London Fashion Week Goes Digital

Since the economic downturn  began (say 2008), my beloved trips across the pond to the UK have been sadly curtailed.  I miss my annual jaunts to London, Edinburgh, and Dublin more than I can say.  The only thing that provides solace is the Internet, which now allows me to view London Fashion Week online from my front row seat in Los Angeles.  That means you can also watch some of Britain's best designers' runway shows with a good Internet connection.  To see the entire schedule of shows, simply go to www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/digitalschedule.  Remember to use World Clock on the Internet to put the UK show times into your local time. The website will also feature videos made by members of the fashion community.


Click here to watch the Burberry Prorsum Autumn Winter 2011 from London Fashion Week Feb. 21st at 4 pm UK time, 11:00 am EST,. 8 am PST on The Recessionista Blog.

Irina Shabayeva's Macy's INC collection arrives in stores

Project Runway season six winning designer Irina Shabayeva's INC collection arrives in Macy's stores today. Look for it in the INC collection. There are some lovely, but very form fitting cocktail dresses and embellished tops.  Some of the collection is on sale with coupon code PRESIDENT via Macys.com for President's Day.  Check Macys.com for details.

Click here to read a review of the collection on our sister site, The Recessionista Blog.

Raise Your Consciousness with H&M's Environmentally Conscious Collection for Spring

Pictured: H&M's SAG worthy white hot gown.

If you like the clean look of white for spring, but don't want to invest in couture, checkout H&M's new white album , known as the Conscious Collection.  Here's a Red Carpet worthy long white dress from the Conscious Collection in recycled polyester , priced at £34.99 and $56.45.

The collection which is for women, men and children and is made from environmentally - adapted and greener materials such as organic cotton, Tencel® and recycled polyester. H&M’s designers have been inspired by different shades of white.  Ironically, the H&M designers for Conscious seem to think that white is one of the most important colors this Spring.  The entire collection has a a minimalist, tailored look is combined with romantic lace, Broderie Anglaise, frills and draping.

H&M's sustainable Conscious Collection features some white hot looks.

Look for the Conscious Collection  on sale in all H&M stores on April 14th. It is planned that the collection will be an H&M staple, that will be updated every season. What the Garden Collection was to color, Conscious is to white.

The Perfect Valentine's Gift: A Yummi Glass Heart

When selecting a good piece of jewelry, I always recommend that you look for a simple, classic piece of jewelry that will sparkle and become a focal point.  The Yummi Glass Murano Glass Heart rimmed with 24k gold is just such a piece. These hearts are pricey at retailers and boutiques like Henri Bendel in New York and Fred Segal in Los Angeles.  But, in honor of Valentine's Day, Yummi Glass designer Allison Overbeke is offering readers of The Recessionista a special deal.  You can receive 20% off a Yummi Glass heart of any size or color when you use the code HEART at checkout.  This offer is good until Feb. 14, 2011. You might want to tell someone to get you a heart for Valentine's Day.:)  You'll notice that Yummi Glass is featured in the Victoria's Secret catalogue this month, along with the Valentine's lingerie (pictured above along side the heart pendants.)

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.

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.

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.