Weekend Update

Sale PSA: A beautiful and versatile cashmere blend gray trench coat from Theory, now under $500, a gorgeous and cozy cashmere wrap from Madeleine Thompson, now under $300 (there’s also a lovely camel color, here), one of my favorite affordable t-shirts from Madewell, now under $15, and a pretty lace embroidered shift dress from BCBG, now just $122. 

1. How long have I been searching for the perfect trench coat? So very long. And I think I’ve finally found the perfect one, this beauty from Stella McCartney.

It is extremely torturous to only like full price things during the biggest sale of the year. Why oh why? But I love everything about the trench – the bonded cotton material, the specific color, the tortoiseshell buttons, the belt, everything. Well, okay, nearly everything – one big miss is the price (and Saks has it for even more – nearly $2600), and the other is the dog print lining. I love a funky print for a lining as much as the next person but I’m not sure if I want it on my all time perfect trench. What do you think?

2. An interesting and quick read via Racked, about the history behind “makeup vaults” – those huge collections of makeup which come out usually around the holidays. I used to buy these because I love a good deal but I realize I don’t use many of the items. And, they take up tons of space! I still like looking at them though.

3. My favorite reading this week is the WSJ’s article about the personal shopper Catherine Bloom, who works out of Neiman Marcus. I’ve followed Bloom for some time and always find her fascinating and an interesting read. And of course I’d love to be able to shop with her one day (despite what she says about taking everyone, I would feel like a super peasant). My favorite kind of fashion reading.

4. Another piece about shopping for the rich and famous, this time from Vanity Fair. Interesting reading though not as much as the Bloom one above. If you have time for only one, read the Bloom.

5. This week I finished the excellent and very relevant Red Notice, by Bill Browder.

Bill Browder was the head of Hermitage Capital, the largest outside investor in Russia. It was so huge that even a finance plebe like me had heard of it. He made a ton of money in Russia, all was going well…and then he crossed Putin. Red Notice is fascinating and timely reading because of current events, but even if it weren’t it would still be worth the read. Absolutely recommended, especially for fans of non fiction.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas holiday! See you next week.