Thursday, August 19, 2010

London Calling....


OBSESSED and want to try some of these products. Love the colors, the names and the web site. http://www.butterlondon.com/

I polish my own nails on a regular basis and have for years. In fact, I am usually (thought not at the present moment) pretty meticulous about them. Ladies (and men too), I hate to break it to you but there is nothing worse than nails that are not taken care of properly. It destroys your look.

When it comes to nail polish I typically stick to neutral classics for the hands (think Essie Ballet Slippers, OPI Bubble Bath, Essie Mademoiselle) but my current job allows me to feel as though I can experiment a bit so when a colleague turned me on to "Waking up in Vegas" from deborah lippman I decided to take a risk. I must admit the $13 price tag with my discount was a stretch, probably the most I ever spent for a bottle of polish but I am so glad I did. I have gotten oodles of compliments on the color and I know I will use this polish to the very last drop. The greyish color polish with lavender undertones is the color worn by Lady Gaga on the cover of Vanity Fair's famous September Style Issue. I so look forward to that issue as I love seeing who makes the Best Dressed List.



Inspiration


I am in denial that this wedding of mine is taking place in just 16 days! Most details are where I want, some aren't and won't be and I'm OK with that. It's going to be a great weekend but I am SO ready to just be married and get on with our life!

When I was thinking about the look and feel of the reception I wanted clean, timeless and elegant. I went back and forth on my wedding bouquet and was a bit sad to learn that two of my favorite flowers, ranunculus and peonies, are not in season during September and therefore I would have to make a different choice. I thought about orchids until I saw this photo. Leave it to Tom Ford. My choice has been made.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Just say no to Juicy!


I so badly want to intervene when I see a grown woman carrying or wearing items with JUICY plastered all over them. It is neither sexy nor sophisticated and where is this woman's mother to tell her "no"? Now, I'm not saying I am perfect, I am sure on certain days someone would find me a hot mess, but really, do you think that a rhinestone encrusted terry cloth bag is doing anything for you? I'm sorry to break the news to you but it isn't. I do not judge you for wearing those short shorts with words plastered on your derrière, I honestly want to help you! I too was once guilty. In 4th grade I had some sweet grey sweatpants I got at Velva Sheen with my name across the backside and an iron-on panda bear decal on the lower left pant leg . Yes, I have made fashion mistakes, I grew up in the 80s for heaven's sake!

In the meantime, another great read about style, elegance and reasons not to get plastic surgery (though a little Botox didn't really hurt anyone, well it did, but you get what I mean).


Friday, July 9, 2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Burberry: So much more than plaid and a trench





Lately I am on a Burberry kick. Not only do I want a cape in addition to about a zillion other pieces of outerwear in their amazing collection, I am dying to try one of the perfect pink shades of lipstick from their new make-up line that launched last week (find it online at Nordstrom).

It is no secret that Christopher Bailey (former director of Womenswear at Gucci during the Tom Ford years) is taking the 153 year old company to a new level by updating classics such as the trench, making them modern and covetable by many. I know he makes ME excited about clothes again since I find many of the designs wearable but with an edge. Clearly he is doing something right; despite the recession Burberry revenue rose by over 20%! His choice of Emma Watson as the face of the brand is genius.

Now for the bags! We have received a lot of Burberry over the past two weeks and more is scheduled to arrive in the upcoming weeks. The feedback has been positive as a few styles in the Smoked Check have gone out the door. Personally I am digging the Parsons bag in House Check, a hobo style with a great shape and a funky belted detail. I find many of the bags we carry in the Nova Check motif to be a little too perfect for my taste. Our nylon totes are a great alternative for the girl who wants to stand out in a sea of Le Pilage. The price point is higher, but I find the the north/south shape is more flattering to most body types and the fabric drapes better. Other new styles have arrived in sturdy buffalo leather (Lambeth and Langley), a lambskin and patent (Eastmore). We are patiently waiting for the nova bags with the studded details. It might be a bit much for some of our customers, but time will tell.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A quick post!


There is a reason why this blog is called "So many bags, so little time." Because I don't have any time! The stress of planning this wedding, getting invitations sent and worrying about my physique all while working retail hours is taking a toll on me. I need to remember to breathe and be mindful. I wish the people who continue to push my buttons would just stop!

Anyway, we got a boat load of designer clearance in today! Our store sold it so well that a lot of the inventory was transferred our way. I must admit some of it is less than impressive but there are a few styles that stand out for sure, including a fantastic top handle bag by Dolce and Gabbana in denim. I know you're saying, "denim, really?" The answer is YES! Denim is a hot trend for fall but the shape of this bag is so classic and aristocratic that it works. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to get a close up of a Dolce and Gabbana bag and I can tell you it is yummy! The bag has a top handle (a must have trend for fall) and the interior suede lining is absolutely beautiful. So much attention was paid to these details, and lets face it, when you buy a designer bag you are paying for those special details and the craftsmanship. If I weren't getting married and going on a fancy honeymoon this bag would be in my closet right now.

