'And Thus I Clothe My Naked Villany'

How sad it is to see the once lush leaves tumble from the trees, strewn upon the ground dried and dead and brittle beneath my feet.  Oh harsh winter wind!  Oh brutal disparaging cold which makes mere mortals seek the fleeting comfort of warmth and wild beasts to slumber till Spring arises again.

 

Tip from a shopahaulic:

Ladies, don't forget to utilize sites such as gilt.com. ruelala.com, bluefly.com and yoox.com to name a few.  These online shops are invaluable when it comes to buying high-end desinger brands for a fraction of the cost.  You have to be super fast though with gilt and ruelala becasue the items go on sale at a certain time and sell out fast!

What I'm Wearing:
Tweed Coat:  Banana Republic
Dress:  Marc by Marc Jacobs - Gilt.com
            Orig. Price:  $398.00
            Paid:  $88.00
Shoes:   Seychelles Biography - Zappos
Belt:   Anthropologie
Tights:   Free People
Ring:  Adder Snakebite Ring - eBay
Earrings:  Lucky Brand
Nail Polish:  Essy - Sew Psyched

* * *

My holiday wish list is a bit small this year, but I think the items pack a punch! 

I may get all, I may get some, but I know for sure, I'm definitely getting one!

ARTY OVAL RING WITH JASPER SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE - YSL

ARTY SQUARE RING WITH AMETHYST SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE - YSL

KRISTIN LEOPARD HAIRCALF CLUTCH - COACH

JCREW SPERRY TOP-SIDER SHEARWATER DUCK BOOTS (these cuties seem to be sold out before they even hit JCrew's website.  HATE WHEN THEY DON'T PRODUCE ENOUGHT TO MEET DEMAND!!!)  Hopefully, I'll be able to snag a pair.

ALEXANDER WANG DIEGO BAG

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'A Hit, a Very Palpable Hit'

Since I have not as yet had the time to go thrifting in an actual store, I've more than made up for it by browsing Etsy where I found this fabulous vintage Razza elephant necklace and this silk polka dot blouse!

On my lunch-time wanderings, I happened to step into JCrew and saw this cashmere sweater lying solely by itself in a size XS (now mind you, these sweaters had just come in a week ago).  Already, people had scooped them up and of course I had to have it too!  Unfortunately, all the stores in NYC were sold out of it in this color and in my size small.  So, I called the 800 number, got a personal shopper to scour the countryside for one in my size and was victorious!

* * *

Tips from a shopaholic - JCrew

1. Even if you don't see your size or color in the store, make sure you call the customer service number and have them do a nation-wide search. Often times, they'll find the item and it will be shipped to you free of charge!

2. Research, research, research. Check JCrew sales prices online and in stores. Sometimes, their prices do not match up, and you can find the same item online for much less than what it is in the store. Have the store honor the online price and vice versa.

What I'm Wearing:

Blouse:  Vintage Silk Polka Dot Blouse - Etsy

Sweater:  Waffle Cashmere Zip Sweater - JCrew

                Orig. Price:  $198.00

                Paid:  $123.00

Pants:       Linen Metallic Bermudas - JCrew (also worn here)

Ring:      YSL Arty

              Drusy - bought off NYC street

Necklace:   Vintage Razza Elephant - Etsy

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'Frailty, Thy Name is Woman'

And boy was I frail when it came to having these Yves Saint Laurent Arty rings!  They are absolutely beautiful, and I can't decide which one I like the best.  My justification?  My beyond frugal BF suggested that I should liven up my accessory collection.  OKAY! 

 

What I'm Wearing:
Dress:  Gifted by the BF
Tights, Necklace and Bracelets - JCrew
Booties:  Joan & David Ebby - Zappos
              Orig. Price:  $260.00
              Paid:  $195.00
Nail Color:   Essie - Lolipop (as seen in the new JCrew catalogues)
Rings:  YSLPin It

'Friends, [Shoppers], Countrywomen, Lend Me Your Ears'

I first discovered Asos.com through Lucky Magazine.  Well, of course I stayed up for long hours of the night perusing all the goodies until I landed on these high-paperbag-waist leather shorts by t.b.a. and had to have them.  The steep price of $264 was somewhat a deterrent, so I decided to do a Google search to see if any other store carried them.  Sure enough, they popped up on Urban Outfitters for a whopping $100 less.  Imagine my excitement!  Then it was over to my trusty retailmenot.com website for additional coupons, and, of course, I found one that would take an additional $30 off AND free shipping!  SCORE!!

