.::|TheDish|::.

Ebay's The Inside Source

Last week, Ebay launched an online magazine called The Inside Source. According to Meredith Barnett, the sites editorial director, The Inside Source is targeted at the smart shopper “who is sophisticated, has a sensibility about fashion and lifestyle and may be familiar with eBay but maybe not the full extent of everything it has to offer.”

Within the Fashion, Tech, Pop Culture, Home & Garden, Entertainment, The Green Scene, and What's Hot Now sections on the site (called "Topics"), there's a variety of editorial pieces written by journalists and specialists highlighting the latest trends across many categories, which are somewhat like blog posts, with contextual links driving users to check out and hopefully purchase realated products on Ebay. Additionally, you'll find online interviews with noteworthy people within the various categories, also with links to purchase their favorite products on Ebay; a product endorsement so to speak.

So, I started to poke around on the site a little. Although the site is primarily focused on fashion, as clothes and accessories are Ebay's biggest revenue generators, there's definitely a lot of content across a broad range of categories. Considering the breadth of content, they do a pretty good job at organizing it and the site is easy to navigate; it feels a bit like an interactive gossipy glossy :). 

Being from Boston, the story on Barbara Lynch in the Home & Garden section attracted my attention. Since I'm a regular at some of her eateries here in town, I also immediately recognized the error in the first paragraph of the article: "her Boston-based company, Barbara Lynch Gruppo, owns a variety of food-related businesses in the area: critically acclaimed restaurant No. 9 Park; South End eatery B&G Oysters, which shares a space with fancy cocktail bar Drink...". Oops, not trying to be too critical here, but B&G and Drink are in 2 totally different neighborhoods.** Update - I left a comment regarding this, and they promptly corrected it, so props to The Inside Source for listening to their readers :) **

Overall, it's nice to give Ebay a voice, and being a bargain shopper myself, this site serves as a gentle reminder that I should run a quick Ebay search to see what I may find next time I am in the market for that special something. With sites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La being front and center in the competitive discount online fashion retail space, I am curious to see how this site evolves and what it does for Ebay.com, and if they see ROI by attracting more of those savvy shoppers they are after.

My Love for Etsy

I can't begin to express my love for Etsy, the one-stop online shop for unique, handmade items. It has been my "go to" for my wedding planning needs, and my experience with both the marketplace and the shop owners has been impeccable.

I purchased my wedding invitations from the Whimsical Prints shop and a woman named Leanna; she stood by me, month after month, question and after question, and change after change, offering up her expertise and experience with wedding invitation design and wording. For example, I came across questions I had never considered before, such as "is 5:30pm the afternoon, or the evening?" and "who comes first, my Mom's name or my Dad's on the return envelope?". I love her design approach, too – simple and using high quality materials that you can then dress up with personal touches if desired; my invites were a total hit among friends and family.

And I wanted something unique for my ring bearer to carry rather than the standard generic pillow – something that tied in the garden theme on my big day. I found Courtney, with her shop Courtney Alison Design, and she is creating a beautiful custom birds nest ring "pillow" (my ribbon is a dark, fuchsia pink). She also offered me one invaluable wedding tip:

Wedding Day Tip: Remember to enjoy the big day. Nothing matters at that point except that you and your new husband enjoy every minute possible.

Ok, that brought tears to my eyes again! And I am most recently working with a woman named Lisa, and her shop The Handmade Boutique, to create a custom guest book using designer fabrics and materials. She is fabulous.

I don't know what I would have have done without Etsy, and the wonderful designers that I have met on the site, as a key, grounded part of my wedding planning madness; perhaps I otherwise would have had stale, traditional wedding accents, like formal white invites with gold script, a generic ring bearer pillow, and a Staples guest book? If you haven't checked Etsy out, be sure to, you can find just about anything; and more likely than not, no one else has that same something.

Marc Jacobs Backless Cardigan

I – like most girls – love Marc Jacobs, but check out this cashmere backless cardigan that I discovered on on today's Gilt Groupe sale for $198, regularly $985. Like, really?!?! BTW, if you aren't yet a Gilt Groupe member, here's an invite from moi: http://www.gilt.com/invite/katebeat

Hayden Harnett Thankful Sale - Last Day!

It's the last day of the Hayden Harnett Thankful Sale! HH is slashing prices on some of their buttery soft signature handbags and throwing in free shipping on all online orders. The sale ends at midnight tonight, so check it out to see if you can check off someone special on your holiday list and make her feel n' look fabulous!

