I was looking for a party dress that other day and came across so many options! Bohemian girl, flowy goddess, the classic LBD, chic maxi, and the mini...so many choices, so little $$$ ***sad face*** (just look at these cute dresses and you'll know what I mean)! BCBGMAXAZRIA Women's Runway Drape Deep V Dress - $280
Laundry by Shelli Segal One Shoulder Goddess Dress - $345
Alice + Olivia Women's Strapless Tie Back Dress - $396
Diane von Furstenberg Jersey "Clara" Dress - $365
Even after the long contemplation and the $65 gift card I had for Bloomingdales, I still could not get myself to add an item to my shopping cart. Instead, I went to Arden B and added this to my shopping cart, something that is much more affordable. A versatile tunic that can be worn at night by itself (though, it might be a little short so still debating on that...also white is not a very forgiving color...) or pair with jeans/leggings. In order to give it a little more of a twist and a personal style to it, I think I'm going to go to a craft store like Michaels for a stargazer lily so I can pin it to the shoulder part. I'm envisioning something like this:
So with my handy photoshop, I made a mockup of what it would look like:
I gotta admit it's not as glamorous as the dresses featured above. But hey! I think this will buy me some time until my next urge to splurge!
Celebrity styles have always been really confusing to me. No matter how horrendous a piece might seem to look on the rack or on an ordinary person, it glistens on celebrities. I can't quite grasp and make my own judgment on what looks good and what doesn't. That's because even if I don't like something, I will learn to like it after seeing a gazillion photos of the same outfit in the tabloids. Same analogy to pop music on the radio, I find myself singing along to songs with ridiculous lyrics because the ubiquity of the songs forces you to fall in love with it!
A good example is the "boyfriend" jean. I wouldn't get it in a million years, not even if it was on clearance! But then when you see pictures of Katie Holmes (I don't always agree with her style), Jessica Alba and Rachel Bilson you can not help but fall in love with them! But really, is this about how good the jeans look ? Or is it really about how you feel when you are in them? Self-confidence. I believe that feeling good and looking good has a direct relationship when it comes to what you wear. When you look in the mirror, you HAVE to feel good about what you have on in order to make it look good! And that my friend, is the secret ingredient to a fantastic outfit! You can get a pair for fun at Forever21 for $22 --- click here.
And then there are those pieces that just simply looks good. I really admire Lauren Conrad's style for it's simplicity and balance. She knows what looks good for her age. For example, a flirty tier skirt can be played down with a plain cotton t-shirt. Another one of those "boyfriend" theme is shown in the second photo (which by the way is a big hit this season), a loose fitting style can be paired with form fitting pieces, like skinny jeans, to add shape. This illustrates the "balance" part I talked about earlier. Lastly, I read in the magazine that the whole "black and white" theme is coming back. The last example completely carries out that theme in a very age appropriate way for a girl in her twenties. Another piece that practically looks good with everything is the skinny jean. This is a piece that can add an endless style to your wardrobe. Heidi Klum shows us the different ways in which a pair of jeans can be worn --- day and night. It works with a variety of things: sequence top, tuxedo blazer, screen tee, or an embellish top. The list goes on...heels, stilettos, platforms, sandals, or tennis shoes. If there is one closet piece you want to make an investment in, consider making it a pair of fitting skinny jeans.
My boyfriend makes fun of me all the time for being a sucker for reality TV shows. One of my favorite (and his not-so-favorite) is Gossip Girl. He doesn't understand how much a girl can learn from this mindless tv series. I mean look at Blair's style...combining elements of both femininity and youth! She keeps her outfits very simple, a silk blouse and a pencil skirt will do the trick. She accessorizes by adding on vibrant color purses, coats, tights, and the infamous...headband. You can get a "blair" inspired bow headband at forever21 for $1.50!! (For 2 headbands...that's why the sentence deserves 2 "!" marks) Click here to view. If you can not find a blouse in your closet you can consider getting this French Connection Flutter Blouse through Macy's.
For some reason Target is making it really difficult for you to purchase anything from the McQ line. If you just go to their website and browse around, chances are you are not going to find it. One way to get there is by using this path: go to directory --> design for all --> Alexander McQueen. Or you can simply click here to view all items of the line.
