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Outlet Shopping for Spring

03/09/2010 in Buckhead, Deals + Steals, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 2 comments

On Saturday, Dana + Jenny + I trekked up to the North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville for a little outlet shopping.  The weather has been warming up (yea!!), and as a result my winter wardrobe has been relentlessly begging me for some warm weather additions.  I resisted for a while, but recently I’ve had a hard time saying “no.”

It took us about 45 minutes going up 400 N to get to the NGPOs from Buckhead.  We easily spotted the NGPOs from the highway, and we were excited to park across from Off Fifth(Saks Fifth Ave. outlet) to begin our mini-spree.  Thanks to the grande Starbucks ice coffee I finished during the ride up, in less than ten minutes flat I was standing in the check out line at Off Fifth with an incredible lined winter coat (for next year) and a very-Lindsay-style gold bracelet.  And like a flash, we were off again…

In the interest of keeping your attention, I won’t break down every stop we made.  However, I will tell you that my favorite stores at the NGPOs were: Cole Haan, Burberry, Coach, Off Fifth, Kate Spade, Juicy, Polo, BCBG, Michael Kors and J. Crew.  We were afraid to step foot into Pottery Barn or Nike – which were absolutely swarmed with eager shoppers.  Even though it wasn’t a holiday weekend, we found excellent deals everywhere!  Coach was running a one day promotion for 20% off of the entire store, and Jenny and I walked away with adorable new purses.  Polo had some noteworthy deals, too, convincing Dana to stock up on shirts for her wonderful fiance who is in Iraq until May.  Overall, I thought the shopping was great. 

North Georgia Premium Outlets

Here are a few tips on efficient outlet shopping that I picked up during our mini-spree:

1- Wear flats or comfortable shoes.  You will regret it if you don’t.  However, if your feet begin to hurt while you are shopping – you can run into Adidas, Nike or Cole Haan (love their shoes with the Nike technology) and purchase yourself a brand spankin’ new pair.

2- Go to the bathroom prior to standing in line for a dressing room.  Lines can be long and there is nothing worse than nature calling while you are trying to shimmy your way out of a pair of skinny jeans…

3- Eat before you go – or bring snacks.  I wasn’t impressed with the food options at the NGPO’s – or the lack thereof.

4- Develop patience.  The lines are long for the dressing rooms, registers and bathrooms…there’s really no way around it.  And, there were a ton of slowly walking people w/ strollers.  Just keep that in mind…

5- According to a colleague, the best time to go outlet shopping is the week(end) prior to a holiday – so for instance the week before Black Friday or Fourth of July.  Apparently, the outlet stores will already have their stock out for the holiday weekend and start running their sales early.

6- Bring an umbrella.  The weather happened to be gorgeous on Saturday and we were fine - however it’s important to note that not all of the walkways between stores are covered.  It would be a shame to drive all the way out to the NGPOs and not be able to visit all the stores on your list because you’ve become a drowned rat in a rainstorm.

jenny's trunk @ the end of the day...

Four hours later on our drive home, we realized we were absolutely famished.  So, at 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday we sat down for a three hour sushi meal complete with sake bombs!  Yea! 

yu-ka sushi bar

"i say SAKE - you say BOMB!"

We went to Yu-Ka Sushi Bar - right next to the disco Kroger in Buckhead.  I did not care for the sushi or the atmosphere at all, but the service was good and the sake bombs hit the spot.  I called it an early evening and ventured home with my bags upon bags of outlet loot and redboxed The Hurt Locker + A Serious Man (both nominated for Best Picture @ the Oscar’s – The Hurt Locker won).  I really enjoyed both. 

What a Saturday!  I’m already looking forward to heading back to the NGPOs in a few months to stock up on summertime gear… 

xx, L

North Georgia Premium Outlets
800 Highway 400 South
Dawsonville, GA  30534
706.216.3609
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16

Sushi Bar Yu-Ka
3300 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30305
404.233.6700
Sushi Bar Yu-Ka on Urbanspoon

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Katie’s Pick!

