02 December 2011

Beauty Review Series: blinc mascara

October was my very first birchbox, which caused annoyance when the post office lost it for 3 weeks. The whole ordeal got me wondering if this subscription was even a good idea. I know, I know.. crazy thoughts. Luckily, those thoughts went away upon the arrival of it. The first day I used the blinc mascara, I knew a review was in order.


The first detail I would like to highlight is that it was made in Japan. Before even using the product, this gave me a wave of excitement. That is because the very popular mascara Fiberwig (I have yet to try it but admire all the same) also happens to hail from there. This factor gave me high hopes that blinc might also deliver on lengthening the lashes. It also brings about the concept of "tubing" your lashes. Now I will admit, I know nothing on the ingredients of the product on how this actually works but the results when applying can be seen. When applying I do notice a lack of clump, and it seems to dry rather quickly. It definitely gives a sense of closing around each lash.

My verdict is that I love this mascara. I will tell you why. For one, as I've already mentioned there's no clumping. When I apply in the morning before leaving for work, it's still intact when I arrive home upwards of 10pm at night. I've cried while wearing this, and have even had the odd moment that I'm so tired I forget I shouldn't be touching my face with makeup on and was there any smudging? Most certainly not.

Before using this mascara, I was using two in order to achieve what I wanted. I was using Rimmel Sexy Curves and Maybelline Blackest Black. The first was used for shape, and the latter for volume/length. I'm happy to say though that blinc does most of that for me, and due to this "tubing" technology, it isn't messy as mascara can sometime get. My only gripe? I wish it did a bit more for the shape of my lashes but that can easily be solved by using an eyelash curler. All that's left for me to do is get over my fear of them!

Any tips to share on using an eyelash curler? Feel free to leave it in the comments.
Also, for those interest in purchasing the blinc mascara can do so here.

Friday Night Out: Work to Night

This Friday I wanted to create a look where, by just changing a few pieces, you can go from your day job to drinks with friends or a date night. I also took this opportunity to play with a coloured pencil skirt as it can really add vibrancy to an outfit.

Friday Night Out- Work to Evening





View the Polyvore details here.


On the left side we have our work ready pieces. For evening, all I would do is switch our top and sweater combination for a brighter colour blocking sweater in the purple. Add jewellery that stands out a bit more, a clutch and your transition is complete. Also, this late Fall/nearly early Winter has been rather warm but don't forget the pantyhose. Just throw on a black wool coat and out the door you go.

Happy Friday! Thank you for reading and enjoy your day!

30 November 2011

Finding The Perfect Handbag

We're all looking for it. I myself have a narrowed down list of three that I'm looking into. I thought I should share in case it could help those of you also looking. You can read my earlier post on good silhouette's  for an everyday handbag here. As I am now out of school, I don't quite need the massive Longchamp I would lug my books around in (on the bad days, backpack would be on hand) on a daily basis anymore.

Here's what I'm looking for:

-Leather. My only leather bag is on the verge of falling apart on me after all the abuse I've put it through in the 5 years I have owned it. However, I find of all the bags I've owned (in all different materials), the leather one held up best. I just love a classic leather bag.

-On the medium to larger size. I don't see myself as a light packer on the day to day. I need a bag that will fit: wallet, the book I'm reading, day minder, small notebook, small makeup case, ipod, glasses, and a few other little things. Since I'm attempting to be a real working woman now, it would also be nice to fit a pair of flats in for when my pumps make my feet cry (although I'm proud to say I'm working up good tolerance on that one).

-I like when a bag has several compartments. The leather bag I mentioned earlier was definitely the one I grabbed for because of it. It had the main middle compartment and then two on the ends. As well, in the middle compartment it would have a few little compartments for the things that would disappear to the bottom otherwise (lip balm for one thing). This sort of design allows for more organisation which is so nice to have when you feel too busy to think about where in your cluster of items is your pen or house keys.


As I have mentioned already, I have narrowed down my search to three handbags. One of them I have been coveting for around three years, and the other two are fairly recent discoveries (within the last 6 months). Let's go through them as well as the pros/cons:


1. MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton large tote
Details: 13"Hx14"Wx6 1/4"D, comes with either gold or silver hardware, contains a top handle and shoulder strap. Available in a wide variety of material and colours.


Pros:
- I've been drooling over this bag for years now, so I know I love it.
- Leather quality has been checked out in person and it's very soft.
- I like how I have the option of carrying it either on my shoulder or on my arm. Most of the time I carry on my arm though, so it's not necessarily a game winner.
- It definitely has enough space to fit all my things and a pair of shoes in it.

Cons:
- I'm worried if it's the type of leather bag that feels weighed down after adding things to it as it is a rather large size.
- I can't seem to decide if I prefer silver or gold hardware for it.
- I doubt it has much of different storage area's, so I'm worried about staying organised with this one. I used to have to clean out and re-work everything in my longchamp almost every night keep it organised, and I'm worried it's the same story for this.
-Sometimes I am not sure how I feel about the luggage tag and the MK lock detailing on the front.

