May I Take Your Order?

I feel like I look like a waiter here....

With a very expensive scarf, that is.

Who snuck into the ladies' bathroom after her shift to snap a picture of her outfit.

Shirt, Pants - Gap (50% off during 2010 Black Friday sales)

Scarf - Hermes - Le Pégase d'Hermès

Scarf ring - it's an actual ring that's too big for me now. I guess my fingers lost weight. hahahahha

Bag - J.Crew Edie purse (25% off)

Flats - Delman (from Gilt)

Seeing Red

I have been stalking J.Crew for the better half of this year, wanting and lusting. Finally, a week ago, I got an email saying they were offering a 25% off coupon code, and I couldn't turn it down.

An item that I've been on the fence over is the Edie purse in Flame (bright red). 

I'm fascinated with fashion from yesteryears. One of my must-see TV shows these days is ABC's Pan Am. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. And this bag reminds me of those days.

Blazer - H&M

Turtleneck, jeans - Forever21

Pumps - Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pumps (40% off)

Bag - J.Crew 'Edie' in Flame (25% off)

However, I'm still not quite convinced of it - is it too old-fashioned? And being one who's used to big bags, I have to really clean out and decide what is absolutely a necessity.

Seriously, how do people manage to feel comfortable with so little stuff?! 

 

Baby, It's COLD Outside!!

The weather here in New England has been more temperamental than a menstruating female. The forecast is predicting that there'll be snow headed our way this weekend. WHAAAT?????!

The days are getting shorter, and darkness falls by the time I leave my office.To help combat the dreariness of the cold, a bright winter coat acts like a cheerful smile.

Today in particular has been dreary -- it was raining, the wind was blowing, it was pitch black at 6.30pm, and my car was parked far away. 

What was sufficiently warm in the morning, was no longer so...

L/S tee - Forever21

Skirt - Ann Taylor LOFT (30% off)

Scarf - from Malaysia

Tights - Target

Booties - Sam Edelman (with 20% coupon code from Piperlime)
Coat - J.Crew (outlet, on sale)

I swear, halfway through the parking lot, I had to chant in my head "Almost there, almost there!!" I felt like my legs were completely frozen as I struggled to bend my knees to walk. Note to self -- get wool tights.

On a plus note, when the temperature goes down, the scarves come out.

This scarf is a handpainted silk from Malaysia - something that's generally bought as a souvenir by tourists (although I'm not one)

I love the colors and the fact that it's a piece of my heritage.
And no way would I be able to find a $10 silk scarf here in the States!

 

Black is....Comforting

I've been gravitating towards solids lately. Mostly black. With bright red lips. 

Perhaps it's due to the weather. Perhaps it's due to my mood.

Each morning, I get frustrated with the process of dressing up. Mostly because my current closet is the size of a postage stamp. Or more accurately, the size of an original 1950s closet. How did those people manage to look so fantastic with such a small closet? Perhaps the answer is in terms of well-chosen, quality pieces over quality. Much like the French?

Regardless, I'm tempted daily to toss out my whole entire wardrobe and start afresh.

 

Coat - G2000 (Hong Kong brand, purchased in KL, on sale)

 Shirt, pants - Gap (50% off, Black Friday sale 2010)

Belt - H&M

Shoes - Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pump (40% off sale -- these are occuring very frequently these past few weeks, although they are out of my size for the pairs that I've been wanting. Better for my wallet, I suppose)

P/S: Using a fixed lens is a pain in the patootie. I oftentimes have no more space to back off, nor am I able to go higher, away from what I'm trying to capture, without resorting to pulling out a ladder. And I don't do ladders.

Bold

For the past few weeks, I've been partial towards a bold lip. Vibrant, look-at-me bold. 

I got divorced about 3 weeks ago, and after that whole sob story was over and done with, I picked up my daughter and headed to the mall. 

I needed a pick-me-up. Something that made me feel strong, independent and worth it.

I purchased Chanel's Lip Lacquer in Dragon. A bold, beautiful, intense red lipcolor.

Red lips to me brings to mind strong women who know what they want, and get what they want. It's timeless, classic and sexy. 

I've past that moment of insecurity and now I just enjoy how it looks.

A few months ago, I would have never dared to put on any lipcolor other than a nude or a pale pink. Now? I feel like intense color on the lips completes the face. I don't have much time to do my makeup in the mornings, so having a slap of color on the lips just makes me look (and feel) a little more put together.

From left: Chanel Lip Lacquer in Dragon, MAC Viva Glam I, MAC Heartless, Revlon Colorburst in True Red, Revlon Colorburst in Fushsia

My favorite out of the few but growing collection of lipsticks are definitely the Revlon Colorbursts - A single application will last all day, and True Red is a wearable red that's suitable for day wear compared to the Chanel. (Icing on the top is that those ended up being under $2 each, thanks to great drugstore cash back/sales)

 

Fall is COMING!

Because I like orange and navy...

I'm glad Fall is coming. I was getting tired of the heat - and having to empty the dehumidifier from the basement.

Dress - H&M

Scarf - H&M

Bag - Louis Vuitton

No prizes for guessing where they got their inspiration from for the scarf...A complete Hermes knock-off! But since I tend to baby my Hermes scarfs, it's nice to have one that I can just throw on without worrying.

 

Lengthening Rays

I love flowy skirts. I love navy. I love this skirt. I'm simple, really. 

Although it made my tripod fall, so my camera lens rattles now, and it can no longer auto-focus. =(

 

 Top - H&M

Skirt - Anthropologie (on sale) 

Wedges - Aldo (outlet)

Bag - Rebecca Minkoff (got it during Bloomingdale's sale)

It's actually about 2 sizes too big for me for it to fit the way I wanted it to (at the waist, as oppose to the hips), as that was the smallest size left. But never fear when one has a sewing machine!

I Also Really, Really Like Navy

Top - LOFT (sale - $5 - although I think I really much prefer the tanks from H&M)

Skirt - Lengthening Rays Skirt from Anthropologie (on sale)

Necklace - J.Crew (outlet)

Bag - Louis Vuitton Alma

Stuck

I've been working from home these past few days due to Irene --- my daughter's daycare doesn't have power, so poor thing's brain is fried from all the TV that she's watching while momma works.

I'm tired of lounging around in my PJs all day, so I finally pulled on some real clothes - I have a thing for orange these days

 

Shirt - Gap (50% off during last year's Black Friday sale )

Shorts - J.Crew (about $10? Outlet, on sale to boot)

Ring - H&M

Necklace - Forever21

Time

I bought this jacket a few weeks ago and I have been on the wall about it ever since.

The quality is great. It is classic and polished. And the sales lady was so complimentary about how it looked on me. Add the fact that it was on sale, with additional 50% off, plus I had a coupon for another 30% off it made me hold on to it tight and march straight to the counter. 

However, once home, I was concerned that it may be too "old" for me. And it is slightly looser than I am used to.

 It's slightly difficult for me to find clothes that fits sometimes. I'm not short enough to be "petite" (the size is more accurate, but the placements of things such as buttons always end up in the wrong spot) but am relatively small that usually, I drown in normal size 0 clothes.

 It took awhile for me to find an outfit that I liked to go with it. And since then, it became simpler to match.

Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of time and perseverance.

 

Jacket - Ann Taylor (on super sale - $40)

Tank - H&M ($6)

Skirt - Ann Taylor Loft (30% coupon - $40)

Belt - Banana Republic (sale - $10)

Watch - Guess (From outlet. I've had it for eons! I bought it during my first trip to the US, when we went to visit my brother who was in college, oh, about 14 years ago?)

Shoes - Ann Taylor Perfect Pump (40% coupon)

Bag - Gucci (from outlet)

(Sorry for the pictures' lighting...I got home late from work that day)

Movie Inspiration

I love sappy romantic comedies. Among my favorites are While You Were Sleeping, You've Got Mail and The Wedding Planner.

Typical chick.

In The Wedding Planner, Jennifer Lopez plays...well....a wedding planner. She's organized, anal, prepared, meticulous, put-together and have fabulous outfits. All the things I want to be. Well, only if you replace "anal" with "precise". I do not care for the fact that the story was really about an engaged man falling in love with another, but I suppose it happens enough in real life that I should just get used to it.

One of my favorite outfits was the red dress she wore during the tango scene. I LOVE that dress. I LOVE ballroom and Latin dances. And having Matthew McConaughottie (!) as your partner definitely bumps up "fun" factor. And there's something indescribably knee-melting about a guy who knows how to dance. Not the bump and grind stuff, but real dancing. 

I've been looking for a dress similar to that for awhile now. And I finally found one!

 

It is super twirly, the color is red-hot and I love it.

Happy birthday to me.

 

Put Together

New job = renewed motivation to put effort into putting together outfits. Well, more or less.

Also, Katherine from Feather Factor keeps introducing blogs like this one that keep me hooked and inspired (and sometimes be a downright copycat!)

Shirt - Gap

 (purchased during Black Friday sale, 2010 when everything in the store was 50% off - $25)

Skirt and belt - Banana Republic

 (on sale at store with additional 25% off. You can find it here with 30% using code BRSAVE30)

Shoes - Ann Taylor (40% off coupon)

I've made a decision to only buy things when they are on sale.

Now that I'm paying attention, there's a lot of stores that have deals and promotions that run quite frequently. Paying full retail price when you could get 30-40% off if only you paid a little more attention doesn't seem particularly smart.

Bright

I think I probably looked like I was color blind yesterday, what's with bright red, purple, blue and black. But the outfit made me happy and I was humming the whole day. And THAT'S what's important, people!

Headband - from a NYC street vendor

Top - The Limited

Jeans - Forever21

Bag - Linea Pelle

Shoes - Betsey Johnson via Gilt

My Prized Matches

It's been a busy few weeks. But then I got tired of dressing like a dowdy matron. So I pulled out my most expensive bag and shoes and upped it. I find it amusing that the bag and shoes are a perfect match for each other. I don't remember if it was a happy coincidence or if I planned it that way.

