Piperlime’s secret sale! Enjoy 15% off women’s final sale shoes, already up to 70% off. Enter TOPSECRET at checkout by April 27.

Introducing Atsui Tokyo, a new shop in Seattle that specializes in Japanese women’s wear.

Atsui Tokyo is nary a year old and dedicated exclusively to Japanese designer brands — owner Jay Doughten tells me their focus is on up-and-coming designers in Japan. He also mentioned that their women’s lines run small and are intended for girls who are average Japanese size or smaller, which is 5’4”.

Jay went on to explain that some designers like Yohji or Comme des Garcons can be found in department stores in the US and have been around for 20-plus years, but that they are typically too expensive or too difficult to wear to be considered “mainstream” in Japan. So through Atsui Tokyo, his concept is to offer unique, high-end styles that are cut for smaller, petite woman — without breaking the bank.

Two designers in Japan are particularly hot right now: Aya Noguchi and Hideki Takai.

Aya Noguchi has four labels at Atsui, including Filly O’Lynx, Galatea, Cookie Fortune, and Balcony & Bed. Each line is slightly different in the concept, but sizing is standard all around: typical Japanese cuts for 5’4” or shorter.

Aya Noguchi’s line includes A-line styles and pieces designed for layering. Most dresses can be worn alone, or dressed down with leggings or denim. Everything is ultra versatile.

The specifics: Filly O’Lynx is a fun, feminine line for everyday wear. Cookie helps round out a wardrobe with accessories and comfy jersey tops and dresses. Balcony’s concept is dedicated to quality and comfort—ideal for a more mature audience. And Galatea is the quintessential party line with hot evening attire. Most pieces are one-size and will fit US sizes 0-4.

Hideki Takai for Stodja features a flashy and fun avant-garde design with styles that are street-ready and totally addictive. Dresses and coats make up its most expensive pieces, ranging from $200 - $400, with tops averaging under $100. Obviously, these pieces move quickly!

Underneath it all, look to Gunze, the leading underwear and leg wear manufacturer in Japan. Atsui carries their line, Tuche (the boutique’s most popular brand), which includes leggings, tights, stockings and socks with fabulous designs at reasonable prices. Sizing is one-size (M-L) and will fit US 0-4 with a max height of 5’5”.

You’ll want to check out both their online shop and their blog—Jay tells me they keep their content fresh so you can find what you’re looking for. And if you can’t, simply send him an email.
Jay would like to offer serafina readers a 20% off discount on any in-store, e-mail, or phone orders from now until May 31st on any purchases over $100!  Please have any inquires e-mailed to sales (at) atsuitokyo (dot) com.

Does a woman’s intuition include knowing exactly when your favorite brand goes on sale? Unlikely. But I’ve found something that’ll manage that task for us: Shop It To Me.

This Web site is just plain brilliant (much like a woman’s intuition). Simply select your favorite brands, and you’ll receive daily or weekly emails on sale items in your size. Miraculous, isn’t it?

A few notable petite-sized brands include Theory, Banana Republic, Ella Moss, Juicy Couture, Seven Jeans, and many more.

And yes, I checked nearly every box…

There are a handful of great cardigans at Eileen Fisher this spring. I especially like these cardigans because they’re classic and can be worn for most occasions. And they’re petite. Which is what we want…

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Eileen Fisher Cropped Cardigan with 3/4 Sleeves | 0P | $128

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Shaped Linen Cardigan | 0P | $158

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Eileen Fisher Stand Collar Cotton Cardigan | 0P | $258

With wedding season right around the corner diamonds are on the minds of both single and hitched gals. Because what better way to add sparkle and glitter to your wedding day than with diamonds? After all, these precious gems are a girl’s best friend.

When choosing diamond jewelry for your wedding, Abazias Diamonds recommends designs that complement the style of your bridal gown. Considering a strapless gown or a plunging neckline? Long diamond earrings paired with an Abazias’ Diamond Pendant will show off that glowing décolleté of yours, while adding a bit of elegance.

For those brides planning to wear their hair down, you’ll want to skip flashy earrings since your hair will likely hide them. Instead, grace those wrists with diamond-rich bracelets, like the White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet from Abazias Diamonds. And don’t forget about that wedding band. Super-sparkly diamonds add to the glitter of your special day. For hats with veils, diamond pins add a graceful, modern touch.

You’ll also want to consider the ceremony when shopping for rings. Traditional white weddings are synonymous with diamonds. But if you want silver tones in your wedding pictures, opt for an engagement ring with a platinum band and setting to give it a contemporary feel.

For more inspiration, check out Abazias Diamonds online!

If you loathe standing in line for hours, detest wrangling and clawing your fellow sisters, and have a tendency to crack when you’re forced to emit a screeching battle cry for fantastic threads, it’s time to embrace your inner technology diva.

I Love Sample Sales has just launched an online sample sale boutique. Yup. You can now steal the best bargain in the comfort of your cozies right from your home office. Not only will you beat the crowds, you’ll also find a bevy of sizes, because unlike most sample sales I Love Sample Sales also carries overstock. This month they are featuring Diesel jeans with sizing starting at 24. All stock is discounted 60-70% off. Because they’re a Canadian outfit, U.S. shipping rates will be slightly higher. So if you’re in Canada, you’re golden.

You’ll find a fairly full range of sizes, from 24-30, and they hope to maintain this in the future. On occasion, they will offer one-of-a-kind samples, usually sized small to medium. New stock is generally available monthly, but it could rise or fall based on demand.

And, as you may know, I Love Sample Sales is also the place to keep up on all sample sales. Click on their event calendar for the info. And be sure to get on their mailing list for updates in your city. Angelenos can sign up here.

The second issue of Canadian e-zine Shorty Pantz is live. This quarter’s edition is all about petite women that have influenced us. My contribution? The entry about Coco Chanel in the Style section. Stop by and let them know who has influenced you!