The James Perse sample sale is ON! As usual, you must enter through the link and sign-in to your account to view sale items. And all sales ARE FINAL, so leave a comment if you have any questions about how anything fits, chances are I’ve tried it on

Sweatshirt – $64 (lots of colors)

I’ve wanted one of those sweatshirts forever; every time I see one in person I am amazed at how soft and colorful they are.

Casual t – $29

the casual t is my favorite style James Perse tee, I have all of the more neutral colors and wear them all the time.

Slub side-panel shirt – $89

he side panel shirt is amazing – I sometimes wear it open during the Summer over dresses or tanks, but it’s great also by itself.

WEARING:
T by Alexander Wang dress
Calypso St. Barth top
No6 Clogs
Jas MB bag (link goes to the black version)
Alex Monroe bird earrings

So, it’s time to fess up, I’m a certified bird nerd. You may have noticed the birdfeeder in my outfit pictures lately; I have another one on the other side of the balcony + a hummingbird feeder. I started actively birding (that’s more than just watching them in the backyard, we would go hiking and on trips) in high school and college as something to do with my mom and it just caught on. Now, I do more backyard birdwatching than birding, but I’m sort of a crazy person about it. I can sit and just watch the feeders for hours. no joke. Right now, the parents are feeding the baby birds and it’s fun to watch up close…

Anyway, this is neither here nor there, just a little insight into my life I’m sure you ALWAYS wanted to know. That, and I switched out my earrings from my perennial Melissa Joy Manning circle studs to my Alex Monroe bird earrings that my mom bought me years ago after watching The Big Year, which as a birder I knew was about birding, but you may not have. It was really good – funny, and brought back memories of my adventures with my mom. She’s off having an adventure of her own on a river cruise in France, but I do miss those early morning trips out to the lake or to the mountains to listen and identify birds. Hopefully we’ll get to do that again sometime, although it’s difficult now that we live in different states. In the mean time, I’m trying to convince Leo to do it with me

Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale is one I always have to shop in person, but already, I’m finding some great deals online – like the Splendid cardigan below for $39. No-brainer…I’ll take a few of those…

Splendid open cardigan – $39.90
Trouve linen sweater – $39.90
James Perse casual Tie-Dye tee – $44.90

And Shopbop…ah…Shopbop. I can never quite pass up a Shopbop code, but I can’t quite make up my mind if I need anything this time. Of course, I’d like to have a lot of things…

James Perse maxi skirt – $49 (final sale)
Lanston dress – $139 (similar to mine, but with a v-neck)
Edith A. Miller tee – $60
Splendid sleeveless top – $78

Have you bought anything at Shopbop or Nordstrom? Do tell!!!

WEARING:
TEXTILE Elizabeth & James skirt (from LastCall – 40% off online through tomorrow)
LnA Deep-v tee
Melissa Sin Sandals (no longer available)
Jas M.B. Bag (only black available online – ALL other styles on sale at Barney’s Co-Op)

I’m feeling like crap today. I think after all the rain we’ve had in Austin the trees & flowers thought it was Spring again so my allergies started acting up. But I went to my PureBarre class this morning, so I thought I could at least get dressed and snap an outfit picture

I got this skirt a while ago at LastCall for a steal, but then had to have it hemmed, so it ended up not being such a steal (hate that!). But I do still love the skirt, it’s so easy to wear, has great pockets, and is super-comfortable. I guess it’s a tad big, but I think it’s supposed to be; it WAS designed by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. And I pulled out my deep-v tee by LnA to see if I could find a bra already in my drawer to wear it with, and I think I’m okay with my Hanky Panky lace bralette. I love this tee, but haven’t worn it in years because the v-neck is SO low. And I want to pick up a couple more colors while LnA still has their Refinery29 Reserve deal, so I pulled it out of hiding.

Oh, and in case you hadn’t seen yet, I launched The Marketplace yesterday and there are already several great pieces for sale. I hope it is useful to you guys, both buyers & sellers! Let me know if you have any comments about it.

