I Heart to Shop

What I Want Now - Nude Pumps

2009-06-23T21:41:00.001-07:00

Christian Louboutin New Simple Pump 90 - $735 at Barneys. I've been lusting after these pumps for weeks now. They have them at Nordstrom's too and I haven't even tried them on because I'm afraid I would like them too much. I love the nude colour that is so versatile and flattering because they will make your legs look longer. They would be perfect with just about any outfit. I figured that if I spend nothing on clothes for 2 months and beg someone who works at Nordstrom to buy them for me, then I may be able to justify spending that much on a pair of shoes.

Stuart Weiztman 'Swoon' pumps - $325 at Endless.com. These ares similar to the Louboutin's except the colour is not nude, but rather this sort of pinkish nude looking colour. I like the patent leather on these but for over $325, I wouldn't settle for what I really want.

Cole Haan 'Carma' Air Almond Pump - $199 at colehaan.com. I love Cole Haan pumps for their comfort and these are on sale! But the colour is just not close enough to what I want. If these were in nude I would so buy them.

Nordstrom Last Chance

2009-06-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my BFF and I took a mini break in Phoenix, Arizona. While we were there, we decided to check out Nordstrom Last Chance as one of our shopping stops. I had heard that this is where they send all of the stuff from the various Nordstrom Racks and you can get great deals here. I thought, why not, I love Nordstrom Rack. Anyway, when we walked in, we already sensed something was off. It was more cluttered and crazy than a regular Rack. We went straight to the shoes and you can find all of them in pairs to try on. I spotted a pair of those classic Tory Burch flats for $69. I was suspicious. I flip them over and saw they had totally been worn! I mean, the heels had been literally worn down by 1/2 an inch. I found another pair of Tory Burch where the bottoms were scuffed up and the leather was scratched up. It dawned on me that this must be where Nordstrom sends all of their returns by customers who decided it was perfectly OK to return shoes you've worn all season. I was more shocked by the fact that people do actually return shoes that are so obviously worn than the fact that Nordstrom actually takes them back. After scouring through all of the shoes available in my size, I did find a pair of Stuart Wietzman patent leather black pumps in mint condition for $50. Alas, they ran narrow and my feet were squished in them. I will say that if you're not particular about brands, you can find decent shoes for $18 that are new. Still, my BFF and I wanted to get the heck out of there because that place gave an erie feeling of a graveyard. It's where designer shoes and clothes go to die.

Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale

2009-06-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

The Half Yearly sale is not as good as the Anniversary sale in July but this year, I was happy with my finds. I also picked up some really cute stuff for my son, and guilty free too since I used my birthday money.

Tory Burch 'Daniela' metallic sandal - $129 at Nordstrom's. These are originally $250. I was unsure about these at first because the sole is so flat that I was worried there'd be zero support. But once I put them on I knew that they would be comfortable. I liked the straps around the ankle which give more support than your typical flip flops.

Stuart Weitzman 'Stoned' Sandal - $99 at Nordstrom's. I was looking for a thong with a sole that has a bit of support. This cork bottom adds a little height and a cushy feel. And of course I can't resist the bling!

How to be a Recessionista

2009-05-18T21:51:00.000-07:00

With the US in a recession for the last few months, the media is full of "experts" giving everyone advice on how to be money savvy so they can ride out this low. So why don't I offer my own few pennies of wisdom? Before this recession hit like a cold shower, I would just buy whatever that was within my price range and usually if it was on sale. For clothes, anything under $50 probably wouldn't prompt much pause on my part before pulling out my credit card. But now, I've decided to be more selective about my purchases. Here are my new guidelines for making purchases:

Is it something I need? e.g. hair cut, facial cleansers. I will still buy those like before.
Is it something I really, really want? Often, I see something that I like but I'd ask myself, did I want it before I saw it? If I didn't, then it is an impulse buy and my money is probably better spent on something I've been wanting for a while.
But say, it was a great sale, like 90% off, it's usually really hard for me to resist. However, I make myself wait about 24 hours, to see if I still want it then. If I do, then I'll get it.
Finally, I've been reminding myself: "quality over quantity". If something is on sale, great, but I'd rather save that money and use it on something that I've been wanting for a long, long time and that's much more durable and special.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

After becoming a mother I've been really missing the carefree shopping experience I used to enjoy without a demanding baby to stroll around. So for this Mother's Day, one of my treats was to go on a solo shopping trip. I decided to hit Forever 21, since I could never have enough time to go through that store. It's always so overwhelming to face such a huge selection. But I know you can find great buys there if you have the patience. Based on past experience, I learned that I have to have a few targets in mind when I venture into this store. So here was my shopping list: 1) casual dresses for weekends that I can wear with leggings 2) statement necklaces 3) fitted blazer/shrugs for wearing over dresses or tanks. I'm glad to say that after over an hour in that store, I was victorious in 2 out of 3 categories and only spent a little over $100.

Striped Babydoll Dress - $14.50 This dress is very cute on and would be great for summer. I can imagine wearing it with a denim jacket as a cover up.

Ruffle trim woven tunic - $22.80 I'm so glad that ruffle is in this season because it is totally me. I love this top for its sunny colour. I already wore it once with black knee length leggings. I can even see myself wearing it to work with a long cardigan.

Filigree Flowers Necklace - $7.80 This necklace looks nicer in real life. I chose it as a bold statement necklace to dress up basic pieces.

Linda Floral Pearl Necklace - $12.80 This necklace is such a steal at this price. It has rhinestones on it that makes it look like it could have cost $100 as some of these necklaces do often cost. I can't wait to wear it with a black dress to add a vintage, classy feel.

Clover Cluster Necklace - $5.80 This is probably the least interesting of the 3 necklaces I found but I immediately got compliments on it when I wore it last week. I didn't mention it was only $6, heehee!

I also got a floral ruffle top, very Blair Waldorf a la Gossip Girl, and another knit dress. I was so, so pleased with my Mother's Day shopping trip!

Tanning bed in a tube

2009-04-25T00:52:00.000-07:00

Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube (face) - $21.50 at Sephora or Nordstrom

Ever since my late twenties, I've noticed that too much sun exposure to the face is baaad. I've that noticed freckles have started appearing on my cheeks. To call them freckles is really too kind, they're really sun spots, aka age spots. Yuck! Since then, I've always been slathering sun screen on my face and allowing my body to bathe in the sun. However, who wants to have a tanned body and a pale face? My friend Kayla recommended the Too Faced instant bronzer as her favorite. I tried it out and so far, I like! It smells sweet and yummy, no funny self tanner oder. It gives you a subtle glow. I put it on over my moisturizer and under my mineral foundation powder. I finished it off with blush then a little powder bronzer over the cheeks. Viola! Sunless and safe tanning for the face. This will be a must over the next few months while I work on the tan on my body but keep shielding my face out of the sun.

What I Want Now

2009-04-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

Elliott Lucca Zafra Hobo - $298 at ElliottLucca.com

I saw this bag featured in April's People Style Watch and loved it immediately. Lucky for my budget, this bag is not available until May. I've been a fan of Elliott Lucca bags for a few years now. They have very current designs and with lovely, intricate weave or braid leather work. The bags are good quality but the price is very moderate, in the $150 - $300 range. I also found that their customer service is excellent. I bought an Elliott Lucca bag on Zappos and just a month or so later, one of the metal embellishments on the bag became unfastened and fell off. I lost it so I couldn't carry the bag anymore. So I called the Elliott Lucca customer service and they gave me full credit for the bag in a gift card. I immediate used it to buy another bag and have been happy with it.

