Win a Hollywood Intuition Handbag!

By Katrice 

If you've been following MVL for long, you know that I love handbags. And because I love my MVL followers so much, I'm giving you the chance to win one! Yes! That's right. The Hollywood Intuition Satchel can be yours. All you have to do is be a follower and your name will be entered into a drawing to win. But there's a bonus: Encourage a friend to become a follower and multiply your chances in the drawing. Each friend who becomes a follower of www.myvicariouslyfe.com earns you an additional entry in the drawing! 

Consider it the accessory that will help you shake things up this fall. I mean, who says we can't carry white after Labor Day? Not MVL! xx

*Contest ends Sept. 10th, and the winner will be announced Sept. 13th. Be sure to use the e-mail link on my blog or Facebook to let me know who signs up because of you!

A Gift from Gucci

By Katrice

Today is a good day for fashion. In celebration of the launch of its new luxury Digital Flagship store at gucci.com, Gucci will offer a spectacular benefit to brand enthusiasts on September 22, 2010, through a virtual view of its fashion show via Gucci Connect E-vent, hosted on gucciconnect.com. Taking live-streaming of fashion shows to the next level, Gucci E-vent will allow users to share their live webcam videos – online and at the Gucci show space – with assigned virtual seating at the E-vent. 
 
Beginning today, virtual guests will be able to sign up on gucciconnect.com to receive an e-ticket granting them access to the E-vent as a virtual attendee at Frida Giannini's Women’s Spring Summer 2011 in Milan on September 22. Gucci Connect E-vent will offer the same guest benefits to virtual guests as Milan event guests with live runway presentation, virtual seating with webcam videos shared at the Gucci show space and social networking opportunities. Through Gucci Connect’s webcam share technology, virtual guests will be mixing with the world's buyers and press, who attend the seasonal fashion shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris.
 
And that's not all. Gucci is also offering two unique VIP opportunities for participants. By signing up for an e-ticket at gucciconnect.com, virtual guests will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to attend the Milan Women's Spring Summer 2011 fashion show in person. In addition, the Gucci Connect E-vent Facebook App will allow virtual guests to create groups and compete for VIP seating at the E-vent on gucciconnect.com.

The Gucci Connect E-vent Timeline

• On August 30th, sign up to receive an e-ticket to gain access to the E-vent and be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to attend the fashion show in Milan.  The winner of the tickets to the Women’s Spring Summer 2011 fashion show will be announced on September 10th .
• Install the Facebook App and compete to create the largest group for a chance to become VIP e-guests with VIP virtual seating.  The VIP group will be announced on September 20 and have their webcams projected at the show.  
• Gucci e-ticket holders can sign into gucciconnect.com on September 22nd for the E-vent and share their webcam or photo with other virtual guests.  Live streaming coverage will offer four different camera angles. Virtual guests can meet other guests worldwide with live guest list, live chat, Facebook Connect and Twitter.  

Gucci, a pioneer of the luxury online shopping experience since 2002, today opened its new luxury Digital Flagship store at gucci.com. Following an 18 month architectural renovation, the new online retail destination takes advantage of the most innovative technologies available today thereby seamlessly integrating rich content, shopping and social networking to provide the site's monthly 2.5 million unique visitors with an aesthetic and customer-oriented experience that replicates the one they have when entering a Gucci signature flagship store in Rome, New York, London or Shanghai.

2010 Fashion's Night Out Atlanta

By Katrice

Fashion's Night Out is coming to Atlanta! Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed made the official announcement of the inaugural event today during a 1 p.m. press conference. 

Set for September 10, the worldwide event, which began last year in New York, will include modeling showcases, live DJs and giveaways at some of the city's poshest boutiques and most popular retailers. The raved event was a collaboration between American Vogue magazine, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York.

Vogue readers were tipped off about the major development by editor Anna Wintour in the mag's September issue, where she wrote: "I'm pleased to say it's an evening not just limited to NYC zip codes. LA will be celebrating as will the likes of Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta to name a few."

Other participating Fashion's Night Out countries include: Australia, Great Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey.

