Oscar de la Renta Prefall 2012 - More Kate Middleton, Less Lady Ga Ga!

Photo courtesy - Ramsey de Give for The Wall Street Journal

Bravo ODLR!!  My Monday afternoon was spent in the front row of Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012 fashion show. OK, not the 'front row' front row but in front of my computer for the livestream of the show! It was everything you would expect from Oscar de la Renta  - ladylike sheaths with belts, structured yet feminine skirt suits, flowy feminine soft gowns and a mix of textures, patterns and embellished details. Unlike spring 2012, the resort collection had only a  few Picasso inspired cubic patterns. Pre-Fall 2012 collection featured more of silver, gold, black, white and blush  and only few pieces with bright yellow, marigold and aqua and red. All thru the show I kept imagining Kate Middleton wearing these pieces. They are ladylike, classic - no plunging necklines here! This is the collection most likely to be bought by stores and sold to everyday women (with American Express premium gold card of course!)

Here is the recorded livestream of the show - Enjoy!

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Holiday Gift Giving - Gift of Beauty that Gives Back!

Remember 'Human Fund' episode from Seinfeld??  We all love to give to charity, just don't like someone else doing it for us in lieu of presents. If you love the warm and fuzzies of giving - here is a double dose of it - give the gift that gives back! So be a good Santa and give GOOD gifts this Christmas!

The Body Shop Blue Corn Facial Mask
This deep cleaning moisturizing scrub is made with blue corn which is grown, dried and ground the traditional way, by the Santa Ana Pueblo, a Native American tribe in New Mexico.and helps the Santa Ana Pueblo tribe maintain their traditions and gain access to land and water.

The Body Shop Blue Corn Facial Mask

Shebeads Pink Ribbon Silver Bracelet

Made right at home in Chicago, these Pink Ribbon Beads raise awareness and money to support young women with breast cancer. Percentage of the online purchase proceeds to aid their efforts to educate and inspire others to grow and live beyond breast cancer.

Shebeads Pink Ribbon Silver Bracelet

The Beulah Blue Heart Scarf
This blue scarf is part of the United Nations Blue Heart Campaign, and for every scarf that is sold a portion of the proceeds being donated to help stop human trafficking. Pippa Middleton donned this recently!
(If it helps make you buy)

The Beulah Blue Heart Scarf

Chantecaille Eyes and Cheek Palette

Aren't these Royal Bengal tigers handsome?? 5% of proceed go to TRAFFIC  the organization saving the endangered wild animals and plants.

Chantecaille Eyes and Cheek Palette

Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara

For every Mascara purchase, $1 is donated another to the City of Hope's research and treatment of women's cancers.

Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara

Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil

This wonderful oil can be used as a moisturizer to body lotion to scalp oil (also available in to go size for $14) This oil is produced in Morocco by female cooperatives and help rural women in the male dominated society with fair wage, good working condition and education

Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil

The Body Shop Total Body Massager

This hand crafted wooden massager is manufactured a community trade supplier (Teddy exports), from Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Teddy Exports help local communities' children get education.

The Body Shop Total Body Massager

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

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Awesome iPad and Kindle Cases (You Can Surely Judge Them By Their Cover!)

Nobody can replace the books - but Kindles, iPads and Nooks are pushing them in the corner a little bit. I can't argue with the ease, portability and technology of reading gadgets and ofcourse like the idea of saving the trees, but the feel of a hardcover spine in your hands is something else. I recently found these cool iPad/Kindle cases on Uncommon Goods They have look of classic literature book binding - from Jane Austen to Einstein to Charles Darwin! How awesome is that? And these are all handmade (yes you read it right!) and made with recycled material! Wonderful holiday gift to your loved ones or yourself!

Jane Asuten's Pride And Prejudice Cover

 Einstein's Theory Of Relativity cover

Hans Christian Anderson's Fairy Tales

Charles Darwin's Origin of Species

Leo Tolstoy's War And Peace

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How To Style The Abstract Print - Bold here, Demure There...

Grey and Red - Pearls Sold Separately!

Skirt, Sweater - Ann Taylor

Coat - Guess

Belt - Burberry (came with a jacket)

Pearls - Forever 21

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Star Style For Less - Miranda Kerr's Wild side

It seems animal prints are everywhere. This week Miranda Kerr rocked the leopard print D&G dress at Victoria Secret fashion show viewing party! I know, I know, this is my second consecutive Star Style based on her look, but I swear I am not cyber stalking her! (but come on! look at her! would you blame me if I did, although I am not....)

