Blog Archives

Trend alert: Zipped down the back

4/29/2014

Do you have any sandals or shoes that zip down the back? I saw this trend last spring, but it's really taking off now.

Do you like the trend? I haven't decided if I like it or not, but I did read one review that said the zip makes the shoe easier to take on & off.

One thing to take into account: the zippers have a quality all of their own. A cheap zipper will make the shoe seem cheap.

Here are zippered shoes & sandals at all prices. Most come in several colors...

From Anthropologie...
This is just a few of the Anthropologie sandals & shoes that zip down the back. For more click here.

Anthropologie Abbey Lasercut Sandals, $188

Anthropologie Abbey Lasercut Sandals $188

Anthropologie Harrison Heels, $288

Anthropologie Harrison Heels, $288

Anthropologie Courtyard Heels, $158

Anthropologie Courtyard Heels, $158

Anthropologie Koi Strappy Wedges, $168

Anthropologie Koi Strappy Wedges, $168

Anthropologie Baila Sandals, $68

Anthropologie Baila Sandals, $68

Anthropologie Unwrapped Wedges, $100

Anthropologie Unwrapped Wedges, $100

From Online Shoes...

Onlineshoes.com Women's Oh! Kassandra, $224.95 minus 20%

Onlineshoes.com Women's Oh! Kassandra, $224.95 minus 20%

Onlineshoes.com Women's Earthies Campora, $158.99 minus 20%

Onlineshoes.com Women's Earthies Campora, $158.99 minus 20%

This shoe looks like it would span seasons well...

Onlineshoes.com Seychelles Unlock the Door, $129.95 minus 20%

Onlineshoes.com Seychelles Unlock the Door, $129.95 minus 20%

Onlineshoes.com Splendid Congo, $69.95

Onlineshoes.com Splendid Congo, $69.95

Onlineshoes.com Carlos by Carlos Santana Maiko, $78.95

Onlineshoes.com Carlos by Carlos Santana Maiko, $78.95

From Target...
Comes in four colors. Chambray available in store. 

Target Women's Merona® Tori Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal, $21.99

Target Women's Merona® Tori Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal, $21.99

From Zappos...

Zappos BC Footwear Prepare For Landing, $60.99

From 6 p.m.com...

6 p.m.com Steve Madden Figo, $39.99

From Amazon...

Amazon Libby Sandal, $19.99

From Sole Society...

Sole Society Linn, $69.95

Sole Society Linn, $69.95

Sole Society Eleni, $79.95

Sole Society Eleni, $79.95

Sole Society Teresa, $59.95

Sole Society Teresa, $59.95

From Nine West...

9 West Fichel Open Toe Sandals, $89

9 West Fichel Open Toe Sandals, $89

In defense of messy hair

4/24/2014

Now I have perpetually messy hair. It might help if I BRUSHED it once in a while, but when I have (years ago), it just got fly-away & messier yet, so I don't even try. But, personal bias aside, it seems to me there's a lot of messy hair out there these days along with a lot of hair in our eyes. And that's all right with me. I venture to say that the more conservative the outfit, the more we need messy hair to offset it. Cases in point...

Fly-away hair
This woman's hair looks similar to how mine does when I brush it (as far as I remember)--definitely fly-away. But if you're going to wear a British tweed blazer, you'd best do something to lighten things up, don't you think?

Boden British Tweed Blazer, $159.60-$182.40

Hair in your eyes
Hair in your eyes is still hot. It's mysterious. It's seductive. And once again, it balances the too-sweet, prissy nature of a pretty pink dress. Imagine if she'd put a pink headband in her hair--very different effect. Hair in your eyes is ok by me.

Boden Evelina Dress, $198

The partial tie-back
My hair often looks like this because it slips out of the half-hearted tie I've put it in. It hangs unevenly down on one side or the other. I also have layers that won't fit into the ponytail. I've been a bit embarrassed about this problem, so I'm so glad to see the look on models!

Boden Cashmere V-neck Sweater, $133.20

Boden Short Sleeve Breton, $34

I'd be lying if I didn't admit to liking sleek, shiny, straight hair, defined curls, braided hairstyles, & short, piecey cuts.
And I'd probably keep your hair out of your eyes for a job interview since it suggests you're hiding something.

But if we're rushed in the morning or can't get our hair to stay, maybe it's ok. Maybe a bad hair day is a good hair day after all.

