Bria's Trip To The Mwall

I like to skulk around the mall a couple times a year. Here are my recent acquisitions, all Le Train Bleu compatible.

Relaxed Woven Shirt, F21
This style has a sort of peasant workwear vibe to it--it's already a favorite in my closet and I can't wait until it's cold enough to wear it with a midi-skirt and some boots and a patterned scarf.

Mystical Floral Woven Shirt, F21

I can't stay away from a Victorian-inspired flowery shirt. This one is very Liberty "inspired" (please don't let it be a shameful knockoff). It has a nipped waist and if you're a person who is trying to balance a smaller top with a larger bottom, this is a really good style with some skinny jeans or a pencil skirt--the ruffles are kinda bust-enhancing and it's great for accentuating curves.

Kenna Suede Cowboy Boots from Target

When I went to peruse the new shoes and boots at Target these jumped out right away as looking way out of place, in a good way. They look much more expensive than they are, with very soft suede, sturdy stacked heel, and nothing that was screaming $29.95!

Silk Blend Shirt Dress, The Gap

I fancied this one as being very Isabel Marant: stylish rather than trendy. It is nicely constructed of a silk/cotton blend that works for daytime and I've been wearing it with a vintage brown leather belt. Very ladylike, sexy in an understated way, perfect for layering.

Bobbie Brown Pot Rouge in Powder Pink, Nordstrom

I would consider myself something of a blush aficionado and this one is really perfect. I have a drawer full of blushes from Nars, Benefit, Tarte, Mac, and Stila. This one is the best. Totally natural-looking, some decent staining power, creamy and blendable so that it disappears into your skin. Perfect for that Tess of the d'Ubervilles look.

Boyfriend Oxford Shirt and Boyfriend Jeans, The Gap

This ensemble is basically like pj's that are acceptable for public. This shirt is made of very, very soft cotton shirting and the denim, well, I've never really met a pair of jeans that I would describe as "cosy", but these ones fit that bill.

Sebastian Molding Mud, Drugstore

If you suffer from real estate agent hair when your hair is freshly washed, here is your cure. At the mall I like to take the opportunity to stock up on a few personal essentials like my beloved Sebastian Molding Mud which I've been using since I was 15. Makes clean hair look dirty. Just kidding! Well, kinda. For a while there was a panic that this item had been discontinued and then there was a bad batch floating around that was sort of granulated. Well, now Sebastian has changed the label and it seems to be business as usual. Maybe I'll hoard some in case there is another scare.

Hello again, High-Low!

It's been so long since we've featured a Hello, High-Low outfit that we're gonna give you a double whammy today:Jackson, Johnston, and Roe Perrine Blouse from Le Train Bleu, $198.00
White Bowler Hat from Lids and More, $42.99
High-Waisted Sailor Skirt from Chadwicks, $19.99
Ducky Wingtip Loafer from Forever 21, $24.80

The Perrine Blouse is a really special piece with tiny green pinstripes and covered bottle green buttons at the sleeves and in the back (be sure to check out the detail shots on the product description page). It's something you can be sure to get years of enjoyment out of, and to begin, we suggest pairing it with this terrifically flattering High Waist skirt from Chadwicks. The skirt is even on sale now for $19.99 so you can stock up on all the colors. Shown here in Navy, but they're all pretty great.

We've topped the whole thing off with a white bowler hat--something you'll need some confidence to wear but try it for an evening out. Go on, channel Sabine in the Unbearable Lightness of Being:

Ulla Johnson Camelia Blouse from Le Train Bleu, $275.00
High Waist Navy Jeans from Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters, $25.20
Dara 3Q Striped Coat from Forever 21, $37.80
Ducky Wingtip Loafer from Forever 21, $24.80

Here's another exquisite blouse that's an investment piece for the price but the Camelia Blouse is timeless and ageless and goes with everything. The henley neckline is edged in lace and the fit is feminine but not at all fussy. We found a great cotton striped coat from Forever 21 to pair with it along with some high-waisted Navy-issue jeans (hello, sailor!). These are really flattering to a woman's curves and are built to withstand gale winds. I have 5 pairs--no kidding. For the feet, try the black patent loafers that are really comfortable for kicking around in and are meant to be worn sans laces. Casual and dressy at the same time.

Guilty Pleasures

In the spirit of Hello, High-Low, I recently did some shopping online at Forever 21. This was one of my luckiest hauls, too. There was just one stinker in the bunch. Here are my annotated pics.

This is the top that actually spurred on the spree because I picked it up in the store recently in Black and was really wowed once I got it home. Now I have the Blue as well and I'm not sure which I prefer. This style is made from poly which actually feels pretty decent but made a lot of static--I definitely wouldn't want to spend the whole night dancing in it. Aside from that, it's really terrific. I love how it highlights the shoulders (an oft neglected region in most clothes) and the fit is really nice too. It even has a side zip, which allows it to be quite tailored and waist-nipping.Because I liked the above style so much, I picked this one up, noting that it had similar details and seemed like it might be the same sort of fabric. Wow--this one is even nicer. The quality of this fabric had me really impressed and the lattice work at the neckline is stunning. The sleeves have a unique cut to them to and hang really nicely. It's not as slimming and sexy as the other top (kinda boxy, but works nicely when tucked in), but I like it so much that I'm after the same thing in Grey now.I admire other people in their cool sunglasses but I'm pretty utilitarian. My eyes are really light and very sensitive to the sun and I like big dark sunglasses that stay on. And that wrap around. Don't worry--I don't wear them with a strap. But these ones are a bit better than my usual selection from 7-11 and maybe even cheaper.
This scarf is cotton and soft and wonderful--there have been a lot of lovely boutique-brand scarves floating around this season, but this one stands up to them.
I'm a sucker for the cotton calico prints from Forever 21. They don't scream Cheap Mall Clothes! like many things there. This is a case for my super uncool sunglasses so they don't get all scratched up floating around with my keys in the bottom of my purse.

I mentioned how some things at F21 definitely scream Cheap Mall Clothes! and here's an example. I don't know what possessed me--it must have been late and I was getting trigger happy. Plus I was on that purse organization kick when I grabbed the sunglass case and was thinking I would be all lady-like if I had a more lady-like wallet in my purse. Oh, well. I had a good run.

Another Hello, High-Low!

This Eskell skirt is beyond perfect. It seems so go with everything, is unimaginably comfortable and is a great piece for any season. Same goes for the Humanoid Costume d'Histoire jacket, they were meant for each other (and everything else in your closet). I've paired them with some ridiculously inexpensive finds from Old Navy, a cozy speckled waffle knit top and a navy belt with tan leather detail and a gold clasp. I can't seem to find the Old Navy items on the website, I'd look for them in store. Polish it all off with a pair of handmade feather earrings and seriously warm wool tights, these will keep you toasty on the coldest of Autumn mornings.



Humanoid Costume d'Histoire Jacket $367.00
Eskell Luella Skirt $233.00
Pheasant Feather Earrings $9.95
Old Navy Waffle Knit Top $9.50
Old Navy Belt $9.50
MP Cotton-Lined Wool Tights $45.00