Author: Michelle

On My Radar: Fashion Picks For Now & To Invest In

There are so many beautiful and fun items out now that caught my eye.  From the Gucci boots (my God, they are gorgeous) to the Fenty Puma x Rihanna sneakers to the Asos Unicorn Flats, there are so many awesome shoes out there ready to grace our manicured feet.

I am in love with the Needle & Thread maxi dress, as well as the Free People ballet wrap pants.  What to have fun in now and what to invest in?  Have fun with the sneakers, invest in the Sam Edelman bow flats.  Invest in the Maeve dress, but have fun in the off the shoulder dresses.  Buy the Talbots plaid purse for now, and invest in the Givenchy Antigone for the bag you’ll carry for the rest of your life.


As a rule of thumb, never spend a lot of money on items that will last only a few seasons.  Invest in items that will last a lifetime, both in quality and in style.  The green floral Alice + Olivia dress will be in style 40 years from now.  The style has already been popular since the 1960’s and it is still going strong.

Stick to A-line skirts and dresses for staying power.  It flatters every woman.  The style is forgiving if you gain a little weight below the waist.

Also, consider adding a few artistic pieces into your wardrobe.  Art never goes out of style.  The Gucci boots will still look fabulous 20 years from now.  Also, the Loft jacket will still look amazing decades later over an evening dress, your Sunday’s best, or at the office.

Most importantly, you have to learn what YOUR STYLE is.  If you do not know what your style is, consider going through your closet in the KonMari fashion.  Look at each piece of clothing to determine what fits and which items bring you joy. Keep only the clothing that fits and brings you joy.

After you complete this task, take a look at what remains.  In those items that remain, you will discover your own personal style.   The key to finding that style all lies in the joy you find in the pieces that remain.  In a way, you will discover who you are in the fashion sense.

From there, you will get a sense of how to build your wardrobe, focusing only on items that compliment your style.  There will always be a lot of trial and errors, but discovering your style will only help you become wiser when you continue to invest in new items for your wardrobe.

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

Beauty Journal Day Two: You Won’t Be Needing This Anymore

Beauty Journal Day 2

Keeping in mind the fails from Day One, I held off on taking any Hum Nutrition products until after 10AM.  This proved to be a wise move.

Here are the Hum Nutrition products I am using:

Five pills, one protein powder.  Luckily, everything went down smoothly for most of the day.  I think one of the most important benefits of doing all of these different supplements is that I am forced to drink more water.  That’s a good thing, because it helps rid your body of toxins faster.

What’s also great about these products…you feel it working instantly.

What is Hum Nutrition?

So I should probably talk a little more about these supplements.  This is what each supplement is supposed to do (according to the label):

  • Collagen Love – Before taking painful anti-wrinkle measures…keep fine lines under control.  One key contributor to aging is reduced collagen production, leading to wrinkling, sagging and discoloration.  Collagen Love contains a unique skin repair blend with Types I, II and III Collagen – essential for young looking skin.
  • Big Chill – Don’t let stress ruin your looks!  Stress releases hormones that make us unhealthy, breakout and age.  Big Chill contains adaptogens that are clinically researched for their ability to stop you reacting to stress, so you can keep a clear head and stay beautiful during demanding conditions.
  • Flatter Me– Your secret to a flatter stomach.  Designed around your diet, we developed a comprehensive proprietary enzyme blend that supports all major phases of nutrient digestion. Flatter Me is formulated to optimize protein, carb, fiber and fat breakdown and to help with nutrient absorption, relief from indigestion and bloating.
  • Red Carpet – Blow in every photo opp!  Our vegetarian Red Carpet formula includes the perfect balance of GLA, ALA and Vitamin E – only found in nature and at HUM.  Made from bio-available nutrients from Black Currant and Sunflower seeds.  Red Carpet’s healthy essential fats support glamorous hair and glowing skin.
  • Skinny Bird – Pounds come and go like lovers!  Skinny Bird has a unique SMAC formula that keep unwanted pounds in check.  SMAC -for stress eating (5-HTP), to help boost Metabolism (green tea), to help curb Appetite (caralluma) and Chromium (to help support healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges.
  • Raw Beauty Superfood Powder – Looking for the ultimate beauty snack that keeps you going?  Raw Beauty is your answer.  Over 30 beauty detox superfoods help improve your energy, support radiant skin and boost your metabolism.  Best of all, never before has so much goodness tasted so delicious.  Raw Beauty is a unique proprietary blend developed by HUM’s leading nutritionists: alkalizing greens, detoxifying and energizing herbs, beauty boosting phytonutrients and digestion supporting fiber, fruits, vegetables, enzymes and probiotics.

Why Hum Nutrition?

The main reason why I chose to do Hum Nutrition is because I like the idea of focusing on beauty from within.  A lot of the issues we have with the outside of our body are a result of what is going on inside of our body.

Before I purchased these products, I went to see my doctor and told her everything that was going on with my body.  I asked that we look at everything.  They took out eight vials of blood to do extensive testing.  From there, I was able to see everything that was going wrong inside of my body, as well as see key nutrients I was missing.

Since I am missing one hormonal gland (it was removed when we found a tumor in it), I needed to find out why peri-menopause started immediately after the surgery and why my hair looks like it is thinning.  For the peri-menopause, we can accredit that issue to my mother’s side.  She started PMS at age 44.  It’s very likely I will too.  Peri-menopause begins five years before menopause.

As for what I thought was my hair part becoming wider and wider, it ends up that there was a hormonal issue, which was also linked to needing more Vitamin D.  They also found a severe iron deficiency (i.e. it didn’t even register).  My cholesterol was over the borderline dangerous (which explained why I felt like I was about to have a heart attack all of the time).

Do you see a common theme?  There were vitamin deficiencies popping up left and right.  Those deficiencies were the cause of most of my concerns.  That is why it makes sense for me to use Hum Nutrition since their focus is on boosting the vitamin intake in the body and supporting healthy digestion (which becomes an issue the older you get).

The Morning Routine

After all of the mistakes I made yesterday, I tried to simplify everything today.  Here’s what I used:


So after washing my face with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, I used Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water (toner).  Sulwhasoo is part of the K-Beauty movement (Korean Beauty).  For those who don’t know what that is, it is a 10 product beauty regimen that Korean women use to keep their skin soft and youthful.  [Don’t worry…I’ll discuss this more later.]

After applying the toner, I took the wand from the Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+R and put the product on my palm.  I rubbed my palms together to warm up the product and applied it to my face.

Next, I scooped up some First Aid Beauty moisturizer and spritzed it with the Shiseido sunscreen.  At this time, Matthew Lucifer was checking out all of the beauty products I was using.  For some time, now he’s been trying to get into the First Aid Beauty moisturizer.  Today, he succeeded.

With moisturizer on both of my hands, he sat in front of me and being true to his middle name, pushed that full container of moisturizer off the sink and onto the rug.  He jumped off the sink to check out his accomplishment only to discover that maybe this was a bad idea.  He looked up at me like he was saying, “You won’t be needing this anymore!”

I finished applying the moisturizer, picked up what was left inside the container (now only half), and washed out the rug.   It was the washing out the rug that upset him.  It wasn’t that he did something wrong, it was because I was doing something he’s never seen me do before in the bathroom sink and that made him mad.

This is the second time he’s pushed a jar of moisturizer off of the sink.  The first time he did it, it was a jar of La Prairie.  My freak out was much bigger that time, because it was a $350 jar.

The Evening

The supplements went down fine throughout the day, but by evening, my body couldn’t do anymore supplements.  I started puking them all up.  So tomorrow, I’m going to have to cut back on the number of supplements I am trying.

I think going healthy is strange.  When we go back to working out after a long hiatus, it is like we try to make up for lost time and try to run five miles, instead of easing back into things.  My supplement adventure is no different.

As for the evening routine, here are the products I used…


For the evening mask, I chose Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask.  This product really does leave a dewy feeling on your skin when you wake up in the morning, making your skin feel extra soft.

Instead of using KP Duty on my arms tonight, I used Juara Candlenut Body Creme. I love this lotion, because it smells so nice and really hydrates the skin.  I actually think this cream does a much better job at helping hydrate keratosis pilaris (chicken skin).  KP Duty feels greasy and more medicine like, while Juara feels more luxurious on your skin.

To finish out the skin repair, my friend taught me this little trick when it comes to moisturizing your feet…use Vaseline.  Out of all the foot lotions, creams, etc. I have used over the years, Vaseline seems to be the only thing that works at both repairing and moisturizing tired feet.

In Conclusion

Tomorrow, I will be cutting back on the nutritional supplements.  I’m going to continue with the Superfood Protein powder, and then cut back to 2-3 supplements.  After I use up those supplements, I will switch to the other ones to try out.

I hope that with time, I will be able to develop a well rounded out beauty care program for myself.  My friend asked me why I don’t try to use one product at a time to see how it works.  The truth is that I buy a lot of beauty care products and receive a lot of them from various companies.

I have so many products, plus I keep purchasing more.  I am not looking for a cure all or anything, I just find exploring new products to be fun.  You can say that it brings me joy.  I like having my little spa days, trying out new products.  Along the way, I do find a few loves that stick with me.  Perhaps I’m just trying to discover more loves along the way.

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]




Beauty Journal Day One: I Puked My Guts Out

Beauty Journal: Day 1

It was all my fault.  I should never attempt something like this right after waking up.

I wanted to start the new Hum Nutrition program right off the bat, so I separated out the vitamins according to when I was supposed to take them.  I took a Skinny Bird, which is part of Hum Nutrition’s Weight Loss Program.  These supplements are supposed to be taken three times a day, 30 minutes before you eat.

I put one in my mouth and gagged.  This happens every single time I try to take a horse sized pill.  I usually gag or vomit up the pill.

I drank one glass of water and waited.

Nope.  Not going down.  Need another glass of water.

Nope.  Still not going down.  Try another glass.

Ok…maybe it went down.


I tell Alexa to set the timer for 30 minutes so that I’ll know when to eat breakfast.  I go about my morning, reading my book, and going to the bathroom three times because I drank so much water.

Alexa notifies me that my 30 minutes are up, so I go to phase 2 and make a cup of the Raw Beauty Green Super Food Powder in Mint Chocolate Chip with almond milk.  It’s not bad.  I can actually feel the skin on my arms tingling like it is coming to life.  Crazy feeling.

Yet, I worry I’m going to puke this up.

I heat up my breakfast, which if I’m going to be completely honest, it was a hot link.  Or two.  I eat what I crave.

I take vitamin #2: Collagen Love with a glass of water.  This is not good.  This makes glass of water #4.

And there it is…I puke that sucker up along with the Super Food drink.

Ugh.  This is horrible.

So this is where the mistake was made…I cannot drink or eat first thing in the morning, because I will puke it all up.  This reaction is not because the stuff was bad, it’s just that I cannot eat or drink this early in the morning.  Four glasses of water was a recipe for disaster.

Note to self.  I will have to put off doing any of this until later in the morning when I can eat and drink.

THIS HAPPENED: So I was able to get one pill down and most of the Super Food drink.  Not all of the drink came back up.  The effects worked immediately, which means it increased my metabolism.  Between the water and the two Hum nutrition products I was able to get down…success with #2 (which becomes a little more difficult as you approach your 40s…all that fiber you have to eat is no joke).

Also, Skinny Bird really suppressed my appetite.  I made two hot links for breakfast.  I was only able to eat one.  I think my stomach was full anyway from the four glasses of water.

Beauty Routine

Here are the products I put on before my makeup:

Later that morning…

So it’s later in the morning and I try to eat a bowl of Cheerios with blueberries (trying to inject something healthy).  I took two bites and my stomach alerts me that there is no way in hell I am eating anything.

Four glasses of water really did its number by making me feel full all morning…or maybe it was the Skinny Bird.

I tried to take the Collagen Love again, but I couldn’t.  I decided that it is best to try this Hum Nutrition thing all over again tomorrow, but with the new modifications from the lessons learned today.

Discussion re: the Beauty Routine

I sent links to my friend for the products I tried this morning.  I complained I had no idea what I was doing or why nothing came with instructions (the Clinique products did, but it didn’t help).

I started off applying the Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+R.  It was a wand.  I assumed I was supposed to spread the wand in places where wrinkles may or may not be forming.

Second, I applied the Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator.  Next, I applied the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief.  Then I mixed the Shiseido sunscreen with the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and applied it to my face as the finale.

