Any Given Sunday

When the weather is nice on weekends. I like to leave the house during the day. I want to make the most of the daylight and run errands, shop, etc. but in the afternoons and evenings? I like to veg out on the couch.

As winter arrives and the dark comes earlier, there will be more and more vegging out on the couch in comfy clothes, nibbling on treats, drinking sweet things, with a good book in hand. For me, the choice is a no brains needed story of romance on my trusty eReader. I still love a good paperback but sometimes you just need something a little more resistant to freshly baked double chocolate chip cookie crumbs.

Clockwise from top left:
1) Vince stretch leggings
2) Hope Grand sweater tunic
3) Reading Glasses Shop 'The Journey' faux-wood glasses
4) Homemade super yummy chocolate chip cookies
5) William-Sonoma hot chocolate and chocolate marshmallows kit
6) Amazon Kindle Wi-Fi 6" eReader
7) FAIR+true fair trade knitted chunky socks

HIGH x LOW: Hey, Sexy Lady!

You don't need a million bucks to look a million bucks. On the other hand, if you've got it, go for it!

Glasses: Oliver Peoples NDG $315 vs. Warby Parker Zagg $95

Nail Polish: Tom Ford in Smoke Red $30 vs. Barry M in Red Wine $3

Pearl Neckace: Manhattan Pearls Park Avenue $630 vs Kate Spade All Wrapped Up Glass Pearls $125

Lipgloss: YSL Golden Gloss in Golden Red 36 $30 vs. L'Oreal Infalliable in Rebel Red $8.50

Little Black Dress: Valentino A-Line Wool Dress $1595 vs. H&M Polyester/Elastine Dress $40

Platform Mary Janes: YSL Tribute Pumps $825 vs. Michael by Michael Kors Eboni Pumps $165

$3425 vs. $436.50

Reality and Fantasy. Not. The Same.

I'm not gonna lie to you guys....fantasy and reality are too very very different things. Case in point:

How I Want To Dress...
1) Fendi Belted Coat
2) LC Lauren Conrad Skinny Pointe Pants
3) Christian Louboutin New Simple Botta Boots
4) Yves Saint Lauren Leopard Scarf
5) P.A.R.O.S.H Leather Gloves
6) Little Woods Cloche Hat

How I Actually Dress!
1) Scotch & Soda Slub Knit Scarf
2) Canada Goose Victoria Parka
3) Xhilaration by Target Red Hearts Mittens
4) Oasis Ripped Skinny Jeans
5) Sorel Paid Boots

Mismatched and generally looking like a walking cocoon. If you see such a thing walking down the street....it's probably me. Call me chicken but I need warm grippy things on my feet, a blanket around my body and neck, and hot water bottles on my hands.

Fendi, Louboutin, and Saint Lauren just can't fight old man winter like Sorel and the Goose can.

It's Simple

I've come to terms with the fact that I've become completely boring. I love seeing chic ladies on the streets dressed in bright bold patterns, a gazillion layers, interesting shapes. It seems so cool but at the same time, like it would take really long to plan out and put together.

As much as I enjoy the visual effects of those looks, this is what I'm dreaming of these days. Classic, unobtrusive, and simple.

I do like the idea of keeping a little "funk" in there with some animal print, a bling necklace, or red lips but that's about it. Fussy outfits with a lot going on just don't belong in the fall season for me.




1. River Island Blazer
2. Faliero Sarti Frayed Scarf
3. J.Crew Cafe Capri in Herringbone
4. Rick Owens Cotton-Jersey Tank
5. Michael Kors Gia Large Slouchy Tote
6. Madewell The Sidewalk Skimmer in Leopard

Spring 2012 Wishlist

There's not too much on my spring wishlist for 2012 but of what's there, I tried to keep it to at least half classic, staple pieces that can transcend the seasons.

This spring, I want to add light feminine colors like mint green, blush, and white and fabrics like delicate lace, sheer linen, and flowy silk. I'm girly but not super girly so I also want to add a little kick in there with snakeskin and/or bright tangerine orange. Nothing too overwhelming, like adding just a dash of spice to up a dish just a notch.

