Don't let me forget.

Hey friends, don't let me forget that tomorrow is my parents' anniversary.

Don't let me forget that tomorrow is April Fool's Day either, because someone will undoubtedly try to fuck with me. I will forget that it's April Fool's Day and I will make a jackass out of myself.

Don't let me forget that I need to buy the following things:

-paper towls
-toilet paper
-Diet Coke
-flavored water
-white shoe polish
-a cute black miniskirt
-AG S-Concept bootcut jeans

Thank you.

If I forget any of these things, I will blame each and every one of you.

Got a dress!

I got a great deal on a Vera Wang lavender label dress from ShopBop! $140!

Now until I wear it at Shelby's wedding, Justin is going to be following me around the house quoting Bride Wars, "You don't alter a Vera, you alter yourself to fit Vera!"

I am one happy shoe whore.

Shoes by Botkier.

They will arrive in 4-8 business days. I am so excited!

Plueys loves Add Bubbles To Taste readers!

Audrey, from Plueys, wants to invite my readers to shop her rainboots at a special deal!

Just enter "addbubbles" at checkout for 10% off! The code is good for six months. Enjoy!

McQueen is a Badass.

And I'm not talking about Steve. Or at least, not at this very moment. 

Alexander McQueen is taking names and kicking ass right now. While most designers are playing it safe until the recession runs its course (not the best strategy, in my opinion... because the fickle consumer will always want something new), McQueen decided to do the unthinkable right now: he poked fun at how complacent the industry has become... sending the same designs out season after season. 

Hahaha, he's poking fun at the SAME femme fatale/ film noir/ 40s look that all the designers have been rehashing the last five f/w seasons. I love the Philip Treacy torn basket hat! 

The NYT describes his show at Paris Fashion Week as:

With a runway of broken mirrors surrounding a garbage heap made of props from his own past collections, Mr. McQueen created a stage to symbolize the sudden crash of luxury exuberance. The clothes he sent out were a parody of couture designs of the last century, spoofing Dior’s New Look and Givenchy’s little black Audrey Hepburn dresses, as well as their reinventions by new designers at those companies in the last decade — himself included. It was a bit of a Marie Antoinette riot, poking fun at all the queens of French fashion.

You can read the rest of the Times article HERE. 

I'm Team McQueen on this one. While the markets are playing a huge role in the decline of luxury brands... so are the designers NOT coming out with anything new. 

Pluey, Pluey... Pluey, Pluey...

Yes, I have Pluey stuck in my head to "Louie Louie." At least it's not the "Gummy Bear Song"... or even worse, "God Gave Rock n' Roll To You" by KISS. 

Audrey from Plueys sent me an email about her  rain boots. I have to admit, they are pretty cute. By far though, my favorite pair is their Paris inspired design: 

The design is called Oooh La Lace. I think the lace design would look adorable with a black dress and tights... and it's a fun way to wear the sheer trend in less than ideal weather. 

I don't want any of my readers ruining their fabulous shoes during the April showers (that come before May flowers). 

Methodically one-by-one...

Ready-set-hit-list! 

Word on the street is eLuxury will not have a renewed contract with Louis Vuitton after June 30th of this year. First, let me mention that it totally sucks if you're trying to get around that pesky thing known as "sales tax"... Louis Vuitton has stores in both states where I would have any package sent, and without eLuxury I will probably have to order from Neiman Marcus or Suks for other labels I like and be stuck with Missouri state sales taxes. Then I get the wonderful choice of paying $15 for shipping or driving to the Plaza Flauntenac, the universe's epicenter of suck.

But I like to consider myself an optimist: hey y'all... this means that the odds are good come May, there will be a pretty awesome sale at eLuxury.com. Are you ready?



Dior pumps, original retail price $590. I've already scoped out the inventory. I'm good on bags for a while (No, I really did not just say that) but if shoes get marked down... it's going to be ugly.

Dad, if you're reading this... don't be surprised if I have some packages sent to your place, for me to pick up at a later time. Or you can mail them to me slowly, bit by bit, so Justin doesn't get suspicious...

It happens twice a year.

But seriously, fuck Daylight Savings Time. It's already 1:07am "new time" and I am no where near winding down. That means tomorrow morning is going to suck. 

And I know I'm going to sound like a airhead right now but I will go ahead: I cannot figure out for the life of me how to adjust the time in my car. I found the hour and minute buttons or whatever, but I can't change the time. Basically, until someone borrows my car and just changes it... I'm driving around with the wrong time in my dashboard for 6 months... 

Arizona is onto something. I am now only going to vote for politicians that promise to opt us out. 

No, I n-e-e-d this.

So, I've laid low for the last couple of days... partly due to me traveling to Nashville for half a week. 

It was pretty great: eating, sleeping, kitty cuddling, concert-going, and most importantly... shopping! Oh, and a year and half later... I finally replaced the right side mirror on my little VW and had all maintenance done. 

But shopping, oh yes there was shopping... I stocked up and replenished at Sephora and Aveda (rec: their Damage Remedy conditioner, I'm obsessed), bought some Hanky Pankys at Macy's (because I forgot to pack underwear), purchased my Louis Vuitton brass plated bolt keychain.... There would have been a pair of Burberry Prorsum black patent leather platform 5.5" sandals marked down to $279 added to the heap if only I was able to walk in them without wobbling. My god, those shoes were h-o-t-t. 

But back to the Sephora haul... there was one stand-out purchase that I can whole heartedly endorse: Makeup Forever's HD liquid foundation. 

It is absolutely amazing... I've gotten so many compliments at work the last couple of days! It's $40 for 1 fluid ounce, but I think since it goes ON YOUR FACE it's worth it. I bought a whole spring look, but this is definitely THE stand-out product... 

On a random note... you know what's amazing? Starbucks' DARK CHOCOLATE Frappacinos in the glass bottles that they sell at Publix grocery. Fan-fucking-tast-fucking-tic. If anyone in San Loois knows where I can find them here, email me. There will be a reward... 

How to DRESS: the RECESSion

My best friend, Sally, came up with the headline in an email she sent me with the following quote: 

"Out of respect, I've been trying to dress less flashy. It's one thing to
be stylish, it's another to be over the top. You gotta know when to hold
back and not to rub it in."*
- P Diddy 

Let me just say this real quick: I hate the coin, "recessionista." No, sorry. If you are truly a fashionista, come hell or high water you will do everything in your power to make the world your runway. I'm very much a firm believer that your bank balance does not determine how you present yourself to the world at large. Yes, we're in a recession... am I going to turn into the "Fashion is shallow and there's more important things to think about" Dirty Sweat Pants Lady? Fuck no. 

First and foremost, P Diddy/Puff Daddy/ Diddy/ Sean Combs is correct: flash ain't too smart right now. I'm not saying that it's tacky or wrong to wear luxury pieces, because honestly... someone's gotta drop bank for the greater good! But for your general safety, please be smart about it: carry a discrete Bottega or Tod's instead of a Louie or Gucci bag. Wear plain black Lavin flats over rainbow colored Jimmy Choos. Basically, don't make yourself a walking target to get mugged in the local mall parking lot. 

Likewise, if money's tight right now... you can find great pieces on sale just about everywhere. Choose conservative colors and you'll be able to wear those pieces none stop. And by purchasing quality designer pieces at recession fire sale prices, those pieces will last you until booming times. Pieces to look out for: 

-Discounted diamonds (they are dropping in price, even at Tiffany)... classic diamond stud earrings or a classic eternity band will last you f-o-r-e-v-e-r. 

-Classic black pumps, slingbacks, mules or strappy heeled sandals. Use the recession in your favor and get the ultimate go-to shoe... look for soft leather, amazing construction and leather soles. 

-Designer denim. You can pretty much find any designer out there right now for about $85 a pop or lower. By taking proper care of your jeans (hemming them to the correct length, washing them inside out in cold, putting them in the dryer for 10-15 minutes before air drying), they'll last you at least a few years. 

-Dresses. Here's the beauty of a good dress on sale: when you need something to wear out at night, you've got a great dress. If you have an interview, you just throw on a blazer and pumps, and you've got a great dress. If you just need a cute day outfit for lunch with a girlfriend and to run errands in, you just throw on a cardigan and flats and you've still got on a great dress. And they are comfy! You don't have to worry about matching separates! Basically, they are just one of the best investments in your appearance during this economy! 

-Handbags... You had to know I was going to include this right? Here's the thing: no matter what you are wearing or where you are going, you are going to wear a handbag. Black, brown, navy, grey, ivory or camel are smart purchases for a "once a year" handbag splurge. Think of how much you spend on several cheaper, trendier bags and try to find ONE handbag that's 1/2-3/4 the price of what you spend on bags annually. You'll save money and you'll carry a better quality bag! Instance, say you buy four cheap, trendy handbags a year at $50 a bag. You could get one nice, quality bag on sale for $100-150... example, a leather Coach bag from their outlet or on sale at Macy's. I suggest leather bags because they clean easier and so you'll have them looking better longer. 

But even if you are on a shopping "ban" for financial reasons, that's NO reason to look like a slob. You can easily shop your own closet. You can repair/clean any pieces that are starting to show wear (if I can sew on a button, so can you). 

There's a reason why whenever the economy tanks, red lipstick sales soar: beauty fixer-uppers are cheap, cheap, cheap. A plain black cotton dress can transform into whatever you want it to be with the right makeup! Can't afford the Gucci look this season? At MAC, teal eyeshadow for that deep peacock smokey eye shown on the Gucci S/S 09 runway only costs $14. Can't afford a Chanel bag? You can purchase one of their trendy nail polishes for $18... or even better, a look-a-like shade from OPI for $8. Wanna go even cheaper? Try Rimmel or L'Oreal at Walgreens! $4 or less... 

Tweezing your brows yourself, trimming split ends yourself, keeping your fingernails filed and buffed, and keeping your feet smooth cost practically nothing. There's no excuse to look poorly groomed if the economy is keeping you down. Likewise, I've talked to many women who are saving money by having the gym/exercise be their entertainment budget. Instead of watching cable TV or going to movies all the time... they are either spending $20 a month or running for free around the neighborhood every night of the week. They will probably look better than ever before, in this economy! 

Where there is a will... there is a way. Recessionista? A certain Miss Scarlett O'Hara would laugh in her curtain-made dress at the concept.  

Thanks, Sally for the article concept!