Thank you all for the kind comments and emails after my last three year anniversary post. I very much appreciate them and loved reading each and every one! Here is my weekend update, with what I’ve been reading and enjoying this last week.
1. First up – a pair of Blahnik sandals that I’ve been mulling over as my one expensive summer sandal purchase for the year. What do we think? It looks comfortable but I’m a bit worried that it will cut off the leg. I do think that this would look phenomenal on the more blessed in the gams department out there.
Manolo Blahnik,$825, via Nordstrom
By the way – when did shoes get so expensive? I’m not too sure I understand why this sandal is almost $300 more than a similar simple black Manolo pump.
2. In Wednesday’s anniversary post, I mentioned that I do receive emails from time to time, asking for advice on blogging. For those who are trying to blog and/or anyone else who is struggling through the creative process, I love this little snippet from the fabulous Ira Glass of This American Life. I am not a regular NPR listener (I prefer hip hop and teeny bopper music during my drives, feel free to sneer) and never even heard of Ira Glass until I was forced to watch him do a speech in person while at Berkeley in order to receive full class credit. I’ve followed him and his show ever since.
3. Freshly published via Reuters, this article delves into the trends of cheaper brands (Michael Kors, etc) encroaching on the “accessible luxury” business of brands such as Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. I found it very interesting, and I think if I were in the market for a luxury bag at a price point around the Louis Vuitton Speedy’s today, I would probably save a few hundred and opt for a leather Longchamp instead.
4. My book recommendation for this week is one that I recently finished on the plane – the very good Endgame, by Frank Brady.
I had always known a bit about Bobby Fischer’s talent for chess and his subsequent disappearing act from public life, but never knew too much about his life, or about what made him such a “genius”. Endgame does a fabulous job of covering both exactly why Bobby Fischer was such an exceptional talent, and also the history behind some of his later controversial actions and decisions. A good read for any chess fan and/or non-fiction reader.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
14 Comments
Groupthink7
March 7, 2014 at 8:22 amThis pant is my favorite as well; known as the ponte pants. I have about 6 pair. Love them.
Irina
March 7, 2014 at 9:09 amGood morning:) I’m reading the article and it’s so funny how it says “Part of Kors’ success is that its products subtly replicate the style of big luxury brands” – I’m no bag expert but to me, all of his bags look like exact replicas of something else:) I always wonder why they’re not sued over this?
Katherine
March 7, 2014 at 9:36 amI always wonder that as well! Maybe they will be soon…like how Louboutin sued YSL..
a
March 7, 2014 at 10:15 amJimmy Choos have some great sandals. My favorite for this season are the Lila Patent Crisscross. I ended up getting closed-toe pumps in a neutral color, since for me it would be better to invest in a pair of pumps for all seasons.
Michael Kors does mimick the major houses’ trends and designs, and sometimes they’re not subtle at all. I can’t imagine why some Michael Kors totes command $2k+ and how they’re justified to be priced at the level of Bottega Veneta. None of his designs and creations are particularly original, and to date, he hasn’t come up with a creation that is his own. Every premier designer has its own distinct signature; Etro has its paisley prints, Charlotte Olympia has her platform heels – Michael Kors doesn’t except his ability to be “inspired” by others. His watches are all inspired by other major watch designers. His ready-to-wear cost thousands as well and that is the Chanel price point.
Stacey
March 7, 2014 at 11:44 amAs a fellow shorty, I’m afraid the shoes will cut your leg line and make your legs look much shorter. I think you could do that sandal in a light brown or nude, but black is such a heavy color. Besides, they’re a pretty trendy style that a lot of brands are doing right now and would bet you could find a less expensive pair. I would save my splurge for something a little bit more classic.
Katherine
March 7, 2014 at 1:26 pmThank you Stacey! That’s what I’m leaning towards…if I had unlimited money sometimes I think I could buy a whole entire separate wardrobe for my taller leggy alter ego, lol.
Stacey
March 13, 2014 at 10:32 amUgh, I so know how you feel. I could cry every time I try on a pair of booties thinking maybe this one will work and realizing they just make my legs look like stumps. It just one trend that I cannot make work for me. So unfair!! And now they’re pushing midi-skirts – not cool!! Anyway, appreciate your blog and hope you find the perfect summer sandals!!
Ralli
March 7, 2014 at 4:22 pmI absolutely love these sandals, but much like you I did a double take at the price. They’re inching toward $1000 including tax, and for plain black kid leather cutout shoes, this is exorbitant. I just looked at some sandals from Jimmy Choo and Sergio Rossi, but it looks like similar pieces are priced about the same. Really, how did these prices rise so explosively?
Katherine
March 8, 2014 at 8:18 amI’m glad other people think this as well (wasn’t sure if it was just me or I was missing something!). Maybe that means they will all make it to 2nd markdown, sale 🙂
Ralli
March 8, 2014 at 3:15 pmI was looking around and found these Gucci sandals: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/gucci-ursula-sandal/3457136?origin=related-3457136-0-3-3-4-DL_also_viewed&PageCategoryId=PP
They’re a bit more interesting than the Manolos, and they cost a couple of hundred dollars less too. Can’t lose, eh?
Hermesmerized
March 7, 2014 at 4:24 pmI notice you asking on PF if any bags had come in in box-calf lately. Box is available by SO only, and I just received one that took the (franchise) boutique three years to order. It’s a Noir Kelly35cm with palladium guilloche hardware. I didn’t ask for it; but it was offered to me when it came in, so I took it. This was Dec 27th. 2013.
You don’t need to publish this comment if you prefer not to.
Cheers.
Katherine
March 8, 2014 at 8:18 amHi Hermesmerized! Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to me. I had requested one as well about a year ago but it doesn’t look good (for me! I hope other ladies get theirs). Yours sounds wonderful. Enjoy!
Ammu
March 7, 2014 at 8:22 pmInteresting article on Kors, Burch et al. I own a quilted lamb skin purse by Michael Kors, which I like very much, but to be honest, I find his (and Burch’s) bags way too ubiquitous, probably because of the price point. I think the women at Mansur Gavriel were very clever to first establish a signature (as commenter a referred to it) with their linings and the bucket bag and secondly to release stock slowly so the bags feel somewhat rare and special. At a higher price point, I am really not convinced by any major designer, except Hermes and maybe Valextra. And their price points are much higher than Gucci, LV et all. For the price of a Gucci/Burberry/LV I would rather invest in a bag by a heritage leather brand, like Lotuff Leather or JW Hulme.
Ammu
March 7, 2014 at 8:24 pmP. S. Since you are open to book recommendations, may I recommend a hilarious new novel I just read – Karachi, you are killing me! – life seen through the eyes of a 28-yr-old female Pakistani reporter who is equal parts snark and sweetness. Loved it, and feel like you will too 🙂