Paris dreaming (and missing). Some of my favorite photos from my September trip.

I don't care if this is old news, but I've been looking for bow blouses for a couple years now. I love them. So feminine and so 70s. I love them with high-waisted flare jeans and a vest. Or with a jumper. They look good on their own or with something over them, showcasing just the bow, like the mannequin at H&M above. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best luck in my search. I thought it was a pretty trendy top, but couldn't find many that fit how I wanted it to look and my price range. I actually think the best ones are made of a chiffon-y material so the bow flops over perfectly (but not too much), but I couldn't find any (except for a French Connection one, but they were sold out).

I finally found one that would work at Juicy Couture on sale. White, short puff sleeves, and only half-buttoned. I had to get it taken in because it was too boxy. It's a little difficult to get on and off because of the half-buttoned style, but it works. But I still wanted a longer sleeve one and found the one above at H&M this weekend in San Francisco. I had the salesperson sell me the one on the mannequin because they were sold out otherwise. The problem was it was the wrong size. I bought it anyway, thinking I could take it in if I couldn't find one in my size. Luckily, I found one in a 4 at the 3rd St. Promenade location tonight. I also purchased a little black blazer with a little ruffle at the top of the sleeve (top photo). I think the current longer boyfriend blazer style is overdone. Bring on the shorter blazers!

Too bad the H&M Jimmy Choo stuff was INSANE. I love things like designer collaborations, but to wait in line overnight? I might love a full night's of sleep more. I just didn't think it was worth it. Plus, I was up north this weekend and the weather was frigid. There was no way I would wait in line. So of course every Jimmy Choo for H&M item has popped up on eBay for several hundreds (and some thousands, crazy) of dollars. I love the over the knee boots, the zebra studded heels, and the blue suede dress. Higher prices but good quality. Real leather! I don't need any of these items, but I love the color of the blue suede dress with the low back.

I know I should post photos of when I'm wearing something worth posting, but I don't really have a good time to do it. The problem is mainly the lighting. In the morning, I'm in a rush to get ready and get to work. By the time I'm off work, it's too dark and I don't like the artificial lighting. I think clothing looks best in natural light. So here is one I had as my Facebook photo for a while, and really, the only one I have. It was outside work.

I know the belt is too big and sloppy looking, but that's just how it ended up in the photo. Normally I'd make sure it wasn't flopping over like that. Anyway, the skirt is Asos, the white shirt just a basic white shirt from Nordstrom BP I believe, I forget where the navy cardigan is from, DKNY opaque tights, BCBGirls basic black patent pumps, Zara belt, and Deere Colhoun bag.

Sorry...

You know what shampoo/conditioner sucks? Yeah, that one above. Organix Pomegranate Green Tea shampoo. Actually, this one isn't as bad as the Coconut Milk one, which sucks even more. I bought the Coconut Milk one first because I love coconut smell and it was buy one, get one free. But the shampoo and conditioner do nothing for my hair. It actually makes the texture worse than its natural texture. My hair ended up feeling dry and straw-like. Now maybe I'm a fool, but I bought the Pomegranate one after the coconut because I LOVED the smell. It smelled like an Anthropologie candle. Unfortunately, it had the same effect on my hair as the coconut one. My hair isn't even difficult to please when it comes to shampoo. I can use cheap shampoo and it'll be fine. Maybe it's because this kind is organic. I don't need my shampoo to be organic. I just want it to smell good and make my hair feel semi-soft (not TOO soft!).

If I could find this shampoo, I'd go back to it - Bed Head Manipulator.



This smells like a coconut tropical vacation. It smells great, lathers up great, and leaves my hair with the perfect smell and texture. More expensive, but way more worth it.

Often in the midst of awake/asleep in the early mornings, I think of crazy things. I remember where that one receipt was that I couldn't find. I remember I need to do something that I otherwise had forgotten while awake. Today's early morning thought was knee socks and the whole 1995-Clueless look. I loved it when it was popular, even though I was only 10. I remember always wanting a pair of knee socks and the perfect skirt or dress to go with it. Unfortunately at 10, I wasn't able to find or get these. Anyway, I thought of this whole style as becoming popular again. Everything always comes back around, right? The 80s and early 90s have already returned. It's only time until Cher, Dionne, and Ty's style is all over the place. Little plaid skirts, baby tees, maryjanes, pastel (not so much my thang, I admit), mini backpacks. It'll be updated, probably a little more mature and less little girl-ish. In the meantime, I'll be stocking up on knee highs.