On September 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., lovers of fashion can check out the activities at the following retailers and boutiques that have already signed on: Ann Taylor, Atlantic Station, Barneys New York Co-op, Cole Haan, Elie Tahari, Faconnable at Lenox Square, Jeffrey, Jimmy Choo, Mezian, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Beth Ann, Bilthouse, Brina Beads, Boogaloos, Deka, Emly Benham, Etc. East, Evolve, Fab'rik, G. Gilbert, Just the Thing, Meringue, Mint Julep, Mitzi & Romano, Ooh La La, Pella, Pink Sky Boutique, Poppy's, Razzle Dazzle, Sabot, Sage, Sandpiper, Tootsie's and Tulipano and Veronica's Attic.

On the Fringe

By Katrice 

This fall may actually shape up to be all about trend for me. At least, it seems that way from what's catching my eye. I'm head over heels for so many pieces that I don't consider timeless, that it's quite a surprise for me even. Well, to that I'm saying to myself, let's just have fun with it.

Cleobella Florence Diamond Fringe Shoulder Bag, $520

Karen Miller Leather Fringe Bag, $310

Ugg Suede Tote, $298

Joan Shepp Chain Fringe Clutch, $165

Melie Bianco W9 Clutch, $72

Missguided Barbara Fringed Bag, $37

Macy's Fall 2010: Accessory Edition

By Katrice

I thought Macy's had taken me to the height of inspiration with it's 2010 ready to wear offerings. That was before I got a peek at the accessories. Smashing.

Get the Look: Vacation in St. Tropez

By Katrice

St. Tropez by my Vicarious Life featuring pumps sandals

Macy's Fall 2010 Collection Lookbook

By Katrice 

Macy's Ready-to-Wear looks for Fall 2010 are all about rich fabrics and hues in a chorus of five style genres: brick (leathers, printed silk, brocades and washed velvets -- in earth, rust and marsala shades), down to earth (a twist of utilitarian chic basics in tweeds, peruvian jacquards and organic motifs), metropolis (minimalist glamour for work -- a fusion of neutrals with metallics and shimmer), caravan (for the curator of her closet, an assemblage of vintage inspired pieces in a prism of colors and abstract prints) and knit picks (novelty dimensional stitching and new details in knitwear). It's a collection that can take you from necessity to luxury and cover every closet in between. #Love the layering! Stay tuned for Macy's Fall accessories. 

'Do Over

By Katrice 

I wasn't planning to post today but I thought this would be a poignant time to do so, considering the un-good hair moment I'm having. I say "un-good" because it's not as wrenching as a bad hair day can be, but my hair is a bit out of sorts. And it is a good example of why I say so often that we must know our hair better than anyone else. 

As I've told you in earlier blogs, I have very dense and spongey hair. But, over the past eight months, I've found a selection of products and procedures that leave my hair wonderfully moisturized and a lot looser than it is immediately after air drying. What I discovered after a twist out using Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue on Sunday night, however, is that it is not a product that my hair responds well to. 

As you can see in the above photos, my hair has shrunken at least two good inches and is actually crunchy after coating each section with a small swipe of the product. A couple things are important here. First, I used it in a way that is not the suggested use; but only after trying all of the Miss Jessie's video and packet techniques for Curly Meringue. Second, I make a point of saying that it is important for you to know your hair because I bought the product at the prompting of a boutique consultant who assured me that it would be "good for my texture." And last, this is not a reflection to bash Curly Meringue, but to show that everyone's hair is different and should be treated as such. Every product is not for every head of hair.

So, what's next? After not liking the first day result, I slept with my hair simply tucked into my satin bonnet so that it would be more afro-ed out today. And tonight my plan is to try a little rehab treatment and see if I can revive it back to it's usual state. The intended process: a dry two strand twist with a little ORS carrot oil. 

We'll see what happens. 

Next Up: MVL Readers Must-Haves

By Katrice

I'm siking myself into looking forward to the cooler weather by looking back over the this year's runway previews to fall and with the help of my favorite publications' September issues. I always spend the waning days of summer dreading the inevitable closet changeover. And believe me, I stretch my summer pieces as far into October as they can go. But, this year, I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm actually getting excited; admittedly because of what I'm seeing editorially and in the display windows of my favorite stores. Annnnd because of what my readers have shared as their fall essentials. Here's what some of you have inspired me with. 