2. Modalu Pippa grab
Details: 25Hx36Wx14D (cm) // 9.8Hx14Wx5.5D (in), has a double grab handle, three main zip sections, two zip sections in the front, feet on base, comes in five colours.



Pros:
-It has compartments, and after CapitolHillStyle's review, I know this bag will keep me organised in a way that I'm ready to tackle the day.
- It has a more petite friendly size, so I know I'll be wearing the bag instead of it wearing me. This is very important.
- I know I'll be able to fit all my things in it.
-It has such a classic, no frills silhouette which I'm always a sucker for.

Cons:
- It does not have a shoulder strap, which isn't a deal breaker but I occasionally like them.
-A few years ago I would've complained about the price as it's in British Pounds and the exchange rate was horrible if you were paying in U.S. dollars, but now that the ECB and Bank of England are joining Helicopter Ben in the printing press game my only real concern is shipping costs.
- I really can't find many cons. Nothing irks me about it.


3. J. Crew Biennial Satchel
Details: 11"Hx16"Wx7"D, pebbled leather, double handles. Comes in three colours.


Pros:
- Like the Modalu, it has three compartments. That's always a plus.
- I've always been a pebble leather fan.
- It kind of reminds me of a doctor bag you see in old movies, and I like that because it makes me feel like I can be superwoman with this bag.
-The handles are large enough that I can wear as a shoulder bag also if I choose to.

Cons:
- It's a little too simple on the detailing.
- I'm worried about how well it is in maintaining it's shape. For the price, I'm wondering if I should be getting a bit more.


FINAL VERDICT
All the bags fit my size requirement and will allow me to stay a level of organised. The Biennial will have to wait. This is because I love it in the red. The bright and bold colour makes up for it's lack of hardware detailing, and it's definitely something I will bookmark for the future. Everyone needs a bright statement bag but for now I'm looking to go with a basic black because it's the one bag every woman needs but I don't have. This brings me down to the Modalu Pippa and Michael Kors Hamilton. I have to say I would be happy to have either because at this point I feel like I have been coveting the Modalu just as long as the Hamilton even though I haven't. My final decision is the Modalu Pippa for the reason that I can't find anything about it which is making me feel indecisive. I love the Hamilton tote and will one day own it when I can decide how I feel about the front detailing and which hardware to get. Certainty is key to making a decision.


What do you think? What bag are you coveting right  now?

Midweek Treats: Sleek Leather Boots


This season I'm on a mission to find sleek and sturdy black leather boot to last me many seasons to come. I've been seeing this particular boot from Stuart Weitzman around for a while and absolutely love it. I had to talk my self out of buying it at the Bloomingdale's F&F sale recently. At the end of the day, this may be out of my price range (unless an amazing sale happens...obviously) so I'm thinking of going for the Michael Kors alternative here. My only concern, since I have not tried them on, is the shaft height. Being a petite, everything down to your shoes can swallow you. I do stand a slight chance as I have pretty long legs for a petite gal, so we'll keep our fingers crossed!



With divorce seeming to happen way too often in our society, this was so sweet to read.


After trying pumpkin for the first time over the holiday weekend via my friends pumpkin spice latte and muffin, I wouldn't say no to more pumpkin in my life.

28 November 2011

Thanksgiving OOTD

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. As I've mentioned in a previous post, Thanksgiving was never really a holiday we celebrated in my parent's house since it was so close to Christmas (which is when my whole family gets together). This year was slated to be the same way until a last minute trip to visit my dear friend was decided upon.

It was a very lovely weekend and it was certainly a nice change to how I usually spend the holiday. On Black Friday we indulged in some of the sale's. My favourite was the Gap. They had everything on sale for either 20%, 30%, or 60% off. We were able to pick up some nice things. I wanted to share my outfit that I wore out to dinner on Thanksgiving, and would also like to apologise for the blurry quality. I'm so bad at remembering to take photo's when I'm enjoying myself and in this instance I literally ran to my bag, whipped out my camera, and asked my friend to take a few. The lighting in the room was on the other side from where I was standing, so the flash wasn't going off and I wasn't aware until the photo session had finished that actual pictures were taken.


Broadway shirt from Stylemint (size 1)
H&M wool mini skirt in grey (size 4)(this fall)
Hue opaque tights in grey (size 1) (here)
MICHAEL Michael Kors Jada Bootie (size 5.5) (here)
Costume Pearls from NordstromRACK

I really like my outfit. The t-shirt is great and I would definitely pair it with a grey or camel coloured pencil skirt for work with navy tights and pumps. In fact, I've been scouring the web for those sort of items since receiving this shirt in the mail almost two weeks ago. Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your day!

Morning Inspirations: Cozy Monday's

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend. Have you ever had that weekend where when Monday arrives you just want to curl up in a ball? Well, that's exactly all I want to do this morning. Unfortunately, work is calling me as I write this. If that was not on my schedule today, this would be my outfit in a heartbeat:

Inspirations- Cozy Monday



I have to say I really love this set, really. It's simple but I just think it's so chic. It's been rather warm in the Northeast for this time of year, and with the right layers it's totally possible to skip the jacket. I'm loving the option of a shearling vest for those sort of days. It gives a level of warmth without the bulk. Between the vest and the pop of colour in the red bag, this outfit is far from boring. To boot, you know you'll be super cozy dressed in this. All things I want from an outfit.

