review: c. wonder sample sale

Holly:

At lunch I stopped by the C. Wonder sample sale. After visiting the last few days of the sale last year, and walking out with a great gift item, I was excited to see what I would find this time around. I was so happy to see that the weather had deterred most from heading out to the sale. There was absolutely no line at 1:00pm and plenty of merchandise to be had. The sale was crowded with shoppers but not overwhelming.

In my opinion the best deal was on necklaces, which cost only $18 a piece. I spotted this gorgeous crystal necklace and this sparkly bib both in perfect condition. I definitely wish I would've had more time to shop this section! It seemed that they were restocking this section as well as a few others.

I walked out with some great monogrammed stationery (you can never have too much!) and an adorable cross-body bag that I seriously regretted not purchasing in maroon when it was available in store.

Molly:

Since Holly had some luck at the sale on her lunch break, I decided to check it out for myself. I arrived at around 6:30pm and there was no line...it was horrible outside so that was probably why. 

Considering how much stock there was, the sale was pretty well organized and fairly easy to navigate. The people working the sale were helpful; one even went downstairs to check if there were any more of an item I was interested in (sadly she returned empty handed). It is easy to be overwhelmed at a sale like this, but I restrained myself from frivolous spending.

I've been in the market for a new wallet since October, so at $25 picking one up was a no-brainer. I was initially drawn to a leopard patterned one, but decided the logo treatment wasn't for me. I decided on a chic white snakeskin print that will be perfect for summer. The only other purchase I made was a $15 ring box with a bow atop it - perfect for the birthday gift I plan on giving my goddaughter. There were racks of clothing still left when I checked out, and the housewares tables were being restocked constantly while I was shopping, so I will definitely pop into the sale at least once more before it ends.

There's still time to shop the sale - April 15th thru April 19th, 10am-8pm & April 20th, 10am-3pm at 260 Sample Sale - 260 Fifth Ave (Between 28th & 29th), New York

scout: eyelet & cut-out details

eyelet hideaway dress - coral geo laser cut clip top purse - illusion pencil skirt - eyelet baseball cap - starlight cut out shopper bag - marana booties - collection eyelet jumpsuit - embroidered sheet set - denimstripe eyelet top - white lasercut underarm bag - fio flats - eyelet lace top   

the sill x story

learn more about The Sill and STORY 

dolce & gabbana and harper's bazaar

Last week Dolce & Gabbana and Harper's Bazaar invited us to celebrate their 2014 Women to Watch: Sue Kroll, Desiree Gruber and Cristiana Falcone. Laura Brown, Executive Editor at Harper's Bazaar, played hostess and she was just as funny as she seems on her social channels & web-series, The Look. We made sure to take a few photos of our favorite items & details from the Dolce & Gabbana Fifth Avenue flagship. Check out our Instagram for more behind the scenes photos from the event.

we're on instagram!

 

follow along @scoutsendreceive

scout: slip on sneakers

I'm not a huge sneakers gal, but I love the idea of pairing fun slip-ons with leather pants or a flirty skirt for a casual weekend look. I had been looking into a few pairs of athletic inspired shoes, but I just couldn't justify spending a lot of money. I recently spotted these slip-on sneakers at my local H&M store and I absolutely had to have them. Will you splurge or save on trendy sneakers this spring?

splurge: via spiga slip on sneakers, galant - sperry top-sider for jeffrey cvo slip ons

save: h&m snakeskin print shoes

thoughts on fashion week & instagram

I first noticed it Friday, February 7th during my usual morning Instagram scroll-through. My feed was full of variations on the same scene. All the bloggers that I normally enjoy following were inundating my feed with images from New York Fashion Week: blurry shots from a runway, group photos of "street style," mentions of hotels where they were staying and restaurants they were dining at. Some were even posting multiple images in minutes. Since many of the most popular bloggers are now "friends," they all tend to post the same picture when they're together. I found myself un-following a lot of people temporarily to ensure that the pictures my friends posted didn't get lost in all of the fashion week related hashtags and posts.

While part of me thinks it is great the Internet and social media has made fashion shows accessible to the public, I find myself starting to agree with the designers who are kindly asking for people not to use their cell phones. Isn't it so much more exciting when the buzz of how great a collection is builds, and then finally, finally the images show up on style.com? Blurry second or third row photography doesn't do the beautiful designs and craftsmanship justice. I'd advise fashion week attendees to enjoy the full experience as shows only last for a short time.

Laura Pantin, Lucky Market Editor, really said it best; "I personally am on kind of Fashion Week overload, and I just don't want to see it on my social media feeds so much, which made me want to post about it less. I'm also of the feeling that if you don't get a really beautiful show, you shouldn't post anything. Enough blurry smears on Instagram!"

What do you think about the use of Instagram during New York Fashion Week?

scout: valentine's day

 

paper source arrow mug - marc jacobs heart compact - clare vivier sweetheart coin purse - ban.do heart shoe clips - olive box subscription - with love from brit-stitch half pint chintz rose - cat lover phone case - kate spade ooh la la trouser socks - valentine's day felt garland banner - chalkboard heart napkin rings -  heart shaped dog bowl - bass x rachel antonoff love crush loafer - candy bow sleeping bag - heart jewelry dish - michelle dwight heart it pillow - heart memory ring - royal rose syrup - le creuset heart ramekin

scout: dressed up layers

A few months ago Molly sent me a photo of Natalie Joos wearing a turtleneck under a strapless dress. The layered pale pink turtleneck and Mary Katrantzou dress (similar here) made for a really amazing outfit.

image via vogue.com

Since then, I've noticed that Zara has also embraced the layered turtleneck-over-dress look. Zara's take is more neutral and perhaps a bit more practical as well.

from left to right: strapless brocade dress (on sale!) - dress with zip at the front (on sale!) - lingerie-style studio dress (on sale!)  

I have a few strapless dresses & tissue turtleneck tees that would be great for recreating this look, although I wouldn't mind purchasing one of the above dresses! I'm sure we'll see another version of this look in Feburary during MBFW.

sent & received - january 31st

one king's lane, light show - le creuset in lapis blue, williams-sonoma - j.crew collection chelsea glitter boots (on sale!) - sara hyland's makeup via byrdie.com - yasmin sewell via style.com

resolutions

As January comes to a close, I thought it was about time that we discuss resolutions. The end of January for resolutions? you may ask - but hear me out. Resolutions are often created in the first days of January, when you are tired (and let's be honest, hungover!) from the holiday season and ringing in the new year with family & friends. Resolutions made in this way are often a little too lofty, so I like to take the month of January to "test out" resolutions and see what I can stay on track with throughout the year, and what I can't. While aspirational, I also think it is important for resolutions to be attainable.

1. Cook more often. I have a binder filled with recipes waiting to be tried. But as someone whose family owns restaurants, cooking has never really been a thing for me. But this is the year things will change! I got a food processor and a beautiful cast iron skillet for Christmas, so I'm excited to put those to use. And I am proud to say that I have already cooked a number of meals this month! Subscribing to food52.com's email list and checking out blogs like Skinny Taste are great for inspiration.

yummy mashed potato cakes with broccoli and cheese via food52.com

2. Work out more frequently. I had gotten into a nice running routine this past fall, but the stress of getting acclimated to my new job and colder weather helped end this healthy habit. The gym I belong to occupies the bottom corner of my apartment building, and I walk past it at least twice a day, so there is really no excuse not to go. I would also love to expand my workout repertoire and check out classes at Chaise Fitness, U! Yoga NYC, and Sal Anthony's Movement Salon.

 I have no idea what these people are doing at 

Chaise Fitness, but it looks like it's good for toning!

3. Save more. Living in a city like New York really takes a chunk out of your wallet. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this city and there is nowhere else I would rather be living, but a brunch here, a sample sale there, and then rent, groceries, and being alive in general add up quickly. I receive emails from LearnVest to help me stay on track, and plan to put the 50/30/20 budget rule to good use.

I've always loved a good chart via LearnVest

4. Explore New York more. There are so many wonderful things to explore in this city, many for free, and I definitely do not take advantage of them. I also get an awesome corporate discount at many museums here, so there is no excuse not to go! This article really inspired me to get out more and try new things.

