dress up files - a chicago fashion blog: June 2012

For Sale!

Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM
Currently Selling on Ebay: Click HERE!

Here is an old picture with the bag. I loved this bag and used it all the time for a year until I got the Goyard. Check back on my posts from 2010...any pics with A, I usually was carrying this bag. Such a great bag and it's so roomy that it truly is Never Full!

Oh and I am doing a huge closet sale soon! I will be posting on my sale site in the next couple of days so please check back or follow that blog. Here is my stash of old handbags I don't use anymore.

The question is: Sell them or save them for my daughters?
There are some classics like the Chanel flap that I would never sell, but what about the older Fendi's and Gucci's? Would love to hear your opinions!!

Nail Cuffs

Cartier can do no wrong. First, the love bracelet and now this. I like how something so beautiful and elegant is in the shape of a nail...love the juxtaposition. But at $7500, who can really afford this stuff? And even if I could, I would much rather get the love bracelet over this since it's more classic and you can wear it forever. I don't know if I could rock the nail cuff as a 60 year old.

Anyway, so if you've been reading my blog, you all know where this is going. I started on the hunt for a cheaper alternative and I came across this great option from Giles & Brother.

Introducing my Giles & Brother Skinny Railroad Spike Cuff

$55

Here it is on my arm next to my sideways cross bracelet that I never take off. The cross bracelet was an etsy find for $20!

Another shot of the 2 bracelets. Nail color: Essie's mint candy apple.

$100 Shopbop Giveaway!

Like everyone else, one of my favorite online shopping destinations is shopbop.com. Aside from having the best selection of clothing, handbags, jewelry and shoes, Shopbop has a special place in my heart. This is because I used to work at the brick and mortar version of the store (Bop) back in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have fond memories of being introduced to designer jeans and designing the window displays for my class project.

So I am thrilled to give away a $100 Shopbop gift card to 1 lucky winner!

Wilt | Raquel Allegra | Soft Joie

Going to Shopbop for a cocktail dress or a killer pair of sandals is a given but I've recently discovered they also have a great selection of casual t-shirts. I am loving the Wilt tees, Raquel Allegra tees, and the Soft Joie shirts. I can see myself wearing these shirts on a daily basis to the playground and then out to dinner later on. Never underestimate a great fitting t-shirt...you will reach for it again and again. Oh and don't forget to fan shopbop on Facebook to get all of their updates on sales and new items!

To enter:
1. Become a follower (click Join this site under Followers in the right tab)
2. Leave a comment with your email address

For extra entries:
1. Follow me on Facebook
2. Follow me on Pinterest
(please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Giveaway is open worldwide and will run until Monday, July 2nd at 8 pm CST.

Metal Belt

This Stella McCartney look on Gwyneth Paltrow was my favorite from the Grammy's this year. I absolutely love the short version of this dress too seen on Kate Moss. Love the illusion of the cutout with nude fabric...genius! But the best part of this dress was the metal belt....I felt a new obsession awakening.

A quick search led me to this Nicholas Roxanne belt. But $180 for a trendy accessory? I think not.

And so my search continued and alas my hard work was rewarded when I came across this alternative for $8.50!

Here is the $8.50 belt. While it's not as sleek as the Nicholas version, I definitely like the price tag a lot better.

Here is the belt on. I think I love it. You will too...go order one now!

Dressed Up & New Chanel

I had another coupon for Rent the Runway so I rented a dress for a wedding a couple weekends ago. The dress is by Daniel Vosovic, from Project Runway. The dress was so beautifully constructed and had such great detailing in all the drapes and folds. It was pretty on it's own but I loved it paired with my new metal belt. I will blog about this soon too..such an affordable find! Of course I paired it with my favorite shoes for the summer, these Zara wedges. I'm so glad I stalked these and ordered them online back in March because they've been sold out for months and I've gotten great use out of them so far.

Oh and as promised, meet my new addition. I've been wanting a Chanel wallet on chain (WOC) for awhile since I can't wear my classic flap cross body. And since the prices were so great in Paris, my sister and I both decided to take the plunge. She picked up an olive green timeless WOC (so her and so chic!) and I picked up the classic quilted in this grey suede-ish caviar leather.

Oh and stay tuned...Shopbop Giveaway coming soon!

Mommy & Me Celine's!

The nano and the mini Celine Luggage Totes

Doesn't A look tres chic in her nano?

JUST KIDDING!! The nano was my sister's purchase but we ended up getting the same color. When I put them side by side, the nano looked like the perfect scaled down version of the mini. So of course, I just had to get a pic of me & A rocking the bags. Excuse the "house clothes". Does anyone else change into "house clothes" the minute they get home?

So, after going back and forth between several bags (Celine trapeze, Givenchy antigona, Proenza PS1), I finally decided on the luggage tote, which I had originally wanted from a year ago. I was hesitant for so long because I felt like it would be a perfect work bag, making it not practical for me since I don't work. But I'm so glad I ended up with it. It's definitely a classic looking bag that I can dress up or down and it's roomy enough to fit all my baby stuff if need be.

People have been asking about pricing in Paris and yes, everything was significantly cheaper there...which is why I ended up with 3 bags. Yikes. So, the fall/winter mini luggage totes are currently pre-selling in the US for $2650. I got my luggage tote for $1745! Basically, $1000 cheaper!

The second bag I got was the large Longchamp tote in navy. I have a pink one from 10 years ago that I used in college and then as a work bag when I was a teacher. I also used it anytime I went swimming or to the gym. It folds up to the size of a large envelope so it's perfect to throw in your suitcase when you're traveling too. Anyway, the longchamp retails in the US for $145. I got it for $75!

And....for the third item, I picked up a teeny something from Chanel! Will share soon!

On another note, who's watching the Bachelorette? Any favorites? I am rooting for Arie, Jef and Sean!!!

Instagram Update!

We just got back from our 2 week jaunt in France a few days ago. It's been a whirlwind unpacking and getting the kids and myself over jetlag but it feels great to be home! I will eventually post on France but in the meantime, a few photos from instagram. Oh and I lost my iphone in Paris so it will be a few weeks before I'm posting on instagram again.

Stowaways! A and my nephew, C. Oh and I did pick up a little something at the Celine store in Paris so will share more on that later. :)

A stroll after feasting on oysters in Bouzigues, where they grow oysters. Supposedly, this is where the oyster culture originated and they're supposed to be the best oysters in France. We couldn't agree more. Yumm!!

My sister and my mom waiting for fresh cheese at the weekly market in L'isle sur la Sorgue (the tiny town we stayed at in Provence).

Wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape (kind of like the napa valley of Provence) with a baby ergo'd to me. Completely acceptable behavior in France...nobody gave me a second glance!

We had lunch at this castle in Chateauneuf du Pape. It was out of a dream. A was so excited to be going home to her castle.

A, in her Rapunzel dress that we just had to pack all the way to France. She loved pretending to be Rapunzel on this ledge of the house we rented.

I have hundreds of pics to go through and will update with more pics soon!