The Luxe Mix

The in-laws just left — it’s been an exhausting holiday break if you can imagine (always good to be with family but just as good to get your life back!)… so now just breaking into some deep winter cleaning. When the weather is muck out and I’m feeling the need to purify, I go straight to my closet and start purging! BTW I may say purge but that doesn’t mean I actually ever get around to throwing the clothes out of donating them away. Will have to explain my issues with getting rid of my stuff in another post someday. For now let’s just say I clear out space to make room for the new kiddies.

One look at my closet and I realized that I’ve held off much too long in re-stocking on clothes hangers. I’ve got way too many of those cheap metal hangers you get from the cleaners. Tssk Tsssk Jenni… after preaching this and that to others about the importance of keeping an orderly closet. Is it just me or do hangers seem to disappear like socks evaporate into thin air? Well before anyone comes snooping into my closet I’ve got to do something about my metal mess and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions or recommendations. I keep hearing about those velvet hangers that help prevent your clothes from slipping off. Ingenious or gimmick? Who has them? Anyone have anything bad to say about then?

I read a review online for one brand called Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers in which one customer said they bleed color onto clothes, while others said they loved them. They are selling on HSN.com so that’s gotta mean they are pretty well vouched for.. right??

I also see this brand everywhere called Karen Rhodes Velvet Hangers (pictured above), which seem to have the most color options and widest distribution which makes me think she might be the orginal velvet hanger. Hers are also the most expensive, at $39.99 for 24 being the best price I could find at Overtock.com.

A cheaper alternative I found were these “flocked hangers” from a no name brand at Overstock.com. $99 for 120 of them!! The reviews on the site said they are comparable in quality to the more expensive brands. I don’t know whether I trust those reviews completely… I’m also wondering whether I need 120… but too scared to start counting my closet inventory.

Lastly, I’m also considering staying with the natural wood hangers I’ve already got, and instead using these non-slip rubbery stickers you can apply to the hanger to prevent slippage. In actuality you only need non-slip for about 20%-30% of your clothes if even that. I’m kinda turned off by the thought of having mixed hangers in my closet so if I go velvet I gotta go all the way!

Looking for thoughts! If anyone has any feedback on their experience with velvet hangers please do me a favor and share!

I fell in love.. with Daisy by Marc Jacobs over the weekend. I was in Urban Outfitters (didn’t realize they now sell perfume) and spritzed on some Daisy. It was like –not quite love, at first sniff… But hours later I kept catching notes of the scent and I started to get mesmerized by my own aroma I’m getting ready to go buy a bottle of it.

This little aromatic experience inspired me to write a Factoid on Finding the right perfume scent for you, and getting a great deal. Factoids are bite sized nuggets of info or knowledge… my brother has created a platform for anyone to write factoidz on. I encourage all of you to try it out! There’s a style and beauty section and a relationship and dating section which I plan to write on often (spit some game knowledge!). If you’re good at writing up factoidz or responding to factoid requests you can make money! Learn more.

It’s always a challenge to create a layered look without adding bulk or getting misaligned layers… so when designers provide the short-cuts for you.. one must take advantage of it. This Alexander Wang Vest Shirtdress pushes the envelope in terms of faux layers but he’s done a good job and I’m (almost) sold on it. I love the idea of a faux vest.. just not lovin the $481 price tag. Not quite sure if this piece really constitutes itself as a dress that can stand on its own as shown in the picture here… personally I think it would look nice over dirty denim pants or over my tuxedo striped velvet pants. I’m considering hard whether a belt would work here. Prob. not but something tells me this shirt might make me look a little short without a belt. Sigh. You tall girls can have it… can’t afford it anyway!

Available at shopbop.com.

Coats have been boring to the bone the past 10+ years so I’m welcoming Leoffler Randall with open arms as she expands her mine to more than the wedge boots that put her on the map. Like her Studded Coat, this cropped piece is elegant but different. This model is not doing it any justice though… so just ignore her butter face and imagine how cute you’d look in this. I love the way Loeffler Randall breaks the rules or more so deviates from expected shapes and lines.

