Think Pink: Designer Shirts and Special Events to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

 Pictured: Donna Karan's "Key to the Cure "shirt for Saks Fifth Avenue retails for $35.00.
In case you haven't heard, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many designers and makers of beauty products are coming together to raise awareness with special products to benefit the cause. This year Donna Karan has designed a very special long sleeved Tee Shirt for Saks Fifth Ave.  I love

From the Pages of People: Brad Knows How to Quit Rachel Zoe

Pictured: Rachel and Brad at LA's Project Angel Food Benefit earlier this year.
This just in.  Yes, this isn't Brokeback Mountain, and Brad does know how to quit Rachel Zoe.   According to the the bible of all things celebrity related, People Magazine, the spilt is amicable. Brad is outtie to pursue his own career, and Rachel understands that he needs to leave the nest. Unlike the vicious war of

The Limited Special Offer: 30% off on the Jodi Arnold Fall Collection

Good news if you're starting to look around for Holiday party wear.  The amazing Jodi Arnold Fall collection has just been reduced by 30%.  I reviewed the collection when it launched on August 8th, and it's divine.  The inspriration for the pieces was 1920s glamour and Jodi's trademark embellishments combine well with the period feel.  My top picks for the sale, at the Cabaret Tunic and the

Get Your Little Brown Bag Ready: Bloomingdale's Friends and Family Sale

I feel I would be sadly remiss in my function as fashionista and savings town crier, if I didn't tell all of you that the Bloomingdale's Brown Bag sale is coming up tomorrow, Sept. 29 - Oct. 2.   I mean, you are all friends and family right? :) This is the time I get my little brown shopping bag stocked up on the designers that I love with fashions that will be on the sale. Print the pass below

HBO's Boardwalk Empire Spawns Merchandising, a Contest and Hotel Deals

Have any of you been watching the new HBO series "Boardwalk Empire." There have only been two episodes to date, but so far the story is compelling.  The series takes the era of prohibition and what F. Scott Fitzgerald called the "lost generation" (meaning all the young men returning from the war forever changed) to a whole new level.  It's almost like a vintage Sopranos with crime bosses,

Coming Up: QVC shoe sale to feature Fergie Footwear + more

Save these dates if you love shoes. QVC is about to put on a fantabulous shoe sale that might even fill the overcrowded Imelda Marcos's shoe closet.   QVC present will “FFANY Shoes on Sale.” What is FFNY? Elementary my dear fashionista, it's the The Fashion Footwear Association of New York.   They were having a big shoe event at the New York Hilton during the BlogHer conference in August, so I

Target's Electronics Trade-in Program: Some Good Deals

Yesterday I was at my local Target store running an errand, when I decided to bop over to the Electronics section of the store and see what was new in mobile technology. Well, you might ask, what is a die hard fashionista like myself doing shopping for technology instead of clothes? The truth is in my world of blogging, tweeting and shopping, technology and fashion have become tightly entwined. 

Special Event, DKNY Madison Ave. Sept. 30th: An Author's Life with Multiple Sclerosis

I love special events to help special causes.  Even better if they help me with my shopping.  Here's one that fits the bill. If you're in NYC on Sept. 30th, you're invited to stop in to shop at the Donna Karan New York (DKNY) store on Madison Ave. for a book signing.  DKNY & the National MS Society are hosting a special event on Thursday, September 30th to celebrate the critically acclaimed

Freebie Alert: Check in on Foursquare with In-Style for Nars lipstick at Saks Fifth Avenue

One of the things I'm hearing from readers on comments of what they'd like to see on The Recessionista is more freebies.  So here's one for you.  But, you must be a social media lurver to get it, and specifically , a user of Foursquare.  Here's the deal. Saks Fifth Avenue and social networking site Foursquare are offering  Saks shoppers the chance to score a free lipstick from Nars! Just sign up

Lands' End Friends and Family Sale

Lands’ End has thoughtfully shared a promotion code for their Family and Friends sale with me a day early. So now, I get to pass on the savings. Their Family and Friends runs this Friday to Monday and is for 25% off regularly-priced items and includes free shipping. To get the discount, use the codes below.  My personal favorites, their bright accessory scarves, swimsuits and casual shirts. 

