Proenza Schouler 24hr Purse Pre-Sale – The Real Deal: Is IT … a deal?

by Ella Meade on February 18th, 2010, 12am EST
http://pursedlips.net/sj3a0 ()

In a buzz-causing move, Proenza Schouler is feeding on that epidemic affliction still feverishly “haute” today in despite economic changes: the desire for instant gratification. Bagistas and fashionistas who crave the newest and hautest may be unable to resist the retail tactic PS implemented today—for just one day. A bag from their upcoming Fall line went on sale immediately after that fashion show closed, and will remain on sale for 24 hours.

However read the plain print on the listing pages: “Ships July 30th”. Sure it’s no secret, but is it even any real deal?

Also note this timed offer is no auction, and the purse sells at, of course, full retail for $1,850.

The style’s a bit like a classic school satchel but with modern hardware. Cute, sure – but IT-covetable? We say, not without carrying it next week!

For those who are interested regardless, customers have two seen-on-the-runway choices in the “PS11 Small”: black or “saddle” brown. Check them out at proenzaschouler.com.

What do you think: genius, evil genius, or dumb move?

Catch all the Autumn/Winter 2010 bags in the Proenza Schouler video after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Topics: Fashion / Style, Fashon Business & Blogging, Handbags, It or $h-t?, It! Style, Shopping , Subtopics: Bag Queens

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No Newsflash Here: It’s No One’s Job to Tell You What to Buy

by Ella Meade on February 9th, 2010, 6pm EST
http://pursedlips.net/dl6ye ()

Magazines are not Bibles.

When it’s comes to voicing my opinion against old-fashioned or status quo thinking, I kind of am never done and can hardly reign myself in. I have something else to add in response to things people (here: a magazine professional) have been saying relating to the immature/amateur/style-star fight turned entire war of the fashion classes (Bloggers vs. Editors).

This quote by Anne Slowey, Fashion News Director for Elle, from a December article on The Cut was resurfaced on Stylist yesterday,

“People in fashion are constantly looking for the next unique boundary-pushing extreme thing to get excited about, but, you know, it’s like outsider art. What am I getting out of a 13-year-old’s opinion about fashion? How does that help me distill the collections? What am I supposed to be buying? That’s what an editor’s job at a magazine is.”

Uhh.. no.

I don’t even want to put magazine staff out of their other-tasks-of-that-job but… to them, fashion fans and all consumers,  I will answer her above posed questions.

1. Entertainment?
2. It’s not supposed to? Who even cares? Just do it, you’re supposed to be a pro, and as for the rest of us, we can do it on our own too! It’s art, it’s personal!
3. What you like as long as it looks good on you!
4. No. it. is. not.

And as it pertains to retail buyers, perhaps the magazines do help but what would help more would be turning to actual or potential customers’ opinion – and aren’t those often fashion bloggers? Isn’t that one great thing that should come from the blogging phenomenon?

Magazine staffers, you give a great service, but it’s also in entertainment. I’m never going to use your pages as shopping lists for my Spring wardrobe.

Although I do read a lot more blogs and they can inspire me. Something to think about.

Topics: Fashion / Style, Fashion Industry & Modeling, Fashon Business & Blogging, Shopping
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Back to School Shopping: Starts!
Shoes.com %-off Coupon

by Ella Meade on August 5th, 2009, 9am EST
http://pursedlips.net/m6yoh ()

If you’re shopping for kid’s shoes for the upcoming school year, you know you need to save for those growing feet. And if you’re a college student, you now you need to both save and look “cool”. We have a coupon to save 15% off of shoes.com: “BTSSHOES09

Topics: Fashion Accessories, Shopping
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“Product” Photo Essay: Inspiration Bleeds from Twilight

by Ella Meade on August 4th, 2009, 9am EST
http://pursedlips.net/l5vub ()

Above are products either actually related to the Twilight film(s) and novels, items that might appeal to fans, similar items from inspired products, or merely seemingly-unrelated wares that have become all-too related. (Including that sports fan t-shirt ["Team", geti t?].)

Scroll to the right to view more pages. Inspire thought? Leave a coment!

For more on the inspiration of this post, and how I gathered the theme to find these goods, read my article “Twilight Apparel a la Nordstrom more Teenybopper than Vampire“.

