how much would you pay for this?

I know vintage is trendy and all, so it's hard to resist the temptation to overprice things when there will undoubtedly be someone out there willing to pay it. But I think I get frustrated when this sort of thing happens on eBay more than anywhere else. Brick-and-mortar retailers have higher expenses for their rent and overhead costs that online stores don't. So when I see a dress like this that is really not anything special go for $496.99, it kinda makes me want to cry. eBay can be so badass when you find little knick-knacks and treasures for cheap, just like at flea markets or garage sales. Now it seems that most of eBay's vintage sellers have gotten a bit too big for their britches. The vibe is too much Beverly Hills and not enough bohemian. 

For instance, why would you spend $510 on this lace mini dress from the 80s...

...when you could get this lacy, bell-sleeved number from ASOS for $89.63?

 You could even get this Anna Sui mini from Net-A-Porter and still it's comparatively less at $265.

One thing I will say is that it probably isn't too difficult for these vintage sellers to close an auction at a high price with all the idiotic eBay-ers there are out there. The sheer floral maxi from American Archive ended with 51 bids and the lace dress from Thriftwares ended with 47 bids. That's what happens when someone puts the first bid in on an item like 9 days before the auction is up! Ugh, newbies... didn't your mama teach you the secrets and strategies of eBay?!

Oh well, since I'm obviously not giving up my eBay obsession, I suppose I will just have to dig deeper to find those hidden treasures I love so much. 

-S.

twenty-one

Warm weather is gradually creeping into the picture here in New York and so naturally, my wardrobe is in need of a major pick-me-up. To make matters worse, most of my breezy sundresses and ragged, wild-child, denim cutoffs are packed away in storage in Austin. And, as usual, I am pitifully poor. So I sought out the mecca of the broke and beautiful—Forever 21. In an attempt to restrain myself from dropping and dragging a picture of every article of clothing I liked to my desktop (that little "add to your cart" button is so unholy), I gave myself guidelines: my favorite 21 pieces from Forever 21. Now if I can figure out a way to get them into my closet...

Bollywood Chain Earrings, $4.80; Double Ankle Strap Wedges, $24.80; Bright Sunglasses, $5.80; Navajo Woven Scarf, $6.50; Orange Paisley Print Maxi Skirt, $13.80; Aztec Etched Cuff, $6.80; Color Block Bodycon Dress, $15.80; Basket-Weave Floppy Hat, $12.80; Stone Cross Necklace, $6.80; Zig-Zag Knuckle Ring, $3.80; Beaded Knuckle Ring, $3.80; Pink Maxi Prairie Skirt, $22.80; Electric Hipster Maxi Dress, $24.80; Moroccan Print Maxi Skirt, $22.80; Leatherette Mary Jane Clogs, $24.80; Cropped Crochet Cardigan, $18.90; Cream Circle Knitted Sweater Top, $27.80; Fitted Tribal Dress, $16; Peep-Toe Leatherette Platforms, $22.80; Floral Print Overalls, $22.80; Floral Wedges, $25.80






Oh, and while I was on Forever 21's website I noticed a familiar face. Yep, that girl in the fake hipster frames. That's Nicole Linkletter from America's Next Top Model Cycle 5. Now that's high fashion modeling right there. Can't get more 'top' than Forever 21, right?

-S.

coachella chic—and the not so chic

What could be better than a weekend of music, sunshine and a warm weather wardrobe? Well definitely not a weekend of thunderstorms and gray skies like we had here in New York. Nevertheless, I shall pretend and dream up an alternate reality in which I too basked in the West Coast wonderland that is Coachella this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Capitalizing on such a golden opportunity, I would've worn something appropriately bohemian and free-spirited. Maybe a bit of fringe, or some crocheting or feathers. 

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea; Drink the wild air's salubrity." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Take a look under the cut for some of my favorite looks seen at Coachella this year. And also, a few what-were-they-thinking moments...

Photo: Fashion Toast

long story

I am so so so into maxi dresses right now. It's amazing how a dress that is so forgiving and so comfy can be so sexy and dramatic at the same time. Perfect combination! Whether long sleeved or sleeveless, a print or a solid, dressed up or casual and easy, the maxi dress is always stylish. (Did I mention that I am SO into maxi dresses?) Here are some of my favorites... and sorry, but I have a lot of favorites. :)

-S. 

Skinny Strap Chiffon Maxi Dress, ASOS

Missoni Rona Jersey Maxi Dress, Net-A-Porter

maxximum

Generally speaking, I am an equal opportunist when it comes to shopping spots. I am just as easily excited at the Goodwill as I am in Neiman's. Among my favorite places is T.J. Maxx. At places like these, digging and sifting through the crappy stuff before you find any good stuff is pretty much guaranteed. Lucky for me though, my T.J. Maxx is pretty well stocked. So I was running errands with my mama yesterday and we went in to T.J. Maxx to return some things she had kept for nearly the full 90 day period trying to decide if she liked them or not. She didn't. All this is fine and dandy (the three shirts she returned weren't that cute anyway) except that there's no such thing as a return at T.J. Maxx. It will inevitably end up as an exchange plus the purchase of all the other things you see while you're there. But when you end up with deals like I did, who can complain?

Purchase #1: Escada Dark Blue Pleated Palazzo Pants.

Regular price? $2,650. What I paid? $89. Yeah, seriously. I almost cried, I was so happy. AND they're nice and long so I can wear my 5-inch platform wedges and they don't suddenly turn into capris. 

Purchase #2: M by Missoni Maxi Dress.

Regular price? $445. What I paid? $140. And I love me a  good maxi dress. Plus, it just so happens that my mom just got me a vintage 99 cent necklace on eBay that will look amaaaaazzzzing with this dress. 

On a slightly different note... 

While I was in T.J. Maxx I noticed a bunch of dresses hanging on a rack. It was definitely not the clothes that caught my eye as much as it was the tag. I knew the designer! However, I also knew that this was the designer's first venture into fashion in a long while. Don't get me wrong, obviously I adore T.J. Maxx, but if my first collection ended up on their racks before the season was even up I'm pretty sure I would cry for at least a week. Needless to say, I did not mention to the designer what I had seen. 

Till next time, darlings!

-S.