Starting off with the first step…my friend notes my first of several errors.

After washing my face, I should have applied toner.  I never use toner.  It dries my face out.  She just shook her head and explained that toners come in various strengths.  The purpose of the toner is so that your face is prepared to receive all of the beauty care you are about to apply to your face.  That is why it is essential.

Next, with the serum, I needed to dab it onto the palm of my hand, and then rub my two palms together to ‘warm it up’ before applying it all over my face.  For the areas I want to focus on, I should dab another dot on my finger and focus on applying the serum diligently to those target areas.

For the moisturizer + sunscreen, she told me to pick just one moisturizer.  I apparently put on three different moisturizers this morning.

Now, my face is ready for makeup.

The Evening Routine

After dinner, I took my makeup off and started with the evening’s routine.  Here are the products I used:


As my friend says, the first thing you need to do every night is remove your makeup.  I use Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes to remove all of my makeup.  Next, I wash my face with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser.  I love the smell of this product.  It smells so clean!

Next, I apply the Bliss eye cream.  I start with the eye cream because my eyes are the most sensitive area on my face.  I should probably mention at some point that I have uber-sensitive skin.  I don’t want any other product on my fingers when I touch the area around my eyes or I will have an allergic reaction.  That is why I start with the eye cream first.

After applying the eye cream, I use the Bliss Thinny Thin Chin on my neck.  After surgery to remove a tumor in my neck a few years back, I noticed my neck was quickly aging.  I’ve been using this product for the past few months off and on.  My friends say they don’t notice anything, but also noted that since I’m losing weight, that could be the reason why my neck looks (to me) like it is aging.    We’ll see if this product works.

For my night cream, I decided to go with the Farmacy Sleep Tight Night Balm.  This product is a little different from my other night creams.  It feels like there is a gel on your face all night long.

Every time I use this night balm, I wake up in the middle of the night to Matthew Lucifer (my Maine Coon cat) lying on my chest, licking the product off of my face.  I always have to fight him off.

What I like about this balm is that my face feels super soft in the morning.  For those looking for some extra plump, this really does plump up your face too.

After I finished applying all of these facial products, I applied some KP Duty to my arms.  I have what is known as keratosis pilaris (aka chicken skin).  This is a lovely skin issue I picked up from my dad’s side of the gene pool.  I’m not sure if this product even works, but I’m going to give it a whirl and couple it with using coconut oil on my spa days.

[KP duty is also a favorite middle of the night licking session for Matthew.  I had to keep hiding my arms under the sheets.  He kept pulling the sheet back to get to my arms.  I swear that cat is nuts.]

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I learned what I did wrong in the beauty department, and there were a lot of errors today.  I am thankful that my late night routine was on par, even though I forgot to brush and floss.

One last note on making new changes stick, and this is a lesson I learned from “The Secret.”  If any change you make in your life is something that brings you joy, then you will learn to stick with the new program.  You have to figure out what about this brings you joy.  You have to surround yourself with joy in order for all of your dreams and wishes to come true.

If you are trying to lose weight, but hate working out, you need to find something in the exercise process that brings you joy.  Focus on that joy every single time you go to workout.  It will change your mindset.  In the end, this is about finding happiness in the changes you are making.

So that’s it for today.  Tomorrow, I will be back on the Hum Nutrition testing ground with the new modifications, and correcting everything I did wrong throughout the day!

xxoo,

Michelle

[Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links.]




Beauty Journal and Reviews Are Coming

Hello Lovelies,

I turned 41 last week.  As I pondered aging, I started to think about how I could live a better life.  Keeping that in mind, the presents I purchased for myself this year consisted of beauty care from the inside/out.

When I received the packages, my first thought was: “How does this work?”

I am one of those lucky women who are blessed with good genes when it comes to youth and beauty.  My mother still does not look 40 years old yet, and she’s 66 years old.  I use the absolute bare minimum when it comes to makeup.  I also have little to no beauty routine.

People assume I don’t wear makeup.  I use Bare Minerals powder foundation, eye shadow and lipstick.  That is it.

Pre-makeup, it’s just moisturizer.

You can say I use the bare minimum, because I don’t understand how the other stuff works.  I watch makeup tutorials and ask why people put so much crap on their face.  It doesn’t make sense to me, beyond the need to look fake, rather than accentuating the best parts of your own beauty.

Sure, I can see the logic for some women who want to cover up acne, scars, deformities or marks on their face.  I can understand why they choose to hide their imperfections, because we live in a world that demands we look perfect.

Keeping this in mind, even though I’ve been lucky to get away with doing the bare minimum in maintenance, I decided it is time to think about my 50’s and 60’s.  What will keep my youthful glow into old age?

There are many women that are defying age.  Just look at Christie Brinkley, Jessica Lange, Tina Turner, Goldie Hawn, Ellen DeGeneres and Helen Mirren.  All of these ladies look phenomenal at their age.  Sure, you can say plastic surgery and Botox.  But not everyone goes that route.



History

My mother is an immigrant.  She’s one of the many Asian women that married a GI during and after the Vietnam War.  She came to America and four years later she had her first child…me.

My mother was born into an impoverished family.  She had 8 brothers and sisters.  They lived in the mountains of northern Thailand.

Having such a large family, my grandparents found it increasingly difficult to feed their growing family.  They did what many people have done over the last thousands of years.  They sold their daughter into slavery so that they could feed their family for a few months.

That daughter they chose was my mother.  She was eight years old.

My mother went to live with a wealthy woman who beat her, poured a pot of boiling rice on her head, and made her life a living hell.  When my mother had her first period, there was no one to tell her how to take care of herself.

She was washing her underwear in a basin when the woman came home.  She wanted to know where her dinner was.  She looked down at the bloody underwear sitting in the water, picked it up and smashed it in my mother’s face.

At the age of 15, my mother ran away to Bangkok.  Six years later, she met my father.  She decided she wanted to live in a country where her children could not be sold into slavery, so she married an American.



My Childhood

Keeping in mind my mother’s past, imagine what it is like to have a daughter in America.  This world is very different from a third world country’s point of view.  Makeup, beauty, taking care of yourself are all things that do not matter.

When my mother first came to America, she lived in a black neighborhood.  My grandfather is well known in Indianapolis.  During a time when blacks could not buy homes or take out a home loan, my grandfather became the bank.  He bought up houses and rented them out to the black community.  He allowed them to rent to own.

