Archive for the ‘eBay Insider’ Category

Fifteen or so years ago, Mickey Boardman, the Creative Director of Paper magazine and a fashion front-row fixture who favors lime green Lacoste polo shirts topped with a bejeweled necklace and a glitter cardigan, fell in love with a woman. She was Queen Marie of Romania, and Boardman became besotted when he read her biography, The Last Romantic, by Hanna Pekula.

And thus began a sprawling collection of royalty books and memorabilia.

Fifteen or so years ago, Mickey Boardman, the Creative Director of Paper magazine and a fashion front-row fixture who favors lime green Lacoste polo shirts topped with a bejeweled necklace and a glitter cardigan, fell in love with a woman. She was Queen Marie of Romania, and Boardman became besotted when he read her biography, The Last Romantic, by Hanna Pekula. And thus began a sprawling collection of royalty books and memorabilia.

“I just thought her life was so amazing!” explains Boardman (who is perhaps better known by the moniker Mr. Mickey), as we sit chatting in his downtown Manhattan apartment, which has avocado abstract printed wall paper, orange polka-dot curtains, floor-to-ceiling Ikea bookshelves to hold royalty books, and a glass-fronted Heywood Wakefield cabinet in the kitchen for treasures like a King George VI biscuit tin.

“I just fell in love with Marie; she was so pretty and happy and upbeat! She was so famous, she’s even mentioned in Auntie Mame.”

“Hey Mickey!” I wonder. “Isn’t this the same Marie that Dorothy Parker immortalized with the lines ‘And love is a thing that can never go wrong, and I am Marie of Romania?’”

“Yes, Baby Lynnie, that’s her!”

OK, full disclosure: Boardman is one of my closest friends, even though, when it comes to monarchies, my sympathies are firmly on the side of the revolutionaries who bounced most of these nudniks out on their crowned heads. But enough about me. Why does Mr. Mickey love these sycophants and worthless creeps, anyway? (Ok, I don’t say this out loud; as I said, he’s a dear friend.) But I do ask him what exactly makes him spend his free time scouring palace gift shops and royalty websites for out-of-print books and commemorative dishware?

“I love history. I love people who are glamorous, fabulous and well dressed! Pioneers and leaders in their fields!” he replies, describing an infatuation that over the last decade and a half has resulted not only in an accumulation of tomes and trinkets, but also in real-life adventures like the Nicolas and Alexandra tour of St Petersburg organized by the Imperial Russian Historical Society.

Boardman’s royalty collection

But it all started with the books.  “I was at the Strand every weekend,” Boardman says of the sprawling New York bookstore that specializes in rare and out-of-print books. “The people that work there don’t know what they have; it made me crazy.” Even so, if you go all the time, miracles can happen. One day, high on a shelf accessible only by a library ladder, Boardman spied volume one of Marie’s Story of My Life, which he had been searching for, for like, forever.  “It was like a light from heaven!” he recalls.

Alas, other coveted volumes have remained elusive. Case in point: A Romanoff Diary by Grand Duchess Maria Georgievna. “Her heirs won’t let it be reprinted,” he says sadly. Once it was tantalizing within reach—for sale on eBay and languishing in the under $25 category. Mr. Mickey, feeling cocky, left a bid of $120 and took a shower. When he emerged, the auction was over and he was outbid at $123. “I curse hygiene to this day.”

Boardman’s collection has since expanded from books to plates, paintings, porcelain and even paperweights. The first non-book royalty item Boardman remembers purchasing was from the long-vanished flea market on Grand Street in Soho. “I found a dish commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to America,” he says.

Another favorite item, a special 300-page issue of the Spanish magazine Hola celebrating the 25th anniversary of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia that Boardman bought in Madrid, has been lost in the shuffle of his hectic life. He’s searching for a replacement copy on eBay, and he’s gone so far as to contact the people at Hola. But so far, do dice. Still, he can content himself with his Crown Princess Martha of Norway plate found at a flea in Copenhagen and his Queen Juliana and Prince Bernard of the Netherlands beaker that turned up at Toronto antiques fair.

“This is the kind of bust I love,” Boardman tells me, gently fondling a statue of the head of the emperor Frederick III of Germany. “He only ruled 99 days; he had throat cancer. He was for total democracy. The trouble with a lot of royalty re-creations is, a lot of the busts are not so hot; they’re just made of resin.” He disappears into the bedroom, then trots back with another head in his hands. “This is Augustus the Strong of Saxony, and it’s Meissen porcelain. I bought it in Dresden. I had to pay like over $100 for it.”

