Shop Local

With the news about economy going from bad to worse, it is important for all of us to remember Mom and Pop.  They are the ones that run the stores in your neighborhood.  They sometimes get overlooked for the big brick and mortar stores like Nordstrom's, Bloomingdale's, or even Target.  It's time for us to go back to Main Street and remember "Who are the people in your neighborhood?".  (Thanks, Sesame Street!).  I stumbled upon my favorite neighborhood store by chance last summer.  My friend, Maria, and I decided to have a celebrity store run one lazy Saturday afternoon.  That entailed a trip to Lisa Rinna's Belle Gray and Melissa Joan Hart's, SweetHarts in Sherman Oaks.  The excursion turned out to be a mixed bag.  Lisa's store is impeccably decorated, clean, and well-designed.  Unfortunately, the price tag for simple items like a white t-shirt are well out of the norm for most shoppers.  So, we looked and we left.  To comfort our shopping souls, we headed over to Melissa Joan Hart's candy/ice cream/bake shop.  I ate a delicious red velvet moon pie baked by Carnie Wilson.  Yep, Wilson Phillips baked some goodies for Sabrina the Teenage Witch's candy store. Only in Hollywood, kids, only in Hollywood.

                                                     
After a little sugar, we wanted to continue shopping, so we headed a block down the street and stumbled upon one of the greatest boutique finds ever, Roni B.  The store is inviting with its pink and black decor and a friendly, Roni B, ready to style, accessorize, and dress you down to the last detail.  With a stylist's eye, she knows when to add a belt or an earring to complete the look for the red carpet or the wedding or the birthday party.  The best part?  The looks are all affordable.  Many of the dresses are under $100 and the styles are right on trend.  If you see that expensive designer look in Lucky Magazine, chances are a more affordable version is available that month in store.  The greatest thing about shopping local is the people you meet and the friends you make, that is exactly what you will find at Roni B.

Below are some of the looks styled and created by Roni B that I have worn on the red carpet or on my show, The Web Files.  For those of you in LA, make sure to stop by and tell Roni that KB sent you.  I bet you will walk out with a Roni B. bag in hand.

Let me know what look is your favorite in the comments below. Don't forget to follow Red Carpet Closet at Bloglovin.

It's Time to Shop!

If you noticed over the past few weeks, there has been an Open Sky logo on the right hand side of Red Carpet Closet. Well, I am pleased to finally announce that I am teaming up with Open Sky to offer some of the looks I wear on the red carpet for you to purchase. So, my shop is officially open!  I want all of the looks I put out there to be fashion forward, but still classic, expensive-looking, but not bank breakers.  I think I have pulled together a really exciting piece to launch my Open Sky store.  It's a simple and elegant accessory that will make any outfit really pop.  I received my sample the other day and I was thrilled to see that it was gorgeous, well-made, and perfect for a night on the town.  Introducing, the KC Malhan Island Clutch in grey with a sparkle of silver sequins and beading.  It was featured in the August 2010 issue of Lucky Magazine (page 128) and it is the perfect size for lip gloss, your iPhone, and any credit cards/ID you are carrying on you.  (Length:  10", Height:  5.25")  I picked it to wear at a red carpet event tonight for the opening of blink/drEam by collidEdance.  I will be interviewing your favorite dance stars from shows like Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and America's Best Dance Crew.  So, come back tomorrow to see how I assembled the entire outfit.  Oh, and I bet you want to know the price!  A very reasonable $58 for a handcrafted bag with a timeless look for any wardrobe.  If you are interested in this bag, you can click the blue tab below. It will remain in my store from here on out, so you can always come back and purchase when the time is right.  If you purchase it, make sure to take a picture with it.  I want to see how all of you accessorize with your Island Clutch.

Details:
KC Malhan Island Clutch in Grey
Silver Sequins/Beading
Height: 5.25"
Length:  10"
One small zippered section inside.
Magnetic Closure
Lined in Rayon
Made in India
Price:  $58


Finally, I promised that today was our BIG giveaway for the City Slips.  Well, we have a winner!  Using Random.org, the winner picked was number 7 AKA Vicki S.  Congratulations, Vicki S.  You can send your contact information via the contact button on the blog.  Enjoy your new City Slips and be sure to take a picture with your new shoes.

Tomorrow, I will have all of the highlights of the week plus I will reveal my full outfit with the KC Malhan clutch.  Don't forget,  I always love to hear from you, so be sure to comment in the section below.

Online Shopping

So yesterday, I went shopping at Shop The Look. I started by buying a necklace that I had seen in Lucky and then I couldn't stop.  The good news?  I wound up buying six different pieces of jewelry.  Now before you go calling me Fancy Pants, let me add that I only spent $53.70 on my purchase.  Not bad right?  Here is my shopping list:

Gold Pendant Necklace:  This is the necklace that started it all. I saw it in the magazine and I imagined me wearing one of my maxi dresses accessorized by my new necklace.  However, it was sold out when I originally went to the site last month.  That's the one downfall of Shop the Look, the second an item is featured in a magazine, it is gone immediately.  If you are patient, it will be back in stock soon, so hang in there. $16

Flower Power Ring:  Hey, I don't name these things, but I loved the orange color and the price:  $5.20  It's the perfect splash of color to enhance any wardrobe.

Elastic Metal Disc Bracelet:  I love anything with a brassy, brushed metal finish, so this was a must have at $12.

Lady Like Necklace:  I am not sure if this will make me more dainty given its name, but I needed some silver and black necklaces and this took care of it all in one purchase. $18

Aphrodite Bracelet:  Listen, I know she is the goddess of fertility, but I just liked the design. On sale at $10.40

Sun Dance Stretch Ring: Perhaps my favorite purchase in the lot.  I love purple and big rings, so this fits right into my collection.  $10

Now, if you do the math on all of this, it adds up to over seventy dollars, but every savvy shopper knows there are coupon codes to be had. FREESUM25 will get you one item free with the purchase of $25.  Spend over $50 and Shop The Look throws in FREE SHIPPING.  Not a bad day on the retail trail with almost $18 in savings.

Be sure to check out the affordable looks at Shop The Look and see how you can update your wardrobe without breaking the bank.  I'll be wearing some of these items on my next red carpet appearance.  Who said red carpet looks had to be expensive?

GIVEAWAY TIME:  I am a girl who loves to wear heels all of the time.  The problem is that I can't drive in them nor walk long distances in them.  One of the best solutions is City Slips:  cute, portable flats that roll right up into a small carrying case that can unfold into a useful tote bag.  Slip these into your purse, strap on those heels and away you go!  City Slips has passed along a pair of flats to give away to my readers.  They are silver and a size Medium which should fit sizes 7-9 because of the elastic back. Retail value is $24.95. So, here's how to win:  Comment in the section below and let me know what your latest internet find is. One winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be announced on Thursday, August 19th at 9AM PST. (U.S. Residents only.) Feel free to pass this post along to your friends.  I love having new visitors here at Red Carpet Closet.

**UPDATE:  Great Blog Giveaways has kindly posted my giveaway, if you are looking for more fantastic goodies, be sure to head over there. Tell them Red Carpet Closet sent you. Free stuff is fun!

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