Topics: Fashion / Style, Shopping
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Twilight Apparel a la Nordstrom More Teenybopper than Vampire

by Ella Meade on August 3rd, 2009, 1pm EST
http://pursedlips.net/3hypk ()

@ First Look: The Twilight inspired line coming to Nordstrom would fit in more at Delia’s than with the store’s mid-range/upscale image. Sadly, it’s also too alone suited to the megahit’s wild youthful fan base than anything more in tune with vampires or older admirers of the film and genre.

“Team” Tees Preview:

Right before and after the original film debuted, “Twilight” was also what a vamp-y trend-merely-film-inspired was called amongst the do-it-themselves fashion creators. Etsy.com was filled with Victorian-era inspired beauties like frilly wrist cuffs and luxe oldschool gothic jewelry (Read: no Hot Topic).

Example products from Fall 2008 by Little Sparrow Nest and Talula. Click images to view their respective shops.

But just like that keyword was thrown about, Sparkly Vampire mania has hit, and punched, and bitten  – extremely hard. Now the “underground” beings inspire further “Tra L.A. L.A. Land” carefree attitudes with this oh-so Junior’s style.

The “glitter” from Hollywood glitz is spreading. Aside from the Nordstrom Junior’s Department styles, the most recent evolution of this living trend has surfaced online from former-or-semistill-undergrounds, the indies…

Example Etsy.com clothing “Twilight” search

Another sad(ish) truth of today is that the movie-fangirlishness has brought graphic tees to Etsy as well, not that that’s entirely bad and the items & slogans are not bad – or, beauty being in the eye of the beholder, at least they’re not of popular-teenshop aesthetic. Fortunately, a lot of the designs are pretty dark – a stark contrast to this mass market promotion-in-sheep’s-cotton-clothing at the department store.

At least we can help show fans that they have choices.

If your fashion style has a sweet tooth for notebook-doodles over Edward Cullen, by all means, shop mainstream.

If you crave something just a little more juicy or bittersweet, then do check out Etsy or other indie venues/shops. You can probably even do some hunting and find some “vamp” items, still.

Topics: Fashion / Style, It or $h-t?, Shopping
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Going, Going, Is it Yet Gone?! FAB Cross-Body Bag

by Ella Meade on July 30th, 2009, 11am EST
http://pursedlips.net/hscil ()

Treesje Jovi Cross-Body

$368.00 by Treesje at Endless.com

Treesje’s Jovi is the bag equivalent of a favorite concert tee. The softly sculpted leather has a slightly worn-in look that demonstrates you’ve been rocking it forever, while the bold hardware shows that you’ve got more than enough retro-modern edge. The long cross-body strap makes for secure, hands-free wearing. (Leather)

*Update* Chrome is back in stock!

Swoon!

So fab! For a cross-body, so fabbing unfindably fab! I need this, but I need the cash. To add insult to misery, from that description it sounds like something I would put out myself in my own line. *Whine*

So fab and so selling out! Go ahead, steal this from me. But hurry.

Topics: Handbags, It! Style, Shopping
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New Quirky Limited Line from Forever 21: Twist presents Cirque 21 – What to Buy, How to Wear

by Ella Meade on July 30th, 2009, 11am EST
http://pursedlips.net/gew7g ()

FOREVER 21 TWIST presents CIRQUE 21

I’m confused. There are too many names n there. Maybe I’m just too tired.

But the story is: trendy discount fashion shop, Forever21, debuted a new collection yesterday. It’s apparently limited, but perhaps that’s a good thing, since the styles are pretty quirky. But actually, a big part of me loves a lot of this stuff.

Perhaps a response to crazy rock star style. With its multiple names, that’s certainly fitting. (Is this 80s junctioned-a-posed-with petticoats “rock” style in now? I must be so naturally trendy as I’ve been feeling it for a while for sure, not to “Lady” GaGa extremes, but something much more like this Forever21 range, what kismet.) Like the ballet-inspired skirts and fingerless gloves my imaginary-rockstar-alter-ego would love for the stage. But since I’m in fashion, and want to dress for these jobs I want, how to fit the zanier pieces into my (or your) style?

To be fair, a lot of these items – on their own – are the ever present taste-of-fashionista always at Forever 21 – but some others, need some working into our wardrobe.

What we should do is pick and choose, when in real life. And not just by putting only 1 piece in 1 ensemble, but shop scrutinously and think things over before you press that final purchase button. So recessionista, too.

And it’s the affordability of Forever 21! So for that and the exclusive, limited quantities – don’t forget that! – I think I must go for it!

