Price Check Please! - Kenneth Cole Weekend Sale

It's very hard to restrain myself from spending money when my hobby is finding deals. I would love to do some serious shopping on the Kenneth Cole Online shop because there's an additional 30% off select sale items this weekend. So 65% off plus another 30% on some clearance items equal a great deal.

Grey Penny Loafer Pump: $215.00 $34.97

Gold Textured Ring: $35.00 $13.99

"Blind Date": $160.00 $48.98

100% Wool Sweater Dress: $158.00 $27.98

Flap Down Handbag: $288.00 $69.99


How cute is this?

Key Chain Boot: $25.00 $6.98

Since the sale's from Friday 12:00 AM- just an hour ago, head over there ASAP before everything good is gone!

The Real vs. Fake Dilemma

Every so often when I go out with friends, I'd lean over to my best friend, point to a woman carrying a Louis Vuitton Speedy, and say "God, that is sooo fake- it's definitely not made in one piece." My friend swivels her head to look and then we share a knowing glance. I know, we're brutal, but I honestly don't understand why women buy bags that are obvious knockoffs.



That is until I saw this Balenciaga knockoff from Bauhaus. If you've read my previous posts, you would have noticed my ongoing obsession with the Balenciaga bag. Unfortunately, I just can't justify buying a thousand dollars purse no matter how gorgeous. It just makes my heart stop to see this replica cost only $25. I really want it when it's so reasonably priced. Sure, any fashionista or Balenciaga follower can tell it isn't real, but it's still slouchy, studded perfection. Sure it may not be real leather, but I've been to Neiman Marcus and felt up the bag and the real thing isn't buttery soft either.

In the battle between real vs. fake, my lust for Balenciaga-esque bag is winning. But women carrying faux status symbols still rubs me the wrong way- because it makes no sense to buy something that screams 'I have money,' but when people look closely, it really screams 'I don't have money.' I think I might buy the knockoff anyway but only carry it around friends who don't know what's Balenciaga and therefore not know it's a knockoff.

Chanel Assessories F/W 09

Practical yet not practical at the same time... pseudopractical? Regardless, I kind of love it. I like the idea of having a Chanel 2.55 inside a clear briefcase-like Chanel bag. You can carry it to the office and have fellow pedestrians gawk (but enviously) at all that Chanel. Once you get to the office, you can open it up like a briefcase, touch up your makeup, plug your ipod into the computer, and start your workday completely fabulous. And everything's completely organized so you don't have to rumage. On the other hand, it may just be some fancy packaging contrived by Lagerfeld. Whatever it is, it's working because I want it.




Images: NyMag.com, Style.com

Mini Me Bags

Every so often you see a women carrying a gorgeous bag. She's right in front of you, paying for her coffee when she pull out her wallet. The wallet is a miniature version of her gorgeous bag. I could just die and go to fashion heaven. I love when signature bags have it's perfect pair with the same details and in the same color.





Chloe Paddington: Handbag, Wallet
The Chloe Paddington is such a unique bag and now it comes with a unique wallet. The mini lock is just too cute.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Posh Turnlock: Wallet, Handbag Sometimes a happy yellow handbag needs a happy yellow companion.


Balenciaga Arena: Handbag, Wallet
Of course the bag I constantly lust for has a complementary wallet in several styles actually. I kinda wish there are more tassles on the wallet, just to make it totally Balenciaga. And maybe not in burnt orange.

Prada Tessuto Pietre: Wallet, Tote The handbag/wallet combo of choice for classy women with lots money to blow.


Miu Miu Matellasse: Tote, Clutch
I can totally see someone using the tote for work and then taking out the clutch for cocktails. Whether at work or at a bar, the Matellasse will certainly garner some jealous stares.

Actually almost all of these bags are in the $1,000 range, so for us poor people the wallet may be a cheaper way of owning a iconic bag.

