Get In-Vested

The last half a year I have been engaged in an obsessive search for an item seen all over the runways and glossy prints- the vest. We have seen them in every fabric and style- from sexy body hugging to casually loose, rocker tough to pinstripe conservative, urban to posh, basic cotton to fur-lined suede. And, if you look in the right places, the right one for you does not have to be a major financial investment, lol.

Here is my version- surprise, it was from that megaplex Swedish import of affordable trends, H&M. At last visit, H&M had more than a rackfull of cuts and colors- at budget friendly price points of around $24.95. Proof positive that I can mix it up chic and cheap with the best of the fashion rags.

Fall Wish List

As I boil and baste in this week's humid heat wave, I dream of cooler weather. Here are just a few of my autumn fancies, gleaned from sources 'round the world.







And of course, the shoes.....

Early Birds Just Lose Sleep

If the early bird gets the worm, I am forever doomed to starvation. Can I help it if my internal clock seems to have a sticky snooze button? But when it starts affecting my wardrobe's growth potential, disaster ensues. At the beginning of the spring '09 season, the maestros at Jimmy Choo did a first- they collaborated with the Hunter company, the masters of bad weather shoes, to make a signature wellington. Of course, being Jimmies, they are no ordinary rain boots, but a croc-embossed, side buckle-detail, high gloss masterpiece. As soon as I saw them in the Bergdorf Goodman catalogue, I knew they would be snapped up sooner than you can say "over-priced designer shoes." Being the incurable latecomer that I am, I dragged my feet in the acquisition process. By June, the entire country had sold out and the waiting list was backed up to March. Only a devout Chooist could understand my devastation. To add insult to injury, I realized I had also missed out on the last markdown for spring fashions at Barney's after reading and re-publishing my first anniversary blog. It was as if my ghost of Christmas past was visiting me to run an intervention. I lost no time and hopped on the first F train to Bergdorf's- I decided to skip Barney's as their couture castoffs were likely well on their way to the warehouse for the big semi-annual sale. To my chagrin, the size 5.5 clearance racks were almost barren. To avert further tragedy, I decided to adopt at least one pair of Jimmy Choo sandals. Sure they were a little Miami flashy, but as Abby my Choo broker knows, my taste in shoes is as understated as Vegas at night. As the shoe purveyor was about to wrap up my sale, I took a chance and asked if BG would be getting a second wave of the wellies. Lightning struck and to my disbelief, she told me they would not get any more shipments, but a customer had returned a pair - in size 5!
So to all those friends, family members and colleagues who have tried to reform my procrastinating ways, I counter with another old adage- good things come to those who wait. P.S. If you had to ask, naturally, I bought the wellies.

Paper Anniversary

In honor of the LSL blog first anniversary, I am re-publishing the first post. An anniversary tale will soon be forthcoming....

Below is the photo of my last big find, or as my fearless shopping companion V calls them, the "Red Carpet" shoes. What's more, they were 50% off the original price. Okay, so that's 50% off of $1000, but this is wearable art. Can you really price a Gaugin or Van Gogh? By the way, this little treasure was excavated from the racks of Barney's the second week of July, which is when they typically make their final markdown for spring lines (shopping tip #1!). Barney's tip #2- you'll find a better selection and items are in better condition at the main store on the last week of the season sales, than at the warehouse sale, with the exception of men's clothing. However, my most pilgrimaged house of worship is on 57th and Fifth Ave- that's Bergdorf Goodman if you have to ask (and if you did have to ask, you're meditating on the wrong blog). I can't bring myself to reveal the best time to save your dime at BG's yet, for fear of competition from the other 3 million female competitors in NYC. Women at shoe sales are a true Darwinian experience- only the fittest survive. Back to my story- I call V my shopping companion and not partner, as she has the most admirable sense of retail self control. Picture us at the Jimmy Choo boutique: Abigail, the most infectious shoe-natic sales rep, fast at work charging up my plastic passport to consumerism, turns to V and asks if she can show her something. V stoically sits with her hands in her lap and replies simply, "No, I have to go [home] this year"- apparently, 600 hundred dollar shoes are not in that budget. V buys her shoes for 15 dollars and has not once bought a garment nor shoe on any of our outings. I, on the other hand, will eat Cup O'Noodles for 2 months for the perfect pair of Jimmy Choo strappy sandals. Actually, before I was more financially endowed, I really did live off dried fried noodles, peanut M&Ms and Doritos for fashion. What's the old saying about sacrificing for one's art? I believe every female pride (that's a National Geographic reference) has someone like V to balance the irrational spenders such as myself. She's the yin to my yang in the shopping universe.