Just a random thought.

So I'm in the shower, putting a conditioning mask on my hair before clear gloss coating it... and I'm reading the packet instructions. It keeps reading that it's a protein conditioning mask, has proteins, blah blah blah.

Why can I not be smart enough to understand the organic chemical compounds in the ingredients list? And why can I not be dumb enough to be completely oblivious to the fact that my hair treatment could be zebra cum and I would not know?

I think I'll stick to my Aveda and Fekkai treatments.

Black Friday

Black Friday is to me, one of the scariest days of the year.

I hate crowds of people. I hate crowds full of ugly people. I hate crowds full of ugly people stupid enough to camp out in a parking lot in the freezing cold for over eight hours. I hate crowds of ugly people stupid enough to camp out in a parking lot in the freezing cold for over eight hours that will trample over someone for the chance to save $20 on a DVD player.


nataliedee.com

The thought of someone dying or losing their baby in a WalMart stampede completely breaks my heart... to all those people, I ask: How much money did you really save? Was it worth it?

Who are these people that don't realize that there's something called a "computer" and on it is something called e-commerce? And the same things they can buy from the store at 5am, they can also buy from their computer at home?

By the way, the bag I ordered should be shipped out today or Monday. I called the Sales Associate at the Highland Park Saks that helped me and she confirmed that the order was indeed placed. I don't want to get my hopes up, because that whole sale was so completely and utterly mismanaged. But if I do end up with a great grey bag for the season... I am so swinging past her Saks while I'm up in Chicago with a small token of my appreciation for going above and beyond in helping me.

I'm going to be in Nashville from December 7th to the 10th... I figured I would finish my shopping (co-workers, Secret Santa) then since I know my way around Nashville shopping. No one's getting a ShamWow this year!

Happy Thanksgiving

...Or at least, enjoy the last couple of hours and the week's worth of leftovers! 

Justin and I had a lovely Thanksgiving... It was nearly perfect, actually. I'm still bummed that it didn't work out with family joining us, but we did our best to enjoy the day off together. We went to Maggiano's for their Thanksgiving family-style menu... So. Much. Food. Pretty diverse courses as well, like tomorrow I'm bringing a spinach salad and some spaghetti to work for lunch. 

After eating like 10 different dishes and sides, we decided to swing by the park and walk part of those calories off. The weather today was absolutely perfect... and the zoo was open until 3pm! So we were able to watch the penguins for a while. Then we walked to the Forest Park Pavilion and climbed the stairs and enjoyed the fall view. 

Home today has been pretty chill and uneventful. Justin studied most of the day. I talked to my family. When we dug into leftover raviolis and salad, we watched The Incredible Hulk and made snarky observations. Thanks to surfing Amazon during my downtime, I'm almost finished with my Christmas shopping already... holler! I just have to buy a Secret Santa gift and finish shopping for my co-workers. 

I checked my Amex statement and it looks like Saks didn't charge me for my bag, despite placing a phone order with a Sales Associate with three bags "in the computer." Since I work retail, I know how the inventory systems can be totally wrong at times due to several factors... but it's a total bummer knowing that my card hasn't been charged. 

I also think it is really shitty how I'm seeing the bags on eBay for previous sale price. You know, the sale price before the additional 50% off. It's so obvious that those people just bought the bag to buy it and put it on eBay, not because they actually wanted the bag. That behavior is just shitty.

Here's a picture of the bag, just in case someone comes across one: 

If you do, let me know... I know some of you will out and about shopping this weekend! 

Baby's got a temper.

I want to know who the morons are running Saks nowadays.

Saks is doing their 50% off of 40% sale, meaning... 70% off. It's a pretty big incentive to shop during this current economy. Their in-store presales have been complete chaos, Lord of the Flies chaos. I would post a picture taken by my friend Betty of the shoe department in the San Francisco Saks, but I think it would induce nightmares. And minus the occasional 3:00am in the fucking morning rant, I like to think this is a warm, fuzzy feel good Eagles-kind of blog.

So Saks... Their fucking online sale has been postponed for 3 days because their IT team can't get the website up and running. Finally, at 1:30am this morning... it shows the reflected lower prices, but will only let you check out for the higher price. The Marc Jacobs Carter Jr. Small Satchel I'm stalking retails for $1200... it should be on sale for $248. Big fucking price difference.