Available for $545 at eluxury.com.

It’s about that time! Here are my carefully selected selections for the It Bag line-up for Fall 2008. Kinda depressing though since most of us are too poor or too scared to buy anything nice for ourselves these days. Let’s stare at the pictures!

Katherine Kwei Donna Knotted Lambskin Tote

I’m in awe a million times over. I can’t get over how crazy good this bag looks. Ok so I have yet to see and touch the bag in person but this photo is enough. I’ll hang it on my bedroom walls tonight and drift off to handbag heaven.

Available for $1150 at Neimanmarcus.com.

Bulga Tasia Bag

The color. The shape. I’d wear it with stuff that didn’t match just to show it off!

Available for $763 at Revolveclothing.com.

Carlos Falchi Flat Multicolor Python Clutch

If you eat Saba (sushi) you might get a fishy flavor in your mouth like I did when looking at this bag. It’s a crazy design but I guarantee this one will go with everything, especially those pjs you wore to Blockbuster last night

Available for $815 at Neimanmarcus.com

Nancy Gonzalez Croc Tote

It’s powerful in every way. Perfect for the working ball-crusher at the office.

Available for $3650 at Neimanmarcus.com.

Cole Haan Aerin NS Tote

Here’s one for you simple and natural girls. No frills. Classic. Wear it forever, pass it down to your daughters. At this price you may just be able to fly under the radar!

Available for $425 at Neimanmarcus.com.

Miu Miu Nappa Patch Tote

Texture is the new black this Fall. This bag offers a very unique texture at that. While it may seem trendy it does have a classic appeal to it. It could work for at least a couple years. Hope the flaps don’t fall off..

Available for $1240 at Neimanmarcus.com.

D&G by Dolce & Gabbana Victoria Tote in Grey

Versatile, muted, soft & comfy… A friend for life!

Available for $1324 at RevolveClothing.com.

Juicy Couture Velour Too Cool Smocked Bag

A luxe-for-less textured option.

Available for $250 at eLuxury.com.

Ferragamo Banshee Metallic Tote

This bag reminds me of my Silver YSL Downtown Bag (that I live and die by). Get this if you want an everything everyday bag!

Available for $1550 at Neimanmarcus.com.

Christian Louboutin Braided Clutch

It’s intense and dramatic.. but Louboutin always manages to find balance. This bag screams hotness and intensity but whispers sophistication and luxe-ness.

Available for $1655 at Neimanmarcus.com.

When you’ve exhausted all other means of hooching out, false lashes will never let you down. While it may take several attempts across several occasions to actually apply false lashes successfully, I encourage every girl to get there!! They can make the biggest difference to your look and seriously turn up the volume on your facial features.

My Recommendations
(If you have other types you live by please do share!!)

#1. #4 from Mac Cosmetics
Warning: These are super long and wispy and should prob. only be worn at night where the lights will be dim They are kind of a rip off but I’ve managed to squeeze up to 5 wears out of one pair once.

Available at Mac.com for $12

#2. Shisem False Lashes (Korean brand)

They are cheap and come in various styles, one in particular I absolutely can’t live without are these very natural looking ones that come in a 4-pk. At first I thought these might be under-eye lashes since they are so small but they work really well for the upper lashes if you want to go undercover with your lashes… not look so vamped up. I couldn’t find any online retailers but I usually get mine in Korea or they might be available at the Korean Markets (if you live near one). My favorite is the Hangook Market in Santa Clara.

Some fun options:
My Divas Closet stocks some outrageously crazy lashes and other eye gems. I tried some of the feather style lashes several years back for Halloween and they didn’t stay on very well, not to mention scared my boyfriend shit-less.

