Help Me Decide: Cork Purses, Hot or Not?

I'm not sure how I did, but I found this cork and gold-flecked purse on eBay and I'm really torn over whether or not I should bid. Part of me thinks what a unique and unexpected accessory and the other part of me thinks is this some 5th grade craft project gone horribly wrong?

Help me decide, is this cork bag hot or not?!

Sample Sale Alert: Pamella Roland!

I usually shy away from those on-the-street flyer people. Thanks, but I don't need a psychic reading, and I'll try that new Panini Junction when I'm good and ready mister.

But walking through the Garment District on my lunch hour, the throngs parted, a ray of sunlight shone and I was drawn to some dude who handed me this:




If the luxurious frocks don't get you, the 70% off wholesale prices will!

What are you waiting for? Run!

Pamella Roland showroom
501 Seventh Avenue, Suite 300

This Wed, Thurs, Fri 10:00 - 6:00

Sales for the Thursday

That title is a blatant rip off, er I mean *knockoff* of Manolo the Shoe blogger speak, forgive me but he/she/it is so brilliant that if you haven't already, do yourself a favor and read it daily for a dose of wit and wisdom that will surely start your day off on a high note.

On with the show.

It's no secret that I heart Shop It To Me. This morning's picks are so fresh I had to share:



A couple of flirty looks from Nanette Lepore. Get them at Bloomies.

And keeping with the sweet and girly theme, Regent's Secret is an online retailer that sells designer goodies for up to 70% off. Today's offerings include Walter, a personal fave of mine. I normally drop some serious change at Montmartre who carries the line, so I was ecstatic to find these (among others) on sale:




The only catch is that you have to be a member to score these deals -- but you didn't think I'd just dangle this tempting little carrot in front of you only to yank it away did you? Your personal invitation can be found right here.

One Nation Ltd., Under...OMG...I Just Found My Favorite T-Shirt!

Last night two very freakish, completely out-of-character things occured.

First I discovered that Mary Kate, Nicole Ritchie, and *wince* Lindsay Lohan, are on the same style page as yours truly; specifically when it involves Nation Ltd.'s broken in tee shirts. The L.A. based company was voted #3 on Vogue's Top 10 T-Shirt list for their custom made vintage style tees. (On a side note, a. who knew this list existed and b. I'm DYING to know who stole the top two spots)

My latest Hautelook haul finally arrived and it was chock full of squishy tee goodness. The moment I slipped into their cottony-soft wares I was hooked -- so much so that if I could, I would henceforth never don another garment with zippers, buttons, or closures of any kind. I had visions of going back to Cali and bumming around Malibu with Pamela, Rachel, and Jessica sipping iced Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf tasty treats, my life on the Upper West Side, like my size 4 jeans, just a distant memory.

Regrettably, after raving about the Rio dress what I was expecting to be a peach-apricot hue actually turned out to be orange. I mean really ORANGE, like can I borrow your highlighter orange. Like, stay within the traffic cones orange. It was a disaster.

But here's where it goes all Twilight Zone.

I immediately went online to Nation Ltd's site and placed an order for another in a somewhat less exuberant shade. What's so weird about that? Well, you see, my original score rung up at a mere $54 (thank you Hautelook, but boo on you for having such yucky lighting) whereas the current retail price is $136.

Price be damned I had to make it mine. Fortunately, I wasn't too spaced out to find that if you sign up for their newsletter you receive a coupon worth 25% off! Still not as good as $54...but heck, I found a couple of sale items as well so it worked out.

Fingers crossed that the Hibiscus Pink doesn't look like congealed Pepto Bismol -- wish me luck.

Banana Republic 30% off NEW STUFF!

As previously documented my wardrobe runs the style gamut. What this usually means is retailers that offer classic, highly wearable clothes usually get pushed aside for the quirky, vintage, or just plain odd. When I heard that Banana Republic's new arrivals are being offered at 30% off I took notice -- in the midst of summer sales season I'm knee deep in bikinis when what I'm really jonesing for are long cardi's and boots.

I perused BR's site and was happy to find a few credit card worthy indulgences. Here are some highlights:



I love the understated polka dot print and retro girly appeal of this turquoise number.



This sleeveless shift dress has a 60s mod meets rocker chick vibe that is right up my alley.



A pair of oxfords is a definite Must-Have on my Fall shopping list - these are sweetly sexy.

Check out the goods now because the sale ends tomorrow!

Vanity Fair Announces Best Dressed List...

...and we couldn't agree more!

Topping the women's list:

H.R.H. CROWN PRINCESS MATHILDE OF BELGIUM
CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY, model, singer,

First Lady of France JULIA KOCH, mother of three

EVELYN LAUDER, cosmetics executive,

photographer, philanthropist KATE MIDDLETON

MICHELLE OBAMA, vice president for community and external affairs, University of Chicago Hospitals (on leave)

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, actor, producer, entrepreneur

TILDA SWINTON, actor

DIANA TAYLOR, managing director, Wolfensohn & Co.; chairperson of the Hudson River Park Trust; New York City¹s de facto First Lady

IVANKA TRUMP, vice president of development and acquisitions, the Trump Organization; president, Ivanka Trump Jewelry



My personal faves from this list are Tilda Swinton, Ivanka Trump, and most of all, Michelle Obama who has single handedly brought style back to Washington D.C.

