The Difference Between Panama and Fedora Hats July 2nd, 2010 By

I love the fact that hats are so in!  It’s the easiest and most chic way to protect your face from the sun, slyly avoid a bad hair day, and accessorize any outfit.  This season try a Panama or fedora hat as your summer accessory.  They are the go-to topper that can take you from the beach to lounging at a club.  Here are some celebs sporting the look this summer:

Stacy Keibler in a fedora while on the beach in Mexico

Hilary Duff in fitted fedora in NYC

A quick look at tradition: 

What makes a true Panama hat?  Panama Hat: (noun) A natural-colored, hand-plaited hat made from leaves of the jipijapa plant of South and Central America.

What characterizes a fedora? Fedora: (noun) A man’s soft, felt hat with the crown creased lengthwise and a somewhat curved brim. Origin: France, after Fédora(1882), a play by Sardou – the hat style was worn by one of the characters. 

Hats today:

In 2010 however, there are a million styles of these hats.  This classic J. Crew Panama Hat is my favorite.  It reminds me of the 1920s and The Great Gatsby. I can only be so grateful that fashion reinvents itself, and this once strictly-menswear hat is now perfectly acceptable atop my little head with my favorite black string bikini.  

 
 

J.Crew Panama Hat

 

But I couldn’t pass up this super-affordable (it’s on sale!) and oh-so-sweet fedora style from American Eagle Outfitters. With a white tee and a pair of cuffed boyfriend jeans, this is perfect for every day.  Will you be sporting one this summer?

Natural Fedora with Ribbon by American Eagle Outfitters

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The Jewel Box: Max & Chloe June 7th, 2010 By

I was recently searching for jewelry on beso when I came across some colorful pieces from New York retailer Max & Chloe.  They have an amazing selection of pendant necklaces and leather bracelets that are great for layering.  I tend to flock toward gold in the summer, and these designs feel fresh and young. 

Many of these pieces have meaning – bringing peace, love, protection, or even healing to its wearer.  While it may be simple superstition, I think we could all use a little help bringing positive energies into our busy and often hectic lives.  Here are some of my favorites:

1. This initial necklaceis a fun way to personalize your look.  Get your own initial, or even wear the initial of a loved one. The blue topaz bead brings a pop of color, which is very complementary with the gold tone.

 

2. Ever heard of jewelry with healing powers?  The three semiprecious hematite beads on this necklace are said to bring intuition and healing to the wearer.  There are also versions for true love, self-esteem, prosperity and hope, and patience and virtue. Plus, these necklaces are just too pretty to pass up (also makes for a wonderful gift).

Bee charming Intuition and Healing Inspiration Necklace

 

3. This thin leather bracelet with the evil eye charm is from Ettika. The line has so many adorable options it was hard for me to choose my favorite, but I went for the evil eye to ward off evil and to protect. 

4. This beaded bracelet also caught my eye.  The peace sign is simple, chic and current.

5. Max & Chloe also sells astrological sign pendant bracelets from Ettika. This one is inscribed with “Leo” and the dates ”July 23- August 23.”  I love the rough-edged gold pendent with the etching, as it gives a very organic feel to the piece.

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Monthly Inspiration: April 2010 April 1st, 2010 By

We’re gearing up for an exciting month at beso.  First, I’m very happy to share some wonderful news with you!  We’ve brought on Emily Schuman, writer of the award-winning blog Cupcakes and Cashmere.  As our new Style Director, Emily will be sharing her top style picks on beso and heading up our Shower April with Colors contest!

Emily has already told us her favorite stores and brands — have you marked your favorites yet?  Click here to tell us your favorites and start shopping!

Now, about that contest…

This is truly one of my favorite contests we’ve launched since beso‘s inception.  To enter, just tell us what color Hunter Boot reflects your sense of style and why.  Emily will be reading each story and hand-selecting the winners.  Six winners total — one for each color boot!

Shower April with Colors Contest

Enter the Shower April with Colors Contest

How do you beso lucky?  With beso.com!

Happy shopping,

Mara

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Shoe Cravings: Mega-High Heels March 2nd, 2010 By

Who doesn’t love mega-high heels? They may not be as comfortable or easy to walk in (and most of us aren’t as graceful as Heidi Klum), but you’ll definitely look and feel sexy in these seriously hot shoes.

All over the runways, mega-high heels are stealing the show. We’re seeing metallics, snakeskin, neutrals, see-through, animal prints and feather-trimmed. From pumps to sandals, peep toe boots, to my favorite – the hidden platform, the higher the better. Wear these killer heels with a sophisticated suit, pencil skirt or cocktail dress, and you’ll turn heads all over town. Here are a few pair of really special mega-high heels:

1. Casadei Double Platform Pump, $675 at National Jean Company

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Casadei Double Platform Pump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Stuart Weitzman “Airforce” Studded High Heel Sandals, $425 at Bloomingdale’s

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Stuart Weitzman "Airforce" Studded High Heel Sandals

3. Christian Louboutin Strappy Platform Bootie, $995.00 at Neiman Marcus

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Christian Louboutin Strappy Platform Bootie

4. Jessica Simpson Taneala Pumps, $89.00 at Jessica Simpson Collection

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Jessica Simpson Taneala Pumps

5. Jimmy Choo ‘Clue’ Glitter Slingback Pump, $650.00 at Nordstrom

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Jimmy Choo 'Clue' Glitter Slingback Pump

6. Kors Michael Kors Flora Pump, Tiger, $260.00 at Neiman Marcus

Kors Michael Kors Flora Pump, Tiger

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Retail News: Free Shipping Day is Today! December 17th, 2009 By

free shipping day

If you haven’t heard already, the second annual Free Shipping Day (organized by freeshipping.org) is happening today, Thursday, December 17, 2009.  This is an online event where over 550 retailers will be offering free shipping deals, for delivery by Christmas Eve.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Go to freeshippingday.com and look at the list of participating stores.
  2. Offers will be revealed at midnight (EST)/9PM (PST) on December 17 at freeshippingday.com.
  3. Then, shop all of those stores on beso, all at once!  To do this (and make your life MUCH easier) learn how to create personalized searches on beso now.

Happy shopping!

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beso Giving: Our Holiday Shopping Guides Are Here! November 27th, 2009 By

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Stocking Stuffers Gifts under $50

Luxury Gifts Gifts under $100

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Editor’s Picks: My Favorites at beso November 9th, 2009 By

New to beso?  It’s perfectly understandable that you’d be a little overwhelmed, so I’m dedicating this feature not only to my favorites, but also to helping you find your own!

Love jeans from Urban Outfitters?  I do, too.  I think they have an awesome selection for men and women, and they’re always at the tip of the trends with various price points.  You can select Urban Outfitters from the list of stores in our Store Directory, and beso will save them for you!  Still not sure if you’re going to get those Blank skinny jeans?  You can click Add to Favorites at the bottom of the page to store for later.

Blank Classic Skinny Jeans from Urban Outfitters, $78

Blank Classic Skinny Jeans from Urban Outfitters, $78

Remember, you can choose to favorite any store, brand, or product your heart desires!  Just click the favoritedwhenever you want to save something for later!

One of my obsessions has always been Diptyque candles.  They’re hand poured and made in France, and have always been my no-apologies splurge.  I remember when I was a girl and my mother would buy a crate of these at a time when in Paris because they were so hard to find in the states.  Now with big stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stocking them, as well as other online retailers, I never have to worry about finding the perfect hostess gift the way my mother did.  Their candles are scented with only the finest oils, and with French fragrances like Baies, Mimosa, Gardenia, and Roses, what’s not to love?  They’re one of my favorites by far.

Baies Diptique Candle

Baies Diptique Candle

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Monthly Inspiration: November 2009 November 2nd, 2009 By

I received word this morning that Loveland, Colorado, had its first snow last night.  The depth measured 14″, and there were talks of cancelling school if it didn’t stop soon.  Looking out my own window, it was a cool but sunny 64° in Los Angeles — and it was only 7:30 a.m.  Work was definitely not getting cancelled.  I slid on my flip flops (against my East Cost upbringing) and hurried out the door.

Remember when you were a kid and your mom took you shopping and told you that you could buy whatever you wanted?  What you wanted was a hypercolor t-shirt, but none of the stores had any because it was November on the East Coast.  I wish I could transport back in time to when I was 7 and tell my mom that it didn’t matter if the store didn’t have any hypercolor t-shirts.  What she needed to do was go on beso.com to order one online.

Now, beso doesn’t have any hypercolor t-shirts because the original manufacturer has long since filed for bankruptcy.  But what we do have is a goldmine of the best  prices for brands and stores, in order to prevent you from going bankrupt, too.  This month, our experts will be sharing with you all of the greatest deals on clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, and more.  New to the blog is our Nesting Spot section, where we will be commenting on home-related furniture and decor.  We will also be debuting our much-awaited Get Cooking feature, where everything kitchen-related will be tried, tested, and reviewed to the core.  This November you can expect tips for the perfect Harvest Table and other Thanksgiving-themed posts.

Be sure to check back daily for our other regular features.  Every Monday, we will be deconstructing some of the hottest outfits in Get This Look, and our editors will have scoured the web for their Editor’s Picks.  Finally, in the next few days, we will be announcing the winner of our beso Lucky Sweepstakes, where one lucky facebook fan will win a fabulous designer bag!

How do you beso lucky?  With beso.com!

Happy shopping,

Mara

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Best Places for Men to Shop… If You Live Near Them September 22nd, 2009 By

Flyover Country

GQ magazine is a fine arbiter of style, but never let it be said that they don’t enjoy a fair bit of snobbery from time to time.  They have a fantastic little graphic slideshow of the best men’s shopping in the country.  Hot spots for retro fashions and modern street wear in 25 super-awesome cities across this great land of ours.

If you happen to live in Miami, great.  Check out Base for chic beach gear.  If you’re in Boston, don’t miss the vintage pleasures of Bobby from Boston, which was even used to outfit characters in A Beautiful Mind.  Presumably this means a great deal of tweed.  Or check out the $5K leather jackets at Jil Sander in Chicago (if you ask me, their featured model is a little Minority Report-creepy though).

But if you happen to live in any small town gems like Sandpoint, Idaho or Black Mountain, North Carolina, you’re apparently plum out of luck. There’s no shopping to do there, as far as GQ would tell it.  Well, I suppose there’s a Woolworth’s or a Walmart down at the end of Main Street, if you’d like to direct the horse-drawn buggy down thataways.

In our view, that’s really why God (or this guy) invented the Internet.  To give everybody the chance to buy the stylish brands that we all blow our paychecks on in this here big city.  You can even do it really well at places like beso – that cool little site named after our little blog.

Playful poking of big city fashion snobs and small towners aside, make sure to check out GQ’s interactive view of city shopping.  It really is pretty cool.  If nothing else, it may give you some ideas of where to move. For me, I think I’m moving to Portland to check out the men’s denim at Nolita.

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