Giveaway: Get Perricone's best wrinkle cream!

Morning, lovies! This giveaway is actually a little belated, so I apologize, but I have some seriously fun news.

Perricone M.D., an international leader in the best wrinkle creams around, would love to offer you, one of my beloved readers, a chance to win a Perricone product valued at $150 or less! Personally, I recommend the Cold Plasma, and I seriously love love love it. It's an anti-aging face cream that delivers serious results. The texture is smooth and cool and I have actually noticed a difference in the texture of my skin. It helps with my redness, too, which is a huge plus.

Want one, too (or something simliar)?? Well, entering is simple.

* Please comment on this post with your name and email address, mentioning what you'd get if you win amd why you need that product.

It's that simple, lovies. We're keeping it easy over here. :) Note, this giveaway ends Friday, April 8th, which gives you a whole week and a day to enter.

Happy entering!

Loving-- snake jewelry!

While I'm not usually one for lots of jewelry (I typically wear a neclace and that's about it), I found myself totally falling head over heels for Rachel Rachel Roy's amazing snake jewelry. I love how edgy the concept is, yet she keeps the pieces simple and understated. Totally cool, no? Here are my 3 fave pieces....

Turquoise snake ring

Slithering snake double cuff

 

Snake transformer (this little baby can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, OR belt! I might snag this one for myself...)

PLUS, the site is doing a 30% off at checkout on all of them! Yippee, hooray! Go get you some, now. :)

FFF: 3.7.11

Afternoon, lovies! I know I'm a broken record, but please enter my giveaway. The contest ends soon (3.11), so get your booties over and enter! :)

Today's pick is a new favorite of mine. I was in the Gap just this weekend and spotted these pretty flats on the racks. They are prettier in person than they are online and super comfortable. Gap's flats rarely seem to disappoint, so this is another great pair. The best part is they are sturdier than the City Flats but still manage to feel like slippers on. Bonus! When I bought them I was expecting to pay full price, but somehow they were 30% off in stores. A real steal, especially since my Tory Burch Caroline flats did NOT work out (I have the worst luck with that brand, seriously).

Gap's Jeweled Ballet flats (in bronze!)

Shopping Reflections

Don't forget to enter my contest with Apothica! You've got plenty of time left to enter. Please spread the word about this great company and enter my giveaway at the same time! Visit my post here for more deets.
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Over the years, I have morphed in terms of my shopping-style. Once an impulse-shopper only, I've shifted into a more strategic buyer. Honestly, I credit the internet for these changes. I mean, without online browsing, catalogs were my only means of keeping up. Especially when living in small-town America for lots of my life. So I'd go to the mall (the sad, pathetic excuse for a mall we had in Podunk, IL) and head straight for the Express, picking out new items when they'd reach the racks. We even had a personal shopper (yes, Express did this... even though it wasn't official. She knew us by name. Kinda embarrassing, really.).

But now that I'm on my own as a shopper/fashionista-in-training, much more interested in the trends, and running rampant in a shopping mecca (seriously... Northpark has it all!), I do find myself really researching before buying. Sure, there are still the "OMG I need that, yoink!" moments, but I really (really!) do try and make sure I know I want it when I buy it.

Take the blouse, for instance.

I know you've all heard me talking about buying an Equipment blouse for ages now. Classic piece! But definitely pricey for something so simple and replicable. Madewell did a great job of creating one, and even my tried and true Express did a fine job. And for the past many, many months, I've amassed lots of 'em. I love them all dearly and wear them to death-- a blouse is sort of my go-to outfit these days, my uniform of sorts. But something about the Equipment ones said quality to me the others haven't quite matched. Well, readers... I finally pulled the trigger! And this long, self-indulgent post regarding pining for a blouse ends with this.

*Swoon.* (and a pair of Michael Jackson-inspired glittery loafers to boot!!)

OOTD: All anthropologie, all the time.

Every once in a while, I'll find myself grabbing pieces for an outfit and realizing, "Hey. This is all anthropologie stuff." Sometimes I feel a little geeky and will change so I'm not wearing 100% one brand, but sometimes I'll say the heck with it and wear it proudly. Today was the latter.

