Weekly Shopping and Goodies

The Fashionable Housewife is giving away 2 fabulous handbags loaded with a TJ Maxx & Marshalls Gift Card! Enter today! Contest ends October 11th.

Handbag du Jour picks its haute bag of the week: the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Nikki Bag with Resin Handle.

I love Barbara B shoes! Read it in Quinta Trends

Shopping and Info found the leather jacket worn by Elena on Vampire Diaries.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com is giving away a FREE PLAID SHIRT from Chick Downtown and is offering 20% off all week long Check it Out!

Style Eyes is in love, she takes a trip to Evening Shoe Heaven

TheFind Blog is getting set for the fall social season with fabulous and festive earrings from Pippa Small, Orhan, and Isharya.

What’s Haute Magazine heads to Brooklyn for Self Salon’s Blogger Beauty Night!

Get her haute look: Kerry Washington in Malandrino

Actress Kerry Washington was seen posing for a photocall while promoting her film ‘Mother and Child’, during the 57th San Sebastian International Film Festival in San Sebastian, Spain. The film festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world and has a strong focus on European and U.S. movies. Washington posed with castmaes Naomi Watts, Jimmy Smits and director Rodrigo Garcia. She looked chic wearing the Leggero Tulle Draped Blouse With Ruffle Detail from Malandrino Fall 2009. The blouse features a sheer ruffled top in noir (black) with a nude (sorbet) layer underneath. Kerry paired it with a straight black skirt and black Christian Louboutin pumps. Get the blouse for $950 at Catherine Malandrino online.

Runway photo: Rachel Clark/Style.com

Maria Pinto - Spring/Summer 2010

We’ve been eyeing the First Lady’s fashions even before she became the First Lady and the one name we kept hearing over and over again was Maria Pinto. The Chicago-based designer has been dressing Michelle Obama long before the nation took notice, and it’s easy to see why Pinto’s designs are a favorite of Mrs. O - they’re figure flattering, fashion-forward and classically glamorous.

I had a chance to chat with the designer after viewing her selection of beautifully constructed and colorful dresses, jackets, and separates including pants, blouses and skirts at her Spring 2010 presentation. Her inspiration? Argentine tango dancers and polo players. Pinto said she visited a while back and loved their vibrancy and sensuality so much that she used the inspiration to incorporate into her line.

Palette: Mimosa, canna, salvia, fuchsia, peony, steel, sand and mud

Silhouettes: Ruffled minis, A-line trenches, pencil dresses, pleated pants and skirts, sleeveless gowns, structured blazers, tops and jackets with strong shoulders

Materials: Chiffon, soft leather, stretch wool, shirred jersey

Pièce de résistance: Black Ritero leather trench with pointed shoulders

Takeaways: Maria Pinto designs for the everyday woman who loves to inject her wardrobe with a bit of glamour. Simple silhouettes are embraced by unlikely fabrics and color choices but the result is stunning. We can see Michelle Obama snapping up this entire collection. We want it all too.

Photos: Ehmonie Hainey/What’s Haute

Brian Lichtenberg Exclusive Freakum Dress

Look at what Beyonce started. First, she sang about a Freakum Dress; now someone went and designed one. Designer Brian Lichtenberg (Keri Hilson, Lady Gaga, Ciara and Bey are all fans) is the man behind the dress which is equal parts ‘freakum’ and ‘freaky’. A nude colored sheer mesh bodice is covered with contrast black jersey cutouts (that give the weird effect of Mickey Mouse ears) leading into a black jersey miniskirt. The top back of the dress is entirely sheer. We think Beyonce would approve.

$257, Karmaloop

Self Salon Brooklyn - Blogger Beauty Night

You know the questions “If you were running out of a burning house, what three things would you grab?” and “If you were on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you?”. Well, in both instances for me, at least one of those things would be a bag of hair care products, including shampoo and conditioner, some sort of hair treatment, a blowdryer and a flat iron. I’m a little obsessed with my hair (I try my hardest not to have bad hair days), so when I was invited to check out Self Salon and get a hair glossing and blowout, I jumped at the chance.

I trekked over to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and immediately felt relaxed when I entered the fresh and airy, all-white space. The space was like a large art studio and the atmosphere was so calming. It was just what I needed after a long, stressful week! I chatted with some fellow bloggers, nibbled on Greek food and had a few glasses of wine before Jeffrey started my hair glossing process. The process was simple – he put the gloss in and just let it sit for about 20 minutes. Once it was rinsed out, Jeffrey was working on another blogger so the adorable owner, Maria Barca, took care of me.

