Gilt City Warehouse Sale, Miami, February 8-9, 2013

The Gilt City Miami Warehouse Sale is back in Miami starting February 8th, and running through the 9th.
It will be held at the same location as it was last time around, at The Miami Iron Side, which is a great, multi-level space that gets filled to the brim with fantastic designer deals.

I went in September and was able to get my hands on a lot of cool merchandise.  Basically, you buy a ticket for either day (or both!) and just scour the clothing racks (quickly) for anything that catches your eye.  Marathon shopping for deeply discounted clothing and home accessories.  They have water bottles and other refreshments, but who has time to hydrate when you're lunging for that Valentino jacket? Not I.

Tip: arrive early, the line starts to form quickly and they passed out champagne last year, while we waited for the doors to open.

What: Gilt City Miami Warehouse Sale
Where: Miami Iron Side located at 7610 NE Fourth CT., Miami, Fl 33138
When: February 8th - 9th, 2013, (doors open at 9:30 PM).
Buy your tickets here. 

Happy Shopping.

Design Element: Heart Themed

It's no coincidence that in late January, everything that is new and adorable online is heart themed!  I'm sure this is super annoying for some of you, and if that's the case, then I'm only annoying you more right now, with this post. 

Eat your heart out. har har. 

1. Tory Burch Wooden Heart Cuff / 2. Jennifer Zeuner I Heart You ring set 

3. Etsy Heart Necklace / 4. Etsy Infinity Scarf or the COACH love scarf) / 5. Hearts a Flutter Bracelet from C. Wonder

6. iPANEMA Heart Flip Flops / 7. Etsy Infinity Ring / 8. Etsy Love foldout card / 

9. Kate Spade Be Mine Studs (on SALE as of 4/1/13)  / 10. Coach Love Cosmetics case (or heart pouch/wristlet)

 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////

11. Tibi Scattered Hearts tank  (and it's silk top counter part, the Scattered Heart Silk Tee)/ 12. Malene Birger Donnya Shopper Tote / 13.  Equipment Brett New Love Blouse  (here in blue and white) / 14. Ban.Do heart headband / 15. Conversation Pieces Smitten Sweater

16. Coach Waverly Hearts Cosmetics case / 17. Ban.Do Mini Hearts

Off topic(OT): I've been reading a lot about affiliate links and other types of monetizing technology lately.  I've been scouring through tons of commentary in posts about how some people despise the links, about how some people are indifferent and about how others' are OK with them.  What are your thoughts on this?  The Fashionable ESQ uses affiliate links (mostly RewardStyle), so that if you make a purchase from an item that I post, I may get a commission, depending on the item.  This disclosure is also in my About Me section.  Not every link I post is a commission based link.  If I like something, I post it.  If it's expensive and I like it, I post it.  If it's inexpensive and I like it, I post it.

Because I use them, I'm obviously OK with them, but I was sort of surprised to read that some people hate them so much that they 1. stop reading a blog that uses affiliate links altogether, and 2. go out of their way to bypass any link that that blogger posts, and actually Google the item themselves, so they can purchase it without giving the blogger commission.

Really? Give me a break. . .

A couple of months ago, a blogger that is much bigger than me, and snarkier, wrote a comment on my blog about how I had used a lot of "key words" in order to trigger search engines to direct site traffic to my blog.  Before she had written this, I hadn't even looked into that topic (and for the record, I still do not understand Google Adsense or Adwords, or their charts).  Her comment was couched in a passive aggressive tone and "LOL's." I looked at her blog and she uses affiliate links and has banner ads all over her site margin.  So what was her point? Why does this topic arouse such anger in people? 

Thoughts, please. 

Golden Globes 2013 Accessories: Shoes, Jewels and Clutches

So, by now you have definitely seen every Golden Globes 2013 "Best Dressed" and "Worst Dressed" list out there.  I have also, but noticed that they left out the accessories!  I thought it would be fun to do an accessories post!  Sometimes, the accessories get overlooked when there are such amazing couture dresses on display.  Besides, I'm still not feeling well and haven't taken any outfit photos.

Only a couple of days left to enter my Pop Basic giveaway. Enter here. 

First off is Nicole Richie, wearing Naeem Kahn.  She carried a House of Harlow clutch from her own line that is currently available for sale.  How fun is the fringe detailing on this? Get the House of Harlow Jude Snake Clutch with Gunmetal Fringe here.

Pop Basic Giveaway

Hello!  I apologize for the lack of outfit posts lately - I have been sick and not presentable, haha.  I am excited to bring you this next giveaway because you guys know how much I love my basics!  Pop Basic is a company based out of Australia that is also part of the popular WikiFashion.   Madeline Veestra, the company's founder, had a vision for a monthly capsule collection bundle to come to your doorstep.  You know how Birch Box arrives on your doorstep every month with little beauty goodies?  Pop Basic will arrive on your doorstep with basics to help you start building an effortlessly stylish wardrobe.

You can buy Pop Basic items in different ways - you can choose to be part of their subscription service and have the items come to you in a monthly package or you can just also purchase individual items, without having to be locked into a monthly deal.

Enter below for a chance to win their debut parcel!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, the winner of my Stella & Dot Giveaway is Heather Hart! Congratulations!

