CartArchive for May, 2008
Friday, May 30th, 2008
Sex in the City – Are you Influenced?
With all the publicity hype we all know that you went to see the new Sex in the City movie this weekend. Those of you who went with all your best friends and got glamour up in your heels and those of you who painfully dragged your husbands or boyfriends or significant others into the theaters, you know who you are.
Was it everything you imagined it and more? It was definitely for the fashion and marketing world. It was shoe, handbags, and brand heaven. Louis Vuitton was a favorite of the show of course. It featured both a classic patchwork denim bag and a new red and yellow color canvas satchel. Manolo Blahnik was the favorite in the shoe department, and of course Vivienne Westwood in the bridal dress department.
A website I mentioned in an earlier blog was also featured in the hit movie-Bagborroworsteal.com. From here they feature Channel Bags, Burberry and you know it Louis Vuitton! Guess it’s not such a bad idea any more-but a bag idea! Other brands also were all over the movie. Mercedes-Benz featured its S-Class limousine and the GLK luxury sports utility. In addition they sponsored the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Money says, women are now looking into buying a Mercedes more-don’t you think?
What else will become even more popular because of this movie? My bet is Apple. Since Carrie is famous for using her macbook. If you’re looking for a cheaper brand that will make you as sexy as the ladies in the Sex in the City movie, go with Glaceau Vitamin Water. Apparently it’s the “hot” water.
So for all those who have seen the movie and either loved, liked, or hated it, did all the marketing work? Are you going to switch to vitamin water and save up for that Louis Vuitton bag? Let me know.
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
New from GUCCI “Fall 2008″
These are the new Gucci handbags setting the scene for Fall 2008. I’ve got to admit… not too shabby. Nowadays girls are going nuts for the patent leather look and from the looks of Gucci’s new collection, they definitely managed to blend the classical with a patent look. Using their signature print with a gloss is almost like blending the old with the new–the formula for today’s fashion.
Has anybody noticed that lately, Gucci has been using a new emblem (the amored man) on many of their signature bags? It seems like they discontinued the “G” emblem. Good for them… because I’m digging it!
Saturday, May 24th, 2008
NO HANDBAG = FREEDOM!
Never again will I bring a purse to a theme park.
Recently a couple of friends and I went to the Disneyland and for not going to a theme park for quite some time, I forgot how annoying it is to have to carry your bag around while waiting in line for rides. Maybe some like to pack goodies to a theme park but I realize I did not need anything inside of it (it’s a different story for mothers). Since our bodies can be so inefficient, ladies who carry light can feel like they are carrying a brick or two in their handbags after a long period of time. Carrying my bag did not ruin my day at the happiest place on earth however, I did get tired of holding it and we all know that asking your bf to hold your bag is a big NO NO. So two weeks after we went to California Adventure (got the two-fer deal) and instead of carrying a handbag, I only brought my cell phone and an ID case containing my ID (of course), a credit card, and some cash. To be honest, at first I felt a little bit naked, like I’m missing something and I need that little weight on my shoulder for comfort or to be at ease. We are all so customed to having carrying things with us that having that extra load becomes a part of us but EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY if it’s not there. It is actually quite liberating. For occasions such as going to a theme park, you don’t need much and a simple ID case can do wonders. It is also nice not having to worry about your designer bag for a day or two. So a little reminder to the ladies, leave your bag at home once in awhile and have a little fun without the extra weight on the shoulders.
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
Did you know? Today is a Special Day!
“May is a busy month for turtles. Many have recently emerged from winter hibernation and are beginning their search for mates and nesting areas. For this reason, May 23 was designated World Turtle Day.” – Human Society of the United States. This year marks the eighth annual World Turtle Day, and how I see it is you have two options. First is to dress up like a turtle for the day. Or second get the Rioni Turtle Backpack which coincidentally is appropriate today. Happy Turtle Day Everyone!
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
Memorial Weekend + Stimulus Check =Happy Face
We all know you love it when you see a blog telling you what great sales are out….well what makes it even better is that some of us already received our stimulus checks (achem* still waiting for mine!). Now ladies and gentlemen, they’re called stimulus checks for a reason…you’re meant to spend them. Now, of course you should save some…but what better time to spend that this weekend! Gas is expensive this weekend, but the deals you’ll find will make it worth it! If not just stay home and shop online.
Below are some of the deals I found that are going on for this weekend.
