la version francaise

Thanks to a Sartorialist reader comment (merci), I've found a French version of this adorable blog! It's called Une Fille Comme Moi (a girl like me), and it's fab. French street style photos and more. Si tu ne parle pas le francais, c'est d'accord parce qu'il y a beaucoup de photos! (If you don't speak french, it's ok because there are lots of photos!)

I lived in Paris for two months, and in Geneva, Switzerland for three months, and the fashion sense in Europe is unreal--Paris especially. Never have I seen so many people "mismatch" and have it look good. Americans have such an obsession with matching--I think it's due to the overwhelming amount of malls, chain stores and corporate fashion folks telling us what to do and how to dress versus us developing our own sense of style. I noticed when I moved to downtown Chicago from the suburban Detroit area that my looks became more urban, and I definitely shopped more at boutiques and picked up things to wear that I wouldn't have before.

While my staple is black (it's like a classic bad habit--so bad but so good), I'm hoping to gain inspiration from Une Fille Comme Moi and invoke some unexpected color combos into my wardrobe very soon!

My blog search

I've been searching for notable blogs lately. I'd like to gather several that I can read on a fairly regular basis. Since I read newspapers, magazines and Internet dailies all the time, I thought it only makes sense to begin reading blogs regularly, too.

I didn't have to look far to find an interesting blog. In fact, I was already somewhat reading it through the Style.com distribution list. It's called The Sartorialist. The author (Scott Schuman, former director of men's fashion at Bergdorf Goodman) began by posting photos of people on the street in New York with interesting style. It appears I'm not discovering something new, since this blog has been featured in numerous articles and was named as one of Time Magazine's top 100 design influencers. You can even read about the blog's history in a Wikipedia listing.

I love the high quality of photographs on this blog, and the thought behind them. The Sartorialist really finds individuals with an unmistakable sense of original style that transcends what most Midwesterners are accustomed to seeing on the street. I suggest you check it out.

Realizing I've been behind in my fashion blog reading, I just Googled "top fashion blogs" and came across this list of the top 50 fashion blogs in the U.S. posted by fashioniq.com. I've found quite a few that I like, including the Frugal Fashionista, which takes celeb photos and deconstructing their looks piece by piece, giving readers photos of items available to create each look at a more affordable price. Of course, Second City Style (shout out to my Windy City!) is great too.

Now, I have some new reading material that will allow me to people-watch and fashion-find simply by surfing the 'Net :)

Online's just fine

I like to call myself an "experiential shopper." I savor the moments of walking through my favorite stores, running my fingers through the fabrics of the beautiful, new garments waiting to be purchased. I'm a sucker for the atmosphere, the mood, the feel of shopping. Heck, I spent nearly my entire lunch hour in the grocery store today! It's not even just clothes, but all kinds of shopping that I love to do in-person.

But alas, I've run across a problem. Not only do I work full-time and belong to several professional associations, meaning I have to fit in time to shop on odd evening/weekend hours with everyone else, but it's C-O-L-D here! Chicago hit a high of 10 degrees today. 10! I'm thinking it might be more convenient to take my shopping habit online, at least for now.

I've purchased flights online, ordered take-out, RSVP'd for events, but never have I shopped online for my wardrobe. Hmm. My first worry (probably the same as that of all first-time Internet shoppers) is that the clothing won't fit and I'll have to return or exhange it, meaning there's more hassle involved. Aside from that fear, I think I can move forward and begin this process.

I've decided to examine some of the most well-known online shopping sites that carry the kind of items I seek: Zappos.com, Bluefly.com and Overstock.com. Here are some basic stats for each:

ZAPPOS -
Carries women's/men's/children's clothing, shoes, bags and accessories.
Free shipping in U.S.
365-day return policy.
Free returns.
24/7 customer service

BLUEFLY -
Carries women's/men's/children's clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, housewares, linens.
$7.95 flat-rate shipping in U.S.
90-day return policy.

OVERSTOCK -
Carries women's/men's/children's clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, housewares, linens, furniture, electronics, sports, books.
30-day return policy.
$2.95 shipping.
Best-price guarantee.

Ok, now on to the next test: How easy is it to search for specific items? I tried to search for high heels in red, size 9.

ZAPPOS: By far Zappo's has the largest selection of red high heels in size 9. Pretty simple to refine your search. I was quite amazed they have a search option for vegan heels!

BLUEFLY: I love the many ways you can search on Bluefly. By size, by color, by designer...and you can refine your search by each of these parameters as well, and also by newest arrival. The only downside is when I refined my red high heel to size 9 and to a pump, there were only three choices! Boo.

OVERSTOCK: Overstock had a bigger selection of red high heel pumps in size 9, but finding them was quite a bit more difficult. The shoe menu is listed under clothing, and the type is quite small. The ease of the search was not really there, but the selection was nice.

In my simple analysis of these three sites, I would probably begin my Internet shopping with Zappos. Does anyone out there have any experience with these sites? Are there other sites I should take a look at?

Chick Flick

Realizing that today might be a very popular day for chick flicks, I thought it would be fun to post about them.

Wikipedia defines a "chick flick" as: Chick flick (also "chick's flick") is slang for a movie, usually a romantic, contrived comedy, that appeals to the stereotypical tastes of the female gender.

That's very depressing! I agree, chick flicks can be pretty dumb, and quite predictable, but that can be one of the reasons we love them. They're a break from real life. They're easy to enjoy. The other reason I imagine women like chick flicks is that we can relate to the main character. Who doesn't love the unlucky Bridget Jones after finding out our boyfriend was cheating on us? Or when we're hopelessly single and lonely? Who doesn't imagine themselves hating, er, loving the beautiful, brooding Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice? These two books/movies alone span 100 years...and we're still hooked.

I thought I'd google "chick flicks" and see what comes up. Right at the top I found "50 Greatest Chick Flicks." This site lists the 50 films chosen in a 2004 article in Oprah Magazine. The funny thing is I've only seen about 10 of them! Perhaps this is a good source for some good movies. And they aren't all mindless, silly ones either--there are some real classics here.

Tonight, I plan to watch either "Becoming Jane" or "The Jane Austen Book Club." I want to see "Atonement," but I'll wait until DVD I think. I'd like to stay in the comfort of my home in front of my own TV.

Any recommendations out there on good chick flicks I may have overlooked?

One Day Away...

It's tomorrow. What's a single girl to do on Valentine's Day? I had dinner plans, but they got pushed back to Friday. So now I'm free. What do I do?

I'll be busy at work--this week we have a lot of projects to complete. I think I'll go home and hit the gym, then perhaps have dinner and watch some chick flicks. Yes! One of my favorite hobbies for when I'm alone.

I did notice on Metromix.com (a young Chicagoan's favorite place to look up fun things to do) that they have an article suggesting things to do on Valentine's Day when you're single.

I wonder how many single women will wallow in their aloneness vs. go out and have a fun ladies night with the girls. Either way, I'll enjoy the evening. Ooo! Can't forget--I'll go shopping after work for the beautiful moissanite earrings I've been eyeing for the past couple months. Forget the gym! This girl's gotta shop :)

Valentine's Day gifts: To me, from me

I don't know about any of you, but I have never received jewelry or any "luxury item" for Valentine's Day. In fact, more and more I'm noticing that the men I know are simply stating, "I hate Valentine's Day" or "I shouldn't have to have a special day to express my feelings." Are these statements legit, or are they just a way of getting out of giving a Valentine's Day gift?





This year, I think I'll stop wondering (ok, obsessing) over whether or not I'll get a V-Day gift from someone special. It's about time I just buy something for myself. Valentine's Day is about love, and I really love myself. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true. I work hard and do so much, I might as well reward myself. Plus, what better way to stay a happy single on a "couples" day than to go shopping?!?





Now I need to choose what to buy. As you all know, I've been eyeing my mom's moissanite earrings. In fact, they're my top choice for my little gift to myself. I checked the price, and they're on sale at JCPenney. They're also available at a number of different retailers, so I'll have to browse to see what style I want. But I think I'll go with the classic stud earring. What do you think? They're pretty gorgeous. I think I'd be happy even without a man with these earrings on V-Day ;)

Now, I can't say these are my only option. I also need a black bag, preferably a designer handbag. I've been really picky, though, and I can't quite find what I want just yet. I want medium-size doctor bag style in black leather with some metail detailing. Hmm. It also has to zip on the top (living in the city, you never know who'll try and stick their hand in your bag and reach for your wallet). This "self-gift" is highly dependent on if I can find what I want.

Finally, I'd like to go on a trip. But I think I'll hold off on this one until my birthday in a couple months. My job offers a vacation day on all employee's birthdays! Plus I have some vacation time to take off also. Maybe a long weekend to Vegas? Sure would beat this awful snowy windy Chicago weather :(

I'm curious. Are any of you ladies out there getting yourself a Valentine's Day gift? If so, what are you purchasing?