Everyday Splurge

The best deal ever on a Mackage jacket

2009-01-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

I just uncovered the best deal EVER on a Mackage jacket. Bloomingdales is having their extra 50% for 5 day sale and there's also a 15% extra e-coupon (ESALE).

All this combines means that the super stylish Mackage Ava Glam Jacket below is now only $163, originally $550.

WOW! BARGAIN! Move over eBay! Hurry up! I'm sure it will run out by tomorrow morning at Bloomingdales.com.

Hayden Harnett Blowout Sale

2009-01-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

I've never owned a Hayden Harnett bag but everytime I browse their site, I'm amazed at how many designs they have each season. I also think they have great designs that with just enough detail without going over board. They are also very reasonably priced relative to their competition.

They're currently having a big winter sale with items nearly 70% off. There's a great selection and it's really hard to resist!

My favorite is this Staci Crossbody bag. I've been using oversized headbags for the last 8 years. It's time for a change! I love especially the lipstick color and the $98 price tag!

If you need a new wallet, I think you'll find the claire clutch to be very fab!

The best deal seems to be the Jinhee tote for $142. It's 70% off. The resin chain reminds me of this season's Marc Jacobs Suvi Dream Tote. I really like the blueberry color. It's sharp and unique.

And if you're into fringe bags, the Wyeth bag is 60% off at $190. What a steal for one of the most popular looks this season!

Are these Zac Posen bags really ugly?

2009-01-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

I can't make up my mind as to whether the Zac Posen Trillium bag and Aster Tote are cute or ugly. You can argue that there's just too much going on with the bow, the pleats and the circle chain handles. On the other hand, the details are intricate and would light up a simple outfit.

Regardless, they are a steal on eLuxury. The Trillium tote (which comes in black and eggplant) was originally $1450 and now it's 1/3 the price at $579. The Aster Tote was $1750 and now is only $699. If you like it, I would totally go for it!

Leave some comments and let me know what you think!

Sweaters by Pixie

2009-01-02T23:49:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! It's one of my new year's resolution to blog more this year.

The retail world has really changed since my last blog post. With the economy in the dumpster, there's just so many deals going on. My inbox is flooded everyday with special promotions (like 40% off the ENTIRE store). Another interesting thing is that the british pound has seriously devalued in recent weeks. I guess our friends in the UK are suffering from bad economy as well. One nice side effect is that the merchandise at ASOS is suddenly 50% cheaper. Coupled with the end of season sale, there's tons of deals to be found.

I recently discovered Pixie, a Laden showroom brand featuring soft angora/wool/cashmere mix sweaters. Pixie sweaters have funky and fun details like pretty bows and over the top ruffle sleeves. I'm totally loving them and ordered the pink bow sweater below! What a great way to make a fashion statement in 2009 for $100 or less! Hurry up, they're running out fast!

Fall must have: A Black School Girl Blazer

2008-10-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've been checking out some Japanese magazines with their point of view on Fall 08 trends. The black school girl blazer was featured prominently as a must have item. I'm so glad the blazer is back since it was pushed aside to the back of the closet last season.

A true school blazer would also feature a emblem/badge so my top selections all have this pertinent detail.

If you're immune from the bad economy and still willing to splurge, I'd go for this beautiful jacket from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, available at Net-a-Porter for $680.

If you hate the emblem detail and prefer something more simple, this simple Phillip Lim jacket is super elegant.

For something very timeless, get this Rag & Bone jacket from Ron Herman for $518.

Most of us feel the urge to cut back on spending. I think this Acqa jacket from Bloomingdale's is quite awesome for $128.

For the ultimate cheap thrill, get this legacy blazer from Urban Outfitter for $64.99 on sale!

Now you may not be a Blair Waldorf but more of a Serena Vanderwoodsen on Gossip Girl. This means you prefer something more funky. This LaRok jacket looks awesome and it's only $200!

I always save my fav for last. I love this Elizabeth & James jacket. It combines the black blazer with another fall must have trend which is plaid.Or go for something more reasonably priced from Anthropologie and just throw on a plaid scarf.

Kooba Tracy Bag - how bad is the economy?

2008-09-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

I'm normally not a huge fan of Kooba but I find their designs this season smashing! I especially love the Kooba Tracy bag. The leather has a real vintage feel and it's also very light weight so it won't break your back. Needless to say, I've been on hold. I don't feel like paying $600 for a handbag.

So when I saw the Tracy bag for 30% of at Shopbop, I was really surprised. I guess the economy has really gone bad for this bag to go on sale. Hurry up and snatch it up!

Or if you have the money to splurge, the brand new studded version looks awesome as well!

Soia & Kyo - I want them all!

2008-09-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

The Canadians really know how to brighten up their winter with stylish coats. I first started noticing Soia & Kyo jackets last season. I though they were ok, definitely not as stylish as Mackage.

However, I'm really loving Soia & Kyo's Fall 2008 line. What I love most is how reasonably they are priced. Sure they don't have all the fancy leather trim from Mackage coats but they're just as stylish with asymetric cuts, BIG buttons and super cool stand up collars.

Soia & Kyo jackets are available at Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Revolve Clothing and Tobi. They are also available directly from the Soia & Kyo web site.

Their wool jackets are to die for. The purple jacket below is well priced at $295 and it is available at Tobi for 25% until 9/18/2008 using the coupon FALLATTOBI!

Oh! I really want a white coat!

I love puffy down jackets. You can throw them around and not worry about getting them dirty because they are machine washable. Soia & Kyo down jackets are even better bargains. This one below is called the Lory and it is only $195. Check out the ballon sleeves!

And how about a slick leather jacket for $330?

Oh, how am I going to pick amongst these fantastic choices? Do you guys have any favorites?

MS By Martine Sitbon

2008-08-08T11:16:00.001-07:00

Designer handbag prices are OUT OF CONTROL this season! I don't know if it's due to the weakening US dollar or the overly strong sense of entitlement that these designers possess.

Either way, how many of us can pay nearly $2000 for a designer handbag?

So when I saw these very reasonably priced handbags from Martine Sitbon's MS line, I felt like I scored! These bags range from $300ish to $400ish dollar. It's a great price point for such simple and sleak silouhettes from a European designer. They are all available on ShopBop.

For a truly great bargain, check out this silver messenger sac on sale at Vivre for $210!

Rachel Comey Shoes Online Scavenger Hunt

2008-04-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

I've been a huge Rachel Comey fan since last summer when I discovered these fabulous studded sandals. Rachel Comey designs are the definition of effortless chic! The designs are simple, architectural and so totally cool. They're also very reasonably priced between $200 to $300.

Her spring/summer 08 collection is dead on gorgeous! I want all of them. For all of the fans out there, here's a compilation of all the stores that carry Rachel Comey shoes.

Shopbop is great start. You can bet the shoes will go on sale in another month or so. Pastel colored suede heels are very hip this season and these stacked heels are perfect in either beige/purple or pink/grey suede ($300).

Steven Alan uniquely carries the Ando sandal in a low heel. A bunch of stores carry this style with a low wedge in black, grey and orange but I personally find the low heel to be very versatile for both day and night occassions. The only issue with these shoes is that they are really hard to put on with the elastic band around.

Gargyle also has a good selection with some very cool designs from past seasons on sale.

Tobi has one of the most extensive collections. These are simple and elegant at $264.

I love these oxfords in white! They are so old school! Available at Creatures of Comfort for $275.

Other stores that carry Rachel Comey include:

Oak NYC - http://www.oaknyc.com/women/shop-by-brand/rachel-comey/

Gimme Shoes - http://www.gimmeshoes.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=42&osCsid=a2b7246ea807fa9cb5c4ae3962802c0f

Anthropologie (no clues on web site, you'll have to identify the styles) -http://www.anthropologie.com/

La Garconne - http://www.lagarconne.com/store/designer.htm?pid=252&sid=367

Happy shopping!

Spring 2008 trend: Flower Power

2008-04-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

I'm ecstatic that flower patterns are back in center stage this spring season. It's been so long overdue! Flowers were huge when I was in high school and then it sort of took a back seat for many years. For my spring purchases, everything I've bought has been sprinkled with flowers, especially the tiny flower patterns.

Topshop is one of the best shopping destinations to catch this trend (so is Anthropologie). Inspired by this Monet like look from Stella McCartney, I put together a cheaper alternative at Topshop.

This camisole from Topshop is fantastic. Doesn't the pattern look exactly like the Stella dress? And it's only 25 pounds!

I'd also suggest coupling flowers with ruffles, another hot trend this season, like this cardigan from Topshop.

Of course, cool linen cropped trousers:

Why not go overboard and add this super cute t-strap Mary Jane flats?

Your entire outfit adds up to 100 pounds or $200! Sweet and floral!

Reviving the Khaki

2008-04-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

American designers re-invented the denim. These days no one wheres anything else but jeans. Khakis are also part of the all-American closet but unlike jeans, designers haven't really paid close attention to khakis so season after season you see the same old boring designs. Here's 2 styles from the Gap:

But khakis have so much potential! I'm glad that the designers at Topshop decided to take the Khaki for a spin and churned out these great designs. Khakis are a bit formal than jeans but with these totally modern designs with unique touches, they're super spiffy! They're approximately 25 to 35 pounds.

Pretty Pink Handbags for Spring 2008

2008-03-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've been totally in the mood for a pink hued handbag, especially the rose and blush shades. May be it's because of Easter, may be it's because I'm already sick and tired of seeing those bright blue and yellow handbags so early in the season. In any case, if you're looking for color, I think these subtle pink shades are so much more lasting than a yellow handbag that will most definitely look hideous by next summer.

Miu Miu totally leads this trend. I've been dreaming about these bags for a few weeks now. Almost all their recent classics come in some shade of pink this season. Here's the Matelasse handbag in a rose pink. All of them are available at Neiman Marcus (either online or in store).

If you don't like the brighter pinks, I love the shade of this blush weave bag. Let's say it's the fashionista's easter basket :) It's $1595 though!

Now on to cheaper alternatives. I would say this Gryson bag from Saks.com looks great but it's not so cheap at $890.

This Kooba shiny metallic pink bag is available at shopbop.com for $645. It's not my taste but if you're looking for 2 trends in one, it's a great choice.

Coach also hits the trend with the popular legacy bag in rose pink! Sweetness!

If you like something closer to nude, try the Botkier Cleo Satchel for $525.

I've been trying to find something more reasonably price. This Juicy bag at $375 is a good bet. If you hide the dog key chain, it doesn't look Juicy at all!

Wow! This Temperley Handbag is NO Target merchandise

2008-03-10T19:01:00.001-07:00

I rarely pay any attention to the many shopping flyers that hit my inbox each day because I'm usually so religious about checking out the what's new sections that I tend to find out when good stuff hits before the store shares it with the world.

But I somehow missed this fab bag which came through from the Shopbop newsletter this morning.

I don't think I've had such a stunningly positive reaction to a designer bag in a LONG time. The Temperley Gigi handbag is so understated, the lines are so clean, yet it looks like a showstopper!

I am so in love with it that I have to post it. I've located 3 colors on the internet so far. The black and pewter snake ones are available at shopbop.com. The black snake is available at http://www.shoptwigs.com. They range from $1295-$1395.

