A Good Weekend & Sailor Shorts

Hello, grasshoppers!

How was your weekend? Mine was fairly delightful. I went to an estate sale Saturday morning and spent quite a few minutes rifling through an interesting array of vintage clothing, shoes, and purses. I came away with nothing, but was tickled to see that the newest issue of Teen Vogue (which was waiting for me when I came home) featured an ensemble by Proenza Schouler that looked exactly like one I had dismissed at the estate sale. Go figure. It was actually pretty ugly, though, and not in a good way. The night was spent in the company of some of my favorite girls, giggling and sharing secrets. And then today I went to Target to check out the newest GO collection by their in-house designers.

My reaction? Eh. The fabrics, which tend to be bordering on cheap in every GO collection, were pretty abysmal. I could tell just by looking at the clothes that they were cut in unflattering ways. The only item I tried on that I actually liked was the linen high-waisted skirt in steel with metallic coating, but it didn't seem worth the $30+ price tag. Still, it was pretty cute, and I think it would be an excellent way to look stylish at the office if paired with black pumps and a blouse. A warning, though - go up a size! I'm sometimes a 3, mostly a 5, but I was a 7 in this skirt.

Speaking of skirts, I did manage to score a Jovovich Hawk high-waisted denim mini skirt that was on sale.

I haven't done a good job documenting my outfits or clothing purchases lately, mostly because I've been both busy and utterly exhausted. Not to fear, though - I did a little modeling today. Behold my new (as of last weekend) denim sailor shorts!

It is love. I can wear them like a Navy darling:

Shorts: Paris Blues (TJ Maxx); top: a shop in Toronto; tights: TJ Maxx; shoes: swap; headband: H&M

Or I can wear them with my own strange twist:

Shorts: Paris Blues (TJ Maxx); top: Forever 21; tights: swap; flats: Nina (DSW); flowers: self-made

I don't know what I was going for here. Circus-sailor-dancer chic? Ah well. It works, I think.

I possibly just made a complete fool out of myself. Don't say I never do anything for you!

$15 and I'm a Happy Girl

The 15 Dollar Store seemed like a good find at first. I was ecstatic, naturally, at the concept of a store selling clothing and accessories marked down to $15 a pop. However, when I took a close look at all the stock, I was disappointed. Nothing was very stylish. I didn't want any of it.

However, I was bored today and decided to give the store a second chance. I scrolled through the new additions, and happily found some nice stuff! Yes, I might be making some $15-dollar additions to my wardrobe in the near future! Check out what I found:

The cardigan, black tunic-y thing, and belt are especially calling to me. They stare at me with the big round eyes of a lost puppy, saying, "take me home with you!"

Or something like that. You know.

A Trip to Kohl's

I had a fairly uneventful weekend, but I managed to slip in a quick trip to Kohl's. Most of the stuff there was tacky (as usual), but there were a few gems to be found. I came away with those boots I had been coveting:



And this purse:



The boots are extremely comfy, as well as (I think) rather awesome-looking, and they were only $31 on sale! They remind me of the boots I saw a lot of the Teen Vogue Staff wearing at Fashion U, only I think theirs were either Marc by Marc or Chloe and had a much taller heel. I've also seen similar boots doing the rounds on editorials and gracing the feet of the lovely Agyness Deyn. I totally love them, seriously. I've been clomping around the house in them all day, admiring the satisfying sound they make as they smash against the floor. My family does not seem to appreciate this as much as I do. The bag was something I really didn't need, but it was $11 and I couldn't reign myself in. I find it adorable, classic, and fun. I can take it anywhere!

Another good thing about the boots and the bag is that they go together:


(Pssst...the dress is semi-new from Loehmann's. It's a bit too fancy for day wear, but I love it!)

Anyway, the moral of the story is that Kohl's actually had some really cute shoes (In addition to the boots, I was lusting after some cranberry-colored patent t-strap heels, but I couldn't justify buying them), and a bunch of cute handbags (If you like the studs trend that's going on right now, there are a bunch of wonderful black Daisy Fuentes bags I was eyeing.) Plus, everything's on sale! The clothes aren't even worth a look, but if bargainous shoes and accessories are what you're looking for, get thee to Kohl's!

A Shopping Excursion

As hinted at, I did make it to Steve & Barry's (and H&M!) today. I didn't take any pictures, though. And Sarah Jessica Parker's line was...exactly what I expected. It wasn't awful or loathsome. It wasn't exciting. It was perfectly nice, extremely cheap, and worth buying if you wanted a basic piece for very little money. I didn't try very much on- just a pair of jeans, a pair of round-toe flats, a pair of pointy-toe flats, and a cowboy hat (that one was just for fun). The jeans were a great deal, but just not tight enough. The pointy flats hurt a lot. The round-toe ones were comfy. And that pretty much sums up Bitten. End of story.

