Power Shopping: The 25 Most Expensive Fashion Stores in the Country

L.A.'s Maxfield, Santa Monica's Savannah, and Beverly Hills' Dolce & Gabbana make the sticker shock list.

In a new survey, Oscar de la Renta’s New York City boutique has been named the priciest store in America. According to Bundle.com, which ran the numbers, “De la Renta’s eponymous store on New York City’s Madison Avenue had well-to-do shoppers spending $3,217 on average during each shopping trip.” The designer’s cocktail dresses can cost as much as $10,690.

Only four L.A.-area stores made the list. The trendy Maxfield in West Hollywood (8825 Melrose Avenue) is ranked No. 5. Average spent per shopping trip: 2,258. Celebrities who have been spotted there recently include Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, Adam Lambert and David and Victoria Beckham.

Also on the list: Santa Monica’s Savannah (706 Montana Avenue) at No. 9, $1,970 an average visit, and, in Beverly Hills, 16th-ranked Dolce & Gabbana (312 N. Rodeo Dr.,), $1,595, and 23rd-ranked Escada (9502 Wilshire Boulevard), $1,466.

According to the website, it compiled the list based on proprietary data provided by Citi, looking at millions of transactions between April 2010 and May 2011.

Check out the entire list at Bundle.com.

View the original article here

Power Shopping: Three Designer Collections Set-Up Shop in Malibu

Lanvin, Rubin & Chapelle and Missoni’s beachside locations open their doors to savvy shoppers and Hollywood’s elite.

As Hollywood’s second-home haven kicks into summer high-gear, the shopping in Malibu is hitting new high-end levels. Top labels Lanvin and Rubin & Chapelle both opened Malibu outlets this past weekend, and Missoni opened their doors in April. Lanvin and Missoni (located next to each other in Malibu Village) already have locations in Beverly Hills, but for Rubin & Chapelle, their first west coast store will be in the Malibu Country Mart.
The Malibu Missoni doesn’t carry the full collection of the line’s signature knitwear, but does have a full selection of home décor, accessories and most importantly: beachwear. Most store patrons have been purchasing the designer’s brightly-colored, woven bikinis, which are a perfect way to bring a designer element onto the sand.
The new Lanvin in Malibu carries a more relaxed version of the Beverly Hills merchandise, including light dresses, T-shirts and day wear, and is solely limited to women's attire and accessories. A Lanvin associate has revealed that ballet flats are among the top sellers. The location’s low-key beach theme includes palm trees, Persian furniture and mirrored coffee tables.
Rubin & Chapelle Malibu carries the women’s collection, leather accessories as well as 192 Dove Denim for both men and women. The line—loved by Kate Beckinsale, Iman, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, and Sienna Miller--is focused on “daywear looks with an evening panache, and eveningwear with a daytime ease,” explains a Rubin & Chapelle associate. Their popular Spiral cut IDA dress can be worn as day or eveningwear.
The minimal décor of the shop — done in grey and white walls and floors — creates a simple, urban feel. "The luxurious and relaxed atmosphere is a great place for us to meet our clients," says designer Sonja Rubin.

Lanvin
3826 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, CA
(310) 456-6808
Rubin & Chapelle at the Malibu Country Mart
23410 Civic Center Way, Ste. D3 Malibu, CA
(310) 243-6285

Missoni Malibu 3824 Cross Creek Road
Malibu, CA 90265-4933
(310) 456-7500

View the original article here

Power Shopping: Willow Bay Talks Style

The Huffington Post senior editor reveals her favorite designers and fashion essentials.

Journalist Willow Bay can pull off the red carpet better than many starlets in town. No stranger to the world of fashion—Bay is a former Ford model—she often opts for classic, feminine styles while out on the town. The LA-based senior editor of The Huffington Post and special correspondent for Bloomberg Television is married to Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger. Together, they have two sons Max and Will.

Talking to THR, Bay answers some fashion questions and names her favorite designers:
THR: Who have you been wearing recently?
WB: Juan Carlos Obando.  His clothes are exquisitely made. And he is gracious and charming. I never pass up a visit to his atelier. I wore his dresses to the Oscars and the Globes this year. Michael Kors for basics. Prada dresses- they get recycled and re-worn for years. And Monique Lhuillier. I love that her clothes are all made here in LA. I wore her white one-shoulder dress with gold beading to the White House State dinner, and yes it was a repeat. I wore it for the first time to last year’s Oscars.
THR: Where have you been shopping recently?
WB: Perrin Paris. I have gotten hooked on their sleek clutches. The Martha clutch is the name, it has slots for two phones. I gave one to Arianna [Huffington] too.
THR: What's in your purse?
WB: Too much stuff!
THR: What are your travel must-haves?
WB: Pashminas to wrap up in on the plane. I used to travel with one for my boys too when they were little. Even though they are big kids now they still turn to me for a shawl on the overnight flights.

Juan Carlos Obando available at Barneys New York
9570 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 276-4400

Michael Kors
360 N Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 777-8862

Prada
343 N Rodeo Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 278-8661

Monique Lhuillier
8485 Melrose Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 655-1088

Perrin Paris
346 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 786-9936

View the original article here

Jimi Hendrix - When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power the World Will Know Peace. Bumper Sticker

Peace-themed bumper sticker quotes Jimi Hendrix. Anti-war bumper sticker. Reads, 'When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power the World Will Know Peace'.

New. Buy as many as you like. Please note that when you buy this sticker from Lifeweaver via Amazon, Amazon will charge you a shipping charge for EACH sticker purchased. We offer partial refunds on shipping charges when multiple item purchases exceed our intended pricing. Other Amazon sellers may have other policies. Click on the "Ships from and sold by" link next to the product image to check the seller's shipping and refund policies or contact the seller for more information. This sticker is also available as a magnetic bumper sticker in a separate listing.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Jan 17, The Power of Making a Change - Visitor's Message

by Elijah Elijah Douglas-Smith
(England)

You have all heard about people wanting to make a change, possibly from their daily lives, yet they never seem to do so. Well for me when I hear make a change I tell the person to forget making the change and for them to BE the change. So many people are scared to do something about change, I mean it's funny because we all want to do it, but first you have to change yourself to see the change, become the change you want to see in the world.

I've noticed something also, with life if you are doing a test or going for a job interview or whatever, you honestly think that you are not going to pass- you are not going to succeed however, whilst doing that task- everyone, everyone you know, knows that you can the power to succeed however the only person doubting your gift is yourself, the only person stopping yourself, is yourself. Therefore believe in everything that you are doing, that way you are breaking down some mental barriers and achieving your dreams.

Right, now that's physical, your idea, your dream that are physical in the universe- it right there right in front of you, now you having those dreams gives you a thrust towards it but the universe is keeping you away from reaching those dreams- your friends and what not- but if you believe and you work hard you can do it- the universe is like water and it will part and that thrust- your dreams will come to you.

Just follow two things in life:

Running - when you run, for ages you have a person telling you to stop running because you are tired. And look, if you managed to defeat that person and continue running and apply that to everything, you will succeed in life.

Reading - there have been millions and billions of people who lived before us and have had the same problems but they have written them down for the future generations. All you have to do is pick up a book a read the solution.

View the original article here