But Boardman doesn’t bathe all his royal subjects in unqualified adulation. Though he loves his Victor Emmanuel III wall hanging, he is forced to admit that, “actually he was kind of an a-hole, he collaborated with Mussolini.” Are the dicey politics of the former King of Italy the reason that this item now decorates a spot directly behind Mr. Mickey’s commode? “Oh no! Actually, I think it adds a little dash of pageantry to the bathroom.”

Shop eBay Like Mickey Boardman

1. Volume Two of Mr. Mickey’s Favorite Book

The Story Of My Life -V. 2 Queen Of Roumania Marie (buy it now price, $25.39)

2. Russian Dressing

Russian Print Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanov Tsar (buy it now price, $24.99)

3. Dish Network

Prince of Wales Edward VIII 1930s Naval Dish (starting bid, $1.50)

4. Mugging for the Cameras

Paragon Bone China Souvenir Mug of Prince Charles Boy (starting bid, $4)

5. Going For the Bronze

Spain Royalty King Juan Carlos I Bronze Medal 1975 (buy it now price, $30)

**Images provided by Boardman**

Lynn Yaeger is a fashion writer who contributes frequently to Vogue, Travel & Leisure, the Sundance Full Frontal Fashion site and the New York Times T magazine. She lives in an unrenovated circa 1925 apartment in downtown Manhattan, a space that she shares with far to many vintage reindeer sweaters, 1920s coats, and well loved dolls that last saw action in the First World War.

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TRENDS
1) The Inside Source readers are obsessed with trends–what’s in, what’s out and what’s up-and-coming–and you are certainly the go-to resource. In “Nina’s Notes/101 Ideas” in the April Issue of Marie Claire, you mention light and earthy bags in retro boxy shapes, unexpected florals, flashes of nude, military, raffia, clogs, gingham and way more as some of the hot trends for spring. Which trend are you most excited about for this season?
For Spring I am very excited about the resurgence of military looks. From Rag+Bone to Balmain and Marc Jacobs, the military cargo pant is definitely the new go-to item.
 
2) What will we see you personally wearing for spring–what will be your personal spring style uniform?
 I have to say I am inspired by the Minimalist trend for myself. I cannot think of a better way to start off the decade than with a clean slate! Some of my favorite designers who demonstrated “less is more” are Phoebe Philo at Celine, Stefano Pilati at YSL, and Helmut Lang.

3) What trend are you most excited to see go?
I can’t say I have ever been a fan of head –to-toe dressing. There are so many great options out there and resources to mix and match and create your own style!

4) The rest of us are still on spring, but the fashion world is already thinking about fall! Can you give us a glimpse into some of your favorite falls trends and where you saw them (i.e. which designers/shows)?
 It was so refreshing to see a season with REAL winter pieces! From chunky knits to thick coats I didn’t know where to look first! I loved that it was a season of outerwear, from the detail-oriented to the minimalist. Reed Krakoff and Burberry had some amazing shearling coats, Prada made some beautiful ladylike jackets with a twist, capes were big at Philip Lim and Vena Cava, and Tory Burch showed a new twist on the military parka with leather inserts and fur lining.
 

5) What’s an upcoming trend that will surprise us?
*The thigh high legwear!  Alexander Wang had a thick ribbed legwarmer version that covered the shoe, and Prada showed a folded down knit and velour knee sock with ruffled detail tucked into ladylike heels.
 
GREEN
6) As you well know, starting April 7th in honor of Earth Month, eBay will be auctioning off more than 30 items and experiences donated by staffers at Hearst magazines, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Nature Conservancy.  One of the prizes donated by Marie Claire–which we’re sure will be a huge hit–is the chance to meet you and to receive a personal tour of the Marie Claire fashion closet. What’s the most surprising thing a visitor might see there?
They’ll have to come and see for themselves! It’s a well oiled machine…

7) Another prize includes a copy of your books–The Little Black Book of Style and The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own. (The latter is a very green concept indeed, as it indicates that you can build a wardrobe out of pieces that will last a lifetime!) We already know about the LBD and the perfect white shirt. What is an item with the kind of longevity that might surprise us? Maybe something that didn’t even make it into the book yet it something you turn to again and again?
People would be surprised to hear what an advocate of belts I am! If you have a really great belt it can really add something to an outfit, either high on the waist, over a blazer or cardigan, or even to break up a LBD! It’s also a great way to get something iconic from a designer without blowing your yearly rent budget.

