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Eco-Chic: Melissa Vest Canvas Bags
2008-04-29 01:09:00
My mother taught me a lot of things, but she did say one thing that continues to resonate most with me to this day: "If you don't love yourself FIRST, no one else will." I believe this is 100% true, and have always tried to "live" by it. And I hope I try to encourage you, my visitors to love your bodies (and yourselves) as you are now; it is so important to dress for your shape/body NOW, not for the body you dream of having one day. First comes love, all else follows...and if it doesn't, that's okay, 'cuz you still have love!! Anyway...These lovely canvas bags by Melissa Vest really inspire me, they would be fabulous shopping bags (I already have great grocery shopping bags, but I think I will try to start taking cute canvas bags with me to the mall - I have way too many Nordstrom/Saks/Barney's bags already!)
More About: Bags , Canvas

Eco-Chic: Under the Canopy
2008-04-29 00:43:00
I always check out the clothing section at my Whole Foods while grocery shopping; they have a really nice selection of organic cotton and bamboo clothing. My too-small white James Perse tank top is on it's last leg, so I decided to try one from Under the Canopy for $24. So far, so good - it's made from 100% organic cotton and it has a little stretch to it, so it's very comfortable. I probably could have sized down, since it bunches a little around my waist, but I can work with that. When I got home, I took a look at the full collection on their website, and found this FABULOUS jacket: It looks insanely soft and comfortable, perfect over a white tank with jeans, or navy trousers. Just FYI...here's why you should consider organic cotton: "According to 1995 data, for example, United States farmers applied nearly one-third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for every pound of cotton harvested. When all nineteen cotton-growing states are ...

T-Bags Colored Stone Dress
2008-04-28 23:38:00
I personally would NOT wear this as a dress, I would wear it as a top with jeans (and try to get it hemmed a little shorter, to be tunic length). I mean...what passes as dresses these days...I just don't think it works on most bodies. But I do love the colored stones and the juxtaposition of the t-shirt material and casual style with the embellishment of the stones. Available at Eleven Boutique (save 11% with code GRECHEN
More About: Bags , Dress , Stone

Alexander Wang Handbags
2008-04-28 22:42:00
As I mentioned before, I'm lusting after all things Alexander Wang this season. I particularly love the cropped trench, and now this motorcycle bag: This bag has sold out everywhere, but Satine asked the designer to produce more for them, and he has!! You pre-order now for a September delivery (I know, it's hard to wait...but I think it will be worth it!) from a limited edition run of 100 more bags.
More About: Handbags

Today's Outfit: April 28
2008-04-28 21:01:00
Sorry for the lack of outfit posts last week, my boyfriend's son was in town for the week and were having too much fun playing!! Today... Stewart + Brown 100% organic cotton Skirt James Perse Top Delman Mona Flats Beth Springer Ecovertible bag in Olive (review coming soon!!)
More About: April , April 28 , Outfit

BOTKIER Giveaway!!!
2008-04-25 18:12:00
More giveaways!! Through the end of April and beginning of May, I'll be posting things I am getting rid of. I am GIVING these things away, no catch!! First, my Botkier large Rose Satchel in black: Here's the review. I really didn't carry this bag much, only a few times. It will come with the dustbag. Fill out this form to enter to win the Botkier Rose Satchel. If you fill out the form and win the bag, you agree to accept it AS IS. I will not take any returns. I pay for shipping. I'll be choosing a winner in the middle of May. Good Luck!!!

Hayden Harnett Giveaway!!
2008-04-25 18:10:00
I'm cleaning out my closet...and giving away bags!! First, it's the Hayden Harnett Havana Hobo in grey. I got this last year, and really didn't carry it much. It has a small "oily" stain on the shoulder strap, but otherwise it's in good shape. Again, this is a giveaway...you don't pay for anything, and there's no catch at all. You do have to agree to accept the bag AS IS, I will absolutely not accept returns and will NOT ship to international addresses. Here goes... Here's my full review. Fill out this form to enter to win the Hayden Harnett Havana Hobo in gray. Good Luck!!!

Eco-Chic: Manifesto
2008-04-23 00:40:00
I have to be honest, I've felt a little conflicted recently as a result of my desire to feature more earth-friendly fashion items; shouldn't we all be trying to consume a little less, instead of more? Especially today, Earth Day, I posted so many coupon codes for eco-friendly online retailers encouraging us to buy more and spend more $$ on things we may or may not need. I am a consumer at heart, and I know you are too, but I personally, am going to try and make an effort to step back and really analyze what I'm buying and why. I have said before, that I don't do a lot of buying on sale because I'm more often blinded by the low price, even if it's something I don't need. But even I have a hard time resisting sometimes, and I succumbed recently to a pair of Repetto ballet flats from Neiman Marcus Last Call that ARE A SIZE TOO SMALL because they were on sale for $50. I've worn them a couple of times because I feel guilty and I can't r...
More About: Manifesto

