The Purse Store, which actually sells designer handbags, shoes, belts, denim, and more, is closing its virtual doors for good. To thank their customers, and liquidate their remaining stock, all of the goods are 50 to 70 percent off. Plus, by entering code “thanks” you can save an additional 20 percent on shoes, belts, and denim.
Affordable shoe have DSW is rising in a time when other mid-market stores are dropping.
Recent reports have proven that high-end 
retailers continue to flourish regardless of the economy (i.e. the rich are still rich), and discount brands are doing well; but, those that fall in the middle have been cutting corporate jobs, closing stores, and seeing sale decreases.
Whatever DSW is doing seems to be working, though. Easily classified as one of these middle ground retail stores that is above Wal-Mart, but below Saks Fifth Avenue, DSW is undergoing rapid growth.
In 2007, 37 new stores were opened; 30 is the nearly fulfilled goal for 2008. Plus, the company was undergoing all of this growth without even targeting customers online … until now.
DSW just opened their first online venture - DSW.com - featuring hundreds of sandals, great sales and clearances, easy trend viewing, and a worthwhile reward program (also available in store).
I may have found my favorite new fashion-based Web site: I Saw It In. The site is a collection of who wore what in which movie.
Here’s how I just used the site:
The second I saw Katherine Heigl’s 27 Dresses, I thought, “I have to have that dress that she wears to the club!” But I had no idea what brand or designer made it. Today, I browsed over to I Saw It In, clicked on 27 Dresses, and skimmed through the dozen or so screen shots to find the dress that had me drooling.
Voila!
It’s a Temperley London dress and is currently on sale for half of the original price, making it … darn … it’s still a $630 dress. But at least now I can scope out their other designs, linger in the clearance section, and gather inspiration to make my own.
(In the movie, it was a jade color. This shade shown here is the only color left.)
I know what you want. You want a custom designed Hermes Kelly bag for free, don’t you? I know I sure do: I know that I come nowhere close to having the funds to buy one. And I also know how you can get it.
On the Hermes Web site, you can choose from seven different designs or plain white to decorate yourself (or use as a sewing pattern!), click to open it as a PDF, print, and follow folding directions to create the end result shown here.
Okay, so it’s not you above-average Hermes Kelly, but it’s free! Plus, the designs are awesome: a pencil drawing of trees, a photograph of jelly candy sharks, and my fave - the Hermes sketched man (who appears all over the Web site) carrying five, red, smiley face balloons.
Try printing your favorite, and adding laminating paper to your folding process to make a waterproof version that would be perfect to take to the beach! You could also trace it onto fabric and sew it up along the seams. All is fair game, as long as you don’t try to sell anything you make from the pattern. Then you’d be in hot, illegal water.
P.S. Click here to head to Hermes site, then click on the picture of a white Kelly bag that says “I want it. I’ll have it!” (shown here) to be directed to the patterns.
P.P.S. Counterfeit Chic’s post “Bringing Home the Birkin” was where I first heard about this.
There have been some wacky headlines in the fashion world lately!
**Fun Slime-Fueled Shoes Set to Propel Kids Coast-To-Coast**
**Christian Lacroix Announces Joint Venture With Kuwaiti-Based Property Developer Abyaar**
**Barefoot Boy with Shoes On**
**Drainpipes are for boys - men’s jeans need pleats**
**Saks Fifth Avenue Partners With charity: water to Bring Safe Water to Impoverished Communities**
Reading the headline alone is entertaining (and often perplexing) enough, but you can also click on each one to read the whole story.
I just discovered a super cool discount shopping site. Endless.com brings you handbags and shoes for less than retail prices, plus they offer free overnight shipping.
Check it out! You can get a new pair of Kenneth Cole pumps, some Jessica Simpson boots, a Badgley Mischka clutch knocked down over $100 in cost, Reebok sneakers, stylish reusable shopping bags from Baggu, vegan sandals, work-requird safety shoes for him, and some Keds for the kids … all in one place!
