Garmz - For Realz

I'm going to go on the record here and tell y'all that my homie Sonny Byrd actually came up with this idea first, but apparently someone outside of the States beat him to market. (I'm still encouraging him to be first to market here in the US, for what it's worth ;-).) (And in full disclosure, I have no idea if he was really first, but let's just all be good sports and assume he really was.)

Back to the post at hand here, Sonny sent me an email this morning with the following subject line: "FML". He was a little bummed to see the following site making waves in the fashion world before he could.



Garmz is a site that allows designers to upload their designs to the site, have the population at large vote on them, and possibly some day, see them go to production. Garmz then shares the sales revenue with the original designer. The concept totally breaks down the barriers to entry typically found in the fashion world and can potentially get trends to market seasons ahead of traditional fashion houses and retail brands.

You can read more about this cool new concept on their site at Garmz.com (and vote on the latest designs!) and also join in on the fun on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Garmz/124287380938770.

Two front page looks I love that I voted for already:
Dazzle Me Dress by Willy D. of London


Gold Number by Shibbyinc


Don't let this take the wind out of your sails, Sonny... there's room for everyone!

{Images: via Garmz.com and respective submitting designers}

Pantone's Color of the Year for 2011 is Perfectly Pink!

Thanks to the RoomItUp! blog for publishing these details to my Google Reader!



{Image: via RoomItUp, originally via Pantone}

So what do y'all think - ready to see more pink?

{Double Post} Taking Local Love to a New Level

So this whole "concept" is something that Mandy and I have been talking up for a looooong time. And I am really pumped to finally be getting it out there. It's not anywhere close to being as content-rich as it will be soon, but it's at least a start.



Right now, the biggest features are the email newsletter (bringing local style and retail directly to your inbox - but no, not like Express/Banana Republic/etc. style... I refuse to harass you all daily), Top Picks, and the feature appearances from local readers, too!

If you have a few minutes, please stop by and check it out. Today our Black Friday content is still up, so you can check out what we liked for November... but tomorrow and over the next few days, December will be making its way in.

And if you're a local shopper, or just appreciate good style, please consider joining the email list, too :-)

And YES, I really DO want YOU to send me your tips, pictures, etc. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. A lot of work, of course - but most importantly... a lot of fun.

New Poll: What Do YOU Call Them?

(This pretty image can be purchased on Art.com!)

My previous post has spurred some discussion as to what name you call flip flops by. I thought it would be a fun poll and interesting to see when it's all said and done if it varies by region, etc.

Click on through and you should see the poll at the top of the right sidebar and share your preference, please!

Feel free to drop a comment on what you call them if you choose "Other".

We're Going That Route, Again?

I just checked out Express online after receiving some promo in the mail and it looks as if we'll be reviving the trend of dressing up shirts that look like lingerie for the upcoming season.I'm a little torn on this issue. Personally, I loved it the first time around.I still have 3 or 4 of the nicer tops I had from the first time, but I think I've already retired at least one to the PJ drawer because I thought we had already put this trend to bed.

Thoughts from the readers?

PS - Yes 2004 Brandon's shirt says "If you tap it, they will come." Need proof? You should see the pictures from his backyard that night.

2009 Colors of the Year

From Simply Stated:"2008


2009


Every year the color gurus at Pantone work their magic and decide on the color of the upcoming year. 2008 was the year of Blue Iris, a deep purple-blue that according to Pantone 'satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.' I seem to remember from a design class that purple always shows up during times of anxiety (which is appropriate for 2008).

But thankfully, 2009 is a different story. Pantone has deemed it the year of Mimosa. The sunny yellow is a lot more upbeat: 'In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.'"Although it's really more of a shade of blue than purple, pair last year with this year and those colors look very ECU-appropriate to me (especially when mimosas are involved - breakfast tailgate anyone?).

Go Pirates!

So Proud

So proud to call the NCSU College of Management one of my two NCSU alma mater homes :-)NC State Study Shows It Pays To Shop Around Online

Holiday shopping season has arrived, and tough financial times mean that more people will probably be shopping around for the best price. But a study co-authored by North Carolina State University's Dr. Jonathan D. Bohlmann shows that shoppers who compare prices at multiple online retailers will not only find the best value, but will also likely contribute to driving down prices for that product at other retailers.

Bohlmann, an associate professor of marketing at NC State, explains that there are basically two types of shoppers: "switchers" and "loyals." Switchers compare prices from multiple online retailers, while loyals are committed to a particular store and don't bother with comparison-shopping. Bohlmann explains that the higher the number of switchers relative to the number of loyals – or the so-called switcher/loyal ratio – the higher the pressure a retailer faces to discount products in order to remain competitive.Read the full scoop here and as always, GO PACK!

(Had to throw that in there, this past Saturday we completed a full sweep of the state in defeating ECU, Duke, Wake Forest, and finally... the most hated of all - Carolina - this football season!)

Tights!

I have recently gotten back into tights in a big way. My favorite thing about them (and you'll see this in the comments on the blog post I'm about to share) is that they make it a lot easier to keep the full wardrobe in heavy rotation even during this chilly weather!

The IndieNC blog did a great feature yesterday - Trend: Tights - with some great examples of my personal theory on tights (keep reading below). Many thanks to Mandy for sharing that blog with me!

I found a great two pack of Betsey Johnson tights on sale at Marshall's for approximately $9.00 (or something to that extent) a few weeks ago and have gotten so many compliments on the solid gray and black argyle choices. For those of you unfamiliar with Betsey Johnson's wild style, take a look, you'll quickly see that Marshall's provided me with a STEAL on those tights.

The reason I can totally do Betsey Johnson accessories is because I pair them with a solid color dress, top, coat, etc. You get the picture... not overwhelmingly "wild child", but enough to be fun.

I'll have to be sure to take pictures next time I wear them and follow up.

Scarf Weather

Continuing this trend of cold weather favorites... one of my sorority sisters, Whitney, has clued me into a local (sort of, by way of Asheville, NC) handmade artist: alena hennessey.

I'm SO in love with this scarf, especially the way it's shown being worn and with the plain white t, and double loving it's price!
flora on charcoal scarf
$28.00

wrap yourself over and over with this super soft, versatile, and extra long scarf. measures 93" long x 16" wide. made of perfectly combed cotton jersey.Any other fans? Be sure to check out the rest of Alena's site!

PS - Ooh, this tunic, too!

Winter Weather Accessories Report from Cary Magazine

What's not to love about a print magazine that's jumping right in to the social media and viral video world? (Especially when they're sharing such fabulous and easy to achieve style tips?!)

Check out this month's Shopping Fix from Cary Magazine and be sure to sign up for their email newsletter (don't worry - they don't bombard you 17 times a week like a bunch of retail friends have been lately).Fashion Flash: Winter Weather Wear
from Cary Magazine

Fashion Flash: Winter Weather Wear from S&A Cherokee on Vimeo..PS - Internet bragging rights to the local readers who can figure out where it is that they recognize Heather Green's voice from!

PS #2 - Get the buying scoop and more info (plus comments) on this video and all the great finds at http://www.theshoppingfix.com/2008/11/06/fashion-flash-winter-weather-wear/.