Handbags for Labor Day Weekend Festivities

Labor day weekend is next weekend, that means weddings, doesn't it? For me it does, and that means dressing up! I like that, and luckily I don't need a new dress this time, but I thought a new little bag would be nice. I like this Rafe bag, the metallic sheen is nice and can be dressed up or down. Plus, the color is very neutral, you can wear it with pretty much anything.




This Inge Christopher beaded silk bag is also gorgeous, and comes in this neutral as well as a lovely blue/green color -




They also have a little strap so you can put it on your shoulder or use it as a clutch.

This adorable clutch is such a fun color and looks way more expensive than it is (under $40!) -




It would really make your little black dress look even better, wear your gold strappy heels and you have a fantastic outfit.

Sample Sale Highlights for the Week...

Ideeli -

Monday - Calvin Klein
Tuesday - Eva Franco
Friday - Tahari


Haute Look -

Monday - Mackage for men and women (gorgeous coats!)

Gilt -

Monday - Alexander McQueen ready to wear
Tuesday - See by Chloe, Rebecca Taylor, Ali Ro, Rachel Roy
Wednesday - women's designer denim, Kate Spade
Thursday -Milly, Notte by Marchesa

Rue La La -

Tuesday - Tumi
Wednesday - James Perse for men and women, Superga sneakers (including for kids!)


Gilt Fuse -

Monday - Ettika jewelry, C+C California tees
Tuesday - DKNY Shoes
Wednesday - ABS
Thursday - Susan Farber bags


Billion Dollar Babes -

Monday - Bulga bags, here are a couple examples of the gorgeous styles they will have:

The New (CHEAPER) Premium Denim

The Wall Street Journal had an article this week about the new attempts by mall stores to create jeans that we would choose over 7's, J Brand, or any other premium brands. I can only attest to the new styles at the Gap and I have to say they are great. I bought a pair of the new skinny jeans, and although I haven't worn them out yet, I have worn them around the house and I really like them. I don't feel like i'm sacrificing anything to wear these skinny jeans instead of J Brand skinnies, and I saved more than $100. They are a good weight, have the right shape including a contoured waistband, and the butt looks great.

The one thing I don't think is right is that they claim they are the same as designer sizes now. I have to disagree, they are still a little bigger than premium brands. But, I do think a lot of people who had been sized out of Gap clothes (because they were too big) will be able to wear these.

Click here to read the article about their process.

and here to get to the gap and the other gap corp stores -

Amrita Singh Necklaces at Ideeli, Superga at Gilt Fuse

The Amrita Singh sale at Ideeli today has some GORGEOUS necklaces I haven't seen at any of the other sale sites (yes, her stuff has been around a lot lately) Click here for an invitation link.


Superga sneakers still plentiful at Gilt Fuse! I was so excited, I ordered myself a couple of pairs. I have loved those shoes since my first trip to Europe in high school.

Great Casual Fall Bag

Linea Pelle has a few things going for it, first:

Take 25% off already reduced items at Linea Pelle with code BYEBYE. Expired 8.29.2009.

which is nice, there are some really great belts for men and women on sale. But what I found really exciting:






I'm in bag love. It's simple, understated, yet it's got edge. In other words, perfection. Plus, do you see the color? It also comes in black, but this gorgeous dark purple is, well, perfection. If I wasn't planning on buying those Frye harness boots I posted a while back in dark purple, I would definitely get this for fall. It does come in black and brown though so it's still on my shopping list...and I can maintain my title as the family bag lady.

Really Fun Flats (Rafe and Marc by Marc Jacobs)

I was looking around on Endless for something interesting and found 3 pairs of flats that I thought were just adorable -

the first is great for what's left of summer, and of course any vacations you have before you wear these out NEXT summer -




Aren't they adorable? I think they would be great with knee length shorts, or skirts or jeans...so pretty much everything. Plus they are on sale, even better.

Marc Jacobs has been doing these mouse flats for a while now, but I wasn't so into them. But for some reason, I think this version is just so damn cute -





I also adore these lipstick red patent leather peep toe flats from Stuart Weitzman (also on sale) -




Those would make me want to get up and dressed in the morning.

Bonobos Band of Brothers

All of a sudden everywhere I look are these amazing looking men's pants - Bonobos.



Now, I haven't actually seen them in person but they do look great, come in cool colors and they have this program called band of brothers. That means that "if you are a public school teacher, a fireman, a public servant, a nurse, or any other profession where you've chosen to serve rather than to earn as a first priority, then you may qualify for a Bonobos Band of Brothers discount."


Sounds great to me. Just click here for the Band of Brothers page.

My Latest Earring Obsession

I was watching something slightly embarrassing this weekend, Royal Pains, yes the kind of dumb TNT show. but I loved the earrings one of the characters was wearing. I have not been able to stop thinking about them and have been hunting obsessively for them but can't find something exactly like them. They are cascading small gold circles and pink and purple stone drops. The cascading style is really fun and flirty, and the light bounces off the stones and circles of metal. The color doesn't really matter, everyone should pick depending on their own preferences, but as usual - I love pinks, purples and reds!

I found a few styles that are similar -

This first pair is from Dasha, and can be made to order with many different stones, they have a long list you can choose from. It's a great price for a custom pair of earrings, and I do think a style like this is incredibly wearable, they look great with a casual jeans and tee outfit, or with a cocktail dress.



