The Handbag Aficionado: Louis Vuitton

Showing posts with label Louis Vuitton. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Spring Forward: Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull, J.Crew Cashmere Cardigan and Blythe Blouse

I appreciate handbags (hence the blog name) and have a closet full of bags in various shapes, colors, textures. Although I didn't need a new one, but I really wanted a new one for Spring. I went to The Shops at the Bravern with a friend. We had a spa and shopping day, so I must have been giddy from all of the goodness. After a trip to Louis Vuitton, I ended up buying Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas Neverfull MM. (There is also a video showing the bag in different colors if you are interested).

The bag can be worn full and boxy like above or cinched in (real life pictures below):

J.Crew Leopard Watch
J.Crew Factory Sweatshirt
Michele Diamond Deco Watch

In addition to my new bag, I got some new noteworthy items for spring. I bought the J.Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan that I blogged about last time (the one that Michelle Obama wore on Jimmy Fallon). The sweater is lightweight and perfect for Spring and Summer months. It fits true to size.

I paired it with the J.Crew Ponte Peplum Top which fits true to size, AG Jeans Tomboy Jeans (I love these and they are super comfortable) and Tory Burch Amanda Pumps in navy. (The pictures below look super bright with flash).

Another recent happy purchase the J.Crew Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot. This blouse works well with so many different items in my closet. I paired it with Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny jeans (my new favorite jeans) and a J.Crew Factory Merino Long Cardigan below, but it also works well with pencil skirts, blazers, etc.

J.Crew Factory Merino Wool Cardigan, Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans, Tory Burch Amanda Wedges

Have you ever stumbled across items in stores you already have for new ideas? Last week in J.Crew my husband I walked past a display that had two of the shirts I already own paired together (the J.Crew Chambray Shirt, reviewed here, the J.Crew Reverse-jacquard stripe popover and my Double Crystal Brulee Necklace. He said: "Hey, you should try those together!" and showed me the display. I wouldn't have ever thought to team these up together:

How was your week?

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Maui, Steven Tyler, Louis Vuitton's Alma and J.Crew's Panama Hat

We went to Maui for a family vacation before the start of school and returned on Labor Day. It was awesome. We spent part of the time in Wailea, then the other part in Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina. I mostly sat on the beach or at the pool, but I did go to the Shops at Wailea to mostly window shop. I went to Louis Vuitton and saw this beautiful Alma bag in Green for fall (they also have purple, red, blue, black - all gorgeous). I want this bag.

Louis Vuitton Alma - my dream bag

Speaking of Louis and travel, they have a great online guide on The Art of Packing that I would highly recommend if you travel. Very helpful!

I wore my J.Crew Panama Hat which I love. I pretty much wore it every other day (last time my scalp burned, so I learned my lesson). This hat is so versatile and worth every penny. When I wear this, I hear the Van Halen song in my head! It must be my inner rocker chick!

J.Crew Panama Hat

Speaking of this hat and rockers, when we were staying in Wailea, we did some exploring past Makena Beach. Steven Tyler. I wore my favorite Shoreline-stripe dress in Kelly Green. This is now on final sale, so if you thought about it, buy it now. It fits true to size. It's an easy and versatile sundress.) I had this on when I had a celebrity sighting. We went exploring in Makena and we unknowingly ran in front of Steven Tyler's house in Wailea. He was coming outside of his driveway. My son said "Hey, that's Steven Tyler!" and it was him. I pulled out my camera and didn't get a picture though. He said "Man, no pictures.":( I will never make it as a paparazzi! So Steven, this is from the lady with dark hair in front of your home last week. I am not a stalker. Peace and Mahalo! :) Here's what I wore (inspired by the J.Crew picture):

Celebrity Sighting by handbagaficionado featuring a striped knit dress

Steven does have some artwork on display at the gallery in the Shops at Walea, that I did take a picture of the display. :)

This was much more exciting from my Larry David celebrity sighting last time. While I didn't get my celebrity photo opportunity, here are some beautiful views and fun things from the other end:

On the windy day I hung out by the pool mostly:

My daughter's idea for me to get flowers on my pedicure. Silly.

Mai Tai's at Aloha Hour.

