Saks looks to love

[Diane von Furstenberg Solid Crepe Chiffon Top & Knit Suiting Pants = EVERYDAY FALL PERFECTION]

So what if this first look is a little bit... "Olsen Twin on her to get her Starbucks fix." Me like. Me like lots. Am envisioning this in the fall. I love the skinny pants and the larger top, the whole look appears relaxed but pulled together. Yes. Me like lots.

[T by Alexander Wang V-Neck Dress]

So the boots wouldn't work. OBVIOUSLY I am not so fashion forward. But the dress is cute. Would have to see in person why this tee-slash-dress is worth 85 clams. But if it were, this would be a cute addition. Dress? Check. With Leggings? Yes, that would be doable. With booties? Yes, I think so. Oh so versatile. I wonder if F21 has a cheaper priced option. But the line is drawn if it feels like $10 cotton. I totally & seriously draw the line.

Oh Neiman Why Do You Tease Me So????

I know full well I don't need "Needless Markup" in my life. I know this I know this I know this. But the sale section is full -- FULL! -- of gorgeous options, that scream L-O-V-E aaaaannnnndddd match the items I said I needed a few blogs ago. But why must everything be shipped at a snail's pace?? Why, NM?? Simply because I live in Japan is no excuse for waiting 1+ months for a box of your wonderfulness. My address includes a California zip code, for crying out loud. **Sigh** I am a slave to fashion. & the post office.

The Crewlade isn't working!

[Oh Mrs. O, I probably wouldn't even buy that outfit, and you're working it!]

I just can't like J.Crew lately. I don't love anything on the site right now. I've found nothing to buy from JC in about a month. My glass of Crewlade is half-empty and stale. I thought for a little bit that I just had great will power. Turns out I can find other things to love - I just can't seem to find anything to love on that site.

Top 10 for Fall

[It's still summer! But I need time to prepare the fall wardrobe needs. In the meantime - pretty shell and icky seaweed in tropical waters in front of the house.]

Maybe it's because I'm a mom. I don't know. I'm always trying to prepare for what's up next, which for me, is Back-to-School shopping. As I'm browsing Crewcuts *ofcourse* for my fabulous little boy (who starts Kindergarten in September), I started to think about what I would want as part of my fall wardrobe. Trying to go along with my new mantra of loving what I buy, I'm starting early to really think about what I'm looking for in an early fall/fall/tropical winter wardrobe.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

1. A longer length cardigan in a dark grey/slate color.

2. One or two great day dresses appropriate enough for work and must be versatile.

3. A tee that can be dressed up or down.

4. A camel colored cashmere tee.

5. A shrug.

6. New pair of black full-length leggings.

7. A pair of black booties.

8. A pair of black flats.

9. A new coat!

10. Tights, tights and more tights!

Looking at back at the list here, I am giving myself little "Nice, M!" comments to myself. The list is a little Jackie O, a little European Contemporary, with a few hints of American Classic thrown in.

The tee (#3), the camel colored cashmere tee (#4), the new leggings (#6), and most likely the coat (#9) and even some of the tights (#10) will come from J.Crew. I love the look of some of the tees expected for the fall collection. The dresses, however, will probably come from elsewhere. I am still on what I'm calling my "Daring Dress" trip, which has inspired me to find dresses that aren't so preppy. I don't know where that will come from yet, but I'm sure it will come together. As I find pieces I'll update the blog.

I was a little inspired (well, a lot inspired) by the image here from Neiman Marcus' fall preview of D&G by Dolce & Gabbana. While I don't [heart] this specific outfit enough to shell out the clams for it, it still is inspiring me to do some research into what I could love to create a similar look that is within my price range, but that doesn't require me to settle for something that doesn't totally strike my fancy. I like the dark colors, the clean lines, and the feminine perspective. Am hoping I can find some things that might make my hear go a flutter.

Buy to Love! Not Love to Buy!

Right now - starting this minute - I'm moving forward with a new shopping mantra:

Buy to love, not love to buy.

I have a tendency to shop. I know a lot of us do. I'm obsessed with fashion! I love to look chic and can easily succumb to impulsive and rash shopping decisions. I keep telling myself I shouldn't shop and I've gone on what I call the fashion starvation diet as many other women in my predicament have. The one where you just cut yourself off cold turkey? Yeah. That doesn't work for me. Because I binge, dear reader. I binge-shop, thus defeating the purpose of starving myself from the clothes in the first place. It's a constant struggle that sounds ridiculous if it weren't so freaking true.

Instead, with my new mantra, I'm going to tell myself -

Go out and buy what you damn well want to buy. But if you buy it, you have to love it. Not because it was on sale or because you got an extra 20% off. Sales are great but they are not a reason to shop. If you love it, set the debit card free. But if not, save your money and go burn off that extra fashion anxiety off at the gym.

[Small Font Clause: Mais oui, there is "un petit" caveat to the mantra - The point of all of this is to buy quality, not quantity. We are not to fall in love at the drop of a hat, all impulsive-like. Love of an item should take time. & also, love is not hoochie-like. So we are not going to go around and looooove everything we see. We are going to be selective, monogamous and ladylike about it all. If it's a Diane Von Furstenberg dress, so be it! If it's a See by Chloe top, that's ok! Just remember, it better be Teh most fabulousness you have ever seen -- not just a fleeting one night stand. Hmmph. There!]

I actually [can] make decisions!

My swimsuit indecisiveness has finally come to a close. I've decided on a brown, 2-piece Juicy Couture Bandini Bikini, freshly snatched from eBay. Deciding factor was that the blouson would cover any buddah belly imperfections. & the set is just too cute. & the price was right.

It is a few seasons old, but seriously, I am not looking to be in "this season's" bikini. I'm cool with just having one I don't mind strutting in!