The Greatest Shopping/Love Story Ever Told

Picture it. Paris, April 2009. My husband and I were set to spend a nearly free week in London (courtesy of my frequent flier miles and the use of a family member’s flat.) Since I had acquired the free plane tickets and a free place to stay, I basically made it known that I’d be going on a Parisian shopping spree on our planned day-trip to Paris. (The hubs was nervously compliant.) In the March 2009 issue of Lucky magazine there was an article detailing the top 50 places to shop in Paris. My dream come true. . . It described all these amazing boutiques and where they were located. Perfect! I took it as a sign and planned out a detailed shopping itinerary.

The day of our planned day trip from London to Paris happened to be the day after Easter Sunday. I soon discovered, after traipsing all over Paris only to find all my planned shopping destinations were closed, that Easter Monday is a bloody buggery holiday in Europe! What?!?! Serious devastation set in. This was the 2^nd to last day of our vacation and it was the day that I had been looking forward to most. I was going to go to snatch up a few pairs of amazing flats at the Repetto boutique! I was going to totally splurge on unique Parisian fashion! I was seriously jet-lagged and had only been sleeping 2 hours a night for a week! I cried in a Paris café . . .

That’s when my dear, dear Ken said those magic words. “Would it make you feel better if we went to Louis Vuitton and I buy you whatever you want?” YES!!!! The tears stopped and my jet lag was forgotten. To Champs Elysees!!!!! (It should be noted that the major stores were still open on this holiday – only the precious boutiques were closed.) LV was most definitely open.

So, onto Louis Vuitton we went and it was glorious. After deep contemplation, I selected this gorgeous modified messenger bag and a classic print scarf. Perfection. It was the greatest souvenir ever.

Ken recently made a promise of taking me on a similar shopping spree on our upcoming Vancouver vacation . . . and there’s a Louis Vuitton in Vancouver.

FASHION, ACCESSORIES, SWAPPING!

“Everyday I wake up and I thank God for my unique ability to accessorize.”   

This inspiring quote is from a postcard the late Stanley DeSantis sent me ages ago. I keep it right above my computer as a lovely reminder of how important accessories are to every wardrobe. These days, I’m pretty focused on accessories since I’m 3 weeks into a shopping-from-my-closet ONLY fashion experiment. Accessorizing is vital.

Accordingly, I recently attended a fabulous fashion event called the ThinkThruFashion Accessory Swap Soiree at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event was put on by Sydne Summer, ThinkThruFashion’s Editor-in-Chief, in celebration of 6 months of her ttF Fashion Staple Series. I’ve been following Sydne AKA @SydneSummer on Twitter for awhile now and find her tweets, links, and twitpics seriously engaging. It was fun to finally meet this Twitter fashion expert in person! 

photo by Felix Salzman

In addition to the swap, Michael Stars had a pop-up shop in one of the poolside cabanas featuring a summer sale of their ultra-luxe cotton pieces. I have a major love affair with high-quality cotton and could have picked up so many of the Michael Stars tops (at great prices!!) but alas, I’m committed to 6 months of no shopping . . . only swapping!

For the swap portion of the event, each attendee was instructed to bring 3-5 accessories that she wanted to swap out. You would turn in your items and receive either a gold (luxe) or silver (chic) star for each item. I ended up with 3 gold and 2 silver stars, so off to the accessory table I went – my stars as currency.

In exchange for my Betsey Johnson sunglasses, 2 bangles, a black bauble necklace, and large green-stoned necklace from the Tori Spelling Collection (yes, you read that right . . .) I got some great booty! I selected a dainty yet weighty gold necklace that I’ve earmarked for my cousin’s September wedding, a neutral 2-toned scarf, and 3 bangle bracelets; one of which was exactly the same as one of the bangles I turned in, except that now I have it in a bright yellow. I’m super happy with my “shopping” experience, though I wish I had cashed in a little earlier, as one of my fellow fashionistas landed a L.A.M.B. watch! 

photo by Ray Wongchinda

Fashion events, without fail, always have the best gift bags. This one topped just about any swag bag I’ve ever gone home with:

·      High-waisted cotton bloomers by American Apparel (looooove!)

·      An adorable sleep mask by Bedhead Pajamas

·      Haircare by Unite Eurotherapy

·      A fab make-up kit that includes 5 eye-shadows, lip gloss, and eyeliner by NYX

·      Anti-aging serum by Bellanue (can’t get enough anti-aging products!)

·      A Style Network emery board

·      Tanning lotion by Beautisol

·      PaperTweet by Knock Knock Nifty Notes (hilarious notepad for us Twitterbugs)

·      Pro Active oil blotters, compliments of Queen of the Quarter-Life Crisis

·      Certificate for a treatment at DERMALOGICA (my favorite!!!!)

Additionally, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics reps were on hand for touch ups and were giving out full sized lipsticks. Mariska Hargitay’s The Joyful Heart Foundation was the big winner of the night, as there was a benefit raffle that helped raise over $2,000 for the organization which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. I was happy to purchase a raffle ticket and give money to such a needed organization and was even happier when I won a eco-friendly Hemptress bag!

