Boden Pays You...

Did you know that Boden has a friend referral program that pays you up to $100 a month? You simply have to give the name and address of friends or family you know that would like the Boden line. Boden sends them a catalogue and if they make a purchase within 6 months, you will get a $25 credit towards your account (max 4 people a month)

Wow! That is quite the generous program

In Style+ J.Crew= Summer Fashion

Although Summer may be winding down In Style reminds us of the everlasting trends of summer...bedazzled and jeweled duds.

Beaded Touches

Stand out by choosing simple styles with embellished details. They'll add texture and interest to an otherwise classic look, like the pockets on Eva Longoria Parker's strapless minidress do.

Cotton modal beaded T, J. Crew, $58; atjcrew.com. Metallic leather beaded sandals, Boden, $148; at bodenusa.com.

photo and description courtesy of In Style

Introducing...

Finally, Madewell1937.com has a sale section!! There are some goods finds in the summer sale but more exciting...this means there will be Fall items soon to come in the sale section. Yay!

Weekend Transformations

J.Crew managed to scoot into the In Style annual Transformations special issue. See if you can spot it peeking out from under the tweed blazer.

It's the J.Crew Cotton-Wool Cardigan for $128.

Feminine (Not Prim)

J.Crew and Madewell 1937 are in print yet again this month. In Style released their annual Transformations special issue and covered categories like feminine and how to get the look. The flouncy pink dress by Madewell for $268 and the flapper inspired silk skirt by J.Crew for $138 are both classified by In Style as feminine but not prim choices.

J.Crew Is On Trend...According To Rachel Bilson

In the most recent issue of In Style Magazine, Rachel Bilson gave her three top trends of the season. If you look...textured fabric, see through tops and full skirts are all well represented at J.Crew this Fall season. Check out some of the examples below. Here's to hoping they get marked down quickly so they are more affordable.

Velvet Ruby Jacket $168

Honey Tweed Jacket $275

Whisper Glimmer Cardigan $98

Metallic Sequined Bell Skirt $275

Glen Plaid Ruffle Skirt $128

Side Note: Hair Tragedy

I understand high fashion and art but Dakota Fanning's hair looks like she washed it with a bar of soap and then stuck her finger in a light socket. Why Marie Claire?

Boden Heritage

Really starting to LOVE Boden...such whimsy British fun with high quality materials from all over Europe, like old mills from Italy and the UK.

Boden Houndstooth Coat $288

A feelgood coat if ever there was. We designed this large scale houndstooth print in house and gave it a Boden stamp with these fun colours. If you zoom in, you’ll see we’ve also given our Houndstooth Coat a frivolous, fringe detail.

Boden Boyfriend Blazer $168

You don’t need a boyfriend to spice up your life with suit jacket styling. Our Boyfriend Blazer is on hand in a navy pinstripe, black or grey herringbone – all with lovely printed floral lining.

Boden Jacquard Wool Mini $88

We created our Giant Houndstooth and Spot Jacquard patterns here at Boden House and had them woven into our wool at a mill in Italy. Think of our Jacquard Wool Mini as ‘instant vintage’ – without the trouble of a previous owner.

Boden Ruffle Shoe Boots $198

We love suede and we’ve invested this fashionable shape with lots of Boden detail. Our Ruffle Shoe Boots will add some texture to your outfit without letting you put a foot wrong.

Boden British Tweed Blazer $198

We love a great English eccentric and this is one you’ll return to over and over. Our British Tweed Blazer is crafted from fabric woven for us at the Moon’s Mill in Yorkshire. The curved hem and double back vent add a slightly equestrian flavour. Don’t be afraid to funk it up with bright tops and accessories.

photos and product descriptions courtesy of Boden

Is This A Joke...

J.Crew Sequined Slouch Pants $200

J.Crew Embellished Tunic Top $88

Remember when I told you about the J.Crew and Net-A-Porter collaboration to sell J.Crew products to shoppers outside of the US? Well here is an update for you...shoppers outside of the US are getting the SHAFT. Net-A-Porter is still peddling that Fringe Tunic for $88 that went down to $9.99 plus an additional 30% in US stores weeks ago. In addition to that all items that were being sold the last time I reported on them are still there...for full price (and they're all pretty much duds). There is one new addition to the J.Crew Collection and that is the Sequined Slouch Pants for $200. Wow...very lame.

NBC Reports On J.Crew Friendship Bracelets...Locals Are Furious

Thread NY by NBC News reported on the new J.Crew by Frieda & Nellie Friendship Bracelets this morning and the reviews from the public are not good. While the Thread NY itself gave a glowing review of the $130-$250 bracelets and complemented J.Crew's ability to continually branch out and pair low end with high end (the bracelets by the way were considered low end by Thread NY!). The poll to the side of the story allowed readers to vote on how they felt about the new collaboration and as of 2pm...100% of those polled were "Furious" about the new bracelets. I'm guessing they are outraged by the ridiculous prices for a few colorful strings.

The bracelets themselves are very pretty but for $130-$250...insane!

