Friday, September 28, 2012

Fall Hair Trends We Can't Wait To Wear!

It takes a lot of fashion know-how and ingenuity to transcribe runway looks to real life application.  How can I make a Jason Wu original work within my budget and body type?  The truth is:  sometimes I can, sometimes I can't.

Which is why we're thrilled to see some very wearable, very feminine hairstyles emerging from the fashion shows in NY, London, and Paris.  Here are three examples we can't wait to take to our hairdressers:

1.  The Precise Ponytail

Try with a deep side part to keep this look low-key, or slick it back for full drama.

2. BANGS!

Full face framing fringe is a sexy, easy way to channel your inner Brigitte Bardot
and works exceptionally well for those of us born with fine, straight hair.

3. The Hair Accessory

 I've always loved a well placed ornamental comb or bejeweled headband, 
especially with a basic ponytail or second (or third) day hair.  
Keeping the rest of your style simple allows these beauties to take center stage... 
which REALLY cuts down on time better spent hanging with the fam or snuggling your dog.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Beyond skin.... vegan shoes


Our intern Bex is leaving us tonight to go back across the pond to England, to finish her final year at university. She shares our love of eco fashion, and in particular has a thing for zebra print and shoes…..
She’s put us on to this fabulous British brand- Beyond Skin. They make footwear fairly in Brighton, England. Plus, check out their logo (you’ll see why she loves them!)

Here are a few of our favourite vegan shoes, both from British and American designers and stores!

Vegan, Oxford Shoes

Toms flats



Blowfish, Vegan booties


Beyond Skin, Vegan Marilyn

Toms Shoes !

Vegan Shoes, Wild Diva

Like what you see? Click on the images to be taken to the websites!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

How to wear magnolia

Rebagz for cocktail hour

Have you ever wondered about the ideal bag to take to cocktails with the girls? Small enough to perch on the table, but large enough to hold the essentials? 
 Here's our round up of the cutest cocktail hour bags; a girl can dream, right? 




We love the pattern of this clutch, and the wrist strap makes it oh-so practical. Even better, it's handmade and available from Oyeta.

Handmade Leather bag, made in Morocco, from AmyVintageTreasures.





Our En Fuego/Coral tap on the shoulder bag. Perfect size, it zips up for security. AND it's waterproof, in case a cocktail takes a momentary tumble.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Fashion in recession? Shopping advice to cut the cost but keep the quality

In today's economic situation, many women are turning to cheaper and cheaper fashion in order to stay ahead of the style game. Swapping your splurges for cheaper goods may do your wallet a favor in the short run, but over time, how does this behavior affect your wardrobe, and your bank balance?

  When money gets tight, we are all told to cut down on our spending and forget about the luxuries we used to enjoy. However, many women find it very difficult to curb one habit in particular, shopping. Instead of locking up their credit card till their balances are more positive (in both senses of the term!), many women simply chose items that are a lesser quality and that are cheaper, so that they can still buy the same amount of things, but feel less guilt signing on the dotted line. 

Is this really the way forwards though? Not only are cheaper products usually made in horrific conditions (think sweatshops and child labor), they almost certainly will not last anywhere near as long as a slightly higher priced and better quality product. As a student I regularly fall into this trap, choosing the cheaper alternative to find that two weeks later my shoes have holes or my t-shirt has shrunk, and I've got to spend even more money replacing it. Had I bought the better quality (and slightly more expensive) version in the first place, I would actually have saved money overall, and I wouldn't have contributed to the 'throw away fashion' culture of our generation. 

I ask, why not funnel our shopping needs and wants into a more productive, and economical activity? Conscious shopping, smart shopping - what ever you want to call it - is the way forwards. Instead of popping into your local mall on a whim and coming out with $50 worth of cheap, badly made rubbish that we believe satisfies that 'shopping craving' we get, why not spend the same amount of money on one or two items you'll really appreciate?



So, a few tips. Why not spend an hour one evening doing your research? Say you want a new handbag (I wonder why that popped into my mind...?), Google the type of bag you would like, and find the best prices online. If they are still way more than you can afford, look for alternatives. As I'm sure you'll be aware, many online stores will have a section of their website that says 'other people who viewed this item, also liked this' or 'shoppers also recommend'. These sections are goldmines, as some other e-shopper will often have done the hard work for you and found a bag similar to the one you like, but by a brand you'd never considered before. 

By considering your options online (and reading reviews too, SO helpful!), by the time you come to purchase your new bag you'll be so well informed about which bag you'd like, you'll be able to invest in a product you know will last and that is not an impulse buy. Your days of el cheapo products that fall to bits will be gone. 

Furthermore, the time and effort you'll have put into the search for your perfect product/products will make you love and appreciate them all the more when you have them!




Give it a go... here's a great website for you to start your research too.... hehe!




Bex x 



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fall give away - enter here!




Fall Fashion Giveaway from Pouchee, Rebagz, and Life is Rosey!




In this very special giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a Tap on the Shoulder Bag from Rebagz Handbags, a Pouchee purse organizer, and a 3-layer, personalized necklace from Life is Rosey!
Total prize package value is $187!

About Rebagz® Handbags:
At Rebagz we’re out to change the world – with style! Our bags redefine fashion by pairing award-winning style with sustainability. Rebagz are made using recycled materials, and they’re as human-friendly as they are eco-friendly because our bags are made under fair labor conditions.
Rebagz is giving away one Tap on the Shoulder Bag in beautiful blue “Midnight,” an $88 value! This shoulder bag boasts a roomy interior and luxurious details, like a gold chain and faux leather strap. Made using coated recycled paper and upcycled faux leather. (14" x 8" x 4" with a 10" strap drop length.)


