you know i love peacocks, right?

this is a true story:  i have been imagining a peacock dress for sometime now. in my mind whenever i became a movie star or we won the lottery i imagined i would have a peacock dress commissioned for myself. it would have a simple corset bodice and full skirt literally just covered in layers of peacock feathers. i look great in that fantasy by the way. regardless, last night, while trying to find peacock feathers to do my holiday decorating this year i came across my dress. if this were never never land i would believe that i actually dreamed it into being. actually, let's face it, i still basically think i did.

www.stylefrizz.com

Scotch blood

I am a weird shopper.

I'm always looking, but seldom buying. I pop in to H&M, Anthro, and J. Crew on my lunch breaks, and leave empty handed every time. The last thing I bought in a store was deeply discounted Ellen Tracy tights at the Bay Ridge Century 21 (and even then I put two pairs back, which I'm still regretting). I have unfulfilled shopping carts all over the Internet: Kohls, Zappos, Urban Outfitters, Old Navy. I've had the same classic London Fog trench coat in my Overstock.com shopping cart for MONTHS, and even with the 10% off coupon they just sent me I can't seem to bring myself to buy it. I have major guilt issues when it comes to buying things for myself.

The exception, it seems, is eBay. Over the last two months I have bought the following items, for a combined total of $38.76, not counting shipping. From this you can subtract the $25 or so PayPal credit I had from selling those Steve Madden cowboy boots after all.

Anthro floral shrug in fall colors

Charter Club striped cardigan (stripes = wear with everything)

J.Jill floral blouse, inspired by this outfit

Nine West polka dot blouse ($1.29!) inspired by the '70s polka dots that are everywhere this season

Anthro silk dress ($16.50!), inspired by the Victorian florals I'm constantly in love with

Limited skirt, which is a bit more mini than I was expecting, but that I'll pair next summer with my peach tank and nude Rodarte for Target lace cardigan, inspired by this outfit

So anyway, it could be much worse. But still, I've got to put myself on eBay hold. If nothing else, it's resulting in a closet that resembles a garden.

the bean

running through my holiday shopping list and looking for gifts for all sorts of people i refer back to l.l. bean which i admit i haven't glanced at in awhile. and now it is not only on my holiday list for others, i also have my eye on that polka dot dress because their signature line pieces continue to be timeless. i mean truly, that dress could be from the 40s but is equally applicable now. you know why? bc they are literally going back into their archives and remaking their classics with updated fits. hence they are not only an investment but could be heirlooms if you treat them right. 50 years from now my grandchild is going to have it made!

In addition, I know we have a few boys birds who stop by from time to time to check us out and the bean has some awesome duds for them as well: comfy, unpretentious, and nice to cuddle on...

Blackberry bramble

It took me a while to fall for Madewell, because I would get so annoyed walking into their store and being confronted with $60 tank tops, but I can't lie. This dress is really pretty.

You guys know that I post things here because I never buy anything, right? I'm not running out going all crazy with my credit card, don't worry.

(Back to Madewell: I can't, however, get behind the high heel clogs that certain people seem bent on pitching.)

simply lovely

so, the little purple jacket that i put in the last post has been haunting me and i decided to take a look at the rest of the simply vera vera wang line for this season. bc i do not have a kohls in the city i cannot see the collection in person and sometimes forget to check it out online. however, i am super glad that i remembered bc it is still chic and well done and now has me lusting after a few pieces (seen below) particularly the orange ruffle sleeve sweater bc i haven't seen anything like it anywhere else and that black wool wrap jacket bc it is just timeless.

toppers

fantastic little toppers that work through the holidays and into the new year for casual and formal events:

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls
www.kohls.com

Simply Vera Vera Wang
www.kohls.com

Navy Sequin Blazer
www.victoriassecret.com

it takes two

no, seriously, you only need two pieces to make you ready for this season. look at any great outfit as we move into winter and what does it have? an amazing fabric and a high-interest point. my two picks:

Velvet and Pearls: 

sundancecatalog.com

anthropologie.com

Lace and Metal Bobbins (and pearls, don't judge-they are an actual addiction):

freepeople.com

anthropologie.com

(and here's the close-up bc i can't think of too many other things i consider to be more beautiful
than pomegranate seeds...and they are a symbol of fertility! they are literally the woman's fruit!)

Gingham and glam

These two sale tops are currently occupying a wistful shopping cart at Madewell.com ... I'd wear them separately, of course, but also think they'd look so splendidly unexpected together.

take a (re)look

at alloy because the price point is incredible, the new patterns are not cheesy knock-offs of something else, they are just new patterns and there is more chiffon than ever.

Classic Classic Classic

Grecian goddess mets bib necklace meets  pretty

For every party you can think of

With skinny jeans and over the knee boots 

Beautiful sophisticated colors, sexy but not overexposed shape 

Too cute, though I'd mostly pair with flats

Change out the buttons for gold or tortoise shell and voila! great fall topper

With cropped pants and oxfords or tucked into a pencil skirt a la Joan from MM

Everyday utile but never boring

Lady lady ladylike

p.s. use code ALQ224M to get a 15% discount on everything and code ALQ on free shipping over $75.

p.p.s. want to try a boot trend? check out that section too. totally affordable for one season of wear.

Finally, a store that shows the clothes in motion

Anthropologie – October Outfits

Did you guys see this adorable video???? (that just arrived in my inbox five minutes ago). Okay, out of sheer stubbornness I reaalllly try not to drink the Anthropologie Kool-Aid but I want everything in it and, in fact, to be that girl actually. Oh wait, it's my city!! I totally could! Tomorrow. Bookstore. Flower shop. Cute hat. It's on.

Also, now I really want this dress:

Key print

I do not have a 23 inch waist.

But if you do, you should run not walk to buy this skirt.

mooncircus

so, as per my last post i have now been frantically searching on etsy for someone who can make me a beautiful wrap dress. however, in my searching i came across mooncircus and want you all to know her. she makes beautiful dresses and clothes for any occasion but i am particularly in love with this one, which i think would be great as bridesmaid dresses or just for you to wear to pretty much anything else you could think of where you want to "the lovely girl over there."

and, i can with much certainty guarantee that nobody else there will have your dress. perfect.

(all pictures are the property of moonchild and they are, by the way, beautifully done and increase the value of the shopping experience enormously, in my opinion.)

and quite frankly, the two-tone satin sheath knee length skirt is something i am officially pinching pennies for!