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.

Orangy Goodness

Awoke to dreams of orange today.  I think I'm craving sun and warmer weather already.  Sought out some inspiration on Etsy and Polyvore.  Mind if I share?

Orange doggies (I'm sooo loving this one)

From Etsy

Orange babies

From Etsy

Orange footsies

From Etsy

SIMPLY ORANGE by ♥♥G A B Y♥♥ featuring army coats

Waiting On Summer by Shedgy (Please no tags) featuring hair flower accessories

Poppy by ⚜xenia⚜ featuring a gucci handbag

Untitled by sugarsugar featuring golden jewelry

Lime and orange by oksana rasskazova featuring viscose dresses

Madewell Haul!

Decided to take advantage of the recent Madewell sale.  I think it was 30% off sale items or some sort of discount like that.  As you can see, I did act on that whole notion to add more color into my life.  Well, perhaps not with the grey cardi, but hey, I'm trying.

So far I like the quality of the items.  Have only tried on the dress so far and it's nice.  Perhaps it has something to do with those mustard yellow tights I recently ordered.  We'll have to wait and see.  Now I just have to figure out what else to wear with these colorful numbers!  Any ideas?  Fashion advice is always welcome here.  Lord knows I could use it.

Here's a little Polyvore action to show you what the lovely UPS man just delivered since no picture I take will show all the detail in these colorful numbers.

Madewell Haul by BettyRay featuring a leaves dress

For the Love of Mustard!!

No, no, I didn't mix my mommy blog with my foodie blog, I'm talking mustard colored everything.  Seems to be my notion of the week which is odd since yellow is my "scary" color.  But I'm daydreaming of yellows in my wardrobe.  And oh yes, mustard tights are on order!!  What will I where them with?  Hmmm...

Here's some mustardy goodness from Etsy and Polyvore.  Gotta love sites where you can just type in a word like mustard and instantly be showered with all sorts of great stuff!

Lovely earrings from Cefische

Cozy hat from Ileaiye (her stuff is a-may-zing)

Cuteness from Lakenandlila

 

For your hair from Little Pretties

For your treats - Cupcake Baker
And your feets:

so true! by RluvsG featuring peeptoe pumps

What colors are you craving right now?  Gonna play with a "scary" color in 2011?

Anthropologie

Have you visited this store (or site) yet?  I first found them in Short Hills, NJ and fell instantly in love.  Their items are rather unique and whimsical.  Shortly after discovering them though, my wardrobe budget dried up.  :(  The few pieces I do have I still love.  Hoping to save up for a few interesting pieces this year.

Here are a few Anthro ensembles I found on Polyvore by other members.  Love, love, love those boots!!  I do think I'd have to add at least a little denim skirt and a tank to that first set though.  :)  And yellow jackets/coats are always awesome.  Have not yet had the guts to go there, but I think I may have found one I like.  At Anthropology no less.  We'll soon see.

What are your favorite dream stores (whether you can afford to shop there or not)?

anthropologie by Bocwana featuring a leather handbag

anthr by veronika aldredge featuring high heels shoes

Head to Mistle Toe with Anthropologie by ♥Rachel♥ featuring anthropologie boots

Head-To-(Mistle)Toe: Anthropologie by &katiee.♥; featuring high heels shoes

Cutesy Poo Work Look

This is something I don't usually do.  Upon browsing the Ann Taylor Loft site at the suggestion of another 30-something, I went ahead and purchased one of the "Looks We Love" outfits soup to nuts.  Even the hat!  LOL  Not very creative on my part, but the model looked so cute and I thought maybe I could pull it off.  Definitely outside my comfort zone.

I have to say, I liked the "shabby chicness" of it.  My husband did not.  He did not like the loose fitting tank under the loose fitting cardigan.  He liked the pieces, just not together.  Here's the pic of the three pieces from Loft.  I used a slim black cropped cargo pant (Loft - no longer available) similar to the ones below and my fav BCBG booties.  Can't say I figured out how to make that hat look good on me though.  :)

cargos by BettyRay featuring slimming pants

My First Success (Fashion - OOTD)

Finding myself in the awkward position of having to dress my not quite young but not quite old self, I've decided to totally revamp my wardrobe.  This is similar to what I consider my first success.  Well, according to my husband anyway.  I believe his exact words were "Oh, hey, how you doin'?  Wanna be late to work?"  Or something like that.  LOL.  So here is my first official Outfit of the Day post, inspired by my new age-appropriate fashion icon, the fierce and fabulous Robyn of Robyn's Nest!

Anyway, I paired black skinny cargo pants (Express) with a burgundy velvet blazer (Ann Taylor Loft) and a flowy pink lace tank (H&M).  Shoes were a black fleece lined bootie from BCBGeneration.  I accessorized with hammered hoop earrings purchased through Carolyn Buss Jewelry on Etsy (I heart Etsy)!  This was a budget friendly ensemble as, well, they have to be right now.  My only complaint was that the tank wasn't longer so it didn't hang longer than the blazer which is what I had in mind.  But, it worked.  What do you think?

velvet blazer by BettyRay featuring high heel boots

Lily Lace Tank
fossil.com
Racerback tank tops »

Petite Velveteen Tux Blazer
$128 - anntaylorloft.com
Ann Taylor LOFT blazers »

CARGO SKINNY PANT at Express
$60 - express.com
Cargos pants »

BCBGeneration Melo
$149 - piperlime.gap.com
High heel boots »

Going 80s in 2010

Didn't have my husband around this morning to approve of this before I left for work, but I thought it was pretty cute.  I'll try to grab an actual picture later as I couldn't find exact matches for everything on Polyvore.

What I wore - navy blue leggings (Victoria's Secret), a white cotton tank under a flowy brown v-neck tunic (H&M - $12.95 woohoo), Lucky Brand double leather belt (the one shown) and suede boots (the ones shown but in chocolate brown).

The set did receive some compliments at work and it was oh so comfy.  I think it will make more appearances in the future.

80s for 2010 by BettyRay featuring matisse shoes