Interesting....

This from The Thoughtful Dresser...

At The Sales

I have to say, as I attempt to clean out my closet, that I'm coming around to the same opinion -

1. That I would do much better with fewer, better clothes that, most importantly, fit me well -

And

2. That more and more, there is precious little out there that I would wear at ANY price!

Maybe that's why lately my focus has been on shoes and handbags! :-/

A great big THANKS to The Sewing Divas for the heads up on this thoughtful post!

P.S. And while you're there check out this post with the fabulous pic of Helen Mirren!

Long to reign over us

Saying she looks spectacular is, frankly, an understatement!

Over at The Purse Blog.....

Introducing April in Paris

I think the handbags are amazing looking - especially the first two!

The prices are amazing too -- but since it is handmade by the designer and in collaboration with the client...well even MY cheap butt has got to concede that the price would be well worth it!

Fashion Budgeting News You Can Use...

Whether you're dieting or not! ;-)

At the The Budget Fashionista....

How to Budget Your Shopping Dollars

Over at Wardrobe 911....

Ms. Teresa gives tips on how to wear the short trench coat this Spring...

how to wear: short trench

I've been seeing quite a few of these new shorter versions of the trench and I must admit I'm taking a liking to it. It definitely gives a bit more polish than the, admittedly, dependable windbreaker! ;-)

Okay....

Say that, unlike me, nothing but designer goods will do for you. But, like me, you don't have all the money in the world to buy designer goods.

Well then, get thee over to Bag Bliss....

Ideeli: private luxury shopping @ discount prices + giveaways

I went over and signed up (mostly out of curiosity of course!) - and I must admit, the prices are pretty amazing.

So if you really love designer goods take advantage of this opportunity and sign up!

Interesting......

From The New York Times (Who's front page story today, by the way, is the continuing tumble of the worlds stock markets..)

Thinking Twice About That $400 Handbag


Big thanks to Second City Style for the heads up on this one!

I Heart...

Naughty Monkey Shoes....



Naughty Monkey Women's Candyland Pump



Naughty Monkey Women's Scenester Flat






Naughty Monkey Women's Z Inside Open Toe Pump

I love the whimsy and vintage feel of these shoes! Admittedly, I doubt I'll be able to wear the pumps - but I've got a bull's eye over those flats! I think they'd look too cute peeking out from a pair of navy pants!

Funny......

From the Budget Diva...

Choir I need back up!!

And yes -- those shoes are delish! ;-)

Happy B-Day Dr. King!

And a fitting tribute over at Fashiontribes...

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Wise words...

From Fabulous After 40 on how to handle all the bleedin' sales that are all over the place right now!...

Sale Time, Should you or Shouldn't You?

A great use of neturals....

From the Fashionist.....



JoAnn - Market Street

I love the way this young lady has combined neutrals in a way that looks fresh and crisp, not boring.

Very Audrey Hepburn indeed - great classic style that a woman of any age can pull off!

The Colors of Spring...

Per Pantone...

From NY $pender.....

Pantone's Spring 08 Colors

Hummm I'll have to give them some thought -- I love a pale color as much as the next, but I'm not so sure about these. Sort of makes me feel like they lined up a bunch of fruity type drinks at the bar and picked their favorite flavors! :-/

It does look like gray is going to hold on from winter to spring! ;-)

More handbag contests!....

Over at the Luxist...

W Magazine Gives Away It Bags

Now personally I don't think that the bags they are giving away are all that attractive - but go on over and take a look! If they fit your style - go for it! ;-)

From The Sartorialist.....

On the Street....Giovanna, Paris

Lovely outfit, great silhouette! I especially love the gray gloves!

I don't have highlights.....

But for those of you who do, this might be of interest....

A tip from Barb over at Barb's Beauty Tips for Babes Over 60:

Help For Highlights

Here's a link to the product on the Fekkai site...

Hi-Lights Hair Mascara

A Shout out of Congrats....

To the ladies over at Second City Style for being picked by Chicago Magazine as the best fashion blog in Chicago...

Second City Style...is the News! Named Chicago's Best Fashion Web Site!

Speaking of Handbags....

The Budget Fashionista and Baghaus is having a kick-a** contest...





Win This: 12 months, 12 Fabulous Handbags from Baghaus.com

A free handbag a month? What's not to love!

The January O Magazine...

Had the following great article...

How Not to Look Old - by Charla Krupp


The article is based on the author's book How Not to Look Old

I have to confess I've know about the book for sometime - but the title rather put me off. I'm just sick and tired of folks trying to convince the boomers that we need never grow old! Guess what - it's a lie! We are going to get old and look that way at some point - get over it!

But then I read a couple of articles on the book and found out that, yes, while she is talking about not looking old, she isn't actually advocating doing just about anything in order to not look older. She basically giving good advise on how not to look older than you have to! That something I can totally get behind!

The article is well worth reading if you can still get your hands on a January O. If not, check out the link above - it will give you some of the best info of the print article!

I Heart....

Dooney & Bourke












And no one is more surprised by that than I!

Up till now I've pretty much ignored D&B bags - as far as I could see they were all about those cutesy candy print bags that youngsters seem to love so! As you know if you've read here often enough that I am no fan of patterned bags - even my beloved Coach line turns me away when they trot out their Signature print bags!

But I was walking through Macy's yesterday (who, by the by, is having an insane sale right now - 25% off designer bags and even more off some of their other brands in-store! So if you happen to be going to the mall today and you've been looking for a good leather bag - check it out!) and what should I see but this lovely:




Large Logo Lock Satchel - $495.00

Whoa! I said to myself - what is that! Imagine my surprise to find out it was a D&B bag!

So I looked around a bit and saw this one...



Extra Large Slouch - $395.00

I was hooked!

The leather is beautiful, the colors delish and the price well within my $500.00 or less benchmark! And the designs are so classic I could carry these bags for years to come.

I checked out the website and realized that, along with Coach, I could happily fill my handbag wardrobe with Coach and D&B bags!

I Heart....

Prada's Spring Collection:



Nappa Delave Tote - $1,895.00





Cervo Antik Tote - $1,510.00



Cervo Pleat Bag - $1,495.00



Structured Calfskin Satchel - $1,495.00

Yes, yes I know. The $500.00 or less rule. Well it's the exception that proves the rule, what? And every so often, you've got to go off the farm - especially for bags as lovely as this!

But this is just plain ludicrous...



Tessuto Tote - $755.00

A beautifully shaped bag -- but $755.00 for what is essentially a nylon tote with a bit of leather wrapped around it????? Not in this life!

Even MORE ludicrous...



Tessuto Weave Tote - $1230.00

I actually really like the design and color of this bag -- but its $1230.00 for woven nylon! NYLON!

Sigh...it's this kind of tomfoolery that makes a joke out of the concept of a luxury bag. It's just a plain shameless grab for cash -- If Prada isn't ashamed - I'm ashamed for them! :-(

Looks like my guy Isaac M.....

Is starting the year off with a move!

Breaking News: No More Isaac Mizrahi Line at Target

As far as I am concerned this is definately one of those good news/bad news stories. I'm a big fan of Liz Claiborne (My closet is awash in items from this brand - what can I say they fit and work beautifully for work and play!), but lately the line has been, shall we say, adrift. It can definately use a major jot - and I'm thinking the wildly creative Isaac might just be the ticket.

But the lost of his line at Target is quite a blow to those of us that don't have all the money in the world to dress - but still want a fashionable closet. (My own father - zero fashion interest! - commented on how nice my Isaac M. demin trousers from Target looked! Now as far as I'm concerned, that says it all!)

This idea....

Is brilliant!

What Size Are You – Really?


I still think that the best way to buy clothes is to try them on - just because something looks like it will work with your figure, doesn't mean that it will once its on your butt!

However, wouldn't it be great to be able to narrow down the stores and the items you want to try? This site would really allow you to focus and spend that time in the mall wisely! And online shopping would be a much more satisfying and, dare I say, closer to a return free zone!

Go on over and take a look at their site - Size Me Up

And while you're there, give them a hand by Sharing Your Closet! In exchange for some info from you on your favorite best fitting items you can win an IPod Nano!

Sounds like a potential win-win to me! And just to help out - I'm placing a link to their site on the right - so we can all keep an eye on this venture! ;-)

Dress...

Elegantly....



On the Street - So Chic Paris

Audaciously....




Ellen - Hayes Street SF

Fearlessly.....



On the Street - Silver Fox - Femme

What do these ladies share? A rock solid sense of their own personal style and the unwavering confidence to carry it off. They are fierce!

And so should you be!

A thousand thanks to The Sartorialist and the Fashionist for the wonderful pics!

As I was preparing to go out today....

