OOTD 2.1.10: Featuring My New LV!

So here's what was in that big brown bag:

The Totally MM in Damier Azur

The size and shape is similar to a Neverfull MM -- I use my Neverfull sooo often so I know I will enjoy using this a lot -- I like the lighter colors of Damier Azur for Spring and Summer (and I think it looks great with pink shoes!). This style differs from the Neverfull in that it has a zip top and outer pockets and doesn't have quite as much interior capacity.

I've been asked about price differences in Hawaii vs. the rest of the US and have been told they are around 3% and 10% less in Hawaii by different sales associates. I think it depends on if you are factoring in sales tax. Here tax is 4.7%. The savings before tax on retail prices is closer to 3% or so.

I found out this specific current pricing info during my two shop visits:

Neverfull MM - $675 Hawaii, $700 mainland

Keys Pouch Complice (Damier Azur) $250 Hawaii, $255 mainland

Speedy 30 - $675 Hawaii, $700 mainland

Totally MM - $950 Hawaii, $970 mainland

I love this feature -- two outer pockets sized big enough to hold magazines... or airline tickets... even my camera - I like to have it handy!

the inside is very simple - two small pockets on one side and one larger one on the other with a ring at one end you can use to attach keys or smaller LV pouch

And here is my first outfit with it:

J Crew Pop-Art Pleated Tissue Cami, ATL cardi in white, Vigoss jeans, Tory Burch Miller sandals, Louis Vuitton Totally MM in Damier Azur

xoxo

Sunday: Dinner at Duke's and a Visit to Louis Vuitton

We spent most of yesterday at the hotel pool - at The Hawaiian Village they have a round man-made beachy one with an island in the middle where you can rent paddle boats and canoes as well as the big pool with hot tubs and slides. The kids could stay in the water all day.

For lunch we went over to Tropics again where I had a watermelon mojito and cheeseburger & fries -- the slaw was really good -- spicy with cilantro and edamame. After that -- back to the pool. We finally got our three out of the water in the early evening and Hubby went for a run up to Diamond Head while the little ones and I rested a bit and cleaned up and dressed for dinner.

For that, we took a quick taxi ride over to Duke's, conveniently passing kate spade, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and many more interesting sights. Also, conveniently, we had a little wait at Duke's so I had some shopping time and I spent it at LV!

After dinner, we let the kids pick out some fun souvenirs at Little People, right outside the restaurant. They also have a website www.alohakids.com.

And here are some snaps from our Sunday dining:

Watermelon Mojito at Tropics Bar & Grill

Burger with Cheddar & Fries at Tropics Bar & Grill -- the slaw was spicy and great!

Seafood Luau at Duke's - this was very good - a mixture of shrimp, scallops, mushrooms and other vegetables in a nice coconut sauce. It reminded me of Thai food although it was very mild. I would have loooved it if it were hot and spicy!

Happy Monday!

xoxo

The Victoria Gets Out Twice in One Weekend

Here are two OOTD from this past weekend - both featuring J Crew's Victoria blouse in Golden Olive that I happily scored on a popback back in March.  The morning before I wore it I hand washed it carefully and look how nicely the ruffles stayed!  Love this blouse!

Friday Night Company Christmas Dinner:

J Crew Victoria blouse in Golden Olive, J Crew cotton cardigan, ATL skirt, J Crew earrings, Target tights, J Crew Brewster boots, Louis Vuitton Neverful MM

Sunday Morning Santa Breakfast:

J Crew Victoria blouse, J Crew Haley Foil Cardigan, ATL black pants, J Crew earrings, Tory Burch Revas

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

What I Wore to the Wedding

Moulinette Soeurs dress from Anthropologie, Target Mossimo Peeptoe Pumps in black patent, Anthropologie earrings (close-up pic shown in this post), LV Damier Speedy 30

This was Friday evening - such a fun family wedding! Today we spent (I can't believe this) ten hours at the Mall of America.  Exhausting!  Flying back to Seattle tomorrow.  I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

xoxo

OOD 9.3.09: Seattle to Minneapolis

J Crew Maya cardi, ON denim capris, Tory Burch gold Reva espadrilles, Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 30, Target necklace

I hope everyone has a lovely Labor Day weekend!  I'll be tweeting (and possibly blogging) on the road!

xoxo

The New Louis Vuitton Sistina {+ more}

So I get a tweet yesterday that Louis Vuitton's Sistina is available online and in all stores now.  I love the shape and hardware on this bag!  I do love the Damier print with that gorgeous red lining, and already have a Speedy in it - but this is sooooo different!  The tweet got me perusing the LV website and, while a Keepall was already on my wishlist, I may have added a couple more:

The ever-classic Alma - in Rose Pop Vernis or Bleu Nuit Vernis - either would be fine!

