Being a Gap Inc. employee for about four years now, I've seen changes in the styles we carry and who our target customer is. The Gap is still known for it's basics but what some people don't know is that the Gap is now carrying trendier pieces again.
This fall I've seen quite a change in the styles and products available to customers. No longer is the Gap just a t-shirt and jeans company. There is the the Gap Black Pants Collection, available since late Summer, perfect for a day at the office then meeting up with friends after work. Gap is right on trend with neutrals for Fall (See my blog on Neutrals is What Fall 2010 is All About). Gap is carrying a lot of black and gray with splashes of nude and cream, but unlike the runway collections with many designers doing head to toe neutrals, the Gap still provides colors as it always has. After all, the Gap is known for its items in different colors like the turtleneck in five or six colors or the basic T for men in an abundance of colors to choose from. The Gap still has the basics but now also offers trendier pieces so that you don't have to go to Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 for fun, trendy pieces. Now you can get your basics and splash it up with up-to-the-minute fashion forward pieces all at one store.
I'm personally dieing for a sequined jacket that's part of the Shine Collection for the holidays. It's supposed to come into stores either this week or next. It's going to fly off the racks when it comes into stores -- so many customers are asking about it.
I'm excited for these changes. I look forward seeing how Gap evolves, and I'm glad Gap is being more fashion-forward and trend-right.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
My Destination for Everyday Holiday Bling is Claire's.
'Tis the season to shine and sparkle, so what better way to do it than by accessorizing and blinging up your look. My favorite for everyday flare are these hairpins and rhinestone bracelet to add when layering bracelets. Claire's carry these sparkly accessories year-round, but now is especially a great time to buy a few to add some everyday glitter to your holiday look. There is really no need for coupons when shopping at Claire's since everything is so affordable, but they are giving $10 Holiday Bucks every time you spend $20. These Holiday Bucks can be redeemed between Nov 28 and Dec 12 of this year and works this way: "Take $10 off a purchase of $20 or more (pre-tax)."
I prefer shopping at the actual store than online, since you really need to get a good look at the products. Some can really look chintzy and can ruin and cheapen your look; however, there are finds in every Claire's store. You just have to be patient and scan their potentially overwhelming walls of accessories.
Their target market is rather young, but I've found items in there that were appropriate for me, a late 30's gal. If you have a daughter/s, y'all can have a lot of fun together at your nearest Claire's -- it is total girlie world.
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| Above were my recent finds to add to my everyday holiday look. |
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| I used the rhinestone bracelet to add to some bracelets I use often. The charm bracelet, I wear that about 4 times a week. (See my blog on how to How to Layer Jewelry ) |
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Raise Your Online Shopping I.Q. By Shopping Through EBATES.
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| Actor Greg Grunberg, co-founder of yowza. |
I have always been a firm believer in coupons even before I completed my degree in Advertising. When used properly and wisely, it can save you hundreds of dollars. I used to clip coupons as a kid when I had no money to even buy stuff with. I was about ten years old, and I remember being so excited for the Sunday paper, not for the information in it but for all the cool coupons included in the massive Sunday paper. I used to clip coupons in hopes that my parents would use them. I don't remember if they did or not, but I sure remember the good ol' times I had flipping through them and clipping the coupons for products we used often and clipping the ones I hoped my parents would buy like the really sugary cereals. My parents never used those coupons since breakfast was usually SPAM sandwiches (hey what can I say, I am a true Filipino, and boy do Filipinos love SPAM. I still love SPAM sandwiches.) I'll do a future blog on really cool coupon sites, but I need to do more research on that topic.
OK, back to EBATES... Well, I used it today on RachelRoy.com. Two months after that customer told me about EBATES, I remembered to check out EBATES before checking out from RachelRoy.com. I wasn't sure about how EBATES worked -- the gist I got from that dude was that it was online rebates and coupons, so I went to the site to see if there were any for Rachel Roy. Low and behold there listed were promos for Rachel Roy and 2.5% cash back through EBATES. Oooooooooooooooh, me likes cash back.
The neat thing too is that all the online stores I normally browse and shop from are included: Target, Walmart, Amazon, eBay, Piperlime, you name it -- it's on EBATES. Also, the cash back percentages vary. I saw one for 35% cash back; too bad it's not a site I normally browse. The 2.5 % cash back from Rachel Roy that had me jumping up and down was actually on the very low end, but I'll still take it!
So if you are going to be doing any online shopping this holiday season, why don't you get cash back for it? Then use your Discover card and get cash back from that too! There you go. You have additional knowledge on some smart online shopping. Happy shopping, and stay safe during the crazy holiday shopping season -- stay indoors and do some online shopping! NOW GO GET SOME CASH BACK WITH EBATES. (Me smiling while one tooth sparkles. LOL.)
p.s. I ended us saving 20% off my purchase from RachelRoy.com, got an additional $20 OFF by signing up to receive e-mails, got FREE shipping and got my 2.5% cash back through EBATES. BUYA !!! Now that is a deal.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Just Became a Member of jewelmint
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Kate Bosworth wearing jewelmint piece for November named Celestial Wreath Necklace |
I heard about it today from my daily e-mail fashion update The Zoe Report, Rachel Zoe's very awesome daily fashion spotlight. Each day, Rachel highlights an item, be it a piece of clothing, accessory or beauty product. Sometimes she'll spotlight something for the home or a fashionable techie gadget. Today, she spotlighted jewelmint. Being a lover of gemstones and jewelry, I immediately clicked on the link. And a shining light and chorus of angels accompanied my first glimpse of the Website, www.jewelmint.com . I knew I was in jewelry heaven.