Currently Coveting: Luxe Pieces

Sometimes a little indulgence or splurge is just what is called for to lift the spirits!  After all, it never hurts to do a little online window shopping.  Below are my picks for the latest extravagant high-end items that only a few of you are lucky enough to be able to snag.

I know that these are all expensive items. I know that.  That's the idea.  

Now that that is out of the way,

 given the opportunity, which of these would you buy for yourself? 

1. The coveted Alexander Wang Rocco bag with pebbled leather and black accents - it gets an updated shape here, in its close cousin, the Alexander Wang Rockie Dumbo satchel.

2. Proenza Schouler Clutch Iguana Rainbow.  This color!

3. Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Python Bag. The coveted PS1 bag has become an instantly recognizable satchel.  I think it pretty much started the satchel and cross body revolution. 

4. Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Flat - more bows. more cute. In oxblood and Tiffany blue.

5. David Yurman Extra Large Ceramic Link Oval Bracelet - I am obsessed with chains, and bold and chunky jewelry. I totally love this bracelet. I love David Yurman pieces.

6. Red Valentino Printed Taffeta Dress with Bows - so feminine and Parisian-chic!

7. Valentino Couture Bow Pump - the original bow pump. The one that all other bow pumps have mimicked. Here in black, red, and rose gold!

8. Manolo Blahnik BB Pointy Toe Pump - speaks for itself. 

9. YSL  Belle du Jour Clutch  (The company will always be YSL to me, regardless of what they say).
10. YSL Cabas ChYc Mini Tote Bag in brown
11. David Yurman Color Classics 10mm Bracelet in Blue Topaz - a stunning blue topaz and a classic Yurman band.

12. Charlotte Olympia Miranda Bamboo Sandal . 

13. Christian Louboutin Pigalle Spike Pumps.

14. Kaufman Franco Sequin Embellished silk chiffon gown . For your next red carpet gala. Obviously.

15. Theyskens' Theory Jadra Leather Jacket . A great cut.
Hoorsenbuhs for Forevermark Diamond & Gold Regina Ring  (a 2.17 ct. engagement ring, in a gold setting that you don't really see a lot of).

Image from The Gavlaks

And just for fun, can we PLEASE talk about this Chanel bag? My jaw dropped when I saw this picture. I've never seen this bag in person but it looks AMAZING. I posted it on my Facebook page last week and said that I thought it looked less like Chanel and more like Lanvin but either way, hello designer handbag heaven.  What do you guys think? I love this less than traditional styled bag. 

Ok, I'm done now :)

Design Element: Monogram Mania

Monogramming and initialing is on everything these days!  It seems that it's really gotten a boost in the last year or so.  My monogram love affair initially began with the Louis Vuittion Mon Monogram service.  I am a huge Vuitton fan, and their chic pieces with painted monograms? I could hardly resist. I mean, I could resist because my wallet required that I resist, but you get the point.

Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram - Left: Image from Google Images from the LV website; Right: Image from PurseBlog

The downside to monograms / initialing is there is little to no resale value in your pieces.  I know that many of you invest in bags and later on, down the road, decide to sell them.  If you're initials are on something, it obviously diminishes the marketability of the piece.  That's really the only downside I can see to this trend!

The monogram necklace/ pendant has been a huge hit in the fashion blogging community.  I own the original Jennifer Zeuner initial necklace (you know, the one that Lauren Conrad has in a larger size) and there is not a day that I wear it where I don't receive 10+ compliments on it.  Below are some cute picks that are in line with this trend.

1. Jennifer Zeuner Swirly Initial Necklace in large and medium size ( I have medium, check out this post for a size reference).
2. Miriam Merenfeld Modern Initial Necklace
3. Acrylic Block Cutout Necklace 
4. Lisa Stewart Serenity Bracelet
5. Miriam Merenfeld Modern Font Monogram Necklace
6. Monogram Iphone Case
7. Sugar Bean Jewelry Single Stud Earring
8. Monogramed Clutch from Esty for $20 from Monkey See Boutique. Adorable! (Do you guys love this idea and look or what!?).
9. Old Navy Monogrammed Sweater 

And a last minute add-in that didn't make the collage:

Personalized Notecards from Esty shop Hedoe Paper!

PS: today is the last day to enter my Stella & Dot Scarf Giveaway. Yes, they make scarves!

Back to Basics: How to Wear a Turtleneck

I love basics! You know, those closet staples that always make every stylists' must-have list? A crisp white button down, a basic black patent work pump, a nude colored trench, etc.  But  a downside to basics is that they can be a bit boring, a little on the uninspired side.  So,  why not add some flair to a dull outfit?   For this look, I started with a camel colored turtleneck.  I consider a great turtleneck a basic that every girl should have in her closet. 

As always, accessorizing is a key featuring of how I pull together my outfits.

How to wear a turtle neck sweater? By pairing it with a bold statement necklace, cinching the waist with a skinny belt, and layering an unexpected color underneath. 

You guys have seen this necklace from The Limited a lot lately (similar here), so I should remember to take it off, but I've even slept in it I love it so much!  The skinny belt is a no-name brand belt that probably came attached to a dress at some point.  Don't forge to roll up your skinny jeans to complete this casual look.