Aaaah! YSL Tribute Tote Alert!

After shunning the YSL Tribute Tote in a previous post, I find out that a medium in white tumbled leather is available on the YSL website. Aaaaah!!!! It's enough to drive me over the wall with glee. I've been wanting a white purse and I've been crushing on the YSL Tribute Tote in tumbled leather. Perfect for casual Fridays and weekends! Yippee!!!

I'll update you if/when I get it. Yay!!!!!!!

PS. If you're a fan of the patent Tribute Tote, there are 4 colors that are exclusively available on the YSL website. Well, at least that's what they claim.

Apparently, My Blog is Crappy

I was reading this article from yesterday's edition of Women's Wear Daily, and yeah, apparently my blog is crappy (no, they didn't mention my blog specifically).

The articles talks about the tremendous amount of fashion bloggers and it's effects on the fashion industry (if any). They interviewed several "prominent" bloggers and broke down several reasons on why these bloggers have a so-called "following" (blog readership).

Well, in my defense, most of the bloggers mentioned in the article probably blog full-time. I have a full-time job, I go to school part-time and I only blog when I can. I also don't have the industry connections that some of these bloggers have. I don't have the luxury of going to fashion shows or schmoozing with designers.

I probably sound bitter. I'm not. I'm just defending my blog. It might not be the best written blog out there. It might not be the most interesting blog out there. It's cool. My blog is a reflection of my thoughts. My thoughts about shopping. My thoughts about the things I buy. My thoughts and no one else's.

Photo from Danish Fashion Institute.

In Search of...a Structured Purse

JJ noticed from my last post that I'm back to Square One with my purse situation. *Sigh* Indeed I am. I posted a couple of entries ago that I have decided on the YSL Tribute as the purse I am buying. However, after careful consideration, I decided that I need a more structured purse.

The YSL Tribute is great but it is still much to casual for work. A structured purse will look more professional and refined. It can look a little too stiff and stodgy but a great structured purse is able to transcend that. Structured purses can also lend an air of sophistication even to the most casual of outfits.

(L-R Uptown Patent $1895; Medium Majorelle $1395, both available from Saks)

These two beauties from YSL perfectly showcase the elegance of the structured purse. These bags boast simple yet classy lines. The Uptown in Blue Patent is absolutely sumptuous and although I personally prefer the Majorelle in White, the Black Patent version is also quite enthralling. These two purses are absolutely perfect for my new position at work because they both scream, "I mean business."

Shopping List

Some of you might not know this, but I am a list-maker.  I love lists.  I make lists for everything.  Before I head to the grocery, I make a list.  Before I pack my suitcase for a trip, I make a list.  Now, I’m not the most organized person on the planet but I like how lists make me feel that I’ve at least attempted to be organized. 

 

I think I mentioned before that I was thinking of sharing with you my personal must-buy list.  I have attempted to organize this list according to priority but knowing me, it’ll probably change.  Oh, and just because I have this list doesn’t mean I don’t buy other things.  I have a separate shopping list for my clothes which gets updated quarterly. 

 

1.)    Black Pumps – I’ve posted about this.  It’s still on my list.  I’m still looking for good ones that are not outrageously overpriced but comfortable enough for me to wear for 8-9 hours at work.

2.)    Wallet – Like the black pumps, I’ve posted about this.  I’m too picky and I haven’t found THE wallet that I’m totally in love with.

3.)    Brown Belt – This has been on my list for ages.  Like I said, I’m too picky and I haven’t found the belt that calls to me.

4.)    Purse – I realized I need a structured purse for work since most of my purses are slouchy and hobo-ey, much too casual for work (I’ll probably blog more about this later).  I’ll need to think about this some more.  I actually emailed the Bag Snobs for help but they haven’t responded.

Wardrobe Update

JJ and I were chatting this morning about updating our wardrobe. I realized that although I do have a pretty full closet, I really need to invest in quality classic pieces that will stand the test of time. This does not mean that I have to buy more clothes. Nor does this mean that each new piece has to be pricey. It just means that I have to think about each piece that I add to my closet.

