The Canadian Fashionista's One Stop Source

Yegadz. I think I probably first came upon this bag when the Tis wore it.. you know back when High School Musical was popular and everyone wanted to see what the Tis and Vanessa Hudgens was wearing — though the two now have fallen off the face of the planet…. REGARDLESS this bag is probably more prevalent in replica sites as pradas tend to be faked often. Probably because the leather is so so… not as good of a quality as other designer bags. Don’t ask me why but they just don’t feel as good.. and looking at their price points (20% – 30% lower compared to their other designer counterparts such as Chloe/Bal/LV) it’s probably because the leather isn’t as good.

Anyways, this bag NEVER came back again when it was first issued… the beautiful marbled leather— drools. Good for fall. Im going to be scouring ebay to find these.. hopefully authentic.

Popularity: 9% [?]

I dropped by F21 yesterday afternoon to lo-and-behold find an exact replica of the Mulberry Satchel, in a horrid synthetic material I might add. I guess it would be considered the most sincerest form of flattery (copying that is). However, the sytle is pretty close to a shrunken version of a laptop bag made for men or a private school bag, see below Kenneth Cole version for comparison:

Mullberry Alexa Bag - $907 Luisaviaroma.com

Kenneth Cole - Port it Out $298

Definitely same type of deal.. a couple of other designers bringing the look back:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Saddlery Sophie Convertible Satchel

Proenza Schouler - $1,995 Barneys.com

Popularity: 8% [?]

Looooveeee Whitney Eve

this is an oversized mens blazer from Whitney Ports quintessential Whitney Eve collection. Available on whitneyeve.com for $395USD.

I’m watching the City episode number 2 and seriously Olivia needs to get fired, like RIGHT AWAY. I cannot believe they employ her for no reason except that she’s a freaking socialite. She does not do anythingggggg…. except tries to push her opinions that no one cares about. COMMON, I mean 4 people ganged up against Olivia to get the work for Whitney because she deserves it way more.. anyways.. stupid cow LOL

<3 Erin Kaplan PR director with Elle.. if you watched the episode she was AWESOME! Diggin this outfit. I bet she makes faces at Olivia’s head all time time since her desk is directly above hers — laughs

Popularity: 53% [?]

Great Chanel bags available on ebay:

Chanel Black Lambskin Double Flap 2.55 – 2 hours left $1,200

Vintage Chanel double flap classic 2.55 – 2 hours left $885

Metallic Re-issue Jumbo 2.55 - 1.5 days left $1,200 /$3,100 BIN

Black Lamb Leather Quilted Classic 2.55 - $1,328 BIN

All sellers have great ratings (>99%), and I checked them to the Chanel thread at TPF.

Popularity: 62% [?]

credit: fabsugar.com

Must buy myself some cropped trousers and platform nude shoes… wait I already have the shoes.. they’re just mega uncomfortable from aldo — dies. Must invest in some good leather platform shoes so I can wear them all day : (

I just dig Victoria Beckham’s effortless style.. and that body!! HOLY after 2 kids she must work her buns off ever day to stay in awesome shape. I don’t know where to buy the pants and buying online might prove to be a bit of a problem due to fit and cut since these are cropped. I guess the option is to buy long and roll them up as she’s done here. Here is one option:

I think these are almost exactly the same.. but looks less baggy on Victoria — gah. Must help that she probably has a stylist to get them to fit her properly. Oh well these run $148 at shopbop.com.

Popularity: 62% [?]

OMGYO!! THESE SHOES ARE TDF!!!

Ohhh so tempting.. anyways these remind me of the S/S 2008 Chloe collection:

I’m digging the t-shape versus the wide bands… patent probably won’t cause your foot to sweat so much as synthethic which probably won’t bode well in the summer time for the asos shoe (ie. its made of man-made materials).

It’s almost that time of the year where I hit up gojane.com for new sandals to replace last year’s. If you haven’t read previously, you can buy oh-so budget friendly sandals on gojane that would also sell at aldo and other retailers.. good for wearing to the beach and everyday.

Popularity: 60% [?]

First off, HAPPY EASTER!!! You can’t beat good south of the border details especially when the dollar is hovering 0.99 since Thursday.

Well it’s definitely nothing to be happy about if you’re in any industry like hospitality, tourism, export.. because a good CAD dollar just means it’s not worth it for your customers to go over the border and buy from you when it’s cheaper to just buy from home.. Economics aside it’s great for the savvy but thrifty consumer like me!

