Loving Lately: Dorothy Perkins

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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

Friday's Fancies: Miriam Gonzalez Durantez

Source

While I was off in Scotland, I did get a chance to read the newspaper.  The entire female population of Scotland lost their collective sh*t over the white dress worn by Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.  Seriously....it was front page news.  The dress was designed by Henrietta Ludgate, a Scottish designer that is committed to using locally sourced fabric.  The 'Chimera' dress worn by Durantez is made from Yorkshire jersey with the peplum detail at the hips made from recycled baseball cap peaks.
While I applaud her efforts to go green and support local designers, this dress is not exactly budget friendly at 390 lbs (about $630).  ( I don't know how to make the British money symbol in Blogger).  So, I created a budget-friendly version and added some accessories.  I tried my best.  The dress is from a UK store and the shoes are vegan.  You can donate the money you save on the dress to an environmentally minded charity.

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez by veggielawyer

AX Paris Long Sleeve Peplum Dress  / Everyday Energy Heels / Chunky Link Bracelet / Gold Spike Drops

I'm still recovering from the journey home from Scotland, so I will be back to regular blogging on Monday with stories of my adventures across the pond.

Linking up with:

AV of Long Distance Loving

 

On a Budget: Fall Fashion

This is a scheduled post as I am currently on vacation in Scotland.  Yay!  I won't be able to respond to your comments until next Friday.  So, if I don't get back to you, it doesn't mean I don't love ya!

So, my Anthro on a Budget posts went over so well, that I've decided to branch out and include other retailers.  There are so many Fall items I want, but my wallet just isn't full of enough cash.  

Peplum Sweater Frugal Options by veggielawyer

I swooned when I saw the peplum sweater in Tory Burch's Fall line.  However, I cried a little when I saw the price tag.  I found the best three options I could for an affordable peplum sweater.  However, it looks like many affordable retailers have not transferred the peplum trend into their Fall lines.  

J. Crew Chicken Sweater Frugal Option by veggielawyer

J. Crew's chicken sweater is ADORABLE.  Who doesn't love a chicken in a beret?  However, I don't think I love it as much as my monthly grocery bill.  Although no retailers are offering a sweater with a cartoon chicken in a sassy hat, Target has some other cute animal options.

Fluted Ponte Dress Frugal Option by veggielawyer

Ok, I know I said I was branching out to other retailers, but I could not resist showing you this adorable (and affordable) dress from Sheinside.  How cute would that dress be with come black tights and black flats?  Maybe red flats?  Am I getting too crazy here?

J. Crew Pave Link Bracelet Frugal Options by veggielawyer 

I loved this chunky J. Crew bracelet at first sight.  It's the perfect addition to any arm party.  But, at $125, it's more expensive than all my bracelets combined.  I couldn't find anything bargain priced that is jewel encrusted, but I these pretties have that same chunky link look.

Loving Lately: Collar Necklaces

Collar Necklaces by veggielawyer 

 1 / 2 / 3/ 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9   

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.

Friday's Fancies: Fall Wishlist

Fall Wishlist by veggielawyer featuring summer dresses

Intarsia Dotted Sweater Dress: A wishlist of mine for any season would not be complete without at least one Anthro item.  This sweater dress looks effortless to style and is probably comfy.  Oh, and it's color blocked.

Scoopback Maxi Dress: Apparently, maxi dresses aren't just for summer any more.  I love this fall version of the maxi.  And did I mention it comes in petite?  ::swoon::

Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans:

AEO Wedge Boots: Tall, brown casual boots are a Fall essential.  They go with jeans or a cute skirt and tights.  These boots from American Eagle are affordable and look pretty darn comfy.

 J. Crew Jacquard Dot Popover / Gap Fitted boyfriend popover shirt (sold out online): A patterned button down can be work on its own or under a light sweater.

Old Navy Denim Jacket: I've been on the hunt for one of these bad boys for months, and I think Old Navy may have answered my prayers.  Like the bubble necklace, every blogger must have one.

J. Crew Square Links Necklace: A chunky chain necklace is perfect on its own or layered.

What items are you craving for Fall? 

Linking up with:

AV of Long Distance Loving

Allison with Two Thirty-Five Designs

Loving Lately: Old Navy

I don't know what changes Old Navy made in their design team recently, but they are working. I always thought Old Navy's stuff looked a little cheap and was never on trend. However, over the last year or so, Old Navy has been spot on with trends often having similar items featured at more expensive retailers. Does Old Navy have a spy at J. Crew? Or maybe J. Crew is spying on Old Navy. Anywho, the Fall collection is no different. I love the printed tops, the bright colored bottoms, and the DENIM JACKET.  I've been craving a denim jacket for the Fall, so I designed three outfits centered around half of a Canadian tuxedo.

Loving Lately: Old Navy by veggielawyer

Denim Jacket 

Outfit #1: Pink Roll Cuff Blouse // Yellow Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans // Polka Dot Flats // Horse Pendant Necklace

Outfit #2: Chiffon Feather Print Dress // Faux Suede Ankle Boots //  3 Strand belt (out of stock online)

Outfit #3: Heart Print Chiffon Top // Perfect Cord Pencil Skirt // Wingtip Flats // Tear Drop Necklace (out of stock online) 

It's Tuesday which means it's time for Loving Lately!

 

This is a weekly link up hosted by the fabulous Carly, Kristen, Niki & Rachel!  Join us and link up what you're loving lately! Whether it's fashion, color, crafts, interiors, beauty products, yummy and delicious, or really anything else, we want to know!

Please be sure to read the rules before linking up :)

Rules

1. Follow Your Hosts and Co-Hosts

They are the first 8 in the linky! Carly @ Lipgloss and Crayons Kristen @ The Wright Stuff Niki @ Glossy Blonde Rachel @ La La Lists This week's co-hosts are: Bri @ Just Bri Brittany@ The Denny Buzz Tara @ Penniless Socialite Tiffany @ Life of a Lost Muse

2. Grab a Button

Or link back to one of your hosts, and help us promote Loving Lately!

3. Link Up!

Link up your post on what you're loving lately! Please do not link up your entire blog or any posts that are not "Loving Lately"!   We are so happy to have you link up, and we do go through and read all of the posts, so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link.  And we don't want to have to do that!  So please share the love and include a link back!

4. Mingle

It's a linky party after all!

Visit some of the other posts in the linky and say hello!

5. Tweet!

Help us promote and grow this party! Send a tweet and let everyone know you linked up!

ce

/ Old Navy

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 Let's get this party started!

Stuff I Wore: My Outfit is Bright and I Don't Care

New items added to my Shop my Closet store!!  
Brand new Lilly dress with tags, Michael Kors dress, Gap and Banana Republic items and more!

Top // Trina Turk for Banana Republic; Jackie Cardigan // J. Crew (worn here); No. 2 Pencil Skirt // J. Crew (worn here, similar here); Shoes // Steve Madden (worn here, similar here); Bracelets // J. Crew, Guess and F21 (worn here and here, similar here, here and here); Earrings // Target (similar here)

I thought about pairing this shirt with a more neutral skirt.  And then I thought, nah, I'm going all the way with this one.  Hot pink is the new beige.  Neon forever!

A co-worker just looked at me and said, "Wow [awkward pause] that outfit is [awkward pause] bright."  Thanks, that's what I was going for