I don't think Alice Temperley plans on making a PVC version for Target anytime soon :)

Spring 2008 Vinyl Shoe Mania

2008-02-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

Vinyl or jelly shoes have been slowly making headway the past few seasons. It looks like it may actually break through for Spring 08. After all the vinyl look really complements the punchy colors of Spring 08 really well.

First of all, vinyl wouldn't be a trend unless Stella McCartnery uses it. Since Stella doesn't use any leather in her accessories, vinyl is a logical choice. She combines it with the ombre trend here and these shoes look surprisingly lux! It's $785 though. Not sure most of us can afford it.

On the other hand, Salvatore Ferragamo continues to make these super adorable jelly flats this season. To order your pair, call in to any Ferragamo store. It's not stocked anywhere online. It's $115 - a great deal for a pair of Italian made plastic shoes :)

The vinyl trend has even caught the attention of Chanel. Check out these cool Camelia sandals.

Vinyl can work for evening as well. These Pedro Garcia shoes are available at eLuxury.com for $475.

Many more affordable brands are also going vinyl. Check out these MJ vinyl flats for $275.

Many designers are also interlacing leather with vinyl. Check out these fab designs from Loeffler Randall and Goldenbleu from eluxury.com.

And even Kate Spade is taking her very popular jewel flat and turning it vinyl! Available at Bloomingdales for $275.

3 shopping tools I can't live without

2008-02-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so many weeks since I posted. Things have been a bit hectic lately so sorry about the hiatus.

As much as most of fashionista's despise all things geeky, technology has really changed our world. Were it not for the Web, I highly doubt that there would have been so many emerging designers in the last few years. Online boutiques and store fronts reduced the barrier to entry and gave everyone a chance to reach out to their potential customers.

When it comes to online shopping, there are 3 tools I cannot live without. If you haven't discovered them yet, now is your chance to take a spin!

1. Tabbed browsing

This feature is available in both Internet Explorer and Firefox and is indispensable for power browsing, especially during sales seasons. The key is to click on the middle mouse key whenever you see a link an item you like. This way you can stay on the main page with all the listings without having to jump back and forth using your browser's back/forward button.

The picture below shows you how I effectively browse through the amazing 70% off sales rack at Shopbop.com.

2. Shopstyle.com

Shopstyle is the fashionista's search engine. If you've ever been bummed out that a store ran out of your size, ShopStyle is the place to go to find alternate stores that carry the same item.

Coincidentally, one of the founding engineers of ShopStyle (now part of Sugar Network) was one of my ex-co-workers. When I found this site over a year ago, I thought it held great promise but it lacked coverage across all the boutiques I like to ship at. We all know that Froogle is total junk when it comes to finding fashion labels a fashionista cares about. So I promptly wrote to him and gave him a list of 50 online boutiques I'd like to see up. Sure enough my feedback was heard and ShopStyle is totally amazing! No wonder it's now part of the Sugar empire.

3. Retail Me Not

When you're ready to seal the deal, be sure to go to retailmenot.com to check for online coupons. It's major $$$ savings you're missing out on if you don't!

Over the top coats

2008-01-18T21:39:00.001-08:00

I have no idea what got into me but I'm craving an over the top coat or jacket, sort of as a grand finale purchase to the Fall 07 season. Given that all the stores are now in final reduction mode, it's perhaps less of a guilty pleasure to indulge in one of these expensive, ultra-lux jackets.

My first choice would be a leopard jacket with a short boxy cut. They seem to add such a nice flare to any evening outing. I like this Rebecca Taylor jacket with jewels for $382 at Neiman Marcus (originally $675).

This Sara Berman jacket is a true bargain at $177 (60% off).

The other lux fabric I'm craving is metallic brocade. How's this DVF jacket? It's quite avant garde. It's 50% off it's original whooping $950!

But my fav is this Milly jacket. Check out the little ribbons around the sleeves. So darling! $279at Neiman's. Originally $620!

If you like something with color, the Nanette Lepore brocade jacket is a great choice at $243!

Rafe shoes and handbags ON SALE

2008-01-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

Rafe started designing for Target and then we all forgot that he was one of the very original American handbag designers from NYC. These days we are overwhelmed with choices like Gustto, Kooba, Anna Corinna, Bulga and more.

I still remember strolling down Mott & Prince in NYC some 12 years ago. Rafe was one of the few designers with his own store front. Now he no longer has a store and many department stores don't carry his merchandise but I still insist that his designs are just as great as ever. They are fresh, girly and still reasonably priced.

Since Rafe is a "forgotten" brand, his online store is having an absolutely AMAZING sale of all his fall shoes and handbags. Everything is 50% - 70% off. There's still plenty of sizes and colors to pick from. You can get a animal print handbag for $158 and shoes for $90. Why not pick up a bunch before they run out at http://www.rafe.com/?

I love these saddle bags. They remind me of Avril Gau handbags, a french brand that's impossible to find in the US. These bags are originally $450~. Now you get to pay ~$180!

Evening bags are equally a bargain. I don't ever have any evening bags because I refuse to pay $200 for a bag I use 2-3 times a year. Rafe has some good bargains.

The shoes are the most worthy it. Most pairs are now $90 - $110.

Aren't these flats adorable? They are trimmed in patent leather and the bow has black crystals on it!

These are really mod!

What a great peep toe to transition into Spring!

Awesome evening pumps for $110!

If the selection at rafe.com does not satisfy you, try Endless.com. They've got some additional cute styles and everything is 50% off like this metallic Lucy bag.

Mackage Coats on Sale

2007-12-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

Bloomingdale's is currently having an amazing 40% extra off all sales item sales. Most of the merchandise is below average but the truly amazing deal are all the Mackage coats that are on sale for an extra 40% off. This means that what's originally a $600 coat is more like $250 to $300.

What a deal deal deal!

Mackage coats are also super stylish with their asymmetrical shapes.

Unfortunately, Bloomingdale's doesn't have the best pictures so check out the mackage.com site as well. These are my 2 favorite styles!

If you're willing to pay full price, these stores have a great selection:

Chloe Kerala - Updated and actually cute

2007-12-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

I've been watching my spending habits lately so it's been a while since I've blogged about pricey designer handbags. However, my late night shopping trip last night yielded a surprising discovery!

We all know that Chloe handbags have been disasters lately. They've been tasteless and full of senseless embellishments. Yet amongst the pile of ugly Chloe bags on sale at my local Nordstrom's, I rediscovered one of Chloe's classic designs, the Kerala bag.

Here's a pretty traditional black Kerala. It's classic and beautiful. This one is available from Bluefly for $980.

But better yet, they've been updated for the holiday season with beautiful metallic tones. This bronze bowler is stunning!

And the Kerala tote in Pewter is gorgeous as well. It will add the IT factor to any outfit. Unfortunately, Kerala bags are pretty limited in availability. The one below is only available online at Saks.com for $1395.

I'm adding this bag to my big Christmas present candidate list :)

Twig Cashmere: Simple & Lush!

2007-12-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

I truly randomly stumbled upon Twig cashmere while surviving for Black Friday online bargains. I usually not a huge fan of cashmere because they remind me of grandma's sweaters. They usually come in unflattering cream, pink, light heather grey colors not to mention that they're ALWAYS expensive.

Twig seems to be a very fresh departure from your traditional cashmere sweater. I was impressed by how clean the lines are, how the designers stuck to one statement color and most important of all, they're able to give us great pieces at affordable prices. If you're looking for loud prints or cashmere sweaters sewn with sequences, this is not your brand though.

Best of all, Saks has all their Twig merchandise currently on sale. Becaues it's not a high visilibity brand, many styles are still available in all sizes.

First, I dig cobalt blue so this adorable large button sweater for $150 caught my attention.

More cobalt blue... this short sleeve turtleneck comes in blue and black from Nordstroms.

Peacock turtleneck from LuvCharlie.com:

How cute is this cream sweater with the bow accent! Only $189 at Saks!

Amongst the entire collection, I love love love Twig's red siren bow sweater from Barney's for $304! Please go on sale!

Doorbusters for the Fashionista

2007-11-22T15:09:00.001-08:00

Most of us fashionistas aren't really interested in 5am doorbusters from Best Buy, Walmart, Circuit City or JC Penny's. Thanks to the proliferation of online shopping, we can have our own doorbuster celebration in the sanctuary of our own home. If you're lucky like me and you're not even responsible for cooking the big meal, you can get a serious headstart on Thanksgiving day for the best size selection on the sales racks.

In reality, most large retailers started their fall sale season the week before Thanksgiving so if you're smart, you've got first dibs already. But don't worry! Additional markdowns and smaller boutiques provide tons of bargain hunting opportunities!

Let's start with the heavy hitters.

Neiman Marcus
NM started their first call sale a few weeks back but for this week only, everything is an additional 30% off and you also get free shipping with the code WINTER. There's still plenty of fabulous stuff left, including this 3.1 Phillip Lim party dress for $210, originally $500+:

Saks
Saks marked down a bunch of merchandise to 60% of today and added a bunch of new stuff. This Madison Marcus tunic with silk pleats at the bottom is so pretty at $180 from$300.

This Vera Wang gown is SOOO cute. At 40% off, it's still $417 but that's better than paying $695.

Small boutiques

The best sales are at small boutiques because they all have Thanksgiving specific coupons with large %%% off of all merchandise. Here's a few to check out:

Holiday sales rack at Ron Herman
Miostile will give you 35% off the entire store with the code "secret".
Tobi will give you 25% off the entire store with the code "giveget". Check out their collection of Open Ceremony items.
LuvCharlie will give you 20% off the entire store with the code "turkey"
UrbanChic will give you 20% off and free shipping with the code "thanksgiving"
LeTrainbleu will give you 30% off the entire store with the code "birthday". Check out their collection of Mackage coats. 30% off is a great deal.

I bet there are many many more boutiques doing the 20-30% off sale over Thanksgiving weekend. I think it's a peer pressure sort of thing. So this Thanksgiving, stay away from big stores like Shopbop (to be fair, they do have a stingy $25 off $150 coupon) and try harder to search for the same item at smaller boutiques. I promise you'll save money!

Mike & Chris Danny Leather Jacket

2007-11-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

It's been FOREVER since I've blogged. I apologize for the silence. I had a big deadline at work so had to put my other passion aside for a few weeks.

Fortunately though, deadline is over and it is time to do some serious splurging. I've decided that I must find some way to buy myself a nice leather jacket before Christmas. This season leather jackets come in some pretty cool forms and shapes. You're not stuck with the usual biker chick look with a hoody.

The front runner is the Mike and Chris Danny Jacket in black. It's available at Intermix for $690. It looks stunning!

I'm also in love with several of the designs from Madison Marcus, the people that did the famous Nicole Richie halter mini dress with silver trim. They've all got a great femine vibe with ruffles, big buttons etc. The aboslutely fab Adornment jacket is $572 at shopbop.com.

This taupe colored one is darling especially if you're petite! It's $415 at Saks.com or Shopbop.com.

If you want something really glam, try this Theory patent jacket! You are bound to impress.

Taupe boots please!

2007-10-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

It's still 70 degrees here in California but it's time to start looking for a pair of winter boots. I'm getting tired of patent anything so I am going to skip patent boots. I'm not a huge fan of the ankle bootie and grey boots don't look quite right to me. Instead, I'm liking tall, flat, taupe boots.

