Wrapped in Pink

Drape me in leathers & feathers

2011-08-25T11:37:00.004-04:00

As summer is ending and all of the Fall collections are hitting the stores, I'm feeling somewhat uninspired. This is rare for me. I completely thrive on this season as with it usually comes sweaters, boots & jeans - my favorite uniform. Lately though, I'll look in stores and see racks filled to the brim with florals (hell no), wispy fabrics (no thank you) or neon colors (kill me). I was missing that smack-in-the-face of the fall fashions I've come to love.

Then...I saw it. The new collaboration between model Erin Wasson and Zadig & Voltaire. You guys, I just about fell to the floor when I saw this. The collection channels everything I want my fall wardrobe to be - from the loose, flowing hair with feathers peeking out, to the skinny jeans + flannel shirts, to OMG THE LEOPARD BLAZER. There's a witchy/70's rock n' roll vibe to the whole thing and I am so feeling all of it.

source: whowhatwear.com

Well.

2011-08-23T15:50:00.001-04:00

Just felt the 5.8 magnitude earthquake here in Baltimore. Scared the living shit out of me, to be frank. Hope you're all safe n' sound.

What Makes Me ME

2011-06-23T15:20:00.003-04:00

Throughout people's lives, they will all have experiences and things that will make them who they are. For those of us interested in fashion, I think this stands true even stronger. Gals who dress in vintage styles can remember the first time they had their hair pin-curled & the way it made them feel. Dapper guys can remember the first time they got complimented on their suit. Everything has to start somewhere.

I thought I'd give you guys a little glimpse into what makes me me...with a little bit of fashion thrown in there, 'cause that's how I do.

1) Rock n' Roll: I know I'm like a broken record in this blog, but at the very heart of me is a dirty, 80s rocker chick. From the first time I heard Appetite for Destruction as a kid to now, that sleazy cock rock is what really gets my blood flowing. I feel younger, more alive when I hear that shit. It's what makes me want to be the bad girl who wears red lipstick, leather and ripped fishnets...and the stuff that will always make me want to learn how to do cartwheels across a line of sports cars while my hair is teased to the sky.

2) Rocky Horror Picture Show: From 1996-1999, I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight every single Saturday night at the Harwan Theater in Mt. Ephraim, NJ. Even though that was approaching 15 years ago, I still regard those years as some of the best times of my life.

My fashion took an interesting turn at that time, and some of it still sneaks into my wardrobe every now and again. I realized that instead of cursing the fact that I looked younger than I was, I should just roll with it. Therefore, I dressed like the biggest Lolita you've ever seen - schoolgirl uniforms, pigtails, lunchboxes. Hey man, judge all you want, but I looked adorable.

3) Beauty/Makeup: I don't know when my makeup obsession started, but I think it was somewhere around 2004. I was thick into Live Journal at the time, and I found a crew of ladies & gents who were so talented at the art of applying makeup that it sucked me in instantly. With them, I practiced, learned, succeeded, failed and just became generally addicted to makeup. Much of my obsession fell with MAC for the first bunch of years, but I've since spread out to other brands. To this day, I have a "makeup area" in our small one-bedroom apartment that my husband has dubbed The Makeup Command Center.

EVERYONE is shaped by experiences in their life, and I bet if you look away from the computer screen and down at what you're wearing, some of that has to do with how you grew up. Now tell me - what shaped YOUR fashion stylings?

Mixed Signals

2011-06-08T16:03:00.005-04:00

I know, I know. I'm the worst blogger ever. Truthfully, it's because I'm trying to get my ducks in a row to revamp this blog a bit and start taking it in a bigger direction! We'll see if it gets there...or if I decide to just sit on the couch and eat more pizza. No, I kid I kid. It'll get there.

For now, I'm actually giving you *gasp!* an outfit post! I haven't done one of these in a hella long time, and the location isn't the best, but I felt cute yesterday and had to take a few pictures.

I bought this dress when I was in NYC in April, and I'm only just now getting to wear it. It's made of the softest cotton imaginable, which makes it great for the OMG Balls Hot(tm) weather that Baltimore has been plagued with lately. I think next time I wear it, I might swap the ribbon "belt" for a real belt...maybe in red. Hmm...

I originally had some black sandals on with this, but they made my 5' tall self look even shorter/stumpier, so I strutted on in my leopard wedges by Candies. I LOVE these babies, but unfortunately, they're nearing the end of their lives. There are currently Band Aids (yes, literal Band Aids) inside the shoe to make it so my toes don't fall through the holes that wore thin in the lining. Ew.

I paired the dress with my all-time-favorite ~~boobs~~ necklace from Missy Industry on Etsy.

I decided that for once, I'd let my hair do its thang and I left it straight and loose. It's getting so long that I don't even know what to do with it anymore!

So that's it for now! Coming up, posts on: my first impressions with a new (to me) makeup brand and...well, I suppose I can talk about it. I'm going to try to start having more "street style" on this blog. I have business cards on the way, and I'm going to start snapping the looks of people in Baltimore...and beyoonnnnddddd! It'll be hard for me to get used to just walking up to strangers and asking for their pictures, so wish me luck!

xox Linda

Edited to add: Oh holy crap, please ignore how gross my floor is in these pictures. Behind that door is my cat's litterbox, and when she leaves her box, she likes to do a fancy, gymnastics-esque dismount and kick litter all over the freaking place. It obviously made it into the picture.

We'll see...

2011-05-17T14:13:00.004-04:00

Remember that post I wrote about Beauty.com's sale that they were having? Well lo and behold, my order came in less than 3 business days. I had never ordered from them before, but I sure as HELL will be ordering from them again.

Here's what I got:

On the Left: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with Natural Mint & Shea Butter
Hi, my name is Linda...and I'm a lip balm addict. *breaks down and weeps* I blame it on being little and wanting SO badly to wear makeup, but only being allowed to laboriously apply Cherry Chap Stick. I ALWAYS have lip balm on me. After reading a few reviews, I decided to give this Jack Black balm a shot. My first impression of it is that it is THICK. You really feel it go onto AND sink into your lips. We'll see how long before I have to reapply, but right now, I'm liking it.

In the Middle: Bliss Fat Girl Slim Firming Cream
Bliss describes this product as so:
"This advanced-technology adipose antagonist (which, in layman's terms, means it visibly diminishes those dastardly dimples) features QuSome-encapsulated caffeine molecules for quick and targeted delivery of the skin-slimming stuff of choice of supermodels, spokespeople and other celebs.

clinical studies show:*
87% saw a firming effect
85% felt a slimming effect
73% noticed a reduction in the appearance of cellulite

*Results reported from an independent clinical study conducted over a 28 day period."

Now, before anyone gets their haunches up, no, I don't think that I'm hugely fat or something. HOWEVER...I ain't gonna lie...there's a pinch of somethin'-somethin' back there that isn't what it used to be. I read a bunch of reviews on this product and there are so many that seem to give this a favorable review. I'm going to start using it tonight and see where I go from there. Expect a full review...though WITHOUT pictures. I figure that the worst case scenario is that I'll have the most buttery-soft thighs in all the land.

On the Right: John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo
I wish I didn't like this shampoo. I wish I could just be content buying the same White Rain or Suave 99¢ stuff I bought in high school. When I went to a new salon and they used this, I was SOLD. You guys, this smell is pure heaven. I hate the price, but I can't live without this smell in my life.

So now that I got these three items, I have to ask....
1) What is your favorite lip balm?
2) Have you ever used any kind of moisturizer similar to the Bliss one I bought? Did it work for you?
3) What's your favorite over-priced, guilty indulgence - be it for beauty or otherwise?

SALE ALERT! Act now...srsly.

2011-05-12T14:05:00.000-04:00

Okay guys, I have info on one HELLUVA sale for you, but you have to act quickly. If you're into any beauty products at all, listen up. No, I'm not just talking about makeup here. I'm talking about shampoo, face cleansers, shaving stuff, perfumes - anything.

Beauty.com is a pretty awesome site.

It's a lot like Sephora, except for a few factors:
1) They have more brands.

2) There are actually two stores in one - Drugstore.com and Beauty.com. Drugstore.com has some of the lower-end stuff that you love, like Suave, Neutrogena, etc., while Beauty.com has the higher-end stuff, like Urban Decay, Tarte, John Masters, etc.

3) Oh, did I mention that in a lot of ways, it's CHEAPER? Not only do you get free shipping once your order hits $25, but you also get a 5% credit towards a future purchase. Awesome.

Now, if that wasn't awesome enough, they're having a FRIENDS AND FAMILY SALE, but only through Friday, May 13th (that's tomorrow). You get a whopping 20% off your whole purchase!

If that's not enough incentive for you, I HIGHLY encourage you to also try Ebates.

Ebates is a shopping portal, really. EVERY TIME you're going to do some online shopping, go to Ebates first, and find what store you want to shop at, and click the link through Ebates. When you do that, you shop as you normally would on the website, and Ebates will give you a certain percentage of CASH BACK. Yep, it's legit. They pay you quarterly, and the money can go right into your Paypal account like mine does.

Now, here's the kicker: If you do your Beauty.com shopping today by going through Ebates, not only will you get 20% off your whole order (immediately), but you'll also get 12% cash back from Ebates!! I just bought $77.50 worth of stuff for $50.84. High-end, amazing stuff.

So go NOW!! Seriously..you won't regret it.

Hurr

2011-05-11T16:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend, for the third year in a row, I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED to be going to the M3 Rock Festival here in Maryland. Basically, this festival is what Rocklahoma used to be like...before they started adding bands like Disturbed. *shudder* I mean, look at this lineup!!

Now, I'm well aware that for some, this lineup looks like the soundtrack to what they would hear if they went to hell. I know not everyone is like me and thrives on the scent of Aqua Net as much as they survive on oxygen. I know not everyone owns a teasing comb (though you should. Trust me..). Whatever. All I know is that this is my Woodstock. My Bonaroo. My Coachella.

Naturally for something like this, I start planning my "look" pretty far in advance. While I wasn't sure of the outfit yet, I was sure about the hair for the longest time. I envisioned...

Long, flowing, feathered, messy locks. It would be a bit of careless rock n' roll in a venue where there will be so many that are perfectly coiffed. And if I may digress for a second...I'm not a "fan" of Vanessa Hudgens really. I haven't even seen High School Musical...but OMG, you guys, how CUTE did she look at Coachella this year??

The loose hair, high-waisted acid-washed cutoffs, the fringed purse? Adorable.

ANYWAY. So yes! All was well and good in the world of hair. That is, until... (*cue dramatic music*)...

WHAT?! BUT NOOO!
Okay, so I realize it's not that big of a deal. It's just going to be a little frustrating being at an all-day concert in the rain.

Oh well! That'll make for some great pictures and mudslides, eh? ;) This does mean that my idea of long, flowing locks would also quickly turn into "drowned rat". So I changed up my idea a bit! I'm thinking of going with something like this, but I'll take any advice I can get.

I'm thinking...Lolita. Messy. Braids. Slightly Boho. How would you guys wear your hair on a day where you KNOW it'll be rainy?

I'll give a full report on the concert next week!!

pictures all found by Google Image search, but some sources are: examiner.com, hollywoodcelebritygossipnews.com, vanessa-hudgens.org, pinterest.com/blahdaf, fredsegalsalon.wordpress.com, myfemalecelebrities.com, queenhairstyles.com, starandstyle.com, modahairstyles.com

The Lust List

2011-04-29T14:37:00.004-04:00

I'm convinced that if tested, it would be a scientific fact: You are more likely to window-shop & find things that you "have to have" when you don't have the money to get them. I have a running list going of "Things I Will Buy Someday". Some of these items are not unreachable. They're even pretty attainable. Others are to be filed under the "If/When I Win the Lottery" file. (C'mon. You know you have one of those lists, too. I'm sure most people put cars/houses on that list. I put shoes & bags. DON'T JUDGE ME!)

With that being said, here's what's currently on my list.

Reachable

Ever since my friend, Sara (from Waitin' Round to be a Millionaire) introduced me to Blood is the New Black, I have lusted, drooled & even pet the screen looking at the t-shirts they carry. The designs are SO damn unique and badass. Their prices, while not unreasonable, are just out of reach of what I can afford to spend right now, so I hope these beauties will wait for me someday.

1) Owl Jacket Women's Crew ($44): Like they say on the store page, this shirt seriously makes me want to find a mini leather jacket for my cat. She'd hate me for life, but it would almost be worth it.

2) No War for Heavy Metal: Faded Black ($10): Obviously, $10 is NOTHING for a shirt, but they only have size XL left. I'm keeping an eye on this one to see if it comes back in stock in my size. If it doesn't, I might snag this & slice it up to fit me.

3) Wood Holly Women's Crew ($44): YOU GUYS. I CAN'T EVEN. This is the mother of all shirts. This one WILL be in my closet someday. It's too fucking amazing NOT to be.

