{Bendel Ambassador Soiree}

On November 6, I joined forces with Henri Bendel to kick off the holiday season at a party thrown in my honor. I have become quite a fan of the brand since first discovering them, so when my personal shopper--the MOST AMAZING Bendel associate ever, mind you--suggested they put on a soiree for me, how could I turn it down?!

Replete with a 25% discount on all merchandise my guests purchased, sips and sweets, a gift card and a giveaway of a brand new handbag, I was amped!

 a lovely little invite created by the HB marketing team just for moi

 one of my girls showing off her HB bling

 branded cookies...they were delicious!

i made off with this little beauty for less than $60 

with the assistance of the special promotional offer, 
my gift card and bendel rewards!

west 57th satchel my friend won in the giveaway!

happy holidays from me and HB!

~

Until we meet again...

Live Glamourously.

{New Additions}

Facts. I'm a handbag whore. You guys know this.
If I see a bag I love, I become enamored, obsessed, jaded...blahblahblah...

~

Now, I'm not really what you would categorize as a frugal girl, 

but I know how retail works when it comes to markdowns, 

so I often (im)patiently wait for the bags that I lust after to go on sale. 

And well, sometimes bags I didn't know I was in dire need of go on sale. . .

which translates into #firstworldproblems forreal forreal. 

~

That being said, I have new, new, NEW additions to share with you! 

(And yes, I just hit a shimmy while typing.)

I went into Henri Bendel a few weeks back and walked out with 

the leather and haircalf Rivington Tote. It was already on sale, 

and I got an additional 20% off using a coupon I had received from HB

due to an issue I had back in the fall. Worked for meeeee!! 

It comes in other colors and textures online, 

but I grabbed the last one of these babies in store. 

Lucky me. Overall bag design is divine. It screams richness. 

This one, the Whitney Satchel, is a complete showstopper.
I have gotten so many complements from men on this bag.
The vibrancy of the color is ev-er-y-thing and taken over the top
with the gold hardware and reptile print handles. It also has a
removable cross body strap that can be left on and displayed
stylishly by remaining buttoned underneath the bottom of the handbag.
I purchased this during the HB New Year's sale, and guess what?
Got it using the same 20% off code I used before because
I bought this one online as opposed to in-store.
The associate only asked to see the email containing the code
at the actual atelier and didn't bother keying it in,
so I tried my luck during my little online perusing session.
And voila! It worked. I was quite pleased.

Just a little HB portfolio wallet I picked up on sale for half-off.
It's a perfect mate for another Bendel bag I own, similar to
this, but mine is larger and has been discontinued by the brand.
~
*Update*
Meanwhile, remember this post where I was whining about a
rare vintage Gucci bag that I had missed the opportunity to buy?
Well, where there's a will, there's a way. I got the bag!
I was able to negotiate a deal through my vintage seller to purchase
it from his original buyer. Don't sleep. She's serious about her Gucci.

Isn't she a beaut?

~

Until we meet again...

Live Glamourously.

{Checking In. . . for the 2-0-1-5!}

Happy New Year, my loves! 

~

I hope you all experienced the most beautiful of endings to your 

respective 2014s and the most scintillating, delicious beginnings in 2015. 

Both, for me, were stylish to say the very least. 

I dressed to drop jaws in this little number I picked up from NY&CO 

--and had tailored to my specifications--

to ring in what I know is going to be one of the greatest years of my life! 

~

Shoes are compliments of Guess and worked so perfectly

...found and furnished by accident, but on sale!

{Vintage Gucci Glamour}

When I die, bury me inside the Gucci sto'!

~

I love, love, LUUUURVES me some vintage Gucci. I must confess; collecting these pieces is one of my more lavish hobbies. And this year, I found me a supplier. Yes, being addicted to vintage Gucci is a little like being addicted to crack, I would imagine--possibly more expensive. A little leery at first since the purveyor of Gucci goods (@VintageGucciFinds on Instagram) lives in another state, but once I received my first product, I was completely SOLD! He guarantees authenticity, and his pieces are sublime.

He is a connoisseur of all things Gucci--a lover of the brand himself--and learns his clients quickly; he can now tell me exactly what I want. He's the equivalent of a Gucci concierge. I've purchased nothing but mint condition bags from him because he sells nothing but the best! And if the bag isn't already mint, he'll do his best to ensure the restoration embodies it. The proof is in the pudding. See for yourself:

My first purchase from my Gucci guy. . .this bag is older than I am. 
No, really. It's like, 35.

Follow-up purchase. . .monogram top-handle with 
matching kiss locket change purse

My most recent purchase. . .
currently undergoing minor construction. . .
but should be shipping soon!

I can't wait to meet her!

matching kiss locket change purseI can't wait to meet her T he following are bags that I missed out on when The following bags I missed out on because  I failed to stalk @VintageGucciFinds IG more regularly I was really hurt over this one!! It's gorgeous! Then, there was this beautifully kept messenger tote. . . And alas, the coveted bowling bag. . . All photos courtesy of @VintageGucciFinds If you like what you see, click here for the goods. Do you have an item you like to splurge on? Tell me about it in the comments!

~ Until we meet again... Live Glamourously.

matching kiss locket change purseI can't wait to meet her

T

he following are bags that I missed out on when

The following bags I missed out on because 
I failed to stalk @VintageGucciFinds IG more regularly

I was really hurt over this one!! It's gorgeous!

Then, there was this beautifully kept messenger tote. . .

And alas, the coveted bowling bag. . .

All photos courtesy of @VintageGucciFinds

If you like what you see, click here for the goods.

Do you have an item you like to splurge on?
Tell me about it in the comments!

~

Until we meet again...

Live Glamourously.

{I Got It Bad...And That Ain't Good}

Yesterday, I discovered the Henri Bendel boutique by my house. Debauchery ensued. How did I miss this? It's been directly across from the Cole Haan I routinely visit for the past 7 months. What you see above are new bags on my hit list. APPARENTLY, someone just missed a sale, so I'm saving up for these lovelies!

 

Fun fact: I learned that the black bag and the blue and white striped one are in a collection called No. 7. Apparently, Henri struck up a friendship with Coco Chanel and was responsible for bringing her designs to the states. When Coco was deciding on which fragrances to debut, her concoction, No. 7, was Mr. Bendel's favorite.

 

~

 

Until we meet again...

 

Live Glamourously.

{DS Favorites}

I love a slim-fitting midi skirt. I find them very sexy and feminine. So you know it was on and poppin'! when I found these at asos, a retailer that I was turned on to by Vivi of Heart, Print & Style. These aren't my only three; I have other colors, as well as one in an equestrian/horse bit print. I tend to buy these in one size smaller than I actually am due to the fact that they stretch, and they end up being the perfect fit when actually worn. I learned this after buying them in my regular size a couple times. I pair them with every type of shoe (boots, pumps, open-toes; sneakers would be cute, too), and practically any top from a tee, tank, or sweater can be rocked and look chic. Very versatile styling!

Sorry for the wrinklies...
these were fresh out of the packaging; hadn't even hit the runway yet.
~

I wash only in cold water and NEVER machine dry to keep them free of pills and to maintain the shape. Aaaaand you know I got these on sale. I stick them in the "save for later" section in my account and go back and peruse the website every now and then to see what's been marked down. I didn't pay more than approximately $15 each for these skirts, and shipping is always free at asos . Like Kandi, I ball on a budget, Lol! They sell similar pieces at Nordstrom for way more, and I'm sure the quality is similar/equal.

What's your favorite piece to purchase and re-purchase?!

~

Until we meet again,

Live Glamourously.