Worried you missed out on all the post-Thanksgiving deals? Fear not! Retailers are still clamoring for your dollars and more than 450 retailers are participating in FreeShipping.org’s 2nd annual Free Shipping Day on December 17th (the goal is to hit at least 500 by this time). Currently, there are 98 clothing retailers in the mix, from Seven For All Mankind to Macy’s to Ralph Lauren’s Rugby. The best part? All orders made on this day are guaranteed to arrive by December 24th.

Another e-commerce company Istobe gives you a list of almost 600 retailers and tells you whether or not they offer free shipping, and if they do, whether it’s on all orders or if there’s a minimum purchase required — sweet deal.

Also the New York Times just posted a story about how sample sales are moving online:

The business model is simple: the sites buy mostly overstocked clothing and accessories from brand-name designers, then discount them deeply. Adrenaline-pumped shoppers rush to get the deals because the items are often gone in a few hours.

The sites try to recreate the rush of a warehouse sample sale, minus the trampling and shoving, but they borrow as much from the Home Shopping Network as they do from Saks Fifth Avenue. After shoppers add an item to their cart at Gilt, for example, they get a 10-minute countdown before they lose the item.

Psssh, civility is overrated. Without crazy, cutthroat people, where would our entertainment industry find its material?

When I first moved to New York I was completely enamored by sample sales. I once bought 9 French Connection dresses, once $200+ each, for just $40 each — to be fair, half of them were for a friend. Other than the pain of having to go through thousands of pieces of clothing, it was generally pretty fun once you got in. No overeager customer service people to bother you and the rules are less strict — you can try on a shirt in the middle of the floor; or, if you’re feeling awk, go to the back corner behind a haphazardly hung sheet where the rest of the girls are trying on mounds of clothing they’ve plopped onto the floor.

Not being able to try on the pieces is the only thing I’m reluctant about — even if it’s cheap, I still want it to fit (Incidentally, this logic was not applied when I recently bought a $10 dress from Armani Exchange. Oh, the dress is a size 14, and I’m a size 4. I’ll just belt it! was the consolation). Then again, there’s always eBay.

Fingertips’ resident fashionista Jessica Brown takes a look at the falling price of high-fashion

Never been able to afford that Chanel bag? You probably will soon, if things carry on the way they are. H&M has launched a new, affordable range of Jimmy Choos, and Vivienne Westwood is offering footwear at £80.

What’s more, Topshop’s new venture Dress Me Up will allow people to hire a celebrity’s dress for a day.

Are these all coincidences or is high fashion becoming more accessible? Women lust after Loubitons the same way men lust after Ferraris – because they can’t have them. As soon as designer clothes become more accessible, their appeal is lost.

Maybe the fashion world needs some serious lessons in supply and demand?

There is a large market for cheap designer clothes, a market that has definitely been recognised, with many websites offering discount designer clothes.

But isn’t that just a bit of a contradiction?

The ‘designer’ category has already expanded; with middle-market retailers such as FCUK and Firetrap assumed, by many shoppers, to be of the same esteem as brands like Chanel and Prada.

This begs the question, is the gap between high street and designer closing in?

Coco Chanel has been changing the face of fashion and giving new meaning to elegancy since 1913. Firetrap – founded 80 years later – has much more humble beginnings.

Fashion magazines fill their pages by advertising designer clothes, but many are trying to appeal to the everyday reader by including lower priced brands too.

While this is a good marketing tactic, it sends out mixed messages to fashonistas.

It’s human nature to want what we can’t have – this is the appeal behind the fashion industry.

Designer clothes sweep runways and inspire the audience – we marvel at them, write about them and gush over them. We even applaud them. Behind them is creativity, hard-graft, inspiration and a lifestyle we can only dream of.

Such clothes are inaccessible and any normal woman has ‘buy a pair of Loubitons’ somewhere on their list of life goals. Then when the day comes, slipping into those long awaited pair of shoes gives an indescribable ecstasy.

But before you drift off into a day dream of red patent stilettos, I must warn you: if the name of designer clothes is ruined, if we get any more excited at Primark’s prices, that glorious feeling of falling in love with upmarket fashion may become a thing of the past.

Designers are clever people, they’ve mastered branding better than the ubiquitous Hoover vacuum cleaner and that’s because the quality of their products never let customers down.

Designer clothes are investments which last a life time. They’re in a different world to their cheaper counterparts and this is where things have become a little mixed up. We’d love designer goods to be an everyday experience, but they’re not, and this is one of the reasons we lust after them.

In the near future, will there still be clothes that we spend our life saving on and justify as investment?

They’re expensive, but designer clothes give you that spring in your step, that little smirk as your label ‘accidently’ pops out of your dress.

At the very least, let’s just hope Kate Moss’ wardrobe is up for grabs from Topshop’s Dress Me Up – after all, we need something to look forward to.

For more news and views on Fashion and Lifestyle check out Fingertips.net

Mul on kodus:
2 nohu
1 köha
1 hootine palavik
1 silmapõletik
ja mitte ükski neist pole minul. Kaua läheb aega, et ka mina nakatuks?

This New Years, we’re shaking things up — and by that I mean, we’re jumping across the pond to ring in 2010 Dublin-style. Regardless of where we are, however, one thing will always be synonymous with New Year celebrations — sequins.

So what if I’m a month-and-a-half early? You can be sure I won’t be the dull one of the bunch (Oh, yea, we’re going with about 10 other dudes and dudettes.).

Sparkle Tank, American Eagle, $39.50

We’ll start of nice and easy. This is definitely something you can buy and say with certainty — Yes, I can wear this on a nice outing with the family…after I’ve partied all night long.

Raindrop dress, FCUK, $298.00

So I bought two FCUK dresses that have full-body sequins like this. I wore one of them to a New Year’s party at T’s two years ago and  she’s still finding sequins in her apartment. So just a word to the wise — don’t wear a dress like this if you’re going to be part of the clean-up crew. Also, FCUK typically has a bunch of sample sales in the city throughout the year — I got my two dresses for $40 each.

Silence & Noise Sequin Racerback Tank, Urban Outfitters, $38.00

I really like how they paired this for more of a day look but this can easily transition into a glam night-time outfit.

Metallic Skirt, H&M, $39.95

Would this be sparkle overkill if paired with the shirt just above? What am I talking about? There could never be too many sequins on New Year’s Eve.

Sequin Vest, H&M, $34.95

Pair it with a simple (preferably sheer-ish) white t (my fave basic for any outfit) and you can get away with being sparkly-chic without looking like you fell into a tub of glitter.

Silence & Noise Printed Sequin Sublimated Tank, Urban Outfitters, $32

Ok, so maybe this makes the model kinda resemble a mermaid — no? just me? — but I really do love the print…and props to whomever can pull it off, fo sho.

Duh. That’s pretty obvious. Well blame uni. It’s been one whole mess of stress. Essays after essays to do, then test after test and now without even a single breather I’m thrown headlong into final exams. Simply wonderful.

Anyway I know it’s been ages since I’ve updated so I’m gonna throw a slew of pictures here… and then maybe you will get an idea about the more interesting things that go on in my life… and no that does not include work. Oh well…

Here goes.

These are the birthday presents I’ve received from my family, uh those I’ve gotten from my friends aren’t all stored in my camera now. I haven’t taken pictures of all of them because I’m the laziest ass you can find on earth. So I will post that up… next time… (procrastinating again). But thanks guys! And Amillin I love the froggy! And dee, ami, cha… thanks for frog and porcupine!

Ok ok back on track.. the order is random.. or more like alphabetical according to the name of my pictures… (and I will take this chance to double my thanks to them even though I already said it…)

My eldest sis gave me a supremely yummy FCUK bag!

It’s freaking gorgeous thanks jie! Muackk! I love the nautical look. And the fat fat fat ducko.

And this is what my 2nd sis got for me! Wondeful map casket which I store my murder equipment in . Hohohoho. There’s also an Edward Monkton notepad which she got for me. I love Edward Monkton, whose stuff I was introduced to after my piano teacher got me my pencil case. He says such whacky funny things.

Here’s a close up of it.

Heheh funny eh? C: Thanks mui smack bu**ca**!!!

And my papa got me a new handphone!!! With a qwerty keypad! DD!!! I was really happy thanks pa! But I’m not using it now because 1) it needs to be unlocked. 2) I can’t just abandon Thinnui yet. 

And my ah gong gave ang pao. C: Ah Aong xie xie! Funny I can’t type Chinese here? Hmm…

I always keep my ang paos, and I write the names of the people who gave them to me. Weird habit of mine. But my mom came like a whirlwind and swooped down and threw several of them away. Me sad…

And well my mom.. she gave me this. C: Lazybug. Thank you mama!

And inside da lazybug.. there’s a…

Necklace!!!

Double ring necklace. Which I think is very cool. I don’t like dainty things.

Okies that’s about it… now I’m just gonna put random things…

1) This is my relatively new Lenovo lappy and I stuck the Kuroshitsuji cell on it! Whee haaa! (Yes all are guys.. pretty guys. C: )

2) The hilarious Kueh Tu Tu Duo my mom bought back. (Is that how you spell it?)

3) And then the Halloween pressie Choon, Ami and Dee made for me. Happy! C: Thanks guys!

4) And last two pictures which I’ve uploaded. Ya I’m lazy! Got a bone to pick?!

Sakae Sushi Curry Udon!!!

I go to Sakae Sushi with Amillin or Dee sometimes and I get really happy! It’s got a lovely atmosphere there, and it’s only a short walk away from my hall. C: Plus it’s full of FROGS.

And of course not forgetting my favourite salmon sushi!

Nom nom nom! Ah which reminds me I should bring my own chopsticks next time. Complete waste of resources.. throwing wooden chopsticks away…

And that’s about my silly life in a nutshell. Don’t forget to add infinity of stress, work, exams, tests, essays, readings, and projects.

Finally… I’m announcing my yearly hiatus mode again. Won’t be posting anymore until after my exams so don’t bother dears. (Oh unless I win the lottery or something big like that.)

BYE BEE! HIATUS STARTS NOW.

Pearlyn was on a roll today. We had fun posing at Eniminiminimos. You should go check out the miniatures. Did you know god listens to Slayer?

When I fill nohti, I will wear rats

Boomz!

It's all about me!

Dress: Red shirt-dress with fabric belt from French Connection

Cardigan: Swing-top 3/4 sleeved cardigan from Esprit

Shoes: Low heel slingback wedges from CLARKS (Cushion Soft series)

Accessories: Vintage Coltsfoot Berry Earrings from bearandbunny on etsy.com

Doris Brazil Ladies’ Wear has always steered well clear of tee shirts with slogans. Frankie may have said “Relax” but in Appleton Marsh I never dropped my guard, not once. In recent years the fashion trend has been towards ever more provocative phrasing, typified by French Connection which brings me to my point. Why when I walk down the street, must I be confronted by young people wearing tee shirts bearing the slogan FCUK? It’s not clever, it’s not funny. It’s offensive. What will be next? INAVAG? SEPIN? CKCKSUCOER? French Connection… it’s time to drop the sniggering schoolboy slogans and, one day, who knows, you might get further than the front door of Doris Brazil Ladies’ Wear.

Picture: Matt Turner, The Advertiser

Came across a news piece the other day in The Advertiser about the new ad campaign for Farmers Union Ice Coffee. The slogan “We’ve toughened the F.U.I.C up” has received complaints about the use of offensive language. It stands for Farmers Union Ice Coffee and is promoting their new plastic bottles.

Under the Australian Association of National Advertisers code of ethics, strong or obscene language should be avoided, and that the board would consider the advertisement at its next meeting.

Pardon me but when has FUIC been an obscene word or even a word at all? Yes we all know what word it is similar too but they haven’t actually used THAT word. So how can it be offensive?

Are they now going to ban fashion giant French Connection UK from using FCUK and particularly using it on tshirts (“too busy to fcuk “) to imply the naughty word! However it certainly getting us talking about the ad.

I think it is about time people toughened up. Yes it’s meant to be a play on words but it is also meant to be a bit of a laugh.

In the same way that Vegemite iSnack2.0 got us talking, the question really is, is it making people go into a shop and buy the stuff rather than just getting written about in traditional media and online.

It’s clever. It’s witty. And it has gotten people talking about the brand. Only time will tell if it gets them buying too.

My next batch are various brands.

I have this FCUK coat seen on Leighton Meester. I really love it however, it’s just too big on me. It’s a sz UK/8 which corresponds to an US/4, I think (I’m btw, normally a sz UK/6. It’s 2-3 times but not noticably. It’s 50% wool/50% viscose with a lining.  I’m looking at around $150-$200 but I’m open to all reasonable offers.

I also have the Nanette Lepore Admiral skirt, sz 2, NWT. I’m looking for around $100-$130. It’s really cute and I actually want to keep it however, it’s just too big. I’m definitely only a sz 0 in NL.

And finally, I also have these two stunning Foley + Corinna dresses:

The beautifully Rhinestone Collar dress (seen in All About my Brother), sz XS, NWT, with receipt from the F+C store in NY

.

And the stunning sequined black dress, Blair wore to Lily’s rehearsal dinner in 1×17. It’s a sz S and sadly too big for me. It’s never been used, but I did remove the tags a while ago. I also have the receipt for this dress.

If you have any questions please either email me (lamoca28@yahoo.com) or leave comment.

EDIT:

A lot of people have emailed me regarding prices, I’m very sorry about that. I should have replied but in case I haven’t please mail me again.

I’m asking for around $500 for the first rhinestone collared F+C dress and around $400 for the second, black sequined one.

Although, I’m not in an urgent need of cash, I do want to sell the dresses fast, therefore the first person who offers me an agreeable price gets the dress(ses). So far, I have several buyers for all my dresses, so please email me right away if you’re interested.

Also, I live in Denmark but I will of course be happy to do worldwide shipping and my preferred method of payment is Paypal.

THANKS!

Love this store.
http://usa.frenchconnection.com/
that is all.

So I’ve been noticing owls everywhere.  I didn’t want to overload you guys, but here are some examples that I liked:

Pretty clutch from Anthropologie

from Forever21, they had a bunch of owl-themed things

French Connection UK, they have a top too.

Marc, my love… the same owl goes on lots of other things, like clutches and rings and wristlets… very adorable (from ShopBop)

]]> http://saubermag.com/2009/10/11/item-of-the-day-6/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:32:47 +0000 Ramon Knight http://saubermag.com/2009/10/11/item-of-the-day-6/ http://jesuisnul.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/beam-me-up-scotty/ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:07:40 +0000 Liis http://jesuisnul.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/beam-me-up-scotty/

I’m done here.

French Connection top, SGD48, Size 4, altered to fit a UK6-8, as good as new condition, no defects

Nu am mai scris nimic de ceva vreme, dar vad ca oamenii cauta in continuare avioane de hartie, sani & chocapic. Superb.

La un moment dat blogul asta ajunsese un soi de loc de dat cu capul, dar bineinteles ca asta e o metafora bleaga. Ei bine, scriam despre mici lucrusoare care imi fac zilele mai interesante, dar interesant e cumva bivalent.

De ce sa nu fac acelasi lucru si acum, desi am cam schimbat putin contextul. De cateva saptamani m-am mutat in Londra.

Unele dintre primele lucruri care mi-au sarit in ochi au fost robinetele lor. They got it all wrong. So, au unul pentru apa rece ca gheata si unul pentru apa fierbinte, fierbinte.

Am chestionat cativa britanici in legatura cu aceasta instalatie absurda, care cred ca a fost patentata pe la Caracal in perioada interbelca. Ideea e ca nimeni nu are un raspuns pentru modul in care sunt robinetele in Anglia. La intrebarea, Bloody bai, dar tu cum te speli pe maini? Rapunsul e livrat pe un ton foarte relaxat, Le misc de la stanga la dreapta foarte repede. 

Pai si ce naiba o sa faci la batranete?

Cel mai simpatic raspuns a venit de la un englez de prin nord. El zice ca e practic sa ai robinetele asa: apa rece pentru ca sa te speli pe dinti dimineata, iar apa fierbinte ca sa iti faci un cea in acelasi timp.

It’s pint o’clock! V-am pupat pe frontispiciu!

I’m working out of the office, out on site with no management to speak of! So what is a girl to do?

Internet Shopping!

So I’ve been browsing the fashion websites and have had my eyes on this dress from French Connection.

I saw the picture below and I knew this cut/ style would be flattering to my figure.

It’s essentially a short-sleeved Kaftan gathered at the waist. Yesterday I almost walked out of the office in the middle of the afternoon to go and buy it.

So today at lunch I hot-footed it down to the store and as its a new arrival, it wasn’t even on display yet and they had to go and find it out from the storage room.

It was completely transparent! The cotton felt think and looked cheap. It wasn’t even a nice white colour but an off-white trying to pass for white! It would look nice over some bathers but I wanted to wear it out during the day to coffee or shopping or a picnic with some gold sandals, however it would look totally indecent anywhere away from the beach! And I don’t want a dress that I have to wear a slip under as it gets rather hot in summer and I don’t want to have to add on more layers!

From French Connection I was expecting some crisp, white, good quality cotton.

Must say I was not too impressed… My little rant for today!

Ah, I remember back in the day when everyone and their mothers went through a Hot Topic phase. I had a bulky disgusting pyramid stud belt that I used to pair with ridiculous skater influenced threads and kicks. Thank heavens that phase is over, for me at least. I’ve tried tracing backwards and figuring out when my love for all things retail and fashion related began.

As a kid, I did love the mall. I loved Limited Too, Friends and the kids department at Bloomingdales so I never understood why I steered away during junior high. I guess it was Avril Lavigne’s fault. That year my wardrobe consisted of too much hot pink and black. EW EW EW. What a waste, I am surprised I didn’t buy a damn skateboard, but who did? Anyways, pyramid studs remind me of Hot Topic, but I am totally obsessed with all things studded right now. The YSL bag doesn’t feature a pyramid stud, but it’s YSL, so it doesn’t matter now does it? The Burberry watch is my favorite. I also NEED those French Connection booties. Ahhhhh, I need to stop loving everything.

Read more to find out how to look like a dope punk biotch.

From le left to le right:

Pyramid Studded Hoodie @ Forever 21 $20

Burberry Pyramid Stud Watch @ Net-A-Porter $795

Black Studded Vest @ Miss Selfridge $88

Layla Stud Boots @ French Connection $208

Pyramid Belted Skirt @ Forever 21 $16

Pyramid Ring @ Miss Tina (Beyonce’s Mommy)

Belt @ Top Shop $56

YSL Stud Bag @ Browns Fashion $1,932

Eddie Borgo Studded Cuff @ Colette $311

Gold Bangles @ H&M

TEGEMIST ON TÄISTÖÖAJAGA EHK 40 TUNDI NÄDALAS
EI SOBI ÕPPURILE, KES SOOVIB TÖÖTAMISEKS AINULT KINDLAID AEGU

Igas teises tööpakkumises on viimasel ajal selline klausel mingis sõnastuses sees.