Savvy Shopping - Going Gray The High-Low Way

Amid a palate of jewel tones this season, shades of gray, from dove to charcoal, are popping up here and there. An easy neutral to wear because it can easily be paired with black, navy, burgundy or purple a la Carla Bruni Sarkozy.

Piazza Sempione Dress $900 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Gray and White Pearl Necklace and Earrings $1550 at Beladora2.com

Glenn Plaid Dress $150 at Banana Republic

There is something both serene and serious about gray, a great color for this year's fall - winter season.

Vintage Value Venture - Happy About Hats

Coach "Maude" Hats $248

Some Like it Vintage Hat $35 CDN

Coquette this week has brought up the subjects of hats as one of this season's must have accessories. I'm a big proponent of hats....they are chic and offer protection from the sun. (I'm not sure though what you do about the dreaded "hat hair" when you take them off. In fact how did women handle "hat hair" when hats were a de rigueur part of any stylish woman's daily attire?)



The Coach "Maude" hats are adorable...but $248 is too steep of a price unless you are going to wear that hat everyday. My prediction...Coach will have them on sale midway through the season.

Bling Biz - Ripka Ready For Expansion

Also from WWD,

Judith Ripka jewelry which is sold at Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, as well as in Judith Ripka boutiques is entering the Middle East market with a distribution deal for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

With a concentration on higher priced pieces the new Aurora Collection will be priced from $5000 to $85,000.

Beladora Judith Ripka Diamond Bangle

Might I suggest a little Ripka under retail...

This estate Ripka diamond bangle bracelet retails for $8450 and can be purchased from Beladora.com at a 55% discount off retail for $3850.

Luxe Biz News - Prodigiously Prosperous PPR, Hermes and LVMH

Royal Van Lent Yacht

Well this year it's evident that there is no recession effect when it comes to the highest end luxury brands.





According to WWD the net profits for the first half of the year for PPR whose brands include Gucci, YSL, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Boucheron, were up 140.9% (mostly due to sale of YSL Beaute and profitability in luxury goods sales)


Hermes, also had a 12.8% increase in half year sales due to scarves, leather goods and perfumes.





Meanwhile, LVMH has done so well that it is acquiring the Dutch firm Royal van Lent, which designs and builds yachts over 160 feet.

Around Town - Malibu Getaway

Malibu Beach Inn

Geoffrey's Restaurant Malibu

Nobu Restaurant Malibu

When I don't have the time (virtually always) to go on vacation to a far away locale, I like to go to Malibu, the perfect close to town weekend getaway spot. Only a short drive from the Westside up the PCH, it feels like a world apart.
The best and only place to stay, in my opinion, is the Malibu Beach Inn. Right on the beach, the rooms are comfortable, chic and cozy with fireplaces which is so nice in the evening when the fog rolls in.
Spending the day on the beach and then dinner at either Geoffrey's or Nobu...Perfect.

Malibu - not only for Maserati driving Movie Biz Magnates.

More about Malibu and 5 Day Forecast