Random

Ok, not only random, but odd photos I took with my phone...I apologize for the quality...

This is Duchess and she was up for adoption recently at the local Pet Smart. When I first saw her, she was sleeping but the second time I passed by she was awake and you could see her beautiful eyes...One was blue and one was green! She was so beautiful! I was truly tempted to take her home with me but I already have a full house. I have a feeling that whomever does get to take her home will be very lucky!

I wish this had turned out better, but it was dark and all I had was my phone. Anyway, this happens to be one of the most interesting fashion statements I have seen in a long time. It's a hand-painted and bedazzled picture of the Virgin Mary on the back of a black velvet jacket. The lovely woman wearing it, Patricia, told me she found it at a local vintage store had and purchased it just today for $15! It was piped at the seams and she took it off to show me that it was lined in red satin. I stared at it all night!

Slightly better view of the details...I admit, it was pretty incredible! But still kind of weird.

Ok, now it's out of my system.
J.

Closet Dreams-The Valentino Laceland Tote

So divine!

(Photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)

My new fantasy bag! The most exquisite layers of lace made of leather and amazing details, I would maybe consider giving up a toe (and open toe shoes) for this prize. At $3495 it would probably more like a kidney...I wonder how soon I could get into the operating room...

J.

Central Market

I went grocery shopping this weekend. It was a necessity. As much as I love eating, I really do not enjoy going to the store. I'm not a very good grocery shopper. Usually I come home with a whole lot of unedible items such as cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc, you know what I mean. But this weekend I was persuaded to go to Central Market, which, as far as I can tell, is a Texas only store. I have to admit, this place I like! The displays are beautiful, they carry some unique items and the vegetables are so pretty...check it out...

Cauliflower, yellow cauliflower and broccoflower? I have never heard of the last two. But they were pretty!

Awww, so cute!

Fresh baked...mmm...need I say more?

I would love to collect strange, interesting looking beauty products and this place is a treasure trove of just that! How pretty is this packaging?

Cheese something...not sure what. (I need to pay more attention...)

Another interesting looking hair product, a coloring powder.

My favorite aisle- BULK CANDY! Yummy!

So pretty, right?

I have more pictures, but I'll bore you with them another time. It's snack time right now!
J.

Emotions in My Closet- Breaking Up With My Jonathon Saunders for Target Skirt

Dear Jonathon Saunders for Target Skirt,

I'm just going to come right out and say it...We are over. You just don't work for me and I'm tired of being the only one trying. I know all my friends are going to think I'm crazy. On the outside you seem so perfect: color blocked in grays and blacks, slim pencil skirt style, so on trend...


But it really seems like you don't care, and it's clear that you don't want to compromise. Any of my shirts that I introduce you to, well, you just mock them and refuse to get along with any of them. And I feel like I'm suffocating, you're so constricting that it's hard to climb stairs and get out of cars! There's just no give on your behalf.

And look how you made me look in public...

I'm so embarrassed! Is it possible to make me feel more dumpy than I already am? Well you've succeeded! At first I thought it was me, but no, it's all you, this is all your fault! I don't have to look this way!

I know after a year of hanging around this may come as quite a shock, but I've been feeling this way for a while now and have wanted to let you go. I'm certain we'll see one another sometime while I'm shopping at Goodwill, but please, just pretend that we don't know each other. It will make both of our lives so much easier.

Thanks for nothing,
J.

PS-Erase my number. Don't call me.

Found in My Closet - Easy Everyday Dress

Today the weather has been outrageously gorgeous! It's currently 75 degrees and a bit windy but so amazingly fresh...I just had to go out for a walk with the dogs! I also decided that I was going to test out a dress that I purchased at Le Garage Sale but have not yet posted.

It's from LNA (?) and it's a nice weight cotton jersey that I think will be perfect for an everyday dress. It looks like a simple skirt and top and really needs the help of accessories, but I see it as sort of a blank canvas. Today was a more casual day, I went to the grocery store and a dog walk so a navy scarf and big bangles made it a little more fun.

The silk scarf was the perfect weight for the dress...I tried knitted but they seemed too heavy. Or perhaps the sun just had me hopeful! Either way, I loved the sheen of it against the matte dress.


