bebe Mid-Summer Collection

What's great about bebe is that they come out with new floorsets about every 2 months, providing customers with a fresh supply of trendy casual wear and party appropriate pieces for the upcoming season. Even though I was disappointed with bebe's last floor set that took on a more tribal look, I am definitely in love with the outfits they put together for their mid-summer campaign which focuses on three emerging trends that mix very well together: floral, military and animal print. The colors are amazing for fall. They use olive green, taupe, deep purple, tan and black. I also have to say that I absolutely love some of the new shoes including the Yasmin Lace Up Booties ($179), Iris Leather Sandals ($159) and these gorgeous cut-out pumps that are not yet available. I would have a difficult time not purchasing at least one item if I walked into this store...

My absolute favorite pieces are the purple opaque tights (mini fishnet!), Silk Fringe Draped Tunic ($149) in taupe paired with the white Carmen Destroyed Skinny Jeans ($129), V Neck Knotted Top in taupe ($49), and Mesh Banded Wrap Dress ($119) paired with the Iris Leather Sandals ($159). Like I said...how do you pick just one? Screw the budget assignment!

Nordstrom Shopping Spree

It doesn't help making friends with people who have the same taste in expensive clothing when you're trying to practice using a budget.

The other day my colleagues and I were just about to leave work when I saw one of them put on one of the most gorgeous pair of black leather boots I've laid eyes on. They were platformed, had just the right amount of metal decoration around the ankle and they were knee-high. I loved the structure. I loved the simplicity. In terms of design and style, they were the most sophisticated bad-ass, rock star, biker chick pair of boots you could bring into existence.

I tried not to get excited when I asked her where she got them. I learned that she got them on sale at Nordstrom's...but for what price and what brand she would not disclose in front of everyone (and for good reason probably!). So when I got the chance I asked her how much she got them for (because I'm practicing being on a budget for a school assignment) and she said around $300. The most I've ever spend on shoes or boots was $200! Of course this (1) unrealistically validated my past purchases because hers were just as expensive as mine, (2) fueled my desire to add more boots to my collection that were just as delicious as hers (my black over-the-knee GUESS boots have fallen from my favor now...not enough structure!) and (3) attack the next Nordstrom shoe sale (AKA break out the charge card and forget about the budget assignment).

It didn't help that when I went home that evening that there was a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog just waiting for me. And what do you think I found in the catalog? BOOTS! I've been dreaming about a pair of military influenced boots that are so trendy right now to wear to school during the fall. My criteria for the perfect boot was that it was (1) flat, (2) laced up, (3) zipped up on the side, (4) did not go past my calf, (5) had a rounded toe and (6) looked distressed. And yes I've seen these boos walking around San Francisco and all over on the fashion and website magazines. The boots in the catalog peaked my interest enough to make it a point to visit Nordstrom while I was in the City today...bad idea!

I stopped by and it was crazy! There was pre-sale fever! Well sort of. It was busy. I found the same exact pair that I saw in the catalog... the Trouve lace-up ankle boot in natural and black for $99.90 (saving approximately $50 off the original price). AND I found another pair that had the dual lace-up and zip up design I wanted in brown and black, but they didn't have my size available. I tried ont he Trouve boots and when I discovered that I could also flip over the top to wear it a second way I became convinced that I should purchase them. It didn't help that a sales associate walked by just then and told me that they looked really good and ALSO had an amazing jeweled statement necklace around her neck that just screamed J-Crew! Vera Wang! Money! So I had to ask her where did she get it from and she said at the next department over in Accessories. GREAT! So after purchasing the boots (I get to pick them up on Tuesday! And I got them in black after a considerable amount of internal debate) I headed over to the accessories department. I'm not making this up, but the night before I put down Jewelery and Nordstrom boots on my to do list.

