Snobbing Breast Cancer: Turn Your Nose Up to a Killer!

At Snobby Seconds Consignment Boutique, we believe that being fabulous is more about the inner self than the outer. Wearing luxurious designer labels is great, but class and style are best exemplified when we are willing to give back to our neighborhoods, communities and world. In the spirit of giving, we proudly support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which raises money for awareness, education, outreach, screening, preliminary treatment and research.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 US women over the course of their lives, with a mortality rate higher than any other cancer except lung cancer. There are many risk factors that contribute to a diagnosis of breast cancer including age, obesity, genetics, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption. It is important that women of all ages educate themselves about this disease, and receive regular mammograms after the age of 40. Early detection saves lives.

Because we feel so strongly about the eradication of breast cancer, we will donate a portion of our annual sales to this worthy cause. We ask that you please join us in our continued commitment to support reputable charities. There is no greater joy than the joy of giving!

Designer Disaster: Too much of a "good" thing.

In life and in fashion, one must know when to say "when". Excess in any form, is usually not a good thing. For instance, food and sex are great, but when you eat so much that you're morbidly obese, or when your love of making love leads you to the wrong bed....well, I'm sure you can see that train wreck up ahead. This brings me to the topic of luxury, and more specifically designer items. There is nothing at all wrong with displaying your love of your favorite designer. Afterall, Its that adoration and enthusiasm that inspired me to get into this business. But there is something very wrong and dysfunctional about defacing (tattooing) your body with Chanel's CC's, plastering the walls of your home with Gucci logo wallpaper or wrapping your car (regardless of interior or exterior) with Louis Vuitton monogram detail. If you're an offender of any of this, I have a question for you: What message are you trying to send, OR more importantly what are you trying to PROVE?

On a smaller scale, its also quite gauche to wear every designer label that you own in one ensemble (although, if you're doing this, it probably isn't an ensemble). Another example is wearing the same designer label conspicuously from head to toe: Gucci shoes, Gucci shirt, Gucci jeans, Gucci bag, Gucci sunglasses...you get the point! This is what is meant by "too much of a good thing." Basically, you're probably trying too hard. And quite frankly, enough is enough! Please step away from the closet slooooooooowly.

It may come off humorously, but what I'm really trying to convey is that designer labels should only be one small aspect of what makes you fabulous. Its ok for people to be themselves and let some of their own personal magnetism shine through. I promise you, Tom Ford (Gucci's top designer) won't be offended.

Fake it till you make it? We don't think so!

With all the fuss surrounding designer labels, naturally there are those who want to cash in on all the hype. I'm not talking about the bona fide designers who have spent years in some of the world's most prestigious fashion institutes, studying and honing their craft. No, no...I'm referring to the designer predators...the leaches if you will, who make their living stealing and reproducing someone else's designs and ideas, only to flood the likes of Canal Street. Yes, those jerks who will eagerly sell you a poorly constructed piece of junk and charge you $200 for it because the "real" version retails for $2,000. That is NOT a bargain...that is criminal (literally).

OK, grant it the prices of authentic designer labels are exorbitantly high, and because of that, a lot of folks feel that "counterfeiting" is a relatively victimless crime. But consider this, when you purchase "knockoffs", you are supporting an industry that immorally infringes on the intellectual property of others, so there is an angle here that goes beyond sheer vanity. Regardless of how insane we think the prices are, no one has a right to commit "theft" to mitigate that. And honestly, copyright infringement actually drives up the cost of the authentic brands, and make no mistake, there are victims... FASHION victims. We have all seen them carrying high-priced knockoff bags with badly sewn seams and all too obvious "hardware". Its tacky! And I'm not saying that to be judgmental or SNOBBY (although I now use this term with a decidedly positive connotation).

In our estimation, it is much more savvy to purchase an authentic designer or vintage item from a reputable consignment shop or outlet than it is to buy a "knockoff". There are reasonably priced options available (even for the recessionista). Fake items send the message that you really want "Louis V", but you'll settle for his sub-par doppelganger. You may say "Who cares, its not that serious." Well, apparently it is that serious or designer counterfeiting wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar industry, complicit with unscrupulous sellers trying to pass off fakes as the real deal, and knockoff buyers (we see you) would just as soon purchase a nondescript leather handbag and call it a day, no?

But it is afterall a free country, and ladies you must do as you and your wallet (Gucci?) see fit. And yes, we know you're fabulous regardless, so don't take offense if you've owned a knockoff or two. Just offering our haughty, I mean HUMBLE opinion....Smooches!