As for the "classics"...I need to replace my scratched-up aviators with a dark pair (I love reflective lenses but even the tiniest scratch is noticeable!), replace my lost pair of mini pearls with something slightly bigger, and purchase a caramel brown leather belt that will transition from the office to evening and weekend outfits.

Spring 2012 Wishlist by awalkinthecloset

Pictured above, clockwise:
1) Essie Orange, It's Obvious Nailpolish
2) Anya Hindmarch Natural Marano Sea Snake Clutch
3) Diane Von Furstenburg Mint Green Sudan Wedges
4) Ray Ban Classic Gold Aviators Sunglasses
5) Red Valentino Lace Detail Shorts
7) H&M Leather Belt
8) Go Jane Faux Stone Bib Necklace
9) Givenchy Aqua Glass Pearl Studs
10) H&M Sheer Scarf

Do you make a seasonal wishlist? Do you usually stick to your plans or just end up buying what catches your eye? What's on your list?

Pantone Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

Pantone, the global authority on colors, released their 2012 Color of the Year recently. This year's color is "Tangerine Tango", a reddish orange. According to the Pantone website:

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy. A fun, lively take on a traditional autumnal hue, Tangerine Tango will surely carry through to fall fashion as well."

I'm really excited to see what fashion and beauty products emerge from this year's Pantone color. This color will look spectacular during the summer with a variety of colors (think Caribbean-vacation colors like neon yellow, turquoise, fuschia) and during the cooler months (a pop of color against a canvas of taupe, chocolate brown, gray, etc.)

Not sure how you feel about this color? If you aren't on board yet, hopefully these items will inspire you to give it a chance!


1. Brain Atwood Alima Peeptoe Pumps
2. Miu Miu Bow Leather Tote
3. House of Harlow 1960 Marley Clutch
4. Tiffany & Co Paloma Sugar Stacks Ring
5. Didi Colley Tutti-frutti Ring in Dark Cognac and Orange Chalcedony
6. Karen Walker Soul Club Sunglasses in Orange/Milk
7. Philosophy 3-in-1 Shower Gel in Mimosa
8. Hugo Boss Boss Orange EDP
9. Love & Beuaty by Forever21 Glow in the Dark Neon Orange Nail Polish
10. Barry M Lip Paint in Orange 117
11. Pantone Tangerine Tango iPhone 4/4S Case

So, have you or are you going to try out this color? How?

I already have Tequila Sunrise nail polish from Rimmel, which is an intense version of Tangerine Tango. That's been one of my go-to nail polishes for the summer. It looks fantastic against both silver and gold sandals and jewelry.

I've love to try this as a shirt - perhaps in the form of a sheer blouse paired with white trousers or pencil skirt in the summer. Or a thin orange headband...or a big cocktail ring...or peep toe pumps...or.... Clearly, I need to put this on my Spring wishlist!

Fierce

I have to balance my love for glitter, bows, and other pretty things with an appreciation for the dark side.

I was surfing the net last night and like many a nights, ended up on Polyvore. I saw this coat on the sidebar and prompty fell head over heels in love. And there's only one word that describes this coat. FIERCE. It totally channels Trinity from the Matrix in all her bad ass glory but minus the cheesy PVC outfit.

And for some reason, that also translated to Yves Saint Laurent's sculptural rings for me. I am in love with the oversize organic shapes plated in yellow cold and wrapped around mesmerizing gems. It's like wearing a piece of the ridiculously opulent Rococo period on your finger or better yet, fingers.

1) YSL Gold-Plated Enamel Ring
2) Me and Kashmiere Enya Pasmina Scarf in Navy
3) Kaufmanfranco Belted Leather & Wool Coat
4) Miu Miu Leather Platform Boots
5) YSL Arty Gold Plated Glass Ring

Fall 2011 Wishlist - The Beauty

Isn't it funny how some of us are such fickle creatures? When it's spring, I dream of summer. When its summer I dream of fall. When its fall I dream of winter. And when it's winter? I'm right back at dreaming of spring. It's a never-ending cycle for sure but I never seem to get tired of it. Mostly because it always makes for a good excuse to shop.

