WHAT I READ

RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS

LOVE Kevin Kwan books. This is his third, and it doesn’t disappoint.

He’s a guy, but he really gets his style points right which is half the fun of reading (imagining Astrid’s outfits is everything).

WHAT I BOUGHT

So much. Cassie knows.

JET TECH FM TRANSMITTER FOR IPOD – $15

Love this iPod transmitter for the car. Cheaper than a Belkin and such a pretty colour. It has a little USB port to charge as well (OMG YES FINALLY), and it also hooks up to the headset.

Perfect.

SET CLOTHING MILITARY DRESS – $265

It looks great on, especially with a lace cami underneath (I tried it on in a store where it was selling for $595).

It looks really good on. The pockets are cargo ones, and it is comfy.

You can also wear it as an actual vest with jeans and so on.

SET CLOTHING STRIPED COTTON DRESS – $88

It looks good and comfortable:

I bought it slightly larger so it wouldn’t be too tight and it fits perfectly.

SET CLOTHING LONG-SLEEVED WOOL DRESS – $88

I love the way they styled it too:

Totally doing that for work. But with flats.

SEAFOLLY STRIPED BOYLEG SWIMSUIT – $238

I am not into swimsuits. This is my second one. It actually stays on when you swim and is not “sexy” but I’ve never worn a bikini in my life and never plan on it.

This is an amazing swimsuit. I already own it in black, but in striped it is exactly what I wanted as a special print and pattern.

Nothing fancy, still neutral, still cool. I bought a size 12 (YES 12!) and am normally a US 4 body, with US 6 shoulders (all my jackets are US 6).

My old black one is size 10 and is great but a little tight now (wtf) on my post-baby body so I thought I’d pick up another version just in case. LOVE THIS SWIMSUIT.

[RETURNED]

BANANA REPUBLIC ONE-SHOULDER WHITE COTTON POPLIN DRESS – $145

I bought it. I like wearing it. Note the emphasis on “LIKE”, and decided for a full $145 price, I will not be keeping it.

Why?

Few reasons:

• I feel weird wearing one shoulder. Kind of exposed.
• I do not want to spend $145 on a dress that is to me, worth $75.
• Need to wear a strapless bra with one strap for this. Had to shell out $60.66 for one and will be returning THAT ONE TOO.
• Too finicky for my lifestyle. I have plenty of other white dresses I prefer and this is too dressy

BANANA REPUBLIC BATIK PIECE & CO STRAPLESS MIDI PRINT DRESS – $280 + Adding Straps ($30) = $310

A gorgeous, GORGEOUS silk print that is like a swiped stripe. Their other prints are florals, with natural dye seeping into the fabric, dyed by the sun.

It is handmade, and each piece is unique (you put actual flowers on the fabric and let the sun dye it into the cloth) by artisans in a women’s co-op, and is a collaboration with Piece & Co.

The slit is a little high, but nothing too revealing, and on my 5’6″ frame it is a little long (just past the knees), so I had 4″ taken off the bottom to make…

YOU GUESSED IT.

STRAPS.

Sweet, sweet straps. So I feel more comfortable, and can wear it to work without feeling like I need a jacket all the dang time.

It is pricey, but worth it. I’d rather pay this price (double) than get a simple, sort of ‘eh I like it’ dress.

Iz cute right? JUST NEEDS STRAPS.

[RETURNED]

BANANA REPUBLIC TRENCH DRESS – $125

Didn’t love it. Liked it. Just not for the price. And I’d need straps added to it.

I will say that it looks JUST like it does on the model on me, just a bit more room in the bust, but the belt is too dang short to really tie into a knot (you have to properly belt it).

The colour is lackluster on my skin, a little too dull, but would look great on someone else.

In white, it would look really fantastic though. That would POP. Alas. Returned.

BANANA REPUBLIC ROBIN POINTED-FLAT TOE IN FUCHSIA & SILVER – $66.60 FOR BOTH!!! (SALE)

BR makes some of the most comfy flats in the world. I popped in to return some things, and found these two beauties on sale, in a very bright, striking fuchshia (obvious love)…

And a sort of animal-printed silver pattern. It is a neutral to me and will replace my completely battered Joe Fresh silver flats from years and years ago which finally hit the dustbin when I left Europe.

I am now relegating a pair of my thrifted brown flats to be my backup work flats for when it rains or I need another pair of shoes like when-it-rains-and-I-wore-suede-shoes-to-work.

YAY!

BANANA REPUBLIC STRIPED TOPS – COBALT & WHITE – $10 EACH

LOVE THIS SHIRT!

Modal is so comfortable, striped tee-shirts that are comfy and the cobalt is stunning a a colour on me.

I got it in white too. If they don’t work out as regular shirts, they’ll turn into sleep shirts like all my other ones. My regular lounge-y sleep shirts are kind of gross and stained now, so they’ll be rags soon.

MICHAEL KORS GLAM STUDDED HIGH TOP GUNMETAL SNEAKERS – $204

These Michael Kors Glam Studded High Top sneakers are the only pair I own… I haven’t worn sneakers for at least 8 years. (Out of style, may be hard to find).

They are AMAZING. I was so nervous, thinking they’d look like disco balls on my feet, look too young/juvenile, etc.. but not at all.

High-top, not too shiny in the gunmetal, a bit more of a bronze colour than “gunmetal” silver, and SUPER COMFORTABLE. Love the studded belt across the front too. I tuck in the laces to really show it off.

I love these shoes. They are perfect.

The only mini gripe? The zipper sticks 🙁 I can’t get it all the way up, it’s halfway and I leave it like that, and tie it double knotted and tuck it in to show off the studded belt.

COPPER BIRKENSTOCK ARIZONA SANDALS – $143

Love the copper strap of these sandals. They glam up anything and look great. Also, super comfy and come in a soft footbed.

Pretty.

RAY-BAN ERIKA POLARIZED SUNGLASSES – $69.18