valentino

Lotus Leap Bracelet

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Jewelry  tagged bracelets / casual style / chloe / express / fall 2015 / levis / lotus leap / outfits / valentino by

casual fall outfit with a lotus leap braceletchloe drew outfitboyrfriend jeans with lotus leap braceletlotus leap braceletcasual fall outfitvalentino tango pumps in red

Pictured: Sunglasses: Prada / Lipstick: Christian Louboutin Private Number / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Top: Expess / Jeans: c/o Levi’s (past season, also love this pair) / Handbag: Chloe / Nail Polish: Chanel Fortissimo / Bracelet: c/o Lotus Leap / Shoes: Valentino

Last weekend was my last relaxing time before leaving for New York Fashion Week this week. I already had my schedule figured out, travel arrangements nailed down, outfits planned, and the only thing left to do was pack! So to go along with my relaxed vibe, I wore casual outfits such as these boyfriend jeans paired with a beautiful Lotus Leap Bracelet.

Lotus Leap is a fabulous jewelry company based in the South Bay. I love Lotus Leap’s customizable jewelry; and the fact that they are in the Bay Area! Love local designers!

With Lotus Leap, you can pick out the style of bracelet you would like. After choosing a bracelet style, you can choose charms you would like on your bracelet based on color, style, or what speaks to you! Love that!

I love my new Lotus Leap Bracelet. The angel in the middle reminds me of my faith, and the sparkling circles on either side of the angel show my subtle glam side. The color is perfect for fall too. I’m in love!

Lotus Leap Bracelets are affordably priced, and since they are customizable, they will make great gifts this upcoming holiday season. Lotus Leap even has a Christmas Tree charm! How perfect will that be for holiday parties, gifts, and eveything holiday related!

Since the bracelets are adjustable, they can also be designed for young girls. My eleven-year-old daughter has already asked me for one of her own! Perhaps Santa will slip one into her stocking this upcoming Christmas 😉

Lotus Leap Jewelry can be found, and customized, online at LotusLeap.com or at Oakridge Mall in San Jose at a kiosk near the food court.

Get the IT bag look for less

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Shopping  tagged chanel / classic style / givenchy / valentino by

it bags for less

IT Bag “Givenchy Antigona” $2435 / Similar for under $400  online here

IT Bag “Chanel Boy” gently used for $4350 / Similar for under $300 online here

IT Bag “Valentino Rockstud Shopping Tote” $1895 / Similar for under $600 online here

There are so many IT bags on the market right now, and with the exception of Mansur Gavriel’s collection of drawstring bucket bags, they are all way over $1000. The current line of IT bags dangling on the arms of Fashionistas around the globe include the Chanel Boy Bag, Givenchy Antigona, Valentino Rockstud Tote, Chloe Drew, Chloe Faye, Saint Laurent Sac du Jour, Valentino Rockstud shoulder bag, Celine tote (although some will argue this bag is over), Hermes Birken, Hermes Kelly, Chanel 2.55, Chanel classic flap, and the hotter than hot Mansur Gavriel drawstring bag.

With so many IT bag styles on the market, a girl on a budget is bound to find an IT bag to call her own right? Well. . .maybe. . .

Unless you get your hands on a fabulous Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag, the rest of the IT bags du jour are well over $1000. In fact, most of them are over $2000, with some reaching well over $10,000. (cough, cough, Hermes) This is bad news for a bag lover on a budget.

Thankfully, there are a few alternatives on the market with the IT bag look for less. Although many handbags directly copy the IT bags of the world, there are few which offer a covetable designer name, high quality construction, and a design twist which makes them their own.

I found three handbags out there which offer the IT bag look, high quality construction, and a designer label which is highly covetable. Although these handbags are moderately priced, not super-saver priced, the moderate pricing is worth it. The Chanel Boy, Givenchy Antigona, and Rockstud Shopping Tote, are considered classic IT bags. This means they will be on the IT list for many years to come. So, if you spend a little bit more for a bag with the same look, your look-a-like will last as long as the trend; if not longer. Love that!

To shop these IT bag look-a-likes, please click on the links under the graphic above, or scroll through the shopping widget below and click the bag you covet. If you are looking for a look-a-like IT bag of another style and cannot find it, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to find it for you! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Valentino Rockstuds flats

 in General Fashion / Shoes  tagged casual style / flats / outfits / spring 2015 / summer 2015 / valentino by

valentino rockstuds flats casual outfit ideagivenchy antigona sugar small kendra scoot jewelryvalentino rockstuds flats blue

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Lipstick: Chanel 86 Instinct / Top: Express / Handbag: Givenchy / Bracelets: Kendra Scott, C Wonder (no longer avl., also love this one) / Rings: Kendra Scott / Nail Polish: Chanel Lavanda / Jeans: Gap / Flats: Valentino

Have you ever owned a pair of shoes, or an accessory, which you find yourself reaching for almost every day? I originally experienced this “shoe obsession” with my first pair of Valentino Rockstuds. They were a pair of black patent leather high heels with an open toe, and they had gold studs going up the back of the shoe in a straight line. Those particular high heels were only available for one season. So when the now “classic” high heels and kitten heels came out, I snagged a pair of each; black and light blue respectively.

It is rare to find a pair of high heels which are comfortable. There are only two lines of high heels on the market which I find I can wear all day long without killing my feet. I find Valentino’s collection of Rockstuds, and Manolo Blahnik’s entire collection of high heels, the only high heels which are comfortable. I don’t mind spending money on them because the styles are classic, and they are comfortable. For me, that’s win/win!

Of course after falling in love with, and constantly wearing, Valentino’s Rockstud high heels, the only natural next step was to try out the flats! Since my favorite color is blue, I decided to purchase a pair of Rockstud flats in blue. This was a good decision! Not only are the flats comfortable, the color is amazing! I love them!

Since Valentino Rockstud flats are comfortable, and considered “classic” for the time being, I may consider a pair in neutral beige, and possibly black.

Do you have an accessory, or article of clothing, you have fallen in love with and find yourself purchasing in multiple styles or colors? If so, please share in the comment section below!

xoxo

Cathy