Not Really Reachable

Yes, I understand that to be a fashion blogger, you have to like ugly shoes. Well, guilty as charged. Ever since I saw a picture a long time ago of the Olsen twins rocking those Balenciaga boots, I've been determined to have them. Obviously, that's not in my price range. BUT! These Sam Edelman "Zoe" boots aren't completely out of the realm of possibility someday! The price keeps dropping (albeit slowly) so maybe, someday, if I'm really good...

Sam Edelman 'Zoe' Boots from Zappos ($198.98)

Ain't Gonna Happen

What Is Reality Anyway has always been one of my all-time favorite fashion blogs. Always. Krystal Simpson is seriously a freakin' inspiration to end all inspirations. In a world where chiffon & "flowy" things seem to be the norm in the fashion blogging world, Krystal takes edginess to a new level. She can rock out a pair of jeans, a blazer, boots & feathers in her hair like none other.

When she announced she would be collaborating with Coach to design a bag, I was hesitant. I HATE Coach bags. The logo is everywhere and they just bore me to tears. Then, she released this beauty. You guys, I literally almost cried when I saw it. The buttery-soft leather, the heart & feather charms, the knee-length LEATHER FRINGE?!?!?! It's just...it's me. I'm not going to lie - seeing it depresses me a little bit knowing that paying $500 for a purse just isn't something I can ever do.

But a gal can dream, right? (I pray for sales. Seriously.)

Krystal Simpson for Coach Black Fringe Shoulder Bag via Hillary Rush ($498)

We all have those pipe dreams. What are yours??

Patience, Young Grasshopper

2011-04-26T16:15:00.004-04:00

Some people get high off of the adrenaline of exercise.
Others feel a rush when they take that first bite of their favorite food.
Me? I get so freaking high off of a good SALE.

Yes, I know that sounds completely lame, and maybe even like something that Cher Horowitz would say, but it's true. I can be a cheap bastard, so when I know that I've gotten a crazy good deal, I feel empowered. I feel like I can conquer the world, one shirt/purse/pair of shoes at a time. HUZZAH!!!!!!

*ahem* As I was saying..

In December, I got a fabulously pimp present from my boss - a gift certificate for Betsey Johnson. Since I was a kid, she has always been my favorite designer. Her fun use of color, shapes and her love of leopard print makes her a girl after my own heart. I saved that gift certificate, convinced that I'd find JUST the right thing to use it on.

In February, that "right thing" appeared. This dress popped up on the website:

I might have shrieked or perhaps shed a tear when I saw it. I was in lust...but at a price tag of $268, I just couldn't swing it. I made a pact to myself to stay strong. Be patient. Hope that it would go on sale.

And it did! Within about a month, the price dropped to $186. Good, but not where I needed it to be. Still, I waited. About a week ago, the price dropped again: $134. I (literally) chewed my knuckles on this one, forcing myself to wait. "Slow down, Young Grasshopper", my inner voice commanded. (What? You guys don't have an inner voice?) I held my breath.

Today, I opened up my email to see a special offer. 40% OFF ALL CLEARANCE! Within the span of approximately 3-5 minutes, I had bought and paid for the dress.

$268 (original price)
$186 (1st reduced price)
$134 (2nd reduced price)
$80.40 (40% off sale price)
$30.40 (Price after using my gift card & all discounts!!!!)

Yep. I snagged my dream dress for $237.60 off the original price. Pardon me, I'm still up on my cloud.

Now comes the best part: Basing an outfit on it! What would you guys pair with this dress?

Badass on Etsy: Dreampop Designs

2011-04-15T13:11:00.005-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! It's time for the next installment of...

When I look at my friends, I realize that I am damned lucky to be surrounded by style at every turn. We all have different styles and ways that we look/dress, but I truly believe that I have the greatest, hottest & most talented friends in the world. One friend whose style who I've always admired is my friend, Nicole. She looks like a completely fabulous mash-up of Louise Brooks, Victorian-sensibility and edginess. I don't think that just anyone can pull this off, but she manages to do it and damn - she makes it look good.

When she started designing jewelry under the name Dreampop Designs, I was completely blown away. She mixes metals, textures and shapes in ways I could never dream of, and her pieces are beyond unique. They're feminine, yet hardcore. All of them have this antique-looking quality to them. I feel like all of her jewelry looks like priceless family heirlooms handed down through generations.

Here are some noteworthy pieces:

1. Pearl Tree Necklace with Aqua/Gold Damask Design ($60): What's not to love about this piece?? I love the delicate, almost rosary-like pearls, and how amazing is that hand-clasp?

2. Bird Skull Bottle Pendant ($80): This is one of my favorite pieces. The little bird skull is hand-shaped out of polymer clay, so No Animals Were Harmed In The Making Of This Necklace. I love the copper wiring at the top, the jewels, the moss - pretty much all of it.

3. Antiqued Octopus Necklace ($125): The detail on this one is breathtaking. My favorite parts are the green glass "drop" at the bottom and the netting around the beads near the top of the pendant. Plus, it has another one of those hand-clasps I love.

4. Copper & Turquoise Bird Nest Necklace ($35): So freaking OMGprettyandadorableandOMG. I love the delicateness of the eggs/beads buried in the rawness of the copper wire. I die.

5. Bird Cuff Links for Women ($25): You guys, how ADORABLE are these?! I can just see these being that final touch on a pretty, silk blouse...or hell, even for a feminine touch on a badass leather jacket. Why not?? And for $25, how can you resist?

6. Lightbulb Pendant ($50): I saved the best for last. This is by far my most favoritist thing in the shop. Cracked lightbulb? Check. Moss INSIDE the lightbulb? Check! A freakin' treasure inside the moss?!? I'm sold.

You can also follow her blog here.

I'm not bad...I'm just drawn that way.

2011-04-13T19:41:00.002-04:00

Oh my god, you guys. I swear that I have the most talented friends on earth. When my girl Sara (of Waitin' Round to be a Millionaire fame) started sketching pictures of herself in various outfits, I asked her if I could give her some money to make one for me.

All she asked for was a few ideas for clothing vibes I was feeling right now, and she came up with this:

Topshop jacket, Amplified Vintage tee, Girlprops fringe earrings, All Saints ring, Cheap Monday studded-knee jeans, Jeffrey Campbell platforms, MAC lipstick

Seriously. Not only did she NAIL my style, but she gave me damn good ideas for things I want to snag for myself! (I'm 100% buying those Girl Props fringe earrings next paycheck. I'm also trying to figure out how to DIY stud my own jeans at the knees without hurting myself.) Plus, she's only charging $10 per person for these! That's cheaper than a few gallons of gas at this point, and oh so fun. ;)

She's taking requests, so if you're interested, hit her up on her blog and request one!

IMATS NYC

2011-04-12T20:04:00.004-04:00

I had a VERY good Christmas this year. Amongst the amazing presents I received was a gem of a gift - a two-day pass to IMATS (International Makeup Artists' Trade Show). I had heard stories from online friends about how amazing IMATS was in LA and London, and now that they were doing one in NYC, I could finally go. Being that this blog is about both fashion and makeup, I'm going to give a review of IMATS and how I felt about everything.

First, there was the line. If you go, be prepared to wait in line for 30-45 minutes at least. Everyone in the line was so happy and excited to be there, though, that the time flew by for me. Once I was in, I immediately became a moron. I walked into a sort of..hmm..let's call it a "museum". There was a display of a bunch of pure GORE and movie magic. While it looked fun, I was anxious to shop my ass off. (We'll ignore the fact that it took me a good 5+ minutes to figure out how to get to the shops. haha)

Once I was in the vending room, you couldn't beat the smile off of my face with a damned stick. It was nuts-to-butts crowded in there, and I was able to keep my claustrophobia mostly in check, but it was hard. There were people pushing and straining to get to each table. Once you got to the tables, though, it was SO worth it. The prices of everything were SO discounted, it's not even funny.

The first day, I got to meet Lauren/Queen of Blending and was pretty much floored by her. She knew who I was from Twitter (which still surprises me) and was just AWESOME in every way. We won't even talk about how absolutely stunning she was, too.

Lauren's makeup was obviously bangin'.

Shortly after that, I was walking around and got to meet the BEAUTIFUL Beth (uk_beth on Live Journal). We've chatted on the MAC Community online for years, and it was so great to finally meet her. Such a sweetie! We walked around and shopped together, snapped a few pics outside and parted ways.

The beautiful Beth!

I decided to go again the next day, but only because there were a few things I wanted to pick up, and a lot of people I wanted to see were going. Namely, these people:

Left to right: Josh/Petrilude, Lauren/QueenofBlending, Brooke/SayAnythingBr00ke, and Joy/JoyMeetsWorld.

It was funny as hell to watch Josh getting stopped every 30 seconds by another adoring fan. ;) I have to admit that I'm pretty impressed with how friendly he still is to every fan, though.

In all, I got...
- 2 glitters & glitter sealant from LA Splash
- 9 brushes & a brush belt
- 6 (!!) lip tars & a loose shadow from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
- 8 shadows in a palette from Mehron
- 1 mixing palette
- 8 pairs of eyelashes from Miss Adoro

Would I do it again? YOU BET YOUR ASS.

Here's all of the video footage I took over the two days (Warning: it's a bit long):

Badass on Etsy: Missy Industry

2011-04-06T14:28:00.004-04:00

I'm starting a new feature here on Wrapped in Pink. I'm calling it...

That's right. I'm looking for the most badass things that Etsy has to offer. I'm determined this year (and every year following) to buy as much handmade stuff as I can. There are so many hidden treasures on Etsy, and once you sign on, you're sure to be browsing for AGES. I mean come on! Where else can you find turkey leg earrings or a necklace pendant with a boob on it? BUY HANDMADE!

For my first feature, I didn't have to think twice before I decided on Missy Industry. About a year ago, I purchased a necklace from her, and since the day I received it in the mail, it has been my #1 favorite piece of jewelry OF ALL TIME. (I suppose I should offer an apology to my wedding ring, but oh well.) The craftsmanship is amazing.

In her profile, she coins her creations as "Rockin' Bling for hip boys n girls". I love how all of her pieces are completely unisex! Also, she crafts all of her jewelry out of hardcore sterling silver, so they're sure to last. My necklace has taken a beating with how many times I've worn it and it still shines.

Here are some noteworthy pieces:

1. Misfit necklace ($58): This is the necklace I own. It's hardcore, heavy metal, but it's not so heavy that it hurts the back of your neck. Completely badass and amazing construction! (Plus, I have to mention that when I met Slash, the FIRST thing he commented on was this necklace.)

2. Cameo Skull Necklace ($90): You guys, how freaking adorable is this?! It has an edge and a sweetness all at the same time.

3. Champagne Ring ($90): Whenever I see this ring online, it makes me inexplicably happy. I blame the bubbles.

4. CARDIO Silver Anatomical Heart Necklace - Mini Version ($52): The normal heart-shape on a necklace is so played out. I love the twist of having this one be anatomically-correct. I would sit and poke the aorta all day.

5. Bull Skull Necklace ($74): I die. I completely die. This is next on my "to buy" list. I MUST HAVE THIS NECKLACE!!!

6. Chainsaw Necklace ($68): Am I the only one who'd clutch this little chainsaw, make "The Chainsaw Noise" (y'all know what I'm talking about) and run around terrorizing people? Anyone?

7. Sugarskull Ring ($82): Since I started looking at her shop, this ring has ALWAYS stopped me in my tracks. The details are ridiculous.

I'm going to be featuring Etsy shops I love regularly! Let me know what you guys think!

Sugarpill!!

2011-04-05T16:05:00.002-04:00

By now, the name Sugarpill has become synonymous with OMG FABULOUS AND BRIGHT!! shadows. If you like a touch of color in your eyeshadows, or you like to rival the fanciest drag queen out there, you need to have Sugarpill in your life.

In truth, this entry is copied-and-pasted from one that I did about a year ago, but with a few updates (and a few better pictures).

(from February 2010)
When Amy/Shrinkle's new makeup line, Sugarpill, went online, I think I literally SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!ed outloud. I clicked on that link in a manner that people passing me might have thought I was insane. (Clicking, maniacally giggling, huge grin on my face. Yeah, I'm sure I looked insane.)

If anyone thought *that* looked like Crazy Town, they should have been there when I got my package in the mail last Friday. This is seriously the most amazing makeup line I've seen in years.

Everyone likes pictures, so I'll give my reviews to go along with the pics!

First of all, even the box it came in was adorable!! It was stamped with the cute Sugarpill kitty logo and had a bunch of stickers on it. Everything was packaged really well and nothing was rattling around.

I think that opening the box was the point at which I actually started clapping little claps and bouncing. Yep, I'm that lame. Again, everything was neatly and securely packaged with hot pink tissue paper. And the packaging...oh, the packaging. Every box that an item came in was BEAUTIFULLY and artistically done. The drawing is adorable. Plus, I have to admit that I liked seeing items in boxes like this. So many smaller makeup lines just throw things into little plastic baggies nowadays. The packaging alone of this line helps to make it look high-end. I'm a loser and love this packaging so much that I plan on keeping everything in the boxes.

Here are some cute promo items that came in the package. I got a GORGEOUS, glittery Sugarpill logo sticker and two "business cards". The photography on the business card is stunning.

The individual packaging is great, too! The lids of the shadows and the Chromalusts (loose shadows) all have the Sugarpill logo STAMPED on them. No stickers here, folks! And really...LOOK AT THIS PURPLE!! There's a slight hint of shimmer, but it's not overpowering. One swipe with your finger and the color is nearly opaque. It's brilliant.

Are you drooling yet?! Left to right: Buttercupcake, Poison Plum, Afterparty, Flamepoint (my favorite thus far!), Midori, and Love+. Truthfully, I've only swiped these shadows so far, but every.single.one went on smoothly and with such high-pigmentation that I was stunned. Makeup Forever? You have a serious competitor here.

Midori

These loose shadows - Chromalusts - I can't say enough about them. Even though I DROPPED ONE OF THEM seconds after opening it (and yes, I almost cried), there is so much product in these that it's not even funny. No dumpy little sample jars here, folks! You get a FULL 5-gram jar of these babies. The colors are...god, can I say "stunning" again?? I personally prefer to use these with mixing medium because it makes the colors THAT much more vibrant and opaque. If you use these dry, though, the color and shimmer still comes through like crazy! Left to right: Absinthe, Magpie (the one I dropped. *sniffle*), and the shining star of them all - Goldilux.

I have NEVER seen a more brilliant and perfect gold pigment in my life. When used wet, it literally looks as if you had melted gold and applied it to your eyelids. Since ACTUALLY melting gold and putting it on your skin would be, yanno, BAD, everyone needs this loose shadow.

Here is a pic from when I wore Goldilux to my work party:

(And in case you were wondering, yes. That pizza was delicious.)

Sorry that this is so wordy, folks! I just wanted to get the word out there about how amazing this line is.

Bucket List

2011-04-03T13:04:00.004-04:00

Since I had taken a hiatus from this whole "blogging" thing, maybe there's something I should fill people in on who don't know me too well.

When I was a youngin', more than anything, I looked up to my best friend's sisters. She had three of them, and all of them embodied what I think was awesome about the 80s. Their hair defied gravity, they wore anything that was rock n' roll, and the music they listened to was loud. I wanted to be them. Naturally, when they made 7-year old Linda a mix tape, I listened to it like it was my bible. I remember one song standing out to me in particular: "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns n' Roses.

The second the song started playing, I was sold. I remember running into the oldest sister's room and thanking her, telling her that I loved that one song. She pointed to a poster of them on the wall behind her...and my eyes zeroed in on one person in the poster.

The mess of black curls. The leather tophat. The mirrored Aviators. The lone cigarette. These are all things that a 7-year old should NOT EVER be attracted to...but oh, I was. That's when my love for Slash started. As I got older, the admiration just grew. The way the man played blew me away all through my teens and into my twenties. It became an item on my Bucket List to someday at least shake the man's hand. The respect I had just grew and grew.

In August of 2010, I was just about to delete my My Space account when I got an email: "Send us a video saying why you should be picked to see Slash in concert in Seattle and meet the man!" I figured 'Why the hell not?' and carefully made a video. Then...I got the call. I.FUCKING.WON. They were sending my husband and I to Seattle, WA to MEET THE MAN.

It was the best moment of my life to date. To know me is to see my love for Slash & rock n' f'n roll.

Cheap Thrills

2011-03-29T15:34:00.003-04:00

It's funny to me sometimes. You can buy a dress that costs you $400, a pair of shoes that cost you $200, jewels to line your neck and wrists, and a tiara to top it off. You can have yourself dripping in diamonds and expensive fabrics. Sometimes, though, it's not the most expensive or luxurious items that make you feel like a million bucks. Sometimes, it's that t-shirt you bought on a whim.

I snagged this t-shirt from Forever 21 online a few months ago. I was putting together an online order, and I needed to add one more item to throw my over order to the point where I would get free shipping. I threw a t-shirt into my shopping cart and went on my way. When I got all of my items, though, this shirt stuck out.

It fits me like a glove. The neckline flatters my "decolletage", if you will. The sleeve looseness & length sits perfectly on my upper arm. Not to mention the fact that the cotton the shirt is made of is the OMG SOFTEST THING EVER.

Basically, putting this shirt on makes me feel awesome. In it, I feel comfortable, fit, and...yes, just a bit sexy. (gasp!) It makes me feel like a badass...and all for only $12.

I suppose it also doesn't hurt to throw on some red lipstick and a fresh coating of red hair dye to make a gal feel firey.

So I ask you: What is your "item"? What seemingly ordinary item makes you feel like a million bucks the second you put it on?

GIMMEH FREE STUFF!

2011-03-24T13:36:00.002-04:00

Why hello my lovelies! Do you remember me? I haven't forgotten about you! I'm going to be starting this blog up again, as I've really missed it. It's nice to have a place where you can talk about things like fashion, makeup and savings, and all the while, you're talking about it with people who actually CARE. It's refreshing, yanno? ;)

Today, I wanted to give you guys a head's up on a certain topic.

HOW I GET FREE SHIT
Some people I know have called me the "Queen of Finding Deals"(tm) or something equally as amusing. While I don't claim royalty status, I will admit that I'm pretty damned good on getting the free/discounted stuff that the internet has to offer! Here are some tips of the trade I've learned over the years:

1) Look for online survey sites.
I've been doing online surveys for YEARS now. You take a few minutes out of your day, answer some questions online about what you bought/are planning to buy/think of a commercial and you earn points. After earning enough points, you trade them in to get rewards! Yes, it really is as simple as it sounds.

My favorite site for this is E-Rewards. They're pretty good about not making their surveys too long to take, and the rewards tend to add up really quickly. I just got my second $50 Target gift card in the mail today from them. It's completely legit and I love them! I also use E-Miles (to earn A+ credits with Air Tran Airways), and NPDOR. All awesome.

2. Save those soda caps
Coke (and all Coke products) have been running a program for years called My Coke Rewards. Every Coke product has a code on it. If you have a bottle, the code is on the cap. If you have a case of soda, you'll find it on the cardboard box. You put these codes into the website and save up your points! (And no, you don't have to save all of your caps. Once the code is in the system, you're good to go!)

This is another one that I've been doing for years. All of my co-workers and friends have even started saving the codes for me, so they add up quickly, too! I've gotten movie tickets, skins for my phone/camera, gift certificates, and a TON of magazine subscriptions. (Seriously, one year, I got all of my friends magazine subscriptions solely through using Coke points.)

3. "Like" your favorite companies on Facebook/Twitter

So many companies (including the one I work for) do special giveaways only to their Facebook/Twitter friends. If you keep an eye out, you can get some amazing deals. I've snagged free tickets to the drive-in movie theater, free bottles of Zoya nailpolish, a makeup bag stuffed with goodies from Target and a lot more.

Maybe a lot of people would be too proud to sign up for a lot of these things to be able to earn incentives, but hell - I'm not too proud! Very little gets me more high than snagging an amazing deal or something for free that I know is worth something.

What are your favorite sites/methods for snagging free stuff??

I look forward to chatting with you all again! I miss you guys! (Anyone still out there?)

Higher Ground

2010-11-22T15:31:00.002-05:00

Lately, I've been feeling that age-old emotion of the "need to purge". I look at my closet and very little in it inspires me anymore. The few pieces that DO inspire me and make me feel like a rockstar are over-worn at this point.

I was going to call this a New Year's Resolution, but let's call it a NOW Resolution. I will purge whatever I do not wear in my closet. This goes for you, hot sweater that I swear I will wear and never do. You're not exempt, gorgeous boots that I had re-soled, even though they never fit me in the first place. You too, t-shirt that the style is HOT, but I haven't worn you once.

My plan is to use the money I make from Ye Olde Purging (tm) and put it towards a new batch of clothes - ones that are of higher-quality. This means I will have to ban myself from looking at Forever 21 for a while. *sniffle* I'll make do somehow.

This picture has been inspiring the hell out of me lately.

We'll see where it goes from here...

Well hello!

2010-11-08T16:49:00.002-05:00

Hello there! I suppose after not posting on here for SO long that I figured this blog would sort of fade into the mist of every other fashion-type blog out there. I have to admit, though - I'm still surprised when once every few weeks, I get notification that someone has commented on a past blog!

I am thinking of starting this little baby back up again. Seeing where it takes me. I miss writing, and I think it might be time to get back into the swing of things.

waves

2009-09-17T13:57:00.007-04:00

Hello, hello! Oh, it's been so long since I've posted anything. I haven't forgotten about this blog. I suppose my "fashion endeavors" just haven't been very exciting as of late. I haven't bought too much new stuff, but that might be picking up again!

Last night was my work's annual Best of Baltimore party. I had a complete blast and dressed up like crazy. It has been so long since I've gone out anywhere that it was appropriate to go all out, so I took advantage.

Shirt: Forever 21, $13.90
Shorts: Forever 21, $19.80
Boots: Steve Madden via DSW, $69.99
Hat: Fredericks of Hollywood, $4.95!! (One helluva clearance find.)

And some of my completely fashionable friends!

I will really try to update more! I know that when I was putting more effort into this blog, I was also putting more effort into my outfits. Time to get back in the swing of things. ;)

Eye on the Prize

2009-04-29T16:13:00.002-04:00

I'm completely, madly, hopelessly in love.

A friend of mine pointed out a fairly new designer to me. She's from Australia and doesn't have too much for sale as of yet. Her newest outfits had my jaw on the floor, though. Everything has a style of rebel, rock n' roll, and classy trashiness to me. I'm just...I'm at a loss for words.

Here are some of the looks that stood out to me in particular.

This dress WILL be mine.

There is so much more on her blog. Platnium Evil, will you marry me?

Another huge sale!!!

2009-04-14T09:58:00.002-04:00

Sadly, the two pairs of shoes I was most excited about recently (Colin Stuart & Jessica Simpson) just.don't.fit. My loss is your gain...

Click here to go to my Livejournal! It's the 2nd entry down.

You don't have to have a LJ account to comment. Just comment anonymously and leave a place I can contact you.

....and I hate to ask this, but if anyone can repost this for me on their My Space/Facebook/whatever, I'd be eternally in love with you. LOVE.

Interior Decorating

2009-04-09T11:58:00.000-04:00

For the first time since we've been together (and we're coming up on 10 years together), my husband and I are getting a new bed. It's not going to be anything super glamorous - just a queen size bed with a most-likely modest frame.

Because we're getting this and eventually all new bedding and such, I want to update everything in our bedroom and make it less cluttered and more "funky"-looking.

I'm looking for unique ways to store/display my jewelry and accessories. People are big on suggesting jewelry boxes or those little jewelry tree thingies. While those are pretty, I'm looking for cooler ideas.

So help me out!! How do you store your stuff, or how would you LIKE to store yours??

Here are some of my picture inspirations:

(This one is my #1 favorite. GOD I love Erin Wasson.)

I could use any kinds of tips or advice! (Pictures are always a huge help!)

A lil bit of trash

2009-04-08T14:52:00.002-04:00

I'm going to ignore the fact that the weather today in Baltimore is in the 40's, and instead, I'm going to concentrate on the fact that it was in the upper-60's all weekend. That kind of weather makes me think of nothing but summer fashion.

I usually take all summer clothing with a grain of salt. I figure that if it will keep me cool, that's all that matters. Well, what if it kept me cool AND I liked the way it looked?

I suppose getting some major inspiration this weekend didn't hurt either. My husband and I watched True Romance for the first time in years. Patricia Arquette's style in the movie had me on the floor. Red lipstick? Check. Cow-print miniskirt?! Check. Metallic blue Wayfarers?!?!?! CHECK!!!

Here are some styles I have my eye on right now.

Rock n' Roll Summer 2009 by cruxgothgirlie featuring Brian Atwood heels & wedges

Of course, it's not everyone's style, but I love the trashy 80's vibe that a lot of clothes out there have right now.

So what styles are YOU looking forward to rocking out this summer?

Want Need Want.

2009-03-18T09:53:00.002-04:00

I love shopping - that's a given.
I'm convinced, though, that the only times that I really crave a good, old-fashioned shopping spree is when I'm as poor as the day is long. Ugh. Well, at least I can share some lovelies with you guys!!

I would like all of these, please-and-thank-you.

Forever 21

I'd love to cut the sleeves off of this, cut the neckline a bit lower, and pair it with a barely-peeking-out bikini top for the hot summer days.

I can just visualize this top paired over some shiny leggings with my slingback mules. Rawr.

I want this relaxed tank top in every color that they offer - and at only $6.50, that might very well be possible!

Cheesy? HELL yes, but words can't even convey how badly I want/need this shirt.

