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Interview With Carla – Part Two

Today is the second part of my interview with Carla…I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s post! It had some of the most amazing and exotic shoes I’ve ever seen. Today though, there are even moreshoes, along with a bunch of other delicious goodies. So without further ado – Carla, Part Two!

What do you think is the most comfortable brand, and which brand is your favorite? 

To be honest, ever since I started seriously collecting Louboutins in 2008, i haven’t really purchased another brand since then. I did buy a pair of YSL Tributes at one point but ended up selling them because they weren’t that comfortable, and didn’t look as sexy as my Loubies.  So of course I am biased with this, and I am a die-hard Louboutin collector.  For flats, I love Lanvin – and I live in Havaianas flip flops. Charlotte Olympia has piqued my interest recently though, so maybe i will give that a try soon.

Carla with one of her beautiful McQueen clutches

What is a luxury item that you really wanted for a long time – but it just didn’t work out for you? 

When i was in medical school, I was obsessed with the Marc Jacobs Venetia bag.  Finally I bought one,  and wouldn’t you know – that thing weighed a TON and didn’t fit as much as I wanted, and was just not a practical bag for me. I ended up selling it within months of owning it.

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite clothing items, and what a typical day to day (or night) outfit is for you! 

I live in dresses. To me they are so easy, you just throw it on and instantly look put together.  You don’t have to worry about mixing and matching the top to the bottom, etc.  So for me, a dress, and then accessories, is what makes an outfit.

I am also obsessed with my McQueen leopard skull pashmina scarf.  It is soooo soft and I love bringing it with me when I travel and wrapping myself in it when on the plane. Another McQueen obsession are my aviators. I can look like crap underneath them, but I look GLAM with them on.

A going out outfit!

One of my favorite pairs of Carla’s shoes – Peace of Shoe style

What is a holy grail item that you’d still love to get one day?

A Hermes Birkin violet lizard 25cm. Le sigh. And the Louboutin Isunami shoe.

A stunning McQueen clutch collection

I’d love to hear about some of the amazing sale scores you’ve gotten – I know you are good! 

I don’t have the patience or free time to scour and dig out the sales, so I depend a lot on my amazing sales associates to let me know what’s up. Based on my tight relationships with them at this point, I’ve managed to score some incredible buys- not because I search, but because they let me know what’s going on sale. One of them that comes to mind is my McQueen gold jewel Byzantine skull clutch. I think this originally retailed for $2400 and I got it on second cut for 70% off! It came out to less than $900!

Apart from that I’ve found some great Louboutin deals on eBay. And I also never like to pay full price for my clothes so I buy a lot from Gilt and Outnet. So my advice is to develop a really strong relationship with a sales associate for your favorite stores/brands. It will repay itself tenfold.

Beautiful Balenciaga colors

What else do you collect? 

My other serious collections (but not nearly as extensive as my Louboutin one) are Alexander McQueen – I am a sucker for his clutches and scarves. I think skulls, studs and spikes just do it for me!  I also collect Balenciaga.

Hermes CDC bracelets

Hermes is a new addiction. OMG. This is going to kill me and I will probably have to slow it down with the other brands for a while, so I can collect Hermes seriously.

I’d also love to hear some advice you have on shopping/style/budgeting that you’ve learned over the years that you’d like to share. What are some mistakes you made that you learned from? 

Four pieces of advice:

1. Don’t buy something just because it’s on sale. I learned that for me, if I didn’t love it enough to buy it at full price, I didn’t love it enough. And those items usually end in me selling them on eBay or Bonanza, and I end up losing money on them. If there’s a sale item I want, I think really long and hard whether I REALLY want it, or whether I want it just because it’s “on sale”.

2. Don’t buy something just because it’s a “holy grail”, impossible to find, etc – unless it’s YOUR holy grail. It may be beautiful, but if it’s not YOU, then it won’t last and you’ll end up selling it and losing money.

One of my favorite Carla photos – she looks adorable here!

3. I also very rarely buy anything on impulse. I am a planner, and I like to think (and obsess) and plot my purchases, usually months in advance (for example, some of the FW11 Loubies haven’t even arrived yet, but i already have my SS12 collection lined up). This helps me create my budget tremendously.

4. Invest in great accessories. They will last you a lifetime, and they can make ANY outfit.

A final shot of some gorgeous reds!

Finally – tell us something surprising about yourself!

As much as some people think that I’m such a NYC girl and a total girly fashionista, I am just as happy, if not more, when barefoot on the sand wearing nothing but a sarong and a bikini. I just love to scuba dive and travel. I feel at home with the ocean. Sometimes I have half a mind to give it all up and move to some tiny country and live in a shack on the beach… what would I do with all my luxury items then huh?  Someone will be really lucky if I decide to sell them all!