Top: Pyrus Linnea Blouse (here)

Jacket: Idra Edited Suede Jacket (find on ebay!)

Jeans: Level 99 Lily Straight Leg (LOVE these, here!!)

Necklace: Frozen Globes Necklace (here)

Shoes: Vera Wang flats (the only non-anthro item on me now!)

Re: the blouse. I know a lot of reviewers thought it was way too boxy, and it's true. It's quite boxy. However, I really like my silk blouses to be light, airy and loose, so it's perfect. Plus I'm a layering whoooor, so again, it works. Re: the jeans. These things are like a glorified jegging and are ahhhhmazing! I totally recommend, especially at under $100. They are just as nice, if not nicer, than my expensive designer jeans. Just what I was looking for. 

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IN addition... I have another blog sale offering I found whilst rummaging through the closet. It's an Anthropologie Guinevere cardigan, ca. 2007 or so, worn once. Size S. I'm selling it for $55 shipped (or best offer). It's actually gorgeous but a little too big on me. I never seem to reach for it. It's so very anthropologie, too, isn't it?? Any interest??? :)

FFF: 1.11.11

Make a wish! It's 1.11.11. (You're supposed to make a wish, right?)

Just a little want of mine to post for the day. I'm .11 seconds away from pulling the trigger on this gorgeous lace blazer by Rory Beca (.11... get it? Cuz' of the date? {lame-o}).

Rory Beca Sofia Lace blazer (here for $143)

Almost sold out on Shopbop, but it's in full stock at Nordstrom! I tried this on the other day and woah, it's super cute (and TTS). I imagine it with a maxi skirt, belted at the waist and some huge sunnies. Plus, lace is a big trend for the spring... and we all know how I am about my trends. Now for the weather to begin to cooperate with me and my dreams. Hrmph.

Also, don't forget about my New Year Blog sale! :)

OOTD: Warm tones.

I thought the title, "Warm tones," was better than "This shade of green sorta reminds me of boogers." Right?

 Sweater: J.Crew Dulphine open cardi (here, in other colors)

Shirt: The Limited sequin tee (here)

Jeans: J Brand Lovestory (here, different wash)

Shoes: CV for Target wedges

Belt: Forever 21

Necklace: ShoptheLook.net

In all seriousness, I heart this sweater. I spotted it when it was full price on J.Crew's site but I rarely buy online because of their crazy-ridiculous shipping prices (no, I don't want to add another $100 to my cart to save $15 in your insane shipping prices. Grrr). When I went into the store after Christmas I saw it on sale for $49, but I still just wasn't biting. After many a passing thought about it, I saw it yesterday for the $49 plus 40% off so I finally bit. Yay! The color is such a great warm tone despite its boogery-ness. And with pink, it's perfect. Good thing I have a few more shirts in the same pink/mauve tone to pair it with.

Also, I realized all of the things I'm wearing were bought on a good bargain, making this outfit come to about $150 rather than the full price, which I calculated to be around $500 (that is when you consider what an original pair of CV wedges cost! OK, so I cheated.).

OOTD: A holiday folly.

It's no secret that Groupon had a fantastic deal last week for $25 for $50 at Nordstrom Rack. "Great!", I thought. "Perfect for holiday shopping!" Ummm... yeah... about that.

I tried, readers. I really tried to find those holiday gifts. But none were to be found that would be good enough for my gift-recipients. I thought all was lost for said gift-certificate, until I spotted this little pretty in the racks. The Nanette Lepore Maddalena jacket seems to be sold out almost everywhere (might be from Fall '09?), and I remember this on Nordie's site a while back. Unfortunately, $500 is out of my budget for a blazer, but when it's on sale for $199 + $50 off? Yes, please. And I'm pleased (and a little shocked) to announce that this is my first ever Nanette purchase. I say shocked because I really don't know why I haven't bought something sooner...

