Coated Denim for Less!

I literally can't look at a blog or a September issue right now without seeing coated denim on all of the bloggers/models. Coated denim? Yes, jeans with a resin or wax like coating on them to give the jeans a leathery look. Naturally, the jeans on blogs and in mags are by Habitual, Current/Elliott and J Brand and cost more than $200 a pair. So not happening in my small world. After all, this is a passing trend. My rule of spending money on staples, not on fads stands, so I've not even allowed myself to try on a pair. Then, I found H&M's take on coated jeans for a sensible $29.99. Great fit, awesome gold ankle zip detail and did i mention $200 less than everybody else? Yep, and they're mine. 

Monogram Madness...and a Mystery Animal

Forever 21 is my secret weapon. From $10 skinny jeans to my Kate Spade knockoff black and white polka dot cigarette pants to my sheer chiffon tops and graphic sweaters that instantly make an outfit, I can always count on Forever. Their jewelry selection is also worth perusing, and yesterday, I struck gold. Well, plated, at least. Not only was I able to buy an adorable "L" necklace and ring ($3.80 and $2.80 respectively), but I also bought a really cute ring with a mystery animal on it. What is that thing? A fox? A gazelle? For $3.80, it's cute and cheap, and, now, it is mine.

I actually had to stop myself from buying several other items including House of Harlow starburst knockoffs and a Kate Spade bow necklace/earring set. Too much jewelry, not enough places to wear them to, but I can't pass up monogrammed anything, so voila and ooh la la! Love these new Forever finds!

My Favorite Place to Shop (a Farewell)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved to play dress up. My sister and I were really lucky and had great dress up clothes. Not only did we have costumes that my father had brought back from Turkey (where he was stationed in the military), but we had my Aunt Violet's old clothes and shoes as well. The years have gone by, but I still play dress up when I'm bored (for very adult purposes, like determining what outfit would be perfect for a big meeting), and just like when I was little, my favorite dress up clothes have been stored in my childhood bedroom closet. Until last weekend.

You see, my mom told me I had to empty the closet, and rightfully so. For years, I've been keeping clothes that still fit (but that I've tired of wearing) at their home. Occasionally, I would visit and rediscover a great sweater or dress. Jokingly, and much to my mother's chagrin, I referred to the closet as my favorite place to shop. It was a goldmine, and I know, because last weekend I cleaned it out for *good. My sister and some friends made out like bandits, and I'd like to think I did too! Here are some of my favorite old pieces that are new again and back in rotation (all from Antropologie from years ago):

This was me today, after work. Love that I found this skirt again (and that it still fits). 

Seriously. How insane is this Swiss dot shirt with bunnies and lions all over it? It's like Beatrix Potter came out with a fashion line! 

This sweater is actually Anthropologie via a consignment shop in Richmond (I lived there ages ago). The poodle is made out of felted pom poms and the flowers are intricately beaded. So cute! 

It was really sad emptying the closet that was mine since I was a little girl (I dare my mom to master the wobbly shelf like me) but great to come back to my new home with great old finds! Do you have any favorite clothing items that you've recently rediscovered?

* Hopefully, my mom won't find the two dresses and coat that I sneakily hung in the back of the closet for good measure. I wouldn't want to totally rid myself of a childhood memory after all. 

Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo is everywhere right now - blogs, Pinterest, Instagram and magazines. Like I said, everywhere! So, what is it (other than a miracle product)? Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, purple shampoo removes brassiness from blond hair and, if it works, is supposed to make your color look...well, pretty much perfect. I am an easy sell on products that promise to make color look great, as I've been coloring my hair since I was 18! Blonde, black, brown, it's been severely abused, but most recently, I've tried my hardest to get back to my natural color, an ashy blond that wants to pull yellow in the worst way. Enter purple shampoo. What I bought:

Is it really purple? Um...

Does it work? Follow the instructions and do not use daily, but yes. I already stretch out my colorist appointments as long as possible, but this trick is going to add some serious longevity to my highlights! 

Ta da!