffle pleating around the neck a few years ago, I went right out and bought it. Some of her looks I have loved, some not so much.  It will be interesting to see how Ann Taylor outfits her in there clothes.  I like their approach of having celebrities model their clothes, rather than pretending that they are "designers" as some other brands have done.

Check out Katie in the first ad from the campaign above, wearing a classy Ann Taylor blue pantsuit.

To check out what's new at Ann Taylor and save check out their online sale, deals on their Facebook page and finally have a look at CouponMountain and get their Anne Taylor coupons.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Enter to Win a JustLuxe Vacation Getaway.

Who wouldn't want to go to Paris, Bermuda, Greece, Hawaii, St. Lucia, Portugal, Vienna or Miami? We all want to go, we just don't want to pay for it. That's what contests are all about. JustLuxe.com is offering a giveaway for a chance to win a paid trip to one of this amazing locations.  Best of all , you get extra entries when you raise your social media IQ by following yours truly on Facebook or Twitter.  How good is that ? Click here and try to win a luxurious vacation!

Best of all, there will be a grand prize giveaway from all the entries. The grand prize winner will get a 4 night stay in suite at the Halekulani Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, roundtrip airfare, and if that is not enough, an exotic car rental complete with a personal chauffeur.  Paying for that yourself would cost more than $30,000. Click on over to JustLuxe to enter.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Giveaway of a $100 Gift Card for L'Occitane

When it's cold outside, and your skin is getting dry, it's a good time to look for some pampering relief from high-end skin and bath products like those provided by  L'Occitane En Provence.  I am a big fan of their beautifully scented soaps and lotions.  They also carry some amazing candles.  Some of my favorites are their Verbena and their Lavender lotions.  The soothing scents can transport you to a place of calm and peace, especially if your snowed in, or on the west coast, maybe rained in!  I also like their shea butter in the winter for chapped hands. A little L'Occitane En Provence pampering is a great way to make staying at home more enjoyable.  That's why I entered to win a $100.00 gift card to shop for my favorites at L'Occitane via a giveaway sponsored by coupon site CouponMountain.com.  Of course, I have to pass this along my readers to give you the chance to win too! :)

Here's what you need to do to enter.  

1) Browse the Coupon Mountain website 
 
2)      Answer the following questions in the comments section of this Coupon Mountain blog post
o   What is your favorite item to buy in January?
o   How can Coupon Mountain help? 

Everyone who comments will be placed into a random drawing. The contest will end on January 26, 2011 at 11:59 PM (PST), and the drawing will take place shortly after.  I already entered!  I love me some  L'Occitane.  If you're looking for L'Occitane for less, do check out their New Year's sale on their website and savings on the products at QVC. If you visit the L'Occitane's website, sign up for special deals via their Passport to Provence program, and you'll also be entered to win a trip to Provence, France.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Make your HUDSON Jeans 2011 Denim Resolution to WIN a Denim Wardrobe

We all have our New Year's resolutions, but do any of you have specific denim resolutions. Mine is simply fitting into a smaller size of jeans!   What about you? Are there denim styles you are dying to own?   Maybe Hudson jeans you are saving to buy? Submit your denim resolution on HUDSONJeans.com for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to revamp your 2011 denim wardrobes. Enter now.

It's a good deal if you win, and it costs you nothing to try. 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

What eBay's Top Shopped in 2010 Can Tell Us


Now it the time of year that I think about looking into my crystal ball to try to forecast 2011 fashion trends. But before I can look forward, I have to take a look into the past.  One simple barometer of style that I use is to look at what fashionistas are buying is eBay.  What are you searching for either by name brand designer or fashion description? Inquiring minds want to know.  Knowing what shoppers’ are searching for helps in two important ways.  One, if you are thinking of reselling items from your closet, checking out the top searched for items on eBay, and incorporating those keywords into your eBay listing description, can help you position your product for sale and multiple bids.  Do a little research before you list. The power of Google search and eBay search can bring buyers to you if you know how to phrase your description using the top-searched terms/keywords.  Two, if you are a retailer, eBay is on the pulse of the consumer.  Knowing what moves on eBay is a good indication of what will sell in your online or brick & mortar store.  Remember to check not just what is selling, but at what price it is selling.  For example, I am very fond of searching for Chanel brooches or pins, and then sorting the list by lowest priced first.  The price ranges let me know what the average resale price of a Chanel pin will be, at least on eBay.

This year, I asked the folks at eBay what the top searched fashion items were in 2010.  After looking through all the data, they reported that their data reveals that military jackets, leopard prints and vintage 1950s looks were in high demand.  Top searched for items were:

  • Military-inspired items (1,038,026 related items sold)
  • Plaid  clothing (718,365 related items sold), 
  • Romantic 1950s (626,264 related items sold)
  • Fashion items with animal themes were immensely popular. This included feathers (121,983 related items sold), faux fur (105,988 related items sold) and leopard print (80,120 related items sold).
 The most frequently searched designers by name were Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch.   This makes sense to me, as both designers are popular, and pricey.  Frequently, you'll find some great deals on both Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch via eBay sellers.  Many items are NWT (new with tags.) I've never worried too much about buying a Marc Jacobs item  from a price perspective, providing I felt it was tasteful.  I usually wear it a few times, then sell it "pre-loved " on eBay.  Top designers with quality items hold their resale value, and you will definitely recoup some of your purchase price on a Marc Jacobs or Tory Burch.  Below is the full eBay Top 10 List.

eBay’s Picks for America’s “Top Shopped in Style” and Fashion Obsessions of 2010:
1.       Military jackets                      
2.       Plaid                                          
3.       1950s                                          
4.       Neon                                          
5.       Marc Jacobs                            
6.       Feathers                                    
7.       Faux fur                                    
8.       Tory Burch                              
9.       Ankle boots                            
10.     Leopard print                        


The one item on the list that shocks me is ...wait for it... Neon!  What in the world are fashionistas doing searching for Neon? Ankle boots yes, that is understandable, but Neon? That puzzles me.   

Also of interest is eBay's list of  Top Shopped and Pop Culture Obsessions.  Hot Wheels? Barbie?  That amazes me.  I wish the Beatles were number 1 rather than the iPhone 4.  And who knew Marc Jacobs would also be a Pop Culture Obsession? The things I learn from eBay...simply amazing.


 
eBay’s  Picks for America’s Top Shopped and Pop Culture Obsessions of 2010
1.       iPhone 4                             
2.       Barbie                                  
3.       Military jackets                 
4.       Hot Wheels                       
5.       iPad                                      
6.       World Cup                          
7.       The Beatles                       
8.       Silly Bandz                         
9.       Alice in Wonderland     
10.   New Orleans Saints       
11.   Marc Jacobs                       
12.   LeBron James