Juicy Couture Partners with Erin Fetherston for a Holiday Collection

Whimsical designer Erin Fetherston made a special appearance in the Los Angeles area today at Neiman- Marcus, Topanga,  to show off her new Holiday Collection for Juicy Couture.  Some of you may remember the super-talented Erin's Holiday Collection for Target a few years ago.   It was truly adorable.  I'm still wearing her 1920's inspired winter white Target coat with the amazing shawl collar and

Gilt Groupe: Jewelry Bazaar: Stylish Pieces Under $75

Great custom jewelry is always a fun and inexpensive way to dress up any outfit, whether it's old or new.  So take minute to check out Gilt Groupe's jewelry bazaar this week.  They have stylish pieces for under $75. You'll find cocktail rings, link necklaces, and some fabu necklaces/pendants.  Check out the Nicole Miller glass necklace, it's kinda special. If you're not already a member of Gilt

Starbucks Fall Look Sweepstakes: Enter to win a free shopping spree

So I'm looking through People Magazine this weekend, as is my custom, and I see one of my Los Angeles Blogger Buddies, Barbara Horowitz, featured in Starbucks Ad/Contest! Starbucks is having an I Love Fall Sweepstakes. If you're interested in a free trip to Hollywood, California, and a free $1, shopping trip with Stylist Barbara Horowitz, click here to enter. Oh yes, what are the fall trends?

You are invited to London Fashion Week to watch the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2011 Runway show

Can't afford a trip to London Fashion Week? Well, you can still catch a show, and one of the best.  Watch Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 Runway show right here on The Recessionista.  And just a bit of trivia from my English relatives, Prorsum is Latin for "forwards."  So forward we go to London Fashion Week. Right now, if you're traveling to the UK, the weakness of the British Pound brings you a

Giveaway: Stay Connected to Fashion + Deals with a Toshiba Portege R705 loaded with Windows 7

And it came to pass that in the social media era, I ventured forth to the BlogHer conference New York City and sought my fortunes. Thus, I sallied forth from Los Angeles with empty pockets and high hopes.  I sought the coolest new technology, the most Twitterific communications and of course the best deals in New York City.  My champagne wishes and recessionista dreams were rewarded, and I won a

Getting on my Vintage Vogue for the Los Angeles Blogger Prom

Extra, Extra, the Blogger Prom is coming up this week in Los Angeles. To my surprise, I'm getting really excited about it.  Why? Well, I will get to meet some local bloggers whose blogs I read regularly, have an amazing dinner in the Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro, and...wait for it...dress in 1940's Vintage Style!  That is really my favorite part.  I just love Vintage clothes. Bloggers who do not

Halloween Costume Couture: Is that an Oxymoron?

Pictured: A costume from Simon Doonan's collection for Target Halloween from the Target website.

As Halloween approaches, Target has launched a line of costumes from Barney's New York Creative Director Simon Doonan.  In their advertisements, Target is calling the line, "Costume Couture."  This has to be one of the greatest Oxymorons since English poet William Blake wrote about the "marriage

Burberry Gets Social for London Fashion Week with Tweets from Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

So how does one of the world's leading fashion brands, and one of the oldest, get ready for London Fashion Week?  Maybe rehearsing the models, going to final fittings, checking the seating plan, and of course making sure the press and photographers are in place.   Those are the typical to-do's.  But in this era of social media and direct Internet communication to consumers, the Burberry brand

Fashion for a Good Cause: Kohl's Debuts Simply Vera Vera Wang Exclusive Cause Merchandise

Kohl's Department Stores has just launched a new line of merchandise designed to support women's health. The exclusive "cause merchandise" is now online at with 100 percent of the net profit donated to support the fight against breast cancer. And guess who did the  first collection? Well, it's Vera Wang for her Simply Vera Vera Wang exclusive brand at Kohl's.  This special collection is

New York Fashion Week: Milly Spring 2011 Channels Peggy Guggeheim

Pictured: Scenes from Milly's Spring 2011 Collection at New York Fashion Week. (photo ©PatrickMcMullan)Designer Michelle Smith sent her Spring Collection, inspired by art collector Peggy Guggenheim, down the runway at New York Fashion Week on Wednesday.  Michelle had said her collection was inspired by Peggy, and frankly, I wasn't quite sure how that would turn out. Peggy was a grand eccentric. 

