Random advance praise for …Forever21.com?
Before a little shopping trip last week, I felt like “forever twenty-one” should be a dirty, dirty term in my vocabulary, reserved only for whispering. Why? Well, I spent the ride home figuring that out.
My conclusion? Like many other ladies my own age, in the past two years, I’ve suddenly found myself paying my own bills in a post-grad lala-land. I started a career job and attending “networking” events and slowly began resenting my clothes I wore in college to my 6-hour design studios; I realized after my first interview that they were a far cry from the office-saavy outfit I imagined myself wearing in my daydreams.
So, somewhere in the last two years, I slipped into thinking that the places I bought clothes in college are suddenly off-limits “as an adult”.
Well, I have new feelings: I’ve learned that the physical places I bought clothing at really have little to do with the maturing process of dressing… what I understand now is that the style of clothing or place it comes from isn’t as important as understanding the quality of what I’m buying. AKA There are certain times and places for certain clothing. AKA, I can totally love my Forever21 sundress I’m wearing at this cafe, but I should maybe skip on wearing it to work.
I’ve found my new sundress from Forever21 isn’t really appropriate for business hours (see the neckline), but it’s totally awesome for a breezy afternoon in the park… AND IT WAS 22BUCKS. Everybody wins.
Here are a few more I’ve got my eye on from the casual dresses section:
A Great Escape
Don’t get me wrong, I adore the ever-glittering charm of my lovely city of Philadelphia, but doesn’t it feel so small sometimes? Like, you go out and you are eyeing up a dude and your friend interjects, “Oh, no. I know a girl who hooked up with him and blah blah blah.” Later, you see someone else and he just happens to be your co-worker’s ex boyfriend’s brother who’s also apparently a total sceez. Sometimes you just want to go out and not know anybody, to have the opportunity to make a bad decision and never even realize it. This can be accomplished quite simply with minimal planning. So why not? Make a run to Brooklyn for a weekend!
In addition to anonymity, here are some other reasons why:
Amazing Vintage/Consignment Shopping.
And finally, the BEST MOST AMAZING EDGIEST SWEETEST INCREDIBLE HAIRCUT YOU WILL EVER GET IN YOUR LIFE. Just ask for Astro … and sing my praises later for the coolest recommendation you have ever received.
Happy Wednesday: Introducing the Sassy Domestic.
Okay, so maybe your picket fence is actually a row of garbage cans lined along the curb of your sidestreet and your 2.5 kids are your twenty-something dude roommates who don’t need you to transport them to various extracurricular activities, just a ride home from the bar after last call once in a while. That doesn’t mean you can’t revel in a bit of domestic bliss.
You don’t have to sport a Peter Pan collar or a diamond on your ring finger. What the hell, you don’t even need a man at all! It’s 2009 and about time that tradition had a makeover. I give you: the Sassy Domestic. She works. She leaves dishes in the sink. She might call him. She might not. She’s any girl who can enjoy a good recipe when paired with a tall can of beer.
Every domestic needs a good cookbook. Written with the sassy domestic in mind, I Like You is an indispensable guide chock full of recipes, notes on ettiquite, and part ideas all from the whimsical mind of Amy Sedaris. You probably know her best as Jerri Blank from the TV series, Strangers With Candy. If you don’t know her, get to know her and you’ll make a beeline to the bookstore for your new kitchen bible!
While cooking alone or for your roommates, impress others or just feel more legit with an adorable apron from Anthropologie.
Spruce up your space without spending a fortune with Orla Kiely’s home line for Target. What would a girl do but dream without Target’s sweet designer collaborations?
Sprucing up may also involve cleaning out, but don’t toss everything! This D.I.Y. project can make an old record worth your time!
Lastly, nothing makes a home more homey than candles. Make your own teacup candles to give that glow a personal touch!
What To Do Tonight: First Friday Sale
First Friday isn’t just about art anymore. Stop by Vintage Connection (Ninth and Bainbridge sts. 215.528.1625) tonight between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and receive 20% off leather jackets, boots, cozy sweaters, vests, wool dresses, men’s westerns and other items handpicked by owner Heather Waity. Bonus: Chilled champagne will be served. Take that, galleries.
Caffeine Ween
I’ve weened myself from coffee and sought retail therapy for my morning sluggishness.
Every morning Shop It To Me sends me a comprehensive email full of images and prices of clothing and accessories that have just gone on sale. All my favorite brands! In exactly my size!
You could quit coffee too if you had such AM inspiration! Not quite clear on how it works? They describe it best:
” You can think of Shop It To Me as your free personal online shopper. Select your favorite apparel brands (such as Theory, Prada, Armani, Ella Moss, Juicy Couture, Seven Jeans, DKNY, or BCBG) and sizes. We’ll scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Gap, Zappos and Bluefly and send you a Salemail™ – a daily or weekly email summary of which new items go on sale in your size.”
And here’s the invaluable gift waiting in your inbox each morning:
