I've been lagging on the posts, but that's because my workload here at work is crazy. I don't like work so having a ton of it and having to stay late does not please me. Plus, I don't post my blog anywhere, so I'm pretty sure no one knows I even have one. I'm waiting to improve it with better photos. Anyhoots. This will be a brief pictureless post (I have to get back to work, boo-urns).

Things/looks I've currently been purchasing and obsessing: long knit cardigans by themselves or with skinny belts. Various skirts with these cardigans. OTK knit socks with these skirts and cardigans. Little ankle socks with platform heels. My thigh high Isabel Marant-like boots. I lurve these boots like no other. Shades of navy blue and pale pink shades (not together necessarily). A pair of Dolce Vita oxfords I got two years ago but never really wore until now. Leopard faux fur (always). Faux fur shrugs over drapey jersey dresses. This one BCBG satin bow clutch (I know every girl LOVES BCBG, but I have never really understood the obsession. I like them just okay. Every once in a while they make a dress I really want, but that's about it). These Chanel-inspired Sam Edelman quilted flats. Skincare in the form of Kiehl's night cream. Chanel powder/powder foundation. My J Brand dark vintage Lovestorys (though I'm trying to lose some belly wait before whipping them out again!). My Parisienne striped top with Russian Red lips. The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s and other style books. Shiny natural hair. Back seam tights.

And more.

Christmas Shoes

My Sherbert heels photographed by a guy at work during our xmas party. He had a fancy camera.

Pink furry love.

thigh high perfection

I found the perfect thigh high/otk boots Thursday night. They're from Zara, black suede, not so high heel. They're the ones in the photos in their catalog/lookbook. I couldn't believe they even had them when I went to the Promenade location. They had a pair on a mannequin but I thought for sure the rest would be sold out. I looked all around the store and then saw them on a ground level shelf, in the corner front of the store before I left. Two pairs in a 36. PERFECT. I took them to the fitting room and tried to pull them up over a pair of not-so-skinny jeans. It took a bit of work because of the bunchy jeans, but when they were on I had to have them.

Unfortunately for me, I also purchased the Topshop Britany boot (in the post below) in black leather, and I can't keep both. The Zara pair are great because they fit so closely. I've been doing a LOT of research on all otk boots, and most that are in my price range fit looser. These fit like the Isabel Marant pair that were all over her F/W 09 runways. I love the Isabel Marants that Emmanuelle Alt (above) and other fashionistas have been wearing, but it's not like I would've been able to afford them anyway, so the Zara pair are the perfect alternative. The Britany are nice too but are thicker and not as form-fitting. I'm also afraid they may look a little trampish. The quality of leather on them is really good and they are overall a nice pair of boots, but the Zara pair definitely beats them. SO excited to whip these suckers out!

Quality vs Looks?

So I've always had this dilemma with myself about quality and labels. I find a lot of things I like at places like Forever21 or H&M and sometimes Target (like their GO lines). I know these places have reputations of crap quality, but when I find something I really like, I can't resist. I've never had any major problems with the quality of things from these stores. Maybe it's because I don't wear the things I get from there often or because I take care of my stuff. But then sometimes I think it's better to spend more on nicer things. You can really tell the difference in quality between the more expensive things from the cheaper. When I touch the fancier stuff, they don't make my hand feel gross. Some F21 items pull at my dry skin. Gross, right?

So anyway, that's always been my dilemma. The problem is the more expensive things are well, more expensive. So it's harder to get them and to find something I really like that I see in the cheaper stores in the nicer stores. I don't like looking in my closet and seeing mostly F21 items or things from GO lines. But I think it's because I'm a snob and I like the fancier labels. I need to get over it. If it looks good and works for me (doesn't fall apart), then who cares, right?

P.S. The Rodarte line is out and the black slipdress and leopard print dress are already sold out online. Crazy, but I don't really care. I loved them at first, but now I've gotten over it.

Here are some poorly taken photos. I can't get the lighting right. Anyhoots, one dress (bf thinks it's ugly), otk socks, and platforms. And yes I know my hanger strap is showing.

Christmas Gifting

Oh Christmas.

