Thrifty Thursday: Alexander Wang Satin Jersey One-Shoulder Dress for Less

There is nothing more subtly seductive than showing a little shoulder; to allow your skin to play a coquettish game of peek-a-boo with the world, tossing out a wink to your many admirers with each wiggle of your upper arm. It is not something, mind you, that can be achieved with a simple tank, halter, or tube top. Though all of the above show off your skin, they are too commonplace to truly turn heads in a way synonymous with that of the sudden appearance of an Oscar-winning starlet in your local supermarket. For such a show stopping look one must turn instead to a one-shoulder creation; and the one-shoulder stunner I have set my sights on is…Alexander Wang’s Satin Jersey One-Shoulder Dress.

Kitty cats, the goddesses of yesteryear had it right when they draped themselves in sophisticated, floor-sweeping gowns that covered just one shoulder, and allowed the other to shimmer tauntingly amidst the harsh glow of the flickering candlelight. Such a style is something that allows the wearer to show off their femininity; whilst retaining complete majestic modesty. The Satin Jersey One-Shoulder Dress is no different.

Though the hemline is quite a bit shorter than the ones seen in years past, it creates the perfect cutting-edge aesthetic for the tres chic Twenty-First Century girl who craves the ability to be coy in terms of clothing, yet flirty at the very same moment; while the all-over draping detail that adorns the black satin jersey material adds volume to the style without forcing the wearer to forsake resilience. It is a saucy new take on the well-known little black dress. Sadly, at $595.00, it is also well out of the budget of the modern-day working girl. Luckily, ASOS has come to the rescue.

Though more bodycon than the Wang wonder; ASOS’ Twisted Slinky One Shoulder Dress, for just $64.25, is every bit as daring as its higher-priced counterpart, with the added bonus of being available in a total of seven different colors – black, purple, mink, lime, white, flawless pink, and navy – giving you the chance to buy a different shade for every single day of the week!

What’s your stand…will you splurge, or save?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Net-A-Porter and ASOS for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

Why Don't You...?

♥…slip into a pair of Blank Denim’s Relaxed Classique Denim Shorts, spread out a pretty blanket, and take a long, languorous nap on your front lawn?

♥…tempt fate? Catch the eye of a cute boy at the bus stop; linger a little too long in front of your crush’s humble abode; toss a well-timed wink in the direction of the handsome barista at the local coffee shop. What’s the worst that could happen, dolls? You could fall in love, that’s what!

♥…kick off your Rag & Bone Victoria Wedge Sandals and race barefoot through a field of freshly-cut grass?

♥…buy a pretty swimsuit specifically for wearing around the house? Really now, taking the time to get dressed in the morning is so overrated!

♥…slick a shimmering gloss upon your lips and spend the day in complete silence? What was it that Margaret Lee Runbeck said…“Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.”


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Couture Carrie for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

Tightwad Tuesday: Chloe T-Strap Wedge on the Cheap

Darlings it was not so long ago that I divulged the fact that I associated summer with sky-high wedge sandals; but there was one thing I failed to mention in addition to this summation, and that, my loves, is the sheer fact that it is not just wedge sandals in general which are so perfectly representative of the sultry summer months – rather, it is those crafted by the imagination of…Chloe.

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, wedge sandals are a quintessential addition to a glamorous gal’s shoe collection. They embody sophistication and style; whilst retaining the effortless bohemian elegance that takes one’s wardrobe back to basics, allowing the individual in question to effuse a carefree chicness – quite in tune with not only the Chloe ad campaign shedding light upon wild-haired beauties romping through overgrown fields of golden foliage, but the simplicity of the oh-so covetable Chloe T-Strap Wedge.

Equal parts modernistic and vintage, the T-Strap Wedge steals inspiration from a multitude of eras, beginning with the T-Strap, so reminiscent of 1920s flappers dancing the Charleston in fringe-encrusted frocks; moving along to the cork wedge seen upon the tootsies of bellbottom-donning boho belles as they swayed to and fro to the music heard at Woodstock, their long locks floating in the breeze; and ending with the nude hue seen upon the Spring and Summer runways. It is a collection of elements which make the T-Strap Wedge, in the words of the magical Mary Poppins, “practically perfect in every way.” If only the price tag were as perfect as the aesthetic.

Kitty cats, I am well aware of the fact that the T-Strap Wedge is a source of swooning. A fabulous form of footwear capable of hypnotizing the eye of the beholder; but at $595.00 a pair, the sassy sandal is quite a bit out of the budget of the frugal fashionista. Rosegold’s Cara Wedge, on the other hand, is a bit more accessible for one’s allowance and attire.

No, they are not dirt cheap by any means, but at $168.00, the classy Cara allows for you to indulge in Chloe style without the chichi prices that typically accompany such a look. And nothing is more irresistible than that!

Is today the day for you to please the big spender within; or will you play it cool and be thrifty?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Barneys and Amazon for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

Play It Again, Sam

♥I Should’ve Been After You - Rooney
♥Come Around - MIA feat. Timbaland
♥The Show - Lenka
♥She Comes Alive - Baby Monster
♥White Sky - Vampire Weekend
♥Sometimes - Miami Horror
♥Buzzin’ - Shwayze
♥Kiss N Tell - Ke$ha
♥Bruises - Chairlift
♥How to Say Goodbye - Paul Tiernan
What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Sexo, Moda & Rock n' Roll for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

What if...?