I'm eyeing all the following and will probably make a decision in a few more weeks. Hope you feel the same about these gorgeous taupe boots!

Belle by Sigerson Morrison is one of my favorite brands. The leather on these boots look so soft and utterly irresitable. They are $495 at Couture Zappos.

I was quite set on the Belle's, until I spotted these great boots from Coclico. The Nilly boot is a mod style with light taupe suede. It's so slick! Available at Sodafine for $480.

And I love these more casual ones too, also from Coclico. Available at Kick Pleat for $452.

For the ultimate girly-girl look, go for these Solea boots, available at ASOS for $376.

And if you are looking for something more reasonably priced, you can always count on Dolce Vita. The Tropez flat boots are $230 from Pink Mascara.

Forever 21 - Twelve by twelve

2007-09-26T21:12:00.001-07:00

The plethora of styles available from retailers like H&M and Forever21 can be really overwhelming, especially when selection gets bloated with many un-noteworthy items. So I'm really liking that these stores are coming up with slightly higher end brands to distinguish their better design.

Forever21 launched their new Twelve by twelve brand this week. I found many items to be quite spectacular and cheap!

This jacket is $79 and looks like the 3.1 Phillip Lim bow jacket from the Nordstrom's anniversary sale.

This dress looks like something from Velvet, simple but with a few twists.

Wow. These 2 items look very Hanii Y for a fraction of the price.

And needless to say, both these dresses look like Alice & Olivia designs, but for less than $50, why not go for it?

I really like this sweater. It looks like something that Luella or other funky cool British designers would sell. It's only $39!

Hype handbags

2007-09-16T23:19:00.000-07:00

Buying a handbag is a tough act these days, especially if you can't dish out $1000+ to get a designer handbag. Most real leather bags from mid-range designers are priced at $500. Not a good deal, esp. since they are all made in china. This is bad news for a budget fashionista who doesn't want to get a cheap looking PVC bag from Urban Outfitter.

When I ran across this season's Hype handbags, I was thoroughly impressed. They're all reasonably priced below $250 and made of genuine leather. Best of all, they don't look cheap.

The St.Moritz handbag has a Marc Jacobs inspried gold chain and is $250 at Urban Chic.

Bluefly.com is selling this patent bowler for $165, originally $250. It's definitely from this fall's collection (not last season). What a steal! Featured on this month's Lucky mag!

The purple Rimini handbag screams lux! But it's only $145, available at Karma Loop.

And how versatile is this Jimmy Choo inspired brown Assago tote! Also a steal at $250.

Pre-fall trend: Color Blocks

2007-09-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

When Mischa Barton was spotted with this See by Chloe dress in New York, she started a mini-trend that caught my attention. While it's not as prominent as this season's gray tones or patent motif, color block dresses are cropping up everywhere and it's darling!

Unlike stripes, color blocks don't make you look as wide. Since most of us aren't up for spending $495 on a dress, here are a few cheaper alternatives.

The Sonia Rykiel knit dress is super versatile and comes in this seasons favorite deep purple and navy tones. It's $290, available at Net-a-Porter.

This Richard Ruiz silk blouse is a great transitional piece from summer to fall. It's $295 at Active Endeavors.

My top choice is this one piece from Clu. It's simple but totally structured. Very sophisticated and a steal at $175, available at Saks.com.

For budget fashionista's, try Topshop or Forever21 for similar styles at a fraction of the cost.

The trend is also hitting it big with shoes. These Miu Miu contrast pumps at $525. Even the heels are color-blocked!

These Loeffler Randall will steal the show at any cocktail party. Check out the lush satin detail. $345 at shopbop.com.

You can always count on Urban Outfitters to deliver cheap alternatives. These Block D'orsay pumps are only $48.

Hayden Harnett - Simply Studly

2007-08-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Studs are pretty huge for fall. Just check out all the Burberry Prorsum ads! So I'm loving these Hayden-Harnett cuff bracelets. They don't come cheap at $90 but they'll make any outfit look instantly cool!

Available at http://haydenharnett.com/.

More stuff from Karta - where to buy online

2007-08-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Backed by popular demand, I've decided to do a more comprehensive article on Karta. Since my first write-up on Karta a few weeks back, more stores have started carrying the brand. In fact, it seems like every hip store is stocking Karta. What a fabulous splash this brand has made on the fashion scene! It is the IT brand for Fall 07.

I personally think this brand will bite the dust after one season (remember Johnson shorts?) but there's something about those big, eye catching gems that have gotten me obsessed with hunting down every possible style available for sale online.

Besides, it makes for a fabulous installment of my online scavenger hunt series.

Ok, I'll start off with Nordstroms.com again. They were the first to make these dresses available online and only have replenished with more style. Watch out for the black/cream checkered dress. It doesn't look too flattering on.

This jumper dress is sweetness at $282.

Ron Herman posted a whole bunch of new Karta stuff on Friday. A reader asked where to find the cream colored puff sleeve blouse. It's now in stock at RonHerman.com!

Less jewels so cheaper, at $218.

I personally think that if you're going to pick a piece, may as well go all out BLING and get this silver shift dress at eLuxury.com. This one's on the top of my wish list.

Looks like the buyers at Saks are also obsessed with Karta.

This black blouse is very elegant though pricey at $343.

Here's the selection at Neiman. Their buyers have the worst taste. I personally think they picked up the relatively uglier pieces.

And Karta is equally popular with smaller boutiques, like Singer22.

This tie front blouse isn't available anywhere else. It's a fun but a little bit too Mrs. Robinson.

This dress from Standardstyle.com is the sweetest silhouette and I love the poet sleeves. It's $326. I do think it is a little too summer/spring and not that great for fall.

And shopintuition.com has a small selection, optimized for the LA girl, cheery bright shift dresses.

Over the next few weeks, I suspect that Intermix and Shopbop will both start carrying Karta.

Happy shopping!

Eskell

2007-08-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

In the Silicon Valley where the male to female ratio is 7:1, you would hardly expect to find a boutique that specializes in stocking emerging labels. 151 boutique is a pleasant addition to the Peninsula. If you ignore the potpourri store like decor and the ugly metal clothing hangers, there's quite a few jems at this store.

One of the brands that I really like is Eskell. Eskell is a small designer boutique in Chicago and their pieces have a distinct vintage, small label feel.

Their one piece dresses are easy to wear and are great for summer weddings or cocktail parties. They're available online at http://www.eskell.com/ or Refinery29 shops.

How cute are these hand painted flower patches on linen metallic cloth.

For a more casual look, try the Pompeii shift dress or the Sienna jumper dress.

Incidentally, they are all on sale. If you call in to the store directly, they'll give you an extra 20% off. After sale, stuff ranges from $150 to $250.

AG Stilt Jeans Online Scavenger Hunt

2007-08-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

There's current a blowout sale for AG Stilt Jeans at Saks.com, Scoop NYC, Tobi and Shopbop. I mean final reduction blow out. You can get them in many different colors for $50-$70.

I LOVE the Stilt jeans because they are the perfect skinny cut without being so tight that you can't breathe. They're also ideally sized for someone who is 5' 6''. I like how I don't have to alter these at all. If you're taller, these will likely appear more like an ankle cut.

The official AG store says this about the Stilt

"The Stilt is the quintessential jean on the market. A very low rise with a sexy, tapered leg, this is the perfect silhouette to pair with boots or great pumps! "

Black, available at Tobi.com, $66:

Cobalt, available at Tobi.com, $68:

Cameo, available at Tobi.com, $69:

Grey, available at Scoop NYC, $69:

White, available at Tobi.com for $66 or Saks for $64.90:

Electric blue, a super popular summer color, available at Tobi.com for $82 or Saks for $64:

There are also cropped versions. Subtle cropped jeans, available at Scoop for $69 or Saks for $0.20 cheaper.

White cropped Stilt's look great with one piece tunic dresses, available for $47.70 at shopbop.com.

Black or grey cropped Stilts made especially for Scoop, $79 and $69 respectively.

The Laden Showroom at ASOS.com

2007-08-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

While Topshop is in a slump, its online rival ASOS.com continues to deliver splurge worthy designs at a great price.

ASOS's latest venture is a partnership with the Laden showroom to bring us sweet, unique designs from up & coming independent London designers. The Laden showroom is widely considered as London's leading showroom and store that promotes and supports young and independent fashion designers. Victoria Beckham is a customer and it even has its own Wikipedia entry.

I'm already psyched that I can get boho brands Darimeya & Mina from ASOS.com. This new addition is like icing on cake.

Almost all the items are reasonably priced at $100-$150. My favorite so far is actually a knock off of Rachel Bilson and Kate Hudson's Chanel shift dress from Jovonna.

$105 is a great price to pay!

More from Jovonna:

A sweet tunic top from Chan Chan:

A wrap top designed by one of the owners Adele Laden:

A cool, hip wool blazer from Nicki Pumpkin:

Everyone should hurry up! Some of the more popular items are about to run out.

Anya Hindmarch Fall 2007 - the handbag goddess

2007-08-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

If ancient Greek mythology had a handbag goddess, her name would be Anya.

I am simply mesmerized by how elegant and flawless Anya Hindmarch's Fall 2007 collection of handbags are. Typically, you expect designers to show signs of fatigue after 10 seasons but Anya Hindmarch just gets better season after season.

BagSnob warned us about this amazing collection back in February 2007. Now my dilemma is to pick one of out these 5 incredible bags.

There's also some good news about availability. With the popularity of the I'm not a plastic bag, many more merchants are carrying Anya this fall. ScoopNYC has an early shipment. Shopbop will also be carrying them. Saks is a long time fan. And of course, you can always order from the official store.

First up is the Lautner in Black/Navy for $925.

Beverly in silver woven leather for $1200.

Kennedy in cream patent for $995.

Art in black or blue patent for $1100. How cute is the extra strap and the quilted ribbons!

And the timeless Nevis bag in black patent with bronze trim. Much more affordable at $595.

Which one do you like most?

Splurge worthy new designer: Karta

2007-07-27T23:39:00.000-07:00

My neighborhood Nordstroms is the last place I expect to discover a new splurge worthy brand. But such was the case when I discovered Karta while strolling through the Anniversary Sale last weekend.

I don't have a clue what the story is behind this brand (the internet yielded no info) but I do know that Karta has blatantly copied Prada's big jewel designs from a few seasons back and created a pretty cool line of dress & tops with over-the-top jewel stones.

Karta was prominently featured in Instyle magazine's August issue.

Turns out that Nordies carries a few notable pieces online. Considering the heavy drape material and the number of eye popping stones you get, a $200-$300 dollar price tag is not bad for theses dresses and tops.

I personally really dig this yellow top. The model doesn't wear it quite right. When you button all the way up, the 2 oversized collars overlap and it is adorable.

Bergdorf is also featuring this brand which is a huge vote of confidence. I really like this 60's inspired dress. At $396, it's not a bad price for such a unique, vintage piece.

I am personally eyeing this shift dress for $242 and waiting for my shopping budget to reset in 4 days on August 1st.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall Bags: Wow actually classy

2007-07-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

While I love M by MJ's clothing, I rarely find their bags appealing. Just take a look at the one below. They're very gimmicky (euphemism for ugly) like the one below covered with alphabets.