02/27/2010 in Katie's Picks, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | 2 comments

"Shimmy" by Blowfish $39

Katie says,

“Shimmy into these adorable little Blowfish summer flats in either scarlet red, bronze, or pewter (pictured)
Or better yet, since these babies will only set you back $39, why not get all three?

Shimmy into Gus Mayer soon before they shimmy out the door!”

To get yours, call my seestah, Katie, at 205 877 8554 at or pop by Gus Mayer in Birmingham!

xx, L

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“Things I Want…

02/22/2010 in PSAs by Lauren | No comments

…But Do Not Need.”

Alternate title:

“An Open Letter to Anyone Who Wants to Buy Me a Present”

Or:

“Irresponsible Purchases I am Seriously Contemplating”

1. I ADORE my “play” watch. It’s the gold menswear Michael Kors:

Boss.

BUT: since I purchased it, he’s come out with one I want a little more:

I had been eying the tortoise shell version for a little while, but the deal was sealed for me on Saturday night: I developed a somewhat serious girl crush on one of The Ginger’s superchic and fabulous girlfriends visiting from Nashville.

f.a.b.

When she mentioned this watch, I decided it was love. Peer pressure works every time…

So, yesterday, I went to go visit the watch in the MK store with my mom and almost convinced her to buy it for herself (with the old bait-and-switch in mind) but, alas, she was on to me. So with a stick of the MK Leg Shine in my bag……and the watch still in the case, I made my way out the door. Ssssssigh.

2. As you may remember, I wear 2 perfumes. Either Ralph Lauren Blue or Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I have big bottles at home and small bottles in my purse and honestly? That’s more than anyone needs to be spending on fragrance, in my opinion. However, I am seriously considering the following as an addition:

Vintage Gardenia

It goes great WITH my current two, or alone, as Jo Malone is designed to do. It’s floral but not sickly sweet and I WANT IT.

3. Louis Vuitton Doctor Bag (the Speedy 30)
I officially covet this classic bag. Before my mother starts hyperventilating while reading this post, I need to mention that I WAS once in possession of one. DK had one in the late 80’s – early 90’s (as many stylish suburban housewives did) and generously (and, as it turns out, foolishly) bequeathed it on to me while I was in college.

Since I am an idiot and and since I was overly concerned with ridiculous teeny tiny baguettes at the time, when I moved to Manhattan, the bag somehow stayed in Austin. (Sidebar: To whatever Hill Country Hippie or Spoiled Sorority Girl who is currently sporting my….well, DK’s… Doctor Bag – YOU’RE WELCOME.)

OK. Other than an appointment with local Atlanta Dog-Whisperer, Ian and a standing blow-out appointment with Wael at Jamison Shaw, that is it for today.

“If wishes and buts were clusters of nuts, we’d all have a bowl of granola.”
- Strangers with Candy


xx, L

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That Boom Boom Pow

02/17/2010 in Events!, Parties, What we're Listening To by Lauren | 4 comments

So, I missed the Black Eyed Peas in Atlanta. But lucky for me, my friend JC (of Trendsetting Productions) invited me along as his +1 to the Birmingham show and to the after-party he produced at Club 1120 and it…was…AWESOME.
First of all, they put on a GREAT show. They’re each incredible performers, of course, but I also thought it was pretty interesting that the whole show was very futuristic. We didn’t get a great pic, unfortch, but Fergie’s opening costume looked a lot like EZ’s Halloween costume:

Always ahead of the trend...

The show had a heavy focus on technology. For instance, the tour was sponsored by Blackberry and you could BBM Will.I.Am and your message would appear on a screen during his set list. And they had dancing robots. That’s right. Dancing. Robots.
Witness:

see?

more robots

It was a great concert. Each of the Peas had their own solo time. Fergie was, of course, my favorite. I love her.

Check it out, it’s like she was singing right to me:

So pretty.

We had a BLAST. The icing on the cake was the after-party, though. JC produced the event, and as his +1, I got to accompany him not only to the party, but to the VIP section where all 4 Peas were hanging out. (!!!)

