Coats, part 2

A couple of years ago, I mentioned that I was in the market for a new coat. Well, guess what? I still am! I have yet to replace my old faithfuls, but it is time. In fact, I'm well past due on this.

So I've been looking around online and while I am not a particularly "trendy" gal, I do like certain trends that can be converted into relatively timeless pieces (Read, last another 10 years and still look decent).

I think I may have found my coats. At the prices listed, I can definitely have both!



The Sanctuary Frost Faux Fleece Lined Twill Parka pulls in the oh so current military inspired theme, while still being neutral with classic lines is definitely on my list. It retails for $198.00.



And the Weatherproof Faux Fur Topper above satisfies my need for something that is more formal, furry, snuggly, and animal print. It is a bargain at $138.00.

*Please don't buy these before I can grab them in my size! :)

I Am Addicted to Sunglasses!

I'll admit it. I have a problem. I am obsessed with sunglasses. I suppose it started in high school. The summer before my junior year (1990), my parents took me with them on a trip to Vienna. The trip started out as a cultural event. I climbed the hill that Richard the Lionheart climbed to claim his crown. I hiked up the steps of St. Stephens cathedral. We saw more art than I can even begin to say.

One of my mom's good friends was with us, too. After oh, the eleventy-millionth Rubens museum, she blurted out in all her Texan glory, "I'm tired of museums! If you've seen one fat butt, you've seen 'em all. Let's go shopping." And since everyone but my dad agreed, off we went!

I came home with a Louis Vuitton wallet that I still carry today. And a new pair of sunglasses. Kenzo sunglasses. The lens glass was etched just so that if you fogged them up with your breath, you could see their signature "K" very faintly.

I loved those sunglasses and wore the hell outta them for several years.

My obsession continued into college. I went to a party at a fraternity house. And I found a pair of Georgio Armani aviators. They were not in great shape, but hey! Armani! I asked around and no one claimed them, so I took them home with me, lovingly restored them, and wore them for a summer. They are still in my drawer. I still have all my sunglasses, actually. My collection has grown as my tastes have changed. Lately, though, I've been averaging one new pair a year. What I learned early on, was that if you were label-conscious, or lived in a place that was, sunglasses were the easiest and most inexpensive way to "wear" a designer. They still are!

In my top dresser drawer, you will find my Kenzos, the Armanis, two pair of Guccis, two pair of Ralph Lauren, Chanel, D&G, and Prada. Being the bargain-hunter that I am, I have only paid full retail on three pair.

And now, I've set my sights on the latest pair I must have... These Ed Hardy bad boys:

New Shoes! And a new book, too!

So, it's been a while since I've updated this baby. So it seems fitting that I tell you all about the goodies I just purchased with an amazon.com gift card my brother gave me for my birthday (two months ago)...

Above are the last pair of size 10 Aldo Condezza sandals. I have no idea if I will be able to walk in them, but aren't they adorable? I have a couple of pairs of jeans that are very long and these will look great peeking out from underneath. I hope they are comfortable...

These are the Steve Madden "Afrodite" Black wedges. I bought one of 5 pair in my size that they had left in stock. As with the above shoes, I hope they fit, aren't too terribly high, and are fairly comfortable. I already have outfits planned around them.

Finally, I preordered Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. I have read every single one of her books. Each one has been a rip-roarin' page turner and I expect this one to be the same. The "Stephanie Plum" novels (like this one) also throw in a good deal of suspense and danger for good measure. I cannot recommend enough that everyone read these!

Happy Summer Y'all!

Coats

I am in need of a new winter jacket/coat. After 8+ years, my two "old faithfuls" have just about run their course. They are both mid-thigh, sleek black numbers. One is an Andrew Marc Nylon/Microfiber job with a detachable faux fur collar and the other is a leather Bebe coat.

I love these two coats dearly, but it is time to move on. My only question is, to what?

And I thought finding the perfect shoe was hard...

New Shades

I ordered some new sunglasses last week via Ebay. They arrived Friday. The D&G 8041B's.

They have the perfect amount of sparkle! Love them!

I think I may have a sunglasses obsession. I tend to go gaga over a new pair every year. But to me, purchasing a new pair of sunglasses or a new accessory like a purse or pair of shoes is a great way to update a look without spending a fortune on clothes. Since my look tends toward simple and classic, most of the "sparkle" comes with the details.

More From the Easter Shopping With Mom...

While visiting my family and on that shopping trip with my mother, I picked up this little number at Old Navy. I love it so much, I think I'll get it in a solid color, too.



I'm not one to wear many strapless tops or halter tops, but that is mainly because I cannot find one that is comfortable to me. That ended when I tried on this top.



FYI, Old Navy also has a great selection of white jeans and capris this year. Go. Get them.

Easter Shopping Trip with Mom

I've been coveting a pair of white jeans for quite the little while. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because they are bright and spring-like. Whatever the reason, while I was visiting my family over the Easter weekend, and while my husband and dad were golfing, my mom and I went on a little shopping excursion.