I figured, okay. The site isn't working. Surely I can call and place an order that way. Since the website says you can call and place an order. Well, after being on hold for an HOUR AND A HALF and listening to the same loop of Mozart and Vivaldi's greatest hits, I get a customer service rep that can barely form a sentence. Not only can the CSR be more clueless, he cannot place my order for me because the "website is down." Um, how did companies place catalogue orders before the webstore? Fucking take my information and figure it out. Take care of it for me, instead of me having to wait for the IT department to get the site working... and at this rate, Saks would be better off handing some laptops to some drunk marmosets because if they bang at the keyboard long and hard enough, eventually something will come out right.

Good job, management at Saks. You are practically giving away designer goods at sample sale prices in hopes of gaining some cash to break even this year and to increase consumer awareness of your merchandise. Except, you are pissing your customers off so much that they will probably not return to you for a purchase EVER. Which will be extremely detrimental in the months that aren't November and December. In a way, I feel bad for Sak's PR and marketing departments given that they have a LOT of pissed off customers and any lurking on a shopping based forum, like The Purse Forum, shows that it's gotten to a PR crisis. Customers are associating Saks Fifth Avenue with poor customer service. Not good.

I am fully aware that I'm a bratty, impatient narcissist with a princess complex. Fully aware. But I do not deliver empty threats and I meant every single word when I said, "If I don't get my handbag I will never shop at Saks again. I will shop at Bergdorf Goodman. I will shop at Neiman Marcus, Barney's, Nordstrom, Cusp, designer boutiques and online retailers. But I will never again shop at Saks."

I'm going to try to check out one more time and then I'm hitting the pillow.

Alcoholics, rejoice.

For a mere $45, you can own flip flops with a hidden beverage storing compartment. 

What's funny is that my initial thought was, "Oh! I can store an emergency stash of Diet Coke!" 

Then my second thought was that my former high school guitar teacher would be an excellent spokesman: 

"For when the kids discover your mug is full of warmed whiskey with coffee splashed for flavoring... Meat Head!" 

I can't resist Hanky Panky.

Justin kind of has me on a shopping moratorium until Feburary 1st. The only exceptions are necessities (groceries, toiletries, entertaining), touch-ups for my new blonder than platinum hair, hair products and holidays presents.

Hanky Panky thongs at 30% are necessities. Active Endeavors is having a special sale until midnight tonight... enter "pick30" in the promotion field for 30% full priced merchandise or "pick50" for 50% off sale merchandise. If you want to shop both, you have to make separate orders and email them at orders@activeendeavors.com to have them ship the orders together.

As for the blonder than platinum hair... I honestly don't know what happened. I guess the only way to even out the toner was to go even lighter... so now it's a white butter blonde. No silver toner this time. I can't wait to get home and condition, condition, condition my hair. Friday night, I popped into Aveda and picked up their Damage Remedy intensive conditioning treatment. Combined with Frederic Fekkai's shea butter mask, my hair should be fully quenched.

I love pleasant surprises.

Okay, so who doesn't? But sometimes, things work the better... Instance, today I went to my building's mail room to pick up some packages. Because I've been working 10:30am-7pm most days this week, I just did not have the time to claim my packages during their hours. 

But lucky me... it took me so damn long to get down there, that by this morning all three of my expected packages arrived. I love opening packages! My sister's Christmas presents, my Tory Burch navy Reva flats, and my Sephora haul all arrived. (And I also saw some other Sephora boxes down in the office... hopefully my neighbors knew about the Friends & Family codes and the 20%off!) 

So, my Tory Burch flats... not metallic at all. Which is kind of a bummer, because the other colors have a foil/chrome finish to them. But I guess plain navy patent leather is a great basic and they were only $137 on sale, so I'll keep them. They feel really comfortable and the navy will awesome with my AG Angel cords in brown or grey for work. 

Now the fun box: the Sephora box. Sephora does free shipping with a $50 purchase and unlike the free standing stores, gives you three samples with every online purchase. I'm a product whore... I love discovering new products, so naturally I rip open those samples and go to town. As for my purchases, I've been using Diorshow's Black Out religiously for a while. I personally love it because it's a blacker black than all the blacks. My co-workers think I'm insane for wearing mascara with tinted lashes, but fuck it... I like an extreme lash. I'm so far from kids and the suburbs that I'm having fun with my makeup for now. 

But the most exciting prospect is my Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads ($45, sold exclusively at Sephora). I was pretty excited to try one out after taking a shower this afternoon... and I think this is a necessary item for me, like Diet Coke. After just one use, my skin feels exactly like it did when I was going to Bella Vida day spa and paying $80 + tip per month. The Peter Thomas Roth product comes with 60 pads and there's enough product in each pad for the face, neck, decollete, and hands. 

