Friday, May 16, 2008

For The Crafty Ones

Everyone knows the Kelly bag, made famous by the fabulous Grace Kelly. So iconic that Hermès is no longer producing them because of the staggering demand. If you can recall Samantha in Sex and the City lying to Hermès saying the bag was for Lucy Lui... Even if she had pulled it off, we can't. You can always get a used one on eBay but it will cost you a fortune. Print out the pattern, fold along the lines, decorate, and voila: your own iconic Kelly bag. It really is the only free thing you’ll ever get from Hermès.


Sales In The City

Here's what I hear from Daily Candy...

Wardrobe-NYC Designer Sample Sale
What:
At a neat suite in SoHo, dig through racks of designer gems for ladies (Christian Lacroix dresses, Prada bags, DVF tops, Carolina Herrera gowns, Pucci skirts) and a selection of suiting for men — all at up to 80 percent off.
Why: This means war-drobe.
When: Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 80 Varick St., b/t Watts & Grand St., ste. 4c. R.S.V.P. to rsvp@wardrobe-nyc.com.

A.P.C. Overstock Sale
What: Madras sandals are $34 (reg. $76), cardigans are $60 (reg. $299), shirtdresses are $50 (reg. $213), men’s blazers are $100 (reg. $390).
Why: A.P.C. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3.
When: Fri.-Sun., noon-7 p.m.
Where: 35 Grand St., at Kent Ave., B’burg (347-381-3193)

Project Runway: On The Rise

With the fifth season of Project Runway airing in July all the fashionista can get their TiVo or DVR ready with blast from the past on HSN. That's right Season 4 finalist Rami Kashou has designed a one of a kind limited edition dress that debuted yesterday for SCOOP on HSN. It was the one year anniversary of Scoop Style which allows everyone all over the country to shop the fabulousness that is SCOOP NYC. Rami Kashou, might as well have been transported from ancient Greece with his chic draping style, and this chic little dress available in black, rich peacock, lime pop and vintage sea foam is a testament to that. Although the dress costs $280, with such a fabulous limited time offer, it has been wait-listed/sold out in the time that I am sitting on my computer and typing this up (no joke)On another note, Season Five will be the final season of Project Runway to air on Bravo, due to its future movement to Lifetime. The owner of Bravo, NBC, is filing a lawsuit against the Weinstein Company, producers of Project Runway, alleging breach of contract. I'm not sure the details but it doesn't seem like this is the best move for Project Runway, ick Lifetime.


From My Inbox

This seemed really cool so I figured I would pass it on. It makes me want to go bar hopping!

Dying to be in with the in crowd, or at least have somewhere to show off your new party frock? Strap on your Balenciagas and catwalk over to these fashion-forward bars and lounges to party with the fashionistas and drunkorexics who mean it when their jeans say “Rich and Skinny.” Sip decadent (yet lo-cal, of course) cocktails while debating serious issues like the Nina Garcia-Elle Magazine fallout.

The Dressing Room

1 OAK

453 W. 17th St. (9th & 10th Aves.)
Meatpacking District 212.242.1111
Assuming you’re on the list to get in—you probably won’t get in otherwise—you might find that this exclusive, overpriced Chelsea club is “1 joke”—but nonetheless, this hotspot attracts rich boys and the models who adore them. Celeb-gawkers come here to crash parties by the likes of Stavros Nachios, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. Just don’t leave your mink coat lying around here—regular Lindsay Lohan has some serious klepto tendencies.

Cellar Bar @ The Bryant Park Hotel
40 W. 40th St. (5th & 6th Aves.)
Midtown 212.642.2260
When fashion week descends on Manhattan, this hotel bar is the place to see and be seen between shows. The rest of the year, only the beautiful and the couture-clad are granted entrance to this high end cocktail den. Prepare to shell out the same amount of cash that you paid for your cocktail dress for a few of the bar’s pricey signature drinks like the Cellar Sling—Bombay gin, homemade lemon sour mix, and candied black cherries.


Runway
4 E. 28th St. (5th & Madison Aves.)
Gramercy 212.677.6016
Is your catwalk more fierce than those newbies on America’s Next Top Model? Strut your stuff at this headshot-adorned nightclub featuring a long runway down the center for drunken walk-off competitions. Anyone wielding a Blackberry can get past the doorman, so unless your job pays your dry cleaning bill, watch out for the vodka-sloshing Jersey frat boys who frequent this nightclub on weekends.