So excited. I just impulsively purchased some red Valentino for Wolford tights from Rue La La. I thought about them for a while since they're pretty pricey for just a pair of tights, but gave in (it helps that they are both Valentino and Wolford). I imagined them with all my black skirts, dresses, and coats. I thought they'd be perfect for Christmas. This is my first pair of Wolfords, and they're Valentino red!

I tend to be drawn to black, white, creams, and neutral colors like these (except light or heather gray!), but I also enjoy color. I love the perfect shade of red with black or black/white combo.

I'm sorry Topshop, and every other crazy girl who loves these shoes, but I think these Animal Print Wedges are the ultimate FUG, and any other shoe with a similar style. I can almost see them as tranny heels (not good looking tranny heels, we know what those look like). This is what I mean by blindly following trends. I've seen this style of shoe on several other sites/blogs, with tons of people raving about them. WHY? They are so ugly. I love animal print when done correctly, but this is NOT an example of it. I think the ugliness in this horrid shoe is obvious. How come no one else sees it?

Fornarina Wedges

I love these Fornarina suede wedges. I had like 3-4 pairs of moccasin-style shoes in high school and these remind me of an updated, less cheap version of those. If I had $200 to throw down on these, I'd pair them with some navy or cream colored knee socks and a skirt. I love it.

Never was really into Jessica Simpson shoes but I think it's because of my snobbiness of the label. I've gotten over it though with my first pair not too long ago. Now I need the Delanie maryjanes above. I love a straight up and down sky high heel and a wide band. I also love these Victor loafers (below). I think they'd look great with dark blue straight or wide leg pants/jeans (in this color).

I feel really guilty because I just went to the ghetto mall (it's the closest shopping to work!) and bought two pairs of cheap 100% synthetic material-ed shoes. One pair were just some slightly more stylish flip flop style black sandals. I needed some! And I needed them to be cheap! But now I'm questioning their cheapness because they're SO cheap, and I'm not even sure how good they look with what I needed them for. The sandals were from some super ghetto cheap store for $20 (should be cheaper). The other pair are the ones above from Forever21. I've always been against shoes from places like Forever21 because they're so cheaply made. Materials, craftsmanship, everything. But I tried these on and I really liked them. So guilty. AND when I got back to work I found these on their website that I like even better!


I also have to confess something else. I own ANOTHER pair of Forever21 shoes. I got them as a last minute thing for going out. They're some strappy heels. Wannabe Louboutins with a red sole. Those look good on my feet too! I can't give into all the synthetic faux suede and leather materials. But they're cheap and they look good! WHAT DO I DO?

Where is fall? I shouldn't ask. I've lived in southern California my entire life and I don't think I've ever had a real fall. As kids when we learned seasons, they'd show us trees with red, yellow, and orange leaves for autumn. These trees don't exist in my part of the world.

I miss the Paris trees. Tuileries and the ones in the Palais Royale area (above).

I think I'm so attracted to fall not because I've never really experienced it and not because of the fashion (fall fashion is my favorite), but because of its romance. I've always thought of fall as romantic. Maybe it's in the trees.

Marc by Marc Baby Q Aidan

Whenever I quit being broke, I hope to get this Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Baby Q Aidan in the wine color above. I saw this at Galleries Lafayette in Paris in person and I loved it. It was so soft and the color so rich.

Today's very basic outfit in backwards order of photos:

Silver gladiator sandals my sister got us in Paris. Black toes for Halloween!

Gray dress with button-up sleeves. It's a horrible photo since I took it myself from my phone, and you can only see half of it. Imagine a loose-fitting, loose-sleeved, tie waist, button up, above-the-knee dress. James Perse-esque (but not, it's from a cheap store on Melrose).

