Well it took me long enough. After several years now of checking out the Target GO lines put together by visiting designers, I finally found something I love so much I had to have it...the woven tote by Gryson for Target. Normally the quality of these "designer" Target pieces - clothing and accessories - is severely lacking. But this little guy is gorgeous and actually looks like it could be leather. Plus the lining is super chic (cream w/black zip inside). We're going to have a lot of fun together.

Nordstrom Sale: Do and Don't

DO Pick up a flirty dress like this JS Collections for just $155.90

DON'T be swayed by the big names. Just because it comes from a big$brand and it's 40% off(like this St. John dress for only $1,009.00), doesn't mean it's a good deal! (That dress isn't a good deal even at $10.99)

Twelve by Twelve Takes My Breath Away!

Never mind that the last time I bought something at Forever 21, the glued-on sequins all started falling off in the middle of a business meeting, leaving a sequin trail as I left the board room. And let's forget about the fact that Forever 21 is stock full of synthetic fibers and so-low-they're-scary prices... Regardless of all this, in theory and design, I am in absolute adoration of their new Twelve by Twelve collection! This is perhaps the chicest looking "fashion democratization" collection yet, with looks like "Bittersweet Ballet" and "Forties Paris" created in a pallette of metallic and dusky greys and charcoals, purpley-blues, and Poutmore's favorite, black. At prices around $40-60, I can almost convince myself it's ethical to buy one of these fabulous pieces....hey, that may be a lot of polyester, but at least these sequins are sewn on !!

Pictured: Sequin Luxe Sweater, $62 and Divine Satin Pleat Skirt, $29

Silent Film Fashion Moment

Bottom: Still from "Salome", 1923, starring Alla Nazimova.

Costume Design and Art Direction by Natacha Rambova - clearly an undervalued talent in Hollywood, since I bet you've never heard of her. Did you know she was the neice of Elsie de Wolfe and was at one time married to Monsignor-Hollywood himself, Rudolph Valentino (top photo)? She is credited for bringing Art Deco to Hollywood, and obviously some Art Nouveau influences as well. Bravo, Ms. Rambova!

J'adore Paris Vogue Collections

I was devoted to the first two issues of Elle Collections - and then I saw Paris Vogue Collections for Fall/Winter '08 and fell in love all over again.

You see, when I was still in high school I used to cut and paste my favorite images from magazines and catalogs to create a book that showcased the trends for each season. It was my dream magazine - images only, very little print, and certainly no celebrity interviews or book reviews to distract from the fashion at hand. Now I see my dreams realized in these two publications.

Nevermind the fact that they must be imported from Europe and cost $12 (Elle) and $30 (Paris Vogue) - these are magnificent documents of the seasons' shows and invaluable in this day and age of movie-stars-on-the-cover-of-Vogue and the over-stylized fashion sections in every other magazine. Genius layouts, slick editing, and a complete lack of advertising or discussion of other topics are the hallmarks of these fantastic publications. Kudos to each and every person involved in making my dream a reality - you have a loyal customer for years to come.

Elsa Schiaparelli's "Shocking Life" Available NOW!

FINALLY! It took me almost ten years to track down a fair copy of 1954's "Shocking Life," the autobiography of Italy's surrealist-designer and "rival" of Coco Chanel. That was with the help of the Internet. Now we can all partake of a brand new edition, published to coincide with this month's "Surreal Things" exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum.

Purchase it at the V&A website for 9 pounds or pre-order at Amazon for $14.78 (how exact). God bless the V&A! You Londoners are so bloody lucky.

Black (Satin) Market
I don't need to tell you that Chanel's latest nail color, daughter-of-Vamp, "Black Satin" is sold out EVERYWHERE. What you may not know is how high the price continues to escalate on Ebay. 3 weeks ago you could "Buy It Now" for $50, but now "Buy It Now"s start at $80 and go up as high as $130. Most regular auctions are still ending upwards of $50. Crazier still is one poor Ebayer who listed the OPI knock-off for $45 (if that one sells, it surely is a sign of the Apocolypse...).

Now I know this is supposed to be a limited-edition polish, but am I being silly to hold out hope that I can get a bottle at retail when they (surely) restock?? I waited 4 months for my bottle of Vamp back in '97 or whenever that was...certainly Chanel will not sit idlely by while bottles go for 3 and 4 times retail on Ebay. Well, one can always hope... (by the way, I'm not even positive that Mischa is wearing Black Satin in this photo widely used on Ebay...it looks to have a blue sheen to it...)

UPDATE: Oct 13th Launch for GAP (RED)
Check out the back cover of Entertainment Weekly this week or go to www.gap.com/red to preview some of the items. For someone who has had the Inspi(red) logo as her desktop background for 6 months, you can guess how anxious I am to get this tee. And the linings of the parka and jean jacket...great design. 2 more weeks!

SEPHORAHAUL: Stella!

So technically I haven't purchased this yet, but I've placed it in my basket at Sephora.com because it is the next evolution of scent for me this Fall. Maybe not for you, but has become quite clearly the next step for me. Blumarine begat RL Blue begat Nanadebary (green) begat Stella. I'm torn between the perfume (seen here), the purse spray, or the roll-on. Super kudos to Stella McCartney for offering up so many suitable options!

Fashion Tome: U2 by U2


If you don't think this book has anything to do with fashion then you haven't opened it up yet. No one in the history of the world has pulled off the mullet quite like early Bono. And Adam Clayton has more style in his little finger than most people have in their lifetimes. Whether you peruse it or devour it (as I plan to do), "U2 by U2" is a neccesary addition to your fashion bookshelf...or bookcase, as it may be. Only $24 at Overstock.

FASHION ICON "A." Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel

my favorite Chanel portrait, by George Hoynigen-Huene

Born: August 20, 1883

Died: January 3, 1971

Showed in: 31 Rue Cambon, Paris, France

The supreme Fashion Icon, she cannot be pigeonholed in one fashion strata; simply put, she was an amazing and pioneering businesswoman, trendsetter, designer, stylist, and marketer.

Chanel's Gifts to Fashionistas:

• Chanel No. 5. (and the fabulous bottle it comes in)
• The Little Black Dress
• Fabulous Faux Pearls and Costume Jewelry
• The suntan
• Jersey dresses
• The boxy tweed suit
• Quilted Chanel bag
• Designer logo

Lasting legacy:

"Kaiser" Karl Lagerfeld has since stepped in to provide us more important and lasting fashion moments as the House of Chanel continues to reign supreme. Not least of which is this season's must-have, already-sold-out-going-for-three-times-its-pricetag-on-eBay nail varnish, "Black Satin".

GAP Ad Misses Mark. By MILES and MILES.
I'm sorry. I generally love GAP ads. The company has established themselves as the "Apple" or mass apparel advertising. (Apple computers, not Gwyn offspring). Who can forget the "swing" commercials of the mid-90's and the Taryn Manning/Marianne Faithfull commercials. Heck, even the last "Denim Takes Shape" commercial was pretty of-the-moment. So I was waiting for a great ad after receiving their direct mail piece on the new Audrey pant... Right, how could they miss? Great name, great icon, great history of great advertising. Yet, they did miss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj923YC3IN0

There's something just so wrong about this ad. There are moments of brilliance, and maybe with a different song it would have worked. "Back In Black" just reminds me of Lewis Black and I'm sorry, this pant isn't about being black, it's about being skinny.

But not only does it completely annoy me that they took this great scene from Funny Face and made...this...what's worse is that it doesn't even feature their pants. They win my MissedMark award for "what-were-they-thinking" advertising this week.

And While We're Talking Blue and Purple...

J'adore the new bluish-purple (or is it purpley-blue?) double V-neck, shirred tunic that I picked up at Express. While they still insist on pushing those low-rise bootlegs as "America's Favorite Pant," (hasn't been in at least a year!), you still gotta love a store where you can pick up this pitch perfect Fall stand-by AND the gorge necklace shown too - and all for under $100!

SEPHORAHAUL: Everything New is New Again.


Dateline: Sephora Bellevue Square. Tuesday, Sept 5 2006

The latest objects of my affection:

• Nars Eyeshadow Duo in "Demon Lover". (Don't you love how the colors match this blog?? I sware I didn't plan that.) I'm having a blue and purple moment...aren't we all?

• The NEW packaging for Kiss Me's Blinc Mascara. The blue tube is the "old" and the new is silver, which comes in this fabulous screw-top tube with the new slogan "STOP painting your lashes...TUBE them." And trust me; once you tube, you'll never go back, cheres.

U.S. - Ready to Go (RED) in October?


I absolutely cannot wait for the (PRODUCT) RED Campaign to hit the states. For MONTHS now, I have been chomping at the bit for my chance to get the red Motorola MotoSLVR and (RED) AmEx card. The ability to support my favorite "cause" (the Global Fund) while purchasing products is, to me, the ultimate in luxury spending.

Launched this Spring in the UK, (RED) brings together financial services, telecommunications, apparel, and accessory companies who offer products and services that contribute back to the Global Fund. Officially, "(PRODUCT) RED was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce RED-branded products. A percentage of each (RED) product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children with HIV/AIDS in Africa."

The very latest ad campaign from the AmEx Red card features two gorgeous creatures: Gisele Bundchen and Kaseme, a Masai warrior. If you have not already seen these images or the behind the scenes interviews, you really must do so now!!

So yes, I plan on switching my AmEx Blue to the new AmEx Red as soon as it launches. Also be on the lookout for the (RED) MotoSLVR and the "Inspi(RED)" tees at the Gap in October. Oh, and don't forget your ONE T-shirt by Edun at Nordstrom Oct 1st, while you're at it.