Monthly Archives: January 2013

IT’S HERE! URBAN DECAY’S OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

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First there was Jackie & Marilyn, then Betty & Veronica. Now, with the upcoming release of Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful this spring (a fantasy remake of the beloved 1939 classic Wizard of Oz) Urban Decay introduces two limited-edition makeup palettes for the good witch & bad witch in all of us.

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Called the “Glinda” and “Theodora,” each palette was inspired by the witches in the film and features 8 gorgeous, deeply-pigmented eye shadows, eye pencil and a high-shine lip gloss ($49 each, available at Sephora starting today—click here for more info on Shopilly!)

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Indulge your inner good witch with the soft, ethereal colors of the Glinda, played by Michelle Williams in the film, palette—think light pink and purple shadows, lightly lined eyes and nude gloss.

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Or, cross over to the dark side with the Theodora packed with sultry browns, rich earth tones and crimson lips. We love how each palette comes with a step-by-step guide on how to recreate the look at home, too.

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So tell us, which witch are you–a Glinda or a Theodora? Leave your comments below!

Four Bay Area Fashion Bloggers We Love

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When it comes to choosing outfits or making decorating decisions, I tend to go the safe route and select familiar (or what I call “classic”) choices. The familiar can quickly evolve into the boring, however, so any time I need a little style pick-me-up, I like to turn my attention to the blogosphere for inspiration. This week, I’m highlighting four of my go-to style blogs from Shopilly’s home base in the San Francisco Bay Area:

SF Girl By Bay
Victoria Smith writes this “bohemian modern style” interior design blog, which I can easily spend hours at a time reading. She has a knack for discovering little known and foreign designers – take a look at this gorgeous refrigerator (never thought you would hear those two words together, did you?) by Italian manufacturer Smeg – but she also highlights styles from household names, as seen in this post on holiday layers from J. Crew.

Love J. Crew? Follow the brand on Shopilly.

J. Crew

Fancy Fine
Ashley Ording’s closet is what my closet aspires to be – that is, if I had the talent and patience to shop for vintage clothes. Though she holds the covetable position of Web Merchandiser for Anthropologie and has been featured in a plethora of print and web publications, she always comes across as relatable and down-to-earth on her blog. Fancy Fine is a must-follow for fans of vintage-inspired fashion.

Follow Anthropologie on Shopilly to stay up-to-date on its newest collections.

Anthropologie

The SF Style
If you love fashion but words less so, this is the blog for you. The SF Style team, Dyanna Dawson and JT Tran, captures and compiles the best of San Francisco and New York street styles in this photo-heavy blog. I love getting style inspiration from regular city folk against the backdrop of some of San Francisco’s most famous sites – here’s the blog’s very own JT looking sharp in front of the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers.

Going West
California transplant Jennie L’s blog features enviable photos of her equally enviable style. She has perfected the art of crafting edgy but classic outfits (like this outfit, one of my favorites) by combining casual brands like Urban Outfitters and high-end designers like Marc Jacobs.

If you have some favorite fashion or design bloggers of your own in the Bay Area or beyond, please give them some love in the comments below!

GET THE LOOK: OBAMA OUTERWEAR

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Pantone may have declared 2013 as the year of emerald, but we have a feeling that purple—from lavender to grape and every shade in between—will be popping up everywhere this year, thanks to the stylish First Family’s sartorial choices during Monday’s inaugural ceremony.

Channeling true American royalty in a trio of perfectly-coordinated purple jackets, Sasha, 11 (in a violet Kate Spade New York coat), Malia, 14 (donning a J.Crew jacket and merlot infinity scarf) and FLOTUS Michelle Obama (in a checkered Thom Browne topper with eggplant gloves) looked tailored to perfection during Monday’s daytime festivities. Inspired, Shopilly set out to find the perfect purple pieces to add to our own cold-weather wardrobes this season. Learn how to get the look, and tell us what you think of the Obamas’ inauguration style below.

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MALIA OBAMA

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Malia opted for J.Crew’s double cloth lady day coat in fresh plum ($325, take an extra 40% off all sale items), crafted of luxe Italian wool and lined with cozy Thinsulate for an extra layer of warmth against the East Coast freeze. We also found this luxe fuchsia stunner by Chloe ($900 at Farfetch.com) which we think is the perfect pop of color over cocktail dresses and eveningwear.  For a more affordable everyday option, snag a wild cherry topper by Merona ($41.98 at Target) to channel the spirit of the older Obama sib.

SASHA OBAMA

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While Sasha’s custom Kate Spade New York coat isn’t available for purchase, we found a handful of violet delights that may tickle your fancy. DKNY’s darling double-breasted jacket (on sale for $129.99 at Lord & Taylor), Delia’s Devin peacoat ($59.50, score free shipping until Thursday!) and Via Spiga’s belted trench ($111.99 at Lord & Taylor) are a few plum options—all under $150, to boot!

