ShopDiary

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: The Chaos Have Begun + Tulah Ray Zip Split Satchel

Have you shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yet? The sale started yesterday but I didn’t really fancy anything apart from their beauty exclusives and Hanky Panky thongs so I did my shopping online. I did drop by at lunch time to snag a pair of Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40 (they are sold out!) and found lots of designer sunglasses by Oliver Peoples, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fendi and more at $100+ (originally $300+). It was crazy then so I skipped the crowds and didn’t pick up anything. I might go back for a pair of Oliver Peoples sunnies and give my Chanels a break.

One of the most popular items from the anniversary sale is this gorgeous Tulah Ray Zip Split Satchel in berry. Most of it had been pre-ordered so my friend, who braved the crowds yesterday at 7AM, got the last one in the store. It was also briefly unavailable online so I’m thrilled to see that it’s now available with an approximate ship date of 9/19/08. I have two new handbags that I have yet to use so I didn’t really think of getting another one. But it’s gorgeous, yes? And it’s 40% off and only a click away. Should I go to the Foley + Corinna sample sale instead? Or save up for the Barneys Warehouse Sale (next month)? Sigh. Decisions, decisions. Update: The bag (in berry and black) is now sold out.

Sex and the City Fashion: Carrie Bradshaw’s Proenza Schouler Vest on Sale at Net-a-Porter

Remember what Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) wore when she visited the New York Public Library to return some books? If you’ve been keeping up to date with Sex and the City fashion, I’m sure you already know that the vest she wore in that scene is by Proenza Schouler.

Well that very same safari inspired “linen twill waistcoat”, also seen on the design duo’s Spring 2008 runway, is now on sale at 50% off at Net-a-Porter.

It’s still priced at a steep (for me) $912.50 but I’m sure you wouldn’t settle for the cheap looking knock off version by ASOS.

Or, if you’re like me, you could scour the latest reductions at Net-a-Porter’s sale and find more affordable deals. I’m still looking. There are tons on sale right now!

Image scanned from Sex and the City The Movie coffee table book.

Prada To Auction Spring 2008 Prototype Pieces Online for Charity

In just a few hours, Prada.com will begin an online auction of ten unique prototypes from its Spring/Summer 2008 collection. Women’s clothes and accessories will be auctioned each Tuesday as follows:
• April 15: three trousers
• April 22: one bag and two pairs of boots
• April 29: four skirts

As with last July’s auction, each prototype piece is a one-of-a-kind creation. These pieces are undoubtedly wearable works of art capturing lush landscapes of carnivorous flowers and woodland nymphs on gazar, a heavy organza fabric used in haute couture in the 1950s.

Each auction starts at 12 noon Central European Time (or 3AM in Los Angeles and 6AM in New York) and will last for seven days. Orders can be placed from 217 countries.

Proceeds from the auction will go to the San Raffaele Foundation, one of the most important Italian institutions concerned with medical research, clinical work and training.

More information about the auction here.

Prada Inspired?

Are you seeing what I’m seeing? When I dropped by tonight to check out Target’s GO International Private Label collection, the print on this “Ombre Floral Printed Tunic Top” struck me as a bit like James Jean’s illustrations of carnivorous flowers for Prada’s current spring line. Even the ombre stripe tunic pictured below mimics the colors of one of Prada’s ombre bags, I think. I’m not entirely sure about the latter so if I’m wrong, let me know.

Celia Birtwell for Express Now In Stores

Without much fanfare, retailer Express released its first collaboration with Celia Birtwell in select stores today. The first collection is composed of nine pieces, all made in sheer chiffon: two blouse styles, one dress style and four prints. Most of the prints are vintage patterns that were also used in Birtwell’s collaboration with Topshop in 2006. The blouses retail for $79.50 while the dresses are priced at $128. I haven’t seen them yet in person but I’ve got my eye on a few prints. Hopefully, with an almost non-existent interest in the collaboration, I’ll be able to get them on sale. What do you think of this collection? Any faves?

