by Celine on July 2, 2010
A girl just simply can’t have enough shoes. Handbags? Yes. Dresses? Probably. Shoes? Never. It is for this reason that I was over-the-moon enthusiastic to try out and review Plattoes shoes. They have, what I think, is a truly unique concept: you pick out the base shoe (wedges or heels) and then you have multiple ribbon options to choose from. Both pairs of base shoes come with metal loops to thread the ribbons through. They have 6 double-sided (reversible) ribbons and 18 standard ribbons. You can buy as few or as many as you’d like and the idea is to mix it up as often as you’d like.
Plattoes Heel Base
($79.99, Plattoes)
Celine & Her Plattoes Heels
The concept is original and fun, it’s quite exciting to be in the driver’s seat, so to speak, during the design of your shoe, and the idea of being able to switch up the color (ribbons) whenever I felt like it was pretty awesome. But does it work? Are the shoes comfortable? Are the ribbons easy to thread and tie? And first and foremost, are they cute? I’m sure you’re all wondering what the answers to those questions are, because I pondered them as well.
The shoes come packaged nicely in your standard shoe box. The ribbons are wrapped in plastic. I urge you to go on to the site and watch the various How to Tie videos, as attempting to tie the ribbons by “instinct” (as I did) turns out to not be so fruitful. Trust me. The shoes will feel loose and uncomfortable. The videos show you how to double tie, make cute bows, etc. Also, a tip from me: put the shoes on your foot first and only then start to tie. If you don’t proceed this way, your ribbons may end up being too tight and you’ll have to try and shove your foot under them… as I… ahem… did. You’ll get a much better, yet still snug fit if you do it this way.
Once on, I have to say, the shoes were pretty darn cute and ended up being moderately comfy after wearing them out shopping for a few hours. I opted for a black & white gingham ribbon, a navy striped ribbon and a red, double-sided, polka dot ribbon. I love the idea of being able to switch the ribbons according to what outfit you’re wearing, but I have to say – the process of tying the ribbons does get to be a bit tedious and to be completely honest, I never got a super comfortable fit – although I think I probably just have to dedicate some extra time to figuring out which ribbon-threading works best for me. In retrospect, I kind of wish I had chosen the wedges, as I think that shape of shoe lends itself much better to this concept.
Bottom Line
All in all, the idea is really fun, the ribbons are incredibly cute, but I think you have to have the patience to thread and re-thread the shoes for this to work best. I would also recommend purchasing the wedges over the heels and definitely watch the videos provided on the site for tips. If you do that, I think you’ll most likely be pretty psyched with your purchase.
PROS:
- There exists a ribbon to match every outfit
- A great price considering how many different looks you get
- Really cute “retro” look
CONS:
- Definite learning curve when it comes to tying the ribbons
- Comfort wise, they never feel quite like normal shoes
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by Vahni on June 14, 2010
Are you one of those ladies who has lusted for the Marc Jacobs Quilted Stam Bag since the day it came out? I know I am. I just love Marc Jacobs bags—they have a look all their own, and since I am lucky enough to have a Venetia myself, I know they are extremely well-made. But unfortunately, when they first hit the shelves, they are so expensive. Sigh.
American Chic Black Quilted Chain Bag
($49.75, American Chic)
Vahni & Her American Chic Black Quilted Chain Bag
So listen up…as you can see from the photos above, we got our hands on a sick Stam lookalike! And we decided that it was time to take ITC reviews to the next level. So rather than just seeing photos of the American Chic Black Quilted Chain Bag, we shot some video so you can truly see how this bag translates in real life.
As I mentioned in the video, I was pleasantly surprised by how real this faux leather bag looks. And I am a very hard sell…honestly, when I first read the details about the bag, I wasn’t too excited about the fact that it’s not leather. But I’m totally sold! Seriously! I have actually carried this bag around and it looks incredible on.
