ss_blog_claim=61f30818f1f7ab44d735b77df049e8e7 ss_blog_claim=61f30818f1f7ab44d735b77df049e8e7

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

by Katja on February 8, 2010

Sonia Rykiel for H&M, Sonia Rykiel knitwear collection, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M, H&M designer collection, Sonia Rykiel prices

Sonia Rykiel’s lingerie collection for H&M already impressed and made us ooh and aah.

Last week the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M knitwear collection displayed for the first time in a private show, and Sonia Rykiel’s collection will be available at selected H&M stores on February 20th. While I loved the Marimekko’s collection for H&M and Jimmy Choo offered several sexy pieces that I wouldn’t have minded owning, I think by seeing the pictures Sonia Rykiel’s knit collection is my favorite designer collection for H&M. While I can’t pull off the shorts or the knit dresses, there are several pieces in this collection that I would love to have and I can see myself wearing.

And the prices – very good.

The accessories are starting at $5.95 and the knits are up to $45.95.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M, Sonia Rykiel knitwear collection, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M, H&M designer collection, Sonia Rykiel prices

Some of my favorites. Which ones you like?

Sonia Rykiel for H&M, Sonia Rykiel knitwear collection, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M, H&M designer collection, Sonia Rykiel prices

Like it? Share it!
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Kirtsy
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

{ 1 comment }

Days Go By.. and Years Go By

by Katja on February 8, 2010

I rarely look back on time and ask myself “where did the time go”. Because usually my life is full of adventure, new places, new people, new events and it never seems to be still. I like it that way. I like it that I take changes and try new shortcuts (and get lost and find something unexpected) or make fast decisions to do something fun. My family is my constant, my anchor, everything else is a moving scenery I enjoy.

I turned 35 last week. I had some medical testing done to see how well I am doing with my broken lungs on my birthday. And the first time I was thinking, where did the time go. I think I was just afraid to hear bad news.

There are days that I feel old just because how much I have seen of life, of world and of people.

Some days I feel very young, and I never want to give up on that “young” feeling inside me, that let’s me joke, take things lightly (at least not dwell on things if not able to be taken lightly) and see world as a constantly evolving place of unexpected beauty.

I try not to live in past, and almost more important is not to live in the future. You know, live in “then when”. (Like: “Then we will travel to Europe when our kids are older”, “Then I’ll treat myself a nice haircut when our car is paid off”, “Then I’ll quit my job and be a stay-at-home-mom if I get pregnant again”).

I wonder if those times ever come to people.

Sure, there are things I wish to do in the future, but if I focus on them too much, I’m afraid I loose today.

(No, I didn’t hear bad news last week. Well, no news actually. You know how they are, they never give out your test results, you need to wait to see your doctor. I will have my appointment later today.)

I was at the Blissdom Conference in Nashville last week too. I was there with Collective Bias and one of our clients, CoverGirl, and we organized a professional makeup, CoverGirl’s Smoky Eye Look for Blissdom attendees. Considering how many women we absolutely thrilled to get their makeup done, especially right before they got to meet Harry Connick Jr, I would say it was a huge success. I had a blast!


Erika Lehmann, Chic Shopper Chick,
is our face for the CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look
and she took this picture of us two.

And I have to admit, I loved working on the other side of the table – creating something fun for bloggers, instead of being on the receiving end as a blogger. I really realized how much more I love supporting other bloggers, helping them and promoting them – than doing that for myself. I don’t want to be a superstar blogger, but I want to help others to be that. I am not ready to give up this blog yet, I love writing here, but for the first time for a long time, I don’t feel pressure to do this-and-that to my blog. I like it as it is, and continue doing what I like to do with it, not what “I should”.

I rushed home on Saturday. My flights were cancelled due (upcoming) bad weather, so I took the first flight out on Saturday that I was able to and changed my route and was home already on Saturday evening. And was able to go skiing with my family at Hunter Mountain at Catskills on Sunday. While I somewhat felt I betrayed my blogging tribe by doing so, I knew it was the right thing to do.
As days go by and years go by, my anchor in life is my family, and that always comes first.

Like it? Share it!
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Kirtsy
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

{ 3 comments }

My actually-not-so-secret shopping sites and why I prefer high quality designer clothing – that I spend less money than if I was shopping at GAP. Click to my favorite invite-only shopping sites – with invitation links just for you below.

I rarely pay retail. And I never shop at mall for clothing for myself.

I have designer clothes that cost less than what you would find on retail at GAP. And I also much rather pay little bit more for quality that lasts longer than something that is cheap today (and will fall apart after a few washes) – in a long run buying quality comes less expensive.

My friends tease me because I don’t let them buy polyester. I don’t have anything against cheap fashion, and if you want to have the latest fashions, that you know will look outdated in two years, I do recommend the less expensive stores like Forever21 and H&M but most of the time I like more classic styles for myself.

The TOP 5 Online Shopping Destinations to SAVE BIG on designer fashions:

1. 6pm.com
2. ideeli.com
3. Gilt Groupe
4. HauteLook
5. Rue La La

6PM


1. 6pm.com offers mainly shoes, and it is your nro Uno site for designer shoes for less – and I mean up to 75% for retail price. They also have clothing, bags and accessories. Oh, and children’s and men’s products as well. Great selection for everyone in the family. They have flat rate shipping for $6.95 regardless of the order size, so it pays off to order more at once.

invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupeinvite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe
Michael Kors boots, normally $335.00, the 6PM prize $44.95
Calvin Klein little black dress, normally $174.00, 6PM prize $90.85.

