this just in: 20% off at shopbop (early friends + family access!)

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I know it's been a while, but wanted to share this offer for 20% off at Shopbop toda through Thursday!  Enter WEAREFAMILY13 when you checkout.  Here are some items I'm loving...

James Perse Relaxed Deep V Top ($92 with F+F)

 BB Dakota Adams Sharp Shoulder Jacket ($78.40 with F+F)

 J Brand Super Skinny Colorblock Jeans ($218.40 with F+F)

    Rebecca Minkoff Ellie High Heel Sandals ($236 with F+F) 

Enjoy!

hooray! zara is coming!

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My wish is finally coming true---Zara is coming to Seattle!  The store will open at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle at the end of this year or beginning of next.  I can't wait!

In the meantime, I'm lusting over these beauties online (especially that skirt...):

 

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tips n' tricks: online shopping

Over the years, I have become more and more of an online shopper.  I've come to know the brands I love (and trust), understand what sizes I am in these brands, and picked up some tools of the trade to save a little change along the way.  

Here are my top 5 things to remember when you are shopping online, and hopefully it saves you a little dough in the new year:

1. I always look for free shipping and free returns.  Many retailers have adopted this, but in my opinion, there is nothing worse than paying for something to get to you, having it not work out, then having to pay for it to go back to where you bought it from.  Argh!  Piperlime, Shopbop and Zara are my faves.  Free returns are also easy if you have a store near you, like J.Crew.

2. I price compare if there is something specific I'm looking for.  Example: I wanted this beautiful Joie top so I looked for it on ShopStyle.com.  This is the easiest way to see what sites carry a brand or item you want.  Amazon had the lowest price because it was on sale (shameless plug...)---cha-ching!  Sold.

3. I prioritize retailers who do not charge sales tax.  An added benefit to online shopping is purchasing something from a retailer not located where you live (Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales for us in Washington) because you don't get charged sales tax.  Love!

4. If I don't need something right away, I go to ShopStyle to set a sale alert.  ShopStyle will then email you when the item goes on sale.  Brilliant!

5. If you want something the same day, Nordstrom offers same-day delivery.  This is a new-ish benefit (in Seattle) and I think it's fabulous.  You can also see if the things you want are available in a store near you, then go pick it up in person.


Good luck!

new favorite color combo: nah-vy blau + black

Any Father of the Bride fans out there?  "Nah-vy blau" is how Franck (Martin Short) pronounced navy blue, when he pointed out George Banks' (Steve Martin's) Armani tux was not the black color it was supposed to be... it's one of my favorite movies of all time, but I digress.

On a recent shopping expedition for Coco's wedding (on a bridesmaid dress hunt!), she suggested I try styling my black pencil skirt, which I typically only wear in the summer, with this navy blue sweater (plus black tights and pumps or boots).  While I have come to fully embrace pairing brown and black, doing the same with navy and black has taken a little longer.  But with this recent suggestion, I realized the trick to really making it work for me is to pick a nah-vy blau that has a little more of a purplish hue. 

Here is some inspiration I'm loving... give it a shot!  

(ps. A few weeks ago, pre- my nah-vy blau obsession, I also purchased this polish which is gorge.)

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recycle your clothes at H&M!

Some of my closest friends know how neurotic I can be about recycling, composting and in general, doing good for our precious earth.  If I took this neuroses just a small step further with people, it might make or break a friendship...

This is why I am so excited to hear about H&M's new global recycling program!  Beginning in February, shoppers will be able to exchange used clothing for discounts in select H&M stores, including the downtown and U. Village locations here in Seattle.  You can bring in any piece of clothing from any brand in any condition and you'll receive a voucher for an in-store discount (yet to be announced) on a future purchase.   

What will happen to your old clothes?  H&M is partnering with a global recycling company called I:Collect, which will reprocess the used textiles to create new garments with them.  Because 95% of clothes that end up in landfills can be used again in some capacity, H&M wants to reduce the environmental impact of garments and create a closed loop for textile fibers. 

