A LITTLE CYBER ACTION

HAPPY CYBER MONDAY! I must admit that I wasn't aware that such a day existed until this year, but I have most definitely played a role in helping this holiday grow! If you are like me, it can become rather overwhelming amongst the crowds of Black Friday, and quite frankly throughout the entire weekend. It is great to hit up the deals in the smaller boutiques that aren't bombarded with the massive onslaught of over-served caffeine addicted shoppers, but for the most part, I just treat Black Friday as a day to continue basking in my food coma from the endless casseroles of the day before.

After a little too much relaxation, while the majority of the world has made a large dent in their holiday shopping, it hits me.... I have got to start my Christmas shopping! Clearly I am not alone in this sentiment, hence Cyber Monday! A day for all the slacker shoppers of the world to get going on what the rest of the world has already knocked out. And to add to our already lackluster gift purchasing, we are going to do it all online! So, here is my ode to Cyber Monday with a little list of three of my favorite online shopping spots, bound to meet your holiday shopping needs!

URBANOUTFITTERS

Free Shipping For Today Only!

Fantastic place for unique stocking stuffers, clothes for the hip, fun home decor, and an awesome selection of books!
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, $24-

COOL MATERIAL

If you read my last post, you are already aware of this fantastic outlet for men's gifts! Such a fantastic blog linking you to cool and unique gifts perfect for each and every man in your life!
Wurkin Stiffs Cufflinks, $115-

FRED FLARE

Awesome spot for stocking stuffers, offering you 99 gifts under $9! Great stuff for nearly everyone on your list! Fun and unique items, nothing boring on this site!
Skull Ornament, $18-

JUST PLAIN COOL

Road Popper $40-

I am full on in the Christmas spirit, so you can safely assume that the majority of my posts from now til Santa comes down my chimney (or through the window since my NYC fireplace is merely decorative), will be holiday themed. If you are like me, buying that special something for the men in your life can present quite a challenge. Not to mention the "little fillers." My better half and I have been doing stockings for each other for the past few years, you know, because when you turn 25 Santa has to take a break from coming to see you until you have kids of your own? Well, when it comes to finding great little things that fit within the knitted socks, men's stuff is just plain complicated. What are you supposed to give? Socks? A tie? Cufflinks? Lame. It isn't like you can fill a man's stocking with fantastic jewelry pieces, the perfect shade of lipgloss, or a great scented candle. Girls are just so much easier. Every year I work hard so that each and every gift I give is something cool and unique. I want an "oooh" or an "ahhh" to be evoked when each gift is opened or pulled out from the green and red oversized sock.

Last year I was saved when I discovered this site. COOL MATERIAL. This site is full of unique gifts for the special males in your life. I was able to find awesome gifts for everyone from my dad, to my then fiance, to my 11 year old brother. Cool Material's Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone from "The Dapper Man" to "The Outdoorsman", which means there is something for everyone! There is even a list of gifts for "The Lush" in your life. What more can you ask for?!

ANOTHER FAB COLLAB

Here at GZ, we like to note the worthy and the not-so-worthy (cough cough Choo and Uggs) "fab collabs." We also love discussing anything that involves who I like to call "my new bestie"... you know Karl? I met him during FNO? Ok, so that is a huge exaggeration as really I just wailed like a ten year old girl at a Miley Cyrus concert at the mere sight of him walking down the street. Yeah, I know, embarrassing, but totally justified. He is an icon and in my mind, we are besties. He just doesn't know it.

Well, my bestie Karl, has decided to do me and my wallet a huge favor and collaborate with Macy's, giving us all his looks for less. And we couldn't be more excited. Based on the recent release of Lanvin for H&M, we eagerly anticipate any luxury brand giving us a look for less. Or at least we welcome it with open arms, until it puts a "for Target" label all over the front of what could have been a fabulous handbag. Karl's past masstige collection for H&M sold out in a matter of hours, which means that you better have your credit cards ready to swipe, or to type in, as the collection will also be sold online. And again based on Lanvin for H&M, being able to avoid the stores' massive mob scenes is a huge added perk. The collab doesn't end with Karl, as he is simply kicking off what we hope will be a fabulous campaign to bring us luxury for the masses. Designers to follow include Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, and Versace, just to name a few. So our hats go off to Macy's for a fabulous lineup of designers. We hope that these collections will be twice as impressive as the big parade tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

PAINT THE TOWN THREAD

Over the past month, I have had the extraordinary experience of getting to know the girls at Thread Social, a chic women's contemporary line. Founders Melissa Akey Drayer and Beth Blake started Thread Social in 2006, after much success with their fun and flirty bridesmaid line. Each piece is constructed to maintain a classically chic look, but with an updated and funky edge.

