Who wants invites?

Online sample sales are a hot thing these days. You can find incredible deals on luxury brands up to 70% off. However, they are invite-only. I got invited to two big sample sale sites, Rue La La and Gilt Groupe (thanks eye4style!). How would you like a pair of Earnest Sewn jeans for $72 originally $180? That’s what I just bought. Hurrah! And at the last Michael Kors sale, I could’ve snatched up a pair of gorgeous wedge sandals for about $100, originally over $400. But I was just too slow, all the size 7s disappeared within the first 5 minutes. That’s the thing, almost everything was sold out in the first 30 minutes of the sale. You literally have to log on as soon as the sale begins and cyber-elbow other girls out of your way. Anyway, darlings, do you want in? It’s free to join. I’ll just have to send you an invite via email. If you are interested, just leave your email in the comment. Your email address is kept private and only viewable by me

Those are some tight pants

(Fergie on the Today show yesterday). Those are possibly the tightest pants I’ve ever seen. Look how smooth her legs are. If it weren’t for the slight wrinkles around the crotch, I’d swear they were painted on!

Nautical chic

The nautical trend isn’t really a trend, every year when summer rolls around it’s a staple in fashion magazines. It’s pretty much a classic, that white, red and blue color combo is just so crisply refreshing and modern. You can incorporate these cute pieces into your wardrobe even if you aren’t going away on a boat.

Ribbon Babydoll Dress $26.99

Liz Claiborne Stretch Faille Raglan Jacket $119

dELiAs’ Kelly Skirt $34.50

Gap Striped deep-V dress - blue & white stripe $34.50

Alloy’s STRIPE TUNIC HOODIE $28.50

Old Navy Cap-Sleeve Polos - Blue Corsica $14.50 $9.99

dELiAs’ Stacie Sandal $50

Matiko Colleen Colleen Flat in Navy $90 $35.87

Lulu’s Half Sugar Eva Navy Blue and White Stripe High Heel $23

Deal Alert - C&C California Organic French Terry Dress

C&C California Organic French Terry Dress $110 on sale for $59!! C&C California has the comfiest organic cotten tanks and dresses. Pair this dress with a pair of bejeweled flats for knocking around the beach or the city for a lazy afternoon of shopping.

Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Fishbone Sandal

I must ask you, do you like this Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Fishbone Sandal ($850.00 SALE PRICE: $510.00)? I’m fascinated by it. When I first saw these, I was like “What the heck? Are they fishbones I’m seeing?” I asked my guy for his opinion. Very surprisingly he said “Yeah I like these, very different and funky.” I thought for sure he’d laugh and call them ridiculous-looking, and make some jokes like “hope the neighbor’s cat doesn’t attack your feet”. I know fishbones are popping up in a lot of accessories. But I can’t decide on these sandals, maybe the fishbones are too real-looking, albeit very exquisite crystal-encrusted. It’s so like Giuseppe Zanotti to make fashion-forward sandals like these. What do you think?

Splurge v.s Steal - Valentino Bag

I don’t think I’ve mentioned Gossip Girl on my blog yet, but you probably guessed that like any fashion-obsessed girl, I love the show for its fabulous clothes and accessories (the storyline however…like Danny Glover would say “I’m too old for this sh*t”, lol). Remember a few episodes back little Jenny was carrying this gorgeous Valentino Maison Studded Bag ($2,495)? The pleating, the studs, the color, isn’t it beyond fabulous?

Check out the steal I found, Pintucked Maison Shopper ($61 $49 with coupon code MAISON10, good till 05/25/08 ). Both red and white make great everyday run-around bags. However I definitely prefer the eye-popping amethyst color of the Maison bag.

Night treatments

If you think it was very important to pamper your skin in the winter because of the harsh coldness and drying indoor heat, then it’s more important to treat your skin in the summer because the sun damage is more evil than anything else. I try to re-apply sunscreen after work before I go home, but sometimes I still forget, then I worry about the sun on my skin during the drive home (I’m so neurotic.) It’s time to step up on our night time routine. Skin cells are at their most receptive during sleep. It’s really the optimal time for recharging. Below are some of the super potent night treatments recommended by my friends and moi.

MAC Moisturelush Cream $32. A richly hydrating face cream that helps moisturize and protect facial skin. Provides instant, long-lasting moisture. Leaves skin soft while lush formula helps balance skin’s natural barrier and alleviate dry skin. Silky to apply, glides on easily. Helps create an even surface for a smooth, more perfect makeup application. Also try MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream $30.

