Last Friday - Polka Dot Day

Friday I was feeling pretty ho-hum, so I thought I'd dress cheerfully and see if that worked. It didn't but at least I didn't look as blah as I felt! Still pleased with the purchase of this dress. I will wear it for years. the shoes are one of my October purchases - just some simple black wedges for work that are sure to get a ton of wear.

Dress: Anthropologie, $258
Cardigan: Ann Taylor, $58
Tights: Hue, $15
Wedges: Nine West, $80

August Purchases - Part Deux

These purchases all felt necessary. I was sure I needed black wedges, but I haven't worn them yet. Partly because of the ankle. (Boo to my lack of coordination.) The sandals were to replace two well worn pairs and have gotten a lot of use. And the black pants I did need - haven't found a pair I've liked in years and I have these on today. They'll be a nice alternative to jeans.

Black AK Anne Klein wedges, $60 (on sale)
Steve Madden Gladiators Brown, $60 (on sale)
Steve Madden Gladiators Black, $50
Gap True Straight Black Pants, $50

So, this is all well and good, but it brings my monthly total to (GULP) $1260. That's $510 over budget. Granted I only spent $35 in July, so I'm still okay over all, but I really can't afford to run around shopping like this.

By the way. I'm already AT budget for September. So no more shopping for me until October!

August Donations

Ok - here's what I gave up in August. White dress from Banana Republict that I thought was cute but made me look matronly in photos.

Black pants from Banana Republic in a SIZE FOUR that I have never fit into and never worn - purchased under the "I'm going to lose 5 pounds" delusion.

Green tank from the Gap what was just super unflattering to my arms, my stomach, my everything.

Black Banana Republic Dress that was too tight to wear to work and too conservative to wear out.

Three pairs of flops - the blue ones from Earth shoes are downright ugly, and the two pairs from Banana Republic have just seen better days and are not so in style any more.

August lesson: Stop shopping at Banana Republic. The stuff does not stand the test of time!!!

Shoes!!!!

From Kate Spade. $408 after tax (ouch!) but I haven't bought nice shoes in a while. Will totally wear these a lot - they will look fab with jeans because of the colors.

Milk was a bad choice!

It is so hot out today and I am running out of clothes that don't feel like clothes. I put this little number on - you've seen it before - and the black top is like a magnet for the heat. I was boiling waiting for the bus. The shoes are new though, my Enzo gladiators had seen way better days and these were on sale.


Club Monaco Skirt, $125
Black BR Tee, $35
Steve Madden Sandals, $40 on sale

Necklace is a Tahitian Pearl from my Mom's travels - goes perfectly with the skirt! Thanks Mom!

Chinolicious!

Okay...I know the Chinos have caused hot debate on this site in the past, but I think I have finally learned how to make them work. I really like my outfit today. The colors feel on trend for "Camo" and it just feels put together. You may also notice I am trying to rock a fedora. It's my first and will get it's own post, but would love your opinions.

Chinos:Banana Republic, $60
Top: Mossimo for Target,$20
Sandals: Steve Madden, $60
Fedora: Street Vendor, $40

See my previous Chino attempts here and here.

Polka Dots!!!

This dress is one of my new Anthropologie purchases and I have ZERO buyer's remorse. I love it. It's so me, I feel great today. And with the classic/retro shape it'll never be "out". Added pops of color - cardigan is just for my freezing office - but think it would look classy with all black elements too. Winner!!!

Anthropologie Polka Dot Dress, $258
Marc Jacobs Green Suede Kitten Heels, $250 on sale
Ann Taylor Cardigan, $58

Happy Day - Happy Outfit!

Don't need, but want

Flip flops from Hunter with a big H on them. $198 is just too much for flops for me. Especially since mine always take a beating on the streets of NYC!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In love again with Louboutin

HOT. DAMN.

$2095 at Neiman Marcus. Sigh.

Tried to do a High-Low

Basically the High Low is taking a super basic piece of clothing - in this case the low priced Grey Tee (Gap, $25) and mix it with higher cost pieces - linen skirt and jewelry, colorful shoes.

I like it - I think it works. But I'm actually not wearing anything technically "High"

Skirt (Banana Republic, $35 on sale.)
Heels (Seychelles, $95)
Lovely stone necklace that was a gift...
Cartier Roadster watch - ok - that's high.

