My Grown Up Christmas List

Unlike Amy Grant's grown up Christmas list, mine does not contain a wish that wars would never start...mine contains a microwave.  Tara's grown up Christmas list = boring.  Yep.  This year I've gone super boring.  My microwave (literally) exploded and my makeup Caboodle circa 1999 just isn't cutting it any more.  Plus, my mom couldn't find friends for everyone on sale at Target.  (I tried to include the Grown up Christmas List video, but Sony doesn't want the video playing on my website...psshhh)

My Grown Up Christmas List by veggielawyer 

1. Microwave - Like I said, my microwave exploded.  I've had to actually use the stove to make hot chocolate!

2. Towel Rack - My towels are wet and strewn about the floor.  Something must be done.

3. Urban Decay Naked Palette - I have no idea how I don't already own this.

4. Scoop Back Maxi Dress - I had to put one Anthro dress on my list.  And this one looks like it shaves off about 10 lbs...which I will need on Christmas day.

5. Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18MP Digital SLR Camera - Ok this is my and the Scot's Christmas present to ourselves...and we unwrapped it already.  Get ready for some awesome photos once we figure out how to use this contraption.

6. Caboodles Makeup Pro Case - I need to upgrade my Caboodle.  Need to make room for that Naked Palette.

7. Kikkerland Planks a Lot Cutting Board Set - When a vegetarian shares a kitchen with carnivores, these seem to be necessary.  

8. Vegan Toms in Slate - I don't really wear sneakers, so I need some loungin' shoes.

9. Oatmeal Fox Jumper - Who doesn't need a sweater with a fox wearing a crown on it?

Loving Lately: Lisa Frank

Enter My November Giveway!

Lisa Frank will always be a part of my life.  Her works of art came with to to school every day for years on Trapper Keepers, folders and pencils.  Yes, works of art.  A neon pink dolphin and a bear with sunglasses are on par with the Mona Lisa in my book.  Lisa Frank is still in my life.  I love cats and truly believe that neon and leopard go together.  Urban Outfitters has started selling a limited edition Lisa Frank line.  I guess you can say that Lisa Frank is back.  I don't think she ever left.

Lisa Frank by veggielawyer

There's a few goodies from Urban Outfitters and the Lisa Frank website.  If they had those tees when I was a youngster, I would've had one in every color and worn some matching slouch socks.  And I want that cookie jar...Christmas present?  And now for some outfits inspired by Lisa's impeccable style.

Lisa Frank Leopard by veggielawyer 

Lisa Frank Unicorn by veggielawyer

Loving Lately: Rocks Box

I showed you my jewels yesterday from Rocks Box...but what the heck is Rocks Box?

It's no secret that I love free stuff.  I will pretty much try any product if offered to me for free.  I am a bit shameless like that.  However, freebies only rarely turn into love: a love that actually prompts me to spend money.  Rocks Box has inspired that kind of love in me.  Shanna over at Because Shanna Said So was doing a giveaway for a free one year subscription to Rocks Box and offering a coupon code to all entrants to get one free month from Rocks Box.  So, I went and checked it out.

It's sort of like a jewelry rental subscription service.  You fill out a style survey and Rocks Box sends you three pieces of jewelry.  You get to try out the jewelry for 60 days, wear it, bring it to fancy dinner parties, show it off to your friends.  If you love the jewelry, you can purchase it at a discount OR send it back (in the free prepaid envelope included with your Rocks Box) and then you get three more pieces of jewelry.  AND YOU CAN RETURN YOUR JEWELS AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT EACH MONTH!!  Yes, that statement needed an all caps.  The subscription is $19.99 per month.  This sounded like a lot of money to me...until the jewelry arrived.  The jewelry that came in my Rocks Box is designer.  None of that turn my finger green, make my ears red or break after one wear crap from Forever 21.  (Sorry Forever 21, I have to quit your jewelry...it's wreaking havoc on my body.)  

Gem Drop Earrings // Lucas Jack (Retail: $52.00 // Member Price: $41.60)

Line Gem Layering Necklace // Serefina (Retail: $75.00 // Member Price: $60.00)

Abundance Labradorite Bracelet // Tzen (Retail: $170.00 // Member Price: $136.00)

I'm also participating in a little giveaway over at Because Shanna Said So...you should enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Loving Lately: Critters

It's no secret that I am a sucker for a cute animal print. The condemning evidence can be seen here, here, here, here and here.  Well, cute little critter prints are turning up every where, tempting me.  Even classy Ann Taylor Loft has a cat print dress!  Here are some of my favorites.
 