Based on the “30 Better Buys” roundup in the MC April issue, it’s clear that there is a” virtual green market” of options out there that are at once stylish and eco-friendly. How have you seen the fashion world embrace the concept of “green” in recent years?
I think as an industry, we have really come together with a common goal. From the huge increase in “eco-friendly” brands, to the growth of charities and auctions related to environmental awareness, we have really made an effort to prioritize the concept of “green.” Take for example Christie’s first ever “Green Auction” taking place this year on Earth Day; it is a perfect instance of the fashion (and art) world coming together to raise awareness and finances for environmental non-profit organizations.

9) Project Runway, where you are a judge (not to mention a main attraction), often features challenges in which contestants are assigned to give new life to something–again, a very green concept as it reduces the use of resources, limits manufacturing waste and keeps items out of landfills. Contestants have re-purposed everything from items found in grocery store aisles to goods purchased in NY’s flower district to spare car parts. What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen re-purposed? (Could be anything from a Project Runway example to a company that makes new sweaters out of recycled cashmere to a friend who has turned an old vase into a fabulous new lamp stand.)
This season’s hardware store challenge was truly eye opening; the use of paint trays, garbage bags, nuts and bolts was really amazing! But I have to say, my favorite would still have to be the Corn Husk dress in Season 1.

eBay

10) Are you an eBay shopper? If so, what do you shop for on the online marketplace? Any favorite eBay search terms?
 *lets skip

11) What is your favorite eBay purchase of all time?
 *lets skip

12) Many of the fashion folks we’ve interviewed for The Inside Source are major collectors–of everything from Basalt Wedgwood to reindeer sweaters to vintage beer cans. What do you collect? If you’ve ever purchased something for a collection on eBay, please elaborate!
*lets skip

13) We’d love for you to share your eBay wish list with us. Please pick 5 items you are searching for on eBay right now and let us know why you picked them. Please provide links if possible. Or, provide generic items (i.e. “a Holmegaard vase”) and we can find the exact items.

Ebay is great for out of print fashion books. Thankfully so many people know how to take care of their books and they sell them in pristine condition as a perfect addition to my library!

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Stuck in Palm Beach because of a weather emergency, the irrepressible Simon Doonan, the Creative Director of Barneys, and his life partner, the quirky potter-slash-entrepreneur Jonathan Adler, get on the phone to gab with Lynn Yaeger about collecting.

“What’s great about plates is, you can wash them! I’m very prissy. I like a collectible you can Windex. That gives me beaucoup de joie!’ says the irrepressible Simon Doonan, the Creative Director of Barneys, when I catch up with him by phone to ask him about his collecting habits.

Doonan is stuck in Palm Beach because of a weather emergency, but that’s ok because 1) his life partner, the quirky potter-slash-entrepreneur Jonathan Adler, is right there with him and 2) this unforeseen delay means they have even more time to explore the thrift shops on Dixie Highway, where, Doonan says, “We have found so much groovy stuff over the years. What did we find there, Johnnie?” he calls out, and I hear Adler in the distance answer,  “Weird ‘60s paintings, totally freaky stuff!” Not to mention some of those super-cleanable vintage dishes.

Doonan became so obsessed by a group of 1970s plates issued by artist Leroy Neiman and depicting a variety of clowns (“One of them looks like Leigh Bowery,” he tells me) that he has managed to fully assemble three sets, one for each of his and Adler’s residences in Palm Beach, Manhattan, and Shelter Island.  “I actually found a lot of them online. There are five in the series, and I found the first at the 26th Street Market [in New York]. Then, I became so obsessed it set off an eBay frenzy! They make you feel good! They’re better than a dose of Zoloft!”

When pressed as to what he’s buying right now, Doonan says he loves Liberty of London floral prints—so much so that he is considering the purchase of a pair of Liberty of London for Target bicycles, a collectible of the future if ever there was one. “We could ride around Shelter Island on them! I hope people won’t throw rocks at us.”

Plates and bikes notwithstanding, Doonan denies being a fanatical collector. That definition, he cheerfully confides, describes his Johnnie, who takes the phone and admits that he is tooling around on eBay even as we speak.  “I tried for a long time to kick it—it was a bad addiction. But now I’m back.” As for his other half, Adler claims that Doonan’s hands are hardly clean when it comes to compulsive collecting: “We’re both on the hunt for a bit of butch man-tiquing.”

Adler is full of good advice when it comes to the general rules of accumulation: he knows you may have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the object of your dreams. And he insists that you must be rigorous in vanquishing those amphibians: “You have to not be afraid of throwing stuff out.” So what is Adler hunting for these days? “A lot of Gemma Taccogna—she was a cool Mexican chick who made groovy paper mache heads.  Anna Sui has a ton of her stuff.” Does Adler have a ton too?  “I have about 10. I need to crank it up. I hope I buy them all before this article comes out!” What else?  “I find that Blenko glass is a great a space filler. Any awkward space, just add a bunch of colored glass.”

Suddenly Doonan chimes in that oh, they forgot to tell me, they also collect something called horological collages. “I think I cornered the market on vintage car collages made from old watch parts.” Somewhere in the back of my brain there is a trace memory of this sort of thing hanging on a den wall in Massapequa where I lived (and happily left) many decades ago.” Not only are Doonan and Adler collectors of these, er, works of art, but they are also scholars of the genre. “A lot of them were made by a British dude from the ‘60s called Kersh.  And also a guy called Ken Broadbent,” Doonan elucidates. “They’re mostly British. I have about 50.” Is it a problem, displaying 50 horological collages?  “It’s all a problem, a huge problem,” Adler adds in.  “But they’re cute! They’re mostly eight by ten inches, but we have a really big one that’s like five feet wide.”

Just before we hang up, Adler shares with me one more poignant category of collectibles he is searching for. “I’ve actually bought back a lot of my own stuff. I just found a vase that I made in the late ‘90s. When you make stuff all the time, you sometimes don’t treat it as reverently—you’re on to the next thing. It’s great to find your own old stuff.”

And herein may lie the key to his whole collecting philosophy:  “I make stuff for a living, I pour my heart into it. So I’m always looking for stuff by people who bring the same inspiration and passion to their work as I bring to mine.”

Shop eBay Like Adler and Doonan

1. Heading for Adler’s collection?

Vintage Gemma Taccogna Pin Cushion Papier Mache Head (starting bid, $59.99)     

2. A thousand clowns

Leroy NEIMAN Royal Doulton PIERROT Collector Plate (buy it now price, $49)

3. Garden variety

Liberty of London Target Bike ladies cruiser (current bid, $600)

4. Glass menagerie

Vintage Clear Crystal Blenko 6 1/8″ Glass Ash Tray (buy it now price, $23.99)

5. Dude, where’s my car?

UNIQUE L. KERSH COLLAGE-ROLLS ROYCE COUPE 1930 (current bid, $9.99)

6. China syndrome

Jonathan Adler Duckling Vase (buy it now price, $60)

Photo of Adler and Doonan by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Barneys

Lynn Yaeger is a fashion writer who contributes frequently to Vogue, Travel & Leisure, the Sundance Full Frontal Fashion site and the New York Times T magazine. She lives in an unrenovated circa 1925 apartment in downtown Manhattan, a space that she shares with far to many vintage reindeer sweaters, 1920s coats, and well loved dolls that last saw action in the First World War.

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I am counting down the days to the birth of my first child, but I don’t want baby’s room to be covered in cartoons or bathed in pastels. Here’s how to design a stylish nursery that can transition as your child grows older. These ideas will help you save money and stay chic, even with a little one in your midst.

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140 characters may not seem like a lot to begin with. Now, take those 140 characters and use them to organize a massive charity event across 200 plus cities and online, where an eBay auction features donations from celebrities who Tweet.

140 characters may not seem like a lot to begin with. Now, take those 140 characters and use them to organize a massive, one-day charity event across 200 plus cities. For the second year in a row, Amanda Rose will be doing just that. Rose is the founder of Twestival, a one-day charity event that uses Twitter to mobilize people and resources to raise money for charity. While last year’s event raised more than $250,000 for the global water non-profit Charity Water, this year’s Twestival, which takes place on March 25th, will be in support of the education-based charity Concern Worldwide. eBay has joined the festivities this year in the form of an auction featuring donations from celebrities who Tweet.

