MNG by Mango

It sometimes might look like I'm on a mission to buy as many things as I can for my monthly budget of $200, but that is not what this blog is about at all. If I see something that I feels is worth spending the full $200 or $100 on, I will do so. The dress below was on sale at JP Penneys. It is fr om their MNG by Mango line.

I tried it on and immediately fell in love with it. I got out of the dressing room in it to show my husband and he loved it too, so it had to be bought. Even though it was on sale, it was still $80, but we thought it was worth it.

The colours are more pale than what I would usually wear, but it didn't bother me at all, so I happily handed over my credit card and I'm super excited about wearing my fabulous Mango dress.

Day 174 - Outfit 174

Floral Aliceband, bright dress and gold sandals

Pink lace

I have been checking out a few websites for a while now, one of them happens to be JC Penney. The name itself usually does not inspire any ooooh's and aaaah's from the fashionista crowd, but lately, with the addition of I heart Ronson, Nicole by Nicole Miller and MNG by Mango, I've found some very cute things. 

I found the dress below online and thought it was really cute, not only was it on trend (lace) but also, it was a fabulous raspberry pink. I may be afraid to wear colours like orange and yellow, but if there is one colour that I will wear in every single shade, it is pink. (of course it looks much nicer on)

 

Then, in this month's O magazine, I saw the dress again and still thought it was cute, so when I finally walked into JC Penney today, I was so impressed to discover that this dress was now on sale for $25 - yay! It had to be bought.



My raspberry dress in O magazine

Day 173 - Outfit 173

Navy blingy top, boyfriend jeans, silver sandals

Fabulous dress for a fabulous wedding

My brother in law is getting married to one of my friends and I am extremely excited about attending the wedding next year. I have only one problem, the wedding will take place when it is Summer in South Africa and Winter in America, so I have to find a dress now, while it is Summer here. You would not think that that is an issue, but it really is because I am busy loosing weight and I am not at my goal weight yet, so if I buy something now, it might not fit me later. I can feel a series of blogs coming on on this subject...

I have found the most fabulously awesome and amazing dress at Neiman Marcus, which fits me now, but if I loose more than 5 or 10 lbs, it will be too big and they don't have the two sizes that are smaller than what I am now, so it has to be a no.

The dress is so fabulous though, that I have decided that I just had to post a picture of it on my blog:



Gorgeous dress by Carmen Marc Valvo

Oh, and I've forgotten to mention that it is completely over what my husband had in mind to spend on a dress for me for the wedding, so that makes it a definite NO. (Yes, in case you caught that, this dress will be a prezzie from my hubby, since it is his brother's wedding and he wants me to look fabulous)

Let the search continue!

Day 172 - Outfit 172

Blue-green top, boyfriend jeans and gold sandals - perfect for book club

Posting warning

Just a warning to all - if it looks like I've not blogged for a few days and you think that I may have quit my challenge, fear not, I'm still going strong, I'm just posting every few days due to my crazy work schedule.

I still take my photos every day and save them, but instead of posting every day (as I would prefer to do), or every second day, I now post every few days. There are no rules with when I post, basically, I just do so on days when I get home by or before 7pm (which is very rare lately).

I am still very pumped (well, that might be an exaggeration because I'm finding the challenge increasingly difficult) and completely committed to completing this challenge, so I have no intention of quitting just yet. Go challenge go!

Day 171 - Outfit 171

Silk top, jeans and black wedges

Ikea

This has absolutely nothing to do with fashion at all, but I have to share my excitement over the opening of one of my guilty pleasures with you.

Today, on July 27, 2011, the first Ikea in Colorado is opening and I am beyond excited. Not excited enough to take time off work and brave the craziness of opening day, but thoroughly chuffed!

Actually, now that I think about it, I guess you can connect Ikea with fashion/clothing because they do have some fabulous closets and closet organizing ideas. Yay for Ikea! Woohoo!

