Liz Azul :: Blog

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/19/stylish-winter-boots

What?s on top of your to-do list right now, besides starve to get ready for a lot of turkey, stuffing and gravy next week? Investing in a pair of hardcore winter boots, of course. Why? Because unless you live in the tropics, winter is on its way here, and there?s nothing worse than getting stuck blocks away from your car, miles away from your home, or hours away from your favorite shopping destination when it?s snowing and you don?t have the proper footwear. But the question really is: how do you reconcile safety and warmth with fashion and style? Throw away grandma?s gardening boots, ladies. Here?s a taste of some wintery treats:

The Furs: While I recommend not pairing these with a fur jacket, fur hat and fur gloves, I do think they stand alone as a mighty cute pair of foot attire. They will definitely keep you warm and toasty, and the sturdy treds will make it easy to get a grip on some icy mornings.

                                                                        Sorel Ahnah Winter Boots: $75.95

Ugg Fans Delight! If you?re a true Ugg fan, than these Moon Boots turned winter shoes are for you.

                                                            Gray Down Fur Line Winter Flat Boots: $18.99

Glamorous Entrances: These boots downplay the fur aspect, and give you a nice fashionable boost with a wedge heel. They won?t be the best for icy conditions, but maybe even better in the snow?? Can?t hurt to be lifted off the ground a couple of inches, though it will be harder to run around during a snowball fight.

                                                American Eagle Opal Beaded Wedge Boot: $49.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Ugg boots.

                                        Discount on fur boots.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/18/versatile-dress-deal

This is a cute and simple black dress.  It’s supposed to be a summer dress, but with this odd weather, I think fashion wise we’ve needed to make exceptions so we don’t sweat while walking to work from the parking lot.  You can dress it down and wear flats and a cardigan, or shnaz it up with some pumps (or even boots) and bold earrings for a night on the town.

Michael Kors Black Sleeveless Dress: $75.50 (Was: $94.00)

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more sleeveless dresses.

                                       Discounts on Michael Kors dresses.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/18/truly-madly-vintage/

I have always loved all things vintage. I have spent blissful hours hunting through rails of vintage items for that special item. One of my favourite finds is a burgundy Austin Powers style 60’s jacket, covered in a wild and happening paisley design. It has a glamourous fluffy colour which I adore, I match it up with my black heeled boots and off I go - trotting down the street, with a funky James Brown tune playing in my groovy head.

Vintage is true because it is authentic style, vintage is art expressed as clothing, vintage is defiant,enduring the test of time in the world of the modern, commercial, fashion industry.

Let vintage be whatever you want it to be for you, mix eras and ideas, emulate your style icons, have fun. Even better, put together stunning outfits without a stunning price tag.

Audrey Hepburn, one of the ultimate style icons, looks amazing in sunglasses and a diamond tiara!

If you like candy, you’ll be even sweeter in this Candy Pink Silk Dress from Viva Vintage Clothing: $85

Independant handbag designer Helen Rochfort creates beautiful vintage style bags that are quickly becoming collectors items. Finished with crystals and satin linings, these bags are fabulous. Find the full range on The Style Mansion and receive a 10 percent discount off further orders!  Vintage Car Handbag: $108.33

Do the whole Lauren Bacall/Humphrey Bogart thing in these 1940’s vintage babydoll round toed shoes, $28.00 from Rocky Mountain Retro.

Don’t forget to finish off your vintage outfit with perfect pouting lips. Invest in some pretty vintage pinks and classic film star red shades! Try one of these fresh shades from Estee Lauder.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Gloss,346 Evelyn Pink: $22.50

Audrey Hepburn Photo courtesy of fanpix.net

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more pink dresses and vintage dresses.

                                        Discounts on vintage pumps and vintage handbags.

                                        Buy Estee Lauder lip gloss.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/14/this-week-in-fashion

StyleList finds fall sweaters for all shapes. 

SheZoom features up and coming fashion designer Jenny Galluzzo as she releases her new line of timeless fashion inspired by her Grandmother, Jackie O, and Mrs. Howell (a.k.a. ?Lovey?).

Shoes, stilettos, patricia field and more are featured in ?the high heel? a new short video on Girlawhirl.

SheFinds is giving away 5 copies of Cosmo’s new book, Cosmo’s Sexiest Beauty Secrets: The Ultimate Guide To Looking Gorgeous. The contest ends Tuesday, so enter today!

SeenON! wants you to shop their Holiday Gift Guide and take advantage of the daily deals.

StyleBakery hunts for chic riding boots that aren’t too tall.

Are you baffled by beauty banter? The Beauty Brains crack the code and explain what all those technical beauty terms really mean.

This week on Smarter Fashion: 

   We featured 7 clutch handbags for under $100. 

Lisa explains a new way to shop and save money - swishing!

We showed you another little black dress deal…..

…..and a deal on some hot lace up ankle boots.

    Colleen gives us some options for fashionable luggage for holiday traveling.

Lisa shows us some comfortable, yet fashionable hoodies to sport this winter.

   eBags is offering Smarter.com users an extra 20% off!

   We showed you how to get the sexy Jane Fonda’s look in Barbarella.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/14/do-the-jane-fonda-ba

Ever wonder where Duran Duran got their name? Or why your mother seems to have some odd, nostalgic obsession with conical bras and thigh high boots? It?s all due to the greatest epic failure in modern cinema, Barbarella. In the future, a blonde vixen named Barbarella ?does her thing? by strategically using her sexuality to oddly unsuccessful ends?but nevertheless, she looks hot doing it, and her costumes are absolutely to die for. Find that look: want to be a goddess of the future? Here?s a good place to start:

Metallic Dress, indicative of the future: $169.99 on sale

Thigh-High Boots:

And I know it may seem a little strange, but just give a little consideration to a blonde wig. It?s fun to play around with different hair styles without having to make the (semi) permanent commitment to a totally new hairstyle.