Lastly I can not stop playing The National's "High Violet" what a freaking fantastic album.

BTW the bag pictured is not the actual bag, however the silhouette is the same.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Cute sustainable totes!



What a great pair of totes from J. Crew. Super stylish and a steal at $10!


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

SALE TIME!






We were definitely "oohing" and "aahing" at the newest mark downs before we left the store tonight. Included in the list is are Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Chloe and Burberry.
Chloe and Burberry can go out the door tomorrow and the others on June 2nd. If you are thinking about buying a great designer bag at a fantastic price now is the time!


Marc Jacobs included styles:
Red leather Stam
Blue Asa crossbody
Blue Jen satchel
Purple Amber (photo does not do it justice, sides zip in for a cool shape)
Large singles (multiple and textures)
Many other totes that would fit a laptop

Jimmy Choo included styles:
Blythe
Ricki (certain colors)
Fringe hobo
Isola
Champagne Bree and Bardia

Chloe included styles:
Paddington (certain colors)
Heloise satchel (certain colors only)
Heloise hobo (certain colors only)

There are others but I am pretty beat from set up and a long day! I will post more tomorrow (if I survive) Email me if you are interested and I will get you more details!




Friday, May 21, 2010

My Jimmy Choo cherry has been popped!



I sold my first Jimmy Choo on Wednesday! My customer chose the "Bardia", a soft champagne leather bag with a beautiful microsuede lining. As a taller woman she was able to easily wear this style as it has a nice drop and the north/south shape is quite slimming. As a petite person the bag drops too low on me.

She also selected a great Michael by Michael Kors clutch in beautiful blush metallic (photo does not do the color justice). A fantastic evening bag for hot summer nights.

The Ultimate Cat Fight!


I am in LOVE with the knuckle duster clutches from McQueen! Chalk it up to the side of town where I was born but seriously they are fabulous. It makes me fantasize that I am attending a stuffy cocktail party and in a sea of penguin and canine minaudière it is clear who the coolest girl in the room is. Think of it as a functional and sophisticated weapon!

We are carrying a few styles for Fall 2010, FYI.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Discounted Louis Vuitton?

Each and every day we have at least one customer who asks "Do you carry Louis Vuitton?". My answer is always the same polite "no we don't carry Louis but we do carry Marc Jacobs". Usually a puzzled look appears on their face and I explain to them who Marc Jacobs is (as if) and that in addition to designing his own fantabulous collection he has been the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton for over a decade.

Many people are looking to buy labels. They want Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, etc. Now don't get me wrong, these are all celebrated luxury houses and produce quality products. Who am I to judge someone for wanting what they want, regardless of their motivation to obtain such an item. However, I do feel the need to step in and be the expert when a customer asks if we have Louis because she wants to see the size of a bag she saw on a discount "authorized Louis Vuitton dealer" on the internet. After asking her a few more questions this customer explained that she saw a $1400 bag on the LV web site that was listed for $750.00 on this discount site because of slight flaws in the stitching. I recommended to the customer that she call the local Louis Vuitton boutique and ask them directly about the authenticity of this internet dealer.

The bottom line? Never ever buy a discounted luxury item without doing your research first. Always check the designer's web site on where to shop for their goods. Can you imagine paying $750.00 for a fake bag? Be smart, do your research.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Purse Bling

The other day a customer was browsing through the department when I noticed her LV (Speedy 35 in Damier Azur) had just a little oomph to it. "Purse Bling" is what she called it.

In a sea of LV this little detail really made her bag stand out amongst the rest. Intrigued I did some investigation on the LV web site where they are referred to as charms and range from $300 for smaller baubles with the most expensive being $14,900 for the green spaceman in white gold. Diamond encrusted soccer balls, a yellow gold cable car and Eiffel towers. Oh my!

For those LV obsessives this is probably not something new as personalization is big business for the brand but so many of those who carry these bags may have never seen this detail.




Lavender?????!!!!!


The bags below are Michael by Michael Kors and Balenciaga.



So many bags, so little time.

In honor of my new job making handbag dreams come true, I have decided to start a blog about a lifelong obsession of mine; the handbag. My problem started my freshman year of high school in the early 90's when I had to have a Coach handbag. Sadly, the "Station" was a little out of my price range so I went with a smaller square messanger style in navy. I remember being so excited when I got that bag! A few years later I upgraded to the "Legacy" a satchel style in a chocolate brown leather with gold details. I still have both bags to this day.

My awareness of the Birkin, the Kelly, the Bouvier and the 2.55 didn't come from watching "Sex and The City" but from years of reading Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Vanity Fair. I hope you will enjoy this blog and share your favorites with me!