Shopbop Love

I love to shop. There, I said it. Granted, I'm no Rebecca Bloomwood from Confessions of a Shopaholic, but I do love to increase the size of my wardrobe. I have already mentioned my Gilt Groupe love here, but I carry the same torch for another e-commerce great, Shopbop. The site has designer lookbooks, the ability to shop by trend, and a kick ass blog. Sorry, I don't mean to gush, but it really is love.

They carry all the best contemporary brands and even high end designers, where you can peruse the selection all you want without any pressure to buy.

Some of my favorites from the current inventory:

T Alexander Wang Classic Mini Pocket Long Dress, $110

Patterson J. Kincaid Midwest Slouch Top, $98

Giueseppe Zanotti Open Toe Cork Platform Pumps, $437

Alice & Olivia Trapeze Knit Coat, $440

And, they have an ongoing sale that is seriously ridiculous - 30,50, and 70 %! Happy shopping.

Now & Later

Today's forecast for New York City proper is a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Pair that with 87% humidity and you've got a seriously sticky situation. This kind of weather calls for something light & breezy.

{chickdowntown.com}

This Yumi Kim Hippie Sari Floral Maxi Dress is a perfect way to beat the heat and still look put together, effortlessly.

SUMMER

This gorgeous silk maxi dress can still be worn in the fall months, and not just on a vacation! The black and gray tones make it easy to work in with other pieces from your existing (darker) wardrobe.

FALL

I am sad to admit I am actually getting excited for the coming of Fall! I need to enjoy the August heat while it lasts.

It's Friday!

Happy Weekend! Hope you all enjoy the best days of the week.

My plans are:

a lovely brunch at pastis.

a day of perusing the goods at the nearest flea market

followed by a champagne toast

and a night on the town with the girls.

xoxo

{image 2 du miel aux epices, image 3 simply seductive, image 4 plush palate}

Rant!

Like any normal human being, I have several pet peeves. Chewing with your mouth open, one car taking up two parking spaces, etc, etc.

What's really starting to frost my cookies are celebrities that think they are "designers". From the A list to the D list, celebrities are clamoring to make an extra buck. Like the Hollywood paychecks really don't go far enough?

The best of the best: Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth & James line. Some items are a tad overpriced, but other than that the designs have really been on point.

{Elizabeth & James Bubble Shorts and Roselyn Dress, both available at Shopbop}

The worst of the worst: Anything Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus (she just "collaborated" with Max Azria for Wal Mart), Jessica Simpson (her shoes are cute, but she joins this category for shameless self promoting, appearing in her own advertisements).

I will step off my soapbox now. Thank you for listening, er, reading.

{image via vi.sualize.us}

Beauty Obsessions

Three little words. Matte Nail Polish. I have been waiting for this for awhile now. OPI Matte Nail Lacquer in Russian Navy, $8.50

Other OPI Matte colors include: La Paz-itively Hot, You Don't Know Jacques!, Gargantuan Green Grape, Alpine Snow, Lincoln Park After Dark. Get them here.

Splurge vs Save

A girl can never have too many handbags. My requirements for a handbag are: fashionable, functional, and durable. It has to be easy on the eyes, but not so beautiful (and expensive) that it should be housed in a glass case. It has to fit everything I tote around with me on a daily basis, which has come to include my wallet, camera, phone, notebook, and flip flops. As for durability - who hasn't slung theirs over the back of a chair or *gasp* placed it on the ground?

#1. Foley & Corinna Classic City Tote, $485
#2. Roxy Over The Rainbow Satchel, $46

It's easy to spot the 'knockoff' here. Everything depends on your budget for the Fall.... What do you think? Splurge or Save??

Now & Later

I can't believe it is already August - where does the time go? It's time to start thinking about what to wear this fall (eek). The best way to get excited for the upcoming season is with pieces that you can wear right now and when the leaves start to change. So, every Monday for the month of August I will introduce a piece that can take you through the change in seasons. Frugal gals everywhere know our money needs to go a little bit further than it used to.