Oh god, yes.

I think I need to actually try these on next time I'm in the store. They look so CHEAP, both on the website and in person...but I've seen them in so many pictures from online fashion bloggers, and they look FANTASTIC in them. It's worth a shot.

I'm picturing these with a very "Sandy-from-Grease"-esque outfit.

Wet Seal

<3

I could deal without the little bow, but I love the rest of it.

I've been looking at these since the day they popped up on the site (literally). I might need them.

I think that's enough babbling for now.
So what items are you coveting right now?

Kickstart my Heart

2009-03-16T16:14:00.013-04:00

Since November, the date "Saturday, March 14th, 2009" has been one that I've looked forward to. It turned out to be everything I could have hoped and more. I'm going to work fashion/beauty into this entry, but forgive me if my girlie chromosomes and glee take over at times. ;)

After spending a collective 6 hours waiting in line for it, I FINALLY got to meet my ultimate fashion idol - Kat Von D. She was doing a book signing for her new book, and I was ECSTATIC to meet her! She was even more stunning and rock n' roll in person, and I'm in awe.

Yes, I look a bit silly here, but you have NO clue how excited I was!

Kat and I! I have to admit that I got a little blushy when she shook my hand and exclaimed, "Girl, you look awesome!!"

From there, I was only back home for a mere few hours before it was time to go to the Motley Crue show. I donned an outfit that, for me, was extremely gutsy. I guarantee that many people looking at the outfit would think it was slutty, but screw it - I was happy. And for once in my life, I wanted to be a bit of a rock n' roll groupie chick (without the sex...haha).

I felt confident and awesome. I finally got to wear my new Lip Service vest and American Apparel bikini top. I also love this new necklace my hubband got me!

The concert itself was AMAZING!! Crue never fails to let me down. I was also super excited to see the opening band, The Last Vegas. If you haven't heard them yet and are a fan of dirty rock n' roll, do yourself a favor and listen now. I LOVE these guys!!

....and because I couldn't go without, I have to post a few of the Crue pictures I got!!!

The one, the only Tommy Lee.

Vince Neil.

Nikki...f**king...Sixx!!!

I'm blushing!!

2009-03-10T13:54:00.002-04:00

I have a few things worth mentioning (for once). haha

First off, I was SO honored to be awarded this from the fabulous Mrs. Munster's Magnificent Life!

How sweet is she! Thank you so much, doll. :) So now, I'm paying it forward. Here are some blogs I think are worth checking out:

1) Waitin Round to be a Millionaire: Sara's blog is probably what made me want to start my own in the first place. Everything about her blog just screams "awesome". It's all very well-written and every picture is perfection. Queen of Photoshop!! :)
2) Scarlet Empress: Javy is a complete sweetheart! Her takes on beauty are fantastic and always well-written.
3) Sugar Rush: I've loved Ashley's blog from the beginning, but it has only gotten better! She'll leave you drooling over her outfits AND her baking.

So thank YOU, all, for keeping me entertained time and time again!!

Secondly, okay, I KNOW you're all tired of hearing me talk about this, but...
I figured maybe you Style Sleuths could help me out here. ;)

I’ve been searching for this pair of boots for a LONG time now:

They’re Colin Stuart booties from Victoria’s Secret. They’ve been sold out on the website for months now. Do you guys have ANY idea for places I could continue to look for these?? I’m already searching Ebay daily with little luck. When they do pop up, there’s someone trying to charge close to $300 for them when they retailed brand-new for $99.

OR…
Do you have any suggestions for dupes of these?? HIGH, high heel, ankle boot, studs, etc.??

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
xoxo
Linda

Cosmic!

2009-03-06T11:19:00.004-05:00

Ah, the event I look forward to every March. My work throws a party called the Cosmic Cocktail Party. Basically, about 40 restaurants from all over Baltimore, MD come and showcase their food and drink.

I really just use the party as an excuse to eat my face off. Have I mentioned in this blog before how much I absolutely adore food?? Well, I do. All of it.

PLUS! I actually had two drinks last night, which is a big deal for me. I VERY rarely drink, so after two of these little cocktail thingies, I was pleasantly buzzed. What can I say? I’m a cheap date. ;)

I was super excited to wear my new Forever 21 faux leather miniskirt, but WOW, is this ever MINI. I had to be careful when doing things like going up and down stairs or, yanno, WALKING. I love it, but maybe it wasn't the best choice for a work event. I might just wear this to the Crue show next weekend, though.

Black Faux Leather Skirt: Forever 21, $19.80

Joan Jett t-shirt:: Lucky Brand, $45 (eek! A HUGE splurge for me. Huge.)

Black platform shoes: Aldo, $80

Random Blathering

2009-02-27T14:36:00.005-05:00

1) In my never-ending search for white leather fingerless gloves, I decided to take a chance on these, just to hold me over. Well, I got them in the mail today, and oh my god, they are pieces of pure shite. I can't really leave negative feedback since I got what I paid for...namely, $7 vinyl gloves from a Halloween store. Nonetheless, I don't know what to do with these. I suppose they could still hold me over, if only they didn't reek. The vinyl/plastic smell has warped into a gasoline smell.

Blarg. I don't know why these should be so hard to find! I FOUND the perfect pair on Polyvore:

2) Wet Seal isn't usually a store I frequent. Nonetheless, I'll still find things in there once in a while that are cool. They just got in some new stuff that is surprisingly drool-worthy!

a) SUPER cute ankle boots!
b) Buckled booties
c) ...shuddup. I think it's hot.
d) Skirt with huge railroad zippers?? Sign me up!

3) Do you ever get tired of every.single.item in your wardrobe?? The weather here in Baltimore has been so up-and-down lately. One day (like today, for example), it'll be 62 degrees. The next day (like tomorrow, for example), it'll snow. Because of that, I find myself wanting to live in nothing but skinny jeans and boots. I'm really considering hitting up a few Goodwill, Salvation Army and other thrify shops in my area one day and refreshing my WHOLE wardrobe.

I'm so sorry for the lack of outfit-y posts lately, lovelies. I have some big events coming up (like MOTLEY FUCKIN' CRUE!!!) that I'm going to want to get all gussied up for, so expect some posts then. ;)

SO excited!

2009-02-16T12:44:00.004-05:00

Happy belated Valentine's Day to all of my lovely readers!!

My husband and I are personally not huge fans of V-Day. I don't want to sound like a Scrooge here, but I personally think it's a bit of a Hallmark holiday, and I choose not to celebrate it. My husband feels the same way.

However...

On Saturday (V-Day), we were out enjoying a super-greasy breakfast at Denny's when he let out a secret.

"This is NOT for Valentine's Day, but you have something coming in the mail to you." He told me that he got me the Lip Service pleather vest I've been eying for months!! I can't WAIT to receive it!

Now I'm just having fun putting together imaginary outfits with this vest in my head.

Rock n' Roll Leather - by cruxgothgirlie on Polyvore.com

This vest is a bit edgy, so I'm a little intimidated by it. What would you pair it with!

Finally appropriate

2009-02-11T16:17:00.003-05:00

Tell me if this has ever happened to you: You spot an item of clothing in a store. You fall madly in love with it and take it home immediately. Then, for the next few weeks, you take out that item every day and try it on. You layer it. You wear it on its own. You accessorize it. No matter what, though, it just never seems right.

That was the way this vest was for me. I knew it was love at first sight, yet day after day, it went unworn in my closet. I've probably had this vest for a good month and a half now, and today, I finally took off the tags. Hoorah! I was actually quite pleased with this layered look. I was less pleased, however, with the pictures that I got of the outfit. haha

And here's a close-up of my favorite part of the vest:

The zipper-pulls are little Flying-V guitars!!! LOVE them!

Here's a shot of my new ring! It's handmade by a local artist and I'm in love with it!

Vest: Abbey Dawn line from Kohl's - $31
Pants: Forever 21 zip-ankle jeans - $16
T-Shirt: H&M - $13
Shoes: Baker's - $65

HUGE sale.

2009-02-01T19:17:00.006-05:00

I have to give a little shout-out to a huge & cheap sale I'm having in my Live Journal. Time to clean house, kids! Here's a peek at some things I'm selling:

Please check out the sale here!! Makeup, clothes, all of it cheap.

What a steal!: Jessica Simpson

2009-01-30T11:49:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry for the lack of face/outfit posts, kiddos! I have a nasty sinus infection an haven't been feeling altogether too attractive from it. Boo!

1) I am on WAY too many email lists from stores. Lately, because of the hard times, I've been getting email after email proclaiming, "FREE SHIPPING!", "90% off!!", "Buy one, get one free!!", etc. I'll admit - I click on every single one of them. Truthfully, I never BUY anything from them, though...until yesterday.

I got an email from Jessica Simpson shoes telling about a sale of "Take an additional 50% off all sale shoes!" A little peek won't hurt, right?

RIGHT! It didn't hurt at all. Why didn't it hurt? Well, there's a pair of shoes I've been slightly lusting over since August. They were $90, and while I liked them, I didn't $90 like them. LoL Yesterday, though, I *did* $19.99 like them!!!

Purrrrrrrr. I can't wait til they get here! If you want to get the sale yourself, it's on until FEB. 10 and the code is JANFW50.

2) I think I have some hair gurus that read this. Is there anyone who could help me with advice/tips on making my own clip-in hair extensions? I don't want streaks - I want the real thing.

WTF: Forever 21

2009-01-29T10:48:00.002-05:00

This will be brief, but so it goes.

I was doing my normal daily browsing of the Forever 21 website. (Yes, I said daily browsing. When a good item pops up on that site, I've seen it sell out in one day! Gotta be on top of your game, man!) That's when I came across a new bracelet they're selling:

I have to admit that I had a complete "wtf??" moment when I saw this! Maybe I'm dating myself here, but back when I was in elementary school, the cool thing to do was to make these bracelets for your friends. You'd go to Michael's, spend $2.00 and leave with 10 different colors of braided string. They're STILL that cheap, too. I'm not sure how I learned to make these bracelets, but we all knew how to do it - some more elaborate than others.

Now, do we really need to buy these off of the Internet?? Please - go here and learn to make them yourselves. It's so much fun! Hell, I'm even going to re-learn this and make a gaggle of them for my friends.

One Look: Plaid Scarf

2009-01-28T15:26:00.005-05:00

Ages ago, a friend linked me to Stuff White People Like and I think I nearly fell over laughing my ass off. One thing stuck out to me:
Scarves
I am guilty.as.charged.

I pretty much have an arsenal of scarves in every color. Yes, I have a ton that are there to keep my neck warm when it's snowing, but most of them are there for fashion. I've noticed that some days when I'm feeling lazy, I can throw on a black t-shirt, jeans and a colorful scarf and feel instantly put-together. Do you have any accessories that do that for you??

The other day, Timm (my husband) surprised me with a new baby for my collection...and oh, I love her!

And something made me super happy the other day...
SNOW!!!!!!!!! It was snowing big, fluffy, gorgeous flakes for a while. Of course, being that I'm in Baltimore, this quickly turned into a big, fluffy mess. I was scraping 1/2" of ice off of my car this morning. Oh, Los Angeles...how I miss you!

Star Style

2009-01-26T12:38:00.004-05:00

I've noticed that over the years, I tend to look towards "stars" for fashion inspiration. I'm not so much enamored by red-carpet attire, like most are. Rather, I get completely enchanted by seeing stars in their every-day wardrobes. Sure, I'll find a star here or there who catches my eye at a premiere of some big movie, but more or less, it's that paparazzi shot of some model holding her Starbucks latte that really gets me.

On a similar note, I tend to fall in love (lust?) with the styles of some fictional characters. Wow, that sounds silly typing that out, but so be it!

Here are a few of my current favorites:

1) Rihanna: How can you NOT love Rihanna's style?? She has a sort of fashionista-meets-bad girl style that I always love. Mix some chic leather or faux leather pieces (in black, of course) with red lipstick and a fierce hairstyle, and you can try to cop her look.

2) Kat Von D: Okay, so Kat has made some fashion choices that I don't necessarily love, but for the most part, I am 150% on board with her style. I LOVE the arsenal of vests that she has (and I'm currently searching for my perfect rock n' roll vest), and the guts she has to mix sky-high platforms with leather pants and such. I'm looking into getting some key items into my wardrobe, and this lady is a huge inspiration for me.

3 & 5) The Olsen Twins: I think you'd be hard-pressed nowadays to find a fashion list without these two beauties on it. Of course, I still have a bit of trouble seeing these ladies as grown-up as I can't stop picturing them as toddlers, thumbs in the air saying, "You got it, dude!" But I digress. RARELY are these two seen out in public wearing something less than an outfit most would kill for. I love how they're not afraid to take fashion risks.