Now for the more exciting aspects of my shopping trip:

1) I bought a very cute dress at H&M

2) I saw this adorably fashionable little girl in the parking lot. She was maybe 7 or 8 years old, and she was wearing an over sized t-shirt as a dress and combat boots. Her hair was loose with a headband. I was really impressed, because she somehow managed to make the outfit look very funky. I usually hate seeing little kids looking stylish, because it tends to seem like their parents stuffed them in these tight little outfits that are too uncomfortable to play in, but this girl could - and did - run and shout. Yay for the next generation of fashionistas!

Shopping for Guys

Shopping for guys can be extremely hard.

Today my brother asked me to pick out some (relatively cheap) new shirts and sweatshirts for him online. At first I was at a loss for where to go, because most of my prefered shopping websites are targeted at women. When I finally settled on Forever 21, it was a complete bust. I was shocked to find a meager selection of ugly, vaguely hipster clothing was all that was available for men, and my brother was shocked to find that I would consider shopping for him at such a terrible store. Of course, I immediately showed him the beautifully abundant womens' selection so that he could see why I had thought to shop there, but the damage was done. My wonderful twin brother has a bad opinion of my favorite store, and I can no longer speak to him. I wonder if Forever 21 realizes that their tiny mens' selection is causing rifts within families?

Only slightly discouraged, I continued on my valiant quest for decent mens' clothing. I logged onto the Urban Outfitters website and headed straight for the clearance section. I thought I was having better luck there, but my brother didn't like almost anything I picked out. And the things that he did like, he was too embarassed to wear to school. I needed to try a different store.

Okay, I told myself, it's time to pull out the big guns. Third time's the charm, right? I gritted my teeth and went to ASOS. And you know what? The sale section was chock full of things my brother wanted for his wardrobe. Mission complete!

I have often wondered why most guys fear to take any kind of fashion risks, and always end up acrediting it to general laziness and a lack of interest. It turns out that the reason my brother won't abandon his uniform of baggy jeans and plain t's is because (according to him) his friends would laugh. I think that any guy can come up with interesting and unique outfits, given access to a thrift store or ample amounts of money, but many fear the reaction of others or don't know where to look. To make matters worse, there are few stores that cater to men interested in expanding the limits of their wardrobe. I don't know what can be done about this, but I do think it's unfair.

The bottom line? I'm glad I was born a girl.

Etsy is Love

Let me just say that I love Etsy. It's like the biggest, best crafts fair mixed with a flea market, a thrift store, and your grandmother's attic full of everything fantastic. Last night I went Etsy-crazy. I tend to go on Etsy for large spurts of time, and each time I add a million beautiful items to my favorites. And each time has a theme, mostly because my interests change depending on my mood. Last night's theme was all things girly. I think I'll share a bunch (and when I say a bunch, I mean a BUNCH) of my finds with you so that you can oooh and aaaah along with me. And if you decide that you absolutely must have one of them, you are not alone.


Hooray for cupcake stuff! I love cupcakes. They're so happy.
Cupcake dress
Cupcake necklace
Cupcake flats


This stuff reminds me of a sweet, girlish grandmother. Love.
Earrings
Teacup/saucers
Headband
Brooch


This stuff it kitschy and girly and fun. I love it all!
Dress
Fanny Pack
Handbag
Crafty Curios

To see more of my sweet finds, go here.

A self reminder

http://www.zu-zu-b.com/index.php is a good Asian fashion shopping site, as is http://www.yesstyle.com.

Lulu's Fashion Lounge

Lulu's Fashion Lounge is an online boutique of sorts that I have known about for a long time. I have to admit that I was never really all that impressed with the merchandise they had to offer. Well, folks, the tides have changed. I visited the site today for the first time in months, and, lo and behold, there was a fantastic selection of shoes and accessories. I wasn't thrilled with the clothing choices, but the shoes and accessories were dead on, especially the shoes. Not only are most of them extremely cute, but they also have a huge under-$50 section. Can you say score?Still, there were two pairs of shoes that stood out, shoes that unfortunately lie outside of my price range. Look how pretty:


Oh. My. God. I am in love with these boots. They are such a rich, unusual (for boots) blue and I really like the unique touch that the little metal studs add. I'm a size 8US, hint, hint...Pretty please with a cherry on top...


I remember coveting these flats (or maybe very similar ones) at Urban Outfitters. So unique and fun! I love them maybe a little too much.

