Another Haute Summer Dress

I bought this today from Arden B:

Silk Blossom Shift Dress - Regularly $138.00 - Now $110.40

It's sooo pretty on. I almost didn't try it on b/c it looks kinda "eh" on the hanger, but it's just so much cuter once it's on. It kinda reminds me of Nicole Kidman's recent red elegance - except with a real-sized bow for us real-world people. Ooh, and the silk is sooo soft against your skin...you guys know I love comfy-chic!

NOTE: Image and item from ardenb.com

Shopping Tip - Wait Out the Steals

Sometimes, the best things in life do come to those who wait...here's proof - look what I got tonight:


J Crew - Perry-stripe shirting skirt - Was $88 - Now $49.99 (click image for details)

This happens to me a lot. You see something in the store...you really want to get it, but you don't "have" to have it. Do you splurge and let your shopaholicism kick into high gear? Well, it depends on your budget, your debt, and other stuff like that, but my personal shopping standard is to get stuff at full price that I love-love-love and have to have - I try to be as selective as possible with the full price stuff. If I really like an item but don't "have" to have it, then I wait it out. I figure, if I wait, and that item is still available when I go back to buy it on sale, then it's "meant to be." This policy has actually helped me a lot with not overspending b/c instead of buying something on a whim, if I'm not 100% sure that I love an item, I put it back on the rack and just wait it out. Once you see your "love" on a good deal, then it's time to pounce!

As they only had 2 of these left and I really love-love-love it, I bought this at full price:

St. Barth Bag - looks like it's sold out in the butterfly print, but click the image for details on the seersucker bag

With the shopping, at least for me, it usually depends too on what I have more of in my closet. For example, I don't have a really cute day bag (I mean my Chanel is gorge, but what if I go somewhere it might get messed up, like the beach?), so I've been on the lookout for a cute daytime bag for awhile and this fits the bill at a pretty reasonable price. On the other hand, I have a fair # of skirts, so I don't really "need" another one, but at a good price, I'm game!

NOTE: Skirt image and item from jcrew.com

Breezy Beach Cover-Up

Two months till my Charleston vacation, and I can't stop thinking about vacation and beach gear. I just bought this awesome, breezy beach cover-up from J Crew in turquoise:

The beach skirt is gauzy and totally tropical weather-worthy, but I think anyone could easily pull wearing this skirt out and about. Umm...not so much to work, but if you're going shopping with the girls or out to get your pedi, this skirt would be as comfy as pajamas but so much cuter!

NOTE: Image and item from Jcrew.com

Steal of the Weekend - Tod's for $25

If you've ever read my other blog, The Chic Life, then you'd know that I love to go thrifting. This weekend, I went shopping with my fiance's mom at a consignment/antique store and found the steal of the weekend - Tod's sandals:


Can you believe I got these for only $25?! A similar pair retails online for over $400! And I found them just in time for spring!

Chic Chanel Accessory

How simply chic is Chanel? I mean, really...who else defines class and ladylike style with such perfection? That's why when I found out these (see below) were going to be coming into Neiman Marcus last week, I immediately signed up for their "Wish List"...umm...and a Neiman's card b/c w/o a card # they'd have to give "my" earrings to the next person...I couldn't let that happen, could I?

Lookie what I got!

What's in that Chanel box under my brand spankin' new Chanel earrings you ask? Guess you'll have to check back to find out!

Sping-Inspired Business Look

Spring is here, and in honor of the season and warmer weather, I decided to start my work week with a spring-inspired business look:

It's an all Banana Republic outfit - I normally don't like to do outfits completely from one store, but I simply couldn't resist. I'm a big fan of accessories, so when I saw this scarf on bananarepublic.com, I knew I had to have it...and an outfit to go with it, of course. Would I be a true shopaholic if I didn't get an entire ensemble?

Anywho, for any gals out there shopping for some great work-gear, I highly recommend these wide leg pants. They're super comfy and the cut is awesome - very work-sppropriate! Oh, and the top is a great purchase - I have it in a couple colors. It's lightweight, sooo soft, and a steal at only $38.

Oh, and if you decide to shop for any of these pieces, I recommend trying the stores first - they're almost all sold out online...eek!

Top - Banana Republic
Wide leg pants - Banana Republic
Slingback pumps - Banana Republic
Scarf - Banana Republic
(see, I wasn't kidding)

Chic Black & White Dress - Cheap!

Hey Ladies...like the Anthropologie dress I blogged about yesterday but don't like the price tag? Yea, I don't have any Anthropologie dresses yet for a reason, but there are other super cute dresses out there! Maybe not with the exact same color or the same shape, but def with the same "chic factor!" Check out the sweet dress I found at The Limited recently:


Black & White Rose Dress by The Limited - A great purchase for only $68

This dress is an awesome piece to add to your wardrobe because it's so versatile! Just remember that dress is a tad on the low-cut side, so if you're planning on wearing it to work or to meet the parents or to go on a nice date, do remember to add a cami to the look to keep you looking super classy.

