Compliments of Gilt

Last night was my first time online in a few days. I only had a couple of minutes to quickly check my email before heading to bed. There was a very interesting email waiting for me from Gilt Groupe.

Will from Gilt.com emailed me to say they found my previous blog post expressing my discontent with the fact their website is no longer accepting international credit cards. He explained in further detail that Gilt is ensuring that they provide a safe place for their customers to do business.  

As an avid online shopper, I completely understand why the new policy has taken effect, I always have. The thing that irks me is that I've made previous purchases. Had my card been compromised, I would have already called to complain, but that isn't the case.

Anyhow, Will went on to tell me that within the next six months, Gilt is going to be offering Canadian customers a chance to ship directly here! He apologized for the troubles that I've experienced and acknowledged that it would be months before my next purchase. And so, they are sending me a pair of beautiful Modern Vintage shoes that I had in my shopping cart. Compliments of Gilt Groupe! 

This company is out there, reading what customers are saying about them and taking their comments seriously. It's impressive and incredibly smart of them to do that if they are going to survive in this business. I'm sure they're aware of the massive competition out there and are trying to do whatever possible to stand apart from the rest and hold onto faithful customers. 

It's already working for me. Complimentary shoes aside, it was a happy surprise to find in my inbox. If you read my Club Monaco post, you'll know I'm big into customer service. Why shop at a store that won't even acknowledge their customers complaints. 

Gilt Groupe clearly doesn't fail in that category. They go above and beyond. Well done. I can't wait to see how the next six months unfold. 

This may be asking for the world but hopefully they're able to exchange the shoes for the right size! I accidently put an 8.5 in my shopping cart and that's what was shipped to me. Yikes!

::: Nathalie

Distaste: Gilt Groupe

I've always been very happy with Gilt Groupe but as of today, that changed. I live in Oakville, Ontario and purchase items with my Canadian Mastercard and have orders shipped to my uncles house in the States.

Earlier today I proceeded to checkout with 2 items in my shopping cart, Marc Jacobs trousers for $39 USD and a Trovata buttoned down shirt, $29 USD - birthday presents for my husband. Instead of "Thank you for your order" I get a nasty message saying my order has declined, something about a problem with my shipping address. I'm frantic now about loosing $39 Marc Jacobs trousers so I keep hitting SUBMIT ORDER over and over again. The nasty message gets more detailed and says the address on my credit card doesn't match with my shipping address.

Outraged I dialed the 1-877 number and spoke to a customer service rep that explained I was lucky enough to have made Gilt purchases in the past. Apparently their system was supposed to prohibit international credit cards. Long story short, a few of us got through, Gilt caught on and has now heightened their security. It is completely outrageous to cut of your services to those with international credit cards!

And really, did they have to do it now with all of their crazy final sales going on? Couldn't they have waited another week?! Bastards!!!

::: Nathalie

Project Runway Canada

Sunny won Season 2. YAY!

French Elle April '09

Check out "Stars without makeup" in the April issue of French Elle. Monica Bellucci, Eva Herzigova and Sophie Marceau grace the cover.

-d

Lookbook: Pencey

Pencey is such a fun line and their summer 09 collection is better than ever. The Mickey ears tee in particular is really cute. I've been craving another piece from this line since I purchased the Junk Tee (below) back in January.



::: Nathalie

Happy Easter

To make your own birds nest cupcakes just bake regular cupcakes, ice them, dunk them into shredded coconut and decorate with chocolate eggs. Do this on a freshly iced cupcake and the coconut and eggs will adhere nicely.

Happy Easter from Nathalie and Diana.

Red or Pink?

I just got home from an evening at the mall. My mission - obtaining birthday presents for my husband. Along the way I lost focus and ended up in the womens shoe department at Holts. I tried on these GORGEOUS Tory Burch flats in red.

Talk about love at first sight! Unfortunately, the mall closed before I made my way back. (Probably for the best.) Now I can't stop thinking about how fabulous all of my simple outfits would look with red flats...

But then I saw these on Shopbop (pictured to the right). Should I do red or hibiscus pink? Hmm....

::: Nathalie

The Pain in our Soles

Last month Diana and I took a lovely day off work to do a little bit of shopping in Buffalo. Really we where there for the launch of Alexander McQueen's Target collection which was in fact, not available at that particular Target. Trying to make the best of our 2 hour drive, we headed over to Lord and Taylor, Urban Outfitters and The Cheesecake Factory for an instant pick-me-up.

I scored at Urban where I found these adorable Sweet Life by Dolce Vita sandals for $20 and we both scored at Lord and Taylor. Diana got a pair of classic black Michael Kors leather flats and I bought a pair of brown Michael Kors opened toed heels. We couldn't wait for the first sign of warm weather to wear our new shoes!

That day finally came I was sorely disappointed (pun intended). What seemed like the most comfortable heel in the store, turned into a nightmare after 30 minutes of walking. My toes were so swollen that wearing any shoe afterward hurt. Diana also experienced similar trauma with her flats. She told me about the crippling pain in her feet after an eight hour day at the office.

Why is it so difficult to make comfortable shoes? There's nothing more disappointing than having spent your hard earned cash on a pair of shoes you can't wear. I'll put up with a little bit of pain for gorgeous shoes but there is such a thing as too much. Curse you Michael Kors for having decived us!

::: Nathalie

Lagerfeld And The Recessionista

Fashion mastermind Karl Lagerfeld discusses his latest couture show and his take on the recession in this April's Harper's Bazaar.

"It's healthy. I see the recession as a cleansing tool which will push away bad taste and all this bling bling."

I'm sure a lot of fashionista's haven't quit their shopping ways, but are more conscientious of making the right purchase. "Investment pieces" if you will. In the last few months I certainly haven't been spending as frivolously as in the past. (Sure there have been a few but that's what return policies are for.) Before making such an investment, I think of my fundamental questions - how much wear will I get out of it, can I dress it up or dress it down, is the price really worth it, how many seasons will I get out of it before it needs to be stored away, will it enhance my wardrobe or will I have to buy other pieces to make it work and finally, do I really love it? The latter is really important because when you look at that yellow leather Kate Spade clutch purchased 5 years prior, it'll still make you smile and you'll always find a reason to wear it.

I wish half the ladies in my office followed Lagerfeld's advice. I'll tell you, working at the head office of a major coffee franchise is not a very fashionable place. I wonder if I could sneak some of Lagerfeld's wisdom in the next company newsletter. Wouldn't that be a riot?!

::: Nathalie

man, you gotta love french vogue.

as much as i dig the american version, you'll never see shoots like the one patrick demarchelier did in this months' issue.

smoking models who neglect motherhood? totally taboo, ridiculously awesome. i know i'm not the only one who thinks so.

mad props to carine roitfeld.

-d