Saturday, August 17, 2013

Joie Belvidere Stretch Leather Leggings

My husband and I stopped by Marshall's today to do some shopping. He was looking for a bike lock and a poncho and I was looking for, well, anything. One of the things that I like about my local Marshall's is the separate "contemporary" rack. Oftentimes, I find many brands that I like such as James Perse and Free People. Today, I found a pair of Joie leather leggings.

Now I know what you're thinking. Leather leggings? But seriously, I think they're fabulous. I'd been wanting a pair of leather leggings for a while. I love the idea of pairing them with a slouchy blouse and scarf and tucking them into some tough boots. I also love juxtaposing them with some high heels and a feminine blouse. 



So when I found these Joie leather leggings, I decided to give them a try. Now look closely at the picture above because what you're about to see looks nothing like that.

When I first found these pants in an XS sitting on the rack, I thought to myself, "There is NO WAY I'll be able to squeeze into that!" So I grabbed the medium and the XS (just in case) - these were the only two sizes they had. Surprisingly, I was able to pull on the XS quite easily. They do stretch and I guess I should've figured that considering that they are leggings. 


I really don't like that they don't lay flat in the front like they do on the model and on basically every other person I saw when I googled "leather leggings." Probably because in actuality, a size small would've been a much better fit.


Another thing that I don't like is the low rise of these pants. As you can see in this photo, it's creating that horrible muffin top. Ugh! I wish they were at least a mid-rise legging. I tried pulling them up as far as they would go, but this was all I could manage.

A shot of the front lower part of the leggings. I would definitely have to get them hemmed as they were much too long and bunched up all over the place.

And the VPL is atrocious. But nothing that a little Spanx can't fix :)

Oh, and the price is also atrocious. $300 for a pair of leather leggings! At Marshall's! A discount store! But I guess I get it. I mean, they were originally $948, so $300 is practically a steal. When I tried to explain this logic to my husband, he just laughed.

Yay, 100% leather! But made in China. Boo!

So the verdict? I'm sure you can guess. These pants are still sitting pretty at Marshall's. I'm going to have to wait until they're on SUPER clearance before I can even consider purchasing them. I love the idea of them, but on me they just weren't that great. A bummer because I think they look great on the model and on other celebrities. If the length and rise were just right, then I'd say these would be perfect. But there're too many fit issues to make this a practical purchase. 

And the hunt for leather leggings continues...

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Oxfords

I've really been into oxford shoes lately. I actually think the obsession started about a year ago when I first spotted these Cutout Daisy Oxfords from Anthropologie.

$188

$188 was a little more than what I'd wanted to spend on a pair of oxfords so I waited months and months and months for them to go on sale. When they finally did, they were sold out in my size and now they're sold out completely. I occasionally search in vain on eBay, but since I haven't had much luck there, I've settled on purchasing these Esprit oxfords.

Remember the brand Esprit? I used to be obsessed. Now I only see this brand randomly at outlets and discount stores. When my husband and I were in Paris a few years ago, we shopped at one of their stores on Champs-Elysees and he loved it. Even bought one of their winter coats. C'mon Esprit! Bring back that style I used to be obsessed with in high school!

I bought these for only $19.99 from T.J. Maxx during tax-free week. A steal in my opinion.

I love the similar cutout details and taupe-y color.




Now I admit these shoes look pretty much nothing like the Daisy Oxfords, but there are some similarities, such as the color and cutouts. I've searched for other oxfords and although I can't find anything close to the Daisy ones, I have found some cute alternatives.

On sale $79.90 (originally $119.95)

$59.95

$144.95
www.nordstrom.com

$495

$765
www.barneys.com

And now for some not-so-similar oxfords, but equally cute and super fun.

$69

On sale $52.22 (originally $77.95)

On sale $192.50 (originally $275)

On sale $117 (originally $195)

$354.49

$1,145


All of these shoes are super cute, but the question is, how do you wear oxfords? I found this to be quite challenging so I did a little research online and looked at pictures for inspiration, and I've come to the conclusion that oxfords look best when paired with cropped or skinny pants - something that's gonna show off the shoe and keep them feminine.



