chip & pepper

Unless you've been living under a rock or up on a tree, you've heard of Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale. It's massive, it's major and the amount of goods is mind-boggling. Apparel, shoes, and handbags and accessories are all discounted, some as much as 40 percent. The sale began yesterday and ends when the merchandise is sold out. A few fab items are already gone so don't let the rest slip away.

Maxi dresses are hot for Summer so I may snatch this Laundry by Shelli Segal Optic Print Crinkle Halter Dress, on sale for $192 (originally $320). The pattern and colors are very old-school Missoni. It would be super appropriate for a graduation party I have to attend.

To see some more fab sale items, read more

Hayden Panettiere sure has climbed the Hollywood ladder from her early days as Lizzie on The Guiding Light. She's a smart girl to be getting herself out and about, just as long as she doesn't change her good girl persona. No matter what, she sure always looks cute!

To get Hayden's look, read more

The zipper. The coolest of closures can be found on everything lately - toughing up dresses and sandals. The sleek, slim sporty zipper has an 80's appeal that is maybe not as harsh as the stud. I saw this dress in a boutique recently and had to resist trying it on, knowing what happens when something so cute, with a bit of attitude, fits like a glove. Here are some picks that deliver this trend in a subtle way.

Tracy Reese Zipper Jumper Dress, $398.

A few more, read more

Chip & Pepper, a favorite denim brand, is also a hard-to-find denim brand - but not any more! Twin brothers Chip & Pepper Foster have been waiting to launch an e-commerce site for when the timing was right. While Chip & Pepper is available at sites such as Shopbop.com and NeimanMarcus.com, the Chip & Pepper site showcases the brand's entire offering. The full line is available to browse - women's and men's jeans and sportswear - and the signature denim collections and separates are sorted by style. The lesser-known University collection is sold here too; here customers can order a Notre Dame hoodie or Dartmouth T-shirt.

There is also a 'Lifestyle' section that highlights special events and the twin designer's biographies. The site is easy to browse and easy to shop, so Chip & Pepper's timing was just right. Here are some of my picks from the new site: