OOTD: It's a skirt, it's a tube...

... iiiitttt's SUPER TOP!

(Admittedly ridiculous. Sorry.)

But no, seriously. Way back when I bought this skirt, I was excited to try it as a tube top, too. See, I don't buy strapless tops or dresses all that often. Not only are they not the most flattering on me, but I lack the equipment to hold them up. But sometimes, I like the idea of them, so this skirt was perfect-- I was buying it as a skirt (and would get most use out of it that way), but also knew I could dip my toes into the pond of tube tops, too. Problem solved.

Plus, after yesterday's outfit, which was pretty mainstreamed, I wanted to spice up my new bell bottoms. I mean, don'chall miss it when I don't wear wacky things?  :)

Top/Skirt: F21 striped mini

Belt: Rodarte for Target leopard bow belt

Jeans: J Brand Lovestory in Falcon

Shoes: Steve Madden Tristano heels

Bracelet: A.V. Max pyramid studded cuff (and... eeeppp!)

Ring: MbMJ bow ring, won from ELECTRICFRINGE (thanks, lady!)

OOTD: Pink Part Pwo (I mean, TWO.)

(Quick update: after some issues with the foundation and some in-depth discussions on the value of homeownership vs. mental sanity, we've decided to move along with the townhouse. Which means we'll be moving in about 1 month! Yay! I'm a little nervous about the whole thing, especially after hearing the foundation estimate--YIKES--but I think in the long run it's a good investment. And the bright side is my closet has shoe cubbies. SHOE CUBBIES, ya'll!! p.s. that's been a lifelong dream of mine, to own a closet with shoe cubbies. Anyway.)

Was not kidding about this pink thing, folks! (p.s.: the top's color IRL is more strawberry than it is coral... but I couldn't get the color just right on Photoshop without making my face look sallow. Nice.)

[Plain.]

[Cardi.]

[Jacket.]

Top: Express ruffled tank

Jeans: Hudson signature bootcuts

Necklace 1: Codename Ivy

Necklace 2: White House Black Market

Sweater: Line ruffle cardigan

Jacket: F21 Peplum jacket

Belt 1: Express skinny gold belt

Belt 2: Rodarte for Target leopard belt

Shoes: BCBG Max Azria reptile slides

I really couldn't decide how I liked this top best, and I'm still not sure if I have a preference looking back at it now. I needed a little something to throw over it, since air conditioned buildings in Texas are frigid, but couldn't find the "right" thing. I do feel like anything over it covers up its prettiness, since the raw-looking ruffles make the top. But practicality must win, lovies. Hubs preferred look #2 with the cardigan... but I think that's mostly because he really does not like the Rodarte belt. Boo on him. :)

What say you, readers? Is there a perfect cardigan/jacket to throw over this ruffled tank?

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?

OOTD: A mighty mix of animal

I really don't recommend mixing animal prints. It can look a little less laissez-faire and a little more like crazy-cat-lady.

However. I was curious.

Honestly, I still don't recommend, even if it was as subtle as I could think of. Yeah. Just a general no.

 

  

  

Sweater: F21 bow neck cardigan

Jeans: AE Super Skinnies

Belt: Rodarte for Target bow belt

Shoes: Steve Madden zebra printies

Earrings: ModCloth drop earrings

When forced to choose which animal print I'd keep, it'd be the shoes. The belt is sorta unnecessary in the outfit, so it went. But I was a little excited to discover that these earrings, which I got free from a past ModCloth order, worked well with the pearlized buttons on this sweater. I hadn't worn them before because they're a little loud (to say the least), but a necklace just wouldn't do with the neckline on this cardigan and it definitely called for some danglies.

I felt like doing a poll (which woulda made more sense in the post from Saturday), so here ya're: Will you mix your animal prints?

OOTD and thanks for the assistance

Good evening, lovies. Just a quick little post on this the first day back from a loooooong vacation. Ick.

