The Newest Covet: October 13, 2012

I'll admit it.  I'm totally gaudy.  Take a gander into my closet and you'll find extravagant beading.  Rhinestones.  Ribbons.  Pearls.  Oh yes, on just about everything I own.  I even have a sweater made entirely of swirls and swirls of tiny, black buttons.  Tasteful?  Not a word in my vocabulary.

 

This Fall, I think I found a piece that outdoes it all - the aptly named Charm booties by BCBGeneration.

 

 

Finally - boots completely encrusted in sparkles!  Ever the rose gold devotee, I am thoroughly giddy over the bronze glitter pair.

 

 

Featuring a 2.75" heel and a round toe, they scream comfort, ever so important when tirelessly traversing New York's winding city blocks.

 

And even better?  They also come in black glitter for the lady who wants to try something a little bit different without being too over-the-top.

 

 

Needless to say,  though, I will be going for the gold!

 

Because every girl secretly wants to be Dorothy Gale at heart.

 

 

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BCBGeneration Charm booties, Ideeli.com

 

Fall Bag Steals That Won't Break The Bank

I have a confession to make.  I have an addiction.  An itch I just can't scratch.  A craving that probably won't ever be sated.

And it all started with a certain Mr. Marc Jacobs in the early 2000's.  One fateful day I saw it - the bag of my dreams.  The Baby Devon Hobo bag, to be precise.  And I fell in love.  The buttery leather.  The large, brass zipper pulls.  Tiny and sweet but with a hard, motorcycle-chic edge.

One thing led to another and, a bit later, I had my second classic Marc Jacobs Mini-Stam purse.  A  navy blue Celine doctor's bag.  A silver and gold snakeskin Rebecca Minkoff Cover carry-all.  And the list goes on.

While I'll always have an affair of the heart with Mr. Jacobs, a destitute future just ain't my thang.  And, anyway, most of these delights were milestone gifts so thoughtfully purchased by loved ones, or steals snatched up during soldes in Paris many moons ago. 

So, how do I get my fix these days?  Luckily, there are so many fabulous, affordable designs to be giddy about!

One of my favorites lately is Mod Cloth's Pretty Parlor bag.  And, boy, does it live up to its name - the juxtaposition of teal, coral and white, with dainty perforated edges and jaunty tassels - just gorgeous.  And, at under $70, and vegan to boot, it's a wonderful lady-like selection.

Another winner?  Chictopia's Color Me Happy Nila Anthony purse.  I love Nila's irreverent designs, and this gem is no exception - a frenetic, modern take on a classic chain strap style, with black and white stripes competing against splashes of pink and blue.  Bold, fun, and such a keeper at only $38!

I am also loving the Fossil vintage re-issue cross body bags.  While they come in a number of colors and fabrics, I am obsessed with this rich brown, woven style.  The chunky key is quaint, and the size of the bag makes it a perfect everyday option.  A bit pricier than my other finds at $142, but other patterns are as low as $125.  For a timeless, leather piece you will have for ages, you simply can't go wrong.

But my absolute favorite steal?  Asos' Scallop Edge Across Body Satchel in lilac.  I scooped this one up in the Spring as a substitute for See by Chloe's Poya Scalloped Doctor's bag, which I had, of course, been stalking online for ages.  At less than $35, it is a darn good knockoff and, as always, I love Asos' free shipping/return policy.  After many months of use, I still adore it - and Bones even so sweetly surprised me with the real deal in baby blue for my 30th birthday!  While my bag is sadly no longer available on the site, Asos always features trendy, stylish and (dare I say?) cheap accessories that fit any budget.

Remember, there are scads of spot-on designer inspired selections out there alongside original, eye-catching options.  Which just means that instead of that real Marc Jacobs bag that costs you a few weeks salary...well, you can have a different bag to match all your outfits instead!

