Lovely Finds: The Coveted & Mary Kate Steinmiller's style**

{via the Coveted}

Just clicked on this site, the Coveted, while getting my daily dose of because i'm addicted and I'm obsessed! I'm totally in love with the photography on this site, and the fact that we get to peek into the closets of the most fashionable people! I'm even more in love with featured Teen Vogue Fashion Market Editor Mary Kate Steinmiller's style. She says she wears mostly skirts made of rich fabrics paired with simple crew neck tops and sweaters, and tons of heels.  I love how the way she describes her personal style is so simple but the outcome is so rich and refined.  Makes me want to emulate this idea of just skirts, heels, vintage jewelry, and basic tops for a more classic and simple closet!

**Wow.  So after blogging about this, it seems as though there was a legal battle going on between Jennine Jacob and Coveted Media (of www.the-coveted.com) and Mark and Erin Kleinberg of this website, and so now they're called "The Coveteur."  See Fashionista for the story.

Lovely Weddings: Finding a bridesmaid's shoe

I'm extremely honored to have been chosen to be maid of honor at my sister's wedding next month, and am super excited that her big day is coming soon! But that just means my days left to find a pair of shoes to wear to her wedding are numbered!

I have to find a silver sandal that goes with a tea length strapless dress with a decently high stiletto heel, and preferably platform. I started searching websites and found a few "nice" pairs, but as always, got a little side-tracked ... and bumped into some drool-worthy heels that I just have to share with you all:

First, a pair of hot Brian Atwood's in nude...

{Brian Atwood Greta Patent Leather Sandals, $705}

And a more girly beige pair of Miu Miu's...

{ Miu Miu Patent Leather Sandals, $895}

They look kind of pink to me, but whatever the case, I'm in love! Didn't someone say nude is the new black or something? If so, I agree! I love the edginess of the studded Atwoods, and the glamour of the jeweled Miu Miu heel.

Almost back on track on my search for silver sandals, I saw these two Jimmy Choo's...

{Vamp Glitter-Covered Leather Sandals, $750}

{Shimmer Suede Ankle-Wrap Sandal, $865}

Anyone have any lower priced options for me?

Lovely Beauty: Birchbox

{www.birchbox.com}

I've been ordering makeup online at www.Sephora.com a lot lately, and I've been loving the samples I get with every order.  Every beauty product out there makes lofty claims and promises, but how many times have you purchased some well-reviewed name brand product only to find out it seems to work just as good as some generic product you already have at home, and for triple or quadruple the price?  So spending $50 on some moisturizer I've never tried is such a risky investment.  I've definitely discovered some great products through free samples, so Birchbox is sounding pretty appealing right now.  Every month, you pay $10 to receive a box of hand picked deluxe samples, along with instructions and tips on how to use the products.  They also apparently have informative articles and tutorials on their website on various products, which sounds like a great idea.  What good is a great beauty product when you're using it all wrong?

Seeing the products they have on their website currently is tempting me to join Birchbox...

Lovely Finds: Balenciaga 10th Anniversary Special Edition: Lizard Embossed

{image via Purseblog}

Since S had such a horrible experience with her Chanel purchase this week and decided she wanted a gray Balenciaga instead, I was excited when I saw this on Purse Blog today.  I think it would be a good (and also cheaper) alternative to the Chanel she was originally looking at.  What I love about it is that it is embossed lizard, and made of lambskin, which is much softer (and MUCH cheaper) than actual lizard skin.  

The bag is gorgeous!  You should get this, S!

Lovely Obsessions: Via Spiga Clogs

Meet the newest addition to my shoe collection!  I've been ogling over clogs all summer long and I finally found the perfect pair at Nordstrom Rack last weekend.  These embody everything I've been looking for in a clog... platform heel, butter soft leather, cute details, deep caramel color and the right price.  I picked these up for less than half the retail price (marked down to $89 from $198)!!

The other day I saw these See by Chloe Slingback wedges (as seen on Rachel Bilson... love her!) on Who What Wear and instantly fell in love.  At $270 the price is a bit steep for a trendy shoe... but at any weak moment i may cave-in and make them mine!

Lovely Outfits: my Tabitha Dress from Anthropologie

{Tabitha Dress from Anthropologie, Seychelles Sophia Flat}  

While looking up the clothing brand for this post, I came across this blog and found my new obsession, Tabitha dresses. I know the Tabitha dresses may not be "fashion forward" or edgy, but they're just perfect for me! Easy to wear (no need to rummage through my closet for something to go with my top since it's all one piece!), pretty flattering (cinching at the waist and long and loose at the hips and thigh area... and also loose at the top... haha!), and girly happy (vibrant colors and cute flowery prints)!

Obsessions: Layered Pearls & Beads

{photos by my BB, @ Nordstrom Fashion Island}

I've been officially sucked into the new trend of statement jewelry (I blame it on J.Crew's "rule of three" and my lovely new obsession, the J.Crew Carlyle necklace).  I saw this massive display of long pearl and bead necklaces at Nordstrom this weekend, and I'm obsessed!  The sheer length of these necklaces is awesome in itself, but when you layer them they create such an easy, messy, yet flawlessly put-together look.  

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Obsessions: Aritzia

click on the picture to see the site :)


Stumbled upon this boutique while vacationing in SF with the family. LOVE their collection of effortless basics and perfectly chic dresses.  If only they had a store in so. cali!

Obsessions: Madewell's new website

i just got an email from j.crew today that their new sister site www.madewell.com has just launched.

i was eager to visit the site as i knew it would resemble j.crew's captivating website... and i was right. madewell is basically the vintage-inspired-lived-in-relaxed sister of j.crew.

i already found a crapload of pieces i absolutely neeeeeed.

Lovely Finds: drybar

{dry bar}

I saw this on the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog today. What an awesome bridal shower/bachelorette party idea!  Is this gonna be the new mani/pedi?

Lovely Adventures: VEGAS

Usually I'm the person trying to convince everyone to go anywhere but Vegas since the 4-hour drive, smoky casinos and late drunken nights is not what I call an ideal weekend, but when D asked if I wanted to tag along on his friends' Vegas trip, I got excited. It's been a couple years since I last went and I've been wanting to make a trip out to the desert for my kind of guilty pleasure... outlet shopping!

The Las Vegas Premium Outlets have made some great additions in the past few years and I've been dying to check out the Ted Baker Outlet ever since H went a year or two ago. I set out hoping to find some great deals, and the outlets did not disappoint!

Here are the newest additions to my wardrobe:

Ted Baker Wrap Scarf Top - $55+20%off (Retail $115)

Ted Baker X-Over Back Dress - $125+10%off (Retail $295)

French Connection Ruffle Pleated Dress - $60+30%off (Retail $168)

7 for all mankind LS Scoop Neck T - $49+50%off (Retail $98)

And accessories:

Cole Haan Air Lyric Ballet - $150+60%off (Retail $150)

J.Crew Studded Gray Skinny Belt - $29.50+30%off (Retail $35)

Prescriptives Well-Suited Eye Color Compact in Neutral - $28 (Retail $40)

Lovely Finds: Shoes Galore!

{Gold wedges - Bally; Gold flats - Guess; Black strappy booties - Franco Sarto}

1 in 10 visits. That's the odds of me actually finding something when I visit Nordstrom Rack. Today, I took a PTO day from work and decided to go shopping! After a pretty unsuccessful time at Ala Moana, I meandered over to Nordstrom Rack. What a great idea that was!

First, I stumbled upon these super cute suede buckle booties by Franco Sarto....for $40! Despite their appearance, these are pretty versatile shoes and will be perfect to wear to work with a black pencil skirt or on the weekends with skinny jeans.

Then I found these light gold flats with a slight wedge heel from Guess...for $40! Ever since my favorite pair of gold flats got ruined in the rain while on vacation in NYC, I've been searching for a cute, comfortable replacement.  The small heel on these flats definitely make it a lot more padded and comfortable to wear.

And finally, the best shoe deal I have ever scored! I was walking in the "designer" section of the shoe area and saw these dark gold, almost bronze peep toe shoes by Bally sitting on the shelf. Since I love to wear peep toe shoes and am a sucker for shiny objects, I picked them up, turned them over...and saw the price was $80. What? I checked again, thinking I missed the 1 before the 80. Nope, it was $80! I tried them on excitedly and they fit perfectly! Definitely the best shoe deal I have ever scored! Woo hoo! What an awesome way to kick off the weekend! =)