Spa Week is on until Sept. 13-19th, featuring $50.00 Spa Treatments

In case you haven't heard, Spa Week is here, and there are just a few days left! Spa Week is a week when some spas are making $50.00 treatments available to customers.  That is a  nice savings on a facial, masssage or other treatments. PTL (praise the lord)  I say. The dates for Spa Week are: West Coast, Chicago: Sept 13–19 East Coast, Midwest, Canada: Oct 11–17

Spa Week arrives just in

NYFW: Rebecca Taylor Boho Chic and Muted Colors for Spring

New Zealand designer Rebecca Taylor showed her Spring 2011 Collection on Sunday at Lincoln Center.  The color palette was mostly earthy tones, nudes and pearly greys.  But there were a few brighter pieces, like my favorite green dress above on the left.  The collection definitely mixed the chic and the funky, the crunchy and the stylish. There were belted trenchcoats along with the designer's

Women's Wear Daily Turns 100: Designers for WWD@100 project

Readers, do you ever check out the bible of the fashion industry? It's called Women's Wear Daily.   When you open the cover, you expect to hearing a voice crying out, " A reading from the book of fashion.  And it came to pass that in 1943, God  whispered to  Eleanor Lambert  that she needed to go forth and create New York Fashion Week." Way, way before Twitter and the Blogs, the fashion feet on

NYFW: Why Norma Kamali is not showing at New York Fashion Week

Pictured: The Fabuless One, Designer Norma Kamali  in her store in her super cool Walmart NK Collection grey fleece jacket and skirt with elephant T-shirt. (photo M. Hall)
A couple of readers have emailed me this week to ask why one of my favorite people and favorite designers, Norma Kamali is not showing at  New York Fashion Week this week. It's a really good question.  She is so brilliant, and

NYFW Los Angeles Home Girl: Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011 at New York Fashion Week

Pictured: A spring garden blooms on a ballgown : Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)
Paging Rachel Zoe...are you starting to think Oscars?  Is it time to fast forward to award dresses for your "clients? I don't want to see Brad cry ever again or Rodger kept waiting, so please check out Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011. It was all uptown chic today

Tucker for Target Review: Surprise a Cohesive Fall Collection

Pictured: Tucker for Target in-store and on the racks. I had to do a little Target run tonight to do a return, and ended up checking out the new Tucker for Target line by up and coming designer, Gabby Basora. I've always liked Gabby's wistful, vintage signature prints, but to be honest I wasn't sure she would be able to translate her vision from silks to polyester for Target. While the old saying

NYFW: Sneak Peak: Milly's Spring 2011 Sketches and Inspiration

Have you heard of the design house Milly? Milly is sold at fine department stores like Bloomingdale's. The label  is the adorable feminine brainchild of designer Michelle Smith. The super stylish Michelle worked at Paris fashion houses Hermès and Dior.  I've long been a fan of Milly.  I had the pleasure of meeting her in February when she launched her Clinque print bag at Bloomingdale's.  I've

NYFW: Designer Carolina Herrera Receives 'Mercedes-Benz Presents' Title

 Pictured: A gown from Carolina Herrera's Fall 2010 collection with Vogue's Anna Wintour looking on at New York Fashion Week. (photo: M. Hall)
In February I attended Carolina Herrera's Fall 2010 runway show at New York Fashion Week  It was one of the most spectacular runway shows I have witnessed.  The production was flawless and the designs were perfection.  This a  designer who personifies good

Fashionista Favorites at Fashion's Night Out

There were certainly some extraordinary looks on the Runway this weekend during New York Fashion Week.  But there were also some very interesting looks that I saw on Fashion's Night Out here in Los Angeles that I wanted to share with my readers.  I was really amazed by some of the creative styles I saw.  Like The Sartorialist, I wanted to share some of the chic I saw with readers.  Like this

From the Runway NYFW DKNY: Big Apple of My Eye

Pictured:  Donna Karan takes the stage after her Spring 2011 show today in New York.
Hot off the runway-- I just saw the DKNY Spring 2011 Runway show at New York Fashion Week.  Frankly, it was a WOW!  DKNY delivered on what we imagine the colorful, fresh Spring look should be.  Her runway show delivered lean, sleek silhouettes, accessorized with colorful print scarves, lovely English-style

The Highlight of Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles: "Samuel L. Jackson's Red Carpet Looks"

Pictured: Actor Samuel L. Jackson talks to TV personality Steven Cojocaru about his Armani Red Carpet looks at Los Angeles Fashion's Night Out (photo courtesy of Armani.)
I really feel that when I look up the word "cool" on Wikipedia, the picture of Samuel L. Jackson should be there in the definition.  The man is a brilliant actor, but last night I learned he also knows quite a bit about fashion.