Maria was nothing short of fabulous. To begin with, she was a sweetheart and super nice – a quality that seems to miss many stylists – at least most of the ones I have encountered. She explained everything that she was doing to my hair, and asked me many questions like what I wanted in terms of styling, what types of products I used and/or preferred, etc. This was all in an effort to get to know her client’s (my) needs well so she could provide the best service.

In addition to the amazing service, she is also an amazing stylist! She gave me a blowout which was very relaxing (I kept dozing off!) and fairly quick (no all-nighters here) which turned out beautiful. Then she offered to give me one of her signature “dry cuts” – I graciously accepted. I liked that she offered but didn’t push it, and even gave me a mirror and spun my chair around to show me exactly how much she was going to cut. No stylist has EVER done that before – they usually just start cutting away and you have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. When she was done, my hair had that shine, bounce and swing that you typically only see in hair commercials.

If you want awesome service, and ‘commercial-quality’ hair, hop on a train to Brooklyn and grab yourself a seat at Self Salon. It’s only $45 for a blowout and you’ll be in and out in a flash. A hair glossing goes for an affordable $75, and lasts for approximately 10 washes. They also have a ton of other services (like coloring, highlights and hair treatments) hair and beauty products that you’ll want to check out. And Self is currently running a 20% off special until October 31st, in case you needed another reason to check them out. They also provide other services like acupuncture and makeup. I’m heading back soon to get a bridal makeup consultation so check back soon for photos of that! Learn more by visiting their website at SelfSalonBrooklyn.com.

Self Salon
147 Grand Street (between Bedford and Berry)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Telephone: 718.599.1449
Email: selfsalon@verizon.net

Directions: L train to Bedford Avenue, walk south on Bedford to Grand and turn right
J, M or Z trains to Marcy stop, walk north on Bedford Avenue to Grand and turn left

Click here for more specials at Self Salon.

She By Sheree - Spring/Summer 2010 at New York Fashion Week

So we’ve been waiting all year for She by Sheree and the line finally debuted during New York Fashion Week. Sooo, the looks aren’t necesarily ‘wow’-worthy but, well…they are wearable. Both Sheree’s line and Lisa Wu-Hartwell’s ‘Closet Freak’ line have that sort of slightly upscale bebe vibe - they’re full of cutesy contemporary separates that draw a fine line between corporate and the club. All in all, it’s a nice first attempt for Sheree; a lot better than most of us were expecting.

J. Kohen/Wireimage

Shop this week’s online sample sales

Just click on the links to sign up and shop!

Gilt Groupe
Monday 9/28/09: Moschino Signature, Sydney Evan jewelry, Moschino jewelry and watches, Sergio Rossi women’s, LOVA & Relwen
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Maurice Lacroix watches, Paul Smith and Mosley Tribes sunglasses, Yohji Yamamoto, Sofia Cashmere, Mary Norton
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Rodial: Nature-Science skincare, The ProportionofBlu, Giambattista Valli, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Anzie jewelry
Thursday, 10/1/09: Portolano men’s, Emanuel Ungaro, Tucker, Portolano, Alessandro Dell’Acqua shoes, D.L. & Co. men’s, D.L. & Co., Tara jewelry
Friday, 10/2/09: Page Sargisson and Susan Hanover, Seven For All Mankind, Kara Ross jewelry, Kim Seybert, Puma watches, Puma Golf

Gilt Fuse
Monday 9/28/09: Nicole Miller jewelry, BCBG
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Grace Chan for Indulgems
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Freelook watches, LNA
Thursday, 10/1/09: Nicole Apostoli for Presh, BCBG Max Azria handbags
Friday, 10/2/09: Beyond Yoga

ideeli
Sign up for ideeli to win a giveaway from Chanel and a Mont Blanc Boheme Mor pen!
UPDATED
Monday 9/28/09: Havaianas, Sondra Roberts, Cino, Christopher Fischer
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Phillip Bloch for Emma & Posh, City of Others
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Original Dr. Scholl’s, Hype handbags and wallets, Nine West outerwear, David Aubrey jewelry
Thursday, 10/1/09: Bric’s luggage