So what else do you need to know about the American Chic Black Quilted Chain Bag? Well, despite the fact that the hardware is not brass, it’s still a nice goldtone, and has enough weight for it to look and feel good. Inside, the bag is cloth-lined, which is a big deal—nothing worse than a plasticky interior. It has a generous helping of pockets and zips and compartments to help keep your personal items organized.
Bottom Line
This is one of the best faux leather, designer-inspired bags I’ve seen in recent time. It is well-made, lovely to look at, roomy inside, and totally believable. I’m sure you’ll get your 50 bucks’ worth out of it, and then some.
PROS:
- Man-made “leather” totally looks like the real thing.
- Good quality. A stunning Stam-esque bag.
- Major price! Such a steal at under $50.
CONS:
- Metal clasp has slight discoloration, uneven tone.
- There were some loose threads in the quilting.
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(The bag has been provided to Vahni for review)
by Vahni on June 10, 2010
Even before I spotted her delicately delicious Tiny Anchor Necklace, Amanda of Amanda Deer Jewelry and Design had me at “Handmade in Austin, TX y’all”! Being a southern girl, I couldn’t resist this endearing bit of southern twang, even though we all know Texas ain’t The South, it’s just Texas. But I digress.
As soon as I laid eyes on the Tiny Anchor Necklace, I was suddenly to elated to have serendipitously discovered the Amanda Deer Etsy shop. All those charming little charms! The daintiness! The sweetness! So…not me. But still. Something about her designs resonated with me, so when Amanda offered to send me a piece for review, I jumped at the chance.
Amanda Deer Tiny Anchor Necklace
($19, Etsy)
Vahni & Her Amanda Deer Tiny Anchor Necklace
I was so excited the day my package from Amanda Deer arrived. I tore open the envelope and was delighted to see a little blue box and a personally written message from Amanda. It was all I could do to not tear off the ribbon immediately—but duty called—that meant shooting photos before playing dress up.
Eventually I unwrapped the package and nearly squealed with delight when I saw the sweet, sweet, sweet little anchor twinkling in its box. I easily put it on, thanks to a generously-sized lobster claw clasp. The anchor charm was suspended on a 17-inch chain—the absolute perfect length. Longer or shorter would have been the wrong proportion for such a small charm.
Over the next few weeks I wore the necklace on its own, and most recently, have layered it with other necklaces—my new favorite summer look. It would also look amazing with other Amanda Deer pieces, but at this writing I only have my anchor, so I added some pieces from my collection. Check out my blog post, Jumpin’ Jumpin’ to see it paired with other necklaces.
Bottom Line
I. Love. This. Necklace! It is such a breath of fresh air, so different from what I usually wear. It may be diminutive, but I every time I saw it on me in the mirror, it made me smile. Be sure to read my interview with Amanda to learn more about the woman behind Amanda Deer Jewelry and Design.
PROS:
- Excellent quality. Gold plating is even and lustrous.
- The price. Seriously, $19? Can’t beat that.
- Delicate but hearty. The chain is fine but not fragile, and it’s easy to put on.
CONS:
- Chain might tangle if not stored properly.
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The moment I spotted Lissette’s Cascading Snow White Bib from Fantasy Jewelry Box, I knew it wouldn’t disappoint. Those white faceted beads embedded in cool silver hardware make it the perfect summer statement necklace—a bib that is large, but not cumbersome visually. I had it mind for a particular long white dress that holds sentimental value for me. I only wish I’d had the necklace the first time I wore the dress, which I changed into after shedding my wedding dress. It would have been perfect!
Lissette’s Cascading Snow White Bib Style Necklace
($49.95, Fantasy Jewelry Box)
Vahni & Her Lissette Cascading Bib Style Necklace
So there’s me in that very special dress I was talking about. See, I told you so! The necklace is absolute perfection with it, is it not? And let me tell you a few other reasons why this necklace (which is also available in black, orange, and turquoise), is perfection on many levels.
Lissette’s Cascading Snow White Bib has a large lobster claw clasp—and large links in the chain—which make it very easy to put on. There is also enough play in the chain so you can adjust the length of the necklace to your preference. Aside from that, it is extremely comfortable on. If you’re a fan of big, bold jewelry, you know that sometimes with all that boldness comes unwanted (and uncomfortable) weight. Not so with this lovely piece. It has just enough weight to keep if from moving too much on the neck, but not so much that you feel like you’re being weighed down by it.
Bottom Line
Lissette’s Cascading Snow White Bib Style Necklace by Fantasy Jewelry Box is one knockout necklace! And it’s versatile as well. There is no reason you can’t wear it with a formal dress, or throw it on with a little summer shift, or a strappy top, shorts, and wedges. And in black, I think it could go full-on, black-tie formal. Makes me wish I had it in black as well.
PROS:
- It’s gorgeous—a true statement piece that is breathtaking on.
- It’s comfortable and lays beautifully—no spinning/shifting on the neck.
- The price—under $50! Appropriate and still on the low-end for costume jewelry.
CONS:
- On very close inspection (like two inches), you can tell this is not a high-end piece.
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(The necklace has been provided to Vahni for review)
by Celine on May 12, 2010
When I was asked whether I might be interested in doing a review for Sunglass Warehouse I answered yes immediately. Not because I am a huge sunglasses fan, but rather because I am not. Let me explain. I have never spent more than $10 on a pair of sunglasses. True story. I just never quite understood why those around me were throwing down hundreds of dollars on an item that you inevitably always end up sitting on and/or leaving behind at a restaurant. Lately though, I have found myself really craving a pair of retro, cat-eye sunnies and I’m always envious of people rocking aviators. So I happily chose both of those styles for my review.
Sunglass Warehouse Cat Eye Style #9136
Sunglass Warehouse SW Cat Eye Style #9136
($12.71, Sunglass Warehouse)
Sunglass Warehouse Gold Aviator Style #1678
Sunglass Warehouse SW Gold Aviator Style #1678
($12.71, Sunglass Warehouse)
Celine & Her Sunglass Warehouse Sunglasses
First of all, the Sunglass Warehouse site is great. They have tons of sunglasses and they allow you to do a search for their “Best Sellers”, or by “Category” (oversized, celebrity, retro), but best of all you can do a search for their “Top Rated” sunglasses (yes, customers leave reviews!). I find it endlessly helpful when a site includes reviews of its products.
So on to the actual sunglasses: they came nicely packaged and my first impression was that they seemed sturdy and not “cheap”. I was delighted, when I put them on, to find that they also actually fit my head! I have a small pate, you see, and I end up swimming in most pairs of glasses. I wore both pairs on and off for about a week and they held up really well, despite being tossed around in my bag and thrown on to my kitchen table.
My one issue, really, was with how they looked on my face and that’s exactly what I was worried about when waiting for the sunglasses to arrive. No matter how many pictures you look at or how many reviews you pour over, you cannot tell ahead of time how the glasses are going to look on your particular face. That being said, though, I think that for $10-$15, you really don’t have anything to lose.
Bottom Line
All in all I think Sunglass Warehouse is a great site to order sunglasses from if you’re interested in trying out a new or trendy look. All the glasses are extremely affordable and hold up very well. Realize, though, that you don’t really know how a particular style is going to look on your face. Case in point, the aviators I ordered are now my go-to sunglasses while the retro pair don’t really suit me. But again, that’s why this price point is so excellent!
PROS:
- The price! (obviously)
- Tons of styles to choose from
- The sunglasses look more expensive than they are
CONS:
- Can’t try on the sunglasses before you purchase
- Durable but quality is somewhat lacking
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(The sunglasses have been provided to Celine for review)
I’m a watch person. When it comes to watches, there are two camps: those who always wear a watch, and those who are always asking the time. I can go without earrings, necklaces—all jewelry, in fact—but unless I’m on the beach or in the shower, there is a watch on my left wrist. As a devoted watch wearer, I have strict standards when it comes to watches: they must have numerals, the date if possible, must comfortably fit my wrist, and be totally functional. The Montres de Fleur Barrel Watch by Inexpensive Watches fit nearly all my criteria.