Delayed Gratification

2009-03-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Given the current economic conditions, I'm trying to stay on a budget and not just buy whatever that catches my fancy. Since I blew my budget on my last trip to Vancouver, now I'm making a wish list of stuff I want in the next little while or try to find cheaper alternatives.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - $42 at Nordstrom.com. While I was in Vancouver, my friend who works at Laura Mercier give me a sample of their tinted moisturizer. I tried it out a couple of times last week and really liked it! The consistency is between a light lotion and liquid foundation and it dries into a light matte finish. I then put on my usual mineral powder foundation over it. I liked the additional coverage from the tinted lotion without the caky feeling of wearing foundation. The SPF 20 is also a bonus. This was a beauty pick in the April In Style magazine as well. The price tag is a bit high so I'm holding off for now.

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Perfume - $55 at Nordstrom. I've been looking for a signature scent forever. I'm very sensitive to perfumes so I find that only certain ones will not cause me to sneeze. I sprayed a few spritz of this at the store and I really liked the feminine floral and fresh citrus combination. However, before I drop $55 on an ounce of this stuff I think I will ask for a sample next time I'm at Nordstrom's and try it out at home. The last perfume I bought was Sugar by Fresh. I liked it while I tried it at the store but when I started wearing it I had to spray it on my jeans so that it wouldn't make me sneeze. I'm pretty unhappy that I spent $75 on that stuff.

Fav Trend - Orange, White and Grey

2009-03-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

While flipping through an issue of Lucky magazine I spotted a new fav spring trend: Orange, white and grey. Once it caught my eye, I started seeing it everywhere. Why, what a lovely way to give the neutral combination of grey and white a bunch of colour? I've been looking for these colours in my own closet and trying to put together such combinations.

Grey Cardigan at Banana Republic

Club Monaco Spring collection 2009

BCBG Outlet Spree

2009-03-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

I went to Vancouver to visit friends and family a couple of weeks ago and as always I paid pilgrimage to the Seattle Premium Outlets on the way back. BCBG was having a good sale and I couldn't resist. I scooped up 3 dresses and trust me, I could have found a lot more but I had to control myself.

Got this brown, teal and white maxi dress for $29 in preparation for my Vegas trip coming up in April. I thought this would be a fun and comfy to wear over a bikini going to the pool. Fingers crossed that the temperature will be warm by then!

Also with the Vegas trip in mind, I picked this blue silk ruffled number out for going out at night. Only $69! I love it as a cocktail dress and I think if you add a black simple fabric belt you can also give it a different and more elegant look.

This black and white silk halter gown for $89 looks much cuter in person. The upper bodice has clear sequins for a little extra sparkle. It's a bit long so I'll have to get it tailored but I'm looking forward to wearing this for weddings this summer.

Basic Black Boots

2009-03-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

Nine West Blondey Boots - $64.90 at endless.com

It was a typical morning in the office, I was sipping my coffee and checking email at my desk when I got the regular 'Friday deal' email from Endless.com. Why not check it out? I so innocently thought. Well a few clicks and a few minutes later, I ordered these Nine West black leather knee high boots. Sure, they're nothing spectacular or eye catching but every girl needs a pair of basic black knee high boots and I've been due to replace my current pair. I'm happy with them except if I wear them at work all day I am pretty anxious to take them off when I get home. They'll probably soften up after more wear so that they don't feel as constraining.

BCBGirls 'Cherie' Bootie

2009-03-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

BCBGirls 'Cherie' Bootie - $78.95 at amazon.com

I got these BCBGirls booties a few weeks ago while I was shopping for some work shoes that would go with my trouser jeans. I like the Oxford-like the patent leather toes on these that are almost men's shoes inspired. The heel is thin enough to be feminine but thick enough to be stable. I've wearing these as a part of my regular work wardrobe and I'm happy with them. The only minor complaint is that after a full work day my feet do end up being a little sore.

Splurge or Save - Gladiator Sandals

2009-03-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

I've been on the look out for some gladiator high heels for a while. I wasn't really into the whole gladiator flats trend that was all the rage for a while. But this strappy studded leather look on a pair of sexy heels is a different story.

The splurge: Tory Burch 'Francesca' Gladiator Sandal - $425 at Nordstrom. These were my wants when I first started my search.

The save: BCBGirls 'Lexs' Sandal - $97.95 at Nordstroms. I was thrilled to find these on sale at Norstrom's. I got the black ones for $88. They look really similar to the Tory Burch ones and at a fraction of the price. Now I just have to dream up what outfits I can wear with these...

Daanger! Fav new bootie

2009-03-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Steve Madden 'Daanger' bootie - $84.90 on amazon.com

Take your favorite slouchy boot from last Fall and make it into a lovely bootie for Spring and voila -- You have the Steven Madden Daanger bootie. This shoe is so adorable with it's ruching detail in the front and sexy cutouts. I can see myself wearing these for work with skirts and skinny jeans and I can wear these for evening and weekends with leggings and skirts. I went through quite an ordeal finding these shoes. I originally bought them on sale for $58 on nordstrom.com and I ordered the size 7's in grey because they were out of size 6.5. When I got them I absolutely fell in love with them but they were clearly too big. I took them back to Nordstrom's and they're completely out of the 6.5. I then found the purple ones on sale on Endless.com for $66. Well, when I got them the next day it turns out that the purple leather is not nearly as cute as the grey. So... I just decided to get the grey in 6.5 on Amazon.com for $84.90. Sure, I had to pay little more but I think I will be able to wear these all the time.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics

2009-03-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

I've on the search for a long lasting, waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliner for what seems like years now. I've been liking the Makeup Forever waterproof eyeliner but it still smudges by the end of a night out despite being waterproof. Then my friend Catherine told me something that sounded very wise to me: just because the eyeliner is waterproof doesn't mean it's oil proof. And since you skin produces natural oils the make up still smudges after a while. She told me the solution to this problem is eye makeup primer. Brilliant! My friend Erica who is a makeup artist at Laura Mercier swears that their primer is the best. I've been testing it all week with 3 different liners and here's the low down.

With the Smash Box cream eyeliner. The liner is not waterproof so the primer didn't help much at all. Then I tried it with Lancome Artliner liquid eyeliner, which is a water-resistant liner. My eyes were watery that day because of bad allergies so it was a good test. My liner ran a bit but it didn't smudge on my bottom lid so I didn't have racoon eyes! The best results came from using the primer with my Makeup Forever liner. It only smudged a tiny bit after a whole work day! I was so pleasantly surprised. I think I found the perfect combination. Eye primer + waterproofliner = perfection. Yes!

Smashbox Try Me Set

2009-03-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Smashbox Try Me Set - $25 sephora.com

I've been on a mission to find the perfect waterproof eyeliner. I've tried a couple of liquid liners so far and they're OK but I have two problems: they're hard to put on and they smudge. I read good reviews on the Smashbox cream liner so I decided to give it a try. I found this sample set on Sephora and I liked that it came with brushes. Here's the break down on what's in the set:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

This foundation primer leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and poreless. I don't wear liquid foundation so I can't tell if this primer helps foundation stay on. I've tried this with my powder mineral foundation and I haven't noticed a huge difference.

Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Palette & Cream Eyeliner Brush #9

I thought this whole try me kit was worth the $25 for the mini version of the eyeliner palette and the eyeliner brush. The cream liner with the brush is much easier to apply than liquid eyeliners. The kit even comes with a DVD explaining how to use it but I was still a little confused about how much of the liner to use. I found that the cream liner finishes more like an eye shadow. It's a subtle way to add emphasis to your lash lines but it does wear off quickly. Since I was looking for a long lasting waterproof liner, I wasn't thrilled with the results. Now I'm using the liner mostly during the day when I feel like putting the extra effort getting ready for work. I'm hoping to use the liner brush with other cream liners I might try later.

Smashbox Brow Tech & Angle brow brush

The mini palette also has 4 brow tech colors. The eyeliner brush in the try me kit has the angle brow brush on the other end. Brow tech comes with 4 different colors to match your hair color and a wax to finish off. I really loved the angle brow brush for applying the brow color. I didn't really need the wax because my brows are fairly sparse but the wax hold in the color nicely as well. I like it!

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

I thought this brightener was a concealer. After reading the reviews on Sephora it turns out this is meant to be used over your concealer to brighten your under eye circles. I do have dark circles and I didn't find a lot of help with this brightener. I also use a mineral powder concealer, rather than a creamy concealer so I wasn't sure whether the liquid brightener would wash away my concealer. I find the brightener just so, so and probably not worth the extra step in your regular make up routine.

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Crystal

I haven't tried this gloss because it's clear and colorless and is meant to be worn over lipstick. *yawn*

Let the Stimulation Begin!

2009-03-11T23:32:00.000-07:00

I've been away from my blog for a couple of months because of my self imposed shopping ban since Christmas. I was doing quite well in terms of not buying anything for myself that I don't absolutely need. However, how can you make someone who keeps a blog about shopping go cold turkey?! Besides, stopping consumer spending is like pulling all of your money out of the stock market and tucking it under your mattress. So in the last few weeks I've started to let myself buy a few things starting with some makeup, then some shoes (I can always return them!) and then dresses. Well, we all have to do our part to stimulate the economy, don't we? So finally, I have material for my blog again. Look for new posts in the next few days.

There is a Santa

2009-01-10T21:45:00.000-08:00

Santa didn't disappoint this year, mostly due to my universal wish list and of course me being an all so nice girl this year. Here's the best of my loot this past Christmas.

Elliott Lucca Addison Leather Clutch - $109 I received this clutch in a bronze metallic color. It's beautiful. I now wish I have more opportunities to carry this and look fabulous.

Delicate Raymond gold monogram pendant - $165 This delicate package arrived on the afternoon of Christmas Eve through snow and ice and it was all so worth it! The pendant is made to order and is as lovely in person as it is in the picture. This is like my own "Carrie" necklace (Bradshaw not Underwood).

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum -$19 I've read tons of reviews that Olay offers great quality at a low price, compared to department store brands. I've already tried Olay Denfinity line and it definitely lightened my sun spots or "freckles".

I Love My New Aldo Boots

2009-01-08T21:25:00.000-08:00

I picked out these Aldo boots as Christmas gifts from my mom. Yes, I went shopping with my mom and like a teenage girl I pointed out to the ones I wanted and she bought them for me. I had to wait until Christmas to wear them and I'm so happy with them. I wanted leather slouchy flat boots to wear for the weekend with skinny jeans, tights and skirts and even to work. I've been wearing these almost every chance I get. They're super warm and comfy. I mean, it feels like I'm wearing slippers to work. I love how I can walk around in them for hours and feel so good and look cute too. They're the equivalent of ballet flats for the winter: functional and fashionable.

Aldo Cassella boots - $130

Forever 21 Mellisa Knit Dress - $19.95 One of my favorite outfits with my new boots is a casual knit dress with tights. It's feminine and comfy.

AE Classic Cardigan - $29.95 Another favorite outfit of mine is a white tank under a grandpa style sweater with faded blue skinny jeans and slouchy boots.

'Tis the Season for Boots

2008-12-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

Ever since Fall I've been obsessed with boots. Leather, suede, slouchy, buckles, whatever. I love the idea of boots with leggings and skinny jeans. Given that there's a recession going on, I had to suppress my urge to buy a pair of each kind. I convinced myself that I can buy myself a pair of boots that are versatile enough to be "commuter boots". I take the bus to work and I don't like having to walk very far in my heels. So it's be nice to have a pair of cute walking boots that I can also wear for fashion.

Ugg Elijo Boots - $180. I got these on sale for $99 from Nordstrom's! They're warm and comfy but I decided not to keep them because I wasn't sure they were me. Or as my husband says: "Uggs are what California girls wear when the temperature drops below 70 degrees".

The North Face 'Nuptse II' Boot - $79.95. These boots seemed very functional. But I chose not to keep them because they really look like snow/winter boots. I can't imagine wearing them for anything else except commuting.

Miz Mooz Amber Boot - $129. I wished for these for my birthday and my hubby got a pair for me. They look cute one but I read reviews that these were uncomfortable. I really wanted flat boots so I decided to return them.

Steve Madden Tianna Slouch Boot - $89.95 - I didn't pull the trigger on these shoes. They look cute and I love the idea of grey boots. But they're suede! That means I can't really wear them if there's a chance of rain... It's so hard to resist because they're very cute!

I Love My Shu Uemura False Eye Lashes

2008-12-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

I was unlucky to have been born with short and stubby lashes that don’t even try to curl up. I’ve hardly bothered with mascara because they smudge and run and they aren’t just worth the effort when your lashes are so non-existent. I’ve only worn false lashes once before in my life and that was on my wedding day. I felt like a princess but what bride wouldn’t? I got these Shu Uemura false eye lashes for my birthday (thanks Tina!) and after wearing them just once, I’m totally in love. I had someone else put them on for me and it took just a few seconds for the glue to dry and viola! Beautiful, luscious and long lashes. You don’t have to use mascara so no worrying about smudging. I felt like batting my eyes all night because I felt so pretty. That’s exactly what they are, prettiness in a box. You put them on and boom, you feel extra pretty. Why have I not discovered them until now? I think these will be my new favorite accessories for a night out on the town.

Universal Wish List

2008-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

As we get ready for the holidays, one of my new favourite discoveries is Amazon's universal wish list button. You just add it to your browser toolbar so that no matter what site you're shopping on, you can add whatever that catches your fancy to your universal wish list. That way you have one wish list with all the things you desire to make Santa's job a lot easier. God bless technology!

Update: Gold Monogram Pendants

2008-12-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Ever since the Delicate Raymonds gold monogram pendant caught my attention I've been keeping an eye out for similar gold pendants. I found a couple of more so that Santa will have more choices. :)

Tiffany Notes Round Pendant - $750. This is a total splurge! But what girl doesn't love that little blue box?

Red Envelope engraved initials necklace - $99.95 This version allows 3 initials. I personally prefer just the single initial but this is an affordable alternative.

Endless.com

2008-11-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

I recently started a new job working on Endless.com, a website dedicated to shoes, handbags and accessories built by Amazon.com. As excited as I am to be working on a website selling shoes and accessories, so far it's been really bad for my wallet. One of Amazon's core principles is that we strive to be Earth's most customer centric company, and to be customer centric you have to really put yourself in the customer's shoes and be a customer. Which is exactly what I've been doing. Endless offers free overnight shipping, free returns for 365 days. And when I say free overnight shipping, it's literally you order your shoes today and they show up at your door tomorrow. How awesome is that? It's not quite like having the salesperson at Nordstrom bringing over those 10 pairs of shoes that you want to try on and you get to choose which ones you want to buy, but it's as close to it as it gets when it comes to online shopping. I've been in this new job for 2 weeks and I've already bought 2 pairs of shoes. At this rate, you do that math...

