Big Hair, Jambu, Smashion

I've got a blog-podge of a post for you ladies today. My blog cup runneth over lately and I am so appreciative of all you great readers for taking the time to visit my little blog. Your comments have provided me with so much good humor and insight - and I am consistently impressed with your unique senses of style, imagination and varied areas of expertise.

So in your honor, I sport ridiculously-big-for-me, I-obviously-don't-know-how-to-use-a-curling-iron-so-that's-why-I'm-smiling-like-a-goof hair today:

 

Top: Lands' End Canvas gingham poplin (worn here before)
Skirt: J. Crew dorrie (after a month of being on backorder, it finally came in)
Shoes: Coach ireena
Bracelet: The PS Boutique via Etsy
Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff pouch (1 of 3 from a set, now on sale sale sale)

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First, the nice folks over at Jambu asked for me to try out a pair of their shoes to review. Jambu is a comfort shoemaker that uses partially recycled rubber outsoles, recycled and recyclable packaging. They also have a collection of completely animal-friendly footwear for you Natalie Portmans out there.

I decided to go with the Espy style in grey, which I thought would be a nice casual-day shoe in a fairly go-with-anything color:

 
I only look like I am in my jammies. I actually wore and went outside in this entire outfit on Sunday. No, really.

Cons about these shoes? They were heavier than I had expected and felt very "dense" (hello, recycled rubber). Plus the thong part rubbed a bit against the inside of my big toe. And let's be honest, these most likely are not going to be your what-to-wear-when-you're-dressing-to-impress-shoes-of-HAWTness.

Pros about these shoes? Super-duper comfy sandals. I wore these all day on Sunday to run errands and take the dog to the park, etc. and had no breaking-in issues at all. The sandals didn't feel heavy on, the platform and wedge provided me with some needed height and though the toe area rubbed, it never got bad. And the fit is TTS with a thin adjustable leather velcro ankle strap.

So what do I think? Will I reach for these when I have on my prettiest dress or frilly skirt? Probably not ... but then again, they aren't that kind of shoe or company. However, I'll likely wear these sandals a lot this summer on those casual weekends when I'm running around, and I think they're really cute. Thanks again, Jambu!

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Second, THANKS to Natalya - I won her giveaway! Natalya is a fashion design student chasing her dreams and looking fantabulous while doing it. Check out her blog if you have a moment.
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Third, check me out on the Smashion Lounge - I'm one of their featured interviewed bloggers! If you haven't checked Smashion out yet, it is a social fashion site that is home to a marketplace, forums and outfit gallery for that stylish inspiration. Ah, like a virtual fashion bloggy mecca!

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Lastly, OK, let's get down to it - Anthro's semi-annual tag sale. As my personal shopping ban rules for the month consist of one in-one out, this means I need to work that much harder to put up stuff on my blog sale and sell, sell, sell! However, I haven't bitten on anything online yet and am waivering on whether or not I should take time out to trek to a store. What kind of damage have you gals done, or will you be hoofing it to a store in hopes their offerings will be better?

Family Matters

I go home to NYC this week to visit the ole fam - and of course I am over-the-moon excited about getting to see my parents, my big sis and my nephew again. However, as is the case with anyone else with a family, along with the family highs come the family "mehs."

What are my family "mehs?" They are very few, but all relate to the inevitable barrage of questions (yes, you really only need a minimum of two people to be able to barrage) related to my marital status, my child-bearing status, my living location (i.e., not NYC) and - even to this day - my employment and my attire. Yeah, my parents care about what I am wearing.

I know in the eyes of a parent, you will always be seen as their little child regardless of age or financial status. But I can't help but to smirk/grimace when they still give me money stashed in a card for my birthday, won't let me pay for any meals, and my mom pats me on the shoulder and tells me "your dad wanted me to let you know that it is OK to spend some money and buy yourself some nice clothes - at least for work." Uh ... what does this mean about the way my parents think I am dressed?

I know we all love our families dearly, especially over the holidays. But I can't be alone here, so please spill - is there any little thing you don't love about going home for Christmas?

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Here's a medley of outfits from today and over the weekend:

Top: Anthropologie Odille Bianka (worn here before - similar online here in tee or here in print)

Pants: AT Loft modern corduroys

Shoes: Aerosoles Triple Play (worn here before - similar online platform here or for cheap here)

Necklace: Anthropologie Nueva Granada (worn here before - similar-ish online here or here)

Top: Anthropologie Molded & Melded (worn here before - similar online here)

Sweater: J. Crew ethereal ruffle wool cardi (worn here before - similar online here)

Skirt: J. Crew ikat bungalow (worn here before - similar online here)

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks Herring bow flats (worn here before - similar online here or packable here)

Top: UO Truly Madly Deeply owl pullover (worn here before)

Sweater: J. Crew marled wool cardigan (worn here before - similar online here or fringy version here)

Pants: F21 skinny ankle jeans

Boots: Born Taro (worn here before - similar online here or here in flats)

Bag: Coach suede hobo (similar-ish online here or here)

Recently Purchased...

I thought I'd begin a new feature here on A Girl's Guide to Shoes to show you all what has made it from shopping bag to my closet. Despite popular belief, I don't only buy shoes : ) But don't worry, there's a pair in there.

Eyelet Dahlia Blouse - Anthropologie

You will NOT believe the deal I scored on this blouse (Although I am definitely planning on styling it more like a short sleeved jacket/blazer). The picture here does not do this little beauty justice. It is gorgeous! And although not currently available online I found it a my local Anthro so check yours and maybe you'll luck out too. I paid $39.95 for this blouse and the original price was $148! So excited about this purchase because I know I'll be able to style it in a variety of ways and get so much wear out it.

Garden Party Necklace - Anthropologie


Nine West - Stellen

Can I tell you how much I heart facebook? Yeah the social networking aspect is great but I am LOVING all of the deals I've scored by being a facebook fan of different brands like DVF or Nine West. Yesterday there was a post on my wall about a flash sale Nine West was having and when I clicked the link I found these. Just $23.75 + tax! I even managed to find a coupon code for free shipping!

Rachel Reinhardt Chandelier Earrings courtesy of Gilt Groupe

Another site I heart. Gilt Groupe. If you aren't a member yet. What on earth are you waiting for? You can click the invite link on my sidebar and join today. But if you are a member you know what I'm talking about. And as for these earrings they are part of my new pact to myself. My new pact of less is more when it comes to jewels. Spend more money on quality costume pieces and start getting rid of the cheap stuff. Paid $50 for them and they retail for $135!

Coach - Alexandra Collection

Alright in full disclosure this is not yet purchased but is soon to be. Especially since I have a gift card and a 25% off coupon burning a giant hole in my pocket. I'm partial to the kelly green but I wanted to show you how versatile this baby is. One bag that you can wear/carry three different ways. Genius!

I thought I'd take a break from shoes...

for just a moment. I have lots more favorite shoe finds from Net-A-Porter and eLUXURY but I wanted to take a moment to share this. You see I have recently decided that I want to start buying solid colored leather handbags so that I may add a fresh pop of color to my wardrobe and I am going to start with this one. I just had to share. I am so smitten. I can't wait until it's mine.



*Sigh* Oh the shape, the color, the gorgeous leather, and the price! It's so affordable and so chic. It simply sends my heart aflutter.

My first post!

I'm not sure where my obsession with shoes stems from. I don't know that I can really pinpoint it to an exact moment or perfect pair. Take today for example. I had been coveting a certain pair of Coach peep toe ocelot print shoes since I received the Coach catalog in the mail last winter. So much so that I tore the page out of the catalog and pinned it up on my cubicle overhead at work. I looked at them on the Coach website and argued with myself for weeks over whether or not I could afford these little gems. At $248 the price didn't seem outrageous but I also didn't think I could justify spending that kind of money at the time. So I didn't buy them. Coach sold out and I thought my dream of owning these gorgeous shoes had died. I would google the style name from time to time in the hopes that I could find them somewhere but my quest seemed hopeless. Fast forward to May 2008. About a month or two earlier my husband had discovered the joys of Ebay. Then he turned my mom on to it who then turned me onto it. As Mother's Day was fast approaching she had found a purse that she wanted and sent me the link. It was on Ebay. So I created an account, bid on the purse, and won! About a week or so after the purse arrived I was back on Ebay and thought what the heck I'll give it a shot so I entered the name of my beloved Coach shoes into the search and lo and behold a miracle occurred. There they were. The Coach Daisey Ocelot size 6.5 AND they were $100 below the original retail price. I don't think I could have hit that "Buy it Now" button fast enough! They are making their big debut today. (I'm wearing them to work for the 1st time).