Sunday, September 30, 2012

Cheap Cheats: Half-Sheer Buttondown

I actually first saw the cheaper version of this shirt at Nordstrom BP., then noticed that Free People made one exactly like it, but more expensive.


Lush Sheer Panel High Low Shirt-originally $48, on sale for $23.90

Be right back, time to convince my parents to buy me the Nordstrom BP. one. ;)



Monday, September 24, 2012

Falling for Autumn


This is going to be a really quick post, since I already posted earlier today and I should actually start my homework since I just finished watching Revolution. :) Anyway, I was browsing the Madewell website and saw this adorable Jolie Shoe Clip. I think it'd be totally awesome to wear as a bowtie instead though; the leather would add a subtle tough edge.


Jolie Shoe Clip-orig. $14.00, sale price $4.99 
(+additional 25% off with code YIPPEE)

Perhaps paired with this buttondown and a pair of burgundy/oxblood pants perfect for fall. ;D


Vince Camuto Contrast Trim Blouse (sold out but similar @Free People)

Sofia Capri in Velvet Cherry from Lucky Brand Jeans. On me they're ankle length... also, they're less grape, more dark cranberry in person.
And now all I need is a pair of smoking slippers to complete that nice fall look. These would be lovely.




 Somehow, however, I don't think I'll be buying those shoes anytime soon. Sigh. A girl can dream, huh?

The Cat's Pajamas


I was browsing the sale sections of internet boutiques instead of doing homework (what else is new?) when I came across this gorgeous 100% silk Rachel Antonoff Kusum Blouse--a fun, spotty take on the classic pajama top silhouette.
Rachel Antonoff Kusum Blouse-reg. $198, on sale for $48(!)

The pajama dressing trend first became popular around January-February, stayed for Spring/Summer 2012, and was alive and well at Fashion Week for fall '12 (pajama suits are apparently a thing now). And while I don't think I'm quite ready for a pajama suit, I'd totally be willing to wear this top around town with a structured jacket, slim pants, and some heels. The oversized polka dots are just so much fun, and it doesn't hurt that it's a great markdown besides. Also, have I mentioned that I have a huge thing for buttondowns?

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Cheap Cheats: Varsity Jackets

When we visited Fashion Island a few weeks ago, we went into True Religion on a whim. I saw this awesome varsity jacket (shown below) and surreptitiously checked the price tag. I then let it drop, nodding casually lest the shopkeeper see the shock plastered across my face. $500?! I mean, I knew it would be expensive (let's be real, it's True Religion), but I didn't expect something that exorbitant. Even if it was a wool-polyamide blend with real leather trim.
I vowed to find a more reasonably priced varsity jacket, but preferably one that looked decent and somewhat similar. Then, when I was surfing the online boutiques, I came across one much more suited for my budget.
In fact, for almost $450 less, I'm willing to look past the lack of real leather and wool.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

{je danse avec une lampe.}




Fedora-Orange County Swap Meet | Sunglasses-vintage | Denim Shirt-vintage from Mom | Striped Tank-Nordstrom BP. | Belt-vintage from Grandma-remarkably similar here | Pinstripe Shorts-Gap | Gray crochet socks-vintage from Mom | Once Again Watch-Swatch | Trouve Laceless Oxfords-Nordstrom


Meet my new dance partner, Monsieur Lampe.

Andy Warhol's 50th Anniversary Campbell's Soup Cans at Target! I want to buy one of each color just to  hoard them in my pantry, take pictures of/with them, and basically admire them for the rest of time.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Simply Splendid

Nomnomnom. Blueberries. 