 

Cardigan - J.Crew (~ $20 from the outlet)

Top - from Australia ($10)

Pants - Elie Tahari ($50 from Saks outlet)

Bag - Chanel

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Continuing on the bargain trend in clothing, I suppose. Love outlets. Especially the J.Crew one. I have to limit myself to a maximum of 2 visits per year (thank goodness my office shifted! It used to be 5 minutes away from the outlets)

Run Away

I've always wanted to be a runner. But my stamina was never really cooperative with that goal.

End of last year, I said it's time to make dreams come true, and I joined the gym.

This year, I ran in the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge - 3.5 miles in Central Park

I finished in 38 min 15 sec. (walked 1/2 mile) Not the greatest, but when taken into context for someone who couldn't run for more than 2 mins before, I say it's not too bad.

Would You Like To Buy Some Cookies?

Whenever I wear khaki and white together, I always feel like I may turn out looking like a camp counselor. Or a Girl Scout.

Hopefully with the right accessories, I'll turn out looking more chic than that!

Top - Forever21

Skirt - Gap (had it forever)

Clutch - Lauren Merkin

Bracelet - H&M

And my new Pour La Victoire shoes from Ruelala 

A friend from work called it my "high-altitude" shoes, because these babies are TALL!

Casual

Call me dense, but I'm just beginning to realize that majority of my go-to pieces are from cheap retailers like Forever21 and H&M. Not that there's anything wrong with that -- it just makes me less guilty when I splurge on my handbags. And I do have my eye on another pair of Louboutins (since my black patent pumps have officially retired. R.I.P)

Cardigan, Jeans - Forever21

Bubble top/dress - Rachel Pally

Clutch - Lauren Merkin

New Clutch

I love clutches. It makes me feel Carrie-esque from Sex and the City. Although the amount of crap you can put in it is so limited that sometimes, it just isn't quite practical. But I still love them.

.

My latest is from Lauren Merkin - I saw it on HauteLook and was captivated. The adjustable chain was a welcomed surprise when I got it in the mail.

So it can be either a clutch, or a shoulder bag, or a cross-body. It's better than Superman, who only has 1 alter ego.  

Warming Up!

The weather is finally warming up here in New England. It's nice to be able to play round with sleeveless tops and shorts again. 

Although I really have to start working on toning my arms and using self-tanner lotion! 

Retail Therapy

It's no big secret that when I'm feeling down, I shop. I have my ex-husband to thank for my initiation into the world of Hermes and Louboutins. There's a silver lining in every cloud right?

I've been trying to find different avenues to cheer myself up - working out being one of them. Mostly because being a single mom of moderate means doesn't really allow for splurges throughout the whole year.

Top, Jeans: Forever 21. Shoes: Juicy Couture

But when the situation is dire, and shopping is necessary, and I really don't want to break my budget, I go to Forever21. It's cheap and it's cute.

And I love the little trinkets that they have - the two that I just bought were under $5 each. Nothing that I'll lose sleep over.

Hermes #1

My very first Hermes scarf was acquired at a time when I was desperately in need of some (a LOT) of retail therapy. I originally went on hermes.com with the intention of getting a scarf to frame, specifically, the Sichuan scarf. It was listed, but I hesitated, and it got snapped up by someone else. Then I saw the Jardins de Nouvelle Angleterre, and  "settled" for it instead.

And I'm glad that I did, because it turned out to be absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous
(And the Sichuan scarf got relisted and has been in stock ever since. I've never seen mine online anymore)

"Luxurious vegetation, between abundance and abandonment, symbolises the meeting of Old England, and New, in America: a mixture of wild nature, such as existed before the arrival of the colonists, and a nature discreetly tamed, such as is designed in English gardens. A little idyllic valley with charming painted clapboard cottages appears within a medallion of foliage. The gardens, refined and rustic, mingle native plants, tropical species and flowers from Europe. Sheltered there are several animal species, hummingbirds, squirrels and racoons, fauna and flora intermingling in an atmosphere of tranquil happiness"

- designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux

 

And it was appropriate too, as I live in New England, and my dream is to have a little cottage somewhere with rambling roses and an English garden. To this day, it remains to be my favourite scarf.

I haven't dared to frame it yet, after hearing so many cautionary tales about fading and stretching. Plus, I wanted to have the option of being able to wear it too. Now that I have my scarf ring, I'm hoping that I'll do justice to it, instead of letting it sit in its box, pretty as it is.

I love how it's able to take a basic boring dark outfit like this:

And H it up, giving some life and individuality into the final output.

With Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini bag in Dove Gray

Happy

My scarf ring is here, and it's a perfect match for my very first Hermes scarf.

Mai Tai Grande scarf ring with Hermes' Jardins de Nouvelle Angleterre

The waterfall knot has been one that I've been itching to try, but I wasn't sure if it'll turn out ok with a 90 Carré

I think I like it =)