Buttery Soft + Unassuming = The Laidback Look of Hollywood Icons

We at Crush have some celeb fashionista favorites that walk the red carpet by night and strut their stuff down shopping pathways across the country the next morning. Glammed up goddesses they may sometimes be, but our favorite looks come when they're not even trying... or at least, trying to look like they're not trying.

Now, it's no secret that we'd love to sip cocktails and spill our inner-most-secrets with the cast of Gossip Girl, we live for Blair's gorgeous headbands and ultra fem looks, Serena's sky high heels and ahead of the trend ensembles, but this week we're crushing on a different cast, a breed unto themselves: the LA ladies that, like us, swoon for LNA and are stepping out to model their super soft, understated and yet, so sexy cotton duds.

While I'm always a fan of basics, LNA cleans up like no other. Stars like Kristen Cavallari, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Megan Fox, Whitney Port, Kate Moss, the Olsen twins and Isla Fisher are fans of the 100% cotton basics that feel like a baby blanket and fit like a glove. From boyfriend tees to zippered leggings the cuts, even when oversized, drape the way they should. Our favorite cut though: the short sleeve deep crew neck tee with zipper pocket.

I have the azul. Kara has the azul. Come to think of it Kara also has petal. I'm currently in painful need of the black (my "azul" has been taken hostage at my parents house, perhaps by a little sister???). Rebecca has a bright red with exposed lace back. Actually, in reality, the entire staff are fans... well you know, all five of us. The scoop neck is flirty, the boyfriend length is ultra flattering, and the cast of colors brings to mind a certain Rolling Stones song-- She's Like a Rainbow, anyone?--.

Founded in 2007 (the same year as Crush!) LNA is the brainchild of Lauren Alexander and April Leight. After meeting on the Hollywood social circuit, the girls discovered their shared love of wearing their boyfriends' tee shirts for everything from day-to-day tasks to nights out at trendy hotspots. Taking a hint from themselves, the girls decided to work their new trend and together have built a brand that's soft as your boyfriend's tee, but falls like a cocktail dress. These girls can, and should, take credit for making cotton tee shirts cool.

And now, five ways you'll wear it:
1) ...with skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer.
2) ...tucked into a high-waisted mini-skirt with patent pumps.
3) ...over your bathing suit!... well, someday.
4) ...as a tunic (size up), with leggings and boots.
5) ...fitted with boyfriend jeans and sandals... if you need help finding your inner west coaster, I suggest following @nicolerichie on Twitter.

Pop into Crush or shop online our online store for v-neck LNA basics, zipper detailed leggings and both short and long-sleeved versions of everyone's favorite Saturday look-- the zipper pocket scoopneck tee. 

Brianne

Helping Haiti, it's been an honor

There are times when I'm very grateful for the things and people in my life. Despite the growing pit in my stomach over graduating this May, I can honestly say that I have a great many wonderful things in my life. It is on these occasions that "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall plays in my head as I roll my Spanx tights up my legs and slide my feet into heeled boots, just the way that the cast of The Devil Wears Prada does during the intro. Surely you've seen the film, and therefore you know that the girls in the movie are said to have "the job a million girls would die for." And perhaps it's true, I get up each day to work for two women that are truly living their dream. I can attest to the pride they take in their work, as well as how hard they work behind the scenes for their achievements, but more than that even, just how grateful they are for the opportunities they've had to create, succeed in and share their dream with others. And so, when tragedy strikes others, it is an honor for us to do our part to help others to rebuild their lives, their homes and their dreams.

In an attempt to aid those less fortunate or in need, we try to take all opportunities to support charities, causes and those who make it their mission to help others. Just recently, an entire country was struck by tragedy when a natural disaster took many lives and destroyed countless others. Haitian men, women and children are coping with a loss that many of us cannot even imagine. Orphans are being uprooted and transported to other countries, out of the disaster zone and to safe, happy havens.

Those who remain though will struggle through physical and emotional pain and depend on the aid of neighboring countries and of the world's most powerful nations. In an attempt to do our part, 10% of this weekend's sales (Friday through Sunday) will be donated through the American Red Cross to victims of the Haitian earthquake.

Relief comes in many forms, and we are so very appreciative for those of you who in-store or online purchases this weekend for your helpinig us to help Haiti.

Thank you,

Brianne

Crouching Lion, Favorite Sales

If there's one thing Kara loves, it's a sale. I don't mean that she looks forward to sales, I mean she lives for them. She's a hunter. Kara knooows about sales. She prowls in the grass until she locates her prey and pounces. She's like a lioness... a lioness that eats sales.

And so it's fitting that come time to for the Crush Winter Blowout Sale I write about some of Kara's favorite sale pieces.

Kara's crushing on...

Shoshanna Bejeweled Black Strapless Mini (was $412, is now $330)
The bejeweled detail encrusting the bust draws attention to the neck and face, but I love that the tulip skirt is uber feminine and serves to balance the excitement of the upper half and while contrasting a fitted waist.

Parker Multi-dot Racerback Tank (was $144, is now )
The kind of tank that boyfriends love. Silky and sexy. Now with a boyfriend blazer, later with your boyfriend jeans.

French Connection Midnight Mist Strapless Dress (was $168, is now $100)
Kara's New Year's Eve dress, metallic and sultry with a fit that flatters while hugging your body like a pair of Spanx.

Shoshanna Military Coat in Grey (was $442 is now $382)
Timeless and classic, this investment piece will pay for itself from now through March... and for many New England Winters to come.

Alice + Olivia Painted Face Bow Tee, as seen on Laura below --with Becca and fellow Guilford, CT gals Kirsten and Allison McGlone-- (was $188, is now $140)
Laura loves this. She owns it. In fact, it might be one of her most favorite things to wear.
Oh how we love bows, I think it's our inner Blair Waldorf...

TWG Ruffle Cardigan in Charcoal (was $224, is now $156)
There's nothing like cashmere this time of year... need I say more?

Modern Amusement Vest (was $158, is now $108)
Savile Row meets boy-next-door, this cropped women's vest is the perfect final touch to any little black dress or white tee shirt ensemble.

<3
Brianne

Renew[year], Refresh, Resort... In Color.

There's nothing girls love more than something that is new, which explains why girls love things that are fresh... it's really quite re-fresh-ing. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, freshly applied lip gloss, freshly beach bronzed cheeks, freshly arrived look books for upcoming seasons... or maybe that's just us. Each of these things brightens our day and gives us that weak-in-the-knees, first crush feeling, but the one that really makes us over at Crush blush: fresh flowers.

Resort this year is anything but the safari-esque khaki shirtdresses that the name signifies, so you can imagine how in a store full of girls gaga for all things bold and bright we've turned up the heat and pulled out our shades in honor of this magnificent fun (in between using windshield wiper fluid to de-ice the store window, of course). Punchy colors and floral prints have us head-over-tea kettles. Crush has gone from winter wonderland to island oasis in a matter of days, and no one is complaining.

From BCBGeneration dresses to Parker halters, flowers are taking over, but the neon obsession remains in tact... thank gosh... and juxtaposed with the daisies, baby's breath and ranunculus are highlighter inspired Shoshanna dresses and a pair of neon cap toeMatt Berson ballet flats that have our hearts beating the way they do when Boston finally reaches a mild 52 degrees.

Oh summer, how I long for thee.
<3

Pictured: BCBGeneration V-neck Floral Dress, Shoshanna Shirred Bodice Strapless Dress in Urban Garden, BCBGeneration Cowl Pocket Top, Parker Keyhole Navy Floral Halter, Shoshanna Strapless Highlighter Dress, Shoshanna Hot Pink Dress and Shoshanna Blue One Shoulder Dress. Visit www.shopcrushboutique.com for a spoonful of sugar to help the snowflakes go down.

<3
Brianne