4) Wanda Woodward (played by Traci Lords) in Cry Baby: Being that I live in Baltimore, Cry Baby (and any John Waters movie, for that matter) is on my list of favorite movies. Wanda Woodward is a tough gal from the 50s who spends equal amounts of time mouthing off as she does perfecting her hair. Her wardrobe is a mix of naughty secretary classics (pencil skirts, sweaters) as it is bad-girl biker chick (leather jackets, red lips). She is the epitome of naughty-meets-nice.

6) Miley Cyrus: I'll admit it - I don't know ONE Miley Cyrus song. I've never seen an episode of Hannah Montana. Hell, the most I know about her is that she is Billy Ray "Achey Breaky Heart" Cyrus' daughter. Nonetheless, whoever is the stylist for this teen is AMAZING. I love the rocker clothes that she's constantly out performing in. Hell, I've even seen her wearing Lip Service, a punk/goth line from back in my teenaged days.

7) Kayla in Airheads: No, Airheads wasn't an award-winning movie. It is, however, one of those movies that every.single.time it's on cable, I can't turn it off. Kayla was always my favorite character in the movie. Looking like something straight out of a Whitesnake video, Kayla spends most of her time on the Sunset Strip and dresses for it. She has a look that constantly says "I'm with the band", and god, I love it.

So tell me - what stars inspire YOU?? Do you gravitate more towards red-carpet styles, characters, etc?

Headliner!

2009-01-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

I have a few outfit/makeup posts coming within the next few days, but in the meantime...

Is there any generous soul out there that might be able to help me make a new header for this blog? I'm really tired of the one I have, and I just don't feel like it suits me. Any help would be appreciated!!

xoxo Linda

Accessory of the day: Lit up

2009-01-06T13:42:00.003-05:00

I have to admit - I feel like a bit of a poseur. That's a word I haven't used since sometime around 1997, but it still holds true. Why do I feel like a poseur, you ask?

So glad you asked. ;)

I am NOT a fan of Avril Lavigne. That song, "Skater Boy" makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out and shove them into my ears. Graphic image? Yes. All too true? You bet.

Trust me - I tried to resist when I saw her clothing line, Abbey Dawn popping up in Kohl's stores. When I received a ton of gift cards to Kohl's for Christmas this year, though, I couldn't resist any longer. I finally snagged an awesome vest (with Flying-V guitars for the zipper pulls!?!) and some hot earrings and a necklace.

Dammit, why couldn't these have been made by Nikki Sixx's clothing line?? Maybe I wouldn't feel so dirty. ;)

Treat yourself!!

2009-01-04T19:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you just have to be bad...and it feels so good.

The minute I saw this, I knew I couldn't pass it up. I saved up, sold clothes I didn't need, and treated myself tonight. I.am.in.love.

So did you treat yourself to anything this holiday season??

Santa Baby..

2008-12-24T15:43:00.005-05:00

Please Santa baby. I've been oh-so-good this year. Can you bring me....

(What is it with all of these cheap retailers teasing me with their inexpensive hotness?? Here's hoping for gift cards this holiday. ;D There are just far too many studded things out there for me not to go a little crazy right now.)

1) Abbey Dawn Plaid-Lined Vest: Kohl's, $24.00

2) Studded Patent Clutch: Forever 21, $19.80

3) Strappy Jewel Disc Bootie: Go Jane, $22.10

4) Abbey Dawn Skinny Twill Pants: Kohl's, $28.80

5) Studded Glossy Tote: Forever 21, $34.80

6) Faceted Ring: Forever 21, $3.80

7) Colin Stuart Studded Bootie: Victoria's Secret, $49.99

8) Liquid Mini Skirt: Forever 21, $12.80

9) Thick Multi Band Heel: Go Jane, $23.99

10) Light Burst Zip Ankle Leggings:
Forever 21, $14.80

11) Studded Velvet Fringe Boots: Forever 21, $36.80

12)
Tiered Leopard Dress: Forever 21, $22.80

Layering Virgin

2008-12-19T16:02:00.008-05:00

Since I've been old enough to read fashion magazines, I have been addicted to them. When I was in my early teens, I was all over Seventeen magazine. When I actually turned 17, I couldn't stop reading Vogue. In all of my years of reading these magazines, I feel as if there was one "trend", if you will that came up over and over again. I would try this trend, and then retreat, defeated. I could just never get it right! This trend was layering.

I would either put on not enough clothing to constitute "layers", or SO many layers that I wound up looking like Randy from A Christmas Story.

Well, I'm not sure what happened earlier this week, but I FINALLY felt a bit closer to getting it right. Hell, it only took me 28 years, right? ;)

Oh, and while it may not be "fashion-oriented", I LOVE our Christmas tree this year!!

If I don't post again soon, I hope everyone has a wonderful and oh-so-fashionable holiday!

FINALLY!!!

2008-12-09T16:49:00.004-05:00

For what seems like years now, I've been craving the perfect biker-style leather jacket. Well, that's a half-truth. I wasn't so much concerned with it really being leather or not. All I cared about was that it looked good. Whenever I've come across a biker-style jacket, it tends to fit my small frame horribly and just look bulky.

Well, thanks be to the gods known as "H&M". On Black Friday, I was doing my usual 6 am shopping (I love it!!) and I passed by the H&M window. There on the mannequin was the most PERFECT faux leather biker jacket I'd ever seen. I ran (quite literally) into the store, only to find out that they had sold out of that jacket days ago. They told me to check back in later that day in case more came in. I resigned myself to thinking that the jacket had slipped out of my grasp.

Au contraire!!! I called hours later and they had gotten more in! IN MY SIZE! I gladly used my 20% off discount for Black Friday and snagged that baby up.

It has really been too cold here in Baltimore to wear the jacket out (in the low-20s), but I had to camwhore just a bit in my apartment.

(I hate that last picture, but it shows the zippers, cut and sleeves well.)

I'm happy I finally found my jacket!!!

Jacket: H&M, $39

Hair Help!

2008-12-05T14:27:00.005-05:00

I apologize for the sporadic posts. I'm hoping for a tripod for the holidays, so hopefully, I'll have more "Daily Outfit" posts for you soon. ;)

For now, though, I could use YOUR help.

When it comes to "beauty", I consider myself to be okay with makeup. I have a collection that probably rivals that of most drag queens, and I use most of it. I have every color of the rainbow in eyeshadows, ranging from the brightest yellow to the blackest-black. After literally practicing for years at it on myself, I consider myself to be good enough at it that I get compliments on it from time to time.

Hair - that's a different story.

In the past year, I've started blow-drying my hair...at age 27. Before that, I didn't know how (nor did I CARE to know how) to blow dry at all. I've used straightening irons, which I thought was pointless on my poker-straight hair til I actually tried it. I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to hair.

While I love the color and cut of my hair right now more than I ever have, I long to make it into a style I LOVE. A style that I've loved for literally decades now.

This is my hair now:
Layered with bangs, a bit past my shoulders and as straight as straight hair comes. My hair is also thin-ish.

Now, this is the style I want to achieve (and this is the part where I hopefully don't freak Miss Ashley out):

(His hair - not hers)

Essentially, I want BIG, TEASED hair. I've tried attacking my hair with a teasing comb and hairspray, only to have it be as flat as a pancake a few hours later. I've tried blow-drying my hair upside-down. I've tried volumizing shampoo, conditioner and mousse.

I'm out of ideas!

So help me, oh-so-fashionable ones out there. ;)

Dancin' down on the Sunset Strip

2008-11-18T08:55:00.010-05:00

Hello, hello, hello! I've missed you all. ;) On Friday, my husband and I got back from our vacation in Los Angeles, CA. I can't even put into words what that city did to me. Granted, I didn't even see half of it (probably not even an eighth!), but I fell in love - the kind of love that literally keeps you up at night. There was something about the city that just made it feel like home to me.

I did everything I wanted to, and more! I went to The Rainbow, The Whisky, and more. It was my heaven. ;)

I only had one day to really shop, so we focused on Melrose Ave. Sadly, I didn't find too many gems there. I was able to get a custom-sized leather wristband and some badass rhinestone sunglasses, though.

These pictures may not show a large variety of chic and interesting outfits, but they do show "what I wore". ;)

This pretty much became my uniform while I was there - huge sunglasses, light hoodie, leggings, Aldo boots. It was comfortable enough to walk around all day in, but fun enough to go out at night in, too.

My husband and I at the famous Rainbow Bar & Grill. I've been loving the HELL out of my metallic Forever 21 jacket. It's the perfect jacket for chilly nights.

Little tidbit about me: I'm mildly obsessed with Slash from Guns n' Roses. (By "mildly obsessed", I mean that my husband has given me free reign that should Slash show up on my doorstep, I'm free for the night. LOL) I also found myself living in my silver hoop earrings the whole vacation.

With my friend, Kymmy on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Yes, we laid down in the middle of a busy sidewalk for this picture.) How fashionable is she?!? I'm loving her slouchy boots over the gray skinnies.

The two of us outside the Whisky. I found this sequined cap at the Frederick's of Hollywood in (duh) Hollywood for $5. I couldn't decide whether I loved it or hated it. I then decided I loved it and wore it to the Whisky that night. ;)

We went to see the Make Rock History finals at the Whisky. Here, six unsigned bands got to perform for the chance to be the opening band for Motley Crue's next tour. The judges? Motley F'N Crue themselves!! It was a bit surreal to be there with about 150 people...and Motley Crue. I couldn't stop smiling like a fool realizing that they were only about 10 feet above my head all night. ;)

Also, there was a video montage that Guitar Center (the sponsors) did of the whole night...and I'm in the video!! (Okay, it's only for a split second, but still!) Check me out around 0:31 or so. I'm giving the thumbs up. ;)

And last, but not least...
The tattoo I got from Melrose Tattoo! "Life is Beautiful" is from a song by Nikki Sixx's side-project, Sixx AM. The skull is from a doodle that Slash always draws.

I will NEVER forget this trip. Ever.

LA!

2008-11-08T21:13:00.001-05:00

Goodbye for a week, my dears! This East-Coaster is off to Los Angeles, CA! I'm more excited than words can say. Be prepared for a full report when I come back, complete with cheesy, touristy pictures and whatever I buy there. ;)

High couture

2008-11-04T09:45:00.001-05:00

Probably the most fashionable, chic thing I've worn in a while.

One Look: I've been baaaad...

2008-11-03T12:42:00.009-05:00

As I know I've mentioned one too many times on this blog, I’m not one to spend more than $30 on…well…almost any item of clothing. You can imagine, then, how buying these boots was a MAJOR purchase for me! It’s really pathetic how hard I searched for appropriate knock-offs of these, but there was always just something not-right about all of the ones I found. Ah well.

Black Blazer: Mossimo for Target, $20
Black Leggings: Forever 21, $6.50
White Shirt: Silk-blend, H&M, $13
Boots: Camenisch from Aldo, $150

On Sunday, I leave for my first visit to LA and I am frickin’ excited, man. Sure, we’re doing some of the usual touristy shite, but for the most part, my hubband and I are doing the rock n’ roll tour of LA – The Whisky, The Rainbow, etc. Any recommendations for things we HAVE TO see while we’re out there? I plan on rockin’ out with my…well…you know.

I suppose most importantly...

Where MUST I shop?!? ;D

**Also, if you're in the U.S., please, please vote tomorrow. We have a big decision to make, and you need to let your voice be heard! I know mine will be.**

Tomorrow!!

2008-11-02T06:59:00.001-05:00

I will be updating tomorrow FINALLY. I'm so sorry that it seems that I've abandoned my beloved blog, but things as of late have been madness, both at work and otherwise.

I will have bits on my Halloween costume (which won me a $40 prize at work!), my latest "I've been bad" purchase, planning for my trip to Los Angeles in a week and more! Love you all!

Uh oh...

2008-10-20T05:59:00.002-04:00

I think I fell in love yesterday. They saw me, I saw them. Once we were one, I didn't want to let go.

Oh, how I wish I could find a knock-off of this boot from a reputable source, because I just can't afford the $150 price tag Aldo wants to charge me. I found a pair on AmiClubWear.com, but a) it says they're out of stock, and b) once I checked up on them with the Better Business Bureau, they have an "F" rating. BOO!!!

Hurry up, cheapo shoe stores! I need these.

Deals n' Discounts

2008-10-16T15:40:00.005-04:00

It has been a while since I've let you guys in on some deals of the moment! I'm the type of gal who never orders anything online before scouring the ends of the Internet for some kind of discount or deal. They're always out there if you look!

I went around and collected some recent codes for online websites. Treat yourself - go shopping!!

Forever 21
-Free Shipping over $75
-Daily 21 (20% off of 21 items daily)

Victoria's Secret
-Type in code GIFTS08 ($15 off any $100 order, $30 off of $150, $75 off of $250, $150 off of $500) - expires November 19, 2008
-Type in code ANY 25 (25% off single item) - expires October 19, 2008

Kohl's
-Type in code MVC7991 (Free shipping)

Urban Outfitters
-Type in code LUCKYBREAKS08 (25% off of everything)
-Free shipping on orders over $250

Wet Seal
-Type in code WSWL1008 (free shipping) - expires October 28, 2008
-Type in code ANY25 (25% off any single item - expires October 19, 2008
-They're now accepting PAYPAL!!
-All graphic tees are Buy One, Get one 50% off

GoJane
-Type in code GJSHIP50 (free shipping on all orders over $50)

Steve Madden
-Type in code PRIVATESALE20 (20% off when you spend $125 or more) - expires October 19,2008

American Apparel
-Type in code CHICAA15 (15% off orders; US purchases only) - expires October 31, 2008

Hope this helps some of you out! Please let me know if any of the codes don't work, or if you know of any other codes!

Closer to 30

2008-10-15T11:01:00.006-04:00

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the lovely Miss Ashley of Sugar Rush!! She clued me in the other day that we share a birthday. ;D

Oh, and it's my birthday today!

So this is what 28 feels like. I'm 2 years from turning the big 3-0, and while that's a little scary, I'm in a good spot in my life right now. I have an amazing family, a solid group of friends and I'm generally happy.

It's funny to think how my style has changed over the years. In my late teens/early 20's, I was all about being LOUD. I wore plenty of black vinyl, my hair was never a color found in nature, and I think I wore fishnets on a daily basis. While there's a small part of me that misses that style, I've grown into my own personal style over the years, and it's constantly evolving. I love trying out new things and testing my comfort zones. (Of course, as I'm typing this, I'm in my comfort-zone-outfit. But I digress.) I guess what I'm trying to say is that 28 is going to be a good year. ;)

Oh, and I had to show off my main present from my wonderful husband.

A Betsey overnighter bag!! We're going to be on vacation in Los Angeles in just 3 weeks (!!!) and he thought I needed some fabulous luggage. ;D

Yesterday was also the epitome of a "Good Day" for a sales-rack shopper like me. I got work that a local chain of stores in my area, C-Mart, was closing. They're an interesting store. Upon walking in the door, they're nothing to look at. They're arranged kind of shoddily, almost like a Goodwill. For some reason, though, they get TRUCKLOADS of previous season's clothing from high-end designers like Betsey Johnson, Gucci, Prada, etc. The prices were usually about 50-75% off retail. Crazy! When I heard they were closing, I RAN over there.

I wandered around the store, finding almost nothing. Then...mecca. I saw about 20 refrigerator-sized boxes FULL to the brim with American Apparel stuff. I just started pulling out piece after piece until my arms were full. When I got to the register, the teller rang up my 18 pieces of clothing...for a grand total of $18. I think I actually giggled.

I grabbed skirts, bras, metallic tops, t-shirts - you name it! I saved $162 in total. I'm still on a high from it. ;)

Have you ever gotten such a great steal that you couldn't stop smiling over it? Do you tend to seek out sales, or just happen upon them?

Treat yourself??

2008-10-12T07:38:00.005-04:00

In a few days, it'll be my birthday. Although I'm saving up like CRAZY for our LA trip (which is less than a month away!!), I'm having an overwhelming urge to splurge on something for myself as a "birthday present" to me. haha For months now, I've been looking for the perfect pair of ankle booties. I haven't found any that I've liked in the stores, so it might go to an online search now.

So, help me out! Opinions? Do you or anyone you know have any of these? Are they comfortable? Are they hideous? ;)

Is this thing still on?

Option #1

Colin Stuart Low Lace-Up Boot from Victoria's Secret, $88

Option #2

Colin Stuart Leather Studded Ring Bootie, $88 (These still make me drool every time I see them.)

Option #3

Siger Morrison for Target Glam/Crystal Booties in black & Silver from Target, $39.99

Where else should I be looking online? What are your favorite online boot shops?

Acid-Washed

2008-10-10T12:58:00.002-04:00

I haven't been posting too many "looks" lately. I've just been so exhausted in the mornings that putting together a chic outfit doesn't come to mind. All that comes to mind is coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

With that being said, I had fun breaking out some new digs last week.

I broke out the acid-washed jeans that I bought a few weeks back. I LOVE these jeans...my husband, on the other hand, despises them. Pair that with his hatred for leather fringe and he's probably vomiting thinking of my style right now. haha I'm lucky, though, to have a guy that stuff doesn't matter to.

I wore this out to an art exhibit opening in Baltimore.

Looking at the pictures, I think it's time I invested in a good tripod. I HATE asking people to take pictures of me, and I'm never satisfied with the 2-3 shots they snap. I think I'd be more content snapping away pictures of myself happily and editing it down.

Who takes YOUR pictures? Do you do it yourself, or have a talented friend?

Blazer: Mossimo for Target, $25
T-Shirt: Hanes men's t-shirt (the ones that come in packs of 5), $9/5 shirts
Jeans: Burlington Coat Factory, $22
Shoes: Aldo Koudougou, $70
Fedora: Forever 21's Fabulous Fedora, $5.50

Lucky Me! November 2008

2008-10-07T10:08:00.005-04:00

**Before I go into what I thought about the November issue of Lucky, I'd just like to let you guys know that I LOVE, LOVE comments. Whether you love this blog, hate it, think it needs improvement, COMMENT. I love getting feedback, and if there's more you'd like to see, let me know!**

I have to go with Sara on this one. This month's issue of Lucky left me disappointed.

I think that the fall issues of every fashion magazine are the most exciting! This is where I'll get my first glimpse at the newest coats, gloves, scarves and winter wear of the season. I'll drool over everything and mentally put together my own style forecast. I found, though, that in this month's issue, there was very little that I found covetable. I sort of half-heartedly flipped through the pages, and only a few things really caught my eye. Nine times out of ten, the things that did catch my eye were extremely unaffordable. This led me to search out some cheaper alternatives to my picks.

Because I can't justify spending $255 on a sweater, I went on a search for cheaper alternatives, as usual. Lo and behold, Forever 21 had SO many options! This style of prep-school sweaters is very "in" right now, and you can find more options under $25 than you'd ever expect. I can just see these paired with short, flared skirts, oxfords and knee socks. (Yes, I realize that I'm brushing the edges of Gossip Girl fashion, but I'd rock it up a bit with some heavy silver accessories and loud makeup.)

I adore the look of this heavy, brown leather purse, but again, the price tag left me with a bad taste in my mouth. This bag from Delia's would be a great alternative! Sure, it's not going to be that same, high-quality leather as its more expensive counterpart, but it has the look down-pat.

I did find, though, that there were a few things I tagged that wouldn't completely leave me in the poor house.

I'm a firm believer that Forever 21 is one of the best place to find cheap and chic accessories. I love the look of this silver cuff from the store. As Lucky pointed out, it almost looks as if it's made out of the softest leather. You can use it to dress up a fancy look, or toughen up a more casual look.

The shoes. I don't even know if I can find the words for how excited I am for these! The collection comes out exclusively on Target.com on October 12, and the pieces are wholly affordable! I'm particularly interested in this pair of studded booties. They will be mine...oh yes. They will be mine.

I have never heard of Joico before seeing this in Lucky, but I love the idea of a spray wax. I am always striving for that piecey look when it comes to my hair, but I hate the heavy feeling of most waxes and pomades. This seems like it could be lighter and you could spread it out more evenly.

I was even able to find one piece in Lucky that left me feeling *gasp!* inspired.

Once I saw this wrap watch, I was in love. When I went on a search for more of them, though, I came up fairly short. I did find this (more expensive) watch at Urban Outfitters, and I love the dangling charms and soft look of it. Have you seen wrap-style watches anywhere else? I'm completely dedicated to finding one now. ;)

New Mexico!

2008-09-30T16:51:00.002-04:00

Hello my fine-feathered lovelies! I've returned from the land of the dry heat. By the way, they really do mean it when they call it that. I am used to my body reacting to heat by sweating. In New Mexico, you simply just.dry.out. You don't even realize you're hot until you want to fall down. It was scary at times, especially when that was combined with being 7,000 feet above sea level.

But I digress. Basically, my uniform there consisted of jeans, a white t-shirt, big glasses, and my red cowboy boots.

Unfortunately, this is about as fashion-forward as I got. I didn't leave myself enough time to pack and wound up wearing what looked like the same outfit every.single.day.

If you ever get to go to Santa Fe, NM, I suggest you RUN to the Palace of the Governors. Here, dozens of Native Americans come off their reservations to sell their wares - everything from jewelry to pottery to paintings. As I had mentioned, my goal was a turquoise ring.

I was NOT expecting the prices to be so high!! The tiniest ring (which would have the daintiest band and a turquoise the size of the eraser on a pencil) would run in the neighborhood of $70-90!! My husband had to convince me to buy this ring once he saw how much I loved it. I almost cried handing over the money, but every time I glance down at my hand today, I'm more and more in love.

(It's the ring in the middle.)

I promise more regular posts are coming. I'm still recovering from my jet lag. Hope you're all well!

Advise me!

2008-09-25T06:16:00.003-04:00

Oh, my lovely readers - I need your help!

These are the boots I've wanted for ages:

Yes, the famous (infamous?) Marc by Marc Jacobs boots that were the "it" shoe in the blogger world a hot minute ago. I felt lucky enough to even try these on at an Off 5th Sak's store a few months back. My husband was laughing at me because I was almost literally drooling over them, all the while giggling and saying, "Oooo, look at me! I'm wearing $800 boots! Oooo! Boots more than rent! Ooo!" Yes, they were godly.

Now, being that those boots do LITERALLY cost more than my rent, I became determined to find knock-offs. While I haven't found anything perfect, I have found a few cheaper options - everything from $37 to close to $200. Help me decide which pair is worth saving for!

GoJane, $33.99

Nine West, $149 (I'll be honest - I'm leaning towards these.)

I just love the look of a slightly granny-ish boot (but not TOO granny) with the high, high heel and buckled strap. Yum. I'm sure there are other knock offs out there of these. Have you seen any?

And while we're on questions, have you ever bought anything (clothing/shoe wise) that cost more than your rent/mortgage? ;)

Dry Heat

2008-09-21T09:36:00.002-04:00

In less than one week, I'll be on my way to New Mexico! My husband was lucky enough to score a free vacation for two there for 3.5 days and 3 nights. I've never been to New Mexico, and I'm so thrilled to go!

I'm not going to lie, though. While thoughts of Santa Fe, NM conjure up thoughts of pueblos and caverns and things of the sort to some people (my mother being one of them), my first thought was the shopping. Oh god. Have I really turned into this bad of a shopaholic? Well, I'll wear that badge with pride.

I'm looking forward to snagging great pieces of silver & turquoise jewelry. Maybe I'll find some leather-fringed items (and we all know I'm a sucker for those). Whatever I find, I'm completely excited about going to the downtown market area they have there and seeing what I can snag.

Here are some pieces inspiring me:

For Love 21

For Love 21

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

Have you ever been to the Midwest US? What is there to see there?
Did you find a shopping mecca anywhere on vacation?

Oh, and lastly, if anyone is interested in doing a link exchange (I'll link to your blog, you'll link to mine), let me know! :)

Baltimore's Best

2008-09-19T13:49:00.004-04:00

Every year, the company I work for throws (what I think is) the most kick-ass party all year. It’s called the Best of Baltimore party. Over a thousand people are milling around and the people-watching is pure insanity. People show up wearing everything from ballgowns to…well…nothing. (One year, a guy showed up in sneakers, a bow tie and nothing else. NOT CHIC.)

It was a GORGEOUS night in the city and we were right on the water. I got to break out my ALDO shoes and my lame’ leggings for the first time, and they were a huge hit.

The comments I got on the leggings were hysterical.
“You look like a wet, baby seal!”

“Your tights are neat-o.”

“These make a FABULOUS noise!” (said by my drunk friend as she was repeatedly slapping me all night)

The party had some crazy shit going on - everything from a stilt-walker (who looked remarkably like a clown...so much so that I was running from it) to a roaming band of kazoo players. Good times, good times.

And some of my crazy fashionable friends:

Covet Covet Covet!: Cheap shoes!

2008-09-18T09:59:00.006-04:00

I can't decide whether the recent influx of shoes on some of my favorite websites is a blessing or a curse. Maybe I should weigh out my options:

Blessing
*The colors seem to be becoming more and more vibrant!
*The prices are all beyond reasonable! No pair in the collage I made is over $30!
*The heels seem to be getting higher. In the past, whenever shoes were uber-affordable, I felt like they sacrificed the height of the heel for some reason. I'm not sure why "kitten heel = cheap", but there it is. These newer ones seem to touch the sky!

Curse
*Just one really - my wallet is going to be hurting this fall from all of the pretty things out there!

What shoes are you looking forward to buying in the new season? Do boots do it for you? Are you coveting heels with tights?

Sources: Wet Seal, Forever 21, Hot Topic, Charlotte Russe, and Go Jane.

One Look Could Kill: Jacket freedom!

2008-09-17T16:23:00.004-04:00

I’ve had this jacket in my closet for about 6 months now. It’s been crying to me, pleading for me to let it out, but sadly, I had to keep it put away. When the temperature is shooting above 95 degrees, the last thing you want to do is put on a jacket. I tried to explain this to the jacket, but it just wouldn’t listen. ;)

I was so happy when I found this, though. It’s a motorcycle jacket, complete with buckles and zippers, made out of a soft, sturdy cotton. Who’d a’thunk it? Paired with some army green pants rolled up to show off my gladiators, I felt like somewhat of a badass in this. Don’t ask me why. My brain is odd like that at times. (Okay, at most times.)

Oh! I finally got to wear out my Aldo Koudougou heels this weekend to my best friend's bachelorette party. We roamed the streets of Philadelphia for miles bar hopping. Philly is a pretty old town, so many of the streets are still cobblestone. After miles of cobblestone walking, I could have danced a jig in my shoes. They were RIDICULOUSLY comfortable. I was so happy I almost cried. Seriously. ;) I'm wearing them again tomorrow night to a BIG party my work throws each year. I'll make sure to snap a ton of pictures.

A Bit of the Old "Retail Therapy"

2008-09-10T10:24:00.002-04:00

I don't know if I'd so much call this "retail therapy" as "Hey...I have a bit of extra cash and want things". ;)

Here are the purchases I've made lately:

1) Black/White acid-washed skinny jeans by Vanilla Star (Target jeans pictured): $17

2) Faux leather miniskirt from H&M: $13

3) Faux leather metallic cropped jacket from Forever 21: $38 (Is it sad that I had to waffle on this purchase because $38 seemed a little steep to me for a jacket I LOVED?? Gosh. I scare myself sometimes.)

4) Nerd glasses from Aldo (AA glasses pictured): $12

5) "Straw" fedora from Forever 21: $5.50 (I've been searching for so long for a fedora that fits me...and this one was so cheap!)

6) Wet Seal Lame' leggings (exact replicas of the AA leggings in the picture!): $18

So now that Fall is approaching, are you shopping more? What have you bought already? What's on your wishlist?

One Look Could Kill: Finally Cooling!!

2008-09-10T08:41:00.007-04:00

My first thought when I woke up this morning was, "Woah. It's a bit chilly in here." My second thought when I woke up this morning was, "WOAH!! It's a bit chilly in here!! WOOHOO!" (This was followed by me gleefully flinging myself out of bed cheering...which confused the hell out of my barely-awake husband.) There are only so many 85+ degree days in a row that a girl can handle, and with all of the little Fall purchases that I've been racking up, I've been dying to break them out!

I was so happy to finally get to wear this Old Navy shirt that I've been hanging onto for a few months. It's made out of the softest sweatshirt-like material possible, but still has a flattering, billowy cut. I could just live in this shirt. ;) I paired it with my trusty studded Bitten wedges and a white fishnet scarf I grabbed from H&M last season. Because things at work have been SO busy lately, I haven't really had the time or energy to put thought into my outfits or makeup, but today, I made the time. I feel better already.

Oh, and I had to include one of the little demon who "helps" with my makeup each day. Meet Spooky!

Cheapskate strikes again!

2008-09-03T08:28:00.003-04:00

This weekend was a bit..hmm...I would say "fashion forward", but since I know some of the styles I crave don't appeal to a lot of people, we'll say "fashion successful"!

1) Don't ask me why, but I've been seriously craving a pair of stonewashed/acid-washed skinny jeans. I've just seen them on a few gals who have paired them with heels up to the sky and a rockin' t-shirt, and I was coveting them like no one's business. When I first started looking for these, there were a few common themes:

Most pairs ranged from $45-$100+! This kind of shocked me! I really thought these weren't as popular, but I suppose I was wrong.

Most pairs had a zipper that was only about an inch long...that's how low-rise they were. For a gal with a waist that is actually not the same size as her hips (gasp!), this didn't quite work for me. When crouching down, you could see a good 1-2" of my *ahem* crack. NOT chic.

I looked into how to make my own pair, but being fairly DIY-disfunctional, I decided that buying a pair would be a far smarter route. Well, after searching all over creation (and I really mean that - we're talking 3 malls, several thrift stores, and Marshalls/TJ Maxx etc. up the wazoo!), I finally found a pair...and for less than $20!!! Ross - how I love thee. The pair I got is very similar to these from American Apparel:

...only their jeans are $69. Mine were $17.99. ;) I get a high better than that of drugs when I can find a steal like that.

2) I've also been coveting the famous black lame' leggings from American Apparel for ages, as I mentioned in my last post. However, just like the jeans, I wasn't willing to pay the $42 (!!!!) price tag. After all, they're just leggings. Lo and behold, I walked into Wet Seal this past weekend, glanced around casually...and found the same.exact.leggings. Oh, except for one difference: These were only $17. ;) BOO-YAH! I'm hoping to post a picture of them soon when I can rock them out.

3) Last, but not least.
Weeks ago, so long ago that I'd forgotten about it, I entered a contest on the fabulous blog FashionIsPoison.com...AND I WON A PAIR OF FREE JIMMY CHOOS!$#!#$!%! From what I can tell, these run somewhere in the realm of $400+ brand-new!$#@ I can't believe it, and I'm so excited I can't stand it! Yes, I'm a cheap girl, but for the most part, that's because I simply can't afford to own 99% of designer labels. This will be my first "high"-designer anything, and I'm so grateful.

Did you all go shopping over the Labor Day weekend? Find any good deals yourself?

So yes. Good weekend. ;D Now I have to figure out what to wear to the Best of Baltimore party in a few weeks.

Eek!

2008-08-30T07:46:00.003-04:00

Thrifty. Frugal. Careful. Economical.

Word it however you like. At the end of the day, though, I know that I'm pretty damn cheap. I LOVE a good sale. I take great joy in pointing to a pair of pants I'm wearing, right after someone has complimented them and exclaiming, "Thanks! They were TWO DOLLARS!!!" I've only made a handful of big-ish purchases with clothing in my life (my Betsey purse and necklace, the Bakers shoes, the Aldo shoes..) and each one has had me breathing heavily at the cash register as I hand over my money. I don't.like.spending.money.

Now, the only times I will let myself buy something "big" is when I can't get it off my mind, no matter how hard I try. This is the case with the black lame' leggings from American Apparel.

At $42, they're MUCH higher priced than your average $5-$20 leggings that you'll find. Yes, they're good quality, but at the end of the day, they're leggings....right?

So why does my heart beat faster whenever I see them on someone and why am I always planning imaginary outfits in my head around them??

Now the decision must be made. Do I keep just wanting them....or do I use my 15% off coupon that I have for AA, suck it up, and stop making them an imaginary part of my wardrobe??

Here they are on other beauties:

Ouijesuis from Chictopia

Lindarrr from Chictopia

Rumi of FashionToast.com

So?? Opinions??

Forgive me!

2008-08-29T16:05:00.002-04:00

Oh lovelies, forgive me. Currently at my work, we're in the thick of the busiest time of the year, which goes from about mid-August to mid-September. This year, my workload doubled, so I've barely had time to check email, let alone post.

I promise you, my dears, that there will be PLENTY of posts in the near future! I've purchased (and made!) quite a few items of clothing, shoes and beauty items that I can't wait to share with all of you!

Plus, I just found out that I'm going on a free whirlwind weekend vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico at the end of September! I've got some outfit planning that needs to be done... ;)

Oh, how I love thee.

2008-08-22T12:30:00.004-04:00

Yes, I realize that everyone and their mother in the fashion blogging world has these, but note: I am not everyone and their mother. Therefore, these are still exciting as hell to me!!!

I won't go into the hell it took for these babies to finally get to me, but let's just say that I won't ever be placing a special order from Aldo Shoes ever again. :(

These are shockingly comfortable, despite the high heel. I think that the height of the platform sort of cancels out the heel. They don't even feel terribly high, actually!

Now I just can't wait to wear them! I'm already imagining outfits in my head and trying to get a feel for all of the different styles I could wear them with!

I couldn't find the shoes in black when I was messing around with Polyvore here. I know I'd love to pair these shoes with skinny jeans, short skirts, and some quintessential rock n' roll accessories. I should probably wear a simple outfit so that all of the focus is on the shoes, but I feel like these would just up the rockin' quotient of any outfit and turn the fashion amp up to 11. (Kudos to you if you catch the reference.). ;)

How would you wear these shoes? Would you keep the rest of your outfit conservative, or go all-out-wild?

Inspiring!

2008-08-19T08:40:00.006-04:00

Ever since I was old enough to dress myself, I've looked around for clothing inspiration everywhere. Sometimes, this means picking up the latest copy of Vogue or Lucky and desperately trying to figure out how to replicate the looks inside with my limited budget. Other times, I'll just surf the online stores of all of my favorite websites and put together imaginary outfits in my head.

More often than not, though, I get my inspiration from (*gasp!*) actual human beings. (Okay, I'm not saying that models are not "actual human beings", but it's hard to relate to your average 5'11", 105 lb. blonde-haired-blue-eyed goddess - am I right?) When I was younger, I'd do this by going people-watching. I'd sit outside of a mall with friends on weekends and we'd just chat, run around like crazy (as teenagers often do), and most importantly, take in all of the types of people around us. Naturally, the invention of the Internet has made this painfully easy. Everyone and their mother (including me, obviously) has a blog or an online profile where you can ~~stalk~~ peek into their lives and see the way real people dress.

My inspirational gals change often, but I wanted to give you guys a peek into who is inspiring me lately.

(Note: I am NOT a Photoshop whiz, so I realize that these collages are a) a bit ghetto and b) a bit big. Sorry!)

First, the ladies we all know and love. The "Blogger Icons".

Anyone who has been on fashion blogs probably knows these three, and for good reason!

Karla has this classically chic look that just smacks of French elegance. Her looks are always crisp and clean, whether she's wearing loose men's trousers or a body-con skirt. Everything just looks effortless when she puts it together.

Lulu is quickly becoming one of my favorites! Her style is always put-together, yet always with a hint of rock n' roll. I fully blame her for my obsession with wanting a slim-fitting leather/pleather jacket this season!

Rumi is someone everyone knows by now. Even if you aren't into fashion, just look at her blog for the photography alone! Her model-looks compared with the high-fashion clothing makes for spreads that look like they're straight out of Vogue.

Now for a few ladies who will be the cat's pajamas of the fashion blogging world any second!

Gabby has been one of my favorites for a while now, but not necessarily in the fashion sense at first. I only knew this lovely lady from the makeup pictures she'd post on the MAC Cosmetics community on Live Journal. HOLY ARTISTIC TALENT, BATMAN! I was in awe of her skills there, then she went and created a blog. I was blown away by how adorable this lady's style is! She has the ability to look adorable in a jean-cutoffs and t-shirt, and then swing it around and look like a sexy mama in a short little swingy dress. She's constantly trying new things, and for that, I admire her.

Sara's blog is one that I stumbled on when I was surfing through links of fashion blogs. I was immediately drawn in to EVERYTHING about her blog, and it has become one of the things I so look forward to reading every day! Not only is her style of writing impeccable, but her fashion sense is beyond amazing! She has the ability better than anyone I've seen to mix together inexpensive items in such a way that you'd swear she was a millionaire. The outfits always look pricey and chic. Plus, I have to admit that I'm a complete sucker for her bubbly personality! Her poses always make me smile.

Ashley is another gal that I only knew from makeup communities at first. I have NEVER seen anyone, though, who can mix style as well as she does! She looks equally as fabulous in a 70's bohemian look as she does decked out in a punk rock look. Her blog is always a fabulous read, too!!

So thank you, ladies, for inspiring me again and again!

So tell me....who inspires you? What blogs do you find yourself looking at daily for a fashion fix? ;)

P.S. I swear more outfit posts are coming soon. I've been a bit under the weather, so getting in front of a camera at the moment isn't the most appealing thing lately. ;)

Lucky Me! September 2008

2008-08-06T13:41:00.007-04:00

On the recommendation of Miss Sara Millionaire, this is going to become a monthly feature in Wrapped In Pink.

Each month when my new issue of Lucky comes in the mail, I can barely even make it back to my chair before I'm furiously pawing through the pages, trying to get inspiration for the next big thing. When I got this month's issue in the mail, I think I literally squealed out-loud with joy. This baby is thick...as in close to 400 pages thick! Add that to the fact that it's chock-full of Fall fashion goodies, and I can tell that this is an issue I'm going to read until the pages fall out.

Like Sara, I go through each issue and gleefully tag any and every item that strikes my fancy. Now, 9 times out of 10, I couldn't even dream of affording the things in the magazine. What this does for me, though, is open my eyes to new ideas, and lets me know the kinds of items I want to keep my eye out for.