Pair with a nice blazer to make this look business casual appropriate.

Punch up the look with bright shoes or a bright purse (or both)!

Dress - The Limited
Cami - The Limited (they have the best camis!)
Shoes - Michael Kors
Purse - Ann Taylor Loft

Beach Chic a la Vera Bradley

There are tons of shops, boutiques, restaurants and other places to spend your hard-earned cash when you work uptown. Everything you could possibly need is in walking distance - Post Offices, dry cleaning, shoe repair...you name it, you probably got it. There just happens to be a Merle Norman store that sells lots of pretty Vera Bradley wares. I love Vera Bradley...everything is so pretty and preppy and just plain chic. I stopped in the other day...just to look, of course, and saw the cutest beach tote and towel. They had lots of fab purses, checkbook covers, etc., but there was something to the beach tote. Put on top of that the fact that my honey and I have a vacation planned in Charleston in May, and I just happen to have a need for a beach tote, and the seed of shopaholicism is planted again. I was able to walk away from the store empty-handed a few days ago, but had to pass the store a couple times walking from building to building this week, all the while gazing in at the beach totes displayed so nicely in the window. When a girl on one of my projects told me today that they only had 3 beach totes left and weren't getting any more, I knew what I had to do. Cross my fingers that they'd still have the tote closer to May? Wait it out and hope it goes on sale? Yea right, I headed straight to that little boutique to pick out which color I wanted. Here's what I got:


I got the beach tote (so chic), matching beach towel (ooh it's so plush!), matching flip flops, and I got the matching notebook for free. I can't wait to hit the beach...or the pool...whichever comes first. Either way, these new goodies are going to be put to good use this summer!

For any gals out there planning a tropical vacation or maybe shopping for the perfect summer gift for a friend or loved one - these beach goods would make awesome presents or treats for yourself!

Welcome Home, Loubies

So, remember how I mentioned that I made another splurge purchase on my latest shopping spree? Here they are:

Yes, I bought my very first pair of Christian Louboutins from Neiman Marcus - see the fab red bottoms? I'd post a link, but they're not online. Why did I buy two when I was only supposed to buy one, you ask? I blame shopaholicism...lol. Seriously, both shoes were fabulously great "work chic" investments. How could I put one back? Theoretically, I could wear these shoes the rest of my life...at least that's how I reason with myself when I'm shopping...hmmm

Oh, and I'm def rocking my Loubies out while I'm blogging. See!

My Perfect Black Pump(s)

Yay! I've found my perfect black pump(s). Did I say pumps...plural? Damn you shopaholicism! Yes, I bought 2 pairs of shoes yesterday...sorta...one is here with me and one is on the way...I'll keep that a surprise for later, once I pick up my new babies...

In the meantime, here's what I bought:

Michael Kors Leather Pump (click for details)
Image and item from neimanmarcus.com

And while I was browsing Neiman's online, I also saw this Michael Kors outfit

Image from neimanmarcus.com

and thought I'd have a little fun with my new faves

Sweater - Banana Republic
Black Pencil Skirt - Banana Republic
Belt - Gap
Purse - Kenneth Cole
Shoes - Michael Kors

Deal Alert - Extra 10% off BlueFly Today

Until 6:30 am 1/9/07, save an extra 10% off new arrivals - no coupon code necessary...the discount is already taken, and there are tons of great items just waiting for purchase. Take this lovely dress, for example:

This Betsey Johnson gold floral scalloped lace dress is just screaming to be purchased. I'm hearing the cries, but I'm already over my budget for shopping for January...besides, I already bought these tonight:

I remember seeing these BCBGirls black leather 'Macony' buckle boots on Fashmatch.com and falling in love at first site, so when I saw them tonight on BlueFly, I had to have them! And, if any of you out there have been paying attention to Fall 2007 style, you'd know that the "tough look" is going to be a strong look later this year, so I'm hoping these boots will be in this fall too!

Shopping Spree

Oh dear, fellow shopaholics...I've been bad. I know you're supposed to pretty much stick to buying stuff for other people during the holidays, but I couldn't help myself:

It started off innocently enough...these shoes are Max Studio - retail $150 but only about $35 for me...not too shabby, eh?


Then things headed downhill when I stopped in Kenneth Cole...just to look, of course. Dangerous last words for a shopaholic...this purse is almost cobalt blue, which will be so hot for spring...it's a tad bit darker, but who cares? This purse was marked on sale and an additional 50% off the ticketed price...I couldn't pass


Then there was this sweater I saw in a store window that I just had to try on...doh! Stupid window shopping!


And the piece de resistance...this lovely pair of Cole Hahn's...I splurged on these for my holiday party...got these full price. But they were worth it b/c they have Nike technology built into the shoe structure. Nike technology, I tell you! Ok, maybe a silly purchase, but they are fab, no!? Mais oui!