Matisse Women's Swirl Scrunch Flat - $58. After the hateful Coach metallic flats, I wanted a pair of actual comfy gold flats. These are really soft and hug your feet. I have never heard of Matisse as a brand but I'm giving these a shot.

Madden Girl Women's Singerr Mid Shaft Boot - $64.95 I have never tried Madden Girl. It must be their lower end junior brand like BCBGirls. I totally have a thing for boots right now because it's getting to be winter and I'm taking the bus to work. I really liked the idea of grey scrunchy boots and these boots got good reviews on Endless. However, I was weary because these are not real leather. Well, I tried them on and they are quite adorable and comfortable. I actually do think I could go shopping all day in them. However, I feel like you're sacrificing a bit of quality for this line. You're trading leather for synthetics and stitching for glue. I think I'd rather spend a bit more for something that's well made.

Delicate Raymonds Vintage Gold Necklace

2008-11-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

I was flipping through the November issue of In Style magazine while getting my pedicure and I just fell in love with the gold monogram necklace worn by Carrie Underwood. In the last couple of years, I've bought lots of gold fashion jewelry but it's been hard to find any real gold jewelry that is not completely gawdy or incredibly expensive (i.e. Tiffany's or Cartiers). This lovely vintage style monogram necklace is pretty and versatile enough to be paired with a v-neck plain white tee for day or a little black dress for evening. Now I haven't pulled the trigger on this one yet because it's hard to tell from the picture how thick the gold disk is. I'm worried that it'd be too thin and flimsy. Also since it's monogrammed, you won't be able to return it. But I've been looking for a nice piece of gold jewelry for so long and my birthday is coming up, maybe this can be my gift to myself?

Delicate Raymonds Vintage Monogram Necklace - $165

I Love Nordstrom Rack

2008-11-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

This blog has been in the slumps just like the economy. You know that my spending is in serious decline when I passed on buying anything from the Nordstrom half yearly women and children's sale. I didn't even look at the shoe section at all! Sure, I browsed the sale selection online and was tempted by a few pretties but I resisted. This is really bad as I will soon have absolutely no material for my blog. But after all the gloominess of coming out of Nordstrom empty handed, I found some light at my old faithful: Nordstrom Rack. Shopping at Nordstrom Rack is like going on a treasure hunt. If you have something very specific in mind, you're unlikely to find it. But say you want a pair of great flats but you don't care which exact brand or colour, you'll probably find a pair of gems at 60% off at the Rack. If you don't, chances are you'll find a pair of shiny black patent leather pumps that you have no good reason not to buy, such was the case with the pair of patent leather Cole Haan pumps I came across. There's usually always something that you'll find at such a good discount that you'll feel guilt free about buying. Sure you might get a pair of jeans for $100 but they used to be $200!! Think of the 50% discount! That is why I rarely walk out of the Rack without spending less than $100. The only caveat is that their return policy is stricly 30 days. So if you're going to have buyer's remorse, have it within that deadline. Other than that, there's nothing but goodness. The money you spend at the Rack also goes towards your rewards points if you happened to have a Nordstrom credit card. Those rewards are good at the regular Nordstrom store and the Rack. Again, I have to say Nordstrom knows how to build customer loyalty. So even when the economy is weak and my budget is tight, my heart and wallet still belong to Nordstrom Rack.

Birthday Wish List

2008-11-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

Shopping has not been fun since my self-imposed ban. The good thing is that my birthday is coming up and my BFF asked me for a wish list of things I'd like. Oh... There's so many things that although I don't need, I would just love to have.

Lululemon deep V-tank - It's a bit pricey for workout clothes but I have one of these and it looks great and is functional. And I always need motivation to work out.

Banana Republic trouser jeans - A great business casual look for the office.

Victoria's Secret long jane pajamas - These are so cute! I love to have warm PJs in the winter that I can lounge around in all day.

Miz Mooz 'Amber' Boot - I was eyeing these during the Nordstrom's anniversary sale but couldn't pull the trigger then. But these are fantastic with a thick heel for comfort.

Shu Uemura false eye lashes - Almost every girl at Halloween was wearing eye popping false eyelashes. Next time I go to a big bash, I'm definitely giving them a try. Maybe for New Year's?

Nars super orgasm blush - My Nars orgasm blush is running out, and what's this? Super orgasm!

The Shopping Blahs

2008-10-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but all this talk about the world economy being in the crappers and that we should all be bracing for the Depression of this century is really killing my natural urge to shop. How can I get psyched about Fall boots when I see that my mutual funds have dropped 1/3 in value? Mutual funds! Anyway, I've instituted a self-imposed temporary shopping ban on non-essentials. I've been good so far since I've been back from vacation in China. The only exception I'm making is gift buying, which actually is an essential if you think about it. Just because the economy is bad doesn't mean that my best friend should get coupons for her birthday. I always feel doubly satisfied when gift shopping because you're doubling the happiness. I enjoy the giving and the recipient enjoys the gift! Also, I feel justified in buying clothes for my one year old son since he now needs a warm coat for winter. But these are just small doses of shopping fun in the grand scheme of things. Up next, I will look into retailers who are deeply discounting because of the state of the economy. Maybe there is a silver lining after all.

To Fake or Not to Fake

2008-10-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

As you probably know, copyright laws are loosely enforced and rarely followed in China. That's why you can find an abundant of pirated software, music, movies and of course fashion. One of the most popular knock off items is designer handbags. Manufacturers will meticulously copy designs and sell the imitations at a fraction of the price. This Gucci large hobo retails for $1350 USD and you can get a high quality knockoff for around $50 USD. In China, knockoffs are everywhere so that everyone is guessing "is she or isn't she", faking it that is. However, if you bring one back to the US, no one will guess that it's a fake. So now the question is, if only you know it's a fake, would you fake it? My rationale around that is people buy designer bags not for function or really for the style alone. They're status symbols. They're aspirational. The longing is a part of the experience. Buying luxury items is the ultimate retail therapy. Trying to pass off a knockoff as genuine really diminishes how rewarding it feels to own one of these coveted bags. On my trip to China, my cousin gave me a well-made knockoff of this Gucci hobo and I reasoned with myself that I will use this bag in public as a shopping bag and if my friends see it I will tell them it's a fake. That means that strangers will probably think that I'm carrying a real Gucci but I'd be truthful to my friends. So I guess I'll be half fakin' it then?

Shopping in Shanghai

2008-10-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

I just came home from 10 days in Shanghai, the New York City of China. In a city with 20 million inhabitants and many more tourists, it's no surprise that it's a shopper's paradise. The current exchange rate between 1 US dollar and the local currency, the RMB is about 1 to 6.8. So for a US tourist, you get a lot more for your dollar. In Shanghai, you'll find many multi-level department stores. These stores are clean, brightly lit and air conditioned with up to date fashion but I found that they're for browsing only and gauging prices. A cute trench coat will go for about 30USD, which is not bad but not much of a bargain. You'll also see many recognizable interational brands like DKNY which will cost you about twice as much as what you would pay in the US. So definitely avoid the name brands. On the street, you'll find many small, privately owned boutiques. Some are filled with "local" styles with flowers and glitters but there are definitely a lot of stylish boutiques emulating US or Japanese fashion. I checked out prices at these boutiques are they're also in about the 30USD range. But I found that they were too spread out to efficiently shop. My sources in Shanghai told me that these boutiques get their inventory from the wholesale district of "Qi Pu Road" anyway, so that's where I wanted to go!
The Qi Pu Road area has about 4 department store sized buildings. Each floor is lined with stall after stalls of all kinds of clothes and accessories. The floors are only loosely organized by category. The scene was quite daunting but also exciting. This is the jackpot of bargain shopping. Luckily, my resourceful cousin took me straight to the floors with the modern and western styles. I was not disappointed. We found knock off brand name pieces for $10 - $15 USD. There are a few gotchas. Since this the wholesale district, the sellers are less willing to haggle overprices. Sizes are also limited, as in, one size fits all. Now, I'm a US size small on top and size 2 on the bottom and I found the tops snug. So I guess if it doesn't fit, you're just out of luck. Other than that, if you had a good pair of walking shoes, a knowledgable guide and a hunger for bargains you can spend a whole week in the area and get great finds.

