July 2008 Archives

I always love Theory clothing.  For me it's a bit expensive but worth it because the designs are classic and well made.  Here are my picks from the Fall collection.

Knit Trench Coat, $545. It's not exactly a classic trench coat, but that's why it's interesting. Stand collar, hidden buttons and belted. The material is viscose/polyamide/spandex so I bet if feels amazing!

Classic Black Shirt, $190. They make their shirts with a bit of strech so they fit great.  These short sleeves have button cuffs for a nice added detail.

Tailored Dress, $295. Oh I love this!  One could get so much wear out of this, a great day to night dress.  I love the bateau neck, three quarter sleeves and the pockets! It's wool and lycra so I'm sure it has a great fit too.

Golda Pencil Skirt, $180. They cut this skirt with asymmetric seams that go all the way down to the 2 vents on the back. This one is navy but it comes in black too. I'd def. get it in black, but I don't have to because I already have it! 

Too much black, perhaps? No, I don't think so.  :-)

These Black Halo dresses look great for Fall.  They're very classic and ladylike (ladies who lunch and wear giant pearl drop earrings).  I'm getting a very Victoria Beckham (on a good day) vibe.

Grey and Black Bustier dress, $325

Jackie O Dress in Wine, $345.  Also comes in black, $325.

Bouquet Cami Dress in Charcoal Herringbone, $370

I think if I had to pick one, I'd go with the first one because it's the most unique. I think it would look great with classic 4" Louboutin pumps and an interesting clutch like this crystal one by Jimmy Choo. The clutch is on sale right now at Net-a-porter for $997.50 (regular $1,995).

The J. Crew Fall collection has started coming in already. I'm loving this "Quincy Hobo" bag.

It's made with tumbled leather and brass hardware. The quilted detailing gives it a Chanel-esque look for a fraction of the price! Somtimes J. Crew makes their bags in Italy, but apparently not this one because it just says "imported", but that's probably why it's only $228. It looks to be very well made though, check out this hardware:

For the bold, it also comes in vine green and golden yellow!

I read about this in the New York Times this morning and it sounds fabulous, I can't wait... A "Mobile Art" exhibit sponsored by Chanel and housed in a really cool futuristic art pavilion is coming to Central Park this Fall, in October.

The structure that houses the exhibit was designed by a London architect, Zaha Hadid, and has already been to Hong Kong and Tokyo; and after New York it will be going to London, Moscow and Paris.

Inside this thing which is like art itself and a draw on its own... will be 15 works commissioned by Chanel by 15 contemporary artists that are inspired in some way by Chanel's classic quilted, chain handled handbag, "the 2.55" which was first released in February of 1955.   The works include sculpture, photograhy, videos and installation pieces. The project was inspired by the 50th anniversary of the handbag... but it has taken a few years to get it together!

The structure will be in the Rumsey Playfield area of Central Park from October 20th to November 9th.  Admission will be free.

I have to say that I am not understanding some of Gucci's Fall "Hysteria" Collection at all!  This bag for example:

Hysteria Medium Top Handle Bag in Off-white Tapestry with Black Leather Trim, $1295

Um, isn't that just plain ugly? This tapestry looks very old lady to me.  Maybe it's supposed to be so ugly that it's cool?  It's just not working for me...

I totally love J. Crew's sales, but even more when then do additional markdowns!  Right now they're offering an additional 30% off sale items with code EXTRA30 at checkout!  Here are some examples of the amazing bargains:

Linen Critter Cabana Bag: Regular $78 - Sale $39.99 - Extra Sale $27.99. White linen with bamboo handles and a quirky crab critter emboidered onto the bottom corner.

Deco-Dot Zoey Dress: Regular $88 - Sale $59.99 - Extra Sale $41.99.  This is a great summer dress in an embossed cotton, the sweet orange color is in style this year... .who knows about next, but for $41.99, who cares?

Solid Cross-Back Tissue Tank: Regular $48 - Sale $34.99 - Extra Sale $24.49. Cute lightweight top, comes in 8 colors!

Refined Canvas San Telmo Jacket: Regular $158 - Sale $89.99 - Extra Sale $62.99. Midweight canvas with a mandarin collar and elbow length sleeves.

They've also got a bunch of sweaters and swim separates on sale! They recently tweaked their website and made some changes that I don't like.  In the sale you used to be able to conveniently search by size, now that feature is gone.  I hope they bring it back!

T-Bags is an LA based brand favored by many Hollywood girls.  Here's Kate Hudson in their long maxidress with bead detailing.

They've got several great designs out right now inlcuding some on sale at net-a-porter.

I love this tie sleeve dress.  It comes in apple (green), bright blue and navy. It's 100% rayon so it will have a beautiful drape. $180 at Revolve Clothing (also at Net-a-porter).

This twisted strap dress is among the sale items at net-a-porter. It's a gorgeous teal green color in a rayon/lycra blend.  Normally $190, on sale for $133!

So the economy is in the crapper, growth is sluggish and inflation is up... so what' s a girl to do?  Well, if necessary, take desperate measures!  I took a look a Target to find some cool items for very low prices!

Here's a pair of 4" platform slingbacks from Isaac Mizrahi for Target.  Faux crocodile in a nice medium brown. Granted, they're not leather, but some people like Natalie Portman don't wear leather! Price: $29.99.

Here'a s cute shift dress also by Isaac Mizrahi for Target.  It's made with an eyelet weave, front pockets, boatneck in a pull-on design.  It has a pink lining that peeks through the eyelet - personally I don't like pink so I would replace it with a different lining. Price: $39.99.

