Clinique Bonus at Nordstroms

In high school after months and months of complaining about how dowdy I felt, how bad my skin looked, my friend Molly gave me a gift of eyeshadow and foundation and introduced me to the world of Clinique. Insert dramatic music. I was never the same again. Since then, anyone who knows me knows that Clinique products are a staple in my cosmetics bag. Although I’ve moved on to MAC for foundation and some eyeshadows, its still hard to beat the one-two punch that is quality cosmetics and skin care combined with a big ol’ bag of bonus makeup to fill out the gaps in your makeup kit. Right now Nordstroms is having the Clinique bonus at their counter. The promotion runs through June 8, 2008. This one looks like a good bonus, too (I totally need some more of the Take the Day Away eye makeup remover).

Hey, Sailor!

The nautical trend in fashion seems to have some staying power, and I for one am glad for it. Blue, white, and red stripes. Bows. Gold buttons. Wide legs and high waists. It's a classic look that works well especially for the warm summer months. They key to the look is to avoid looking too twee and precious (and too much like a little girl) and finding a balance between all your pieces. Find a cute sailor dress? Maybe pair it with some fierce espadrilles or some mod sunglasses. Sailor pants? Go with a top thats crisp and clean. Now, you might want to go for the whole kaboodle, but you might be trending more towards costume than fashion, but if you can rock it, why not? Here are some affordably priced nautical inspired pieces (which, you could wear together, or as separates). Click on the image for product details more at twiigs.com...

Street Style: NYC

I spent part of my Memorial Day weekend in New York City with my boyfriend and friends of ours who live in Manhattan. On Friday we went over to Chelsea to check out some of the art galleries. On W. 22nd Street (just down the block from the Balenciaga store) I saw a woman standing out the gallery, as cool as can be, dressed like this: While not my personal style, I had to admire hers (even if she looked posed as though hoping against hope that the Sartorialist would wander on by and snap her photograph). The simplicity and the informality of the white ribbed tank top balanced out the ostentatiousness of the leopard print skirt, and she kept the color palette simple with white strappy sandals and a brown clutch as to not make her outfit too busy. Hair up, cigarette in hand, she looked the epitome of indifferent cool. If this style is something you like, you can recreate it on the cheap: White ribbed tank top at Rampage for $7.99 $5.99. Leopard print skirt at at Spiegel for $49.99 $39.99. White leather strappy platform sandals, Old Navy $34.50 $19.99. Polished gold bangles, Bluefly.com for $40.50. Faux croc brown straw clutch, Target for $9.99.

The Celebrity Look for Less: Kristin Davis

Hinge® Stretch Cavalry Twill Jacket at Nordstroms, $118.00 Floral Print Dress at Coldwater Creek, $79.99 $26.99 Kenneth Cole Rection Wicked d'orsay pumps at Zappos.com, $89.00 Xhilaration Bangle Clutch at Target for $14.99. Here are some alternatives if these items are sold out or don't "float your boat," so to speak.

Target: Private Label

Details: (Left to right) Tiered Ruffle Dress in Floral Print $39.99; Button-Front One-Shoulder Ruffle Top in Fuchsia $22.99, Tiered Ruffle Miniskirt in Floral/Black $26.99; Button-Front Tank with Pockets in Black $19.99, Embroidered Tank in Orange $16.99, Wide-Leg Linen Pants in Black $39.99; Pleated Poet Top in White $24.99, Ribbed Tank in Black $14.99, Multi-Layer Ruffle Skirt in Black with White Trim $29.99 In between the Target Go International collection from Rogan (now in stores) and the 15th designer collection from Richard Chai, Target is launching its second round of its unnamed in-house designer private collection. The first range seemed to be shooting for more of a "mod" look with its color blocking and neon colors. Some might have found those less than accessible, as that collection offered interesting silhouettes, but ones that might not have fit most body types. This new collection, however, looks a lot more promising and a lot more accessible, especially for summer. Prices range from $14.99 to $44.99, with lots of great casual, though fashion-forward pieces for summer. Here's the rest of preview for the collection. The line should be hitting stores around June 26th, 2008. Embroidered Tank in Blue $16.99, Stripe Back Tank in Pink $14.99, Flounce Miniskirt in Floral Print $26.99; Drop Waist Ruffle Dress in Black $26.99; Button-Front Tank with Pockets in Turquoise $19.99, Ruffle Bandeau Bikini Top in Black $16.99, Ruffle Bikini Bottom in Black $16.99; Double Breasted Linen Jacket in Coral $44.99, Tiered Ruffle Top in Floral Print $29.99, Slash-Pocket Shorts in Pink $24.99 Stripe Dress in Orange/Cream $29.99; Camisole in Floral Print $29.99, Double-Layer Stripe-Back Tank in Blue $16.99, Linen Shorts in Tan $26.99; Romper Dress in Floral Print $34.99; Button-Front Ruffle Dress in Navy $29.99 Ruffle Tank Dress in Fuchsia $34.99; Cowlneck Tank in Floral Print $24.99, Stripe-Back Tank in Pink $14.99, High-Waist Gauze Skirt in Black $26.99; Camisole in White $22.99, Graphic Tee in Tan $17.99, Wide-Leg Linen Pants in Tan $39.99; Cowlneck Tank in Orange $24.99, Stripe-Back Tank in Blue $14.99, Slash-Pocket Shorts in Floral Print $24.99 Just from the previews (and from the history of fabrics used in these GO collections...) I particularly like the black ruffle skirt with white trim, the orange and white striped dress, the navy ruffle front dress, and the button tank top that can work as a vest or as a swimsuit cover up. I'm looking forward to this one, and I'm totally going to be using the $15 gift certificate I never sent to my friend for her wedding I could not attend almost two years ago...whoops! So...what's your opinion on this collection? Love it? Hate it? Undecided?

Go International Clearance

The Rogan GO International Collection for Target is dropping into stores on May 15th (though it's already made its debut at Barneys in New York and L.A.), which means the previous collection...is on clearance! While Jovovich-Hawk was the last named-designer to do a collection for Target, in between, GO presented their "International Line." Here are some of the stand-out pieces, on clearance 30-50% off. *Click on the images for product details (is it wrong of me to kind of love that jumpsuit?)

Yves Saint Laurent Look for Less

[1]Yves Saint Laurent Stacked Tribute Platform at Sakes Fifth Avenue for $760.00. [2]Aileen Platform Heel from Bakers for $79.95. (And this one has a shorter heel at 4 3/4" if you think that wearing the YSL Tribute, which clocks in at a towering 5 1/4", is tad more heel than you can take.)

In Rainbows

Color is big this season, and one way to go about it is to embrace the rainbow of colors available to you--which means, all of them! Some of the best ways to wear a rainbow of color is to: (1) Relegate its wear to accessories such as by whizzing around hot summer nights with this Nine West Rainbow Clutch for $59.00, or clomping around in a bohemian top and white bermuda shorts with these Rainbow Slingbacks from Forever21, only $19.80. (2) Embrace the summer dress and add to the landscape your contribution of color in something like this summer dress by Mango. (3) Show it off on the beach where loud is good, such as in this this Rainbow stripe bikini by Xhilaration ($10.99 on clearance for the top, $14.99 for the bottoms) at Target. Trust me, your friends won't be able to lose you if they wanted to. For further product details, click on the image