Yum!

 

The Gucci show had my mouth watering.  I can't even decide which fur piece I would hypothetically get!  I also love the bag in the lower left picture. 

Tee Hee (Pun Not Intended)

This shirt cracks me up! 

I'm Just Saying...

So...  I think the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) took my J Brand Houlihan Skinny Cargo Pants.  I'm not sure, but all I'm saying is that I know I packed them because I was struggling with folding the cargo pocket after I wash them.  Then, when I got home, they weren't in my suitcase, but I did get one of those "Notice of Baggage Inspection" cards...  I'm just saying... 

Beautiful Darkness

I love Tao Okamoto's make-up in the Z Spoke presentation by Zac Posen.  She looks dark, but still pretty & feminine.  That short crop is so flattering & really shows off her beautiful features. 

Starstruck

I sneaked into the Hervé Léger show yesterday during New York Fashion Week & after the show, I met blogger extraordinaire Hanneli Mustaparta who was so nice!  I told her I was a big fan & she called me sweet.  She then introduced herself.  Hanneli is actually more beautiful in person if that's possible.  Doesn't she look cute interviewing influential make-up artist Pat McGrath?  I would have loved to have talked to Pat, but I didn't want to interrupt. 

Ex-Girlfriend Jeans?

I love the "boyfriend jean" look on girls & I admit that super skinny jeans on men isn't my favorite look, but Levi's calling it the "ex-girlfriend" jean is too much for me! 

The High Maintenance "Low Maintenance" Look

I love this quote from Dita von Teese (pictured above):

"I have a lot of friends that have a very natural look & it takes just as long [to achieve].  They straighten their hair, wear all that bronzer & beige lipstick & apply 50 coats of mascara to make themselves look natural.  I'm doing the same thing just with different colors.  I set my hair which is actually quicker than a blow dry."

I always hated that it takes me SO long to get ready in the morning & look effortles--like I'm not too "done."  It's a relief to hear that it takes others just as long to get ready & look "natural."  I've always been convinced that I'm the only one who has to work to look effortless & that everyone else secretly wakes up looking amazing. 

My Bag Addiction Started Early...

I can't believe they are selling this vintage Esprit bag at Urban Outfitters for $88.  I can't remember how much it was back when I got it in junior high, but I'm certain it was not $88.  How funny to run across something from my past like this & to see how much it increased in value!  I should have kept mine. 

Misery Loves Company

In early 2010, Garance Doré wrote the following in her blog:

"But then also, I’m a little weird.  Warning, you’re about to enter my brain:  For me, black tights ADD ANOTHER COLOR.  It’s not like all the girls who still have their sanity who say it’s neutral.  That hey, who cares?  Black doesn’t count.  But still, it creates a problem in my style equation.  So like, if I have a green skirt and a grey sweater with black tights, OUH NO NO TOO MANY COLORS.  THAT DOESN’T WORK.  And then A BLACK COLLAR WITH SHOES THAT ARE A DIFFERENT BLACK, EMERGENCY!  I pretty much have a fashion panic attack."

When I first read this, I had this overwhelming feeling of "oh my gosh, I found someone who understands me!  I must find her & tell her I am the same way!"  I, too, have this rather finicky issue with adding black tights into the mix willy-nilly.  Admittedly, I have caved & done it as I love skirts too much not to wear them in the winter & it's WAY too cold in New York not to pair them with tights, but then I feel uncomfortable all day that I added black tights to my non-black outfit.  I feel self-conscious, even though I'm probably the only one judging my hapless use of black tights.  The funny thing is that on other people, I view it as insouciant & cool when they mix black leggings into their brown-based outfits. 

Well, I found this pair of dark grey tights in my drawer & thought, "oh oh, maybe this will go better with my denim skirt & brown boots!"  I excitedly put them on one cold, gloomy morning last week & thought, "oh my gosh, I solved my problem."  I felt put together & less haphazard.  Now these J. Crew tights are my new favorite brown-based outfit tights. 

I can't help being crazy, but at least I'm not alone. 

Le Fun*

My apologies as this is by no means breaking news, but it's just so adorable that I had to share this Chanel video.

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* I saw it written on the side of a photobooth in Nice & loved it. 

A Chanel Retirement Fund?

I was back on the west coast over Christmas & I spied this dark red Chanel classic flap 2.55 bag.  I always liked this bag, but I never felt the need to immediately own one until I saw it in this color.  I had it in my mind that it was about $2,400, but was shocked when I was asked me to sign a receipt for $3,400 (not including tax).  Apparently, the price increased at least twice since I last checked the price two years ago!

I did some internet research & learned of a 30% price increase this past August.  First, I wanted to kick myself for not getting one sooner.  Secondly, it made me angry that they raised it by such an obscene amount!  There has been some speculations as to why the increases were made.  Madison Avenue Spy have suggested it was due to the increased demand in China.  However, others counter that that reasoning would not apply here where the economy is still weak.  One sales associate told Madison Avenue Spy that “rising demand & manufacturing difficulties are the cause for the rapid price increase.”  She continued:

“We don’t want Chanel to become like Louis Vuitton.  They are taking more of an Hermés approach where it can take three years to get the bag you like.  We want Chanel to stay a luxe item & not be Main Street.”

By trying to create demand, they may have shot themselves in the foot though because I ended up returning the bag on principle.  It was very hard for me as I LOVE handbags, but I couldn't justify it to myself (& believe me, I'm good at justifying these things to myself!).  The only reason I wanted to keep it was in case they made further increases, but I figured I could put that money toward my dream Hermès Birkin.  The only other reason to keep it (as one blogger put it) was that the Chanel bag appreciated in value more than her 401(k).