Shopping for Vegas right.

I have about 6 weeks until I go to Vegas (lordy, can you tell I'm excited?) and I've been planning outfits since I found out we were going. I mean, this is a big deal, lovies:

1. I've never been.
2. It's the perfect excuse to dress up 24/7.
3. I never get to dress up 24/7.
4. I will actually have a reason to have short skirts and pretty dresses (because I usually don't. My life is generally low-key despite my wardrobe's insistence that I be a well-dressed socialite).
5. It's my way of staying sane for the next 4 weeks.

I've done a lot of reading-up and heard from lots of other bloggers/readers about the best way to travel to Vegas. Sounds like there are a few things I must keep in mind--

1. It gets cold at night (especially when I'll be there), so a sweater or jacket is necessary.
2. One walks a lot. Comfort must be kept in mind with fashion.
3. Style needs can transition rather quickly (i.e. from gambling at the Flamingo to a nice dinner or club), so be prepared.

(Sorry about the lists. I like lists.)

Based on these considerations, here's my shopping list!

1. A very versatile light jacket. Becuase my style teeters the line between girly and edgy, the staple pieces I buy always have to have the right combo of being feminine and rocker-ey. I have to be able to wear a staple jacket with jeans and a tee, or a hot pink babydoll dress, or studs, denim and leather. Nothing too frilly or cutesy, but definitely still light and pretty. Here are my ideas:

Anthropologie, $128

Anthropologie, $88

Shopbop (C&C California), $110

Macy's INC, $89

(p.s., the INC jacket is the forerunner right now!)

2. A nude shoe to go with most outfits. The rules above apply here: can be casual-ed down or dressed up but keeping the edgy/pretty feel. I posted on shoe ideas here already, but I've found a few more I like.

Shopbop (LAMB), $325

Macy's INC, $89

3. A cardigan. OK... so this is pathetic, but I don't really have a simple cardigan that can be worn many ways. I have my colorblock cardigan but it's wool. I have some other ones but they're cropped. I have flowy ones but they're too long for a short dress. I need a simple, v-neck, cotton, button down cardi. Preferably in beige.

Both LOFT, $49.50

What I'm already taking:
1. Versatile dresses (like the one here) that can go between day and night.
2. Short skirts for going out (like here and here!).
3. Flats/sandals.
4. Jeans and pretty tops (duh!).

Any other suggestions, my well-traveled friends? Ideas are always welcome. :)

Ms. Taylor has arrived.

Oh. My. Garsh.

I love her. She's so pretty and so comfy and so... short.

I've been giving this some thought lately. Here's what I've come up with:
1. You're only young once.
2. If you've got it, flaunt it (within reason).
3. Why the hell not?

These thoughts have spurred from the question: Can I really wear things this short? I prefer short to knee length because I feel it looks best on my legs, which have little shape to the calf. And it seems I've really been eyein' the shorter hems lately (courtesy Spring Runway trends) and adding them to my closet. The stripey tunic is an example. So it's made me think a little:
1. You're only young once. Right? I want to look back at myself in 25 years and say, nice job, younger-Justine! Taking advantage of your youth.
2. If you've got it, flaunt it (within reason). There are a lot of things about my body I don't like, but it's much more fun to talk about what I do like-- my legs are one of them. They may be lanky, but they're pretty long and lean. I remember my mom always saying she loved her legs and she got 'em from her momma. Now I say the same thing! And hey... I should show 'em off once in a while, no?
(And let's get this clear-- I am NOT wearing short hemlines at the office, at church, at buisiness functions or on my interviews. This is the "within reason" part. This skirt, and other one's like it, are reserved for dancing, Vegas (!), dinner with friends and weekend drinks. Maybe a fun shopping/lunch date, but only if I'm headed to Highland Park Village or Northpark, heh.)
3. Why the hell not? I guess this one doesn't really have an explanation. Yup.
So to sum, my lovies: It's (almost) (will be) spring. I like short skirts. I'm doing it while I can. Amen.  :)
 
And ohmigosh burnout leopard print with ruffles? Die.

  

  

  

  

  

Tank: Nordstrom BP's layering camis

Jacket: Charlotte Russe military blazer (long, long time ago)

Skirt: Rebecca Taylor burnout leopard skirt

Shoes: from a boutique in Dallas, don't know the designer (but there's rhinestone studs on 'em! Fun!)

Necklace: Francesca's boutique (not available; similar here)

Budget Buster vs. Stylish Substitute

Although I do these posts few and far between, I saw this one today and got a leeeeetle excited, because I kinda like the cheaper version better. Yay!


Budget Buster:

Free People Stripe Sweater, $138

Stylish Substitute:

Forever 21 Striped Stud Trim Cardigan, $32

I think I like F21's version better because of the studs and the length, but Free People's color is much better. Well, the price is really what would do it for me, since I would gladly pay $100 less for the F21 version!

No OOTD today. It's so cold they closed schools, which means I'm wrapped up in a sweater and jeans. Not very exciting. Let's hope the weather getss a teense warmer.

Also, GO HORNS!!! (Texas vs. Alabama tonight 7 pm CST. I'll be watching it with bells on. Eating Buffalo Wild Wings. Yum.)

Beer + cheese = deliciousness

I was arm-twisted (heh) into going to a beer/cheese tasting tonight at a local bar. I have a very refined cheese palate... in other words, I'll eat eat. I'll eat the shit out of it. Also, beer. I'm good at drinking it. Uh-huh yep yep. This is what I decided one should wear when trying to appear like I'm not wearing clothes that allow for bloat but still wearing clothes that allow for bloat.

(I didn't crop Santey Clause out of it this time... cute.)




Top: J Crew Florence Tee
Jacket: Charlotte Russe military blazer (like here)
Scarf: EPIC apparel (where I used to work; check it out!)
Jeans: AE super skinnies
Earrings: gifted... I think.

I don't usually go so "steel blue," but I thought it worked. It needs a pop of color with some heels/purse action. OK... now I'm off to accessorize. And feast. :)

An etsy find...

I can never get enough Etsy, nevernevernever! Just a quick one today, lovies. (btw... look for my blog post tomorrow on shopittome.com -- I will post a link to it here tomorrow)

Found this jacket, and really this shop...

Daniella Tello (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6525202)

I love the military look, and it even has structured shoulders! The best part is the price-- $80. Compared to Balmain, I'll take it!

I've been feeling a grey and black mood lately (not in the sense of angry, in the sense of clothing). So I will apologize for future OOTD posts that lack color... Chloe's post recently reminded me that I'm ok with an outfit with no pop of color. Sometimes, it's mysterious and sexy. Kinda like me. (HAHAHA HILARIOUS!)