24 November 2011

Midweek Treats: Thanksgiving

I have a confession. My favourite holiday is Thanksgiving but I never celebrate it. Growing up in my mom's house, we skipped it most years to prepare for Christmas (we hosted my family for it every year). It was a practical thing to do but I was always secretly bummed when the holiday came along. This year being no different, I thought I'd post a few pictures I found that would be part of the equation (people are needed too) in summing up my ideal Thanksgiving.

Even though I prefer chicken to turkey (in most instances), you can't have Thanksgiving dinner without it at the centre of the table.

I'm still secretly wishing I liked pumpkin pie but hopefully I'll learn to make it good enough for others to enjoy, and it'll smell awfully good at that!

I kind of feel stuffing is more important than the turkey. While it's too late to make it for Thanksgiving, I'm definitely learning to make this in time for the Christmas holiday. You can bet I'll spend hours after putting together this post scoping out tons of recipe's to choose from.

Fireplace's... I've always wanted one but never had one. They're so picturesque and add such character to a room. I see sitting in cozy chairs with hot chocolate or hot apple cider in hand, watching the football game (go patriots!) after a stuffed meal.


To all those in the U.S. (even though I'm sure my readership has yet to move past it), I hope you have a wonderful holiday and thank you so much for reading!

21 November 2011

Morning Inspirations: Cozy Cobalt Blue Sweater

Happy Monday everyone! I sort of took a brief hiatus. It's partially to blame on my really slow computer that doesn't even want to load the polyvore website (or maybe there actually is an issue with the site). Hopefully I can get everything back to normal by the conclusion of this week's holiday weekend.

I know you're not the least bit surprised to see cobalt blue in the title anymore. I just can't get enough of it. Like I have said though, as the polyvore website is not currently working for me, I'm doing something different this week and posting an OOTD. I wore this to work recently on such a beautiful day.


Black Cascading Blazer- h&m in size 2 (this fall-may still be available in stores)
Cobalt Blue Sweater- Target in size small (old)
Long sleeve HeatTech- Uniqlo in sizeXS (review coming soon)
Slim Cropped Trouser- Gap in size 00r (here)
Nude Pump- Steve Madden (old)

This is a typical work outfit for me. I tend to wear trousers, a basic shoe, a blazer, and then layer on shirts under the blazer according to the days forecast. As we've been having oddly warm weather into this November, I'm taking the cropped trousers out for a spin as much as I can before winter is here permanently.

09 November 2011

Midweek Treats: Pumpkin Pie


Halloween may be over but it's still Fall, and Starbucks is still serving Pumpkin Spice Latte's. I'm actually not a fan of pumpkin flavoured things but so many people I know love it. Lately, I've been a little obsessed with learning to cook/bake more things and a Pumpkin Pie is right at the top of my list. Here is a recipe I'm thinking of trying out.



Dippin Dots filed for bankuptcy this week. This may have been the most devastating headline I've seen this week. My current thoughts are whether or not the Obama administration was discussing a bailout for them too ;) (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

07 November 2011

Pencil Skirt Mission Part 1: All in the Details at Ann Taylor

I may have mentioned this before but I'm not a huge fan of trousers. Give me a pencil skirt and a nice blouse, and suddenly I feel alive, chic, feminine, and everything else I want to feel in my clothes. Currently, I have a simple black one from Zara but it has a whole list of things wrong with it:

1. It needs a hem of about 2-3inches to be at my ideal length (that being about 1-1.5in. above the knee).

2. It doesn't have lining. I naively bought the skirt on sale 3 years ago, and had no idea what I should even be looking for in one. Now though, lining is bordering on mandatory for me. It just gives a cleaner line and makes tucking in so much easier.

3. I burnt it with an iron, so now the front has a section that looks shiny and glossy... Not exactly what I was going for.

Anyway, this has led me to seek another, several is what I really prefer. I've been feeling blah about plain black lately, so I scoured the Ann Taylor site for one's that have interesting details. Below are some that I found that I really like, and I need your help deciding which one to get!

I first saw it on Extra Petite and have been obsessed with it since. Sadly, at the time of writing this, the smallest size available is 0P. So this may have to stay on the back burner for a bit regardless of my liking.


This skirts design really reminds me of the Theory suit that has been a popular choice for the petite blogger's I follow. It's a simple dark colour but gives a bit of shimmer to brighten it up. The one thing that worries me is the length. The debate I started when finding this on the AT site is no closer to being over, and that was a few weeks ago. I'd love to get an extra set of opinions on this issue.

What the last skirt lacks, this one makes up for. The length (at least on the model) is perfect. I do wish it had more of a sparkle like the previous one but I like it just as well. It's a simple black/grey pencil skirt, and I'm imagining the fabric being a bit thicker (good thing for the coming Winter months).