I had to say "statement" necklace to the salesperson twice for her to understand that I wanted something big. Then I had to emphasize the word "crystal" for her to bring me to the right section. But I'm glad I didn't give up on her because right next to the section she brought me to there was this gorgeous Cara bib necklace with white and crystal chunky, faceted stones with hanging and interloping silver chains. I don't wear jewelery. I'm a minimalist when it comes to accessories, but I believe that this necklace has converted me. I feel like it actually is the essence of what I stand for...sophisticated beauty, glamorous lifestyle, feminine grace and unrealistic romance. Needless to say, I LOVE IT. I would love it even more if it came in pink. Would I have bought it if it was retail? I'm not sure, but it was on sale so I took it home with me. If I had to, I would return the boots, but I would not give up this necklace for anything!

FIDM Job Fair: I Came and I Conquered

...well, more or less. Fourteen employers came to FIDM's job fair this year including Ann Taylor Loft, Guess, Gap, Levi Strauss & Co. and Tory Burch. Instead of walking aimlessly around from one table to another (or trying to collect all 14 which they challenged us to do), I decided to create a war plan. My mentality was to seek and destroy...or more like seek and conquer. I knew that I would only be applying to three companies at most including J. Crew, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.

Bloomingdale's easily became my number one employer given my career goals and the designer brands I covet and shop. I was so glad that the representative was speaking to all the students one-on-one, this gave me my one chance to make a memorable appearance and impress her with my enthusiasm for the position and knowledge of the products. Well see what becomes of it!

Again some of the students brought shame upon the San Francisco campus. Where I come from you dress professionally and conservatively to a career fair, not as if you were going to enjoy a summer day outside in your sun dress or in your party clothes for the evening (I don't care if Forever 21 is there!). I was able to find a stand out outfit that consisted of a patterned dress, royal blue cropped long-sleeve jacket, paired with Betsy Johnson and gold chain-linked accessories. I know it's not always about looks, but to this kind of event it is. Imagine if we were in LA or NY?

Besides the opportunity to find employment, today's job fair was a good chance for me to get to know my peers better. Finally a place to talk about fashion 24/7. Now I won't be talking to myself any more!

FIDM Orientation

Today was my FIDM orientation at the San Francisco campus. What did I expect? I expected gorgeous women with flawless makeup, salon-styled hairdos and designer apparel with some gorgeous gay men sprinkled into the crowd. Since we were informed that we would be taking our ID photos today as well I thought everyone would try their best to look cute, but I guess some folks don't take fashion school as seriously...that's San Francisco for you! What happened to the superficiality and materialism folks?? How can San Francisco make its mark in the fashion industry if everyone is being lazy?

Well I'm not being fair. I did see some people who tried! Well the highlight of the day was receiving a FIDM canvass tote and FIDM planner! Now I look like an official student! Which is not always a good thing...now when I walk into a store people will automatically see a poor college student! Which I am!

After orientation I rushed to the nearest bar I knew would have the semi-final Holland v. Uruguay playing. Holland won of course! Don't be surprise if Germany plays Holland on Sunday and wins the world cup! I'm predicting it now people!

And after the game I treated myself out to a trip to Bloomingdale's. This department store basically carries the designers that I love that you won't find in Macy's or Nordstrom's. The first floor in San Francisco is like walking into a dream. All you see is shiny floors, neon lights, and light reflecting off of mirrors and display cases. The experience of walking into Bloomingdale's is like none other for me. I found out that in addition to having Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton sub-departments, they have Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alice + Olivia and Aqua (exclusive Bloomingdale's brand) too!  I love all of the Alice + Olivia merchandise and most of the Aqua apparel. Too bad the only people who can afford this stuff are of a generally older generation, when the merchandise is specifically made for the hot, young and restless. I did see a beautiful, silk, sleeveless Aqua tunic with gold bead trim in either black or white ($58). I will return for you! Too bad the FIDM orientation's financial aid speaker's message about budgeting was still stuck in my head and giving me a guilt trip about the Tory Burch Reva flats I just bought!

SF Nightlife and Music

I keep telling people how bored I am with San Fransisco nightlife, but that's probably because I'm not trying new places. Last night I went out with my girlfriends to a few places I've never been before and of course I had such an amazing time that I'm finding it difficult to do anything today.