“Being a princess isn’t all it's cracked up to be.” Princess Diana What if…you were the ruler of your very own kingdom? There would be no yellow brick road in my kingdom; the streets would be paved in pink glitter that would sparkle under the suns rays. Currency would not consist of dollars or cents, but rather rainbow-swirled lollipops of varying sizes. Pristine white ponies with curling pink ribbons in their manes would trot unbridled through the streets. Stacks of fairytales would sit beneath each oversized cherry blossom tree, awaiting the arrival of a reader looking to lose themselves in another world. Wink’s Andrea Dress would be my uniform of choice. Come nightfall, everyone within the kingdom would fall asleep under ribbon-trimmed canopies, amidst whispers and the subtle twinkle of fireflies lighting up the night sky. What would your kingdom be like, kitty cats? How would it look? What types of creatures would one find there? What would your daily attire be? I promise I won’t tell a soul! Fashionably yours! Thanks to We ♥ It for the picture. Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

Smitten Saturday

♥Pretty, Pretty Princess It was ages ago that I came to the realization that I was leading an incorrect existence. I was not meant to go through the motions of a normal, everyday, regular human being; rather, I was destined to be a royal. The ruler of some far-off country where everyone wears dreamy dresses and eats cotton candy for dinner. Once that conclusion was happened upon, I knew it was only a matter of time before my parents, the King and Queen, would rescue me from my boring, mundane lifestyle. Sadly, years have passed, and they have yet to arrive; therefore, I believe the time has come to take matters into my own hands. My first order of business? Scooping up a Chiefs of Enchantment headpiece.

Part Roman Empire influenced laurel wreath, part Pretty, Pretty Princess tiara, the Chiefs of Enchantment head accessories are a fantastical way to add a little imagination and whimsy to your everyday wardrobe. Proffering charming titles, and elegant aesthetics; it’s truly impossible not to fall under their bewitching spell. The Mia, The Raven, The Sharfeathered, The Lan, and, my personal favorite The Erika (it’s fate, don’t you think?). Which Chiefs of Enchantment beauty is your favorite?

♥Sock It to Me Darlings, don’t you ever find yourself feeling sorry for them? Please don’t play games with me now; you know precisely what I’m talking about…missing socks! They keep our tootsies tantalizingly cozy in the winter months, then we are ungracious enough to allow them to lose their snuggly sidekick during trips to the Laundromat wherein we arrive with two socks in tow, only to return home with one, finding ourselves left to wonder not only where the other has gone off and disappeared to; but what we are to do with the lone one left behind in our possession. Not anymore however! At least not with Inklore’s Missing Sock Bucket harboring a little hidey hole in our homes.

No longer are we to feel sorrowful for our newly-single socks, for the Missing Sock Bucket provides them with shelter until they are reunited with their long-lost partner in crime. It’s an adorable way to keep track of our missing treasures while saving us money at the very same time. After all, constantly having to buy socks can become quite the expense after a period of time! Ready to admit your singletons to the Home for Missing Socks, kittens?

♥Happy, Happy Unbirthday Party! Cupcakes and fairytales and tea parties and surprises; kitty cats you all know me well enough to realize that yes, these are a few of my absolute favorite things! The very pieces in life that put a spring in my step, a smile upon my mark Sweet Talk slathered lips, and a hole in my pocket (or rather, haute handbag) for having spent so much money on all of the above. Nevertheless, there is no ending in sight, for I refuse to deprive myself of the finer things in life; instead choosing to indulge in the miscellany that make me the happiest, and one of the items in question is…Laurel Avenue Bakery’s Tea Party Curio Box!

Inspired by my beloved Alice in Wonderland, the Tea Party Curio Box comes chockfull of all of the bits, pieces, odds, and ends required to throw a scrummy tête-à-tête by yourself or with a gaggle of your fabulously accoutered girlfriends! Packaged in a petite box with the words “We’re All A Little Mad Here” scrawled on the outside, and garnished with a blue ribbon just like the one dressing up Alice’s flaxen locks; the Tea Party Curio Box is loaded with pretty Petit Fours, Cheshire Cat Macarons, Unbirthday Cupcakes, “Taste Me” Cookies, Candied Pistachios, and Curiously Sweet Mushrooms. The only thing missing is the Mad Hatter himself, of course! Who wants to come to my Unbirthday Party, dolls?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to oh, restore this crack so and Chiefs of Enchantment for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway for your chance to win Meg Cabot’s Airhead Trilogy and a $50 Gift Certificate from Urban Outfitters.

Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway

Darlings, at the age of twelve, I fell in love. While, sadly, it wasn’t with a cute boy capable of making amazing mix tapes and willing to give me piggyback rides whenever I craved one, it was the next best thing…Meg Cabot. Over the years I have come to think of her fictional characters as close, personal best friends, whose crazy stories have oftentimes mirrored the goings-on in my very own life. Now, with the release of her new book Runaway, I could not be more heartbroken to see the final installment in the Airhead series for it means that Em Watts/Nikki Howard will no longer be a part of my existence; I am thrilled, however, that the book release will give one (1) of you beautiful bookworms the chance to win not only the complete Airhead Trilogy (Airhead, Being Nikki, and Runaway), but a $50 Gift Certificate to Urban Outfitters, as well! You’ve surmised correctly, kitty cats! Café Fashionista has teamed up with Big Honcho Media to give one (1) of you ravishing readers the chance to runaway with Meg Cabot, and her band of wild, crazy, and fabulous characters. To Enter the Runaway with Meg Cabot and Urban Outfitters Giveaway: ♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, April 30, 2010 at midnight PST. ♥For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, April 30, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL. ♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, April 30, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment). I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Good luck everyone! This Giveaway is open to U.S. residents! In the meantime...you are all invited to a Twitter Party! Join Runaway author Meg Cabot and Thea and Ana of The Book Smugglers for a Twitter party Thursday, April 22, between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. EST! ♥Be sure to follow Meg @MegCabot, Point at @ThisIsPoint, and Thea and Ana @BookSmugglers before the party! ♥Join the fun! No one expects you or your tweets to be perfect; we’re just happy you made it to the party! ♥Anyone who tweets during the party using #MegCabot is entered to win a limited edition Runaway t-shirt – featuring the winning design voted for by fans! ♥Watch for questions from @BookSmugglers and win awesome prizes including an iPad, $50 Sephora gift cards or $25 VISA gift cards! ♥To join the party, you can use our official party tweetgrid or just search #MegCabot on Twitter. ♥Ask Meg questions or chat with other partygoers—just use the tag #MegCabot in all of your party tweets! (This is added automatically in TweetGrid.) ♥Please don’t post any spoilers and don’t forget to pay attention to the time zones, the party starts at 8:30pm EST. Fashionably yours! Thanks to Big Honcho Media for the pictures.

Thrifty Thursday: Dolce & Gabbana Mesh Overlay Dress for Less

Kitty cats, obviously it should come as no surprise that lace will forever be synonymous with ladylike musings; leather will always invoke thoughts of rebellious behaviors; silk and satins will be viewed as shimmering seductresses; and tulle, with its constant appearance in the world of ballet, will eternally make one want to get jiggy with it upon sight. But we are forgetting one texture that far too often is overlooked, yet is utterly essential in some shape or form within the fashionista’s closet; and that, dolls, is mesh.

While certainly not allocated in the design world as much as it could be, the minute open spaces found upon the net-inspired material is a playful way to coquettishly show off a little skin without being overtly flamboyant; making it the perfect solution to adding a bit of cheekiness to your cosmopolitan air. And truly, I imagine there is no better way to work it in to one’s wardrobe than via Dolce & Gabbana’s Mesh Overlay Dress.

Ever so slightly reminiscent of the black and white stripes covering the bodies of graceful zebras, the Mesh Overlay Dress combines two decadent textures into one blissful design by covering a solid black corset dress displaying a sweetheart neckline with an overlay of mesh, which serves as a backdrop to thick stripes that create an effect not unlike that of the sun’s rays, making the wearer radiate beauty from the moment she enters the room, until the very second she departs.

Let’s be truthful darlings, shall we? As members of the fairer, genteel gender, we are already aware of the fact that pieces with such capabilities do not come into one’s life on a daily basis. When you unearth a design which harbors the ability to create such wonderment and buzz around your person there is one thing, and one thing only to do…buy! And that is precisely what I would be doing if the $645.00 price tag and my on-the-verge-of-exceeding-the-credit-limit of my AmEx weren’t standing in the way. Luckily, there’s Nasty Gal.

So it lacks the exposed zipper and slit adorning the back of the Dolce & Gabbana gem; but for $78.00, Nasty Gal’s Showgirl Bustier Dress is a chic compromise that won’t leave you broke. In fact, you may just be able to snatch up a pair of feisty footwear to go with your new frock!

Now the question remains…will you be thrifty, or suckered into putting on your spendthrift cap?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Stylehive and Nasty Gal for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

Why Don't You...?

♥…style yourself in Alice + Olivia’s flowing Gina Bustier Goddess Dress and cannonball into a swimming pool? Float atop the surface of the water, allowing your fabulous frock to spread out around you in an ethereal fashion.

♥…pitch a tent and go camping in your very own backyard? Get cozy in Juicy Couture’s Terry Wide Leg Jumpsuit, eat gooey s’mores until you feel as if you’re going to burst, and spend the evening making shadow puppets by the dim glow of a flashlight!

♥…place a handbell beside your bed and ring it whenever you find yourself craving a sweet? Chances are someone will grow tired of the incessant ringing and bring you anything your heart desires.

♥…put on your KORS Michael Kors Violet Wedge Sandals and dance everywhere you go? Shimmy through the supermarket; box step at the bowling alley; moonwalk along the corridors of a museum. Dance to the beat of your own drum, darlings!

♥…set your iPod to shuffle, step out of your 7 For All Mankind Jane Espadrille Wedges, and hula hoop in the bright sunshine?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Death Wears Diamond Jewellery for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

Tightwad Tuesday: Becca 'Kaleidoscope' Strapless Terry Romper for Less

Darlings, there are very few fashions that excite me to a point where I find myself counting down the days until the weather is just right for accoutering myself in them. Especially when the style in question makes me long for sultry weather that simply screams for barely-there shorts, and easy breezy tanks which flutter around your form in a fashion synonymous to that of a newly hatched butterfly emerging from it’s cocoon, and spreading its wings for the very first time. Yet the romper falls into this very category.