On a side note not related to shopping per se, Shanghai is a great place to get pampered. We went to a clean, tranquil, beautifully decorated (and legit) spa where we had our private room for two. We were greeted with a waitress offering tea and food (complimentary!) then changed into comfy cotton pajamas for our massage. Seventy relaxing minutes later, we sank into our own loungers, drank our tea and nibbled on yummy snacks. Did I say that the snacks were free and we could hang out for as long as we wanted? And all this for about $20 USD! There are many spas offering full body massages and foot massages in the area and they're highly competitive, hence the free extras. I also got a one hour foot rub for $10 USD, again with tea service and your own TV. If I didn't have family obligations on this trip I would have had a massage everyday! Another favorite pass time on this trip was getting my hair washed. This is where you sit in a salon chair and the hair washer person pours just the tiniest amount of water on your head to combine with shampoo and work up a lather. He continues to do this until your head is totally soapy and foamy but he does this expertly so that you're not dripping with water. Then you're rinsed off and a stylist blow dries and styles your hair. For this level of pampering, the price ranges anywhere from $1 USD to $6 USD. You can't beat it.

On Vacation

2008-10-13T00:06:00.001-07:00

I'm currently on vacation in China. I'll be doing some shopping here for sure and will be posting when I get back.

Steal This Look: the Grey T-shirt Dress

2008-10-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Diane Kruger, Kristin Cavallari and Rachel Bilson in grey t-shirt dresses. I don't know if I'd go for this exact look but I love dresses and this look seems casual, sexy and comfy.

Riller & Fount Jenny Kimino Mini Dress - $165 at Singer 22

Bilali Exclusive Tank Dress $155 at Net a Porter. I don't know how it's justified that you can charge over $100 for an elongated t-shirt but I guess that's the going rate nowadays.

Steal This Look: Black Lace on White

2008-10-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton, Taylor Momsen and Rachel McAdams all wearing black on white lace dresses.

Jessica McClintock cocktail dress - $145 at eDressme

Jessica McClintock Blace lace halter neck dress - $120 at eDressme

Dolce & Gabbana Lace Mini Dress - $695 at Neiman Marcus

Steal This Look: Solange's Blazer

2008-10-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Solange Knowles in an Emporio Armani jacket, skinny jeans and layered necklaces.

Smythe Checked One-Button Blazer - $630 at Saks

Nygard collection Mini-Square Jacquard Jacket - $64 at Dillards

Steal This Look: Rihana's Little Black Dress

2008-09-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here's Rihana in a halter dress at the Gucci show in Milan.

Ruby Rox Halter Bubble Dress - $59 at Dillards.com

Autumn Cashmere black sequined halter tunic dress - $156 at Blufly.com

Mackage Coats

2008-09-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

On my last trip to Vancouver, my BFF Tina showed off her new gorgeous fall coats by Mackage. She had been lusting after a Burberry trench for the Fall and Winter but was hesitating over the price. But being the lucky girl that she is, she got not one, but two Mackage coats for her birthday! I must admit that I was rather envious since they're so stylish and practical.

Mackage ISA jacket - $495 CAD. Mackage is a Canadian brand that I only recently heard about. You can find it at Aritizia and Holt Renfrew stores.

Mackage Lorena coat - $550 CAD.

Burberry London Double Breasted Cashmere Blend Trench - $995. This is a classic but if it were up to me, I'd probably opt for 2 coats instead of 1 as well!

Outlet Shopping Spree

2008-09-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went up to Vancouver, Canada to visit my friends and family. On the way back, we hit the outlets at Burlington and Tulalip. I hadn't been to the Burlington outlet for a while ever since the Seattle Premium Outlets opened right next to the Tulalip casino. But this time we stopped there because we noticed that there's a new Lululemon outlet. They're getting rid of their end of season stuff: bra tops for $29, cropped pants for $44, jackets and pants for up to 50% off. I got a bra top and cropped pants. Their clothes is still not cheap but it's much better than the retail prices. Then at the Seattle premium outlets, BCBG was having an end of season blow out sale, with dresses for as cheap as $29! I think I tried on about 8 dresses and finally settled on a black cotton halter dress with pockets for $50 (original price $200). I also got the Sloan Street Maria brown leather wallet at the new Kate Spade outlet to match my new Kate Spade work bag. The wallet was $75 (retail price $195). It was hard to not also buy some new pumps at the Cole Haan outlet but I stayed strong and resisted. I also only browsed the Juicy outlet. Before leaving, I told my hubby that he should come here for Christmas shopping for me!

North Face Rain Coat

2008-09-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, in anticipation of the impending rainy Seattle weather, I bought a new Northface rain coat from Nordstrom.com. I've been wearing a waterproof black single breasted trench from Costco of all places but since I've been taking the bus, I wanted to get a coat with a hood for those rainy days. Every Seattlite knows that umbrellas are for tourists. I already have a Northface snowboarding jacket and a down jacket but this one I really love because it is cut with a feminine shape. It's also 3/4 length to keep more of you dry. It's super lightweight but keeps you well insulated. Luckily, it hasn't been raining much these last few days of summer, but I know I'll be putting this coat to good use this season.

The North Face 'Grace' light weight rain coat - $199. I got this on sale for $129, yippee! So perhaps you can wait a little for it to go on sale again.

The Search for a Cute Laptop Bag: Mission Accomplished!

2008-09-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

I recently upgraded my laptop from a Dell D610 to a Dell D420. This not only means that my work laptop is lighter and smaller, it also means that my options for a cute laptop bag have greatly expanded! And sure enough, after only a week of searching and browsing, I finally have a winner. I originally wanted to spend only up to $250 for a bag that's cute but also good for work. I only want one bag that will hold my laptop and wallet, etc. It has to be lightweight because my Coach leather tote weighed quite a bit just on its own. Now that I'm taking the bus, I definitely notice the weight when I have to stand on the bus. Anyway, I paid another visit to Nordstrom Rack and there it was: the Kate Spade 'Malabar - Rudy' tote. I think there must have been a new shipment to the Rack because this bag is still available at its full price for $325 on Nordstrom.com. I had my work with me so I tested it out with my laptop and my letter sized file folder and they fit nicely. The bag is structured so it still holds its shape when it's full of contents. I like the snake skin pattern because it is versatile and not necessarily season specific. It's also light weight because it's not leather. The best part is that it was on sale at the Rack for $159! I'm not normally a Kate Spade fan since her bags are a bit on the boring side but this one is perfect for what I was looking for!