But Marc by Marc Jacobs's fall collection of handbags have a few surprising, super classy winners. I really like the Turn Lock Posh Super K handbag for $478. Structured bags are huge this season and this one fits the bill without having to overpay.

I personally will most likley go for the Dr Q Groove bag or the Delancey bag. I love how they both don't have the ugly signature Marc by Marc Jacobs turnlock. Both can pass for ultra high end bags at half the cost.

Tie my shoes please!

2007-07-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

I recently noticed a cute micro-trend - shoes that have a tie front. I first spotted this style from F-Troupe's Fall 06 collection. It's then been popularized by Italian shoe brand Yin. These Yin flats are fabulous. I can't find them anywhere online since Zappos sold out but they are available at Gimme Shoes in San Francisco and Bloomingdales and retail for about $200.

Fortunately, there's plenty of cheaper versions, including these Penny Loves Kenny flats in black, white, pink, green or blue, available at Kitson LA. They retail for $54. Deal!

There are also heels that come with the same bow tie motif. Check out these creamy white wedges from Yin, available at Zappos. They're on sale for $185.

These cognac heels from Strutt for Asos are seriously worth strutting in. They are a bargain at 50% for $139. Having just checked out Posh coming to America on NBC, I would dare say that these are Posh worthy.

My pick are these Matiko flats, available at Freepeople.com. They are on sale for only $49.95. What more can you ask for but an all-in-one shoe with buttery brown leather + orange suede + creamy canvas + metallic gold leather?

It's Official: Patent is still IN for Fall 2007

2007-07-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been very cautious about buying patent handbags or shoes this summer. I was mostly afraid that patent will all but disappear by fall and I'll be left with a bunch of tacky looking accessories to eBay.

So you can imagine what a huge sigh of relief it was to see patent everywhere for Fall 2007. Pretty much all your patent purchases from the summer can be recycled minus any bright yellow or bright white patent shoes or handbags.

Here's how the patent line up is looking like for fall. I hereby happily disown anything silver and gold in favor of patent, the new bling bling look.

First up, Chanel's Fall 07 handbag line up uses tons of patent and vinyl but manages to stay timeless and classic.

Miu Miu scored huge hits this summer with their patent bags and shoes. The trend continues for fall. Forget about the his & her iphone and get this quilted leather patent tote for $1095 instead.

YSL continues to play up simplicity. The black patent Tribute tote is $865 and available at Saks.

My fav BY FAR is the Anya Hindmarch Lautner shoulder bag in black patent and bronze. It's $925, also available at Saks. It is very structured and art deco.

And here comes the shoes. I can't afford nor tolerate the discomfort of Christian Louboutin but these heels pretty much sum up the fall shoe trend: patent leather + Louis XIV style round toe.

I personally prefer Belle by Sigerson Morrison. Another fall trend is the combo of suede leather and patent. Also the grayish brown mud color is huge for fall. Available at Zappos or Piperlime.

If you have any remaing doubts about this trend, check out these Emilio Pucci heels for $575. Pucci only does 60's fabric and they've ditched that! Also notable: lace up shoes are huge this fall.

Prada IPO: Why is the web site so lame?

2007-07-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

It was reported on the Wall Street Journal today that Prada plans on going IPO. That's pretty gutsy indeed. Prada and Miu Miu have gone through a few roller coaster rides. Recently, I'd say they are on a high, especially thanks to Miu Miu's Coffer Bag.

I do think that Wall Street Journal is right in pointing out that not many designers are savvy finance people. It doesn't look like the people at Prada are savvy with the internet either.

Their website has remained largely the same since 1999 (I am not exaggerating). It's not even a Web 1.0 web site. It's more like someone figured out how to build their first web page by putting up an image in the middle of the page.

Considering that Prada commissioned this cutting edge store in Tokyo by Herzog & de Meuron, how can their web site be sooo lame?

Let me enumerate its "lameness":

No store information!
The Spring 07 line up for Prada is a PDF file
A table of content is a pile of junk. Who cares about some event in Valencia?
No Fall 07 info when all the other designers already have this information posted on their web site.

Miuccia Prada, this is a public embarrassment! Can you do something about this?

Tasteful or Tasteless: Kooba Natasha Bag in Shiny Mirror

2007-07-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

For those that have been following my blog, you know that I'm a huge fan of the Kooba Natasha bag in black or white patent even though I'm not really a dedicated Kooba follower.

It's always interesting to see what designers do when they have a smash hit in their hands. Tory Burch has plastered every possible material on her Reva flats. Kooba has decided to go over the top bling bling with the Natasha bag.

Nordstroms is featuring the Kooba Natasha in VERY shiny silver mirror and gold mirror. It's available for fall pre-order at $825! I don't know what to say about this bag. The gold one is definitely tasteless but the silver one can go either way. What I mean is that if Kate Moss uses it, it will be tasteful but if Paris uses it, it will tasteless.

Since I've been itching to try to insert a poll in my blog, let's see what you have to say!

Trovata seriously on sale

2007-07-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

When I saw this picture of Anne Hathaway on Fabsugar, I got inspired to look for stuff with big buttons. Trovata immediately came to mind since they always pair their signature preppy look with funky oversized buttons.

As I started digging around, I found that there's tons of Trovata Spring 2007 items in the final clearance section, marked down nearly 70%! Most of the goods are cheaper than Abercrombie & Fitch. Wow, what else is there to think about? Time to start shopping...

This tug canvas windbreaker in grey & white is available at eLuxury for $69, originally $270. If they don't have your size, try Tobi for $178.

Then there is the very nautical Dune Buggy Ottoman Jacket, in black or coconut. Yours for $96 at Active Endeavors.

This halter dress is incredibly priced at $65 at eluxury.com and $78 at Active Endeavors. Hopefully, you'll find your size between the 2 shops. It was originally $261.

To complete your wardrobe, Trovata makes pants that are casual but have the special touch. These culottes are $46 at Active Endeavors.

These shorts are $44 at Active Endeavors.

These khaki cropped pants are only $35. Yep, cheaper than a pair of pants at the Gap.

My Rachel Comey studded sandals are here!

2007-06-29T19:45:00.001-07:00

The Rachel Comey Leather studded sandals which I ordered from Anthropologie.com are finally here! And I am sooooo excited because I love them even more in real life.

Did I mention that I got them on sale at 50% off ($125)? Unfortunately, Anthropologie is out of this style now but super slick LA boutique Creatures of Comfort still carries them. They are on sale for $175 and come in 2 colors: Navy or Black.

Here's a picture of a fashionista with the shoes. The whole Roman/Grecian/Gladiator look is spot on with a one piece dress.

If you really don't like the ankle strap, try these sandals. They are adorable in foam green color. Only a few are left at Anthropologie.com!

Botkier's Fall 2007 Rose Satchel

2007-06-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

My personal POV is that Botkier has been churning out disappointing designs ever since the signature Trigger bag fell out of style.

This fall Botkier takes a turn with the rose satchel. This bag is really growing on me. It's got a bit of a Chanel feel and vintage charm. It's also a smaller size and the feminine vibe is a huge contrast to the oversize, over studded, over chained bags of the past few seasons.

I can't wait to see this bag in a store to see how it really looks and feels like.

Botttega Veneta Julie Tote On Sale

2007-06-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Bottega Veneta Julie Tote is finally on sale at Bluefly.com! Though it's only 20% off, this is a bag that embodies everything - it's functional, timeless & sumptuous. For spring, it comes in gorgeous shades of blush, white or camel.

The Julie tote even gets the thumbs up from Tina & Kelly at BagSnob.

All three colors are available at Bluefly for $1240 (originally $1550).

Worth your time Spring Sales

2007-06-09T10:48:00.001-07:00

The Spring/Summer 07 sale season is in full swing. To spare you some time sifting through poor sales racks, here are my 4 personal favorite online sales so far.

Why are they so great? Because the discounts are meaningful (30% or above), the stuff on sale is really from Spring/Summer 07 and not 3 seasons ago, and almost the ENTIRE store is on sale.

First, it's Net-a-Porter. The store that defined online luxury retailing just started it's mad sale season and virtually everything is marked off. Check out this lovely 3.1 Phillip Lim Bow Front top at $238, down from $340.

Then, head to Barney's New York. Ever since Jones Apparel took over the New York retail icon, they've been generous in stocking their online outpost with lots of style and inventory.

Lanvin handbag on sale for $989, down from $1675.

And more 3.1 Phillip Lim like this Rosette dress for $255, down from $389.

Smaller boutiques don't usually do great online sales but I stumbled across the Madison Los Angeles sale and it's fabulous. Anna Sui frock on sale for $309 from $442.

Factory People has their entire store on sale. They've got a much edgier, emerging label feel. This Development dress is $208, down from $348.

And of course, I mentioned Intermix NYC a few posts ago.

Chloe Triple Straps Flat finally within reach

2007-06-07T19:20:00.001-07:00

Last month, I blogged about how much I wanted these Chloe Trip Straps Flat shoes. They are finally on sale at Intermix NYC for $439, down from $615.

Even better news is that the Dolce Vita Dacer flat is a copyright infringment version of the shoe and is now available for only $85 at Kitson!

Intermix NYC Sale

2007-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

While the spring sale season is in full swing, most online sales are haven't been very rewarding. Most online merchants are taking the usual tactic of re-labelling their trove of junk from past seasons and calling it a spring sale. Others put a few unattractive items on sale and call it a day.

Aside from Shopbop whom you can always count on for an honest sale season, Intermix NYC's online store very much impressed me this sale season. Especially noteworthy is the extensive selection of shift dresses. Given how much I love one pieces, it's browsing heaven for me!

My fav is the Miss Davenporte Silk Ruffle Baby Doll dress, on sale from $550->$329. Miss Davenporte has the cutest designs but is utterly unaffordable for me. Now it's at least within my speculation range.

Next is this See by Chloe jersey bib dress from $298 to $198.

This Alisha Levine Black Label tuxedo dress in purple is so eye catching for summer evening out, on sale from $260->$179.

I especially adore the silk dresses designed by Lacey Parker. The bubble lattern sleeve dress is below is now on sale from $385->$265.

Lacey Parker's Puff Sleeve Chemise is now $199.

If you want 60's mod, here's 2 great choices. Valetine's A Line Dress is on sale from $390 to $249.

Kate and Kass Zipper dress is on sale from $188 to $119.

There's still ample sizes left for most of these styles. Hurry and happy shopping!

Lanvin Kentucky Tote 50% off!

2007-05-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Lanvin handbag designs have such class! Coupled with the fact they're few in quantity and very hard to find (unlike Chloe), you can imagine how giggly I was to find the Lanvin Kentucky Tote on sale at Luisa via Roma.

Because Luisa via Roma is located in Florence, the bag's original list price was already cheaper than in the US (no US import tax). Given that there is a 30% sale and you don't have to pay the 19% VAT, even with the 50 euro shipping charge, the bag comes out to about $1100 USD ((€ 968.00 * 0.81 + €50)*1.3).

Compare this to the exact same bag from Barney's for $2175. Luisa via Roma has both the silver and bronze colors in stock.

An uninspiring season of handbags

2007-05-25T23:00:00.001-07:00

I've been holding off a blog entry about mid-range designer handbags for 4 months now. I've been waiting for the bag that I'll instantly fall in love but instead it's been a stream of disappointments. All the well-known brands like Kooba, Botkier, Gustto have uninspiring designs. Even my reliable fav, Goldenbleu, has been butchering their bags with loud patent leather designs.

