Jul 13, 2010 | Fashion
Sunglasses-print T-shirt: Pineapple County (Honolulu)
Distressed Boyfriend Denim Shorts: Hudson
Leggings: Old Navy (rolled up since they don’t stock capris right now)
Oxidized Puzzle Necklace: Kaza (LaForet Harajuku)
2-finger floating rhinestone ring, gold feather curlicue ring, and watch: Forever 21
Beaded Bracelets: self-made with beads from Michael’s and Etsy
Bag: Bought in Honolulu
(please forgive the photo quality; we only brought a small digital camera that only has a built-in lens, and I have no photo-editing software here, so you get to see me in all my unedited glory, heh heh)
The problem with going shopping in Japan is that you have to walk – lots. It’s not a question of driving to the mall, parking, and then walking around in it…you have to walk to the train station, take the train to the shopping areas, and then walk from the station to wherever you want to go.
Thus you need incredibly comfortable shoes. Here you often see trendy girls walking around in 4-inch heels, and I always wonder how do they do it? And the girls who staff the boutiques are required to wear the clothing that they sell – they are literally walking, talking, live models – and thus have to wear the trendiest and highest of heels all day – and they’re never allowed to sit down anywhere where the customers can see. It truly boggles the mind.
Add to that it’s 98 degrees with a super-high humidity factor here, you have to weather extreme changes in temperature as you go from train to outside to store to outside again, and your viable wardrobe diminishes.
Plus if you’re going shopping or navigating the train stations you don’t want anyone peering up your skirt as you ascend the escalator.
So this is my go-to outfit for walking around and window-shopping in Japan, trying to beat the heat: trendy tee, cross-body bag, denim shorts, leggings, and printed sneakers. At least for today – until I get used to all the walking. I was really happy with the way my self-designed Miu Miu-esque swallow-printed shoes from Zazzle turned out…the colors and print are so pretty! I was a little sad to find that the Keds sneakers run large – and my usual 7.5 is too big for me. Ah well.
With all the humidity my hair falls flat in an instant – and can’t hold a style – and so I’m loving these clip-in bangs from Jessica Simpson’s HairDo line. (I think they may be a little long for me, but I don’t want to get them cut just yet.) They’re so soft and feel just like real hair, the longer pieces at the sides frame the face perfectly, and the color for me is such an exact match I can’t tell where my real hair ends and they begin.
They’re a great option for girls like me who have thinner bangs, or who don’t want to commit to cutting a thick bang halfway up their crown and then have the agony of growing it out if they don’t like it.
(Of course I forgot to take photos before I actually went anywhere – and ended up taking them at the end of the day, after I’d been walking around for hours and was all hot and sweaty. Eek!)
Hope you guys had a great weekend! More sweaty outfits and clip in hair to come!
xoxo
Carly
Jun 22, 2010 | Fashion, Score!
dress, earrings, and necklaces: courtesy of maurice’s
nautical sandals: Abaete for Payless
The kind folks over at maurices sent me a gift card a little while ago – and it was like my birthday in June! (My birthday’s in December…so half-birthday??)
I headed down to my local maurices to check it out – which means a drive down to the airport, since that’s the closest one.
It was somewhat deserted (being in a sort of remote location and all), but packed to the gills with affordable, trendy merchandise.
Though a lot of the styles and cuts were a little too young for me (but probably perfect for your average teen/college student!) I did find a number of items that would work on someone of my *ahem* somewhat advanced chronology. There was a super-friendly sales staff member who was so helpful…I tried on a pair of jeans, found them too big, and so she brought 7 different pairs in similar washes and fits for me to try on! And not even a frown when I finally decided to forgo the jeans and purchase the satin dress I had tried on instead. (I did find the jeans ran extremely large…I finally fit into the 1/2 in one cut, which is insane considering I’m closer to a 6 in most brands, [between a 5 and a 7 in Junior’s sizing], and a 4 in brands that skew large, like Gap, Old Navy, and White House/Black Market. In another cut I was a 3/4, which is still skewing waaaay to large – so ladies of smaller sizes be forewarned!)
Sorry – messy photos taken with my camera-phone.
I finally settled on this lovely white, black, and grey strapless number (I do love me some colorblocking!), and found the cutest wing-shaped earring set for a mere $1.99 on the sale rack.
I also saw a mannequin outfitted with two of their key necklaces around her neck – thought, “what a great idea!” and scooped up two necklaces for myself. (Buy one, get the other 50% off – SCORE!) I’m totally into layering necklaces this summer.
It’s a little wrinkly from being folded in my shopping bag. My real birthday wishlist item #1: a garment steamer!
