Bon Chic, Bon Genre (BCBG)

Bon Chic, Bon Genre = Good Fashion, Good Life

Ah, Paris (pah ree)--I love all things French. The French know how to live. If you just take the label "BCBG" it's like they are marketing a French life style: dress well and you'll have a good life. Now if only life were really that simple--how nice would that be.

If I had to pick one clothing line that I could say was "me," it would be BCBG. When I walk into a boutique, I find that I like 80% of the pieces. Afterall, if it took me one hour to just pick this image for this post...can you imagine how long I spend browsing in the actual stores? My only critique is that the materials used is mainly cotton, nylon, silk or some blend of these. MaxStudio does a finer job in selecting fine clothing material and does a fabulous job in their stitching detail.

BCBG Shopping Tips:
Order online: All online items are returnable at boutique stores for a full refund! This is a real treat given that items purchased at the boutique itself have an "all sales final" policy (no returns allowed).
Best BCBG sales are at Macys (Pasadena on Lake; Ala Moana in Hawaii) and Saks Fifth Avenue (Newport Beach); Plus, all items are returnable at chain department stores.
Try the outlets for some good finds (Camarillo outlet in CA has the best selection)

Where to Shop:
Best BCBG store: Paris (exit the Madeline metro stop, approx 1-2 blocks from Fouchon)
Hawaii: BCBG boutique in Ala Moana mall; Macys Ala Moana; Nordstrom; Neiman Marcus
Mainland: Most malls and major department stores
Online: www.bcbg.com

Shout out to Julianna who treated me to a $400 shopping spree to BCBG and got me hooked on the BCBG line. She's my best shopping buddy--we can shop for hours in just one store.

What Not To Wear – Clinton Kelly Tips off Petites

I don’t watch a lot of television but when I want a good laugh, I turn the channel to TLC’s “What Not To Wear,” a half hour program dedicated to showcasing people who are stopped on the streets and lured into undergoing a fashion make-over. The catch? The person must be willing to discard their entire closet of clothes in exchange for a generous shopping allowance and wardrobe coaching from the show’s fashion experts.

Luckily for Hawai'i, “What Not To Wear’s” very own host, Clinton Kelly will be sharing his fashion tips and no-no’s for the island's Petites—a sizable yet often overlooked fashion group.

As a 5'1" petite myself, I know how hard it is to find such specialized fashion advice. And who better to learn from than Clinton Kelly himself.

Admission is free and open to the public. Clinton will also be autographing his new book, “Dress Your Best,” which comes as a free gift with a $100 purchase in the Macy’s Petites department. In addition, there will be a drawing for a $500 shopping spree with Clinton himself. Who knows, maybe you too can have your own private “What Not To Wear” session...without the televised embarrassment!

When: Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 1pm | Where: The Ala Moana Center at Macy’s | RSVP at 808.945.6427 or macyseventshi@macys.com