Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, May 15, 2008 at 2:56 PMShane and Shawn Ward unveil new Detny collection
Remember twins Shane & Shawn Ward? The duo behind Detny is back with a brand new collection of stylish and comfortable shoes for men and women. You can find (and purchase) the whole collection online at www.shaneandshawnstore.com.
The Detroit twins have been busy as usual since I last caught up with them. They've opened a flagship store in New York and have a full upscale line called Shane&Shawn, which is where you'll find four-inch stilettos you can wear all day.
Their philosophy has always been that comfortable shoes shouldn't be boring, so they design for the modern-day jet-setter and "boardroom rockstars." The real secret is that they incorporate the comfort of athletic shoes into their dressier collections. For a pair of comfy heels with style, the price is as high as $240 on their Web site. Keep in mind, their designs aren't exactly plain; most of the heels and boots feature metallic fabrics to metal studs in some fun combinations.
For the bargain shopper, you can find a pair of Detny flats on their Web site for as little as $55. And some of their more expensive heels are a little more affordable at the online shoe site www.zappos.com.
If you're a fan of the handsome duo, you might catch a glimpse of them today at the MGM Grand, where they're hosting a special VIP (sorry, it's not open to the public) party to showcase the new collection. Locally, their shoes are sold at the MGM Grand's Essentials boutique, Nordstrom at The Somerset Collection and Sole Sisters shoes in Detroit.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Wed, May 14, 2008 at 4:43 PMCool gifts for grads
Catching Fireflies, a local gift shop with stores in Berkley and Rochester, has some cool gift ideas for grads that won't break the bank. Check out the book "When They Were 22," which chronicles lives of the famous and infamous at pivotal points in their young lives. It's $12.95 at the store, or online at www.catchingfireflies.com.
While you're there, check out the "To Accomplish" notepad for $6.50. It's a list-makers dream, with space to write things you (or the recipient) plan to accomplish "Today," "Tomorrow," "Someday," or "Maybe Never." Catching Fireflies is located at 3117 W. 12 Mile Road in Berkley or 203 E. University in Rochester.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Tue, May 13, 2008 at 4:58 PMSave 60 percent on Aerosoles summer shoes
I discovered Aerosoles when I lived (briefly) in Washington D.C. You walk so much there that you can't afford to be limping around in flimsy heels. It's also formal enough that you can't go everywhere in Birkenstocks. Hence, I wandered into Aerosoles, which specializes in shoes you can wear all day and that look good enough to do just that. For the extra comfort, the price isn't bad.
Right now, you can save up to 60 percent on spring and summer styles at www.aerosoles.com. These wedge heels with a padded foot bed are on sale for $45 (regular price:$89).
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Mon, May 12, 2008 at 4:35 PMFree iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts Thursday
Dunkin Donuts has proclaimed Thursday, May 15, Free Iced Coffee Day. The store, which has been trying to compete with Starbucks and other premium coffee brands, is giving away free 16-ounce iced coffees from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit www.dunkindonuts.com for store locations.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Sat, May 10, 2008 at 1:47 PMMother's Day gifts from the kids
Listen up, dads! Here are a couple of quick gifts you can help the kids make just in time for Mother's Day tomorrow.
Michaels stores sell two jewelry kits in the Martha Stewart crafts section to create a necklace or charm bracelet with mom's favorite photos. The charm bracelet kit is $9.99 and the memory pendant necklace kit is $7.99. What's nice is that the projects look very simple, and the jewelry pieces come with special satin pouches that are perfect for presenting to mom.
Also, it may be to late to order from www.paper-source.com, but the Web site has a great project for kids: a silver pendant you can fill with a photo and finish with 3-D crystal lacquer. The lacquer is $8.25, and the large silver pendant is $4.25. Just cut a photo to fit the frame, cover the photo with the lacquer and let it dry overnight. There's even a short video clip that takes you through the process step-by-step.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Wed, May 7, 2008 at 2:52 PMLast-minute Mother's Day gifts
You still haven't shopped for Mom? Don't forget, Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11. Here are a few grab-and-go ideas:
Target offers good prices on a few digital photo frames this week. Through Saturday, you can pick up a 7-inch Digital Decor photo frame for $88 or a 6-inch Jackson digital frame by Pandigital for $77. Some digital frames are just plain ugly, but these are a little more eye-catching and come with a remote control for easy viewing. You still need to load the frame with her favorite photos for this to be a nice gift. Otherwise, it will sit in a box until next Mother's Day.
