An Ode to Shoshanna...

Dearest Shoshanna,

Your dresses are beautiful. I want them. Me like pretty colors. Thanks.

Love, Justine.

(hey, I didn't say it'd be an eloquent ode!)

And now for the eye candy part:


But seriously, I love this designer. Oh, and she's right on trend for this Spring with her bright and bold prints, short hemlines and fantastic draping. Sigh. I'm-a saving up my pennies, yes'siree. To be totally honest, I don't own a piece of her clothing, but hey, this Spring may be just the time to "spring on it." Hah! I punned.

Rodarte for Target Plea

Don't know if any of you have seen this image, but I credit Angelina's Cafe for the preview:

Rodarte for Target, pleasepleaseplease be cute in person. Don't be cheap and gross. I am in love with EVERYTHING IVE SEEEEENNNNN.... please let me spend my money on you with no regrets. I'm not sure I've seen a preview dress for more than $40, which is insane (considering Anna Sui's line was much more expensive). Although it's exciting, it makes me worried about quality, ya know? Though I really would wonder why Kate and Laura would want to put their names on something shoddy. Then again, why any of the past designers would want to put their names to the poor quality that has come through Target's automatic doors is beyond me. This is neither here nor there.... btu still. Please do not disappoint,

Sincerely,

A very broke shopper.

Holy Crapola.

My super-amazing FSIL (future sister in law, thanks Cathy!!) pointed these out to me today whilst searching for the perfect bridesmaid shoe... although these are not it, they are MINE MINE MINE. That is, when I can spend money again. OMG I want them right now.

I'm feeling a 2-year-old temper tantrum come on. I apologize.

Nina, $99

Gaudy? A little. Amazing? Yes, 100%. I mean, they would have the sole (gahh, no pun intended... ok yes, PUN INTENDED!) purpose of dancing and sipping martinis while on my feet, but whatever. I do that! Sometimes. Everything else would be simple and muted... LBD, possibly. Maybe they'll inspire me to create an outfit around them with Polyvore. Stay tuned, lovies...

Anthropologie fun-day

Gaahhh I love this store. I'll take one of everything, please! Yes, send those straight to my apartment. But, oh... make sure they are invisible to future-husbands. Thanks.

I decided to go and make some cute outfits out of things I loved in the store. Hey-- if I can't buy it because I don't have an extra $1,000 sitting around, I might as well take some great pics of my ideas! Problem today was the store was crazy-busy. I had to wait for a room, so I felt a little guilty taking forever in the dressing room with no intention of buying anything. Here is what I could do in the time I had (p.s.: sorry for the somewhat blurry pictures... iPhones for ya...):

Anthro Sparrow Texture Study Dress

I loved this dress! I've had my eye on it since it came in. It fit a little loose, but with slight tailoring, it would be perfect. Great for the winter and fall! I really wish I had the $150 for it... sigh. Interesting note: there were little slits at the high waist revealing a tad bit of skin. I had no idea until I was taking it off!

Deletta's Blooming Phlox tank
Viola's Revelations Skirt

Oh man. Love this too! So fall-inspired! The top looks great with so many outfits (see next image), and this skirt is so pretty and comfortable (just ignore the tank under the top-- I was too lazy to take it off). I can imagine a lot of use out of these. Good news is the top is not super expensive ($58), but the skirt is more like $100. Hmm.

Same top...
Knitted and Knotted's Declarative Skirt

Holy ish-t, I love this skirt! ugh... The peplum is adorable, and the material (which you can't see in this picture) is a gorgeous textured knit, like a pointelle. I love love love it with that top. For $128, I'm planning to scrape the bottom of the money barrel to find this cash to buy it. Soon. Really soon. (donations, anyone?! heh.) It would be perfect throughout both Fall and Winter.

Same top, AGAIN
Idra's Gust and Breeze Anorak

For anyone who may recall, I was debating this jacket a while back. Although it's linen and probably not appropriate for Fall or Winter, I really like it. Aren't the colors together pretty? that slate grey and mustard yellow, paired with some great jeans. The jacket was insanely wrinkled at the store, making me think (and reading the reviews) that it might wrinkle like that after some wear. The shape of it is nice, with the cinched waist, though it could have used a little taking-in near the bust. That's what you get for having no boobs. Great.

