Weekend Window Shopping: A Wardrobe's Worth of Flats.

Between boot season and sandal season, I have flats season. It's a short season but flats are a favorite of mine and here are some options I have my eye on:

         
       

         
       
     
       

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): LOFT Spring Sale!

Does LOFT count as fast fashion? We never came to a firm conclusion so I decided to take a look and see what was new. So much cute stuff! Spring color palettes are not usually my thing but even my black-hearted self found some things to love. Also, get 40% off your purchase with code HELLO. 

Well! Don't mind if I do, right? 

I have a few of these sleeveless shell tops from Loft and this print is so pretty and fun without being too crazy floral. They also have a dress in the same fabric. 

A spring-weight cardigan is a good thing to have and this one comes in three colors. Of course I like the olive green best. Of course I do. 

THIS DRESS. I don't know if this shape will work on me but I'm going to find out. I can see wearing this with white Birkenstocks and some fun, swingy earrings. So pretty! So breezy! 

Speaking of fun, swingy earrings, these are kind of cool, right? I kept going back to look at them. 

Okay, these are the jeans you wear when it's not....quite warm enough for shorts but you are feeling the sunshine and want to wear something summery.

Y'all know how I feel about stripes. This I would wear with cutoffs and sandals because it's got a great casual beachy vibe without being sloppy.

I don't wear a lot of pink but this pink leopard scarf hits just the right note and would look f'ing sweet with my grey leather jacket or my olive utility jacket. It would basically look cute with anything. 

Finally, if you don't have a denim jacket yet, consider this one which is a much more affordable dupe of the Madewell version. Those shiny copper buttons are SO GOOD. 

We Discuss: Sunglasses!

A: I got a $200 rebate in the form of a Visa GC and I’m like, WHAT TO BUY NOW. I am broken.

M: hahaha

M: Save it until there’s something you are dying over!

A: That’s the plan

A: But my brain at first was all, SPEND IT ALL NOW

M: That’s your inner poor person talking

A: Right right! Poor person thinking

A: Plus, I currently don’t need a thing

M: My inner poor person is a whiny fickle brat

A: Oh yeah, mine is too

M: Basically Veruca Salt but grew up eating generic cereal

A: WE DESERVE THINGS AND WE DESERVE THEM NOW

M: I want a goose to lay gold eggs for Easter!

A: WHO DOESN’T

A: Also, this is so perfect:

M: Ugh yes

A: Like, all we need is a pair of Converse and an Hermes bracelet. And effortless French cool.

M: Easy

M: And prob born into privilege

A: Pff. Details.

A: I do actually want a new pair of sunglasses this summer so maybe I’ll save the gift card for that

M: Thats a good one!

A: I did get that fun cheap pair in Paris but they’re my emergency car sunglasses

M: I have an emergency car pair too! They are olive green cheapies from Anthropologie

A: It’s very important to have emergency sunglasses

M: yes

M: I kind of want some mirror-y Ray-Ban aviators

A: Ooh, yeah

A: My favorite Oakley aviators are in decent shape but it’s been five years and I want something new

M: I have maintained my gold Ray-Bans for so long it’s impressive

M: And I still love them! But something fun and shiny for summer

A: Same! I actually take good care of my Oakleys but yes, something fun and shiny for summer.

A: Are your gold pair the Erika style? I'm trolling the website.

M: Yes! I really do love them. I strongly considered the taupe color but that is not really fun

A: I love the look of wayfarers but they’re heavy

M: I tried these on a while back in a mirrored lens and was surprised how much I liked them on

A: Oh, I bet those were cute on you!

A: But I think you could pull off some good mirrored aviators

M: My friend Dwayne has some lilac mirrored ones that I try to steal every time I see him even though they are too big on me

A: Ooh fun

M: They are SO fun:

A: Oh man, those are great

A: I am going to find a pair of the Erika style to try on

M: The Erikas are really so good. They are so much sturdier than an aviator

A: I like this black/violet combo:

M: Yes!

M: Polarized lenses are so worth it

A: Agree

M: But will ruin you for anything else

A: It’s the only think I don’t like about my current aviators

A: I am really into the black/violet Erikas

M: Maybe I’ll ask for sunglasses for my birthday

A: There you go

A: Did you order your Birkenstocks?

M: Since I’m pretty sure I can’t wait on the Birkenstocks

A: Haha jinx

M: haha

M: Not yet. I should just do it.

A: DEWIT

A: DEWWWWIIITTTT

Outfit of the Day: Just An Average Saturday.

Hey! Here are some clothes I put on my body for a Saturday lunch outing with Kate. It is not terribly exciting but I felt pretty good about it:

My smocked black top is from Loft, purchased last year. It's one of those things I bought, wore a few times and then totally forgot about. It's cute though, right? It's still available in plus sizes and this one from H&M is similar and very inexpensive. For an upgrade, I'd go with this pretty Frye version (on sale in black) or hell, this one from Johnny Was if you're feeling fancy. It looks okay all hanging out but I also really like it tucked in: 

Oh hi! There are those fucking Madewell jeans I never stop talking about or wearing. I can't help it, they are consistently the best and I should probably just get another pair, like these which have a great wash and a curvy fit and dammit, I want them. 

Okay, this is something I saw a lot in Paris (though usually the bag was Chanel or YSL or something amazing) - the boxy crossbody bag worn high and tight. I assume it's to make it harder to be pick-pocketed but it is also kind of a fashion thing. I was into it and halfway through the trip I quietly notched my strap up a few holes. Here are the details: 

This is my J.Crew signet bag which is your perfect little weekend or vacation crossbody. It comes and goes from the website but the Harper crossbody is available as a more structured option. My shoes are Madewell sidewalk skimmers from a few years back and they are a favorite of mine! This spring they have a really cute suede ballet flat that I especially love in red. If you desperately desire blue suede flats like mine, check out these from Banana Republic!

Okay, y'all. This is my new labradorite tassel necklace and it is my absolute favorite thing right now. I get so many compliments and it's just one of those things that makes an outfit. There are matching earrings and NR has a whole lot of other beautiful Dean Davidson jewelry as well. Sigh. 

Finally, I've been getting a lot of good wear out of my Veda Jayne jacket (check eBay for grey) which is the perfect thing for a chilly spring day. Or any kind of day, really. I love it a lot and highly recommend, if not this jacket, a similar version. There's a cool off-white leather jacket at TJM and a non-leather grey moto jacket at Anthro that would work well for spring but, um, AllSaints has a REALLY excellent dove grey suede jacket that you should probably consider. Just think about it, that's all.

Stuff I Like/Don't Like: A Few Recent Purchases.

Hi all! I've bought a few things lately, some good, some disappointing. Want to hear about them? OF COURSE YOU DO. (And if you don't, maybe just lie to me. Cool cool cool.) 

These awesome socks are awesome. 

I love a really good pair of socks (sorry, Marianne) especially for exercise endeavors. I hate cheap socks with their stupid seams and slippy ways and have been very happy with my Bombas. I strayed, however, and bought a pair of Balega socks after reading this review on one of my favorite new IG accounts. I am really impressionable, sure, but I was at a running store getting fitted for shoes and saw them hanging there and was like, yep, I'll take a pair of these too. They are so GOOD. Soft, huggy, just the right amount of padding and they don't budge. I don't know that I'm looking to replace my Bombas, but they definitely have competition. 

This drugstore mascara is good! 

L’Oréal Unlimited mascara was a Marianne suggestion and I gotta say, it's good stuff. I love the funky bottle and the bendy wand and I'll admit I wanted it more when I found out it used to only be available in France. Shut up. Anyway, it's not holy grail for me but it is a very nice lengthening mascara and holds curl, which is key. Also, I am trying to be cool about the fact that my beloved Fairydrops mascara IS TOTALLY GONE FROM THE WORLD. What has happened? Did the factory burn down? Halp. 

And one that disappointed me. 

Marianne loves Thrive Causemetics mascara so I bought it hoping it would give me her long fluttery lashes. Alas, on me it's clumpy and heavy, ruining all my curling work. BOO. I think this is one for folks who already have long lashes which would not be me. 

This bra is stupid.

You guys, my bra situation right now is SUPER TRAGIC. I am wearing the same three sad Natori bras that I've had for a while and they are all stretched out and fall off my shoulders and I want to try something new. I went to Soma to get fitted because I thought maybe it was time to get a real grown-ass lady bra or two. But listen, they get you in there and they measure you and then throw, like, 30 bras at you and NONE of them fit your freak body and then finally one fits and you buy it even though it's mumsy and has three hooks in the back. It's like you have bra-related Stockholm Syndrome so you just buy it. Once you wear it IRL it makes you feel like the masthead of a ship (not good) and after the third wear it stretches out and starts falling down. OH MY GOD. So, all of this is to say that I do not like the Vanishing Back bra and I need recs. I've had one solid recommendation for Chantelle bras (maker of my favorite unders, which is coming up next) but I need a breather before getting fitted again. 