Happy oxford shopping!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Outfit Of The Day: Crop Top

After finally having lost a little bit of my pregnancy weight, I felt confident enough to tie a little knot in my tee to create a slight crop top. Pairing it with my Chairs Canvas Wrap Skirt created a fun look for a night out.

What I'm Wearing:
Initial necklace (short) from Urban Outfitters 
Quatrefoil necklace (long) from Banana Republic

I found these shoes perusing the clearance section at Target. I'd been wanting a pair of gladiator sandals for a while and I thought these were adorable. And they were $8 on clearance so I thought they were a steal! They are actually girl's sandals that were misplaced in the women's section, but I found a size 5 to fit perfectly (I am usually a size 7 in women's). So I've learned to also start shopping in the kid's section for good deals - kid's sizes are already cheaper, but when you get them on sale, it's even better!


This initial necklace was my ONLY Black Friday purchase last year. I remember showing up to the Town Center around 4 am hoping to score some great deals, but a lot of my favorite stores weren't even doing any special promotions. Urban Outfitters delivered with their additional 50% off sale, but this necklace was the only thing I could find. And it happened to be the very last one, on sale for only $2.50, AND it has my son's initial - it was meant to be.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Carole Middleton in Orla Kiely

Carole Middleton paid a visit to her royal grandbaby today and I was so excited to see her wearing Orla Kiely! She looks fabulous in this SS12 Dancing Girls Tea Dress!

www.people.com

www.polyvore.com
Orla Kiely Silk Crepe Dancing Girls Scallop Shirt Dress

Orla Kiely SS12 lookbook

www.gilt.com
Orla Kiely Silk Dancing Girls Sundress

www.gilt.com
Orla Kiely Silk Dancing Girls Top

www.lyst.com
This print is absolutely lovely and adorable and a closeup reveals that it's aptly named :)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag

Anthropologie just released a 20th anniversary archival collection and it got me thinking about the one that got away. You know, that one blouse or that one purse that you just couldn't afford years ago because you were a struggling college student (pretty much me throughout the early 2000s). But sometimes, as luck would have it, you'd find that same item you were lusting after on eBay (or, if you were really lucky, at Goodwill) for a price you could actually afford. This was the case for me with the Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag. I first spotted this purse in a boutique in Amelia Island a couple years ago. It was beautiful and quirky, pretty much exactly what I look for in anything I buy, but I just couldn't afford it at the time (I tried to convince my husband that it was indeed a household expense, but to no avail). I stalked this bag on the website and eBay, and although it appeared from time to time, it was still just too expensive. However, one day, while perusing Orla Kiely's Past Season collection, I found the one.

Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag in Cobalt
I purchased this bag for $177 (originally $298). Still a pretty hefty price tag, but with the help of some gift money, I was able to make this bag mine.


It's a thin bag, but good for holding a laptop and some papers or books.

There's a zip closure.

And a button closure.

The inside is divided by a center zippered compartment and lined in Orla Kiely's signature stem print in a brown cotton.

One side houses a couple pockets and an attached keychain.

The other side has a zippered pocket.

I was pleasantly surprised that the center pocket was lined in the same coated cotton print as the outside.

The bag also has a detachable shoulder strap.

As with most of Orla Kiely's bags, there's a leather exterior pocket that can hold virtually nothing. I found that the only time I ever used one was when my husband and I were in New York and I needed a place to put my metro card for easy access.

The bottom of the bag has no "feet".

And it also came with its own dust bag for storing away when not in use. However, I don't think I'll be using the dust bag that often. Since this purse can be worn as a crossbody bag and has a briefcase shape to it (not to mention how spacious it is), I plan to use this bag as my everyday work bag. The bright blue color will be a great pick-me-up as I make my way to work every morning :)

Friday, July 12, 2013

Outfit Of The Day: Birthday Blues

Hello everyone! I know it's been awhile since I've posted an OOTD (sorry!) so here's a quick post on the outfit I wore last night to celebrate my husband's 31st birthday. We went out to dinner at Brio Tuscan Grille so I wanted to keep it casual, but a little dressy so I accessorized with some high heels and a couple fun necklaces. Hope y'all are enjoying your Friday!

What I'm Wearing:
Gap Belt
Necklace (short) from J. Crew Factory
Necklace (long) by Dominique Cohen for Target


Nail polish color: China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint