Why I'm happy today

Actually, why I've been happy every day for the past week or so...

Something very pretty (and very discounted) came in the mail...

So yea, life is good :)

Love Letter

Dear Victorian Lace Dress,

How are you? You look stunning today. Look, I know we only met a few minutes ago, but I just have to tell you something important. I know this might be hard for you to hear, but...

I love you.

There! It's out! I love you, I love you, I love you! I'm sorry, I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Ever since I first laid eyes on your scalloped lace form, I've known I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Besides, I feel like I've been waiting for you for forever.

I can't offer you much. I have a modest-sized closet that I would love for you to call "home." I even have a wooden hanger reserved just for you! But what I lack in grandeur I will make up in love. I will wear you weekly, and always pair you with my most refined heels-- no polyester will touch your supple, intricate lace! I will dress you down for school with tights, a belt, and a blazer, and up for night with some dazzling earrings. I will do whatever it takes to make this relationship work.

What I'm trying to say is... move in with me. I know this relationship is moving so fast-- I mean, I haven't even tried you on yet!-- but I just know that this is true love.

Just think about it, ok? I'll be waiting.

Love,

RN

(image from shopbop)

This is sad.

So the other day I just had the most brilliant idea for a blog post. Ok, maybe not brilliant, but it's my retelling so I can fudge the facts. Anyway, the post in question centers around one perfect, awesome, gorgeous item of clothing.

Only problem?

I have searched all my normal shopping sites (J.Crew, Anthro, UO, etc.,etc.) and I can't find a fittingly gorgeous piece. Crazy, right? What is it with the selection nowadays, stores? Just because it's in between clothing seasons, y'all feel like you can slack off? Nuh-uh. Style waits for NO ONE.

But my incredibly witty and fun blog post will have to wait. Until I can find that one dress, shirt, or skirt that calls to me.

So you're stuck with this post for now. Boo.

I want to go to there

It's called The Dry Bar. It's a hair salon that just offers blowouts. I'm one of those girls who almost never gets her hair done, but is 56% more confident and perky for those few days after a haircut when my hair looks so... perfect. So, naturally, this is my kind of place. I think I'd order the Mai Tai. Not only is it a brilliant concept for a store, but the place itself is gorgeous! Seriously, look at this beauty:

If only it wasn't only in LA. Sob.

How to wear... Non-Jeans

How to Wear... Non-Jeans

Since I attend a prep school that forbids us from wearing jeans of any sorts, you know I can--and must-- wear the heck out of khakis. Khakis, chinos, cargos-- as long as it's not jeans, it's all good. Many times I cursed these plain Jane creations, lamenting their monotony and drabness. But as I have expanded my wardrobe beyond these staples, I've realized that these non-jeans-- in moderation and with heaps of creativity-- can be, dare I say it, fashionable! Here are some outfits I hope you'll consider when staring confusedly at your old pair of khakis:

Look #1: Khakis

Surprisingly, Khakis are in this season-- cuffed and torn, they take on a casual-chic air. Playing even more with the casual look, why not add a cropped sweatshirt straight from the fashionable side of the '80's? And if it doesn't have enough embellishments, add some with some lavishly jeweled bracelets, necklaces, and/or sandals:

Light khakis- GAP, Darker khakis- Adriano Goldschmied, Cuff- Urban Outfitters, Sandals- Nordstrom, Embellished crop top- Forever 21, Cropped t-shirt- American Apparel, Necklace- Free People

Look #2: Cargo Pants

Cargo is a little more utilitarian, which is a perfect subtle trend to follow this spring. To soften the look of this macho leg wear, keep the rest of the outfit simple and light. Pieces like a draping vest and cute heels keep this outfit from getting too much like you're about to go fishing:

Cargo pants- J. Crew, Tan vest- Forever 21, White vest- American Eagle, Heels- H&M, Earrings- Carolee

Look #3: Chinos

Chinos are the most sophisticated of the three, and as such, seem too "old" for college students. So I figured that skinny chinos would be easier for a young adult to tackle. Chinos are a pretty blank slate, so you can jazz them up however you'd like; for this outfit I chose some gorgeous draped tank tops from one of my favorite haunts, Anthropologie, plus some sweet and simple accessories:

Chinos (on left)- ASOS, Chinos (on right)- Banana Republic, Tank top (on left)- Anthropologie, Tank top (on right)- Anthropologie, Flats- American Eagle, Earrings- Forever 21

Things to keep in mind:

- Khakis, chinos, and cargo pants are even tamer than jeans, so let the rest of your outfit go crazy! With such plain bottoms, you can pick your boldest, most eye-grabbing top and not feel overdone.

- With these pants, above all, it's about the fit. Don't worry about brand names-- just buy the pair that looks the best on you!

- If, like me, you are "vertically challenged," the rolled-up cuffs trend gives you an excuse to buy a pair of pants and wear them un-tailored-- just cuff them up! I know I always but a pair of pants and then they sit in the bag for months because I'm too lazy to take them to a tailor! If the double-cuffed look goes out of style, then get them hemmed.

- Want to try the loose, torn, and cuffed look, but don't want to spend the money on a trend? Borrow your brother's or boyfriend's khakis and roll them up!

I hope this post gave you some inspiration to wear those boring pants sitting in the back of your dresser!

(first picture found here)

Happy Day

Why? Because I got these cuties:

For $45 shipped. (40% off sale items with code SALE40. Thanks Chloe!)

And yesterday I snagged these in the Outnet's $1 sale (I'm one of the lucky ones who just happened to be awake at 6:50 AM!)

They're not really my style, but they were all that was left in my size (yea, it was a pretty hectic way to start the morning).

And for $6 shipped? No question. I'm already thinking of how I can wear them!

What have you bought recently that's made you happy?

(images via Ann Taylor Loft and The Outnet)

How to get really depressed

Instructions:

1. Go online.

2. Go to an online store that's slightly above your price level, but the sale section is do-able (try J.Crew, Revolve, Anthropologie, etc.).

3. Look through the sale section. Spy a cute, cheap skirt/shirt/dress.

4. Examine it further. Realize it's the only piece of clothing you ever want. Realize you cannot live without it.

5. Check what sizes it's available in.

6. Cry

7. Briefly wish you were a size large so you could buy it.

8. Get depressed.

Tada!

Loving H&M

I am LOVING this Fashion Studio game, courtesy of H&M. It's great advertising too, because it really makes me want to buy these clothes! If only H&M had an online store for the USA... hinthint.

Seriously, this is one of the best realistic virtual dress ups I've ever seen. Everything fits seamlessly, and they even added some subtle-yet-important touches, like when you put a belt over a loose top, the top automatically constricts under the belt. It's amazing! They even have a "Tuck jeans into boots" feature! Brilliant!

Here are some of my creations to give you a little taste of how awesome it is (click to enlarge):

Anthropologie Inspiration for November 2009

I've been pretty busy doing homework (read: watching TV) the past couple of days, and on top of that I've had major blogger's blog. But I'm back! *insert raucous applause*

So I got my first Anthropologie catalogue last week. IT. IS. GORGEOUS.

I especially love the backdrop of the old mansion filled with (fake) snow. Just inspired. Here's some proof:

So whimsical, so innovative, so pretty! Of course I would expect nothing less from my beloved anthro. Seriously, how could you not become enchanted by this:

I dare you. And there was more whimsical fun to be had throughout this catalogue. Class, turn to page 35 for a superb example of irony at the peak of its beauty:

Book with paper pages. Paper from trees cut into tree shapes. All to compliment the Enchanted Woods iPhone dock. A mix of old and new. I love it.

I have no reason as to why I love this. It's just too freaking cute.

I WANT THIS DRESS. I will travel to where ever she seems to be walking (Ireland?) and steal it from her. Seriously. It's gorgeous.

So, dear readers, there you have it. Any catalogues that inspire you, fashion-wise or decor-wise? Do tell!

