Jae's Guide to Designer

So with the big holiday season coming up, some of you may have some designer goods on your list. Quite frankly, Christmas is when I badger my husband into buying me the bigger ticket items that I want through the year.

So you might be surfing around, checking our deals, and you might find some insane ones. Ebay, as well as alot of private sellers have amazing merchandise for well off the designer's purchase price. But beware! There is a reeeeeeally good chance that it's a knock off, and I would hate for you to buy something thinking it's the real thing and then have it be a fake. Especially because there are horrible judgemental people like myself who can spot fakes and then I'll think bad thoughts about you. DON'T JUDGE ME! Just kidding, totally do. I do it all the time.

Anyhow, here's a quick run down of a few popular accessories designers (handbags, watches, belts, sunglasses etc) and how to make sure you don't get duped into buying something from Shanghai, rather than Milan.

Gucci (You knew i'd start with this, didn't you?)

-Is it bought from a Gucci store or reputable dealer? Check where it's coming from. For instance. Neiman Marcus gets to sell Gucci. The guy you found on craiglist does not. Unless you buy from a reputable dealer, you're risking a chance of getting a fake.

-Check the logo. The Gucci logo is two 'g's and some fakes will nudge that 'g' into a lower case 'e' instead.

-Make sure it has three things with it. 1) Dust cover. 2) Gucci tag which will NOT be attached in any way, 3) Controlatto card. All tags will be white, not black, a black tag is a sure sign of a counterfeit.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton is probably the easiest designer to knock off, there are SO many fakes out there that I usually assume that it's fake if I see a girl carrying one. ANd there's a really good chance she doesn't know it.

-Watch the tag. A fake Louis has a really nice looking tag on string with a small logo on it. LV does not tag it's bags.

-If you can get a picture of the dust bag, take a look at what material it is. If it is a cheap or meshy material, it's fake. LV usually uses canvas.

-Here's the easiest one to spot. LV bag material will ALWAYS line up at the seam. So if you see the seam and the logo or whatever is a little bit off, it's obviously fake. Remember, you pay for these bags for a reason, a designer like LV is not going to skimp on the little details.

-Feel the inside. It should a higher end fabric like suede or micro fibre.

Coach

Easily the widest-worn designer over here in North America, it's another easy one to fake because it's so common.

-Check the 'c' pattern. For one, it should be a 'c'. I have seen Gucci/Coach hybrids that we call Goach bags, where they've popped in a 'g' instead. FAKE.

-Also check out where those 'c's are lining up. The should line up perfectly in the center of the bag, even over a seam.

-Make sure it's an actual style they produce. Because the Coach fabric is common, you'll get an array of bags that they would have never made. Try checking their website to make sure it's a style they have.

-Dustbags will ALWAYS be dark brown with a dark red string. Anything else is counterfeit.

-Finally, check the tag inside. The lettering on the leather tag should be in all caps and very straight. A fake will have the words just stamped haphazardly.

Dolce and Gabbana

-I know this sounds stupid, but check and make sure that the tag on the inside is spelled correctly. I know right, like if you're going to knock off a bag, try and make sure you spell the designer name right. But it happens.

-Be wary of things labeled "D&G". It's not as heavily trademarked as the actual Dolce name, so that it gets put on alot of sunglasses, belts, handbags. I wouldn't buy anything D&G unless I had other indications that it was authentic.

-DOes the zipper and the stitching match? A real Dolce will.

Prada

-Check the hardware. Prada ONLY uses antique brass, not gold or silver. This one is the easiest to spot.

-Whatever the inside lining of the bag is, it will have the Prada logo printed continuously on it. If you don't see it CONTINUOUSLY, its a falsey.

-The authenticity tag for this one will come in a black envelope. As well as the dustbag will be white with logo printed in black.

-Make sure the tag on the inside says "Prada Made in Italy". That's what you're paying for, folks.

K, so I hope that helps you when you peeking around for your big purchases this year. I have an eye on an oversized bag that is so WAY far out of my price range that it would be tempting to buy a replica. But the thing about designer stuff is that if you can afford it, fantastic. If not, you just look silly. ESPECIALLY if you see me out of the corner of your eye sizing up your new purse to see whether or not it's fake. Spare the wrath of me! Buy genuine designer or don't buy it at all, homegirls.

