Secret

I know it's been over a week.  No, I'm not dead.  Not yet anyway.  I am however suffering MAJOR website blues.  I won't go into it right now because I'm still fuming mad but it looks like all the products are going up on the same old site.  I really have no choice but to build ONE mega site.  Very frustrating.  Will go into more details later.

I am here today to tell you a secret.  I'm a bit of a wallet geek.  No, me being a geek is not a secret. My knowing a good wallet from a bad wallet is the secret.

A good wallet allows you to hold all your cards securely.  I used to have an expensive REAL designer wallet a few years ago and once the leather stretched a bit and the cards settled in, they'd always fall out because the amazing leather on that wallet had just become too relaxed.  That's not the leather's fault.  It was my fault for overloading cards in there, stretching the leather and then expecting half the cards to be held in place.  Yeah, that didn't go over so well.

Over the years, I have found that a good wallet is like a good assistant. Now before you laugh, a good wallet needs to be reliable, durable, orderly, and most importantly stylish (we all need a stylish assistant - go with me ;) ).

Right now I'd invest in two or three makes of wallet.  The first one hands down is HERMES.  Yes, I know.  I should just run a site of Hermes products.  Folks, it is a kick ass wallet.  No joke. Made to last at least 4 to 7 years.   That right there tells you a lot.  I love changing up my handbags but let me tell you I very much dislike changing my wallet.  I need that order and that recognition FAST.  I hate a new wallet and looking for a points card or trying to find a stamp.  That is utter frustration.

The second wallet that I'd highly recommend is a brand called Mulberry.  I have talked about this brand before .  Few know of it and my favourite line when I mention it is how a lady wrote to me and told me I was a moron because the brand was actually called, Burberry!!  Right-o. Thanks.

But aside from my cheeky jab, Mulberry wallets are super duper well made and once you find out what they are, you'll see that they have quite the following.  Mulberry brand is a durable, to be used, work horse type of handbag and wallet.  They are not pansy.  Their stuff looks great.  Feels awesome and takes you from a boardroom to a party in 60 seconds flat.

I have FINALLY gotten all the Mulberry wallets on the site.  Yes, I got up extra early today hoping the Nobel people in Sweden would call but alas, I think they did not like my quests in replica Mulberry wallets.  Pffft.  Snobs. :)

Well, I am going to pat myself on my back and say it again, ALL MULBERRY WALLETS (PURSES) ARE NOW ON THE SITE!!

If you're in the market for a good wallet, I strongly recommend either an Hermes or a Mulberry. You will not be disappointed with the quality, the durability and the practicality. 

Most wallets are $125.00usd and that includes shipping to North America.  $10.00 extra to Western Europe and $20.00 to the rest of the world!

Happy Shopping!!

Gucci Fall Coat

Folks, I have gotten a tremendous response to coats and jackets since I started putting them up on the blog.  I know I should ideally get these on the site sooner than later, but if you have detected that I am in a foul mood, you are right.  Everything with the sites that can go wrong is going wrong!

I am very cranky and sensitive to the words "websites", "issues" and "e-commerce".  I hope to have resolution very soon (this weekend) but until then, please enjoy two broken websites!!  You can still pay on the old site.  It's the coding of the new site that is causing me more grey hair than I need at this age.

Having said that, I need something to smile about!

I have gotten a lot of requests for coats cut for "real women" and trust me I hear ya!

I have this one but I'll have a few more in the coming weeks. This is an excellent Gucci fall coat.

It's a loose ample wrap cut.  I love that it has the big sleeves and massive collar!  A look I can never get enough of.  I have this coat and am wearing it in our pre-winter.  If you are in Canada, you know what I'm talking about.  It is ABSOLUTELY freezing here.  Frrrrrreeezing. 

I am not even half joking when I say that we are taking out the goose duvet comforter tonight.  Brrrr. 

The Gucci coat comes in that awesome camel and black highlight as well as this hot, hot, hot colour of the season:  charcoal.

Here is the coat on a run way model.  You know, how all of us look on  day to day basis. 

New Gucci Wrap Coat is $140usd and that includes shipping and inspection to the US and Canada!

Happy Shopping...back to coding!!