Thanks to all who put in their two cents on my romper-stylings. I really had a thing for the last one with the black cardigan and leg warmers. Goes to show ya how things that you don't think will go together... well, kinda do. I've definitely been taking more risks in fashion lately, one, to keep you interested, and two to push my own styling limits, but this just means I'll want more opinions whether I'm inspired or just plain crazy. Hey-- what's fashion without occasional bumps and bruises, no? :)

Today's OOTD is just a quick one, and definitely not very risky. I think I've been taking my styling to the max when it comes to work-appropriateness, and I am quite lucky to have an environment that lets me do so. Still, I felt like being more "conservative" today. Just to even it all out, I guess. You may recall this dress; I wore it a while ago and haven't pulled it out since, so it's been featured on my blog for both of it's outings. Awww. Special. Without further ado....

(Wait, one more ado... errr whatever... I've been trying to master Photoshop Elements to make my photos better and am dealing with a relatively decent digital, non-SLR camera. As you can see, each has a different hue and I really have no idea which is better. If anyone has any tips for me on this lighting/color thing with PSE, I'd be forever grateful. Seriously. EMAIL ME PLZ.)

Dress: ModCloth Cut to the Lace Dress

Necklace: Simply Vera Vera Wang (I've been srsly getting some use out of this one)
Cardi: NY & Co antique button ruffle cardi (and this, too, apparently)
Leggings: Norstrom Hue
Boots: oldies, Steve Madden
Belt: ole' trusty Rodarte for Target, swoon/love.

OOTD: Rosey hues

You may be seeing many an OOTD this week. Here are the reasons why:

1. I have this entire week off from work, paid vacation. I'm jealous of myself.

2. I have a tripod. I like it.

3. My time off will allow me to take pictures when there is light outside.

4. I have a lot of cute new things I'm excited about.

5. Photoshop is my lover. (even though I'm still learning how to use it)

I am pretty excited about this outfit. As I put it on, I realized it is very Kim a la Anthroholic. Well, minus the animal print and boots. Otherwise, very her. :)

Dress: Anthro's Bold Boutonniere Dress
Cardi: J. Crew's Rose Corsage Cardi in buff (color not online, in stores only)
Belt: Rodarte for Target Bow Belt (grey leopard; as far as I know, the yellow leopard was almost not available)
Shoes: Go Jane booties in grey
Earrings: Francesca's, long long time ago.

Let me say how much I love this cardigan and especially in this color. It's the perfect "nude" for my skin tone. Although the roses don't stand up as much as the site shows them, they seem to still create a great ruffle. Gigi did a review on this, too, but I get the sense we have a different opinion on this cardigan. Maybe I'm wishing for Spring with this outfit, but I don't care. The airiness makes me happy. So there. :)

Sneaky spy...

I don't think there is anything else in the world that makes my stomach jump as much as scoring a hard-to-get piece. It's the thrill of the chase and the glory of the conquer.

What's this, I spy, on my Christmas tree?


An outfit to come... eeeepppp!!

(unfortunately, there was ONE LEFT in the store. But I continue my search to give one away. Trust me, I'm good at stalking fashion items.)

Errors.

OHMYGOD and I've been saying it wrong this whole time. (leave it to a 13-y.o. to show me up.)

For someone so obsessed with the line coming out, you'd think I'd know.

ROW-DAR-TAY.

Sheeeeeez.

I caved.

I couldn't stop thinking about the leopard dress... so I broke down and got it. I think the final tally on my Rodarte for Target list will be the leopard dress, floral dress and the belts (black and leopard, natch). I'll be stalking the site at midnight... who's with me? Who's bringin' the popcorn?

This year has not been my year for gift-giving. I've had orders canceled, items out of stock, "sorry, ma'am, we haven't invoiced these yet," etc. Argh. My trip to the mall today was supposed to be for other people, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it ended up being for me. Here's one of my fantabulous scores-- the other will be an OOTD this week coming up. (oh gaaahd I'm in love...)

(What's that, you spy? A floral dress? Hmmm... ;) these look supah-cute with that dress!)

Steve Madden Tristano

I did some try-ons at Anthro and UO, also. For fun, I'll post those pics/reviews here. Just for giggles.

The only Anthro try-on I snapped a pic for is the insanely gorgeous SINE jumper. Oh man oh man, it took all my willpower to not buy this baby on the spot. I'm really hoping for a sale here.