While I am not a super frequent shopper of theirs, this definitely gives them major cred in my book, and possibly a few more visits post-February!

a holiday collaboration follow-up

Back in July, I blogged about the Target + Neiman Marcus holiday collection.  Today, I am blogging to brag.  

Our adorable niece Amelia asked for a "super fancy dress" on her Christmas list.  In my state of panic and frenzied last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve, I decided to see if Target had any affordable fancy dresses that had maybe gone on sale.  When I came across their Target + Neiman Marcus section with everything marked down 50% and this Marchesa dress, I knew I had struck gold.  

Check out what's left of the collection here (ships for free)---I contemplated this Marc Jacobs pouch (I'm a huge pouch fan) and this DVF jewelry box but decided I should be shopping for other people, for once! 

Hope you had a lovely holiday!

wish list: accessorieeees, pleeeeease!

Speaking of tassels, I'll take one of each of these, please... 

Tassel Bracelet ($52)

Tassel Key Chain ($28)

winter nails

I'm loving these two colors (+ an added touch of sparkle!) this season...

OPI Steady As She Rose $6

Essie Carry On $8

one to watch...

Marissa Webb is an up-and-coming designer who debuted her label at NYFW this year... and I am a huge fan already!  It's really no surprise because she was Head of Womenswear and Accessories Design at J.Crew.

Her pieces definitely have that J.Crew "aura" about them, but what I love is how well she balances the femininity with a bit of masculine edge.  And the color selection is gorgeous!  

a minor, tassel-tastic DIY

I was recently re-introduced to tassels, and reminded how fun they can be to accessorize with, thanks to Potluck Paris.  On a visit to their office/warehouse a few weeks ago, I was gifted this amazing necklace which was made in-house by the lovely lady in charge (the idea was inspired by her recent trip to Paris, where she saw similar accoutrements)! 

After several wears (paired with the J.Crew necklace seen above to make a small "neck party"), I started noticing tassels popping up everywhere.  Then, I had an idea...

I had been in the market for a new clutch to add to my collection of one (this one in Poppy), and came across this gem on ASOS.  When it arrived, I really thought it could use a little zhuzhing... like a tassel!  I hopped onto Etsy and found a huge selection of leather tassels, and ended up with this, priced really well and not a lot to ship.  Using some pliers and a jump ring, I connected the tassel to the zipper and voila!

You can get a jump ring at any jewelry supply or bead store.  Remember to get one made of a metal that isn't super pliable so it doesn't come right off when you pull the tassel to open your clutch. 
 

you + donate = a cute tote

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While there are many great deals out there on this Black Friday, one of the best I've seen all day is on USA Projects.  My friend Carrie's sister, Christy, is an artist currently based in LA and hand-weaving is one of her specialties—she has been teaching in this area for the last 7 years.  

In her effort to raise money for a Jacquard loom, there is a super fun deal being offered on her USA Projects campaign page.  For a $50 project donation, you get a canvas tote bag screen-printed with an image she designed (shown above).  The best part is, she has matching funds available for the next $1,000 worth of donations meaning that until those funds are exhausted, totes are only $25 (plus you get a tax deduction)!

So what are you waiting for?  Get on it!

wak in closet's beauty round-up

I don't fashion myself a beauty connoisseur by any means.  However, I have recently come across a few new products I LOVE and wanted to share with you!

 Alder Natural Hair Powder ($30)

Up until I discovered this hair powder (thank you, Refinery29!), I washed, blow-dried and styled my hair every single day.  I was too afraid of the oils weighing down my hair at the roots (unless it was the weekend) and too self-conscious about it looking bad.  Now, I use this every other day (and sometimes for a second consecutive day...)!  Not only does it work well (the powder blends right into my black hair), it also saves me time in the morning and gives me a bit of volume I wouldn't otherwise have.  (ps. I've heard some good things about this one... on my list to try and I will report back.)

Josie Maran Argan Oil ($14-$96)

There are very few body lotions I can say I love.  Nivea is at the top of my list, but can still leave my skin feeling a little sticky (even though it's thoroughly moisturized).  My girl JOAT gave me a lovely lip treatment by Josie Maran for my birthday, so I recently decided to give the trial size of her Argan Oil a try.  I am a huge fan already!  The oil has no parabens, sulfates or anything synthetic, and it can be used pretty much everywhere—hands, elbows, legs, cuticles… even your split ends!

 Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($19)

Earlier this year I ventured into the forgotten territory of liquid eyeliner.  I think it had been at least five years since I had last used it, but had never found a brand that stayed on my eyelids without smearing or smudging.  I heard about Urban Decay 24/7 through Refinery29 (yes, another great recommendation from them) and am already on my second bottle!  The best thing about this eyeliner is that it stays on all day and night, but it's not at all difficult to remove (my favorite remover coming up next).

 Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($5)

This one is not a recent find by any means, but wanted to share it with you because it's so great!  On a trip to Mazatlan with some of my best girlfriends in 1998, Courtney (a.k.a. The Good Eater) recommended these Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads... and I've been using them ever since.  They are, quite possibly, the easiest and most convenient way to get your eye makeup off.  And remember to get the oil free version (purple label)—this is a critical detail! 

Do you have any beauty products you swear by? 

new favorite label: wai ming

I failed to report back on what was, quite possibly, one of the best trunk shows I've ever attended back in March (yes, March)!  I am terrible, I know...

Emily Brady Koplar of Wai Ming is the sister-in-law of a friend of mine from work.  I was invited to her show which featured beautiful pieces from her Summer and Fall collections and left with a pair of gorgeous white pants (which I wore many times this summer) made from a lovely, textured Italian fabric.  I also pre-ordered an amazing skirt from her Fall collection (below) and am loving the leather waistband and the hint of metallic in the tweed.

Abigail Tweed Skirt

Her line is incredibly sophisticated and fresh, with just the right balance between timeless and trendy.  Here are some other Fall looks I adore!

 Lauren Long Sleeve Dress with Leather Trim

  Betsy Printed Chiffon Dress

 Katie Knit Dress

Check out her website to see if there is a store near you.  If you're in the Seattle area, The Finerie may have a few Fall styles left.  Stay tuned for her Spring 13 collection! 

wardrobe staples

As I've mentioned before, I am a huge fan of Shopbop's lookbooks.  I hadn't come across any recently that were share-worthy, until today!  LA stylist Jessica de Ruiter shares her top 10 wardrobe staples and I am officially in love (and slightly obsessed) with every single ensemble...

This leather dress is amazing.

If I could only wear one outfit to work every single day for a year, this would be it.  I am coveting (co-vet-ing) those shoes...

I've got a hunter green sweater similar to this one, so it serves as inspiration to pull it out of my closet this weekend and pair with some comfy boyfriend jeans.

The P.O.C.s (pops of color) here are fab!  I am digging her messy bun.

I will also be channeling her four simple rules of style:
1.) Less is always more.
2.) Dress beyond the urgency of fashion.
3.) Incorporate a little imperfection or an element of undone.
4.) Include a subtle masculine/feminine component.

Stay tuned next week... I will be sharing a very special new favorite label!

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feeling like fall...

We have had some amazing September weather here in Seattle and the forecast for the first part of October is looking sunny!  The air has definitely gotten a bit of a bite to it, but the typical grey rainyness is not upon us... yet.

If you recall, Fall is one of my favorite shopping seasons.  I can't lie.  I've been doing some online shopping recently to help me transition into what will soon be the colder months.  Here are my favorite finds!

Dolce Vita Killian Flats

Barneys New York CO-OP Striped Combo Tee

Zara Jumper with Faux Leather Front

club monaco cravings

I was perusing the Club Monaco site this week and found a couple of great investment pieces from their Fall collection, as well as some fabulous finds on sale!  If you buy online, shipping is free right now (but hurry, it's only for a limited time)...

Cassie Silk & Lace Top ($139.50) 

Lana Solid Pull-On Pant ($149.50) 

 Stephanie Textured Skirt ($159.50)

Ava Silk Top ($79.00) 

Cory Linen Stripe Sweater ($59.00)

Julie Silk Lace Skirt ($99.00)

  Carolyn Silk Skirt ($99.00)

Have a great weekend!