deal(s) of the day: sale shoes - designer edition

i was spending a little too much time over at notcouture last night, and found there a number of deals much too lovely to keep to myself.

juicy couture continues to surprise me. if they keep this up, i'm going to have to stop mocking them entirely.

these sandals ($101) are a great way to bring a little ombre to your summer...and on sale, too. i love the yellow, but if you're feeling extra girly, pink is the perfect choice. nab either at bergdorf goodman, where you'll also get out tax-free (unless you live in NYC).



for a more understated style, i love these t-strap beca sandals from gryson. yellow and grey IS definitely the hottest color combo du jour, and these little flats make it clear why. nab them for $225 at funky lala.


and last, but certainly not least, more sigerson morrison love. these beauties ($145) are absolutely everything i've been looking for in a casual black flat - love the modern mary jane styling, the intricate detail on the strap, and that thick elastic around the top is going to keep these comfy in any weather. they're lovely in black, but that fabulous bright gold would be oh-so-fun too. decisions, decisions.

cheap thrills: gryson for target

wow, lots of bags this week - it's just that time of year, when self-control becomes a major problem.

but i did want to share that the first piece of gryson's collection for target is finally available online. i love this handheld satchel with an optional messenger strap - gryson has done a lovely job of making this piece look much more elegant than many of the other designer collections target has managed. and i love that they've bothered to incorporate their signature woven style in this bag, so that it actually does remind us of the designer.

only the black satchel is available right now, but if you love it, i'd grab it now. otherwise, preview the full line here, and keep your eye on target's website, as they generally release designer collections online a few days before they hit stores.

what i want today: gryson handbags...on sale!

speaking of handbags, you all know by now that i'm a huge fan of gryson bags. the quality really is amazing for the price point...especially now. gryson just launched their online store, and they've put a number of bags up on sale - at a truly amazing 50% to 75% off! it's well worth a look.

my picks would be the gorgeous heidi bag in blue (which i was lusting after this spring, and still think would be an amazing work bag) or the woven jasper in blue jean - so unique, people will definitely be stopping you on the street to check it out. even their signature skye and olivia bags are half price.

this sale is definitely making me wish i hadn't already blown my fall budget on shoes. but since i can't partake, you all definitely should!

spring 2007: gryson

if i decide to splurge on a pricey bag for spring (it's still too soon to tell), i have a pretty good feeling it'll be a bag by joy gryson. i've talked about her before on this blog, but her spring 2007 collection has more than earned her the right to another mention.

joy gryson, a former designer for marc jacobs, has really gone all out this spring. she's bucked the "white or metallics only" trend, and has all sorts of wonderful COLOR in her spring line. and i, for one, can't get enough.

one of my favorites is the heidi tote - i covet it in this gorgeous blue color. retail is $995, and if past experience is any guide, her bags don't go on sale at the end of the season (unlike her former mentor's creations, which are routinely at least 50% off by july and january). it's a hike in her prices that i expected, but am still not terribly excited about.

gryson has also taken one of her incredibly popular styles from fall 2006, the skye bag, and recreated it for spring, replacing the classic brown trim with white. and let me tell you, it's a sight for sore eyes. especially (again, i know) in the teal blue color, this bag will turn heads everywhere you go, for the not-unreasonable price of $725. remember, girls, these bags are lined in suede, and the leather quality is so well-controlled that word on the street is if they can't find enough of the right leather, they just make less of the bags! incredible concept, i know.

the thing i'm loving about both of these bags is their inherent "grab and go" flexibility. want a hand-carried bag? great, wear it as a satchel. or, if you have crazy plans or just don't have a free hand, sling it over your shoulder (or, with the skye bag, possibly across your chest, messenger-style). gryson has really thought of everything we need, and has taken care of us beautifully. plus, i think she does an amazing job of designing something to be youthful, without looking "young"...a fine line to walk, but she does it beautifully. plus, i'm a complete sucker for suede-lined bags....they're like crack. once you try it, you'll never go back.

all of the new spring styles can be seen on her website, but the line should be hitting stores this month - look for joy gryson's wares at your friendly neighborhood neiman marcus (a few spring styles have already shown up, including 'heidi', featured above), shopbop, active endeavors (don't forget to use their perpetual 20% off codes...google is your friend), steven alan...heck, all kinds of online options. but don't wait too long - her styles all but sold out last fall, and i've only ever seen one of her bags hit the sale rack. mark my words: strike while the iron is hot, and before her prices go up even higher!

PS: i promise to post on cheaper accessories for spring later this week. really....

designer of the day: joy gryson

very very new to the scene, but joy gryson had me at hello, handbag! she has some really gorgeous designs for fall, and is falling right in that dangerous price range somewhere between the mid-range designers (coach, KORS, marc by marc jacobs) and the high end (vuitton, marc jacobs, need i go on....), leaving you with the dreaded "i could, but will my husband divorce me?" debate.

a little blurb on gryson, courtesy of style.com:

Searching for that perfect fall carryall—one that your friends won't be able to place, but will simply have to have? Look no further than Gryson, a new line just hitting stores. Designer Joy Gryson earned her chops at Coach, Calvin Klein, and, most recently, Marc Jacobs—which means she knows her way around an "It" bag. Her contenders for that title feature soft Italian leathers, suede linings, braided details, and brushed-metal hardware. They're luxe, yet cool, where other must-have totes can be uptown, uptight, and, worst of all, obvious. If you want to be the first in the front row to have a Gryson, better grab one now.

i'm loving all of her designs, but these two (pictured) are my absolute favorites. the colors are both just so rich and saturated, and the detail is really impressive. the brown is being touted as the new "it bag" by several fashionistas, but that just makes me more inclined toward the grey :) plus, i'm always thrilled at the prospect of owing a bag that i know is nice, but not everyone can point to and know exactly what i paid. can't wait to check them out in person!

if you love them like i do, you can buy them here, and here .