Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories store in NYC

These past two weeks were so rough that I could never imagined it could have thought it can get! The things went out of control when I had to submit 2 assignments in one day and the next day I had a midterm! (Well it wouldn’t be sooo outrageous if I did not have to attend my best friend’s birthday bash two days before the deadline) There I was trying to study for everything, doing my catch ups for 3 different classes!

So it was very natural for me to somehow reward myself for the tremendous effort I did while stressing for my exams – I decided to go to… NYC!

There is nothing better that just a spontaneous trip to New York City, especially when you have nothing to wear and have a budget of a 10-years-old on vacation!

And there I was standing on Bleecker street on Friday night! The Greenwich Village is my favorite place in NYC (I should say that I value SoHo as well but conceptually GV i closer to me).  All of the shops that I rate the most are  located in this area (may be only the  Opening ceremony requires a bit of walking from GV).

GV. I love it when it’s dark and it’s equally adorable in the morning, with its small and cozy cafe’s and petits restos. Well, it’s very difficult to describe the atmosphere that reins  there…it’s very close the feeling you get when you’ walking the old streets of Paris (but may be much much more crowded). My verdict is to just go there and experience it yourself.

My primary goal for this trip wasn’t shopping (yes, it might sound strange to you, but it’s true), rather it was to get distracted from all I have going on back here in M. And it worked soooo well that now sitting  at uni  and writing all this I just feel so overwhelmed and sad that I am no longer able to just go out side and be a part of  THE CITY!

However, I couldn’t resist going to the Marc by Marc Jacobs store…

…and  there I was standing on Saturday night in the line to get one of the “special items”…

Across the street there is a lovely small Lulu Guinness boutique – I am determined to get her lips clutch the next time I am in NYC.

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May be it’s been a week since I promised to post pictures from my Friday night’s shopping BUT I have finally recovered my camera and as a result all the photos taken last Friday!

It wasn’t a bad trip…after all. I had a lot of fun going through tones of designers clothes for less! (Yes, may be it’s not from the latest collections but they still worth much more than they ask at hat place!)

My absolute favorite was this furry white MaxMara waistcoat, I could not resist it…I had to get it! (and I did eventually) I think it’s a good find considering the tough winters back here in Canada. This waistcoat is adorable with skinny jeans and boots (consider the ones with heels, may be something like this ones, Pierre Hardy for Gap).

MaxMara

In general this place i not the best choice if you are looking for something particular – simply because there is almost no chance that you will find it there! The best way to shop there is indeed to go there and just look around. that’s eventually what I did last week.  I am one of those freaks who can’t shop with friends (or even worst with family) – I need to be alone. Yes, back to this place, it’s called Winners as I already mentioned in my previous post and it’s a Canadian store which does not necessarily specializes on the luxury brands or on any brand at all. Yet, once more, if you just come there, looking for nothing BUT knowing what id your particular style and (hehe) your brands, you can always (well almost always) find something special just for you!

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Something else that I love about this store is that it’s populated by all these unaware people who can just pass by an amazing Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti read coat… and never even look at it!

Oh and I almost forgot! THE best thing about this store is its prices! Almost entire designer section is so well priced that nobody would ever guess that your Missoni blazer was only $120!  However there are certain caveats as well -  there are some exceptions when I found a piece which was more expensive than it should have been. The other thing is that every fifth thing that you find there is either broken or ripped or is permanently stained! So, be aware of those things while shopping there!

On my personal list of places where I love to go this places stands almost on top (not to say on the top-most position). Now you know all you have to know about it and how to make your shopping at that place enjoyable and profitable!

Now, the most interesting part – what is the assortment there! I think I did a great job trying to picture all of the things that I was trying on that day! It was a wonderful day, the shelves were collapsing from the amount of designer cloths – some of which I’d rate as vintage!

Here are the pictures:

This Robert Rodriguez dress impressed me with its incredible weight! It’s probably around 4 pounds!

The price is not that bad huh? If you know any other places where you can get a Missoni silk dress for only $400, please tell me ASAP!

Keep going! It’s not all…

This psychedelic tye-die   pattern looks kinda cool on this Versace top

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I am glad to announce the newest so far collaboration that  actually drives my interest and is worth mentioning!

The new fall collection of the sportswear brand Puma features the running shoes designed by Alexander McQueen. So far there are only two models which have been released to public! Since then the stir that they produced in the net around the globe can be hardly described. I bet that they are going to sell off in milliseconds but the rumor has it that the shoes have already been sold out via the pre-order in hours after their reveal! Well, I still believe that they will hit the shelves (may be not for a long time but they will!)and I will be one of the proud owners of McQueen’s Pumas for $251-276 a pair! Cheers!

images from www.alexandermcqueen.puma.com

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I’ve been pretty busy this week (as much as last week) doing my comp sci assignments, and I must admit that this weekend does not seem much like a relief for me right now – I will be finalizing all the papers and assignments for the upcoming week . BUT it does not mean that I can’t go budget-shopping on my Friday night! I will not be heading to the street fashion centers like Zara and H&M, but I might still check them out – my target is cheap designer pret-a-porter. Montreal has its great bargain stores like Winners where you can get (if you are patient enough AND know your brands) some great pieces. Ads an example Catherine Malandrino summer dress which retailed for $300 (including a sale portion)  in other stores, was only $120! Rumors got it that there was a huge pile of MaxMara jackets hanging on Winners’ supports which were  just waiting for me to come and adopt them! Surely I will not forget about some very nice vintage stores in the neighborhood (where once I found stylish Fendi pants for only !!! $20!)   So, I’ll post my report on my “magasinage” by Saturday!