Tips from a shopaholic

  1.  If you shop at Urban Outfitters on line, don't forget to search the web for coupon codes.  You can use multiple coupons on the same purchase.  (i.e., if you have three coupons codes, enter one in at the time of checkout and make sure to update your order; hit the back button and enter the second coupon code and so forth and so on.) 

2. ALWAYS do a web search for an item first before buying it from one website.  Just because you are web shopping doesn't mean you can't go to the next store to price hunt.  And most store websites will price match if you see the exact same item on another website for less.

 

What I'm Wearing:

Leather Shorts:  t.b.a. - Urban Oufitters

                         Orig. Price:  $264.00

                          Paid:  $130

Striped Top:     H&M

Cardigan:           All Saints

Tights:                Milly for Hue - Bloomingdale's

Shoes:               Seychelles Biography - Zappos

Necklace:            V3 Necklace - Need Supply Co. (Maslodesign) 

Suede Bag:        Bought in Florence, Italy, DIY studs

Nail Color:         Merino Cool - Essie

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'Fortune's Fool'



On a whim I popped into JCrew a few weeks ago to browse all the lovelies they had and to perhaps JUST try something on.  That is until I walked by the Sherpa hoodies looking so pretty and cozy on the hanger, and what was sitting next to them but the beloved little orange and white card declaring it to be on sale!  So of course, I scooped it up (after all, it was on my wish list) and decided to buy it - it'll come in handy as a great layering piece under my anorak and leathers now that the weather is getting nippier.  I happily waited in line and when I got to the register, the salesman told me that it wasn't supposed to be on sale.  Unperturbed, I simply stood there and blinked at him knowing that he had to honor the sale.  He finally called up who he needed to call up and declared that yes, he had to honor the sale sign to which I hardily grinned and produced my extra 25% off JCrew promotion card, leaving the salesdude to proclaim that I was getting it for a steal!  Ahhh, I love a great discount : )

What I'm Wearing:

Sweatshirt:  JCrew - Sherpa Hoodie

                  Orig. Price: $69.50

                  Paid:  $42.00

Dress:  Zara

Jacket:  ArdenB

Sweater Tights: Hue

Boots:  Zappos - Frye Harness 12R in Charcoal Old Town

Sunspecs:  Vintage YSL

* * *

Anthro is charging $298 for this absolutely adorable necklace.  Absolutely not!  So what's a girl to do?  I'm going to make her!  When I study her, I see a feat not at all insurmountable.  I will scour the city for all her parts and construct her from scratch, probably only spending $30.  So ladies, if at any time you come across any of her parts and would like to give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it.  Stay tuned for the finish products!

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'Our Remedies Oft in Ourselves Do Lie'

...and in our closets! I've had this jaquard, crystal-waist coat for such a long time and am ashamed that I haven't utilized it more.  Actually, I kinda forgot about it.  That's what happens when you shop, shop, shop and don't actually take stock of the fabulous things already in your closet.  Well, I think I have an idea for a New Year's resolution:  go shopping in my closet and don't buy a single new thing for three months!  Of course everything bought from now till January is fair game : )

Also, bought this ring from A Peace Treaty after seeing it on Mary-Kate Olson (middle finger) in a Marie Claire spread.  Loves!

What I'm Wearing:

Coat:  ArdenB

Top:   Saks Fifth Avenue

Pants:  JCrew Pixie Pant

           Orig. Price:  $88.00

           Paid: $49.99

Shoes:  Faryl Robin Ella Wedges - Zappos

Rings:  Amulet Ring (on middle finger) - A Peace Treaty

           Mesh Ring (on index finger) - bought at Shecky's Girls Night Out vendor

           Oval Ring (on middle finger) - bought at Bryant Park Holiday Booth vendor

Earrings:  Spider Earrings - Esty (themoonandthesea shop) 

Nail Polish:  Essie - Sew Psyched

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