Posts tagged thanksgiving

Black Friday: A Day to Remember

It was well worth it ladies. Black Friday was everything it promised to be, and more.  50% off everything? Are you serious?  Needless to say we had some trouble controlling ourselves. But that’s what Black Friday is for.

Once the floodgates opened at 7am I went straight for the shoe department. I certainly scored there, Marc by Marc Jacobs heels, BCBG wedges, and Delman flats! (some shoes you just have to wear out of the store…)  Both the Marc Jacobs and the Delmans were a steal for just $50 (85% off their original retail prices!), I could hear the choir singing with rejoice.

Despite all of our planning, nothing could truly prepare us for the big day.  Now cradling my shoes, I got a bit frantic during the next phase of my attack, running from rack to rack of clothing trying to find my size.  There was no time to waste, I had to fish through before someone else grabbed the Chanel dress of my dreams.  And like taking candy from a baby, my dress went home with another girl.  Hard to complain, I still left with two beautiful tops, an STA statement necklace and cocktail ring!  All together it came to under $70.  I’ll take it :)

Unsurprisingly, the girls managed to clean up as well, with a beautiful Moncler coat for $150 and Charlotte Olympia flats for $75 (again, both were almost 90% off their retail price). It’s a Black Friday miracle.

While we definitely managed to rack up a grand total, it was more than worth it.  It’s the one day of the year where you can go a little crazy.  Besides, on Black Friday, what happens in STA stays in STA.

Black Friday Countdown: 1 DAY!

Well tomorrow is the big day!  I’m happy to say my prep has gone amazingly well, but still smoothing out some of the details.  I’ve been scoping out the stores and stalking (admittedly) the STA Facebook pages for all of the newly consigned pieces.  I’ve got my heart set on some great items, and tomorrow’s my big chance!

We’ve got limited time.

The opportunity to get 50% off everything in the store only lasts from 7am to 10am!


So here’s the schedule for tomorrow:

6:00 am: Wake up
6:30 am: Grab the girls and head to Newbury St.
6:50 am: Outside STA 176 Newbury and eat a quick, energizing breakfast (yogurt?)
7:00 am: STA spree!
7:55 am: Walk to STA 219 Newbury St.
8:00 am: Shopping spree at STA 219 Newbury
8:45 am: Starbucks break (crossing fingers for no line)
9:00 am: Spree at STA 324 Newbury St.
10:00 am: Celebratory wrap-up brunch with the girls

I’ll definitely be heading back to STA on Saturday morning for free mimosas and 30%-50% off.

Black Friday’s like our birthdays, it’s a weekend-long event.

As expected, I’ve got my eye on my wish list items at each store.  While they might have already sold, I have faith that they’ll come in again.  Hey it’s the holiday season … wishes do come true.

176 Newbury: Burberry scarves spotted, Michael Kors essential wristlet, and helloooo Louis

219 Newbury: Stunning holiday dresses, calling dibs! Burberry scarf second spotting, Milly cross body, and statement necklaces galore.

324 Newbury: I see you, Tory Burch flats.  Cocktail rings, check!  And a gorgeous Jcrew flower necklace.

I may more excited on Black Friday Eve than Christmas Eve … STA knows my style better than Santa anyways.

Three Styles, One Fashionable Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, the one holiday that is actually about food.  If you’re anything like me, I don’t necessarily feel my most beautiful and put-together self when I’m stuffing my face for 24 hours.  It’s hard to resist those comfy and stretchy yoga pants, but don’t give in!  Here are three fabulous outfit inspirations to keep you looking fabulous (as usual) this Thanksgiving.

1. Cozy and Versatile

This outfit is great for all of the active ladies. Whether lounging with the family or running around with the kids, this outfit is comfortable but ready to go!  Citizen jeans are the epitome of classic casual, and the Theory knit sweater is a subtle touch of cozy and confident.  Tory Burch boots add a little glam, and the Burberry scarf ties the whole thing together for an unstoppable ensemble.

And wouldn’t you know, this Burberry quilted jacket from STA 324 Newbury St. goes perfectly when it’s time for the family football game.

2. Elegant and Feminine

Sometimes we celebrate Thanksgiving with a loved-one’s family instead of our own.  But don’t let that frighten your holiday fashion sense!  A feminine, chic outfit is appropriate for any Thanksgiving atmosphere.  We love this blouse from Ralph Lauren, which you can dress down with Calvin Klein black skinny jeans.  Then add your personality in the accessories!  We added some sparkle with Rebecca Minkoff loafers and a Marc Jacobs bracelet.