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Parlor Pretty bag, Modcloth.com

Color Me Happy bag, Chictopia.com

Fossil Vintage Re-Issue bag, Zappos.com

Scallop Edge across body satchel, Asos.com

See By Chloe's Poya scalloped doctor's bag, Net-A-Porter.com

The One Accessory You Need This Fall

Fall has announced itself again, my favorite of all the seasons.  The leaves crackling and crunching underfoot, horror movies, pumpkin beer, and that smell in the air - you know which one I mean.  That crisp, promising scent of all that the upcoming months have to offer as the year winds down with a festive bang.  And it's also a time to ponder our wardrobes - what do we have?  What do we need?  And, most importantly, how can we update our look without spending an arm and a leg?

The single most important piece during these chillier months is a coat.  Not only does it keep you toasty as you trek from Union Square's Christmas market to Max Brenner for some revitalizing hot cocoa, it is also the one item absolutely everyone sees.

I am fortunate enough through a little thrift shopping luck, some lovely gifts, and a few splurges to have a bunch of different coats for varied occasions.  Upcoming wedding?  I have a sleek, sophisticated number right at hand.  A museum foray?  Let's throw on a belted, plaid, fur collared dream.  While I don't really have one 'classic,' amazing piece that will last me throughout the years (mainly because I can never see spending $500 and up on a coat, no matter the longevity), most people do, investing in a great trench or a deliciously warm peacoat to see them through the years.  But who says they can't stand to use a little updating?

Well, this year, I decided to snazz things up by selecting a fun, faux fur collar for some instant vintage nostalgia.  Because I want fur collars.  On ALL my jackets.

There are a number of different collars available at all kinds of price points on the Internet.  After much perusal, I ended up choosing one I thought was super affordable, but that I hoped didn't feel coarse or, well, look cheap.

Pieces Fane Faux Fur Collar  fit the bill perfectly.  I love how large it is compared to some of the other options out there.  It also looked so plush and soft, not like other inexpensive alternatives that end up making you itch all day long.

 

I selected the black, as I've found in the past that black faux fur always looks a bit more high-end than colored varieties, and hoped for the best!

At $17.25, I most certainly did not go wrong.  The collar goes with virtually every coat in my closet.  It looks fantastic with a loose fitting utility jacket I have, as shown on the model above.  That perfect red trench from an earlier post?  Equally smashing.  And a grey leather jacket?  Instant update!

And for someone looking to walk on the wild side just a wee bit more?

This oversized lapel design would certainly do the trick.

With a white/grey/brown finish, it is incredibly versatile, and I adore how voluminous it is.  At $37.94, it's twice the price of my treasured acquisition, but so completely worth it.

So be daring, be adventurous, and don't be afraid to mix things up this season - the smallest switch-up can completely change a beloved coat to a fresh piece you're really excited about wearing again.

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Pieces Fane faux fur collar, Asos.com
Faux Fur lapel collar, Asos.com

Miami Fashion, Redefined

I am a city girl. Instead of lounging on a beach, my trips are most often marked by hours spent at a local Impressionist museum. And I pack accordingly – pretty dresses, flats for tons of walking, chic jewelry, a unique bag, and a scarf or two. Identical to my normal New York City style, really.

As such, I didn’t quite know what to expect of Miami, a trip planned with a bunch of fun ladies to celebrate one’s impending nuptials. What initially came to mind? Lots of gold. Of course skin baring outfits. And BRIGHT colors. So bright, it hurts your eyes, bright. Fluorescent bright. Crazy neon bright.

And I so can’t do neon.

So what to pack? I was flummoxed. My lovely friend came over, God bless her, to help edit my existing wardrobe a bit (or, as I like to call it, dress-up time with a glass of wine).

And what we came up with WORKED.

A lot of pieces I already owned – a tight black Victoria’s Secret dress with a bombshell bra handily built in (see me, third from the left - accessorized with a ModCloth gold and pink sequin bag and gold Payless wedges). A festive peplum halter dress, also from Victoria’s Secret. And anything and everything paired with a sweet pair of Seychelle’s gold glitter kitten heels, previously acquired from Ideeli.com - they go with IT ALL.

To fill in some gaps, I did acquire a few new pieces that proved perfect.

