Designer Handbag Sample Sales! Botkier, Be & D, Rebecca Minkoff and L.A.M.B....

Disappointed in Black Friday or Cyber Monday?  Redeem your shopping cred with seriously stylish handbags:

In NYC:

Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain have produced luxury bags with European craftmanship since 2004.  They  have been a favorite of every 'It' girl of the past few years (Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, etc.)  Ready to grab some starlet style?  Get thee to the Be & D sample sale right now...

When: Tuesday 11/30 - Friday 12/3, 9 AM - 7 PM, 9 AM - 5 PM
Where: 35 West 36th Street (between 5th and 6th ave)  10th floor

The Botkier sample sale is reputed to draw long lines in cold weather, so plan your shopping carefully.  If you make it in, you will be rewarded with sexy, edgy bags to carry you through winter.  If you're a great friend (of mine) you can shop here for holiday gifts too!

When: Friday, 12/3 - Sunday, 12/5, 11 AM - 8 PM, 12PM - 7 PM, 12 PM - 6 PM
Where: 421 West Broadway (between Broome Street and Prince Street)

The L.A.M.B. sample sale and Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani embody the pop star's fun style.  Kawaii, Ska, Fashionista or all of the above? I'm sure you have girlfriends who can't wait to unwrap these this season...

When: December 8 - 10, 8 AM - 8 PM, 10 AM - 8 PM, 8 AM - 6 PM
Where: 144 Fifth Avenue (between 19th and 20th street) 2nd Floor

In Los Angeles and San Francisco:

Rebecca Minkoff has been travelling around to different cities for trunk shows, offering fabulous sales in NY, online now on the West Coast.  You could say she's the handbag version of Santa (ok, maybe not).  Either way, grab your favorite 'Mac' or famous Morning After Bag.

When in LA: Friday, 12/3 - Sunday 12/5
Where in LA: 8211 West 3rd Street

When in SF: Saturday, 12/4
Where in SF: 111 Minna Street (by the Montgomery Bart Station)

ONLINE:

Not on either coast?

Check out Kate Spade and Matt & Nat on Wesdnesday 12/1 on GILT.com

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Klaxon Howl Blue Collar Chic

What do real men want to wear?  Klaxon Howl is a unique shop in Toronto's Queen West neighborhood known for military-inspired styling and classic workmanship techniques.  Founder Matt Robinson often pulls from vintage design.  The label offers modern workwear made with local fabrics and local Canadian labor.  

Mr. Robinson's Spring 2011 presentation had an updated 1950's vibe.  The male models had a tough, slick look that reminded me of West Side Story.  There were some preppy looks with some attitude thrown in.  The silhouettes seem simple, but the seaming and stitching are quite detailed.  A few sexy women's looks were thrown in...Klaxon Howl's version of the 'boyfriend' shirt.  

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Blogger Shout-out: Giving Thanks

Giving a shout-out to my fellow fashion bloggers.  Top 20 posts chosen by "divine" blogger Holier Than Now:

• Be Fabulous Daily Applying old-school academic standards of original content and citation of sources to fashion blogging
• Boheme Noir Best outfits 2010 of style icon Giovanna Battaglia
• Fashion Butter: How to DIY Fur Collar with Chains
• Fish Monkey’s Writing Stuff Lanvin + H&M: Is there a downside?
• Frock and Roll A code of ethnics for advertorials on your blog
• Grit and Glamour RSS and Sharing for Dummies—and Lazies
• Haute Halifax Out of sight, out of mind? A look at the impact of the textile industry in Africa
• Holier than Now The Under $50 Gift Guide: Fashion, guy-friendly goods, eco and charitable finds and more
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Are you addicted to blogging?
• Make the World a Prettier Place 30 Vogue covers from 1922 to 2005
• Mary Van Notes A vintage style post from a tree house
• Pancake Stacker Lessons from “Changing Fashion: Internet and Blogging” featuring Liz of Late Afternoon, Yvan Rodic of The Face Hunter, and more
• Positively Bleak Tips on staving off the winter blues – with a bonus compilation of free demos and EPs from alternative rock bands!
• Previously Owned A carefully selected gift list for the foodie, fashionable, beauty obsessed and generous
• The Chic Curve Winter coats for everyBODY. No matter what size or shape, there is a fabulous jacket just for you!
• The Coveted: Frock Luxury Vintage: A local NYC discovery
• The Fashion Pawn The Business of Blogging: Your Blog Brand
• The Lingerie Addict: 5 things Every Woman  Should Know About Her Lingerie
• The New Professional A bloglover’s tips for keeping up with your blog reading
• Tickle Me Chic: Get rid of those blogging blues: Tips and links to ban discouragement
• Wanderlost 10 things to look forward to this winter

