Staying organized is my number one new years resolution. It is almost impossible to be effortlessly chic when you can’t locate the perfect necklace for your LBD. I must admit, I do keep my school work and notes meticulously arranged, but somehow that does not translate into my drawers of makeup. With my new apartment in the Spring, I want to make sure I have an organization plan, which mandates tons of adorable containers.
The most important accessory in an organized gal’s arsenal is a daily planner. Yes, yes, it is easy to put everything into your Blackberry or iPhone, but who would pass up a beautiful monogrammed date book like this one below (your initials are engraved on the bottom right).
Speaking of Jonathan Adler, how amazing are these black and white “vices” canisters. They also come in varieties such as glitter, uppers, and disco biscuits. Who knew organizing your bathroom countertop could be laugh-out-loud funny?
Keeping your necklaces hanging on display is a great way to keep them untangled, and to remind you to dress up your outfit with that little extra umph.
I love the idea of keeping umbrellas by the door in this bright storage bin, personalized to say “Rain Gear” perhaps. (Be sure to check back to my home decor post for some other stylish home furnishing ideas!)
And finally, for the extra blankets or sweaters you put away over the summer, consider a luggage trunk as storage. It does the job and gives any room a pop, especially in the neon colors you can choose. (Clearly, I love the simple white though.) Alternatively, consider the plexiglass route to keep your winter goods on display all year round.
I don’t know about all of you but I used to dread packing. I know less is more, but it is really hard to come to terms with leaving home with only one pair of heels because they max out the weight limit. After this semester however I am pretty confident I have weekend packing down to a science. Of course, these adorable little notepads should probably take some of the credit.
First things first, when packing for a weekend getaway the most important element is the bag. If you’re flying this means a rolling bag is essential. Although I LOVE practically every weekend tote bag out there, if your rushing though an airport and tend to be an over-packer, this option will simply just break your back. There is nothing chic about those marks on your shoulder either.The key is to make sure your bag fits easily into the overhead bin, and is not too heavy to begin with since some airlines now make you check it if it is over 12 kilos. Wasting time at baggage claim when you should be exploring your weekend destination should be avoided at all costs. Tumi makes amazing rolling weekend travel bags that will last forever. One of their newest additions is this personalized lightweight alpha (and you know I’m a sucker for monograms!)
Next comes the hard part, actually filling the bag. Keeping socks and undergarments in separate cloth bags is a good start towards staying organized. And of course, the same goes for toiletries and electronics. I am OBSESSED with these canvas organizing bags from Anya Hindmarch.
As for clothing, I’d suggest beginning by choosing the neutral accent color you want to work with for the weekend. For example, by choosing brown suede boots as your neutral piece, you can easily eliminate that navy silk going out top and black sparkly clutch, as they won’t go with your shoes. Likewise, throwing in a mint cashmere sweater and a light brown messenger-style bag a la Proenza Schouler will make perfect sense.
My ultimate favorite winter accessories are gloves and scarves. There is no better way to make a long black winter coat pop than by adding a colorful scarf around your neck. Likewise, gloves really amp up the style of any winter ensemble. Just imagine these beauties sticking out beneath a three-quarter-sleeved topper.
Moving onto scarves… I’m steering towards infinity scarves again this season. They are just so easy. No mirror necessary, just throw one around your neck on your way out the door. Here are some of my favorites (all on Shopbop):
This one by Wool and the Gang on Net-a-porter you knit yourself, by providing you with the patterns, needles and thread! Great gift idea for the friend who wants (or needs) a new hobby.
But I can’t exactly argue those who like to stick with the classic wrap-around-or-tie-in-100-different-ways scarf. I adore this coral themed version. Add a navy coat and your ready to go. Same goes for the owl print below.
Making your own podcast is simple, it only takes three steps! I’m in the process of starting my own podcast for class, and I think it is a very beneficial skill to have under your belt. Here’s what you do:
1. Create and edit your audio file
There are a ton of free options online for recording your own audio file. One of the best is Audacity. You can easily record your voice, add background music, edit out any oops-moments, and add special effects like a fade-in fade-out sequence with Audacity.
2. Upload the podcast
Once you have your audio file complete, the next step is to upload your podcast post onto a free service on the internet. Soundcloud is a great service with an incredibly easy interface for uploading your audio files and sharing your sounds. Also, you can even record your sounds (step 1) with Soundcloud, but the service does not offer as many of the complexities Audacity does.
