Fall Wishlist

OK lovies, so now that I averted disaster (i.e., fixed my work mess), I'm ready to let the inquiring masses know about my Fall top-picks (since I know you're just chomping at the bit, hehe).

I got the 15th ann'y InStyle in the mail last night, and it very much so inspired me to start thinking about the key pieces I feel are needed in a Fall wardrobe. Not that I haven't been obsessing over that for the past month or anything, no no no. :)

1. A pair of skinny jeans (like, duhhh.)

My favorite are the Hudson Collins. ($178) Unlike many of Hudson's jeans, these skinnies fit close to the body, which is hard for me because I have no curves. I have trouble with skinnies that actually fit close to my calves, and these really do. Hudson denim is known for it's comfort and general wearability (they fit almost any body type), and the denim is high quality and rather lightweight. I love them.

2. A fur vest.

I have been holding off on fur for a while, but I just can't seem to keep my eyes off of the ones I've found so far. I prefer faux (not really because I'm an animal activist, mostly because my wallet requires it), and it can be hard to find a realistic and not cheapo-looking fur. However, I feel like BB Dakota's fur vest looks realistic, as does Nordstrom's faux fur vest. ($98) I personally prefer Nordstrom's, in this case.

For those of you who're willing to spend a tad more moulah, check our Juicy's caplet. SOOO FREEKIN CUTE:

3. A front-ruffle/bow blouse.

I'm actually having a hard time finding one I want. Here is a picture of the general style:

Alone, this might have a tendancy to look a bit like a pirate (argh, maties!). However, with a cardigan (see #4), skinnies (see #1!) and a skinny metallic belt, we have an adorable fall outfit. It's versatility is lust worthy-- think even a grey pencil skirt and tailored blazer. So, dear readers out there, if you spot one that is affordable, please send her my way!!

4. Ahem... that cardigan.

I am one of those freaks of nature (remember, I told you I'm bad with classic pieces) that does NOT have a nice cardigan she likes. Sure, jackets a-plenty, but ask me for a staple cardi and I'll pull out some ragged old thing that looks like the moths got to it before I did. HOWEVER. I will turn over a new leaf this fall. (ha! fall... leaf... so clevah. :-P ) Here is my pick, Aqua from Bloomie's ($138):

5. An over-the-knee boot.**

This is tricky. One, the price. Real leather or suede can prove expensive for something that might be a bit trendy. Two, the trash-factor. Heels AND over the knee might be trampy (I say might be, lovies. You may prove me wrong!). So, my pick for the Fall will be suede, grey (or black), and flat to low heeled. This will do the trick, available at Free People ($188):

**Doy! I'm totally editing this, because I just found these that I'm in love with and I want much more than the Free People version. I would post the full picture, but I'm having trouble with it. So just click the link already, ok?! :)**

6. Paper-bag Skirt.

I did something stupid, lovies. I got rid of a beautiful, crimson colored, silk Penguin skirt with a flowery-embossed print. Ugh. I sometimes make bad decisions. It sat high on the waist and had that paper-bag feel. Well, now I need a new one. Hmm... This one from Tulle is crazy-cute, and is soooo cheap!! I see it with my new, long cardi from Anthropologie: (Tulle, $22!!!)

7. Metallic Brogues.

I love pairing things that are feminine with things that are masculine-- polar opposites in fashion attract me. That's why I can see these brogues, some socks, and a skirt as being a fun and fashionable take on Fall trends. I'm IN LOVE with these (Pour la Victoire, $218), from Free People (go figure!):

Sigh. Wishlists are fun, but they are daunting! Maybe these inspirations will get me eating some hotdogs and Spam to save up some money (gross)... So what about you, readers? What are your top-picks for Fall '09 fashion??

ARGH.... fhkajsh*(k o_+dfbiq ahsf (which sounds a lot more menacing in person)

It's been one of those days. So I'm totally gettin' on a roll at work, do-do-deeed-dum, and I go make a change to some of the work I'd been doing (a database of over 4,000 references), AND IT DELETES EVERYTHING I'D DONE IN THE PAST TWO DAYS.

Yeah.

So.

That's my Tuesday.

I will post something happy and light tomorrow.

When I don't have murderous rage any longer.

Yeah.

JIC...

Sooo, little lovies... just in case anyone is interested, you may notice I wear a particular watch all the time; it's in (and is bound to be in) many of my pictures. You also may like said watch (I am not presuming you do. But just in case. :) ). This watch was out of stock for some time and looks very much like an expensive watch (think Versace's take)... I get compliments on her all the time. If you're interested, here is the picture and link, from Francesca's Boutique:

Francesca's Rhinestone Trend watch

For those of you who don't shop here: DO IT. Very cute things, and very affordable! Their physical stores are much better than the online boutique, and if you look at the locations, there are plenty around the USA. (and noooo, silly, I am not being paid to say this. It is out of a sheer love of them that I do such a thing.)

Hope your Monday finds you well! ;-*

Argh. I was played.

Don't you just hate it when good, respectable brands make you think you're getting something so great, so original, something you'll never see again after you buy it? And then you realize they just want your money?

As I was dutifully browsing Lulu's this morning, I came across this.

Copy cat.