I think it comes down to smart editing. An article from the April 2008 issue of Instyle Magazine states that one should build their wardrobe on a few key pieces. These key pieces are the ones that make us feel special when we wear them. When I go through my closet, I probably have 2 or 3 key pieces I can build from but that's not enough. This means I haven't been buying smart. When I really think about it, price dictates most of my purchases and it shouldn't. Just because a piece is expensive doesn't mean you should discount it from your choices. You have to think about:

1.) how you feel in it
2.) the fit and the fall of the garment on your body
3.) if you can mix and match it with items you already own
4.) how many times you'll wear it

For me, the first two are the most important. How you feel in your clothes affects how you project yourself to the world. If your clothes make you feel frumpy and dowdy, this will probably affect your confidence. If your clothes make you feel sexy, then that's all a woman could ever ask for. As for fit, I'm pretty sure we've all gone through trying on clothes only to find out that either they're out of our size or we're between sizes. Ladies, I'm sure you've heard of something called a tailor. Invest in a good one because they will forever be your new best friend. I'm petite and American sizes hardly ever work for me and it's frustrating to find something so cute that doesn't fit. If in doubt, buy it and take it to your tailor. Discuss whether alteration will work. If not, then you can always return it. Caveat though: make sure your tailor is good before you trust them with your clothing. Referrals are usually best.

As far as the last two on my list, these are just things I consider when I purchase clothing. If I really like something, it's usually because of either 1 or 2. If I'm strapped for cash, 3 and 4 help me narrow down my choices (well, I guess I'm not really strapped for cash if I'm still shopping but you get what I mean). Matching pieces usually help me decide if a particular piece will be worn right away. As for frequency of use, that just helps me justify an expensive purchase.

We've all got our shortcomings when it comes to shopping. It helps if you've got a shopping buddy you trust. This will help alleviate any apprehensions of checking out new stores or those bigger purchases you're contemplating. If you're trying on something that's out of your comfort zone, be sure to bring your trusted shopping buddy with you. Another set of eyes are always a plus, especially if you honestly trust their opinion (and never ask a salesperson because they will almost always tell you it looks cute even when it doesn't). Experience also helps. The more you shop, the better you get at it!

American Apparel Interlock Pencil Skirt

As far as I'm concerned, a pencil skirt is a must-have in every woman's closet. I've always thought they were sexy (sort of like a naughty secretary) but I had my apprehensions. Some pencil skirts have a very narrow hemline which makes it hard for the wearer to walk properly especially in heels. I'm also known for my penchant for the shorter hemline and pencil skirts are almost always knee length or longer. Why the sudden change of heart? I found a pencil skirt that works for me.

The Interlock Pencil Skirt from American Apparel is made of a cotton spandex material which immediately alleviates my apprehension of a restricted walking ability. The clingy material also enhances the shapely silhouette that the pencil skirt already offers. Sexiness without the shorter hemline is anything but a plus in my book.


This skirt from American Apparel is available in 19 colors and at a mere cost of $30.

Rock & Republic

I have always loved jeans, even before they were trendy. I'm a self-proclaimed jeanophile, lol. I have over 30 pairs of jeans, most of which are bootcut. Because I gained a few extra pounds since my car accident, only about a handful of my jeans fit me. I don't think I can ever buy as many jeans as I once did. Working a 9-5 job, I don't really have the luxury of wearing most of my jeans. I've made a conscious decision to not buy as much jeans as I used to.

That said, I recently made a list of things I absolutely have to have. And Rock & Republic jeans are on that list. I've always liked Rock & Republic. In my opinion, R&R makes the best dark wash bootcut jeans. The hug your curves in the right places and they fit my tiny butt perfectly. Why don't I own a pair? Every time I try and buy one, they never have my size! Oh, they have my size when I'm just browsing but never when I'm ready to pay for one. I wonder if that's fate telling me I don't need another pair. Anyway, when you have a chance go out and try a pair. You won't regret it (well, except for the price coz they are a bit pricey).

(L-R Kurt Low Rise Bootcut $238 from Eluxury; Kassandra Bootcut $297 from Neiman Marcus)

**Note: Hmmm...I wonder if I should share my must-have list with you guys. I know I have a monthly must-have list on this blog but I also have a personal must-have list.

Christian Louboutin Architek 37942 Slingbacks

Remember when I posted about these shoes? I don't remember when it was exactly but I was gushing about how much I love these shoes. Well, I just found a whole new reason to gush about these shoes even more. It has a sister in Black!!!

While these nude ones are sexy on their own right, they're a little on the safe/conservative side (I mean, compared to the black ones). The black slingbacks take sexy to whole other level making you feel like you're walking on the wild side. I wouldn't mind owning both of them but if I were to pick one, I'd pick the black one. There's something about the black and red that just screams "TAKE ME HOME!". The hint of red on the back of the heel is just another detail that makes it more special than the nude pair. Too bad they don't have it in my size anymore.

Available at Saks for $760.

Isabel Marant Avela Boots

Oh Avela Boots, how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

I know, I know...not another pair of flat boots. These aren't actually flat since they have a hidden wedge. And it's slouchy!!! I think slouchy boots tone down the feminine frill of certain dresses. Perfect for a bohemian chic look perfected by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.









Boots available at Impulse Seattle for $650.

Lightweight Scarves

Are you one of those people who switch out their closets when the seasons change? Now that temperatures are rising, I guess it's high time to put away all your winter gear. However, there are those cool Spring nights when we need an extra layer of warmth. Our first instinct is to grab something from our winter wardrobe but either we've packed it away or it's just too heavy for Spring. In comes the lightweight scarf! These scarves are mostly made of linen, silk or cotton, some are linen or wool blends. Perfectly light for cool Spring day!

Most of you probably know that I love scarves. I've made some, I buy some and I'm always on the lookout for more to add to my collection. I'm thinking one of these could be it...

(L-R Linen & Silk Brown & Creme Stripe Scarf $298, Brown & Blue Plaid Cashmere Scarf $298, Wool & Cashmere Red Plaid Scarf $298)

All items by Iroe.
All photos from Impulse Seattle.

Ella Moss Boatneck Sweater

A couple weeks ago, I ordered a sweater and it arrived today! I'm so excited especially since the weather is starting to warm up. Maybe, I'll get to use it a couple time before summertime.

I'm also kinda excited because that means I can shop online again. Lol. I have a rule that I don't buy anything else online until I receive (and approve) what I previously ordered.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding Guest

My friend JJ went to a wedding this weekend. My friend SY is going to a wedding in May. They've both asked me for 'advice' in finding the perfect dress to wear. I haven't been to a wedding in a while so this made me think about weddings a bit more.

I find weddings to be a bit tricky to dress for. One can (or should) never wear white because we don't want to make the bride feel that we're competing with her. Wearing colors can be a bit tricky because you might clash with the colors of the wedding or you might be too matchy-matchy. You also have to consider what time the wedding is. Evening weddings tend to be a bit more formal than day weddings. In my opinion, it's best to stick with neutral colors but have the details and the fit of the dress speak volumes.

Good:

Roksanda Ilincic 'Satin Shirt Dress', NAP $1,095

This dress exemplifies sexy chic without being too over-the-top. The muted colors of the dress won't make you stand out like a sore thumb but the sheen of the silk gives it a hint of sexiness. The handkerchief hem also allows you to show a little skin without being too trashy.

Better:

Alexander McQueen 'Polka Dot Dress', NAP $2,055

Ila-la- love this McQueen dress! I know I mentioned not wearing white but this dress has hints of black so I think it's ok. This dress is sexy but tasteful. The high neckline (owing to the tassel trim scarf) and the knee-skimming hem gives the dress a conservative and sophisticated feel and then you've got the plunging back that gives the dress just the right amount of sexy. I also love that this dress can be worn for day or evening events. Fierce!