According to Rose, Twestival got its beginnings in the form of a charity-oriented Tweetup—an event where people who Tweet come together in-person—at a local pub, in 2008. “I took the idea and ran with it, and less than two weeks after the original idea came my way, we had a canned-goods drive [with over 250 people in attendance] and raised over 1,000 British Pounds for a local charity,” she says. After the success of the first mini-Twestival, Rose, who wrote her dissertation for her Master’s in Communication about Twitter, decided to expand the event. “The initial idea was a one-day, one-cause event in cities around the world, sort of like a Live Aid scenario. Within a week I had a 100 cities sign up. And so it began!” she told us.

Flickr images from Twestival including the Twestival SF DJ Chicken

Flash forward to 2010. This year, Rose expects about 200 cities to participate in countries around the world, including Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and more. Twestival events, which will occur on March 25th, include concerts, art shows, DJ’ed parties, bowling events and more. Rose uses Twitter to engage and connect local organizers and attendees. She tells us, “People from each city tend to start sending messages around like, ‘Can anyone put together a map for the event?’ and a local artist will reply and say, ‘I can do that!’ You see the discussions happening organically and it is fantastic. After not too long, you have an entire city-wide event organized via Twitter. In our case, we have hundreds of cities across the globe doing this for one main cause.”

Rose chose Concern Worldwide as this year’s charity because she wanted to support education and believed in the grassroots work the organization has been doing around the world for the past 40-plus years.

For individuals who can’t make it to a Twestival event, there are lots of ways to get involved. The event will be live streamed, starting in New Zealand and ending in Hawaii. “We also have something called Twestival FM,” Rose says. “We’ve invited artists from around the world to donate their music on our website. The Twestival FM page looks like a map, so you can locate where each artist is around the world and download songs. Last year, we raised $5,000 [through this channel] and hopefully this year, we will surpass that number!”

Then, of course, there is the eBay auction, which runs from March 16th through 26th and features signed items from chef Jamie Oliver, actress Alyssa Milano, and rock band The Counting Crows; the opportunity to meet NBC Anchor Ann Curry and tour NBC Studios; a behind-the-scenes tour of Wine Library TV and more. “Probably my favorite item right now is from [singer] Imogen Heap,” Rose says. “She is a huge advocate of social media. The lucky winner of her auction item will be able to request a song that she will record live at her upcoming concert in Melbourne, Australia, which also happens to be the night of Twestival. The lucky winner will not only get the master track of their requested song, but will also be given the recording by Imogen Heap herself during a private outing with the artist.” The eBay auction page features a  live stream of all the Twestival comments as well as Twitter feeds from the auction donors. “Everyone knows about eBay, but to feel closer to whom your donor is, to actually connect with them via Twitter is really fantastic. Additionally, having an online auction with eBay enables people to donate to the cause if they can’t attend an event,” Rose says.

Lexi Green is a Brooklyn-based design, fashion, and shopping writer. She is currently a Master’s Degree candidate at Pratt Institutes’s environmental sustainability program.

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Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams are the co-founders of In Good Company Workplaces, a New York-based company that supports women entrepreneurs, not only be providing them with a physical workspace, but also by offering educational opportunities and networking events to help build a business. In a marathon interview/browse-athon, Lancaster and Abrams, whose shopping savvy is as impressive as their business acumen, shared their personal shopping lists, as well as their must-have tools for a successful early-stage entrepreneur.

Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams, In Good Company Workspaces

Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams are the co-founders of In Good Company Workplaces, a New York-based company that supports women entrepreneurs, not only be providing them with a physical workspace, but also by offering, according to Lancaster, “access to colleagues, collaboration, and educational programs to help build a business.” Among those programs: inFocus, an in-depth, month-long focus on a specific entrepreneur, for which I’m honored to be the featured participant for the month of March. As I’ve gotten to know Lancaster and Abrams over the past few months in preparation for the InFocus program, I’ve been impressed both by their business acumen as well as by their savvy shopping skills, particularly on eBay, where both are frequent shoppers.

In a marathon interview/browse-athon, Lancaster and Abrams shared their personal shopping lists with me, as well as their must-have tools for a successful early-stage entrepreneur.

