DECONSTRUCTION: KOHL'S

Above is a very cute ruffled Tee from Apt. 9 at Kohl's. On 70% sale. I love the color, cute a gorgeous deep indigo that looks fabulous against my skin tone. The fabric is a nice, light-weight jersey, and flows beautifully along the body. The strategic placement of the ruffles hides my belly pooch, and makes me feel a bit bustier. *wink*

You bet your tush I snapped this baby up.




Here was a Vera Wang tank/tunic on sale for 60% off. In this I'm wearing the medium, which was too tight on the breasts. I love the pattern, and the loose flow from the breasts on down. The length is also a plus, so I can wear this more with jeggings. I snagged it in a large after the dressing room test run.

Since the outing, I've worn the Apt. 9 top so often, it is ridiculous. I went to another Kohl's to snag a few more in other colors. All on sale. With a coupon. I've found that when washing, it is best to run them on the casual setting in the washer, and only have them in the dryer for about 15 minutes, then hang them up to finish.

I've only worn the Vera a few times, more because I haven't worn jeggings.

Overall, I'm happy with these purchases, and can forsee an excellent level of cost to wear.

STYLE V. FASHION

Yes, there is a disctintion between style and fashion.

Fashion is socially dictated. It's what we see in magazines, advertisements, malls, and on the runway. It's the trends; yellow nail polish, flare pants, Americana, mainsteamed hipsterdom. Fashion is what others tell us we should wear, want, accessorize, purchase. Designers, magazine staff, marketers, they all make a very good living selling fashion to the masses. Hell, you could argue that that's what fashion bloggers are doing: selling fashion to the masses.

But when you look at it, "fashion blogger" is a misnomer, as most of us are really writting up our styles. Style is how fashion is interpreted, incorporated, or created to one's self. Chloe {the (chloe) conspiracy} has a distinct style, and mixes in trends to work with her sense of style. For example, her "Springing for Spring" posts, where she wrote up the runway trends and then showcased her spin on the trend. I love how she does that. While fashion bloggers do discuss fashion, both high & low street, when they showcase their style, can almost always see how the trends are incorporated. There are those who don't incorporate any current trends.

They are the true pioneers.

My purpose of starting this blog, back in July 2007, was to share my view of fashion, the breakdown of the trends, and my grandma's lessons of style and grace. When I revamped in 2009, I decided to honor my grandma by showcasing and developing my style, rather than looking towards a breakdown of fashion. The more time I spend working on the blog, the better I feel about everything in life. I'm learning and growing, and becoming the woman I am meant to be.

I'm 24; still plenty of life ahead of me, plenty of experiences, adventures, and proposals to look forward to. Who knows what I might discover on my next foray to Tampa, or while camping in the Keys, or while taking a trip to Morocco? Maybe I'll find an influence, flavor, or idea. Maybe I'll stumble across a new boutique, tucked away from tourists. Maybe I'll find my favorite piece at a kitchsy tourist trap.

Maybe I'll find a home in the mountains. Maybe I'll find that city life meshes with me. Maybe I'll fall for suburbia. Maybe the rest of my life will be nomadic. Maybe I'll meet an Italian man who's an electrical engineer. Or a Frenchman named Socrates, who speaks the languages of many. Or a good-ol' American boy, corn-fed, strong and tender, cheeky, with a sexy slow smile.

None of us know what life is going to bring us, so why bother only following fashion for the sake of conforming to something that isn't true to ourself? As Simon Doonan, who I love so very much, says, "Knowing who you really are and dressing the part -- with an air of amused recklessness -- is life affirming for you and life enhancing for other people".

Enhance this life.

DECONSTRUCTION: UO CIGARETTE JEANS

Like any decent clotheswhore, I suspended my boycott of UO when I found out about their $39 jeans. I sold my soul for some amazing, flattering jeans.


I have been drawn to the cut and look of cigarette jeans for a few years now. Because I'm bigger on the bottom, I usually cuff and wear high heels with them to balance out and elongate my frame. The jeans are super comfy, stretchy material. If you are naturally skinny or curvy, it hits and hugs superbly. I got two washes, to dress up or down, and take advantage of the great sale. They don't pass the "squat test" however, but I can live with that, since most of my jeans fail unless they are ultra high waisted.


I'd say these are a good, solid jean, and worth the investment. Unfortunately, the promotion ended before I received them in the mail, but they are worth the full price. Besides, they make your butt look great!


I've been listening to Lucinda Williams a lot recently. I always seem to fall back into the same music when I'm down in the dumps. Lucinda's music makes me believe in the world and myself, so that's probably why I love listening to her.



Beautiful.

DECONSTRUCTION: DOLEMAN

I'm a terrible blogger for never mentioning MySpringShoes.com before. I'll have to make a post or link to all of my favorite shoe shopping sites. I'll post it on the links and as an entry in the blog. Yes yes, that sounds good.


For those who like shoes, especially more resonably priced than designer labels, with better quality than you'd get with GoJane, MySpringShoes is the place to look. Last week, I ordered DOLEMAN, a great little number, and recieved it in the mail in record time.


