We’re Mad About Stripes

It’s really that simple. We love stripes and want to know one thing: how do you style your stripes? Miranda Valentine of Everything Sounds Better in French introduced us to the nautical-girly look a few weeks ago. Do you like Late Afternoon’s bright red stripes, a traffic-stopping striped dress, or more subtle slim stripes worn under a sweater? And what about B. Jones Style’s fearless color blocking or Brooklyn Blonde’s pattern mixing?  For a chance to win  a $100 gift certificate, show us your stripes! Either upload a photo to our Facebook page or try a YouTube video instead.

Also, our comment contest is still going full speed. Just comment on any blog post and you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. There’s a new winner selected every week!

 

Photos via Late Afternoon, The Style Manual, Brooklyn Blonde, Song of Style, Eat Sleep Wear, Sarah Jehan, Fashion Distraction, and Vanessa Jackman

Miranda Valentine: Ahoy, Sailor Contest!

How do you style your stripes? The lovely Ms. Miranda Valentine of Everything Sounds Better in French shows us how she likes to wear hers, and I’m absolutely charmed by the nautical-girly mix she pulls off so perfectly. But that’s just how Miranda chose to do it – what about you? Take a photo or video of yourself in your best stripes, upload to YouTube or our Facebook page, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Crossroads gift certificate. The contest lasts until 5/23, so hurry!

While you’re at it, don’t forget about our comment contest! Every comment on our blog enters you to win a $25 gift certificate, so the more you comment, the more chances you have to win. Congratulations to last week’s winner, Chelsea, for telling us what she thought about looking like a giant cowboy boot. We select a new winner every week, so keep in touch!

May is Man Month

Clean out your closets! May is Man Month at Crossroads. Men…bring in your clothes to sell. Women…bring in men’s clothes to sell. Sell men’s clothes to us and you will be entered to win a manly prize: either a $50 gift card to Omaha Steaks or in Chicago…a pair of Cubs tickets. (at all Crossroads locations except Oregon, Washington and Stockton, CA)

Interview: Kathleen of Inspirafashion

Kathleen kind of floored me (in a good way) when I finally got a chance to interview her for our blog. One of the winners of our Impress for Less contest on Chictopia and the mastermind behind the blog Inspirafashion, she is as enthusiastic about fashion as she is about life in general. When asked to describe herself, the first word she said was “bubbly” and rightfully so – the 20-year-old is also a lover of art, sweets, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and interior design (exact words – “Ikea is my best friend”). An eclectic dresser and sweetie of a person, we like her, and we think you will too.

Three words that describe you – go!

Bubbly, creative, persevering.

When did you start blogging? Where did you get the idea to start a fashion blog, and how has Inspirafashion evolved into what it is today?

I started blogging last year September 2010.  I first started out on Chictopia, an online fashion community, and was so happy with all the support I had on there that I decided to start my own blog.  Wow and in terms of evolving, it literally evolved right before my eyes and I’m so happy I am able to connect with so many readers this way.  I am so excited for what’s to come in the future.

How would you describe your personal style, and how has it changed?

My personal style is very eclectic and I usually wear whatever I feel comfortable and confident in.  But right now I am very into the Bohemian kind of style, natural, carefree, and free-spirited are traits I love for this style.

Your outfits are very eclectic and I love that! One day you’re wearing a lace skirt, the next day you’re wearing studded shorts. You hear so many girls say they like a trend but can’t “pull it off.” What do you think it takes to “pull off” anything?

Aw you’re so sweet, thank you!  And to “pull off” anything, I firstly really believe in having confidence whenever you wear a trendy item you’re not so sure about.  Because, really, at the end of the day you’ll be the one strutting in it around town…and if you’re looking confident in it, you can in all realness “pull off” anything.


What are your favorite trends this season, and how do you plan working  them into your wardrobe for your own look?

I definitely am loving how much crochet, fringe, and feathers are big for Spring/Summer.  Right now I love how fringe can not only be on tops but also cardigans (perfect for layering) and even bags (found one recently at H&M I’m hooked to).  Crochet is perfect for dresses and feathers are my favorite for earrings or necklaces.

