I love these shoes....

And I don't even know why....




Jessica Bennett Womens Hudson Flat - $139.95

(Oh and by the way - Endless has a sale going on...The Budget Fashionista - 20% off at Endless.com)

Okay, yet another....

WTF!!!! moment!!!!

From The Budget Fashionista

Walgreens Launches Private Clothing Line Called Casual Gear

You can see the gear here...

Casual Gear

Now once you get pass the whole concept, Ms. Kathryn makes a valid point. With Walgreens open 24/7, it's the perfect place for emergency clothing buys.

However, they'd better up those sizes if they really want to serve a - forgive me - wider audience! :-/

A years worth of free shoes????.....

I'm so there....

Who Wants a Years Worth of Free Shoes?

Many thanks to Ms. Allie over at Wardrobe Oxygen for the heads up!

You might have noticed.....

That I have said virtually nothing (or at least precious little) about the new Sex and the City movie.

Understand now, that I'm a huge Sex and the City fan. I'm the one who, when Best Buy finally offered the complete collection for $99.99 dollars, leapt at the chance to buy it.

So when I heard that they were planning a Sex and the City movie for HBO, I was very happy...but then...

All of a sudden, it was a big screen affair - and there I had to say whoa!

I'm not all that certain that Sex and the City will translate well to the big screen. Yeah, the clothes might have been large and in charge, but the stories worked well in the intimate frame of the small screen. I'm not sure the great girlfriend feel of the show is going to survive on the big screen....

But, oh wait -- those are my issues...

So if their not yours, and you've been counting the days until the release, Vogue is giving you a chance to go to the opening in, where else, the 5th girlfriend of the show - NY city!

So if you think you've got the luck, they have the contest...

Sex and the City Movie Premiere Contest

(Did I enter? Of course I did!)

A great tip....

From Ms. Allie over at Wardrobe Oxygen:

Free tip - Cut the purse strings!

Now where the heck did I put those little scissors....

Looks like Neiman Marcus....

Is going to show a little shopping love to their online shoppers as well....



Personally I think the in-store deal that Ms. Grechen over at Grechen's Closet clued us into yesterday is better.

But if you don't have a Neiman nearby, the online offer might just work for you!

Now this looks interesting.....

Fresh from Grechen's Closet...

Neiman Marcus Buy 2 Event

I agree with Ms. Grechen - it sucks that it's in store only.

But if you happen to have access to a Neiman's -- sound's like a deal worth checking out!

Happy Easter Everyone!

May you have a peaceful and chocolate bunny filled day! ;-)

I have a confession to make.....

I've started a handbag blog...

Bag Sanity

Okay, okay, I know. Those of you that come by regularly are thinking (or perhaps saying out loud...) "WTF!!!!! What the heck is that woman doing starting a new blog when she's not posting as often as she should on the one she already has!"

The thing is that, like so many women, I love handbags. REALLY love handbags! And I was getting a bit afraid that that love might just take over this blog - which I didn't want it to do!

However much as I love them....I have to say that the prices of many bags today has left me woozy with sticker shock!

So that brought up a good question....with all the proliferation of "It" bags for prices far above a grand, is it possible to find a good, durable and - gasp! - stylish handbag for a grand or less?

I'm thinkin' the answer is yes.

So my bag blog is dedicated to featuring good looking bags for $1000 and under.

So if you just can't stay away from handbags, but still want to live indoors - come on by and check out what I've found!

P.S. Yes, bags will still appear here on FF at 50 +!

Commuting!!!!

Now THAT'S a style challenge!

You know what I mean. How do you dress for the weather, yet keep a modicum of style?

I don't pretend to know the answer and I struggle with it every day. Over at Wardrobe Oxygen Ms. Allie gives some great tips on tackling this daily dilemma...

The Commuter Curse

Personally, I think it becomes even more of a challenge as you grow older - you're less interested in "cute" and more interested in "comfortable" as the years go by. So Ms. Allie's thoughts on how to commute with style really hits home for me!

Shritdress tips.....

Abound over at Wardrobe 911


how to wear: safari shirtdress


Ms. Teresa gives great ideas on how to work that shirt dress for many different occasions! ;-)

Ah the issue of fit....

Continues to be an issue for all women (it's certainly one for me!).

Ms. Angie over at YouLookFab checks out a new site that aims to help women find the perfect fitting pant...

Fitlogics Answer to Pant Sizing

I tried them out, only to find out that they don't have the Plus Size sizing up and running yet! (Even through they do give you that choice for the question, what size pants do you normally buy!). They do clearly state that it is coming and the site gives you an opportunity to sign up to be notified when it is available.

As you know this is the holy grail of the retail world...trying to come up with some way to standardize sizing for women! Personally, I agree with Ms. Angie - it's a pretty much impossible task since women's bodies are so different from one another.

She's right - for now your best bet is to find pants that fit you best in your most troublesome area and have the rest altered to fit! (But I admire Fitlogic's attempt -so I've added a link for them at the left! ;- ) )

Beach anyone?....

Murval Patent Oversize Tote - $50.00

Yes it's St. Pat's Day....

And if you're feeling the need to spend a little green along with wearing it - Bluefly has got your back...



Sigh...Is there no holiday retailers won't try to make hay on with a sale? :-/

Anyway...enjoy!

And for those who are celebrating - Have a Happy and Safe St. Patrick's Day!

Well said....

Well said.

From STYLEnosh:

CONFIDENCE: THE MOST STYLISH THING YOU CAN WEAR

The Budget Fashionista's Yearly Shopping Survey.....

