Hostess Gift Ideas: Cambria Cove

I had never heard of Cambria Cove before I was somehow signed up on their email list and began receiving daily emails filled with cute and chic gift ideas. I began searching through the site looking for cute holiday gift ideas and got to thinking how so many of their items would be perfect for hostess gifts for bridal showers and bachelorette parties. A few of my favorite items are below:

Bold Gold Pocket Journals (set of 3) - $20

MINE Luggage Tag - $25

Mercury Glass Votives - $28-$45

New Arcadia Gold Tall Tumber (set of 4) - $75

Dreaming Beyond the Sales...

So, I have lately been in a sad shopping state.  One in which I trudge out every Saturday morning, no-foam soy latte in hand, traversing in and out of many a dressing room entry...only to leave deflated and empty handed.  I think that trying to be so to speak "fiscally responsibility" (retch), I am losing the trigger ready credit card hand I once had.  This may be beneficial to my savings account...which has now morphed into our savings account...which carries with it much more thought behind each withdrawal.  

Still the many minutes I spend in front of my wardrobe every morning has seriously soured my mood so much that I decided I need to break the seal.  So I resorted back to one of my old favorites, the Urban Outfitters Sale Section.

Lux

Orleans Tank

Original: $42

NOW:  $19.99

A small win but an important leap towards my shopping re-birth.  Now counting down the days to my tax return...I have just the pieces in mind to complete the outfit.

Lauren Merkin

Lucy Patent Croc Clutch

$250

Anlo

Alix Wide Leg Trouser Jean

$202

Chloe

Perspex Panel Platform Sandals

$910

Oniomania: Shopping Addiction

After another fruitful trip to Forever 21, I decided to search for "shopping addiction" on Wikipedia.

Oniomania (from greek onios = "for sale" : coined by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin) also known as shopping addiction or shopaholism, is the compulsive desire to shop.

Although not a DSM-IV recognized disorder, oniomania has recently received increased media attention. Similar to other compulsive behaviors, sufferers often experience the highs and lows associated with addiction. The purchase generates a mood of satisfaction for the addicted, seems to give their life a meaning and lets them forget about their sorrows. Usually back at home the feeling of a personal reward has already gone. To compensate, the addicted person goes shopping again. The bought goods will be hidden or destroyed, because the person concerned feels ashamed of their addiction and tries to conceal it.

The so-called shopoholics have not learned yet to cope with conflicts. Women in particular want to fight their unhappiness with their appearance by buying clothes, make-up and jewellery, men tend to buy technical equipment or computers instead.
Social conditions also play an important role: Buying is socially accepted and is supported. Credit cards facilitate the spending of money as well as mail orders via catalogues or the internet

$101 Lazy Sunday Afternoon at the Park Outfit

I love summer weekends spent reading in the park. Even though I'm lounging in the grass, I still like looking fittingly fabu while not worrying about ruining my expensive outfit.

Aviator Sunglasses
$5.80
Ribbed Disc Earrings
$9.99

Kimchi & Blue

Shadow Stripe Frock

$34.99

Faceted Bubble Ring
$4.80

Sherry Short
$17.80

Flat Strappy Sandal

$28.00

$101 later and I'm on my way to a fabu Sunday.

Trunk Show Faves: Cynthia Rowley

Neiman Marcus is one of my favorite stops for the fall trunk shows. They have just updated their website with several designer's trunk show looks, including one of my favorite's Cynthia Rowley.

Leather-Flower Halter Dress

$480

Seriously my favorite look that is available online.

Sweatshirt Dress
$410

Casual and sexy at the same time.

Silk Tunic
$295

Perfect for work and play.

Ring-Detail Silk Dress
$390

Great with flats for the summer or tights for the fall.

Anthropologie's Whimsy

Anthropologie really does carry such whimsical designs, although often very expensive whimsy. Yet, they do have some great sales...

talia dress
Was: $358.00--Now: $179.95

alligator pear scoopneck
Was: $68.00--Now: $29.95

stitching circle tunic
Was: $148.00--Now: $29.95

Cute as a Button

I often explore the juniors section online at various department stores, as I have found that they have slightly lower cost versions of the looks I am scouting. Nordstroms has an especially good selection. The one hang up I often have is sizing. I am an Adult Small, so I typically will go for Juniors Medium unless the piece is particularly blousey.