Recent Great Finds

A couple weeks ago I took a staycation. If you haven' t heard of the term, it's vacation without (much) travel, pretty much staying close by. So I decided to spend the first half with my folks in Sutton, MA. We hiked, hung out at the lake, BBQ'd, drank wine, gardened, and read. Oh, and of course, my Mom and I shopped! And here's a couple of my stellar finds:

Samuel Dong Bubble Trench Coat

Shown here in Slate, but I chose Algae (a deep green color) for Fall. Samuel Dong is know for his classic styles, with a trendy twist, at super reasonable prices. This was a gift from Mom, from the fabulous Lyn Evans boutique in Westborough (thanks Mom!)

Big Buddha Groupie Bag

I love this over-sized Big Buddah bag, especially the mustard color, and the price. It's super spacious, but not at all bulky, and is a great splash of color for many outfits.

Sidewalk Sales

If you are looking to do some shopping this weekend, head on over to the South End. There's a few killer sidewalk sales, with deals up to 75% off, going on at Lekker (unique home furnishings), diseño bos (Latin American design), and Tadpole (toys, furniture, clothing, and gear for the modern child).

Lekker
1317 Washington Street  
Boston, MA 02118

617.542.6463

www.lekkerhome.com

diseño | bos

409 Harrison Avenue 

Boston, MA 02118 

617.423.2008 

www.disenoboston.com

Tadpole

37 Clarendon Street

Boston, MA

617.778.1788

www.shoptadpole.com

Banned from Hayden Harnett

That's it, I am banning myself from Hayden Harnett (though I can't quite get myself to unsubscribe from their e-newsletters!). I just purchased this cute summer Montauk Canvas & Jute Hobo from their preview sale for just $55 (down from $138) over the weekend, and it just arrived. I love it. I chose navy, or "marine" as they call it, and they seem to have sold out of the color so I had to show you "natural". I have never owned a navy bag; how nautical of me.

So yes, I have recognized and admitted to the HH addiction (I think I have 4 bags now, eek!) and I have facilitated my own intervention. No more HH. At least for 6 months or so... I think ;)

Chel Bella Style Blog!

I am so excited to share my friend Chelsea's blog with with all my fashionista readers! Introducing: Chel Bella Style! The owner of the uber-hip Chel Bella boutique in Hingham, MA, Chelsea brings posts on the latest fashion trends, style tips, and the freshest arrivals at her shop. It is so great to see small businesses embracing and leveraging the power of communication through blogging. Be sure to check it out, bookmark it, leave a comment, and make a trip to Chel Bella to spice-up that spring wardrobe!

Jeffrey Campbell Moto Boot

I just purchased these Jeffrey Campbell Moto Boots, at 50% off, and I just love them! Alas, a cool low-heel black boot that fits my wimpy calves! So many women I know complain about the calf circumference on boots, and I cannot tell you how many boots I have fallen in love with on the shelf & online, only to find my leg looks like a total toothpick when I try them on (like the Frye Jane Cuffs). I know, a woman's fashion woes, but trust me, it blows! Well, the calf circumference on the Moto is 13.25", just perfect with a pair of skinny jeans. It may be spring, but it sure doesn't feel like it outside right now, and I plan to get as much wear out of these bad boys before I break out the open-toes!

Chel Bella March Madness Sale This Saturday, March 8th

The forecast for Saturday is rain, and its therefore the perfect day to go shopping! If you are around, I suggest you head down to Chel Bella, my friend Chelsea's boutique in picturesque Hingham, for her March Madness Sale! I have been before, and it rocks! Here's the deets:

March Madness Sale
Saturday, March 8th!

10am-2pm 50% Off
2pm-6pm  75% Off

Sale includes any remaining winter merchandise, select Spring and Summer merchandise, lots of denim, cords, and shoes!

Also come check out new deliveries from Ella Moss, Marc Jacobs, Shoshanna, Three Dot, Beth Bowley, Free People, Citizens, Sevens, Red Engine and more!

Chel Bella
66 South Street       
Hingham, MA
781 749 1219
http://chelbella.com/

Hayden-Harnett President's Day Sale...

... is on right now! Head on over to the site. I just picked up the Sonia Tote in Winter White, the perfect Spring bag for all my work essentials (looks like my laptop will fit!):

As they say, "Leather so soft, it could make your momma cry". I cannot wait!!!

