GIVEAWAY: CHICKDOWNTOWN'S TOLANI SCARF

One of my favorite online shopping destinations, Chickdowntown.com, has partnered with StyleChile to giveaway one of this year's most fashionable accessories, the modern vintage scarf.

Chickdowntown doesn't just sell scarves, natch. Their selection of designer clothing and accessories includes the likes of Catherine Malandrino, Alice + Olivia, Marc Jacobs, Elizabeth James, Diane von Furstenberg and the list goes on ad infinitum. Speaking of DVF, check out these Diane von Furstenberg dresses. Chickdowntown's collection includes DVF's signature knit jersey wrap dresses and styles that are more reflective of Ms. von Furstenberg's journey from princess to an international captain of industry.

One lucky reader will be selected to win the hand-woven Lakshmi Brown Scarf by Tolani featured above. Want one? Send an e-mail to stylechil@gmail.com, subject line: StyleChile + Chickdowntown Giveaway, and let me know the title of any of my previous posts which include the word "scarf" or "scarves". Good luck!

TECH CHIC: LAUREN MERKIN

Form meets function! This one is a quickie, as the item is no longer available.  I came across a picture of Lauren Merkin's "Abby" scallop laptop bag and had to share.

The bag looks more like an oversize clutch than a laptop sleeve.  Sold for $225, it was available on shopbop.com and Lauren Merkin's website.  Dimensions: 10"H x 14"L x 2"D. Take a look at the other colors (plus black patent leather).  Hopefully Mrs. Merkin will bring these back soon.  Click on the link below for vintage Tech Chic posts!

BROOKLYN FLEA

My love affair with Brooklyn continues . . . I spent a lazy Sunday in BK this past weekend. After brunching with friends at iCi in Fort Greene, I walked with my best friend and sister-in-law to check out the oft discussed Brooklyn Flea.

Pink tiered dress from Papushka. Right: love the dress, but I neglected to get the name of the shop.

Founded in Spring of 2008, by none other than prolific Brooklyn Blogger, of Brownstowner.com fame, Jonathan Butler, and his friend Eric Demby, the Flea is an ideal weekend activity for all ages. It is more than a foodie's dream and a music lover's delight, it is also a vintage fashion lover's Shangri La!

Art Deco glass and crystal jewelry from the '20s, '30s and '40s, prices range from $5 to $300. Treasures and Pleasures Estate Jewelry, Vintage Purses and Silver (212.750.1929). Tell them I sent 'ya!

The flea market is open on weekends and is currently located in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass for the uninitiated) until the weather picks up. Starting April 18, Brooklyn Flea returns to the outdoor space at Bishop Loughlin High School on Saturdays and will remain in DUMBO on Sundays. For more information on Brooklyn Flea, including photos, vendor lists, blog and more, click here.

My sister-in-law looks for vintage fashions . . .

The New York Times is single handedly trying to ensure that the Brooklyn Flea gets the recognition it deserves. Check out the New York Times features here and here and here and I particularly like this piece by New York Times fashion writer Guy Trebay. For more press on Brooklyn Flea, click here and here.

DUMBO Winter Pop-Up Flea

76 Front Street/81 Front Street

Brooklyn, New York

Fort Greene Outdoor Flea

Bishop Loughlin H.S.

Lafayette Ave. b/t Clermont and Vanderbilt Aves.

Brooklyn, New York

Update: Heading to the Flea? Be sure to visit Treasures and Pleasures and mention StyleChile for discounts!

PRODUCT REVIEW: BATH & BODY WORKS AROMATHERAPY ENERGY MANDARIN LIME SUGAR SCRUB

Bath & Body Works has launched a few new products and, luckily, they've sent me a couple to test out. First up, the refreshing Mandarin Lime Sugar Scrub, with the ever so appropriate name: Energy. I loved this product! I'm a sucker for any product with brown sugar* and the smell was, well, orgasmic . . . the experience was kinda' like those Herbal Essences shampoo commercials. All kidding aside, after showering, the entire house smelled like sweet mandarin limeade and I smelled like it too--for a good while. I haven't been to a spa in several months, but after massaging a bit of this onto my skin, I couldn't shake that smooth, just-out-of-SpaV feeling. And, now for the bad news. In addition to sugar, this eco-friendly product is made with a blend of sunflower, safflower, sweet almond and jojoba oils. How is this bad, you ask. Well, the blend of natural oils is all good, but it leaves you super oily. The good news is that you will not have to apply a lot of lotion, as the residual oil from the scrub is sufficient to moisturize the driest of skins. But still, it's best to use the scrub before you lather up with soap. . . Buy Bath & Body Work's Mandarin Lime Energy Sugar Scrub here. It's $16 a pop, but buy 2 and pay only $20. Pros: A delicious fragrance that perfumes your body as well as your abode. If you're not a morning person, try this scrub in the a.m., it's called "Energy" for a reason! Great moisturizer and efficient exfoliator. Cons: Oily, oily and oily, but extra moisture wont hurt, especially in winter. * P.S. - I don't fancy myself a beauty expert, but I know what I like and what makes me feel and look good. This scrub reminded me of one of my favorite beauty tricks. For smooth, soft lips, mix a bit of honey with brown sugar and gently massage. It tastes and smells yummy and will leave your lips supple and pucker ready.

