New In - Fendi Zucca Wallet

The weather in London has been fairly dreadful the last couple of weeks and yesterday was no different. Nevertheless, I put on my favorite pair of Gucci riding boots, armed myself with an umbrella, and headed out in search of accessories. Despite the cold rain and ominous clouds, it was my birthday, so I couldn't let anything stop me. Lately I've been feeling like I just don't have enough accessories and so I've made it my mission to collect a few pieces for the summer. My first stop out was to Notting Hill, one of my absolute favorite places in London. Not only is it home to the famous Portobello Road Market, but is also full of all kinds of vintage stores full of designer clothes, shoes, and jewelry. You have to be patient and check back often, but if you're lucky, you will find some really special pieces. My favorite store is a place called HIRST ANTIQUES, specializing in fine costume jewelry. The woman who owns the store is a proper magpie and if you like shiny things you'll feel like you've died and gone to heaven. Glass shelf after shelf are filled with colorful, sparkly bits and baubles that she will let you pick out and try on. I went in with the intention of finding a statement necklace I had once seen in a dream, but soon found myself lusting after a gold Fendi bracelet. I tried it on, modeled in the mirror, and discussed price with her. As this was my first stop of the day, I decided to leave it and mull it over. I have to admit though, I woke up this morning thinking about it...

After a lunch of steak and Guinness pie, I headed over to Sloane Street to visit their collection of boutiques. There was a stop in Giuseppe Zanotti to try on a pair of shoes I saw online. They had neither my size nor desired color. I tried them on anyway. Next was a stop into Yves Saint Laurent to search for more bracelets, but all I saw were more clutches that I don't necessarily need. A pit stop into Chanel only added another item to my never ending wish list, a "double C" gold brooch that I didn't realize I needed until I saw it. There was a short time spent in Hermés trying on classic enamel bangles and a small detour into Harvey Nichols to see what their Alexander McQueen selection held.

Finally, I landed in Fendi where I found it, my birthday gift: a zip around Zucca print wallet with a violet interior. It was the only one they had like it, so naturally I felt like it was fate. I met Sylvio who is now my favorite Fendi sales associate (stop by and ask for him, tell him I said "Hi"). We chatted about the new collections of handbags and shoes and I regaled him with the story of my trip to the Fendi Palazzo in Rome. I was in need of a new wallet having still been heartbroken over the theft of my last one, a Louis Vuitton Zippy. There are 8 card slots, an inside zippered pocket, and plenty of room for cash for more shopping. It is gorgeous, more than functional, and fills a small space in my heart... and handbag!!!

PHOTOS BY  DC

From the Fashion Library - Spent

One of my favorite books is SPENT MEMOIRS OF A SHOPPING ADDICT BY AVIS CARDELLA. The book is an autobiography chronicling her severe shopping addiction from childhood until recovery. Her story reads as a timeline of how her addiction grew from a stint as a teenage shoplifter to having a generous wealthy fiance who financed her need to shop everyday. Cardella's tipping point came when her mother passed away and her grieving was done in the form of compulsive purchasing. At one point she recalls a day where she came out of a stupor only to realize she was in the middle of a lingerie department buying 20 pairs of panties, one in every color. There are stories of extensive worldwide shopping trips that eventually left in her severe debt and the men who were along for the ride. In the end, she tells of how she dealt with the real underlying problems and why they made her feel the only way to cope was to buy. 

I enjoyed the book because it was well written and full of colorful stories, but I think I mostly enjoyed it because it struck a chord with me. It's where I learned the term oniomania, the clinical name for the compulsive desire to shop. AFTER READING ONLY A FEW CHAPTERS, I had to stop and ask myself, "Was I a shopaholic?" Surely I've love to shop all my life, a majority of this blog is based around that fact. I can't remember my first shopping memory, but I do remember I always had a strong interest in what I was wearing. But, do I have a problem? I read and reread over the tale tale signs and although I admit I ticked quite a few boxes, I took solace in the fact that I didn't meet, in what I feel, was the overall thesis of the disorder: You have an addiction if your shopping is affecting your life in a negative way. I breathed a sigh of relief. Seems I won't be needing to seek out professional help after all. Although I consider myself an extreme shopper, I pride myself on maintaining a sense of moderation through careful planning and budgeting. This is no small feat for someone who has a penchant for luxury and designer goods...

PHOTOS BY DC

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver

I'm ashamed to admit I don't have nearly enough jewelry in my wardrobe. I think that has mainly to do with my belief that jewelry should be a gift. Gifts from loved ones. (A sentiment I learned from Elizabeth Taylor.) I do however own a small sterling silver collection from Tiffany and Co. that I've acquired over the years. Every girl loves that very distinct little blue box. Mostly because anything inside will more than likely be well received. Almost always. I own three pieces from the "1837" and "Please Return to Tiffany" collections. I don't wear them anymore, but I keep them because they all have a memory. I also want to save these pieces for the daughter I hope to one day have. I hope she likes them...

The earrings and the necklace were gifts!!! They are from two different exes and will remain my only fond memories of them both. The ring I purchased for myself as a 21st birthday present and was, at the time, quite a large spend. It was my first major jewelry acquisition and I'm sure I was shaking a little when I paid for it. The sales associate was comforting, but probably more amused I was shelling out my hard earned money I had saved for my big day. We chatted and he let me try on almost all the pieces from the collection before I settled on the ring. All in all, I remember the experience being a bit surreal as I waltzed out of the store with my very first little blue bag!

PHOTOS BY ADC