New Marc Jacobs

I am starting to see the new bags coming in.  Before I post them here for you to buy, I usually want to see them live to ensure they are of good quality.  Some bags get rushed through any assembly line and isn't always a good thing.

Here is awesome new Marc Jacobs.  Marc must be having some ad or commercial on TV or he's been mentioned on some movie or TV show.  I have gotten a ton of requests for Marc Jacobs bags.  I love his stuff.  Even in replica form it is made very well and it is durable.  It is not, like Prada and Miu Miu, made to be work horse bags.  These bags are more accent pieces and are made to look good or complete an outfit.

I will say that Marc Jacobs bags are made a bit more durable than Prada or Miu Miu bags. 

This bag is embossed ostrich skin.  While I find the exotic skins hard to replicate, I honestly believe that if you want a bag with an exotic skin look, ostrich is the best one to go for.  Unlike crocodile, alligator or snake, it is one of the easier skins to replicate using cowhide. 

For this reason, it is also harder to tell that the bag is embossed ostrich and not real ostrich and therefore harder to ascertain that the bag is a replica.  Crocodile, alligator and snake are very hard to replicate.  Even the best embossing techniques leave little doubt that the bag is embossed cowhide and thus that hint is the best giveaway that he bag is a replica.

This new Marc Jacobs bag comes in that awesome dark brown above but also in black.

New Marc Jabobs bags will be on the site by the end of this weekend.  The bags above retails for $260.00USD and includes shipping and inspection service to Canada and the US.

Happy Shopping!!

Second Awesome Deal

I have a second awesome deal going up on the site today as well.

I have an LV Monogram Canvas Galliera PM going up today.  This had to be my MOST popular bag this summer.  It is a very stylish bag.  Very ritzy and very cute.  Here are some photos from the LV site and some from the factory.  I will be posting photos of the actual bag tomorrow (I hope).

Here is the story on this one.  Even though I write the reason I am selling this bag at a discount on the website and here and anywhere else that I can write, I still have people writing to me and asking the, "but why are you selling it for less than other bags on the site??".  Sigh.

Folks, this is a business.  It is run by me in Canada and I have reps in China that send out the stuff either to me directly or they send it to YOU directly depending on the type of service you choose.  Generally, bags come to me if they are being distributed in North America.  This saves money for everyone and it takes out the fear that some people have with customs and seizure.  That is all fine and dandy, right?  You with me so far?

Good.

Here is where human error comes in.  Through communication, though reading incorrectly, through just that pesky thing called being human, mistakes are made.  For instance the LV Monogram Galliera PM from above?  It was supposed to be a Damier Azur bag that went to a great customer of mine in Latvia. 

I messed up.  Yes.  Me.  I ordered a Monogram Canvas bag.  Why?  I don't know.  It's hard to believe but I make mistakes too [Big Grin].  Actually, I had ordered SO MANY Monogram Galliera bags this summer that I probably just assumed that my customer in Latvia wanted that bag as well.  Well, she didn't.

So out of errors that I have to ultimately fix for my customers, I get bags that I cannot keep.  I cannot keep them because my husband is tapping his foot as I type this to get rid of the excess of bags that I have acquired either through errors or through samples that various factories send me.

Now I am one of those people that will stockpile bags with the very good intent that one day I will use it.  I don't.  I just cannot get through all these bags.  Even with the help of girlfriends, I cannot get through all the samples alone that I get in a given year.  Sweet Jesus.

So what do I do?

I sell them off to you guys first at a very low price. I need to move them. I don't (and my husband certainly doesn't) want them at the house.  Whatever I don't sell to you guys, I donate to women's shelters.  Those ladies have absolutely no concern if the bag is a replica or not.  They are usually women trying to start their lives over and they are happy to have a new handbag. 

That's the story.  If there is damage to a bag and I need to get rid of it, first of all you will see that it is selling for less than $100.00 (when it normally retails or over $260.00) and secondly I will HONESTLY state that there is X, Y or Z damage to it.  If the bag is perfectly new and it has not been used, I will HONESTLY state this as well.  If the bag is a return from an error made by me or the factory, then  guess what?  I will HONESTLY state that as well.

