Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a good weekend, mine was very nice...except for the fact that I had to get up at 5:45 yesterday to get to my brother's graduation, ha ha. Here's a quick look at what I wore on Saturday for shopping and hanging out with the family.  I'll show you my new purchases soon (aka tomorrow.)

Top: Mexx (Coco's $10 Sale), Sweater: Lauren Ralph Lauren (Lord & Taylor), Jeans: Jolt (Marshalls), Sandals: Seychelles (DSW), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Emma' (Marshalls), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, Mom's


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Boy am I glad it's Friday. Weekends really are the best invention ever.  I'm not saying I don't like my job, but sometimes it's nice to have a break from the craziness. This week was indeed crazy, we were super busy, which is good, so I was very stressed.   In other news, my brother is graduating from college this week, it makes me feel old even though I'm only 3 years older than him.  So on Sunday I'll be getting up super early to drive to the ceremony and then the whole family will be going out to lunch after.

P.S. I was very excited on Tuesday because I instagrammed my outfit & DKNY PR Girl tweeted it and called it 'Chic." WOO! That's the second time she's tweeted me in a week! The first was when I posted my manicure alongside my new DKNY wallet, to which she replied "stunning."

P.P.S. If you haven't seen the Dead Giveaway video yet, do it now. Best thing ever. I laugh every time I think about it. My favorite parts: 'we eat ribs with this dude' and 'there's some 'lil girls up in that house!'

Monday: Top: Oasis c/o AndOtherBrands, Jeans: Vintage America, Wedges: Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's), Sweater: old, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, Mom's and c/o Anjolee

Tuesday: Dress: DKNY (net-a-porter sale), Heels: Dolce & Gabbana (Uptown Consignment), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters

Wednesday: Tee: Everlane, Blazer: Darjoni (Good Will), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime & Lucky, Sandals: Seychelles (DSW), Necklace: Francesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters,

Thursday: Tee: Everlane, Sweater: Ralph Lauren (Good Will), Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Necklace:  SparkleFarm, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters,

Last week I was introduced to a new online store, Van Mildert.  The store carries designer clothes, shoes and designer bags for women and men! They carry some of my favorite designers like Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors as well as some brands I wasn't as familiar with, such as Joules and Muubaa. They also have a great selection in their sales section, so be sure to check it out! Below are some items I would love to add to my closet:

Project D dress, French Connection top, Michael Kors bag, Michael Kors flats, Muubaa leather jacket

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Oh London, how I miss it. I always find myself reminiscing about my past 2 trips to that wonderful city and am itching to go back. I went for the first time in July 2011 and then was back again in March 2012 (both times for Harry Potter events,) now I'm going through withdrawals because it has been over a year since my last trip!  This shirt (and all my photos) help me get through the days when I just want to pack up my bags and hop on a plane.  Who wants to go?!

On a totally different note, these jeans used to be longer. I wore them once, then washed & dried them and they shrunk! Weird, right? But I think I like them better cropped like this, don't you? Showing a bit of ankle, scandalous! And, these sandals are 3 years old and are starting to fall apart. I'm quite depressed because they are one of my favorite pairs.  The bottoms are starting to peel (I should probably re-glue them) and strings are starting to come off the straps.

Song of the Day: London Town by James Taylor

Top: Oasis c/o AndOtherBrands, Jeans: Vintage America, Wedges: Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's), Sweater: old, Sunglasses: Michael Kors (Marshalls), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, Mom's and c/o Anjolee



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 A couple weeks ago Anjolee offered to send me one of their gorgeous anniversary rings for review. I chose the Vintage Diamond Anniversary Ring and it is definitely going to become one of my daily rings, even though it is more fancy.  They have so many great pieces of jewelry from diamond stud earrings to necklaces, bracelets and rings.  I was going to do an outfit shoot to show you the ring but I figured plain photos would show you its beauty better.

The ring comes in a beautiful box with nice padding to keep it safe. I'm a sucker for nice packaging so that is always a plus for me.  Just look how wonderfully it sparkles, the detailing is amazing.  Each diamond is set in a prong setting and bordered by a millgrain edge design. Even though it is listed as an anniversary ring I think it is a great gift for any occasion, even for yourself.

