Cheryl Shops

More scenes from our weekend:


Here's what the rooms look like: all white, with mirrors and real plants (!). Ours had an ocean view.
This is the super-glamorous courtyard, which has a huge chessboard, rows of palm trees, and more fun chairs.
And, finally, here's the incredibly chic infinity pool. You sit on these thickly padded lounge chairs with terrycloth fitted sheets, and attendants bring you things all afternoon, like frozen fruit and mini daiquiris. It is, simply, heaven.

Full disclosure: The thought of scuba diving makes me sick to my stomach. I love snorkeling, and taking a deep-sea dive to explore sunken ships or barrier reefs would be amazing in theory, but all the equalizing and breathing only through your mouth makes me super nervous. That said, scuba divers have cool gear, and all the panels that make up a wetsuit are strangely quite flattering. Many designers, particularly American ones, seem to agree, as scuba-inspired styles were all over the spring runways. Here are my favorites.

$$$
This Derek Lam scuba dress is slim-fitting but makes the most of its lines to create an incredibly flattering fit. See how there are no side seams? By shifting the contrasting seams inward, it creates the illusion of narrowing the body, and the darker side panels reinforce this effect. Bonus points: it's a knit, so it's super-comfortable too.

Jason Wu is one of the hottest American designers at the moment, and with his scuba dress, you can see why. It's incredibly ladylike, with its wallpaper-inspired floral print and fit-and-flare shape, but the contrasting sleeves and waistband add an interesting contrast, striking a perfect balance between feminine and sporty.

Rag & Bone is one of my favorite lines at the moment, and every season, they just keep coming up with new things that I must have. In fact, their spring collection was the inspiration for this entire post, particularly this aqua leather surf dress with contrasting black mesh panels. It's shaped perfectly, and did I mention it's leather?

$$
If aqua leather is not quite your thing, here's a similar style from Rag & Bone, this time in a more summer-friendly cotton blend. This style is a bit more relaxed, but the color is just as groovy and relaxing, and the contrasting side panels give it some shape.

And one more from Rag & Bone, this skirt is kind of a natural evolution of the bandage skirt, this time in a patchwork-like pieced design that still evokes scuba gear. I love the colors—totally evocative of the ocean. (There's also a matching sweater.)

This scuba top from Nanette Lepore takes scuba-inspired styling and combines it with another hot spring trend, neon. I think this would make a great layering piece, like under a blazer for work.

$
A favorite of the young and trim, Charlotte Russe has all manner of body-conscious dresses and skirts, but I like this scuba dress for its combination of colors. Be wary, however, of the snug fit, which will require either Spanx and/or a superfit body.

Topshop's scuba skirt takes a classic pencil skirt and gives it contrasting side panels for a trend-conscious update that ends up being quite flattering. Bonus: check out the contrasting zipper along the back—sporty becomes sexy!

The print in this Chaus dress reminds me of another influential scuba-inspired collection from a few years back: Proenza Schouler's. The styling isn't necessarily as obvious as some of the other styles, but the print is totally aquatic and the shape looks nice and easy—perfect for summer.

So, back when I started Cheryl Shops (in 2003, can you believe it?), I listed all the sample sales every week, and for awhile, that was my claim to fame. In the years since, blogs like Racked have started doing, and doing it much more thoroughly and well than I have. Not to mention, compiling sample sales is very time consuming and, to be honest, not very fun for me. So I've figured at this point, you're probably not reading this blog for sale listings, even though I've been highlighting just a few favorites every week for awhile now. Thus, this will be my last weekly sample sale post. Not to worry—I've come up with a new weekly feature that I think you'll like even more. Look for it next week.

In the meantime, here's one last sample sale, and that is Rebecca Minkoff. I need a new bag like you'd not believe, so I'll definitely be hitting this one (which, by the way, tends to get more marked down as time passes). And now that Minkoff is a big ol' conglomerate-in-the-making, her shoes, bags, accessories, and ready-to-wear will all be available, at highly discounted rates. Tell 'em I sent you for one last hurrah. 5/9-5/13; 10-8, 10-4 Sun.; 260 5th Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.).

