Shopping Recap

I spent my day off yesterday searching for an outfit to wear to a friend's wedding at the end of March. B and I rarely make a trip to go shopping, I prefer online and he prefers NOT doing it at all.  Regardless of our trepidation, we had a lovely time. I decided to document our little trip with some photos to share with you.

I bought this dress at H&M; it's really comfortable and long enough to wear to the office (it comes to my knees). I wanted something colorful yet formal enough to wear to a wedding. I'm going to pair it with a vintage red belt that I already own.

After trying on heels at Aldo, I decided for something a little quirkier that I would wear over and over again. The saleswomen gave me a terrible look when I suggested wearing them with the dress, but I'm telling you-it works!  They're incredibly comfortable and versatile enough for me to feel like I'm getting my money's worth. Call me lazy but I can't justify spending money on heels that I simply won't wear a lot.

This sweet headband was on sale at J.Crew for $9.99.  It plays up the feminine feel of the dress and adds an interesting juxtaposition to the shoes.

I don't blame you if you're skeptical of my shoe/dress combination.  I definitely was but B and my good friend, whom I modeled the outfit for, assuaged any doubts that I had.

The key when I go shopping for an event is to purchase pieces that can be dressed up or down.  What do you think? 

Brightening Up

Brighten up with these fun, colorful accessories.

Hot Air Balloon Up Up and Away by CuteAbility $20;  6 tiny popper pins by Emersonmade $42; "c" by ban.do $35; ID Wallet via Dao Greer Earthworks $21

Trying desperately to get out of this funk.  These are helping.

Customize your clothing

This new to me shop, eShakti, offers adorable feminine pieces at super affordable prices. The thing that sets this shop apart is that they offer custom sizes and will make the pieces to your liking (i.e. exact measurements). Pretty amazing, right? If you shop mainly online, you know that this can certainly cut down on the hassle of returning and exchanging because you know the item will fit.
I'm currently liking the blush pink and black palette and anything will frills, lace, and bows.

lace front cotton knit dress $49.95 Tulle wrap pearl necklace $19.95 Tulle bow headband $12.95 Layered illusion silk organza tunic $69.95


Carnation hair clip $12.95 Black lace tee $49.95 Pleated cotton satin dress $49.95 Natural jute flower pin $12.95

"A woman can shop for exactly what she wants- no compromise, no premium to pay. She can ask for the fabric, color, body, styling and sizing that she likes. Earlier the information flowed one way: from the manufacturer to the customer. Now, the customer can talk to the manufacturer and easily specify online what she wants and get the clothing made just for her."
-taken from eShakti's 'belief' statement
Sounds to good to be true, right? Well, I'll let you know as soon as I purchase something, which will happen. If you've had an experience with this shop, I'd love to know your thoughts.

Adjustable Headbands? Yes please.

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Last week, on Oh Joy, I came across the lovely (adjustable, for big heads like mine) headbands by teeny house bunny. Then, seredipitously enough, I came across them in person at a brand new vintage shop in town who sells a few handmade items.

Since these pieces seem to be everywhere, including Anthropologie, I figured it's meant to be that I post about them. After all, it's difficult for me to find comfortable headbands. The last headband I ordered was stretchy and snapped off my head before I even left the house! Sad story, I know.
marist $40


Jordan $40


victoria $40


annex $40

{all images via teeny house bunny}
So next time you have a friend who has an extra large brain that needs to be housed by an extra large head (that's what I tell myself anyway), I definitely suggest these very sweet, adjustable headbands. Now that I come to think of it, no two heads are alike- right? Why should headbands be one standard size anyway?

Head torture

I read a statistic recently, somewhere, that over 60% of women that wear headbands report headaches. I am not alone! I'd like to think my big head is a reflection of my giant brain, but man do headbands hurt my head. I'm prone to headaches anyways, so I don't wear them often, but I love the look of a good headband. I've mentioned before that my hair is growing out from a very short cut, so the need to tame my hair is increasing. Here are my picks for some headbands, weather or not they'll hurt my head, is a whole other issue.
This simple beauty has an antique, romantic feel.