Melissa and Beth have mastered the art of the ultimate cocktail dress. With the addition of perfectly placed sheer panels, ruffles, and bows, the girls have created stunning holiday party dresses that will undoubtedly be remembered. The fabric selection for the Fall 2010 and Holiday 2010 collection is exquisite. Little hints of metallics and beautiful ombre dotted silks are just two of the many components that places these pieces well above its competitors. Maintaining a small business has alloted the team the ability to stay hands on with each and every piece that walks out their door, leaving you with perfectly mastered creations that will take you from season to season. Thread's dresses give you the chance to stand out amongst the seas of LBDs. So, if you are looking for a show-stopping and unique, little something special this holiday season, Thread Social is your answer.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Being from the coast of NC, I am not accustomed to the blustery winds of a cold NE winter. The current NYC mid-November temps are about as cold as it gets back home. Therefore, a heavy winter coat has not been at the top of my list. That is, until now. Let me just say that I refuse to buy a big puffer jacket. I understand the functionality, but it just isn't me. Kinda like Uggs. I get it, but I hate it. Luckily, there are fantastically chic coats that make cold weather look hot. Check out some of my latest lusts...

Loeffler Randall Fur Military Coat. Beanie + Cecil. $525-

Diane von Furstenberg "Sofia" Coat. Bloomingdale's. $645-

Smythe Strong-Shouldered Military Coat. Select Stores. $795-

Mackage Wool-Blend Coat with Leather Trim. Bloomingdale's. $598-

Wink Leidy Faux Fur Coat. Shopbop. $201-

Spikes In My Dreams

I have mentioned these bad babies in a previous post on the fabulous red soled shoes, however they were mentioned in regards to the men's version. Well, yesterday was Sunday Funday which consisted of brunch (unlimited drinks included) with the ball and chain and a fantastically fellow trend-loving new friend. After eating, more so drinking, our brunch, we headed to the Meatpacking District to "window shop." Never did I know that I would fall in love on the journey further west, but I fate ensued. We ventured into Jeffrey, primarily to check out Missoni's new kicks for Converse which are utterly hot, but soon our attention drifted to a saleswoman's feet. The lady's ensemble was nothing out of the ordinary nor even anything worth noting. Skinny black jeans, black tee, black blazer, limited to no jewelry...BUT when you looked down you saw none other that the Christian Louboutin velvet spiked loafers (the Rollerballs). I mean, I get it girl...nothing else was needed when you have these pretty babies on your tooties. Seriously, it was love at first sight. The way the light hit each individual spike was enough to steal your eye and keep it focused. After possibly hours of staring at the woman's feet I thought she may be getting weirded out, but then again, who wears these shoes without wanting the attention. These shoes DEMAND attention. OFF these shoes are amazing, but ON they go to a whole other level. When I showed my mother these "Christmas List" worthy slippers, she replied that her coworker said they reminded her of the turtle from old school Mario Bros. While I find this comparison rather humorous, I also realize that not everyone gets them. But let me tell you this... even if you don't fully understand the value and beauty behind this little velvet pieces of heaven, you have to understand the head-turning capability that these shoes possess. I find myself daydreaming about these shoes, to the extent that I truely believe that they will magically appear on my feet. Just not sure how at just under a grand! So in the meantime, if you happen to appear in my dreams, make sure you don't step on my toes barefoot!

One Person's Trash.....

One of the many adjustments that I have experienced since relocating to NYC is the hefty pricetag attached to anything vintage. In the south you can score fantastic vintage pieces for pennies relative to the price of the previously owned pieces in the shops of Manhattan. I have purchased many vintage pieces through the years and most of them turned out to be the items that I have kept with me the longest. I went through a stage where vintage clutches were kinda "my thing." I bought WAY too many....and since I am a firm believer that you can never have to many handbags, clearly WAY too many was TONS.

One in particular I purchased on Ebay. A rectangular, bright green, patent leather clutch for a whopping $6! So damn cute. In 2003, Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones had been seen sporting bright colored clutches on numerous episodes. I HAD to have one too, right? So I bought it and I have used that $6 clutch to death throughout the years, getting bored with it, storing it from time to time, only to eventually bring it back out to turn heads. It is rather simple really, but the color is ultra fab.

So my second summer in NYC I was walking through Henri Bendel. At this time, they still had a "high-end vintage" area on the second floor. It was always jampacked with fantastic finds from previous decades, however like with most things at HB, the pricetag didn't exactly match my intern budget. I was walking through the vintage purses, their collection of clutches nearly exceeding my own personal collection, when I spotted none other than MY green clutch. Well it wasn't mine but it was EXACTLY the same clutch. The price? $350. I remember my mind running in various directions. The same purse that I had bought on eBay for $6 only a few months ago was priced at $350?! I thought how horrific it was that HB was requesting $350 for this clutch that I am confident they purchased at a similar price to my own. I thought, "wow, good job." I felt a sense of accomplishment for finding what was clearly a "hip purse" on my own and at my own price. Lastly, I thought, could I make $350 on mine? Of course I kept the purse, but it was at this time that I knew there was clearly a market to rip off the vintage fashion lovers of the world. A market that I refused to participate in, well, at least on the buying end. I would continue to purchase my vintage pieces at appropriate vintage prices... unless the particular purchase seemed worthy of more dough...

