Tag: Celine

2019 Wishlist

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

As I look forward to 2019 (the year I get married!) I figured I would share with you all my 2019 wishlist. Some things about my wishlist:

    I will not buy everything on my wishlist
    I try to only purchase off my wishlist to stop impulse buying when I see a deal
    My wishlist is everything I am interested in that I keep an eye out for a good deal. Something might be number one on my wishlist but if I don’t see it for a good price then I will likely wait.

Chanel

So I have never bought anything new from the Chanel store (the shoes I have bought new have been from Neiman Marcus). This is because of their crazy price increases and their incredibly rude staff. I was recently in Zurich with one of my best friends (who is also an attorney) and the doorman wouldn’t let us in. Mind you it was cold out so we were wearing lots of layers and windwipped but apparently my Louis Vuitton handbag wasn’t up to par. After that I will probably never frequent a Chanel boutique. With that in mind these pieces might be harder to find for me.

  • Beige and Black Espadrilles- I did own these and then my fiancé didn’t like them so I sold them- worst mistake ever!
  • Beige and Black Sling Back Heels- I think these are a classic and I have yet to find them in my size.
  • Beige and Black Vanity Bag- I love the look of this bag and actually was considering buying this new in store when in Paris but now I am unsure.
  • Navy Flap Bag- I really want a vintage navy double flap with the bijoux/ Mademoiselle chain.
  • Red Bag- I love the classic Chanel red and am at the moment undecided between a red flap bag and a red camera bag.
  • Black Caviar Tote– I am not sure if I like the GST or one of the more vintage styles but I do know this would be a great work bag!
  • Triple Coco Bucket Bag– vintage gold hardware and black caviar- enough said!
  • Maybes- The new Tiffany blue flap in lambskin (this is such a dream bag but I know I’ll likely never purchase it); a Chanel backpack (I haven’t decided if I am a backpack person or not and want to see if I get enough wear out of my LV bag.); Chevron flap (I love this style but rarely if ever see them on the preloved market for a good price); vintage black square mini

Hermes

    Birkin (I would love to buy one new in Paris but that probably won’t happen when I go this year)
    Kelly 28 ( I want a vintage box leather one in Navy or the gold)
    Twillies (I need more for my bags as I really think they save the handles)
    Oran sandals (I have been hunting for these for over a year in the gold in my size)
    Calvi (I want a bright colored epsom one to add a pop of color!)
    Constance (vintage black on in box with gold hardware)
    Petite H charms (I really want to go to the Serves store!)

Louis Vuitton

    Saint Cloud GM- I really want a vintage one of these bags for stagecoach
    Palm Springs MM- I am traveling a lot in 2018 and would love to have a backpack to carry my stuff in. I love my GM Neverfulls but prefer them for work than traveling.
    Palm Spring Mini- Yes I know two backpacks but I cannot help but love how different these two are and I wouldn’t wear the mini as a backpack but as a crossbody!
    Capucines BB or PM- I love this bag but am undecided on sizes even though I have tried it on like 4 times!
    Toiletry 26- to use as a clutch
    Pochette Metis in Empriente- I love this bag and have been wanting to try this leather in something besides an SLG
    Speedy B 30 in Damier Ebene or Monogram- I want to try a speedy b and have finally decided this is the right size for me but am still undecided on print!
    Boite Chapeau Souple- I am so so so in love with this bag and its probably my number one LV bag on my wishlist!

Saint Laurent

    Medium Sunset Bag- I love this bag and have been eyeing a preloved on for awhile
    maybes- ysl Small Wallet ; neutral pebbled small sac de jour

Celine

    a medium box bag- I am so in love with the box bag and have been for awhile. I think they are such understated elegance.
    maybes: Celine mini luggage or a Celine phantom (I love the look of these bags but am worried they would be too heavy for me to carry.)

Dior

    Lady Dior Medium- likely vintage but it has to have the strap; I like both the beige and the black. Plus some of the new blues and greys are beautiful.
    Medium Diorama- I think this bag is so beautiful and would be a great addition to my collection. I like the more neutral colors for this bag as well.

Cartier

    love wedding band in the white gold (I prefer the smaller size on my fingers fro some reason but am not using it as a wedding band.)

Goyard

    either a St. Louis GM tote or an Anjou or Artois (not all three 😂)

Some brands that might surprise you

    Pop and Suki – Box Bag with Luggage Tag (Black)
    Strathberry- East/West (color TBD but I like the ruby and the green and the light grey)
    Polene- Numero Uno and Numero Uno Mini I am coming for you (loved these for two years)

Currently I don’t see myself adding any more

  • Senreve
  • Gucci (even though I would love a Gucci T-shirt but that price I cannot stomach)
  • Chloe
  • Fendi (I preordered a defender cover that will come in 2019 but was a 2018 purchase!)
  • Mansur Gavriel
  • Prada
  • Balenciaga (though I have been tempted by the city edge in the small or mini but am still thinking about it!)
  • Givenchy
  • Burberry (I would be tempted to get a trench or a scarf but their bags/ slgs do not appeal to me)
  • Loewe
  • MCM
  • Stella McCartney
  • Valentino

Once In a Blue June- Week 1 Update

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

So its been one week since I decided to stopped spending. Luckily I have been pretty busy with work but I still found time last weekend to head to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Thankfully I didn’t crack but the challenge is still young. I almost did crack because I sat on my favorite and trusty BP sunglasses. I was devastated and at $15 I figured I could buy myself another pair. Luckily I was with my mom and she bought me my new pair so crisis averted- and thank you mom!

