Proud New Owner/ Friday Favorites

I know I wrote earlier in the week about my love of shopping, so I wanted to continue the theme of...loving to shop. These are my current Friday Favorites based on clothing I have recently indulged in.

1. Tri-Blend Fleece Hoodie

Did I mention it is men's? It is kind of my thing currently. I stole the idea from one of my co-workers. But this hoodie is the TRUTH. Especially in this Tiger's Blood color. Ok, the color is actually called Red Rose, but Tiger's Blood is 50 times cooler, no? Besides being super vibrant this wonderful sweater is fleece lined so you stay warm and snuggly all the time. I can't stop wearing it with my nude wedges and dark blue super skinny jeans.
http://gap.us/z0nKxE

2. Hollister Super Skinny

I actually own two pairs, but these dark ones are the BEES KNEES! I honestly wear them the majority of the days of the week and weekend. I asked the worker what the difference between these and the skinny's were, she said the super skinny's were...super skinny. What she failed to mention was that the composition is different. The supper skinnies are MUCH closer to a jegging than a denim jean which, in turn, means the jean molds to your body and really moves with you which, in turn, makes them super comfortable to wear. I am a huge fan of Hollister jeans in general, but these super skinnies are a real life love connection.
http://bit.ly/yIPWWf

3. Stag Necklace

I bought this from Forever21, it only has one eye and I think that adds character. Honestly, it's like wearing a hunting trophy on your neck. Every chance I get, I try to bust this thing out. I will probably forever lover Forever21 because of their novelty jewelry. This being a MAJOR case in point. My cupcake earrings being another!

Bien Viernes!

I Want, I Want, I Want! (Gap Edition)

It is that time again where I like to bust out the clothing items that I can't wait to try on. Honestly, Spring is not looking like a big season for me, at least Gap-wise. And since I don't like shopping clothes anywhere else, it probably won't be a big clothing season for me for a little while. Maybe long enough to squeeze in a tattoo? Cross those fingers! Anyway, now that I have digressed, here are a few things that I have picked out that are to my liking for Spring 2012.

1. V-neck Pocket Tee (Gap)
  
Yellow Shooting Star. The color I should get. White. The color I will most likely get. Nasty green Kale. The color I will consider because I find it so repulsive. I like this shirt a lot, all the more so because of that non-functional pocket. Also, these shirts are 100% cotton!! Double upside!!! But the Gap is also purportedly coming out with an even slouchier shirt that REALLY appeals to my dirty Ke$ha sense of style.  (The Gap has really interesting color names for their clothing, as evidenced above. We, as workers, always get a kick out of it.)
http://gap.us/y96zV7

2. Easy Pocket T
 
Let us talk about how SLOUCHY these tees are! They are so baggy and flowy and casual and have "F*** it, I'm a model-on-her-day-off-beautiful" written ALL over them. These shirts are the epitome of why I am going on a 3 year white t-shirt fetish. Now, let us discuss these names. Blue Opal, I can't tell this one apart from Milk, but I assume it is a variation of very pale blue. I'll let you know when I see it in person. Milk. The classic white, which, let's be real, EVERY closet needs.
Now, rain parade. These shirts...100% Rayon. :( I don't know if you've ever had a chat with Rayon, but if you haven't, next time ask it "Hey Rayon, what is your favorite thing to do?" I kid you not, Rayon will reply "Shrink." Cross my heart! I have 3 rayon shirts from last summer, they are now ALL "shrunken rayon". I cannot, for the life of me, remember to not throw a rayon shirt in the dryer. Because it's a T-SHRIT! 3/4 of the point of buying t-shirts is because they are such a low maintenance item. Rayon is NOT low maintenance! *sigh*
http://gap.us/Ad9Al3

3.Topstitched Oversized Pocket Tee

Last...fall? Gap had a Chambray shirt that I LOVED! Loved, loved, loved. Yet, I was on the fence about it because the XS was a little too snug, but the S was a little to loose. I should have sucked it up and got the S. It is an item that I just CANNOT get off my mind. This is why I have HIGH hopes that this new, similar Chambray shirt will make me a wee bit happier...and help me move past the old one. :)
http://gap.us/Au8zDf

4. The Perfect Oxford

I think this shirt is TO DIE FOR in white. It is going to be a staple ALL Spring and ALL Summer, for MULTIPLE seasons. On top of that, it is SUPER versatile! You can dress it up for work or dress it down on weekends. It goes well with pants, it goes great with skirts. I can't get enough of it.
http://gap.us/ABiwRb

These next few items I hesitate to say I want, but I am very interested in how they fit/look in person.
5. Broken-in Straight Khaki
 
Blue Sky. Blue Galaxy. Verveine. These three colors...unique, unique pant colors. I'm not a khaki person, but these give me baseline hope because they're straight fit. Very intriguing all around.
http://gap.us/wP5MGm

6. Slub-knit Drop Shoulder Sweater

This sweater. In my head, I really want it in brown mystique mauve because it screams casual and versatility and Saturday-easy-comfort. But in reality I KNOW I can't wear neutrals unless I want to look like the living dead and based on similar sweaters of the past, I would be willing to bet this is going to be huge and oversized. And probably boxy to-boot.
http://gap.us/zbJeXK

Needless to say, I cannot wait to try all of this on. And purchase half of it! :) Salud!

