Good Things Come

Good things come to those who wait.

Or at least that's usually what you try to tell yourself when you are waiting on things.

This post is not "deep" at all.  It is about stuff. Awesome stuff.  Stuff from the United Kingdom.  (Sadly, no- not Prince Harry or the Duchess of Cambridge. But still awesome.) 

Way back in May I became a woman obsessed with a certain purse.  I've always loved bags- like had an obsession since the age of two.  I used to walk around with a purse at age two.  Anyway, as you well know, I fully jumped on the Middleton sisters bandwagon.  When I saw the pictures of Pippa leaving the Goring Hotel the day after the royal wedding, I became obsessed with the "Pippa" bag by Modalu London in "Shark."  (It was formerly named the "Bristol.") 

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So I debated about getting the bag for the longest time and by the time I decided to pull the trigger, it was on backorder until October.  Well, I ended up getting my bag a little sooner than that- I got it in September and I've been loving it ever since. 

Here's what my bag looked like when she arrived:

Ahh, so pretty!  And a great color that is neutral but still stands out.  If you are on the hunt for a really detailed review of the "Pippa" bag, Sparrows & Sparkle has a fantastic one that all but convinced me to buy it! 

I absolutely love, love, love.  

The second thing that came from the U.K. were these lovelies:

These babies are the Catalonia boot from Duo in Tan. These arrived super fast and when there was a problem with my card (word to the wise: you need to order with a credit card, not a debit card) the customer service team was super helpful! 

Please limit the judgement on my enorm calves.

This is my second pair of boots from Duo (I also own a grey pair- are you seeing a theme with the grey?) and I love the boots I already own.   And I want to point out something about Duo Boots- they fit my big ole calves!  This is seriously not easy, folks.  And if you have bigger than normal or smaller than normal calves, chances are they will fit you too!  When you order from them, you choose a shoe size and a calf size.  HELLO!!  Come to mama.  They are more expensive than the boots you'll find at DSW.  These were $285, plus free shipping and a 10% off coupon.  For a pair that will last, that fit me and that I will wear often, I can invest.  (They were an investment for me- I've been toying with ordering them for a long while.)  Anyway, I just wanted to spread the wealth of knowledge out there to any fellow big-calved ladies and small-calved ladies, too!

I think I am absolutely ready for fall now!

Duchess Style for Less

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I did quite a bit of oohhh and ahhhing over Duchess Catherine's style choices when she and Prince William made the rounds on their Canadian and American tour.  I particularly loved this outfit that she wore upon landing at LAX, minus the nylons that is.

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This past weekend, I was at Macy's looking to see if I could find any good pieces for work.  I found a dress and tried it on and realized- this looks familiar.  And it was!  Because it was very similar in shape and color to this one on Duchess Catherine.  The store didn't have my right size, but I ordered it and I cannot wait for it to arrive! It is so flattering on me, and let's just say iI am not exactly close in size to the Duchess.  So, that excursion inspired me to come up with a look for less for this style including that dress.  Here's what I came up with.

Polyvore set here.

This whole look is only $236.  And that's including jewelry that you probably already own (at least something similar) and wouldn't have to purchase!  Thats a pretty great deal considering the original Duchess dress alone was listed online for just over $918 (on sale!!). 

This set is a great office-appropriate look and there are plenty of ways to personalize it with different accessories.  Does anyone else out there have a favorite Duchess look?

Frugal Finds Friday: Kate Spade Essex Scout

Who doesn't love Kate Spade? I've been a fan since middle school, literally. I vividly remember begging my dad for a Kate Spade bag in the seventh or eighth grade. What can I say, I've always loved purses.  Want to score the Essex Bike Scout for less?

Kate Spade Essex Bike Scout, $425.00

Asos Cambridge Satchel, $193.88

Frugal Finds Friday: Get Your Sale On

Today for Frugal Finds Friday, I thought I would feature some of the great post-Holiday sales that are happening right now.  