Today in NYC, the vintage market is even more exaggerated with their prices than it was circa 2004. You literally can pay double for a "gently worn" than the previous owner paid at full pop retail. Don't get me wrong, a fabulous piece of vintage Chanel or my vintage Cartier (a gift from my husband) is worth every penny, but some of the things out there are just simply not worth half the asking price. So you can imagine my excitement when my sister called me a couple weeks ago. "Guess what I just got at a flea market?" My sister (8 years younger) asked. "A vintage Louis Vuitton purse." WTF I thought... not fair. I was immediately green with envy. She continued, "It is pretty broken in (which only heightened my arousal as I love a good worn piece of leather) and it is one of those cross-body smaller bags that are so in right now." DAMN IT! So happy for her but sick that it wasn't my own discover. Side note: I am not always a huge LV fan. Perhaps it is due to the fact that everyone with an extra $30 has grabbed a signature tote from Canal Street, completely ruining the speciality of the authentic ones. And I prefer for the "labels" to be a little more discreet than a monogram plastered all over a piece of leather. But a vintage, cross-body, worn-in Louis Vuitton bag is COMPLETELY different. I wanted it. She informed me that the purse cost her only $10 and that it was from some lady whose husband had bought her a piece each year and now she had to sell them. Totally sad. Hated that for the previous owner. But that is the thing with investment pieces, you can always sell them later. Unfortunately this lady didn't know that she could have made SO much more of her money back with a larger price tag. "She had more." These words were like knives stabbing into my heart. "WHAT?!" I yelled "Go back!" She informed me that she couldn't as this place wasn't in the best area of town, but she would go back in the future to buy me the duffle bag that was only freaking $60! I knew that it was only going to be a nano second before someone else found this hotspot and took all the bags right out from under us. DAMN IT AGAIN! It just wasn't meant to be.

The next week when I got to see my sister, she gave me a present. Her LV cross-body bag. Of course I wanted the bag. And badly. But I never told her and I refused to take the purse. "H, this is a purse you will have forever and you should keep it. You need things like this. Just take care of it and if that lady is ever back at the flea market, you are to buy every piece she has and I will pay you back." She demanded that I take the bag. She claimed it just "wasn't her" and she wouldn't ever use it. She claimed that she had bought it for me from the beginning. And whether that was true or not, after an hour of back and forth chatter, I left with the purse in hand. I wasn't going to argue anymore about it, especially if she really wasn't going to use and wanted it to go to good use.

It has definitely been put to good use. I love my little vintage LV. I still can't believe she only paid $10 for it. The little old lady at the flea market has yet to return, but when she does, I plan to reap more of the benefits of a failing economy. So perhaps my eye for inexpensive, but high quality vintage has rubbed off on my little sis. Thank you H for a fantastic gift.... and most importantly, DO NOT EVER TELL A SOUL where this secret purchasing spot is!

J. To The Crew

I remember when I began my hatred for J. Crew. Before you supporters close this window... hear me out. Early high school years, J. Crew was the jam. Every person at the local beach was rocking J. Crew bikinis, tiny little shorts, and halter tops...a uniform worn by the "cool kids" at NHHS. There was time in which I wanted to fit in. Today I prefer to live more "outside the box" but at 15 years old, I felt quite the opposite.... and the cuts of J. Crew kept me from being able to rock the trends of the locker lined hallways. For years I had to find other places that knocked off the J. Crew looks yet allowed a little hip room as it always seemed as if J.'s patterns were made using a 12 year old boy model. As I came into my own, my hatred for the line grew but for far different reasons. Honestly, it was just flat out lame. No style, the same shit year after year... some of my friends were still wearing what appeared to be the same cut bikini in a new fabric from five years prior. I was just not impressed. More so disgusted at the fact that the J. Crew look was continuing on a path to success.

Had I been a blogger during this time period, I would have undoubtedly written about my distaste for the khaki clad glossy pages... and today I would be considering this post a retraction. After years of loathing, I have come to admire what the "New Crew" has been producing of late. Everything from the leather goods to the jewelry has been revamped and now has a much more stylish edge. Oversized cardis and Helmut Lang-esque suede jackets are just part of the new flair that has caught my eye.

