Gucci-licious!

After a very busy (and extremely unglamourous) long-weekend I decided to give blogging a bit of a skip yesterday and today, after hours spent at nurseries and outdoor furniture shops, I'm ready for a bit of fabulousness, so bring it on!

I spotted these amazing sandals on the Bergdorf Goodman website and just absolutely loved them.

Off course they are way more expensive than my little monthly budget will allow, but that won't stop me from appreciating these sexy little numbers from afar. Mmmm - I'll be wearing them in my dreams tonight...(yes, in my dreams I'm a lot more well-dressed.)

Day 112 - Outfit 112

Black cardi, grey top, jeans and black sandals

Day 113 - Outfit 113

Black cardi, floral dress, leggings and black wedge sandals

One good thing - the weather is finally getting better - yay!



Super quick buy

We are still on the hunt for the perfect outdoor set and our search just happened to take us to Kohls. (one of many places on the long list that we visited today).

So, what does a clothes loving blogger do in the shop? She takes a quick peek at the sales racks off course - and it paid off. I bought the sweater below. Now, I know it is not the best sweater ever, and I probably won't wear it until November, but I've been looking for a comfy sweater to wear with skinny's or leggings in a taupe-ish colour, so when I found one on the sale of the sale of the sale for a mere $10, I couldn't pass it up, could I?

This little treasure, will now move to the back of my closet till winter time, and even though it is a sin to wait that long before wearing something, it's okay, because it will be waiting for me, ready to be worn, as soon as the colder temperatures move in (I'm hoping it is in 4-5 months' time and not in a week or two - Seriously, this Spring did almost not exist!).

Day 111 - Outfit 111

White top, boyfriend jeans and BCBG sandals

French Connection at Sears

I've been going on and on about designer brands being sold at "cheaper places", such as Rodarte, Thakoon, William Rast etc being sold at Target every now and then, Mango at JC Penny and Vera Wang at Kohls.

Today, I discovered another one: SEARS (yes, Sears) is now selling "UK Style by French Connection". I took a quick look (only a quick look since we were actually really only there to look at garden stuff - boring) and I thought it was really quite cute. I just love French Connection and must admit that this new little range is A LOT cheaper than the regular French Connection prices, which makes it not only cool, but a bargain too! Whoohoo!

Day 110 - Outfit 110

Very casual outfit for a very quick trip to the garden center - maroon top, denim skirt and black flip flops

Sales galore

The best thing about long weekends, is the fact that there are usually loads of sales. Everyone has them...Gap, Loft, Banana Republic, JC Penny, J Crew, Macy's etc.

Some do it good with 40% off, others offer a disappointing 15%, but in the end, everything around us is on sale. Now...if I can only convince my husband that I need to go to the shops this weekend... We have decided to devote a lot of time on garden sets, plants, trees and just general outside things, so I'm hoping I can sneak a little clothing time in there for myself.

Fingers crossed!

Day 109 - Outfit 109

Book club outfit: Silk top, boyfriend jeans and Tod's shoes

Uniforms - um...no.

I've had to wear a uniform for work before when I worked in London. Most people would love to wear a uniform because you don't have to worry about what you are going to wear and you don't have to put a lot of wear-and-tear on your own clothes .

I don't feel like that at all. Can you say Claus-tro-pho-bia? When I wear a uniform, it feels like my soul is slowly being sucked right out of me. I express myself through my clothing. Every outfit might not be forward thinking or even fashionable, but I love clothes, how it looks, feels and what it makes me feel. Each time I put on my navy uniform (skirt and jacket), white short-sleeve collard shirt, stockings and scarf, I cried a little bit on the inside.

(I love scarves - funky, fabulous scarves, not the hideous thing that I had to wear every day. Can you say 22 to 42 in 2 seconds? Yuck!)

No thank you, no unifom for me, merci.

Day 108 - Outfit 108

Off-white cardi, blue-green top, boyfriend jeans and golden sandals

Does it have to be expensive to look expensive?

