Stress Shopping = Maripol x Marc Jacobs Madonna Makeover

Sooo, yesterday I was under the gun at work, so I stress shopped, which is what happens when pressure and adroitness lead to a brief power shopping binge. So I finally pulled the trigger and got that Marc Jacobs Maripol plastic spiked necklace I'd been considering:

($41, eBay)

Maripol, a French artist, was Madonna's stylist during her "Like A Virgin" days. Or, as I like to refer to them, her salad days. Not to be confused with her Botox days.

Check out more Maripol x Marc Jacobs at the Marc Jacobs site. Annoyingly, most of it's only available in the store, which I tend to NEVER visit due to potential lack of impulse control. But it's all super affordable.

And check out this old-school video of Maripol interviewing Madonna.

Oh yeah, and I also stress shopped this adorable white lace top from Fred Flare

($34, BB Dakota, Fred Flare)

If I were a gambling woman, I'd put my money on "immediately" when wagering a bet as to how soon it'll be before I spill coffee on this.

And now, please to watch Madonna perform one of my all-time favorite songs: "Into The Groove." (This came on at my wedding while I was talking to some "grown-up" and I wanted to push them over to get onto the dance floor. Truth.)

More Reasons To Love The LOFT: Fabs Necklaces For Under $50!

Remember when I had a conniption, but in the GOOD way, about how Ann Taylor Loft -- BTDubs, it's now just The Loft -- totally came back after falling off? Okay, so here are two more reasons The LOFT went from bad to rad:

($49.50, Loftonline.com)

What is there NOT to love about this amazing clear gem statement necklace? Not a damn thing, my friend. Not. a. thing.

($44.50, Loftonline.com)

It's like a fucking retro Christmas tree for your neck.

Kate Spade Bow Necklace

($125, Kate Spade)

Ugh. MUST you? I loathe this necklace, and I LOVE ridiculous, huge necklaces. Dookie chains even. But you're a GROWN-ASS WOMAN. You do NOT need to be dressing like a giant Christmas present.

Got $38? You NEED To Get This Rhinestone Necklace.

It's kinda hard to find a rhinestone statement necklace that doesn't look like a cheap pile of plastic shise or something you'd buy in plastic bubble wrap in the "fun" aisle at the grocery store. So please do yourself a favor and check out this Urban rhinestone necklace. It was designed by the ladies at BleachBlack.com.

($38, Urbanoutfitters.com)

I Bought It Files: Vera Wang For Kohl's Multi-Strand Necklace

As much as I love Vera Wang's jewelry, this real-deal necklace is $1,250 at Saks.

Solution? Simply Vera -- Vera Wang For Kohl's!

($28.80, Kohl's)

I'm wearing it right now as I type this. I love the little faceted discs and box chain. And it's actually made pretty well and looks rad against a black t-shirt. Also, I feel like I saved $1221.20! See how good I am at saving money?

Speaking of money, have you donated to my Avon Breast Cancer Walk?

I Really Feel Okay About The Patricia Field For Home Shopping Network Collection!

I really really am. No irony, no shame. Now, I'll be honest, I watched like four total episodes of Sex and the City. Couldn't stand the show, had no patience for it. Thought they were obnoxious trannies perpetuating obnoxious myths about city dwelling (though Friends did a good job of that too with that 24,000-square-foot apartment and mouse-free coffee shop), and their version of being in control of their lives was acting like men with inverted penises. And they looked like trannies.

But I DID like the Patricia Field element of the show, though I do absolutely realize she was single-handledly responsible for trannifying the ladies. Regardless, Patricia Field has always been a style hero of mine, and I truly love the funners that is her Destination Style New York collection for Home Shopping Network:

($149, Patricia Field, Home Shopping Network)

Yes, it's THE SARAH-JESSICA PARKER SEX AND THE CITY FLOWER SHOULDER CORSAGE dress, but in black, and I think I like it better in black, actually. Especially if you're not Sarah Jessica Parker-weensy:
Also, the HSN version isn't AS intense -- doesn't look like an entire garden is blossoming upon your shoulder and rising up to eat your face. And that's a good thing. Granted, the model is a WEEEE bit too '80s-ed up AND like an underaged Balkan prostie, but it'd be super fun to wear the black version to a party, no? I sorta wanna have it just so I can look at it in what's referred to as a closet, but is really just a small crack in my wall that I've shoved clothing into.

($149, Patricia Field, Home Shopping Network)

Sequins are HAWT now, y'all. If this were red or white or silver or something, that'd be bad bad bad, but I love it in black. Very Dynasty. Makes me wish I were Joan Collins and I could rip Linda Evans' head off.

($49, Patricia Field, Home Shopping Network)

Love these black skinny jeans the F on the butt. Hee! Great deal too, and they go up to size 32. Which is nice!

More Patricia Field FashionBinge lurves here.

Now, two pieces from Patricia Field's online shop...

($88, Andrew Hamilton Crawford, Patricia Field)

Again, last thing I need is more chunky rings, but I love this Buddha ring!

($98, Patricia Field)

I didn't see the Sex and the City movie, but apparently trannyboy SaMANtha wore this, which wouldn't actually stop me from wearing it. It'd look so smooth with a little fitted blazer and tank.

Also, on a side note, I'm watching The Rachel Zoe Project right now. The episode where her studio floods. I love that she refers to that as a disaster. Um, now I'm not meteorologist, but wasn't Katrina a bit more of a disaster than a few couture gowns that need to be hung out to dry? Also, I love how, at Fashion Week, her token gay boy refers to the second row as "right behind the front row." Yes! Very good! And the alphabet consists of letters! Also, Rachel Zoe is like drowning is her own fat.

Finally, check out this amazing clip from Dynasty. By the time Joan Collins takes a spill down the stairs, you can TOTALLY tell it's a stunt woman in a wig. Classic.

RAWR! Animal Print Accessories!

I gots the jungle feber, yo, and I caught it from these gorgeous animal print bangles.

($738, Hidgalo)

Lovely, but un poco mucho dinero for me.

Some cute dupes:

($68, Kenneth Jay Lane, Bloomingdale's)

Ah, Kenneth Jay Lane. KJ. One of my fave costume jewelry peeps. "The old work horse" (for any of you Waiting For Guffman fans.)

($38, Home Shopping Network)

Hm! HSN! Who knew?

($17.34, Asos.com)

Not quite animal print, yet subtly safari!

($30, Betsey Johnson, Macy's)

You know that feeling of waning willpower, when you tell yourself you're only got stop at two pieces of pizza but then you house two more even though you know you "oughtn't"? That's basically the same warning that's going off in whichever part of my brain houses "online shopping," telling me that I'm gonna be buying these even though I probably shouldn't.

($1.80, Asos.com)

Sadly, that voice might even compel me to buy this -- it's a shower cap (and, if you refer to my no-shampoo manifesto, I do use shower caps on the regz) . With a cow print. AND devil horns. Because I can actually appreciate that they took it THAT far.

($34.50, Gap)
($34.50, Gap)

Not that you'd ever DARE to wear your animal print accessories with your Gap giraffe print bikini, but just so you know... it's out there. So cute. I wish I knew what sound a giraffe makes so I could throw that up there.

K. I'm 'Bingin' and bouncin'! Bye!

Friday FREEbies!

Okay, so nothing's FREE, but we are giving you FREE coupon codes:

+ Lulu's Fashion Lounge: One of my very faves for all fashions cute and cheap!
DISCOUNT: 15% off your order
CODE:"Fashion Binge"
Expires: 11/15/2007

+ Hayden-Harnett: Amazing leather bags, gorgeous coats and dresses:
DISCOUNT: 15% off any purchase
CODE: ROCK2007

+ Emitations.com: Jewelry!
DISCOUNT: $5 off your purchase of $30 or more
CODE: FLDR5
Expires: 12/31/2007

+ Max & Chloe: Jewelry & bags!
DISCOUNT: 15% off
CODE: 15C1031
Expires: 10/31/2007


Yay! Go forth and save!

Max & Chloe Sample Sale: NYC

Yay! Max & Chloe (fun jewelry and bags) sample sale in NYC this week! Big-ass markdowns on some of my fave jewelry designers, like Kenneth Jay Lane and CC Skye, plus Goldenbleu bags, which I can't afford but are quite lovely. Yay!

Kenneth Jay Lane is one of my faves, and I SINCERELY hope these pieces are there:

($75, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)



($110, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)



($115, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)

Tell Me About It, Stud: Cuffs, Bracelets & Bangles

I so wuv/ want these studded and jeweled bracelets:

($80, Hayden-Harnett)

Best of the bunch. It doesn't have that annoying air of "OMG! I ALSO OWN A BLACK RAMONES T-SHIRT BECAUSE I VERY MUCH WOULD LIKE TO LOOK 'PUNK'" sorta look that I SOOO hate.

($22, Asos.com)

Love the brown-and-gold '70s color combo.

($12, Shopsueyboutique.com)

An enjoyable Donatella Versace vibe (about the only time you'll see the words "enjoyable" and "Donatella" used alongside each other in such harmony.)

($198, CC Skye, Boutiquetoyou.com)

I'm still uncertain whether this sucks or not. I definitely like their slimmer cuffs much better. Thoughts? Comment it.

($45, Shopintuition.com)

BTW, this is fucking terrible. As much as I love zeppolis, it looks like something you'd see for sale at the San Gennaro festival or something alongside those personalized airbrushed license plate covers or fiber optic light-up flashlight things. Horbs.

Birthday Binge! Part III

And now for the third and final installation of the birthday binge.

TOPS
($168, TFNC, LF Stores)
Cute, but that's seriously not a dress.


($120, Nanette Lepore, Gracygirl.com)


($150, Parameter, Gracygirl.com)
Oddly cute.


($252, IMSO, LF Stores)
I saw this this weekend in its various colors. It's way cuter in person (unlike most of the horbs stuff at LF, like high-waisted button-up shorts with suspenders. That store is wack, y'all.)



ACCESSORIES

($292, Philip Crangi, Thisisauto.com)
Gorgeous.


($290, Jane D'Arensbourg, Thisisauto.com)Made from melted Pyrex.


($78, AH Jewelry, AHJewelry.com)
Love these even more than the peacock feather earrings.


($46, Sorrelli.com)
In keeping with my current huge cocktail ring obsession.


($268, Haydenharnett.com)
I would commit a minor legal infraction for this bag.


($58, Urban Expressions, Shopsueyboutique.com)
I don't have a tiny dog to stick inside this bag, but I still like it for some reason.



($220, Lauren Merkin, Activeendeavors.com)
Most totes perfect envelope clutch.


($645, Kooba, Activeendeavors.com)
I don't mean to sound like a cheesebag, but this bag is decadent.


($114, Virginia Johnson, Thisisauto.com)
Yes, we all love nauticals, and this is no exception. Now let's get this damned summer over with so we can bust out the Oxford heels already!!!

Most Amazing Jewels Post, Part Deux, PLUS: Accessories + My Ongoing Love Affair With Doucette Duvall

Okay. Here's the second part of a two-part epic jewelry post, and this is the more mature companion of the duo, if I do say so.

I've been hanging onto the following links for months now, then I got busy, then I ate, then I fell asleep, repeat... suddenly... I see that effing DIOR is like peeking into my bookmarks or something because WHAT should pop up in their 2007 Fall runway show in Paris but dark, daring and dramatically oversized gems, like the ones seen above.

Fabsugar, from whence that image was copped, did a piece on getting that look for less... as in like 1/3600th less.

Here, finally, are my aforementioned picks.

($125, Kenneth Jay Lane, Maxandchloe.com)
We both picked these. Yay. I'm a geniyouse.


($35, emitations.com)
Pretty pretty for a pretty princess.


($29.99, emitations.com)
Also very pretty princess! You really can't go wrong with green jewels...if they are just $30.


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Elegant and understated.


($89, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Decadent! Would go perfectly with this Dior gown from the Fall 2007 show...

... You know... if you simply MUST be all matchy-matchy.


This .... this I would give an ovary for. God knows... I'd gladly give an ove... until either or both opportunities arise... I'd settle for this...

($9.99, emitations.com)
Gorgeous!



($75, emitations.com)
Or these... Very holiday chic!


Or this...
($75, Kenneth Jay Lane, Shopbop.com)


Okay... some slightly less flashy pieces...
($59, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Nice. Easy. The way things should be!


($69, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
Love these. Are they for old ladies? I guess I don't care! They're so bright and fun!



($199, Palmbeachjewelry.com)
This is seriously old-ladyish, and I love it because it reminds of this beautiful mini perfume bottle I have that was either my mom's or grandma's -- I think it's probably Avon or something (no big whoop) -- but it has a plastic pink rose stopper that looks just like that. I love it. (-- Note: anyone know WTF the perfume is? The label is long gone, and a Google search has been fruitless. Morts.)



($275, Miu Miu, Net-a-porter.com)
So, speaking of jewels, AND per my ongoing quest to find the perf jeweled flats... these are gorgeous. I may've already posted these, just like I realized I've already posted those two pink/ coral rings. Oh well.



($334, Anna Sui, Net-a-porter.com)
Speaking of Net-a-porter... this top is perfection.



So, speaking of ongoing quests, this vintage Courreges dress is up! for! auction on eBay:
(Currently $99, Courreges, eBay)
Reminds me of those creepy variety shows they used to do all the time in the '70s, where people like Karen Carpenter would come out and sing under a spotlight and then there'd be the inevitable camera trick where they match the soft focus with one single sparkle that was fabricated but they'd make it look like it came from the performer's gown or jewelry, and then they'd fade the whole thing into an unintelligible sparkle-blur effect, know what I mean? Also, whoever shot these images did a good job of capturing that creepy latently homosexual, sexually charged, coke-addled je ne sais quoi of that era. Kudos!



(Currently $49, Courreges, eBay)
More Courreges glasses. I regret not bidding on an earlier pair I posted about. They looked like these:
($49, Courreges, eBay)


($79, Helena Rubinstein, eBay)
These are also rad...


($19, Modcloth.com)
And these are super fun.


Okay... so last week I stole away to the now-defunct (wah!) Find Outlet going-outta-biz sale (wah again!). There, quietly, patiently waiting for me to discover it between the Lauren Moffatt tops and Doucette Duvall dresses was this Doucette Duvall dress:
This photo doesn't really do justice to the hilarious and awesome detail of the print, which is an old Nicole Miller silk print, and it's got wedding images all over, including a pricey bridal gown, a smiling chef, a Torah (holla!), guest list, boobie lady (the stripper, I suppose -- every good wedding's got one!) and more great images of matrimony as we know it. It was the only one in the entire joint, and it FIT me like a fucking GLOVE. I ran to the ATM and walked away with the dress for $79. I almost felt guilty -- as much as I LOOOOOVE me a good deal, I felt bad that a.) Find Outlet is no more and b.) that I was taking advantage of their misfortune for my own fashion gain (woo!) and b.5) that my long-awaited Doucette acquisition was at the expense of point b. and c.) I sorta feel obligated to pay full-price for the hard work of an indie designer. Oh well. I love this dress so much I can barely contain my joy. I couldn't find it anywhere online, so I emailed with Meredith at Doucette (hey girl!), and she informed that, per my GENIUS fashion assumption: it IS in fact an old Nicole Miller print, and it's their "Dottie" style. And it's MINE ALL MINE! I can only hope my legs look as lovely in the dress -- or at least as tan. :/

Now go buy a Doucette dress and um... pay full price...

($195, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)



($178, Doucette Duvall, Revolveclothing.com)


($189, Doucette Duvall, Intermixonline.com)