Love. Want. Need. ~Olivia Boot~

I have wanted these shoes since the moment I laid eyes on them.

When I talk about "style," I try very hard to convey what this theory means to me, because I have a very specific and solid idea of what it means to have personal style as opposed to having limitless money, a knowledge of trends, or wearing individual things you see and like. While I define and sculpt my concept of true style, I am also working to conclusively choose my own. I have been through many style phases in my life, and while that was fun as a teenager, I am now in my twenties and I need to get a solid idea of who I am in fashion. I need to stop buying disposable fashion. I need to stop ending up with a schizophrenic closet full of clothes I can't bear to part with, but which don't fulfill my flavor-of-the-season style needs. My best friend mentioned that I am able to pull off many 'looks' and that this is a benefit for me, stylistically. However, while I have enough dare, fashion knowledge, and awareness of my body shape for this to be true, it does not a personal style make.

However, when I saw these boots, I knew that they WERE my core style, matching my regal, romantic, gothic nature with my classic, chic, city-girl aplomb.

First, I loved them at $123.99 and thanked the heavens for my wise decision to sign up for a Macy's Card. (Trust me people, this one isn't a gimmick; I shy from credit cards because debt frightens me, but Macy's offers enough benefits and discounts to cardholders to really save me money as long as I use it wisely. Plus it is easy to pay off in-store or through their website, so I have never regreted owning this.) Now they're $92.99 - I will probably receive 10% off with my card - AND I can take advantage of their President's Day Sale and receive free shipping through Feb. 19th (code: PDAYFREE)! This is totally a nail-biter and I don't know - should I, or shouldn't I? My mother weighed in and said she likes them but she's afraid that I'll break my ankle (very reminiscent of A Christmas Story's "you'll shoot your eye out!!!") and I replied, "On this one, mother, I am more worried about breaking the bank."

Help a sister out, let me know what you think!

I Am My Own Valentine

You know what I wanted this Valentine's Day? The same thing I want most of the time: new shoes.

There are two kinds of new shoes that I was looking for last week:

1) Comfortable 'errand' shoes. These needed to be something in which to run around Boston and buy groceries or shop, and to sometimes wear when I'm lazy and it's cold (shockingly, this is a frequent occurence), rather than my well-worn lace-up boots. Wearing 4" heels on a casual shoe can really do a number on your arches.

2) Comfortable work shoes. These need to be not flats but not high heels, sensible but not boring. They need to transcend to going out after work, without being too playful for the office. This has been insanely tricky. I think something sexier than a loafer, with a compromising 2" heel would be nice. I am willing to dole out a lot of dough on these of they're, say, croc or snakeskin or something timeless.

The first pair, I was fortunate to find in time for Valentine's Day, so I unhesitatingly ordered a pair for myself. (The second I have not discovered yet, despite endless perusing of web sites and several visits to multiple Boston shops.)


Keds' "Shi Shi" Flats -- these will look great under jeans, but I think I can dress them up (a little) as well. Don't believe me? Ask Mischa (in gold):


And they'll definitely be effortless to kick on or off to run around the downtown area. I found these at Nordstrom's first for $44.95 but a little web persistence led me to the same pair (in red) at Piper Lime, for $30 with the discounts I received for using my Old Nacy credit card (PL is a new shoe division of the same company that owns GAP, Old Navy, and Banana Republic). I also got Free Shipping! Color me excited; no, color me in love!

Mooshoes

Vegan, Cruelty-Free Shoes at Mooshoes

Finally, associate NYC with being cruelty-free. That is, if you're talking about shoes - Mooshoes, to be exact. Mooshoes is a new shoe store in NYC with an online store. They have some super-cute shoes available, and while the synethetic, organic deal usually runs a ltitle pricey, these can definitely be considered affordable - and, of course, they're guilt free. I'm loving the fun name, playing on words to remind you that cows need not be harmed to look fantastic and own great shoes. Featured shoe: Bridget Beige, also available in Black and Brown. Look good, feel good, and experience "fashion with compassion."

*cross-published at Judy's Book

Winning $2500 Will Buy Many Shoes

Would you like to win $2500 towards shopping at Neiman Marcus? I sure would! That would buy so many pairs of delicious shoes! (Well... at Neiman Marcus, I suppose $2500 would buy significantly less pairs of shoes than at many other stores... but I'm sure they'll be gorgeous!) Just go to the site, sign up for Neiman Marcus emails with accurate information and you'll be automatically entered. Even better? If you sign up five of your friends and THEY subscribe, you get entered five more times into the drawing! Deadline is March 30, winners will be notified April 15th. Best of luck, and let me know if you win and what you buy with your winnings!

*cross-published at Judy's Book

Love.Want.Need. ~Catastrophe Tunic~

Siiigh. How I long for this shirt with every fiber of my being... it looks so comfy, so soft, so deliciously individual (despite the fact that I found it through Style Dash). Designed by artist Paul Coors, this unique article features scores of fiesty natural disasters destroying the world on both front and back of the shirt, which is a feature I love-- and would I dare wear it backward AND forward if under a blazer?

