Temperley Sunglasses and Elizabeth Hurley Beach Sale March 17, 2009

A savvy fashionista knows when to snap up a real bargain. A sale that is starting on March 18 at noon is one of them. Cocosa.com offers 52% off selected Temperley sunglasses, including the featured oversized black and gold beauties, and these blue art-deco inspired sunnies which are on our own wish-list.

On top of that there is a sale on Elizabeth Hurley Beach hot bikinis and beachwear. Not only will you look great on and off the sand, but you will have joined beach queens including Liv Tyler, Mariah Carey, and Kate Moss who rely on EHB too.

Stocking Fillers December 15, 2008

With the holidays around the corner and everyone talking about the credit crunch, shopping for gifts needs to be done in a smarter way this year. Figure out your budget, and go for unique things that your special one loves but doesn’t buy for him/herself on a regular basis. Some ideas to get you going:

LaSenza Anthropologie Office

For Girls:
- Show me a girl that doesn’t like getting new undies for a present? Sexy or not depends on your mood and the gal you’re shopping for. La Senza has a special offer 12 pounds for 5 knickers. Stocking all full!
- A funky necklace, spices up every top or bare neck and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check the jewels section at Anthropologie for inspiration. Monsoon has some lovely pieces this season too.
- Sexy heels. Yes, go on and buy her a pair to match her party frock and she’ll dance the night away and think of you. If you get her a lacy pair she’ll be in bliss.

Ted Baker Topman Harrods

For Boys:
- A new fresh T. No guy can have enough of those. Check out Ted Baker if preppy is your guy’s thing, or All Saints if you want to go down the more rock-n-roll road.
- A hat. I love this trilby by Topman. So cool…
- Something to keep him warm but which also looks amazing. Like these silk lined leather gloves from Harrods. This will just spoil him rotten.

Happy holidays!

Front Row Fashion, Beautifully Cut at COCOSA October 20, 2008

Amanda Wakeley Jacket at COCOSA.com

I am happy to invite the readers of the Ivi Varda, go shopping, go personal, to preview the pre-sales of this amazing website called COCOSA, which offers front row fashion, at incredible prices. Designers such as: Mawy, Amanda Wekeley, Matthiew Williamson, Temperley and many more are just a click away at 1/3 of the price one finds in stores and on the internet!

To become a founder member and just for ivi varda readers, COCOSA.com created an exclusive code which is: ivivarda.

This special code is only valid for two weeks to become a founder member, so make sure you sign up quickly! The first sale is in 2 days time, so there isn’t a minute to loose!

I am in love with this timeless and amazing Amanda Wekeley fitted jacket at the fantastic price of 238.0 pounds. Need to dash and start shopping…

A High Waist April 29, 2008

Want to update your office look this spring and summer? Get a couple of basic skirts (skirt left by Anglo Gena, bottom by American Apparel) and trousers (pants by DVF), but make sure that they are high-waisted. Play up your femme fatale side by adding a belt, a crisp white button down shirt and stiletto heels and you’ll be turning heads. Your look will be preppy with a good dose of mischievous.

Happy Spring!

How to wear a dark ivy dress December 9, 2007

I love all earth colors and nothing is more earthy, wintery and screams holidays than dark ivy. Recently I was asked what color goes with a dark ivy dress. The nice thing about dark ivy, is that it is a very easy color, almost like navy blue or black.

 Here are 3 ideas:

- Preppy: pair your dark ivy dress with cream and beige leggings, same beige tone shoes & bag, pearls   and a dark red coat. You’ll be preppy and festive.

- Funky:  pair it with a jewel magenda cardigan, nude fishnet tights, brass or tan lace up boots and bag, gold thin hoops & bangles. A nice cocktail ring with magenda and green stones will wrap the whole outfit together.

- Evening: Treat it like you would treat your little black dress, but with a twist. Black opaque tights, patent black shoes, and a black feathered boa, will bring out the dark ivy color, make you look all dressed up, but in fun way. Choose silver and sparkly accessories and evening bag. You’ll rock!

Emerald Greens December 6, 2007

Every fashionista will tell you that jewel colors are perfect for evening. My favorite one is emerald green. This jewel color is perfect for every complexion, as one can find a wide spectrum of the emerald green palette. It is fun and happy. The best thing is that it is quite versatile and you can wear it in the summer too – provided that the fabric is light, like silk, such as the ones featured here.

