Limo heels

Economize. Further. Hair Care for Under Five Dollars a Pop

2009-03-03T18:56:32-08:00

As with many folks these days, I am trying to stretch my dollar and find ways to economize. Over the past year or two, I have written a number of posts describing my search for all natural, cruelty-free hair care products that are less expensive.

I found a number of great hair care products for around $10 a piece, such as Pure & Basic shampoos and conditioners, alba Botanica leave-in conditioner, and my favorite: olive & avocado deep conditioning masque by earth science.

Now, I want to try to push my cost savings even further without compromising my caring for my lovely locks. My latest budget beauty finds are shampoos and conditioners by Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's, for the uninitiated, is a grocery store unlike any other. It's practically a Californian institution as it got it's start in the Golden State. I just feel like I'm in California when I'm in a Trader Joe's--even when I'm in the Trader Joe's in Edgewater, New Jersey (whenever I visit my aunt in New Jersey, we go to the Mitsuwa asian grocery store next door to TJ's)!

I bought two sets of Trader Joe's shampoos and conditioners, which should keep me going for the next two to three months (I wash and condition my hair only once or twice a week), that list many all natural ingredients and claim to be cruelty-free and do not include animal products, laurel or laureth sulfates (according to the labels).

The first is Trader Joe's Refresh Citrus Shampoo and Condition with vitamin C is priced at the bargain value of $2.99 each for 16 ounces. The second is Trader Joe's nourish SPA line that costs a dollar more at $3.99 a piece for a bit more product at 16.9 ounces.

I'll provide an update once I have had the opportunity to try both sets of shampoos and conditioners.

New Heels, Albeit at a More Recession-Friendly Price Point

2009-01-26T20:09:15-08:00

As the U.S. and global economies are in dire straits, now is not the best time to splurge on a new pair of Christian Louboutin heels. However, that is not to say, that I won't be doing my part to contribute to the U.S economy by acquiring new cute shoes.

I bought not one, but two new pairs of shoes from bebe. I bought the bebe round-toe London Mary Jane Platform Pumps in black patent and another pair in tan patent. These shoes are so cute, and of course, very sexy. I love the two-tone leather and of course, the super-tall height. In addition, I was able to take advantage of a bebe promotion of a $100-off coupon at the bebe Collections boutique on Market Street in San Francisco (thank you Kimmy for your help).

bebe London Mary Jane Platform Pump in black patent and leather, $159, bebe.com

However, what I like about these shoes and many other bebe shoes are the thicker platforms in the front of the shoe. I get the best of both worlds: a more comfortable arch, a lower arch, without sacrificing the look of five-inch or taller heels.

bebe London Mary Jane Platform Pump in tan patent and leather, $159, bebe.com

For example, my Ali heels have a five inch heel, but with a inch and a half platform, so the true height is three and a half inches. Similarly, the bebe London pumps have a five and a half inch heel with a one and a quarter inch platform.

I really like this shoe design as it is ideal for wearing in the office. It just means that I can wear them pretty much all day long without feeling the pain of the a four inch or four and a half inch heels like many of my other shoes.

I did have to take both pairs to my local cobbler to have the toe box stretched as the shoes were a bit tight in my size and partly due to the round toe design.

In any, these shoes are super cute and will go well with all my new bebe suiting and bebe dresses that I have bought. While these shoes are far less expensive than my Louboutin Rolandos that I bought last September, I made up in spending with the purchase of clothes. Oh well!

Practice Makes Perfect

2008-12-21T17:22:39-08:00

If you all need help walking in super tall heels, the please read this article, Guide to Walking in High Heels Without Pain, that appeared in today's San Francisco Chronicle. I've seen plenty of women who should heed the tips in this story or should not be wearing high heels, because it ain't pretty or appealing.

My recommendation is simple: if you're going to wear four inch heels or above, then please make the investment in a pair that are well made, regardless of the brand or price. You're only placing you and your health at risk by wearing cheaply made high heels.