If you must stick with one of the top brands, I'd say that the Kooba Natasha is the only one worth the splurge. This bag was virtually sold out when it first became available in January. The only place that still carries it is Kitson in LA.

These seriously horrible designs have left me seeking out lesser known brands. My 2 favorites are Anna Corinna & Boyy handbags.

Anna Corinna bags have actually been around quite a few seasons. I like them for their simplicity but more importantly, she uses very light weight leather so even though the bags are huge, they're super light and comfy. No need to visit the chiropractor!

I like the Anna Corinna Bender Bag in White for $395 and also the signature City Tote with Metallic trim in gold and cognac for $485. Both available at Luna Boston.

Boyy is a much lesser known brand. From looking at their web site, it looks like the cult-status Colette boutique in Paris carries their stuff. That alone is serious endorsement.

Their signature design is Franky. I love the extra chain strap. It's not cheap at $575.

My fav is Charlie because it looks just so modern and hip. The pearl patent Charlie from Shopbop.com is one of the few patent handbags that won't make it seem like you're hauling a big piece of plastic around.

The Dee is a great summer bag and because it is not all leather, it is cheaper at $365.

Boyy handbags are available through the official store and also at Shopbop.com.

Salvatore Ferragamo Jelly Ballet Flats

2007-05-21T22:42:00.000-07:00

These Salvatore Ferragamo Jelly Ballet flats are just so SWEET! They even have the classic Ferragamo bow. I can't find it anywhere online but did go into a local Ferragamo store and they can get it for you or you can call 800-822-1959. They're $100 and come in 3 colors: clear, red and black.

The only thing that I don't look about them is that Britney Spears has a pair and she's not exactly my fashion icon :(

Glamorous Vixen

2007-05-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

Occassionally, it is kind of fun to shop around for stuff that is totally out of character for me. Since I'm quite clumsy and enjoy comfort, I wear flats 95% of the time. Recently though, I've been spotting some pretty cool heels with zipper action.

While I don't think I'll ever been seen wearing these, I can see them on fashionistas who prefer a glamarous vixen look.

Lucilla Pessoa is a new brand from Brazil. Considering that these can pass for YSL shoes, $295 is not a bad deal. They are available at Intermix.

These Marc Jacobs are on sale at Shopbop.com for $297.50 (from $425).

Pair it with this zipper filed metallic bag from Zadig & Voltaire (frou frou French bad with a new LA outpost) and you'll be the most glammed up biker chick in town.

Neiman Marcus Cusp

2007-05-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

While I was in LA, I got to check out a bunch of up & coming clothing chains. It's been nearly a year since the first Cusp opening. Needless to say, I was excited to catch of glimpse of Neiman Marcus' younger sibling at Century City.

First, the positives
5. Airy, comfortable shopping experience
4. If you're looking for a cocktail dress, this place has racks & racks of them.
3. Wow! Tons of sale items. Unlike First Call at Neiman Marcus, there was barely anyone in the store to fight with you.
2. Ample sizes. Have you ever experienced utter excitement and total disappointment 5 secs apart when you find something you love but they don't have your size? For each style, Cusp has on display the full range of sizes from 0 to 10, frequently with 2 of each.
1. Unlike snotty Neiman Marcus, they take Visa card!

Now on to the negatives...This is a clothing store so clothes matter the most. I just found everything at the store to be rather conservative. I also found the intermingling of Chanel, YSL and Chloe handbags throughout the store to be rather contrived. The store felt more like Paris Hilton/Jessican Simpson rather than Nicole Richie/Mischa Barton.

Finally, I have no comments about the decor. It looked like an Anthroplogie store stripped of its flea market character. It also slightly reminded me of the Rampage store at one of the local malls.

In short, if you're expecting Barney's Co-op, you'll need to dial down your expectations by a few notches. While this place is very well stocked with established contemporary designers like Phillip Lim, Rebecca Taylor, Alice & Olivia, Mint, Diane von Furstenberg, edgier brands aren't really part of the deal.

Jeffrey Campbell Leather Chain Flip Flops

2007-05-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

I just came back from LA and had one of the BEST shopping trips in a long time. Needless to say, I've got lots to report.

Aside from aviator sunglasses, the one fashionista item that dominated the streets are these Jeffrey Campbell leather chain flip flops. Nearly every other girl hanging out on Roberton, 3rd street and Melrose was spotted with these JC flops in black, white or camel.

No surprise, they are supplied by celebrity trendsetter, Kitson. In the store, they've got it all piled up in a plastic bucket. At $68, it's quite a steal for a glamorous, sun drenched LA look.

Patent Frenzy

2007-05-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

If you haven't noticed that the Spring 07 patent shoe trend has descended upon on us like a hurricane, then you've likely been stranded on exile island.

While patent shoes can be seen everywhere, many designers (high end or mall brand) have massively abused the material and created horribly trashy styles. I would stay very far away from patent heels and wedges and stick with flats. They tend to be more subdued and clash less with the drama of the shiny patent material.

My fav patent is cobalt blue. It's out of the ordinary and truly unique. If budget is not an issue, I would get these Viktor & Rolf ballet flats, available at Madison Los Angeles for $480.

Much more affordable are these super cute Sciapo slingback flats with rosette for $290 (enter toutie for 20% discount at Active Endeavors).

Joie's Ocean Blue ballet flats are also a steal at $154 from Revolve Clothing.

The most well rounded patent shoe collection comes from Sigerson Morrison. I was lucky enough to check out the Sigerson Morrison store in LA. Most styles are available in white, black, red patent or silver. These 2 styles standout and are available at a wide number of stores, including Nordstroms. Bloomingdale's in Beverley Center happens to stock the ankle strap flats and they're currently 30% off! That's $182 instead of $260.

For cheaper alternatives, I really like the Nine West Gershom for $72 at Zappos. The extra buckle in the back adds a high street touch.

These peep toe flats from ASOS are a bargain for under $40.

If you're looking for something fab and unique, I guarantee no one else will have these eye catching saffron yellow patent flats from B Store (a cool London boutique) from ASOS.com. They are $330 though.

If you're worried that this trend will wear out next season (yes, it absolutely will, the writing is on the wall), then I would suggest sticking with white and a classic style like the Repetto BB flats or these white patent Tod's Ballerina Dee Laccetto for $325 at eLuxury.com.

And then there's of course black patent. These Sam Edelman's are both glam and reasonably priced at $125, available at Urban Outfitter.

My final pick is a really fun and stylish pair of sandals from ASOS.com for less than $40! The great thing about patent shoes is that you can't really tell whether it's real leather or synthetic. Why not go for something super cheap?

Cheap chic: MNG Mango necklace

2007-04-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

My shopping adventures this past week have been filled with some very pleasant surprises. First, I walked into Gap for the first time in six years to buy one of the CFDA winner designed shirts (I picked up one by Thakoon). Then I managed to snag 2 ultra-mod necklaces from Mango for $39!

The Riveria necklace is a combo of plastic, metal and patent leather circles. It's fun, attention grabbing and doesn't look cheap. I was so enthralled that ended up buying both the white/silver version and the black/gold version (after 30 minutes of not making up my mind). They are also available online at the Mango online store.

Spring/Summer 2007 Chloe Shoes Online Scavenger Hunt

2007-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

It's quite easy to get mesmerized by this seaon's top shoe trends like metallics, patent leather, bright colors and python. But my favorite Spring/Summer 2007 shoe line is by far Chloe. Phoebe Philo's final collection illustrates that "less is more". Instead of obnoxious red patent colors that will look so passe after one season, Chloe's shoe collection comes in simple shades of white, black and brown with just a touch of silver or gold hardware. Such beautiful timeless designs!

Chloe shoes aren't hard to find. All the major luxury online boutiques carry them but to get the right size and color combination, you will have to explore a bit. That's how this month's online scavenger hunt installment will come to the rescue.

No one carries more styles than the official Chloe store at Net-a-Porter. Just to showcase how yummy they all look, here's my collage of the entire Chloe collection at Net-a-Porter and my favorites circled.

Accompanying the editor's favorite Edith bag are the hip Edith shoes for $465. So simple and classy!

I also really like the Chloe Canbury flats. They come in a ton of different colors including white, gold, brown, black canvas with brown leather, white canvas with brown leather.

Diani carries a wide selection for $475.

Brown's Fashion also carires Chloe.

Of course Neiman's has a healthy selection as well. Amongst the non-flat shoes, I like the open toe canvas slingback the best.

Shopping at Luisa Via Roma may end up saving you a $50 dollars or so given that there's no US import tax and you get a VAT refund.

Barney's also carries few additional choices including these cool patent brown patent Mary Jane's for $560.

My pick from Sak's collection

If you're looking for patent shoes, I would skip the loud ones and go for Chloe's understated circle patent shoes, available at Zoe.

I saved my absolute fav to the very end. They are the triple strap flats available at Intermix and also seen on the Spring runway. They are very Victorian 19th century and can be worn through winter as ankle boots. If only I had $615 to splurge on shoes!

Additional Chloe shoe sources include:

A very disappointing issue of Lucky Mag

2007-04-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

This month's Lucky magazine has seriously hit rock bottom. Everything in the issue is as lackluster as Avril Lavigne on the cover. I wonder if the Lucky editors took an early summer vacation.

Here's how bad it is:

The "I want this now" section featured one of the editors in hideous silver metallic outfits and another editor in red/white bohemian pieces from 3 seasons ago.
They have people dress up as brides on the street. They all look like they're about to elope.
The special hair section consists of only 3 models! What kind of special hair issue is that?
The outfits look outdated and don't even look fitted on the model.

I really don't want to slam Lucky because I've been a subscriber from Issue #1. I just hope that this is not indicative of stuff to come else I'll just have to focus on reading blogs instead.

Bargain Eyelet Jackets

2007-04-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

I'm dirt poor this month. It's only April 12th and I'm over my clothing budget for the month of April. To properly reflect the state of my wallet, I'm showcasing some serious bargain finds - eyelet jackets.

This Kenzie eyelet jacket is gorgeous and everyone will think that it's from Nanette Lepore. Luckily, it's $68 instead of $400. I have this jacket and love how expensive it looks and feels. I would recommend wearing it buttoned up - the way the model wears it does not do it justice. The only issue with it is that if you work with a bunch of tech geeks, they'll think those big buttons are oreo cookies.

Another great choice is this $32 dollar jacket from Forever21. Most Forever 21 items seriously suffer in quality but this one is actually decent and the coral shade is warming. Don't you think it passes for a $350 Rebecca Taylor jacket?

Apepazza Wedges

2007-04-09T23:52:00.000-07:00

I seldom find anything at department store shoe sections so when I saw these Apepazza wedges at my neighborhood Nordstroms, I was very psyched! The Apepazza Congo is well priced at $125. Though they're still made in China, they are Italian designed and don't have the cheap look & feel of many popular shoe brands (like Seychelles or NYLA). They were also super comfy.

So after returning from the mall, I did more research. It turns out there are many more cute styles online, all of them less than $125. Given that there is a World War III going on between Zappos, Endless.com and Piperlime, I may as well order all 4 pairs with free overnight shipping and free return.

