Austin Shopping

Flats for Spring

2010-02-28T20:53:00.003-06:00

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, my adorable and very fashionable friend Tara was unexpectedly caught in a downpour coming out of a show on the strip-while wearing incredibly high heels. After several near falls, she very sensibly ducked into an Ann Taylor store and swapped her heels for these flats. She loves them, and they're now her go-to shoes. I love the simple, elegant design, I think these are so rich looking. I love the slightly squared toe too, it makes them a little more unique looking. At $98, they're a great price. I think I might need these in my Spring wardrobe, they would look great with everything from cropped khaki's to circle skirts.

Ruffled Top

2010-02-24T20:36:00.002-06:00

How gorgeous is this silk ruffled top from J.Crew?? I love it in navy--it's so pretty and feminine. At $98, it's a great buy--you can wear this everywhere, from work to weekend.

Oh DVF. How I love thee.

2010-02-10T10:11:00.003-06:00

Yet another fabulous email came in from Saks the other day and I have purposely left it in my inbox so I can stare longingly at another beautiful Diane Von Furstenberg creation. This woman designs just absolutely stunning and amazing dresses. She really just understands what looks good on a woman's body and incorporates amazing prints and silhouettes.

I was literally speechless when the email came in featuring this new DVF masterpiece.

I tried to find it online, but apparently I am not the only one who loved this dress since you can only preorder it from Saks (and in a print which I am not exactly in love with). I love the drapery of the fabric, and especially in the back, where I feel like a lot of designers ignore the "walkaway" look. I want people to be just impressed when I walk away as when I walk towards them. I also think the plunging neckline is sexy without overdoing it. And really, its a great flattering fit, where I wouldn't feel like I was bulging out everywhere. I could see myself wearing this on the streets of Greece in summertime. Unfortunately, I can only love DVF from afar or at my desk, since this dress costs a cool $495. Oh, and if you want to look exactly like the model, you can also pick up those great Jimmy Choos she is sporting on her feet for another $950. So, for the low, low price of $1,445, you too can look like the girl who popped in my inbox the other day.

My fave new Spring dress

2010-02-08T20:35:00.004-06:00

Oh my gosh, I need this dress by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Seriously, need. This is exactly what I want to wear this Spring. Love the pattern, love the colors, love the banded waist, the full skirt, the puffed sleeves, the pockets (yes, you guys, it has pockets!). Eh...not so crazy about the price. $328 at Shopbop, and I'm sure worth every penny (sigh!).

Pajama Jeans

2010-02-08T20:07:00.003-06:00

Just saw this article about "pajama jeans"--basically lounge pants styled like denim.

"The aptly named PajamaJeans are made of a mixture of cotton and spandex with a gray jersey lining to provide a snug and relaxed fix, complete with pockets and rivets to give the illusion of trendy denim."

I can't really tell what they look like from the picture, but I kind of like this idea! Immediately when I get home from work, I change into sweatpants and look like a total slob. This jean/sweatpants hybrid seems like a more presentable option. They're $40. I have no reaction to this price because my reaction depends so heavily on the pants. I can't tell if you would actually want to wear these out of the house, in which case $40 seems quite reasonable, or if they should be relegated to the house, in which case, $40 seems like a lot for cute sweatpants. Either way, I am very intrigued. Anything that would let me wear jersey pants out of the house is going to get my stamp of approval.

Nars Spring Makeup Collection

2010-02-04T07:50:00.000-06:00

I just checked out the new Nars Spring makeup line, and it got me very excited about makeup that I have absolutely no place to wear. Actually, that's not fair--most of it looks extremely wearable and PRETTY, like the gorgeous beigy pink lipstick. But my eye went straight to the electric blue glitter eyeliner. Here's the description from the Sephora website:

"Inspired by New York's infamous 1970s discos, these chunky crayons of translucent color are laced with glitter and can be worn on the eyes, cheeks, lips, and body."

Oh my gosh, it's enough to make me want to hop the next plane to Vegas. Sadly, the only place I have to wear it to is daycare, so probably not too practical for my lifestyle, but let me tell you, 10 years and a baby ago, I would have rocked this. Love the bright violet nail polish and hot pink lip gloss too, but I'm pretty sure I can find a Wet n' Wild version of both.

