I Survived Monday And This Is My Reward

After a frustrating Monday of cancelled appointments and running around with baskets, I decided that maybe today would be a good day for shoe shopping. Actually, I was looking for boots. (I know, I know, I shouldn't!)

With a few coupons in hand, I headed for DSW, hoping that I wouldn't be suckered in as is normally the case.

I took a quick trip through the boots, allowing time for a second more leisurely hunt, then headed for the clearance department. It's always worth saving a few dollars if possible. Here's where I found a lovely pair of Tahari.


At DSW, you can find this brand from about $70-$120 which is a reasonable price range for the working girl, as long as you don't go overboard. But these, with my coupon, came to just a few cents over $20! It makes me happy!

I wasn't satisfied with the boot selection, however, it is a bit early for boots in Texas. That's ok, I have another coupon.

J.

Found In My Closet -Dress of Tragedy

The only time I have ever worn this dress ended in tragedy. I had been out with my boyfriend for his birthday with another couple and to make a long story short, the girl from the other couple ended up spilling red wine all over my dress. I was able to save it and there are a few faint marks that only I could point out, but every time I think I want to pull it out of the closet we seem to be going out with that couple and I don't want to embarrass her!

Well, it's been almost a year and I'm hoping that she's forgotten which dress it was, because I really like this one. It's jersey and so very comfortable!

I tried on several pairs of shoes before I decided on these Nine West platform classics.

This vintage pendant came from a necklace once owned by my grandma. It was on a really ugly cheap looking chain when I received it. I sewed it onto a black velvet ribbon, and now I love it!

This outfit would be perfect for brunch! Mimosas don't stain, right?

J.

There's a Refridgerator In My Living Room

I'm so over the kitchen remodel! It will look amazing when it's done but right now everything is a mess! There's dust on everything! It makes me crazy! Putting all of this away is going to be quite a chore...

I scored these great Juicy Jeans from a co-worker today and they actually fit! Well, they're a little big in the waist but the length, which would be be cropped on the average height person, is perfect for me. They remind me a little of the J Crew Matchstick jeans...

This tshirt is about 8 years old and I still love it. I think I got it a mall store, and there's bound to be a bunch of them out there, but I've never seen it on anyone else.

Guess where I'm going right now...OUT TO EAT!

J.

Product Obsession- SoAP

Love this soap! While I'm not usually a fan of the bar, this stuff is fantastic! Many of the ingredients used are certified organic and are actual things that you've heard of like avacado, hempseed and coconut.

The Tea Tree Bar makes for a great face soap during breakouts, not drying at all. I'm looking forward to using the Dead Sea Mud bar, it's also supposed to be good for the complexion. Green Tea is a light weight scrub, and the shaving bar comes highly recommended but I haven't picked it up yet.

I'm currently using Sandalwood Vanilla in the shower. A scent like this can be a bit strong for a lot of people, but this one is so soft and light, it can be used every day.

They have so many cool scents like Black Coffee and Texas Pecan Eucalyptus and they come in liquid form as well, not to mention hand and face creams etc. I want to try them all!

I got mine at the local Farmer's Market but you can get yours at their website www.southaustinpeople.com.

So go take a shower.
J.

Dreaming Of Plaid and Oxfords For Work

If I could, this would be my "uniform" for work. Unfortunately, it's so wrong in so many ways for what I do. I do sometimes wear the shirt, which is a vintage Rustler by Wrangler, a thrifted gift from my friend Erich. I'm supposed to wear plain, solid color t's but it's been known to make appearances on days when I haven't done laundry. No one has said anything to me.

The white jeans are from Express that used to be boot cut but I took them in. I wear them much more often now, however, the fact that I've been painting at least 3 days a week for the last month make them a bad choice. I'll never really understand why painters wear white but I'm unwilling to sacrifice these.

I love these oxfords! I found them by accident at Target last year so you can guess that the price was great. Because they are close toed, I could wear them if I was a sales person. That being said, the higher ups have deemed them not so great for climbing ladders and pushing around furniture. I guess they're right. (Sigh.)

I took these pics by myself, trying to learn how to work with the tripod and they are much better than my last post...legs don't look so short. We are currently doing some remodeling and I sort find all the construction stuff interesting for backgrounds. Not so much fun to live with, but interesting...

J.

Project Runway Brief Observations

Hooray! Project Runway started last night! I always have a standing date with my friend Meredith to watch the show.

Now that it's on Lifetime instead of Bravo made for a lot of differences this season. Filmed in LA instead of New York was weird in itself, the models were not near as thin as they've been previous seasons.

The talent is even stronger this year and it seems as though the producers found a lot of it in the midwest. (You need to have some hobbies during the freezing winters.) And we've already had 2 cryers!

I'll certainly be watching, you can't pull me away! Oh and I don't know, but did Tim's hair seem a little blonder? Californication?

J.

Does This Mean I'm In?

I find it odd when basics in my wardrobe become an "It" item. The black and white stripe tank is a good example. Last month I was standing in line at the grocery check out reading magazines, and I came across 2 publications that showcased this fundamental top. Anyway, other than with denim, here are a few of my versions of the newly infamous shirt...

With baggy khaki pants that I've had forever and Nine West platform maryjanes. Very comfortable but a little unexpected.

The wind was blowing crazy hard and my hair was all over my face and sticking to my lipgloss. Yuck. So I cut my head out of the photo.

Close up of an unusual vintage necklace. I need to wear this more often. You can't see it but it has a tree bark like texture to it. So cool!

I've always been intrigued with the shorts/jacket combo. The shoes up the prep factor and I could probably wear this running errands this fall. The jacket is a little warm for this time of year. I bought these shorts earlier this summer from J Crew and I like them but you'd never guess that I ironed them because they're linen and they wrinkled within 5 minutes of putting them on. (I should have used starch but I was out!)

Hmm...I used the tripod with the last picture and the angle makes my legs look stubby. Oh yeah...they are stubby.

J.

Found In My Closet; Lots of Red Accessories

I say that I'm not really a "red" person. I only have a handful of shirts in the scarlet shade which usually only get pulled out when I haven't done laundry. But accessories are an entirely different story. You can almost always get away with a red purse (unless you're wearing something green,) and a little spot of it on your wrist, at your waist or feet or even on your nails goes a long way.



What can I say? I really like purses and handbags!

It just so happens that these red Christian Lacroix heels are my most favorite pair of shoes! And traveling with a red train case and matching cosmetic bag makes even a weekend get away a little more sexy.

Hmmm...I do have a bunch of vacation hours...

J.

Always In My Closet, The Sasha Paillette Top

On the same sparkling note as my last entry, this is my most favorite top. I remember when I first saw it. I was working in a small boutique about 5 years ago, and when my boss asked what my current favorite item was I told her this Sasha paillette top. She nodded and said "Ahh yes, that is an important piece." (I'm not really sure what that meant, but she was Chinese and always making cryptic remarks like this.) She let me wear it to the Dennis Quaid charity fashion show and it was instant love. My boyfriend ended up buying it for my birthday because I couldn't stop talking about it.

I get cold when I'm wearing it in air conditioning, but this little wool & silk shrug works nicely with it because it just covers my arms and upper back but still shows off the top underneath it.

This will probably always be in my closet!

J.

Michael Kors Black Sequin Tunic

Ok, ok, I know I really can't be spending money, but this was exactly what I was looking for. It was just my size and it may be the steal of the summer. It's this Michael Kors black sequin tunic and it was only $10!

It's quite a markdown from its original price of $199.50! I guess it was my lucky shopping day. The sales girl remarked that she purchased one as well, then added (a little bitterly) that she didn't get hers at this price. Sorry!

I have been lusting after this one from Proenza Schouler for a while but it's really really not in my price range.

(photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)
I love how light makes it look metallic!

And this one by See By Chloe has great drapey sleeves which I love!

(photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)
I'm not sure if I like the shorter length but but I certainly wouldn't kick it out of my closet!

I've played around with mine a little bit but haven't worn it out yet, it's still a little warm for the Texas weather. But cooler evenings are on their way and I can't wait!

Sequins takes me back to my dance costume days, except now it's all grown up and even though I'd be tempted, I won't be wearing it with tap shoes. It's a no brainer with jeans and I bet I can find a few dresses layer it over. Heck, even if I wear it once, I've gotten my $$ worth!

J.

7 Dollar Fashion and Vintage Belt

Life has been crazy busy as of late! It's crunch time at work (as you can see by my leg bruises,) we've been preparing for a kitchen remodel at home and I'm not even going to mention the dental problems! (Hell!) But tonight I just wanted to feel a little pretty.

I bought this dress and another jersey number at Express for something like $7 each. I just wanted a few easy summer styles that I could just throw on. Of course I didn't try anything on in the store, it was just grab and go so I had to take it in, but it was an easy fix.

I was excited about the cowl neck because it's the perfect frame for my big chunky 80's choker, but I've recently developed a belt addiction and was dieing to wear this vintage belt...

The dress turned out to be the perfect background for it!

It would also be perfect over a swimsuit and I think I'll be wearing it into the fall with black leggings or skinny jeans and boots. Who knew that this little $7 find would be so versatile?

J.

Stella McCartney at Bergdorf Goodman

It's rare when I come across a collection of which I would wear every piece, but this one is special! I've just been checking out the Ready-To-Wear Stella McCartney collection at Bergdorf Goodman and I fell for the modern cuts, especially with the Dogtooth Coat.

(Photo from Polyvore.com)
Cool little collar, asymmetrical, and the perfect length makes this one of the best ones of the season! I could see it with jeans, dresses, skirts, everything else in my closet.

(Photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)
Blue and black together is one of my favorite color combos...so dark! Blue is a great shade for fall, but not typical. Think about it with boots and leggings...

(Photo from berdorfgoodman.com)
Clean and simple, the way a Tshirt should be! Why can't all t's be this way?

Check out the rest of the collection here.

J.

Part 2 of Making it My Own -The Stained Glass Dress

Here's the finished product! After trying it with a white blouse under the dress I decided that it was too "Sound of Music." Not quite what I had in mind. It might work with a long sleeve black top when it becomes a little cooler though.

The dress originally came with a big belt that is sort of shaped like guitar so I traded it out with an even bigger belt and paired it with these platform pumps and it instantly became a fun party dress. I can't wait for one to happen just to wear it!

Anyone else do any fashion DIY this summer?

J.