Not Shopping is Like My Lithium

I shared with you that I was not shopping for 365 days in part to keep me honest. The other motivation was to challenge myself to find new ways to keep my wardrobe fresh looking without having to add new pieces. But I've discovered something about myself that maybe you can relate to. Not shopping is for me like lithium is to a manic depressive. Sure, I suffered from no feelings of guilt for about 10 weeks. I certainly saved lots of money. But I was bored. So unstimulated. I didn't have a problem "shopping" in my own closet and I wasn't disappointed in the outfits I was putting on. But the drama and excitement were missing. My passion for a new season's colors, fabrics, and styles was purposely pushed away so that I wouldn't feel tempted to purchase. And, so, as you might have guessed, I fell off the wagon. Or stopped taking my lithium. However you want to put it, I went shopping! And, I'm not gonna lie, the only thing I feel guilty about is that I couldn't or perhaps wouldn't (or maybe even shouldn't) stop shopping for a year. Jeez, I didn't even make it 3 months. Does this make me a failure? Yes, in terms of my goal. But, really... I don't think so. I love shopping. I love clothes and shoes and jewelry and fashion. I love being inspired in my clothing by music and movies and books. I love following designers and their inspirations. I believe in living a fashionable life and, for me, that includes partaking in the new stuff that's out there.

I guess what I'm telling you all is this- I've made the decision to allow myself this passion even though there are a lot of people that would call it a vice. My time "off" was good because it made me more focused about what I missed and I feel less inclined to buy just to buy. But I'm a personal shopper for god's sake. I've got to shop.

Sometimes All You Need Are Accessories

If you're stuck in a rut with your clothes, don't just run out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Sometimes all you need are a few fresh accessories. Check out these gorgeous options from my favorite local boutiques. This is serious summer updating for a steal! Tory Burch cross body bag at The Shoe Hive

Alexandra Beth tribal earrings at Bishop Boutique

Doli necklace at Bishop Boutique

Cleo and Cat ring at Hysteria

Summer Weddings

I get lots of questions about what to wear to weddings and I am always surprised by how many people wonder if they can wear white. The answer is NO! You cannot wear white to a wedding unless you are the bride. Or perhaps if the bride herself chooses a white dress for you a la Pippa Middleton. The point is, white is the one color you really should avoid at a wedding. Beyond that, the rules relax. Yes, you can wear black although it looks best at an evening wedding. You should be sensitive to the location of the ceremony; if it is religious and in a place of worship, consider covering your shoulders and cleavage with a light wrap. You can take it off for the reception. Above all, honor the occasion by dressing according to the bride's wishes. If she says formal, get dressed up. If she says costume, then, geez, put on a costume and make her happy! In the meantime, here's a little summer wedding outfit I put together for your viewing pleasure. Adjust the shoes for the location- flats for outside on grass or sand, heels if not. Otherwise, this works for any time of day and/or level of formality.

Summer Wedding by milkbreadfashion featuring K. Jacques sandals

Norma Kamali striped dress, $500
Loeffler Randall metallic sandals, $350
K. Jacques black sandals, $245
Dannijo jewelry, $445
A V Max antique jewelry, $150
Coralia Leets drop earrings, $115

Hmmm. Overalls.

You all know I follow the Man Repeller. I love Leandra's writing more than anything and, in this world of "just show me a picture so I don't have to read anything," I find it especially fun. Check out her recent post on overalls. http://www.manrepeller.com/2012/04/on-overalls.html Very funny. Also, I'm torn. The casual option is so exactly how we would have worn it back in the day (a.k.a. early 80s) that I find it not very interesting. But I do like the jacket option with heels. Here's my version stepped up a notch further. I would wear this if I had overalls!

Fancy Pants by milkbreadfashion featuring high heel shoes

Cynthia Rowley tux jacket, $425
Diesel Black Gold studded jeans, $225
Alejandro Ingelmo high heel shoes, $495
Eddie Borgo 18 karat gold jewelry, $500
Marni horn jewelry, $400
MICHAEL Michael Kors michael kors jewelry, $85

May Day

I love May Day. It reminds me of so many things about when I was a kid- Maypole dances, baskets filled with flowers given to our friends, saying the rosary around the "heart" outside the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at St. Mary's Academy where I went to high school. Also, May Day signals the END of spring. After all, only one month until Memorial Day weekend which kicks off summer! Yahoo! But let me not get ahead of myself... Today was warm and sunny and very spring like so I broke out the white dress, neutral wedges, and a fun, flowery necklace. And the wedges stayed on, I might add, even as we played ding dong ditch and left baskets of flowers and treats for our friends and neighbors. I can run in anything!

May Day by milkbreadfashion featuring suede wedges

Pleated dress, $48
Gianvito Rossi suede wedge, £509
Lanvin flower jewelry, $1,450

Trying to Be Good

I am currently online trolling shopping sites. This is not allowed as I'm not supposed to be shopping for myself. But sometimes retail therapy is the best way to cheer up a tough day. However, since I'll feel badly about it tomorrow, I am signing off. sigh.

Inspired Original

I'm not one to "copy" celebrity style.  As a matter of fact, I try to avoid "copies" at all costs.  Who wants to look like a half-assed version of a celebrity who has more money to spend on the ensemble and who is undoubtedly skinnier than me?  However, once in a blue moon, I see a look I really love, and I let myself be inspired by it.  "Inspired" is a term I like much better than "copy."

On the first episode of Fashion Star (which is horrible), Nicole Richie had on the best outfit.  I am a big Nicole Richie fan- both of her style- which is iconic, in my opinion- and her sense of humor, which is irreverent and maybe even a little vulgar.  But I digress.  Nicole had on a vintage fringed black maxi dress and a head piece and completely stole the show.  I could not tell you one thing the designers ( a term I think they use loosely) designed or one thing Jessica Simpson said.  That, of course, isn't saying much, but you get my point.  Nicole looked cool, classy, and interesting which are three adjectives that are not necessarily easy to pull off in the same outfit. 

As the dress is vintage, my recreation options are limited.  I would LOVE to have her fringe dress but that must remain a dream for the time being.  In the meantime, here is my version that I think is gorgeous and has my own twist- which makes it far from a copy, if you ask me.

Inspired Original by milkbreadfashion featuring 14k jewelry

Theory floor length maxi dress, $345
Theory floor length maxi dress, $345
Christian Louboutin peep toe platform pumps, $2,795
House of Harlow 1960 14k jewelry, £99
Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian gold plating jewelry, $95
Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian onyx bangle, $39
Panacea south sea pearl earrings, $36
Rhinestone hair accessory, $20