petite fashionation

Buy designer handbags for less...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 @ 8:45 PM 0 comments!

Yes, it can be done! Although you're most likely not going to find a Balenciaga City for under $500, you don't have to shell out thousands for your favorite handbags. I've found some really great sites that offer discounts on designer handbags. Check them out!

-annsfabulousfinds.com -- Balenciaga, Chanel, Chloe, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Prada, among others

-asteralice.com -- Botkier, Gustto, Hayden Harnett, Linea Pelle, Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje

-bagpassion.com -- Balenciaga

-bluefly.com -- Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Chloe, Fendi, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, among others

-bobellisshoes.com -- Judith Leiber, Tory Burch

-classiccollectionsofpalmbeach.com -- Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Judith Leiber, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent

-shop.clutchhealdsburg.com -- Kooba, Longchamp, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Treesje

-clutchseattle.com -- Belen Echandia, Botkier, Kooba, Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje

-constylement.com -- Balenciaga, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Fend, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada

-fashionphile.com -- Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Chloe, Gucci, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Prada, among others

-jemznjewels.com -- Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Fendi, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, among others

-kataphileo.com -- Linea Pelle, Treesje

-luxepurses.com -- Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry Chanel, Chloe, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Versace, among others

-luxuryexchange.com -- Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, among others

-nyciwear.com -- Botkier, Juicy Couture, Kooba, Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje

-overstock.com -- Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Cole Haan, Fendi, Isabella Fiore

-portero.com -- every designer you can think of!

-sabinesboutique.com -- Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Chloe, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Prada, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent

-sacetplus.com: Burberry, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, among others

-shop.realdealcollection.com -- Balenciaga

-smartbargains.com -- Betsey Johnson, Cole Haan, Elliott Lucca, Furla, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, among others

-strictlypursonal.com -- Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Givenchy, Isabella Fiore, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Nancy Gonzalez, Prada, Tod's, Versace, among others

-sweetwatercollection.shoprw.com -- Coach, Gucci, Hermes, Kate Spade

-yoogiscloset.com -- Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Prada, Tod's, Valentino, among others

Labels: designers, discounts, handbags

What if...

Saturday, June 26, 2010 @ 9:53 PM 0 comments!

What if...I were going to a movie premier....say, the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (yes, I'm a twi-hard, so sue me). What would I wear? Well for a last-minute ensemble, on a sky-high budget, here's what I might choose:

Herve Leger

Round-Neck Sleeveless Bandage Dress

$730

Christian Louboutin

Big Lips 120 Calf Hair Pumps

$995

Giles & Brothers

10-Karat Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings

$90

Solange Azagury-Partridge

Love 18-Karat Gold Necklace

$2,800

Nancy Gonzalez

Classic Crocodile Clutch

$1,200

all available at net-a-porter.com

Labels: movies, what if

Keep your laptop clean in a fashionable manner...without spending a fortune

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 10:13 PM 0 comments!

You spend $1000+ on a laptop, and you don't want it to get dirty, especially if you use it a lot or bring it everywhere with you. Most people prefer laptop cases, but there's nothing wrong with laptop sleeves, which are just as handy-dandy. Here are some of my favorites, all under $100!:

Coach
Poppy Kaleidoscope Print Laptop Sleeve
$78
coach.com

Juicy Couture
Charm-Dotted Laptop Case
$78
juicycouture.com

Liz Claiborne
Jacquard Laptop Sleeve
$12.95
icraveit.com

Tumi
Medium Laptop Cover
$49
tumi.com

Nuo
Kailo Chic Slim Laptop Sleeve, Rectangles
$34.99
staples.com

The Limited
Laptop Sleeve
$26.50
thelimited.com

Topshop
Stud Laptop Sleeve
$70
us.topshop.com

Labels: budgets, technology

and you thought $1k was ridiculously expensive for a bag...

Monday, June 21, 2010 @ 6:23 PM 0 comments!

Yes, the majority of people can't afford to spend $1,000 on a bag, and most probably don't even spend over $100--except that it seems everyone has a Coach purse--so anyone who hears about Birkins and exotic-skinned bags would be surprised that some purses cost as much as a car. Or college tuition. Or a house. These are some of the world's most expensive bags, most of which probably aren't even made anymore or are at least extremely difficult to find.

Loro Piana

Globe Bag

$18,500

Bottega Veneta

Cigar Cocco Glace Bag

$26,500

Louis Vuitton

Tribute Patchwork Bag

$45,000

Judith Leiber

Precious Rose

$92,000

Lana Marks

Cleopatra

$100,000

Hermes

Matte Crocodile Birkin

$120,000

Chanel

Diamond Forever Classic

$261,000

Labels: handbags, most expensive

New-ish designer J. McLaughlin

Sunday, June 20, 2010 @ 8:47 PM 0 comments!

Has anyone heard of the designer J. McLaughlin? It's technically not new, because it's been around for 30-some years, but I hadn't heard about it until recently. Quick side note (kinda): this summer I'm working at a high-end boutique in Watch Hill, RI and today was only my 2nd day (so far, it's great). This particular store carries clothing by J. McLaughlin, which reminds me of Lilly Pulitzer or Trina Turk with his "bold colors" and unique "signature prints" (from jmclaughlin.com). The tops range from $80 to $295, the bottoms from $60 to $165, the dresses from $100 to $255, and the jackets from $180 to $295. And that doesn't include the collection that's in this boutique [Coppola's of Watch Hill], which may be exclusive to the store. Here are a few of my faves, some of which I'm not even sure are in the store, but they're gorgeous!

Catherine Silk Pants

$295

Allie Rope Tee

$90

(couldn't find a picture of my fave color -- pink)

Rona Tunic

$165

Gilchrist 3/4 Sleeve Shirtdress

$198

all available at jmclaughlin.com

Labels: designers

Yes, you can own a piece of luxury for under $100!!

Saturday, June 19, 2010 @ 10:18 PM 0 comments!

Most of us can't afford to spend $1000 on a dress or $600 on a pair of shoes. But we still want to have some designer pieces, whether it be in our wardrobe, jewelry box, or bathroom. I'm not going to say that you can buy a Chanel bag for under $2000, but it's likely that you can find some nice-smelling Chanel perfume for under $100 (I wear Coco Mademoiselle). If you really want to own something that says "Gucci" on it, and you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a leather accessory, even the smallest thing will do.

BALENCIAGA
Body Lotion
$50
balenciaga.com

CHANEL
Coco Mademoiselle Parfum, .25 oz
$95
neimanmarcus.com

DIOR
Backstage Medium Eyeshadow Brush
$26
shop.nordstrom.com

ETRO
3 1/2 Bangoli Frame
$65
saksfifthavenue.com

FELIX REY
Satine Headband
$65
felixrey.com

GUSTTO
Alina Coin Purse
$50
asteralice.com

HERMES
Parade Bridge Playing Cards
$80
usa.hermes.com

JUICY COUTURE
Mini Bear Speakers
$68
juicycouture.com

KATE SPADE
Jane Street Creative Becca Pencil Case
$75
katespade.com

LOUIS VUITTON
Travel Notebook
$83
louisvuitton.com

MARC BY MARC JACOBS
Totally Turnlock Leather Key Pouch
$68
bloomingdales.com

REBECCA MINKOFF
BFF Key Rings
$58
rebeccaminkoff.com

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
Incanto Heaven Shower Gel
$24
amazon.com

TORY BURCH
Mini Umbrella
$48
toryburch.com

UGG
Shorn Wool Double Side Pillow
$75
uggaustralia.com

YVES SAINT LAURENT
Long Lasting Nail Lacquer
$20
yslbeautyus.com

Labels: budgets, designers

It's not too late to shop for Father's Day!

Friday, June 18, 2010 @ 10:11 AM 0 comments!

Father's Day is only 2 days away, which means it's too late to order anything online if you want it to arrive on time. But you can still shop in the store! All you young folk won't remember, but once upon a time we had to go to the store to buy stuff. Weird, huh? Well anyway, there's something for every dad out there, no matter what your budget. A disclaimer though: I can't guarantee that all these items will be in the particular store nearest you, but you may be able to find something similar.

$50 and under:

For the father who loves his wine

Waring Rechargeable Wine Opener

$40, Bloomingdale's

For the father who likes to be stylish in his underwear

Gap Smoking Pipe Graphic Boxers

$9.99, Gap

$100 and under:

For the father who prefer a clean shave

The Art of Shaving Full-Size 4 Elements Kit

$100, Macy's

For the father who tends to lean towards the rugged look

American Eagle Men's Bootcut Jean

$59.50, American Eagle

$300 and under:

For the father who desperately needs to organize his money

Gucci Band Money Clip Wallet

$255, Bergdorf Goodman

For the father who has to dress up every day for work

Louis Vuitton Arcade Tie

$195, Louis Vuitton

No Limit:

For the father who travels often for business

Tumi Wheeled Carry-On Garment Bag

$595, Neiman Marcus

For the father who likes to wear classy shoes

Opening Ceremony M16 Huarache Shoes

$405, Opening Ceremony

Labels: budgets, gifts

What's a Petite Pear-Shaped Person Doing Here?

Thursday, June 17, 2010 @ 5:30 PM 0 comments!

Yeah, I'm super short (5'1" on a good day). I have an ample bottom half and a not-so-ample upper half. Oh, and I just happen to love fashion. I mean, who doesn't? You have to wear clothes--unless you live in a nudist colony or something--so everyone needs fashion, and most people care about it, though there are varying degrees to this. I'm not at the slob end, but neither am I at the oh-my-God-I-have-to-be-fashionable-every-second-of-every-day end. I'm somewhere in the middle, or at least more towards the fashion-obsessed side. I like to dress up. And how I look to others is really important. But I also have no problem going to the grocery store after a work-out, all sweaty and wearing no make-up. (I just pray a hot guy doesn't see me).

But seriously, enough about me (for the time being, at least, because who doesn't love talking about him/herself?)...I'm here for you! And at this exact moment I'm speaking to no one other than the HTML that's making this blog work. Hopefully more people will read it. More people than zero, that is. Because I want you to not only look good, but feel good about yourself, no matter your budget, dress size, personality, etc. I'd like to say that I'm going to focus on particular subject in this blog, but we'll have to see. Who knows....this one may pan out like the others I've attempted to start on Blogger. Au revoir! :)

Labels: personal