Filed under: My Shopping Finds
OK, so I began following blogs last year during the wedding planning process. I figured that my favorite blogs were probably the best way to discover new blogs. This search method led me to my absolute favorites… http://www.lovemaegan.com/ and http://www.iamstyle-ish.com/.
Maegan wore these fabulous nude patent leather shoes (and added fringe to them) – the Jessica Simpson Halli – in a post back in June.
Maegan in cute fuschia dress and the nude Jessica Simpson Halli sandal
And I have been coveting them ever since. For a few key reasons, I didn’t really even THINK about getting them…
1. OK, I think that Jessica Simpson is a gorgeous girl. AND I feel really bad about her sad luck in love. AND some of her shoes are FLY AS HELL! However, I feel strongly that I cannot support any celebrity shoe designers, e.g. JLo, Carlos Santana, etc. (except Gwen Stefani because I am just DYING for a pair of L.A.M.B. shoes, but the right ones have not found me during a sale – cuz yes, I am TOO CHEAP to buy ANYTHING full-priced… unless it’s at a discount store cuz I know they built the sale into the price.)
2. Beginning in June, I was “saving” all my shopping energy and funds for my August So Cal trip. So no summer shopping for me; I didn’t even buy a new swimsuit!!! Seriously, going to the grocery store had to provide me with my shopping fix. And that is REAL sad.
3. I HATE biting other people’s style; it is just wrong. So seeing some shoes on Maegan’s blog and then getting them seemed grimy (channeling Riley from the Boondocks in the “Invasion of the Katrinians” episode.)
Cousin Jericho and Robert Freeman in The Boondocks infamous episode, "Invasion of the Katrinians"
4. They were on sale for $75, which I felt was too much to spend on shoes that would somehow support Jessica Simpson’s ability to buy Jimmy Choos or Manolos while I am rocking her sh%t.
5. The nude wouldn’t look right on me since I am a brown girl. I have too many black patent shoes (if this is possible.) The stone patent looked like a sad, sick light grey. OK it’s definitely not meant to be…
So, I returned from L.A. with WAY less shopping loot than I imagined and way more desire to buy the damn shoes. So I spend some time with Google, and what do I find for less than $50…
Jessica Simpson Halli sandal in black patent from endless.com
After a 25-email-exchange yesterday afternoon with Amy, we agreed that I should buy the shoes. She did warn me though, “…I have tried on [Jessica Simpson] shoes before and found everything I tried on to be uncomfortable. It’s like hammer toe and hot soles waiting to happen. So sad.” I LOVE how descriptive she is…
THAT sounds frightful, but even after all of that – what did I do bright and early this morning? I ordered the LAST pair on www.endless.com. They will be here on Monday, and I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that they are worth the months of obsession. Because if you are really thinking about anything – even Jessica Simpson shoes – for two months, don’t you at least owe yourself an attempt??? If they don’t work out – isn’t that what return policies are for? At least I won’t have to wonder.
Will post pictures soon…
Filed under: My Shopping Finds
So, in my last blog I refer to the Jeffrey Campbell shoes that I bought at Kitson for 50% off. It prompted one of my friends, Amy, to say, “I guess I have to see these shoes.” So after much searching online, here they are in purple…
Jeffrey Campbell Kimi Suede Heels, in purple
Since I’ve found them available in my size in brown AND purple, the big question I must ask myself is, “Does a girl really need more than one pair of shoes this unique?” I do love them and they are comfortable, but I also trend towards excess – SO I need your honest opinions about whether I should get them. Please post a comment and let me know what you think!
Filed under: Uncategorized
When my husband, Jamison, and I finally landed on a wedding date of 08.10.08, we had to get the green light from my maid of honor, Jo’ie. Jo’ie and I have been friends for 12 years now, and for nearly every single one of those years we have done something special for her birthday—even when special was the Oreo Cookie Madness at T.G.I. Friday’s. It’s like the one holiday where are all guaranteed to get together. It may be Thanksgiving for most, but for us it has always been August 9th.
We began planning our joint “Jo’ie’s 30th Birthday/Michelle and Jamison’s 1st Year Anniversary” trip early this year. Jo’ie, Jamison, Roxann, and I finally landed on our destination: Los Cabos, Mexico. Jo’ie is from So Cal but had never been to Mexico; I’ve traveled in Latin America but not to Mexico; Rox loves Mexico from a previous trip to Monterrey; and hell, we all wanted relaxation and cocktailery on a beautiful beach.
Our vacation dream...
The travel gods were not on our side. First there were drug wars in Mexico. Then they were kidnapping people. Then there was swine flu, oh excuse me – H1N1. So, we all had to agree to throw in the towel on the Mexico trip. L We agreed on a great alternative: Southern California—L.A. and San Diego. I was thrilled! What a great idea! I have never visited either city and wanted to validate the possibility that I may be a So Cal girl at heart.
So, what did I love about So Cal?
1. Coronado Island: You cross this amazing bridge to get to great beaches (with free parking – how democratic), beautiful homes, amazing hospitality from Jo’ie’s mentor, and delicious dinner at Il Fornaio. And I mean, come on – this is clearly where the Top Gun professor lived = THROWBACK!
Coronado Island Beach
Il Fornaio, Coronado Island
2. Build Your Own Burger at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood: This was our lunch on Day 1 in L.A. and honestly – it is the BEST burger I’ve EVER had (and I’m from Nebraska, so that means a lot coming from a Cornhusker.)
Burger at The Roosevelt
3. The Ivy Restaurant: I was prepared for this to totally not be worth the $29 cost of just about any entrée because it was SOOOOO trendy. We went there for a late lunch and I was BLOWN AWAY by the tasty food. We really enjoyed the Fish N’ Chips (not just fish and fries but a GINORMOUS platter of onion rings, scallops, shrimp and calamari), which encouraged me the seafood purist to eat a fried scallop (tastes like pure sugar!)
I had the Seafood Risotto, which was also delicious. And I almost DIED for the Lobster Ravioli, which was a special, and sadly the meal my girl Rox selected – hello, serious FOOD ENVY! All in all, it was the best $200 lunch we’ve ever had. Hey – the price did include wine for each of the four of us but no dessert because we were stuffed.
4. Kitson: OK, so my love of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears means I KNOW all about Kitson. I assumed I’d just browse around the store – until I reached the shoe section, which is ALWAYS my weakness. They were having a 50% off sale. And a pair of gorgeous red suede Jeffrey Campbell shoes caught my eye. I tried them on and I was in heaven. This great find led us to scour each of the 3 Kitson boutiques on that block of Robertson, but alas NOTHING could top those shoes.
Kitson Los Angeles
(Note: I test drove those bad boys last Friday and they ARE actually comfortable. Even my brother-in-law the sneaker guy was like, “Those are some hot shoes.” So you KNOW they are a winner. I am contemplating another pair in a different color – grey was available after all… My girl Rox got the last pair of purple, so you know I am jealous. Come to think of it, I suffered FOOD and SHOE envy in the same day!)
5. Mercedes GLK 350: Jo’ie’s mom, Ms. Joyce, just got a new whip before we arrived. And she even told us to whip it around… I was a bit shocked that she upgraded to a Benz from an Altima that had seen its day, but we felt it was an appropriate way to ride around L.A. Let me tell you, I LOVE German engineering (I’m an Audi girl) but have never really felt Mercedes much except for the 1980 450 SL, my childhood dream car.
This GLK 350 totally changed my mind. It rides really smooth and was very sexy in the interior. It’s definitely not the roomiest SUV, but if it arrived outside my house with a bow on it – I would NOT be mad. The environmentalist in me had to look up the MPG, which is terrible at 14/16; the diva in me was like, “Maybe I need one after I am over convertibles and have a kid…”
Mercedes-Benz GLK 350
What did I not-so-love about So Cal? Stay tuned…
Filed under: Uncategorized
I am a “more is more” kind of girl when it comes to fashion: diamonds, sequins, leather/suede/fur – you get the hint! From black to leopard print to hot pink, Saks to TJMaxx to Goodwill, granny chic to sophisticated casual to yacht wear, I always seek to push the envelope and represent my style at every turn.
Michael Kors Hot Pink Dress - 2009
In my mind, a compliment subtracts $1 in cost from each item I purchase, so I love it when people “get” the vision of my ensemble BUT I do dress for myself and other chic/strange women. While I often vacay specifically with shopping in mind, I am still looking for a hobby that does not involve whipping out my Hello Kitty debit card.
Hello Kitty Debit Card from Bank of America
When it comes to home design, I live for the eclectic, gilded, and vintage which often comes in the shape of chandeliers, faux fur throws, and lots of painted thrift pieces… All to create my “where the heck did you find that?” vision realized. My goal: no other home should ever look like mine; minimal matching allowed!
My home has literally been sourced piece by piece, but somehow it all works together, much to Mamita’s dismay. Of course, there are still items I am craving (mirrored side tables and/or dresser, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, Barcelona chair and ottoman/daybed, palm trees I don’t kill) but part of what I love most about both fashion and design is the hunt for the perfect piece!
Mies van de Rohe Daybed
Stay tuned as I share some fun and random stories with you along the way. Have I mentioned my love for sparkling wine—especially dry rose, I’m not a snob about the country, region, or price point—and Sauvignon Blanc? Don’t worry, it’s INTEGRAL to my very existence… as you will see.
Moet and Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine
Filed under: Uncategorized
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