It usually takes me a while to fall for something that’s really “trendy”. After a youth spent pining obsessively over the latest and greatest shiny new thing “everyone else” had (oh, those Guess jeans, they haunt me still!), I’ve learned that the hotter something is, the quicker it fades…and these days, i’m just too cheap individual to buy in.

Most of the time, this usually just results in me finally breaking down and buying something approximately 5 minutes before it goes out of style. Skinny jeans, for example. But, just this once, I’m thinking of plunging head-on into a trend while it’s still new(-ish). It’s these lovely red trousers I’m seeing everywhere…aaahhh, I just can’t resist!

{image credits: fashionologie, what i wore, stockholm street style}

Delightful, aren’t they? Such a perfect shock of color in a sea of bland neutrals in my closet (what? me? winter blues? nah…). And they’re really seasonless, if you think about it. Pair with camel or navy in the winter, and white or pink in the summer…it’s completely caught me off guard to think of red as such a versatile shade, but there you are.

Plus, a friend told me recently she can’t remember the last time she saw me in something other than jeans. And so, I thought…I’ll show her! I’ll buy red pants. But, while skinny versions abound, it’s actually sort of a trick to find the wide-legged variety. (And honestly, I’m just too old, and too curvy, for skinny colored denim. Really.)

Hours of exhaustive searches later, I narrowed the field to two options…and, readers, you’ll be shocked to know I chose the road less expensive. Yes, instead of the $300 Kate Spade version I wanted (gah, now they’re on sale for $200! damn…maybe I should just…no, no, I’ll persevere), I’m going with the $39.50 version from…Victoria’s Secret.

(do you like how I cropped out the top half of the VS model to negate the scary, overly-sexy pose?)

So yes, I’m terrified. I’ve never purchased a single item of clothing from Vicki, and I was totally content with keeping that record intact. But…well, I caved. I fully expect it to be a sartorial disaster, but I’m honestly sort of wildly curious about them, and had to see them in person. Plus, it will make for excellent blogging fodder, don’t you think?

I’ll be sure to report back.

i’ve been meaning to do a post to tell you all about the wonders of leigh & luca scarves…i love them so!  and when i met up with one of my favorite fashion designers recently, she was sporting one as well, so i know i’m not alone.  they’re just infinitely useful, as everything from a scarf to a sarong to a shawl, and the designs are utterly modern and fabulous.  a square scarf can be a little intimidating, but rest assured:  once you get the hang of them, you’ll fall in love.

best of all, i hear they’re 50% off today at daily candy’s sample sale site, swirl.  head over and check out the steals…it’s the perfect time to nab a piece by this seriously talented bunch!  and if you don’t find a style you love at swirl, you should definitely check out the sale section on leigh & luca’s own website…many are gone, but there are some steals to be had!

oh, and i promise to do a nice long feature about how to wear these beauties soon…stay tuned!

i’m really starting to look forward to these friday finds lists, if only because it gives me a chance to get out all of the random “hey, that’s cool” thoughts i have during the week.  i hope you’re liking them too!

i keep meaning to tell you all about my new facial serum of choice.  it’s clinique’s repairwear laser focus, and i admit, my love for it sort of snuck up on me.  when you test products day in and day out, you get lazy, and start to expect resusts fast, or you move on.  fortunately, i didn’t have any other serums around, so i kept using the clinique version.  and after a month, i started to notice that some of those nagging lines from constantly sleeping on my side were starting to vanish.  plus, it’s only $44.50, a nice change from some of my $100+ serum obsessions.  well done, clinique!

i’m feeling pretty smitten with kirakira, a new line of jewelry i came across this week.  the designs are so diverse, the shop feels like you’ve stumbled into a vintage jewelry shop in your favorite foreign destination – yet they’re all brand spanking new.  prices run the gamut, but those silver marrakesh earrings are $125…definitely attainable luxe.

as usual, best to follow a splurge with a steal.  on one of my target wanders the other day, i came upon the william rast collaboration.  the denim actually looked promising, so i gave it a try.  and lo, it was highly impressive, readers.  i was more impressed with the boot cut than the straight, but that’s okay, since straight is on its way out anyway.  for $50, these jeans had great fit, the right amount of stretch, and enough quality that i think you’d get well over your $50 worth of wear from them.  you could even try holding out until they go on sale…not a bad gamble, i think.

