OOTD: Playing dress-up

Given that it is almost NYE and we are embarking on a new year, I thought my outfits should reflect that. While I really only wore this around the house today (don't make fun.), I did actually wear this for my husband's 32nd birthday at a cute little Parisian bistro down the street from us.

(p.s., saying my husband just turned 32 makes me feel a little old, especially when I was casually told by a peer at school that 30s are "actually middle-aged." Vom.)

 Dress: F21/Twelve by Twelve (maybe still in stores)

Blazer: Remain Paul strong shoulder jacket (here)

Belt: F21 bow belt

Shoes: Sam Edelman Niland (here-- the most comfy heels ever!)

Bracelet: Tom Binns Alice in Wonderland bracelet (here!)

Aaaannnywho. About the outfit. The dress was a great find at F21, especially because I have struck out with them lately. Nothing has really caught my eye, save for this little dress. I have been into lace recently and really like the chic and uber-feminine style of this. The jacket was a great purchase because I was dying for a new black blazer (I think I had a blazer in every color except for black, until now). How cute are the tuxedo-esque details? My bow belt is sort of my bow tie replacement, methinks. :)  Re: the bracelet-- I'll show it in more detail in another outfit soon because it's just the coolest thing ever, but this is all ya get right now. (it was my Christmas present from hubs!)

Recent buy: Miu-Miu inspired flats.

It sort of feels like my style personality has done some shifting since I started this blog over a year ago. My natural inclination is to overdose on frills, embellishments and girly details. But with the start of school and my seriously-serious desire to be comfortable at all times, practicality has set in. Therefore, I've been on this one month long search for the perfect pair of flats. My perfect pair would be an amalgamation of a pointed toe, a feminine detail, real leather and a trendy element. So I started with leopard, thinking that I could really use a little more animal in my life (ha.). I bought these Nordstrom BP leopard print flats in an effort to be stylish, simple and economical, but honestly? They just hurt my toes within 5 minutes of wear.

I then spotted these, which I thought were a nice combo of edgy and feminine. But I couldn't help but wonder-- do they walk the line of an 80-year old Grandma? Guess it didn't help that the reviews I found on Nordie's site were all from 45 years older and up. Hmmm.

I really sifted through the options, utilizing the ever-practical Shopstyle search but still came up flat. (oh yes I did just say that.)  Then, searching through the bowels of Shopbop (always comes to the rescue!), I found these seriously-reminiscent Miu Miu lookalikes... and although economical isn't really a word I can use to describe them, PERFECT is.

Vera Wang Lavender Label Gillian flats 

 (The Miu-Miu originals)

Thanks to a few Shopbop gift cards and an understanding husband, I found my new fall flats.  I think I can even say I like my Vera Wangs more than the Miu Mius! The silken bow is a nice touch, and I love mixing textures. Plus this dove grey color is insane in person. Oh, and the soft leather is crazy-comfy, too. For anyone looking for a great fall flat (and willing to spend a bit of dough), I definitely recommend. Who says I must abandon my frilly ways for comfort? Miss Vera, you've proved me wrong.

Thank you. :)

Giirrrrllll, I love the necklace. Isn't it such a statement? :)

(cloudy day = bad bad lighting = grainy pictures. I need an SLR, STAT.)

(and p.s. sorry for wearing the same shirt all the freekin' time. I lived in this and the pink one all weekend. It's love.)

OOTD: Yellow and Grey colorway.

Eeeeshhh... today was not such a good day, lovies. I took some liberties at work that I thought I had to find out I... don't. Ooops. Hope the boss isn't too mad on Monday, or else little Justiney has 5 months of job searching to do. :-/  (I think I'm just being anxious and overly dramatic here, as per my usual, but one never knows.)

Despite that, I really liked my outfit today. Didn't need to do a WWJW post, because this is just what I wanted to wear! I love this dress. I bought it from EPIC apparel (boutique here in Dallas at which I used to work) a few years back, right after my shopping ban two Lents ago. Plus, in honor of my giveaway, I'm again wearing my jewelry bar necklace purchased a while back. It's pretty similar to what one of ya'll will win. I chose the gemstone that is a greyish, brownish hue because I loved the smokiness of it. So pretty paired with the gold chain. And I really like how all the colors are working today-- the yellow and grey mix is one of my faves, paired with the smokey topaz necklace, the acid washed denim and the grey nails (love). And because I almost took my toenail off last night while at the grocery store, it's flippie-floppies for me for a little while. Until, you know, I have a whole toenail again. Boo.