Debbie Katz Ruched Bandeau Cover-Up Dress

I perused the recent Nordstrom catalog while home hanging out with my Mom this weekend, and this Debbie Katz Ruched Bandeau Cover-Up Dress caught my eye; I think it is so adorable! I was contemplating ordering it for my Nevis trip, as this vacation is all about spontaneity, but size large is all that's left. So I just checked out the Debbie Katz online store, and now I have so many cute options!!!

Frye Jane Cuff

I just ordered these Frye Jane Cuff boots, as I haven't been able to find the Frye Dorado riding boots in my size. My only concern is that the Jane Cuff's may be a little too "western" but I'll soon find out. I love the chunky heal and the tall shaft, so my fingers are crossed they'll be keepers!!

Yet Another B-Day Surprise!

Last night, Mike surprised me with this absolutely stunning pair of diamond and platinum earrings! They are from the Hearts on Fire collection, a Boston-based diamond company that I think has by far the most amazing cuts; the diamonds sparkle like no others. Thank you baby for making this b-day unforgettable, and for this overly generous gift! And thanks to all my girlfriends for helping Mike select the perfect pair; you guys are amazing. As a friend puts it, "you got a good guy (and friends with good taste don't hurt)". That's the truth.

Thank You!

A special thanks to my family, for the fabulous gifts I received last night:

Mom and Dad, thanks so much for the scarves, the adorable top, and the Hayden Harnett Hudson Hobo:

   

Jon and Megan, thanks to much for the William Sonoma Slate Cheese Board and Wine and Food book (perfect for my dinner party tomorrow night!!!!):

   

And last but definitely not least, thanks to Mike for my pre-birthday "teaser" presents... A bottle of CAIN 5 (YUM - a fav!!!) and some fabulous Thyme Eucalyptus salts and scrubs from Aunt Sadie's ...this is enough babe!

Thank you to you all, for making the last 32 22 years (ha!) of my life so amazing. I love you!

Boots 'n Bags!

I posted already about my favorite Hayden Harnett bag, so I can't leave out the other necessity and obsession: boots! I adore these Frye Dorado riding boots. I have a pair of similar boots from Cole Haan in brown, and wear them non-stop; these are the perfect complement, in black!

Vargas A-Line Chain Bag in Haze

I am in love with this bag, it's perfect: Hayden Harnett Vargas A-Line Chain Bag in Haze. I actually had a dream about it last night. This is on the top of my holiday wishlist (hint hint)!!

Cole Haan & Soles4Souls

Cole Haan is running a fabulous program now through Oct  21st, whereby you can drop-off a "gently worn" pair of duds and receive 20% off your purchase at Cole Haan. The program is in partnership with Soles4Souls, an international non-profit charity organization that provides footwear to unfortunate people in third world countries as well as disaster areas. There are also ways that you can donate directly to the charity, including donating your time.

The Natick Collection

I took the short 15-20 minute drive over to check out the Natick Collection this weekend. Aside from it being a total zoo the day after opening day, I was very impressed. The beautiful new addition to the mall boasts an impressive list of high end stores such as:

Neiman Marcus - Opening September 15
Nordstroms
Michael Kors
Louis Vuitton
BCBG
Stuart Weitzman
Betsey Johnson
Anthropologie
Burberry
Gucci
Juicy Couture
Kate Spade

Additionally, you will definitely need to refuel if you plan on walking the mall circumference, so there are quite a few new restaurant additions to help out, such as:

Finale
Melt Gelato & Crepe Café
Metropolitan Bar & Grill
P.F. Chang's (coming soon)
Sel de la Terre (coming soon)

Nordstom's Opening Day - Sept 7th

Opening day for Nordstrom's in Natick is tomorrow, September 7th (yay!). Check out more details here.

Nordstrom Natick Collection
290 Speen Street
Natick, MA 01760

Coach Lannie Eyeglasses

I just picked-up the cutest pair of Coach prescription eyeglasses; they're a dark brown, tortoise shell (if you can't tell from the pic) with 2 gold flowers on the side of the frame. I love the style becuase it's professional as well as cute and flirty.  If you are looking for an exam by a qualified optometrist, as well as a new pair of designer frames, I strongly recommend Cohen's Optical, with 2 locations in the city on Newbury St or Downtown Crossing.