No one was ever late on their payments.

He did this for decades.  Unlike most white landlords, my grandfather lived in that community.  He did not live in a huge mansion in a white affluent neighborhood.  He lived in the community he invested in.

When my mom came to America, she had to learn how to cook American food.  This is where I’m the lucky one.  She was taught by the women in that community.  She learned how to make soul food.

She still made Thai food, adapting some of the recipes.  For instance, papaya salad became hot carrot.  Papaya wasn’t readily available, so she used carrot, which is actually much better, because it retains the flavors.

We lived next to my grandfather until I was 4 years old.  We moved around a lot until I hit the 6th grade.  By then, I was tired of moving all of the time, so I asked if this could be our last stop.  They stayed there until a few years after I graduated from high school.

I won’t go into the sad story of my upbringing, but keeping in mind my mother’s childhood, imagine trying to raise an American daughter.  When I got my first period, it was my friend that helped me, not my mother.  When I told her, she showed me the maxi pads and gave me this look like…figure it out.

I learned about makeup and fashion through magazines and television.  My mother simply wasn’t a good role model or teacher when it came to learning about becoming a woman.  I had to figure it out on my own.  And yes, I stole her makeup all of the time.

She didn’t tell me to brush and floss or brush my hair.  I had to figure out how to whiten my teeth (which was before teeth whiteners were popular).  But I will say this…she gave me the freedom to dress how I liked after I told her that her style sucked.  I was in the first grade when I told her this.

A little boy made fun of my pleated jeans.  I never wore them again.  She insisted on having me wear this ugly blue, yellow and white polka dot outfit.  That didn’t turn out so well.  To this day, I still do not allow my mother to buy any form of clothing for me.  She gave me enough fashion nightmares to last a lifetime.

My mother and I do not have a relationship.  There was always a disconnect.  I had to figure out how to become a woman without her help.  She simply was not a mother to me.  The only time she tried to be a mother was after her friend told her that she was missing out on the best years of my life (i.e. prom).

My hair was done exactly the way I liked it.  After my mom’s friend told her she needed to be part of this ritual, she walked in and fucked up my hair.  I have the prom photos to show how horrible it was.

Looking back at her own childhood, it explains why our lives are the way they are.  She never forgave her parents for selling her into slavery, even though she sent money home (and still does).  Today, her siblings receive that money.

As a child, her focus was on keeping a very evil woman appeased so that she could have food and shelter.  She didn’t have a mother figure around to teach her about becoming a woman.  Her learning experience was traumatizing.  So how could she teach a young girl how to become a woman, when she herself had her own disconnect?



Today

This brings us to today.  Something they don’t tell you as you get older is how your body changes.  Puberty is one stage, but mid-30s going into your 40s, peri-menopause, menopause…the changes do not stop.

You have to change your diet, not because you want to be healthy, but because you have no choice.  Junk food, spicy food, non-stop carbs are going to be very painful experiences.  Too much meat can also cause upset stomachs.

You’ve also got your aches and pains forming all over your body.  My doctor told me that I have a very high tolerance to pain, because I never complain about it.  He said my body just radiates pain.  Hey, you get used to the pain after awhile.

At 41, I wanted to start focusing on making myself better.  I ordered a bunch of Hum Nutrition products and beauty care products (not makeup, just beauty care).  I even bought a ginormous curling iron.

After all of these years of doing the bare minimum in beauty care, I decided to actually start caring about my overall maintenance.  I’m now at the age where I can say that I’m not doing this for someone else or to attract someone else’s attention.  I am doing this solely for myself.

So this is where I announce that I’ll be sharing a daily entry on this progress.

I will tell you right now that Day One involved a lot of vomiting.  That lesson learned will make Day Two better.  I will incorporate those changes so I’m not vomiting up pills.

I’ll talk about the things I’m doing, the beauty products I’m using and the progress on trying out Hum Nutrition.  Here are the products I purchased and will be using:

I will say that after trying out the Green Superfood Powder this morning, it worked instantly.  I felt like it was a majorly good thing for my skin.  It even helped with my digestion, which is what many of these products claim are the main issue for everything that ails us.

I ordered so many beauty products, my friend had to explain to me this morning how it all worked.  I swear, there are no guides that tell us what product goes on when.  I gave her a list of what I put on this morning and she informed me that I moisturized three times this morning.  I told you…I have no idea what I’m doing.

That’s the point to this little daily journal attempt.  I’m going to test what works, what doesn’t work, and how it is supposed to work.  I imagine there will be a lot of trial and error, like figuring out how to take these supplements without puking my guts up.

At any rate, I hope you’ll follow along on this adventure.  Maybe even share some hints on what you’ve learned that works for you.

xxoo,

Michelle



[Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links.]

50 Items from J.Crew Every NYC It Girl Has In Her Closet

Every NYC It Girl goes to J.Crew for the basics.  Striped shirts, stadium coats, button up shirts, t-shirts, skirts and blazers are all in their arsenal.

J.Crew is my go-to for every single preppy basic a woman needs in her closet.  Their basics are not always so basic.  They put a fresh spin on it.  Sometimes a striped t-shirt will have extremely long buttoned cuffs.  Each year, they release their classic stadium coat in a new eye alluring color.

The items from J.Crew withstand the test of time.  Each season, I buy the exact same thing in a new color.  I have the same striped shirt in several colors and lengths.  I own several stadium coats in various colors.  T-shirts come in every shade of the pretty rainbow that J.Crew plucks out of the sky.

The most incredible thing about buying J.Crew basics is that every season they showcase those basic items and show you how to style it for the new season.  Whoever thought to wear a button up under a t-shirt?  J.Crew thought of it.  Why not tuck part of your shirt in and leave the rest out?  J.Crew thought of that, too.

They bank on their It Girls already owning the exact same basic products they advertise.  That is why their catalogs showcase each of those items, but present you with a new way to wear those basics each season.

That mint top you purchased last year will go perfectly with their new tulle skirt this season.  Those pink pants you bought last season will match the new vibrant pink shoes this season.  That striped basic top, you should try pairing with a floral pencil skirt.  The  bright yellow top you bought and have no idea how to wear it, don’t worry, it will go with this season’s pink skirt or with the emerald green jacquard pants this winter.