New Coach Flats

2008-09-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I was in need of some retail therapy so I paid pilgrimage to the Nordstrom Rack in Tukwila and found a pair of bronze leather Coach flats in the designer shoes section. They were on sale for $89 and they're regularly $168. I had been looking for a pair of gold/bronze flats to replace the Steve Madden ones that have worn out from 3 or 4 years ago. I keep seeing those adorable Tory Burch flats but I'm not willing to shell out the $200. Anyway, I wore the new Coach flats to work today and ouch they killed my feet. It's ironic because I bought flats thinking that they'd be comfy. Now the dilemma is, does Nordstrom Rack take back shoes that have been worn? I think not. Do I still think those shoes are adorable? Yes! Will leather stretch and break in? I hope so!

Leona Flats - $168. These are similar to the ones I bought at the Rack. The ones I got had a round metal detail with the signature tiny C's. I imagine this one is just the newer version.

Tory Burch 'Reva' Ballet Flats - $195. Sigh, maybe I should have just shelled out the extra bucks for these? No, I refuse! Maybe if they are like half off I will...

Going Green Shouldn't Cost Lots of Green

2008-09-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

I consider myself pretty social conscious and I'm getting into the whole anti-plastic bag movement. It's funny how things go in cycles. When I was a small child in China, plastic bags were a commodity. When you go shopping for anything, the store itself doesn't give you a bag to hold what you bought so you have to bring your own. My grandfather used to wash and reuse plastic bags and puts them in his pocket when he went shopping. Fast forward 20 odd years forward after many years of retailers using the shopping bag (plastic, paper, whatever) as a mini billboard, the trend is now reversing to reusing bags. A couple of years ago the Anya Hindarch "I'm not a plastic bag" bag was all the rage. In the US, it sold at Whole Foods for $15 but were being re-sold for much higher prices on eBay and such. Just a couple of days ago, I walked by a Juicy Couture California Go Green Canvas bag at Nordstrom and joked that it must cost $120. Well you know what, it does. The Miss Marc Goes Green shopper bag costs a cool $128. OK, really? I personally prefer the Lululemon plastic shopping bags that are absolutely free. I'm all for capitalizing on consumer demands by producing what the market is trending but if you're going to make a $120 canvas bag targeted at the environmentally fashion conscious, at least donate your 1000% mark up to a charity of the same cause. That makes a bolder statement than simply making "going green" couture.

Update: the Juicy Go Green Bag is $75 on shopbop.com

The New Westfield Southcenter Mall

2008-09-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

The Southcenter Mall unveiled its major face lift a few weeks ago with lots of new stores and restaurants. The new mall is now a mecca of "Fast Fashion". There's a huge two story Forever 21 and a two story H&M. There's also a Forever 21-clone called Love Culture. I checked it out with a friend and I was completely overwhelmed. The thing with shopping at these stores is that everything looks good in the windows but then when you go in you have to wade through racks and racks of bright colors and bold patterns to find that one piece that fits you. The Forever 21 store had a huge line at the dressing room. I didn't have the patience for this nonsense that day because I wasn't looking for anything in particular. My friend ended up buying a few dresses and tops that I quite liked! I should have just bought everything she bought without trying them on because we are more or less the same size. H&M's selection is more limited. Their whole bottom level is dedicated to casual wear with plain t-shirts and tanks. Nothing interesting. The top floor has more office clothes, coats and accessories. I didn't even dare to walk into Love Culture because again I didn't feel like flipping through racks aimlessly. Then the other day I saw a friend wearing a cute pair of capri jeans and asked her where she got them and she said "Love Culture". So last weekend I walked in there with a mission and found a pair of stretchy capri jeans for $24. They were a size "5" which means they were juniors. Now Stacey and Clinton would say that's a big faux pas to wear junior clothes but they fit and they were exactly what I was looking for. But the size "5" pretty much sums it. The stores at the new Southcenter are catered towards teens, not women. If you want to get quality pieces that would last a few washes, go to somewhere else. If you're looking for a cute top to wear for a weekend in Vegas for less than $25, check out Southcenter.

Banana Republic Review

2008-08-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Banana Republic's look is simple, classic and affordable. Almost everything eventually goes on sale so you can often find nice tops for around $20 and pants for $50. At that price you can feel guilt-free when you buy new clothes every season. A couple of years ago I was talked into getting a Banana Republic credit card. I don't usually like to get store brand cards but I knew I was already spending a few hundred dollars a year at BR that I might as well get something extra out of it. You get a 5% reward on what you spend with your BR card that you can spend at BR, the Gap and Old Navy. So I'd often get $10 cards after I've spent $200. You also get 15% off coupons regularly to use online or in store. In the first year I spent enough using my BR card that I became a Luxe member. I don't even want to know what I spent to qualify for that. But with the Luxe card I get free shipping on everything online. That just opened the flood gates and I'm now a more loyal BR shopper than ever. Everything I buy online can be returned at the store for an instant credit. There's little hesitation towards ordering something on a whim and just return it when you get buyer's remorse a week later.

Flutter sleeve stirred top - $39.00. I usually go for the basics at BR. A simple top like this is flattering and comfortable and you can easily dress up with a necklace. It's good for the office but also casual enough for the weekends. I've noticed that the quality of the BR tops are much better than the Gap (same company) , even though when you buy things on sale, the prices are more or less the same.

Knotted necklace - $44. BR has some really gorgeous fashion jewelry. They look high quality but they're not as expensive as something you would find at say, Nordstrom. The pieces last much longer than cheaper jewelry that you would find at Forever 21 or Aldo. I usually wait for these to go on sale and then scoop up a few necklaces to pair with basic tops.

The important details about BananaRepublic.com

Shipping: $7 for standard shipping, free for BR card holders for over $100 and free for all Luxe card holders.
Returns: free to return in store. They ship their clothes in convenient resealable bags so that they're also easy to send back in the mail. Return by mail is also free, BR pays the shipping.

Rating: 4 out of 5
The bottom line: So I admit that Banana Republic won't suit everyone's taste. Their styles are not cutting edge or overly trendy. But if you love the classics and you like Banana Republic, then this integrated experience between the BR stores, website and the Luxe card really rounds out a great shopping experience. You should take advantage of it!

BCBG.com Review

2008-08-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

I've been in love with BCBG dresses long before I could afford them. Their intricate bead work, feminine sillouettes and silky textures are just my taste. Whenever BCBG had one of their 50% - 70% sales on dresses I would scoop one up even if I didn't have an occasion to wear it. I still have a full length satin gown that's been hanging in my closet for over 4 years. BCBG.com has a full display of those same gorgeous dresses along with the rest of their collection. However the experience is labored and unsatisfying. It takes 4 clicks before you get to zoom in on a picture to get a full appreciation of the details on a dress. Repeat this process a couple times and you'll be wishing you were in the store touching and feeling the pieces or shopping elsewhere online. Sale items at BCBG have always been "final sales" and the same rule applies to sale items online. If you have ever bought clothes online you know how risky that is especially since their pieces are usually in the $100 and above range. In the end, my heart still fills with desire at the sight of those pretty dresses but I will not be buying them at BCBG.com.

The important details:
Shipping: $6 - $12 based on the cost of the order
Returns: You pay for the return shipping. No returns on sale items. Ouch! Just think, you could be paying $20 if you buy something you don't like and have to send it back.

Rating: 1 out of 5
The bottom line: BCBG really missed the mark with their online store. The site needs to be faster, the shipping needs to be way cheaper and the return policy needs to be much, much improved.

