Newly Minted

Upon hearing the rumblings of a certain tv star, I coined a new phrase:  'I Have Aphrodite DNA'  (I have original copy rights to it).  My contribution to fashionistas everywhere.

This week my excellent finds are two vintage Coach purses I found at the local flea market for 50 cents each.  They're black leather and of an older style, but at online auctions, they're going for $10 to $40 dollars.  I also found a great YSL tie for my husband in charcoal grey.  New YSL ties go for $80 - don't know what this might be worth, but it will work for a lot of occasions for him.  Last week I snagged a Banana Republic cardigan that quickly became my favorite - it is lighter weight and works for transition weather.

Another Faux That's Go

One thing I've discovered is that it's good to know design styles of haute houses so you know a good faux when you see one.  This is a pretty nice imitation of a Hermes Birkin purse.  I foud it at a Goodwill in Pennsylvania and purchased it for $8.00.  I have been intrigued with Birkin for a long time and want some day to own the real thing.  However, until that day, I'll carry this light blue version - saw a pic of Victoria Beckham carrying this exact color of the real Hermes bag.  The inside of this bag is pristine, and I don't know whether it's real leather, but it is soft and doesn't have any marks at all.  There is no indication of the maker, but it is surely 'in the style of' Birkin.

One thing I make sure I do is keep a list in my head of designers I like - I also look at the stores around town to see what labels they sell.  I seem to gravitate toward Lauren, Ann Taylor, Loft, Tailor B. Moss, Talbots, Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, BCBG and J. Crew.  But if something is a good design (or a little funky), I'll get it.  For purses I like any vintage Coach (I've found 4 recently), faux LV, faux Burberry, and anything with a good structural shape.  For some reason, I stay away from the faux Chanel quilted look-it never seems as nice as the real thing (I owned a real one long ago).  Happy thrifting!