I also like this Janna Conner design, the long wrapped crystal -


I think those are gorgeous, and would really dress up a casual outfit and a ponytail, but look just as good with your LBD.

This Week's Sample Sales

The highlights (check the sites for more details)

Gilt Group:

Monday - Designer accessories sale

Tuesday - Generra for men

Wednesday - Stella McCartney clothes, shoes and handbags

Thursday - Acne Jeans for women, Gustto bags, Alexander McQueen for men

Rue La La:

My favorite this week is on Wednesday - Catherine Malandrino

Haute Look:

Monday - Amrita Singh

Tuesday - M Missoni

Wednesday - Julie Haus

Thursday - Park Vogel, Alvin Valley

Friday - Frankie B, Burning Torch, Erica Anenberg

Gilt Fuse:

Tuesday - Faryl Robyn (love these shoes!)

Wednesday - Black Halo

Thursday - Superga shoes (yay! I want a pair of these)

Friday - Plenty by Tracy Reese and Mara Hoffman

Billion Dollar Babes:

Monday - Ella Moss and Little Ella

Wednesday - Splendid and Splendid Little

It comes in black as well -

Boots for Wide Calves (and Ankle Boots)

I did a first post on boots last week, I wanted to supplement it with boots specifically for women with wider calves. There is a lot that goes into finding the right boot, the height has to be right, as does the circumference. A few of the boots I posted for shorter calves would also work, but if a lot of regular boots are too snug for you these are great options:

This is a cute flat boot option -




This high heeled Delman boot is a classic style that would look absolutely amazing worn with jeans or your more formal professional clothes -




It comes in the gorgeous honey brown pictured above, as well as classic black.

This Delman boot has a lower heel, and a slightly narrower shaft (half an inch smaller in circumference) -




they would also look great both with casual and professional clothes.


Ankle boots are also a great trend if you really feel your calves are too wide for boots, they give you the same look as tall boots, or an even better one actually when wearing pants. I am not sold on the peep-toe bootie trend that has taken over, it only makes sense in the parts of the country where winter doesn't look much different than summer. If someone would like to make a case for them though, by all means, please send me an email.

I really like this Botkier pair (on sale!) that comes in this great black as well as grey -




A Te Casan version -

New School Bag

A friend who is a teacher asked for a little help finding a great tote for the new school year. My friend didn't specify what she wanted - canvas, leather, solid, pattern...it leaves so many options my head is spinning. I would probably go with a solid, maybe with some fun embellishments, I'm more likely to use it all year that way. And as much as I like canvas, it has it's place (my big LL Bean monogrammed bag for overnight trips) but it isn't as professional as I would like either.

I will start with this Rachel Nasvik bag, it's gorgeous leather and I LOVE the really unexpected color, but in such a professional shape/size, folders and a laptop would fit in it. It is pricey, but having bought one of her bags about a year and a half ago, I of course think it's totally worth it -

It will look gorgeous against a black coat or a khaki trench, with jeans or add a fun kick to a professional wardrobe.

If you need something a little less, um, visible, this Hobo International tote may be a good option for you, it comes in black, brown and red -

It's a great shape and size for documents, folders and a laptop. The straps are long enough to fit over the thickest of winter coats also, an important thing to think about in much of the country.


I also like this fun orange tote, the hardware makes it exciting, and the color is also unexpected, but not quite like the hot pink in the first bag above.

This great metallic bag is a nice slouchy shape, it comes in a few fun colors. It isn't real leather, great both for price and for people who don't want to buy leather. It is also big enough for all the necessities -

See anything you like?

The Denim Shirtdress

The denim dress seems to be hot these days, but the versions I'm seeing are much more fitting for high schoolers than grown women (those tight acidwashed versions, yuck), however this shirt dress looks perfect-





The dark uniform color is sophisticated, the belt defines the waist and the ruffle makes it fun! Perfect for both work and play, and it's less than $60!

7 For all Mankind Sale today!

Haute Look has 7 jeans for men and women on sale today (starting at 8 AM PST) - click here for the invitation link.

Seiko watches for men and women will also go on sale.

Adorable Fall Dress

Goldyn boutique is offering 30% off dresses these days, and this Madison Marcus dress is absolutely adorable -

Can't you just picture it with black tights and black patent pumps? Or ballet flats, in black or burgundy. Perfection!

Boots for Short Calves

This is actually a problem I have - I am short and most boots are just too high for my legs. It took me a long time, and trying on many pairs to realize that was the problem. So...I look for boots with a shorter shaft. Here are a few good options -

This first pair is an inexpensive Nine West boot with a fun detail along the leg. These would be great with a lot of different outfits -




This studded, shorter Frye boot comes in this great brown and black, it's pricy but I think its worth it for a boot you will wear for years. It can be worn with jeans or skirts for casual wear, but also once the studs and the top are covered with pants, you can wear them for business casual as well. They will look great with a wide- leg trouser.




These dark red patent Marc by Marc Jacobs boots are a gorgeous unexpected color, and a great price. These could be worn a million ways, I would probably mainly wear them with skinny jeans tucked in, but bootcut jeans can be worn outside, and trousers also for work would look gorgeous with this color. Basically what I'm saying is - buy them and wear them all the time! Don't be scared of the dark patent red, you can wear it as a neutral.