Glam Exchange

2008-08-24T17:58:00.001-07:00

Running wild in the app store!

Pretend Shopgirl, Part 2

2008-04-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

THE SWEET AND THE SOUR

I quickly sent off a mild complaint to Sweet. I reasoned that while the bag was priced at only PHP900 (US$21.50), she should have warned me that the metal was scratched in many places. Manage your customer's expectations, and all that.

Just as quickly, she replied that she had not checked the merchandise, because it was already wrapped in plastic when she got it from the warehouse. She further defended herself by saying that "in fairness," it was a good bag.

I did admit that the leather, while not model-appropriate, was very good. Rather than blame her for not performing quality control, I suggested that perhaps in the future, she should find a supplier who took better care of her inventory.

She replied indignantly that I should not "say bad abt it. fine f u ddnt lyk it." And--and!--she added that I shouldn't insult her partners because "they' r frm HK."

WTF?

Now, those of who know me personally can attest that (1) I can't abide by rude salespeople, (2) I don't suffer fools well, and (3) like the Incredible Hulk, no one likes me when I'm angry. Yet here I was, behaving like Mother Theresa.

WTF?

In her defense, Sweet saw that she had crossed the line. She apologized. She said that I was the first to ever complain, as if that was a good excuse.

After pointing out that, in the future, she should be on the lookout for the flaws that I spotted, she responded that she understood, but not all Quad A's were the same, and that by the way, they were not "orig."

Now, tell me something. Isn't the whole point of rating counterfeits Class B, A, AA, AAA, Quad A and Super A, so that you know how good a fake it is? So a Quad A bag is supposedly very, very good. I didn't realize there was a there was a range of quality levels within Quad A. So does that make my bag a Quad-A-that-should-really-be-just-a-regular-B?

Sigh. Against my better judgment, I give up and wish her a nice day.

IS THERE A MORAL IN SHOPPING FOR FAKES?

Actually, there is. Not that it's a sin to prefer a fake (I know, I know, I'm about to be banned from The Purse Blog for saying that), but this:

Multiply is no eBay. At least, eBay works on a system of buyer and seller ratings, so customer (and merchant) satisfaction is a must. Consequently, the people who have the best ratings are usually very professional. They may not all be "sweet" but most of them respect consumer rights.

If Sweet is typical of Multiply merchants--by that, I mean, irresponsible, unresponsive and seemingly out to make a quick buck--then she is no better than the poor shopgirl who sells fake bags in Shoppesville. But in Shoppesville, at least you can see first hand what you're paying for. That in itself makes up for the extra cost and the inconvenience of weaving through Greenhills traffic.

What I fear is that there are many Sweets in Multiply, young women who think that selling stuff online is easy, like playing with dolls. Pretend to sell pretend designer goods, pretend to be nice, and pretend to know what it takes to keep your customers happy. I honestly believe she thinks she behaved in the most professional manner possible.

Now, I'm not giving up on Multiply. I'm still hoping that Ara will prove to be typical of Multiply denizens--polite, quick, sensitive and sensible.

A few hours after the bag arrived, I decided to give it away. It's okay, but I can tell it's a fake. Worse, so can other fashionistas.

In the meantime, my advice to all you who want to shop on Multiply is this:

If you're after fakes, study the originals before you shop.
Authentic goods or not, never take photos at their face value.
If you're in the same geographical area, ask for a chance to see the merchandise in person.
Try to wrangle a return/refund guarantee before you pay up.
Finally, if you're still after fakes, know your A, AA, triple-, quad- and super A's. Remember that in the end, all these letters spell out one thing:

C-A-V-E-A-T E-M-P-T-O-R

Happy bargain hunting!

Pretend Shopgirl, Part 1

2008-04-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

The Multiply merchant community is just amazing. There's a whole underground economy online that sells anything a girl could ever want--clothes, bags, lingerie, shoes, books, makeup, perfume--anything but men (for now, anyway). It's like eBay, only cheaper! And I wanted to see how well that system worked.

So I ordered a bag, a fake LV. Why a fake? It was cheap, so if my little foray into Multiply goes awry, it won't hurt too much.

I'm not ashamed to say I've dipped into the replica pool before. In fact, the first time netted me a fab fake from a little boutique in Bangkok, and no one was the wiser.

COMMUNING WITH THE "SIS"TERHOOD

I shopped around the Multiply for a couple of days. All of them have pics of their merchandise, although not all post close-up details. Practically every one rated their bag a class Quad A or a Super A.

When I asked what that meant, I was told that Quad A and Super A look and feel like the real deal on the outside, but Super A even had serial numbers and care cards, just like the original.

I contacted a couple of vendors by email and SMS. Both responded quickly and politely. This was my first introduction to the sisterhood, because apparently in the Philippine embassy of Multiply, everyone goes by the same name: Sis.

My first vendor--let's call her "Ara"--ran out of the model that I wanted. A few days later, she found a similar item from a different supplier, but it was a higher grade (Super A) counterfeit and therefore significantly more expensive. She immediately sensed that I was not ready to part with that much cash, and she was very apologetic.

The second vendor, I dubbed "Sweet". She nabbed me with a model that I also liked, a LV Mirage Exotic Delft in burgundy.

Her site showed the bag from four angles--front, side, top and inside. Photos were a little fuzzy but not bad. Her promise of Quad A quality, with signature padlock, dustbag and free one-day shipping, was a bargain for PHP900 (US$21.50). So I bit her bait.

A few SMS later, I deposited the payment over the counter at BPI. Once I notified her of the payment (and I assume she checked her balance online), she shipped the bag via Xend courier service.

The next day, the bag arrived. (Note to self: try shipping merchandise via Xend!)

THE UN-REAL DEAL

First thing I spotted was the threadbare dustbag. But who's going to see the dustbag anyway, right? So I was not deterred.

Upon close examination of the bag, I immediately noticed that the metal tabs on the bag were scratched. Hoping they were just adhesive residue, I polished them with a microfiber cloth; they were scratched alright. In the photos, the marks looked like the brand name stamped on metal. Serves me right.

More bad news, the "brass" clasp was in screaming gold tone. Also scuffed but not as badly.

The laminated monogram canvas was okay, but it was not an LV monogram mirage. This means it didn't have the "fade to black" that creeps from the edges. Unfortunately, this is not something that's easy to spot in photos, especially if it's taken with a small digital camera by an amateur.

Likewise, the burgundy patent croc trim was passable, but the metallic trim was a shiny yellow. To make matters worse, the manufacturer couldn't even be bothered to use same-colored stitching on the croc trims. For example, burgundy croc is stitched with burgundy thread; yellow croc, yellow thread. Not burgundy croc with yellow thread.The offending contrast stitching appeared on the back--a part that was not apparent on the website.

To be continued

More on Earth Hour

2008-03-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8pm on the 29 March, 2008 millions of people in some of the world's major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

Let's Save the World One Hour at a Time

2008-03-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

On 29 March 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour--an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

Your participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively, can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org .

If you want to learn more about how else you can help make Earth Hour in the Philippines a success, reply to this email or drop us a line at (632) 920-7931, (632) 920-7923, or (632)920-7926

Do You Like the New LV Bags?

2008-03-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

For Fall 2008, Marc Jacobs has released a new set of very understated, albeit elegant, bags. And with the exception of one or two, the coveted/derided (depends on which side you're on) LV monogram doesn't
make much of an appearance.

Are you liking it? Or not?

Louis Vuitton Rocks!

2008-03-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

How cool is this?

From AFP came this report:

Rolling Stones guitarist and rock-and-roll bad boy Keith Richards is to become the new public face of Louis Vuitton, the French luxury fashion house said on Tuesday.
"Some journeys cannot be put into words. New York. 3 am. Blues in C," runs the slogal of the ad, shot by US photographer Annie Leibovitz and due to appear in the magazine press next month.
Richards plans to donate the fee for the ad to the Climate Project, launched by Nobel-winning former US vice-president Al Gore and backed by Louis Vuitton.

