Author Archives: Xenia

Spring Sales Galore

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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

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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 Trends We Can’t Wait to Wear

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It’s feeling a lot like spring here in the Bay Area, perhaps thanks to Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction that winter will end early this year. Even if you live in a part of the country that’s still bundled up from chilly temperatures, take heart – the first day of spring is only about a month away. With warmer temperatures and longer days on our minds, we’re taking a peek at spring trends for a variety of activities:

The First Picnic of the Season

Sunshine, good food, friends and family – what better way to welcome spring than with a picnic? Here are our favorite dresses of the season, equally perfect for frolicking on Venice Beach or in Central Park:

  1. Colorblock Chiffon Dress, American Eagle Outfitters
  2. Recycled Jersey Stripe Dress, James Perse Los Angeles
  3. Lace-Yolk Dress, Anthropologie

A Jog in the Park

Lululemon Run Inspire Crop

“Dreadmill” haters, rejoice – you can look forward to many months of outdoor activities! Kiss your winter layers goodbye and pull on Lululemon’s Run: Inspire Crop II. These running crops feature moisture-wicking fabrics and mesh panels to help you stay comfortable in warmer weather. Pair them with the Breathe Racerback tank from Gaiam, and if there’s a morning chill in the air, top off your outfit with Puma’s Tech Performance Seamless Jacket.

A Morning at the Farmer’s Market

Gap 1969 chambray tunic

Here in California, we’re spoiled by nearly year-round farmer’s markets, but in other parts of the country, spring ushers in the return of farmer’s markets. For a leisurely morning spent scoping out fresh produce, comfortable footwear is a must, and the Cole Haan ‘Air Monica’ Ballet Flat (available via Nordstrom) fits the bill with its comfy Nike Air technology. Wear the flats with pastel-hued pants like Free People’s Herringbone Skinny Crops and a relaxed chambray tunic from Gap. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Power Lunch

J. Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan

We love the fun patterns and sorbet-inspired colors in J. Crew’s spring cashmere shop. This cashmere cardigan is simple and classic, but its featherweight feel and an impressive variety of colors make it a perfect springtime addition to your closet. Our favorite colors are lemon pulp (shown above) and neon rose – pair the cardigan with your favorite pencil skirt for an instant wear-to-work outfit.

Photo credits: ae.com, jamesperse.com, anthropologie.com, shop.lululemon.com, gap.com, jcrew.com

Celebrating the Baltimore Ravens, Super Bowl XLVII Champions

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After a nail-biting game, complete with a 35-minute power outage delay, an awkward Go Daddy commercial and a surprise Destiny’s Child reunion, the Baltimore Ravens narrowly pulled off a Super Bowl win against the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.

For full disclosure, Shopilly is based in the Bay Area, and I, like most others in the area, was rooting for the 49ers. However, in the name of good sportsmanship, we want to salute the Super Bowl XLVII Champions by highlighting some bragging rights gear for those celebrating the Ravens’ win.

Nike Men's Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco Jersey

Nike Men’s Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco Jersey, Sports Authority, $100
Ravens QB Joe Flacco was awarded MVP honors at the conclusion of Sunday’s game. He completed 22 of 33 passes for a total of 287 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, so wear his number with pride!

Antigua Women's Baltimore Ravens Succeed Jacket

Antigua Women’s Baltimore Ravens Succeed Jacket, Sports Authority, $64.99
Stay warm during the winter-to-spring transition (which will come earlier this year, thanks to Punxsutawney Phil!) with this long-sleeve pullover fleece. The feminine cut and understated embroidered Ravens logo extend its wearability past football season.

NFL Baltimore Ravens 59Fifty Fitted Cap

NFL Baltimore Ravens 59Fifty Fitted Cap, Amazon.com, $16.40-$34.95
Showing your Ravens’ love doesn’t have to break the bank — this affordably priced fitted cap by New Era comes in 12 sizes and features two tones and an embroidered logo.

Baltimore Ravens Toddler Short Sleeve Football Jersey

Baltimore Ravens Toddler Short Sleeve Football Jersey and Pant Set, Amazon.com, $34.99
It’s never too early to create a fan, right? This jersey and pant set is perfect for a two to four year old toddler — which just so happens to also be the perfect age range to teach a toddler about the importance of team loyalty and good sportsmanship.

Lastly, did you notice Beyonce’s leather and lace mini-dress during the half-time show? She chose little-known designer Rubin Singer for the humble task of creating costumes for her and the 120 backup dancers that graced the stage during the half-time show. While Beyonce’s getup is presumably a bit too risque for everyday wear, you can draw inspiration from Mr. Singer’s design with these little black dresses:

Hope you enjoyed the game!
The Shopilly Team

Photo Credits: sportsauthority.com, amazon.com, charlotterusse.com, freepeople.com, shop.mango.com

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!

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

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:

Bloomspot

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

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