On the usually Saturday errands, I started thinking that my weekend wardrobe is as much in need of revamping as my work ware! I've got a very definite mom jeans vibe going on right now!

So, thinking forward to Spring, I'm thinking I might just go with the following as one of my weekend outfits:

From Old Navy



Women's Plus Lightweght Peacoat - $39.50

I like the fresh take on the classic peacoat - and I especially love the back detail:







Women's Plus Shirred Pique Polo - 2 for $25.00

I'm not usually a fan of horizontal stripes - but I like the way this shirt continues the nautical theme...




Women's Plus Low Rise Wide Leg Mariner Jeans - $39.50

Normally I'd want the wash to be darker - but I think these can really work.



Suede Trim Canvas Skimmers - Gray - $16.50




Suede Trim Bowler Bag - $29.50

Now that it's the New Year...

Yes, yet another opportunity to rethink that bear (if it's anything like mine!) of a closet....

Ms. Angie over at YouLookFab is handing out the reality check on getting your closet in shape...

Your Closet - Inspiration or Irritation?

I can tell you right now that mine is presently the latter - through I have begun the purging process (I already have 3 bags - yes that's right BAGS - of clothes to go to Goodwill or Salvation Army - I haven't quite decided on the "lucky" recipient yet!) and I might share pics here later.

Meanwhile, this is a great chance for me to try out a poll! So vote on the right - how does your closet stand - Inspiration or Irritation? ;- )

I Heart....

The new Coach Madeline Tote...




Coach Madeline Leather Tote - $428.00

I'm not a big fan of Signature prints, but I'm thinking I like it even better in the signature black..



Coach Madeline Medium Signature Tote

Speaking of handbags...

Mulberry is having a sale...

Mulberry Online Sale

What would I be snapping up if I had a spare $600 to drop?....

The lovely Henley in Indigo of course!...




Henely Indigo - $575.00

No it's not my beloved Bayswater - but lovely none the less and at half the price! And I love the dark blue color!

A big shout out to Laura over at The Bag Lady for the heads up on this sale!

(Please note: The price in US dollars is just my est!)

Speaking of Top Tens and fashion forcasts....

An interesting list from The Observer...

The fashion forecast

They cover it from A-Z...and an interesting list it is! Do yourself a favor and check out the sites...

I'm already lovin' Eley Kishimoto...

Okay at this time of year.....

It is inevitable that there will be top ten lists....

Bag Bliss treats us to a cornucopia of end of the year top tens - and a few predictions as well...

Fashion News Weekly Round Up - Top 10s

Grrroww....

The K Girl has done it again...

Christian Louboutin Sequined Shoes

I confess...As practical a gal (and as broke) as I am, if I had the ducats for Über expensive shoes it would be Christian Louboutin I'd be runnin' to with my cash! ;-)

Okay I confess....

I have a love of nifty shopping bags! Let's face it, some of them can serve as a small tote - I refer you to the great little handled bags you get from Starbucks.

Well I'm happy to learn that I'm not the only one...

Never Mind What’s in Them, Bags Are the Fashion


I've been coveting the bag Neiman-Marcus had for their 100th anniversary - too bad I can't afford anything in the damn place in order to get the shopping bag! :-<

I Heart.....

Simon Chang...

Older women don't have to be invisible, says fashion designer Simon Chang


I know exactly what his friend means...One of the great shocks I had when I hit 50 was the fact that I was no longer rated so much as a second glance from men. And mind you, I've never been considered a beauty, so if I noticed it, I'm sure other women in their 50s really feel the kick in the pants!

Yes it is silly, but you do start to feel as if you have disappeared - and that does no good at all for your menopausal mental state!

Good on Mr. Simon -- his advice in this regard is right on! I also love the fact that he actually talks about outfitting women in wheelchairs - a really under served and un-thought of group! Face it ladies -- if you live long enough, there's a good chance that sooner or later (hopeful later) you will find yourself needing wheelchair transport! You might as well look good as you ride!

Check out his designs at Simon Chang. Many of his designs are not for the faint of heart -- but there are many pieces I could definitely see myself in!

(A great big shout-out thank you to I Want - I Got for the heads up on this article!)

Speaking of good advice....

The Pretty Pear hits the nail on the head as well....

Let's get 2008 started!

I'm with her. 2008 is here, so own up to yourself where ever you find yourself and find a way to ROCK IT!

And understand that you deserve too! ;-)

A Very....

To all!