Thrifty Thursday (Day 1 of 31)

Today is the first day of our 31 Days of Gift Card Giveaways!!
Comment on this post to answer the question for your chance to win a $10 McAuley's Gift Card! A question will be posted daily--This means 31 Gift Cards!!
For more information on the contest, click here.

Style: Questions & Answers

Comment any questions and McAuley's Specialized Fashion Consultants will assist you with an answer! Remember to tell us what you think about the jean leggings-yes or no?

JULY CONTEST!!

Ok, so here is the deal...We are having a contest throughout the entire month of July giving away 31 McAuley's Gift Cards!

What do you win? You will have a chance to win a $10 McAuley's Gift Card DAILY! At the end of the month, we will be giving away a $100 McAuley's Gift Card to the Grand Prize Winner!

How do you win? It's simple. Everyday we will post a question on our blog. Answer the question correctly and you will be entered into a drawing for that day to get a chance to win your $10 McAuley's Gift Card. Be sure to enter daily because you can win multiple times AND at the end of the month, we will select the top 10 people who answered the most questions correctly to win the $100 McAuley's Gift Card. Winners will be announced daily.

Want to have a better chance at winning? For every friend you refer to the contest that participates, you will receive an additional entry into the drawing for that day they participated. To receive this extra entry, make sure your friend includes "referred by : YOUR NAME HERE" at the end of their post.

Rules:

• You can only guess the answer to the question one time per day. If multiple answers are given we will only take the first one posted.
• Do not post your answers using 'anonymous.' We won't have anyway of knowing who you are!
  
• Post your answers on our blog, NOT Facebook.

McAuley's 31 Days of Gift Card Giveaways begins on July 1st! Get ready to play!

Flirty fashion for the 4th!

I love the 4th of July; cookouts, lake fun, and festive foods! Everyone needs to show their appreciation for this memorable holiday, so start by wearing your nation's colors in style! You can wear your red, white, or blue in the most fashionable ways with our trendy picks!

Cookout Couture!

*The following are my favorite picks for day and night festivities! Dress for the hot weather in these hot styles!



This navy and red poplin dress by our junior line is perfect for the traditional 4th cookout, not to mention a good hot weather pick! With its cute design and gold detail, it looks perfectly "put together" when paired with gold flops or wedges! The price for this fashionable 4th dress will be a sure pocket pleaser!

This navy and white tube top by Envi will gain you a lot of compliments while maintaining your comfort! Pair it with white denim for a more dressy, night time look, or throw it on with white denim shorts and some fun red heels or sandles... and POOF! There is your fun and festive 4th outfit!

AAHH this is my favorite July 4th dress! Red, white, and blue...IT'S PERFECT! This strapless dress by our junior line is a sure crowd pleaser (as well as the pocket)! Celebrate the fun and fireworks while maintaining that "man I look good" attitude!

This "Summer in Tucson" dress by Free People is a STEAL OF A DEAL...60% off! Channel your more "earthy" side with this unique and fun Free People fashion piece!

Shop all of our RED, WHITE, and BLUE now!

Look of the Week: Mix and Match!

Don't you just love it when you find a new way to wear something that's already in your closet? I know I do! It's like being able to create a whole new look without having to buy an entire outfit - and the good news is, there are tons of items like this available at McAuley's! When you shop our selection of cute skirts, summery shorts, and trendy tops, you'll be guaranteed to find tons of items you can mix and match! Take this Rhinestone Shine Short Sleeve V Neck by Michael Stars, for instance. Sure, it looks wonderful when paired with a bright, beachy pair of white jeans, but have you ever noticed that it would probably also go great with a Wrap Band Skirt by Envi? And what about this cute, comfy Shine Drape Front Scoop Neck Tank by Michael Stars? Layered over a Dance in Paris Seamless Camisole and a pair of jean capris, it looks both sporty and simple, while a textured pink scarf and a pair of light pants - or our brand new Cut Off Shorts by Joe's Jeans - would be sure to add a bit of pizazz to an already amazing look!

Do-It-Yourself Fashion: Shredded Leggings!

