Lazy Ebay Week
- 11/30/2008
I admit, I've been a lazy girl this weekend - as far as ebay goes anyway... See the coming posts for what I DID get done. I swear I didn't just sit around.
The egg carton is perfect for daintier pieces that you want to keep separated so they don't end up scratched. Plus it's nice and short, so it fits right in a shallow drawer. Also...
This is just a little peg board I bought for our bathroom a while back. But recently I'm getting hooked on really cheap & chunky stuff, so I broke it all out for display.
This is an idea I just had today. I wanted a better way to display my bangles (until I can find one of those great bracelet display t-bars). I spotted this tie rack in my husbands closet & decided to pilfer it. It works pretty well & lets me see all my goodies.
I'm hoping this inspires me to get more use out of all my jewelry. I think it will - seeing it all is just such eye candy.
I just wish I could get to NYC to see it live. I am sick for wax museums & the macabre so I think this would be my cup of tea. Oh, yes, plus the fashion angle...
More things going goth in my life:
I want to decorate my house with a combo of contemporary & gothic influence - namely silhouettes, chandeliars, flocked wallpaper, etc... Right now the house is pretty much contemporary, so I'll be taking baby steps to meld the styles. I know it can be done.
I'm also thinking I would like to collect skulls & hang them in a grid on my office wall. Not real ones, of course (ick!) but artistic renditions which would all have to have a harmonious color scheme. Hmmmm...
One last thing which I decided last year after last Christmas - this year will be a dark Christmas. I discovered a wealth of black ornaments & a tree skirt in black velvet as well as many other bits in silver. So, it's going to be a goth-tinged Christmas. A lot of black with metallic accents. I'll also have my brights on display but on the other end of the house. Actually, I so cannot wait to decorate! I do it over Thanksgiving weekend, so as you are reading this I am probably getting out all my holiday swag! Yay!
When I read the post I happened to be wearing a sweater by BCBG that was designed to do just that. (They actually have line drawing on the tag to illustrate how it can be worn. It's kind of funny when your clothing comes with "how to wear" instructions.)
So, anyway, I thought I would put up photos of me in my double wear sweater just to punctuate Jennine's point that our clothing can definitely lead a double life.
Winter Wishlist
- 11/25/2008
It's that time of year where we wish for things & sometimes they are bestowed upon us. Or, if you're like me, you simply decide to get them for yourself since you're in the stores buying for everyone else anyway. I just go totally mad! That's why I've gotten the Christmas shopping out of the way over this weekend. Thusly, I will not have to brave the stores in the oncoming crush of consumers that is just waiting to happen.
Here's my winter wishlist:
Skinny jeans - got today & in my favorite color (grey!) too, hope they don't shrink too much in the wash! Black pencil skirt Shrunken leather jacket - might have to re-con my old too big one from Target. Also, might have to wait till I'm more skilled at re-con to attempt it. Fedora Plaid button-down (fitted) - to wear with rolled & ripped jeans a'la chickdowntown.com mag ads. Dark brown flats Little black vest Fur collar or shrug (The Glamorai has me lusting over her gorgeous fur-ocity) Black tights - also off my list as of today. I almost treated myself to liquid black leggings, but I'm just not too sure my body's up for that as of yet. Actually, I'm not even sure my body is up for skinny jeans but I just had to take that plunge.
I'll post photos of any of the new goodies I acquire - actually there will be quite a few coming up this week as I bought 2 new purses, the skinny jeans, the tights, various costume jewelry, a bright happy orange coat and more... Stay tuned!
Let's Start the Week with a Review
- 11/24/2008
I had a coupon for $1 off any Sally Hansen product last week so I randomly picked her French Manicure Marker/Pen. Let me tell you - I looooooove a good french mani. So crisp, so clean, totally classic & not overdone.
The pen reminds me of one of those metallic pens. You know, where you have to push the tip in until it's saturated with the ink? You have to do that to get it going.
So, once I get it going I realize that I'm pretty shaky. I mean, I can do a fair french mani on myself with white polish but this feels totally different & I'm not so sure of myself.
It goes on kind of milky & thin & when I try to go over it I end up removing product. So, from far away it looks pretty OK but up close it looks like I used white out on my nails.
To sum up, I think that with some practice this could become a quick way to give yourself passable french tips.
This is a Sunday evening bulletin on the latest goodies I have listed on ebay. If you are interested in any of these, please check out my listings here. See more info below each photo.
Von Dutch jeans, size 26
Stuart Weitzman, dark grey patent leather heels - never worn
Tahari trouser jeans, size 8, new with tags
Anne Klein brown nylon & leather satchel
Franco Sarto rasberry nylon satchel
Bruno Magli black patent leather slingbacks - never worn.
