Limo heels

Limo Heels Recommends: bebe Baby Bag: For More Than Just Diapers

Upon seeing the bebe Baby Metallic Diaper Bag on bebe.com, I immediately saw its value as a superchic bag as an adjunct tote to a handbag, to be used as a laptop bag, an athletic bag with its vinyl lining, or to simply use on its own. It's also superb for carrying all your latest fashion glossies as W magazine fits with ease.

I'm here to report that it's tres chic.

I've used it for all of ways I have listed above except as an athletic bag--yet. My original thought was to find something chic to carry my organic apples that I buy at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market rather than lugging around those clear plastic bags that the city of San Francisco is trying to eliminate. I do have my giant vinyl shopper from Mexico, but it did compliment my sporty outfit. I needed something a bit for fashionable and this bag fits the bill.

In addition to its metallic silver exterior, I love the gigantic tote size. The bag sports a super-cute hot pink vinyl lining with a zippered pocket, several more interior pockets, one zippered exterior pocket (great for carrying my Muni metro Fast Pass)--and here's the best part: four exterior pockets on each corner, which I have used to carry a laptop power cord (on dry days), a bebe Sport water bottle, and for a wet day today, to carry an umbrella.

For new mom's purchasing the bag for it's intended purpose, the bebe baby Metallic Diaper Bag includes a matching hot pink changing mat and a zippered pouch tethered to the interior. I would have preferred it to have some sort of clasp connector rather than sewed to the inside. Opposite the zippered pocket, the interior includes two elastic bands for securing the little one's baby bottles.

The only downside to the bag that concerns me is the handles. I fear that the handles can't handle the weight of a heavy laptop computer, or in my case, two issues of W magazine, an issue of 7x7 magazine, Vogue, and Elle for extended periods of time without fear of snapping them. I therefore have limited myself to carrying only those glossies I want to read (a side note: yes I recently subscribe across the board to all the major fashion glossies--I now have eight additional magazine subscriptions that I've subscribed to in one fell swoop--or binge). In addition, I think it might be time to upgrade to the new MacBook, which is both lighter and now comes in silver like its elder sibling. the MacBook Pro.

I give the bebe Baby Metallic Diaper Bag a "Limo Heels Recommends." As far as I know, you can only buy the bag on bebe's web site, bebe.com.

"Ali" McBeal: Limo Heels Award for Best Heels for Work, fall 2008

Even before the shoes were available, I knew I had to have them. I knew that if the shoes were offered in multiple colors, I would buy every color available.

That shoe is the Ali Snakeskin Pump from bebe. I haven't done any research into the shoes from other brands available this fall for me to correctly call it the "best shoe," but this is my blog.

My eye immediately gravitated towards the shoes in the web site photo, below, found on bebe's web site. Plus, the model is exiting a Town Car in her chic suit and heels. What better juxtaposition to advertise a serious outfit for work?

   

True to my word, upon becoming available, I immediately placed a reserve all three colors--black, brown and burgundy--in my size with Alicia, the manager, at bebe Collections--bebe's shoes and accessories boutique--on Market Street in San Francisco (415.227.9910).

 
Ali Snakeskin Pump in black, available at bebe boutiques and bebe.com, $149

On payday, I made a bee-line for the store and bought all three pairs of shoes. I used a $100-off fall promotional coupon across two sales, which helped reduce the overall total, but I had to buy a few extra items to qualify for the promotion requirements (this only meant that I got to buy even more cool bebe items). These items included a wicked cool pair of bebe Sabrina shield sunglasses (in gold trim), a bebe heart charm necklace, a bebe heart charm chain bracelet, and best of all, the gigantic bebe sunburst Swarovski bangle watch in silver, which I practically wear every day now. I LOVE bangles and, in particular, bangle watches. I own a silver bangle watch from Gucci that I purchased in 2000, but I think I have only worn a dozen times (I wear it only on special occasions).

Back to the shoes.

I have received nothing--nothing but compliments from women--my coworkers and women at the nearby Peet's Coffee and Tea, and elsewhere.

The reason I give the bebe Ali pumps my kudos for best fall 2008 heels for work is the design of the shoe. As we all know, big platform heels are all the rage this fall. The Ali pump includes a tall 4 1/2 inch heel and the Ali Snakeskin pump includes a one-inch platform in the front, versus the typical half-inch platform found on other shoes. This chunkier platform is key design element that makes the shoe more comfortable to wear at work as the true angle of the foot is only 3 1/2 inches.

