Halloween Inspiration

It's barely September, but as fast as the days go now, it'll be Halloween in no time. My inspiration for this year's costume comes from the Fall Dior RTW show. I loved this show from the beginning, and recently got the idea from a Dior Karlie Kloss ad in one of my September issues. LOVE the dark Johnny Depp-esque equestrian theme, and I may mix it with some vampire. I know, I know, vampires are so trendy. But I've always loved them, ever since my Buffy-watching days. Plus I think the two themes mesh well together. The idea in my head is to do one of the more dramatic looks (since it is Halloween, despite this being ready-to-wear) with the big leather coats, or a fur-trimmed sweater. I'd add one of the crazy mad hatter hats, a feminine frilly dress, ruffle otk socks, and crazy hair. I hope I can find all the items I need!

Little Patent Delight

Just got my Mulberry for Target bag yesterday, and like I said, once you remove the charms, it's a great little bag! It looks better held than it does on its own, so it looks much better in person than it does in these photos. It's not TOO small (fits my wallet, big sunglasses case, some makeup, phone), and the materials are all manmade, but it's Mulberry for Target not Mulberry for Barneys. Overall, a great inexpensive purchase for someone wanting a little taste of Mulberry without shelling out the $1000+.

Sweat it out

Alexander Wang Mohair Boatneck Sweater

Kimberly Ovitz Silk and Cashmere Cardigan

Etoile Isabel Marant Striped Wool-Blend Sweater

Catherine Malandrino Oversized Cashmere Sweater

Preen Mink Angora Satin Sweater

Alexander Wang Draped Wool Sweater Dress (one of my favorites)

Stella McCartney Cashmere and Wool V-neck Sweater

Stella McCartney V-neck Wool Oversized Sweater

Sweaters have always been one of my favorite pieces of clothing, but I am currently obsessing over them more than usual. Maybe it's because they're sprinkled all over my usual shopping sites for fall or because I've been in a minimalist mood lately. The sweaters that tickle my fancy aren't overly designed or trendy, I prefer knits that are basic and well-made. I like them fitted, loose and drapey, cardigan style, chunky, long and tunic-like -- I basically love them in all forms. They look a bit ordinary and boring in photos, but it really comes down to the styling. Add a belt, throw em over printed dresses and skirts, style your hair perfectly, pair them with busier items or with equally minimalistic pieces, whatever you do, sweaters are as versatile as they are practical. As much as I adore coats and jackets, purchasing them is almost a waste of money living in Southern California. Sweaters are the perfect lighter, cooler alternative for this city that lacks seasons. Some of my favorites pictured above. These are all pricier sweaters, but for a staple that never goes out of style, the extra money is more than worth it.

Mulberry on Gilt

Click on photo for clearer quality

As expected, with their highly coveted Alexa and Bayswater bags, the early release of the Mulberry line for Target on Gilt.com has caused a frenzy. I've read mixed reviews online based on the photos of the four bags released - many say they resemble cheap Juicy Couture bags. I can see how this comparison is made; however, I think once the tacky elementary heart charms are removed from the bags, they are actually quite nice. After much debating, I went for the black patent Bayswater-esque satchel. Like everyone else, I wish they had made these bags in more desirable materials like canvas or brown leather (the dream!), but I think the black patent leather (the site says leather, real? Must be, right?) is still a pretty chic bag once the charms are removed. I kind of also hoped they would have come with shoulder straps, but I guess I can't have it all.

If you missed out, the line releases in Targets in October.

P.S. I know the photo above is sucky quality, but if you click on it you should be able to get a better view. Or just go to Gilt.com.

Maryjane

UPDATE 8/18: People are questioning the quality and comfort of these, which is expected for Forever 21 shoes. The quality is what you would expect from $20-something shoes (manmade materials, little bits of glue showing if you look up close), so if you're looking for some long-term maryjanes, I suggest getting the actual Miu Mius or another high end brand. If, however, you like them because they're cute but don't plan on wearing them much, get these! Even with the 5" heel, these are pretty comfortable (the platform helps).

UPDATE 2:15 PM: Just went to the F21 near work and they had all kinds - black, polka dot, and the lovely daisy pair above! Just like the ones posted earlier here. Got both the daisy print and the solid black! Cheap and poorly made, probably. But how often am I going to wear these anyway? $26 worth, that's how much.

Fast fashion retailer Forever21 has some Miu Miu inspired platform chunky heeled Maryjanes out! Very inexpensive and very similar to the Miu Miu pairs. Word on the street is that the site only has the polka dot, but that stores are also carrying the solid black pair as well. Even if they're made from cheap materials and probably won't last very long, for about $26, how can you go wrong?

Perfect Undies

Move over Cosabella!

Underwear has not always been one of the top categories in which I do most of my purchasing. Since it goes underneath and I'm always clothed, I can't enjoy its prettiness. Recently though, I've found a lot of my underwear to be too tight, causing fat rolls to push out and show through clothing (nasty), or uncomfortable due to ill fit. I decided I needed to invest in some good, high quality undies and had heard from several people that Hanky Panky and Cosabella were great. So I purchased pairs of both, but found Hanky Panky to be too big even in XS and Cosabella was pretty good, but a little overrated for the price. Both were also about $18 a pair, which is pretty expensive for just one pair of underwear.

This weekend I found myself in need of some emergency underwear. I only had one pair with me while staying at boyfriend's and hadn't packed extra. So while perusing Victoria's Secret, I found Pink's Cheeksters. They look very similar to the Cosabella Ever Low Rise thongs, and come in a variety of prints and solid colors. I got 5/$25, much better than the price tag of $18 for a single pair. When I got home and tried them on, I was amazed! They fit PERFECTLY, much better than Hanky Panky or Cosabella, and weren't too tight, loose, or anything. I got them in black, nude, blue w/ black lace and rhinestones (in photo), pink print, and blue and white stripes. I am not new to VS underroos, but have never found any particular style to fit that well (they have one line of really pretty underwear but that run EXTREMELY small). Now with their Cheeksters, however, my quest for perfect everyday underwear is over. I hope VS never discontinues these!

Get 'em here.

P.S. I kind of wanted to name this "perfect panties" for the alliteration but I don't like the word "panties". For some reason it's always sounded dirty to me.

New Hobby

So I've gotten into this thing in the past year or so with wanting to decorate an apartment I do not have. My room is great and all, but it's a bit small since my bed takes up the entire space. Not too long ago, I purchased the armoire posted here, and it took up any free space I had left. I still need a bookshelf for all my books that lay cluttered along my walls, and I would also like some additional but unnecessary decorating items. I have visions in my head of a future studio/apartment with shiny hardwood floors, crown molding, and pretty French balconies. I don't plan on moving out anytime soon, so this new little penchant for pretty home things must come from either boredom or reaching a quarter-century realization that I am getting older and may need some home items.

A few weeks ago on lunch, I visited the TJ Maxx nearby. The clothes leave much to be desired, but I go here sometimes to look for novelty soaps, inexpensive shoes, and home stuff. I found these Shabby Chic-ish plates that I loved but had absolutely NO reason to buy. I don't need plates, I don't even know what I would do them until I have my own place. I got them anyway. I also found some crystal candlestick holders that were so pretty and would look great with the plates on an imaginary dinner table. These I passed on, but I still think about them. Along with the plates, I also have a duvet, matching shams, towels, frames that have no place in my room, etc.

So here I am collecting various pretty things for a nonexistent apartment. A lot of it doesn't even go with each other so when I actually have to use them, they will either mismatch or be useless. I like the shabby chic look, but not TOO shabby chic (I hate it when people call broken run-down crap "shabby chic" when really it's just old junk), and I love the black and white floral-y prints like the little photos on the side of my blog. But both don't really go together and I have items for both motifs. I guess I'll figure it out when it is necessary for me to use these things in an actual place of living!