Cyber Monday.

Black Friday was so last year. Actually, I can't say I have ever partaken in the mob-infested Friday they call Black. What is so appealing about fighting over a parking spot only to realize the moment you give up on particular aisle of cars that one is pulling out right behind you? Then there are the lines. And the people in these lines can't be totally normal so you have to understand you might run into some early AM tiffs with an angry shopper who just watched you grab the last faux fur vest 50% off. Regardless of the alluring sales, you have to be slightly off your rocker to lug yourself out of your Thanksgiving food coma.

That being said, Cyber Monday is what the cool kids are up to (among the money savers of the holiday shoppers). You not only avoid lines but you can visit as many stores as your little shopaholic heart desires while making deadline. Talk about multitasking!

Get your fix on practically any site through midnight...and hey! I've already done some of the sifting for you!

A slightly alternative twist on the classics, but these comfortable shorties are now 33% off and your next go-to to pair with skinny jeans.

Sperry-Topsider Ladyfish Boot

Get festive in this sequin jacket by Oliver now 50% off! I just bought one from Forever21 for practically the same price. No doubt, this little gem (or bundle of sequins) is higher quality. Do it. It's just a click away!

Oliver Sequin Jacket

Loving the 50% off on this faux fur vest. Hating her stance. It's just awkward.  However, take her advice on the vest and pair it with jeans and a top (and every other outfit you might consider, because it just works!)

Sanctuary Faux Fur Vest

 The best part about CM? You can snag some essential pieces that you can actually wear this holiday season. Unlike those end of summer sales that conveniently occur as we head into fall.

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Bib.

Since when did it become fashionable to wear a necklace that most closely resembles a bib?

More and more often statement necklaces (and were not just talking pops of color) are gracing button down shirts and silk blouses with their presence and what more to do with these large neck skimming blankets of hardware than to wear them? Well, as they say, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Bibs are taking over Madewell and sprinkled with dazzled rhinestones

A bit more space between the red-clad piece, but layered nonetheless

Put this Dannijo on and you get a three for one deal: A collar, a bowtie, and a necklace. 

The look is certainly starting to grow on me as I find myself "BIBnotized" whenever I am in a store. I automatically am drawn to the thickest necklace in the joint. If it's not 3 inches of chained goodness, you can fugetaboutit.

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P.S. Wear it over a fully buttoned-to-the-collar shirt to give your bib the attention it deserves!

Modge-Podge.

A button down tucked into skinny jeans makes for an easy pulled together look. I always like to messily roll up my sleeves in a way that is almost reminiscent of the how I used to sport my Dad's oversized button down he gave me to use as a "smock" for elementary school Art class.

Fotog, M. Berard

These super high wedge booties by Enzo Angiolini are surprisingly really comfortable (this picture doesn't even show how high they really are!). Although when I was getting up throughout the day I felt like I was prepping myself to walk on stilts, once I got situated I pretty much forgot I was 5inches taller!



Shirt, Madewell; Skinnies, Topshop; Bracelets, Madewell & J.Crew; Belt, J.Crew; Clutch, Tory Burch; Wedges, Enzo Angiolini




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TB.

No! Not tuberculosis! Tory Burch! And I went a little crazy at Bloomingdale's the other day when I met Mrs. Robinson...the Robinson collection that is...



Robinson Shoulder Bag

Since they were having their "Friends and Family" promotion, I clearly couldn't stop there and obviously got a matching wallet...

Robinson Double Zip Wallet

While I was in the market for a black bag, I wasn't able to stray from brown! However, this hue puts the outdated "never wear black with brown" clichè to rest once and for all. The two actually go together quite nicely.

On another note, there are a few key pieces that I feel are worth spending a bit more money on. Bags are one of them. I think of it as an investment. You are bound to not only wear it everyday (were talking everyday bags here) but you will use it for more than just a couple of seasons. If you keep good enough care of it, who knows, maybe one day you will be able to pass it down to your kids- and they will thank you for it!

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Veteran.

With patriotic floats, leather jacket clad NYPD, and good spirits ringing throughout the streets of a blocked off 5th Ave, Veteran's Day (also 11.11.11!) is here and to salute our troops check out these military-inspired pieces:

Military Fleece,  Denim & Supply

Cargo Jacket with pyramid studs, Forever21.com

Double Breasted Jacket, Zara

Military-Inspired button down, Top Shop

Cap-toe Leather boot, Steve Madden

as for the accessories.....bullets, bullets, bullets.

Michelle Lane's Military Inspired Spring 2012 Jewelery Collection

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Holy Harem!



(Pants, Urban Outfitters; Bra, Urban Outfitters; Oxford, Equipment; Necklace, Madewell)



Oh, harem pants. What to say, what to say. I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of them, nor can I say I would have foreseen myself writing about them, let alone owning a pair until a little conversation occurred last Thursday night in my Fashion Writing course. What I can attest to is that, no, the conversation wasn't on Harem pants, but more-so the reinvention of belly-baring. Yup, I said it. And while I counted the ways  for when it was A-OK to let midriff show (Halloween, the beach, and tweens, were among the few), I now regress to tweendom and find myself echoing a look seen on the runways and to the likes of popstars.

All honesty, it wasn't the conversation of new-age-belly-baring that hooked me, it was the ability of these billowing trousers to somehow convert a borderline streetwalker dud into an innovatively chic outfit. To my surprise, I subconciously picked up a pair of harem pants and thought, "what the hell?" Tried them on, and the rest is history.

See? You don't need to be Rihanna to pull this off. I think I've inspired myself to step out of my comfort zone a bit. Hope I've done the same for you!

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P.S. Showing your belly button? Don't. Keep that thing underwraps!

MAXImize.

A while back I rounded up five pieces to spice up your wardrobe this fall. One of these picks was a Vince maxi skirt. I am proud to say that I have not only found a less expensive maxi skirt identical to the pricey Vince piece, but it is also one that was spotted at none other than my favorite store, Madewell.

I wanted to make this find a bit more interesting, so I have decided to pull together three fun and different ways to make the most of your maxi this season:

Starting counter-clockwise, here are some style tips on how to MAXImize your maxi. Let's roll:

1. Funky

Turn up the heat by color blocking. Add a bright color in between a black felt hat and maxi. Incorporate a statement necklace for extra detail.

2. Classic

Office appropriate and always a closet essential, the maxi skirt will revamp the pieces you already own. Don't you just love those long sleeved gloves?

3. Comfy and Festive

Wear your maxi with a patterned chunky sweater for a holiday get-together. Accessories such as a faux fur vest and gloves with military detail bring "chic" to the annual "Christmas sweater."



Shop MAXImize by chelsbop
(Beginning with the maxi. From left to right: Hat, H&M; Necklace, Madewell ; Sweater, Free People; Gloves, Shoes, Sweater, Madewell; Scarf, vintage; Vest, MICHAEL Michael Kors; Sweater, J Crew; Gloves, Dents)

 
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We Should All Have One.

A Fashion Assistant.

Here's a little dose of Tuesday technology: Introducing the smartphone app, "My Fashion Style Assistant". Once I get the iPhone, this little gem will save me so much time in the morning and make my rides on the subway a bit more enjoyable as I scroll through my wardrobe to create outfits. Remember when Alicia Silverstone in the movie Clueless had a revolving closet complete with a computer program that helped her pick out her outfit? In 1995, this truly was something I thought was only possible in the far, far future and now low and behold, here it is! Right in the palm of our hands.

How many of us can admit that we are guilty of wearing the same things repeatedly simply because we forget all of the clothes we have? It usually goes like this: You wear a weeks worth of clothes (or three for those of you who hate doing laundry), do your laundry, place them back in the drawer or closet (in turn hiding the other clothes you own), and when it comes time to reach into your closet, you immediately go for the same clothes. It is a vicious cycle!

If I had a carefully organized system visually accessible at my fingertips, I think I would make much better use of all my clothes instead of just the new and beloved ones.

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P.S. New month, new look. BOT is only 2 months old yet it was in need of a mini face lift. It was starting to look a bit washed out. Isn't this banner so much more "bopified"? I think so.