The Devil is in the Details

I will often come home with a new purchase and point out some obscure detail on it to my husband that makes me squeal with delight... while he gives me a blank stare. While small details in women's clothing and accessories often go over my husband's head, I'm a person who appreciates little design elements that in a mass-produced world make an item feel unique or evoke quality and artistry. Here are a few of my favorite details:

Covered buttons
Do you hear me squealing as I write this? I really have a thing for covered buttons over your garden variety, plastic uncovered ones. They feel very sophisticated and feminine in a Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film way.


Handbags with feet
I'm sure I've said this before, but while I love my handbags, I also treat them very poorly. They get dumped on the floor in restaurants and bars... Hurled on the floor as I'm walking into my apartment after a stressful day at work... Or used as a battering ram on a crowded subway car. For this reason, bags with protective feet on the bottom are a must to keep me from scuffing the bottom portion of my purses.


Dresses with lining
You can always tell the difference between poor quality and well-made dresses when you hold them up to the sunlight. If you can see through your dress, you have a problem. This is why I love dresses with built in lining. There are certain parts of my body that I don't want to share with the general public and I appreciate designers who use materials that allow a woman to have a little modesty.


Embroidery on boots
This may sound strange but I like detailing on boots a lot. These Charles David ones with the embroidered design down the side are always a conversation piece when I wear them. This kind of detail on a boot is unexpected and it looks fresh in a sea of black and brown Fall boots.

What are your favorite details??

We're on a Break!

Between the busy season at my job, graduate school and gearing up for a much needed vacation at the end of the month, I haven't been able to blog nearly as much as I would like. Since I can barely keep my harried life together, Fashion Chick NYC will be on hiatus until 10/20.

While I'm away, I'll leave you with these gorgeous Miu Miu pumps I've been coveting....

Mmmm.... Miu Miu.... See you on 10/20!

An Ode to Coach

A friend once asked me what my favorite brands were. I listed my usual: Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic and Rachel Pally. "Oh," she said. "I thought Coach would have been one of your favorites, too, since you have so much stuff from there." I was dumbfounded. Really? REALLY???! But she was absolutely right. I do own a lot of Coach items and interestingly I don't consider them among my favorite brands.

Like many fashion bloggers who are not fans of Coach, I discount them as a great brand because they often bring the fug. Their logo print and that horrible patchwork thing they do appeal only to the label-whoriest label-whores. They can also make their bags too busy by piling on the hardware. As a mid-luxury brand, Coach often tries to extend itself into high-luxury territory with ridiculous results. (A $7,000 bag from COACH??? Does this company know who their customer is??? Do they know who they are? Why would I buy a Coach bag when I can get an Hermes Birkin for nearly the same price??)

So you might be wondering where exactly is the "ode" part in this post. There is an area where Coach absolutely excells, and that is the everyday, functional boot. If you were unaware, they are the master of this style. Every Fall, I end up buying a new pair of Coach leather boots. Not because I need to, because their boots hold up remarkably well, but because they will have a new style that is more fabulous than the one I had last year. The quality of the leather is exquisite. The materials, the seams and the craftsmanship of the boots are impeccable. These are the boots you will wear everyday to run errands in with jeans or with your work slacks because you need a "comfy-heel" day. These aren't the boots you're going to wear when you want to look fierce, but they are the ones you can live in comfortably and still feel stylish when you leave the house. As a testament to the comfort factor of Coach boots, on a particularly busy day of hanging out with friends last year, I walked TWO MILES in my favorite pair of Coach boots without a blister or pain.

These are the "two mile" boots I bought last Fall. They still look pretty good after quite a bit of wear. Did I mention I also wore them in the rain?

I ordered the Maxene boot in black for this Fall. I just couldn't resist them! And they're available in this season's hottest color: gray.



The Weslyn boot is a charming riding style as well.


For those of you who don't find the Coach logo print as appalling as I do, try the Meadow boot.

Try this tip: Always take new boots to the cobbler to have a rubber sole added to the existing sole of the shoe. This lengthens the life of the boot and makes it more comfortable since the rubber absorbs some of the shock your feet will feel from walking on concrete sidewalks and streets.

Inspired by the Real Thing: Marc Jacobs Stam

Since its debut in 2005, the Marc Jacobs Stam Bag has been a must-have for fashionistas. Inspired by Chanel with its quilting and chain handle and named after model Jessica Stam, the Stam looks great dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a classic dress. With a price tag of $1,350, a real Stam is out of the price range for most of us fashionistas who weren't born with a trust fund.

Luckily, Banana Republic has clearly been inspired by Marc's usage of chain and structured top handles on a frame bag and released their own version. At $198, I think the Banana Republic Fillmore deep satchel is a charming take on the Stam and a great addition to your Fall wardrobe.

For my fellow New York fashion chicks: I would highly recommend taking a trip to the Marc By Marc Jacobs store at 403 Bleecker in the Village. I bought the adorable dress below for $50 marked down from $378 yesterday! The dress is a bit sheer so I will be wearing mine with the white tank slip you see underneath in the picture. There were plenty of sizes and the dress was also available in white. Pair it with flip-flops and you have the perfect casual and easy dress for a Labor Day barbecue. Happy shopping!

The Tragedy of the Cheap Shoes

I am the woman who lived in her shoes. Literally. There are shoes in almost every available storage space in my apartment. There are shoes in the bedroom closet. There are also shoes in the additional wardrobe my husband and I purchased since there wasn't enough room for all my clothes in the bedroom closet. There are also shoes in the linen closet, the coat closet and the storage closet. The one room that has not been used for shoe storage is the kitchen and that is because I fear the heat would damage my shoes.

I suffer from the problem of too much quantity and not enough quality. How many times have you been to a Nine West or Steve Madden sale and thought to yourself, "$40 for shoes?! Oh, why not?! I'd be crazy not to buy them at that price!" I've said this way too many times and now I'm drowning in shoes. But I've come to realize that although these shoes may seems like a bargain, you're not saving anything at all.

Let me present Exhibit A:

I purchased these Aerosoles slides in 2003. I know that may seem like a long time ago, but they are summer sandals and I don't wear them very often. Imagine my surprise, as I was walking to my office and my left foot began to feel like it was in a shoe that was a half size too large. The poor man-made materials, which I had thought were leather, on my cheap shoes had fallen apart!

Here's a better look at the damage:

Exhibit B: I also recently purchased these Nine West sandals since I thought they were a fun take on the gladiator style.

While they haven't fallen apart and are comfortable, they make an embarassing, loud squeaking noise when I walk. Unfortunately, I can never sneak up on anyone in my Nine West gladiator sandals.

Exhibit C: These are the Steve Madden knock-offs of those Christian Louboutin shoes I've been talking about for weeks.

I try to enforce a strict "no knock-offs" policy when it comes to my shopping out of respect for designer creativity, but I simply couldn't resist these. I knew I couldn't afford the real thing and these looked so sexy on. Big mistake! These are virtually impossible to walk in. They pinch at the toes and they give blisters in the heel. After an hour of wear, I had to hobble my way into an Ann Taylor Loft and purchase some flip-flops.

The moral of the story: I bought these Burberry ballet flats in 2003. (The same year as the Aerosole shoes mentioned above.)

Ballet flats can carry you across several seasons and I've worn these pretty frequently. With the occasional re-soling and cleaning, these shoes have held their shape and maintained the quality of their materials for four years! The style is classic and I'm sure I'll wear them for years to come. I remember buying these four years ago for $300 and thinking how expensive they are. But in reality, since I've been able to wear them so frequently (as opposed to those Steve Madden shoes I'll probably never wear again), the money spent was far less wasteful than what I've spent on other shoes.

I know that there are exceptions to the rule, but frequently you do get what you pay for. It is possible to find inexpensive shoes that are comfortable, but where you'll feel the pinch (pardon the pun!), is that you won't be able to wear the shoes for years like you will with shoes made of quality materials. If I took all the money I have spent on cheap shoes this year, I would be able to buy a pair of real Louboutins. So take a lesson from me and skip some of those "sales" and save your money for classic styles by the best shoe designers you can afford. Your feet and your wallet will thank you.

You NEED This Dress in Your Life

I'm not a big lover of the celebrity clothing line and usually ignore the offerings of L.A.M.B. I was clicking through the Eluxury.com sale page and this dress instantly caught my eye. The pattern was bright and colorful which I love and the cut seemed very flattering. I decided to give this little L.A.M.B. number a try.

