What's on your Wish List?

    I knew I was in trouble as soon as I walked into the store. Perched on a shelf in the back of the shop, directly in my line of sight. was a vintage red hat box. (reminiscent of the Louis Vuitton hat box I sold on eBay...and still wish I'd kept).

   I was at Wish List Consignment in Hanover and I had to have that vintage 1960's hat box. But I wasn't there to shop! I was there to check out this vintage consignment store that opened six months ago.

  The owner, Gretchen Gold, saw a need on the South Shore of Massachusetts for an upscale vintage store. To find such high end items, you would normally have to drive into Boston.

   Not anymore!

   Wish List Consignment has a private entrance at the rear of the Hanover Mall, between Sears Automotive and Macy's.

   Gretchen and her store stylist, Mat "Maverick" Schuetz, created a fantastic place to take a step back in time and have access to fashion history.

   Gold says she only accepts items from the 1900's to the 1980's. She does have a small section for contemporary clothing, but her clients love the access to vintage labels you normally only read about.

   Consigning with the shop is a breeze. They're looking for authentic vintage men's and women's clothing along with vintage jewelry, home furnishings, decorations and musical instruments.

   Just call and set up an appointment with Gretchen. As they like to say, "Bring us what we are looking for and you receive 50% off the selling price!" A very good deal indeed!

   But I warn you. Even if you go into the store to consign an item (or many items) you will want to look around. And I guarantee you will love what you find.

 
  How often do you see this?

 
  Vintage 1960's Oleg Cassini dress...

  Or this...vintage HALSTON!!!

 

  How about this fantastic Bill Blass jacket!

Want to go back a little bit further in time? Check out this selection from the1950's: circle skirts and this dreamy prom gown...

 



 

   Also in the Wish List...vintage Pucci, Gucci and Missoni...oh my!

  And a piece that made me take a deep breath and a step back.

  (breathe in, breathe out...)

  Alexander McQueen.

  Looking to accessorize? Wish List has that too. 

  Hats, gloves, jewelry, handbags. You could spend hours just looking through the collection.

 Or you could ask Mat and he'll put something together for you.



Vintage Schiaparelli Hat



 

  When I spoke to customers who were in the store for the first time, they all agreed the store was a "hidden gem" and they would definitely be back.      

  So what's on your Wish List? If you're looking for something particular, let Gretchen know. She works with a number of consignors...and she may be able to find it for you.



  What did she find for me? She helped me rediscover my love for the history of fashion. The store is a feast for a fashionista's eyes!                   

  Everywhere you look there is one fabulous piece after another. Look through the racks of clothing and you're looking through fashion history. I've always loved vintage accessories, but never knew I could fall in love with not one, but two vintage 1950's coats! Oh and you're just dying to see what I got, aren't you?!

 

  The first one is a long, wool coat with a high collar. The second one is a cropped jacket with 3/4 length sleeves.





  So is my Wish List complete?

  Not even close!

  I can't wait to go back into the store and see what I find next.

  And yes, I'll let you know what I get. I have my eye on a few other things...

  (I did get the hatbox. Did you think I was going to leave the store without that in my hands? I love it!)

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Get updates and fun pictures on Wish List Consignment's Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/#!/WishListConsignment?fref=ts

Check them out! Hanover Mall 781-829-9474

Let me know what you find!



Make Overs and Movie Magic at Maxime Salon!

  I was fashion famished.
  I read all of the September issues (even the British mags), but I was still feeling like I needed more.
  So when I got the invite to Maxime, my hair salon, for A Night to Remember featuring Cherry Petenbrink, the lead hair colorist from the blockbuster movie "The Hunger Games", I knew this would be the event to feed my hunger for fashion.
  The owner of my salon, Ronit Enos, knows how to throw a sweet soiree! I thought I was going to be early, but when I pulled into the parking lot it was packed! There was a red carpet and music was blaring. The party was in full swing.         
   Clients were treated to custom cocktails and photo ops with local professional picture taker, Lorraine Kourafas.
  The guest of honor, Cherry Petenbrink, had already started working her magic, recreating looks from the movie.