Oh....MY...Gosh...From My Closet.

So I know it's easily been three weeks since I posted, but I promise I have an excuse. You can check out my personal blog to check out the hairy details. Turns out that I am pregnant with a rare set of twins that require constant medical supervision and so my life as turned into one long doctor's appointment. So other than updating their status, blogging has had to take a backseat. But I thought I'd nip in to see if anyone was still out there, and introduce you to a very special From My Closet.

Yes, there was a time when I wasn't so very fashionable. Before I figured out alot of stuff, like how to walk the fine line between dumpiness and showing too much skin. A time when I owned, like actually OWNED and WORE these shoes:

OMG, to see them in pictures hurts my eyes a little. LOOK AT THAT HEEL! LOOK AT IT!!!!

Can I say in my defense:

1) I thought these shoes were AWESOME when I had them.

2) Even thought I literally would not be caught dead in them now, I can't bring myself to throw them out OR give them away.

3) I keep them only to serve myself the reminder that anything in excess is not good.

See? We all have fashion missteps. The point is to take it, laugh at it, and move on to bigger and better things. There was a point when I wore these shoes because I thought they made my ankles look tiny and dainty. I just didn't realize that they looked like a crazy Japanese cartoon character's shoes.

And look, proof of me actually wearing them.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. That's my friend Jarom struggling under the combined weight of me and my thirty pound shoes. When I dug them out of the back of my closet (and tried them on and laughed hysterically while my daughter looked on,) and tossed them onto the floor, the thud shook the room.

So there you have it. Not fashion perfect, just fashion seasoned. Your friendly neighborhood Jae.

The Beauty of Online Shopping

So I got a comment on my last post about online shopping, and I thought NEAT! I shall write a post about it.

I am a die-hard online shopper. I really think its because I am a die-hard in real life shopper, but sometimes I just can't get out for whatever reason, and browsing along online is the next best thing. And I am the queen of adding to my cart and not buying things. But I think it's just like real shopping... you grab stuff that you think you'll love, and then five minutes after wandering around the store, you're like "I really don't love this!" And hang it back discreetly on some other rack. At least with online shopping, you don't have to worry about getting in trouble when you put it back where it doesn't belong.

Anyhow, through all my years of online shopping, I've picked up some tips and tricks and stuff to help me along. I HATE HATE HATE sending stuff back, so if I buy something, it's at my house for good. I still have a pair of pants I ordered like, two years ago that never fit and I just gave them to the DI, tags still on. Terrible. So when I order stuff, it's there for good.

First, sizing. I would recommend that for now, if you're a newbie, you try online shopping at stores that you frequent in real life. For instance, lets take Old Navy. I shop at Old Navy allllll the time at the brick and mortar store. So I am super familiar with their sizing. When I order online, I have no guesses on whether or not something looks good.

When you go to a brick and mortar store that you LOVE, take note of your sizing information. I actually keep a little note of all the stores and what size I am in each one. Then you can look online for awesome sales. I like online sales, because whereas the actual brick and mortar store is clearancing out their excess and leftover inventory for that location, the online store is clearancing out a ton of warehouses, and you can get sweet deals.

Also, internet shopping is NOT THE TIME to try new fads and trends. One time, like five years ago when those Kangol hats were in, I convinced myself that I would look awesome in one and ordered one online. It looked teerrrrrrrrible. You don't even know how bad. It was too big for my face or something... whatever. What I'm saying is, internet shopping is not for "trying" stuff out. But things in styles you know you look good in and love, and there is no guess work. I sold the hat on eBay.

Last, there is one department where you can go crazy online shopping, and that's with shoes. Because shoes always look good. Unless it's a pair of boots that you don't know if they'll fit over your calves, buy as many pairs of pumps as humanly possible online. I would say 2/3rds of my collection are online purchases. A word to the wise though, if you are ordering pumps, order a half size up. Just trust me and your tootsies will thank me.

So, that's the rundown. No go! Go my lovelies! Buy things!!!