First item on my list:

Yellow is Gold Silk T-Shirt Dress from Urban Outfitters, $68

For the rest of the summer, keep it plain and simple. A fedora and a pop of color keep you looking fabulous, even when the temperature really heats up.

Come September (or later depending on your location), add a cozy cashmere sweater to keep you warm. A vintage belt and some serious footwear are all you need to round out your ensemble.

Happy Weekend!

Wishing everyone a happy weekend! Do something you enjoy.

xoxo

Alexandra

{image, just be splendid}

Newsroom

The latest in style-ish news from around the world wide web.

*The interns at a certain Conde Nast publication posted this note after being forced to do the Editor's dishes on a daily basis. {Gawker}

*No surprise here - the staff and Vogue are not allowed to wear flats. That Anna rules with an iron fist. {The Cut}

*This is what is wrong with the world today. There are actually match making events with guys from finance and girls from finance. Ick. {Fashionista}

*This photo confirms what the world has been pondering - Gisele really is knocked up. Ed note -looks like the photo has been taken down! You will have to snag this weeks issue of People to see the spermination. {The Cut}

*Swim Suit vending machines..... Only at the Standard Hotel. {Refinery 29}

*The Sartorialist is the man behind the lens for DKNY Jeans Fall Campaign. Oh, and the leading lady is H. Duff. {Stylecaster}

{Image via The Marc Eck0 Blog}

Closet Envy

No Really. Aside from the gorgeous clothes, that is. Look at the structure and glamour of these amazing spaces! Oh to have a little extra square footage......

#1 - Just a random dream closet for anyone with a clothes habit.

#2 - My style icon, girl crush, etc, etc. Rachel Zoe.

#3 - THE Carrie Bradshaw closet, pre- heaven on fifth.

#4 - Paris Hilton. Her closet is pretty, but she never is very well dressed...
#5 - Jamie Lynn Sigler.

#6 - Eva Longoria Parker. No fair.

#7 - Nicky Hilton. The stylish of the two Hilton sisters.

{Images 1,3,4pretty things 4 you , 5-7 In Style, 2 - SATC.}

64 Pages of Vogue Goodness.

Check out some of the pages from one of the best editorials since, well, ever.

You've done it this time, Carine Roitfeld. I. heart. you.

A few image here. The rest here.

Nothing comes between me and my Calvin's.

Quirky John Galliano.

Lux Louis Vuitton.

Striking Dries Van Noten.

Bad-ass Balmain.

King Karl.

Moschino. Cheap. And Chic.

{Discovered via because im addicted}

New Edition

To the closet! My very first pair of Current/Elliotts. On Sale. 50% off. That just doesn't happen.

Love, love, love them. And ironically, they are not the pair posted earlier today. But they were only $121, so I can justify purchasing them and not the !iT brand pair :) Get them here, while they last! I got the last pair in my size.

Splurge vs Save.

Boyfriend Jeans. The best kind are actually stolen from your significant other rather than purchased from [insert retailer's name here]. Sometimes you find yourself flying solo without the perks of a male closet, in which case - splurge? Or save?

Can you tell which one of these pairs of denim costs a mere $78? And which one retails for an astounding $245?

Personally, I like the darker wash of pair #2. And, if you want that extra distressed look, take a pair of scissors and get to work. Better that than taking the scissors to that extra $167 you would be spending.............

1) Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Jeans, $245

2) !iT Jeans 'Ellie' Boyfriend Jeans, $78

Wanderlust - Greece Edition

Some days, I just want to pick up everything and move to an island where the views are endless and the weather is warm. I think I could handle Greece in all its glory. Anyone looking for a bartender/waitress/nanny/deckhand? Seriously, I wouldn't be too picky.

Oh how I love me some Mediterranean/Aegean Sea.

{images from flickr & vi.usualize.us}

Just Because

How awesome is this swimsuit? I need it. Now.

$230, but I have a feeling I'd get my money's worth.....

Get it here.