Today's Features

Pick of the Day: Carolee

Adriana — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:06:08 +0000

If you're like us, you remember Carolee from the days of yore when you'd sneak off to play dress-up in someone's jewelry box (and try not to get caught). The glittery stones and shimmery metal would keep us entertained for hours, and you couldn't tell us that we weren't "fancy ladies." It's nice to know that with their over 35 years in the jewelry biz, the label continues to make pieces that women love (and that little girls still look at in wonder), like these Chandelier Circle Earrings from today's sale. Exotic, glamorous, and yet eminently wearable, our grown-up side loves the Indian influences and intricate metal work, while the wide-eyed child in us is entranced by the pretty colors and delightful dangly details. And this time, they'll be in our own jewelry box to play with whenever we want! Get it here!

Pick of the Day: THE FIND by Stan Williams

Adriana — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:49 +0000

We first featured Stan Williams when his essential tome for savvy thrifters The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details was published in May 2009. Now, both Stan and The Find are back on ideeli in today's deluxe Random House event (shop our sale here). In honor of this must-have read for anyone who fashions themselves a canny recessionista, we're re-running our original piece, which is chock-full of timeless advice for anyone who wishes to remain frugal and fab. Read on for style gems of wisdom from the self-styled Elegant Thrifter himself!

We adore your blog—especially its name, The Elegant Thrifter. How did it all begin?
It really all started with The Find. I was the Editorial Fashion Director for Maxim magazine for nine years, and have always loved vintage and thrift. I approached Housing Works about working together and they signed on, then went to Clarkson Potter with a proposal and they bought it. It all happened fast; in May 2007, I quit my job to concentrate on the book. The Elegant Thrifter moniker, however, didn't develop until I was chatting with someone one day about how to create a brand around what I do, and all of a sudden the name popped up. I love it because even though we're all cutting corners these days, there's always room for elegance and fabulous-ness.

How do you define a deal?
A deal is something that you absolutely love, and that you happen to have enough cash in your wallet for (or for which you can easily hop over to an ATM). When putting something on a credit card, unless you always have a zero balance (and these days I don't know anyone who does), then you defeat the thriftiness of your shopping.

What inspires you?
I'm inspired by people who are self-made. Creatively, I'm drawn to those who make or refashion things with their hands. I love traditional crafts that take on a new twist, like Nathan Vincent who makes masculine crochet art. You have to see it to believe it. And then the contemporary artist, Kehinde Wiley, who paints contemporary personalities in settings made legendary by other great artists. I'm also inspired by people who create their own happiness, like Dolly Parton. She is who she is; her fans expect none other, and Dolly never fails to deliver. Yet, she's an incredibly smart and wealthy woman who makes quite a nice living doing exactly what she enjoys. And then, of course, I love vintage decorating, entertaining, and cookbooks, especially ones with "Technicolor" photos and handy entertaining tips.

What is the most treasured item in your home?
I have two. The first is a bejeweled and framed Christmas tree that I found at the flea market at the Santa Monica Airport. The tree is formed out of 1940s costume jewelry, and it has working lights. I love it so much that I keep it up year-round. The second is a bean pot that was given to my Mom and Dad on July 1, 1962 - their wedding date.

What is the most treasured item in your closet?
My Grandpa Williams' striped overalls. He always wore overalls to work in the garden and then hung them on the back porch. After he died, I found them hanging there, and my grandmother said I could take them. They're both gone, but I have beautiful memories of those Arkansas red-clay-grown tomatoes that my grandfather so lovingly cared for. I wore the overalls a couple of times a long time ago, but now they just live on a shelf in my closet.

What is your favorite design era?
That is really hard, because I like mixing styles, colors and textures. I really like the clean lines of midcentury modern furniture and architecture, but am also drawn to Louis XIV and French Empire (A trip to Malmaison near Versailles, the house Josephine lived in when she separated from Napoleon, is staggering.) even though they are about 150 years apart. And then of course, I love all that old Hollywood glamour decor!

Do you have any fashion, home décor, or do-it-yourself heroes?
I love Yves Saint Laurent's personal style and the legacy he left for the rest of fashion to copy! In home decor, I admire so many people and would hesitate to name them because I am influenced by so many. Pick any designer in my book, and I can honestly say that he or she is a hero to me. However, when it comes to DIY, Alex Bandon of This Old House is my DIY hero. She's featured in the book, and I have learned so many things from her. I swear, some day I'm going to paint my kitchen cabinets just like she did.

What do you think is the must have item for every home?
Rugs...even if you have carpeted floors. They add texture, interest, and comfort.

Famous Last Words:
Above anything else - over provenance and perceived value - only buy what you love. If you truly love something, you'll discover a way to work it into your home. You may have to replace an item you already have, but that's a good exercise to go through when shopping. Ask yourself the question,"Do I love X enough to get rid of Y?"

Introducing ideeli Travel!

Adriana — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:50:06 +0000

You’ve come to us for fashion, home, beauty, and even the latest in travel gear. Now, we’re giving you the exciting destinations that will help you put those goodies to use: Say "hello" to ideeli's brand new travel category!

Just like the carefully curated sales you love, ideeli's travel deals are editorially vetted and set at privileged prices that can be accessed only by our members. New travel deals will be announced every Tuesday, and frequent getaway giveaways will sweep you off to some of the hottest destinations around the globe. Even better? Unlike other travel sale sites, we understand how hard it is to plan trips months ahead, between needing to coordinate your crew and/or snag days off from work. That's why with our vouchers, you're not required to commit to travel dates at the point of purchase, and are given extra time to book your getaway.

So, whether it's a romantic escape to a sumptuous hideaway, a family adventure full of sight-seeing, or a luxe jaunt to your favorite playground (such as today's exclusive deals for The Venetian and Palazzo hotels in Las Vegas, pictured above; Cabo Azul Resort in Mexico; and Seven Stars Resort in Turks & Caicos), we've got you covered (or, shall we say, booked). Thanks to ideeli travel, Tuesday is about to become your new favorite day of the week.

But that's not all... We're kicking off our first official Travel Tuesday in high-flying style by offering one lucky ideeli member and a guest a 4-night, ultra-luxurious Mexican escape to the Banyan Tree Mayakoba resort. Cited by Travel + Leisure as one of the "Best New Hotels" upon its March 2009 opening, and voted the #1 property in Playa del Carmen on TripAdvisor.com, Banyan Tree Mayakoba boasts a white-sand beach, Asian-inspired spa, and Greg Norman-designed golf course, in a setting of mangrove-lined canals and freshwater lagoons. And we're sending you and a friend to stay in one of Mayakoba's garden pool villas, a veritable fantasy of tropical luxury. Except that the villa's private pool, garden, al fresco tub, and deck are all beautifully real. (This giveaway has now ended. Check back with us in the coming weeks for more getaway giveaways!)

The ideeli Scoop with Moody Mamas

Ariana — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:13:21 +0000

It used to be that maternity clothes and personal style were mutually exclusive entities. While pregnant, you were forcibly quarantined to the Land of Frumpy Sack Dresses, no matter how fashion-centric your personal taste might have been. But all that changed when the wunderkinds behind Moody Mamas, 20-somethings Marta Abrams and Elise Rosemarin, happily—and quite successfully—combined both ideas into a collection of maternity clothes that won the hearts of fashionable moms-to-be everywhere. And their wide- sweeping fame made another—rather unlikely—fan along the way: designer and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano, who came aboard to design the duo's latest endeavor, a high-end maternity line called Fierce Mamas by Christian Siriano (shop the collection in today's Maternity Shop). We recently caught up with the West Coast-based pair to chat about their friendship with the fierce Mr. Siriano, how they came to be leaders of the anti-maternity fashion movement, and the future of the ever-expanding Moody Mamas empire.

As young designers in your 20s, why did you decide to start a maternity line?
We love all things fashion and feel that women should never be limited in their choices, no matter which phase of life they're in. We researched and spoke with thousands of women, and found that the options for trendy maternity clothes were pretty limited. So we chose to "take the frump out of the bump," and set out to give maternity fashion a sense of style. While we’ve never been pregnant or married ourselves, we're inspired by the life experiences unique to women, and wanted to provide solutions that celebrate femininity. We are proud to be one of the leaders in the maternity fashion revolution.

Why the name Moody Mamas?
Haha! Our culture often portrays women as being moody during pregnancy, so we wanted a play on the word, and to spin it into something positive and fun. We often hear from our customers how much our line brightens their own moods, so in the end it was a perfect fit!

When did you start working with Christian Siriano?
Marta attended a design program in London where she met Christian, and they quickly formed a friendship. We had already launched Moody Mamas, and Christian’s talents began to receive notice on Project Runway, which, of course, he ultimately won. As his trips would often bring him to Los Angeles, where we are based, conversations about a collaboration would surface, and it felt natural to involve him in the artistic development of our high-end line, which we appropriately titled "Fierce Mamas."

What designers do you look to for inspiration?
Obviously, we are huge fans of Christian Siriano for his vision and talent, along with Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, and Alice + Olivia. Also, each season our collection is inspired by the runway shows, as well as fashion editorials in magazines. We're proud that we can offer women the chance to dress on-trend, even during pregnancy.

You’ve been called an "anti-maternity" line. Do you agree?
Absolutely—especially considering the negative connotations often associated with traditional maternity clothing: "dowdy," "plain," and "borrrring!" We believe in maternity fashion that evolves according to what women truly want—chic, stylish, beautiful pieces that are inspired by the runways. The response has been very positive.

Through your line and research, what clothes have you found that pregnant women crave most?
Dresses, dresses, and dresses! Pregnancy is such a special time in a woman’s life; as the body goes through changes, the silhouette of a dress allows a woman to show her new shape in a way that's both flattering and attractive. A pregnant belly should not be hidden behind a hideous muu-muu. Rather, it should be embraced in a piece that is both stylish and comfortable. We're also mindful that women often experience heightened skin sensitivity during pregnancy, so we only use high-quality, luxurious fabrics such as modal jersey, a favorite among expecting women because of its lightweight, soft, and velvety texture.

What are your best-selling pieces and why do you think they sell so well?
It’s always about the dresses, no matter the season! Women who are expecting love a frock that's both easy to wear and chic, particularly for special occasions like a baby shower, where they want to look their absolute best. Additionally, we offer a nursing lingerie line that is popular for its luxurious fabrics, which feel amazing on the skin. The concealed nursing slits are a great asset because they do not scream "nursing." Women love to pick these up for their hospital bags, as well as gift them at baby showers to their friends.

Have you ever spotted one of your designs on a stranger? If so, how did it feel?
It happens frequently, and the feeling of excitement and gratitude overwhelms us each time! Most recently, we spotted Christina Applegate wearing a Fierce Mamas dress on the day she announced her pregnancy to the world at the premiere of her movie, Cats and Dogs, and were thrilled! Every day when we enter our office, we imagine our customer standing in front of her closet figuring out what to wear, and it is our goal to fill it with beautiful pieces so that her pregnancy is one of the most pleasurable and enjoyable experiences, ever.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Continuing as a leader in maternity fashion, and expanding to include diaper bags, baby clothes, and nursery items.

Giveaway: Be a Fashion Week VIP!

Adriana — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:48:10 +0000

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The name alone conjures up images of impossibly chic people, places, and things. As an official sponsor, we're thrilled to offer access to all the fabulousness that fashion week represents.

In this exclusive Giveaway, one lucky member and a guest will win two invitations to a runway show, a two-night stay at a New York City hotel, and, because we know seeing all of the beautiful clothes will inspire you, a $500 ideeli shopping credit.

And if you don't win, never fear, we'll be celebrating the epicenter of chic with 8 days of stylish happenings. We're talking more extraordinary giveaways, star-studded sales from runway designers, and the juicy news and trends from Damrosch Park. Plus, you'll get to follow the adventures of blogger Noel Duan, our My First Fashion Week correspondent, who will be narrating her inaugural trip through all things à la mode in NYC.

And don't miss our fashion week correspondents on Facebook and Twitter the entire week, who will be answering your questions, dishing on the style and beauty scuttlebutt, and taking you behind the scenes!

Enter here for your chance to win and stay tuned for more news from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, ideeli-style.