MICHELLE OBAMA

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As for the most stylish First Lady since Jackie Kennedy? Get Michelle Obama’s sleek, sophisticated look by pairing a dark checkered jacket, such as John Richmond’s plaid wool topcoat ($1,475)  or Tory Burch’s tartan jacket ($548.16, both available at Farfetch.com) with black stovepipe skinnies and leather boots. Or opt for Christopher Kane’s lovely leopard style ($1,078 at thecorner.com), perfect for cinching with an embellished belt.

Unique Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Your Special Guy

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The countdown to one of the most polarizing holidays continues – we’re a mere 3 weeks away from the simultaneously beloved and reviled Valentine’s Day. Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day can be a stressful holiday due to the number of romantic expectations it brings, so we’re here to dispel a bit of your stress. Allow us to make some Valentine’s Day gift suggestions for the special male in your life!

Jo's Candies Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel Corn

Who says chocolates and other sweet gifts are just for the ladies? From gourmet popcorn to a decadent vintage port, these treats are sure to be a welcome addition to any kitchen:

HDMI Pocket Projector

If gadgets are the apple of his eye, here are some innovative electronics that will help him multitask, aerate or entertain:

Jetsetter

A la our Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her post last week, we’d like to cap off this post with some gift experiences. Gifting an experience might take more planning and research than a more conventional material gift, but we think these are well worth it:

  • Winter sport adventure with REI Adventures
  • Gourmet meal deal, relaxed wine tasting or getaway package via Bloomspot (note: deals are updated daily, so if you don’t find anything you like one day, check back the next)
  • Luxurious weekend away via Jetsetter (note: Jetsetter sales are offered on a first come, first served basis)

Cheers,
The Shopilly Team

Photo credits: surlatable.com, brookstone.com, jetsetter.com

5 Ways to Get Glowing this Winter

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Keeping in line with our resolution to look more polished this year, we’re beating the winter blahs this season with goodies from Shopilly’s favorite new bath & beauty line, Not Soap, Radio. With clever names like Liquid Freud body wash and Island Hopping perfume, we can’t get enough of their yummy, (almost) all-natural products. So much so, we’ve partnered up so you can score 20 percent off your next purchase! (Click here for the 411)

We test-drove a few products and picked our top 5 favorite to help you stay shiny and brand new this season. Here’s how…

1. SOAK AWAY STRESS

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Light a few candles, grab a stack of magazines and decompress after a long day with a warm, sudsy bubble bath spiked with Damsel in De-Stress ($12). A blend of calming, sulfate-free ingredients kicks toxic, wrinkle-inducing stress to the curb while leaving skin fresh and squeaky clean.

2. SMELL LIKE A STAR

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You’ll always feel red-carpet ready (even if you’re just going to the gas station) wearing I’m Not Here, I’m Really Walking the Red Carpet solid perfume ($15), a sweet blend of black & red current, Bulgarian rose and fresh jasmine in a stow-and-go fragrance jar. (And guess what? It also doubles as a hair pomade to help keep frizz and flyaways at bay, to boot!)

3. HIT REFERSH ON YOUR MID-DAY MAKEUP

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Beautify between client meetings and cocktail hour by keeping Not Soap Radio’s best-selling Bride’s Face Palette ($8) at your desk or glove compartment for quick & easy touch-ups. It features a compact mirror, 8 single-use glosses & shadows and a warm, universally-flattering bronzer to enhance your natural glow on-the-go.

 4. PUCKER UP

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Get soft, kissable lips with Cherry Cordial lip balm ($10), a moisturizing milk chocolate & black cherry lip duo made with real cocoa and fruit extracts (yum). We love how it made our pout look shiny-yet-totally-natural-looking all afternoon.

5. STAY HYDRATED

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Don’t let the blistery cold air suck all the moisture from your skin. After your morning shower, slather a layer of The Stuff That Cupid Dips His Arrow In body soufflé ($18)—a silky, super-hydrating lotion scented with sweet blackberries and fresh vanilla cream, sure to keep skin soft and supple all day.

 

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her

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While some of you may still be in the process of taking down holiday decorations or sweeping away the remaining New Years confetti, the chocolate, roses and hearts have already come out in full force. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – in fact, it’s exactly one month away! Are you shopping for a special someone this year? We’ve compiled a guide of Valentine’s Day gift ideas to help you out. This week, we’re showcasing our picks for the special female in your life. Check back next week for gift ideas for the fellows.

