spruced by marlene

*I go away for a month and what happens? James designs a whole bunch of new handbags (did I ask to see the bags before I even said hello to James when I came home? No! Well, maybe). We’ve been busy taking pictures of them the past few of days. Here’s a little preview of his latest design. It’s a tote. It’s black. It’s amazing. And that’s only half of it. There’ll be more, lots more, next week. In fact, I’m pronouncing it “bag week” right now. It’ll be great!

*Here’s some great stuff from last week. Like the story behind Gwyneth’s Oscar dress, my favourite of the night. That picture of her and Cameron Diaz hanging out in their hotel before the Awards is just a big fat bonus.

*Looking for summer sandals? Cabinet have stocked up on K. Jacques. In neon. Go get ’em!

*Is 12 too young to keep a wardrobe diary? Not if you’re on “Mad Men”. Herewith, Kiernan Shipka’s detailed, and very much serious, descriptions of what she wears, including “my go-to velvet black pants by Ralph Lauren Kids with a new Miu Miu sweater of mine that I absolutely love: rose-printed, with a collar. Collars are my favorite!”

*But that’s not all. The Coveteur takes a peek inside her closet. Which is three times the size of mine. I repeat: She’s 12. I’m mad now.

*Miss Peng has it, I want it: The pajama shirt from Liebig, in stores from July.

*The New York Times goes social shopping (although why it’s called “social” is somewhat of a mystery to me).

*Juliette Tang: Photographer of books.

*You didn’t think I’d forget about Herr Lagerfeld, did you? How could I when he’s launched a website – called karl.com, naturally – with his very own World of Karl. Don’t waste any time and go directly to the section on “Karlisms”. This is the one I’ve printed out and pinned over my desk: “If someone gives me a To Do list, I say ‘Thank you, this is nice.’ One needs things to throw in the wastebasket.”

And with that let me wish you a very happy “bag” week.