We went to the usual places, hit up a sale at the local Dillard's (hello BCBG for 75% off!) and Old Navy. All told, I ended up with about 8 new tops, including an adorable Old Navy strapless number that would go great with a pair of white jeans!



We decided to make one last trip out to a local botique, which is just about the only place in a 120-mile-radius to get brands such as 7 for all mankind, peace love mom, etc.



We found these white jeans and I fell in love:



You can find them online here: The 7 Website



They were a bit pricier than I was comfortable with, but thanks to Mom (who was also a bit appalled at the tag), I walked out of the store with them in a bag.



Last Thursday, my mom called me and was very excited to let me know that Oprah had just mentioned white jeans as one of spring's "must have" items.

Now she's on her own mission to get a pair.

More New Shoes!

These are my anniversary gift from Dr Pop.

Pretty friggin' sweet, no?

BCBGirls Saraff Slingback sandals. They have an unbelievably high heel, but are amazingly comfortable. The upper is fabric and the heel and platform are patent leather.

I cannot wait to wear these. Soon!

NEW SHOES!!!

I have a new source for fashion.

The Better Bag Lady

I purchased the above from her late on Wednesday. They were waiting for me today in my mail.

So. Great value and excellent service. I really could not ask for more!

And she also carries great brands. Stylish and fashionable brands. My two favorite adjectives for clothing and accessories...

Highwaters

Two posts in two minutes! Wow!

I have to get this off my chest... Unless you are wearing capri pants, the pant leg needs to break across the arch of your foot.

This means that if you are wearing pants that hit at the ankle, you need to go buy new pants!!! The exception, of course, are the horrors known as "ankle-length" pants. In this case, please only wear with flats. PLEASE!

To the woman who walked into my building in front of me today (in 37-degree weather, mind you): Your platform sandals are simply adorable! I covet them. I should not have seen much beyond the toe, though. Sadly, your pants ended a good inch above your ankle. This means that no matter how well they fit you in the waist, rear, hips, and thighs, THESE PANTS DO NOT FIT YOU PROPERLY!

Why is it so hard to get the leg length correct? When in doubt, go longer not shorter.

This public service announcement brought to you by Mrs. Pop.

Holiday Party PSA...

Need a cute and festive dress for upcoming holiday parties?

Go HERE for adorable and inexpensive velvet dresses.

I just got this one:

Style PSA

It's the little things that matter when you are presenting yourself...

If, as a woman, your self-esteem is tied to the size of your pants, cut that tag out! I've been seeing a lot of women lately wearing clothes that are a size too small.

The #1 single thing a woman (or man) can do to look nice is to wear clothes that FIT. Don't kid yourself that it is the size of the clothes that determines how the world views you as no one sees the size but YOU! Do yourself a favor and go up a size if you are struggling to keep a button closed. You'll thank me because you will be able to breathe easier, AND! You'll look thinner!

It's a win/win.

Lately, much like Victoria Beckham, I've hated "flat" shoes. I mean I've gone out of my way to not wear them. But I'm a realist and I recognize the need for them (maybe your pants shrunk and are too short, maybe you plan on being on your feet all day, no matter). Two weeks ago, I got out my trusty "go-to" flats, my Nine West ballet flats. Sadly, they had been worn so many times, they were at the end of their lives.

That also happened to be the day that my mom was in town and she, too, was distressed by the state of my shoes. She suggested we go to Nordstrom and take a look at these ballet flats she loved. Never one to pass up a trip there, we were on our way.

I found these. They are the cutest little snub-nosed, cap-toe ballet flats I've seen in a very long time! I adore them and want them in many colors. I ended up walking out of the store with them on my feet and I've worn them at least 8 times since I got them.

As a side note, the man who helped us told us that BCBG is actually making Jessica Simpson's shoes now. I'm not sure how true this is, but it seemed interesting. It's funny, though, as there are not very many shoemakers around the world and most shoes do originate out of one of four major factories.

Semi-annual Closet Cleanout

This afternoon, spurred on by Dr Pop's decision to go through his clothes and get rid of things, I decided to move my summer clothes, in favor of my fall/winter ones (even though the highs are still in the upper 80s/low 90s).

I've been lamenting my lack of clothes lately, or rather, my lack of anything to wear... Ever! What I discovered during my treks upstairs told another story. I have plenty to wear and I told Dr Pop that if I said that I needed a sweater within the next 10 years, he is to swat me upside the head.

It's nice to only keep seasonal clothes in ones closet, though. That way there is room to see what you have, and things don't get crammed in corners where you cannot see them. I have such a difficult time sorting things and letting them go, though, that I have ended up with a monster on my hands... Me! I think I need professional help, because I am simply not strong enough to say goodbye to my "stuff."

Notes on "Fashion"

I'm a pretty boring person, clothes-wise.

I have plenty of clothes, but the last time I plunked down a significant amount of money for a "trend" was in the year 2000, when I spent $300 on a pashmina. Noted exceptions to this include shoes, sunglasses, and purses, though I will say that even when I do spend money on these items, they are more on the scale of "timeless" instead of "trendy." In other words, if I'm going to spend a lot of money, I don't want it to go out of style in 3 months. Needless to say, my wardrobe is woefully out of date!