Do you wear your hair messy or in your eyes some days? Is your hair messy or neat?

Sammy's got it

4/21/2014

It can be intimidating & exciting to roam through 10,000 affordable pieces of clothing looking for one that suits you.
But it's exactly up my alley too. I've always wondered about the large clothing manufacturers overseas that sell clothing in bulk at amazing prices. Should I be wary of them? Are they trustworthy?

So I was excited when Sammy Dress, an international online clothing company headquartered in Hong Kong, contacted me & asked me to do a product review. I was offered the opportunity to pick any item under $10--almost everything on the site was under $10, so I had hundreds of choices. After narrowing down my selections, I came across this long cotton skirt & decided it was the one for me.

Sammy Dress Packet Buttock Slit Ruffles Cotton Blend Solid Color Skirt, $9.83

Sammy Dress Packet Buttock Slit Ruffles Cotton Blend Solid Color Skirt, $9.83

The skirt arrived about a week & a half later with a kind note. It's a little close-fitting, so I'm glad it has a drawstring waist that allows me to adjust it to size.

It's made of a super soft cotton blend, so comfy it fits into my category of what to wear when you're dead tired.

I like that it's trumpet style (not a tube skirt), so I can easily walk in it. It also has a slit on one side, so I can walk in full stride!

It's ideal for throwing on when I get home from work, but it's also elegant enough to wear to work...

for play

Sammy Dress skirt worn with Victoria's Secret vintage tee

for work

Sammy Dress skirt worn with J. Crew Factory Charley cotton sweater

I asked a friend of mine from Taiwan if she knew Sammy Dress. The type of company was familiar to her, & she praised Sammy Dress for its variety & price. I looked at a few other Asian clothing sites she sent, & I think Sammy Dress is much easier to search. I love that you can scroll down on any page & see several images of each item from different angles & on a model. They offer a search box too if you're looking for a specific style or piece.

I researched other reviews of Sammy Dress online, & most everyone seems happy with their service, style, & quality. I've learned from watching a couple video reviews that the "one size" they sell if you don't buy in bulk is around an American Medium. I like reading the reviews under each item on the website since they're truly from around the world--from Puerto Rico to Ukraine. They all mention the fast delivery.

I've noticed even in my short time knowing Sammy that things sell out, which doesn't surprise me.

Many of the items on the Sammy Dress site don't suit me (they are too young), but many things seem just right.

Here are a few of the items I've considered ordering:

Sammy Dress Trendy Stand Collar Leopard Print Chiffon Shirt, $8.17

Stylish Collarless Splicing Embellished Long Sleeves Slimming Cardigan, $14.30

Sammy Dress Street Fashion Checked Long Sleeve T-Shirt, $7.94

Sammy Dress clothing makes me want to try some of the trendier styles. And--you know me--I'm also eyeing their men's clothing (for me :-):

Sammy Dress British Style Round Neck Single Breasted Solid Color Long Sleeves Cotton Blend Cardigan For Men, $9.59

They also carry a limited but very cute (& affordable) children's line.

You can follow Sammy Dress on Facebook, on Pinterest, & on Twitter.

Many thanks to Sammy Dress for introducing me to their line & for the lovely skirt!

Have you shopped from Sammy Dress or a similar site? Please share your experience.

It's written all over your tee

4/19/2014

What if how you felt were written right across your t-shirt? The problem, of course, is you might feel differently midday.

Don't we all, right?

dELiA's Need More Sleep Tee, $19.90 Buy One, Get One 50% Off

Are you really...?

from Black & White in the Colorado Mills Mall, $14.99

This t-shirt could get you in trouble:

Victoria's Secret Cocoon Top, $14.99

Unless you already are...

Boohoo Hallie Trouble Slogan Tee, $20

I'm either grumpy & I don't want to go to school...

Target Men's Grumpy Cat Graphic Tee, $10

Cafe Press But I Don't Want To Go To School Tshirt, $28.99

...or I'm happy :-))

Peace Love World Happiness is the Truth V-neck Tee, $35

Peace Love World Limited Edition for Pharrell Collection for women, men, & kids

How are you feeling? What would your t-shirt say today?

