Honestly, I don't even know where to start. Ferragamo is one of those brands that has quiet elegance, steadfast quality, and surprising comfort, but can often be categorized as something only my mom/aunt would wear. This Spring, I am compelled to reformulate my conception of Ferragamo because these shoes and bags are so fresh and cool that women who haven't had children will be drawn towards them too.
I think the freshness of Ferragamo Spring Bags is due to all the yellow color they have cleverly worked into the bags. The yellow crocodile top handle bag (top left) and the yellow python clutch (bottom right) are so ladylike and interesting, while the natural snakeskin top handle (top second from left) and grey python tote (middle, second from right) maintains Ferragamo's usual luxury with quality. And for those of you who do not like exotic skins (gasp!), I thought that the optical white calfskin totes (top right and middle left), the black eco-leather hobo (middle, second from left...YES, it's ECO-leather!), yellow calfskin and natural fabric top handle (top, second from right), and yellow calfskin clutch with wicker frame (bottom, second from right) should steal your heart nonetheless. Check out the bags individually at the website, they have the clutch with wicker frame in fuchsia ostrich (OMG!) and the python clutch in a pleasant orange too.
As for shoes, I love everything!!! Especially the ankle straps with platform (comes in either a 12cm heel and a 15cm heel). The one with the 15cm heel has gladiator-like weaving along the heels and is in four different colors (nude, white, gold, and bronze). To give you an idea of how awesome these platforms are, they are priced at $2,200. Why are they priced so expensive? Because they can. The rest of them cost as much as a Christian Louboutin ($690 and up), but I know some people who would rather buy Ferragamo because they last forever and don't suffocate your feet like the Louboutins sometimes do. (Note: Louboutin shoes often run at least one size too small).
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Ferragamo Spring Shoes and Bags no longer for Moms
Friday, February 27, 2009
ShopFlick sources Sales from all over
SUCH a cute cocktail ring. Pretty and full of attitude. Which means, it will go with your feminine dresses AND with your edgy outfits. I love versatility. Miss Misa is a model turned designer. Is it just me, or are there a lot of those these days? Maybe the fact that they are pretty and surrounded/bombarded by fashion makes it easier for them to transcend into a designer.
In any case, ShopFlick has a sales rack with a rather annoying video that comes on everytime. And really, what the site does is somewhat similar to ShopStyle.com in that they source sale items from many different sites (i.e., RevolveClothing, Tobi, Shopbop, Urban Outfitters, etc.) and post them in one place for you to see. Unfortunately, I don't think it's updated often enough, so sometimes, you'll be redirected to a sold-out item in another site. Well, it happens. I really do appreciate what ShopFlick does though. I found some really cute stuff at very good prices while browsing their sales rack. For example, there is a 50% off Zac Posen Randi Leather Shoulder Bag at $647.50, a 55% off Bahar Shahpar Schoolgirl Dress $148 (VERY CUTE!!!), and a 70% off Rag and Bone Split Back Swing Dress $141 which will look so amazing with a white belt on.
Also check out the Deal Hunt section at ShopFlick. You'll find deals like this Red Hot Black Bootie at 50% off ($48).
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Coveted Marc Jacobs and Lanvin Giveaway at ideeli
marc jacobs Honey STARBURST II $115(orig price $310.00)
marc jacobs Coral STUD FLAT $189(orig price $595.00)
Because chibi and I have spent so much money lately, I have no choice but to stop spending...even though these marc jacobs sunglasses and flats are calling out to me... ... ...Well, at least I can blog and forget about them...hopefully...
Ahh...having sunglasses in the color "honey" would make me look so...sophisticated...and different! I can pretend to have Jackie O vibe with that color, don't you think? Maybe I'm thinking too much. And so the story goes, I've been looking for a pair of red shoes since December (or was it November)...and it's actually pretty hard to find a pair that is both simple and impactful. I thought these marc jacobs shoes were just that! They reminded me of what Dorothy had in Oz...That's memorable, isn't it?
Both these items are part of the marc jacobs sale at ideeli, which is by invitation only. Join by clicking here. By the way, ideeli is randomly giving away this Lanvin tote to a winner. You have till 6pm Pacific time to enter.
What's New on the Web (Feb 26th)
NYmag.com shows us what's new from London Fashion Week: Giles Deacon, Paul Smith, and more...
LAWeekly talks about the gayest Oscars ever...
LATimes urges all to vote No on Charter Amendment B about solar energy.
ClosetTherapy is helping MeghanShop give away a Meredith Tunic dress.
BagSnob points out that luxury is not dead (MiuMiu and Chloe sold out in hours).
Shrimpton Couture finds Victoria Beckham's new dress line sold out in hours too.
Fashionologie: Brian Reyes Fall '09 show is barefooted from uncomfortable Manolo Blahniks.
