Just Fabulous Debacle

I'm not much of a shopper.  I've got better things to do with my time and money like: go on a tropical vacation, fine dining, going to shows, and helping others in need.  However, I do like to web browse at various online retail sites, just to see what's out there and how much it costs.  I like to at least be aware of what's on trend.

One day I stumbled across Kimora Lee's latest project, Just Fabulous.  I thought, "What a genius idea!  The most fashionable shoes, boots, purses and jewelry for only $39.95."  This price point is still a little high for me, but I could see how it would be just right for the modern day fashionista.  I was so compelled by the business model, that I went ahead and signed up and took a fashion quiz so that they could recommend certain styles according to my taste, and I logged off the site and went about my day.

A few days later, I got an e-mail saying that I could get anything on the site for only $19.95, no tax and no shipping fees.  I couldn't pass up a deal this great, and would help me update my look and it would help me to look halfway trendy.  I really don't like buying shoes that I can't try on, touch, and see, so I opted to get a purse (pictured below).

I mean it's cute, but definitely NOT the quality I was expecting, but it was only $20.  So, I went about my life as usual, when several months later there's a $39.95 charge on my account from Just Fabulous.  I'm like, either the hubster's has purchased a surprise for me (which is totally out of character) OR someone has stolen my account information, because I knew I didn't make a purchase.  I talk to the hubsters.  No surprise purchase from Just Fabulous.  So, I call the company and the little girl explains that as part of signing up for an account with them and after your first purchase your account is automatically charged the $39.95 if you don't make a purchase and you don't opt out for that month.  Huh!!!???!!  Why didn't I know this??!!??!  What a racket!  A genius racket, but a racket indeed.  I explained to the little girl that I don't even shop enough to justify spending $40 per month with the company.  She explained there was nothing she could do.  So, I was forced to use the credit and pick out something from the site.

I settled on the wedge booties above, because they closely resemble the ones from Nordstrom that I was considering in this post.  However, after reading the very mixed reviews, the quality is not good and the sizing is very off.  I'll have to take pictures on the boots once they arrive, but never again!

Lastly, if you've ever heard of Shoe Dazzle, their business model is pretty much the same as Just Fabulous.

Have you ever been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, or run amuck by an online retailer?

Teeny Bopper Store

Okay, I don't know about ya'll, but at my age and place in life, I definitely think there are certain styles and stores, that are not for me.  Have you seen the knee-high Chuck Taylor's????  Uh yeah, not for me!

Jersey dresses???  Definitely a no.

Long gone are the days where pajama pants were worn as real pants, and I dared someone to say something about it!  This is why I was so super shocked when I walked in Aeropostale to buy clothes for my 16-year-old niece, but I actually found things I would wear too, and at the right price!

Let me take a minute to talk about how you even pronounce the name of this store.

My mom says: Air-o-postal
I say- Air-o-po-stall

Whatever, tomato/tamato!  It's just funny to me!

A few weeks ago, I bought my niece some cute shirts, camis, jeans, and sweaters and I was given a $10 coupon to come back and shop some more.  That's really all it takes to hook me; I will find something!

I originally wanted this sweater, but they only had it in black and white, instead of this fabulous red and white version.  So I passed.

Then I saw this!  Which is definitely just my style, I've been saying that I need more cardigans, and it would've only been about $3 after my coupon.

The hubsters and TrentMan finally helped me decide on this plaid, very trendy button up.  When I first saw it, I thought, "Cute....but too trendy and teeny bopper like.  Will I be wearing this even 2 years down the road???"  In the end, I love it!  I just may have to stop in Aero a little more often!

What trends or stores do you find yourself shopping in that are usually unlike you???

eShakti Dress Review

Out of the blue, I was contacted by the wonderful people at eShakti to do a review of an item from their site.  I was so honored, and it was just the boost I needed at the time; I've been so up and down and all around.

