Sunday, December 28, 2014

BANANA REPUBLIC: WORK TOPS FOR < $15

This is a really quick and short post.  Banana Republic is having a 50% off all sales items ending today (12/28/14 - CODE BRWINTER) with free shipping on purchases >$50.  Here are some of my picks :)  Simply click on the pictures for links to the item.

seamed inset tankbanana republic seamed inset tank

Seamed Inset Tank $10.00 (black) with code BRWINTER

lace banana trim top banana republiclace banana trim top banana republic

Lace Trim Top $12.49 (in black and white) with code BRWINTER

banana republic pieced lace topbanana republic pieced lace top

Pieced Lace Top $10 (in white) with code BRWINTER

banana republic mixed media drop shoulder topbanana republic mixed media drop shoulder top

Mixed-Media Drop Shoulder top $15 (in white) with code BRWINTER

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!






Tuesday, December 16, 2014

STYLES FOR LESS: LOFT and TARGET WINTER SWEATERS

Happy Holidays!  With the weather getting cold, I started to look for some nice winter sweaters.  Came across some sweaters from Target and found them to be very similar to the ones in loft.  What do you think?  Worth paying more for the brand name?

loft jeweled 3/4 sleeve sweater 

Orig: 69.50, now on sale 54.99, now additional 40% off no code needed =$33



target embellished crew neck pullover sweater merona

Orig. 27.99, now 16.79, additional 10% off with red card = $15


Left: Target jewels
Right: Loft jewels


loft jeweled ribbed sweater


$69.50, now 50% off without code = $35
target embellished crew neck pullover sweater merona

Target's Embellished Crew Neck Pullover Sweater - Merona

Orig 27.99, now $16.79, additonal 10% off with red card = $15


Top: Loft's 
Bottom: Target's

THE DIFFERENCES:
1. The differences are very subtle.  The jewels in Loft's sweaters have encasements to secure the jewels.  Both Target and Loft's jewels are individually sewn on.  Meaning both are secure but you will be able to see the thread if you look closely on the Target sweater.  

2. Material and care instructions 
Loft sweater - since the Loft sweaters contain either 30% wool or 10% silk, the care instructions have adviced to hand wash and lay flat to dry.  The target sweaters are made in cotton, rayon, and nylon.  Therefore, you may machine wash in cold and tumble try, and it's okay to iron.

3. Cost - I'm stating the obvious here.  You are paying more for the wool/silk/jewel incasement.  

4. sizing - I'm happy that Target's xs is running smaller.  Target's XS fits me just as well as Loft's PXS or PXXS.  

FINAL verdict: I personally hate hand washing clothes.  I like tossing my sweaters in a net bag and wash in cold water, followed by tumble dry in my dryer.  It just makes life a little easier.  Also, if you have kids, your clothes are bound to get dirty and it will hurt to get stains you can't remove on an expensive sweater.  For practical reasons, I will pick Target sweaters over Loft.  But, both are pretty and great choices for the holidays.  Happy shopping everyone!

Other wardrobe staples from Target I would recommend,

Stay warm everyone! 











Sunday, December 7, 2014

FINDING THE RIGHT BOOTS: BROWN BOOTS REVIEW

Hello all!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Sorry for the delayed post.  I was in the mountains the last few days and didn't have very good internet connections.  I was at Seven Gables Inn and saw the cutest old couples chatting about their grandchildren.  Grandma 1: "You know those kids are catching on to their parents nowadays.  They don't use Facebook anymore.  It's all about Instagram now."  Grandma 2: "Yes, I think kids realized they don't want their parents to know everything."  Grandma 1: "I agree, Facebook is for older people."  Anyhow, they were so cute, I just had to share it with you.  I feel somewhat aged because I'm a Facebook user.  I wonder what social media people will share their life in 10 years from now.

So, I've been on a brown boots hunt for the longest time.  When I look for boots, it's about the length, fit, height, and comfort.

1. Fit - I like it when the fit is sleek without unwanted gaps for a more classy, chic look.  This may apply especially to those with varus deformity (aka bow leg) Here is a comparison.

                             
      Left: fitted at the opening, without gaps on the sides.           Right: gaps at the opening.
I simply love slim, fitted boots.  

2. length:  This depends on your leg length.  If you have long skinny legs, you can essentially pull anything off.  Shorter legs may benefits from optical illusion.
When boots do not cover the thinner portions of the leg, the leg will tend to look slimmer.  
  • Boots that won't make legs look thicker: ankle, right below the knee, or right over the knee (literally covering up to the knee). 
  • Boots that won't make legs look shorter: right below the knee or ankle.  Anything above the knee will make legs look shorter.
Therefore: 


  • Short/thin women: knee-high, calf-length, and ankle boots will be most flattering while above the knee may shorten your height further.
  • Short/curvier women: knee-high and ankle-length boots will be most flattering, as calf-length boots will shorten your build or widen your calf.
  • Tall/thin/curvier women: All lengths work.  But, same applies, the taller the boot, the shorter the leg may appear.
Finally, moving on to my boot comparison.  Today, I will be comparing Jessica Simpson's Beagan Wedge boot (now $79.90 at Nordies and $77 with coupon in Macy's) and Rockport's Total Motion Knee high wedge boot $179 at Nordies. 



As you can see, the shorter the boot, the longer the leg looks.  This however, does not mean longer boots are not flattering.  It just has to hit the leg in the right areas by showing slimmer areas of the leg.  

Rockport's Total Motion 
  • 1 1/2" heel.
  • 17" boot shaft; 13 3/4" calf circumference. Stretches to fit. (great for those with slimmer calves)
  • Partial side-zip closure.
  • ADIPRENE+® by adidas for all-day comfort and forefoot cushioning - feels like you are walking in tennis shoes!!!
  • Suede upper/textile lining/rubber sole. (BLACK COMES IN LEATHER UPPER)
  • comes in wide for those with wide feet.

Jessica Simpson's Beagan
  • 1 1/2" heel 
  • 19" boot shaft; 14" calf circumference. Stretches to fit wide calf.
  • Leather and textile upper/textile lining/synthetic sole.
  • Comfortable (can walk all day)
  • does not come in wide, but leather stretches and it's comfortable.  I have wide feet and they are not narrow at all 

Which boot do you vote for?  I like both but I only need one pair of brown boots.  The Rockport is more comfortable and way more form fitting, makes my legs look longer, but doesn't have the leather shiny look in brown.  The Jessica Simpson boots are comfortable, has the leather, shiny look, and fits right over the knee, while showing the slimmer part of the thigh.  The color brown is lighter which is more desired for greater contrast with darker/black pants.

Tough call, both are nice.  My final verdict: Jessica Simpson's Beagan boots.  If you are looking for black boots, I highly suggest the Rockport Total Motion in black leather :)