NWT INHABIT Dark Green Top, Size Medium.
$75 OBO Shipped in the US, paid via Paypal.
Please email with any questions or additional photos.
besabonita(at)gmail.com

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NWT JOIE Masha Top in Elephant Print, 100% Silk.

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Purchased at Neiman Marcus in Bellevue, WA. Retail price paid $198, I have missed the return deadline, so up for sale it goes!
Asking $120 OBO shipped in the US, paid via Paypal.
Please email with any questions or additional pictures!
besabonita(at)gmail.com

BNWT Clare Vivier Fold-Over Clutch in grey pebbled leather with neon yellow trim. It was purchased from Eaton Trading Co. and I am looking for $160 flat including shipping.

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Please contact me at ladygar(at)gmail.com

Use code PROMO20 for 20% off (sadly excludes boots, swimwear & new arrivals) at Rachel Comey this week only.

Speaking of Rachel Comey, I launched The Marketplace today, have a look!

Lululemon Wunder Under crops – $68
SoLow Eclon crops – $51
James Perse Yoga capris – $95

I have resisted Lululemon for the longest time, not so much because of the price (which is a consideration), but mostly because I am not really one to follow the herd when it comes to fashion. Even exercise gear. And Lululemon is a RELIGION here, among college students, yoga moms…nearly everyone actually. Not a day goes by when I don’t see so much Lululemon it makes my head spin (and not just in my PureBarre class…). So, even though I’ve tried to resist the temptation, I decided to hop into the store and try to find a pair of cropped leggings for my class. And now I’m hooked.

Let me say first though, that I don’t mind spending money on exercise clothing – and that’s always served me well. About 6 years ago I bought several pairs of Lucy running pants and knee shorts (which aren’t cheap either) and have worn them daily since then. Now, they’re a little worn, and a little big and since I’m going to a class every day, I wanted something much more form-fitting and a little “nicer” looking. Basically, I wanted something to suck me in and smooth out my bumps. And the Wunder Unders by Lululemon do that well.

I also have the SoLow crops pictured and linked above (got them via Refinery29 Reserve last week) and like those as well, not as much as the Lululemons though. The SoLow crops are higher-waisted, which I personally don’t like as much, but you might, and didn’t wick away the sweat as well as the Lululemons. They are comfortable though, and easy to move in, so I’ll keep them in rotation. They’re a good alternative for a little less money than the wunder unders, but I would recommend spending the extra $17 for Lululemon.

I do have a pair of the James Perse Yosemite yoga shorts (shorter than the capris pictured above, purchased via Gilt) and they’re great, but a little big, so they don’t suck me in as much as I’d like. They’re the most comfortable of all of them though, it’s like you’re not even wearing anything. I’d obviously recommend those also, but they’re much more than Lululemon.

Ultimately, I’m glad I tried Lululemon, but I won’t turn into a crazy person and purchase everything they make. I do highly recommend the wunder under crops, and I think I may purchase a pair of the regular wunder under pants and get them hemmed to my ankle to wear as actual leggings in the winter because they’re so comfortable (the astro pants are nice also, they’re more of a straight leg). Incidentally, because I’m short, the crops come to just a few inches above my ankle, which is good for exercise, but I wouldn’t wear them out in public like that.

What do you think? Do you spend money on exercise clothing? What have you found that fits you the best? Are you a Lululemon convert?

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It pains me to do this, but I don’t carry my Alexander Wang Donna bag very much anymore, and I really hate for it to just sit around (in it’s bag of course). The Donna was my first Alexander Wang bag, and it’s actually one of the very first bags he designed. I’ve had it for several years, and it’s been well used, but that’s only made it more soft and interesting. This bag has perforated leather trim/details, including underneath the front-to-back zipper. There is some denim staining on the back of the bag, but when it’s zipped up, it’s barely noticeable. Comes with a dustbag.

Outfits featuring Donna: 1 2 3 4 5

I’m asking $300 + shipping ($15 USPS priority mail) for it – US shipping only. It’ll be available until 5/24 and I’m happy to answer questions or send more pictures if you leave a comment. Please help me find Donna a good home

Contact me to buy – grechen(at)grechenmedia.com