Excess?

I was quite excited to find a $1000 credit code in my inbox from Judith Ripka. So onto the fabulous jewelry site I went. If I recalled correctly it was the Aurora collection that caught my eye once before.



Oh yes! There it is...the stunning cuff bracelet adorned with crystals, diamonds and opals. However the $45,000 price tag with my $1000 discount still costs more than my mini-van. Oh bugger.

Can you belive this hot little number is on backorder? Wow! I don't want to burden them further so perhaps I'll find another little something instead.

Judith...I love you...but need to moonlight before we can become close friends ;)

Best Borrowing - Bag it!

Candy for the senses

Finally, Making Scents of New York
Perfumery has always been about head-turning.

Now, perfumes have been turned on their head.
For the first time in fragrance history, a major, full-blown fragrance collection was launched as an homage to a great city.
The name of this fragrance collection is Bond No. 9 (which is also the address of its headquarters boutique at 9 Bond Street, in NoHo). The city it celebrates is none other than — could be no other than — New York.

Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility.

I want the pretty bottles.
Like this Astor Place Swarovski Limited Edition bottle.
Notes: Violet Leaf, Mandarin Zest, Freesia, Red poppy buds, Orris (iris root), teakwood, Musk and Amber.

Check out the website...it's a treat for the eyes.

Boutique & Beauty Week

Shopping at a discount and all for a good cause.

Kansas Citians can enjoy 20% off or more at participating salons, spas and boutiques with the purchase of a Boutique & Beauty Week Passport.

A portion of the Passport proceeds will be donated to the Pajama Program and the Kelsey Smith Foundation.
View our participating stores here. Buy your passport at the store or online.

Fab Friday

Good morning fashionistas! I hope your weather is as beautiful as it is here in the Kansas City metro. Blue skies and sunshine make me want to SHOP!

Avelle (the new Bag Borrow or Steal) is celebrating 5 fabulous years of renting accessories by giving 30% off a huge selection of handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and more. I did a "ooh yum yum" when I saw the Kan Kan tote by BE&D. Normally $195 per month for members, now just $130. Not bad for a tote that retails for nearly $1400! Yum yum indeed.

Yesterday I took advantage of the amazing discounts at Soho119 in Leawood, KS. I picked up a smoking hot, red dress that I'm wearing to the Rock N Fashion show in downtown KC tonight. If you are anywhere near our area you MUST check out this show. After several successful shows I expect this one to be the best yet. Doors open tonight at 7pm at the Crosstown Station.

Online shopping at KateSpade.com, enjoy the last day of 20% off.
That's all for me. I've got to get the dear ready for Rock N Fashion. Yes, it will take me 11 hours...so what? If you make it to the show, I'll be upstairs with my video crew doing interviews, giving away Haute goodies and having a good time. cheers!

Boutique Sale

There are sales to be had all over town and all over the net. I seriously can't even keep them all straight and posted in time to tell you about all of them.

Here are a few of my faves at the moment:

In the Kansas City metro -
Gennaio Boutqiue, Raymore, MO - 15% off entire purchase thru Sunday 4/26. Beautiful new satin floral halter tops only $35!

Two Chic Blvd, Overland Park, KS -Rack Attack! A rack of drastically discounted clothes. I saw a few denim shorts that were ridiculously low!


Great spring shoes to be had at a discount if you shop online at shoes.com. Make sure you check the restrictions and use the discount code SPRING15 at check out!

Soho119, Leawood, KS - up to 70% off already reduced items. I picked up a one-shoulder top yesterday for just under $40 - original price over $300!

Anniversary Party

If you have read my blog since the beginning, or only recently, you should know that I adore handbags (and shoes and dresses) and that I have a shopping-affair with Avelle. I am so excited that I will be their guest blogger in May, but even MORE excited that their anniversary celebration starts today!
If you haven't joined Avelle New Bag Borrow or Steal yet, do it now!
New members can enjoy a $25 credit on borrowing a handbag! That would make MANY bags 50% off or more! Just use code: 25DOLLARS (exp. 5/13/09).

Please don't let me down my faithful fashionistas. And DO NOT carry an old worn out, out-of-date bag when this spring holds such fabulous trends and treats. Citrus colors are "IN" and so many available for rent right now. Or, if you become a member, you get access to the fabulous outlet full of seriously discounted goods.

I'm currently borrowing the Lipstick handbag by Timmy Woods.
Love it!