Macy’s
Sale Begins May 21-26. Go to http://www.macys.com/. Click on the upper right corner to print your savings pass to reuse for the weekend. If you have a Macy’s card you will receive ad addition 20% off sale and clearance apparel, handbag and accessories for her, him, and kids. If you don’t have a Macy’s card you’ll receive additional 15% off.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom rarely has sales, so take advantage when they come around.
In-Store and Online Sale Dates
• Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids - starts Wednesday, May 21
• Half-Yearly Sale for Men - starts Friday, June 13
• Anniversary Sale - starts Friday, July 18-Sunday, August 3
• Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids - starts Wednesday, November 5
• Half-Yearly Sale for Men - starts Friday, December 26
Bloomingdales
Online, Bloomingdales is having an additional 40% off selected merchandise that have already been marked down. Sales date thru May 27, 2008. Additional percentage taken off at check-out.
Chelsea Premium Outlets
Great weekend to shop. Most outlets are having their sidewalk sale this weekend. They’ll have additional percentage off of already marked prices.
- Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH
o Memorial Day BOGO. Buy any one item; get the second item of equal or lesser value at 50% off. Saks Style. Outlet Prices.
- Dooney and Bourke Outlet
o 60% off retail prices on Dooney’s Checker Collection
o 60% off retail prices on Dooney’s Alto Collection
- AlX Armani Exchange Outlet
o Take additional 20% off all merchandise between 7am-10am during the days of May 23-26.
- Gucci Outlet
o Take an additional 50% off all Women’s Ready to Wear and select Women’s Shoes
Take an additional 30% off select Handbags and Fine Jewelry-During the days of May 23-26.
Eluxury.com
Save up to 40% on spring styles. Prices as marked.
Do some of your own research. If you come across something I miss…please let me know…cuz I want to do some great deal shopping this weekend too!
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
“Oh Gracious One” – RIONI Savant
Before RIONI launched their new Savant collection, I already heard rumors of a new Rioni monogrammed collection designed especially for the summer. Might I just say I was extremely content with the brand new release (1st week of May 08) of this classy collection.
Though I love them all, I am going to choose and talk about only one of the styles from the RIONI Savant group. Since I hate making decisions, I had to open up www.rioni.com/savant_handbags1.htm, close my eyes and blindly point to my computer screen the style I was going to write about today. And upon reopening my eager eyes, my pointing finger landed on the “RIONI Everyday Weekender.” For some odd reason, even with my eyes closed, I still managed to choose the most expensive one. Anyways, let’s begin the handbag critique; shall we?
I honestly believe this is a perfect summer handbag. When I first laid eyes on this bag, I immediately fell in love with its simple elegance and beauty. So much that, if I were a thief and I saw a lady holding this bag, I would rob the lady of her bag.
“The Everyday Weekender” has it all; from looks, to space, to compartments (rear, front, and interior pockets), and to top it off, suede lining! This bag definitely screams “status.” The size is just perfect; not too bulky and not too tiny. Also, another plus thing about this tote is that it portrays both a casual and sophisticated look. I also feel that the silver patent leather is a perfect blend with the white Rioni monogrammed body. Usually I complain about everything, but this time I’m without complaints. Rioni has really done a great job with this collection.
Friday, May 16th, 2008
HELP! My Bag Fell Apart!
You’re excited. You just got your new handbag. You spend days, nights, hours, maybe even months picking out the perfect one. And for those of you who are like me, saving up part of my salary each month just for that one perfect designer bag. Then one day, you’re sporting it down the street and KAPUTT! Something breaks! Your first reaction, “WHAT THE HECK!”
Now, what do you do? First find out what the warranty policy from the manufacturer. If you bought it from a department store, it’s highly unlikely that they can do anything for you. Either way you’ll have to contact the manufacturer. Check to see if there is a registration and a warranty card that already came with you bag when you first bought it. It will give you the appropriate contact information and what their policy covers.
Most handbags range from one year to five years and luggages range from five years to life time warranty. Most of the time the manufacturer won’t cover normal wear and tear, but they will cover a defect that has clearly nothing to do with you.
Steps to Make Sure Your Bag Gets Fixed:
1. Look for and keep warranty cards
- Read it and store it in a safe place- don’t just toss it in the trash!
2. Register your Handbag.
- If you bag didn’t come with a registration card, it’s okay-you can simply go to the manufacturers website and most of them will have a place for you to register you bag. This will help if you ever need to send your bag back for repair because they will already have it on record.
