November 22, 2009

I'm Too Sexy for my......Library?



(Notice I will never tire of animal print, so strap in for a wild ride.)
(Oh, and please ignore the washed out paisley-floral print underneath the black leather jacket; I have never advocated paisley, nor do I plan to start now...unless Oscar de la Renta can change my mind.)
In honor of Desiree Goodwin, here's too all the librarians out there who have an interest in more than just books. The LIBRARIAN pin is clutch.

Myyyyy Preeeccciiooousssssss

I know the title was creepy, but this is borderline insanely precious, no? Whether or not you think the booties go with the bag, sashay a little bit and no one will notice :)

Balmain to the Future


Umm....do I really need to explain why this post is here. Balmain, Balmain, Balmain!!!!!!!!!! Christophe Decarnin--you are a hero for so many. Oh, and, two words: Lara Stone (right). If ya don't know, now ya know.

DorothyPerkins.com dresses, both 16 pounds (~$32); alice+olivia Madison biker boot, payless.com, $49.99

RELAX! Go to it

Ah relaxation, there's nothing like it. And casual duds don't have to look like you've done nothing all day; use the little effort you have to put something cute together. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

Don't call me Baby


The perfect Friday outfit. When everyone else dresses down, you look like the most professional person in the office--which may be the case anyway. If so, make it known and strut yo' stuff. TTFN.

Mission: Cute

UUUHHHH (Rachel Zoe-like grunt of fashion pleasure). So cute!!!

You're the One That I Want

Seems like a lot going on, I know, but it all works when you look closely. A shorter boyfriend jacket (or no jacket) would keep some people from feeling too busy; and jeans instead of the skirt would calm others' nerves. Do what you wish and enjoy the visual. 

November 14, 2009

Pocahantas Wannabe


There were some Native American notes going around recently, so I thought I would pick up on that. Of course it always starts with the shoes, and although these aren't even close to moccasins--they totally work (Zigi Soho Trump leather ankle bootie, DSW.com, $89.95). The ikat patterned skirt has that natural/in-tune-with-nature/I grew up on a ranch in New Mexico-type vibe I was unconsciously going for (Fab knit Ikat skirt, forever21.com, $10.50); add the blue jean b/f blazer, the cascading silver leaf necklace, the (faux?) woven clutch, and the chain&fringe tank and you've got yourself an "I like to look like I like the outdoors" ensemble.  Viva la environment. TTFN.



Denim BF jacket, wetseal.com, $34.50; Fallen leaves necklace, forever21.com, $7.80; Sasha woven clutch brown, dsw.com, $26.95; Fringe chain top, charlotterusse.com, 24.99

Painterly Princess



Something with paint-like strokes & swirls still appeals to me, even though I've seen some fashion mags claim this trend to be outdated. If so, I can still claim that the colors are still on trend, especially purple. And why sandals in November? Well...1) because I can (online fantasy daaahling) and 2) because it's still about 80 degrees in Texas & I'm still wearing shorts. Purple haze smocked dress from Fredflare.com (<--check them out! So Cute) ($62); Zigi Soho Twinkle ankle cuff sandal from DSW.com ($69.95); alice + olivia Beatrix patent platform sandal from Payless.com, (Clearance $19.99). To paint a pretty picture (get it? ha....ha), sport the colorful shoes; to toughen up a bit, wear the Balmain Spring 2009 look-a-likes from DSW. Original Balmain below:


If it were colder, sheer black hose and closed-toe shooties would be my alternative, like maybe one of these:

From left: Miss Me Agnes 9 pleated suede bootie, DSW.com, Clearance $29.94; UrbanOutfitters.com; Buckled booties, Charlotterusse.com, 29.99; Lela Rose for Payless Mallory suede bootie, payless.com, $34.99 (if you really wanna pop)

Aww, sweet

I thought this was just a really sweet dress, easy-going, not too much, just enough & plus it's in my favorite color (Eloquent ruffle chiffon dress, forever21.com, $29.80). I'm pretty sure the shoes are from UrbanOutfitters.com; although I forgot to record the price, they're from the SALE section--I know that much!! Viva la Clearance! It was a little difficult to pair the right shoes w/ this dress because I needed a shoe to mimic its simplicity. But since everything in my virtual fashion closet is rather loud, so I had to go online shopping for some new shoes (yay!) and found these. Black: check; Simple: check; With a tidbit of funky fresh: double check. Done and done.