The Totally in Damier Azur - I love that this has a top zip.  Would be a great summer tote!

And of course the classic Keep-All!

Alright, time to leave DreamLand!  I'm saving up my money for a couple upcoming trips where I know there will be shopping involved!  Anyone else have a handbag wishlist they're working on?!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

Fun at Louis Vuitton

One of my first shop visits in Paris was, of course, to Louis Vuitton and I found the store on Avenue Montaigne first. I was looking for a clutch and considering something in the Monogram, Damier, or Monogram Vernis. I tried a few styles and decided to think about it, wanting to visit the huge flagship store on Champs Elysees. When we got to that one it was so overwhelmingly crowded and huge that we headed back to the Montaigne store to do any buying.

I settled on the Eva clutch in Monogram after seeing how versatile it is. You can use just the chain and carry on your shoulder, carry as a clutch, hook the chain to just one end and carry as a wristlet, or attach the included leather strap to carry it crossbody on your hip (with chain hanging down). The salesman also showed me that I could sling the chain over my Neverfull straps and carry it that way! (and he said absolutely to get the matching pattern to my Neverfull and not mix it up with the Damier) I also purchased the Complice Trunks and Bags Key Holder. The red logo is what was on the old LV delivery trucks.

Also, when I was there, the salesman told me that that night they were having a little "party" and staying open until 10pm rather than closing at their usual 7pm time and I should come, have some champagne, and get my Neverfull monogrammed with my initials! Usually this takes three days but he gave me an "85% chance" that the monogrammer would be able to do it in 10 minutes. And guess what - they don't charge for this. I don't know if all LV stores will do this, but they assured me emphatically that this was Paris, so of course it would be done any time for free!

So Hubby (very good sport) and I came back that evening on our way to dinner at Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower. They guided us to the shoe department, brought us glasses of champagne, and the salesman I worked with before came over to get the details of how I wanted my initials done. We had reservations at 8pm so couldn't wait to see the whole process, but they had the machine out in the store and I chose my size, location and color (gold) for my initials. They were letting people take pics of the process and were happy to take pictures of us with the monogrammer, but I have cropped him out as I didn't mention anything about him being on a blog! Hubby was there also, supporting my fun, but I know he wishes to remain incognito, so he's cropped out as well.

back at home - my new card & key holder - I must have everything together instead of having separate keys and wallet - that way if I am driving my car I know I have my license/a credit card etc. with me! It is gusseted to hold quite a few cards/cash/even coins - and I love the red detailing.

xoxo

Louis Vuitton + Earth Day = Good Reason to Get a New Bag!

Look at the email my sweet husband just forwarded to me (of course, he didn't include any personal message encouraging actual shopping):

I'm guessing the email went to him because he ordered me a Damier Speedy 30 for Christmas 2008 (my first LV) and kept it secret by having emails & the delivery go to his office.

So, on April 22 (Earth Day), 15% of online purchases at www.louisvuitton.com will be donated to The Climate Project.   And exactly one month before my birthday... how convenient!

a little LV happiness Christmas morning 2008!

OOD 3.3.09 (and sunshine where you can find it!)

It's dark and rainy out and I have to get out in it - so I am going to wear my little yellow enameled (last year's) Target ring and look at it frequently to remind myself the sun will be back eventually!  Here I am today:

3.3.09 - by sparrowsandsparkles on Polyvore.com

the ring is different than pictured on my Polyvore set - it's bunches of yellow flowers with sparkly centers on a silver ring *love*

destination: Vancouver, BC

the view from our balcony

So we are heading back from a wonderful mini-vacation in beautiful British Columbia! Vancouver to be exact. I love this city! Great food, fun sights, hanging out by the (indoor) pool, lots of family time, and of course a little bit of shopping. It's been about eight years since I have stayed here and I kind of forgot what it was like. I honestly had a couple of Becky Bloomwood moments as we arrived in our section of the city and drove past all those window awnings printed with names like Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. My girls and I walked to LV on Saturday and I found the handbag I had been saving for, (tried it out in the MM and GM) and the MM was perfect, just as I thought! So, I now have my lovely LV Monogram Neverfull MM! A versatile classic... some people may not like LV, or other people's monograms on your things, or monograms at all... but I say if it's good enough for Audrey Hepburn...

