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Friday, March 23, 2007

Madonna for H&M

"You know that we are living in a material world/And I am a material girl..."--Madonna, Material Girl.

Hey Guys,
I'm gonna be honest. I'm not really a Madonna fan. I know for some people, I'll be labeled a blasphemer. But she's never impressed me as a person, artist, anything. So it was with a very heavy heart that I went to scope out her 'much anticipated' collection yesterday at H&M. At the end of the day I figured....fashion is fashion.

I truly, honestly thought for some reason that the store opened at 9am, so I woke up a bit early, putzed around, then hopped on the train to the H&M on 51st and 5th Avenue. When I got there, there was already a line...


...that wrapped around the corner. I clearly thought I was dealing with something of Viktor & Rolfian proportions..and decided to queue up. I quickly learned from linemates that H&M did not in fact open at nine, but at 10am. Riiight. Unfortunately for me, I was dressed in a 'ready for 60 degree weather' leather motorcycle jacket and pumps with no stockings. And yeah, it was about 40 degrees.
I decided to make the best out of it by meeting peeps and finding out why they came. This young lady...

...was such a huge Madonna fan, that she volunteered to sing any of Madonna's top ten for TV crews.
This fashionista...

...tried to play down her Madonna adoration, but after a brief conversation I'd found she'd been to Madonna concerts in New York, London, Chicago and elsewhere.
Those two stood in stark contrast to the more 'The Fashion Bomb' type readers I met.
Khaliyqu and Tamika from Harlem...

...came because they like H&M fashion and had read somewhere that Madonna would be in the house. They wanted an autograph.
Ninotchka...

...joined the fray because she saw the line and was interested in what she might find.
Not the most avid Madonna fans, let me tell you.
Yet and still, the line grew...

...and grew...

...to mammoth proportions. It seemed like forever before they opened the doors, but when they did, everyone rushed inside.

People were picking items up, but it was nothing like Viktor & Rolf. At all. There were no tussles over trench coats, no pulling on shirts. Nothing like last time. And while some women stocked up on black satin dresses, scarves, bags, and belts...


...most shopped in a very controlled manner. The crowd even seemed a tad sparse.

Although my shoppers' adrenaline was low, I looked around and managed to find some items I liked.
This black leather trench was enticing...

...but at $300, I'd rather buy it from a department store.
And this sequined dress was cute...

...but I wasn't about to spend $200 on one lonely item!
So this time around H&M was a bust. I had a feeling it would be.
If you're interested in Madonna's collection, I'm sure there are still tons of pieces. Go get yourself a turban!
Smootches!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Bold, Beautiful Bags

"I'm thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women. It's just a little bag but we'd feel naked in public without it."--Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City.
Hey Guys,
For today's post, I'm responding to a query from faithful visitor Deys, who asks the following:
I have a dilemma. I'm looking for a bag 1) I can wear to work and to a casual outing day or night and 2) does not cost a fortune, but looks like it would. Do you have any ideas?

When I read this, I immediately thought of wonderful bag advice I read about in one of my favorite 'fun' books: 'Fabulosity' by Kimora Lee Simmons.

Don't laugh. This book is fierce, funny, and has tons of good advice. You may not like Kimora, but homegirl knows the fashion industry, is doing her thing, and according to New York Magazine's 2005 article 'Who Makes How Much?', she makes a grip ($17 million per anum). How Yur' Doin'?
So on page 162 of Fabulosity, Kimora says:
"[Bags] are the easiest way to add flair to your look. If you prefer to wear jeans and black sweaters, a bright colored bag can completely elevate your look...One tip: Don't automatically go for 'safe' beige or black. A classic style in a bright color leather will look fresh and stylish for years!"

I couldn't agree more.

Baby Phat Bold Bags, Spring 2007 Collection
Deys wants a work bag that can transition from day to night that is also stylish and chic. If she's taking it to work, it has to be large enough to hold her what nots...a book, water, a wallet, ipod, cell phone, and other trifles...and bright colors, shiny finishes, or interesting hardware can seamlessly take a work bag from the office to a club in a snap. The bag also has to be in a durable material, like leather, to bear the wear and tear that bags suffer on a daily basis.
Of course we're not ballers like Kimora (later in the paragraph, she talks about how she has Hermes Birkin Bags in lavendar, hot pink ostrich, lime green crocodile, and shiny black--right), so I've compiled some super chic work ready bags...all for under $300.
Let's take a look:

Top Row: Monsac 'Coronado' Convertible Tote, $298,www.nordstrom.com; Steven by Steve Madden 'Endeavor Large' Satchel, $225, www.nordstrom.com; French Connection Jane Bag, $130, www.fcuk.com.
Middle Row: Crystalyn Kae: Metier Square Shopper, $135, www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com; Bedford Bucket Tote, $228, www.bananarepublic.com; Sigrid Olsen 'Elsa' Pebble Drawstring Bag, $198, www.nordstrom.com.
Bottomr Row: Pick-A-Dilly Satchel, $288, www.kennethcole.com; Nam Kim: Fly-By-Night Bag in Black, $235, www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com; Hobo International Convertible Strap Tote, $250, www.nordstrom.com.
They're stylish, durable, and don't cost a month's rent!
Unlike this sweet bag I'm throwing in just for fun...

Yup, that's a $1,730 Gucci Large Hobo with Horsebit Detail in delicious Chocolate Guccissima Leather with Chocolate gold trim and Light gold hardware. That's a mouthful, huh? One day when I'm a super chic fashion editor, trust me, I'll be rocking this. Can you imagine this with...anything?!?! I'm salivating.
Smootches!
PS More bag tips from Kimora:
* If you're going to invest in a bag, treat it like an heirloom from the get go. She says, "Don't take it out in the pouring rain; don't throw ballpoint pens inside (they'll leak on the precious leather); and don't stuff them with oversized items (leather will stretch)."
*"If you can only make one good bag purchase, make it either a larger tote--a 'model' bag, big enought to fit everything you need, all day long--or a classic shoulder purse that will never go out of style."
True wisdom, y'all.

PSS I totally 'did' Madge this murnin at H&M!

It was surprisingly...tame. Details plus pictures tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Walking on Air

"Mom, I will pick out my own dress. And no, I will not wear high heels. Because heels are a male invention designed to make women's butts look smaller... and to make it harder for them to run away."--Amanda Bynes as Viola, She's the Man.

Hey guys,
So, as some of my 'back in the day' readers may know, I have a debilitating, yet manageable foot affliction...called a bunion. The little sucker on my left foot has caused me many nights, days, and weekends of pain.

Said foot with Starfish, Nassau, Bahamas, ca. 2005
Anyway after dealing with this dern thing for...over a decade...I decided to finally pay a visit to a podiatrist. He promptly told me that I needed a very scary surgery that would basically have me out of commission and in an ugly boot for 8 weeks. Eek!!!
Anyway, I of course had to ask him the most important question: "Will I be able to wear heels???" He replied, "You can wear heels, but you should only wear them on special occasions. As it stands, you shouldn't wear heels for long amounts of time." Quelle horreur!
Thankfully there are lots of chic flat and wedge styles that will look perfectly cute with dresses, capris, and skirts for spring.
Claire's picks:

Clockwise from top left: Calvin Klein Gracyn Flat, $99, www.nordstrom.com; Report Blushing Flat, $64, zappos.com
Mamba Skimmers, $98, www.anthropologie.com; Rugby Skimmer, $25.50, www.alloy.com; Nine West Gain Shoe, $79, www.ninewest.com; Lindsey Shoes by Dru New York, $126, www.drunewyork.com; Jewel Skimmers, $118, www.anthropologie.com; Steve Madden Plus Shoe, $64, zappos.com
Center: Tory Burch Nappa Leather Reva Ballet Flat, $195, shopbop.com

Alright, flats are cute and all...but a girl's gotta have a little height!
Although the doctor didn't approve these wedges, in my experience wedge shoes are a lot more comfortable than sole crushing stilettos.
My selections:

Clockwise from top left: Striped Mini Wedge, $29.50, www.alloy.com; Nine West Yamaris, $79, www.nordstrom.com; Charlize Air Pump, $275, www.colehaan.com; Cork T-Strap Platform Sandal, $78, www.bananarepublic.com; Madison Harding Open Toe Canvas Wedge, $220, www.girlshop.com; Sam Edelman Indigo Wedge, $99, www.nordstrom.com; Kenneth Cole Reaction Over the Hill, $83, zappos.com
Steve Madden Ntice Pump, $125, www.nordstrom.com. Center: Goldenbleu Caitlyn Wedge, $451, shopbop.com

I threw in the Cole Haan Nike Air shoes for fun...I heard on Oprah that they were way comfortable. Maybe I'll buy a pair and try 'em out.
Anything for comfort!
Smootches!
PS Madonna's H&M collection invades stores tomorrow.

I'm still on the fence about whether or not I'm gonna participate in the melee. I'll let ya know!
PSS Get Free Shipping at Zappos!