Commentary on This Week's On The Street

2008-12-14T12:25:37-08:00

My favorite fashion reporter/photographer is Bill Cunningham's On The Street in which he has been chronicling what New Yorker's have been wearing for years--and yes, decades. However, I am big fan of the new web format of On The Street that takes advantage of the Internet's unique capabilities, namely Cunningham's audio commentary with the slide show.

It's much more illuminating to hear him discuss the week's photos and hear him describe what New Yorker's are wearing and why. I find it much more interesting to have both the visual and audio--particularly to hear the voice of the photographer after decades of photo montages that have appeared in the Sunday New York Times. A print montage that I swear I recall, yet have not found in the Times' online archives is collection of photos from circa mid-to-late 1990's of the Antique high-heel Mary Janes produced by Prada that were all the rage one fall season.

As a shoe fiend, I have certainly enjoyed Cunningham's recent stories on shoes being the focus of the outfit than the handbag.

In this week's photo essay entitled The Modern Woman and what they are wearing, I found one photo of a woman whose outfit is super cute with a very feminine full mini skirt, black jacket, black hobo and of course, the clearly visible red-soled trademark of Christian Louboutin black stilettos. I also love her inky black tights, which alone had been the subject of an On The Street feature wore by Parisian women.

Photo credit: Bill Cunningham, New York Times

All Decked Out for a 'Moonstruck' Evening

2008-11-23T12:59:36-08:00

In the 1987 movie, Moonstruck, Loretta (Cher) agrees to go to the Opera with Ronny (Nicolas Cage), the brother of her fiance, Johnny (Danny Aiello). The two go to a performance of 'La Bohème' at Carnegie Hall.

Last night, I have a wonderful evening with my gay husband Daniel (every woman needs one, at least in S.F.). We had dinner and then went to see 'La Bohème' at the San Francisco Opera. It was a beautiful show and as soon as I heard the song performed by Norah Amsellem in the second act (The Latin Quarter) I immediately recalled my memory of Moonstruck, my favorite movie with Cher and Nicolas Cage, which I hadn't seen in years.

As with Cher in the movie, I visited the hair salon prior to my visit to the opera. In my case, I went to the WAK Shack salon for a blow out and brow wax. This time, I had Heather do both and she did a great job. My brows were perfect, as always, and she put in plenty of curls using both the brush and curling iron. She used tons of hairspray to hold my 'do until my evening engagement several hours later.

Fortunately, I didn't have to take a cab to the opera house as Daniel arrived with his black Jag--a perfect compliment to our formal wardrobes and elegant evening.

As with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel and I were dressed-to-the-nines and color-coordinated. Daniel had been by my place a couple weeks prior to see the color of my top so he could color-match it to his outfit.

Daniel work black trousers with a plum-colored dress shirt, a purple and plum striped tie and a black, striped dinner jacket. He also wore his favorite pointy shoes (that made two of us). He also wore bling: not one, but two diamond anniversary rings that he received from his husband, Edgardo (who graciously let me borrow Daniel for the evening).

I wore exactly what I listed in my previous post entitled: Getting Girly for the Gala. I refrained from wearing any of the items I bought for this outfit until last evening. To recap, I wore a plum cardigan sweater wiith ruffled neckline and cuffs from Anne Fontaine with a matching camisole, a box pleat skirt from Milly in black silk, a pair of black Wolford Neon Glanz super-glossy hosiery, and of course, the best for last, my brand new black patent 'Rolando' stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin. I also brought along my black clutch from bebe. My bling consisted of my Gucci bangle watch (it's been so long since I wore last that I didn't realize until later in the evening that the battery stopped working) and a delicate silver necklace with the letter 'M' (for yours truly) from Tiffany & Co.

Both Daniel and I had a great time at the opera and both commented how wonderful a time we had dressing up for the evening. When we worked together, we would both come to work dressed-to-the-hilt despite the business casual environment. It was so much fun. This is what makes life worth living for: to share company with loved ones and dress to kill.

Hopefully, we'll have another opportunity to be all decked out and color-coordinated. My next social engagement is a dinner with a friend. Though scheduled last minute, I haven't had the time to even consider what to wear. Whatever it will be, I'll know it will be fabulous.