Cheap Monday Denim

2007-04-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

Swedish denim line Cheap Monday finally liberates us from the premium designer jeans cartel! These designer jeans are only $65 yet totally hip enough to hang on the racks at Barney's, Satine, Ron Herman and other exclusive online boutiques including AzaleaSF & Active Endeavors.

$19.95 Cashmere sweaters

2007-04-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I know it's April and we're all thinking about our spring closets but how can one pass up a great deal like $19.95 cashmere sweaters?

There's a handful of cashmere sweaters on sale at Anthropologie and they are brutally marked down by 75%. Many are spring appropriate. Check it out!

This baby pink sweater is $19.95 and the eyelet bow works for spring.
This cashmere turtleneck is timeless. Snap it up for next winter. $19.95.

This sleevless tunic goes well under a spring trench coat. It's $44.95 instead of $19.95 but it was also originally $248.

A cropped red sweater complements the office air conditioning system, $34.95.
There's also no need to make any decisions because you can buy all 4 sweaters for only $120!

Kate Moss for TopShop

2007-04-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

The look book for Kate Moss' collection at TopShop is FINALLY OUT! Courtesy of Fabsugar who first reported this. I have not doubts that the news will be plastered all over the fashion blogosphere but because the pictures look SO COOL, I'm compelled to join the bandwagon and start a post too!

I'm pretty sure that the TopShop on Oxford/Regent will look worse than a rugby field on 5/1 when the collection hits the store. I plan on staying up late on the West Coast and hitting my browser refresh button at http://www.topshop.com when the collection hits.

More on ASOS.com

2007-04-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

I feel compelled to write 2 back to back posts about ASOS.com. I used to think of ASOS as a knock off version of Topshop. They've always had pretty cute stuff but nothing jumped out at me to a point that I'm willing to pay for shipping all the way from the UK.

My recent visit totally changed my mind. Aside from Darimeya, I love how the selection on this web site mimics my fashion principles:

Splurge on a lux handbag, great shoes and premium denim
Go cheap on trend fashion tops, dresses and tunics
Stick with dramatic fashion jewelery piecses. Forget about diamonds and 18k gold

What you'll find is a serious mix of high end and affordable items. In their recent New Arrival section, you can find a Balenciaga Giant hardware bag (GASP), Chloe paddingtons along with $40 dollar tunics. Pair it up with Eley Kishimoto shoes (I can't find them anywhere else online) and you're as stylish as Sienna Miller or Kate Moss.

They also carry affordable celebrity items like original Mina dresses, frequently spotted on Sienna Miller - around $125.

And ASOS pieces inspired by celebrities, typically $40-$60 USD.

And a very well edited selection of handbags. I love the YSL reversible bag in its new white/silver with silver hardware look. I've not seen this yet at Neimans or Saks!

Kate Moss loves Darimeya

2007-03-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

My first Darimeya dress was purchased at the big TopShop on Oxford/Regent street in London. I've had it for 6 months now and am still totally in love with it.

It turns out that you no longer need to live in London to own a piece of Kate Moss' favorite brand. I was very pleased to discover that ASOS.com carries a great selection and ships to the US.

All these dresses run about $125 USD. Not a bad price to pay to look as chic as Kate.

Worth the splurge - Fendi B shoes

2007-03-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

As much as I love $500+ lux designer shoes, they're totally out of my league. So when I stumbled upon the Fendi B flats, I was pleasantly surprised by its rather reasonable price range. Let me break down why I like them:

Spot on with the patent leather trend
Bold colors like orange and blue
Comfortable
Get the B buckle without having to spend a fortune on the B bag
Relatively reasonable at $350-$400 per pair

My favorite is the Fendi canvas B flat available at Saks.com or Net-a-porter for $380.

For a more summery look, go for the B buckle skimmer in white or blue, available for $330 from Saks.com or MyTheresa.com (carries both colors).

For a super classic look, go with the all patent Fendi B ballerina for $435 at eluxury.com

Next big thing: the "IT" flat

2007-03-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Fendi Baguette started the IT bag trend 10 years ago. Seven for all Mankind started the IT designer denim mania. My prediction is that the next big battle ground for greatness is for the IT ballet flat.

So let's first establish some premises for what makes a fashion item an IT icon. There's no official definition so here's my litmus test:

Must survive multiple seasons, at least 3 in my mind
Gets re-hashed in all sorts of colors, patterns, textures etc.
Celebrities showcasing them in the first 2 seasons
Lots of imitation versions

2 timeless classics come to mind immediately.

The first one is the Repetto BB Ballet flat and yes, every pair of ballet flats you find at the mall is an imitation of this one.

And then there is the Chanel cap toe logo ballet flat. This shoe must have been around for over 60 years! Every season Chanel picks a new color or fabric for this famous flat.

So what's up and coming? I'm thinking it's the Tory Burch Reva flats. They are blogged about everywhere, Paris Hilton who doesn't wear flats wears these, they come in 25+ colors, they run out the minute they're stocked, and there's already a really cheesy imitation version with a fleur de lys from Steve Madden.

Here's the selection from the Tory Burch store. The Reva flat runs from $195-$225 dollars.

I couldn't resist either. Personally, I prefer the silver and the black patent leather ones. After a mad hunt for the silver ones in Size 8.5, I finally got them today more than 2 weeks after I ordered them. I'm happy to report that I'm very satisfied and haven't found flats so comfortable in such a long time.

Spring 2007 Trend: Bright Color Jeans

2007-03-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

The 80s trend with eye catching bold colors was quite prominent from the Spring 2007 runways.
This trend got translated into 80's style bold, punch color jeans and they're popping up everywhere. However, I'm not all sold on them. It will most certainly last about one season and seems to me like it's a hoax from denim designers to get people to buy more jeans.

Joe's Chelsea Jeans for $158 in Peacock, Hot pink or turquoise. Remember Joe's stretches really bad so go one size down.

Citizens of Humanity Ava straight leg in Fuschia or Red from Ron Herman at $148

If you must buy into this trend, I suggest getting the AG Crayon Stilt's on sale at Anthropologie for $124. The skinny jeans are extremely well cut. I've got a pair in regular dark denim.

And just to prove the point that color jeans are a force to be reckoned with, the Urban Outfitter skinny jeans section is blindingly colorful. At about $60-$70, it may be worth the one season investment. I'd say that if you must, the 2 colors to pick are either marine blue or yellow. Red and fuschia are just way over the top.

So what do you pair color jeans with? I'd say stick with white. I love the white tunic shift dress from Anthropologie (bought it already) & Nanette Lepore's poet sleeve blouse.

Manoush Online Scavenger Hunt

2007-03-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

Started by a former Morgan de Toi accessories designer, Manoush is amongst a list of very cute French brands to emerge in the last few years. Manoush is not impossible to find in American boutiques but is not available everywhere, making it a great feature for this month's Online Scavenger Hunt installment,

With loads of sweet, cutesy touches and a reasonable price tag (most pieces under $200 unlike many overpriced American designer brands), I'm definitely digging Manoush and here's a summary of my online explorations for all things Manoush from their 2007 spring collection.

Anthropologie has a pretty extensive selection and as usual, all sizes are fully stocked.

My pick is this light weight blue and pink sweater for $158.

Lisa Kline
I've never shopped here before but Luv Charlie, an online boutique, also has a really good selection of Spring merchandise. My personal pick is this tunic knit dress:

My Wardrobe carries a ton of Manoush dresses. This LBD is 140 pounds.
For those who prefer to stick with established online stores, Net-a-porter has a very well edited selection. This eye catching camisole is $140.

And can I say that this silver foil cocktail dress is a total STEAL at $280? Perfect dress for attending spring weddings.

When I discovered Shopping Paris Mode, I gasped! A store from Paris that ships worldwide carrying all the French brands we can't find here in the US? Wow, why didn't someone think of this earlier? Needless to say, they have a killer Manoush collection.

Finally, Urban Chic Boutique also carries Manoush. I like how I can use the 25% off coupon, toutie2007 :)

The stores above seem to carry the best selection but I was also able to find Manoush at:

Online boutique coupon codes

2007-03-06T20:27:00.000-08:00

Here's my word of wisdom to every shopaholic out there: If you see something you like at a store, always go online to see if you can buy it from an online boutique not in your state and ALWAYS look for a coupon code.

Between free shipping, no state tax and the promotional coupon, you may end up saving nearly 20-30%. For me, 2 most reliable sources for coupons from online boutiques are Toutie and Reesy Cakes.

Deep discounts include:

20% off coupon at Active Endeavors
20% off coupon at Standard Style
20% off coupon at Jake Boutique, a fantastic store from Chicago
20% off coupon at Azalea SF
20% off coupon at Urban Chic Boutique

So for example, if you're eyeing this very cool Bolia handbag from Gustto, it's $556 instead of $695. Free shipping and no tax unless you live in Illinois.

TopShop Boutique Brands: JoJo & Malou, Markus Lupfer & Unique

2007-03-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

TopShop has replaced every online store out there as my number one daily shoppping destination. When TopShop started shipping to the US, it made it to my top 5 list of most significant events in online shopping history. I'm especially interested in their designer cross over items. Don't take too long muling over what you want. Hot pieces run out in like a day!

From Markus Lupfer, the oversized dress in marine for £60.00.

JoJo & Malou designs have a great, funky vibe, kind of a bit Eley Kishimoto, but the prices are totally reasonable. The bow detail tee below is £28.00.

And there's Unique, churning out effortless pieces in lux silk material.

Here's a secret tip I recently discovered - the quantities for each size reflect the amount of inventory they have left on a given item. So if you see 1-4 left, you better hurry but if there's something like 7-10, there's still time to contemplate. Hopefully, this helps to make sure you don't kick yourself in the butt when your size goes out of stock.

Weekend Outfit: 60's Mod

2007-03-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

If you've been paying any attention to spring fashion magazines, you'll know that the 60's mod shift dress is totally back with a vengence. So here's my take on how to look great without looking like your mom.

Everyday items

This Abaete dress is worth every penny. It's mod without being trashy. Also the trimming is all 100% silk satin. Hmm, luxurious! It's a little bit over budget at $179 but considering that it's originally $300, I think it's a steal. Available at Bluefly.com.

Dolce Vita's spring shoe collection is filled with simple yet impactful design. Affordably priced around $100, the Dolce Vita block low heel shoe delivers 3 of this season's key trend: peep toe, silver and mod.

Splurge item

Finally there's the handbag I "splurged" on a few blog entries ago. This Pierre Hardy bag adds just the right amount of silver glitz to the whole ensemble.

Spring 2007 Fashion Trend: Anorak

2007-02-27T21:12:00.000-08:00

I'm predicting that the sporty anorak may end up being the outerwear of choice this spring. It's also a great contrast to feminine pieces. I love the look below, featured at TopShop:

Our fashion forward friends in Europe have totally caught on to this trend. If you live near a Zara or Max & Co., both stores have plenty of options. As for online, your best bets are TopShop and Mango.

Here are a few great picks from TopShop, ranging from 30 to 50 pounds.

Mango also has many reasonably priced choices:

If you'd like something in light khaki color, Gap has 2 great choices, both under $100.

My Spring 2007 "IT" bags

2007-02-22T20:52:00.000-08:00

I know this blog is supposed to focus on finding great deals online but we all know that an ultra luxurious "It" bag can do wonders to an outfit from H&M or Forever21. So once or twice a year, you got to invest in an "It" bag to give your outfits a major facelift.