IDEELI

2. ideeli.com is an invitation-only (click – that’s your invitation code) shopping destination for designer fashion. New brands are featured each day at up to 80% off and sales last 36 hours, or until items are sold out. Ideeli offers mainly handbags, clothing and accessories, with occasional home products.

invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe
ellen tracy wool coat, original price $288, ideeli price $115 ends tomorrow
Calvin Klein sale starting on Tuesday

GILT GROUPE

3. Gilt Groupe is another invite only site with designer fashions. They have great section for men only, Gilt Man, and new travel site Jetsetter.com where you find luxury travel for over 50% off. The prices are still higher than your regular destinations, but you will get once in a lifetime opportunities that otherwise might not be possible.


Treton boots original price $45, Gilt price $22.
Cynthia Rowley Legwear, original price $15, Gilt price $8

HAUTELOOK

4. HauteLook is yet another great invitation-only site, but probably the most versatile. They have great home products, designer clothing, fashion accessories and this week even Omaha steaks! Really amazing high-end products and one how HauteLook is different from others – they also offer beauty products.

invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupeinvite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe
Lyric Culture jewelry, original prices up to $95, HauteLook prices starting at $19.

invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupeinvite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe
Freeze 24-7 Allure editor’s choice mask, originally $45, HauteLook price $22,50
Isola Luce candles, normally $22, HauteLook price $12

Rue La La

5. Rue La La is also an invitation-only site and you never know what luxurious finds you will make, up to 80% off. From caviar and champagne to home goods and designer eye wear and handbags. Clothing to the red carpet and the gym – all high-end and high quality. Calvin Klein swimwear sale starting tomorrow will get you dreaming of the summer already.

invite only shopping sites, fashion sale, designer clothing sale, ideeli, rue la la, gilt groupe
Horny Toad casual clothing sale will start on February 3rd.

CHOOSE QUALITY

What quality in clothing means to me… Good materials, like cotton, silk, cashmere. Easy care, not having to take to dry cleaners (best materials and this often don’t go hand to hand unfortunately). Well fitting, great cut – if the clothing doesn’t fit, do not buy it!! It is not worth the money, even if it is cheap! And if the clothing fits like it was made for you – it’s worth every penny. Oh, and have you ever been in an event, where someone is wearing the same clothing..? Another reason not to shop at your local mall.

Seasonal sales, outlet malls and TJ Maxx have always been my favorite places to shop, but now online shopping has become so easy, and the prices are so low that it is almost impossible to resist the above invitation sale sites and even sites like OverStock.com and eBay! You have no excuse to buy poor quality cheap clothing – you will be able to find good quality designer clothing that will last for longer and fit you better for low prices. You will just have to learn to look!

FAVORITE DESIGNERS

Like mentioned.. it’s not just about the looks and the quality – it’s about the right cut.

Once you find a designer whose clothing fit you well, you can always go back to the same designer and brand and be confident that you will most likely find something that fits you. When I was thinner Ralph Lauren was my brand. Now Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger are my two go-to designers, their quality and fit make the clothing well worth the money (plus they are easily available at sale prices). I also like Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. There are several other brands that I like but I think the right fit is such a key that my favorites might not be your favorites – you just need to try them on to find the right ones for your body shape!

Like it? Share it!
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Kirtsy
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

{ 3 comments }

Blissdom Writing Contest Winner

by Katja on January 31, 2010

I recently hosted a writing contest to win a Blissdom Conference ticket. I was overwhelmed with the amount of great blog posts the contest received and even more so with the support these amazing women received from their communities.

I am happy to announce that the winner is Layla Palmer with her post Living Life to the Fullest – Giving Our Home TLC, which got 657 comments. Layla writes The Lettered Cottage, and I can’t wait to meet her in Nashville.

Thank you for everyone participating, commenting, and supporting each others! I am so happy with the response this contest got that my question is… which conference ticket you would like me to giveaway next…?

Like it? Share it!
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Kirtsy
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

{ 8 comments }

I am at Salt Lake City and spoke in a panel at Outdoor Retailer with two brilliant people. Robert Rivenburgh of MARS Advertising, my colleague at my job at Collective Bias, and Linda Jager, one of my fellow Snow Mamas, and a PR expert, especially in the outdoor industry. Our panel was about Social Shopper Marketing and I loved seeing how more people kept coming in during our presentation, the topic was interesting!

The Outdoor Retailer trade show was awesome, I was like a kid in a candy store with all the new outdoor gear. You can see the show through my eyes with above Whrrl story above. No commentary on it (yet) though – was too busy checking out stuff and didn’t write anything..

The fabulous day turned into even more amazing evening with Linda. She lives in Park City so she knows how to do Sundance like a local.

Adrien Grenier at Sundance

We went to see Adrien Grenier’s documentary Teenage Paparazzo, and I already saw Adrien on the way in.. And we watched the movie in the second row, Adrien and Paris Hilton sitting only a few rows behind us.. Seriously surreal. The coolest part of Sundance Film Festival is the film crew interviews after the movie. I am hoping to have time on my flight tomorrow back home to actually write a movie review, the Teenage Paparazzo was one of the best movies I’ve seen for a while.

After the movie, we ate at Good Karma, and I had the best Indian food I have ever eaten in my life. Or, to be correct, it was Indo-Persian food, and I even got to talk to the chef and his wife, who are both so nice. If you ever visit Park City, Good Karma is a must.

The snow storm was hitting Park City pretty good last night when I drove back to Salt Lake City to my hotel, and after I click “publish” on this post, I will take a shuttle right back to the mountains to do some powder skiing.

I only wish I had my family with me to share this awesomeness.

Full disclosure: I did the Outdoor Retailer Panel as an Collective Bias employee, and figured when in Salt Lake City, why not mix business with pleasure and visit Sundance and do some skiing.

Like it? Share it!
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Kirtsy
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

{ 9 comments }

.