Changeling? No. Chameleon? Yes

2008-11-19T21:24:22-08:00

Between the balmy weather of the weekend past and being called out for my conspicuous consumption of bebe outfits by a coworker on the Monday following, it was as if my fever broke. I have emerged from my tunnel vision. It was if an intervention miraculously appeared like an act of God--or my very own Earl (from TV's Saving Grace), my last chance angel intervening on my behalf to save me. Or, maybe it's more like my bank accounts have run dry!

I have ceased wearing my head-to-to bebe outfits day-after-day and have changed up my outfits to more conservative, or more grown-up duds. Gone is the overt sexual and sexy exhibition in favor of more refined presentations.

I'm able to alter my appearance as deftly as a cuttlefish.

Let's take a gander at the week's outfits so far:

Monday, November 17th:
Shoes: Gucci Espadrille high heel wedges from the spring 2007 cruise collection
Dress: Sunhee Moon sateen shirt dress in apple green, spring 2008
Bag: bebe metallic silver baby bag, fall 2008

Tuesday, November 18th:
Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana eel skin trim patent brown 4.5 inch high heel pumps from fall 2005
Skirt: Elie Tahari double vented pencil skirt in light brown, spring 2004
Top: Thomas Pink brown and pink striped dress shirt with French cuffs, fall 2006
Bag: Christian Dior saddle bag 'Mexicane', spring 2002
Wallet: Dior monogram with camel leather, circa 2004-2005

Wednesday, November 19th:
Shoes: Prada pointy toe d'Orsay kitten heels, spring 2006
Pants: DKNY wool heather side-zip, creased-front pants in camel brown, circa late '90's
Top: BCBG cashmere boatneck sweater twinset in coral orange, circa late 1990's
Scarf: Nordstrom with burnt orange and browns
Bag #1: Kate Spade quilted bag (tiny), circa 2000's
Bag #2: PBB&O A3 Document in crimson red (gift from a friend visiting London), 2008

And for tomorrow, Thursday, November 20th?

Here's one idea:

Shoes: bebe 'Ali' snakeskin pumps in brown
Tights: Donna Karan Evolution Level 3 in glossy chocolate brown
Skirt: J.Crew Suede belted, short skirt in camel

Top: Theory turtleneck knit (heavyweight) sweater in brown
Bag: Coach stewardess bag in brown leather

And for Friday, November 21, 2008?

Maybe this idea:

Shoes: Cesare Paciotti monk strap black leather stilettos with 4.25 heels
Jeans: Rock & Republic wide-flared jeans
Belt: Dior black leather belt with rivets and chrome logo buckle
Top: drawing a blank. Maybe a logo tee
Jacket: Elie Tahari black suit jacket
Bag: Christian Dior small City Dior in pearlized gray
(there's no way I would bring to work my Lady Dior until I get the key that locks my desk)

I may not be wearing much of anything new, but I certainly have a stock pile of not so inexpensive wardrobe items.

More Exclusive = Less Conspicuous Among the Populous

2008-11-17T21:50:11-08:00

Today, I got called out on my conspicuous consumption of bebe clothes by a coworker. She told me that she and another coworker took a field trip to bebe after work to check out my new threads--and the prices. Suffice it to say that I got a good roasting this morning and not in a good way. I was outed for my excessive spending on new bebe clothes and accessories, including the fact that I purchased all three colors of the bebe 'Ali' pumps (fortunately, the heat wave that we have been having in the Bay Area the past few days caused me to change-up my wardrobe. I chose not to wear bebe today, but instead opt for my Sunhee Moon shirt dress in apple green with my Gucci espadrille wedges).

Yes, I admit to my numerous purchases at bebe, but I have taken advantage of the promotional coupons such as the $100-off the purchase of $300 (which I have used more than once).

I suppose the stars are aligned in terms of delivering me to a twelve-step program and placing me in recovery for my shopaholic behavior--I told my coworker on Friday that I had an addiction to buying clothes, but she just shrugged it off. Now, she knows.

It's funny, however. Not a week earlier, I had went to the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the de Young Museum (a must-see for anyone on the west coast or visiting San Francisco) with another co-worker who I learned was a fashion enthusiast, but with a more demure, less conspicuous approach than I.

I had commented to her that more exclusive, and not necessarily more expensive, or less well known brands tend to fly under the radar than those with gigantic advertising budgets.

Let's take my brand bebe for example.

bebe is home-town brand much like Levi's, The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Georgiou, The Sak and others. As a result, the company buys a lot of advertisting in local San Francisco Bay Area publications, bus stop shelter signs and has the Bay Area fairly well covered with stores in areas that serves it demographic (for example, there is a bebe in Walnut Creek and San Mateo, but not in Berkeley).

As a result, the Bay Area is well saturated with the bebe brand. Anyone who shops for clothes in the malls or in chic, chic areas from Union Street in San Francisco to Valley Fair mall in San Jose to the bebe outlet at the Great Mall in Milpitas is aware of bebe even if they haven't shopped there themselves.

Like the Louis Vuitton monogram logo that I have ranted about in the past, the mainstream public can identify with bebe in the clothing brand ecosystem: sexy, young women-oriented--and expensive. Many women I interact with from the woman who does my manicures and pedicures to others say that bebe is expensive. And, it is.

However, more exclusive brands that are less well known and which (in my case), may be more expensive (read: Cesare Paciotti) tend to be largely ignored among the great populous (at least in the Bay Area in which I have commented numerous times).

This is exactly the strategy of my other coworker (who I went to the YSL exhibit). She wears designs that are beautifully made and stylish, but are, to be blunt, nondescript to those not in the know. Only other fashionistas, or those exposed to fashion, would be aware of her fine, sartorial threads.

In other words, my coworker is hiding in plain sight.

I, on the other hand, intentionally draw the attention of others to myself (tt's my narcissism and vanity at work). In other cases, people are just as oblivious as to what I'm wearing. Take my outfit today. I did receive several compliments from other women in the office, but no one called me out on my espadrilles being from Gucci, let alone from Gucci's spring 2006 cruise collection.

It comes down to consumption communities. A term I learned of from James B. Twitchell's 2003 book, Living it Up: America's Love Affair with Luxury. According to Twitchell, a person's consumption community is the price point of products that a person is exposed to by herself and those around her. If you're zip code is in Pacific Heights or Hillsborough or Atherton, it's a pretty good chance that you would have first-hand knowledge of brands such as Piaget or Hermes.

For many, including myself, it is the work of the media and celebrity that has democratized fashion and fashion brands--particularly luxury brands. Louboutin is wildly popular primarily due to the many celebrity women who wear his shoes and his saturation of the retail channel ( I believe his shoes are too available. Exclusivity by price is not the sole determinant of a luxury brand). Brand extension has also played a factor, which Twitchell writes about. Brand extension is where luxury brands create "entry-level" or lower-priced products to reach more customers. Mercedes Benz is a good example. The C230 series, particularly the company's latest itineration, is very popular. However, brand extension can work in reverse. Witness Toyota's Lexus division winning numerous J.D. Power and Associates awards for customer satisfaction over the company's European rivals.

I have once again rambled into territory that I have addressed before. I'll closely saying that I while the weather remains to be unseasonably warm, I'll take it as an opportunity to wear my less consipicuous brands.

Witch Hazel: The Old Standby Facial Cleanser That Just Works

2008-11-03T07:15:42-08:00

Witch hazel is my facial astringent of choice as my daily facial cleanser and make-up remover. I will use specialty cleansers, but only for removing eye-makeup.

Witch hazel is inexpensive and all-natural. Yesterday, I needed to purchase a new bottle. I bought a "family-size"--32 ounces--bottle of T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Astringent at Walgreen's that I scored on sale for only $5.99.

I've used other, more expensive astringent cleansers that I bought at drugstores, department stores, or elsewhere, but I always come back to witch hazel as it just plain works and is affordable. I used to even buy the generic brand of witch hazel, but since Walgreen's has discontinued offering the product, I now buy T.N. Dickinson's brand.

There's not much more that I can write for a product that does the job and does so without a multi-million dollar ad campaign behind it telling me how great it is for five times the price of witch hazel.