His and Hers Gifts of Christmases Past

From the 2010 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

A Tequila party for 75 of your best friends with Colin Cowie for $125,000...sounds like fun for $1666 per person.
A swimming pool sculpture installation by Chihuly for $1,500,000..doesn't everybody need one?

But what I really want is this gift from the 1974 Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog

Yep, his and hers hovercrafts
$3640 for the pair.
Really who wouldn't want those?

Fall 2010 Trend Report - Bring On The Boots

Here in Los Angeles, it has been the season of the lost summer, where temperatures have been more January than July.  It it gray, damp and cold outside this morning, as it has been every morning for the last few months.
So sitting at my computer in sweat pants, a t-shirt and a fleece jacket... just to stay warm, the idea of thinking about cool weather clothes doesn't seem so odd in early August.
and what better place to start than the Neiman Marcus Trend Report
I can skip the pantsuits and the feathers
Ah....but a wardrobe of boots....that's one trend I could go for
and I'd start with these boots

Valentino Bow Topped Boots $1595 from Neiman Marcus

Prada Fur Cuff Boots $1350 from Neiman Marcus

and 

Manolo Blahnik Buckle Boots $1650 from Neiman Marcus

What trend are you looking forward to this Fall?

Neiman Marcus - Is This Any Way To Market?

I have to say that in terms of marketing Neiman Marcus does just about everything right.
They have the stores, they have the goods and they have the sales staff.

Of course being too busy to go into the store, try on the goods and deal with the sales staff
I ordered this evening gown off of the Neiman Marcus website for the VRG gala.

On the website they had only one left in a size 4 and I snapped it up. I'd never bought an eveing gown online before but since I've worn Carmen Marc Valvo dresses in the past, I assumed it would fit. As it turns out the gown was cut a little large and I decided to return it.

Instead of sticking it back in the box and shipping it I decided to quickly pop into Neimans and return it in person and maybe see if there were any other dresses that I absolutely could not live without.

So there I was in the dress department waiting for someone to help me for more than 15 minutes. OK, so what's a little wait. I perused the racks and found a few fancy little cocktail dresses that had my name all over them...and god knows...I have the opportunity to wear fancy little cocktail dresses so often (not) but I am partial to them.

When a saleslady was finally available to help me she told me that because I had purchased the dress online I had to go to the top floor and return the dress to customer service. I was like really?

At any rate I trudged up the escalator with my long gown and returned it and then left the store to go back to my office.

So what's the issue?
If I had been able to return it in the fancy schmancy dress department, chances are that the sales lady would have been able to talk me into buying at least one other dress, and probably three, because there was an awesome sale and as I said before, I wear fancy little cocktail dresses so often, you know because my lifestyle calls for it...(not)
and because I just can't resist them at a good price.

Instead, she didn't didn't get the opportunity to up-sell me and Neiman's missed my business.

I ask you, is this any way to market?

Feeling Frugal?

Do you need a little break in the sun?
Maybe a little cruise through the Mediterranean?

Well...let me share with you my favorite new website
Frugalrich.com
Since BHB is all about value....what better place to shop for good deals than a website named
Frugal Rich where you can find everything from luxury fashion to the finest villas, jets and yachts....all a value low prices!!!!

Take this yacht docked at Malta pictured above.
You can charter it for $798,800 for WEEK.
It comes with a crew of 60....what a bargain!

Pucci Bikini and Pareo for $700 at Neiman Marcus

And since you will be enjoying the your time in the sun what better to pack than a little bikini and pareo and simple Van Cleef and Arpels gold bracelet for lounging on the deck.

Vintage Estate Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Bracelet $2550 at Beladora.com

Countdown To Valentine's Day - Turning Up The Heat

With London snowed in and the Mid-West to the East Coast frosty all the way down to Kentucky
You might need a night of red hot romance...
Just to stay warm.

Luckily, it's that time of year already...the much loved... or much dreaded.... Valentine's Day.

Vintage Garnet and Diamond Pendant at Beladora.com

David Meister Velvet Dress on Sale for $115 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Valentino Bow Pumps on Sale for $326 at Neiman Marcus

Red Boa Snake Clutch on Sale for $159 at Vintage Skins

Because this year more than ever you might need to turn up the heat!