Along with the true bad boy of the Rolling Stone, LV is unveiling a new look for its Fall 2008 collection, a subdued, sculptural look that's raising eyebrows in the fashion world. I hear even the bags have--gasp!--lost the logo.

And the Oscar for Best Accessory Goes to...

2008-02-25T00:10:00.000-08:00

...the shoulder!

Aside from the color red, this body part seems to be the most popular choice. I can see why. It's simple, elegant; won't snag fabric like chandelier earrings; won't set off claxon bells in red carpet watchers' heads like swan feathers, and it doesn't require more than a quick exfoliation, body lotion and a dab of highlighter to make it look its best.

Best of all, nothing whispers Hollywood goddess (pronounced god-dess, as the French do) more seductively than draped fabric and one bare, glowing shoulder.

Which is why last month, I bought this little number from Nordstrom. A full month before these women strutted down the red carpet! Am I fashion clairvoyant or what?

Now, all I need is a good pair of linebacker shoulders, and I'm good to go.

.

Shoulder-to-shoulder on the Red Carpet

2008-02-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

The Academy Awards is just a few hours away.

Some of us will be watching the Oscars in our furry slippers, while others will dress to the nines for their own Oscars viewing party. All the same, we will be glued to the Red Carpet parade, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the gowns and the tuxedos--and wishing we possessed even a smidge of the stature of these über-celebrities.

Actually, we probably do. Looking at Ben Schott's stats on the Oscars--which cuts Hollywood royalty down to more human proportions--many of us already stand as tall (if not as proud) as some of the world's best actors and actresses. Thanks to him, I can now gloat over the fact that I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Halle Berry, Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Richard Dreyfuss, James Cagney and Dustin Hoffman.

Click below to see how you measure up to your favorites.

(Data compiled by Ben Schott for VanityFair.com)

.

Fashion on the Run

2008-02-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

Some people read newspapers at breakfast. When I do remember to have breakfast, I surf fashion websites.

WhoWhatWearDaily is one of my latest discoveries. Hosted by fashion editors Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, the site is a useful guide for working fashionistas on how to translate runway and celeb trends to real life applications. Basically, they discuss WHO (was seen wearing) WHAT and (how regular but fashionable women like us can ) WEAR (a similar look).

PROS:

Simple, easy to understand
Updated everyday
Videos that can be viewed on their website, iTunes, or on your iPod
Hillary is so cute!

CONS:

Non-video stories could use better art direction
Other features in the website are little more than subscription signups to email updates
Ask a Stylist page is a great opportunity that's just abandoned on the wayside

CONCLUSION: A quick powerbar for the fashionista on the go

Oh, and many thanks to Hilda Kapauan-Abola, who wrote about Glam Exchange in Happy at Home!

.

Pineapple Green

2008-02-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

Slightly off-topic is news of a recent fashion show in New York where YSL, Narciso Rodriguez, Versace and a host of designers presented clothes made of sustainable materials. Called FutureFashion, the event was organized by Earth Pledge to encourage everyone, including fashionistas, to think, live and dress green.

Anyhoo, what caught my eye was the extensive use of our very own piña, a fabric made from pineapple plant extract.

Traditionally, piña is used in the barong tagalog, the Filipino dress shirt, which sees the light of day only at weddings and funerals (especially on the guy in the casket). As such, the piña has gotten a bum rap for being stiff and stodgy.

So it was an unexpected delight to see these fierce fashions in piña. It just goes to show that every now and then, it helps to look at our world with fresh eyes.

Mabuhay!

(Photos from Style.com)

Maximus Glamorus

2008-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

With Spring warming our winter heels and Summer not too far behind, we're seeing floral prints, flowing dresses and ever shorter minis in the stores.

What's the best footwear for the year's first batch of fashion trends? Forget wooden heels and espadrille-inspired platform sandals (although they're still good standbys). Now is the time for the glory that are gladiator sandals.