Project Alabama's Diaphanous Tunic

Ehh... I think this tunic is better on a larger busted girl. Kinda swimmy on me. Not a big fan, to be honest. For all the hype and rave this top has gotten, I'm skeptical. Oh well! (I'm pretty sure Anthroholic tried this one on, too... looked better on her.)

Jonsey's Emerald Estuary Tunic

Gorge. Love. Ruffles. Can't. Talk. (even though I look mad... Maybe I'm mad that I can't have it??)

Of course, with a belt, would look better, but I almost even like it flowy and loose. The color is so pretty and soft, and don't get me started on the ruffles. The ruffles!! :) $78? not too bad. But again, I'm on a shopping restriction for a month. Suck.

Tabitha's Golden Plum Cardi
Skinny Striped Blouse

I love pairing a stripe with a pattern like this, but the problem was the odd fit of that sweater. It can't be belted (too short); it would have to be tailored a bunch. Definitely needs to fit closer to my waist, especially since the blouse underneath isn't super tight. I still really like this outfit. If I had the money, I probably would have gotten it and figured out the fit with my tailor.

OK... that was all that was of note. I ended up calculating how much I would have spent if I got everything I wanted right then-and-there, and it would have been around $700. (pardon while I barf.) Why must you taunt me, Anthropologie? All I ask is that I can have your clothing for free. Is that too much to ask? IS IT?

Yes?

OK. Sorry. :)

In A Perfect World...

Tough, tumble and sequins by justinelise featuring Anthropologie

I thought I would start a new Friday afternoon theme post called "In a Perfect World..." These posts will be dedicated to my idea of a perfect-world outfit. In other words, if I could spend all the money in the world on clothing and fashion, what would I really wear?

Sometimes I feel like my creativity with fashion gets squandered by budgets. I can't really dress the way I want because I can't justify spending the $400 on a new pair of knee high boots, or the $1000 for a fabulous leather studded moto-jacket. I mean, I try to create my looks for less, of course. But there sometimes just is no substitute for the real thing. Well, lovies, until I am a rich psychologist-to-the-stars (ha), I will just have to settle. Maybe this post will help me get some of those creative juices out, instead of pent up in little ole' me with nowhere to go. Do you ever feel like that? Like reality just...well... bites?!

On to the look: I adore the brand Haute Hippie. Not only do their things look fabu online, but in person, they are works of art. Hand stitched embellishments, luxurious fabrics, and vintage inspired designs make them a go-to in my mind for fantastic fashion. This new Fall sequin shift is similar to the sequin shift I've been desiring and ranting about. And the Anthropologie chunky cardigan is another staple item a fashionista can't live without. Add some heavy duty leather boots, bangles (and grey tights?), and you have an outfit I've been wanting for a year now. (I think I even mentioned this sort of combination in a previous post!) Hope you like her, lovies!

Gahhhh, another need

Just to be clear-- I have a lot of free time at my job, which allows me to sit here and switch between work (bleh) and shoppppingggg. I came across this, and I believe I must, must, must have it:

OH BOY. I have been looking for something like this forever, in exactly these colors, exactly this style. And I randomly stumble upon it this morning... Sick. The best thing? It is an Iisli dress featured at a consignment shop called thestashconsignment.com It probably retailed for close to $400 when it was new, but since it's been worn probably 1-2 times by a rich, beautiful New York socialite, it's retailing for $110. Which, honestly, is a bit much for me right now. Maybe I can negotiate? I think $85 is my limit. Even though this dress screams at me, "You neeeeeed me. I'm beautimous." I sort of think it's worth $110, but a little bartering never hurt anyone (especially my purse). We'll see what happens. Maybe in a week or so (UPS is so slow sometimes...), I can post a picture of me sporting this beauty! Fingers crossed, lovies.