One of my dear friends, and fellow fashion-crazed New Yorkers and I met up a few weeks ago prior to assisting a style event. This particular galpal is always looking ultra chic and completely intune with the latest trends. For years we have shared a love for the perfectly tailored and accessorized, which is why I was slightly shocked when she informed me that her sleek nude slipdress that I was admiring was none other than J. to the Crew. Well, of course she didn't actually say "J. to the Crew"... but you get the picture. The slipdress was the perfect piece to go with nearly anything... seasonless and works for a large variety of occasions. And to top off the look, my friend was even sporting the cutest little oxford booties, also from the previously "preps only" line. I was in awe.

My husband has always been a large J. Crew shopper and I have always loved the looks from the men's half of the store. I have to admit that over the past year when I was forced to pass through the women's side, my eye has wandered to various pieces which seemed fresh. It seemed as if the J. Crew mold was cracking... heading towards a permanent break. And finally, the seal has been split. Until recently, I hadn't fully invested my time nor attention into peering through the racks, at least not for years, and it wasn't until now that I have given the label the attention and looks that it has earned. So this is my way of tossing my old grudges and giving J. Crew the applause it so deserves. The Belstaff leather bombers are superbly designed, and the Martinete feather jacket seems to be worth every penny of the $1,200 price tag. The knit accessories and leather gloves are the perfect little additions to complete your winter ensembles. Even J.'s bridal collection is worthy of a second look! Beautiful classics with a whimsical spin. There will always be pieces that resemble the old school preppy, cookie cutter look of the former J. Crew, but who blames them. There is clearly still a market to make money in this arena.... unfortunately.

Overall, my hats off to a clearly new team at J.Crew. You have thoroughly earned your second chance. A once advocate for your demise is now eager to see what you will offer to us in the future. Continue on your path down the road less traveled. I can assure you that you took the right turn at the fork in the road.

Starting With The Blog In The Mirror....

So, it is time to make a change...time to work on expanding Golden Zipper so that we may reach a larger community. GZ is growing up. No longer simply www.goldenzipper.blogspot.com....but now we are located at www.goldenzipper.com. I can't believe that it took us this long to secure the proper GZ domain name, but this is only the first step in our transformation. Just like with fashion, sometimes we get bored. And that is the way we are feeling at G. Time to revamp. So consider us "currently under construction" over the next couple weeks as we work to provide you with a new and updated look! If things look at little weird while we try things out, just give us time as the end result will be worth the wait.

SEEING ORANGE

So we will venture away from our typical "fashion post" to take note of quite an experience I encountered in my life in the big city. A little "styling" freelance job at a mall in New Jersey, turned into stalker sesh with new pal and blogger of Show Ponies Pretty People. Our target? None other that Snookie herself. We snuck away to a different wing of the Westfield Mall for just long enough to watch the crowds form (surprisingly not as large of a crowd as we had anticipated) and to snap a few shots of the tiny little orange figure on stage. Hosting an event for Verizon, Snook signed autographs for her followers, or at least the ones that somehow "scored" tickets to have the chance to meet the Jersey native. For us, stealing a few pics was the highlight of the day.

Whipping Willow

Well, Willow Smith (yes daughter of Will and Jada) hit double digits yesterday turning a whopping 10 years old. 10 years old and making headlines. If you haven't watched her single "Whip My Hair" then you are missing out. I can guarantee that a fair amount of my readers may not appreciate this genre of musical entertainment, but there isn't one of you that can't say that the song isn't catchy. Within days of being released, I was walking in the Bronx (that's a whole other story) and heard none other than Willow's voice blasting from illegally tinted windows. Being compared to Rihanna and recently being signed to Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation, (not to mention Jay's comparison of Willow to Michael Jackson), Willow is bound to continue making waves throughout the music industry. Her video is ubber creative and fascinating to watch the hair and clothing transformations throughout the four minutes. I am hooked.

Willow isn't just rocking the music scene, in just a decade, she has already immersed herself in the fashion industry, accomplishing what most will only dream of. Not only did the adolescent attend Milan and Paris's Fashion week, but she also managed to score front row seats to Dolce & Gabbana's show in Paris. Seriously? I am jealous of a ten year old. Willow not only shares musical talent with Rihanna, but they also have the same stylist. Mariel Haenn is "convinced that Willow is a budding trend-setter" and by the looks of it, GZ must agree. Willow's style is edgy and funky to the core. From her hair down to her fingernails (no seriously, check out the fingernails), the young talent is all about style. While she does maintain a stylist, Mariel explains that The Fresh Prince offspring knows what she likes and is very vocal about it. Willow's style is quite the opposite from the large-collared smocked dresses that my mother still attempted to put me in at that age, but I am loving it. She is fresh, original, and she isn't afraid to rock the boat. Important factors when it comes to making it big within the world of fashion. With talks of her own fashion line on the horizon, I can guarantee you that this little fashionista is bound to be making bank once her styles hit the mainstream. Watch out MK and Ash, there is a new childhood mogul on the scene and she is painting the town neon and leopard print!