Posts tagged shopping

Four Spring Essentials Easily Under $100

Gearing up for warming weather is fun, but it can also be expensive. Here are four must-haves for this springtime season that will help you look like a trendsetter on the cheap.

1. Stackable bracelets
This is a great trend that anyone at any age can try. If you like to mix and match your jewelry, go all out with different colored bangles in all different sizes and shapes, no combination is wrong! Should you want to coordinate your look a little more, go with a similar color palette – like black and gold – and just mix and match different textures, such as a black leather bracelet paired with a few solid gold bangles.
Shown here: Various bracelets at Second Time Around in Haddonfield, NJ (starting at $18, call 856-354-9400 to order)

2. Printed Pants
Think you need to work at a fashion magazine to pull off this look? Think again! With the right kind of print, this springtime look can be worn during a family weekend event or to the office (if you work in a more casual workplace, of course). For a weekend look, go with a lightweight sweater in a solid color – white works best for the fashionably conservative, while cobalt blue works great for style extroverts. To transform this piece for the office, pair it with a neutral top and matching neutral-colored blazer and keep accessories minimal.
Shown here: Ralph Lauren pants at Second Time Around in Boston, MA ($49, call 617-247-3504 to order)

3. Chambray Top
The new closet essential is hands-down the chambray button-down. Perfect with white jeans or a printed skirt, chambray has become the new neutral, replacing plain, white button-downs. Break it out at work under a blazer or with a skirt, then dress it down for the weekend with linen shorts for those extra warm days.
Shown here: Rag & Bone top at Second Time Around in Boston, MA

4. Bright Floral Accessories
Springtime is the chance to break out the flower power, and there’s no better way to do so than in bright, bold colors. While matching your shoes to your handbag is an outdated fashion rule, if you match with a fun print, your outfit will look modern and fresh. Since these accessories are in such a feminine print, you can balance your ensemble by wearing them with pants and a button-down, like the chambray top in #3. Pair these printed accessories with a solid-colored outfit to avoid being overly busy, and you’ll be the envy of your next workday or weekend get-together!
Shown here: Betsey Johnson flats and Stuart Weitzman handbag at Second Time Around in Boston, MA ($32 for the size 7.5 flats, $79 for the handbag, call 617-247-3504 to order)

~Ashley, FashioniSTA

One Weekend For The One Fund

The events of the 2013 Boston Marathon hit us close to home. With our headquarters located in Boston, as well as three stores located on Boston’s Newbury Street, our hearts went out to the victims, the first responders, and everyone affected by the tragedy.

During the weekend of May 17th – May 19th, 10% of all STA sales will be donated to The One Fund, benefitting the Boston Marathon victims.

We are proud to be from Boston, and we celebrate this one weekend in honor of The One Fund.

ALL LOCATIONS
www.secondtimearound.net

Trend Obsession: Monochrome Moment, Part 2


Last week, we focused on monochrome looks in their most classic form: black and white. Dressing in just one color can be daunting, so starting with all-black or all-white ensembles is a great way to experiment with the monochrome trend. But now that we’re a little more comfortable with the look, why should we just limit ourselves to black and white? As we enter into spring, we want our outfits to reflect our sunnier moods—that means color, and lots of it!

Once you’ve mastered black and white, try out a monochrome look in one of spring’s hottest colors; my favorites are emerald, blue-green, or orange, but don’t be afraid to try something new! The most important part of putting together a colorful monochrome look is to wear the color in a variety of tones—make sure your look isn’t matchy-matchy and stay away from choosing all pieces that are too similar in shade.

For a casual day-to-day look, choose one piece of clothing in a bright color and build the rest of your outfit around it. Try pairing a pale blue silk blouse with a pair of electric blue pants and accessorize with a navy blazer or a patterned blue scarf. Choosing a suit in a bright color (as seen above) is an even bolder way to try this trend, just make sure your accessories and other components aren’t the identical shade as the suit. To transition the outfit to evening, add a brightly colored clutch or a vibrant pair of blue pumps to your ensemble. Color-coordinating your accessories to your outfit is an absolute must with this trend.

The key to wearing colorful monochrome is not being afraid to experiment; just because you’re limited to one color doesn’t mean you can’t play around with different shades and patterns! Step into spring in a fun, colorful monochrome look–you’ll be sure to stand out!