TTFN.

November 11, 2009

Help Me Doctor, I'm seeing SPOTS

When I saw polka-dot tights on Balenciaga's runway for their Fall 2009 show, I was like HOLLA! It's funky disguised as classy...nice. I tried to imitate one of Ghesquière's signature looks, however it was obviously hard to find substitutes. What I did find was a black/white printed dress from forever21.com ($22.80); black Mossimo peep toe booties from Target.com ($29.99) that you could wear through all seasons; and BEHOLD! polka-dot tights from Gerbe.com ($38.00). And damn were those hard to find. You would think that after Balenciaga made these tights such a hit on the fall runway, I'd be able to find them everywhere. Not so...not so. However, you can also find Wolford polka dot tights @ barenecessities.com ($55.00) (and although pricey for stockings, Wolford is often used by many an upscale fashion magazine, including Harper's BAZAAR (personal fave:)) and from a foreign website called Tabio.com (8.50 pounds, roughly $17). Oh & by the way, OMG SHOES!
TTFN.

Gookie by Gookie


Umm helloooo Gucci Spring 2009 look-a-like sandals...Don't you love knock-offs that cost a gah-zillion dollars less?! (Zigi Soho Tower double platform sandal, dsw.com, $99.95) And hello, these call for some tough chic. Once again my favorite combination: romantic & edgy. I can't help myself, I'm sorry, I hope you don't get sick of it. The dress is from forever21.com for $22.80; and the Silence & Noise black leather jacket, from Urban Outfitters.com (FAV!), for $128 is one of those items you only buy once (for us penny-pinchers anyway). Yea, 130 bucks is a lot for a jacket...but if you promise it's the only one you'll buy until Obama's 2nd term, I'll let you have it k? A gold necklace (forever21.com, $7.80) with silver-lined sandals? Can you do it? If you're a good-lookin' bitch you can. TTFN.

November 9, 2009

Sweet Lady

Ok I've been gone for a while...not shopping unfortch. I saw this Romantic Print cardigan on forever21.com ($34.00) and although I would never spend that much on a cardigan, it was everything I ever wanted in a cardi: romance & edginess....so maybe I would buy it afterall. I dunno. Three more things caught my eye on forever21.com: 1) Zipper spiral floral top ($17.80); 2) Contrast gold-black skinny belt ($6.80) (so affordable!); 3) Satin orchid skirt ($15.80) (also quite do-able). With everything else in the outfit cloaked in le noir, the skirt seemed like it fit in with the edgy/romantic theme without making you, well, fade to black. "Cosby" leather cut-out sandals courtesy of BCBG Paris, dsw.com, $79.95. You've skipped meals for less than this I'm sure, so don't even.

This is so cute it makes me want to scream.

Be back with more. TTFN.

August 25, 2009

Bird legs

I know she looks like she has gargantuan legs, but for effect I chopped off her twigs and set her up with these babies. Nice.

I found these fun peacock tights for $29.99 while shopping Modcloth.com, and while I thought that was an exorbitant amount to pay for pantyhose, I'd do it. Just this once.

And away I went. In my ever-growing virtual fashion closet, I found an equally fun dress from Forever21.com with a print I thought would nicely complement the tights (and yes, it is actually a dress, for reals, top & bottom & belt!! $24.80).

I had a hard time w/ shoes, mainly because I always have a hard time with shoes. I love shoes..........Anyway,
Tahari oxford booties (DSW.com, Clearance $66.94) seemed like a fitting choice. I usually like a closed toe w/ tights; a little bit of patent, a little matte, whatever, I'd wear it.

An asymmetrical gold chain necklace, (Forever21.com, $7.80) and leather topper (which I'm pretty sure is a Fall '09 season fave) from Wetseal.com ($34.50). And at last, a faux-croc(?) (again, not a biologist) clutch in an I'm-so-drooling deep purple at Fredflare.com ($24.00); the color I admit is more Fall'08, but I won't tell anyone if you won't.
TTFN

August 20, 2009

JUMP JUMP!


