Is up and online!

The Budget Fashionista's Annual Shopping Survey

Go on over and make your fashionista voice heard! ;-)

I Heart....

Banana Republic's Sutton Large Straw Shoulder Bag- $198.00

Check out the inside!



I fingered this bag in the store and trust me it feels as lush as it looks! I'm not usually a straw bag fan, but I can definately see myself swinging this classic tote on my arm this summer!

Aravon.....

Might just get me to try a slide!





Marian - 129.00

It also comes in this great gold color....




Marian Gold - 124.00


And if I just can't go for the slide - I just might try this one!..



Megan $129.95


As you can see, comfort as well as style is the focus of the Aravon line (It's a New Balance subsidiary). To check out their full line check out their site: Aravon Shoes

Ah the weekend....

Ever looked forward to and always, always too short!

As I've stated before, my weekend dressing habits are, well shall I say, less than a style treat! I don't know about you, but I really struggle with how to dress as comfortably as possible as I do my weekend runarounds but not look like I'm going to do the laundry at home!

Well over at More mag, their resident stylist, Charla Krupp, gives tips on weekend dressing with style:

What to Wear Instead of Sweats

Speaking of weekends.....

I'm heartin' this tote....

Red Mini Sketchbook Bag
by

floatinglemons

Get this custom bag
 at Zazzle

I don't know about you, but as I've gotten older I'm becoming List Lady extraordinaire! This bold graphic reminds me of all the little notebooks I carry around in my bag!

It would be a great tote for book club meetings as well!

In general, just a fun tote for weekend runarounds! ;-)

Over at YouLookFab.....

Ms. Angie is schoolin' the boys.....

Pleats are Passe

Why point to this post here? Because ladies everything she's saying to the guys applies to us too! Pleats aren't just passe in my mind - their just downright unattractive! For EVERYONE! When you have a pounch it emphasizes it - when you don't they give you one!

AVOID them whenever possible!

I know, I know. If you've gained a few pounds over the years, the peated front can seem like a friend - trust me it's not. Flat fronts give you a cleaner slimmer line, which is what you want. You just have to be honest about sizing and buy a pair that fits well over your stomach and hips - get the waist altered if needed.

Trust me, you'll look great. And yes, you'll feel great too!

Over at....

Stylesightings....

Blue rules....



And that black and cream handbag is not too shabby either! ;-)

Interesting post....

From About: Fashion...

Has Fashion Created a Middle-Aged Monster?

Now this show isn't the kind of "reality" programing I watch (I'm more of an HDTV, Style, Fine Living kind of gal myself - I can watch other people clean-up, fix-up and decorate all day - seeing as I don't do any of that myself!) however I can pretty much follow where she's going. And I agree whole heartily with many of the posts - the only thing you do to yourself when you try to dress like a woman 40 years younger is emphasize that you're not 40 years younger! :-p

I also, obviously or I wouldn't be writing this blog, sympathize with the lady who has managed to take off 30 pounds (a lion's job in and of itself once you get up in years!), is feeling better than she has in a while - but not quite sure how to take advantage of it!

(P.S. I did go by and take a look at the Ivey Abitz site -- very interesting clothing! But I think I'll save all my thoughts on that for another post! ;-) )

How many times a day....

Have you wanted to say this....

"Get A Office!" Stay Out of Mine!
by

LadyDenise

Get this custom magnet
 at Zazzle

Just a little something to cheer you into Monday! ;-)

Over at YouLookFab....

Ms. Angie is taking quality...

Develop an eye for quality

And how right she is. I think, sadly, that there has been a lost of not only quality in the items we find in stores but, perhaps since we see so little of it offered, the ability to judge what is quality and what is not. And while quality often comes at a price, Ms. Angie is quite right when she states that that is not always the case. I have purchased items that did not cost a fortune and they have proved to be better quality pieces than something that cost much more.

Gravity is hard to fight...

But sometimes you just have to make the effort.....

The Easiest Way Not to Look Old

I've been noticing this very phenomenon myself - so much so that I'm trying my best to make sure that I pull myself up straight when I realize I'm starting to bend over!

One more thing to add to that list of items to discuss with my doc during my upcoming annual check-up! :-/

It appears that Wal-Mart....

Is not giving up on becoming a force in mass market fashion...

Kamali to Design Line for Wal-Mart

Norma herself appears to be determined to branch out as well. Too Fat for Fashion reported just recently that she has introduced a plus-size line...

Jersey Girls

Good on her. Designers like Ms. Kamali, Isaac Mizrahi and yes, Marc Jacobs get it...to survive and thrive a designer needs to broaden their customer base. The truly creative ones will find a way to service women across the size, age and economic spectrum.

The others? Well, I suggest they take a good look at the fate of the dinosaurs.

(A shout out of thanks to Fashion Inc at Conde Nast Portfolio.com for the heads up on the Wal-mart / Kamali deal.)

Over at...

Wardrobe 911 Ms. Teresa has been knockin' out excellent dressing advice for the past couple of months! I suggest that you get yourself over there and get schooled in general - but here are a few of my favs:

What to Wear to NYC

How to Wear - Black Blazer

How to Wear - Short Trench

how to wear: Pencil Skirts

Their all great and informative posts...so go on over and enjoy!

Before you go off on your Spring fling shopping....

Check out this post from Ms. Allie over at Wardrobe Oxygen:

Too Much of a Good Thing

Once again, it comes down to the difference between blindly following fashion - and having a sense of your own style.