Weekly Mock-off Round Up

Here are this week's new mock-offs!

Celebs:

- Starlet Hayden Panetierre stands up for a cause

- Nicole Richie gears up for Spring

Designers:

- Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer

- Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer

- Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer

Single Mocks:

- Oversize Tote, Rebecca Minkoff ($441) VS Jessica Simpson ($106)

- Pink and Coral Dress, Shoshanna ($360) VS Emily and Finn ($34)

- Black Wedge Boots, Guiseppe Zanotti ($304) VS Jeffery Campbell ($162)

- Ruffle Heel Pumps, Rebecca Taylor ($345) VS JLo ($55)

- Zipper Platforms, Gucci ($552) VS Steve Madden ($100)

In it For The Long Run

I don't know how it happened, but somehow over the last couple of years I have become a serious runner. I know how it started - a friend challenged me to run in the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon in 2009. Yes me, a girl who at 14 could barely run a mile in gym class, finished a half-marathon in 2 hours 34 minutes. And I somehow became addicted.

Since then I have run numerous 5k and 10k races, as well as the full Portland Marathon back in October. And currently I am training for the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon coming up in June.

So what motivates me to head out and run each day? Many things from stress relief, to creativity splurges, to dropping dress sizes and even the excuse to listen to my music. You know what else motivates me? RUNNING CLOTHES? Yes, clothing, shoes, accessories - I am constantly on the lookout for new, yet inexpensive options. Nothing puts a pep in my step like brand new gear.

I've put together a grouping of gear I'm currently coveting, including my favorite running shoes, the Nike Pegasus. I'd love to hear from you! What are your running essentials? I'm talking anything from sunglasses, to socks, to iPod straps - what do you covet?

More Nike...

Clockwise from top left:

Aerie F.I.T. Running Tee ($19.95)

Old Navy Running Tank ($15)

Nike Storm-Fit Jacket ($85)

Adidas Energy Bra ($30)

Adidas by Stella McCartney Burla Tote ($75)

Nike Air Pegasus ($85)

Adidas Cushioned Socks ($12)

Adidas by Stella McCartney Running Tights ($80)

Fila Running Shorts ($15.99)

Help Line Needs Your Help

This is in no way shape or form related to fashion, but it is exciting and I need to share! A friend of mine's significant other is part of a band called Help Line. They are pretty hilarious and great guys and they need your help. Aflac (yup, the duck) is having an online video contest. The video with the most votes wins $25, 000! The guys have put together an awesome video and they would love your vote! (And frankly I would love Chris to win so he can buy something nice and sparkly for my friend...)

Click here to VOTE!

Thanks in advance for your help! Feel free to vote once a day!

Wanna hear some music from Help Line? Check out their Myspace and Facebook pages.

Read my Bright Red Lips - Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Read my Bright Red Lips contest. This was my first blog contest and what a success! I gathered so many great suggestions for red lipstick. The most suggested color is Mac's Ruby Woo.

And now the moment you have been waiting for...our randomly chosen winner!

Combining the Twitter and Blog entries that makes our winner...ohstac! Congratulations!

Ohstac suggested I try Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red. I will pick some up while I'm at Target this weekend, checking out the new Liberty of London collection. Here are some of the other suggestions:

More Lancome...

Thanks again for all your entries! I will be running another contest soon so stay tuned!

Weekly Mock-off Round Up

What a week! We've been busy, busy finding you the latest and greatest mocks.

Celebs:

- Lovely actress Jessica Biel heads out in LA

- Reese Witherspoon gets down to business

- Singer Katy Perry dresses down

Designers:

- Soft and feminine, Chanel Spring/Summer

- Edgy and bright, Versace Spring/Summer

Single Mocks:

- Crossbody Envelope Bag, Treesje ($365) VS Nine West ($69)

- Zipper Front Dress, Kimberly Ovitz ($595) VS Marc NY ($86)

- Grey Sweater Jacket, Grai ($240) VS Silence & Noise ($68)

- Gold Mesh Bracelet, CC Skye ($110) VS Arden B ($24)

- Flowery Black Heels, Badgley Mischka ($215) VS XoXo ($79)

What I Wore - Job Interview 1 & 2

I recently interviewed for a marketing position here in Portland and I was inspired to post about interview style. As proud as you may be of your resume, it is not just experience and personal skills that can score you that highly coveted job. What you wear to your interview can effect first impressions, your image within the company and, perhaps most importantly, your confidence.

Interview #1:

I went in to my first interview thinking I needed something that would pop, but would remain perfectly business-like. My motto is that it is much better to over dress than to under dress. With these things in mind I dug out my yellow shell top, tired black skirt and tailored suit jacket. I added a bit of my personality with my gold fish bracelet, grey ribbed tights and button ankle boots.

More Forever 21...

Interview #2:

A few days later I was called back for a second interview with the same company. After getting a glimpse of the office style during my first visit, I decided it was okay to go a bit more casual with this look. A simple black and white dress did the trick. I dropped the suit jacket and instead covered with a single button shrug. I added my long tassel necklace, black tights and Tory Burch Reva flats and I was good to go!

More Forever 21...

The HR representative complimented my style and said I looked very professional.

What do you think? What is your go-to interview outfit?

See you at the Crossroads (Trading Co.)

Lovely Spring weather blanketed the Pacific Northwest this past weekend. For some reason beautiful weather inspires me to get out and shop! So I convinced hubby to head out and do some vintage wandering with me (okay, I technically lured him with promises of pancakes and coffee). We headed to SE Hawthorne, a neighborhood known for its quirky shops and excellent vintage selection. After a sweet breakfast at Bread and Ink Café we stumbled next door to the newest edition to the neighborhood, Crossroads Trading Co.

I had never heard of the store, but I was immediately pleased with what I found. A rack of designer pieces ranging from Diane Von Furstenberg to Marc Jacobs to Le Rok greeted me by the entrance (who knew designer pieces existed in Portland?). The store was laid out nicely, each section labeled so it was easy to find what you needed. I wandered the dress racks finding a mix of pieces from Banana Republic, Target, Ann Taylor and more. The store felt like a less crowded version of Buffalo Exchange with a better eye for what is appropriate to buy.

My husband – who by the way hates shopping for clothing of any kind – found a nice khaki jacket $8. I didn’t find anything to purchase, but I will be back!

Crossroads Trading has 24 stores across the country from Cali to Chicago. They will buy your quality used clothing for a nice percentage of what they will sell it for. Check out the Item of the Week section of their website for a taste of what you can find. From Theory to Givenchy to Steve Madden to Betsey Johnson they have something for everyone.