Here’s where you can find significant cost savings purchasing goods elsewhere and not at home:

Chloe Paraty Bag

On Saksfifthavenue.com; $1991CAD + $59 (Shipping) = $2,050 x 1.12 = $2,296CAD

On Luisviaroma.com; $1,000 Euro x 1.3 = $1,300CAD + FREE SHIPPING = $1,300 x 1.12= $1,456 CAD

Cost savings = $840 (Note duty could be an additional on both websites)

There’s definitely a benefit to being able to shop around. I’m not sure how much Holts was selling the paraty but I went to the Holt Renfrew in Vancouver yesterday and they were no longer selling it. Only the spring/summer 2010 Chloe bags.. which I’m not super fond of.  Last I remember it was hovering in the $2k range.. blegh what a rip-off.

Michael Kors Leather Hamilton tote

Holt Renfrew Vancouver = $395 x 1.12 = $442.40 CAD

Michael Kors webiste = $298 x 1.03 x 1.12 = $343 (Note 1.01 is probably sell rate not buy rate.. assuming that you are a little worse off)

Cost Savings = $98; And, if you buy it online you can pick from MANY colors and not just the one beige color available at the HR store.

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If a person definitely looks around on the internet.. and checks out reputable websites (which can be found on Purseforum.com), you’d be able to find some pretty good deals compared to what’s available in your own country.. and in some cases your neighboring country (USA).

Now I’m banking on getting my refund soon or else I probably wouldn’t have plunged and bought a new Paraty — I couldn’t help myself this time with such a strong dollar. The last time this happened was when I bought my Balenciaga in Seattle.. which was almost 2 years ago. That’s when the dollar was almost at par again.

Popularity: 66% [?]

I don’t know how long this has been around but Asos now ships to North America including Canada for $6US regular, $15US flat rate shipping. Insanity! There is so much stuff on clearance right now too. Make sure you know your measurements as UK sizes are smaller. They have Bust/Waist/Hip conversions as well as US – UK size conversions. They’ve pretty much got everything, from low-end to extremely high-end (ie. Vintange Chanel purses for $3,000)

Here’s what I got:

1) Multiway in Pink – $29 2) Multiway in Red – $30 3) Basic roll sleeve tea – $13

I would say well worth it. I didn’t want to buy too many items that were form fitting in case the fit is really bad. Here were a few other items I’ve been eyeing:

Note, not exactly spring like.. but I can stock up for next year? The last one probably is wearable in the spring time. I’m pretty crazy over prints right now.. ie. floral or printed.

Check out the spring line by Diane Von Furstenberg. To DIE for, SAFARI PRINTS!

1) Jamilia Dress – $385 2) Hadini Jacket – $625

Popularity: 89% [?]

it’s not that clear of a picture but Zinio.com finally made available for download at their app store their Zinio App!  Although I’ve been subscribing for about a year on this awesome piece of software, I found that I haven’t been really reading my subscriptions as much since sometimes I just don’t want top open my laptop. Anyways, now that’s its available at the app store I’m fully utilizing my $7-$10/year subscription to Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Elle and Nylon Magazine.

Click for video of it in action!

The only sucky part is that any of my old subscriptions have yet to be “translated”… but that’s okay. I just got my first issue of HB and Marie Claire. This should keep me pre-occupied for the next month or so.

Popularity: 70% [?]

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a colleague who asked me “why and how on earth do designers make a living? What kind of fools buy such expensive pieces of clothe?” I made an mild effort to answer her question or lash comment towards the fashion industry. I guess for one, top designers don’t simply invent or create Haute Couture (HC) in hopes to mass produce and sell in bulk, that is the intent of large corporations that operate at your local mall. Top notch designers most often work for privately owned companies, where they are given artistic freedom to design for the sake of fashion…to practice artistry. I guess its like a portable piece of Van Gogh, only that you can wear it on your back. My point really is that we should just appreciate the gifts of creativity designers are willing to share with us, meaning just observe and enjoy the stimulation of artwork.

It has been widely known that Daphne Guinness has been the friend and muse to many prominent designers (Lagerfeld, McQueen, Ford… and on and on the list goes).  Not only being the heiress to the Guinness fortune, she has managed to prove she IS Haute Couture royalty. I can only imagine her wardrobe collection, it should be made a museum one day.

Guinness has been known to always wear her sky high heels… she has recently raised the ante to 7 inches!  I must say, she really does put the “F” in FIERCE. If you’re 5′1, you now have a shot at being a runway model! Left: Alexander McQueen Armadillo . Right: Nina Ricci Booties. Speaking of McQueen, and for those of you who take interest in data and numbers… According to Zimbio: McQueen store sales jumped 1400% in the week after his passing. My bet is on Scull Scarf sales. Although his runway wear is super expensive and not ideally affordable to many, he did hit a home run with the silk scarves! Throw on your scullies to pay tribute to the man who made you feel so suave wearing those MCQ scarves!

Popularity: 87% [?]