Vintage Value Venture - Pretty Pastels

Even though it's cold outside I'm thinking about spring.

When warmer weather is finally here I've got the perfect soft summery outfit, a pretty pastel print dress with a lovely draped back from Dorthea's Closet Vintage paired with a pink purse from Retro Designer Deals.

For a little summer sparkle just add this vintage blue topaz ring from Beladora2.com
Perfect.

Congratulations Instapundit!

Congratulations are due to Glenn Reynolds, The Instapundit, for his almost 8 million (!!!) hits last month. I have been reading his blog virtually everyday since 2001 and I learned more from it that I did from reading all print media combined. There isn't another news source on the web or in print that covers the breadth of topics than his blog does. And no, I'm not just posting this because I am shamelessly vying for an Instalaunch.

From alternative history, to politics, to constitutional law, to recipes, to consumer electronics, to space travel, to indie music, to nanotechnology, to well just about everything...I've learned the basics about it from Glenn.

Glenn, thank you for taking the time to write your blog.

Oh, and if you want to learn more about the the power of markets and technology, you need to read Glenn's book An Army of Davids.

The Sartorialist for Paris Vogue

If you would appreciate a unique view of fashion from the streets of Milan, Paris and New York you need to visit the best fashion photography blog on the web, The Sartorialist.

When I feel the need to take a virtual trip outside of Beverly Hills to get a better feel for fashion outside of the platinum triangle, which is rather often, I visit the Sart.

Oh, and way to go Sart with the Vogue Paris photos.

And back to our topic of women's handbags, from Dr Helen, what in the world is this petite woman carrying around with her in that giant bag?

Balenciaga Boutique Opens In Los Angeles

WWD has reported that Balenciaga has opened a Los Angeles Boutique with an launch party bringing out celebs like Salma Hayek, mother of the billionaire PPR CEO, Francois-Henri Pinault's child.

"I'm constantly amazed by the things Nicolas creates, especially the baby things. Boy, it's good to be Valentina," said Hayek, referring to their daughter.

Boy, it's good to be the mother of the child of the billionaire owner of Balenciaga.

And these words of wisdom from the designer himself:

"I find the L.A. woman very changed. It's not all blond hair," marveled Nicolas Ghesquière on Friday night as Balenciaga opened the doors to its futuristic new Los Angeles boutique.

It's not all blond hair indeed.

Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man

In today's Pajamas Media, Dr. Helen asks why can't a woman be more like a man in terms of carrying a only a wallet instead of a giant handbag. How do men do it? One way of course it the amount of pockets provided in men's clothing. On this she quotes law professor and blogger Ann Althouse :

I used to view clothing manufacturers as anti-feminist because they gave men pockets but denied them to women. Even when they gave us pockets, they were often shallow and slanted — designed for the elegant placement of a hand, perhaps. The clothing manufacturers were part of the elaborate system designed to oppress women. I’m still a little irked about it!

Dr. Helen replies:

Well, getting irked at the clothing manufacturers or even the “patriarchy” because there are few pockets in women’s pants is rather silly, though I understand the sentiment. But it is the women themselves who are slaves to fashion. Don’t believe me? Try going to the opening of a local Sephora (a make-up store, for those of you who aren’t “in the know”) and watch the parade of women swoon and swarm through the store as if they are on a drug-induced high. Then take a look at the puzzled faces of the men or boys they’ve dragged to the place while they watch the mysterious behavior of these women who are practically foaming at the mouth about make-up and tell me that this fashion — along with a lust for purses — is anything but the desire of the women themselves doing the longing. Many women don’t want pockets for the same reason that they wear make-up. They think it makes them look good and they want to impress — mainly — other women. But enough of this.

I suppose that pockets large enough to actually hold credit cards, keys, cellphone, ipod, lipgloss, change, etc. could be designed into women's fashions but would women really like the added bulk in the silhouette? I doubt it.

Still, there must be some sort of middle ground between clothes with bulging pockets and carrying the latest and soon to be sold out 'it' bag like this Gucci Python number for $3990, measuring 17" by 14" from Saks Fifth Avenue.