As much as the spring and summer trend reports and lookbooks will have us believe that the months ahead are full of nothing but sunny skies and perfectly warm weather, us fashionable realists know that your wardrobe needs to be prepared to face the unexpected while still suiting the season. I can't speak for the rest of the world, but San Francisco is known for throwing its inhabitants for a loop despite its relatively mild weather, and luckily we can stay spring and summer-festive while still being equipped for a sudden downpour, ensemble-ruffling wind, or a chillier-than-usual June or July night. Colorful anoraks let you cover up, serving as a lightweight jacket that'll guard against the elements, yet is still undeniably warm-weather appropriate! Short or cuffed sleeves keep the look fresh without making you break a sweat, while bomber styles and cinched waists provide a feminine yet sporty fit that'll complement your outfit instead of just covering it up!

From left to right: Jones New York Hooded Anorak Blazer, Ali Ro Short Sleeve Anorak, and Piazza Sempione Cuff-Sleeve Anorak.

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

As you may have guessed by now, I own a lot of shoes. So many, in fact, that it's hard for me to justify buying a neutral pair—or maybe, conversely, it's easier for me to justify buying a non-neutral pair. That said, I do find that a brightly colored pair of shoes can really perk up your outfit, adding an unexpected element of fun. And while I'm now at the point where I own lots of shoes in bright colors, lo and behold, this season there are all manner of colorblocked shoes, combining two or more bright colors! It's like a whole new world of possibilities has opened up, footwear-wise.

$$$
Stella McCartney's shoes are so fabulous, you almost forget they're not made of leather. This colorblock sandal combines hot-pink satin with a sexy red acrylic heel, a surprising twist on the stripper heel. Whatever level of discomfort it might appear to have is softened by that pillowy quilted lining.

Speaking of stripper heels, these Brian Atwood Bellini sandals are named after my favorite brunch drink and boast a tricky 5.5-inch heel. The key, however, is a thick 2-inch platform, which, net, makes them a totally walkable 3.5 inches. Also, how adorable and springy are the colors?

Giuseppe Zanotti holds a special place in my heart, in that he made my wedding shoes. And while the last two pairs have a slightly tarty vibe, these suede colorblock shoes are more ladylike—well, until you get to the 6-inch stiletto.

$$
Call me crazy, but even though these Stuart Weitzman sandals have a big red platform sole, there's something kind of neutral about them—maybe you can't wear them with other colors, but think how many things in your closet you can wear with them.

What prevents these United Nude geisha sandals from veering too far into crazytown is the strip of neutral tan woven in with the wide orange strap and purple sole. Admit it: Your inner 7-year-old loves them.

Diane von Furstenberg's Elan sandals are one of my favorite pair of the bunch—yes, you can go with an all-black or all-white pair, but the nude and lime-green combo strikes the perfect balance between neutral and wild. Also, a great argument against those who think wedges aren't sexy.

$
Crazy name aside, these Steve Madden Wimzikul wedges are indeed...whimsical...and I like that they come in three different color combos.

With a groovy '70s vibe and a not-too-crazy color scheme, not to mention a totally non-committal price, these Pierre Dumas sandals are pretty much a no-brainer, especially if you're apprehensive about trying the trend. Also, if you're into it, they're "vegan" (i.e. synthetic).

For slightly more of an investment, however, these colorblock sandals from the Limited are a pretty smart choice. The neutral stacked heel and leather keeps them on the sophisticated side, but a pop of color at the ankle makes things interesting.

Normally found at the likes of Shopbop, Saks, and Bloomingdale's, Raoul is a contemporary line of minimal-chic clothes with a work-friendly vibe. Find their fall '11, cruise, and spring '12 collections at their sample sale this week. 5/1-5/4; 10-7; 601 W. 26th St. (at 12th Ave.), ste. 1745.

After several seasons of bright, bold colors, and even neon more recently, the spring runways lightened things up a bit with pastels, notably at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Givenchy. However, it was Prada's kitchy 1950s-tinged collection and its accordion pleats galore that captured my heart. Mint green is definitely the color of the season, and while it's not a shade for everyone, thankfully there's baby blue, lavender, blush, and all manner of pastels to suit a range of skin tones. You can also find everything from jackets to pants in these pale shades, but here I'll focus on dresses and skirts à la Miuccia.


$$$
If you find Prada too intellectual, well, there's always Versace. Leave it to Donatella to make pastels sexy, right? The pleats on this dress lie in a single panel, so the effect is incredibly flattering and streamlined, perfect for those who are worried about extra volume on top.

