It's a Spade Sample Sale!

To the bat phone, Kate Spade shoppers! Or the bat computer! Whatever! KS is having a massive SAMPLE SALE. Yes, it's true. And pigs have flown or something. All they want from you in exchange is a loss of anonymity - your first name, email, and zipcode. But go ahead and give it up. It's completely worth it. And some market research company will end up selling it to them anyway. Oh, and it ends TODAY.

image, katespade.com

Eliza Page Jewelry

I have a love-hate relationship with bracelets. They catch on clothes, rattle at inopportune moments, and are virtually invisible under sleeves in the winter. But... I can't give them up. Just the opposite - I seem to keep magically acquiring them. And here are some more I may "accidentally" be wearing very soon. 

Lizard, stingray, python, crocodile, and other prints provide plenty of variety with these wonderful Eliza Page cuffs. And would you believe they're $70 - $115. Gorgeous! 

I would love any of these stacked, or in a matching set on each wrist. The metal clasps also make them a great mix with other metals - pile a sleek black and gold cuff with your gold bangles and enjoy the attention!

All images, Eliza Page. 

C is for Cute

I came across a darling book this week - it's a fashion alphabet, called When Royals Wore Ruffles. The illustrations, by Chesley McLaren, are wonderfully whimsical. McLaren is no stranger to fashion - she's sketched looks from Chanel to McQueen, and her work has been featured by Henri Bendel, Express, and Estee Lauder. And, she illustrated Town and Country's Social Graces. Need I say more? (SUCH a T&C fan!) Without further ado, a sampling of her illustrations (see below for book information).

All images, Amazon.com. To purchase, visit When Royals Wore Ruffles: A Funny and Fashionable Alphabet!

Accessory of the Week

How great is this watch? It's the men's Timex from J.Crew. Don't let the "men's" label throw you - they're just wrong. This is a lady's watch! Why?

1. It comes with umpteen band colors. How many men are seriously going to spend time coordinating 20 differently colored bands with their outfits? Zero.

2. One of those colors is apricot. Chance of this being the color du jour for your man? Nil, unless he's this guy: 

"You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht

Your hat strategically diped below one eye 

Your scarf it was apricot

You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte." - Carly Simon lyrics

3. It has a large watch face. You know what a large watch face does? It makes wrists look small!

4. It's just too cute to leave to the guys.

$150. Bands $20 a piece, or $30 for 2. Try wearing just the bands together as a pile of bracelets too, or wear the watch in one color and a few bands in another. Pile 'em on! 

Images, J.Crew.com.

The Lady Wore White

How many ways can you wear a white shirt? Carolina Herrera knows plenty. But her biggest secret is the high-low mix. Did you know most of her signature crisp white tailored numbers are by Banana Republic? Not kidding! Herrera has admitted to buying BR shirts by the bucket full. She pairs them with her gorgeous - and expensive - skirts and slacks. The result is all glamor.

Let's sit at the skirt of a master and learn...

The key to wearing something inexpensive is to act as if money is no object. What do you care what it costs? You always look fabulous. Be sure to starch that collar. And put a Tide stick in those pockets.

Great accessories are a must. Glam jewelry? Check. Funky belt? Double check.

A sharp white shirt can handle color and pattern.

Make sure you're crisply ironed, and roll those sleeves just so. The resulting

three-quarter length is flattering on everyone, and shows off great bracelets.

Color is allowed, in this case, a soft chambray blue. Just remember, your strength is in simplicity. 

The button down shirt is a clean canvas for pattern and color.

Bonus: have a trademark stance. Herrera's classically elegant look could make a burlap bag

seem stylish: hands in the pockets or on the hips, and a three quarter turn.

The Banana Republic shirts - any of them can be yours for $59.50. If that feels too cheap, buy 6 or 7. 

And a can of spray starch.

1, Herrera's classic pose. 2, Herrera in a grey skirt. 3, Herrera in bow belt. 4 and 5, lovely blog Habitually Chic. 6. Banana Republic.

Happy Valentine's Day from Kate Spade

Ok, ok. I'm giving in! Here it is! Your Valentine's Day Post! Of course, it had to be stylish.... 