These were the items I tagged in the September 2008 issue:

1. Kenneth Cole Purse: I had to tag this whole ad because I loved it so much. Of course, the purse is what's getting me, though. I LOVE the distressed, gray leather and the huge zipper. It's the kind of bag that would go with everything, and seems perfect for the upcoming cooler months. I could see myself rocking this with some dark, skinny jeans, a unique t-shirt and some sky-high rocker shoes. I would link to the exact purse, but I think I'm blind because for the life of me, I just can't find it on the site!

2. Sam Edelman boots, "Karol", $199: I love these boots so much that I almost can't stand it! Sure, they wouldn't exactly go with my work outfits, but I think I'd wear these outside of work so much. The gray/silver leather is what's really getting me. I love the tough feel of these.

3. Express brand Leather Biker Jacket, $248: I've already decided that my main hunt this fall will be for a good biker jacket. I truly don't care whether it's real or faux leather, as long as it looks good. I just can't stop coveting one of these, and this Express jacket is the perfect style!

4. Jessica Simpson shoes, "Dover", $89: I couldn't pass by the ad for these shoes without immediately tagging them. I LOVE the texture of these, and the sky-high heel, peep-toe and slingback all add up to make these godly. The rich, vibrant purple hue doesn't hurt either.

5. Rough Roses studded belt, $105: I've been keeping my eye out for belts that are chic enough to be worn with the most conservative of work outfits, yet still have a bit of rock n' roll in them. This subtle studded belt would fit the bill perfectly. I could see myself pairing it with anything from a business-casual sundress to a denim miniskirt.

6. Anne Klein oversized watch, $75: Another item that I'm keeping an eye out is a thick watch. I love how this one has the chunky band, and the block of silver catches your eye.

7. Guess by Marciano Cowlneck top, $69: I love the v-shaped stripes on this top! The color palette is perfect, and the direction of the stripes would lead the eye to the middle, giving the illusion of a teeny, tiny waist.

8. Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer Buckled Bag, "Alex", $570: I love the military aspects of this bag with the buckles and gold accents! I'm making it a mission of mine to find something similar...but minus the $570 pricetag. ;)

So fess up! What did you tag in this month's Lucky? Let me see!

One Look Could Kill: Those boots

2008-08-06T11:36:00.004-04:00

I can’t seem to get enough of these boots this summer. They’re just loose enough around my calves and ankles to be comfortable, even on the hottest days. (Here in Baltimore today, we’re supposed to be at 93 degrees. Ick.)

I also just can’t seem to let go of this purse. I bought it at Target years ago, and it’s INSANELY dirty, but I love it so! Anyone have any tips for making fake white leather bright again? ;) I’ve heard Simple Green, but I’m open to suggestions!

Oh, and I'm going to be a Bloggin' Fool today! Look for posts on my favorite beauty items, and my tagged items from this month's oh-so-juicy issue of Lucky!

Saints of Los Angeles

2008-08-02T22:48:00.004-04:00

I have to admit - since Motley Crue came out with their new album Saints of Los Angeles, I've completely ignored a ton of my music library and gone back to my Jersey girl roots. In constant rotation in my CD player has been Crue, Sixx AM, Poison, Warrant, Ratt, etc. I can't get enough of the cock rock I've always loved, but have a refreshed admiration for.

In February, my husband and I started planning our first trip in YEARS to finally go to Los Angeles. We're staying right on the Sunset Strip, just blocks from the infamous Whisky A Go-Go. We're going in November, and it can't come soon enough.

Combining Crue and our upcoming trip to LA, I think it's only natural that my tastes in clothing have been drifting back to the rock n' roll/glam elements. These are some things that have been inspiring me lately.

So what about you? Anything influencing your style these days?
Any additional "rocker chick" pictures you know of to influence me? ;)

Half Day Ahoy!

2008-07-23T11:06:00.005-04:00

Sorry I’ve been so lax in my posting! The days have just been so hot here that I haven’t felt like putting much thought into my outfits. I’ve been living in a white t-shirt and shorts daily.

Today, I get a half day off from work, so I wanted to wear something to go directly from the office into the malls. Plus, the temperature has FINALLY dipped below 95, so I don’t feel like I need to dress sparingly.

I think these cowboy boots were my greatest Ebay score ever. ;)

Oh, and for the last picture….I had to grab my lovely “Photographer-of-the-Day” (since I am without a tripod) to stand in front of the camera. I swear…I have the most fashionable co-workers. ;)

Want. Need.

2008-07-07T18:16:00.002-04:00

The weekend of July 4th was such a blur to me! I tried to dress fashionably, and wound up wearing the same Dear dress (from Steve & Barry's, of course) 2 days in a row.

Ooops. For my lack of fashion sense, I figured I'd post some things that have been inspiring me lately. I really need to get better about labeling pictures once I save them so I remember who is in the shot.

Naturally, the Olsens. Dammit, I never wanted to jump on the bandwagon of liking their fashion sense, but they're pulling me in.

Miss Rumi is a given. I just ordered the fringed flapper dress from Forever 21. I'm looking forward to finding ways like this to dress it down a bit.

These two were from Baltimore Style magazine months (years?) ago. I love the edgy punk, yet fashionable look the gal has going on here. I love the heavy metal accessories.

I've been on the hunt for a good white blazer forever, and then Karla posted this picture in her blog. It made me just want it all over again...and with a fervor!

There is something SO insanely sexy about this look to me. I love the structured jacket with the loose-fitting tee. Rawr.

Huge bag? Check.
Skinny jeans? Check.
Well-fitted leather? Check.
I just want all of it.

I just love the looseness of this look. So sexy!

I'm hoping to have more posts of my own on the way.

Uniform

2008-06-30T13:28:00.002-04:00

It's amazing to me that I will get so into looking up other people's fashion blogs that I forget that I've started one myself. I'm really going to try to update more on the regular, even if just for my own documentation. :)

I feel like I've almost been wearing a uniform lately. It has been so ridiculously hot that I don't even think about what I'm pulling on. My denim shorts + tee shirt + silver jewelry has been the easiest thing to wear and no fuss at all. I've at least been trying to spice it up with different accessories here and there: some silver bangles, red cowboy boots, Gladiator heels, fringed purse, etc. As "uniform-esque" as it may be, dammit, I like it. ;)

Black t-shirt: H&M, $5.09
Denim Shorts: Mossimo (from Target), $16
Red Cowboy Boots: Ebay, $16
Plaid Purse: Betsey Johnson, $98
Gladiator Heels: Baker's Shoes, $69.95
Gray Burnout t-shirt: Bitten by SJP, Steve & Barry's, $8.98
Silver necklaces: Bitten by SJP, Steve & Barry's, $15 for all 3
Bangles: Claire's, $1 each
Fringed Purple Purse: Delia's, $32

One Look Could Kill: Smitten with Bitten

2008-06-12T09:55:00.003-04:00

I just couldn't resist that subject line. Truth be told, I'm completely, utterly and madly in love with Sarah Jessica Parker's clothing line, Bitten (sold at Steve & Barry's). There are so many "pros" to this clothing line, it's ridiculous!

1) The clothes are incredibly fashionable! I'm talking seersucker pants, the quintessential "Little Black Dress" and strappy sandals kind of fashionable.

2) They have a wide variety of sizes, everything from size 2 to size 18.

3) The clothes are comfortable!!! I know with so many discount clothing chains, you might only pay a few dollars for an item of clothing, but you'll suffer all day from it. I've worn the shoes from the line all day, every day for a week and my feet were still thanking me. ;)

4) Oh, did I forget to mention that EVERYTHING is $8.98 or less?!? How crazy is that?! You don't sacrifice quality for style or vice versa either. It's amazing.

Today, I'm wearing a new outfit, almost entirely from this clothing line:

I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel damn good to receive about 10 compliments from various co-workers within the first hour I was in the office. ;)

Shirt: Bitten - $8.98
Pants: Bitten - $8.98
Shoes: Bakers - $66.00
Cuff: Vendor in the middle of the mall - $14

Am I brave enough?

2008-06-11T16:54:00.003-04:00

In a fit of bravery, I bought my first American Apparel purchase this past weekend.

(In silver lame')

I'm trying to figure out the best way to wear this so that at least part of it can be seen! After all, what's the point of buying silver lame' if no one will EVER see it? I love the look of big, slouchy tank tops with just the sides of a bra peeking out, so that might be something.

Any other tips or suggestions?

One Look Could Kill: Worker Bee

2008-06-09T15:30:00.002-04:00

Ever since seeing The Devil Wears Prada, I've wanted to spice up my work wardrobe with things I wouldn't mind wearing outside of the office as well. While I do work in an office, their standards for dress are slightly more relaxed than most. In fact, I work with more fashionistas than I ever have before, so damn, I need to up my game! ;)

I mentioned this in a previous post, but this is my first time trying out the black t-shirt/bright miniskirt combo. I think that it's just classy enough for work, but could be taken out for a night on the town, too!

Shirt: Thrifted ($2)
Tank Top: Freebie at a movie promo!! ($0)
Skirt: The Limited, on a super sale ($6)
Shoes: Candies from Kohl's ($19)
Studded Bracelet: Claire's ($3.50)
Bag: Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker sold at Steve & Barry's ($8.98)

One Look Could Kill: My old clubbing self

2008-06-09T15:23:00.003-04:00

For so many years, I was all about going to clubs. My friends and I would plan each week who was going, what we'd wear, what songs we'd request - everything. We'd dance our collective asses off and sit in a corner gossiping all night. I never got tired of it and felt completely at home.

One of our popular haunts in Baltimore is ending its weekly industrial party next week, so we all took this past Saturday as an opportunity to visit one last time. All of the same faces were there, all of the same music was played, but something was different. As I get older, it just doesn't seem to fit as well as it used to. I tried on all of my old club clothes, and none of it felt just right.

I threw on my favorite tank top, a jean skirt and these boots. I even later changed out of the boots into my trusty red cowboy boots before leaving the house. I was comfortable, I had fun, and I have no intentions of going back again.

Shirt: Thrifted and deconstructed by me ($3)
Skirt: Wet Seal ($4 on clearance)
Boots: Funke Feet ($45)
Bag: Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker, bought at Steve & Barry's ($8.98)
Necklace: Girl Props ($7)

**Please note that I fully plan on making these pictures better. I need to a) find my tripod and b) find a corner of the apartment suitable for taking pictures without too many background distractions.**

Goin' Cheap: Sales as of 6/5/08

2008-06-05T16:34:00.002-04:00

It's that time! Here are all of the sales (both online and in-stores that I could find).

- Forever 21: They still have their usual "21 items for 21% off" sale going. Items change daily, so make sure to check back!
- Delia's: All swimwear up to 20% off; Use code DWF to get free shipping on all orders above $75; Use code DWGGift to get $10 off any purchase over $25! (expires 6/30/08)
- Victoria's Secret: Use code SP812541 to get $10 any purchase! (expires 6/30/08)
- Urban Outfitters: Use coupon code 083077WELCOME to get 10% off your purchase.
- Nine West: Use codevip2008 for free shipping; TONS of sandals currently on sale.
- Baker's Shoes: All wedges on sale (additional 10% off the lowest price).

That's it for now, kiddies!

Just Give Me a Taste: Flirty!

2008-06-04T18:27:00.001-04:00

Lately, I've been having an extreme craving for a pretty damn specific look: Plain black t-shirt, flirty colorful miniskirt, silver accessories. I think it's a simple, yet striking combo. I've made a promise to myself that I'm going to wear more skirts this summer. They're adorable, and I need to not worry about my legs so much ;)

One Look Could Kill: Sex and the City viewing

2008-06-02T16:54:00.003-04:00

I went with all of my girlfriends to see Sex and the City this weekend....for the second time. The first time I went, I swore that I was going to dress up, at least a little bit. Horrible traffic and a poor mood prevented me from doing that, so I was hellbent on doing it this time.

It was at least good to see that I was not alone in my quest to look Carrie/Miranda/Charlotte/Samantha-worthy for this movie. ;)

Dress: Forever 21, Shoes: Bakers

Hello Everyone!

2008-05-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

This is my first post on Blogger! I'm going to use this as a place to just talk about my newly acquired fashion love. ;)

I'm developing an unhealthy shoe-window-shopping addiction. I just love looking at all of the pretties I can't buy.

From Nine West

Good god, they're on sale, too. Eek!

And now for some wee little pictures from Aldo.

And bigger!

From GoJane.com

DAMN you, Sex and the City girls...always making me want a more fancy wardrobe filled with fabulous shoes. ;)

ALSO, I'm going to start listing sales for each website when I find them!!!
- Baker's Shoes: All platforms on sale
- Forever 21: Every day, they have 21 items for 20% off. The items change daily.
- Aldo Shoes: Free shipping on all online orders.
- Wet Seal: Tons of items for only $10.
- Old Navy: $5 shipping for any order

I'm not positive if the rest of these still work, but it's worth a shot!
- Use coupon code WHOOPS at UrbanOutfitters.com for 10% off your next purchase.
- Use coupon code vip2008 at NineWest.com for free shipping with any order.