5.15.2010

Smitten Saturday

The Root of True Style …because every girl deserves to feel flirty and fabulous in her way of dress, and it is impossible not to when wearing Halston Heritage. The Tie Front Romper; the Shirred Jumpsuit; the Deep V Cocktail Dress; the Shirred Romper. Hi, I adore you all…now please come home with me!

Chocolate Makes My Heart Sing …because midnight snacks should always be equal parts sweet and salty; which is precisely what Whimsical Candy’s La-Dee-Dahs proffer to the eater. White chocolate nougat. Sea-salt caramel. Dark chocolate. Yum to the tenth power!

It’s A Guy’s World …because boy cuts with a feminine flair are essential to one’s wardrobe; and no one does it better than the two ladies behind Guy French. Currently on my wish list is Isabel, Olivia, and Sydney.

Letters to My Heart …because an impressive stationary and notebook collection is just as essential as a jaw-dropping wardrobe; and you can’t beat one that is created entirely from recycled paper with soy ink like the pieces from LETTERS LUBELL. I’ll take the {Shot Through the Heart} notebook for scribbling down my private thoughts; and the {Cherry On Top} cards for writing petite notes to my besties!

Good Dog! …because even man’s best friend deserves cupcake-inspired treats like those made by Get Lick’d Organic Dog Treats. Now all that’s missing is a pup of my very own!

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Marissa Explains It All for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Footloose Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Aerosoles Plush Around Wedge Sandals in Red from CSN Stores.

Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.
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5.14.2010

Footloose Giveaway

Dolls, I am a boot lover through and through. To be completely truthful, in fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret…my closet literally doubles as a shrine to boots. Riding boots, suede boots, flat foots, over the knee boots…practically anything you can imagine when it comes to boots can be found within my wardrobe. Nevertheless, once the warmer months roll around I like to take what I refer to as…the Wedge Pledge; wherein I live in wonderful wedges all summer long. Now, one (1) of you lucky ladies can take the Wedge Pledge with me courtesy of CSN Stores!

You guessed it, my loves! Café Fashionista has teamed up with CSN Stores to bring one (1) of you footwear obsessed fashionistas a pair of Aerosoles Plush Around Wedges in a ravishing red hue that will make you beam as brightly as The Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy in her sparkling ruby red slippers even when merely standing under the dim glow of indoor recessed lighting.

To Enter the Footloose Giveaway:

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, May 28, 2010 at midnight PST.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, May 28, 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, May 28, 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 29, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents! Winner will be able to choose their shoe size and width.


Fashionably yours!


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.13.2010

Thrifty Thursday: 7 For All Mankind Boyfriend Denim Shorts with Crochet Lining on the Cheap

Kitty cats, to the left we have Forever 21’s blissful Beach Frayed Shorts; to the right we have 7 For All Mankind’s Boyfriend Denim Shorts with Crochet Lining.

While the fabulous Forever 21 offering lacks the crochet lining of 7 For All Mankind’s marvels; at $24.80 a pair, as compared to its $159.00 counterpart, it is just as easy, breezy, and beautiful for the summer months – on both your wardrobe and your wallet!

What’s your bank account telling you to do, kittens? Will you be a big spender with 7 For All Mankind, or play the role of the thrifty fashionista?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Forever 21 and Shopbop for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.12.2010

Why Don't You...?

…put on a pretty frock, let down your hair, and be one with nature? Dance through a field of daisies; pirouette through a patch of petunias; twirl through a pasture laden with tulips. Now is the time to set yourself free, my loves!

…wear Kiki de Montparnasse Nuit Lace Gloves with everything? Allocate them as your signature accessory.

…spend the afternoon surrounded by never-ending sweets, and the latest issue of Cosmopolitan? Face it darlings, there is nothing so satisfying as a sugar rush coupled with a little scandal!

…make the world your catwalk? Strut down the sidewalk in your Sergio Rossi Definition Cutout Stiletto Sandals. Allow a pretty pout to play upon your lips while parading through the park in your Parker Cami Dress. Strike a pose in your LaROK Summer Love Romper while sashaying through the stuffy corridors of your workplace. Remember kitty cats…life is a runway.

…leave your pretty pendants at home and replace them with a whimsical bubble necklace? Blow bubbles at everyone you meet!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Creative Fashion for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.11.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Christian Louboutin Macarena Wedges for Less

Kitty cats, if we have learned just one thing from the charming Coco Chanel during our short years on earth, it is that chain detailing can change your life. It is that minute morsel of need-to-know information that will forever keep you large and in charge in the world of fashion; an embellishment that makes you sparkle even if your perkily-polished fingertips are sans oversized bling, or your swanlike neck is barren as opposed to displaying a beauteous bauble dangling from your throat.

But I digress; it is not just the upper part of one’s form that should be covered in chain trim; the lower half can benefit just as much from such a decoration…case in point, one’s tantalizing tootsies when encased in Christian Louboutin’s Macarena Wedges!