While sporting a cut that I have not found myself donning since my days of frolicking within the confines of a playground sandbox; the romper has become the object of my affection. The singular style that makes my heart skip a beat, and leaves me wishing night and day for the fast arrival of summer just so that I can wear them; despite the fact that I am a girl who typically adores the cool breezes which so often accompany the arrival of fall. But not all rompers fit the bill. The piece in question must be constructed of the playful, pastel shades one associates with the cool creativity of the warmer months, coupled with a sophisticated aesthetic. Becca’s ‘Kaleidoscope’ Strapless Terry Romper fulfills both of these prerequisites to a T.

Frisky in its design, the blouson bodice shaped by the drawstring waist creates a svelte silhouette; while the scalloped embellishment trimming the strapless terry romper adds a whimsical effect to the style, which is only made stronger by its eye-catching, confetti color – a sure sign that the wearer is destined to encounter all sorts of celebratory good times when wearing such a garment, whether experienced via a beachside bonfire or saucy soiree which calls for dancing barefoot through an elegant hotel ballroom.

‘Tis truly a shame that a creation capable of ingratiating itself into any and all situations that one may find themselves encountering during the course of their smoldering summer vacation, should be somewhat overpriced. For at $68.00, the ‘Kaleidoscope’ Strapless Terry romper is quite a bit out of the budget range for the average Joe (or rather, the average Jane). Forever 21’s Basic Tube Top Romper, on the other hand, is perfectly priced for the frugal fashionista.

Yes my loves, I realize that the Basic Tube Top Romper lacks the drawstring waist and scalloped edging of its high-priced bestie; but at $8.80, it’s a cheery compromise to the Becca beauty that will brighten up your wardrobe in no time flat!

Which role have you decided to undertake on this terrific Tuesday, kittens? Tightwad or spendthrift?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Nordstrom and Forever 21 for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

Play It Again, Sam

♥Friday I’m In Love - The Cure
♥Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys
♥Daylight - Matt & Kim
♥Hard to Live in the City - Albert Hammond Jr.
♥I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie
♥The Fear - Lily Allen
♥Dear Maria, Count Me In - All Time Low
♥Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear
♥Thirteen - Big Star
♥Silvery Sleds - Army Navy
What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

What if...?

“Give me books, fruit, French wine and fine weather and a little music out of doors, played by someone I do not know. I admire lolling on a lawn by a water-lilied pond to eat white currants and see goldfish: and go to the fair in the evening if I'm good. There is not hope for that – one is sure to get into some mess before evening.” John Keats What if…you were invited to a picnic in the park at this very moment? I imagine I would slip into Parker’s Cami Romper; spread a luxurious blanket out on the dew-drenched grass; set Belle & Sebastian’s Piazza, New York Catcher to repeat on my iPod so as to serve as the day’s theme song; plop down on my stomach, and loll the afternoon away – my LOFT Cross Strap Wedge-clad feet waving carelessly to and fro in the air, my nose buried deep within the pages of Yvonne Prinz’s Vinyl Princess. Reading breaks, of course, would be taken; but only to bite into juicy pieces of ruby red watermelon! How would your perfect picnic in the park play out, my loves? What would you wear? What would you listen to? What would you read? Do tell dolls! Fashionably yours! Thanks to We ♥ It for the picture. Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

Smitten Saturday

♥Storybook Style Darlings, by now you’ve probably surmised this yourself given my incessant chitchat about fairytales and the like; but just in case you’re not too swift on the uptake (though, in all honesty, we both know that you are), I see no harm in telling it to you straight…I am a bookworm! I could spend hours prancing up and down the aisles of Barnes & Noble poking my nose into anything and everything that catches my eye; days have been spent getting lost within the towering stacks of classics harbored within the musty old walls of libraries; and, when my nose isn’t buried within the crisp pages of a book, I quite like to tell a story with my ensemble. And that is precisely what Library: Archives of Fashion allows one to do!

The brainchild of Charleston’s Lauren Lail; Library is a Vintage Shop that one can peruse from the comforts of their own home while swathed in polka-dotted print pajamas, which intermingles the likes of designers whose names will forever be on the tip of the fashionista’s tongue – such as Lanvin, Chanel, and Diane von Furstenberg – with virtual unknowns. It’s a chic conglomeration that allows the consumer to weave a tale of wonderment with their newly-acquired wardrobe. Currently I’m lusting over the pretty purple Lanvin shades, the mod-inspired Candy Clutch, and the Elephant Scarf, which I just know will serve as a good luck charm come summertime. Tell me kitty cats…are you ready to browse?

♥The Dainty Diary As fashionable femme fatales, it is not only our wardrobes that we must be concerned about, my loves; we must forever remember to take the design of our accessories into consideration, as well – and that includes notebooks! We do not want to find ourselves styled in a pleasing pink, only to have a blotter in an unpleasant, brooding shade ruin the enchanting effect. We want something just as dainty and demure as we are; Paperwink offers just the thing.

