Black Friday Wishlist

1. Faux Fur - Express - (Minus the) Fur Vest

2. Luxe Pants - Gap - Stretch Velvet Always Skinny Jeans

3. Accessories for my future new toy, only a few more days till my contract is up on my ancient bb! - J.Crew - Glitter iphone Case

4. Leopard Accessories - Stuart Weitzman - Leopard Print Calf Hair Pump

5. I need a new camera - Canon - S95

iDone it...

... and iLove it!

Petite Sizing

{Ann Taylor - Overlapping Placket Long Sleeve Blouse}

At 5'-2" tall, I definitely consider myself "petite."  Ironically though, I only own a handful of petite-sized garments.  I attribute this mainly to the fact that most retailers/brands do not carry petite selections; and I also find that when I do come across a petite item, the proportions are short and wide, and overall ill-fitting.  Ann Taylor, however, is known to be petite-friendly and almost all their styles are available in petite, especially online.  So during their recent 40% off everything sale, while putting this blouse into my shopping cart, I found myself not knowing what size I should buy.  Since this blouse is an online exclusive, and I could not try it on in-store, I did the only logical thing, I ordered four of them!

{top to bottom - 0P, 2P, 0, 2}

As it turns out, Ann Taylor petite sizing is quite petite!  The 2 Petite is about half a size smaller (all over) than the 0 Regular.  This is how they fit:

0P - Shoulders too narrow, sleeves a little short, length too short to tuck in.

2P - Shoulders slightly too narrow, sleeves fit perfectly, length too short to tuck in.

0 - Shoulders fit, sleeves a little long, length perfect to tuck in.

2 - A little big all over.

I kept the 0 Regular, and returned the rest.  Another puzzling petite "miss" for me.  Does anyone else find that petite-sizing is too short?

Ann Taylor 40% off everything sale

{Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt}

Last week, I succumbed to Ann Taylor's 40% off sale again (I went a bit crazy here, purchasing an excessive four silk blouses, but haven't regretted it one bit!). I love the quality of the clothes, but rarely shop in the store as I tend not to find too many things I really have to have--some of the styles of pants (the wide-legged pants look horrible even on the models) and tops (people who know me know that I dislike cowl-necks!) are a bit questionable for me and stuffy feeling, and I just don't understand those cheap looking printed wrap dresses they always seem to have. I do, however, think it is a great place to find costume jewelry, great quality scarves, and simple basics in small sizes like camisoles, pants, skirts, and blouses. And I'm hoping that when my shoes come in the mail they fit me because they are so pretty and simple and well-cushioned (I tried them on in the store but they didn't have my size), and look like the perfect work pump. 

I ordered the Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt and Tweed Pencil skirt, because although I tend not to like pencil skirts, these two skirts have really unique details that I think keep them from being too boring. I love the lace overlay (as usual) on the first one, and the "flap detailing" and exposed zipper on the tweed skirt (I'm also a huge fan of tweed!).

{Tweed Pencil Skirt with Leather Zipper Pull}

I also ordered the patent pumps as a more sophisticated and classic alternative to the black platform pumps I wear pretty much every day, and the python pumps on a whim just to see what they look like in person.  I love neutral and monochromatic animal prints, and I love that these pumps are shades of gray, which would probably fit right into my current wardrobe.

 

{Perfect Patent Pump}

{Perfect Pump - Mini Python} 

I also had my eye on this blouse, I loved the gold buttons and mustard color, but couldn't get over the random trench flappiness going on at the shoulders.  I also loved these suede platforms which I was surprised to see because I think they're quite edgy for Ann Taylor.  They're pretty expensive and when I tried them on they felt really thin, like they'd stretch out a lot or fall off, which could result in some pretty traumatic ankle-bending embarrassing moments.  Also, the toe cleavage was a bit obscene.

{Silk Trench Shirt and Lucia Suede Platform Wedge}

Anyone else score anything at the sale?

Miu Miu Me

A few weeks ago, I made a quick trip to the Nordstrom Rack near my work.  I had wanted to pick up a few Bliss beauty products, which are sold at a dramatic discount there.  Since I had some time to take a leisurely lunch-hour, I browsed the entire store.  I finally made my way to the racks of shoes (this Nordstrom Rack did not have a separate designer shoe section),  and that's when I caught a glimpse of a blush nude patent pump.   

I had been searching for years for a blush nude pump and last year I finally found the perfect pair in the Miu Miu Platform Pumps; I loved everything about them, just not the price tag.  For months I went back and forth on whether I should purchase them or not until they were no longer available.

So my search continued, until that fateful day at Nordstrom Rack.  As I bent down to take a closer look, I think I actually let out a gasp, staring back at me were the exact Miu Mius I had been dreaming about.  I'm not exactly sure how these shoes ended up at Nordstrom Rack, and at less than 1/3 their retail price, but as far as I'm concerned, it was my personal shopping miracle!       

Missoni for Target

this is just stupid...