PS. Best unders ever

Just a note that my super-favorite (but expensive) underwear is on sale in a few colors at Dillards. I buy more every time I find them on sale because I they are the best. They also have a plus size version with a color on sale as well. 

It's time for new Birks! 

As you might have seen on IG, I tried on a couple of different pairs of Birkenstocks a few weeks ago because they sell out super fast and every summer I hesistate and then have to hunt down the pair I want and who has time for that. I tried on the super-cute Yao sandal (with rose gold buckles!) and some white Arizona sandals because I'm tired of envying Marianne's pair. The Arizonas won because they are SO comfortable but I also recommend the Yao for extreme strappy cuteness. I definitely have a Birkenstock problem, you guys. Sorry/not sorry. 

Weekend Window Shopping: J.Crew Spring Tops on Sale.

Originally this entry was going to cover the entire J.Crew sale but I kept just finding tops I loved and you know what? We all need some fresh shirts for spring. Here's the deal: 30% off full-price styles + extra 10% off with code NEWNEW. Here's what I like: 

I have this and it's great on it's own but also makes a great cardigan-alternative.

I am not usually into florals but I am helpless in the face of Liberty prints. 

J.Crew has the best vintage-y graphic tees! This one is adorable. 

Are you my flowy red shirt? Maaaaybe.

Oh man, I can't not include this. Leopard you can wear to work! 

I usually side-eye sleeve ruffles but this is just so gloriously pretty. 

No, you do NOT have too many striped shirts. There is no such thing.

One pretty cardigan blazer to rule them all. 

We Discuss: Spring Shopping, Part II

A: So! Madewell gave me two other tops to try on when I returned the pink one. I have pics.

M: Do tell

A: This has buttons up the back. The medium ate me alive but the sleeves were snug in the small. Cute in theory though:

M: That is not your shirt. It might be mine? Idk

A: I think it might be good on you

A: And then there was this:

A: But I don’t wanna be a pirate!

M: Ha I like that one too

A: It was too big but I also can’t with mid-sleeve ruffles. It was otherwise cute in theory.

A: Everything else in the store right now is Not My Palette

M: No that’s def not an Adrien shirt

A: I’ll try on pretty much anything though

A: But thankfully I wasn’t into what they got going on right now

M: Where are the clothes I want??

A: Right???

A: SAME

M: Eileen Fisher???

A: HA, I was literally just thinking that

M: That’s where I’m headed

A: Maybe it’s time

A: Evidence: Today I bought two grown lady 3-hook bras, hipster cut underwear and Birkenstocks.

M: 😭

A: Eileen Fisher is good quality

M: I know I just don’t feel ready

A: I’m getting close

M: It feels very Last Fuckable Day

A: NO IT IS NOT THAT

M: 😭😭😭

***

M: I really wanted this pink Madewell anorak:

M: But instead found the navy version from last year NWT on posh for $60. Navy will be a lot more versatile but that pink sure is pretty

A: Oh, that is cute! Navy is definitely more versatile

M: I am on a STRICT no more olive green jackets diet for the foreseeable future

A: I just wore my Madewell olive jacket this morning after a long break.

M: I wore mine yesterday!

A: I saw that! TWINZEES

M: Aw

M: And I have that blush pink long bomber that I wear a ton. I DO NOT NEED A PINK ANORAK

M: The navy is very nice and I will wear it a ton

A: You DO NOT need a pink anorak

A: Navy is good!


***

M: I was about to be all goddammit Kim France because this looks like my perfect t-shirt, but it’s only $18 so I can’t really yell at her:

A: Wait, are you sure it’s not $218?

M: Trust me I’m suspicious

A: There must be a catch

M: probably made of paper

M: Tiny print on the tag about not getting it wet

M: Like a Gremlin shirt

A: Single use item

M: If you’re lucky

A: Obvs

M: But fuck it I need some t-shirts

A: This T-shirt is so cool you might not even get to wear it!

M: Unrelated I am wearing my pink leopard dress today and it’s wonderful

M: I am REJECTING WINTER

A: Yay spring!

