Where to Shop When You’re In Your 30′s

May 13, 2013

Kate Spade quote

Last week, two things happened that made me feel old. First, I turned 31 (eeek!). And then later in the week, my friend sent around an email that read: I think I’ve hit an all time lowI want to buy something from Coldwater Creek.

After dying with laugher, it hit me. Where does a 30-something-year-old shop?! My friends and I are certainly not feeling Forever 21 anymore and my beloved junior’s section at Nordstrom has been making me feel ancient. Crop tops? — I have a stomach! Neon everything? — I have a full time office job!

So where do budget-conscious women shop when we’ve outgrown Forever 21 or Wet Seal but are still too young for Talbots or Coldwater Creek? (note: both are great retailers, just not right for me… yet).

I decided to pull together a list of retailers for those of us 30+. Each brand hits all three of my criteria: age appropriate, affordable, and [most importantly] cute. Just because I’ve said goodbye to my 20′s does not mean I’m saying goodbye to looking fashionable!

And please share your favorite “over 30″ retailers in the comments section!

Where to Shop When You're in Your 30's

Where to Shop: Garnet Hill Retro Cap-Sleeve Knit Dress ($68); JCrew Factory 5” Oxford Chino Short ($32); Piperlime Pim & Larkin Striped Mini Skirt ($54); Ann Taylor Laser Cut Lace Ponte Top ($49); ideeliAnthropologie  Pompom Hem Tunic ($78); The Limited Exact Stretch Ankle Zip Pants ($69); Boden Napoli Dress ($76).

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Wish List Wednesday: Summer Maxi Dresses

May 8, 2013

Today’s post is going to involve a lot of scrolling, because we’ve got loooong maxi dresses on the menu! Long, flowy, dramatic dresses, perfect for summer fun (assuming the weather finally warms up! It’s May and I’m still wearing jackets and leggings, grumble, grumble…).

If you haven’t drank the maxi kool-aid yet, let me talk you into it. Are you worried about them being too body-hugging? Look for patterns and texture (like ruching or pleats) to camouflage. If you’re short, introduce yourself to a good tailor. Tall? Give your feet a break and wear flats! Here are a bunch of fun maxis on my Wish List, great for all shapes and sizes.

 Bayberry Cascade Printed Maxi

Bayberry Cascade Printed Maxi by Jack by BB Dakota ($89 from Piperlime)

Modcloth At the Helm Maxi

Modcloth At the Helm Maxi ($59) – seriously considering buying this one!

Mossimo® Womens Crossover Maxi Dress

Mossimo® Womens Crossover Maxi Dress ($29 from Target)

Nordstrom Keyhole Back Print Chiffon Maxi Dress

de elle Keyhole Back Print Chiffon Maxi Dress ($32 from Nordstrom)

LOFT Tribal Stripe Halter Maxi

LOFT Tribal Stripe Halter Dress ($79)

Tinley Road Knit Wrap Maxi Dress

Tinley Road Knit Wrap Maxi Dress ($59 from Piperlime)

ASOS River Island Printed Waisted Maxi Dress

River Island Printed Waisted Maxi Dress ($41 from ASOS)

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The Perfect Pair: Skirts + Tops

April 29, 2013

Lately it feels like dresses are always stealing the spotlight. Retailers are cranking out cute frocks for every occasion. But you know what? Sometimes I like to root for the underdog. Case and point: sweet spring skirts! Sure they come with that “assembly required” element of having to pair the skirt with a matching top, but that’s why you have me!

Today I thought I’d offer some different top + skirt combos for those spring and summer skirts in your closet. Go forth and rock that skirt!

Chambray top + floral pencil skirt

JCrew Factory Classic Chambray Shirt ($59); JCrew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt ($59)

Tank + maxi skirt

Mossimo Long and Lean Tank ($6); Ruche Colorblock Maxi Skirt ($65); Forever 21 Painted Cutout Bib Necklace ($7)

Cardi and polka dotted skirtModcloth Charter School Cardigan ($34); The Limited Polka Dot Pencil Skirt ($59); ASOS Ted Baker Drewery Skinny Bow Belt ($64)

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Rent the Runway Review

April 24, 2013

Rent the Runway Review

When you’re a penny pincher like me, you are forced to get creative when it comes to dressing for special occasions. Summer wedding? Graduation? Bridal shower? They all stir up that intense feeling inside of “I must find something new to wear!” But at the rate my friends are getting hitched, ain’t nobdy got time (or money) to buy a new dress every couple months.

If only there was an amazing web site that lets you RENT dresses! Oh wait… there is!

Enter Rent the Runway.

I know some of my readers have discovered this amazing web site, but if not, let me introduce you to Rent the Runway, a genius luxury dress rental company. RTR, as us groupies call it, offers designer dresses at an affordable rental fee. Browse their wide selection of dresses and accessories, read reviews from helpful renters, and pick your rental date. Easy peasy.

Worried about the fit? RTR’s community is amazing and there are a ton of photos of real girls in the dresses — not just models! RTR also takes it a step further and includes a complimentary second size in your order, so you know you’ll have a dress that fits. Still not convinced? You can add a second style for just $25. Heck, they even throw in body tape!

After your 4- or 8-day rental period, just place the dress in the envelope provided and drop it off at UPS (or your UPS drop-off location at work!). RTR takes care of the dry cleaning.

I tried RTR for LuckyFABB — I mean, really, what does one wear to a fashion blogger conference?! — and could not have been happier with my experience.

Rent the Runway: Up in the Air Dress

Up in the Air Dress by Erin Featherston – retails for $335, rents for $65
Paired with NY & Company bag, Kenneth Cole Reaction wedges, and consignment necklace from Current Boutique.

Rent the Runway: Lurex Drip Halter Bow Gown

Lurex Drip Halter Bow Gown by Thread Social – retails for 695, rents for $125 (but I paid $25 since it was my second dress)
Paired with Forever 21 necklace, NY & Company bag, and Dolce Vita sandals.

Have you rented from RTR before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

Rent the Runway review

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Wish List Wednesday: Old Navy Wants

April 17, 2013

Between work, travel, and jam-packed weekends, it’s been awhile since I had an honest to goodness shopathon. This past weekend, I finally managed to squeeze in a trip to the always reliable, always affordable Old Navy. A good hour later, I left with a a few new gems. Since there were SO many cute options, I thought I’d share a few favorites in today’s Wish List Wednesday.

Old Navy Women's Boyfriend Skinny Khakis

Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khakis ($29)

Old Navy Women's Printed Chambray Shirts

Old Navy Printed Chambray Shirts ($18)

Old Navy Women's Faux-Leather Cross-Front Sandals

Old Navy Faux-Leather Cross-Front Sandals ($22)

Old Navy Women's Mixed-Eyelet Dresses

Old Navy Women’s Mixed-Eyelet Dress ($34)

Old Navy Women's Everyday Printed-Khaki Shorts (3-1/2")

Old Navy Women’s Everyday Printed-Khaki Shorts (3-1/2″) ($24)

Old Navy Women's Embroidered-Yoke Gauze Tops

Old Navy Women’s Embroidered-Yoke Gauze Tops ($26)

Old Navy Women's Floral-Print Gauze Scarves

Old Navy Women’s Floral-Print Gauze Scarves ($11)

Old Navy Women's Bow-Tie Halter Swimsuits

Women’s Bow-Tie Halter Swimsuits ($24)

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