Stylish with Substance

Wow, it's also Fendi day, today!

I have Wisteria Hysteria, for certain. I love the flowers appliquéd to this line of Fendi Spys. And I know many are desperate for these IT bags.

This version is made of plush velvet, and I love the extra contrast stitching on one of the flowers.

The velvet lovely and luxe, but I still prefer the tan leather one from a few months back.

This rendition of the coveted range is available for $2,990 from Saks Fifth Avenue.

I just by chance caught this television program on MTV, The Hills. It's a show filled with fashion, youth, and fun, but also hard work and lessons in reality. It is actually a reality show and a spinoff of Laguna Beach (but better) with genuine people (and almost hard to believe glamorous and fashion business opportunities until they slap in the face with the truth) but it flows like a medium between The Real World and a drama series.

The girls (one of them Lauren ["LC"] from Laguna Beach) are largely shallow, and the show has its shallow parts, as it is by MTV, but it also has very deep aspects. The girls go through man troubles, which is half-half, they go through friendship struggles while the relationship remains in tact, and they face how hard the workforce is, while juggling college work, as well. There's even a lesson on why not to drop out of school (when given a "dream" job, which can be tempting), but it's not at all preachy.

I'm so glad that MTV has such lessons, because it is a huge vehicle to reach the young audience. The show has what kids want, but also some things they need.

Plus, if nothing else, you can check out some LV bags, designer fashion shows and cute outfits!

Airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST, check your local listings for channel.

Comments are now closed, please take discussions to our (Lipped Media's) fashion forums Star Spotting board and The Hills thread!

It's IT Bag Monday!

There is a new Fendi B. Shoulder bag for Fall, and this one's a logo bag! Is this the first Logoed B.? I think so.

It's just like the other shoulder B. bag, with auburn-hued trimming, but the ruching on the bottom really comes through better with a fabric (although who wouldn't love that effect more on leather?!). It even has the same charming chain strap. Do I like/want this more than the Leather Shoulder B.? No, with B. buckles, no one needs a signature, and it actually detracts from the buckles being the focus. Although I like Fendi's logo, be it geometrical and "cold," it is clever---so I'd take it in a Chef. (I'm always mentioning that Chef!)

This is indeed a Busy B., but we love it anyway, right? Well, perhaps we can truly know the love, because it only sells for $920. Quel shock, quel shock, quel shock! Hmmm, perhaps there won't be much time to think about it or save a few extra hundred (as opposed to blowing savings on a bunch of extra thousands), because at that price, with this IT, it could really sell fast! (I'm thinking, it is quite like a chef with that ruching! Plus B.!) Hmm. Oh, no, the craziness! Get yours at Saks Fifth Avenue. (Or don't and save it pour moi, perhaps it could go on sale, if you do! ;-))

I found a serious quiz about compulsive shopping, "Are you a shopaholic?," via The Runway Scoop.

Let's take this thing, I should know the truth!

1. When I am feeling depressed, I usually go shopping. No, that's not really true. Sometimes, if I'm bored, blah or even depressed, I'll take a browse. But it's no different than any other time. When I'm manic, then I really shop. Hm, False!

2. I spend a lot of money that I do not have on things that I do not need. Most of the money I spend I technically have, or will have next paycheck, although I mooch off my mums a bit when necessary. I suppose I don't need all the purses, but the purchases I've made recently were quite necessary. (Additional colors of perfect shoes, a better swimsuit, bridesmaid shoes, replacement night t-shirts, and various true necessities, including "business" expenses.) Yes, I didn't need the three four purses I bought over this and last month, but two I wanted for many months and went on sale, one was a beachy bargain, and one ... okay that was all purse lust. And then there's the bag I'm hunting for currently, but it's to replace another bag I'm not 100% happy with, which itself replaced another bag that was damaged when bought! Where was I? Well, not everything I buy I "need" according to many a person's definition. I don't spend too much money over what I do not have. So it's a tough one. You know, I am addicted to purses, so I do "need" those! I'll give this a ½ / ½.

3. I get a rush when I make a purchase, but I “crash” soon afterwards. I sure do get a rush, but I don't crash, I come down to cushy Earth, just regular happy moi! (But probably somewhat bored and disappointed there is no more shopping to do, but only on occasion.) False.

4. I have closets full of clothes that I have never worn, and countless gadgets that I have never used. I have one teensy closet full of apparel and accessories, plus one small bureau of more. I have worn most of the clothing, worn half of the shoes (many just once or twice; ouch!) and carried all but the biggest named purses (must hide those!) on several occasions. As for gadgets, I just own a few, and I use them often enough (why use the iPod when I'm on the computer?). I'm slipping just under the mark there. False.

5. I often feel reckless and out of control when I shop. Yes! I am sometimes a manic shopper (mostly when I face COACH!). True. :-(

6. I lie to my friends and family about how much money I spend. Yes, well it's rude to inquire about the pricetag amount, that nosy mum. I undercut the price somewhat. That's healthy, right? True.

7. Even though I feel very distraught about my debt, I still shop. I'm not distraught! And I don't even have debt (except to my mums), I hope my new American Express Clear card does not change that. I'll have the money when the bill comes! Or the next month! This one's been slow, yet demanding. False.

8. I feel emotionally upset and disturbed by my own shopping habits. I am disturbed that I might be seen as shallow, but I just love aesthetics!! Truthfully, while I am not utterly proud of my shopping habits, I hope to never change the Bag Lady that I am. False.

9. After a big shopping trip, I sometimes feel disoriented and depressed. Heck, sometimes I feel disoriented handing over my charge card. And giggly, and blurry eyed. And very nervous and regretful. But it's a bit of a high. Afterward, I'm fine. But there's the task of minimizing the size of the bag, hmm. Well, this is technically a False.

10. My shopping has caused problems in my personal relationships in one way or another. I do fight with my mum, but what don't we fight about? I'll have to admit though, this is pretty much a True.

So how do we tally our results? The quiz gives the guideline:

Did you answer “True” for four or more of the above statements? If so, it is possible that you have a real problem with compulsive shopping.

All right, I answered true to 3 ½. I think I passed. I'm safe ... for now.

Shopaholic D, I hereby "meme" you with this quiz. I want to see how you fare. ;-)

*update* I forgot about one bag when I wrote this, it arrived today! ;-)

Thinking about a hot topic and one theme of this blog, fashion rules, I came up with our next poll. Do You Believe in Fashion Rules?

Soon after this idea hit me, Maria Palma at The Runway Scoop posted her thoughts on this discussion, relating to my fave show, What Not to Wear, in "Wear What You Want!"

Vote here and see a few arguments there. I can't try to influence your vote, as it should come from a pre-existing opinion, so I'll say no more.

The poll is on the left sidebar under the Glam ads. You can also post comments to this entry.

Shoes.About.com is hosting the Carnivale of the Couture this week, with a question quite difficult pour moi.

While it's easy to get caught up in the latest trends and the newest offerings from the hottest designers, there are times when even the most devout fashionista will opt for function over fashion.

So ... it's not a big night out, there's nary a potential partner in sight, and there is no office dress code. Which shoes do you reach for when you're only dressing to impress yourself?

Ay, a big night out, a potential partner, and an office. I don't so much have those things.

Yes, Ay! If I am about the town period, I dress to impress. Often, I wear flats that are quite comfortable, but they always match le ensemble and are always cute cute.

Even when I am about the house in slippers, I go for the cute, tasteful and well-kept pairs. (I even match le loungewear on occasion.) Even when in the slippers around my best friend, I certainly try to impress (he picked me out the most fashionista pair of slippers that don't go as far as to have feathers or furs, and I must keep this pair nice).

So, what is my favorite comfortable flat, my "go-to" shoe? And what is my favorite pair of stylish house-footwear?

Report Rise, mentioned before, is my old standby flat. I have it in brown and black.

But these days of summer, my home (and work! [at home]) foot protection is a pair of Isotoners from the stylish lady line, I call it (I suppose). My pair is a slide with a beachy girl on a chaise with a cocktail! I don't go out in these, of course, but I spend a lot of time at home.

I guess you could call me a little casual when it comes to the footsies, and a little cool yet generous with cozy housewear. Note this is a candid entry: I feel weird about admitting to not wearing fabulous shoes while blogging, but perhaps I am normal? Give me some reassurance. :-\