Image Courtesy - People Magazine 

I can't help you get her awesome bosom, but can surely get you her wild style for less.

Buy this star style for less here -

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Holiday Party Outfit Idea - All That Glitters....

"Its a happy day and I feel Okay!" My daughter's favorite Caillou is singing this preppy tune merrily while she shakes her head and sing with him!  And it is actually a beautiful day- bright, sunny and so full of promise. Christmas cheer is in the air. The sunshine, glittery rays shining thru the window making the tree ornaments sparkle are making me think GOLD!
Wouldn't it be gorgeous to be draped in a lustrous dress and accentuate it with black..Hmm, let me show you!!!

Have a glittering day you all!

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Star Style For Less - Supermodel City Chic Miranda Kerr

I have yet to find a picture of Miranda Kerr where I didn't like her outfit!!! (She is an angel after all, duh!) . Here she is again, chic and cool and so effortlessly put together, strolling the streets of Manhattan.

Here is Style Delights take on Miranda Kerr's style, for less ofcourse!

Buy This Star Style For Less Here -

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Star style For Less - Isla Fisher's Preppy Polka Dots!

Polka dots outfits always brighten the day! This picture of Isla Fisher's caught my eye and I loved it!

She looks preppy and casual in this Madewell polka dot sweater and brown boots.

Here is my Star Style for Less take on this casual chic style. And the best part, all the pieces are mix and match stuff!!!

Buy this look here -

Polka Dot Sweater from Sears

Brown Boots from Target

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Holiday Shopping Deals - 50% off Ann Taylor

Who doesn't love a beautiful piece of jewelry? Specially if you get it on sale! Black Friday may have passed, but there are still some great deals around. Here are Style Delights discount picks from Ann Taylor!
The stunning statement necklace (hello little black holiday dress!) which sold for $128 is now on sale for $99.99. All thru this week you can get extra 50% off on the items already on sale. So this will cost $50.

The $78 intricate bracelet will be $25 after the discount.

Link to buy these pieces - 

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Baby Its cold Outside! - 7 Coats Trends for Winter 2011/12

Animal Instincts

Wake up the beast within with leopard, zebra or cheetah print trenches and coats.

Style Delights Tip - Even if  your wild streak doesn't run too wide, you can still make the animal prints work - instead of a coat, go with an animal print scarf or gloves. You don't need to roar to be heard!

Buy the animal print coats here -

Military Style
The brass buttons, utilitarian style and a tough yet chic look - Military style coats were a huge trend last winter and they still are marching full speed!

Style Delights Tip - Avoid too much detailing - shoulders loops, big buttons and zips all at the same time may overwhelm the frame.

Buy Military style coats here-

Pop Of Color 

Wake up and energize a dreary gray winter morning with a bright colorful coat. Who needs spring when we have the colored wool!!

Style Delights Tip - Keep the accessory neutral (duh!)

Buy these colorful coats here -

Coats with Full(er) Skirts

The feminine lines, pleated bottoms and fuller skirts give a polished look to a winter day. Try the cinched waisted coats with belts for a dressier look.

Style Delights Tip - If you've got curvy hips (should we be all so lucky!), try the A line skirt instead of a lot of pleats.

Buy these full skirted coats here -

Furs and Shearling

For the chilly winter days, warm up to the rugged yet stylish furs and shearlings.

Style Delights Tip - Be kind to the animals and always get faux furs! Mink is so OVER! It was fashionable hundreds of years ago when we didn't have real fur alternatives and indoor heating, but as we do have both now, cozy up with faux furs!

Buy the faux furs and shearling coats here -

Leather Trenches 

The same old leather trench gets the makeover with a burst of color. The form fitting soft leather trench can bring instant polish to the look.

Style Delights Tip - Cheap leather takes out all the style of the trench coat. If you want a leather trench, I would advise to go for a good quality leather trench instead of "leatherette", even if it means shelling out little extra. 

Buy the colorful leather trenches here -

Capes 

Capes are not only for the superheroes! Everyday women (who are superheroes in their own right!) can rock the cape coats with style and finesse! I love the comfort and easy of a cape coat.

Style Delights Tip - With the cape style coat, keep your shoes and hair impeccable and polished otherwise you may end up looking frumpy.

Buy these Capes here -

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