And my everyday, very practical Deere Colhoun Sienna bag.

I would've snazzed this up a bit had I been at my apartment to add some accessories. But I was at BF's place and had forgotten some jewelry. Whatever, I'm just at work. Next time!

Leopard Love

A lot of people think leopard verges on slutty. I think it can, but if done right, can look sophisticated. I've been on the hunt for a faux leopard coat forever. I've found jackets, but I want a full on coat with just the perfect print. Ebay has tons, but these always end at several hundred dollars. My leopard inspiration comes from stylistas such as Kate Moss and Edie Sedgwick (the photo is of Sienna Miller as her in Factory Girl).


While in London last month, I lost my Topshop virginity and spent 2 hours in the massive Oxford Circus store. I found the perfect leopard coat, but unfortunately, all the smaller sizes were sold out. Right away, I checked the website, but it wasn't there. A few weeks later when I was home, I found it online. I waited a bit, and then it sold out. I went crazy. I regretted not buying it immediately and second guessing myself. I knew it would sell out, I just didn't know it would be gone within hours of me finding it. Luckily for me, I am an obsessive shopper and found it on Ebay for a cheaper price, brand new, in my size. I was relieved. I just found out they make the coat in petite sizes as well, but these are also all sold out in the smaller sizes. "Petite" according to Topshop is 5'3" and under. I am 5'4" and bought the regular, non-petite size. I hope this isn't too large. If it isn't perfect, I know I can sell it and at least get my money back, if not more. Excited to receive it!

If you know me, you know one of the details I love in clothing are ruffles. You would also know I love coats. So it would be no surprise that I would love this Pin Tuck Frill Coat (above) from Topshop. Unfortunately, I already have too many coats, including a black skirted one (although this one is blue, but looks black doesn't it?). So someone else should get this! Skirted coats look best with skinny jeans, tights, or other slim silhouettes to balance out the fullness of the skirt.

My Favorite Boot

I've had a pair of vintage black thigh high boots for 2 or 3 years now, and I loved them when I first got them, but the love faded a bit when the heel got scratched and when I realized they didn't fit as closely as I'd like them to. Now that over-the-knee and thigh high boots are EVERYWHERE, I've fallen in love again. Not with my specific pair, but with the runway ones. They're borderline hooker, but so much is inspired by streetwalkers nowadays, isn't it? Look at all the tranny heel heights and styles recently. They're all over. Trannies are inspiration. Anyway, I love these Stella McCartney ones in faux leather above. These all reach so high on the thigh that they can almost replace pants! Here are my favorites thanks to Net-A-Porter:

Studded Halston


Brian Atwood suede:

Roberto Cavalli:
And of course the lovely Chloe:

DROOL.

Things I currently need right now, this second, by Jeffrey Campbell:

These Michelle Ruffle heels. They're knock-offs of some Alexander McQueen heels, but I can't afford McQueen! I need in black AND pink. I need them! I love ruffles, especially ruffles on heels! Aside from the McQ, they remind me of some Nina Ricci heels I saw on Gilt not too long ago but missed out on:



These OMG mixture of Hannah-McGibbon-for-Chloe/Rodarte strap wrap wannabe boots. They're faux leather which sucks but I need them!!

Repetto

Inside the Rue de la Paix Repetto store, Paris

Before my Paris/London trip, I bought two books, "Chic Shopping Paris" and "Patisseries of Paris", both by the same publisher. They are cute purse-sized books and give wonderful recommendations. Although I didn't get to go to all the stores and dessert places I wanted (like this place called Stohrer that had fresh cream and caramel filled puff pastries, mmm), I did go to several I loved. One was Repetto. I know you can buy Repetto at several places like Saks here in the U.S., but it's completely different to buy them from the original store in Paris where they all started. I bought a basic red patent pair. I haven't worn them yet because I'm afraid of ruining the prettiness and the lovely suede soles.

I think everyone should own some Repetto ballet flats. They are very basic, but they'll also never go out of style. Sure, you can buy ballet flats anywhere for much cheaper, but Repetto are the original. Plus, the bag, box, and wrapping are so pretty.

