Weekend Deal Alert: Swirl

Hi, friends! I saw this in my inbox and just had to share ASAP. $29 dresses at Swirl by Daily Candy! Most were originally priced over $150! I mentioned this site briefly over the holidays. There are so many sample sites that I'm quite overwhelmed these days, but Swirl is a new favorite:) Love their selection and the cute illustrations! Also, they offer $25 credit for inviting friends (credited after their first purchase with your link).

I apologize for the short posts, lately! Life has been quite hectic...more on that later:) Be sure to check out their boots sale with prices up to 80% off. Here are a few standout dresses for me...Great time to stock up for the next holiday season LOL Too early?! Haha



How is your weekend going??

**The links above contain my referral link. If you would like to sign up directly through the site, please use the following: www.swirl.com

70s Revival

{Images via here, here, & here}

Hello! I apologize for being a terrible, terrible blogger and bloggy friend! The past month and a half have been quite hectic, while undergoing a transition period:) I think of you guys often, believe it or not...Seriously!:) With my busy schedule, I must admit that I've been in a style rut, as well. I'm attempting to muster the motivation to get out of it. It's proving to be quite difficult, especially with this chilly and wet weather. Though, I am really feelin' the 70s inspiration popping up here and there! When I think of 70s icons, Ali McGraw and her classic beauty comes to mind. Le sigh...doesn't she look gorgeous above?? Ok, confession...I've never seen "Love Story"...Must add to my movie list LOL

As a stepping stone to moving out of my style rut, I found a few 70s inspired looks I'm loving for spring. Plus, they're all below $100...


{Image via Free People}
(1) Pintuck Print Dress $49 (addtl 50% off with code: FINALSALE112), Calypso St. Barth (2) Woven Belt $20 + addtl 30% off at checkout (Orig. $40), Rachel by Rachel Roy (3) Secret Key Charm Necklace $16, Threadsence (4) Twisted Vine Ring $12, Threadsence

I'm craving pretty floaty dresses. Ack, I can't get enough of the gorgeous pieces from the January and February Free People catalogs!

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{Image via The Sartorialist}
(1) The Villa Blouse by CALYPSO $49 (addtl 50% off with code: FINALSALE112), Calypso St. Barth (2) 7 for All Mankind Jeans DEAL $30 (Orig. $105), YOOX (3) Brown Weave Clutch $15 (Orig. 36), Threadsence (4) Merona Coconut Buckle Floppy Hat $12.99, Target

Do you guys remember this post from last fall on The Sartorialist?? LOVE, love the wide leg pants & floppy hat! I'm still in love with her outfit to this day:)

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{Image via Fashion Gone Rogue}
(1) Cream Puff Dress by MM Couture $78, Messes of Dresses (2) Darling Detective Ruffle Trench Coat $59.99, Ruche (3) Bolivar Wedge $49.99, Lela Rose for Payless

One of my favorite looks from Clemence Poesy's editorial with Marie Claire! A short, swingy dress + short trench coat...LOVE! Can't wait to emulate her outfit when the weather cooperates!

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Which looks are inspiring you guys, lately?

Have a wonderful weekend! See you on your blogs soon:)

Meet & Greet: Smashion

I'm so excited to introduce to you guys my newest sponsor, Smashion! The lovely Vanessa Kuo of Smashion contacted me not too long ago, explained the site's concept, and I thought, "Genius!" So what is Smashion? To sum it up...

Smashion® is a social fashion site that features a free marketplace connecting buyers and sellers with a passion for fashion. Smashion enables its members to express their unique style, connect with others to discuss fashion trends, and save money buying - or make money selling - lightly worn or NWT (new with tags) clothing, accessories, footwear, and more with no transaction or listing fees.

I have been buying and selling on eBay for sometime and to be honest, the increase in listing & final value fees irks me a bit. Smashion is a breath of fresh air to this jaded eBayer:) Yes, it has been over a month since the holidays, but I'm sure some of us are still pinching our pennies (following the holiday shopping spree). How about taking advantage of the market feature and sell unneeded clothing and accessories for some extra cash?? Signing up for an account is FREE and there are NO listing/transaction fees. All transactions are through PayPal, which ensures safety for both buyer and seller. Plus, a feedback feature similar to eBay is available to share your buying/selling experiences. Here are a few finds from the Smashion market place...

(1) NEW Jessica Simpson Peep Toe Pumps $45, cassandras_closet (2) NEW Rosa Cha Straw Handbag $25.99, want_it (3) NEW Red Chiffon Dress $10, thecheapshack (4) New Handmade Goldenrod Feather Earrings $9.99, hotdogsandpoodles

Recently, I set up an account and have been playing around with the site. I really enjoyed interacting in the forums with fellow Smashionistas. Everyone was very welcoming and down to earth! The site also has a chictopia-esque feature where you can share your daily outfits. As for the market area, I have found some amazing deals on both gently used and BRAND NEW items! I must admit that "window shopping" gets a little addicting lol

Please support my latest sponsor and check out Smashion when you get the chance:) The site has even received press from Lucky Magazine and ABC News (Philadelphia)!

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P.S. I set up my own store in Smashion's market feature called MuchLOVED. It's (early) spring cleaning time! I have both gently used and brand new items starting at $4.99. Please drop by when you have some time:) I will also write a more comprehensive review of my experience with Smashion at a later date.

Have a great weekend!!

Cali Winter

We enjoyed beautiful weather last week...it felt like late spring smack in the middle of January:) We took advantage of the weather as much as possible and hit up Malibu for some much needed downtime. It's funny how just a few short hours of rest by the ocean melts away the stress. I felt recharged and ready to tackle this week's hectic schedule! What do you guys do to regroup when a long vacation is not an option? Hope you're all well, I've missed ya!

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P.S. Claire of This Neck of the Woods is currently holding a fundraiser to help dear friends who have lost everything in the devastating floods in Australia. Please check out her blog for more information. 100% of sales from her etsy shop will be given to The Dodson family in Brisbane. Thank you, Ez, for the heads up on this wonderful cause!

Meet & Greet: Messes of Dresses

Hi, Friends! I would like to introduce my newest sponsor, Messes of Dresses. Started by two sisters, Divi and Sara, this online boutique offers all dresses for under $100 & free U.S. shipping! The sisters started their shop just last year, as a result of their love for "fashion, dresses and of course, a great bargain." Definitely girls after my own heart!

Below are a few favorites...

1. Studded Sensation Dress $79 2. Yesteryear Dress $49



1. Sweetheart Peplum Dress $45 2. Retro Floral Wrap Dress $48


1. Tiered Cocktail Dress $49 2. Edgemont Dress by BB Dakota $69


1. Aqua Retreat Dress $59 2. Zigzag Shamoose Dress $43 My Favorite!

With upcoming weddings, I am quite tempted to buy one or maybe even two;) Please drop by Messes of Dresses when you get the chance and check out their lovely collection of indie and vintage inspired clothing!

January Inspiration

1. Abbey Lee Kershaw via Hanneli 2. Celine “luggage” handbag via Celine.com & Barneys New York Have a Foodie Holiday Lookbook 2010 3. Hidden animal teacups by Ange-line Tetrault. Image via here. 4. Mesh of Flowers shorts $30, Threadsence.

Hello there, friends! I apologize for neglecting the blog once again. The transition period following the holidays makes me quite sluggish...anyone feel the same way?? Lol Just a short post today, but I hope you are all having a great start to 2011! Please bear with me and my slow responses:( Enjoy the week!

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P.S. Do you still have your $10 credit for joining Beyond the Rack? The company has collaborated with Choose Haiti, an organization with a focus on developing “economic security through job creation” in the country. Use your $10 Beyond the Rack credit to receive this Choose Haiti bracelet completely FREE, including free shipping.