Day 170 - Outfit 170

Michael Kors top, boyfriend jeans and neutral sandals

Trend - Burgundy

This fall, burgundy is a big trend, not only in clothes, but also in lipstick, nail polish and handbags.

This might prove a difficult trend for me to follow, because I only have one burgundy top and I think I'm too florescent white to wear burgundy lipstick. I can however rock some burgundy nails, so I'm thinking that that is how I will be incorporating this trend into my life. (unless I buy something new, off course).

All the below pictures are from the Neiman Marcus website http://www.neimanmarcus.com/



Bobbi Brown lipstick



Fendi



Prada



Lanvin



Nancy Gonzalez



Deborah Lippman nail polish

Amazing Marc Jacobs dress combining 2 trends: Burgundy and lace

Day 169 - Outfit 169

Black cardi, purple dress, Tod's sandals

Trend: Handheld bags

The trend in handbags for Spring and Summer 2011 was small shoulder bags with a long straps. Off course we will all be wearing these bags for a few more months, but with the change of seasons comes the change of trends.

The big trend in handbags is the handheld bag. My favourite handheld bag that I own is this Mulberry bag that I bought when we just moved to Colorado. It is black so it is very versatile and I love using it especially in winter. The best thing for me is that even though it is a handheld bag, the strap is just long enough for me to carry it on my shoulder - I just love it!

Day 168 - Outfit 168

Black cardi, black top, grey skirt, blue statement necklace and blue-ish sandals

Project Runway

Excitement is in the air!!!

In 4 days time, Season 9 of Project Runway is kicking off and I for one can't wait!

As usual, I'm sure there will be loads of drama and cat fights, but those are not the reason why I love the show. I find the creativity, passion for fashion, forward-thinking ideas, Tim Gunn and the judges (especially Michael Kors) just absolutely fascinating. It amazes me how a bunch of people can all be given the exact same task and amount of money and the end result of their garments can differ so greatly. Sometimes, you get a glimpse of true genius.

I can't wait for the next season to start. I'm counting down the days and setting the DVR to record every single episode. Woohoo! Let the designing begin.

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway

Day 167 - Outfit 167

Today I received 4 compliments for the top that I'm wearing. I guess it will from now on be known as my glam Boulder hippy top. (I bought it in Germany, a world away from where I live, but it seems like the locals like it.) I teamed it up with boyfriend jeans and sandals.

Barneys New York

Oh my word, I've just been on the Barneys New York website to look at this sale that they've been bragging about and I had to shut it down because I was getting the craziest freaking heart palpitations. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Oh.My.Word!!!!!

http://www.barneys.com/Shoes/SHOES10,default,sc.html?start=0&sz=517

I am beyond myself with a mixture of emotions: excitement (because the prices are AMAZING), disappointment (because I've used up my budget for July 2011), horror (at the fact that I'm not able to buy anything), jealousy (because other lucky lucky horrible people will be able to buy something), surprise (by the amount of shoes I want on that list)...the list goes on.

I mean really, all my favourite guys have joined the party: Yves, Derek, Manolo, Alexander, Christian plus Lanvin, Fendi etc....

All I can think of right now is: WHYYYYYY???????

(hopefully I'll become more fond of my self-imposed challenge and budget tomorrow)

Day 166 - Outfit 166

This outfit looked so cute in real life, but in this pic, it looks really dreary...not cool.

Not so Fab Friday

Today I spent the entire day either sleeping or reading since I was sick in bed.

Obviously my outfit is nothing special, but a rule is a rule, so I'm posting a pic of a pretty pale me in a pretty uneventful outfit:

Day 165 - Outfit 165

Grey Adidas t-shirt, yoga pants and flip flops

Nordies

I've been telling you about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and how fabulous it is that they are selling next season's things at reduced prices during this sale. What I did not know at the time is that they only had a limited quantity of some of the best things on the sale, which has left not only myself, but loads of other people highly disappointed.