Love. Gap. Want.

I don't know if I ever told you this, or if you figured it out, but I essentially shop at two stores: Gap and Urban Outfitters. I also work at the Gap. I generally control my spending, but nevertheless, I am ALWAYS on top of new items. Thereby, here are my wants and loves from the Spring line!!! Salud!

1.Sooo...if I buy this in Tall. Like a Small Tall, it becomes a Tunic, right? Because that is how it works in my head and that is what I am trying to make happen. Plus, it has BATWINGS! YAY!! Downside: it's rayon. Rayon, without fail, will shrink no matter WHAT. :/ Also, unrelated, this model. I love her. I also love her hair. If I wasn't trying to grow my hair out, I'd have it cut to be an exact replica of hers.


2. SO! MUCH! POTENTIAL! What couldn't you do with this sweater and some leggings!? All Spring, All Fall!


3. I am on the fence about this dress. For starters, why does it not come in XS and S? It is quite slouchy as is and I cannot think that that is going to get better since it does not come in anything smaller than a medium. But it seems like it has such great potential. :/


4. I need new black flats. But I LOVE these in nude! LOVE. If they fit, I seriously might have to buy both pairs.
 

5.
I don't think I actually want this purse. I think it is very interesting, but one of those items you would have to see in person. There are no pockets, no wrist strap and it's 100% PU. I don't know what PU is exactly... polyurethane? Do I really want a polyurethane purse? Upside, it looks GIANT. I do like that. Hopefully we get it in store.

New Running Leggings

Let us start this post off with a picture.

Look how cute my running outfit is! Note the water, hydration is a must! Now, note the leggings. I just purchased them from the Gap. They're the gFast running leggings in a size medium. Clearly, as the picture attests (haha), they look great on. Function wise...not quite it. Before I begin this tale of woe, because that is what this is, let me preface by saying that I totally laughed at one of the girls in my colorguard group the other week because she was wearing leggings and the crotch part kept falling to her knees. *Karma* 

Today I broke in my new leggings. I was running along, getting into my groove when my new leggings slowly, but surely began to shimmy down my legs. First I had to make sure this wasn't just in my mind...then I had to stop and pull them back up. Now, because I'm ridiculous, my leggings were tucked inside my socks so I thought, "Hm, maybe if I UNtuck my leggings they won't keep falling down." False. I had to stop and adjust my leggings 3 more times. It was really quite annoying...and a wee bit awkward. Nevertheless, I have not given up on the leggings. Maybe post wash they'll get their business together and work out better. Or! Maybe I need to wear shorts with them. I'll try both and see where it gets me.

Upside, I was able to knock out the 2.5 miles in 25 minutes. If I can up this to 3 miles in 30 minutes next week and then 3.5 miles in 35 minutes the following week I should be GOLDEN for the 5k I'm running on December 10th (not 5th). Fingers crossed training goes smoothly even with the inclusion of Thanksgiving. Salud!

Ps~ I made a pact with myself that I would NOT be gaining winter weight this year, I think it's working out in my favor!

Shoes!

Did I ever tell you I love it when a heavily trademarked brand makes an item or line that doesn't necessarily fall into what they're known for producing? I'll give you two examples: Crocs and Sperry Top-Siders.

1. Crocs. Everyone and their mother should be aware of what Crocs are. Those atrocious, holey, rubber shoes that people buy "to garden in", but end up wearing EVERYWHERE because they're "so comfortable". I hate Crocs because they are ugh! gag! vomit! UGLY. I refuse to let anyone in my family purchase a pair and seriously question friendships when I find out someone I know owns a pair. It's that serious. That being said, Crocs came out with a sneaker that I think is aDORable! Check it:

The only reason this works for me is because it looks like nothing Crocs has ever put out EVER. I love it. The website says they're a retro style sneaker and I'd have to agree. I'm not even a sneakers fan, but these definitely look like something that should be added to my wardrobe. Can you imagine this with some rolled up skinny jeans? Perhaps the dark purple (Gap calls it "terra brown". Brown my foot!) Always Skinny ones from the Gap??? Yup, I just planned an outfit in my head around items I don't own...yet!

