Love letters: Shopbop edition

My dearest Shopbop,

My adoration for you has grown quietly over the years. Whilst a young, broke thing in college, I would scroll through your lookbooks, searching for ideas for my rather lackluster wardrobe. Whenever I desperately needed some jumper cables for the uninspired portion of my brain, this did just the trick.

I never did order anything from you, at least not until about a year and a half ago. I bought a pair of Cheap Monday sunglasses, and they arrived to my house in lightening speed. Unfortunately, they looked like absolute crap on me. So back they went. (For free, no less! God, why does every store not have free returns at this point? Don't they get that online shopping is the future and should be made as convenient as possible?)

Then a few months ago I went through this anxiety-ridden phase where I realized I had no clothes that were really representative of my age and I was always dressing like I was in my early 40s. So I placed an order for a gazillion different knit dresses when there was an extra 20% off sale promo and again, they arrived quickly. And some of them were even on hangers! Do you know how much that warmed my heart? I am so lazy about hanging up new clothes. That requires going to the basement and finding a spare hanger and that is too much work so I usually leave new purchases on a chair and say that I'm just absorbing their beauty and newness. Right.

Obviously the houndstooth-printed box was a huge turn-on for me.

 So anyway, all the pretty new dresses arrived and I spent two hours trying them all on and settled on two. Ironically, I've only worn one of them once. It turns out trying to dress young just isn't my thing. But whenever I buy something I really love (and I really do love both dresses!) I always end up getting loads of wear out of them, even if it takes awhile. So I still have faith.

Now, Shopbop, I turn to you again because I need some jewelry. Specifically, jewelry that doesn't give me hives. More specifically, a gold choker and some dangly, neck-elongating gold earrings. You see, I usually buy my accessories at Forever 21 (like I said, I'm young and broke) but it turns out my skin can't handle nickel, and it turns green and I get rashes on my neck and my earlobes start to ooze. (Sorry, TMI.)
So I'm doing my usual order-a-million-things-then-send-back-what-doesn't-work deal. And I love you for being so cooperative with my crazy, picky shopping habits.

If you want to buy anything for me on my wishlist, feel free. I certainly will comply most happily.

Shopbop, thanks for your patience, quick and free shipping, and houndstooth-lined boxes. Rock on.

Truly yours,
Sam

Made for walking

I recently relocated to suburban Philadelphia for a job in publishing. While there's nothing I love more than the Mainline in late summer (easy access to the beach! sales at the King of Prussia mall! outdoor seating at restaurants without melting in the heat!) the laziness of the 'burbs is freaking me out.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd think nothing of walking a few miles to avoid paying for the bus. Now? I think nothing of moving my car from one side of a shopping center's parking lot to the other. It's awful. I need to end this behavior immediately before it becomes customary. However, now that I'm no longer in college and my body doesn't have to metabolize gallons of bottom shelf liquor every weekend, I've found that as long as I manage to, I don't know- get out of bed everyday, it's pretty easy to stay fit.
The one major advantage to living in the burbs? I can wear heels. I'd sworn against them when I was walking everywhere in the city, but now that my farthest pedestrian commute is from the parking lot to my cubicle, I'm ready to make some footwear investments.

I reallyreallyreallyreally need these.

My desperate desire for fake glasses has reached an all time high. This pair is positively perfect. I need to get to UO right now.

This is completely great.

I read about Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Casey Perez in this month's issue of Nylon, and now I'm completely obsessed with her stuff. These rings are totally fantastic and I want both. Nothing speaks to me more than witty jewelry, and Casey hit one out of the park with these rings.

Must have.

Dreaming of sunshine and warm weather

It's been mysteriously temperate here in Pittsburgh this weekend. Though I know the harsh, blustery cold will inevitably return far too soon, I can't help but want this super cute pair of Fendi aviators. Preferably the tortoiseshell ones, of course. I love the subtle reference to their signature B buckle.

Let's call it wishful thinking -- maybe if I get them it won't snow or go below 30 degrees anymore!

Santa, can you hear me?

Dear Santa,

Despite these trying economic times, I'm still positive that my life just can't go on without all the following items. I promise I've been a very good girl all year long!

• Sneakers: boring but necessary.
• Over-the-knee boots: I bought this exact pair of boots last year, but I've completely worn them to death. After tirelessly searching for a pair I like more, I'm giving up and want the same ones again.

• All my cotton basics seem a bit tired lately, so I want to throw in a few new pieces from American Apparel.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I need to stock up on cold weather essentials since Pittsburgh's frigid winters have begun and Urban Outfitters has just the pieces I'm looking for. I'm obsessed with this oversized scarf and long, zipper-detailed gloves. Plus, this skinny leather belt is the kind of thing I look for everywhere and never actually find. Sometimes its the simplest things that are hardest to get.

• The Sims 3: Because I'm really into kissing my social life goodbye during winter break.
  
  
• Mad Men Season 2: I got the first season for my birthday and am officially obsessed.

If I could be granted ONE wish right now...

I go on Net-a-Porter just about every day to gaze longingly at this blazer. My dream jacket. Oh, do those details make me die. The puff of the sleeve? The rounded cut of the front? Those leather inserts? I want, need, and have to have.