Ann Taylor Fall Ad Revealed

The first image of Naomi Watts modeling the new Fall collection for Ann Taylor has been revealed and it does not disappoint. The ad looks very high end and helps to elevate Ann Taylor from frumpy mom wear to stylish and chic. According to Ann Taylor, "The new collection is inspired by Ernest Hemingway's memoirs A Moveable Feast, and aims to mix European sophistication with timeless American style".

photo courtesy of Ann Taylor

i heart...The Griswold's

One of my favorite magazine pages this month is from Marie Claire's August issue. The "Look Like A Million For Under $100" section went with the theme of campsite or country club, pulled together by relaxed jersey knits.

I love the Sperry's in such fun prints. J.Crew has an orange cable knit sweater featured which I really don't like. Not a fan of the orange or cable knit sweaters in general. The Holga camera is great...I personally have one and recommend it.

Finally, the best mention on the page is the picture of THE Griswold's from National Lampoon's Vacation circa 1983. Oh Aunt Edna...

photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Fashion Resume

Fashion darling Gaia Repossi was featured in Marie Claire's August Issue and it looks like she had stylish pieces from Loft and J.Crew on her mind. I have personally seen the Loft pants in stores and they look and feel very luxe. While I have yet to see the J.Crew top...it looks like it's something that you will have in your closet forever (cashmere + camel color= timeless).

photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Quick And Easy With J.Crew

Who knew a $25 J.Crew Canvas belt could hold it's own paired with a $625 D&G top. Yay for cheap military touches!

photo courtesy of Haper's Bazaar

J.Crew Is Haute Hippie

In keeping with tradition, Harper's Bazaar July issue features J.Crew's boyfriend sweatshirt at a low price point of $70 compared to the $300 Kenneth Cole vest it is paired with. I like when magazines like Harper's Bazaar make it a point to pair affordable items with high priced luxuries to create a translatable outfit for the everyday shopper.

photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

Madewell In The Mags

Madewell gets a humble mention in the Instant Style section of In Style's August issue. I wonder why we haven't seen more of Alexa Chung's Fall line for Madewell featured in the fashion magazines this month. Perhaps in the mega September issues soon to hit shelves.

The skirt looks a little blah, forgettable and boring to me.

Loft Gets Love

Loft has fought its way into the hearts of Fashion editors this season too...

Look at the burgundy cardigan in the Deals & Steals Section of the August issue of In Style Magazine. I'm not sure about it...the color pairing of burgundy and black is not my favorite and the sparkly shoulders are a little too Dynasty or Dallas for me. I might be interested if it comes in different color combinations when it hits stores soon.

J.Crew In Print

Magazine Editors are in love with J.Crew for their August issues. Despite J.Crew's loyal customers' dismay over the "Edie Beale goes to summer camp" Fall Collection, it is getting much love from the people in fashion power. Check out the mentions of J.Crew in the August issue of Instyle Magazine below.

J.Crew and Madewell are holding their own against cardigans from D&G and Burberry.

J.Crew's denim vest gets an entire page devoted to three ways of wearing it. Can you believe those tough looking boots are from Loft? At first I thought it had to be a misprint.

These corduroy pants are so tight they look more like leggings than "pants"

photos courtesy of Instyle Magazine

Loft Fall 2010 Vibrant Colors

Check out this just released video from Loft on their theme for Fall...vibrant colors

The Selby Is In Your Place

As my love for beautiful coffee table books has previously been stated, a new favorite, The Selby Is In Your Place needs no introduction. Written and photographed by Todd Selby, self described as "nosy by nature" the book introduces us to the eclectic and private places of prominent fashion and interior design figures such as Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler.

Extra 30% Ends Tomorrow

J.Crew just sent out a friendly reminder to all shoppers that the extra 30% off sale merchandise will end tomorrow. Bummer!

Memory Lane: Astor Courts

One of my favorite catalogue issues from J.Crew was when they shot at the newly renovated Astor Courts. So beautiful...

Hopefully the next catalogue will be shot at an historic location. What about at one of the Newport Mansions?

The Shoe Wall

Look at Jenna's shoe wall in her closet, as captured by Elle Decor

Jenna, I think you need to buy another rack.

Fashion Copy Cat

Look what company has decided to jump on the band wagon when it comes to "Fashion Editor's Picks". Gap has posted on their website the 6 picks from their very own Fashion Editor, Schuyler on what she's "gotta have" for Fall. Seems to similar to Jenna's Picks to be considered "original"...

Johnnie Boden...In His Own Words

Check out this interview of Boden founder and CEO Johnnie Boden. In case you didn't know, Boden is a sister company to J.Crew specializing in mail order fashion with a whimsy British flair.

New Model For Ann Taylor: Naomi Watts

Ann Taylor has just announced that movie star Naomi Watts will be the model for their next big campaign. She follows in the footsteps of Heidi Klum and Milla Jovovich who have previously led ad campaigns for the clothing company. Check out past Ann Taylor ads of Heidi and Milla below.

Mona Johannesson: Another Ad Campaign

J.Crew's favorite model Mona Johannesson has landed the Fall/Winter campaign for JC Jeans and Clothing. I wish the European models that J.Crew picks would land more American campaigns too. It would be a nice change instead of the same old, same old models chosen for the American campaigns.

photos courtesy of monaj.net