ShopDiary

Reva Ballerinas in New Spring Colors

Tory Burch has just released new spring colors of the hugely popular Reva Ballerina. At first glance, they look like last year’s colors. But upon closer inspection, I realized that the red and green look a tad brighter than last year’s. The totally new colors are white and silver, which are gorgeous!

Of the now seventeen colors and materials the Revas come in, I still can’t decide which one I like best: white, gold suede, silver, or black patent. I have to head over to Robertson as my local Nordstrom never gets stock in my size five. I have small feet!

What color/material do you like the best?

Here are all of the current colors and materials:

You can see the Spring 2007 colors after the jump.
More »

Apple iPhone

When I sighed about the Prada phone’s touch screen not having a keypad at all, I didn’t know that this would be the wave of the future for mobile phones. But when Apple announced and introduced the iPhone three days ago, I was sold on this nifty feature. The iPhone is revolutionary with lots of useful features: mobile phone, 2 megapixel digital camera, wide-screen video iPod, palm-top computer collective ensemble, boasting over 200 patented features. And yay, the US gets first dibs with this phone as it launches Stateside in June, Europe in the fourth quarter and Asia in 2008. Prada phone? Sorry, the iPhone is now the apple of my eye. Haha. And since I’m knee deep with work right now, go read more about it at Engadget and Popgadget and see more pictures here.

I Like!

Thanks for all your responses regarding the metallic mirror bags. I feel sorry for assaulting your eyes so now I’m posting something more calming but still metallic. It’s Lanvin’s classic Kentucky tote in metallic with two handles that snuggly fit over the shoulder. It looks chic and refined compared to its flashier metallic contemporaries.

I think I like this. Do you?

Rachel Pally Spring 2007

When Maureen of California Style posted a few photos from Rachel Pally’s 2007 Spring Collection, I just had to hop on over to rachelpally.com to check out the rest of the collection. There are several beauties from the 60 piece collection that will be available next month.

Here are my picks:

I’ve seen buttons on Rachel Pally clothing before but none that are functional like these empire waisted tops/dresses (except for the blue babydoll dress in the middle; the buttons are not functional and I’ve seen this before in a different color). These are a bit structured but remains true to the fluid aesthetic of the brand. These pieces continue this season’s trend on volume but with lighter, spring colors. I look forward to seeing what other colors they come in.

I’ve been mulling over adding yellow to my wardrobe this spring. It isn’t really a color that I’m normally drawn to but I like the buttercup yellow that we’ve seen on the runway shows last September. These dresses are in the right shade of yellow that works for me. I like the loose, fluid shape of the dress on the left and the slimming effect of the darts by the neckline. The caftan dress on the right is not a new design but I just put it in because I love the color!

While these colors are more suitable for fall, I love the silhouette of these dresses. The scoop neck dress on the left has a subtle bubble skirt. I’ve seen this design before in gray. As for the purple dress on the right, the pleats on the bodice, skirt and sleeves add a bit of volume yet scream sexy at the same time.

New to the collection are bustier tops and dresses that I’m also curious to see in person. The whole collection can be seen here here.

Mike & Chris Sample Sale

T’is the season for sample sales galore. I’ve wisely stayed away from them for now. Not that I couldn’t be bothered to go. Mind you, I’m not a snob like that. But I’ve found that most of the items that I’ve bought at sample sales are still sitting in my closet, unworn.

I’ve done well at Mike & Chris though. I’ve been wearing the hoodies that I bought at their last sample sale a LOT! They are having another sample sale this week, presumably of their fall collection now that their holiday line is out.

Some highly covetable pieces are this luscious chocolate brown leather jacket…

… or these comfy hoodies.

Here are the event details or click on the first image above:
What: Mike & Chris
Why: Hoodie jackets in tons of styles, as well as a limited selection of handbags at up to 70 percent off.
When: November 16-18 (Thursday-Saturday) 10 AM-6 PM
Where: 834 S. Broadway, Suite 505, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (between 8th & 9th)
Contact: 323-205-4303
Self parking available next to building at Joe’s Auto Parks
Cash or credit card only. Absolutely no checks.

TIP: The leather jackets sell out on the first day so if you absolutely must have one, go on Thursday morning when the doors open.

Here’s what I want from their current (holiday) collection:

I love the silhouette of this Bailey hoodie. It’s casual and chic at the same time. It’ll also be perfect to cover up any extra weight gained this holiday season.

Hot, young and stylish celebs like Rachel Bilson have been seen out and about wearing this cropped leather jacket called the Lloyd bolero. ShoppingNerd posted a photo of Rachel here. This jacket too cute for words and perfect for chilly mornings.

Roger Vivier Sunglasses Are Haute!

Roger Vivier’s recently launched eyewear line is hot!