Like the title indicates, Paperwink is stocked with charming notebooks, many of which are perfectly sized so that they can slip effortlessly into your handbag at a moment’s notice; but Paperwink’s true piece de resistance lies within the pretty pastel hues, and captivating vintage signs and labels that you can have personalized to your liking. Presently I find myself smitten with the Frames collection, which includes a trio of tablets in the color collection of your choice – Gelato, Sherbert, or Snow Cone. Which Paperwink pretty has caught your eye, dolls?

♥Your Name Here It was not so long ago that I was swooning over Carrie Bradshaw’s sassy nameplate necklace, and Lauren Conrad’s marvelous moniker spelled out in script across her knuckles via a sparkly double-finger ring. In fact, I am still plagued by days where I covet one of each – with my own name spelled out, mind you. But I digress; like many of you dolls, I am a geek at heart. A nerdy computer lover with a penchant for launching into technological speak at the drop of a hat. Therefore, it seems completely natural for me to find myself desiring a custom-made pretty from Survival of the Hippest.

Gone are the baubles proclaiming the nicknames we were christened with by our gal pals; no more are the glittering gems emblazoned with our chosen titles, or birth names clasped around our swanlike necks. Rather, in their place, sitting front and center for the world to see is…the names we are best known for on Twitter, of all places! Survival of the Hippest takes the haute handle you use Online, and transforms it into ambrosial accessories in 10 or 14K-Gold, or Sterling Silver. Obviously I’ll be styled in a 14K-Gold design with the words Café Fashionista dangling daintily from the petite chain. What will your Survival of the Hippest symbol say, darlings?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to An Ordinary Girl's World and Paperwink for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway for your chance to win a PINK Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.

The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway

Hair is a forever accessory. It does not merely up and leave you at the drop of a hat like a finicky kitty off to chase a toy mouse skittering across the kitchen floor; nor does it come and go like a fair-weather friend who has a penchant for popping up to borrow clothes than disappearing from your life until her next style dilemma. Rather, it remains with you through thick and thin; successfully seeing you through blind dates, family reunions, and a bevy of other scenarios all of which require a fabulous ‘do. One that looks as if it were crafted at the hands of a professional flat iron; when, in all actuality, your chic coiffure was constructed in the confines of your very own bedroom with the assistance of a Chi flat iron or FHI flat iron – two of the best flat irons on the market. And now one (1) of you well-coiffed kittens has the chance to take one of your very own home!

Café Fashionista has teamed up with Misikko to bring one (1) lucky reader a Hana Elite Flat Iron in the special edition pink shade (because everything’s better in pink!) – a hair care essential that will keep your luscious locks looking luxurious and lustrous…almost as if you’ve just stepped out of an overpriced salon, in fact!

To Enter The Secret is in the Hair Giveaway:

♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 15, 2010 at midnight PST.

♥For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 15, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 15, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Misikko for the picture.

Cafe Fashionista Featured in US Airways Magazine

Back in November of 2009 I was contacted by a fellow blogger, requesting that I be a part of their coffee guest post series. The result was my ode to New York City coffee shops entitled Sipping in the City. While expected to be a one-time venture, I enjoyed the process of putting a post together on such a topic so much, that I created the Cruisin’ Cafes series right here on Café Fashionista. While no longer an active weekly feature, the memory of Cruisin’ Cafes will forever live on; especially since one of the pieces written for said column, was recently published in the April 2010 issue of US Airways Magazine.

The holiday festivities had only just ended, when I received an e-mail from Melissa Byrd, the Senior Editor of US Airways, requesting if she could publish Crusin’ Cafes: Paris France, my tribute to tres chic cafes located in the city of light; of course, I accepted (after approximately 25 minutes of jumping up and down screaming “I’m dying!” at the top of my lungs, mind you).

US Airways is full of articles written by the hands of novelists, doctors, lawyers, World Record Holders, and the like; so being in such good, creative company was a thrill in itself. But seeing the final piece in all of its published glory has left me beaming from ear to ear. As US Airways Magazine is exclusive to those flying upon US Airways, I am scanning the piece on here (click the images to enlarge them!); but who knows, perhaps one day you will be aboard a flight, and you’ll see a copy nestled in the seat pocket right in front of you – and if you do, pick it up and give it a browse, for it is chockfull of fabulous pieces that span everything from books to business, travel to history, and everything in between!





Fashionably yours!


Thanks to US Airways for the magazine scans, and Tiffany Sorocco (my sister) for the picture of me in the sunnies.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Why Don't You...?

♥… cast thoughts of bad hair days to the wayside, and allow your luscious locks to fly freely in the cool breeze? Take heed of Kahlil Gibran’s words, dolls; “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

♥…slip into the Shoshanna Daisy Garden Bikini you’ve been harboring in your dresser drawer and run through the sprinklers in your front yard?

♥…be Barbie? Darlings, Barbie is a gorgeous individual who can be anything she desires; therefore, emulate her. Allocate the use of dramatic fake lashes; slick on Lime Crime’s Countess Fluorescent Opaque Lipstick for that perfect pink pout; and wing your liner in a way that would make the Blonde Bombshell herself proud! Don’t forget the black pumps; I believe Louboutins are in order.