Best:

Miu Miu 'Pleated Satin Dress', NAP $2,950

As I mentioned earlier, the muted tones of the dress can be played up by the details. The details of this lovely dress are a perfect complement to the muted neutral tones. Feminine and girly, this pleated beauty can wow the other guests at the wedding without taking the focus from the bride.

**Note: I personally think the McQueen dress is the best out of the three. The "Good", "Better", "Best" notations have to do with the price. All dresses are available from Net-A-Porter.

Jewelry Haul

I love fashion jewelry. I might not wear it all the time but I do love buying them. Last Friday, I got to meet JJ's friends at work including her former co-worker Linh who makes fashion jewelry as a hobby. I was also excited to know that she brought her goody boxes with her.

Linh brought 2 boxes of jewelry she had made. I was in awe. Where did she ever find the time to create all these pieces? Since I got there late (surprise, surprise), I got last pick on the goodies. It was probably all for the better because I would've probably bought much more had I gotten there earlier. I ended up with 3 necklaces, 2 pairs of earrings and a bracelet.

JJ was also sweet enough to buy me a pair of earrings. Like I said, I got there late and they all decided to wear a piece of Linh's jewelry to dinner. JJ bought me these earrings since they matched the dress I wore that night perfectly. Thanks JJ! You're such a sweetheart!


Oh, did I mention that Linh is the sweetest girl ever?

YSL Tribute Tote

Last Saturday, JJ and I went to Chanel on Rodeo Dr. to scope out the 2.55 Reissue in Metallic Blue that I was planning to get myself for my birthday. As expected, they didn't have it but they did have the metallic purple that JJ had been lusting after. Needless to say, the purple purse went home with a extremely shocked albeit very ecstatic JJ. Back to the metallic blue. They didn't have the purse but I did get to see the wallet. It wasn't the metallic blue I was expecting it to be. It turned out to be a dull, boring blue (especially next to the purple). JJ and I both decided that it wasn't worth it, so on goes my search for a purse.

We went into YSL to check out the Muse. JJ had also been thinking about the Muse and while she was looking around, I picked up the medium Tribute Tote in Patent Fuschia. Although the color is all wrong for me, the shape of the bag was just darling. As soon as I tried it on, I knew this would be my next bag. The only problem was finding it in regular leather since the store only had it in patent leather. Saks has it in the black but only in the large size and I am still hoping that somewhere out there is a medium black one waiting for me to find it. Bluefly actually has it in the medium but in Gold and Silver metallic. Oh where can I find a black one?

Shopping Spree to Celebrate my Promotion?

***UPDATE: I just read this post and it's already making me sweat. Why am I so nervous? I haven't even spent the money yet.***

Is it bad that I'm already spending my raise in my head? I think I've spent every last penny imagining all the stuff I could buy with it. I blame it all on JJ. Her enthusiasm for celebrating my promotion is infectious. She is so excited she even posted about it on her blog!

I'm going to err on the side of caution and not celebrate as much as she'd like (I know you hate me right now JJ). As much as I would LOVE to go on a crazy shopping spree, I've got to keep my priorities straight and right now it's starting my business and saving for a house. I also have two very expensive trips to take this year and I'd really like to take it slow on the shopping. On that note, I don't want to be too boring and leave all you with nothing to celebrate with.

First off, I think I really need to get a new wallet. My wallet is not in dire need to be replaced but I want a new one that has a little bit more pizzazz (for lack of a better word). I don't want to spend an enormous amount on a wallet because I really can only justify spending a lot of money on shoes. *Snickers* That said, I think I'd like to get a L.A.M.B. wallet. This one specifically.
I love L.A.M.B. because of it's edgy quality. I've been checking out this wallet since it came out and I think it's perfect for me. It's edgy, which I love. It's not too fance or too expensive, which I love even more. And, it has all the things I want in a wallet (see Wallet post).

