The Retail Therapy Diaries

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Coffee Table Reads

Just finished your most recent summer read? Looking for something quick and fun to page through? I recently got my hands on the Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style guide book and absolutely love it! There are so many different outfits on each brightly colored page and provides tons of inspiration for looks that you can try. There are six chapters, each dedicated to a certain fashion style/vibe (girly, edgy, boho, classic, glam, indie) as well as a guide for which jean styles best compliment your specific body type! What's so cool about this book is that it separates the different styles, but allows you to figure out how to combine them together to create your very own unique look. Another great thing about this book is that all of the pieces listed are pretty timeless in their respective categories so it's not one of those fashion books that eventually become dated. Is your coffee table missing some fun books? Why not add this one to your collection? Not only will you enjoy it, but your guests will enjoy it as well!

Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style Book $11.66 (Barnes and Noble)

By Ann Shoket

Here's a quick peek inside!

Provides must have essential for each style

Focuses on celebrities that best exemplify the styles

Features looks both on celebrities and everyday fashionistas on the street

Need help figuring out where to shop depending on you fashion tastes? This book has you covered!

It's time for back-to-school shopping and that means new jeans! FInd out which styles and washes best flatter your body type.

Inspired? Look for this item here:

www.barnesandnoble.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Perfect Products

It's a new month so it's time for some more product reviews! I've had a lot of luck this past month with the new products I have tried, and there are definitely a few I'll mention in today's post that I highly recommend you try! Changing the topic quickly here, I've been on the lookout for a great body lotion since I ran out of my Dead Sea Scrub one and the Victoria's Secret Pink lotion I loved got discontinued. I need some help! Do you have a lotion that works wonders for you? Please let me know what product you love so I can give it a try!

August Products

Sally Hansen Hard as Nail in Heart of Stone (No longer available)

I was able to get my hands on the last bottle at the store and fell in love with this color! This pretty bubble gum pink looks great on darker skin and looks almost neon once it is applied on nails. What I think is great about this color, is that because it is a lighter shade of pink, it can flatter just about any skin tone! This formula stays on nails much longer than some of the other polishes I've tried which is nice since it can be a hassle to re-apply every few days. I give this product a 4/5!

EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream $ 3.39 (Walgreens)

If there is any product that you try from this post, let it be this one! I absolutely love this shave cream! With it being the season of dresses and shorts, smooth legs are a great finishing touch. With my old shaving cream I always ended up with annoying little razor bumps on my legs, but with this product, it not only moisturized my skin, it got rid of the bumps! This cream formula had such a yummy scent as well (I tried the pomegranate raspberry one)! I will definitely be purchasing this product again! This product gets a 5/5!

Aussie Moist Shampoo $3.00 (Walgreens)

I know I reviewed the Aussie Sun-Kissed Shine shampoo in a past post, but this was the one I had used before that one and decided to go back to it! Having recently colored my hair, my locks were rather dry so this shampoo always does the trick! Along with a great scent, this shampoo adds some hydration to your hair and provides for major shine. This product gets a 4.5/5.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer $9.99 (Target)

Being out in the sun all the time, I have to make sure to moisturize my face more often. Dry, flaky skin is never cute so why not give this facial moisturizer a try! Since I tend to have sensitive skin, this formula worked wonders, preventing any irritation. After washing your face, slather some of this moisturizer on to lock in all the benefits of the formula! I give this product a 4/5.

Inspired? Look for these items here:

www.walgreens.com

www.target.com

Monday, August 8, 2011

Tall Tales and Short Stories

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days! I was out of town and didn't have internet access. But I'm back and will be catching up on posts these next few days! There's just something about a long-sleeved dress with a shorter hem that exudes sophistication to me. From season to season this style always seems to pop up, whether in magazines or at the mall. This classic and timeless piece can look great for the day with a more flared out and A-line style skirt, creating a girly and flirty silhouette. For evening, a more body-con style can be a great option to show some leg while still showing a touch of modesty by covering up on top. As we move towards fall, this is a great way to include dresses into your wardrobe. The longer sleeves will keep you warm in the mornings while the short hem will keep you cool during the warmer afternoons!

Celebrities in Long-Sleeved Mini Dresses

Eva Longoria

Emma Roberts

Stephanie Pratt

Vanessa Hudgens

Long-Sleeved Mini Dress Options:

Twisted Middle Dress $68.00 (Nasty Gal)

Gold Rush Dress $68.00 (Nasty Gal)

Belladonna Lace Dress $68.00 (Nasty Gal)

Acidic Cutout Dress $68.00 (Nasty Gal)

Finding Light Lace Dress $42.00 (Threadsence)

Open Back Shoulder Detail Dress $49.90 (Akira)

Billabong Hey There Grey Long Sleeve Dress $39.95 (Zumiez)

From TRTD's Closet

Nautical Striped Dress $9.99 (Alley Kat)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Thursday, August 4, 2011

And the Winner Is...