A Forever 21 pink peacock print dress was mailed to me post-haste - swingy and flirty, I paired it with a lacy black F21 bra and Mia's Orchestra tie-up gladiator sandals in stone.  With hot pink lips and nails to boot (Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm in Sweetheart is my new very favorite lipstain), I was up for anything.  And a moment I'll never forget in said dress?  Dancing on a table (sober, I might add!) with confetti raining down from the heavens and sparklers everywhere, outrunning the night with my loves.

Similarly, Forever 21's Triangle Drawstring Dress in black was an exceptional travel piece.

Paired with the same gladiators, I felt comfortable without having to resort to dull sweatpants.  And, although I wouldn't normally wear it with this outfit, my red tasselled Melie Bianco satchel was a great, upscale beach bag alternative in a more wearable color for me.

Another revelation?  Anything that seemed too ‘tame’ was instantly updated by gold. Lots and lots of gold. A big, gold necklace draped over a Victoria’s Secret bikini with a chunky gold ring. Or over a cover up with gold wedge sandals. Accompanying the Victoria’s Secret little black dress. It was instantly classic, chic, fun – MIAMI.

So, the best things I took away from this trip?  Well, for starters, always look in your own closet first before going on a vacation outfit rampage.  When you actually analyze the things you do have, you invariably realize you don't need to scoop up as many pieces after all (and side note, ladies: why do we feel this burning ache, anyway, to buy a ton of new clothes for trips to cities where people have never even seen our everyday outfits?  Hmmm.). 

Secondly - Bling.Updates.Everything.  Seriously.  Put a crazy pendant on with any plain old thing, and you've got yourself an outfit.

Also notable: you can't judge a town by it's purported fashion.  All the notions we had pre-trip of everyone in hot pink minis?  Yeah, no one dresses like that.

And most importantly?  Fashion is fleeting and ever changing - but time spent with wonderful, lifelong friends?  Well, it's just indispensable.

(Special thanks to my dear friend, Jen, for letting me use oodles of pics.  And yay to my friend, Christine, the soon-to-be special bride!).


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Black bombshell dress, Victoriassecret.com
Gold  + pink sequin bag, Modcloth.com
Gold wedges, Payless.com
Peplum halter dress, Victoriassecret.com
Seychelles gold glitter kitten heels, Seychellesfootwear.com
Peacock print dress, Forever21.com
Black lace bra, Forever21.com
Gladiator shoes, Miashoes.com
Triangle drawstring dress, Forever21.com
Melie Bianco bag, Meliebianco.com
Coverup, Victoriassecret.com
Necklace, gift

Summer Eye Candy: Focus on Eye Shadow

I am a thrifty lady.  We all know this.  But the one purchase I tend not to scrimp on is makeup.  Drugstore finds in the past just haven't really floated my boat; yeah, they 'work' - but the eyeshadow invariably fades faster, the mascara tends to lengthen just a little bit less, the lipstain wears out just a smidge sooner.

In that spirit of reluctance, I went to my friendly neighborhood drugstore yesterday to try to scoop up a cheap mascara for an impending trip to Miami (the last time I tried to carry on a bag, airport security snatched away my pricier makeup, and didn't even acknowledge my "But they're expensive!" pleas).  While I ended up selecting Maybelline Falsies Flared (not yet tried; it's staying in the packaging until I get to Florida to avoid said makeup plundering), I did find an amazing eye shadow quad - Maybelline's Eye Studio Eyeshadow in Irresistibly Ivy.

I couldn't resist the gorgeous colors - a shimmery champagne, copper, teal and bronze - and at just over $9, I thought, well, why not?

Although I'm not too big on makeup for work, I gleefully pulled out my new purchase this morning to give it a whirl.  And I wasn't disappointed.



The shadow is so rich, with a deepness I don't usually associate with drugstore finds.  There's just the right amount of glitter; it shines without being garish.  And, ever a fan of teal + orange lately, I swooned over the color pairings.

Eight hours later, the look is still vivid (I used just a dab of Benefit's Stay Don't Stray primer first).  I don't need to reapply before my lady dinner date tonight, and, since the pigments are so intense, I only needed to dab a small amount on, with a little finger blending for that perfect smudge.