Cherry Petenbrink gets wiggy with a member of the staff.

   Petenbrink told me she used hundreds of hair pieces in "The Hunger Games". She used Joico products, which my salon also uses and trust me...they're fabulous!
   She took the stars of the movie, Jennifer Lawrence from bright blond to brilliant brunette and did the opposite to Josh Hutcherson...making him a believable blond. She said he couldn't look like he just came from the beach when he lives in District 12! (not a very sunny, California type of area).
   In the middle of our conversation Cherry picked up a hair piece...

 
    and,,,

  ,,,within seconds I was transformed into a movie extra!
  Cherry said she was thrilled to be there (she came to Hingham, Massachusetts all the way from LA) and share what she did on the movie with the clients of Maxime Salon. If they weren't fans of the movie when they came in...they certainly were when they left!
  Owner Ronit Enos said she was, "excited to showcase her work here at the salon."
  While Cherry was working her movie magic, the salon stylists were showing off their skills.
  They were braiding clients' hair and make up artists were giving make overs at the salon's new Beauty Bar.
  Enos wanted to give back to the clients who have helped her business become a huge success and led to yet another "Best of Boston" award.
  She called the event A Night to Remember and judging by the number of loyal clients who showed up I think she definitely accomplished her goal.
  Congratulations my friend!
  Oh and in case you're wondering...I did finally let Cherry take the hair piece out. It was fun while it lasted!
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Want more Maxime? Check out their new website at: http://maximesalon.com/

More pics at:  http://www.boston.com/yourtown/hingham/2012/10/05/hingham-women-get-hunger-games-makeovers/6znJwtOzRBAnyRHsVb4GMK/pictures.html?pg=10&t=150&cp=10

Chanel history lesson.....

Check out this fantastic look back at the creation and history of the most iconic scent.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2012/10/05/chanel-no-5-new-brad-pitt-fragrance-face

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Neiman Marcus together with...Target? Believe it.....

This is an article from New York magazine's online mag,The Cut. It's a fantastic online resource to get the scoop on the day's hottest fashion stories.
 So here we go...Neiman Marcus and Target will join forces this Christmas. Line up now. 

Target’s Next Collaboration Features 24 Designers, Including Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jason Wu, and More By Charlotte Cowles

Why should Target limit its partnerships to just one high-fashion brand at a time when they can partner with 24 of them at once? WWD reports today that the retailer is collaborating with luxury department store Neiman Marcus on a holiday collection, available not only at all Target stores but also at all Neiman Marcus locations and online at both retailers' websites, starting December 1. Thanks partly to Neiman's cozy ties with lots of luxury labels, the joint collection will include products designed by the following 24 CFDA members:

Alice + Olivia
Altuzarra
Band of Outsiders
Brian Atwood
Carolina Herrera
Derek Lam
Diane Von Furstenberg
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Judith Leiber
Lela Rose
Marc Jacobs
Marchesa
Oscar de la Renta
Philip Crangi
Prabal Gurung
Proenza Schouler
Rag & Bone
Robert Rodriguez
Rodarte
Skaist-Taylor
Thom Browne
Tory Burch
Tracy Reese

So, basically the CFDA's Christmas party invitation list. Just so the back-scratching circle is complete (or, as WWD puts it, "to celebrate the partnership"), Target and Neiman Marcus are donating $1 million to the CFDA.

As for the products themselves: The collection will consist of 50-plus items costing between $7.99 and $499.99, with prices averaging less than $60. Each designer will contribute one to three designs in categories ranging from men’s, women’s, children’s clothing and accessories, sporting goods, home goods, and accessories for pets and electronics. In other words, it'll cover all the same bases as the Missoni for Target collection, only with more aesthetic diversity, fewer zigzags, and hopefully a smoother retail operation.

You should still expect these items to sell out quickly, though. All the products are limited edition, and the two retailers don't currently have plans to continue their partnership past this one-off collection, which they've been working on since last December.