Deals of the Day

Here are a few fab deals I just HAD to share with my fashionista friends:

Avelle - the new Bag Borrow or Steal (as seen on Sex & the City) is doing a "Luxe find of the day". They pick one handbag and put it 1/2 off the regular monthly rental price! It's ridiculously inexpensive to have a Gucci, Coach, etc.
today's find? Gucci bag for just $38 a month. Hurry though....that deal will be snatched up quickly!

GAP - Summer shorts, buy one get one 50% off. Can combine with kids, mens, women's, etc. Doesn't apply to swim shorts. Expires 4/29/09.

Stain, stain go away

Don't be alarmed...I am not switching to a cleaning product site. I just can't keep this great little tip from my fashionistas though!

I bought this Dreft pretreater pen to carry in my purse because I thought it would be handy and necessary having three little boys. I use it more on MY clothes than theirs! I am constantly dripping coffee on my shirts, dropping my mascara on my clothes while trying to apply in the car, etc. It has saved so many of my clothes! It's about $4 and worth every penny! I recommend ordering a large shipment from drugstore.com so you can have one at home, one in the car, one in your desk drawer, etc.

Save the clothes! Dot it with the Dreft pen.

Bag of the Day - LV

Get this fabulous Louis Vuitton bag for a steal at Avelle - the new Bag Borrow or Steal. You know...the same bag rental place the girls talked about on the Sex and the City movie!

Normally this LV bag would rent for $125 a month to members. Today it's just $63!

Check back on the Avelle blog for each new deal of the day!

New Almay Launch

On April 11th, join Almay at select Walmart stores for on-site demonstrations of the new Almay pure blends™ collection.
Buy any Almay pure blends™ product and send the receipt to Allure to receive a limited-edition eco-friendly makeup clutch.

In our immediate reading area (includes but not limited to):

Kansas:
16100 WEST 65TH STREET, SHAWNEE, KS
15700 METCALF AVENUE, OVERLAND PARK, KS
395 N. K 7 HWY, OLATHE, KS
2600 N.W. ROCHESTER ROAD, TOPEKA, KS

Missouri:
2203 PATSY LANE, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO
3201 WEST BROADWAY, SEDALIA, MO
11601 EAST US 40 HIGHWAY, KANSAS CITY, MO

Nebraska:
6304 NORTH 99TH STREET, OMAHA, NE
10504 SOUTH 15TH STREET, BELLEVUE, NE
16960 WEST MAPLE ROAD, OMAHA (NW), NE

Boys & bags?

I wouldn't normally go to a boy for fashion advice...but cutie Jack Mackenroth has such good taste (and always makes me laugh) that I just had to get his two cents on what a girl must have:

"I would say given the current economy , if you are going to buy something new then stick with something you will get some mileage out of like a fabulous bag or pair of shoes. The fall 09 collections featured a lot of metallics and fur and luxury but those collections were started many months ago and many of the trends are unrealistic now. If I were a woman I would buy a big carry all bag in matte gold. Maybe I will anyway."

Well, there you have it. Watch for Jack strutting around the big apple with his big gold man-bag.

Gucci tote pictured is available at Avelle - the new Bag Borrow or Steal, just $95 a month for members.

Making Statements

What accessory or item of clothing do you have that is a "statement piece"?
None? Several?
I quickly went looking for statement pieces today because I woke up with this desire to drool over some Christian Louboutin shoes.

I went straight to Neiman Marcus for some quick and easy finds. I found these fabulous earrings that are so unique and so beautiful...but so out of my price range for something that small. Plus I refuse to buy myself jewelry over a few hundred dollars...that's my husband's job. MCL by Matthew Campbell Laurenza Enamel Drop Earrings
945.00

A bit more in a non-stomach churning price range? How about these ABS by Allen Schwartz Teardrop Earrings, $95.00. Not quite the equivalent in "statement" but still a brilliant design.

On to shoes!!!

Spring reigns with Louboutin's amazing new line this season. Several statement pieces. This Dillon Pump, $2875 at Nieman Marcus. Made with natural python (sorry, can't ship to California) with a fabulous ruffle and nearly 5 inch heel.
Of course the signature red sole.
And this is spring 09 collection so you'd be pre-ordering with a ship date around 4/17.

A bit more simple and not so "statement" is this Triple Plateform sandal. Choose bone or black patent calf leather. Stacked heel reaches 5.5 inches. $1,095 at Nieman Marcus.

Seriously, I bought a black pair so similar to this at DSW for about $50. (shown in brown). Ok, slightly different, but in a more attainable price range for most women I know. They are comfortable too. Thought I'd recommend inserting the Printz pads from Apara.

Happy shopping (or drooling).
Need to go dig some quarters out from under the seats in the mini van and in the laundry - gotta add to mommy's shopping fund for a new statement item!