Another great design element of the Ali heel that I enjoy versus even some of my other, more expensive high heels, is the actual design of the heel itself. The heel of the Ali pump is pushed to the very rear of the shoe and has no curvature to it--The heel itself goes straight down and is quite slender. As a result of this design, to the eye, the heel looks very tall as there is a lot of open space beneath the sole of the arched sole and the heel. This open space makes the shoes look much taller compared to other shoes that have thicker heel designs.

I love the Ali Snakeskin pump so much that I might just buy a second and third pairs in black, and a second pair in brown. These shoes are so perfect for work. I've work them (only) with skirts. I plan to wear the black pair with my new bebe Pressed Pintuck Pleated skirt suit and the black pair with my other new bebe suit--the more professional Clean Sharp Jacket and matching Angled Seam Pencil Skirt.

As I have written on more than one occasion, you can find conservative--but still sexy--suiting, tops, shoes and accessories for work at bebe. It's not all va-va-voom!

The Color Purple

My favorite color is purple. As much as I love purple, I find it can be a difficult color to wear.

 

Last fall, I picked up several purple items: a high-waist satin pencil skirt in dark purple (and another one in magenta) from bebe. To match, I scored a super cute pair of quilted satin platform bebe pumps that have a 5 inch stiletto.  I also bought a bebe trench coat that features an a-line flare.

 

So I am excited that purple, or shades of purple, is the "it color" again for this fall. Already, I have purchased several items in purple. A couple weeks ago, I bought a lovely Anne Fontaine ruffle-trim, deep v-cut cardigan sweater and matching camisole in a dark purple color.

 

Last week, I was so relieved to find a bebe satin, double-breasted trench coat in dark purple and in my size that I failed to find in my size last year (SCORE!). I was looking for the satin trench coat from Catherine Maladrino that I saw featured in this year's September issue of Shape magazine, but couldn't find it at Sak's, Neiman Marcus, or Macy's. But, maybe that's a good thing, as I can now purchase three bebe satin trench coats in different colors for nearly less than the one Catherine Maladrino.

 

Finally, I bought a great, great oversized purple patent hobo with silver hardware from eBay. It's a no-name knock-off that was made in China (where else?), but it was a total steal and it's super cute--I've received several compliments already. LOVE IT.

 

In the September issue of Harper's Bazaar, I saw another must-have item: the Kate Spade "Jocelyn" clutch in purple and magenta satin. It would go great with either of my bebe Satin pencil skirts. However, I have yet to find it. I'll have to do a more thorough search of the Kate Spade boutiques and department stores in San Francisco.

 

I can't wait to mixing and matching all my new purple clothes and accessories with my wardrobe. I have conjured up a number of outfits already. Just color me purple.

Confessions of a Fashionista

Last Sunday, I took a cursory look around the fall fashions in and around Union Square in San Francisco. Union Square is bordered by a gigantic Macy's on one side, a Saks Fifth Avenue on the opposite side, Neiman Marcus one corner and a string of designer boutiques and mall store brands (the ginormous Bloomingdales and Nordstrom are located on Market Street in the Westfield mall).

Fall, as I would assume for other clothes horses, is the favorite season of the year for clothes and accessories. The September issues of Vogue, W, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and In Style prove this point.

Walking around Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Saks brought me practically to tears with all the beautiful clothes. I was in heaven. There were so many beautiful pieces--too many for me to list here. For example, at Macy's West (while I'm not fond of Macy's, the store has among the largest selection of contemporary designers), I found a beautiful Nanette Lepore winter coat called the Mystery Coat in an ivory color. Though I might not have much of an opportunity to wear such a heavy coat here in San Francisco, I still reveled in it's soft material and neat shape. There was also two great Just Cavalli skirts (both of which I had scoped out online at the Nordstrom web site): the Flipped Hem Satin Skirt--to die for--and the High Waist Pencil Skirt, which I think Macy's had in a dark navy.

Next up, was Saks Fifth Avenue. I made a bee line for the top floor where the contemporary labels are sold as I did my very best to ignore the designer ready-to-wear brands knowing too well they were way out of my budget.

Once there, I began browsing the sections for Theory and my favorite brand: Elie Tahari. I plucked a nice Elie Tahari pencil skirt in black to try on and then came across a beautiful box pleat skirt from Milly that I also took for the changing room. Lastly, I grabbed an Alice + Olivia belted pencil skirt with a patent leather belt. The Elie Tahari skirt fit well, but was a bit too similar to my other pencil skirts. The Alice + Oliva skirt didn't fit well much to my displeasure.

