Couture: Spring 2009 Faves

I have to admit that despite being a Chanel-fan, this year I gravitated much more towards the colourful and fantastic Dior and Lacroix shows instead. And heck if you don’t break out the florals during spring time then when?

Christian Dior Spring 2009 Couture

Dior featured some really fantastic gowns with nipped in waists and amazing ribbon-like scrolling hemlines:

Of course I’m a sucker for the requisite goddess glam gown:

Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 Couture

This jacket and short dress are just fantastic! Romantic military’esque? And the legwear is so lovely too!

I just loved the way this green gown has layers and layers and layers and a few bows thrown in for good measure! (Not so sure about the oversized jewelry).

Givenchy Spring 2009 Couture

A bit of a neutral collection with some odd hooded looks, but the hyper-romantic black gowns caught my eye. Check out the petal strewn runway that matches the gown!

Valentino Spring 2009 Couture

This A-line jacket is just too fab and reminds me of the new Valentino handbag collection which is filled with appliqued silk flowers.

Filed under: Couture , Couture, Dior, Givenchy, Lacroix, spring 2009, Valentino

Barney’s Warehouse Sale L.A.

Barney’s is having it’s Warehouse Sale with 50-75% off it’s regular prices Feb 5th thru Feb 1th 2009. For those of  you lucky ones near L.A. here it is:

Barker Hangar

Santa Monica Air Center

3021 Airport Avenue

310 777 5700

Filed under: Shopping Tip

Shopping Tip: How to get Free Shipping on Anthropologie

Besides finding coupon codes on RetailMeNot.com (which typically have a minimum purchase requirement), the other method to get free shipping is thus:

1) Write down the style numbers for the items you want from Anthropologie.com

2) Drive to your nearest Anthropologie store. I know sounds funky, but bear with me. If the store does not have the item in stock, you can proceed by asking the salesgirl if you can have them order online.

She can then

1) Bring up the actual Anthropologie.com site on her register’s monitor. You can either show her what you want or provide the style numbers you have handy ;)

2) She will then call Anthroplogie.com with the style numbers.

3) Then, you get handed the phone and confirm details such as

Your online Anthro account

Your shipping address

Your billing address

Your method of payment

4) You then get a confirmation number over the phone with shipping fees waived. It’s always good to double check of course that they were waived before confirming your credit card.

When I asked the salesgirl why they didn’t just provide free shipping for all Anthro cardholders (to make the process easier), she said she didn’t know. So I’m guessing this might be a weird way for Anthro to offer free shipping but drive traffic to the stores?

Filed under: Shopping Tip

Happy Chinese New Years!

Happy Chinese New Year’s to all! May your new year be filled with light and wonder…

 

Filed under: Random, Uncategorized

Shopping Review: Rockridge

Rockridge is a fun little destination near Berkeley/Oakland, CA for cute shops and restaurants. I wouldn’t book a hotel specifically to stay there, but if you’re local to the San Francisco Bay Area/happen to be in town it’s a lovely diversion.

Jeremy’s (Berkeley), 2967 College Ave

Jeremy’s is basically clearance store for designer goods. Now, unlike Marshall’s or heck even Ross, a lot of goods at Jeremy’s are damaged. We’re talking holes, stains, tears, missing buttons, you name it. However, there are some good items to be had if you look carefully and have some patience. The clothing storefront currently has a lot of J. Crew and Marc Jacobs merchandise.

One storefront down you’ll find the shoe branch of Jeremy’s, which in my mind is actually the better of the two when it comes to buying something in better quality condition. I bought a pair of J. Crew metallic slingbacks with flower appliques for $19, a true steal as long as you’re open to considering something from 1-2 seasons ago.

FIT, 5707 College Ave

Great little boutique with well-edited clothes for serious fashionistas that want quality and style, but are willing to pony up the money. Spotted some Vera Wang Lavendar Label and Diane Von Furstenberg on sale. This shop is definitely for splurging. Also has a good selection of undergarments and The Laundress laundry products.

