August 2009

Outfit: Adventure, Part 2

by grechen on August 28, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

outfitaugust282009

Another adventurous outfit. I’m not actually wearing this out today, it’s too hot and humid for leggings, but I think I will definitely rock this look when the weather cools off a little. I know I need a long necklace or chains to go with this outfit, but right now, I don’t have anything I think would work…

What I’m wearing: Splendid top, James Perse skirt, Splendid leggings, Repetto flats, Alexander Wang Donna Hobo

what do you think?

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On Sale: Matt Bernson at Plaza Too

by grechen on August 28, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Seriously. If you love the gladiator sandal look, and maybe you also love Matt Bernson, GET THESE SANDALS at Plaza Too. I have two pairs of Matt Bernson sandals and they are fabulous – so comfortable, and super-stylish. Mine aren’t the gladiator style, but with these, you can’t go wrong. This particular gladiator style is very classic, so you can wear them for years…

Matt Bernson: $62.99

Check out the rest of the sale section for awesome (not kidding) deals on Swedish Hasbeens, Tory Burch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bernardo & more. The Plaza Too sale ends 8/30.

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New exclusive coupon codes!

by grechen on August 28, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Some new exclusives for you…
(don’t forget to also check grechenscodes.com for new coupon codes updated several times a day)

Ruche

Use code GRECHEN for 10% off everything (no restrictions) at Ruche. If you haven’t been there yet, Ruche is a new, very cute site for vintage-inspired, and affordable fashion; some is even eco-friendly (organic cotton). My favorite pieces are the cardigans (I can’t help it!!):

Bookworm Cardi: $42.99

Kiev Cardi: $59.99

Laydee Boutique

Use code “Grechen” for 15% off at Ladyee Boutique – a new site for “ladylike” dresses, blouses & more. Laydee has a nice selection of Black Halo dresses, Gypsy05 maxi dresses, Linq tops & more.

Black Halo: $270

Akira Chicago

We’ve had a coupon from Akira Chicago for a while now, but lucky for you, they bumped it up to 20% off!! (use code GRECHEN20 for 20% off regularly-priced items). Akira is really great for finding affordable on trend items from the AKIRA Chicago private label, and mixing them with well-known denim & shoe designers.

Sequin Vest: $36

Plaid Top: $26

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The Great and Powerful Customer

by grechen on August 27, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what some brands/designers are doing lately to not only spotlight their customers but also harness their marketing power. First, Hayden-Harnett did it with their IRL newsletter series, Belen Echandia started a new way in which customers can upload their own photos, and now, Hayden Harnett launches a whole section on their site devoted to the love of Hayden-Harnett. And look! there I am!!!

How powerful is this? As I mentioned in my previous post on Hayden-Harnett’s IRL series, seeing the dress on a person who is not a model is what took me from liking the dress to NEEDING to have it. And when you’re considering buying anything, handbags especially, seeing it on a person, in real-life situations can be a significant deciding factor. So again, bravo to Hayden-Harnett & Belen Echandia for having the vision to truly appreciate how powerful your customers are.

What do you think? Does seeing something “in real life” help you make a purchasing decision?

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Outfit: Calves

August 27, 2009

So, I’m trying to be “adventurous” with my style (yes, this is me being adventurous) and wear something I absolutely would NEVER normally wear, but that I LOVE and think looks SO cute on other women: a skirt with low-tops. When I wear it, all I see are my extra-large calves. But whatever, I have [...]

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For me, For you: Putting my money where my mouth is

August 25, 2009

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post and in the subsequent comments, I’m trying to strike a balance between purchasing more independent design & my favorite standbys. It just so happened that last night was the etsy shop restock of a designer I’ve been stalking following since her last store update: For Me, For You by [...]

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I want to build my wardrobe around these shoes

August 25, 2009

Holy shoes! I never would have found these myself (I don’t spend a lot of time browsing the Coach website), so I’m eternally grateful to Mary Jo at Trust your Style for posting about these today: I have a thing for mary janes (although I don’t own any, well, I do own one pair of [...]

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Outfit: The I-need-one-of-these-in-every-color-cardigan

August 24, 2009

I don’t know why I didn’t get one of these Splendid jersey wrap cardigans (20% off at revolve with code INSTYLE09 through 8/31) before…I finally did it last week in the same Revolve order with the Splendid side tails top, and wore it all weekend. I am really loving this cardigan right now, because it’s [...]

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Why I support Independent Designers

August 24, 2009

I’ve been meaning for weeks to put together a rebuttal to the Style Coalition’s video “Don’t Shop” but haven’t been able to come up with words sufficient enough to make my feelings and ideas clear. As I read Anabela’s observations today on fieldguided, I was reminded of the main message I wanted to get across, [...]

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Personal Style

August 21, 2009

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about personal style, my own specifically. That might be what spawned my recent post/poll about dressing your age, and it is definitely the reason for my not posting so many outfits-of-the-day recently. I’ve been struggling for quite some time with outfit boredom, and general disappointment. Disappointment that I don’t [...]

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Outfit: Splendid top with Tails!

August 21, 2009

After seeing this Splendid top at Shopbop earlier this week, then at Revolve (for 20% off using code INSTYLE09 – but it seems to be sold out now!!), I caved and bought it, because I’ve been kind of obsessed with the tank top version since I saw it on a woman at whole foods earlier [...]

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The Akira Chicago Clearance Event is ON

August 20, 2009

Akira Chicago is a relatively new discovery for me, but I already love the shops mix of well-known denim and shoe designers with their own hip & affordable private label. And as if most of the pieces aren’t already really well-priced, they’re currently having their clearance sale, where tons of items are marked down. Here [...]

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How old are you? Do you dress your age?

August 19, 2009

I’m just curious…I don’t really even know what “dressing your age” means. I guess according to certain magazines, you shouldn’t wear neon if you’re over 35, or maybe do a trend again if you were around the first time…but all I’ve ever thought about when I get dressed, or think about buying something is “is [...]

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Outfit: James Perse + Park Vogel

August 18, 2009

The fiance and I went out to our favorite vegan restaurant for lunch today, so I had to get dressed LOL. I also realized that since I got my organic cotton Park Vogel bra camis I hadn’t reviewed them, or modeled them at all…so here’s a pic! I basically live in one of three of [...]

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On Sale: James Jeans at Rue La La (only, now, they’re gone)

August 18, 2009

I am not a big fan of sample sale sites – I don’t really endorse them because I don’t use them. Most of the time if I find something on one I’d actually like to buy (the prices are usually REALLY good), the item is being held in someone else’s cart and I have to [...]