Ladybugs on Sale!

Dori O'Dea, of Ike Designs Jewelry is offering the following....

MARCH SPECIAL OFFERING- $38 until MARCH 7th
This little ladybug is sterling silver laced with garnet, onyx, hematite and a touch of pink sapphire. You can specify all garnet if you don't want any pink and let me know what length chain you would like (from 15 1/2" up to 18"). The ladybug measures 5/8" in body, and about one inch from tip to tip. Each one is handmade, so slightly different, but will look pretty much like this original one.

How did she come up with this idea? "While watching a chick flick (not something I do very often), I took note of a story that one of the characters told. When she was a little girl, she wanted to see ladybugs so much that she sat in the grass, eagerly looking for the ladybugs. Exasperated and frustrated at not seeing any, she fell asleep. When she awoke, she was covered in ladybugs. She reminded me to let go a little bit...to have faith...and to enjoy all the time I have. So I made this little ladybug to remind me of all these things. We all need to let go a little bit and know that all the things we wish for really do come our way when we let them; not always on OUR time, but always at the RIGHT time. Dare to dream of your own ladybugs! And trust in your own ladybugs! It might be hokey, but it works for me...remember that the ladybugs will come if you let them, whatever those ladybugs may be..."

Visit http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9838839 if you would like a little ladybug to hang gently from your neck...

Tinkerbell Dress at Jill Anderson

I purchased the pictured Tinkerbell dress at Jill Anderson last week for 25% off (I paid $187.50 instead of the original $250.) As Jill herself explains on the label, "Whimsical and sophisticated, wear it forward or backward, layer over a longundie or a vintage mistress miriam slip..." I plan to rock it with fishnets and the also pictured velvet/studded choker (for about $56), also purchased at Jill Anderson. Did you know that she makes all of her clothes right there in the East Village? Talk about thinking local!

Oh, and the dress - it's hand washable! Yay.

Los Angeles: An Insider's View

I really do not like LA. But I try to make the most of it whenever I go. This year I had the great good fortune to see it through the life experience of my friend who lives downtown and works for a certain late night talk show host.

At least three good things came out of my experience:

1. I got to see one of the cool new lofts they are remodeling all over downtown. My friend now lives in one and it is a huge, real (i.e. real kitchen appliances - look at the size of that refrigerator!), two-bathroom apartment that would cost $3,600 easy in New York. See photos. Cat not included. The biggest drawback that I could see is that it only has one small closet. They have enough space to trick out a walk-in closet, and they should! But it merely gave her an excuse to...

2. Take me to a private furniture sale that was amazing. And if I lived in LA, I would have bought the place up and been done with my decorating for years. "Sweet Smiling Home" on Palmetto Street is open to the public a couple weekends a year and offers tons of cool middle eastern/Asian-style furniture and lighting (and handbags?) at 30% - 90% off retail.

3. She also took me to see one of rock-n-roll's fashion icons du jour - Marilyn Manson. The get-ups on the people in the crowd are now rivaling Marilyn himself. The biggest drawback on this experience was that it took place in the Wiltern, which we both agreed sucks. It shouldn't be surprising though, seeing how it's a "Live Nation" venue, which is secret for Clear Channel...

OH! I almost forgot! She also took me to Fred Segal - my first time there, believe it or not. I did buy a little make up a la Laura Mercier, but overall I was underwhelmed. I liked the venue though - it sort of reminded me of a small department store that could have existed in the mid-west in the 50s or 60s - or an upscale Florence Shop (does anyone remember that joint in Bergenfield, NJ?). But I think the goods were way too trendy and girly for me.

Yes I Went to the Oscars (again)

I didn't get to see too much famous fashion up close this year, but it's always fun to people watch the "normal" folk too.

So this year I wore the brown side of my Kifka Heller custom dress, with the necklace I bought ages ago at Les Nanas, Kenneth Cole shoes, Estee Lauder makeup and a bag loaned to me by Scott Stargardt (the designing man behind K+H).

Hopefully I will be getting a real full length shot of myself with Oscar from the kind people at the Academy, but until then, here's a DIY shot my camera took of me in my hotel room (the Omni on Olive St. downtown - swift service, but kind of a middle management experience overall. What do you expect for $152/night?)

Chicago: Shopping Secret...Shhhh

So in communicating with a GS friend, I have been given some insight from an anti-shopper's shopper:

I'm not a big shopper myself but definitely love a good bargain and get very proud of them. One thing that I discovered in the past year: Chicago is a great city for shopping. I visited a friend there and we shopped for a weekend; Chicago is a big enough city to have a lot of good clothes but Chicagoans are far too practical to spend ridiculous amounts of money. I feel compelled to tell you about my biggest score in Chicago: jeans are a rough area for me (for everyone over 25, I imagine...) There is a dangerously fine line between flatteringly low-waisted and my a** hanging out when I sit down, and I try on a LOT of jeans without buying many. In Chicago I bought a cute pair of True Religion jeans that I can sit in for $50! They were originally $320, but nobody in Chicago is going to pay that much because it's stupid. Even with the flight to Chicago ($200) they were cheaper than retail!My other new thing: for sports equipment, www.steepandcheap.com. They sell only one thing at a time but they sell it REALLY cheap--usually more than 60% off-- and then move on to the next. My sister has actually bought a ton of stuff on there (she's the sporty sister). I check it a lot, though. It's totally worth it. Wow. I totally feel like talking about shopping. I totally agree with you about Old Navy, Macy's and Lord and Taylor.