SINE Bow-Bound romper

I already own a SINE romper from the summer and I love love LURVE it. It's being dry cleaned as we speak, getting ready to be winterized with some tights and a sweater. But this baby is just callin' my name. Sale? Please?

I also tried on the Corey Lynn Calter dress I was dying for. Unfortunately, the few reviews on Anthro's site are right-- the rib cage area is insanely small. And it was a little thinner than I expected. Again, if this goes on sale, I'll definitely get it (and size up once or twice to fit my ribs).

When I went into UO, I saw some things I'd been eyein' on the site, so I tried them on.

This Lucca Couture dress was backordered/sold out online but is back in stock! I had it on my wishlist for a long time and just had to see what it was like in person. I really liked it. The color was light, so I didn't feel like it washed me out too much, and the shape was something I tend to gravitate towards. All in all, it was generally TTS and worth the price.

Below is the Ecote Metallic dress that is prettier in person than it was online. Beautiful! And another good shape for my figure. I liked that it had that long waist and the poofed skirt. Another one worth the price, IMO.
I couldn't find this next one online, but I feel like it was at some point. Just a cute skirt, with a nice little flair. The material felt nice and it was super-comfortable. Unfortunately, I don't really need more skirts at this point, so I passed, but it would be a very useful item to own!
Random post, I know. But it was just that kind of day.

A few very, very important things:

1. For any Dallas readers, the Irving Target (N. MacArthur) will NOT have Rodarte out until Sunday. Never fear, though-- the Medallion Center is already released. And I'm going promptly after work; photos will be up this evening of my reviews. (oh how I love the big city.)

2. I bought three, count 'em, THREE cardigans from NY & Co yesterday for a whopping $40. Yes... I'm kinda excited. Go check it out!!!

In a pretty sherbet orange color... yum

3. I want to thank all my followers and readers. It's been so much fun starting this blog, and I hope to continue to make it bigger and better as the months roll on. I am so inspired by my fashionable readers and the people who comment on my posts. It makes me feel pretty nice to know you respect my opinions! For this, I will be doing my first ever GIVEAWAY! Although I'm not yet sure what the prize will be, I'm pretty sure it will be a little item from a certain Target GoLine... hehe. I'll be releasing this giveaway in the coming week, so please stay tuned.

4. Simply.... Yay, or Nay? (this dress has been staring my in the face for about 1 week now, and I'm having a hard time telling myself no. What do I do?!)

KAS Harvey Embellished Shift Dress

Countdown! and here's to hoping...

OK ladies. For any of you Dallas-ites out there interested in the Rodarte for Target new Go Line, the North Irving/MacArthur store will have the line out on December 18th, two days before the scheduled release. There may be others out there that are releasing it a few days early (it really depends on the shipments, as far as I know), but this is the only one I got a straight answer from. I'll be going on my lunch break and trying on as many things as I can. I'll upload the pics and reviews that night so ya'll can have ideas. Especially those of you waiting for the online release on the 20th. Hopefully that will be helpful!

(Can you tell I'm excited? Yeah.)

Also, I found this on http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-infashion/2009/11/louise-goldin-for-topshop-spring-2010.html...

Louise Goldin for Topshop, Spring '10

And if I know anything about these collaboration lines, these insanely haute shoes will be inspiration only. Remember how that went with the Christian Siriano line? And all the ass-kickin' shoes that never showed up at Payless? Yeah... but a girl can dream and hold out hopes... Here's to pleasantly edgy dreams of shoes-as-weapons. Sigh.

A glossies spy, and embarrassing photo of me

Apparently I'm not the only one who spied this month's Marie Claire (HELLOOOO Lanvin dress on Natalie!). That wasn't the only reason I bought the mag. Here's what I spied with my little eye....

Eeeep and Eeeeek!!!

Not that I haven't seen these before. But still. I got a bit excited. Here's the problem: saving my December budget until December 20th. Sure, there's Christmas money, but let's be honest. This collection will be mostly gone by December 21st. Sigh. Guess we'll have to see how I do!!

Also, a self-revealing moment from yesterday's Big 12 Championship game (yay HORNS!!!) :

Friggin freezing, do NOT judge.

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.