Smalltownbeauty's Straightener Giveaway

Smalltownbeauty is giving away a straightener from misikko.com. Go to smalltownbeauty.blogspot.com for details!

Watch Me (Not) Spend

I've been spending a lot of money lately and I do mean A LOT. Here are my recent purchases:

1. Jeffrey Campbell "Haley Stud" flat in nude
2. Jeffrey Campbell "Prop" pump in grey
3. Calvin Klein "Lexa II" flat in black
4. Sam Edelman "Gigi" sandal in purple
5. Tahitian pearl bracelet from Macy's
6. Anna Sui dress on eBay
7. Betsey Johnson "Loop De Loop" clutch on eBay
8. Chalie & Robin dress on eBay
9. Frye "Liz Ankle" boot in black
10. Rebecca Minkoff "MAC" in Almond

Now I've already sent back the Frye boots and the Rebecca Minkoff bag. Also, the bracelet and the stuff from eBay are being paid for by my mom. However, I did buy 4 pairs of shoes in 1 day with my own money. That's ridiculous and I'm coming to the realization that it needs to stop.

Inspired by Already Pretty who just ended her 6 month shopping ban, I think it is time for me to have my own ban. I'm just trying to figure out the rules and the timing. There are a number of things to consider.

1. Graduation is coming up. What do I do with that money? Can I spend it or do I put it into savings?

2. Along with graduation comes big girl jobs. I don't have the proper clothing for that. However, I figure my mom will probably provide that for me. Therefore, the rule will probably be that anything my mother pays for doesn't count. Does that apply to any item? Might I just end up using this as a loophole and begging her for a lot of things?

3. I don't really thrift. I should and I'd like to do more of it but I just haven't gotten around to doing so. Will I be able to spend my small allowance on new stuff or can I only by used items?

4. When do I start and how long will it last?

5. What exactly is the goal? A trip? More savings?

I really need to get my spending habits under control in all areas of my life. I'm hoping that I'll be working so much this summer that I'll hardly notice the ban. I know it won't be easy but if I don't have time to shop I'll miss it less.

I'm still working out the kinks in this plan so I'm not on ban yet but I'm doing my best not to buy anything. With finals coming up, I don't think it should be too hard. School comes first, after all.

Hot damn!

It has been soooo HOT in Berkeley the last few days. Yesterday and today were both in the 90's. Now, compared to SoCal summers that's not too bad but we're talking April in NorCal. It's ridiculous. It's the kind of hot that makes you unable to do anything because not only is it hot outdoors but indoors too because there's no air conditioning in this half of the state.

The problem with this heat, besides the obvious discomfort, is that fashion goes right out the window. In the tug-o-war between comfort and fashion, on a hot day comfort wins. On days like today, all I want to wear is a thin, loose tank and shorts with my Rainbow sandals. My hair is thrown up to get it off my neck and I don't even attempt to put on makeup because it will melt off anyways.

This isn't to say that you can't be fashionable on a hot day. I see girls around campus who definitely accomplish it but when I feel disgusting the minute I step out of the shower, I simply can't be bothered to try. So I guess my question is, how do you deal with the hot summer temperatures? What are your go to outfits to look cute in the sweltering heat?

Does this mean I get 22 presents?

I am turning 22 in less than a month. Whoopee! Actually considering I have a project and a midterm due directly after my birthday, I'm not too excited. However, I do like presents so I'm compiling my wishlist.

1. Floppy hat from American Apparel $40
The only question is whether to get the black or the grey. The black is probably more practical but the grey is more unexpected.

Rain, rain, go away...

Last night it rained for probably only the third or fourth time of this year. On the one hand, I'm glad because we need this drought to end. On the other, I hate wet feet! Furthermore there is a dearth of waterproof yet still fashionable footwear. UGGs are mildly waterproof but they won't hold you over in a downpour. As for my J. Crew yellow rainboots with blue whales, they're cute until you're caught outside when it's not raining. Then you just look like a dimwit. Thus, I am considering shelling out the dough for these babies, the Sperry Top-Sider Sadie Tall Boot. They have a wedge heel, cute fold over top and best of all, they don't scream rainboot. I like the basic black but it also comes in winter white and black with a navy blue top.

