An Ode to the Forever 21 Gods

Shirt:             Zara       

Skirt:             Forever 21 (old, but similar here)       
Shoes:           MIA (on sale for $39.99!! last seen here)
Bracelets:     David Yurman 

You know that feeling when your friend calls you at work on a Friday inviting you to go out and you almost say no because even though your closet is full you have absolutely nothing to wear?  Instead of saying no you make a quick stop at Forever 21 on your way home because at this point anything is better than wearing something you already have?  Then… just as you’re about to surrender, you find a diamond in the rough?  A dress so perfect that it just makes you want to run over and hug the random lady going through the rack next to you?

 Or what about that feeling when you’ve been at the mall all day and haven’t found a thing?  Exhausted, you almost walk right past Forever 21, thinking to yourself …“I just can’t right now”? But then, in a last ditch effort to buy something you go in? And as you’re reluctantly making your way through the chaos, you spot it?  A garment so perfect it could not possibly cost $19.80?  A piece of clothing so special you wish there was someone you could thank for creating such a masterpiece? A Forever 21 god, perhaps?

 No? Well, maybe I’m crazy… but this happens to me all the time.

Take this faux leather skirt for example.  A few weeks ago I was on a business trip in Houston, TX.  When I got to my hotel, of course my room wasn’t ready.  So, I asked the girl at the front desk if there was a place I could walk to while I waited.  She said (completely seriously), “have you ever heard of Forever 21?”  While the sarcastic, overly tired, pissed that my room wasn’t ready, voice in my head thought “No, ma’am, actually I haven’t,” I put on my prettiest fake smile and said, “of course!”  She gave me a map and I was on my way.

 As I was taking my sweet time, going through each and every rack, I found this amazing skirt.  Its faux leather (or “vegan leather” as I prefer to call it) and only cost $19.80.  Seriously.  The “leather” is really soft, and feels and looks just like the real thing.  The fit is perfect (not too tight/long/short), and the seaming gives it a more expensive look.  They also had it in a cognac brown color (which was even nicer than the black one), but of course they didn’t have it in my size.  I haven’t seen this skirt available on the Forever 21 website but if you come across it in the store, buy it in both colors! I’m telling you, you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

Chilly

Sweater:      Zara     

Jeans:           Citizens of Humanity    
Booties:       See By Chloe                 
Scarf:            Unknown brand (but similar, here)   
Sunglasses:  Ray Ban              

The past few days have been a little bit chilly here in Miami, so I was finally able to break out my sweaters and boots J.  I think this outfit really sums up my everyday style—casual and comfortable.  I’m a lazy girl at heart, so I wear my hair in a bun about 90% of the time.  On my days off, I almost always wear jeans.  I love the wash on this pair from Citizens of Humanity.  The sweater I recently bought at Zara (for only $25).  To achieve the over-sized look, I bought it two sizes up from my usual size.  I wanted it to be baggy for a more laid back feel.  The booties… my favorite part of this outfit and my favorite new purchase.  I have to admit that Amazon sort of conned me into impulse buying these See by Chloe Wallabee booties (you know when the website displays that there are only 3 left in stock, but then after you purchase yours, it still says there are three left in stock….hmmmm…very interesting).  Anyway, impulse buy or not, I am really happy I got them and I know they will get a lot of use.  I’ve already worn them two times this week!

 

 

On a different note, I want to express my sympathy to all those on the East Coast who have been effected by hurricane Sandy.  I encourage everyone to help out in any way they can.  Long Island <3.

Fishtail



 

Shirt:     Forever 21 (old, but similar here)

Belt:      Madewell

Jeans:    7 For All Mankind (old, but similar here) 

This top is one of my greatest Forever 21 finds.  I saw this shirt on the Forever 21 website a few months back and it reminded me of the sleeveless button down shirts by Equipment that I love so much.  I ordered it in this color and ivory and I love them both.  I think it looks just like the Equipment shirts, but it cost about 1/10 of the price (and it is machine washable).  Doesn’t get better than that!



All-American

 

Jacket:       JCrew     

Tank:         Frenchi    
Jeans:        Joe's Jeans  
Shoes:       KORS Michael Kors
Watch:      Michael Kors
Bracelets: David Yurman, Unknown brand (but, similar here) 

I spent the past week gallivanting around New York City with my friend Jen from Tales of the Traveling Teacher.  While I was there, we took a trip to the outlets, where I bought this JCrew schoolboy blazer.  I have been lusting over this jacket for almost a year now, but never wanted to spend the $200 bucks.  So, as you can imagine I was beyond excited when I saw this jacket on sale at the outlets for only $129!  They had it in red, grey, purple, tan, navy, and checkered.  I wanted every color, but finally decided on the red.  To me, this jacket just screams all-American… and I love it!

While I’m on the topic of all-American, I want to mention that, while I was in NYC, I got the chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial.  As a New Yorker, I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday, but nothing could have prepared me for what an emotional experience visiting the memorial would be.  I took a lot of pictures, but decided not to post them because I don’t think they quite capture the grandeur of the memorial.  If you are ever in the NYC area, I definitely suggest you take time to visit the memorial.  It is a truly eye-opening experience.

Wear-to-Work

Shirt:                The Gap (old, but similar here)

Skirt:                 The Limited

Shoes:              Joan & David (old, but similar here)

Necklace:        Banana Republic (old, but similar here )

For some reason I can’t stand wearing suits.  Every time I put one on I feel like a little kid playing dress up in my mother’s clothes.  That being said, I try to avoid wearing them at all costs (except when I have to, like when I go to court).  So, my work uniform usually consists of separates, mainly pencil skirts and blouses.  For the past year I’ve been a huge fan of the bright colored pencil skirts from J Crew (I have yellow and green).  I think wearing a classic silhouette, but in an eye-catching color, is a great way to add style to your work wardrobe without looking too over the top. 

This weekend, while strolling around the mall, I wandered into the Limited and found the skirt pictured above.  Such a great find!! It’s just like the J Crew skirts, but at a fraction of the price (originally $59.95, I got mine on sale, only $39.95!!).  The skirt is fully lined, made of a nice thick fabric, and did not wrinkle, even after a full day of wear (I despise clothes that wrinkle easily).  It also comes in a bunch of really pretty colors (I got the red and the purple).