In someways I am sad Spring is upon us

2010-02-03T07:15:00.003-06:00

I agree completely with Kari's post below...those shoes are incredible and I am sure I would wear them everyday for at least 4 days. I have a very short attention span.
However, with Kari's latest blog, I realized that winter is once again coming to an end and with that tall boots. Now I know you can transition your tall boots into Spring but this is Texas people. In just a few short weeks, it will be 85 and I would probably catch on fire in tall boots. So with the inevitable hotter weather arriving in a few weeks, I realized another fall/winter season has passed without me having acquired a pair of tall, grey boots. See the Harlot "Rake" boot below, available at Nordy's (aka Mecca).

I am obsessed with tall grey boots ever since I saw a picture of Hayden P. wearing a pair with skinny jeans. Infact, I already own the pair of skinny Hudsons, but my dynamic waist measurements have been holding me back. I love the versatility of the grey boots. I like to think I would wear them with my skinny Hudsons, with a long open cardigan, and my Rayban aviator sunglasses, with the papparazzi chasing me and taking my picture as I sip Starbucks and stroll around the celebrity hotspot that is San Antonio. I suppose there is always hope for next year. Sigh.

Is it Spring yet?

2010-02-02T22:28:00.006-06:00

So, I was checking out The Sartorialist, as I always do (and you should too! amazing, gorgeous street style pics that will instantly make you feel both underdressed and undercool), and I fell in love with this whole look. It's so simple, but just effortless. But I am obsessed with her flat strappy leather sandals. They look totally natural and comfortable and I'm pretty sure I would wear them all the time. I have a feeling this girl bought hers in, like, a little shop in the Greek Isles where an elderly man cobbles them by hand. I will be hoping to find something similar at DSW. I feel like J.Crew used to have sandals that looked exactly like this, but I guess they've moved on to fancier shoes (see Joc's post yesterday). No luck so far, but I'm hoping it's because it's so early in the year, so I will keep you posted on my quest!

Long Time Shopper, First Time Blogger

2010-02-01T20:47:00.002-06:00

Hello world! First of all, I should introduce myself. My name is Jocelyn and I am a friend of Kari's, who has graciously allowed me to become a co-blogger. I feel so incredibly honored and I hope that I can only blog to just half of Kari's capabilities!

Now let me first say that I just feel so 2010. I feel very techy...like I should be living in San Fransisco, sipping a nonfat latte and wearing black rimmed glasses. Instead, I am sitting on my couch in San Antonio, hair pulled back in a funky ponytail and drinking Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper.

So for my first blog ever...I get daily emails from a plethora of retailers and today I received "Jenna's Picks" from J. Crew. Now usually, I don't really agree with Jenna and although I love J. Crew, I sometimes find the items a little bit pricey for what you get. But today were a few pairs of shoes that I wished I could have reached into my computer screen and yanked out and immediately put on my feet.

Welcome Dani Neon Leather Heels. Give me a peeptoe and a retro looking heel and I am a happy girl. I love the neon strap and how it makes them a little edgier. Unfortunately, since they run for $235, it will be a while before I am prancing around my office in these cuties.

Okay, I am now going to admit to my blogging ignorance. I would like to post an additional pair but my computer is not cooperating. I will need to get a lesson from Master Kari. More later!

Drugstore Find: Mineral Foundation

2010-01-28T20:22:00.003-06:00

Okay, first, sorry for the complete lack of blogs for the past few months. I'm going to try and do better now!

So, you guys know I love my Smashbox mineral makeup, but on Christmas Eve, I ran out. There was no way I was going to brave the mall on Christmas Eve, so I headed to CVS instead! I picked up this Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation. Um, I'm still using it. I actually really like it. The color is really natural, the coverage is great, and it's pretty long lasting. I definitely like it as well, or possibly a little better, than the bare escentuals bare minerals foundation. I do not like it as well as Smashbox, but...it's $8! I mean seriously. The one thing I do NOT like about it is the brush that comes with the foundation, so I strongly recommend you find a good brush you like. (I LOVE my Smashbox brush...yes, at $50 it's crazy expensive, but I think it makes all makeup look better.) If you're looking for a good mineral foundation, I would definitely recommend it.

Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening!