{fashionista}

That being said... I was particularly excited about the monstrous Missoni for Target collection and extremely disappointed that their website crashed and was down pretty much all Monday.  At some point during the day, I gave up any hope of purchasing any of the items I had my eye on:

However, when I got home Monday night, I checked Target.com one more time and it was surprisingly up and running.  At this point, all my favorites were long gone, but a few items were still available.  Since shipping was free, I caved into the hype and ordered a few things, mostly out of curiosity.  Has anyone seen these pieces in real-life?  How is the quality?

{floral blouse}

{pleated maxi skirt}

{chevron puzzle trays}

{and this sweater tunic for baby grace!}

I've heard rumors that Target stores will be restocking items until October 22nd... hopefully I'll get lucky and find one of those silk scarves or vases!

Summer 2011 Bucket List revisited: #1, #2

1. Take the East River Ferry to Brooklyn

A new ferry route opened up near my apartment this summer, connecting midtown Manhattan to various stops in Brooklyn, Governor's Island, & ending in Wall Street. I took the ferry a few times to Fort Greene & Williamsburg. It takes a little longer than the train, but it's a fun ride with a good breeze in your face & a beautiful view.

{view of Manhattan from the ferry as it heads to Brooklyn}

2. Williamsburg Flea Market

The Brooklyn Flea is no longer the same as the Brooklyn Bridge Sunday Flea that use to be located in Dumbo. Now operating out of 2 locations on the weekends, the Brooklyn Flea is predominantly thrift/vintage items & food stands. I went in search of a jewelry designer I saw at the Brooklyn Bridge Flea 2 years ago, but there are no vendors of that sort at the Williamsburg location. I didn't find anything I wanted to buy, but there were many interesting things to see.

Sat 10am–5pm: 176 Lafayette Ave (btw Clermont & Vanderbilt Aves), Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Sun 10am–5pm: East River Waterfront (btw North 6th and 7th Sts), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

{papa, mama, & baby second-hand Chucks}

{interesting finds at the Brooklyn Flea}

The New It Shirt

This is my new favorite shirt. It's super soft & super comfy, with roll-tab 3/4 length sleeves, box pleat front pockets, & a drawstring detail at the back.

EXPRESS Tie-Back Military Shirt

Available in Pitch Black, Liquid Grey, & Wild Orchid

I wore it on Tuesday as a tunic over a mini skirt

Rag & Bone Swinton Bandage Miniskirt
Herve Leger Signature Essentials Bandage Miniskirt
Splendid Layers Miniskirt

Just like Ashley Olsen's look (at the Prada NY Epicenter Party)

Just Jared

Fighting Eel

This is a brand that every girl needs to know about. Easy-to-wear knit items that can be dressed up or down for every occasion. Solid colored basic shapes that can be worn over & over, & bold colored prints in flattering silhouettes.

I found this dress from Fighting Eel when I was in Kauai & wore it to one of the events on our trip. It's a beautiful blue pineapple print tunic from Hanalei Paddler. It's a good thing my friend & I had the standard "what are you wearing..." conversation earlier that day, because she was planning to wear a similar Fighting Eel maxi dress in the same print! (Below on the left).

Fall 2011 looks from Fighting Eel

Head to your nearest Club Monaco

Club Monaco has THE BEST sales.

Hand crafted, 100% silk, Celeste Chemise in Natural, originally $139, marked down to $99, purchased at $39!

Intricate rayon & metallic embroidery with hand sewn caviar beads, textured sequins, & mini cup sequins.

Penelope Top in Blush with a grosgrain ribbon detail at the back drape, originally $99, marked down to $69, marked down to $49, purchased at $19!

Hand sewn clusters of seed beads.

Oversized Elsa Top in White, originally $49, purchased at $29!

An easy top that can also be worn off-the-shoulder.

With prices like these on such great merchandise, how are the rest of us supposed to compete?? These are quality items, girls, especially the embellished tops. Head to your nearest Club Monaco & get one!

Something New

{Zara Wedge Espadrilles - $39.99 on sale}

 

My go-to mall is South Coast Plaza; it has pretty much every store I regularly go to, I know the layout by heart, and I even have a special parking spot that never seems to be taken.  But this weekend I felt like taking a step out of the norm and decided to browse The Shops at Mission Viejo.  This mall is no SCP, but to my delight I was able to find some great deals on items that were not available (or out of stock) at the SCP locations.

 {J.Crew - Draped Bubble Dress - $18 on sale

Dainty Drapey Pearl Necklace (posted here) - $6 on sale (couldn't resist!)}

and... my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchase finally came in the mail!

(Cole Haan - Air Sloane in Cafe Au Lait - $120 on sale)

Food, Friends & a Bag?

{Forever 21 maxi dress & earrings; Bag from a leather shop in Florence, Italy}

On Sunday, I met T. Lynn and Rachel for lunch at the Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel. They were both in town for weddings and it was really nice to see them and catch up on each others lives.

Then we made a pit stop at Aloha Rag, where I bought a new purse!

Introducing the newest member of my handbag collection: the Celine Mini Luggage in Camel! The leather is uber soft and pebbled, and despite the bag being called 'mini', it really isn't! It'll be the perfect day bag for work and on the weekends!