Closet Solutions

My closet at home is a mess. My boyfriend laughs because I told him I don't know the possibilities of it when it's in such disarray. But it's no laughing matter. The problem is it's too small. I have no room. Everything is shoved in there, and a lot of it isn't even in there because it's at boyfriend's place or it's shoved into my also too-full dresser. I'll upload photos of my closet tonight so you can take a gander.

Since moving is not a current option, my temporary solution was going to be a cheap little wardrobe from Ikea. I'd put my fancier dresses in it. Or maybe my coats. I don't know. But it would help tons.

My shoes are another problem. They are shoved into two big giant plastic tupperware type boxes. On top and around those giant tupperware type boxes are more regular cardboard shoe boxes. And then there are other boxes filled with miscellaneous items like scarves, clutches, belts, etc. My solution to my shoe problem was two options - the shoe wheel, or these individual plastic shoe boxes they sell at The Container Store.


I've had these closet problems for quite some time now, but fail to do anything about them. Once I pay off some debts and get back to my normal financial situation, I'll need to get these. My closet isn't getting bigger but my wardrobe is (although it shouldn't be now, since I am very poor). I think a disorganized closet can really hurt style and outfit possibilities. If you aren't aware of the clothes/shoes/accessories you have, how can you turn them into something great?

I know I always should post more, but there's so many things I want to post about, and no time. I'll try to be better about it, but can't do much until my Internet at home works (I'm at work now, sshh).

Anyway, I need these. I have no money since I spent it all on my lovely trip to Paris and London, so someone else will have to buy me these Pour La Victoire Eden heels/booties whatever they are.

I think they'd look great with a full skirt or some skinny jeans. But I think I pair everything with a full skirt or skinny jeans.


Look! They're on sale too for $160 from $284! What a steal! Someone buy me them! They are also on sale on the Urban Outfitters site for only $70. Unfortunately, my size is sold out (ALWAYS). So you will have to buy them for me from Zappos. Size 6.5 (available) please.

Maybe if I win the Lotto tonight I can get them.

THIS Alexander McQueen "Flower Sandal" is on Gilt right now for $398 from $1605 retail. Still expensive, but also a huge discount. I remember seeing these on the runway and all over.

I want it!

I wish I had more time to write. Unfortunately, work and being a "grown-up" get in the way. I miss the days of college, except minus the school part.

So, I've made a list of a few things I need to write about in future posts so I don't forget in my crazy days of work and life:

Lookbook.nu - a bunch of people who shop at Urban Outfitters trying 29130123 trends at once who have tons of time to sit around and dress themselves up for the camera. No thanks. Nothing will beat my beloved Sartorialist.

Current/Elliott Boyfriend Jeans - Am I the only one who thinks they're ugly as hell? Celebrities seem to heavily disagree with me.

XO to this Alexander Wang sweater. I love his inspirations for his current collection.

Chloe Paraty

I need this Chloe Paraty bag, but have absolutely NO MEANS of paying for it. I have dreams about it. I prefer the black python one, but I love the brown as well. I fell in love with it sometime last year when I flipped open an Elle magazine to find the Chloe ad with some blonde faceless girl holding it. I loved it so much that I ripped out the page and posted it on my bulletin in my cube at work. I then saw the brown in person at The Grove Nordstrom and decided then that I HAD to devise a plan to obtain it. I think there are pictures floating around of Katie Holmes and an Olsen twin with the black python version. Those lucky bitches.


Can someone lend me $3000 or so? Or not lend, because let's be honest, $3000 is like my entire yearly salary. So can someone just GIVE me $3000?

Some people are always amazed by the deals I find on things. I tell them it's really not difficult if you put the time and effort into looking for what you want. I think anyone as crazy and obsessive about clothes/shoes/purses/etc. as I am has the same luck, if not better. First thing to do? Join sample sale websites.

