Jane Austen Makes Everything Better

I've been on major Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen/Period Drama mode since yesterday.  We're currently talking about dating and relationships in my Natural English (Conversation) class, so I was looking up romantic movie clips on YouTube that I could maybe show my students. I then stumbled upon a clip of a scene from Pride and Prejudice (one of my favorite movies adapted from one of my favorite books of all time). When I watched that clip, I was immediately transported back to my Jane Austen/Period Drama crazed phase, and I felt so wonderfully warm and romantic inside. *sigh* :)

I wanted to share the clip on this blog, but I couldn't find one that I could embed, so instead, here's the music playing in the background (it is such a beautiful melody), and a picture from the scene I was talking about.

If you are a hopeless romantic like me, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. :)

*sigh*

September 2010 Favorites

My favorite products for the month of September:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay in Place Makeup - currently my most used foundation
Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Foundation
Makeup Forever Duo Mat - I always use this to set my liquid foundation
Covergirl Lashblast Volume - my current favorite mascara; my eyelashes look so fluttery!
Chanel Kaska Beige Eyeshadow Quad - my current favorite eyeshadow palette; I use it almost every single day!
Clinique All About Eyes Concealer
Olay Total Effects Moisturizer w/ Cooling Essence
Olay Regenerist Serum
Longchamp Le Pliage

Here is my review of Clinique's All About Eyes Concealer:

Splurge vs. Steal

SPLURGE

Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

$690

11.8"w x 8.3"h x 6.7"d

STEAL

Dooney & Bourke Classic Satchel

$195

12.5"w x 7.5"h x 6.5"d

Similarities:

- both have the same bowler shape

- both have cowhide leather handles and trimmings that darken overtime

- both have inner pockets

- they have similar dimensions

Differences:

- the Dooney is all leather, while the body of the Speedy is made out of canvas material

- the Dooney is more structured and keeps it shape, while the Speedy slouches, especially when empty

- the Dooney has studs on the bottom to protect the bag; the Speedy does not

- the Dooney comes with a longer shoulder strap, which gives you the option of wearing it crossbody

- the Dooney is wider while the Speedy is taller

- the Dooney comes in multiple colors such as black, navy, red, green, orange and yellow

Fashion Icon: Lauren Conrad

Now I know for a lot of people, fashion icon might be too strong of a label to be associated with Lauren Conrad because of her reality TV roots.  However, whenever I write these fashion icon posts, I only consider people that give me style inspiration - people that when I see pictures of them, I just feel that lightbulb go off in my head.  I think that that's what is important anyways - not necessarily somebody who's technically truly fashionable and innovative, but someone who brings that spark out of you.  A lot of girls love Lauren Conrad because of her girl next door appeal, and the fact that her clothes are very wearable.  Girls feel like they can look like her.  They can easily go to the mall and pick out outfits that look like hers.  So without further ado, here's Ms. Conrad:

She looks gorgeous in every single one of these pictures. She looks very put together, and I love how she seems to have this ability to make every single bag she wears look absolutely fabulous.  This picture is a prime example:

In this photo, she's wearing a Rebecca Minkoff Studded Devotee, and this bag definitely did not attract me the first time I saw it. It just isn't my style. However, after seeing Lauren Conrad wear it, I suddenly saw the bag with different eyes. I don't know what it is, but she managed to bring out the beauty of this bag because of her overall look. Love her! :)

Wishlist Item: Alexis Hudson Ada

The first time I saw this bag online, I immediately fell in love.  The shape, the color, the style, the flap, the gold hardware, the outside pockets.. I just, I just... I need to have it. *drools*

This bag reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana's Miss Sicily Satchel, which is another bag I've been drooling over, but I knew I couldn't afford.  Come to think of it, that would make a good splurge vs. steal post. :)

Wishlist Item: Treesje Turner Satchel

I've been wanting a handbag from Treesje for a long time now 

(they're bags are just fantastic!), 

and I would love this to be my first:

Gorgeous structure. 

Gorgeous color.

Gorgeous details.

I want.

:)

Splurge vs. Steal

So... it's been pretty obvious how obsessed with handbags I've been recently as I'm sure you can tell from my previous posts. I've always had a great interest in them, but for some reason, my passion has been quite pronounced these last few weeks.

If handbags are not your cup of tea, please bear with me as I continue to fill my blog with more bag posts and pictures. I just can't help myself. :)

I've decided to start a series of posts inspired by the splurge vs. steal sections of fashion magazines. I thought it would be a great idea for people who would love to own designer bags, but can't afford them.

I will be featuring 2 bags per post - one expensive premier designer handbag and another more affordable contemporary/independent designer handbag that I believe would make a great substitute for the former.

Here's my first:

SPLURGE

Chanel Grand Shopper Tote

$2000+ (not quite sure what it is now)

13"w x 10"h x 6"d

9" shoulder drop

STEAL

Kate Spade Gold Coast Maryanne

$445

15.1"w x 10.3"h x 5.4"d

8.27" shoulder drop

Similarities:

- Both bags have a black, quilted exterior and chain handles with flat leather straps on top to make them more comfortable for your shoulders.
- They are also compartmentalized featuring a zippered middle section.
- They're both tote bags with similar dimensions.

Differences:

- The Chanel is more structured than the soft, slouchy frame of the Kate Spade.
- The Chanel is also heavier, while the Kate Spade is very light.  I own the Kate Spade and love it; however, one gripe I have to say about it is that it tends to get wrinkly (especially at the corners) because the leather is soft and not very structured, which means that when you set it down with little to no contents, the leather scrunches up and actually leaves marks over time. However, because it is black, the lines aren't really very noticeable. I'm just OCD about my bags, and that's why I notice these details a lot more than most people probably would. :)

And there you have it. I hope you guys will find these posts useful and enjoyable! :)