The Frock Doc

So, it's definitely more than I usually spend on a purse, but I have been looking for a replacement for mine for sometime and haven't found anything really up to snuff. 

TADA! Enter the Kate Spade Brighton Park Sloan! :) 

My lovely purse now has made me spoiled for leather and beautiful details, and I thought I'd use it until it fell apart -more- because of the lack of better options out there. I have always admired my staff attending's Kate Spade bag, but always thought they were way above my price point... For some reason I thought they also didn't ship to Canada!

But I think I may have found my bag! At least I hope so; because there are no refunds! The reviews on the site seem favourable, so I am quite hopeful. I am in love with the quick-access component of the bag, so I can have my notes at the ready!

PS: I bought it in that dark red oxblood colour instead of the brown - same as my Cambridge Satchel :)

PPS: Okay, now that my budget is COMPLETELY blown, time to sit on my hands until next year!

ETA: Just got the notification that they cancelled my order. Apparently a lot of people on the Kate Spade page have the same problem. Ugh. Sigh. Not meant to be, I suppose. :(

What a difference a year makes! I was buying all sorts of strange things last year for Black Friday (and I have the link to prove it!) - and this year, I think things are better under control. Shudder. Here was last year's picks - http//minidoc.lookfab.com/post/a-very-canadian-black-friday

I stayed within my budget, and hopefully they are all things that I will be able to work into my wardrobe. I did not include #3 and #4 in my Black Friday budget because I already owned the pieces and I was able to price match (and got about $50 back!) 

1) Kate Spade "Courtney" Dot Dress - $68
2) Le Chateau "Bengaline Fit & Flare" - Violet - $75
3) Le Chateau "Bengaline Fit & Flare" - Indigo - Price Match - $75
4) Le Chateau "Tweed Scoop Neck Dress" - Price Match - $75
5) Le Chateau "Fit and Flare Boat Neck Dress" - Pomegranate - $50
6) Le Chateau "Fit and Flare Knit Dress" - Black - $50
7) ModCloth "Dressed to Empress Necklace" - $8
8) ModCloth "Before You Leaf Top" - $17
9) Emily and Fin "Get What You Dessert Dress in Dots" - $50
10) Le Chateau "Double Knit Fit and Flare Dress" - $50
11) Le Chateau "Viscose Blend Check Asymmetrical Dress" - $75

I was pretty disappointed by Anthropologie - the additional 20% didn't really appeal, neither did the $20 shipping cost when everywhere else was offering essentially free shipping. Even the stickler ModCloth had a coupon for me to use to take 15% off any purchase and they let me double dip my discounts. Not really sure why Anthro was so stingy. I found a few pairs of earrings I really liked, but I'm not paying $20 to ship earrings!!!

It doesn't look like there is a lot of colour, just at a glance at my pics once they are all uploaded, and it seems I love dots! The dress in #5 is supposed to be red, but they don't have a picture of it! :3 I am hoping to use it as my holiday party dress! For the first time, I have a date! I am actually looking forward to the holidays this year as not a depressing few weeks of solitude (in my Fortress of Solitude). I thought that replicating the dots of #1 and #9 are okay since #9 is really a cotton summer dress, and I love dots enough year-round! I had tried on #11 in store last year, but thought the original price of $150 was a bit too steep for me at that time; I'm glad I was able to snag one of the last ones!

I also bought a few gifts for family - so my Christmas shopping is all done :) To top it all off, had dinner with my favourite non-family person, and went to see the new Hunger Games (recommend!) - Very content and happy, even with no turkey!

Happy Black Friday :3

I came across this cute little sweater today at Ruche: almost-weenie dogs with bow ties!!! 

I am debating about if I can go this whimsical, but hey, will be cute with jeans.

PS: cute doggy story - One of the nurses I work with adopted a weenie dog from a rescue shelter, and the doggy's name is Limo! :)

I have found that the more expensive dresses in my collection get a lot of use; mostly because I love them to pieces and they feel so FAB on - Forever21 has nothing on them (haha; I learned this the hard way!)

I have loved the aesthetics of Kate Spade for a very long time, and I don't think I'll be getting their rather iconic striped dress (my arch nemesis has it) nor the really cute bow tie one (really, Kate Spade, RAYON? RAYON?) - but this pink one tickled my fancy!!!

My only other "expensive" dress was my Eva Franco glasses dress and I knew the quality was wonderful before I bought it - so I am turning to the collective wisdom of YLF - how is Kate Spade's quality on dresses?? This one is silk.

Thanks! :3

Oooh ... look what I found at my local Ricki's!

Is this a two piece dress like the kind that Angie was talking about? 

Is it too much to be worn together? I like the dress as a separate piece, but the topper isn't something I'd normally consider alone. If the dress was a separate topper and a skirt, that would be lovely.

Any thoughts? :)

UGH. Stuck this in the wrong category. Could a mod move it to Style Exchange for me? :) Thanks!!!

Lovely dress that I ordered online, but the colours aren't quite right for me, and it's a bit big - I'm usually a size 4, but they sent me a size 8 by oopsies.

It is lovely and knee length at 40"; and its fabrication is Shell: 96% Polyester, 4% Spandex. Lining: 100% Polyester.

I have posted some pics - as attached.

Free to a good home! :D If you would compensate me for shipping, I'd be much thankful. Active members, please.

Retail: $117

:) In case anyone wanted one! 

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....292994.jsp

On my shopping adventures (online), I found this pretty red dress by Eliza J - it has a lot of the elements that I like - the peplum, and the volume at the bottom, although I really need to be more daring and try pleats! I also like the bold zipper on the back! 

I was reminded, though, of Kate M having a similar dress (Alexander McQ) - #3.

When does a dress cross the mark between being an "inspired by" - I'm sure Alex McQ and Kate M don't have the copyright on "RED PLEATED DRESSES WITH PEPLUM" - vs. "Oh, that's just a cheap rip off of Kate M's dress"?

This is my favorite time of year - the pre-season before the Fall/Winter shopping season which is typically my busiest time of the year! And living in Canada means that my biggest season is Fall/Winter, too! 

This year though, I'm hoping to be able to prune my closet down into a well-oiled machine, so I thought I'd set myself up with 10 things that I really really really want to buy, and hopefully be able to hold off on everything else (haahah). 

I tried to match each item with a reason why I wanted it - whether I was inspired by some other piece or that someone else had one, or if I needed to replace or repair something I already had. Alternatively, pieces can also add mileage to what I already own, too!

Are there any gaping holes or omissions? 

THE LIST:

1) REPLACEMENT (1/2) - Nude (or Nude Toned) Pumps - I'm after the Naturalizer Lennox; none other will do :) I just need them to go on sale!

2) INSPIRATION (3/4/5) - Blackwatch Plaid Dress - After Kate M's iconic McQ dress, I can't help but want one myself! While the original (3, with mods) is a bit out of my price range (haha, a bit) - there is a pretty sheath style from Talbot's (4) which has an interesting lace detail at the hem. I am also fond of the shape of the Heartbreaker version (5) but it seems to be sold out, so much stalking will be necessary.

3) INSPIRATION (6/7) - Blue Lace Dress - I haven't had much luck with sheaths lately, so taking a page again from Kate M, I do like the flared style of a navy flare dress I found on Pinterest (7). I am hoping that it can be my Winter 2013 party dress, too - apparently I have "EVENTS" I am supposed to go to. *eye roll*

4) REPLACEMENT (8) - Ankle Booties - My last pair of booties decided to die on me last year, but I did some repairs and the CPR only lasted the rest of the season, so I do need a replacement this year. Not looking forward to the search. 

5) REPAIR (9) - My Doc Martens need ++ repair - I am slightly embarrassed to take them to the cobblers. I hope he has seen worse :p 

6) ENHANCER (10/11) - I plan to invest in two Anthro belts; one that will be a brown or a black basic that I can match with almost anything, and one that is a bit more fun in colour or design. I have been getting a lot of wear out of my Anthro belts, so I don't mind making the investment. 

7) INSPIRATION (12) - One of my colleagues has a beautiful plaid blazer, and I want one too! I do need to find the right one for me - I am currently stalking this one from Anthropologie, although J Crew has a blackwatch plaid one :) Tee hee.

8) BONUS (13) - I want to get a dress in a heavier fabrication that can carry me through the colder fall; this Anthro one is a heavier material. I need to stalk it too, because it is a few years old in design.

9) REPLACEMENT (14) - Nicer Costume Jewelry (These are by Maru and are so cute!) - I am starting to outgrow some of my Forever21 stuff and it is falling apart and all over the place; I am hoping to invest in one or two nicer (still costume) pieces that aren't too blingy!

10) BONUS (???) - Because we always come across something that we MUST have or need but couldn't anticipate, right? :)

Wish me luck!

PS: I want a red frock :)

AHHHHHH! After nibbling my nails since early spring that I let this one get away, Anthro restocked and true enough to Anthro restocks, about 5 min after I got my order conformation - everything is backordered again. 

I tried on this skirt in store and it didn't really wow me although everyone else loved it - and I finally figured out why - the expanse of black at the top was big - but then I realized this was for you to show off an awesome belt! I have lots of those!

Checked today on a whim, and so glad I did. Pounce Successful! :)

PHEW!