Inexpensive Watches Montres de Fleur Barrel Watch
($11.86, Inexpensive Watches)
Vahni & Her Montres de Fleur Barrel Watch
Before I received the Montres de Fleur Barrel Watch, I have to admit that I really didn’t have high hopes—I couldn’t imagine that a watch that costs less than $15 would have much to offer. But upon opening the package, I was pleasantly surprised by how much more expensive the watch looked than it actually is. I also really liked the fact that the watch face is large and easy-to-read, and that it has Roman numerals (which I prefer). But would it actually work? I was about to see.
I set the watch with no problems, synchronizing it with my usual timepiece to see if it would keep time. Although the band is leather, it was quite stiff, so it wasn’t the easiest watch to put on, but I wore it and from the moment I set the watch, it has kept time quite nicely. I’ve had it for several weeks and it’s still ticking away without issue.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a fashionable and functional watch that is definitely worth the money (yeah, all 12 bucks). Its classic tank shape makes it appropriate with both business attire and casual wear, but the white strap keeps the watch looking fresh and light.
PROS:
- The price! So inexpensive and the site offers a money-back guarantee.
- Looks very classy on. An attractive watch.
- Easy-to-read and set. Functional and fashionable.
CONS:
- Leather band felt more like it was synthetic.
- Band remained stiff which caused the watch to spin a little on the wrist.
- If you have small wrists, the band will be too big. I had it as tight as it would go and it was still a little large.
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(The watch has been provided to Vahni for review)
by Vahni on April 8, 2010
When I was asked if I’d like to do a scarf review for Affordable Scarves, I jumped at the chance. You see, I love scarves. I’ve been wearing silk, wool, velvet, linen, cotton, and fur scarves for many years. Scarves are my friends. Forever.
Affordable Scarves is exactly what it touts itself to be: an online scarf retailer with an extensive collection of scarves at affordable prices. The majority of the site’s inventory falls between $10 and $20 (and there’s a 15% OFF spring special running at the moment, so they are super cheap). With prices that inexpensive, you should know that these are not Hermés-quality scarves, but they are functional and fun, and for under 20 bucks, I’d say that’s exactly the point. The site is very user-friendly and you can search for scarves by color, material, season, shape, size and trend. They also offer free shipping on orders over $30. So I made my choice, and in no time, this Leopard Print Wrap arrived at my door…
Affordable Scarves Leopard Print Wrap
($16.11, Affordable Scarves)
Vahni & Her Leopard Print Wrap
I have to admit, I couldn’t wait for this scarf to arrive, for two reasons: I have no other leopard print scarves and this print has been showing up on scarves everywhere over the last year. I opened the package and unfurled the wrap, and honey, it kept going and going and going! I guess I didn’t pay much attention to the dimensions (76″ L x 52″ W) when I ordered it… it is indeed the size of a wrap, and a big one. But more about that in a minute.
So I knew the scarf is polyester, and while polyester is a wonder fabric, part of me wished it was linen or cotton, just so it felt a little softer. But I have to admit that the fabric lends itself well with this wrap—the print is crisp and vibrant; despite the size, it’s not bulky; and it launders like a champ. In the photos above, the photo on the left was taken after the scarf was washed in a lingerie bag on a normal cycle and air-dried. The photos on the right were taken before it was washed. No difference…and notice how it ties up into a knot that fits in your hand. That means it would be a fantastic piece for traveling.