Agree? Disagree? Comments encouraged!

Read about the rest of the winners here.

Mischa Barton Launches Retro Boho Handbags for Asos

(photo from Superficial Diva.com)

Mischa Barton gets a lot of flack for her style mis-steps so my expectations for the handbag collection she did exclusively for Asos weren't very high. In the photo above, she embodies her muses Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull to the tee, but in my opinion her collection contains more "misses" than hits for sure.

Here are a couple that don't suck:

Retro bohemian babes can get their fix here.

FRINGE: Trends Report: Totally Stranded

When Etro, Balmain, and Pucci sent fringe-clad models shimmying down the Spring 2008 runway, we were delighted. When those same sassy strands showed up for Fall 2008, we knew the trend couldn’t be ignored. Though it may sound crazy, the trend is actually timeless because it spans many different styles and eras. Chances are you already own something that you can rotate into your wardrobe mix, but if not, here are some ideas.

Dapper Flapper. Relive the glamorous exuberance of the Jazz Age in a slim fitting fringe covered frock. The boxy shape is just perfect for Straight and Soft-Straight Bodylines. If you are more Curved, look for a style that has a higher empire waist with tassels on the hem to accentuate your every move. Flapper style dresses are typically short so you can wear them now with a cute pair of sandals or in the colder months with opaque tights and booties for a contemporary look.

Dixie Chick. Channel western chic with the original sweetheart of the rodeo Dale Evans as your muse. Look for subtle fringe trim on a feminine blouse, a flirty skirt, scarf, or handbag. For a more cowgirl look, you could pair a fringed jacket with jeans…just don’t overdue the home-on-the-range accoutrements or you’ll look like the hostess of a theme restaurant.

Haute Hippie. Lisa Bonet, Stevie Nicks, Pamela Anderson they’ve all rocked the fringe like nobody’s business. Though what normally leaps to mind with the boho look is suede and beaded fringe, we like the idea of details that are decidedly more glam; i.e., an ornate piece of jewelry with cascading strands, or an antique shawl with intricate embroidery and long flowing tassels that drape captivatingly over your body’s curves.

Antik Batik Juddy Small Bag ShopBop	Mini Flapper Black Iridescent Dress Unique Vintage	Antique 1920s Peach Embroidered Silk Fringe Piano Shawl Etsy
Minnetonka Fringe Boot with Beads Nordstrom	Susan Thornton Waterfall Brooch Etsy	Black Fringe Suede Jacket PFI Western

What I Love This Morning: Cross Body Bags

A spur of the moment jaunt to the Green Flea this weekend made it painfully obvious that the most valuable accessory in a stylish girl's ensemble is not a flawless shade of lip gloss or the perfect gladiator sandal -- it's the right bag.

In order to dig through tempting piles of goodies or jockey your way through crowded shopping stalls you need a carry-all that doesn't fall over, weigh a ton, or tackle unsuspecting shoppers at every turn. I learned this the hard way when I nearly dumped the entire contents of my over-sized tote into a box full of vintage purses.

Since even the name "fanny pack" makes me want to cringe, I scoured the web for bags that met three all-important criteria. It has to be slim, it has to be light, and it has to look good.

Here's what I came up with:

Classic, sleek...timeless. Get it online here.

There's something indescribably stylish about the cream colored leather and tortoise shell embellishment. By B. Makowsky at Endless.

And an utterly cool vintage Oroton bag that's a personal fave thanks to it's rich color and camera-style shape it is the very embodiment of utilitarian chic. I'm selling it on eBay.

Sample Sale Alert: La Perla

Some unmentionables are worth talking about -- at 75% off you can get yourself something lacey and still have money left over to set the mood with Diptyque

Sale details:

July 29 - 31
10 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
93 Greene Street, between Prince & Spring
803 Madison Avenue, between 67th & 68th
425 West 14th Street, between 9th & 10th


Ah, love is in the air.

Bottega Veneta Crocodile Purse -- You Must See This eBay Auction

Rarely does an eBay auction completely blow my mind but this one for a custom made Bottega Veneta bag succeeded. I looove this label, their leather goods are so exquisite. Not sure if it's the lackluster photography but this bag doesn't really do it for me like other BVs have.

If money were no object would you bid on this? The current bid is $6500 so if you've got the cabbage, check it out here.

Can We Talk Project Runway?

I've only recently caught the PR bug but I wanted to post a few quick observations and open up the floor for discussion.

Though it wasn't my favorite look of the night, I didn't think Korto's gold dress was so bad. Allow me to illustrate:

I think it was Mr. Kors who made some snarky comment that involved wings...I can't remember...but regardless I thought the concept looked vaguely familiar, so:

Voila, from Prada's Fall 2008 runway collection. C'mon people, if she's sharing Miuccia's design aesthetic, Korto's all right by me.

