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Vanity is the Urbane

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Labor Day Giveaway

September 3rd, 2010 · Jewelry

To celebrate Labor Day we’re doing a jewelry giveaway! Yay!

Up for grabs is Kate’s Spring Romance Necklace. Note: It’s smaller than looks on the mannequin. Here is K wearing it here and with the Lorick dress here.

About the necklace: Vintage chains of different tones, ranging from antique gold to brass and silver, have been combined with beautiful vintage chandelier crystals. The crystals used in this necklace range in color and size. Color variations include clear, light pink and pink purple with a slight blue tint. Romantic and very unique! This necklace is 20 inches long with hook clasp on the back that allows for shorter wear.

How to enter:

1. Visit Kate Gray Designs and leave a comment here letting us know your favorite piece of jewelry. Don’t forget to leave your contact info so you can collect your winnings!

2. Blog about this giveaway (leave link in your comment)

3. Tweet about this giveaway (leave link in your comment)

4. Follow “Vurbanity Blog” via Google Friend Connect – EXTRA BROWNIE POINT! And leave a commment with “I follow”.

Giveaway ends Thursday 9th. Winner will be announced Friday 10th.

Good luck!

K

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Anthropologie Skirts and More

September 3rd, 2010 · Shopping

Although Curtsey Coat was not yet in store, there were plenty of other options to review. Here is what I came in wearing – this necklace is currently part of our Labor Day Giveaway!

H&M jeans, J. Crew top, FarylRobin heels, Kate Gray necklace

1. Thatcher Jacket, $128 – This jacket runs small, I couldn’t breath with it buttoned up! It’s cute but the “skirt” sticks out a little too much and the fabric requires that you carry a lint roller. I didn’t love it and honestly tried it on just for review’s sake.

2. Redux Jacket, $98 – GORGEOUS! This blazer/jacket is very light! The ruffles are soft and fall beautifully. I was actually surprised to see it so reasonably priced (for Anthropologie), the quality was very nice and my regular 0 fit perfectly. I would strongly recommend this item, just make sure you keep the rest of the outfit pretty simple. Wishlist!

2. Sea Fan Sweater, $148 – I call this sweater “Rudolph’s Antlers” for the white appliqué. It was a little too grandpa cardigan and not in a good way. I am wearing size 2 and 0 would probably fit better. Overall this was just ok, but I wouldn’t spend full price on it, would think twice about sale – perfect for Christmas morning! :-)

4. Easy Keeper Skirt, $138 – A feminine pleated Tracy Reese fall pencil skirt. I would recommend sizing up, I am wearing a 2 and was very comfortable. The colors were a little too bright for me, but it will look amazing with a plain brown/neutral sweater, tights and brown suede boots or booties.

5. Peppered & Striped Skirt, $128 – Loved the pattern and the row of buttons on the side. The fabric reminded me of a school uniform skirt but I was ok with that. I would recommend wearing this skirt with heels since flats might make you look a little too costumey -  think Grease! Overall I wasn’t crazy about how full this skirt was, it would be hard to make it work for everyday wear. Fits true to size.

6. Painted Night Sky Skirt, $88 – This was my favorite skirt from the ones I tried on. The pattern was interesting, the fit was fabulous and the cute belt added an interesting touch. It almost looks like a high waist skirt and made me look skinnier unlike some of the other options. I think it will work very well for day and night, a great fall/winter piece. I also loved that it’s not just a regular black skirt and had a very cool texture and pattern. Fits true to size.

7. High Society Skirt, $128 – This was my least favorite. First of all, it’s really hard to button! Second, it’s tiny! I would recommend going 2 sizes up. To be honest with you it looks like bad vintage. The fabric was thick and super stiff. PASS.

8. Sunrise Soiree Top, $98 – This top was a complete disappointment. It was shapeless and the color made me look sad and drab. The rushing in the front made it look unfinished, while the shoulder wouldn’t stay in place. You might want to size down.

8. D’armee Dress, $138 – When I first saw this dress online I loved it. After second look I realized that the sleeves were made from a different material than the body and the dress had potential to look cheap. When I saw it on a hanger I was not feeling it. But when I put it on I really liked it. In short…don’t expect too much from this dress, but as you can see it’s really cute on. I think it will look great with a thick brown belt, tights and boots. The zipper is very cool, the material is wrinkly and looks a little cheap but not too bad. I would wait for sale. Fits true to size.

9. Moth Dress, $168 – Not yet online. This is basically an olive/navy different pattern version of the Silken Pathways Dress. Soft silk, very pretty. I loved it on, but now that I see myself in a picture I don’t feel as strongly about it. It almost makes me look pregnant…hmm…not what I was going for! Might be better belted. Great with tights, boots and cardigan. Fits true to size.

10. Corset Sweater Dress, $298 – SPANX PLEASE! Ok, seriously…what were they thinking! Not a fan! I would probably size up if I were serious about it, but for $300 – NO WAY!

11. Kilowatt Scarf, $54 – Lovely soft, pastel color palette, stylish chevron stripe pattern…LOVE! This scarf is quite wide and can be worn as a pashmina. I loved it so much that I won’t be waiting for sale.

