Cheryl Shops

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Longtime readers of Cheryl Shops are well acquainted with my bra woes, but for the new folks out there, I'll make a long story short: I have big boobs. Now, when I tell people my bra size, they tend to be shocked, which leads me to two general conclusions. One: My bras fit me so well, my gals look perfectly placed and proportioned to my body. Two: Most women out there are wearing the wrong bra. (I, for one, was shocked when I found out my true size.) If you fall into the latter camp, I highly recommend making an appointment with Linda the Bra lady. It will change your life.

And speaking of life-changing experiences, a great thing that's happened in the last few years is that there are a lot more lingerie brands offering pretty, sexy bras in bigger cup sizes. When I first found my true size, I actually wore these hideous Olga bras (it's amazing I attracted any male attention in those things, really), because there was so little available in my cup size. And while it's still a challenge to find DD+ cups at a lot of department stores and mass retailers (I'm looking at you, Victoria's Secret), I highly recommend seeking out smaller independent boutiques like Linda's, the excellent Journelle, and one of my all-time favorites, La Petite Coquette, as well as online shops Figleaves, Bare Necessities, and even ASOS. So here are six pretty, sexy bras, all of which are available in DD or larger (and smaller!) cups. Treat yourself (and your ta-tas)!

Maybe we're a little tardy for the party (though in this case we'd like to consider it fashionably late, of course), but now that the weather is warming up, it finally seems appropriate to celebrate Loeffler Randall's capsule collection, Heart LR, which first launched back in February. The Valentine's Day 'birth' of Loeffler Randall and Sven Clogs' lovechild hardly went unnoticed in the middle of winter, but now we really can't get our hands on the spring-festive offerings! Designed as a slip-on-and-go extension of Loeffler Randall's Spring/Summer 2012 Collection, these fun-and-funky sandals serve up a a healthy dose of clunky soles, stripy laces, and goes-with-everything neutrals with the occasional pop of neon yellow and metallics. Described as what the typical Loeffler Randall gal would wear on the weekend when she wants to be breezy yet stylish, these clog sandals are the perfect spring and summer fare for all our vacationing wardrobe needs! And we can't lie – the downsized price tag doesn't hurt, either!

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Comptoir des Cottoniers used to be one of my favorite stores to hit in Paris; when they came to the U.S. a few years ago, it was like un cadeau par dieu. But until now, they've never had a sample sale. Thankfully, plus ça change...Prices are up to 75% off and start at $10 for accessories and top out at $120 for outerwear; dresses are $80, blazers are $100, bottoms are $40-$50, shoes are $90, bags are $65, and tops are $50-$65. Magnifique! 3/31-4/5; 10-5 S-S, 11-7 M-Th; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

If you follow me on Twitter, perhaps you recently noticed me enthusiastically tweeting about a certain handbag designer and her exclusive new collaboration. That designer is Rebecca Minkoff, a Cheryl Shops favorite, and, actually, a designer of clothes, shoes, and so much more. She created an exclusive bag for mark., a division of Avon that is perhaps best known for fun, affordable makeup but is also a great source for equally fun and affordable jewelry and accessories. The two came together and produced this beauty of a handbag, the Delight, which, if you ask me, is a pretty accurate assessment. Big enough for day, the Delight has a bunch of pockets inside for your cell phone and other assorted trinkets; I can attest that your iPad will fit inside as well. The long chain strap allows you to wear it as a crossbody style, but you can also tuck the strap inside (or remove it via side buckles) and use it as an oversize clutch. What makes the bag really cool are all of the Minkoff-signature hardware details—the rocker-y pyramid studs on the outside, the buckles, and the aforementioned chain strap. But perhaps the best part is the price: At $60, it's just a fraction of what one of Minkoff's bags usually cost. (Yes, it's pleather, but it's good-quality pleather.) My only quibble: I wish she had designed more bags for mark., because I would have bought them all! The bag is available now, while supplies last, at meetmark.com, or from your local Avon representative.

Leave it to two kick-ass Los Angeles-based brands – RGB and Tenoversix – to join forces and create the ultimate trend-setting nail color, just for the platinum blondes (and the inner blonde in all of us, of course). The cutting-edge spring color, called Blonde on Blonde, takes cues from Hollywood's favorite nude nail trend as well as new fashion-forward peach lacquer shades, and the result is an opaque shade that's rich and milky but reads fresh and pinky on the hand, perfect for the season ahead. RGB is no stranger to chic collabos – the brand recently combined forces with celebrity nail artist Jenna Hipp for an awesome line of nail foundations – while Tenoversix's Creative Director Kristen Lee is all about taking advantage of a killer partnership with the trendy polish brand to spread the platinum blonde pride with fellow RGB fans! What do you think – would you spend $16 on this limited-edition platinum shade, with or without having the roots to match?

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

I have a running list of items to purchase, and on that list is a leather jacket from Veda. With the warm weather we've been having, it seems like a silly time to buy one, but with prices 50%-70% off the spring, fall, and holiday 2011 collections, if you ask me, there's never been a better time. 3/23-3/25; noon-6 Fri., 11-6 S-S; 412 Broadway (at Canal St.), 5th fl.

