Day After Christmas Shopping

Hello everyone, I hope you had a Merry Christmas or a restful federal holiday!

Today was the first day I ever went shopping after Christmas, but it was mom's idea and being the fashion-lover that I am I thought it would be fun. It was! We only went to two stores: DSW and Macy's. DSW had some things I liked but they just weren't comfortable--I'm all about comfortable shoes. Sacrificing comfort for fashion is totally unnecessary in my opinion, and if you hunt around enough you can find great shoes at good prices that are also comfortable. I'm pretty picky about all of my clothes but especially my shoes, so admittedly it takes me longer than most. However, today at Macy's I found a pair that will match anything through fall and winter because of the color blocking. Trendy and useful! The chunky heel is also not too chunky but is definitely sturdy enough that I'll be able to walk however many blocks to work next year and not be miserable. I'm pretty sure these might be man repellent, but I'm not concerned about it, hahah.


The Lil MaryJane by Nine West:

Christmas Gifts Part II

Hi everyone,

Back to the promised Christmas gifts. For now, this post is going to be a girl-centric one, but the next one will be a general gift guide.

I've been having a hard time finding presents that are something other than jewelry, purses,  etc. that aren't TERRIBLE. Seriously, who wants a market bag when you can buy one at Kroger? Or a leg roller massager that looks totally useless or a GROCERY LIST MAKER, "for when you just aren't spending enough time working to provide for your family, here's something that will complicate the simple task of making a grocery list BUT IT IS A GADGET SO IT WILL BE FUN!"

So I've kept it simple and pretty. This post is going to focus on jewelry and leather goods/purses. I've tried to pick things I think are objectively attractive, so even if I thought something was super cool and avant-garde and I'd totally like it, I kept it to things that I think most any girl would like (and that I would like too).


A quick note on what accessories/clothes NOT to buy women: belts, hats, socks, and pants. Belts can imply that she needs to keep her pants up higher, or that she's chubby and you'd like her to emphasize her waist more. Only if she has specifically said she would like a belt are you to go buy her a belt (the only exception to this being Hermes belts). Hats are really tricky to size and also find a shape and style appropriate for your face. She also might not like to wear hats, much less belts, period. Socks--totally boring. They say "I'm unimaginative and didn't try at all." Pants...just a strange present, and also really hard to find in the right size. Shirts, blouses, even dresses in the right cut are a thumbs up. Scarves are definitely always a hit, and shoes are okay if you include a gift receipt and get the right size. There is an easy way to figure out her shoe size: look in her closet. However, don't try to buy her heels based on her running sneakers. Girls may wear different sizes for different types of shoes, so if you're trying to get her flats, look at some she already has; if you're trying to buy her stilettos, look at the highest pair of heels she has in her closet. Now then, back to what TO buy!


First up, I love this ring from Kate Spade on sale for only $39.99. (A tip for ring buying: size does matter. If your lady has, what seem to you, to be unusually slender fingers then this ring won't fit her because it only comes in sizes 6-8. If you're unsure what her size is and she wears rings, just sneak one she doesn't wear much away to any store that sells jewelry (Macy's, Jared's, a jewelry appraiser) and ask them to size it for you. This is free, and they'll whip out what looks like a key ring but with long, tapered cylinders on it that are the different finger sizes and try the ring on them until it fits.) Anyway, here's the ring:

It's made of glass and 14kt gold, and it's so so lovely.


Next, also from Kate Spade, I couldn't resist this "A rose is a rose" tautological idiom bangle on sale for $44:

These coral earrings from Francesca's Collections are an oval shape that is universally flattering and are super affordable at $18:

The last jewelry item from Kate Spade is this ultra-trendy bow ring, that also comes in gold plating and clear plastic. It costs $39.99 on sale:

This 30" necklace for $32 from Francesca's Collections not only compliments the ring above it, but is a great gift for tall women and matches just about everything.

Getting super fancy now from Nordstrom's, on sale for $82.90, is this really pretty Nadri cubic zirconium bangle that is sure to stun anyone (in the best way possible). It's available in both rose gold (top) and gold (bottom):

Also really shiny and pretty, this unusual chandelier earring set from Nordstrom for $31.90 would make a wonderful present:

Changing gears a little bit, this lovely jewelry box from Anthropolgie on sale for $54.99 makes a sweet present on its own, but would also be an impressive, thoughtful way to present your gift and really show the time and thought you put into it. Presentation can be everything:

2.5" H x 4.5" W x 2" D

On to the leather goods and bags section now!