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Design A Handbag, Go to Fashion Week!

Are you the next hot handbag designer?  Are you the one to design the next "It Bag" coveted by every celebrity?  If so, you can win your trip to NY Fashion Week, courtesy of Polyvore and Rebecca Minkoff.

You have until November 29th to submit your design, then judge and be judged on Rebecca Minkoff's Facebook Fan Page.  It's easy...All the details, elements, trims, leathers that you could want are the Polyvore database.  You just need to style, pick and choose to make the ultimate clutch purse.

More info, rules and goodies here.

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Emily Miranda's Anthropology Chic

For those design aficionados who do not yearn for classic jewelry, we have  a gorgeous new choice in Emily Miranda's alternative stunners.

The One of A Kind Show yielded some deliciously macabre design discoveries.  Ms. Miranda already has a mini cult following for her  fantastical wedding cakes but she recently decided to transfer her skillful design to handmade jewellery.

What I found in her line was amusing.  There was a  mink cuff bracelet with barnacles and seashells.  Another black mink cuff was topped with a golden snapping dragon.  Legendary Medusa and her snake coif must have inspired the multiple rubber (yes, rubber) snakes circling around as a necklace dipped in 24karat gold. Her signature pieces have caught the attention of  the New York Times.  Those were flattened cutouts inspired by the painter Matisse and fashioned into necklaces made of brightly colored resin and gold.

Emily was modeling jet black earrings made of  gold-tipped alligator claws.  For those afraid of wearing such bold pieces, Emily has wrapped gold and silver wrist cuffs inspired by the sea that make an equally cool style statement. 

 The prices for these beauties start around $120 and go up from there. Emily works from her Brooklyn workshop and can be contacted for custom work. She is one designer to watch for her unforgettable pieces.

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Black Friday: Norma Kamali, TopShop, Fashion Group International's Canadian Designers

NYC:
TopShop
Prices are already great, but on Friday, an English breakfast, gift-wrapping workshops and a free headband if you spend over $100.
When: Starts Friday, November 26, at 8 a.m.
Where: Topshop, 478 Broadway (between Broome and Grand streets); 212-966-9555 

Norma Kamali
The designer's iconic sleeping bag coat and other fashionable wardrobe staples are dropped up to 90% off.
When: Friday, November 26th 

 Where: 11 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 (bet. 5th & 6th Avenues) 

Kisan's

Ports 1961, Sonia Rykiel, Vanessa Bruno and others are discounted up to 70% off

When: Friday, 11/26 - Sunday 11/28

Where: 125 Greene Street (near Prince Street) 212-475-2470

Toronto, Canada:
Our neighbors to the North have a huge sample sale of the best Canadian designers.  Beauty and accessories collections will also be represented.  See the list below of participating brands:


FASHION DESIGNERS:
DAVID DIXON :: WAYNE CLARK :: INES DI SANTO :: NADA PAT MCDONAGH :: PHILIP SPARKS :: LUNDSTRÖM :: CAMBIA FARLEY CHATTO :: ANDREW MAJTENYI :: SODALISCIOUS BAIA :: PARKHURST KNITWEAR :: AIME BY MONICA MEI


JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES:
JESSICA JENSEN :: JENNY BIRD :: GREEN BEAUTY MYKA DESIGNS :: KAREN MCFARLANE M.A.R.K. CHARTER BY MOINA KITNEY :: KRYSIA PANGEA COLLECTION :: SAXON CHOCOLATES JABBERDUST BY LEAH BARRETT :: YUKI

Thursday November 25th | 11:00am - 8:00pm

Friday November 26th | 11:00am - 8:00pm

Location:

579 Richmond St W, Suite 200 (Richmond & Bathurst)

Online:

Don't care to fight the crowds? Check out these cyber deals:

Yoox.com's European designer bargains are dropped 30% with free shipping until November 28th.

Donna Karan is discounted by 30% until the 28th.  

Rebecca Minkoff's Online Black Friday sale has tons of bags that are highly discounted with free shipping over $100.

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Secrets of Guinot Longue Vie

What goes into a specialty skin care line?  What elevates a facial from your neighborhood spa to something  extraordinary?  There are so many options at different price points in the industry that I often wonder how one brand stands from the other.

The friendly folks at Guinot Institut in New York sought to answer those questions with an illuminating session at their education headquarters.  Elizabeth Murchinson was on hand to explain the benefits of their top products and demonstrate what sets their signature Hydradermie facial apart from the rest.

I asked the Guinot staff what product was their personal favorite out of the huge line of items displayed in the showroom.  Without hesitation, every staff member claimed the Longue Vie Cellulaire products as their go-to for personal skin care.  This particular collection contains 56 supplemental ingredients, herbs, etc.  I wasn't informed what those secret ingredients were of course.  However, this formula was developed during their work with burn victims at hospitals with top dermatologists.  

Ms. Murchinson demonstrated the Hydradermie facial on a fellow blogger.  Instead of uncomfortable steam, this specialized facial depended on baking soda for deep cleaning.  The facial then involved concentrated gels working with ionized rollers to help get the product into the skin.  The facial was finished off with a Tesla-like electric current for anti-bacterial purposes.  When it was used on me, I could barely feel it.  It was a lot of fun to watch on someone else though.

I can't be objective when it comes to myself, but can say the beauty blogger/guinea pig looked completely refreshed and glowing following her treatment.  

I have since tried the Longue Vie moisturizer for about a month and can honestly say I feel a noticeable difference in my skin.  It does stay moist throughout the day and I have observed a marked improvement over my last product.

Elizabeth trains spa owners on performing the specialized techniques of Guinot treatments.  She gets involved in product development and travels to France to keep up to date.  She is a long time fan and employee of the company.  I asked her what the major difference between American beauty consumers and European ones.  She explained that Americans always want the most intense, most concentrated or powerful products... Americans generally like to see instant results.

Instant gratification eh?  God bless America.

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Petite Bateau Anniversary Launch

We were invited to an evening of all things Parisian last week for a party hosted by venerable French brand, Petite Bateau.   Fetted with Earl Grey macarons from Macaron Parlour and lovely Nicolas Feuillatte champagne, Ms. FAB Mariana and I shopped at the event for our adorable little nephews. The event was perfectly timed for the upcoming holiday season and was  partnered with the cool site, Refinery 29. 

Petite Bateau has been around for since the 19th century and was founded by Pierre Valton.  The line offers those distinctly European styled clothing for  children aged 0 months all the way to 18 ans.  The super soft and quintessentially chic tee we picked up was labeled "18 ans" - a bit of a tongue in cheek humor and clearly for the adult set as we were surprised to find out.  Along with beautifully designed in France onesies, tees, adorable socks and chic snowsuits, Petite Bateau also offered a chic line of understated and cool underthings, dresses and tees for those older than eighteen.  

 

Downtown hipsters mixed up the evening with stunning moms to be especially one sporting her belly bump with her gorgeous Cartier Panthère ring.   Designer Alice Ritter also stopped in to nibble on macarons and sip champagne and catch up on shopping.