It has been axactly a year today since the devastation, but the aftermath still resonates through Haiti. Made of 100% recycled materials, these bracelets were crafted by Haitians residing in tent camps. Water bottles and newspapers were utilized to make these unique pieces. A big thank you to Hip2Save for the heads up!:)

Holiday snapshots & Happy New Year!

1. On a whim, my sisters and I purchased these Christmas socks (via Target) for a spontaneous "Summer in December" photo shoot lol
2. We love, LOVE the holidays in our family, therefore my mom goes all out with the decor each year. She has been collecting each element of this Christmas village for years and it's nearly complete:) The figurines above actually skate across the frozen pond!
3. My Christmas getup...full on slouchy, sequined shorts. I've been pining over these DVF and Gryphon pairs for quite some time, but I'm not too keen on paying hundreds for shorts hehe I found these black pair at Charlotte Russe for $6.50(?!!) during the Black Friday sales woot!:)

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Hi, Bloggy Friends!! Happy 1/1/11 & belated happy holidays to you guys! I apologize for neglecting the blog for quite some time now. I'm so grateful for each of the guest bloggers who took time from their busy schedules to help me post while I recover from carpal tunnel. A big thank you to you guys for still dropping by and also, for your get well wishes! I am truly, truly grateful! I'm going to continue resting my hands in the next few weeks, but I will try my best to post at least once a week and also, have a few guest bloggers here and there:) I'm slowly (but surely hehe) replying to comments and I truly apologize for the delay! It's been too long and I have missed you all!

I hope you have enjoyed the holidays and had a wonderful New Year's Eve! Blessings to you and your loved ones as we enter 2011!

Some words of wisdom I received today...

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin

Guest Post: Caitlin of Candyfloss & Persie

Hello all! I'm very enthused to be guest posting for the very lovely AB on The Owl's Closet. I run my own blog over at Candyfloss & Persie which is a random assortment of thoughts. That's why I've always loved "The Owl's Closet"- it is much more streamlined than my little ol' blog. She posts beautiful photos and AMAZING shopping deals, it's a blog I'm so happy to have stumbled upon. Thus, when AB needed guest posters... who was I to say no to such a wonderful fellow blogger (especially in the Holiday season no less).

Speaking of the Holiday Season, how can one possibly get into it without thinking of the color red. From Santa to cupcakes... red is the effervescent symbol of our delightful season. However, in lieu of a Santa hat and a huge gut, I would much rather get into red this way...

By burrowing cozily into this effortlessly affordable matching Hat & Scarf.



Red Hat & Scarf - H&M $12.95

By braving the frigid air and crunchy snow with a pair of these bright wellies.


Red Wellies - REI $115

By pairing a black trench with this ultra faboosh femme fatale wear that could easily be used for work or play.


Sheath Dress - Michael Kors $663

By gracefully nibbling on a Red Velvet Cake.


Red Velvet Cake recipe here

By adorning my glistening locks with this delightful headband.


Leather Laurel Headband - Anthropologie $34.00

and of course by cozying up in a delicious red peacoat.


Tweed Peacoat - GAP $79.99

All photos from linked site below image.

I wish you all a REDiculously wonderful Holiday!

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Thank you for this post, Caitlin! Wowsers, look at that Michael Kors red sheath dress?! Caitlin is another dear blogger friend whom I've known since I first started blogging. She's such a wonderful writer and makes me LOL with bits of humor here and there with her candid posts:) Candyfloss & Persie is a must read on my blog roll!

Guest Post: Nelah of 52 New Days

The joy of family gatherings, the excitement of Christmas morning, the familiar aroma of homemade food and goodies - what else could be better? Christmas is one of the best occasions that remind us how thankful we should be to have such loving family and caring people in our lives. Years after years, those who sit with us at the dining table on Christmas are the ones who stay with us through the lowest and the highest points in our lives. Those people are someone who truly loves you and loves you unconditinally no matter how naughty or nice you have been. Those people are the ones who will never leave your side.

