Friday 29 July 2011

Truth or Blair: Jennifer Behr Sample Sale

The defining Gossip Girl fashion trend has to be the ignition of the headband frenzy during Season 1 & 2, until it was summarily dismissed in Season 3 (the college season) and by Dan Humphrey no less.  It's perhaps timely and telling then that Jennifer Behr is now having a sample sale to clear out remnants of those preppier days of yore.  
Discounts range from a decent 40% to an excellent 70%.  So while it may be a tad late for Gossip Girl aspirational dressing, it's far from late for brides-to-be looking for an alternative to the 'obnoxiously aspirational' princess tiara. 
Smokey crystal braid, now US$162 (50% off)
Sailors knot headband in navy & taupe, now US$86 (50% off)
Oversized orchid silk hairband in snow white, now US$187 (50% off)

A Sale A Day Keeps The Savings At Bay: Weekend Sales

More crazy bargains abound from today until Sunday, including The Outnet's Clearance 'Flash' Sale and TriBeCa's Bazaar Sale.

With discounts up to 85% on The Outnet and over at TriBeCa up to 90% off on labels such as Matthew WilliamsonElizabeth and James (like the beaded t-shirt - main pic), Markus Lupfer, Alice&Olivia and Current Elliott, my wallet might be best secured by locked away for the next 72 hours.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Current/Elliott distressed boyfriend jeans
For the less faint hearted, The Outnet's sale starts sometime today - 29 July 2011 - so for first dibs on the best bargains, do remember to watch your inbox (or refresh their website constantly, if you're so inclined).  TriBeCa's sale is in Orchard Road so even window shopping in town may prove treacherous and should therefore be avoided entirely :)

TriBeCa 'Crazy' Bazaar
29 July - 2 August
10.30am - 9pm
#02-22 Mandarin Gallery
(New items added daily)

{pc: fashionstake; denimblog}

Baggu-ed, Borrowed... A Steal!

TGIF my lovelies!  Thanks to GOOP, Gwyneth and galpal M, the morning started off right with a spin around the rainbowed lala-land of Baggu for a handful of their hardy, environmentally-friendly bags at 20% off!  The promotion code 'baggugoop' can be used sitewise, which means the navy canvas backpack and fuchsia duck bag on sale are now absolute steals at US$13.20 and US$12 (usually US$28 and US$22), respectively.

Word of warning:  Their selection of regular sized bags have been whittled down to just a handful of colours still available, but you can "cheat" by ordering the 3-set or 5-set with still some savings on the regular prices.  Go forth and shop quick!!

Saturday 23 July 2011

Final Reductions Nightmare

Sometimes too much of a good thing is bad for you.  Such truth when the final curtain call comes on summer sales.

Old faithful Net-A-Porter's international sale draws to a close with some bargains left like this Elizabeth & James navy trench for GBP95 after 79% off - perfectly styled (and priced) for fall!  

La Garconne tips the scales with an additional 15% off sale prices until midnight 11.59pm EST on Sunday 24 July.  Just use the code 'Weekend15'.  If I were in the market for yet another black blazer - not that one could ever have too many - this Proenza Schouler wool-silk one could be mine for US$413 (originally US$1620).  Another season-less sale score would be Repetto mid heels for just US$115.

Over at Rupert Sanderson (read: an evil big green shoebox in which all my savings flow), newsletter subscribers enjoy an extra 20% off sale prices until Wed 29 July with the promotion code 'TwentyBonanza'.   As we speak, I am staring at 3 neutral hued beauties - no doubt the product of subtle brainwashing from observing the Duchess of Cambridge's skin toned shoe tendencies.  With the extra 20% kick, this peeptoe, pump and wedge become vaguely justifiable - as do these art deco strappy wedding heels, which I've been coveting from Chloe Moretz! 

Where do you think my cash would be best spent?

Alive Again

If the inactivity and silence puzzled you, allow me to reassure you that like Jason & the Argonauts, I've faced many a perilous obstacle this past week.  


First, the apartment was deprived of the internet.  Although this may seem trivial in the age of smartphones, my thumbs are too large to deal with navigating hyperlinks for more than a 1/2 hour on my Sony Xperia.  More pertinently, navigating The Outnet's new arrivals is impossibly tedious on their mobile version (wail).


Secondly, I've been resting from some surgery.  I'm not going into any gory details - suffice to say "I'm baaccck" and able to sit & type again! (cheer)


Proper posts to come - stay tuned!  
{pc: Vogue Korea May 2010 c/o tfs}

Sunday 17 July 2011

Juicy & Delicious


Sundays are meant for eggs benedict, lemonade and breaking out the Wayfarers for its weekly main street parade.  It's a positively beautiful day outside - much to the chagrin of my work ethic.  

