The New Wish List

Since I am now a better shopper (ahem...well, trying - really hard - to be), I keep a "wish list" in my purse at all times.  For the most part, if you're not on the list, you're not coming home with me (unless you are from Anthropologie or someone is having a 99% off sale on Burberry and Gucci).  The wish list is a result of my disecting my entire wardrobe and seeing what was needed to tie together the pieces i already own.  Polyvore has been really cool for this purpose too.  I just go to my home page, type in whatever is on my wish list and viola, a photo collage of the wants.  And then for each item I add to my list, I can see other user's collage's of how they'd style that piece.  Fun times.  Although after viewing some of those collages, that wish list could really grow.

Not that anybody should care, but I'm going to share my current wish list here.  Hey, you find any good deals on the items listed, lemme know and then we can be BFFs!  :)

As of today, I'm in the market for: a great black cloche, classic trench, dressy bow blouse, satiny flower neck halter top, motorcycle jacket, leather obi belt, longish denim tunic (to pair with said obi belt), cute dresses with a vintage-y feel, the perfect red shoes.

new wish list by BettyRay featuring a washed leather jacket

Do you keep a "wish" list?  Any other ways to keep your buying in check?

1/29 Update: ordered the blouse and obi today and a few cute retro dresses the other day (ModCloth is such a cute site).  Now I must STOP shopping!  The UPS man is going to think I have a problem and he may be right.

Latisse - One Month Progress

It's been a month since I started using Latisse.  So far I have not missed an application but I have been using only half the prescribed amount.  Reading other reviews, it seems that several women have had luck doing this.  In an effort to save some $$ of my selfish indulgence, I'm giving it a try.

Day 1 (with makeup):

Day 30 (with makeup):

Side by side naked eyes (day 1 on your left):

Progress?  I think my lashes have gotten slightly longer, but I don't think I've gotten any new growth or thickening.  According to what I've read, visible results take 12-16 weeks.  Hopefully next month I'll have more to show!

Has anyone else taken the plunge with Latisse?

The Look for Less - Anthropologie

Does anyone remember a show called The Look for Less?  I think it was on E! or TLC, or maybe I'm just nuts.  Anyway, those types of shows, television segments and magazine articles are always my favorite.  It's so great to see a designer outfit get cut down in price for us regular folks.

This is my first attempt at re-creating a look I love but didn't want to fork over the big bucks for.  My look is not exactly close, but just a loose interpretation and, well, much less expensive (still on the lookout for a rockin' anorak though).  Plus, it was comfy!

The Anthropologie Look (approx $350 not including oversized ring and shoes which are currently sold out online, poop)

Betty Ray's Look for Less (approx $155 with shoes)

Jeans - Lucky Brand (way old); tank - Tinley Road from Piperlime ($29); scarf - Ann Taylor Loft ($12 from 40% off sale); jacket - Target ($20 on sale); booties - Madden Girl ($39 after $10 coupon); cocktail ring - vintage, gift from the hubs; nails - OPI's Lucertainly Look Marvelous

Of course, I'd still love the Anthro outfit - especially those cute shoes!

Another Hot Deal $20 at Amazon for $10

Living Social is offering $20 Amazon gift codes for $10.  Codes will be emailed tomorrow and valid as of tomorrow.  I have used this site for other offers and it is legit.  In fact, I purchased mine already (got a few camera accessories I've been eyeing).

So, if you've got a book or something on that Amazon wish list, check out Living Social first and then purchase tomorrow for $10 off!  Yay!

Haul With a Purpose

When I get a Saturday without the kids, I usually like to get any shopping done early in the morning.  Well, this past Saturday I was kidless and did something I've never done before - went to the mall - with a list, determined not to stray from it.  And we did good!!

Since my resolution to become a better shopper, I have reorganized my closet, purged all yuckiness and made a list of the items I need to tie everything together.  That list resides in my bag and is updated regularly.

My current list includes: black blazer, denim/chambray shirt (dressy & casual), black tote, anorak jacket, pencil skirt, floral scarf, trench, cloche, bow blouse, red cardigan, blouse to go with white trousers, thin belts (brown & black), bow neck silk halter (in a bright color), short black leather jacket, a great dress

So, Ann Taylor 40% off coupon in hand, I set out.  Parked and headed straight to my planned destination.  Another thing out of the ordinary, I tried things on in the store!!  I never do that.  I usually buy, take home and then return whatever I didn't like.  This typically causes me to hold on to things that I may not love.

After Ann Taylor (regular & Loft), I hit Lord & Taylor (have a gift card), left empty handed and drove to Target.  Here's what I ended up with (all of it from my list - well, one exception but I know what I can wear it with).