I opened my Sale catalogue and on the very first page I saw this amazingly beautiful Chanel-esque jacket for only $229. I have been scheming on ways to be able to buy this jacket without breaking my budget rules. I thought that I could perhaps have it count over 2 months, or I even thought that I could perhaps get it for part of my birthday present. I wasn't sure how yet, but this jacket was going to be mine.

Then, disappointment hit. All of these jackets were already sold out during the pre-sale. What they hey? Why would you tease the entire Nordstrom buying population by putting this jacket on the front page if you don't even have enough to be able to sell some on the first day of the sale?

I have one word, not my most eloquent word, not a word that would make my mom think that spending all that money on my education was worth it, but the only non-swearing word that I can think of to describe this whole debacle: SUCKS!!!!

Day 164 - Outfit 164

Bright stripey cardi, pink top, boyfriend jeans and gold sandals (the perfect hour for a 12.5-hour work day...)

Pretty in Pink

I saw Molly Ringwald on the Nate Berkus show a few weeks ago with Isaac Mizrahi and they were talking about a pink dress that he desined for her years ago, before he was hugely famous. I was shocked to discover that between the famous movie "Pretty in Pink" and the day that she wore the dress by Mizrahi on the red carpet, she completely stopped wearing pink.

I don't think that anything could ever stop me from wearing pink. As I've mentioned before, I used to have  light, dark and pink load of washing each week. I have stopped wearing such a huge amount of pink and I'm now alterating my pinks with loads of other colours, but I will never...NEVER give up my pink.

Day 163 - Outfit 163

Black cardi, top, taupe skirt and black wedges

Fall trend: Cobalt Blue?

It's that time of the year. I'm not ready to embrace it yet, but I need to get real and start to accept that Autumn is coming soon and along with it, the Autumn/Fall collections and trends.

Something that is warming my heart is that my favourite colour, Cobalt Blue is staying - woohoo! (It might actually be my second favourite colour, because if I'm very honest with myself I must say that pink was, is and will always be number 1).

During the winter, I was so chuffed that Cobalt Blue was a trend that I decided to make this collage in honour of this colour: 

Happiness is me continuing to wear this fabulous colour and thanks to fabulous designers such as Diane von Furstenburg, Michael Kors, Emilio Pucci, Trina Turk etc, I have the license/obligation to continue wearing it with pride and the knowledge that I'm super trendy. (not really - I'm not exactly the most trendy person I know, but I like following some trends - the ones that suit me - which is actually what I think everyone should do) 

Yay! Cheers to the return of Cobalt Blue (not that it ever really went away)

Day 162 - Outfit 162

 Black cardi and top, floral skirt and sandals

Designer dreams

This week, I had the craziest dream...it felt so real. I was in a posh department store and they had a HUGE sale on their designer handbags. I was in heaven.

The bags were prettily displayed on big tables covered in floor length table linens and I had the best time ever at the table. Picking up each one, not knowing what to take and what to leave. (off course, in my dream, my self-imposed $200 a month budged did not exist, so I was going crazy!).

Imagine the rude awakening when I woke up only to discover that it was all a dream.

You know you must be really into clothes and fashion when you start dreaming up your own sales. Does this mean that I am designer purchase deprived? Who knows, I'll have to wait till this Shop-My-Closet-365 challenge is over (or at least till my birthday arrives in November), before I can get anything designer.

Oh well, I'm sure I can wait a few more months for some fabulous designer item...and to be honest, in the meantime, I'm really enjoying my bargainista streak!

Day 161 - Outfit 161

 Black cardi, black and white dress/tunic, black leggings and black mini wedges

In all its cheapness

Today, while doing grocery shopping, I had to quickly pop into the nearest shop to get a cheapie gym t-shirt. Unfortunately the closest shop happened to be Ross - a shop that the hubster happens to detest, but what the hey, it happened to be the closest and also extremely cheap.