The Liz Clairborne dress suits everyone. It is fun but not risqué, pretty and flirty. Wear it with black opaque tights and silver peep toes to all your holiday parties and with pretty high heeled sandals in the summer.

If you’re after a more sexy party look, choose a frock like this Jay Godfrey number: the deep emerald/turquoise shade, one shoulder design and floaty texture will feel like the summer breeze in the middle of winter. Same like the Clairborne dress, it can double for winter as well as for summer fiestas and parties.

For those who would like to try before committing, you can choose something like this Anthropology dress, which is black, but has this lovely emerald sash. It will certainly wet your appetite for more!

Wear a sweater honey! November 17, 2007

Design History Ellie Tahari Inhabit

That was my mother’s usual advise for winter, every winter for as long as I can remember.
‘Wear a sweater honey‘! Ugh! I did not want to wear one, because when I was growing up (that is the 70s and 80s), everything was itchy, oversize, or bulky and I did not do either of these things very well.

But now, things are and look so different sweater-wise. I get so excited when the weather lady forecasts temperatures in the 40s and 30s, because I have a good excuse to put on all those new sweaters. Sweaters now can be layered over a dress, paired with skirts or pants, and they are comfy, toasty, stylish and never itchy!

Here are three possibilities with suggestions to create 3 different outfits:

1. Design History sweater: pair it with a rich brown colored skirt and knee high brown boots for the office. Adding gold accessories will pull the look together.

2. Ellie Tahari sweater: The defined waist will allow you to pair it with a bubbly skirt, preferably in inky black in a nice rich fabric, black opaque tights. Maroon flats, a scarf, silver hoops and a chunky silver bracelet makes the whole outfit erfect for a date night!

3. Inhabit sweater:I love this for the weekend, with bright colored jeans either in an electric blue or dark red hue, a solid white tee, black boots worn over the jeans and presto: you’re ready for brunch and for shopping in Soho afterwards.

Stay warm!

Shorts Rule June 1, 2007

Habitual Shorts in denim

Shorts rule every summer and this year they are hotter than ever. Not only did shorts rule the 2007 spring-summer catwalks, but also I am seeing more & more people than usual wearing them on the streets of NY as the temperatures keep rising.

Wearing shorts in a smart way can be tricky, especially if you’re adapting the look into your everyday urban wear. To look chic and trendy in shorts circa 2007:
- Pair them with a cardigan and flats for a casual/preppy look
- Wear them with a froathy top and sandals for evening
- Wear them with sneakers and a military style jacket for a funkier look
- Long and sleek shorts can be worn to the office if paired with nice pumps and a fancier jacket.

Length is important to make the look chic. Leave the shorter lengths for the younger crowd with killer legs and adopt a longer style if you are not 25 and your legs don’t resemble Naomi’s (or close). Also: the shorter the shorts the looser the fit. You can get a more figure hugging number if the length is at or below the knee.

Shorts that you should NEVER wear:
1. SPANDEX! Don’t laugh please. I am still seeing those and I can’t understand why people, who are clearly not part of a cycling team, wear them out in public. Spandex people: Do us a favor and know that these shorts are unflattering, unsophisticated and a bad choice.

2. Short khakis – polo shirt – socks and sneakers combo. Enough already! It is just not done anymore and we’re done too.

These are my shorts tips folks, with all my love,
Your Style Advisor

The light summer jacket May 20, 2007

Jacket Marc by Marc Jacobs at Neiman Marcus

The new summer jacket is light, but it should never be taken lightly. It can get you a long way: pair it with shorts for an instant glam up of your favorite pair of shorts or jeans, or wear it with a cute summer dress when it is a bit chilly or when you want to wear your dress to the office and you want some cover up.

No matter how you choose to wear it, a summer jacket is one of the essential items in a wardrobe. Choose a nice cropped one to make your wardrobe current and pick a nice neutral color so you can pair it with many different things and create numerous outfits. I particularly like this beige Marc by Marc Jacobs one featured above, but there are choices out there for every girl and every budget.

If you can’t decide which neutral to get, I would advise to go either black or white; always smart, always glamorous and perfect for summer.

Vintage Jewelry: that’s different decorative arts April 30, 2007

50s fashion is in and will always be, so collecting some cool, silver vintage jewelry is the best way to look cool, edgy and unique.

Check out some mid twentieth century Scandinavian silver offered at That’s different Decorative Arts.

When you pick the piece you like, just email them for the price and information on the designer, company, period or even the exact year. And I left the best part for last: they change wholesale prices. Can’t get better than that!

I am loving the brooch featured above.