Amy Abrams’ “Shopping Again” Shopping List

With a masters in counseling psychology (a degree that Lancaster shares), Amy Abrams has been helping people launch business for most of her professional career. A master at productivity to begin with, the fashion lover wanted to see how much more she could accomplish by taking her beloved shopping habit out of the equation (eg. what more she check off on her endless to do list with the time and money she’d save if she skipped the Diane von Furstenberg sample sale)? So she presented herself with the ultimate New Year’s Resolution challenge: In what she named her No Shopping Experiment, Abrams decided not to shop from January 1st through April 8th, her birthday. Though she ended up throwing in the towel a bit early, because, she says, “as it turns out, I missed shopping, as it is a creative outlet for me to see what is out there,” she nevertheless made it for almost a full two months.

Now that Abrams is shopping again, she was more than happy to shop eBay with us. A longtime eBay lover, she tells us of her her favorite eBay purchase, “I saw a woman on the subway who had the most gorgeous bag. She said she purchased it years ago. I looked on eBay for a few months and found it. It was a limited edition bag, so it was very rare. A woman was unloading a big collection and the tags were still on! It was amazing and I got it for a great deal. I love it and smile every time I wear it, thinking of how I scored it!” Here’s what Abrams has her eye on right now.

1. Deco Assuit Shawl (buy it now price, $319)

“I purchased a shawl like this when traveling in Argentina. It is amazing. I receive zillions of compliments every time I wear it. They are very rare but worth the splurge. They make any outfit feel like a million dollars.”

2. Antique Gold Bracelet with Rubies (buy it now price, $499)

“I love, love bangle bracelets. And I am a total sucker for rubies.”

3. Gold, Turquoise and Pearl Locket (buy it now price, $591.89)

“Lockets: love, love them. They are amazing and make wonderful gifts too!”

4. Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Earrings (buy it now price, $1,900)

“My most favorite style of jewelry is Art Deco. It is so stylish, timeless and often uses a bezel setting, which I love. When I was getting engaged, my husband took images of jewelry that I liked on eBay that was all art deco style and gave them to the designer, who made me an engagement ring with rubies and diamonds in the art deco tradition. In case my husband is looking for gifts to add to my Art Deco collection, here is something to add to my wish list.”

5. Japanese Antique Sewing Box (buy it now price, $180)

“Vintage wooden sewing boxes are so cute and great for storing jewelry or other treasures.”

6. 1960s Schwinn Tandem Two Seater (buy it now price, $299)

“And what I would really, really love…”

Adelaide Lancaster’s Baby Nursery Wish List

Given that Lancaster and I are expecting our first babies within a few months of one another, I couldn’t resist asking her to share her baby shopping list. While she usually uses eBay to stock up on sporting equipment (”there is no better place to buy golf clubs,” she says), she’s changed her focus of late to stylish nursery decor. “Kids’ style-wise I’m not really into cartoon-y cutesy or pink,” she says. “I would really like the nursery to go with the rest of the house, be something that is appropriate for at least two years (our proposed move date) and generally be a room that makes me happy to be in and look at. It should have pieces that I wouldn’t mind having elsewhere in the house.”

1. Pair of Room & Board Club Chairs (winning bid, $510)

“We are starting with a white crib, white bookcases, cream colored rug, and brown and cream floral curtain. So I’m really looking for accent pieces that help tie everything together and make it feminine but not girly. (We just found out that we’re having a girl.) We need a great white upholstered chair and this one from Room & Board is fabulous.”

2. Dwell Studio Crib Sheet (winning bid, $12)

“Anything Dwell Studio is just adorable and though they are pink, I like these sheets because of the shades used. The style is modern and pretty.”

3. 1919 Vogue Magazine Cover Poster (starting bid, $9)

“I would love to frame vintage Vogue magazine covers, along with vintage Barbie prints and travel posters, for over the changing table.”

4. Eloise (winning bid, $14.75)

“Without giving too much away about the name (hint, hint), I have bid on this original copy of Eloise!  Hope I get it.”

5. New Wicker Storage Basket (buy it now price, $24.99)

“White wicker baskets for the white bookshelves.”

6. New Jellycat Stuffed Bunny Rabbit (buy it now price, $14)

“I love the Jellycat plush animals and had a special stuffed bunny as a little girl, so this is a must. “

The Entrepreneur’s Secret Secret (Shopping) Weapons

The physical space at In Good Company Workplaces is wildly different from the stereotypical “office space.” Exposed brick walls, sleek white workstations, and lots of flowers, open space and glass contribute to “productivity and communication and relationship-building” among entrepreneurs who use the space, says Lancaster. “It was important that it was professional but not stuffy, and feminine but not girly.” Here are Abrams’ and Lancaster’s equally stylish picks for entrepreneurs on the go.

