Chunky Knits

How can you not get excited over sweaters & jackets that feel like a hug or, even better, instigate one. This fall, chunky knits are in! There is a variety of shapes, colors, necklines, and materials, all guaranteeing a snugly sensation! Make it work for you by wearing an underlayer to insure complete comfort, should it get toasty indoors. It may be a bit much for the workplace, but on the weekends a chunky knit sweater such as Trina Turk's Fenny Poncho Sweater (pictured in the middle) is sure to keep you warm! Pair this sweater with a pair of skinny's or black jeggings, and not only will you be stylin' but you are guaranteed comfort!

As Seen In...

Mary Schmidt Ammons of The Real Housewives of D.C. in OK! Magazine is wearing the new Trina Turk Charlyn Jacket and Angie Skirt we just got in!
This striking and unique set has all the right touches! The classic tweed combined with the fringed edges give it a conservative, yet edgy look. Wear these pieces together or separate! Thanks to the gathered buttoned back, the flattering fit gives this jacket a business friendly appeal. The patched elbow sleeves, wide spread collar, and mini fringed shoulder details give you the option to also make this piece sexy and sassy! This pencil fit tweed skirt gives just enough detail with the bold eyelid pockets. It is appropriate for work or play!

This print...a fall hit!

This print is always a "do", but this fall it's saturating the spotlight more than normal! From fur jackets & dresses to earrings & heels, they are all a spin of this trend! Accessorizing with this print makes it easy to take your solids, and somewhat blah, duds and transform them into a sassy and stylish outfit! If your new to the animal print pool (some of us have been splashing around in it since we were big enough to pick out our own clothes), then go for a simple scarf, bag, or shoes! Accessorizing is key when it comes to updating your existing clothing choices, so make your life easy! Put your dollars into some key accessory pieces that will snaz up what you already have! For all you faithful leopard lovers, go for a fun top, dress, or even fur coat! Embrace your outer-animal style in a way that reflects your fun & unique personality!

Some of our McAuley favs!

Trina does her leopard so well! Take all of these into fall with an awesome denim or black leather jacket! Which style is your personality match?

Trina Turk's Lovely Leopard Stella Dress

Trina Turk's Tabatha Blouse

Trina Turk's Tisbury Skirt

Make your life easy with some of our favorite accessories!

Leopard Bracelet

Leopard Earrings

Leopard Scarf

Don't forget....a sexy pair of shoes!

Look of the Week: Simple & Sexy

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!

Be a Beach Bound Beauty!

Ok, so I'm in the middle of packing for the beach (I leave Wednesday) and thought I would share with some of you beauty bloggers a few of my "newest fashion favs" that I have gotten from the store to take with me:-) The destination is Charleston and the reason is for fun (with the exception of a little work that will be done by my boyfriend who is in the exciting insurance business). This calls for the following clothing categories...fun and flashy, beachy and casual chic, and semi business-worthy for the insurance seminar & meeting I will be demanded to attend:-)

Here are some of my newest fashion fav's to keep me from being a beaching blunder!

First of all, I LOVE Joyous and Free! Their clothing is so comfy and they always do the best job of taking a more basic piece and twisting it into a unique style! This orange/coral shade I love, especially with a sun kissed skin tone! The matted gold detail along the bust is perfect for shoe matching! I am pairing this with my new brown and gold heels and wearing this out! You always seem to have so much more fun when you feel "fashion flirty"! One of my favorite things about the LuLu dress is that if our night looks like it is going to take a more "low-key route", I'll just throw on my gold flops; no stress at picking out a new dress...whew(you can do this with almost all of Joyous and Free's dresses)!

This is my plan for the seminar or the meeting I must attend. I just had to throw in a little pizzazz with the awesome flower zipper belt! The style and fit of this dress, by our junior line, is a more conservative and classy fit, but the shortness of it makes it a little more fun and trendy for my age! I have had this pair of Naughty Monkey heels since last summer and I LOVE them! If we have your size in them, you better snatch them up because they are a steal of a deal right now! (I also have a mustard belt & a coral one I would like to pair with this dress for a more fun occation that may roll around. I love pops of color with grey!)

This is one of my casual chic Charleston outfits; a mixture of relaxation and education with a splash of sophistication.Ben shorts by Trina Turk and my "Devil May Care" top by Nanette Lepore! With some gold flops and cute pearl and gold bangles, I'm ready for a day of fun in the downtown shops! I have put my "Devil May Care" top with skinny jeans and heels too! I rolled my skinnys up at the bottom (a cuff of only about an inch to 1 1/2 inches, don't get it too thick), and threw in a clutch and I felt very classy and trendy! My shorts I have also put with a black cotton tank and some black flops! So many options for both of these very neutral colored pieces! Mix and match away ladies! These two are fun!

