Quote of the Day!

Hey Loves!

It's been a little while since my last post, I know, but I wanted to kick the week off right by providing you all with a little Monday motivation.

This week is all about walking the talk, meaning do what you say you're going to do and do it well.

This motivated me to become more active in my community. I wanted to find ways to give to those less fortunate than myself because i've always believed that to receive abundantly, one must give abundantly. So this past weekend, I had the pleasure of helping a local charity give school supplies to less fortunate children in my community. I am an avid shopper so any reason to go shopping, no matter what cause, was an exciting feat for me. With the help of some friends and family, we were able to give hundreds of supplies to the charity and plan to give even more this week. The best part is that we're having fun doing it.

So how will YOU walk the talk this week?

Get up, get out and make a difference in someone else's life this week and I promise it'll make an even greater difference in your own life. Giving is Chic!

So Stay Chic Divas!

Shopping Alert: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

This is the sale most fashion dolls wait all year for! Unlike most sales who markdown items at the end of the season, Nordstrom's drops their prices on pre-season merchandise so that you can be stylish and chic all season long. The sale is currently on now and ends August 5. Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns to make it easier for all my dolls worldwide to take advantage of the markdown goodies. Shop now!

Here are some of the items I'm currently coveting from the sale: 

This super cute skater skirt. Perfect for right now and still good for Fall with a pair of tights and ankle booties. 

I'm in love prints! Most of all leopard so this clutch is right up my alley. 

Dainty Gold necklace

Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Cleansing System  $149 

Purity facial cleanser $50.50 (Nordstrom's Beauty Exclusive) 

What will you be purchasing?

Happy Shopping Ladies!!! 

Feeling Retro

Hey Loves!

I love the 90's!!! And lately, if you follow me on Instagram, you'll notice that I've been rocking a lot of crop tops. Now I don't have the most toned abs or anything, but in this summertime heat, the best way to brave it is by having on light, breathable clothing. So a cute, comfortable crop top with a swing skirt or maxi is definitely my go-to look for summer. I pulled together a look below with the Mara Hoffman Bustier that is perfect for daytime brunch or an early dinner because it's effortless chic. This particular bustier is a little pricey, however, some really cute and inexpensive ones can be found at Forever 21 or Loveculture.

Here's some really affordable cute ones here and here.

Mara Hoffman bustier shirt / Navy skirt, $18 / GUESS ? / Chloé mini shoulder bag / Gold chain bracelet

I know this trend isn't for everybody, but what do you think? Would you rock it?

Top 10 Best Summer Sandals Guide

Hey Loves!

Summer is all about having practical footwear and nothing is more practical than a go-to sandal. It is a Spring/Summer must-have and a closet staple if you're thinking beach, fun and sun, like me. I put together a short list of my favorite pairs of sandals at various price points that will definitely add some chic to any outfit this Summer, whether it be a maxi dress, shorts or a fun & flirty sun-dress. Peep my picks below:

1.) Yves Saint Laurent black leather sandals $695

2.) GUESS t strap flat sandals $40

3.) J.Crew strap sandals $118

 4.) Nine West flat leather sandals $69

5.) Tory Burch strappy shoes $200

6.) GUESS gladiator sandals $34

7.) Belle by Sigerson Morrison bohemian sandals $123

8.) Paprika Rhinestone Cutout Ankle wrap flat sandals $25

9.) Timeless shoes, $34

10.) Dorothy Perkins roman sandals $35

My favorite happen to be the black, of course. I tend to stick to neutral sandals for summer because they are the most versatile and I can quickly put them on without having to change my entire outfit to coordinate them with. However, metallics and neon-colored shoes are also great to elevate any look and stay on trend. Don't forget that if you want to shop any of these styles, the links are above.

Which sandal is your favorite? 

Happy shopping and stay chic this summer!

Fashionably yours, 

Chi

Coveted: Multicolored Lace-up sandals

Hey Dolls!

I am so in love with these sandals from Zara that I have to have 'em! With the colors and different patterns, it's perfect for Spring. They are going for $129 a pair and are adorable. Don't you think?! 

Zara $129

Spring-in some CASH!

Hey dolls!

It's the springtime and one of the things I think of most, besides the beautiful sunny weather, is spring cleaning; particularly closet purging.

I hate cleaning out my closet just as much as anyone because you never want to part with all those items you've grown to love over the past few months or longer or (if your like me) you're just too lazy to do it. Well as any fashionista would know, you can't add all the fun, flirty new trends to your closet with all the old crap taking up space so what do you do about it? Well, you could stop shopping all together, but that's not likely, or you could get rid of few things you've outgrown and turn those items into cash.

If you have items that have been gently worn, but are still in good condition, why not sell them to make a little money for the new items you'll be adding this Spring?

Here's a list of some of best sites/stores to sell unwanted items from your closet:

1.) Threadflip
2.) Poshmark
3.) Dresm
4.) Tradesy
5.) Plato's Closet
6.) EBay
7.) Asos Marketplace

Most of the online selling sites collect a fee for selling items on their sites. It's usually 10 percent or so. Make sure you read the requirements and price your items accordingly.