From Left: Mystic Daisy Print (Volume Sleeve Dress), Mystic Daisy and Mini Posh Dot Prints (Volume Sleeve Dress), Mystic Daisy Print (Pussycat Blouse), Little Rock Print (Victoria Blouse), Mini Posh Dot Print (Volume Sleeve Dress). All Blouses $79.50. All Dresses $128.

Mini Posh Dot Print (Pussycat Blouse) $79.50

Mystic Daisy Print (Pussycat Blouse) $79.50

Mini Posh Dot Print (Victoria Blouse) $79.50

Lapis Lazuli Print (Pussycat Blouse) $79.50

Celia Birtwell for Express

Dress $128, Blouse $79.50. Photo via L.A. Times

Here’s a designer collaboration that has me excited: British textile designer Celia Birtwell will be doing four limited edition collections for Express. Birtwell’s distinctive prints for designer and late ex-husband Ossie Clark gained her international acclaim as a textile designer. The couple were the toast of the fashion industry in the mid-1960s though the early 1970s and dressed the rock and roll set as well as British aristocrats.

From Los Angeles Times:
The Celia Birtwell for Express collection is true to Clark’s style: fluid and sheer, with the flora and fauna that are Birtwell trademarks. A breezy red blouse is covered with Lily, one of her best-known prints. Floating Daisy, her famous psychedelic swirls, appears throughout the line. Clark often used patchwork, a tradition Birtwell continues. The bodice of one dress is splashed with bold flowers, and its billowy sleeves are scattered with delicate buds. A ’70s-style blouse mixes a lightly checked necktie with, yep, more flowers.

Celia Birtwell’s capsule collection for British chain Topshop immediately sold out when it was released in spring 2006. Being stateside, I missed the boat on that one. So I better make sure I won’t miss this one! The first Celia Birtwell for Express collection will be released on April 7 in select stores. In Southern California, that includes the Beverly Center, South Coast Plaza, Glendale Galleria, Brea Mall and Del Amo Fashion Center stores.

Tory Burch Lizzie Jacket

If you still haven’t gotten over the school blazer trend from last fall and was not lucky enough to pick up a Balenciaga jacket at the Barneys New York Warehouse Sale (now on its last few days in New York!), then perhaps now is the time to spring for the Lizzie Jacket from Tory Burch. It comes in plain navy and a white rope print, both with white contrast trim. The jacket costs a hundred dollars more than J. Crew’s Lexington jacket (the navy is sold out, but it still comes in ivory) at $375 but it’s the closest lower priced alternative to the Balenciaga jacket down to its double breast collar, contrast trim and angled closure. And with the weather warming up, the light cotton canvas will be perfect for spring!

p.s. Gossip Girl returns in April!

On Wearing Primary Colors

I’m warming up to the idea of wearing all primary colors together this spring. I was lucky enough to snag a pair of red patent Louboutin slingbacks on sale last week and now I’ve been thinking up ways to wear it. These photos from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 collection points me in the right direction by pairing bright yellows, reds and blues with neutral colors like white and khaki. Primary colors appear so much brighter and bolder on patent leather so if paired with muted shades they are easy on the eyes. So it is possible to wear them all together without looking cartoonish.

What do you think of primary colors? Will you be wearing them this spring?

Shantung Waistcoat Vest + ‘Maydie’ Top
+ ‘Rae’ Striped Wide Leg Pants

‘Brady’ Quilted Denim Jacket + Mercerized
Twill Shorts + Yellow Patent Slides

‘Flash’ Double Breasted Patent Trench Coat
+ Faille Sailor Pants

Twenty8Twelve Now at Shopbop

Sienna Miller’s fashion label with sister Savannah, Twenty8Twelve, is now available at Shopbop. The Spring 2008 collection features a monochromatic palette of black, white and off white with ruffle trim details on some pieces. Not a very exciting collection what with the burst of color that we’re seeing everywhere for spring. Still, there are nice basics like the Royce High Waist Sailor Pant.

Check out the whole collection at Shopbop.

Similar But Not Quite: Alice + Olivia and 3.1 Phillip Lim

Left: Alice + Olivia F/W 08 Right: 3.1 Phillip Lim F/W 07

Image Sources: Imaxtree.com via NYmag.com, Net-a-Porter.com