♥…find a sunny spot in your bedroom, kick off your Pelle Moda Yaritza Platform Wedge Sandals, and take a catnap in the middle of the afternoon?

♥…put on your Elizabeth and James Juliet Dress, take the hand of a cute boy, and spend the day at the fair? Fluffy pink cotton candy for dinner and multiple rides on the carousel are, of course, a necessity!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Tightwad Tuesday: Kate Spade Sara Bay Piper Shorts for a Steal

Please don’t take this the wrong way, dolls; it is not as if I have some sort of resentment towards denim – quite the opposite in fact. I am one of denim’s biggest advocates; falling in love with it in a multitude of formations – from rompers to minis, and everything in-between. Nevertheless, there are times in a girl’s life when denim just doesn’t cut it for a given occasion. Moments when we long for a subtle splash of sophistication that is cool and comfortable, yet embodies a pinch of posh which gives us a gussied-up glow in the most unfussy of fashions; and there is just one way to achieve this, kitty cats…via tailored shorts!

Say it with me now, my loves…tailored shorts are to the trouser family what Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dresses are to the world of frilly frocks – a universally flattering design which give the wearer the opportunity to show off her gorgeous gams; whilst maintaining her chic, hoity-toity demeanor. But not any pair will do. A girl wants a piece that can make the transition from the boardwalk to the boardroom with effortless ease; Kate Spade’s Sara Bay Piper Shorts are capable of just this.

Highlighting a unique aesthetic described as a paper bag cut; the Sara Bay Piper Shorts are constructed out of a mix of silk and cotton in a shade aptly titled quicksand, and display a pleated detail and tie waist to give the wearer the vintage, Mad Men-inspired silhouette we all know and love. Yet despite the polished personality evident in each and every minute embellishment; the Sara Bay Piper Shorts are just as sprightly as they are swank, only serving to make them more covetable.

But I digress; darlings, it seems as if the term covetable is a code word of sorts for being completely out of one’s league – budget-wise, that is. And the svelte Sara, unfortunately, is. At $195.00 a pair, the saucy flap side pockets and signature Kate Spade corozo buttons are not characteristics that will soon be entering my budget-conscious closet. Sara’s less expensive look-alikes, however, are already on their way!

While crafted out of linen as opposed to a silk and cotton blend, at $34.50, Victoria’s Secret’s Beach Linen Belted Shorts are just as blissful as the Kate Spade creation their architecture mirrors; and come in a trio of tantalizing shades that will make your summer sizzle. The question is which to get…sandcastle, spicy red, or chocolate. Perhaps a teeny tiny splurge on all three is in order!

Are you having a tightwad moment darlings, or are you plagued with a craving to splurge?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Kate Spade and Victoria’s Secret for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Play It Again, Sam

♥Wild Wolves - Athlete
♥The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon & Garfunkel
♥I Felt Stupid - The Drums
♥The Waves - Princeton
♥Sweet Disposition - Temper Trap
♥Animal - Miike Snow
♥I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You - Black Kids
♥Do the Panic - Phantom Planet
♥Impossible - Shout Out Louds
♥Animal - Neon Trees
What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Style Secrets: Debra Goldstein & Olivia Baniuszewicz

Dolls, it is no surprise that, when seeking the perfect BFF, we expect the contenders to embody two very important prerequisites – the willingness to provide us with boy advice in the wee hours of the night when we are on the verge of tearing our lustrous locks directly out of our heads, or simply plagued with the urge to scream at the top of our lungs or punch a pillow out of frustration; and the ability to help us choose entire ensembles that will flatter our forms, accentuate our amazing physical qualities, and keep us looking fabulous regardless of the situation at hand. It is these two very elements which serve as the backbone to blissful bonds in the gal pal department. And I have found two individuals who possess both traits, and then some, in the form of Debra Goldstein and Olivia Baniuszewicz. Regardless of whether you’ve actually met them or not, Debra and Olivia are a twosome who will forever be your BFF’s. As the authors of the revolutionary book Flirtexting: How to Text Your Way to His Heart, a pretty in pink dating guide that is incredibly indispensable if I do say so myself; Debra and Olivia are full of boy advice that they have no problem proffering at the drop of a hat. But their knowledge does not end with boys, and boys alone. While the techie side of dating is now a large part of their lives; both Debra and Olivia have extensive knowledge of the fashion world. Debra is the founder of Fern Estelle, a styling and personal shopping service, and Olivia is the former account executive for various fashion houses. Together, they have already provided us with the tools we need to break hearts; but now they’ve been so kind as to share a few of their secrets as well – of the style variety, that is! What is your number one style secret and why? DG: My number one style secret is no secret at all: Less is more. (Revolutionary, I know.) We've heard it a million times before because it's a trick that really works. When picking out an outfit, I start by choosing the one piece I want to highlight the most. Whether it's my favorite Miu Miu pumps, a colorful beaded necklace, or a cute new top; I make sure that the rest of my outfit blends, so that that one piece sticks out. The great thing about dressing this way is that you can make your wardrobe last a lot longer! When I get tired of wearing the same tops and dresses over and over, instead of running to the store to buy more, I just create a new look around a cool necklace or bag. Wearing a classic pair of jeans and a white t-shirt always works and never goes out of style. Add some fun costume jewelry you forgot about, or that cute hat you never wear, and you've got two new outfits that didn't cost a thing! What is your number one style secret and why? OB: My style secret is to mix mix mix! Check out things in your closet that are polar opposites, and that you would never think could go together, and explore the unknown. You may be surprised of how insanely awesome this mixed look could be. I sometimes will stare at my closet and play dress up with opposite looks. I geek out when I get a great mix and unveil a brand new outfit – but with the same stuff from my closet. I suppose the way I dress is the way I think. I don't dress all one designer because I don't think all one-way. My style, like my thoughts, is multi-dimensional. For example, I'll mix designer with H+M; old vintage earrings with a new dress; shiny patent leather shoes with matte skirt; bohemian sweater with classic pencil skirt; solid black dress with pop color shoes; complicated tangled chain necklaces with simple white mini dresses. So next time you feel like you have nothing to wear and need to go spend money on a new look, try mixing it up in your closet first. Today I think I’ll make like Debra and keep it low-key with a sparkly bib necklace paired with a slouchy KAIN Label Pocket Tee. Tomorrow, however, I’ll be heeding Olivia’s advice and mixing it up with DKNY’s pure DKNY Pleat Front Pants topped with Sauce’s playful Bear Tee. How will you be working Debra and Olivia’s style secrets into your wardrobe, kitty cats? Fashionably yours! Thanks to Micah Jesse and Debra Goldstein for the pictures. Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Smitten Saturday

