Posts from — July 2011

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Ladies and gentlemen, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale is upon us. It really is like Christmas in July.

This is the time of year, generally 2 weeks or so, when Nordstrom has all of its new fall clothes and accessories for men, women, and children. I tend to stock up on fall standards at this time, since the sales normally aren’t as good as the season goes on. Of course, I don’t end up wearing the stuff until it starts to cool off, but that’s the idea. Mentally preparing ourselves and physically preparing our closets.

This year, I picked up a few good tops to wear with skirts and pants I already have. Here are my top picks for women and men, but shop fast, because prices go up August 1st!

Under Armour “All Season Gear” Top in Chisel, $28.90 (sale)
This is such a great deal for Under Armour gear, and I love this color! I actually bought this for working out and running outside in the fall.

Caslon V-Neck Poncho Sweater in Heather Oatmeal, $45.90 (sale)
Again, another purchase I made. I love ponchos for the fall, and this is a compromise because I can wear it to work.- a poncho sweater

Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Yellow Raisin, $45.90 (sale)
I absolutely adore this color for fall. Who says yellow is strictly for summer?

Calvin Kelin “Stretch Luxe” Twist Neck Sheath Dress in Purple Heather, $78.90 (sale)
Again, this deep purple that I’m obsessed with. This would be lovely with a pair of black heels and stand-out jewelry.

Michael Kors Large Chronograph Bracelet Watch, $166.90 (sale)
So business.

Lucky Band “181″ Relaxed Straight Leg Jeans, $65.90 (sale)
Love this cut and color for men’s denim!

Burberry London Wool Blend Jacket, $499.90 (sale)
I wish every man could have this jacket…sigh.

Public Opinion Trim Fit Crewneck Thermal, $19.90 (sale)
Great for date night or hanging out on the weekend.

Sperry Top-Slider “Authentic Original” Relaxed Chukka Boot, $59.90 (sale)
Love this relaxed look for the fellas.

What are your favorite finds in this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale?

Last night, I was invited to Revlon’s All-Access event with designer Nanette Lepore at her store on Broome Street. The boutique was closed for the evening for the Vogue Influencer Network to come, enjoy complimentary make overs by Revlon and shop Nanette’s summer collection.

Ladies, if you have an iPhone, I highly suggest you download Revlon’s new app. It’s clean and well built, and provides tons of great tips from the best make-up artists. And, it’s free, so why not?

I was honored to meet so many amazing people who worked for Vogue and Nanette Lepore, including Nanette herself! I didn’t even make it to the Revlon counters because I was too busy admiring Nanette’s beautiful collection. I spent almost an hour just looking through all of the clothes and lusting after the jewelry and other accessories. I seriously got lost in all of its beauty.

Even though the collection is labeled “summer”, I found that several pieces could be worn well into the fall. Every piece ranged in color, material, and style, making it very easy to carry across seasons. The pieces were trendy enough to wear now, but any of them could easily become a staple item in your closet.

Love the colors here.

I love this dress. Very Kate Middleton-y!

One of my favorite things about Nanette Lepore’s brand is that her clothes are still made in New York. She believes very strongly in saving the garment district in New York City, and I applaud her efforts in trying to do so. Every piece in her collection is beautifully made, and while the price point might be a bit higher than some can afford, you can tell how much passion and effort went into making her collections. It’s refreshing to see that in an industry where outsourcing this kind of work dominates.

We each got a killer swag bag full of Revlon products and a cute white tank from Nanette Lepore. I can’t wait to dive into the Revlon stuff, especially these amazing nail polishes! The tank, however, was way too small for me, so I gave it to my friend Jayne (who will look adorable in it!).

Big thanks to Vogue, Revlon and Nanette Lepore for making this event possible. I’m so lucky to have attended and I’m looking forward to the next event with the Vogue Influencer Network!

On Monday, I received a new gift from the Vogue Influencer Network: a brand new Clarisonic PLUS Cleansing system! I’m not going to lie, I’m already a big fan of Clarisonic and the brand’s different products, so I was more than thrilled when I saw this box at my door step.

