Week #10 of the Fashion Indie exclusive DOAFA’s Top Super Secret Sales of the Week.

I’m Lauren, your resident NYC dweller, crazed shopaholic and blogger from Diary of a Fashion Addict.com. Join me as we explore this week’s best online sample sales, NYC street deals, exclusive discount codes from your favorite designers and more. Like what you see and want more of it?! Check back with us every Tuesday, and visit my blog www.diaryofafashionaddict.com for even more sales, shopping tips and style inspiration.

 Deal for a Day:

Have you been lusting after a Mulberry handbag but could never afford to pull the trigger? Shop this weeks deal for a day on Rue La La 8/19. Sign on at 11am EST to score your fav!

www.ruelala.com

For an invite email: Lauren@diaryofafashionaddict.com

The Moshi Moshi Pop Phone by Native Union plugs into the headphone jack of your iPhone/iPad/Blackberry/Computer and renders your newfangled technology into an old fashion rotary.

It’s not only good for a laugh, it makes for healthier conversation by blocking 99% of your cell phone’s radiation.

Also, if you have a touch screen, all the grease and bacteria from your fingers are smudging all over your cheek when you talk. Gross. This eliminates that without looking like you’re talking to yourself (aka earbuds).

Designed by the Frenchman David Turpin, cheeky bastard, and he gave it a soft finish. It feels so good in the hand. And it comes in a whole slew of bright hues (red available too!):

*And the answer to where you got it:

A. Turen, 85 Stanton St. NYC. It’s $34, but go now, mention Fashion Indie and get 10% off.

Alright, I gotta go. Love you, too. Bye!

Like what you see? Go to A. Turen, mention Fashion Indie and get 10% off!

Look Three: Barefoot Summer Walk

The Stripe Dyed Skirt: Maggie Ward, $300

This maxi looks straight out of the desert. The flowing chiffon will hit the floor when worn at the waist, but I pulled it up to just below the bust to extend the possibilities of layering. It’s even more comfortable than it looks (if you can imagine), which is designer John Ward’s goal with the brand.

The Nude Lace Top: Pas de Calais, $258

Pas de Calais is a region in the north of France known for its exquisite lace. That is why this Japanese company chose to name the company as such. I chose the top for its delicate nature and the ability to see through it to the under layers – an important factor this season.

The Mesh Metal Bra: Diana Broussard $594

With the metal detailing of the bra and the height of the skirt just showing a sliver of skin at the ribs, this is a classy way to see through a shirt. Having worked under the tutelage of John Galliano at Dior (in the 90’s, pre-drama) and at Gucci designing shoes, Diana Broussard now creates ultra stunning shoes, and a collection that encompasses lingerie like this.

The Sweater as Belt: Pas de Calais, $258

A men’s sweater tied ‘round the waist whispers nonchalance while defining the waist. Luckily, it will keep you warm as the night rolls in chilly later on. The quality of the wool is superfine, as is the tradition of Pas de Calais.

The Skirt as Shawl: Pas de Calais, $298

Whether they know it or not, and they probably do, Pas de Calais has crafted a seriously versatile piece out of this. It hangs as wrap around skirt, meant to sling low. I however threw it over my shoulders as a shawl. I like things that do things.

The Gold Scale Bracelet: Diana Broussard, $590

Like a dragon’s skin of solid gold, this engulfs my forearm in luxury. Broussard has a personal legacy of haute couture houses, of course it’s divine.

The Longest Necklace in the World: Laura B Collection Particuliére $500

Woven gold and silver and other various metals block together to form a necklace, that has the capacity to twist and drape on your body to your desired length. Spanning from neck to shin, I have found my favorite way to wear it. Little fact about Laura Bortolami she was studying law and economy before she met Armani’s primary assistant, which set her on a path to fashion.

A. Turen | 85 Stanton St (btwn Orchard and Allen), New York, NY | (212) 533-8200

Photography by Christopher Hall

Not only is the Trendenzas team searching for what they think you’ll love, they actually want to know what you want! Let’s say you see a dress in Vogue, and you’re obviously in love, send the picture to thoughts@trendenzas.com and they’ll do the dirty work for you. AKA find something comparable to that piece at a price that will make you giddy.

If you’re courting Court, go now and get 15% off when you mention FashionIndie.

LOOK FIVE: Disco Diva Off Hours

The Foxy Bellbottoms: Court, $117

This look started with the house-made jeans. Except for my super wide-legs, I’ve been rocking skinnies for the better part of a decade. Only now am I remembering the joy of a good flare, and it’s bringing me back to a day after Studio 54 brunch. Though these are built differently than the bells of our past, they seem to expand with less resistance.