PLUS (if all this isn’t enough), save $20 when you spend $100 on items deemed “eco-friendly.
Yowzers! This site is BETA now, but won’t be for long. Get to it; get shopping!
Bonus points to Endless for having a “report typos” section!
Believe it or not, not every celebrity turns to reality TV shows when they have a lag in their work schedule. Surprisingly, there are some who even find activities, hobbies, and jobs completely outside of the realm of Hollywood and into the world of doing good. Check out what these busy bees are up to …
* Cindy Crawford just started writing a blog for Vanity Fair. The topic? Environmentalism.
* Chloe Sevigny takes the New York City subway to get around town.
* Rachel McAdams hosts the enviro-friendly site Green Is Sexy with two of her friends.
* Zooey Deschanel teamed up with singer-songwriter M. Ward to create the band She & Him. Together, they released an album - Volume 1 - and are promoting a Barneys tee shirt recycling project.
* Kristen Bell raises money for children with autism.
* Ellen DeGeneres is producing her own pet food. She bought part of the all-natural company Halo, and is now a co-owner.
* Elizabeth Hurley bought an organic farm! She is loving life as a farmer so much that she has retired from show business.
Has Brad Wilson ever got a deal (or two, or one thousand) for you! He is the man of the Internet hour with his Web site Brad’s Deals making headlines everywhere.
Sure, he’s a computer guy so the deals and sales that first get noticed are those for companies such as Dell and HP, but Brad’s Deals go above and beyond just techy stuff. His site highlights bargains on books, flowers, sporting goods, kitchen gear, cell phones, movies, food, and fashion! Brad’s far surpasses other coupon code lists out there. 
Skip right to the apparel or Health and Beauty section, and you will find awesome discounts, coupons, and sale notifications for fashion merchandisers.
Here are a few current examples:
* Through April 15 Bluefly is offering an extra 10% off everything on their site during their 2008 Tax Relief Sale. Shoppers can also add a coupon code at checkout ($15 off $100 via code AFF15 or code VISA08) to save even more.
* Finish Line currently has 8 styles of Rocket Dog Shoes on sale for $19.97 each, before 10% off coupon code 141705 (expires 4/30) lowers them to only $17.97!
* Originally $179, a plant-based, sunless, spray-on, self-tanning system is now on sale at Gaiam for $59.99. Take 15% off with coupon code CCAB (expires 6/30), and lower the price to $50.99.
Brad, along with a hardworking team of deal hunters, also provide direct links to designer’s sale and clearance pages, exclusive “Brad’s Deals” coupon codes and promotions, notifications of what deals are ending soon, e-mail updates, tips on hot sale items, detailed shipping and tax costs, and every other deal-related tidbit possible.
Sign up for Brad’s Deals’ newsletter and get a special, one-time deal, too!
From vintage Bill Blass, to Godzilla tee shirts; Every imaginable tote design, to intricately cut metal jewelry - Mod Cloth has it! Find an outfit that no one else will be wearing; shop for fun, funky, unique, and one-of-a-kind clothes, apartment needs, and accessories in reasonable prices. But if you see something you want, move fast! Things fly quickly through the indie shop that is ***MOD CLOTH***
Here are some current up-for-grabs faves of mine.
If you don’t who Fifi Lapin is … well, you should, and will soon.
She is the it girl of the moment in fashion. She rocks all the latest trends. She gets the hottest styles direct from the runway. She is a cartoon rabbit with a blog.
Yes, it’s true: a cartoon bunny has cooler clothes and friends than I.
This ingenious creation pens her wardrobe direct from top designers’ catwalks, and is always sure to tell you who she is wearing.
Everyone will love and 
appreciate Fifi and the simplistic details of her life as a 20-year-old socialite rabbit. I just wish I had thought of something so original and inspired; what a crafty way to deliver the fashion news!
In the pictures here you can check Miss Fifi Lapin out in her yellow Dior bow-tied jacket and purse that she wore back in November along with the real deal walking down Christian’s runway.