3. Distribute it
After your sound clip is uploaded you need to distribute your podcast to the world. You can use a variety of free internet services to do so. I suggest checking out Blip.tv, Podomatic, and Feedburner, to see which one you like the best! Podomatic seems to be the easiest to work with, here’s a tutorial:
With December quickly approaching it is time to finish up your holiday shopping, wrap up your presents, and drink some hot chocolate in front of the fireplace with your friends and family. But first things first, what on earth are you going to get your ultra-chic boss for Christmas (you can’t believe pulled her name in Secret Santa) or your grandmother for Chanukah?
Here are my top five fail-safe gifts for friends and family:
Podcasts, as many of you know, are methods of sharing audible content, allowing users to listen to the sound bites when they want, where they want, and on whatever device they want, be it their iPhone, iPod, or computer. (Yes, clearly Apple has its ‘pod’ inside the title of this medium, and that is not an accident. Apple holds about 80% of the mp3 player market, and iPods were – and still are – the easiest way to enjoy podcasts when this name was created.) What makes a podcast a podcast is that you can subscribe to the audio files, just like you can subscribe to this blog! Here’s a quick summary ‘in Plain English.’ I love all of these ‘in Plain English’ YouTube videos, they describe just about everything on the internet such as Twitter and Wikis so quickly yet comprehensively – seriously, go check them out if you are lacking in Journalism 2.0 knowledge.
I haven’t really explored the iTunes section for Podcasts before, but I am glad I did. Mod-TV, Style.com, Victoria’s Secret, ASOS, and The Style Network are constantly adding new free podcasts and are good sources for behind the scenes information at fashion shows, make-up tips, and much more. Victoria’s Secret provides little clips on how their models prepare runway-ready bodies and sneak-peak views of dress rehearsals for their upcoming fashion show airing Tuesday the 29th on CBS.
Podcasts are quick and to-the-point, giving you nice tidbits of information to absorb on a train ride to work or in a doctor’s waiting room. To increase your tech-savviness check out these tips for podcast fans from Apple, or the best podcast directory.
Stay tuned for my next post on geek-chic gifts, and other great holiday present finds.
Did you know that recent study in Europe showed that 25% of Europeans believe what they read in blogs and have bought something because they read a comment of another customer over the Internet? This is Marketing 2.0.
Though there have been some major oops moments in the world of corporate blogging (for example when SONY secretly created the “All I want for Christmas is a PSP” blog), brand blogs have become quite popular, especially on clothing websites. Through blogs, stores can promote their clothing by showing 5 ways to wear the skirt they are trying to sell, or what their editors favorite outfits are (with many of the pieces being offered on their site of course.)
On Shopbop‘s blog “Shoptalk,” readers can get a wide range of information that cannot be covered on their website.
Shoppers can find fashion inspiration on how to wear a current trend, read interviews with their favorite designers, and get holiday gift ideas for their mom. Shopbop makes their brand all encompassing. Not only do they provide a storefront to buy the clothing, but also the commentary on how to wear it, and what to buy for what occasion. Intermix and Gilt Groupe have created similarly convincing and fun blogs.
Right now all three are featuring great holiday gift guides that will make shopping a breeze! Shoptalk even has tips on what your boyfriends should buy you for the holidays.
As fun as buying a new bag can be, nothing makes it better than when it is personalized with your initials. Monogramming ensures your bag will stand out.
Goyard Personalized Bag and Trunks.
Goyard (which has been around for about 150 years) has been monogramming their bags for decades, and many other brands have recently jumped on the bandwagon. Louis Vuitton, for example, recently released their Mon Monogram Collection, which has made their sales soar.
And Louis Vuitton makes it so easy to create your monogram masterpiece on their website. Check out this video detailing the steps:
Now jewelry is trending towards larger monogram statements, like these uber-popular Jennifer Zeuner Large Swirly Initial necklaces which notably feature all three of your initials, not just one, making them even more personal.
I also love the Jennifer Zeuner Initial Signet Ring. It reminds me of those retro class-rings, and would look so chic with a navy blazer, white skinnies, and some animal flats in the spring (yes, I am already dreaming about spring outfits as the weather gets colder and colder).
Harrods, the most popular department store in London, has served UK as well as international shoppers for the past 177 years. Harrods houses over 330 departments in an over one million square foot store! (Note that Selfridges, the second biggest department store in London, is less than half of the size of Harrods.) On popular shopping days, up to 300,000 customers visit the store, welcomed by more than 5,000 employees.