Photos from Anthropologie's November 2009 catalogue, online here.

Pier 1 is 1 short of a full deck...

What is happening to grammar and spelling these days?

(Notice the card/1 pun in the title.)

So I'm getting ready for a small fiesta we're throwing tomorrow, and I stroll on into Pier 1, looking for table runners and such. Little did I know I'd find something much better...

Can you believe it? "No peaking." Let's look up "peak," shall we?

–noun

1.	the pointed top of a mountain or ridge.

2.	a mountain with a pointed summit.

3.	the pointed top of anything.

4.	the highest or most important point or level: the peak of her political career. Etc., etc., etc. Clearly someone mistook peak for its homonym brother, "peek." Don't believe me? Let's take a closer look:

DON'T PEAK. You know, "peak" can also mean "to become weak, thin, and sickly." So, I guess it makes sense. Play cards, don't cheat, and don't become thin, weak, and sickly.

Sure.

T-shirt blunder

I really hope someone else has noticed this. Otherwise I might be the first case of senility at age 17.

So I was browsing through the clothes at Target, checking out the new Anna Sui line (surprisingly expensive and not super cute). And I came upon this pretty ugly shirt from the collection. Then I noticed something:

Do you see it? No? Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Now, is it just me, or is this shirt noticeable grammatically incorrect? It should be "Best Friend For Life Who Has Lunch And Goes Shopping A Lot" OR "Best Friends For Life Who Have Lunch And Go Shopping A Lot." Right?

And, now that I see it, "Have" is the only word whose first letter isn't capitalized! Were they hoping by not capitalizing it we wouldn't noticed their gigundo error? Nice try, crafty designers. Nice try.

And, on top of the uglyness and the incorrectness, this is also kind of a quote from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, which makes it (and me for knowing the quote) uncool.

London: We can be BFFWLSAGSAL!
Mr. Moseby and Esteban: What?
London: "Best Friends Forever Who Love Spending and Go Shopping A Lot."

So there you have it, readers. A huge typo for sale at your nearest Target. Unless I'm totally insane and this is grammatically correct, in which case I'll crawl into a corner and slip on my Dunce hat.

Do you guys see it?

Hell on Heels

Dear Self,

Remember this story I'm about to tell you. This isn't the first time I've warned you about wearing heels. And yet you don't listen.

So last night night you had a fancy event to go to. You picked out a cute dress, and decided you wanted to wear those new heels you got. You know, those poorly made $18 heels you found at the clearance rack at DSW? The black ones with the laces and cut out in the middle (that looked kinda sorta like this) with a heel higher than you have ever worn before? You said they were so comfy sitting down. You were right. Plus they were cheap. So you ignored their flaws and impracticality and bought them. And you kind of loved them. So you decided to wear them last night.

Big mistake. You hobbled from the car to the party like a drunk Barbie doll, taking small, calculated steps and holding onto everything in sight for support. You arrive at the party, ready to sit down and nibble on whatever vegetarian options they had.

It's a mingling event.

As in, no chairs.

Hooooly crap.

So you walk carefully, knowing that at some point during the night you will do one or more of the following:

a) Trip and fall

b) Trip, grab something/one for support, and have them topple down with you

c) Trip and break your ankle

d) Trip, fall, hit your head and kill yourself.

All for a pair of really cute shoes... So you gather all the courage you have (after all, despite the problems these shoes cause, they make you look tall and pretty awesome), and suck it up. You mingle, you chat, you eat faux-fancy food, and all the while your feet hurt more and more.

So you take to the habit of teetering on the balls of your feet and rotating your feet around in place, trying to a less-tender spot to rest on.

Then something happens. One of your legs kind of bends a little, and you think you know why. Your heel broke. You investigate. It didn't break. But it did bend so that it will probably be permanently bent, at least when you put pressure on it. You're shocked. Upset. You feel betrayed by your fun, spontaneous purchase.