My loves, he may be best-known for his basic black patent leather stilettos displaying a sole the color of the cherry red convertible indulged in when one is suffering from a midlife crisis; but it should come as no surprise that Mr. Louboutin himself is quite talented when it comes to creating a stop-them-dead-in-their-tracks wedge aesthetic, as well. The Macarena Wedges are no different.

A slick black patent wedge heel of almost six-inches is made edgy via a thick, bold silver chain link that snakes around the entire upper body of the shoe, ending in a nautical-inspired rope-wrapped espadrille footbed which cushions ones pedicured paws, making them wearable for long hours of shopping with the ladies, or comfortable enough to dance the Macarena until the break of dawn; while black patent leather straps, spruced up with matching chain details, coil around the ankle and toes to keep the foot properly in place, and offer optimal comfort. Now if only the asking price were as cushy as the creative design.

At $625.00, one cannot really expect to have the funds required to scoop up Louboutin’s saucy style; nevertheless, the aesthetic is achievable in the form of Spiegel’s Chain Wedge Sandal.

Though lacking the scrummy red velvet cupcake colored sole of the Macarena Wedges, and serving up a slight differentiation in terms of straps; at $64.00 a pair, Spiegel’s Chain Wedge Sandal is just as stunning as Louboutin’s seductresses, and at a price that is far friendlier to the recessionista fashionista!

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


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue and Spiegel for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.10.2010

Play It Again, Sam

The Sunshine Song - The Candle Thieves
The Ghost Inside - Broken Bells
S.O.S. - Rihanna
Private Eyes - The Bird and the Bee
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
Reading in Bed - Emily Haines
Compliments - Band of Horses
Kids - MGMT
In One Ear - Cage the Elephant
Superhuman Touch - Athlete

What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to .{Miss Vintage Vixen}. for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.09.2010

What if...?

“Fairies, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the disheveled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.”

William Butler Yeats, The Land of Heart’s Desire

What if…a band of twinkling fairies kidnapped you from your bed in the middle of the night?

No sound would accompany my fairies as they make their way into my bedroom. Rather, through my half-closed eyelids I would see a dull glow lingering above me that would grow brighter. The glow, however, would not be the result of a form of light; instead, it would be made up of sparkles littering the long, colorful eyelashes of each minute pixie. As they flutter their eyelids more rapidly, large quantities of glittering, rainbow-colored sparkles would fall upon the blankets concealing my form, peeling them away from my body so that the cool night air would leave a trail of tiny goosebumps along my exposed arms. In the darkness, I would hear a single bell ring loudly, and suddenly find myself accoutered in Alice + Olivia’s Sequin Keyhole Dress.

Each of the fairies would open their mouths, mimicking a look of laughter; instead of giggles heard so often, bells would tinkle in their place, ringing over and over again and allowing me to rise higher and higher above my bed until I would hover midair and float directly out the window, and into a pink cloud which would suck me in like a vortex and spit me out upon a grassy plain covered in flowers constructed out of colorful cotton candy. I would look up, into the face of a neverending castle; my new home – for I, as I would soon learn, was to be christened Fairy Queen.

What would happen if a band of twinkling fairies kidnapped you, my loves? What would they look like? What would they make you wear? Where would they take you? You know you want to share!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Femme Rationale for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.08.2010

Smitten Saturday

Charmed, I’m Sure… My loves, the only thing truly better than pretty accessories is pretty accessories that harbor good luck. Charms with the ability to protect one from evil, and give the wearer a sprinkling of supernatural powers that put one in complete control. No, we are not talking about the inhumane rabbit’s foot so often seen dangling from the sterling silver keys kept in one’s pocket; nor are we discussing the clichéd horseshoe or four-leaf clover pendants. Rather, the accessories in question are the glittering amulets and talismans crafted by A Peace Treaty, as part of their Sunari Collection.

Mimicking the aesthetics of ambrosial jewelry found littering the tables of outdoor bazaars found in the Middle East; each A Peace Treaty pretty contributes a touch of ethnicity to one’s look du jour making it a cinch to embrace this season’s tribal trend. I myself am swooning over ACHIN, TALOGAN, NAHRIN, and KONDUZ – all of which retain a sense of out of this world elegance in their designs. Which A Peace Treaty trinket is calling out to you, kittens?

Bite Me! You are all already quite well-versed in my devotion to cupcakes that are just as cute as they are scrummy; thus, I will not bore you with the back story of my adoration for what I like to refer to as cutecakes. I don’t, however, have any qualms about introducing you to the new object of my foodie affection…Baked By Melissa.

Darlings I know I’m not the only one who is ready to try something new once I have savored the flavor of an item that is downright yummy after a singular bite. It is not that I am one who wastes considerable amounts of food; rather, I merely like to enjoy as many variations as humanly possible. And in the world of cupcakes, the flavors are endless leaving one unable to select just one to indulge in; Baked By Melissa is the answer to such dessert-inspired woes. No longer must one choose between Cinnamon or Red Velvet. Baked By Melissa serves up bite-sized cupcakes in nine yummy flavors – S’Mores, Tie-Dye, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon, Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Cup, and Peanut Butter & Jelly – giving you the ability to forgo choosing one over another, and simply allowing one to try all nine. I’m curious to know, my love…what’s your favorite cupcake flavor?