Goodwill Find

A lot of blogger style icons like Rumi and Susie Bubble, who like incorporating vintage, find some of their most memorable pieces at Goodwill stores. Because of them, I've always wanted to try my hand at scouring mounds of toss-aways for that one great vintage find. On a Sunday afternoon, I was having lunch with some friends at a Chinese buffet. It was my first time at the restaurant and in that part of town. While driving there, I noticed a Goodwill store. So after lunch, I was happy and satiated and decided to check out the Goodwill store.

The space was not very large but crammed with donated items. The first thing I check out was the dresses. I was looking for cute, fun, and obviously vintage. Instead I found oversized, polyester muumuus that look like they were bought in the bargain bin of some department store. Feeling disappointed with the dress selection even though there was so much stuff, I kind of just wandered around looking at the shoes and home section. Not feeling too enthused, I took a look at the skirts. Amazingly I found a cute JCrew skirt in my size, for $3.50. Not bad, I nodded my head. Off my bargain-finding high, I browsed around some more but didn't really find anything else I wanted to try. Just as I was about to checkout, I found some purses placed at the end of clothing racks that were separate from the purse section. Among them was a Chanel-like Bloomingdale's purse that was just divine. It had lovely gold hardware and quilted detailing, and was in good condition. Cost: Two Dollars. I can honestly say that was the best bargain I've ever found. I don't even care if it turns out to be a knockoff, I take pride that it was a $2 purse.

Photographed with my roommate's Talbot shoes because they matched.

Close up

A Look At Prada Bags and Shoes

When it comes to bags and shoes, no one sets the trend quite like Miuccia Prada. As soon as the runway is over, underground manufacturers are trying to knock off the bags. Lets be honest, women love their Pradas. Next to the LV monogram, the triangle Prada plaque is the ultimate status symbol a woman can carry around her arm.

This year's collection was ... different. Much more severe- deep v cuts, lux materials, but fewer bells and whistles and strangely utilitarian.

Bags

The bag collection was more conservative. I can see a lot of working ladies carrying around the tote next fall. It didn't really show a new 'it' bag. Instead it focused on more classic shapes but in luxury materials- in this case, croc, velvet and fur. Not bad but not terribly interesting. I wasn't struck with intense window-shopping lust like I was for the SS08 Faerie collection.

Shoes

I can't say I'm a big fan of the shoes. In fact, I think they are rather hideous. The 1st pump is okay but only redeemed by the animal skin print. It looks a cross between 'school marm' and mountain climbing shoes. The ones that were all black looked even more so. At least no models fell or had to take off their heels. On the opposite end of austerity, there were pumps that looked like armored birds of paradise.

What do you think? Any resemblance?


And then there were these... which I dub 'leather wellies.' They are not fitted around the calves and worn with thick wool sock and a strap tied around the leg?? I'm confused Miuccia.


She also had uber tall versions of the 'leather wellie' which was strapped to the belt. Again, more question marks. Maybe Miuccia expects next fall to be very rainy because these boots certainly won't let water in. I'm going to restate my opening opinion that the collection was 'bizarrely utilitarian.'

Hot Item: Grey Satchels

As the weather's starting to get nice and warm, the birds are starting to chirping at 4 in the god damn morning and my nose is itchy and runny because of allergies.　Oh and lest I forget, I'll be having many, many midterms and papers in the next few weeks, because the beginning of Spring is concurrent with the middle of the semester. The only thing I look forward to this time of year is wearing bright girly frocks and ruffled skirts. Lately my friends say I've been wearing too much black- but that's because most of my outerwear, my boots, and Ninewest tote are black! Once it's spring I can ditch my wool coat and dress in vibrant hues. To go with my bright Spring wardrobe, I'm looking into a grey satchel that would match anything and everything, as well as lend chicness and sophistication to any outfit.

Kale Palmer in Cement- $795.00
I really love the rotund shape and studs on the handles, that give a devil-may-care nonchalance.

Spiegel Patent Tote Bag- $69.00
More like a structured bowling bag, the Spiegel bag would work well contrasted with a flowy dress.