♥I Think I LOFT You I’ll be honest with all of you, my loves, it was not at all my intention to fall completely head over heels in love with LOFT. In fact, up until a few weeks ago, I had not so much as been exposed to their stunning styles; and was utterly oblivious to their wares. That is, until I stumbled upon the Looks We Love section of their site and found myself coveting almost everything displayed before my CoverGirl LineExact Liquid Liner rimmed eyes.

Unlike so many shops which cater to one of two spectrums – chic or trendy – LOFT manages to bridge the gap between the two, creating magnificent mix-and-match pieces which are sophisticated yet unstuffy, making them adaptable to any and all situations you may find yourself in. Thus the reason I am so…smitten. The Pintuck Shirtdress is ideal for a Saturday stroll through the farmer’s market; but come Monday morning, top it with the military-inspired Sailcloth Trench and cinch in the waist with a Braided Jeans Belt for an office-ready look. Wear the Cross Strap Wedge with the City Essential Pencil Skirt with Feminine Detail to meet your new boyfriend’s parents tonight; tomorrow afternoon, don them with the Painter Lean Boyfriend Jeans for brunch with the girls. Versatile, glamorous, and utterly irresistible. Honestly, what more could you ask for? Tell me dolls, have you fallen in love with LOFT?

♥Fictitious Fashion Darlings, I know quite well that I am not the only individual guilty of such an indiscretion; so please, if you have even one smidgen of compassion within your OPI Party in My Cabana-painted fingertips (and I know that you do!), do not allow me to go on believing that no one else is committing the very same crime on a daily basis! Don’t play coy, my loves; you know exactly what I’m talking about. All of us long to come across as well-read individuals who indulge only in the classics; but let’s face it, there are times when a healthy dose of chick lit is precisely what the doctor ordered. Nevertheless, admitting so is oftentimes a lackluster event. Yes, we know we should be reading The Hound of the Baskervilles; but what are we really doing? Devouring Michael Tonello’s Bringing Home the Birkin or Kristen Kemp’s Breakfast At Bloomingdale’s, of course. Honestly though, who needs to know? Apparently, no one; at least according to Book City Jackets.

Fashioned to resemble the paper bag book covers we created as children in elementary school; Book City Jackets offer book covers constructed out of recycled kraft paper with the titles of classics such as Moby Dick emblazoned across the cover. Or you can get creative and cover the scandalous stories we all know and love with kitschy art-adorned pieces from the Artists collection. The beauty of it, of course, is that no matter what one you choose, your book du jour stays hidden from prying eyes. What are you reading, kitty cats? Or, more appropriately, what are you really reading?

♥My Cup Runneth Over Given the fact that I have been obsessed with Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland since I was a tiny tot, and am, at the moment, completely unenthused about my current jewelry storage options, I have decided that the best way to store my baubles is by tossing them into teacups sitting atop little saucers. Not any teacup will do, mind you. It is important that they are not only pretty, but that they literally effuse femininity. After all, some of my most treasured accessories will be residing in such amenities, therefore they must be spectacular.

I can already imagine my long chain necklaces draped haphazardly over the rim of the Wild Roses Bone China Tea Set; a piece whose print is a virtual throwback to the days of society women gathered in clusters within a tea parlor – hoop skirts spread out around them. My rings will certainly find themselves at home within the confines of the Morning Meadows Cup and Saucer, which boasts a delicate butterfly print so perfect for the springtime. And the gold-trimmed Ribbon Teacup and Saucer is an unbeatable new abode for my scant assortment of bracelets. Would a teacup work wonders for your jewelry collection, darlings?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to So about what I said… and LOFT for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway

Dolls, given the fact that the season of berry picking, sunshine, and pockets full of posies is upon us; I see no better way to pay tribute to the time of year dedicated to puddle jumping (courtesy of spur-of-the-moment rain storms), fun in the sun, and glamorous garden parties than via the incorporation of a bedazzling bauble perched upon your perkily-manicured finger. And that is precisely what one (1) of you lovely lambs has the chance to take home!