I also didn't feel too much stinging or discomfort. Now, if you have really sensitive skin... keep in mind, I'm raving about it and I used to get much stronger peels regularly. But for me, I am so excited about this find... I am kind of over Origins' Modern Friction scrub (I would rather just get a peel once a month) and while I was digging on my sample of their Modern Fusion (a lotion), I am liking the Peter Thomas Roth product 1,000 times better. 

Links à la Mode

It's Sunday night, so here's this week's Links à la Mode from fellow Independent Fashion Bloggers!

39thandbroadway - A rant regarding overused and annoying industry terms overused in the fashion business
A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops can’t decide if the latest Pierre Hardy is a pet or a shoe!
Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - A couture-inspired jewelry collection from a San Francisco artist that is filled with fanciful fun–and made out of LEGOs.
Diary of a Style Addict - sharing beauty secrets by giving away a free copy of Cosmopolitan’s new book
Dirty Laundry - The elusive and other-worldly effect of unraveling a t-shirt and why t-shirt deconstruction is amazing.
Dogmom’s Dish - Five Fab Books For Your Favorite Fashionista Be a haute holiday heroine with these picks!
Dress Me Up Dollie - Mini loves plaid. A lot!
eye4style - eye4style reports back on the fab LuckyShops event in NYC - Botkier, Foley & Corinna, Rebecca Minkoff and more…
fashion in my eyes - Sex on Legs
Fashion Pulse Daily - We’ll be at the stampede, getting trampled for fashion at one of the 8 locations carrying Comme des Garcons for H&M — stay tuned for our updates!
Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy - See Tina Fey’s working girl style- recreated by USA TODAY’S “Celeb Style” at Ann Taylor in Manhattan!
Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - Because most bloggers aren’t traditional media outlets,companies should learn a new, more personal way to approach them.
Independent Fashion Bloggers - How to Social Networks to Scout Content
Iole in fashion - Fur…
Little Black Book - Canine Couture:is it the right way to go or has it gone too far?
Mademoiselle Robot - This week the Mademoiselle Robot ball answers questions about blogging. If you have questions, come & ask!
Or False Glitter - Sister style swap: what happens when you mix two sisters with two very different styles?
Petite Bourgeoisie - Perez Hilton for Levi…
PR COUTURE - Fashion PR Interview: Tierra Wilson on Social Media Optimization Tips and Life as Full-Time Fashion Techie
respectfully yours - beyonce in gareth pugh, britney in rodarte: universe has a sense of humor.
Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info wants you to check out the one shoulder dress Leighton Meester wore at the Lucky Shops event plus more great one shoulder dress options.
Style Discovery - Have you ever wondered if you needed to buy Photoshop? Songy gives you (fashion bloggers) the answer you’ve been looking for. Picasa 3 is here to help and it’s of course free!
Style Tabloid - Take a look at Gossip Girl’s Jenny Humphrey’s past looks that we love (a lot more than her style now).
The Bare Skinny - Be cute simple & chic! Fashion cues from Audrey Hepburn
THE COVETED - Defeating Envy: When Coveting Goes Too Far
The Life and Times of a Problem Child - Going through some of the most captivating menswear at Amsterdam Fashion Week…
The Poste Office - Discovers Vintage Menswear… Cotton Love
The Sunday Best - A brief look at the perils involved with men wearing jewelry who are not pirates.
Your Style Star - Clutch Worthy Clutches

The latest from Mackage, for all my fangirls.

I just got an email from Mackage's PR... and they are absolutely thrilled to have been featured on Gossip Girl, worn by fashionista protagonist Blair Waldorf. 

The coat is the Lindy style and it retails for $638 on their website. Their coats are gorgeous and as if the cold weather isn't enough to push you over the edge to get one... You could justify it as doing your patriotic duty, and looking damn fierce while doing it. 

"I know what boys like."

Photo courtesy of Fine and Dandy Shop:



I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see an email in my mailbox from online menswear retailer Fine and Dandy. I'm always in support of smaller businesses... Everyone has their dreams and I honestly think that if a business is a reflection of your individuality and your vision, there's room for everybody. Kind of like blogging, I guess.


So, I indeed checked them out and I was pleasantly surprised by their selection... intended for the boys. If you're looking for bow ties, cufflinks, pocket squares and a great fedora... it's definitely worth checking the new kid on the block out. I know they are marketing themselves for men, but let's face it ladies: accessories are accessories and menswear is always a hot look for us. Nothing's hotter than french cuffs or a half-tilted fedora paired with red lipstick... and any place that's offering the look at inexpensive prices is considered genderless by me.