When Did I Buy That? Kitty cats, though I try more than you can imagine to monitor my spending, and keep track of each and every item I buy – from miniscule packs of gum to the Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Ankle Wrap Wedge Sandals that topped my need-it-want-it-gotta-have-it list for months; there are still times when I find myself gazing into my closet and asking…When did I buy that? It is moments like this that make me wish I had taken a cue from Kate Bingaman-Burt, and simply doodled minute pictures of every single purchase I made over the years, then published them within a book like Kate’s gem Obsessive Consumption: What Did you Buy Today?

Chockfull of colorful scrawls depicting everything from Coke cans to quench thirst and fans to keep cool; to issues of Teen Vogue for expanding one’s fashion knowledge and ambrosial black owl earrings essential to any girl’s jewelry collection, Obsessive Consumption follows Kate’s purchases over a period of three years, effortlessly displaying just how much we are buying – oftentimes without even realizing it – in a playful volume that doubles as an easy breezy beach read or clever coffee table book! Tell me dolls…what did you buy today?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to The Pink Boudoir and A Peace Treaty for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway for your chance to win a pair of Bowtie Earrings from Petit Rococo.

Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.07.2010

Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway

Darlings, it is quite simple to proffer elegance, sophistication, or even cosmopolitanism in one’s look or design du jour. Creating whimsy, on the other hand, can be a challenge; though it is obviously anything but for Madeleine “Maddie” Maciag of Petit Rococo. Each one of her delicate designs caters to romantic whimsy which transports you to a faraway land full of beauty, chatty kitty cats, and sweet-smelling flowers that fall daintily from trees. They are accessories that do not just accouter your form; but allow your mind to wander, as well. And now one (1) of you lucky ladies has the chance to take home one of Maddie’s charming creations.

Café Fashionista has teamed up with Petit Rococo to bring one (1) of you fashionable femme fatales an enchanting pair of Bowtie Earrings (in the color of your choice) capable of casting a spell on you upon sight!

To Enter the Pretty Maids All in a Bow Giveaway:

Visit Petit Rococo and choose your favorite piece.

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, May 21, 2010 at midnight PST stating which Petit Rococo piece is your favorite and why.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating which Petit Rococo piece is your favorite and why between now and Friday, May 21, 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 stating which Petit Rococo piece is your favorite and why between now and Friday, May 21, 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 22, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

And yes, this Giveaway is open to everyone – U.S. or International residents!

Winner will be able to choose the color they desire – Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Clear, Purple, or Peridot.



Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Petit Rococo for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.06.2010

Thrifty Thursday: AIKO Maripol Drop Back Top for Less

Kitty cats, there is a little-known secret about seductive style that far too many overlook when trying to channel their inner coquettish cutie. One need not display large quantities of daring décolletage; nor must you wear minis that make the world marvel at your legs that go on for days. The true hush-hush in regards to haute-couture is all found within two places…the shoulders and the back.

Darlings, you may feel undeniably scandalous and saucy in barely-there bottoms or tops that offer very little coverage; but the truth of the matter is that the epitome of flirty fashion is that which provides quite a bit more material, choosing to flash a little skin in unexpected places and ways. Case in point, AIKO’s Maripol Drop Back Top.

Like the eighties hairdo itself; the Maripol Drop Back Top is synonymous with the mullet – business in the front, party in the back. When viewed head-on, one may easily mistake the wearer as being accoutered in a standard, oversized French terry sweatshirt. Unglamorous, casual, and extremely low-key. Turn around and saunter out of sight, however, and your many admirers will be treated to a glimpse of your well-toned back, courtesy of the cowl embellishment which dips low, highlighting your athletic physique.

There’s no question about it, my loves; such a style is a come-hither necessity that will forever make you feel like a goddess regardless of any frumpy, unfabulous days that may come your way. Sadly, the $165.00 price tag is just as uncharming and unacceptable as sweatpants worn to a chic, black-tie soiree. No need to fret, however; for one can always rely on Victoria’s Secret.

While constructed out of cotton modal as opposed to French terry; Victoria’s Secret’s Cotton Modal U-Back Tee is a satisfyingly slinky substitution to AIKO’s ambrosial design. And at just $22.50, you don’t have to feel guilty for splurging on all nine colors – white, heather gray, purple crocus, candy pink, scarlet red, tango mango, beach blue, coffee bean, and black!

So mes chéris, what are you up to today? Will your AmEx take a beating with a splurge, or will you stay safe and thrifty with a frugal buy?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Shopbop and Victoria’s Secret for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.05.2010

Why Don't You...?

…order a dozen balloons in a variety of pretty colors and carry them wherever you go? As Winnie the Pooh once said, “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”

…play tomboy for a day and build a treehouse? Better yet, slip on a pair of playful Prps Suspender Denim Shorts, find a boy who is willing to do the legwork, and simply stand about and look cute as he constructs your little hideaway in the trees.