T-shirt Sunday Tees

Waxing vs. threading (Brows: part 2)

4/19/2014

For years I paid little attention to my eyebrows, though they were heavy. One day my regular hairdresser offered to wax them into a more feminine shape. I was so struck by the transformation to my look that I began to have my eyebrows waxed every time I had my hair cut.

Waxing brows costs between $10 & $20.

High-tech waxes I changed hairdressers after several years & had to seek a new person to do my eyebrows.
A chance encounter with the esthetician at the new salon, & I was introduced to a new, high-tech soft wax that didn’t pull or hurt as much. I became devoted to this wax since years of waxing your eyebrows can indeed pull & age the skin over your eyes. I paid about $18 per visit for this treatment.

One day a friend asked me if I’d ever had my eyebrows threaded. She led me to believe that threaders would strip your brows very thin, which seems appealing at first, but your eyebrows are a nice part of your face, believe me, & waxing can cause permanent removal--don't go too thin.

I walked around with this misinterpretation of threaders for some time until threading became more common in waxing establishments.

Here's the real scoop on threading vs. waxing...

Threading doesn’t pull your skin. Threading is an ancient technique, & most threaders are trained in India. They spin a small piece of cotton thread very quickly around the hair they’re removing. It feels like a buzz; threading hurts less than waxing & doesn’t pull your skin at all.

Threading is safer. Hot wax dangling over your eyes—not a good mental picture, huh? Threaders literally use strands of thread to remove the hair, so you can feel safe knowing there’s no fear of blinding you.

Threading is natural. I don’t know what wax is made of, but I’m sure it’s a chemical compound. The Food and Drug Administration warns that wax should not be used on many parts of your face & that waxing is dangerous for people with diabetes & circulatory problems (http://www.fda.gov/downloads/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm049041.pdf). Wax can burn your skin, & there is the potential for scarring. Threading is a gentle, natural form of hair removal in comparison.

Threading doesn't require you to have grown out your hair. If you want to have your eyebrows waxed, you have to resist the urge to mess with them in between visits. But threaders can remove even the tiniest hairs.

Threading is cheaper and more convenient. Threaders typically charge $12 for brows. Threading stores have popped up in most malls—no appointment necessary—& the process takes just a few minutes.

Drawbacks of threading:

You have to help the threader in the process: you have to pull your eyelid taut, which doesn't make this service feel very luxurious, not like a spa visit. It doesn't seem too good for your eyelid skin either, though no worse than pulling your skin with wax.

Threading doesn't last as long as waxing. I think threading lasts about a month whereas waxing can last closer to two months.

Threading is just for faces. I don't think you can have threading done on other parts of your body like your underarms. Does anyone know for sure?

Have you tried threading?

Part 1: The new brow shape:

What's in YOUR bag?

4/15/2014

What's in my purse is not exciting at all :-) but I was excited be tagged by my dear friend Sarita Coren on her blog Peace on the Skin & Peace Within to spill the contents of my bag.

The tag was originally started by Katie at The Green Product Junkie. I'm afraid I might be voted off the island, though, because my products are not very green.

I had to downsize the contents of my purse not long ago when I switched to the bag shown (See "Taking back the man purse"). I used to keep a lot more in my purse--always a wad of tissues, for instance :-)--but now I keep the bare minimum.

Here's all I've got with me (let me know if you need a safety pin or band-aid)...

My wallet (the one with my hubby's photo)--stashed in a little zippered pouch that holds business cards & things like that for me.
My Old School phone that's so tiny it fits in any pocket
My keys--work (with the whistle) & car/home
A small tube of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
MAC Blot Powder/Pressed
MAC lipstick in color Paramount
Vaseline Lip Therapy
Advil
Dental floss
Nail clippers
An Emi-Jay hair tie
Two bobby pins
One little safety pin
A few Band-aids (for rubbing shoes or sudden minor injuries)
Two pens--one blue, one black
A little pad for jotting things down or playing a game
A small packet of raw sugar (a treat for my son)
My glasses

What's in my bag that's also in yours?
Do you carry a big or a small purse?
What's the oddest thing you carry around?

Jelly sandals: Reinvented!

4/14/2014

Jelly sandals! Did you once wear them? What about sandals with a lug sole? Bring back any memories? I'm crushing on these funky recreations of the trend from Boohoo. With free shipping to the U.S. & 25% off with the code TAKE25, they'd only be around $20. Do I try them? Or are they just too funky? I'm leaning toward the white--or the clear!