I really don't want to play games or try to swindle you out of, you know a whopping $150.00, for a bag. I'd rather not get into the name calling, the stalking and the other BS that a lot of people seem to have unlimited time to participate in.  I am genuinely offering the bag because I a) need to get rid of it and b) want someone to enjoy a good bag for a discounted price. Some of you can read into that and think, "oh man she's trying to rip me off with a broken bag or a piece of junk".  Great.  You can think that.  I suggest you don't ever buy anything from the internet.  I also suggest you not contact me to ask me if that is the case.  It's a waste of my time and negativity that I absolutely despise. 

I truly find a lot of students peruse my site and they cannot always afford the $260.00 or more for a bag. I know I sure couldn't when I was a student.  I have noticed that a big percentage of buyers from the Deals and Bargain Bin are students.  For that reason alone it's a great incentive to keep bags in the Bin!

The LV Monogram Galliera PM (the most popular size) is BRAND SPANKING NEW, not used, not damaged, is on sale now for $160.00USD plus shipping (about $15.00usd to Canada and the US).

Happy Shopping...and have a nice day to the natural born cynics!!

Awesome Deals!

I have two awesome deals right now.  My factory rep has sent me two bags in error.  The first one is the ARTSY GM.  This is the mammoth granddaddy of all bags. This bag measures Size: 19.7" x 14.1" x 9.8" or 50cm x 36cm x 25cm.  I have said it before but this bag is the IDEAL beach bag or the absolute high fashion in going to the gym, family days, etc. 

 There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with this bag.  In error the factory shipped a GM sized bag when indeed a customer has ordered an MM size.  The bag is brand new, not used and I caught the error in size when I was inspecting the bag.  The bag comes with a dust bag.

The LV Artsy GM is on sale in the DEALS AND BARGAIN BIN for $150.00.  Shipping is extra (usually $15.00 to the US and $30.00 to the rest of the world).

I'll post the second deal in a bit.  I'm being called to a meeting RIGHT NOW!!

Happy Shopping!!

RE: Scarves

Folks, it's still very early where I am.

I forgot to add the most important part!  All scarves are on the new site now.  You can view them here at:

www.jltrt-shopping.net/scarves-homepage.html

If you find a scarf that you prefer from the new site, let me know.  I'll see if I can get it either as a freebie with your bag purchase OR just charge the difference.  I'd rather you get something you like than be limited to the choices that I offer as the freebies!  The only ones that I see incurring an extra cost right now are all silk 90x90 scarves.

This promotion is only good until October 10, 2010.  The free scarves all retail for about $90 to $110 (hat and scarf sets) each so get your free scarf today!


Happy Shopping!!

Scarves!

I have the best special on right now to get you ready for this chilly winter.

I originally started this with a special of a Burberry scarf, that is, buy any bag from the site valued at $260 or more and get a free Burberry scarf.  One of these:

100% Cashmere.  Super warm and comes with a box and so if you don't want it you can gift it.

A lot of you wrote to me and asked for a scarf but an LV or a Prada scarf.  And I thought about it and figured that was totally FINE!!

BUY ANY BAG VALUED AT $260 or more and get ONE free scarf.  Choose from the scarves pictured below:

BURBERRY
Burfre1000

Burfree1001

Burfre1002

LV
lvfre1000 (hat included)

lv1001

lv1002

GUCCI
gucfre1000

gucfre1001

PRADA
prdfre1000

HERMES
herfre1000

herfre1001

I'm going to add a few more.  I just need to ensure they are in stock!

When you order a bag, please enter the code for the scarf that you want, provided you purchase a bag valued at $260usd, or more. 

Bundle Up!  Winter's coming!

Happy Shopping!!

Bundle Up!

Folks, sorry for the absence.  I needed a break to get my head from spinning from the BUY TWO GET ONE FREE special.  Finally got the last of the bags out!

So I am irritated.  I am irritated that as reading, somewhat educated people, buyers have a hard time understanding how business works.  Firstly, I must type this your shipment will take 7 to 10 BUSINESS DAYS.  BUSINESS DAYS.  BUSINESS DAYS like at least 1000 times a week.

I actually do understand that 90% of us don't work in trade or importing and so understanding shipping times, mail, border restrictions, etc., is a mystery.  But I know all of you have filed a tax return.  You can't tell me you have never ever dealt with the mail system.  You know that when the government says the cheque is in the mail, you don't call them back or harass them until a good long time (at least another week) has passed.

I get people who place an order at 1pm on any given day and by 5pm are sending me threatening emails about how they have not received their bag!  *Dumb stare right now*

I STILL get people who do not understand that mail, MAIL, does not move on weekends.  Sure YOU may have Saturday delivery in your region but that funny thing called the REST OF THE WORLD does not necessarily have that.  So if mail is not moving in another part of the world due to it being this obscure thing called, "a weekend day", then I can assure you that your bag is not moving.

I have other people who want me to call the Post Office and find out where their bag is.  "Call the Post Office".  Right because when the bag is sent from China to me, it has a GPS on it so that I can track it on my magnificently large satellite dish that I stole from NASA, just for this purpose.

I get the same thing as you.  It's called a tracking number.  If you really need to know, it's not a tracking number at all.  It's really a reassurance number.  It tells me that the package is "coming" at some point.  It's been sent and lastly it gives me recourse if I never receive the package.  It's a "tracker" mostly for insurance purposes.  So if you give me a hard time about how your tracking number is not telling you anything, or that you simply don't get why it takes at least 7 to 10 BUSINESS (say it with my people BUSINESS) days then my only advice to you is to NOT ORDER from the internet.  While the Sears, Nordstroms and Amazons offer a rush delivery service, they charge you for it.  They also have the product in stock or they don't offer any delivery.

I have stated this many times but I'll state it again that this business is not Wal-mart.  It is not Sears.  It is far from any of those entities.  So why would you come to a small website and expect Sears or Wal-mart is beyond me.

Having said all of that mouthful, I am getting a bit annoyed by people's sheer ignorance on the matter.  It's not a difficult concept yet some people still act like it's 4th year calculus.

Mail is mail.  You cannot rush it.  It is not going to move faster because you keep writing me.  It certainly won't move faster because you write me a nasty or threatening email.  Threaten away.  You package is still going to take 7 to 10 BUSINESS (<-----DOES NOT INCLUDE WEEKENDS!!) days.

Don't like it?  Don't order a bag from any site then.  That is the minimum for all sites.

Happy Shopping!!

Look Out Below!

I only stand 5 feet tall but I have to tell you that in these shoes I'd easily be, oh I don't know, 7ft 5"!

My nose would bleed.

I have some TERRIFICALLY funky shoes coming in.  All the big names in shoes these days.  Like I mean really big names (even bigger than Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo).

Check out the new site this weekend.  It is going to be updated like a ROCK STAR!  A lot like those shoes above.

Funky shoes will be slightly pricier than others, starting at about $200usd including shipping to Canada and the US.  Worried you won't get the right size?  Don't worry I have a solution in the works that will make it worry free shopping...FOR SHOES.

Happy Shopping!!

Miu Miu Coat...Ssssstylin'

So here is the latest coat that I am putting up for sale.  Again this is not meant for winters in Thunder Bay (an inside Canadian joke).  This is an early to late fall coat.  Just beautiful!

You know how I go on and on about Miu Miu bags not being made to be work horses?  Well that is not the case here.  Miu Miu coats are very well made.  Very nice fabric blend that is both warm and durable, and very nice detailing.

This coat would be stylish on anyone going to the office or going out on the town. 

Here it is on a size 0 hottie.

This coat comes in S, M and L sizes.  For your own peace of mind, I'd go up a size.  I am always a size Small but I order size Medium.  The cut is always tinier than need be.  Some of you have asked for larger sizes and I am asking the factory for same.

The Awesome Fall Miu Miu coat is $145usd BARGAIN BASEMENT prices folks and that includes shipping to Canada and the US!

Happy Shopping!!

That's All Folks!!

The BUY TWO GET ONE FREE special is over!

I would be lying if I said I was not happy for this moment. Phew! What a crazy 48 hours. Good to know there are many procrastinators like me out there. It's been insane, people. I cannot believe some of the places that my bags are going! Nairobi! Iceland! Sweden! How diverse is that? I cannot believe how popular the site has become and I cannot believe how many of you will peruse another site but come back to shop with me! I am honoured. Truly I am.

I am equally surprised to see a third bag being forfeited in exchange for $200 to use on the new site.  Some of you have scored some major deals.  Congrats!

What a summer!  I truly believe that every woman on the planet will be carrying a JLTRT handbag because it sure feels like I sold every single woman (and a lot of men too) on this planet a handbag!

New special for September?  Get a Burberry Scarf with the purchase of any handbag!

The good times.  They keep coming.

Happy Shopping!!

The Final Countdown

The BUY TWO GET ONE FREE sale is ending. I loved doing it but I am so glad it's almost over.  Man, that has been a very successful promotion.

I am exhausted.  So much for taking the summer off :)

Folks, you got about 2 days to get over to the site (which is ALSO undergoing some VERY BIG changes) to buy your bags and get your order in.  I cannot extend the special for any period of time.

Once the special is over, it's over!

Happy Shopping!!

Wowee!

Good to see so many people into the Burberry coat from the previous post.  It is a beauty.  Now, I might have forgot to write that it is a FALL coat, not a winter coat.  Fall at best.  Costa Rica winter sure.  Canada winter  - NO.  Winter would laugh at that coat and give you frost bite in three minutes flat!

So the coat is sold out!  That is how positive the response has been.  Here's the new item. And here's an incentive to buy it.

Buy the Gucci skirt and get a $25.00 gift certificate to use on either site!!  Yes, buy this skirt:

which comes in size SMALL, MEDIUM OR LARGE, where SMALL is a Size 2, Medium is a size 4 and LARGE is a size 6 (what kind of world do we live in when a LARGE is size 6?  Sheesh!).  Sorry folks, do not hate on me.  I do not design or make these babies.  I just try to offer them to you.

The skirt is $100.00USD and includes shipping to Canada and the US.

I own this skirt.  I got it about 2 months ago and in the heat I have not been able to wear it at all.  It's wool for the love of God. 

I just wore it today (hence the reason I am offering it for sale) and it is MARVELLOUS.  You ever get that kind of wool where it's actually comfortable.  Where you're not scratching inappropriately because the fabric is killing you?

This is that good wool.  I love it.  I have it on with nylons but I could actually wear this without and still not feel itchy.

Folks, I am being honest when I say I am a proud size 4 for the past 20 years but in this skirt I'm sportin' a size 6 (that means at five feet tall I'm a LARGE - nice!).

It is cut teeny tiny.  The House of Gucci must be run by supermodels, who due to sheer hunger, are not very forgiving. 

Happy Shopping!!

Okay, Let's Try This

So yesterday I posted something about selling clothes and since yesterday I have been PLEASANTLY inundated with queries about clothes.  I so want to sell them. I just don't have a good system in place.  So for now I am going to pull a BEYOND THE RACK type system where I'll put a couple of things up for sale at a time for a very discounted price.  If you like it, you get it.  If you are unsure, don't get it.  Tomorrow is another day and more stuff will be up. 

I will be HONEST about sizing.  Designers for years have been criticized because they cut things too small.  Your average GAP small is NOT a designer small.  No way.  No how.  A designer small is size 0.  Plain and simple.  I take a size 4.  I am five feet tall.  I can barely get my fat ass (or it feels like it at the time) into many of the Large sized items that the designers have up.  Trust.  It's infuriating.  That is why I am trying to focus on coats and accessories.  Lord help us when we get into pants and dresses. 

So here is today's item. I'll have it on sale for a few days. 

Burberry Fall Coat.  The drab pictures first.

And the jazzed up, hot model pictures:

This coat would normally retail for $250 WITHOUT A DESIGNER named attached.  The actual Burberry coat is over $1000USD. 

I'm going to offer the coat for $135USD (that includes shipping only - I've inspected this coat more times than I'd like to admit) over the next couple of days.  THAT IS A VERY LOW PRICE for a coat.  I'm just trying to build up confidence FOR MY OWN SELF for selling online. I'm still very skeptical about it succeeding in this medium, but stranger things have happened.

If you want the coat, hit me up!

Happy Deal of the Day Shopping!!