Work & Business

Review of XCVI Wearables and Happy House Top

November 3, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

While browsing around on SmartBargains.com I discovered a brand called XCVI.

My first impression was that XCVI was a laid-back brand offering relaxed and chic fashion made primarily from cotton. The brand falls in the mid price range for me; not cheap, but not expensive either. Most items cost under $100.

I was super excited when shortly after that, Rue La La had a XCVI boutique with prices around 65% off! So I jumped at the opportunity and bought the Happy House top in eggplant, Plaid Brushed Twill Reporter Blouse in green, Exquisite Jacket in eggplant and Totem Pole Top in a grayish purple color.

(Photo Credit: SmartBargains.com)

The Happy House top ended up being my favorite. It’s cotton voile with a jersey like material on the back, so it feels like your favorite soft tee shirt, yet it looks like a smart work-appropriate blouse. I was in love!

I went back online to see if I could find more, maybe in another color, but it appeared they were all sold out. Isn’t that always the way? Whether it’s clothing, shoes, or your favorite lipstick – as soon as you find something you like, they stop making it! Well i wasn’t about to give up. This was like the ultimate eureka in fashion discoveries for me! I loved this top so much and I just had to have more.

So I went on XCVI.com and emailed the company directly asking where I could find more Happy House tops and did they have any left, anywhere in the whole world. It was a last ditch effort in my quest for the perfect shirt and I didn’t expect a reply. To my surprise, they emailed me back and said they yes, they had 2 left in their warehouse; 1 in coal and 1 in Creme Brulle, both in a size small… Words could not express my excitement!

The Marketing Communications Director for XCVI was kind enough to give me both tops free of charge. Out of my gratitude for their unbelievable kindness, I just had to dedicate a post to their brand and my favorite shirt in the whole world: The Happy House top.

Not only were they were nice enough to gift both tops to me, but I really am a HUGE fan of their brand. XCVI has created wearable, movable, breathable clothing for women who believe in style, but also believe in comfort. XCVI delivers chic separates that are an absolute dream to wear. Cotton has never looked or felt so good!

XCVI is fashion you can live in.

Filed Under: Affordable Fashion, Moms On The Go, Recommended, Reviews, Work & Business Tagged With: comfortable fashion, Cotton, Fall Fashion, Plus Size Clothing, Plus Size Fashion, Rue La La, Smart Bargains, women's clothing, XCVI, XCVI Clothing, XCVI Wearables

Five Must-Have Tall Boots for Fall 2009 / Winter 2010

October 23, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

The Fashionable Housewife has partnered with SuperShoes.com to present to you the top five Must-Have Tall Boots for Fall and Winter.

Tall boots have always been a classic must-have for Fall, but this year they are more popular than ever. The questions I most frequently get are: “What types of boots are trendy this season?” and “What should I wear with them?”.

First off, let’s focus on 5 pairs of tall boots that are hot sellers this season…

Softspots Reagan

A tall boot with sophisticated style and an easy-to-wear heel height. These are an excellent choice if you are a comfort seeking shoe lover or a busy mom that is on her feet all day. Don’t worry, you can definitely chase a toddler around the park in these boots.

Offered in soft calfskin leather in your choice of brown or black. I love the intricate stitch detailing and of course, the best part is the Pillow Top memory foam footbed. Softspots is my brand of choice when it comes to super comfy footwear.

Price: $148.95 Buy them!

Born Tatiana

Often, its the thoughtful details, like the broguing detail on this boot that help set the tone for an entire look. You’ll find that these full-grain leather boots with Leawood wrapped heel and Opanka hand-sewn construction are very versatile and the perfect addition to your Fall wardrobe.

These gorgeous boots come in black and dark brown and look fabulous with jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses, and are even work appropriate. You will definitely get your money’s worth out of these boots. The outfit possibilities are endless.

Price: $174.00 Buy them!

Sofft Vittoria

A replacement for last season’s Mela, this inviting slouch boot is another great addition for your Fall and Winter wardrobe. It’s enriched with a decorative lace-up detail and stylish leather fold-over cuff. Offered in rich Italian suedes, you can choose from black or a rich chocolaty brown. Both are just gorgeous.

