The Runaway

I'm outta here.  I'm runnin'.  I'm packin' a bag and a-runnin' away for oh about five days or so for what I hope are views like this where rest and relaxation are the only requirements; but don't fret, I'll be back to postin' come Monday, October 4th.

Until then ... wardrobe wishes and clearance-filled dreams ...

Panoramic pic courtesy of From Me To You

Weekend Plans

This weekend I plan on doing absolutely nothing but surrounding myself with piles and piles of my favorite fashion magazines and reading them all cover to cover while writing many a list containing all of my most pressing must-haves.

What are your plans this weekend?

Reading List pic courtesy of Mama's A Rolling Stone

P.S. I totally wish I could switch places with Michelle and that my hair looked just like Carey's.  Totally.

Little Black Dress

I was first introduced to the breathtakingly beautiful Family Affairs clothing line by reading a post by Rebecca of The Clothes Horse fame in which she was wearing one of the most darling little black dresses I think I have ever seen.  Naturally, I wanted to see if I, too, could find such a lovely interpretation of a classic to fit my own style from the line ... and lo and behold ... that's just what I did when I found the Avalon Dress.

And the almost $200 (on sale) price tag attached somehow seems well worth the price to pay for my very own version of the lbd.

Little Black Dress pic courtesy of Family Affairs

Gettin' Leggy With It

I'm just gonna state the obvious here: my love of all things leggings just isn't going anywhere.  Not any time soon, at least.  There's just something so very easy about pulling them on and throwing a long-ish tee, tunic or dress (like this or this) on top of them and callin' it a day.

And seeing all of the leggy versions over on QooQooFashion (like bears, mice and tie-dye, oh my!)  comforted me in knowing I wasn't the only one that felt this way ...  so if you want to get a 'leg up' (yeah, I went there and said that) on the competition, snatch up a pair for your own gorgeous gams today.

Pic of volcanic pair courtesy of QooQooFashion

A Furry Friend

After seeing this faux-furred fabulousness of a coat over on Robin's clever little Duran Duran-drenched post on Dark Pony Designs, I haven't been able to get it out of my head since (I even dreamed about it, people ... a telltale sign that I'm a-likin' what I'm seein' and must have it - or something oh-so-similar to it hanging in my closet - much sooner than later).

It's always so nice to meet a new friend, don't you think?  Thanks for the introduction, Robin.  Both my closet and I thank you.

Cozy coat* pic courtesy of Dark Pony Designs

*sold by AttysVintage

P.S.  As if things could get any better, Robin is even holding a giveaway on her blog right now for some pretty fantastic earrings.  Check 'em out and enter here.

A Sight For Sore Eyes

Thought I'd give you something super pretty verging on wishing-they-were-on-my-own-feet to look (ok, let's be honest, to stare) at as you begin yet another hopefully wonderful week.

Oh.  And these too.

Shoe specimen pic courtesy of Sea of Shoes

The Boys Are Back In Town

Well ... at least their clothes are back in town for the fall-ish weeks ahead.  Can you believe that this gorgeous gal is wearing a sweater from J.Crew's kiddie clothing line, Crewcuts, and from the boys section?!  Yeah, me neither.  But at least I know exactly where I'll be getting all of my own money-saving sweaters (like this and this) this season: the boys department.

Sweater style pic courtesy of The Sartorialist

Old Blue Eyes

As of late, I've been living in makeup monotony.  My routine has become so habitual: a dab of concealer here and there, a pink creamy blush and a few coats of mascara (sometimes even my bottom lashes too!) and if I'm really feelin' adventurous ... a quick little flick and I've got a black liquid-lined cat eye.

So to break out of the drama-less (bordering on - gasp - boring) doldrums I'm finding myself in, I'm going to take inspiration from Preen's pretty peepers and find me some baby blue shadow and create the triangular shape on the inner corners of my eyes too for a much prettier (and more colorful) take on my own old blue eyes ...

Pastel peeper pic courtesy of Refinery 29

The Skinny

Usually upon seeing the word 'skinny' on any kind of garment, I'll quickly put said item down and slowly back away ... so don't even ask me how I convinced myself to put Gap's new Black Magic Really Skinny pair into my online shopping cart and actually go through with the order.

But boy, oh boy, am I glad that I did!  As soon as I slid them on, I stared into my full-length mirror and marveled just a moment (ok, maybe two or three moments) at their higher-waisted, leggings-without-being-leggings fit and how no matter what top or shoe I put on with them, they looked that much cooler for it.