They have a wonderful site full of the latest trends in dresses, skirts, outerwear, and more.  Many of the item have a contemporary vintage feel to them too; I know that style is really popular now.  The best part is that they even do custom orders, where you can send in your measurements, change the neck line, length, and more.  I enjoyed browsing through trying to find an item that I would want to review.

I settled on this little black dress because the hubsters and I typically go to at least one or two semi-formal/formal events per year.  I'm a petite, curvy, busty girl, not too big, but not little either; so it can be kind of difficult to find dresses that fit perfectly.

I'm very satisfied with the look of my dress and how it fits.  I like how it covers everything up!

What do you think about this dress?  If you could choose any piece of clothing to add to your wardrobe, what would you choose?

Style Files: High/Low

Soooooo, when it comes to clothing, I'm usually very cheap, but boots....that's a whole nuther story!  I LOVE boots, and I typically go with a well known brand.  My boots last a LONG time!  

I don't think you understand; the hubsters bought me a pair of black knee-high Nine West boots 10-11 years ago, that are in great condition, and I wear them every fall and winter.  I also have another pair of boots that I've worn for the past 4 years.  I typically like classic timeless styles, that never go out of fashion.  I still get compliments on those shoes; I dust them off, shine them up, and take really good care of them.

But ladies, I'm in a dilemma!  I'm preparing for a lot of upcoming life changes, and really don't want to spend a lot of money for some boots this season, but I hate buying cheap shoes that fall apart after one season.  I am really feeling this season's boots, and I can see myself wearing them for years to come.  Should I just go ahead and put the money out there, and buy high, or should I go ahead and buy low to stay more in my budget?  And of course, who can buy new shoes, without at least a few new clothing items.  See!  My tab just keep getting more expensive!!

Here's some styles I'm really feeling right now!

I could see myself wearing these for years to come.

Franco Sarto "Spike" Bootie- $139.95 at Nordstorms

I know Payless is super chic these days, but I still have a problem spending this kind of money there.  These are still cute snow boots for standing on the side lines while watching my men go snowboarding and sledding.

Women's Zip Winter Boot- $49.99 at Payless

I could totally see myself in these!  Too bad they're out of stock!!!

Women's Mila Lace Up Boot- $59.99 at Payless

These are not the cutest boots I've seen, but they're cute enough, and they're definitely in my price range.   

Leatherette Stiletto Boots- $27.80 at Forever 21

VERY cute, but not timeless.  Plus way out of my price range for what it is.

Adi Designs Safari Boots- $64.99 at Kohl's


Me not helping to shovel 12 inches of snow because I don't have proper shoes is getting real old to the hubsters, but it's the truth!  I don't have any snow shoes.

Cushe Diva Bootie- $124.95 @ Nordstroms




What shoe brands/styles do you like?

Style Files: Vintage Sweater

First off, I'd like to remind/let you guys know that we have a giveaway going on at The Fab Life!  Click here for all the details on how to enter.  The contest closes on this Friday, October 7th at 5 p.m. CST.

Now, let's hop to it!  I must be butter because I'm on a roll!!!  Corny, huh???!!??

Sometimes, I feel silly when I try to recreate certain looks that I see around the net that look SO good on others, or I feel like a homeless lady trying to be fashionable.  Amongst many things, this weekend I unpacked my depressing fall/winter wardrobe.  I came up with two sweaters, a few sweater dresses (some sleeveless), and I have two pairs of jeans, and two pairs of leggings that I wear year round.  Please don't laugh or feel sorry for me.  I have a rare condition called, IHATESHOPPINGANDHAVEAHARDTIMEBUYINGANYTHINGFORMYSELF.  It's a very serious condition, that I've been praying on for a while.

Anyways, I was able to dig up a very cute vintage sweater, that I've rarely worn because I never knew what to pair it with, but this is what I came up with!  The hubsters said I looked like an 1800s school teacher, and most other people said I looked super professional.  They almost didn't recognize me.

