{chic finds} 15 things from Forever 21

I forgot about this new baby phase where everything I wear is immediately covered in spit up. So this fall, I'm looking at Forever 21 for pieces I can wear without worrying which end of baby will stain it.

1. Peplum is a big trend this season and generally flattering on most body types. This purple one will give a pop of color and a bit of polish when worn with jeans.
2. Yes, another striped top. This one is grey and tan, completely different from the black & white, navy & white, gray & white, navy & black, blue & gray ones I currently own.
3. This cross sweater comes in reverse colors in the store (cream with black cross), which reminds me of this sweater I liked on Pinterest.
4. Denim shirts are a go-to and perfect for colored denim or printed pants.
5. Started getting into polka dots recently (seen here) and this one looks easy to wear.
6. Hunter green is the color of the season. I like the pyramid stud on the shoulders of this easy blouse.
7. Colored denim is still in and burgundy is an update from your summer colors.
8. People always ask if my $10 skinny jeans are J Brand. Nope. These (shown) are $24 but a higher rise than the $10.80 jeans.
9. Saw similar pants at Barney's for much more. They look like comfy pajama pants that I am happy to wear after a sleepless night.
10. Speaking of sleepless nights, a big floppy hat and...
11. ...cat eye sunglasses will be the answer to a skipping hair and make-up.
12. Over the arm party, so this woven knot bracelet will just be a party of one.
13. A cap toe nude ballet flat. Chanel, Tory Burch, Forever 21...pick your price point.
14. A large shopper tote to be used as a diaper bag.
15. I've loved the fabulous fox since I saw a vintage fox ski poster years ago. These fingerless-gloves are a fun accessory on cool days.

More Forever 21...

{chic find} maternity wear

It was in the 90's this past weekend, with a heat index of 100. It's been humid and sticky - and it's only the beginning of May. The thought of the five more months of this, with an ever-increasing belly and an ever-decreasing patience level (dwindling as the mercury rises), makes me want to spend the rest of our existence (just in case the Mayans are right), on the Pacific Northwest, or maybe Canada. I guess if I'm day dreaming about where I'll spend the end of days, I should also consider all the places in Europe that I've never visited.

But I digress....

I was in the mall today, so I popped into Forever 21 to quickly pick up a belly band from their maternity line. [Side note: I find it ironic - or maybe just a sad state of our country - that a store called "Forever 21" offers a maternity line.] Maybe I wasn't the only one that felt this way, because they cut this line. But today was my lucky day. There were a few maternity pieces left on the sale rack that I almost passed over. I bought 4 belly panels and 3 pairs of maternity skinny jeans (which are basically just jean leggings with a softer, loose waist band), a tank top, a chiffon tunic and sheer dress all for...wait for it...under $85! The bands and jeans were only $5 and $6 each - less than my lunch!

Forget that Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue are currently running their "one-day" sales. (BTW - Neiman's and Saks have some of their Spring merchandise marked at 20-30% off for the next two days, then it goes back up to full price. They've also marked down some older Spring styles. My friend bought Current Elliot colored jeans for $50! <-- See how I think jeans at Neiman's on sale for $50 are a such good deal, but I refuse to pay $20 for a belly band at Gap?)

Where was I going with this post? Oh yes, some days, it's the little things - and the little things that are growing into large, round, waddling things - that can make one's day.

{Chic Finds} thin stacked bangles

You can buy these thin enameled bangles at J. Crew for $19.99 each (left), or this entire stacked set at Forever 21 for $10.80 (right). Don't like all the colors included? Just don't wear them!

Which do you like?

{chic finds} F21 slip dress

If you're on a budget and looking for one piece to add to your wardrobe this fall, this is the dress for you. Only $15.50 at Forever 21, it's available in this season's must have color - wine - as well as mustard, cobalt, black, and rust. Here are two looks incorporating fall trends for under $150 each.

dress 15.50 || blouse 13.50 || belt 21.99 || bag 35.94 || boot 52 

  sweater 98 || desert wedge boot 36.94 || cuff 4.90

Look 1:
This season is all about ladylike fashion so after seasons of telling people to not worry about matching shoes, belts or handbags, this season you get full permission to be matchy-matchy. A sheer blouse in a similar hue with a red belt and structured handbag gives this dress a lady chic, color-blocked feel.
To wear the blouse with the dress and belt, twist or pin the ends so it looks like it's tucked into the belt and makes the dress act like a skirt. You can also skip the belt and tie the ends of the blouse in a knot. Obviously, ditch the belt that comes with the dress for either of these.

Look 2:
For a more casual fall look, pair the dress with a textured fisherman's sweater and desert wedge boot. A longer sweater with a long skirt evokes a easy 70's boho style that begs to be worn every weekend.

Other ways to wear it:  With a black or creme blazer, a cobalt sweater, a knotted v-neck white tee, a long chunky cardigan, a loose crochet sweater...if I get ambitious, I may actually take outfit pictures featuring one (or more) of these suggestions. But don't get your hopes up.

{chic finds} tween shopping

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel ridiculous in the outfit you chose to wear, so you pop into the closest store to pick up a different top/accessory/outfit? 

And then do you feel even more ridiculous when the store you pop into happens to be the same place where your 14 yr old neighbor shops?  That was my day.  But the joke's on someone else, because I walked away with two great finds for only $15!

First, I switched out the boring white button-up with this sheer chiffon blouse:

Buy it here,

I wore it back to a navy pencil skirt and cropped navy blazer.  The hem of the blouse stuck out of the bottom of the blazer so I looked a little less buttoned up. Evidently, I was feeling inspired by American Airlines flight attendants when I was contemplating my outfit this morning and pulled out a white poplin with a navy suit.  I have no reason to wear a suit, except that sometimes I want to feel like a grown up.  And then all the wind is taken out of my sails when I pop into a tween store...but comes back when I use phrases like "all the wind is taken out of my sails."

The top was originally $39.50 but it was on sale for $10.  Wait....the story gets better.  When I walked into the store, the 16 yr old asked if she could help me find something ("like, your daughter?") and then she told me if I try on any pair of jeans, I get a $10 coupon to use today.  Just for trying them on?  Sounds like a deal!  I'm getting a free blouse today!

Well, the deal is that you have to spend $25 first, which means you have to actually look around the store like a customer, rather than just quickly picking up a fun little underpinning you saw in the window.

So then I found this dress:

Buy it here

I love the colors, even though the Hubs said it looks like bad nightclub carpet from the 90's.  I'm wearing it with casual flat sandals to our next date night - even if it means I blend in with the flooring and/or upholstery.  It is $44.50, but Delia's is running a promotion this week and dresses are only $15.

So there you have it - a little summer top to wear with white or dark jeans and a Saved-By-The-Bell-nightclub dress all for $15.

PS - I did try on the jeans and they were fine.  Not what I was shopping for, but I know where to find it next time.  Should there be a next time.
PSS - The cashier offered the woman in line before me (yes, she was a woman shopping without a child) a frequent shopper discount card.  Something to do with punches or something.  She didn't offer it to me.  Is it because she doesn't think I'm going to come back and try on jeans for an extra discount again???

A nod to patriotism?

 

Yesterdays outfit on today's person.  I've just realized that I'm pulling the whole "patriotic-American-look-on-foreigner" on this our nation's Independence Day.  When I bought the shirt, I was actually thinking it would be more of a Parisian look with the stripes and skinny pants.  (Ironic, oui?)  

Now, let me spell the irony out for you just so we're crystal clear:   Asian + wearing red, white, blue on Independence Day + thinking it looks Parisian = WTF.  

Side note: I also thought if I threw my white blazer over this outfit, it would look more nautical.  So now, I'm an Asian attempting a nautical look (read: fresh off the boat)???  I need to stop.

Now on to the fun stuff...we went to a couple museums, which seemed to be a popular idea as everyone was escaping the summer heat.  I was almost run over by three strollers (not including my own), knocked over by a large derriere, included in countless photos, and hugged by a child that didn't belong to me.  Despite the crowds, we had a really good time and enjoyed all of the activities for kids.  What have you been up to?

{chic finds} in the kids section

I took my own advice (because it's really that good) and picked up a couple items from my favorite children's stores.  The striped top is from Crew Cuts boys and with the additional 30% off sale prices, I paid only $6.99!  The watch is a silicone slap bracelet (remember those?) from Nordstrom girls.  At $16, you can buy several colors and layer them on like you did back in the day when you were looking at Zack Morris pictures in Teen Bop magazine. It's, like, totally.

We're off to begin our Fourth of July weekend festivities which will include eating, eating and more eating.  Cause the "honey badger's a hungry bastard."  (Watch the video.  Make sure you empty your bladder first.  It's that funny.)

Borrowed from the boys (and girls)

You've probably seen a lot of ideas and inspiration for stealing from your man's closet and making his pieces work for you.  But what happens if you're an extra-small-petite married to an extra-large-husky?  You steal from your kids.

Mine isn't old enough to share clothes yet (I can almost fit into his size 18-24 mo hoodies, but not quite) but that doesn't mean I can't justify a few early purchases at Crew Cuts.  Here are a few tops from the boys and bottoms from the girls that can easily pass as grown-up weekend style.

• An acid lemon tee with ikat shorts for early morning estate sale-ing
• A gingham poplin (roll up the sleeves!) with a lace skirt for brunch with friends
• A striped cotton sweater with striped drawstring shorts for a cool sunset picnic

Click on image to view product on retailer's site.

(Those are grown up sandals, though Crew Cuts shoes go up to sz 37 if you really wanted.)

And a few more pieces I loved from the kiddos:

More J.Crew...

{chic find} World Market

Last week at a girl friends' happy hour, my friend walked in wearing this fantastic tribal-print, strapless maxi dress.  (It started off with little tie straps, but one ripped off, so she snipped the others and it became a tube dress.)  I didn't take a picture, but trust me, it was très fab.  Cotton, lightweight, perfect for summer.

And the best part - under $30!  Where did she find this little bargain, you ask?  World Market.

That's right, Cost Plus World Market, that inexpensive home accessory, furniture, and international food store that offers great ethnic print blankets, rugs, and curtains, now has a little offering of clothing.  And for the same affordable price as the rest of their goods.

I knew they had a small sprinkling of accessories because the bracelets and earrings I wear all.the.time. were purchased there.  Every time I wear either set I'm asked where I found them.  Well, I'm sharing my secret with you, dear readers.  The bracelets are very similar to set from Cusp by Neiman Marcus, but obviously at a fraction of the price. (Under $10!)
 

Don't bother going to their website because that assortment does not do the store selection justice.  Find your local store and check out the goods.  (One store I visited had drawer pulls similar to the ones you'd find at Anthropologie, but only $3-6.)  I'm excited about this new discovery for pieces you won't find everyone wearing.  At least not yet.

P.S. I've had the bracelets and earrings almost a year and they have held up perfectly and are yet to turn my wrists or ears green.  More than I can say for some of my other trendy accessories!

P.S.S.  Interesting note I just learned today, it was named "Cost Plus World Market" because when the store first opened in 1958, hand-picked items from around the world were sold at "cost plus ten percent".  Wonder if they still are?