21st Century Mom

The Gilded Age

So if you visit the Ralph Lauren site, the Spring 2008 collection is showing...which I swear looks like every other RL Spring collection.  He has 4 basic themes with all his collections: horses (as in Ascot or "Polo"), sailing (nautical, stripes, blue or red and white), formal (tuxedo, black/white), or vintage (generally the 1920s or 30s).  That's it.  Look at the home collection.  I mean the belts start at $795 for an equestrian theme with a horse bit that is sooo Tom Ford/Gucci 2001 .  The mary jane spectator pump for $600.  Yawn.

OTOH, the nautical themed bedding is a pretty good deal on sale.  The sale extends to clothes and cashmere, which still translates to $45 shoes for toddlers, but use coupon code LCSALE25 for 25% savings.

The Cult of Janie & Jack

I really want to know at what point in history did it become acceptable to spend more on children's clothing (knowing the little, uh, treasures sprout up a couple of inches per year) than on the adult clothing?  And when did the stuff get soo cute?  In my day, cute miniature couture was reserved for Barbie and her friends, courtesy of Bob Mackie and the like.

Now there's Janie & Jack with lines like English Countryside (on sale and up to size 8 now) and Strawberry Fields (also on sale).  Of course the sale prices are still more than most folks are willing to pay full retail for ($37 for a cardigan, reg. $48) but just wait another month or so and it will come down more. 

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

When your 8 year old knows the relative price points between Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Coach, I'd suggest you click over to the summer clearance sale at Yoox.com.  Heck, look for yourself too since the likelihood is the little one probably will grow through whatever size you buy up for her long before she can wear the still-pricey-on-sale frock next summer (and the little fashionista will probably pout and say that" it's so last year" anyway). 

Try to ignore the freakish woman trapped in the vase, inexplicably with butterflies and flowers-- the download takes forever in Firefox.  Actually the whole site could use some speed, but the last minute box in the lower-right is downright mesmerizing.

So if $50-on sale shoes for your kid isn't your thing, go check out Payless. 

Surfin' the Sales in August

Nordstroms has just restocked the sale pages.  Check out what's on offer for 70% off or more.  There are also some great shoe deals too.  Men are on sale -- but they look like rejects from the JC Penney catalog.  I'll stick with my husband. 

Love this David Meiser Ruched V-neck dress that I'd buy in a heartbeat if I was a size 8 (or smaller).  Less than 70-bucks (reg. $228) and it's a flattering style that will always look great.

A great find for my 20-something friends: Hype Belted Tunic which is on sale for $57 (reg. $196 and worth every penny).   All you need are the black leggings and pirate boots.  Ahoy me harties!

Crap, now all I keep thinking about is Johnny Depp.  And Orlando Bloom. 

And... Captain Feathersword.

And to the (Banana) Republic For Whose Shoes I Stand In...

Taking a quick break to check out the Banana Republic sale on summer merch.  Best deals are on suiting (takes you through Fall, although I never really *got* the short-suit look.  I mean, if Iwanted to look like a dork, I could just buy clothes from Kmart!  Cute dresses too, although they seem to be flying off the cybershelves.   Check out the shoes because for less than $40, espadrilles NEVER go out of style!!! 

I know...shoes again?  Yes.  Why?  Because they always FIT ME, unlike pants that pick and choose which times of the month to fit properly or skirts that never seem to work without stockings (and WHO wants to wear pantyhose in August???).  Don't even get me started on dresses.  My dry cleaner just charged me $11 for a dress, and there were 3 of them in the bag.  Does he realize for 3 cleanings I could just BUY a new dress (albeit on sale, but still!). 

So shoes remain my favorite items in the closet.   Handbags are good too...but with the recent craze for oversized bags that make my ass look HUGE, I've gone back to my first love: shoes (especially 4" heels that skinny my legs and make me look as though I've worked out...he, he...).

Urban Fashionista

Wouldn't be a Saturday without a quick check of my RSS feeds for SHOES!  Outstanding sale on flats and heels at Urban Outfitters.  More than 50% off in many cases -- adorable, trendy shoes like these quilted flats for less than $10!  And then there are these pixie boots in black, grey and beige....so Molly Ringwald in the Breakfast Club!

Accessories are also on sale and they still have pretty good stock leftover.

Sharp Dressed Man

I'm doing the dance of joy b/c some of my guy friends who read this blog have been giving me grief about the recent posts regarding shoes, handbags, and baby clothes of late.  So, this one's 4 u.

Jos A Bank is having a 50% off clearance sale.  We're talking THOUSAND dollar suits for $245!!!  I like this Joseph 2-button jacket for $149 (reg. $895) but only if you are tall.  And when I say tall, I mean 6'3 or more.   Have a poke around or forward this onto your sig other.

Happy hunting!

Recipe for the Perfect Fall Trench Coat

Ingredients
1. Christian LaCroix (yes, THAT LACROIX)
2. Black (or Poppy, but Black is always 'the new Black')
3. Ruffles & Flounces
4. $299 (yep, just 300 bucks, not 3,000 or 30,000 as with other LaCroix creations).

Combine and place order at La Redoute.  <Item may be on backorder until the end of August...but you probably don't need it til September anyway>

The Second 'S' is for SALE

Pre-season Hanna sale is going on for a couple of weeks at Hanna Andersson.  Love this new Chestnut brown collection, especially the clogs and these legwarmers!  Don't forget to stock up on tights (especially RED for the holidays...you can never find them in December or February!). 

And those of you with boys, be thankful.

Fall Fashion

I'm having a shopping meltdown!!!!

Nordstroms is having their Anniversary Sale where they place Fall items on sale now (because it's not like you can wear a Vince grey cashmere/alpaca wool cardigan in July, no matter how gorgeous it is!) but the prices go up next month.

On my wishlist: Strenesse Belted Silk Jacket, the aforementioned Vince Cardi, this Nordstrom Cape or this yummy Chaiken Cashmere cape, seriously cute France Sarto Suede flats but these Steve Madden flats are such a great deal for less than $50!

$5 shipping for your whole order and they have a wonderful return policy if it doesn't work out.  So beat the crowds, get your Fall wardrobe and enjoy the weekend!