Wallpaper aptly describes the line:

Roger Vivier’s new sunglasses evoke an icon-inspired elegance that we all wish we could exude everyday. The first frames in the collection boldly show off an oversized, Forties silhouette in red, black, white and tortoise shell, with Vivier’s signature gold buckle adorning each temple in quiet homage. Mysterious, forward, effortless and desirable all at once, what more could a girl ask for?

A-list celebs love them too. Among those recently spotted sporting these gorgeous sunglasses are Sandra Bullock and Katie Holmes.

As Kristopher Dukes would say, “Oooh la love!” No overdone logos. Just a subtle buckle. At $445 a pair, they are to die for.

Photo Sources 1, 2 and 3

Fall Coats from Zara

I’m so happy they opened a Zara store nearby. I only get to visit the store when I happen to be in the vicinity of one. Now that I can visit the store more often, I am getting more familiar with the brand. I love that Zara is affordable, stylish and well made for its price point. This fall, I am particularly loving their selection of coats. I love the new shapes. Very mod! My only problem is that, living in sunny Southern California, I don’t have much need for coats. So while my head says “You don’t need it”, my heart goes “How could I not?”

Here are few of my favorites:

This trapeze coat in a jacquard print is my favorite from what I’ve seen in the store. I tried it on today, outside of a fitting room, and swung around in it while looking at myself in the mirror. I was wearing black footless tights and black patent wedges just like the model in this picture. I could already imagine many outfits with this coat. While I had a smile on my face, I spied an scrawny guy smiling back and shaking his head. He was taunting me not to take it. Or he must have thought I was silly for prancing around outside the fitting rooms. Whatever. I always go with what I like. I looked back at him dead serious. Leave me alone, my eyes said. I returned to looking at my reflection, turned sideways to look at my profile and did not like what I saw. Ack! Was this what that guy was silently laughing about? The coat was jutting out from my body like I was pregnant. But the silhouette is what attracted me to this coat. That’s what it’s supposed to look like, right? I still love it though and might go back for it tomorrow. I hope they’ll still have my size coz there was only one of it when I tried it on.

This houndstooth jacket with welt pockets, wide collar and dropped shoulders is stylishly mod. Great with skinny jeans and ankle boots, just like what the model is wearing here. I don’t remember seeing it in the store though or I would have tried it on as well.

Is this winter white or gray? I am not sure. I like the puff, slim cut sleeves, large buttons and slim silhouette. Perfect!

There are more styles in the store but I can see that they are going quickly. The selections that I’ve seen from a week ago are dwindling. Looks like I’ll have to decide about these coats sooner than later!

The Jacques Fath Archives

Whenever I get Neiman Marcus’ Christmas Book, I always flip through straight to the Fantasy Gifts first. I always wonder, what have they come up with? Well, this year, Neiman’s does not disappoint. They’ve got a charter to space via Virgin Galactic for 1.764 million dollars and a lifetime membership at a world class luxury resort in Tuscany among others.

Neiman Marcus also has something for the serious (and seriously wealthy) fashionphile: the House of Fath Archives. While not a household name in modern times, Frenchman Jacques Fath had an illustrious career more than half a century ago. He started his couture business in 1937 and dressed elegant celebrities like Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Greta Garbo. His apprenticeships launched the careers of Hubert de Givenchy and Guy Laroche. He also helped launch the New Look of the late 1940s. Fath met an untimely death in 1954 and two years later, his widow closed the couture line.

This museum-quality collection includes 26 volumes of original sketchbooks from 1948 through 1956, with more than 3,400 couture designs. The collection also includes three exquisite Fath haute couture dresses, each with its accompanying sketch…. With this archive, the possibilities are monumental. Endow a wing of your favorite museum with a comprehensive overview of fashion history or launch your own research center to inspire the Faths of tomorrow.

A great collection indeed! The dresses in the photo above just look exquisite, don’t they? Now, if I only had some spare $3.5 million lying around.

Goyard Increasing Prices

I have a bit of buyer’s remorse buying that Tokidoki bag. It’s too juvenile for me!

Anyhow, I heard of Goyard’s impending price hike this morning. Effective November, prices go up 9-12%. I’ve been on the fence about Goyard but this just might convince me to finally get one. With Barney’s Purple card starting tomorrow ($25 for every $250 purchase), I just might have to spring for a St. Louis

or a Fidji Hobo for my travel bag.

Or should it the one I’ve always wanted, a Croisière?

Not for travel but for everday use. I was going to wait for a Louis Vuitton Speedy in Damier Azur when it debuts in November but I guess I like the Croisierie better. And for some reason, I’d like a red one.

Ugh, I don’t want to use my credit card! Someone convince me NOT to buy a Goyard!

Bottega Veneta 20% off at Bluefly

Bottega Veneta is a brand that you can’t go wrong with. Its soft and sumptuous leather handbags will stand the test of time. Its quality is impeccable. So I was quite excited when I saw these new offerings from Bluefly at 20%. Now if only my handbag budget was limitless….