J.Crew provides inexpensive basic pieces you can play up or down each season.  They bank on their customers owning the basics from their collection.  Their catalog each season shows you exactly how to wear the current fashion trends with the basics you already own.  That is the beauty of J.Crew.  In a way, it is very French chic.

What to Buy

Here are pieces every NYC it girl has in her closet.  For those new to J.Crew, you should focus on purchasing a black blazer, striped t-shirt, a colorful assortment of t-shirts in various grades (the weight of the tee is different according to season), a stadium coat, trench coat, a white button down shirt, and a cashmere sweater.

You can go neutral if you want, but try buying items in various colors.  Each season, those colors are reintroduced in a new way, paired with an item you may already own, or you can invest in.

J.Crew is a classic way of learning how to build up your wardrobe with qualitative pieces that have staying power.

Changing the Narrative: Learning from Lucinda Chambers Vestoj Interview

If you love fashion, especially the industry gossip, you probably read the Vestoj interview with former British Vogue fashion editor Lucinda Chambers.  If you haven’t read it, read the linked article above, because it is very informative.

I want to point out the last part of the article, which I believe is very important for the future of magazines, newspapers and blogging.

From Lucinda Chambers’s Interview

There are very few fashion magazines that make you feel empowered. Most leave you totally anxiety-ridden, for not having the right kind of dinner party, setting the table in the right kind of way or meeting the right kind of people.

Truth be told, I haven’t read Vogue in years. Maybe I was too close to it after working there for so long, but I never felt I led a Vogue-y kind of life. The clothes are just irrelevant for most people – so ridiculously expensive. What magazines want today is the latest, the exclusive. It’s a shame that magazines have lost the authority they once had.

They’ve stopped being useful. In fashion we are always trying to make people buy something they don’t need. We don’t need any more bags, shirts or shoes. So we cajole, bully or encourage people into continue buying. I know glossy magazines are meant to be aspirational, but why not be both useful and aspirational? That’s the kind of fashion magazine I’d like to see.

Thoughts

This article really made me think over what I wanted to do with this site.  For those who come here often, you may notice there are slight changes occurring around the site.  I started working with sponsors and book publishers, even Amazon, to create a better site, one that generates an income.

After I spend so many hours monetizing the site, putting up legal disclosures and posting content, I have to ask myself if the posts are in line with the core values of the site.  I realize that in order for the site to generate an income I have to have the monetary posts along with the real content…the stuff my original readers come for.

I was reminded by a film director yesterday that I needed to keep in line with the goal of the site.  The ‘fluff’ pieces generate a lot of hits, but it is not qualitative content.  It is not the soul of what this site means.




When people ask me about the site’s name, they fear the word ‘perfectionist.’  When I explain that’s why it says ‘wannabe,’ and how we are not perfect, but we all strive to be, it makes sense.  It is the perfect title, because those who strive to be a better version of themselves, strive to perfect themselves in the things they do, but always fall short.  We always learn something new every single day on how to be better than we were yesterday.

Consumerism

I don’t like consumerism, yet I participate in it.  I own a rather large wardrobe.  I KonMari’d the hell out of that thing every season.  I am still nowhere closer to having only a few items, because everything brings me joy.

I still buy handbags, even though what I pay is 2-3 months worth of rent in NYC for one bag.  I bought two Celine handbags this year, but I didn’t stop there.  I bought a Prada, a Balenciaga, a Valentino and a Fendi.  This is all in the state of perfecting my own fantasy wardrobe [curating a wardrobe that I always dreamed of having].

The reality of my wardrobe is that I have low end and high end, just like every serious fashionista out there.  I still shop at Gap, Ann Taylor, Loft and Forever 21.  They are my low end stores, because they dish out quality.  I still own tank tops I bought 15 years ago from the Gap.  That is what I mean by quality.  That is how a wardrobe is supposed to be built…on quality.

There are a lot of trials and errors with fashion because we don’t know if an item we purchase is going to unravel or discolor after the first or 100th  wash.  We don’t know how many events we are going to have to go to where we will need a different outfit each time.

We can’t go to work wearing the same outfit two times a week.  I know there are women that do that and I don’t agree with it, especially if it is not a uniform and you can afford to buy clothes.

I also have a hard time believing people launder their clothes 2-3 times a week, especially if you are in NYC.  If you’re a stay at home parent, ok, maybe I can see it.




Building The Perfect Wardrobe

People always comment that I take good care of my clothes.  The truth is that I have a month’s worth of pants, mainly black, that I wear.  I stick to the same brands: Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, NY & Co., and Lane Bryant.  I have the pants tailored to fit.  Those pants have lasted me 15 years and still going.

Most items in my closet I wear once a year.  There are some items that I layer or are easy pieces that I wear once a month.  I donate anything that does not fit well, or after a washing the stain won’t come out.

I wear each of my couture pieces once a year, because people notice it.  These pieces are treasured pieces that are only worn when I want to feel beautiful and extraordinary.

I switch out my handbags all of the time, because that is one item I do not want to show any wear.  They are collector’s pieces to me. I may love my Fendi tote and want to use it all of the time, but I force myself to use the other 100 bags in my wardrobe.  If I don’t, that Fendi won’t last long.

Keep in mind, I was not in my 20’s when I started buying couture.  That’s when I started dreaming of the ‘someday’ fantasy wardrobe.  I was in my mid-30’s when I purchased my first Valentino.

It takes time to build your perfect closet…and I think that is what all women aspire to do.  They aspire to perfect their closet.

Debt For Fashion

We look to magazines, celebrities, fashion icons, fashion bloggers, etc. on how to dress each season.  There are $14,000 gowns, $5,000 handbags, $3,000 shoes that are showcased in magazines like Vogue.  Somehow we are supposed to own these items.

But the truth is, how many of those items are actually sold?  A celebrity doesn’t want to be caught in the same dress as another celebrity.  So who are the people buying these dresses?  We can assume it’s the uber-rich, but people like to pretend they are in that crazy rich category.

We live in a culture where people live this fantasy life that they are one of the cool kids, because they own a Birkin or have the latest IT fashion off the runway.  They have an in-disposable amount of income where they can buy all of these things, when in reality they probably just have a lot of credit card debt.