I've received a huge compliment about today's outfit which made me think that I must be successful at the whole bargainista thing.

My colleague asked where I bought the top I was wearing and when I gave her the answer, she made my day! My answer was: JC Penny. She thought it was a Michael Kors. Whoohoo! (and she knows a thing or 2 about clothes...)

This whole experience brings me to the question: Does something have to be expensive to look expensive?

Absolutely not!

You can buy something fabulous at a bargain price - as I have proven over the past 107 days - after all, just look at my BCBG shopping spree from a few posts ago and you will know it is possible. I must admit that I do occasionally miss going to Nordies and Neimans and buying something fabulously expensive - not just because it is expensive, but because I adore it - but the thrill I'm getting from sticking to my budget and absolutely enjoying finding items that I can afford on my budget just makes me giddy.

I can live one year without a new pair of Jimmy Choos or a Gucci bag - it will not be the end of the world. It might just mean that I become more conscientious of what I buy and how much it is worth to me. Good thing? I think so...

Day 107 - Outfit 107

Black cardi "Michael Kors-ish" top, culottes (not the coolest things ever, but it worked) and black wedge sandals.

My favourite Ralph Lauren quote

I just loved what Ralph Lauren told Oprah on her show that aired on Wednesday May 18th - this is now one of my favourite new fashion/clothing quotes:

 "I'm not about fashion, I'm about living - and that's been my whole career, and the clothes that I've designed and everything that I've done is about life and how people live and how they want to live and how the dream they'd live. And that's what I do."



Day 106 - Outfit 106

Black Cardi, floral print I heart Ronson dress and black sandals

Ralph Lauren

I've finally watched the Ralph Lauren episode on Oprah and I must admit, I love the guy and his design style even more than before and I'm already planning on going into his shops more often than ever before.

I was surprised to learn that he is scared about each collection and smiled when I heard him tell the story about the early days, when he just sent a collection on the runway and he followed the models on the stage for the applause and as he was walking off the runway, he already started worrying about what he was going to do next year. "I didn't even have 3 minutes to enjoy the pleasure, I was worried about next time"

Well Mr Lauren, you have never disappointed anyone - you truly are the quintessential American Designer -  you rock!

Day 105 - Outfit 105

White cardi, navy blingy top, boyfriend jeans and silver sandals

Day 103 & 104

After an exhausting week at my new job, we enjoyed this weekend in a very leisurely/lazy fashion. Not only because I was knackered, but also because the doctor told my husband to take it easy on his leg this weekend (he is still experiencing pain after 3 months...)

This weekend was spent viewing a lot of movies and tv and doing a lot of food shopping and preparing and very little fashion/clothing shopping/searching/enjoyment, so for that reason, I will just post my outfits this weekend and not rack my brain to write anything informative, clever or interesting.

Hopefully Monday will bring more creativeness. 

Days 103 & 104 - Outfits 103 & 104

Whoohoo, we had some sunshine and okay-ish weather today, so I'm wearing a very pink cardi, cream butterfly-patterned top, boyfriend jeans and gold bauble sandals.

Quick outfit for a quick trip to the grocery store - cardi, purple-pink dress and black sandals

Cold Comfort

Today I spoke to my new colleague Megan about our lack of Spring and she mentioned to me that the longer the weather was cold and depressing, the more she was retreating back into her comfy winter clothes and it struck me...the reason why I feel like I don't dress up enough in Winter, is because everything that I feel is warm enough in the cold Colorado Winter, is cozy, comfy, and snugly.

If I lived in a place where it wasn't quite so cold, I might have dressed a bit more funky in Winter...cool jackets and cute shirts... If I wore a just a jacket and a shirt here, I'd be absolutely freezing, so in order to be warm enough, I need a thick tops, sweaters and accessories like scarves.

At least, that is all behind us for a few more months, since Spring has started officially (according to the calender) and the warmer weather will hopefully come soon.

Day 102 - Outfit 102

Cashmere Cardi, purple dress, leggings and ballet flats

Old and new...trends coming back

Trends come and go and sometimes they come back even better than before.

