Channeling Carrie Bradshaw: J Crew Ruffled Skirt

I've been stalking items on ebay lately in hopes of finding some good deals. My fave so far - the J Crew tiered ruffle skirt in barely gray. So...so chic! I took a risk getting a size too small, but found a nice review over at Goldenmeans saying the skirt ran big. At one size smaller than what I normally take, I took her advice and she was sooo right! The skirt fits perfectly!


Since there was already a lot going on with the skirt, I decided to pair the skirt with a simple cardigan.


My new gold, J Crew skinny belt helped cinch in the waist to add definition


Pearls keep it classy and the tank underneath helps with layering and adds a wee touch of lace


Love the ruffles!


This is my new fave skirt. I felt a little risque wearing this number to the office and though I think the look may not be the easiest to pull off, it is certainly fun to try!

My co-worker gave me the sweetest compliment when she said my outfit looked like something Carrie Bradshaw would wear and that it was very Sex and the City. Suh-weet!

Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: J Crew
Tank top: Abercrombie + Fitch
Cardigan: Gap
Belt: J Crew

NOTE: I got my skirt from ebay seller WestieGirl4me - she has 2 more ruffle skirts left if you want one, too! WestieGirl4me was an awesome ebay seller for me - she had great communication and was very helpful. Many of her items ship for free, too, which is a nice bonus.

Dressing up my Express Denim

The ability to take a simple pair of jeans and dress them up with accessories makes it so fun to be a girl! Recently, I headed to the Express store, gift card in hand, in search of a pair of jeans. I tried on almost one of each style (ok, I tried on about 5 types) but I of course gravitated to the most expensive pair in the store. Call it a talent, I guess?



Josh and Brittany at the Express in NC were most-helpful and friendly. Josh was the first to help me in my quest for jeans and was knowledgeable of the Express denim line.



After lots of trying on, I decided to get a pair of the Rerock jeans (apparently made by the same people who do designer jeans...maybe Rock and Republic?). I loved the way they fit and the designs on the back pockets.

I've had the chance to play around with some different looks for my new jeans. Here are some looks:

Daytime Casual-Chic

I wore this look to do some daytime shopping this weekend. I wanted to look cute but casual, so I put on a simple white top that was just a tad loose (to balance the fit jeans) and wore my hair down and curly.


This light brown belt just peeked out from under my top.


These chandelier earrings completed the look.

Top: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: Banana Republic
Leather Wedges: Banana Republic
Earrings: ?

Slightly Dressier Daytime Look

Here's another casual chic look that I think you could take to a casual nighttime event (depending on where you live, of course). The colors are definitely what I'd consider more nighttime, but in the South, the line gets a bit blurry for what's appropriate when.


My accessories - I love the ruffles of this purse!


Close up of my bracelet. With this and the adorable tote, I kept the rest of the accessories simple with no necklace and simple pearl stud earrings.

Tank top: American Eagle
Scarf: ?
Bracelet: J Crew
Ruffle Purse: Ziordia

Casual Nighttime Look

I found this cute black top with purple features at the Express store while I was shopping for denim. It was a bit of an impulse buy, but it's so comfy and chic enough to dress up. Here's the look with a layer of a black sweater.


Sans cover. I dressed up this look with some drop earrings, a leather purse, a silver-leather bracelet and my D&G strappy heels.


Love the back pocket embellishment.

Sterling silver onyx earrings to dress up the look.


A better look at the top.

Top: Express

Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana

Bracelet: Wilson Leather

Earrings: I made them!

Purse: Kenneth Cole

Sweater: Banana Republic

Reader question: What's your favorite way to dress up denim?

Looking Chic in a Slow Economy

I don't know if you've been watching the news, but as my job is slightly related to banking, I have been all tuned in over the last few weeks. Seeing the markets taking a turn for the worse is a scary thing...especially when it gets you thinking about the security of your own job. I don't know if we're in a recession or not (different people will say different things), but I do know that the economy is slowing down and money is tightening up. I'm working harder than ever to pay off my credit card, and I'm taking serious cuts in my spending habits. I highly encourage you guys to do the same. Pay off your debts and start saving. There may be hard times ahead! It's better to be safe than sorry. I'm no financial planner or anything, but I've been thinking a lot about my spending habits and my lack of savings, and I just don't want you guys making the same mistakes (i.e. spending all your money on clothes) that I have. :)

Looking Chic in a Slow Economy
To work with my even tighter budget, I've decided to pick a couple items a season to make my "it" items. Instead of buying gobs and gobs of clothes, I'm going to try my best to buy one or two "it" items a season and use my existing clothes to finish out the look. Now, "What exactly is an "it" item?" you may ask. I think an "it" item is a different type of thing to every person. "It" is something you really want right now, something that is trendy right now, something that you've been wanting for a long time. To me, an "it" item is something kinda trendy or "of the moment" that will compliment my wardrobe or replace something that needs to be replaced. "It" is something that I intend to wear quite often for a given season (or longer) that will enhance my wardrobe but fit well with what I already have. I don't want to get an "it" item that will require new shoes or a new top b/c that will kinda null the point of trying to only get a couple items to begin with.

I recently purchased such an "it" item:

J Crew - Distressed vintage slim jean in worn indigo wash - $135

I got these jeans almost two weeks ago, with my October budget money, and I've already been able to wear them several times. I've been super-pleased with my purchase. They are very versatile, comfortable, and chic. :)

But, back to the money-talk...my dear fellow shopaholic-friends, please do think about your finances. I obviously don't know your financial situation, but if you're a shopaholic like me, it will be hard to slow down your spending habits. To me, slowing down on shopping can be like going on a new diet. Whenever I've tried to stop eating bad food cold-turkey, it's never worked. Whenever I've tried to stop shopping cold-turkey, it's never worked. I've been weaning myself down from shopping over the last few months and I think I've been doing pretty good! I've been returning to my old habits of shopping the sale racks and looking for good deals, and I've found some great steals! I paid off one credit card and now have one more, plus the iMac to go. The only other thing I'd like to do now is set aside some money for a rainy day. :)

Take care of yourselves. Happy shopping, happy saving!

Anthropologie Shows You How to Style Skirts

You guys know I'm a sucker for a good outfit. That's why I buy the fashion mags and read the fashion blogs - to get new ideas for great outfits. Anywho, I also appreciate a good styling tip, and Anthropologie.com is helping you style this season's most stylish skirts:

Click here to see some of Anthropologie's styling tips for their Spring/Summer 2008 skirts

NOTE: Image/items anthropologie.com