Paloma Picasso Love & Kisses Mini Bracelet

While jewelry may not be the most original gift idea, there’s a reason it’s a Valentine’s Day standard. However, picking jewelry out for someone can be a tricky task since taste in jewelry can vary so much from person to person. Unless the woman in your life has dropped some not-so-subtle hints in the past few months or you’ve pinpointed her style, we suggest picking out a simple, classic piece rather than a trendy or extravagant (and therefore risky) piece. Here are some of our favorites:

Assorted Parisian Macaroons

What would Valentine’s Day be without sweets? While candy necklaces and conversation hearts might not cut it anymore, these gourmet treats will surely be a hit:

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Now that we’ve covered the Valentine’s Day standards, let’s think outside of the box – experiences! Psychology research suggests that receiving experiences as gifts makes us happier than receiving material gifts. These Shopilly brands consistently offer great deals on experiences like upscale meals, getaways and hotel bookings:

Cheers,
The Shopilly Team

Photo credits: tiffany.com, surlatable.com, bloomspot.com

IT’S HERE: JASON WU FOR NORDSTROM!

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We’re huge (HUGE) fans of fashion designer Jason Wu, who has dressed everyone from actress Michelle Williams to First Lady Michelle Obama in his luxe, ultra feminine designs. So you can imagine our delight when his latest collection, Miss Wu—a darling 40-piece capsule of wallet-friendly dresses, separates and outerwear available exclusively at Nordstrom—hit the web earlier this week!

For the collection, Wu says that he was inspired by French New Wave and hip 60’s icons such as Marianne Faithfull and Penelope Tree, putting a cool, downtown spin on his signature sophisticated designs. “The look is gamine and mischievous in the spirit of those girls, but with a dressed up twist,” he told Instyle.com.

While price-points aren’t as low as the Target collection he did last spring (which sold out in hours), you can still snag a printed chiffon skirt for a reasonable $275 or a well turned out trench for under $600.

Take a look at the Miss Wu Lookbook below for the full collection, currently available for pre-order at Nordstrom.com, and tell us your favorites. (This spotted black and white shift makes our hearts skip a beat!)

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Photos from Nordstrom.com.

Say Cheese!

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Three Months of American Cheese

The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations have to be as well. In the spirit of continuous celebrations, today we’re talking cheese. That’s right, a full-blown investigation into how to create the perfect cheese plate for your next get-together:

Portion
As a general rule of thumb, plan to have an ounce or two of each type of cheese per person. Three to five different types of cheese should make an ample plate that allows each person to sample a nice variety. You may want to invest in some specialized cheese knives to make cutting and serving easy – the Dubost Cheese Knife Set provides a classic trio of cheese servers for a reasonable price.

Variety
Variety is the spice of life – especially when it comes to cheese! Here are a few cheese combinations you can try:

  • Cheeses made from different milk types: cow, goat and sheep. Check out food writer Janet Fletcher’s CheeseLibrary for examples of each.
  • Cheeses from different countries, such as France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
  • Cheeses that represent various regions of the U.S., for example Wisconsin Cheddar, Point Reyes Blue Cheese and Humboldt Fog.
  • Cheeses of different textures: soft and creamy cheeses like Brie and Camemert, or hard and dry cheeses like Manchego and Pecorino Romano.

Presentation
A well-planned cheese plate speaks for itself, so beyond selecting your cheeses and placing them on a simple cheese board, you don’t have to do much more in the way of presentation.

Wüsthof Gourmet Wine and Cheese Set

If you are not yet the proud owner of a cheese board, check out the Wüsthof Gourmet Wine and Cheese Set from Sur La Table. The set includes a bamboo board, cheese plane to create perfectly thin slices of cheese, cheese knife for slicing, and corkscrew for the all-important wine pairing. Williams Sonoma also sells a Slate Cheese Serving Board, complete with a soapstone pencil, which allows you to label each cheese for inquisitive guests. If you’re looking for a “higher-end” cheese board, take a look at the handsome Vintage French Cheese Board.

Vintage French Cheese Board

In terms of cheese placement, Joanna Goddard recommends placing your cheeses “in ‘clock order’—12 o’clock being the mildest and 11 o’clock being the strongest.’

Pairings
The obvious pairing is wine, but beer has become an increasingly popular pairing beverage as well. Check out these American Cheese Society guides to pairing cheese and wine and pairing cheese and beer.

To accompany (but not overwhelm) the cheese, serve some light crackers or plain bread like a French baguette on the side. More flavorful breads, like sourdough or focaccia, are generally not recommended since they may interfere with the flavor of cheese, but there are some exceptions. For example, walnut bread pairs nicely with chèvre.

Some people also like to serve simple accompaniments like fresh or dried fruits, honey and nuts with their cheese plates.

Cheers,
The Shopilly Team

P.S. Need a gift for a cheese lover? Consider a delicious three-month American Cheese delivery service or DIY Cheese-Making Kit from Williams Sonoma.

Photo credits: surlatable.com, williams-sonoma.com