Today's Outfit: April 21
2008-04-21 15:48:00
James Perse Maxi Dress James Perse v-neck tee Matt Bernson Love Sandals Jerome Dreyfuss Robert Bag
More About: April , Outfit

Arm Candy
2008-04-19 01:18:00
Bracelets are totally under-rated, and largely ignored as an essential piece of jewelry. And I don't mean bangles, I mean bracelets, slinky chains wrapped around your wrist...now that I have one I love again, I feel naked without it. I love to wear pieces of jewelry I don't have to think about, i.e., take off. I received my Melissa Joy Manning earrings and bracelet from Persimmon a couple of months ago, and they've been on since the second I opened the beautifully wrapped package. Naturally I look for bracelets I can wear all the time, so they need to be only metal, and not gold-plated or vermeil. I have had my share of both types of jewelry, and I won't buy it anymore. Pieces I've loved are fading, and the gold-plating is starting to wear off, making them look cheap. And they definitely weren't. Ugh. So, speaking of Persimmon...I'm still looking for the perfect necklace to go with my new "adult" bracelet and earrings, so I ch...
More About: Candy

Super-Luxe Sweatshirt
2008-04-19 00:30:00
Leave it to Chris Benz to design the most luxurious sweatshirt EVER. I think it's awesome...if you have a lifestyle that supports $500+ silk sweatshirts. It would look phenomenal with a pair of dark, straight jeans, and sexy flat sandals. Take 20% off your order at shopjake.com with code "grechen20."
More About: Super

Active Endeavors: Spring Styles Reduced
2008-04-19 00:18:00
Active Endeavors has just put a TON of relatively new Spring merchandise on sale, but my favorites are these pieces by Maria Bonita Extra. You recognize the shoes of course (I still wear them constantly), but the other yellow tops are just fabulous!!
More About: Styles , Active

Eco-Chic: Rebecca Minkoff's Got a Brand New Bag
2008-04-16 01:48:00
According to a new article in Elle Magazine - you can view it here, Rebecca Minkoff has teamed up with Bijou Phillips to create "an eco bag inspired by the Mama's and the Papa's and meant for dancing at mud-filled music festivals." Sure, well, I seriously doubt the bag is going to sell for under $10, which is the only price I would pay for a bag to carry to a "mud-filled music festival," but I digress. The bag is made from recycled leather scraps purchased from meat factories, and dyed with non-toxic, metal-free dye. I'm not sure when/where this one will be available, but if I've piqued your interested in recycled leather bags, check out Ashley Watson's bags, they are so chic, probably MUCH cheaper than the Rebecca Minkoff version, and as a whole, more environmentally friendly since that is all Ashley Watson does; the entire company is committed to eco-chic, not just one segment. Another Rebecca Minkoff bag in the works is this gro...
More About: Brand

C&C California Spring Markdowns
2008-04-16 00:38:00
C&C California is great for interesting basics in fabulous colors, and even better when you can get them on sale!!
More About: Spring

Botkier Brings Back the Trigger!
2008-04-16 00:15:00
I honestly haven't loved any Botkier style since the Trigger. For those of you not nearly as addicted to handbags as me, the Trigger was Monica Botkier's first style, and in my mind, her best. My steel large Triggers was my first high-end handbag, and it set me back $595 if I recall correctly, and that was 4 or 5 years ago? As a bit of nostalgia, here's my very first picture with it: Sadly, my Trigger wasn't getting enough love in my closet recently, so I sold it to a fellow purse-addict and now they're both happy! Apparently, by popular demand, Monica's decided to bring back the Trigger for a limited time on Botkier.com. Sadly, the bag is only available in black and brown, and it appears to be the smaller size, not the large like I had. Who knows, maybe if this encore presentation of the classic Trigger is well-received, she'll bring back more colors and sizes. Where to buy Botkier Online
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Today's Outfit: April 15
2008-04-15 23:00:00
New Gap Essential Jeans LnA White Scoop-neck tee Generra Sweater Tory Burch Reva Patent Logo Ballet Flat Jerome Dreyfuss "Robert" bag
More About: April , Outfit

Today's Outfit: April 14
2008-04-14 17:36:00
Goldsign Treo High-Waist Jeans LaRok sweater James Perse Vintage Long Sleeve V-Neck Shirt Virginia Johnson Scarf Gerard Darel 36-heures bag (Read my Review)
More About: April , Outfit

Shopbop Coupon Code!
2008-04-14 16:41:00
I knew it was coming...and waited to buy a few things until I had a coupon code for Shopbop, and alas, one of the items was gone and it seems I got the last size 4 James Perse Maxi Dress: There are lots more gorgeous long dresses to be had, and I'll be stalking the new arrivals for the next couple of days for more must-haves; here are details on the code:
More About: Code , Coupon