These Prada silver jeweled flats from STA Armitage are a fabulous way to add some glam to your sophisticated ensembles.  And If you’re a guest, the Chanel cross body from STA Haddonfield can carry all of your little necessities while you’re out!

3. Stylish, Yet Forgiving

Maybe you’re like me and love to spend Thanksgiving with a glass of wine in the kitchen with the women of the family.  All I know is I don’t want to wear anything too restricting, especially as I’m nibbling all day!  A dress is a great way to stay comfortable and fashionable.  This Marc by Marc Jacobs short dress allows you to move freely around the house.  Paired with black tights and Chanel boots, it screams bold and down to business.  And we can never resist a good accessory, like this Michael Kors collar necklace.

And don’t forget a Michael Kors boyfriend watch from STA 176 Newbury St. is a mandatory accessory on Thanksgiving to keep track of all the madness!

Happy Thanksgiving fashioniSTAs!

Black Friday Countdown: 7 Days

We’re almost there fashionistas!  Just a few more days until Black Friday, only the best day of the year for us shopaholics.  I have to admit, I’m getting more and more excited by the minute, but I’m also getting nervous!  There’ll be so much to shop for, and so little time!  I can’t go in without a plan.  It’s time to assess my closet and figure out exactly what I need to track down on the big day.

There are 10 items I definitely can’t go home without on Black Friday.

The List:

1. Statement necklaces
2. Plaid (Burberry) scarf
3. Timeless loafers
4. Holiday Party Dress
5. Cross body bag (appropriate for day and night!)
6. Costume rings
7. Anything Louis Vuitton8. Black Jeans
9. Classic Blazer
10. Killer (but comfy) Flats

… and 11. Anything with tags is a perfect gifts for friends

Make your lists ladies, time is running out!

Photo Credits: pintrest.com

Black Friday Countdown: 14 Days

Around the middle of November, I have a little extra spring in my step. Right around the corner is the most wonderful day of the year: Black Friday. Since the bigger retailers now start their sales on Thanksgiving night, it gives me the perfect opportunity to get my general gifts out of the way and spend the rest of the day making the world (and my closet) a more stylish place. STA always runs a big sale for a couple hours in the morning, so I’m gearing up to shop the best for less for my closet and a select number of gifts for my most fashionable friends. For the next couple of weeks, you can get the inside look at our extensive planning process!

Countdown: 14 Days…let the planning begin!

Taking on a sale of this magnitude is impossible to do alone, so I’ve enlisted the help of my best shopping buddies.

Meet the Team

Anne
Strength: Quick and efficient shopper.  Can sort through an entire store’s inventory in record time to capture the best, hidden pieces.  She knows what she does and doesn’t like and won’t waste any time over something that isn’t absolutely perfect.

Style: Classic with a touch of chic

Go-to’s: Jackets and Jewelry

Jeanne and Catherine
Strength: Two shoppers in one.  Jeanne and her sister are an inseparable pair, so we let them go do their sister takeover of STA.  With twice the eyes, twice the hands, and twice the style expertise, they are unstoppable when it comes to Black Friday.  Don’t try to battle them for a piece.  They will win.

Style: Sophisticated and trendy

Go-to’s: Shoes and Handbags

Laura
Strength: Pro gift-giver.  Laura has a knack for knowing exactly how to match personality to style, both for herself and her friends.  When I’m ready to take a breather after snagging my own pieces, I’ll definitely be going to Laura for help with picking out gifts for the rest of the girls. (And my mom on speed dial of course.)

Style: Preppy and Feminine

Go-to’s: Dresses and Tops

We’ve got a great team assembled, but it’s still essential that my black Friday execution is flawless and foolproof.  The girls agree that we’ll hit the three STA locations on Newbury street.

Route:

1)   176 Newbury St. Boston, MA

2)   219 Newbury St. Boston, MA

3)   324 Newbury St. Boston, MA

Can’t forget to factor in walking times! Calculated a 3-minute walk from STA (1) to STA (2).  6-minute walk from STA (2) to STA (3). And since I’m hoping Starbucks won’t be as crowded as usual, we’ve budgeted in a five minute coffee break in between stores two and three.

Bonus tip: We’ve already started our seasonal Black Friday work-out plan, walking two miles a day to build up our stamina for the real event.

Check back in with us next week as we tackle our closets and holiday gift lists to come up with the perfect Black Friday shopping list!

How to Look Your Best on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday to celebrate time with your friends and family but also a weekend where it is totally acceptable to eat all the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, jam and pumpkin pie that you can possibly squeeze into your mouth. With this said, it is only natural to want to wear something not so tight fitting, yet still look like a Thanksgiving Fashionista.