The Burnout Shirt: Mink Pink, $60

Cropped to just below the waist and pre-worn-in, this tee wants you to just hang out in it. It’s no muss, just a well proportioned texturized t-shirt.

The Chill Out Tunic: Seneca Rising, $118 (originally $165)

Designer Andi Ballard’s aesthetic stems from her personal collection of thrift store finds and older bro’s hand-me-downs, all of which equal a soft layerable compilation of visceral favorites. Made from a blend of Tencel and Rayon, the hand feels well worn like a washed silk. It looks real relaxed here, but let down the sleeves and button it up for a suave effect.

The Striped Wedges: 80/20, $118

Multicolored stripes of varying widths on a canvas and cork wedge seem born to live beneath bellbottoms. The bit that peeks out the hem shouts Sun, Sun, Sun like Jakki in a disco fever.

The Leather Hair Corset: Court, $48

You’ve been seeing this hair tie by store owner Nicole Tondre all week. The way it brings my hair off to the side gives me those Native American vibes, like I could weave a tribal tapestry on a hand loom. Well, maybe if I make that tapestry a reality, and the traditional leather tie will keep my hair out of my face while weaving. AKA I’m going back and buying this. Now.

Court | 178 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012, (212) 925-1022

Ready for Court? Mention FashionIndie when you shop and get 15% off your purchase!

LOOK FOUR: Skirt Becomes Dress

The Convertible Dress: Funktional, $120

Yesterday I showed this as a floor length skirt. Now it’s a mid calf, deep V strappy dress. Imagine now wrapping the straps into a strapless, or as a true halter, or any way you can think to wear it. The tie strands are connected in the waistband by a strip of hidden elastic which allows for fluid flexibility. Lisa and Nicole were telling me there’s five ways to wear this dress, but they hadn’t seen it this way yet, which leads me to believe there are more undiscovered modes of styling this Funktional skirt/dress.

The Cropped Blazer: Mary Meyer, $55 (originally $110)

Cut from athletic cloth, this blazer has a soft feel under the edged look. And I highly recommend you watch the highlariously choreographed look book video on her homepage.

The Fringe Heel Pump: Messeca, $110 (originally $158)

Still lingering from Fall, the cascading fringe caught my eye. Leather tassels pouring out of the backend of a pump is wildly unexpected, and feels slightly equestrian to me. Messeca is a brand that likes to experiment with unusual textures and shapes, and thus fits like a glove within Court‘s walls.

The Leather Hair Corset: Court, $48

I wore the hair corset in every look at Court because I’m digging the way it pulls my hair to a low side ponytail, functioning almost as a braid, without having to braid my hair. There are so many possibilities with a hair accessory like this. And they carry it in a size half as big, just two rows of hooks to loop around.

Court | 178 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012, (212) 925-1022

Like what you’re seeing? Shop it all at 10% off at Début when you mention FashionIndie!

LOOK FIVE: Sustainable Pattern Mashup

The Parachute Hoodie: Christopher Raeburn, $462

Christopher Raeburn caught my attention with his collection in London for next fall. He takes discarded military material and repurposes them as slickers and other articles of clothing. Like this jacket for instance, that is made from 100% Parachute Nylon. I had been eyeing a different holy jacket down, as it was featured in its own front display, but I didn’t end up putting it with my chosen looks. That piece would suffice to live independently of an outfit; a true outer layer fit to engulf any look. This neon piece, however, seemed more the challenge: I was after some good pattern mixin’.

The Tank: Timo Weiland, $320

To suit my pattern mashing desires, Timo Weiland jumped to me once more. The sheer red-orange organic shapes that formulate on this tank completely complement the wild dotting of the jacket. But what’s on the back of the shirt, you ask? Why it’s the same tree landscape we saw on the dress in the previous look.

The Skirt: Lisa Marie Fernandez, $224

You might have sensed my affinity for neoprene at this point. Lisa Marie Fernandez shapes up a lovely little black skirt, beach- and bar-friendly.Though, I must admit, if there were to have been a brightly patterned bottom that meshed, I would have Man-Repellered it up.

The Necklace: Orly Genger, $395

This rope conglomeration collar hung from a single nail in the Orly Genger nook, and eyed me down the entire two hours I was in Début. Each mountain climbers rope speckled with neon, hand-tied knots wrapping concentrically around thick straight ones, clung together.

The Sandals: Love Is Mighty, $175

My vision for this outfit was sandals. Monisha Raja‘s vision for these sandals was environmental and social sustainability. Employing artisans from indigenous tribes across the globe, she uses traditional arts and crafts techniques and completely animal friendly materials to produce beaded sandals and bags. See the Facebook page for more about their world involvement.

Thanks to Début for a fabulously fashionable week! Check back Monday for another shop, just down the block.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

Want the looks now? Shop in store @DebutNYC and mention FashionIndie – get 10%off!