Hautelook
Monday 9/28/09: Dittos, Accutron watches, Va Va by Joy Han, Alanna Bess jewelry, The Sak
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Rachel Pally, Fusion Beauty, Hammerman jewels, Nambé
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Kasil, Jami Rodriguez, Christian Audigier jewelry, Santuario di Belleza (Isola Luce, Inc.), Angel Dear
Thursday, 10/1/09: Freeze 24.7, Jim Barnier

Rue La La
Monday 9/28/09: Cole Haan outerwear, Oscar Blandi
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Theory, The Sports Club/LA, Horny Toad
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Diesel, J. Lindeberg, Zobha, Devon Leigh jewelry collections,
Thursday, 10/1/09: Laundry by Shelli Segal, Mitchell & Ness, Pratesi

Billion Dollar Babes
Monday 9/28/09: Z. Bigatti
Wednesday, 9/30/09: egg by susan lazar, LAmade Kids & OiOi
Friday, 10/2/09: ferd, kaplanMD, Ray-Ban and Tom Ford eyewear
Monday 10/5/09: Porridge Home, Sonya Dakar skincare

Beyond the Rack (Personal invitation code NEH7308F05D)
Monday 9/28/09: Calvin Klein handbags, Rampage scarves
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Fendi handbags, See Through Soul jeans

Editor’s Closet is a free, highly exclusive and invitation-only sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com
Tuesday, 9/29/09: Triumph watches, Carissima Bijoux
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Whiting & Davis
Thursday, 10/1/09: Huit 8 Paris
Friday, 10/2/09: Betsey Johnson
Saturday 10/3/09: Designer handbag blowout sale

The Top Secret is a free, highly exclusive and invitation-only sample sale site. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com
Monday 9/28/09: Michael Kors, Andrew Marc
Wednesday, 9/30/09: Missoni scarves
Thursday, 10/1/09: Kenneth Cole

Nine West on the runway at New York Fashion Week

During New York Fashion Week, Nine West collaborated with some amazing rising designers to dress their models in some of the latest footwear designs. Designers included Project Runway runner-up Jillian Lewis, Bensoni, Timo Weiland and Untitled 11:11. Nine West’s Creative Director, Fred Allard, commented:

“We were very excited to collaborate with such talented designers for the Spring 2010 fashion shows. We believe in supporting the efforts of new talent in the industry and will continue to work with young designers. The trends I loved on the New York runway ranged from eye-catching Americana to neutral layered palettes. For footwear, there was an emphasis in flats and sandals as well as the continued menswear/utility trend with updated lace-ups.”

Styles included the Lollipop ($89), the Count ($89), the Norbu, the Aleksander, ($79.99), the Velli, Boutique 9, ($99.99), the Tesia, ($89.99), all available in stores and/or online at Nine West.com.

Toni Francesc - Spring/Summer 2010

Toni Francesc’s water-inspired show was a delight to the visual and audio senses. The Catalan designer’s Spring-Summer 2010 collection titled “Water’s Mood” paid homage to water in all its forms. A video installation with moving images of water – waves, currents and water drops – got us in the mood to be wowed. And that, along with the sounds of dripping water mixed with relaxing music set the stage to usher in the models.

The water theme of the collection resulted in a palette of blue with shades of mauve, khaki and sand, white and gray, to translate images of water droplets, lakes, puddles and rivers into ready-to-wear looks.

Silhouettes: Billowy tops, origami pleats, simple cuts, multiple layers and drapes.

Materials: Silk, satin, chiffon, cotton

Pièce de résistance: Blue satin cap-sleeved dress with short underskirt and a sheer ruffled overskirt.

Takeaways: You may not be very familiar with Francesc since this was his first time showing in the tents at Bryant Park, but he is absolutely one to watch. He studied at the Catalan Fashion Institute from 1986-1988 and shortly after, started his eponymous line for the sophisticated urban woman. This was by far one of the best showings during Fashion Week. Each piece was breathtakingly designed, the silhouettes were flattering to all women’s body types and each piece balanced soft and hard textures, with an ethereal yet sculptural feel. It was very well-received by the entire crowd.

Kristian Dowling/Wireimage

Would You Wear? Stella McCartney perforated thigh-high boots

Would you dare to wear these Stella McCartney perforated thigh-high boots like Rihanna? These hotties are made of black faux-leather, reach thigh-high and have a 5 inch killer heel!

The dirty details:
Perforation detail
Gunmetal trim
Sculpted-metal heel and platform
Square toe with folded seam detail
Tonal stitch trim
Gummed panel at the top

Get a pair and shop more Stella McCartney at NET-A-PORTER.COM

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