Down With LBB

Are you ready for this?  I don't know if you're ready for this.  I don't even know if I'm ready for this.  But I wouldn't be able to call myself a bargain blogger if I kept this incredible news from you even a second longer, my dear fellow fabulous readers.  And since it officially launches today with its most cleverest and adorable idea for a shopping site, like ever, I thought it only appropriate for me to blog about it right here, right now.  So, here it is:  I'm down with LBB.  Aaaaaaand you're welcome. 

LBB = Little Black Bag.  Stemming from the Japanese "Lucky Bag" shopping concept wherein you buy a bag full of designer products at such an event, then trade said buys with all of your friends.  Fun, fun, fun!  But now you can do it all online!  You start by taking a style quiz to see just what kind of goodies will be placed in your own little black bag (Me?  I'm a little canvas bag - so cute) and once you receive that bag, you can start in on all the trading fun.  With top brands such as Zac Posen, BCBGeneration and Betsey Johnson going up to 70% off - it's a buying no-brainer!

If that's not enough to convince you to join RIGHT NOW, here are two insider tips from the Little Black Bag Team: Inviting friends in on the fun can earn you a free item in your next bag (just click the Invite tab with your personal link thru Facebook, Twitter or e-mail and when a friend buys a bag, you get an extra item free and up to $25 in your next bag) or vote on friends bags letting them know what to keep or trade from their own little black bags; you can even ask for the results to be revealed so you can see how everyone voted.  Cool.  So sign up, and once you do, come back and tell me what little bag YOU are, mmmmmkay?   

Photo Source: Little Black Bag

The Wu Hang Plan

Have you seen the Jason Wu Collection for Target?  Good gravy is it so darn darling.  I can't seem to even come close to coming to a decision on which look is my favorite.  'Cause there's just too too many to choose from.  Like prim and proper white buttoned-up and bow-tied blouses to a synchronicity of stripes upon stripes as far as the style eye can see.  But.  There is one thing I do know and can make a definitive choice on/about: Cleaning and taking out every other piece of clothing from my closet that isn't this collection to hang every last one of these looks - down to the adorable ankle socks - in there instead, initiating what I'm calling The Wu Hang Plan.   

Photo Source: Dark Pony Designs

Double Take

The smartest, handsomest, most bestest ten year old boy ever (that I am somehow lucky enough to know and be related to) made one of the sweetest and flatteringest observations about me the other day that I felt (and feel) I had no choice but to blog ego-boost a bit about today.  You see ... this lovely little lad saw a picture of Miss Dunst online and just assumed it was me photographed again for another post on the ol' blog.  And even when he was told otherwise, he still claimed that I resembled the actress 90% out of 100%.  Made my day.  No, my month.  Ahh heck.  My whole YEAR!

Photo Source: A Beautiful Mess

Whistleblower

Yep.  That's right.  I'm blowin' the whistle on another fashion-y line that I wish was in my wardrobe and closet like, oh I don't know, NOW.  It's UK-based.  And it's called Whistles. (Confession: Ok, ok, maybe I'm blowin' it after this vintage-loving gal originally already did) but I have to believe she'll forgive me especially since how could I not post a blog all about it after seeing that creamy scalloped leather tee in the above video?!  Talk about dreamy.  Not to mention that sensational sale section (Lily Paisley Shorts, I'm talkin' about you) in which I wish I could go out and buy immediately.  Oh.  P.S. And come summer, that hot pink suit WILL be mine.  That I can promise.     

Video Source: YouTube via Foxtail + Fern 

Tatted And Torn

There's still not even a little dot of ink on me.  Not a one.  After all of my incessant babbling blogging on the subject, I'm completely tattoo-less.  I should have made that my 2012 New Year's resolution.  To get tatted-up.  Heaven knows I've got enough inspiration saved up for one (or two or three) permanent marks.  But to try and make up for it in the meantime, while my skin is still tat-free, I should just get me a pair of these birdie brooches (yes, I'm talking about brooches. Again. Still.) and wear 'em up by my collarbone so every time I look in the mirror, I'll be reminded of how much I still  wish they were forever inked on instead of pinned on.   