Boohoo Frances Block Jelly Sandal, $26 minus 25%, free ship

Boohoo Frances Block Jelly Sandal, $26 minus 25%, free ship

Boohoo Frances Block Jelly Sandal, $26 minus 25%, free ship

Boohoo Frances Block Jelly Sandal, $26 minus 25%, free ship

Boohoo Frances Block Jelly Sandal, $26 minus 25%, free ship

Plain white T's

4/13/2014

Classic, clean, iconic. I like them so plain I don't even want a pocket...

Abercrombie & Fitch undershirt, $13.20

Abercrombie & Fitch Libby Tee, $16.80

Abercrombie & Fitch Elissa Easy Tee, $18

Forever 21 Crew Neck Tee, $3.80

Forever 21 Everyday Scoop Neck Top, $5.80

Forever 21 Everyday V-Neck Top, $5.80

GAP Favorite Boatneck Tee, $16.95 minus 40%

GAP Favorite Short-Sleeve Tee, $14.95 Buy 2 or more, $12.00 each minus 40%

GAP Favorite Short-Sleeve Scoop Tee, $14.95 Buy 2 or more, $12.00 each minus 40%

Urban Outfitters BDG V-Neck Tee, $18.00 •2 for $30

Uniqlo Women Supima Cotton Scoop Neck T-shirt, $9.90

Old Navy Perfect Crewneck Tee, $8.50 minus 25%

Hanes Women's White Jersey Crewneck T-Shirts 2-Pack, $10

American Apparel Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T, $18

American Apparel Rib Half-Sleeve Uneck T, $7.20- $18

American Apparel Poly Cotton Short Sleeve T, $20

American Apparel Baby 3/4 Sleeve Rib Raglan T, $4.40

T-shirt Sunday Tees

Let me down easy (a matching game)

4/6/2014

Do you check back on your purchases to see if an item has been marked down, so you can ask for an adjustment?
Do you visit favorite items online & find eventually that they're sold out?
If you do this enough, you get familiar with the "sold out" messages from each company. Each message conveys a different impression while still just letting you know the item is out of stock.

Just for fun, see if you can match the rejection to the store below.

Which rejection do you like best?

STORE

1. Amazon

2. Anthropologie

3. Banana Republic

4. GAP

5. J. Crew Factory

6. Modcloth

7. Piperlime

8. New York & Company

9. Urban Outfitters

10. Victoria's
Secret

REJECTION

A.

B.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

Dying for the answers? Click on each letter, & the link will take you to the store.

Linen tees

4/6/2014

Do you own any linen tees? I'm thinking the touch of linen might make them refined enough to wear to work (or out for the night).

Zara Lace Linen T-shirt, $29.90

Zara Lace Linen T-shirt, $29.90

Zara Lace Linen T-shirt, $29.90

Forever 21 Essential Slut Knit Linen Tee, $10.80

J. Crew Linen V-neck Pocket Tee, available in 10 colors, $36.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

J. Crew Linen V-neck Pocket Tee, available in 10 colors, $36.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

J. Crew Linen V-neck Pocket Tee, available in 10 colors, $36.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

J. Crew Linen Boatneck Tee, available in 9 colors, $39.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

J. Crew Linen Boatneck Tee, available in 9 colors, $39.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

J. Crew Linen Boatneck Tee, available in 9 colors, $39.50 minus 25% with code SHOPNOW

Long Tall Sally Soft Scoop Neck Linen Top, 3 colors $55

H&M Linen Tee, available in 4 colors, $9.95

Calypso St. Barth Isabel V-neck Linen Tee, available in 18 colors, $49-$75

Land's End V-scoop Linen Cotton Tee, available in 6 colors, $15.99

Forever 21 Linen-Blend Pineapple Print Tee, $15.80

Madewell Linen Ampersand Tee, $39.99

Forever 21 Linen-Blend Florida Print Tee, $15.80

Forever 21 Cheetah Print Muscle Tee, $12.80

Madewell Modern Linen Muscle Tee, $39.50

Madewell Linen Bikelane Tee, $45

Madewell Linen Heathered Bikelane Tee, $48

J.Jill Sanibel Tee, 5 colors, $49

Poetry linen-blend Jersey Tunic, 5 colors, $69

T-shirt Sunday Tees

Graphic tees that can go to work