Woven Leather WOW Factor.
I love the woven leather look of Bottega Veneta bags. Unfortunately, I also love paying my rent, having a car, eating food, and having health insurance. Okay, so maybe I don’t love it, but I do see the utility of paying my rent.
When I stumbled upon this bag:
Woven and Wonderful Purple Saddlebag
I was immediately reminded of the attention to detail that makes Bottega Veneta bags so desirable. This bag has quite a few Bottega Veneta-esque, characteristics: roomy size, equally contemporary and classic styling, and as Lulu’s refers to it, a certain WOW factor. All of that, and this bag is a mere 1/37th (!!!) the cost of the designer model.
Woven and Wonderful Purple Saddlebag at Lulu’s, $65.00.
Cheap and Cute. Isn’t that all you need to hear?
Yesterday, I ran into Old Navy to return some items I ordered for my sister as Christmas gifts. I decided to do a little run through the store first to check out the jewelry.
And then? I spotted these tanks:
Rosette Applique Tank
The fantastic rosettes are made from grosgrain ribbon. They add a slight touch of preppiness, but the black color keeps them from being too sweet. These tanks are also extra long, which is critical to me when making a tank top purchase.
For colder weather, pair these with a black cardigan. Or you can stockpile a few to save for spring. My guess is that you will love these tanks long after you purchase them. Here’s to hoping my lucky sister will appreciate the one I bought for her!
Rosette Applique Tank at Old Navy, $14.50. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
Lazy, Yet Refined.
I have the misfortune of living not only across the street from Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Gap but also of living on top of a Brooks Brothers. While super preppy is not generally my style, there is something about their conservative cool window displays that get me every time. I’ve yet to purchase a tennis skirt or anything from their golf collection, but the temptation occurs daily. What I have bought are their Non-Iron dress shirts. As my husband and his collection going on 100 strong can attest, these shirts are amazing!
Brooks Brothers Tailored Fit Non-Iron Dress Shirt
I am especially fond of the tailored fit and fitted fits. It is hard for women to find button down shirts that don’t add bulk under suits, or that are not just terribly unflattering. These tailored shapes get the job done. And after you are done wearing one, you can hang it up in your closet and rest assured than when you want to wear it again, it will be completely wrinkle free with no effort on your part. Just a note: While you can indeed wash and dry these shirts at home without them shrinking or losing their look, I recommend taking them to the cleaners every third or fourth wash to renew them.
Tailored Fit Non-Iron Dress Shirt at Brooks Brothers, $89.50 or two for $149.00. In sizes 0-20.
Because I’m Not Always Dressed Up.
Colder weather has FINALLY hit Texas, and with it comes a desire to have some snuggly fleece pants to lounge about my apartment in whilst drinking hot cocoa and listening to holiday tunes. Or more accurately, drink Diet Coke and watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I believe both activities are worthwhile pursuits, don’t you?
While beginning my Christmas shopping this weekend, I spotted these adorable pajama pants at Gap Body:
Embroidered Doggy Pajama Pants
I do believe they are just thing to wear for the aforementioned activities. They are also the perfect thing to sport for Christmas morning present opening sessions and breakfast at the in-laws. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, making them a great gift for anyone on your list as well!
After seeing them in person, I’m partial to the charcoal. I do, however, believe that you cannot go wrong with the red or white pairs either. Or heck, just get all three!
Embroidered Doggy Pajama Pants at Gap Body, $34.50. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
Forever 21 Goes Luxe. And Grows Up Just a Bit.
It’s no secret around here that I love Forever 21. Sometimes there is no greater thrill in life than scoring a fabulous sweater for $17.80 (seriously- all of their prices end in $0.80??!?!). But even I have to admit, stalking around the brick and mortar store amongst the youth of America can make me feel a bit ridiculous. This is why I try to shop their store online as much as possible. I find that it is wiser to buy tops online, as opposed to dresses or pants, because the sizing is more consistent and easier to predict. Not to mention the fact that the items that are shipped from the online store tend to be in much better condition that those found in store.
I also feel slightly less ridiculous shopping the Twelve by Twelve line, which is at a slightly higher price point, and has slightly more adult pieces. For example, this gorgeous cardigan sweater:
Twelve by Twelve Pleat Chiffon Cardigan
This cashmere blend sweater is slightly more refined that your average Forever 21 find. It is actually made of natural fabrics! The chiffon trim at the neckline is a detail most appreciated by those who have already graduated from high school, and the rhinestone buttons add just enough sparkle without venturing into teeny-bopper territory. I love the gathered waistline as well.
Pleat Chiffon Cardigan at Twelve by Twelve, $42.00. Availabe in sizes XS-L. In colors navy or black.