Instead of wordsmithing and drafting, I want to slice citrus fruits and fashion my own Stella McCartney cake!  Imagine the possibilities: Sliced banana on a chocolate cake in homage to Prada?  Bitter chocolate  buttons on a cream cheese frosting in a Marc Jacob for Louis Vuitton creation?


In the spirit of all things bright and beautiful, I've recently been drawn to Proenza Schouler's Keep All in the de jour mimosa colour.  The SA assured me I could carry it beyond this Spring/Summer, but I was dubious.  How many times had I stood in my room thinking "Oh I wish I had a yellow bag to go with this outfit"? Possibly never...


Bad enough my colleagues have glanced tentatively at my Chanel mimosa toes last dressed down Friday, I don't need another reason to make them question if I'm in the wrong office/profession.  I guess this is one bag which I'll have to put on the "Maybe" list.

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Strung/Slung: Ashley Olsen

How do you feel about Ashley Olsen's recent propensity to sling her pearls across her body - like a bag strap?

In the spirit of investigation, I tried this (and failed). So no pics for you.  Still, the experiment was not entirely fruitless - I merely added another illustration of how when it comes to most trends Olsen, few could pull their looks off with equal panache.  Fortunately, I am pleased to report that her Comme des Garcons skirt is a far easier look to wear :)
 {olsensanonymous; tfs}

Monday 11 July 2011

Cheap Thrill: ASOS for Work/Play

There really isn't any real excuse for my tardiness in posting *hangs head*  I half expect "blog social services" to swoop in to investigate me for neglect... Forgive me?

At least the shopping urge is back!  I've recently felt the compulsion to add a couple of dresses to my dress down Friday wardrobe.  Too often it's been some variation or another of the breton with blazer look.  Not that there's anything wrong with that (or with this linen blazer with raw exposed lining), but I feel like I'm stuck in a mild style rut.

Perhaps ASOS' Prada-style print dress could inject that jolt of adrenaline to my wardrobe.  While being smart enough during the week with a cardigan, belt and kitten heels, its pricing (GBP50) is thankfully far more Peggy Olsen than Betty Draper.

Alternatively, this wriggle fabulous pencil skirt might likewise do the trick - though perhaps bordering (intentionally?) on that 80's sexy secretary vibe.

Or maybe I should save my cash for my work trip to Hong Kong at the end of the month?  As always, life's full of tough retail decisions.

Thursday 7 July 2011

Remedies To A Long Day

I resent that I'm resoundingly predictable when it comes to coping with stress at the office.  After limping through the door late last night, and instead of having an early night as possible, I found myself itching to renew my vows to the Celine Luggage Shopper Tote. That and shortlisting no less than FOUR pairs of Rupert Sanderson shoes from their online sale, and a couple of Maje dresses over at Net-A-Porter.  

Thankfully I was too exhausted to hit 'Checkout'... [my credit card breathes a sigh of relief]

Sunday 3 July 2011

Covet Covet: Carey with Alexander Wang

I would never have pegged English ingenue Carey Mulligan as an Alexander Wang girl, but here she is in East Village NYC with the burlap Large Emile Tote slung over her vintage print frock.  At once her casual air makes me re-evaluate my initial inclination toward the full-leather grey version.  Mulligan herself is hardly Kylie or Rachel B petite, so perhaps that that variation only works on the extremely statuesque.

The Small Emile Tote is now on sale - 30% off at Shopbop. Still tempted...
{pc: tfs}

Friday 1 July 2011

On The Fence: Further Reductions


The lacklustre Net-A-Porter (International) Sale has left a big scar on my retail horizon - so much so I found myself back at the USA sale site on several days scrolling for sizes and wondering where it all went wrong.  I should have known better - nary a day before the International sale and suddenly half my prized wish list was sold out. Conspiracy? Or just shrewed shoppers purchasing, then returning the items (only to buy them again on sale)?

I'm hardly about to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  In fact, my recent shopping experience with Mr Porter has converted me to The Guy Side for their speedy shipping, gorgeous packaging (hello, embossed ribbon) and personalised gift sticker (all complimentary). Coupled with their truly male approach to sale previews, I'm so crushing on NAP's younger brother right now.  Go check out their further reductions at up to 70% off - including this Marni leather blackberry holder for only GBP22!

Other shops/websites on further reductions now: Luisaviaroma, Club 21 (Lanvin blanc, I die!), Net-A-Porter USA (on final reductions) and Alldressedup.