Appl breaking it down

It should be noted that I am NOT COOL around celebrities. In fact, when I lived in NYC, I worked at a high-end retailer on Madison Ave and eventually got banned from waiting on the celebrities after several awkward stammering incidences and a near meltdown over Liza Minelli. True story.
Anyway. Luckily, pictures were not permitted in VIP (otherwise you KNOW I would be plastering 283471242 pictures of my cheesy mug with Appl, Tabu, Will.i.Am AND Fergie all over the Q+DD.) JC and I tried to be sneaky and get them in the background. Unsuccessfully.

Who's that in the background? Oh, just my friend Tabu. Whatevs.

All I knew for sure was that I wanted to chat with Fergie. Bad. Luckily, JC was aware of my celebrity “problem” and was careful to spend what he thought was adequate time coaching me on my opening line. We eventually came up with:

“Hi, Fergie. My name is Lauren. My friend set up this party and we both live in Atlanta but I grew up in Birmingham and it’s great to see such a big name come through here. The show was great!”

We practiced several times. I felt prepared. I put my game face on, headed over to Fergie and….

“Hi. Um, HI. I’m Lauren. The show was…um…I’m obsessed with you.” <grin>

At which point, Jonathan saved me and I was eventually able to make a full recovery and act like a normal person with the rest of the BEPs and the crew.
Even though I was a bit of an idiot to Fergie, it was still “A Good, Good Night.” …In retrospect, perhaps I should have taken Mer’s advice and limited my conversation with Fergie to strictly discussing Kids, Inc…
…sssssssigh.

xx, L

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“Nicey nicey just doesn’t do it for me” -Alexander McQueen (1969 – 2010)

02/15/2010 in PSAs by Lauren | No comments

As you may know, radical and visionary designer Alexander McQueen passed away Thursday.

McQueen with SJP

McQueen was immensely talented and served an important voice in fashion. Obviously, it is devastating to lose such an influential designer in his prime…and if you’re looking for some carefully crafted words about McQueen, please, allow me to Google that for you: LMGTFY. (Thanks, Linds.)

Now let’s look at some pretty pictures of his work:

“Clothes and jewelry should be startling, individual. When you see a woman in my clothes, you want to know more about them. To me, that is what distinguishes good designers from bad designers.” -Alexander McQueen

RIP to the self-proclaimed “pink sheep” of his family.xx, L

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Katie’s Pick!: Wedge Thora by Tory Burch

02/11/2010 in Katie's Picks, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | No comments

In this chilly weather, it’s nice to see that SOMEONE has Spring on their mind! Hi Katie!

My seestah!

My seestah!

Here’s her current pick:

Wedge Thora by Tory Burch

Wedge Thora by Tory Burch

Meet the new staple of your summer wardrobe… Wedge Thora by Tory Burch.

A version of the classic Tory flop, perfect for showing off your freshly polished pedicure!

Katie tells me they’re on their 3rd reorder already so you may have to hustle to get your pick of colors… or get all 8!

Pictured in Pewter but also available in Black, Tan, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Gold, and Turquoise!

BONUS: Become a fan of Gus Mayer Shoe Salon on Facebook by clicking here!

Spring is ALMOST here! In the meantime, think warm thoughts…

xx, L

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Cancel Your Lunch Meeting!

01/05/2010 in Deals + Steals, Holidays, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 2 comments

(I will try to keep this as brief (pun intended) as possible in hopes of not alienating any of our male readers.)

It’s a secret no longer!  (I’m on a roll today…)  There is an amazing sale going on at Victoria’s Secret right now!

Love.

Holiday gift cards burning a hole in my wallet + the first workday after New Year’s weekend = a tiny shopping spree last night at Lenox.  There are a number of great sales going on right now, but the one at Victoria’s is really worth checking out during lunch today.  Their version of  Hanky Panky’s are on sale in a variety of colors for only $5.99.  What an excellent deal!

world's greatest undies

world's greatest undies

Attention Men:  V-Day is right around the corner.  This may be a good opportunity for you to pick out something special for your lady friend.  :)

T-41 days and counting...

T-41 days and counting...

Hurry – check it out today before everything is picked over!  You’re welcome! 

xx, L

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Guilty As Charged

12/30/2009 in Deals + Steals, Guilty Pleasures, Jewelry, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 7 comments

I love shopping online. 