Finally, I tried on the Milly Skirt and stood glaring at myself in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror outside the dressing room as I pondered coordinating it with my wardrobe. I hadn't previously considered a full skirt, but after trying it on, began to come around. I knew the skirt would work well with my Louboutin Rolando's as I recalled a Chevy ad that featured Fergie wearing red patent Rolandos with a super-cute full skirt in purple.

I had almost gave into my instant gratification when told the salesperson helping me that I first needed to find an appropriate top to wear with it. And, I knew exactly where I would find such a top: Anne Fontaine.

I spent the next half-hour to an hour an Anne Fontaine on Grant Street browsing the fall collection and trying on two different tops. The first was deep V-cut cardigan sweater with ruffle trim in this season's color of violet with a matching camisole. This time, I had no will power. I just had to have it--I just had to. The second was a pull-over shirt with a double colllar and cuffs, which comes in both black and white. I wanted the white, but the store lacked my size, so I gave the salesperson my contact info (I know what I'm buying come payday).

Then, I trekked back to Saks to see the Milly skirt that the sales staff held for me. I compared the two items on the counter without trying it on. The pieces coordinated well. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my sixth sense for style came through for me yet again. Add this skirt to my next paycheck as well.

Following this victory, I went to Neiman Marcus and meandered my way through the racks of contemporary selections on the third floor of what used to be the former City of Paris department store in San Francisco. Fortunately, I didn't find anything that triggered my implusive purchase disorder.

Next up: Bloomingdales (a great Elie Tahari section) and Nordstrom.

Fears of Becoming An Armchair Fashionista Diverted

I have felt for the past three or four months that I have been in danger of becoming an armchair fashionista--one who simply writes about fashion than one wears it. There are a number of contributing factors: one has been the flailing economy and another being my tenuous work situation (also attributed to the economy).

I don't want reinforce the notion or belief that practioners of fashion and style are always equated with conspicious consumption and designer labels. As with the evolution of French food, those who make more with a limited budget are often more fashionable than those with unlimited discretionary spending. A good friend of mine is a case in point. True haute couture consumers may be the exception.

I have either pulled myself back from the ledge or I have sunk deeper into the dark depths of financial and moral hell.

Much like character Gollum from J.R.R. Tolken's book, the Hobbit, with a selfish glee, I am pleased to announce that I have finally added Monsieur Christian Louboutin to my stable of premium footwear.

Yes, I finally bought a pair of Christian Louboutins!

I have been lusting after the 'Rolando' style since it was introduced last fall, but I searched in vain to find my size (since Louboutin's generally run small) either through the retail stores, online or via the Louboutin boutiques in New York or L.A.

When I came upon the my precious shoes while perusing Neiman Marcus Online,  I immediately seized the opportunity and bought the Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' style in patent black in true instant gratification style.

I want to revel in my retail therapy rather than regret. Hopefully, you won't see me in my Louboutins while hawking for loose change or dollars on the streets of San Francisco.

Reaching New Heights: Delish Heels for Fall 2008

Though I'm tall, I'm no stranger to sky high heels. Who doesn't love-love-love tall heels. And fall 2008 should prove to be the season for super skyscraper tall heels. I have yet to scour the web and the glossies for the latest selections in tall footwear, but I promise you, I will.

Though I barely had the time to digest the gigantic September issue of Vogue (I have to admit it's the first that I've bought in years), my eye immediately zeroed in on this delicious pair of Christian Louboutin's on page 763, in the spread entitled 2-for-1 Special. In the back of Wintour's fall bible, the Details list the shoes as Alti. I Googled them and found them here on the Luisa Viaroma web site.

I don't care if I'm taller than Yao Ming! It just means that I'll have to date someone the likes of Phil Dalhassuer from the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team who stands tall at 6'9".

If you've read my blog at all, you'll know my favorite phrase:

I want, I neED, I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!

Moon Woman

A New Year's resolution of mine is to seek out independent designers rather than choosing brands that I am already familiar with or brands that are easily accessible. I want to expand my horizons, per se.

Another goal of mine is to fill in the gaps in my wardrobe. Presently, I have a two-tiered wardrobe. I have more casual, sporty clothes and then I have tons of my nicer pieces that require dry cleaning. My goal is to find clothes that I'm able to wear to work, but pieces that I can launder myself.

My knee-jerk reaction, of course, is to visit my local Banana Republic, which is fits the bill perfectly. But, I said I wanted to seek out more independent brands than the global conglomerates.