Next item on my list is a little tricky. I'm not that big on flats because I'm not that tall and I welcome the height boost I get from heels. On the other hand, wearing heels every day is bad for my back and killer for my feet. So, after falling in love with JJ's Fendi flats, I am going to take the plunge and go with flats. I've decided on either the Tory Burch Reva Flats in Black or the Belle by Sigerson Morrison Geometric Cutout Flats in Silver.

Like I said, this purchase is going to be tricky because I don't really wear flats so I don't know how to shop for them. But I think either would work since they are both in my price range and they are both cute. I'm going to try these out before I decide.

I think these two would be enough to celebrate my promotion with. Both items I would use and both items would not break the bank. And because I think I've made such a great decision (a decision that took a couple of days to make), I deserve a treat for my birthday. I know it's a ways away which is even better so I have a few months to save up. I know this will make JJ happy and it certainly makes me happy just thinking about it (which is rare since we are talking about a purse here). My birthday splurge and ultimate reward for my promotion (which I hope I do well in), is the Jumbo Chanel Metallic Blue 2.55. This one's going to be tough since I'm not one to spend money on bags but I think Chanel is worth it. It's one of very few labels out there that still commands attention. It's going to be a hell of a wait and I really hope I don't chicken out.

Battle of the Spring Rings

(L-R Dior ring, $5,550 at Eluxury; Juicy ring, $88 at Nordstrom)

Now I know these two rings aren't identical but you've got to admit their pretty darn close! The Dior Diorette Yellow Gold Ring came out last year and I immediately fell in love with it. I think this ring completely captures the essence of Spring, with the bright colors and the full blossoms. It is made of 18 carat gold with a tiny amethyst and an even tinier diamond. Did I mention that this ring is hand-assembled?

The Juicy Couture Garden Party Ring is a poor knock-off. Not only does it lack the color and robustness of the Dior ring, it also lacks in craftmanship (which is obviously reflected in the price difference). It is made of 14k gold-plated brass, epoxy, glass, and a freshwater pearl. I believe this ring only went on the market in the last couple of months.

Burberry Prorsum Mason Warrior Bag

Now stop the presses!!! I'm going to talk about a new fugly bag that caught my eye (and stimulated my gag reflex) and it's not Fendi!

The new offender is Burberry Prorsum...the Mason Warrior Bag to be exact. Now I don't care if Cameron Diaz and Rachel Bilson have this bag. It doesn't get any less ugly even if it's toted around by famous celebrities. What I don't get is why they would even bother? This bag is hideous! The studs remind me of the barnacles on the faces of Davy Jones' crew in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's chest. If you don't believe me, see the picture below.


$3,195 at Net-A-Porter.

"She Lived Life" Necklace

I'm not usually that fond of jewelry but this one caught my eye, particularly the writing. The inscription on the glass pendant reads "She lived life in her own fairytale."

We've all read fairy tales and we all know that fairy tales always have a happy ending. I think that the inscription provides such a positive message of living our own lives as if we were living in fairy tales. We should all aspire to achieve that happy ending because life is short and we need to appreciate all the blessings that come our way.







Necklace by Laurel Denise Jewelry ($105) available at Shopbop.

Fur Coats

I've been looking at vintage fur coats online for the past couple of days. For some reason, it has surged an inexplicable lusting/longing for one in me. PETA advocates are probably already blocking my blog as we speak. Fortunately for them (and quite unfortunately for me), I live in Los Angeles which means there's really no need for one and besides I can't afford one. I can still ogle and admire and run my hands through it though which is exactly what I did when I was at the Fendi boutique with JJ today. They had a beautiful chinchilla stole and I couldn't help but admire the softness of the fur. I wanted to roll around in it...it was that soft. I didn't have the heart to look at the price but I'm pretty sure it's expensive. Oh the luxuries in life....

The fur coats below are part of the Fall 2008 Ready To Wear Collection.

Fendi

Alexander McQueen

Behnaz Sarafpour

Burberry Prorsum

Photos courtesy of Style.com.