If I had to narrow it down further, it would be between the first and last skirt. The first one stays in the running because it seems to have done well for Extra Petite, whom I would say is my size except her legs may be a tad shorter and she definitely has a narrower waist than I do. This means the slight issues she had with the skirt, may be a non issue for me. I like the sound of that for the sheer fact that I don't have the money right now to running off to the tailors, I've got Christmas pressies to think about.

What do you think? Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your day!

Morning Inspirations: Cobalt Blue Saga Continues...

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful and well rested weekend! You can say mine was productive. I got started on my Christmas shopping, which naturally made me feel a tad crazy. I usually don't start until Thanksgiving with the round of Black Friday sales. However this year, I'm hoping to be mostly done by then :)

inspirations-cobalt blue dreamer



ANYWAY ANYWAY, the price on this dress is ridiculous. I wouldn't even be able to afford it if HauteLook or the Gilt Groupe ran a sale but it's so beautiful. Due to my lack of self-restraint, I am allowing my love for beautiful silhouette's be my excuse to stare at this completely chic cobalt blue (gives it so many bonus points) for hours on end. I love the jacket I paired with it as well. It has a very simple look but I can not resist that it looks like it will feel like heaven to wear, kind of like the cozy thick sweaters I have been dreaming of for weeks. I paired it with a simple black pump. I would recommend hose with in either nude or black opaque depending on the weather and your mood. The accessories were chosen in lighter colours to soften the look a bit.

Go here for the Polyvore details.

02 November 2011

Midweek Treats: Zipper Dress


It's no secret by now that with the return of cold weather I'm looking for cute ways to stay warm. The minute I saw this dress on Zara's online shop, I knew this was perfect. What really got me about this was the interesting structure and I love the zipper detailing. I would pair this with black tights and booties and then add a bright wool coat (perhaps my obsession for cobalt blue can come into play on this one) to brighten the look up and I'm ready to run out the door.


The drug company Pfizer may be offering an over-the-counter version of Lipitor soon. I'm all for more options in the fight against high cholesterol.

Intro to inflation lesson featuring the Duck Tales. My inner 8 year old was very excited to see this.

31 October 2011

Travelling Handbags

When travelling, I always try to pack minimally. I don't drive and do a lot of walking and riding public transport. For the part of actually going to my temporary destination I like a bag that, as I like to put it, I can "carry the world in". It allows me to put my everyday things, and to also tote around essentials like my makeup bag.

Travel- Carry All Bags


View the Polyvore details here.

While in new places exploring, I have discovered the best way to do so is hands free. For that reason, I like to also bring along a cross-body handbag. What's great about those guys, is most are easily convertible into a clutch so you are set for a night out on the town. Here are some options:

Travel- Hands Free to See


View the Polyvore details here.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your Monday!

Morning Inspirations: Nautical Stripes

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. The Northeast experienced some snow on Saturday and I had a really nice time just watching it out the window. I was very lucky to have a good view which made it look even more beautiful :) This weekend inspired me to take the very popular Summer nautical trend and make it Fall appropriate. I hope you like what I've put together.

inspirations- nautical stripes



View the Polyvore details here.

I think I may not have fully gotten over my grey kick from last week but it's just that neutral shade that's great for brightening up an outfit. I paired the striped top and wool pencil skirt with a patent navy pump to match the stripe. To add more warmth over the sweater I added this very beautifully designed mustard-ish coloured blazer. It adds a pop of colour to this otherwise simple coloured outfit. I added pretty drop earrings and a watch because as this is more of a work outfit, it's best to keep accessories minimal. The brown tote is so pretty. If it came with the scarf, I would leave it there. Put this outfit on and you're set to battle the dropping Fall temperatures (just don't forget the pantyhose).

28 October 2011

Packing for A Weekend Away

Hope every one's Friday has been going well. As I am travelling this weekend I thought it would be fun to do posts related to it since I try to make posts based on what I am actually shopping for, doing, etc. for those that may be doing the same. On that note, it seems many are or have travelling on the brain this week as well. You can see how Extra Petite (one of my faves!) packed less than two handfuls of pieces into a week long trip here. I initially wanted to share with you my strategy for packing light since as I've gotten older I've realised how ridiculous it is to travel with your whole closet. Capitol Hill Style beat me to it with this post, which made me feel over packed to the point where I threw out my list (yes, I make those) and started over.

So, I've decided, today I am going to talk about the art of packing for a weekend.... in a pretty small duffel bag. You see I love suitcases but they clonk, and aren't fun to roll and carry through the streets in my 30 minute walk home from the metro. I also find it's easier to maneuver bags while amongst large crowds of people. My only complaint is the tired shoulders at the end of the day. Since I love making lists (really, I do. For everything.), Here is everything I'd recommend you'd need and why for a weekend away:

1. A Jacket. You only need one. I recommend bringing a nicer one (think one you would wear to work) because it has more variety than, say, a casual bomber jacket. For this time of the year, I'm thinking of a trench or a thin wool coat anywhere from hip length to the bottom of the thighs.