I tried to do most of my Christmas shopping online to avoid running around town. I got a lot of it done, but still have things left. I guess I can get that stuff offline. I finished the online yesterday because of shipping. I need it all to come by next week. I got my beloved (ha!) this plaid shirt from Topman. I was iffy about the sizing since he runs between a L and XL and I didn't want to get something too small, but then didn't want to support his current baggier clothing style. I went with the XL and luckily for me, he said his measurements were that of Topman's XL. He likes red and I think he likes plaid shirts, so here we go. First clothing item I've ever bought him. If it's too big, he can take it to the tailor.

Taupe

I have a crazy addiction to shoes. I mean, I guess I have one to all fashiony things. But shoes are a special weakness of mine. Good thing these suckers were cheap! Taupe platforms. Will wear with ankle socks and/or tights. Lurve.

I've been wanting to take photos of certain outfits, but who's going to take it for me? I don't have a tripod or anything for my camera and I don't have time to sit there with the timer trying to get the perfect shot. Maybe when I have time I'll figure it out.

A few of my most recent and favorite purchases:


H&M orange skirt. It looks weirdly shaped in the photo but it is super cute on and in person.

My Topshop Sherbert sandals!

And this suede rhinestone-studded Zara clutch. It was kind of pricey for just a clutch (I don't spend much on clutches), but I couldn't help it. I love the suede and the rhinestones all over the front and back.

Rodarte Leopard

Forget what now looks like a cheap slipdress, I need THIS Rodarte for Target leopard print dress as seen on Dakota Fanning. December 20th come quicker.

Chanelllllllll

Love Chanel ads.

Stuck in a Rut

This frigid Los Angeles weather has got me in tights and coats. I've noticed though, that my cold weather wardrobe centers around blacks, whites, and other similar neutrals (but no heather gray!). It's lacy, frilly, stripey, all very Parisienne. It's very much my style and to my liking, but now my problem is... I'm a little sick of it. I want some more pizazz. It seems like most of it is little black skirts, black dresses, tights, some version of a basic black pump, black boots, striped sweaters, black or black/white coats. While I've always loved this look (of course, it's why I own all these things), I'm a little bored. I've wanted to throw on my MAC Russian Red, but think it's too bold and too much for work. What to do? In this cold ass high of 50 degree weather, It's difficult for me to wear anything bare-legged or bare-footed. Jeans are super cold to throw on in 30-degree morning temperatures, even if I throw em in the dryer for 10 minutes.

For example, today I'm wearing a ruffled 3/4 sleeve pale pink top with a lacy flouncy black skirt. I'm wearing black knit tights, and a black and silver wedge. I threw on my Erin Fetherston for Target black heart coat over it and I was done. I was contemplating accessories, but since I'm spending the next few days at boyfriend's, I figured I'd leave them there and lose them.

Hmm. I don't know. Maybe I'm normally okay with it, but today I'm just in a funk.

Rodarte for Target

So here's a better photo of the Rodarte for Target slipdress I adore above (right). It looks a little cheap in the bust area, but I'll have to see in person. I like bows, but the bows might be too much. I'm sure I can remove them if I want. As for the sequined rib cage dress, er, no thanks.

Classic Heels

While I respect the trendier shoes with the cages, the gladiators, the cutouts, the big fat ugly Balenciaga inspired wedges (ahem Ashish, JC, and Sam Edelman), I will always love the classic ones the most. For example, the lovely Christian Louboutin Pigalle. This is one of the first CL styles I'd ever seen (the Clichy was first and the Decollette, Yoyo Zeppas were second) and everything about it is perfect. The height, the straight up and down stiletto heel (you know how some shoes have a curvier heel at the base? I don't like that), the patent leather, and the overall shape. Currently available on Net-A-Porter for $565.

Holiday Topshop Favorites

I LOVE TOPSHOP. Some things from their Jubilee line I LOVE LOVE. I went on Topshop's website and got all nervous because I wanted everything from the line. I purchased the Sherbert heels (above) because how can I not? Black and white, super high heel, bows. All of my favorite things. I would've been totally tempted to also get the Sparkle Sequin Skirt if it weren't completely sold out. Love the tweed pearl clutch as well, but I figured I probably wouldn't use it much. Can't wait to get the heels.