Some of our favorite looks included the navy striped boat neck tee with shimmering subtle stars as well as the classic Marinièr striped tee. This classic style has been a wardrobe staple of eternally cool French women like Bridget Bardot as well as artists like Picasso. 
Anything from Petite Bateau would be tres chic....and you will be showered with kisses from the recipient - young or older.

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Justin Bieber Becomes Youngest Artist of the Year Winner at the AMAs

Justin Bieber was the big winner of the evening at the American Music Awards last night, taking home four accolades including Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Album and Breakthrough Artist of the Year during the ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.


Accepting the Artist of the Year honor, the 16-year-old star thanked his mentor Usher and invited him to join him on stage.

He said: "I really was embraced by a man named Usher Raymond. It would be only right if I invited him up here to share it with me."

Usher picked up two gongs himself, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album, while rapper Eminem walked away with statuettes  for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.

Other winners at the 38th annual ceremony included country stars Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley; British rock band Muse, R&B singer Rihanna and Colombian pop star Shakira.

Michael Buble was heard shouted “I love winning things’’ when he picked up the Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist award.

Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kid Rock and Bon Jovi all performed at the ceremony, and boy bands New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys joined up for their first collaborative live stage effort before they kick off a joint American tour next year.

Pink -- who announced last week she is pregnant with her first child -- did not allow her pregnancy to slow her down putting on an energetic dance routine to perform new song "Raise Your Glass."

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Miley Cyrus Celebrates Her 18th Birthday with a Mother-Daughter Dance-Off

 

 Miley Cyrus turns 18 on Tuesday, but she decided to have an early party last night after the American Music Awards, where she and mom Tish Cyrus competed on the dance floor.


Speaking before the bash, Miley said: “I’m going out dancing later -- we rented out a space so all my friends can come. Me and my mom actually have choreography for the night later -- everyone loves it when we dance in unison.”

Miley says she and Tish -- who is currently going through a divorce with Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus -- often practice their dance moves on a computer game at home.

She said: “There’s one move where you do like, the fist pump. You ‘Jersey Shore’ it for a second! We got a bunch of moves going on. Everyone goes wild when me and my mom have choreography, so it’s going to be good.

“My mom, she beats me at that game! She had 600,000 points yesterday, I had 300,000. She is such a good dancer -- she really gets it.”

Miley has a host of other celebrations planned for her birthday and has revealed she likes to celebrate her special day for as long as possible.

She told Access Hollywood: “I have a birthday month. I do the whole month of November. Thanksgiving, cake -- it’s all about me on Thanksgiving!”

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The 'Harry Potter' Stars Used to Hide from Their Bodyguards

 

Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe used to hate having to be followed by bodyguards wherever they went, so when they were younger they'd try to slyly escape.

Emma said: “I hate having bodyguards and when we were younger, Dan, Rupert and I used to try to hide from the people trying to keep an eye on us.”

Now the stunning actress, who is juggling her acting and modeling careers with studying at Brown University, has learned to accept attention from fans and prefers to go out without any bodyguards.

She added: “Now it’s like ‘Really, I’m fine.’ I take the train and the bus and, if I don’t dress up too much, I’m usually fine. Occasionally people stop me but I’d rather deal with that than not go out at all. That’d be really tragic.”

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How Hilary Duff 'Keeps It Interesting' with Hubby Mike Comrie

Hilary Duff married Canadian ice hockey player Mike Comrie in August after dating him for three years, and she knows how to keep their relationship spicy while they're apart.


When asked by radio DJ Billy Bush if she sends Mike sexy pictures from her phone, Hilary replied: "Oh my God you're going to get me in trouble … never with my face in it.

"We've gotta keep it fun, gotta keep it interesting."

Hilary isn’t worried about anyone else seeing her body because she trusts her husband not to show the snaps to any of his friends.

She said: “He’d know better than to forward them on!”

While she admits to sending raunchy messages to Mike to help keep her marriage interesting, Hilary recently revealed she is still adjusting to their long distance marriage.

The 23-year-old star spends most of her time in Los Angeles for work, while her sportsman spouse plays for Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL league.

