LOOOOVE

I've fallen in love. With a xylophone. Not just any xylophone (give me a little credit), but this indescribably uber-cute xylophone from Fred Flare. What would I do with a xylophone, you ask? Play music, I guess. Okay, fine, I don't really have much of a reason to buy it, unless I can unite with xylophone-lovers around the world and form a big, bad xylophone bad. Are you in?

Patrick Robinson for Target

Target recently announced that Patrick Robinson would be the next designer for the Go: International line. His designs, which are available for viewing in the Target press showroom, are loose, breezy, and covered in pretty boho patterns. This is the first Go: International collection where I can actually see myself in every outfit, so needless to say, I'm counting the days 'til it's released this summer.

Waiting For Warm Weather

It's days like these that make me long for it to be warm again. Today was truly glorious, with the sun shining and a light breeze blowing, save for one thing: It wasn't warm enough to satisfy my craving for late spring weather. As I spent long hours imagining the day it would again be a temperature that would allow me to sit on my rooftop and enjoy the view of my neighborhood, my thoughts turned to what I would wear on such a day. Here are two of my ideal spring outfits.


What could go wrong with pristine, elegant white? Nothing, I tell you, nothing. This outfit would make me feel like such a lady.
A. Audrey Hepburn-esque Dress, Alloy.com
B. Jackie O. Sunglasses, Fredflare.com
C. White Patent Mary Janes, Forever 21 (forever21.com)


Aaah, how I enjoy a mix of bright colors...
A. Shirt with Bow, Wet Seal (wetseal.com)
B. Checkered Skirt, Asiajam.com
C. Bucket Hat, Forever 21 (forever21.com)
D. Blue shoes, Urban Outfitters (urbanoutfitters.com)

When Good Designers go Wrong

There are some times when, looking at a particularly ugly piece of designer clothing, I wonder what went wrong. Did the designer get too caught up in playing with structure and volume to worry about how the clothing item would appear on a person's body, or am I, a "normal person," a woefully inadequite judge? Either way, I don't understand it.

For example, the picture below from yesterday's Samora fashion show in L.A. is gorgeous. I think the deep, rich colors, the shape that accentuates (or creates) the model's curves, and the luxurious-looking fabric all make for a wonderful outfit.


And yet, in that same show, there was also the outfit showed below. The pants are basic and fine, but that top makes me shudder. When a top makes a model look thick, you can only imagine how unflattering it would be on a typical woman. The puff sleeves, while a nice concept, create a broad-shouldered, broad-armed effect that adds to the "thick" illusion. Needless to say, I would never stoop to even trying this on.


Like I said before, I just don't get it. How can the same designer who created the first look also create the second one? Why did they think it would be a good idea?

I guess I'll just have to remind myself that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and stick with that.

The Verdict: Abaete for Payless

Today the Abaete for Payless spring collection finally arrived! After waking up this morning, I raced to the computer and logged on to payless.com like a little girl on Christmas morning (though I am, in fact, Jewish). At first I was surprised. Where were all the styles shown previously on the Payless website? Although I was disapointed by the lack of those amazing white boots (maybe they're part of the fall collection?), I soon found more shoes to be excited about. You have to admit...the flower cutouts on a few of the shoes and handbags are quite adorable. And while I'm not a huge fan of the ones with the tropical floral print, I can see where they'd be comfortable and breezy...perfect for late spring and early summer. There was one lone pair of flats that didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the collection, but I do think that they are cute and ideal for hot wheather because of some cutouts and a peep toe. All in all, a nice selection of shoes. And all for $20.00 or less, which is the best part : )

To get your Payless fix for even less, use the coupon code 21878.

Haha...patheticness...leaving a coupon code for my non-existant readers...

Free Online Fashion Mags

I'm really liking this new trend of free online fashion mags. I've been reading Neet since it came out, but the Free People Blog just clued me into yet another one, Amour. It's not as good for me as Neet, because it's British and I can't buy most of the stuff in it until I can pull together enough money to go on vacation there, but it's still a fun read. It has also made me realize that I desperately want a Primark nearby. Le sigh...

I have quickly become a hardcore Neet fan. I love that almost everything listed in it is both quirky and affordable. Most magazines are chock full of stuff that makes me long to crack into my college savings account. But no...with the help of Neet (and maybe now Amour), I will be strong and build a wardrobe with character. And a fuller wallet.

Painfully Hip

I have found the mother of all bargain-finding, cheap-loving blogs. www.painfullyhip.com, even though you haven't been around very long, I will check you again and again.