Here, Have Some Chanel in Paris

I love the one guy rockin' the Bowie vibe. Haaaaate the girls' thick shoes, though. The boots, however? Naturally, j'adore.

Congratulations to the Style Bard + Shopbop Winner!

Congratulations to Kris (The Freestyle Mom)! You've won a $100 gift card to spend at Shopbop.com!

Kris commented on Style Bard Shoes to say that she loved these 'Vandalia' open toe booties by Report Signature. They're already marked down by 50% on the website, so you know they're automatically definitely approved by Style Bard!

I'll be in touch shortly about delivering your prize.

And thanks to everyone else who participated; I'll try to get another giveaway going as soon as possible.

Win $100 from ShopBop!

Happy Labor Day! I'm sure you're all enjoying a day off from work and the last third of your three-day weekend. Despite the fact that you must return to work tomorrow, I think I can sweeten your last day of freedom just a little bit by announcing the latest giveaway from Style Bard.

You can win a $100 Gift Card from ShopBop. You have two weeks to enter to win (expires 12pm EST Sept. 20th), and all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me about your favorite Marc Jacobs (or Marc Jacobs Sale) product and why; for example, I might say this is my favorite of the Marc Jacobs handbags because we all know I'm obsessed with zippers. And yes, links are appreciated because I do want to check out all of your favorites!

You can also enter at Style Bard Shoes by telling me what ShopBop shoes are your faves (these do not have to be by Marc Jacobs). This comment earns you a second entry into the giveaway for a total of two chances to win!

Important: Remember to leave your email addy so I know how to contact you if you win. Good luck!!!

Fashion's Night Out PSA

Fashion's Night Out 2010 PSA from Fashion's Night Out on Vimeo.

I definitely plan to hit some hot spots this year, even though I was just getting off a flight from out-of-town during last year's debut and opted to skip it in order to head back to my apartment and unpack. Alas! How was I to know it would become this huge phenomenon I could have witnessed in the making?? Better late than never, though. See you Sept. 10th, NYCers!

The Big C

As an addendum to the note I posted in my last entry, I also want to try shooting off quick blogs when they're at the top of my mind instead of waiting until I have the time to sit down and offer up polished articles. In the past, long and edited articles were always the goal. Now I'm not going to be afraid of short posts if they keep new content going up on Style Bard.

I was watching the premiere of The Big C on Showtime, and I couldn't help but notice a styling/costuming choice that was driving me bananas (and not in the positive Rachel Zoe way). Laura Linney's main character is wearing a tall collar with her hair down for the first portion of the show. Just looking at her, I felt suffocated. I wanted to pull her hair away from her face so badly! It was driving me nuts.

And then I realized that the character was being portrayed as "boring" and "not fun" and very uptight. By giving her a sort of choker and veil via her collar and hair, the character's personality is conveyed. Watching her, I felt trapped and oppressed. I think that despite my very strong reaction to the look it was ultimately successful. So good job, The Big C.

In other news, the pilot is a little stiff and rehearsed but the show is really endearing and well-written, so I think as soon as it settles on its own feet entirely it will be quite excellent. I highly recommend it.

OMG New Post!!!

Hey!

I just wanted to let those of you who still check up on this blog that I have not forgotten it. And I'm going to back that up by posting a new entry just as soon as I finish this one.

When I first started Style Bard, I was in college and I had a lot more time on my hands. I went through a long period where I held myself to as near to once-per-day posting as possible. As I acquired more grown-up responsibilities, and added to my blogging roster, I certainly lagged on posting here. I sort of felt like if I couldn't post consistently, I was already failing, so why try. That's no longer going to be my attitude. Beginning Labor Day, I have a goal to not only continue posting on Style Bard Shoes once per day, but to post on this blog once per week and post to One More New Yorker once per month. By holding myself to more realistic standards and scheduling, I think I can get back to blogging here. Because I honestly really, really love it and don't want to lose it.

So, that's the plan! I hope you continue to follow me as I refresh, renew and move forward with my blogging pursuits.

~Style Bard

Product Review ~T-Post: World's First Wearable Magazine~

T-Post contacted me to help spread the word about their new wearable magazine. It's basically a t-shirt that has a news story printed on the inside, with a fun and provocative image on the front. The reason that I wanted to learn more is because T-Post doesn't cover major news stories; instead, they seek out smaller-scale issues that don't receive a huge amount of coverage, and therefore give these quirky, interesting stories more exposure. The more these messages get around, the more a dialogue is created about subjects that might otherwise go undiscussed.

Here's how it works: these shirts are not available except through the a subscription to T-Post. They're one of a kind, and the breakdown is $25/shirt. Once you subscribe, you'll receive a new t-shirt every five weeks! If you do want to subscribe, you'll have to choose a size. I'd say that you should order a size up, not down. I wear a medium from head to toe, so I ordered a medium for women (different cuts are available). It does fit, but I wish it was a little looser in the sleeves and longer in the trunk. Plus, we all know that cotton t-shirts eventually shrink after so many washes.

Although they're keen on calling themselves a magazine, I think T-Post shirts are more like blog posts in terms of the length and subject matter. I suppose it's the set of shirts that makes up all of the stories in one "magazine" but since it's news stories, isn't that more like a newspaper? Oh well, you get the idea.

I actually wore my T-Post shirt out for the first time today to a clothing swap. You know, a bunch of girls (and sometimes guys) meet up and trade clothes they don't wear as much anymore for good reason. You can walk away with cute new items and change out your closet. At the end, what's left typically goes to Goodwill.

Although the attention was supposed to be on the clothes in the piles on the floor, I received a lot of questions and compliments about my shirt. I don't wear graphic t-shirts a lot, so I think I was surprised about the amount of attention being paid to my torso. Because I was wearing this edition, the t-shirt was very visually engaging with a lot of little details to take in. Naturally, each time I was asked about the origins and meaning of my shirt (since it's not glaringly obvious, and the headline isn't to be found on the front), I was able to pass on information about T-Post. More importantly, I was able to discuss the story, which is called "Cease the...Doh" and is about Dave Freeman, an author whose message was about seizing the day and living life to the fullest. Exactly halfway through his global adventures in day-seizing, he slipped and fell and hit his head in the hallway of his own home. There's something kind of amazingly poetic about his story, and of course his life's message is pretty important, too! The art is by Norwegian illustrator Esra Rise.

Two things about the article printed on the inside of the back of the shirt. It's kiiiind of hard to explain, and I found myself twisting around and trying to demonstrate, which wasn't entirely successful. On the other hand, I don't exactly want to stand still while someone reads me? So I guess I'm glad that it's not printed on the outside (although I'm sure that would be awesome for bored travelers behind me on the subway). Anyway, I guess the point is to take in the story and then regurgitate it in your own words.

Because I wore this to a clothing swap, it makes me think that subscribers may want to pass along their shirts once they've worn them for awhile. I mean, unless you need about ten new graphic t-shirts per year, on top of the new ones you will continue to receive. Which is cool too, although as I said, I don't usually wear this style that much so I think it would be odd if I kept too many options on hand for the few occasions I wanted to wear one. Anyway, by swapping these clothes around and sharing them, you give new wearers the opportunity to talk about the stories covered. I mean, after a year you've pretty much already talked to all of your own friends about it, right? One of the girls told me that I should give her the shirt in six months or so if we meet again at another swap, and I told her that sounded like a great idea.

I'm 100% behind this idea and can completely testify that it works. So if you're curious you should check out the website and think about becoming a subscriber. PS: T-Post subscriptions also make for really unique gifts!

New OMNY Post!

Check out the latest blog entitled "An Ideal Afternoon in NYC" at One More New Yorker!

Updates from Style Bard

Hey guys! Time to check in, since I know I owe y'all some updates.

First item of business: Style Bard was recently featured on The Cheap Chicas Guide to Style. The ladies over there are perfectly friendly and they run a great blog for savvy shoppers, so be sure to read the interview and then check out the rest of the site!

Second item of business: SelfishStyle.com is extending Style Bard readers an exclusive 15% off code! Just use 'STYLEBARD' to shop and save on flirty dresses, cozy sweaters and stylish skirts. I just love passing on this kind of thing to you, so I hope that you enjoy the special savings when I can get them.

Other things going on down the line will be more frequent posting and a much prettier, savvier newsletter. A fan actually wrote in about not getting e-mails on a regular basis from Style Bard News. I had to reassure them that I am a woefully infrequent updater, but that will be changing just as soon as I subscribe to a new system. So I thought I'd post that here just in case anyone else was wondering or concerned.

Oh! And I expect to add some more information about advertising and other matters to these pages in the near future, but of course I'll let you know just as soon as I've made any changes.

Do you have any thoughts or feedback for me? Now's the time to let me know what you'd like to see here or on Style Bard Shoes, so let me hear from you in the comments! Or, for a much less public forum, e-mail me.

Christopher Drummond for Valentine's Day

Although I'm a single gal with no particular plans for today (my biggest agenda for the day is to locate and consume some kind of holiday-themed cookie with icing), I did go out to dinner last night with my parents and my sister for Valentine's Day.

We went out to our favorite restaurant in South Florida, La Creperie. Although it wasn't a date night per se, while getting ready I felt particular motivated by the occasion to dress my best, and when my getting-ready regimen reached the make-up phase, I knew automatically that there were two components to my process that were essential to looking and feeling my best. They're both products I've loved for awhile now, both items I haven't written about before and both by Christopher Drummond. I thought that warrants a special little write-up!

The first item is "Revitalizing Facial Serum," which I like to apply under my eyes and on the inside corner of my eyes to bring light to my face and counter dark circles. This radiance serum contains anti-wrinkle ingredients as well as natural ingredients like aloe, sugar cane and even carrot! It has a very faint, appealing scent and it's easy to apply with your fingertips. I love that it's wallet-friendly, because just a tiny little dab goes a long way. It also doubles as a moisturizer, so I can skip doubling up on that in area where I apply the Revitalizing Facial Serum. While I'm also a huge abuser of highlighting make-up, I like to use this in particular when I'm going for a more fresh and natural look.

The second item is "Lucious," a bold and deep-colored lip gloss with long staying power that packs a wallop both in person and on camera. It's one of those signature make-up items that makes you want to tone down your eyeliner and bronzer because it's really going to steal the show. I love how it feels going on and how long it lasts. But most of all, I adore the light, pleasing citrus scent. It's caused by actual blood orange extract that's used in the formula. This is the one I grab just before someone snaps a photo, the one I put on in the car just before I enter an event. But the best thing about wearing this for a special occasion or date night is that it emphasizes the wearer's lips and makes her feel confident--which equals utmost kissability!

The best thing about Christopher Drummond products, aside from their obvious aesthetics, is their quality of production. All items are organic and all-natural; they never use animal testing and they're always chemical-free. They're also chock full of such vitamins and nutrients as Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, in addition to coconut oil, castor oil and soybean oil for additional benefits. So they not only look and feel great, but they're actually good for your skin. I'm certainly not one to always concern myself with such things, but caution with the delicate skin of my face leads me to wear sunscreen every day, spend extra money on quality foundations and wash my face every single night before bed. So I can say that it does please me to know that I'm wearing additional make-up products that are good for me.

All in all, these two Christopher Drummond items are highly recommended for Valentine's Day or any special occasion by the Style Bard!

Help Haiti - Shop Gorjana Jewelry

Gorjana Jewelry is offering an exceptionally generous offer that will last one day only. Wednesday, January 27th, 2010, all sale proceeds will go directly to helping Haiti. That's right, 100% of profits will be divided directly between three charitable organizations providing relief to those in need.

This is a great way to ensure your dollars will go toward a important cause--all while earning yourself an amazing piece of jewelry in the process. Another excuse to shop? Now that's much more fun and rewarding than just wiring cash over, isn't it? Learn more below.



PS: I emailed this info to many of the women in my life, and you should too!

Jeans at Work

I know, I know. I'm so silent lately, here. It's weirding me out, too! I'm burning to get back on track but for now I wanted to jump on and share this little tidbit with you: how to dress up jeans.

Today I discovered that jeans in any wash (without holes) will immediately look more formal if you just cover the zipper and pockets. I know, it's genius! Though I don't typically work out of a formal office setting, I've been temporarily shacked up in a real live workplace with other professionals. I've decided so far this week to wear jeans. I just keep wearing long shirts and high heels to make up for the fact. But of course, I'm a writer/editor/blogger and this is a creative environment, so as long as I don't have to stand up from behind the desk and meet any clients it should be all good, correct? I like to think so.

Yesterday I wore dark-wash jeans with a long flowing black scoop-neck shirt. Today I'm wearing a medium-wash jean with a Google-logo blue shirt-dress layered beneath a navy V-neck sweater. I'm running out of long shirts though; wonder what I'll do tomorrow to get away with wearing jeans to the office.

Oh, and pearls. Pearls make everything look just a little more classy.