Laila Rodriguez
Knock, knock! Who's there? - Halloween 2010 chez Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Traffic for GenevaLiving’s post on where to find Halloween costumes in the Lake Geneva area goes through the roof as we get close to the much-celebrated All Hallows‘ Eve.
Our list is still current and thanks to GenevaLiving reader, Sylvie Meinier, the Geneva section has been improved.
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Laila Rodriguez
Plainisphare music collection in Vich
VICH, SWITZERLAND – Jeff Duplain and Rolf Knüsel know about music, love it, produce it, collect it and sell it. Tons and tons of it. However, the two aging friends, have decided to close their shop, opened in 1974, and call it quits.
With the closing of their shop, about 60,000 CDs and a few remaining DVDs have been put on sale at their two-story store in Vich, near Gland.
Most of the music for sale is Jazz, but there are also hundreds of Blues, R&B, Gospel, World, Tango and Classical music CDs in stock.
Their collection, considered one of the best in Switzerland, is for sale for several reasons: the economic crisis, competition from Internet sales and downloads, and a “choking grip of major retailers in the market,” the friends said recently to the local press.
Although the sale began in September there is still plenty of ‘gold’ in their musical chest.
Rolf Knüsel told us they are “still clearing CDs and DVDs.”
“For those who come to our location, we drop the price 50%. Just please let us know before coming by,” he said.
Visit their website: http://www.plainisphare.ch/Plain/plain.htm#1
Laila Rodriguez
Hermes purses for sale in Geneva - Photo HdV
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Ever since moving to Geneva my interest in vintage has been growing and having recently found a summery Valentino dress for CHF10 at the La-Ville-est-a-vous flea-market in Geneva, I have come to believe that finding a vintage dress at a reasonable price is easier than finding used designer purses which are not counterfeit.
That is, finding a true vintage piece is not that easy.
When I found these two new resources I thought there was hope not only for me, but also for all of you purse-lovers in Geneva:
Although several vintage stores around the city carry some purses, only one in particular specializes in sacs-à-main, at Rue de la Cité 15, off Rue de Confederation in the old part of town. The owner carries mostly modern, newer models that are in mint condition. They sell for a fraction of the original prices. The consignment store is open Monday through Saturday from 14:00 to 18:00. The phone number is +41 (0) 79 202 4901.
The elusive Kelly bag - Photo HdV
That is not yet purse Nirvana; imagine buying your own “certified” Hermes, or a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk from the turn of the century. Search no more as the Hotel des Ventes in Geneva has a once-a-year sale specializing in “affordable” vintage goods.
In a recent news story, GenevaLunch’s editor described this auction house as the most affordable in Geneva, “with some 500 items that are valued at under CHF300,” and she was right.
Laila Rodriguez
One of the kits offered for sale - Photo Courtesy of Wool and the Gang
Geneva, Switzerland – Get set (wooden needles, Peruvian wool), knit-ready and go!
That is pretty much the idea behind Wool and the Gang a company which offers ready-to-knit kits, or for those who knit not, “ready-made knitwear.”
This is no grandma’s scarf business.
The self-described “funky, chic, basic and fun-knitting” company seeks to infuse fashion with durable clothes, equitable commerce and down-right hot patterns.
The wool comes from the Peruvian Andes and it is sheared by local women.
Laila Rodriguez
A Geneva humanitarian worker by day, a scary mummy in Halloween
Geneva, Switzerland – Few of us are able to equal the magnificent work here portrayed (left) by the winner of one of our past Halloween parties.
Loads of ingenuity, make up, nail polish, coffee and dedication, made of our guest the unbeatable champion of the party (you’d never guess there’s a handsome guy hidden beneath it all.)
I, on the other hand, am costume-challenged. If you are too, here is a list of places that sell or loan ready-made outfits.
Many thrift stores in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France carry loads of items you can mix and match for a truly outstanding, and low-priced costume, some of the stores take their déguisements out for Halloween and L’Escalade.
In addition, check the Migros and Coop hypermarchés for a small selection of kids outfits.
Geneva (updated 25 October thanks to Sylvie Meynier! Thanks)
Laila Rodriguez
Batiment de forces motrices where the fashion show will be hosted
Geneva, Switzerland - On 8 October Geneva meets vintage, meets fashion, meets charity.
Four charity organizations, the Salvation Army, CSP, Caritas and Emmaus; and the Geneva School of Arts and Design (HEAD), are hosting a vintage-inspired runway show with DJs, tango and the superb Geneva-based electronic duo Aloan.
The “Frip & Chic,” as the event is called will be hosted at the beautiful Bâtiment des Forces Motrices over the Rhone river.
All the dresses presented during the evening are original designs made with fabrics originating from second-hand clothes collected at the non-for-profit boutiques.
Laila Rodriguez
Geneva, Switzerland – This is Geneva shopping at its best: a Magnificent and Noble watch and jewel sale at Sotheby’s.
Colombian emeralds and fine diamonds parure for auction
Not all that glitters is gold, this one is a 52-carat diamond ring
I, for once, will be keeping an eye on the emeralds, on a 52-carat diamond ring and on some exceptional watches.
If you happen to have CHF7.23 million laying around, you could buy not only the diamond pictured above, but also the right to name it.
And where can you get a glimpse of all this glitter? At the Beau Rivage Hotel in Geneva. The exhibition of all items for sale begins on Saturday 8 May at 9:00, and remains open until the sale begins on 9 May at 20:00 hours.
The two-day auction promises colored diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and watches of “significance”, all on offer in the heart of Geneva. Read more…
Laila Rodriguez
Bargain shopping in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland – Two semi-annual kids’ consignment sales are taking place in the Lake Geneva region this weekend 17 and 18 April.
This is a fun, smart way to buy and sell (although it is now too late to register as a seller) kids’ toys, clothes, baby and sports equipment, books, DVDs and even some pregnancy clothes.
Laila Rodriguez
Preparing the big weekend sale
Geneva, Switzerland – Vintage handbags, designer suits & dresses – think Dior, Chanel, and American brands – will be for sale this weekend in Geneva and for a good cause: the Salvation Army-sponsored programs in Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland.
On Saturday 13 March the otherwise low-key store becomes a brand name vintage seller, so prepare to shop starting at 10:00.
Laila Rodriguez
Find the season's veggies in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland – What do you get if you mix: Local produce, food shopping, the internet and a bicycle? Before I answer this question, I have to say it came to my mind after reading my colleague’s (Jonell) blog about cardoons being in season. It reminded me of three things: Read more…