Fashion Addict Diary features Dolce and Gabbana Leopard Lingerie 50% off.
EcoStiletto talks about chemical-free mineral makeup, and Recycled Gold and Sustainable Gemstone Jewelry.
Spoilers Alert: Amid the fight for broadcasting rights to Project Runway, Season 6 has completed Feb 20th during NY fashion week but none of the 13 episodes have been aired yet. Nonetheless, you can find the collections of final contestants 1, 2, and 3 at NYmag.com (click on the numbers to link to the pictures). You don't see names because the collections are anonymous until the winner is announced on the show itself (if it ever airs). There are a few dresses I like from contestant two, and some looks from contestant one, but I think my favorite is contestant three because of the consistency and details in his/her clothes.
YSL Limited Edition Face and Eye Palettes
(Left) YSL Limited-Edition Eye Palette D'Artiste Collector $62.00(Right) YSL Limited-Edition Face Palette D'Artiste Collector $62.00
oooo...how pretty. That's the thing about designer brand makeup. They are PRETTY.
Somehow, they made the colors on the palette so soft and alluring that I can't help being drawn in. And well, it's limited edition. Hahaa...The face palette includes a bronzer for shading, and an orange shade to "enliven your cheeks", but judging from the size of it in the palette, they know we won't be using it much. The pink color blush is, of course, main staple, and a light pink highlighter is very much needed. Trust me.
As for the eye palette, *drool*...the colors are a little bit like my Jill Stuart, but even softer and lighter for a sophisticated look. The sage green, I thought, was a great color to throw in there to make the combination of the colors pop even more. I love my pale yellow highlighter in my Jill Stuart eye palette, and I know I will love the pale yellow here even more because it seems so smooth...And of course, the purple is so romantic...I wish I had it on for Valentine's day~~~...
These YSL beauties are only $10+ more than my Jill Stuart eye palette, and did I mention that they are limited edition? haaa...get it now or forever hold your peace...
By the way, YSL Gloss Pur Pure Lipgloss is pretty tooooo...*drool*...but what's reallllly cool is the Limited Edition BLACK LIP GLOSS ($28). Tell me that doesn't make you jump a little. When has black lips become so acceptable that a brand name comes out with a lip gloss for it? Well, it is limited edition, and it IS a lip gloss, which means you can darken your lipstick shades by adding a thin layer of it, or you can go for the goth look and apply it on thick. I'm voting for the goth look, of course...haaa...
Here are some more limited edition beauty items from YSL:
Limited-Edition Collector Powder for the Complexion $60
Limited-Edition Collector Powder for the Eyes $60
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Viva Valentino~~~
I don't care that Valentino is now being designed by long-time accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli or that they kicked off Alessandra Facchinetti with her two- years worth of positive reviews to get the position(s) as top design honcho(s) at Valentino.
I don't care because Valentino is still to die for (at least their apparel is). And that's all there is to it. Had to share.
By the way, J.Lo wore Valentino in her marriage to Chris Judd. Then she almost wore Vera Wang to the Bennifer wedding (with Ben Affleck), and then she really wore Vera Wang to her wedding with Marc Anthony. I wonder which one she liked better. Honestly, I would have had more respect for J.Lo's taste based on her choice in wedding dresses. But why did she extend her Valentino patronage to her purchase of the ridiculous Petale Dome Bag (I was told by a Neiman Marcus salesperson in LA that she had bought the bag in some ostensible color)? To be fair, some people like that bag...whatever for, I do not know. Maybe if the petals were smaller, you know? If you hated that bag as much as I did, you should be pleasantly surprised that Valentino's Spring '09 collection also incorporated the petal theme generously but it was done wayyyyy more appropriately than the in-your-face, and much-bigger-than-life approach to their bags. HM, come to think of it? Maybe the loud and over-dramatic Valentino bags fit the diva in J.Lo perfectly after all.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Oscars 2009
Yup, as you can see, I stole this collage from Who What Wear Daily, who took them from Getty Images and INF, mostly because I'm lazy to create my own collage. After all, you can see these pictures (from many different angles) all over the internet now.
It may be that the highlight of the 81st Academy Awards is Hugh Jackson's opening number with Anne Hathaway and a messy medley of movie songs with Beyonce Knowles, Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron (from High School Musical), and Amanda Seyfield and Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia), both of which you can find on Youtube.
But irregardless, I'm guessing that we all still like to see pretty dresses on beautiful girls.
Actually, this collage leaves out a number of beautiful gowns on Alicia Keys, Jennifer Aniston, Penelope Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway, Vannessa Hudgens, and so on. Go do a google search, or you can go to Go Fug Yourself. Yes, that is a site name, and I'm not throwing profanities at you. I usually don't like people who diss people, but I guess Go Fug Yourself is a pretty funny site, without being too serious with the dissing.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Dior Haute Couture gown and Fred Leighton jewelry
Gwen Stefani
Chanel couture dress, Roger Vivier peep-toe pumps, and Bulgari's diamond stud earrings
Natalie Portman
Rodarte gown, and six-carat diamond drop earrings by Kwait.