PS: unfortunately there is still on news on my Penhaligon’s catalogue. I am still waiting!

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While I am on tough budget right now I could not resist and not to mention this sassy and funky British jeweler whose designs are as pricey as they can possibly get!

I found out about this designer while I was going through one of my multiple issues of Vogue magazine. There was a picture from her latest ad campaign displaying adorable rings of which the most brilliant was the lips-shaped red enamel ring. What I always do when I need more info on something new what I’ve just found out is of cause is that I immediately google it! And so I did. Solange Azagury-Partridge is British jewelry designer with quiet edgy style. She’s got some cute things – like those “live” bangles and necklaces from “filigree” collection, but most of her styles are pretty Goth and dark with a slight touch of humor – for example croc skull rings.

As highlight: my all favorites are the red enamel silver rings (which come in 10 different colors – from dark purple to bright yellow), the chandelier earrings “Xanadu” from her “Black Rainbows” collection made from Titanium and colored diamonds as well as her cure little bone 18K gold rings from “Random” collection.

All these are just a few picks from her wide range of jewelry which worth going through. I am quite sure that everyone will find an original and exquisite piece made just for you!

images from www.lanecrawford.com, www.graphics8.nytimes.com, www.cyanatrendland.com, www.4.bp.blogspot.com

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Rodarte, this fashion label duet has great surprise for those who look for some stylish school supplies. They have created a signature pencil case with lovely  (and quiet well known) sketches on it. These uberfashionable cases were designed based on the portraits made by fashion photographer Cecil Beaton. Another great feature is that pencil cases already contain everything what is needed: pencils and erasers! So, if you’re planing on going to New York  or if it happens that you live there, don’t wait long and check them out in Opening Ceremony boutique, 35 Howard Street, NYC.

image from www.fashiontime.ru

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Well, Payless is not  my usual place to shop for high fashion and designer cloth (or specifically shoes and handbags), however I must say that this time they got some fierce styles with designer such as Christian Siriano and Alice+Olivia. First, it’s the black peep-toe platforms by Alice+Olivia with front zipper and edgy black studs all over them for only $50!  The only disappointment is that they are made from faux leather (as most of the models in Payless).   

But then I think it’s a good choice if you don’t have a huge budget for fashion. One season shoes aren’t that bad especially when you are tight financially. The next season you won’t be bounded to your old closet – make a room for new shoes. On other hand, it’s not even disappointment for some of you who care for nature and don’t approve leather like Stella McCartney. Oh, almost forgot! Alice+Olivia created amazing booties as well ( in faux leather again). These ones actually look like Marc by Marc Jacobs Biker Boots retailing for $940. Here  are pictures to compare:

The next stop is at Christian Seriano for Payless, how cool it is – don’t have to run arounds to find beautiful shoes, instead it’s all in one single store.  My choice here is obviously booties which indeed come in “leather” and  blue printed fabric. It’s the best alternative for those of you who do not like faux leather but find the model interesting. So it’s up to you to make your choice! By the way both would look just perfect with a pair of skinnies or cigarette pants! Another point worth mentioning is their bright blue soles – Christian Siriano signature. Oh! And the cone  zipper pull  – pure  rock’n'roll! And don’t forget to get the matching clutch with chains and zipper with another cone pull on it!

All of his creations for Payless reflects his runway styles pretty closely, so the best way to copy is from the master himself. Money-worth all these things are almost given to you – price ranges from $25 to $50.  My approval for 100%!

Check for yourself how closely related these two models (in fact, left is the Payless copy of the runway look):

images from www.payless.com and www.thisnext.com

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I think that this Louboutin’s Pigalle 100 studded pumps are the best so far! These shoes are made to be worn this fall combining all the hottest trends – color, texture and model! The gold studs update to the classical Louboutin’s model is perfect to add harder edge to simple skinny jeans or LBD oi should I say to absolutely anything!!! The heel is reasonable – around 4inches. I must say that if you want to get your hands on them then be prepared to fight other fashionistas in stores (and I seriously doubt that there is still left any) or to put your name on the waiting list – on net-a-porter.com they had been sold out in couple of hours. And all this for just a little bit under $1000, and precisely for $995 which is not shoes’ best aspect. So, if u have patience and budget then it’s time to invest!!! Worth every penny!

images from net-a-porter.com

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I had a rough week. I must admit that going back to school is not an easy task. Well, first of all, it’s time change, yes! I switch to another regimen – early wake-up’s do kill me very, very, very slowly every morning! Secondly, it’s the amount of expanses that are necessary at the beginning  of each semester – books, pencils, pens, notebooks ( I love cute little notebooks from art sections of bookstores and they cost a lot of money but indeed, they make my boring computer science lectures happier), I am to yet talking about the fact that it’s actually fall outside and very soon I’ll need a boost in my wardrobe.  And thirdly, I never know what to eat when I am at school – fast food does not work well with my body so I have to find alternatives which are not so easy to find.

All that said, I have an urge to find a way to balance finances, school, health, well-being and FASHION at the same time. I already have some cool ideas how to save couple of dollars on clothing and shoes.

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I personally find that her collections just look right when I mix her pieces and great seasonal designer investments like Burberry bag or McQueen scarf.

Looking at this collection my picks would be: flame mesh halter black dress (~110$), sequin gray waterfall vest (~70$), military style cardigan (~100$),  jeweled jacket (~240$).

images from topshop.com

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