I bought the handbag below in the early 90's when I was in high school and just loved it, but a few years later, I didn't think it was cool enough to carry it around anymore. Luckily, I decided to hang on to it because of the great quality leather and craftsmanship.

This year, Kate Spade came out with the yellow beauty below, looking very similar to my old little bag above, just a more refined, stylish and classic version of the above.



Gotto love fashion.

Day 101 - Outfit 101

Grey sweater, grey and white shirt, grey skinny's and black boots - cozy outfit for a very chilly "Spring" day

100 days - hoohah!

Today I'm celebrating 100 days of this crazy self-imposed experiment that I have decided to take on this year and I thought it best to just remind myself and the blog's followers of the Shop-My-Closet-365 rules. (not that I'm complaining...after all - I chose these rules):

The Rules

1. I am only allowed to spend $200 per month on clothes, shoes and make-up. (what I don't spend rolls over to the next month.)

2. I may only wear what is in my closet and what the $200 can afford

3. I may only wear each outfit once during the course of this experiment - if I want to wear the same top, it must be with different bottoms

4. Only 1 outfit per day counts, so if I am dressing up for a night on the town, that outfit can count as my 1 per day

5. What I don't wear during this year, must be donated or sold (excludes cocktail dresses, since there are not many opportunities to don those in Colorado), unless off course I love it like a first-born

6. If I'm wearing a dress, accessories count as my second piece so it can be worn again. (with different shoes and accessories next time)

7. I may wear something that I have received as a gift or that I bought with a gift card (it doesn't count as part of the $200

8. I must take a photo and post it on the blog every day (unless I am somewhere where I don't have Internet access - then I must still take the daily photos and post it as soon as I can)

9. I must get my ass into shape so that more clothes will fit.

10. I must continue this experiment for 365 days.

In the beginning I told myself to HAVE FUN AND DON'T QUIT!!!!! - and I'm happy to say that 100 days later, I'm still going strong. Whoohoo!

 

Day 100 - Outfit 100

 

It is Spring in Colorado and instead of beautiful summer days, we are experience cold grey rainy ones, so instead of cute springy outfits, I'm still rocking my winter Vera Wang sweater, but at least I could pair it up with my new BCBG lace print top, jeans and wedge leather t-strap shoes.

 

Handbags in SA

I have posted before about the new trend in handbags: long strap and flap over bags are the thang baby!

I have convinced my mom to get some of my old bags off my bag hanger (an old coat rack from my dad's office that now looks like a handbag tree in my old bedroom - love-it) and she has taken a photo of each of them. Just goes to show, trends come, go, get a bit joozhed up and come back again. (not all of the bags below are highly fashionable right now, but all of them are in the "genre").

It all comes back...

Day 99 - Outfit 99

Oh where oh where did Spring go????  BCBG sweater, red Banana Republic top with pussy bow tie, boyfriend jeans and brown tall boots



First official training day

Today is my first official training day at work. We are going to be trained for 3 weeks and this one was a doozy. I don't think I've even been in a class, learning, from 8-5, EVER in my life. Even at university, you at least had one class off.

Anyway, today was hectic and I'm extremely tired, so I'll skip just post my 1st day outfit today.

Day 98 - Outfit 98

Black maxi dress with a gold sweater that I bought in London and some ballet flats.



Z spoke by Zac Posen

I have been a very spoilt girl this weekend, I've received another gift. (Or actually, I pouted and pouted until my hubby decided to buy me another prezzie).

This time, I was in Off Saks Fifth Avenue and I saw the dress below by Zac Posen (one of my favourite designers). It was originally priced at $435 and marked down, then went on clearance and finally, thanks to a "loyalty" coupon, it was marked down to $75 - whoohoo! I couldn't let this one pass. When my eyes landed on the fabulously expensive looking navy silk, it was love at first site.

So, now...this beautiful dress below is mine - whoohoo.

