Vintage Value Venture - Hot Colors For Cold Spring Nights

After looking at Tish's town & country photos I'm pretty sure that it is colder here in Los Angeles than it is in Paris....and not just because it is raining outside. For the last week or two I've noticed the temperatures at 64 degrees...in the sun at mid day! Unheard of for this time of year here. And of course the nights are downright cold.

So...if I had anywhere to go...on a cold spring night...I'd mix it up with hot colors like cherry red and fuchsia pink. Probably too matchy-matchy for all all of you but I'd totally wear this ensemble.

Vintage 1960's Magenta Satin Dress from Couture Allure $125

Pink and Yellow Sapphire Ring in 18K from Beladora.com $4350

Garrard Lotus Earrings from Beladora.com $2850 (retail price $4700)

Group of Bangle Bracelets in 18K from Beladora.com $4500

(gold weight people, gold weight!)

Vintage Snakeskin Jeweled Clutch from Vintage Skins $195
(I love this website)

Your basic satin shoes from Zappos for $80

Yeah, I know that it is a little over the top in a SATC way

but as Wendy says, wear what you want.

Savvy Shopping - Boucheron Beasts

Fashion blogger Savvy Mode blogged today that she isn't a big fan of the new animal jewelry from the extravagant bestiary collection by Boucheron.

Which includes this diamond swan necklace interestingly worn as a hair ornament


and these charming carved gemstone turtle rings

I do like animal motif jewelry
when it is cleverly conceived and constructed
and I'm rather fond of Beladora's newest acquisition

Boucheron Tsavorite, Sapphire and Ruby Iguana Ring in Blackened Gold $13,550

OK, so I admit that it is a bit pricey at $13,000

but waaaay better priced than Boucheron retail price of $28,000

And god knows that I'd much rather have a jewelled iguana than a live one

The Ultimate Accessory - The Boucheron Bag

While not being a bag snob who would drop bundles on a Birkin,
there is just one bag that I consider to be the ultimate accessory

The 18K gold bag with diamond clasp by uber French jeweler Boucheron

Elegant yet simple design

Handcrafted with a built in mirror and attached gold backed comb

The perfect size for a credit card, cash, cell phone and a condom

What more does a woman need?

Calling For The Classics - And a $60,000 Clothes Budget

This week's Wall Street Journal Magazine put together these 7 Classic Looks
to amortize your investment and bank on long term returns.

Hermes Scarf $375
Thomas Pink Shirt $150
Loro Piana Belt $595
Acne Jeans $299

Tory Burch Dress $325
Mikimoto Pearls $3980

TSE Sweater Set $720

Hermes Kelly Bag $7150
Gap Shorts $39.50

Rimini Sandals $98

Elsa Peretti Necklace (worn as a bracelet) $7500

Cartier Tank Francais Watch $17,925

Kiton Blazer $3500

Gap T-Shirt $16.50

Armani Jeans $725

Persol Sunglasses $270

APC Trench $420

Rolex Datejust $6050

South American Secrets Panama Hat $144.95

Ralph Lauren Satin Shirt $1098

Hermes Belt $950

Banana Republic Pants $79

Bass Wayfarer Loafers $89

Lanvin Dress $4145

Lanvin Lucite Necklace $3608

OK...here are some of the comments

If you can afford the clothing and accessories in these photos, you’re not worried about “getting through the slump.”

I’m not sure how a $7,000 Hermes bag and a Rolex “help get you through the slump?” Have you checked the front page of your website, the little piece about the unemployment numbers…it’s outrageous that you’d post something like this.

This is a bit silly, really, 950 for a belt, 1000 for a shirt, 6000 for a watch, 7000 for a handbag…that’s Fifteen Thousand dollars, and you don’t even have pants yet! This will help get WHO through a slump???

I just checked and the total of all these “classic looks” come to $60,251.95. Can I get economic stimulus funds if I buy these?

I admit that these clothes fit my style right down to the white dress and tennis shoes.

Most of my life I've worn clothes like these, in fact the white t-shirt, white jeans, blazer, white tennis shoes and good watch, was sort of my signature look for years.

What I like about these looks is that they can easily be created with less expensive pieces. Seriously, who needs white jeans from Armani for $795. And don't even get me started on the Lanvin lucite necklace for $3608....it's just so wrong in so many ways. Akoya pearls are way less than $1000 so the Mikimoto akoya strand for $3980...well that's another example of insanity.

All insanity aside, is this look chic or is it uninspired?

Does this wardrobe look like $60,251.95 to you?

Just curious.

Gorgeous Gems at the Golden Globes

Since I am decidedly anti-celebrity hype I never bother to watch award shows.
But I never miss the fug girls and their red carpet review.

So after seeing who wore what this year
Here are my awards for red carpet looks.

Best Big Bling
Eva Mendez in a rocking vintage Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise and diamond necklace. She is a beautiful girl, with or without jewelry, but I'm glad that she opted for the serious bling with this statement necklace.


Best Iconic Vintage Look
Ann Hathaway who I find to be rather vapid. Vapid or not, her stylist went all out with these vintage diamond and sapphire earrings, also by Van Cleef. These earrings are one of VCA's iconic designs and featured in the Ann-Marie Clais's definitive book, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Best Improvement in Overall Look

Drew Barrymore's style was described by one blogger as

It was Marilyn Monroe at her Seconal and champagne best

Even with the big hair I thought that she looked great.

The John Galiano dress was subdued but sexy.

The diamond chandelier earrings, wide cuff bracelet and big ring were elegant but demure.

And let's face it....she pretty much could have worn anything and looked better than she did at this previous Golden Globes show.

Quite a change...

Bespoke at Boucheron

Even I Can Dream or My Fall Fashion Fantasy

Well with Labor Day weekend upon us I've finally had to accept the reality that Fall is finally here. Of course, Labor Day is not the leading indicator that Fall has arrived, Fantasy Football is. While I won't be having a Fantasy Football team, I will be so looking forward to watching Peyton and Eli Manning play this season. Those boys are going to be better than ever!




But instead of having a Fantasy Football team I have my own little Fall Fashion Fantasy.


And If I lived in an alternative universe I would jet off Virgin America first class to New York for a quick stay at the Pierre Hotel, where I could catch up with my East Coast friends at lunch at La Goulue and dinner at La Grenouille .
And bien sur do some shopping at Bergdorf Goodman.

And this is what I'd be buying for my Fall wardrobe.

Loro Piano Silk and Cashmere "Becky" Dress

Nicely tailored Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Bag

Manolo Blahnik Bow Pumps

Beladora Bvlgari "Trika" Bracelet with 4.50 carats of diamonds

Now since this fantasy shopping spree would cost the equivalent to a down payment on an ocean view condo in Cabo San Lucas...in an alternative universe, I would actually opt for a wardrobe of vintage clothes and go for the real estate.