2. One pair of Jeans. Once you see the rest of this list, I think it'll be clear why only one pair is necessary. In case not, one normally wears a pair on several occasion's before washing anyway.

3. 2-3 tops and a dress. For instance, I have 3 tops and a sweater dress packed. When going away for 3-5 days, that really should be enough. Unless it's the Summer season, you can wear them more than once. A dress is good to bring because you can transition it from day to night almost seamlessly in just about every case. Also note that, with dresses, tights are involved without saying unless you plan on wearing a bare leg and you can totally do that. I recommend tights being brought along just in case.

4. An extra outfit. I would make it a skirt and top combination simply because skirts generally take up less room than pants. I think it's always good to have one extra to account for any damage (such as stains) done to other pieces of clothing that you brought. As an example, I went away for the weekend one year to visit my brother who was playing baseball out in the Midwest. To get to the point, I brought just enough clothes and one of my shirts got ketchup on it at lunch (I don't like ketchup so no, it wasn't an act of slobbery by myself). Instead of just grabbing an extra shirt, I had to wash it so that I would have a shirt to wear on my last day of the trip. Now, I am all for laundry on a trip extending to a week or more but it's not really necessary (and a tad expensive) for a trip lasting 56 or so hours.

5. No more than 3 pairs of shoes. All you need is your casual day and an evening shoe. You should try to coordinate your outfits in a way that they could all match with the shoes you bring. I say bring a third for those sort of trips that may involve something different, like if it will include hiking you will need to pack the appropriate footwear.

6. Two handbags. All you need is a carry all sort of bag for the journey (and other occasion's during the trip where it's appropriate) and a cross body bag. I like to bring one of my nicer one's when I go away for the weekend because I can usual it for a casual day out and transition it easily into a night look. Note: Come back Monday for more on this.

7. Accessories. I recommend keeping it light. For jewelry, I would say one pair of earrings and for the rest count in two's. If you can count in one's, even better. Now that we're full force into Fall, I also recommend bringing a scarf and a hat (if that's your thing).


I hope everyone found this at least a bit informative. I meant to post picture's but of course, major procrastinating happened and there was no time to upload them. If you check out the post's I linked to, combined they create a great resource. Thank you for reading and I hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Friday Night Out: Transitioning from Day to Night

This Friday is a unique one. Mainly, I will be traveling at ungodly hours this morning (in progress for several hours as you read this) and consuming massive amounts of coffee just to stay awake. For a day like this my goal is always to feel comfortable while radiating a chic look. Since I won't have any resting time until after 5pm, I want a minimal no frills transition to my evening look. Due to the long day that I'm bound for, a typical Friday Night Out in this situation would consist of a little dinner and maybe live music (don't forget the venti from Starbucks I'll be consuming on the way to dinner- a trooper award in my future?). Here's what I came up with:


Day to Night- Travel edition



View the Polyvore details here.

I love a dark skinny jean. It is impossible go wrong. I've paired it with a beautiful simple burgundy cowl neck sweater, and a great cognac wedge boot. What I like about these pieces is they're great for colder weather. I actually own these exact boots and I find, at least for me, that they're a bit wide in the foot allowing for thicker socks. It's important to mention this given that it's going to be one cold weekend. Okay, okay. Not that cold. BUT it will be colder than this section of the Northeast has been accustomed to this Fall. That's where our trusty cowl neck comes in. I paired it with a simple gold stud, just because bare ears look weird to be and watch+bracelet combo. I topped this outfit off with a cropped coat and a great bag that will hold just about everything (more on that soon). The transition to evening is kept simple with a quick swap of the boots for sleek black booties. I also swapped the jewelry out for black drop earrings which I am loving right now. I also added a leopard clutch with a chain to allow for a hands free evening.


Since I'm traveling, I thought it would be fun if I themed all of today's posts to that. Stay tuned for more around 1pm.

26 October 2011

Midweek Treats: Dogs with Glasses


Every once in a while I feel obliged to let my inner 8 year old make decisions, and it really wants this shirt. However, in reality, 23 year old Melinda will never wear it or wear it once and then banish it to sleep wear land. That doesn't mean I can't still let my inner 8 year old look at it here and say/think how cute it is over and over again every once in a while ;) In all honesty though, some people like wearing graphic t-shirts and while I tend to stay away from them, this one is VERY hard to resist. The dog with glasses gets me every time.


Do twenty-somethings expect too much from their jobs? sigh.
Designer discount collaboration's and whether they do damage.

Six ways never to get lost in a city again. I'm printing several copies. Right. Now. (You know, for back up in case I lose one). This article will stay in my handbag always.

I found this interesting op-ed late last week about eating healthy and why politicians can't make you shed weight.


Only one post today. Things are a bit hectic prepping for this weekend (more on that later). There are two posts on Friday to look forward to though ;)

24 October 2011

Outerwear: Debating the J. Crew Metro Coat

The start of Fall chilly weather always sends me into a frenzy about prepping for the winter months. If you were to look in my closet it consists of mostly thin Spring/Summer tops or really thick warm sweaters. I haven't seemed to learn the happy medium. We can talk more about that in another post though. To get back to the point, this is when I start dreaming about my next Winter coat investment.