Nordstrom.com Review

2008-08-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

If you are already a loyal Nordstrom shopper then you know about their excellent attention to customer service. Urban legends have it that someone successfully returned a tire to Nordstrom even though they don't even sell tires. Nordstrom.com is well integrated into the overall Nordstrom experience. Anything you buy online you can return in store and instantly receive the refund. No messing around with return packaging and waiting for the refund to process! The selection online is different than what you may see in you local stores. The selection online seems more limited. For example, the store in Seattle has a wide selection of Gucci and Chanel handbags but there's no Gucci or Chanel online. This makes for a less fulfilling browsing (and yearning) experience. However, if you find something online that's carried in your store but not in the size or color you want, you can ask them to ship it to your home for free! I've shopped for items online this way and went in to ask for it to be shipped to avoid the shipping fee but getting exactly what I wanted.

The important details:

Shipping: Free over $200. It's not hard to hit $200 shopping at Nordstrom but I'd love it if the minimum was lower.
Returns: Nordstorm charges $6 to return by mail. So your best bet is to return in store. You get your refund immediately.

Rating: 4 out of 5
The bottom line: I'm already a full on Nordstrom convert so in my mind, Nordstrom will always make it right for their customers. I'm just anxiously waiting for their online selection to catch up so that I can buy more online!

Shape Solutions: The Pear

2008-08-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Does it seem like everything you eat goes straight to your butt and thighs? Does it seem like your tops and bottoms can belong to two different people because the bottoms are so much bigger? That means you have a pear shaped body type. Shopping for clothes can be frustrating to you especially if you're short. Don't worry, there are some simple tips that will help you find clothes that flatter you and it'll make shopping fun again. The key is to draw attention to your assets and play down your trouble areas.

Choose a curve hugging wrap top that brings the eyes to the chest and your waist.

BCBG Max Aria Print Jersey Wrap Top - $138. A top like this accents the smallest part of your waist. The print brings the eyes to your smaller upper body and away from your lower half. Avoid babydoll silhouettes that can make your upper half blend into your larger bottom half and make you look wider than you actually are.

You can also try a basic V neck paired with an ornate necklace to spotlight your face.

Banana Republic long sleeve v-neck sweater - $59 This is an example of a v-neck and necklace combo. The solid v-neck serves as a backdrop to the necklace and all the attention is really focused on the face.

Find a pair of straight leg slacks and a pair of jeans that really fit you well. You'll need bottoms with a fairly stiff material rather than thin and clingy. A slightly wider straight leg will even out the shape of your leg and make them look longer. Avoid pants that taper at the ankle at all cost! You can complete the look with a pair of pointy heels to elongate your legs further. If you don't have luck finding bottoms that flatter you, consider going to a tailor. It's well worth the investment.

Banana Republic Martin glenplaid trouser - $110.00 I wouldn't recommend buying pants online unless you know exactly the fit of the pants. Go to stores and try a million pairs on! Remember, no tapered legs!

Create Your Own Sense of Style, by Kate

2008-08-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

Style is such a personal thing. The most important thing with any outfit is that you feel good in what you wear. That means that the clothes need to fit and feel good (your shoes need to be comfortable!). The color palette should flatter the natural tones in your complexion and hair. And you should look appropriate for the occasion (work, working out, relaxing, or a night on the town). Everything is so personal. If you have no style then where should you start? Read more in Kate's blog.

VictoriasSecret.com Review

2008-08-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's easy to fall for the allure of those incredibly beautiful Victoria's Secret models. So when I got an email about the semi annual sale with full color images of the sexy girls in cute summer dresses, I decided to give Victoria's Secret.com another shot after a few disappointing experiences years ago. I quickly racked up over $200 of clothes in my shopping bag to qualify for free shipping over $75. Some of them were back-ordered so they won't ship right away but the ETA was soon enough to still make me place the purchase. When the items arrived a week or so later, I was pleased, bewildered and disappointed at once.

the squareneck babydoll bra top dress fit way too tight. For $29, I wasn't going to keep it if I didn't like it. Oh yeah, I don't look like the model in the picture. Darn it.
they mistakenly shipped a bra top instead of the babydoll halter bra top dress. I had to call customer service to get that sorted out and get the real dress shipped.
I ordered a couple of baby doll tees and they look very cheaply made. They were cheap, just $10 or so each. I kept one and returned one that had a stain on it.
I ordered a sequined silk baby doll top for $30 and that was cute and well made. It was a keeper.

Squareneck babydoll Bra Top dress - $29

O-ring babydoll halter bra top dress - $19

Ruffle Rim Babydoll Tee - $9.99

The Important Details:

Shipping: free over $75, promotion varies
Returns: returns are easy to make since they provide resealable envelopes with pre-printed return labels. Although you do have to pay for return shipping. It takes many weeks for the return to process. It's a real pain.

Rating: 2 out of 5
The bottom line: You get what you paid for. Spend a little more to ensure that the pieces will be well made but the cheaper items are exactly that. Given that shipping is not free, you're better off shopping at brick & mortar stores to make sure that you can see the quality of the pieces.

Smart Trend: the Tankini

2008-08-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

During a recent family vacation to Hawaii I gained a new found appreciation for the simple genius of the tankini. I was uncomfortable at the thought of seeing my 14 year old niece in a bikini at the beach since I still think of her as a sweet young girl. When she showed up in a cute Roxy tankini I breathed a sigh of relief. It was fashionable and completely age appropriate. Her mother, who is in her early 40's and just recently dropped her baby weight from her youngest child, also chose a tankini. Her suit cleverly accentuated her curves while you're flat playing down her tummy area. And my mother who is 61 also wore a tankini. It's amazing how a little smart thinking transformed the traditional one piece into a figure flattering design that appeals to multiple generations. The unforgiving one piece makes you look prepubescent if you're flat chested and makes you look like the Michelin Tire Man if you've got a bit of yummy fat. The tankini, on the other hand, works like a tank top that is just long enough to go below the tummy which is a problem area for many women. It's usually not as tight as the one piece but offers the coverage of a one piece for those who are self conscious about baring their mid-section. On top of that, there's plenty of necklines and print for everyone. The bikini still is the summer icon but the tankini is for real girls, and women.

Raisins Tawny tankini top - $42.99 (additional 50% off). Raisins and Roxy are both popular brands for girls.

Kenneth Cole rushed tankini top - $66.00

Tommy Bahama 'Tahaana Damask' tankini top - $88.00

Olian Maternity Halter tankini - $24.90. Even expectant mommies can wear the tankini!

Teen Choice Awards 2008

2008-08-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm not really the target demographic for the TC08 but there were definitely some stunning looks on the red carpet.

Blake Lively is one of the new "it" girls. When I saw her in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I definitely saw that she had something special.
Get this look for less: Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise One Shoulder Knit Dress - $48 and Banana Republic Wide Patent Stretch Belt - $59

Sophia Bush in a Jenni Kane Drape Dress from her 2009 Resort collection. I don't know how much it is but it's gorgeous to look at.

Vanessa Hudgens in a Catherine Malandrino Tempo Dress - $750.

Going Green in Fashion

2008-08-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Gas prices are just getting too ridiculous. Both of our cars take premium gas which hurts even more when we fill up at the pumps. I personally don't mind the gas price increase because I think it will naturally drive us to innovate and create better mass transit and more fuel efficient cars. However, I decided that I didn't want to contribute to the problem so I'm going to start taking the bus to work 2-3 times a week. I took the bus all through college and I hated it during the rainy season, which is about 9 months out of the year here in the Pacific Northwest. Now just because I want to go green doesn't mean I can't do it in fashion. So I figured I could use the money I save on gas to shop for accessories for my commute. The first item on the wish list is rain boots.