Do you ever shop at Talbot's?  They are having a great sale right now where they are taking an additional 40% off of already reduced merchandise- and you don't even need a coupon code!

This skirt is marked down to $53.99 from the original $119 price tag.

This coat is on sale for $161.99 from $359.

Check out the rest of their great sales merchandise!

Piperlime also has some great jewelry on sale, in addition to some good handbags and shoes.

This necklace is on sale for $24.97, marked down from $58.00.

Sale on, people! 

Le Birkin

I have this fascination with a certain bag.  But it isn't just any bag.  

Oh, no.  

It is the bag to rival all others.  The ultimate status symbol.  A beacon of style and class.

The Birkin.

by Hermès 

I can't explain my fascination with the Birkin.  They are ridiculously expensive.  My desire to buy one is completely irrational and impractical, not to mention completely unrealistic (as in... probably never going to happen). 

But I can't help it. 

Go ahead, judge me all you want.  But I know you probably want one too.

Kelly Rutherford does the Birkin so well.

Yesterday, I found this article on the NYT website. It featured this bag:

I think it is sort of genius.  It is a canvas bag that you can use for whatever you want, with pictures of a Birkin on it.  I love that it has a sense of humor and irony.

It is available here for $35.

Frugal Finds Friday: Sequin Boyfriend Cardigans

The inspiration #1:

Sequin Boyfriend Cardigan from Talbot's for $149.00.

The inspiration #2: 

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Sequin Front Cardigan, from Nordstrom for $120.

Frugal Find #1:

T Tahari "Helen" Sequin Cardigan (Petite) from Nordstrom, on sale for $48.90.

Frugal Find #2:

Sequin Cardigan from NY & Co., on sale for $35.97.

It also comes in a more subtle white.

Frugal Find #3:

Apostrophe Women's Plus Sequin Cardigan from Sears for $36.90.

Frugal Finds Friday: Purple Party Dress

The Original:

From Nordstrom for $178.

The Frugal Find:

From asos on sale for $55.17.

Update

Thanks for the comments yesterday! 

Here's what i've decided to go with:

But, i've changed my mind about the jacket.  The more I think about it, the more I think that the jacket will be a bit heavy and stiff, so now i'm considering two cardigans.  You can leave me comments if you like, but I won't beg like I did yesterday- ha!

From Chadwick's for $50.

It comes in a tan color called "sandbar" that I would go with.

OR

From bonton.com for $60.

On Jenn's advice, I also ordered the black sequin tank because I think it would be good to have.

Lastly, I splurged (eek!) and ordered this sweater from Macy's.  I think it will be fun to have when I go home for the holidays.

From Macy's on sale for $82.12.

Hope you have a great Sunday! 

Frugal Finds Friday: Outerwear

While these items aren't looks for less, they are frugal finds.  

This coat has been making the rounds on the blogosphere because of its cute ruffled collar, but I thought I would post it here in case you haven't seen it yet.  Old Navy is having a great sale on outerwear this week.  Right now this coat is on sale for $45.  Snatch this up while you still can!

There is nothing more classic than a neutral colored long coat.  This one from Target is a steal at $35.

This motorcycle jacket provides a great way to keep up with the trends without breaking the bank.  It is available from walmart.com for just $24.

Cold Weather Accessories

So, I haven't had to brave my first winter north of Tennessee yet, but I have my eye on a few of these cold weather accessories to get me through (practicality and durability not yet tested).

Nordstrom Ruffled Dégradé Wool Blend Wrap in Taupe

Talbots Wool Tweed Cloche

Talbots Rosette Collar

Banana Republic's Two Tone Leather Gloves

Old Navy's Ruffled Wool-Blend Coats for Baby

While I am still many, many years from having a daughter, if I had one, you can bet she would be sporting this sweet coat, especially at a price tag of just $25.  That ruffled collar is just too cute to pass up.  Too bad I don't have any girl godchildren yet.