Dec 4, 2009 | Fashion
What do we all think? Is it screaming Parisian chic! to you? (Of course, I’m no authority, having never been to the lovely city of light, but have any of you been? Is this Paris style or just a cheap, Forever 21 version of it?)
Now despite it being un-fashionable (and maybe a tad immoral?) to love Forever 21 design I have to say they always come up with things I’m gaga about. I’m loving the printed, piped trenchcoat, lacy umbrella, and black-and-white oxford heels (none of which are available online yet – here’s hoping!), but the whole collection feels a little burlesque to me. Maybe it’s the see-thru striped over-the-knee socks, or just the hemlines I’m having a problem with. (Of course, my image of Parisian chic usually involves skirts slightly longer, and yes, over-the-knee hose in some rare cases…but said hose must be opaque. I stand by this!) I feel almost like there’s too much skin showing for it to be “chic.”
What are your thoughts? Are you buying it?
Available now at Forever21 stores and online
And I truly am digging the lace umbrella, though the beautiful flowered umbrella below feels more “Paris” to me.
Roses Umbrella, $19.95 (sale), Signals.com
I can just myself in a little beret, with this slung over my arm and my other arm around a brown crackly paper bag, baguette sticking out the top…or in my case, it would be beret fallen off my head into a puddle, squirming toddler under the other arm, toddler-fodder gnawed bread in a crushed heap at the bottom of my bag. But at least my umbrella would be an imaginary whiff of Paris!;-)
-Carly J. Cais
Dec 4, 2009 | Fashion
Bwahahaha! Now I’ve seen everything! If you want your very own Barbie doll with Christian Louboutin-designed accessories, she’s available for $150 from Net-a-Porter. She even comes with those strappy super-spiked heels I did a DIY of last week!
Is it wrong that I kind of want this Barbie? 😉 (Just to play with a couple times, not to keep LOL.) This is definitely not a toy for little ones, though (I am amused by the fact they don’t have an “Ages x and up” disclaimer on Net-a-Porter.) I love all the little accessories…Mattel never bothered to think that realistically in designing Barbie’s shoes n stuff. Not liking the catsuit – would be much better in a long trench, oversize sunnies, and a Marc Jacobs dress. Or Rodarte sweater!! Now that would be a Barbie I buy.
-Carly J. Cais
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Dec 3, 2009 | Fashion
Maybe they are when you can’t see s$#& through them. Ha!
Nov 30, 2009 | Fashion
(Claire’s velvet-and-chain necklace, Insight Halliwell Top, Icing by Claire’s rhinestone ring, Old Navy grosgrain rose-detail belt, Forever21 ombre-dye chiffon skirt, Delias quilted bag, Newport-News flower kitten-heel slides)
I just wanted to put this Insight top into an outfit before I say goodbye to it – since I’m giving it away here. It’s one size too big for me…*cries*….and I would have to alter it drastically to fix the fit issues…so that’s why it’s up on my blog for a giveaway. (But it’s not because I’m not appreciative of receiving it from the Insight showroom!) It’s cute, versatile, and a little edgy all at the same time.
Shoes are Newport-News knockoffs of I think some Miu Miu design? From 2002 or so…I didn’t even know they were knockoffs – they just appealed to me. I usually dislike overtly Asian-inspired clothing/accessories…I liked that these were feminine and could pair into a lot of different outfits.
I loved this Forever21 skirt the instant I saw it – such a chic take on ombre – and it’s chiffon! (Albeit poly-.) Can you tell I’ve got Spring on the brain?? I’m so over these gray days here in Portland!
Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Now it’s back to the Daily Grind…;-)
xoxox
Carly
Nov 29, 2009 | Fashion
Image from NYTimes.com
So with holiday shopping looming ahead for most of us who didn’t get that head start already yesterday and today, finding the right item at that bargain price can be the biggest pain. Especially at this time of year. I don’t know about you guys, but I usually try to stay out of the retail stores this year and take advantage of the myriad of online sales out there – as well as free shipping and other discounts on the net.
Problem is, I just don’t have the time to comparison-shop. Sure, if I’m looking for something specific I’ll usually Google it, look it up on Amazon, or enter it into some comparison shopping engine like Shopping.com or Bizrate.com.
But most of the time I have no idea what I’m looking for. Like an affordable (but nice) handbag for my handbag-collecting sister-in-law, a piece of chunky jewelry for my mom, a stylish trenchcoat for my best friend, a pair of jeans for Hub, a couple of sweaters for my son…and maybe something for myself while I’m at it…in any case, my holiday shopping list is comprised less of household bric-a-bric and more of clothing, accessories, and useful everyday wears.
