ToryBurch

Mattel has come out with a new concept for Barbie, teaching little girls early on in life that what every woman really needs is the perfect little black dress. Most women would agree with the company and most likely the all new Barbie Basics™ Collection will be a resounding success. Mattel has paired up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to celebrate the launch of the dolls which are wearing little black dresses and come with accessory kits.

Who better to inspire budding pre-teen designers than some of the big names themselves. Twelve of the CFDA fashion and accessories designers have created one-of-a-kind Barbies that showcase their unique talents and tastes. These Barbie dolls are currently up for auction on eBay and all net proceeds will go to support CFDA's educational initiatives and scholarship program. The designers include Issac Mizrahi, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Roy, Justin Giunta, Lorraine Schwartz, Alex Bittar, Monica Botkier, Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Albertus Swanepoei, Philip Crangi and Devi Kroell. The dolls went up for auction on January 28th and will be available to bid on through February 7th.

As of January 31rst some of the bids were up to as much $3,500 for Lorraine Schwartz's Barbie with Diamonds followed by the Kate Spade Barbie at $800. For those who don't have the funds to bid on the designer e-bay Barbies, Mattel will be giving away one of the new Barbie Basic dolls and accessory pack on Twitter from February 1st - 16th.

From the LA Times Hot Properties:
--The Bel-Air home of director and artist Stephen Verona is for sale $4.395 million. The red tile-roofed villa, shown above, includes gardens and a gazebo. The property website is here.
--Television writer Daniel Freudenberger has listed his historic Cheviot Hills home for $3.695 million. The listing is with Ben Lee Properties.


From the Wall Street Journal's Private Properties:
--Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has paid $19.5 million for a Tuscan-style home in the Hollywood Hills.
--George Stephanopoulos, co-host of ABC's "Good Morning America" show and a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, has bought a home in East Hampton, N.Y., for $3.5 million.
--Interior designer Cindy Rinfret, whose clients other local residents Tommy Hilfiger and television personality Regis Philbin, has put her Greenwich, Connecticut home on the market for $14.5 million.



From the NY Post:
--Katie Lee, the cookbook author and ex-wife of Billy Joel is said to be selling her 23 Perry Street that she and Joel once shared and that she bought from Joel for $3 million after their split last year. It is expected to be listed with Dolly Lenz for $12.9 million.
--Jeffrey Loria, the art-dealing owner of the Florida Marlins, has picked up part of the Howard Gittis' Southampton estate on Ox Pasture Lane. The estate was divided into three portions and sold for a combined $38.5 million to Loria and designer Tory Burch.
--Someone wants in at the Trump International Hotel and Tower. A Russian family walked away from a deal to buy an $18.5 million, 5,500-square-foot penthouse at the tower but it was auctioned off for more than $31 million. It is reportedly gutted and a renovation could cost $10 million.
--Julianne Moore was spotted checking out the Soho Mews development looking at two townhouse units priced around $5 million to $5.5 million. Her townhouse remains on the market for $11.995 million.


From the Real Estalker:
--Billionaire Jerry Perenchio has added to his huge Bel Air estate by picking up a $9.2 million property across the street from his home.
--The seven-bedroom home that Michael Jackson rented in las Vegas for around six months has sold for $3.1 million. The home in Las Vegas he was interested in buying remains on the market at $16.5 million.


From Zillow Blog:
--Sean Penn and Robin Wright have sold their Marin County home. The price was not revealed but the home was first listed their home for sale in August 2008 for $15 million.

From the Chicago Tribune's Elite Street:
--Charlotte Bobcats and former Chicago Bulls center Tyson Chandler has listed his six-bedroom mansion for $3.395 million. He bought the home for $4 million and in the past he tried to sell it for as much as $4.9 million. The listing is here.

--Former Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman has sold his 36th-floor condominium in Chicago's Trump International Hotel & Tower for $2 million.
--Chicago sportscaster Steve Kashul has sold his three-bedroom, ranch-style house in Naperville, complete with a basement bowling alley, for $475,000.

