The excitement builds...

After an exhausting day of travel to LA, I awoke to blue skies, no humidity and beautiful Beverly Hills.  I enjoyed my surroundings for about 5 minutes, and then I began to freak out just a bit.  Today is the day!  I am supposed to report to Neiman Marcus at 3:30 sharp!  I was a bundle of nerves.  Honestly, you would think that I was getting married today.  After pacing around my hotel room (did I mention that I was staying in a boutique hotel, hence not much room for feeling anxious!), Greg (my Rodger) and I decided that we should head out for a stroll.  When staying in Beverly Hills, where else is there to go than Rodeo Drive...

Let's just say that I was not disappointed!  We arrived before the stores opened and there was such a surreal feeling. Immaculate streets and storefronts, beautiful flowers, eye-catching windows... it was as if I was in the ultimate amusement park for women!  Not to mention, watching every person who walked past us taking photos (including us!)... I admit it, we dorked out for a minute or two.

Eventually, we ended up at a great outdoor spot... it just so happened to be in front of Tiffany & Co.  I must say that on a morning like this, the only place that I would want to eat breakfast is at Tiffany's!

After my delightful California style yogurt parfait (very hard to find at all of the diners in NJ), we had to check out Neiman's... I can barely contain my excitement at this point.  Too bad it is only 11am. 

Another reason I love LA, all of the Spanish/Mexican influenced architecture.  I love this fountain (I think it was in front of Saks).  I felt like I should be on a hacienda somewhere... I don't think I could make this look work in Bergen County.

Then it was back to the hotel pool... very quiet and relaxing... love!

Okay, so I had to finish up some last minute work.  At least I was able to have a mimosa... yummy!  Can you believe that I almost didn't get to the room in time to get ready.  Who would have thought on a day like this?!

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By the way, I am so happy to have brought my Tucker tunic.  I thought I was going to be wearing it while exploring LA, but it was just as perfect sitting by the pool!

Finally, I get back to my room, only to be surprised by beautiful flowers.  I love the Beverly Hills Neiman's PR team, they are amazing!

And now, it is time to get ready... 

                                     - Allison

Music to my ears... Sample Sale!!!

If you are in the mood for some fab shopping at bargain prices, then I have news for you!  Two of my favorite brands... P-THREE (The Bamboo Shirt) and Tucker are having sample sales this week!  Even better news, they are on the same day.  For those of you heading into the city, you can kill two birds with one stone and make a night of it!  I think this calls for a Girl's Night Out... who's with me?!

If you aren't familiar with P-THREE, this is the brand behind the most awesome bamboo shirt!  I wrote about them a while back... check it out.  As you can see below on the invite, this isn't your typical sample sale.  It is being held at the BoConcept store in NY, and there are going to be many fantastic brands represented.  You better put in your calendar now, you don't want to miss it!

I don't have much to say about Tucker other than... love!  It is a beautiful, feminine line of clothing full of colorful prints, perfect dresses, blouses and tunics.  Check out my past post to read more about them.  This is a sale that you don't want to miss!  And, if you are curious what Of a Kind is, you must take a look at their website... very cool!  They deserve a post of their own... soon!

Go shop, have fun and find some perfect transition pieces at unbeatable prices!!!

                                            - Allison

Transition with Style

Well, it is that time of the year again.  We are nearing the end of summer (vacation, that is), I am tired of it being too hot to wear anything other than a swimsuit, and I am currently drooling over all of the new fall clothes.  What is a girl to do?

Most importantly, I keep telling myself not to buy any fall clothes... yet.  Instead, focus on all of the amazing sales right now.  And, if I am going to buy anything new, it must be transitional.  I know that you are probably sick of hearing about transition pieces, but it is true.  If you are going to spend any money on clothes right now, it should be for something that you are going to wear for more than a month or two.

What should you buy?  A midi length skirt or cami style midi dress.  With the there being so much emphasis on the 1930's style of dressing this fall, plus the 1970's influence still out there, these two styles are perfect for wearing now and later.  If you are a little hesitant, just think about it for a minute...  a fluid skirt that hits just below the knee screams elegance, and there is something sexy and comfortable about a silk (or silkish) dress that doesn't show off too much leg.  Plus, the layering options are endless.  This could be a purchase that you wear all year!

This style skirt or dress can be worn to work, to dinner, out on the town or even running errands.  You could wear the skirt with a tank, blouse sweater or jacket.  The dress can be worn with basically the same items.  The best part is that you can wear it tomorrow in 90 degree weather with wedges or in 40 degree weather with your most fabulous faux fur and booties.  I believe that I have found the most versatile transitional pieces this season, seriously!

If you are not quite sure what I am going on and on about, I have several examples below.  Anthropologie couldn't be a more perfect store for this look.  Yumi Kim and Tucker by Gaby Basora are also good choices, but a bit pricier.  Zara, Topshop, and Asos are fabulous sites for finding the contemporary styles at reasonable prices.

                                             - Allison

*Photos courtesy of anthropologie.com & yumikim.com

The Perfect Dress for my Parisian Getaway...

A few nights ago I found myself wandering around the upper East side... I actually had time to kill, which is unheard of in my world (I was so excited)!  I happened upon this little French restaurant, Brasserie Julien... their logo is "Paris around the corner"... and indeed it was.  I ordered a glass of wine, listened to the jazz and thought about all of the craziness of holiday shopping.  I started laughing to myself about the fact that all of the stores push all of these cold weather gift items on you, but meanwhile they are stocking their shelves with latest resort wear.  The world of fashion... wouldn't it just be easier if we could find pieces that we can wear for most of the year.  Pieces that are timeless and make you feel pretty when you put them on...

Well, I have found one brand that you may or may not have heard of that certainly fits into this category... Tucker by Gaby Basora.  She has the most charming pieces that can be worn in so many different ways... you just feel like a lady when you don something from the Tucker collection.  The collection has a definite vintage vibe, apparent from the moment you open up the website.  It is know for it's beautiful prints and silk the is the fabric of choice.  The clothes are very wearable and would certainly look great on everyone.  When I daydream about some of the Tucker pieces that I would buy, I picture myself strolling along a little street in Paris, sitting in cafe or maybe stopping by the flower market to purchase some flowers that I would effortlessly throw together in some dazzling arrangement... 

My only beef with Tucker is that the pieces are on the more expensive side... so annoying!  However, if you ever did purchase a piece it is definitely a good investment.  These aren't the type of clothes that go in and out of style.  They are staples that can be adapted to fit into any wardrobe, therefore the price could be justified...  Either way, you must take a look at the website... I love it!  I believe I may have a new item(s) to add to my Christmas list...

                                                                      - Allison

*Photos courtesy of tuckerbygabybasora.com