FTWink! Save 25% At Wink!

Wink is offering 25% off through February 17th with promo code XTR25... which means... after an ABSURD amount of mental churn, I FINALLY bought that By Francine fan dress! Patience, she is a virtue after all!

($116.22, By Francine, Winknyc.com)

So, follow this: It was originally $284.00, currently on sale for $142.99, and with the discount I got it for $116.22! HOLLA FOR A DOLLA!

That Awesome By Francine Fan Dress Is Fully On Sale!

Remember that amazing By Francine fan dress I blogged about Monday? The one that WAS $284?

It's now $198 AND, with promo code SALE20 (good November 20 - 24, 2008), you can get 20% off, which brings it down to a cool $178, if my math doesn't suck, which it does like 9 out of 9 times. What I mean to say is that it's ON SALE at Winknyc.com!

And, as evidence that miracles still do exist south of 34th Street, sizes XS, S, M AND Large are all available... for now! If anyone gets it, PLEASE lemme know how hard it rules. I, on the other hand, and TRYING to exercise some financial conservatism (or at least just spend on others instead of ME ME ME), so I'll just sit here idly and project my Windows shopping lust/ addiction onto you!

I'm A Fan Of By Francine's Fan Dress

UPDATE! THE FAN DRESS IS ON SALE!!

A few great pieces from By Francine...

($284, By Francine, Winknyc.com)

I LURVE unexpected twists on otherwise classic little black dresses. Plus, consider ALL of the shoe options you now have as a result of the fun fan on the bodice. Also, you can get 30% off -- today only -- with promo code "1DAY."

It also comes in a more punk-looking turquoise
... Available for $290 on the By Francine site...

Another reason I love this dress -- it reminds me a little of a dress I blogged about before -- the Eve & A dress that Whitney Port wore to a Hills event...

Two more By Francince pieces I'd like for me to own:

($175, By Francine, Shopgoldyn.com)

... And...

($215, By Francine, Shopgoldyn.com)

A versatile piece for all seasons, no?

Escape to Cuters Beach

I'm headed out on a starter vacay tomorrow -- I really should be packing and not playing around. And while I'm not going to the beach (nay, definitely not -- I'm off to sandy Kalamazoo... jealous?), here's my fantasy packing list of stuff I'd like to be bringing with me were I off to a weeklong trip to the beach and not getting up at 5 a.m. for a three-day trip to the Midwest:

($168, Letarte, Canyonbeachwear.com)

Such a suit. Letarte makes great suits. This safari bikini is supercute and not too overkill with the jungle theme.

($156, Letarte, Couturecandy.com)

Another cute Letarte. Reminds me of Shoshanna's bikinis.

($187, Serfontaine, WinkNYC.com)

These are sort of ridiculous, but they're so soft and comfy-looking and would be so cute with a beachy tank.

($30.50, Alloy)

So old-school they're almost great. Very Mary-Kate Olsen, according to Chicago JP. True!

($35, Alternative Apparel)

Buttery soft heather cropped pants, perfect for pulling on and lounging around after you've taken your post-beach shower. Also, I cannot say enough good things about Alternative Apparel -- their fit and feel are fantastic, and they're not headed by an evil, mustachioed porn-faced CEO! Yay!

($112, Peter Jensen, Gargyle)

More Southampton than South Padre.

($595, Loeffler Randall, ActiveEndeavors.com)

I'm not the type to wear heels with shorts and a bikini top, but if I wear, these would be the perfect pair for that sort of ridiculous posturing that really only happens in movies and magazines, I hope.

($75, Shopintuition.com)

Super cute beachy-prep bowling bag.

($68, Brooklyn Industries)

Not beachy per se, but super fun. Brooklyn Industries has gotten cuter! The first one reminds me of Paul's Boutique.

($70, Boost, Urban Outfitters)

Suuuuuuuper fun, suuuuuper summery cute headphones... to go in your beach bag.

($1.29, Biocare Labs)

The site is pure crap, but trust me -- this lip balm is the best. Doesn't do that gross thing where it makes you thirsty in the back of your throat. Okay -- time to pack my ACTUAL, real-life items. Nitey!

Spring Fling: Dress Obsessed

Soooooo many cute spring dresses, so little money. But for those of you who still have yet to receive your Bush bucks, check out these fun frocks you REALLY won't want to get ketchup on this Memorial Day:

($196, Oasis, Asos)

So fun, so flattering, so many footwear options.

($518, Zimmermann, Shopbop)

I blogged about Zimmermann's fantastic bathing suits last month, and it turns out their apparel rules too. Love the grommets on the bust, and the fun '60s print keeps the whole thing from looking ho-ish.

($395, Julie Haus, Activeendeavors.com)

This I wouldn't personally wear, but I know it'd be cute on many of you. I like the fun Neapolitan colors.

($495, Sass & Bide, Net-a-porter)

Refined Neapolitan modness.

($198, Yumi Kim, WinkNYC)

A perfect cute, non-hippie sundress.

($204, Jenny Han, Shopintuition)

Designer Jenny Han created this piece, which has some sweet cutesy French maid action you don't usually associate with spring, but why not? Plus, 20% of the proceeds go to the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to helping young women diagnosed with breast cancer. (Jenny Han's own VP of Sales was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 -- eek -- so go get yourself checked!) It's available at Intuition in July.