Don’t get any ideas, readers – I’m calling dibs on first in line if Carla ever decides to part with her collection! Isn’t her closet just amazing? I think it’s a feast of color! Thank you so much again Carla for sharing your photos and insights with us.

28 Comments

  • Reply
    couturecoco
    November 10, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    Oh my gosh! Although Loubies aren't always my thing, reading this interview made me realise I shouldn't be afraid to go the 'whole nine yards'! Carla is just amazing and her passion just leaps off the screen!
    I totally, totally agree with her great advice on buying, style and investments. Thank you!

  • Reply
    PetiteLittleGirl
    November 10, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    OMG..What an impressive collection! I love your interview series, Kat. Keep them coming =)

  • Reply
    Adele
    November 10, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    It's great to see someone with such passion for what they love xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    homestilo
    November 10, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    What an amazing collection! Love those McQueen clutch bags.

  • Reply
    Chic 'n Cheap Living
    November 10, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Seriously all that color makes for some wonderful eye candy on a Thursday! I am veering into exotics and hope to some day have a collection like her shoe and clutch collection!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

  • Reply
    skippysays
    November 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Those McQueen clutches are GORGEOUS! And I love how bright and colorful she dresses- it makes me so happy 🙂
    http://www.saysskippy.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    audrinajulia
    November 10, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Amazing and gorgeous collection!

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    November 10, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    She had me at scuba diving! I love her shoe collection but it's so refreshing to hear about other interests!

  • Reply
    DSK Steph
    November 10, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    She seems so fun and colorful!

  • Reply
    SassyUptownChic
    November 10, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    I'm adoring how she likes dresses! It's really true that you can slip one on, add the right accessories and feel perfect (beautiful). I also love how she incorporates COLOR into her wardrobe. This is truly beautiful! Great post. I enjoyed both parts. Thanks Katherine! 😀
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    gracefully50.com
    November 10, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Speechless…
    Great job on the interview!

  • Reply
    Mani
    November 10, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    Very interesting interview! I really enjoyed reading id!
    She rerally has ana amazing wardrobe!

  • Reply
    Sunny & Star
    November 10, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Oh wow! I am stunned. She has a seriously impressive shoe and clutch collection. And her clothes are amazing. I think if given the chance I could live happily in her closet.

  • Reply
    Sunny & Star
    November 10, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Oh wow! I am stunned. She has a seriously impressive shoe and clutch collection. And her clothes are amazing. I think if given the chance I could live happily in her closet.

  • Reply
    Twigart
    November 10, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    I have serious McQueen envy going on right now! A totally die for collection

  • Reply
    April Lyn
    November 11, 2011 at 1:27 am

    Great post! WOW, her collection is pretty close to resembling a department stores backstock! So amazing, esp the McQueen collection!

    XO
    April Lyn

  • Reply
    Veronica of Best of Palm Beach Consignment
    November 11, 2011 at 3:10 am

    The McQueen clutch collection is INSANE, I literally cannot deal! Where do you find these amazing ladies, with amazing collections?

  • Reply
    azu
    November 11, 2011 at 3:31 am

    OMG! This post need to come with an exclaimer: CAUTION! YOU WILL DROOL!

    Those CL pumps are amazing and I love her Mcqueen collection. <3

    xoxo Azu

    http://www.ravenhaireddoll.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    honey my heart
    November 11, 2011 at 3:48 am

    wow! her collection is amazing.

  • Reply
    Monica and Whitney
    November 11, 2011 at 3:55 am

    Oh my goodness. So many beautiful items.

    Ask the Duplex

  • Reply
    carlinha
    November 11, 2011 at 5:53 am

    hello everyone! thank you so much for the kind and wonderful comments. i am so glad to see everyone enjoying my collection as much as me! and you are all correct, DH is amazing, i'm so lucky to have found him. (by the way i am a size 35.5-36 for those asking)

    i'd like to share one of my favorite quotes:
    ~ if you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author & everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page ♥

    xoxoxo – carla

  • Reply
    kristina@beancakes ★
    November 11, 2011 at 6:05 am

    oh wow!!! what unbelievably AWESOME collections these all are!!! love the mc queen clutch collection!!
    xx ~ kristina

  • Reply
    alicia
    November 11, 2011 at 6:17 am

    wow..her mcqueen collection!! amazing.

  • Reply
    Saint Folie
    November 11, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    We want all that McQueen collection. GORGEOUS.

    bisou.

  • Reply
    Cindy Whitehead
    November 13, 2011 at 1:49 am

    Great interview – loving her Hermes cuffs!

  • Reply
    Annabelle
    November 13, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    OMG, Carla's collection is making me weep. Particularly that shot of the Balenciaga collection and the last photo in red. What amazing shoes!

  • Reply
    The Blonde @ Stylish3
    November 14, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Definitely following Carla's blog now… can't wait to see more from her amazing collection!

  • Reply
    TheBlonde @Stylish3
    December 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Guess she closed er blog. 🙁

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