Prints of the super cute, up and coming fashionista are available for purchase through her Etsy store which will be re-opening in April with all of the latest spring trends.
It’s time for ‘tween girls to have their day … with online fanatasy games?
R.Lilly Fashion Fantasy Game allows girls to take paper dolls to the extreme level. After creating a login account players can establish a character then go shopping, design clothes, establish a clothing line, explore major fashion houses, visit fashion capitals, and even start up a store.
Visit the site and check it out, or click on the register button here and get started in the virtual social network.
Sitting on the bus ride home yesterday evening - amongst a particularly loud and obnoxious group of city 
folk - I couldn’t help but notice the number of large, screamingly fake bags surrounding me.
With hope, these gum-snapping, females knew that their totes were obvious rip-offs and did not pay more than a few dollars for them. However, it did get me thinking about designer fakes in general, and more specifically: would I be able to spot the difference between genuine goods and noteworthy knock-offs (if said knock-offs were better that the fakes that I see on the bus)?
Apparently the Bag Lady had a similar commute as I, because she stole my thunder this morning. She also helped me out, though. I was going create a game/quiz with a variety of pictures side-by-side of designer gear and their cheap look-a-likes.
Voila! Miss Bag lady, being the clever diva that she is, dug up the fancy “Spot the Knock-off Interactive Quiz” from Portfolio in July, 2007. Check it out here via The Bag Lady.
BONUS: Of the two photos on this page, one is a designer handbag costing $295; the other brags about being a good knock-off and is only $34. Click on each picture for the truth - the real one will lead to the designer’s home page; the fake will direct you to a blatant knock-off site.
My opinion, as brief as I can get it, on the whole subject of real vs. fake: If you want the designer look, pay the designer dollar. If you don’t want to spend several hundred for a purse, then buy something cute at a less expensive store. Buying fake goods is creative theft from the designer, can hurt our economy, and often supports criminals.
Season 4 of Project Runway is moving along quickly! From 15 designer-contestants in the beginning, to 6 in the episode coming up, down to just 2 who will get to show their stuff in Fashion Week at Bryant Park.
With a rerun on TV this week, (and an assignment for Project Blog!) I’ve been inspired to work up a full recap of the season thus far, and a tiny peek into next week.
Episode 1: Sew Us What You Got
Taken into the open air of Bryant Park, the shows begins where it will later end. Almost immediately after they arrive in New York, the 15 designer-contestants
must race to collect their material from three tents decked out with $50,000 worth of fabric. With no guidelines but to “wow the judges,” Rami first showed off his twist-and-drape skills for an early win. Despite kooky Elisa’s colorful butt train, forgettable Simone was the first to go.
Episode 2: I Started Crying
Also titled “Money Changes Everything,” this episode introduced us to Sarah Jessica Parker’s line Bitten. Working in teams of two the designers had to create a look for SJP using only $15. Victorya, partnered with Kevin, won, and got to see her jacket in Steve & Barry’s stores. Marion, leader of partner Steven, and the other contestant that I completely forgot about, created a hot mess and was told “ick. See you later … not!” by SJP (in politer words, of course).
Episode 3: Fashion Giant
*Ominous doom noise* Footballer twin Tiki Barber guest stars for the dreaded menswear challenge. Although most are pleased by the gender change of models, most struggle to complete a three-piece look. Jack won after ripping apart what he was wearing to use as a pattern. Faux-hawker Carmen finally gets off the show and thus off my nerves for sending her poor model out with just a scarf for a shirt.
Episode 4: Trendsetter
They each have to pick an out-of-date style (Jillian took overalls because she had a pair on), then team up with two others to collaboratively make a cohesive collection of three updated versions of their chosen looks. It was a hard judging week because even though Sweet p, Elisa, and Victorya were favorites, their teams did not work well together. In the end, Jillian won (whose laughing now?) and costumer Chris (temporarily) went home for his insane shoulder pads.