Prescriptives ‘Good in Bed’ Skin Restoring Night Moisturizer $65. Good in Bed Skin Restoring Night Moisturizer is a luxurious treatment that immediately infuses skin with moisture and adds radiance to keep you glowing. All night long, nourishing emollients help replenish, recharge and strengthen skin while subtle tanners work to enhance your natural color so skin awakens with that ‘morning after’ glow. The appearance of lines and wrinkles is reduced over time. Conditions and soothes skin with shea butter and vitamin E. Re-texturizes and brightens skin with grapefruit extract.

Sekkisei Cream Excellent $82. This intensive moisturizing cream provides instant hydration and suppleness to dry skin. Rich yet lightweight, it absorbs quickly into skin and gives a luminous, “snow-white” complexion.

Decleor Night Repair Cream $50. Containing phyto-aromatic active ingredients, this ultra nourishing cream helps stimulate cellular exchange, nourishes and invigorates the skin, moisturizes and strengthens the skin’s natural protective film.

Elemis Absolute Night Cream: Normal to Dry $49. The benefits of soothing lavender, antioxidant-rich blackcurrant absolute and healing sandalwood, rosewood and comfrey recharge your skin as you rest. The cream’s vitamin-packed herbal and beeswax base also helps support and boost dehydrated skin with the moisture it craves.

Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex $30.50. Indulge your skin nightly with this high-performance Polyhydroxy acid, anti-aging creme. Combats visible signs of aging while you sleep, botanicals soothe stressed skin and PHAs work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Contains hyaluronic acid and triple antioxidants including vitamins A, C and E, to protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and harmful environmental factors. Can be used following glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion. All skin types.

Olay Definity Self Repair Serum $25.99. Olay Definity with its essential glucosamine complex penetrates up to 10 surface layers deep, hydrating to allow skin’s natural self repair and to reduce the look of discoloration, dullness, brown spots and wrinkles in just 8 weeks.

NET-A-PORTER’s Sale Extravaganza

NET-A-PORTER.COM Sale Extravaganza is on now, only for today! Get up to 50% off selected SS08 and CR08 clothes and accessories from Chloé, Christian Louboutin, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Fendi and many more. Whether you’ve been eyeing Marc Jacobs’ Bruna quilted tote, Jimmy Choo’s Isi platform slingbacks or Stella McCartney’s cropped tuxedo jacket, this sale is an event you cannot miss.

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Tube leather sandals $140 $70. Although I’m not into gladiator sandals, I’m not opposed to feminine thong sandals like these, must be the ribbons and beads and the vibrant red color.

“It” shoes from Miu Miu

Every fashion expert’s saying shoes’ “It” status is surpassing handbags’. That’s no wonder, a pair of perfect heels can transform a woman’s body, just take a look at all the innovative footwear from Miu Miu. The jeweled heels are absolutely gorgeous, they look like the pillars of The Pantheon, which I plan on visiting in the near future.
Miu Miu Crystal embellished sandals $790

Miu Miu Strappy bejeweled sandals $790

Miu Miu Python and suede sandals $755

Miu Miu Crown detail stilleto sandals $595

Miu Miu Flower motif flats $450, aren’t these just the prettiest daintiest flats you’ve ever seen?

Deal Alert - Yves Rocher Last Chance Shop

My favorite page on Yves Rocher’s website is its Last Chance Shop. There’s always a ton of must-have skincare products like body washes, lotions, hand creams, scrubs, at extremely cheap prices. I usually buy a bunch at a time, these things I always need and use anyway so it’s not a waste. My mom (Yves Rocher’s her favorite skincare line) used to always buy double of everything so that she’d save half for me. I’m starting to do it for her too now. These are some of the things of great value that I just stocked up and strongly recommend.

Aqua Body Wash with Ginseng $14 $5.60. I pretty much only use body wash from Yves Rochers. This body wash is one of my faves, the herbal aroma smells great in the shower. It has mini beads that gently exfoliate. When I use a body wash that has exfoliating beads, I really go at it, it’s almost like a workout, lol.

Jardins des îles Shower Oil $6 $2.40, this one is a fantastic follow-up to your body wash, super hydrating, makes your skin silky smooth and glowy.