Speaking of men's fashion, Moris Fashions in Saint Louis' Maryland Plaza should be moving into their new, bigger and more luxe location in the corner retail space... They should do well there, given how much more window space that spot provides. The move should be happening next week or so... I think the owners, Brian and Michael, are absolutely great and I know I send clients over all the time, especially for custom pieces.


Final thought on boys' clothes: embrace the skinny tie guys! It's hotter than you know!

Wait a minute...

This is an advertisement for a snoring-solution pillow sold on Brookstone's website.

How did this man's arm become completely attached from his body? Without any blood staining the sheets?

Don't lie Brookstone, he isn't snoring because he is murdered. Look at the picture, middle right. The wife is totally thinking about it... who looks at their snoring spouse with the lights on and a maniacal grin?

It is also worth noting that under Brookstone's suggestions for gifts $200 and under, they list a body fat measurer and scale. Yes, that is the worst idea for a gift ever. I think that if you are stupid enough to give that to someone for the Holidays, you deserve to be stabbed. You know, Darwinism and all... the gene pool has had enough of you, thank you.

And my father's F/W '08 accessory report...

"Everyone in Nashville is wearing the Burberry motorcycle boots. The last time I was at the Green Hills Mall, I saw them on at least three different women."

Tory Burch Reva flat score!

Tory Burch's Reva flats in a navy mirrored metallic leather, purchased for $137 even, no shipping or taxes, from Bergdorf Goodman.

This way my white and gold pair can take it easy for the winter... Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past couple of years, these are easily the best flats ever. They have an elastic back (so no rubbing, blisters) and a great logo imprinted rubber sole so they aren't slippery like leather soled designer flats.

I cannot wait to wear them with my dark, raw indigo AG Stilt cut jeans... They should be here next week!

How to shop: a sale!

Normally,  retailers wait till Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, to mark down door busters and bring people in, hoping that customers find some full priced items to buy as well. 

But it's no secret that with the current economy and banks pulling in the reigns on available credit, retail as an industry is down. It can be a saving grace when you, yourself have less available income this time of year and if you haven't been affected by the recession too much, well... then you can really take advantage of all the designer goods marked down! 

Given that I work in retail, I know how to maximize on a good sale. I usually know how it is merchandised and I know when to shop. 

First point, unless there is an advertised door buster that you actually want... don't bother with Black Friday. I, for one, would not be caught dead in a $10 Old Navy fleece so why would I want to fight crowds in hopes that there's something that I actually do want? Remember, those super cheap deals are usually just to get you into the store and purchase something with a higher profit. You can probably buy the same items at any time, without the Critters elbowing you to get to the check out line. 

The best time to shop for sales is in the morning. Why? There really isn't that more selection, but people completely destroy the sale section of a store. I have no clue why but if a dress is $200, customers will look at it and put it in its place on the rack. If it is marked down to $195 and in the sale section, customers will take it off the rack and put it somewhere completely random... if they even bother to hang it up at all. Now if I can just throw this in--- do not be that asshole! The sales people will despise you, and I will get to why it is in your best interest to be on our good side through out this article... 

Anyways, always shop in the mornings or early afternoons because it will be easier to locate your size and it is always a cleaner sale experience. Likewise, sales associates will better be able to help you in the fitting room because they'll know where the correct size is located. If you're one of those people that grabs an item and walks around with it and changes your mind, please just hand the item back to a sales associate instead of placing it on a random rack. The SAs are more than happy to put it in the right place for you. 

Some places organize their sale racks by price point. If you're looking for basics or larger sizes, the lower price point racks are the first place to check. If you're a label whore and you're looking for a deal, head towards the back of the rack. If you're tiring your concentration on tanks and yoga pants, you might miss the Dolce & Gabbana tunic for $199.  

That said, if you see an item marked down to $199 and it's on a rack marked $9.99-19.99, chances are the item was placed there by a customer too lazy to put it back. Please don't be that asshole that argues with the sales staff for 15 minutes on why they should give it to you for $9.99. Because it ain't gonna happen. 

If you find an item that you HAVE to have and the store doesn't have your size, ask if they can do a charge-send or transfer. Some stores, like Anthropologie, do not charge shipping on charge-sends. So if you find that rare Joe's Jeans or Plenty by Tracy Reese dress on sale for $9.95, it never hurts to see if another store has your size. 

Online sales are great for two reasons: easy to shop and the merchandise is never shop-worn. Also, if you shop sales on websites not based in your home state... you can majorly save on sales tax. And they usually do free shipping as well. So say I see a handbag on Neiman Marcus' website on sale for $480. By having the bag sent to my parents' house in Tennessee, where there isn't a NM... I save a cool $45. If I find the same bag for the same price on ShopBop, I don't have to pay tax or shipping... and it is sent directly to me. So when comparison shopping sales online, take into account shipping and taxes. Google's Froogle is your friend. 