Jacket: Nanette Lepore Maddelena Jacket

Top: Robbi + Nikki silk tank

Jeans: J Brand Lovestory jeans

Belt: Anthropologie Tea Rose belt

Shoes: Go Jane faux suede bow peeps

I took off the grosgrain belt that came with it and opted for something more fun, like this big rosebud belt. It just seemed to work better, and I'm just thinking about getting rid of the belt that came with it. And check out the back of this thing... I'm a bit in love! 

Now to finish that holiday shopping...

Bathroom outfit photos!

Sooooo, since I don't have any nice, well-lit photos on my digital camera re: recent outfits, I must resort to iPhone pics of some outfits I've worn and liked. Quality sucks, so I apologize, but hey. It's a step in the right direction, yes? :)  I'll be working on getting some good pics this weekend since it should be relatively slow, and I do have some fun, new pieces I'd love to play around with. Weird thing I've noticed: putting together outfits when you have little to no intention to put them out in cyberspace is a bit easier. It's strange, really, since you'd think the motivation would be decreased, therefore the outfits less thought out. But it's been the opposite: since I'm not worried about creating the "perfect" outfit for my blog, I'm less critical of every detail and a bit more free-flowing. I think I ought to try not trying so hard... if that makes sense.

Also. Please excuse obvious toilet in background. Gross. 

Dress: LaROK Call of the Wild Dress

Necklace: Anthropologie

Shoes (not shown): Steve Madden Tristano pumps (similar to these)

 (This was my take on a tuxedo for Fashions Night Out this year!)

Top: Patterson J Kincaid Harlow blouse

Pants: Express ponte leggings

Bracelet: Shop the Look cuff

Necklace: Nordstrom (forget the designer...)

Shoes: I dunno. This was taken way too long ago to remember.

Blazer: UO strong shouldered blazer (sorta similar here)

Sweater: BR leopard print sweater (and oldie but goodie)

Skirt: F21 Trumpet A-Line maxi skirt

Belt: F21 rhinestone belt

Necklace: handmade by Codename Ivy

Shoes (not shown): Steve Madden

It's a shame you can't see the full outfit in the last pic because I just loved it. The skirt is possibly the best thing ever. I even wore it today for a presentation in class and it got lots of compliments. The material looks a lot nicer than it is and it surprisingly works with a lot-lot-lot of things. Love! Might be my fave inexpensive item in my current rotation.

What are you loving more than anything in your closet right now?? And are you wearing the maxi skirt, too??

Buying/Debating/Wishing...

Hi readers! With the decrease in my posting has come some confusion in what I should post when I do. I personally like reading other's picks to buy, wishlists and recent purchases, so I hope you'll be interested in that, too. Let me know if there are things you'd rather me talk about, because I'm open to suggestions! I'd love to start doing some OOTDs again but time has been the main issue-- if you'd really like more of that, let me know and I'll try to work on it. K? K.  :)

Recently Acquired:

With Bloomie's 20% off for F&F time (through November 14th), I decided it was due time to make an order. Even though I actually bought these Blank Denim cargos a long time ago, a sad mishap with bleach rendered them unwearable. Ugh. Fortunately, I re-purchased them at a discount, which makes life a little easier, no?

And I couldn't resist this... a blardigan (by Aqua, Bloomie's contemporary/cheap house brand)! Perfect in cashmere, plus it will look super cute with a maxi skirt like this one (which I purchased and totally love!).

Debating:

I have been wanting a new, comfortable day dress recently, and I love that this Free People dress could go either day or night. But, is it that cute? Not sure... any thoughts on what I should do? Buy or don't buy?

Wishing:

I heart this Steve Madden Berllinn boot. It looks comfortable and chic.. I love how the cuff is not scrunched like lots of other cuffed boots are right now. I'll be waiting on a sale for these, though... or maybe Santa will bring them? Hmm?

Totally Loving Club Monaco for Shopbop!

Happy hump-day, bloggie world! During my daily morning perusal of Shopbop today, I found something I heart-- Club Monaco for Shopbop! Club Monaco is great for classic pieces with a twist and I gotta say... I want EVERYTHING in the lookbook. It's sort of preppy, a little edgy and all gorgeous. The use of the neutural palate is sheer genius. Here are some of my picks:

My fave HAS to be the very last one. So simple and sooooo elegant. What do you think of the collection?