The email went out alerting members to this less than a week ago, so I was not only thrilled, but surprised when I saw the box come so soon! Not like that’s a bad thing, though.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Clarisonic products, the Clarisonic systems are hand held machines (I guess?) that help cleanse your skin deeper than using your hands or a wash cloth. According to the Vogue Influencer Network, “Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System uses sonic technology to gently,  yet thoroughly,  cleanse 6X better than using your hands alone.” Based on my experience, and the experience of my friends and family, I can verify that this is true.

Since I started using the Clarisonic PLUS, I have noticed a significant difference in the size of my pores, in a good way. They are much smaller than they were a month ago, so you can only imagine how the Clarisonic will have an effect on your skin the longer you use it. As part of the Clarisonic Challenge, I will be updating the Network with my progress over the next few weeks. I can’t wait to see how my skin continues to improve!

Also, as a gift from the Vogue Influencer Network, you can save 20% on all Clarisonic order over $149 by using coupon code “VogMag” now through 7/24. If you don’t have a Clarisonic already, I highly recommend you pick one up. There are a few different styles, with the colorful Mia being the newest one, which starts at $149.

Are you a fan of Clarisonic? If you have one, how has it improved your skin?

*Are you a member of the Vogue Influencer Network? I’m making a Twitter list of all members. Tweet me your handle at @ChristaMarzan or leave a comment with your Twitter handle here!*

Fact: I want to be Kate Middleton. It’s really not a secret anymore. The more I see her style, the more I want to copy it. Exactly. Too bad I can’t afford that.

Anyway, I was out and about shopping this weekend when I stumbled upon some dresses by T. Tahari that felt very Duchess-y to me. The Elie Tahari brand stands out to me as one that represents Kate’s style, which is essentially business casual with a feminine twist, slightly fashion forward. Kate gravitates towards structured garments in pretty, girly fabrics, details and colors.

The best part about the Tahari brand is that not only is the original price point of the clothing lower than that of Kate’s favorite brands, but the items frequently go on sale. Lord & Taylor is having a HUGE sale now with tons of T. Tahari and Elie Tahari dresses, skirts, and tops.

Below are my suggestions on how to dress more like the Duchess in your everyday life, courtesy of the Elie Tahari brand.

T. Tahari Patrice Dress, $168. I just bought this dress and felt very Duchess-y in it.

Elie Tahari Printed Sleeveless Geraldine Dress, $277.99 (on sale)

T. Tahari Ruched Rita Blouse, $92

T. Tahari Bellona Skirt, $69.50

Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Asymmetrical Sharkskin Sheath Dress, $118

Tahari by Arthus S. Levine Button Detail Sharkskin Sheath Dress, $118

Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Zip Trim Woven Sheath Dress, $118

Just pair each with a signature pair of nude heels (one of Kate’s favorites) and you’re all set. These are MY favorite, but not Elie Tahari:

Nine West Danee Platform Pumps, $79

How do you channel your inner Duchess?

Photos from ElieTahari.com, LordAndTaylor.com, and Nordstrom.com

Today is Fresh Squeeed’s first birthday!

It’s hard to believe that a year has already flown by! It’s been nothing short of fabulous, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for me and this blog. It certainly has been a year of firsts: I was a founding member of Nike Women’s Make Yourself Movement (my posts here) and had a post featured on Nike Women’s Facebook page, Fresh Squeezed was featured on Accredited Online College’s list of 50 Best Fashion Blogs for College Students, and I was interviewed for Adweek (!!!!) about the Vogue Influencer Network, I attended my first Fashion Week presentation, Lancôme’s first Open Studio Sunday, and Lucky Magazine’s first Fashion and Beauty Blogger Conference. Needless to say, I’m thrilled.

Also, I want to make my blog better in honor of the one year anniversary/birthday, so check back this week for a new blog makeover. I want to try and branch out more with what I write about, mostly more menswear and more opinion posts, and if you have suggestions or would want to do a post of your own, please contact me and let me know!

I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends, family and readers who have been nothing but supportive during the past year. I would be nothing without you all!

Check out this piece in Adweek that I was interviewed for about the Vogue Influencer Network!

When it comes to manicures and nail polish in the summer time, I’m changing up my color every week. A few weeks ago, I saw this amazingly simple (and original) manicure idea from Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere that I was just dying to try.

Emily’s almost-Tiffany blue nails with matching glitter is the perfect summer manicure. However, to keep mine a bit more work and office friendly, I chose an shimmery pinky-peachy color.

From left: Essie protein base coat, Essie nail polish in Buy Me a Cameo, OPI Glitter Top Coat in Merryberry Mauve, and Essie to dry for.

I started with a base layer of the Essie protein base. Since I do my nails so much, it doesn’t hurt to have a little protection and base before the nail color is applied!

Then two coats of Buy Me a Cameo.

I then added a horizontal stripe of the glitter top coat to the tops of my ring fingers- and only my ring fingers- on each hand. Let all that dry, then add top coat, and voila!

This is definitely more subtle than Emily’s, but that’s what I was going for. However, I’d like the glitter to be a bit more prominent, so next time I will apply loose glitter with a thin paint brush, which is what Emily did.

I love this variation of a simple manicure. Next time, I will try a more daring color!

My newest obsession: Pintrest. It’s a new online community where you can create boards and “pin” images to them. Pretty addicting when you get into it.

A screen shot of my home page.

I’ve been playing around with Pintrest and I found that not only is it fun to use, but there is potential to use the boards and pins specifically as a fashion blogger:

Pinning new posts as a pin.

I use my Fashionista board to pass on new posts, like one about Emma Watson’s stunning gown at the Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere. The great thing about pinning links is that Pintrest lets you pick the photo you want to pin, and then you can add the link to the description.

Boards can become look books

I have a whole board dedicated to Kate Middleton’s style. This essentially is a look book of my favorite Kate looks (which is everything). It’s definitely easier than updating your blog with your favorite looks.

Sharing good deals and great buys

A great thing about Pintrest is if you post a description with a price, it’ll add the price to the top of the pin. That makes it really easy and simple to share great buys, like the lace shirt from BCBGMAXAZRIA I found and pinned above. It also includes a link to the item.
How do you plan on using Pintrest as a fashion blogger?

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 premiered in London last night. Not surprisingly, Emma Watson looked stunning.

I’m not crazy about the short hair (still), but I think this look is absolutely flawless. The gown, from Oscar de la Renta‘s Fall/Winter 2011 collection, is gorgeous beyond belief and perfect for Emma. (Oscar de la Renta also dressed J.K Rowling, who looks equally as lovely).

It’s delicate, classy, appropriate for such a big moment in her life: the premiere of the last Harry Potter movie. I love how the dress secretly has sleeves, but they’re very sheer. I didn’t even notice them at first!

The gown heading down the runway. Personally, I think it looks better on Emma.

Emma also turned heads on Wednesday at a photo call for the cast and crew of the movie. She stole the spotlight with a little black lace dress from Rafael Lopez, very similar to the one she wore for the premiere of Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 1.

Seriously, so beautiful.

I did a retrospective post about Emma Watson’s style evolution when Deathly Hallows Part 1 premiered, so no need to repeat it, but I must say that Emma Watson has managed to grow up into a mature, respectable young lady. As sad as it is, I find it so refreshing to see today. I can’t wait to see what Emma is on to next, now that Harry Potter has come to an end. As Olivander said in Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, “I think we can expect great things from you.”

Photo credits: Emma Watson in Oscar de la Renta, Emma Watson in Rafael Lopez.

This guest post was written by Jill D’Urso.

The invitations start rolling in when there’s still snow on the ground, but summer is officially wedding season. With those invitations comes the “What am I going to wear?” panic. Wedding season can be especially challenging if you’re attending more than one wedding, and even more so if those weddings are attended by the same social groups. You want to avoid wearing the same dress twice, but the cost of buying a new dress for each wedding adds up fast!