I think Sunhee Moon meets both of my criteria: a local designer and clothes suitable for work that I can launder myself. I had recently bought an umbrella at a Sunhee Moon boutique though it was not made by the designer. In fact, it inspired me to consider a whole outfit around an umbrella when it was raining here, but now that the sunny California weather has returned I need to rethink my outfit.

This past weekend, I visited a Sunhee Moon boutique to examine a number of items that I had already scoped out on the designer's web site. Upon entering the shop, I immediately found one item that interested me: the Sarah dress. It's a button down shirt dress made from a sateen fabric. I liked the color and the design, but I didn't care much for the below-the-knee hemline. I would prefer the dress to be at knee length and would need to tailor it accordingly.

Adjacent to the dress, I found the Savannah Top in aqua blue, which I found to my liking. The top has a nifty buttoned tab to hold up the sleeves when rolled up making the shirt appear to be short-sleeved. The material was of moderate weight that produced an opaque shade of aqua versus a lighter material that would have had a more transparent, sheer quality.

Next, I looked for the Julia stretch pant, which I found with the help of the salesperson. However, the salesperson recommended that the Rhett Pant might fit me better as it has a longer hem line suitable for taller women such as myself. And indeed, it did fit me well. I also loved the chocolate color of the pant I tried on as well as the sand color the salesperson has showed me afterwards.

I demonstrated to myself a bit of restraint by not submitting to my impulsive nature. It's an ongoing struggle to exhibit will power, particularly when it comes to clothes or shoes! All too often, my natural instinct is to buy it on the spot. In times past, I would have easily bought everything in sight. But, alas, I need to exercise restraint as I need to be more strategic in my spending than my past behavior of conspicuous consumption.

For the moment, I will file these items away while I look elsewhere. What I might do is to look for a suitable pair of ballerinas or kitten heels that will coordinate with these items.

Wet 'n Wild Weather Makes for Good Recon

For those of us living in Northern California, we have been subjected to constant and sometimes, as was the case on Friday, torrential downpours. Of course that didn't stop me from hitting the local watering hole after work on Friday for a little somethin' somethin' with my friends.

On Saturday, I visited the Sunhee Moon boutique in the Mission to buy a new umbrella (I had spied their window displays from across the street while walking home one evening after work). From this one utilitarian item--that had a cool design--I was suddenly hit with inspiration. My brain synapses began to fire as I began devising a wardrobe to go with the umbrella. I'm not sure if anyone is as crazy as me to begin their outfit with an umbrella (!), but that's me [I've learned that culinarian icon Alice Waters often found inspiration in both the mundane and the exotic from the biography I have been reading about her and her restaurant Chez Panisse. You'd be surprised to learn the similarities between Haute Couture designers and Haute Cuisine chefs in terms of inspiration].

I had a fairly good idea of the pieces that I wanted so after I got home, I began to do a bit of research on the web to see what the local retailers might have to offer towards building my new outfit. The next day, I would set out in search of them.

On Sunday, I hit the our local zocalo of shopping, namely, Union Square. I found Sunday to be a perfect day for a reconnaissance mission as it was drizzling rain and not too many shoppers were out and about, particularly the locals.

Before starting, however, I first had to make a brief detour to Barney's New York to see their Christian Louboutin section.  Just as I have would have guessed, being mid January and all, nary a new Loubou was in sight save for the fall 2007 leftovers and a barely a few, if any, of the new brightly-hued heels for  the forthcoming spring season. January is always a weird month for shopping as retailers dump the remains of their fall collections with super deep discounts and only a smattering of spring offerings are on display. And, not every brand offers a "cruise collection" as was the case last winter when I bought my Gucci Cruise Collection Sunset wedges.

Back on course, I headed to the flagship Banana Republic store on Grant Street to peruse the selections. However, I was a bit mortified to find the women's department in the basement level (it's been a while since my last visit). I whipped out my iPod Touch, for which I use more as PDA than an iPod, to pull up the item names I have saved to my shopping list and set about finding them. I made mental notations as I carefully evaluated each piece: a coat, a pair of shoes, a shirt. As often is the case, the colors weren't as vibrant as those I remembered from the web site.

Next up, was Neiman-Marcus.

But first!

I had to make another pit stop to visit Anne Fontaine.

I love Anne Fontaine! I found one or two beautiful, crisp white tops that would go nicely with several of pieces in my wardrobe.

On the road again, I went up one block to Neiman Marcus. I made an ever so brief stop, a minute only, to the shoe department on the second floor. Nada. I made my way to the contemporary section to review the Theory and Elie Tahari sections. I found a nice trench coat from Elie Tahari. Good shape, nice color, but, was a bit too casual--it had a hoodie--as I wanted something more dressy.

