Anthro (and J. Crew) on a Budget: Lacey Lacey

Lace is every where this season (and last season and next season....it's pretty much there every season).  It's timeless and classic and isn't just for your grandma's doilies any more.  So, here are a few of my lacey pics...on a budget of course.

The Lacepaint Flared Dress from Anthro is so feminine and pretty.  It's floral and lace?!  Oh...and the price equals a monthly car payment.  So, I went perusing on Modcloth and found another floral and lace beauty.

Lacepaint Flared Dress by veggielawyer 

The Gathering Breeze Dress was highly coveted back in 2011 (or maybe 2010?), but there are still some look-a-likes out there.

Gathering Breeze Dress by veggielawyer 

Scallops and lace?  Yes, please!  I don't want to spend $325, so luckily Lulu's has a cheaper version...and in a the very stylish color, MINT!

Scalloped Lace Skirt by veggielawyer 

And speaking of stylish colors, holy coral!

Katrine Peplum Top by veggielawyer

Linking up with Long Distance Loving, Aloha Friday Blog Hop, Follow Friend Friday, Happy Friday Blog Hop

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Stuff I Wore: No. 2 Pencil Skirt Styled by Pinterest

I have such a backlog of outfits! Because I am waiting so long to post my outfits, I don't even have a clever story about them. If I can barely remember what I had for dinner tonight, I can not possible remember what I did last Wednesday. Wait, no I probably can...I went to work, came home and sat on the couch with my cats catching up on DVR'ed TV. Yes, I am very sophisticated and exciting.
I was so inspired by Pinterest the other day, I had to make my own version of the outfit.
And I've started messing around with some photo editing programs.  Can you tell?  Nope.  I am eagerly awaiting my Christmas bonus so that I can invest in a new camera.

J. Crew No. Pencil Skirt
Black Skinny Belt // Apt. 9 // Kohl's
Boots // Century 21 (see below for similar)
Striped Tank // Banana Republic (see below for similar)
Blazer // Gap (see below for similar)

And here's the Polyvore with some similar items.  I think every thing on this set is still available online.

OOTD 12.7.11 by veggielawyer 

Joie top
$79 - barneys.com

Sport jacket
$58 - modcloth.com

J Crew No 2 Pencil Skirt
$120 - jcrew.com

Enzo Angiolini knee high leather boots
$100 - piperlime.gap.com

Marc by marc jacobs earrings
$38 - saksfifthavenue.com

Cz sterling silver jewelry
$52 - buy.com

Belt
$26 - kohls.com

Holiday Gifts Under $25

My friends from college are doing a secret santa this year with a limit of $25.  I think we all get into a gift slump when it comes to buying little gifts for co-workers, teachers, or secret santas.  Some of us don't want to get yet another Bath and Body Works gift set or a Yankee candle and others of us can't give home baked goods because of the lack of baking ability.

Holiday Gifts Under $25 by veggielawyer

1. SEPHORA by OPI Manhattan Minis Collection ($22).  When I have time I change my nail polish color twice a week.  (I know it's bad for my nails, I don't need the lecture).  So, Sephora's mini nail polishes are perfect because you get a sample of several different colors.  Is it wrong that my crazy brain wants to paint each nail a different color using this set?
2. Lilly Pulitzer Photo Ornaments (17.95)  I have actually used these as gift tags by slipping the name in where the photo goes.  But, a package of three makes a great gift.  I also have these hanging on a skinny wall in my bedroom in a vertical line.  Seriously, who doesn't love picture frames?
3. Victoria'S Secret Sexy Little Things® Noir Tease Mini Gift Set ($18.00).  These gift sets are great and are on sale in stores 2/$25 right now!  Maybe Tease is a little too sexy a gift for a kid's teacher, but the sets come in my favorite Victoria's Secret scent, Heavenly.
4. Threadless T-shirts (some as low as $9) - These shirts are cute AND funny AND cheap.  There are so many designs that you can definitely make this a thoughtful gift.
5. Buxom Swinger Girls Buxom Swinger Girls ($20).  I can not say enough good things about Buxom lip gloss.  It comes in great colors, moisturizes and stays on forever.  You will coat your wine glass in a thick coat of lip gloss while wearing this. 
6. Electronic catch Phrase ($24).  This game is awesome.  If you don't know how Catch Phrase works, you are just not a fun person...haha.  It really livens up a party or is just fun for sitting around.  Just don't try to play it with a Scot with a thick accent and no knowledge of pop culture.  You will be amazed at how competitive (and angry) people get.  
7. J. Crew Horseshoe Necklace ($18).  It's cute and what girl is going to turn down jewelry?
8. Juicy Couture hair accessory ($21).  Rhinestones, need I say more?

9. Monogrammed Stemless Wine Glasses (Set of 2) ($25).  I got these for my mom for Mother's Day and she loved them.  They're useful and chic.
10. Anthropologie Christmas Ornaments.  Ok, some of their ornaments are ridiculously priced, but that adoreable little owl is only $11.20 on sale.  There's also a hedgehog and, my personal favorite, a narwhal (sold out online).  
11. The Little Dictionary of Fashion ($14).  This is the perfect gift for a fashionista.  Christian Dior lays down the laws of what to wear to a wedding, how to tie a scarf and how to walk with grace (maybe something I need to learn to do).  And who better to tell you than the pinnacle of fashion: Dior?

Inspired by Pinterest: J. Crew Pencil Skirt

I saw this outfit on Pinterest and wanted to recreate it.  I added a blazer and some boots to winterize it.

