Wearing Now: Stripes and Boyfriends

Top: Theory (similar here
Jeans: J Brand - $60 via (essentially here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $60 via eBay (here in pewter)
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Just a quick hello, friends! The week has passed at a phenomenal speed and I'm exhausted. Lots is planned this weekend in the city but I'll keep you posted. Have a great weekend!

Wearing Now: Celine

Blouse: Theory - $13.50 via eBay (came with tags too! Similar here)
Trousers: Marc by Marc Jacobs - $40 via eBay (seller: BHFO; similar here)
Leather jacket: Cole Haan - $150 via eBay (here)
Pumps: Sergio Rossi - $60 via eBay (similar here)
Bag: Celine Trapeze
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

The first time I learned of Celine was when Anh of 9to5 Chic posted about her Phantom. I liked the novel design but it didn't speak to me aesthetically or practically: it may look good with a suit or jeans but you couldn't wear it to dinner or with a dress. Besides, I had (and have) little doubt this bag will go out of style in a few years. Since I'm not a bag person I wanted a quality purse that would carry me from day to night, from work to school, and go with everything from dress pants to denim cutoffs. Since the Phantom was unique enough I looked through Celine's other offerings, which is when I fell in love with the trapeze. A year later (because I don't make four figure decisions lightly) I got tired of unrequited love and bought this beauty at Bergdorf Goodman while in New York. DC, unfortunately, doesn't have a Celine boutique or an authorized dealer. I've heard that Hu's sometimes receives a shipment but I didn't feel like obsessively stalking a bag.

Bottom line: if you're after an item you've wanted for a long time, pull the trigger while you have no expensive responsibilities like a family, mortgage, medical bills, etc. I'm a recent college grad with a job I love, no debt, and no social/financial fetters, which makes this purchase perfectly reasonable for me. I don't want to inspire anyone to buy something beyond their means - buy what you love with what you have and never spend more than what's reliably in your bank account on frivolities.

Wearing Now: Borrowed from Mom

Blouse: Faconnable (great version here)

Trousers: Theory (similar here)
Blazer: J. Crew - $20 via eBay (similar here)
Pumps: Isaac Mizrahi (similar here)
Bag: Bric's - $100 via DSW (similar here)

Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack

Accessories: Coach, eBay

The day I had scheduled an interview for a volunteering position at a local hospital is the day I realized I have nothing professional left in my closet. I could only wear my swanky wide leg pants so many times before sending them off to the cleaner's - and of course, they were gone on the day I needed them most. This is when mom's wardrobe came to the rescue (notice I didn't say "mom" - she didn't know this thievery went down): I borrowed the blouse, trousers, and pumps (which are actually mine but temporarily reside in her closet) and got the position on the spot. Speaking of getting positions, I had TWO job offers today! Now I have the problem of deciding between the two, which is my favorite kind of dilemma.

Wearing Now: Wide Legged Pants

Top: Theory, age old (similar here)
Pants: RED Valentino - $28 via eBay (very similar here)
Jacket: Forever 21 - $30, eons ago (this season's here)
Shoes: Gianfranco Ferre - $79 via Marshalls, eons ago (here sizes 7, 9; similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (similar here in black)
Bag: Bric's - $100 via DSW (similar here)

Wide-leg pants do all sorts of happy things for my curvacious hips, so I'm always on the hunt for more (you can't own too much of a good thing... right?). I lucked out with this pair by Valentino in that they came from an online consignment shop with tags still dangling from them (they were listed as new too, which is all I buy on eBay anyway). How were they $28 with no takers? Don't care, because they're mine now ;) This is a large, trustworthy seller with excellent history; I highly recommend these guys.

Wearing Now: Chambray and Neutrals

Chambray top: INC - $10 via eBay (from the ultimate authority on chambray)
Linen pants: J. Crew - $25 (here)
Sandals: Theory - $50 via eBay (similar here)
Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors - $100 via Marshalls (similar here)
Accessories: Coach watch, Roberto Cavalli bracelet, courtesy of Anjolee necklace

Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (these are gorgeous)

I could have easily titled this post "wrinkled" but that would have drawn attention to all that is wrong with this outfit (and linen/chambray in general). But wrinkles are like battle scars; evidence of a hard day's work. I'll spare you all the boring detail so have a great evening!

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!

Wearing Now: New Beginnings

Dress: Theory - $35 via eBay (similar here)
Belt: J. Crew - $13 (old) (similar here)
Sunglasses: Fendi - $80 via Nordstrom Rack (recent, very similar here and budget friendly here)
Shoes: Sergio Rossi - $55 via eBay (seller: Linda's Stuff, BNIB; similar here)

Finally free, friends! Once I shed the MCAT shackles I sprinted to the nearest Nordstrom Rack (the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale correlates quite nicely to NR clearance events - check out your local stores) and bought a couple of items I've long had on my mind. I'm in the process of internally overhauling the blog so bear with me as I schlep through this makeover.