Lorelei - Isa

With a name like Lorelei... somewhere between my username of Lauriel and my dream name (that my parents *almost* named me) of Leilani, how could I resist?

Lorelei is the purse line of a young NY designer, Laurie Kaufmann Willard, whose handbag (cluthes, mostly) designs have been seen tucked under the arms of a number of celebs. Cute, a bit trendy, and utterly adorable.

I'm a big fan of subtle, rich metallics. They stand out on their own without the ostentation of bling, and they're fabulously versatile. They are the royalty of neutrals. White, cream, tan/beige, grey, and black fade into the background in comparison. For my accessorizing, I'm usually a silver person. Most of my jewelry is silver-based. Recently however, I've been dabbling a bit with gold-embellished outfits. Sometimes gold is the high-glamour you want to exude.

So, which to go with in an evening clutch? Clean, reflective silver, or rich gold? Such a dilemma for a person who loves versatile investments and has thus held off on the handbag decision because she couldn't commit to one or the other. And yes, anything over $100 is an investment. I'm a frugalista.

Thankfully, this sleek little numer called Isa makes the silver/gold issue nonexistent!



It is a silver and gold metallic lizard embossed-leather elongated envelope clutch with a hidden magnetic closure, and an antique gold bamboo ring detail. It comes with a detachable antique gold shoulder chain, and is made of Italian leather (dimensions: 10"L x 4.5"H x 1.5"D. Chain drop, 9"). Regular $295, I snagged it on my guilty-pleasure shopping site, Gilt Groupe, for $128 ($130, including shipping, no tax!).

I know my bf would call it a silly purchase; he's all about functionality, and his main spending passions are related to the active outdoors and electronic/tech toys. I can't resist being a girl, though. My spending weaknesses: food, cookbooks, dSLR equipment, dresses, jewelry-making components, and accessories. Sadly, none of those are cheap. :P

But it makes finding a great deal all that more satisfying! ^_^

Herve Leger

OMG. I'm surfing dresses for work, and my heart just fell to the floor in pure looooooove when I saw this stunning Herve Leger number.



Why does it have to be $7,000????? :(

Ah well, all the more argument to have a similar version made for a virtual avatar... It'd have to be at least a *little* cheaper than that!

Vivienne Tam

Watching Gossip Girl (a tv series I discovered through work because a potential handbag partner had their bags featured on the show) is tantalizing. Hearing about Michelle Obama's up-and-coming designer-centric, classy, elegant style is inspiring. And then digging into the Gilt Groupe sale after that... well, that's probably the most dangerous thing to do. I almost made it through the lineup of Helmut Lang, Marc, Valentino and Vera. And then, hanging out so casually at the end of the alphabet: Vivienne Tam.

I've heard of the Hong Kong-born designer, but I've never seriously looked at her collections before. For the most part, I think she's a luxury that I have yet to "grow" into. But when I saw this flattering draping dress with its waist-accentuating ruched wrap, simple gold-bronze shoulder accents, and gauzy gold-flecked black lurex skirt for $48, regular $365... I decided I could treat myself. :)



I ordered size P, which, according to online sizing, is for 33/24.5/35. I fit within the bust and hip sizes, but I'm not sure how forgiving the waist is... (I think I'm an inch over the ideal.) But I have a resolution to become leaner this year, and see this dress as being my reward for successfully shaping my body. Nothing like a beautiful fashion incentive to reach a fitness goal!

(I think I was also subconsciously affected by the photo with the model, who at a glance, reminds one of Anne Hathaway's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada', one of my best-loved movies.)

Cynthia Rowley

So I'm doing my work, surfing the web for fashionable but utilitarian tote bags (yeah, it's really work!), and I come across this cute pleated Cynthia Rowley number for $320 at ebags.com. It's on the large side, but there's something about the demure pleats mirroring the black ribbing that makes it work just as well with that (A-line would be just perfect with this) LBD for evening playtime, as well as being an everyday workhorse. Protected of course, with little gold metallic feet. The utilitarian light grey is also great since it'll hide any wayward flecks of dust that may find their way to this bag.

Dressy

This dress is on clearance for $20 at NY&Co. Most of their things look more casual, everyday-ish, so this glossy self-decoration really popped out at me. The fact that it's also fully-lined and machine-washable got my attention - love low-maintenance with a high-maintenance look. Simple and effortlessly glamorous.

Slow Food Nation

This is more for my own bookmark reference and secondarily as a PSA, but if you're into food in the bay area at all, Slow Food Nation during the Labor Day weekend is the place to be!

Mid-week shopping

I'm not one who usually shops during the middle of the week; I define my schedule by waking up, working, working out @ lunch, working, and then home to cook dinner. That leaves about half an hour to an hour for reading/crafting or cuddling/watching TV before calling my mom. Which invariably ends with me zonked out in bed, lights still on and my phone a few inches from my outstretched hand. Sounds like a summer-read thriller right there, doesn't it?

Yeah, it's domesticated. So I give tons of thanks to my newfound friend and neighbor (something good actually came out of attending the HOA meetings!), T. This happy, fun, super-cute, kind-hearted girl told me about a Girls Night Out shopping event in SF and we headed up together.

It's a simple concept of combining shopping, fun splashes of unmemorable alcohol, gift bags (for those who actually signed up ahead of time, unlike my procrastinating butt - but no worries, because I ended up getting in for free!), and lots of the female persuasion. A few guys too - this one guy claimed he was there to support his urban t-shirt selling friend, but he was far more intent on scanning the throngs of girls like a shark in an overpopulated koi pond.

I was the only one of our little group who ended up getting anything. I wasn't looking for anything - I'm never looking for anything but I always seem to find something - but I liked the styles at Fan Clothing. And so I found myself with this comfy tunic in black for $15.



It has a wider neck than the photo would suggest, and I could see pairing it with a tank top, wide belt, and leggings or jeans. And so I did for work today, where I promptly got several compliments on it. :) Horrible lighting, and this is with a point-and-shoot so I had to drastically PS the image, but you get the idea. Perfect for today's spring 70-degree weather and the cool office environment!



The shopping overall? Actually, it was larger than a previous night-out I had attended, but it was still smaller than we would have liked. Boutique prices were expected, although I noticed ridiculous mark-ups for jewelry. Jewelry boutique sale prices always make me raise an eyebrow since I can identify the components and labor that went into them - I noticed a 60-90% mark-up in general. Honestly, you're getting more for your money in the pieces sold at Nordstrom, done by independent designers. At another stall, gently-used bags for sale were more like torn-and-visibly-worn bags. But the atmosphere was fun, there was a good spread of styles, and I thought the DS lounge and blinged-up Swarovski-studded DS lite was an ingenious, alluring way for Nintendo to attract the female market.

About jewelry though, if you're a jewelry/gem aficionado, I suggest attending the Internation Gem and Jewelry Show this weekend at the San Mateo County Expo fairgrounds. I always go overboard with the bead buying there, but you'll find the HUGEST selection of jewelry including the whole gamut of: fun costume, gold chains, fashionable jewelry, unique pendants, certified diamonds, and loose gem stones for the best prices that I've seen available to the general public. If you go, you'll find me poring over the crystals and pearls. :)

[edit] Click here and print out for free admission.