Anyways, those are the lust-worthy, out-of-budget items of the day. So sadly, I didn't buy them. I did unpocket the cash for a pair of plain red flats (just those junky Mary Janes you can buy in any Chinatown, but I'm a sucker for any shoes with a $6.00 price tag), a cute strawberry printed headband with a bow, and the bag that is shown below. Sweet, isn't it? I think I will be very happy with my purchases, even if those blue boots and white flats aren't among them.

Prom Done Right

Well, it's finally that time of year again. You know, that time where drunken high school kids parade around in stilettos and poofy dresses and attempt to dance. That's right...it's prom time. I, sadly, will not be able to attend my own prom. It's not so much the dancing and fancy dinner that I'll miss, but the act of shopping for the perfect prom outfit and getting all dolled up. To curb my desire to go on a massive prom shopping trip for no reason, I decided to do some 'fake' online shopping...that is, I put together prom looks without actually buying the stuff. Genius, I know. I'm not a fan of 'typical' prom wear, with the Cinderellas fluffiness and all, so my idea of the perfect prom look is designed to turn heads. I aim for bold, playful, cheap, and unique. Is it possible, you ask? Why yes, yes indeed.


This is exactly what I would wear to prom if I was going. I find it perfect.
Dress: Ebay (I refuse to mention the shop because I have a strong desire to buy it and hope that I find something to wear it to eventually)
Leggings: American Apparel (I know a lot of people hate these, but I think they can look smashing when worn correctly)
Shoes: Gojane.com
Bag: Asiajam.com


This one's definately more of a head-turner. I love the clashing patterns. If you're really into standing out, I would reccomend adding a black pillbox hat with a veil to the ensemble. Tres chic!
Dress: Asiajam.com
Leggings: Target
Boots: Gojane.com
Clutch: Macy's

Oh, le sigh...

A Good Find

http://www.lovemyshoes.com/ - I have never seen a cheaper shoe clearance section. NICE!!!

My Topshop Desires

The title of this post says it all...



Oh, how I covet this coat. It's perfect and I want it! Wish it was in my budget.



These shoes are somewhat unique, and they look comfy as well. I want.



I also want these shoes. They would add a splash of color to an outfit, they are probably comfortable since they're flats, and I'm really into the t-strap thing right now.



I have no idea why I'm so enamored with this dress, because it's not the kind of thing that I usually go for. But you have to admit, it's a damn nice dress.



A simple, pretty bag. End of story.


I wish I could go on a Topshop shopping spree. In addition to what I posted here, I would buy a neon bomber jacket for every day of the week, neon skinny pants to go with them, and a sweet plaid coat that caught my eye. Maybe I'll spring for one of the items pictured above. After all, Topshop now ships to the US. Hooray!

Blogging on the Cheap Stuff

There are some other fashion blogs that I really love to read. My favorite one is probably Style Bubble, but I find Daddy Likey hysterical, and I enjoy various other blogs, such as Do This Don't and Facehunter. My only issue with these blogs, in particular Style Bubble and Facehunter, is that they spur in me an inate desire to buy clothes I simply can't afford. As much as I love clothes, sometimes I would rather have money to go on vacation, or to eat for that matter. That philosophy just doesn't give me the budget to spend over $25 on a shirt. And as much as I adore shoes, I will spend a good $60 on a pair of running shoes whose life will span the style changes, and then $30 or less (each) on a select few pairs of shoes that I buy "just for fun." To do otherwise would deprive me of other neccesities. Also, I'm the kind of girl for whom more is more. I'd rather have a handful of cute, cheap dresses than one expensive one. Yes, the cheaper dresses will fall apart more quickly, but I figure that they will be out of style by the time that day comes. If I ever become rich and famous, I can splurge on the good stuff, but for now I'll have to satisfy myself with the glories of H&M, Forever21, Wet Seal, and thrift stores. This is why I blog about the cheaper stuff...It's what I know. There will be the occasional lust entries where I rant about my high fashion desires, but for the most part, I think I can keep those to a minimum.

Payless Red Carpet Collection by Patricia Field

Payless sure has been busy as of late. First Abaete and Lela Rose, now Patricia Field. Yes, that's right...Patricia Field (You may know her as a stylist for Sex and the City and a costume designer for The Devil Wears Prada) is designing a collection for Payless. I, for one, am excited. The only shoes from the collection that are shown on the Payless website are the ones pictured above, but while I don't love them, they set a tone for a fun, funky collection that you could easilly picture on the set of Sex and the City. I do hope the rest of the collection involves shorter heels, though, because these ones are ankle-breakers. Expect to raid the Payless shelves for Patricia Field's creations in the holiday season of 2007.

Tights and Leggings

Right now I'm really into fun tights and leggings. I love neon tights that pop from underneath a skirt or dress, and I admire the funky abstract patterns you can find on various leggings. I really covet the H&M leggings below. They would really pump up the little black dress or black shorts or a black jumpsuit.



I need to get down to H&M one of these days. It really has some fantastic clothing at very good prices. Also, I want to check out Madonna's collection. It seems pretty nice to me...I love that kimono-style dress that's being featured. Very classy, no?

Vintage Websites to Watch

http://www.vforvintage.com/index.html
http://vintagefabulous.com/index.php
http://www.ninjavintage.com/index.html
http://www.adorevintage.com/ - pricey but awesome
http://avantgaudy.com/ - cheap shoes
http://sydneysvintageclothing.com/cart/
http://www.dandelionvintage.com/
http://www.sveetcouture.com/catalog/
http://www.prettybabyvintage.com/
http://www.modcloth.com/ - coupon code 'blog' gives you 10% off
http://www.vintageamore.com/

Want Asian Street Fashion?

Well, you're in luck. Asiajam.com sells adorable clothing and accessories imported from Asia. Some of them are too cutesy or puffy for the average American, but others are just right for putting together unique, fun look. The prices aren't bad either.

I like a lot of the items for sale there (Those Hello Kitty purses are so sweet!), but there was one item that really stood out. The skirt pants (shown above) are cute and unique. I've never seen or heard of skirt pants, but I hope they make it big. I may just buy these and bring the trend to America.

Abaete and Lela Rose for Payless

I'm getting kinda psyched for Abaete and Lela Rose's collections for Payless. The Abaete collection is due to hit stores in March '07. As in this month. So get ready for a major shopping spree! The Lela Rose collection won't be available until Fall '07, but that gives us plenty of time to get excited.

The above pictures are my 2 favorite shoes from each collection. The Abaete shoes on the top left are funky, unique, and they have the spring bling-bling trend down flat. Whether I can walk in them is another story. The Abaete shoes on the bottom left are what I like to call retro-fabulous. I'm a big fan of flat boots because I refuse to put my feet in anything that will cause them pain (well, unless it's absolutely gorgeous). I could see these boots with a lot of current trends, like jumpers, tunics, retro dresses, and pretty spring dresses. These are my favorite shoes from the 2 collections, so I will be picking up a pair of these. Hey, the price is right! The Lela Rose collection includes some pretty nice shoes as well. The pair featured on the top right is adorable. I love the t-strap look, and I love how they are chunky, but still femenine. I may have to spring for these as well. The red pair beneath these is nice, too. I don't find it incredibly special, but, like most red pumps, it has that old Hollywood glamour appeal.

Just to show how awesome the boots are, I'm posting a picture I found of a girl wearing similar boots. The pic is from the flickr group Wardrobe Remix, and it was uploaded by liebemarlene.

Good Find!

www.the15dollarstore.com - Clothing, shoes, and accessories..all for only $15.00 YESSS!!!!! Another good find (although almost nothing could compete with the awesomeness of a 15 dollar store) is www.gojane.com.

New Spring Look: Metallics

That's right...metallics are back in. I've been seeing clothing and accessories with that disco-y, bling-bling effect. I'm not sure if I'm a big fan of metallic tops, bottoms, or dresses, because they seem a bit tacky to me, but I think a nice touch of gold or silver in the accessories department can really brighten or dress up an outfit. Here are some of the items I've seen:


This Wet Seal top is a bit too disco for me, and it seems tacky.


This Forever 21 headband, on the other hand, is just the right addition to almost any outfit.


OK, let me just say I love this Zara bag. It would work with a daytime or a nightime look, and it looks so chic and hip at the same time.


These Wet Seal shoes have a bit of that disco feel, but I think they would be really fun to wear on a night out.


These American Apparel leggings would work great for day or night, and I love how they can make any outfit looks effortlessly fun, funky, and fashionable. Don't believe me? Well, look at how great it looks in Mathew Williamson's spring collection.


See? I told you so.

Flickr.com

So I'm really liking flickr.com. I got an acount there a week or so ago, but I didn't really get around to using it until thursday. Believe me, this is so much more than a photo-hosting site. There are so many groups with pools of photos on any subject. Some of them are extremely clever. My faves? Wardrobe Swapshop is a group where people post pics of the old clothing, shoes, and accessories that they no longer want, and if they like the stuff that someone else posted, they can trade one of their items for it. That's right...it's like thrift shopping, except it has the added bonus of cleaning unwanted clothes out of your closet, and oh yeah, it only costs the price of shipping. Yippee! Another awesome group is Wardrobe_Remix, where people post pictures of their daily outfits. I'm always so jealous of how awesome everyone looks. It's a great place for wardrobe inspiration. (I'm clothing-obsessed, can you tell?). Finally, flickr hosts many groups full of photos of delicious-looking food and accompanying recipes. This is great for me, but not so great for cookbook authors. Score!