Dress: EPIC apparel

Jacket: F21 Dean Denim Jacket

Belt: F21 bow belt

Necklace: the jewelry bar (etsy!!)

Shoes: Target xhilaration thongs

(And just to make me sad... a picture from last summer. How I am jealous of me one year ago. Look at that tan!! and lack of roots! Sad.)

Here's to a nice weekend for all! And employment. Employment is good...

OOTD: 80's Revival. Righteous.

Every morning, I walk into my closet and see my pretty Rodarte for Target dress and think about how little I wear it and how it shall never, ever EVER see my office. It just sits there... all sad and lonely. And it wants to be casual-ed down, yes it does. So I pulled out my new denim jacket, lace up shoeties and socks and realized...

Woah.

This is 80's at its finest. Or, if you hated the 80's, its worst. (I happen to love it and think this it's fun, but definitely not a safe outfit!)

 

  

  

 

 Dress: Rodarte for Target leopard print dress (pretty alternative!)

Jacket: F21 Dean Denim Jacket

Belt: F21 bow belt

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell lace up shoeties (kinda like these, but also kinda not. Hm.)

Socks: ?

A little less acid washed:

  

 

Jacket: F21 peplum jacket

Necklace: possibly F21... I really need to stop shopping there, huh?

The Dress that will never be.

EDIT 2/17 @ 8:20 pm:  Thanks for the alerts, everyone!! I actually called my local mall (Northpark) thanks to Tam and luckily, they will be getting this dress in my size in store late this week! Won't have to pay for shipping this way. You made my fuchsia-colored dreams come true, thank you thank you thank you! Mwahh!

This is a sad, sad story, lovies, so please bear with me.

(Heh.)

This pretty little dress came up on F21's site last night (I should know-- I stalk).

And in the second it took me to click "wishlist," the size Small was sold out.

And the Medium.

What?! I, of course, called CS today to ask what's going on. Surely a mistake on the site, no? OK well Mr. F21 first led me on, saying it's still available in a small, then after a little hold time said it's GONE. ZIPPO. In less than 24 hours.

I'm currently in denial. However, if this is true... if it's never to come back on the site again, will you keep an eye out for this item in store? If you see this pretty silken bow dress in hot pink in Small, please email me! I'll love you forever. (Not that I already don't, but I'll love you forever plus one.) I kinda think it's a lost cause, but this baby is just so gorgeous and I must have it. I might settle for the blue (which is still in stock, taunting me with it's non-pinkness), but I'm just holding out hope. A hope of all hopes.

On a positive note, the headache and sore throat has improved, so I think I'm getting better. Yay for health and BOOO for stupid F21 selling out their items and never re-stocking.

OOTyD: Bow fevah!

Today's outfit of the (yester)Day is just a quick one, again. It was raining and I didn't want another indoor picture (I like outside ones so much better), so I snapped a few before the sprinkles became a downpour. Dallas, you'd think, would be pretty and sunny year round, but we've had way too much rain to even consider that anymore. I'm bitter. Whatever.

I went to happy hour with a friend last night, and it turned into happy hourS. Those are the best, aren't they!?  I think this outfit is one of those day-to-night possibilities, so it was fine for work and Chuy's Tex Mex restaurant. NOM NOM.

Dress: old turtleneck dress, Bebe (quite similar here!)

Sweater: F21 bow sequin sweater

Belt: old Limited bow belt

Tights: Nordstrom HUE

Shoes: Steve Madden Tristanos

Earrings: Simply Vera Vera Wang

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this F21 sweater. It is just way too cute for words and surprisingly works with a lot of different items and make different looks. I'm pretty happy with it. And those shoes... OK I'll shut up-- I've sung their praises before, but I am simply IN LOVE with them. Look at those studs! That platform! And they fit perfectly. It's love. (I said I'd shut up, didn't I? Sorry. Ahem.)

One last one of the day, I swear.

Remember those Steve Madden's I posted a while back? The crinkle metallic with the bow? The ones that are so super old and not found online? I found this on Urban Original's site and thought they were a good look-a-like for those still interested. They're cute! And cheap! And yay!
Also, Chloe? Sorry... I'm coping you fo'realz. I NEED THESE SHOES.

Liliana Bardor D'Orsay heels

And enter my contest! Do it! :)

Back to school, back to school...

Oh boy do I wish. I'm in the process of applying right now (10 schools, all across the damn country) and crossing my fingers that this will be my lucky year. Unlike many others, I love school. I love having weird schedules, deadlines, and throwing myself into small details and big pictures. In honor of my application process, here's a "school" inspired OOTD... (by the way, totally lovin' that faded border on Picnik!)

