Fashion Gone Wrong: Oh, no.

Hello everyone; my name is Elizabeth, and I am a bad-fashion lover.

Not to wear, oh no - but to post and marvel at the manufacturers/buyers of such garments. As you may have gathered from my previous posts, once I've spotted a cringe-inducing clothing item, it's only a matter of time before it appears on these pages. And, since I don't care to stop... I hope it brings you some enjoyment as well.

Chiffon pants. With a floral print, wide legs and "partially lined" to boot. Sorry, dear model, you don't even get shoe or bracelet kudos. Any balancing out your accessories could have done are obliterated by the sheer curtains on your legs. But hey, if you beg to differ (or appreciate their summertime cooling properties), head to Forever21.

Wonder Woman meets Vegas show? Oy. I'll leave it at that.

To be fair, they come in black and gray also at GoJane.com.

The whole cut-out idea that seems to be running rampant throughout footwear lately is something I must admit I just don't understand. These would work in summertime, yes, but then when you get to open-toed boots and shoes that look like they've gone through the shredder, I just don't see the point. These just strike me as a little clown-ish...although perhaps it's mainly the gold that's so offsetting. And, well, they're not my style - and that's just my opinion! If you disagree, check them out at Urban.

Didn't the fashion world cycle through the whole poncho thing six years ago? I mean, are we really that short on inspiration and new ideas at the moment? Don't get me wrong, those ponchos were comfy - and I have seen poncho-style wraps and shawls styled in great ways lately. But this is just too reminiscent of a 2004 catalog for me to be in on this go-around. Sorry, Delias, I won't be buying; but you can here.

Victorious

You know how whenever there's a shoe sale, the one pair that's the perfect style and price is also the one that has no other sizes available besides the [not your size by a long shot]?
You know how when that happens, you just wonder WHY it can't be in your size instead of a leprechaun's?
Well, it happened. To me. The good way! It was the perfect storm: perfect style, great price, my size exactly. And for a black leather boot? Needless to say, it was a very exciting moment for me.

Apologies for the poor photo quality... my camera is on the fritz at the moment =(

Yeah, it's a basic, and not that cobalt blue pair of heels or something else rather frivolous, but hey — a deal's a deal in my book! Victory.

Clarisonic: A Review

Have you heard of the Clarisonic? If you haven't, consider yourself warned; it might just revolutionize your daily routine. That's what happened to me!

The Clarisonic is a facial cleanser similar to the Neutrogena Wave. In a way, it's like an electronic toothbrush for your face. The Clarisonic's brush oscillates 300 times per second for intense and complete cleansing. And don't worry about taking off your makeup; it removes makeup and cleanses all in 60 seconds.

Pros: The Clarisonic delivers quick, efficient cleaning every time.
It's a medium size - not too big to keep on the counter.
It charges in its own stand, so don't worry about changing batteries.
The Clarisonic removes makeup better than anything I've ever tried.
For those of us with skin conditions such as acne or rosacea, the Clarisonic helps prevent breakouts, reduces redness, etc. and is safe to share with others who do not have the same conditions.

Cons: The Clarisonic does have to charge every once in a while; however, this is not a big problem, as the battery life lasts 30 minutes before it needs re-charging.
The brush heads, like toothbrushes, eventually wear down and need replacing. These replacements are not too tricky, and the brushes last anywhere from a few months to a year or so, depending on how often it is used.
When first recieving the Clarisonic, you must configure the cycle you want to use. It's a bit confusing; the directions are only slightly helpful. However, you'll only have to do this once.
The initial investment is substantial (The basic system is $195).

Recommended by several doctors and dermatologists (see NY Times article here), the Clarisonic delivers what's promised. After months of use, I could not be happier with the way it leaves my skin soft and clean every time. Despite the initial investment, it definitely pays off.

Many dermatologists carry the Clarisonic at their offices; if yours does not, find it here.

Bargain Hunting: Guiseppe Zanotti T-strap

When I saw the shoes on the left at zappos.com, I knew they would be a great summer addition to my wardrobe - until I looked at the price. Those Guiseppe Zanotti sandals were $598.95. A tad expensive for such a slim sandal, no? To compensate my desire for the shoes, yet dislike for designer label price hikes, I went to - where else? - the internet to begin my search. I came upon these Gap t-straps, and I think I actually like them better. The picture does them little justice. The scratched metallic gives a little edge to an otherwise girly shoe. And they're only $39.50? Into my shopping cart they go.

Statement Bag

The Statement Bag - once a new trend, now a fashionista's necessity. With the warm weather, I'm on the lookout for a great spring/summer bag. Here's a few of the best options:

Nordstroms Longchamp 'Le Pliage - Mini' Tote $98
It's such a fun color combo; I love the polished style.

Topshop Corsage Grab Cross Body Bag - $44

The thing I love about this Topshop bag is that it's definitely a statement bag, but it still goes with everything. For those who are a little more daring, it also comes in red and pink.

Anthropologie Nearly Needlepoint Satchel - $90

This bag looks hand-made - the cross-stitch print is traditional and trendy.

Fredala.com Miso Pretty Eco Shopper - $11.50

If you're looking to help the environment, this is a great eco-friendly choice. Even if that's not your main goal, it's still cute, fun, and a bargain!

The Duffel MimsMaine - $110

This Etsy bag can be customized many different ways. Plus, it's from Etsy - support independent designers!

I don't know which one I'm getting (yet...), but hopefully you've found one you like too. Comments?

My search for the Perfect Skirt

With spring comes again my motivation to wear skirts and dresses more often. Therefore, I embarked on a mission: to find the perfect skirt.

My goals: high waist, medium length, rather full, wide waistband.

Here's what I found.

Option #1: Pleat Hem Linen Mix Skirt, topshop.com

When I stumbled upon this little number, I was immediately overjoyed; I thought I found it! However, upon further review, I realized that the fullness factor was rather lacking. Also, the length is too short for the look I wanted. On the other side, I love the waistband, color, and style.
Option #2: Embroidered Casual Skirt, direct.asda.com/george Waistband? Check. High waist? Check. Length? Check. Full? Wait, no - I can even see through it on the picture! Next.

Option #3: Fenced Garden Skirt, Anthropologie

By this point, I was getting a little discouraged. Only two had even been considered out of over 100. So, I relied on good old Anthropologie - and they delivered. Cute pattern, wide waistband, high waist, medium length, and it's full! Perfect!
The only problem? It's $158. I guess that's the bad thing about Anthro; I'll have to wait a month or two before I can finally buy my skirt. Oh, well.