Dear Creatures Fall 2010

I am obsessed with Dear Creatures, it is just the perfect mix of preppy, vintagey, cutesy.  Plus it's not TOO expensive.  Here are my favorites:

Paddle Coat, Audrey Plaid Blouse 

 Anna Sweater Stripe Blouse

 Avalon Dress

Tudor Blazer, Audrey Gingham Blouse

Blossom Dress

I like how it's so easy to make a cute outfit, most of the looks include the black ankle pant + black shiny T-strap flats.  I've seen the biggest selection of Dear Creatures clothes on 80's Purple and there've been a few sales on Swirl.  I think I'm going to spring for the Blossom Dress.

Selena Gomez Dream Out Loud Collection at K-Mart & Sears

Yikes, I've been MIA!  My grad school days have started so I expect to be an intermittent blogger.

Anyway, I have been curious about Selena Gomez' Dream Out Loud Collection at K-Mart / Sears.  I know it is for juniors and it's K-Mart but I was suckered in by the whole Selena Gomez branding.  I'm not an uber fan but I do think she has an interesting style.  Ok, so here are my thoughts:

1) The dove theme sort of reminds me of the MJ Petal to the Metal stuff:

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Petal to the Metal Flap Pouchette (via Saks)

Dream Out Loud Socialite Canvas Hobo Handbag

2) The graphic tees are cheesy (PEACE! LOVE! SMILES!), so I avoided.
3) The hoodies seemed cheap; the plaid shirts not my thing; stripey shirts in fugly popsicle colors.
4) Here are the items I did try on:

Ruffle Henley Top ($12) - This was really long and tunic-y, but soft and cute.  I liked it better in white.

Crochet Trim Tunic ($12) - I really liked this with the pockets and crochet, also very soft.  Unfortunately the underarms are cut really weird, like sort of flying squirrelish and not flattering.

Knit Blazer ($18) - Ok so my K-Mart didn't have this, but I am contemplating buying it online just to try it and check the quality.  The flower buttons are cute but maybe I would switch them out for something more mature.

Banana Republic Memoir Ballet Flat

I went window shopping over the weekend, and found a very nice pair of go-with-everything flats at Banana Republic.

$79 Banana Republic Memoir Ballet Flat in "Rose"

Things I like about these shoes include the nice memory foam foot bed - so comfortable, perhaps better than Gentle Souls; the rubber soles - no scuffs; and the shiny!  I'm not crazy about the suede, probably very easy to get dirty.  Gap Give & Get is going on now (30% off - Google it!) so the price is maybe not so bad?  Decisions, decisions.

Blank NYC Skinny Jeans Review

Since I'm going back to school this fall, I've been buying new casual clothes, like jeans.  I really wanted to try J Brand - but since I'm not going to have any monies in the next couple of years, I decided to be more thrifty.

Blank NYC (launched in 2007) promotes itself as "premium jeans" without the "premium price tag."  I am guessing they are cheaper than other designer brands because they are made in China. The butt pockets are plain, though there are some styles with studs.

I bought the Skinny Classique Jeans in "Ike and Tina" from tobi for $32 (originally $68!), using the coupon code "EXTRA20" for an extra 20% off the sale price (good till July 18, 2010).  My first thoughts (haven't worn them out and about yet) - the wash is an indigo rinse type color with no distressing whatsoever; material is on the thinner side but it's stretchy and so quite comfortable.  Sizing for this style is similar to 7 for All Mankind / Paige and the like.  The fit is flattering, but I will definitely need to hem these - am going to try to do it on my own.  All in all, for the price I am satisfied!

Twinkle Sews - Free Dress Pattern

So I just discovered that Wenlan Chia came out with a sewing book - Twinkle Sews!  And there's a free pattern available via CraftStylish - link below.  

"Love in the Afternoon" Dress (photo from CraftStylish)

I am so going to attempt to make this - I also found this very helpful post by Craft Passion providing detailed photos which I hear the actual pattern lacks.
 P.S. If you have trouble downloading the pattern through the link (which I did) - just right click and save.