Stitch
247 W. 37 St. (7th & 8th Aves.)
Garment District 212.852.4826
By far the hippest bar in the Garment District, Stitch is the after-work watering hole for the fashion set. Stylists and designers congregate here to compare notes and outfits and discuss all that’s too hot to trot in the fashion world. The go-to
spot for private events hosted by designers like Rebecca Taylor, this enormous bar and lounge always has something going on—check out its calendar of live music events.

The Dressing Room
75A Orchard St. (Broome & Grand Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.966.7330
While most Lower East Siders stumble around in search of crepes and dumplings when they’ve had one too many, the fashion crowd heads to The Dressing Room to shop ‘til they drop. In addition to a full-service bar, this emerging designer co-op and vintage boutique has a selection of unique garments running the gamut from $3 to $3,000. Spend according your level of alcohol consumption, or try bartering the Manolos off your feet for a one-of-a-kind dress made by a recent FIT grad.

The Hanger Bar
217 E. 3rd St. (Aves. B & C)
East Village 212.228.1030

Spend too much money on couture to afford all those fancy cocktails? The Hanger Bar and boutique understands your priorities—here you can shop for Chanel while enjoying $4 drink specials. Can’t afford to pre-order Halston for fall? Console yourself with “The Halston” at the bar instead, one of the many delectable cocktails named after the icons of fashion and sure to get you fashionably drunk.





Wednesday, May 14, 2008

For Deals (This Week)

The POSH Sale has been New York's leading fashion fundraiser for over 35 years; and this year I hear it's more exciting than ever! The 2008 sale includes fashions for women, men and children from the likes of Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta and more! On May 14th-17th (today-Sat) celeb chair Kim Cattrall invites you to shop and get a peek at donations from Joan Rivers, Lauren Bacall and Matthew Modine, to name a few. Proceeds from the POSH sale benefit services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Fill a bag for $30, and with a student ID you can get in for $5! Maybe this will be my last huzzah as a student... If your not tickets for one day are $10 so it's not breaking the bank and you can get your tickets in advance. We'll see how I feel about spending more money, this might have to wait till next year, good thing it's an annual event.

If you have been saving up your pennies for a high end designer bag, this might be a better investment. Why pay full price if you can get a gently used, looks like new bag, at a serious discount? I have a limited edition color, no longer manufactured, Louis Vuitton bag that was previously owned but in mint condition that was a quarter of the cost because of that fact. Shop the largest collection of CHANEL bags assembled outside of CHANEL, a 30 year collection of many one of a kind pieces, never before seen, many from runway shows in New York, Milan, and Paris! Featuring LadyBag International the LARGEST collection of new and mint vintage designer handbags in the country! Friday & Saturday Only!May 16, 11-8 & May 17, 9- 6 at the Holiday Inn, Fort Lee (2339 State Rt. 4 Ft. Lee, New Jersey 07024)


Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Shop It Up & Make It Your Own!

I mentioned before there is all this graduation and growing up stuff going on. The first thing I had to do, in terms of graduation, was get a dress. I was successful yesterday at the BCBG outlet in Woodbury Commons. Thanks to the help of my friend Alex and my knowing what works for me I was able to find this beautiful brown dress with gold sequin trim, it was a little more expensive that I wanted to spend ($100) but I'm only going to graduate once... I'll put pictures up maybe so you can see it.

With the purchase of the dress came the need for coordinating shoes. I didn't really have anything that matched =( which was a little frustrating considering I have so many shoes, I didn't want to spend anymore money but luckily there was a Target in close proximity... or so I thought. Frugalicious calls Target the Century Store, I didn't understand because although I could see her point I go there all the time and manage to keep my wallet closed. That is until yesterday.

First, lets talk about the shoes I got.

They are really comfy which is key and on sale so woo hoo. The only problem was they weren't metallic enough to match the dress perfectly but I was determined and decided that I would channel Tim Gunn and make it work. When I got home I took a gold metallic paint marker and painted the beads surrounding the tortoise shell like center beads gold . It totally worked and they look amazing and match perfectly!