Eyelash Adhesive:
Don’t ever use the clear eyelash adhesive. They suck and it’s all marketing BS about how it applies clear. The regular white glue will dry clear too. I use any and all brands of the white eyelash adhesive.

How I Apply My Lashes
1. I curl my real lashes up first
2. Then I smear a large dollop of glue to the back of my hand
3. I run the false lash line across the glue, then let it dry for anywhere from 30-60 seconds until the glue gets tacky to the touch.
4. Then I line up the lash to my real lash line and press on the outer edges of the lashes, scooting the lash back and forth across my lash line until it gets centered correctly and nudges up to the edge of my eyeline. I keep tapping the lash down into the lash line as it starts to dry and attach to the lid.

Hope to see you out with the long and luscious lashes ladies!

There’s really only one reason to look forward to the days shortening and the weather growing colder… FALL FASHION! The gloomy weather ahead promises all kinds of possibilities when it comes to layering ensembles and winter shoes and accessories. Being that most of us are probably on a tighter budget these days.. if there’s only one thing you can invest in this season I’d have to say trust in the black boot. I’ve been on the hunt myself for an over-the-knee boot but have yet to find the perfect pair.

In my quest I bumped into these knee length front-zip boots from Tory Burch. Alright so I’ll admit the Burch is played out or (playing it’s way out soon) and the chunky heel has never been a favorite of mine… but there’s something about these. There’s a luxe-ness to this boot, perhaps it’s the edginess the front zipper gives to the overall look, or maybe it’s the gold trim lining the chunked heel, but it could (almost) pass for Dior or Jimmy Choo. One thing’s for sure this boot says don’t mess with me! I like

Available at Shopbop.com for $565.00

It’s the name of the bag that had me at hello. Watch Me Work Bitches!!! It’s slightly reminiscent of an Hermes Birkin, but with a much more relaxed shape and silhouette and modern hardware.  The wide mouth of the bag would be inviting to any working woman who’s constantly reaching in and out of bag to grab her Blackberry (and now hopefully iPhone.. hello! it’s 2008).  I have yet to see the bag in-person but the real test I’m waiting to do on this one is to fill it up with all my junk, throw it up against a wall and see how it looks. If this one passes sufficiently it’s mine!

So far I’ve found the bag in the above shown beige/mocha color and a red shown below.

Available at Net-a-Porter for $2,100.

The Luxe Mix is in NYC!!!

Spent all day in the Meatpacking District of New York trudging through rain and wind, trying my best not to look as haggard and droopy as I really did (It rained ALL day today). It’s been over three years since I was here in the Big Apple and I’m still rather impressed with how much the Meatpacking District has evolved. Diane Von Furstenburg.. Stella McCartney.. to this cherished Alexander McQueen!~~ this place went from slummy to (on the verge) upscale. An interesting evolution… packing meat to packing plastic!

I read somewhere that the salespeople at this Alexander McQueen were supposed to “not judge what you’re wearing” but.. I’m not quite sure I can affirmate that statement. The minute I walked in the security guard rushed me at the door and reached for my starbucks cup. That was a first for me, not that it was rude really but kind of pretentious no? The sales people all greeted us (I think) but nothing more really… I don’t know what I expect but it was more like a museum than a shop. I guess the day I can actually afford stuff in there it will all make more sense to me. For now, I’ll admire the fine pieces of art — at least I got to touch~~ :0

I’m nervous posting about this jacket lest too many of you go out and buy it and leave me high and dry… but sharing is caring so here goes

This coat from Loeffler Randall is elegant with that touch of sass that most boring black coats fail to provide. The coat stands alone on its own. No need for high fashion accessories with this one. OK OK, maybe just some knee high black leather boots (patent or not would be gravy). The modified mandarin collar would be flattering for a lot of face shapes — especially round ones like mine! The versatility is there as well. Worn over a dress, this could make the wedding-attire cut, and thrown over some jeans it could pass for a causal day-out-look too no questions asked.