And on to supa-stah Christian Siriano.

I really dug his Marchesa style ruffly concoctions at Bryant Park so I had high expectations for his Bluefly collection. Sadly, it leaves something to be desired. It's a bi-polar mix of stuff that's either blah or bang, pow, zoom! and honestly:

1) I don't attend many over-the-top occasions where such things are appropriate, and

2) if I buy a $96 t-shirt it better make me look 10 lbs. thinner and wash itself.

But I'm not going to dis the whole thing because if I HAD to pick one thing it would be:

A wee bit spendy at nearly $600 but if the style fairy suddenly bestowed it upon me I wouldn't object.

New York Street Beat: Style Cult

We’re not sure if it’s the incessant heat wave or if we just didn’t get the memo, but pixie cuts are de rigueur on City streets. Behold these gamines channeling such lovelies like Halle Berry, Mia Farrow, Audrey Hepburn, and Rihanna – they’re like a deliciously stylish cult that we want so badly to be a part of.

A buzz cut is tough to pull off, but Eve (bottom right) does so flawlessly in a girly embroidered tunic and red Wayfarers, she’s the height of hipster cool. Amy (top right) and Lena (bottom left) keep their looks simple and chic without any competing accessories, their mop tops take center stage. Miyako and Kalla (top left) flaunt their street cred with a vintage hat and killer shades.

(photos courtesy of wunderbloc.com)

Warren Tricomi Pomade Dermstore

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Kit Ulta

Jonathan Dirt Texturizing Paste Beauty.com

Golden Girl: Rihanna

(photo: Just Jared)

Rihanna is a rare bird. What I mean by this is she's a member of the young Hollywood elite -- and surprisingly, her style doesn't make me want to hurl (Lindsay, Paris, Heidi: I'm talking to you ladies, and I use that term loosely).

Just take a look at her loveliness above...the makeup, hair, dress, and don't even get me started on those fab necklaces...she just glows. Of course RiRi could make a Hefty trash bag look like couture but I'm willing to bet many of you can pull off an equally sexy look.

These two might do the trick, plus they're both on sale at the moment:



Fluid liquid gold by Vivienne Tam. Get it at DJ Premium.



From the eternally flirty Betsey Johnson. Get it at Bluefly.

Put on quite a show in either of these numbers and get ready to take a bow.

What I'm Coveting For Fall: YSL

Lest you think I’m all about pretty florals and patchouli, I wanted to make abundantly clear that my breezy caftan choices du jour are merely fleeting dalliances meant to relive the carefree School's Out vibe of my youth.

Come autumn I’m back to my old tricks. Naturally the season’s Goth inspired alterna-girl looks have got me jonesing for a few necessary wardrobe updates (and the Mega Millions jackpot to facilitate said updates).

Enter Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall Runway:

Oh Stefano, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Which designer collection is your pick for Fall?

Sales for Thursday Morning.

Because I'd like to start this dreary Thursday morning on a positive note, check out these sales:




Polkadots & Moonbeams is a cute boutique I used to shop at when I lived in Los Angeles. They tend toward the retro and girlicious (oh no I didn't just use that word did I? yikes!) so vintage vixens should check them out here.



Goodies as much as 70% off...who couldn't use a little luxury every know and then? Shop here.



Hands down, J. Crew makes the best basics. Their superb slim fitting tees are now $14.99 less an additional 20% with the code extra20. I just scored a totally cute pair of John Varvatos for Converse kicks for $23 - I can't hardly wait to get them! Check it out here.



And make every day feel like Christmas morning with Shop It To Me. I can't tell you how many fab things I've scored through this service...well I could, but my hubby wouldn't approve so let's just say this is our little secret, k?

Anyhoo, it works like this: shoppers select their favorite designers and brands and then get emailed daily or weekly whenever those goodies go on sale. Brilliant! Sign up here.

Mod Style: The Kids Are Still Alright

I caught the last few minutes of VH1’s Rock Honors a few nights ago and was psyched to see it featured one of my all time fave bands The Who, who IMHO, have never gotten the props they’ve deserved for their contributions to popular music. Seriously, they were punk when Joe Strummer was still in his diapers…but this is a style blog so I'll stop here before I go off on a tangent.

They were also part of the style vanguard first; donning cutting edge attire that embodied the mod aesthetic of the early 1960s, and later rocking the whole 70s love child thing before Lenny Kravitz was even born. Don’t believe me? Add their brilliant movies The Kids Are Alright and Quadrophenia on your Netflix queue for a dose of fashion inspiration (and some bloody good music).

I dug up a few photos of them to pay my own sartorial tribute, along with some sources to nab their look.

I love these Ben Sherman looks:

Or what about these part girly/part preppy/part punk bits:

(from L-R: J. Crew, TopShop, Tripp)

And I like the clean lines of these pieces:

(from L-R: J. Crew, Rag & Bone, Billy Kirk)

Find them at: Ben Sherman, J. Crew, Topshop, Hot Topic, Shop Jake, and Billy Kirk.