July 2009 Archives

This looks fun, too bad I don't really need another pair of jeans...

Madewell has some great denim, and much more reasonably priced than the top brands...

The August J. Crew catalog is out.  The scenery is beautiful (as are the clothes), they shot it in Monterey County, California.  There are some cool behind-the-scenes pictures on their website.

Following are my picks, it's always so hard because I'd probably love one of everything.

The Anton Sweater ($98, inside cover)

Crystal Thorn-Bush and Jeweled Garland Earrings ($75 & $79.50, pages 8 & 9)

Templeton Tall Boot ($198, page 16)  I don't like to wear flat shoes, but these would look cool with skinny jeans or leggings tucked in.

Merino Maya Cardigan ($88, page 33) I like the draping they've done with this, it's different that way.

Denim Pencil Skirt ($68, page 48)

Merino Ethereal Ruffle Cardigan ($88, page 61)

Textured Jersey Boatneck Tee ($34.50, page 62)

Three sweaters?  I know, but I could easily wear jeans, tank top and a sweater with some cool heels and jewelry every day of the week!  I guess it's my "uniform" of sorts. 

Beauty.com is offering this cute clutch filled with Elizabeth Arden samples free with any $20 purchase.

I always used to use their Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick ($16).  It works so well, it doesn't smell the greatest though... but that was until I discovered the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment ($22.50) which works well and smells amazing.  But for anyone offended by spending over $20 for a lip balm the EA Eight Hour is a good option. Both brands now make them in tinted options which is kind of cool too.

Elizabeth Arden also has a new (ish) anti-aging treatment - Prevage ($155 for 1.7 fl. oz.). It's a collaboration with the pharma that makes Botox. It contains a stong antioxidant.  It's supposed to work wonders for fine lines, skin tone, dark spots, firmness etc. and help protect from future signs of aging.  Sounds good - I guess I'll try it in a few years.  (I don't think I'm there yet - age wise.)

This past weekend I was walking around my wonderful UES neighborhood (70s, Third Ave.) and I passed these super cool shorts in the window of Anik (1355 Third Ave.) so I went in to check them out. 

They were the AG Ex-Boyfriend Jean Shorts with 17 year distressed finish. ($185)

They had run out of most sizes, they only had 27 and these run really big...  But the shorts are amazing.

They had smaller sizes of the same but in the cropped length (AG Ex-Boyfriend Cropped, $225).  Unfortunately I didn't like the way they looked on me.  There was too much bunching of fabric in the front... kind of that frumpy Katie Holmes look she sported around New York last late Summer. 

Below, I think they look best on Vanessa (although she should lose the cap).

Linea Pelle isn't a brand that has been on my radar, frankly, ever.  I think that's because they started out as a belt company...  Even though their name sounds European they are based out of LA.  They say on the website that the products are made with washed Italian leathers for a really soft hand and vintage look, which sounds great, but I can't seem to find any country of origin info so I suspect they are probably made in China or elsewhere in Asia like so many bags/accessories are today.

Anyway, I ran across this bag: Dylan Shoulder Bag, $395

I like the gold hardware (it's actually solid brass so the gold color won't wear off) and the zippers - - there is a zipper that goes all the way around the sides and bottom so it can expand, but even if you never do that, it just looks cool.

Their website lists a long list of hollywood types who have been seen with their products, so I guess the word is out... or else they have a good PR person who sends them to these people...

Last weekend I went eye glasses shopping on the Upper East Side and found these funky Gucci frames (model 1438, $275).

To me the tinted clear plastic looks like Gucci meets Philippe Starck!

I love them, and it totally does't matter if they're a little quirky because I only wear them for movies and driving a car. Fun, fun, fun!  I get to pick them up tomorrow, all ready to go with my updated RX. It will be great to be able to see well again!

Cheers, happy weekend!

When you have super pale skin like I do, even the tiniest flaw seems to be more apparent. As I'm getting older (urrggghh) I've noticed some sun spot discolorations... even though I've been taking really good care of my skin for years... (you just can't take back those days in junior high when you were out baking in the sun with your friends who did tan!)

