Adrien: Fancy Casual.

This is what I wore Saturday to run errands and have a casual lunch out with Kate. Jeans, sneakers, long sleeved tee. Pretty basic stuff, right? Right.

I'm wearing my favorite Old Navy Rockstar jeans with a very old striped tee from Ann Taylor. Definitely check out the Old Navy Rockstar jeans if you haven't already. Kate has this pair and they're really good. It's not hard to find a striped tee but this boatneck version at AT is awfully cute and this one from Gap is has potential. They're everywhere.

In an attempt to make things a bit less basic I threw on my chunky bejeweled Lulu Frost for J.Crew tassel necklace. I like big jewelry paired with bold stripes because delicate pieces get lost. Right now J.Crew Factory has a really cute tassel necklace but you could also go full glorious Lulu (on sale!) and it would be a solid choice. Man, I love that. Also this deco version which is most decidedly not on sale. *sigh*

To break my Downtown Field Jacket habit I threw on my crazy purple DVF duffle coat. There isn't much similar but this LL Bean duffle is pretty cute in plum.

I'm carrying my old faithful MBMJ Hillier Hobo which is starting to look a little shabby around the edges. Still a great bag and the updated version looks pretty good. This Madewell hobo might also be a decent replacement. Hmm.

Ah, finally, my cute sneakers. These are the Nike Internationalist and I love them. They're sporty and retro in a French editor kind of way, right? I really want another pair in this mulberry colorway but I'm trying to be good. Trying. 

Weekend Window Shopping: And Dance the Blues.

Last week it was red bags, this week it's red shoes. You should have a pair or two because, like a red bag, nothing perks up a look quite like a cheerful smack of red.

Cute Boy Friday: Eat Your Cod.

M: 

A: Oh my God.

M: They eat so much cod.

A: I’M SO HAPPY.

A:

M: I think I love Zac Efron?

A: Wait, wut.

M: It’s okay.

A: Did Zac Efron eat baby Zac Efron?

M: Oh, he’s looked like that for a while girl.

A: I AM TOO OLD FOR THIS.

M: 

A: 

M: Boom

A: Mr. The Rock loves his cod.

M: It works.

A: It reallllly works.

A:

M: OMGGGGG. Pre cod.

A: Ha! He’s classy but casual.

Adrien: Keeping It Simple.

Ever have one of those mornings where you just want to collapse on the floor of your closet and howl, "whhhyyyyyyy!" because you have to get dressed and go to work like an adult? Just me? I'm maybe being a bit dramatic but that's what I felt like doing yesterday. Then I put some clothes on: 

It was a fairly warm day so I took the opportunity to wear one of my favorite Marshall's finds - an Olive and Oak blouse that I wish I had in ten different colors/patterns. It's so easy! I haven't explored this brand very much but this O&O print blouse looks cute and the price is right. For something in the peasant blouse style I like this one and this one by Lucky Brand. And, there's always Joie if you don't mind spending a bit more. So pretty. 

My pants are black brushed twill 7 For All Mankind Slim Cigarette Jeans which, sadly, they don't make anymore unless you want them in hunter green or cranberry.  My shoes are a very old and much-loved pair of Chie Mihara mary janes. This pair is about as close as I can get to something even remotely similar, but if you love CM, these red sandals are awfully nice looking. For something more affordable I think this pair of Miz Mooz is really cute. 

Details! I'm wearing my Cluse La Bohème Rose Gold watch and a couple of Banana Republic necklaces layered all fancy-like. One of mine is a scarab pendant so I was happy to see that BR brought back the beetles in brooch and earring form! I kinda love them. They have a few new necklaces I have my eye on as well - this little sparkle cluster is intriguing and I still want the fringe ID pendant necklace. 

This is my Too Hot to Handle hobo in cement and it's probably the bag I carry most often. Barney's has the bucket bag version in this color but it's getting harder to find. To finish things off, a jacket and scarf:

I'm wearing my great new Barbour Union Jack scarf (see the whole thing here!) with my J.Crew Downtown Field jacket. The combinations of red and olive green is making me happy.

Daniel seems to like it too. Hi there, little buddy. 

Beauty Reviews: Burberry and Bite Beauty. Stuff I Actually Like!

I realized I hadn't reviewed any beauty stuff yet this month and a couple of the samples from my last Sephora order have been quietly making me happy so, duh, maybe I should tell you about these things? What an idea.

Fancy Tall Bottle Stuff

Burberry 'Fresh Glow' Luminous Fluid Base
I got a little deluxe sample tube of this in 01 Nude Radiance and at first I gave it a bit of side-eye because the Laura Mercier version (reviewed here) is basically the same thing for less money, right? Not quite. I first tried it as a primer and was very pleased. My Smashbox foundation can get a little chalky in the winter and this stuff gave me just a little bit of glow. No sparkle, just glow. Then I tried mixing a tiny glob in with my foundation and holy magic. My face looks lit from within. I would not bullshit you on this! It's really nice stuff and I will probably buy it eventually. The Burberry website claims you can use it several different ways:

• Apply to nude skin or under foundation to illuminate
• Blend into eye shadow, creating a glowing wash of transparency
• Smooth onto cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the Cupid’s bow to highlight

I'm a little confused about the second suggestion. Glowing wash of transparency? Settle down, Burberry. I should mention that shimmer-type products tend to break me out so I don't use them daily but so far my face seems okay with this. Time will tell.  As it stands, I love this stuff. Oh, and now I've been looking at the whole Burberry Beauty line and I want freaking all of it. This blush stick for one and how cute is this camo palette? I don't even know what the hell this is but I want it. I SHOULD MOVE ON.

Bite Beauty Lip Stuff

Bite Beauty Smashed Agave Lip Mask
I got an awkward little three sample blister pack of these lip balms (because really, lip mask?) and the natural one is good but a bit...solid. You really have to warm it up on the back of your hand first. The Smashed one though! This stuff is really nice. I am hoarding my tiny lip-shaped sample of this because it's so good and I am annoyed that the full size is $26. It would probably last a good long time? I might buy it. It's a little sticky but very moisturizing and gives a really pretty red tint. This lip balm is really nice stuff overall and doesn't contain petroleum. (The third sample is a shimmery champagne color but I haven't tried it yet because... I just haven't.)

That's all I got for now. Have you tried anything magical lately?

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): 20% Off At Boden.

It is somehow still February and 40 degrees and pouring down rain. I am taking this personally so I've started to scour the Internets for spring inspiration because screw this winter crap. I'm over it. I found that Boden has a 20% with code 4A5M plus get 4.0% cash back with eBates. (My referral link.)  This code is only good for the next three days on full priced items, but it's a great way to get that coveted spring item before it sells out. Here's what I love: 

There are striped dresses and there are striped dresses. This one is the latter and I want it:

Colourblock Tunic Dress

Oh, just your perfect, adorable, comfortable casual dress that goes with basically everything:

Casual Weekend Dress

This. This cloud print blouse is what you reach for again and again when you don't want to just wear a tee shirt, but you don't want to look too dressed up either: 

Boho Jersey Top

Striped shirt with retro flair and zipper details! Ahhh! I want this:

Maggie Ottoman Top

Come on. Peacock feather flats? These are just plain fun and would look great with cuffed jeans: 

Peacock Shoe

Finally, I love a bright red shoe and even though the Rockstud thing is tired, this take on it seems subtle and fresh:

Bonnie Studded Flat

Fashion Hell Portals.

M: God I just saw these really adorable jeans on a blog and clicked the link and WHELP:

Valentino contrast-hem high-rise jeans

A: I mean, do you have to pay your mortgage?

M: I was hoping they would be $120. God.

A: I am sort of breathless.

M: It's like I have opened some kind of portal.

A: A hell portal? Or just a new dimension?

M: Yes.

A: This is terrible to admit, but if I had the kind of money where a $990 pair of jeans was something I could afford, I'd probably do it.

M: Oh me too. I like to think I wouldn't, but I would.

A: I totally would. And I'd have glorious, glorious handbags that cost as much as cars.

M: I would be a horrible horrible person.

M: "What? This old thing?"

A: I just hissed through my teeth.

A: "It's just my lame everyday bag."

M: This reminds me of this article, which features not one but TWO $40,000 bags, including a crocodile backpack. I'll just leave you with this.

A: Goodbye cruel world.

Review: Everlane Boxy Striped Tee and Drop-Shoulder Tee.

After much ogling I finally ordered a couple of new tees from Everlane. They have a ton of different styles now and even though their simple v-neck is a favorite of mine, I wanted a couple of tops that had a bit more style to them. I ordered the Cotton Drop-Shoulder Tee in navy and the Boxy Striped Tee in black/white, both size small.

First, the Boxy Striped Tee:

Boxy but good.

This is made from the same heavyweight cotton as the Heavyweight tee and is really nice quality. Just impeccably made. The weight of the material keeps the drape a bit boxy which I like in theory, but I can't quite make up my mind if I like it on me. It's cropped, which I think works well with my black high-waisted jeans. (That is something I never thought I'd say.)

I mean, I love a striped top, I love 3/4 sleeves and the deep side vent is a cool, edgy, detail but I'm not...100% sure. It's growing on me, though. I might keep it. I can't decide. At $45 its a bit more of an investment than a regular tee.

Next, the Cotton Drop-Shoulder Tee:

Drop Shoulder Tee

I wish this one photographed better because it is REALLY good. It's nicely made of super-soft cotton that isn't too sheer and the details are subtle, but well thought-out:

3D elbow! 

It hangs straight down without clinging and the drop hem is such a nice detail. (I like a little volume on top when I'm wearing tight jeans, is what I'm saying.)

I went with navy over black because I thought it would look cute with white jeans this summer, but it comes in a bunch of (mostly gloomy) colors. I'll probably get a white one come spring because at $22 I don't have to worry too much if I immediately spill something on it. Which I will.

Have you ordered anything from Everlane lately? There are so many things I'd love to know more about. These boots, for one. And this sweatshirt. And this silk dress. Ugh, I'll stop now.

Cute Boy Friday: Admit It, You Needed This.

On Monday I had an unexpected, but much-needed, snow day and I spent it productively binge-watching Luther. I highly recommend being good to yourself by spending some quality downtime with Idris Elba:

Adrien: The Worth of Things.

An item I'm always on the lookout for: plain dresses in good solid colors with sleeves that don't require special underpinings. This is not an easy thing to find so when I do stumble upon one, I get my hopes up. I found my newest hope at Anthropologie:

My quick review: This is the Gathered Jersey dress by Bailey 44. The original retail price was $168 and I paid about $44 for it which is exactly what it's worth. Don't misunderstand, there are a lot of things I like about this dress - it's a beautiful color, easy to wear and very comfortable, pretty without being fussy. But I would be pissed if I'd ordered it full price, partially because the material is that flimsy rayon/spandex stuff that you can't wash (ugh) but mainly because the hems aren't finished. AT ALL. It's just raw cut edges around the hem and sleeves. This baffles me! What on earth? So, I'm happy with my $44 dress but that is definitely it's worth. I mean, hell, you can get something similar from Eileen Fisher on sale for less than the retail of the Anthro dress and it's definitely going to be good quality. (Or this one that's even less money but is more purple than blue.) This shirred Max Studio dress is a bit more body conscious than mine but the price is great. So, don't be buying things full price, is what I'm saying.

Moving on...

I love a dark blue dress because it pairs so well with nearly everything. I threw on one of my favorite ancient leopard scarves from Ann Taylor but I think this MJ version would be a very nice upgrade.  Mine is wool but I'd love something like this silk Vince Camuto scarf for spring. 

I'm wearing my Madewell ensign necklace  which I like with this because it hits at the right place. I also think silver would look nice with this dress. Something like this crazy necklace, maybe?

I know I carry this  bag a lot but it's just such a good-but-not-boring neutral. A simple pewter tote or structured satchel is always a good idea. And if you want to splash out, I love this one by DVF.

Boots! These are my Loeffler Randall Matildes (via eBay) but the Madewell Archive boots also come in cognac. I hope someone snapped up a pair yesterday! 

BUY THIS: Madewell Booooots.

First of all, I'm sorry! I was intending on foisting an outfit post on you today but my morning did not go as planned. I was just going to skip posting altogether but I stumbled upon a deal so good I had to let you guys know about it. Sorry/not sorry. Madewell is currently offering an extra 30% off sale stuff with code XOXOMW which you can pair with eBates for 1.5% cash back. That is a decent deal in general but a REALLY good deal on tall boots:

The Archive Boot is marked down to $99.99 plus another 30% off with code  XOXOMW:

Archive Boot

The Tali boot is also marked down to $99.99 plus another 30% off with code  XOXOMW:

Tali Boot

There are other good shoe deals to be had, like the leather perforated Vans and cute metallic flats. I also think the sale jewelry is worth a look. My Ensign necklace is marked down to $36 (plus the 30% off):

Ensign necklace

I also love the wishbone lariat necklace which is less than $17 after the discount! There are a ton of clothes included in the sale, of course, but this is the time to snap up a good coat at a huge markdown. This Side-Zip Field Parka is really cute and looks warm: 

Side-Zip Field Parka

And the City Grid Coat is beautiful and I love the leather detail:

City Grid Coat

Ugh, this is harder on me than it is on you, trust me. Stuff is selling out fast, so snap it up while you can!