Ripped, slashed, and torn: if celebrity style is any indication, the so-called "grunge look" is back with a vengeance - and it's returning in the form of shredded leggings! Everyone from Dakota Fanning to Lindsay Lohan is cashing in on this totally fierce fashion trend, which has been spotted all over Tinseltown of late. And, while I'm in no rush to run out and get a pair of barely-there leggings like Lady Gaga's, I'll admit that I'm completely taken with this edgy, retro, in-your-face fad! In fact, I'd been shopping around for some shredded leggings of my own for quite some time (and having no luck whatsoever!) when it occurred to me how easy it would be to just make some for myself. After all, how much creativity does one girl really need to rip a couple of holes in her tights? None at all, as I proved when I managed to successfully create my very own pair yesterday! Take a look at how they turned out and tell me what you think - dreadfully tacky or daringly different? - and check out the tips below if you're interested in creating your very own pair of custom-ripped pants!

How to Trash Your Tights

1.) Choose the leggings you want to customize. (Note: Stretchy ones are the best for cutting, but you run the risk of enlarging the holes when they're worn or washed.)
2.) Put the leggings on. It will be easier for you to make your cuts asymmetrical while you're wearing them - plus, you'll be able to see how they'll actually look on you as opposed to in your closet.
3.) Take some scissors (preferably fabric scissors with fairly sharp blades) and make as many cuts as you want, keeping the cuts fairly close together.
4.) Viola! You now have your very own pair of trendy shredded tights! Bet they'll go great with this Tabatha Blouse by Trina Turk or this edgy black-on-black Shine Off Shoulder Top by Michael Stars from McAuley's!

Bohemian. Luxe.

Boho. Luxe. Hippie. Bohemian. Hipster.
....or whatever you want to call it-is IN and totally RAD! Have fun with it....
Layer. Layer. Layer. Add Beading && Feathers! Mix vibrant (not TaCkY) & neutral colors. Ruby Reds. Emerald Greens. True Violet. All Browns. NO Pastel/Florescent. Add embellishments & embroidery. Don't be scared of sequins. Throw on a scarf. Accessorize with natural stone jewelry.

Get Inspired:

Atlanta Noo De Cadenet Taylor, daughter of actress & photographer Amanda De Cadenet and Duran Duran’s bassist John Taylor, inspires many women (including myself) by combining the old with new. From day to night she layers her vintage finds with floral prints, loads of necklaces, and big summer hats.

Free People is the go-to designer for all your bohemian needs. You will be sure to find easy-to-layer clothes loaded with beads, embellishments, and feathers! Check out the Free People we carry at McAuley's Unique Boutique!

The summer's A-List celebrity fav....

Everyone has jumped on board this fashion trend, and it's "A-List" approved! Cut off denim shorts....sexy and shreddy!

Celebs sporting their savviness in the two most popular washes of the stylish shorts:




What could be more realistic? You can do anything with these shorts! Casual with flats, a cute loose top and heels , or even with boots! Yes, I said boots! Check out how Elle Macpherson, Miley Cyrus, and other A-Listers pull the trend off for a look that can take you into the warmer days of fall!



Check out McAuley's savvy shreds! This purchase won't leave you disappointed! The possibilities are endless! (and several-season friendly too!)

True Religion Keira Cut-off-shorts in white body rinse ($172)

Joe's Jeans Cut-off-shorts in the Karrie wash ($148)

Trend Alert: Teal is the New Black!

Remember back in the nineties, when skinny jeans were woefully out of date and the trippy neon styles of the previous decade had been replaced by grungy leather and rock-'n'-roll-inspired plaid? Well, fashion has a habit of repeating itself, and this up-and-coming teal trend is no exception! Teal was a big hit back in the eighties (along with Madonna, Full House, and toe-tapping flicks like Flashdance and Footloose) and now, in 2010, this eye-catching color is set to make a comeback! But if you're not quite brave enough to bust out those spandex leggings and skintight Lycra skirts hidden at the back of your mom's closet, never fear - the teal trend is one that can be easily worn by one and all! Take Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, and Blake Lively, for example: Miley's retro fingernails brought a touch of the 80's to the red carpet at last year's MTV movie awards, while Reese rocked a teal scarf out and about in L.A. and Blake Lively donned a bold blue handbag on the set of Gossip Girl! So what are you waiting for? Stock up on some 80's-inspired teal accessories today!

