I never was a watch person. I was always much more of a “check the Blackberry” type person when it comes to time. But this past Christmas, something changed—I asked for an oversized Michael Kors boyfriend watch for the holidays, and since then, I’ve never looked back. Right now I’m obsessing over black watches: they’re so sleek, sophisticated, and pair well with virtually everything. Check out my favorite 5 picks below (none of which top $200):

[post_image_gallery]

[slideshow]

Any of these would look great with one of our favorite summer maxi dresses, white dresses, or flat sandals.

]]> http://www.shefinds.com/2011/our-current-obsession-black-watches-these-are-all-under-200/feed/ 0 http://www.shefinds.com/2010/sponsored-post-omegas-ladymatic-watches-are-sophisticated-and-functional/ http://www.shefinds.com/2010/sponsored-post-omegas-ladymatic-watches-are-sophisticated-and-functional/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:15:17 +0000 alyssa http://www.shefinds.com/?p=103236 Read more...]]> This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Omega Watches. All opinions are 100% mine.

OMEGA’s Ladymatic watch line features extraordinary watches for extraordinary women – everything about this line says “sophistication” and “style,” and here’s why I’m totally drawn to it.

History
OMEGA actually first introduced Ladymatic in 1955 – these are watches with history. You can see how the design reflects all the gracefulness and femininity of the elegant ’50s. Now that OMEGA has revived the name, I love that they’ve brought on Nicole Kidman as the line’s brand ambassador. I can’t think of a classier actress than Nicole to represent Ladymatic.

Style
I also appreciate the luxuriousness of the line – especially as reflected in the De Ville Ladymatic (above, and my favorite). The watch face has a spectacular wave-pattern emanating from the center of the movement, and diamonds surround the bezel. Yet, it’s anything but gaudy, for all of its precious metals and gems.

Functionality
Last but not least, these watches are true OMEGA watches – they feature OMEGA’s innovative Co-Axial component, an innovation that set a standard for watch movements in the industry. Each watch also features a chronometer, and a shock-resistant construction.

Check out these videos to see Nicole Kidman and the OMEGA Ladymatic watches up close:

You will be a standout with a Ladymatic watch – these time pieces are truly the epitome of elegance, and the best combination of old and new. Check out OMEGA’s Facebook fan page for more on their watches.

The static duo of Isaac Mizrahi and Kelly Rowland (better known as one of the girls not Beyonce in Destiny's Child) is like a wet blanket. Isaac is grating and lacks the charm of TG, who seems to have some genuine fondness for the designers. Rowland looks pretty and wears cute clothes -the orange dress above is Zara. Other than that, she just reads off the cue cards.

What's good about the show is what Bravo excels at: casting. And wow, what a group of characters. You can't miss Merlin, clad in all red with a 2-foot pheasant feather in his chapeau. Oh, did I mention he was wearing white patent women's boots with 3-inch stiletto heels?

Merlin, along with Johnny and Keith, won the first mini-challenge. They then got to pick their teams, who each had to select one must-have wardrobe item, reproduce it five times, and incorporate it into five different looks.

Johnny's group decided that harem pants were their must-have wardrobe item (someone must have seen our post). Too bad no one in the group knew how to sew satin.

What seemed like a good idea at first, Keith's group decided to do a convertible stretch wool tube dress that could be worn many ways. But they doubled the fabric, so even the size 2 models looked like sausages. Convertible dresses, like this one from Victoria's Secret, should be form-fitting and flowing. Breathing shouldn't be a problem. 

Merlin's bolero and James-Paul's Rubik's Cube dress (which are both available for purchase right now) ended up as the top two designs on the runway. After a sorry pow-wow among Isaac, Kelly, Fern Mallis (IMG Fashion VP) and guest judge Elie Tahari, James-Paul was chosen as the winner.

Shortly after, Isaac told Jonny D they didn't buy his designs. Ha! I wonder how long Bravo marketing took to come up with that one. No matter, it couldn't have been more awkward.

Wanna keep tabs on the time on a wicked white watch, but don't care to shell out almost five grand for Chanel J1 ? Both of the snow white imitators above will tick down the minutes at the same 60-second intervals, but one's an even better bargain for a J12 lookalike. Pick the watch above that rings in at under $100 (the other's more than $2,000), then make time for scoping out more deals in our Taste Test archives .

One reader asked where to locate the cute clothes Scarlett was wearing in the pedicure scene. The t-shirt is a James Perse Casual T ($50) and the sweater is Lux by Urban Outfitters, which doesn’t appear to be available anymore, so we think this Kimchi Blue Open Cardigan ($44) should do the trick. The jeans are ScarJo’s own Levi’s 501 Boyfriend Jeans ($78).

In regards to Jennifer Connolly’s red wrap watch, it’s an Hermes Cape Cod PM Watch and it's $1,850. For a more cost-effective version, we suggest the Pedre Double Wrap Watch ($90).

