Currently Browsing: Coach

But this time it's for work... kind of.  Like I said, school has started back.  Despite my "I hate going back to school" attitude (I'm just trying to act cool), I am actually quite looking forward to the classes I've enrolled in this semester.  One class is entitled Product Systems, which takes an in depth look at the distributing of product by US fashion retailers. 

really?! that's what I do!

The great part of it all is that I get to work all semester long on a project about Coach.  Yes, Coach Inc., the US manufacturer of premier leather handbags and shoes!  Which leads me to ask:  how did I get so lucky?  It also got me thinking that in order to effectively complete this project I should probably do a little research and buy a bag (or two!). 
So, here are a few inspirations that would be just perfect for spring. 

new madison floral audrey $358

new poppy graffiti applique' large $368

new poppy rhinestone xl shoulder bag $548

new madison metallic leather large hippie $458

peyton leather shoulder bag $298

peyton metallic leather drawstring shoulder tote $698

peyton leather large carryall $398

peyton metallic leather shoulder bag $498

peyton woven leather large shoulder bag $798

 

peyton signature sateen crossbody $128

With so much studying already done, I am sure to get an A!  And, I haven't even researched shoes yet :)

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New Fav Shopping Destination: Gallery Classic

After driving Mom and Dad to the airport yesterday morning (sad), I decided to do a little shopping before heading home (happy!). Then, I remembered that I had a gift certificate from Christmas that I had not yet used (even happier!). So, I made a short detour to Gallery Classic, and boy was I in for a treat!  This place is Pottery Barn meets reasonable prices meets the coolest vintage home store you've ever seen!  I spent an hour worth of browsing and walked out with these beautiful pieces.  I will definitely be going back :)

Monogramed Linens

              Pottery Barn Version: 6 for $54             

Gallery Classic Version: $7

While I only purchased the towel, they had the napkin set also for ony $15!

Crome Pocket-watch Clock

Pottery Barn Version: $59

Gallery Classic Version: $12

Lastly, I found this awesome tree-inspired vase, which I just fell in love with.  I think I'm going to find (or create) some silver twigs to put in it. 

Gallery Classic Vase: $11

Total Bill: $33 (tax included)!

Alrighty, I'm off now to bea-u-ti-fy my home! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Back to School

Last night, instead of cozying up in front of a warm fire and catching up on the 'ole DVR list I sat at a desk... in front of my laptop... until 8:15pm.

woot.

Sarcasm aside, this chic is returning to the classroom this semester. And, if everything goes as planned, it will be the start of my last year in the MBA program. While it can sometimes be hard to muster up the umph to go to class for nearly 3 hours after working all day, knowing that I'm almost where I want to be (with a Master's degree) makes it so worth it.

Another thing that makes it a little more bearable is the cool back to school stuff I get to purchase! Would you really expect anything less from me? I mean, you can't tell me that buying Trapper Keepers and pencil cases wasn't a little bit fun in grade school (either that or I am a huge dork)! While shoes did not make it to this list, here are some pretty cool items to help make the world of academia a little more fashionable and fun.

 This contraption holds file folders and even folds up and can be hung on the wall.

I love to use Post-It notes, so when I saw this set of cool pads from Russell and Hazel I knew I had to include it.  They come in just about every size and look a lot nicer than the neon colors you normally find at the drugstore. 

Okay, so I know I said a shoe didn't make it to the list, but did you really think I could go without including at least one shoe in this post? I was on Uncommon Goods website when I found this cute little stilleto-inspired letter opener.  Maybe not specifically a school supply, but still a cute office must-have!

I love this trashcan (also from Uncommon Goods)! Actually no can is needed, just recycle your old plastic grocery bag and viola... you've got the perfect basket to make shots at with your discarded term papers! Too cute!

At first glace this looks like a normal notepad, but it's actually a mousepad also!  I mean, talk about functionality! Anytime I can make life a little simplier, I try.

Alrighty, now that I'm all stocked up on cool school supplies, I guess I have no excuse to put off working on homework. Have a great weekend, dear readers!

Timeless Style

I fell in love with this picture when I stumbled across it while perusing my daily blog list yesterday.  Each of these women have a very classic, but distinct style.  The billowing pants and those pink shoes... it makes me want to see more of their closets!  But, more than anything they look like they are having so much fun.  Nothing beats spending time with good friends - that is truly timeless.

Currently Browsing: Flat Black Boots

With the weather we've been dealing with in the midwest this winter, I've decided that a girl can never have enough boots.  So it should go without saying that black flat boots have been showing up heavily on my radar.  Mid-calf, knee high, over the knee... I don't discriminate, I love them all.  But, then again that didn't surprise you, did it?

These over the knee boots from Chinese Laundry look quite fantastic

with the buttons at the knee and come in gray and black

Foldover boots have been everywhere this season 

and I think the huge cuff on these from Aldo are just awesome

okay, so I might be a bit late grabbing onto the moccasin trend, blame it on all the snow,

but I think these would look super cute with a sweater dress and textured tights

I'm already a huge fan of the riding boot, 

but I really like these from Colin Stuart - I would buy all three colors

currently way out of my price range,

but I really like the patchwork on these Frye boots

Alrighty dearies, that's enough online drooling for tonight.  Gotta hit the hay so that I can get up and go to work in the morning.  Have a happy hump day!

Oh, How I Wish....

that I wore a size 5!  I would snatch these beautiful vintage oxfords up in 0.5 seconds! 

I just adore the satin ribbon and bow. 

