love of fashion22: Shopping

Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts

Brand New MacBook Pro!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Well it took longer than expected, but I am officially blogging to you for the first time from my brand new MacBook Pro! It was quite a strain to financially take that jump to Mac, but I have been reassured by all my surrounding Mac community that it will pay off in the end. ~~I will report back in a few on that.~~ Beyond the minor initial frustration of trying to relearn navigation with this new operating system, I am excited to finally have my MacBook Pro.

But you know what that means right? SHOPPING! I will now need a new carry case for my MacBook Pro as well as maybe a cute new briefcase. Patience young grasshopper all things shall come to pass! I was not much up for shopping yesterday since I had a load of To-Do Items to check off now that I finally picked up my new computer...and the fact that it was raining cats and dogs outside in NYC! But I always love the rain, summer rain that is, it is just divine. Maybe its my Carolina upbringing or the feeling that it washes everything anew but summer rain just feels refreshing! ~~That, and it cools down the scorching temperature!~~ Here are some shots I could not pass up the opportunity to snap since I was in such a state of nostalgia yesterday!

And now for the new MacBook Pro bag shopping! All of these lovelies have caught my eye, and they are oh so stylish albeit expensive. I will have to narrow down to just one...hmm...

Mac Bag Shopping by fashiondiva304 featuring tote handbags

Dorothy perkin
£89 - dorothyperkins.com

Lanvin shoulder handbag
$3,285 - net-a-porter.com

Sang A antique bag
$1,195 - kirnazabete.com

Loewe logo tote
$1,060 - stylebop.com

Hayden Harnett tote handbag
$295 - haydenharnett.com

Rebecca Minkoff denim bag
$155 - rebeccaminkoff.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs nylon handbag
$128 - nordstrom.com

Juicy Couture embroidered bag
$98 - couture.zappos.com

Which one shall I decide mes cheris?

Gold Jewelry: Stella & Dot Giveaway

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Mes cheris, I am currently in love with fun gold jewelry. I have been, unconsciously, for a while I suppose, but more so now than ever...not sure why. Gold is so elegant to pair with natural toned outfits, it gives a warm glow and its how I love to top off my ensemble. So I love cruising fun jewelry sites like Stella & Dot to find cute accessories for all my different looks. And that love is reciprocated...so much so in fact that Stella & Dot stylist Alex Ferris is hosting a Stella & Dot Giveaway for all you lovely readers!

These are some of my favorite items that are on my wishlist...

all in the realm of fun gold jewelry of course!

Pearls, studs, lace...anything embellished really. ~~I may be at risk of turning into my own cliche.~~ I just love the idea of lace sitting on your skin as its own jewelry, and the jewels from these other pieces are just dripping elegance. Statement gold jewelry is so much fun to amp up an outfit, I just can't resist.

Stella & Dot Giveaway

Stella & Dot stylist Alex Ferris is giving away to one lucky Embellisher this gorg Vintage Link Bracelet!

To Enter...
1) Be a follower of The Embellished Life
2) Hop over to Stella & Dot, surf around and comment below on your favorite piece!
3) Tweet about this Giveaway @EmbellishedBlog @StellaDot and comment with the URL (additional entry)
4) Fan The Embellished Life and Stella Dot on Facebook and write on the wall. Comment below that you did. (additional entry)
5) Dance around your room in your prettiest dress....optional.

Contest ends Wednesday, August 10th at Midnight NYC time

Bonne chance mes chéris!

Giveaway Extended to Friday August 12th
at Midnight NYC Time!! Hurry and enter!
(Due to my computer problems this week)

Fashionspiration: Afternoon Movie

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Went out for an afternoon movie with the roommates and saw Crazy Stupid Love. LOVED it, laughed so hard! Plus, can you really get any better than a buff Ryan Gosling either topless or suited up throughout the entire film? Je pense pas!

Perfect for an afternoon movie is a relaxed, classic look. This is me doing a classic look...yes I meant what I said. I actually have my shirt tucked in, with a belt no less, my mother would be so proud ! Of course its with ripped jeans, platform wedges, and a vintage scarf wrapped around my head but hey beggars can't be choosers! This is as close as I get.

And in a stunnah pose for the back shot, otherwise you just feel awkward...or like you're in timeout. I just got these wedges and the belt this weekend, so wearing them in ASAP was vital. obv.