The perfect wedding attendee pick!

Picking what to wear to a wedding can be a major headache! All kinds of things go into play: What time is the wedding? Where is the wedding? Were there specifications on the invitation? What is everyone else wearing? HEADACHE!! Well, I have picked out a perfect dresses that you are SURE to be safe with! All you have to do is accessorize this pretty pick a little differently to accommodate for the time and place! Your sure to get complements on this fashion statement without looking like that girl who wants to draw attention to herself (because remember, weddings are all about the bride, not you!). But with this piece, you can look pleasantly classy and sassy while still maintaining wedding attendee etiquette!

Any "type" wedding, any "time" wedding

KIND OF DRESS

The Zafira Dress by Trina Turk is a perfect wedding pick! With the lace overlay and belted waist, it presents a perfect and "safe" fit for a casual or more dressy wedding! (not to mention the color being navy, which is this summer's "new black")

How to wear it to a casual wedding:

Outdoor/beach wedding do gold sandals like the ones we have pictured. For an indoor wedding throw on some gold wedges with a higher heel. For both, accessorize with cute gold bangles (throw some coral in there, it looks great with navy). If your not a bracelet girl, do a really fun ring like our clustered pearl one! Throw in a gold clutch (or coral if you can find it) and your safe for any casual wedding thrown your way!

How to wear it to a night wedding:

If your going to a wedding after 6, just put on some saucy gold, nude, or tan heels, add a big ring (bling or costume), large gold earrings, and a gold clutch or chain strapped purse! You can even change out the belt with a cute gold skinny one!

Look of the Week: From Dawn 'Til Dusk!

Are you a fashionista on the fly? Trying to balance a schedule that includes work, school, and other obligations, while still squeezing in a bit of quality time for the boyfriend or the girls? Well, believe it or not, it is possible! McAuley's has all kinds of clothes that will fit your constantly changing lifestyle, like the gorgeous Trina Turk Destiny Blouse pictured above! Fashionable and versatile, the Destiny Blouse can be dressed up with a cute Michael Stars cardigan or sexed up with a pair of skinny jeans - an item that truly is perfect for all occasions! So what are you waiting for? This trendy top is 25% off through the end of this month... but there are only two left, so you'll want to hurry up and get one before they're gone!

Items pictured in image: Brown Cardigan, Joe's Jeans Cigarette Skinny in Tessa, Michael Stars 1x1 Slub 3/4 Sleeve Shawl Neck Cardigan in Atlantis, Trina Turk Destiny Blouse in Aqua, Trina Turk Mills Skirt in White

The Carrie Craze!

Sex and the City 2 hit the big screen yesterday! I don't know about you, but I have always looked at Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), as a "fashion icon". Her vogue appeal is always on time and never a miss! She can perfect a super chic and sweet attire, and can also blow a bright and sparkling outfit out of the fashion park! Being a definite "trend setter", her daring appearance always lands her in fashion magazines declaring things a "New Carrie Trend"! Before you know it, they are making shoes, clothes, and accessories to imitate her "look"! I stem some of my ensembles from her super savvy style....what girl wouldn't! These are my favorite pieces in the store right now that can give you that "VERY CARRIE" vibe!

The Daphne top and Louise skirt by Eva Franco definately give off a Sex and the City style! The color is a beautiful neutral khaki with light gold thread weaved into the material. When worn together, the two pieces resemble one. Put a cute flower pin at the upper shoulder of the top, and you have a Carrie Craze Couture look! Want more ways to wear the two pieces? This top goes great with dark denim, a cream pair of shorts or skirt, and looks great with black bottoms! With the skirt, add a cute short sleeve cotton top to dress it down & pair it with some cute wedges! (throw a tucked in button-up for a more business appeal or a silk-like top for more cocktail)

This beautiful cream dress by Ark & Co. screams CARRIE BRADSHAW! She loves cutesy dresses belted at the waist! Pair this dress with a great pair of chunky black heels and you have one of Carrie's more conservative sexy looks!

Both of these amazing dresses from Trina Turk scream Carrie's flashy side, especially in the new Sex and the City! The Column long dress ,with a flowing bottom and embroidered neckline, giving it a simple, yet sexy feel. The Bizet Dress is a beautiful eye catching piece. With feminine ruffling down the front, it creates that sexy and sweet look that Carrie loves so much! The elastic waist gives it an amazing shape, and the fitted skirt compliments the more forgiving top; a sure Carrie Crave!