This Tibi dress is lovely in that the color is so neutral and flattering (it's almost like being naked!), but the bright beading along the armholes livens it up a bit. Its fluid silhouette, however, makes it the type of shape that women love and men...don't.

Doo.Ri, on the other hand, makes looks that both men and women can love. This sateen dress has a super-flattering fit, from the draped bust to the fitted waist that softly flares over the hips with an asymmetrical pleated skirt.

$$
Back to Tibi, this pleated sleeveless dress is a great choice for day—you can throw a cardigan or jacket over it and wear it to work. The shape is well balanced, with a demure neckline (again, work appropriate), and the minty-green color is right on trend.

This 6 Shore Road dress, however, is straight up flirty. with a flounce top. I love the lavender shade, and the price ($158) is very wallet-friendly too. Single ladies, this is the perfect date-night pick.

I've been Pinterest-ing photos of similar semisheer blush maxi skirts for what seems like ages; this BCBGMAXAZRIA pleated maxi is seriously just what I've been looking for. Like the Tibi dress above, it's a creamy, dreamy neutral color, but the fact that you can wear it with anything on top (blazer, T-shirt, etc.) makes it so much more versatile.

$
With its slightly boxy shirtdress shape this Topshop dress definitely takes strong inspiration from Prada. (For the more diminutive readers out there, it comes in yellow in petite.) Also very Prada: the fact that it's slightly sheer, making it just a little bit risqué.

Can't decide on a single color? This Topshop skirt lets you cheat a little, mixing lavender, mint, blue, and blush all together in a subtle pattern. Plus, bonus points for a trendy high-low hem.

And, of course, you can always count on Zara to interpret a runway look in a wearable and very affordable way. This dress is cheating a bit, in that it also features a dark dip-dyed effect at the hem, but that contrast between the mint and the black makes it that much more interesting—and easier to wear for the pastel-averse.

Loro Piana's cashmere is pretty much the finest money can buy, so buy more for your money at their sample sale, where cashmere knits, outerwear, accessories, and clothes for men and women can be had for super-reduced prices. Credit cards only; no strollers or children under 12. Through 4/26; 9-6:30, 9-5 Th.; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

The fashion world loves polka dots these days, but even if you're not normally a fan of their throwback feel, there are ways to modernize the look that's sexy and sophisticated while still maintaining the print's classic whimsy. Sheer polka dot blouses give you the perfect balance of retro elegance and updated chicness, for a look that's lightweight, breezy, yet polished for spring.. The sheer sexiness of this Equipment 'Bailey' Mini Dot Blouse off-sets its conservative buttoned-up silhouette – pair with a lacy bralette underneath, if you're feeling daring, or a more modest coordinating cami. Tie-neck blouses continue to be in for the season ahead, so sass up your typical work ensemble with a romantic sheer top like this one from Forever 21 (just make sure you have the appropriate coverage underneath, of course!). And lastly, if you're looking for something a bit more dramatic, try this exaggerated-sleeve Haute Hippie 'Gypsy' Blouse tucked into a fitted skirt to balance its extra volume!

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Chances are you work in an office and need to look (at least somewhat) professional. If you're like me, sometimes you push the boundaries of corporate couture, but sometimes you just want to look pulled together, in a quietly luxe way. If the latter is the case, get thee to the Elie Tahari sample sale, where versatile, well-done work-friendly pieces for men & women are up to 70% off retail. Go with your coworkers. 4/17-4/21; 8:30-7:30, 10-5 S; 501 5th Ave. (41st & 42nd Sts.), 2nd fl.

I know it seems counterproductive to beat the sun's blinding rays with a pair of even more blindingly bright sunglasses, but sometimes fashion surpasses all logic aside! After all, these super-cool neon shades are hard to pass up! If you haven't already noticed, it's going to be pretty hard to avoid eye-popping neons for the upcoming spring season so far, so even if you're not much of a nu-raver – or still consider the 90s to be the worst decade ever (*gasp!*) – you might as well embrace the trend and use it to your own advantage. After all, neon looks awesome against a summer glow, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! To pull off this trend without looking like you bounced off the stage of Kids Incorporated (remember that show?), or worse - like you just bought your accessories from the local 99 cent store, the key is to stick to fashion-forward silhouettes or strategic neon detailing, so the look is edgy and chic instead of dated, stale, or cheap. For example, these GaGa-esque square shades are white hot, with the perfect dash of neon orange just at the sides. These circular-framed Karen Walker sunnies and Emporio Armani aviators take a similar 'less is more' approach when it comes to neon, keeping their highlighter yellow details to just the side panels. And if you're willing to embrace the neon-framed trend head-on with all-over neon, try out these Kate Spade Florence Broadhurst cat-eye frames for a sexy retro-modern look!