The verdict:  The colors are on point for all the fun we're sure to have in Miami.  And the application is so quick and easy that it'll be a blessing for my ever-frenzied pre-commuting morning ritual. 

So, off to a lovely bachelorette this week!  And, hopefully, more frequent posts upon my return!  This summer has been a flurry of trip planning, weddings, summer shenanigans and 30th birthday chaos (that's right - the Big 3-0!), but I'm bursting with shopping + present finds.  And be sure to check back for an exciting venture that's been in the works the past few months that you're sure to adore!  I'm really thrilled about it, and I know you will be too.

Have a ball, and stay oh so cool in the meantime!

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Summer Eye Candy: Focus on Forever 21

I am a firm believer that accessories make an outfit.  A plain, old tee and jeans can be completely transformed by a statement necklace and fun shoes.  And what better way to update your seasonal look on a budget than scooping up some of-the-moment pieces for less?

My go-to is always Forever 21.  For every major jewelry trend, F21 has their own version - and it's guaranteed to be stupid cheap.  The online site is the only way to go, as their stores tend to be a disorganized hodgepodge reflecting only a fraction of their website's wares.

Some items I snagged to bring my 2012 summer wardrobe up to date?

I love, love, love the look of the tribal bib necklace - the level of detail on each charm is sick, and I'm really excited to try a shorter necklace since most of my pieces are 30+ inches.

I also love the shattered cuff since I still get very weird about wearing gold and silver together (it always seems like a faux pas to old-fashioned me, like the other now-appropriate fashion combination of black and brown).  I scooped up two that I plan to wear stacked on one wrist, and will mix metals, too, in my ring/earring choices.

One of my favorite pieces?  The chain necklace with pearls.  I debated this one for a bit due to the almost $13 price tag (still affordable, but, really, Forever 21?), and absolutely adore it in person.  I already got to try it out with a black, batwing Dries Van Noten tee (thank you, Beacon's Closet), fuchsia skinny jeans, and a moonstone Rings Eclectic piece, and it totally tied the look together - edgy + sweet.

And who doesn't love a cheery, yellow necklace?

Still on my radar? These two filigree clamper bracelets.  Rhinestone encrusted items can be hit or miss, but these seem just too perfect to pass up.

Forever 21 is just one of my many online haunts - where do you find the best accessory scores?


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Pointed tribal bib necklace, Forever21.com
Marbled bead necklace, Forever21.com
Shattered cuff, Forever 21.com
Chains & pearlescent necklace, Forever21.com
Filigree hinge bracelet, Forever21.com
Filigree pearlescent hinge bracelet, Forever21.com

Lip Stain: Miracle Product Or A Sham?

I have to wake up for work at 6:00 AM to make it to work by 8:45 AM.  Every morning.

My beauty routine as a result?  Virtually non-existent.

So when my friend mentioned finding success with a relatively new lip stain on the market, I was intrigued - will this perk up my look in a hurry?

Available in 10 shades, the stains are packaged like a marker, with a chunky balm on the opposite end for all day shine.  Inspired by Cameron Diaz's interview in this month's In Style magazine, I selected 'Passion,' a hot pink hue.



At first, Passion went on great.  The pink was just vibrant enough without making me feel clownish, and the color does truly last for hours on end.

The downfalls?  The balm fell off.  Real fast.  I had read reviews prior to my purchase that indicated this was an issue, but figured it wouldn't happen to mine if I was extra careful.  Wrong!

Also an issue?  I've been using it pretty regularly for 2 weeks and the color seems to be fading from the marker - I find I have to use more to get that pretty sheen I initially so adored.  At around $8.99 a stain, do I really want to have to replace my color so frequently?

The verdict: Although the color is smashing and it does last for ages, I suspect I will not continue on with this brand.

But so many other options to try!  Next up, Covergirls' Outlast?  Or dare I bypass all the drugstore fare and go lux with Benetint, an old standard?

Experiment time!