 

Maison d’Etre, 5640 College Ave

An upscale home decor shop that has some really unique, though pricier items. The store also sells some body products. Definitely go for the eye candy, even if you don’t pick anything up.

La Mediterranee (Berkeley), 2936 College Ave

Fantastic Mediterranean eatery with large portions, reasonable prices, and great, fresh food. I had the Pomegranate Chicken which was juicy, moist, and tangy. Would definitely go back to try more items on the menu and leave room for dessert! 

Filed under: Fashion, Shopping Review , california, restaurant, rockridge, shopping, travel

Outlet vs Online Buying

Nine West Nightlight in Cortele

So, clearly this is an example of outlet pricing vs online pricing. I have a sneaking suspicion that retailers never want to discount too deeply online lest it ruin their brand image.

These boots retail for $79 online right now, but I purchased for under $40 at the Nine West outlets in Vacaville, CA. Granted size-wise and color-wise there’s more to pick from online. It so happens that the outlets had a large selection of 5 and 5 1/2’s *shocking* that I was able to choose from.

I would say the boot overall is actually quite comfortable although it looks extremely painful to walk in. I typically can be found wearing flats so I am definitely not one to toss on any stilettos like they’re flip flops.

Filed under: Fashion , boots, nine west

Karla Colletto Swimwear

Okay I admit I never managed to learn how to swim and thereby have no use whatsoever for swimwear.

However, if I did actually need to buy swimwear I have to say I am a big fan of the maillot and heck, I’d love the one below from Karla Colletto. Her own website is definitely worth looking at for more!

 

Karla Colletto Beaded Sash Maillot

Filed under: Fashion , Karla Colletto, maillot, swimwear

Golden Globes 2009 Fave Looks

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive – Love her classic, elegant style. Ever since Devil Wears Prada I’ve been coveting her look.

Miley Cyrus in Marchesa – I was pleasantly surprised but I loved this dress and the flowy hair to match. Not to mention, age appropriate!

Drew Barrymore in John Galliano for Dior – Love the gown, not so keen on the big hair. I feel it could be slightly more polished, but it did actually look better on TV than in this photo.

Biggest fashion disappointment? Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera. Aiyeeeeee….

Filed under: Fashion , 2009, armani prive, Dior, golden globes, marchesa, Red carpet

Annick Goutal Neroli Perfume

Annick Goutal Neroli Eau de Toilette

Rating: 10/10 sighs of contentment

Review: A warm orange blossom that’s like happiness in a bottle. It’s a deceivingly simple fragrance, yet the woody notes make it more sensual and unique. It’s lingers long enough so you can keep sniffing your wrists all day like a deranged crack addict.

Unfortunately I only have a small glass sample vial as I have yet to stomach the price tag for a real bottle of my own.

Notes: Orange blossom, neroli essence, petit grain, woody note, cedar

Price: Retails $95 for 3.4 oz

Background: Annick Goutal is a French high-end perfumerie that focuses on transforming “emotions into fragrances.” Below is a picture of the beautiful Camille Goutal, the founder’s daughter, who has continued on the perfumerie’s legacy. Let us now all glare at our monitors with a mix of jealousy and reverence. 

Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , Annick Goutal, neroli, perfume

Why Fashion Matters Part 1

Why does fashion and beauty matter to me?

This has been a question that I have always struggled with. So many voices would seem to tell me that my love of fashion and beauty is contradictory to my practical side, to my nerdy intellectual side, and nothing but sheer girly frivolousness. And potentially nothing more than materialism.

I think it is time I start to answer this question. As I answer all questions using my emotions first, I will begin there and perhaps I hope, arrive at a conclusion. I will try out the new-school method of writing my posts raw and then editing as I go along.

Fashion sings for me. Fashion as an industry, as a form of expression on fellow fashionistas, as art never ceases to inspire me.

When I take the time to pull an outfit together rather than throw things on before work (which I do quite often given my schedule) it is my form of self-expression, and it is my form of taking time to care for myself. As a result when I don’t take time for fashion I often feel a bit unfulfilled. Though potentially my practical side is screaming at how I’m not using the full potential of my closet either!

To be continued…

Filed under: Fashion