Good luck and Happy Selling!

xoxo,
Chi

Photo credit: luckymag.com

Top 5 Spring 2013 Trends

Hey Dolls!

Fashion week is over and for most, that means it's almost Spring! Ah, Spring, how I love this time of year! Warm weather, sun, and fun fashions you can wear before the terribly hot season of summer. *daydreaming* Okay, okay, I'm back.........Any who, in the fashion world, usually everything old becomes new again and with much of last year's Spring trends still going strong, I wanted to spotlight a few of my favorite's from this year's chicest must-haves of season:

Obsessed: Prabal Gurung for Target

Gift Guide: Valentine's Shopping for Him

American Apparel / Christian Louboutin wallet / Movado stainless steel watch / Tech accessory / Men's Dolce & Gabbana By Dolce & Gabanna Eau De Toilette - 2.5 Oz / Just Because

Valentine’s Day is all about showing the love. What better way to say ‘I love you’, than with the perfect gift for your crush,  boyfriend, or husband. Here’s a gift guide for all the lovers out there who need a couple of ideas on what to get the man in their life:

1.       Cologne- Every woman loves a good smelling man! Get your beau his favorite scent or a scent you’d love him to wear. Stores like T.J. Maxx or Marshalls offer popular men’s scents for a fraction of the price compared to big retailers.

2.       Wallet- How many of us have seen a men’s wallet that looked so beat up you’d assume it had been in a fight and lost? If that’s the case, treat your man to wallet for Valentine’s Day. If you’re on a budget, T. J. Maxx is great place to get Kenneth Cole or Hugo Boss wallets for very inexpensive. If you’re beau is a little more particular, Nordstroms and Saks are great shopping options to find a little pricier wallets with great style.

3.       Shave Kits-every woman loves a well groomed man. Why not get him a shave kit that will make his skin look healthier and smoother?

4.       Cell Phone- If your guy is a gadget guy, a great gift for the techy in your life is a new cell phone.

5.       Tablet- This is my favorite go-to gadget and tablets are all the rage lately for their convenience and portability. He’ll be able to surf the web, play games, check stocks or banking information all from this neat little device.

6.       Watch- A great timepiece is always an necessity. Have your man’s wrist stand out with a great watch from Bulova, Invicta, or Movado.

7.       Edible Arrangements- For the guy that loves to eat, but is watching his weight, why not get him an fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements. They deliver same day and if your beau has everything already, just a gesture of love like this can be very thoughtful.

8.       Ties- Last, but not least, a men’s tie. Every woman loves a well-dressed man and with Justin Timberlake’s new song ‘Suit & Tie’, it makes it seem all the more necessary for a man to be dressed “to the nines” for his lady.

So what will you get the man in your life?

Fashionably yours,

 

Chi 

Create Your Own: Vision Board!

My vision board from Instagram

Last night, if you follow me on Instagram (@fashionslavebyc) , I posted a picture of one of my vision boards I was working on. Some people underestimate the power of having a vision board. For me, a vision board offers a visual way to view your inner desires and/or dreams. The fashion industry uses vision boards all the time to find inspiration for trends or collections. But whether or not you’re in the fashion industry, a vision board can still be helpful to show goals you’d like to reach, positive affirmations to get you through the day, and/or internal desires.

So how do you make a vision board?  Well, you will need:

Supplies

• Ø  Poster board or cork board
• Ø  Pictures
• Ø  Glue or push-pins
• Ø  Scissors

Steps

• Ø  Think of a theme
• Ø  Search for pictures that relate to your theme
• Ø  Cut out pictures
• Ø  Glue pictures and/or affirmations to a poster board  or pin to cork board
• Ø  Hang board in a place you will see it everyday
• Ø  View board daily and focus on the objects, words and theme of the board

Try it! And If you have an Instagram account, I would love to see your vision boards. Tag me in your instapost @fashionslavebyc.

Cork vision board......and  it's greener too! :-)

Xoxo, Chi

Black & White Trend

Topshop / High neck top, $13 / Rose shirt, $16 / Short skirt / White skirt / Topshop / Ankle strap heels / Black shoes / Paper Lanterns - Black & White Stripe / TOPSHOP TENT Lace Up Hi Top Boots

Hey Fashion Dolls!

If you’re anything like me, you probably have been reading all the magazines to feed your monthly dose of fashion and what the new trends are for this coming Spring. Well, one of the trends I noticed, which I’m quite fond of, is the Black & White trend. If you all don’t know by now, my favorite color is black (which some would say is not a color…but whatever, I digress).  Either way, I am uber excited for this trend to be in stores! It’s super classic, amazingly timeless and very easy to incorporate into your wardrobe without breaking the bank because most, if not all of us, already own a piece or two in this color combination.

I prefer to wear head to toe black & white, but if that’s too matchy-matchy for you, don’t hesitate to add pops-of-color like reds, blues or (one of my favs) neon's.  Black and white stripe dress with a neon belt, statement necklace, and pointy-toe pumps is definitely a chic and fun way to play with this trend.

Black & White trend: Love it or Leave it? 

Fashionably yours, 

Chi