Kate Spade Virtual Valentines! 

Click here to send one to your sweetie...

All images, KateSpade.com

Fabulous Chairs!

Why are dining room chairs always so dull? The standard dark brown, square set, slat-backed seats lend nothing exciting to the experience of eating. Why should the spice of life happen in such a tasteless theater? Below, a few lovely examples, both classic and new, to try in your dining room or anywhere else in your home. From entry ways to bedrooms, these beauties will bring seating style!

Dolina Sidechair, Michael S. Smith. Cracked Ice Chair, McGuire. Eclipse chair, Beeline Home.

Jasper Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Treviso Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Laura Kirar Chair, McGuire

Overlapping Squares Chair, West Elm

Jacob Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Calvin Beige Leather, Clayton Grey Home

Barbara Barry Script Chair, McGuire

Addison Chair, Jonathan Adler

Bistro Chair, Pottery Barn

Modern Glamor Chippendale Armchair, Ethan Allen

Images:  All pictures from companies as attributed.

The Designer Browser

Here at Sanity Fair, we prefer to talk about things we know something about, not things we know nothing about, and would probably break - a category that includes cars, computers, televisions, and anything with batteries. But what I do love is anything pretty and personalized for my laptop, from desktop to wallpaper, so I got kind of excited when a tech-saavy friend talked me into trying Google Chrome. It's supposed to do, oh, a lot of stuff, none of which I understand. All I know is this: IT PATTERNS MY SCREEN WITH DESIGNER TOGS. Right now, I'm typing away under a banner of Tory Burch orange and pink. Maybe tomorrow I'll try some Lilly Pulitzer print (if it's a grey day especially). Ta da!

Other designs available include Jonathan Adler, Matthew Williamson, Delft (the famous Dutch porcelain), Kate Spade, Todd Oldham, Vivienne Westwood, Charlotte Ronson, and Oscar de la Renta!

For a real article about technical stuff Chrome actually does, instead of just what it looks like, visit here. 

All images, Google Chrome.

John Galliano’s Marie Antoinette Inspired Collection for Spring 2010

Marie Antoinette

As promised, I am thrilled to bring you a very special guest post today from talented artist and style savant Ingrid Mida. Ingrid's repertoire, which includes beautiful, fashion-inspired artwork and photography (be sure to visit her online gallery), is regularly exhibited in Toronto, and she brings a wonderful historical sensibility to each creation. She is particularly inspired by Marie Antoinette, thus making her our ideal guide for this Dior collection. Enjoy!

"Marie Antoinette and the pre-revolutionary court of Versailles seem to be an ongoing source of inspiration for fashion designers, including the spring 2010 collection of John Galliano for Dior. Although the links to Marie Antoinette are more subtle than his “Masquerade and Bondage” collection of 2000, they are there nonetheless. The influence of Marie Antoinette on the Dior collection for winter is in evidence in the riding costumes, luxe hats atop frothy, pouffed hair styles and exaggerated hip lines.

The pouf hairstyle was a signature hairstyle for Marie Antoinette and much copied after she debuted it in 1774. Galliano brings the elevated hairstyle back in this collection to great effect!

During Marie Antoinette’s reign, extravagant hats often topped these towering pouf hairstyles. Similarly, Galliano adds frothy and luxe toppers to complete many of his over-the-top fabulous confections.

Perhaps most obvious is the influence of the riding costume on the Dior collection, especially as Galliano ended the show by appearing dressed in riding attire. 

The male-style fraque a bavaroise was popular for women in 1779 and had lasting impact on women’s fashionable attire. Galliano's interpretation of riding costume in the Dior winter collection is the height of elegance and chic!

Exaggerated hip lines somewhat reminiscent of panniers can be seen in several of the beautiful long evening gowns.

Marie Antoinette was the first fashion icon. She serves as a muse to many designers like Galliano and artists like myself. Please visit me at Fashion is my Muse to read more posts about her and visit my website to see artwork inspired by this period."

- Ingrid Mida

Images: Marie Antoinette and the Dior Collection.