I was also able to get my hair into a semi-ponytail since my hair has been natural.  Yay me!  I stole a friend of mine's signature style to achieve a pseudo-ponytail.  The problem is that the front part of my hair is shorter than the back, mix in the thickness, and it's hard to pull all of this into a decent ponytail.  Ho hum!!!

Photography by TrentMan

Sweater- from a friend's mother (Jos. A. Bank)

Bag- Just Fabulous

Pants- Express

What else can I wear this sweater with?  How would you style it?

Style Files: Throwback Sweater

I've been wanting to sport this sweater ever since I saw it at my mother-in-law's house.  Oversized warm sweaters is the main reason that I love fall.  I love to feel warm and cozy and unrestricted in my clothing, and this is the best way for me to do it.

Can you believe that this sweater was my husband's when he was in high school, and now he wouldn't be caught dead in it...but I would!  She graciously gave it to me, because she didn't want to deal with finding a new home for this classic Bill Cosby sweater.

When I saw it, I instantly pictured myself wearing it and what I'd wear it with.  I first tried it on as a dress, to which the hubster's informed me that a Christian woman doesn't dress like that!  The sweater "dress" was pretty short for my tastes, but some people don't mind "dresses" that short.  Anyways...I've settled on pairing this sweater with skinny jeans and leggings, and I like what I came up with.

Photography by: Trent Man

Earrings- Aldo circa April 2011
Sweater- Husband's from 10+ years ago
Belt- Kohl's circa 1999 (came with some jeans)
Boots- Macy's circa 2008

What do you think of this look?  How else can I dress this sweater?

Style Files: Turn Your Problems into Your Assets

source

A miracle happened this past weekend!  Yes, it's true, I did go shopping.  Anyone who knows me knows that I super detest shopping of any kind.  Just the thought of searching for the perfect item and never finding it, walking up and down aisles, and going from store to store still searching really bothers me.  However, the fact that I don't like shopping doesn't excuse the fact that there are things that we need that I have to go out and buy...like groceries.  I know there's on-line shopping, however, if I'm going to spend money, I want instant gratification.  Weird!??!!??  I'll accept that.  Anyways, I grabbed a friend, and she led me to TJ Maxx, a place that I've never shopped.  I was delighted by my inexpensive finds, I wish I could have pushed myself to buy more.

Did I say that I grabbed a friend?  I meant to say, Modern Style Maven that specializes in nautical fashions.  She taught me all kinds of stuff that is relevant for buying clothes for my body type, which is petite, curvy, with a large bust.  Here are her recommendations:

• No large print/patterns on shirts, it will only make me look bigger
• No turtlenecks, they will also make me look even more top heavy than I am (if that's possible)
• No horizontal stripes, you guessed it, they'll make me look bigger
• V-neck or open neck-line shirts are best to show a little of the decollatage (I apologize, I don't know how to add a fancy accent mark) area to make me look presentable and modern
• Fabric should just drape across my skin, it shouldn't be too tight or too loose
• Clothing with a defined waist and defined bust area will make me look smaller and more put together

There were many more suggestions that she gave me, but I could only soak so much up!

1.  When you have a large tummy or one that sticks out, then you want your clothes to have a defined waist.   If they don't have a defined waist, oftentimes, you can create one with a belt.

MuMu

2.  If you are top heavy, make sure the buttons are not pulling.  If they are, then you need to go up a size, and you may have to have the sides taken in by a seamstress.

Cute, but too small to fit my chest

3.  If you have big arms that you don't want to accent, sometimes cap sleeves make them look bigger.  Also, if you have a mid-section that you want to hide, don't choose items that are too tight.

Cute, but makes my stomach noticeable and the color is a little too drab for my tastes

4.  Perfect dress- Defined bust area that are large enough for your dress to fit in and a material that glides over your problematic mid-section.  Jack pot!!!!

What is the best style advice you've ever received