Have a great long weekend!

K

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Best Boots For Fall

September 3rd, 2010 · Shoes, Shopping

Both M and I are currently shopping for boots. Before I go over the list of my top picks here are a few things to keep in mind when buying boots.

1. Quality justifies price tag. Great boots can last you around two or three seasons and won’t go out of style. Boots serve the same function as a nice handbag, you can be wearing old jeans and sweatshirt with killer boots, and still looking like a million bucks. If we are prepared to spend $148 on a summer dress why does $200 for boots seem expensive?

2. I like to get wide (W) size in boots since it allows you to wear warm socks and your feet will thank you after a long day at work when you can’t just slip them off under your desk as you can with pumps.

3. Careful with heels! Some high heel boots look amazing and elongate your legs, but don’t torture yourself! You won’t end up wearing them because they hurt so bad. I speak from experience! My solution is wedge or platform.

Enough of my silly words of wisdom…here are the boots, short booties will be featured next week!

Budget-friendly everyday flat boots

Kelsi Dagger Amrylis Flat Boots, $172 – Stylish black riding boots with a twist. The side zipper gives these boots a modern touch and makes them looks extra special. Although some reviewers are not happy with the leather quality, I think for $170 these babies look great! I was also happy to read that they are tall enough to qualify as knee boots since both M and I (at 5′7′”) have a problem with boots falling way below the knee. Also check out these beauties by Unplugged, $139 and these by Idigo Clarks, $170 that would be perfect for work.

Pricier Everyday Flat Boots

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Tallon, $450 – I have seen these in person and they are stunning! The leather is soft, pebbled and smells like heaven. The lacing detail adds an element of rugged sophistication (if such a thing exists). These are top of my list for everyday skinny jean paring. They are a little “heavier” than the first pair but bigger boots make legs look skinnier! :-)

Bargain Finds

Very Volatile Boots, $75 – These are an excellent bargain find and are very similar to my over the knee pick below. I often find that grey boots are extremely versatile and get the most wear. Will look totally amazing over leggings with a chunky sweater dress.

Michael Antonio Miga Boot, $64 – These come in black, grey and brown. The buckles add extra dimension; and I always love to see an interesting hardware element. At this price I would seriously wear them every single day to walk the dog with jeans and a sweater.

Wedge boots

Cynthia Vincent Langley, $425 – The perfect wedge boot! Also available in grey here. I love the grey version, so classic and very comfortable! I find that wedge boots look particularly well with dresses and tights for a casual look.

Dolce Vita Torino, $275 – A little chunkier than the first option but are a stylish yet super comfortable high heel option. There is something retro about them but they are very far from dated. You could wear them with a sweater and jeans (see last styling idea below) or even with tights and a mini dress (a 70’s mini dress perhaps).

The boots everyone else is wearing

Steven by Steve Madden Intyce boots, $129 – These come in black, brown and burgundy. You see these boots on every corner, my problem with them – they show wear very quickly.

Best high heel boots

BCBGeneration Ilia Boots, $119 – My favorite pair of boots happens to be by BCBG. They are well made and super comfortable. This shade of brown is gorgeous and at $119 it’s love at first sight. A chunky wooden heel makes me think that they will be comfy and feel stable in any weather.

Kors Michael Kors Fleur Boots, $450 – Mmm…if you are looking for an elegant black higher heel boot this one is stunning. Can you imagine them with a cute black dress and a leather jacket or a fabulous trench. Love!

Over the knee boots

Joie Angelika Boots, $565 – These are currently my “dream booties”! The hunter color is perfect for paring with cords, jeans, dresses and will work well with light and brown handbags. Suede boots are not the most practical for rain and snow but look how gorgeous the are! Over the knee boots can look a little too much like Puss in Boots or one of the musketeers, I think if the boot has a buckle or the folding flap is too large – it’s a no no! And here is a similar style for $99 by White Mountain.

And here are a couple of styling ideas (Liz, you asked!)

Anthropologie, Dolce Vita, J.Crew, Vince

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SUPER SALE Part 2

September 2nd, 2010 · Designers

Just when you thought it doesn’t get any better…Gilt is having a final SHOES AND BAGS sale, fingers crossed at 80% off. Sale starts 12EST or 9PST.

Brands: Lanvin, Kotur, Halston, Alexander McQueen, Joie, Delman, l’Autre Chose, Pour La Victoire to name a few.

Hurry! Best stuff will be gone within first couple of minutes. Rememeber you have 10 mins to think after you add an item to cart. :-) I am shopping for boots and flats, so please leave some for me!

K

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Venice Never Looked So Good!

September 2nd, 2010 · Shopping

First there was Catalunya then Iberia and now the Venetian Boulevard! Dear Anthropologie, you are killing me here!

This gorgeous red (website calls it pink) Tabitha creation is to die for! At $398 it’s not a bargain but it’s better than the Leifsdottir price tag. There is something so classic and girly about red coats, and this one reminds me of the one Blair wore on Gossip Girl. I loved Blair’s coat and I love Venetian Boulevard!

