No wonder ...

The black Colin Stuarts are completely unavailable on the Victoria's Secret website and I understand why. I may get struck with fiery stilettos by the fashion gods, but I like them even better than the studded booties by Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. And the fact that they're just $98 while the Choos are $1050 and the Louboutins are $895 doesn't even have anything to do with it. The Colin Stuart booties have been floating around in blogland for months now, and rightly so. They're hot.

Hard Times Shopping

I'm in a pickle. This economic meltdown is making me rethink my shopping beliefs. I've been thinking and thinking about what to spend on to freshen up my Fall wardrobe. Today I wandered into the Target website and saw a few new, very chic, and oh-so-tempting pieces:

On the left, a sweater dress by Jonathan Saunders for Target retailing for $34.99. I am trying to steer clear of synthetics so it was good to know that despite this dress being 88% cotton and 12% nylon, the neck and armhole are 100% cotton—so no feeling itchy around the neck. I really don't want any more acrylic blends in my closet. They feel scratchy and have this strange paint-like smell that won't come off no matter how much Downy you throw in the laundry. I would like to limit sweater purchases to cotton and merino wool (even angora is banned for the itchy factor). Some cashmere but I don't want to spend tons on dry cleaning, so maybe just a cashmere cardie and scarf.

So this dress makes the cut. It's decently priced and would make a great everyday dress. What's putting me in a conundrum is that the dress' price is so close to the Anya Hindmarch bag and makes me think, well if I'm getting the dress why not the bag too? It's a BAG and costs just $10 more. And Anya has made a diffusion line bag that is so faithful to the original. Check out the Target version and the original Shirley side-by-side below:

Not bad, eh? But the idea of bringing a PVC bag home pains me. I reasoned with myself that maybe this can be my rainy weather bag—no love lost if it gets soaked in the NY rain that likes to come at you from the side, rendering umbrellas useless. However I got to thinking that in today's tough times, it's frivolous to spend on something you know you won't touch after one season. I have a brown PVC bag by Rafé for Target that hasn't seen the light of day since I got my brown Paddington hobo last year. That was a steal for $450 at a sample sale, and worth every penny because I use it all the time and love it as much as I did when I first bought it. Maybe instead of shopping for little cheap pieces, the more responsible thing to do is save up that money and buy a quality bag that will last me decades. In tough times, it looks like my shopping credo should be, "Invest—no more throwaways." So no to Anya, and yes to hitting up more sample sales in the hope of digging up another treasure.

Growing up with J.Crew

Real life crept up on me today and hit me with all this grown up b*ll like pension and insurance contributions. I lost a chunk of my monthly shopping fund just like that! I know, I know, it's all really important stuff and ultimately for my own good. But it's tough to acknowledge that my 6-month spending spree is over! I have to grow up!

But if I have to grow up, can I do it in this fabulous little ensemble from J.Crew? I almost feel slighted that J.Crew came up with a look I love so much when I can't afford it. I just love love love the look of the chunky knitted vest ($198) belted over a tissue-thin turtleneck dress. And they just had to add gray leather opera gloves ($130). I love opera gloves! I love this outfit so. It's the perfect example of grown up dressing without having to give up all style and spunk. Plus it looks SO comfy.

If I can't actually grow up, see, I can at least dress the part right?

Cuteness!!!

This bag totally put a smile on my face. I'm a sucker for all things cute and embellished, and this clutch is just that. I love the quirky vintage vibe of the Marc Jacobs Flower Suede Secret Girl clutch. It is made out of plum colored leather and suede with contrast topstitching, and is rocking a massive amethyst atop an Art Deco-style flower. It is not quite a steal at $995 at Saks, so I will be admiring it from afar. But pretty things so brighten up my day ...

Like a Rockstar

Last night I headed down to the LES to watch my friend Paul and his band play a gig at Nublu. It was such an awesome moment since we used to drop in at Nublu to see other awesome bands perform. To be in there watching him play this time was surreal. Congratulations Paul!

The thought that I was going to go see a band that night somehow influenced my shopping choices for the day, I think. I was out with Manila Fashion Observer's Tin yesterday and we hit up H&M and Old Navy to stock up on basics like plain cotton tees and tanks. (We also saw some amazing exhibitions the Fashion Institute of Technology's Museum. More on that later.) I snagged a pretty cool knit hat at the men's section in H&M for about $12. So happy to have found a structured knit cap which does not make me look like Strawberry Shortcake (a constant problem). Why do the guys always have better stuff?
I apologize for the hastily taken picture. I am still using my iPhone, and really need to invest in a camera with a self-timer to take proper pictures of myself.

On my way home, I stopped by Urban Outfitters on the UES. I'm in love with the sheer white v-neck tee that I got there, but couldn't find other desirable colors in my size. I thought I would come out unscathed but I stopped at a bowl full of rings and found this:

It was a good compromise to the Elizabeth & James ring that I've been wanting (below). My new ring doesn't have the same raw, organic feel which makes E&J's hammered gold bronze ring über cool. The Urban Outfitters ring does have the rocker chic vibe that I'm looking for though. $16 versus E&J's $125? I'd definitely take the cheap chic version for now ...
PS: I realized that if I lived in the LES, I'd have rubber/leather leggings by now. If Paul's band keeps booking these sick gigs, I will have to get a pair.