Zooey Deschanel
Elie Saab dress, Ferragamo clutch, and a pair of charcoal suede peep-toe pumps by Moschino Cheap and Chic.
Angelina Jolie
Elie Saab Couture Dress, a pair of 115-carat Lorraine Schwartz emerald teardrop earrings (plus a matching 65-carat ring), and a Lana Marks Cleopatra Clutch.
Kate Bosworth
Alexander McQueen dress from the designer's resort collection, a smart box bag, gold sandals, and matching gold bracelet.
Freida Pinto
John Galliano gown, Jimmy Choo metallic peep-toe heels, and silver clutch.
Marisa Tomei (in the Vanity Fair after parties - not her Oscar dress)
Wore Versace gown at Oscars. This one is a Juan Carlos Obando dress with Verdura Maltese Cross Cuffs and Jimmy Choo pumps.
Evan Rachel Wood
Elie Saab Couture Spring/Summer 09 collection gown, a pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes, Sergio Rossi bag, and Neil Lane jewelry, including a Darkened Diamond Bracelet and Chandelier Earrings.
Dita Von Teese
Christian Lacroix gown, Christian Louboutin heels.
Tilda Swinton
Lanvin's Pre-Fall 09 collection.
Natalia Vodianova
Calvin Klein Collection dress from Fall 09.
Balenciaga Pre-Fall '09 Bags and Decadence
I thought I would post some pictures of what bags Balenciaga showcased in their Pre-Fall '09 collection, which I thought was very striking while still remaining true to Balenciaga spirit. Well-done, Nicolas Ghesquiere, though I still don't know how to pronounce your name.
Small blue ball, Big black ball. I'm sure you will agree, big is too big and looks a bit like a full garbage bag. But how cute the small blue ball is!!! And I'm almost certain it is soft too. By the way, the first outfit is sharp and chic. Definitely French, I think.
Again, Big Black Suede versus Medium Caramel Leather. The former is more unisex (I imagine) while the latter is very well-received on the runway for its understated luxury and ladylike manner. The caramel bag is as powerful as it is appropriate! The future is foreseeable. Strong ladies will gravitate towards and covet this satchel.
More blue bags. This time, we have clutches. The first one is in the form of an envelope with straps. Perhaps a cross between utilitarianism and exoticism. The second one has hints of red against an electrifying blue. Paired with androgynous glasses, almost animalistic arms underneath an over-sized leather vest, the bag seems to be the only item flashing femininity.
Grey bags. Grey is relatively masculine. Then paired with apparel that is relatively feminine. Nicolas Ghesquiere likes the irony, I suppose. I'm sure the grey envelope clutch in the first picture here is made out of exotic skin and that can only be fab. Also, you could tell even from afar that this envelope clutch is not a straight folded envelope, but has much more difficult curved endings and cutting. The second bag is also curved, and although it has quilts like Chanel bags, you'll see that the quilts in this bag are much more 3-dimensional like sculptural bumps in the meadow.
Do you see the "French element"? It should be obvious. No bags, but you could almost see one from the eye of your imagination.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Mascots
QuatchiA sasquatch.
MigaA mythical sea bear, part orca and part kermode bear.
Miga and Quatchi are mascots for the Olympic Games
SumiAn animal guardian spirit who wears the hat of the orca whale, flies with the wings of the mighty Thunderbird and runs on the strong furry legs of the black bear.
Sumi is the mascot for the Paralympic Games.
MukmukA Vancouver Island marmot.
The mascots are inspired by traditional First Nations creatures, and I think they are cute if everyone would just stop thinking about representing everyone (or even the majority). The whole point is to present Vancouver's uniqueness to the world! I saw these mascots at the Vancouver airport and love love loved them...if you want a souvenir before the rush of the games, get them at the Official Vancouver 2010 Olympic Store. There are also tons of cute apparel for more functional stuff.
My friend Maggie Ma, who is a actress (most recently seen in Supernatural), recently helped promoted the Vancouver 2010 Olympic event (and merchandise) at the downtown Olympic store. She is the cute girl making the Victory sign in the middle while holding on to Sumi.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bottega Veneta Tornabouni bags Pre-Fall '09
There was dignity and luxury that was all the more poignant because of the hushness around it. Bottega Veneta comes back to its rich basics in the Pre-Fall'09 collection, which you can see at Style.com.