HISTORY
Harrods began as a single room retail store, in the same location Harrods is currently in, selling medicines and perfumes, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. As Harrods grew under Charles Digby Harrod it acquired the surrounding buildings, creating the massive space Harrods owns today.
In 1898, Harrods brought the escalator to England. After ascending the woven leather conveyor unit, shoppers were served brandy to calm them after their overwhelming experience!
Harrods literally has everything. They have clothes for everyone, men, women and children alike, as well as jewelry, accessories and electronics. Staying true to the original store, Harrods also houses a vast amount of food, medicines, and beauty items. Furniture and home appliances are not left out either. To top it all off, Harrods even sells bars of gold at Harrods Bank.
Harrods is so huge it is overwhelming. Upon entering I was faced with a swarm of customers surround this lovely man at the MAC counter advertising their glitter and ice collection.
The Lower Ground floor of Menswear also includes Men’s shoes, Opticians, Personal Shopping, Harrods Bank, Handbags, Gifts & Stationary, the Pharmacy, and The Wine Shop. There are obviously a huge amount of options for men, but what I was most impressed by was how highly edited the collections were. There were enough choices for any style, but not too many pieces to overwhelm and confuse you, as a study abroad student in London mentions in his interview.
Moving up, the Ground floor featured one of the shiniest MAC ads, as mentioned above, as well as every perfume I have ever heard of. The display for the new luxurious Velvet Collection by Dolce & Gabanna and the huge, spinning Chanel No.5 bottle, were some of the highlights.
The Ground floor also houses the food markets (read about them here) and the new Fine Watch Room. With 35 watch brands, ranging from Omega to Breguet to Philip Stein, just to name a few, and 13 individual brand boutiques, Harrods’ new Fine Watch Room is the largest watch collection in Europe. Though the sales clerk I spoke to desired to remain anonymous and requested to not to be featured in video form, she was bubbling with excitement about the new layout of the department and the recent surge in demand for Fine Watches. She mentioned that this Fine Watch Room is one of, if not the most, exciting and popular departments at Harrods today. (Note: None of the employees at Harrods were allowed to be videotaped for interviews.)
Moving up the building, when I got off the elevator on the first floor I entered into a sea of crystal encrusted floor length gowns and elegant backless numbers. Intricate ensembles stood at center stage.
In the contemporary collections, Just Cavalli, D&G, and Red Valentino filled the racks. The displays fit the clothes, more elegant velvet and draperies in the eveningwear rooms, while more modern and nature-inspired for everyday wear.
And that was only the beginning. Next came the “Shoe Boudoir,” essentially heaven in a dark and mirrored venue.
There was a whole room dedicated to Christian Louboutins, from cobalt blue small wedges (perfect for adding a pop of color to a black and white outfit) to this completely ridiculous fur masterpiece:
And when I thought there could not be more shoes, I found The Shoe Salon, with more contemporary footwear from Hunter, Tory Burch, Stuart Weitzman, and much much more.
Just getting through this part of the journey was exhausting, but even if I had to drag my feet I knew I needed to make it to the children’s department on the fourth floor. The fourth floor is a childhood dreamland. Not only is there Children’s designerwear, but also there is, the super necessary, children’s international designerwear, ranging from Paul Smith Junior to Christian Dior (see below), and Moncler to Roberto Cavalli. Formalwear, shoes and lifestyle boutiques round out the children’s clothing departments. Essentially, there is every outfit imaginable for infants to 16 year olds at Harrods. But, what really draws the tots in are the several toy rooms with remote control cars, soft toys, and dolls galore.
Harrods is a mecca for clothing. They have everything, following their motto, “oimnia oimnibus ubique,” all things for all people, everywhere.
My only disappointment in my journey was the extremely sub-divided floor plans, contrasting the open floor plans common in New York City department stores. I understand the need to divide shoes from clothes, but to sub-divide between every few designers in international designer eveningwear makes the store maze-like and a bit overwhelming to navigate. Indeed the Shoe Boudoir is a wonderful escape into the world of masterful heels and exotic skins, but the dark and divided rooms, with mirrors that could be confused for doors, are a little dizzying to maneuver though.
Nevertheless, I loved my trip exploring Harrods. Once you got out of the Ground Floor rush, you could shop with relative peace, and non-pushy staff. I wish I had more time in London to go back again!
Style in Spain 