Go Check it: ASOS US

Just a quickie little post today, lovies. I have some midterms, papers and I'm giong out of town this weekend (to San Antone!) so I'll be a bit MIA. Just wanted to draw attention to the new US ASOS site that's officially up! Many of you already know this but some might not, so I wanted to alert y'all. The general scoop is this: the site is made for more "American sensibilities" but is still being shipped out of London. So import duties may still remain, just FYI. I don't know about y'all but I'm thinking about placing an order! Here are some picks....

Warehouse Wool Skirt

(Long, 50's-inspired skirts are very right-now! I actually love this entire outfit.)

 ASOS Ruched Blazer

(Can never have enough blazers.)

ASOS Tassel Cardi

(despite the yeti-quality, I really like this!)

Budget Buster vs. Stylish Sub

Happy weekend, y'all! Whats a better way to start a weekend than with shopping, hmmmm??

Budget Buster

Alice + Olivia Wrap Around Cardi

I adore this cardi and own it in the blush color, but the price is a tad steep for a modal/acrylic cardigan.

Stylish Substitute

Cozy Grey Wrap Cardigan

This version may only come in one color but it's the exact style of the A+O wrap. Plus, it's more than $100 savings. Which is quite the steal, in my book!

On the Hunt: The Cape

In early August, I began my hunt for fall clothes. I did this because I had no idea what the money situation would be like with me back in school. So I bought a few essentials: a new strong-shouldered blazer, a chunky knit sweater, cord leggings, cargo skinnies, an oversized blouse (or two)...

But now that we can officially start thinking about fall (well, most of YOU can. I'm still sweating my tooshie off here in Dallas) and more trends have emerged, it's about that time to re-evaluate wishlists and figure out what's missing from my closet. The one thing I must say I really want and don't yet have? The cape.

Not sure about y'all, but the cape seems like the perfect topper for cool weather. Warm and cozy, like a blanket with arm holes (snuggie-capes?). Bonus points because they work better with puffy sleeved blouses than do traditional coats with narrow sleeves. Here are my top 3 picks!

THE STRETCH

Nanette Lepore Get a Clue cape

THE PENNY SAVER

Newport News cape-style jacket

THE IN-BETWEENER (aka, that for which I'm saving my money)

Anthropologie's Everything-In-Place Cape

Just love all these and think they'd be super versatile... what do you think? Are you shaping up for capes this fall? 

Fetching Fashions Fancies-- 8/5/10

I have been terrible, terrible at recurrent themed posts. I wanted to start ones on Etsy finds/independent designers! Fell through. I planned to do frequent polyvore stylings! Ixnayed. I even started that one on WWJW? and never kept going with it. Ugh.

But since I'm going back to school in about three and a half weeks (EEPPP!), I think I need to really try and get something going again. I talked a little about quitting the blog, but frankly, I think I would miss it too much to totally cut it cold turkey. So the current plan is this:

• I'll blog 3-4 times per week unless otherwise noted.
• I'm going to try and still post 2 or so OOTDs per week since they're actually my favorite and will still do my wishlisting (although to a lesser degree).
• I also want to try a new and simple post for those days I might not have as much time but still want to think fashion: "Fetching Fashion Fancies." I'll post a "pick of the day," where I'll simply feature one or two (if I must!) items that I found on the interwebs and fell in love with. You know, to still get my fashion and blogging fix. :) Who doesn't like eye candy, anyways!

To inaugurate these posts, here's my pick of the day...

Lulu's Cadence Call Jacket, $86. A pretty, suede-esque jacket with gorgeous draping and a fabulous tan/olive hue. I could see this quickly becoming a fall wardrobe staple in my closet! Oh lala!

Lust for fall: The Mason.

A few months ago, I scored the hot pink suede version of Elizabeth and James' Mason pumps (seen here, for one). Despite their slightly ankle-breaking quality, these babies are amazingly adorable and are the perfect Barbie shoe!