The beauty products I'm looking to add to my collection, follow in the shoes of my wardrobe wishlist. I'm not looking for experimental colors, space-age gadgets, or things that merely come in a pretty package. I'd like to round out my essentials and buy color cosmetics, skincare, and tools I will reach for over and over again.



1) Guerlain 'Ecrin 4 Couleurs' Eyeshadow Palette 04 Les Bois De Rose
2) Chloé by Chloé Eau de Toilette Spray
3) Stila #21 Double Duty Cheek Contour and Blush Brush
4) Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector
5) Dior Vernis in Purple Revolution 906
6) Dior Vernis in Perfecto 804
7) MAC Prep + Prime Translucent Powder
8) Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick Berry 28
9) MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

It's hard to be disciplined. Just as with clothes, the flashy items catch the eye first. It's rarely fun to buy things you need...it's always the things you merely want that somehow end up on their way home with you.

I've written down my wardrobe and beauty to-buys for the season to avoid being sidetracked. I am also going to take advantage of a free service, holds, at my favourite stores, even if it's bit of an inconvenience to go back the next day. I'll know that I really do want it if I still bother to make the trip back after thinking it over in the past 24 hours.

Fall 2001 Wishlist - The Fashion

Every fall, I tell myself to stay away from the novelty pieces and build up my office wear and essentials wardrobe because to me, this is the perfect season to do it in. It's a little too cold for cute summer dresses but warm enough that I can still be bothered to be fashionable rather than functional.

But every fall, I fail. Like a rat running on a rat wheel however, I'm going to be bullheaded and keep trying. Perhaps I will actually come out of this season saying a few less What-Do-I-Wear?'s Monday to Fridays.



1) Chloé Silk Chiffon Top
2) Marc by Marc Jacobs Sleeveless Button-up
3) Haider Ackermann Drape Leather Jacket
4) Toast Laleh Trousers
5) French Connection Featherweight Skirt
6) Suzanna H Lace Pencil Skirt

There's a few more staples I'd like to add - black opaque tights, tissue thin black tees and turtlenecks for layering, seamless nude tank.

Anything you're planning to add to your wardrobe this season?

Happy St. Patty's Day!

My breakfast this morning consisted of a deliciously moist vanilla cupcake with little clover-shaped confetti on top thanks to my awesome co-worker.

We're all wearing green today, although my shirt is more of a teal and my scarf a light grass green. I realized this morning that's about all the green I have in my closet save for its appearance on a few patterned shirts. It's certainly not my favourite color but I did a little online window browsing and you know what? It's not bad! I think I can deal with a bigger dose of it in my wardrobe.1) Miu Miu Polka-dot Cotton Poplin Skate Skirt
2) United Nude Elastic Tangle Hi Green Heel
3) Aurélie Bidermann Paraty 18K Shell Bracelet
4) Burberry Prorsum Patent Corset Belt
5) Nars Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Celebrate
6) DKNY Be Delicious Green Apply EDT
7) OPI Greenwich Village Nail Polish
8) Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon Body Lotion

Monsieur Louboutin's Got You Covered

I picked out these beautiful shoes on Polyvore only to realize I flanked the two middle ones with four pairs of Christian Louboutins.

Clearly, Monsieur Louboutin's got this situation covered. As for my toes? Only sometimes. I broke a pair, I hurt wearing another, and I need to get new heels hammered onto the third. This Louboutin, he is high maintenance, is he not?1) Christian Louboutin Sexy 100 Peep-toe Patent Leather Pumps
2) Loeffler Randall Paige Criss-Cross Sandals
3) Christian Louboutin Sexy Strass 100 Crystalized Stilettos
4) Christian Louboutin Lucifer Bow Stilettos
5) Giuseppe Zanotti Chrome Sandals
6) Christian Louboutin Fifi Pumps

Desert Spring

This weather makes me wonder if Spring felt attacked by all the disgustingly cute and happy pastel colors out now, and decided to make a hasty retreat.

