Technically this is a lace crop top. However, on my frame...it's just a regular shirt. However, after paying only $7 at Plato's Closet, I wasn't too mad at myself for not trying it on. And you can basically tuck anything into an elastic-waisted midi skirt.
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If you haven't heard, one of the fashion blogging world's superstars, Cupcakes and Cashmere, has launched a clothing line. It's available at one of my fav shopping destinations, Shopbop. Although I love the girly-casual aesthetic of the line and the price points (in the range of $100), I am less than thrilled with the size choices. I am between an 8 and a 12 (depending on the brand and style) and I don't think I could get into anything other than perhaps a cotton top or jacket. I feel like alienating a large portion of your fan base was a mistake, but at the same time, I understand this was a first try at something new. Instead of inserting a tirade here, I am going to offer a suggestion and be hopeful. I am hope the Ms. Cupcakes will incorporate ladies of a wider variety of body types and shapes into her next collection. Many of the silhouettes in this collection would look fab on lots of different shapes and sizes! I have provided a few different options to recreate two of the looks below with other options.
Creme de la Creme Dress: Free People via Bloomingdale's | Shoes: BCBG via Macy's |
Earrings: Kate Spade via Bloomingdale's | Bracelet: JewelMint
When I first saw these photos I thought, "I look like a real fashion blogger!" I guess having a blog doesn't make me a "real blogger" in my mind. When I think of real fashion bloggers, I think of the biggies: Atlantic Pacific; Kendi Everyday...you know, the classic hits. But, I guess technically, I am a real fashion blogger. I have a blog, it includes fashion, I am a real live person. I guess I fit all the criteria. However, I have yet to master the poses, include at least 4 trends in each outfit, walk a yard in heels without crying...you know all things that fashion bloggers, but not real people can do. Well, look at me. I am posed. I am wearing a jewel tone, strappy heels, statement earrings and a bold lip. I will admit though, I had tears in my eyes after wearing these heels for an hour.
I haven't sold out though. That dress was $32 on clearance, the earrings were $22 on clearance, the shoes were $25 after a coupon, and I used credits to get the bracelet. So, I might look like a big shot blogger....but I poured through sale bins to get these clothes.
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Pamela Dress: J. Crew (exact) | Shoes: Kate Spade via Marshall's (splurge) |
Earrings: Kate Spade via Bloomingdale's (exact) | Necklace: Loren Hope via Rocks Box (exact) | Sunglasses: Kate Spade via Bloomingdale's Outlet (similar) Sign up for Rocks Box here and get 1 month FREE!
I went with a slightly different look for the wedding I attended recently in Ibizia (yes, I know I haven't written about my trip yet, but life has gotten in the way). I usually go for a more whimsical and playful look for weddings. I decided to go classy, lady-like for this wedding. I usually reserve pencil dresses for the office. However, I am pretty happy I went with this look for the wedding. It could have been pretty reserved....had I not added metallic heels and a whole lotta bling.
And I added that pic of the Scot and me because he seemed a little annoyed that I was cropping him out of pics to get a better shot of the necklace. And don't think I have gone super fancy on you with my J. Crew dress and Kate Spade shoes and earrings. All were purchased off the clearance rack. $70 for the dres, $50 for the shoes, and $15 for the earrings.
I have no deals to share with you this week. I've been trying to take a bit of a shopping hiatus as the Scot and I are trying to buy a house. I can't actually be the old lady that lives in a shoe...even if that shoe is a fabulous designer one at a discount. So, I leave you with a fab lace dress I got at Kohl's well over a year ago for less than $20.
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I am always on the hunt for accessories that fit into my vegetarian lifestyle when I stumbled upon Gigee Marie, an accessories website that features handmade clutches in faux leather and suede. Since, Gigee Marie answered my prayers for a vegan clutch, I quickly emailed the brains behind the shop Angela to find out a little more. Oh, and Gigee Marie has just expanded into jewelry!!!
Q. How did you get started making clutches?
A. I don't have a background in design or anything like that so it happened kind of randomly. I bought a sewing machine in th Fall of 2011 with the intent of just doing small fixes to clothes (i.e. hems, buttons, etc.) but I began experiementing with other projects. I started making small pouches at first, and then thought it would be cool to make clutches. That's pretty much where my idea started and it expanded from there.
Q. I noticed you recently added some jewelry to your shop. What influenced your decision to expand?
A. Ultimately, I want Gigee Marie to be an accessories brand so I wanted to start off slow by adding a few pieces of jewelry to compliment the clutches. It also give the customer a wider selection of products to choose from. Q. Any other future plans for the shop? A. As I mentioned, I want Gigee Marie to be an accessories brand, but I always go back and forth on how I want to position the brand for that stage. I haven't decided if I want to have just Gigee Marie products, or if I want to make it more like a boutique with other brands as well. If you ask me this question in another month, I'll probably have a different answer lol. Q. Tell me a little bit about you. What are you doing when you're not making clutches and managing your shop? A. I'm originally from outside of Philly but I've been living in the Washington, DC area for almost 6 years. By day, I'm a marketing specialist at a consulting firm with big dreams of leaving my 9-5 to pursue Gigee Marie full-time :-) Q. Any advice to ladies thinking of starting their own business? A. Just go for it! If you're passionate about starting your own business, do it. People spend so much time thinking about why they can't/shouldn't start a business, but start thinking about why you should and the positives. Having your own business isn't always easy, but it's so rewarding; especially knowing that you created something from the ground up that is a reflection of you. It also gives you the freedom to set up your career in a way that best fits your lifestyle. Q. Who are your style icons? A. Olivia Palermo...she can do no wrong in my book lol. I also really like Lauren Conrad and LeToya Luckett. They're not necessarily seen as fashion "icons", but I love their style because it's practical, polished, and chic. I like fashion that I can relate to and can actually wear in my everyday life; their styles are most like mine. Q. What are some of your favorite pieces in your shop right now? A. The Python clutch and the Transparent clutch are my favorites right now. Until recently, the main clutch style that I sold was the foldover clutch. But I recently started making envelope style clutches and I love them. I plan on adding a lot more of that style very soon. And, in case you were wondering, here's some of my (Tara) favorite pieces.
Full Disclosure: I received a discount on the clutch from Gigee Marie, but used my own money to pay for it. I did not receive any thing else in exchange for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.
Originally, I paired this lace dress with a yellow cardigan. But, then I noticed I had somehow drawn on my elbow with a pen prior to this photo shoot. So, I figured why not go all out and pull the leopard cardi from the depths of my closet. The leopard cardi doesn't get to go out much and I am not sure why. Her step sisters the leopard ballet flats get to go to the ball all the time. And on a side note, this dress makes my boobs look fantastic. On another side note, I got this dress on super sale for $40....down from $138.
