Skin-tastic

For about the past year or so I’ve searched in vain for a leather jacket that was both classic and affordable. Apparently however, finding such an item is like looking for the Holy Grail— comically futile. That was until I saw Avon’s new GENUINE leather jacket coming out in Campaign 18. The motorcycle-style jacket is an instant staple; the cut is fashion forward but also universally functional. Everyone I know who owns a leather jacket says that they’re "life-staples": pieces of clothing that you can wear forever, and Avon’s new leather jacket is no exception. The dark brown color and tried-and-true fit make this a piece I can wear to every occasion for years to come. And at $109.99, I don’t have to sacrifice paying my bills to afford it. This jacket will be paying for itself the minute you put it on, and given the popularity of leather these days, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Leather is everywhere this season,, from high-heeled ankle booties, to thigh highs, the texture adds just enough punch to every outfit. But finding well-made boots in genuine suede or leather is almost impossible. Once again, Avon saves the day. Seriously, if fashion had an iron lung, it would be Avon. At $39.99 each, Avon’s new Cushion Walk Must Have Grey Bootie and Suede Over-the-Knee Cushion Walk boots are stylish, affordable ways to have fall’s biggest fashion trend literally at your feet. What’s more, these boots really are made for walking, as they also include Cushion Walk technology to keep your feet comfortable as you pound the pavement. Between Campaign 18’s fabulous leather jacket and the stylish boots, you don’t have to be another victim of fashion, or have bad credit. In fact at Avon, for only $150, you can have it all!

Converting the Interns

So we introduced you to Lauren (below right) in January, she was our intern for the Summer of 2009. But you know what the say about too much of a good thing...so we had to pass Lauren off to another team for this summer. Enter, Anna (below, left), she's our new intern for 2010, and following in Lauren's footsteps she too is fabulous! She also signed on to be a guest blogger! Her wit and style insights are sure to be helpful and fun for you all to read. Anna's first post is below, enjoy!

Convertibles. No, I’m not talking about summer sports cars (although it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume Avon’s next foray is into the automotive industry considering we make just about everything else). I’m referring to our new “wear it your way” convertible top and dress! New in campaign 16, the top comes in three classic colors: yellow, blue, and fuchsia and can be worn seven, yes seven, different ways. From halter to v-neck, my new favorite one-shoulder style and strapless, I’m literally and figuratively covered for any occasion this summer. The dress also offers 7 style options in perfect summer red, and with ruching on the sides, it flaunts your curves perfectly (in my sad, curve-less case, it gives me some so I actually don’t look like an eleven-year-old). If after all that you really need another incentive, here it is: the top is only $19.99 and the dress is only $24.99! Nothing kills me more than when I spend money on a piece of clothing only to realize that it’s too fancy to wear during the day, too informal to wear to work or too boring to wear out at night. With these convertibles, I literally have no limitations. Not only do our convertibles offer a range of styles, but they offer a range of attitudes for any venue- during the day, at night, in the office or on the weekends, I don’t have to think twice about what to wear, and better yet, I don’t have to stress about my clothes being “too” anything except too perfect.

These convertibles are the definition of wardrobe staples, and with all of their style possibilities, they’re probably the only thing you need to buy all summer!

A Cashtastic Intern

Lauren is what we like to call a bringback. She was the Accessories and Apparel intern in the Summer of '09, and then the Jewelry team snagged her during her winter break from college. She's been helping the jewelry girls for the two weeks before she goes to study abroad in Italy (I told her to bring me back an Italian boyfriend as a souvenir). We nicknamed her the "Fab Intern" because that is exactly what she is. She's a hard worker, an Avon lover and a cookie eater. Lauren helped us a lot with the launch of Cashtastic in 4Q, and now that she's back I showed her what we had coming out for 1Q 2010. In the picture she's modeling the Campaign 3 Cashtastic popover. The bright coral color looks great with her skintone, and her dimples add the picture amount of charm to the outfit. It's too bad Lauren will be leaving us, she is a much lower maintenance model than Ms. Beth Pepe. Look out for the new Cashtastic zip up hoodie in beige that also comes out in C3.

Ruffles So Right

There is something about ruffles, lace and/or pearls that makes a girl feel like a woman. Perhaps it dates back to playing dress up in your mother's clothes and putting on her lipstick, but sometimes its nice to get frilly. A ruffle collar is somewhat royal, a ruffle sleeve- flirty and a red ruffle sweater- holiday. Red is the color of love- think Valentine's day coming up right around the corner, and festivities in general- family dinner, date night etc. This ruffle sweater coming out in Campaign 2 is the perfect top for any occasion. Tuck in into our slim wear skirt for a day at the office, wear it with jeans to go shopping with the girls, or pair it with black pants for Valentine's Day date night.

High Waist, All Legs

When people talk about being high waisted or short waisted, it sounds like they are speaking Chinese to me. I have no idea what all that means, but what i do know is that when i wear a high waisted skirt or dress my legs look longer and my waist looks small. Done and done, i'll take one of each. Strolling around New York City's East Village last fall, I came upon a vintage store having a sale. A $5 dollar box was set outside and I started to rummage hoping to find some pieces I could deconstruct or rework. I snagged four high waisted vintage Saks skirts and wore one today (pictured above). It nips me in my smallest part, the waist, and hits at the knee making it look like my legs start at my waist. The overall look is a throwback, a play on the librarian look, but sophisticated at the same time. No one looks frumpy in a high waisted skirt and tucked in shirt. In Campaign 2, our Slimwear line is interpreting this trend and presenting to you, the Slimwear Shirt Dress- an updated spin on the classic black and white look. With the added benefit of slimming mesh technology woven into the dress, your waist will look doubly as tiny as it did before. The dress is only $34.99, way less than a tummy tuck.

I Can't Believe It's Not Cashmere!

One of our "big news" items this winter has been the introduction of the "Cashtastic line." These items look and feel like cashmere but with a price tag that doesn't leave you crying and penniless. No longer is luxury unaffordable. These items are luxe and lovely and won't pill, so they will look new throughout many wears. Vlor and Beth were nice enough to model for me. Beth refuses to wear the Brimmed Hat ($12.99) fearing her hair would get messed up-but Vlor was more of a trooper. They both wore the Ruffle Scarf (specially priced at $14.99) and the Gathered Glove ($9.99). All three items come in ivory, teal and fuchsia. These make great gifts, you can get all three items for less than $40.00- that's way less than one cashmere item would cost at your local department store. Find these pieces along with cashtastic cardigan sets, a men's sweater, and a women's sweater in C24-26. Look forward to more cashtastic apparel coming in C3 2010.

Getting a Bang for Your Buck- Sneak Peek!

In today's economy we all have to be more watchful of what we spend and what we spend it on. My closet is already too full so whatever I buy now must be something I'll wear a lot and can work with what I already own. In my opinion, the only thing better than something that can transform your outfit is something that can transform on its own. Beth manages our product samples so she always snags some goodies for herself during the process :). This cardigan, new in C7 2010 can be worn in many different ways (4 are shown in the pictures). Simply by tying the long ends the result varies from casual to sexy. Wear this cardigan long and open, with jeans and our Loop Belt (also available in C7), cinching it at the waist. For more of a night look, wear a black dress (like the SlimWear Shirred Waist Dress from C18) and tie the cardigan ballerina style-crisscrossing it in the front and tying it in the back. This way you can cover your arms but still let the stretchy cardigan hug your curves. Look out for this great item, I promise you've never had so much fun with a cardigan before!