Enter
ShopItToMe, a virtual “personal shopper” search engine that scours the internet for the best deals on brands you specify – and then emails them straight to your inbox, however often you want. You can get info on not only women’s, but men’s and children’s brands as well – perfect for crossing everyone in the family off that gift list. The list of brands it searches for is extensive – everything from
Yves St. Laurent to
Free People to
American Apparel. And so is its list of retailers – from
Macy’s to
Shopbop to
TheOutnet is searched according to your criteria. The site also suggests other brands you may like based on your original brand selections – and, when you receive an email, by providing feedback for each item by clicking the “Love it” or “Hate it” button below, you allow the search engine to send you increasingly more specific items tailored to your tastes.
An example email from the ShopItToMe service.It’s a fun and fabulous way to get great suggestions emailed to you without you ever having to life a finger – or stand in long checkout lines – or elbow your way through the sales at the mall. Click – click – done! Now that’s what I call holiday shopping!
(And ShopItToMe is not just for the holiday season of course – I’ve been using it for awhile to get the latest and greatest deals on my faves year ’round.)
And check out their Trendsetters section – which has a great selection of fashion blogs of note – including Chickdowntown, AFewGoodyGumdrops, theMakeupDivas, WhereDidUGetThat, theStylePA, Kristopher Dukes, …and yours truly!
Happy (discount) Shopping!
-Carly J. Cais
Nov 26, 2009 | Fashion, Life
A little bit of shameless self-merchandising to bore you with!:-)
Get a jump start on all that holiday shopping by visiting my Cafepress Store Kinder Acts of Random or my carlyjcais Zazzle Shop!
Items in this set from my CafePress store
Elephant Family Throw Pillow, $19
My Favorite Trucks Kids Baseball Jersey, $16
Cuteus Maximus (Boy) Teddy Bear, $13.49
Honey Bear Wall Clock, $12.49
Little Ladybug Infant Bodysuit, $12.49
blah blah blah design Infant Bodysuit, $12.49
Honeybun Bib $9.99
“Baby” Infant/Toddler T-Shirt, $11.49
Warning Bib (Blue) , $9.99
FOR A REDHEAD
Items in this set from my CafePress and Zazzle stores
Not Without my SPF Long Sleeve Shirt, $25.99
“Albinos Rule” Baseball Jersey, $19.99
Daywalker Ringer T, $18.99
Pale is the New Tan Jr. Spaghetti Tank, $18.49
Pale and Proud T-Shirt (at Zazzle; also at my Cafepress store here)
FOR THE GAMER/NERD/
GUY WITH A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR
Items in this set from my CafePress and Zazzle Stores “Intentionally Left Blank” Tee, $18
Outgrabe Momerath Organic Cotton Tee, $21
Live Online as a +60 Paladin T-shirt, $22
Binary Ash Grey T-Shirt, $21
“Our Princess is in Another Castle” Jr. Ringer Shirt, $19
Nerds with Power Tools T-Shirt, $19
Monday Monkey Lives for the Weekend Mousepad, $13
“Shirt” T-Shirt, $21.45 (available here at my CafePress store)
iControl T-Shirt, $22.95 (available here at CafePress)
iGame Mug, $15.95 (available here at CafePress)
No More Faith T-Shirt, $22.95 (available here at CafePress)
As you can I’ve made a whole lot of designs to choose from! (And they’re all a little bit random, a little bit wry, a little bit tongue-in-cheek…you get my drift. If this stuff appeals to you, then great!) And you can get almost all the above designs on different shirts and items than those pictured, like hats, tiles, stickers, and ladies’ tops, just to let ya know!:-)
And you didn’t think I’d ask for something without giving something in return, now did you?:-)
For CafePress orders, enter code FREEBIRD5 to receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more!
For Zazzle orders, enter code GIVEZAZZLE09 at checkout to save 10% off your entire order!
AND…here’s some other FABULOUS Zazzle promo codes for you only valid 11/26 starting 3 PM PST to 11/27):
(for all discounts to be applied above, enter code ZAZZLEFRIDAY at checkout)
Thank you for looking and Happy Holiday Shopping! (Even if you go elsewhere;-)
xoxox
Carly
Roses Umbrella, $19.95 (sale), Signals.com