Ralph Lauren convertible khaki cargo pants, size 6 Petite
That's it for tonight. Sorry for the abbreviated post. I'm pretty tired after getting these all listed plus cleaning my house, organizing my office & ending world hunger. OK, I didn't end world hunger but I did bake some super yummy chocolate chip cookies!
Styling Suggestions?
- 11/20/2008
Over the weekend I pulled out this dress that a friend gave me years ago. I've never been able to let go of it because it's just so different & possibly even riske'!
I was going to ebay it until I noticed that the lace really reminds me of Prada's runway looks this past season. It's more colorful but I really like how it's kind of "chunky".
So, anyway, I took a photo. Please excuse the not-quite-nude undies. I was in a hurry! So, I'm looking for either styling suggestions or re-con ideas for it. I think it has a lot of potential but I have been too busy to even think about it. And, granted, it just came to mind over the weekend, so, you know... I'm impatient, what can I say? I'll keep you posted if I come up with anything on my own too!
Coming Soon to MissAmyShops
- 11/19/2008
Here's a teaser some of the goodies I found this weekend to add to the shop. From left to right: patent leather Bruno Maglis (never worn), Calvin Klein studded mules (actually these are currently in my closet - you'll have to wait LOL), Bandolinos (size 10, appear to have never been worn and Nine West (new with tags)!
I'm hoping I can get these & a lot more up next Sunday for you all. Christmas is coming & even if you don't buy too much for others, I like to encourage spending on oneself. I mean, who else do you know that you can really, truly buy the perfect gift for? You will know that you will use it & that it will fit, so why not splurge a little on yourself?
I usually end up doing it when I shop for everyone else gift. $20 for someone else, $20 for me. $35 for dad, $35 for me, etc, etc... I am really a greedy shopper!
Proper Jeans Length
- 11/18/2008
So, I posted about the magic hem trick to shortening jeans. But did I tell ya - I got the length right this time?! I hardly ever get a hemline length right. Ironically, even though I'm short (and I know it) I usually end up with pants cut off or hemmed dorkily short. Who knows why?
Actually at my first retail job (Ralph Lauren) I cut off a pair of jeans I had gotten there way, way too short. I liked them so much though that when they went on the clearance rack I bought them again & made sure to leave a lot of length when I cut the second time.
So, anyway, I have photographic proof that I really hit it this time. Exhibit A & B below:
They break on the instep & almost touch the ground in back but do not. The proper length with heels. I'm pretty chuffed with myself - can you tell?
Also, please note Exhibit C - it's really just there to show you how cute the belt I wore with the outfit was. It's some lo-brand belt I found at Ross but I totally dig it!
Weight Struggle
- Ugh - I just weighed myself after being totally AWOL from my diet for pretty much weeks now. I have just had no motivation to eat right. I've been gorging myself. I'm pretty sure I have a problem...
Anyway, I'm within 11 lbs of my heaviest weight. I refuse to gain it all back & then some (like I've done before). But I also am not going to (yet again) declare that I am "back on track" and "very serious" about this. Instead, I'm going to say this:
I will try to follow the Weight Watchers points plan without putting too much pressure on myself to measure up (ha, ha - pun),
I will calm down about my eating, realizing that food will always be there - I don't have to gobble it all down just so I get some, and
I will be reasonable about my eating - no more entire batches of cookies. This has been a serious issue...
I just know I've been out of control & eating from stress & a tiny depression & total exhaustion. Which cycles back into - I'm not working out, therefore I'm more tired & I'm eating more. I'm too tired so I'm not working out..., etc... and I feel like crap.
So, I feel better already & I'm going to work towards feeling even better in the weeks to come. Stay tuned...
I just re-listed a bunch of listings from this week. I changed them to auctions instead of Buy It Now's since I'm kind of missing the fun of having watching my auctions. I hope you'll join in!
The starting prices are at my rock bottom so there's some deals you'll like, I'm sure. Photos of what is up are below. If you like anything, click through here to see all my listings. There's quite a few nice things & with Christmas coming up it's always cool to be able to give great things without spending retail.
I hope it keeps my frugal fashionista friends even more sassy than normal!
I'll be updating it as I get more tips on how to clean & store jewelry, scarves, shoes and more. So, if you hear of any let me know & I will add them on there with a link to your site.
Italian Handbags
- 11/12/2008
What is it about Italian handbags that gets me all excited? I can't handle it when I confront them & innevitably end up bringing more than one home.
This week's listings only has one Italian bag in it (by Innue) - but I know if it doesn't sell I will be sorely tempted to keep it. That's what happened with the black patent Maurizio Taiuti bag. Photo below is Exhibit A of my lust for Italian bags:
Yup, happy as a clam that I was "forced" to keep it. And I have to say that I absolutely adore it. For a minute I thought it would be too slouchy & I might have a heckuva time finding things in it's depth - not so, at all, I am glad/chagrined to say.