Pick of the Day: Picnic at Ascot

Adriana — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:34:38 +0000

Is there a more iconic drink in our culture than a martini? James Bond (shaken, not stirred), countless scribes, and almost any old Hollywood movie you watch extol the virtues of this most elegant libation. So imagine how tickled we were when we came across Picnic at Ascot's genius Martini Set for those on-the-go and/or fond of al fresco dining. Compact, beautifully designed, and niftily stocked, it's a must for cocktail afficionados. Outfitted with a stainless steel 8 oz cocktail shaker, two 3.5 oz glass martini glasses, and every accessory you'll need to whip up your drinks, it's also packaged in an easily portable case that's as stylish as it is handy. So ready the cozy blanket, pick out out the ideal spot to savor your sips in, and let this smart set of accoutrements take care of the rest. Get it here!

Pick of the Day: L.A.M.B.

Adriana — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:07:41 +0000

From No Doubt to The Sweet Escape tour, Gwen Stefani has always had a penchant for dressing in daring, flattering fashions while exuding the utmost confidence. Stefani brought her unique style to the masses in 2004 with L.A.M.B.; the eclectic and elegant collection is loved by celebrities like Eva Longoria and Mischa Barton, along with fashion-forward women the world over. Choosing just one style from today's L.A.M.B. shoe sale was a hard task (though one we're not complaining about!) but it's the strappy Quintessa sandal, we must say, that really caught our fancy. Sexy, eye-catching, and an instant outfit booster, this baby is not for the faint of shoe. Unique as it is, we also love how neutral its rich mocha hue appears, as well as the fact that you can sport it with either a mean pedi or tights when colder weather hits. Leave it to La Stefani to parse out sass and smarts in equal parts! Get it here!

Pick of the Day: Mr & Mrs Smith

Adriana — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:59:23 +0000

From the prime room to book to the restaurant to call for that must-have reservation, imagine what your vacations could be with the kind of insider information you could only get from a well-traveled, super-connected friend. That friend is Mr & Mrs Smith, a travel website started by a British couple who, after having an unfortunate experience at a bad hotel, are determined to make sure every trip is extraordinary. Mr & Mrs Smith-approved properties exceed the expectations of even the most discerning traveler. The off-the-beaten path accommodations are selected for their intimacy, style, and service. Not just any property can be a Smith—they've all been hand-picked by a style-savvy team, including boldface names like Stella McCartney and Dita von Teese. Our ideelACCESS deal is first class: $50 gets you a $100 credit for any of the 650+ Smith hotels. Pick up your credit here and start packing your bags!
As if that isn't enough, you can also pick up one of Mr & Mrs Smith's renowned travel tomes in today's concurrent Home sale. Choose your destination (France, the UK, and Australia & New Zealand, among others), settle in, and open up the sumptuous cover to dive right into your preferred location. Packed with coffee table-worthy photography and an in-depth look at each locale, you'll keep these glossy guidebooks around long after your vacation haze has worn off. Shop now!

Pick of the Day: Scarlet Statements

Adriana — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:43:07 +0000

For fall, there's nothing more on-trend than a pop of red in your wardrobe—especially accessories-wise. So look to our Scarlet Statements sale for the best round-up of notable toteables in fiery hues for autumn. This specially curated group of ladies in red was hand-selected by our buyers; among them, you'll find beloved brands such as Ava Rose, BCBGMAXAZRIA, and Hype. We, ourselves, have quite a thing for Furla's red Olimpia shoulder bag. Made of Furla's signature rich leather, its buttery texture, opulent color, and elegant hardware make it the perfect bag to add a touch of hotness to any ensemble. What red-blooded fashionista can resist? Get it here!

Pick of the Day: Red Sale

Adriana — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:00:12 +0000

Given the abundance of finds in this weekend's super-duper Red Sale, we couldn't pick just one item–so we're picking the ENTIRE sale as our Pick of the Day! Red Sale Events offer select merchandise from a variety of brands at some of our most privileged prices. These items were chosen because they prove both of-the-moment and decidedly timeless, so you can snap up true investment pieces without so much investment. Happy shopping! (But act quickly--things move faster than you can say "Score!"). Shop now!