Eco-Chic: Under the Canopy Robe
2008-04-14 16:36:00
This looks so comfy, I want to put it on right now...made from organic cotton, and totally machine washable, this luxurious robe by Under the Canopy is available at Nimli for 20% off right now with code SPRING08.
More About: Robe

Garnish Earrings
2008-04-11 16:39:00
I love these gold knot earrings by Garnish at Steven Alan: All of Garnish's pieces are sold separately, so you can mix and match. For example: Garnish is also available at Refinery29 Shops
More About: Earrings

Eco-Chic on Sale: $50 Sale at Ecocitizen
2008-04-11 16:33:00
Everything on sale at Eco Citizen is marked down to $50 or less. I'm seriously tempted by these Loyale and Kelly B dresses... This sale is good through Sunday, April 13, in store also: Eco Citizen, 1488 Vallejo St., San Francisco, California 94109.
More About: Sale

Today's Outfit: April 10
2008-04-10 15:23:00
I have to take advantage of the warmer weather while it's here...word is, it is getting colder again soon! James Perse Tube Dress Mike & Chris Hoody Prada Linea Rossa Platform Sandal Gerard Darel 36-heures bag (Read my Review)
More About: April , Outfit

Chick Downtown Sale
2008-04-09 23:55:00
There are some pretty fabulous things on sale at Chick Downtown now, and through Friday (4/11) you can take an extra 15% off sale items with code XTRA15. These Theory dresses are all marked down below $200:
More About: Sale

Emily Grace: Sale on Sale
2008-04-09 22:44:00
Take an extra 20% off sale items at Emily Grace through 4/14 with code EXTRA20. All Sale items are Final! Here are some of my favorite under $100 buys (except the shoes, but I had to throw them in, they're lovely!):

Coclico Sandals!
2008-04-09 22:31:00
*sigh* aren't these gorgeous? Although I probably have all the shoes I need at the moment, I'm a sucker for drooling over lovely flat sandals. Good for you if you're in the mood for buying...Olive Shoes is offering Grechen's Closet visitors an exclusive discount: Take $25 off your order of $125 with code "Grechen25" and Take $50 off your order of $300 with code "Grechen50." Thanks Olive Shoes!! More Posts...Look What I Found! Index
More About: Sandals

Eco-Chic: Blog Shout-Out!
2008-04-09 22:18:00
I've been meaning to do this forever, but better late than never, right! Below is a list of my favorite eco-fashion/living/design blogs (in no particular order), most of which I take a look at every day. They are fabulous; I know you will love them too! oneplusone Inhabitat Chartreuse Chic Green Living Online Hippy Shopper Fabulously Green The Alternative consumer Chic by Nature the greenset Haute*Nature Eco Chick Sustainable Style Foundation Ecofabulous More Posts...Look What I Found! Index
More About: Blog , Shout

Eco-Chic: FIN at Equita
2008-04-09 21:59:00
You can't throw a stone (or click a link) these days without hitting a new environmentally friendly, organic cotton, bamboo, ethical, etc., clothing line. Many "mainstream" lines and stores are coming out with organic counterparts (like Banana Republic), and all-new designers are popping up here and there, Like Rashida Jone's (from The Office) Laloo line. I love it. More designers/lines means better selection for those of us who are trying to green our wardrobe a bit at a time. But I'm also afraid that we'll see a lot of lines disappear as fast as they've appeared. And in my opinion, prices will have to start coming down; consumers won't pay a premium for all environmentally friendly clothing very long as competition continues to open up. And there's going to be more differentiation between "just" organic cotton, and ethical manufacturing processes, fair trade, carbon neutral practices, etc., so that "just" orga...

Today's Outfit: April 9
2008-04-09 19:07:00
American Apparel high-wasted skirt Robert Clergerie Sandals Gerard Darel 36-heures bag (Read my Review) LnA Deep V-neck tee - use code "GRECHEN" to save 20%
More About: April , Outfit

Today's Outfit: April 8
2008-04-08 17:31:00
Gap Long & Lean Jeans LaRok Grandpa cardigan Target Belt Repetto Ballet Flats Gerard Darel 36-heures bag (Read my Review) Splendid by Vena Cava tee (exclusive to Shopbop last year)
More About: April , Outfit

New Boutique: Cusp
2008-04-08 02:14:00
I'm not exactly sure how Cusp is different from Neiman Marcus' contemporary department (NM owns Cusp), but I won't complain. The website is well done, and the selection is nice (kinda reminds me of Intermix). It's definitely easier to browse online here for contemporary items than it is on Neiman's website, and they do carry different designers. Anyway, since I'm DYING for it to warm up and STAY warm, all I can think about is wearing dresses, so here are my favorites: More Posts...Look What I Found! Index
More About: Boutique