80% Off at French Pharmacie

Unfortunately, I had to miss French Pharmacie's "Welcome 2008" party last Thursday, but I'm sure it was fabulous.

The lovely Jessica called me today to tell me that the sale merchandise at FP has now been marked down to 80% off. I know, I know.

You'll have to enjoy it for me, as all of my spare change is pouring into my new house right now.

So, buy something fabulous and let me know - I'll live vicariously through my readers!

Exciting news - a dream is coming true for IndyStyle this week - I'll be attending New York Fashion Week this Friday. I'm only going to one show, but it's a start! Very exciting.

Validation - I'm Not Crazy for Liking the Butterfly Bag

Ok, so apparently I wasn't absolutely off the mark in thinking that the ShopNBC butterfly bag is a somewhat reasonable facsimile of the Prada. Today, one of my coworkers saw it and asked, "is that one of those new painted Prada bags?" Yes! So I'm not crazy after all. Phew.

Reasonable Facsimile, or Hopelessly Tacky?

Obsessing over the Prada fairy bag - and feeling pretty certain that it will probably price out at $2,000+ - I've been on the hunt for a reasonable facsimile.

I've stumbled upon this Anuschka bag, available at www.Shopnbc.com (my predilection for TV shopping is well-known). I'm kind of feeling it. It's got that artsy, hand-painted vibe of the Prada bag, and a butterfly's kinda close to a fairy, right?

So this is one of those times when I have to ask, am I just deluding myself by thinking that this bag is even on the same fashion planet as the Prada? Is it actually hopelessly tacky, to be carried only by a large aging hippie with long grey hair, who wears a lot of purple? Or is it, indeed, cool and fitting with spring's painterly vibe?

I'm leaning towards cool. I welcome opinions!

Style Never Takes a Holiday

But IndyStyle does. Sorry for taking such a long break between postings, but you know how it is - between the holidays, buying a new house (more on that to come), etc., things have been almost as crazy as Britney Spears.

But now I'm back and ready to tackle all of the important style issues as they happen in 2008. First off, a couple of observations about the emerging trends I've spotted in my time away from IndyStyle, to help prepare for spring (or for some fab winter vaca somewhere warm):

1) Florals are huge. More specifically, huge florals are huge. We're not talking little "mumsy" floral prints, but big, bright florals that look like you're wearing a painter's canvas. In a good way.

2) Really, anything sort of hand-painted looking seems to be the rage. So in addition to the painterly florals, there are abstracts and - my personal fave - lovely painted fairies from Prada. If I had a first-born kid or a spare kidney, I would sell it for one of the Prada satchels with the fairies painted on them. Yes, it's a gorgeous bag for the spring season...but you can also display it in your home as a work of art.

3) I'm still all about the dress. For a variety of reasons. But mostly because you just throw them on and go. And most of them are pretty seasonless. Even a sleeveless dress - put a turtleneck under it, and you're set.

That's just a topline view. Much more to come, of course.

A note for your calendar: next Thursday, January 24, French Pharmacie is hosting another one of their fab events - a "Welcome 2008" party. In addition to loads of new spring stuff (including I'm sure lots of trends we haven't even thought of yet), the event will also feature an appearance by the designers of "The Woods" jewelry line, a personal fave of mine. Also, you can make an appointment to get a free blow out or polish change to spotlight the new beauty services that FP is so brilliantly offering. Finally, I'm sure it will attract a very stylish crowd, so if you want to meet fellow fashionistas, this is the spot. I'll be there with my boots on!

Christmas Comes Early to French Pharmacie

I had one of those moments today where you feel like the Fashion Gods are looking out for you. I decided to head to French Pharmacie today for a last-minute Christmas gift (no, not for myself), and as I walked in, my favorite salesperson Jessica was just getting off the phone with owner Stacy Kosene. Stacy had called to say that all the fall and winter clothing and shoes was now 50% off. That's right, 50%.

So run, don't walk to FP while the selection is still good. I picked up three fabulous dresses, pretty much for the price of one (yay), and the most incredible boots EVER.

I nearly passed on the boots because I got stuck in them in the store - thanks, Jessica, for helping me yank them off - but after a quick consultation with a shoe repair, I think they can be stretched just slightly to accomodate my slightly pudgy calves. And, serious diet season starts in one week, so hopefully my calves will be the first spot to slim down. Unlikely, but you never know. One fashion prayer was answered today; maybe a second one will be, too.

Seriously. Stop reading and go to FP. Now. You'll thank me.

Jonesing for New Shoes

Ah, December. The time of year when thoughts turn to...no, not mistletoe and holly and all that holiday stuff...but spring fashion.

I guess technically it's resort, but savvy fashionistas shop early before the hottest styles sell out. I don't know why, but I tend to get more jazzed about resort wear than the spring collections when they make their appearance in a few months.

This season, I'm particularly lusting after some new shoes. Prada's new heel - that's sculpted like a flower - is unbelievably gorgeous. I mean, really spectacular. And I also love YSL's decidedly non-hippie take on the platform sandal. These remind me of the cork platforms I had in grade school, but in a much cooler and more sophisticated form.

I'm headed to Chicago for the Christmas holiday, so will be able to scope both of these glorious shoes out in person, on Michigan Ave. Now if Santa will just stuff my stocking with cash...

French Pharmacie Blog

French Pharmacie and its owner Stacy Kosene have started a blog - www.AreYouChicEnough.com.

Check it out! It's very fun - write ups on French Pharmacie events, along with photos and descriptions of Stacy's favorite things.

Almost as good as IndyStyle...