Next, lay your eyes on this and I dare you not to covet:
It's the Innue handbag that I have listed this week. I can't get over how luxe & ladylike it is. The patent is so slick, the pony hair - so soft. The back of the flap is even a rich suede in the same deep burgundy/vino tone. This is such a great color to wear against all the fall/winter colors. It's very simple & classic with a large structured inside with one zippered pocket in it. This one's gonna be hard for me to resist... I will keep my fingers crossed that someone likes this one more than me!
Magic Jean Shortening!
- 11/11/2008
As you may already know, I am a short girl. So, I was so excited to try this jeans shortening tutorial from DaciaRay.com. I finally got around to it this weekend. (Side note: it's been such a great weekend - I've gotten so much done!)
Anyway, here are the photos to prove that this is truly a magical skill to have!
I am just so delighted to know how to do this. I do still need to iron them so they may end up looking even better. I adore the fact that the casual observer will never know. Goodbye frayed bottoms, forever!
"A longstanding dedication to innovation and exotic imagery, Vivienne Tam is truly one of the world’s most passionate and symbolic designers in fashion today."
But words just aren't doing it for me right now - so check out the eye candy below:
I love the gothic influences in this one. Plus the models come from every direction on the set/runway. I much like it!
Why am I suddenly so interested in Ms. Tam? I recently laid my hands on a dress by her. It is listed on ebay right now. Such a great find! I knew her name but I had not looked into her as a designer until now. Check out the Vivienne Tam dress in my listings!
My New Favorite Jacket
- 11/09/2008
I saw this on the sale rack & really liked it but put it back initially. The truth is that the shape wasn't the most flattering for me, the belt was missing & I really don't wear jackets unless it is actually cold out (and then they need to be actually warm). I ended up coming across it again & snapped it up this time.
The piece in question is a French Cuff denim trench style jacket with bracelet length sleeves.
Below is my birthday dinner outfit. The casualness of the jacket toned down my silk dress nicely I thought. I did end up wearing black leggings to complete the ensemble, since it was a little chilly & I just wanted to be cozy, even though I preferred it without them.
Below is my voting outfit. I didn't actually plan to wear red, white & blue, believe it or not. I was actually trying out the plaid trend with a new headband & wanted to be comfy for standing in line at the polls, hence the sneakers.
This is my please hire me outfit. Just kidding. I picked up an application from Marshall's while wearing it though. I could definitely use a part time job to supplement the income & pay down some debt. I would love to be debt free sometime in the near future. I know people that have done it & I am definitely inspired by that.
So, despite my misgivings, I have already worn this several times. It hangs on my closet door & is a really easy layer to throw on right now. I really love the easy shape but I should probably find a belt to add some shape to it. Then it might be the perfect piece - flattering & comfortable!
Maurizio Taiuti Purses
- 11/01/2008
I have been digging Italian made bags lately. I've also been finding them for a song & have a few extras I'll be listing on ebay.
Here's one of the new favorites of mine - Maurizio Taiuti! I really love this bag! It's extremely slouchy with lots of sections and pockets. This is one I may end up keeping if it doesn't sell. Please save me from myself! I so love how the main bag is patent but contrasted by the regular leather handles. And then there's that regal purple lining! There's also hooks you can use to add a shoulder strap if you have one, so there's the convenience factor as well.
Seriously, I'm begging you - check out this Maurizio Taiuti Italian handbag. Grapple it from my greedy purse-loving grasp. I promise to thank you!
Francesco Biasia Handbags
- Have I ever told you how much I love Francesco Biasia? They are such a luxury brand of Italian leather.
I found my first FB bag at TJMaxx, I think it was. It is a gorgeous semi-matte black leather bag that is structured and oddly angular. It was so simple I knew I would have it forever.
I also am featuring an FB bag in my ebay listings right now - it is new with tags & a great deal at $99 buy it now. It's such a great style - it can be worn shoulder style or across the body like a messengar bag. The leather is so nice and luxe. Just so classic but a little tough with the hardware. Click here to check it out!
I also ended up keeping one I was supposed to sell as well. It is a dark brown & from the same line but a different style. I may still put it up at a later date. But I need to sell the black one to pay for this one LOL. So, do me a favor & check out listing #270293112652
This is my please hire me outfit. Just kidding. I picked up an application from Marshall's while wearing it though. I could definitely use a part time job to supplement the income & pay down some debt. I would love to be debt free sometime in the near future. I know people that have done it & I am definitely inspired by that.
