Miss T's Purses and Shoes Blog: 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Champagne, Cupcakes, & Clutches: Shop for a Cause- ShopIntuition Invite

Great way to shop minus the guilt because 25% of the proceeds go towards breast cancer research. rsvp: info@shopintuition.com.

Can't make it out to LA? Check out the selection at http://www.shopintuition.com/ or go directly to Linea Pelle's website at www.lpcollection.com. The dustbag is pretty enough to display...or your suitcase organized- repurpose to stash your dirty knickers when traveling.

On on the subject of handbags, I was a good girl and paid off ALL my credit cards last night & submitted my expense report (took me 2 hours), wondering why the heck do I wait 3 months to turn them in?? Not any longer, especially since seeing the exquisite beauties by Linea Pelle...

Dylan Patchwork Speedy for 50% off at $212.50

or need (Freudian slip, I mean "want") a stylish tote you can schlep to work with? This is 50% too, Dylan Patchwork Tote

If you've been scolded by the chiropractor for lugging around the kitchen sink in your handbag, do him/her proud by carrying the Danielle Small Shoulder Bag for $255

***BTW, if any of you girls plan to hit up the shopintuition shop for a cause, drop me a ring or email because I may join you***

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Reaching New Heights with Studded Platforms

I've never accepted the terms of being a gal of short stature, lying to my friends and the DMV of my true height (5'3") and convincing myself that taking yoga has stretched me out to my new height of 5'4". Of course, I fantasize about being 5'8" with legs like Gisele, but alas, my daydreaming has to end... and with the help of these gorgeous platforms, I can play pretend for just a bit longer.

Fendi's T-strap Platform $770

Steven by Steve Madden Studded Strap Pump $179

Charles by Charles David "Glorious" $144.95

Friday, October 17, 2008

Looking Haute on a Budget

Whenever I come across a great site to pick up finds, I love to share it with my friends or The Enabler because why pay full price when you can get it for a song.

http://www.hautelook.com/ was started by a producer who quit her job on Fox11 News (Los Angeles) to follow her love of fashion. Her idea was to create a site where you can pick up samples (typical sample sizes run teeny-tiny) but her site will have all sizes. You need to register & can provide the name of your referrer (tdang8@gmail.com) to get access to her site. Almost daily, they will have sample sales from various designers (Splendid, Juicy Couture, Free People, Rachel Pally, etc.) and you MUST act quickly if you find something that speaks to you. The sales only last for about 24 hours, with a new designer featured every day, so if you love something, you MUST act quickly. Discounts run from "its ok, I can find it cheaper" to "why am I even thinking about it?". You cannot buy until 8am PST, so an email alerts you minutes before a sale starts and some items get sold out within 1 minute of being posted.

Tips

Check out the Arriving Soon designers

Make sure you sign up for the email alerts

8am is the exact time items go up for sale

If you are undecided, place it in your shopping cart. The item will go on HOLD until you want to buy

Be familiar with the designers sizing.

Get $10 for referring a friend that buys, so spread the word.

Rachel Pally & BCBG will be arriving soon....waiting patiently.

Check out this Free People Raggedy Ann Hoodie sweater at 50% of for $59. cute.

Giddy-Up, No Horses Required.

I was in NYC last year with my BFFs and decided to do one last shopping run with Pixie girl. NYC is full of stylish women and we spotted boots with legs attached, walking down 5th ave...she turned to me & said, "those boots are hot". I agreed with her and we began to follow this woman, determine to catch up with her to interrogate her and where she acquired her find. I detected a bit of smugness when she replied, " I got them at BCBG in the Hamptons, but they're on sale so these are probably all gone." We looked at each other & said, "I WANT THEM", so me being the tech nerd, I whipped out my Blackberry & used the Telenav GPS to track down the closest BCBG store (Madison Ave), got the directions, called the store and ......we were in luck! They were having a 75% off sale and the boots were marked down to $62.50! I got the black & distressed taupe leather ones. Oh, happy memories.

Here are some riding boots that are worth chasing for....

Got some cash to burn budget

KORS Michael Kors Eagle Boots- $440

Pour La Victoire Rebecca - $464 at Zappos

Jinny Kim Jodie Flat Boot- $443

I have money hidden in my mattress budget

Sam Edelman's Kailee- $225 from Revolve Clothing.

Stuart Weitzman Leather Riding Boot on sale at Saks $344.90

I clipped coupons to come up with extra cash budget

Madden Girl Buckle Riding Boots- $79

Dockers Artsy Boots- $46.99 at Kohls

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Tarjay Ballet Flats by Sigerson Morrison

I was reading the latest Lucky Magazine and saw these adorable flats by Sigerson Morrison for Target- $29.95. I'm heading off to Target to buy a pair. For those of you who know me, wipe off the shocked look on your faces! Yes, Miss T is finally breaking down and buying her 1st pair of ballet flats...following Obama's lead to CHANGE, the girl who would never wear flats if finally buying a pair.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Booties

I have to admit, when booties arrived back in style a few seasons ago, I thought to myself, "oh no, not the 80s agaaaaiiin" but clever marketing gurus have got me on a quest for the right bootie. Finding the right bootie could take many hours since one wrong buy will ruin a cute outfit or give you the dreaded "cankles" look. This is also a time to be super honest with yourself, if you are short like me, you want to find the booties that will lengthen instead of making your legs look stubby. To my tall friends...rock on with this look. They were meant for you!

This bootie will work for you statuesque & petite girlies...check out the Slide Side Bow - $795 from Valentino at Neiman Marcus.