Amsterdam's YaYa Clothing Line

I just took a pass through the South End Open Market across the street on Harrison Avenue (another sure sign of summer nearing!), and wasn't really expecting to find/purchase anything as I feel as though the market has become saturated with local vendors selling beaded jewelry and handmade bags - blaaah. However, this time I was shocked - and thrilled - to see a new tent featuring super-hip European fabrications! And here I feel may begin my love affair with a new clothing line.

Its called YaYa Hype and YaYa Sophisticate (not to be confused with L.A. based Ya-Ya that you see in Saks or Intermix), and its straight out of Amsterdam. They had a few racks of sample items, and truthfully, I easily could have walked away with the rack! However, I restrained from the temptation and left with a kick-ass, perfectly-fit, light-weight belted jacket, a nylon-type fabric wrap dress shirt in an eggplant color, and an adorable pink dress that reminds me of a waitresses uniform in a 1950's diner. Totally cute, very unique, and definitely not Boston typical!

I checked out the YaYa website, and I love quite a few pieces. The colors seem to be a tad dull (a lot of white/gray/coffee) but I just love the tailored, feminine fit of the pieces. The vendor said they are taking the brand for a test drive in the States to see if American women warm up to it; not sure that Boston is the place for that, but I won't complain! Perhaps I'll have to plan a trip to Amsterdam while they figure things out :)

Loeffer Randall Mazzy Flat

I am in LOVE with these Loeffer Randall "Mazzy" Flats on shopbop.com:

Fashion Expression is Tonight!

One last plug, for the Fashion Expression Event TONIGHT!

WHERE: MANSION, 1 Boylston Street (website)
WHEN: 8pm, show starts at 8:30pm
TICKETS: $40 @ the door (a percentage of the proceeds to benefit Go Red For Women)

Hope to see you there!

BOSTON: Under (Fashion) Arrest

TheDish reader & fellow marketer passed on this press release.... Thanks, Amy!

Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity
BOSTON: UNDER (FASHION) ARREST
Marshalls Takes to the Streets to Stop
Bostonians from Paying Too Much For Designer Fashions

WHAT: Dozens of Fashion Police will be scouting the Boston area from Wednesday, May 9, through
Sunday, May 13 in search of fabulously dressed people who paid far too much for their look. These fashion police will be distributing citations for paying too much for designer fashion. Recipients of these citations can bring them to their local Marshalls to see if they’ve won one of thousands of prizes, including a $5,000 shopping spree!

While the Fashion Police are on the beat, groups of Deal Divas will be in the area sporting oversized price tags on their fabulous Marshalls fashions. Deal Divas will be handing out game pieces also redeemable at local participating Marshalls that could be worth the $5,000 Marshalls shopping spree.

While the Fashion Police are on the beat, consumers throughout Boston will also enjoy a roving fashion show traveling throughout the city. The fashion show, featuring a mobile DJ booth and emcee who will offer Bostonians tips on how to mix and match the season’s hottest colors and styles.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 9 – Sunday, May 13
WHERE: Dozens of locations around Boston. Specific locales for media:

Wednesday, May 9
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. State Street Station and Downtown Crossing
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. South Station and Copley Square

Thursday, May 10
7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. North Station and South Station
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Copley Square and South Station

Friday, May 11
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Boston Common and Newbury St./Back Bay
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Newbury St./Back Bay and Quincy Marina

Saturday, May 12
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Boston Waterfront
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Harvard Square

Sunday, May 13
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Faneuil Hall
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Newbury St./Back Bay

Fashion Expression Update

I'd like to do a little self & charity promotion. Less than one week from today, on May 9th, you are all  invited to the Fashion Expression Event at MANSION. This incredible event is to benefit and support the American Heart Association and its Go Red For Women movement. We have approximately 300 400 RSVPs thus far, so the event is sure to sell out!

I will be walking the runway next Wednesday to the song "Give It To Me" by Timbaland, JT, Nelly Furtado (which I LOVE!), wearing a couture dress designed by Boston's own, Nirva. And here is a sneak peak of the dress designed specifically for this event (though I am not wearing it here):

Pretty cute, eh?! Wish me luck on the runway (eeeeek!) and I hope to see you there!!!

Twisted Heart Sweats

I've been looking for a cute pair of stylish sweats that are suitable for wearing in public - you know, on a  lazy Saturday afternoon, or a BBQ, or to just chill out in. Alas, I found them: Twisted Heart Shakira sweatpants in white. They are super-long, which is so difficult to find and a necessity for us tall chicks, slim fitting in all the right places, and with an adorable red heart on the rear. I am jazzed!