I sit in front of a computer all day – in prime shopping hours – and, well, let’s just say I excel at multitasking.  It’s never a problem for me to participate in a conference call while sending work and personal e-mails, reading Perez Hilton and paying for a pair of shoes I found online that I just can’t live without.  That being said, I do not enjoy waisting time surfing the Internet looking for good deals.  Instead, I rely almost completely on the most glorious website - Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com).

Gilt Groupe button

If you aren’t already a Gilt member, you absolutely must sign up immediately.  It’s free – you just have to provide your first/ last name and e-mail address.  Each day at noon, Gilt Groupe sends out an e-mail to its members with the day’s incredible sales on luxury and designer goods for up to 70% off of retail from names like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Cole Haan (my favorite!), Theory…the list goes on and on and on.   The sale alert e-mails are very user friendly.  And, unlike other similar websites, you don’t feel overwhelmed or bombarded with sale items – like you are at a massive online garage sale. 

Gilt Groupe Sale Example

Gilt Groupe Sale Example

Gilt Groupe’s sales are broken up into Gilt (women + home + children), Gilt Fuse (less expensive and funkier items), Gilt Man (for men…) and Jetsetter (Gilt’s incredible travel site).  You can sign up to get e-mails specifically from any of Gilt’s subgroups, if desired, but they are all accessible from the general home page. 

I don’t buy from the site all the time, but I look at the sales every day and use the function on the website to put reminders on my Outlook calendar for specific designer’s sales I am interested in throughout the week.  You have to act fast when the sales start at 12:00 p.m. each day because they only have a limited number of items and they tend to sell out fast. 

Also, you can e-mail a sign-up link to your friends from the Gilt Groupe website and when a friend signs up for the sale alert e-mails and makes his or her first purchase – you get a $25 credit to use on the website towards a future purchase.  That seems like a pretty sweet incentive to me!

I’m just saying – it’s worth a look.  Maybe you’ll be guilty, too…  Enjoy!  :)

xx, L

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A Designer Holiday!

12/18/2009 in Deals + Steals, Gifts, Guilty Pleasures, Holidays, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | No comments

In an attempt to spread holiday cheer, I’d like to bring your attention to some ridiculously amazing sales going on at Gucci.com. 

Exhibit #1: This Medium Hobo is on sale for $149.40 (from $350)

Exhibit #1: Medium Hobo for $149.40 (from $350)

Exhibit #2: Large Cosmetic Case for $62.30 (from $120)

Exhibit #2: Large Cosmetic Case for $62.30 (from $120)

Exhibit #3: Leather B.B. Hobo for $257.40 (from $610)

Exhibit #3: Leather B.B. Hobo for $257.40 (from $610)

Exhibit #4: Continental Wallet for $146.30 (from $290)

Exhibit #4: Continental Wallet for $146.30 (from $290)

Here’s the link for all the other great sales at Gucci.com:
http://www.gucci.com/us/us-english/us/sale/special-savings/

untitled

Just saying…I know a good deal when I see one.  :)

xx, L

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“No, I won’t be needing a gift receipt…”

12/14/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 4 comments

Over the weekend, I was on a serious hunt for a pair of jeggings.  I asked Meri to accompany me on my shopping voyage to (a) make sure I didn’t get lost at Phipps (she’s seasoned)and (b) provide honest feedback regarding the jeggings + Lindsay collaboration.  After I successfully spotted, tried on and purchased my very first pair of jeggings from Armani Exchange, we set off to find some comfortable over-sized shirts to pair with my new purchase.  We weeded through a number of tempting, overpriced options at Intermix, Barneys Co-Op and Saks, but I didn’t find anything I truly loved.  Meri suggested that I try American Apparel.  Meri is brilliant.

American Apparel in Buckhead, situated in the strip beside Lenox Mall next to Tootsies and Fab’rik, is enormous compared to the smaller version I frequent in Little Five Points.  AA has the world’s softest t-shirts (fact.) and they are excellent quality.  I hate when t-shirts lose their shape or pill after only a few washes, but I’ve never had trouble with my AAs. 

Not only does American Apparel carry excellent, versatile t-shirts, but they also have an impressive variety of mostly solid colored leggings, hoodies, tights, belts, dresses and skirts that are perfect to spice up a tired winter wardrobe.  I am big on layering shirts, so I was in heaven at the massive AA in Buckhead.  I did some serious damage. 

(Happy Hanukkah to me! :) )

Below are a few of my favorite purchases from my spree at American Apparel yesterday:

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

 

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

 

The Shiny Sash: $24

The Shiny Sash: $24

 

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

 

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

 

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

If you are looking for creative gift ideas or for fashionable basics to add to your cold-weather-armor, American Apparel has a lot of great stuff in store for the holidays.  Also, don’t forget to check out their hip vintage eyewear collection.  I have such a weakness for large sunglasses…   Happy holiday shopping! 

(P.S. Do everything you can to avoid Lenox Mall’s parking garage and lots = nightmare.)

xx, L

american_apparel_logo_3

American Apparel – Buckhead
3400 Around Lenox Road NE
404.812.0010
www.americanapparel.com

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Trend Alert! Jeggings

12/12/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 6 comments

Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings.  (Think Top Shop coined that brain buster.)

Here’s a visual:

Jeggings

Jeggings

Y’all, I just don’t know about this one.  Leggings are like a uniform for me.  Love them.  Jeans – sure.  Not my favorite, but I’ll rock a pair.  Jeggings?  I’m on the fence…and this is rare because usually I am the first one to jump at a new trend.  Snuggies?  Yes!  The Cap-Sac?  Don’t mind if I do… 

Sienna Miller in Jeggings

Sienna Miller in Jeggings

Maybe you have to be stick-skinny like Sienna Miller to pull them off?  Maybe not.  Either way, I am hitting up Urban Outfitters this weekend to see what these bad boys look like in dressing room halogens…

xx, L

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More Fabulousness from Fabulous People

11/19/2009 in Jewelry, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | No comments

Meet Erin (Marcus) Estell.

Gorgeous, isn't she?
Gorgeous, isn’t she?

I met Erin my freshman year of college when we pledged the same sorority. Hailing from Chicago, IL, her adorable mid-western accent earned her the nickname “Pahms” as she would tell us about her high school cheerleading team.

Anyway. Pahms Erin has always had sensational style and a creative fashion sense. I’d whip out a few rush pictures circa 2000 where she managed to make a t-shirt and khaki shorts chic as evidence…but I promised I wouldn’t.

Erin has been creating jewelry for herself and her friends for the last 20 years and has now decided to share her work by creating her own line!

Introducing…Estell Designs!

estell logo
www.estelldesigns.com

I asked Erin what prompted her to start the line, and she gave me the Q+DD: “When I became engaged, I had a blast putting together the perfect ensemble: Badgley Mischka gown, Erin Cole veil, Stuart Weitzman shoes… but it was impossible to find appropriate and amazing wedding jewelry. It seemed like everything available was either insanely expensive or tacky. I could not believe that brides on a budget were being forced into wearing rhinestones and vermeil. I eventually made myself a pair of earrings using 14k white gold and a gazillion white topaz briolettes. Amazing.

Fast forward 2 years…I found myself virtually laid off from a job that was hit incredibly hard by the recession. My husband and I were laying on the beach in Phuket, Thailand and he said, “Why don’t you just try selling your jewelry?” in response to my professional conundrum. I really don’t know what was more romantic – the scenery or his unwavering support. I quit my job, bought tons of supplies, hired a web designer and the rest is history!”

Her pieces are so delicate and feminine and timeless. Witness:estellLargeAmetrineestellrudquartzlariatestelltourmalinequartzestellmookaitegoldstoneestelllabtopazneckestellchalcedonymoonstone

Erin uses solid 14 karat gold wire, chain, and findings in all of her jewelry, but will make custom pieces using sterling silver and gold vermeil if you’d prefer. All the beads are genuine precious and semiprecious gemstones which she hand picks for each lovely piece.

Please visit her website here to view her entire gorgeous handcrafted collection.

Perfect for bridal or new moms…or any special occasion!

I have to wonder, though, Erin…were the gorgeous grape cluster pieces inspired by your pahm pahms?

xx (+LML), L

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