Floral Cheesiness

With my first purchase of winter cropped pants ever, I am now a full convert to the wool shorts trend. I am so in love with this pair that I had to wear them again soon and try them with tights (and I am on the scout for more more more). I wanted to do booties and a blazer, but it is nowhere near that kind of cold yet in GA, so I thought this flippy cardigan would be a nice pairing.

The BF didn't say anything this morning but did present me with the raised eyebrow, which usually signifies the silent "I love you, but I question your attire, so I am not going to say anything at all because I don't want you to kick my butt." I don't know, is this look a little too "young?"

Top: J. Crew silk brulee tank (similar online here)
Sweater: Forever 21 peplum country (worn here and here before)
Shorts: Forever 21 wool blend (worn here before)
Tights: Anne Klein
Shoes: Franco Sarto (similar online here)

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Here's a case of "you looked way better online" - take these leather plimsolls from Boden and how those gazelle-leggy models are able to look so sporty-chic in them with only their bottom halves showing:

And here's reality of the leather plimsolls (and these pics do nothing to convey the Chester-the-Cheetah-ness of these big pancake-wide shoes with the weirdly tan color rubber toe caps). And no, I didn't bother tying them - partly because I tried with one and you can't really use the laces to pull the shoe together:

I guess I should stick to my rubber-soled ballet flats for casual footwear for now - or even my Skechers. Do you have any recs for finding good casual / sporty footwear?

Hot Mess Trench

I wrote a long whole post earlier today imploring you gals for some help to determine which pair of brown buckly boots I deperately need to purchase now for the fall. Lucky for you gals, I then erased everything when a peek into my closet revealed to me that short of an inch difference in heel height, I already have the exact type of boots I was pining for. So three days of Internet stalking aside, my shopping emergency had adverted - but why doesn't that make me feel better? I still really want a pair of casual brown boots (that I already own, sigh). Is it because fashion blogging is inadvertantly turning me into this girl:

Cute movie, btw, but am I the only one who found it disappointing?

In lieu of an OOTD post due to some general grumpiness, I give you instead a Hot Mess Alert! Thought these pics would just be funny to share. I have also been on the lookout forever for a nice looking trenchy-raincoat that is actually waterproof (so that's big no-no to all you really nice-looking but cotton trench fakers).

And this time, I actually don't already own one, so last week I finally bit on the Lands' End SunShower Swing Coat - and even though it wasn't the trench of my dreams, I thought it was cute, have been impressed so far with the Canvas line and their overall quality, and for the sale price plus an additional 20% off and FS, it was CHEAP.

So see how cute it looks on the invisible mannequin? And I dig a big pop-able collar.

I ordered the smallest size available (in petites too!) because the regular Lands' End line runs a bit large. And this is what I got:

I couldn't even muster up a smile for the camera. All I could think of was "oompa loompa doompadee doo ..."

Well, back to the drawing board. So short of forking over a small fortune I don't have for a Burberry trench, do you ladies have any recs for some nice-looking raingear?

Why You Should Not Be a Slave to Fashion

I'm in a bit of a testy-over-tired-but-can't-sleep mood. So I got to surfing the web. And looking at some fashion sites. Trendy ones. And started thinking about trends, and why you should not be a slave to trends.

Why not?

Because if you're succeptible, some retailers would make you think you need to purchase some of the following stuff with your own hard-earned money - and then you might be coerced by some fashion pubs to put on the items and go out into public with it. And people will stare. Some will even point. Get the drift?

Vintage Floral Pants

I have no words ... actually I have many words, but I'm trying to keep this is a PG-13 blog here.

Jeffrey Campbell K-Genius Khaki Belt Appeal Canvas Wedge Boot

Is it a sandal? A boot? A wedge? A turnicate?

Bring it On Bando Top

Please don't bring back 1982 ...

French Riviera Dress

The only French thing about this dress is the French toast you'll be serving while wearing it, with a side of grits and a hair net.

Plaid Promenade Hat

Anthropologie seems to like doing one over-priced really ugly hat a season.
Well, you've outdone yourself this time Anthro, my friend.

Floral Falling Leggings

And the worst leggings ever award goes to ...

Metallic Leopard Leggings

Oh, there looks like there may be a tie for the top spot!

Transformations Pin, Giraffe

I'd much rather wear a liger, which is pretty much my favorite animal and bred for their magic skills.
(Someone catch the quote please ...)

Glass & Pebble Fringe Necklace

The best thing about this necklace is that J. Crew recommends layering it with other pieces.