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 =)

Some Things Every Girl Should Have...

In their closet...

1) Classic trench coat

Image from Nylonmag.com

Who can forget the fabulous Holly Golightly (her dubious career aside)?

Eventually, I would love to be able to get a Burberry trench, but for now, my Banana Republic one serves quite well as a placeholder (wrinkles and all)

2) Black high-waisted pencil skirt

This is probably highly dependent on the body type, but I love my pencil skirts. Of course, post-baby, my waistline has somewhat become less defined, but my favorite skirt still manages to give the illusion of it being smaller than what it is, and therefore, resulting in  more curvy me =)

3) A sewing kit

Not quite what was expected, huh?!

I really believe that this is something that a girl should keep at her desk at work, or in her bag, for those "what if" moments - case in point, I used it yesterday, when the handy work I did on reducing the slit length of the skirt (so that it was work-appropriate) started unraveling.

Completeness

I spent Monday night rearranging my sewing room and I always seem to have trouble with the "finishing". I am fairly comfortable putting the big pieces together, but when it comes to integrating the little details that ties it all together (such as artwork,various tschotskes, etc to make things interesting and more personable) And it's the same with my outfits - I can pull the top, bottom, footwear and bags together well enough, but the accessories? Not so much.

I love the idea of wearing scarves, but for some reason, when it comes down to it, it's difficult for me to figure a way to integrate it into the actual outfit. It's probably hindered even more by the limited amount of ways I know/can tie it

Scarf - Le Pégase d'Hermès

This would look so much better if the scarf is tied in a big twist wrap knot. So I finally bit the bullet and got a scarf ring from MaiTai that would hopefully open a whole new world of opportunities up for me to in terms of scarf usage.

Joyful, Joyful

Because the weekend is here! (Although I'll be on call)

And because it's a joyful feeling to fit into clothes that you thought were doomed for the donate pile. It's made even sweeter when there really wasn't a concious effort to try and slim down.

These pants are almost 6 years old - I remember I bought them at the Banana Republic outlet in Ohio, when I was still trying to look for a job, fresh out of college. In those days, BR was, to me, high end.

It's nice to be able to fit in them once more and remember all the hopes and dreams that one tends to have as a fresh-faced young adult.

Stress

It's been a challenging week.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a teacher, trying to get her rowdy class of whiny 5 year-olds to sit still, listen and do their homework. Except in reality, I'm dealing with adults.

Banana Republic

It's nice to be able to kick off my shoes at the end of the day and just enjoy the fact that there's still daylight when I leave work at the end of the day.

Yves Saint Laurent Oversized Muse in Chocolate (2007)

I've brought my Muse out into circulation after a friend showed off her newly acquired one. My poor bag is somewhat stripped of its identity - I was fiddling with the lock one night while waiting for my ex-husband to try on some pants at the mall. I didn't notice that it was sans lock until I got home.

Lets hope the NY store will get a replacement lock for me soon.

 And I hope that you had a better work week than I did.

My Current Obsession

I'm fascinated with Old Hollywood glamour. And red hot lipstick comes with that territory, I think. There's just this glam feeling that's evoked with applying lipstick and lipliner that you just don't get with lipgloss.

I've always been too chicken to try it, much less wear it out in public. But there's nothing like a big change in your status quo that will make you be more open to trying something new.

MAC Viva Glam I (AC9) lipstick paired with M.A.C. lip pencil in Burgundy (AC9)

Morning Joys

There's nothing better than to be able to sit down and enjoy my favorite cup of Malaysian White Coffee leisurely first thing in the morning, while catching up with the news and other favorite blogs.

 It's a relaxing start to an otherwise hectic work day.

But unfortunately, that's not feasible for me - most mornings, I'll be lucky if I actually manage to brush my hair, pack our lunches and usher my 2 year-old out the door on time. I am NOT a morning person.

Until I change my habits and actually refrain from pushing the snooze button half a dozen times each morning, it's nice to dream of the "what ifs..." =)

What Does One Do...

When one has the mean reds?

For this lady, she puts on the most femme fatale shoes that she owns and plots her world domination plan, of course!

And we know that there's no one who does femme fatale better than Monsieur Louboutin.

Christian Louboutin 120mm Very Prives in Nude

Some Things I Love...

Books. I love reading. Always have, probably always will. There's something about settling down on the couch with a good book on a lazy Sunday afternoon that is just comforting to me.

Trying to be more domesticated - My goal is to cut down on prepared/processed/frozen foods by making my own, especially for the simple stuff such as waffles, hummus, soups, baked goods, etc. Plus, I've always loved the idea of being able to be the mom with the homemade baked goods for her kid and her friends after they come home from school

Sewing. Crafting. This started when my daughter was born. I wanted to be Supermom. There are tons of craft blogs out there that provide so much inspiration and motivation to make something with your hands.

Photography - Again, this started with the birth of my daughter. I see all these beautiful photographs out in blogland, capturing precious moments, and I wanted to be able to do the same. You'll always hear people remarking that "They'll grow up before you know it" and it's quite scary how true that is. The days can be long, especially when she's up to no good, but the years are short. It's flabbergasting to me that she's already 2 years old, and is well on her way to becoming her own individual self, with very specific likes and dislikes, and wants and opinions of how things should be.The photographs and videos that I've captured are probably more precious to me than my bag collection, or any other material good.