B2S!

oh, back-to-school shopping. ss there anything as simultaneously fun and hideous? i think not.
here are some things on my list:
-a pair of flat, mid-calf, faux-leather boots (leather because suede does not hold up in Seattle, and faux because leather is quite expensive).
i'm liking these:

blowfish "hanku" in dark brown

-a few pairs of dark-wash not-really-skinny skinny jeans, because they're versatile and alright, i admit it, i don't always feel in the mood for a dress/skirt. there, i said it).

delia's "taylor" super-skinny low-rise jean in NYC tint
here's the thing. i know they're called "super-skinny low-rise", but i've had delia's (plural? possessive? i don't know, again) jeans before and their skinny style is more like a boot-cut, so i'm taking a chance. i don't really like the whole skin-tight look, and i think in person these will look different. i hope, anyway.
also, does anyone else find this model's legs disturbingly skeletal and unappealing? just saying.

-some basic, jersey or cotton shirtdresses (is that one word, or two? is it hyphenated? oh well).

left: modcloth's "simply stylish" dress. right: old navy's "raw-hem jersey dress" in first kiss.
'nough said.

-plain, pull-over hoodies (boy i'm using a lot of hyphens).

jerzees quarter-zip style in forest
yeah, i know it's a man. it's unisex. whatever. i just want to wear these sweatshirts with skirts, tights, boots, and maybe a peacoat like this thing that was in Lucky (i tried to find it online but i couldn't).
as you might imagine, all of these things together would be quite expensive. but here's my back-to-school (or college, or just....new-year-in-september) shopping tip: go to value village, for heaven's sake. or goodwill, or any second-hand store you can. for rillz. also, if your birthday comes around the beginning of september (like meee*), you can usually score some goods.

*my birthday is august 18th. next wednesday. i'm turning...some age.

to romp or not to romp

Rompers have been in fashion for a while now. But I've never been sure whether I'm pro- or anti-romper, so I decided to do some research.

First off, here are some pros and cons that I can think of off the top of my head:

pros: -more comfortable than a dress (built in shorts, hello!)
-doesn't fly up!
-easier to show off your legs (if you're willing), as it's easier to wear in shorter lengths, due to the shorts.
cons: -may make you look like a toddler
-may cause unsightly camel toe (I would have linked a picture, but I thought it might be offensive).
-can be unflattering in general (fitting too snugly in the butt, make your torso look
out of proportion, etc.

But, let's get to the pictures. I did a lot of Google Image searches to find all these, so I can't credit all of them.

This first romper is from Dolce Vita, which I picked to show the evolution of rompers from high-fashion boutique to mainstream store.

I like the strapless/sweetheart cut, and the print (I don't want to say "tribal" because somehow it seems politically incorrect) is pretty but also versatile. You could wear it with something blue, grey, black, brown, etc. You know.

The next romper is from the Charlotte Ronson for JC Penney line, I ♥ Ronson. Usually the stuff in this line ranges from $20 to $60, so I think this romper is semi-affordable (although in my world, if it's not under $30, it ain't going in my shopping cart).

Again, teeny florals have been very in for a while now. The thicker straps also make this one more adaptable for fall, with maybe a long-sleeved dark shirt or a cardigan.

I think I should tell you all that I have a problem with wearing dresses and skirts in the summer. If I do wear either one, then I have to wear shorts underneath. I hate that sticky, sweaty feeling, but if you're wearing a romper, I think that this problem would be eliminated. But I digress.

Anyway, here's some styling things you can look at.


Yeah, I know it's Kourtney Kardashian. But she still dresses cute.

Yes! YES!!! I LOVE this! If I bought a romper, it would be like this one. Simple, cottony, plain. And those boots! That cardigan! If only I owned those things.

Well, it's 12:30 AM, and I have an orthodontist appointment tomorrow morning. But I have to tell you, that the ultimate way to rock (yeah, that's right, I said it) a romper is like this:

d'awwwwwww.
(p.s., is it not a little bit scary how fashionable this would be if they made it for adults? think about it.)

Put your big girl panties on and deal with it.

I am going off to college soon, and I was discussing dorm needs with my mother earlier. There are the obvious-- sheets, shower caddy, backpack, and so forth. There was one more thing:
"Mom," I said "I don't think Hanes 6-packs are going to cut it anymore. I'm going to be living with a new roommate, and my undergarments need to make a good impression. I think it's time I started wearing big girl panties."
To be honest with you, I've never found a truly satisfactory pair of underwear. They're all uncomfortable or boring or ugly or too big or too small or cut into my hips or have too much fabric in the back or too much elastic. To be honest with you, I don't quite know how to remedy the situation. I mean, everyone tells me a quality pair of underwear will be waiting for me at Victoria's Secret, but I am just not feeling like I want to pay fourteen dollars for three ounces of fabric, ya dig? Especially three ounces that say ADORABLE!!! or SASSYPANTSMCGEE or LOVE'N'KISSES on the butt.


Cosmo declared the thong dead recently (do you remember that?), but I'm not really that concerned with what that magazine has to say about my underwear. However, thongs do not seem fun. Nor do the "boyshorts" Cosmo is now trying to sell to me-- what if I want my underwear to stay outside of my body? Is that so much to ask?!
The thing that is really remarkable to me is the selection-- there are at least 3000 different kinds of basic cotton underwear, and then there is the incredible realm of foundation garments... it boggles the mind, really. I think it's very interesting that Spanx (is that what they're called? I think they must have assigned an intern to name this product.) are coming into vogue-- didn't we decide not to wear corsets a few years ago? The interesting thing is that they are marketed as a revolutionary new idea-- imagine! Undergarments that make you appear slimmer!
I guess I am mainly just confused. What underwear does a grown-up girl buy?