I MET A FASHION GOD

Sure, I went to the Oscars. But the real excitement happened before I even stepped foot outside of LAX on Friday! I was awaiting my suitcase at the baggage carousel when I looked over my left shoulder to see TIM GUNN standing 2 people away! How much better of a sighting than this could a Guerilla Shopper get?

So while I didn't want to bug him, I knew that I would simply have to say something or I'd be kicking myself for eternity. I quickly saw my way in-- the guy I was sitting next to on the plane was now right next to the FASHION GOD. I would have to use him to reach my destination. Here's how the whole exchange went:

Me to guy I sat next to: Bye, have a good time seeing Bette Midler in Vegas.
Guy: Oh thanks.
Me (now standing perpendicular to Tim Gunn) to Tim Gunn [touching the sleeve of his impeccable suit]: "It's my favorite show."
TIM GUNN: "Oh why thank you so much. It's a GREAT season, isn't it?"
Me (realize I am wearing glasses and have my hair in two ponytails, by the way): "The BEST!!"
TIM GUNN: "Yes, it's great it's a lot of fun."

So I could have basically turned around and gone home right then and there. He was the real deal - his Project Runway persona is...him!

Carry on...

Domain Home: You Heard it Here First

Last month I told you that Domain was filing for bankruptcy/going out of business and that you should watch for a major sale. The details aren't entirely clear yet, but HERE YOU GO. 40% off Going Out of Business Sale!

It's a little bit difficult to tell if this sale is happening in NYC or just in the Norwood, Mass. outpost. I shall check the Broadway store and report back in the near future.

But meanwhile, look at me, breaking news and stuff!

p.s. They still owe me my delivery rebate from last month, I guess now I really shan't hold my breath...

Cole Haan: NAMI AIR PUMP

These Cole Haan shoes look great. I am moved by them... They are classics with a utilitarian twist. They are interesting but not trendy. So on and so forth. But can I bring myself to spend $295 on a pair of high-heeled sneakers? I highly doubt it.

Samples for (eco)mpassion Sample Sale: 2/22-2/24

I have a feeling a number of you are clamoring for this information:

What: Samples for (eco)mpassion Sample Sale(a Carbon Neutral Sample Sale)

When: February 22nd to February 24th. 2008 (Friday to Sunday) 11am to 8pm

Where: Open House a socially and environmentally responsible exhibit space:
201 Mulberry Street between Kenmare and Spring streets

Click here to see our film clip: http://www.greenfinds.com/sfe.html

Featured designers Up to 90% off Retail ….Citizens of Humanity, Del Forte Organic Denim, Lauren Moffatt, Seven Jeans, C&C, QI Cashmere, Philosopher Garden, Alice and Trixie, Raven Denim, T- Bags, Julie Brown Featured retailers….. Steven Alan, Big Drop, and Caravan. Other designers include: 3.1 by Philip Lim, YA-YA, Paige Denim, Mint, Splendid, Tracey Reese, Young Fabulous and Broke, Foley and Corinna, Loomstate, Ryann, J. Lindeberg, Rebecca Taylor and much more.

We invite you to experience a sample sale that promotes conscious consumerism. Samples for (eco)mpassion is a carbon neutral sample sale, Carbon neutral means we buy clean energy certificates based on our energy consumption during the sample sale, which funds clean energy that is supplied to the energy grid. Carbon offsetting consultation is provided by Terra Pass.

Shopping bags provided by Bio bag 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable bags made from corn.

5% of total sales will go to support Trees for The Future. Also in support of Charity Water we will be selling Charity Water’s bottled water. 100% of the purchase will go to Charity Water’s clean water projects.

One sales transaction for $278 can plant 139 Trees…$20 can provide one person with clean drinking water for 20 years.

I went to Barneys Warehouse Sale

(Photo courtesy of Racked.com)
Yes, I went. Last night after work at around 6:15 p.m. It was not crowded at all. But it was calm chaos nevertheless. Shoes all over the place, clothes all over the place. I was almost moved to buy some shoes, but then thought that perhaps I should wait til the final day and return in hopes of scoring a real bargain. The prices are certainly lower than usual, but I wouldn't have felt as though I had led a retail revolution. Also, so many of the shoes have 4-inch heels, and my feet have been through the wars the past couple of years, so I just can't try and hobble around the city that way any longer. At least not until I get a podiatrist on the case.

I was also seeking an evening bag, but the prices were too Crazy Eddie for me. As you might know, I am not a handbag lover, so I won't throw down hundreds of dollars for something I may only use twice.

And in closing, the sizes are teeny tiny. Seemingly Barneys equates a 10 with huge mongo giantism and they shove that small rack off in the corner for the "special people." OK, maybe I'm feeling a little bit out of shape this mid-winter week, but you get my (snow)drift.

I also went to Loehmann's right 'round the corner looking for similar items. That place was (is) a disaster and I found no bag there either. However, they did have what appeared to be a recent shipment of fancy schmancy shoes including many styles from Sigerson Morrison that you might want to check out.