Lately, online retailers have been very friendly with the discount codes. You can usually do a Google search for them, if you don't want to sign up with retailers to have the codes emailed to you. Sometimes, the codes are for 20%-50% site wide, including on previously marked down merchandise. 

Saks and Neiman Marcus will send emails for private sales online. Usually, online shows markdowns before the freestanding stores will. If you're friendly to the SAs, usually they will let you "shop" early and pick out the best pieces and will hold them for you until the sale price is official. If you are really nice and the SAs love you, they'll do what is called a consignment... meaning, you'll get to take home the merchandise immediately and they'll ring out your credit card information when the sale prices go into effect. 

Speaking of private sales, there are also companies like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La that organize private sample sales online... perfect for those of us who don't live in Manhattan! Membership is by invite only. If you would like to join, you can email me at nacatania@gmail.com. I'll be happy to send you an invitation. 

For stores that do not have online stores, like smaller boutiques, it pays off big time to befriend the SAs. They will personally call you when the leather jacket goes for half off or they'll give you an additional discount if there's something minor and easily repairable with the garment like a button is loose. 

Always ask the return policy. Certain items may be final sale. 

For cosmetics, try to get a Friends & Family discount code or coupon. Cosmetics never go on sale, unless the company is going out of business or the line is being dropped from the store. Before the holidays, you can usually find really awesome gift sets. My personal favorite is Origins' Incredible Spreadable Scrub set... it's around $45 and it includes a three tube sampler of their different scrubs. Normally, the scrubs are only available in tubs, which get pretty nasty in the shower after a while... not the tubes, the formula stays consistent. The cost per ounce is pretty sweet as well, so I always look out for it. Likewise, AFTER the holidays... cosmetic companies will release jumbo value sizes which are great if you're dedicated to a specific shampoo or body wash. 

... and if anyone comes across an amazing sale online, email me! 

And the sales get better...

Use the code "PRIVATESALE"  at Diane Von Furstenberg's website for 30% off. 

The code works for pre-orders for s/s styles AND on already marked down f/w pieces. 

Everyone's having a sale!

The Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats are on major sale at Neiman's first call sale. I'll always have a place in my heart for the mouse flats... I personally think they are quirky and fun. 

My boyfriend? Not so much... as he walked past me looking at them on my computer screen and checking what sizes they had in stock, he remarked," those are expensive and RETARDED." 

I did take advantage for Sephora's Friends & Family sale... enter "ff2008" for 20% off your order and there's free shipping for orders above $50. I bought some face stuff and my tried and true Diorshow Blackout mascara... you can't go wrong on 20% off cosmetics since it never happens. 

Buh Bye, Isaac

... Because Alexander McQueen is replacing you as the benevolent design god for Target.

Naked Monkey, Part II: Electric Boogaloo

As it turns out, the Saint Louis Zoo is aware of the naked monkey situation. It seems as though they are proud of their naked ape, Cinder and have posters promoting her.

For my friend Valentine,

Because you thought it was a cat, and then realized it was an _______________.

I am BLONDE.

I am now a platinum blonde and I am loving it. I'm fully aware that this isn't the most flattering photo, but this was the best that Justin could snap.

I bought Paul Mitchell's platinum blonde shampoo with toner in it to keep it from turning yellow. Likewise, it's more ashy today because I'm going to wash some toner out the next couple of times I shampoo my hair. It took 12 hours total over a span of a week and half to get me to this color. You better damn believe I'll buy the shampoo they tell me to. Though touch-ups are only an hour's commitment, holla.

Now in the name of science, I will find out if blondes really do have more fun. But first, I'm going to play around with makeup for the new hair color!

And Best Costume goes to...

... Heidi Klum!

She has the most interesting costume I've seen this Halloween, on the streets and on the Internet. That said, the other night I went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show screening at the Tivoli. We were the only people in plain clothes. Fuck, some people were in random costumes just to be in costumes. Bumble Bee Girl and Banana Man, I'm looking at you...

So Janet and I hit the snack bar and I tried to be friendly by joking, "I know, we probably have on the weirdest costumes you've seen all night." And dude did not even get it. He just looked at me and snarked, "Oh, I didn't realize you were in costume."

If you've never been to a Rocky Horror screening, it's like sitting in on Mystery Science Theater 3000... except with people just drunkenly yelling vulgar comments, half of which are pretty funny. It's really only second to theater screenings of Snakes On A Plane.