jack purcell sequins

Converse Jack Purcells have been my favorite weekend sneakers for many many years. I strongly prefer the Jack Purcells to the All-Stars (I hate how flat they are...they make feet look one size bigger), so I'm excited that Converse has started to expand on this alternative classic style.

I just discovered Jack Purcell Sequins! I love wearing heels when I go out at night, but there have definitely been many occasions when I have wanted to find an outfit that allowed me to wear my super comfy and beat-up Jack Purcells. These amazing sequins sneakers would go perfectly with dark skinny jeans, a sexy silk tunic, and a cropped leather jacket. A style tip for using sequins...definitely don't wear more than once piece with sparkle on it!

The Jack Purcell Sequins come in white, athletic navy, black, and silver at Converse.com for $90. Converse is running a special promotion until November 30 that offers 20% off.

I love the optional matching ribbon shoelaces!

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coach supports bloggers & a giveaway

I am constantly interested in the way that the impact of blogs grows in the fashion world.

A continuous theme throughout my observations about blogging and fashion is studying the way that bloggers have changed the way that the general fashion-loving public has access to high fashion. Fashion bloggers are being recognized as cyber-stylists who make picks and critique designs just like the highest paid editors and fashion industry leaders do.

Coach is featuring a project on their website called Blog-A-Day where they feature a different fashion and style blog each day. Blogs appreciate being recognized by designers and designers are starting to appreciate being recognized by blogs!

Shopaholics Daily, which is run by my blogger friends Aly and Kori, has been selected to be featured in Coach's Blog-A-Day and in conjunction is hosting a Giveaway for a free Coach Audrey bag in purple (valued at $598).

Visit Shopaholics Daily to find out how to enter...

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nyc boutique shopping guides

{image: refinery29.com}

Shopping in New York City can be overwhelming if you are visiting OR if you live there and have no idea how to start sifting through the amazing amounts of retail everywhere.

Everyone knows about the huge discount retailers (H&M, Century 21, Filene's Basement) and famous department stores (Barney's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel's) but my favorites have always been the boutiques. Most NY boutiques are fairly expensive, but it's so fun to fall in love with your favorite one and invest in unique pieces from up-and-coming designers.

Refinery29 has been publishing a series about "The Best NYC Boutiques" that I have to share with you! I've been wanting to do my own version for SoHo and Brooklyn, so maybe this will inspire to me to finally get around to that...although it will be much harder from the West Coast...

NY Shopping Guide Series:

• Part I West Village and Tribeca
• Part II Greenpoint and Williamsburg
• Part III SoHo and NoLiTa (definitely the best!!)
  
• Part IV East Village and LES
  

dolce vita sale

{Dolce Vita Joni}

When I find a shoe designer that I love and can afford, I really get stuck on them! (Have you seen my five million Melissa posts?)

Right now I seem to have a shoe crush on Dolce Vita. The best news ever is that Dolce Vita is having a Friends and Family sale online until Tuesday, Nov. 24. Enter the coupon code "friendsfam" at checkout to receive 25% off of your entire order.

That only gives you two days to pick out your favorite rocker booties! If you're not in to the leather and studs that are everywhere this season, you probably should just skip this one...

{Dolce Vita Arie}

{DV Dina Flats}

{Dolce Vita Eve Over-the-Knee Boot}

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knits with a little bit of sequins

{trina turk micah sweater at Revolve Clothing}

Winter sequins is my favorite look for the holidays!

Sequins used to always be associated with formal occasions, but now I love all of the styles that mix dressy with casual. You can choose all-over sequins like a flashy mini, but my favorites are the pieces that just have an accent of shimmer on a shoulder or a hemline of a soft sweater. I like the contrast in textures of the soft knit and the hard metallic sequins.

{MK2K sequin jersey at Revolve Clothing}

A black sweater with silver sequins can be worn with ripped skinny jeans and Jack Purcells for a casual look or with a satin pencil skirt, opaque tights, and platform heels for a dressy look.

And does anyone else love seeing Fo from America's Next Top Model in the Revolve clothing ads?

{silence & noise sequin trim open cardigan at Urban Outfitters}

{silence & noise chiffon sequin top at Urban Outfitters}

{j.crew sequin scarf cardigan}

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customer service in an internet world

{Image: slashgear}

I just read an interesting article about Apple's success in customer service and retail experience. I don't understand why everyone hasn't adopted the customer service business model...shouldn't providing a positive customer experience be a priority for all businesses, whether they be restaurants, pharmacies, boutiques, electronics stores, or any other sort of retail establishment?

Apple is no longer the Nordstrom Tech, they're the New Nordstrom

We live in an internet world, so I do think that Nordstrom needs to update their customer service model to include more web-related interfaces. Not everyone wants to deal with a human face-to-face when they are shopping, but they still want a happy and pleasing experience.

Let's figure out how to do that...

is architecture turning around soon?

I just read an article in the LA Times that gave me a tiny glimmer of hope that perhaps the world will need architects again sometime soon...

LA Times: Architects get more contracts in October

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