Style Spotlight on Wedge Sandals

Lately, we’ve noticed a variety of cute wedge sandals cruising the sidewalks and gracing the fashion blogs. We’re fans of this trend – wedges provide a comfortable way of adding height to your stance and sophistication to your outfits. Plus, for anyone not blessed with the natural talent of being able to balance or walk in heels, wedges are a safer alternative. Below, we’ve picked out five wedge sandals that are the perfect fit for any budget and the perfect finishing touch for any spring outfit.

From top left, clockwise: Waylon Harachi Cork Wedge Sandal, Piccolo Wedges, Seychelles Thyme Wedge Sandals, Fleure Gladiator Sandals, Wood Wedge Sandals

From top left, clockwise: Waylon Harachi Cork Wedge Sandal, Piccolo Wedges, Seychelles Thyme Wedge Sandals, Fleure Gladiator Sandals, Wood Wedge Sandals

Waylon Harachi Cork Wedge Sandal, Target ($29.99)
With a 4.25” heel, these wedges may be sky-high, but the thick foot straps and ankle strap make these much sturdier than your average pair of strappy sandals. The wedges come in black, blue, cognac and red, and at just $29.99, the price is definitely right. Pair these wedges with a pair of cropped jeans or your favorite maxi dress.

Piccolo Wedges, Asos ($66.50)
If you’re looking for a pair of wedges that can easily transition from office hours to happy hour, this is the pair for you. Featuring a Perspex (shatter-resistant acrylic glass) wedge heel, Asos’ Piccolo Wedges put a modern twist on the wedge heel. While they don’t fit perfectly into the sandal category, the peep toe openings give them a springtime feel.

Seychelles Thyme Wedge Sandal, Urban Outfitters ($95.00)
These wedge sandals come in three colors, but the jewel-toned teal is decidedly our favorite. We’d wear these with a pair of dark tuxedo shorts for a pop of color and a leg-lengthening effect.

Fleure Gladiator Sandals, Topshop ($110)
If you think wedge sandals are too dainty and sweet, think again. Featuring a mini wedge, these black leather gladiator sandals are easy to walk in and can toughen up any outfit. Try pairing a feminine swing dress with these gladiator sandals for an unexpected contrast.

Wood Wedge Sandals, Mango ($119.99)
Leather and wood combine to create these gorgeous wedges by the Spanish clothing company Mango. The neutral coloring makes these sandals extremely versatile – you can just as easily wear them with jeans as with flowy trousers or a fitted dress.

Photo credits: target.com, us.asos.com, urbanoutfitters.com, us.topshop.com, shop.mango.com

Essentials for a Beach Getaway

Summer is still two months away, but with the days growing longer and the weather warming up, it feels like it’s right around the corner (at least in this part of the country – apologies to our friends in the Midwest who are being slammed by more snow!). If you’ve been daydreaming about your first visit to the beach, or if you’re planning for an ocean-side vacation, this post on beach essentials is for you.

Essentials for a Beach Getaway

Double-stripe bandeau top and double-stripe tab hipster, J. Crew ($48 per piece)
Want a cute bathing suit? Check out J. Crew’s 2013 line of swimwear, which features fun patterns like summer stripes and playful polka dots. With a variety of cuts and styles – for example, bottoms are available in hipster, high-waisted brief, bikini and lowrider cuts – you can mix and match tops and bottoms to create your ideal bathing suit.

Mossimo Supply Co. Floppy Hat, Target ($14.99)
Too much of a good thing can be bad, and that definitely holds true for sunshine. Protect your face from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays with a stylish, oversized hat. This floppy hat from Target gets the job done without leaving a dent in your wallet.

Slingback Boardwalk Sandal, Madewell ($49.50-$59.50)
I’ve never been a fan of the thong style of flip-flops, so I’m much more likely to reach for a pair of slingback sandals like these. Plus, the two-tone textured leather makes these sandals extremely versatile – they can go straight from the beach to boardwalk to bar.

Printed Canvas Tote, Gap ($39.95)
A big, sturdy beach bag is a necessity for safe-keeping your beach towel, sunscreen, reading materials and snacks. Choose a canvas bag, like this printed tote from Gap, for easy cleanup, as it wipes clean after a long day at the beach.