However, this poor Bard is, well, poor right now, struggling to make her way through bills and both a recent move (back to Boston) AND a job change... and can only gaze with longing upon the articles she hopes to buy when her new job(s) feel more secure. But she will continue to share these loves, wants, and needs with you, in hopes that some of her loyal readers may derive the exquisite shopping joy that the Bard cannot.

$36 at Art in the Age, 40-ish with shipping.

Roses for Valentine's

Roses for Valentine's Day may sound like a tired cliche, but the flip side of many such stereotypes is the aspect of tradition. Roses are a timeless trinket of devotion, symbolizing love and passion. Despite the lectures we receive every year about being gift-creative, everyone enjoys receiving flowers. It's a classic gesture, and they're always bestsellers on February 14th.

Along with the Gift Guide I mentioned in a previous post, Judy's Book is also offering a Rose Guide. This chart organizes floral shops online for your convenience - you can sort by price, store, or location - there are 26 cities currently included so that you can find the florist near you. If you aren't by one of these locations, there are also national listings. Find the best deals on those roses you're going to buy to go with the 'creative gift' you can find in the V-Day Gift Guide. (Naturally, I recommend shoes!)

Judy's Book offers these tips:

1. Order one week in advance. Florists do not publish strict ordering deadlines for Valentine's Day.

2. Don't order too early. Many florists run promotions during the first week of February.

3. Roses become scarce. And more expensive. You may find better bargains purchasing flowers other than roses.


Hope this helps!

If It Doesn't Look Good on Her...

And yet another installment in the tragic lesson entitled:

If It Doesn't Look Good on a Model, It Won't Look Good on You.

This week I'll go so far as to add, if it doesn't look good on a Victoria's Secret model, it will look like unflattering swaddle on any of us. To wit:

Victoria's Secret Off-the-Shoulder Dress. It says: Woe is me, for matching a shirt to a skirt is so tediously hard! I shall only bear garments that are one piece of fabric, even if that fabric is jersey, and makes me, in my waifish size zero glory, look like my thighs and hips can destroy a small town. It also says: I wish VS paid me in merchandise, for then I could wear a flattering bra and try to save the shape this fugly dress forces upon my figure. Woe!

Victoria's Secret Cable Sweater Dress. I can just hear Tyra now. "You're a beautiful girl, and all of the judges believe you have what it takes. You came in here with bone structure and confidence. But all of the smoldering looks in the world won't make you a Top Model if you don't learn how to angle your face. You need to elongate the neck. Make up for your lack of jaw. Practice in the mirror until your short face looks fierce. And girl, even when designers put you in a god-awful dress that makes it look like a cable-knit snake is devouring your entire body and adding ten pounds, you need to stop scowling and work it!"

Victoria's Secret Back-Pleat Skirt. Um, my boyfriend is like, studying art in college? And like, he's taking this origami class? He totally made my favorite cotton skirt look like a napkin... one that's already been unfolded from a swan and sitting in someone's lap all night. But it's cool, you know, because I totally look like a beautiful swan myself now, right? Or some other exotic tailfeathered bird. Right? Oh well, as a last resort I can use it for tennis.

Victoria's Secret Ruched Pencil Skirt. Girl to perspective employer: Thank you for seeing me about this job. I know the sleek-and-tailored look is in right now, and makes me look like a professional who's got her act together. And I know a pencil skirt will totally flatter my tiny waist, girlish hips and flat stomach. But tell me the truth. Can you tell I've been sitting on a Greyhound bus for 14 hours overnight just to make it to this illustrious interview? Because that's how much I want it. I mean I didn't care enough to bring an iron or change clothes, but I really, really think I'd be an excellent employee at your company.
Perspective employer to girl: I can tell, but don't worry. You aren't the first girl this has happened to.

Victoria's Secret Bubble Skirt in Plush Corduroy. So, like, I know bubble skirts are totally in right now and everything. I mean, I see them everywhere in mainstream stores, not just on the extra-extra reduction rack at BCBG, or on kooky TV personalities like that chick nobody liked on Project Runway. That means that if I wear it I am totally in style, no matter what context is, right? Because, um, some girls in snowsuits were totally laughing a few minutes ago, and I kind of thought they were laughing at me. But how could they! This is corduroy! That makes it a perfect skirt for the snowy Colorado slopes! Well, anyway, they were probably laughing because they wished they had my hot, sexy legs. Which are actually kind of.. cold.. and blue right now. Oh well! Off to the Bunny Trail I go. Wish me luck!

And last but most exemplary of the rule:

Victoria's Secret Sequin Boots. Not a bad close up, if you're into preparing veryvery early for Halloween. Some people are just planners by nature. But... This says: Fifty dollars? Sir? Fifty... no? Okay, okay, twenty dollars. Twenty bucks, come on! Ten?! That's insulting! Make it twelve. Yes, sir, we have ourselves an arrangement. And oh, before we get back to the motel I should ask... would it bother you if I were actually a man, in drag? NOTHING. I said nothing! I said... pass me your cigarette, man, I'd love a drag...