She said: "Now he's gone and I'm like, 'No, you left me too soon! What's happening?' That kind of sucks. But we're used to that long distance thing and we're going to figure it out. It means a lot of traveling for me this year, but that's OK."

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One of a Kind Show and Sale: Sharon Rosenthal Jewelry

The One of a Kind Show & Sale this past weekend pulled together a fantastic collection of independent artists and designers.  The basic requirement of those who sold there was that every piece had to be handmade by the artist.  This guaranteed that if you purchased a piece of clothing, fashion or accessory, it would be a unique, crafted piece you could be proud of.  The midtown location right before the holidays didn't hurt either.

One of my first discoveries of the show was Sharon Rosenthal. Her background was as a multi-media artist.  Her work eventually transitioned into wearable sculpture/jewelry.  The highly dimensional pieces on display at the show were fashioned from semi-precious stones, antique toys, found objects of nature like snake vertabrae, nut shells from the Phillipines or weathered horn. 

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Best and Worst Dressed at the 2010 American Music Awards

 

The best of the best in the music industry gathered in their fab finery for the 2010 American Music Awards. From Rihanna to Fergie, there was no shortage of musical fabulosity. Check out the best and worst dressed at the AMAs!

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2010 American Music Awards Winners

 

Check out the stars who took home top honors at the 2010 AMAs. 

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Kate Winslet and Louis Dowler Walk in Madrid

 

Kate Winslet and her new boyfriend Louis Dowler hold hands as they stroll through the streets of Madrid.

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Volkswagen's New 2011 Compact Sedan World Premiere

 

Singer Katy Perry performs at the world premiere of Volkswagen's new Jetta compact sedan at Times Square on June 15, 2010 in New York City.

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Blogger Shout-out: Lessons Learned from Fashion

I'm giving a shout-out to fellow fashion bloggers via Independent Fashion Blogger's Link Love list...This week The Curvy Fashionista chose stories of bloggers who learned from their experiences in the wild world of fashion...

• Almost Sober Mag: Pull It, Push It and Come Back When You Proved It: Direct experience from a newly established independent publisher: a week as a fashion editor.
• Beyond Fabric: On the relation between Body Language and Fashion Photography
• Dedicated Follower: To Write Love on Her Arms – I join the movement and write love on my arms in honor of a lost friend.
• Exiled from the City: Throughout the past few years, there has been a paradigm shift in consumer variables and the function of fashion.
• For those about to Shop: Society must take some responsibility for the dangerous obsession to be thin.
• Freeda Style: “Appropriate Attire” Are ALL the old rules of fashion dead? Or should some survive?
• Haute World: Grace Kelly Exhibition: How a royal style icon can teach us a lesson in thriftiness.
• Heathers Design Blog: Musings on fashion now and fashion then, based on the exhibit “Fashioning Fashion” at LACMA.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Self-Promotion 101: It’s not about you
• LivLux Mag: ComfortZones: Even Fashionistas get insecure when trying new styles.
• Make the World a Prettier Place: History of Fashion: The New Look (1947)
• Miss Vinyl Ahoy: I’ve read some negative comments about the 30 for 30 challenge, and wanted to explain more of what it is and why people should care about it, from my POV.
• Modesty Theory: Welcome to Hijabi Fashion Week- showcasing the style of Muslim women for various occasions.
• Oh My Massila: Reflections on the crossroads between fashion and feminism.
• Previously Owned: The tale of the “00s” Vintage and the mockery of the consumer… Are we becoming victims of the mass media?
• RetroChick: Why Fashion isn’t Frivolous
• Return to Sender: Sometimes life gets in the way of fashion. How I Survive A Crisis
• Searching for Style: Fashion 101: Who Owns What. The lowdown on the big fashion conglomerates and the companies they own.
• Socialite Dreams: Sparkly, glam shoes are a must have for the holidays! Twinkle Toes: The Holiday Shoe Guide
• Taste and Style: Keep Being YOU.
• The Curvy Fashionista: How to determine quality in plus size fashion

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