Monday, October 4, 2010

Cheap(er) Thrills for the One-Click Shopping Addict



I remember it like it was yesterday...I discovered something that made my mouth water, my body tingle and had me in a semi-psychotic state of giddy delirium. The find that could possibly quench my thirst for the Un-attainable, haute couture fashion. With the world-wide-web and all of it's wonders, the fact that I live in Boise, Idaho was no longer the issue- it was the price tag that comes along with those beautiful designer labels. Fret no more! I was bombarded by an array of the "members-only" online sample sale websites.

Ideeli.com came first. I was stunned that I could purchase a Betsey Johnson necklace for $25. So that's what I did. I bought the darn thing, along with a cute little Boy Meets Girl tee.

It was Hautelook.com that really took me by surprise though. I had been on the hunt for a perfect pair of jeans for a LONG time and found the cutest pair of rhinestone-studded bootleg jeans with just the right amount of  "stretch" by Rock and Republic for a mere (hold your breath) $50. Yes, I mean it, FIFTY DOLLARS!! With the denim and a few other choice discount items, I thought it may be smart to have them delivered to my place of work instead of my home. This way, if I don't like it and choose to make a return, Stephan wouldn't have an un-necessary heart-attack (in case you've been wondering, Stephan is my breath-takingly handsome fiance, who is actually, very supportive of my buying habits but sometimes forces me to take a 'rational' look at my spending- and I'm happier with being in complete denial).

Then came the Gilt. I have not made a spelling error, mind you. I am not speaking of that heart sinking feeling one experiences when making a big oops that requires an apology. I'm referring to the Mount Olympus of designer sample sales- Gilt.com or Gilt Group. If you are craving labels such as, Dolce & Gabanna, Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, and Fendi on a regular basis- this is where you need to be. I about had a Couture-induced seizure when I stumbled upon this fashionista's paradise. Don't even ask me what I bought or spent here, I am determined to remain in denial and even is Stephan...yes, even him.

Eventually, I stopped working as an assistant and began working on my Fashion degree full-time. Thus, the packages began arriving at home and the available funds in my bank account started to dwindle, leaving me at a shopping stand-still. However, these websites are great at keeping me informed of the latest sales and events that happen daily. Though I am forced to take a break, you should check them out! I have compiled a nice little list below...happy shopping!









Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cold Weather Up-side: My FAVORITE BOOTS!


No, they're not new and I can't tell you where they came from- just another stellar gift from my fiance some years back. I had quite the time tucking my Guess, Daredevil Jeans into them though...

We found this great wicker chair hidden in an industrial part of town and I really wanted to take it home- unfortunately, Stephan thought it may have been someone's "smoke-break" lounger. I thought the poor thing looked lonely and needed to be loved.







Monday, September 20, 2010

Blame it on the Blog

Once upon a lazy Saturday, I so conveniently stumbled upon Kelly Framel's blog, The Glamourai. With a rather lengthy list of to-do's in mind, I had only moments to get my fashion-fix before snapping myself back into reality- but something rather strange happened. My clock had somehow jumped forward 2 hours and there were multiple tabs open on my browser, displaying words like, "vintage-inspired" and "1920's clothing". When my fiance' asked what the crap I was doing, I blamed it on her...

With over 5,000 blog followers, you know that there is something to love about The Glamourai. She is a Vintage addict and accessory master, which gives me reason enough to adore her- but there's something else that sets her apart from the other thousands of vintage-clad fashionistas and keeps me following. Kelly Framel's fashion creations are masterful works of fine artistry. Not to mention the fact that we share a sometimes, overly-obsessive eBay dependency.

So can you blame me for the consistent Pay pal hits to my bank account, or for the fact that local thrift store owners and I know each other by first-name? No, no- I am simply seeking inspiration from a girl who's heart, is like that of my own. It's just too bad that I could never pull-off that adorable haircut.

theglamourai.blogspot.com

My Top 5: Online Fashion Influencers

Kelly Framel ~ The Glamourai
theglamourai.blogspot.com



This girl has truely embraced fashion as an art form. Blogger since 2008 and accessory designer. Her style is fabulous Classic Vintage Chic, I love it!



Elsie Flannigan ~ A Beautiful Mess
abeautifulmess.typepad.com



Known in the Blogger World as, Elsiecake, she reminds me of the girl I always wanted to be in highschool; a vintage-clad drama "geek" who wore whatever she wanted- as long as it was used and nobody else had a thing like it. Loves tattoos, her pug and making things out of vintage items. She's a designer from Springfield, MO and runs her own vintage boutique, RedVelvetart.



Sandra Hagelstam ~ 5 inch and up
5inchandup.blogspot.com




She has a shoe closet to not only be envied, but one I would kill for. Sandra is a full time fashion student at London College of Fashion, and she sells the clothes she wears right off of her blog!



Audrey Whit ~ audriealphabete
audriealphabete.tumblr.com



I stumbled upon this 19 year-old, Kentucky girl, while futzing around Chictopia. She may not be on any top-blog list, but she has fabulous taste and blogs about clothing, celebrities and just about anything else that sparks her interest- very cute, very silly. She makes me laugh on a regular basis with her quirky little comments:)


The Sartorialist
thesartorialist.blogspot.com



I love everything about this man's blog. His photos are beautiful and so real. He has a great talent for seeing & capturing the beauty of these people and places that most people, would never notice on their own. His posts aren't bogged-down with too much fluff- they are simple, artistic and frankly, they speak for themselves so there's no need for extra verbage, anyway..

HOLY HANDBAG!

Love will find a way...I must carry this beauty.

Anya Hindmarch ~ Spring 2011

Spring 2011 Trend:Snake Charmer - WWD.com

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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Yeah, yeah..

I am TERRIBLY behind on this blog- but that's okay, given my number of readers...hee.

How's the domesticated, stay-at-home-momma thing going? Well...it's not. A week of not being able to get myself into the shower before 11 and chasing around a 3 year old, has proven to be not such the easy feat- since I can't get ready before 11, little Vitale can't get to school before noon to make it for lunch and nap, so I'm S.O.L.
So.....
I got a job. Laugh all you want, i'd rather sell off my handbags than try to prove a point. Don't get me wrong- I love my little monster, but he's even more high maintenence than his mommy!!

I'm doing a little search engine optimization ebay posting for VintageBlessings- an online boutique that sells Vintage and Antique items, mainly Quilts, lace and linens. The history behind these Quilts is awe-inspiring!

Check us out at http://www.vintageblessings.com/ or on Ebay!

And here's a little show and tell... Me and the little man at the fair (Stephan took the picture, I wish he was in it)- yes, the cow is eating my hair. I eventually panicked when he didn't want to let go.

Shirt, no-name brand, $10 at Burlington- great score.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Momma's Got a New Job Description...

I am officially taking a stab at this whole stay-at-home momma thing. Stephan's business has taken off enough for me to justify my nearly non-existant job search (you know, if something FABULOUS comes up with a nice salary to match, I may consider applying) and I can focus primarily on being a mother, student of fashion and attempt to keep up with the neverending list of household chores.

This also comes with a nice bonus for Stephan- I will now be taking over the invoicing and marketing side of his business! So really, I AM working- it's just a part-time job with the added benefit of being able to telecommute!

I AM ECSTATIC! There are many who have doubted my ability to ever become a well-adjusted domesticated woman, but  now that I have time on my hands-it will be just fine. In my defense- before Stephan, I never cared about making someone dinner and I also have ALWAYS had a full-time job. How hard could it possibly be to wake up a little later than usual, get ready for the day (make-up and heels included), take Vitale to Pre-school and do a few chores??