2. Sperry Top-Sider. I feel the COMPLETE opposite about Sperry as I do about Crocs. Sperry can do no wrong in my eyes. Love love love just about everything they put out. Everyone again, and their mother, should know what the classic top-sider looks like. And there are always fabric and texture variations that go along with the classic. However, I love it when Sperry walks into the boot category.

If you need a rain boot, this is where I'm sending you! It comes in 5 different colors/color combinations, including a Brown Suade that is SUPER bossy! I find Sperry making rain boots makes sense, because, in my head, they're all about water. But I am a super picky rain boot wearer and these rain boots are hitting my standards. I think they are a thoughtful and fun option to the super basic contraptions found at Target or the less basic, but still not up my ally, boots from Hunter. In short I think they're great and if I didn't already have a winter shoe, I would definitely pick up a pair. Salud!

Links!:
Crocs: http://bit.ly/osAu9l
Gap: http://gap.us/qjY2SR
Sperry: http://bit.ly/njmo3x

Fall Fashion

So, I'm here to declaim that I am very into everyday fashion. I'm not a runway lover or a thrift store peruser.  I like clothes that flatter my frame and personality. Why would I wear something that I'm not going to get complimented in? Nonsense! I will say, that this philosophy changes in Winter when I like to pretend I'm from the Ozarks and dress accordingly. That being said, I thought I'd share some of my fall fashion desires!!! (Thus far)

1. (This isn't actually on my list, but!)

I think this faux ostrich skin hobo has a lot of potential because it's a neutral taupe color. I think neutrals and browns are a HUGE part of fall collections, always, but finding interesting tones and usages of the colors, like the texture here, is not always the simplest of undertakings. On the downside I wouldn't buy this bag because there is no picture detailing what it looks like inside (don't you hate that!?). Also because some/many faux fabrics feel cheap. I know I'm balling on a budget, but anyone who sees/touches my purse doesn't need to know that!
Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the bag, I pulled it from Avon.  http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?ode=&level1_id=300&level2_id=584&pdept_id=662&pf_id=42839&level=3

2. This sweater is what I really went to Avon for. I'm, sadly, on the email list for when it is finally available for purchase. :(

This picture is what sold me on the item. In my head this lady is a SPOT ON paradigm of what my style is! It's cool, it's casual, it's simple, it's tied together, it's ME! In addition, I am also particularly fond of this cocoon sweater because of its shape. There are a lot of cocoon sweaters out there that seem to not complete the cocoon shape. Instead they end like any other sweater instead of curving around the bum. I want that curve...I just want this sweater. I'll take a picture when I finally receive it in the mail.
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?src_page=product_list.aspx&level1_id=300&level2_id=584&pdept_id=372&dept_id=649&pf_id=42596

3. Speaking of sweaters, I discovered this new sweater company located in England. I decided I wanted a fisherman's sweater and I found that and a WHOLE lot more! The website address is Woolovers.us; that should tell you something right there... OZARKS!!!

This is the Classic Aran sweater, crew neck. I really want it in this oatmeal color, but there are two problems. I hate sweaters that rub against my neck (read: anything crew neck) and I look HORRIBLE in anything oatmeal. It's that one color I ALWAYS want to wear, but never can. Thus I think I would need to be reasonable and purchase:

THE ARAN ZIP SWEATER! Lol. I'm not as fond of it, but I think it is going to be crazy warm and un-fashionable and I thereby DIG IT!
They also have really cute cashmere sweaters for women in v-necks that I like a lot, but not more than these manly, heavy duty sweaters. I think these sweaters are unisex, to be honest, but I pulled them from the men's pages.
http://www.woolovers.us/british-wool/unisex/oatmeal-nep/wool-aran-jumper.aspx
http://www.woolovers.us/british-wool/mens-womens/kiltimagh/aran-cable-zip-neck.aspx
Fyi, I just reviewed their women's sweater section and on the one hand, the women's sweaters are SUPER cute. I generally steer away from men's sweaters/clothing because men are built differently than women and so the overall fit becomes a bit boxy. I'm not actually into boxy, but I much prefer the length of the unisex and men's sweaters to that of their female counterparts. I don't like sweaters that end at the top of my pants. I find they 1. let cold air into my mid section and 2 make me look fat.

4. Snake skin, my friends, is ALWAYS in style!

So, the print is super subtle, which makes the fact that it is covering this legging jean super acceptable. I've yet to buy a pair of legging jeans from the Gap because I have issues with the sizing, mainly that the tall generally comes in styles I don't want. But these, my friends, these are the bees knees. I think I'll definitely own them by November. Ps~ the model is topless, Idk if you knew, because there's this serious movement raising the waist of jeans/pants. It started with the comeback of the high-waist and has trickled down to popularizing the mid-waist, which this pair of legging jeans happens to be. Good-bye pants slipping down!
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=56799&vid=2&pid=869209

So, my dears, those are my fall idols. Very basic items, but I'm EXCITED!!!