ShopDiary

Medallion Shift Dress

My bad! I dismissed the Patrick Robinson for Target line too quickly. After seeing a high resolution picture of this shift dress in a brown medallion print, I’ve decided that I must have it!

It looks Chloe inspired and I would have preferred it with bell sleeves like these dresses.

But who’s to complain? It’s only $34.99 and will be available in Target U.S. stores from May 6 through July 15.

Also modeled by Vogue “top model” Chanel Iman as a tunic with wide pants on The Today Show.

Update 5/7/07: I ordered this dress online yesterday. Free shipping for orders $50 and above and with coupon code TGTSAVQ2 you get 10% off at checkout (expires 6/30/07). This beats going to the store!

Rachel Pally Summer 2007

Photos of Rachel Pally’s Summer 2007 collection are now available online. It’s refreshing to see a lot of new looks every season that gets me excited. The first time I saw Rachel Pally’s line, I doubted the clingy, stretchy fabric called modal would look good on me. But Rachel, who is a former dancer, knows what flatters a woman’s body and designs accordingly. Her clothes are incredibly comfortable and flattering!

Incidentally, the Rachel Pally Sample Sale will be held in Los Angeles in a few weeks. Holiday and pre-spring styles will be on sale at 50-90% off retail. Mark your calendars!

April 13 - 15, 2007
Friday, April 13th 10AM - 7PM
Saturday, April 14th 10AM - 6 PM
Sunday, April 15th 11AM - 4 PM

2001 S Santa Fe Ave,
Suite F Los Angeles, CA 90021

Rachel Pally Office - 323-669-1397 Monday thru Friday
Contact Number at Sale - 213-614-7919 or 818 512-9575
Cash, Check, or Credit Cards Accepted
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Cute Dress From Zara

What is it with me nowadays? Everywhere I look, all I can see is yellow. I go to a store and pick up only yellow clothing. I guess it’s a refreshing change from all the black I’ve been wearing all winter.

Hello, Spring!

Shiny Red Things

Lately, I’ve been attracted to red patent shoes and handbags. This is possibly due to my conscious decision to wear yellow this spring and, not being ready to go whole hog on yellow, wanting to pair it with red and silver. Go figure. I don’t know how that came about. But I do like red. So even without yellow, my eyes would have been drawn to these beauties anyhow:

OK, I’ve bashed Louis Vuitton before but this Brentwood in vernis leather is pretty. And how can you not love this color called pomme d’amour (French for “love apple”)? I know I’m not getting this though because stubborn me has already set my eyes on a non-patent red leather bag and I already have a red Houston.

This Marni Balloon Bag in the colors Fire and Cigar looks like a fun bag. It’s made of varnished leather (another term for patent) with calfskin corners attached with studs. It’s already sold out but stock will be replenished soon. The large is too big at 23.4 x 18 inches though. ShoppingNerd bought the mini (lucky gal!) and it looks like a manageable size for me. Now if only I could get my grubby hands on one! If not, I’ll stick to Plan A and get the red leather bag that shall remain nameless for now.

I just spotted these Belle by Sigerson Morrison ‘4325′ Flats today. I love the contrast white piping. They are on pre-order at Nordstrom and will ship in two weeks. Unfortunately for me, but happily for my wallet, sizes start at size six (did you know that my feet are small?).

Same thing with these Belle by Sigerson Morrison ‘4319′ Flats. They look so cute, don’t you think?

J. Crew Cynthia Peasant Blouse, Sold Out

How crazy is this? I just saw the Cynthia peasant blouse on the pages of Instyle Magazine’s April issue this morning. And since I’m on the prowl for yellow clothing, I made a mental note to check this saffron top today. Imagine my dismay when I checked jcrew.com this afternoon and found out that it’s already sold out and worse, that it’s selling on eBay. The good news is that they are not going for outrageous prices. There’s still hope! I’ve already put one on my watchlist (crosses fingers). But I want to touch and feel the goods before buying first, dammit! Life is so unfair. Maybe Forever 21 will come to rescue? Not!

I just called the JCrew store nearby. They still have white and khaki available but not the saffron, black or blue. The style came out only three weeks ago. Sigh!

Update: I found it!