This March, Elle features our many strappy options, from the short...

...to the tall.

In the last few years, gladiator sandals have become a recurrent trend. With each passing year, they've become more wearable and sexier, to boot (pun intended).

The tall version is an especially great option for women in Asia, who want the high fashion look of knee-high boots but can't deal with prickly heat.

.

Prada Trembled Blossoms Launch

2008-02-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

More and more high-end designer brands are advertising via TV and viral; the latest is Prada. To introduce their "It" item for Fall 2008, the Fairy Bag, they asked filmmaker James Lima and designer James Jean to create a video called "Trembled Blossoms".

The high-res version, which is even more stunning, can be found here.

The video is hauntingly beautiful, and so is the Fairy Bag, because with a price tag of US$1,675, it will just cavort in my dreams.

Oh, in case you'd like a better look at the shoes, here they are.

Jewels in Memoriam

2008-02-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

Reading about Heath Ledger's wonderful and touching memorial service brings to mind one of my "last" wishes.

Some people want to be buried next to their loved ones; some, cremated and scattered across the earth.

I want to be a diamond.

To be more precise, a memorial diamond--a one-carat gem, created from my ashes. I can be the ultimate accessory, a family heirloom to be passed from one generation to the next. I imagine I'll be set in a ring or a pendant, and given to my daughter or granddaughter to wear.

According to LifeGem.com, it takes about 40 grams of human ashes to make a one-carat diamond (although I am told they can be just as easily made from hair or nails from a living person now). I can choose from a variety of cuts and colors, although canary yellow is the natural color of a memorial diamond.

At $19,000++, it is more expensive than a casket, but to spend eternity as my little girl's best friend...priceless.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

2008-02-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

From Marc Jacobs and Glam Exchange
may the Year of the Rat bring you
good fortune and style.

Every Woman Wants Something on Valentine's Day

2008-01-31T02:52:00.001-08:00

So, she says she doesn't want anything. Believe me, this is the only time a "no" really means "yes." Romance is all about sweet unsolicited gestures, and these gestures are of the sweetest variety.

AK Anne Klein Women's Watch
It's sporty; it's sophisticated, but the unexpected hit of pink on the bracelet says "I may be tough as nails, but with the right man, I'm all cotton candy."

Juicy Couture
"Sweet Couture" compact
You don't actually think your rocker babe looks that way without some prepping. Give her this and she'll know you completely "get" her.

Faceted cubic zirconia ring(s)
Like the Baccarat rings of the 70's, but far more sophisticated, each ring is cut from a single block of pure gemstone. If your sweetie is easily impressed by carats, this will rock her world.

Secret Wish Magic Romance
by Anna Sui
There is romance for girls, and there is romance for women. Anna Sui knows how to design fragrances for both. Her Secret Wish is at once sweet and grown-up.

DKNY "Mariah" chemise

So you want your Valentine evening to end on a high note.
Believe me, if my man gave me this,
our next three evenings will reach the highest octave.

Why Shouldn't High Tech Look High Style?

2008-01-27T01:37:00.000-08:00

While I was writing about glammed gadgets, I took stock of my own trusty workhorse, my two-year old iBook. It had definitely seen better days, and its white plastic case--which had once signaled "creative iconoclast at work"--was dingy, scratched and dull.

Now, it says, "freelance editor who can't afford an upgrade to MacBook Air."

Time for a makeover.

Swarovski crystals were out of the question. Too much surface to cover, and with the daily wear and tear involved, I would always have to carry a glue gun for emergency touch-ups. The hard acrylic cases were fine; my editor-in-chief covered her own MacBook Pro in shiny red. Alas, they don't make one for my model. I considered sleeves too, but they were too bulky.

Then I chanced upon GelaSkins.

Essentially, this is a microthin (less than 2mm) protective cover for your iPod, iPhone, laptop or RAZR, made with premium 3M vinyl and adhesive technology. It's ultra-thin and scratch resistant for a durable photo-quality finish. The adhesive has patented micro-channels for a bubble-free application and, if you're really careful, re-application.

GelaSkins cost around $15 for an iPod skin and $29.95 for a 12" Powerbook. They're available in many countries, including Hong Kong and Singapore. They also ship worldwide.

I realize that the concept is not unique, but the execution is. Tapping many gifted graphic designers, as well as a few museums, GelaSkins can make my laptop look like a work of art, and me, the stylish tech maven that (I think) I am.

(Topmost image by Bertrand Delgoff)

iBling

2008-01-21T23:49:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, only a few of us had iPods, and like the vainglorious early adopters that we were, we carried these white chiclets like they were too enormous to fit in our purses.

Now, practically everyone has one, so where's the fun in that?

But thanks to the Swarovski crystals, our favorite little gadgets are not only tricked out, but perfectly appropriate for the evening.

You can leave the silcone skin at home and slip your iPod into a Swarovski Crystal iPod case. They come in all sorts of colors and designs, and most vendors have a model to fit your MP3 player (even the non-iPod ones). Now, a woman can listen to her playlist, or watch a video, while looking as elegant as she can be.

And don't stop there. ChicBuds Swarovski Crystal Retractable Earbuds are now becoming more widely available as well. This ear candy features an in-the-ear style that gives crystal clear (pun intended) sound quality. The Swarovski crystals add sparkle, and the retractable cord adds ease of use and convenience. The clip secures the earbuds in place during use, and when seen from across the bar, it looks like a piece of jewelry.

The best thing about these bling buds is that they can be used with iPods, notebooks and media players. So no matter which new version of iPod or iTouch you buy next, you're always glamorously wired.

Bringing Your Silver Back from the Dead

2008-01-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

We all have a silver cuff, chain, ring, or pair of earrings that we love. But eventually, it becomes tarnished by time or by neglect. No matter how it got there, Anne Marie Helmenstine, who has a Ph.D. in Chemistry, has a recipe for removing the tarnish and resurrecting your silver jewelry.

She writes, "As silver oxidizes, it will tarnish. This layer of oxidation can be removed without polishing and scrubbing, by simply dipping your silver in this non-toxic electrochemical dip. Another big advantage to using a dip is that the liquid can reach places a polishing cloth cannot."

Ingredients:

Sink or glass pan
Hot water
Baking soda
Salt
Aluminum foil
Tarnished silver

Directions:

Line the bottom of the sink or a glass baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.
Fill the foil-lined container with steaming hot water.
Add salt (sodium chloride) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the water. Some recipes call for 2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt, whereas others call for 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and salt. Personally, I wouldn't measure the amounts... just add a bit of each substance.
Drop the silver items into the container so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. You will be able to watch the tarnish disappear.
Leave heavily tarnished items in the solution for as long as 5 minutes. Otherwise, remove the silver when it appears clean.
Rinse the silver with water and gently buff it dry with a soft towel.

Just a word of caution: take care with any silver or gold cleanser, especially when your piece has porous gems like pearls, amber and turquoise. A harsh chemical may make your silver shine but dull your gemstone.

Watching a Growing Trend in Watches

2008-01-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

Perhaps more than any other piece of jewelry, I love my watches. I collect wristwatches the way I collect shoes, which is just shy of Imeldific. But being a geek chick, I lean towards the classic men's brands--Omega, Seiko, Hamilton, Sinn, Oris, Zodiac, to name a few.

But lately, my ears are pricked at the tick-tock of Philip Stein TESLAR. Not just because it's one of Oprah's favorite things, but because it is, in equal doses, a fabulous piece of wrist candy and a cutting-edge electromagnetic buffer.

It emits a signal that strengthens the body's electromagnetic field (EMF), making it resistant to the effects of low-grade EMF from cellphones, MP3 players, computers and all those other electronic devices.

The result: the Philip Stein TESLAR watch wearer is calmer, more relaxed and more focused.

Talk about looking good and feeling good. If that's not justification, I don't know what is.