M: I mean it was 32 degrees when I left this morning but whatever I look like a goddamn flower

A: It’s 56 and cloudy here

M: I am so ready to get out of the 50’s

A: The 50s are a bad boyfriend

M: The 50’s make you think it’s maybe warm when the wind doesn’t blow and you stand in direct sunshine and don’t move but it’s a LIE

A: I want to walk outside and IMMEDIATELY be warm

M: Yes! Like going outside is a reward for sitting in a cold office

A: YES THAT IS MY FAVORITE

***

M: Dis phone is broke

A: Hallow?

M: Excuse me I would like 17 chimps and dimp

A: For delivering pls

M: Hi seamless do u have a pizza

A: Popperoning

M: No pinesnapples

A: Why noe pinesnapples?

A: Anchovers?

M: Grosssss

A: No anchovers

Review: Madewell Central Drapey Shirt

As promised, here's my review of the Madewell Central Drapey Shirt. You guys, I wish I had better news:

It looks cute, right? This shirt has a lot going for it - the cut is interesting, it comes great colors, and it's made with a good weighty fabric. I think it looks good in that photo but it's too big on me...and too small. Also, can I get shoulder implants? Is that a thing?  Here's a better example - like, if I had the shoulders to hold this jank up it would fall a lot nicer instead of making me look so square:

Also, I'd love to be able to wear it untucked because sometimes I just want to be flowy:

But, while it's too wide at the top, it's also magically catching on my hips. So, too big/too small. 

It's so cute, though! I want to love it but it's just not a good fit for me. And, when I tuck the front, this is what it does in the back: 

I guess I needed a medium but that would have been a lot of volume when I am already feeling overwhelmed. I love this top in theory but it's not for me, so I returned it. While I was in the store I tried on this shirt, which is one of Madewell's most popular styles, but ran into the same issue - the small was a little tight in the sleeve but otherwise a good fit, the medium ate me alive. I think maybe I just need to give up on oversized fit and perhaps try something like this top? 

I hope those of you who bought it had better luck than I did! 

We Discuss: Spring Shopping, Part I

M: Have you tried the Everlane scoop-neck linen tee?

M: I cleaned out my t-shirt drawer pretty aggressively and now I really need to restock, and I like the scoop neck

A: They look nice but I haven’t tried them.

A: I’m pretty sure Kim France posted that she likes them

M: Yeah I saw that

A: They look slightly dressier which is nice

M: yeah and I like the neckline as an alternative to the v-neck

A: I like a scoop neck but find some of the fancier t-shirt brands (James Perse!) to be aggressively low. Like, hey, I can see my bra.

M: yeah

A: This is partially because I have no shoulders

M: I feel that

A: At some point we should do our spring wish lists. Yours is not allowed to included drawer pulls or light fixtures.

M: hahaha

M: I don’t even know what else I want

A: My list is, like: t-shirts, Birkenstocks, cut-off shorts. The End.

A: Apparently I don’t care about work clothes anymore ever

M: Yeah I mean, same

A: I do want a new pair of Birks and this year I’m going to FIND my shorts

M: I saw some recently that were expensive but looked very promising, let me try and remember

M: We are ignoring the fact that a Kardashian owns this brand okay

A: Um

M: WE ARE

M: I know those are sold out but they look promising!

A: I can’t do a 10.5” rise, girl

M: I believe they are these:

A: They will be up to my boobs

M: Haha yeah it’s aggressive

A: I am too short waisted for those but they do look good

M: I like denim Spanx basically

A: I’m hoping Madewell comes through for me

M: Their shorts have never worked on me

A: Not on me either but I want to believe:

M: Those have an even HIGHER rise

M: 11 3/4!

A: I JUST saw that

A: WTFFFF

M: hahaha

A: They are basically strapless overall shorts

M: That’s what always gets me because they end up being so short on me

M: But in the pic they look long because my eyes are distracted by all that zipper


***

M: Welp after reading reviews on those Kardashian shorts and finding a pair on posh for $40, looks like I’m trying them

A: Well! I hope you love them. I am going to keep searching.

M: Worth a try I reckon.

M: I measured my go to Pilcro shorts (that are basically disintegrating at this point) and I think they will work

A: Oh, that’s smart. I just need to go try things on in person, probably. My favorite ON shorts do not fit me anymore I think they shrunk because what else could the reason be

M: I’m sure that’s it

M: Trying things on is MUCH more responsible than what I’m doing but WHEN WOULD I DO THAT

A: I mean, it’s not like you have much going on

M: So relaxed!

A: You’re only selling a house, renovating a house, raising two kids and working a demanding full-time job

M: Cool cool cool

A: 90% of the cut off shorts on Anthro are high rise

A: But maybe these?