Most of these lux bags cost $1000 or more. That's more than a PlayStation 3, most Dell computers, an XBox 360 and some may cost more than a new plasma TV. If you've got a husband, buying a lux bag may also involve major negotiation. Read up on BagSnob.com and pick wisely! My advice is to pick something that is timeless, not flashy and especially ones that are not plastered on every celebrity (like the Miu Miu Coffer).

Timeless & Classic

My top choice is the Givenchy Nightingale available at Barneys.com for $1895-$2400. It's got a very simple silouhette and the shimmery python handle gives us the extra punch. Seen on Sienna Miller. Divine!

Silver

Silver is kicking out gold this season. Anya Hindmarch's Sybil handbag for $1250 is super lady like and looks great with the chain bag trend.

A close second is Celine's timeless boogie bag in a water buffalo silver leather. The Boogie bag has been in production since 1930. There's no way you can go wrong with this bag season after season! Available at Neiman Marcus for $1250.

Patent Leather

The winner in this category is the Marni ballon bag, $1320. It looks awesome on the model.

Strappy Leather Purse

Small leather purses with long straps that you can sling across your shoulder is making a silent come back amongst all the big bags. Pierre Hardy totally gets it right buy combining this with the mod trend. You'll look great with a flowy lantern sleeve black and white mod tunic!

White

Last but not least, the stunning new Balenciaga Giant Work bag in White.

Weekend Outfit: Spring's Bold Colors

2007-02-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

It's 70 degrees here in San Francisco. Many girls took the opportunity to preview and wear early purchases from their spring wardrobe. I've personally opted to go all out for this Spring's super bright colors.

Splurge item

The center piece of this weekend's outfit is the Confetti Cumberbund Dress from Twinkle by Wenlan availabile at Azalea Online for $225. I love the confetti and the bold mixture of patterns.

Everyday items

With it still being a little chilly, I'm opting for this cottom bomber jacket from TopShop for £30.00. It combines 2 of Spring 2007 's key trends: bold colors (especially yellow) and the sportswear/anorak look.

Skinny jeans remain super versatile. With a more airy outfit, go for ankle or slightly cropped length. These are on sale for $84 from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

The patent shoe trend is of magnitude 10.0 this season so I am going to keep on wearing them until I'm tired of it. These Seyechelle pumps combine the bold yellow color trend with patent leather. Available at Nordstroms for $74.95.

As for your bag, why not recycle last week's white leather day clutch? Most of us can't afford a new bag for each outfit. I'm also going to start putting some thought into splurging on a lux but versatile handbag this coming week. You can start by spotting out yours with help from the lady's over at Bag Snob.

Devotte: the shoe formerly known as Kovette

2007-02-15T23:53:00.000-08:00

I've been a huge fan of Kovette shoes when they first came out last Spring. Here's Mischa Barton wearing the Kovette green Emerald flats. So I eagerly awaited for their Fall 06 collection. Sadly, Kovette is a line dedicated to summer sandals. For Spring 07, to keep things fresh, it looks like they've come up with a new name, Devotte...kind like the artist formerly known as Prince.

Honestly, I don't care if they're called covet, devote, adore, desire or admire. I do care that they are so CUTE! Check out the styles posted on the Devotte web site:

And after much anticipation, they are available on Active Endeavors as of today:

My favorites are the Devotte Kaitlyn's for $265. Love the low wedge:

Don't forget to use coupon code toutie for 20% off.

Development Clothing Online Scavenger Hunt

2007-02-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

Given the popularity of the Repetto online scavenger hunt report, I've decided to do a second installment based on the same format. This time, I've opted to go hunting for ultra-stylish pieces from Development Clothing by Erica Davies.

When Phillip Lim announced that he was moving to New York to start 3.1 Phillip Lim for Fall 2005, the news was bittersweet. On the one hand, we all knew he would churn out jaw dropping designs. On the other hand, is he just going to let the Development brand die?

Though Erica Davies first collection for Development in Spring 2006 was so-so, I was frankly just relieved that they didn't kill off the brand. But when I saw the lace inset dress below from the Fall 2006 collection, I'm convinced that Erica Davies is a force to be reckoned with!

Her specialty is ultra-chic one piece dresses that transcend day and night. In today's very crowded and increasingly pricey designer market, the fact that most Development dresses are priced under $400 is a relief.

Here are 2 of my favorites from the Spring 2007 line:

Development's separate pieces are equally gorgeous and wearable:

On to which online boutiques carry Development clothing....The most extensive collections come from Shopbop.com, Revolve Clothing & Net-a-Porter:

Shopbop.com

Revolve Clothing

Net-a-porter

Pink Mascara also carries a small collection of Development items. I'm a fan of this white Babydoll dress for $396.

Madison in Los Angeles & Factory People in Austin also have a very comprehensive selection.

Since I hate buying non-sale items, here are some stores with Development stuff on sale.

Anthropologie actually carries a decent selection of Development dresses. I love the plum colored bubble dress.

Blue Genes has a huge selection of sales items. Check out this white lace top for only $49!

Standard Style also has a great selection. This bubble chiffon top is on sale for $141.

Additional boutiques with Development merchandise are:
Le Train Bleu
Ami Ami
Miostile
Blaec
La Garconne
P.45

Weekend Outfit: Be my valentine

2007-02-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

When I stumbled across this Pink Paisley Charm Necklace, it was fashion love at first sight. So then I needed to come up with an excuse to buy it. Thanks to perfect timing, Valentine's day happens to be just around the corner.

This week's weekend outfit theme is Valentine's Day and I've decided to put together an outfit around this necklace.

Splurge item

Pink Paisley Charm Necklace at ShopLAStyle.com for $143:

Since the necklace has quite a dramatic presence, it's important to keep the rest of the outfit simple and affordable.

Everyday items

Courtesy of my sister who recently bought this dress and tells me it's very well cut, go for the Ballon Sleeve Dress from TopShop designer Unique for £65.00:

TopShop now ships to the US.

Pair with Damsel extra log leggings in heather gray from Urban Outfitters for $18:

Get a kick start with Spring 07's biggest accessory trend, patent shoes. These peep toes are very affordable at $34 from Urban Outfitters:

To finish the outfit, go for an oversized day clutch, also an upcoming trend. Leather Envelope Bag from Top Shop for £20.00:

Happy St Valentine's!

Crazy sale at shopbop.com

2007-02-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Shopbop marked down tons of items to 70%! No need for any more elaboration. Run over and start your bargain hunting at this super popular online store!

I just snagged this Vince jersey dress for $69!

Bubble hem from winter to spring

2007-02-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

The bubble hem continues to hold up strong for Spring 07. Here's a few of my favorites from the end of season sales racks.

Alice & Olivia Poof Dress from $330 -> $230 available at shopbop.com. I've personally tried this on at a store and it looks great on! Very flattering. In fact, it also looks good without the belt (there's a 1 inch band in the middle).

This burgundy dress from Development works well for a cocktail party or a wedding. The silk chiffon bust adds class and drama for special occassions. It's 50% off at Anthropologie for $174.95.

For something casual and can tranistion well into spring, I vote for Karanina's Norma dress available at Girlshop.com for $104.

Balenciaga Giant

2007-02-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

For whatever reason, I've never had any desire for a Balenciaga handbag despite it's IT bag status for so many seasons. I've attributed its lack of eye popping effect to the fact that there are so many fake or imitation versions out there.

But when I spotted the new Balenciaga Giant at Neiman Marcus recently, it got my 110% undivided attention. What a makeover! I had no idea that a few giant pieces of gold hardware can do the trick. The closest analogy I can come up with is Ashlee Simpson's nose. It's not that Ashlee is ugly but after she got her nose job, she all of the sudden became noticeable.

Given that it will also be hard for the fake shops to reproduce the same quality hardware, I say that this bag is well worth the splurge for Spring 2007! The only store that carries them online is Diabro from Japan which ships internationally and has an amazing selection of Balenciaga bags. While I cannot guarantee, I have seen Diabro mentioned in many Japanese magazines (not as ads) so it should be reputable. The prices are about 10% more than US.

Balenciaga Giant City $1400:

Balenciaga Giant The Part Time $1650:

Balenciaga Giant The Work $1650:

Balenciaga Giant Brief (can't find it at any online store):

Here's Carmeron Diaz, healing her Justin Timberlake sorrows with her new Balenciaga Giant Work Bag in White. Smart move!

Zac Posen Barbie

2007-02-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Most of us aren't the Olsen twins so we can't afford a dress from Zac Posen.

So why not live vicariously through Barbie? Mattel just launched the Zac Posen Barbie & Ken Doll Gift set, complete with a Ken Doll dressed like the designer, and loads of extra stuff like a studio “set” crammed with bolts of fabric, sewing notions, bulletin board with pinned inspiration and Zac's dog, Tina.

$300 available at FAO online. Only 999 in production and has an official stamp of approval from Vogue according to NY Mag.

Weekend Outfit: 70's vintage school girl

2007-02-02T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm inaugurating the first weekly issue of Weekend Outfits. Once a week, I'll put together an outfit I'm loving where most of the items fit into the affordable "everyday" price range. I'll then pair it up with 1 or 2 items I think are absolutely worth the "splurge".

In this first issue, I'm craving a wintery brown, vintage 70's school girlish look.

Everyday items

Start with this adorable jumper dress by Maple available at Anthropologie for $139.95.

Wear it with this cream color turtleneck from Generra at Active Endeavors on sale for $62. I know that $62 for a turtleneck may be a bit steep but with this season's jumper dresses, it's a must have staple that you'll wear over and over again.

Add these stockings from Urban Outfitter ($12 for 2)

The Aerosoles Safety Jocks in brown are totally fabulous in real life. I know this picture isn't flattering but I PROMISE that they look awesome in real life. The brown leather has this very nice vintage touch. They are $75 and incredibly comfortable.

Splurge items

I would recommend splurging on this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag for $458. It's a very spacious bag. The leather is soft and also has a totally vintage worn in feel. Plus the super sized zipper is just too cute! After spotting it at Bloomingdales, I'm totally after this bag.

Earnest Sewn Jeans for $49

2007-01-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

I think this may well be the most incredible deal I've seen on the internet this season. Scoop NYC is having its final clearance. There are 4 styles of Earnest Sewn jeans on sale for $49!!! Can you believe it? All these jeans were originally $198.

You will find the popular Harlan cigarette leg jeans:

As well as the super slim Esra high waist skinny jeans:

Spring 07 Fashion Trend: Skinny vs. Wide Leg Jeans

2007-01-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend I faced the ultimate dilemma that many girls will probably face in the next few months as we all invest in a new pair of jeans for spring.

Armed with a $200 store credit at Anthropologie, I was stuck choosing between another pair of skinny jeans and the high waist, wide leg denim contender.

Choice #1: AG Stilt in Subtle

Choice #2: Paper Denim & Cloth 70's wide leg jeans

To date, I've been very repulsed by the high waist, wide leg look even though the writing has been on the wall that it will take off this Spring. So I mustered all my courage to give it a shot. It turns out that the Paper Denim's did not look bad at all. There were 3 issues though:

I still couldn't help but think that the look was very granny and unflattering.
The super wide leg is just going to mop up all the dirt off the ground.
What the heck are you supposed to wear above? Does it mean a fitted shirt tucked in all the time? That look is so uncomfortable. Also none of my tunics or long sleeve sweaters would look right. How are other Spring trends like all the bubble, volume tops going to work with wide leg jeans?