Zagliani Crocodile Puffy Satchel - $11,800.00
I died looking at the price tag，but grey and cocodile make a nice combination.

West/Feren Hudson Bag in Stone- $565.00
The hardware and utilitarian boxy shape reminds me of the Proenza Schouler PS1 collection, but a little more elegant.

Treesje Avalon II Mini Grey Patent - $595.00
From the first time I spotted this bag on Lucky Mag, I was struck by the use of pleats on this handbag.


Matt & Nat Portishead in Grey- $179.99
Not only does this bag has rock and roll style, but it's also made from 100% vegan leather. Feel good that there was no pain and suffering involved in the making Matt & Nat bags.


Miu Miu Matelasse Satchel in Smoke- $1,550.00
Absolute perfection. The unusual texture seems so organic, like tree bark. It would look beautiful paired with Rodarte's equally scrunched fabric, organic-inspired dresses for Fall 2009.

Helena de Natalio Leti Bag - $356.00
Nothing looks more body-hugging, slouchy perfection than this beautiful-in-its-simplicity Helena hobo.



Guess Demi Hobo in Grey- $118.00
Guess Large Demi Hobo in Grey- $135.00
Guess does Art-Deco, which I love.

Banana Republic Bridgeport tote in Dust- $260.00
BR always carries a line of eye-catching work totes. I especially love how the handles are attached at the side on this bag.

Deal of the Day: Target Travel Totes

Have you guys seen these? I haven't been on the Target website since getting my Thakoon cardigan so I haven't noticed these adorable totes until now. The best part is that they are 50% off so you can get a travel worthy tote for only $6.49. I can already see them stuffed with beach supplies.

Ruffle Bags

Boxy monocolored Birkins are all business but when you want to bring out your flirty romantic side, try a ruffle handbag. Designers YSL, Prada, and Valentino have combined quintessentially girly ruffles with a girl’s best accessory, the handbag. These beautiful bags are sure to be noticed and get you noticed. White House Black Market has a dainty version that would be lovely paired with a sleek dress and Urban Minx’s vibrant purple is hip with dark jeans.

White House Black Market Ruffle Evening Bag

Valentino Volants Ruffled Clutch: $1,395.00

Valentino Allure Framed Satchel: $2,495.00

Prada Nappa a Hobo

Steve Madden Bruffle: $78

Urban Minx Silk Ruffle Bag: $196

YSL Muse Clutch: $1,995

Aldo EuroStac: $40

Thakoon- Finally!

I haven't been this excited over a Target Go International collection since... probably Erin Fetherston. Okay, Richard Chai got me pretty excited too, but the other collections of late have been unimpressive. Now Thakoon on the other hand is a pattern mixer master. The green plaid-ish dress from F/W 08 is divine and I've been spotting it everywhere. And Michelle Obama wore his dress during Barack's acceptance of Democratic nomination speech.

So I'm a day late heading over to Target but this is what I find in Thakoon's collection. I love the Shibori print in white and navy. The cardigan is a winner, I just know it. Whether it'll still be available in my size months later at 50% off is questionable.

$32.99

There's also this purple trench coat that looks almost like a Pollick painting from far away. It would look great with a grey scarf, black tights, and patent leather boots.

$44.99

Thakoon's Shibori dress is also worth taking a look at. The image provided on the target site (right) was not that flattering, but when it's umbuttoned and tied around the waist, it's très chic.

$39.99

While over at Target, I couldn't resist taking a look at Hayden-Harnett's collection as well. I was initially put off by the ad on Vogue because I hated the square-formed-from-four-triangles hardware on some of the bags. However, once taking a look at the entire collection, I'm actually impressed. I love the stud work on these clutches and bags.

Clutch: $19.99 Handbag: $44.99

I also think this patterned bag is a great piece for fall (although it's already winter!). Pair it with the same color brown riding boots and you've got your fall look.

$49.99