To make it even more exclusive, only certain Targets are carrying this line. The one closest to my house was like 20 mins away (but of course I still made that extra effort to go). Below are some of my picks. There were so many other cuter things I want to share with you, but since they are sold out, the items were taken off the site completely. Hope you get to a Target in time to find what you want! Alexander McQueen® for Target Print Tee - Ebony $22.99 Alexander McQueen® for Target Tatoo Print Drape Top - Ebony / Blue $26.99
Alexander McQueen® for Target Harness Top - White / Smoke Stack $26.99 Alexander McQueen® for Target Tiger Print Shift Dress - Ebony/Pink $44.99
The retro chick look is everywhere now --- shopping racks are filled with shocking pink, highlighter yellow, neon green, and electric blue clothes. But really, other than models, who can rock those colors and look flattering at the same time? I know I certainly can not because neon colors just do not go well with my fair skin complexion. So I thought, man, how can I be like that retro chick walking down the Tibi or Donna Karen runway. I found my solution today! I bought some neon color hair ties at forever21 for $1.50. I think this will satisfy my need for some neon colors on me for awhile...Oh and if you do end up laying some neon colors on you, please try to match them with black and keep the accessories minimal ;)
I saw an ad on TV a few days ago during prime time television (might have been an American Idol slot?). It was Old Navy's new ad campaign, “SuperModelquins”, a clique of talking mannequins gossiping about the "unbeatable value of Old Navy prices". One mannequin's head is turned 180 degrees to her back and she starts flaunting her behind because the jeans that she is wearing makes her look really good. All the other mannequins are complimenting her and asking whether or not those are expensive designer jeans. Then they all go off to turning all their heads to look at their butts. Enough said. Mannequins with spinning heads :X
This campaign was developed in partnership with Crispin, Porter + Bogusky. CPB is a full service advertising agency awarded for its edgy and innovative campaigns (clients include Coca-Cola and Microsoft "I'm a PC" --- ring a bell?). This was a fully-integrated collaboration including national TV ads, interactive micro-site, a new magazine featuring the “SuperModelquins” distributed at the stores, direct mail campaign, etc.(more turning heads mannquins?) The main focus is intended to appeal to Old Navy's new line of target, the young moms; and it doesn't stop there. It is young moms who are out on a budget to find great deals for her and her family.
I have mixed feelings about this. Something about talking mannequins just freak me out a little. Especially if they can turn their heads a full 360 degrees and stop anywhere in between that. But I get the campaign, it's edgy, innovative, fresh, and fun. It goes well with the whole spring theme and desperate housewives out scrounging for deals in this depressing economy. Lastly, there are exactly 12 “SuperModelquins” and each exhibits his/her own style. But I'm still unsure after I tried to list out all the positive aspects of this campaign...I might be a little more convinced if these images are of real people trying this stuff on.
Take a hint from Becky Bloomwood! See the theme here? (hint: look closely at her hands!) Ok yes, she's holding a Gucci purse...but that's not the answer I'm looking for! The answer is her gloves --- to be more specific, her very bright colored gloves. Invest in one and brighten your wardrobe!
Where to find them? A few months ago, I bought a pair of burgundy merino leather gloves from Target. I've never seen unique colored ones before until I saw this website: http://www.4leathergloves.co.uk/ This site has a wide selection of silk lined, wool lined, and merino ones. Best of all is that they have all the colors that we are all wishing for!
Source image: modelblog.nl and 4leathergloves.co.uk
The theme for this Marc by Marc Jacob tee is the fight for breast cancer. Miss Marc is wearing boxing gloves and a tank saying "Fight like a girl". As a continuation to that slogan, "To beat breast cancer!" is written on the bottom left. Marc Jacobs, LLC created this exclusive collaboration with Bloomingdales so that 50% of the retail sale can go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. The retail price for the tee is $48.
I love the idea of integrating philanthropic ideas to shopping. Most people who are buying label items are over paying anyway. Why not buy and do a good deed at the same time? But...as much as I support this collaboration Marc Jacobs is having with Bloomingdales, I still think the most effective way to give back to the community is through volunteer work. Each tshirt sold would only generate $25 revenue for the foundation, how many tshirts do they have to sell in order to cover the cost of one simple research? If you ask me, I think there are tons of people out there who can financially support non-profit organizations just by letting out a little pocket change. That alone would be much better than selling a million tshirts (hint: CEOs...or the executives from the financial industry!?!) Yes, money can be the number one determinate factor in helping non profit organizations; but I think the best way to contribute for us working-middle class is our time. We should not discount the fact that time and love can often times be just as powerful (if not more powerful) than monetary support! Image Source: Bloomingdales.com
BCBGMAXAZRIA Women's Runway Drape Deep V Dress - $280
Laundry by Shelli Segal One Shoulder Goddess Dress - $345
Alice + Olivia Women's Strapless Tie Back Dress - $396
Diane von Furstenberg Jersey "Clara" Dress - $365
add an item to my shopping cart. Instead, I went to Arden B and added this to my shopping cart, something that is much more affordable. A versatile tunic that can be worn at night by itself (though, it might be a little short so still debating on that...also white is not a very forgiving color...) or pair with jeans/leggings.
In order to give it a little more of a twist and a personal style to it, I think I'm going to go to a craft store like Michaels for a stargazer lily so I can pin it to the shoulder part. I'm envisioning something like this:
I gotta admit it's not as glamorous as the dresses featured above. But hey! I think this will buy me some time until my next urge to splurge!