Look how beautifully it goes with the rings I inherited from my mother. Definitely a great addition to my regular ring rotation.

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*I was provided the ring for free for the purpose of this review, my opinions are my own

My bag says it all: You Can't Fake Fashion. There was a time, many moons ago, when I would have happily bought a counterfeit designer item, because I wasn't really thinking about the ethics of it all. But now I would never even think about buying an item that was a replica of a designer item.  If I want the real thing I will save my money up and buy it.  If I don't think it's worth the hefty price tag then I have no business owning a fake. What are your views on fake pieces?

Stores like Zara, H&M and Forever 21 constantly copy high end designers and I would be lying if I said I never bought one of them (hello, Forever 21 Mary Janes that were copies of Miu Miu's, I have since gotten rid of those.) While this is still not okay (in my point of view,) I don't think it falls under the same category as pretending your item is the real deal.

UPDATE:  Obviously it is impossible to know whether anything you buy is a copy of a designer, so this definitely leaves room for personal preference.  I know I've bought something and later I find out that it looks like a designer piece. And I'm not saying it is always a bad thing, especially seeing as I used to do a feature called "Lust, Love, Less" where I would help readers find items for less.  It is a thin line and it is up to your point of view.

Why am I talking about this, do you ask? Well...I grabbed this bag from the free table at work because it is something that really needs to be put out there. Counterfeit is not okay and more people need to speak up about it. So, eBay and the CFDA started selling these totes (along with some created by designers) to raise awareness; check out the eBay page here. That's a lot of words for such a simple look, so I will let the rest of the outfit speak for itself.

P.S. I just bought 3 of these t-shirts from Everlane because I heard they were some of the softest out there, and they do not disappoint! You can't beat the price either, only $15!

Tee: Everlane, Leather Jacket: Theyskens Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Jeans: Rag & Bone (Shopbop), Heels: Lanvin (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Necklace: SparkleFarm, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters, Mom's and c/o Anjolee, Bag: eBay


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Happy Friday!  We had such a lovely, Springlike week.  There are still odd cloudy/icky days but mostly it's pretty nice.  Mornings are cold but by the time I walk home it is the perfect temperature. Last night my cousin and I made double chocolate chip cookies while listening to crazy music, that's just how we roll. I can't really think of anything else exciting to write, so I guess that's it.

P.S. Tomorrow is unofficial Star Wars day (May the Forth be with you), will you be celebrating?!  I will probably have a marathon of the original trilogy with my new roomies (my cousins) complete with homemade popcorn!

Monday: Sweater: Madewell (Shopbop), Top: Mexx (Coco's $10 Sale), Pants: Glo (old), Heels: Marc by Marc Jacobs (net-a-porter sale), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweater: Madewell (Shopbop), Pants: Maison Scotch c/o Aritzia and Lucky, Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Necklace: Francesca's, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters & Mom's

Wednesday: Jacket: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Tee: H&M, Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Heels: Alexander Wang (The Outnet, gift), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Necklace: Marc Jacobs c/o Shop It To Me, Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters & Mom's

Thursday: Sweater:Vanessa Bruno (Coco's $5 Sale), Jeans: Target,  Heels: Steve Madden (DSW), Necklace: Lauren Conrad (gift), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Earrings: Urban Outfitters, Rings: Urban Outfitters & Mom's

 One day just wasn't enough so I met up with Christine and Lydia again on Saturday because Coco's of Madison was closing and everything was $5 (they still have another location though!) I walked out with a cute beachy skirt, 2 blue sweaters (one cardigan, one pullover) and an alligator belt: $22...SCORE.  After that we went to Guilford to check out another store and then had lunch and took our outfit photos.  Then we were going to go to TJ Maxx but Lydia went to a different one than Christine and I so our day was cut short, ha ha.  At TJ Maxx I picked up a DKNY wallet because I've been on the hunt for a new one for quite some time. I had a gift card so I only paid $11 out of pocket! Here is a similar one, mine is pink and it is a trifold with a snap closure.

Since I knew we were going to be shopping all day I decided to go for a more low-key look. I thought it was a bit weird to pair it with my Chanel, but at least I wasn't wearing a Juicy velour tracksuit with it like another woman we saw.  I had a blazer on ealrier in the day but it got hot (YAY!) Sorry for the photo-overload! You know me...I can never decide!

