Jewelry

It's been a while since I've written, but I'm back! Today I'd like to feature my friend Alex's jewelry over at her site Alexandra Jewelry, which is absolutely fabulous and very affordable.

She makes it all herself (including soldering metal, which really impresses me!). Speaking as someone who's seen several of her pieces in person--since she's her own best model--I can tell you that they are visually stunning.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces for sale right now, but you should definitely go browse her site yourself!

GORGEOUS. Saw these on a friend at a final club last weekend in the green and clear version and they looked fantastic!

A quirky symmetrical necklace in gold. I love how the tiny circular chain details set off the diamond-shaped pieces.

Obsessed with this necklace since last summer: it's made of antique chandelier. You can't get any more chic than that!

Happy shopping!

Christmas Gifts Part III

Hey all!

I'm so excited because I'm done with finals!! Which means I'm officially a second semester senior, whoop whoop! Good luck to everyone not done with finals yet, and happy procrastinating with ideas of gifts for the various people in your life. Have fun:

First up, BOTTLE OPENER IPHONE CASE! Perfect for the college guy who can't bear to put down his iphone at a party. Sorry guys, blackberries not invited to the party. Costs $22.93 on Amazon.

Next, for the person who loves to save ticket stubs, museum tickets, and sentimental mementos, this ticket stub diary is totally perfect and has space inside for a description of each ticket stub. It costs $8.49 on Amazon:

In a similar vein, it's an easy diary, called "One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book". I think the title is pretty self-explanatory, and for people too lazy to journal--like me--who still wish they could, this is a great way to make it happen. Costs about $10 and change on Amazon:

Also comes in a Mom version for about the same price:

Changing gears, these headphones for $122 from Amazon. They're apparently as good as Bose and about half the price!

Or, if you're like me and would be annoyed wearing these huge things around everywhere and/or prefer earbuds, here are some really great ones from Skull Candy. They have great reviews, and they cost $20 from Zappos (random, right?) and come in many other colors besides purple:

Flasks. Flasks are something that I think a lot of women would get a kick out of, but many people wouldn't think of getting for them. Here's one for $19.95 from Sur la Table that I think is both funny and unique-looking:

If the man in your life wears shirts that need collar stays, I imagine these would be bankers, consultants, and fancy pants-types, then this set of "hidden message" collar stays from Red Envelope is really fun. The "PG" version says things like: "You're so handsome," and "You follow your dreams." The "R-rated" version says things like, "That tie will be useful later," and "I might if you ask me." Each set is $39.95 and right now Red Envelope has everything for 20% off when you use a code. Act fast!

In the same vein there is a "hidden message" money clip, which you can customize and have engraved with your loved one's initials. I think this is a really sweet idea, and the message can be anything from an inspirational quote, a funny message, or something romantic. For an extra oomph, especially if it's for a son or a nephew, slip some cash into the clip. Everyone likes cash! $49.95 from Red Envelope, but remember, everything's 20% off: 

And to close out this post, something for the baker inside everyone (ok, some people). I got something like this for my mom a few years ago and she really liked it. This book is Crust: Bread to Get Your Teeth Into and it comes with an INSTRUCTIONAL DVD! It's practically fool-proof this way! It's available for $23.02 on Amazon:

So that's it for Part III. I may or may not do a part IV before Christmas, I'm not sure. In the meantime, though, happy shopping!

Weird faces

Sometimes when browsing the vast online shopping realm that is the internet, I happen upon an article of clothing that I just cannot take seriously, like this:

They hid her face to preserve her anonymity. 

Because everyone wants long strings coming from their waist that cover their crotch like an ineffective loin cloth. We call it "Pocahontas in Tatters".  Or, "The Fugly Waist Beard".  This beauty brought to you from Urban Outfitters, $69.

But the real treasure is crazy model faces. You know, when you can just tell they are confused because the photographer has told them "SMIZE! IMAGINE HOT SEXY PENGUINS SLIPPING DOWN A WATERFALL OF SENSATION!" Or they are fed up after hundreds of takes, scores of clothing changes, and lots of bright lights. Or, sometimes, they just don't have a clue. This of course happens all the time in regular print ads in magazines or newspapers, but often goes unnoticed in online shopping. No more!

Behold:

<Insert Halo Here>

"I am angelic, virginal, pure....hamburgers....I mean, serenity! Innocence! You can have it all if you buy this bow! Just not my hamburger. Get your own!"

 The Aggressively Over-bleached "Sex Pot"

"Yeah, I'm sexy. Seducing you right now. You are so convinced. You are mesmerized..."  

The "WE ARE SO COOL" Girls who secretly hate each other

Girl on the Left: OMG I'm so over it but LOOK AT THIS NECKLACE!

Girl on the Right: UGH how DARE she be in this shot with me can't she see I'm WORKING IT HERE?!

Girl on the Left:  *Eye roll*

Girl on the Right: Rude.

