Browsing Category

Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Closet Confection: Two Times the Fun

rugby letterman sweater, club monaco sailor skirt, cableknit tights, brown booties, crochet scarf

When: Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Where: Work

What: Cardigan ($40 Rugby + $10 for custom lettering), skirt ($40 Club Monaco), tights (Steve Madden via Century 21), shoes (BCBG via Loehmann’s), scarf (self-made)

A few of you have asked me where I get my outfit ideas.  And the answer is that they typically come through a lot of experimentation, but I’m not ashamed to admit that this particular ensemble was totally ripped off from one of my current favorite personal style blogs: Another Day to Dress Up!  Her site is the bee’s knees, and I love it because we seem to have a lot of similar pieces, but she puts them together in a completely different way than I would.  When I saw her 1970s School Girl look, I flat out knew I’d have to replicate it with my own spin.

rugby letterman sweater, club monaco sailor skirt, cableknit tights, brown booties, crochet scarf

Oh, and did you get a good look at my new scarf:

rugby letterman sweater, club monaco sailor skirt, cableknit tights, brown booties, crochet scarf

I made it myself!  Although I think I got a little carried away because it’s super long, but the best part is that it only took me 2 days.  As you may recall, I took up knitting during the last 30 for 30 challenge to help alleviate some of my shopping withdrawal.  Well, that eventually led to loom knitting, which also led to me teaching myself how to crochet as well.  Guys, I have been up to my ears in yarn for the past 2.5 months!  Thanks to the awesome video tutorials at Lion Brand, I’ve also recently crocheted a tube scarf and matching turban (pics coming soon), and I’m just about done with a coordinating hat for the scarf you see here.

rugby letterman sweater, club monaco sailor skirt, cableknit tights, brown booties, crochet scarf

rugby letterman sweater, club monaco sailor skirt, cableknit tights, brown booties, crochet scarf

It’s hard to believe that I initially started this blog last April because my husband thought I needed a hobby… other than shopping.  Between blogging, photography, knitting/crocheting (plus shopping, in moderation of course), I think I’ve got enough new hobbies to keep me occupied for quite some time!

And what about you guys?  Do any of you have any interesting hobbies that you’d like to share?  I love hearing about the interesting ways that people spend their free time.

Uncategorized

One Last Hurrah: A Daffy’s Shopping Excursion

As you’ve probablydaffys4 figured out by now, I love a great bargain.  There’s nothing I enjoy more than scouring the clearance racks, pouring through endless Ebay auctions, and frolicking through the aisles of discount retailers. So when the groovy folks over at Daffy’s offered me free giftcard to go on a mini-shopping spree and give my review of the experience, you betcha I was willing to squeeze in one last hurrah before starting the 30 for 30 Challenge!

If you’ve never been, my quick take on Daffy’s is that it does require a tad bit more patience and a sharper eye to separate the wheat from the chaff than some of the other bargain shops I frequent.  But I have to say that whenever I do take the time out, my patience has always been richly rewarded.  Some of my biggest scores have come from this place, including a $3000 shearling coat marked down to… wait for it… $300!  To me, Daffy’s is like a hidden gem in the realm of bargain shopping in the city.

On this particular excursion, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had some great pieces by Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore and Les Copains in stock.  I walked away with these two numbers:
daffys1
RIGHT: $49.99 marked down from $168, Plenty by Tracy Reese
LEFT: $16.99 marked down from $60, Nick & Mo

I can’t wait until spring to rock these babies with a pair of cute heels!  Speaking of cute heels, I was crushed when I couldn’t find these in my size:
daffys3
Another item that didn’t make the cut due to sizing issues was this amazing bold print dress by Nanette Lepore:
daffys2

Things to keep in mind if you decide to shop at Daffy’s:

  1. Take your sweet time in the shoe aisle.  I’ve gotten some crazy steals here, including two pairs of Irregular Choice heels (seen here and here) for just $13 each!  Not to mention Members Only boots for just $30!
  2. Bypass the handbags (unless you prefer synthetic materials).  I personally am very hard on my bags and carry tons of crap, so I need higher-quality materials that will last.
  3. Check out the home goods section.  I have a mini-redecorating project planned for my living room this spring, and I spotted all sorts of vases, bowls, dishes and figurines that will look perfect in the new scheme.daffys
  4. Try things on and watch out for damages and irregularities.  It’s one of the perils of discount shopping, so just be aware.  For instance, I was stoked to find an identical pair of those Members Only boots in black for just $20 until I realized the zipper was broken.
  5. Be on the lookout for lesser known labels.  I’ve noticed that Daffy’s tends to carry a lot of European designers that I personally have never heard of (although I’m no fashion insider).  But sometimes I’ll go home and Google the name, only to find that they’re pretty well-known and respected labels.
  6. The one on 34th street in Herald Square has the best selection, in my opinion!

And that’s all folks!

Uncategorized

Closet Confection: Once Upon a Time…

snake print topshop kimono, H&M pink wrap dress, black tights, black suede ankle boots

When: Monday, January 31st, 2011

Where: Work

What: Blouse (Topshop), dress (H&M), tights (???), boots (Vince Camuto via Loehmann’s)

Ok folks, the remix has officially begun!

snake print topshop kimono, H&M pink wrap dress, black tights, black suede ankle boots

I decided to throw in some more challenging pieces this time around, and this sheer, tie-front, snake print, blouse/cape-thingy definitely fit the bill.  It’s not something I’d normally be drawn to, but it’s turning out to be an extremely versatile little number.

snake print topshop kimono, H&M pink wrap dress, black tights, black suede ankle boots

snake print topshop kimono, H&M pink wrap dress, black tights, black suede ankle boots

I can’t wait to show you guys the amazing pattern-mixing I have planned for this baby in week 3!

snake print topshop kimono, H&M pink wrap dress, black tights, black suede ankle boots

In the mean time, I have a bit of a confession to make:

Even though I wore my first remix item on January 31st, I rationalized to myself that the 30 for 30 Challenge doesn’t officially begin until February 1st. And of course, the necessary result of that conclusion led me to one last shopping excursion after work.

But that’s it!  I’m officially sticking to my guns from here on out for the next 30 days!