From My Mailbox

I got an invitation code for ideeli to share with everyone. I haven't purchased anything yet but I do like the idea behind it and they have had really good sales in the past. ideeli is members only shopping community that offers deep discounts on authentic luxury items (like these Christian LaCroix pumps which were offered for $195 and quickly sold out.) There are two types of memberships, a free one and one that costs $8 and gives you the ability to shop the pre-sale. I'm cheap so I just have the free one. If you're interested in poking around the site, you can log in by typing "makefetch". If you're not into the invitation thing, there's also a site called Hautelook.com that is open to everyone and offers discounted jewelry and clothing (including children's clothing.)

Also, MTV is casting for a new modeling reality show called "Model Makers." They are looking for women 5'9"+, between 17 and 24 years old that are also between 130 and 190 lbs. to "mold" into fashion models with the help of nutritionists and personal trainers. I guess they're going for America's Next Top Model meets The Biggest Loser. I'm just wondering if at some point they'll try to get a 5'9" 145 pound girl to dip below her ideal weight for the competition. This show could either be really good or a train wreck.

ETA: Now that I've used Hautelook (to purchase a coat I found during one of their sales,) I would NOT recommend buying from them. Twelve days after ordering the item, it still has not shipped and when I contacted "customer service" I got a snippy answer saying it might go out by the end of the week. There is no tracking number no nothing and you better believe that my credit card was charged immediately after the sale. Looking around on the web I've see dozens of posts from people complaining that orders were bungled, too upwards of 30 days to be received or worse. I'd say that if you can't resist the sample sale sites that are popping up like mad lately, skip Hautelook and go to Ruelala.com instead. I've had much better luck and service with them.

Keisha Whitaker

From The Oprah Show - Keisha Whitaker's Favorite Things

Slim Jims

Schwepp's Ginger Ale
Hanes T-Shirts (5 pack)
Neiman Marcus Shoe Sales
Le Creuset Cookware (@ Marshall's)
B. Ella Cashmere Socks (@ Marshall's)
Shabby Chic Bedding (@ Target)
Dominique Cohen Jewelry (@ Target)
Altoids Tangerine Sours
Pond's Exfoliating Cucumber Clean Sweep Towels
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System
Nyakio Products
Banana Republic Trench Coat
Kissable Couture Lip Gloss in "Forest"
Keri Moisturizing Lotion
Garrett's Popcorn
Ritz Crackers
Victoria's Secret Shapers
Victoria's Secret "Secret Embrace" bra

If I Had a Thousand Bucks (and change) to Spend...at Impulse

Impulse for me is the only boutique I've ever walked into and seriously thought to myself that I could wear every item on the the racks. Unfortunately for me, I am not in a financial position to buy every item off of those racks so instead, I have to fantasize about my favorite pieces and figure out how to scratch together the money to buy maybe one of two of those items.

Now if I could somehow scratch together $1250. I could hang these in my closet. I think it's time to Ebay some old clothes....or take in some borders.

Vanessa Bruno cowl neck sweater dress in pale mocha, 377.00
Humanoid zip up cable sweater, 248.00, Humanoid black racer back tank dress, 192.00
Roberto Collina Belted Cashmere Turtneck Sweater, 388.00

Source: Impulse

If I Had a Thousand Bucks to Spend...at JCrew

Total: $969 (not including tax)

Not bad. J Crew is a good place to stock up on well made basics. I really dig that jacket with the white piping and the cardigan and silk dress with the "library" inspired patterns speaks to me personally as a former reference librarian gone bad. Still, a big part of me (the cheap part) wants to take home more than six items when dropping a grand. Unless a big discount coupon comes my way soon, I think I would have to trim a few of these items off the list before hitting the send button.

Lookbook

A lot of people, it seems, were excited for the budget priced Christian LaCroix collection for French catalog company La Redoute but personally, I was anxious to see the mix & match collection that Lou Doillon and Jane Birkin put together. I'm a big fan of French style and women just don't get Frenchier than Lou and Jane. Prices range from about 40 euros (t-shirt) to 209 euros (coat.) Unfortunately, I don't think the US site is selling this line but if you have any friends in Europe, now is that time to hit them up for a favor. I think I will definitely be purchasing the coat.

The Quest for the Perfect Wardrobe I

My husband and I recently moved back to the US after two years of living abroad. While packing up my clothes, I was aghast at the number of things hanging up in my closet that I either did not recognize as my own or that had tags still attached.

The disturbing thing was that in spite of all the clothes in my wardrobe, I usually ended up wearing the same thing everyday because I could never find something to wear. While I don't think of myself as a shopaholic, I am definitely guilty of buying things out of boredom or just because they were on sale regardless of how the color looked against my skin or the size. A good sized chunk of my closet is stuff that I couldn't pass up because of the savings!

When I really started to think of all the imaginary money I'd "saved" buy buying clothes that I've never worn, I felt a little ill. During the last few months I've been making a concerted effort to reign myself in, figure out what my personal style is, and buying quality key pieces accordingly.

I've become a little obsessed lately with the concept of a perfect capsule wardrobe, containing key pieces that I will wear for years to come and that coordinate well with each other.

When the movers finally arrive with the rest of my clothes I plan on having a day of reckoning and donate or sell things that I can't justify. I'm also anxious to see the things that I already have laid out so I can see what I own and put outfits together. One book I read suggested taking pictures of different looks for my own personal lookbook on days when I can't find a thing to put on. Fortunately, I already have another lookbook of ideas I cribbed from magazines and online for reference.

Two websites that I've used for inspiration are Retail Recovery and A Perfectly Small Wardrobe. I can't be as extreme as she is and our personal styles don't match but it is refreshing to know that it is possible to get a lot of style out of a little wardrobe.

I thought it would be really difficult but by taking a few extra moments in the dressing room to ask:

1. Do I really NEED this?
2. Is it made well?
3. Does it flatter my figure?
4. Does it fit into my "perfect wardrobe" vision?

Honestly, those few extra moments have made all the difference. I've talked myself out of buying heaps of clothes that I know I wouldn't have worn or that would have fallen apart by now. My last two clothing purchases were a Robert Rodriguez High Waist Grey Skirt and a Mociun Tie Front Dress, both of which I am really pleased with.




This is something I am still researching and pulling together so I'm sure I'll continue posting about it. If anyone has something to share on the topic, I'd love to read it.