Modalu Markdowns

Modalu London is having a sale with markdowns up to 50% off. No Bristols/Pippas that I can find (not surprisingly)... but quite a few nice styles. I'm partial to these two:

Sardinia canvas shoulder bag with thick rope handles - in gold (also silver)

photo from modalu.com

Cindy canvas clutch with chain detail - in black (nougat, or silver too)

photo from modalu.com

Visit the Modalu site for better pics/other views and pricing information. When I ordered my Bristol/Pippa, worldwide shipping was around $25, and it arrived via US Postal Service, originating with Royal Mail in the UK. I did have to sign for it.

xoxo

OOTD 6.8.11 {hazy blue, plucked fruit & donuts} + Packing

BR Notched Cropped Cardigan in Hazy Blue, ON tank, Paige denim, Anthropologie Plucked Fruit Necklace, Modalu London Bristol/Pippa Medium Grab in Shark, Stuart Weitzman Donuts in Tmoro Vecchio Napa

I've been carrying my Shark Bristol/Pippa nearly every day since I got it. Gray is such a great color for a handbag, I've realized. Today I am really liking it with the hazy blue of this BR cardi and my peachy plucked fruit necklace.

My Stuart Weitzman "Donuts" arrived the day before yesterday and they are so insanely, fabulously comfortable that I am wearing them today despite temps in the 50s and light rain. I think they will be wonderful for walking around Italy this Summer. (I found them TTS - this is my usual 8 1/2.)

OPI Aphrodite's Pink Nightie on the toes

Speaking of Italy. I am beginning to get a little bit anxious about my planning/packing progress. We are nearing the end of the school year in this part of the country, and along with that you have all types of events, recitals, parties... I absolutely love participating in my children's classes as much as possible... and I also have responsibilities with our business. On that note, my blog postings may be a little sparse... if you don't hear too much from me over the next few weeks, I am just running around trying to get/keep it all together.

Here are my packing piles so far:

Not much so far for the children and the mess on the far right is mine... several cotton tanks and one black swimsuit.

That obviously won't do for a month of travel ranging from Denmark (city + countryside) to Italy (city + coast) to Georgia to the beach in Florida. (Also, I have to plan my Prada Outlet + The Mall in Reggello Shopping Strategy.) It is a fun project but it's going to take up some time.

I will post on those neutral lipsticks and try to get some updates on packing on the blog too. I've also downloaded a mobile blogging app so hopefully - if I can figure it out - will be able to update from the road! Of course, I will have lots of pictures and some reviews when we get back.

I hope everyone is in the middle of a great week.

xoxo

The Modalu Bristol/Pippa Medium Grab {Vlog Review}

I have received so many questions about this Modalu Bristol (now preordering as the Pippa) that I thought I'd do a quick little vlog/video about it.

I know a lot of people are very interested but might be hesitant to order it from the UK sight-unseen. If you are trying to decide, I hope this will help in figuring out if this bag is for you!

xoxo

(ps - I am not in any way affiliated with Modalu London)

The Bristol Medium Grab in Shark {Modalu Review}

My bag arrived from the UK in beautiful condition.

The Shark Bristol I ordered from Modalu London arrived today and I am delighted!

This is the bag Pippa Middleton was seen carrying as she left her hotel after the Royal Wedding. It was sold out at the time, then came briefly back in stock (when I ordered mine), and is now out of stock again but pre-ordering for late August arrival (and has been re-named The Pippa). You can pre-order here. My cost to ship to the US was 15 pounds (about $25 USD).

I can see why this bag was so popular even before this latest celebrity sighting. The handles are rounded and comfortable in the hand, a detachable shoulder strap is included, and there are three separate zippered compartments (the center one is smaller). The outer zipper compartment at the front of the bag has an interior zippered pocket on one side and two pockets to slip in a cellphone and camera/lipstick/reciepts etc. There are also two zippered compartments on the exterior front and a larger zippered compartment on the exterior back. Talk about organization. I am going to love using this bag.

The interior is lined in a woven fabric with a shell print... there are also goldtone shells on five of the zipper pulls. Nice detail. The hardware is goldtone and I really like the contrast of the black fabric of the zippers against the soft gray. It also arrived with a lovely lavender fabric storage bag and a care card.

Here are some pics:

tiny goldtone shells on the zipper pulls

from the side

the back

the bottom

the compartment with interior pockets - there are two more pocket-less compartments

close-up of the lining

the dustbag

xoxo

Modalu London {+ a shoe question}

**update 5/3/11**

Thank you so much to Modalu for kindly contacting me to let me know that the Shark Medium Bristol Bag is back in stock and they will ship worldwide. My shipping cost to the US was 15 pounds (about $25 USD). Shop Modalu London here!

I didn't get up early for The Royal Wedding, but through the magic of the dvr, British magazines online, and Twitter, I've managed to see quite a bit of the fashions worn during, before, and after. I'm not going to recap here, but I did want to mention one of the items I noticed: the light gray handbag Pippa Middleton carried as she was photgraphed leaving her hotel the morning after the event.

It's not a combination I've thought to put together, but I really like the pale gray handbag with ivory shoes against the white denim and blue.

photo from socialitelife.com

I searched online and eventually found who makes this bag on coolspotters.com. It is the Medium Bristol Grab in "Shark" by Modalu London. I can't find anyone in the US who carries the brand but I will remember to keep an eye out for Modalu this Summer.

image from very.co.uk

John Lewis shows it as available online in black and brown, priced at 149 pounds (just under $250 USD these days). I've read that JL has plans to begin shipping to the US and Australia, but I can't find if they are just yet. Many stockists are listed on the Modalu website, but they all appear to be in the UK, Germany and Japan (including Barneys New York Ginza).

I am also really liking the Provence Straw Clutch in Coral (also available in Natural), priced at just 35 pounds (about $58):

photos from modalu.com

I'd love to know if anyone has shopped or owns this brand -- and what you think of it?

Now...

does anyone have any idea who made these adorable flats??!!

photo from zimbio.com

xoxo