The Secret Balenciaga Bag

Did anyone notice that handbags were not seen at Balenciaga’s recent runway show? I keep an eye on the handbags during runway shows a bit more than the clothes so I did notice. Cheryl Locke, Fashion and Beauty Editor at ELLE.com did some sleuthing and found out that, indeed, Balenciaga has new bags for fall. She saw them in person in the fashion house’s showroom on the Left Bank and, promising not to publish any pictures, describes them as thus:

….equestrian-inspired, in cognac leather with black patent leather trim. It’s a large east and west satchel with the curvy lines of a saddle bag. There is a zipper closure with a large silver D-ring buckle on the side and a side pocket inspired by the round kneepads polo players wear. The straps are padded and attached by chainlink. Judging by the ancillary products: wallets and mini bags, the company is anticipating it to be a best-seller. There was also a red leather covered lunchbox bag with a long shoulder handle. It’s very much in line with the boarding school blazers Ghesquière showed. An embellished B logo on a red leather patch announces that this is not the Scooby Doo lunchbox you carried during childhood. It opens up on both sides with a built in mirror and credit card holders, making it perfect club and city gear for the grown up girl. I spotted my fall bag in aubergine, a color we’ve been noticing since New York. It’s a flat tote with a front pocket resembling a saddle bag. Called the “Lune,” French for moon, and so named because the closure resembles a large full moon. Beautiful!

Has this piqued your interest? I’m not sure that it has with me as when I think “saddle bag”, I think of Dior’s Saddle Bag and I never liked it. But considering that I’m a very visual person, I will just have to wait until the pictures are released before I decide whether I like them or not.

They do know how to keep us in suspense, don’t they?

Givenchy Nightingale

I was going through New York Fashion Week party photos on style.com recently when I saw this one of socialite and Proenza Schouler muse, Victoria Traina. But it wasn’t her, per se, that caught my eye. It was the bag! And how funny is it that her sister, Vanessa, is standing behind her nonchalantly posing with the same exact handbag. She got her bag in the frame and it makes you wonder if they got their bags for free! Or was there a two for one sale? Lucky gals!

At any rate the handbag that caught my eye is the Givenchy Nightingale, of course. Givenchy handbags have come to my attention recently after seeing the Clarabelle in person. They are non-descript in a way that Lanvin handbags are. Only true handbag aficionados will recognize them.

I have yet to see the Nightingale in person. The Bag Snob girls have reported them to be really light to carry. The metallic python handles hint at subtle elegance. It comes in several sizes and colors. Take a look at these beauties.

Mini at € 960.00 (or approx. $1265) in black patent and chain strap

Medium at $1895 in gold, black and maroon

Medium at € 1190.00 (or approx. $1565) in black patent

Large at $2495 in black and brown

Maxy at € 1540.00 (or approx. $2025) in bright blue patent

They are available online at Barneys and LuisaViaRoma.

Has Bea Valdes seen this?

At the Peter Som Fall 2007 runway, New York Fashion Week.

Not quite the same. Maybe inspired.

OK. I just really love this multi pendant swing necklace from Bea Valdes that I would buy it if:

1. I could afford it,
2. I had an occasion to wear it, and
3. I have a long neck to wear it well.

So if I spot an opportunity to post it, I will. Sorry, Peter Som.

Rachel Roy and Bea Valdes wearing the necklace. Both are socialites turned designers.

Photo Sources: Style.com, BeaValdes.com

Cloche Hats

If we are to take a cue from the recent runway shows of Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler, then cloche hats will be de rigueur by fall. Milliners must be excited about this prospect. I personally have taken a liking to them even though I’m not much of a hat person myself. They are much more wearable than Balenciaga’s tall helmets or Givenchy’s exaggerated caps too.

Now, if you’re not particular about getting Marc Jacobs’ knitted wool crowned hats or Proenza Schouler’s thimble like creations or being on a wait list of some sort (who knows what might happen in eight months?), then getting a vintage hat might be the answer. I’ve found some stunning vintage cloche hats online, from the 1920s no less.

Made of wool felt, which most cloche hats at that time were made of, and in excellent condition. Sadly, this one is already sold.

This one is made from black Italian felt and from a Park Avenue, New York label.

There are non-vintage cloche hats available as well though they are not common in the U.S., I believe. Marks and Spencer had them last year. I wonder if Eugenia Kim will be making them too.

Photos from Style.com, eBay.com

The DVF Cerisier Shift Dress at the Outlet?

Remember this dress? The shopping savvy Budget Fashionista reports seeing this Diane von Furstenberg shift dress at the DVF outlet at Woodbury Commons in New Jersey. Ooh la la! I’m curious to know what color she saw and how much it was (I asked and I’m waiting for her reply). I’m thinking it would be the one on the left, as the mustard and black print on the right. **checking out the phone number to Woodbury Commons**