C. Wonderful and a Giveaway

A few months ago I was in Atlanta for my best friend's wedding and the hotel where we stayed was connected to a mall.  Seriously dangerous!  We forgot a couple things and while running around searching for the perfect pair of cufflinks, I saw a C.Wonder store.  As absolutely amazing as Dallas shopping is, we do not have a C.Wonder.  It was such a beautiful and happy store!  Bright colors, sparkly baubles, monograms galore!  It was a perfect mix of home decor and clothing and accessories.  AHHH!  I promptly sent the man back to the hotel room so I could have the opportunity to touch every single thing in there.  Two hours later... among several other things, I walked out with this adorable zebra print blouse.  It reminds me of my favorite Scalamandre Zebra wallpaper, so it was a must have.

Blouse : C. Wonder Dancing Zebras Blouse | Vest : Target | Denim : Rich and Skinny Balboa

Bag : Alexander Wang | Heels : Christian Louboutin | Glasses : Rayban

Necklace : Brina Box | Bracelets : Lipstick Rose, Stella & Dot, Bauble Bar, J.Crew

Ring : Bauble Bar

Lipstick Rose has been gracious enough to sponsor a giveaway with WorkdayWeekend!  They are giving away a beautiful Ram's Head Gold Clutch Bangle (as seen in this post). Stay tuned on the blog in the next week or so for giveaway info!

xoxo,

sarah

Polka Dot Pop

I actually took outfit pics yesterday, can you believe it?  I can't seem to find any extra time in the day with this insane schedule I'm keeping, but hopefully it will get back to normal soon.  Or maybe this is my new normal.  That's a consideration that I'm not sure I'm 100% ready for, but I've been ok with it for the last 4 months or so.  Maybe this is what it takes to be successful and to make things happen for yourself, who knows.

Onto the outfit!  We have totally bipolar weather here in Dallas.  It's 88 one day and then 50 the next day.  I'm completely over my fall/winter wardrobe, so I've prepared myself with a spray tan and about 15 new pairs of shorts and skirts.  The J.Crew Factory sale got me over the weekend with a 50% off coupon on the entire store.  Of course, I was too busy to go myself, so I sent my poor mother with my credit card and her iPhone and we shopped that way.  How lame.  I can't even enjoy weekend shopping!  ARGH!

Top: Factory Polka-Dot Popover

Skirt: Factory Linen Cotton Mini

Necklace: Factory Multicolor Chandelier Necklace

Heels: Christian Louboutin Simple 120

Bag: Louis Vuitton Pouch 26

Belt: Target

xoxo,

sarah

Dust Bunny

I think I've told y'all before, but I purchased a home back in May that needs quite a bit of work in just about every aspect.  I decided that I wanted to tackle the kitchen this weekend, so pulling down cabinets and removing those awful drywall soffits from above was first on the agenda.  I won't bore you with the details, but I will say that a baseball bat may or may not have been used in the destruction. Regardless, I am so thrilled that the kitchen is more open and my plan is to tile the entire wall and add open shelving.  That's a few weeks out though, for sure.

Before

After

Not much of an improvement, but it will look pretty freakin' sweet, pretty freakin' soon!

So, after a full weekend of being covered in drywall dust and other bits of dirt and grime, I was very happy to girl it up with a spray tan and a un skirt.  This is one of my boutique finds from a few months back and, as cute as it is, I've only worn it once before.  Do you ever buy something that you fall in loe with and style ten thousand outfits around and then neglect to wear it?  ugh.

Sweater: Banana Republic (old)

Blouse: thrifted, Theory

Skirt: Freeway from Milk & Honey Dallas

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: gift from my mom from Italy

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Kate Spade, Banana Republic (in store)vintage Hermes

I got a gold chain

A literal "Oh my God" flew right out of my mouth when I saw this Chanel belt in the window of a vintage store in Columbus, Ohio last Thanksgiving.  Instead of wearing it as a belt, I like to thug it out as a gold chain instead.  As if that's not enough, this fabulous leather skirt was thrifted, too.  Boom.

I get a lot of questions pertaining to where and how I find my vintage goodies, so I thought I would share my two secrets about the "Where" aspect of thrifting/vintage shopping :

1. Do your research - thrift in' ain't easy, y'all.  It's hard work and you need to take the time to scope out several places before you move on to secret number two.  I have been to every Goodwill and Salvation Army from here to the Mississippi so I know what type of goods are placed in each, what their price points are, and even when they get shipments and stock the store.  Psycho? Yes.  Do I find the good shit, though? Yes.  I have a store that I always find great clothing in, one for furniture, and another for household goods.  For consignment stores, I subscribe to the same model.  

2.  If you are looking for vintage goods, thrift or consign in older neighborhoods - this is a big one for me.  I am never looking for newer items, so if a thrift store is full of some teenagers F21 castaways from 2007, I'm out the door.  I want granny's old dresses, papaw's old belts, and the beautiful furniture they used to sit on whilst having afternoon cocktails Mad Men style.

Hope this helps in the treasure hunt!!

Sweater: F21

Skirt: thrifted, no brand

Bag: Chanel

Belt (worn as necklace): vintage Chanel

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Glasses: Rayban

Bracelets: Hermes, J.Crew

Have a great start to your week!

xoxo,

sarah

Staple

My number one go-to staple for just about every wardrobe situation is an off-white silk blouse.  It makes any outfit look effortless and chic, and since I prefer mine to be a size too big, it's always comfortable for days when I don't feel like being buttoned up all day.  I have a couple that I rotate between, which you've seen here on the blog several times.  One is a button down with pockets and no collar from NY&Co. and the other is a very lightweight cotton button down with a collar from Old Navy.  Bottom line, they were both less than $10 and through wear and tear are completely shot to shit.  

Although I couldn't justify spending $200+ on a great silk shirt by Equipment or Joie, I did find this gorgeous option at Zara for $59.99.  It has a lightweight fabric that you can't see through and the stud detail gives it a little shine.  I am completely in love with it and am glad to have a replacement for the other two.  I'll move them into my layering rotation and probably wear them until they turn into threads.

What is your go-to wardrobe item?

Blouse: Zara in black but white avail. in stores

Denim: J Brand

Bag: Alexander Wang

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Earrings: F21

Ring: H&M (old)

Bracelets: J.Crew, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, F21

Necklace: West Avenue via Max and Chloe

Have a lovely Friday!

xoxo,

sarah

Sammy Love

Have y'all heard of SammyDress.com?  I got this email in my work inbox a few weeks back and it was a link to their website.  The ad looked interesting enough, so I thought I would check it out.  Low and behold it's the holy grail of cheap but chic F21 style fashion, but less expensive.  Yes, really.  

Now, I'm never a proponent of filling your closet with inexpensive garbage, but there are times when certain "low" pieces can be mixed with "high" ones.  This jacket, for example was $8.98.  It's not leather, it's almost the same material that liquid leggings are made from, from I totally dig the tight fit and the snake print.  I also love the tough juxtaposition against my sweet mint skirt (last seen here)

I would definitely recommend you take a look at the site just to check it out.  There are great styling pics for almost every outfit and they even have shoes and accessories.  

***Disclaimer: I am not being paid to promote SammyDress.com (sadly) and the above comments are my own experiences and feelings.***

Jacket: SammyDress.com

Skirt: F21

Tank: Old Navy

Bag: Alexander Wang

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Necklace: H&M (old)

Bracelets: Ann Taylor, unknown

Watch: Citizen Eco Drive

xoxo,

sarah

<a border="0" href="http://www.longdistanceloving.net/search/label/friday's%20fancies" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/longdistanceloving/fridaysfanciesbutton.png"/></a>

Light Layers

The weather is finally turning here in Texas and the temperatures are in the mid to low nineties.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but that's a cold front to me.  Of course, the second I have any opportunity, I'm gonna do some layering, even if it is silk.  

I've been really wanting a black and white chevron dress in the same style as this one, but it seems like every time I find one, it's not my size, not to mention more than I want to spend.  In my F21 haul a couple weeks back, I found this dress, which comes in both black and navy (mine is navy if you can't tell) for $15.80.  It's a great lightweight silk-like fabric, not the shiny kind, and I'm thinking it's pretty versatile.  I'm picturing it with a denim jacket, a blazer for the office, with tights when it actually gets cold here.  It also looks great with any color belt and neutral shoes.  A great buy and a comfortable look for the office or for work.

Have y'all found anything that you are super excited about lately?  I'd love to know your shopping secrets and bargains!!

Dress: F21

Blouse: J.Crew Factory

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Belt: vintage but Asos makes great alternatives

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kate Spade, F21, vintage Hermes

Have a good day kids!!

xoxo,

sarah