5. Spend more time on hobbies. I used to do a lot of painting, sketching and photography, and I would love to get back into that. I have a sewing machine at my mom's that I still haven't used. I also plan to actually get prints of the photos I take and fill actual photos albums. It's just so much better to be flipping through the physical pictures, instead of viewing a slideshow on a screen.

6. Blog more consistently. I'll be honest - blogging while working full time takes a lot of dedication and time management, something I have definitely been slacking on. I too could be photographed every day in perfect hair and makeup with a fabulous outfit, if I only didn't have to be in an office for at least 8 hours of the day! Not to knock bloggers who have managed to make a career out of it, but it is much easier to create content for posts when you aren't confined withing the walls of an office all day, five days a week.

What are your resolutions and goals for 2014?

events tab

We try to attend one fun event per week. To be honest, it's not always easy to squeeze in our calendar and sometimes I'd rather spend the evening with my Netflix queue. With that being said, it's definitely nice to have a little something fun to look forward to during the work week and nine times out of ten we wind up having a really great time.

That's why we've decided to include a new events tab at the top of our page; it's a great way for us to keep track of eveything that's going on and keep YOU in the loop too!

Have events that you'd like us to include or notice something that we missed? Send an email to scoutsendreceive {at} gmail {dot} com with all the info or tweet us @scoutsndreceive

sent & received - january 10th

apartment therapy's the january cure series - dainty jewels from sydney evan, as seen on emily schuman's instagram - 'my blog is dope' sweatshirt by feisty society clothing company, check out krystal's site the feisty house - jose romussi embroidery - printstagram - free people's 'tuxedo girl

cupcakes and cashmere x club monaco holiday party

Last week, just before all of the holiday madness officially set in, we attended a party hosted by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere at Club Monaco. In celebration of Club Monaco's new flagship store opening in NYC, we enjoyed hot chocolate and treats from their all pink candy bar while shopping. We couldn't get enough of the beautiful space; the 5th Avenue store is also home to Toby's Estate Coffee and a small Strand bookshop. Here were some of our favorite holiday picks and a few photos from the evening!

from left to right: julie stripe turtle - shayla printed dress - shae faux fur topper - 

lourdes printed silk tank - abby angora gloves - adriana angora sweater

matilda faux fur vest - micala contrast sleeve dress - sienna split back jacquard top -

theresa textured top - ana embellished hat - susanna jacquard skirt

shopping sample sales

We've always been fans of perusing sample sales; it's definitely one of the perks of living & working in NYC. Racked NY keeps a great running list of sales, which you can take a look at here. Below are some of our tips for shopping these often-chaotic sales!

Do Your Homework
Familiarize yourself with the brand and its past season of clothing. The last thing you want is to pay more for an item that you could get for a better discount online or in store.

At the past few J.Crew sample sales we realized that many of the pieces could have been purchased in store at a cheaper price. J.Crew retail offers extra discounts on their sale merchandise so usually you can get a pretty good deal. 

On the other hand, sometimes you can find unique pieces at samples sales. My biggest regret was passing up on a lilac peplum top from the J.Crew sample sale that never went into production (gasp! a real sample).

Decide what is more appealing to you, access to the best pieces for a higher price, or less stock but at a discounted cost? Sometimes it pays to wait to shop the last few days of a sale when items are marked down and sometimes it definitely doesn't.
 
Read Up On Past Sales
It's important to know what to expect. Will you have to fight for the most coveted pieces? Or is this particular designer known for re-stocking their sale? It's always good to know you'll be walking into a complete mess before you do.

Bring a Friend
Bring a friend to hold your wallet while you try on clothes or have them act as your mirror when there just isn't one around. In an environment where you need to make a quick decision, it's great to have a friend to convince you to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece or talk you out of buying something that you definitely don't need.