Episode 5: What’s the Skinny?
Women who have recently lost around 100 lbs. were this week’s models - and their pre-weight loss fave outfit was the material (plus $10 spending cash). Back in the workroom, Jack announced that he has a serious infection and must step down. Welcome back, gigglemaster Chris! Steven spends too much time pitying himself for getting the woman who brought her wedding dress that he never gets the creative juices going. He lost (even though Chris made his woman look like a sailor). Youthful Christian nabs his first win with a rocker-chic, cropped, short-sleeve jacket, and perfectly fit pants.
Episode 6: Eye Candy
Dumbest episode ever. Hershey’s was mega advertised, Elisa lost, Rami won, and I actually liked Chris (second picture).
Episode 7: What a Girl Wants
Ah, the prom dress one: this is definitely one to catch if you missed it. High school girls were brought in - uniforms, Jersey attitudes, and all - and given the chance to select whom would work on their dream prom getup. Christian is on the verge of strangling his diva-in-training by the end, Kevin gets nixed after deciding to leave the edges unfinished, and snobby 
Victorya won with a dress necklaced in chunky jewels (first picture shown here). Miraculously, for the second week in a row, Chris is my fave.
Episode 8: En Garde!
The task at hand: with a partner, create an avant-garde outfit inspired by a crazy hairstyle, and a ready-to-wear version. Drama! Sweet P rocked it, but the judges couldn’t give it to her because her partnership with Rami was a flop. Kit lost for finding inspiration in Little House on the Prairie. Ricky cried. Victorya and Jillian worked terribly together, but ended up with a killer jacket. Christian led Chris to a victory and a photo shoot with TRESemme featuring their ruffled layers.
Episode 9: Even Designers Get the Blues
Levi’s 501 asked the remaining seven to fashion an iconic look using only denim pants and jackets, and some white cotton. They had to run to grab as much material as they could, again. Victorya and Jillian made jackets, again (Vic went home for her cut-and-paste number). Ricky cried, again (though this time he won). Christian made perfectly fit pants, again. The only thing new was that Rami didn’t twist and drape fabric (but really, how could he with denim?).
This was my Project Blog entry. Will you vote for me? Please?
Want that episode teaser I mentioned? Click below for a tiny peek into next week …
Did anyone else cry last night when realizing that Project Runway was a rerun? I retreated to the fetal position, sucking my thumb, crying out “why, oh Bravo!, why?”
But then I remembered that at least we’d still be having a Project Blog competition starting up today, and that it is down to the final three contestants!
The overall Project Blog winner gets a prize pack of awesome stuff,
which includes:
An autographed picture of Jackie Warner, courtesy of Sky Sport and Spa
Don’t forget to jump in for your chance to win one of the Stress Less prizes up for grabs, too!
Here’s this week’s competition challenge for the week:
Give us a list. Research shows that the more scan-able your content is, the more people will get out of it. It can be a bulleted list, a numbered list, a list with pictures…or anything else. Wow us - this is for the final two!
Superb! I love making lists (that I don’t have to follow through on with any to-dos). Game on!
Readers, I hope to see you back here soon and often, and over at BCSFrenzy voting for me every day this week/weekend!
In the final weeks of Project Runway, I am still in Project Blog with fellow top three finalists Mark and Winnie.
It’s getting tense! So much so that Stress Less wants to help you calm down and relieve that end-of-competition tension with a few prizes including a squeezey ball and herbal tea 
(because it’s more relaxing than coffee) mug. As an added bonus, the winning commenter and writer this week will each receive a copy of The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook.
Hmm … the more that I think about it, I know someone who could really use these prizes. Maybe we should all cede the stress relievers to Runway designer Ricky (shown here).
Allison at BCSFrenzy tells you exactly how to win, plus she will dole out my next, and hopefully not last, writing topic for Project Blog on Thursday.
Stay tuned - I’m going to need your votes!
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