A Uniform Personal Touch

We spent the better part of last Sunday wandering around the streets of Boston... the typical circle from our condo in the South End, to the Back Bay, up Newbury and back. It was a pristine spring day, with blue bird skies and a slight wind. On the last leg of our stroll, we popped into Uniform on Tremont Street; its a men's urban concept store, complete with fun and unique men's clothing, skincare, and accessories. We went in there in search of one item for the beau - a Penguin windbreaker (you know, like we all once had and has apparently made quite the comeback) - without any foresight into whether or not they would even carry it. Well, they did; one left, and in the right size. The man and woman helping us out were so personable, chill, and simply cool. We chatted for a but, picked-up the coat, and left quite happy.

Well, I picked up the mail today, and was shocked to see a personal, hand-written postcard from Gary and Michaela at Uniform, marked by the burnt orange U on the face. It reads:

Thanks so much for coming in! Enjoy the great jacket + have a happy spring.
Cheers,
Gary + Michaela

Wow! This is so amazing! A small shop like Uniform, developing a relationship with their customer base in a personal, one-to-one way. Its not as if its a mainstream, ultra high-end kinda store that writes this as policy for their staff and you expect a personal letter of thanks for spending heaps of cash in their establishment (although thats quite easy to do at Uniform I guess!). I then read the lower right hand side of the card, and their tag-line reads "It's all about U". I love that. Here is a hip boutique, branding themselves as being about me (well, if I were male) and Uniform, and backing it up genuinely by offering-up stellar service, friendly chatter, and closing the deal with a personal thanks. Great customer loyalty tactic.

You guys rock, looking forward to visiting again soon.

Uniform
511 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
617.247.2360
http://www.uniformboston.com/

Mom & Daughter Therapy

Today, I had a fabulous day with my Mom, despite the driving rain and gloom. She was in search of a dress to wear to a dinner with my Dad and one of his customers later this month, and she wanted to engage my eagle shopper eyes! So, we found her a spectacular Laundry dress perfectly suitable for the occasion, an amazing pair of patent leather heals to add some lift and dazzle, and I left with a pretty wildly striped Laundry dress (like mother like daughter), a pair of BCBG sandals, and these cute Michael Kors GoGo Ballet Flats that are spring/summer essentials to pair with a jersey dress.

We had a lot of girly fun today.

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

As summer is nearing (although you wouldn't know it by the frigid temps and snow in mid-April!), I've been looking around for that annual, cute new bikini to purchase. I saw in this week's People mag, a cute suit on Drew Barrymore from the Lisa Curran Swim Collection. So, this has led to this adorable polka dot suit , from the same collection, & now in the final running. Yes, it's yellow, but not too itsy-bitsy!

Do you like it?

Trend Alert: High Waisted Pants Are Back!

As reported by Intuition, high-waisted pants are back! I heard this before, but chose to enter a state of style denial. Why, why, why?! The eighties big-belt, skinny jean phenomenon grew on me quickly, but I am not quite ready to embrace this reemerging trend!

Even Scarlet looks terrible!

Chooka Skull Wellies

I fell in love with these wellies the minute I laid eyes on them on the Intuition website. I am so excited, as they are on their way to my home! The Chooka Skull rainboots are colorful, waterproof and are the perfect stylish option for the inevitable spring and summer torrential downpours; there are a few different styles & colors to chose from, but these are by far my favorite (gotta love skulls & crossbones!). I can't wait for them to arrive :)...

The New Crocs Prima Ballet Slipper

The new Prima ballet slippers from Crocs are apparently all the rage for the spring/summer. Unlike the original Beach Crocs for which the brand came to mainstream fame (outside the world of chefs & doctors) last year, this new design features a feminine twist, while still maintaining practicality and sturdiness. The ballet-inspired shoe is made of patented croslite™ that softens with body heat, thereby molding the shoe to your foot for a customized fit.

I have been considering purchasing a pair of Primas since my girlfriends were chatting them up this weekend. However, in reading a few very inconstant & contradictory reviews, I am a tad hesitant:

I don't see what all the rage is about these shoes...these Crocs are not comfortable, no matter what I do. And although they are anti-microbial and odor-resistant, my feet still sweat in them and then slide around...so despite all the hype, I’m not a fan.