I've never really been comfortable in clothes other than my normal, casual, semi, sort of preppy look. My uniform for work and play consists of a lot of jeans, capri pants, t-shirts, khakis, and polos. Period.

This weekend, I took a step toward changing that somewhat. I bought trendy clothes! If you're in Texas, you may have avoided the malls this weekend because it was tax-free weekend. Not me, though. I took advantage of the sales and the whole "no tax" thing and dedicated a portion of my income to looking good.

First stop was the outlet mall on Friday. Dr Pop went with me. He bought me two pairs of jeans and a Polo (baby steps, people, baby steps!). Later, I went to Old Navy and picked up two pair of pants. I looked at what I'd gotten and I realized that instead of breaking out of my pattern, I was giving into my casual, boring ways.

So on Sunday, I bit the bullet. Armed with a list compiled of "wish list trendy" items, I headed to the mall. Two hours later, I arrived home with an adorable shirt dress from the Gap and this long cardigan/wrap/sweater thing. Still not perfect, but getting better.

With tax-free weekend over, and me still not being all that trendy, I made one last stop at a store near work. Hello sale! And finally, FINALLY! I hit the jackpot. I'm wearing one of my trendy tops with my new jeans today. And damn, I look good!

So is there a point to this little tale of woe and shopping? Not really. But I managed to hunt some good bargains and move toward a new, more stylish, less casual me.

Tip of the day...

Just because something makes your waist look smaller, doesn't mean it is stylish or attractive.

Let's talk about ironing for a minute...

Actually, let's not. I hate to iron. H.A.T.E. it. With a passion. I don't quite know why I dislike it so much, but it probably has something to do with the fact that I am lazy. I don't mind doing laundry, but please don't make me iron. It's probably why I end up spending more on dry cleaning than I do on the clothes...

Until now. Now, I have found the perfect shirt. The non-iron cotton button-down shirt from Brooks Brothers. Take a look at it on the Brooks Brothers website.

Many people told me about this shirt. I decided to buy one to see what all the fuss was about. And all I can say is WOW! I washed and dried this shirt. When I pulled it out of the dryer, it was as though I'd picked it up from the cleaners! Even the crease on the sleeve was razor-sharp. Simply put, this shirt is amazing and I want more.

Designer Fakes

Hmm... I've been toying with this post for about a month now because I am so torn on the issue.

Is it okay to buy fake designer goods such as Louis Vuitton handbags or Hermes scarves, etc?

On the one hand, if all the reports out there are to be believed, fake goods help fund terrorism and are created in sweatshops. Not only that, they are illegal in most parts of the world.

So okay. I get it. That fake Prada tote bag sitting in my closet is from the Devil.

On the other hand, there are so many fashion trends out there, and if one were to pick one and follow it, a girl could end up paying thousands of dollars for just a few little items. And unless your last name is Jolie-Pitt, Gates, or Beckham, you probably cannot afford to do that. The whole family to support thing kind of gets in the way.

It is my belief that the average woman likes to treat herself every now and then. If you're like me, you fantasize about the "treats" being that new Jimmy Choo purse that all the stars are carrying, but the reality is that you cannot justify the expense, so you go to Old Navy and pick up a track suit and cool tote bag on sale. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I believe that is the responsible thing to do. Spending money that could be better used for things like bills, groceries, and living expenses on a pair of shoes or a purse is NOT a good choice.

So every now and then the siren song of the fake bag/accessory beckons. And there in front of you is the brand new Chanel bag for $45. You have the magazine ad in front of you and it is identical to the naked eye. Sure the lining might be different or the leather might really be "pleather" but for $45, who cares? Right? And you find yourself writing a check...

So I come to the point of my post. If the siren song beckons and is too strong to resist, please, PLEASE take a little advice from me:

1) Remember that your purse is FAKE.
2) Enjoy it.
3) If someone asks about its authenticity, don't lie. Be proud of your bargain. It's likely that the person asking already knows and wants to know where you picked it up.
4) Do your homework. If you've never, EVER seen a magenta and orange striped Louis Vuitton, then your fake will stick out like a sore thumb.

I will say this, though... In my closet, I have a handful of fake purses that sit next to a handful of the real thing. I have experienced buyer's remorse on about half of my collection (real & fake). Don't buy something just to buy it and don't buy a name. I've used purses as an example, but we could be talking about scarves, jewelry, watches, you name it. Spend money carefully and when you hand out your cash (whether it's $20 or $2000), make sure it's on something you're going to ENJOY.

One thing on my list is now checked off...

And I didn't even have to win the lottery!

Dr Pop gave me the above bag for Christmas. While technically, it's a tote bag and a bit too obnoxious to carry around all the time as a purse, I haven't been able to help myself. So I'm THAT girl now... The one who, with one turn to look back at something can take out people like bowling pins. It's so awesome!

I've found religion...*

True Religion, that is...

Neiman Marcus has these and others out on their site right now.

The cut and fit is flattering. It has a slender leg without being a "skinny" jean, and the stitching detail on the pocket is just right and not over the top.

Add 'em to my wish list!