Year in Review

I can't believe it's almost been a year since the last time I posted something. I must say, I feel rather guilty about it. Things just sort of fall off the radar during transitions of a new job, new relationship, new apartment, and new friends. Now that things are finally winded down, I'm going to make it my top priority on my new year resolution list to keep up with this blog.

I was just browsing through some of my previous posts and realized so much has happened this year --- good or bad, I'm glad that 2010 is coming to an end. I think people are finally employed again and business momentum is starting to itself up from rock bottom. Living in a recession just sucks. Incredible amount of crime and robberies. Depressing stories of broke people. Countries fighting each other. Sad, sad times.

To continue to sad, sad discussion --- I'd like to pay a tribute to Alexander McQueen (probably should also extend this tribute another legend in the music industry - Michael Jackson. But since my blog is mainly about fashion, I'll just leave it at that). McQueen was a the legendary fashion icon who passed away this year by his own making. The young and the greatest who was able to play with the juxtaposition of strong tailoring and soft feminine sensuality in his creations and as a result, was admire by the fashion world. What a loss.

Other than these sad, sad news we've still got a lot of things to look forward to as we embark on a new year. Old Navy's weird antics of the mannequins are still on TV. Gossip Girl is still a great show with clothes that are to die for. High end designer collaborations are still going strong and is manifesting itself into all department stores (and btw, I just read something about Karl Lagerfeld and how he is going to launch a lower end fashion line at Macys next year --- so even the mastermind behind Chanel is looking into the mass market to make a few bucks. I mean look at Lanvin for H&M, how cool is it to be able to finally afford a dress that doesn't leave you with losing 2 months worth of rent?). Discounted shopping sites like gilt.com and ruelala are still flooding my inbox every morning with deals that I cannot for the life of me, ignore.

Enough rambling. Here are some hot items that are sure to help you with your gift shopping list this year!

1) Groupon Deals (how legit is this site? Google is willing to pay $6 billion bucks for this company that is probably like 30 people big --- that's like 5 times more than youtube?!?): Two weeks ago I got the sweetest deal ever, $50 Nordstrom Rack giftcard for $25. Now I'm debating with I should get the Chi hair strengthener for $75 or a pair of Hudson's or Joes for $75. Anyway, Google is right, Groupon is a savior.

2) Forever21 jewelry: couple weeks ago I went to their jewelry section and found a bunch of extremely (and let me emphasize the word, extremely) cute and inexpensive jewelry sets! They've got gold leave necklaces, faux diamond dangling loop earrings, cute owl earrings, brooches, and more --- all for $1.50!

3) Shopping sites: gilt.com, ruelala.com is hopping on this concept of "coupons". Last week, Ruelala featured a deal at the Kate Spade store - $100 giftcard certificate for $50. sweet deal, eh? I'm sure more will come our way to remind us that this is the season of "spending" rather than "giving".

Hope to post more tomorrow! I should definitely do a post featuring the lovely boots that I bought from Via Spiga. Adios!