Miss Attitude

Buy this dress or I mess you up with my awkward hand-claw. Be afraid. 

Depressed Elegance

 This dress makes me so happy. No, really.

Ophelia

Mayhaps Hamlet shalt returneth if I but pull my hair in a forlorn manner. Mayhaps thou wilst purchase this dress?

Wounded Chic

This totally vintage, used head wrap from the Civil War can be yours for just $29.99! Natural dyes only. 

The Horse

 Ignore the fact that I look like a horse, just focus on how sexy I am. Now buy this dress. Put the YAY in NEIGH!

Dazed and Confused

...uh...huh?

Some of my all-time favorites, though, come from browsing "club wear" websites. They have less money to pay more professional models and give more direction like "Look sexy!", "Look HOT!", "Imagine you're seeing a hot guy you wanna go home with!" Or at least that's what I imagine they've been told when I see the following facial expressions:

Me....ow?

Hey boys. I have to pee. One sec.

This is a real person, not a wax figurine. She will bring all the boys to the yard, someday. 

Honorable Mention goes to Coco Rocha, who for sheer weirdness of face I could not leave out of this post. She's an international, incredibly famous supermodel, considered very beautiful by many. I think she looks crazy. She's normally a great model though. As the infallible Tyra Banks has said, "Coco is not afraid of the ugly/pretty." Yes, there is such a thing as going "ugly/pretty," and unlike retard, you must go full. I think Coco was blessed with the instinctual ability to do so in most of her photos. 

Sexy Gone Strange

Ello, lovaz. I am selling nail polish, een case you ver not avare. I am squeenting my eyez to make zem look sexee. Alzo, steeking my finger in my mouth vill tempt you to buy zees nail polish.  

Now for sheer weirdness that actually shows what her face looks like 70% of the time in ads and on the runway:

"The Banshee"

I had a pretty good time writing this post because this is something I've been thinking about for a while. If you guys find any crazy faces of your own while browsing, let me know in the comments and I'll post them up!


Happy shopping,
Alexandra

Lady in Red

Perhaps it won't come as a big surprise that my favorite color is red. Crimson, scarlet, vermillion, all these shades make me really happy. So do shoes. And for whatever reason, red boots have been on my mind for fall. I think they would make a fun, peppy statement which wouldn't be too loud if done in a burgundy or cherry red for day time, and a great statement at night time if done right. What do you guys think?

This pair named "Lady in Rad" from ModCloth is just darling and only $39.99. My inner, fashionable Robin Hood really wants these:

Although to be honest I'm not sure about the length of the boot shaft. According to the details, it's 7.5" in height.

This pair named "Jordan" from LuckyBrand via 6pm.com is more subdued and better for kicking around in all types of weather. It will set you back $71.99 but I love the brass accent on the heel:

This next pair called Mavenue is from Nine West and I can only find it in this color ("Burgundy Suede") from their website.  They're on sale for $104.30--why that extra $0.30 is necessary I'm not sure, but they'd be a sexy statement for either day or evening. They have an inside zipper in the same burgundy tone on the other side. If anyone wants to get me an early Christmas present I would recommend these. Oh, by the way, I'm a size 8 ;).

Next up is "Paully" by a brand I've never heard of--Lumiani. Also via 6pm.com, these are $64.99 and while they're not what I would choose to wear, they do look like they could work with anything from a conservative style to a more artsy, eclectic look:
 

This next pair is a purrrfect (yes, I went there) blend of fun and sexy! The "Qupid Porter Bootie" from DSW would definitely add a lot of sass to your night on the town and is totally affordable at $44.95! If you are thinking of getting me two Christmas presents...I'm still a size 8, hahah.

But I've been favoring boots that don't come up to the knee so far. To round things out, I'm going to give you two boots I totally approve of in red that show it is possible to do a tasteful red boot. And then one example of something you should never, ever wear unless it's your first day working the night shift.

First up Via Spiga's Piper Boot from Nordstrom. Expensive at $249.90 (which is 30% off I might add), it is a great example of a classy, restrained, and fitted red knee-high boot. 

On the really high end of the scale is MiuMiu's super sleek, sexy (and sensibly named) Two-Tone Suede Boot available at Nordstrom. While I covet these, they are totally out of my college girl budget at $990. I'm really digging this two-tone combo though. For those of you with sticker shock, it does make sense that Miuccia Prada's (yes, that Prada) other brand would have very high price points: 

Finally, as promised, what not to wear:

You may be surprised to find out, as I was, that these "Blondey Boots" come from none other than Nine West! Originally retailing at $168.00, you can find them at the very affordable price of $39.99 at ShoeMetro.com.

There, all done obsessing over red boots (for now). Hopefully you're inspired to go out and get a pair of your own (or buy me a pair!). If you do get a pair, let me know and I'll feature them in this post =). 

Resisting any jokes about painting the town red...happy shopping!