Month One Is Over And I Am In Shock!!

I seriously can't believe it. I came in under budget for the month. This is the least I've spent on clothes in any given month in YEARS! And I don't feel a bit deprived or like I'm missing something. I'm happy with every single one of my purchases. Here they are:

Calvin Klein Black knee-length puffer: $180
Phillip Lim top: $358
Seychelles Gypsy Platforms: $95
Lucky Cut-off Denim Shorts: $60

Total Spent: $693 which is $57 under my monthly budget.

I've also learned a lot about my own style. Most importantly that I am not as preppy/classic as I thought. I like color and fun, even some edgy designs. I've also learned what I have so I don't keep buying the same basics over and over again. I'm free to spend my money on wardrobe building pieces.

Starting tomorrow I have $750 to spend and a completely readjusted attitude on shopping. Yay!!!

PS - Sucks to see that my coat is $30 off now, but I needed it so I guess I can't complain. And, on the other hand the Phillip Lim top is sold out so you really can't wait for everything to go on sale.

Fancy Schmancy

Headed for a lovely dinner at The Modern at the MOMA and wanted to dress the part, but it was also zero frickin' degrees out. Ended up in this purple satin sheath (The Limited, $90), a black cardigan (also The Limited, $60) and some black kitten heels (BCBG Generation $90).

The star of this outfit is the gold brooch necklace from Banana Republic (shocker). This was a trend last year that I was told by every magazine I could wear with a t-shirt, so I got one (about $138) but never really tried it. I think it works quite nicely here and it definitely jazzed my dress up.

Two things to note here: 1) While BR makes some bland basics, their costume jewelry for the last few years has been stellar. I love their pieces. They're inexpensive, well made and fun. 2) The Limited, a throw back to the mall shopping 80s, recently hired a new dress designer. In the last year I've purchased at least 6 fantastic dresses there and all were only $90. The rest of their clothes are still a little uninspired, but the dresses are worth a look. I always get compliments on them.

Saturday when it's too cold to think.

This was my Saturday outfit when it was 16 degrees out. I ended up at the Natural History Museum (hence the bear) trying to soak up some culture in lieu of sunshine. It was just me, and EVERY child in Manhattan, so I was beginning to wish my boots had both steel toes and spurs at one point so I could clear a few feet around me, if only to breathe.

Outfit is light wash BR skinny jeans ($89); layering tee from Target ($12); Sweater Tunic, Mossimo at Target ($25); Boots are Nine West ($99 on sale).

The number of times I wear the BR skinny jeans each month is getting embarrassing. I've needed to go jean shopping for a while, but it's a task I hate with the white hot heat of 10,000 suns so I've been putting it off. I smell a challenge coming on.

Help me out...where do you like to go jeans shopping? Do you have a no fail, best pair?

To buy or not to buy...

I really like these and they are on sale for $50. They seem like a good spring boot that would go well with skirts and even shorts if I can pull it off properly. Any thoughts on these? Comment below, yo!

Baby, it's cold outside.

I woke up this morning to snow, which was pretty until I remembered that I had planned to wear a dress today. And also had to walk my dog. Pickles is lucky she's adorable.
Well, I decided not to let cold weather get me down and just wear what I was planning on anyway. So here I am: BCBG Dress ($178) which I picked up at Macy's after reading that "art prints" were a coming trend. BCBG has embraced it and has a ton on their site. Club Monaco Cardigan makes another appearance. Great for the office. Almsot went with a navy cardigan but decided it was too matchy-matchy. Shoes are Miz Mooz, ($90ish) purple with a wood wedge heel and I love them. I just discovered this brand. They don't always hit it out of the park, but they do a lot of mid heels (which, as a New Yorker, I love) and they also choose some interesting leather colors that you don't see everywhere. The prices are also quite nice.

What you're not seeing here is what it required to wear this outfit today. Namely a mid-calf link puffer, Wool lined snow boots and a scarf and earmuffs. That pictures is far less fashionable. Those of you in cooler climates, please share your cold weather style tips in the comment section! I need them!

I'll be wearing this tonight for dinner at Balthazar, one of my favorite restaurants in the world and a large factor in my decision to head east.

"My grammy never gave gifts. She was too busy getting raped by Cossacks."

When I got dressed today I felt like I was channeling a little bit of modern-day Annie Hall, thus the movie quote for today's title. If you've never seen Annie Hall, check it out. It's a classic.

So, a couple of things going on here. It's a little hard to see in the photo, but the black sweater vest (BCBG,$160ish) has sequins on it. It's been hanging in my closet for three years in the "going out" section and has only been worn maybe 3 times. It always felt too dull for a night out. So today I moved it over to day wear. (What? Sequins during the day? Crazy!) I paired it with a white button down (Banana Republic, of course, $98); skinny jeans (BR again, $89); and my Black Naturalizer boots ($150).

The scarf is the detail I added that really spruced it up. It's also BCBG, and I bought it at least 6 years ago and have worn it once. And it's wasn't cheap - $129. It was one of those things that i liked in theory, but never had the creativity to wear. The fact that I am wearing it today with a black based outfit (it's rose with chocolate dots) is a major rule break for me. Brown and black were never to be mixed before. (the German in me is very strict!). I was far too worried about something matching than whether or not it just worked.

So lesson learned. Matching is not a style foundation, it's just using the Garanimals principle to get dressed.

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.

I need to start sleeping with mean people.

Why? Because I CANNOT get out of bed in the morning. I need to roll over when the alarm goes off to face some jerk who pushes me out of bed and tells me to get my ass up. And give him 20 pushups for good measure.

What does this have to do with fashion? Well, when I wake up late like today, 15 minutes after I was supposed to leave the house, I tend to just throw on the first thing I find in the closet. Usually something I've worn a million times. Today's outfit was born of last minute panic. I've worn it before and knew it would work. In fact, I wore something almost identical just last week!) But I'm looking to challenge myself here and do something different. Waking up late doesn't give me much room to do that.

Anyhooo...Ann Taylor Sweater ($58); Banana Republic Skirt ($60); Diba Booties ($140); Gold belt (no idea).

Two good things came out of it though: 1) I got 2 random compliments on looking nice today and 2) it gave me an idea of challenge #4 which I will tackle tonight! Stay Tuned!

Also...if you know where I can get my hands on a nuclear alarm clock, holla.

Project Runway

As much as I've been into fashion and clothes, I've actually never watched this show. This season I started, hoping to get inspired to do something different with the clothes I have. I must say I like it quite a bit. About 20 minutes too much on drama, but I'm assuming that's why people like it.

Amy's design was my favorite this week. It was so pretty, even though the burlap material started out hideous. It looked soft and edgy at the same time. The judges did not pick this as the winner, but they can't always be right, can they?

PS - Heidi Klum is perfection, as Chandler would say.

Amazing Jacket

- Fashion from my iPhone


Pre-Gaga Kim and I hung out at her sister's house where I discovered this AMAZING jacket hanging up.

Turns out Keri Shunk is a fashion designer. I think she has a bright future because this jacket is gorge! Total one-of-a-kind piece that I would have stolen if the Shunk Sisters hadn't outnumberd me 3 to 1. My karate is a little rusty anyhow. Darn it.

Check her out: Unk and Wil