Plain Jane

I've recently gotten into buying more daring bottom pieces, like a pair of harem pants and printed skirts. What top to wear with them exactly, I get un-creative and choose the safe, solid color t-shirts/tanks. So a lot of my recent outfits have been: a printed skirt, solid tank, and statement necklace. It works every time! I am constantly wanting more and more of these tops for their comfort, airiness, and universal matching to any outfit.

Kain 3 Strap Tank, $88. I am in love with this simple yet daring top.

Forever 21 Textured Knit Lengthy Tank, $9. So affordable and flows just like the high designer brands.

T by Alexander Wang Classic Tank With Pocket, $75. Perfect of layering or alone.

Alternative Oversized Top, $27. I love oversized shirts... for the fact you can eat and drink more in them and be so comfy.

Sorry, My Mind is in the Gutter

I love Whitney Port's style and she has got a great bikini bod... but I don't know if this bikini was the best choice for paparazi shots. The top is cute as can be, but the bottoms... excuse me for saying this... but it looks like some ungroomed overgrowth.. I'm just sayin'...

My Inner Battle with Burberry

[Preface: when I went into writing this inspired rant, I really had my own preconceptions, prejudices and the like that made my original dialogue in this piece seem rather self-righteous. Then a novel idea came to me: possibly a bit of research to ground my accusations, to solidify my convictions? This all may sound slightly melodramatic, however, I am well fit now to proclaim my hate-love-make-fun attitude of Burberry’s prolific presence in the historical haute fashion world.]

I accompanied my boyfriend this past weekend to take advantage of Nordstrom’s semi-annual sale of which he was quite excited (shockingly) to explore. Come to find out, though, he was more excited about buying a Burberry tie (or two) on sale to add to his collection of inventively patterned plaid/check garments. (I prefer “plaid” though it is considered the “Burberry check”). I am confounded by his love of the signature plaid - whether the bland khaki color pattern or subsequent variations thereof - truthfully, I just don’t see the appeal.

One could hark back in the annals of the fashion house - from the war-era creation of the “trench” coat to the brand’s recent financial and creative comeback thanks to Christopher Bailey (the Creative Director at the helm of the iconic vessel) - quite of lot of influence weaves through the fabrics of each historical occurrence. However, I can’t seem to escape my inner conundrum with the plaid. History aside, it still does not interest me. (This, however, coming from a girl who treasures her “vintage” Louis Vuitton handbag – classic and regal in every sense of the powerhouse’s name though just as blandly prevalent and accessible to the public. Hypocrisy at it’s most superficial.)

There are two sides to the equation, and part of my homework for this inner duel of fashion consciences allowed me to stumble across a Harper’s Bazaar piece from September 2008, an interview taken with Bailey the day after he presented his Spring/Summer 09 Collection in Milan. An incredibly modest and passionate young designer sprang forth from the page’s descriptions of his history in the fashion industry. Not only that, he threads, subtly, his background as an art major in college with his love for various genres of music into his designs and overall presentations of collections. A personal and universal touch that not only resounds, it penetrates through the eyes of his audience. Whether that audience is an older woman established in the English countryside who swears by her check-lined Burberry trench to the young 20-something muse who’s equally modest presentation of Bailey’s Prorsum collection peppers fashion publication pages. There is something to be said and therefore accepted for a brand’s ability to touch such a broad range of individuals and interests. That is, after all, the essence of fashion, and thus the requisite reasoning needed for my wonderful boyfriend’s style predilection.

Above F/W 09 Burberry Prorsum images retrieved from Style.com; a] simple black frock; b] a daper oversized black coat from the Men's Ready-to-Wear Collection, a favorite look of mine; c] my absolute favorite ensemble for the simple black coat hides a delicious floral dress underneath; d] to the left, Burberry Check Snood, Net-a-Porter

Fall Obsessions

Back-to-school shopping signs are hanging everywhere! It's crazy to think that Fall is coming up so swiftly. Lucky for me, though, the Charleston sun and warm Summer air hangs around until October, so my shorts and sundresses will still be of use.

But...with Summer pieces moving off of the store shelves we're just as swiftly seeing the beautiful rich tones and warm fabrics of Fall replace them! Here are a few new things to dream about affording :)

Already considered an "It" bag of the Fall season by MK Olsen (which she had several months ago!) The Alexander Wang Coco Studded Bag , $850 is already sold out on Net-a-Porter.

This Gryphon Cropped Beaded Pea Coat, $565, is on Pre-Order on the Intermix website. It is military chic!

YSL Suede Sandals, $930. Apparently you must pre-order these as well.

Jimmy Choo Calf & Fishnet Ankle Boots, $1095. These shoes are absolutely vampy and sexy.

Denim: Deliciously Distressed

I adore my pair of dark cigarette Rich & Skinnys that I’ve had for the past year and compulsively worn into the ground. However, a new trend is catching my eye that I find equally enticing and a bit more liberating: the distressed, vintage jean. Designs are frequently loose, comfortable, a room-to-breathe fit yet with the capability to be chic from the end of summer into the first days of fall (and, of course, beyond).




AG Ex-Boyfriend Short (www.calypso-celle.com)



Current/Elliot Destroy Daddy Jeans (La Garconne)


Joe's Klum Rolled Ankle Chelsea: though this kind of goes against type for my vision of what a distressed jean has to offer me, I love the overall relaxed look. It’s a skinny jean without the notion of strangulation (Anthropologie)

Yes, I did it again...

Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag Satchel, Originally $595, purchased for $303 (with $25 Gilt credit and free shipping). Eeekkkkk so excited!

Today Gilt had a Rebecca Minkoff sale and I could not resist the Morning After Bag. The soft brown leather, a bag with structure and finesse, this was something that would be hard to pass up. So, I of course indulged though sadly Lauren wasn't available to help me decide & I could not bear to see it sell out! So smack my hands and take my plastic away from me...I cannot wait 'till this bag is around my arm!

Body Con Dresses

What does "body con" stand for? Is it body conscious? Because I am very self conscious about my body and I do not think these dresses help in any way. I put one on and my underwear lines and body rolls are well highlighted through the fabric. So how do celebrities and fashionistas wear these pieces? Do they go commando? Is it the miracle undergarment Spanx, which would give me a heat stroke wearing it here in Charleston? Maybe I should muster up the confidence to try a body con dress because they are so f-ing hot. Maybe, then, body con means, "body confidence"!




A black dress always makes you look smaller, right? Topshop Mesh Bodycon High Neck Dress, $70.

Maybe the bandage stripes minimize rolls... Asos Off-shoulder Exposed Zip Body Con Dress, $60.


The ultimate body con bandage dress: Herve Leger Vivien Cutout Bandage Dress, $880. You'd think at this price it would just do wonders to your body...

Lexie's Birthday

I had a wonderful weekend with some good friends of mine! Saturday night we celebrated Lexie's 23rd birthday, shes the baby of the group, and wearing the asymmetrical blue dress, a steal from Forever 21 at $19! I am wearing my new Joie wedges with a Forever 21 Necklace. bracelet and skirt, and an American Apparel Bandeau Bodysuit. All my girlfriends are so fashionable! I love just regular pictures of a girls night out. No fancy cameras or special lighting techniques, just a quick group picture depicting such a fun time.


More pics to come from this weekend... : )

Furniture Shopping

Time is flying by way too fast. My lease is over at the end of this month and I am dreading the whole moving processes. It was just a year ago where I moved into my lovely Queen St. apartment. Now I am off to move 3 blocks away to a 2 bedroom townhouse. The only furnishings I have are for my own bedroom. Even with this furniture, I don't I have enough storage items to keep all my clothes tidy. I have tons of cheap plastic storage bins to hold my socks, undies, bras, and bathing suits, but they are all already spilling out (maybe it's time for me to actually edit my closet... anyways). I am not trying to buy investment furniture pieces since I am only making so much. So at the cost to updated posts on Chit Chat, I have been searching every minute of the day for cheap, used furniture. So far I have found an over sized chair, a over sized couch, and a sitting chair, all neutral solid colors, for $200 (it's sad to think that my recent Joie shoe purchase costs more than three pieces of furniture, eeekks). All these I have found on Craigslist.org which is a savior for used furniture. Everything is in fair condition and easy to incorporate with the decor. I am currently still looking for a kitchen table, rug, and maybe some bookshelves (to display my shoes :) ).





If you are a cheapo like me who wants a deal on furniture, here are some places to check to find some awesome used stuff:

I found this kitchen table and four chairs on Craigslist.org the other day for $20!!!! People drop prices for a quick sale! Unfortunately, someone beat me to this sale, because I never heard from the sellers. BAH!