Of course, Neiman Marcus and Target can't say enough nice things about one another. Even though you'd think they might clash over some details (it's hard to imagine Neiman's allowing any polyester bedding through their doors, for example), both parties insist they share the same values. Kathee Tesija, Target’s executive vice president of merchandising, gushed:

"We really formed one team and approached this together, as a team ... At times, it was hard to tell who was from the Target team and who was from Neiman Marcus. It was one big melding."

Melding! That's also a good description of what the crowds at Target stores will look like come December.
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A Fabulous Day by Chanel

I was sitting at the Chanel cosmetics counter at Neiman Marcus in Natick and my skin was glowing. Sipping on a glass of champagne I chatted with my friends at Chanel about some upcoming events and hot new colors coming out for Summer.

The irony is...I wasn't wearing a bit of make up. None. And I've never felt more glamorous.

So how can this be? At a Chanel counter and not a stitch of make up?

But how could I put on make up after such a fantastic Chanel facial? I had just spent about a half hour in the spa at Neimans with Chanel skin expert, Lisa, having the most amazing facial with all of my favorite Chanel products. And one new one! (And yes I bought it! It's a special moisturizer for the area around your lips. Since I have a fear of developing those "parentheses" wrinkles around my mouth, this product is perfect for me! Check it out if you also live in fear of "parentheses" Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Lip Contour. Ok...and I ordered one of the new Rouge Coco Shine Lip colors. It's a light pink. Great for a Spring into Summer look!)

So when I was asked by one of my Chanel friends if I wanted my make up redone, I said no, I feel so amazing I just want my skin to breathe.

So I sipped my champagne and enjoyed more Chanel chat.

A fabulous day.

Courtesy of Chanel.
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Flapper Flashback: The 20's Roar for Spring!

      We have to wait until December to see the screen adaptation of  F.Scott Fitzgerald's classic "The Great Gatsby" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, but you can channel your inner Daisy Buchanan with so many of the looks from the Spring/Summer 2012 runways.  

Etro Spring/Summer 2011

  Etro and Gucci definitely did it best. Flapper style dresses with an art deco flare. Loved it! So many designers took us back to the roaring 20's, when Prohibition was the law and hidden hedonism was the way of the day.

   The black and gold dresses with bugle beads and swinging skirts. It was the age of decadence and it was also revisited by Alberta Ferretti, Celine, Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs.

   But you can't dress up in a 20's style without stacking up on loads of pearl necklaces, carrying a feather cover up or holding a crystal embellished clutch.

     So hit the vintage stores and see what you can find! Then you can rock out your inner flapper girl. But this time, the alcohol is legal.  




Gucci Spring/Summer 2012

Gucci Spring/Summer 2012

photos courtesy of Style.com

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Jason Wu Misses the Target

   I've been reading about the Jason Wu for Target collection for months. When I saw the preview I picked out so many pieces that I wanted to try on I figured I'd be at the store for hours! So while everyone else in this area was watching the Super Bowl, I'd be dressed in Wu!
   One of my friends and I were texting in the morning, wondering if there would be lines and should we go early? She was thinking she would shop online. I really wanted to see everything in person and maybe get opinions from other shoppers on the selection.
  So when I walked into Target Sunday I was expecting to then walk into the dressing room with an armload of clothes. Instead I had to look for the collection and once I found it I couldn't believe it.
  There were four pieces from the collection.
  That's it.
  Just four pieces.
  Where's the black trench with the lace trim? The adorable blue dress with the red stripe around the skirt?
   So I left.
   Disappointed.
   And annoyed.
   And I wasn't the only one.
   Today I saw video of people hoarding the Wu collection. Taking every piece of clothing off the racks and shoving into a shopping cart, telling other shoppers to look for the stuff on eBay.
   This makes me rethink the idea of having high end designer clothes in stores such as Target.
  Doesn't it diminish the integrity of not only the designs, but the designers to have their creations shoved into a shopping cart and then hocked on an internet site?
  I think it does.
  I looked on eBay. The prices are three to four times the amount you would've paid in the store or online.
 Jason Wu and Target had good intentions. Bring upscale designs to the masses. Missoni did it. Versace did it. But if other designers want to jump on board then the stores have to put rules in place and come up with a better plan to make sure the next designer doesn't miss the target.

