Look for Less: J.Crew Window Shopping

We're starting a new regular post where we'll be featuring some of the mannequins we spot and recreate their looks for less. The other day I spotted this adorable outfit on a J.Crew mannequin and loved how they mixed textures and really dressed down this tweed skirt with a chambray shirt. I probably wouldn't have thought about mixing the two, but they definitely make it work. The skirt was about $130, so we went ahead and recreated a more affordable version all under $60 bucks. Here's where you can get this look for less:

Where to Buy:
Chambray Shirt, Aeropostale, $12
Tweed Skirt, Ann Taylor Loft, $24
Black Belt, Forever 21, $5
Crystal Necklace, Charlotte Russe, $10

Tip: For a more daring mix and matching, try pairing this chambray shirt with a sequined skirt.
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Cyber Monday Deals!

Target.com – Spend $50, Get free shipping on select items; online exclusive sale
Kohl’s- Free Shipping on Orders $75 or more
Nordstrom.com- Free standard shipping on your $200 order
Bloomingdale’s- $25 off almost every $200 plus Big Brown Sale: Save 20-40%; Free Shipping on order over $100
Smashbox- Get 20% off every order
Endless.com- Save $30 off orders of $100 or more, $60 off $200, or $100 off $300
Macys.com- Specials + Free Shipping Sitewide with $75 purchase
Kate Spade- Additional 25% off sale items
DSW- Take 25% off your purchase + Free shipping on $35 or more orders
Charlotte Russe- Save 25-50% off everything
Urban Outfitters- Free shipping on orders over $75
Piperlime- Save 20% off your entire purchase
BeyondtheRack.com- Discount designer brand events
Rachel Roy- $50 off $150 or more + Free shipping on Everything
Aldo- Extra 30% off all reduced footwear and handbags
Tory Burch- Free tote with purchase of $150; Free shipping on orders of $250 or more
DELiAs.com- Spend $75 and get a $25 Rising Star Dollars Coupon
JCPenney- Free shipping on orders over $25
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VFB's Closet: What I wore for Thanksgiving Dinner







Happy Monday everyone! For those of you that celebrated Thanksgiving, hope you had a great weekend and ate lots of delicious food. Here are some pics I took a couple of weeks back during a photo shoot with a friend of mine. I actually ended up wearing this same outfit for Thanksgiving dinner too (with the exception that I added some brown socks from J.Crew that I scored for $4). We took some pictures in my friend's apartment lobby...isn't it cute BTW (I love this orange chair). We took some more pictures in her lobby with different outfits and I'll be sharing those with you next week. What I love about this outfit is that the entire look from head to toe is just under $70.

In my closet:
Blouse-Kmart, $9 (bought one year ago and first blogged about it here when Olivia Palermo was also spotted wearing this same blouse)
Houndstooth shorts-Forever 21, $19
Boots- c/0 Kohl's, $34




Photos: Amanda Rich
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Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? I'm thankful for having such amazing readers like yourself. You really are my motivation for blogging every day.

xoxo,

Carmen
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What are you wearing this Thanksgiving?


Here's a peak of what I'll be wearing today. I love the flowiness of this top, which will definitely come in handy with all the eating I'm expecting to do today-lol. I was a bit bummed though, because yesterday, after a doctor's visit, I found out that I'm allergic to nuts (I had never been allergic to anything in my life, but 2 weeks ago I had a really bad allergic reaction to Macadamia nuts and broke out in hives). So unfortunately, I can never eat nuts again...there goes eating that pecan pie. Anywho, I guess it could have been worst-right? I could have been allergic to Pizza, which I love--hehe. Oh, and in case your wondering I bought this top at Kmart about a year ago for get this, $9 bucks!! I first spotted it on Olivia Palermo and blogged about it here.
What will you be wearing today?
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Steal her Look: Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl was spotted grabbing some lunch in L.A. wearing a pair of Marc Allison's "Michi" jeans paired with a vkoo evergreen cashmere sweater. Here's where you can steal her look for less:

Where to Buy:
Heritage Cable-Knit Sweater, Eddie Bauer, $39
Yellow Shirt, Old Navy, $10.99
Bamboo Skinny Jeans, The Outnet, $82 (originally $235)
Kobbee Flats, Steve Madden, $47
Style & Co. Handbag, Macy's, $39
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My Finds: Faux Leather Jackets and Sweaters at Target



Yesterday, I popped into Target (my hubby needed me to buy him some deodorant-lol) but before doing so I made a little pit stop to check out some of the clothes, of course. I was really impressed with these faux leather jackets I spotted. The leather was so soft, it might..just might even pass for the real deal. Best of all they were only $35. I also checked out these printed sweaters, which were only $25. What do you think of these finds? I might make a little trip back, to snatch up one of the jackets.





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Sale Alert: Tory Burch on Rue La La

Tory Burch is having a sale on Rue La La starting today on apparel, shoes and handbags. Check out these booties we spotted for just $139. The sale ends Thursday 11/25, but I'm sure things are gonna go quick so you better hurry.

*Click here to get my personal invite, if you're not already a member*
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VFB's Closet: Family Time




This weekend I got to spend some time with my adorable grandma, which I hadn't seen in almost 3 years. She came to visit from Colombia and yesterday we took a little trip to a couple of plant nurseries looking for some plants to add to my mom's garden. Here's an outfit I put together which includes an MNG by Mango top I also wore here and a Forever 21 skirt I got for under $15. I had been wanting a navy skirt for a while now and this was a perfect affordable and comfortable option (I love that it has pockets). Hope you had a great weekend.





In my closet:
Top: c/o MNG by Mango via JCPenney
Skirt: Forever 21
Belt: Forever 21
Shoes: c/o Kohl's
Purse: Scored at a swamping party

My adorable grandma
(I had to tell her to take her mind out of the gutter with this eggplant-lol)

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Where'd She Get It: Kim's Top



One of our readers asks: "Do you know where Kim got this top?"

VFB: Kim is seen here wearing a Testament Asher Stripe Top. It's sold out online, but here's a link where you can find similar tops from Testament.
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Reader Request: Knit Boots

My co-worker's wife has been searching for a pair of knit boots, but hasn't had much luck. So today I decided to do a little digging to see what I could find. In case you're searching for a pair of knit boots as well, here are a couple of different options I found all under $150.

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Steal her Look: Emma Watson


Emma Watson looked adorable as always wearing this plaid top paired with oversized sweater and black skinny jeans. Here's where you can steal her look for less:

Where to Buy:
Brandy & Melville Grey Sweater, Revolve Clothing, $55
Grey Plaid Top, Old Navy, $15
Black Skinny Jeans, Charlotte Russe, $29
Black Flats, Forever 21, $16
La Diva The Bohemian Studed Tote, Ebags, $34.99
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Ebay Find of the Week: Alexander Wang Asymmetric Dress

Check out today's Ebay find of the week...this Alexander Wang Asymmetric Dress has been spotted on celebs such as Blake Lively and Khloe Kardashian. It's up for bids on ebay and is currently going for $46 with 2 days left (ending November 19th 9:50PST). So you better hurry if you want to make a bid.

Alexander Wang Asymmetric Dress, ebay
Condition: New without tags
Size: 2


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Get Party Ready with H&M: Holiday Picks


It's crazy to think the holidays are just around the corner. I mean, next week it's already Thanksgiving!! In case you've already started wondering what am I going to wear...here are some picks from Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M head of design. One of her top picks includes this tailcoat for women. "Tailcoats can be worn with a long skirt and a lingerie-inspired top," says Johansson. "Or over a feminine dress." Another tip for getting the ultimate party look according to Johansson is hair accessories. "I love the sequin and feather accessories, and there's also a lot of beautiful jewelry." What do you think of the rest of her picks? I'm loving the hair pieces and that sexy red dress.
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Giveaway: $100 Shopbop Gift Card


**Contest is now closed** Congratulations to Cestmojiv on winning the giveaway! Thanks again to all that entered and stay tuned for more giveaways coming up next week.
Just in time for the holidays we've partnered up with Shopbop.com to give one lucky reader the chance to win a $100 gift card. Whether you're looking for the perfect holiday outfit or looking to get some holiday shopping done, this gift card will definitely come in handy. Shopbop carries everything from designer clothing, bags, shoes, designer belts, to designer accessories such as nixon watches and freelook watches. They also have some really great Shopbop sales too.

To Enter:
Simply leave a comment below letting us know why you want this gift card. You can also double your chances of winning by following us on Twitter and tweeting "I want to win the $100 shopbop giftcard giveaway from @vivafashion."
Please note you have 42 hours to claim your prize. Winner is randomly selected using Random.org.
Contest ends on Friday, November 26th at 12pm (EST).

Good Luck!
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Long Skirts: Under $100


Long skirts are the perfect transition piece from summer to fall. Here are a couple ways two of our favorite fashion bloggers (Cupcakes and Cashmere and Saucy Glossie) style their skirts. Plus see below of couple of options all under $100.


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Steal her Look: Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller was spotted traveling in style at Heathrow airport wearing this tan cardigan, denim skinny jeans and black ballet flats. Here's where you can steal her look for less:

Where to Buy:
Fringe Cardigan, Rachel Roy, $51 (on sale, originally $129)
White Button-Down Top, Forever 21, $19.80
BDG Ankle Skinny Boot, Urban Outfitters, $24
Rollable Ballet Flats, Target, $9.99
Obi Belt, The Limited, $20 (another option)
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VFB's Closet: I ran my first 5K



So yesterday I ran my first 5K….it was sooo much fun. I was pretty happy with my time too (ran it in 33 minutes). I never knew how much fun races could be. So much so, that the hubby already signed us up for 3 more 5k’s. The weather was perfect …it was around 70 degrees and the view was amazing (the race was in Fort Lauderdale and had a gorgeous view of the beach).

Me eating some pancakes after the race.
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Beauty: Sparkling Spa Honey Scrub


You know those days when you just feel like being home and doing absolutely nothing. Well today has definitely been one of those days, aside from just lounging around my house I've been all about doing some much needed at home pampering. Here is a recipe for a home-made facial scrub that I did today (it's from a book I received called Return to Beauty). The recipe calls for 3 ingredients and left my skin feeling nice and moist. This scrub is perfect for the cold winter months when your skin is feeling dry and dehydrated. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon mineral water

Preparation: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and honey. Add the mineral water and mix well.

Application: Using your fingers, gently scrub your face with this for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. You can use this scrub in the shower. (I chose to use it in the shower since it can get kinda messy with the honey).



*Be sure you are not allergic to any of these ingredients before using. Also before using on your face, dab a small amount on your wrist to check for any adverse reactions*


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Look for Less: Lo Bosworth's Bootie Wedges


Lo Bosworth was spotted wearing these tan wedges while dining at Katsuya. Here's a similar look for less from Forever 21 for just $32.


Where to buy:
Wedge Booties, Forever 21, $32.80
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Mulberry for Target Second Go Around- November 14th



Did you manage to snag a Mulberry for Target bag when it first launched last month? Well not to worry, Target is having a second-go around on select styles of the Mulberry for Target collection. It's hitting stores nationwide and online on Sunday, November 14th and prices range from $14.99 to $49.99. So make sure you don't miss it this time. Now if only Target could do this with the Cynthia Vincent for Target collection...sigh!


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Convertible Dress



Check out this dress my friend Kara was wearing the other day. It can be converted into 6 different styles and it's even reversible. Here are a couple of pics I took of her wearing it as a cowl neck, off-the-shoulder and even hooded a lá Lady Gaga. It comes in 3 different color combinations black/blue, olive/yellow and grey/white. I thought it was pretty cool...what do you think?

Where to Buy:
Convertible Dress, Soma,
$62 (for the blue/black combination) and $37 for the rest
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Steal her Look: Olivia Palermo


Olivia Palermo was spotted at a screening of The Social Network wearing this black ensemble. Love how she mixed this lace top with a black leather ruffle skirt. Here's where you can steal her look for less:

Where to Buy:
DKNY Lace Top, Macy's, $59
Black Leatherette Skirt, Forever 21, $17.80
Bangle Set, Charlotte Russe, $4
Bergo Heels, Aldo, $110
J. Furmanti Clutch, Ebags, $24
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How to Wear LBD 2 Ways



If there’s one piece of clothing that every girl should have in her wardrobe it’s definitely the LBD. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been saved by my little black dress when I’ve been pressed for time and can’t figure out what to wear. That’s why I was very excited when I was approached by the folks at Yummie Tummie to show how I would style one of their little black dresses. I chose to show how I would style an outfit that can easily take me from work to night with just a switch of accessories and shoes and had my friend Amanda take these pics.



Work
So for my first outfit I decided to pair the LBD with some of the trends we’re seeing this fall. I went with this military jacket that I’ve actually owned for more than 4 years now. I bought it for a trip I was taking to San Fran and luckily for me the military trend is back. I finished the look with a pair of Steve Madden leopard pumps (another big trend we’re seeing this fall). The dress has a built-in shapewear so it helps to hold things in place.



What I’m wearing:
Dress: c/o Ella Rae Long Sleeve Dress
Shoes: Steve Madden Leopard Pumps
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Jacket: Papaya Jacket



Night Out in the Town
So for my night out in the town outfit I decided to keep it simple, but yet make it pop with some color (as you can see with my pink peep-toe ankle boots).When wearing black, I definitely think it’s important to add color, whether it’s with shoes or a colorful statement necklace. I finished my look with this long pearl necklace.


What I’m wearing:
Dress: Ella Rae Long Sleeve Dress
Shoes: Shoe Dazzle
Necklace: Forever 21


What do you think of the looks? Also let me know how would you pair this LBD?


*This post is part of a series of sponsored by Yummie Tummie
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5 Tweed Jackets Under $50



Pictures of grandma hitting up the country club might come to mind when you think of tweed jackets, but one look at celebs such as Zoe Saldana, Whitney Port and Rachel Zoe and you can see that this is definitely not the case. Tweed jackets are not only chic, but they can even be edgy, such is the case with Rachel Zoe who paired hers with some over-the-knee suede boots. You can even pair it with some jeans and a tank for a more casual look. Here are 5 tweed jackets that won't break bank.
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