Here are some brief reviews of a handful of wonderful places in Vancouver:

We stayed at The Sutton Place, right on Burrard St. and steps from fabulous shopping, in the La Grande Residence section. When you have three kids, no one wants to put you in a regular room, and you really don't want to put your five selves there either, so it is either a suite or two connecting rooms, which can get pricey. They have a two bedroom suite here that is ultra-roomy and we got a pretty reasonable rate. The lobby is grand and my 7 yr old said it was a place a princess could stay. She was really liking having valets and doormen! The suite was basic, but very roomy with two bedrooms, two bathrooms (only one with tub/shower though), a kitchenette, a couple of flat screens, a balcony, and great views. Family perfect.

Zefferelli's Spaghetti Joint: Fun place! A little hard to find as there is just a door at street level. You walk upstairs to the restaurant which is above the Cactus Club on Robson. Wine bottles line the walls, windows look out onto the busy street, the staff was friendly. They made a mean "Capri" martini which is pretty much a lemon drop I think. The fettucini I had was excellent... so fresh and cooked perfectly with a light buttery cream sauce, chicken, leeks and fresh tomatoes. Yum.

Cafe Crepe: Another fun place, ambience-wise. Black and white tiled floor; filled with cushy black leather banquettes and mod posters. I had a double non-fat latte which was perfection, and the banana walnut crepe. A good way to start the day.

breakfast at Cafe Crepe on Robson St.

Sequoia Grill at the Teahouse: After a wonderful time exploring Stanley Park and Vancouver's amazing aquarium (where we saw the famous white Belugas and the gray baby) we hung out in a grassy area near the water and spotted this charming place. The design was lovely and just the style I like. I actually snapped some pics of the decor. The shrimp avocado club sandwich was excellent and was served with a generous salad of fresh greens in a vinaigrette on the side. Hubby had the granola which looked yummy, and of course we had tea.

brunch at Sequoia Grill

Fleuri Restaurant: Saturday night dinner was here. The staff really is exceptional and the restaurant is white tablecloth fancy but they had children's menus and crayons and were great with the kids! I didn't really see anything on the dinner menu that was floating my boat (lamb, duck, heavy meat dishes) so the waitress brought me a vegetarian menu and also the bar menu which featured lighter dishes & pasta. I went with a cheese ravioli with chicken in a "Thai" sauce - which would not seem to be a good combination but I completely forgot that it was supposed to be Thai while eating it. It was just a nice slightly spicy cream sauce. (I love Thai food by the way... just never thought of it with cheese ravioli.) The piece de resistance here is that they have a chocolate buffet for dessert on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. At $13 per person, half price if you've ordered an entree, this is a bargain! My girls LOVED it and I kind of enjoyed it myself.

Bellagio Cafe: What a find! Immediately recommended by our concierge when we asked about a breakfast spot, this is a gem! It is on Hornby St, across from the Vancouver Art Gallery. As it was sprinkling a little (and February) we did not take advantage of the picturesque outdoor seating. Instead, we were lucky enough to be situated in a charming corner booth, upholstered in a beautiful burgundy and gold scrolly fabric, surrounded by stacks and stacks of books - mostly about art - and paintings, with a real tile roof lining the walls overhead for decoration. My Neptune Benedict was topped with crispy capers - excellent - and I usually don't like breakfast potatoes, but these were cooked perfectly and I had to keep shooing my daughter away from my plate.

Bellagio Cafe

Shopping: Shopping is good here. Very good. Robson and Burrard are the main shopping streets and you will find Tiffany & Co, Hermes, Chanel, LV, Ferragamo, HMV, Roots, Banana, Gap, Aveda, Lush, and lots of charming cafes and restaurants. There is even a Starbucks but I managed to go the whole weekend without visiting it with all other the lovely spots to find a latte or cup of tea here.

driving down Robson St. - my Neverfull MM is waiting right in there!!!

and here it is, drawstrings pulled...

...and open which makes it quite a bit bigger. Fabulous!