If that is the case, I would like to tell Spring not to fear! We can take it slow...perhaps some gray, beige, tan, etc? Then we add a few pops of color once we get to know each other, yes?



1)Y-3 Asymmetric Cotton-Jersey Tank
2)Rick Owens Lilies Long Crossover Skirt
3)Metallic Scarf from The J.Peterman Company
4)Essie Little Brown Dress Nail Polish
5)Pamela Love Quartz Tribal Necklace
6)Dolce Vita Pali Leather Wedge Sandals
7)Muruthi Horn Bangle
8)Love Luv by Erin Wasson Double Finger Ring in Gold
9)Kiehl's Easy Village Vibe Lip Gloss

Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon

I love perfumes. I love the the memories and emotions that certain smells can evoke. I love the delicate bottles that are like miniature works of art. I love the thrill of smelling that first wisp of a scent and feeling the smile on my face and the sigh of satisfaction.

I can barely count on one hand the number of perfumes I have actually finished. I guess I'm just fickle like that. I admire the women who have a signature scent but yet, I don't envy them. I like to have my cakes and eat all of them, too. One bite here, one bite there.

Below are 6 scents I've worn most in the past year or so. I have a number of other scents that I wear occasionally, but in the morning when my mind is elsewhere, these are the ones I pick up by memory.

♥ Daisy by Marc Jacobs This is my daily go-to perfume. Not a very imaginative scent but something to spray when you just want to smell "nice and pretty". No frills strings attached.

♥ Garden of Good and Eva by Benefit A health & beauty magazine rents an office across the floor from my dept and they hold biannual sales to clear out the products they didn't even have a chance to open. This was one of the products I picked up on a whim. It's a crisp and fresh scent that's perfect for summer. I wear it in the dead of winter to remind me of warmer days! Notes of pear, watermelon, ozone accords, muguet, rosebud, jasmine petals, green violet leaves, freesia, sandalwood, musk, cedarwood

♥ J'Adore by Christian Dior - A younger classic. It's warm enough for the winter but light enough for summer nights. Notes are Madarin, Champaca Flowers, Ivy, African Orchid, Rose, Violet, Damascus Plum, Amaranth Wood, and Blackberry Musk

♥ Petite Cherie by Annick Goutal This one I smelled in a teen magazine (the now defunct Elle Girl maybe?) many moons ago and just absolutely feel in love with. I finally purchase a bottle last year and discovered that was still in love. It is so light, delicate, and fresh. Notes are pear, peach, musky rose, fresh cut grass, and vanilla.

♥ Beauty by Calvin Klein Received a sample of this one day and forgot it in a coat pocket. Spritzed it one morning on my way to work and just felt so beautiful wearing it, despite my pre-coffee state. It's a very 'womanly' scent but definitely not of the cloying old lady variety. A simple blend that reminds of me Sharon Stone's style back in her heyday (minus the craziness). Notes of lily, absolute ambrette seeds, jasmine, and cedarwood.

♥ Sugar Lychee by Fresh - I'm not a fan of very sweet smelling perfumes or anything from the fresh but I just adore this one for some reason. Notes of grapefruit, Italian lemon and lime blossom, lychee, mango flower, freesia, sandalwood, tonka bean, and amber.

What do you call this?

I don't like that Polyvore asks me to name my set. I typed in Gold Rock but I'm not really sure what to name this. Heck, why does an outfit need a name? I just want to wear it, that's all!



1) Rick Owens Lilies Dust Drape Front Wool Blend Cardigan
2) Balmain Black Cropped Leather Pants
3) Sam Edelman Katrice Sandal
4) Alexander McQueen Byzantine Queen Skull Crocodile Clutch
5) Chan Luu 14K Gorld Vermeil Leather Skull Bracelet
6) The Village Black Shades