Tag Archives | Clothes Heaven

An asymmetrical skirt revitalizes the day

There comes a day in every bloggers life when we feel the need to write the dreaded apology post.  You know, the one where we say how sorry we are that we’ve stopped posting, hit a dry spell, or have just been too busy to focus on the blog.  I sigh when reading these kinds of posts.  When another  person chooses to share their life, style, interests or fashion sense with me all I can say is “thank you”. If they can’t do it for a while I am neither offended nor disappointed. “Its OK!” I want to say, and often do in the comments.  We all have lives beyond our blog.  If we didn’t our blogs wouldn’t be all that interesting.

So it’s funny that I feel such a deep need to say “sorry” for not having been very active on my blog recently.  I’m not facing burn out, thank goodness. Time is the issue.  There just isn’t enough of it to do everything I want and need to do. I also find the latter half of winter rather uninspiring. The golden glow of autumn and the sparkle of the holidays are in the past but the fresh possibilities of spring are still a few months in the future. That isn’t to say that my wardrobe isn’t a place of fun and styling possibilities.  I’ve discovered some great thrift stores recently and it’s been getting rather crowded in my closet as a result. There are lots of new outfits and old favorites I’m dying to share.

Here’s an outfit I wear rather frequently.  There are times when my mood needs revitalizing but I don’t have the energy or time to get creative in my closet. That’s when this asymmetrical skirt calls to me.  I found it at “Clothes Heaven” and it’s one of the more unusual pieces in my wardrobe.  It’s a wrap skirt with a flounce on one side and a zipper on the other. It looks best when worn with a simple black top.  I added some color with my new blue clutch and a whole bunch of bracelets. It’s simple and easy outfit that’s never boring.

I read recently that the multi-bracelet trend is over and that now it’s all about big earrings. I’ve only recently started stacking bracelets on one arm and I’m not entirely sure I’m willing to give it up just yet.  This is the problem with fashion, just when I decide I like something the professionals come along and tell me to move on to something else.

  • Glasses – Jean Lafont
  • Blouse – Barneys New York Co-Op
  • Skirt – Marithe – Francois Girbaud
  • Clutch – Veronica M
  • Chinese letters bracelet – a gift
  • Dice bracelet – vintage, purchased in China Town.
  • Watch and saint bracelet – Wet Seal
  • Shoes – Nine West

If you have a blog have you ever written an apology to your readers?  How do you feel about them when you read them?  What do you think of fashion this time of year?

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Dot dress

 

Last week I wrote a post about a shopping trip to a local consignment store, “Clothes Heaven”. This week I thought I’d show you one of the two dresses I purchased.

I have had a hankering for a shirt-waist dress for just ages.  I was considering sewing one myself as I simply couldn’t find anything that looked just right.  Even though I find this style of dress very elegant, they can be boring too. This unusual circle print takes what could be an ultra-traditional look and makes it into something sensational.

The day I wore this dress the weather was warm and sunny.  My family and I spent the afternoon wandering the promenade in Santa Monica and taking in the beautiful ocean views.

  • Dress – La Via 18
  • Sunnies – Prada
  • Bag – Bagalini
  • Shoes -Franco Sarto

Do you have a favorite dress?  What’s it like? I want to know! Leave a comment and tell me about it.

- Heather

P.S. I recently added a new feature to my blog. You can now sign up for weekly e-mail updates. It’s easy and you can unsubscribe at any time. Just add your e-mail address to the field below and look for an e-mail confirming your subscription.

 

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How to afford REAL designer clothing (on a non-designer budget)

How do you add REAL designer clothing to your wardrobe without spending a fortune?  If you live in a large metropolitan area it’s simple; Buy them used at a high-end resale or consignment shop.  I know people who have found amazing Lanvin, Karl Lagerfeld and other designer pieces in bins at thrift stores, but I’ve never been that lucky. Thankfully, I can indulge my love of elegantly styled, beautifully made clothes at “Clothes Heaven” in nearby Pasadena, California.

Oscar De La Renta

Below and above are two cocktail dresses by Oscar de la Renta.  My photos do not do them justice.  These are the sorts of garments one expects to see on a mannequin in a museum. Instead, they’re for sale. If only I was a size 4!

Here’s a closeup of the details on the dress.

I can’t say that any of these clothes are CHEAP.  These are not Goodwill prices, but they are much, much reduced from the original cost.  Speaking of price tags, some of these clothes still have the original tags on them.  One of the dresses I purchased had never been worn.

Chanel

This Chanel cardigan was covered with tiny, printed, sequins. It’s details like these that make me almost feverish.  I think it’s the reason I fell in love with fashion in the first place.  Clothing like this is wearable art.

If I ever have a hankering for a real designer logo purse, this is the place to go. Below, Chanel purses lie in a pile, waiting to be found and loved.

For the truly obsessed, a Chanel umbrella waits in the window.

I found this chain link print rather beautiful.

I love the thrill of the hunt that comes with purchasing garments second hand.  Finding something great, in my size, that I can afford, that looks amazing, is really something special. One day I will find a Chanel suit that fits me. It’s a total fantasy, but I hope if I look long and hard enough the perfect one will come my way. I could never afford one new, but resale stores like this one might make the fantasy a reality.  This peach tweed suit was a little too tight, and at $2,000 I really can’t afford it even used, but I can dream!

Escada

A adore the print on this Escada dress. Unfortunately it’s a very small size so I will never be able to call it mine.

Accessories

The beauty of purses and jewelry is that you don’t have to find one that fits. You just have to find one you like, and there were lots and lots that I liked, starting with this snakeskin clutch.

This beaded clutch really took my breath away.

…and the shoes!!!!! Jimmy Chou, Prada, Jimmy Chou, and on and on all lined up just waiting to be worn again.

There was a whole rack in my size, but I didn’t purchase any shoes.  Actually, I didn’t purchase anything I photographed here.  One of the things I love about “Clothes Heaven”  is that the lovely owner, Lorraine, was very nice about letting me click away all over the store. They won’t let you do that when the clothes are new let me tell you!  I find looking at designer clothing as fun as buying and wearing it.  I find all those wonderful details, fun prints and beautiful fabrics inspirational.

I did a post on this store way back in November on my former blog.  It’s faded into the web now that I gave up the domain name, so I thought I should write about the store once again.

Do you ever shop at resale or consignment stores?  What do you think of the experience? Are there any high-end resale stores in your area?

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