I'd been looking for the perfect sleek expensive-looking flat boot for the past year and a half when I came across these boots by Charles Nolan on ideeli.com:

The patent croc makes these "Mallory" boots perfect. Plus, I just got a great deal on the Deere Colhoun Large Sienna bag with patent trim. Matchy, matchy. I love great deals. If you don't have a membership to HauteLook, Gilt, RueLaLa, Ideeli, or any others I may be missing, get one! The deals are fabulous, and even though high demand items may sell out quickly, you can do everything from the comfort of your bedroom, instead of driving to some warehouse downtown to wait in line for 45 minutes.

I also got these Jill Stuart boots from Gilt not too long ago:

I'm not really sure what to say about them except that I LOVE THEM. I haven't even worn them once yet, but I LOVE THEM. Partially why I love them so much is the deal I got on them. I paid way less than half retail and I had credit on my Gilt account, which made them even cheaper. These suckers come straight off the Jill Stuart runway and look great with everything.

The Deere Colhoun bag I got is actually not from one of the sample sale websites, but from RevolveClothing. It was already on super sale, and I had a code that made it even cheaper than it already was. I love big designers like anyone, but I also like to support smaller designers. A lot of great things come from smaller designers, and it makes me feel better that it's unlikely I'll run into people in the street with the same bag (or whatever) as me.

So if you love something, ANYTHING, look for it. Search for it, do your homework, and you're bound to find it. Ebay is another good source for things that are sold out or rare items.

It should be noted that I rarely -- if ever -- use the word "love". Except with this. Maybe I need help? Nah.

P.S. I haven't written in forever, and I realize my writing sounds awkward.

There are always things I have on a list titled "TO BUY", but somehow never buy. A lot of it has to do with the fact that there are thousands of things I want at any given time (materialistic bitch I am), and I only have limited dinero to do obtain them all. These are a few that have failed to make it into my hands and onto my body:

Hunter Wellies. I know a lot of the reason I haven't gotten them yet is because it rains maybe at the most, oh I dunno... 20 days a year in LA. Which would mean I could wear them for those 20 days (MAX), and that's it. You can't really wear wellies in bright sunshiny dry weather and land, can you?

Kork Ease Bette in chocolate. These are timeless (and so are the wellies) and the reviews on Zappos are CRAZY for them. They go with tons, are super comfortable despite the height, and are still stylish all at once.

Ahhh. The Ralph Lauren Boys blazer. I have one, actually. But the problem is it's meant for an 8 year old boy -- not 23 year old girls. I just need a larger size, so that I can actually move my arms without the armpit of the jacket digging into mine. It currently resides in the trunk of my car, waiting to be replaced by a larger sized one.

So the theme is a classic one. I guess I put off buying them because I know they'll always be around, so no hurry. But those blue crazy print Cynthia Vincent d'orsays? I snapped those up in a jiffy. I really need to prioritize my shopping list.

If I needed another pair...

I would totally get these Luella Retro tortoiseshell sunglasses. It's a nice change in shape from so many of the big oversized styles that have been around for who knows how long now, and of course the Wayfarer (not that there's anything wrong with either - I have both). And I'm a girly girl, so I heart the hearts.

Fat Bitch is so quiet you think she's dead?

I'm still here. Fashion surrounds me and dominates my mind constantly. Why I don't write abot it more? There's so much going on (fashion-wise) and so little time to do so. By the time I get to writing, fashion has changed a million times over and I don't even know where to start.

I've been on the quest to mix it up a little bit. I'm a denim whore, and while I still love denim, I need some other bottoms to change things up. Dresses, skirts, different pants, you know. I've also been buying a lot of basics. I love them, but they do get quite boring and predictable. I don't shop much at the juniors BP section at Nordstrom anymore, but the BP brand Rubbish has great fitting basic tees for cheap.

Do you ever feel guilty about buying magazines like Lucky or Elle because after you look through it you want EVERYthing and realize you should've put the $7 or so you spent on the magazines towards the fashion? Or is that just me?

Looking forward to fall. Fall is the best season for fashion. Coats and tights are my favorite. Every year it's almost the same... boots, tights, whatever. It's exhausting trying to keep up with the trends. I think that's why I've indulged in so many basics lately.

Crazy flashy and maybe a little over the top. I love them! Christian Louboutin Donjon boots.

Now to find a grand...