Let’s talk about that credit card debt.  I bet you didn’t know that a lot of fashion bloggers and people that work in fashion are in serious debt because of fashion.  Thank God for Rent the Runway in NYC.  That’s been a lifesaver for many that work in the fashion industry and need to wear designer clothing daily.  But that debt?  It is real.

People in fashion do not make a lot of money unless they are one of the big time people.  There are very few that are making millions of dollars a year like Chiara Ferragni from The Blonde Salad.  Even the fashion bloggers I follow have a day job and freelance on the side.

Sure, fashion bloggers make more money than hockey bloggers, but it takes a lot of business smarts to create that income.  It’s not just about those invites to fashion shows and where you are sitting.  It takes more than a great Instagram photo to get Edward Enniful’s attention (and yes, I’m one of the lucky ones).  It takes character and knowing how to market and project yourself.

If you’re lucky, a designer or retailer will work with you.  It’s what you create in that relationship that determines your success.  Some bloggers work for free stuff.  The more serious bloggers demand payment for space on their site and use of their brand.

What is In

Most people pretend to live extravagant interesting lifestyles.  That is the content that is IN.  They give the illusion that you should want to be them.  You need to be jealous of them and what they are doing or wearing.  But like Lucinda Chambers says, she is not living that perfect lifestyle.  She is living far from it.

What magazines and everyone is selling is a FANTASY.  They want to show you that living a perfect life where you live, eat, dress, and do extravagant things are very real.  You have perfect, beautiful friends, lovers and significant others.  Beautiful people surround you.  You workout and are super thin with incredible skin and hair.  Your home looks like the pages out of an Elle Decor magazine.  They are selling you a dream that will never come true.



Looking Perfect Is Not What It Seems

I’ll admit that right now, I have the most amazing ombre wall with a piece of Chanel artwork from Oliver Gal.  It looks amazing and brings me joy every time I look at it.  I still have yet to finish painting the other three walls, because I can’t decide if I want the entire living room to be ombre or one color.  If I decide on one color, which color will that be?

I still have paint canisters for the living room and kitchen sitting around staring back at me every day.  There are tiles that still need to go up, artwork that needs to go up or be sold, and stuff all over the kitchen table.  My plants are all dying.  I keep finding new places where the cat puked.

Trust me, this entire home is still a work in progress no matter how many awesome things I bring into it.  If only we could purchase just a few things to decorate our home and it looks exactly like the magazine ad.

I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that have the same predicament as me.  You get an idea in your head of how you want to decorate.  You try one thing after the other and you hope somehow it will all come together until you are inundated with so much stuff.

Pretty soon the clutter starts forming.  Nothing matches.  There is no theme.  Your home looks nothing like the one in the magazine where you got the idea to begin with!

I oftentimes look at the pictures from magazine spreads and ask where all of the paper is.  Where do they put all of the pieces of paper they collect?  You can’t tell me paper isn’t in their home.  I know it has to be somewhere.  Where do they hide it?

False Narratives

What I’m trying to get at is that nobody has a perfect home or life.  It’s just smoke and mirrors.  Even the Kardashians photoshop their images, just like the majority of magazines and advertisements do.   We are left to believe that no one has stretch marks, acne, cellulite or a layer of fat hanging from their arms.  Everybody has teeny tiny waistlines.




The false narratives are the issue in our world today.  We live in a world where everything is fake.  We no longer know what is real anymore.  We watch the world around us and believe that we will have a better life if we own X.  We are not somebody unless we are rich and famous, so we must all aspire to  be that.  No one will love us if we are fat, ugly, have skin problems, balding issues, etc.  People will hate us if we are not perfect.

That is the current narrative.  No matter how many people try to create positive narratives, they still feel small when someone comes along and rips apart everything they’ve worked so hard for to be accepted.  They are shamed for being themselves, something different than the perfect narrative.

Be Useful.  Be Aspirational.

Getting back to the quote above…what is wrong with being useful and aspirational?  How can we create a new narrative that is both useful and aspirational without selling something fake?  The truth is we are all wannabes.  We all strive to be perfect and fit into that perfect narrative.

But we are not perfect.  Perfection is an illusion.  It is not something attainable without adding some lies on top of it.  An airbrush here, tons of makeup there, a photoshop here and there…they’re all lies that cover up the truth.  Why can’t the truth be beautiful?  Why can lies be the only thing that is beautiful?

I challenge everyone to create a new narrative.  Be useful.  Be aspirational.  Don’t be a sellout that only goes where money beckons.  Be behind the product you pitch to your readers.  Be real with what is truly going on in your world.  We need to be the change.




5 Books To Read This Summer

Looking for something new to read this summer?  There are  a few that are out that you can purchase now, and a few coming out this August.

1. Unraveling Oliver.  Considered to be one of the IT books of 2017, “Unraveling Oliver” tries to explain why Oliver Ryan, a prominent Irish children’s book author, beat his wife into a coma.  Never having displayed violence before, Oliver’s friends try to explain what happened to him.  From his childhood all the way into his adult years, Oliver’s story is unraveled piece by piece.

At first, you will feel sorry for Oliver.  As the story completely unravels, you realize just how horrible of a human being he was.  He commanded the respect of others for decades.  One act brought him down.

[Due to be released August 22, 2017.]

2. The Leaf Reader.  This mystery will keep you guessing all the way until the end.  Marnie Wells is an outcast, because she’s one of the weird kids.  She starts reading tea leaves for the popular kids and winds up deep into the tale of what happened to Andrea Quinley, one of the girls that went missing.

Her best friend, Matt Cotrell, seeks Marnie out to see if she has the answers he’s looking for, sending them on a chase to find Andrea, who is presumed dead.  Instead, they uncover a much deeper secret that threatens both of their lives.  Andrea’s disappearance is linked to Marnie, just not in a way anyone could ever imagine.

This book will have you guessing all the way until the end.  The details are always unraveling.  Nothing is ever set in stone where you can guess who did what.  A must read for those who love thrillers.

[Book is out now.]

3. The Hearts We Sold. Imagine we live in a world where demons walk beside us and they are out in the open.  Everyone knows demons exist.  People trade parts of their bodies for wishes without ever asking what they do with the body parts.

Dee Moreno is in a tough spot when she discovers that her scholarship to a boarding school is drying up.  She has to come up with the money for the rest of school or find somewhere else to go.  She doesn’t want to return to her dysfunctional home.

When she sees a demon knitting outside of the hospital where she volunteers, she decides to take a chance.  She gives the demon her heart in exchange for money that will get her through a doctorate program (if that’s what she wants).  In return, she has to do the demon’s bidding over the course of 2 years.

What she doesn’t know is why the demon is sending her and a group of teens to do his bidding.  She has no idea what these demons are trying to do with their body parts.  What they discover is much scarier than the thought of demons walking the Earth.

[Due out August 8, 2017]

4. DragonWatch.  If you are looking for your next YA series, FableHaven is a great place to start.  FableHaven is a 5 book series that takes place at a sanctuary for mythical creatures.  DragonWatch picks up where FableHaven leaves off.

With the Demon King vanquished, the Dragon King rises.  He wants out of the sanctuary and into the world.  Our heroes Seth and Kendra head off to the dragon sanctuary to be the new caretakers.

The kids need to prove to everyone that they can do the job and keep the dragons at bay.  Their adventure takes them on an adventure to find a way to keep the castle safe.  If the dragons overtake the castle, they can escape into the world.  What the two discover is that they need each other to be strong, but they also must learn how to be fearless on their own.

Brandon Mull is one of my favorite young adult authors.  The FableHaven series (and now DragonWatch) is an incredible universe to escape to.  You will see the beauty in fairies and unicorns, but also the very ugly and scary in demons, trolls, and creatures that you don’t want to bump into.

For those looking for a series, this is one worth diving into.  You’ll fall in love with this world.

[All books in the series and DragonWatch are out now.]

5. A Dog’s Purpose.   For those who love animals (especially dogs), this is the book for you.  We follow one dog’s soul as he (or she) goes from one dog’s life to another.  Each life bears an important part in the dog’s future lives.

The story though is about Bailey and his boy, Ethan.  The two grow up together and have many grand adventures together, including getting lost in the woods.  But Bailey can’t live forever and eventually dies at an old age.  He is reborn again and again.

As a police dog, she learns how to search and find.  She sees her purpose is to help save lives.  In her next life, he uses that search and find technique to find his boy again.

This time his boy is an old man who is alone and has no purpose.  It is up to Bailey to help Ethan find his purpose.  All the while, he hopes that Ethan will realize that he is really Bailey.

A wonderful story as told by a dog.  This book will make you hug your fur babies (and monsters) a little closer.  It will make you love and appreciate them a little bit more.

[This book is currently out.]

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of books 1-4 above from publishers in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

Unraveling Oliver

Unraveling Oliver is set to be released on August 22, 2017.  A prominent Irish children’s book author snaps and puts his wife into a coma.  People that know Oliver Ryan help put the pieces together to explain why this happened.  Who exactly was Oliver Ryan?  What could make him snap that day?  As the pieces unravel from the various points of view as told by the people that knew him and Oliver, we discover the truth and the lies that were spun since he was a child.  An excellent read.  This book is one of the must reads of 2017-2018.  This debut from Liz Nugent is among the top buzz books selected by publishers to be the IT book of the year.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.] 

A Dog’s Purpose

For those who love animals, especially dogs, this is the book for you.  This is the story of a dog who lives many lives and one day finds his purpose with a boy named Ethan.  With each life, he remembers his previous life and it helps him get through that life until one day, he finds his boy again.  An old man now, Bailey tries to bring Ethan joy again, to give him purpose.  He finds Ethan’s first love and brings them together again.  All the while, Bailey hopes that Ethan will see him as he truly is, the dog he loved as a boy.  This is an incredible journey.  The story makes you hug your furbabies (or fur monsters) a little closer and appreciate the joy they bring to your life.  As far as life lessons, you start to see how all of the various things that happen in our lives happen for a reason.  It all leads to our own purpose in life.

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]    

The Hearts We Sold

The Hearts We Sold is set to be released August 8, 2017.  Imagine going about your regular life and all of a sudden you learn that Demons really do exist.  As in, the whole world now knows that Demons exist.  They do not harm humans, but will grant you your wish in exchange for a body part.  It becomes acceptable to see people with missing limbs.  Dee Moreno is on the verge of being kicked out of school, because her scholarship program is coming to an end.  She can’t bear the thought of returning to her dysfunctional home, so she makes a deal with a demon in exchange for her heart and errands as he commands.  She works with a group of teens to run those errands for the demon.  She has no idea what this means in the grander scheme of things.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

The Leaf Reader

An incredible story from Emily Arsenault.  This mystery will keep you guessing all the way to the end.  Andrea Quinley disappears.  She is presumed dead.  There are no answers to the many questions everyone has on her disappearance.  Marnie Wells is a classmate of hers that everyone thinks is strange.  One of the popular girls becomes obsessed with her tea leaf readings because of its accuracy.  She starts to tell everyone about it, which leads to Matt Cotrell, Andrea’s best friend, to seek Marnie out for a reading to see if she can find Andrea.  There are so many twists and turns throughout this book, you will never guess what will happen, who dies, or who killed who.  An intriguing thriller you will enjoy.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]  

The Land Beyond the Wall

The Land Beyond the Wall is set to be released December 1, 2017.  This is an amazing story of how Veronika Martenova Charles left her country.  The story is mixed in with her immigration tale of how she wound up in Halifax after her parents went missing.  The challenges of not knowing a language, being alone and an orphan in a new place makes you see the plight of a refugee in a very different light.  The book is beautifully illustrated and written.  It is a book that all children should read so that they can understand the plights of the many children around the world who are alone, orphaned and just trying to find a new home away from the tyranny of their homeland.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]  

The Only Way I Can

Have you ever wanted to be something you weren’t just so you could live your dream?  In this book, Rabbit wants to watch the sun set.  He sees Bird flying around and wants to see the sun through his eyes.  Bird tries to help him learn how to fly.  After several failed attempts, Rabbit doesn’t give up.  He finds another way.  This tale is about finding your own way by using your own strengths to achieve your goals.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.] 