What do you think? Have you ever tried a High-Low look?

Bought the Fakes!

These arrived the other day and they are pretty spectacular.

Upon close inspection, you can see a few sloppy seams with a bit of glue here and there, but over all they are pretty solid. The only bummer is that I don't speak metric and had no idea that 100mm was 5 inches. WAY higher than I ever wear. I'd have to say I would shop that site again for a pair to wear to a party that were spectacular.

Now that I see the quality is good, I can go forth unafraid. That's if I can find any pairs with less than 5 inch heels.

Fakey Fakerton.

You may recall a post a while back about a dreamy pair of Louboutin's that I could not afford at Barney's. (Read original post here.) Well, yesterday I was doing a search for them to see if they were, perchance, on sale. The short answer is NO.

The long answer is that I stumbled upon this site where they were $159. What? $585 at Barney's and only $159 here, plus free shipping and no sales tax?? Too good to be true? TOTALLY. Kim and I took a good look and feel fairly certain that this site sells nothing but fakes.

Now, here's my quandary: Do I buy the fakes or not??

There are some pretty solid arguments against it. It's totally unfair to the designer, it's stealing really and hurts the industry as a whole. On the other hand, maybe if Mr. Louboutin didn't charge $585 for shoes, people wouldn't be knocking them off.

Readers - What do you think??

Pretty Alexander McQueen

Out of my budget at $719 unfortunately. I would like a really good pair of red shoes though. I've never worn them because they felt to vampy, but now that I'm older I'm thinking I could handle it.

If you're out shopping and you see a good pair, post them on my FB page so I can check them out!

Great Nude Shoe

Only $89 at Nine West and totally on trend. The wedge heel means it'll be super comfy too. If I wasn't ridiculously over budget for April (yes! already!) I would snap these up.

Saddle shoes are big for spring

I can't pull these off since I wear a size 10 and white turns my feet into skis, but if you have a daintier foot I can't think of a better shoe. Cute and effortless with a dress (sans socks) and will dress up the Jeans trend too. Only $125 at Cole Haan, so they'll be comfy too.

The Shoe's The Thing.

My friend from work says I may be being too hard on myself but this is not working. Particularly the shoes. They are a little 80's pair that look retro with skinny jeans and a fun top. But with this wrap dress they just look 10 years out of fashion. Plus, wrap dresses are supposed to give you shape and this one does NOT. I think I need about 3 inches taken off the bottom. An above the knee length may make this more fun and less dowdy. But for today - Epic Fail.

BCBG wrap dress ($320)
Limited Black Cardigan ($50)
BCBGeneration Pumps ($90)

This reminds me - I do actually need a fashion forward pair of black work shoes. Like a nice mary jane or a peep toe....all I have are open toe sandals for summer. I feel a mission coming on.

Must Have These Michael Kors shoes

Especially since the color name is "peanut". Love them.



- Fashion from my iPhone

ZOINK!

That's the sound of my monthly budget being zapped by 33%. I saw these Tory Burch Sally Wedges online and really fell in love. They came in the mail today and when I opened the box I knew they were a keeper. The leather is buttery soft so no blisters and the navy and wood create such a great neutral I know I will live in these this spring/summer. Can't wait to wear them! Will work with tights too when it's dry enough to rock the open toe.

I've got Buyer's Rejoice!

Trying to make a play off of buyer's remorse and failing, which is my M.O. today.

These shoes came in the mail yesterday and I am so glad I decided to get them. they are even prettier than the picture and the suede is really plush and rich. The heels are HIGH but the platform makes them a bit more comfy. They look amazing with jeans - very Sandra Dee at the end of Grease. I can't wait to wear them...if only the weather would cooperate.

They're only $95 (in teal or natural) at piperlime.com, and the Seychelles site has them in orange and black, but they charge a whopping $9.50 for ground shipping.

Is it May yet?

I am just dreaming of spring and killing some time but these Seychelles Gypsy Platforms are really cute. Only $95 on Piperlime (one of the best shopping sites IMO), I could see these with jeans, skirts, leggings and even a pair of brown or purple tights in the fall.

I'm loving color more than ever. These may fit in my budget this month...or next!