Isabel Marant for H&M SERENDIPITY!!!!

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I am fan of designer collabs. Big time. You can read about my adventures with Missoni and Phillip Lim for Target in this blog.

The most recent collab that was getting some major buzz was the Isabel Marant for H&M = the ultimate brand for French cool, with high French prices...

I did hear about it, took a look, liked some things, but was not willing to wait in line in the crack of dawn and fight with a bunch of crazies.

Maybe I would try to snag something online, since H&M has just opened their e-commerce site.

Never mind: later, I did discover that the website shopping experience sucked big time.

Thing is: November 15th came and went and I totally forgot about this!

When I did realize what happened, it was too late. Everything sold out on their website and guess where they were? Yeah. Ebay. I was not going to pay a lot for some things that were already kinda expensive (for H&M anyway) to begin with.

The biggest attraction was the gorgeous jacket:

But this puppy was already $399 to start with. On Ebay? More than $500! No way Jose.

I did like the fringe scarf... The other things were kinda blah.

Since I was not mad about anything, I did say meh to myself, shrugged and carried on...

Then, on November 21st, I decided to take a look at the H&M close to my office. The one in front of Macy's in NYC.
Just a look... I did not even dream that I would find anything Isabel Marant there...

And VOILA!!!!

Lookie what I got:

YES!!!! Could not believe it!

The fringe scarf is very Isabel Marant and the metallic mesh scarf/necklace is super cool for the holidays!!!

Look at my items in many articles and websites:

The fringe scarf is super hippie cool. Loved the fringes.

And a VERY similar one from her main line is going for $370 on Ebay!!

The metallic scarf is also awesome. And I can totally dress it down. I think that Isabel Marant is the queen of dressing down, but being very chic.

Also did discover that this scarf is a copy of another one from her regular (and expensive) line:

Aaaaaand - look at the price of the metallic scarf in her main line:

Almost $800 for that???? Got it for almost 5% of the price! LOL

You know what? Sometimes you luck out!

I am happy with my shopping (again)!!!

Tory Burch Top Notch Customer Service !

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I really love everything about Tory Burch! Her aesthetics are amazing. Really on my taste level, but sometimes not on my purse level ;-) .

I do love her shoes, I am currently wearing my black Revas to death... I was so disappointed that my new blue crocodile almost destroyed my feet and were unwalkable!


Please read all about it and see some bloody (haha) pictures HERE.

I was extra bummed because the shoes were worn, and I could not obviously return them to Saks...

Then I've had just a major light bulb in my mind. Major.

Why not contact Tory's customer service and explain everything???


This is what Lulu did.

Wrote a very complete email , described all my pain and problems and... waited.

SURPRISE!  Did not have to wait long and someone very courteous answered!

Tale's summary: they've emailed me an UPS label, I did pack my Revas well and sent them to Tory's customer service!

After some communication.... VOILA!!!!

They've emailed a egift card for $250!!!!

Isn't that awesome????

Then I went to their store in the Meatpacking District. Was treated to some bubbly and looki what I've got!!!! Caroline ballet flats!!!

They have elastic all over making it very comfy and are suuuuper cute!

They only drawback is that they are super delicate and the sole is very thin. These buddies will not last long with my daily NYC marathons... But oh well. That's why cobblers exist!!!

I am super happy with my new shoes and especially impressed with Tory Burch's customer service!

Awesome.

Snagged the Trend: Tartan - Update!

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Well, you probably saw my last post about the tartan craze.
Unfortunately, the Zara blazer I bought had to be returned... It is from Trafaluc, a second line from Zara, which according to the salesguy , is their juniors line. And it runs very small.
Huh? It doesn't really look juniors...

And guess what? I went to Zara at Herald Square, and all of the larger sizes were sold... So, why make them so small...

Anywho. Went to return my red tartan blazer that I've bought online and was happy to swap it for this:

A red tartan silky bomber!!!!

You know what, I was kinda bummed that I did have to return my blazer, but now I way happier!

I will get a lot of mileage with this! It is a little bit more discreet and goes with many other things.

It is a tiny bit snug, but in no way similar to the other blazer.

Aaaaand

I did indulge in another amazing piece that incorporates two great trends: tartan AND Prince of Wales!!!

Yes. The scarf is twofer! One side tartan an the other Prince of Wales!!!! Just love how those patterns clash!!!

It is humongous (you can totes wear it as a cape/shawl) , very warm and stylish - for another BARGAIN at $35 bucks!!!

Even Garance Dore has one!!! Look:

It is everywhere!!!

Really happy with everything now!!!!

Snagged the trend: TARTAN!!!!

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Linda Evangelista in the 90s

Have you seen this tartan trend for this winter? 
Well, I did and felt specially touched by it.
Especially because I do have a little bit of Scottish blood (McKenzie) and was raised with our colors. My grandmother (from Brazil, but with Scot ancestors) made a point of buying us kilts, scarves, etc when she visited Scotland.

Now the trend is back big time.

Check this beauty out at Chanel:

I love Tilda!

I especially love the red check. I was raised with the McKenzie green clan colors, so red seems fresher.

Look at those celebs already wearing this trend:

OF COURSE Lulu had to jump in this bandwagon!!! For the right price that is!!!

You can always count on ZARA to help!!!

Look at THIS! LOOK AT THE PRICE!!!!

 

If you cannot read the small print above... This blazer costs: US$ 37!!!!!!

Can you believe it???

Definitively a great look for less, dontcha think???

Well, Lulu got home yesterday and guess what? After only two days, actually I did not even wait full 2 days after ordering, a beautiful Zara box showed up in my apartment!!

Can you believe it? Not even 2 days and FREE shipping! Zara rocks! No wonder they are one of the biggest clothing stores in the world!

$37 bucks for a quality lined blazer! Can't beat that!!!

Here is a series of selfies:

The only little complaint I would have is that this blazer runs really small. I am a cute pear shaped lady, and I think that my top part is not that big (at least I don't think so! LOL) and the medium size is a bit snug and short. Maybe it is the model of this blazer. I seriously cannot wear anything very bulky underneath like a sweater or something...

But oh well, I really love it!!!

Missing Paris! Old & New

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Saw a really awesome post at Messy Nessy about Charles Marville, an awesome 19th Century photographer that documented the demolition of medieval Paris in the mid 1850's Baron Haussmann.

Since reading about this, I was doing a little online research and did find some fascinating shots.

Decided to create this post with some old Paris photographs and some shots from our multiple trips to the City of Light:

L'église Saint-Eustache in 1880

John and Lulu in one side of the Eglise de Saint Eustache

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The many, many windmills in Montmartre in the 1850's

One of the very few (I believe one of the last two) windmills left. We've had an unforgettable dinner under one of them

An early Lumiere Autochrome from the famous Moulin Rouge (early 20th century)

Autochrome Lumière

La Belle Lulu (haha) and the Moulin Rouge in the 21st Century

First known picture of the Notre Dame in 1843

Notre Dame in the 21st Century avec Lulu

Hotel de Ville after the fire from the Paris Commune in 1871

Lulu by the Hotel de Ville in the 21st Century