Ann Taylor Haul by BettyRay featuring a snake belt

And my "bonus" shirt (the one on your right).  It was just so soft and comfy and I loved the asymmetrical neckline.  Oh yeah, and it was $12.  But, did I buy it just because it was cheap?  Nope, it will go perfectly with a black wool mini I've had for years.

Hope you enjoyed my haul. I know i did!  Keep your eyes out for some OOTDs using these pieces.  I have three in mind already.

 

Enjoy your day everybody.  I'm off to cut these items from my wish list.  Yay!!

Clothed Much Jewelry Give-Away

Next week you will see a post inspired by Elaine over at Clothed Much.  She's got a really great blog about modest fashion and is just lovely.

Anyway, today she is starting a give-away for a lovely necklace and rin from Ruche.  Ruche is a beautiful site dedicated to fashionable accessories and clothing with a vintage-y feel by lots of indie designers.  They have plus sizes too!

To enter, visit Clothed Much for further details and the entry form.  I think you'll really enjoy Elaine's blog.

Some great Ruche items

See!  What are you waiting for??  Get on over there and enter.  I think I'm about to place a Ruche order.  :)

Black & Brown OOTD

I've seen a lot of posts about breaking the whole don't wear brown and black together "rule".  Figured I'd give it a try.  I think this looked much better in person than it does in the photos, but maybe not.  Definitely out of my comfort zone and I feel like I'm having an off week with the whole fashion thing, but I will not give up (yet).  Luckily, it was a comfy outfit.  I highly recommend corduroy leggings - soft and comfy!  Maybe this needs a thin belt at the waist or a longer cardi or something?  Or maybe I just need a stylist!

Sorry about the photos, I'm still headless and tripodless.  Perhaps I got prematurely excited about Dolica sending me a free replacement part.  Arrrrgh.

Pants - Blank via Piperlime; cardi - Victoria's Secret; print tank - Madewell; white tank - Loft; botties - G by Guess; spider necklace - Little King custom (wedding gift from the hubbers)

My next job to tackle is accessories.  I've never been big on necklaces, earrings, etc., but I see how they can really make an outfit.  Hoping to find some nice pieces to tie my wardrobe together.  Would love some recommendations - particularly for Etsy sellers.  I love supporting  independent artisans.

Let's Get Romantic - Rebecca Taylor

In my dream wardrobe, there would be several pieces by Rebecca Taylor.  I love the romantic, feminine details of her designs.  Just makes me think of sexy and sophisticated.

Anyway, here are some lovely pieces from Ms. Taylor that I find inspiring.

Cute outfit on this last model but she kinda makes me want to hit her.  I'd wear any of these outfits given the chance.

Fans of Rebecca Taylor?

So, I Used to Love These Pants

But after seeing myself wearing them, not so much.  They make me look much bigger on the bottom than I am.  Sigh...

Figured I'd share anyway as I went ahead and paired some things from my closet that I never would've before.

Going headless as I just couldn't get a pic where I didn't look like an angry old lady.  LOL

Whoops, the flash makes a sheer shirt a bit too sheer (didn't look at the pics until I got home from the office - eek)

Outtake - Rico loves to check out what I'm doing.  I think he wants to eat my camera remote

Wide leg trousers - Gap; blouse - Express; cardi - Banana Republic; necklace - Ann Taylor Loft; shoes - random black patent pumps (not shown)

I like the upper portion here, but I'm very not happy about the pants.  I've had these for years too and wore them often when I worked in Manhattan!  Oh well.  Perhaps this top will look better with a leaner pant or a pencil skirt.

Work Attire with an Edge - Milly

Here is yet another component of that dream wardrobe I've spoken about.  I adore designer Milly's take on both work and out-on-the-town attire.  Classic styles done in terrific modern colors and fabrics.

Some of my favorite Milly pieces.

I adore the shorts outfit and the sheath dress, but the velvet jacket wins hands down.  What do you think of Milly?

Photography - My Baseline

As mentioned before, I have a burning desire to be a great photographer.  Toward that end, my husband gave me a fabulous gift this Christmas - two private lessons with a photography teacher.  He will work with me on my specific needs and wants and I'm sooooo excited.

I figured I'd post what I consider my favorite photos to date.  They are straight OOTC (out of the camera) as I am clueless about Photoshop and post processing.  They are also in no way perfect and for most of them, I wasn't trying to take a perfect photo, just some family shots or trying to document an event.  But, they will give me something to compare myself to in terms of progress.

So, here are my favs from the past two years (which is the amount of time I've been shooting with my DSLR).

I'll stop there.  Sometimes I think I like the subject matter more than the technical aspects of the picture.  Here's to improved photos in 2011!

I'm going to link to my other blog here where I am posting my favorite (most appetizing) food photos of 2010.  Hoping to take more time and effort photographing that too.