About Life is Rosey: Handstamped Jewelry that Speaks
Life is Rosey jewerly and gifts are hand crafted by artist Sarah Jane Nelson.  She offers a full line of necklaces, bracelets, keychains, guitar picks, and golf ball markers hand stamped with meaningful phrases, words, dates, and names. Life is Rosey jewerly and gifts help people stay personally connected to what they love most in life.

Life is Rosey is giving away one 3-layer sterling silver necklace, a $62 value. A ½” sterling silver disc is handstamped and layered over a ¾” copper disc which is handstamped and layered over a 1” sterling silver disc. Each piece is custom made, so you choose what names, dates, words, or numbers are stamped on each disc.




About Pouchee
Pouchee purse organizers are for women on the go. Pouchee purse organizers get everything inside a purse organized and then makes switching purses a snap- just use the handy rings to lift from one purse to the next!
Pouchee is giving away a Burnt Orange Outback Leatherette purse organizer, a $27.40 value! Made of high quality faux leather, this compact purse organizer makes keeping essentials in one place easy and transferring between bags has never been more simple! Dimensions: Width: 7.5” x Height: 5.25” x Depth: 3.5”




How to Enter:
Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
There is one MANDATORY entry (answer the question). There are several optional entries that increase your odds of winning. The more you do, the better your chances!
Don’t forget you can tweet about the contest daily!
Contest Runs September 19 – September 24









a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Rebagz and Dresses

Fall Fashion Give Away, with Life Is Rosey and Pouchee

Well, aren't we generous? This week we're launching our Fall Giveaway contest, in collaboration with Pouchee and Life is Rosey! 
 All you have to do to enter is go to our facebook page and click on the 'Fall Fashion Giveaway' icon, and follow the simple instructions there. 


                         Here! 



A Pouchee is every busy woman's essential for her purse. It's a small pouch which holds all of your essentials, and can easily be transferred from one purse to another, saving you time and preventing you from forgetting anything when you switch purses. 





Life is Rosey is a cute jewelry boutique, which makes hand stamped, sterling silver charms, based in California. They make a perfect gift, or cheeky present for yourself! 






So... what are you waiting for? Enter away!







Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Our top fall style picks, day to night!

New York Fashion Week passed in a whirl of color and embroidery, and now that London Fashion Week is almost over I've been inspired to up my effort in the style section, and make my wardrobe less library ready, and more catwalk ready! Although I was super excited by the gorgeous pieces that designers from around the world have showcased for Spring 2013, us mere mortals still live in present, and our bank balances probably don't stretch as far as a beautiful, purple Burberry cape for spring.... drool.... In light of this, I'm going to focus on what I'll be wearing this fall, and as the temperature drops what I'll be rocking into the holiday season. 


Dior pre-fall collection 2012


   Some of the top colors for fall include maroon, gold, leathery sheens and metallics, and finally ox-blood. "Ewwww!" I hear you cry. Don't worry it's not at all as disgusting as it sounds, and here at Rebagz we certainly wouldn't recommend it if it had anything at all to do with harming animals. Oxblood is a deep shade of red, that is almost maroon but lacks the purple hue often associated with maroon. 



Here are a few of my top fall fashion picks, which will mix and match to create multiple stylish outfits, to take you from day to night, from the office to the bar, and anywhere else you find yourself! 


This cute forever 21 dress will take you from day to night with these cute accessories: 



Rebagz cinchy tote, American Eagle jeggings and H&M knit make a practical day outfit







 
Smart evening wear: A Rebagz carry all wallet, Aldo Boots and H&M blazer



These military style pants from Zara are great for rocking the Military look in comfort. Their stretchy material  makes them great for day to day wear with a knitted sweater and cute t-shirt, and perfect for night with a sequinned top or toughened up with a touch of (faux!) leather. 



 Day time, Urban Outfitters sweater, Tee from Etsy.comOR....


Jacket Topshop.com and Top Collection at Nordstrom

And remember, all these pieces could be mixed and matched to create different looks with the same pieces. Why not try the jeggings with the t-shirt and knit for a lazy day, then swap the knit for the blazer for coffee with friends? So many possibilities, so little time.... 

Pink in the Fall

Pink in the Fall


L'Wren Scott ruffle shirt / Organic by John Patrick full skirt / AllSaints high heel / Tote handbag / Wet Seal waist belt

Friday, September 14, 2012

Zebra - we're going to the zoo zoo zoo!!

yummmm




It's international creme doughnut day today, in case you didn't know.... and we're honoring it here at Rebagz HQ. 

Everybody say 'mmmmmmmmm' 


Rebagz Pinterest Contest - win a bag!





It's contest time! Today we've launched a competition to win a Rebagz Sidecar bag! 
You have till midnight on Monday (September 16th) to enter!

All you have to do is go to our pinterest page (or click on the image above) and follow the instructions on the image!
Don't have pinterest? Click HERE to register and follow Rebagz!

Good luck!
  

Fall lipstick trends


We’ve all heard that wearing deep crimson, maroon and berry shades are the next big thing for fall, especially on our lips! Here’s a few of our faves!
Lily Cole is one amazing woman! Not only did she graduate from a top global university with a double first, but she’s also a model, actress and now an activist! She has worked with the Body Shop to create an eco and animal friendly range of make-up, including this fabulous lip gloss.
Maybelline’s 24 hour day to night lip color is double ended, so you can moisturize your lips AND color them with the same wand. Everlasting Wine is our favorite shade.
Another Body Shop product, Velvet Wine Colourglide lipstick is  must have!