Lastly, we love the debate over ScarJo’s red slip under her vintage dress in the office scene. We can’t be sure this is the right one, but this Free People Pleated Skirt Dropwaist Slip ($88) is a good enough facsimile to get you into your own compromising positions.

We’re working on additional finds, but let us know what else you’re looking for. We live for this stuff!

So, you check out eBay because maybe you’ll come across some great find for a shockingly low bid. But unfortunately, as it often is on eBay, the hottest brands come at the highest risk and sometimes it’s just too difficult to determine whether a certain designer bag or shoe is actually authentic. You know how it is: you type in “Louboutin” and multiple listings of the same exact shoe come up from a single seller, who just happens to have six different pairs in varying sizes all shipping from China. That might raise a little red flag.

Enter Portero, a luxury auction style e-shop that actually guarantees the authenticity of its fine goods. Shop through great brands like Bvlgari, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, or by category like jewelry, handbags, shoes, art, housewares, etc. We’ll start you off with a few great auction finds to check out:

Celine Black Suede Studded Handbag
Current Bid: $285, down from Original Price: $950

Christian Loutoutin Scissor Girl Metallic Pumps
Current Bid: $493, down from Original Price: $985

Betsey Johnson Faux Gold Rose Bead Long Crystal Necklace
Current Bid: $173

Check out the secrets to bidding on and winning $5 Louboutins at our new favorite site, OohILove. Don’t forget to enter code OOHILOVESHEFINDS at checkout for 5% free bids. Go check out the best necklaces, too.

I tend to purchase “suits” by pulling together separates of the same line and then having them professionally tailored to make sure that they really fit well. Colors? It’s corporate, ladies, so always have black, charcoal grey, navy, and chocolate brown in your closet. I own this Theory Neela – Pinto Jacket ($365) and  Theory Mark B – Pinto Pants ($245) set.

When selecting a watch, there’s something quite sexy and powerful about a woman wearing an oversized men’s watch. This MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set Sport Watch ($225) is dressy enough for the office but classic enough to take you into the weekend. 

You can MAYBE skimp on other details but everybody notices when someone comes to the office with accessories that are falling apart. That being said, I tend to get the most compliments with reliable and cost-effective Nine West accessories, like these Kelsey Boutique 9 Pumps ($135) and this Laptop Tote ($99). 

And be sure to check out our What to Wear to Work Guide for more pointers on how to get dressed for any office.   

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means: another review of Bravo’s new reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project. This week, we see what stress awards season can place on a top stylist and her crew as Rachel “comes undone” trying to style multiple events. Throw in the loss of a relative and an attempt to plan a cozy anniversary party for her husband and a couple hundred of her closest friends and we get to see a full-on meltdown.

Here’s what I still don’t understand: you see her cry in this episode. A little bough of hope springs forth when she starts to remove her makeup, but she removes everything BUT her eye makeup.  Who does that?  At this point, I assume there is something under all that liner and mascara that she REALLY doesn’t want us to see. I give up.

I think watching this show is starting to wear off on me, because I think I want to try a fur vest for fall (faux for me), especially this Gryphon The Pretender Vest ($830). It looks like real fur but I can rock it without enduring judgmental looks from my cat.  For a little more Zoe magic, I’ll throw on these Accessories and Beyond Sparkle Elastic Bracelets ($88), and this Juicy Couture The Beau Watch ($250).

Stay tuned for next week, when we get a behind the scenes look at the Oscars and her assistants flip out yet again. 

How does one rock out in an office setting? There are many ways to get your point across without looking like you’re auditioning for the next season of "Rock of Love". This Rebecca Taylor Tweed Jacket and Tweed Pant ($390 and $275, respectively) take an edgy twist to a classic fabric and wardrobe staple. For daytime, I would pair with this Max Studio Pintucked Silk Charmeuse Blouse ($188), and this great pair of Steve Madden Lallita Black Suede Ankle Boots ($159.95).

As far as accessories go, I tend to wear one statement piece at a time but always keep it true to my rocker roots. Grab this Lucky Brand Rock and Roll Baby Charm Necklace ($75), throw in an Ed Hardy “Chic” Skull and Roses watch ($198) and Poison Oval Ring ($24), and you’ve got yourself a tailored rocker look that’s bound to snag you some groupies.

These days, my style retains significant nods to country-club chic, with a dose of “no really, I’m laughing at me too.” (See headband below.) And now there's more black than back in college.

Last Saturday night’s outfit was a particularly urban-preppy case-in-point. I started with a Theory dress ($375) – fitted bodices with fuller skirts are a favorite – and added a somewhat ridiculous headband; faux jewels or big fabric flowers like the ones on this headband from J. Crew ($20) should achieve the joking-but-not-joking look nicely.

With such a loud accessory at eye level, I’d just add a silver bracelet watch ($395) and keep other jewelry quiet. Dusty pink shoes ($67) that aren’t too sweet complete the ensemble.

My most valued accessory to wear with this look? An attitude that says "Yes, I enjoy stomping on peanut shells in my fabulous shoes and no, I'm not too dressed up for this dive bar."