shoes of the day

It is no secret around here that I am broke as a joke. The little money I do have is not my own, and will have to be repaid with interest. So I don't go online-window-shopping like I used to- it is too depressing. But I am just dying to get my hands on some summery sandals. I am craving huge platforms that go with everything. When I wear heels to school, I feel a little overdressed for some reason, but sky high platforms are easier to walk in and a little more casual. Shopbop has a wonderful selection right now.


Marc by Marc, $111

Ash, $87


Twelfth St Cynthia Vincent, $106. Ahhh I want these so bad.

Unfortch these are all still out of my reach, even though on sale. But seriously if you have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, send it directly to me go over to Shopbop, they are having grrreat sales right now.

am I just crazy??

...or are these pants actually really great?



I can't decide.

I love loeffler

So, I got those boots. My local Target had them in stock, so I didn't have to order online and fret about the quality after I had already parted with my precious, precious $34.99 (+tax). The quality isn't top-notch, duh, but they really don't look bad in person. I tried them on, looked in the mirror, and chanted "Until I can afford Loeffler...until I can afford Loeffler..."

Yes, they look kinda like a poor man's (woman's) version of Loeffler Randall's gorgey half-wedge boots. I'm sure Jessie Randall wouldn't mind, right? She did a collabo with Target earlier this year. For now I'm a Target girl, but my eye's on the prize...

Just swooning:






All can be found here at Shopbop.

brands are creeping in

Creeping into my consciousness, that is. I am pretty good at staying away from sites where I know I can't afford the vast majority of items, like net-a-porter, Saks, Bergdorf's, Barney's, etc. I'll catch those gorgeous wares when they pop up on blogs of the well-to-do or in magazines, but I don't deliberately search them out. This way, I am not quite as tortured with completely unattainable images bombarding my consciousness. Shopbop's clothing has always been in the upper ranges of my downsized fantasies, but sometimes they have things that are affordable to me. But lately, they keep on adding more and more expensive brands to the point where I can't visit their site without a mini sartorial crisis.
"AHHHH why do I only fall for the most expensive things!? I will never be able to fully express my style because everything I can afford is cheap and ugly! I might as well just wear a sweatsuit everyday for the rest of my life!!"
Ok, deep breath, and everything's fine.
This might have happened to me this morning when an email from Shopbop announced the arrival of Alexander Wang to their collection of brands, and the arrival of a new beautiful dress into my mind.


Unfortunately, unless the dress goes on sale for oh, about 95% off, I will never see it in person.
here for $796.
Oh Shopbop, you now have Elizabeth & James, See by Chloe, Jovovich-Hawk, the "designer boutique," and now Alexander Wang. You are just becoming a little Net-a-Porter Jr., aren't you!

Well, it continues to be so hot here that I just want to lay around in my underwear anyway. I was NEVER this hot in Florida! I am barely being kept alive by 2 small fans, and then our power went out and that was the longest night of my life. Tomorrow I'm excited because I'll be doing a little freelance-babysitting in (in my opinion) the poshest hotel in the city, which includes a gorgeous pool. That little bugger better LOVE to swim!!

it happens every time.

After a long, unseasonably cold day that took Florida by surprise, I returned home to take a steamy shower and settle in with a Lean Cuisine spinach-and-mushroom pizza to check my emails.
Law school, Law School, WaMu, Law School, Sephora, Shopbop...
And there it was.
This happens every time.
Every single time I make a long-debated, serious clothing/accessory purchase, the item goes on sale or clearance not long after I have already parted ways with the cash. This time, my ill timed purchase consisted of some beautiful hidden-platform subtly-pointed pumps to coordinate with my new for-law-school pencil skirt/peplum jacket suit.
Not twenty-four hours after their arrival, Shopbop sent the email announcing their Tax Breaks sale. If you want the same pumps, you can get them for only $140, saving you the exact amount it costs to get another one of my wishlist items, the L L.A.M.B. fragrance roll-on perfume. It is also a good time to justify that pricey springtime blouse or handbag.

It goes in reverse too- if I wait out an item until it goes on sale, it will inevitably go out of stock. I can't win!

a few more swimming don'ts

Along with looking like a bikini-clone, there are a few other styles you'd be wise to avoid when hitting the beach/pool/hot tub/lake this year.

Is there any explanation needed? No? Well please, someone make the droves of proud "G.R.I.T.S." t-shirt wearin' girls who wear this bikini as a symbol of pride understand that it just makes them look ignorant. You can be proud of your heritage, of course. Just do it in a classy way that doesn't have such negative connotations. Also in this category? Camo.

Ahh, the apron tankini. I didn't even know the correct term for this item until I was searching for pictures today. This is possibly the worst attempt at flattering modesty I've ever seen. It doesn't look good on children, it doesn't look good on ladies, hell, it doesn't even look good on Gisele. The top is sloppy, adds to a lumpy look rather than sleek lines, and when wet, hangs forward and exposes that which the wearer was trying to conceal in the first place. Sorry, there just isn't an equivalent to the sloppy maternity babydoll shirt that girls like to wear when bloated- every swimsuit shows all. Also in this category? The monokini (shudder). It is a picture frame for your love handles- enough said.

Finally, do not fall into the trap of "oh, a bikini bottom is just a tiny bit of fabric, the degree of tininess doesn't matter, it's all the same." No, string bikinis do not look good on everyone. Actually, they look good on precious few women; namely, anyone who has thighs. Please don't think that less fabric = more sexy. Please find rump/leg coverage that's best for your body. Low-slung, boyshort, and thick-banded suits work best for athletic thighs like mine and flatter anyone with curves. Some styles, along with strings, that don't work on our womanly curves: overt ruffles, a swim skirt, and the Brazilian. These additions make you look like you're trying to dainty-fy your strong legs. It doesn't work, it just looks out-of-proportion.
Ok, now the fun stuff. To get a truly unique, flattering swimsuit, it doesn't take a huge bank account but it might take some looking. Look at off-the-beaten-path stores, look for details like (subtle) ruffling, buttons, ruching, hardware, and bright colors. Swimwear is one part of your wardrobe in which you don't have to inhibit yourself at all. You can go classy or bright; demure or bombshell. Here are some of my favorites.
Insight Enigma bikini, $74, at Revolve Clothing.

Luna polka-dot suit by Maya, $165, at Couture Candy.

Tuxedo bikini, $39, Victoria's Secret.

Cindy Bandeau by Brette Sandler, $154, at Shopbop.

Plaid ruffle bandeau by Billabong, $84, at Urban Outfitters.

La Malmaison Bikini by Tyler Rose, $162, at Shopbop.

Brazil Halter by Lisa Curran, $155, at Shopbop.

Banana-print, $39, Victoria's Secret.

freakin' shopbop

If any of you are like me, and if you're reading this you probably are (sorry), then this will excite you:

new winter markdowns at shopbop.

we're talking primo stuff here. They even have my previously-posted shirt on sale. But it's going fast, folks. I put a sub-$200 Marc by Marc handbag into my wishlist, and it's already sold out. It's probably for the better, though, since my bank account is seriously suffering from Christmas drain and I don't need a single thing. Leave it to shopbop to make me doubt my much-needed shopping hiatus!

shooting stars

After a long day of working 2 retail jobs back-to-back and getting home after midnight, I was walking my dog in an angry huff. As I was pleading with her to do her business quickly, I looked up into the too-hot-for-December sky and gasped. A shooting star! It was so big and bright, it startled me at first. In the split second that I realized what it was, I got my thoughts together and made one huge wish. And no, I'm not telling what it was!

After seeing the star, I felt completely exhilarated. I like to think the star was meant for me--I mean, how many other people could have seen it in that one millisecond? It was a personal sign that everything (bad job, unsure future) is going to be fine.

But, on second thought, maybe I should have wished for one of these items. Especially the shoes and the dress--I am completely in love with it!


(more item details here.)

back to fashion, for now

Well, the test is over, thank you to everyone who gave me good wishes! I definitely needed every last one, but alas I don't know if the good feelings were enough to save my sorry, mushy brain. More than 5 hours of mind-numbing testing, and it was such a blur that I don't really know how well I did. I think I totally bombed one section, but maybe made up for it in the other 5? We'll see...I need to know if I should be aiming for the likes of George Washington/Wash.U or more along the lines of SUNY Buffalo/U. of Utah! haha...no offense to any school, I will be happy if I get in anywhere.

SO, being the vain little person I am, felt deserving of a reward just for completing the test. I went to Neiman's Last Call in hopes of finding some new skinny jeans. It was very slim pickings, but I did find some beautiful Vince velvet skinny pants for $60.

They fit like a glove, and will be pretty festive if I dress them up, but I think they can work for everyday wear too.



I tried them on with this top, and it looked awesome, but the top was still $78 and I just couldn't justify that. But let me know if it goes on sale at shopbop, mmmmk?

Ok, it's been awhile so I need to jump back in and catch up with all the wonderful blogs out there, and get a move on my holiday shopping....and with all the crazy traffic around the malls here, I think I will be staying exclusively online!

what i'm loving today

This Signette party dress from Bluefly ($165). ONCE AGAIN, too bad I won't be attending any holiday parties.


This Marc by Marc colorblock bag at Shopbop ($348). I have been looking for a bag that doesn't look like every other bag out there, and this is very me.

Kate Bosworth in this dress:

The girl can do no wrong. Check out the back:



Finally, 3 Muskateers Mint Bars:



Great, I have a new candy obsession. I am a huge fan of anything mint-chocolate. Peppermint patties are too minty, but these are just perfect. Too perfect.

vintage antm

Well it looks like my life is finally coming together (knock on wood!). I finally got a full-time job with benefits! yay! This is good, since I haven't been to the dentist in...uhh...let's not think about it. I am also studying for the LSAT and think law school might be the right future for me. And, I went from blond to dark brunette. So anyway! Change is good and things are looking up.

It's my first Saturday night off in, well, about 6 months, so how do I spend it? Watching reruns of America's Next Top Model, cycle 6 (the one where Danielle wins). It is by far one of the best "cycles," I loved all the models EXCEPT Jade. Ick. I think she is NOT cute at all and I hate how she condescends absolutely everyone around her. I am finally watching the episode where she goes home, and it is so great. When it first aired, I remember screaming for joy when she finally lost. "the one regret I have is that I think the judges made the wrong choice". And then her leaving poem "leftover lady"! UGH. Just go away. I was going to put a picture of Jade on here just to refresh everyone's memory, but I cannot put that girl on my page.

So, my new job. It is in retail! haha. Big surprise. Once you're in retail for so long, it's like a trap. Luckily I'm working for one of the bigger/better companies out there, so the pay & benefits are good. I just have to tell myself to NOT go crazy with the employee discount and stick to my plan of saving up for high quality basics. Such as:

Frye Liv T-Straps $178 at shopbop

Generra short- sleeve dress
$375 at shopbop

multiple choice

The name of this product by Thayer is the Rachel Dress/Skirt. So, are they asking me to choose? In that case, my answer is Skirt. Definitely skirt. The model even looks uncomfortable with that skirt band hiked up around her chest, like "guys, no one is going to believe this is a dress. Who are we trying to kid?"