Although it’s fun & fabulous to attend fashion events with amazing people, swapping is something we can all do on our own, with our own group of friends. I’ve attended various swaps – sometimes with just a few girlfriends; sometimes they’re highly organized with 50+ attendees! No matter the size, you’re bound to find a few items that work with your current wardrobe. To me, swaps are an essential part of closet organization because not only do you get to take home your best friend’s sweater/wrap dress/hat that you’ve been coveting, you have the opportunity to get rid of your own closet clutter. For more on de-cluttering your closet, check out the Wardrobe Consultation under Services at www.soignee-la.com.

Happy swapping and accessorizing!

GROUND RULES & THE FASHION EVENT THAT FOLLOWS THEM

So far, so good! I have successfully gone 3 weeks without buying a stitch of clothing. Yes, there have been temptations. In fact, there was one major (major!) temptation; the Spring/Summer Sale event* at designer Eva Franco’s studio in downtown LA this past weekend. Eva Franco is one of my favorite designers for her fabrics, style and fit. Her clothes are amazing for all occasions and I knew a sale at her studio (where she has EVERYTHING) would be too risky for my experiment. Sorry Eva!

*side note: Soignee Personal Shopping will be hosting a Fall Sale Event at Eva Franco and you’re all invited! www.evafranco.com

I’ve established some ground rules for myself for these next 5 ¾ months . . .

Obviously I can’t go on for 6 whole months with absolutely no new wardrobe updates. So, I’m not buying any clothes – no event dresses, no new sweaters come winter, no new jeans, etc. However, I am not denying myself shoes and accessories. Come on, I have to! Not buying clothes for 6 months is huge for me. Because I am very much into style, I still want to be able to update my wardrobe, so I'm allowing myself to purchase shoes and accessories. I might die without these.

And, on Monday, July 19^th, there is an event that is tailor-made for me! Think Thru Fashion’s Accessory Swap promises to be an amazing fashion experience. I won’t be able to stock up in the Michael Stars pop-up shop, but I will hopefully swap out some of my accessories for some new & fabulous ones. www.thinkthrufashion.com 

Now, what accessories should I bring to give away? I’m thinking that I’ll bring some sunglasses that didn’t turn out to fit my face as well as I thought. Also, I do have this really cool black necklace made of large baubles. It’s rad, but I’m willing to part with it. I won’t be able to part with any of my scarves, so I’m thinking a couple pairs of sunglasses and the black bauble necklace.

I’ll be covering the TTFashion Swap for Soignee-LA, so stay tuned for a full report!

Soignee styles a video for the Ford Fiesta Movement

Check out this fresh new video. My client, Meghan Mathes, is an agent for the Fiesta Movement by Ford. She was recently assigned a Mission and that Mission was Fashion. She was given a budget of just $300 to create several looks that would integrate fashion with her fuchsia Ford Fiesta. As the show's personal shopper, I was able to put together some really fabulous ensembles that make Meghan's Ford Fiesta look like a super hot car!! Not kidding, the Fiesta is a hottie.

Please watch the video, favorite it, rate it, comment on it, SHARE it. Show some love!

CLICK HERE FOR SOIGNEE FOR FORD

Oh, and you may recognize one of the models as yours truly. I'm not as modely as the rest of the girls, but it was a lot of fun, just the same.

Enjoy!!

Interview by Unik Apparel

Shortly after my day as the personal shopper for Luxe Life, I was interviewed by another blogger, Unik Apparel. You'll learn so much about Soignee & yours truly(!) It was a really fun interview where I got to delve into why I got into fashion and personal shopping. Click the link below to read my interview:


UNIK APPAREL INTERVIEW

Soignee is THE Personal Shopping Service of Luxe Life

On Sunday, December 7th, I was the Personal Shopper at "The Luxe Life." 

What does a personal shopper do at an event such as Luxe Life? Well, I was stationed at the check-in table where guests were able to sign up with me for a 20 minute, one-on-one, personal shopping session. I arrived extra early that morning to scope out what the designers would be selling and what kind of fabulous deals I could set aside for my guests! 

Here is just a partial list of the designers that were represented and hugely discounted at Luxe Life:

Trina Turk

Diane Von Furstenberg

Marc Jacobs

Max & Co.

Eva Franco

Splendid
Tucker Paisely
Theresa Kathryn
Label King (where I found the most amazing jeans--Miss Chic)
Blu Juel Designs

The Luxe Life Beauty and Shopping Party was held at The Spa at Equinox Century City.

Aside from one on one personal shopping attention, guests also enjoyed access to mini-beauty treatments, shopping, champagne cocktails, food by M Cafe (Chaya) and chocolate from Lee Gelfond. 

THE SOIGNEE STATION

RACKING UP THE DAY'S FINDS

HITTING UP EVA FRANCO'S BOOTH

http://www.soignee-la.com/
FAN Soignee on Facebook!

Where it all began . . .

Soignee Personal Shopping is a full service fashion and shopping entity. Need your closet cleaned out? Call us! Need a fabulous ensemble for an important event? Leave it to me! Juggling job interviews and need a "wow 'em" outfit? I've got something perfect! Going to Sundance and the concept of winter clothes escapes you? Email me! Going on a family vacation and have to work literally up until your plane boards? We'll shop for you and your family for any and all important occasions!


Sarah@soignee-la.com
(818) 415-8969

FAN Soignee on Facebook!

What is Soignee?

Soignee-LA is a up and coming full service fashion and event company. Featuring all aspects of Personal Shopping. www.soignee-la.com

Fan Soignee on Facebook  HERE