Dreaming of Spring dresses

My favorite time of the year is Spring/Summer where you can wear gorgeous dresses and smile happily as it flutters delicately in the summer breeze.

No pain for the wallet

Rampage Stretch Paisley Halter Dress for 15.00 this stretch dress has a self tie halter strap. The pinched bra top drops to a slim waist, accented with a ribbon bow. This is a fantastic steal!


Chic without breaking the bank

Banana Republic Silk hibiscus dress for $148.00 is made of a silk charmeuse with lovely hibiscus flowers.


You can bring your lunch to work for a while…

Moshino Cheap and Chic Clove Print Poplin Dress for $695.00 is made out of Italian cotton with a nice high neckline so you do not have to wear a necklace. The pattern is very different with a series of intertwined hearts that makes this dress very unique.


You own the bank so you do not care how much it costs

Roberto Calvalli Cote D’Azur Silk Dress for $3,3300. It is made out of Italian silk with a cute bustier top in a perfect not too floral pattern. This dress is not over the top floral and it has a great A line flow skirt.

xoxo,

girls handbook

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show

Join Manhattan Vintage Clothing & Antique Textile Show in its salute to Ossie Clark, Style-setter of the 70s whose designs inspire today's hottest looks.

There will be handbags, clothing, belts, shoes, and much more!!

Friday February 3rd and Saturday February 4th.
Tickets at the Door: $20

For more info go toManhattan Vintage

xoxo,

girls handbook

The new addition

Her name is Isabelle and she is the new addition to our little family. She is only 4 months old and she is super sweet. We hope she brightens up your day.

xoxo,

girls handbook

Isabella Fiore

Here are some bags that you may love or hate so you need to decide...

Studded Leather Hobo for $695.00 this fantastic light green and antique gold hardware, studs and grommets.


Studded Leather Tote for $575.00 in brown with hardware and studs galore.


The Mini bag is made of haircalf and leather for $220.00 The large hobo is $445.oo is also made of haircalf and leather.


Love-Print Leather Tote, Large for $580.00 this 60’s inspired bag with LOVE written on it makes me wonder if hippy child Kate Hudson.


xoxo,

girls handbook

Project Runway Inspiration

In this weeks episode the designers the designers took a trip to Michaels Kors’ showroom where he handed them digital cameras and told them to take pictures that inspire them and then choose one of their pictures and make their creation.

The Guest judge was Season 1 winner Jay McCarroll.

Who Won? Daniel was inspired by a lovely picture that he took in the Michael Kors showroom of an orchid. Apparently this is Daniel’s third win and that speaks volumes.


Who’s Out? Zulema dress was a disaster! Since she was last weeks winner she decided to have a walk-off between models and she picked Tarah Nick’s model and muse…. Needless to say later on in the episode she quips that if she wins this competition that she will make the models do another walk-off. Apparently she was the one that had to do her own walk-off!


Who’s my favorite? Andrae design was truly fantastic. He was inspired by a picture of dirty gutter water but executed it into was sexy and look very expensive evening gown that I could personally see a celebrity wearing.



Who's your favorite?

xoxo,

girls handbook

Nanette Lepore

Nanette is definitely known for her feminine style and detailing her clothing is very chic but is not over the top that you would feel uncomfortable wearing. Nanette Lepore makes ultra-chic clothes that are at the same time easy to wear and as designers go she seems to be extremely down to earth and generally a very nice person.

Some of her very chic Spring 2006 line includes.


This embroidered suit is perfect to wear to the office or to a nice tea time lunch with the ladies.


This flowing and sweet V neck dress is perfect to go out a nice date with your sweetie or a future sweetie.


This is a perfect top to wear when you just want to have some fun. It is so comfortable to wear out for a casual day or night.

I cannot wait for the Spring to come!

xoxo,

girls handbook

Logo’s living large

Louis Vuitton Globe Shoppper Cabas GM for $1,570.00

Made of cotton and canvas with brass hardware and my ultimate favorite metal feet on the bottom to protect the bag and as my mother says feet on a bag make it classy.
This tote proudly advertises the line's signature historic Louis Vuitton logo that is printed on a linen patch that sits atop the fine cotton-and-linen canvas. This bag has received mixed reviews on either how unsightly people think it is or how they are happy that they have a different style.



Prada Nylon Shoulder Bag for $785.00 this bag is made out of brown nylon with the Prada’s historic logo advertised on it. So far I have not seen many reviews on this but I have to assume they are mixed.

Either bag does make part of me feel like a walking billboard. Maybe for the Spring it is all about showing your logo’s off. Do you feel like a billboard or do you love the bags and feel otherwise?

Xoxo,

Girls handbook

Do you love stationary?

Design-her Gals

I am the type of person who loves stationary, sending out cards for birthdays and holidays to friends and family. In the age of e-card and e-mails the “old fashion” put the card or letter in the mailbox is still my favorite. Design-her Gals is a great web site that you can purchase stationary, note cards, invitations and many other items and then the best part is you can then design them.

xoxo,

girls handbook

Fashionweek--Almost Girl and Fashiontribes

Fashionweek is coming and Almost Girl and Fashiontribes are putting together blogs in honor of the Fall 06 shows. The theme will be “The State of the Fashion Union.”

Please spread it along to anyone you know that loves fashion.