Worth every $59.50 penny I paid for them. 

And more.

Pant pic courtesy of The Gap

I Blog, Therefore I Am

And gosh darn proud of it too.

While in the midst of Mission: Bex Bedroom Redecoration '10, I was scoping out all the online sale goodies at Urban and came across this almost too-cute-for-words tee for eight buckaroos (!) and knew I had to have it.  And I found just the place for it too: hanging from this on my bedroom door ... even now as I type this little post ...

Tee-rific pic courtesy of Urban Outfitters

Happy Suno

Sometimes at the start of yet another week ... you just want to see something that puts a big ol' smile on your face; to be reminded that this whole fashion thing is supposed to make the wearer happy to be ... well ... wearing what they're wearing and I can't think of a better (or more colorful) example than the entire Fall 2010 Suno Collection (see the slideshow here). 

I dare you not to smile after seeing it.

In fact, I double dog dare you.

No, TRIPLE dog dare you.

Yeah.

Smile-inducing pic courtesy of style dot com

Something Up My Sleeve

I was thisclose to opening up Paint on my computer so I could put my profiled head on this woman's body just so I could feel that cool for a minute but I refrained because I figured I'd just add it (along with Maggie Gyllenhaal's character's colorful arm from Stranger Than Fiction) to my one-day-it-WILL-happen tattoo file instead.

Jim must be one lucky dude pic courtesy of Tattoos

Fancy Pants

I bought an oh-so-similar pair of these silkified pants way back when last year on clearance at Banana and only got brave enough to wear them once.  Once.  It was with a classic white button down dress shirt (tucked in) and some almost-to-the-knee brown-buckled boots (that was also the day I was complimented and told that I looked just like Amelia Earhart - ha) 

So needless to say, I've been waiting quite some time for inspiration to hit so I can wear them again, and now it has.  Of course!  Just layer it with some simple, oh-so-comfy tees, a favorite pair of effortless heels and call it a day. 

Genius.

Pretty pants pic courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

A Done Deal

Ok.  That's it.  I'm gonna do it.  The little girl in me that giddily wore the poufiest of dresses with the white folded-over-at-the-ankle lace-edged socks and shiny black patent leather maryjanes is gonna do it.  I'm gonna wear this winning combo of scrunched up socks and heels that I've seen on just about every model now in every fall collection ... that is, of course, until I inevitably have to switch out said socks for chunkier knitted tights to accommodate for winter's return.

Lauren Moffat collection pic courtesy of The Clothes Horse

Rule Breaker

I'm generally a rule follower.  Some may even call me a stickler when it comes to certain things (must come from being the daughter of a school teacher) but not when it comes to fashion.  Take the no-white-wearing-after-Labor-Day.  That's a rule I proudly break, whenever possible.  Especially when there's a dress that looks like this.

Rule-breakin'-worthy white dress pic courtesy of Blooming Leopold

P.S.  Read an interview with the designer behind this lovely line (TBA) here (and the interviewer just so happens to be sisters dear with my photo's credit and site source - small little fashion world, no?)

Labor Free

Just for today, since it's officially the last of a gloriously long Labor Day holiday weekend, I'm going to do nothing but pretend that my bed is actually sitting outside right now (in the 70 degree, almost-cold-enough-for-a-light-sweater weather) with me plopped right in the middle of it wearing this exact outfit  with only my trusty laptop, Chuck, as my companion where I can't be bothered to lift a finger ... well, maybe just one as I click around and visit all my favorite blogs ...

What about you?  What are your labor-free plans today?

Free People pic courtesy of Studded Hearts

Goldfinger

I finally got my hands (well, fingers) on the perfect double ring and I have my not-so-secret, can-always-find-just-the-right-accessory shopping source to thank for it.

Banana, you (and your gems) totally rock.

Double trouble ring pic courtesy of Banana Republic

The Dark Side

It's happened.  I've left behind my poppies, rubies and reds for much darker pouty pastures. Bordeaux (124) to be exact.  And this motherpucker is only seven bucks with its purple-y pigmented powers makin' me feel all sorts of vixen-y.  Vampy even. 

And I like it.

Fringe Benefit

I recently bought my own pair of fringed booties in a much darker brown that only set me back about 20 smackers, and although they may be the comfiest pair of shoes I've ever owned, I've found myself at a complete and total loss as to what to wear them with until seeing this photo and being reminded of the age-old fashion rule: When in doubt, wear denim.  It really does go with everything.

Fashion 101 pic courtesy of Vanessa Jackman