Savvy Shopping - Going Green For The Getty

So what do you do when the Santa Ana winds have left Los Angeles so clear that you can see from the mountains to Catalina?

You go to the Getty Center of course to appreciate the view while catching up with some culture.

Captured Emotions: Baroque Painting in Bologna, 1575-1725

This exhibition tells the extraordinary story of a small group of artists who changed the course of art history. In the decades after the deaths of the great Renaissance masters, such as Raphael and Michelangelo, the art of painting was thought to have gone into steep decline. But then, in the late 16th century, the Carracci family of painters from Bologna burst onto the scene with tremendous energy and vitality, raising art to new heights. Their heroic achievement set standards that were to remain authoritative for more than 200 years. Here a selection of key works by the Carracci and several generations of their pupils and followers brings this artistic triumph to life. For them, the visible world became their principal source of inspiration, and nature was their teacher. Painting was about to enter a new era of creativity and lavish patronage, resulting in the glories of the Baroque age.

J0seph and Potiphar's Wife by Simone Cantorini at the Getty

Beladora.com vintage emerald and diamond dangle earrings $1650


Armani Collezioni at Neiman Marcus on Sale with additional 20% off

Beladora2.com vintage emerald and diamond ring $1295

I like the baroque-ish look of this vintage jewelry with the satin texture of the Armani jacket...

clearly very painterly

Amethyst Allure - Nancy Gonzalez At Neimans

Even though I appreciate beautiful accessories, I've never been an "it" bag girl. I've always found estate jewelry, which can last for centuries, to be a better fashion investment.

But I do regularly read the bag snob website just to keep up with the trends in handbag design.

The snob girls, Tina and Kelly, recently posted the top 10 snob bags of 2008 with the best bags from Givenchy to Hermes, Bottega Veneta to YSL.

And what was on this list but my very favorite crocodile confection by Nancy Gonzalez.

How gorgeous is this bag?

The color, the design, the wearability....

But OMG... the price!

Nancy Gonzalez Croc Bag at Neiman Marcus $3600

Well...since I won't be shelling out the $3600 for this bag anytime soon, I was glad to find the $3000 Nancy Gonzalez shopping spree on the Neiman Marcus website.

And yes I know....I have about as much chance of winning this as I do of winning the lottery...

but I can still dream.

Neiman Marcus $3000 Nancy Gonzalez Shopping Spree Sweepstakes

Savvy Shopping - On My Fantasy Christmas List

Countdown to Christmas Vintage Persian Turquoise and Blue Zircon Ring in Platinum from Beladora.com $2350

Kay Unger Turquoise Silk Suit from Neiman Marcus $530

Because I like my jewelry, like I like my men, big and bold...

And because this look works in every season in Beverly Hills

Holiday Shopping - Neiman Marcus Style

Looking for those last minute holiday gifts but have no time to shop?

Well, just grab your Neiman Marcus catalogue and let the shopping begin!

For her, the NM limited edition 7 series beemer. Big enough to hold all the kids in the carpool....and her silly little miniature dog and her overstuffed shopping bags.

For Him, a titanium fighter motorcycle, sexy and sleek, just like him. (Meanwhile she's thinking "oh yeah baby, at 190 mph just one accident with you and that 22 year old assistant from the office that you've been seeing and I inherit everything")

And...for the whole family, a custom designed three hole Jack Nicklaus golf course where, unlike at the country club, you can openly throw your clubs in disgust after a bad shot and not be looked down upon by the caddies.

And it will all seem like a bargain at a mere $1,270,000....especially after that loss you took in your hedgefund investment....

Savvy Shopping - Cruise Control

Admit it...now that the temperatures are dropping you are starting to think about that little get-away in the sun. Maybe something like a romantic trip à deux to some exotic far flung locale?
A cruise perhaps through the Gulf of Aden en route to Singapore.

So what to bring on your fantasy vacation?

Tracy Reese Dress on Sale at Neiman Marcus Online $149 in Cassis Pink

Laura Munder Earrings at Beladora.com

And don't forget the de rigeur accessory du jour

From the Telegraph

Pirates attack cruise ship off Somali coast
Shots were fired after the luxury cruise ship Oceania Nautica was chased by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.