Beaded Applique Headwrap $24
source: UO
Gray is neutral and the flowers add textural interest.
Spectral Jessamine Headband $38
source: Anthropologie
I like the colors in this one (I have super dark hair so it'll stand out) and if it hurts my head, I've spent very little money.
Colorblock Striped Headband $1.60
source: gojane
The red and white has a fun, retro feel that I adore.
Cherry Wallflower Lotus Flexible fabric headband $9
source: Precocious
Does this look like an eye to you? Regardless, the colors are beautiful.
Peacock blue and green feathers headband $15
source: Elegant Whimsy
This would instantly dress up a white t and jeans.
Triple Band Metallic Elastic Headband $24.50
source: Jcrew
So my hunt for the painless headband begins. I'll let you know when I find it! Until then, any suggestions?

Let's Blog Away

Hi! Just to begin, I'd like to say that if you're looking to read about "high" fashion from a pretentious designer or other certified style related professional, this will not be your cup of tea. I am not a professional designer, decorator, curator, or writer. I am, however, someone that daydreams a lot and happens to have more time on my hands than I'd like...so with that said this blog will really be about my personal insight into living a stylish life. See, the thing is, I don't have a lot of money and the money I do have goes to pay for all those lovely bills that accumulate every month, without fail. The great thing about style though, is that you can't really buy it. I mean sure, you can buy all sorts of nice, expensive things, but are you really stylish? I'm not even sure I would call myself a stylish person, at least not in the celebrity, highbrow sort of way. I'm certainly uneducated about many fashion-y things, but I try to keep up (not with the Joneses mind you). As for blogging...I'm also highly inexperienced in this area. I didn't even like blogs until most recently when I changed jobs and had way more computer time that I'd ever dreamed possible. I've been looking at a lot of blogs and I've stumbled across quite a few that I find creative, quirky, and sometimes inspiring. At this point you might be wondering why I'm taking this leap into the blogging world and I'll tell you a few reasons:
1) I want to exercise my brain b/c some part of my body needs to benefit from activity and I know I haven't seen a gym in quiet some time.
2) Creative expression-I have a studio art degree that I haven't used and am looking for a creative outlet (and this is free!)
3) I want more of a record of myself b/c I have terrible memory and I can't even keep track of all the things I run across that I love b/c I forget them in 10 seconds flat.
Twist Image outlines more of the benefits for an individual who blogs my favorite being "there are 3 sides to every story." I couldn't agree more and that's why I'm here to offer a simple, albeit sometimes naive perspective on living a w/style that won't throw you into debt for the rest of your life.
So, I think I have a few good reasons to share some things. Let us begin.

What was that the Bible said about money...it's is the root of all evil or something like that? Well, I don't know about it being the root to ALL evil, but it certainly does consume most of us and if you don't have it you wish you had more and if you do have it you may be surprised at how little joy it brings you. Not that I have any real idea on having it, but I'd like to think there is some burden in having too much.
I received my third paycheck at my new job yesterday and almost started crying at my desk (not very professional). I immediately sent my boyfriend a text message stating, "I can't live on this, omg, wtf?" After I regained some control, I decided to stop being so dramatic and figure out a way to MAKE it work. B/c what choice do I have, really? I already work two jobs (one of which is salaried w/benefits) and hoping to start graduate school in the fall, which my job will thankfully pay for.
So I went to my handy financial tool at Mint.com and reviewed this months financial spending which was not great. There were three purchases in particular that put my frugal budget over the limit:

I bought my boyfriend "B" a striped Lacoste shirt at the local vintage shop where I work for $25.00, which as you know, is a good deal for a Lacoste shirt.

source: www.bergdorfgoodman.com
(this is neither my b-friend, nor the shirt, but you get the point).

I also bought a Head Dress NY headband for $15 which was definitely a splurge:

source: www.thisnext.com
I'm not even sure why I bought it since headbands hurt my head and I've been prone to headaches lately but I'm growing out my pixie cut and I thought a headband would help. The saddest part of all: I haven't even worn it.

I also bought my much beloved copy of Domino's The Book of Decorating:


Who wouldn't want this if just for the amazing cover??? I have looked through and marked up this book already and have gotten a lot of new ideas for our (gasp) new house which we are moving into in about a month (it's a rental so I'm only allowed to get so excited).
Speaking of Domino...I am unbelievably sad that the magazine is closing and the LAST issue will be out in March. I don't know what I'm going to do w/myself, really (ok, see there's the drama again). I suppose it makes sense since the housing market is so ugly right now that the dwell magazines will suffer too, but still, Domino? I don't even have words.
So, my lesson learned this month: don't buy $15 headbands that you aren't going to wear but do buy design books which will last and can be shared. Definitely worth the investment.