Dress / Sweater / Tights / Earrings

Dress / Top / Skirt

Sweater / Top / Tights / Bracelet

Dress / Shirt / Skirt / Hat

Sweater / Top / Socks

I'm taking part in a big group giveaway over at The Mosbys in China.  Go check it out!

Loving Lately: Professor Blazers (and Giveaway Winner Announced)

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Loving Lately: Elbow Patches by veggielawyer

I love the menswear inspired trend this season.  I am especially loving that us ladies can have elbow patches on our blazers now.  No longer is the elbow patch reserved for professors or equestrians. The orange Banana Republic blazer (#2 above) has elbow patches are the same color as the jacket, so they are subtle.  However, I think I want to go bold with the elbow patches.  The Forever 21 version (#1 above) is the most budget friendly option at only $22.50, but it has a less traditional silhouette with the cropped jacket.  The Zara (#4 above) and The Limited (#3 above) are the most classic of the four blazers.  My pick is The Limited jacket, but it's sold out online!

And, I chose the winner of the Shabby Apple Giveaway via Random.org.  The winner is comment #7: Ashleigh of Stylized Wannabe.  

Loving Lately: Winter Coats

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Shabby Apple gift card!

I have a weakness for a flashy winter coat.  I currently have three.  I know it seems excessive, but I love them.  I have to have so many because I rarely buy a sensible winter coat in a neutral color or basic shape.  I have a green coat, a yellow coat with a fur collar and a ruffly black one.  Not a single one goes with everything.  Sort of a bad economic move on my part.  And here are some others that I am loving this winter:

Loving Lately: Winter Coats by veggielawyer featuring dorothy perkins

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However, I do realize I need a basic winter coat, but I think a plain black coat is sooo boring.  Then, I saw this article on Lucky, "How to Make a Cheap Coat Look More Expensive."  Lucky suggests adding a belt, a brooch or a collar to a boring old coat.

Make a Cheap Coat Fancy 1 by veggielawyer

Coat / Brooch / Belt

Make a Cheap Coat Fancy 2 by veggielawyer featuring h&m

Coat  / Fur Collar / Belt 

 

Loving Lately: Fancy Sweatshirts

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Embellished sweatshirts are a new trend combining two things I love: comfort and sparkly things.  It's a sweatshirt that's fancy enough to wear to work with a pencil skirt or out to dinner with some jeans.  (and then I can probably come home and slip directly into jammie pants.)  The only problem I see with this trend is the risk of looking like a crazy old lady at Bingo in Boca.  My solution is to keep the silhouette modern.  Make sure the sweatshirt isn't too bulky; and if it is, pair it with a sleek bottom like a pencil skirt.  Also, try to keep the design of the sweatshirt modern.  That adorable little poodle might be pushing it to the limits.  The J. Crew sweatshirt with small details and the Top Shop sweatshirt with the Peter Pan collar have just the perfect amount of sparkly details and none of the crazy lady glitz.  I think the simpler sparkly sweatshirts would also look pretty snazzy with some colored denim.  However, the crazy lady inside of me loves that poodle.

Don't forget to enter my October sponsor giveaway!  Earrings, makeup and a custom blog header are up for grabs!

 

Loving Lately: Leopard Skinnies (and a Giveaway)

Pants // Loft (similar below) | Sweater // Banana Republic (similar here) | Shoes // Target (similar here)
Necklace // Kohl's (similar here) | Watch // Fossil (similar here) |
Bracelet // Loft (similar here)

Loving Lately: Leopard Skinnies by veggielawyer 

My white pants did not photograph as well as I had hoped.  (and neither did my pale face).  However, I did figure out how to adjust the white balance on my camera, so look forward to less washed out photos here.

Anyway, on to the real point of this post: Leopard Print Skinnies.  I am so glad that this is a thing now, because leopard is my neutral.  If you're really scared of this trend or don't want a "Look at Me" sign on your rump, go for the more subtle leopard print (gray on white like mine or black on gray).  However, if you're brave and want some attention drawn to your fabulous booty, go bold with pink leopard or the traditional tan, black and orange.

