SOPHIA'S EXCESSories

As captured by her Instagram lens. (follow her @helloitsmesophia, and me @loveannatran)
I think she (we) have a problem.

leopard print + mustard balenciaga circa 2007

our dad's badass Cartier jag ring

Chanel + wire

travel gear: The Work navy balenciaga, LV carry-on, and Tory Burch flats

Missoni x Target umbrella with an impractical-for-the-rain suede Balenciaga

Clic H bracelet, a very happy birthday gift from Sophia's husband

everything we know, we learn from our mom: color blocking, leopard detail, and another Birkin

Pangaea, Cartier Love bracelet, W. Prince, & Breitling

matching Chanel and home-made macarons

red bottom girls

our newest child, the python Chloe Paraty in black

the forever accessory

9.24.11

BALENCIAGA BIKER BOOTS

i want these.
for a profound $1295 (that's without the studs) you can cop these beautifully badass boots.
the cutouts make for good ventilation for spring, and an excuse to stock up on some colorful socks!

RAQUEL ZIMMERMAN

NINA DOBREV

MARY KATE OLSEN

 

 

the NEW

it's typical to see sophia and i with a Bbag or chloe dangling heavily on our arms on a daily basis -- they're practically a part of our uniform. but on occasion, we'll come across something new and shiny to give our leather goods collection a little more variety.

it's pretty much spring here in new york (not sure about the weather in california, but we just had 80degree weather here yesterday in the city. yay!); and although today it's raining, the residual spring fever we had from yesterday's sunny skies left me in the mood to shop for the new season.

new shapes + new colors + a new love for 3.1 phillip lim = our LEATHER LUST LIST.

the PROENZA SCHOULER PS1 & PS2 bags have been on the shoulders & arms of every fashionable woman in town. it's about time they came out with an accompanying WALLET. behold, the PS1 CONTINENTAL ($585) -- the insides are almost identical to the insides of my balenciaga giant money wallet, making this Continental an easy transition.

i'd normally never care to write/review anything by LV, but per Sophia's request and her OCCASIONAL likeness to Louis clutches, I guess this Petillante clutch will have to just do. it's a pretty red and i like that it folds -- reminds me of the Balenciaga envelope.

Fendi did an amazing thing with colorblocking this season. from those Fantasia platforms to this perfectly small handbag, I think Fendi has definitely stepped up their handbag game from that hideous stint with the Spy.

 

no, I will not be writing about the Alexander Wang Rocco -- overweight and overplayed, that studded  bag of impracticality needs no more publicity. so let me direct over to the AW Marion Swing with rose gold hardware ($650). clean, classic lines with a hint of that Wang attitude with the roughened up edges, i love the simplicity, size, and long crossbody strap. this also comes in black, but white is so appropriate for spring!

the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli handbag is at the top of the covet list since this photo of Barney's VP fashion director Amanda Brooks was featured on the Garance Doré blog a few weeks ago. for those interested, you can pre-order your bags at either the New York or LA 3.1 flagships. but good luck -- they're going fast!

this is just the tip of the iceberg of thing's i'd like to have in my possession -- but nevertheless, i'll take one of everything, please!

...a girl can only dream.

leCHEAP c'estCHIC

not only is it the name of one of my favorite blogs, but the meaning behind this fashion mantra is fully representative of our style aesthetic here at the haute commodity.

"leCHEAP c'estCHIC" : mixing and matching high-end with high-street, vintage with re-purposed...something old, something new, something borrowed, and something balenciaga, we Tran sisters are all about layering it up, no matter what the brands are. 

my outfit, for example cost under $100 (well, you know..minus the purses and some jewelry)! i am an avid supporter of bargain hunting and cheap thrills. trends come and go so quickly that it's sometimes really hard to imagine paying full price for every item in my closet. there's a difference between investing in classic pieces and splurging on of-the-moment trendy items. 

so here's the breakdown of my outfit --

wool chain hat: f21, $14.80

stripe tank: vintage ck, $1

shorts: bdg @ uo, $10

stockings: uo, $14.

shoes: f21, $25

belt: ysl

sparkly cardigan: f21, $25

animal print cardigan: f21, $27.99

shearling jacket: lamixx, gifted (actually $138 here)

spike stack rings: nOir @ 80spurple, $42.

chanel + B-bag not included :) 

moral of the story is: you don't have to pay the big bucks to get the look you want. you just gotta take the time to find the pieces and mix 'em all together!

[chanel camellia brooch, f21 bangle, antique necklace frm uo, cartier trinity, nOir spike rings, telephone ring frm thailand]

pure ADDICT.

caroline's blog is one of my daily reads. she's uber fashion forward and has one of the most impressive BALENCIAGA collections i have ever laid eyes on!

note to self: MUST STEP UP MY B-BAG GAME.

random

photos from my camera.

have a lovely weekend. im off to a much needed mini vacay with the girls.

IT'S IN THE BAG

for some, a handbag is a sack made of faux leather or nylon or canvas with fake plastic metal fixtures and zippers and occasionally is an obvious-to-spot imitation of the handbags that others (like us) collect and view in the highest regard to fine design and fashion. if it hasn't been stated yet, our family is a family of purse gatherers. leather, croc, ostrich, patent, suede...you name it - we love it.

one of the reasons i love the changing of the seasons (or better yet, a preview of the changing color palettes of the next season via fashion week) is to have an excuse to buy a new purse/clutch/wallet. and 0h the options. personally, i am a classic kinda girl. gimme a 2.55 or a city in any which colour and i'll be happy. it's no wonder our favorite designers stick to their signatures.

i say, if it ain't broke, just change the color swatches...

a model sneaking off with the latest chloe's right after the show..

lush & layered clutch. the texture gives some oomph to the muted,

understated brown

alexander wang's diego bucket bag in DARK GREEN SUEDE - $895

balenciaga arena giant envelope in bois de rose with the NEW rose gold hardware - $1025.

this one is definitely on my wish list.

the givenchy nightingale in fall's new navy - $1910.

always had a little crush on this baby...but it's a little on the larger side.

all handbags via barneys.com

hip-hip hooray!

any traveler knows that having a useful (yet chic) bag to carry around while trotting the world is essential. so before my annual trip to new york, i went on a hunt to find just that. when traveling i usually bring one of my balenciaga city bags but found that even that is too big and not all that sufficient being that it's a top-handle bag.

then i saw this. balenciaga's newest addition, appropriately named 'the hip.' this hands-free bag is roomy enough to fit your cell phone, camera and lip gloss, strap is long enough to wear crossbody and the colors..oh the colors! and the best part, your hands are free to hold shopping bags and cafe lattes.

via balenciaga.uk