~Alyssa, fashioniSTA

(Image credits for collage: www.nyanzi.com, carolinesmode.com, www.asos.com)

Why a Consign & Buy is STA’s Best Promotion

We all love a good promotion (who doesn’t like getting an extra discount or added perk?), but there are certain ones that really break the mold. For us, it’s the Consign & Buy, easily our favorite STA initiative, and it’s not just because everyone gets a 50/50 split (10% more than usual). Whether you’re a shopper or consignor, this is the promotion that beats them all. Allow us to break it down for you…

1. It makes spring cleaning about 1000 times easier. Have you looked at your closet lately? Yeah, we know, it’s scary (don’t worry, we’re in the same boat). It can be daunting enough to rifle through your wardrobe, nevermind think ahead to making a consignment appointment. With this promotion, you don’t need an appointment! You can just put your items in a bag and drop them off at any STA store on your way to brunch or dinner. (Can you tell we like to eat?)

2. You get extra STA credit that you can use on the items you want, and it’s easier than you think. Unless you go years without cleaning out your closet, you might think that you don’t have enough to maximize your extra STA credit. Most people don’t think to look at their accessories when cleaning out their closets, but bringing in jewelry, sunglasses and other small accessories is a great way to capitalize on the credit.

3. Tons of new product, enough said. A Consign & Buy makes it so easy to consign your items, the amount of new merchandise that goes on display is incredible. Plus if you’ve taken advantage of the consigning part of this promotion, you can shop these new goodies using your extra STA credit!

4. No wondering about your drop-off. With a Consign & Buy, a store associate will immediately evaluate your items, so you know right away what has been accepted and you can take any unaccepted items home with you. You get the best of both worlds with this promotion, you don’t have to make an appointment, but you get all of the benefits of one.

What are you waiting for?! Get yourself to any Second Time Around store from Thursday, March 7th – Sunday, March 10th to get in on the best promotion around!

Trend Obsession: Monochrome Moment, Part 1

Fashion is all about self-expression, so when black and white monochrome looks became popular, I was a bit hesitant to participate. How can you fully express your fashion sense without the use of color? However, after seeing this trend on nearly every runway, I decided it was worth a shot—and now I’m obsessed!

One of the great things about this trend is that most of us have a bunch of separate black and white pieces in our closets. Because you’re only dressing in black and white, it is actually a fairly easy trend to construct from any wardrobe, as long as you know how. For a subtler look for the office or during the day, play around with contrasting separates in a more unconventional way. Instead of donning the traditional black pants/white top look, try a pair of white pants and pair them with a black cashmere sweater or silk top. Since the look is simplistic in color, you can get away with incorporating more organic detail, whether it’s adding a belt or layering two embellished pieces in the same hue.

If you’re a little more daring, try wearing an ensemble of all white—the color is perfect for transitioning into spring and actually helps to create a slimming silhouette. And with winter white popping up everywhere, you no longer have to wait until Memorial Day to break it out.

If you want to rock monochrome in the evening, play around with black and white patterns; throw on a polka dotted blazer or a pair of striped pants and accessorize with a black and white color blocked bag. If you’re super daring, experiment with—gasp!—mixing different black and white patterns in one outfit. Mixing black and white prints is an easy way to try out the contrasting prints trend, giving you two trends in one!

Monochromatic black and white is absolutely everywhere this season, from the runways to the magazines. The trend is fun, flattering and easy, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot! Stay tuned as we show you how to work with other hues for a monochromatic look!

~Alyssa, fashioniSTA

(Image credits for collage: Style.com, Refinery29.com, Harpersbazaar.com)

This Thursday: A Very Stylish Girls’ Night Out

Want to incorporate 2013’s latest trends into your wardrobe but don’t know where to start?
STA is here to help you get the look! Whether you’re hoping to break out of your fashion comfort zone by adding some sheer to your closet, or simply looking to up your stripe game – we’ve got you covered!
Join us at any (or all!) of our locations on Thursday, February 21st from 4pm-8pm for champagne, cupcakes and 20% off this season’s must have pieces. Shop our customized racks or just browse your favorite designers while sipping in style!
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www.secondtimearound.net

70% OFF Midnight Madness Starts Tomorrow and Thursday!

The ultimate sale of the season is finally here!

The time has come…it’s Midnight Madness!

Shop your favorite winter items at 70% off, starting February 6th and 7th with 20% off new arrivals for Spring.

And with plenty of our locations open until midnight, you’ll have lots of time to shop. See the list below to find when your favorite store starts the savings!