Fantastic Find Friday
Looking for something cheap and easy to dress up your work attire? How about a fun bracelet like this one from Ann Taylor Loft:
Ann Taylor Loft Cabachon Cuff
During colder months, I often find myself wearing various permutations of the same look- merino sweater and dress pants. Day in and day out, that can get pretty boring. Well, really….it’s boring after one day. This cuff bracelet polishes things up and makes you stand out just a bit in a business casual crowd.
Cabachon Cuff at Ann Taylor, on sale for $19.99
Not-So-Basic Basics
As J.Crew’s self declared Ultimate Number One Fan, I believe thus far I’ve shown remarkable restraint by failing to make every day’s featured item something from my J. Crew wish list. But I would be remiss in failing to highlight some of the awesome things available in J. Crew’s sale section right now.
First up, this fantastic cardigan:
J. Crew Tartine Cardigan
This sweater is marked down to $49.99, from the original price of $88.00. I love that is a basic piece, a cardigan, with an extra something special in the chiffon ruffle trim. This cardigan is available in a variety of colors, but my favorites are buttercup and bright rhubarb.
I also love this pleated tee with the metal square accents:
J. Crew Pleated Cotton Tee
Once again, a basic piece, with something extra to take it up a notch. The pleating and metal studs make this much more than your average shell top. In addition, the standing collar with the button back detail make this top not only perfect with casual jeans, but also fancy enough for your office.
Tartine Cardigan at J. Crew, $49.99. Available in sizes XS-XL, in ten different colors!
Black Cotton Pleated Tee at J. Crew, $34.99. Available in sizes XS-L.
The Perfect Everyday Earring
In Texas, a visit to James Avery Craftsman is sort of a right of passage for most girls. Generally, that first trip occurs some time around age 10. For me, that was the age at which I acquired my first charm bracelet. From that day forward, every holiday meant another James Avery gift. For me, stepping into a James Avery store brings back a ton of memories. I still have and wear nearly every piece of the line that I have ever purchased or received as a gift. The majority of James Avery stores are in Texas, but thankfully, now you can shop James Avery online.
When I was 12, my mom bought me a pair of the Christina French Clip earrings:
James Avery Craftsman Christina French Clips
I have worn them at least once a week ever since FOR SIXTEEN YEARS (wow, I feel old)! And they still look just as good as the day my mother bought them. Yes, the jewelry is a bit pricey, but the pieces are of high quality and of timeless style. They are also the kind of earrings that can be worn with casual wear, or something more formal. These earrings are just the right size- big enough to be visible, small enough that they blend in nicely with whatever you are wearing.
Christina French Clip Earrings at James Avery Craftsman, $70.00 in sterling silver. Also available in 14 karat gold or gold/sterling mix.
Snuggly and warm. Surprisingly attractive.
I used to see people in their North Face jackets and just not get it. Oh, North Face people. How they got on my nerves with their devotion. It’s just a fleece! How special can it really be?
And then my husband bought me a North Face fleece jacket.
It is no exaggeration to say that this might be the favorite winter item in my closet. It is warm enough to wear on the chilliest of days, light enough that you aren’t overheating on slightly warmer days. This jacket is the perfect weight for many temperatures. It is also considerably more like a jacket than your average fleece. It zips all the way up or down, as opposed to the short neck zips of many fleeces. Thus, you can take it off without completely destroying, or static-cling-ifying, your hair. It’s also light enough that it can be worn over sweaters without causing you to look like a puffball. I have the Opus jacket:
The North Face Opus Jacket
But the most ubiquitous North Face piece is the Denali Jacket:
The North Face Denali Jacket
All of their jackets are high quality, amazingly resilient, and look completely fresh and new after an annual trip to the cleaners.
Opus Jacket at The North Face, $129.00. Available in sizes XS-XL. In a variety of colors.
Denali Jacket at The North Face, $165.00. Available in sizes XS-XL. In a variety of colors.
Love for gloves.
Every single year I cannot help myself and I purchase a pair of knit gloves. And every year I wear them once. Maybe twice. I HAD vowed to never again purchase gloves as my state’s weather just doesn’t require them.
I may have to break that vow:
Delia's Cherie Flower Glove
These gloves are just so precious. The chevron knit detailing. The flower accents. And I especially love that they are long enough to cover the entire wrist, which means no more of that exposed skin cold spot that gloves that cover only your hand allow. Delia’s has an entire Cherie Flower set- also available are a hat and scarf. Perhaps all three together would be cuteness overload. Perhaps that wouldn’t even be a bad thing.
Cherie Flower Gloves at Delias, $12.50. Available in pink and black.