Cute shoes - While these are very cute for Crocs, which I normally think are ugly, they RUN SMALL. Not sure who decided they run large. Order a size UP. Also, they DO make a strange suction sound when you walk and within seconds my feet were sweating. Too bad, because they are adorable. I sent mine back.

They do run big! I ordered these after seeing them in this month's Lucky, I ordered an 8after other reviewers said that they don't run large, well they do.


Cute, but didn't work for me. I usually wear a 10-11 depending on the shoe. I tried both sizes and neither fit. The 10 was too crowded in the toe box and the 11 was too long. I have flat feet and there is absolutely no arch support, but may accommodate orthodics for some. Very cute shoe, but not near as comfortable as the original crocs (which I own in a size Large, for women).

Hmmm.... not sure what to think. I suppose at a mere $24.99/pair, its not at all an investment like most cute shoes. Sites seem to be sold-out and on back-order (except one that I just found!); however, the thought of sweaty, squeaky feet baking in the summer swelter is not sounding appealing, despite their total cuteness!

Banana Republic for Tall Women

I am not a huge fan of Banana Republic as I find the style to be pretty classic & mainstream. However, I am SO thrilled to see that someone out there has listened to the woes of us tall women; Banana Republic has introduced a NEW Women's Tall line! What this means is us tall ladies can purchase pants in the smaller sizes, like 2 and 4, yet with a 36" inseam rather than the standard 30" inseam that inevitably creates a cropped look on non-cropped pants. This means that suit jacket sleeves will not ride up, that mini-skits will not reveal a little too much when we bend over. You get the point; this is revolutionary in a tall woman's world, and truly exciting :)

Cute Polka Dot Dress

Polka dots are very *in* this summer, and I love this Tocca dress, available at Kate Boutique (love the boutique's name too!):

Miss Massachusetts @ the 2nd Boston Fashion Expression Event

The 2nd Boston Fashion Expression Event is about 5 weeks away, and I want to share some very exciting news. Michaela Gagne, Miss Massachusetts 2006, will be modeling at the event, showing her continued support of the "Go Red for Women" campaign!

Events like this, and all others in support of the "Go Red for Women" movement, hold a special place in this 24-year-old Fall River resident's heart. At the age of 17, Michaela was diagnosed with Long QT syndrome, a heart disorder of the heart's electrical rhythm that can be fatal due to ventricular arrhythmia's (abnormally rapid heartbeats) triggered by intense physical activity. About 450,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, according to Parent Heart Watch. To combat the abnormal beats, an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) about the size of a stopwatch is surgically implanted and connected to Michaela's heart as a means of monitoring heart rhythms to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest.

Check out Michaela's story more here.

I hope you can make it to watch Michaela walk the runway @ the Mansion on May 9th, as well as a few other local celebrities & personalities. Randy Price and Frances Rivera will be co-hosting the event, and modeling will be:

Natalie Jacobson - channel 5 & daughter Lindsay Curtis
Stephanie Moore - cardiologist @ Mass General Hospital
Elmy Trevejo - cardiac nurse @ Brigham & Womens
Andrea Baptiste - "The Biggest Looser"
Janet Wu – Channel 5
Amelia Bredda - Channel 5
Mike Ross – Boston City Council

... and more to come!

[Slideshow image & link courtesy of Boston.com]

Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag

I happen to love Louis Vuitton bags, but ABSOLUTELY NOT this one! Who in their right mind would pay $45,352 for this?! Well, apparently no one else will as this bag is sold-out and LV has no intentions of producing more. That's the only goodness that comes out of this story :)

Fashion Expression Event: May 9th

The official save the date is in. Please pass on to your friends & family!

Filene's Basement to Remodel

I heard some very unsettling news today. While doing some "shopping therapy" with a good friend, I was informed that Filene's Basement's flagship store in Downtown Crossing, Boston will be closing it's doors this September for 2 years to remodel. Sigh. The outcome will be amazing for sure, transitioning "1.2 million square feet into a mixed-use project that will include more than 200,000 square feet of retail space, an office/residential tower, hotel and restaurant, and underground parking," according to The Boston Business Journal; but this is just saddening to those devoted Basement shoppers like myself. Where can we buy Jimmy Choo's and designer threads at 50/60/70% of??? Unfortunately, the Boylston St. sister store just doesn't quite do it for me like the 3 floors of bargain paradise downtown. Despite the news, I still managed to do some damage, and walked out with a pair of Miss Sixty jeans and a couple dressy summer tanks. Ahh, I feel better already :)

Tadpole

I don't have kids, but I love shopping for kid's clothes. My favorite kids boutique in Boston is located close-by, in the South End: Tadpole. It's a small space, so each item is carefully selected for its unique quality and individuality. I just love the Australian Wheeley Bugs and the Danish Flensted Aeromobiles (located in the section on their site called, "Going Mobile" - hee hee). The Wry Baby I Might Barf Snapsuit is pretty stellar too :).