Dragonwatch

Brandon Mull continues the beloved FableHaven series with a spinoff called “Dragonwatch.”  Kendra and Seth killed the Demon King back in FableHaven, but in doing so have created a whole new problem…the rise of the dragons.  Each sanctuary exists to protect creatures of myth, but each species is dependent on the other to keep the other in check.  With the Demon King gone, the dragons want to be free.  Kendra and Seth head to the dragon sanctuary to be its new caretakers, but can two children keep the dragons in control?  This is an excellent read for those who love YA and the FableHaven series.  If you haven’t read FableHaven yet, you are missing out on one of the most amazing series in YA fiction.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.] 

The Tea Dragon Society

The Tea Dragon Society is set to be released on October 31, 2017.  This beautifully illustrated book is about a young girl who learns how to make tea from special leaves from a tea dragon.  This children’s book is a great way to introduce children to tea and its healing properties.  While reading this book, tea should be sipped.  I learned a lot about tea in this book.  I loved the magical characteristics Katie O’Neill brings to the story.  Tea takes on a fairy tale like story as we learn the importance of the tradition.  The book is beautifully done.  For those who love animé, you’ll love how this book is illustrated.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

Breathe Like a Bear

“Breathe Like a Bear” is set to be released on December 5, 2017. If you’re looking for a way to get your young’uns to stop a moment and take a breath, this is your book.  This is a great way to introduce meditation and relaxation to your kids.  It teaches them how to calm down and relax.  There are 30 different techniques in the book.  Even though this is great for kids, it is also great for the parents who read this to their kids.  It allows for you take a moment and breathe right beside your kids.  The book is beautifully done.  Kira is also a very charming lady. This is a wonderful book to add to your kid’s library.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

Sister Bear and the Golden Rule

One of the most important rules in life is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  In this case, Sister Bear learns the importance of being kind to others, no matter how horribly they treat you.  When a new girl arrives at Sister’s school, she isn’t nice to her.  What happens next is a life lesson on how important it is to remember to be kind to others.

[Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

Fashion Love

Satin Longline Jacket
One of my favorite new finds. I searched everywhere for a satin jacket for two years.  On a whim, I looked to see if Forever 21 had one and sure enough, this one popped up on their site.  It is lightweight and very comfortable.  The price is also sweet.
Satin Longline Jacket

Forever 21’s BOGO Free Sale on Clearance Begins Friday

Hello Lovelies,

I have great news for you.  Starting June 30th through July 4th, Forever 21 is having their Buy One Get One Free on their Clearance.  This is a sale I plan on hitting up.

Shop Forever 21: Buy One, Get One Free on Sale Items with Promo Code: BOGOFREE! (6/30 – 7/4)

Why Forever 21?

Over the past couple of years Forever 21 has become my go to source for items I can’t find in the big department stores.  When I was looking for maxi cardigans that go all the way to your ankles, no place had it.  I stopped into Forever 21, just by chance, and they had it.  Trust me when I say I stocked up.

I spent two years looking for a satin jacket.  The search finally came to an end when I found one online at F21.  It fit so well and looked gorgeous.  I received so many compliments on it.

I am a stickler about quality.  I find F21’s quality has improved over the years.  I bought a couple of tops the last time I was in Las Vegas (2 or 3 years ago).  They are still holding up very well.

Just recently, I was shopping around for the Miu Miu Lace Up Ballet Flats.  I loved the style, but not the price.  Something told me to check F21.  I found the exact same shoe for around $20.  [See post]

There are very few shops that are on my list of approved ‘low end’ stores.  F21 made the cut just because they seem to have whatever obscure piece of fashion I dream up that I want to add to my closet, and it’s not crap.  Each item I purchased has staying power.  I love their shoes and jewelry, too.  I also purchased a few handbags from them to add to my collection.

With all of the 4th of July sales coming up, this is one you will definitely need to shop, my dear fashionistas. Mark it down!

Shop Forever 21: Buy One, Get One Free on Sale Items with Promo Code: BOGOFREE! (6/30 – 7/4)

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please read further disclosure HERE.]

Fantasy Wardrobe: Gucci For Less

When I was in my early 20’s, fresh out of college, I worked for a political magazine.  My boss was a sought after political consultant who was on TV all of the time.  He introduced me into the world of the elite and society.

I love fashion.  I bought books on how to dress for political society, as well as any event that could come my way.  I picked up a part-time job in the Men’s Polo Ralph Lauren department and learned about clothes in a new way.  I learned about quality.

I had a steady progression.  I wore Ralph Lauren for years, then Kenneth Cole.  In later years, it grew to BCBG Max Azria and Calvin Klein.  As I reached my mid-30s, I switched to couture, thanks to a $2 Valentino dress I got at The Outnet clearance.

I still shop at The Gap, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Loft and Banana Republic.  But I also buy the investment pieces from the couture brands, because I know the pieces are going to last a very long time.

My weakness though are handbags.  I have a collection.  I started off with the designer labels (Kenneth Cole, etc.).  Then I bought my first Valentino bag second hand.  Next, I bought a Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Gucci.  I realized that I could build my couture handbag collection without spending thousands of dollars on brand new.  I learned that if I want a brand new bag, I shop around because I might find it for a cheaper price elsewhere.

Today, I’m sharing Gucci finds under $1k.  I paid $30 for my first vintage Gucci.  It is a black leather handbag that I still own to this day.  The girl didn’t know if it was real or not, but I looked at it closely and saw that it was indeed the real thing.

When you buy vintage or secondhand, you need to know how to spot a fake from the real, especially if it does not come with its own documentation.  There are plenty of instructional guides out there on how to spot fakes from the real deal.  Louis Vuitton is the only brand that is becoming more and more difficult to spot a fake from the real one.  LV is the only brand I will not purchase secondhand unless it is direct from a licensed retailer (like Portero or Fashionphile).

If you are looking to invest in a couture handbag, here are a few rules: 1) Never, ever buy white.  It gets dirty and discolors quickly.  2) When buying leather, make sure to buy it in a color that ages well.  Black and Tan colors age very well as the wear progresses.  3) Try to avoid suede for the long run.  It does not age well.  4) Go for functionality.  Totes are usually the way to go.  Go for leather or a material that wears well in the rain and is easy to clean off.  The Louis Vuitton Neverfull is one of the most popular bags.  Every major designer has their own version.  This type of tote is the best investment for bags that pack a punch.  5) Buy a classic look, i.e. one that will last for years to come.

Take a look at some of my Gucci favorites under $1k.  Maybe you’ll find your first Gucci in this batch!