The oversized look is so in this season and its the perfect outfit to make  yourself look trendy in a no-so-tight fashion. There are a few different way to make this look one to remember:

1. The first look you can do it a jeweled sweater with corduroy pants. This look is sure to catch an eye with the highly fashionable spiked or studded sweater and be totally comfortable with colored corduroy pants. Brands such as J Brand and Blank NYC carry cords with some stretch in the waist, perfect for those turkey day binge sessions.

2. Another great outfit would be leggings (whats more comfortable?), a flowy shirt, blazer, and chunky jewelry or an infinity scarf. A big necklace or earrings is a great replacement for layered bracelets considering that you don’t want the bracelets getting in the way of you reaching for another piece of turkey. If you can’t part with your arm party, go with a big cocktail ring and you’ll forget all about the bracelets tucked away in your room.

3. If you’re aiming for something a little more dressed-up, go with a skirt/dress ensemble that has the two essentials: stretch and sparkle. Throw on a jersey or sweatshirt material skirt that has some embellishment on it, and pair it with an oversized cardigan or batwing top in a neutral color. Throw on big earrings or statement necklace and you’ll be good to go!

If you’re just looking to put things in your closet together to make a cute Thanksgiving holiday outfit, you can’t go wrong with leggings/jeans and any oversized basics. Then all you have to do is accessorize it with any of the options above such as a scarf, chunky necklace, or a studded jacket or blazer to make it dinner party appropriate.

~Jenna, fashioniSTA

Stylish Things to be Thankful For

In addition to the fact that I can stuff myself and not look like a fatty, there are a lot of things that I love about Thanksgiving. The fact that I can usually come up with a good list of things I’m thankful for is also a plus. In addition to the fact that I haven’t been hit by a bus and I’ve once again avoided contracting swine flu, I have a list of fashion favorites to which I’m grateful.   

Here are the things that fashioniSTAs everywhere can be thankful for:   

Black Friday Sales   

To fashioniSTAs, Black Friday is like Christmas came early. This is the day where shopping becomes an Olympic sport, and some of us train all year for this portion of the holiday games. Yes, I’m aware that you’re supposed to be buying gifts for your friends and family, but nothing says that you can’t browse for yourself while you’re at it and take advantage of the great deals out there. And where’s the best place to do that? At Second Time Around, of course! (Shop 7-9am for 50% off all merchandise! See details here.)  

 
Holiday Sparkles   

Unless you live under a fashion rock during the holiday season, you know that this is the time to break out your sparkly outfits and bring on the holiday cheer. It’s the time of the year when dressing in head-to-toe sequins is considered “festive” rather than psychotic. Personally, I’m all for dressing like this year round. From Alice + Olivia to Ann Taylor, you have a million options from sequin tanks to sparkly miniskirts to glitter pumps. And as a holiday staple, there’s always the full-sequin dress, perfect for New Years as well. All the sparkly clothing during this time of the year just makes everything a little more cheerful, no one ever got into an argument over glitter.

  

Leggings

Don’t pretend that you’re not part of the We Love Leggings Fan Club. I haven’t met a single girl, when pushed, who won’t admit to having this obsession. Dress them up or down, daytime or night; there are few occasions where you cannot wear them. They’re perfect if you’re petite or plus-size, and you can now wear them with a variety of tunics and dresses so you can look put together without putting in almost any effort. And they are a Thanksgiving staple for those of you that actually partake in the food festivities and eat until wearing denim feels like a straightjacket for your legs. 

   

Designer Electronic Cases   

I choose not to remember when cell phones and laptops got stuffed into bags, exposed to the elements. The technology industry finally wised up and fused fashion with function when they introduced accessories to hold all of our electronics. Think about shoving your iPhone – or iPad, for those of you ahead of the techno-curve – into your purse without a case. Horrifying. Now designers are chomping at the bit to protect our electronic valuables, with cases fromYSL (right), Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture. Now your personal style can be expressed through your technological necessities, what’s better than that?   

 
That Jersey Style Never Caught On 

I’m as big of a fan of Jersey shows as the next person. Ask anyone, if I could make a living watching Real Housewives of NJ, I would do it. But even I can admit that I’m glad Jersey style didn’t sweep the nation the way the television shows did. While I’m a fan of some of the fashion I see on the shows – depending on who’s wearing it – the bright pink lipstick, over-the-top animal prints and excessive bronzer are a little much. And when I say the bronzer is too much, that’s saying something, since I’ve been known to paint on the stuff like my skin was an easel.  

Here’s hoping you all have a stylish and happy Thanksgiving!   

~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around