and last but not least, this wallet caught my eye a while back, and i keep forgetting to show it to you!  i’m a sucker for a bright wallet, i’ll admit, and this striking blue/green hue is no exception.  the leaves might be a little much for me, but i haven’t totally decided yet (and they could always be removed, i’m thinking).  plus, it’s called the “fiscal ficus“, and i do so love some nice alliterative word play.  it’s $98, which isn’t out of the realm for a well-made wallet (which this is).  and, bonus, some kind anthro shopper has bothered to take photos of the interior and post them in the reviews section…so, kudos to her.

have a great weekend, everyone!

despite my illness, and my irritation with bloomingdales lately, i couldn’t let this steal slip away without telling you!

i picked up this exact dkny trench in black during nordstrom’s anniversary sale, and i absolutely love it.  it’s the perfect mid-weight trench, made of sleek, waterproof fabric, and it fit me better than the classic burberry trench (which, given my love for burberry, is saying something).  in fact, i loved it so much that i convinced my very frugal BFF to buy the exact same one (in tan) when we were out shopping a month later.

now, you can nab that same lovely trench, in black or tan (or both!), for a measly $111 – down from $278. if you don’t have the perfect trench in your closet, now’s the time, friends.

i’ve been seeing a resurgence of loafers in my september mags this year, and it’s no surprise.  designers are returning to ladylike classics with menswear touches, and a loafer is the perfect way to add a dash of masculine energy to keep a girly look from going too far over the frilly fringe.

there are options out there at the highest of price points – i especially love the versions from elizabeth and james, and tods, but both are pretty cost-prohibitive.  but honestly, when a classic style like this comes back around, i think sometimes it pays to look back to the classic sources. and when it comes to a loafer, my first thought is still bass.

sure enough, they didn’t disappoint.  bass has updated their classic loafer with a shorter vamp (creating a more feminine shape), and a funky cumin color to give the right dose of edgy, but kept the price point downright cheap at $65.  i’d wear these with cuffed boyfriend jeans now, and a silk blouse (like, say, this one i picked up recently) with menswear trousers for fall…either way, they’re a great way to indulge in the men’s-inspired shoe trend without going the route of the overdone oxford.

i absolutely love the look of this dries van noten blazer from the august issue of vogue, but at $1,300, it’s unlikely i’ll ever even see it in person, let alone own it.  but ever since i spotted it, i can’t help wondering just how hard it would be to recreate on a budget.

image from vogue, august 2010

i’m envisioning a thrifted (or otherwise cheaply obtained) camel or tweed blazer (i found dozens on etsy), maybe a size or two larger than you’d normally wear.  take it to your trusty tailor, along with this photo, and just ask for three exaggerated accordion pleats on either side, right above the pockets, to create that sharp definition at the narrowest part of your waist (you’ll want a larger size jacket to allow for space to create those pleats).

you’ll also probably want the shoulders taken in just a bit, and maybe even need the sleeves narrowed a bit – since the rest of the jacket was purposely too large, you’ll want those sleeves trimmed up to fit you properly.  and, assuming it’s an old-style, two-button blazer, feel free to have her add a third button and buttonhole to make it a perfect three-button blazer.

it’s major reconstructive surgery, i’ll grant you, but i think you could get it done for $50-75 (much cheaper if you don’t need the shoulder/sleeve work done).  add on the $25 you spent for the blazer in the first place, and you have a serious style fix for under $100 (original will set you back nearly $1,300).  not bad when you consider the thousand ways you’ll find to wear your creation.

now to nab that slouchy grey sweater underneath…

one of my favorite finds so far this summer, this sheer jersey shirred skirt from american apparel is destined for “staple” status in my closet.  it’s the perfect knee length (or slightly above if you wear it high-waisted), and the full skirt is offset by a very lightweight jersey, so it’s not at all heavy, which eliminates my usual peeve with fuller skirts of having to tuck in my tops to avoid waist bulk.  i am a little concerned that the hem is unfinished, but at $28, i’ll do as tim gunn would advise, and “make it work.

by the way, can anyone explain the utterly bizarre styling on american apparel’s website?  these were literally the only two photos of it actually being worn as a skirt.  it’s like they can’t stand that this is actually a respectable length, and so are forced to style it as a dress.  baffling.  fortunately, i know you’re all far too fashion-savvy to try wearing this as a dress.

