Wear-and-Tear Jewelry

Just found this designer, Cheung Lik, under the brand "Wear and Tear" whilst checking things out on kabiri.com (an awesome jewelry site). I fell in love with her sculptural, geometric silk-wrapped pieces and decided I must have one of my own. Only thing is, kabiri is England-based and the price of the necklace I wanted converted to around $200 (the blue one at top). So I did what every good online shopper does and googled her. Turns out, she's on Etsy! And even better, the necklace was posted for $55!

With the recession and all, a bold, not-so-expensive accessory can update a look. I have 5 weddings planned for this summer. I'm going to use this necklace to change up the look of my little black dress.

Sharing is Caring!

I'm pretty much on a spending freeze (sorry, economy!), but a few items have managed to sneak their way through. These deals were too good to pass up.

Knox ROMANOV Bag
$100! from $446 on standarddeviationny.com
*note the $70 Samantha Pleet Romper and $110 Vena Cava dress... cheaper than a sample sale

(ok, I really wanted the brown messenger below, but the white one'll do for $400 less. *note: Knox will be doing a future collaboration with Urban Outfitters)


Steven Alan 100% Cashmere beret (which I wanted in December)
$19! from $98 on stevenalan.com


Also, Hayden-Harnett is giving 20% off any one item on their site until 2/15 with code LOVERLY. Their new apparel, especially the swimsuits, are adorable!

Happy Snow Day!

Puppies!




Kitties! Ponies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXdp9xxpOtU

Sneaky Pete! (Outbid on eBay)

A new addition to my eBay roster ... what I got outbid on. My usual tactic is to bid on an item so obscure, hard to find (due to misspellings or poor listing), or with such terrible photos that no one wants it so I don't have any competition. But sometimes you only THINK you're the only one, then someone swoops in at 10 seconds left and outbids you. I mean, I've learned to wait until the last 30 seconds or so but I just get nervous and have to put in my bid. What if my computer freezes or something? And sometimes people just wait until the last few hours and a price escalates until it's insanely high and out of my price-range. I miss the eBay of years ago when people were afraid of internet shopping and thought vintage items were dirty.

Vintage Rudi Gernreich Ivory & Black Silk Scarf ... I'm not familiar with the designer. I just liked the print, but she/he must be important cause this sucker opened at $9.99 and went for $405.00!


100% Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater made for Bergdorf Goodman

Holiday Shopping on eBay: Eco-friendly Giftwrap

Step One: Get a Scarf

That wrapping paper-filled garbage bag that shows up after Christmas morning always depresses me. (It's technically a bag full of trees and money.) Since I think giftwrap is expensive and wasteful, I try to avoid it. Besides, why spend the money on something that literally just becomes trash when you can walk away with something you can wear? I've been using vintage silk scarves to wrap my presents. You can easily find fun ones on eBay that suit the giftee's personality. And if your recipients don't wear scarves, they can always use them to wrap someone else's gift. Here's a few scarves I found on eBay, plus a wrapping how-to.

1 Let'er Buck!
2 Green Stonehenge
3 French Poodles in Hot Air Ballons!
4 Florida State Souvenir
5 Victorian Portraits
6 Choo-choo Trains
7 Diamond Patterned

Step Two: Tie It Up

*Note: You don't need a box. I just used one for simplicity's sake. But feel free to reuse the box in which your packages arrived, if you need one. Coming soon ... a few other gift-wrapping ideas.

Sample Sale Alert!

I know there's an unprecendented amount of sample sales going on this month but here's a list of where I'll be. In order of practicality ...

What: The Globe Showroom
Why: Falls, Elijah, Luba J, H Fredriksson, Whistle & Flute, James Coviello — mostly under 100 bucks.
When: Dec. 10 & 11. Wed. & Thurs., noon-7 p.m.
Where: 263 W. 38th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves.
*I'm especially fond of Falls knits (pictured). I have 3 cashmere sweaters from 2 years ago that I still rely on religiously. I'm hoping to get my fix for this year.

What: Mackage
Why: Up to 50 percent off wools, leathers, trenches, shearlings.
When: Dec. 10-12. Wed.-Fri., noon-7:30 p.m.
Where: 275 W. 39th St. (212-391-5287).

Rachel Comey Sample Sale
Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Friday, from 10 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. Rachel Comey Sample Sale, 335 West 35th Street, (between 8th and 9th avenues); no phone.

What: Alexander Wang (updates)
Why: Fall merch up to 80 percent off. Oversize cashmere sweaters were $425, now $80; sexy velvet dresses were $495, now $240.
When: Dec. 11-13. Thurs., 3-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 386 Broadway, b/t Walker & White Sts., 6th flr.

Holiday Shopping on Ebay: Week 4

Animal-shaped Light Bulbs
Plaid Oscar De la Renta Swing Coat
Blue Page Boy Winter Hat
Owl Inlaid Serving Tray
aDIORable Sunglasses
DIOR Gold Draped Necklace
Set of Gold Bird Drinking Glasses