2009-10-16T22:12:00.009-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, readers, my real job has been pretty busy lately and I just have been too exhausted. BUT wanted to at least post ONCE this week, and what better topic than the grand opening of Nordstrom Rack at Gateway on October 22?? Here are the details:

At the grand opening we will hold our 'Race Through the Rack' sweepstakes. One lucky person will be chosen to be the first customer to enter the store and have 90 seconds to select up to $2,000 worth of merchandise. Arrive early—the drawing will be at 8:45am in advance of the 9am grand opening. The first 1,000 customers will receive a Nordstrom Rack tote bag as a gift with their opening day purchase.

Okay, the tote bag I have to tell you does not excite me, but if anything can get me to stand in line for a store opening, it's a shopping spree.

Vera Wang Rock Princess Fragrance

2009-10-05T12:02:00.003-05:00

So a few weeks ago my friend Kim was in town from Dallas visiting, and of course, we headed straight to the mall to shop. We were crusing through the fragrance counter when we spotted this sort of crazy looking black bottle. It was Vera Wang Rock Princess. We both sprayed it on and were completely enraptured by it. As we kept shopping, periodically one of us would just stop midsentence and say "...we smell sooo good!"

I am terrible at identifying fragrances, so here's the (very weird, actually, in my opinion) description from Sephora:

Each verse is equally captivating in the dark, fruity scent that channels
sultry rock-star attitude. It takes the stage with an exhilarating intro of
succulent white peach, bittersweet red raspberry, and an illuminating flash of
vibrant bergamot. The chorus reveals itself in lovely layers of ultra-feminine
florals. Hypnotic heliotrope, vintage-inspired rose, night-blooming jasmine,
delicate lily, and an unexpected riff of sharp, spicy accents. The melody
bridges to a finale, cloaking the essence in the warm, sensual glow of plush
cashmere woods, smoldering musk, elegant iris, and creamy coconut.

I don't know about all that, but it seriously smells amazing, sort of sweet and musky at the same time (I know...I could not write for the Sephora fragrance department).

Don't let the bottle scare you, it sort of looks like it's designed for a goth teenager, but I think you'll really like the fragrance. It's $72, so I'm hoping someone will buy it for me as a gift (so wish my husband read this blog!).

Sweater Boots - Separated at birth!

2009-10-01T12:03:00.009-05:00

When I was in Wyoming at the Texas/Wyoming game a few weeks ago, an adorable Wyoming fan was wearing these Ugg sweater boots over jeans, and I loved the whole look, just totally cozy and comfy. They're adorable, but they're $140, and I'm just not prepared to pay that for sweater boots. Maybe if I lived in Wyoming, but how often can you really wear sweater boots in Texas??

Well, imagine my surprise and delight when I saw this incredibly similar pair at Old Navy. I mean seriously, these look almost identical to the Ugg pair. And at $34.50, the price is much easier to justify.

Clinique Mineral Makeup

2009-09-30T11:51:00.003-05:00

You guys know I love my Smashbox mineral makeup, with its awesome delivery system by which you shave off just the amount you need--so much neater than traditional mineral makeups, which just get everywhere, especially when you try and travel with them.

Well, Clinique has entered the mineral makeup fray with their Superbalanced Makeup, which has identical packaging to my Smashbox fave. And it's $34.50 for 18g, versus the Smashbox, which is $59 for 21g, so it's quite a bit cheaper. My friend Shelly, a girl who knows her makeup and a fellow mineral makeup devotee (she got me into bare minerals to begin with), tried this and really likes it.

Here's the thing: the Smashbox version has all sorts of vitamins and antioxidants in it, and supposedly reduces the appearance of wrinkles. And I feel like it really works! My skin responds really well to it. And I feel like my skin really glows after I use it. So I'm not sure if the Clinique version will do the same thing or not. But at that much of a price difference, I think I'm going to try it once I run out of Smashbox. If anyone has used the Clinique version, or if you've used both Clinique and Smashbox, let me know what you think!

Skinny Cords

2009-09-29T11:47:00.005-05:00

Well, I like my Martin + Osa skinny jeans so much, I'm now seriously considering these velvet slim jeans! They're the same slim fit as my jeans, which I love because they are not skin tight, and thus very flattering. Also, I love the idea of wearing these tucked into my new brown riding boots! I love them in the kettle brown color. They're $69.50, so very reasonable.

On the other hand, I also like these matchstick cords from J. Crew, just a little more at $79.50. Serious dilemna. Can only be solved by dragging one of my friends to both stores with me to watch me try them on and advise.