Fashion? Yup, there's an app for that!

  So now that you've seen the Spring/Summer trends, it's time to get the trends right at your fingertips so you can pick out the ones you want (need) to buy!
  There are over 500,000 apps for the iPhone and I found some fabulous fashion apps to feed your fashion appetite. So stop playing Angry Birds and Words with Friends for a second and get ready to tap your way to the hottest fash apps.
  First, you have to get one by your favorite designer.  My first fash app was, of course, Chanel. J'adore! I watched the Haute Couture Show, read up on the latest Chanel news and who wouldn't want those CC's to be one of the first things you see when you fire up your phone?!
  Fashion Network is a fantastic way to see the shows. They have most of the designers S/S 2012 shows listed. Watch your favorites start to finish and I dare you to try and find Anna Wintour in the front row...
   Vogue Stylist lets you put your own look together. You can choose the brand and the category, then let your fingers fly. The app will give you the top trends to help you create the perfect outfit.
   The Dior app is another must have. Didn't get an invite to the Haute Couture show? Watch it and get an up close view of the clothes while you're at it. Tres Chic!
   So besides the Chanel app, my absolute favorite fash app is Bergdorf Goodman Shoe a Day. LOVE! Shoe a day?! Brilliant! Today's shoe was a Christian Louboutin Spike (yes, spike) T-Strap Sandal in Silver with the iconic red heel. The T-Strap actually has spikes! This is a shoe you will need to wear with care!
  So now that you have the fash apps, you need to accessorize your phone. I'm getting a really fun iPhone 4 case from Kate Spade. The back is black with white polka dots and it's edged in hot pink. Because really...as a fashionista...don't you need to have a fashionable phone too?  Mais oui!

Spring Ahead!

  Any excuse to go to my favorite store, Neiman Marcus, is a good one. But being invited to a private preview of the Spring/Summer 2012 collections on a chilly winter's night? Perfect!
  The Boston chapter of Fashion Group International sponsored the event along with Neiman Marcus in Natick, Massachusetts.
   I couldn't wait!
  After a magical ride up the escalator which has crystal butterflies hanging down, just out of reach, I headed for the Chanel boutique to see what was new. The cape I saw last time I was there was gone (*sigh*) but there was plenty that practically made me weep it was so beautiful.
  But on to the main attraction...S/S 2012.
  About 40 fellow fashionistas gathered in the Couture Salon on the second floor where they also had wine tasting by Greenvale Winery, a local vineyard in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. April Riccio, Public Relations Director of the store gave us a fantastic sneak peek at what we were about to see. The Ten Trends that were seen on the runways and that we'll see coming into the store.
   After April's countdown and a well produced video featuring clips from some of the Fashion Week runway shows, one thing was clear. Spring is in full bloom! Flowers decorated dresses, shoes, handbags. The LBD has some competition...the LWD. The Little White Dress was shown in a 50's style with a full skirt and made with lace.
   "Lady Chic" is back (one of my favorite trends) and it was reflected in the demure dresses and pencil skirts paired with pretty tops and structured clutches in every size.
   Prints were seen on everything...and mixed with everything. A fashion trend not all of us are willing to try, but if you're a fearless fashionista now is the time to show off.
  Color blocking with bright colors is a trend you can use in an entire outfit or just add a pop of color with a handbag or a fab pair of shoes.
   Step back in time to the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's or the 60's. Clothes from those eras are back and are so on trend and just so much fun to revisit.
   There is definitely something for everyone this season. Whether you take on an entire trend or just add pieces to your wardrobe, you are going to love the selection! Designers outdid themselves this season, making it exciting and giving us some much needed color in an otherwise drab winter season.
  Bring on Spring!