Bit by the blue bug

I took Cyber Monday off from work this year just to chill and shop online (since I worked on black Friday). Woked up at 5am and started hounding down all my favorite online retailers like a mad woman. By 10am, I only bought 2 skirts from JCPenney and 1 item from ASOS, and didn't really see anything else I liked that was on super sale. I also took the time to pay off my monthly bills online and looking at my school loans, it made me lose taste in shopping any further, haha.

However, there were some items that caught my eye during my browsing madness, but not on sale enough (and not on my shopping limit list) to pull the trigger. I think I got bit by the blues!

 

Armani Exchange Faux Fur Collar Peacoat $155.35 (with 35% off and free shipping)

Forever21 Contrast Trimmed Blazer $32.80 (free shipping)

I'm not sure how versatile and practical bright blue is in my wardrobe right now, but I love it on Pippa Middleton...her iconic blue blazer and coats! I'll think about it some more if blue is needed in my closet. Seems like this color only works with black and white combinations.

  

Anybody else getting the blues?

The man in me

I don't know what is in me lately, but I'm attracted to the way men's clothing are layered. Again, in the J.Crew December 2012 catalog, I kept flipping back towards the men's section for outfit ideas.

Other looks from the J.Crew men's section I'm loving:

from page 105

from page 120

Makes me wonder if women styled these men, or I'm turning masculine, haha.

Other inspirations:....I found these guest judges from Project Runway All Stars Season 2 Episode 3,  Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra to be adorable!

Fashionable lumberjacks, layering with plaid and checks is wonderfully perfect for this time of the year. But it looks like these guys always look like this though...who knew they design such pretty women clothing (http://www.costellotagliapietra.com)!

In theory: perfect fall outfit

I was just browsing ASOS, and fell upon these items below that would combine into a perfect fall outfit. Unfortunately, I am not going to buy anything today (since these are not on my shopping limit list). Maybe I'll come back to these looks someday when I'm no longer on budget restraints.

Golden/mustard yellow plaid blouse

Under a brown tweed jacket

With oxblood burgundy skinny pants

Perfect fall colors!

Inspired by TBS post here.

Also thinking of this painting right now:

Lorette with Turban, Yellow Jacket by Henri Matisse, 1917

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

J.Crew December 2012 Catalog inspiration

Who here gets giddy when they receive the J.Crew catalog in the mail? I do! My two favorite catalogs in the world are Anthropologie and J. Crew. I have saved many of their catalog clippings for over a decade it seams as my fashion inspiration. I'm glad I now have this blog to share the images I love (instead of piles of faded pages in flimsy folders, cluttering up my space, and a nightmare to rid of when moving). In the new colorful J.Crew December 2012 catalog, I actually gravitated towards the "neutral" palette. It reminded me how much I love wearing cream, dusty grey, and camel in the winter. Too bad I don't live in the cold Midwest anymore, otherwise I would be shopping for shearling, Irish fisherman sweaters, cozy cable-knits, and camel suedette pants!

And here are the pages from J.Crew December 2012 catalog that is the source of my inspiration today: 

The "Gifts for Him" inside the front-flap cover was what initially got me buzzing.

  Why do guys always get the best timeless pieces? This is why we love menswear!

from page 24-25

from page 26-27

hunky guy smiling at you from page 119.

Holiday picks

I cannot believe it's November already! Ah, the holidays are approaching fast as my local mall spruces up for Santa's arrival....

They were chiseling and carving this holiday scene out of a huge mound of dirt/clay....pretty cool!

As for holiday fashion, I'm seeing lots of plaid, furs, black and gold, and I'm still wanting a red dress!

But a more practical clothing item I'm wishing for is a Tartan or Scotch Plaid shirt...inspired by another James Tissot painting:

The Warrior's Daughter (c.1878)

Black Booties

My search for travel black booties is over. I ended up finding 2 pairs that fit my criteria. The Target Merona® Kalama Shootie Wedge and Crown by Born Woodlynne ankle boots, both on sale for under $30, and both very comfortable shoes.

I thought I'd do a quick review on the Born Crown Woodlynne ankle boots in case anyone out there shops at the online/catalog retailer Sierra Trading Post. Has anyone actually shopped there? I haven't yet, but I noticed they are selling these booties that I'm loving:

Fango Printed Snake - size 6

These fit true to size.

Surprisingly comfortable for 3" heels.

Typical Born patent-pending rubber soles.

My favorite part is the shape of the shoe where it dips in front and the back. The front dip gives an interesting visual and the back dip is great because it doesn't cut or rub against my ankles as with other booties/shooties.

I've been watching a lot of music talent shows (ahem' X-factor), and this outfit makes me feel like I can be a contestant, or at least what I would wear if I were to sing on stage....perhaps a Taylor Swift country song, hehe.

Common sense would probably say booties are not ideal for short legs, but at least with this style, the dip in the front helps slim/elongate the legs a little bit. Here's a comparison with my other Target booties.

Can you see any difference in leg lengthening or shortening?

However, I have to admit the Target Merona Kalama booties are more comfortable due to the rubber wedge, more cushion at ball of foot, and rounded toe, so I'd probably use that one more for travel. I'll keep the Born Woodlynne booties on days I want to be sassy!