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Of all the fashion capitals, London produces the most daring fashion. So naturally, the trends that come off the London Fashion Week runways are usually the most progressive of the season.

Mark Fast & Mary Katrantzou (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage)

Balenciaga Kaffiyeh Beaded Dress (winning bid, $2,036.99)
 
 

 
Marni Golden Silk & Wool Patchwork Tank Top (buy it now price, $269)
 
 
 Robert Cordero is editor at JC Report, an influential online global style publication, where he also works on the new media company’s business development and marketing initiatives.
 

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Save the date! eBay and designer Narciso Rodriguez announce February 15, 2010 as the official on-sale date of the much-anticipated Narciso Rodriguez for eBay Collection. The designer’s first-ever original capsule collection will be sold exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay store, redefining how and where savvy shoppers can buy designer fashion at extraordinary value.

Save the date! eBay and designer Narciso Rodriguez announce February 15, 2010 as the official on-sale date of the much-anticipated Narciso Rodriguez for eBay Collection. The designer’s first-ever original capsule collection will be sold exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay store, redefining how and where savvy shoppers can buy designer fashion at extraordinary value.

The eight-piece limited-edition collection bears the designer’s signature, streamlined look and sophisticated color blocking, created in a red, black and white color palette. The collection will be offered at accessible, fixed price points ranging from $65 – $350, in sizes 0 to 14, and available for purchase exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay store.

Download the eBay iPhone app now to shop the Narciso Rodriguez Collection for eBay on the go starting February 15.
 
Rodriguez, a three-time Council of Fashion Designers of America winner, is a celebrity fashion favorite who regularly dresses the likes of Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Weisz, Claire Danes and Jessica Alba. For more information, visit http://pages.ebay.com/NarcisoRodriguezforebay.com/

**Collage composed of Narciso Rodriguez’s sketches for the eBay collection.**

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Still searching for a Valentine’s Gift that’s a little more heartfelt than chocolate and roses? The Inside Source Editorial Director Meredith Barnett appeared on Fox & Friends this Sunday to offer truly personal gift ideas inspired by some of the latest trends. Watch the video with host Alisyn Camerota.

Still searching for a Valentine’s Gift that’s a little more heartfelt than chocolate and roses? The Inside Source Editorial Director Meredith Barnett appeared on Fox & Friends this Sunday to offer truly personal gift ideas inspired by some of the latest trends. Catch the video here with host Alisyn Camerota, and check out the specifics below.

Plus, for more great gift ideas, check out our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.

Trend 1: OLD WORLD ROMANCE

Your love should be as timeless as these heirloom style pieces.

Antique Heart Shaped Keys: Antique keys are a beautiful collectible and can also be strung on a chain and worn as a necklace. The little hearts in these make them special for the holiday.

Vintage Valentine Cards: These are really special. They are Valentine’s cards from the early 1900s with gold paper and lace. So much more romantic then sending a modern paper card; you could absolutely put them in a frame.

Victorian Cabachon Brooch: The pink stone is a nod to the holiday, but the brooch can be worn year round. Make this look modern by wearing a bunch of clustered brooches on a t-shirt or blazer.. [$40 on eBay]

Small Heart Shaped Dishes: These litte dishes look like mother of pearl so they have that very nostalgic tough. You can use them all the time – to store jewelry, to display candy, etc…[$30 each, by Jan Burtz]

Trend 2: RETRO ROMANCE

Graphic, clean-lined mid-century modern collectibles inspired by Mad Men let you escape to another era.

Glass Cocktail Tumblers: These glasses are actually brand new but they have such a retro look. We mixed them with this authentic mid-century cocktail shaker. [$150 for set of six]

1950’s Cocktail Pitcher: If you decided not to splurge on a romantic meal out this year, host a big night in with friends. While th red Bakelite handle makes this feel seasonal, you can use it all year round. [about $40]

Vintage Super 8 Movie Camera: Low tech is hip again. Use this authentic 1960s-era movie camera (it still works!) for making romantic home movies with an old-timey vibe.  [$20 on eBay]

Antique Cufflinks: Cufflinks are always a no-fail gift for guys and come in a huge variety of price points. Look for a pair with a hint of the holidays, but that doesn’t go overboard. Red enamel or Bakelite are always a good bet.