While running through the shop on a very unsuccessful t-shirt shopping expedition, I happened to find these cute dresses for a grand total of $25 - woohooo. That now wraps up my budget for the month. No more money left, but at least I ended it off with two really cute dresses for summer:



Cute off-white and black dress - perfect for our holiday next month (after a whole day in the some, I sometimes feel the need to cover up my shoulders)



Cute black and white dress/tunic to be worn with or without leggings/skinnys

All in all - bargains!

Day 160 - Outfit 160

Pink cardi, black dress and Chanel sandals

Lovely Louis

I saw this picture on the back cover of last month's Vogue and I could not stop looking at it. I just find it so beautiful and it was the thing in that Vogue that impressed me the most - a really attention grabber! (sorry Ms. Wintour).

In the first place, I absolutely love the scarf. I'm going to do my damnedest to find myself one of those. It is so freaking gorgeous, that I can't live without it. Second, if I was a little lazy and didn't work such crazy hours, I'd probably spend more time on blow drying my hair straight, and if I did, it would look like that. I can picture myself, in the South of France or some fabulous island, wearing that scarf in my hair, with all its girly deliciousness. (is it wrong to love a scarf that much?)

Day 159 - Outfit 159

All dressed up for a fabulous dinner at L'Atelier in Boulder. Black evening-style jacket, black top, sequined skirt, stocking-leggings and black shoes. (plus straight blow dried hair)

Undergarments

This is something that most people don't really think about very often, but it is so true. Isaac Mizrahi said (and I'm paraphrasing) "undergarments is the foundation of fashion".

It is such a true statement. How often can the wrong underwear or an ill-fitting bra just completely spoil an outfit? Not only can it make the amazing top or perfect fitting pants look too small, but it can create bulges where there usually aren't any.

I went for a bra fitting a few years ago and was completely surprised by the size that the woman said I was, versus the size that I was wearing for years. I could not believe it and told her she was completely wrong, but she came back with a few bras in my size and I was completely surprised by the result. I highly recommend that every woman go to see a professional bra-fitter - it will change your life. (well, maybe not your life, but definitely the way you look in clothes and it will increase your comfort level).

Day 158 - Outfit 158

Black Cardi, blue silk top, boyfriend jeans and bronze mini wedges

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Nordstrom does something that most other shops don't do. (actually, I don't think anyone else does it.) Each year in July, they have their anniversary sale in which they put items from the next season (Autumn/Fall) on sale. 

You can get some fabulous next season items for around 33% less. Usually when there is a sale, it is because shops are trying to get rid of old stock, not with the items released pre-season - what a deal! Check out the website for the sale starting tomorrow, July 15, 2011.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/anniversary-sale 

Yay Nordstrom!

Now, if they will only have the shoes that I want in my nearest Nordstrom...

Day 157 - Outfit 157

Black cardi, purple top, jean skirt and black wedges

Back to black

Last week, a colleague commented on the lack of colour in my outfit. I giggled at/with her and said that she could talk, because I've only ever seen her in shades of grey and black. I know lots of people who can't seem to get away from wearing copious amounts of black upon black with a hint of grey or white. (off course those people shall remain nameless, but you know who you are).

For the first time, somebody actually made a good point about wearing all dark colours. Something that never occured to me before: "It takes me half the time to do my laundry." Mmmm. Makes sense.

I still remember the days when I had to separate my clothes in 3 piles: darks, pinks and everything else.  

I wear a lot less pinks, but now I wear a lot more expensive fabrics, so I have different piles: darks, lights, silks, wools. 

Oh what the hey...I love black and wear it most days, but "one does need a hint of colour" (as Nathan Lane said in "The Bird Cage".) I for one, believe that fully.

Day 156 - Outfit 156

Off-white cardi, green top, boyfriend jeans and gold ballet flats 

DVF dress of the month

Excitement is building, I can feel a tingling down my spine. Diane von Furstenburg has just announced her new Facebook "Wrap dress of the Month".

Can't wait!

To see each month's Wrap dress of the month, you have to "like" the DVF page.