The Girly Giveaway has finally closed and a winner has been selected! Drumroll please! Congratulations to Michelle S. Your accessories will be shipped to you shortly! I would like to thank everyone who entered the giveaway and taking the time to let me know what your favorite summer trends are! They definitely came in handy when deciding what to post about every evening. Please continue letting me know what you want to read about or which trends you are loving at the moment. Until next time, treat yourself to some retail therapy shopping! Happy reading!

The Names

Into the bag they go!

Congrats Michelle!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Celebrity Look-Alikes

Ever wonder what it would be like to be dressed head to toe in some of fashion's most renown designers? Do you flip through fashion magazines and dream of wearing those gorgeous gowns that your favorite celebrities wear on those glossy pages? Though we can't all live the life of celebrities with extra money to spare on designer pieces, we can all certainly feel like celebrities in similar outfits for less! Many of the outfits I put together every morning contain pieces that were inspired by garments worn by my favorite celebs. I love the fact that I can create a look-alike outfit that only looks expensive!

Ashley Tisdale

Here's how to create a similar look:

Top: Full Tilt Essential Boxy Top $7.99 (Tilly's)

Skirt: Bandage Skirt in Snake Pattern $140.00 (Jades 24)

Shoes: Ankle Boot Geppo $130.00 (Mango)

Bag: Frilled Quilted Shoulder Bag $45.00 (Yes Style)

Necklace: Double-Strand Charm Necklace $45.00 (J. Crew)

Selena Gomez

Here's how to create a similar look:

Top: Lace-Embroidered Racerback Tank $12.00 (Aeropostale)

Cardigan: Cami Cardigan $39.90 (Abercrombie)

Jeans: The A&F Jegging $29.00 (Abercrombie)

Shoes: Crochet Jute Flat $10.99 (Wet Seal)

Bag: Sandra Vitalio Vera Hobo Handbag $49.95 (Purse Boutique)

Emma Stone

Here's how to create a similar look:

Top: Planet Striped Button Shoulder Knit $39.00 (House of Fraser)

Jacket: Full Tilt Faux Leather Moto Jacket $39.99 (Tilly's)

Jeans: Superfine Jeans $49.00 (Yoox)

Shoes: Call it Spring Esparanza Flat $29.99 (JCPenney)

Bag: Nine West Bristo Shoulder Bag $39.95 (DSW)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

www.purseboutique.com

www.houseoffraser.com

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Out on the Farm

A great style that can easily transition from summer to fall is the western inspired look! From plaid shirts to comfy cowboy boots, these pieces add a relaxed feel to an outfit while providing a tomboy vibe. Want to add a girly touch? Why not try a feminine dress in a light color with a distressed denim jacket and slouchy boots. Feel like wearing your favorite pair of dark wash skinny jeans? Add a pretty peasant top for a girly touch with some metallic heels and a black clutch for a casual going-out outfit!

Western Inspired Looks:

Dress: Lace Bow Dress $24.50 (Wet Seal)

Jacket: Highway 101 Denim Jacket $49.90 (Hollister)

Shoes: Short Cowboy Boots $39.94 (Old Navy)

Bag: Braidy Bag $50.00 (Spotted Moth)

Top: Roll Sleeve Buffalo Plaid Woven Top $19.99 (Rue 21)

Shorts: Moto White Denim Hotpant $55.00 (Topshop)

Shoes: Xhilaration Taree Oxford Shoes $19.99 (Target)

Bag: The SAK Iris Cross-Body $59.99 (Endless)

Top: Smock Bottom Peasant Top $21.99 (Rue 21)

Jeans: Levi's 524 Faded Skinny Jeans $35.00 (Kohl's)

Shoes: Lulu Townsend Gretchen Metallic Pump $59.95 (DSW)

Clutch: Guess Belmonte Multifunction Clutch $45.00 (Macy's)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

It's your last day to enter!!

Giveaway Reminder: If you haven't entered the 'Girly Giveaway' contest yet, simply like 'The Retail Therapy Diaries' on Facebook, write your favorite summer trend on the wall, and you will be automatically entered! Don't have a Facebook? Don't feel comfortable writing on the wall? Just email me your response to theretailtherapydiares@gmail.com and you can be entered in the drawing that way as well! Want to take a peek at the prizes? Find pictures as well as contest rules here:

Girly Giveaway

Also as a reminder, you don't have to be from the states to enter! The contest is open to all! Good luck every

Monday, August 1, 2011

Holding it Together

Of all the hot trends this season, one of my favorites is the bustier style top! Not only do they add a dressy touch to an outfit, they are also great in helping to create a long, lean silhouette. Much like a corset, the bustier top helps to hold everything in, creating the illusion of a tiny waist. Adding a feminine touch, the bustier style has also transitioned over to dresses. Looking for a more daytime casual dress? Be on the hunt for a bustier style dress with the signature fitted top and fuller skirt to add a flirty and easy breezy feel to the outfit. For a more evening look, choose a body-con dress with a fitted silhouette throughout.

Celebrities in Bustier Dresses

(Look for white bustier dresses to wear two summer trends in one)