Sale Alert: Cashmere at Ann Taylor!

2009-09-28T06:54:00.005-05:00

So I posted about this Ann Taylor cashmere ruffle sweater a few weeks ago, and it is seriously on sale right now. It was originally $155, and it's now $67.49, after an additional 25% off that shows up once you add it to your basket. At the same price is this beautiful, ladylike cashmere cardigan. $70 for 100% cashmere!! This would make a seriously great gift...possibly for myself!

BR Gloves and Scarves

2009-09-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Banana Republic has some really great looking winter accessories right now. I really like these gorgeous chiffon trimmed gloves and scarves. They're a mix of nylon, wool, and even a little bit of cashmere. I love these, they're so pretty and ladylike. I need to keep these on my list for Christmas, these would make great gifts. The gloves are $30 and the scarves are $50.

But my personal favorites are these beautiful tiered knit gloves. I think these would look amazing with a bracelet length coat or worn over long sleeves--the tiered detail definitely needs to be shown off! Also $30.

Drugstore Find! Tinted Moisturizer

2009-09-23T11:59:00.004-05:00

My friend Tara has been using Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for a long time and loves it, but at $42 for 1.5 oz, she decided to look for a cheaper alternative. She tried Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer and is really happy with it. It's on sale right now at drugstore.com for $9.19 and comes in 1 oz sizes, so it's almost $30 cheaper than the Laura Mercier product. They both have SPF 20, but the Neutrogena product also contains retinol, so it has anti-aging properties as well. I cannot tell the difference, the Neutrogena looks great. Another drugstore success story!

Plum Nail Polish

2009-09-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love Revlon's nail polishes. The formula is really easy to apply, long-wearing, and retail for under $5.00. And they come in some great colors. A few weeks ago I picked up a new shade at Target called Plum Night. For some reason, I can't find it online yet, but check your drugstores. It is the perfect color for fall. It's a very, very deep plum color, but doesn't read black. This picture is not the best, but you get the general idea.

Anna Sui for Target

2009-09-18T09:01:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to hear that Anna Sui was doing a line for Target based on one of my favorite shows, Gossip Girl. You can see the full line here, but most of the stuff is sold out online, so I headed to my neighborhood Target to see what they had. I wanted to get this blue dress, but they didn't have my size, so I bought these two dresses and headed home to decide which one I liked best. I liked both of them a lot. They're $60 each, so fairly expensive for Target, but the designs have so much great detail, and they actually feel very substantial. I really like the empire waisted dress on the left, with its studded criss-cross ribbon detail, but I have been looking for a drop-waist dress for a long time, so I'm keeping the one of the right instead. I love the way the vertical lines on top contrast with the horizontal layers of lace and velvet on the skirt, and the little faux-belt detail is so cute. If you want to snag a piece from this line, get to Target immediately, because they're going fast.

Project Runway Week 5 Recap

2009-09-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

I missed re-capping last week's episode because I was out of town, but I managed to catch it at the hotel and was so glad Qristyl was sent home instead of Logan, who I love in spite of his crazy prom dress creation of last week. This week, the gang headed off to the L.A. Times, where they discover that this week's challenge is to create a garment out of newspaper.

The episode started off with Johnny singing a song about how he's not going to be in the bottom 3 this week. Anyone else sensing some foreshadowing? Johnny's original idea was to make a dress which appears to be held up by a bunch of origami birds that are wrapped around the neck. But after Tim told him that it looked like a "craft project gone awry" and like the birds were attacking the dress, Johnny wadded the dress into a ball and threw it away. He then lied repeatedly to his model and the other designers, telling them that the dress was ruined by a steamer and that's why he had to start over. He didn't like how the second dress was turning out, so he just started doing a crossword puzzle. Whaaat? Cue confessionals by the other designers in which they bemoan his bad attitude, lack of passion, and complete disregard for the truth.

Tommy Hilfiger filled in for Michael Kors--I miss MK! Nina was gone too, and things just weren't the same without them. Eva Longoria Parker was the guest judge.

Althea and Gordana both created really beautiful prints from the newspaper. The judges slammed Gordana because hers looked so wearable--personally, that's what I liked about hers, that had to take a lot of work. But I agree with Heidi that it was a little boring.

The judges loved Christopher's evening gown, with a really rigid bodice and gorgeous skirt out of layers and layers of paper "feathers", but they awarded the win to Irina, who made a trenchcoat with an incredible textured collar and cuffs, they almost looked like fur.

