Outfit Of The Day (Click Click Saddle Up, See You On The Moon Then)

So unless you have been hiding underneath a rock, you have probably already heard about all of the Target/Jason Wu collab news. Another designer! At Target! February 2012! 

And If this collection goes the way of the Great Zig Zag Zilch of 2011, Target, I'll motherfucking cut you.

(I mean, after I politely go through the check-out and pay for my items and then spend my usual two minutes standing next to the weird teenage Target security guard, studying my receipt and wondering why I can't ever seem to get out of there without spending at least $100 even though I swear I just bought two packs of gum.) (Oh! And after I fashion a shank out of some old clearanced Isaac Mizrahi for Target shoes.  Obviously.)

So let's discuss the goods! Jason Wu is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene so a few of you might be saying, "Wu, Chloe, who?" In brief: he got his start designing dresses for dolls, launched his ready-to-wear collection in 2006, won the Fashion Group International's Rising Star award in 2008, and designed Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown...all before the age of 30. Wait! Oh. Ohhhh geez, hold on here--my own lack of accomplishments in life has suddenly become obnoxiously distracting.

I have discussed Mr. Wu on this blog before; usually around the fashion weeks because his collections are just so pretty and some of my absolute favorites to oogle.They exude everything that I both love about fashion and try to apply in my own adventures in personal style: his designs are pretty, feminine, sophisticated, and chic...with a fun bite of sauciness.

(it's a lot harder than it looks.) (via style.com)

The problem? Price points for pieces from his collections range anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 (unless you get this lace top for a steal at $850!), which makes it fairly unaffordable for most of the real world.

And while there are a million different arguments as to why high-end designer collabs with low-end stores like Target and H&M are both good and bad, as most of us learned during the recent Lanvin and Missoni mishaps, I do love the idea that I will soon be able to support one of my favorite designers without having to dress Petunia in her hotdog costume and send her back off to Ellen Degeneres to make some extra cash. Last time I did that she came back home with A BAD ATTITUDE...and some bizarre, incoherent story about Ellen dating Selena Gomez. Whatever.
 

On to the outfit! The tie-neck blouse is perhaps one of my current feminine faves; I think that I literally own dozens. This is mostly because it pairs well with all sorts of things, from high-waisted trousers to skirts to peeking out from underneath blazers and cardigans. Want to keep your look from looking too sickly-sweet?  Try pairing the blouse with leather shorts, skinny jeans, moto jackets, studded jewelry, or even a pair of fierce booties as a fun juxtaposition from the fluffy-froo-froo norm.

Since I had been looking for a black bow blouse to add to my arsenal, I picked up the Secretary Blouse from J Crew when it first popped up online.While it is definitely a splurge, the bow is removable (and can also be tied in different ways) and the splash of dots keeps the blouse from looking too gloomy and dark. I love it!  (Not a fan of the price tag? You can head here to see 15 bow blouses that are more wallet friendly, too!).

Take a bow, guys, take a bow:

Top: J Crew Secretary Bow Blouse (buy it here) (similar style here at ASOS) (and here at ASOS) (and here for under $100)

Skirt: Forever 21 (buy it here) (a longer style here) (and another style at Topshop)

Belt: Forever 21 (similar style here)

Pumps: J Crew (similar style here) (and here) (and here on sale + take 25% off!)

Clutch: ASOS (buy it here + take $30 off on orders of $150 w/ code "FALL2011")

Bracelets: Forever 21 Zig Zag Bracelet (similar style here)
Watch: Michael Michael Kors Rose Gold Runway Watch (buy it here)

Also! My twin sister and I are gearing up to celebrate a big milestone and so I will be sharing some old (fun!) pictures in my posts this month! And just so ya'll recognize, I've been side-pony-tail-giddy-upping since '85. As if you doubted:

(I'm the one photo-bombing on the right.  You know--in the prettier dress with her inexplicably weird-and-awkward-gangsta-game-face ON. It's like I was born to be a fashion blogger?)



(Currently listening)

Outfit Of The Day (Jewelry Tom-Foolery)

I'm on a roll, you guys!  Watch out.

The month of September has been full of fashion-action, including the launch of Missoni For Target (And A Million People That Now Hate Target) and the launch of Zara's US online website. I had a major strike out with Missoni yesterday (save for a dress, a hat, and a weird, angry twitchy feeling that still leaves me wanting to find a Missoni scarf so I can strangle an Ebay-er) (but, you know--they bought all the scarves, those smart cookies!)...but thankfully my experience with Zara has been better.

Much, much better!

I grabbed the plain, structured-shoulder top that I am wearing in my outfit below right when the Zara website launched last week and it definitely doesn't disappoint. The knit is nice and thick (I get so tired of see-through white tops), the shoulders add a bit of fun, and all it needs is a necklace to give it a bit of oomph. My order from Zara arrived promptly and prettily packaged too, with standard shipping being free and expedited/overnight shipping costing only $10.

So back to the top!  And a necklace to add oomph! I bought this little jewel collar from ASOS a few weeks ago with the idea of pairing it with such a top and I think it works quite well.Ta daaa!

Top: Zara (buy it here) (similar style here for $5.50) (and here) (and here for $34.99!)

Pants: Urban Outfitters (buy them here + take 10% off with code "WTVR") (similar style here + take 20% off with code "HAPPYLFW") (and here at J Crew)

Necklace: ASOS (buy it here + take 20% off with code "HAPPYLFW") (also comes in sequins) (and in leather, too)

Shoes: J Crew Valentina Pumps in Vibrant Coral (buy them here) (similar style here under $100) (and here by Steve Madden!)

Bag: Valentino Aphrodite Leopard Bag (similar style here) (and here) (and here by Rebecca Minkoff) (and here for around $100!)

Have you bought anything from Zara's US website yet?  Share in the comments! <3

Outfit Of The Day (Double Take)

One of the reasons I like fashion blogging is because it's now totally normal to take pictures of oneself to post online to complete strangers and expect that they somehow care um, I mean it's super awesome to both encourage and perpetuate deviantly insane, vain behavior errr, I AM DESPERATE AND IT'S ALL I HAVE, we are all secretly working together on a massive cure for global warming, Conan O'Brien losing his funny, and VPL's...and no one knows it yet!

Surprise!  Jaaaaaazz hands!  I'm lying.

But I do think it is fun to draw inspiration from what we all wear, don't you? I know that I certainly have found tons of great brain-candy just from clicking around aimlessly on various fashion blogs--the creativity out there can be amazing.

The problem? As a blog reader, I often find myself wishing that certain bloggers would feature certain items more than once or twice. The solution? As a blogger, I have the mighty, mighty power to do it myself right here. 

So I have been trying a little harder to post more OOTD's featuring certain items, especially if you guys leave requests in comments or e-mails. I can't do it all but I sure can try, right?  To do some of it, that is--why shoot for the moon when the ground is nice and has squishy, comfortable things like air-conditioning, Haagen Daz Cookie Dough Ice Cream, and Ryan Gosling? Exactly.

Enough of my musings on mediocrity and on to the outfit(s)! The 'basic wrap dress' is called basic for a reason, since they pretty much work for anything. Dress them up with simple jewelry and smart pumps and you're set for work; dress them down with funky shoes and belts and you're set for a night out.  

Better yet? Since the wrap dress is considered a basic, that means there are tons of options out there at a nice variety of price points, colors, and styles--I picked this dress up for a mere $25 at Forever 21 about a month ago. $25! 

So here it is styled two different ways.  While it isn't anything earth-shattering, I do think it is a great example of what different accessories can do to dress up a simple/boring item.  Enjoy!

Dress: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here, on sale!) (and an option at ASOS, too)
Belt: J Crew (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here at Ann Taylor)
Shoes: Elizabeth & James (buy them here) (similar style here) (and here for $24.99)
Scarf: LOFT (similar style here in "army")
Bag: Lanvin Metallic Python Mini Pop Bag (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here for under $50)

Dress: Forever 21 (similar style here) (and here, on sale!) (and an option at ASOS, too)
Belt; J Crew (similar style here) (and here for under $11)
Pumps: J Crew Valentina Pumps in Vibrant Coral (buy them here) (similar style here for under $100) (and here, on sale)
Cuffs: Forever 21 (similar style here) (love this, too!)
Bag: Lanvin Sweet Dora Crossbody (buy it here) (similar style here) (love this, too!)
Lipcolor: Rouge à lèvres du petit chien (yes yes yes, totally)

Outfit Of The Day (Slightly Skewed)

Hooray, it's Friday! Not too much is new here. Husband and I have been working feverishly to gear up for a vacation to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and I seriously can't wait.  One thing that we rarely do is go on a trip together that doesn't involve friends or family members and/or staying with friends or family members...and while I always have a blast on those trips, it will be great to get away with just the two of us.  Aside from our annual 3-day trips to Steamboat Springs every October, we haven't had a relaxing vacation to ourselves in five years!  Yikes!

Five years!

(Which is exactly why I have resorted to giving my handbags and shoes nicknames like "Hawaii", "Bali," "Australia", "San Diego", "Dollyworld", and "Maine-Just-Because-I'm-Really-Curious")

So it's finally happening this year, a fun vacation with just the D-hubs and me. And while I will certainly miss the sexy ambiance of my slightly deaf dad yell-talking at my slightly deaf mom at 6 in the morning, or the sound of 5 dogs being herded down the echo-y hallway of wood floors in my twin sister's house in South Dakota (again at 6 in the morning)...um.

Mama Chloe needs some alone time with Husband.  And a beach and a strawberry daiquiri.  And a good book. And a point and shoot camera (still).  And some sunblock.  And a fabulously big sunhat.  And a cute little fedora.  And some cheap beach sandals. And more suitcases.  And a porcupine quill necklace from Lulu Frost. And someone to secretly, shamefully see Water For Elephants with me and then loudly protest it after because god, chick flicks are just awful and gross even if they are actually good and amazing, aren't they?  WHO GOES TO THOSE ha ha ha ha awkward laugh NOT ME except you know  maybe sometimes, shhhhush.

On to the outfit! I like my outfit today. I feel like I'm about to go on some sort of fancy safari through the wild jungle of Colorado.  I almost didn't keep the Pizzoccheri jacket when I bought it, as I was wearing my ever-so-fancy pair of sale-goggles at the time; something about the fit was a little off and crop-lengthed jackets can be difficult to wear, especially for a long-torsoed person like me.  But I forgot to return it and I'm rather glad I did, as I'm suddenly reaching for it a lot more. Its weight is perfect for cool spring days and the fabric is ridiculously soft, too!  Don't you love it when that happens?

Woomp here it is, the leaning tower of Chlo-isa. Oh tripod:

 Jacket:  Anthropologie Pizzoccheri Jacket (similar style here) (and here at ASOS) (and here on sale!)

 Cami: Wyatt Sahara U-neck Ruffle Blouse (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here at Old Navy)

Jeans: GAP jeggings (similar style here, on sale!) (and here, on sale!)

Belt: Banana Republic (similar style here at ASOS)

Shoes: Ash Jezebel Wedges AKA "The Serengeti From An Air-conditioned Tour Bus" (buy them here, on sale!) (similarish style here for $50) (these also look great with jeans - but they run big + take 15% off with code "SAVEME15")

Bag: J Crew Galaxy Sequin Bag AKA "Canada For The Maple Donuts And THAT'S IT"  (similar style here) (and here)

Have a lovely weekend and happy Easter, everyone!