My current collection consists of a puffer (and the only one I've discovered that actually looks pretty chic-thank you Zara), a cropped wool jacket in black, and a longer, almost knee length wool coat in a beautiful shade of red. For the last two years I have mostly been considering adding a J Crew piece to this collection for several reasons:

1. I like what I hear about the quality of their brand. For the most part, their items sound like they possess the quality to last seasons.

2. They offer thinsulate in many (not sure about all) of their coats. It is a great option to keep extra warm when the Winter temperatures turn abysmal.

After scouring the site for several hours, I am keeping my eyes firmly on their metro coat. I love the classic silhouette, it has the thinsulate option, and -fingers crossed- it appears to be cut in a way that will define the waist sans a waist detail such as a belt. Now that I found a coat I am VERY interested in, it's time to narrow down a colour. I'm in drooling fashion love with the 'majestic purple' that appears cobalt blue in the website pictures but I wonder if I should go with a more neutral or classic colour, given I already own a red wool coat. My neutral picks are the warm grey and the heather camel.








So, now my question is.... What do you think? Also, feel free to inform me if I am not the only one who has been dreaming of their next winter coat since September. (Yes, that was read correctly... September).

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Morning Inspirations: Soft Colours

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was super busy and I am sitting here writing this post completely exhausted. This morning I am feeling inspired by a soft colour palette. I love the idea of a grey trouser, and am on the hunt for the perfect pair to brighten my days when the winter comes along.

Inspiration- Soft colours





View the Polyvore details here.

Pair this with a cropped khaki trench or a grey blazer and off to work you go. Now I will head off to work dreaming of grey trousers. I also need to introduce pearls into my life.

21 October 2011

Friday Night IN

***Note: Due to a looming cold and a packed weekend, there will only be one post today. We will be back to my desired two posts per posting day on Monday. Hope you all take advantage of the Ann Taylor 40% and J Crew 25% (off $150 or more) this weekend! ;)


We all need those every once in a while. The work week or endless hours at school (for those in it) can be tiring, and it's nice to unwind alone sometimes. Besides, staying in on a Friday enables a Saturday night out. This does not mean I will be posting on Saturday though. ANYWAY ANYWAY ANYWAY. Sorry, had to stop myself with caps before I get complete off subject.

For this mornings pleasure I though I would share all those things I like to indulge in during the Fall when cozying up at home:

1. Hot Chocolate. It just tastes so good, and I tend to get cold easily so even a slight adjustment upward on the heater doesn't fully do the trick

2. A good book. I've always been a bit of a book worm. My mother used to be in awe (yeah, not her words) to see me reading multiple books at once instead of one at a time like normal people. Some books I have recently enjoyed are: One Day, The Road to Serfdom, Mukiwa, Colossus.

3. HBO On Demand. Thank you Time Warner Cable. Although, I am still convinced Optimum had better variety. Okay, okay. Both providers did good.

4. An outfit resembling this:
Friday Night IN (take one)


I just want to point out I never in my life considered paying more than $10 for leggings. They are lycra/cotton/whatever after all. They just stretch. Then entered Topshop leggings to my life while in the fitting room one day just to try on an item that I wanted to wear with leggings instead of the jeans I had on. Long debate in the fitting room later, I left with the leggings. This was two years ago, and they're still soooo soft.

Yes, you do see a zebra sock. No, I don't own them. Yes, I wish I did. Why? I have a hard time saying no to zebra's (unless it's tacky looking). I mainly chose these because their chenille which, in case you're not aware, is heaven for the feet. Also, as long as you're not walking around in public with these socks visible, why not indulge in them at home where no one can see you. It all works out.


What do you like to indulge in when spending the night IN?

19 October 2011

Fitting Room: H&M

I popped into H&M the other day on the way to work to work on my search for cozy sweaters a bit more. They seemed to have got some new things in so if you haven't gone in a while I would check it out, there were some very cute things. I forced my self to think of nothing but sweaters as I have a bank account to keep in check (sigh), so no pictures of variety but I did want to share what I did find.


Not exactly a sweater but it has sleeves, long one's at that. It's something my wardrobe is lacking. I have short sleeves galore. It has a simple basic fit, and I always like a cowl neck. I picked this up for $13 (I think).

This sweater is in that popular cut with the wing effect sort of thing going on. I believe extra petite referred to them as 'batman sleeves'. Either way I'm a fan but every other option I tried until this one just looked ridiculous and huge. You may find black boring, but I like the idea of a black sweater to pair with more colourful accessories. The fabric on this one felt nice too. I picked it up for $20.

This sweater was a huge disappointment. The colour was this great shade of orange and I was happy with the fit. However, I wouldn't dare wear it without some sort of blouse underneath because oh my is it itchy. I didn't just want this sweater to layer over other tops though so I just passed on it. Too bad....