I know these shoes don’t reeaaally match but I wanted something sandal-y and summer-y all the same.
Since it’s been unbearably cold here in Portland (it’s 51 degrees in June!!!! I’m still in my winter coat!!) I’ll probably wear the dress like this for now: over a long-sleeved top and boots to make it more casual. (Maybe over a tee shirt as it warms up.)
long-sleeved top & heeled boots: Forever 21
I love how this dress has this surprise edgy zipper detail up the back.
I don’t see any of the items I bought available on their website still, but you may find them at your local maurices…and here are a couple key necklaces they are selling that are similar to the ones I bought: here, here, and here.
Also, I am so excited to announce that maurices has partnered with me to do a giveaway here on Chic Steals! If any of you missed that promotion maurices was running over Memorial Day weekend [spend $60 and receive a free tote or sunglasses of your choice], well now here’s your chance to get a new tote…and just in time for the hot days of summer! (Even in Portland;-) Up for the giveaway is:
One patent-look white tote!
ARV: $14
Edit 6/29: Entry period is now over and winner has been chosen. Thank you!
How to Enter?
Leave a comment on this post with your EMAIL ADDRESS. (If your email address is linked to your Blogger profile – AND your Blogger profile allows all users to see it ****VERY IMPORTANT****, then you don’t need to leave your email address in your comment.)
That’s it!
*One comment per person, please. Multiple entries from the same person will be deleted.
*Contest open to residents of the U.S. only. (apologies to my international readers)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
Entry period is for 7 days only, ending Monday, June 28, 12 PM PST.
Good luck!
Yes, this is now de riguer for all my photoshoots – running rings around Mom.
Thank you so much, maurices – and happy start to the week to all!
xoxox
Carly
Disclosure: maurice’s furnished me a gift card, which partially covered my purchases with them above. They are also providing the tote, which will be given away to one lucky winner. For more information regarding my disclosure policy, go here.
Jun 7, 2010 | Fashion
For early Summer I’m loving a palette of neutrals, nudes, and earthy tones. Since the weather here in Portland doesn’t get really warm and fine until mid- to late- June, layering is key during the inevitably rainy and damp mornings. One truly versatile piece is this Plastic Island One-Button Linen Dress – worn done up and belted, it’s also appropo for the office or a business casual event; worn undone it serves as a light jacket. Pair it over something slinky like this Free People Easy Corset Slip for a night out, or for a summer soiree. As a contrast to the girliness and straight-laced look of the linen dress – I’m going to finish off my ensemble with a Two-finger Stud Ring for a little bit of edge.
Come really hot days a sweet, ruffled camisole like this 525 America Tie Dye Ruffle Cami
looks great with some white denim and a Satin-Trim Fedora to fend off the sun’s rays. (Perfect for tapas by the pool or a day out with the girls!) For evenings, a structured blazer like this Gibson Chambray Jacket adds a dose of downtown cool and is a must-have this summer. (Wear over a pair of faded denim shorts or capris – since the denim-on-denim look is what’s on-trend this season…and probably not for that much longer.;-)
For dates or when I’m feeling that urban military vibe, this Guess Camila Military Romper is both strong and sassy – and paired with an oxidized metal cuff or old gold chains and oversized aviators, could look straight out of the pages of a magazine. Add a pair of Suedette Strappy Platform Sandals to continue the theme of neutrals and pit delicacy against the rough-and-tumble look of the romper. (LOVE these sandals with a pair of loose paperbag-waist shorts and a vintage lacy blouse, too!)
I’m also going to be accessorizing all summer long with whites, bones, creams, eggshells, and ivories – light-colored jewelry looks fab against sun-kissed skin and sets off a tan to perfection. (And this White Cala Necklace, paired with a flowy maxi, is all I’ll need for a beach party anywhere!)
Hope that this offers some solutions to the question of “what do I wear for warm weather?” Have a wonderful start to Summer!
xoxox
Carly
Jun 7, 2010 | Fashion
If you happen to live in (or are close to) the NY area next week, I am so jealous! Shoshanna and Anlo, two brands known for their feminine, breezy styling, are having a HUGE sample sale with up to 75% off their Spring collections, swimwear, and denim.
Prices for the sample sale are as follows:
Spring dresses (originally $350)….$150
Tops (orig. $250)….$100
Bikinis (orig. $165)….$65
Baby Girl Swim (orig. $75)….$35
Jeans (orig. $200)….$90
Wednesday June 16th
10 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday June 17th
10 AM – 5:30 PM
Shoshanna Showroom 231 West 39th Street Suite 422
Cash and Credit Cards Accepted
Hope you guys are able to pick up something cute and fun for the coming warm weather!
xoxox
Carly