Chooka Signature Printed Rain Boot - $59.95. These are adorable with the cute little whale prints. And affordable too.

Juicy Couture 'Sammy' Rain Boots - $107.95. I probably wouldn't get these in pink but they're just so darn cute in that colour. These come in black as well which would be more versatile.

Burberry Rain Boot - $195. These would be my first choice but I would have to take the bus for 2 months to save up enough gas money to buy these. But a girl can dream... These boots will go with any outfit.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

2008-07-19T13:51:00.001-07:00

The sale of the year is here! The annual Nordstrom anniversary sale started at 12:00am on July 18th. This sale is so big that they actually shut down Nordstrom.com to get ready and they started a countdown to midnight around 10pm. I anxiously watched the countdown then jumped on the sale at the stroke of midnight. Here's the goodies I got that night. I'm sure I'll be visiting the stores as well during the rest of the sale.

7 For All Mankind® High Waist Bootcut Stretch Jeans - Sale $125.90, After Sale: $191.00
Hanky Panky Print Thong - Sale $11.90, After Sale: $20.00

Enzo Angiolini 'Sena' Bootie - Sale $79.90, After Sale: $119.95

I Love My Bermuda Shorts

2008-07-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

So far, my favourite summer outfits always include my Banada Republic bermuda shorts. The look is flattering and professional; the fit is comfortable. I have a pair in black and a pair in white.

Martin cotton bermuda shorts - $19.99 sale
I like to pair the shorts with a bright coloured top such as this one:

Cap sleeve knot top - $19.99 sale
then top it off with a charming fashion necklace:

Fringe necklace - $29.99

Shopping in Canada Just Got Less Fun

2008-07-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

I visit my family in Vancouver, Canada often and in the past, it's always been a fun shopping trip. My favourite stores in Vancouver are Jacob, Club Monaco, Zara and Artzia. Times were especially good when the we used to get $1.5 Canadian dollars to $1 USD. It was like a sale everyday! Sales tax in Vancouver is higher than Washington, it's a 7% provincial tax plus a 7% federal tax (GST). The federal government used to have a GST rebate program for visitors. If you spent more than $250 on your trip, you can get your GST back, i.e. 7% of that total. Well, on my most recent trip just a couple of weeks ago, I found out that they did away with the GST rebate program way back in April 2007. Now with the US dollar at par with the Canadian dollar, shopping in Canada just got a lot less fun.

I Love My Cole Haan Pumps

2008-07-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

One of my recent purchases that's become one of my favorites is my Cole Haan pumps with Nike Air. I've always thought of Cole Haan as "comfy" shoes but I haven't really looked hard to see if there were any for me. Nike bought Cole Haan a few years ago and since then I've been intrigued by the idea of Nike sneaker comfort in a stylish shoe. Now I have the evidence! These classy pumps are a staple to any wardrobe. They're not very high, about 2.5 inches which is makes them feminine enough but not unstable. They're regularly about $275 but I found my pair at Nordstrom Rack for $119. I don't usually spend that much on shoes so I was a little hesitant but having worn them now these are worth every penny.

Cole Haan "Fiona Low Air" Pump - $275

Straight Leg Stretchy Jeans

2008-07-02T21:23:00.001-07:00

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is a challenge. Everyone's shape is a little different so it's hard to find a pair of jeans that show off your assets and hide your flaws. My latest want is a pair of nice straight leg jeans that I can wear to work and for going out. I have quite a few pairs of boot cut jeans already so I want a pair of straight leg jeans to wear with cute heels. I usually have better luck with stretchy jeans because they fit better. My other criteria is that I don't want pay $200 for jeans. I decided to bite the bullet and look for a pair that meet my requirements around $150. My friend suggested that I go visit Aritzia, a Canadian boutique that has recently expanded to the US. I tried on a few pair of jeans before deciding on the J Brand pencil leg.

J Brand '912 The Pencil' Stretch Jeans (ink wash) - $158. This is the pair that I ended up with. They fit tight but the stretch makes them comfortable. The wash is dressy enough for work and evening.

Womens Melrose - Dark Resin Rinse - $169. These are also very nice. The wash is a bit more casual than the J Brand. They're not as stretchy (only 2% spandex), so they may stretch out and lose its shape later. They're also made of a stiffer material than the J Brand.

I also tried on Proportion of Blue which also had a more casual wash and very flattering fit. I can't seem to find them online. The girls at Aritzia really knew their jeans and it was so much fun to just walk into the store and have them bring me what I wanted. It was almost like a Pretty Woman moment.

2008 Daytime Emmys Red Carpet

2008-06-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

Looks to copy:

Lisa Rinna

Mori Lee chiffon dress - $132

Mackenzie Mauvy

BCBG Jersey dress - $298
Still searching for this one...

Minoe Noji

Forever21.com Review

2008-06-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

Shopping at Forever 21 is like satisfying a craving at your favorite fast food restaurant. You know it's not that good for you. Forever21 hardly offers high quality pieces. You know that you may regret it later. They have a wide selection of current fads that can fade away the next week. But sometimes, you just want to experiment with the latest trend you saw in a magazine. And sometimes, you may just find a stylish piece that looks good on you and is a great bargain. Kind of like the new latte at McDonald's.

Alexia Lace Dress $24.88. I ordered this dress online because it looked cute in the picture and is a bargain. When I got it, I realized that this dress is cut for a teenager. The waist is high and the skirt is short. It's not something I would feel comfortable wearing. The dress has a tulle like lining that was scratchy against my legs. I didn't expect high quality materials but since it also didn't look good, I decided to return it.

Tiered Silk Top $22.80. In real life this top doesn't feel like silk and doesn't flow like silk. It didn't look flattering on me, so I sent it back also.

Isocolina Sequin Top $24.80 I ordered this top in a mauve like color instead of white. In person, this top is much heavier than I expected and the sleeves are wider than in the picture. It would be a cute top to wear with short shorts for a night out. This one was a keeper.

The Important Details:

Shipping: free over $75
Returns: can return in store for store credit only, or return by mail for full refund with 30 days of ship date

I <3 to Shop Rating : 2 out of 5
The bottom line: I probably won't shop here again soon. Too much of a crap shoot.

The Search for a Cute Laptop Bag

2008-06-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

I currently use a simple and classic Coach tote like the one on the left for my work laptop. It's a quality leather bag that's sturdy and leaves my laptop well protected. It also makes for a great work bag because it's large enough to hold letter-sized file folders for bringing home paperwork from the office. However, my dilemma is that I was also carrying another shoulder bag to hold my makeup, wallet and such. Why carry two bags to work? Is there one stylish bag that doubles as a laptop bag and a handbag? I haven't decided on which one will replace my reliable Coach tote but here's what I found so far.

Coach Hamptons Weekend multi-function tote. $378. It's large enough to hold a 14.1" laptop.

Elliott Lucca Bettina Shopper. $318 This is not meant for laptops but based on the dimensions you should be able to fit a 12.1" laptop comfortably.

Kate Spade clinton street cally latop case. $295 This is a true laptop case, classy and simple.

Burberry Check Tote. $595 I would say this bag it outside of my price range but for a staple such as Burberry, it's worth the investment if you love this classic look. This bag can double as a travel tote or a diaper bag.

LAMB Jacquard-Jolie Tote. $675. This bag caught my eye and I'm a big fan of Gwen Stefani but I'm having a bit of a sticker shock.

UPDATE: Here's a great, affordable one from Banana Republic:

Sutton Straw Laptop Tote - $89.99