Photo Source: The Doll City Rocker

Some Bunny Loves Me

Apparently weddings and all things bridal aren't the only things I can't seem to get off of my little bargain-blogging brain.  Remember this bunny-fied post from just a few days ago?  Well obviously I haven't yet gotten my fill for all the fashion-y foo foos either.  Case in point: my total, verging on desperate need to have another brooch in my possession, pronto.  A bunny brooch.  More specifically: This mirrored bunny brooch.  So I guess I better - wait for it - hop  to it then, shouldn't I?  Forgive me. Ha.

Photo Source: Maisonnee via DesignSponge

Dress For Success

Inexplicably, from this week's two posts now, I'm hesitantly gathering that I must have got weddings (or at least all the fashions that are associated and go with them) on the brain.  Don't ask me why.  And I figure it's gotta be blamed on this beautiful bride's dress that I recently saw over in Jo's blogging neck of the woods.  Because if I ever do decide to tie the knot (and that's a big, HUMONGOUS if, people) I like to think that I'd go way far beyond the traditional white gown and opt for a figure-flattering and eye-pleasing frock instead.  Just like this beauty did with her dotted darling of a dress.  But again, that's a big, HUMONGOUS if.  At least for now.

Photo Source: A Cup Of Jo

Giveaway: Lockerz Dot Com

It's giveaway time!!.  Oh yeah.  Uh-huh.  WOO HOO!  So let's get right to it.  As you can see from the logo above, Lockerz is a new super cool site that showers users with rewards just for doing what we do daily already when we're online: video-watching, shopping, photo-swapping with BFFs.  And every time you do this, you earn things called PTZ (points) which make the prices of things in the shop dip way down low (like bargain basement prices, folks)  They have it all: clothing, accessories, electronics.  You name it, they've got it.  So it's the perfect place for bargainers like me (and you) who want a fab look without it making a big ol' dent in our wallets.  Now the deets:

Five of you, my dear readers, yes ... I said FIVE of you will be winning 2500 PTZ each to shop 'til you drop and put as many steals and deals as you can into your very own lockerz!  And entering is easy:  Just choose the outlet in which you want to follow me: Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Facebook or Twitter (if you do all four, you earn an extra entry each time, upping your chances of winning each and every time) And remember, whatever way you do choose to follow me, don't forget to leave me a comment below letting me know so you get counted when I tally the # of comments.

P.S.  The deadline for this great little giveaway will be going for one whole week longer at which time I'll be choosing and announcing the lucky duck winners on February 8th right here on this lil' blog o'mine - so enter, enter, enter!  P.P.S. Don't forget to include an e-mail address if you don't have a blog so I can be sure to contact you letting you know you are one of my five winner winner chicken dinners!   Oh.  Tell all of your friends too ... and ... GOOD, GREAT, BEST OF LUCK, everyone!!!

Photo Source: Google Image Search

Shapeshifter

When I got the e-mail asking if I'd be interested in possibly trying out some new Body Wrap Shapewear, let's just say, I didn't have to be asked twice.  I immediately replied back with my dress size(s) and my top two picks, and just a mere few days later, I had them both - BOTH!?! - in my hands (you can see one above).  And I feel like there's definitely something to be said about shapewear that once on somehow transports you and makes you feel exactly like ScarJo from her Dolce & Gabbana ads.  Because all you could ever possibly need after having it on is a swipe of red red lipstick, a pencil skirt and blazer and you may just be giving Ms. J some competition, red roses and all.

Photo Source: Shapeshiftin' Me

Bohemian Rhapsody

This boho chic engagement shoot had me swooning, (purely) stylistically speaking.  Since I'm so so so single at the moment, it's kinda sorta not even funny.  Really.  Not.  Even.  Funny.  But.  That doesn't mean that I can't appreciate this duo's DYNAMITE sense of style.  Nope.  Nope it does not.  Like that fur coat which they both wear equally amazingly that I want so so so much it almost pains me to type this.  And knowing that I can't have it just makes me want to find its doppelganger all the more.  So I did.  Here.  On sale for 20 buckaroos.  And with a squeal of delight so high-pitched about this buy o'mine, it permeated the air so fiercely, I think I broke glass. 