Luckily the party is winding down. You walk even more slowly out of the venue, grabbing at columns and walls for support. You find a table and sit on it uncouthly, tugging at your heels ferociously. They come off. You moan in delight and pain. You look at your feet. They have red imprinted markings on them where the laces were. You leave and walk outside barefoot.

Never has the grass felt so nice on your bare feet.

So, Self, I hope you've listened intently. Just remember this next time you take those heels out for a spin, or find another cheap thrill at DSW. Neither will last...

Sincerely,

Me/you

PS: You need to learn to walk in heels so you don't look like Bambi taking her first steps. Seriously.

Nice Try

I went into the mall thinking: 

"Ok, I'm going to go to Pottery Barn, J. Crew, Old Navy, and Macy's. That's it. And I need pants, shirts, and cardigans. That's it. NO dresses. I have enough dresses. Oh, and I need shoes too. But nothing more."

I came out of the mall 2.5 hours later.

I went to Pottery Barn, J. Crew, Old Navy, Macy's, Hollister, American Eagle, Aerie, Gap, and Lord & Taylor's.

I got two dresses and a scarf.

Mission NOT accomplished.

Waiting...

I'm currently awaiting two things: an email to be sent to me so I can join a site to track how many visitors I get here, and my camera battery to charge so I can take a picture of my new Coach purse. 

The first of the two can't get here soon enough. I'm eager to find out how many people are actually reading this poor excuse for a blog! In trying to find the best visitor counter site, I decided to go to some of my other favorite blogs and see what they're using. But it seems that more established sites are more confident in their visitor-attracting ability, and thus find no need to track such trivial things as single site hits (they're probably busy with interviews and a placement and giveaways... *sob*). Or maybe they're not displaying it to boost the little blog people's esteem. Thank you for that!

And yes, I got a new Coach purse. Not from the Poppy line, sadly. I went to the most wonderful place in the world (not Disney), the outlets, and got a cute Coach purse. Plus 2 pairs of jeans and some hair accessories. Not all from Coach.  But it was a good trip.

I'll update you on both situations ASAP!

MBMJ

I'm looking through Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff online, and only one thought is floating in my otherwise cobweb-filled brain:

WANT. 

WAAANT.

WAAAAAANT NOW.

CUUUTE.

NEED.

LOVE!

I'll write more when I've regained my senses.

(Pictures thanks to theoutnet.com and shopbop.com)

The Enchanting Powers of a Really Cute On Sale Dress

(Why did I put that in all capitals? It kind of looks like a book title... for an AWESOME book, no doubt)

It keeps taunting me. I try to move past it, admiring the polka-dot bathing suit bottoms and boring T-shirts, but who am I kidding? I scroll back up to it, just to stare. It's so pretty. Well of course it's pretty, it's on a mannequin. Mannequins are built to make dresses look pretty.

But it's ON SALE. Ah, there's the kicker. It's on sale. It's less than half the original price. It's ONLY $25! No, wait! It's even less: $24.99! YES! Wait... NO! Don't do it! Is it even in your size? OMG IT IS.

Shopping Me: It's on sale! It's super cheap! It's cute. ADD TO CART!

Smart Me: But it won't look good on you! It's strapless and you never look good in strapless stuff. Plus you'd have to buy a strapless bra.

Shopping Me: But it has a sash that can be used as straps! And I've been wanting to buy a strapless bra forever.

Smart Me: Ok that second part is true, but the first isn't. The sash can be "worn around the neck," as in a scarf. Or at least I think that's what it means... it's vague. Anyways, it's not even a dress-- it's a "cover-up dress." So it'll be too lightweight and see-through.

Shopping Me: Yes but I've also wanted to get a slip since forever, right? And if I get it in mushroom, it wont be see-through. Beat that!

Smart Me: But you don't really like the mushroom color, do you? 

Shopping Me: It's not... that bad.

Smart Me: See? Now slowly move the cursor to the "delete tab" button. Good. Now why don't we check out some not-on-sale, affordable dresses at--

Shopping Me: SCREW YOU I'M BUYING IT!