Shop teal at McAuley's!

Kim Kardashian's Everyday Look

Kim Kardashian seems to always shine in her attire! She knows how to pick the perfect outfit for the perfect occasion-from the airport to the red carpets. Get Kim's glamorous everyday look by pairing a light blazer, skinny jeans, summer scarf, and studded pumps. According to Kim's Blog, ranking number five of Kim's Top 10 Fashion Trends sits "Light Blazers! I have my favorite staple black blazer that goes with everything, but I really am loving light blazers for summer." The Boyfriend Jacket in Grey fits loosely enough to capture the slouchy look, yet fits tightly enough to look polished. Straight jeans can be boyfriend or skinny fit, distressed or monochrome, light or dark. Treat yourself to a pair of Citizens of Humanity Elson High Rise Straight Jeans for a dark, monochrome, skinny look or go more casual with Joe's Jeans Raw Cuff Kicker in Kursten for a distressed look. Try a neutral studded heel, such as the Sergio Zelcer Denise Shoe in tan, for a multifunctional shoe that can almost always be paired with straight jeans. These sky-high studded shoes are seriously glam! Lastly, finish off your outfit by accessorizing with a summer scarf. Mix and match patterns and colors or keep it simple and solid-either way it will add the finishing touch!

Look Of The Week: White on White

Its a cool & crisp look for those hot summer days...but to keep your appearance from looking stiff and starchy, try to give it a tropical vibe! Bright jewelry, a colored clutch, fun heels...and even a hat for a super summery style! To channel the runway with this trend, stick to loose breathable materials when doing daytime. For a night out on the town with the girls, throw on a more fitted tank and some fun jewelry! So many options for this eye-catching trend! This is our pick for a casual during-the-day outing. Don't have time to go home and change before going to dinner? Your safe! The heels make this perfect for a night out too!


Get This Look Here:

1. Michael Stars Shine Drape Neck Tank ($61.05)

2. Citizens Of Humanity Morrison Slim Boot Cut ($170)

3. Sergio Zelcer Denise Heels in Tan ($138)


4. Thin Blue Bangle Set ($17.50)





See how a few Hollywood celebs do the trend:

big & bold EARRINGS

What is big & bold & too hard to ignore this summer? That's right-EARRINGS! Everyone from Sophia Bush to Jennifer Lopez has been swapping out the statement necklace for a pair of ornate earrings. With all the different styles anyone can sport these danglers! Swap out your pearls & delicate earrings-accessorize with chunky, big & bold!**fashion tip: Have you come in this summer from laying out at the pool or playing on the beach and suffer from really bad tan lines on your chest? When getting ready for the evening, try wearing a pair of elaborate earrings to distract attention away for your chest. It will elongate your neck and draw attention to your sun-kissed face. Wear your hair in an up-do or sport loose, beachy waves-either will work!

Here are just a few big & bold earrings that McAuley's Unique Boutique has to offer....Gold Tear Drop Earrings with Blue Bead, $27.50
Think outside the box and get a little funky with these earrings! They combine different shapes, textures, and colors to create a masterpiece! Show off these unique earrings this summer!

Beaded Hoop Earrings, $15
Aren't these just too great? I love all the different shades of browns and greens brought together with the beaded detail. Lightweight and easy-to-wear, these earrings go with much more than you can even imagine! They are available in brown and green!

Large Gold and Crystal Earrings, $40
These earrings have such a rich, expensive look to them. I love the five dangling drops....very geometric and dressy at the same time. Dress up your outfit and go out for a night on the town with these dressy danglers!





















Filigree Disc Earring with beads, $11.25
These earrings are a must have! Because they are so simple yet stylish, you can easily add them to almost any outfit! They are available with red, black, and aqua beads!

Red Boho Dangle Earrings, $20
Wow, are these earrings glamorous! They are my favorite-I give them two thumbs up! The detail is so intricate and combines several shades of orange and blue. Dress up a plain tee with these dazzling danglers!


Pink and Black Flower Earrings, $18
The delicate black wire paired with the chunky, bold flower keeps it girly yet bold. These would be perfect to accessorize with the little black dress hanging in your closet!