Why Men Don't Accessorize

2008-01-14T22:52:00.000-08:00

Just going off-topic for a bit, here's one of my favorite authors, David Sedaris, on why men can't accessorize with style.

Enjoy!

Yvette's Anonymous

2008-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hello, my name is Cynthia. I am an accessories addict.

During the last several days, my place of work has been overrun by Yours by Yvette bags. There are hundreds of purses--some, feathered; some, swathed in raw silk; others, covered in beads. All, exquisite. When my employer's friends come over to peruse, they are beside themselves. How can they possibly choose just one? Or two? Or four?

I know exactly how they feel.

So I chose five.

This one is called "Monarch." It's a summer's dream of handwoven cane, leatherette, bugle beads and colored stones.

This is "Paradise," a floral tapestry of gold-tone pewter, glass beads, stones and raw-edged silk.

"Coconut Grove" is an oasis of beads, with ornaments of jade and mother-of-pearl.

These other two have no names--at least, none that I can find on the Internet. But to paraphrase the Bard, what's a purse by any other name, if it looks just as sweet?

The Addictive Louis Vuitton Monogram Bag

2008-01-12T19:00:00.000-08:00

I have an aunt who keeps a closet full of LV bags. No, she does not traffic in fakes; she's too status-conscious for that.

When I stayed at her home a few years ago, I stumbled on her stash. There they were, piled on top each other, wrapped in plastic.

She says she loves Louis Vuitton because the bags are virtually indestructible, unlike other designer lines like Fendi or Prada. She buys them, season after season, new model after model. But because every bag is so damn durable, she's still toting her second generation of LV Monograms. She doesn't know when she'll get around to using the others.

So there they lie, in her closet, waiting for someone to rescue them from oblivion...and sell them on eBay.

I admit that I'm not immune to the charms of Louis Vuitton's brown laminated canvas. In my first years as a shopaholic, I sampled a fake or two. Even with the inferior hardware and stitching, the copies were almost as durable as the originals. So now, with deeper pockets and a deeper appreciation for finer things, I find myself passing by the Louis Vuitton store in Greenbelt and musing about the prisoners in my aunt's closet.

In particular, this one, the Damier Duomo.

Yours by Yvette Sale

2008-01-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

After the success of Rafe Totengco, Bea Valdes and Tina Maristela-Ocampo in the US, yet another Filipino designer of purses and evening bags is about to break through. Yvette Floro's intricately beaded and jeweled babies are finding their way onto the arms of Paris Hilton and her fellow celebrities--and if you're very quick, one or more of her bags may swing off yours, too.

Yvette is having an informal sale, right out of a residence in the posh Dasmariñas Village of Makati City. Most of the inventory are evening bags, but a few are versatile enough to mix well with day dresses and jeans.

And the discounts! Paris Hilton may have spent anywhere from $110 to $290 on her purse; a similar model is going for P2,550 ($63). A few lucky bargain hunters may even snatch the ones selling for P1,500 ($37).

I've been told the sale ends on Wednesday, so call Pim at 843-9989 for the address and directions.

If you want to know more about Yvette, visit her at Yours by Yvette.

I myself could not resist and bought this little blue beauty.

UPDATE:

Yvette Floro has now made Angel Guerrero her unofficial Manila distributor. You can contact her at the same number above. Make an appointment and bring your girlfriends over for an impromptu bag party!

Cropped Leather Jacket: Buy it or drop it?

2008-01-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

I'm an incorrigible online shopper, and I love to browse the clearance pages of websites like Nordstrom, Target, and recently, Newport News.

This jacket has been tormenting me for the past few days. A "soft cropped leather jacket with embroidered appliqué patches. Rolled shawl collar, asymmetric one-button close, 3/4 sleeves " that's on sale for $64.99.

The unexpected combination of the feminine silhouette and the brown leather is sexy and quite wearable. Plus the 50 percent markdown isn't bad either.

But the embroidered rose appliqués...that could be a deal breaker.

Buy it or drop it?