Shopping Tips

Sometimes I hear people say tings like "I hate shopping!" This. Is. Unacceptable. I'm not saying everyone has to be like me, the die-hard shopper that lives, eats and sleeps it, but it should be a pretty enjoyable experience. After all, you're out there BUYING thins for YOURSELF. How do you not enjoy that? I'm sorry, we probably can't be friends.

I have some ideas that can make shopping a little easier on both the feet and the pocketbook. One day, you shall be a shopping lover, and I will you see you twirling your shopping bags in circles and throwing your hat up in the air Mary Tyler Moore style in the mall. We'll get there, I promise. This is on my mind especially because I am FINALLY going to buy some of those cute academy sweaters today. I can't believe I have put it off this long. Must have one! K, so here we go.

-SHOES! Put some thought into the shoes you wear shopping. I know you're automatically thinking comfort, but please! before you pull out your perfectly white Keds, remember the purpose of trying on these clothes is to make sure they look good. You will not be happy if you go to try on a cute skirt with clunky old running shoes. *shudder* My advice is to shop in flats. They look good with pretty much any type of clothing, and will give you a better idea of how the clothes will look and not leave you frustrated. Trying on jeans? Remember that there are different length inseams. I get longer jeans to wear with my heels and shorter jeans to wear wit flats. When trying on long jeans for heels, do a little tippy toe test (stand on your toes about three inches in the air) and make sure they'll fall correctly....and that your butt looks good. Go ahead, give it a little peek.

- Wear something presentable. Remember that there will be other people shopping, and you'll feel all frumpy and unrepresentable if you head out in sweats and mom jeans.

- Do not bring children if you are serious about shopping for yourself. Don't get me wrong, I nip into stores with my two year old all the time, but I don't do real shopping with her. You'll get too frustrated and then tell me you hate shopping. And that will make me cry.

- STAY OUT OF CHILDREN'S STORES. If you are going shopping for yourself, stay away from the dang Gymboree stuff. I know there might be a sale, but you'll go in, drop a small fortune on weirdly coordinated apple clothing, and then feel guilty when you walk into an adult store because all of your money is gone. This is for you.

- Set a spending limit. It'll stop that awful buyer's remorse I used to get all the time (now I have no remorse. HA! Yes, I'll be here all week. Tip your waitress.) If you only want to spend $20 on a top, weed them out accordingly. Trust me, there are many tops in the proverbial sea. That $35 one does not need to belong to you if it does not belong in the budget. Good deals are to be found!!

- Eat something!! If you're in a mall, grab a pretzel and something with a little bit of protein so you're not all rainy-day-susan. Alot of time we're just rushing around and forget about it. Grab a smoothie and you can sip and shop. You'll have a better time, trust me.

K, that should be it for now. I use shopping as my 'me' time. At least once a month, I pass the duties off to my husband, kiss him and the baby goodbye, and head out on my own for a few hours. Not only is it because I love shopping, but I also love ADULT time, when the old Jae shakes off the dust and comes out to play, umbrella stroller not included. Remember when YOU were an adult? That was fun, wasn't it? Doing big people things! So try it, for yourself, just once, and tell me I totally haven't changed your opinion on the big 'S'. (That's shopping, not smoothie, although I could use a Mango-a-go-go today...)

Sweater Weather!

YAY! So fall is officially here, and it's all crispy and and cool-y and I am deliriously happy right now. I am having a good month girls, I love October! Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on this coming Sunday, so I have alot to get done, as I always host a Canadian Thanksgiving at our house wit all of our friends that have Canadian ties. I'll tell you, it is really easy to find people with Canadian ties when you look. Maple leaf forever!

And what will I be wearing to Canadian Thanksgiving? Why, a sweater of course! I heart sweaters to ridiculous degree and I buy them up in huge quantities. You know Black Friday, when the world braves shopping at 3am for the best deals? While everyone else is snatching up Wii's and DVD's, I'm like, ooh! Cheap sweaters!

Anyhow, I set out to check for new trends that I love in sweaters this year and I had a little sweater-gasm and started writing down a SHOPPING LIST of sweaters and which stores they were at so that this weekend I could go partake. Nevermind that I'm pregnant. I WILL BUY THEM! And since I love them all, I'll be posting lots of pics. Ahhh heaven.

K, so doesn't this just look like the perfect fall sweater? I love the neckline and collar, and the big buttons are perrrrrfect. I want this. Forever 21.