I think in a past life I was some kind of equestrian aficionado, because their aesthetic will never fail to appeal to me.

Wishful Thinking

It seems as if all my favorite footwear is falling apart at once.

My Tory Burch flats are literally bursting at the seams, poor souls (soles? ha...), and I'm not quite sure what to do about it. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Is it repairable?

Meanwhile, my over-the-knee faux leather boots are disintegrating around the toe. The "leather" is flaking off bit by bit and I'm quite distraught.

So, I figure now is as good a time as any to start considering some replacements:

Pay day, please come soon.

From left: Urban Outfitters; Piperlime; Zappos

Will my stud obsession ever end? Not in the foreseeable future.

I want this bag, pronto. The purple or grey will do. You decide.

If I could be granted ONE wish right now...

...it would be an all-expenses paid trip to London.

And I would've left on Thursday night, so I could witness every second of Fashion Week. For LFW's website, they asked designers to name their favorite spots in London. I was reading through them whilst silently weeping and wishing I was still there.

Amanda Whakely said, "Portobello Market on a Friday morning." Aye. That was my favorite thing to do on Friday mornings over the summer. I didn't have class or work, so I'd jump on the tube and patrol the stands for souvenirs and interesting characters.

If I were flying over to London right now, on board with all the Voguettes, this is what I'd wear.

Line I'm Completely Loving: Be&D

I saw this picture of ultimate cool girl Leigh Lezark on the Elle News Blog and fell completely head-over-heels in love with her bag. I'm a total sucker for anything studded, so I did a little research on the designer, Be&D. The Brooklyn-based duo launched their line in 2004 and have been churning out luxurious leather goods ever since.

They have a ton of really hip, really beautiful stuff. I want it all.

A love letter of sorts

Dear Band of Outsiders,

If you happen to have a spare copy of this ensemble lying around amongst your post-Fashion Week mess, please allow me the arduous task of taking it off your hands. I promise to take good care of it, wearing it for as long as Pittsburgh autumns' allow. I've always been a fan of your preppy-with-an-edge aesthetic and I solemnly swear, if you send me this, I'll be a fan forever more.

xoxo,

S

A little studded slice of heaven

Remind me again why I don't own these? Oh, right. I don't have $428. Bummer.

Garance Goes Gap

I'm not really much of a t-shirt buyer, but I absolutely want one of these amazing Garance Dore sketch tees. She's collaborating with Gap for an exhibition that celebrates their 40th anniversary. Check it out at the pop up shop on Carnaby Street during London Fashion Week. As if I needed another reason to wish I was back across the pond.

I want, I need, I have to have: Flat ankle boots

Flat ankle boots by SamStahl featuring Miss Selfridge shoes

I have been frantically searching for the perfect pair of flat ankle boots. Something I can wear from now until Pittsburgh's winter makes it impossible to leave the house in anything but rugged snow boots. So far, I haven't found anything that I'm completely smitten with in stores that I can actually afford.

However, I'd be perfectly ok with any of the boots pictured above. So if you're suddenly struck with a wave of generosity, feel free to send a pair over my way.

Geek chic

I went through this phase in London where I really wanted glasses. I kept trying them on everywhere I went, slowly convincing myself they weren't that ridiculous. I wanted to look cool, like this chick Garance Dore photographed, but with darker, squarer frames:

I spent a lot of Friday mornings at Portobello market. There was one particular sunglass stand owned by this hilarious guy who wore those oversized plastic clown glasses and told you exactly what he thought about each pair you tried on.

I probably tried on 20 different pairs one day. He'd give me a thumbs up or thumbs down and throw suggested shades across the tent. We chatted about the pros and cons of living in the UK and American television. He told me if I ever wanted to move there permanently, he'd sponsor me. I told him I'd get back to him on that one.

I put on a pair with clear lenses and slowly peered into the tiny mirror. I kind of loved them, but heard my new found friend and voice of reason say, "No, no. You look too serious in those. Like my doctor. Try these."

He threw another pair over to me.

I bought them and wore them every day in Paris:

£5. Worth every pence. I still occasionally contemplate buying fake glasses, though. Would you?

Totin'

Each year I buy a cotton tote bag to lug my stuff around campus. I'm morally opposed to the use of backpacks (not on other people, just myself. I look ridiculous with them.) and am not all that fond of spending a lot of money on something I throw on the floor 12 times a day.

Here are the ones I've used:

1. Freshman year: Urban Outfitters

2. Sophomore year: Fred Flare

3. Junior year: Marc Jacobs, I'm usually opposed to blatant logos, but I thought this bag was hilarious since it kind of pokes fun of the whole name brand thing.

4. Senior year: ????

I haven't found anything that strikes my fancy yet. I'm thinking I may want to upgrade to something a little nicer, like this quilted number from Urban Outfitters.

I'm a little leery, though, of how well the straps will hold up once I've thrown all my stuff inside. (Since I'm guilty of carrying the entire contents of my life at all times.)

If anyone sees any decent totes anywhere, let me know!

Sartorialist goes paperback

If only my birthday was in August so I could put this at the top of my wish list. Feel free to pre-order your own copy right now, or dash over to bookstores on August 12 for Scott Schuman's latest endeavor. Because really, we all need a little something sitting on our bookshelves to remind us to never leave the house looking like crap.