Honestly, the picture does not do this dress justice. The pattern is much brighter in person and it's definitely not for the woman who doesn't want to be noticed. The fabric is super soft and moves beautifully. (I wore this dress to work and couldn't help but sneak in a little twirling in the full length mirror in the ladies' room.) I'm also a pear shaped woman and I found the dress minimized my hips and emphasized my shoulders and neck. At $155 on sale from $385, the dress is still a little pricey, but I think it's well worth it. $155 is a small price to pay for a dress that makes you happy enough to twirl in the ladies' room at work!

There are only sizes 0 and 4 left, so hurry and pick up the L.A.M.B. Flutter Sleeve Dress here. (I would say if you're a size 6, you can probably fit into the 4 based on the cut. I fluctuate between a 6 and an 8 and I fit into the 6.) Happy shopping!

Me & My Bulga

As you may remember, I've been contemplating purchasing a Bulga handbag for a few months now. I just wasn't willing to pay $600 or more for one. In the hierarchy of labels that exists in my mind (Marc Jacobs being at the top of that hierarchy), Bulga is just not a brand I am willing to shell out major cash for. I think Bulga makes lovely handbags but they have not established the brand cache in the fashion world that would make it justifiable to spend that kind of money on their accessories.

Although I had been invited to the Bulga Sample Sale, my schedule was so hectic that week that I wasn't able to attend. But lo and behold, a few weeks ago I was doing one of my daily checks of my favorite online stores' sale pages and I found the Bulga Double Strap Pocket Satchel on sale at Neiman Marcus and ShopBop! Wahoo! Both stores had the bag on sale in all colors for $446. While this was a good deal since the bag was originally priced at $638, I still thought that was a little high. So every morning I would go back and check both stores and hope that the bag would go down in price a little more. Miraculously one morning, as I was sipping my coffee at work and trying to get ready for the long day ahead, I clicked onto the Bulga brand listing on ShopBop and saw that the Double Strap Pocket Satchel had went down to $319! I wanted to spin around in my chair, shake my cubicle-mate and shout, "The Bulga bag I want is HALF-PRICED!!!!" But she wouldn't have cared and I would have looked foolish. I contained my excitement and went ahead and ordered the bag.

My purse came in the mail about six days later and I love it. The leather is buttery soft and it's the perfect size for all my essentials (wallet, make-up kit, Ipod, Blackberry) as well as a good book to read on the subway ride home from work. And, of course, there's nothing as satisfying as getting something you want at a bargain price. The peculiar part of this story is that the bag I bought is back to full price on ShopBop. That just goes to show that being a power shopper and finding a good deal requires vigilance, determination and just a little good luck. Happy shopping!

Can This Dress Be Saved?

A few months ago, I bought the above Marc by Marc Jacobs dress from Net-a-Porter. When I received it in the mail, I was a bit disappointed. Since I'm petite, the hemline of the dress reached the dreaded and leg-shortening mid-calf on me. The dress is also on-trend with a lot of volume and even though it was my correct size, I was swimming in plaid fabric. While this would be the point where the average shopper would cut their losses and return the dress, I am not the average shopper. I felt the dress was mocking me with its cute, summery-ness on the five foot-ten-inch model and its boring house-dress like appearance on five-foot-tall me. This dress was a fashion challenge that I was going to defeat! My first move was to take it to the tailor and have it shortened to knee length. When I got it back from the tailor, it still wasn't right. Next I tried wearing it with a Calvin Klein tank top underneath and a leather and rope belt I have from the Gap in order to minimize the volume. This is my end result:

It's an improvement but something is just not working on me. Is it time to give up? Have my Marc dress and I reached the end of our relationship and it's time for it to find a leggier, happier home on Ebay? My battle with the plaid Marc dress continues....

What's Your Signature?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

- "My Favorite Things," from The Sound of Music

Every fashionista has a few pieces in their wardrobe or accessories collection that they love. These are pieces they often incorporate into different outfits and become their "signature pieces." My clothing choices are where I allow myself to be creative and experimental, but my accessories are my signatures.

