Oh no they didn't!

Remember that episode of SATC when Carrie is appalled at the idea of a New York woman wearing a scrunchie?
Well, turns out American Apparel is trying to bring them back.

Yikes!

-D

Swans

It was last year that I was sitting at my mum's kitchen table when my brother stopped by with the Spring '08 issue of Holts magazine. I fell in love with the cover look instantly. It epitomized personality and grace and my idea of the perfect little black dress.  

Fast forward to this past March. The Marc Jacobs sale listed on Gilt.com included that dress. The cost, a fraction of the original $2,400 price tag. I bought it of course with my brother in-laws 2010 nuptials in mind. Unfortunately since then, he has decided to have a casual beach front wedding (in Sarnia, ON). Hmm... so much for planning ahead. I'll be looking forward to the next gala or fancy party instead.

Interestingly enough, Outnet.com is currently stocking the swan dress for 50% off. The price listed on Gilt was still significantly less expensive. 

If you're not already signed up to Gilt, I would highly recommend doing so. Here's a personal invitation if anyone needs it. 

::: Nathalie

Spotted

Brian Bailey spotted @ 12:15 outside of my office having a smoke.
Didn't have the guts to ask if I could take a picture.

Observation: way taller and quite thin in person. Dressed in a black dress shirt, black skinny jeans and black boots.

-D

I'm a fool

Oh, Audrey Tautou. I loved you as Amélie, and though I haven't seen it yet, I'm sure you're incredible as Coco Chanel. In the mean time, I guess I'll have to settle for your new ad for Chanel No. 5.

-D

International Envy, Volume: 1

We've all complained about things we want but can't have. Guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

The dress pictured on the left is from COS, a store that I didn't know existed until I read about it on Fruchtzwerg's Island. Honestly, it seems like all the awesome stuff is in Europe. What's up with that? This dress is like magic. That asymmetrical zipper is killing me.

I remember a few years ago when Sephora didn't exist in Canada, Nathalie and I would whine and whine about not having a good place to buy our skin care and beauty products. Now that it's here, I think the appeal has diminished considerably.

More so for me, because I know how much retail stores jack up the prices on their beauty products, and it's total BS.

-D

Courtesy of Gilt Groupe

Quick recap on my previous Gilt Groupe post:

• I was notified that I could return the complimentary shoes they had sent me when the wrong size was shipped. 
• More credit was added towards a future purchase. 

I had the most amazing streak of good luck this afternoon when the return on the shoes was processed during today's sale. This is how if played out. 

11: 58 am: Logged into my account. Shoe refund had yet to be processed. Had $158 to spend.

12:00 pm: Bee-lined directly towards the MBMJ sale. 

12: 10 pm: First purchase -  a gorgeous red MBMJ dress. It's prefect for work with a pale yellow cardi and can be dressed up and down. Love it! 

12:20 pm: So much to buy today! Emailed Gilt to ask when my shoe refund would be processed. 

12:45 pm: Shoe refund processed! Had another $120 to spend.

12:45 pm: Second purchase - a John Varvatos polo for my beloved husband. (I would have liked the black long sleeved polo but someone was holding it in their cart. Darn!)

12:46 pm: Focused my attention on red leather Delman flats. Hit the refresh button every second to get the last pair of size 7's. Some odd minutes later, I got them! (So long Tory Burch.)

12:51 pm: Late returning to work from my lunch hour. Oh well. Contemplated my recent subconscious fascination with the color red as I drove to the office.

Luckily Gilt offers free shipping when you buy within the hour, so I only paid for shipping once though I made three separate purchases. Total purchased: $240 with a $10 credit still in my account. 

I cannot wait until they open their shop to Canadian customers!

Thank you very much Gilt Groupe. : )

::: Nathalie

Miss Dior

I wasn't all that surprised to hear Sofia Coppola directed this commercial. The mood and colors are very much her style. The ad does a fabulous job in suggesting the product and in fact, a few months back, I stopped by the perfume counter and spritzed my wrists. Contrary to the name, I found Miss Dior smelled like more like Old Lady Dior (at least on me anyway).

Still, beautiful ad campaign. 

::: Nathalie

Designer Compliments Thrift

Boyfriend Blazer: Wilfred. Black tank: Target (not shown). Red and pink houndstooth skirt: Joe Fresh. Black leather belt: Gap (not shown). Leather sandals: Nine West. Red leather satchel: Marc by Marc Jacobs.


This afternoon, a coworker and I were chatting about her $1,500 Louis Vuitton bag. I told her how I toyed with the idea of buying the Stephen Sprouse version of her bag for a hair-line-fracture-of-a-second, but ultimately felt that at this stage of my life, I wouldn't be comfortable sporting a Louis V bag. I'd be petrified that people would take one look at me and think "Fake bag much?". (The reality is I can't fathom spending a months mortgage payment on a purse.) My 40-something year old coworker responded with "You could pull it off! You dress well, everything you wear is expensive!" (Thanks Marcia.)

While I have my fair share of (mainly discounted) designer pieces, I always mix designer with thrifty finds. My generation is a lot more creative with mixing price brackets and pulling off amazing looks. We do with what we have and we're darn good at it. After all, I had Marcia fooled with my $14 skirt.

::: Nathalie

Bent out of shape

There was a time when I thought wearing a bra that made me ooze from the sides was normal. Luckily, when Nathalie got married last year, she made me get a professional fitting at Inside Story so I would look proper in my bridesmaid dress.

Notes:

1. I was actually wearing a bra that was TWO CUP SIZES TOO SMALL. No wonder I had the dreaded 'four boob' syndrome.
2. Initially, I was a little wary of spending over $150 on a bra, but it's well worth it. The stuff I was buying for $40-50 was always poorly made and ill fit. Also, I have larger breasts, so everything in my size range was just hideous. The stuff at specialty shops usually comes from Europe, and is much nicer.
3. Like some women, I was a touch apprehensive about the idea of someone seeing me in just a bra. Turns out it's no big deal. They're trained professionals after all, not perverts.


No pictures, because that'd be weird.
So yes, ladies, don't skimp on the undergarments. Your boobies will thank you.

-D

Bigger is Better

Image from The Sartorialist. 

After some overnight deliberation (and seeing this pic of Coco Rocha again) - I've decided to keep the bag (see previous post). 

::: Nathalie