Velvet Torch Kimono Dress
$58

Sashimi Cap Sleeve Jacket
$38

Love Squared Button Front Babydoll Top
$28.00

Roxy 'Brooks' Bermuda Shorts
$38

Shop It to Me Sale of the Day

Shop It to Me

BCBG Max Azria Snakeskin Silk Jacquard Dress

Original: $280--NOW: $111

Snakeskin and pockets...a winning combo in my book.

Online Sale Alert

Spring Sale at Revolve Clothing!

I have to say that it was slim pickings as I often think the site is. But still I found some goodies!
Lily McNeal "Striped Rugby Tunic"
Original $253--NOW $127

Seven "Roxy" Black Denim
Original $143--NOW $101

Love from Ya-Ya "Cry Baby Fleece Dress"
Original $165--NOW $83

True Religion "Joey" Big T Shorts
Original $193--NOW$136

The Hidden Treasures of Forever 21

I am a sucker for the latest trend, yet it is a hard habit to have considering how expensive fashion is. This is where Forever 21 saves the day. These stores have mounds and mounds of clothing both very good and horribly bad. Sure, one does have to hone their digging skills to find the hidden treasure in some of these stores but when you do, it will probably be no more than $25. How can you beat that?

Belinda Top
$29.80

Ruffled Blouse
$22.80

Striped Sleeveless Dress
$22.80


V Neck Cotton Top
$19.80

Neiman Marcus First Call Sale Alert

Love Neiman's First Call sales almost as much as their Last Call Sales.

Twelfth Street Surplice Hoodie & Shirt-Dress Tunice
$138.00 & Under

Bulga Pudding Satchel

Original-$430--NOW $323

Joie Jersey Top and Linen Cargo Shorts

$105-$120

Shoe Me Shoe Me Shoe Me

Okay, I am a sucker for any kind of free shipping. But when I heard the ridiculously absurd claim that Zappo's offers free OVER NIGHT shipping, I had to check it out for myself. After witnessing this amazing feat demonstrated by prompt delivery of strappy sandals to two of my co-workers, I still felt that a personal test run was in order.

Hm. These Finch sandals by Kate Spade are the perfect test pair.

Blaec Collection Sale Rack

Blaec is one of my favorite online shops. This modernly sparse site carries many of my favorite designers but often showcasing the designs I rarely see on other similar sites. They have a great "Sale Rack" section in which I have found many a discounted treasure. I have highlighted some of my most recent temptations below.

Phillip Lim Henley Dress

Original $365--NOW $275

The pockets add a great slouchy touch to this fitted sweater dress.

Mike & Chris Grunge Hoody

Original $140--NOW $102

I love the length of this taupe hoody. Great with jeans or leggings.

Fallon "Ram Ring" Necklace

Original $275--NOW $190

I am a sucker for long gold necklaces.

Denim of Virtue "3014 Patience" Jeans

Original $170--NOW $125

These jeans fit so well and I love the stitching on the front pockets.

Another Week in Fashion Land

The truth behind a kidnap plot and one of the fashion world’s Icons—Style It

An apology is granted to SMG over those pesky preggers rumors—Go Fug Yourself

Heroes stars spark a revelation in Yellow—Fashion Buzz

Love It or Hate It: Celeb style at US Hot in Hollywood Party—I’m Not Obsessed

Yet another lawsuit involving fashion copyright infringement—Shoewawa

America's Next Top Loser Prediction

Predictions for tomorrow's ANTM episode??

We have reached the point in the season where I feel as all of the predictable girls have been eliminated and now it is really a toss up. All the girls left have proven to take very pretty pictures.

But to be honest I think that Renee is going to go. She is pretty but aside from the snarky attitude she doesn't bring an edge to the competition.

All in all, I was happy the minute they got rid of Jael!

***Update: Tomorrow's show is a Clip Show...so I suppose we will have to wait until next week to see if my psychic powers were right.