This is the newest thing I have seen for the season, these awesome little drape-front cardigans. Perfect to throw over anything, and all of a sudden look put together. This one was at Bluefly for like $60, but I saw them at Charlotte Russe for $19. Just saying.


K, remember dusters??? I have a red one that I can't bear to throw out even though it is horribly dated and screams "2001!" Well, YAY, because dusters are back but new-school. See how they are shorter? Gone are the stumpifying calf-length ones, choose ones that go no lower than mid thigh. Papaya.



Every woman should have a classic, cable knit sweater. Love how they've pinned this one with a brooch, and I am seeing shawl collars everywhere.


Or do a simpler silhouette, love the scoop neck here, super super flattering. Remember that sweaters shouldn't be bulky. Streamlined is best. Metro Style.


Everyone knows my obsession with argyle, and luckily everyone has it now. So smart! Love layering that is built in, again, not bulky and you look like you actually know something about fashion. Forever 21



I LOVE THESE SWEATERS! They are these cute "academy" type ones, they are freaking adorable. Can't you see this, which a white, collared button up under, some skinnier jeans and flats? LOVE. I am definitely buying one this weekend because I can't even contain my excitement.

Sweaters are an awesome way to update or transition your wardrobe. Anyone up for a shopping trip?

Clutches! (Okay, and handbags in general)

K, so I wrote an entire blog dedicated to my hatred of diaper bags (You can read it here) Point is, I really, really hate them. Mom bags in general are pretty bad. But especially diaper bags. ANYWAYS, there are so many cute bags out there I don't know why you would have an ugly one. Especially with the reappearance of the satchel bag, which is perfect for the multi-function lover, you have NO EXCUSE to be carrying a bag with a teddy bear on it. K?

Let's familiarize ourselves with the different types of bags. Then, later when you're searching for yourself, you can look around using the style you like the best and which will suit your needs the most. All the bags I post will be from http://www.shopsueyboutique.com/ which allows me to have more handbags than I would ever need, in a million years. I'm not even kidding. I have an entire cupboard in our mudroom dedicated to handbags. My husband is disgusted.

THE SATCHEL

Satchel's are my personal favourite because they look very streamlined and a little more professional than your average bag. I like to at least maintain some semblance of being organized, even when I'm not. They are a medium-sized bag, usually with multiple pockets and goodness for better organization. I loved these when my daughter was still young enough to need all manner of snacks, drinks, and tiny board books. I really prefer satchels in grown-up textures, since they are grown up bag. Croc, python, etc. But as for colours, anything works, I especially love deep jewel tones, plums etc.

THE TOTE

The tote is the biggest of all the handbags, which makes it super functional and awesome. The best part about a huge bag is that it probably makes you look smaller in comparison (I hate seeing bigger girls with tiny little purses, it looks ridiculous). I recently started carrying a tote when my daughter starting wanting to bring colouring books everywhere. Also, I travel alot and they fit everything on the plane so I am not struggling with 8 bags. Love.

THE SHOULDER BAG

Also commonly known as an evening bag as well, it'll be the smallest of your typical handbags. That means that unlike the satchel, which is carried over the arm, or the tote, which is carried in the hand, it's carried (duh) over the shoulder. If you're choosing this, look for a drop (the word that describes the length of the handles) that is comfortable on you. Move around. Lean forward. Nothing is more ANNOYING than straps that are always sliding off your shoulders.

THE HOBO

The Hobo is by far the most relaxed of all the bags, and I carried one before I needed to be more organized. They are floppy and soft, and typically only have one or two compartments. This would be ideal if you didn't have as much gear (read: older kids) and just needed to chuck in a few things. Also great for those who demand comfort. They are going to be very slouchy and unstructured, usually in a 'u' type shape. Love it in a serious colour because its a fun bag.

THE CLUTCH

My very favourite of all bags because it goes with them all. My secret is to get an adorable clutch. Make sure it has a) pockets and organizers for your cards etc, to replace your mom-wallet and b) a wrist strap. Then, pop it into your giant bag when you're lugging it around with your kids. Later, when you have a date or are just running out on your own, you can just pull your clutch out and have all of your important stuff, and not look totally frumpalicious when you don't have to.