If Mom is still taking photos at family gatherings with a disposable film camera, it's time for an upgrade. Circuit City is offering several camera deals for Mother's Day, including a 10-megapixel Panasonic Lumix camera that's just $209. Plus, it comes with a free 2 gigabyte Sandisk memory card. Or, get an 8-megapixel Olympus FE-340 gift set that packages the camera in a decorative photo storage box along with a frame, camera case and memory card holder -- all for $199.99. Find out more at www.circuitcity.com.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Tue, May 6, 2008 at 1:55 PMRogan Gregory to launch eco-friendly fashions at Target
Frugal fashionistas waiting for Target's next designer get won't have to wait much longer.
On May 18, Rogan Gregory launches his Go International collection at Target stores. The New-York based designer is known for eco-friendly fashions, including EDUN, a line on which he collaborated with rocker Bono.
Gregory's Target collection includes fun urban safari and beach looks, much of it made from 100 percent certified organic cotton. The collection also contains eco-friendly bamboo, linen and hemp fabrics.
Here's a quick peek at the line, which will be available through June 28. As always, the prices are reasonable, ranging from $14.99 to $44.99.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Mon, May 5, 2008 at 6:08 PMTax rebate sale at Old Navy
Old Navy is one of many retailers hoping to get some of your federal stimulus or tax rebate dollars.
Now through May 18, when you spend $50 at Old Navy stores, you'll get a $10 coupon. If you spend $75 , you'll get a $15 coupon. The coupons can only be redeemed May 27 through June 5. See more details at www.oldnavy.com.
Old Navy's sister company, Banana Republic (both owned by Gap), is also offering a rebate of sorts. Now through May 11, customers who spend $150 at Banana Republic or online at www.bananarepublic.com get a $25 Shopcard. The card can be redeemed May 12 through June 18.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, May 1, 2008 at 8:05 PMSarah Jessica promotes "Sex and the City" at Steve & Barry's
Today, Steve & Barry's stores across the country were busy stocking "Sex and the City" T-shirts and tank tops, helping promote Sarah Jessica Parker's movie that hits theaters May 30.
The shirts make sense for Steve & Barry's. After all, their collaboration with Parker really put the sportswear and athletic apparel store on the fashion map. Today's New York Times ThursdayStyles section leads with how Steve & Barry's "became a $1 billion company selling celebrity style for $8.98." The chain just opened a new store in the former Tower Records space in the heart of New York City.
On a quick trip through Steve & Barry's today, I was surprised to find all the merchandise in the store is still under $10. Last year, their highest price tag was $19.98. The company lowered that to $8.98 just before Christmas as a special "limited time" savings.
While the "Sex and the City" shirts hadn't yet been put on display, the store was playing the movie trailer and selling cute dresses, T-shirts and shoes from Parker's spring Bitten collection.
The best finds: definitely a strapless Bitten sundress -- the very same one the Times featured -- fully lined and nicely tailored, for only $8.98. The second steal was a pair of black wedge heels decorated with subtle square metal studs for $8.98.
In two weeks, the store introduces its latest celebrity collaboration with surfer Laird Hamilton. His Wonderwall line of beachwear hits stores May 15.
Category: Shopping
Posted by Kara Morrison on Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 2:34 PMRecycle your old jeans, get 10 percent off at Guess
Guess and Cotton Inc. are joining forces to recycle old denim into cotton fiber insulation. The insulation then helps Habitat for Humanity and others build affordable homes across the country, and has already helped dozens of hurricane victims.
On May 10-17, anyone who brings jeans or a piece of old denim to Guess at The Somerset Collection in Troy will get 10 percent off any jeans purchase.
The store is also offering "Guess Green" fabric tote bags to customers who spend $100. If you bring back the tote for future shopping trips, you'll get 5 percent off your purchase. That pretty much takes care of the sales tax, and helps cut down on petroleum-based plastics that won't biodegrade.
For more information, visit Guess.com.