NYFW: New York Fashion Week Kicks Off at Lincoln Center Project Runway, Richard Chai and Christian Siriano

Pictured: The Project Runway Judges: Nina Garcia, Jessica Simpson, Michael Kors and of course Heidi Klum. (photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)
The Spring 2011 collections premiered today at Lincoln Center at New York Fashion Week. Avoir Bryant Park, Bonjour Lincoln Center.  Lincoln Center has long been the home of fine art in New York (the Opera),  so it's only fitting that the

Fashion's Night Out, The Recessionista's Top Picks Around New York + Los Angeles

Pictured: Jean Shrimpton in an evening dress photo by John French (1907-66), for London Town © Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Prints
In my perfect world of fantasy, this  picture above would be me attired in an elegant little black dress ala superstar model Jean Shrimpton for the upcoming Fashion's Night Out fun and frolic.  The global celebration of fashion is coming, and the invites are

Enter to Win a Copy of " Gunn's Golden Rules" from Lifetime

One of my favorite people in the world of fashion is Project Runway's Tim Gunn.  He's a menche! I've never met Tim, but I have interviewed three Project Runway contestants who all loved working with him and praised him for being supportive and caring.  If you are also a Tim fan, you might want to enter Lifetime's contest to win a singed copy of his new book "Gunn's Golden Rules." To enter, simply

Jetsetter: Luxury Travel for Less from Gilt Groupe

Readers, did you know that Gilt Groupe has a luxury travel site offering some special deals on hotels as high-end as the name designers on the Gilt Groupe fashion site? It's called Jetsetter.  This is the new wave on travel, looking for luxury for less.  Post-Labor Day is always the time of the year when travel rates start to fall post summer vacations.  But besides checking out sites like

Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target: New Pictures

Pictured: My favorite look from the Tucker for Target collection, in stores Sept. 12 (photo courtesy of Target.)
Right before the Labor Day weekend, Target released 21 images "officially" of their forthcoming Tucker for Target line.  I have to agree with fellow blogger, Target-Addict about being less than impressed by the overall collection.  It's not what I would call a "cohesive line".  You'll

Spa at Home with Arcona Natural Spa Products and Glade Lemongrass & Citrus Candle

A few weeks ago I was treated to an elegant night at the Arcona Spa in Santa Monica sponsored by Arcona Spa and Glade Fragrance.  If you are not living in Los Angeles, you may not have heard of Arcona's line of natural skin-care products. The line was founded in 1989 by a women named, you guessed it, Arocona. Way before Stella McCartney and Whole Foods bought organic beauty products to the

MNG by Mango for JC Penney Hits the Labor Day Sales Racks

European discount clothier MNG by Mango arrived at JC Penney on August 18th and it's already on sale. Although the line looks cute, it runs small (juniors sizing) and I'm not sure the average JCP customers knows who/what Mango is. Most US fashionistas who are aware of Spain's Mango chain, may only know it from ads with Spanish star Penelope Cruz and her sister. Monica.  I like the look of some

Labor Day Sales

Pictured: Apple's promotion for college students and teachers. (photo: M.Hall)
Just in case you plan on hitting the mall over the long weekend, there are some good shopping deals that you need to know about.  Like the above deal running at Apple stores right now.  I took this picture at the Beverly Center Apple store of their special offer on Macs.  Through Sept. 7th,  Apple is giving free iPod

Lanvin Announced as Next H&M Designer

H&M has just announced that luxury design house Lanvin will be the next lower priced line for H&M.  Hooray.  This is such great news.  The only time I shop Lanvin now is at the Barney's Warehouse Sale because it is so pricey.  I am looking forward to getting some affordable Lanvin, and I can't wait to see this collection from the exquisite French label.  People StyleWatch reports that there will

Sneak Peak: Ports 1961 Spring Summer 2011

Pictured: A sketch from designer, Fiona Cibani for Ports 1961.
Part of the experience of fashion as art is watching the evolution of a designer's sketch into a finished garment on the runway at New York Fashion Week.  If you watch Project Runway, then you know that the each piece in a designer's collection, starts with their creative vision which is a sketch.  Now, not all designers sketcher. 

Celebrate National Coupon Month with Some Savings

Pictured: A coupon from Ann Taylor.com

So, it's hard to admit this, but...I had no idea September was National Coupon Month.  Sorry folks, it's not in my Kate Spade Holiday Planner.  Good thing I have those Google Alerts. So since it's National Coupon Month, I have to tell you about some good deals I have found.  First, you need to know about RedPlum's Dash for Deals web page. All month the