3. Find the appropriate contact numbers
- CALL someone before you send anything back. By calling, you can check to make sure what the return procedures are to get your bag repaired. You might also need a case number and an address. This ensures that you can track you bag.
4. Take pictures of your bag
- You want photos of you bag and the part that was damaged. It serves as proof just in case anything happens, lost, or is confused later on.
5. Follow up
- Make sure to follow up on your bag and keep records. Make sure you insure and place a tracking number on your bag when you ship it back. When you talk to a representative, ask them for a ballpark time of when you bag will be finished and returned. This way if it’s months and you haven’t heard from them, it’s time to give them and call and check up on them.
** Watch out for hidden fees. Some companies like COACH charge $20 for shipping and handling for EACH item submitted for repair. Applicable state taxes apply as well. If you’re unsure ASK!**
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
TSA Puppy to the Resuce!
First off, if you are a cat person, then don’t even bother reading my post! “I’m just kidding.” I really truly love puppies. I think they are the most adorable creatures on this planet; with an exception to Ryan Seacrest. But anyways, today I am going to tell you about the new TSA Puppy program that just started only about a month ago.
The use of dogs for sniffing out bomb threats at airports is not too unfamiliar nowadays. However, looks may be deceiving; because behind those cute innocent little puppy eyes is a trained bomb searching assassin. These puppies are trained by experts to get rid of their annoying habits such as barking, begging, biting, jumping, digging, etc. Believe it or not, these puppies have grown up to be true defenders of our country.
These little puppies have been doing so well that the United States government currently owns 500 canine bomb scouting teams. Rumor has it that within two years time, another 400 teams will arise. You can become a foster parent for these puppies.
Foster parents help to socialize the puppies with humans. However the TSA Puppy Program needs volunteers to adopt these puppies into their families. Currently, many puppies are sent over to prisons like the Travis County Jail in Austin. The nice thing is that the puppies are only rewarded to the inmates that have been good. 
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
Handbag Weighing You Down?
Purses and handbags have become essential in our society of overpopulated women. A typical modern purse today holds AT LEAST a wallet (or two), keys and cell phone. Then for the kicks of it, we throw in a small cosmetic bag, some pepper spray, a digital camera, a planner, a few pens, a coin purse, and last but not least our favorite scented lotion.
Luckily, all women were created differently—some choose to carry fewer items in their bags while others choose to lug an elephant in their purses. Unfortunately, many of the items in our handbags should be categorized as extras rather than necessities. It is true that a woman can possibly get rid of her curling iron and save approximately 3 pounds of unnecessary weight. However, I guess one’s curls may get untangled. The thing that women tend to forget is that big purses already consist of a hefty weight.
It’s been said that women should not carry any more than 10% of her body weight on her shoulder. For those of us who carry laptops, it is very easy to go over that ten percent. Our modern technology is improving by the day, for ladies are able to save some weight by using their Motorola RAZR and pocket Sony Cybershot digital camera. Handbags these days have become larger and more decorative (consisting of heavy chains and hardware). However, carrying too much weight on one’s shoulder or on one’s back may have its consequences.
Carrying heavy bags may lead to neck spasms, shoulder damage, lower back pain, and at times can lead to scoliosis. Though one may not be able to notice these symptoms instantaneously, one’s mood may be affected by this type of discomfort and pain. So women out there, I hope that this little write-up will remind us ladies to clean out purses or bags every once in a while.
*Future shopping tip: Next time when shopping for a purse, try choosing a bag with wider straps and make sure the bag does not hang too low (exceeding below one’s belly button).
Monday, May 12th, 2008
Is your purse ready for something BOLD?
In a girl’s life a day without your phone is like a day lost in the desert. In this day and age can you really survive more than a few hours without your phone? Granted, that depends on your line of work as well, but if you are like me I need a good phone as bad as I need good purse. I was excited to hear a few days ago that Research in Motion, better known as the makers of the popular cellular phone brand Blackberry, announced the eagerly awaited Blackberry Bold (Blackberry 9000). I can’t wait!
But, what about the Apple iPhone you say? I can honestly say that both are great phones and the main difference people will be comparing is the full touch screen on the iPhone versus the built in keyboard on the Blackberry. With a full touch screen the iPhone has a clear advantage at being a media player and a web browser however I still prefer the convenience of a physical keyboard for typing emails, entering calendar events / task list, and text messaging which I find myself doing more often.