Luckily, all three weddings I’m attending this wedding season will not have any guests in common, so I allowed myself one new dress—that I will wear to all three weddings. My dress was on clearance at Lord & Taylor, and was exactly what I was looking for. I can’t wait to wear it!

For those of you still in the throes of wedding season attire anxiety, I put together a short list of great dresses for under $100.

ModCloth Day Moon Dress, $59.99

Oasis Twist One Shoulder Dress, $83.00

Jessica Simpson Belted V-Neck Dress, $79.99

French Connection Black Magic Dress, $79.99

Zara Striped Dress, $99.90

Which one is your favorite?

I really wonder why it took me so long to blog about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in North America. Maybe because they’re not coming to New York and I have no chance of meeting (or stalking) them. I don’t know.

Anyway.

To no one’s shock or surprise, the Duchess (I still can’t get used to reading her name as Catherine) looks absolutely radiant, classy and elegant in every picture from her tour thus far. The Duke doesn’t look so bad himself in his dashing suits.

Below are my favorite looks from Kate so far. I am sure each outfit she wears in California will be equally as gorgeous, though I don’t know if I can handle her amazing-ness any more. I might explode.

That famous Reiss dress worn in her engagement photos paired with red pumps and a red fascinator with Canadian maple leaves on it for Canada Day. I die. (via Fashionista)

A night on the town with her hubby, Prince William. I love this purple Issa dress and pulled back hair. (via Huffington Post)

Beautiful Catherine Walker dress for a tree-planting. (via Huffington Post)

This is what Kate looked like when she stepped off the plane in Canada. I hate her (but I love her). Beautiful dress from Erdem Resort ’11. (via Fashionista)

Another gorgeous dress from Erdem, a from Canada but based in London. Aside from the fascinator with maple leaves, this is my favorite dress. (via Styleite).

I might have to start my own Kate Middleton look-book. I can’t get enough of her gorgeous style!

This guest post was written by Jen Wohltman.

As a repeat-offender of never bringing a towel anywhere I go, I’ve always relied on my friends’ guest towel stash, ignorantly assuming that everyone keeps one. I somehow manage to remember to pack everything else – sunscreen, bikini, flip flops, cover ups, sunglasses, etc. – but never a towel. I do this purposely. And, I’ve always gotten away with it.

My linen closet at home is packed with an assortment of beach towels that all look like they were purchased from a Jersey shore boardwalk beach shop circa 1996 (this is highly likely). My options are a blinding catastrophe of neon stripes, polka dots, and hibiscus flowers. So, when packing a tote for a day in the sun, a quick scan of the closet’s contents again discourages me and thus I arrive everywhere towel-less. This is much more appealing to me than admitting ownership of a beach hazard.  So, I take my chances and hope that my friends’ towel collections offer better options.

But, the luck of my towel freeloading scheme is bound to run out sooner or later. And the truth is, it’s a rude habit. So, in celebration of the official beginning of summer, I have made a resolution to do my research and lend time to choosing a signature beach towel much like I do any other essential summer accessory.  It is after all, the largest beach accessory of the bunch, packing the most potential to express your personal style while poolside or on the beach.

And, lucky for me (and you!), it turns out that designers this season are offering plenty of fabulous solutions for giving any beach towel collection a fresh update.

Below are my top picks for designer beach towels this season:

Natori Dazzle Beach Towel, $45

Vera Bradley Beach Towel in Lemon Parfait, $18 (on sale – reg. $30)

Missoni Lola Beach Towel, $334

Tory Burch Zuma Towel, $95

Trina Turk Casablanca Towel, $68

Henri Bendel Disturbed Stripe Beach Towel, $78

Jen, a Northern New Jersey native, is a Marketing Coordinator for a non-profit organization. Her love for all things design was developed at a very young age as student in art programs and private instructional classes, continuing on to minor in Studio Arts as an undergrad at Loyola College in Baltimore, MD. She appreciates simple and classic styles paired with statement accessories. Jen’s major interests include fashion, sewing, and D.I.Y. projects.