First up, if your lady has elegant, classic, and refined tastes, she'll definitely love this wallet from Kate Spade on sale for $75:

This green bag from Francesca's Collections is a fun and vibrant shade of green that can be worn across your body, on your shoulder, or carried by two straps. $54.00: 

Found on the Nordstrom's website, this wallet from Fossil for $32.90 comes in two adorable prints and is sure to be a hit--just make sure your lady doesn't already have a wallet (in good condition) that she loves/paid big bucks for and doesn't want to trade out yet:

Keeping with the color blocking trend that's going to be hot for spring and summer, this cross-body bag for $44.00 from Francesca's matches almost any outfit:

This $44.00 poppin' pink bag is too cute, and the gold chain sets off the fuchsia tone perfectly. Also from Francesca's:

Finally, if you don't feel comfortable picking something so personal for her, then LUSH always has amazing gift packages from $20.00 to ones like this one for $49.95 (and this one's for couples, even):

Included: Avobath Bath Bomb 6.3 Oz., Each Peach (And Two's A Pair) Massage Bar 2.2oz, The Olive Branch Shower Gel 3.3 Fl Oz, Snow Globe Soap 3.5 Oz,So White Bath Bomb 3.1 Oz, You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt 1oz, None Of Your Beeswax Lip Balm 10g.

Or, for $22.95 from Lush something smaller and more feminine:

Included: Snow Fairy Shower Gel 3.3 Fl Oz, Shimmy Shimmy Sparkle Bar 1 Oz, Angel's Delight Soap 2.1oz.

Alright, that should give you guys enough to peruse for now. Part III coming soon, with ideas for men, parents, and general cool swag!

Happy shopping!

What's covered in Fur, Leather, and Lace?

What in the world could I want to talk about today with this sort of title? Well, coats. For this winter (and the next) coats with fur, leather, and lace accents are definitely "in" (props to the lovely Nancy for suggesting this subject). This summer at my internship in NYC I compiled a presentation with pictures from designers' winter runway show that illustrated this point.  It was used as a presentation for a conference of store managers and top sales associates to show them what was going to be hot for the winter (hah hah). Below are some of my favorite picks for this winter in a variety of styles and colors.

First up, Fabulous (Faux) Fur:

/Edit @ 3:40 pm 11/05/11

Ann Taylor is having a 50% off special on all faux fur! It's like the read my mind! And this coat (with 50% off is $124) with a detachable fur ruff is sooo beautiful I can't believe I missed it:

#1 "Manors and Etiquette" coat from Modcloth @ $189.99. I like this coat a lot as an example of an elegant fur statement that's very feminine without being overwhelming.

#2 is a mega fur statement called "Chevron Stripe Faux Fur Jacket" by a brand called Willow & Clay. It can be found at Nordstrom for $128. I really like this for some reason although it's totally over-the-top, but maybe that's why. It's also 3/4 length sleeves which add a retro touch and keep the fur from totally taking you over.

#3 from Bebe doesn't have a name really, but it makes up for it with a punchy red color and glossy black trim:

I have deliberately not included the ubiquitous fur vest in this post because while I think they are cute, they are totally impractical for more than three weeks of the year in Cambridge, MA and I refuse to advocate for cold arms. Similarly, I refuse to advocate Bear Arms:

"UGH I am SO MAD that they made me go full Chewbaca. This was not what I signed up for!"

Time for leather!

#1 is the "Leather Jacket" from Ann Taylor which I like because it's a nice example of mixing leather and normal fabric without overdoing either. If you want it, I recommend waiting for a sale since it's $398 right now.

#2 is the "Mackage Single-Breasted Coat" from Bloomingdale's. While expensive at $590, it does at least give a good idea of what I'm thinking when I mean leather accents:

#3 is the "Maria Stand Collar Coat" by Via Spiga whose boots were featured already on this blog. Also from Bloomingdale's, this coat is more affordable than the previous at $313 and comes in this color as well as black:

And last but not least, Lace:

#1 is the "Emmett Lace Trench Coat" for $488 by BCBG, which is just shy of being overdone but is still pretty. 

Example #2 comes from Asos, which is a great site if you haven't heard of it.  It's called the "Wool and Lace Jacket" by LiLee for Asos and it's pretty affordable at $129.38.

#3 I had a hard time finding without caving and showing you Valentino, who basically kicked off this whole trend with a host of fabulous lace coats, because I'm committed to showing you guys things you might actually be able to afford.  Unfortunately, attractive lace coats jump to $5000 pretty easily (Valentino). So I've compromised. Here's a Jason Wu for $2550 from Kirna Zabete, which I've never heard of before:

So there are my picks for coats that have nice fur, leather, or lace detail. I'm inspired now after all this hunting for nice coats to make a second post about colorful coats or particularly unique styles. That'll be tomorrow's project. 

Happy shopping!