Via We Heart It

I have some wonderful guest posts lined up for you, and hopefully will not lose my head in this whole process….

Thank you all for the kind thoughts, well wishes, patience and support these past two weeks. They’ve been quite the whirling dervish, and I expect the next few weeks to be as well….

When I see and talk to you all next, I will be back home. Starting a new career and phase of my life… and I’m excited to see where that will take us!

Until then… enjoy Links á la Mode, my pretties!

Go Fashion Bloggers, Go!

Edited by Debutante Clothing

As more and more print magazines fold, bloggers seem to be growing in professionalism and media legitimacy. When bloggers such as Previously Owned and kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS can get the scoop on international designers, you know the fashion playing field is being leveled. If bloggers can host great giveaways like Retro Chick’s, I wonder why the FTC needs to play big brother. Fashion Pulse Daily wants to know if you even care. It seems we are becoming the pretty, little websites that could. Yay bloggers!

• 39th and Broadway - – Gender GAP
• Aysha’s Rabbit Hole - – Cosimo Damato new hat collection!
• Bobbins And Bombshells - – pics from her trip to Phoenix including a mini vintage shopping guide.
• Decline Designs – Won’t Get Fooled Again: Counterfeit Melissa Shoes
• Denim Debutante - – Three Need-to-Know Tips to Help You Find Your Perfect Pair of Jeans
• Earth Vs. – Picking and making the best of your new (or old) winter coat
• Fashion Pulse Daily - – What do you really think and how much do you honestly care abot the FTC guidelines for bloggers?
• Fasshonaburu - – An upcoming label everyone should know about: Minimarket
• fête à fête - – Lia Lintern’s divine Winter 2010 coat collection
• Friend in Fashion – Giveaway – win a custom made dress or skirt
• Further Ado - – When fashion and architecture collide
• I’n The It Girl - – Assad Mounser Jewelry
• Idiosyncratic Style - – Top 10 Creepy Collections… loving the “darkside” of fashion.
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS - – Interview with Susi Quillinan of Peru
• M.I.S.S. – Video Interview with Lydia Hearst – her top 5 favorite things about Fashion Week
• Monoxious - – How to make your own embellished lace tights
• Oranges and Apples - – Personal Shopper Giveaway – win a parcel of thrifted goodies tailored to your style, needs and ideas!
• Previously Owned - – Puerto Rican Fashion Spotlight: Stella Nolasco
• Retro Chick - – Win a Lowie wrap and gloves worth £129 courtesy of Cerise UK
• The Coveted - – Reviving Vintage Knickerbockers, The Perfect Fall Trouser
• The Curvy Fashionista - – Plus Size Curves and Fashion at the California Womens Conference

All the content in this post is © dramatis personae. If you are seeing this post and it is not in your Feed Reader, then it is probably being used without my permission. If you would like to repost my content, please contact me. If you enjoyed BRB: Moving to New Orleans!, please consider subscribing to dramatis personae for more Ashe Mischief goodness!

I’m a long time Irregular Choice fan, and that’s not coming as a surprise. Their shoes are funky, vibrant, sometimes beautiful and sweet, and definitely showstoppers. The odd thing about them, though, is that they aren’t necessarily comfortable shoes, but they’re not exactly uncomfortable either.  They’re just kind of there, on your feet, but they aren’t just there on your feet, because those little suckers exist.

Like Fluevogs, these little shoes are funky, iconic little relics for worships, with disciples spreading the word of their shoe supremacy all over.

And boy did I worship when I saw the Electric Love on Stylish Thought.  It’s like the 80s, electroclash, Jem, and the future collided in a shoe & threw up a holographic unicorn.  I’m pretty sure I’d want to wear these everywhere, like a 5 year old who has a new favorite dress.

Unsurpisingly, I’m also in love with the Shimmy. They’re a deceptive shoe. I think the delicate coloring and architectural heel make them look more spendy & higher end than they are.  I think the insane heel also reminds me of some of Lady Gaga’s early outfits, but in a more wearable form…they’d look totally smoking with a business suit or cocktail dress– a fun and sneaky way to remember the fun in fashion!

All the content in this post is © dramatis personae. If you are seeing this post and it is not in your Feed Reader, then it is probably being used without my permission. If you would like to repost my content, please contact me. If you enjoyed OMG Shoes! Irregular Choice, please consider subscribing to dramatis personae for more Ashe Mischief goodness!

Time has passed & I wanted to revisit my thoughts–especially considering I’ve now had the opportunity to actually shop with Gilt. It’s amazing to see the growth that Gilt has had– from increasing the number of sales at a time to the range of products offered to their newer Gilt Fuse (with a lower price point than Gilt), and the new Jetsetter (which I’m absurdly excited about).

Two things work in Gilt’s favor: the $25 crediting system (which I think is much encouraging than the $10 Rue La La offers) and the range of collections they carry.  I was very lucky and had enough credits to first shop Gilt’s Final Sale this summer without losing out on my own sweet pennies.

Disappointments:

• The account credits in place of a refund option.  I ordered 2 pairs of Melissa shoes, at a size 8, because Gilt encouraged you to order a size down. So I did, only to regret not ordering a size 9 like I intended.  Now the cost of both pairs of shoes are credited to my account and not back to my credit card. Not only that, there’s no way for me to get them in a size 9, unless someone returns their pairs (I did manage to get one of them, but I didn’t have the credit to my account yet…so that too came back out of my own pocketbook).
• The uncertainty of ship time.  The first time I ordered from them, I had no idea it would take upwards of 3 weeks to ship my shoes.  This happened the second time as well, when I ordered Stila make-up: it could take them from 1 to 3 weeks to receive.  Then I ordered my Melissa shoes, only for it to SAY 1-3 days (and 1-3 weeks) but to have received them by the end of the week.
• 2 Week Return Policy.  First, I will say this is a half disappointment–because I’m GLAD that I CAN return pieces, and I understand why they have a shorter return time (so they can get them to people on a wait list more quickly).  But 2 weeks can be SUCH a pain to get things back, especially when UPS is on the other side of town.

Successes:

• 1 Log in for all Gilt sites. I LOVE that I can access Jetsetter/Gilt/GiltFuse/Gilt Men (and any future branches) with 1 log-in and email account. I don’t have to create a new one each time I want to access a new phase. Ease in shopping? Bliss.
• A great selection of brands at varying price points/trying new brands at a cheaper price. I LOVE that I can get Stila make-up at drug store prices, Pour la Victoire’s for under $100, and Melissa shoes for under $40 a pop. I’ve tried to find the pair I couldn’t get, and they’re at least $90 every where else I’ve looked. I was excited to see Noir Jewelry featured, Pour la Victoire, Melissa shoes– brands that stole my heart instantly, but due to financial reasons, I was reluctant to try.  I feel that I can experiment with new brands at much more affordable rate–especially when I do have some freedom in returning them.  Everytime I find a new designer I like–Kelsi Dagger and Noir, for example, they soon pop up on Gilt.
• Free Return Shipping. Shipping ain’t cheap through Gilt, even if it is UPS and only a couple of days on the road; I think that my Stila make-up was $7, which is kind of silly since it weighs nothing.  That being said, shipping it back is FREE, and that’s quite lovely (though I was charged an extra $10 for the re-ship of my Melissa shoes).  Occasionally they DO discount shipping costs though– my Noir Jewelry had NO shipping fees associate with it (from Gilt Fuse).
• Great Layout. I don’t know about you, but I’d be willing to bet that part of Gilt’s success is that their site is clear, easy to navigate and requires as few clicks as possible.  All featured designers clearly laid out, all products are listed on 1 page, and the shopping process is very easy.

Overall, when the right shop comes up, I’m RIDICULOUSLY excited about it.  Then adrenaline of getting to buy in that short span of time is sort of nice… (or I’m an adrenaline junkie), the brands offered are great and pieces offered current. I find that I’m more pleased each time I use them.

If you haven’t signed up for any of the Gilt companies, please feel free to use my invitation link.

If you HAVE joined Gilt or it’s branches and shopped with them–what were your thoughts and experiences? Would you go back?

All the content in this post is © dramatis personae. If you are seeing this post and it is not in your Feed Reader, then it is probably being used without my permission. If you would like to repost my content, please contact me. If you enjoyed Gilt: A Review, please consider subscribing to dramatis personae for more Ashe Mischief goodness!

Regardless of those who may find it shallow, I believe that the engagement & wedding rings are among the most personal items that we’ll own in our lives.  They represent the beautiful bond between two people, and as such, I believe that it’s an item that should not only reflect you as a person, but your relationship to your partner.

So I came up with a contingency plan against the horror stories I’ve heard. The fella, along with my two best ladies (one being Miss Malaprop) have been warned about my ring preferences– because Co. I’ll accept in a ring dealer is Tiffany & Co.

I like to think of this design as The Safety Ring.  The Safety Ring is designed for the fella who wants to pop the question to me, but may not know my taste very well.  It’s the piece I’d happily wear the rest of my life and is available at any retailer (though good old Tiff’s would earn him bonus points & extra lovin’).  Emerald cut diamond, no larger than 1 carat (modesty, meow!), and a white gold or platinum band.

In reality, if I had the option of picking out a ring of my own doing (or showing him & being later surprised), these rings would definitely make me a happy & blissful Mischief.  I love a ring that is sophisticated, and bold in its simplicity.

Black Pearl Engagement Ring, $395 is a beautiful, classy choice. I think there’s something unusual about black pearls… while I don’t see myself wearing white pearls often, there’s something a bit rebellious about a black one…

Black Diamond, $1850 is probably my favorite. It’s ACES. I love hold bold and start the black diamond is, and the delicate diamond detailing on the side. Like the black pearl, there’s something a bit more unusual and rare about a black diamond.

Engaged/Married Set, $26. I LOVE this cheeky little ring set, and particularly love the idea of using this as an engagement ring set for your fella… afterall, why should the girls be the only ones to get a little bling action?

There’s also every fashion bloggers favorite option, which would be to have the gorgeous & super talented Wendy Brandes design you rings. Which believe you me, is definitely an option I will happily consider.  Afterall, when a woman’s career is launched by the creation of her own wedding rings, you know she’ll whip up something magical.

I love the options available through indie designers; its an opportunity to make an already special event even moreso, by knowing that your partner and an indie artisan worked together to create you a ring for you.  It’s even more amazing when you think of the designers who are creating them with conflict free stones and recycled metal materials…

All right ladies (and gents!) fess up– am I being a picky bitch? Do you have engagement ring horror stories? Is it something that matters to you, or could you care less?

All the content in this post is © dramatis personae. If you are seeing this post and it is not in your Feed Reader, then it is probably being used without my permission. If you would like to repost my content, please contact me. If you enjoyed the Fourth Finger, please consider subscribing to dramatis personae for more Ashe Mischief goodness!

Our Differences Unite Us

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

Coming off of Ashe Mischief’s Independent Fashion Blogger’s Post (Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode), you all brought your A-game in posting the links a la mode — which made it extra hard to edit! This week, the theme that I saw emerging throughout the posts is one of celebrating our unique diversity; each site has a different take and approach to fashion, art, beauty, media, lifestyle, music – you name it! From the dry shampoo trials at Dramatis Personae to Le Petite Cecile’s observations regarding the bleached eyebrow trend, you all brought a new perspective to each topic at hand, a sign that indicates how wonderful and creative the blogosphere truly is. Get even more excited for Halloween with cmykaboom and Idiosyncratic Style costume suggestions that are sure to make you smile, along with DenimDebutante’s discovery of the “zipholder”.  All in all, one things’ for certain: we’ve got an amazing community of bloggers!

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : October 29th

• Clutch 22 -A Blogger’s Fairytale – The Making of Seattle Indie Designer Jesica Milton’s “Jordie” Dress
• cmykaboom -Halloween Hauteness: Top Ten Halloween Costume Ideas
• Dramatis Personae – The Dry Shampoo Trials (Part 1)
• DenimDebutante – The Zipholder
• Fashion Pulse Daily -Favorite New Eco-Find: the Cool Indie Designer Eco Duds at Green is Black
• ferOHHHsh – To Ugg or not to Ugg?
• girl friday -A Guide to Styling & Buying Scarves.
• Idiosyncratic Style – Stylish Last Minute Halloween Ideas
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Good Cop/Bad Cop: Participating in Links a la Mode
• Le Petite Cecile – To Bleach or not to Bleach, That’s the Question.
• Lillys Garden – Dirndlpunk ROCKS
• Mama Fashionista — So What if I’m a (Perfume) Slut?
• Prom Mafia -Warning:This Image has been Photoshopped: Should a Disclaimer be Used on Photoshopped Models?
• Oranges & Apples -Flats or High Heels? Investigating Shoes that are Both Comfortable and Stylish
• Queen Gilda: Thesis Collection: Sketching, Fabric Choices, and Final Edits
• Retro Chick -Style Snapshot – 10 Questions with Eyeliah of Style Symmetry
• The COVETED -Learning More About Vintage from The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping
• The Demoiselles – Pay Homage to the Classic Graphic T-Shirt
• Think Thru Fashion – Behind the Scenes at a MAC Halloween Photo Shoot
• Vue Society – RTW + Alterations vs. Custom Made
• Workchic – Shoe Smitten Shows Workchic Readers the Best Tall Boots for Those with Hard to Fit Calves

Have an amazing Halloween, my loves! (My activities will include packing, and perhaps seeing Paranormal Activity.)

All the content in this post is © dramatis personae. If you are seeing this post and it is not in your Feed Reader, then it is probably being used without my permission. If you would like to repost my content, please contact me. If you enjoyed IFB Presents: Links a la Mode, please consider subscribing to dramatis personae for more Ashe Mischief goodness!