I actually like the Anthropologie version better, the slimmer silhouette plus the super cute buttons are more my style. The boucle wool fabric looks expensive and substantial. It has a certain 60’s vintage vibe that I also love. I can just see Joan from Mad Men wearing it. Love at first sight, let’s see if it will be love at first try? I’ll have to report back about the color.

K

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SALE ALERT

September 1st, 2010 · Uncategorized

The most insane final sale at Gilt going on now!

HURRY!

K

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Hair Color Advice

September 1st, 2010 · Beauty, Uncategorized

Recently a good friend asked me for hair color advice. She is a brunette with green eyes thinking of going red. Changing hair color dramatically can either do wonders or leave you looking like a train wreck (see Ashlee Simpson below).  I once tried natural henna color and ended up with bright strawberry blonde. Never again!

Julia Roberts is a great example of someone going from red to blonde to brunette and back, rocking each one of her chameleon transformations. I don’t think either extreme works particularly well but the moderate looks are all fabulous. It’s interesting how hair color can change your skin tone and eyes, just look at Julia’s eyes in the last picture.

And here is an example of less successful transformations:

So what shade of red can a brunette pull off? Mahogany, auburn, deep rich red seems the intuitive choice but more vibrant red could look great with paler skin tones.

Emma Stone

Christina Hendricks

My friend’s question also got me thinking about my own hair since my appointment is coming up. My natural color is a mousy light brown, and I always felt that it doesn’t suit me or my personality. Red doesn’t work for me, but blonde and brunette both look ok. I have been a brunette for 3 years now and am starting to feel a little restless.

Last time I had my hair colored I asked to add a few blonde streaks as a fun accent. Now I am facing the dilemma whether to go one tone, stick with a few highlights,  add more blonde or change the shade completely. Here are a few of my favorite brunettes that I use for inspiration.

Rachel Bilson

Jessica Biel

Jessica Alba

Mandy Moore

What do you guys think? Advice please!

K

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Anthropologie Must Try Ons

August 31st, 2010 · Shopping

I was super psyched to go through Anthro website, see new items and pick out what I am going to try on in the next couple of weeks.

The Tibi Watercolor Folds Dress looks amazing! I love bubble hems, and this fall/winter print is super feminine and fun!

If it’s love at first sight I will probably try to hunt it down at a different retailer that gets better promo codes and sales, or even better on Gilt that has Tibi sales once a month.

In case you are obsessed with this dress it’s called Genevieve and is currently available at Saks and Bloomingdale’s. And speaking of…check out the styling ideas provided by the above-mentioned retailers.

Next on my list is the Paso Doble Dress, $328, which sadly is an online exclusive. I am hoping my store gets a return so that I can see it in person and report back. The cowl neck and hidden strap detail is gorgeous. And if you look at the close ups of the print you will notice that it’s not just plain old polka dots. It almost resembles an Ikat pattern. Not to mention the exposed zipper in the back is super cool. Another perfect Leifsdottir creation!

I have a good feeling about this Sunrise Soiree Top, $98. I love loose tops with skinny jeans and boots, and this one will look particularly well with a light and fluffy ivory cardigan or coat or the pink ruffle beauty below. But I could be wrong and the fit could be awful.

This Loosely Looped Tee, $58 is not getting the best reviews but I am super excited to try it on. I love interesting collars and I am in serious need of a simple yet funky black top.  I must say the weird sleeve length scares me a little bit.

Every Which Way Cardigan, $148 – I love the not too pink color of this ruffled cardigan. It will look amazing with grey or ivory cords. Can’t wait to try on!

I already have tried on the Waffle Weave Dress, $118, and it’s top of my list for fall dresses. Funny how it appeared in stores first week of July while it’s actually part of the September catalog. I love it and want it!

What’s on your buy and try on list?

K

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Tieks for Less

August 31st, 2010 · Random, Shoes, Shopping

A couple of weeks ago M introduced us to the miracle folding flats brand Tieks. They are truly amazing and I want them in every color, but the $135 price tag is a little hard to swallow.

Last night while flipping through Harpers Bazaar I came across this ad for Kushyfoot Flats To Go. Same idea as Tieks, though the colors are limited to black, gold and silver. And the price is just $8.99! I know, I know…they are not in the same category as the stylish Tieks. But you have to admit that if they provide the same relief and are equally compact – what a bargain!

I also think that they would be absolutely perfect for long flights, car trips and should be sold at every corner. Have you seen them in stores? I am going to check if my local Walgreens carries them.

K

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Outfit a Day: Sunday

August 30th, 2010 · Outfits

My Sundays are usually filled with flea market and farmers market trips, grocery shopping, cleaning, long dog walks – all completed before noon. Yesterday I decided to be lazy and start the day with a nice long (late) Sunday brunch. Here is what I wore:

J. Crew top and belt, BCBG skirt, Pollini heels, Bulga bag, vintage bracelet

The heels are probably 3.5-4 inches but they don’t feel that tall because of the chunky heel and supportive platform. Purple in the shoes and top works well together with the different shades of  brown in the skirt and bag. Overall the outfit is not too dressy and it was perfect for a relaxed day of eating and shopping.

K

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