Accesorize...please?

K, so I have been meaning to write about accessories for a little while now, but it's just kind of weird territory because I feel like accessories are pretty personal as far as people's tastes go. I don't expect someone to have the same tastes as me, but I'll just kind of let you know what I'm into now. If you love it, great. If you don't, that's cool too.

The best part about accessories is that there are more "right" ways to do them than wrong. So really, you shouldn't be too afraid. I am telling you, before I got married I NEVER wore any type of jewelry. Through high school, I was mostly a tomboy, and owned a pair of DONKEY MITTENS. That's right. Mittens that looked like donkey puppets. And of course, I thought that was pretty much the height of fashion. When I met and was dating my future husband, he introduced me to very sparkly things and I became addicted. In fact, I got my ears pierced on my 21st birthday.

I know you're all GASPING in astonishment. For as girly as I am now, it took a long time to get there. Now I love messing around with adding things to an outfit. Here are my tried and true rules for jewelry and accessorizing.

-Pick out your jewelry after you've been fully dressed. I know the feeling when you really want to wear a piece, and load it on and it's just too much. Don't plan it, play by ear.

-Don't spend much on accessories. The point of accessories is to change an outfit. So spend more on a classic outfit, and change it up by adding a necklace or a scarf or something to make it trendier. I hardly ever spend more than $15 on one.

-Don't over do it. My personal rule is to place jewelry away from each other. For instance, I'll never do earrings and a necklace together, it's too much for me. But I'll do earrings and a bold bracelet, or a necklace and a few rings.

K, I'll show you some pieces that are out right now that I am loving. Some stuff I am in love with now: Bold cocktail rings, layered necklaces, chain link bracelets, etc. And I usually wear silver, I just don't have a good skin tone for gold. So, sorry gold lovers.

I would totally buy this bracelet because it's versatile. And I love it's not super chunky and heavy like the cuffs we've been seeing as of late.





Earrings. Now, my personal rule is to choose and earring shape opposite to your face shape to balance it out. For instance, if you have a longer more oblong face shape, don't choose long drop-type earrings, pick a rounder shape. My face is round and slightly heart shaped, so I choose longer earrings. I am SO over chandaleir earrings, after everybody and their mother snapped them up. But I love the ones above and these ones:








I love stuff that has a bit of interest to it. The charms on these earrings are awesome, and will have nice movement in the ear.

Necklaces are probably what I buy most often when I'm out shopping. I just love that you can wear a white tee and some jeans, and then pick the right necklace and BAM it's something special all of a sudden. This was my latest purchase:








It's totally layered and weighs like ten pounds, but when I don't feel like dressing up, I wear something normal and put this on. Love. Plus my daughter loves playing with it.

If you're not feeling the charms but like the idea of layering, go with something a little more simple.





I love the idea of this with a black tank, little blazer combo. It's a little rock and roll-ish, which would be awesome if you're feeling like your outfit is just a little too sweet.





And again, I love interesting details like this little pocket watch. I'd wear this with a deep v-neck. Remember, the point of accessories is to add interest to an outfit. If it doesn't do that, don't wear it.


Rings - I don't wear them a ton because I usually just wear my wedding set, but if I do wear a ring, I like it to be big. And I love to juxtapose something really cutesy with something not. Like this adorable bow ring with a harder edged outfit.

And finally, my favourite accessory of all, the clutch. I will have to take some time and write a whole post on clutches. I'll also have to do sunglasses, but they both need a whole day to themselves. But can I just say PLEASE look into a clutch? As a mom, nothing makes me happier when i can go out with just myself and not lug around a whole diaper bag full of gear? Instead I grab my sleek little clutch and instantly look awesome. I love this one:

It even has pockets for everything, and a tiny little mirror. And I promise you, you will feel insta-glam. BUY ONE. You know what? Next week we'll focus on them and by next weekend you'll all have your little clutches and be thanking me ceaselessly.

So yeah, have fun with accessories. Don't spend alot, but choose pieces with alot of impact. If you pick up a piece, ask "K, will someone even notice if I have this on?" If the answer is NO, put the thing down. Life is too short.

Oh, and stay away from stuff like this. You have way too much self respect.