I love jumpsuits. I always have and I always will.
I don't care if the season doesn't call for it, I am forever a fan of the jumpsuit. Most of all because I'm lazy. I can put my entire outfit on in one zip? HOLLA.
The Dilemma: It's extremely difficult to find an affordable jumpsuit. For some reason, I guess mass affordable retailers/designers don't think the average cul-de-sac-livin' person will dig a jumpsuit. But I tell ya, people are getting more fashion-conscious and daring. Why do you think H&M, Target, Payless and now Wal-Mart are getting well-known and budding designers to make exclusive collections? Because high fashion has become a mainstream obsession thanks to fashion T.V., specifically shows like Project Runway (I just watched the premiere....aaaaaawesome) and America's Next Top Model (and all of its sister shows, i.e. Australia's Next Top Model, Canada's, China's, Brazil's?, Tunisia's?, I don't even know).

Anyway, I'm begging you (Oh Fashionable One) to please please PLEASE make more jumpsuits. Okay, I'm done.

I love that this jumpsuit from Urban Outfitters ($58) incorporates one of Fall 09's must-have shapes: harem. With a touch of in-the-know, you can look like you've been doing this for a long time. I thought a fully enclosed shoe would look too solid from top-to-bottom, so I choose a bandage heel from Target.com ($24.99). Normally the jumpsuit itself would be a helluva statement, and it is, but it needed something to fill in the empty space around the neck & chest. This gold piece-y statement necklace (Modcloth.com, $24.99) is enough to make the top of the outfit look just as stunning and interesting as the bottom (it's also another Fall trend: statement jewelry) without any clutter. The ring is also interesting and modern; most importantly, it looks simple and understated without losing any of its punch (Modcloth.com, $14.99) and without distracting from the pinnacle piece. I Feel Like A Woman!!

TTFN

August 19, 2009

Un soupçon de jungle

After finding this cute T-shirt at Walmart.com for $14 ( one of a number of cute, dirt cheap, eco-friendly pieces from the new Norma Kamali collection), I thought How can I make this more interesting? I mean, it's a fun T-shirt, sure, but how do I keep this potentially awesome statement piece (pushing it?) from becoming blandified by jeans???

Welcome to the Jungle....just go all out safari, don't even think about stopping with the jungle print skirt (Norma Kamali, Walmart, $15), go ahead and shade yourself from the jungle sun with hipster leopard/cheetah (I'm not a biologist people) glasses from Fredflare.com ($11).

The cardi is sweet with ruffled sleeves to modernize our Jane of the Jungle vibe, afterall we are civilized (Walmart, $14). Cinch with belt from Metrostyle.com ($14.99) and slip on ruched peep-toes from Payless ($26.99). Growl.............................................TTFN

Funky Bunch


Feeling the retro 80's vibe for this fall season, I decided to put together a funky,
eclectic outfit that satisfies my more creative side. These uber-80s acid wash jeans
took me way WAY back (well, not that far back, technically I was only around
half the decade); get a pair of your own from UrbanOutfitters.com (FAVE!) for $68.

To vibe with these pants, the rest of your outfit better be funky fresh. I know it's fall, but
I still feel a little summer-y so I capped them with a peachy jacket also from U.O. ($78)
which (if not for my pear-shape) I would cinch with a colorful skinny belt from Metrostyle.com ($14.99). For an interesting addition, I added a floral t-shirt which is a steal
at $6 from Wal-Mart (more Wallyworld coming soon:); I feel the flowers keep the
entire outfit upbeat, don't you?

Finish it off top and bottom with statement earrings (all the rage), these are
from Anthropologie.com ($38), and flats--remember loafers were supafly--these
SUPERcute Merona buckle flats are from Target.com (another FAVE!) ($29.99).

TTFN

August 15, 2009

Crisp casual


For my first post, I thought it'd be appropriate to provide a great weekend
ensemble for fall that combines the best of edgy business style with a few
casual pieces.

While shopping on Target.com, I squealed when I found these lace-up peep-toe booties ($29.99). With these in mind, I found the perfect stovepipe black ankle pant ($39.95) from NY & Company and paired it with a nice charcoal jacket ($69.95), also from NY & Company. Conveniently, it's quite wearable with virtually any other style or color of bottom (I'm a huge fan of the mismatched jacket/bottom look).

To casualize it, I paired the jacket with a pale lilac sleeveless tank from Target ($9.99) and wrapped it with a trendy lightweight scarf from NY & Company ($19.95). Run errands like you mean business with a sharp faux animal-skin tote from Target (Clearance $12.48!).

Looking this good should be reason enough to leave the house!

TTFN