Dress: Anna Sui for Target

Cardi: Banana Republic, several years ago

Belt: The Limited (practically vintage. Yeah sure, it's vintage.)

Necklace: WHBM

Earrings: I wish I wore jewelry from this century. God knows.

Knee highs: same as yesterdays, just pulled up all the way

Shoes: Michael Michael Kors mixed metals platform pumps

Glasses: coke bottle lenses.

Little known fact: I'm legally blind. Seriously. The worst vision ever. I have been in contact lenses since I was about 9 and haven't turned back since. But sometimes, it's fun to wear glasses, and they were totally appropriate for the outfit. And although this dress is way too short to be wearing to classes, I think I'd make a hot librarian, if I do say so myself, uh huh. :)

Pop of Peacock

So the last installment of recent ModCloth purchase is featured below. :) I think, overall, I'm generally happy with my first experience with ModCloth. The shoes didn't work, but buying shoes online is always risky... more on that topic tomorrow. At any rate, I think the things I bought were pretty dern close to the pictures and descriptions online. That's about all I ask for from a website. And I'm totally loving this blazer... the color is fantastic.

Vision in Viridian Blazer

Top: BCBG silk gold top
Necklace: Charlotte Russe "Fiona Paxton knock-off"
Jeans: Hudson bootcut

And, a good purchase is not complete without adorable details (read: BOWS!)

The pockets are bows! I couldn't get a good back shot, but on the website you'll notice the amazing bow detail at the middle-back! Loveeeeeeeee.

I love the peplum-style; I have a very boyish figure and anything that gives me a little figure or curve is a plus. This jacket flatters for sure. At a mere $44.99, it's worth every penny, and I plan on getting a lot of use out of her. The color, a pretty peacock teal, is bright yet neutral enough to pair with another fun color... you know, for extra drama. Yay drama!

Unexpected finds

I got out of work a little early today... which means I GO SHOPPIN'. Heeeeellllsss yeah.

Anyway, I found some great items that I hadn't seen online (oh and I stalk F21. So yeah. It must be new... and p.s. a few of these literally JUST showed up online) and I took some fitting room pics. Pardon the graininess, but the combo of iPhone/bad lighting makes for not-so-detailed pics.

First one is a bit of a lie in that I've been looking at this skirt online for some time. But I needed to try it on to see it in action. I'm kinda in love. A little (LOT) bit.

F21 Tweed Bow Skirt

Dear F21... please lengthen your skirts. I don't want to be a hoochy mamma. Thank you. Seriously though, I would probably be wearing this pretty little strawberry-colored skirt with tights 9 out of 10 times. Which is perfectly fine, seeing as though bare legs in winter is not preferable, but I just like a little more leeway. Sigh.

This dress you may recognize from ModCloth's website. I loved this dress online, and I'm not sure it's the same as ModCloth's, but again. The length. Come, now. WAY TOO SHORT. Child pleeeeease. (Sassy much?)

Tiered Velvet Trim Dress

It's so cute! And again, with leggings or tights I love it. But I couldn't ever do without them. Which takes away from the versatility... is it just me or is this one shorter than ModCloth's version?? Hmm....

This last one is the cutest holiday party dress, with much of the same problem. Length. Maybe I just have long legs.

Heh.

No name beauty ... hasn't yet popped up online.

Oh. My. Pockets. POCKETS. SPARKLE. BOWWWWWWW. Pardon the anneurism, but I love this. There was the slightest bit of hem that I could take down, aaaaannnddd I can wear a short dress to a party, right? Oh God I love this. It was generally well-made, too (well-made for a $27 dress, that is). I actually even imagine this with a dark denim jacket and patterened tights for a fun lunch date on a blustery winter afternoon. I'm getting ahead of myself, yes.

Whatcha think? Like these? Don't like them? Agree that F21 dresses are made for girls who are less than 5 feet tall? Discuss.

Shimmery Goodness, or Hot Mess?

It's taking everything inside me to not break down and buy this dress from this morning's HauteLook sale. Am I crazy??

VOOM by Joy Han

So I have this tendancy to be tacky and gaudy at times, but no matter. I love it anyway! I think it is super shimmery, bow-laden, gorgeously colored, and precious. And 71% off is such a great deal! I have a VOOM dress at home that is super fun and cute; a little kistchy, but that is what is so unique and great about it. What do you think? Pretty or pretty disasterous?