Gap Jean Jacket we've had so long that it's become cool again. :D
Mimi Chica Romper-Nordstrom | Splendid Tank Top-Duo (VA Boutique on The Corner)









Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Simple Day

So we actually have two Anthropologie Puella tops. You may remember the gray and blue one from this post.
Puella top-Anthropologie | Once Again Watch-Swatch | Artist Flare Jeans-American Eagle


Am I the only one who buys multiples of the same top in different colors? O_O 
Well, I share clothes with my mom and sis, so that's my excuse. :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Plaid to Meet You

Okay, bad pun. Anyway, this was one of my outfits from a couple weeks back; apparently it was cool enough to wear that day. I can't wait for more fall weather since I absolutely love layering buttondowns and sweaters. 
Me being a dork, as per usual. Ignore the conspicuous lens cap on the arm of the sofa. =__=

Awesome word sunglasses from a random vendor in downtown VA-$5 | Green sweater-Old Navy | Love, Fire Plaid Buttondown-Nordstrom BP. | Skinny jeans-Gap

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Cheap Cheats: Patterned Play with Pants

For the past few days, I've been endlessly scouring my favorite websites, searching through sale sections like a fiend instead of doing homework. I've also been compiling giant wishlists and sending them as not-so-subtle hints to my mother, but that's a whole 'nother story. 
Anyway, I noticed that there are some patterned pants at Forever that reminded me of some Free People ones I just saw yesterday.

Forever 21 Patterned Pants-$19.80

Free People Desert Palm Pant-$128 (but now marked down to $29.95)

This time it's not such a huge markdown, but it would've been if you'd bought them full price. This time, why not splurge $10 more for the Free People ones ;)




Catching Up with the Yungsters

Sorry for missing a couple of days there! I have a bunch of pics too, just haven't uploaded them yet. Over Labor Day, we went down to the LA area for our cousin Kai's seventh birthday. He had a pirate dinner at this special reenactment place. It was cool, but another highlight of the trip for me was shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. While there, I scored an awesome pair of... Drumroll please...
J Brand High Rise Biancas in Monaco :D

I got them from the awesome boutique Modern Romance for just $39. Best markdown ever--from $215. The shop girls didn't look exactly happy when we bought them, since the other pairs in all larger sizes were marked $99. However, I was understandably ecstatic. I can't wait to pair them with some heels and a dramatic top for a night out or something :) 
In other news, my sister bought an awesome $5 fedora from the Orange County Swap Meet which you'll probably be seeing soon.
Ta-da!

Here are a few more pics from the trip:
V-neck Pocket Tee-Madewell | Shorts-Forever 21

Hotel hallway pictures are fun :D I wanted to take pics with a more eerie feel inspired by The Shining, but we didn't have the time or the right clothes.


Sunglasses-Nordstrom BP. | Cardigan-Nordstrom BP. | I Hate Fashion Tee-Urban Outfitters | Garment Dyed Midi Shorts-Madewell


Fedora-OC Swap Meet | Pirates of the Caribbean Mickey Tee-Disneyland | shorts-Old Navy

Michael Stars and True Religion ♥__♥ If only we were rich.

Awesome fountain in front of American Rag Cie. Didn't get to go to American Rag though :(

Cool flower display on the steps.

Another fountain.

Macarons ♥__♥


Business is booming at Lette! 

Kai actually asked if we could take them off of there to eat.

Madagascar Vanilla, Lemon, 2 Chocolate, Latte, Coconut, Coconut, Strawberry, Lemon, Lychee, Mint. Nomnomnom. Delicious AND expensive, of course.

View from the Fashion Island parking lot.

And a last message from the OC Swap Meet to all you blog visitors: 



Sunday, September 2, 2012

Cheap Cheats: In the Trenches


A classic piece that I really want is a nice trench coat. Of course, eventually when I'm grown and (hopefully) successful, I'll want to invest in something like an expensive Burberry trench--something I'll be able to wear for decades and maybe even pass on to posterity.


For now, however, the only way I'll be getting a Burberry trench coat is through my dreams. So I decided to look for something a little more cost effective, but still well-made. Enter Uniqlo.




This is the color I want! :) 

Now all I have to do is convince my parents what a deal it is. :P
Do you guys have any pieces that have lasted for a long time? Was the initial investment worth it?