Guilty Pleasures

I am a bit of a hoarder.

(I feel like I've mentioned this before....several times) 

 There's just something about multiples that makes for a better display...

I won't lie - Sometimes I will open my MUJI drawer just to look at my lipsticks, all lined up in a row.

 (Before anyone yells "starving children in Africa", a lot of them are drugstore brands, bought on sale, WITH the use of coupons as well - Love ULTA. So it's not like I am neglecting feeding my child in order to buy them)

Recently, I did just that and in the process, was reminded that there was a NYX lipstick that was sitting unopened for a few months now (probably because I have a LOT of red lip-products)

So I did the honors and it's now my current favorite

It's a gorgeous, matte, long-lasting true-red.

Best of all is that it cost <$3.

Back to Basics - Black and White

Black and white with a splash of red on the lips for Thanksgiving

Shirt - MNG

Pants - J.Crew Minnie pants in black twill (regular sizing)

Shoes - J.Crew Etta pumps

Bag - Balenciaga

Jewelry - Forever 21, J.Crew

 

I don't usually use clutches, because..well...I like to carry everything but the kitchen sink in my bag. But since I was just going to a family member's house for dinner, I figured I really didn't need much with me

What I carried besides my phone and wallet:

- Mini lint roller, because the Minnie pants in the darker colored twills tend to pick up lint/fuzz

- My new lip color - Covergirl Outlast --- fast becoming a favorite of mine due to how smooth the lip-color goes on, how long it lasts, no smudging/color transfer and the color is gorgeous.

Casual Red

Flaming red pants are another example of items I HAD to have --- even to the point where I actually paid full price for it *gulp*

How many times have I worn them?
I'm ashamed to say

 

But once again, basics first. And then it's ridiculously easy to see how statement/trendy pieces like this can fit into one's lifestyle.

(although it's really a no to wearing pants this bright without having a shirt covering the bottom...or perhaps that's just for me who has long neglected my daily yoga sessions!)

 

For anyone who's interested -- view of the Chanel Cerf using the strap on someone who's 5'4" tall -- the strap and the way it is designed to be clipped onto the bag ain't the most useful thing in the world --- I feel like it isn't built to handle the strain for when my bag was loaded to capacity during my travels a few months ago, so I avoided using it after awhile.

Sweater - Target (my favorite sweater ever!) 

Tank - H&M 

 Pants - J.Crew Minnie in Vibrant Flame - regular sizing

(extra 25% off currently by using code COLOR25 for Black Friday)

 Shoes - Delman

Bracelets - J.Crew, Forever 21

Bag - Chanel Cerf in black caviar GHW

If Money Grew on Trees - JCrew Black Friday Sale

If I has less common financial sense in my body than I already do, the following will already be on its way to me from J.Crew:

If Money Grew on Trees by bagfashionista83 featuring a wool dress

For those who are blissfully shopping out there (or shopping online, in your PJs, on the couch/bed/chaise) this holiday, have fun!

J.Crew code COLOR25 for 25% off everything 

or

for cardmembers, code "CARDMEMBER" for 30% off

Back to Basics - Tweed

I seem to have a hoarding tendency -- there are a considerable amount of items in my closet that I had to have, but have acquired very little use for one reason or another. 

(They sure make for pretty eye candy though)

But now that I get dressed thinking of basics first, it's been getting easier, oddly enough, to make use of the pieces that have been bypassed previously. 

  

L/S tee - Target

Jeans - Forever21

Jacket - J.Crew Fanfare Jacket in Peacock Tweed

Boots - DV by Dolce Vita 

Back To Basics - Preppy

I have always loved the look of buttoned down shirts layered under sweaters, but have never really tried the trend myself. The few shirts that I do have are looser fitting ones that bunches up terribly when layered under a slim sweater.

Tried on the boy shirt from J.Crew from their sale section and the size 00 is the perfect fit for me.

 

Shirt - J.Crew Boy Shirt in Neon Gingham - Lavender

Sweater - Forever21

Pants - J.Crew Minnie in Navy - petite sizing

Shoes - J.Crew Etta Cap Toe Pumps in Champagne

Necklace - H&M

Back To Basics

It has been taking me entirely too long to get dressed in the mornings.

Ever have those days where you are in your pajamas, or in whatever state of undress you tend to be in the mornings, and just stare at your clothes? And before you know it, you're running late and you just pull whatever that's closest. And now that the weather is getting downright cold, who really wants to stand around in their skivvies, freezing their bums off?

So it's back to basics for me.

I have outlined a list, should I be overwhelmed with the need to buy something, items that can pass the "can this be worn every week if need be, with a ludicrous amount of outfit combinations, without LOOKING like I'm wearing the same thing every week?" or the "will this still be wearable 5 years down the line without looking like I just walked out of a time-machine?"

So, classics/basics first.

And then throw on a trendy item on top to keep myself from looking like a 60 year old. 

Back To Basics 11/6/2012 by bagfashionista83

Turtleneck - Ann Taylor

Cardigan - Forever21

Pants - J.Crew Minnie in Navy (petite sizing)

Shoes - J.Crew Valentina in Dusty Jade

Necklace - H&M 
Bag - Chanel Cambon Tote

Effort -- and J.Crew Valentina Review

Ever have one of those days (weeks?) where you just feel bleh and bloated and that you'll never fit into your form-fitting clothes, so lets not even try?
And you end up wearing your ratty, shapeless sweats and feel even worse than before.

I have to say, that it is ever more important to make an effort during those periods of time (hah...)

The lift in spirits I got just from knowing that I took the time and effort to take care of myself made the day seem a little brighter

And turns out that the unflattering body image that was plaguing me was (mostly) in my head anyway
(my clothes fitted)

 So here's to making an effort with appearances --- it may be deemed to be a superficial, useless activity, but the boost to one's confidence, mood and happiness is not.

Shirt - Gap
Sweater - Forever21
Pants - J.Crew Minnie in black twill, regular sizing
Shoes - J.Crew Valentina in Dusty Jade
Necklace - J.Crew outlet
Bag - Chanel Cambon Tote

On another note, bought these pumps (another one that I was eyeing from J.Crew's Fall collection) during one of their 30% off sale. There was something weird going on the website that day, but I noticed that the pumps were coming up in my search of sale shoes, but the price tag was showing as the regular retail price. Just for ha-has, I decided to just try putting it into my cart and applying the online code for additional 30% off sale items. It worked. So I paid a little more over $100 even though it was listed as $238. Effort pays off.

 

I love the color of these shoes. And the fact that it actually visually elongated my usually wide/flat-looking feet (which are typically amplified by this style of shoes).

I am wearing my normal J.Crew shoe size -- it actually feels a half size large, but I think that worked to my benefit when wearing them out. The pointed toe may be too constricting if was any smaller. The patent is pretty stiff, so not sure how much softer it'll get with wear. 

But overall, love the demure silhouette of the shoe and at just 2 3/4" high, it will definitely fit in good with my weekend outfits as well.