Last weekend, my sister-in-law and I visited Tadpole, and made a couple purchases for my nephew, Jack. We bought the amazing Appaman Charger T, as well as this badass jacket (and yes, that's my nephew Jack modeling!!!):

The folks at Tadpole are so friendly and amazing. Swing by and check it out:

37 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
617.778.1788
Info@ShopTadpole.com

BC Footwear 'Hollywood Ending' Pump

My first pair of spring-time wedges  :)....

Fashion Expression Event: Go Red for Women

I have an exciting update to my post about the Boston Fashion Weekend Event, to benefit the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement in the New England area. Because this event is getting quite the hype, and some big-named sponsors are eager to get involved, the full weekend is being pushed off until 2008 so we can plan it perfectly. In it's place, we have a very exciting "Expression" event that will be taking place in early spring!

At the new MANSION on May 9th, The Boston Fashion Weekend committee will mark a second "Fashion Expression Event" for the American Heart Association to benefit the "Go Red for Women" campaign. The event will attract corporate young professionals, press, media, PR firms, and the hottest fashionistas!

I encourage you all to join us in support of this benchmark event, as celebrity models (I am not telling who yet!) and heart disease survivors showcase the latest and hottest creations of national and local New England designers and boutiques; each unique piece will be designed specially for the Go Red Day Campaign. 20% of the proceeds will benefit the AHA.

I'd also recommend that you stick around for the mini-trunk show and a silent auction at the event's close.

This will be a sold out charitable evening so don't miss it! Tickets will be available on The Boston Events Guide website, so please check back here soon, and I will let you know more details!

I Could Kiss Cole Haan & Nike

I am so excited that finally - oh finally - a brand has answered the comfort woes of women's high- heel shoes. I could KISS Cole Haan and Nike Air for implementing the Nike Air technology, that graces so many men's pairs, in a sexy woman's shoe: "construction and seduction", to borrow their words. Currently there are a number of "AIR" designs, from pumps to boots to thong sandals. I can't wait to slip my toes into a comfy new pair; these are kinda cute! --->

A Sister's Shopping Success: The Perfect Clutch

Thanks for your comment and suggestion, Catherine. We checked out Turtle, and I love it and can't wait to check back in for some Spring shopping! They  were having a fabulous 50% off sale, and my sister-in-law scored a badass M. Flynn clutch... in fact, its the one on the website and the burgandy/brown metallic one featured in this pic.

Overall, we managed to nurture our wallets by doing more browsing than buying at Wish, Holiday, Habit, and Turtle; its just that tough, can't wait shed the wool and bulk for Spring-time togs, time of year. You know.

The Missus, thanks for your Jean Therapy rec! I'll be sure to check it out when I am in need of some new jeans (which, um, is always!).

What boutique do you recommend?

My sister-in-law is coming into Boston for the weekend from the suburbs, and she wants to go shopping. She loves fashion, but just doesn't have the easy-access to cool boutiques like us city dwellers. I am thinking Parlor, Habit, or Wish.

Where would you take her?

Costa Blanca

I came across a hip, cool ladies clothing store while in Toronto called Costa Blanca, at which I of course indulged. The prices are cheap-o, even more so with the CAD/USD conversion rate, and the clothing offers a flirty style for your nights out on the town. Their website is under construction, so I hope they have online shopping once they are up. Otherwise, guess I'll just have to make my way back up to Toronto, boo hoo *wink wink*.

Boston Fashion Weekend and Go Red

 

Click here for an update to this post!!!

Wednesday evening, we attended a cocktail launch party for Boston Fashion Weekend, sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women movement.  The complementary kickoff event, held at The Living Room, was hosted by Miss Massachusetts 2006, Michaela Gagne, and was the first chance for VIPs in Boston to learn more about the upcoming fashion extravaganza, scheduled for May 2007.

