Packing for Paris: Part One

Well, it is official! I'm going to Paris! And even though it will be my third trip, this time around I'm also going on a short excursion to London. Plus, I get to spend a whole week with my best friend in two of the most vibrant and stylish cities in the world. I'll be visiting in early Fall, and with the unknown weather a major factor along with a desire to look as fashionable as I can on a budget, I've already started planning my wardrobe.

Starting with the toes and working my way up, the next few posts will be a run down of what I think are essential pieces that will not only work for a traveling gal like myself but also keep me looking chic for less.

First up is the bootie. I initially thought it would be better to buy a pair of knee-high riding boots, but then I started seeing all these fun booties popping up everywhere. They reminded me of a pair of black Nine West booties I owned in the late 90s. Unfortunately, I gave them away sometime in the early 21st century because I thought they were passé. Which reminds me, NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! Like the saying goes, "what goes around comes around"... especially when it comes to fashion.

So with the desire of reigniting those 90s memories and maybe feeling as though I'm in my 20s again, I've decided to buy a pair of booties for my European vacation. Here's a sample of various booties with prices ranging from a very reasonable $59 to a more guilt-filled $345. Which ones do you like?

1. Speartint Booties, Aerosoles, Macy's $69 (plus 20% off); 2. Krando Booties, Madden Girl, Macy's, $59 (plus 10% off); 3. Becky Ankle Booties, Sole Society, $79.95; 4. Billie Boots, Madewell, Shopbob, $228; 5. Quasar Bootie, Franco Sarto, Piperlime, $129; 6. Leoda Flat Bootie, Coach, Bloomingdale's, $345.

Thanks for the Fashions!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and before we all start stuffing ourselves with turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, and then fall into a post-dinner food coma, I wanted to take a moment to give a thankful shout out to the bargains -- and not so much bargains -- that I came upon this year.

Converse Shoes

Who knew it would take me 32 years before I realized the cool factor of owning a pair. I can't wait to expand my collection!

Chuck Taylor All Star, $45

Coach Bag

It took me many years to justify spending more than $50 for a purse. I was always adamant about not buying a designer purse just because it was a designer purse. But, I was on vacation, in Vegas, and I ventured into the Coach Outlet store. I gave in to temptation, and oh was I glad I did.

IKEA Bed

My old bed was still in good shape -- in fact, it now resides in one of my parent's spare rooms -- but I wanted a new bed and one that played off the shabby chic look of my bedroom.  And, boy was I lucky to have found the bargain of all bargain beds at IKEA. Now, my room is exactly how I had envisioned it, and I love going to sleep and waking up in it every day!

Jewelry

I've never been much of a jewelry person. I put on an outfit and am never quite sure what jewelry goes with what, if less is more, or if should just say, forgetaboutit! But I am happy to say, I took a leap this year and started buying necklaces, earrings and even a cocktail ring.

 Necklace, World Market; Earring, Stella & Dot, Saveena Flower Ring, Stella & Dot

My Un-Bargain-Like Bargain

Last weekend I went on a girls getaway to Vegas. It was a much needed mini-vacation from every day worries and stresses, and I had a blast. And what made it even more outstanding was a quick (I use that term loosely) stop at one of the best outlet malls I've ever been to. Just down the strip was a place I shall call the Holy Grail of bargains: Las Vegas Premium Outlets. It had oodles of stores I love, and one in particular that I was dying to visit -- Coach Outlet. Being the fashion bargainista that I am, I had peeked inside another outlet store about six months earlier but felt the prices were still too high for me, so I left empty handed. But this time, I was determined to find a pursue at a great deal, and by golly, I think I did! (I shall not reveal the exact price, but just know that it still fit the bill for what I deem a "bargain.")