Sugar Tarte lace top

Forever 21 jean shorts

STEVEN wedges

vintage scarf

Buffalo Exchange thrifted belt and bag

What is your afternoon movie ensemble?

Current Obsession: High Waisted Wide Leg Jean

Monday, August 1, 2011

Mes cheris, I have officially begun my search for the perfect high waisted, wide leg jean, and so far... not so bad, but I'm still not quite there yet. To say this is my current obsession is putting it lightly, I'm definitely a woman on a mission!

I tried on style after style in a variety of Anthropologie locales, Urban Outfitters (no luck), and even J.Crew, Banana, and Zara (equally unfruitful) throughout this weekend, but nothing. Fortunately I have a bit of time before the weather turns cooler again, and it's permissable for me to sport jeans without turning into a sexy sweatbomb...yes that is what I said.

The closest pairs I could find were all in Anthropologie of course (constant obsession). I tried on a couple that were stunning, but not high waisted and that is really what my target is. I need a pair of awesome jeans that I can permissibly wear my crop tops with in the Fall and not feel like I'm trying to be "on display" what's a girl to do? I did find one pair that is too die for...but they are J.Brand and therefore out of my current price range. Maybe one day, but for now I still must be quite strategic about my purchases.

{merci pinterest}

High waisted wide leg jeans are just so classic and make for such a statement piece in an outfit. I love that they provide a different shape to my body, instead of the constant spandex skinny jeans I've been sporting as of late. I love that they are always made as Trouser Jeans which are always chicer. The high wait makes your waist look smaller and your legs go on for days, and the wide leg tones down any hippyness. Nice. I am also favoring the lighter blue washes lately as well. It provides an earthly refreshing breeze from my dark wash, all business jeans.

It wasn't a completely unfruitful shopping weekend though, I found my last current obsession at a store in Chelsea this Saturday. I finally found some taupe platform wedges that will go with everything and a perfect go to pair for chic put together looks and "Wowza" entrances...generally the only kind I care to make.

Will you wear high waisted

wide leg jeans come Fall?

Style Brief: Fashion for the Women's Briefcase

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Allow me to brief you on the importance of the briefcase mes cheris. No longer the boring box that Mr.Cleaver brings home the bacon in, briefcases are chic and a must have for any working woman's uniform.

Style Brief: The art of the briefcase by fashiondiva304 featuring plaid handbags

Shoulder handbag
$1,274 - ralphlauren.com

Valentino handbag
$1,770 - stylebop.com

Louis Vuitton monogrammed bag
bagborroworsteal.com

Giorgio Fedon 1919 padded bag
$790 - forzieri.com

Piquadro leather bag
$549 - forzieri.com

Messenger bag
$398 - anthropologie.com

Strap bag
$195 - endless.com

KLING straw bag
$55 - modcloth.com

Plaid handbag
$55 - modcloth.com

Without any surprise, my favorite is of course the brown Valentino, the most expensive. But a briefcase is something you don't want to skimp with something cheap. This is the bag that is holding your professional career in your hands, not only do you want it to be sturdy enough to hold it, but to also look good enough to reflect the fabulous professional you are! Since this is an investment purchse, like your suits, be sure to pick something that is sleek and classic so that it will stand the test of fashion's time.

When shopping for a briefcase to serve you well, it should meet the following criteria:

1. Large enough for your laptop
My laptop is wide screen which I love, but makes for a harder bag search.
2. Interior pocket dividers
Don't let important papers crushed when pulling your laptop in and out.
3. Messenger strap option
Not crucial but VERY convenient when commuting.
4. Organizational pockets for small accessories
You don't want to look like a tool man with a belt of gadgets, be sure there is a cell pocket, iPod pocket, business card slips, and pen holders at a minimum.
5. Sturdy stitching
This is a BIGGIE, make sure the seams look heavy duty because unless you own the Mac Air, your laptop is like carrying around a small child all day! You will need stitching to support this.

I Can Pack for That: Los Angeles

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

It seems like the right time to enjoy the summer by escaping to a place with dry heat and lots o' style...bring on Los Angeles! In this how-to guide for packing for Los Angeles you will learn the fine art of a long weekend of leisurely shopping, West Coast beach strolls, and painting the town red...all in the utmost style. Remember: always bring pieces that match each other so you have freedom to mix and match as needed!

Who's star will you place your hands in mes cheris? I can't wait to find Audrey Hepburn's personally!