Craiglist.org - I check this site every 5 minutes for furniture. You have to contact the sellers fast since other people are often looking at the same things. Beware of wholesalers and what not, there's a lot of over posting by these places. I prefer purchasing from the owners because if they have multiple items on sale, you could bargain a group cost. The majority of transactions require cash payment and pick up only. So make sure you have a friend that has a truck to haul the larger pieces.



The Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Lucky me that there are various locations in my area of this store benefiting local Habitat for Humanity organizations. People donate old furniture and furnishings, most of which is in excellent condition. The ReStore sells the items at great deals and the volunteers can help you load the furniture in your car. Its kind of like a big yard sale warehouse, except no bargaining :( .



Local flea markets and antique shops - Charleston is filled filled filled to the rim with antique shops. If you look around the stores hard enough, you could find some potentially great items at reasonable prices.



Goodwill - Obviously the one and only place to go for 80's Prom gear... But they do get some wonderful donations of decent furniture. I have found some neat framed art work here as well.

Bright Colors!!

Watching the fireworks on the 4th of July, I noticed how the colors accented the dark sky. Now being weird and relating it to fashion, its like wearing an all black outfit and throwing on some bursts of color! Some bright accents scream to be looked at.

I've looked up some items that could be worn alone with this dress to make your bright statement. T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tee Dress, $85:

Add a bright headband, Pink Fever Floral Headband, $17.

Or add a pair of chunk bright heels, BCBGirl Polands, $99.

Or cinch the dress with a bright blue belt, Forever 21 Patent Pyramid Stud Belt, $8.

or, cover it up with a bright, light-weight jacket. Forever 21 Fab 3Q Casual Jacket, $14.50.

or carry around a standout clutch. Melie Bianco Oversized Clutch, $53.

Americana Festivities

This weekend is traditionally a time where the smell of BBQs tickle the senses and fireworks scintillate the night sky wonderfully ignighting a sense of patriotism and fervor in celebration of our nation's independence. For us fashionistas (or fashionistos - fellow male shoppers), however, we also are reveling in 4th of July sales. I've been online window shopping since arriving at work, and have noticed many online retailers pushing their summer sales. Enjoy all the discounts, and please do not drink and shop.

Topshop launched a sale today!

Pink Mascara has up to 70% off merchandise.

Lulus has 15% off sitewide with the code Firecracker.

Bloomingdales - Take 40% off selected merchandise!

Piperlime- up to 50% off shoes and handbags

Shop Intuition - up to 80% off

Those are a few that I have found...I may update tomorrow with the Friday through Sunday sales. Happy sale shopping!

A Clash of Worlds: Alice in Wonderland & Louis Vuitton Creations

Louis Vuitton's embellished Fall 2009 collection is striking, whimsical and extremely imaginative - so much so I found myself starring incredulously at the pearl-healed platforms, their abstract fantasitical proportions popping out of the page in a reverie of possibility. I instantly beamed, "how very 'Alice in Wonderland'!"



Unique, powerful, provocative; Louis Vuitton Fall 2009, www.style.com

Having just viewed the released promotional shots for the upcoming, equally abstract Tim Burton take on Lewis Carroll's tale, I can picture the film's heroine, now portrayed as one on the cusp of womanhood, weaving her way through bizarre enchantments on these impeccibly heightened chausseurs. (Or perhaps the enigmatic Queen of Hearts would be better suited to strut her prowress in these obscure devils?)



A scene from released photos of Tim Burton's curiously anticipated 'Alice in Wonderland' film adaptation; Disney.

The colors and textures of Marc Jacobs's Vuitton creations dance off the fabric creating a maze of awe and fascination that only the unknown journey through Wonderland could rival.



Bright colors, eye-catching fabric textures and voluminous proportions ignite one's imagination; Louis Vuitton Fall 2009 Runway, www.style.com

Seriously, I have a problem.

If only Gilt.com (personal invite link) did not have such tempting sales... Elie Tahari Wedges originally, $328, purchased from Gilt at $128. (Hopefully these last me just as long as my old wedges.)

OK, yes I may have enough shoes, yet I believe it is in the Filipino gene to acquire as many shoes as Imelda Marcos. I figured a compelling reason to get these shoes was the fact that my old nude wedges had recently perished. My old wedges were from the Bass Company Outlet circa 1999-2000, I know that they have seen better days. I believe these modern day Elie Tahari Kelly Wedges are a great and honorable replacement to my now retired nude wedges. R.I.P. Bass Nude Wedges, you were a great shoe for my high school graduation, and throughout college walking from frat house to house party, and back to the frat houses.