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Last summer, colored skinny jeans were the trend that took everyone by surprise—they were fun, budget-friendly, and easy to wear, not to mention the newest thing in denim in several seasons. For winter, colored jeans evolved into animal prints from snake to leopard to zebra. Now, for spring, denim designers have gone a step further with prints of all kinds. Pretty much anything is on the table—floral, ikat, lace, tie-dye—however there is definitely an art to wearing it. If you have long, thin legs, you can get away with almost anything, but for the rest of us, the key is looking for either an elongated, vertical print and/or a more subtle color scheme. Here are my top picks.

$$$
Balmain has been doing printed skinny jeans for several seasons, which gives the label a head start. The print on this pair was achieved by hand with bleach and strategically placed to shape the body, hence their four-figure price tag. One of my favorite parts is the concentration of detail at the knee, giving it a knee-pad effect.


Balenciaga's chevron jeans have a doubly flattering effect in that they layer on a naturally elongating chevron pattern in skinny stripes, further reinforcing the line. I am also a sucker for zip hems, which allow you to adjust the leg opening to your liking.

I can totally see Miu Miu's star-print jeans on Sea of Shoes—the colors and shape seem right up her alley.  This is an example of a pair without a natural vertical line, but the scale of the print is balanced enough to still be flattering. You can tell the leg is cut well too, which helps.

$$
Current Elliott has been one of the forerunners in both the colored and animal-print trends, so of course they are killing it with this printed stiletto jean. Somewhere between an ikat and a Native American print, this print has a curved effect that works well with the shape of the leg. I can also attest that Current Elliott jeans fit incredibly well—they're one of my go-to denim brands.

J Brand's 810 twisted twill jeans have a more subtle effect in that the print is a two-tone acid-washed affair, and the shape is J Brand's best-selling 810 cut. And if, like me, the term "acid wash" sends you running, this the pair that's sure to change your mind.

Speaking of things I wore when I was younger, I thought floral-print jeans were something that should stay in the '80s, until I saw this cute pair by Alice + Olivia. The print is definitely a throwback, but the low rise and skinny shape keep them firmly grounded in the current day.

$
Asos, as you'd imagine, is a fabulous place to find printed skinny jeans at very affordable prices. One of my favorite pairs on the site is this River Island heart-print jean, because the hearts are so subtle—they look like polka dots at first, which are just as fun (if not more so). I also like that these have a more forgiving black background.

These Free People Ikat jeans are similar to the Balmain pair above, in that they have a leg-lengthening chevron pattern, but they're more colorful (though still subtle) and with a summer-friendly cropped length.

I will preface this last entry by saying don't judge, but I have a similar pair of Not Your Daughter's Jeans (mine are python print), and if you can get over the silly name, they really do fit amazingly well. (My tip: buy a size lower than what you normally wear.) This lace print is understated and flattering, and combined with the super-slimming effect, they're the perfect pair for anyone who's hesitant to try the trend. The only downside is that you will immediately want to buy several more.

Jimmy Choo shoes are almost always sexy in an obvious way, but then again, you could say the same thing about several other high-end designer shoe lines. What sets Choos apart is this: They are surprisingly comfortable. So go, and score yourself some overtly sexy, spendy shoes at major discounts (they went for $250 a pair at the last sale). Expect crowds; I recommend more practical shoes for line-waiting purposes. But just this once. 4/12-4/13; 2-6 Th, 9-6 F; Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Blazers of all kinds – cropped, tuxedo, jersey, leather, boyfriend, you name it – have been a staple in both the office and more casual streetwear ensembles for quite awhile now, but this spring and summer they're getting the candy color treatment! Color is majorly in for the warmer months ahead, and a bold, bright blazer is the perfect way to jazz up the ho-hum of your workday or infuse some serious punchiness into your typical night-out ensemble. Coral, turquoise, yellow, and beyond – several spring-festive colors look surprisingly sophisticated when worn over a neutral-toned dress or even a basic tank and jeans with platform pumps. Of course, it's important not to go too overboard with color – make sure these blazers serve as a statement piece within your outfit. Too many brights fighting for attention within the same ensemble may have you looking like Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games... and I don't think the world is ready for the Capitol's fashion taste just yet!