LOOK FOUR: Terrestrial Nautica

The Dress: Timo Weiland, $438

On the wall, this particular Timo Weiland dress was buttoned up to the tippy top and those long pieces were tied in a knot in front. If you’ve noticed yet, I don’t like just wearing a dress; there must be another layer in order to make it truly interesting to me. I knew I had to work this spotty pocketed piecey frock from the collection “A Warf on the Baltic” into my look, but how, I pondered, what could actually enhance this already amazing slightly Saurat experiment without fighting it…?

The Bikini Top: Lisa Marie Fernandez, $360

Because of the distinctly organized layout of Début, I was able at a glance from the middle of the store to spot the very piece that would bring the dress to multi-layer perfection. The answer was hanging on the front-most display in the form of a bikini top. As this is by Lisa Marie Fernandez, I know it will look entirely acceptable, if not futuristically fantastic, to wear swimwear as real clothes. I zipped myself into the maleable, even more wetsuit inspired cropped halter and closed it to the collar with the large plastic zipper and velcro strap.

The Bracelets: Brook & Lyn, $110

I had been lusting after this jewelry since the moment I walked in. Made from slates of agate that designer Mimi Jung found happenstance on her journey through Hong Kong, her line Brook & Lyn features these slabs of crystalized rock. Encased within either black or white woven rope, they form the collection entitled “Surrounded by Day and Night”. I selected two of the bracelets, in both teal-to-sea-foam and aqua blue to complement the frenzy of colors that this outfit creates.

Can you dig this neoprene top + chiffon dress combination? I’d love your thoughts.

Check tomorrow for my last look at Début. Teaser: Parachute Nylon.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

Want it? Mention FashionIndie when you shop at Début and get 10% off anything in the store!

LOOK TWO: Early Afternoon Romp

The Romper: Timo Weiland, $350

It started with the Timo Weiland romper. Playful stripy black and white brocade touched with lace pile at the shoulders makes for a delicate daytime look. Timo and his design partner Alan Eckstein mused over Scandinavian actress Bibi Andersson for this collection. The result: feminine joviality.

The Belt: Meredith Wendell, $225

It looked somewhat incomplete without a belt. Luckily, Début is stocked with Meredith Wendell accessories. Self-defined as “uptown awkward”, there was nary an awkward sliver of leather in sight. Just this Italian-made baby soft mustard suede belt. The hue brings out the golden yellow button on the romper ever so slightly.

The Shoes: Esquivel, $540

These white patent cutout Esquivel saddles more than suffice for such a summer outing outfit. George Esquivel is enormously passionate about the craft and thus custom handmakes many of his shoes at his studio in California. Super smooth and uniquely built, these shoes felt made with love. I recommend you watch the video “Sound of Shoemaking” and enjoy a hot slice of cobbler.

Wondering how to get that braided headband look I’ve got going on? I whipped my hair into it in an instructional video here.

Stay tuned: Round 3 coming at you tomorrow.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

The hottest digs are selling-out fast, but there’s still time to drop three grand on something rad. Shop the sale here.

LINK LOVE: Nylon

Word is that discount department store Loehmann’s will receive a large shipment of Marc by Marc Jacobs this coming Friday. All items will be marked down 65% from their original price.

LINK LOVE: Racked

These days there is no doubt that times are tough. Even in the world of all things fashion and glam we find ourselves tightening our stylish belts. But editing down your wardrobe isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are benefits to being selective and limiting your fashion choices to just a few meaningful pieces; you just may find that one elusive piece that makes the perfect statement…

… For me that one piece will be my new go-to T-shirt from HOLSTEE, a new brand that was founded not only to be fashionable and functional but also to be eco-friendly and supportive of a good cause…. could it get any better??

The worn-in look of these tees not only make them super cute but also incredibly comfy. The holster-positioned pocket is great for function while the shirt itself is made from recycled materials. To top it all off the company is guided by a greater mission which is to support what its founders call “Humanitarian Sustainability.” Through a partnership with KIVA (a non-profit micro-lending venture), 100% of Holstee’s proceeds are dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs in places of extreme poverty around the world. Style and support for entrepreneurship??? that sounds right up our alley. In fact we think these shirts are such a brilliant idea we’ve contacted co-founder Dave and worked out a discount for all our lovely readers out there…

Order a shirt online and enter the discount code FASHIONINDIE for 25% off the final purchase price. 

You can also learn about their cause and follow the story of a Kiva loan to learn more about micro-lending and supporting Humanitarian Sustainability on their website  at   http://www.holstee.com/index/

You can head over to ShopIndie to see our top picks from Shopbop…

Happy Shopping!