Open-stitch Poncho Cover-up Sweater, Victoria’s Secret ($49.50)
This cotton and cashmere poncho is light, airy and soft – everything I want in a beach cover-up. Even better, it’s currently on sale for $49.50 off $10 from its original price.

Did I leave out any of your favorite beach essentials? Share them in the comments!

Photo credits: jcrew.com, target.com, madewell.com, gap.com, victoriassecret.com

Shopilly Features 101

Shopilly homepage

If you like us on Facebook, you probably saw our announcement earlier this week that we’ve redesigned our homepage to make it easier for you to log in to Shopilly or create an account.

Well, that’s not all. Thanks to feedback and insight from users like you, we’ve optimized Shopilly to provide a savvy, clutter-free shopping experience. Today we’re highlighting some of our favorite features, which allow you to explore, discover, organize – and live Shopilly ever after!

Shopilly Checklist
We’ve placed this handy checklist in the Home tab to help you make the most of your Shopilly account. Have you followed your favorite brands to stay updated on their sales and new products or collections? Have you linked your email to de-clutter your inbox of marketing emails and shopping receipts? And – we couldn’t leave this one out – have you invited your friends to join Shopilly?

Visual Organization
Upon logging into Shopilly, you’ll see thumbnails in your Home tab that keep your account organized and make it easy to window shop by category, for example Hot deals, Flash sales and Fashion. Shopilly also tells you how many new emails you have in your inbox and how many new posts you have to catch up on from your favorite brands.

Recent Activity
If you’re curious about what the Shopilly brands have been up to lately, scroll down to the Recent Activity section of your Home tab. This news-like ticker is refreshed every time a brand posts an update.

What’s Popular
If you’ve already followed all of your favorite brands but are looking for a new brand or two to explore, navigate to the Brands tab and click ‘Popular’ to see which brands other Shopilly users favor. You might just discover an exciting new sale or your next favorite store!

Cheers,
The Shopilly Team

The New Affordable Designer Collab We Love: Georgina Chapman for J.C. Penny!

Affordable designer lines are all the rage right now, as we first saw with Prabal Gurung’s collaboration with Target in early February.

Now it’s time for us to spotlight a new affordable collaboration: Pearl for J.C. Penny by Georgina Chapman. Named after Chapman’s daughter, this collection is accessible but still glamorous with the trademark embellishments and luxe fabrics of the Marchesa label. The difference is that the garments are priced somewhere between $50-250 (aka we can own a Georgina Chapman garment without breaking the bank!)

Pearl by Marchesa

We have swooned over the ruffles and beaded appliqué of the Marchesa brand for practically a decade now. The designers of the high-end women’s wear line, Georgina Chapman and Keren Creaig, have dressed Hollywood stars Olivia Wilde, Sandra Bullock, Kristen Stewart, and Jennifer Lopez all the way to coveted best-dressed lists. It is such a dream come true that now women around the world can be best-dressed for their next fancy event!

The Pearl collection, which debuted in early March, features a “Pearl dress for every occasion,” including prom, holiday parties, and even garden parties. Elegant, sexy and feminine, the collection boasts bows, taffeta, and tulle galore.

Pearl by Marchesa

We’ll definitely be checking in to see if J.C. Penny becomes the ultimate destination for fashionistas now that romantic evening-wear dresses by this coveted designer have become a reality instead of a pure fantasy.

Pearl by Marchesa

 

Be sure to check out this “Behind the Scenes with Pearl by Georgina Chapman” video for more information about the line and the collaboration!

Until next time,
Shopilly

Springing into Florals, Skirts, and Brights

Now that we can (almost) say sayonara to the layering, heavy coats, and sober color palette of the winter months, it’s time to scout out our favorite spring fashions to add some color back into our lives. Spring is all about graphic prints and patterns, playful silhouettes, and the ultimate air of whimsy. Capture the vigor, vibrancy, and vitality of spring through your clothing with Shopilly’s favorite spring finds:

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This incandescent pink lace tank from Aeropostale is perfect to celebrate sunny rays and lemonade days. Tap into the front-tie trend with this bold and feminine color, and pair it with a pair of colored skinnies to achieve a great spring look.

