It's Like Playing Barbie... For Grown Ups!

So, I signed up for Couturious a couple days ago! Yippee!! a new online fashion toy.  It's truly like playing barbie...with designer clothes! What fun! So today, I logged on and I saw that they've partnered up with GAP for styling contest.  You get to pick from four pairs of GAP 1969 Premium Denim jeans to style.  Winners will win a $1000 GAP shopping spree...ooh la la!  Click here for more details and contest rules if you're interested in participating!

This is the look I created.  I don't know if I am completely satisfied with it, but guess what! You can enter as many looks as you want!  Anyway, are any of you members of Couturious? If so, vote for my look here!

I also joined Weardrobe! Of course, you guys see all my Goofy Pics here but like any newbie serious fashion blogger, I am trying to join as many fashion networks as possible!  Are any of you on Weardrobe? If so, follow me!

Okay, last shameless plug for the day...I promise!  The Fashionista Next Door  has a brand spankin new Facebook fan page! Yay!!! Sooooooo ummmm, like The Fashionista Next Door on Facebook!


No more shameless plugs! I promise... I just had to get that out of the way :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

More Lace, More Denim, More Animal Print...

I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I seem to be stuck on lace, denim, and animal prints. Not sure why, but when I look in my closet, those are the things that seem to cry out "weeear me, Eboooni...weeeear me," so as a result you guys have seen look after look featuring lace, denim, animal prints, all of which are totally on trend, but I think I'm falling into a rut of sorts?  Well, rest assured that I do own other fabrications and patterns, and eventually I will get over my latest obsession. Bear with me, and I hope you enjoy the many variations of lace, denim, and animal prints I present along the way!  Seriously, I think this might be the last one...maybe.  I don't want to make any promises. Lol!

Today's ensemble was inspired by the fabulous, dreamy, luxurious, 3.1 Phillip Lim Embroidered Hairpin Lace Skirt.  

This lovely skirt is actually no longer available, but retailing for $450, event when it was available there was no way I could afford it. Boy oh boy, was I thrilled when I found a very similar lace skirt at Forever 21 for only $22.80.

What I'm Wearing...

~ LAL denim button down shirt

~ Forever 21 Lace Skirt

~ Brown Corset Belt

~ Bakers patchwork pumps 

(This is where the animal print comes in. I love these shoes! they have great patches of tiger, snakeskin, and croc! soooo cute! and they were on sale. I got them for like $18!)

~  Brown Vintage Clutch  

(one of the latest Goodwill finds I talked about here)

~ H&M Bangle

~ DKNY layered chain watch

~ Tiffany's toggle necklace worn as a bracelet

~ Forever 21 Necklace

~ Mossimo Sunnies

~ Earrings from JC Penney

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Coolness...

Before I get into my Goofy Pics for the day, I have a couple other COOL stuff to share! First of all, I was honored to be featured the very fabulous blog -- Budgetnista.  Budgetnista is what I like to call a "big time" fashion blog.  Needless to say, I was thrilled that my blog caught their attention!  Please check out the full post when you have a moment, and take a moment to look around.  You are guaranteed to find gorgeous, vibrant, and totally on trend style inspiration, and the best part is Budgetnista is going to show you how to look fabulous without breaking the bank...that's just the kind of inspiration that every Fashionista Next Door needs, right?

Budgetnista

http://fdiary.wordpress.com/

Next up, I received a very sweet email from reader Senait...

"I was lucky enough to come across your blog a few weeks ago via your Fashion Bomb feature!  I've fallen in love with your sites (heart you and your fiance's love story)! I'm a recent L.A. transplant who loves loves loves shopping!  I've seen a lot of your thrift store/vintage buys.  I would love to know which shop(s) you frequent.  Thanks for putting together an awesome blog!"

Thanks so much for your kind words and for supporting my blog, Senait! There are tons of thrift shops in the LA area depending on what part of LA you live in.  I like to hop in my car and search for "thrift shop" on my  handy dandy iPhone google maps app and see if anything new comes up.  Here are a few that I visit often in the south bay and hollywood area...

Discount Center

 23820 Avalon Blvd

Carson, CA 90745

Goodwill

 Carson Location

21827 Avalon Blvd

Carson, CA 90745

Gardena Location

16220 South Western Ave

Gardena, CA 90247

Way We Wore

 334 S. La Brea Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

www.thewaywewore.com

*This particular pace has more high end vintage clothing. check out their website and their blog.

Mister Freedom

 7161 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90036

http://www.misterfreedom.com

  Jet Rag

825 North La Brea Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90038

*This store has a $1 parking lot sale every Sunday!!!! You have to dig, but there are some great finds!

Well, Senait! I hope you find a good thrift ship in your area! You can also try driving up La Brea, there are TONS of shops.  If you're into consignment shops check out Buffalo Exchange.  Things are a little more expensive, but in great condition and more trendy!

Thanks for stopping by!!! Goofy Pics post coming up next...

 

2-for-1

Today you get two looks in one post...kinda.  I've had the halter top in the first look for a couple years, but this is actually the first time I've worn it.  I have pulled it out to wear a couple times, but it just never quite made the cut.  Well, today I gave it a whirl and I've officially decided that this lovely top is getting the boot.  Between the time that I was fully dressed and about 3 minutes before I had to walk out the door, I realized that I just don't like the fit but I didn't havea time to change because I had a 7:30 meeting and it was already 7:02.  I do think it's a tad bit too big, and perhaps that's the issue.  Whatever it is, I know that it's not going to be making the trip to ATL.  In fact, I was so uncomfortable in the top, that it didn't even make it to happy hour today.  I got a text from a friend that a bunch of the girls were meeting up at El Torito for happy hour.  Fortunately, I had about an hour to stop home and change...that would explain look #2, which I felt much more comfortable in.  Now, aside from just not liking my shirt, I was also utterly bored with my outfit.  I'm thinking it was just one of those days...

What I'm Wearing... 

~ Arden B. Halter Top

~ Random boyfriend jeans

~ Brown leather belt

~ Cathy Jean platforms (again)

~ Bakers satchel (again)

~ H&M aviator sunnies

~ Target wooden bracelet

~ H&M bangle

(Believe it or not, I am officially tired of this bangle, and every other bracelet in my drawer.  I need an accessory shopping day...badly!)

~ Brand spankin' new Forever 21 drop earrings

(Now, I have to say that I LOVE these earrings.  They are sooo cute, but sooo heavy! I am going to have to save them for special occasions because I don't think I can stand to wear them for more than a few hours at a time.  I took them off midway through the morning and they set on my desk all day.)

Side Note: My back and arms are probably my least favorite features.  Relative to my size I have broad back and large arms.  Buying blazers an lined jackets is ALWAYS a pain! but a long time ago I decided to embrace them. They are what they are, but it took everything in me to post this picture.  I just don't like my back. It has ZERO definition.  That being said this picture was posted less for you all, and more for myself.  I really need to get over my back issues! LOL

...after the top swap...

I swapped out my halter for my current favorite H&M leopard print blouse.  Shhhh, don't tell anybody, but I wore this Monday night, too.  This is officially the 3rd time I've worn it in a month.  I just love it! I also have like 10 "summer blouses" at the dry cleaners right now sooooo this one is in heavy rotation.

Thanks for stopping by and bearing with my whiny rant today!!! xoxo,

Oldie But Goodie...

Every now and then you need a reminder that you are just not as young as you used to be.  My friend Sunset's band had a show last night in Downtown LA so a couple of us girls headed out to show our support.  Of course, they rocked it, and we had a great time.  I was home by about 12:30 am. Not bad at all, right? Well, when my alarm went off at 6:15 this morning  I about died! I was soooo exhausted.  What was I thinking? Perhaps it was the accumulation of exhaustion from long days at the convention, or maybe it was the three glasses of wine but I was like a zombie.  I had planned on making a grand entrance back into my Goofy Pics with a killer outfit today, but with one eye open and a slight headache, I was NOT in the mood to be creative soooooo I reached for my fail-safe and pulled out this oldie but goodie GAP dress.  I bought this dress about 5 years ago at the Buffalo Exchange in San Diego's PB.  I rode down to San Diego along with some of my other college BFF's because we were all bridesmaids a friend's wedding.  It was 4th of July weekend and the rest of the girls decided to come back to LA the day after the wedding, but I stayed in San Diego the rest of the weekend.  I hadn't brought enough clothes with me for the weekend so I decided to do a little shopping! This dress was one of my random finds and I absolutely love it.  I have vowed to keep wearing it until it no longer fits.  I feel like it's kinda timeless but I could be lying to myself because I love it so much....Lol!  I do sometimes worry that the handkerchief hemline is out of style, but eeeehhh whatevs, I love this dress!

What I'm Wearing...