Here's a Merona Peasant Shirt with Tie Waist. 100% cotton with pintuck detailing in a subtle plaid. I think this would look great with a pencil skirt, 4" heels and a strand of pearls. Price: $17.99.

Here's another cute shirt - Mossimo Black Scoop Neck Top. Made in 100% cotton with banded sleeves and pleating at neck. This looks very versatile, and the loose cut makes is great for summer even though it's black. Price: $17.99

Mixing a few cheap pieces in with your other items is a classic high/low approach.  Really, who cares if you're wearing an $18 shirt if you pair it with Seven Jeans, Gucci shoes and a great handbag??  I think we'll all do just fine through the economic doldrums!

I've become a huge fan of the Diamancel nail file #1.  All Diamancel files are made with diamond dust so they really last a long time and work very well. The #1 file is their finest file which is good for weak nails or for finishing. $26 at beauty.com.

The absolute best tweezers are Rubis from Switzerland. $29.95 at folica.com. I read about theses ages ago in the bible that is the Bliss Spa catalog and they were so right about them! They (Bliss) charge $35 for these same tweezers though.

Magazines always say that either Shu Uemura or Shiseido eye lash curlers are the best.  It's interesting that they're both Japanese companies... I've been using the Shiseido eyelash curler for ages.  It works great, I haven't compared it to the Shu Uemura, I guess I should put that on my to-do list. The Shiseido is $17.50 at and the Shu Uemura $19.00 both at Nordstrom.

If you've been lucky enough to get invited to the Hamptons or the Shore... or anywhere this summer, here are some some hostess/host gift ideas.  Yes, even if they're your best friend(s) you still need to bring something!

Montaudon Brut Rose Champagne - seriously who doesn't love Champage, and Rose is just more festive. Montaudon Rose is delicious and one of the best values in Roses which are always more expensive.  Amazing sale price of $29.99 at Vingo Wine online, or if you need to pick it up (in New York) $39.95 at Sherry Lehman. At either price it's still a great deal!

Matouk Auberge towels (Egyptian cotton and 650 gram weight) feature a monogrammed letter that is actually woven into the towel, not embroidered.  A set of 2 hand towels in the letter of the couple's last name, of if it's just for your friend (and not a couple) you could do the first name initial. $36 at Horchow.

A gift that keeps on giving - a Wusthof Santoku hollow-edge 5" knife! This is an incredibly versatile knife that is so awesome to work with that they'll never want to cut with anything else. $69.95 at sur la table.

A Diptyque candle is always a great gift. I'd never buy one for myself because there are plenty of other candles that are great but a lot less expensive... but for a gift it's definely "the" candle. They're made in France and burn up to 50 hours. Lavender and Verbena scents are both good choices. $55 at beauty habit.

On a budget? Personally, I'd be very pleased if someone brought me matching Caspari luncheon and cocktail napkins in one of their gorgeous designs. (they make the BEST paper napkins available) Like the Maldives fish design or Chinese peony design in bright orange. Luncheon napkins $5.75/20 and cocktail napkins $4.75/20. They also make matching paper dinner plates for $6.00/8. Great if you don't want to do the dishes, but not tacky like chinzty paper plates.

A funny thing happened on the way to work this morning.  I was feeling so good to begin with, I got up early and ran 4 miles which is a total miracle (not the 4 miles, but that I got up early!) and then put on what I thought was a very cute outfit...  my new Gucci shoes (yes I took my own advice and snapped them up in the second round of markdowns in the Gucci sale), a Juicy Couture linen dress and a vintage Marc Jacobs bag -- with yellow gold jewelry to match the bag and shoes' hardware, classic 18k hoop earrings, my chunky fleur de lys signet ring and Raymond Weil 18k watch...

So anyway, I'm walking down the street going to work and this cute guy (with really cool sunglasses) runs after me and asks if I would be willing to be interviewed and photographed for Rouge magazine. It's a Candian magazine that's starting in the US.  So we had a mini photo shoot right there on the street and they asked me some questions about my style, etc.  So unless the pictures turn out horribly, I'll be in the September issue!  he he he, how funny!

Well I hope everyone has a nice long 4th of July weekend. Cheers.

I smelled a sample of Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue fragrance and I'm dying to run out and get it now.  It's a perfect summer scent: light, clean and refreshing. The fragrance notes are Sicilian citron, granny smith apple, bluebell, jasmine, bamboo (who even knows what bamboo smells like??) with a hint of amber, cedar and musk.  I'm not a musk person at all, so must be a very tiny bit because it doesn't bother me.  Incidentally, I was just in Taormina, Sicily at the end of May (and I LOVED it) so it seems like a good idea to wear something this summer that evokes Sicilian citron!

The bottle isn't very exciting though. They could have done better there, but obviously one doesn't choose a fragrance by the look of the bottle! It's $59.50 for 1.7 fl oz or $80 for 3.4 fl oz. You get free shipping and samples at Sephora and if you link to them after logging into your American Express membership rewards and then go to the Bonus Points Mall, you can earn double points!  I love that!

Neiman Marcus has a great selection of classic Christian Louboutin pumps right now including the iconic "Very Prive" style in satin, patent and regular leather.

I particularly love these three styles:
Platform Pump with 5" heel in black nappa leather (pre-order) $700

Slingback Pump with 4 7/10" heel in black leather $770

Very Prive Platform Pump with peep toe and 4 7/10" heel in black leather $770

You can get free shipping until 11:59 pm July 6 with code JULYNM.