Believe me - it is even more fabulous in real life - this pic doesn't do it justice.

Day 97 - Outfit 97

Black jacket, black sequined Vera Wang top, grey skinny's and new black leather shoes. Ready for dinner and a bit of gambling in the mountains.

BCBG marathon shopping day

Today I had the most fabulous shopping day at BCBG. I blew my budget on some amazing clothes with the original price tags adding up to $904, but I only spent $185 - whoohoo! 

Absolutely everything was on sale and marked down even further - every shoppers' idea of shopping heaven. 



Black and white pussy bow tie shirt



Green top - I love the dramatic sleeves



Great pink print chiffon dress



Sexy going-out top



Dramatic black and white top



Day 96 - Outfit 96 

Black Lauren Conrad jacket, maroon top, skinny jean and black sandals - ready for dinner at The Palm

Handbag Prezzie

I love handbags, but I'm not very adventurous with them. I buy one or two really good ones a year (sometimes I pay a bit more - okay, a lot more than I should, but I figure, since I don't buy many bags a year, I guess it is okay). 

I have one or two bags that I wear regularly during the week and I take my fancy ones out for a spin over the weekend or on holidays (vacations). 

My favourite everyday-bag, a silver Armani bag, is nearing the end of its extremely busy life, so I've been looking for a replacement. 

I found something fun, colourful and practical and my hubby bought it for me as a prezzie - yay! 

Loving my fabulous new grape coloured Michael Kors bag

Day 95 - Outfit 95

Purple Vera Wang shift dress, black cardi and black wedges

  

Last day today

Today was my last day at my job and I start with a new one tomorrow. There is too much going on inside me (happiness, fear, nervousness, etc.) to be creative or think of anything interesting to say, so I'm going to just post my pic and be done with it for today:

Day 94 - Outfit 94

Anne Taylor military style cashmere cardi, denim skirt and tall black boots.



Closet

I have a lot of clothes, too much some people might say. At least I donate some of it to charity when feel ready to part with an item, so I guess I'm not a total clothes hoarder, but the fact is I love clothing and I love most of what I own,so even if it doesn't fit me anymore, I secretly do think that one day it will (I know I'm not alone) and so I keep it.

Basically, what this means is...my closet is overflowing. Or, at least, it used to be, until I complained enough and finally dragged my husband to a home improvement store and he finally agreed to change our walk in-closet to my specifics.

This is what it used to look like (you can see the 2 corners on my side of the room - his side is on the other side of the window).



Window side corner



Door side corner

After a bit of hard work and lots of good measurements, it now looks like this:

Window side corner



Door side corner



Isn't it great what a bit of hard work and persuasion can accomplish? Yay!

Day 93 - Outfit 93

It went from 80F to 40F overnight - brrrr...so I had to wear a comfy warm sweater, skinny's and tall boots. It looks like Bewley and Lilu are the biggest posers ever (I promise, this photo is not staged, they pose like that on their own)

New office wear

On Friday I will be starting at my new job. Now I know I have moaned and groaned about the lack of dress-code at my current job, so I should be pleased that my new office dress code states: business casual, but I'm really wondering: what does business casual really mean.

I know what it would mean in London or Cape Town, but in Colorado...I'm not so sure. It seems like everyone dresses a bit less formal than the dress code requires, so I'm thinking about what to wear on my first day and I have decided that I will rather over-dress than under-dress, since that's how I roll.

Yes people, I'm slowly but surely going back to that girl who loves to dress up and look pretty and doesn't care if she is over-dressed (or the most fabulously dressed as I'd like to call it) in the building. I'm gonna rock it out! (mmm...in what...I wonder)

Day 92 - Outfit 92

Black cardi, purple maxi dress and black DKNY wedges (with my adoring crowd)

Home-made

So, I'm going around and around in my head about this sewing machine thing. Off course I'd never wear anything that looks to home-made-y, so if I'm going to do this, I'll have to do it good, or make pillows and table runners...