Inspired by Pinterest: Viridian Green No. 2 Pencil Skirt by veggielawyer

Forever21 sleeveless tank top
$8.80 - forever21.com

J Crew Hacking Jacket
$250 - jcrew.com

J Crew wool skirt
$120 - jcrew.com

Dorothy Perkins black clutch bag
$15 - dorothyperkins.com

Crystal Brulee Bracelet
$45 - jcrew.com

Dorothy Perkins shiny belt
$8 - dorothyperkins.com

Essie Nail Polish - Reds Very Cranberry
$8 - nordstrom.com

Mossimo Supply Co. Kailey Tall Boots - Brown
$50 - target.com

Weekend Sale Roundup: Last Weekend Before Black Friday

J. Crew: Extra 30% sale items in store and online (use code MUSTHAVE at checkout), until 11/20/11

Anthropologie: lots of shoes and bags went on sale on Tuesday.

Forever 21: There are a bunch of new yellow tag deals.

The Limited: Buy One Get One 50% off sweaters.

Victoria's Secret: free slippers with every most-loved PJ purchase.

Express: All tops and bottoms, buy one get on 50% off.

Wet Seal: Sweaters and outerwear, buy 2 get one free AND extra 30% off all clearance items.

NY&Co.: 40% off all regular priced items.

Ann Taylor: 30% off your entire purchase, use code WINTER30 at checkout.

Macy's: This Saturday is "Super Saturday." I am not sure what this means.

Sephora: Get a free makeup bag containing 12 samples with every $25 purchase ONLINE ONLY.  Use code FROM SEPHORA at checkout.

Stuff I Want: November Wishlist

So, I am really trying to resist the temptation to shop (for myself).  Between vacation and trying to save for Christmas shopping, I really need to reign in my spending.  I'm also really trying not to shop until Anthro's potential Black Friday sale.  AND to add to all of this, I also have to save up to get my dog an expensive shock collar that the trainer recommended.  (Yes, my dog is such a wild animal that the trainer recommended a SHOCK COLLAR.  He has assured me that it is perfectly safe and will not hurt the dog.)

Well, here are the few items that are in the budget between now and Christmas.    I plan on doing the 30 for 30 Challenge after Christmas and save up some money (perhaps for another vacation?).

November Wishlist by veggielawyer

Button Belted Dress
$248 - anthropologie.com

Noon and Night Dress
$158 - anthropologie.com

Liquid Silk Skirt
$118 - jcrew.com

Bucco Western Ankle Boots
kohls.com

Crystal Brulee Bracelet
$45 - jcrew.com

Belated Shoesday: Ankle Boots

The only thing that can console me after the change in weather forces me to put away my easy breezy summer dresses and wedge myself into tights are boots. I love boots: knee high, wedge, flat, high-heel; any boot brings a smile to my face. I mostly try to keep my boots pretty high, but I am tempted this season by the ankle boot.  Specifically, I am looking towards flat, menswear inspired ankle boots.  I think they look great with jeans or tights and can toughen a girly dress.  I love J. Crew's Emmett Ankle Boots, but there are two problems: the price ($238.00, yikes!) and they are leather.

My favorite categories of ankle boots are "western" and "motorcycle."

Ankle Boots by veggielawyer

1.   Candie's Western Boots
      $48 - kohls.com
2.   Rifle Western Boots
      $79 - famousfootwear.com
3.   Bucco Western Ankle Boots
      kohls.com
4.   ASOS flat booties
      $63 - asos.com
5.   Forever21 studded booties
      $33 - forever21.com
6.  Forever21 slouchy boots
       $33 - forever21.com

And here are a few options for styling.

I could not resist styling one of the vacation purchases.  This butterfly printed dress from Debenhams (by Oasis).  The dress is so flowy and comfortable.  I think the boots are a great contrast to the girly dress.

Ankle Boots Look #1 by veggielawyer

Oasis blue cap sleeve dress
$17 - oasis-stores.com

J Crew crew neck top
$70 - jcrew.com

Bucco Western Ankle Boots
kohls.com

Miss Selfridge antique gold jewelry
£5 - missselfridge.com

This second look features one of my favorite new Anthro dressses: the Button Belted Dress.  I LOVE that this dress also becomes a skirt.  Throw a frilly white blouse under the cardigan and you have another look.  I would also put on some brown tights for the colder weather.

Ankle Boot Look #2 by veggielawyer

Button Belted dress
$248 - anthropologie.com

Gossamer True Cardigan
$78 - anthropologie.com

Western Rifle Boots
$79 - famousfootwear.com

J Crew gold plated ring
$25 - jcrew.com

Halation necklace
$48 - anthropologie.com






This third look was inspired by J. Crew.  "Liquid Silk" is the perfect name for this skirt.  Although I like the bright blue color, I think the subtle pink works great with the brown ankle boots.

Ankle Boot Look #3 by veggielawyer featuring a pointelle sweater

Lauren Conrad pointelle sweater
$35 - kohls.com

Liquid Silk Skirt
$118 - jcrew.com

Forever21 studded boots
$33 - forever21.com

J Crew crystal bangle
$45 - jcrew.com

Bird Whistle Necklace
$28 - topshop.com

Secret Wash button-down shirt in white
$63 - jcrew.com






And for the last look I am going with my casual uniform: jeans, cardigan and scarf.  I have not ventured into colored denim yet, but I am willing to give it a try.  I'm not willing to invest in the pricey Anthro skinnies yet, but I could be enticed by a reasonably priced pair from Target.

Ankle Boot Look #4 by veggielawyer

Clever Critters Cardigan
$84 - modcloth.com

V neck t shirt
$8 - target.com

Pilcro Stet Slim Straight
$98 - anthropologie.com

PASHMINA ART cashmere scarve
€95 - pret-a-beaute.com

Candie's Western Boots
$48 - kohls.com