I grew up in cold, snowy Chicago, and for a week every spring, my family made an escape to Florida. It came at that time of year when you were just about at the end of your rope in terms of weather, and there was something about sun, sand, and sea that just totally revived your will to live. Even though New York is not quite so desolate (especially with the exceptionally warm winter we've had this year), MW and I like to preserve the spring break tradition. This year we went to Turks & Caicos, which I'd highly recommend—white sand beaches, the most gorgeous turquoise-blue water you've ever seen, great snorkeling, beautiful weather, friendly residents, and so on (it should be noted, T&C is ridiculously expensive, however). As I consider myself somewhat of a pro at packing for a beach vacation at this point, here are my essentials for a chic spring break.

The blazer has come a long way from its traditional (and stuffy?) professional roots, and is now a casual-wear staple that serves to help modern fashionistas like us easily transition from day to night, work to happy hour, and beyond. It's survived many updates, from the boyfriend style to the short and cropped tuxedo jacket, and this season it's going through a new, spring-festive transformation: florals! A floral blazer is the perfect transition piece for the month ahead, as it instantly brightens up your winter wardrobe in a way that's cheery but won't leave you chilly, and it can still take you through the later summer months for those cooler sumer nights. I adore this Pim + Larkin Blazer from Piperlime – its lightweight feel, energetic print, and laid-back fit make it a great layering piece for the gal who loves to mix prints and textures. For something with a little more of a tropical vibe, this Alice + Olivia blazer doesn't miss a beat! Wear it with a solid dress or a basic tank and jeans to make sure it doesn't have to fight for the spotlight! And if you're looking for a fanciful update to your traditional denim jacket, this floral denim blazer from Free People is cute and cropped – perfect for layering over a simple sundress for instant spring appeal!

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

I first blogged about Pinterest about a year ago, and since then, the site has completely blown up, plus a cool thing to note is that the site has really taken off with the ladies. And while I've noticed that many of my friends have had only a fleeting interest in it, many more have embraced it fully, coming up with new and creative boards, pinning recipes, home-improvement tips, and, yes, stuff to buy. I visit it on a daily basis, and I find this version of "curated content" much more to my liking than, say, Facebook. That said, I do quite a lot of pinning myself, so if you haven't already, feel free to follow me, and if you are not yet a member, email me and I'll send you an invite. Happy pinning!

Often when I admire someone's coat, it's by Mackage. They're well designed and well made, fashion-conscious and yet timeless. In other words, everything you want a coat to be. During their sample sale this week, you can score one at 30%-50% off, a worthy investment no matter how you put it. Also available: fellow Canadian outerwear label Soia & Kyo. 3/15-3/18; 10-9 Th-F, 10-7 S-S; Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave. (15th & 16th Sts.).

The first time I saw one of the many variants of the Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, beloved by the Man Repeller, among other bloggers, I had a hard time deciding whether they were cool or ugly. Then I realized, this is something I experience with the pieces in my closet that end up garnering the most compliments. Which means I should probably buy a pair, but $680 for something I'm not 100% sure about is a bit hard to handle, not to mention that there's a lengthy wait list for the real Isabel Marant deal. Enter the Cool suede wedge sneakers by Ash, a pretty close approximation for about a third of the price. Ash, one of my favorite shoe labels, has been making wedge and high-heeled sneakers for ages, but this is their first style to feature a concealed wedge, à la Marant. I have absolutely no idea how to wear these—with skinny jeans seems like the most obvious choice—but I look forward to coming up with all the viable possibilities.

Tribal-printed shorts were all the rage (do people still say that?) last spring and summer, and before I even had the chance to get used to the idea of drawing so much attention to my rear, the trend has already evolved and left me in the dust! This season, ikat is taking over full-length pants too, and while they certainly aren't made for everyone, when done right, the look is the perfect blend of fun and sophisticated. If you're a fan of the colored denim fad, takes things a step further in the more adventurous direction with these pastel ikat-printed skinny jeans by AG by Adriano Goldschmied. Ready for something a bit dressier than denim? MICHAEL Michael Kors' Silk-blend Pants are certainly a statement-maker with their purple and black print. And if you're lucky enough to have a body type that will allow you to wear harem-style pants without looking disproportioned or just plain ridiculous, these bright and silky Matthew Williamson Ikat Harem Pants would be gorgeous with a blazer and heels for a night out, or a tank and espadrilles for a laidback-luxe daytime look.

- Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Apologies for the absence, dear readers—last Friday was my birthday, so MW & I took a little trip down to Turks & Caicos (I am now of the age where one tends to throw parties only for milestone birthdays, hence why I decided to hide out for a few days). Thankfully, I'm back just in time for the David Yurman sample sale, where I am planning on treating myself to something special. Prices are 30%-70% off retail, with 10% of proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and both men's and women's pieces will be available for sale. Timing is everything, no? 3/8-3/11; 3-8 Th, 10-7 F-S, 11-5 Sun; 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).