We started by going out to dinner at Burger Bar in the Macy's building in Union Square. While I didn't care for their menu, I did enjoy everything else they had to offer. I have to point out the music first of all. All night they were playing dance music (Ruby Skye-esque) and I could not hold still. I almost forgot that we were there to eat and not to dance! They also had these mini television screens in the booths playing sports highlights! I also liked how the place was filled with men. Okay not all of them were uber attractive like the guys I saw at Tuesday Taco night but they were something to look at.

Burger Bar was a great place to start off because the music pumped me up to go party. After dinner we took a cab to Harlot. This was another great stop. Entrance was free and quick and the DJ was playing good music all night (even Satisfaction and Gettin' Over You!), and the decor was so unique. They had the cowhide furniture I love so much and the entire first floor looked like a vampire's lair with a moose horn chandelier, leather reserved seating, sensual nude paintings, and images of sexy women on their tables. Upstairs was cool too, because they did the reverse and everything was white. I would say the crowd is nothing to talk about. I won't be mean. But the bartenders and bouncers were so weird to me that evening. Could you hit on me without making me feel like an idiot? The bartender wanted to shoot water into my mouth directly from the spout...um what about nooo.




So we decided to try Eve "across the street" afterward. While we walking there we could see the line outside and knew we were going to cut (like we always do baby). So we walk with a purpose up to the bouncer and act like we're about to walk in and he asks us if we have stamps, and show him our stamps from the other place. He knows we're trying to cut, but we're cuties and my girlfriend's friend actually knows the people there so we get in. Yay! Eve has a really cool theme going on to, like dark flapper girl and feathers. But the music was a whole other story.

When I heard the music playing I thought I should be somewhere tropical like the Caribbean or at least Miami. Turns out they has live bass and drums (not your regular set, the ones you hit with your hands!) improving along with the DJ. We got into the grove, and I noticed later on how incredibly cute both the DJs were. Drool.

But I have to say that the best DJ of the night was DJ Scene on Wild 94.9, and he's going to be at Infusion at the end of this month! So I guess there's still hope left in this City.

Tory Burch Flats

I love heels and heeled boots and always have room to add another pair to my collection. While it's really easy for me to purchase a pair of heels in a heartbeat, I'll debate on a pair of sandals or flats until I finally convince myself that I don't or won't wear them. They're just not as appealing to me, especially since they don't add any extra height! In fact, they remind me how incredibly short I am.

In the past I owned one pair of Steve Madden flats, and that's when I was in school and it was practical. They were black and suede, perfect to pair with basically anything. I'm very conservative and practical when it comes to making a purchase like this (one that I don't make often), so I told myself that I needed to get something that would work for more than one occasion. So since I'm returning to school, I decided to take the leap and TRY to find a pair that will last me as long as my last pair (4 years!!!).


So while I was doing "research" on the Nordstrom website in preparation for an upcoming job fair, I stumbled across a pair of new Tory Burch 'Reva' Faux Tortoiseshell Logo Ballerina Flats. It was love at first sight. It combined basically everything I was looking for. They're simple enough to pair with multiple outfits, sophisticated enough for work, have gold accented metal, and come in the new jelly material that's becoming popular for flats. And lets not forget the tortoiseshell. The pattern is classic and they match my tortoiseshell frames!



While I initially planned on making a trip to Nordstrom to just check them out, I ended up going to Bloomingdale's with a friend and found them there. They were everything I thought they would be. I won't lie, just wanting to interact with the cute salesman did push me to buy them.

The XPERT XPOLE

Happy Fourth of July! I know that I've neglected posting these past few days. A lot has happened and I need to catch you up on everything! I should start off by saying that I finally got my XPERT XPOLE pole up last Sunday! Now the real pain comes. I've been trying to ease myself slowly into dancing again so I don't injure myself, and with one week's worth of constant pole I can see a major difference in my biceps! I look at myself in the mirror and my arms have become unacceptably too large for me!


I'm going to try to conquer one pole move at a time. Right now I'm concentrating on the extended Butterfly. As soon as my left arms stops giving me pain and my back is a little bit more rested I'll try some more.