Seize the Opportunity...

...to get three great dresses for amazing prices.

This simple, pretty, strapless number from Old Navy? $20. Or maybe something a little dressier, like this one from Newport News. Maybe something a little more casual, like this shirtdress from Torrid for $51.

Even if you don't have an occasion to wear them right now? These prices are good reasons to treat yourself. Happy New Year!

Handbag Dilemma

I started this post yesterday and saved it...and now it's gone. Is this because I haven't switched to the new blogger? Grrrrr....

Anyway. I turn 30 next week and I've decided that I want to purchase a designer bag. I'm not talking about a $1200 one, like the Marc Jacobs bag du jour, but something along the lines of $300 like Michael Kors. My bags usually cost about $70 or less, for the exception of my one designer purchase a few years ago (Anya Hindmarch). I love them, don't get me wrong, but that's not something I choose to spend my money on. If I was spending upwards of a grand, I'd probably choose Chloe or Kooba. A girl can dream.

You don't see a huge number of designer bags in this town in the way of Marc or Chanel. We see more Coach than Chanel, more Dooney & Burke than Dior, and of course a lion's share of LV (which I happen to loathe). A bit of Gucci thrown in for good measure. My fellow DC fashion bloggers know there are some circles who are all about the label all the time. And us bag whores, we know that the Queen of ALL of bags is the Birkin by Hermes. I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh, so to speak.

I was browsing eBay in search of a possible I'm-30-and-Fabulous bag, and came across a seller with not one Birkin but 41. FORTY-ONE. I believe they retail at $4,000 to start, and there's usually a years long waiting list. This seller's store has these various Birkins listed from $8K up to $25K. And there's a bid on a $20K bag! I don't understand this. It frightens me a bit, actually. These people have spent what equals someone's (decent) salary on Birkins...and will be making a small fortune if they all sell.

So far, I've got my sights set on this one from Mr. Kors. Weirdly, I keep coming back to the Marc stam bag...I would never, ever pay that much for a bag. Especially not when everyone from La Lohan and Kirstie Alley are carrying it. But there's something about it...I could always test drive the knockoff from AKO Style.

Then there's this much imitated motorcyle bag that I have loved ever since I saw it for the first time. The eBay person selling it says it's a Des Louis...which I've never heard of. They also throw the term 'le dix' around, which I know is usually attached to Balenciaga, which this absolutely is not. I'm not really sure what to make of it. It looks a lot nicer than most knockoffs I've seen, which usually strike me as too stiff. This looks soft and worn - but in a good way. And I love the color. Does anyone know anything about this brand?

Macy's Plus Size Selection

I've imposed a shopping moratorium for myself since it's the holidays, and I need to be getting gifts for other people. However. I spent a couple of quality hours in Macy's on Saturday night and rediscovered their excellent plus size department. It was a sizeable chunk of the floor, I must say. And yes, some of the stuff in there isn't fit for women with fashion sense, but some of it is fabulous.

Like did you know that Nine West has a plus line? That you can get Jeanstar jeans for $21?

I scored this leather jacket in black - originally $229, marked down to $170 with 30% off, then 20% on that discount if you open a Macy's charge. Which I did. The final price came out to be about $110. It's very comfortable and it looks great. Of course, tomorrow the weather goes back to being seasonable and I'll have to go to my winter coat, but I'm still really pleased with this find.

The Budget Fashionista had a very interesting post on the state of plus fashion and why we're seeing less of it, it's well worth the read. As we all know, there is a demand for plus clothing that is every bit as fashionable as the 'straight' size fashions. But if we're not out there buying it, then it will absolutely disappear. So I contributed to the buying this weekend! On the other hand, and as Kathryn points out, the stores spend no money marketing these lines and these departments. It never ceases to amaze me how many great plus clothing sites are out there when I go digging around - so why aren't we seeing these things in the stores? Why does Macy's or Bloomingdales carry Kiyonna? Or Saks carry Elena Miro (I'm dying to get my hands on her stuff, it's amazing)

I don't know the answer. Although I will say that I am absolutely guilty of not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit...but if I were a size 10, I wouldn't want to either. On that note, the fashion magazines really bother me in that respect - because we can all afford a Chanel dress? Come on! Even though we are the buying power for fashion, it seems to slip further and further away from us and what we want.

My apologies for the hiatus - it's that time of year!

'Tis the Season - to Shop!

I'm awaiting something from Igigi that I will post about, but I have to rescue it from UPS jail since it came while I was away. And I haven't seen much that really interests me, but I also haven't been looking. Part of me thinks I haven't gone holiday shopping yet because I don't want to end up buying myself stuff!

But for those of you who are buying this weekend...for you, your friend, your sister, mom, whatever, here are some deals that I've gotten via email or otherwise. Happy Shopping!

Newport News is offering 20% off any purchase through Sunday, December 10. Use code 576.

Newport News also has a special winter sale open to subscribers/purchasers/whoever signs up for the email. But you have to use this link - looks like there's some cute stuff in there.

Old Navy has $5, $10, and $15 deals, as well as 10% off online orders of $75 or more. Use code MYGIFTSHOP.

Kiyonna has $15 off purchases of $150 or more (what's up gorgeous plum dress?) through December 31. Use code SUGARPLUMS.

Spend $60 at Size Appeal and get $15 Size Appeal bucks towards your purchase. Use code 15BUCKS.

Bling Fix

Sorry for the hiatus - I was out of town last week on business.

I can't believe I haven't posted anything on jewelry, because jewelry is my favorite accessory. I was looking around in my bookmarks and here are some finds. B/c ladies, for the most part, it doesn't matter what size you are to rock out the bling.

I love this ring from Stars and Infinite Darkness. It's open in the back so it's adjustable, which is always nice, especially this time of year when it's cooler and your rings seem to slip off a bit easier (I lost my ring briefly while playing with my dog tonight). Another one from the same site, this is a ring inspired by the sparrow that sailors would tattoo on themselves for every 5,000 miles sailed. I love birds in design, and its inspiration is pretty cool.

One of my favorite sites that I found from the amazing Grace Bonney and her design*sponge blog is day-lab. They have really unique and beautiful pieces, and many of them are extremely reasonable. Like these sweet heart and star necklaces? Only $16. The leaf is available in silver and gold and only $12. My favorite is the flying birdie necklace, only $18, since it's a knockoff of the ever classy and gorgous Paloma Picasso's dove necklace from Tiffany's. And the blue box bling, incidentally, is my favorite-st silver necklace and I wear it almost everyday.

Another great site is a DC staple, Unsung Designers, and they have some interesting jewelry as well like this long gold rope with teardrop citrine. One more fabulous site is Moon and Lola - they have several necklaces in the bird design theme like day-lab, and as you can tell, I dig it. I have a major thing for owls and this cloissone one is too cute for me to not post. Moon and Lola earrings deserve a post of their own (actually, I'll probably post about earrings another time), but I love how simple and classy these leaves are, but still different.

And one more from Urban Outfitters. I love this!! And it even incorporates a little birdie on it, and it's only $18. I'm sold! I could post a million pieces, but I'll stop for right now. More to come another time...