September 2, 2010

Find Your Fit Seminar at E Drop-Off

On Tuesday (8/31) I attended the first ever Find Your Fit seminar at E Drop-Off in Chicago. If you’re not familiar with E Drop-Off, familiarize yourself by clicking here.

Because E Drop-Off sells their merchandise strictly online, it is important to them to educate their customers about size conversions. They also sell merchandise made by various designers from all over the world (in the UK, France, etc.) who use different sizing numbers than we do here in the US.

The lovely ladies at E Drop-Off took every measurement, from cross chest and sleeve length to inseam and hips, so you can be sure that Chanel jacket you’re buying will fit just right 🙂 They also converted your American dress size to UK, French, German, Italian, Australian and Japanese sizes. Same with your shoe size! Pretty cool, huh?

(I tried on the black and white Chanel jacket on the right and it’s AMAZING)

After everyone was finished “finding their fit” we moved on to the trend portion. Nicole, the brand manager at E Drop-Off, and Corri, the owner, showed us some of their currently available merchandise that fall into Fall’s hottest trend categories… velvet jackets, camel coats, stylish capes, and much more! Check out www.shopedropoff.com right now to see what’s currently up for auction.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening. If you haven’t been to E Drop-Off’s new location (2117 N. Halsted), you MUST check it out. The high ceilings and decorative fashion illustrations on the walls and windows make it the perfect space for the stylish E Drop-Off team.

(They even had custom cupcakes from Sprinkles!)

By the way, if you were wondering about the cameras in the pictures from the event, they were filming for a reality show about E Drop-Off. Yes, the rumors are true…E Drop-Off will have their own reality show! Networks and details are in the works but I’m just glad to see such a great (and fashionable) company in Chicago be recognized…aren’t you?

Nicole Guarascio (left), Corri McFadden (right)

August 19, 2010

E Drop Off’s Authenticity Guide

Have you ever bought a designer bag second-hand only to find out it was a fake? Don’t you just hate when that happens? Thankfully, the ladies of E Drop Off put together an Authenticity Guide on their website! Being a company whose business is based on selling second-hand designer goods, it is important for them to recognize a fake when they see one.

Click to enlarge

E Drop Off’s Authenticity Guide shows pictures and descriptions of what to look for in a fake compared to the real designer bag. They currently have 11 designers up right now including, but not limited to, Balenciaga, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Chloe.

Click to enlarge

They even have certain styles of the designer bags to help you spot a fake at a more detailed level.

The Authenticity Guide is meant as an additional resource for customers. When purchasing a designer item second-hand, it is important for the customer to be confident what they’re buying is the real deal. And when you shop with E Drop Off, that authenticity is GUARANTEED!

Click here to access E Drop Off’s Authenticity Guide

————————————–

August 4, 2010

Meet Corri McFadden from E Drop Off

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Corri McFadden, owner and founder of E Drop Off. If you are not familiar with E Drop Off, they are a Chicago-based company that sells your designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories through eBay. They also take care of all the “dirty work” such as writing the descriptions, taking photos, shipping/handling AND they offer free nationwide pick up…so you don’t have to live in Chicago to be a customer!

I originally met Corri in December when she was still at her Clark Street location. I was immediately impressed with her business. She is very customer service-oriented and you can’t help but love her. She is such a happy, positive and driven woman. What’s not to love?

The inspiration behind E Drop Off…

“It just happened,” Corri explains how E Drop Off came to be. She went to school for fashion design and created a business plan as her senior thesis project to start an eBay store. Immediately after graduation, Corri implemented her business plan and started an eBay store selling “everything from Chanel to electronics.” As her business grew, she decided to stick with what she loves…high-end luxury fashion items. Now, 6 years later, E Drop Off has expanded and recently moved to a new (and quite beautiful) location at 2117 N. Halsted.

Why Chicago…

Chicago actually was not part of Corri’s original plan. She originally went to Kansas State to study crime scene investigation and picked up fashion design on the side for fun (because every FBI agent needs to look good while doing their job, right?) After graduation, she planned on going to New York but timing was unfortunate and 9-11 happened so she landed on Chicago as it was closer to home. I must say, though, I am very glad Corri chose Chicago for her E Drop Off destination because as we all know…I love bringing fashion to Chicago 🙂

The one item E Drop Off has received that just blew your mind…

Get ready for this…a 63 karat Cartier diamond necklace! The way Corri described it…I thought I was going to pass out. I didn’t even see it in person and it made my heart race. Because E Drop Off sells about 700 items a week, it takes a lot for Corri to get blown away by an item…and this necklace can definitely do that to ya!

The one designer you’d like to have lunch with…

Diane Von Furstenberg was Corri’s choice. Why? Well, who wouldn’t? Diane’s “ultimate class and timelessness” was the backing behind Corri’s response…and I couldn’t agree more.

What’s next for Corri and E Drop Off…

E Drop Off’s sister-brand, Influence is currently a blog offering styling tips and fashion updates but soon it will be an e-commerce sight offering discounted designer items. There are some other things “in the works” right now, according to Corri, but new business ventures will be rolling out within the next 6 months. So stay tuned by following both @ShopEDropOff and @ShopInfluence on Twitter and check out their websites www.shopedropoff.com and www.shopinfluence.com.

Along with E Drop Off’s free nationwide pick-up and designer consignment, they offer an array of services to cater to your needs including:

*Closet cleanout—they will send a consultant to help you decide what to keep and what to sell

*Retail overstock consignment—consult retailers, boutique owners and designers regarding overstock inventory for consigned sales

*Try before you buy—if you live in Chicago, you can go to the store and try something on before you put a bid on it

*NEW: Authenticity Guide—E Drop Off has put together an online authenticity guide to point out the differences between real and fake designer items

———————————

Click here for the full video interview (Warning: This video is not edited and the last minute and a half is me talking about how much I love Ginger + Liz nail polish)

See my Personal Style feature on ShopInfluence

May 19, 2010

H&M Fashion Against AIDS Collection

I literally just got home from the H&M Fashion Against AIDS collection launch at the H&M on Michigan Avenue. I love the collection so much I had to blog about it right away. The collection is very “music festival” chic and it is complete with dresses, separates, shoes, jewelry and tents. Yes…tents. Also, really dope headphones.

Photo Credit

Let’s start off with the jewelry…it’s tribal inspired with very bright, bold colors and some crazy prints. If you’re looking for some great statement pieces and you’re on a budget, definitely check out this collection.

Aren’t those headphones rad? They come in a variety of colors and prints (but the gold pictured above is the coolest).

The jacket pictured above is so awesome. It’s all beaded and it’s super heavy but I love the vintage look to it. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit me right so I didn’t get it but it was still one of my favorite pieces from the collection.

Like the sandals pictured? I’m kind of obsessed with them…so I got ’em 🙂

Here are some more pieces from the collection…

Let’s start from the top. The distressed leather jacket is super cool and it’s another great piece to buy if the real version is not within your budget. It’s a great color and can go with everything.

The gold/bronze fringe dress is amazing but you definitely have to have a certain look/style to pull it off.

I loved the white dress because it has bell sleeves and I am a sucker for bell sleeves. The detailing along the neckline and the bottom of the sleeves makes the dress different and it’s a great blank canvas for some killer wedges and some statement earrings.

The denim dress in the middle does not look cute in the picture but it’s actually freakin FABULOUS in person. Unfortunately I am neither 5’11 nor am I a size 0 but if you are both of those things…this dress is perfect for you!

Those pants seem very MC Hammer but they’re actually pretty cool. I would definitely wear them to a music festival with a black flowy blouse and a fedora.

———————-

Overall, I absolutely love this collection AND a portion of the proceeds go towards the fight against AIDS…it’s a win-win situation!

Keep in mind these are just some of the pieces from the collection…check out an H&M near you to see the full collection.

———————-

So, what do you think of this collection? What are your favorite pieces? I’d love to hear from you!

March 27, 2010

Cityblue Apparel and Denim

I love to feature and support any local Chicago establishments…especially when it comes to clothing boutiques. Cityblue Apparel and Denim is a unique boutique ( I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it 🙂 ) that combines my favorite things in life–music and fashion (now if there was a bakery in there I don’t think I’d ever leave…because food is my other favorite thing in life). Cityblue carries both men’s and women’s casual clothing. Not only do they have great clothing (and obviously a fantastic selection of denim), they carry Virgin Saints & Angels jewelry…and they happen to be the only boutique in Chicago that carries it.