I Should Be Working, But I'd Rather Be Shopping

It's time for a little shopping break. Perhaps you are all shopped out from the holidays, but ladies, that doesn't mean you can't look. Just don't blame me if it results in a purchase, I have enough blame for now with a recent buy.

Xhilaration Pleated Button-Up Skirt, $17.99, available here

I stopped by my local Target yesterday to see what was new on the racks and pick up some paper towels when I spotted this little number and was immediately smitten. It's hard to tell in this pic, but there are cute little bicycles on it. I thought this was certainly something that Anthropologie might have on their racks but at a price that would be five times more. Although I've been on a shopping hiatus, this skirt jumped in my bag and went home with me. It also comes in a navy blue/purple key print and several solid colors.

Cover Girl Blast Flipstick Lipcolor, $8.99, available here

 (source)

Speaking of Target, I almost got sucked in by one of their beauty end caps. Cover Girl has a product that's two lip colors in one little tube. They are designed to be worn separately or you can mix the two colors for a new shade. Pretty much three colors in one tube, I'm sold!! Now I just have to figure out what color(s) to get and add to my already stuffed make-up bag.

Forever 21 Scalloped Bib Necklace, $14.80, available here

A fellow fashion blogger, posted some of her recent Forever 21 scores and this bright number was one of them. I immediately went to find it on their website because this necklace is pretty special. Neon, elegant design and a bargain. Sounds like a winner in my book!

Banana Republic Polka Dot Trench $150.00, available here

I walked past Banana Republic recently and saw this in the window. It had me at hello!! Although, I already have two trench coats (tan and black), I think I can make an exception for this one since it is different, right? There's also a cute, similar version at Anthropologie that I'm in love with too. The question is, shall this be a birthday treat and which one?? Decisions, decisions!

Are you all shopped out from the holidays? Have you found anything that's caught your eye recently?

OOTD- Same Note, Different Tone

In my alternate fashionable universe, I'm a bad-a** dresser and have a ridiculous selection of leather pieces in my closet. In this real life of mine, I just have this one little pleather piece to fill that void. Its feminine shape and the fact that it was in a color other than black or brown made it a perfect buy. 

Gray is one of those colors that just plays so well with others and besides pink, navy blue is one of my favorite pairings. And so I went full-force with the blue and matchy-matchy with a touch more gray and this outfit was born. I love it when the outfit birthing process is so easy and I didn't even need to spend anywhere close to $1.3 million to make it happen, although Blue Ivy makes a great name to call this outfit. Thanks Jay-Z and Beyonce for coming up with a good name for my outfit, oh and your baby too!!

In a fantasy world where you can have the closet of your dreams, what would you buy multiples of? Would you buy certain things (sparkly party dresses, shelves of sunglasses) or a particular designer?

Outfit Details:

Turquoise tee- StyleMint Magnolia (limited sizes available here)

Palm print cardigan- Proenza Schouler for Target

Gray pleather skirt- (old) H&M (similar shape here, really cute version here that I might have to get for myself, mini version here)

Blue patent pumps- Talbot's (similar here, comfy version here, peep-toe version here)

Olive green handbag- 3.1 Phillip Lim (same designer, different version here)

OOTD- Over and Under

We are only a few weeks into the new year and I'm well on my way with tackling my fashion resolutions of getting in more prints. This sweater must have known what it takes to get me interested, pretty colors and cozy softness; I headed right to the register and felt determined to make it work in my wardrobe. But you see, the problem is that this is the only tunic length top that I have and I know the "ideal" pairing with a tunic is leggings and my poor selection of leggings are delegated as loungewear. And so I decided to just go on and add even more color with one of my favorite thrift finds to date, this lovely purple number. Ah, color just might help me make it through this winter after all....let's hope I'm feeling this way once the end of February hits and I'm jonesing for spring to get here.

Are you making it okay through the winter already, or do you want spring to get here soon? And seriously, is all of these resort wear collections in the store making anyone else sad to not be on a tropical getaway right about now?

 

Outfit Details:

Tunic top- Forever 21 (similar vibe here and here)

Purple skirt- thrifted (similar here)

Black belt- J. Crew

Black ankle boots- (consignment find) LOFT 

Bracelets (top to bottom)- BaubleBar (available here), J. Crew, Forever 21 (similar style here)

OOTD- Back to Basics

I watched Mission Impossible 4903021 (okay, it was just 4, but the other sequels are surely on the way) over the holiday and I couldn't help but smile at the image of Tom Cruise sporting a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses in the movie. It's been close to 30 years since he was doing the same in Risky Business and it goes to show that no matter how many things go in and out of style, there is something to be said for a classic. Now I'm a big proponent of having your closet having classic staple pieces like a simple blazer, a button-down shirt or a great pair of ankle boots, but I put a bit of a spin on them in this outfit. Bright color, shimmer and pattern are more my speed. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, but a little embellishment makes it just a touch more modern.

Is there anything in your wardrobe that's really a classic (Ray-Bans, a Louis Vuitton Speedy, Frye boots)?

Outfit Details:

Gray cashmere tee (old) and denim skirt (old)- Banana Republic

Black/white gingham button down (old)- Old Navy (similar here, similar in bright colors here, extremely similar in kids if you can fit it here)

Hot pink blazer (thrifted)- Gap (similar here and here in a more toned down color)

Sunglasses- Ray-Ban (same glasses, slightly larger size here, cat eye version here, bargain version here)

Black shield necklace- Forever 21

Silver metallic ankle boots (Ebay find)- Tory Burch (similar here in a wedge, similar here in limited sizes)

Green handbag- 3.1 Phillip Lim (similar here in a small crossbody, similar color here and here)

OOTD- Flight to New Beginnings

It's 2012 you guys!! Time for new beginnings and changes. Although, I'm not the biggest fan of using January 1st as an arbitrary date to make improvements, that doesn't stop me from putting the ever present resolution of working out more and spending less among my goals to achieve this year. But those can be rather difficult to get started or easy to get started and hard to maintain. Instead, I'll put some effort into a few of my fashion resolutions, among a few are to buy pieces that are instant loves to create a wardrobe that actually gets worn and take the tags off some things in the closet that are being sadly neglected.

I killed two birds with one stone (lame pun intended) in this faux fur vest. I spotted it in the store and really wanted to take it home. I've been on a relentless hunt for a good one since last year, but the bulkiness of most, the pretty high price tag or the poor (I'm sure they got this from some squirrels out back) feel of quite a few kept the right one at bay. This vest is so pettably soft, it has an interesting color and the slimmer silhouette is perfect for layering. To think I almost let it get away by being cheap about the price. Hey, that might have worked with the spending less part, but like I said, that resolution is a lot harder to start. There's always a next time.

Do you have any resolutions for the new year? Fashion or otherwise?

Outfit Details:

Bird blouse- Erin Fetherston (similar print in a tank version here, blouse version here and dress version here)

Gray faux fur vest- Simply Vera Vera Wang (similar here in darker color, same brand in different color available here, similar plus size version available here)

Olive knit skirt and pink knit hat- Forever 21

Olive handbag- 3.1 Phillip Lim (different style in similar color here and here, bag with similar color here)

Black buckle boots- Loeffler Randall (same brand, different style available here on sale)