Balenciaga x Ladurée

Balenciaga's iconic City handbag was introduced by Nicolas Ghesquière in 2000, and it has since become a cult classic, oft spotted on celebs like Kate Moss, Nicole Richie,  Gisele Bundchen, Nicky Hilton, Vanessa Hudgens, Lindsay Lohan, the Olsens, and Rooney Mara. Ghesquière's slouchy design was originally rejected by the company for its lack of structure, but the bags were used in the runway show so the models would have something to carry. The models, most notably Kate Moss, adored the bags, and thus, the Balenciaga bags we love today were born. 

"Iconic style is timeless...whether it's a black-and-white photograph, the most incredible Christian Dior blazer, a Ferragamo dress. It's something that last a lifetime. Vara is iconic because it's timeless and incredibly elegant for any generation." -Olivia Palermo

I've long admired Salvatore Ferragamo's Varina ballerina flat - chic, understated, and classic, it offers everything a good shoe should. I took advantage of a Friends & Family sale at Shopbop to order these turquoise, Tiffany-blue colored Varinas...and later, at the Ferragamo store on Fifth Avenue, I snatched up the last Vara bow bracelet in the same color. The Vara bow bracelet can be purchased from Bloomingdales, Zappos, and LuisaViaRoma. If you like the Varinas, you can see more colors here. 

Launched in 2007, the Varina flat is a spin on the iconic Vara - a mid-heel pump with the same instantaneously-recognizable bow and plaque. The shoe has been around for a whopping thirty five years - since 1978! Ferragamo recently celebrated the anniversary of the shoe by offering a customizable version. The bow on the shoe was originally meant to be leather, not grosgrain, but the maker misunderstood and made it grosgrain as with the prototype. The Vara was designed by Ferragamo's daughter Fiamma.

"Daring to wear something different takes effort." -Miuccia Prada

I recently went on a trip to Woodbury Commons, an outlet mall/shopping area in upstate NY, and though I wasn't planning to buy myself anything, I got these Miu Mius. They were the last ones available and they were my size and marked down to $150 (I think they were $500?). I think these are such darling shoes; I can see them dressed up or down, and I think they're a very fun addition to my shoe collection.

“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” ―Coco Chanel

Chanello!

This post is going to feature two pairs of Chanel flats - the leather espadrilles and the ballerina flats. I purchased the latter a few months ago - a consignment store got them in and they were brand new and $300 so I snatched them up (they retail for $695 I believe and never go on sale). The former I just received yesterday after being on the hunt for them for about a month! 

(Warning: This post is pretty photo-heavy)

"I love beauty. It's not my fault." -Valentino Garavani

Since the label's beginnings in 1959, Valentino has been a glittering, lavish favorite of society belles and fashion's aficionados. Valentino's signature poppy red and remarkable gowns exuded glamor; his pieces and lacework were exquisite. Since Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli took over the creative direction of the label, the line has merged the classic with the modern, bringing in edgier elements like the now-infamous "rockstud." The pyramid studs found their way onto handbags and spread to shoes, quickly becoming a focal point in each season's new collections. 

A great Valentino lover myself, I recently purchased two pairs of shoes and a leather bracelet, all three of which I am enamored with. I am excited to share them with you all!

Update!

Hello and happy summer to you all! I have neglected this blog quite a bit recently, but now that it's summer and I have plenty of free time, I will be uploading long overdue posts and photos! If you follow me on instagram, you probably know that, as usual, I have been a most terrible shopaholic. This post will be a preview of the posts you will see in the coming weeks, which will include plenty of detailed photos and reviews of everything. :)

Here is what is in store:

Thrifting/Haul: Rag & Bone, Elizabeth & James, AllSaints, Wildfox Couture, Rebecca Minkoff, Les Copains, Louis Vuitton, MbMJ, Nanette Lepore, Giorgio Armani, William Rast, and more...

It is once again time for a very lengthy post of recent clothing purchases that I got for awesome prices. Warning: this is pretty photo heavy. Enjoy!