Easy Travel Chic

With the holidays fast approaching, you're probably beginning to mentally pack for all those quick getaways coming up. Which means staring at your closet, and wondering if some sort of wardrobe fairy will magically appear with the perfect combo of outfits that are airport cozy chic and will look fresh and great straight from the suitcase.

Well fret not further! These key pieces are perfect for cozying up on the plane, in the car, and will keep you looking great when you arrive at your destination.

The perfect en-route outfit:
1. Our leggings are the traveling girl's friend. Super stretchy so you won't feel restricted with a great big waist band for extra-comfort. Pair these with ankle boots (easy to remove), a button down, and a cardigan over-top. You feel great and you won't look like you've accidentally worn your pajamas out in public.

The perfect cozy dress outfit:
2. A knit dress is so easy to wear and pack. And our Isabella is a beautiful option with a cascading ruffle front and super fabulous fabric. Pair with tights, flats, and a great jacket, like the vegan leather piped Paige Jacket.

The perfect dress up dress:
3. In comes Scarlet to save the day. Need I say more? Perfect for all your dress-up holiday occasions with simple tights and heels.

Add trashy magazines, a good book, a bag of your favorite candy, and you've got the recipe to end suitcase packing woes for good! No more wasted time staring at your closet with a defeated expression, follow these tips and we'll keep you looking and feeling great no matter where the holiday

Kitten Heels vs. High Heels

Some women and designers alike believe when it comes to heels, go big or go home! Of course this has not always been the case since wedges, ballet flats, kitten heels, even clogs have all had a time in the spotlight.

But in the past few years, sky-high stilettos have dominated the runways and been the envy of stylish fashionistas and short women everywhere.

And it seems designers like Mr. Louboutin and Valentino put all the glamorand interesting embellishments on their super tall heels, leaving their shorter shoes to be more modest and less like works of art.

There are benefits of the higher heel, mainly the extra height, elongating one's legs and creating a more toned look. But 4+ inch shoes are hard to work in and cause significant pain after walking in them, standing, or even sitting for a prolonged period of time.

A kitten heel does not give quite the same leggy look as a high-heel, but it does improve the way one walks (compared to a flat) and can be an extremely chic touch to pants, a skirt, or a dress.

I, for one, am all on board for bringing back the kitten heel.

"Kitten heels give clothes that sexy, sixties French actress look," a fashion designer commented recently. "It’s nice to go back to shoes that look like shoes."

So, next time you're dressing up, try trading in your mega-heel for a pretty little kitten heel. Your feet will be grateful and you'll still look amazing! A small heel during the day is also a great way to dress up any outfit and make you look more put together.

Give the kitten heel a chance. Besides, high heels will always be around to love and hate.

Happy Friday!

Fun Fitness Facts!

Happy November! I thought I'd kick off the month with some fun fitness facts, since, at least for me, winter often becomes a time when I slack on my usual exercise routine in favor of hibernating on the couch under a toasty blanket.

So here goes:

• There is only one type of exercise that requires you hold your breath--swimming underwater.
• If you had every single muscle in your body work together at the same time, you could lift about 50,000 pounds.
• If you can’t carry on a conversation while exercising, you may be pushing yourself too far--ease up a little.
• Bodies are creatures of habit. The more you exercise, the more your body learns to burn fat rather than storing it.
• No wonder your feet hurt - running puts four to seven times your body weight in pressure on your feet.
• Dancing is a terrific and fun form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular fitness just like any other more formal type of exercise.
• If you’re always in a bad mood, then getting fit just may help. Regular exercise can enhance mood and overall well-being.
• In spite of what you may have read, there is no “best time to exercise.” It turns out that the best time to exercise is when it works for you.
• Women’s top three recreational activities are walking, aerobics and working out, while men’s top three are golf, basketball and walking.
• Visualization can help to improve your workout. By visualizing yourself completing the exercise before you actually perform it, then you will be able to perform the exercise with more intensity and effectiveness.
• People who cross-train with a variety of exercise are more fit and less injury-prone than those who exercise using only one or two exercise modalities
• It's impossible to lick your elbow.
• Exercise helps reduce wrinkles. It increases blood flow to the skin that provides nutrients it needs to stay thick. Thick skin wrinkles less than thin.

(tips via http://exercise.lovetoknow.com/Fun_Fitness_Facts)

Walk as much as possible, always take the stairs, be sure to stretch a little every day, and dance when you're home alone and listening to music!

Lastly, wisdom from Legally Blonde: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. "

Well, there you have it.

Great Gift Idea Under $50!

So often people bring the obligatory bottle of wine as a hostess gift. Well, we have a treat for all of you who are tired of the usual gifts. And, it comes already packaged up in a cute little box with a ribbon!

Our prepackaged gift tanks and leggings set are the perfect gift to break you out of gift-giving monotony.

Hate giving clothes because you don't know about sizing?

No problem. Our tanks and leggings are super stretchy, one size fits all, and so comfortable you'll never want to be without them again.

The tanks come three to a package or with one pair of black leggings and one tank. And there are a ton of great color options from neutrals to fun brights! Something to fit everyone's taste and needs.

At $45 what more could a girl want?

Seriously, this is the best gift ever. Try it for the next holiday party you attend.

Fashion's Night In

Fashion's Night In begins today, 5pm, in your home. Vogue UK is launching "Fashion's Night In" as the digital equivalent to the extravagant "Fashion's Night Out" that occurred last month and carried with it a lot of hype and excitement.

Huge designers and retailers are on board with exclusive deals, and exciting, new online shopping experiences.

AlexanderMcqueen.com is giving the first 30 shoppers to make a purchase at 8pm on Fashion’s Night In a free scented candle. Also, all shoppers will receive free shipping on their orders and 10% of the night's sales will go to KidsCo.

Similarly, Harrods.com is giving away the Ultimate Girl’s Night Out Party Pack, with the best pick of accessories, shoes and beauty in preparation for the holidays. Shoppers will also receive 10% off fashion and beauty purchases that evening and free shipping. The first 50 orders placed will receive an exclusive gift and a portion of proceeds will be donated to KidsCo.

(via Vogue.com)

This seems like a really great idea to create hype for brands via driving traffic to their websites. The amazing gift, percent off, free shipping, etc incentives can all be enjoyed by shoppers without ever having to leave their homes.

Plus, this could really reach the people who couldn't/wouldn't participate in Fashion's Night Out, and prefer the peaceful experience of shopping online, at home.

This could be a really great event, and hopefully will eventually catch on the way Fashion's Night In did upon its inception.

Personally, nothing could be more delightful than sprawling on my sofa with a cup of hot chocolate and some popcorn and browsing online fashions with great, one-night deals. The time limit adds a bit of thrill. Like a Giltgroupe.com sale on Louboutins.

I'd love to see a Fashion's Night In happening here! Hope this one lives up to its potential.