People do stupid things at some points in their lives. We often care about total strangers who never care for us. We spend all time doing all kinds of things to impress people whom we only meet for a few days. We cry and feel hurt by people who never care how we feel.

At the end of the day, your family is the one who always cares and loves you. Everything else in this world can be replaced but not the family - your dad, your mom, your brother, your sister, your grandparents, your uncles or your aunts. We sometimes let the Christmas shopping take away the real meaning of Christmas. We run all over town trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone.

Perhaps, all they want to hear is a simple sweet reminder that you "love" and care for them too.

Merry Christmas ^_^

Last but not least, big thanks to AB. It is such an honor to be a guest post on her awesome blog. One of the sweetest things that has happened to me is to get to know AB. You are such a sweetheart :)

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Thank you, Nelah, for this lovely and thoughtful post! Doesn't she look great in the shot above?? It's also been such a pleasure to get to know Nelah! She does it all on her blog with fashion-related, make-up, and thought provoking posts while balancing a family (she has the cutest baby girl!). Please stop by 52 New Days when you get the chance!

Guest Post: Anna of In Honor of Design

Clockwise 1. Ban.do 2. French by Design 3. Design Crush 4. WORC

This is such a magical time of year, and I love the spirit of Christmas in the air.
Here is a little snow + sparkles to make you grin:D

What is the best aspect of Christmas for you? I think hands down for me it is when all of my family is gathered around sharing stories and cocoa and remembering the blessings we have in our lives.

Thanks for having me AB!! Cheers and Happy Holidays!

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Thank you for this lovely post, Anna! What a beautiful way to spend Christmas with your family! I never fail to find beautiful inspiration and awesome DIYs on Anna's blog, In Honor of Design. Please drop by when you get the chance:)

Guest Post: Lar of Asian Cajuns

Gifts for Your Favorite Bookworm

Hi Owl's Closet Readers! This is Lar from AsianCajuns (one half of the Chinese and Cajun duo that writes the AsianCajun blog). The lovely AB asked us to post on something holiday related, and I stumbled across these items just in the nick of time: last minute prezies for your literary friends.

Cath (my twin and other AsianCajun) and I are both big fat book worms. So in essence, the items in this post allow me to online shop for myself while dropping big hints to those who know me (wink, wink). But I do hope it gives you guys some last minute ideas for gifting too.

I loooove these book tees and sweatshirts by Out of Print. Like most young ladies, we can't pass up good Pride and Prejudice paraphernalia. But if you aren't a Jane Austen fan, there are plenty of other classics (tees) to wet your reading appetite. (Note to self: finally finish Moby Dick so that you can buy the sweatshirt without feeling like you are being sartorially hypocritical). They also come in mens sizes. I've already bought my bf the Brave New World tee.

Now these are a bit pricey, but I'm sure there is a great DIY just waiting to happen: novel clutches by Olympia Le-Tan. I might try my hand at one over the holiday break: a little felt and some embroidery... et voila!

Hope you all have a merry/literary holiday!

Photos from here and here

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Thank you, Lar! This is such an awesome post! I have a few dear bookworms who would love any of the items above!:) Lar and Cath are among my favorite twins here on the blogosphere. Aren't they adorable in the collage above?? I always enjoy following their travels on AsianCajuns and especially, their adventures in their hometown of Atlanta!

Guest Post: Tuesday of Absolutely Fabulous

Snow was already swept away over the weekend, thankfully I managed to have another outfit post before it was totally gone. For days, I was thinking what I can offer here as a guest blogger, I'm quite honored really!



My pictures speak for itself, I'm definitely a happy bubbly person. Previous years had brought me lots of lesson in life, I learned to take it easy and never worry. Enjoy life to the fullest and think happy thoughts everyday, it will make you feel better.

Moving on, I'd like to share with you the concert that my family got invited to, it was called "Christmas with Claire Teal and the RTE Concert Orchestra". I tweaked my outfit a little bit by putting a shawl over my LBD and removed my stockings...



