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!

The Cargo pant: my pick...

So a few days ago, I posted about the Cargo pant trend for this fall and decided to indulge myself with a pair. The ones I ultimately decided on were the Blank Denim skinny cargo pant in Army. The choice was easy-- the price, fabric, style and retailer (ahem, free shipping and no tax, hellloooo Shopbop!) made it a no-brainer. I was a little worried that they wouldn't work, but lo and behold, it's love at first sight! Here's a quick review:

I got a size 27, which promptly sold out hours after I purchased (I kinda love when that happens!). One weird little annoyance: they smelled funky when I opened the package. It's probably the fact that they sat in the heat for days whilst being shipped, but still... a strange, sour smell. They're currently in the wash and I'm sure the odd odor will go away, so no biggie.

The detailing is super cute. The pockets are on the side rather than the front, which is my preference. The zippers near the calf go up to the knee, which would make it difficult to hem if you're a shortie. These are just the right length on my 5'6 frame, if not just a teense too long. So that's a consideration. There are some tabs and non-functional zippers placed horizontally at the back of the knee (the knee-pit?). Overall, just really cute and comfortable! The material is super stretchy, which is a plus in my books, and really soft. I can't wait to wear these when the weather cools a little.

Also in the mail today was my BB Dakota Branson sweater. Ladies, fear not the kinda-poor product shots and baggy look of this sweater. It is adorable in person, really soft and chunky and right on trend for this fall. Way more expensive looking/feeling than the $40 I paid. Get one while you can! Its sure to be a staple in my closet, I just know it.

Thing the Interwebs Got Wrong: BB Dakota sweater jacket

Oh Shopbop... dear Shopbop. Please don't hate me forever for this post because I love you, I do. But this is pretty bad...

Option 1. Purchasing cute BB Dakota Branson sweater jacket on Shopbop for $85.

Option 2. Purchasing same exact jacket on Lulu's for $41. (No contest. Sorry.)

How is this possible? The same thing, at more than half-price difference. I've seen some minor price differences with some sites ($5 here, $3 there...). But a $44 dollar difference? You could buy two of them for the same price that Shopbop wants to charge us for one, AND have $3 left over for a soda and candy bar. Eeesssh.

Crazy interwebs...

OOTD: Harem calling my name?

Jury is still out on the pants I featured in this post. Today is the first day I'm actually wearing them out (nothing like some patio drinkin on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon). I think I like the outfit, but husband gave me the weirdo-eyes when I came out of my closet in this outfit. Now, I don't normally take cues from Mr. Unstylish, but you always have to wonder if his opinion will be the same of others... do I look like an idiot? Here's the problem, I think-- they sit too low on the waist. They're just a tad too big right now... I think I'll go to my local tailor and have them sit higher so as to make them a little less strange. Oh, and another problem? I can't sit in them for more than 10 minutes without wrinkles being out the waazooo.

Nonetheless, I can't seem to give them up. I still gravitate towards them. I still..... well, I still like them. They're fun and risky and comfortable, and I just want them to work so badly. Therefore, I'll make them work. Damnit.

Pants: Lulu's At Ease Trousers

Top: F21 paisely ruffle tank

Sweater: J.Crew ruffles and roses cardi

Shoes: Charles by Charles David wedges (on Bluefly!)

Necklace: F21 pearl drop necklace

Trials and Tribulations of a Shopping-Ban(er).

I've seriously had little shopping/blogging motivation lately. I think I'm going through the "Stages of Grief and Loss (of pretty clothing)." You've heard of these, right? Here, I'll do my duty and detail them below.

1. Denial. "Ha! This isn't really happening. I mean, I can shop if I really want! I'll just forget about it... yeah!"

2. Anger. "Eff you, new arrivals at Nordstrom! I mean, I don't want you and your pastels... and your ruffles... and your pretty colors and layers and lace and cream and AO&#JHE** OA01!!04akjhe$#roq3uq208."

3. Bargaining. "Heh... uhh... ok if finish all my work this afternoon and get the house cleaning done in time then maybe I'll just get a necklace. Just one from F21! It's not even like shopping anyway! It's so cheap! It's nothing more than a few Whatchamacallits worth of money at the gas station! Yeah... that's what I'll do..."' (oh and don't pretend you don't like Whatchamacallits, those things are fantastic.)