I've tried different things.  For a while I was using Clarins Bright Plus Lotion and I liked it, but I have to say the results weren't that compelling.  So I decided to try Caudalie's Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream ($68, 1 oz).  It contains an ingredient, Viniferine, that comes from the grapevine stalks. It's a super antioxidant that boosts radiance and helps lessen dark spots. I've been using it for a few weeks now and I do see a difference!  They say "Upon waking, your skin is smooth, your pores appear tighter and your complexion is incredibly uniform and radiant" - - and it's actually true!

I am waiting to try the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79, 1 oz) until I use up the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair that I already had.  I just love serums!  I definitely think they're worth it, and are kind of the super charged player in the skincare line-up.  I'm almost out of E.L. ANR so I'll be able to try it soon and report back.  I hoping for some Vinoperfect synergies.

If you want to try all the Vinoperfect products, Beauty.com has a great set for $98 (with product worth $139).

It's got the full 1 oz. size of the Serum, and small (.33 oz) sizes of the Day Cream and Night Cream and the 1 oz. travel size of the Beauty Elixir.  What a great deal, and even better - - is that Beauty.com is offering a free mini Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion with any $20 Caudalie purchase, so you'd qualify for that too!  (their lotion is amazing by the way)

I was taking a look at Longchamps at Bloomingdale's over the weekend and I noticed that the Pliage bags don't have "Made in France" imprinted in the leather on the back anymore.  I thought that was funny, so I looked inside for the country of origin and I couldn't find it.  I asked, and the woman showed me there is actually a small sewn-in tag made of frosted clear plastic (so it is hard to see) that does indeed indicate the country of origin.  The large tote I was holding happened to be made in France.  All of the medium totes that I looked at were made in China!  (I looked at several)  I asked her what the deal was and she didn't really know, she said that the stock comes in both ways (France and China).  She even said that some customers will look through every bag and buy up the made in France ones!  Maybe at the Longchamps store in Soho they would have a better understanding of the production (ie. which items are made in China and which in France) or if they source all of Le Pliage in both places and you have a chance to find a French one if you keep looking...

Anyway, I think it's pretty much an outrage.  I don't want to buy a French bag that's made in China, certainly not for full price.  It almost seems like an "authorized couterfeit".

Here are the two bags I was looking at:

Longchamps Le Pliage Large Tote ($145) and Medium Tote ($125).

The large tote is 19.25W (top) 13W (base) x 13H x 7.5D with a 10" drop for the handles. 

The medium tote is 9.75W x 9.75H x 5.5D with an 8" drop for the handles.

Cole Haan has a new bag collection, Whitney.  The best one for sure is the zip hobo, $348. It comes only in chestnut brown and lacquer red.  (too bad, I wish it came in black too)

I like the grommet detailing.  The size is a bit large though at 17" wide (12" tall, 2" deep).  Really, who needs a bag 17" wide, are you supposed to be able to climb inside?  I can't wait until the huge bag trend is over...

I don't consider Cole Haan to be a great brand for a handbag - but in a recession who wants to shell out $1000 +++.  I think it's a good time to be more open to other brands.

Great news from Fresh - - they're now selling 2 oz. travel sizes of some of their most popular products including three of my favorites: Sugar Lemon Body Lotion, Soy Shampoo and Pomegranate Conditioner.  They're $7.50 each.

They also have a couple of skincare products in the small sizes: Soy Face Cleanser 1.7 oz. ($15) and Soy Face Cream 1 oz. ($42).  These are perfect for traveling when you don't want to lug around your regular size products.

They're also having a special offer right now, with any $50 purchase at fresh.com you get a free makeup bag. (enter code TRAVEL at checkout).

I finally saw the made-for-tv film Coco Chanel last night. It had aired last September on Lifetime.

I don't know a lot about her life, so don't know how accurately they portrayed it... but it was a very good film.  The cast was excellent, I particularly loved Barbora Bobulova as the young Coco and Oliver Sitruk as Boy Capel.  The scenes of Deauville were wonderful, the beach with the cute little striped beach cabanas... going to the beach back then looked so sophisticated.  Throughout the film you see Coco in her signature layered pearls look and black and white ensembles.  It was a great film, I definitely recommend it.  It will be interesting to see how the upcoming Coco avant Chanel with Audrey Tautou compares to this one.