~ GAP strapless handkerchief dress

~ Target elastic two tone belt

~ Cathy Jean platforms 

(Oh Lord, I just realized these shoes are starting become my latest obsession. They just go with everything)

~ Bakers satchel

~ Forever 21 necklace

~ H&M bangle

~ Tiffany's toggle necklace worn as a bracelet

~ Mossimo sunnies

The weather is great in LA, FINALLY! I am a sunshine girl, so I am definitely at my best when the sun is shining.  I will say that my outfits get a little lazy because it's hot and you just want your clothes to be easy and breezy.  Summer dresses are the obvious go to because they require no effort but always look so darn cute!  I picked up a couple new sundresses at H&M this weekend on sale.  I had a skirt to exchange so this darling little off the shoulder number ended up costing only $5!!! I can't wait to wear it! I've already got accessories and shoes picked out.  I kinda don't want to wear it to work because it's too cute to be cooped up in an office all day...

Thanks for stopping by!!!

INSPIRATION is the Sincerest Form of Flattery...

Some may call it imitation, but I prefer to call it inspiration.  After all, when it comes to fashion we are all inspired by some lovely muse out there, and it is truly an honor when we can inspire others in the same way...right?

Well, I was thrilled to receive an email from my sister-in-law, Audrey a couple days ago.  Audrey was so inspired by my Fashion's Prisoner post that she promptly purchased her own striped maxi dress! Of course, she added her own summery flava to create a look all her own!  So meet today's Featured Fashionista Next Door... Audrey!

Isn't she WORKIN' that sunhat?  I love it!  Audrey's look is very similar to my brown belted look, but the sunhat and thinner belt takes the look in a whole new direction.  Big floppy sunhats always have a summer resort vibe to me.  Also, I just noticed that the trim on Audrey's dress is black.  I hadn't noticed that small difference online before.

By the way, this the kind of fashion commentary that my fiance just rolls his eyes at.  It's like that moment in The Devil Wears Prada when Andrea giggles and says the turquoise belts are the same when they are they are clearly soooo different *wink wink*

If you missed the original post where I showed you how to create 5 different looks with this one dress, please go check it out here! This fabulous and incredibly versatile dress is from Forever 21 and costs only $15.80!  I know, I know, insane.  One Dress + 5 Looks + Under $20 = A SERIOUS BARGAIN!

I am finally home from my convention!! Yippee! I'll be running errands and being a bum all day, but there will absolutely be a new outfit post tomorrow!  I picked a few goodies at the thrift shop yesterday, by the way.  As usual, I'll reveal the clothing purchases one by one as I wear them, but I couldn't wait to show you guys the wonderful vintage handbags I scored.  It was like vintage handbag heaven yesterday....These were each about $5.  I am pretty sure that the blue one is my favorite...maybe...

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Randomness

Remember my convention shoes?  The black aerosoles that kind of look like glorified bowling shoes...yep, those are the ones.  Well, they have officially been replaced...okay, not for this year since I've only got two more days, but next year my little aerosoles will be getting the boot, and I'll be replacing them with a fabulous pair of Nike Gladiator sandals....oooooh aaaahhh... they're kinda like a hybrid boxing shoe/ gladiator sandal, right?  I don't know, but I like them...a lot!

Now, it is my understanding that these debuted in Spring '09 (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).  Since I never ever ever shop for athletic shoes (aside from gym shoes), these FABULOUS babies were no where to be found on my radar...until today.  One of my co-workers was sporting a black pair today and I fell instantly in love....

...and then she told me the best part! they come in bronze!  Now as far as I'm concerned, metallics are just as neutral as browns, blacks, and nudes and I love the idea of metallic athletic shoes.  It gives them a girlie quality, don't ya think?  And I hear that these shoes are super comfy...perfect convention shoe replacements.  Well, that's it, I NEED these shoes in my life!  They are about $80 on zappos.com althought I don't think all of the colors are available there. I had to do some googling to find the lilac.  What do you think of these shoes? Which color do you all like best?

In other news, I was browsing the Slaves to Fashion blog on Glamour.com and I ran across a fashion faceoff post feature Liv Tyler and Keri Hilson both wearing the same striped blazer from the Givenchy Spring '10 RTW collection.

photo credit

photo credit

Coincidentally, I was browsing through the August issue of In Style last night and ran across this almost identical Anthropologie "Hello Sunday Blazer" for $98 in the Deals & Steals section.  I am totally diggin' stripes these days and I love, love, love this blazer.  Obviously the Givenchy version is totally out of the question, but I think I might be able to swing the Anthro version, especially if I catch it on sale.  We'll see...Anyway, talk about a look for less!!!  I just had to share.  By the way, who do you think wore it best?  I am pretty sure that Liv Tyler gets my vote!

Well folks, thanks for bearing with me over the last few days with no outfit posts.  I'll be back on the ball next week!  And of course, thanks for stopping by!!!