Spring Trend: Icy Pastels

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow on Groundhog Day, but we’re still holding out hope that spring will grace us with its presence soon. In that spirit, we’ve been perusing the lookbooks of our favorite Shopilly brands for spring fashions that we can’t wait to incorporate into our warm weather wardrobes. One trend that caught our eye during last month’s New York Fashion Week was the icy pastel color palette. Usually pastels conjure up images of Easter eggs and spring bouquets, but these icy pastel pieces manage to be more edgy than sweet.

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There are so many things we love about the Miel Dress from Anthropologie: the timeless silhouette, exaggerated bow, unusual color blocking. The full-bodied, satiny yellow skirt is paired with a black and cream pattern, giving this otherwise classic dress a contemporary twist.

Similarly, Kate Spade updates a classic cupcake skirt by presenting it in a bright, metallic pink. The Gene Skirt would be perfect over a simple top for a spring wedding.

If you’re looking to infuse some color into your work wardrobe, the Mint Tucked Tee from British retailer Topshop is a flattering choice. The tucked peplum shape provides a slimming effect, and the mint color is a refreshing departure from the usual office neutrals. Wear it to the office over a pencil skirt and then transition it to an evening piece by pairing it with skinny jeans and stilettos.

We love menswear-inspired styles (did you see Diane Keaton’s tailored suit at the Golden Globes?), and the Must-Have Blazer from Forever 21 fits the bill. Its longer, looser fit distinguishes it from most womens’ blazers, and the icy blue color is unexpected. At $29.80, this blazer is a steal!

Classic ballet flats are a wardrobe staple, and Cole Haan’s Manhattan Ballet flat is a beautiful take on the style. It comes in eight colors, but we particularly like the rose gold color- the metallic sheen keeps it from being too sweet. Right now, it’s on sale for $109.95.

Lastly, how beautiful is the Tamitha Backpack by Aimee Kestenberg? The leather zip backpack manages to be both stylish and functional at once, which, alas, is probably the reason it’s backordered at Nordstrom.

What are some of the spring trends you’re loving right now? We’d love to hear from you- write to us in the comments!

Cheers to the Weekend with Kate Spade Saturday

We can all recognize Kate Spade by its iconic colors, perfectly chic bows and polka dots, and cute taglines and phrases that bring the brand to life (live colorfully anyone?). So when Kate Spade introduced a sister brand that boasts prices that are 50% cheaper, it was no shock when all of us non-New-York-non-Japan millennium consumers flocked to the Kate Spade Saturday website to get our hands on the coveted girly sweet (but not saccharine) products.

Saturday’s represents an offshoot of the Kate Spade brand’s success, which has only been exponentially rising over the past decade. Though still upholding the signature Kate Spade design aesthetic we know and love, this line features more affordable inventory that reaches out to a younger customer with more casual and minimalist looks.

The brand has already ascended to international prominence with six permanent stores in Japan, and plans to open more in the future. More U.S. stores are also slated to open, including other New York locations as well as outposts on the West Coast. For now, customers in the U.S. can get their hands on a $70 splatter paint wallet or a $150 canary crossover dress through purchasing online or through visitng the New York pop-up shop.

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Beyond success in the Japan market, a key guerrilla marketing tactic in New York helped the brand solidify its stardom and generate buzz before announcing more store launches. A partnership with eBay to create cutting-edge window shops made Saturday’s the talk of the fashion and business world. From June to early July, “shoppable” storefront windows allowed customers to buy clothing and accessories from a catalog of 30 inventory items through a touch-screen device displayed in the windows. Passerby selected what they wanted on the screen, entered in their phone number to receive order confirmation, greeted a messenger who delivered the products within the hour to select areas for free, and payed upon delivery. Talk about truly experiencing a revolutionary brand.

Taking this a step further, Kate Spade Saturday has extended their stay at 30 Gansevoort Street in New York by building out the space behind the digital storefront. This pop-up shop will be open through October 31, with special events held every Saturday (no surprises there, but we surely approve of the weekly celebration to celebrate the brand name!)

Here are our top two favorite looks from the Kate Spade Saturday 2014 Resort Collection. Let us know which one you love more!

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This pairing screams “live colorfully” in the most subdued way possible, and that’s why we love it. A cool lavender paired with gold accent jewelry and a pastel checkered mini-skirt? Yes, yes, and yes.

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The “because we’re excited about Fall fashion” look. The combination of a simple charcoal sweater, metallic tote bag, and a soft sea-foam hue is cozy but glam. Understated, but not underwhelming.

Be sure to follow Kate Spade on Shopilly, and visit the Kate Spade Saturday website to browse through the apparel and accessories.

As always, happy shopping!

Team Shopilly

10 Head-to-Toe Beach Outfits We Love

Beach trips are surely penciled into your summertime calendars, so why not rev up the excitement with Shopilly’s 10 favorite beach looks?

#1: The Nighttime Beach Look

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A sexy, light-weight black dress is sure to be eye-catching amongst a sea of neon and pastel hues from fashionistas who are sticking to the traditional beach color palette. For even more eyes on you, choose a dress with open-back details—people on the beach will be envious of your style choice! Scour Forever21H&M, or Charlotte Russe to find the perfect dress.

#2: Comfortable Cute

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Our second favorite look is chic in its simplicity; pair high-waisted light wash denim shorts with a strapless bikini top and a flowy cardigan. Experiment with colors by choosing a printed bikini top and complete the look with a brown leather bag. The comfort from this kind of look would be perfect for everything from beach sports to a quiet read under the sun. For high-waisted shorts, check American Apparel; for a flowy cardigan try American Eagle; for bikini tops try Victoria’s Secret; for brown bags try Kate Spade.

#3: The Floral Romper

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This look is perfect for girly stylistas who are known for always wearing soft colors and floral patterns. The romper is comfortable for a beach environment, but the sexy back details make the ensemble just daring and skin-baring enough for some flirty fun. For rompers, try American EagleForever21, or Macy’s.

#4: The Sheer Cover-Up

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Try a beach day with a sheer cover-up dress to throw on over your bathing suit. This romantic look screams effortless sophistication, and will look beautiful as you both saunter along the shore and dance the day away! Check H&M or Nanette Lepore to get your hands on one.

#5: The Striped Maxi

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Want to feel like a sea goddess? You absolutely can’t go wrong with a maxi dress for the beach, especially if it’s a striped one! Maxi dresses were pretty much invented for the beach; the pattern is just bold enough to make a statement, while the silhouette is elegant and sophisticated. Macy’sH&MAnn Taylor, and Gap might have your perfect maxi dress.

#6: A Twist on the Traditional Cover-Up

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Instead of a cover-up that literally covers you from head to knee, try tying a loose-fitted sweater or tunic over your bathing suit to create the ultimate beach look. All there is left to complete the look is wavy, wind-swept hair, a boho-inspired necklace, and more chunky jewelry! For the perfect tunic, check AeropostaleBanana Republic, or Club Monaco; for accessories try Anthropologie or Free People.

#7: Bold Skirt

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Tired of wearing shorts with your bikini top to the beach? Try pairing your bathing suit top with a solid colored bright skirt to create a sweet and innocent look. A high and sleek ponytail with a bold lip will be your finishing touches to creating a memorable fashion statement. Check Forever21 or J. Crew for your perfect skirt!

#8: Let Your Bag Do The Talking

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Let your accessories elevate your beach outfit! An oversized beach tote in a bold color will do just the trick. Let your clothing be simplistic and understated to draw most of the attention to your arm candy.  Try Net-a-PorterMacy’s, or Bloomingdale’s for the best selection!

#9: The Conservative Look

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Staying conservative on the beach doesn’t mean you have to admit defeat on the chic scale. Try juxtaposing a nautical sweater with bold, solid-colored shorts for a colorful beach-time look. A cute neutral-shade hat can work to pull the look together, and sunglasses will give you that extra oomph! Find these fashion items at J. CrewBanana RepublicOld Navy, or Gap.

#10: Denim

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Denim for the beach is fresh and stylish with a hint of sporty. Mix it up with a pair of canvas sneakers for a casual, tomboy look and finish it off with a neutral or minimally patterned tote bag. Try Abercrombie & Fitch for a tote bag; TOMS for shoes; and Urban OutfittersTopshop, or Nordstrom for denim.

We hope these beach fashions inspired you to think outside of the box for your next beach trip! Let us know in the comments below which look was your favorite, and then sign up at Shopilly so that you can stay up-to-date on your favorite stores’ sales so you can snag the items on your to-buy lists soon!

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her

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

Kate Spade Saturday

Kate Spade, one of my favorite brands, will be launching a new line called Saturday. I’m so curious to see what this ‘Saturday’ is all about. I’m guessing it will be super chic, casual weekend garb and I can’t wait to see it.  Then I read the small print, it won’t be available until SPRING 2013!?  After a tiny pause, I signed up at Saturday.com to be in the know (6 months in advance!) realizing that using my Shopilly email makes this stuff a no brainer.