…make doing mundane household chores a celebration by singing as loud as you possibly can?

…throw a theme party every single day of the week? Style yourself in Splendid’s Vintage Whisper Racer Back Tank for Monday’s Pink Party; don Young Fabulous & Broke’s Faux Fur Vest for Tuesday’s Almost Famous Party; tease your hair 80s style for Wednesday’s Hair Party; whip out your Oliver Peoples Marbella Sunnies for Thursday’s Fun in the Sun Party; and unleash your seductive, feline-inspired feminine mystique during Friday’s Animal Kingdom Party. The key word here is theme, darlings; therefore, be something (or rather, someone) completely out of the ordinary!

…spend the afternoon collecting shimmering seashells at the shore and fashion them into beautiful baubles for your besties?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to the robins for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.04.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Elizabeth and James Cotton T-Shirt Dress for Less

Darlings, canines may be said to be a man’s best friend; but for the glamorous gal, it is not a four-legged pup frolicking through a field of just-bloomed yellow daisies that doubles as our BFF. Rather, the adorable pooch is trotting by our side, a close confidante as we whisper scandalous tales of heartache into his or her ear; whilst the basic tee-shirt is representative of our bestie. Given the fact that so is the case, it should come as absolutely no surprise that the basic t-shirt dress is every bit as desirable and needed within one’s wardrobe. And there is no more flattering or versatile piece as Elizabeth and James’ Cotton T-Shirt Dress.

Proffering the very same sinewy goodness synonymous with the typical tee; the Cotton T-Shirt Dress is constructed out of 100% cotton, and harbors shoulder pads to give you that strong-shouldered look so common on the runway. Yet it is the sleeves – which reach almost to elbow-length – the chest pocket, and the round neck which truly give the style that kick of cool, simple, chic, sophisticated, casual oomph!

Kittens, whether you realize it now or not, such a design is utterly essential for one to weather the sultry summer that is so fast approaching for it provides one with the easy, breezy, effortless design required for briskly bouncing along the boardwalk in Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent’s Tilla Flat Thong Sandals with Woven Cuff, a fun Eugenia Kim Erika Sunhat atop your head; yet retains the ability to turn elegant simply by pairing it with Report Signature Shoes’ Lorraine Cork Wedge Sandals and cinching a belt around the waist.

But I digress; multifaceted in its aesthetic or not, the $245.00 price tag is not nearly as basic as the design itself. Luckily…American Apparel to the rescue!

While lacking the padded shoulders of the Elizabeth and James pretty; for a mere $30.00 apiece, American Apparel’s Fine Jersey Short Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt Dress is just as covetable as it’s designer counterpart. And as an added bonus, it comes in six sassy colors – red, white, black, ash grey apricot, navy, and ash grey sea foam – making it simple to scoop up one in each hue to take you from the beginning of warm weather season to the very end!

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


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Net-A-Porter and American Apparel for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.03.2010

Play It Again, Sam

Teenage Girl - The Darlings
Where Is My Mind? - The Pixies
Tighten Up - The Black Keys
Your Cover’s Blown - Belle & Sebastian
Go Outside - Cults
We Were Wolves - Frame the City
Big Escape - Pearly Gate Music
The Betrayer - Kaki King
Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
Young Love (Shoes Remix) - Mystery Jets

What song has left you with the urge to say Play It Again, Sam this week, my loves?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Cupcakes of Silk for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.02.2010

What if...?

“Money isn’t everything. It’s just most everything.”
Nica Clark

My residence would no longer be on the West Coast; rather, I would dwell within a historic three-story brownstone in Park Slope. From external appearances, my humble abode would resemble the other buildings on the block; but upon entry, you would be welcomed into a world of pink.

Pink side tables and plush chaise longues trimmed in gold would complement the pristine white walls. The hardwood floors would receive a fresh sprinkling of pink glitter each morning to make the place sparkle; and tiers of fresh-baked cupcakes would sit atop sterling silver trays littered throughout the large space. From the ceilings would hang long necklaces, each one acting as a miniature chandelier; and each room would harbor a life-size bubblegum machine, complete with twinkling lights. But no sweets would be found within these contraptions; rather, in their place would be brightly colored Rachel Leigh Gumball Rings. All one need do is insert a mere twenty-five cents and out would pop a blissful, bubblegum-inspired bauble to sit pretty on your pointer finger! But the true piece de resistance would be the room dedicated to Luella. On their way out, all visitors would be welcome to select a pair of Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Luella Zip Wedge Sandals to take home with them for keeps. After all, every girl deserves a little Luella in their life.

Darlings, if money weren’t an object, how would your life be different? What would you buy? Where would you live? What would you do? Come on kitty cats; I’m dying to know!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Death Wears Diamond Jewellery for the picture.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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5.01.2010

Guest Post: Garage Sales Are the New Bloomingdale's

Darlings, as you probably all know by now, the blogosphere is full of amazing people whose daily posts make each day bright and sparkly. Melissa Blake of So about what I said… is one of those very individuals. Alongside my coffee every morning is not a slice of buttered toast, nor a bowl of cold cereal; rather, it is Melissa – or, more specifically, her witty slices of wisdom. Thus, I was thrilled when we decided to guest post for one another.

This past Monday my piece entitled The Bag vs. The Boy appeared on So about what I said…; and today, Melissa’s words appear right here in the form of Garage Sales Are the New Bloomingdale’s - the absolute perfect way to kick off the month of May, and garage sale season. Enjoy kitty cats!


The brightly colored signs have been placed on street corners all over town, with arrows pointing to that special house down the street. People have scoured and streamlined their garages, turning their driveways into storefront windows, ready to turn a profit on their once-treasured possessions. Even kids get in on the action, sometimes setting up cute little lemonade stands out front to offer passersby a refreshing drink.

On a sunny afternoon walk recently, I saw these signs sprouting up all over the place. One thing was clear: Those neon signs were meant to make a statement. And a bold one, at that.

Welcome to Garage Sale Season.

One gander online, and it didn’t take me long to get an inside peek into the world of garage and yard sales. This is no longer a “let’s-throw-a-garage-sale-on-a-whim” sort of thing like it used to be in the olden days. People have now made this into a sort of cutthroat business. Hard-core sellers even devote Web sites and blogs to logging what they’re selling and how much they’ve made.

But then it hit me: In these tough, cutthroat economic times, it makes perfectly good sense. Sort of brilliant, actually. Garage sales (and let’s not forget one of my favorite shopping hot spots, The Salvation Army – site of my 15-polo-shirts impulse buy last May) are the new Saks and Bloomingdale’s. And seeing that the dawning of Garage Sale Season is only beginning, I can’t help but wonder: These times may be tough, but does that mean we still can’t be the epitome of a stylish recessionista fashionista, especially with the help of our neighborly garage sales?

I’ve long been a fan of the classic garage sale. Thanks to my mother, it’s always been one of my favorite outdoor adventures. I imagine it’s much like those sprawling New York City flea markets, only on a smaller scale and with the trademark Midwestern charm. For years, my mother and I spent a lovely sunny day strolling all through area neighborhoods. We just took our time (one advantage of garage sales: No heavy crowds to battle like those big-city flea markets or one of those gigantic warehouse stores), walking around and browsing each table in every garage. My mother, of course, took her time and was usually distracted by all the books and CDs – the CDs usually being of the Broadway songs or Christmas songs variety.

“What about this one?” she’d ask, handing me a gem of a CD for 25 cents.

“That looks good,” I replied.

I couldn’t help but notice how cute, bouncy and happy she looked, her smile growing brighter with each new find. We’d eventually comb the entire neighborhood, usually having to stop and rest at one of those lemonade stands (Those kids, I’ll say, were very business savvy), and walk home with at least one new book (usually a medical book to add to my mother’s collection) and a few CDs (again, usually one of Christmas tunes to add to my mother’s collection). Last year, I even scored the most beautiful shot glass. For free. I think of the lovely lady who gave it to me every time I do shots of apple juice to drown out my economic woes.

That’s the beauty of garage sales. They’re like a huge block party, reminiscent of something you would have seen in 1950’s suburban America. Not only that, but you can find anything your little heart desires. Literally. Garage sales are huge ebay auctions, only in real-time and with better prices. Out-of-print. Out-of-stock. Out-of-style – if you search enough garage sales, I guarantee that you’ll find what you’re looking for. Somewhere in someone’s garage. Beanie babies. Barbie’s and action figures from the 1980s. Classic Danielle Steele novels. And who could ever forget that childhood favorite – the Etch-a-Sketch.

It’s all ripe for the taking.

Besides, even if you’re not in the buying mood (and if you’re not, I suggest you seek medical attention immediately; my mother could very well have a book that could help you), it’s worth garage sale-ing (and yes, I just coined that verb myself) for the sheer excitement of the experience. It gets you outside, interacting with people, getting to know your neighbors (and what their wares say about them).

And you never know, you might just find that elusive shot glass to complete your collection. Finally. Maybe you’ll even get it for free, too.

Remember, what’s one man’s (or woman’s) trash is indeed another man (or woman’s) treasure. Get out there and find those treasures today. And while you’re at it, buy a glass of lemonade from those cute kids too.


Thank you to Melissa for this post. Happy, Happy Saturday Shopping, my loves!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to We ♥ It for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Giveaway for your chance to win an automatic watch from Orient Watch USA.
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4.30.2010

Hickory Dickory Dock Automatic Watch Giveaway

Dolls, I find it just as tempting as the rest of you to simply cast my watch out the window the moment school lets out for summer break. After all, who wants a constant reminder of the seconds ticking away, counting down the days until we will once again find ourselves prisoners of those loathsome hallowed halls, when we are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying our freedom from homework and responsibility? Not I! Nevertheless, a tantalizing timepiece in the form of mechanical watches will forever be a complete necessity for the glamorous girl on the go. And now one (1) of you will be taking your very own home!

That’s right, my loves; Café Fashionista has, once again, teamed up with Orient Watch USA to bring one (1) of you glamazons an ambrosial new accessory that will make your heart skip a beat. I’m smitten with the Orient CFT00004B myself; but today it’s the beauty to your left that you should be feasting your eyes on – for he will be on his way to one (1) of you in just two weeks time!

To Enter the Hickory Dickory Dock Automatic Watch Giveaway:

Visit Orient Watch and choose your favorite piece.

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, May 14, 2010 at midnight PST stating which Orient Watch is your favorite and why.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating which Orient Watch is your favorite and why between now and Friday, May 14, 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 stating which Orient Watch is your favorite and why between now and Friday, May 14, 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 15, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents!


Fashionably yours!


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.
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Get the 411 on Cafe Fashionista!

Ever wonder what Cafe Fashionista's go-to outfit is? Curious to know whether Cafe Fashionista is addicted to bags, shoes, or a bit of both? Itching to learn what the number one item on Cafe Fashionista's wish list currently is? The wonderfully artistic and far too fabulous for words Sara B. Bentley recently "sat down" to discuss all things style with yours truly. To get the 411 on Cafe Fashionista check out Sara's post Let's talk with...Erika Sorocco.


Fashionably yours!
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4.29.2010

Thrifty Thursday: Alexander Wang 'Goddess' Jersey Dress for Less

Darlings, while it may not be etched in stone, it is an unwritten rule of sorts that every girl is entitled to feel like a goddess. She may not find herself stretched out languorously along a gilded chaise longue being fed grapes one by one by cute boys whom cater to her every desire; nor may she be the wearer of a Roman Head Wreath woven of freshly-grown foliage a la Cleopatra, but there is no question about it…goddess is as goddess does. And you, my loves, are all goddesses…just ask Alexander Wang. Or rather, merely feast your eyes upon his ‘Goddess’ Jersey Dress.

Many may try and fail to create an aesthetic which embodies the true beauty of a goddess – from elegant draping to ravishing ruching, and rich hues to clever cuts – but Alexander Wang, as I’m sure you were all aware, succeeds in every manner of the word; bringing a fabulous frock to the forefront which highlights Grecian inspirations of yesteryear juxtaposed with modern midtown decadence – a coupling that is both cosmopolitan and urbane in the very same breath.

The epitome of asymmetric allure; the ‘Goddess’ Jersey Dress is festooned with folds of plum-colored smooth knit that swoop, droop, drape, and flutter in a fashion that follows the movements of your body so that one never knows what shape will be haphazardly created courtesy of your very next step; a charismatic characteristic that forever keeps your many adoring admirers guessing.

But I digress; while undoubtedly fabulous in terms of design, the asking price of $590.00 truly leaves much to be desired – even if you do have the bank account of the Hilton Sisters. Luckily, Victoria has a little Secret she’d like to share with all of us via the One-Shoulder Dress.

Yes kittens, you’ve presumed correctly…the One-Shoulder Dress from Victoria’s Secret lacks the plum hue of its runway-ready predecessor; but at $98.00 apiece, you can scoop it up in both colors – jazzberry and black – and still have enough left over for a stunning pair of strappy sandals!

What’s the verdict, lovelies…will you be thrifty or spend, spend, spend?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Nordstrom and Victoria’s Secret for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.28.2010

Why Don't You...?

…put on your Juicy Couture Felicity Floral One Piece and have a water balloon fight? Don’t forget, kitty cats, your prime target is the cute boy next door!

…bid adieu to the kitchen table and retreat back to your private chambers for breakfast in bed? Simple cereal is so much more scrummy when it’s devoured under piles of cozy covers!

…accouter yourself in BB Dakota’s Hadley Romper and let yourself go wild in a toy store? Make funny faces at the flaxen-haired dolls; cuddle with adorable stuffed animals; ride bikes through the aisles. Today you are not just a kid at heart, darlings; you’re a kid in spirit and action, as well!

…enlist the assistance of a cute boy to give you piggyback rides anywhere and everywhere?

… make like Alice in Wonderland and fall down the rabbit hole? Figuratively speaking, that is. Slip into Haute Hippie’s frilly Ruffle Long Dress, entwine freshly-picked flowers through your luxurious locks, and spend the afternoon racing barefoot through hedge mazes and gardens!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to despising life is so passe for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.27.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Proenza Schouler Large Leather PS1 for Pennies

Kitty cats it is not everyday that one falls in love with a handbag in such a way that they contemplate dipping into their life savings and tossing it directly in the face of the shopkeeper in order to claim perfection as their very own; nevertheless, it is an occurrence that does happen every once in awhile during the course of an individual’s lifetime, leading the consumer in question to cast all cares to the wayside and splurge, splurge, splurge!

In past times, such an honor fell upon Balenciaga’s Giant City and Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Stam Satchel; now, the object being swooned over has fallen upon the shoulders of the bewitching Large Leather PS1 from Proenza Schouler.

Darlings if there is any doubt in your mind regarding the necessity of a wondrously weatherbeaten messenger bag slash satchel to one’s wardrobe please shut it out immediately! The truth of the matter, I’ll have you know, is that a cross body bag is an item which no supposed fashionista should be without. It retains the ability to allow for free hands during spur of the moment shopping sprees; whilst adding a splash of casual finesse to the haut monde ensemble we both know you are currently accoutered in. All of which can be observed with one half-second glance in the direction of the Large Leather PS1.

Half inspired by the uniform-wearing Prep School students nonchalantly strolling along Park Avenue, ties undone and hair mesmerizingly mussed; half influenced by the saddle bags carried by experienced equestrians, the Large Leather PS1 combines two worlds into one charming carryall, allowing the user to look unfussy yet fabulous. If only the pricetag were as magnificent as the alluring aesthetic.

Obviously there is no doubt that Proenza Schouler’s pretty is jaw-droppingly beautiful; but at $1,995.00, it is also fairly unattainable for the frugal fashionista. ASOS’ Leather Twist Lock Satchel, on the other hand, is more wallet-friendly.

While slightly darker in color than its more expensive pal; for $109.91, the ASOS piece is a classy compromise with the power to breathe a little elegance into any girl’s handbag collection!

Tell me, kittens…will you be a big spender and go for Proenza Schouler, or be thrifty and spring for ASOS?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Barneys and ASOS for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.26.2010

Play It Again, Sam

Several Arrows Later - Matt Pond PA
Sway - The Kooks
Animal - Miike Snow
There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
Back at Your Door - Maroon 5
Sleepyhead - Passion Pit
Bulletproof - La Roux
Up Up & Away - Kid Cudi
You’re So Vain - Carly Simon
I Will Be Grateful for This Day - Bright Eyes

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 Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.25.2010

What if...?

“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.”
Jeremy Irons

What if…you had access to a machine that allowed you to go backwards or forwards in time?

The clock would instantly turn back to August 15, 1969 for me; the day that Sweetwater took center stage in Bethel, New York, kicking off the three-day event that will forever be remembered as the Woodstock Festival. Atop my flowing, bedraggled locks would sit Bop Basics’ Raffia Braid Sunhat, keeping my tresses under control as I tilt my face towards the sky, soaking up the sunlight and sounds of Janis Joplin with The Kozmic Blues Band. Gone would be the dark wash skinny jeans so commonplace in today’s society, instead my lower half would be accoutered in GOLDSIGN’s Desire Relaxed Flare Jeans as I sway my hips to the hypnotic rhythm of Santana. My Of Two Minds Gauze Long Sleeve Top would ethereally billow out around my petite frame as The Who launch into Tommy; while knotted around my wrist, visible as I toss my arms in the air to lose myself to the strains of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar, sits Shashi’s minute Petit Golden Nugget Adjustable Bracelet. As the stars twinkle in the inky midnight sky, fellow revelers lie back upon Navajo-printed blankets littering the well-trodden grass; bringing another day of music to a close, and dreaming of what the next will hold.

Where would your time machine take you, my loves? Would you choose to relive history, or go back to the future to experience something brand new? Would you wear modern clothes, pieces from the past, or something never before seen? Don’t be shy, kitty cats…dish!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Iva Messy for the picture.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.24.2010

Beauty and the Feet

"A pair of shoes can change your life. Just ask Cinderella."
Unknown

Dolls it is common knowledge that many of us, if not all, were raised upon a steady stream of fairytales. We were barraged with Once Upon A Times before we could even talk; force-fed Happily Ever Afters the moment we started toddling about the house garbed only in bulky diapers; and by the time we were old enough to play dress-up we had already been completely overwhelmed with the notion of being swept away by a Handsome Prince trotting along on a winter white Stallion.

It was not until adolescence, when we began navigating the playing field for ourselves, that we were coerced into coming to the realization that, like the perfect pair of shoes, the Handsome Prince was not so easily attainable. Nevertheless, for the fashion-forward fair maiden, giving up is not an option!

Like the princess on a quest for a paradisiacal pair of pumps, who must spend hours upon hours searching for sublimity; the damsel in distress must succumb to kissing loads of frogs before she is finally swept off her feet by Prince Charming. It is a commonality which goes to show that shopping for shoes and love is a daunting duo which works hand in hand with one another. Therefore, to accomplish full satisfaction in both departments, you must first fulfill the requirements for one, and the other will fall fashionably into place.

Darlings you’ve already unearthed a promising boy; now it’s time to find a favorable form of footwear to take your impending date from blasé to blissful, and ensure a second!

Destiny Wears Combat Boots Kitty cats, before you undertake the task of shopping for a shoe that wows your Boy Wonder, it is of the utmost importance that you at least learn what activity your date will entail so as to ensure that you select a pair that is par for the course.