Sheepskin flying jacket 

Petite Sheepskin Flying Jacket, Topshop, $110

Toye Adedipe's Men's Style Picks for Fall

By Katrice

I heart men's fashion almost as much as women's. Each season, I build a portion of my professional attire to reflect the clean structure of menswear. It's not fussy but can be equally as pulled together (see here). I sometimes envy the ease with which my brothers can throw on a T-shirt or button-down, jeans and canvas bottoms, and look like they've stepped right out of an ad campaign. But, enough about my menswear needs. This post is dedicated to my male readers. Atlanta-based celebrity stylist Toye Adedipe was kind of enough to join me with his men's style picks for the fall. In his words, Toye's bio is pretty straight-forward: "I'm a Fashion + Wardrobe Stylist ... Happily." But he's a lot more than that. He's styled Mary Mary, Chilli, Eva Pigford and Fantasia, amongst others, and worked in editorial and television wardrobing. His online boutique,

The Circa Shop, is stocked with swank accessories. And if you need ... he'll avail his professional services for a consult and even organize your closet. Consider this a teaser.

Leather Motorcycle Jackets! I love a great Motorcycle Jacket; its amazingly versatile and ups the cool factor on any man. I, personally, like the cuts that Zara's Men's Collection carries. The prices are pretty reasonable and unlike most trends make a great update on men of any age. 

The Gold Watch! Its not like the cheesy one your uncle used to wear in the '70s but it is, however, a pleasure piece to capture the eyes of any fashionable trend setter. Michael Kors' is by far one of my favorite watches of the season and for under $300, is a true investment. No pun intended but it's "timeless" :}

PLEASE KILL THE SKINNY! Peep game' ... no one wants to see your "man junk" in a pair of jeans your 13-year-old sister should be wearing in the first place ... (how dare you!?) Instead, opt for a straight-legged jean with a mid to low waist. I go HAM for Double RL by Ralph Lauren. Now, they are a little pricey buuut, if your anything like me, you probably have at least 100 pairs of jeans and only wear 1 or 2 pairs at best. These jeans go "hard" and I promise will be one of your favorites! Plus, they're roomy without being too baggy or loose.

Framed Out! in 20.11. Geeks Win! Amp it up with some non-prescriptive geek glasses from shops like American Apparel or my personal choice -- Urban Outfitters! This is a cool way to look intelligent even if your terminally naive.

Pucker Up! I know ... it's not an article of clothing, but its just as important! Lips are the first thing to go in the dry wintry season and cracked lips can be a deal breaker for anyone. Now, I'm not saying you have to look like a "lil Ma'Ma" music video, but products like All Good Lips have a matte finish that won't make your lips all shiny and slippery to the touch. Not to mention, it's made with ALL organic ingredients so you can rest a little easier knowing that you've saved a Dolphin or two. :)

New Material

By Katrice

The Material Girl line -- an '80s inspired collaboration of Madonna and her daughter Lourdes -- is old news by now. But, I'm just getting a chance to take a peek at the line for myself. I'll admit, I've had great expectations since the more mature Madonna has been pretty consistently chic for the past decade (especially the offerings of her collabo with H&M). Material Girl, however, is strikingly different. 
Your thoughts?

Designer Takeover

By Katrice

Who loves designer labels without designer prices? I do! And Ross is giving other discount fashion stores a run for their money with it's growing inventory of designer offerings. I dropped in there -- expecting to be in and out, but the packed purse racks caught my attention and the rest is history. I couldn't resist whipping out my BB camera to show you what's just come in. 

Carlos Santana leather clogs, $34.99

Nine West pumps, $25.99

Ralph Lauren riding boots, $54.99

Calvin Klein flat suede boots, $69.99 #Love!

Nine West, $25.99

Michael Kors textured caramel leather boots, $129.99 

#Love #Love #Love

Happy Shopping, Love Zappos

Zappos.com is rolling out the red carpet for shoe lovers. Today thru Aug. 24th, you can become a Zappos VIP for free and enjoy free overnight shipping for life. Yes! It's literally Christmas in August. 

Enjoy! xo

Pink Berry

By Katrice

I'm on a search for the consummate pink lip color and have been for a long time. It's a mix between simply loving the sumptuousness of a good gloss and the plethora of blush tones. I find one and by the next season I'm on to another that I like better or get the itch to start searching for a fresher option. My lips are actually berry colored, and I have been told by more than one makeup counter associate that I should stick to berry tones. I'm glad now that I was persistent enough to keep searching on my own. Here are a few of my favs. #Love

Revlon Beyond Natural Cream Lipgloss, Rose

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor, Warm Me Up

NYX Goddess of the Night Lipgloss with Mega Shine, Smokey Look