"The new Tornabuoni bags add a literal twist to the label's signature woven intrecciato treatment, giving them an interesting 3-D texture. In times like these, a tote like that unequivocally says my credit's still good." - Nicole Phelps
Look closer at the red hobo in the picture (I chose it because the red makes it easier to see). I believe it is one of the new Tornabouni bags. To create the Tornabouni effects, it seems BV took their usual weaves and twisted them as they wove through each other. Perhaps BV got the idea from the sides of their classic hobos where the leather pieces are twisted. I imagine the twisted surface to be like textured fabric or intricate pieces of 3-D wall art. I guess I'll just have to wait to see.
I also thought this "slanted cross" pattern is very textured, interesting, and modern (with the color choice).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Instyle brings us the Best Dressed at Fashion Week
This list of best-dressed stars is so compelling that I have to let everyone know about it. Instyle sure did a great job picking out the good ones. Go to Instyle for details of who is wearing what, if you want. I will only post photos here. All the outfits are amazing!!!
Kristen Bell
Jessica Stroup
Katharine McPhee
Joy Bryant
Katrina Bowden
Zoe Saldana
Michelle Monaghan
Heidi Klum
Whitney Port
Molly Sims
Rachel BilsonDonna Karen Sculpted Bias Jean, all that it claims?
I'm posting these jeans here not because of its exorbitant price (close to $600!!!). I'm posting it because the sculpted bias jean is interesting and I could see them become future vintage despite being just denim.
Purportedly, the sculpted bias-cut jean is sculpted to the body to accentuate the positive and delete the negative. But just because they claim it, doesn't mean I have to believe it. However, there is allegedly no outside seam and that is supposed to "instantly slim the silhouette". Honestly, I thought the outside seam can sometimes make our leg look longer because it guides the eye vertically, so I have no idea why Donna Karan thought that designing this jeans without an outside seam will slim the silhouette. But no matter. What I really thought is interesting about this pair of jeans is (1) the obvious quality of the material, and (2) how the denim is sewed diagonally for better movement.
For the first point, the material is purportedly Italian and I believe that because even the naked eye can see how comfortable it seems on the model. As for the second point, I believe that a diagonally placed cloth is not as easy to sew together especially if it's soft as this material seems to be. This is because the cloth can be pulled and bunched if not careful. Of course, denim isn't really that soft so I'm just saying that I like the diagonally threads on the jeans. They are refreshing and certainly a big part of why it's easy to move in the jeans.
That said, is it worth $600? I don't know...Some people have been buying jeans upward of $200/$300, so Donna Karan is simply doubling the price these people are used to. I am still buying jeans in the $100 +/- $50 range, so...forgive me if I pass on these pair of jeans.
Friday, February 20, 2009
My New Purchase at Gilt: Stella McCartney for LeSportsac
Originally, this EveryDay Bag by Stella McCartney for LeSportsac was $225, but at Gilt Groupe, it is $88!!! Despite my resistance, I succumbed to another gilty purchase. I would like to blame it on chibi, who taunted me for 45 minutes over msn. "It's pretty", he says..."It's $112 on LeSportsac", he says..."It's a good everyday bag", he says...I guess most of you out there would love a boyfriend like chibi, wouldn't you? Well, he's mine, so good luck finding another one like him.
Back to the bag, it is eco-friendly, of course. Stella McCartney always make eco-friendly bags. This bag is made of a soft and sturdy recycled polyester and mesh. It has magnetic flap pockets on the outside, which shoots its functionality up by many points. In the picture, it looked medium-sized, but I realized by its dimensions that it is rather huge. It measures (w) 14.5" x (d) 5.5" x (h) 9" as you can see on a model at Tobi.
Anyway, join Gilt Groupe (invitations only) by clicking here. This is my first eco-friendly bag, and my first Stella McCartney, so I can't wait to update you guys with pictures when I get it.
Frugal Solutions for Romance: Passion Forever
So Valentine's day is over, but who says you can only have romance and intimacy on V-day itself? And who says you need to break your bank for love? If you wanted to get something sexy to surprise your man with, you could do it for around $20 USD and look sizzling hot in it. Some might argue that lingerie at this price just doesn't match up in quality to the big brands like La Perla. I'm sure that's true, but if you know yourself well and know that you probably won't have a lot of opportunity to wear these sexy little things (because you have children or relatives living with you), then why not get it cheap? It's just going to come off anyway...tee hee hee...
I am a lingerie freak, and have been really sad that I haven't been able to wear any of my stuff for a long time. My girl friend G.L. gave me a red lace thong from Hanky Panky for Valentine's and now I'm looking for something red to go with it. Just browsing online, I found an inexpensive bustier from K-mart (who would have known to look there?) that looked like something I could wear as part of my vampire outfit for Halloween. Images of Kate Beckinsale in Van Hellsing comes to mind...very hot~~~... I also found a black babydoll dress that is as sexy and cute as it is comfortable. I love the deep V halter design. Mmmm...I feel my brain melting...
Get them at Target.