July's dress is a stunner:

I want....

Day 155 - Outfit 155

White cardi, white shirt, navy satin Tommy Hilfiger skirt and silver sandals



Wellies What?

I love Wellies/Gumboots just as much as the next person. They are great for going on walks in muddy/wet/mushy paths and for gardening around the house (not that I do any gardening).

In fact, I have a really cool pink, white and red rose pair that my mother in law bought me as a present, so I wear them, I acknowledge that they are nessasary sometimes and I do love the comfort and fact that they keep your pant leg clean. They are great for walking the dogs in snowy mush.



But, and this is a big but...I have to draw the line somewhere and that line is right here:

WELLIES WITH HIGH HEELS???? Seriously???? What's next???

Maybe its me, maybe I'm behind the times and in 6 months' time I'll be bursting with excitement to go buy myself a pair of high heeled plastic protective boots. Or maybe not. I guess you will know if I do, since I will be blogging about it. Till I do, I'm thinking...huh????

Day 154 - Outfit 154

Grey jacket, black top, jeans and Chanel sandals

Short break shopping

Today I had to quickly get some conditioner at the mall after work. I was on my way to L'Occitane when saw a big for SALE sign on the windows of Old Navy. Now, the stuff at Old Navy can be very hit and miss. More miss than hit, but on the odd occasion, when you get a hit, its a bloody great one.

I walked in with dreams of our holiday to Florida (in a month's time) flying around in my head and I found quite a few cute things for our trip, at bargain prices. I spent $75 in Old Navy and got the following:



Fun dress - perfect for a trip to the beach (over your swim suit)




Cutesy white shirt - stil thinking about this one




PINK dress




Great gold flip flops for the beach




Fun skirt



Fun beach dress

I think I did good.

Day 153 - Outfit 153

Black cardi, black dress, red Tod's and red swan necklace (and Lilu)

Stupid Saturday

Normally, I absolutely love Saturday and Sunday, but this week, not so much.

Why? Because I have to work both days. I'm not exactly sure how a 3-day weekend (yay for Independence Day!) turned into an 11 day week, but that is what happened to me this week. (nevermind the fact that I've worked 10-12 hour days every day this week as well...)

The absolute worst thing about working these crazy hours, apart from not being able to spend time with the family off course, is that I'm not able do my fashion research. A little bit of fashion googling and clothing writing makes me smile from ear to ear. (not every day, but most of the time).

I think my perfect job would have been as a fashion/clothing writer. Just imagine, getting paid for looking at/drooling over/researching clothes.

Think I better start a dream board (or whatever)

Day 152 - Outfit 152

A very casual working Saturday outfit of blue tunic, yoga pants and flip flops

Kindred spirits

Today, the funniest thing happened to me and in that moment, I knew I was with a kindred spirit. A fellow clothing loving, wannabe fashionista, shopaholic.

My colleague and I went for a quick lunch. All of a sudden, on the way to the car, the heavens opened up and the biggest droplets of rain that I have ever seen came falling from the sky. In fact, they were so big, they hurt as the came crashing down on our skins.

Jayna, clever girl that she is, grabbed her light summer scarf and covered her expensive leather Juicy Couture handbag. I asked her what she was doing and her answer: "I'll get dry again, but I'm saving my purse".

A smile broke on my face as it dawned on me and I yelled at the top of my lungs: "Yes, don't worry about yourself, save your purse!". 

Only a fellow clothing lover can appreciate that. We ran through the rain, her a bit easier than me in a pair of funky boots, because I was wearing sandals and my feet kept sliding in them, and we could not control the crazy laughter and chants of "save the purse". 

The normal not-so-fussed-about-clothing type woman would not understand this at all, but if you are like me, you would have run in the rain, laughing out loud and chanted "save the purse". 

 Day 151 - Outfit 151

Olive jacket, black top, boyfriend jeans and black sandals. Just look at my little woolly white posers, Bewley and Lilu.