1. Sunglasses

I have a sneaking suspicion that squinting leads to crow's feet and wrinkles. For this reason, whenever I am in the sun, I wear sunglasses. These Marc by Marc Jacobs aviators fit my small face and somehow seem appropriate with every outfit.

2. Beaded necklace

When I bought this necklace at a street fair in New York a few years ago, I had no idea I was going to wear it as often as I do. I find that it works with turtlenecks, summer dresses and camisole tops and has an ethnic, funky feel without being overwhelming.

3. Large Hoop Earrings

These are from Old Navy, but I have about five different sets of large silver hoops that I wear repeatedly. Large hoops are a classic look that never goes out of style. They are also versatile and look good with a dress or jeans and a tee.

4. Marc Jacobs Purse

For many years, I felt like Goldilocks when it came to handbags. "This bag is too small for work but perfect for the weekend... This bag is too big for the weekend but perfect for work." Finally, I found a purse that's "just right" in the Marc Jacobs Large Multi-Pocket. It's big enough to hold all my essentials but not so large that it looks like a suitcase on my shoulder. The leather is as soft as a baby's bottom. While black is a boring color for handbags, it's basically a neutral and will work with most outfits. One of my favorite features of this bag is the feet on the bottom. I am very hard on my purses and often throw them on the floor. The feet protect the bottom from scuffing. Who can ask for more?

5. Tiffany's Bracelets

I've heard that when wealthy people see women wearing overpriced, silver Tiffany's bracelets, they often think "trashy trying to be classy." I am from Queens so I am definitely allowed to have my trashy moments. These bracelets have sentimental value and I feel naked without them.

What is YOUR signature?

The Girl From Ipanema

My good friend Cinnamon is a believer in having a theme when planning his upcoming seasonal clothing purchases. For example, this past Fall, his muse was Kelis. He incorporated her unique and uncoventional style choices into his outfits for the Fall and Winter and it totally gave him a "look" rather than a mix of pieces that don't make sense together. I have been wracking my brain trying to decide what will be my theme/muse/inspiration for the upcoming Summer. Today, my theme whispered itself in my ear as I was walking through the city. Would you like to listen to it?



I've decided my theme will be "The Girl From Ipanema." This bossa nova song was a big hit in the mid-1960's and for me, it evokes an affluent, youthful woman who summers on the French Riviera and has an easy, casual, yet effortlessly chic style. Doesn't she sound fabulous?! That's the look I'm going to go for. Here are some pieces I associate with "The Girl From Ipanema"....

Rachel Pally Caftan


Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent Eyelet Dress


Banana Republic Woven Tote


Kenneth Jay Lane Cuff

Kors by Michael Kors Gladiator Sandal


Gap Twist Tie Dress


Banana Republic Leaf Necklace

Old Navy Skinny Jeans


Anna Sui Lace Tunic Top


What will inspire you for the Spring?

There's Nothing Like the First Time

My name is Sabrina and I am an addict. I am addicted to FASHION!

It's a rather benign addiction when you compare it to heroin or cigarettes, per se, but an addiction nonetheless. Here are the key signs of a fashion problem:

• You NEVER have enough closet space.... even after you've done your annual closet weeding and have thrown out enough clothes and shoes to outfit at least two other people your size for a few seasons.


• Lucky, Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Life & Style Weekly are your required reading.


• Your heart skips a beat when you see the SALE rack at Saks.


• True story: I saw Michael Kors on the street one day and had to stop myself from acting like a crazed fan.


• You find yourself assessing and sometimes mentally restyling your friends' and family's outfits.

In addition to my excessive shopping to feed my fashion habit, I also am very OCD in my clothing and accessory choices. I tend to shop certain brands over and over and rarely explore other options. Occasionally, I force myself to break out of my shell of Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, Gap, Michael Kors, Coach and Rachel Pally but those are my favorites and they are dependable.

Why am I telling you all this? I've decided that this will be my place to discuss fashion and shopping. It will be where I post items that I have purchased that are my love of the moment (since a woman with a fashion problem must be frugal and shop wisely) and where I'll discuss my thoughts on new trends. Come talk fashion with me!

My current favorite sweater is the pink, bibbed Marc Jacobs one pictured above. It shows my clavicle area which is actually pretty toned and skims my stomach area which is not very toned at all. It was in the sale at Eluxury. Check out the sale here. Happy shopping!