Do any of you recognize this? Well I sure do. Because I bought it. Last year. From Free People. For about triple the price. How can Free People put their name on this and then the same design is sold... the next year, mind you!... for a fraction of the cost? I'm just bitter because I paid too damn much. HOW COULD YOU DO IT TO ME? I'M SO LOYAL AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!

Sorry.

The Free People sweater was a little different. Had an assymetrical button line. Whatever.

On another note, say hello to my little friend, found this morning at Bloomie's. Her name is "Gorgeous L.A.M.B. bootie".

If anyone happens upon a cheaper version of this, be sure to let me know! So pretty. Look at that towering heel! I even like the subtlety of the metallic stitching (haha, I just called "metallic stitching" subtle). It's not studded like a lot of the boots right now (which I love, don't get me wrong, but this just works). Gaw, I love Bloomie's! I started a wishlist there last night, chalk full of Aqua stuff. (hey yo, future-hubby-- you should check it out. It's public. Heh.)

p.s.: Monday morning confession. It's me, work colleauges, who has been stealing the plastic forks, spoons, and any will-work-as-a-shovel-into-my-mouth utensil to eat my maple yogurt with walnuts and granola every morning. I'm confessing this because I know no one at work will see it. Mwahaha!!

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!

Super Saturday, come to me

So to round off the load of loot spending spree, the fiance promised me that we can go to the mall this weekend to get me "something." Trust me, dear readers, this is no small feat for a mall-phobic man. He is doing this out the of oozing love in his heart (*sucking up*). I forsee it all now. "Something" to me could mean any number of things (5 things?! $300 shopping spree?!), but to him, it means a pair of socks. Or a $40 dress, which he will swear up and down is expensive.

Soooo doesn't understand fashion.

Fear not, lovies. In order to make this trip more manageable for the future hubby, I've decided to do the selfless thing of scoping out the mall before we actually go. You know. Try on all of those iffy items that have me standing in the mirror in 500 different poses without him. A not-so-feeble attempt to prevent him from getting so fed up that we leave with him huffing and puffing several steps ahead of me (dragging me out of Intermix as I claw at a Rachel Pally maxi). Nightmarish, no?

I went to the Anthropologie, and was sad to see that they didn't have the linen jacket or purple wool beauty that I so desperately wanted... but they did have the slub moto-jacket. And guess what? Disappointing. Kinda baggy, sorta hobo-ey. Not good, lovies, not good. Buuuuut. I did find this, which is more beautiful in person, and would be so supah versatile I almost bought it on the spot:

What, you say? Almost sold out online? GASP! Hurry, Saturday! I want this! I picture it with that Iisli dress I posted about before. And some rugged, brown, buckled boots. Sigh. OK, but fear not (like you were, right?!). I have another want for Saturday:

It could go under the Anthro sweater. It could go with jeans. Under a black tube dress. Over a bandeau for some sex-appeal. Over the river and through the woods... oh, what? Sorry. But I think it's a versatile piece. Perfect to make an outfit edgy or sweet. Oh, the options!

Hmmm... now to figure out a way to appease the crying masses that will be my fiance in T-minus 1 day....

Sushi: spending the loot...

So fiance had his bachelor party in Vegas this past weekend. Normally, most girls would gasp in horror-- gambling? Strippers? Vice?!? Well jeez, stop reminding me, lovies! But I actually have reason to celebrate his trip-- $1000 worth of celebrating. Funny thing is, he didn't win it playing poker, or blackjack, or some plenty-of-skill respectable way. It was the Wheel of Fortune slot machine in the Vegas airport that sent he and his friends home with thousands. Seriously. Thank you, Pat and Vannah!

So, to celebrate, we decided to go to our fave sushi place last night, The Fish. Here's what I wore:

TOP: BCBG
JEANS: Rich and Skinny Boyfriend studded jeans
SHOES: Steve Madden's from for-evvvv ago
NECKLACE: pretty pearl creation, gifted from fiance

P.S.: Sorry if these pics are shotty. I'm new to all this... and my camera has so many settings that I just look at it and start to tear up because I get a case of sensory overload and just can't figure it out. But I will! Someday!

OK, but the sushi... it was awesome, as always. Anyone living in Dallas (or other Texas locations, as I believe it has other stores) needs to go to this place, stat. It is fantastic! We laughed, we cried, we ate fried shrimp heads (no, we really did! so tasty). You should have seen us, lovies. We were like two kids in a candy store with a wad of cash to blow. (Justine's mother: "Why didn't you save that money?! Don't you have a wedding coming up?! Justine: "Uhhh... yeah. But we did save!... some of it. And the rest we're going to frivolously squander because I've done nothing but save every damn dime that comes my way, despite what this blog might suggest. Pardon the French, madame.)

Then we walked over to the Borders, and I found something I liked:

GNOME.

Most gnomes have a tendancy to creep me out a bit, but this one seemed friendly enough. I did not take him home (we weren't that antsy to spend the dough), but he did hang out with me a bit. As I walked barefoot through the store (I don't care. Whatever. And these shoes, despite their beautiful blinginess, are painful. Ouch.):


Hey, at least I have a pedicure! I got some funny looks, but trust me. If they were wearing these shoes, they would have done the same. Right? Yeah, sure, whatever.