It's so easy for something home-made to look home-made and extremely difficult for things to look expensive and good. My husband's grand-ma used to make a lot of clothes for my mother-in-law and she had the gift and the machinery to make skirts and jackets that looked almost tailor-made. I don't think I'll be quite that talented behind a machine - even with a few lessons, but I could make a mean pillow-case, and if that is all I can do well with a machine, that will be fine too. After all, I welcome the challenge of another hobby in the clothing family. (well, fabric family...)

Day 91 - Outfit 91

Calvin Klein jacket, Vera Wang dress and black leather t-strap wedges

Lazy Sunday

On this very lazy Sunday I've decided to wear something fun.

Day 90 - Outfit 90

White cardi, flouncy floral Lauren Conrad for Kohls top, boyfriend jeans and gold bauble sandals



Sewing the seams with love (sung to the tune of Sowing the seeds of love from Tears for Fears)

There is something strange going on. My mother would probably choke on her morning espresso when she reads this, but I am thinking about buying a sewing machine.

Yes, I the girl who has never finished a single Home Economics project on her own. The girl whose mom had to help her till 2am on the morning of the day of the project deadline to finish it. The girl who is too lazy to sew shut the hole on Lilu's teddy bear. Yes, I am interested in acquiring a sewing machine.

I'm thinking that I may, or may not love creating outfits for myself. The reason is that I'm seeing so many awesome things that I can't afford on my tight self-imposed $200 budget and I'd like to try and see if I can make it myself. I might fail miserably, I might loose interest in 2 week's time when I realize sewing is not for me, but on the other hand, I might just love and rock it out!

So, I'm thinking of starting small and buying an inexpensive machine, and play around for a while until I see if I love it or not. After all, I can always use it later to make pillow covers or whatever, so it won't be a complete loss...

I'll be going to a sewing machine shop next weekend to check it out...watch this space.

Day 89 - Outfit 89

Casual in a pink and grey silk top, boyfriend jeans and kick-ass Chanel sandals.

Shoe update

I have a shoe update:

After buying a new pair of shoes this weekend at the Nordstrom Rack, I decided to take back the pair of Nine West shoes that I bought in April: http://shopmycloset365.blogspot.com/2011/04/shoesies-for-my-footsies.html 

My friend Holly told me this weekend that since she started following my blog, she has become a lot more aware of what she spends on clothes and shoes. This really stuck with me, because I found it to be very true for myself too. In the past I would have bought 2 pairs of black, very similar looking shoes, wear them both and just be fine with it, but after buying the second pair, it kept bugging me. I finally "cracked under the pressure" and took the first pair back yesterday (since I like the other pair more).

When I made my return, the shopping assistant asked me if something was wrong with them - which off course is a often asked question when returns are made. I thought about it and my honest answer was: "I like them, I just couldn't love them".

That is kind of what this blog is doing for me. It's making me more aware and forcing me to only buy stuff that I really love instead of loads of things that are just okay.

So, I now have $210 to spend in May. Let the shopping begin!

Day 88 - Outfit 88



Another Mexian-ish outfit: Taupe top that I bought at Woolworths in South Africa, boyfriend jeans and ballet flats

Cinco de Mayo

For Cinco de Mayo (a celebration of Mexican heritage), I've decided to wear something a bit more festive and Mexican inspired during our neighbourhood taco evening.

My clothing motto: If you've got it...wear it.

Day 87 - Outfit 87

White Cardi, purple dress and gold ballet flats

Something to think about...

Thanks to Julie Chen from "The Talk" (a daily talk show on CBS), I've adopted a new clothing rule.

She says she buys something, divides the price by the amount of times she wears it and finally then, she'll know what she paid for it. So for instance, if she buys a fancy pair of shoes for $1000 and she wears the shoes 100 times, the shoes actually only cost $10!!!

Magic!

I like this new rule. Not only will it make me wear expensive things more, but it will also make me feel better about all the extremely pricey things in my closet. Yay!

Day 86 - Outfit 86

Black cardi, blue silk top, DKNY jeans and DKNY wedges