I learned that for only $29.99 a month, you get a fabulous piece of jewelry each month. The prices are always 70% off, and what I saw was
A M A Z I N G -- on trend pieces and very beautiful, covetable pieces of fashion jewelry. Each piece is valued at over $100, but you pay only $29.99 for each piece. For any month you don't make a selection, you pay NOTHING. It's the brainchild of Kate Bosworth and her stylist, Cher Coulter who is also a designer. Based on the style quiz you do upon joining, the selections presented to you are based on what you answered on the style quiz. Basically they only present to you what would suit your taste and style. Why, it's like having a stylist !
A M A Z I N G -- on trend pieces and very beautiful, covetable pieces of fashion jewelry. Each piece is valued at over $100, but you pay only $29.99 for each piece. For any month you don't make a selection, you pay NOTHING. It's the brainchild of Kate Bosworth and her stylist, Cher Coulter who is also a designer. Based on the style quiz you do upon joining, the selections presented to you are based on what you answered on the style quiz. Basically they only present to you what would suit your taste and style. Why, it's like having a stylist !
I'm in, are you in ?
I'll keep you posted on how it works if you want more than one piece at checkout.
Check out what I'll be getting in the mail in 5 to 7 days. Oooooooooooh, I can't wait !!!
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Blazing Chain Bracelet |
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Diamond Leaf Necklace |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Missing Brit Pop & REVOLVER Lately
I miss those days at Revolver, this recurring Friday night party I used to go to from 2000 up to 2005 (I think) where I listened and danced to retro classics from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and good tunes from this decade. This blog is an homage to those good ol' days. I wonder what Josh, the creator of that wonderful extravaganza of musical delights is doing nowadays? He was so creative and dynamic getting all those DJ's, musicians and other artists together. What was the door-guy's name??? Oh, what I especially miss are the brave people who wore outrageous outfits, especially that guy who showed up one night in a cow costume. Yeah, you read that right -- a cow costume, and no, it was not Halloween. I miss getting dressed up in wacky outfits too. And there was my favorite DJ, Alex. He was my musical soulmate, I'm pretty sure of it.
Oh, Revolver, where art thou ??? You'll always be in my heart, dear Revolver... (OK, I may be having a mid-life crisis. LOL.)
I hope someone enjoys these tunes from days of old. I included some tunes that might be played at Revolver now, if it were to exist today. Enjoy, whoever you are, wherever you are...
"Bittersweet Symphony" THE VERVE
"Creep" RADIOHEAD (I feel so lucky to have gotten to see Radiohead perform this song in the 90's, just when they were making it big in the US, in a venue very similar to that in the video.)
"Paint It Black" ROLLING STONES
"Light My Fire" THE DOORS
"Groove Is In The Heart" DEE LITE
"Girls and Boys" BLUR (This is such a fun song to dance to!)
"Change" TEARS FOR FEARS
"Hotel Yorba" WHITE STRIPES
"Satisfaction" ROLLING STONES
"Y Control" YEAH YEAH YEAHS
"Suedehead" MORRISSEY
"Regina" THE SUGARCUBES
"Bombs Over Baghdad" OUTKAST (This is such a Revolver classic. I don't know how many times I danced to this!)
"Intergalactic" THE BEASTIE BOYS
"Shout" THE BEATLES
"Teenage Riot" SONIC YOUTH
"De Luxe" LUSH
"Soon" MY BLOODY VALENTINE
"Cecilia" SIMON & GARFUNKEL
"Last Night" THE STROKES
"Give, Give, Give Me More, More, More" THE WONDER STUFF
"Getting Away With It" ELECTRONIC
"Bang a Gong (Get It On)" T REX (This is so fun to dance to. I need a lot of dance space for this one! And it's from the year I was born. How do ya them apples?)
"Some Like It Hot" THE POWER STATION
"Girls on Film" DURAN DURAN
"This Charming Man" THE SMITHS
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" JOY DIVISION
"Stigmata" MINISTRY
"I Am The Ressurection" THE STONE ROSES
"Take Me Out" FRANZ FERDINAND
"Devil Bunnies" MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL CULT
"Murderous" NITZER EBB
"Bulletproof" POP WILL EAT ITSELF
"Bulletproof" LA ROUX
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" THE JACKSONS
"Heart of Glass" BLONDIE
"Paparazzi" LADY GAGA
"Around The World" DAFT PUNK
"Hyperballad" BJORK
"Halcyon On And On" ORBITAL
"Say You'll Be There" SPICE GIRLS
"Millennium" ROBBIE WILLIAMS
"Strawberry Fields Forever" THE BEATLES ("Across the Universe" version)
"Panic" THE SMITHS
Monday, November 8, 2010
9 By Design - Photo Galleries - Rate the Room - Episode 8: Rate the Room | Bravo TV Official Site
9 By Design - Photo Galleries - Rate the Room - Episode 8: Rate the Room | Bravo TV Official Site
Love this design duo !!! Check out how their hotel project went from beginning to end. No news yet on when Season 2 will air, but I cannot wait. I want to see the Novogratzes NOW !!! It is amazing how they create marvelous spaces and balance their work with their large family.
They are so inspiring and entertaining. Their kids are so cute and so well-adjusted. None of them seem to be brats. And how many kids do they have, you may ask??? Well, 7 of course! Hence the title of the show "9 By Design" for the number of people in their family. They have 2 sets of twins, so Courtney Novogratz gave birth only 5 times. LOL. I said only 5 times. YIKES, that's a lot of times, but it's better than giving birth 7 times.
If you have never seen any of their shows, I highly recommend you catch up right before Season 2 airs when Bravo will probably run a "9 By Design" marathon. I'll keep you posted.