Photo Source: 100 Layer Cake

The Amazing Lace

Do you ever plan an entire outfit around one singular piece?  'Cause I do.  Like 90% of the time.  And usually with a pair of what I've deemed to be wowee-kazowee statement shoes.  So I'm always pleasantly surprised when the other 10% of me sees a little something else that makes me feel that way.  Today?  It's this 'amazing lace' of a shirt.  With my mind's weardrobe wheels already a-spinnin' from all the other things that could go with it, like: fitted blazers, bunches of brooches, thrown (and buttoned) over colorful tanks and camis and skinny or baggy boyfriend jeans.  See?  Sometimes that teeny-tiny 10% can turn out to be the exact 100% of what your daily ensemble needs  ...   

Photo Source: Pixie Market

Little Hang-Ups

I have what some may call an unhealthy amount of glossies I seem to have somehow amassed during the many months and years of this fashion/style obsession of mine that are currently sitting in three neat, albeit very tall, stacks atop a pink chest that resides at the end of my bed.  And although the conversation starters that they are, I'd really like to do something different to display them in my room.  Enter this genius DIY: Just hang 'em off some  nailed hangers.  Brilliant, no?  Just brilliant.

Photo source: Creature Comforts via Ohh ... Mhhh ...

The Big Chill

It be cold.  Really, really, super duper bone-chillingly cold.  See-your-breath cold.  Sending-shivers-down-your-spine cold.  Did I mention that it's cold here?  Well, it is.  And I've never understood why my so very obvious love of all things warm-like has me living in the state where 'Ski Utah!' is the official license plate mantra.  Go ahead and try and figure that one out for me, why don't ya.  But.  At least it does mean that it's the perfect place to showcase my newfound love for all things scarf-y.   Like the darling mustachioed neckwarmer above, right?   Gotta accentuate the positives, no? 

Photo Source: Pip Robins

Stud-y Haul

Some boots were made for walking, others were made for utter and complete obsessive, out of control gawking.  Like these studded steppers that my shopping buddy and I spotted on a recent looky-looing weekend excursion.  Having absolutely no intention of buying a thing, not one little thing (thanks to the coaxing of said shopping counterpart) I was rendered helpless upon seeing these bad boys.  'Cause they were originally $250 down to a mere $40.  How could I not buy them?  So what if they're a whole size too big for me.  That's what sock layering is meant for, right?  Right?!?    

Photo Source: The Luxe Obsessions

My Name Is Mud

Alright, alright.  Maybe not my name, but my face sure is ... all thanks to the fine folks over at Auromere only because they oh-so-kindly and generously sent me over a big ol' tub of an all-natural Herbomineral Rejuvenating Mudbath to slather on, test and try.  And boy oh boy, did I!  As so evidenced by the black and white photo above. 

For my first mudded attempt, I decided to do the Facial Treatment Mask and the directions (included) were super easy-peasy:  A spoon's scoop or two (provided) thrown into a bowl with a teeny tiny bit of water, some mixin' and finally, applying.  And 20 minutes later when I washed it off with a few more little splashes of water, my skin was beyond silky smooth ... and it has stayed like that for days now.  Days.  

So I won't be stopping with a mask.  Oh no.  I'll be bathing in the stuff ('cause you can use it instead of soap!) and to treat everything from headaches to blemishes.  And the best part?  They are offering YOU, my dear readers, a free trial-size sample if you simply just request it (here) and mention this blog review.   Like I said:  Easy-peasy. 

Photo Source: Muddied Me

Chicks And Bunnies

The animalistic sweater surge that is taking place both sartorially and stylistically in the fashion world right now has me wanting to wear a different species on my chest every day of the week.  And I think I'd like to start off this just-decided donning decree with little bunny foo foo first.  So I guess you could say that this chick is gonna be super hoppy wearing bunny.  You know I had to go there.  Had to.  

Photo Source: Refinery 29 via Miss Selfridge

Banding Together

Whenever I see a chic hair accessory adorning a short-like-me pixie cut, I have some sort of a Pavlovian response where I must then immediately go out and get the same.  And it happened all over again after seeing the too-gosh-darn-cute-for-words Michelle Williams at the Golden Globes on Sunday.  I've shied away from donning anything atop my super short little locks before, but fell HARD for her bold black band and now want some for my own.  In bulk and in every single color imaginable. 

Photo Source: Southern Femme

Good Moon Rising

Oh.  My.  Gosh.  I simply cannot wait for this film to come out so I can go and see it like a gazillion, bazillion times.  Yeah.  That many.  Maybe even in full Margot gear too in homage to Mr. Anderson.  I mean, I've already got the fur coat and the pessimistic personality and I'm pretty sure I could line and rim my eyes in black pencil if I had to, you know, for full effect.  And I'm forever in JenLovesKev's debt for bringing this maje movie to my attention.  Thanks, fellow Wes-watchin' fan.  Thanks.