Look of the Week: Summery Shorts!

It's that time of the year again! You know - the time of the year when temperatures soar to seventy degrees and above, and all you want to do is lay out at the beach or the lake (or even in your own backyard!) in the hope of catching some of that delicious summer sun. A glass of lemonade, a good gossip magazine... and of course, a pair of sexy, summery shorts from McAuley's are sure to make this season the hottest summer yet! Why suffer a slow bake in a pair of long pants when you could achieve the perfect summer sizzle in any of the items pictured below? Take a look:


Items pictured above: Zoom Shorts in Guava by Trina Turk, Clayton Short in Black by Trina Turk, Ricardo Shorts in Poppy by Trina Turk, Cece Shorts by Trina Turk, Sagamore Short by Nanette Lepore (also available in Navy.) (Click the picture to view the item's details!)

Look of the Week: Florals!

Time to box up those boring blacks and browns and stick those snow boots in the closet! The weather outside is getting warmer, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a flirty floral print. So, whether you're soaking up the sun at the beach or hitting the racks at the mall, you can rest assured that your fashionable, flower-inspired look will be anything but last season! Be sure to check out these cute, colorful florals from McAuley's!



Items pictured in image: Blue Strapless Floral Dress, Eva Franco Mimi Skirt in Camelot Floral, Multi Flower Necklace.

Items pictured above: Floral Swirl Dress by Nicole Miller; Luv-to-Luv Dress by Nanette Lepore; Franco Dress by Lilly Pulitzer; Blair Dress by Lilly Pulitzer; Wildflower Dress in Blue Multi by Trina Turk; Chiffon Flower Print Halter Dress; Strapless Floral Poplin Dress with Smocking; Royal Blue Floral Print Dress; Strapless Floral Print Dress. (Click the picture to view the item's details!)

Look of the Week: Rompers!

Why settle for just "looking good" this summer? Sure, dresses and skirts are incredibly cute, but if you really want to stand out, you should try something that's fashion-forward and totally fun - rompers! Featured in the Spring 2009 collections of Marc Jacobs, Max Azria, and the like, it's easy to see why these flirty one-piece playsuits are poised to become this season's hottest new trend. Celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Beyoncé were quick to catch on, but it's not too late to steal a couple of seconds in the spotlight with your own summer-inspired outfit! Be sure to check out these gorgeous rompers from McAuley's before it's too late!

Items pictured above: Zelda Romper by Nanette Lepore; Trudy 2 Romper in Blue Splash by Trina Turk; Purple Ruffle Romper by Frenzii. (Click the picture to view the item's details!)

Look of the Week: My Perfect Easter Dress

This year for Easter, my plans are a bit more formal -- my roommates and I are all celebrating the holiday with family dinner after we finish all of our traditional Easter day activities. I couldn't think of a better dress to fit the occasion than this Trina Turk Ibis Dress in white. I absolutely love the colorful print on the top, and the empire waist is flattering to any figure! For Easter I'm going to dress is down with gold sandals and a cocktail ring, but I've already got this dress in mind for my brother's wedding this summer too! For the wedding, I'll dress it up with metallic heels and matching dangle earrings, and I'll grab a yellow or coral Michael Stars cardigan to take with me in case it gets cold. Between now and then I'm sure I'll get even more use out of this beautiful dress (formal dinners, cocktail parties, dates, etc.), but for now I can rest assured that I have added a staple item in my wardrobe to last me through summer!

Happy Easter everyone!
-Tristan

Look of the Week: Letter to the Easter Bunny

Dear Mr. Easter Bunny,

I’ve never asked you for much, but I HAVE to have this Trina Turk Wildflower dress! When you see this A-mazing A-line, sure to flatter every figure, you’ll understand my urgency. The vibrant floral print is scattered fron to back, neckline to hem and sure to knock them dead. It will go perfectly with the McAuley’s gold wedge sandals that I hope Mom will be gifting me for Easter. If you could also toss a great gold bangle and earrings from the Unique Boutique in my basket, I’ll promise to be extra good this Spring. The whole ensemble is the look of the week, and being the fashionista that I am, I’m just dying to have it! Pretty please with a Peep on top?!


Love,

Taylor

Taylor Swift on Jay Leno!

I know I've already done a post about someone wearing the Eltie Dress by Trina Turk, but I couldn't help doing another one... especially since the celebrity seen in the dress was Taylor Swift!

Buy it from us!