Now, unlike we of the fairer, genteel gender, who contemplate and plan for weeks upon weeks before an expected event; boys fly by the seat of their pants. Many are indecisive to an almost obnoxious point, waiting until the day-of to determine how they will be wining and dining you. For this reason alone, nailing down your plans may be synonymous with prying teeth; but for the sake of your sanity and fashionable finesse, do find out ahead of time. After all, you most certainly do not want to find yourself the wearer of stilettos when you should have been styled in combat boots!

It’s All About Me Sue Grafton once said, If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them. Nothing could be more true. Men are quite capable of admitting that they adore the way one’s hips sway and swivel when they’re accoutered in high heels; yet many, if not all, are unaware of the skill, and strength such shoes require of the wearer – not to mention the pain that we endure after long hours of having our tantalizing tootsies stuffed into such a style! Thus, only wear high heels if it’s what YOU want to do.

While shoes have the ability to create confidence, they are not the sole telltale factor in whether or not you will be overwhelmed by such a feeling. Confidence radiates from within, only being boosted ever so slightly by the inclusion of heels. Remember, my loves, there may be two of you on this particular date, but when selecting your shoe du jour, it’s all about you!

A Compromise for Comfort Let’s be honest here kittens, Alice in Wonderland pulled off her tumble down the rabbit hole with complete adorableness; and though we may say that, should we trip and fall, or merely stumble, in front of a cute boy, we have enough courage to shake it off and be on our merry way…once it actually happens to us, however, that fearlessness goes straight out the window!

Don’t deny it, first dates are nerve-wracking events. Though we may be loathe to admit it to ourselves or anyone else, we are plagued with jitters that leave us unsteady in our minds and on our feet; therefore, it is essential to take such notions into consideration to achieve complete success.

You may feel blissfully comfortable strutting around in your Rock & Republic Alayna Chain Pumps when shopping with the girls, but when out with a potential mate, an individual whom you are trying to make a lasting impression upon, you may find yourself tripping up, and overcome with embarrassment. Compromise your typical style by allocating the use of wedges or chunky heels in place of stilettos (designs that will not make you forsake height!) to guarantee both peace of mind, and complete comfort!

Walk the Talk First dates are a prime time for individuals to rest on their laurels, and rely upon small talk, or menial observances to break the ice between both parties; thus, accomplish two things at once by selecting a style that doubles as a conversation starter.

Darlings, it’s a known fact that boys are oblivious to a handful of things – specifically the not-so-subtle hints we drop for them quite frequently much to no avail; but trust me when I say that even the most bewildered of boys is incapable of not noticing the influx of fringe adorning Joie’s Rock Steady Fringe Suede Booties, or the slightly ostentatious crystals speckling Ash’s Cult Studded Motorcycle Boots.

Just think of it this way, lovers…the boy may not stick around, but your fabulous choice of footwear chosen specifically for the occasion will forever stick by your side – or, rather, on your feet! Like Carrie Bradshaw once said, The fact is, sometimes it’s really hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.

Happy dating and shopping, darlings!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Candyfloss & Persie and We ♥ It for the pictures.


Note: I originally wrote this post for one of my favorite blogs, The Embellished Life, on March 22, 2010; but I loved writing it so much, that I thought I would share it with all of you here, just in case you missed it!


Don't forget to enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway for your chance to win a Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

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.
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4.23.2010

The Little White Skirt Giveaway

Darlings, despite my complete and utter adoration for flirty frocks, I have always felt that a simple skirt is far more versatile and essential to a girl’s wardrobe than a dress. Unlike the glamorous gowns that so many of us have lurking in our closets; the saucy skirt is far more multifaceted in its aesthetic, given the fact that it can change from casual to chic with the simple switch of a blouse. It is this delightful diversity alone that has forever made me adore skirts – especially those in a pristine white hue. Now one (1) of you beautiful bunnies has the chance to take one of your very own home.

No beating around the bush required; all you need is the specifics, and that, my loves, is the fact that…Café Fashionista has teamed up with TheWhiteDressShop.com to bring one (1) of you fabulous femme fatales the Rachel Pally Triangle Pocket Skirt. A stunning number that meets the two prerequisites of sassy summer style: pockets flanking each side for an easy place to stick the phone numbers of cute boys you meet on the boardwalk, and a light and airy hue that will make your golden tan glow even brighter than you ever could have imagined.

To Enter The Little White Skirt Giveaway:

Follow TheWhiteDressShop.com via RSS or Blogger and on Twitter @whitedressshop.

For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Thursday, April 29, 2010 at midnight PST stating that you follow TheWhiteDressShop.com via RSS or Blogger and on Twitter @whitedressshop.

For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating that you follow TheWhiteDressShop.com via RSS or Blogger and on Twitter @whitedressshop between now and Thursday, April 29, 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, and leave a comment on this post stating that you follow TheWhiteDressShop.com via RSS or Blogger and on Twitter @whitedressshop between now and Thursday, March 18, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

Please leave individual comments for each entry.

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Friday, April 30, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents! Winner will be able to choose their skirt size.


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to TheWhiteDressShop.com 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.
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