I was pleasantly pleased to discover E&J recreating this pretty spring/summer style for the colder months. I bring you my shoe lust of the fall: The reinvention of the Mason (sure to become a staple E&J shoe!):

Clockwise: E&J Haircalf platform pumps; Suede platform pumps; Metallic platform pumps; Snake platform pumps. All at Shopbop, and all extremely covetable. :)

OOTD: Free flowin'.

If there is one style I love love love, it has to be the easy breezy cotton/jersey look. Granted, I think my style incorporates a lot of femininity and sometimes even edginess, but I'm always most comfortable in a loose top and leggings. I think that's why I fell pretty hard for the Seventy Two Changes top at Nordstrom's Anniversary sale. Its also great because it can be as easily worn now as it will be in the fall months. It may not be to everyone's liking (my friend's mother saw it on my blog and said, "What is that?!", hehe) but as long as you're not wearing it with some loose pants or sweats, it really looks adorable. Case in point: ---->

(Batwings!!)

Top: Seventy Two Changes boxy tee

Shorts: F21

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: Flavanilla (Etsy shop) Love necklace

There is a good reason this thing is called the boxy tee, and you can best see why in the last photo: it's literally in the shape of a square with holes in it for arms to pop out. The pockets just drape. The thing that really makes it has to be the little metallic stud details that add a little fun and make it more than just a sweatshirt-type top. This will look super cute with some leggings and booties for sure-- it even looks cute off the shoulders.

Well... I like it, anyway.  :)  Have a great Monday, lovies!

(and look, Ma, I'm finally getting a tan! Zoiks!)

Shifting into fall: RESULTS.

Fetching Fashions here to report on the Nordstrom Ann'y Sale! :)

First, my take on the things I was shopping yesterday:

The Sanctuary cargos: Although some seem to really like these, I'm still on the fence. I just think they're not very "me" despite the fact that they're a trend. Plus, they didn't seem to fit me right. The material was nice but I was hoping for something a bit softer. I'm still contemplating getting the real thing, but with my doubts about them being my style, not sure it's the best idea. Skipped.

The Lily White banded skirt: very cute, but definitely an $18 skirt if you catch my drift. Something F21 may have sold. I feel like it was pretty every-day and not all that special. Granted, it is only $18, but I passed for now. I may change my mind and get it, but with all the other things I'm saving for, I just don't think I need this skirt.

Nick and Mo jacket: not sold in my store. Argh. I was really looking forward to seeing this one!

HUE corduroy leggings: As I was walking up to the rack of leggings, a cute little sales girl came up and told me to act fast because they were already almost sold out. Hmm, ok. I tried these on in the greyish color and really like them. I understand why they're selling! They are soft and somewhat thick, definitely reserved for cooler months. I think they'll go well with lots of things in my closet and will be perfect for wearing to class and lounging about. Plus, only $22. Purchased.

Things I spotted but didn't talk about:

Halogen Olivia boots: I did not try these babies on, but I thought they were really nice. A simple, black boot. Something I really should purchase sooner than later. Unfortunately, the idea of wearing boots right now makes me feel ill (literally-- this heat is making me nauseous!) so I couldn't bring myself to buy.

REPORT Monroe boots: So pretty. I thought these were nice in every color. Very versatile and great price at $109. I would recommend... but again, see comment above re: feeling ill thinking about them. Sigh.

Seventy Two Changes Boxy tee: Something I completely overlooked online and thought nothing of, until the nice SA snuck it in to my fitting room while I was trying other things. Funny thing, I didn't get anything I brought in and instead left with this on her suggestion! Thanks, Nordies SA! :) Its just so nice and comfortable-- it's a super-soft jersey and has nice little pyramid studs on it. It was so cute with my J Brands and Topshop necklace (thanks, T, who recently visited Brighton, England!) that I had to buy it. Impulse much?

Also tried on the Patterson J Kincaid harem pants and liked them, but wasn't sure if I looked like I dropped a load in them or not. Passed.

In other shopping news, I went a searchin' for this pretty cardigan that Chloe featured on her shopping blog and didn't find it. Curse you, Dallas retail buyers who aren't getting sweaters because it's hot as bejeezus here! But it's high on my wishlist for sure!

How did ya'll fare at the Ann'y sale??