4. Depression. "I'll never shop again. I'll never have new clothes again. My life is over. If I can't shop, then what can I do? *shoves Cheetos into pie hole.*"

5. Acceptance. [Disclaimer: definitely not here yet. Definitely cycling through steps 1-4 right now. I'll get back to you on this one later.]

It's a tough road to hoe, my friends. So in the absence of a current zeal and passion for fashion, I leave you today on a happier note. A tale of one girl who once could shop. And wore a pretty new top from Lulus that she adores. Sigh.

(Is it not pathetic that I'm only 2 weeks into this? Holy beejeebuz.)

Top: Lulus Resound Top

Jeans: AE Super Skinnies

Shoes: Boutique 9 blue suede bow wedges

Necklace: old from Anthropologie

(p.s.: I am in no way mocking the 5 stages of grief and loss and have a profound respect for the psychology of death. And I'm also being ridiculously hyperbolic right now. So please no hate-mail or referrals to shrinks, thanks.)

One more time...

Here's go-around number 2 for those of you who didn't get the original Bold Boutonniere dress from Anthropologie, OR the knock off from Modcloth...

Lulu's now has a version!! And for $41!!

Knock off... who cares!

This will be gone fast, so get it if you love it. Hey Chlosters... are we tag-teaming this look for less again? hehe....

Bad blogger.

I feel like I've been such a bad little blogger lately. I'm not making any excuses here, but my usually quiet little world has turned into a rather busy and stressful one. Good news though-- I've gotten a few more interviews and even an acceptance (!) to a psychology program here in the Dallas area. Whew! Looks like I'll be a Dr. Justine after all... just don't know what my zip code will be in less than a year.

Thanks to those interested in blogging for http://www.joeonthetube.com/ !! I'm very excited to think that one of my fellow fashionistas will be helping out my friend and reporting on Project Runway. I just love the blogging community. Isn't it funny how so many different "areas of expertise" collide in a good way?

On to fashion-- ohmigosh lovies. I'm in a shopping rut. Besides the AMAZING SKIRT I bought from F21 recently, I'm not really finding anything else to add to my Spring wardrobe. It's not that I don't have ideas (something sheer and boudoir-ey, need some shorts, something pastel, new lightweight jeans, still wanting some harem pants), I just can't decide. On anything. I'm sure this indecision won't last long seeing as though there are a million options, but I'm just having some weird committment phobia and can't hurdle it. I want to pull the trigger on this romper, but something is stopping my finger from clicky-clicking away. What the hell is this?!

Lulu's Dream Girl Romper (eeeepp so cute and WHY CAN'T I COMMIT?)

Have any of you ever experienced this strange shopping committment phobia? I'm hoping it ends soon because my size goes quick. Argh.

Rebounds.

Sounds like most of you think I should return those shoes (sobbing). Well... ok. You're right. I deserve a shoe that fits, right? Not some pair that will treat me wrong, give me blisters and make me cry. Screw abusive shoes! We independent women don't need them.

And to celebrate my independence from the abusive shoes, this will take it's place. (rebound!) I mean, I think it will... if I do the bad thing of clicking BUY ME NOW.

LuLu's Goodness Me Dress, $35

Goodness me is right, this dress is so great! Here's why it's a perfect buy:
1. Removable pin. That cute little feather and crystal pin can be detached for a more casual look, or if I want to steal it and put it on a blazer with jeans for a little pizaaazzzzz. (jazz hands included)
2. Purple. Plain and simple, it has my favorite color. (with the best accenting colors: grey and silver!) I need more purple in my life; I always need more purple.
3. Hello? It's $35. Getting a dress and a pin for $35 is a steal. Oh, and I'm banned from purchasing anything on my Christmas wish-list (obvi, even though it's a lot harder than it sounds-- hi yes Texture Study dress DO NOT SELL OUT BEFORE HUBBY GETS TO IT THANKS), so I need new obsessions.

I am so over those shoes. Hello, new lovah!