They have since sold out of it, which is a shame, because they are lovely. Menswear inspired, with a rock-n-roll edge. I can't wait to pair them with skinny jeans and tights this fall/winter. I ordered them in 38, and they are extremely comfortable. They have a low heel, maybe .5" or so, and pointed toe. Zippers on the side for easy access.


Final Decision: Three drag queen finger snaps and five Hello Dollys. Changed my mind. Three sweet guitar solos and five bitchin' mosh pits.

(Also, I will post the pictures I have of them late tonight. I have a seminar to attend after work, and won't be back to my computer until after 11.)

Ta da! The shoe is lovely, although I should have styled it instead of blinding y'all with my pasty legs. Sorry readers!


Please don't send me your optometrist's bill.

DECONSTRUCTION: PHOTO SHOOT MAILLOT

I don't shop at Anthropologie often, I've only ever bought two items from there, but I have always lusted after various pieces from them. I always trust the reviews on the site, as opposed to their size chart, and get it bang on the money. Thank you, Anthroholic(s)! (Kim's [Anthroholic] site is also a bonanza of ideas and information. Check her out!)


While browsing the sales for any pretty little thing I could snatch up, I came across the Photo Shoot Maillot. The last suit I bought was five years ago for a trip to the Keys, so it was an item I needed to replace. I don't swim very often, so chlorine damage wouldn't be too big of an issue. I wanted something sexy and sassy for lounging and walking around town during summer months. Since summer where I live usually ends in late November, I've still got time to go, and this fills all my wants.


It's comfy, gorgeous, elegant, and saucy. I could probaly get away with wearing this as a bodysuit. Throw on my high-waisted 70s jeans, some sparkly heels and armful of bangles... It'd work.


I'm so pleased with the price and quality of the item, I'm definitely going to be haunting anthropologie more often.


FINAL RATING: Two kisses and five catcalls.

DECONSTRUCTION: BIP BEEP BOP

Bet Your Sweet Bippy shorts


The quality of these shorts compared to the price they charge is astounding. It's delicate and lightweight, perfect for the scorchers down here.The bow design is just as cute in person as it is online. However, girls with hips or booty should be warned that the lower portion of the bow pulls a bit, and makes it look like you've got a fupa.



(If you don't know what a 'fupa' is, please don't Google it at work.)



Other than the fupa issue, this is a great buy. It doesn't sit above the bellybutton, which always makes it look like I've got a big belly pooch. (I have a little belly pooch, but not as big of one as high-waists make it look.) The fabric is awesome, the design is adorable, the cut is flirty, the color is flattering.



My final decision: Great product, great price. (I'll add pictures with it worn and styled once I get home.)

Deconstruction: Matteo

The UPS man came yesterday, bearing the gift of shooties. Michael Antonio's Matteo, to be exact.


I ordered from Piperlime, which happened to be running a 40% off on a huge selection of merchendise. Matteo included. The only thing I worried about was the fit. Obviously, when you get shoes, you want them to fit, but I've detailed my idiocy when it comes to shoes I love and desire.


The reviews on the site praised the beauty and fun styling and comfort of the shoes, but lamenting the width. A lot of the reviewers mentioned it was best to order a half size below to get the best fit.


I deemed the best decision for my strangely sized feet was to go for a 7 instead of my usual 7 1/2 - 8. Even that wasn't good enough. A 6 1/2 would have been perfect, as the 7s are just a tad bit loose on the sides. For my lifestyle, they'll do.


I'm wearing them out tonight for my friend's birthday bash, so I'll be able to attest to long-wear comfort. So far, from my intermittant prancing around town, they've been wonderful.


If you had your eye on these, but were wary about dropping $79.00, jump now. $39.99, free shipping through Piperlime, and a superb shoe.

Deconstruction: RocketDog Slinger Boots

So, the blabbing yesterday about my excitement over FINALLY getting my UPS delivery is going to be expanded into a new article where I break down my purchases. Kind of pompous and capitalistic, but fuck, what do I care? I want to share my opinion on various items or objects d'art, or, you know, pretty shoes.

So I drive home like a maniac, nearly getting sideswept by a trucker and cussing out a poor old couple from Michigan (DRIVE FASTER OR GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE DAMN) on the way, race through my house, squealing when I spot the box outside the front door. Thank God no one else was there, or I would've further cemented my family's impression that I'm a hopeless dork.

I pulled the boots on right in the entryway. Oh. Oh, darlings, I cannot describe the bliss.

RocketDogs are comfy and still stylish. But it felt like I was walking in smooshy puddles of cotton candy. The heel is modest, like an inch-and-a-half or so, but it's perfect. The style is amazing, and makes it look much more expensive than it was. Slouchy, with straps wrapped around the body of the boot, buckling on the side, it is so stylish and super chic.

I ordered it a half-size above what I normally wear, and that was perfect. The fit is incredible, not tight, but snug enough to keep my foot in place, and roomy enough that my tootsies get ventilation and don't sweat. (Euwww, sweaty feet.) I'm wearing them right now, and actually feel hella fancy.

Overall, these were a great buy, and I cannot wait to show them off all over the place! Pictures to come.

:)