Stylish with Substance

I need to relieve stress, so I'm leaving on a jet plane!

I'll post here and there, though. :-)

*Edit* (Friday, June 30th) : ~I can blog if I want to, but I can also leave my computer behind.~

CBS 4 Boston gave news of a web service running to protect individuals from losing stolen property forever. Just Stolen.net holds a database of your current valuables and lost or stolen items. Using descriptions and serial numbers, registered police forces use this tool to cross-reference stolen goods.

It is very important to enter all of your valuables, including handbags, wallets, laptops, iPods, et cetera, now (before any possible incident occurs) with more fully accurate descriptions and serial numbers to better ensure a return.

To add images of your items (also recommended) or to report something lost or stolen, click on "Update existing item(s)."

Also take precautions to prevent theft. Fasten your handbags shut while in public, use extra caution at ATMs (including being aware of who is around you), and be very careful to conceal electronic devices.

Finally, good luck!

Lauren Moffatt is a new U.S.-based designer of colorful vintage femme, bohemian meets classic apparel.

Here is a little scrap page, inspired by Net-a-Porter's images.

Get info on Lauren Moffatt, purchase Lauren Moffatt, from Net-a-Porter.

Coach has a whole new lineup of Soho style handbags, of which I will now focus only on a few of the 'Mia' satchels, as there are so many bags, some with specific special details that would require further attention.

Basically the difference from the Soho satchels of the past are (1) no pockets on the front, (2) longer straps, some of thick braided leather, (3) the straps are attached to the bag bodies with Soho styled rounded buckles, and the pockets on each side are "fastened" with them, as well (of course actually by a magnetic snap, as usual).

These styles are made to be worn on the shoulder, which is something new, but I'm not sure the bodies of the bags are thinner, despite having no front pockets.

Overall, I'm interested in the bag candy, but I'm not thrilled with the size of the bags, at nearly 15" wide. This is not the direction in which I wanted things taken!

They have many styles within the category, including Signature and new surprises.

Dooce and Mr. Dooce, aka Heather and Jon Armstrong (the male form being from Blurbomat), have engaged in The War of the Clogs.

It's more lighthearted than the prickly one of Roses, but to me---and probably to Heather---it's serious. The Clog Wars is a battle to rid hubby's feet (and apparently Doggie Armstrong's [also see him in pink sandals]) of Crocs brand clogs.

It started on June 20th, with the last fight ending in blood (and great cinematography!).

Is it yet over??? Will Heather rid Jon of his nasty footwear habits??? Well, the fashion bloggers have started to petition on her side. My comment to Jon, who said this,

It was a hard fought battle, a battle for freedom and dignity.

There is no dignity when Crocs clogs are on the feet!

Footnote: Oww, I need to find a blogger husband. Although I wouldn't make it to minute 2 of the first date if he wore Crocs. Snobby me! I would like an aesthetic-minded blogger nerd with classically refined taste.

It's IT Bag Monday, and this entry is about a brand new label that is sure to make an impression.

The new design house Gryson was started by Ms. Joy Gryson, who formerly worked as design director for Marc Jacobs (can't we see the similar quality in these bags?) and also was behind many "IT" bags for other power houses, according to Bergdorf Goodman.

My favorite of her small debut collection are the satchels, with trigger-lock closures, elegant lines and rich tones. The Seamed "Sophie" Satchel is classic, while I slightly prefer the Medium Leather "Ava" Satchel for its unique shaping. The lines speak to me.

Both bags are made of Italian leather, with a suede lining, golden hardware and a hanging I.D. tag. The Sophie comes in burgundy or black leather, is sized 9" h x 16" w x 6½" d at $825, while the Ava comes in burgundy or khaki leather, is sized 7" h x 14" w X 4½" d at $775. Bergdorf Goodman is taking pre-orders for both, which should ship by September.

*Via: Purseuing*

That macabre poet, Style Bard, asked what is surprisingly my very most favorite Carnivale of Couture question;

In what clothes and accessories would you like to be buried?

I want what I can't wear alive.

I want painful, painful, painful and fabulous shoes! High, high heels by who other but Manolo Blahnik (chosen for the fab factor, but let's face it, his shoes are no sneaks)! These 3 ½" high Mary Janes with rhinestone are perfect, no? And they really make for a classy ever after statement.

As for a dress, I want whatever will come along as my favorite throughout my years. But it will be what fits my perfect body. I will gain old age weight (after dropping my [late hit] "puberty" weight in time soon to come, natch) and surely shrink to below even 4'11". Either my body will be squushed in or we'll make it fit.

Everything else, diamonds, pearls ... I shall have my loved ones use some of my dearly parting money to ensure I have items I could not afford while living.

A bag? Moi? I'm not sure I can stand to see a handbag go in the ground with dirt and bugs. In fact, yes, I think I would like to be frozen ... in that Snow White coffin mentioned on Style Bard? Why, yes, thank you!

If life says I can't, then I must!

I'm not going to discuss the marketing, photography or model Daria with this Louis Vuitton ad. No, just that horrid shoe. That cannot be wearable---it would kill! Arch support? How about no arch!

*via: Fashionologie*

There's a new color palette, yet again, for Coach's Fall rendition of their scarf print Signature. The new bags are in a mixture of mainly blue & tan.

The Fall bags are also the start of new logo tags for Coach; they continue the double tag/double color (plus a double strip of suede pieces) from Spring, but add a small circular brass emblem. I like it!

I also really like the Demi size of this round of styles. It packs a bold punch into a compact canvas. Sized 9 5/8 (L) x 5 (H) x 2 1/2 (W), with a 14" shoulder strap, the Coach Hamptons Weekend Scarf Print Demi is priced at $198.

Why didn't I think of it before? I love the Trotter Romantique range (in handbags) by Dior for brides, so why didn't I think about the possibility of shoes?

The Trotter Romantique T-Strap Sandal isn't exactly what I would choose for my bridal shoe, but it gives me a clue as to what I might want. With logo-engraved leather woven through a chain (t-)strap, an ankle strap, beige Dior logo jacquard lined insole and of course that cute bow, this shoe is romantic and sexy.

I would like to go for something a little more demure, for that chain t-strap gives this some va-voom I don't think is moi. I'd also need something under 2 ¼", and this has a 3 ½" heel.

Now so what if its $500 pricetag could cost as much as a discounted dress? It's worth it for this occasion to me!

Shop Dior at eLUXURY.