If your budget is tracking with the fall of the Dow, a similar version from Victorias Secret at $279, Miss Sixty's Belted Bootie

I don't know about the rest of you but I can't drop major cash on trendy items that may not last and I already have enough guilt splurging on Louboutins. ( they are worth every penny for all the looks you get from everyone)

Steve Madden's Midory at $149.95 barely make my ATM budget price range but are worth a try since these are so adorable.

Target has teamed with Sigerson Morrison to come up with boots, flats, & pumps for about 1/10th you would pay in for their premium designer series inside a department store. Has anyone ever bought their shoes? I'm curious about the quality & comfort of the shoe....yes, living in flip flops land (Santa Monica) has ruined all those years of high heel training I've gone through since all I wear are flip flops... unless I'm out on a date with one of the Steven's or traveling on the job.

Target Sigerson Morrison Suede Bootie for $39.99

These are a great fashion buy at $59.95 by Cathy Jean Shootie

Not exactly sure what to wear to be chic instead of geek? http://www.net-a-porter.com/ is a great site to get inspired for outfits when you have either 0 creativity or its been overworked and underpaid.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fred Segal Sale- Santa Monica

50% off!!! Need I say more? Well, since I have to get the last word in...Buy 5 or more, save 2/3rd off!!

On Monday, Oct 6. the discounts are supposed to go up to 66% off and on Oct 13, save 75% off.

I cruised by during lunch and wanted to pick up clutches, candles (great hostess gift), perfumed reed diffusers, jewelry but the discounts weren't big enough and I'll wait to pick up these up in the next couple of weeks for 75% off.

Here is what I saw at Fred Segal....

Anthousa can usually be found in Nordstroms and other high end boutiques. Their scents are soft and rich, never overpowering or strong. The grand diffuser size (495mL) is $90. I can't wait til they get marked down to $22.50!

If you prefer candles,

BURN candles last 100 hours for the 4 wick versions & liquid soaps are marked down too...hopefully these won't sell out too fast. Original retail price- between $15-$55. I can't wait til these get marked downed to $13.75! I hope I don't set my house on fire....

Have Passport, Traveling Local...

I'm sure you all are thinking by now, "how many bags does this chica have?"- since we are not in a confessional booth, I will not be coming clean anytime soon.

Weekends rarely last long enough and since we only have 52 of them each year, this will help you justify dropping some coin for your getaway with the girls, boyfriend or man-friend, family, or hubby. My dear friend, Diane, gave me some good advice, "keep a bag packed in your car just in case you stay over AND make sure you bring your pretty undies too".

Its time to upgrade that gym bag or corporate logo'd bag you picked up during that last tradeshow to something that would make you want to hit the road...or the visits to your in-laws somewhat bearable. May you always be chic in your travels.

ATM- I'll Be Driving Instead of Flying to Vegas Budget

Anthropologie's Beribboned $88

or LeSportSac Large Weekender $98

or snag one from the lovely Stella McCartney for LeSportSac on sale for 75% off! $420-75%= $105. Enter promo code STELLA75

Gold- Coach or First Class...at least I'm Flying Budget!
Mulholland Brothers
These are so luxurious and will develop a patina over time, aging flawlessly and with soul ..... for only $885

Dooney & Bourke Crossword Rolling Duffel- $325

Check out http://www.toryburch.com/ for her latest weekender bags.

Quilted for $495 or Nylon Weekender for 30% at $346.50

Platinum- My Private Jet is Always on Standby Budget
Balenciaga Giant Weekender (L)- $1,995 or Weekender (R)$1,595 , check out http://www.balenciaga.com/
They make these in gorgeous, distressed colors and adorned them with either gold or silver finishes. These are on my list for Santa this year.

Masculine yet feminine at the same time, Pinstripe Travel Bag made by Brooks Brothers- $2,500

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Have Passport, Will Travel...But where do I stash it?

Ever wonder what to do with all those airline mileage cards, parking garage cards, hotel member rewards cards, passport, boarding pass, travelers cheques, and monies from around the world? Ok, well if I ever get stranded in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, or Mexico, I will have enough local currency to buy me a cab ride or a cup of coffee, but back to the subject matter. Carrying around all these cards or trying to remember to bring them with you can be rather a pain whether you travel once a year to Vegas or on a first name basis with the flight staff at Delta.

I discovered these travel wallets during my many journeys to Nordstroms and have developed a co-dependent relationship with mine. It gives me peace of mind to know that whenever I pack for a trip, I grab my travel wallet and stash it in my purse, taking comfort that I will not have to frantically search for my boarding pass later on.

BTW, these also make great gifts to your friends who want to jetset, are living on planes, or who are very, very disorganized. If you've read my Gift Giving tips, I rarely find beautiful travel wallets and am constantly on the lookout for these too since I plan to "gift" these for Christmas. I prefer buying the colorful ones because these are just plain fun and easy to spot when rifling through your bag.

Looking for the Right Features

slots for all your members rewards cards- I need, like, 100....
clear slot for your mug shot-aka "driver's license"
pocket to stash currency of different sizes & denominations. Other countries have paper bills in different sizes & colors....why we haven't adopted this is foreign to me.
more pockets for your passport & boarding passes.
Durable- because it will take a beating
Colorful- easy to spot in the bottomless black abyss of your Marc Jacobs Stella bag.
Designer Label...oops, I was on a roll.

My Fav Label:
Nordstroms brand. Priced between $60-$90. As of the time of this post, http://www.nordstroms.com/ did not have any on their site.

Other great links to pick up on travel goodies:
http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/
http://www.popdeluxe.net/saltbox-travel-wallet.html

ATM- Recessionista Budget

http://www.flight001.com/

$18. Slider Document Case