Carey Ann Jewels

I have just come across a jewelry designer by the name of Carey Ann Jewels, her jewelry is hand made of fine silver and made in San Diego. The earrings above should be on my site by early next week! They are made of Sterling Silver Ear Wires and drop approx 2 ½ Inches, these Natural Stone Dangles Will Vary In Size, Shape, and Color. All of the items in this collection are made by hand thus no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. The results are beautiful and unique, these earrings make great gifts!

Big Buddha Bags for Fall 2009!

I know it's so hot your makeup is sweating off right now but designers are already thinking about the fall and winter season! I am super excited about the new Big Buddha bags I just ordered for Fall! They should be here late summer and include luxury fabrics, tassels, rich colors and great hardware.
Five years ago handbag designer Jeremy Bassan created Big Buddha causing quite a commotion when he started shipping a noticeable number of packages from his college dorm room.
From small beginnings designing purses from his home in Santa Barbara, California, the 25-year-old has been diligently working to establish Big Buddha as a front-runner in affordable fashion-forward handbags for women.
Check shopclotheshound.com in the coming months for these bags as well as other pieces from Free People and French Connection!

Clothes Hound Party

Nikki threw a great "Clothes and Cosmos" party last night! There were about 10 girls there, typically I require 20 or more but these ladies shopped enough for 30 women. They were so much fun and it was definitely a great time had by all. They literally bought every purse I had so I have to restock now, just placed a Big Buddha order today! Thanks ladies for a fun and fabulous party!

Summer Weddings

Watching last nights episode of The Hills got me thinking about weddings. Of course you hope you don't end up begging people to show up the way Heidi did! If you are going to a wedding one of the first questions that comes to mind is what to wear, your probably wondering if it's open bar first but what to wear is a close second.

When choosing what to wear pay attention to two key details, 1. Time of Day and 2. Location. Don't wear white, black during the day, sequins or your overtly sexy club wear.

Do wear something feminine and appropriate for the time of day. A pastel, ruffle or floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere. I think I'll wear this Aryn K ruffle dress for my friends up coming wedding.

Fashionable Beach Destinations

There are plenty of fashionable beaches however I don't believe Topsail Beach to be one of them. I had a fabulous beach vacation and while Topsail beach is a great place to hang out with friends, relax, tan and drink too much it's not where you see the most up to date, well edited styles. I have seen enough Jorts to last a lifetime. These aren't your Jessica Simpson Daisy Dukes, Jorts are tight long jean shorts, I'm not even sure where you find these anymore? Maybe they are a DIY garment.

Note to all wearers of Jorts.....there are some great shorts out there that can be worn at night, think linen or silk with cuffed legs, not tight, long or rolled up.

All prices are negotiable in a recession....

As a business owner I'm not sure I should be blogging about this but if you haven't already heard, as I told my girlfriend just days ago, all prices are negotiable in a recession. WWD posted an article about this very thing, From today's WWD: Prices are often open to negotiation. As one Lord & Taylor salesperson said when a shopper inquired about the length of a sale: “There’s always a sale!” I understand feeling uncomfortable about asking for a lesser price than the one posted but as my mom always said, "you don't know unless you ask."

The star also wrote an article on this topic. They said if you are a hesitant haggler:

Simply ask for what you want.
Give a specific number. Don't use a range of numbers.
Once you agree on a price, ask for other concessions
Do research on rival deals and be prepared to walk away.

I'm renting a beach house with friends for memorial day weekend and was able to get an extra night thrown in for free. YAY! So next time your shopping for flights, furniture or fashion ask for a discount, you may not get it but if you do you've saved a few bucks!

Designer Spotlight - PEEL

Peel was launched in 2004 by a Vancouver designer, the eclectic and feminine label has quite the following. Peel is an elegant and affordable take on feminine classics. To top it off, designer Megan Berks uses sustainable fabrics where possible. These designs will stand the test of time, looks like a worthy investment to me. [Peel]

2 of my Favorite Things - Fashion & Oprah

Kelly Hurliman is the Oprah show stylist, what an amazing job! Kelly says, "getting to watch the show every day has changed my life. But getting the opportunity to do something creative every day for a living is by far the best part for me. It's what I've always wanted and for that I am truly grateful."

She describes Oprah's style as "Classic and tailored but always comfortable." Personally I think Oprah knows how to dress for her body type. Something every woman should be conscious of.

Kelly shares her style tip with us:

Shop for the life you have, not the one you want. Trust me, I believe in dreaming big, but especially in these economic times it's important to spend money on what you really wear. If you have a bunch of dresses stuck in the back of your closet, don't buy another! Take stock in your daily routine and have chic, comfortable pieces to wear in it. You'll always feel better if you take that extra minute to put on something that makes you look good, even if you're just running errands or walking the dog.

http://www.oprah.com/article/style/fashion/20090508-orig-kelly-qa

Start Packing for Memorial Day!

Stock up on summer must haves before memorial day! Now through Wednesday save 25% on regular priced merchandise with code "holiday". Hit the gym, schedule your mani and pedi, get your spray tan and start packing for the beach!

Going Green

Fashion is one of the most fun ways to express ourselves. But did you know that cotton is the second most pesticide laden crop in the world and number one in America? Try to shop organic, shop local and check for fair trade labels.