Sofft is another company that focuses on comfort and these boots feature a flexible rubber sole, so you’ll get the traction you need and the comfort you seek. Check out Today’s Outfit by Kirsten Borrink for an outfit idea.

Price: $163.95 Buy them!

Born Peri

Now these boots are just totally sophisticated. I can only imagine the amazing outfits I could put together with these beautiful boots!

They feature a supple leather upper with stitch detailing and of course, handsewn Opanka construction that Born is famous for. It really lends a flexible fit and feel, and the cushioned footbed offers long-lasting comfort as well. Convenient side zip entry provides easy on/off which is a nice feature as well.

The Peri boot from Born has a steel shank for support and a textured rubber sole for dependable traction. These boots are an excellent choice for the coming winter months.

Price: $179.00 Buy them!

Born Lewisa

Another Born boot I know you’re going to fall in love with. Statuesque and traditionally-inspired, this handcrafted boot is said to fit like a glove. Sounds like it could easily become your favorite closet pick!

Full grain leather or croco print nubuck Leather available in black, grey, tan, dark brown or brown croc. These boots feature a steel shank, leawood wrapped heel and of course, Opanka hand-sewn construction. The dual buckles around the ankle really modernize these and make them perfect for this season.

Price: $174.00 Buy them!

Which pair of boots do you like best??

poll by twiigs.com

Enter to win your favorite pair of boots above in our SuperShoes.com Tall Boots Giveaway!

Giveaway ends Nov 8th at 11:59pm EST.

Filed Under: Fall Fashion, Shoes Shoes Shoes!, Trend Alert, Wardrobe Must-Haves, Winter Fashion, Work & Business Tagged With: Boots, Born, Born Lewisa, Born Peri, Born Tatiana, comfort boots, Comfort Footwear, comfort shoes, Comfortable Boots, Fall 2009, Fall Boots, high boots, Knee High boots, leather boots, Must-Have Boots, must-haves, Sofft, Sofft Vittoria, Softspots, Softspots Reagan, SuperShoes.com, Tall Boots, tall leather boots, Winter 2010, Winter Boots

Fall 2009 Fashion Trends: Blazers and Jackets

October 2, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

While it’s no surprise that leather jackets are trendy for Fall, there are a few other kinds of jackets you’ll want to add to your winter wardrobe this year.

Whether you are loving the sharp shouldered blazers or the rough girl motorcycle styles, you’ll have to adopt one of these hot jacket styles. One of the hottest trends for jackets this season is the Military Jacket.

Pick up a leather motorcycle jacket today and pair it with everything from frilly feminine dresses to punk and rock styled leather leggings. Just grab one of this season’s chic styles and update last year’s wardrobe for less than $200!

Here’s my fav picks from each style…

Motorcycle Jacket

Military Jackets

Boyfriend Jackets

Filed Under: Blazers & Jackets, Trend Alert, Work & Business Tagged With: Blazers, Boyfriend Jacket, Fall 2009, fall 2009 trends, Fashion trends, Leather Jacket, Military Jacket, Motorcycle Jacket, Trend Alert

Fall 2009 Fashion Trends: Houndstooth

September 24, 2009 By Lucie Amberg

Sassier than a check, more refined than a plaid. Houndstooth is one of my favorite patterns, and (partly due to all the menswear-inspired fashions) it’s showing up everywhere for Fall.

Alexander McQueen’s been all over this trend, and nothing’s gotten more attention than his tote:

AlexanderMcQueen-1995

I appreciate that he’s trying to break up the repetition, but for me, it doesn’t work. Houndstooth’s appealing because it looks preppy, controlled, and expensive; this doesn’t hit any of those notes. If you love it, though, you can have it for $1995.00 at saksfifthavenue.com.

AQ handbag aside, there are many wallet-friendly ways to incorporate this trend. But if you’re willing to make a teensy splurge, consider a pencil skirt. With all the Mad Men influence bouncing around these days, a great pencil skirt looks red hot, but it’s classic enough to guarantee many years of wear.

Pencil_Skirts

(L to R) Pink Tartan skirt ($295 at Saks), Nanette Lapore Makin’ Whoopee skirt ($278 at Saks and Bloomingdale’s), DKNY skirt ($275 at Saks)

Houndstooth separates are a great way to add some punch to ho-hum workday ensembles.