Pictured above: Rebecca Minkoff Becky Jacket in Teal, Forever 21 Ruched Sleeve Linen Blazer in Coral, and Vince Camuto One Button Blazer in Blaze Yellow.

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Confession: I'm one of those girls who loved, loved, loved the magazine Sassy. I have nearly every issue saved (they're at my parents' house), and I devoured the excellent How Sassy Changed my Life. What was so great to me was that the magazine let its editors' and writers' personalities into the magazine, so much that I felt like they were actually my friends, or at least cool girls I could look up to. One of those editors was Kim France, who went on to edit Lucky, taking a similar tactic in bringing its editors onto its pages. Kim is no longer the editor at Lucky, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her, so I was beyond overjoyed to see she started a blog called Girls of a Certain Age. It is very clearly her voice—cool, a little neurotic, honest—and while many of the posts are about shopping (everything from store reports to cool products), she also interviewed fellow Sassy alum Christina Kelly, and hopefully will continue that practice (where are Mary and Karen?!). The blog is geared toward women in their 30s and 40s, so obviously I'm the target audience, but I can't help but feel like I've reconnected with a long-lost friend.

Elsewhere on the blogosphere, Sea of Shoes and The Cut are engaged in a war of words over this profile of SOS's Jane Aldridge in Texas Monthly. Jane apparently had no problem with the article until this post on The Cut, snarkily analyzing the profile. Jane issued a rebuttal; The Cut responded. My take? The TM story is a pretty damn good profile—it's an award-winning publication, after all—and while Jane comes across as a bit...snobby...you can't help but admire her for knowing what she wants and going after it—successfully—at such a young age (she's 20), so who cares if she's not going to college? (Nor do I care that she drinks a glass of champagne in the story; I did far worse things at that age.) Jane is now claiming a bunch of quotes were taken out of context by The Cut, and that she was misquoted by TM; Texas Monthly stands by their reporting. Jane may be savvy beyond her years when it comes to her blog, but she's certainly showing her age when it comes to her lack of media training.

Last week I blogged about pretty bras, and the lovely people at Affinitas Intimates were so excited I featured one of their styles, they're giving away a matching bra-and-panty set to three lucky Cheryl Shops readers! Awesome, right? Here's how to win:



The prize
A matching bra and panty set in your size—the options are the Parfait by Affinitas Anna Bra (in sizes 30D-40G), featured in last week's post and at right, with matching thong or hipster (in sizes S-XXL) or the equally pretty Affinitas Carolyn Bra at lower right (push-up or padded, in sizes 30-36A, 30-38B, C, 32-38 D, DD) with matching thong or hipster (in sizes S-XL).
 
How to enter
Leave a comment on this post below, and make sure there's a way for me to contact you, either by registering with your Google account, OpenID, link to your email address or website, or spell it out old-school (i.e. address at ISP dot com).

Bonus entries:
Get up to three (3) additional entries by becoming a fan of Affinitas on Facebook, following Affinitas on Twitter, or following Affinitas on Pinterest. Just note in your comment any bonus entries—honor system!

Rules & regulations:
The deadline for entering is 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, April 8, 2012. Cheryl Shops will pick three (3) winners at random. Winners will be contacted on Monday, April 9, 2012. If winner does not respond within three (3) business days, Cheryl Shops reserves the right to pick a new winner.

Good luck!

As you might have guessed from this post last week, I have trouble finding swimsuits. Or, rather, I used to. One of my go-to designers is Shoshanna, whose bikini tops are ingeniously sized by cup, rather than S-M-L. I will be stocking up for summer at her sample sale, where everything—swimwear, dresses, and separates too—is under $100. Stay away from the string bikinis—they're mine. 4/3-4/4; 10-6; 231 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 422.