Starting on Wednesday, February 6th:

Brookline, MA**
Harvard Square, MA
Needham, MA*
Newton Highlands, MA*
Newton Centre, MA*
Northampton, MA**
Wellesley, MA**
Westport, CT*
Englewood, NJ*
Summit, NJ*
Westfield, NJ*
Forest Hills, Queens, NY**
Huntington, NY**
Miami, FL**

Starting on Thursday, February 7th:

176 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
219 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
324 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Charles Street, Boston, MA
Thayer Street, Providence, RI
Portsmouth, NH
Portland, ME**
Burlington, VT
Greenwich, CT*
West Hartford, CT**
Georgetown, DC**
Mott Street, NYC
Murray Hill, NYC
Lexington Avenue, NYC
Thompson St, NYC
Chelsea, NYC
Gramercy, NYC
72nd and Broadway, NYC
Madison Ave, NYC**
Broadway, Upper West Side, NYC*
Armitage, Chicago, IL
Wicker Park, Chicago, IL**
Philadelphia, PA**

For a complete list of addresses for locations visit:
www.secondtimearound.net

*Open until 8pm
**Open until 10pm

New Haddonfield, NJ location is excluded from this event but is offering 20% off all merchandise.

Go and Put Your Name on It (Or At Least Your Initials)

I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many monograms. If I have the option to monogram something, I will absolutely take advantage of this. From pillows to necklaces to duffles, there’s no limit to what you can mark with your initials!

For traveling, I love this Large Sailcloth Duffel by J.McLaughlin. This bag is so classic, and the monogram is the perfect compliment. I love the navy, leather, and sailcloth combination. Plus there’s nothing better than incorporating nautical touches into your year-round essentials.

For everyday, you can’t go wrong sporting your initials on your jewelry. This necklace combines two of my favorite things: tortoise shell and monograms. I love tortoise shell because it’s so versatile and you can wear it with anything, and it definitely jazzes up any outfit. If tortoise shell isn’t your style of choice, going with a clean silver or gold never fails, or you could mix it up and go with a colored plastic material (our friends at Chic Streets carry tons of colors, just check out their Facebook to inquire about ordering). Since the shape is such a classic, you can definitely take risks with your color choice!

Scarves are the perfect compliment to any outfit, and adding a monogram is the perfect way to take your outfit to the next level. I love how this scarf from Marley Lilly comes in so many different colors and styles of monograms. Perfect for coordinating with a basic tee and jeans, or throwing over a strapless dress at a summertime wedding. My personal favorite is the circle block monogram for a classy and clean look.

~Molly, fashioniSTA

Countdown to NYE: Part 3, Lounging Up

While we love a great glittery New Years Eve party on the town, we know that staying in for NYE is so underrated. Have plans with a cushy couch, faux fur throw, and take-out this upcoming Monday night? Not to worry, you can still look (comfortably) fabulous as you usher in 2013 with Carson Daly on NBC.

Even when staying in, festive sequins are a doable feat. Try a sequined sweatshirt (like this one by Three Dots). Pair it with a comfy pair of leggings or cashmere lounge pants, and you’re ready to chicly welcome the New Year. If you want to keep sequins out of your at-home wardrobe, try a luxe cashmere tunic in a festive color with your skinnies and Minnetonka moccasins for an equally perfect look.

Whatever your look for an at-home New Years Eve, don’t forget to accessorize with your favorite bubbly (or mocktail!). And check out our New Years Eve tips as we countdown to the start of 2013 on our Pinterest board and daily Twitter inspiration!

~Meredith, fashioniSTA

Countdown to NYE: Part 2, Menswear at its Best

Yesterday, we dished some tips for the glitter girl heading out on the town to usher in 2013. What if sequins aren’t your thing? We have a few ways to incorporate menswear-inspired pieces (one of our favorite trends!) to your knockout New Years Eve ensemble.

A crisp tuxedo jacket serves as the perfect foundation for a New Years Eve look. For just a spritz of glamour, this Rag & Bone style features a gold collar. We love it paired with a skinny black pant or tonal sequin short, and patent black heels. Think you can’t handle shorts for a semi-formal occasion? Trust us, slip a pair on with black (or colored, for the bold) tights and just go with it. Whatever uneasiness you may have will quickly disappear when you start fielding compliments and officially assert yourself as a style star. Top it off with gold earrings, a bold clutch, and a vivid manicure, and you’ll be ringing in 2013 in the most fabulous way.

Stay tuned as we bring you NYE-worthy loungewear choices this weekend! And as always, you can find more New Year’s Eve inspiration on our countdown Pinterest board, as well as with our daily NYE tips on Twitter!

~Meredith, fashioniSTA