Woven Tie-Front Lace Tank, $28.00

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We love how simplistic and perfect this American Eagle dress is for your next garden party, day outing, or picnic at the park. The neon yellow color is amazingly flattering for many, and gives you the opportunity to try some complementary funky jewelry.

Eyelet Cutout Dress, $49.95

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The glam hue of this BaubleBar necklace will perfectly elevate a fresh spring ensemble! Pair it with a monochrome outfit (a pale yellow would be great) for an element of surprise, or add it to a white tee and fun skirt to add some girly glam.

Cabochon Strand Duo, $32

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Ballet flats are the perfect spring shoes: feminine, sophisticated, and versatile. We are in love with these Cole Haan Aster Purple Patent flats (also in black, empire blue, sea green, orange, sandstone, and sunlight) and love that they would add an incredible pop of color to any outfit!

Manhattan Ballet Flats, $158.00

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This classic Ella Moss statement skirt is a must-have for your spring wardrobe! The paisley pattern in red is sweet and unique, and the movement and lightness of the skirt is perfect for a Sunday brunch or outdoor lunch.

Cisco Paisley Skirt, $158.00

Stay up-to-date with promotions and sales through signing up with Shopilly! Connect with your favorite brands and be the first to hear about sales so you can snag all of your favorite items to achieve the perfect spring closet.

As the Kate Spade brand so succinctly reminds us: live colorfully for the spring season, with Shopilly!

Spring Sales Galore

Lucky you – the first day of spring is right around the corner, and retailers are celebrating with sales and great deals. If you’ve done your spring cleaning and have some extra room in your closet, now is a great time to head over to the mall to re-stock your warm weather wardrobe. We’ve highlighted some notable sales and deals below – happy shopping!

ASOS Towelling Beach Playsuit White Chocolate Hooded Chambray Dress

Asos: Saint Patrick’s Day may be over and done with, but Asos is celebrating for an extra day with 20 percent off full-priced items with the code HAPPYSTPADDYS. We love this playful Towelling Beach Playsuit, which is perfect for a day in the sand and sun, and this easygoing Hooded Chambray Dress by White Chocoolate.

Bloomingdale’s: Members of Loyalist, Bloomingdale’s free rewards program, are being treated to an exclusive sale now through Sunday, March 24. It’s a tiered sale – spend $100-$249.99 and take $25 off your purchase, spend $250-$499.99 and take $50 off, and on. Not a Loyalist? Join for free here, and start taking advantage of the sales!

Express: You have until this Wednesday, March 20, to shop Express’ Spring Sale. In addition to great deals like Buy 1, Get 1 $9.90 tees and tanks for women and Buy 1, Get 1 $29.90 shorts for men, Express if offering a bonus with the code 1162. Get an extra $15 off for every $75 you spend, $30 off for every $150 you spend, and on.

Lucky: The beloved denim company is hosting an online-only private pre-sale that ends tomorrow, March 19. Hurry over to its website to save 20 percent off everything with the code LUCKYVIP317. If you’ve had your eyes on a pair of Lucky jeans like the Charlie Skinny or Lola Boot, now is the time to do so!

BlankNYC Skinny Color Jeans Bed stü Aunt Blanche Boat Shoes

Madewell: As if you needed another reason to love sales, Madewell is offering an extra 20 percent off sale items through tomorrow, March 19, with the code GOODSTUFF. Our sale item picks are these adorable skinny color jeans by [blanknyc] and Aunt Blanche boat shoes in “Denim Greenland” by California designer bed|stü.

Style Spotlight on Peplum

Last week, fashion blogger Emily Schuman (Cupcakes and Cashmere) wore an adorable bustier peplum dress by ADDISON, and we haven’t been able to get peplum off our minds since. From Francesco Scognamiglio at Milan Womenswear Fashion Week to Stephen Burrows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, peplums have been making the rounds at international fashion shows. Unlike some runway trends, though, peplums are easily transferable to real-life wear, whether for the office or a night out. Here, we’ve highlighted four of our favorite peplums for the spring:

Sweetheart Lace Peplum TopDavid Meister Pleated Peplum Dress

 

Sweetheart Lace Peplum Top, Anthropologie
If you’re intimidated by the peplum trend, this is the top for you. Its neutral colors and lace pattern make it a versatile piece – wear the tube top alone for a night out, or dress it up with a blazer and skinny pants (a la the photo on the right) to make it office-appropriate.