Tops

(L to R) Michael by Michael Kors silk peasant blouse ($79.50 at Bloomingdale’s), Talbots jacket ($199 on sale for $99.99), Femme for DKNY tee ($34 at Macy’s)

Trousers

(L to R) Semantiks Travel Size trousers ($88 on sale for $57.90 at Nordstrom), Madison Ave cropped pants for petites ($30 on sale for $9 at Dillard’s)

Or go for ultimate simplicity with a houndstooth dress. If you need something office appropriate, consider a tailored sheath with a plain cardigan and tights. If you like a looser feel, keep an eye out for wilder interpretations of the pattern.

Dresses

(L to R) Alex Marie “Jackie” dress ($119 at Dillard’s), Aqua silk tank dress ($88 on sale for $61.60 at Bloomingdale’s)

Use accessories and outerwear to effortlessly incorporate this trend. Have fun! The Bear Bryant-inspired hat below particularly makes me smile.

Accessories

(L to R) Ballet flats by the Gap ($45), Xhilaration fedora at Target ($12.99)

Outerwear

(L to R) Wrap Star scarf ($36 at Piperlime), Lauren by Ralph Lauren coat ($399 at Nordstrom), Mossimo Supply Co. scarf at Target ($14.99)

Bold fashionistas who are confident about emphasizing their legs should consider houndstooth tights and leggings. Just be sure to pair them with solid, neutral tops and dresses.

Tights-Leggings

(L to R) Hue tights ($28 on sale for $15.90 at Nordstrom), Seventy Two Changes leggings ($88 at Nordstrom)

And if you are really crazy about houndstooth, check out this post on Design Sponge. It has some awesome decorating ideas, enough to satisfy even houndstooth’s most passionate fans.

Lucie Amberg is the Director of ZinaBeverlyHills.com.

Filed Under: Fall Fashion, Trend Alert, Winter Fashion, Work & Business Tagged With: Fall 2009, Fall Fashion, Handbags & Purses, houndstooth, Shoes, Trend Alert

How to Dress for a Job Interview for Less Than $100

September 21, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

With the unemployment rates hovering at 10%, chances are a lot of you are looking for work. If you’ve been missing out on a paycheck for months, cutting corners where there are none left, and have nothing left to spend on an interview outfit, don’t fret. Ryan Kohnen gives 5 tips on how to dress appropriately for a job interview for less than $100.

Who is Ryan Kohnen? He is a 29-year-old entrepreneurial phenom who never would’ve gotten where he is today if he didn’t know how to look the part. I’ve included his top 5 ways to dress for an interview for less than $100 below.

Top 5 Ways to Dress for a Job Interview for Less Than $100

Kohnen knows of what he speaks. In his new book Young Professional’s Guide to Success, he pulls together the advice of over 70 CEOs, top executives, and community leaders- people like Cindi Bigelow, President of Bigelow Tea Company; Hala Moddelmog, CEO of Susan G. Komen For The Cure; Essie L. Calhoun, Chief Diversity Officer of Eastman Kodak Company; and Ellen J. Kullman, CEO of DuPontÑand and proves that not only will you find the right job, he will show you how to do it.

Find out more about the book at www.YPSuccess.com

If you could speak with Ryan Kohnen, what would you ask him?

Filed Under: Work & Business Tagged With: Business Fashion, dress for less, Interview, job interview, Ryan Kohnen, work fashion, Young Professional's Guide to Success

Fall 2009 Fashion Trends: Menswear

September 18, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

Not, not men’s fashion! We’re talking about men-inspired pieces made for women. This no-frills approach to business chic is perfect for the office. Look for cute oxfords, tailored blazers and structured handbags in luxe materials.

The menswear trend includes tailored suits, oversized double breasted jackets and blazers. The Boyfriend Jacket and Boyfriend Jeans are definitely a big part of this trend too.

Structured vests, houndstooth and tweed fabrics, trousers and tuxedo details. Go all-out boy style or add a few manly touches paired with more feminine pieces like a ruffled blouse or chiffon skirt.