In terms of wearability, the Affordable Scarves Leopard Print Wrap is unbelievably versatile. You can do a traditional scarf look, wear it as a wrap, or as a sarong or bathing suit cover-up. It stays put, which is nice, and the one thing about silkier scarves I don’t like—they tend to slide. I wore it as a scarf, and I draped it around the back of my neck and belted it over a tank top and it looked great.
Bottom Line
Overall, I really love this wrap and would recommend it to anyone who is comfortable wearing a large wrap/scarf. It is chic, inexpensive, and statement-making—meets all my requirements!
PROS:
- Gorgeous print—black and grey is a fresh take on leopard
- Versatile—wear it as a scarf, wrap, or sarong
- Great price—a low-cost way to work the animal print trend into your wardrobe
CONS:
- Wished it was a natural fabric or blend with linen or cotton
- Might be too large for a petite woman
- Synthetic fabric might make it uncomfortable if worn as a summer scarf
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by Celine on February 26, 2010
When Handbag Heaven approached us to do a review of one of their bags, I was psyched. I’ve browsed these “discount” sites before and contemplated purchasing a bag but just never went through it, feeling unsure of the quality. However, because Handbag Heaven generously offered to provide us with a bag of our choice for this review, I was free to let my heart guide me on my lofty quest. Since their website is very user friendly and gives you many options to find a bag that fits your style it only took me a minute to decide on “The One“:
Handbag Heaven Sami Quilted Bag
($54.95, Handbag Heaven)
Celine & Her Quilted Sami Bag
I, like many others, have lusted after the Marc Jacobs Stam bag, which is the designer counterpart to the Sami, since 2005 and I had high hopes that the Sami would be everything I could ever want in a “steal” version. Upon taking the bag out of the box and touching it, I immediately noticed that it felt very soft. However, there is a slight “squeakiness”, which comes from the material being leatherette, rather than leather. It has a long, gold chain that you can wear over your shoulder or let hang as decoration. The hardware is a little cheap feeling (the chain, for instance feels very light) but all in all it looks really good and the overall feel of the bag is surprisingly substantial for $55! The inside is very roomy, with one zipper pocket and two smaller pockets. There’s also the zipper on the outside, just like the original. I chose the brown color but it also comes in black, purple, pewter and red.
The real question of course, is how does the bag hold up when actually being used? I decided to take my Sami out for an all-day trial run, so I threw all my crap (sorry, stuff) in it and went about my daily activities. It’s really rather light, which means it won’t give you a back-ache when filled with all your things; all the zippers are completely functional and the closure at the top seems to be of good quality. As mentioned above, the hardware seemed to be a little shoddy, but after 2 days of running around with it, opening closures, zippers, etc, everything is still exactly where it should be. I also received two compliments on my bag – one of them from a guy, and you know guys never notice bags! After putting my poor Sami through the ringer, I examined it again and apart from a few dangling threads, the bag looks just as good as when I first took it out of the box.
Handbag Heaven has tons of trendy and classic bags, and many styles come in multiple colors. They offer a 100% money back guarantee and it’s also worth noting that no bag on their site will run you more than $75. They also like to run promotions from time to time so if you kids are into Facebook (as my grandmother would say) or Twitter, or if you’d like to read their blog, you can find them in the following places: HH on Facebook, HH on Twitter & HH Blog.
Bottom Line
All in all I’m really quite pleased with the Sami Bag and it now has a permanent place in my handbag rotation. While it doesn’t feel quite like leather and the hardware lacks the weight of the original, I can tell that it won’t fall apart any time soon. It feels light on the shoulder and its classic-meets-modern look, means it will literally look great with anything in your wardrobe. I think this would be a great gift for your mom or friend, although I’d probably skip the friend who already owns three authentic Chanel quilted clutches because she will most likely not be impressed. But, really, readers, I think we all know the moral of the this story: when you’re saving so much money on your bag… you have that much more to spend on shoes! 
PROS:
- great color, look
- good price
- roomy, comfortable, light
CONS:
- hardware slightly cheap-looking
- leatherette feels a little “plasticy”
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