(And, just to make the pop culture reference complete, Duran Duran is the name of the scientist who Barbarella must save from an aircraft crash on an un-Earthly planet. Now you can be the pop culture over-achiever at the next social gathering!)

Image Source: Michaelmay.us

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more thigh high boots.

                                        Discounts on blonde wigs.

                                        Buy metallic dresses.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/14/an-extra-20-off-at-e

Here is a treat for everyone this lovely Friday morning:  eBags is offering an extra 20% off coupon for Smarter.com users.  Just click here and your coupon will be applied automatically.  You will see the “After 20% off” price on all applicable items.

Here are some items for under $150 I personally like that this coupon can be applied to:

       Elaine Turner Paige Bronze Satchel: $135.99 after coupon    

          Perlina Leather Business Brief: $124 after coupon

       Kenneth Cole Motorway Clutch: $126.40 after coupon

Now go get some holiday shopping out of the way!

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/13/boot-deal-guess-by-m

These are super cute ankle boots and they will lift us shorties up about 4 inches. They look like they are hard to walk in, but they are lace-ups which will give you some support.  I love the detail on at the toe.  Wear these with tights and a sweater dress.  You won’t spend more than the sale price plus tax for these babies because Zappos.com offers free shipping and free returns. 

Guess by Marciano Egeria: $93 (Was: $124)

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Guess shoes.

                                        Discounts on ankle boots.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/13/i-want-to-dress-comf

Well the title refers to a conversation I had with my friend and neighbour Marie McNish. It took place in her lovely contemporary kitchen that she designed herself, which looks out to her beautiful sculpted garden, full of exotic greenery and curious plants. Marie also designed the garden herself. Back to Marie’s kitchen, which has stylish artwork and sculpture adorning the walls - all sculptured and painted by herself. As I sit at Marie’s kitchen table, I pick up a pretty handmade bookmark, made with shell pink and silky black ribbon (Dolce & Gabbana’s latest colour blend) made by Marie herself. The M in Marie stands for multi talented. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you visit her online shop - MMc Designz

Yet Marie doesn’t like her sense of style, she hasn’t noticed her cute curves and petite dolly like dimensions. She likes comfortable tops that she can slip on and concentrate one of her many talents. So with Marie in mind and for all of us who don’t feel like dressing for the catwalk every day, here is a selection of cute hoodies - versatile, feminine and most importantly comfortable!

Cool Hoodie by Obey -The Thrift Queen Hoody: $72.00

Be peaceful in this beautiful Peace Dove Hoodie from Lucky Brand: $89

Work it in this Short Sleeve Terry Hoodie from Juicy Couture: $98

Look sharp in this Reef Cadety Sweatshirt: $58

Sport this funky hoodie from Billabong Hailey Hoodie, only $20.00 down from $59.50!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Obey hoodies.

                                        Discounts on Billabong hoodies.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/12/home-for-the-holiday

Returning home for the holidays can be a drag. Mom and Pop just can?t seem to accept you for who you are, and you just can?t seem to get stoked for another Thanksgiving served with sarcasm, criticism, and disrespect on the side. Or maybe, it is the moment you look forward to all year. You can?t imagine a whole year going by without sharing some quality time with the ?rents, checking in with the little bro, and visiting that swing you absolutely adored as a child, which you still can?t believe how impossibly small it looks! No matter what your holiday spirit, there?s one way to cheer yourself up: travel in style. Arrive looking your best and exactly how you want to look, not what your parents want you to look like. Be true to yourself. That way, you will be guaranteed there is one family member you won?t be estranged from at the end of the trip?yourself.

Find your Personal Style:

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Rebel is not just your middle name, it?s tattooed on the inside of your eyelids. But you don?t need any reminders: you live your life the way you want to. And you have a little bit of a dark side, too.

Motor Helmet’s Women Travel Bag: $31.99

Beastly Beauty. ?Light? as an adjective is only to be applied to yogurt and toy poodles?not to the amount of luggage you take with you on a rendez-vous with the parents. But don?t despair. These reinforced bags come with wheels! And will put no strain on your dazzling new manicure.

Liz Claiborne Signature Square Luggage: $341.97

?Suburb? by any other name would smell as sweet? Ah, back to the suburbs. (Hopefully!!!) you?ve spent the past year or so away from home and gotten a true taste of the world and not been blinded by the relative comforts of your backyard and mother?s wings. Don?t fear being an ?outsider? though. Vera Bradley is the only way to do paisley, and she?ll help you blend right in.

Vera Bradley Paisley Tote

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more Liz Clairborne luggage.

                                       Discounts on travel bags.

                                       Buy travel totes.

http://blogs.smarter.com/fashion/2008/11/11/little-black-dress-d

I found this black dress last night and was excited about the price (under $100).  It looks like starting today it’s been reduced another 18 bucks!  You know what 18 bucks can buy you these days?  A lot, actually.  If  you have an economical car, It can buy you about a half a tank of gas so you can actually go somewhere to sport your new dress. 

A.B.S. Black Matte Jersey Puff-Sleeve Dress: $89.99 on sale Now: $71.99 

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more A.B.S. dresses.

                                       Discounts on jersey dresses.