While I was in the shoe department I noticed some cute gladiator sandals. Since it has become such a major trend I have been trying to find an affordable pair because who knows if next summer will be such a thing. I was excited because after going to DSW and not finding anything I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find an alternative to the more expensive ones. Target came to my rescue with these Issac Mizrahi sandals! Then I wandered into the Women's department and I found the illusive khaki skirt! And another skirt, both of which will be great for my trip to Italia at the end of the month.















As much as I think every piece was carefully thought about and necessary I wasn't quite ready to be spending so much money in one day. Now I know to be aware of the Century Store and guard my wallet!


Saturday, May 03, 2008

On The Hunt

You would think with so much safari stuff out in stores right now I would have no trouble finding a practical length, professional khaki skirt! But alas, I am. Which really irks me because even without this safari trend, khaki is so ridiculously classic this shouldn't be that difficult. When I did a quick Google search, this was the first thing I came up with but, I have those child bearing hips so pencil really isn't great for me and even though it is $89.00 marked down to $43.99 it's still a bit much and my search continued.

I came up with more and more as I searched longer and longer. Here are some of the runner ups:
  • I love New York & Company but I'm not sure I like the shade of khaki in this skirt for the occasions which I have to wear it. Plus, the seam down the front is not my thing, it makes it look too casual.
  • Speaking of weird shade, this Simply Vera by Vera Wang skirt is practically white, who knew the term khaki stood for so many colors. Also, it's kind of pricey.
  • And speaking of casual this one from Chadwick's is that for sure, much more than what would be acceptable for business but super cute for a picnic or other spring outing.
  • Finally, I figured that Old Navy might be able to save me especially with it's majority safari spring collection but all I could find was this piece in linen which is really way too casual.
It's so frustrating when you have an idea in mind and money to spend but you can't make the two meet in reality! In the end I did find one that might work, but since the picture is probably not doing it any justice I might actually need to get to a JC Penny to try it on. O, the sacrifices we make to look good.


Freak Out, In A Good Way

As I mentioned before I have alot of shoes. I will continue on and say that I have a greater or equal amount of handbags. That really was my first fashion obsession! But, now that I have amassed such a significant and well rounded (I would like to think) collection and put it on display in my apartment I have become extremely selective about what I spend my money on. Because as much as I want to be the Imelda Marcos of bags do I really need another black purse? I've learned to not buy everything in front of me even if it seems like a deal, to wait for things that I'm kind of interested in to go on sale, and to remember what I already have in my possession so I don't buy more of the same thing.

One of the brands that I have been very critical of is Coach. I love Coach bags, I have a bunch but... the past season collection was not very attractive to me, and even the season before that. My boyfriend's brother in law told me that prices in Coach stock were falling and all I could think was that it was because there bags were so unattractive! And I'm sure it didn't help them that I hadn't been buying them, how lofty of me. I digress, I was at the mall yesterday getting some odds and ends and I wandered into to Coach to look at some shoes that I had seen on their website. The giant flower scared me in person and I was again disheartened by what I was seeing. But then a wristlet caught my eye... and then, the bags! I am so in love with the big one. I literally had a mini freak out moment of happiness to the point where my boyfriend noticed and commented that there hadn't been a bag in a while to make me act like that. He's such a good one, and knows me so well! I hope he cataloged that in his brain for future gift giving.


Thursday, May 01, 2008

Skin: The Original Accessory

All I've been talking about is the warm weather and how it is on our doorstep. Everyone can go out and buy the 'bare all' clothes and strut their stuff but if your like me and you don't frequent a tanning salon over the colder months or are petrified of sunless tanner then you're probably pretty pale. Well, what to do? I wasn't sure until I was wandering around the super market and found this absolutely fabulous product that I just have to share with you! Jergen's Natural Glow Moisturizer for body and face is a great way to get some completely natural looking color in about a week! I was skeptical but for less than $15.00 it was worth a try. And I can honestly say that it was totally worth it because I have actually had people ask about my tan and comment on how great it looks when I tell them that it's just a moisturizer. Plus it comes for different skin tones which means that there is somehting for everyone!
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, Medium Skin Tones