Before vacation, I did check out some of the new J.Crew items. I like the Bouncle Peplum Jacket for fall.

Here it is in real life. The pic came out a bit cloudy but you get the point:


J.Crew Peplum Jacket and Naomi Top

I had to try the French Hen after all the clucking. I don't know. I'm over 40 and it's feels a bit silly (and I will wear all kinds of things). If it were cashmere or merino. I don't know. I can't get past the merino and cashmere paired with nylon. It's sort of itchy and not so flattering on me.

J.Crew French Hen Sweater

Hmmm.

What the cluck?!?

I'm going to pass on this one.

I think I need a few weeks to get enthusiastic about fall. I'm sad summer ended.

Hope you had a great week.

Monday, September 5, 2011

J.Crew Fall Arrivals, Louis Vuitton Alma, and Beautiful Maui

It's September. How is that possible? I finally gave in and did some fall shopping (since we got a late start on summer in Seattle, I am in denial). I went to J.Crew to check out some of the new arrivals. I ended up with the Leather-tipped bell skirt, as see below:

Based on the picture with the model, I would've passed based on length. The model must be really tall. I'm nearly 5'7 and here's the length on me:

I really like this skirt. It's super comfy and a great piece for fall with tights and boots. There are lots of possibilities with items I currently have:

I also took advantage of some sale items like the tissue pintucked tee, as seen above in navy, and below in warm redwood. I also bought the black. I know I will regret this, since the last few tissue tees I bought at J.Crew ended up with holes in them (Boo! J.Crew on tissue tee quality. It's annoying.) However, the $19.99 in store price made me give in for what is likely disposable tee shirts.

I am trying to enjoy the last days of Summer before breaking out my fall wardrobe. School started this week for my daughter (my son goes back next week) and we got back from Maui on Sunday. This is our fourth visit to Maui in the last couple of years (I'm seriously addicted, as blogged about here and here).
This time, we stayed in the Westin Resort and Spa on Kaanapali Beach for the couple on nights in an ocean front room. This was my view:

After a couple of nights on Kaanapali Beach, we spent the week at Outrigger Ainu Nala in Lahaina, with a kitchen, two bedrooms and 2 baths. The condo had plenty of room for the four of us and the pools were very relaxing.

relaxing poolside with my J.Crew flip flops and book

Lahaina is fun and there are great places within walking distance.

We had a wonderful dinner at Lahaina Grill. My husband is a foodie and loved it. He also enjoyed grilling out by the pool at the Outrigger.

I also got some shopping in. I went to The Shops at Wailea. I went to Louis Vuitton to see the Alma handbags. Louis is hit or miss for me, but I was interested in the Prune Electric seen in the 3rd picture down on the left, but liked the Alma Rouge Fauviste better, as seen below. What do you think?

Here they are side by side? What do you think?

I also got some cute short sleeve cardigans on clearance at Banana Republic. I liked the one in Wailea better than the one near me in Seattle.

The only downside to a glorious time was a sunburn on my scalp the last two days. Here I am with my husband's hat, smothered in SPF. Regardless, I had a blast. I am sad to see summer end.

How was your summer? Hope it was awesome.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Paris

I went to Luxembourg for work and stopped through Paris over the weekend. After a busy week, little sleep and an early flight, I was ready for some site seeing. I found a fabulous black scarf in Luxembourg that will go with a lot. The purple suede shoes are fun and typically comfortable, but were not for all the walking I did.

My hotel room wasn't yet, so I walked around with my big weekend bag until I got in the room. (I carry it on planes because they never count it as a suitcase, and I will carry it on the plane for an extra carry on. Then I downsize when I land. ;-)

After my room was ready, I got ready and met my coworker for some shopping. We went to Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris with all of the shops. I loved the cafes and and little shops. I did a lot of shopping, but overall the style left me a bit flat. Seemed like there were more club type clothes or brands I could get here in Seattle for a cheaper price. The one thing that everyone had in Europe it seemed (in both Luxembourg and Paris that week) was a leopard print scarf. I counted at least 11 different kinds. I'm glad I packed mine! It's always easy to dress up a simple t-shirt or cami when traveling and takes up little room in the suitcase.