at any rate, i’ve already nabbed this in navy, and plan to scoop up at least three more colors asap.  summer, here i come!

i didn’t actually plan it this way, but i must be in an extreme sort of mood, because if there’s a common thread to this week’s friday finds, it’s some seriously over the top style.

for those that are a fan of todd selby’s photography and/or his blog, you’re going to be thrilled to know that his book launched this week.

the selby is in your place is packed with photos from the homes, studios and offices of some seriously cool people, including karl lagerfeld, simon doonan & jonathan adler, and erin wasson.  to be honest, selby’s style is a bit much for me sometimes…he seems to seek out the crazy, even slightly creepy, in everything he shoots (see his shoot of the explorers’ club for some seriously crazy photos of dead animals).  but he struck a nice balance with the book, adding in a few more mainstream images to make it appeal to a wider, less artsy group.  if nothing else, the new book is worth it for the shots of lagerfeld’s studio alone, which are completely fantastic.

speaking of completely fantastic, every time i think i’m finally over studs, something comes along to make me fall all over again.  and lately, whenever that “something” comes along, it’s from be & d.  like, for example, their memphis studded flat in this gorgeous citrus hue.

i love that, from the front, they’re as conservative as can be, but when you turn to walk away, that studded cuff on the back makes you an instant badass!  so perfect to add some edge to a skinny jean or legging, and i’d love to see them toughen up a pair of silk shorts when the weather gets warm.

and i know it’s a little random – i think jane and judy aldridge are rubbing off on me – but i’m finding myself jonesing for a completely over-the-top pendant necklace.  something like, say, a giant elk head.

laugh, but then think about it with a slouchy tank top (this one springs to mind), blazer, cutoff shorts and tights.  and maybe those be & d shoes.  i’m feeling it.  especially for $8, i think it’s worth a shot.

happy friday, everyone…have a great weekend!

i literally can. not. wait. for the liberty of london/target collaboration to hit stores this sunday (3/14).  as in, i start bouncing up and down in my chair if i think about it too much.  yep, my husband is about to be living in a sea of chic, kitschy floral…and you know, i have not a smidge of guilt!

for those that aren’t familiar, liberty of london is an amazing, iconic department store based in (surprise) london.  they’re best known for their stunning textiles, especially their signature bold florals.  for their collaboration with target, they’ve lent their signature patterns to everything from lingerie to teacups…and i’m thinking i’ll need (at least) one of nearly everything in the collection.

to tide me over until sunday, i thought i’d share a little sneak peek of my favorite pieces from the collection:

(all photos graciously provided by target corp)

yes, the shopping list is long, i realize…fortunately, nearly everything in the collection tops out at about $50, and most is much, much less than that.  so really, my hubs should be thrilled i’m saving him so much money.  right?

see you at target this sunday!

for those of you living near a nordstrom rack, i highly suggest a lunchtime or after-work visit…today, if possible.  i took a little time to check it out yesterday, and they have some pretty serious sales happening – a good chunk of the store is marked anywhere from 35-60% off the lowest marked price – i spotted nanette lepore, burberry, james perse, splendid…definitely above and beyond the usual suspects.

the rack is always my favorite super-secret source for designer denim (you do know about this, right?).  even the highest-end styles top out around $80 there, instead of the $150+ you’ll pay retail.  but yesterday, i may have nabbed my best deal ever:  a pair of paige denim’s “jimmy jimmy” boyfriend jeans marked down to $79, with an additional 60% off!!

yep, brand new paiges for $30…life is good.  i’m always the world’s biggest fan of paige denim (she and i just seem to have the same butt, what can i say?), but the cut on this jean is especially nice.  it’s a bit loose (try going down a size), but the backside is still super flattering and the rise isn’t too low.  plus, the distressing is subtle enough that even grown-up girls can wear them.  i’m especially loving this style because it’s not actually cropped, like so many of the boyfriend jeans.  it’s perfect rolled up, so you can have that ‘boyfriend jean’ look, but when it’s out of style, just unroll the cuffs, and they’ll be a great straight leg jean.

to nab this steal, just stroll on past the regular racks of denim and look for the clearance rack – there were a few rock & republic styles, and even a pair or two of joe’s jeans, all at some seriously amazing prices.

oh, and while you’re there…i spotted at least two pairs of jimmy choos (including these lovelies) for $229, plus an additional 35% off.  just sayin’.