Here's a good "look for less" option:  Ferragamo Francesca Bag vs. J. Crew Gallery Hobo. 

The Ferragamo bag is available at Smart Bargains, on sale for $1,189.98. (regular retail $1,850, and pre-sale price at Smart Bargains was $1,399.)

The J. Crew option, the Gallery Hobo, is usually $250 but is on sale now for $200.

Both have a similar roundish shape, natural leather top handles and detachable shoulder straps.  The Ferragamo bag is 12-1/2 x 11 x 6 inches.  The J. Crew bag is 12-1/2 x 12 x 3 inches. (It is also available in a larger version of 16 x 15 x 4 inches on sale for $248)  The Ferragamo bag, of course, is made in Italy... the J. Crew just says "imported" so it's probably made somewhere in Asia.

I'm off for the long weekend tomorrow, so Happy Fourth of July and see you back at Flairvoyant on Monday!  Cheers!

Here's a good deal on a Prada tote at Smart Bargains.  The regular retail price was $1275, it was at Smart Bargains for $999.99, but now it's on sale for $849.98.

Prada Black Ruched Nylon Tessuto Tote

It's got nice leather detailing and is lined with the signature Prada jacquard weave fabric.  It's a nice big size aprox. 14" x 13" x 7".

It's a similar look to the Prada denim tote Jessica Biel was seen out with earlier in June.

I guess the only complaint one may have about this bag it that you have to carry it in your hand or hook it on your arm (a la Vuitton Speedy) because you cannot carry it on your shoulder.

The perfect scent has arrived for all of us Champagne lovers.  Fresh's new Citron de Vigne is a unisex fragrance inspired by France's Champagne region. 

The scent is a crisp, sparkling, sensual blend... with an innovative heart note of pinot noir accord - comprised of bergamot, dark almond, musk, white sandalwood, and rose -  combined with bubbling citrus top notes and an earthy base.

Top Notes: neroli, bitter orange, pink grapefruit

Heart Notes: Fresh's pinot noir accord, jasmine tea leaves, lemongrass

Base Notes: patchouli, sandalwood, amber

It's available so far in the eau de parfum ($75), candle ($48) and soap ($14).

Fresh's candles are great because they come with a cover to keep the dust out and burn for about 50 hours!  So it's an expensive candle, but actually less than $1/hour... not bad when you think of that way.

There's a nice article in Vantiy Fair about Fresh co-founder, Alina Roytberg's trip to Veuve Clicquot in 2006 that inspired this fragrance line.

While we're on the topic of Veuve Clicquot... they happen to have a fabulous limited edition gift set of La Grande Dame Vintage 1998.  The bottle comes in gorgeous black lacquer and mahogany box with chrome and leather detailing.  The box is made by the famous Italian boat maker, Riva. The box is beautiful, definitely someting you'd keep long after the Champagne is gone. Sherry Lehman has it here in the city on sale right now for $149.95, regular $165.

I've been eyeing this shoe for months now... and now it's on sale!  Hmmm, tempting.

LAMB Tammy original $374, sale $296.

$296 is still a lot though.  They have it in black and brown... this shoe looks really good in both colors.

I posted a couple of months ago about the closing of eLuxury.... well they're now down to the bitter end.  What's left is all an additional 50% off, although there is hardly anything left!  The handbags and accessories category, for example, is down to just 2 belts.

It will be interesting to see what they do with it.  I suspect it will be good.

The July J. Crew catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday. So it's time again for me to go faux shopping.... yay.  (it's cheaper that way if I just post them, and try not to buy)

They've updated the Michelle merino cardigan (which I LOVE, I have it in 2 colors), into a new longer version with little pockets at the bottom, still the same lightweight 14-gauge knit.  They call it the Endless Summer Cardigan, $89.50.  The longer length is good to wear with tiny skirts and leggings.

They brought back the Tissue Rolling-Ruffles Tank, $49.50.  This had been sold out for a while.  It's now back in white, light champagne, dusty shell, light pewter and navy.

I love this sweater, it's a linen/lurex blend.  The lurex is a metallic thread.  I can totally see this with a white tank, jeans and gold sandals.  Shimmer Cardigan, $98.

They've also added a new finish in their matchstick jeans, the Vintage Destroyed Matchstick, $118.  I am loving shredded denim right now, so these are great.

This dress I just LOVE on a hanger, but I think it will only look really great on a super waif. It's SO Audrey Hepburn.   But you see, it doesn't even look as good on their own model as it does laying flat. So this is a maybe / need to try on.  Knotted Cotton Sateen Dress, $98.

Last, this little cotton beach dress, looks so chic you could easily wear it to dinner.  (well it helps that they styled it with layered gold necklaces.)  Cotton Ruffle-Hem Sundress, $55.

Oh my goodness, I am so in love with this bag. Why, oh why, oh why does it have to be $3,100?  That is just stratospheric, even for Gucci.

New Jackie Shoulder Bag (Large)  (18.9 x 15.4 x 2.4")

Just look at these beautiful bamboo detailed tassels:

Well, they do have it on Gucci.com in a medium size (13.4 x 11 x 1.7") which is at least somewhat more reasonable at $2350.

 I am also loving these: Hollywood High-Heel Open Toe Pump, in black Guccissima leather with a light gold horsebit.  4-1/10" inch heel (perfect!) and $550, which is reasonable.  The only problem is that Neiman's only has these in white in my size (yuck).  And they don't sell the exact same shoe right now at Gucci.com... they have a snakeskin version.

Okay, so I was making fun of those Prada boots yesterday, but it's looking like they're going to be one of the trendy looks for Fall.  It seems like nearly every designer has turned out some for Fall: Chloe, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Giuseppe Zanotti...

I can imagine Paris Hilton, Rhianna and other youngsters turning up in these come Fall.

The Gucci version is called the "Divison" - 4.1 inch heel with 1.4" platform, over the knee boots in black, black stretch and black patent leather.  $2950, yikes.

 Christian Louboutin also has a couple of styles.  Here is one, the OTK platform boot in suede. 4" heel.  $1,995.

Holy smoke, check out these boots from the Prada Fall 09 Collection. 

The OTK Boot in black nappa leather. $1,400. (Honestly, I'm suprised they aren't more. That's a lot of boot per dollar.) But seriously, who would wear that?  Carmen Electra?

Somthing like this is a little more normal looking. Tall boot ($990), but the heel is only 3-1/2 inches, why?

Nicky Hilton was out in LA wearing the khaki zip dress by Vena Cava for the Gap Design Editions.  The khaki series of limited editions are designed by finalists of the 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.  Here's what's left on the website:

I think Nicky's dress is the best piece of the collection.  I like the way they updated a classic cut with the zipper detail and print. It's $88 and right now is still in stock online in all sizes.