Plus the challenge has a new member- Grace Cardenas from Cantwearpink on Instagram! If any other bloggers or followers want to join in feel free to and tag #onceinabluejune and #nospendjune!

Also just because I cannot buy anything now does not mean that I am not starting a wishlist that I will visit when my shopping ban is over. See below to see what I have been eyeing!

  1. Chanel Deauville Large– I am soo obsessed with this bag. I spend most of my time checking out this bag on Pinterest and Instagram! (Large Pink– $1,825; Navy Blue– $3,195)
  2. Lovers + Friends Jack High Rise Short– I have seen these shorts on a couple bloggers and them seem to be better suited for people with smaller waisted and bigger hips and thighs which is me in a nut shell. ($138)
  3. Celine Box Bag– This is a classic that has been on my list for awhile. I think for durability purposes I want the liege leather and not the box leather. While the box leather is beautiful it marks way to easily. (Black Goatskin– $2,995)
  4. Show Me Your Mumu Great Wrap Shorts in Point Dume Stripe– I love SMYM’s shorts (particularly the carlos) and love that these look like a skirt but are actually a skort! ($118)
  5. Dior Lady Bag– I cannot decide between the medium and the large in the black lambskin with gold hardware. Literally such a beautiful classic bag. Plus I definitely need a strap on my bag. (Navy– $1,850)

Bag Hunt- Why You Should Purchase In Europe

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

I am a legendary handbag hunter. I find a bag I want and I go on the hunt to find it. Plus to make my life a little more challenging I have to find it under retail even if the search takes a year. So when my family decided to go to Europe I could not contain my glee! Immediately I started listing out all the bags and slgs (small leather goods) that I wanted to purchase from the various fashion houses. My family immediately questioned why I couldn’t just buy these goods in the US, so naturally I had to explain.

  1. High End Designer Goods in Europe Retail for Under Retail in the US– This is true of all designers that are based in Europe. So for example Louis Vuitton bags retail price is lower in France then in the US. Plus the country where the fashion house is based is generally the cheapest place to buy the goods in Europe. But word to the wise do not buy US based fashion brands in Europe. I was looking at Coach in Europe just to look and the prices were crazy!
  2. The Euro and The Dollar are Very Close in Value– When I was in Europe the Euro to Dollar was about 1 Euro to 1.10 Dollar, so the lower retail prices in Euro equated to a lower purchase price in Dollars. Of course this value fluctuates but in general the Dollar and the Euro have been much closer in value than a couple years ago.
  3. The VAT taxes– The tax amount for luxury goods in Europe is included in the price that you see on the price tag. So unlike the US you are not paying more on the good you purchase. Plus if you are not an EU citizen then you get back a percent of the VAT tax you pay. This percentage ranges based on the country. This website is incredibly helpful when looking at what percentage you will get back. (just in case the hyperlink doesn’t work- https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/vat-rates-in-europe).

TIPS

  • Bring your passport with you! To get your VAT tax exemption forms correctly filed out at the store you will need to show your passport to your sales person.
  • Spend over the VAT amount! In order to get your VAT taxes back you need to make sure to spend over the minimum threshold. This does not have to be on one good just need to be on your total purchase. This amount varies by country.
  • Get the VAT tax amount back on your credit card! You do have to wait a little longer to get the VAT tax amount back on your credit card but the amount you get back after fees is higher then when you go to the cash window at the airport.
  • Get your refund at the last European country you are in! You cannot obtain your refund until you leave the EU.
  • Allocate time at the airport! The VAT process to obtain your refund can be really hard or very easy. It all depends on the country, the refund company and the amount of people traveling. For example if you are using Global Blue its often just a scan of the documents in a machine and dropping them in a box. But there are other times where I have had to talk to an agent, show them my goods and have them hand stamp it. This all depends on where you buy your item from. In my experience I have had the easiest time with LV and the hardest with Gucci.
  • Get your refund before you check your bags! As I explain below you might have to take your new purchase to the refund agent.
  • Make sure your goods are packed on top of your luggage! When you pack make sure your new purchases are easily accessible! I have had to dig through luggage because the refund agent wanted to make sure that I had not used the bag and actually had the bag in my possession.
  • Do not use your goods before you leave the country! If the refund agent asks to see your purchase they will expect to see a purchase that has not been used and is in its original packaging. While it is tempting to use your new purchase don’t because they can deny you the refund!