The Tory Burch Efram hobo is perfect for those who like the metallic trend but don't want to opt for a fully flashy bag. This bag is made of black wrinkled leather with a burst of golden flair from distressed square metal paillettes at the sides. It has metal feet and gold hardware with screw-head stud details and logo plates at shoulder strap. It has a magnetic-snap main compartment closure with a zip pocket and two patch pockets. It sells for $550 at ShopBop.

The Tory Burch Nico Shearling Satchel is the bag you'll want to carry the day you get out your winter coat (if you haven't already).

The furry shearling edges of this bag will give you an instant sense of warmth, comfort and well-being, and the signature T's keep you looking chic in your bliss. The coconut brown color of this soft satchel is a perfect complement for the bright goldtone hardware, and we can't emphasize enough how much you will want to pet this when you are cold. (Or bored. Or lonely.)

This roomy bag has a simple, zip-top shape and the two wide shearling bands keep it looking structured and neat, even if you intend to stuff it with everything you own.

The Tory Burch Nico Shearling Satchel is available from Neiman Marcus for $635.00.

It's definitely sweater season but how about wearing your sweater on your bag. The Tory Burch 'Amulet' messenger bag is done in leather with a nautical logo crest and a flap front that includes a swath of cable-knit sweater. The bag would be the perfect choice for casual weekend adventures. It measures 12 1/2"W x 11"H x 3"D and has 7" drop or 15" - 19" with the shoulder strap. Inside there is a pocket for your cell phone. It's also available in black with black leather which might be a better choice because as adorable as the ivory is I can see that it would get dirty fast. This bag sells for $475.

I enjoy reading my colleagues' Handbag of the Day posts as much as our readers. I often wonder if I'd ever be dressed up enough, or have such a special occasion, to use any of them, though. I'm more of a basic handbag gal, but finding a black bag that's attractive enough for work or for going out, but not too dressy or too casual, and not gigantic or 10 lbs. before I even put anything in it, with straps I can get over my shoulder, has proven elusive.

Until now, maybe: Tory Burch's Reagan Satchel may be just what I've been looking for. (Scroll to the second bag.) Pebbled metallic leather satchel with silver logo and hardware; interior zip, cell and PDA pockets; and signature logo lining. Measurements: 14" L x 7 1/2"H x 5" D. $525

I also like the site where I found this bag. Material Girl has a good selection of designer bags. The site itself could use a little work, but I enjoyed poking around and discovering new brands (or new to me).

If you're looking for a conversation starting tote that will both brighten up your wardrobe and serve the handy function of holding lots of your stuff, this Thalie Tote by Tory Burch is worth taking a look at. Boldly pairing bright purple polished leather with insets of geometric blue printed burlap, this tote has a cut-out handle and a detachable cross-body chain strap for easy maneuvering if you have other things to carry. Inside it has a pretty cotton lining, a few pockets, and plenty of room for all your essentials. $550

Talk about a beautiful combination of colors, just looking at this Printed Tory Tote by Tory Burch makes me feel happier and more springy. Shades of pink and green come together in a bold pattern printed on canvas and accented with leather trim and a cotton voile lining. Plus the only hardware is a goldtone logo emblem on the front, which means this bag is surely fairly lightweight so you won't feel too bogged down hauling it around on warm spring and summer days. $250

This Tory Burch creation, the Reva Straw Clutch, is a nice everyday bag that's definitely hanging out at the high end of casual thanks to its pairing of earthy straw with shiny patent leather and a bold gold logo emblem. It makes me think of garden parties with lots of big hats, floral dresses, and wicker furniture. At 12" long it's just large enough to hold the basics, plus it has two interior pockets (with a cotton lining), a magnetic snap closure, and a removable chain strap. $325

Elegant, classy and sophisticated - that is what comes to mind when I look at this bag. Paired with a little black dress, it is perfect for an evening out. The bag features lustrous black leather adorned only by a large, gold-tone logo plaque. The strap is just a little funky with a geometric chain link that manages to look delicate and sturdy at the same time. A simple magnetic closure seals the deal. Also available in coconut brown. $295.