Lunchtime Shopping Trip: Boots and BCBG

My friend Suzanne and I took a bit of a long lunch today to hit The Mall. She was in the market for some snow boots (it's snowy and icy here in the Nati), and I'm always happy to come along for shoe-shopping moral support.

First we hit Macy's shoe department. She didn't buy anything, but I bought a pair of You by Crocs Sidecars boots--a black suede wedge boot that is so comfortable and was so on sale. They are currently $229 on Piperlime; I paid $74 at Macy's.



Suzanne bought these Ugg Classic Cardi boots at Dillard's (in gray). I tried them on--very warm. They can also be folded down to mid-calf height.



On the way out of The Mall, we popped in BCBG Max Azria (which just opened last November to my delight)--there was a darling blue and white pinstriped day dress in the window. It had a beautifully drapey collar (and pockets!) so I had to try it on. The dress was not flattering on me, but I did leave with a 75% off jacket--originally $289, I paid $80-ish. It's a black asymmetrical nylon number with a hood that I'd love to show you but I can't find online.

If you'd like to check out their sale items, click here.

Below are a few dresses from BCBG that I love.

This beige dress is so cute for spring--it's simple but the bow is a nice detail. And this is a dark enough beige that it won't wash me out.


Love love love this and I know it would look good on me with that waist design.


I'd be plaid-to-be-alive in this embellished strapless tulle.




And I'd love to wear this to an Oscar party. (Instead I'll be on my couch in sweats under my big yellow blanket.)

I Need to Clean Out My Closet: A Photo Essay

I've been reading a number of style books lately (some of which I've reviewed in this space, some of which I haven't gotten around to reviewing in this space) and everyone from Kim France to Tim Gunn seem to offer the same advice: Edit your closet.

I've been trying to do this, but it's quite the long-term project. (I think I'd need a week and half of PTO.) I've just finally unloaded the last of my fat clothes and I've recently taken 30 plus items to a local consignment shop, but I still fear that the addition of another half dozen items will cause some sort of garment explosion. I offer a tour of my dressing room--our spare bedroom which is home to my dresses, skirts, pants, jeans, jackets, sweaters, tops, shoes, boots and accessories of all kinds. (Coats live in Cheapy's extra closet. He's got two, both sparsely populated with varying shades of khaki.)


Full view of both closets. I know all of this stuff is not "soul-stirring," as Tim Gunn would put it.


In between is my earring collection, hung on two letter-size desk accessories I got from Organized Living. (I swiped them from Cheapy's computer desk. It's sort of a hopeless mess anyway. I think another trip to Organized Living is in my future.)


The dresses/pants/skirt/sweater closet. There are often sweater avalanches.


The tops/t-shits/jackets/workout wear closet. There are often t-shirt avalanches.


Three jewelry boxes. (All came from eBay. All are packed with pretty shiny things.)


Bangles and bracelets in baskets and on an old rubber stamp holder.


My vintage flower pins (a few were my mom's), buttons, and part of my necklace collection.


Bags (there is also a full dresser drawer of bags), drawers of summer shoes, drawers of belts and scarves, a stack of shoe boxes, and my rain boots. (Can't wait until it warms up so I can wear that red skirt again. I love that skirt.)


My boots live here. They are longing for more boot friends. Those flat brown Diba ankle boots are my latest edition. They make me feel all '80s happy. The Ugg boots are for yoga class only. The pink Rockports barely leave my feet on weekends--I wish I had a brand new pair stashed under the bed for when these finally bite the dust.