Given these hesitaions and the fact that the AG Stilt jeans look so impressive on (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), I made my decision to continue to be a skinny jean supporter!

Until I see more people following Kate Moss' lead (BTW, more recent pictures of her still show her in skinny jeans), I'm going to stick with the current trend or better yet, go for straight leg jeans - they will never go out of style.

Spring 07 Accessories Trend: Chanel J12 Black Cermaic Watch

2007-01-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

This spring, black watches, especially ceramic ones, will go mainstream. Chanel's J12 watch collection pioneered the look. Though it's been in a production for a few years, it's skyrocketing in popularity this year. Mostly recently, it's been featured on Jennifer Garner in the January issue of Elle Magazine.

Originally invented by the Swiss watchmaker, Rado, ceramic watches don't only look cool but have the added the benefit of being 100% scratch proof.

I'm been eyeing the basic Chanel J12 33mm model for a long time now. Unfortunately, it is $3350. That's more than the basic stainless steel Rolex Oyster!

And if you want it with all the right bling, it's $8650!

Recently, I spotted a great alternative by LP Italy Watches, available at Toureanu.

Here's the basic version with 12 diamonds for $1695. Check out the cute heart on the dial! There's a bunch more styles with varying amount of diamonds priced between $1695 and $3495.

There are also many cheaper alternatives available at Macy's. Most of these black watches are not going to be ceramic but instead black ion plated stainless steel bracelets (Black IP).

From Guess for $135 From DKNY for $150

From Rocawear for $145
From Fossil for $85

And for the ultimate cheap chic, try this one for $40 at shopintuition.com

Skull Jewelry & Accessories

2007-01-15T23:37:00.000-08:00

While black nails, skulls, any touch that's slightly punk or gothic were in this season, early indication is that they are going to be out for Spring 2007.

Regardless, I simply can't resist these absolutely adorable necklaces from Rachel Leigh Jewelry. Given that they're 30% at shopbop.com and there's still 3 more months of winter left, I say go for it!

And while we're going skull crazy, may as well pair it with the popular Tiffany Alana Skull scarf spotted on everyone from Mary Kate and Nicole Richie to Johnny Depp :)

Ron Herman Winter Sale Now 50% OFF

2007-01-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

Famous LA outpost Ron Herman has just started slashing prices on their winter sale items from 20% to 50%. Though the online boutique does not carry a massive selection, there's a carefully hand picked, unique selection of to-die-for items.

Here's what I would get if only I hadn't exhausted my after-christmas shopping funds.

Every girl wants something from 3.1 Phillip Lim in their closet, especially this gorgeous retro looking camel coat lined with faux pearls and fur. $925->$462.5

Hanii Y's ultra feminine pieces put the more popular and main stream Rebecca Taylor to shame! This lightweight black sweater: $210->$105

Wow! Viktor and Rolf on sale and not from H&M! $580->$290

Last but not least, have you ever seen a Chloe bag 50% off? $830 for the Edith bowler.

J Brand Skinny Jeans On Sale

2007-01-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

Given how hyped up J Brand jeans were this Fall season, I'm a bit surprised to see them on sale online. I think it implies that this high street staple just isn't catching on like fire with the masses like boot-cut jeans did. It should come as no surprise. Most of us don't look stick skinny.

For those of you who are still craving a pair of skinny jeans like the J Brands Victoria Beckham is wearing below:

You're in luck because most of their styles and colors are on sale at Sway & Cake:

The 12 inch ink $158->$95

The 12 inch black inch $158->$95

The 12 inch grey at Azalea SF $158->$95

And pretty much every style on sale at Standard Style (though the discount is less):

Anya Hindmarch Handbag Fall 06 Sale

2007-01-08T20:58:00.000-08:00

Anya Hindmarch, the British queen of handbags and what Kate Spade should have been, consistently churns out timeless, classy pieces. For whatever reason, it's neglected and overlooked by the Hollywood celebrities so you don't see them around as much. I personally think this is a good thing, you can make it your own "It" bag. Anya Hindmarch has stores in New York, LA and New Jersey. They are also available online at Saks Fifth Avenue. The official Anya Hindmarch online store just recently put most of its fall merchandise on sale. All the bags this season are timeless, 50's pieces. Gorgeous and quickly running out! If something is out online, you may also want to try calling the store to see they have any in stock.

Anya Hindmarch Romola Handbag $625->$375
Anya Hindmarch Carker in Mock Croc $945->$567
Anya Hindmarch Vienne Moc Croc $1195->$717
They also have fabulous evening bags and clutches with 50's glamor.

Anya Hindmarch Katarina Satin $760-$456
Anya Hindmarch Kurt Metallic Napa $395->$237

Spring 2007 Fashion Trend: Rosette

2007-01-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

Remember how much crap Angela got for adding rosettes to all her designs on Project Runway Season 3? Except for the winning outfit below for the INC episode, Angela pretty much messed up all her outfits by overloading them with rosettes.

Well, it looks like Angela's got psychic fashion trend powers as many of the top New York designers are going overboard with rosettes for Spring 2007.

3.1 Phillip Lim dress LOADED with rosettes:

Marc Jacobs dress with one BIG rosette on the shoulder:

Marchesa gown already spotted on Sienna Miller:

It's still unclear whether this runway trend will make it to the masses but it looks like there's already quite a few spring 07 dresses adorned with rosettes available at Neiman Marcus:

Lela Rose dress:

Rebecca Taylor dress:

What's your take on this trend? I've got mixed feelings about it. Except for the off white numbers, there's something overly ostentatious about rosettes.

Chie Mihara, Maloles, Pedro Garcia ON SALE

2007-01-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

Footlux is one of the best kept secrets if you're looking for Spanish designer shoes. Because Footlux is based in Spain, even their regular prices are about 20-30% cheaper than US stores. Their shipping charges are also very reasonable.

For example, the Pedro Garcia Albany ruffle flats list for $336 at shopbop.com but only cost you $224 at Footlux. Geez...that's a lot of import tax the US government charges.

A few days ago, Footlux kicked off their fall season sale so everything is marked off and up to 50% off. Hmm...there are so many great choices!

Chie Mihara boots for $334

Pedro Garcia Evening Pumps for $232

Maloles boots for $320

And then there are many other less common in the US but equally gorgeous Spanish shoe brands like Juan Antonio López, Pura Lopez, Monica Garcia and Magrit all on sale.

Fukubukuro (Japanese Gift Bags) at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu

2007-01-03T23:43:00.000-08:00

Fukubukuro (福袋, also known as "lucky bags" or "mystery bags") is a very cool tradition on New Year's day in Japan where merchants make grab bags filled with unknown random contents and sell them for a substantial discount, usually 50% or more of the list price of the items contained within. The bags are typically sealed so you can't peep inside. The idea is to be pleasantly surprised, kind of like a gift from Santa.

The Fukubukuro tradition gets pretty crazy in Japan. Isetan, one of the large department stores in Tokyo, has given fukubukuros with wedding gowns and plane tickets to Hawaii. You'll have to stand in line at 5am in the morning for a fighting chance.

I've recently discovered during my vacation in Honolulu that the Fukubukuro tradition has made it all across the Pacific and is available from a large number of retailers at the Ala Moana Center (BTW, this mall is THE BEST) in Honolulu on New Year's Day.

So you're probably thinking that these Fukubukuro's are from the Gap or Radio Shack? Well, wrong guess!

In fact, many Fukubukuro merchants are high end retailers. Participants include Prada, Celine, Fendi, Bally, Burberry, Folie Folie, Diesel, LeSportsac, Betsey Johnson, Salvatore Ferragamo and more! WOW!

Given that I had a late night out on New Year's eve, I wasn't able to get up at 9:30am to grab one of these lucky bags so instead I just drolled at the sight of local shoppers who managed to snag one of them :(

Here's a picture of the Fendi Fukubukuro. At $1000, it was definitely the most expensive one. I wonder if there's a Fendi Spy Bag inside :)

I ran into a local shopper who pretty much went crazy and bought 6-7 Fukubukuro's from each luxury retailer. She told me that the Prada one was $350. If there's a Fall 06 handbag inside, that's a real bargain! I tried to inquire what's within but most of the shoppers I ran into are opting to open it when they get home.

Darn, I guess I'm just going to wait for my next trip to the Islands to buy one myself and figure out what's inside!

So what do you guys think? Would you buy a luxury Fukubukuro?

Pierre Hardy, Miu Miu, Lanvin, Balenciaga ON SALE

2006-12-29T12:51:00.000-08:00

Not all after Christmas sales are satisfying. Many online merchants use "After Christmas" as an excuse to re-advertise what has already been on sale for months (i.e. summer and early fall merchandise). Others slash their prices marginally by 20% to 30%.

Montreal based Mona Moore (http://www.monamoore.com), an accessories boutique carrying ultra luxurious brands including Pierre Hardy, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Lanvin, Marni, Dries Van Noten is having a 50% off sale for all their fall merchandise. Sizes are running out quickly so hurry! Mona Moore ships to the US.

Miu Miu boots 50% off and now $477 US

Balencianga handbag 50% off and now $995 US

Dries Van Noten shoes 50% off and now $219 US

Dries Van Noten shoes 50% off and now $331

Lanvin ankle boots 50% off and now $486 US

Miu Miu pumps 50% off and now $299 US. Love these! So vintage looking!

Goldenbleu Handbags On Sale

2006-12-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

I love Goldenbleu handbags mostly because they use very lush, top quality Italian leather. Most of their designs aren't super cutting edge but they are always soft, gorgeous and with just enough of a stylish touch to still be chic.

My recent favorite is their line bags with a diamond lattice pattern. This includes the Goldenbleu Sophie handbag, the Katherine handbag and the Virginia clutch.

These bags cost a fortune when they're not on sale. Off the sale racks, it seems like you can get the Devin or the Emily, both are rather old styles from a few seasons back (BTW, if you're interested Revolve Clothing has the best selection left).

But I stumbled upon a small boutique called Miostile that happens to carry the newer styles on sale. I suspect that they have only a few in stock so hurry up and grab them! There's free shipping and unless you live in South Carolina, there's no tax either.

Bonus tip!!! Use the coupon code TOUTIE and get another 20%. WOW!

Goldenbleu Jordan $785->$525->$420

Goldenbleu Katherine Medium Size $785->$425->$318

Goldenbleu Virginia Clutch in Black from $485->$350->$280

Patent Leather Handbag - Spring 2007 Trend

2006-12-26T23:45:00.000-08:00

Chanel led the patent handbag trend this fall with the large vinyl tote below. It's been seen on celebrities, models and fashion editors!

Many stores are starting to roll out their Spring 2007 merchandise and it looks like patent leather is stealing the spotlight for Spring 2007 accessories like shoes and handbag.

If you like the Chanel bag, here's a slightly more affordable alternative that is equally fabulous. The new Kooba Natasha handbag comes in black, white or camel patent leather. It also has these interesting turnlocks on the side that let you convert the bag into a smaller size. It's available for $625 at Active Endeavors. Use the online coupon toutie for an additional 20% off.