an education and then some

Hope no one believes that shopping isn't educational. Its not all fluff. Most of the time it can be but here and there a bit of knowledge can be acquired. 

I did go in search of the parka I am now convinced I can't live without. A friend and I went to Soho where Woolrich has a store.  Unfortunately they didn't have the one I love. But they do have parkas and a lot of them. I know of Woolrich from what I would consider their by now iconic blanket with bold stripe borders. But otherwise no real concept of what they do. Well seems like they've been doing pretty ok. The Soho store is just about a month old said the very helpful sales woman. They carry both men and women merchandise ranging in price from high $200's -their more classic but basic line of parkas to upward of $800. Hence now my $895 parka is making more sense. 

The saleswoman explained that the parka  was made especially for Club Monaco. They had the identical one but with real fur instead.  They only made the faux one for the Club Monaco capsule collection. I love that Club Monaco wanted it to be faux fur. Plus its so much softer. Seriously. I did find out that although they  have only recently been a brick and mortar store they have been making capsule collections  awhile. Last season it was a collaboration with  J.Crew. That sparked my interest. (A) Who doesn't love J.Crew  and( B) where have I been all this time under a rock.? Didn't know any of this history. Like I said 'blankets'  that's where I began and ended my knowledge of Woolrich. 

Alas no parka for me there. Back to Club Monaco. There is one up the block. So in we went. The parka is there and it is that price. So no need to repeat the reality. But also not ready to commit but why not just take another admiring glance at it. A model I knew who had a small but beautiful line of clothing is now  there. She oversees and  works with customers on the different capsule collections they have. And they really have nice things. Plus their own line for Fall is beautiful. She has put her own design line on hold while exploring different while working with Club Monaco. It was so much fun seeing her and catching up

Although it was a gray and rainy day we were now in full window shopping mode. We did go to Trademark which wasn't far. Beautifully laid out store. Very airy feel inside. Great music playing.  I was familiar with the website but it was nice to actually see the line. It's well made. Good cuts and great fabric. Although everything online has a strong boxy no shape look to it  it's a lot less so when you  actually see the clothes. There is an Amish meets upper east side school girl look to the line. Austere in a really cool way.  Great look for the brogues and  oxford  style shoes that are so in this season.And if I was a size 6 I would be all over the clothes. Who knows. Maybe one day. Hope springs eternal as the saying goes.  

Bloomingdales Soho was our next stop. My friend is new in town and hadn't  yet been. All I can say about that is I wish I had never gone in.  Because now I have 2 obsessions. 2 things that I feel I can absolutely not live without. Adding to my parka obssesions comes a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag I fell in love with. Its not off the chart expensive but it isn't cheap either. Its so great and I love. It will change my life if I get it. Ok let me not get carried away because I say that about everything I love. But then again it will. I know it. I feel it. Its the perfect bag in a perfect color. Bag. Parka. Bag. Parka. Either . Both. Neither. Can't afford it. So it has to be neither. Unless I don't eat or go out from now until forever. That will work I think. At least it will get me to the size 6 .But than again if I don't go out who will see all my pretty stuff. 

I should be saving not spending. Save for a rainy day. For an apartment. For a country house. A great vacation. Or retirement. So many logical things to do.But do I want to dwell on all that reality. Can't I Iive in the illusion that shopping creates. You can have it all. Even an education in fashion. At least that part isn't an illusion. But the fluff is so much fun

farfetched

How far would I go in search of  the perfect winter coat?   I came across one when just window shopping the other day.  Winter coats was then about the last thing on my mind. But there it was. And in my size too. A perfect great looking parka. After the crazy cold we had last winter I am kinda parka obsessed.  This one was in the 'new' Club Monaco. They have introduced capsule collections in some of their bigger stores. Lots of nice stuff. And this parka is from a collection with Woolrich. At first glance I was a bit confused. I had forgotten about the  Club Monaco capsule collections. Momentary confusion over it took only a few seconds to fall in love with this parka. I love the coat. I hate the price. Some capsule collection pieces can be expensive I realize. And here I thought Woolrich only made blankets.Well they do a lot more and aren't shy asking $895 for the parka. Its in an army green with a soft faux fur detachable lining . I love that its faux fur.  But still could Woolrich be that expensive? Had to do some research. Couldn't really get much from the website. Did realize they may have a higher end line called John Rich&Bros.  The label on the parka is John Rich &Bros.  But also found out they have a store in Soho. So i'm going. They may have the parka. Hopefully it won't be $895. Wishful thinking of course.

I'm sure there's a next new thing I can't live without  waiting for me somewhere in there in case this perfect parka of my dreams is  not. I'll keep you posted.

Seek and Ye Shall Find

There is no end in the search for what one wants. I'm unrelenting . I can't think straight until  what I want becomes mine. It may have a return in its future but in the meantime its a need looking for fulfillment.  A friend confessed recently she is the same. Like a dog with a bone she describes herself.

She's a search online and it will come to you. I'm still more  brick and mortar. I like touchy feely. She is get it to me delivered. The touchy feely can wait till she opens the package.

My good luck the other day is to have commented on a cool pair of Rachel Comy flats she had on.  Not only are they awesome looking they were on sale she says.  I love Rachel Comy. Good luck is double edged. I had been looking for very similar brogue type flats .The  search was on. Good luck is a double edged sword I think while I become that obsessive search online person. And just like that the romance of the brick and mortar evaporates.

Talk about a search. I searched.  And googled and searched. So online I went and went. As soon as I had a moment I was looking. Went through the designers site and the obvious store sites. On I clicked.  Up came this that and the other. She is a size 38. Im a 41.  So as in real stores I always find that 41's  go fast if they ever get any to begin with I often conclude. 

As luck would have it. Or not. I did find them. Happy happy me. In my size. Not returnable of course. So here they were and here also lies the double edge. I fell truly madly deeply in love with the site where I found them on. Lagarconne. 

 Out there in web land cyber space seeking I found. Found a home of gorgeous things  and true love.  Seek and ye shall find. As with most things in life a click can open doors. Make changes.