Now that the shows are finally finished, I’ve selected 15 of my favorite looks from the spring 2009 runways.

Just a brief note: I love LOVE Giambattista Valli’s Spring ‘09 Collection so much, but I want to live in Jil Sander every moment of every single day. Marni’s show was amazing… so much fashion, so little time. Upcoming Spring Trends? Sheer layers, fringe detailing, asymmetrical lines and hems, one-strap tops, mid-drift baring silhouettes, and so much more…

Lanvin | That color combination! The volume!

Narciso Rodriguez | Black and white and perfect

Balmain | Ridiculously cool, love this look

Stella McCartney | A little sparkle, a lot of sex appeal

Donna Karan | Sexy, strong, and slinky

Bottega Veneta | Smooth as butter

Calvin Klein | Sculptural, metallic, and stunning

Jil Sander | Fringe benefits aplenty

Giambattista Valli | Big skirts, perfect pleats, little waists - oh my!

Peter Som | Gorgeous color. love love LOVE

Miu Miu | Sharp dressed and stunning

Marni | So cute. I die! I DIE.

Alexander McQueen | Somewhere over the rainbow

John Galliano | Show-stopping drama

Oscar de le Renta | Pure elegance

(All images courtesy of Style.com)

Yesterday for lunch we made a run to the big Intermix sale at the Metropolitan Pavillion. It was definitely larger than we had anticipated and as soon as you walk in you are greeted by the designer collections on the left - lots of Chloe, Stella McCartney, some Helmut Lang, Zac Posen, etc.

I spotted a lone Thakoon dress that I obsessed about last fall, a bunch of gorgeous Stella sweaters, all of the ‘it’ Chloe dresses of this and seasons past…and then I spotted something extraordinary.

Rummaging through the racks, my hand fell upon a lightly waxed trench coat. No label, no price, no info - just a stunning coat created with careful draping and yards and yards of fabric. I couldn’t help but pick it up and haul it into the dressing room along with my other finds including high-waisted jeans from Earnest Sewn and a little silk romper.

The dressing room was exactly what you’re expecting - a bunch of girls stripping and clothing thrown all over the floor. I started with the Thakoon dress, which was of course too large (a girl can dream) and then moved along too the jeans. The fit was terrific, but flattened out things in back a bit too much so I moved on to the trench, which I knew I was going to love.

The trench was perfect. A little beat up, but perfect nonetheless. I twirled in the dressing room and knew it was going to cost too much, but took it to the counter and waited for the girls to give me a price. They said it was Lanvin, originally around $3,000 and that I could buy it for $700. After a bit of investigating back at the office, I discovered it was from the Spring 2005 Runway. I didn’t buy it because I already have a trench coat (and one I love) and because we need to buy a new couch, but I’m sad that I don’t own it since I’d wear it forever and love it always. Too bad I don’t still charge up a storm or that beauty would be mine…and now I need a trench to protect me from my own tears of sorrow!!

Anyway, go and get your own freak on (and if you see the Lanvin Trench think of me):
Intermix Sample Sale
Aug. 26-28. Tues.-Thurs.
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion
110 W 19th Street (6th/7th Ave)

Aloha Rag - Honolulu, New York, Japan, and Online

• Very well edited ready-to-wear collection of Chloe, 3.1 phillip lim, Lanvin, D&G, Ann Demeulemeester, Thomas Wylde, Elizabeth and James, and more
  
• Lots of printed t-shirts & interesting denim option
• Shoe selection could use some serious work
• But don’t just take my word for it, check it out for yourself - Aloha Rag

A week or two ago my bag broke…again. I haven’t made a big bag investment in a few years, but think it might be time.

After I had Oliver, I ended up hauling my Kate Spade bag everywhere simply because it could hold everything I needed. It was navy & black and I really didn’t mind it that much, but a co-worker of mine did. She sort of freaked out each time we went out for drinks and seemed deeply concerned that I wasn’t going to buy the latest YSL masterpiece. To make a long story short, I ended up buying a great bag by Bulga (a company I had never heard of before) through a contact at a showroom to literally shut up my co-worker. But since I’m so rough on bags, I’ve already had to sew it’s handle back together once, and just the other day, the stud that holds the strap to the body popped off. Now I’m walking around with a big white thing from H&M that I’m growing attached to, even though I bought it as a picnic bag for Sundays spent at the park and it really is just a little too huge.

I’m hoping to make it down to the garment district to have my Bulga repaired, but I’m also just ready to move on. Now, I am a true Prada girl at heart, will always love Miu Miu, but lately I’ve been feeling Lanvin - although spending over a thousand dollars on a nylon bags seems like a little much. Anyway, I’m debating and still sifting though all of the options out there, but what do you think: How much is too much to spend on a true everyday bag?