I’ve been waiting for the day that I could take my niece to the day spa to get our nails done. That day has arrived! Mei-Lin has been talking about this day for the whole week, so we made a lunch date out of it. My sister and I try to make sure we spend time together with our kids, and we had such a great time. We kept it close by going to Happy Nails at our local mall. Click on any picture to enlarge. I hope you enjoy our day in pictures as much as we did!
Truly Bloody: Vote for my sister!
At the Comic Con, my sister appeared in a short slasher film for the website The Blood Factory. After entering the site through the link provided, verify your age, then click on “Watch and Vote for your Splattercut” then enter 1044 to vote for her mini horror movie.
Rather than post the picture of her blood-fest, I thought I would include a happy picture of her and Mei-Lin with Rob Lowe at the Con. You’d rather look at that anyway, right?
Everything Old is New Again
Hermes Pale Green Silk Pochette Scarf Pierres d'Orient et d'Occident - Portero Luxury
The search for online vintage items is a fickle thing: Sometimes the find is great and sometimes it’s far less than what you hoped. Ebay is a good start, but I have discovered a better place.
Portero Luxury is one of the best places to find luxury items for a fraction of the cost. I’m not sure how many people are in the hunt for Hermès scarves, but I was able to get it at a decent price. It’s a Pierres d’Orient et d’Occident pochette scarf by Zoe Pauwels, which was originally issued back in 1988 (from what I’ve read, and I don’t claim to be an expert by any means). Granted, it’s not a shawl, stole or large scarf, but it is vintage Hermès.
Portero labels their items by their condition (examples: Good, Fair, Very Good, etc). This scarf was labeled “Pr” for “Pristine”, meaning it was never used and came with the original box. Portero stands behind their authenticity or you get your money back. Plus, there is no bidding. Everything is has a static price.
I will always use Ebay for my initial searches. But if you are in the market for vintage items that are guaranteed authentic, give Portero Luxury a try. It’s the difference between hoping and knowing.
Coach (coupon) of the Week
I think I’ll try the Coach Factory Outlet store at the Carlsbad Premium Outlet this time around to use the 20% off coupon that I received today in my inbox. Then I’ll make a pit stop at the Juicy Couture outlet store and the Barneys New York outlet, too.
The picture on the right should take you to a coupon you can print. If you can’t click on the picture, click on this link to get your coupon: 20% off Coach Coupon until Aug 8
Happy shopping!
Precious Moments
It’s times like this that I love being a mom. I get to reflect on how wonderful it is to be a parent and what it means to have brought life into the world. To watch him marvel at his surroundings and see him develop everyday is more than words can describe. Deon and I always just look at each other and say “Can you believe it?” Even asleep, my wonderful little boy is amazing.
How precious is this moment? So precious I had to capture it and share it.
Last Call: 40% off One Item
More deals from my inbox! Neiman Marcus really knows how to get to a gal. Back to Last Call I go, because I just can’t pass up this one: 40% any one regular priced item July 28 & 29.
If you can’t print this email from the picture, click here: 40% Off One Regular Priced Item
Juicy Deal: 20% Off!
Juicy Couture has been one of my favorite lines for years. I remember when I found out that Gela Nash-Taylor (one of the original founders of the line) is married to none other than John Taylor of Duran Duran, one of my all time favorite bands. I thought, “All is right with the universe…”
But I digress (if only slightly)! Here is a coupon for you to print out and get a sweet deal of 20% at any Juicy Couture specialty store until August 1, 2010 (full priced merchandise only).
If you can’t print out the picture, follow this link: Go Couture Yourself!
Clutch Performance
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always liked clutch purses. While I truly appreciate that one evening clutch that brings that special added touch to your outfit (my all time favorites are designed by Judith Leiber, of which I have 2 vintage ones), I also like that clutches are the perfect “grab and go” purse. Last year, I found a Coach clutch/wristlet that can go from day to night in an instant (see featured image). A nice plus about clutch purses is that you can find some that are small enough to fit in your main bag, so you can take it out in case you want to leave the larger purse at coat check or in the car. They fit just the essentials, whatever that may be for you. I tend to put money, my driver’s license, a check card or credit card (depending on the size, my whole wallet if it will fit), an elastic hair band, lipstick, compact and eyeliner in any of my cute little clutches (did you think I only had one?).
Grab and go never looked so good!
Heart Ruched Clutch – Topshop; Rosette Leatherette Clutch – Forever 21; Liya Large Frame Clutch – Rafe New York; Flesh Studded Brittania Clutch – Alexander McQueen; Gianni Chiarini Mini Leather Clutch – Nordsrtom; Metallic Leather Wristlet – Coach (No longer available)
Divisional Leader
When I was on maternity leave last year, I spent many a night up late after Dominic’s feedings. When my husband went back to work after being home for about 2 weeks, I took over all late night feedings for the duration of my leave so that he would be able to function at work.
Those late nights afforded me time to watch some interesting television. It was at that time that my “obsession” with Joy Division began.
I saw “Control” at around 2am one late night/early morning, which is a film directed and produced by Anton Corbjin about the band Joy Division. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because he directed quite a few Depeche Mode videos. When I saw the film, I recognized the style and was not surprised at all that Corbjin directed it. It stars Sam Riley as Joy Division’s singer, Ian Curtis. What a find Sam Riley was because he is a singer as well as actor (he was in a band), which allowed the use of Riley’s actual singing voice in the movie (and the actors who played the band really played their instruments). I really thought his vocals were remarkably similar to Ian Curtis, and gave another dimension of authenticity to the film.
I knew that New Order was born out of Joy Division, but I didn’t know all of the history behind what happened. I only knew that they had a different lead singer that died somehow before Bernard Sumner, but again, I didn’t know the circumstances. I didn’t realize that Ian Curtis committed suicide until I saw the movie.
I’m always drawn to music based biopics, but I think this one really grabbed my attention because it happened right at beginning of my musical discovery back in the 80’s. Depeche Mode paved the way for my dark and gothic electronic path, and New Order infused a little alternative light to that darkness.
But Joy Division was something else. There was an energy that was tinged with sadness in their music. I only knew “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, but I set out to discover all of their music quickly after the movie. Since Dominic spent most of his days of those first 4 months sleeping, I took that time to really delve into all things Joy Division. I bought a “Best of” Joy Division CD, the “Control” DVD and CD. I spent hours on the internet reading about them and bought 3 t-shirts (which I talk about in my “Net-A-Poseur” entry). I also read the book “Touching From a Distance” by Deborah Curtis, Ian’s wife. That definitely put things into perspective about what was happening in and around Ian during the rise of Joy Division.
Like those around him, I didn’t realize how self deprecating Ian Curtis’ lyrics were (from “Isolation”):
Mother I tried please believe me
I’m doing the best that I can
I’m ashamed of the things I’ve been put through
I’m ashamed of the person I am
Isolation, isolation, isolation
Sad, right? Members of the band themselves didn’t even realize that Ian was going down such a dark path. His epilepsy exacerbated the situation, along with making his marriage work, his affair with Annik Honore, and the birth of his daughter. All of this while trying to become a successful band. He was only 23 at the time, which was just enough to put a young man into a tail spin.
So when I really listened again to “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, I hear the anxiousness and regret in not being able to make things work. I felt like Ian was saying, “Look I’m trying, ok?” Yet, there was this energy in the actual music, and maybe that masked the lyrics a bit. It was expressed physically in Ian’s spastic, epileptic-like dancing, but also in songs like “Transmission” and “Digital”. It wasn’t always dark I guess, but it was definitely out of control.
Take a listen. You may not become the fan that I did, but it’s worth going back to rediscover and revisit what was there before New Order.
Photos courtesy of Google Images
Weekend Acquisition
- Colette in black satin – Loeffler Randall
We went to Las Americas Premium Outlet again this weekend. Deon got a few things at the Nike outlet, but we didn’t find anything for Dominic. I made a point to stop by Coach to use my 20% off coupon. I couldn’t decide on what I wanted, so I’ll go back again next weekend. However, I did find something very cool at Neiman Marcus’ Last Call yet again.
I know this pair are from a couple of seasons ago, but that’s ok. The ruffle detail is still very current, and will dress up any outfit. I bought a few pairs when they had their Go International line at Target and I truly like their style. They are Colette black satin shoes by Loeffler Randall.
I almost bought them when they were half off and I decided to wait. Originally, they are about $425. With all of the discounts from the sale that I posted a few days ago (“Last Call Does it Again“), I was able to get them for $57!
Bargains are out there my friends, but you do have to do quite a bit of searching. Just remember to check if your shopping buddies are willing to stay for the hunt (and make sure there is food close by)!