This is certainly a "different" look D&G is showing for Fall 09: Structured Shoulder Turtleneck, $575 with Duchesse Satin Bubble Skirt, $575.

I know a lot of designers have been showing the puffy sleeve and structured shoulders, but yikes, I don't know...  It looks so 80s, and that still frightens me.  The print of the turtleneck also looks much like a tapestry or carpet bag, that's not a good thing.

Neiman's Last Call Sale online has some AMAZING bargains!

Manolo Blahnik Studded Sandal, regular $865, sale $389

Prada Jeweled Sandal, regular $620, sale $279

Valentino Braided Sandal, regular $645, sale $290

Theory Buckle Sandal, regular $375, sale $169

There's a lot more too: Gucci, YSL, Louboutin, Fendi, Dolce... etc. etc.  Sizes are pretty limited though so hurry!

I don't know about you, but I love Rue La La, the invitation only shopping site with limited time shopping boutiques.

The Yves Saint Laurent boutique they had this week was pretty compelling... but in this economy I really didn't "need" a $999 bag, even if it was a great deal - - but it's sold out, so I guess enough other people did!  The greatest thing about Rue La La is that their prices are really lowest in market.  You may sometimes find the same thing at Bluefly, but the price will always be higher.

Anyway, I ran across an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today, Designer Bargains, for the Invited about this type of ecommerce retailer which also includes Gilt, Ideeli and HauteLook.  These companies have been doing well even in the current drab retail environment and have even been able to secure additional capital through venture captial.

Here's cute, but sensible looking bikini from Lisa Marie Fernandez, the Genevieve Cropped Bikini, $275.  It looks like one you could actually swim in without having it fall off, that's always a bonus.  Lisa Marie Fernandez is a stylist who went into swimwear design, she says "the suits fit really well and give everybody cleavage!"  The line is inspired by the sleek athletic look of scuba gear and is made with a luxe version of neoprene that had never been used for swimwear before.

Her line has been well received and gets written up frequently in magazines...

You can find it at Barney's Net-a-porter, Kirna Zabete and Scoop.

Just to torture myself I am on Neiman Marcus' email list... they send out great emails like "personalized picks" and "Editior's Picks"... I say torture because inevitably the stuff in these emails is very expensive, but very tempting...

For example, from their latest email of Editor's Picks, the Sergio Rossi Zippered Platform Boots are to die for.

Oh wow!  I love the round toe, the elegant heel and that the platform is hidden... oh, they are superb, and just cool and unique because of the way they've done the zipper.  They are also $1,295...

Hayden Panettiere was on Letterman last night looking fantastic in a sleek Caroline Seikaly black lace dress.  She certainly looks older than a teenager... (she's 19)!  This is a fairly dramatic style change for her, maybe on purpose... since she's getting older and doesn't want to be thought of forever as the cute little cheerleader...?

Who is Caroline Seikaly, anyway, right?  I'd never even heard of her before.  She's a Parisian designer with offices at 93 Ave. Henri Martin in the 16th (funny, that address is just steps away from where I lived when I studied in Paris during college).  Oddly, her website hasn't been updated since the Winter 2008 collection.  She did just show her 2010 Resort Collection here in New York at the Cooper Square Hotel on June 9th.  Hayden's dress was featured in that show...

Hayden is also wearing Stuart Weitzman's Tijuana Sandal ($365 at zappos)

I always enjoy Chanel's seasonal collections.  Fall 2009 "Collection Venise de Chanel" is inspired by Coco Chanel's fascination with the romance and drama of Venice.

Les 4 Ombres eye shadow pallette ($56) is called Murano and includes moss, pink, seafoam and green shimmer shades. Les Tissages de Chanel, tweed effect blush ($45) is offered in a new tweed sienna shade, an earthy bronze.  I love the way the tweed effect looks... so cool!

The Rouge Allure lip color ($30) is offered in six new shades: instinctive (pink nude), comedia (pink rose), intuitive (pink brown), amusing (rich rosewood), captive (red brown) and clandestine (red brick).  Le Vernis nail color ($23) has two new shades: intermezzo (white pearl) and gondola (dark maroon shimmer).

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.