By now I’m sure you’re all aware of where this is going, darlings; but since I’m incapable of keeping good news to myself, I’m going to share it with all of you…Café Fashionista has teamed up with Jewels of Denial to bring one (1) lucky reader a Rose Swarovski Crystal Rolling Ring. A rolling ring, also known as a trinity ring, consists of three individual rings that are locked together through interlinking the bands so that each ring can still rotate freely amongst the others. Due to their design, all three rings must be worn together at the same time. And you know me when it comes to sparkly pretties…the more the merrier!

To Enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway:

♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 8, 2010 at midnight PST.

♥For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 8, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 8, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, one of them could be yours!), and announce the winners on Friday, April 9, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S., Canadian, and Australian residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Jewels of Denial for the picture.

Romancing Republic

Darlings, while I can’t exactly proclaim that I am paid for such expertise (though, obviously, I wish I could!); I have quite the knack for entering any store imaginable – of the style variety, that is – and emerging having found at least one blissful blouse, sassy skirt, tantalizing tank, or seductive pair of stilettos. My one design dilemma, however, comes in the form of dresses.

It is not that I don’t love dresses, mind you; rather, it is dresses which appear to dislike me. The ones I adore swallow my petite frame whole, transforming styles that looked stunning on the sales rack into billowing, boxy aesthetics reminiscent of oversized nightgowns or house dresses; whereas the ones which are less than stellar always manage to fit me to a T – much to my chagrin, of course. Needless to say, I imagine I won’t have the same problem with the eye-catching creations I’ve found at Republic.

Pages and pages of fabulous frocks hover right before your very eyes; each one more glamorous than the last. Crafted Lace Dresses similar to a style that Blair Waldorf would gladly don during a family dinner full of piercing gazes and snarky commentary; Denim Dungaree Dresses quite like that seen upon the lanky form of Alexa Chung; polka-dotted pretties proffering retro detailing and simply screaming to be paired with lace up espadrilles; and, my personal favorite, flirty florals like the Miso Daisy Dress ideal for an afternoon stroll in the park, lace-trimmed parasol held high overhead.

Love is in the air, kitty cats!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Republic for the picture.

Dial Like It's Going Out of Style!

Darlings do you recall those “around the world” activities our beloved second grade teachers thought up to help us learn more about different cultures? The ones wherein we would pack a precious stuffed animal away into a cardboard box, and send it off to a classroom in some far-off country, where it would spend a month or two with a different group of grabby second graders, before being returned to us along with a petite journal describing all of the overseas adventures experienced by the creature in question.

I remember those projects as if they were completed just yesterday; thus the reason I immediately thought of such elementary undertakings the moment I received the e-mail from Shira at WOM World/Nokia asking me if I would be so kind as to welcome the Nokia N97 Mini into my tech-savvy existence for two weeks to try out the fabulous phone known for its ability to combine style, communication, and technology into one pocket-sized package.

Despite the fact that my handbag is already home to a beloved BlackBerry and perky pink 16GB iPod Nano, not to mention more tubes of lip gloss than any sane person could possibly need, the offer of having the opportunity to try out such a fantastic new product was truly too great to refuse – therefore, I didn’t; and I could not be more pleased with my decision!

While Mini is not nearly as mini as her title led me to believe, her multifaceted characteristics more than make up for her size – which is, mind you, in no way bulky or cumbersome.

Harboring the ability to work as a touchscreen device a la the iPhone, or via a QWERTY keypad featuring a tilted screen that reduces the “glare” problem often encountered by the typical cell phone accessory which features a screen that lies flat; Mini is truly a magical gadget with a home screen that caters to your most frequented themes – a personalization that makes navigation to your favorite widgets (i.e. Facebook and e-mail) an absolute cinch!

But I digress; as a loyal BlackBerry user (I’ve yet to try the iPhone myself), I do find that navigating the World Wide Web with my BB is a far simpler and more enjoyable experience than with the Mini. Nevertheless, it is an adorable little device; and the fact that it retains the ability to cater to either preference of the user – be it QWERTY or touchscreen – is quite an appealing factor that would unquestionably play into one’s final decision before purchase.

Here’s a bit of advice, lovers…dial like it’s going out of style!

Tell me kitty cats, what type of phone do you call your own? Better yet, what type of phone do you wish you could call your own?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Mail2Web, GSM Arena, and Tech2 for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Real Fashionistas Wear Aprons Giveaway for your chance to win a fabulous retro/vintage apron from Christa Taylor.

Guest Post at Sogni e Sorrisi!

Kitty cats, summertime is almost upon us; therefore, it is no surprise that we are all itching to jetset off to some glamorous locale where we can unwind, and - cliched as it may sound - shop 'til we drop! So where would Cafe Fashionista like to find her plane headed this summer? Flit on over to Sogni e Sorrisi, and check out my Guest Post Getaways Guest Blog Series: Erika of Cafe Fashionista to find out what I'll be doing, where I'll be staying, and what I'll be wearing on my dream getaway!


Fashionably yours!