M: Those have promise!

M: I find I need at least a 5 inch inseam but I’m taller than you

A: The price makes me mad but what can you do

M: I like her shirt

A: Yes! Me too

***

M: Bad news dude: the Kardashian shorts are great (for me)

M: And so is this stupidly overpriced Spell and the Gypsy shirt:

M: I mean it’s not bad news except for my bank account

A: That is so cute!

M: So pricey tho

M: But I got them both cheap

M: But seriously, great cut and the denim is heavy and substantial

A: Stop making me want them

M: I’m sorrrrrry

M: I guess they do know what a girl with a big ass wants in a pair of shorts

A: 😒

M: Sorrrrry

A: I just don’t want the Kardashians to be right about anything.

M: I know dude. I know.

Weekend Window Shopping: SPRING SHOES OMG.

I am officially sick! of! boots! y'all. SICK OF BOOTS. I want spring shoes - sandals and slides and NO socks. I am already scouring the earth for my next pair of Birkenstocks, which means boot season is over. Here are Marianne and my favorite shoes for spring:

         
       

         
       
     
       
       

Stuff I Like...For Taking Care of My Stuff.

Hello! For this post about Stuff I Like I'm going to tell you about stuff I like to use to take care of my stuff. I am definitely going to be bossy and I might yell a little but it's only because I care about you and I suspect you might be washing your jeans. Here we go:

Sweaters. 
First, don’t hang your sweaters. You'll stretch them out. Just fold them and put them in a drawer or on a shelf. Also, did you know you can handwash cashmere and wool? You CAN. It sounds like a pain in the ass but get some no-rinse handwash detergent (I really like Eucalan) and it's super easy. Add a little bit of soap to tepid water and let your sweater soak. Then swish it around a bit. Don't wring it out like a maniac! To get the water out without ruining the shape of the sweater, roll it up in a big towel. Then lay flat to dry and you're good to go. I promise you won't ruin your sweaters - I do this all the time with cashmere and merino wool.

Denim.
Now, let’s please talk about your jeans. Stop washing them. Seriously, stop it right this second, especially your darker jeans. Stop. Stooooopppp.

Okay, fine. You can wash your jeans but only after maybe 6-8 wears. More if you can stand it. Washing your jeans will fade them out quickly and OH MY GOD DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE DRYER. When you wash your good denim, use way less soap than normal, wash on cold and hang to dry. Really, you should be hanging anything you care about to dry. The only clothing I put in the dryer are pajamas, around-the-house loungewear, basic tees and socks.

Also, while I don't hang my sweaters, I do hang my jeans. (I am very Parker Posey in Party Girl about my denim, apparently.) In general I am partial to wooden hangers (IKEA also has good ones) because I think they look nice and they don't leave dents in the shoulders of my shirts. I also like flocked hangers for slippery things.

Athletic Wear
Athletic wear should always be hung to dry because heat breaks down spandex and you paid too much for those cute Athleta leggings to wreck them. I also recommend an occasional soak in something like Rockin Green, which has saved some of my athletic wear that had stink I couldn’t get out. (My link will get you 10% off.)

Shoes
First, find a good shoe repair place and take your favorite shoes and boots to get reheeled every season. It sucks upfront but your shoes will last much longer. Also, I now have a deep and abiding love for Dr Martens wonder balsam. It's a clear shoe conditioner and protectant and I put it on all my leather boots. I also usually have a small shoe polish kit because scuffed up shoes ruin a look. Take care of your shoes and they will last longer.

General Clothing Care
My basic rules are this:

• Hang most of your clothing to dry
• Hand wash your nice sweaters
• If you machine wash your bras, put them in a lingerie bag
• Don't wash your clothes every time you wear them (unless they really need it.) 
• Shout wipes are magic but unscented baby wipes will also take care of a lot of stains
• Add some white vinegar in with your laundry now and then. It's cheap and effective. 
• Take your shoes to the shoe repair place once a season

One More Thing
Get a handheld steamer! I just bought this one (mostly for Poshmark purposes) because steam will not only get out your wrinkles, it also freshen clothing and kills bacteria. Apparently you can also spritz your clothing with cheap vodka to deodorize but I haven’t tried that yet. I’m sensitive to scents so I don’t generally use products like Dryel or Febreeze, which just seems like it's covering one smell with another. Vodka on the other hand...

Bonus: This episode of Every Little Thing about the "thrift store smell" was fascinating! Highly recommend.