Do I have to say anything? I found it highly amusing that they were pushing this on the display table directly in front of the entrance. They really must want people to buy it. Mind you, this is an XS. Yes, an XS. It sort of resembles a snuggy to me. No thank you. The sleeves went three inches past my finger tips (and I have long arms, and usually have to size up in sleeved tops over it) and, as you can see, hit at the knee's.

It also had elbow pads which is a neat little detail. What's not so great is the top of the elbow pad started where the lower portion should be on my elbow. In case you weren't able to guess, this was a pass (ha).


Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Midweek Treats: Cupcakes


I think my all-time favourite desert is cupcakes. The current front runner for my favourite place to get them? Sprinkles DC of course. There's a location in NYC too. Delicious doesn't even come close to describing how good these things are.

What are the costs of a good night sleep? Bloomberg posted a great little thing on the things we invest in to maximise our sleeping hours.

No matter what you're political beliefs, this is a neat little website.

Looking for a cute winter jacket? Over at ASOS you can enter 'bonus20' at checkout to receive 20% off f one.

17 October 2011

Morning Inspirations: Fall Colour Blocking

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone is well rested and ready for a new week. Personally, I always find that Monday comes along way too quickly. As you may have guessed, two colours I am loving right now are cobalt blue and, the very popular fall colour, rust orange. This week I thought I would create an outfit using a little colour blocking with the two.

Inspirations- Blue&Orange



Polyvore here.

One thing I am absolutely loving this Fall is the pleated skirt. Sadly, I have yet to find my perfect one (though I am highly considering trying out the Oasis one featured in this outfit) but I do find them to be a lovely addition to the wardrobe. I kept the accessories simple on this one in an attempt to accentuate the colour blocking going on. The wonderful thing about this outfit is you can wear it to work (not in all cases, obviously) or for a day of running errands. For errands or brunch, I would just switch the nude pump for a black or nude flat.

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

14 October 2011

The Big Debate: Ann Taylor Ribbed 3/4 Sleeve Pullover

My quest for a cozy sweater similar to that featured in my midweek treats post from Wednesday led me to this sweater from Ann Taylor. Online it looks very comfy and still very chic on the models. It's just a simple sweater but I like how the buttons on the sleeves give it just a spark of interest.

Luckily, I was able to snag in during Ann Taylor's 40% off sale. I actually originally got so bummed because when I went to order it online, only a size large was left in the colour I wanted! A visit to my local store led me to discover it in a XSP, not my usual XXSP (which is usually preferable) but due to the cropped length of the sweater I was looking to size up any how.


I really like the sweater. When wearing it, I feel like I have a blanket on but it doesn't look like one when my skinny jeans are paired with it. Now though, I need your help. Is this a return or a keeper?

Keep in mind the following:

1. The sleeves are bulky which means it's not cardigan or blazer friendly. (I'm very sad about the blazer part because every outfit in my head of this sweater included one).

2. I'm always skeptical about how a sweater like this would work when Winter weather comes along. What are some problem solving options?

Also, I apologise for the slightly blurry photo's and the mess in the background. The only room in the house with a mirror acts as a storage room.






Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

Friday Night Out

The NY area has been experiencing muggy weather the last few days and it's sure not going to stop in time for some Friday night fun. Unless it's a holiday, I tend to be lazy and opt for a more casual Friday night when rain is involved. I either stay in or just indulge in a little happy hour and dinner.

Due to the weather, the last thing I want to step outside in, is cute shoes. Luckily, wellies were invented (rubber rain boots-- but I must confess I am obsessed with the British nickname for them). I'm attempting to make them look chic, and not an outfit ruin-er. Hopefully you will find my attempt successful.


Rainy Friday Night Out





View the Polyvore details here.

Starting today, check back around 1pm for the second post of the day featuring-- a super cozy Ann Taylor sweater :)

12 October 2011

Midweek Treats: Cozy Sweaters


Between it now being October and the twenty degree drop in the temperature last week, I have been able to think of nothing but keeping warm. I'm a sucker for cowl necks, and this guy looks super cozy. I can see it with skinny jeans and boots, knee length and booties alike, with a chic handbag for everything from daily errands to a movie date. This particular one is out of my price range for such items but I will certainly be scouring the racks for a cheaper (but high quality) option on my next shopping trip.

I'm sure most of you have heard about Occupy Wall Street (now taking over DC, among other cities). Well this particular video is a must watch. It's the "Occupy Occupy Wall Street" movement. It gives me a good giggle every time I watch it.

Virginia is the next state to regulate purchasing of Sudafed and other cold medicine's containing pseudoephedrine. Clearly I am disappointed. That's something I'm going to have to take off my "Why I like Virginia more than New York" list (though it will barely hurt the length of the list).


Hope you're all having a great week!

10 October 2011

Morning Ispirations: The Boyfriend Blazer

Happy Monday! Hope everyone is enjoying the shopping this Columbus Day. Hopefully I'll be able to fit in a spot of it before work.