Trend 3: ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day icons like hearts and flowers can be so cloying. For likeminded skeptics who crave a little edginess without venturing into the realm of bad tattoo art territory, here are some objects that help you think outside the heart shaped box.

“Aorta” Vase: This creamy white porcelain bud vase is so classically elegant, but the fact that it’s modeled after the real blood-pumping muscle gives it a slightly macabre feeling. ( $40 on eBay)

 Jonathan Adler “Love” and “Hate” pillows: Jonathan Adler makes wonderful, whimsical things for your home like these “love/hate” pillows—in a very old-is-new again needlepoint.. The juxtaposition between the words and the is so fun — it will definitely make your Valentine’s Day Grinch smile. [$175 each]

 Heart and Dagger Pillow by Michele Varian: The dagger is tough, but the bright pink suede keeps this pillow sweet. This gorgeous throw pillow makes a statement all year round. [on sale for $171]

 “Love is Not Dead” Necklace: This acrylic comes from designers Alex + Chloe. You can see the way the letters are melting — they manage to be both cheeky and flirty and dark all at the same time. [Vday sale for $30]

 True Blood Season 1 DVD set: Millions of caught on to the guilty pleasure of this hit HBS show. Join in the campy fun or revisit for a second time around. [$50 on sale at Barnes + Noble].

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One of eBay’s top diamond sellers tells us why it’s more fun to design your own engagement ring. Give it a whirl—you could win your dream ring (valued up to $25,000) with eBay’s Build Your Bling contest.

Sure, a Valentine’s Day proposal is romantic, but it’s even better if you’re happy with his ring choice, right?

One of eBay’s top jewelry sellers has joined forces with the online marketplace to make designing your own engagement ring easier than ever before. They’re even giving away a brand new diamond ring. (See details below.) eBays new Diamond Ring Designer allows shoppers to build a bauble based on cut—cushion, round, princess, etc.—clarity, color—white, blue, pink—and of course, price. You also get to choose your setting as well as the metal from which your band is made. There are 50,000 stones available, which really makes it pretty easy to find exactly what you want.

Charlie Hollander, owner of the Gem Stone King, is the seller partnering with eBay to run the program. He says that every stone available on the Diamond Ring Designer is approved by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which means its quality is vouched for. What’s more, Hollander deals directly with about 15,000 suppliers, which cuts the cost of the middlemen involved in sites that sell branded diamond rings. He says that, along with great value, the appeal of the site is choice. “There are literally thousands and thousands of options to consider,” says Hollander. And it always helps that the Diamond Ring Designer is run by a company that consumers already trust. “You feel confident of the quality when you’re shopping on here, which is important.”

Want to try to build your own ring but need a little inspiration? Hollander was kind enough to lead us on the inside track to the latest trends in engagement rings.

Colored Diamonds

Colored diamonds are still going strong years after Jennifer Lopez’s canary yellow diamond hit the tabloid pages. “They’re still very much in fashion,” says Hollander.

1.4 Carat Round Certified Pink and White Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $2,250); 1 Carat Certified Pink Diamond Solitaire (buy it now price, $2,850); 1.32 Carat Canary Yellow and White Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $2,850)

Diamonds and Silver

As shoppers continue to keep their wallets tight, the combination of silver and diamond is becoming a more accepted alternative to platinum or gold, according to Hollander. “People want to get the most value for their money these days.”

Natural Diamond Silver Ring (buy it now price, $29.99); .16 Carat White Diamond and Silver Ring (buy it now price, $98); .1 Carat Black Diamond Ring (buy it now price, $65)

Cushion and Round Cut Diamonds

When it comes to diamond shape, vintage-inspired cushion cut and round diamonds still rule.

3.9 Carat Natural Black Onyx and Diamond 14K While Gold Ring (buy it now price, $785); 2.14 Carat Round Certified Diamond Engagement Ring (buy it now price, $4,395); 6.5 Carat Round Platinum Diamond Eterinty Wedding Band (buy it now price, $7,950)

Want to score your dream ring this Valentine’s Day? eBay and Brides magazine invite The Inside Source readers to enter “Build Your Bling,” a nationwide contest whose winner will win a new diamond ring worth up to $25,000.

Through February 19, visit eBay’s Diamond Ring Designer and submit your dream ring design. The public will vote on their favorite design and the creator of the winning ring will see her vision realized.

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