‘Fashion’ Category

11 March 2010

Purse crushes

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, shopping

I love shoes but at heart, I am a purse girl. I would rather spend $400 on a purse than on a pair of designer shoes. Mostly because I’ll damage that shoe beauty in about 2 seconds (with my luck).

I wouldn’t even know what to do with a $400 pair of shoes. I would just wear them around my house, to do dishes or water the plants. Money NOT well spent.

But purses are my love. They always fit, look good year-round and are such an easy way to dress up an outfit.

And right now, I’m on the purse prowl.

That’s right, I’m a purse puma/cougar in heat, looking for her next fix.

To fix my purse craving, I went to my happiest place on earth, Nordstrom, allowing myself to gingerly touch the soft leather and imagine how gorgeous these lovely bags would look on my shoulder. Yeah, I went to second base with them :)

Beware, below is unrated, hot, purse-on-purse porn action I have my eye on.

Marc Jacobs Amber and Carla totes. Love the color on Amber and satchel/shoulder straps on Carla – gorgeous!

Burberry Heart Check tote – I love the hearts! But it’s canvas, which means: stains

Steve Madden cross-body bag. Love the color, detail and odd shape. It’s like having a letter on your hip

Valentino Shopping Couture tote – I’ve seen this in a few colors and I am LOVING the paillettes. Such fun!

Just because I prefer purses, that doesn’t mean this post is without shoe love too. So while feeling up purses at Nordstrom, I also found these lovelies in the shoe department:

Report - Love the gunmetal color and the pattern on the toes.

Jessica Simpson Alexandra sandal – Love the contrast on the brass and tan leather. This may be more of a “sitting shoe”

Steve Madden Florale flat – Ruffles + peep toe + bold green? With a pedicure, this is too cute, especially for this weekend!

So many choices. Some that cost as much as two months rent and some that are affordable. What is a girl to do? Sharing these made me feel better too so the purse urge has been met.

What do you love more, purses or shoes?

09 March 2010

Spring reality check

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, gym, shopping

Within the last three days, I got two big reality checks. It started when the weather became gorgeous this weekend.

Chicago had its first taste of spring weather, which meant I was out getting fresh air and checking out the stores for cute new spring clothes.

Enter reality check number one. Old Navy was having a big sale on skirts and dresses, both of which are my spring wardrobe staples so I was ready to stock up.

But after a long winter, trying on spring clothes shopping can be a…harsh wake up call.

And the reality check I was written said: get back in shape.

Sure, you can say Old Navy’s clothes are cheap and that styles fit differently, but seeing my fat a** in a piece of jersey was a self-esteem deflator.

So I only bought one of the dresses that fit but was slightly snug and am now using it as my inspiration to get back in a routine at the gym.

This brought me to reality check number two.

I used to go to a bootcamp class regularly at the gym but lately haven’t been able to because of a busy work schedule. But hey, I still go to the gym regularly, it’s a piece of cake!

WRONG. FAIL.

I was down on the ground and I couldn’t get up.

The level of pain I felt was insane. As I laid on the ground, legs and arms aching, I thought, “please God take me now.”

And to add to the misery, there was a “woo” girl in the class, screaming “WOOO I LOVE IT!” Seriously, I wanted to punch her in the face.

But hey, I made it and (hopefully) it’ll get easier again with time. And that dress is going to be good motivation.

Has it started to be spring by you? What are you looking forward to this spring?

Review blog update: It’s not a “formal” review but I took part in an Oscar pool, check out how I did :)

08 March 2010

Oscar fashion hits and misses

By: Jessica B.

Happy Monday everyone!

Normally, I would post a recap of my weekend but due to the Oscars and red carpet glamour, I am mixing up the schedule this week so I can give you a full recap of Sunday’s big show, even if it’s past my bedtime as I write this.

Overall, the celebs did a pretty great job tonight. There were a few hits and misses but nothing totally cringe-inspiring (but close). I was hoping for a little more bold color, but there were still plenty of gowns I fawned over and looks that made me shake my head.

So without further ado, here are my best/worst dressed picks!

Best dressed female: Vera Farmiga

Gorgeous color, flattering and the scallops/ruffles were to die for. Fab! I could not take my eyes off her when she was on camera

Best dressed male: Jeremy Renner

He brought his mom as his date and looked great in a classic suit/tie. Adorable.

Worst dressed female: Charlize Theron

She took a risk by reinterpreting Princess Leia’s buns on her boobs, but that’s all I could focus on and not in a good way. Your boobs should be used for good, not as dinner rolls.

More Oscar fashion winners:

Maggie Gyllenhaal

I haven’t been the biggest fan of Maggie’s dress choices (oy!) but this was simple and had great color. A necklace would have been nice but she makes it work. But damn is she skinny! Eat a burger girl!

Zoe Saldana

I LOVED this look. Vera barely beat her out as best dressed. I love the color, beading and bottom of this dress. Gorgeous and young.

Sandra Bullock

She looks like an Oscar herself. The detail and beading on the top were fabulous and with the simple hair and makeup, it was a great age-appropriate look. Now if only she could give me Ryan Reynolds phone number…

Kristen Stewart

I was shocked at how classy she looks. See how good you can look when you take a shower and put forth some effort? Now she just has to stop looking so pissed off and/or constipated

Gabourey Sidibe

Very figure-flattering and age-appropriate. Plus, she rocked the sh*t out of this on the red carpet. You go girl, fist bump!

Penelope Cruz

The movie Nine was awful, but she looks hot here. That red is very rich and gorgeous on her skin tone and it makes her waist look small and her boobs big. Win, win!

Oscar fashions that get a “see me” note:

Sarah Jessica Parker

Chanel fashion fail #1. Absolutely no shape, and I hate the yellow strap on the neck. I have no idea why it’s actually there. SJP, just because it’s Chanel Haute Couture, that doesn’t make it right!

Diane Krueger

Chanel fashion fail #2. I don’t hate the cream and black colors but it’s that loofah-inspired mid-section that confuses me. But if she brought Josh Jackson with her, that would have slightly distracted me from this mess.

Jennifer Lopez

I don’t totally know why she was here but a hip fabric puff when you’re a curvaceous woman isn’t a great idea. She actually looks a little like a teapot here. Ouch.

Miley Cyrus

You are young, rich and at the Oscars. Stand up straight! I don’t like the bodice of this dress and honestly with that bad posture and bride of Frankenstein hair, I’m not a fan.

Anna Kendrick

I’ve not been a fan of her fashion at award shows this season but the main issue I have with this look is the color. It washes her out and I can’t see the amazing detail on this dress. FAIL!

Other high/low points:

  • Steve Martin/Alec Baldwin: I thought they did a pretty good job. I still think Hugh Jackman was a better host last year, but they were funny and used dry humor
  • I really liked the best actor/actress introductions. They were funny, heartfelt and really sweet to watch
  • Kathy Ireland: OMFG what a train wreck. Her dress/necklace combo was a disaster and her interviews were so painful to watch with her claw-like hand that I had to look away
  • The random woman who ran up on stage when Music for Prudence won. Who was she? Where was security? Random!

Phew, well that is this year’s reacp. It’s now time to put the fashion judgement hat back in the closet until next year.

What did everyone else think of the fashion and show? Who was your best/worst dressed picks? What did you think of the show?

07 February 2010

Weekend recap: Getting crazy with friends

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Chicago, Fashion, Food

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone. Right now, I’m not feeling so good…because I went out last night and got a little out of control.

How out of control? Well, I am missing an earring and Cheerios were all over my kitchen floor and counter when I woke up this morning.

But I did come home alone, take my clothes off and remove my contacts and eye makeup. So that’s good.

And I smell like a mixture of sweat, vodka and cranberry juice. Classy.

God I have the worst headache too.

We were out last night to celebrate a friend’s birthday and after some awesome pre-partying (with funfetti cake!) we went to Pete Wentz’s club Angels & Kings.

I was also super nervous about my outfit because I have no ideas what to wear to these places. So I talked to my super trendy friend Lizz and here’s what I came up with:

(Shirt: Banana Republic, Leggings: Hue, Boots: Banana Republic, Sweater: Old Navy, Necklace: Banana Republic)

And there was a lot of dancing, jumping around, drunken tweets and screaming/singing.

It was awesome. I LOVE going out to dance and my striptease moves did not go unused.

I will also be refraining from vodka-based dinners for the near future too.

And before my night out, I had some good eats too back at DMK with some of my Chicago ladies. But instead of the Parmesan truffle fries, I tried the sweet potato ones and they were pretty good. I liked The Counter’s sweet potato fries better but seriously, the Parmesan fries are amazing. I would go back for those ANY DAY.

I’m also addicted to Wii Tennis. Seriously, addicted. I played for an hour Saturday and my arm is KILLING ME. To be this sore from a video game makes me wonder how in shape I actually am!

How was everyone else’s weekend? Did you watch the Super Bowl and the commercials?

Movie Review: TC and I saw Dear John this weekend and my tear ducts barely survived.

04 February 2010

The online shopping bait and switch

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, shopping

Why I love online shopping:

  • It’s easy to do from home or work
  • You do not have to wait for a fitting room
  • You do not have to deal with unhelpful sales associates
  • More likely to find your size (especially in pants for me)

Yes, I love online shopping for all of these reasons. Plus, I get little presents (that I paid for) delivered to me at work. It’s like Christmas or my birthday but throughout the year!

And sales tax is usually cheaper (especially if you live in Chicago where it’s 10.25 percent.).

Sure, returns are annoying sometimes, but overall, it’s easy.

The only thing that dampers my love of online shopping is the bait and switch.

This means: what looks great online looks awful in person.

Wah wah.

Yes, the trouble of “maroon red” looking more brick red, or “dreamy green” looking more like some odd mix of grass green and puke. Not so dreamy after all.

Or when that lux-looking fabric and dress feels like a bad polyester/nylon blend. Ick.

I don’t have this happen a lot but when it does, it really irritates me. I hate getting all excited about the stuff I purchase, only to find out it looks totally different in person. That does not make my shopping experience easier.

And I’ve found Old Navy and Land’s End are the biggest offenders of this bait and switch. When I complained once, a rep from Land’s End actually told me, “oh yeah, we hear this a lot.”

Really? Well maybe…something should be done about that? If I have to go into the store to make sure that what I buy online looks normal in person, I would just BUY in the store.

Speaking of that, I have a stack of returns for this weekend. Sometimes, I wonder if I should just stick to buy things in black, gray or white online because those colors are tough to really mess up.

Lots of questions to ask! Do you online shop a lot? If so, what do you usually shop for? Or have you had this happen to you when you shop online? Or do you prefer to still go in store to purchase?

Movie review: I’m off to the movies this weekend but you can still check out my review of An Education in the meantime!