Ch-ch-changes!

I've been a terrible blogger recently. The new year brought new challenges and this blog fell by the wayside. However, I refuse to let it die so with a new moniker to set it off I am going to put more effort into making this blog grow.

First up on the order of business is this picture from The Sartorialist.


Their coats are so utterly chic that I immediately went scouring the web for something akin to them. Most of the drop-waist coats I found were in the $500 range, which is so not going to happen at this point. Luckily, Express has one that is passable and it's on sale. Considering that I already have a black winter coat, I'm hesitant but I would so love to recreate this look.

Happy Holidays!

I hope that Santa brought you everything you wanted. I know he did for me but it also helps that I picked it all out and then simply handed it over to Santa to put under the tree. Yep, that's how it works in my house. My parents long ago learned that I'm impossible to shop for. My haul included:
-Black tuxedo blazer, black tights, and silver cuff from Express
-Two dresses and a top from Anthropologie
-Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb perfume
-sweater from Aeropostal
-A big pile of makeup from Sephora
-Jeffrey Campbell flats

Our method takes all the surprise out but it saves me from having to fake that I like something and then have it sit in my closet with the tags until I finally pass it on to Goodwill. Of course, it isn't fool proof, especially with things that I pick out online. Thus today, I went to return some stuff and do some additional shopping with my mom. I returned the flower print shirt to Anthropologie and picked up a purple shirt with a big bow instead. The green dress might have to go back too but I'll wait on that. The Aeropostal sweater from my sister also went back but my mom picked out some pjs there for my Christmas gift to her so that worked out. We also hit up Macy's where I scored a really cute sheer black top with silver stars on it, the MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Berkley' sandals I've been wanting for months and a BCBG cocktail dress for...wait for it...$39.99 (originially $280)! I did a little happy dance inside when I found out the price. Woot!

"I've got to admit it's getting better"

The sales are getting "a little better all the time." Stores are really hurting for business. Saks sent out a 15% discount coupon for fragrance. That never happens. Makeup and fragrance are the two things that just don't go on sale. Saks also is marking hundreds of designer items 70% off. Go now before someone else snags the good stuff!

As for me, I won't be racing to Saks but I did luck out with the latest Anthropologie sale. The dress I've been dying to have is on its way to my parent's place, along with a green frilly dress and a floral empire waist top that I'm not sure will work but I bought so that I could qualify for free shipping. Hooray!

Gilt (groupe) and regret

I could have bought both these:
and these

for less than the price of what I will probably end up paying for one of them. Gilt group had a Cynthia Vincent shoe sale AND I MISSED IT! Excuse me while I hug my teddy bear and cry.

Black Friday Haul

You will never find me lined up at 3 am in front of a store on Black Friday. Well, never say never. I guess if Nordstroms or Saks did something akin to what Wal-Mart does, then yes, I'd be up there with the craziest ones fighting tooth and nail. However, they don't. There are discounts but nothing so tempting as to lure me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning. Instead, my Black Friday was a pretty casual affair. My mother and I went to Victoria Garden's and poked around. I found a grey boyfriend cardigan on sale at Anthropologie, a tank at American Apparel, 2 pairs of jeans at Express, a carry-on size suitcase at Macy's and a dress at White House/Black Market. The suitcase was a pretty good deal. It's Samsonite and has the wheels that go in all directions. I wasn't really on the hunt for luggage but I've been needing one this size. As for the dress, it's dreamy. I don't normally shop there but there was a sale sign so I stepped inside. On the rack it didn't look like much but on, it's gorgeous. It's a black strapless number with chiffon pleats on top. I would post a picture but it's no longer online at the website. I'm thinking it might be a good New Year's Eve dress.

Taking a cue from my roommate

American Eagle normally isn't my style. I own a pair of jean shorts from them but otherwise, it's not a store I venture into on a regular basis. The stuff is cute but a little too All-American girl next door for me. However, every once in awhile they get something right. Last weekend my roommate came home with a grey hoodie from AE. It was cute but I didn't think too much of it until she had me touch it. It was incredibly soft. We're talking puppy ear soft. Needless to say, I wanted one. Unfortunately she's a petite 5'2" so I couldn't exactly steal hers. Thus, I trekked into SF and bought my own in brown heather. It's oh so cozy and perfect for bundling up. Although given the ridiculously hot weather in NorCal at the moment, I won't be wearing it for a bit.

Einee, meeny, miney, mo!

I want things and those things are not cheap. I don't have the money to buy all of them so I have to decide what I want the most. My choices are:

1. Macy's Tahitian pearl bracelet
About $270 minus $100 in gift cards
2. Cynthia Vincent 'Cora' boots
Originally $525, Sale $367.50
3. Foley + Corinna 'Glazed Mid City Tote'
Originally $440, Sale $310.80

Well, those are my choices so far. Unfortunately I keep finding new things to lust after.

The sky is falling...

The economy is tanking and while, I realize that this might have serious consequences on my potential career options post-college, for the moment I am celebrating. Why you might ask? Because retailers are slashing prices. With the holiday season approaching and growing concerns about stale stock, my favorite stores are letting items go for a fraction of the price. No where was that more apparent than when I was perusing anthropolgie.com and spotted the Manoush coat I loved on sale. Now I wasn't entirely surprised that it was on sale but the fact that it was $200 off was the big shocker! I had maybe dreamed of 25%, maybe even 40% off but never ever did I believe I would see it for a little less than 60% off. Needless to say I immediately called the nearest Anthropologie to put it on hold and picked it up that day. It's still as beautiful as I remember and now it's mine! Thank you economic crisis.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jog!

I went home this weekend and took advantage of Bank of Mom. On Saturday we went to the outlets in Cabazon. I got a pair of AG dark wash, straight leg jeans, two Calvin Klein bras and a black sheath from Theory. On Sunday before I went to the airport, we dropped by Anthropologie and I picked up two shirts on sale. I also tried on a couple of dresses that I really liked so I'll be watching those to see if they go on sale.

Ruffles and glitz, oh my!

I went to Anthropologie today to return the shirtdress I had ordered online. Of course, I couldn't just leave without checking out what was new in stock. Boy was that a bad idea! I (un)fortunately found two items that I am in love with. The first is the perfect pair of Sevens. I have a problem finding jeans but Sevens usually fit. These are the perfect bootcut, uniformly darkwash jean. They are incredibly flattering and also over $150. Ugh. Sadly, they a steal compared to the other item I'm now lusting for. This Manoush coat is undeniably stunning in person. The ruffles aren't overwhelming and the buttons shine perfectly. At the high price of $350, it also costs more than my paycheck. I will pray that it goes on sale but I just might be crazy enough to buy it at full price. Eeks!

Luckily, I did find something I could actually afford. It's no longer online but it's an adorable trapeze dress that I admired when it was $200 and again when it was $70 and now it is mine for $54. Score!

But if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need...

Okay, so maybe I didn't need it per say but since I was probably going to buy the Anthropologie 'Cupcake Shift' no matter what, I did need it to go on sale for the sake of my bank account. I got it for $69.95 which is a lot more sane than the original $138. It fits perfectly and I received a lot of compliments at work. Sadly, it's such a summer color that I don't know how much use I'll get out of it in the next few months but I'll try to whip it out every once in awhile.

I also ordered the 'Freethinker Shirtdress'but that will be making its way back shortly. It's cute and on someone else it'd be incredibly chic. I just don't have the bust for it. That and the neck part stuck out awkwardly.

You can't always get what you want...

I'm on the hunt for a variety of items for sorority recruitment and I have mere days to find them. Thus, on both Sunday and yesterday I went in search of the aforementioned items. Sadly I did not find the clothing I needed. Apparently navy dresses are not in style. It goes without saying that I found plenty that I did not need but now either desperately want or guiltily own.

First up was Anthropologie. I was hoping to find a dress in the sales rack. Instead I found 3 dresses at full price that I am determined to own and then a fourth online. The one I love the most is the 'Cupcake Shift'. It is a bright coral and utterly irresistible. I love that it has pockets! Sadly, the price is a bit steep for a solid color cotton shift. I'm hoping that the price drops but if not, I might just have to suck it up. The second dress is a pretty purple print and the third is a solid mustard yellow with buttons and detail down the front. To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely sure about the mustard yellow on my skin but it's a cute dress and I'll certainly buy it if it goes on sale. The last dress which I've only seen online is a navy colored dress with kimono like stylings. Since I'm actually looking for a navy dress, I might end up buying that one.

After lusting after dresses in Anthropologie, I headed over to MAC. Now I don't quite get all the hype over MAC cosmetics. I once bought the foundation powder compact and I hated it. MAC products tend to be way too heavy for my taste and I often think their staff look like drag queens. For foundation I now use Bare Escentuals and I highly recommend it. The only MAC products I still use are the eyeshadows. They simply have a wider variety of colors that almost any other company and I love the ability to make your own palettes. I picked up a pretty metallic green to change it up a bit and a light brown that matches my skin tone for blending. I don't buy makeup that often so I'm excited to try my new stuff out.

Adding to the collection

The summer might be fading fast but my feet are going to stay in warm weather mode for as long as possible. Especially since my DV by Dolce Vita 'Olive' sandals just came in the mail. They're super cute on and I'm glad I went for the 9 because I tried the 8.5 on in store and they were super narrow. Sadly the 9 are a bit long but I can just tighten the straps and they're fine.

I also stopped by Payless while my friend took care of some stuff at the bank. I really shouldn't go in there because I always walk out with at least one box. I just can't help it. The shoes are so cheap and the styles have improved so much in the last few years. This time was no different and I am now the somewhat guilty but still proud owner of a pair of purple suede-ish, tie-front, peep-toe heels.The great thing about Payless is that because the shoes are so cheap, you can afford to take a chance on something super trendy. This shoe is exactly that, trendy, and I'm not sure how I'll wear it but I like it and at $25 that's a good enough reason.

Meet my future husband(s)...

I think my vision of the ideal man is pretty standard. I want him to have a great sense of humor, be kind and respectful, know how to be romantic, be intelligent but not snobbish about it, have ambitions and the drive to make them come true, and treat me like his better half. And since we're talking about my ideal man you can throw in good looks and a sizable bank account. The part that might not be as standard is that I want my man to have style. I'm not talking about putting on a button up and trousers. Any guy can do that. I'm also not talking about the guys that buy designer everything because Sevens jeans do not equate style if you don't know how to wear them. Instead, I'm talking about a man who is effortlessly chic. What would be the point of me looking fashionable when my counterpoint walks beside me looking like a slob? I want a man who can look truly comfortable in a three-piece suit but then turn around and make jeans look chic. In fact, I can be more specific. The picture above is from The Sartorialist. It is of two men in Paris. Both men are stylish but in two very different ways. The man on the left wears a hodgepodge of different accessories but manages to make it look cool but not too done. The guy on the right wears a suit without making it look stuffy. Find me a guy who could pull off both looks and I'd marry him in a heartbeat.

I'm just not that into you...

I hate making returns but it's the understood consequence of online shopping. I have a tendency to hoard to-be-returned items and only deal with them once they threaten to take over my entire room. Of late the results of my online scouring have been underwhelming so I've been forced to concern myself with the matter of refunds and exchanges.

The first to go back was the Nieves Lavi dress from Shop Bop. I originally purchased it in a size medium. It arrived and it was immediately clear that it was huge. I exchanged it hoping that once it actually fit that I would like it. No such luck and now it is on its way back.

The second item going back are the Bombay heels from Max Studio. They were gorgeous online and in person. However, when I went to wear them for my friends wedding the buckle on the right heel broke. I suppose it is fixable but I don't want to pay full price for shoes that I have to fix 20 minutes after taking them out of the box. Once I get my lazy butt to the post office they too will be headed back and thankfully with a full refund despite it having been longer than the 20 day return policy allows.

Lastly, I'm returning one or both pairs of the Madison by Dolce Vita heels. Neither pair fits extremely well. The 8.5 is the perfect length but is tight in the toe box. The 9 is great as far as width is concerned but too long. I love them and I've wanted a pair of nude heels for so long but I hate the idea of buying shoes that don't fit me perfectly. I'm going to strut around the apartment a bit more with both pairs and see how it goes. Maybe the 8.5 will stretch a bit or perhaps with a heel grip the 9 will work. Otherwise it's adios to both.