Update - Balman X & H&M Price List

Okay so my last post was about the beautiful clothing line collaboration between Balmain X and H & M stores.  This is the update with PRICING... and as stated, it is not a reasonably sound pricing scale for those of us average beings who typically look for the H&M pricing on designer goods from collaborations with top designers.  These prices rival Sak's 5th Avenue, Gus Mayer, Bergdorf Goodman, and the likes.  Ouch these prices hurt my heart as I truly want a lot of these pieces in my closet as I'm a gal who likes to wear things that isn't the norm or average (I don't like dressing like everyone else so I will mix and match new and older items to create a unique look that's ME).

 

Well let me say for the record there are a FEW things we mere average people of the populace can purchase and then there are some that are in the range of a small efficiency apartment in some areas - prices range from $17.99 to $800 per item!!  From what I understand NOT all the pieces will be available as some are limited editions and won't be in the 44 stores that are slated to receive and sell the Balmain X line.

 

I will give you the run down on pricings for a lot of the line.

 

ACCESSORIES  

 

Rings - $17.99

      

               



 

Coiled Necklace $99 and Cuff $79.99     

             

 

Earrings $34.99

         

 

 Metal Belt $199 and Matching Cuff $59.99

            

Belts

(Thin Black $59.99 / Green $99 / Black & Gold $129) 

  

         

 



SHOES

 

(Gold Toe Boot $249 / Tall Boot $349)

     

 

(Black & Gold Sandals $199 / Beaded Bootie (no price given)

         

   

  Bags

 

Green Bag $299

Red Bag $199 / Jeweled Bag $149

     

 

Red or Blue Pouches $34.99

   

Miscellaneous

 

Backpack - $299

          

 

Sunglasses or Earbuds $49.99



  

  

 

 

Scarf $49.99 and Knit Beanie $17.99 

            

 



Bandeau Bras $24.99

       

    

CLOTHING

 

Jackets

 

 Black Goldtone Button Jackets $99 & $249

    

    

 



      

Beaded Coat $499 and Black Jacket $149

 

    

 



White Blazer $149 and Sleeveless Blazer $129

   

      

          

 Peacoat $199 and Black Coat $149

    

          

 

 Pearl Blazer $549 and Motorcycle Jacket $299

      

         

 

 

 Red Fuzzy Coat $129 and Green Fuzzy Coat $149

            

                          







Dresses

 

Green $199 and Crested Dress $549

    

 

Purple $499 and Black $299

       

            

Black Faux Wrap $199 and Green Print Dress $149

              

              

Tribal (Limited) $649 and Trekkie $69.99

         

             



 

Black Print $149

 

TOPS

 

Corded $129 (blue, yellow & black)

 

             

 

Blouses $99 and Pearl Blouse $129

 

              

 

             

 

 

 

Sweaters $129    
 

           

Striped Shirt $69.99 and Pants $99

       

                

 

Black & White Shirt $59.99 and Skirt $59.99

     

      

 

 

Bottoms

 

Leather Pants $399

       

         

 

 

Printed Pants $129

       

              

 

 

Black Silk Pants or Red Silk Skirt $99

   

          

 

 

BALMAIN FRANCE T-Shirts $34.99

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Great H&M Collaboration - BALMAIN X

 



With all the collaborations happening these days with various stores, we can get lost in confusion over some and fall in love with others.  The ones we love sell out almost immediately and those that are ho hum we wonder why there was even a line made.

 

H&M is well known for some amazing designer collaborations which are always eagerly anticipated every year.  The company has previously worked with many beloved designers including Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld. 

 

I finally have seen the entire line (which makes its debut on November 5th in roughly 250 H&M stores) and all I can say is WOW!!  I wish I were rich to buy multiples of all my favorites!!

 

While I don't have any pricing, it is noted that Balmain's military-inspired looks can command four-figure price tags, and H&M's past designer collaborations have offered accessories based as low as $10, T-shirts for around $30 and higher-prices pieces like jackets starting at around $250.  I believe my Stella McCartney summer wool blend wide leg pants were either $70 or $80.  I still have my Stella McCartney wide leg pants from the H&M store in NYC that my awesome friend, Heather Finn, grabbed for me when she went on opening day (needless to say there was not an H&M store in my state at the time).  Thanks Heather so much my wonderful pants!!

 

I will say this - do NOT assume that this line will be relatively cheap or even remotely moderately and reasonably priced - even for  H&M.  Why?  Well for starters, the limited edition dress worn by Gigi (see photo below) cost a whopping £399 or $618US ... YIKES!!