I invested in a boyfriend blazer a few years ago, and thought it fit great. However, it's a bit loose on me now and doesn't get much wear. I guess I've lost some weight (which is scary due to how tiny I am) but I've been dying to make it work in a way where it looks good so that I can start wearing it more. The boyfriend blazer is great for Fall because you can layer a bit underneath to stay warm and still look chic.

Inspirations- Boyfriend Blazer for Work



Inspirations- Boyfriend Blazer for shopping trip
You can view the Polyvore details here and here.
Thank you for reading and have a great day!

07 October 2011

Friday Night Out

Happy Friday everyone! Whether you're having a girls night or going to dinner with the boy, I think the following outfit would be great for either occasion.

Friday Night Out- Burgundy Sweater Dress

View the Polyvore details here.

Maybe it's because I feel like this rapid change in temperature is making me sick but I'm really craving all things cozy this last week. I love the versatility of sweater dresses. They're super comfy, and when they're styled correctly, they can look incredibly chic.

I chose burgundy for the dress because it's  a warm fall hue and it happens to be a colour I just can't get enough of right now. I chose leggings for this because they're a bit thicker than tights and I don't think there's anythings wrong with a nice outfit being as comfy as your favourite pajama's :) Besides, as long as the dress covers the bottom, there is no need to worry about the unflattering aspects of actually wearing leggings.

The black boot was chosen for elongating purposes in pairing with the black leggings. I decided on the metallic leopard belt because it adds a little spice to a very simple outfit. I've added a grey scarf  and a simple earring to just complement the beautiful colour of the sweater dress and the khaki cropped trench. I added a lighter jacket because even though we're several weeks into Fall, it's a convenient way to brighten up an outfit without looking like you're stuck in the summer.

End the outfit with an over sized clutch, and you look chic enough for almost every activity I can think of doing on a Friday night.


As a way to recover from an awesome Friday night out, retail therapy is the best medicine:

Ann Taylor is having their 40% off sale again. H&M is also offering 25% off one item (print coupon here).

Thank you Columbus. Have a great weekend!

05 October 2011

Midweek Treats: Cobalt Blue

Rust orange may be a big colour this Fall, but it in no way stops my ongoing obsession for all things cobalt blue. Since I only own one pair of flats (my other pair fell apart to the point where they are now work only shoes), I may have no choice but to take these home with me one day.

Is a la Carte Cable in our future? The Kindle Fire sparked this interesting article.

Every once in a while I come across something really bizarre. Birth Control is the topic this time, and bizarre may not be the best word to describe this new form of it.

03 October 2011

Morning Inspiration: Polka Dots

Sadly, polka dots are not currently in my wardrobe. Maybe this post will be the kick I need to make it happen. That however does not stop that I woke this morning dreaming of polka dots. I've created two outfits, one for work (because that is where I'm running off to at the conclusion of this) and one for everyday wear whether it includes running errands or brunch.

For Work- Inspired by Polka Dots

Casual Inspired- Polka Dots

You can find the Polyvore details here and here, respectively. I don't know about you but I'm loving that casual grey sweater. It has great detailing and it looks comfy to boot. Thank you for reading and have a great Monday!

28 September 2011

Midweek Treats: Wedge Booties Please

I cannot wait to wear these babies... with EVERYTHING.


A recent study is saying caffeinated coffee may help fight depression amongst women. I knew there was a really good reason for having vanilla lattes daily. ;)

48hour Flash Sale from British retailer ASOS. They've put a bunch of Fall pieces for up to 50% off. The sale ends tomorrow night PST. Thank you London.

The Everyday Handbag

Every woman needs that everyday bag to go to in the morning. You know what I'm talking about: the kind that will fit anything and everything you could possibly imagine, from your makeup bag and wallet, to the book your reading to make the commute a little less boring.

The bag I currently have holding that coveted spot is a Fossil satchel in a camel brown leather that I acquired during the Christmas holiday's back in 2007. My little baby has held up but is begging for retirement. I figured, as long I was spending loads of useless hours drooling over pretty handbags, why not share some good options for those that may be in the same boat as well?

the everyday handbag


View the Polyvore details here.

No need for confusion, I did just feature a white handbag just as we're about to get hit with Fall full force. Reasons why I love a white bag, and why it's cool to do for fall? It's bright and a great complimentary piece. Imagine you in your black trousers and heels wearing a rust orange silk blouse and that bag is on your arm. You just took a bit of Summer with you into a new season in a very appropriate way.

The Longchamp is a tried and true by just about everyone kind of bag, and there's a reason for that. It's functional. For those who are still in school, or the working women who has to lug a laptop or books around as a part of their job, everything fits nicely inside and you still have room for the daily necessities.

The Michael Kors bag is just beautiful. I tend to feel like satchel handbags are everywhere the last season or so and I happen to think he does them beautifully, and his prices cause no sweating compared to the popular Mulberry bag.

The last bag  is another classic silhouette turning up everywhere. I don't know about you but I think there's something powerful and sexy about a women carrying a handbag that resembles a briefcase. Who doesn't want to look like they mean business?

Thank you for reading and have a good day!