The concert was held in National Concert Hall, which is truly majestic for jazz kind of music, the orchestra played like magic to my ears, as I closed my eyes I felt like I was flying and dreaming… Ahhhhh I love that feeling.




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Thank you so much, Tuesday! Also, thank you for the lovely reminder to think happy thoughts and to live life to its fullest!:) What a cute ensemble and this concert sounds/looks amazing! Please drop by Tuesday's blog, Absolutely Fabulous, when you get the chance:) The lovely Tuesday is an ah-mah-zing photographer, plus I'm not exaggerating when I say that her work is editorial worthy!

Guest Post: Sophie of Pearls & Timepieces

Before I start can I just say a big thank you to AB for asking me to guest post on her blog! When she first asked I will be honest I didn’t quite know what I was going to blog about! There I was sitting on my bed, staring out into space and without really realising I found myself staring at the stocking hanging on my fireplace and it hit me, a Christmas post! Or more specifically a secret santa post.

Yes it is that time of year when the snow starts to fall (well at least it is Scotland anyway!)

When the Christmas markets and fairs come to town

And when offices across the country are pulling names out of hats for their department wide secret Santa, which is often followed by the thought ‘Ok, Now what should I get them?!’. So I thought I would (hopefully) provide a bit of inspiration to anyone who is struggling to decide what to get someone for Christmas, whether it be a secret Santa present or just a normal present, hopefully this will help a bit, and with every gift being a bargain at £10 or under (which I think is about $15) and available online, you don’t even have to leave your seat to buy them! The only question that remains is, which one do I buy myself?!

Bow ring: Tattydevine .com £10.50, Toadstool broach: punkypins.co.uk £6 Teatime necklace: Accessorize.com £10, Rose tights: Misselfridge.com £8, Clock earrings: Asos.com £6, Leather bag: Peacocks.com £10, Pearl earrings: asos.com £6, Cupcake money box: Urbanoutfitters.co.uk £10

I hope this helps!! And I also hope you are all a bit more on top of Christmas shopping than I am :) xo

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Thank you, Sophie, for a glimpse of the holidays in Scotland and for the selection of Secret Santa gifts! Wish we had a Christmas market and fair out here! They look like a blast! Sophie is a dear blogging friend whom I've known since I started blogging last year. Her posts are always a delight to read and she's such a talented baker! Her cupcakes are lovely!

Guest Post: Sher of Beneath the Crystal Stars

Hello, fellow Owl Closet-ers! This is Sher from Beneath The Crystal Stars, sitting in for the lovely AB as she takes out some much needed time to rest and recuperate.

With it being the month of December already, I'm sure you are as excited as AB and I for the coming holiday season. So for this guest post, I thought it would be fun to somehow incorporate a lil bit of the Christmas spirit in this mini-holiday photoshoot! I mean, what will Christmas be without some bright colourful lights, right? I was decked in this outfit which came together from the idea of wearing a single ribbon makeshift tie. I loved how the ribbon sort of made the outfit slightly preppy-ish. Of course, I added a little bit of fun to the outfit by pairing it with my leopard purse and flats. I understand that the leopard print may not be for everyone but I find that it does give that extra something to your outfit whenever you want your outfit to pop! And sometimes when I really want my outfit to pop, I go crazy with seemingly un-matching colors too!

Well, this is as preppy I can get without wearing too many layers as it was a pretty hot day. Hope you dear readers enjoyed my mini-holiday photoshoot! I had lots of fun preparing for it and can't thank AB enough for this lovely opportunity to guest post. I also want to take this time to wish all Owl Closet readers a very happy Christmas in advance:)

Thanks for reading!

xx
Sher






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Thank you, Sher, for sharing this awesome holiday photoshoot! What a cool venue! Doesn't she look great?? The ribbon is such an adorable look! I think I may have to try this out;) Sher's blog, Beneath the Crystal Stars, is always a lovely site to visit. I love the touch of whimsy in each of her posts and pictures:)