Frosty

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

As for my last two days, they actually were pretty fantastic! We enjoyed a lovely dinner with both sets of parents and my brother-in-law last night. I sweet talked Mom and Dad into making their delicious lasagne - it's been a fav of mine since childhood. I forgot to take pics of that and the sangria (darn it!). However, we were fortunate enough to have them there to capture our fun in the snow. The hubby came home with a little bit of a kid spirit and the end result was this wintery lawn decoration.

rolling the base

and... rolling a little bit more

making the body and putting it on

putting on the eyes and nose

hard at work

dressing our snowman, complete with shoes, too (would you expect anything less?!)

And, after several minutes of hard work...the end result!

The Scoop: All Under $100

I am in the process of doing a little wardrobe updating and thought I'd share some finds that I thought were particularly good deals.  Please enjoy and feel free to pass along to others. 

This first pair of pants I received questions about at work earlier today.  They have some stretch to them so they fit like your favorite pair of skinny jeans, but are dressy enough to pair with flats or knee high boots to wear to work.    

Old Navy Low Rise Skinny Pants $29.50 (I got two similar pair in the store for $15 each!)

These jeans fit like leggings (I'm having a hard time with the whole "jeggings" thing), and tuck really well into knee high boots - which I love!

Macy's Levi's Red Tab 524 Too Superlow $29.99

I haven't ordered it yet, but I found this top on Athropologie's website.  I like the oversized buttons and think the ruffles add a nice interest.  It would look really cute with the black skinny pants or jeans above and some cute flats. 

Anthropologie on sale $79.95 (reg. $148)

I've tried these bad boys on and they are super cute!  I think I am going to order the gray pair from the website, since they have now gone on sale too.  Over the knee boots don't seem to be going away any time soon, so they would be a good investment for the rest of the season and possibly next year too!

Aldo $64.98 (Reg. $110)

Now you know!  Go enjoy some online shopping and some great steals!

A Brief Pause

This is a brief pause from my regular antics to discuss something a little more important than shoes.  Today on my way to Starbucks and work (in that order), I listened to news reports about the horrific earthquake that struck Haiti yesterday afternoon. Now, I have been through several hurricanes before, including the eye of Hurricane Fran in 1996 and thought the aftermath from that natural disaster was bad. But, I cannot even begin to fathom a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Reporters say that this earthquake has left the city of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas completely devastated and looking like the remains from a war zone. Literally, bodies are being piled along roadsides.

Then over lunch, I was reading one of my fav daily blogs when I saw what she had done and I decided to follow her lead. So, please reach out to the people of this country as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives after such an awful disaster.  You can access Red Cross.com here or I encourage you to talk to your church or local outreach to find out ways to help.  When you say your prayers tonight, say one for all the people that have been affected by this awful event.  A small amount can go along way. 

The Flip Side will resume regular blogging tomorrow.

Sick Days

I left work around 11 am feeling slightly under the weather.  While driving home, I started thinking about sick days as a kid.  As a grade-schooler, sick days were the greatest (you know, aside from the being sick part).  Sick days were one of the few times during the year when it was okay to miss school to hang out at home and watch cartoons.  Not to mention the fact that you didn't have to worry about homework for the next day.  For me though, the best part of sick days was that Mom would always make grilled cheese sandwhiches for lunch, served with some kind of soup. 

Hmmm... no matter how many times I try to duplicate them, it never works.

So, here's a couple of great recipes for grilled cheese sandwhiches.  They may not be Mom's but they still look pretty fantastic. 

- Who knew dijon mustard was the trick? I'm trying it next time I make one.

- This recipe uses ciabatta bread and a tomato - YUM!

- Tyler Florence includes slices of bacon and apples in his grilled cheese.

- And, the next time I make one I'm using this new gadget!  Got one of these as a wedding present!

Now, go enjoy yourself a grilled cheese.  And, try the dijon mustard trick, I'm dying to know how it tastes!

Currently Browsing: Coats

If there's one thing that I find therapeutic, it's shopping. On most days I could spend hours in a department store staring at shoe-lined shelves, combing through racks of beautiful clothing, and scouring handbag tables for the perfect item to add to my wardrobe. However, there is always the rare occasion that malls or department stores make me a little crazy. One thing I never get tired of, however, is online shopping. Give me a laptop, a cup of Java, and a cozy chair and I could shop online for hours. I like to think that it spurs my fashion creativity and I am usually able to find things that I may have looked over or not seen at all in a department store.

So it occurred to me that since perusing cyberspace for steals and deals brings such joy to my life, it seems only natural that I share it here. I mean, why keep something so fantastic to myself - it's just rude! This will be the first of a recurring blog entry entitled Currently Browsing. I hope you find it a source of inspiration also, and please feel free to share if you see other items out there in cyber-land that myself or others might enjoy as well.

Today's installment: winter coats. As I've noted in nearly all of my entries for the past month, it is cold here. And, while I already have several wool coats that I have loved, I am afraid they are beginning to show their wear and tear. Therefore, I am currently browsing winter coats. Check out the assortment below. 

I like the high neck and big buttons on this one, but in black from Nordstrom's

I like the laid back feel of this one from J Crew

I like the shorter length on this one, and the pleating at the top from Victoria's Secret

But then again I can always go for a knee length - it's so classic, also from Victoria's Secret

Decisions, decisions.  I guess that means, I'll just have to continue my quest tomorrow! 

A Fresh Start

There's something about the beginning of the year that inspires me to undertake a somewhat extensive re-organization of our house.  I think it has to do with a combination of New Year's Resolutions, taking down the Christmas decorations, and just wanting to start the year off right.  There is something to be said for minimalism.  Although, I rarely feel like our household knows what that word means.  Last night, when the tree left our living room, so did some other items for which I had been wanting to find another home.  For me, it feels so freeing to see all the clutter go away.  Here's some great spaces that really motivate me to want to keep our house looking this way. 

Have a great Sunday night, and happy first of the week to everyone!