 Gigi Hadid Credit: Rex 

Pierre Balmain is a very popular Haute Couture designer.   Balmain's creative director, Olivier Rousteing often arrives to award shows with Kendall Jenner on his arm.  Olivier has stated that he spent just as much time designing this line as he does on his main collection as he wanted everything to be 'perfect'.  

 

 

The above were the released promo teaser photos announcing the Balmain X & H&M line.

Doesn't Kendall look amazing in every outfit they have her in?

Well without further ramblings, I will give you some amazing eye candy in FASHION - here is the BALMAIN X & H&M Collaboration!!





 

      

     

 

  

   

 



   

   

   

 



   

    

    

The Balmain X & H&M Collection pieces are made with luxurious satins and embellished with signature trims of pearls, ropes and gold embroidery.  They are re-imaging of Balmain's classic red carpet pieces and like all Balmain's pieces, are structured and tailored to emphasize the female form.

 

Whether you can actually afford to buy any of the accessories, clothing or shoes from this collaboration, if there is an H&M store near you carrying the line, it probably would be an adventure just in going to see and feel the various pieces from Balmain X collection - maybe even try on a few pieces just for the heck of it.  I will be checking to see if there will be a store near me that will carry some of the pieces as I see so many pieces that I would love to updated my wardrobe with - but with prices like the dress Gigi wore - I doubt I'll be able to even afford a blouse or the shoes ... sigh....

 

 

20 Great Life Hacks

We all can use some shortcuts in life to make our lives a little easier (and shave some time off our already busy schedules).

Well here I will give you a few little hacks to make your life a little easier and may be save you a few minutes in your daily routine with some.  Mind you, some of these are no brainers, some you may have already done and not even given a thought to and some are like wow...didn't think of that.

1.  Pee in the Shower - yes you heard me, while you take a shower, just pee.  This will save you time as well as reduce your water consumption.  Some of you may already do this and not even think about... some will balk and be like no way... it all goes down the SAME DRAIN.  If you do this even once a day you can save over 1,000 gallons of water a day.  Saves you time, saves water and helps save the environment (water consumption).

2.  Tight Shoes - are your shoes a little tight?  You can make them a little more comfortable with a little science by using water!  Yes, you read that right - water.  Grab some freezer baggies, place in your shoes, heels, flats and add water, seal and place in the freezer for about 2-4 hours.  The water will expand between 7% to 10% in the baggies in your shoes.  Your shoes will be stretched out just enough to give you a little wiggle room - AND - you have a unique ice mold of your shoes that if you want to save and use later for something you can - because the ice is clean and safe inside the baggie.

3,  Ties Come Out of Your Clothing - we have all had that happen whether in the wash or not paying attention and we pull to hard on one side and the string disappears inside the clothing or comes out completely.  Don't fret!  Grab a wire hanger and undo it.  Use one end around the string and push it all the way through to the other side - VOILA! You have quickly restrung your hoodie, PJS, athletic pants, etc.

4.  Wire Hangers aren't just for hanging clothes - they serve a great purpose in emergencies - make sure you pack a few when you go camping (make sure you have wire snippers with you as well) and if you forget your tent stakes - snip off the top of the hanger (at the base of the twisty part) and pop into the ground and your tent is secured by the hook at the top of the hanger while the base goes into the ground.  I've used a wire hanger to help pop out a stuck snap button on a tailgating tent pole.

5.   No Matches or Lighter - never fret, grab a battery and a piece of aluminum foil.  Place one end of the foil on each end of the battery and BAM!  You have a quick light.

6.  Records - I love my records!  Are your records sounding fuzzy and making a scratching sound on the player?  Well turn on the player, pour some wood glue (yes Wood Glue) on the record, spread with a card or some other flat object and let dry.  Once dry, peel off the glue and your records should sound less fuzzy/scratchy.

7.  Coffee Stain on Shirt - if still wet from the coffee (if dry, add a little water first), use a pantyliner or maxi-pad to rub it out - the pad will absorb the liquid and remove it from your shirt.

8.  Cats and Furballs - add a little Olive Oil to your cat's food to stop their tongue from pulling out their fur.  This will also help your kitty's health.  Helps my kitty - she hasn't hacked a furball at all.

9.  Refresh Your Eye Mascara - want to refresh your eyes after working all day without making them goopy and clumpy?  Dip a mascara wand in make-up remover and brush your lashes.  It will re-wet the mascara on your eyes so you can reapply fresh mascara without making your eyelashes clumping together. 

