Wearing Now: Rainy Day

Top: T by Alexander Wang - $14 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Trousers: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Coat: JC Penny (gorgeous here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)

Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi

Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

Hello friends, I hope Sandy passed you by safely! The hurricane largey spared the DC area; my neighborhood didn't lose power or got any major wind damage (my roof sprung a leak but we quickly fixed that).

Onto the outfit, today I wore a professional taboo: the cropped top. I thought there was no approapriate way to make one work for the lab (office) but that's nothing I couldn't solve with a pair of high waisted pants and a blazer. I wouldn't normally be so adamant about wearing a defective top to work but Alexander Wang knows what he's doing with a tee - it feels like a second skin so once I put it on in the morning there was no way I'd take it off.

Have a great weekend! And yes, it rained all over my bag just as I started with the photos. Poo.

Wearing Now: Fall Greens

Top: Celine - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Jeans: J Brand - $40 via eBay (similar here)
Jacket: Elie Tahari - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar pump version here)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi

Hey folks, I'm bracing for the hurricane/nor'easter hybrid so who knows how long I may be without power. Until then, be safe if you're in Sandy's way!

Wearing Now: Browns

Sweater: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Jeans: J Brand - $40 via eBay (essentially here)
Leather jacket: Cole Haan - $150 via eBay (here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Bag: Celine
Shoes: Burberry - $180 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)

About a week after buying the Celine I'm convinced that it is the best purchase I've ever made (barely topping the leather jacket you see here, though, which was actually a gift from my boyfriend). I haven't been tempted to browse eBay or stop by Nordstrom Rack because I'd rather spend my time and money buying exactly what I want without distractions. I need a new wallet (my Coach wristlet is like a mini purse and better fits a high school kid) and a camel or wine colored winter coat (the ones I have are desperately old and frumpy, and need to retire), so while I find the perfect additions there will be no extraneous spending. Every purchase should make financial sense, be needed and used, and make you happy. That's my strategy.

Have you bought anything that makes you happy lately?

Wearing Today: Casual Day

Top: from Marshalls - $6
Jeans: Banana Republic via hand-me-down from friend
Suede jacket: Elie Tahari - $40 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here with rockin' lapels)
Flats: Coach - $90 via Marshalls (similar here)
Scarf: Burberry (here)
Bag: Celine (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Can you believe that it's Friday already? I'm not sure to which glitch in the space-time continuum I lost a whole week but I'm not complaining that the weekend is right around the corner.

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

New York, New York

(1) Spiked Christian Louboutin Pigalle. As the lovely sales person at Bergdorf's said, Mr. Louboutin makes art. If it happens to fit your feet, so much the better. Out of all the offerings from this ubiquitous designer I was most interested in the Pigalles because of their elegant curvature and classic pointy toe. I've heard many women complain about the awful sacrifices they make to fit and walk in these shoes, so I've decided to investigate on my own. Let's just say this is the one and only time I will EVER wear Louboutins. Ever. Orthopedic surgery ain't worth it in the long run.

(2) On a Manhattan rooftop. Wearing a J. Crew blazer ($20 via eBay), J Brand jeans ($40 via eBay),Valentino sweater ($35 via eBay), Burberry flats ($190 via Nordstrom Rack), Fendi sunglasses ($80 via Nordstrom Rack), Calvin Klein belt, and Bric's bag ($100 via DSW) and enjoying the sunset's at a friend's place.

(3) Sunset reflecting off a glass paneled building. For this shot I was just in the right place at the right time.

(4) Sunset in NYC.

(5) I didn't gel my hair. The wind was particularly strong that evening - I didn't bring back Freddie Mercury circa 1970s.

Wearing Today: Peaches and Oatmeal

Top: BCBG - $22 via Lord&Taylor (similar but wrinkle free and on major sale here)
Pants: J. Crew - $25 (here)
Shoes: Burberry - $190 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Bag: Bric's (gorgeous here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Accessories: Coach Watch, J. Crew bracelet

Again with the impossible fabrics - but oh the comfort. Have a great weekend!

Wearing Now: Chambray, Olive, and Black Accents

Chambray top: INC - $10 via eBay (from the ultimate authority on chambray)
Skirt: Burberry (similar, classy, and on sale here; another well-priced option here)
Sandals: Coach - $50 via eBay (similar here ($), here($$), and here($$$)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors - $100 via Marshalls (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack
Accessories: Coach watch, necklace courtesy of Anjolee

Making my way to the metro (subway, in non-DC English) after a productive day of work and application essay writing (I'm often a compelled volunteer at my boyfriend's business). Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Wearing Now: From the Rack

Top: Theory - $35 via Nordstrom Rack (ancient, similar here)
Skirt: M Missoni - $30 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Jacket: Marc Jacobs (stolen from sister)
Shoes: Burberry - $190 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (Graduation present. To myself. Here in vanilla)

I usually stalk eBay for good deals but don't underestimate the power of brick and mortar stores to bring you steep discounts. As I implied in my last post, once I finished the MCAT I was out for blood. Two months in a sensory deprivation chamber (with the occasional visit to my favorite blogs) was enough fuel to catapult me into the nearest Nordstrom Rack. If you haven't heard me before here it is again: clearance events in Nordstrom Rack correlate to Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. Forget about the parent company and run to NR. 

Size note on M Missoni: The brand runs small. I took a size 6 in this skirt when I'm usually a 2/4 in other brands. Hell, my very similar Burberry skirt is a 2!