Top: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Good Will), Pants: American Eagle (old), Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Sunglasses: Michael Kors (Marshalls), Bag: Chanel (Madison Avenue Couture), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Necklace: Marc Jacobs c/o Shop It To Me and Francesca's, Bracelets: Ten Thousand Villages, Rings: Mom's and Urban Outfitters, Earrings: Urban Outfitters



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Vintage fashion has arguably been a trend since the ’60s when the hip kids donned moth-eaten Edwardiana for their trips to the Kings Road. More recently, however, having a wardrobe filled with classic items of clothing from bygone eras has become a top industry standard.

Unfortunately, some will throw away items of clothing without considering their potential. Luckily, organisations like The Vintage Fashion Guild are dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion.

Nowadays, nearly every high-street department store or online retailer has jumped on the bandwagon with a micro-department offering several timeless garments and accessories for sale. Regrettably the prices rarely remain vintage, and you can expect to spend a substantial amount of money on transforming your existing collection, even if selling old clothes has given you more cash to spend.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to get great deals on vintage fashion if you know what to look for and where to buy.

Be Prepared to Look
It is no secret that charity and second-hand shops will have some great vintage fashion tucked away, so be prepared to spend time walking round your town or city browsing for bargains.

Car-boot sales or markets may also provide you with some hidden gems, so search for any local upcoming events online.

Vintage clothes shops will obviously have a great range of items which they will have spent a great deal of time sourcing - and of course they need to make a profit, and this will be reflected in the price.

Still, don’t be afraid to haggle. In most cases, clothing in a vintage shop has been bought individually, so no specific mark-up price exists. Ask for a discount if you buy several pieces of clothing at the same time. You can build up a rapport with the shop owner and potentially receive money off every time you shop there.

Think Twice Before Dismissing a Particular Item
At first glance, you may not think much of a particular old coat or dress, but on closer inspection and with a little modification, it may have the potential to be a great addition to your wardrobe.

If you're the handy type, you should be able to restore the garment to its former glory with a bit of TLC. However, if you want a more professional finish, a dressmaker or seamstress will be able to adjust the item to your specific requirements.

Be Creative
Even if you don’t have the money to fully rejuvenate your wardrobe, it is still possible to achieve a vintage look with a bit of creativity. Adding vintage details to contemporary pieces of clothing can revive a usually ordinary garment. One example is adding authentic 1950s cardigan clips complete with chain to an existing item.

Accessorise
Simple and inexpensive additions to your outfit will give you the vintage look you desire. Think about hats, scarves and gloves for your winter collection, while belts, brooches and costume jewellery can enhance even the most basic summer outfit. With a range of affordable accessories at your disposal, a wide variety of looks and styles are achievable. The only obstacle is your own imagination.

Images via - Ravishing Retail, New Dress A Day, Best Bib and Tucker, Whisty


* I was compensated for this post but it met my standard of approval

Last Friday Christine, Lydia and I went out for pizza at Modern Apizza in New Haven.  Of course we had to take outfit photos before eating, a fashion blogger must. We found a great spot on the green for photos, but unfortunately there was a frightening woman who kept talking to us while we were taking photos so I was a bit awkward.  After we ate (I had half a garlic bread and half a small pizza and the other ladies shared a pizza...ha ha) we decided to do a bit of shopping. We stopped at Urban Outfitters where I picked up a cute midi ring and "M" earrings.  I also wanted to buy this shirt (or the tank top version,) but it was still too expensive even on clearance, so I'll wait.  Lydia got the same ring in gold and Christine got the same earrings (but C's of course,) yay for twins! To end the night we got some delicious ice cream and then headed home.  Another great evening!

Song of the Day - James Dean by The Eagles

Top: Oasis c/o AndOtherBrands, Jeans: American Eagle (old), Leather Jacket: Theyskens' Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Heels: Dolce & Gabbana (Uptown Consignment), Sunglasses: Michael Kors (Marshalls), Bag: Chanel (Madison Avenue Couture), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Bracelet: vintage (from Grandma), Rings: Mom's


Google will be discontinuing Google Reader on July 1st, so to continue getting all my blog updates (as well as your other favorites) import them to Bloglovin! They have instructions.