($154, Rhys Dwfen, ActiveEndeavors)

Irresistible and elegant.

($1495, Lela Rose, Bergdorf Goodman)

This has a very Hepburn-esque sweetness. Not so sweet? The price. Boo.

($414, Crispin and Basilio, ActiveEndeavors)

Another pretty persimmon, but way cheaper and far sexier.

($99, Karta, Shopintuition)

Speaking of Intuition, I'm pretty sure this would be gorge against darker skin or freckly complexions.

($350, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Net-a-porter)

... And I'm pretty sure this would be cute on me.

($384, Anna Sui, Net-a-porter)

Sweet '70s-ness.

($518, Thread Social, Shopbop)

Not immediately spring-y, but its short silkyness = nice and light.

($94, Grey Ant, RevolveClothing.com)

You can still look hot while drinking ghetto beer-lemonade punch at a sticky rooftop party. (Ahhh memories!)

Bathing Suit Lust: Zimmermann's Avalon Butterfly Suit

($242, Avalon, WinkNYC.com)

To be sure, $242 is a lot for this bathing suit, by Aussie label Zimmermann, but it does come with a halter strap, and that's worth at least eight bucks! Very Golden Girls glam. Also, I don't really have $242 sitting around, but I do have some eggs ripe for the harvesting! Do you think Wink barters?

Another sweet butterfly motif Zimmermann suit:

($196, Zimmermann, Shopbop)

Spending YOUR Money: Crazy Hot Bags (Plus: A Slight Urban Outfitters UK Rant)

... That I would only buy with your money:

($250, Linne Pelle)

Actually, I'd spend my own $250 on this Linne Pelle Angie bag, but, to quote the venerable Lil Kim, "Why spend mine, when I could spend yours?"

($625, Rebecca Minkoff, Winknyc)

It's a little diaper bag-y, but I love it. Even though I hate diapers.

($855, Vegan Queen)

While I am neither, I am a fan of both vegans and queens. Still, I'm not sure why this "eco-luxury" bag is $855, let alone $85. Still, if you're paying...


... Next... Joanna Louca.
I, like Just My Cup of Tea, came across Joanna Louca's breathtaking, handwoven bags at Dear Fieldbinder the other day. I walked out empty-handed and heavy hearted after yet another case of pricetag-induced horror, but these hos is worth your doughs.

Observe:



Makes the Chanel bow bag look like a downright snore, nu?
All bags from JoannaLouca.com, which is soooo Flash-intensive. Check the site for where to buy. Can't deal?

(Apprx $556 USD, Joanna Louca, Urban Outfitters UK)

(Apprx $418 USD, Joanna Louca, Urban Oufitters UK)

It's called "Spending YOUR Money" for a reason!

And while I'm on the topic of British Urban Outfitters -- HOLY FUCK! WHY ARE YOU SO FAR SUPERIOR TO US URBAN OUTFITTERS!!!!!! Observe:

(Apprx $191 USD, Mogil, Urban Oufitters UK)


(Apprx $39 USD, Ollie & Nic, Urban Outfitters UK)

Those are ZEBRAS, people! With an eeensy COSMETICS case! UGH! So cute I could poach a baby polar bear cub! Even your unnecessary crap is better than our unnecessary crap!

(Apprx $329 USD, Lotus Hallmark, Urban Outfitters UK)

Even your hot hooker heels are hotter than our hot hooker heels!

(Apprx $562 USD, Vivienne Westwood, Urban Outfitters UK)

Even your obscenely overpriced shoppers are better than our obscenely overpriced shoppers! Oh well. I'll console myself with our weak-ass dollar. EVERYTHING'S CHEAPER!

Brown Baggin' It

Lots of cute neutral earth toned bags -- totes, satchels, "saddlebags," if you will -- for el espring! And they're all under $200 ('cept for one).

($39, Lulu's)

There's a lot going on here, texture-wise, but it's all subtle, so it's all good. And peep the similar one in khaki (though it looks brown to me.)

($45, Lulu's)

Spacious, plus, polka dot lining! Tee!

($52, ShopSueyboutique.com)

A direct rip-off descendant of that Marc Jacobs bag. Fair enough.

($198, Hayden-Harnett, Winknyc.com)

A very smart-looking bag. Like, you could be carrying the OED, the DSM or US Weekly inside, and you'd look just as sophisticated regardless. OH! And an update on my second Hayden-Harnett experience: Seamless. (Har.) Delivered straight to my desk. No hassles. Mama go a brand-new bag!

($139, Seonie Parc, ModCloth.com)

I adore this belted bag. It's like what I would've worn to a late '70s/ early '80s British disco on Rodeo Night. Or something. Check out designer Seonie Parc's site for more colors. Also: Modcloth.com promo code: 20% off through this Friday (3/28), code "nerd."

($58, Old Navy)

A real leather shoulder bag from Old Navy? For $58? Seriously? They really are stepping that game up.

($151, Billy Bag, Asos.com)

The anti-Spring bag Spring bag.

($245, Kooba, Barneys)

Kooba's answer to green-chic: the limited-edition 100% organic cotton bag with recycled cork trim. Not cheap, but not pachouli-looking either. Available at Barney's.