Video Source: YouTube via JenLovesKev

Clutch Hold

I've got this thing for oversized everything at the moment.  For some reason, a big baggy two-sizes-too-large sweater or cardi looks SO very much better with all of my toothpick-y bottoms than anything else that it's a wonder I haven't always dressed just like this.  And I figure that's where this polka-dotted pretty would come in quite handy too (pardon the pun) as my next accessory addition.  It's large and in charge just like my other pieces ... and I wanna hold it in my clutches ... like riiiight  NOW.   

Photo Source: Red Velvet Shop

Point Of Sale

The whole point of a sale section is to get not-so-new wears out of inventory, opening up space and room for a new season chock full of all new bright and shiny, of-the-moment things, right?  Another question.  But what does it say about someone like me who only ever likes something if it is in that oh-so-specific sale section?  (Like the uber cute coat above) Guess Need Supply needn't worry too much about this pondering and predicament post o' mine 'cause I'll be keeping them in business long after the new season of wears comes rollin' in if they keep having sale sections like this.

Photo Source: Need Supply

Bauble Heads

Sisters Tiffany and Jen had me at their company's, t+j Designs, budget friendly (and oh-so-bauble-y) hello.  Why?  Because I'm ALWAYS down for loving me a good statement style-y piece that won't be threatening to break my teeny tiny bank which means I'm completely and 100%-ly smitten with every dangle, clasp and stone that my eyes can see from this darling duo's site.  So excuse me while I go and stock up on all said up to 70% off pretties before they're going, going gone (oh yeah and 'cause if you spend 50 smackers now, shipping's free)   Please and thank you. 

Photo Source: t+j Designs

High And Dry

When asked whether or not I'd like to try out and review a brand spankin' new Suave Professionals hair product on the ol' mane, of course I chose the abso-freakin'-lutely yes indeedy option.  Duh.  And when I opened the big black and gold box and pulled out the dry shampoo from underneath the gold streamer-ish packaging, I do believe I let out fist-pumping approval high high high up into the air - fully knowing that a few yummy-smelling spritzes here and there would be producing quite the KILLER tidal wave-y mohawk right on top of my head.  And it did.  This picture's the proof.

Photo Source: Mohawked Me    

It's Easy Bein' Green

When you look this gosh darn good wearin' it!  I'm OBSESSED with this girl's coat.  Heck, not just the coat, but the bright red lipstick choice, the rad purple and mustard color pairings that go so very well with it (that I'm kinda super duper jealous I didn't think of first) and the black simple toe-scuffed ankle boots that tie it all together.  But, really, back to the coat.  The coat!!  Breaks my bargaining heart a little to know that I'll never have it hanging off  my own bod, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna try and find my own interpretation to rock in style tribute.  Oh no.  No it does not ...    

Photo Source: Calivintage

Spring Ahead

So it's only the second week in January and I'm already pretty much done with (and dressing for) the cold.  I know, I know.  You would think my choice to live in a place (Utah) for almost three decades now that really only has two seasons: Super Duper Sun-Blazing Summer and Frigid-Freezing Winter that I would be used to it by now.  But I'm sooo not.  And refuse to be.  I'll try my darndest though, to be as complacent as possible to the chill in the air while it's here with my tights, sweaters and scarves.  But come the first sign of any sun and a Spring-ish breeze?  Head-to-toe Madewell stripes.

Photo Source: Studded Hearts

Big Red

Go big or go home.  That seems to be the only oh-so-fitting mantra I am repeating over and over and over again (in my head) when it comes to my latest wanting of all things headband-y to plop onto the ol' noggin this chilly season.  Why choose simple, understated subtlety when there's BIG red bows that you can 'BAM!' with when accessorizing your wintery wears?  Yeah.  That's what I say.  Go big or go home.  

Photo Source: YesJess.

The Beginning Of The Trend

I want to dress like a dude.  Yep.  Still.  My New Year's resolution continues to be in full (style) swing.  And it was all the more confirmed by every single outfit worn by Melanie Laurent in the moved-me-to-tears movie, Beginners.  Every scene had her wearing something else uber elegant and effortless, so much so, it made me wish I was born French.  Don't even get me started on that red dress.  Please.  Just don't.  It's gotta be in their blood, no?  To look chic even in the simplest grey sweatshirt-y top, jeans and black overcoat.  And as for my closet's 2012 menswear-inspired style state?  Well, I can't help but start to believe that it's the (beautiful) beginning of the trend ...   

Photo Source: Comediennes

Patch Perfect

On Monday I made my way over to pick up what I call my 'clothes clone' (who just so happens to have been born a little over a decade after me and to my sister) for an afternoon spent at the cinema to watch this flick all over again.  And as she came waltzing out, making her way towards my car's front seat, I immediately noticed her why-didn't-I-have-it elbow-patched blazer.  Quickly complimenting and giving her full fashion kudos for such a stellar style find (being the adoring auntie that I am) I couldn't help but feel that old familiar fashion-y twinge wishing I already had it for my own.  So I made a mental note that as soon as I could, I would set out to find some retail replacements.   And here are my latest contenders: one, two and  three.   

Photo Source: Modern Hepburn via Pinterest

Through The Looking Glass(es)

Stop me if you think that you've  heard ... err ... read this one before: A (look-for-less) style-obsessed girl logs on to her bargain-y blog and posts about a pair of vintage eyeglasses ... what?  You think that you have heard ... err ... read this one before?  Huh.  Well shucky darn for you.  'Cause as long as there are super pretty (and thrifty) specs like these ombre-framed lovelies to be bought in this bloggity-blog world, I just can't see me stopping any time soon.  But in all honesty, do you really want me to??

Photo Source: Grandma June

Checks Mix

Ok, I'm weirded out.  By this time last year, we Utahns had more than our share of slippery, sloshy snowstorms under our blizzard-prepared belts.  But this year?  Nothing.  Nada.  Not even a little layer of frost coating our lawns.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to complain about it or anything since it means I can take full style advantage of one of my favorite fashion combinations of shorts plus tights (like this long-in-length Anthropologie-checked pair) but I can't help but wonder when we'll be experiencing our own version of a wintry wonderland here in Utah, if at all.

Photo Source: Anthropologie via Refinery29

Blanketed In Love

My sister dear called me on a recent unassuming weekday morning, quickly asked if I was near a computer and when it was confirmed, insisted that I must immediately go to Old Navy's website and click on their 'New Arrivals' for us womenfolk.  And that I did.  There I discovered row upon row of oh-my-good-golly-gosh, gotta-have-'em sweaters, dresses and tees - oh my! - and determined that even though I've promised me, myself and I to try and stop shopping so much ... that some promises are meant to be broken ... especially when there are blanket cardis like this involved.

Photo Source: Old Navy 

Case Encounters Of The Brief Kind

I'm super duper doggone serious about stickin' to my menswear-wearin' resolution this year.  So much so that I've decided I need to take it even further by toting around the quintessential man-ish carryon: the briefcase.  The only accessory in which I saw my papa holding throughout my entire childhood ... and to this day.  And one such bag couldn't possibly be more perfectly personified than this Allen Company beauty. 

Photo Source: Allen Company Inc

Spectator Sport

The first thing I look at when I see what someone is wearing is what they happen to have on their feet.  Because I personally believe that the shoe(s) make the outfit and the woman/man wearing them.  Just like they do here on Ms. Elsie.  I also personally believe - especially in this case - that if are in love with a particular pair (like I so very much am with her pumpkin-y platforms) that even if the shoe doesn't fit (I'm a 9 and they only have size 10 left) you should just buy them and wear 'em anyway ...  

Photo Source: A Beautiful Mess

Commitment Phobe

When it comes to making New Year's resolutions, I'm pretty much the first one to chicken right out of doing 'em, usually by the (first) week's end.  Only because what I normally set out to do is so super big huge that I'm almost always setting myself up for some self-depricating disappointment if I don't just give up altogether and end up not making one at all.  Well ... not this year.  For 2012, I'm a-gonna commit to a closet clothes resolution.  To be more daring in my ensemble choices.  Like embracing the tomboy style I've so long admired; and I have a feeling I'll have absolutely no problem whatsoever in resolving to commit to it after seeing this completely chic chiffon bow.

Photo Source: ban.do