In an $850M deal, Amazon has acquired full ownership of Zappos.com.

Let’s hope they allow Zappos to retain its identity and customer service policies.  I love buying from Zappos, since they offer free shipping, including return shipping if the shoes don’t fit.  Who else does that?  They’ve also started carrying clothing, handbags, eyewear, etc., so Zappos.com is one of my regular stops when I’m window-browsing.  Check them out!

Women’s Apparel at Zappos.com

For once, I am absolutely green with envy over an idea, not a bag.  It’s such a simple concept I can’t believe it hasn’t been done before: a flat-shoe vending machine.

For anyone who has ever limped home after an event where your shoes were more fashionable than practical, a foot-saving option is now available in the UK (and, hopefully, soon in the US).  For as little as £5 (about $7.50), trendy partiers can press a button on a vending machine at many clubs around the UK and have a pair of flats discretely dispensed to save their poor, aching feet.  Rollasole flats come rolled up so they take up almost no space, come in a variety of colors and sizes, and even arrive with a bag to put the torturous high heels in for the trip home.  They can even provide a vending machine for your wedding or other event.

I look forward to having this option available here in the US, but for now I will settle for regretting my inability to come up with this ingenious idea myself.

Rollasole.com

Well, it was bound to happen.  My husband found a line of handbags for me.  Bless.  He stumbled on a blurb while reading a magazine, which is often how I discover new lines of handbags.  In this case, however, the magazine happened to be Plane And Pilot.

Anyway, here’s the scoop:  A former flight attendant has designed a line of bags.  This is often a good thing.  Flight attendants must learn to pack light and think practical.  They know what to take, what to leave behind and how to pack efficiently.  They were the first to sport those darling little “bags on wheels” before everyone else.  If a flight attendant designed it, it must be great, right?  Well, in this case, maybe we missed the mark a bit.

The bags are made from vintage airline seat upholstery, with additions like seat-belt straps and buckle hardware.  The problem is, I’ve never been on any airline whose upholstery spoke to my inner diva.  Except, perhaps, the navy blue leather in Alaska Airlines’ first-class seats.  I suppose it will be durable, if a bit like, well, wearing your grandmother’s sofa cushion.  And belting it with her 1973 Pontiac.

Next gripe, the tote has a basic magnetic snap closure–bad idea for a travel bag.  It needs to zip fully closed or half your contents will wind up spewing out on takeoff.  But what about for a diaper bag?  Not enough functionality.  Needs more pockets for that, inside and out.

Shown here is the Galley Tote in Blue Lagoon.

From the website:

Our classic tote is hot off the runway with its clean simple lines and bright patterns. Deep and roomy enough yet stylish for all your favorite books and magazines. It’s a smart option for the working woman, traveling or the new mom.

• Inside zip pocket
• Cellphone/multi-function pocket
• 2 front flap pockets with magnetic snaps
• 2 side pouch pockets
• 4 metal feet on bottom
• 100% Nylon Flight Lining
• 15” straps with buckle connector
• Signature airplane hang tag
• Jumpseat charm detail

Limited Edition Vintage Pattern

Color: Blue Lagoon
(also available in Tropical Sunset)
Size: 15(L) x 15(H) x 6.5(W)
Price: $275.00

I admit it could be a fetching idea, for that…special someone.  But, for these prices, I think I’d rather have the airline ticket and leave the seat behind.  Check out jumpseatbags.com for more info.  And darling, I love you, but please remain in the cockpit.  I’ll deal with the bags.

So, all the designers have some version of orange in their Spring collections. I don’t usually do orange. Especially not day-glo orange à la Stephen Sprouse (sorry, Louis Vuitton, we must agree to disagree here). For some reason, the color orange really raises my hackles.  I dunno, maybe orange interrupts my Chi.

However, I have noticed a particularly great bag that looks good in every color, and I might be tempted to eschew my usual revulsion for orange with a bag this yummy, available at Revolve.  

Monica Botkier first delved into the fashion industry as a photographer, one who needed a handbag chic enough to be trotted in front of the industry’s scrutinizing eye. Functional and wearable, stylish and detailed–the Botkier bags were born.

Botkier Sasha Medium Duffle in Orange Leather and logo lining. Measures approx 17″W x 12″H x 6″D. Double handle measures approx 15″ with a 6″ drop. Detachable shoulder strap measures approx 14″ with a 9.5 inch drop. Zip closure. Interior zip and cell pockets. Front flap pocket. Silver hardware.

I particularly love the light beige lining.  (Side note:  I like to be able to see inside such a voluminous bag, and a dark lining in a large bag is like a black hole for car keys.  Are you listening out there, designers?  How much more difficult would it be to use beige, pink, red–anything other than black?  Thank you, Ms. Botkier.)
Free Priority Shipping at REVOLVEClothing.com

I received a notification from eLuxury today that they are changing their focus.

Over the next six months we will be transitioning into an online magazine with an emphasis in luxury markets. The new site will be utilized as a reference for providing information on a wide array of luxury categories. By June of 2009, the e-commerce portion of the site will be replaced with this new focus.

Dammit! Another place to find authentic luxury goods online goes down. Sigh.