On the runway, Johnny repeated his lie about the steamer ruining his first dress, while Nicolas huffed about and rolled his eyes. Most of the judges tore apart the dress and the styling. Johnny responded by telling them how amazing his original dress was, which led to more huffing and eye rolling from Nicholas. When the judges asked him what his problem was, he told them about Tim's critique of Johnny's first dress and and about what a mess it was.

Johnny and Nicholas were the bottom two designers. As expected, Johnny is out. He started crying in his confessional and said that Project Runway was harder than battling addiction. Tim curtly dismisses Johnny, and as soon as Johnny is in the workroom packing up his stuff, says how ridiculous Johnny's crazy fiction is--Tim is "incredulous" and I have never loved him more!

Trend Watch - Foldover boots

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love the new foldover boots that are out right now because they do great things for curvy women. They give you a little more volume at the calf and ankle, so they totally balance out the hip area and make you look perfectly proportioned. Plus they just look cool. I really like these tall boots from Martin & Osa for $350 (I know, they're expensive, but aren't they fabulous??), and this mid-rise suede pair from Aldo for $110.00.

Plaid Coat

2009-09-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

I was in Wyoming last week for the Texas/Wyoming game (hence the lack of blog posts, sorry!) and after the game, my girlfriends and I spotted this adorable plaid peacoat on a fellow Texas fan. We loved it so much, I had to ask her where she got it. I was shocked when she told me she got it at Delia's. I absolutely love the color, the fur-lined hood, the cute pockets and the button tab sleeves. But I especially love the price - $100! They have a bunch of other cute plaid coats too, check them out here.

Tweed-y Black Blazer

2009-09-15T09:00:00.003-05:00

Check out this sweet, structured tweed-like jacket from...wait for it...American Eagle? It's cotton, not wool, so it may not hold its shape as long as pricier versions, but at $69.50, it's a bargain. And at the same time, it has some great details, like the contrast stitching and cute pockets. Personally, I'd remove the rose pin, but that's just me-to me, the pin looks a little dated. If you are trying to build a work wardrobe, get this jacket or one like it. I have one a lot like it, and I wear it with everything. You can wear it with trousers or a pencil skirt to work, or with jeans and flats on the weekends. Such a great wardrobe stretching piece.

Kari and Jocelyn Discuss: Louboutins and shopping at high-end department stores

2009-09-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

And now, time for a new blog feature, in which I basically post email conversations between me and my friend Jocelyn. The other day, she sent me a picture of these gorgeous Louboutin shoes, and the conversation began.

Joc: You would not believe how close I was to buying one of the above two pairs of shoes. It was scary Kari. Really scary.

Me: Louboutin--that is terrifying. They are both gorgeous, so I completely understand the terror you almost brought upon yourself. There is something about that red sole...

J: EXACTLY. I can totally pick those out on any celebrity. I just really love that oversized boxy toe they have. I also am obsessed with just the classic black platforms. I will say one thing - those suckers are TALL. I must be 5'10" in them. I loved it. I probably would have cried if I actually bought them.

K: YES! I am obsessed with platform pumps right now. I can't believe you even tried those on, I would be so afraid that I would love them. You are very strong, Joc.

J: I did try them on - and tacky style too. I took off my Reef flipflop in the middle of saks and took the shoe off the shelf and got right in. I felt so trashy...I was not dressed appropriate for Saks. I had on a $16.99 TJ Maxx dress and flip flops. Shameful. But really then you feel kinda like Julia Roberts in pretty woman and you feel like you have to prove that you can afford this stuff when, typically, you cannot. Its depressing.

K: I feel that way everytime I go in Neiman's or Saks and am looking at high end stuff. Feel it is obvious that I cannot afford anything I am looking at, but at same time, feel the need to project that I could buy whatever I want, which makes me shuffle around uncomfortably, making it very obvious I cannot afford anything I am looking at. Vicious circle.

J: It is terrible. I pick things up, look at prices, and think to myself - good god, are you serious?! And I want to drop the item instantly in case there is a fee to even pick up said object. But I must disguise my face as - Oh thats not bad. Maybe I should get one in each color.

Hate the fact that you have to dress up to go into certain stores for fear they will shun you. That is another reason I love Nordstrom--they are nice to me no matter what!