Here is the link to the invite

xoxo,

girls handbook

Project Runway On Thin Ice

In last nights episode the designers where asked to create a costume for Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen. The skating outfit had to be beautiful, appropriate and basically had to function by allowing the her to move on ice. Thus, the skimpier the better…. Oh read on

The Guest judge was Anne Slowey from Elle magazine. Her famous quote of the night was regarding Emmett's skating costume: “vulgar and dowdy at the same time”. Ouch! Emmett do you have a voodoo doll of this lady?

The designers received a package with some not-so-lovely skating attire and were whisked off to meet Sasha Cohen.

Who Won? Zulema because that is who Sasha picked… Was it me or were all the others judges leaning towards Chloe?

Who’s Out? Emmett. And although in my book it was a skating costume circa 1980’s and better than Santino’s “Phoenix rising from the flames”, alas Emmett is now gone…

Who’s my favorite? Chloe with her beautiful turquoise-y costume which I think would have been extremely flattering on Sasha, but she wanted the barely-there piece created by Zulema. Can you tell I have some beef about the winner? That opinion might only be mine, but if you feel the same then thanks.

There was so much more designer drama (especially from Santino) that you would have to watch it to enjoy!

Make sure you watch the scenes from the next episode because there is a new diva in town.

Who's your favorite?

xoxo,

girls handbook

Project Runway Banana Republic Challenge

Last nights episode the designers were tasked to design day into evening outfit for the Banana Republic customer. The Guest judge was Banana Republic Head of Design Deborah Lloyd.

The designers were paired in teams of two. The teams each got a storefront window that they had to design and have their model become a living mannequin. The Banana Republic customers are the ones that voted for the best design team which would then get their outfit produced and sold at select Banana Republic stores and on line while the loosing team will be determined on the runway.

There was such designer drama that you would have to watch it to enjoy!

Who Won? Andrae and Daniel because it was totally Banana Republic!

Who’s Out? Diana and Marla and Heidi said it best was "dull and cliché."

Who’s my favorite? Chloe and Emmett and their reversible jacket that brought day to evening was absolutely spectacular. The top was so classy and could easly be wore alone. I believe Michael Kors said it was more Bergdorf than Banana Republic but I disagree and thought it was a better pick.

Who's your favorite?

xoxo,

girls handbook

LA Sample Sales

For all the ladies in LA this is for you!

H.D. Buttercup

Half Yearly Sale up to 70% off

Event ends 1/15/06
Visit their website H.D. Buttercup

Avante

Up to 80% off of designers such as Von Dutch, Ralph Lauren, Stuart Weitzman, DKNY, includes designer clothes, shoes, accessories and handbags.
Sale ends 1/15/06

2233 E. El Segundo Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245(310) 322-3999
Cash/Charge/Check

Delia-Citizens of Humanity, Splendid

90% off sale ends 1/31/2006

5613 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019(323) 936-1536

Cash/Check w/ ID NO CHARGE!!

Virgo Boutique-Cavalli, Versace, Hudson 30-50% off

Virgo is the only designer boutique in Glendale. Designers such as Tracy Reese, Rebecca Taylor, Burning Torch, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Hudson, Rock and Republic and many more.

Sale ends 1/20/2006
401 North Brand Blvd. #L100
Glendale, CA (818) 291-9010
Cash/Charge/Check

Elisa B. Winter Clearance 50-70% Off

The Elisa B. Winter clearance is now in progress. designers, including L.A.M.B., Juicy Couture, Splendid, Citizens of Humanity, Paige, Mint, Rebecca Taylor, Trina Turk, Allison Burns and many more. 1/9/2006 until 1/22/2006
Mon-Thu 10am-9pm
Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
Sun 11am-7pm
12 Douglas Alley at the One Colorado Complex(Fair Oaks Blvd. and Colorado Blvd.)
Old Pasadena, CA 91103(626) 792-4746

shh-don't tell

desirable designers such as Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Mint Collection, Ralph Lauren,Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors and more.

Visit Shhh!!! boutique by appointment only, email information@shhh-donttell.com or call 323-937-4441 to schedule yours.

1/9/2006 until 1/31/2006

Cash/MC/VISA/AMEX

Sample Sales for moms-to-be

Who says when you are pregnant that you cannot be fashionable! If you are not pregnant you gotta know someone that is to pass on this gem.

A Pea in the Pod

There is up to 70% off

This sale ends on 1/31/06
860 Madison Ave
(btwn 70th & 71st St)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 988-8039

Cash/MC/VISA/AMEX/CHK w/ID

Cadeau Maternity Sample Sale

There is up to 75% off

Sale ends 2/1/06

254 Elizabeth Street
(btwn Prince & Houston)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 674-5747

Cash/VISA/AMEX/MC

IF you are pregnant or are planning to be in the near future check out Pregnancy blog for more information of nutrition, medication and much more....

xoxo,

girls handbook

diamonds on watches

The mini MW2 Stainless steel Michele Watches is so cute with the white diamonds and the band is interchangeable so you can change it to a leather strap for an updated look. This watch is over $2,000.00 so it is higher than most stainless steel watches but it has diamonds and that is my best friend.

xoxo,

girls handbook

Project Runway

If you have never watched Project Runway you really should start now. This is show that focuses on fashion designers and their weekly design challenges. The host of the show is Heidi Klum. This is the second season that this has been on and it is totally fabulous. Project Runway is shown on the Bravo channel.

Blogging Project Runway is a great blog to read to catch up or to read other comments on the show. If you love fashion you need to watch this show.

xoxo,

girls handbook