Not to be impulsive, but I think some of this is just a fun part of me that I could otherwise just skip and personally I don’t want to miss out on broadening to all of my fantasy styles. Also since I might be impuslive often, and I am so tired, too much to use that discerning shopping eye, I will sleep on it.

Actually due to the recession, I should wait ’til my next paycheck tomorrow (and not just after nap) in order to fill my cart up right. I hope quantities last! (What? Some things are unavailable already. Actually, even yeterday. Eep!)

Or maybe I’m crazy and will wake up – saner with clearer eyes. Hm.*

*I drafted parts of this yesterday. And the stuff’s even cuter today! Oh and I need a lot more from the rest of the Forever 21 range. Budget-planning time!

Topics: Fashion / Style, Shopping
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Shoo Shopping? Shoe-In Club by Kim Kardashian (UPDATE)

by Ella Meade on July 14th, 2009, 9pm EST
http://pursedlips.net/3pczo ()

*Update* 7/15/09 (Originally 3/23/09) I’ve seen a lot of Google searches* and website questions about criticism or complaints about ShoeDazzle – and so far I read some say the shoes are not attractive to members, and may be cheap either for the cost or in keeping with the $39 per pair price.

Kim Kardashian, with a team of “fellow” stylists have started the company ShoeDazzle.com. It’s literally, literally a pair of shoes of the month club, and for only $39 monthly for fabulous shoes, with any month skippable.

Weird? Yeah. Kim Kardashian, stylist, CEO – weird? Yeah. The concept is intriguing though, and it just might work well. I’d like to hear reviews (or get a little free membership to review!).

The process starts with a free and fun quiz, but one must register to see results. The stylists see them too and hand-pick (for now at least) personalized selections. My worry would definitely be comfort and a desire for flats and wedges amongst a sea of killer heels. Heck, I’m starting to alter/make my own shoes – starting with a wedding I’m attending. But I digress.

Another worry we’d all have is what brands, what designers?! The only one quoted is Michael Antonio.

Hmmm. I’m just going to have to review him, that’s all.

The bottom line is that any shoe that will fly with fashionistas will cost more than the $39 monthly fee. And in this recession that actually sounds affordable for those who have any spending money. One way it could help budgeting is that the ladies are not shopping, browsing, on Zappos.com… Not tempted to spend even more. It’s almost saving!

Still for now this is in the questionable category, however at least the service seems totally risk-free with returns, cancellations, skipping months, etc.

Unless I were really brave, I’d wait and see.

View a preview gallery below!

*I wanted to post an update to this, because it’s become a popular page. I want to promote it because it’s moved and is causing a 404 from direct links, so I didn’t want to without more info.

Topics: Fashion / Style, Fashion Accessories, Shopping
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Breaking Handbag News: Possible Bridal Bag, Possibly Sassy?

by Ella Meade on June 16th, 2009, 4pm EST
http://pursedlips.net/3dsru ()

Rebecca Minkoff tweeted that she’s in Italy for her wedding tomorrow. And she’s planning to celebrate her newlywed status by introducing a collection titled, “I Do”.

By then, she will have *did*, and congrats!

Topics: Handbags, Shopping
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Carols of the Blogs: Spend the Dough!

by Ella Meade on December 6th, 2005, 9pm EST
http://pursedlips.net/sgang ()

This is the second edition of the Carols of the Blogs:

Oh, the halls in the mall are frightful,
But the gifts are so delightful.
I’ve got a better place to go,
To spend the dough, spend the dough, spend the dough!

The Internet’s the place for shopping,
And there’s no need to do it ’til dropping.
The same sales are there, the prices are low!
So spend the dough, spend the dough, spend the dough!

When mid-month finally arrives,
How you’ll hate going out in the storm!
Warm, online you can shop all night,
And by the Eve, guaranteed, it will come!

For presents, the children are crying,
And the wife urges you, “more buying!”
So, as long as you love them so,
Spend the dough, spend the dough, spend the dough!

- – - – - – - -

I’m also singing “Let it Snow … Day!” Oh, my! all the work I have! I could use the break. And I just adore the “white stuff.”

At least I have most of my Holiday Shopping finished (do you?). And this tough semester’s coming to a close, shortly, but that far from means it’s “winding down.” This is going to be *frightful*, in its own way, and I’ll be quite busy! But I’m trying! See you!

Topics: Shopping
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