It also gave me an excuse to pull out these lace up wedges. (No leggings today! I want the sun to throw a little bit of color on me...pasty!) They are one of those things taking up space in my closet and I need to wear them or donate them. I've had them for about 2 years but never really worked with them. Do the laces seem to be too much? I'm not sure but I'm beginning to grow fond of them. They're surprisingly comfy!

I guess I need to enjoy the day while I can...rumor has it that we are to be back down in the 30's by Tuesday! I really hope that's only a rumor!

In Coordination With My Closet-New Make Up

Anyone who knows me, knows I love make up! (Too much!) But I'm like Charlie from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory when I get a new product...I put the new item of lust on my desk in front of me, and for weeks I'll torture myself and not use it, sort of the way Charlie would eat that candy bar, just ever so slowly peeling back the wrapper and only nibbling at the chocolate confection found underneath. Oh, I'll peek at the color, maybe test it on the back of my hand, contemplate how I'll use it until finally I can stand it no longer! Well, I'm almost there with the Cabaret Bouquet color palate from "Pop" that I received for Xmas...

I still have it in the cardboard box, but inside is a lovely, velvet covered kit perfect for day and night looks...

The size is perfect for travel...just throw in your favorite brushes and mascara and you're ready to go!

The blush/bronzer duo on the left side will be great for those high sculpted cheekbones that everyone wants. The glosses on the right side are nice because I'm not sure I want to take on the lipstick trend yet...I love the look of the bold lip but it's something I'll have to work with. Having 2 different options for eyes is great, lovely light mattes for a clean neutral look on the right and fun deep shades full of sparkle to the left.

I have some travel coming up and throwing this in will be a no brainer, which makes the act of packing that much easier (and leave more room for shoes!) Normally I carry at least 5 shades of shadow just to go away for the weekend- I always worry I'm not going to have the exact shade (or shoes) that I need.

What's in your travel cosmetic case?

J.

Enjoy the Day

J.

This Would Heat Up My Closet-Dolce & Gabbana's Floral Print Bodysuit

Ok, once again, it may be the upcoming holiday, but I have fallen for the Dolce & Gabbana floral printed bodysuit from the Spring 2010 RTW collection. The brilliance of this particular bodysuit is that the style works for so many body types. The corseted top lifts and tucks, the wide, black band emphisizes the smallest part of a woman's body and a fuller bottom makes every girl a little more comfortable (and leaves a little more to the imagination compared to the typical thong.)


(Photo from coolspotters.com & Marie Claire Magazine)

Ashley Greene works it with a pair of high waist pants.

(photo from coolspotters.com & Glamour Magazine)

And Victoria Beckham looks amazing in it! (As she does anything else.)


(Photo from coolspotters.com & Marie Claire Magazine)

Christina Aguilera in the leopard print version.

Who wouldn't feel a bit like a vixen in one of these bodysuits?

J.

Pink

All this pink is making me feel the holiday.

J.

From My Closet-Favorite Winter Look

I'm not sure why I haven't posted this outfit yet, but it was really a favorite this winter...

The boots + leggings keep me warm enough to even brave a skirt in the cold. (I really really hate to freeze!) The furry capelet gives the whole look a perfect amount of texture and is sort of romantic...who wears a capelet?

I picked up this skirt in Miami at Anthropology and there are no regrets on this purchase. The applique has a vintage vibe and the eggplant color is different from anything else in my closet...

(Close up of skirt detail.)
I love down to the exposed zipper in back...it's truly all in the details.

J.

Yummy

I spent a good part of my day decorating cookies with my sister J4 for my nephew's preschool class...

It took a lot longer than expected but it was fun and the outcome was very cute. (Clearly we are not professionals...)

Actually, it was a rainy yuck day and after getting stuck in a traffic jam, it was nice to sit around and have some sisterly bonding time.

These are some of my nephew's creations.

And it was decided that the lips probably were not appropriate for preschool, but they tasted yummy! (Sorry for the blurry pics!)

Anyone making special "love" preparations of their own?

J.

Into and Out of My Closet

I teamed up my new sweater with faux leather leggings...

You can see the shape of the arms a little better in this photo. I am loving how it drapes! What I am not loving however, is the condition that these leggings have finally fallen into...


(Peeling at the knees...gross.) They are finally ready to hit the trash can and I'm sad to see them go. They seem to add just the right texture and feel to some looks and I love that they always stay so black, no fading. So I'm on the hunt for a new pair.

This stretch leather pair from Vince would be perfect...

(Photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)
But for $895 I'll have to pass. And real leather probably isn't very realistic for Texas weather. (Sorry for the small picture!)

The pair from BB Dakota at Lulu's Fashion Lounge were great too...

(Photo from lulus.com)
And right now $254 is still a bit high for me currently not to mention the fact that there was only 1 pair left and BAM! They were sold out!

But this faux pair from Shopbop are a bit more reasonable at $70...

I checked AA on line but they didn't seem to have anything that I wanted...Any recommendations?

J.

Beautiful Blogger Award

Thank you so much to the amazing blogger AH at Confessions of an Anonymous Shopaholic for the Beautiful Blogger Award! Now I get to list 7 things I love and 5 blogs to pass the award on to, so here we go...

7 Things I Love

1) My Home
2) My Family
3) My Friends
4) My Dogs
5) Mr. H
6) Fashion (of course)
7) Mom!!!

I pass this award to (in alphabetical order...)

1) Cafe Fashionista
2) le Mode du Jour
3) On the Fringe of Fashion
4) Stolen Inspiration
5) The SF Style

Check out these blogs if you can...I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Thank you again to AH...Check out her blog too!

J.

Closet Dreaming-Prada Purses Perfect for Spring

Prada has exactly what I want for my spring purse wardrobe, even if it's only a dream...

Do I even need to say anything about the Ruched-Top Satchel? The color, the style, the size...everything is perfect! It would become an instant, everyday classic in my closet because it would go with everything. (Yes, my neutrals obsession continues.)

How much could one pack into the Saffiano Lux Tote? I'd love to find out! The royal blue shade with the Khaki/Military trend could make for a new favorite color/style combo for me this season.

Sweet and ladylike, the Straw and Leather Shopper...boyfriend jeans and the tallest wedges with a simple white tee...sign me up! Or a with a floral romper and sandals would be perfect for a Saturday at the Farmer's Market. Much more versatile than one would think.

So pristine! Simple shape, so sophisticated in white with gold...I think the Saffiano Frame Clutch is heaven as a purse!

(All photos bergdorf.com)

I'd be living naked in the street with only these purses to love.

J.

In My Kitchen Closet- Vintage Dishes

I found these vintage plate sets at Goodwill a few years back...

I got three cups and three plates for a grand total of $1.99! Such a bargain!

I love the cloud/amoeba shape of the plates and the ring that actually holds the cup in place.

The cups themselves have the same pattern and little raised ridges on the handles.

My kitchen is actually quite modern and these don't really match anything else but I find them adorable! I have no idea who the vendor was and I probably shouldn't but I put them in the dishwasher and microwave all the time. But they're still in amazing shape. The decal on everyone of them is perfect!

Tea anyone?

J.

Suffering For My Closet

My weekend was almost ruined! I had planned to go to "Le Garage Sale," since Thursday and was really looking forward to it. Twice a year at "Le Garage Sale" a bunch of local boutiques get together and hold a garage sale of the past season's fashions to get ready for the new incoming season. Some of the prices were not quite what I'd consider yard sale prices but many of them were quite good and as long as you didn't mind doing a bit of digging and getting naked in front of everyone to try something on, then there were certainly some gems to be found.

But, As I said earlier, my plans were almost foiled! At 3 am Saturday morning I woke up and could not get back to sleep then spent a good amount of the morning throwing up. I was in bed for the rest of the day. (I love my nephew and all, but there are some things I wish he'd keep to himself like this stomach thing and boogers...) When I woke on Sunday, it appeared that everything had settled down a little and even though I knew I wouldn't last long, I was eager to hunt down some bargains. I was not disappointed and here are 2 of the items I found...

This sweater from Twinkle by Wenlan was my first purchase and was 75% off the original price. It can't be seen in this photo but it has big bat wing sleeves and I can't wait to throw it on over a pair of pleather leggings!

This skirt is from Notice. The fabric looks like a heavy brocade but it really isn't. Which means I can wear this with tights and "otk" boots now and when it warms up I'll be sporting it with a pair of strappy heels. Love versatile clothes! And the price tag on this was $15...love that even more!

I was only able to last about an hour and 20 minutes before I began to feel woozy again so I'm sure there was much that I missed and I was hoping to find some footwear but at least I was able to satisfy my need for neutrals! I made a few other purchases as well, but I'm saving them for later.

I hope the weekend went better for everyone else...

J.