So They Said It Would Rain - They Lied...

This weekend I went out to visit my girlfriend in Brentwood. She used to live in Marina Del Rey, so I am SUPER happy. Her move cuts 15 minutes off my travel time in my drive to hang out. Awesome. Anything that cuts off traffic time in L.A. is just fantastic. I sit in soooo much of it. On my way to work, back from work, I waste a solid amount of gas just sitting. "Take the Bus/Train" you say...That takes so much frickin effort aaaannnnnndddd it would take foreeeevvver to get to work and so much walking is involved, it's kinda crazy. So I will just go on complaining about the need to take public transport and my inate desire to not be inconvenienced anymore in the morning than I already am, by having to leave an hour before I need to be at work to go 17 miles.
Wahwahwah. Yes, I know, the river I'm crying is getting all over your shoes... but as you can see I am wearing my version on rainboots, my Docs. Weeeeee!

Shirt: Kohl's; Jeans: Macy's; Boots: Dr. Marten's; Necklace & Glasses: Nordstrom Rack; Hat: Bass  

I always drop into KOHL'S when I get the $10 coupons in the mail and sometimes even when I don't. The deals are just so darn good sometimes. We received a gift certificate for Christmas and we still hadn't used it, so I took it and went to KOHL'S peruse the deals. When I asked my husband if he wanted me to pick up anything, he looked at me in horror. He knows I shop there from time to time, but still he's a bit of a snob when i come to that store. Little does he know, he has a couple of t-shirts from that very store...he would be hesitant to admit it. The whole thrift store thing is kinda beyond him, too. He sees everything I bring home and he's all about it. "Wow, that's great!" But then when I suggest he comes with me he says no. Then he goes to PacSun and buys a button up, collared shirt for $48. *Sigh* Someday, he will see the light. Sorry, I digress...

I found this shirt and I totally dig the color. The gingham, of course, is always my style, then add the cute, pleated sleeves and the ruffle detail. I threw on the hat when i was taking pics, it was cold and I love it :)

So anyway, the forecasters said it was supposed to rain all weekend. It spit. That was about it. It was nice and cold at our house though. I always like being warm in the house then bundling up and going into the cold. I started to lose the light so I had to get creative with the editing with the exposure, etc...

This was just for fun...

Leopard Love

 

This is my all time favorite coat. It is the perfect 60s style, kinda Jackie Onassis, but in leopard!

I found it in the Victoria's Secret catalogue many years ago and it was a bit much for my tiny wallet to start... I kept my eye on it for months, (cause they send you like, 2 catalogues per week so it wasn't too difficult), and finally it made it to the 70% Clearance catalogue - AWESOME! $24.99 + shipping later, I had my fabulous new coat. I wear it year round and I always get compliments on it.

 If I had to pick 2 items that represent my style, it would be this coat and my black riding boots, (worn in quite a few posts here.) I wear them everywhere, with everything. I have plenty of nice coats, but if I don't want to think about it- Bam! it'always perfect :)

I don't really know how to wear this blouse, but I just love the butterfly sleeves and the print. It just reminds me of the 70s. So I normally belt it - shocker right? -Nope. Anyway, when I found it at Anthropologie on clearance I just grabbed it on a whim. What I don't get - it's an XS. How the heck was this thing supposed to be worn? Goodness knows I am not an XS in ANY situation sooo....enlighten me at will.

Coat: Victoria's Secret catalogue; Blouse: Anthropologie; Pants: H&M; Boots: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Nordstrom Rack (Betsy Johnson); Jewelry; I made

I Heard the 90s Knocking

Dress: Overstock.com (BCBGeneration); Boots: Victoria's Secret; Tights: Bare Necessities; Sweater: Macy's (American Rag); Belt & Bracelet: H&M; Hat: Amazon.com (The Uber Shop-August Accessories); Earrings & Necklace: Gift

This hat reminds me of the movie "Benny & Joon" and the 90s in general. I have no idea what era this hat was designed from, but I know it handles rain well which is the main reason I purchased it. The last time it rained my awesome umbrella broke. It was covered in cats and dogs - get it? It's raining Cats and Dogs. So anyway, I went on an online search for another umbrella, same theme. Sadly, I still haven't found it, I'm holding out. So I bought hats :)

I have gotten so much use out of this BCBGeneration dress from Overstock. It's just comfortable and I love the color. Especially with the burgundy tights. These tights are just so cool. Love 'em.

The sweater, I have had for years and I've only worn it a handful of times. I feel fat in it, but belting it helps I think. It's still not a favorite, but workable. It's a simple knit stitch and its comfy so the Salvation Army is not getting this donation just yet.

These boots have been my babies, my go to boots if I can't do heels. They are so comfortable and I wear 'em over slim pants or with dresses or skirts. They are like, an adult version of my cherished Dr. Martens, (which will inevitably make an appearance here at some point.) Something I can wear to work and not look like Abby from NCIS. She is super awesome, by the way, but the ridiculous platform boots to work really isn't that great.

Anyway, my boots are coming up from the sole a bit and the leather is getting so worn, it is pretty close to not looking like a nice clean riding boots. I've been looking into some Steve Madden's.

I have a brown pair and they are great so I was just perusing these:

and these:but, we shall see...

Dear Betsy

Dear Betsy J.,

I want to wear your dresses and drink a spot of tea...

The Betsy Johnson dresses I normally gravitate towards are 50s inspired. The hem is contemporary length, however.The black skirt on the above dress is so pretty and just a little poofy. The tiers are so pretty and though there are many, it doesn't seem too heavy. I normally run from lilac, but I like it with the black lace overlay. The bow at the waist is perfect to help bridge the gap  between the layers and the top.

This dress is just sweet. Look at it! The adorable bow that completes the entire dress and it's such a cute lil thing. The pink is fairly understated since it is dispersed as a bold lace in a beautful pattern. Battenburg Lace hasn't been used so successfully off the window or dining table, in like - EVER. I really think it's a unique choice :) The black fabric underneath helps the lace to pop so you can see those pretty starbursts. I also like that it's a strap with some substance. They could have easily gone with a speghetti strap, but they didn't. Bravo! Now, if only I could afford it... 

It won't let me link, so here it is darnit!
http://www.bluefly.com/Betsey-Johnson-blush-battenburg-lace-mini-dress/cat60019/300864102/detail.fly?PROMO=promo820008&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1656501-_-1827884-_-300864102&referer=cjunction_1827884_10436858_v1abvfaa80e39

Copious Amounts of Coveting

*Sigh* I haven't felt the need to post much lately. However, I have been collecting goodies that appeal to me to put up when I was inspired. Well, *drumroll*...today is that day. I don't even know how many albums I have put together with pictures of styles, looks and art work I cut out from Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Southern Living, all the magazines I go through and enjoy. This is kinda the same thing. I get these neat "Shop It To Me" emails (as I've noted before - cause it's awesome) that send all the deals that are happening an designers I like. They are always a welcome couple minutes break during a harried work day. And inevitably I find alluring items. My co-worker and I send each other what we want that day. It's always fun to see what we pick out for ourselves and even for each other. It's funny how you can get to know someone when their style helps to give you a sense of who they are. I mean, there are many variables, but talking about something you enjoy with someone else who feels the same is neat. And when it's opinon (and humorous harsh judgements - thank you GoFugYourself for all the wonderful material) about fashion and style, well shoot, grab a latte, pull up a chair and have fun.

Soooo, I don't really dig the whole "I'm an actor, I'm a singer, I'm a designer" bull. I won't go into my diatribe about where fashion has gone and the pop marketing that has pushed it in such a direction, etc... however, here's an example: Jessica Simpson. Her various lines bring in $400 million per year and her designers are pretty good at appropriating popular styles, but I am still not sold, literally, I put her brand down when I pick it up. I was totally shocked when I saw this pretty thing. Color, trim, cut, all of it comes together nicely.

Also, upon further study, her dress line is cute. Boo, I don't like being proved wrong. (I was friggin right about JLO, though.)

Nanette Lapore I have adored for years. Her structuring, retro styles, spectacular color and fabric choices - I want it all. This dress surprised me that it was hers, I like it, but it is quite contemporary, zippers as decoration, or the bubble hem for example. Yes, I know those are 80s creations, and those shoulders are totally 80s and now I guess that is retro, soooo, I feel old... Anyway, they are taking a slightly different direction as of late, some bohemian even. I'm not sure about it, but I am holding judgement, I still see stuff I like. However, I would like to see more vintage inspired stuff that worked so well.

Oh look, more BCBGeneration. But a gorgeous shirt this time. The sheer teal fabric is so pretty and the cut! holy mackrel, the bow - so 60s, the sleeves, the defined waist - it's just toooo cute!

The dress of course is another adorable short piece by BCBGeneration. The waistline detail makes the whole dress. The hemline by itself I could take or leave, but with the waist it totally works.


And onto the next grouping of fun....

Valentine's around the corner

My love for this dress knows no bounds. EVERYTIME I wear it, the skirt makes me so happy! I find myself always wanting to spin when it's on. I think I am going to make one. It doesn't look too difficult, the waist is what I am concerned about. I might just go and buy a similar pattern and use the waistband.

When I saw this sweater in H&M I had to buy it. It had cherries on it for crissakes! Cute cherries with a couple different shades of pink in them. Another cool thing is the little polka dots are green not black. I hate to admit that I just noticed that the other day when I looked down and I purchased it a while back. I was just so taken with the cherries, I guess.

Oh, look, another belt... I really tried it without, but since the dress is a halter with an empire waist it just made me look quite large, soooo on went the belt. I think it looks cute. Aaaannnnd, it ties in the brown in my boots, which are marvelous! I bought these about 8 years ago and have loved them ever since. The only reason they are still in great shape is because I have about 8 pairs of calf/knee high boots that I have collected over the years. :) What can I say? I LOVE boots. I wear them year round. (The center I work in is quite air conditioned, so that gives me a darn good excuse.) However, during the spring and summer, of course, they cycle in rarely. I have some pretty great open toed shoes. Goodness knows I have enough of them.

Dress, Belt, Sweater: H&M; Tights: Target; Boots: Victoria's Secret catalogue; Jewelry: I made

                                                                          

Ooo, look a tomato

Love it...

I love the colors in this Lucky Brand purse. It is so colorful and the scale design is neat. It looks so 70s with the color selection. Overall I really dig Lucky Brand purse design. Their hobo bags are so awesome!

You know what I could wear with that gorgeous purse?  - that killer Yardly Sweater (that is way overpriced) by Marc Jacobs. The latte brown with that pop of coral piping. It looks super comfy and kinda reminds me of a house coat ;)

This luscious piece of fabulousness keeps showing up on my "Shopittome" email and I keep drooling over it! The bow - STOP IT! so cute -The tiers are placed just perfectly. The top one is high enough to be a peplum and anything with a peplum (that isn't an 80s peplum) needs to be MINE! The sheer fabric adds another unexpected dimension. I want it, but yet again, another Marc Jacobs piece that I can't afford. But, that is ok. Just means I need to thrift for something like it or create one... only time will tell to see if that idea pans out...

Oh yeah, Steve Madden's Preorder selections are pretty great too. These are a must (they come in a purple suede as well.)

These ones aren't on preorder, so I NEED THESE oxfords, but I really mean it this time. I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for a sale on these suckers! They look like I could swing in them, if I knew how :)