Who are your style icons and what inspires you?

Corny I know, but first would be my Mom.  She really inspires me with how she collects beautiful clothing from thrift and vintage shops, and inspired me to go out and try to find clothes there.  Second are definitely my readers and bloggers in general — every time I visit their blogs, I get a big dose of fashion inspiration!  And lastly definitely would be Mary-Kate Olsen.  Her effortless style is something I can always look back to whenever I’m in a fashion rut.

Where is your favorite place to shop, and do you have any designers you really like? I really love shopping at H&M, whenever I walk in there, I always end up finding something I love.  I love Chloe, Alexander Wang, Sass & Bide, Ellery, Chanel, Dior, and the list can go on and on haha.

What are some tips you have for someone who wants to be fashionable but doesn’t have the cash for designer duds?

First THRIFT. Then VINTAGE.  Thrift stores really have the best prices for even designer pieces.  Vintage definitely is a cheap way to buy beautiful clothing from different fashion eras.  Both are ways to find unique and gorgeous pieces at a reasonable price.

Thank you for your time, Kathleen!


Photos courtesy of Inspirafashion. Also check out Kathleen’s Chictopia!

♥’s: dressing up

halloween costumes

Alright, alright: so this post probably isn’t about what you thought it was going to be about – but what can I say? Fashion is about having fun! So for Halloween, our style-obsessed staff put a rest to their heels and broke out some zombie face-paint…or just rocked ‘em both. After all, if there’s a rule against being well-dressed from beyond the grave, we would break it in a…umm, heartbeat.

Anyway, for the kind of dressing up that’s more everyday check out our “Impress for Less” contest at Chictopia. We know you support recycled fashion and we know you wear it well, so show it off if you want to win a $100 gift certificate!

Or, hey, just tell us what your costume was for Halloween in the comments below. Our weekly giveaway of $25 is still going strong and we always love your feedback.

Summer Style-Off

summer photo contest

Hope you all had a great long-weekend and thanks so much for entering our summer style contest. We loved all the submissions and couldn’t believe all the amazing places you packed your Crossroads finds off to. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and we’ve randomly chosen Arabela Espinoza! Congratulations and enjoy your new Fuji Instax Mini camera on all your trips in the future. :)

Crossroads Summer Style-Off

Wow, we’ve gotten great submissions to our summer photo contest! Castles in Ireland, crystal blue beaches, and stylish stay-cations – whatever the destination, we have not been disappointed.

And if you want a chance at winning this Fuji Instax Mini Film Camera ($140 value), all you have to do is post a photo of your summer travels (while sporting Crossroads’ finds, of course) to our Facebook wall by Monday, September 6th.

That means you have one last weekend left to enter, so don’t procrastinate otherwise it’ll fly by just like summer. :(

Back-to-School in Style

DOUBLE-COUPON

Need some help figuring out what to wear on the first day? No sweat. Here’s a couple ways Crossroads is willing to help!

Bring in the coupon above and choose to get $5 EXTRA when you sell $50 retail value to us OR get $5 off a purchase of $20/more. Out with the old and in with the new school-year, right?

And if you’re in the Chicago area, you can help others too. :) We’re collecting school supply donations for the Chicago Public School System until September 7th,  so drop off some stuff and be entered to win a $50 Crossroads gift certificate.

Crossroads Summer Style-Off

Fuji Instax Mini Camera

Summer is winding down but it’s not over yet! Post a photo of your summer travels (while sporting Crossroads’ finds, of course) to our Facebook wall by September 6th.

If you share your stylish getaway and mention where it was taken, you’ll be entered to win a Fuji Instax Mini Film Camera of $140 value.

So snap away while summer’s still here!

Crossroads Wants to Know…

liu wen lara stone vogue chanel iman

Black and white and fashion photography. They just go together so well.

Tell us which one is your favorite and you’re automatically entered to win a $25 gift certificate. Voting on our official 17th Annual Fashion Photo Contest also puts you in the running for another $25 gift certificate! In fact, it seems like we have as many great submissions as we do prizes around here. ;) So don’t wait to try to snag yours.

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