Onwards, I went across the street to Macy's. I really detest shopping at Macy's as it's akin to shopping at Ross. I've had better customer service from Home Depot. Unfortunately, the gigantic Macy's in Union Square has sizable collections of contemporary labels. In the Calvin Klein section, I found a nearly identical coat as the one I had inspected at Banana Republic. The design and color were almost identical save for the hardware. And the price: identical. I thought to myself: same outsourced manufacturing plant?

By this time, I was a bit pooped and wanted to enjoy my remaining Sunday afternoon with relaxation rather than foraging some more at Saks, Bloomies and Nordstrom. I'll hit them next week---after pay day when I'm flush with cash (wink, wink).

Too much of a good thing?

My new fangled toy, the iPod Touch, allows me to access to the 'real web' via Apple's Safari web' browser. I'm composing this post using TypePad's iPhone portal.

However, can this be too much of a good thing?

As you can imagine, I created web' clips to not only my favorite news sites and fashion blogs like The Sartorialist, but of course I created bookmarked short cuts to Barney's, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter. And, I created web clips to the respective Loubou pages as well so I may have direct access-feeding my need for instant gratification.

So now I have access to my favorite retailers from any place with Wi-Fi access. It's probably a good thing I don't have the iPhone, else I would obsess over new shoes all the time!

So here I sit at a San Francisco cafe blogging on a device I can put in my pocket and I just perused all the Loubou pages filled with new shoes. That's the pace of technology for you.

Is it possible for us to be happy with what we have?

Update: On Friday’s (12/07/2007) Daily Source Code, host Adam Curry said that he didn’t mean to “pick on the fashion industry,” but that the onslaught of new product introductions (thus making the existing ones obsolete) exists across many industries—THANK YOU!

As a jumping off point of Curry's discussion on conspicuous consumption, I pose this question:

Is it possible for us to enjoy (the clothes, accessories, etc.) that we have than always focusing on the next best thing?

Why do we submit ourselves to always wanting and buying shoes, purse, outfit, etc., particularly if we just bought a new shoe, new purse, or new outfit?

As a blogger of fashion and style, am I any less complicit than the writers and editors at fashion glossies in promoting conspicuous consumption by extolling the latest and greatest products?

I can only speak for myself and the answer is no. While I have amassed a sizeable wardrobe, I still feel the need to buy new pieces. I am also no different than any of the fashion glossy writers by feeding into our consumerist society.

I can’t blame the media entirely as I don’t subscribe to the fashion glossies (save for the monthly fashion spreads that appear in my subscription to Shape magazine) and I don’t watch much of celebrity or style shows on TV.

Much of the blame I attribute to my own compulsion to surf the web sites of clothing and accessory retailers. Unlike visiting the actual store, and braving the crowds, retail sites enable me to scan large numbers of clothing and accessories easily, quickly, and from the comfort of my own home.

[As I have mentioned before, I have what I consider a gift (or a curse depending upon your perspective) of being able to visualize outfits in my head. I can see the outfit in its totality in my mind—I don’t claim to have an extraordinary ability on par with Patricia Field, who did the costume design for The Devil Wears Prada and Sex in the City. But it is an ability nonetheless that I have put to good use (or abused) via Internet “window shopping.”]

The web enables me to zero in on what appeals to me and allows me to bypass the vast stuff (be it from Christian Louboutin or the many contemporary brands offered up online by Nieman-Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom or Tobi.com) that doesn’t.

I think I have an obsessive-compulsive personality as I tend to ruminate about things I want: I want, I neED, I HAVE TO HAVE IT!

I admit that I have had a mini-relapse with new purchases from bebe, after a hiatus from the brand after more than a few years. What I eventually bought I had scoped out online first—not by browsing at the store.

While I have bought a few new things, I have been trying to enjoy my existing wardrobe by wearing many of my favorite fall outfits in different combinations. Fall is my favorite season and I enjoy the many rich and vibrant hues such as chocolate brown, plum, orange, and graphite gray.

Of course, this enjoyment has not been without expense as my dry cleaning bill has skyrocketed and I have visited the department store makeup counters more than once in order to refresh or restock long dormant makeup, which I have since begun to use on an almost daily basis.

While I don’t give in to trends easily, I admit that I find it hard to go cold turkey. For the past several years, my goal has been to limit my consumption to select pieces rather than shopping with abandon. Still, I find it hard in a consumption-driven society such as ours where we are continually being bombarded by new products.