A crowd of representatives from Boston’s greatest companies, organizations, and media groups gathered to watch an exciting fashion show featuring threads by local Boston designers, sip on tasty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and receive special gifts.

Boston Fashion Weekend will present local, national, and international designers to Boston like no event before, and will showcase the best in Boston fashion. Be sure to check out the event this May!

A special thanks to Gail Schneider, the super-hip and amazingly successful Boston fashion designer, founder of Gail Schneider Designs, and a Fashon Weekend board member, who invited Mike and I to this launch party and to take part in Go Red Day and Boston Fashion Weekend. What a perfect fit for us, the convergence of fashion and the heart :)

Drumroll... My Best of 2006

Below lists a few of my personal noteworthy bests of 2006 in areas that interest me. Although some of these were not necessarily new this past year, they undoubtedly had an impact on me or are are of particular interest to me, in one way or another...

RESTAURANTS::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Stella Modern Italian

Toro: Spanish/Tapas

Oishii: Japanese/Sushi

MUSIC:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds

Beck: The Information

FASHION:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1980's Style: Belts, layers, and gold

Skinny Jeans: Sexy and feminine

Flats: Perfect for us tall peeps

TECHNOLOGY::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Second Life The virtual world game & its impact on brands & marketing - wild.	Social Networking Connecting you, me + everyone like never before.	The blogoshpere The birth of TheDish and the beginning of an addiction.
Google Earth: Free downloadable virtual earth program; zoom in anywhere in the world!	Skype: Launch of mobile VoIP service w/ mobile operator 3; will we say bye to big phone bills?!	Nintendo Wii Wireless remote that can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions - so cool.
Netvibes The best aggregator on the market, complete with a tabbed UI and drag and drop feature	Gmail Despite the latest bad rap, still my webmail of choice b/c of 2GB storage and conversation grouping	Wikis For collaborative website authoring such as my fav Wikipedia

I could go on and on, but this post is getting far too long :)

A Tall Woman's Winter Woes

I'd like to vent my fashion-frustrations for just one moment. Being 5'10" has it's advantages, yes; I can reach the top shelf in the kitchen cabinets; I can wear flats and not look "stumpy"; I can almost dunk a basketball (extra emphasis on almost :)). But why oh why do I struggle to find pants that are long enough for me?!?! It's been an uphill battle my entire life!

Over the past couple years, designer denim has finally caught on and introduced long lengths in smaller sizes, but let me tell you, the ski-world has yet to realize that some women out there in fact need a size small pant with a 34" inseam. After extensive online research and strenuous shopping, I finally found the Mountain Hardwear Women's Illusion ski pants, available in a  size small-long! So, my Mom generously ordered them for me as a Christmas gift (a custom-order of course, with a longer shipping time), and they arrived in a large-long (sigh); they were mammoth, and also a tad light-weight for me. So, I decided to shop around a bit on Tuesday; it turned out to be an all-day excursion. I visited Bob Smith's Wilderness House, EMS, REI, The Ski Market, City Sports, The North Face, and Patagonia, and I found nothing! The North face has size long for women, but only in a medium and only in black (also my ski coat is espresso and light blue, a fashion no-no w/ black anyway). I must have tried on a gazillion pairs of ski pants, including men's, and none fit! So, I re-ordered the Mountain Heardwear pants in a small-long, and plan to purchase a pair of super heavy-duty, capilene thermal underwear to go underneath. If the winter-sports God of design is hearing me, please recognize that there are tall & slender women out there who want to be stylish & warm on the slopes!

Schu La La

Yesterday, my company hosted a trunk show, sponsored by local artisans, that featured unique clothing for kids and adults, handbags, jewelry and more. One table caught my attention in particular, and this should come as no surprise - Schu La La, the shoe table (shocker!). Those who know me well know that I am a shoe-addict!

But there's a twist in this company's biz plan; Schu La La is not your typical shoe-tique. It’s also a direct sales company, and here’s how it works: a woman hosts a Schu party at her house for all her girlfriends, and a consultant attends with an array of shoe inventory. The more shoes sold to the guests, the greater discount the host receives on her purchase. Are you thinking tupperware party? I am but so much cooler! And the shoes are quite hip, high-quality, unique, and all feature a comfort aspect, something I so often sacrifice for cuteness!

So, I like the idea; not sure that I am ready to jump on-board as a side-gig, but it would be a lot of fun to check out. Here are a few of my favorite pairs: