Stylish with Substance

The following is a sponsored, honest, review.

Graphic tees are schmaphic tees (I know, I'm lame) unless they look like they're done in the style of hip, young web/graphic designers. And looking at the graphic tees on VJUCool.com brings back memories of my old graphic design website/'zine circle. Actually, the images really remind me of the queen of our "gang" and her style, I can so picture Leah working for this company. (And wherever she is, I know she's rocking and making good cash!) Seriously, the artwork on VJU Cool's tees are the tip top of the best.

Even better is they do have pretty stylish designs for girly fashionistas! And they're so detailed, to boot! Check out the "Enigmatic" Japanese-style tee. Gosh I could feature each single tee of art in the "Gorgeous" category on their own! They show off fabulista women, but the shirts are fit to both men and women, separately, and really, the art does appeal to both sexes.

Whether you're the modern artistic type, the sexy kitten, the vintage made mod fan or you just like eclectic clothing; different things in your wardrobe, really check out these products. You may find one or three things you want to buy.

The VJU Cool website's product links lead to Café Press, so printing, quality and sizing matches their high standards. Prices are in the $20 to $30 range.

Rock on.

Sorry for not posting really last week; I've been depressed because of Virginia Tech. I'm trying to get back to normal, but I also am in a very busy period with other work right now.

Thanks Saks.com! They've shown us how Jimmy Choo's Foldover Clutch is convertible - and I gotta say I now really love it and .. I think I need it! Check it out below:

Jimmy Choo Foldover Clutches being sold RIGHT NOW:

That second look is oh-so fetching .. and just unique enough! With a removable wrist-strap, this stylish bag can be toted upright & tall or with the top folded to the front and secured by a magnet.

The metallic-toned Foldover, at 11" x 7", is a bit smaller than the regular (a whopping 15" x 8" x 3"), but it also goes for a better price: $825 compared to $1,250. Overall, it might be a bit less day but it's so much cuter than plain black. Would I miss the size? Is that great cost reduction worth it (especially when I'll probably still bargain hunt)?

If you're wondering, too, well - we can check it out in live action carried by Hilary Duff (5'1 / average-slim):

She's about my height, and it's not bad at all. (Here's a full-body photo.) It would even look slightly larger on moi. Now compare that to the regular on 5'3 (*disputed) / skin & bones Victoria Beckham here and this 5′11 skinny mannequin here. Super-huge, and would be even larger against my frame. Now note, this does matter in this case, because clutches are assumed to be smaller---ergo oversized clutches can dwarf a petite girl.

Close-up:

I really like it! I also like to carry a lot of *important* stuff with me, and want to use this more than just on dates/for evening. (For a designer IT bag at that price, I want to use it!) So what should I do?

You can order for yourself the Metallic clutch from Saks and the Marin Oversized Clutch from Net-a-Porter.

I'm lusting after this $445 totally girly, sophisticated rain coat so bad, it's just *moi*, plus unique and really makes a statement. If your cash is flowing, I recommend you invest in this piece of fashion. And then I'll drool with envy all over it, but don't worry, to clean this jacket, just wipe it down! He he. ;-)

Pictured here is an actual handbag for sale by designer, Marni. It's huge, it's design-less, it's shape-less, it's detail-less. Oh but it has a pricetag! $1230 for a sack of leather is fabbing ridiculous. I would expect to see this at Target for $49. And only that much for the size and being genuine leather. And I would never expect something that looks like this to be actual leather. Or even a handbag, because this obviously is the closest thing we've seen lately (or EVER) to a bag just being a container for old food you don't even want to give the dog. The ginormous size helps this image. There is nothing about this "bag" that warrants a price nearly like that, not even the Marni name (no one buys for the Marni name). I hope the brand sells 0 of this unit and they learn the hard way that the designers need to wake up in the morning and actually work at what they do, not just nap all day and be so proud of themselves that they've almost learned how to sketch a circle (it was a pretty shaky ellipse, the sketches of this style). Seriously, the one lone detail of the hanging plain fob just makes a bigger mockery of this whole charlatan of a purse. F for Effort for Marni on this one. You'd better do make-up work over the Summer, and when I see you again in the fall, try to be most improved.

Fresh from an "event" held by COACH (anyone got the scoop on that?), here is Mandy Moore, with new guy pal, and a fab Coach bag. Forget the guy, it's the bag that's interesting! I've never seen this exact style before, but I know what it is. It's the Coach Soho Large Satchel in alligator and it must be super, super limited edition and expensive. No, Coach just does not do croc-embossed!

Here is a close-up of Mandy's satchel next to a regular-leather version available now for $458 at www.coach.com.

Mandy was even seen at LAX Airport wearing gold Coach (see the turnlocks?) shoes (actually, shoe, since she'd injured her foot previously), but they're not the same ones she wore to the event. Hmm.

Source

Because of technical issues that little Ella couldn't stand anymore, we've needed to move the site to a new domain/even a new name. The old domain and all its public pages now redirect here, so don't worry. Bargain Bagistas will move soon, as well, but it's still active at the old location.

Thanks for visiting!

I turned on my digital cable guide to find something not so Comcastic tonight---Stacy London's Shut Up was not on the menu this Friday night. Where'd Stacy go? Could the talk show have been canceled already?? It seemed to be a hit, at least with this blog's readers!

So what's up - any news?

An e-mail popped into my inbox from one of my top fave designers, Chloé, so I just had to put it on top priority. The letter previewed the brand's Summer sunglasses and they have some very nice designs coming out! Although they run low on logo - oh bah. (What? No Paddington shades? Please. Always fashion styles after bags! Duh!)

Watch for them to pop up at Neiman Marcus soon!

*Update, 2 years later. I'm still not a fan. Aug. 2009*

The maxi dress, opposite of a mini dress, yes with a floor-skimming skirt length ... is now trendy. Who's with me that we just don't get this? Just last year (2006), this length was the devil, am I wrong? Fashion is so weird. Well, no matter what the current celebrity consensus, I will not be buying into this look - I just don't like it. But mostly it will not flatter my petite, curvy body.

If you like it and can wear it, here are some shopping options:

Whatever price-point you find yourself in, remember to add to the overall cost in your mind, in case this trend fades quickly.

More Currently Sold Maxi Dresses!...

It looks like Marc Jacobs took a trip to Vegas when inspired by new Spring 2007 Python Patchwork Stams, and unfortunately what happened in Marc's imagination there, did not stay in Vegas. No the Python Patchwork Stam is now available for purchase via Saks Fifth Avenue (in blue, the tamest colour).

More colours below, if you dare click on what look more like digital art images than photographs of real objects.