STOPWATCH

Chronographs are timepieces with both timekeeping and stopwatch functions. Produced as early as the 18th century, but not gaining popularity until the 1820s, chronographs are once again enjoying a resurgence at the forefront of fashionable accessories.

1- Forever 21's jeweled watch in yellow, $8.50; 2-Fossil chronograph champagne dial, $115; 3-Swatch men's watches suiw400-ww, on Amazon $96.56; 4-Michael Kors women's chronograph at Macy's $225; 5- gold-tone chronograph watch with crystal accents, BCBG $225; 6- Vintage Omega speedmaster professional "Moonlanding" watch, £1,695 on Asos.

These watches are not for the Wallflower. The commanding size begs to be noticed. Colored chronographs will be fun for Spring and Summer, but I'm particularly keen on the Michael Kors mens chronograph in gold and have been wearing one since I had to replace my Swatch version of same.

Click on the label for vintage Style Trends posts!

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON + H&M

The latest high-low synergy is brought to us by British color connoisseur Matthew Williamson and the reasonably priced Swedish label, H&M. The Williamson for H&M women's line will hit 200 stores in the US and abroad on April 23rd.

Another line including both men's and women's fashions will become available on May 14th. Prices range from $49 for shorts to $340 for a ruffle gown. Read the H&M press release here. Williamson is quite busy these days, he has collaborated with The Rug Company to design rugs in quintessential Williamson fashion.

Fun fact: Matthew Williamson designed Kelis' green wedding dress, in which she married rapper, Nas.

Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts!

I'M BACK!

Guess what? I'm back from Dubai early. And, at first it was a little disorienting being in New York--it seemed cold, noisy and unlike the Truman Show--but I knew I was home when I first saw the woman above in the subway. My time in Dubai was a great big adventure, and I was sure to travel before returning to the States. I'm really not great about getting some posts up, but I'll try to include pictures from, and reference my time in, Dubai, Lebanon, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt in future posts. I'm going to miss all of my new friends, but it's really good to be back home!

POLITICS OF FASHION: MICHELLE OBAMA IN LONDONTOWN

Lucky Jason Wu and equally lucky J. Crew! Left: President Obama arrives in London for the G-20 Summit. First Lady Obama disembarks from Air Force One wearing Jason's chartreuse silk crepe sheath dress with black Michael Kors duster and her favorite belt: a black studded Azzedine Alaia. Right: Arriving at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence, wearing J.Crew's crystal constellation cardigan and dazzling-dots jacquard pencil skirt.

Mind the gap! This is a gratuitous Michelle Obama post, because I can, because this is my blog :) Please expect to see many of these over the course of the next four, ahem, eight years. More importantly, I'm sharing these pictures because if you're anything like me, your spirits are lifted each time you catch a glimpse of the new First Couple. I positively swoon when I see these two, and the fashion lover in me is just so thrilled at Michelle's penchant for fashion.

She's not tone deaf, she gets it. She realizes that she has to dress responsibly and show emotional intelligence given the global economic crisis. Thus, despite her new role and access to high fashion, she recycles her clothes (see the Azzedine Alaia belt that is worn above right and worn here, here, and here). She consistently maintains a wardrobe that is high-low by pairing less expensive pieces with high-end designers.(see the J. Crew crystal constellation cardigan,which is already sold out, and mint colored dazzling-dots pencil skirt worn above left. She's also a fan of H&M and the Gap).

Update: Check out the pic of Michelle and Barack with the Queen!

Left: Just right! Wearing a black duchess satin coat by Jason Wu. Right: Looking prim and proper and a touch too casual in my humble opinion . . . Mrs. O is wearing a black and ivory silk crepe dress by Isabel Toledo, topped off with a cashmere cardigan by Alaia.

Another distinctive Michelle touch? Her propensity for bright colors and sparkles. This is clearly an attempt to keep our spirits lifted in "dark" times. Stay tuned for pictures of Michelle's ensemble for the Obamas' audience with the Queen! On this occasion, Michelle is wearing a black swing coat with soft curves and pearls (natch). It appears that she's wearing a black skirt and black cardigan beneath (so much for my light colors theory) which is, dare I say it, looking a bit casual. . . C'mon Michelle, everyone knows that you must wear light colors (think Easter eggs) to tea!

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts! And, stay abreast of all Michelle Obama fashion news by reading mrs-o.org.

TOPMAN?

Sneak peak of Topman display, which is within the new Topshop . . .

Topshop has finally come to the States and people are losing their minds. But, in more mind boggling news, Topman has arrived as well. I'm ashamed to admit that I know nothing of this brand. When did this happen? Why is everyone else acting as if they've known about Topman all along? Perhaps I'm just woefully uninformed? In any event, both stores will debut--with a Kate Moss ribbon cutting--in the US on Thursday, April 2, but the press and celebrities were given free rein today.

If Topman is the male version of Topshop, then it is no doubt fab. . . case in point: Kate Moss' collection. That sequined dress is to die for. Read more about the first ever Topshop US launch here. Check out my coverage of the launch of Kate Moss for TopShop at Barneys last year.

Topshop (and Topman)
478 Broadway
Soho
New York, NY 10013

Photo: Urban Daddy