10.  Clogged Toilet - No plunger?  No problem.  Just some liquid hand soap in the toilet and let sit for 5-10 minutes, then flush again.

11.  Vomit - the next time you have to clean up vomit, put ground coffee on it.  The coffee grounds will take away the smell and dehydrate it, then it can just be swept up. (Wished I knew this when my kids were little.)

12.  Laundry - adding a pinch of salt to your load of laundry will brighten the colors of your clothes.

13.  Sanitize Sponges - put your used, wet sponge in the microwave for two minutes to kill 99% of the bacteria in it.  (I do this!)

14.  Quickly Identify Your Luggage - tie a small piece of brightly colored fabric to your luggage. You’ll be able to spot your bag at the airport in no time.

15. Grease Stain - No problem.  Just rub some chalk on clothing to remove grease stains.

16. Ink Stain - No problem.  Just rub some rubbing alcohol (or use those alcohol cleaning wipes) on the ink stain to remove it.

17.  Fruit Juice - want more juice from your fruit?  Just pop them into the microwave (lemons or other fruits) for 15 seconds to double the amount of juice you get from them.

18.  Red Wine Stain - oops you're out eating dinner and suddenly spill your red wine on your clothes.  Don't fret, ask for some white wine to remove the red wine stain.

 19.  Cold Drinks - want to make your drink cold really fast? Wrap it in a wet paper towel and put it in the freezer for two minutes.

20.  Extend Battery Life - save your battery's lifespan by only charging your electronic device batteries to 80% instead of fully charging them.  This will greatly extend the usable lifespan of the battery.

Black Friday Deal 11/27 through 12/01

Black Friday Deals are popping up every where.  What is being overlooked are the little stocking stuffers that every gal (or guy) needs - those little items that are great for skin and beauty that is organic, all natural, mineral based which are also gluten free and paraben free.

Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes

Who doesn't want to look their best at all those holiday parties - and New Year's Eve parties that we all know you want to dazzle and stand out from the crowd.

Younique is offering an amazing #blackfriday deal on their #cosmetics and #beauty products.

For every $150 you spend, you get a FREE lip stain (not available for purchase) and as always, when you spend $100 or more, you get Free Shipping.  What is amazing about Younique is that they have a Try It and Love It Guarantee.  Meaning if you don't love it within the first 14 days, you can return for a full refund, no questions asked.  You can't lose with this type of deal!!!

Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes 

Black Friday online special good thru Dec 1st is this exclusive beauty bundle kit for $75USD, $90CA, $98AU, $104NZ & $49UK.  It is a 40% savings.  Includes Illuminate, Clean or Clear (choose one), Moodstruck Minerals Pigment Powder (choose one), Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes (fastest selling mascara on the market), and a 3-piece eye brush set.  Note that the #3Dfiberlash mascara and #Illuminate together retail for $70!!  This is a heck of a deal!!

 The ‪#‎3D‬ fiber lash and Illuminate together retail for $70!!

Through the end of November, when you spend $150, you get a ‪#‎FREE‬ Stiff Upper Lip stain (not available for retail sale).

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes

How can you get this FREE lip stain?  Well you can get it numerous ways:

• Purchase two (2) kits for $150 (retail is $267) - get the FREE lip stain and FREE shipping.
• Purchase one (1) ‪#‎kit‬ for $75, plus 3 extra ‪#‎mascaras‬ as gifts/stocking stuffers - get the FREE lip stain & free shipping. 
• Purchase one (1) kit and the Divine & Uplift (then you'll have a perfect skin care regimen) - get the FREE lip stain and FREE shipping.
•  Purchase $150 worth of any Younique products - get the FREE lip stain and FREE shipping.

Supplies are running out so don't miss this exclusive Lip Stain that ends Sunday, November 30, 2014.

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes 

The ‪#‎3DFiberLashmascara‬ has experienced the fastest growth of any beauty product on the market. It is an all time favorite with everyone who has tried it, including professional models and celebrities (as I posted in my last blog post)

You have absolutely NOTHING to loose with Younique's Try it & Love It Guarantee.

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes 

So with this kind of deal, what is your reasoning for not falling in love today with the good for you/your skin beauty products that are all natural, chemical free, paraben free and organic?

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes

 

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes 

 Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes 

As always, this seller has a repeat buyer rewards and a referral rewards  program.

Order Online at:  Love Your Lashes