If you missed it, check out our review of the club monaco sample sale for more info on shopping sample sales. Stay tuned for a post on our best sample sale finds!

kate spade x elle holiday shopping party

This past week we attended a glittery holiday evening hosted by Kate Spade New York x ELLE. In celebration of Kate Spade's 20th Anniversary we enjoyed pink bubbly while shopping at their Bleeker Street store. Here were some of our favorite holiday picks and a few snaps from the evening!

from left to right: glitter bug stacy wallet - niesha flat - things we love coffee table book - haley top - west valley valentine shoulder bag (on sale!) - long studded gloves

from left to right: idiom pencils - seanna glasses - all that glitters emanuelle clutch - fairmount park uptown/downtown salt & pepper shakers - owl coin purse - festive bubbles resin iphone 5 case

scout: free people new arrivals

I was in the 10th grade when I first discovered Free People. In fact, I still own (and wear!), one of the first FP pieces I (my mom) bought. Almost 10 years later and I am still obsessing over almost everything the brand puts out. I’m not gonna lie, there was a time a few years ago where the clothing was TOO hippie for me, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve finessed my ability to mix a funky FP piece with something more work appropriate, like black slacks or a blazer.

Lately, Free People’s emails have been off the charts with pretty.things.I.must.have. Not a day goes by that I haven’t forwarded Holly an email from them. Below, some Free People picks perfect for the holiday season, and beyond!

from left to right: bow & arrow henley dress - jaquard print pom pom beanie - 

tea length knit tutu slip - lurex romper - printed cat tipi - on the go mini - 

shimmy shimmy party dress - tattered paisley loop scarf - shala swit pant

review: martha stewart american made

A few weeks ago I stopped by Martha Stewart's American Made Market in Grand Central Terminal. Countless vendors had set up small pop-up displays in Vanderbilt Hall; there were so many beautiful products to look at, purchase, and even sample. I wish that I had blocked out more time to shop around, as so many artisinal and homemade items caught my eye.

I browsed a few of the many booths and even spotted 

Florian Bellanger, famous pastry chef and judge of 

Food Network's Cupcake Wars. 

My favorite vendor was Chez Sucre Chez. Even though she was tucked away in a corner (probably not the best spot), her display of adorable needlepoint projects caught my eye from across the room. I purchased this adorable squirrel cross-stitch project, which I just finished!

I found the perfect spot for my cross-stitch project.

Shopping this small pop-up made me wish that Martha Stewart hosted this closer to the holiday's, as I could imagine purchasing all of my gifts for friends and relatives easily. Sadly I'm not a shopper who purchases all of my holiday gifts early in the season, but I made sure to pick up a few business cards so that I could shop online.

For a full list of Martha's American Made nominees and those 

involved in the pop-up at Grand Central, visit the site here.

scout: asos neutrals

from left to right: slouch coatigan - full midi skirt - sweat skater dress in color block - midi dress in animal print - shell top with dramatic ruffle - sweater dress with heart elbow patches - midi skirt in soft touch - sweater in angora with foil print - knit dress in leopard with leather look pockets

scout: terrain

Lately Terrain has been hitting it out of the park with so many different and inspiring fall decorating ideas. Between the photos in their emails and The Bulletin, Terrain's blog, I've bookmarked (and pinned) more items than I can count. It's really no surprise that I've fallen in love with this retailer, considering Terrain's sister companies include Free People, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and BHLDN - all of our favorites!

fall entertaining email & fall succulent centerpiece

These two succulent centerpieces are perfect for dressing up any fall table. They're much more sophisticated than your average orange pumpkin table-scape. And the succulents can be used to decorate your home year round.

campfire on a chilly evening

Wouldn't you just love cozy-ing up to this outdoor fire? Homemade s'mores are kind of my weakness and I could imagine making so many over this fire. Check out Terrain's post for a few nontraditional s'mores recipes.

autumn pumpkins & enchanted lighting

White pumpkins have already been on my mind since Molly decorated her apartment with these adorable minis. A path row of white pumpkins would be perfect lining a driveway for a fall party or even incorporated into wedding decor. A simple but very impactful decorating idea. You could also easily substitute lanterns for pumpkins and create a very similar feel.

These are just a few of my many favorites from Terrain. I'm dying to check out either of their two locations, one in Glen Mills, PA and the other in Westport, CT. Each location hosts private events and even has its own restaurant. The restaurant spaces and their menus each look amazing. I wish they would open one closer to NYC!