Blue and Gold Multi Oval Dangle, $20

Eye-catching, the blue stones make these earrings POP! The earrings are totally classy and professional, but still super sexy at the same time! The long length on these earrings are sure to slim your face when you wear them.

Cute Cover-Ups!

Want to know what my absolute favorite thing about summer is? The fact that it's a great excuse to bust out all those cute swimsuits that have been hiding at the bottom of my dresser drawer since last fall! Whether I'm headed for a week-long vacation at the beach or looking forward to a day on the lake, I still want to look my best, so I always spend ages picking out which ones to wear. Of course, a great swimsuit would be nothing without a cute cover-up to go with it, right? And these fun, flirty dresses from McAuley's are just what the doctor ordered - comfortable and cool, but guaranteed to look great whether you're soaking up the sun or playing in the surf!

Items pictured in image: Envi Ruffle Dress in Aqua, Joyous & Free Lydia Tunic, Joyous & Free Palm Marion Tunic.

Look of the Week: One Shoulder Dress

Legs and cleavage are often a woman's best fashion accessory, but if neither are your body's strongest features, or you're after something a little less cliche but equally sensual, look to your shoulders and yield to the one shoulder dress trend. Many of the top celebrities wear the one shoulder dress in many different styles and lengths. Get sexy in lace like Kristin Cavallari, go wild with neon and prints like Stephanie Pratt, keep it simple like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian or steal Brooke Shields' sparkle and shine. Whichever color and print you choose, you are sure to look catch an eye with the sexy one shoulder glam. Although McAuley's Unique Boutique offers a variety of one shoulder dresses, I have chosen three of my favorites including KLD Signature One Shoulder Dress in Jade, French Connection Crayon Carousel Dress, and Pink One Shoulder Dress by Pheobe Couture, that are sure to keep you smoking hot this summer!

Let us see what fabrics and patterns caught your eye this summer by posting a picture of you in your favorite one shoulder dress!

splurge vs steal

Have you ever felt overwhelmed after reading INSTYLE magazine and seeing all the products you circled that filled your new wishlist for the season? I know I have! After flipping through pages and pages of designer magazines and being surrounded by a fashion conscious society, we crave to have the hottest new look at the low prices that we can afford. I have found 5 designer musts for the season at a great price!

Bold & Brilliant
Scarfs in the summer? Yes, it might seem strange but summer scarfs are a must! Purchasing a color-blasted scarf is an easy way to sport an everyday outfit by pairing it with a solid tank or tee. McAuley's Unique Boutique has over thirty different styles of lightweight fabric and on-trend summer scarfs to choose from, costing as low as $19.98!

Versatile is Key
These brown and gold heels are so versatile and can be paired with solid shorts for a casual yet sexy look, OR dress them up with a gold dress for a night on the town OR, add a solid dress that allows you to keep it simple. Play up these hot heels with your favorite jewelry-whether it is layers of gold jewelry OR add pops of the seasons hottest colors that go great with them! The woven rich brown and metallic gold heels put these $79.98 shoes a step ahead!

Detail not Dull
Sure, adding a loose-fitting solid top with your favorite pair of skinny jeans is a great way to create a denim hipster look but don't fade away in your solid shirt this summer! Keep it trendy on top! Choose a solid shirt with detail to avoid getting lost in the flowing fabric. The SWEETES sayaka top from McAuley's Unique Boutique has a simple yet sassy zipper outlining the collar to not only give it an extra flair but allows you to zip off the extra fabric and wear it as a tank on a hot sunny day!

Grab & Go
This is one hot deal you cannot miss out on! Comparing with this Carlos Falchi flat python clutch, costing $815 is McAuley's Unique Boutique faux snakeskin clutch which costs only $60! That isn't just a deal-it is a STEAL! Snakeskin is statement that cannot be missed. Add this clutch to a vamp look and tah dah...you have created an eye-catching masterpiece!
Simple and Stylish
Who says you have to be bold to be beautiful? With its classic monochrome stripes and sassy-yet-sophisticated ruffles, this Grey and white striped button up dress is a great way to look good while getting back to the basics! It is an easy-to-wear dress because it is perfect for any occasion, casual or professional, and offers stylish ruffles and a tasteful V-shaped neckline.

Now, you can get these five designer looks at an affordable price! If you find some more great splurge vs. steal deals share them with us!!