David Meister Pleated Peplum Dress

David Meister Pleated Peplum Dress, Saks Fifth Avenue
David Meister nailed the “classic and elegant” look with this dress. Details like a foldover cowl neckline, slender belt and, of course, pleated front peplum, give this otherwise simple navy dress plenty of character.

Faux Leather Peplum Top

Faux Leather Peplum Top, Zara
Even though peplum first became popular in the 1940’s, it doesn’t have to scream old-fashioned. Those of you searching for an edgier way to wear peplum will appreciate this faux leather top by Spanish retailer Zara. We imagine it’s what Lara Croft (the Angelina Jolie movie version) would wear for a night out on the town.

Eyelet Peplum

Eyelet Peplum, Free People
Leave it to boho-chic retailer Free People to create a peplum piece that screams summer. This eyelet peplum tunic top features a bustier-style front, removable shoulder straps, and raw edges. It’s available in two colors – denim blue and strawberry pink – both of which would be perfect with flip flops and your favorite pair of worn-in jeans.

Photo credits: anthropologie.com, saksfifthavenue.com, zara.com, freepeople.com

SPRING’S BEST BALLET FLATS

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While polished pumps and strappy stilettos always make us happy, we’re putting some extra spring in our step this season with colorful ballerinas. Designers are kicking up their skimmers in a big way, elevating them in sumptuous dyed leather, fun florals and ornate embellishments. Chic and timeless (not to mention insanely-comfy) for the office or running around on weekends, channel your inner Audrey with our favorite styles of the season (plus, what to pair them with).

BEST FLORAL: J.CREWScreen Shot 2013-02-27 at 10.55.16 PMKick up your heels for J.Crew’s latest collaboration with UK textile company, Liberty of London, whose feminine florals adorn these Cece flats ($198 at J.Crew; enjoy free shipping on all orders with code FREESHIP). Not only are they incredibly cute, they’re made with padding, a rubber sole and a slight interior wedge for extra comfort. Pair them with accessories that pick up a hue in the print, such as this bubble gum pink stunner by Kate Spade New York ($198 at Kate Spade New York; you can also download their latest music playlist).

BEST COLORBLOCK: NINE WEST

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Add a pop of color with Nine West’s Superfly skimmers (on sale for $49 at Nine West; get $20 off!) crafted of fuchsia and tangerine suede. We’ll be wearing ours this spring with jeans and a tee on weekends, and with chartreuse capris (like J.Crew’s, $168 at Net-A-Porter) on days we’re feeling a bit more daring.

BEST ORNATE: OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Screen Shot 2013-02-27 at 11.30.44 PMEven his flats are red-carpet ready! Oscar de la Renta’s Petalina ballerinas ($825 at Bergdorf Goodman; free upgraded shipping with code SHIPBG) are spun of creamy leather and dressed up with dramatic beads and black florets, making them perfect with an LBD (such as this swingy little number by Topshop, $75) for dinner at a fancy restaurant or cocktail party.

BEST RAIN-READY: TORY BURCH

Screen Shot 2013-02-27 at 11.43.23 PM Add a dash of sunshine to spring showers with Tory Burch’s cheerful bow ballets ($125 at Tory Burch; enjoy free shipping) crafted of water-resistant rubber and finished with a feminine bow. They’re a chic alternative to rain boots, and the perfect complement to Missoni’s cute chevron umbrella ($69 at Saks Fifth Avenue; score free shipping with code SFAFEB).

BEST STUDDED: MARC BY MARC JACOBS

Screen Shot 2013-02-27 at 11.54.59 PMMarc by Marc Jacobs kicks spring’s critter trend to the next level with these adorable flats ($248 at Neiman Marcus, free shipping with code FEBSHIP). They’re spun of supple cobalt leather with studs in a playful mouse motif. Paint your pout with Dior’s Favori Red ($32 at Sephora; free shipping over $50) to balance the whimsy.