Pure Air Detangling Spray $14 $5.60. This detangling spray technically is for preping your hair before you start styling, but since I don’t style my hair, I just use for its great smell and conditioning, it’s a fast way to refresh your hair.

Wrinkle Smoothing Day Lotion SPF 20 $45 $18. My mom’s fave passed down to me, a great day cream since it has anti-oxidants and SPF 20 in one.

Vanilla Liquid Hand Soap $4.50 $1.80. I bought 5 of these, really lovely hand soap. Don’t you love it when the fragrance of the hand soap lingers? I unconsciously keep smelling my hands. Looks great on my kitchen counter.

Arnica Restorative Hand Balm　$11 $4.40. I love hand creams as I’m deathly afraid of having leathery old-looking hands. This one works great, it’s loaded with grape seed oil, very soothing and moisturizing. Just don’t forget to put on sunscreen on your hands during the day too

Slimming massager $4. It’s probably a stretch to call this massager slimming, but anything to stimulate better circulation thus getting rid of toxins, reducing cellulite and improving skin texture is a good tool to have.

Free People Woven Short Sleeve Hoodie

The weather just won’t let up. We were going to do some outdoor activities over the long weekend, but the whole weekend was rainy, windy and freaking cold. These days I pretty much have to wear a jacket or a hoodie. I need more cute hoodies. To me, hoodies have got to be cute and fitted ’cause I really don’t like the sloppiness of some hoodies. I was instantly drawn to this Free People Woven Short Sleeve Hoodie (was $58 now $29.95),   girlie sleeves and pretty color.

Oscar de la Renta Resort show

Isn’t this dress from Oscar de la Renta Resort 2009 show heavenly? The clothes really bring me to a fantasy island in my mind. Love!

From Style.com: “It’s a very happy collection,” said a relaxed Oscar de la Renta as he greeted guests filing into 583 Park Avenue, a venue that had been transformed by Stefan Beckman into a sort of minty-fresh aqua and white garden. Sure, the economy’s barreling downhill, the Democratic nominees are locked in a grinding duel, and gas may hit $5 a gallon, but life does go on. And when it does, Oscar’s lady who lounges, lunches, and loves to look fabulous will need something to wear. The designer covered her daytime needs with shantung skirtsuits, slim shift dresses, and high-waisted trousers, along with more playful options like a sparkling white sweater with an emerald gazar skirt. Bags and shoes came coordinated to the hilt, treading close to the point of distraction. But it was evening that was at the heart of this show. There was everything from a chocolate-box assortment of L.B.D.’s to sleek hammered-silk columns to a finale of massive, meringuelike ball gowns. An ocean blue stunner with a cascade of curlicue ruffles was pure de la Renta, while a white silk gown with a black bodice kept things simple. In these trying times, the good life doesn’t always need to make a ruckus.

(Source: style.com)

Beautiful Charlize

I’m so taken by these breathtakingly beautiful photos of Charlize Theron in the June issue W magazine. She’s flawless, whatever she wears looks stunning on her. Love the plum Donna Karan New York’s silk gown. Also, check out her article.

Deal Alert - Karen ZAMBOS Hexagon Lucite Clutch

Karen ZAMBOS Hexagon Lucite Clutch $165.00 on sale for $62.68! From our favorite vintage designer, Karen ZAMBOS, comes a new line of clutches under the name Zambos & Siega. This Hexagon Lucite Clutch is a gorgeous marbled lucite clutch with a magnetic-snap tab closure and hinged main compartment. It looks like a delicious piece of candy to me. It’d be a fun clutch for the summer. Also comes in black and white, equally gorgeous!

Ask Petite Chou - forehead headband, yes or no?

Dear MPC,

I keep seeing those headbands worn on the forehead these days. Went to Urban Outfitters and saw a bunch like this head wrap, even a couple of sales girls there were sporting it. What do you think of this? Do you wear it?

Adorable!  I have been seeing these forehead headbands too. I guess they are in line with that whole hippie chic boho trend. I like them, I saw some looked really cute on quite a few girls. but I can’t do it on myself because of the shape of my head. I don’t have a high forehead and I have a round face, being pinched in the forehead makes my head look disproportionate. I guess you just have to try one on for yourself. And I think if you have those straight doll-like bangs, it’d look extra sweet (although you probably don’t want to mess up your bangs). It’s just a fun way to wear headbands. Go ahead and have fun with it. Honestly I envy girls who can wear them. What does everybody think of this trend?

Skinny Braided Headband $12