Mad Imports is a socially & environmentally responsible company that markets handmade handbags from Madagascar & Kenya. Their colorful accessories blend the traditional and contemporary design ideas of their international artisan partners who incorporate renewable raw materials to create original clutches, totes and shoulder bags. The sale of their products enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental conservation. And their bags are super cute too!

http://www.shopclotheshound.com/index.php/handbags/clutches/mad-imports-opal-clutch.html

Going to Shecky's!!!

Economy got you down? Grab your BFF's and de-stress at Shecky’s Girls Night Out – the only event where you can sip complimentary cocktails all night long, grab chic fashions at amazing prices, sample new products and score fab freebies inside Shecky's Famous Goodie Bag – all under one roof!

We're going to our first Shecky's event this July in Philly and I'm so excited! Shecky's hasn't made it to NC yet but traveling to other cities for these kinds of things can be fun too, especially when you can stay with girl friends and make a weekend out of it!

WIN FREE STUFF!

Today's giveaway is the first of many to come! It's for one super cute pair of Bijoux Luck earrings. They are really light weight and go with anything. To enter, tell us what you will wear with your new earrings and where you will where them (one outfit idea is fabulous) in the comments section. Good luck!!

Be sure to use a valid email address so we can contact you if you're the winner. Email addresses will not be shared and will only be used to notify you if you're the winner for this giveaway. Comments must be posted by 5pm ET on Friday May 15th to be eligible to win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Sunday May 17th.

Get your colors done?

Have you ever had your colors done? I haven't but I recently met a personal image consultant who offers color analysis as one of her many services. www.onechicmama.com I haven't worked with her but I know she's chic! There are also a few books out there that help you discover what shades work best for you. Color Me Confident: Change Your Look — Change Your Life! by Veronique Henderson and Pat Henshaw and Color Me Beautiful by JoAnne Richmond. Are you into this? It could be a whole new way of looking at clothes and makeup!

Summer Must-Haves!

White Jeans- always great with a black or brightly colored top

Long Cardigan-now over shorts and a tank or to throw on in the office with pants (check out our Karlie Cardigan, $60!) http://www.shopclotheshound.com/index.php/clothes/tops/boyfriend-cardigan.html

Strapless Dress-always a summer staple!

Exotic Print Tunic-as seen on the runways, wear with shorts or white jeans

Shorts-consider these for evening too as an alternative to a short skirt-(stay tuned for a pair of french connection shorts arriving in July)

Belts-must have accessory for summer!

Dedicated to Dale Murphy

As you know I have a "passion for fashion" however, seeing a full grown man who just turned 30 dressed in his "adult" baseball league gear at his own party is quite disturbingly inspiring. Although as he posed in his vintage Dale Murphy jersey I realized something we all wear what makes us happy, so go be different wear what makes you, well you...

Happy Mothers Day! Esse Quam Videri!

Designer Spotlight-Gentle Fawn

I am really pleased with the GF pieces that came in during the month of April and super excited about the new GF arrivals I received yesterday!

What started out as an afternoon of innocent thrift shopping turned into a brand new clothing line – and changed the lives of designer Daniel and Carla Hogg. Gentle Fawn is a dynamic and imaginative line of clothing that speaks for people who follow their own paths in life. Our style is clean and modern, with details that give each piece of clothing distinctiveness. Our design reflects a strong sense of fashionable edge, but never neglects the bit of charm that sets us apart from the rest.

The pieces on average range from $60-$80. I'll take pictures of the new items this weekend and get them up on the site so stay tuned......

New Discovery-Roberta Oaks

Dedicated to supporting ethical practices and a sustainable economy and planet, Roberta Oaks, Hawaii is a brand with conscience. Eco-fabrics like bamboo jersey and organic cotton are mixed with bold prints in funky colors. With strong beliefs in supporting small businesses and a sustainable local and domestic economy, the island label is made locally in Honolulu. Striving to give you gals a unique and fashionable alternative to the mainstream market, the clothes are made to be cute, sexy, sassy, oh-so-comfy, and ethical!
Made in Hawaii, this chic and whimsical, yet classy and ultra-wearable line is the brainchild of photographer and collage artist turned self-taught fashion designer, Roberta Oaks Power. A Missouri native and country-girl at heart, Oaks’ artistic roots are dated to her farmhouse childhood and creative parents.

Check out these two dresses on my site, they normally retail for $160+ but we got a great deal on them and we're passing that savings on to you!

http://www.shopclotheshound.com/index.php/clothes/dresses/roberta-oaks-georgie-dress.html

http://www.shopclotheshound.com/index.php/clothes/dresses/roberta-oaks-martine-dress.html

Hello!

Clothes Hound was started because of a passion for fashion! I've loved playing dress up since I was a little girl and can't forget my senior year of high school nomination for "best dressed" =) I wanted to create a store that was fun to shop, had adorable clothes and was also affordable. Hello recession! Check the blog for up to date fashion advice, coupons, giveaways and so much more. If you have a question, comment, suggestion or fashion tip to pass along to Clothes Hound please do so by emailing me or leaving a comment! I am always excited and eager to help our customers or future customers choose the best products and we would love to hear what you have to say!