Tag Archives: antik batik

gift guide: ali mejia’s finds for the exotic globetrotter

{This year, I’ve asked a few of the people whose style I spend all year admiring to share their holiday wish lists. Check them all out right here!} sexy gift guide travel gift guide

By now, I suspect it’s no secret that I’m a pretty big fan of Eberjey. Bordering on an evangelist, really. Their lingerie and loungewear is quite possibly the most perfect version of what it’s meant to be: sexy and comfy. In other words, pieces you could actually sleep in, but that also have a decent chance of being ripped off of you, Fifty Shades-style. As it turns out, Eberjey’s perfect formula comes from designer Ali Mejia‘s international upbringing and fanatical attention to detail. Born in El Salvador with a passion for international travel, Ali spent her teen years having her swimsuits tailored to fit. As an adult, when she couldn’t find the lingerie she was after, she decided to create it herself, and Eberjey was born. You can feel Ali’s relaxed, bohemian attitude in every single piece Eberjey designs, from beach-ready swimwear and cover-ups to pajamas and intimates that are addictively good. Just reading her list will put you in the mood for a relaxing island getaway.

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stalking the sales: neiman marcus steps it up for spring

neiman marcus is having a spring sale so good, it’s making me reconsider my longstanding boycott of their online store (a very long story involving a dispute over some ill-fitting prada shoes which had not been worn, i don’t care what they say. but i digress…). anyway, the sale is fabulous, especially with regard to spring shoes. you get to take an additional 25% off the discounted price of everything that’s already on sale, plus free shipping at any price (with code SHOPNM).

if you haven’t splurged yet this season, may i suggest:

from left to right: michael kors bristol wedge, $118 from $225; antik batik gladiator sandal, $108 from $215; loeffler randall brynn thong, $163 from $325; cole haan air phoebe woven rope sandal, $84 from $168; prada espadrille wedge, $193 from $385; stuart weitzman leather wedge espadrille, $163 from $325; tory burch lizard-print reva flat, $118 from $235; tory burch espadrille flat, $58 from $115; joie wingtip flat, $149 from $198.

not to mention all of the lovely, lovely loefflers on sale, and some elizabeth and james stacking rings i’m seriously considering.

just don’t test out your new shoes on a hardwood floor…trust me on this one.

the shopbop winter sale is on!

oh, i was going to be lazy and not post today…but then i started browsing shopbop’s latest batch of markdowns, and i just think it’s too good not to share. definitely worth slacking off at work a bit this morning to browse, but i’ll show off a few of my favorites to get you started:

i’ve finally caved and admitted that the short boot may have a place in my closet after all. this grey suede pair from antik batik (down 50% to $236) might just be the one. i love the low-ish stacked heel, and the low-cut angle at the top of the boot just might get me to try these with a skirt. maybe.

and as for the green suede pumps? well, they’re stuart weitzman, they’re 70% off (making them $89), and i can tell you that my own green suede pumps, though they happen to be sigerson morrison, are probably the shoes i’d grab first if my house were on fire. such a great, happy color, and they’re so much more versatile than you’d think.

if you happen to be after that blazer look, i love this version from seven for all mankind. the length is infinitely more forgiving than cropped styles, it’s lacking the shoulderpad-and-rolled-sleeves combo that reminds me all too painfully of junior high, and there’s a little spandex in there for the comfort factor. it’s 30% off now, making it $192 – not a steal, but definitely a worthy buy.

this ella moss dress is a 70% find (just $60!), and just believe me when i say it will be your spring staple. these abstracted prints (this one’s actually a snakeskin print) are going to be everywhere! the ruching makes it figure-flattering, and the length is actually presentable! for now, add a jewel-toned cardi (yellow, emerald or a bright red would be fab!), black tights and yes, maybe a little pair of booties. perfect!

personally, i’m hoping to take the plunge on a new pair of boots and a few tees i wouldn’t have bought at full price. these versions from kain, monrow and rachel pally all come with excellent references from the fashion powers that be, in terms of fit and longevity. they’re so much more chic than anything you’ll find at old navy, and the sale price keeps me from having to cover my eyes when i click “purchase.”

what are you excited to scoop up in this fabulous sale? (fictional purchases are welcome too!)

the how-to: going global

it could be that i’m suffering from summer vacation withdrawal, but lately, every accessory i fall for seems to have a global vibe. lucky for me, it’s a hot trend this summer – after all, what goes better with cool white linen, and casual summer tee-and-tank combos than bright, bold accessories? so, i’m free to indulge my inner “international woman of mystery” fantasy and manage to be in style at the same time.

this weekend, in the course of checking out shopbop’s beautiful new website, i started browsing for clutches. i’ve been after a great summer clutch ever since the weather started to warm up, but now that it’s regularly hitting 90 degrees, i’m desperate. there’s just nothing appealing about lugging a huge leather bag around when you’re hot and miserable. noticing a little multi-cultural vibe there? (from left to right: antik batik, $87.50; cleobella, $88; west/feren, $169.40 – all on sale!)

and, going through my “things to blog” folder, i realized the jewelry i’ve been gravitating toward lately all sort of fell into the same category. getting the look right with jewels is simple, really – go for bright colors or loads of chunky gold, and stack ’em up. you can find great deals on authentic pieces if you go to the original source and score some serious bargains. that gorgeous gold multi-disc bracelet is from a site called kaneesha, an online purveyor of authentic indian clothing…and it’s only $11. another great source, especially right now, is forever 21. if you’d rather splurge a bit, one of the best designer options for global gems is rosena sammi – her styles are all the rage in the celeb scene right now, and with good reason – isn’t that ring stunning?

(by the way, i’m sort of ashamed to admit that that lovely green enamel bangle is actually by tori spelling for hsn ($59). frightening, i realize…but it’s actually cute, don’t you think?!)

this look can feel a little tricky to pull off but, as with so many things, the key is not to overdo. i’d suggest focusing on one specific type of accessory: necklace, earring, handbag, bracelet. feel free to stack up the bangles (or, for a more subtle look, just pick one striking piece), but don’t pair 20 gold bangles with the necklace, earrings and a batik-print bag. keep it simple, and you can’t go wrong!

so, have you been embracing the global goods this summer?

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