However, I think with anything animal print, you run the risk of looking like a crazy nursing home resident.  So, when you're wearing the leopard print pants, KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Don't add a leopard print top.  That is not appropriate pattern mixing.  Go for some basics like a plain blazer, sweater, or chambray shirt.  Let the leopard pants do the talking.  If you're dying to pattern mix, try a smaller pattern, like a polka dot or striped scarf.  If a scarf isn't exciting enough for you, add a statement necklace to jazz up the plain top. 

How to Wear Leopard Skinnies by veggielawyer 

And my bud Sharon over at The Tiny Heart is celebrating reaching 1,000 with a giveaway, and I'm helping her celebrate. So, you can head on over to her blog or enter right here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Loving Lately: Frock Stock

Dress // Frock Stock (similar here) | Collar Necklace // Frock Stock |
Boots // Macy's (worn here, similar here) | Watch // Target (worn here, similar here) |
Bracelets // Forever 21 and Bauble Bar (worn here, similar here and here)

Loving Lately: Frock Stock by veggielawyer

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Before I started blogging, I was in a shopping box; a box with walls made of major retailers like J. Crew, Anthropologie, Old Navy, and Forever 21.  However, I have seen the light of small online retailers offering tons and tons of options.  Frock Stock is one of those retailers.  Frock Stock is a little mom and pop shop that scours the collections of indie vendors to bring you vintage-inspired piece.  Oh, and they also promise that their rings will never turn your fingers green.

**Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Frock Stock.  I did receive a special blogger discount on the clothing items I purchased from Frock Stock, but all opinions are my own.

Loving Lately: Dorothy Perkins

Check out my shop!  20% off everything code SAVE20

I finally achieved the dream of shopping at a real life Dorothy Perkins during my vacation to Scotland.  It was actually my first stop when I got off the plane.  Ok, it was the third stop.  First stop was a nap and the second was a kilt shop for wedding duds.

Dorothy Perkins Shopping Spree by veggielawyer

I have been admiring Dorothy Perkins items after they relentlessly show up on my Polyvore searchs.  After stocking up on cute dresses on trying on almost everything in the store, I settled on these items...and only spent abotu $150.  Everything I bought seems to be made a good quality fabric and nothing cost more than $50.  This is my kind of store.  I was also stunned at how well everything fit me.  I don't know if if was just the styles I was trying on, but I noticed that everything seemed to be made for women with hips.  I struggle to fit into pencil skirted items because of my rump, but I did not have any problems with sizing in DP.  Now that I understand UK sizing, I think I am confident enough to purchase some stuff online.

Dorothy Perkins Wishlist by veggielawyer

Loving Lately: Collar Necklaces

Collar Necklaces by veggielawyer 

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Via Cotton & Curls

1. In place of an actual collar.  This is the most obvious way to wear this trend, however, not all collar necklaces are conducive to this.  The fabric-backed necklaces (like 1 and 2 above) or beaded lattice ones (like 5 above) are best for this look  I think the only tricky part is finding the right shirt to pull it off.  The shirt has to have a neckline that is hidden by the necklace, so that the necklace becomes the neckline.  You also have to balance the necklace with the print of the shirt.  The intricacy of your collar necklace should be inversely proportional to the boldness of the pattern on your shirt.  (i.e. you can pair a plainer collar necklace, like #2, with a patterned shirt; but pair bolder and more colorful necklaces like #9 with simpler tops)

Via Betty's Purchases

2. Under a Collared Shirt.  It's like a double collar.  It sounds silly, but looks so cute.  Personally, I think the metallic ones (like 6 and 7 above) work best this way, but the jeweled ones (like #4 above) could also work.

Via Alterations Needed

3. With a plain tee or sweater.  Your collar necklace can also just be a necklace and not a pseudo collar.  Let some of neckline of the shirt be seen.  I think almost any collar necklace works with this trend.  I think it looks best with a scoop neck or crew neck tee.  A v-neck plus the necklace creates too many complicated shapes in one area.  However, that's just my personal taste.

Via Style Bistro

4. With a low cut shirt or dress.  This is the scariest way, in my opinion, to wear these necklaces.  If you choose the right style, you look chic, if you choose the wrong style you look like a Playboy bunny.  I love the way the plain gold collars (like #6) look with a black evening look.

I think the one rule to follow when wearing a collar necklace is to KEEP IT SIMPLE.  You already have a bold shaped necklace, you don't also need a bold print or odd-shaped neckline too.