Here are some of our favorites to add to your wardrobe:

New York & Company Women's City Style Sharkskin Belted Sleeveless Jacket - Black

New York & Company Women's City Stretch Ruffle Tweed Vest - Dark Grey Heather

NY&Co Sharkskin Belted Sleeveless Jacket – $50 and NY&Co Ruffle Tweed Vest – $45

3 Piece Shadow Stripe Pant Suit With Knit Shell, Ships 6/15

New York & Company Women's City Stretch Belted Tweed Pencil Skirt - Dark Grey Heather

L to R: JNY Pant Suit – $180, Anne Klein Houndstooth Coat – $220, NY&Co Tweed Pencil Skirt – $40

Solo Vintage Leather Satchel – $88 and Earth Axxessories Gypsy Tipsy Satchel – $82

Chinese Laundry - Laforet (Brown) - Footwear

Skechers - Celeste (Black Leather) - Footwear

Indigo by Clarks - Ruby Claire (Black Leather) - Footwear

L to R: Chinese Laundry Laforet – $34, Skechers Celeste – $60, Indigo by Clarks Ruby Claire – $140

Stores to shop for this trend are: New York & Company, Banana Republic, Nine West, Jones New York and Anne Klein.

How many of you ladies are fans of the new menswear trend? Oxfords, blazers, relaxed or pleated pants, button-ups shirts… Which of these pieces do you actually have in your closet, and which of these trends do you refuse to wear?

Filed Under: Fall Fashion, Trend Alert, Winter Fashion, Work & Business Tagged With: Boyfriend Jacket, Handbags & Purses, houndstooth, Menswear, oxford, pant suit, plaid, tailored suits, trousers, tuxedo, tweed

Review: SoftSpots Aelia Double Strap Comfortable Shoes

September 17, 2009 By The Fashionable Housewife

(Click to Enlarge)

I’d like you to meet my new best friend… the Softspots Aelia, a smart, contemporary Mary Jane with double straps and a sleek pinched-in wedge heel.

If you are female and you have feet, then these are a must-buy for Fall 2009. Why? Because they are fabulous in every way: style, comfort, value for the money, and versatility.

Style: An updated and chic version of the standard mary jane. These little shoes have a double strap with high shine, two-toned buttons. A practical 21/4” tapered wedge heel and hand-painted outsoles. On top of being sensible and classic, the unique details make these shoes very special.

Comfort: If you’ve never walked in Softspots shoes before, you don’t yet know the meaning of true comfort. Softspots Pillowtop™ technology provides everlasting comfort and support for your feet. By using temperature-sensitive memory-foam, Pillowtop™ responds to your weight and body heat to create a custom molding effect that contours to your foot with every step. This amazing and state-of-the-art cushion relieves pressure by spreading weight evenly over a large surface area, significantly reducing pressure points making these shoes sinfully and irresistibly comfortable.

Value: Their shoes range in price from $50 – $100 and their boots are usually between $100 – $150. This particular pair retails for around $80, depending on where you purchase them. They feature soft and supple calfskin or suede uppers. Couple that with the memory foam insole and these shoes are well worth the price. You’ll want to wear them over and over again because they will be the most comfortable shoes in your closet.

(Click to Enlarge)

Versatility: The pair pictured above and below is the black calfskin pair. They also come in black suede with black patent straps and chocolate brown suede with black patent straps for the same price.

I find the plain black leather ones to be the most practical and versatile choice. They are the perfect “little black shoe” to go with all your dresses, skirts, suits, and even jeans…

(Click to Enlarge)

If you want to add these little cuties to your shoe collection, you should get them on SuperShoes.com or Shoeline.com for $78.95. That’s the lowest price I could find, plus you get free shipping!!

You can also find them on Shoebuy.com for $80 and on Dillards.com for $80. You can probably find them in your local shoe stores too, but call ahead to be sure they have this style! Sometimes you can get Softspots shoes at Overstock.com, but they don’t currently have the Aelia style featured above.

DISCOUNTS: If you choose to purchase the Softspots Aelia on Shoebuy.com, you can get a FREE $50 Restaurant Gift Card if you pay with eBillme! Click for details and online claim form. Expires 9/30/09.