Review: Old Navy Sliver-Wedge Boots

I've been following Cee's 30 for 30 at to brighten my day and was intrigued by the look and fit of these Old Navy boots on her (see them on her here). They were delightfully inexpensive, only about $35 on sale and with 2% cashback, and they looked stylish, versatile, and comfortable.

Old Navy Sliver-Wedge Boots in Camel

Normally, I wouldn't consider synthetic leather shoes, but I need to go no holds barred when it comes to finding boots that fit. For reference, I'm 5'3" and 95 pounds with shoe size 7 and calf circumference 13.5". 

The Old Navy boots have a shaft circumference of 15". Normally, this would be too big for me. But the reviews on the website were mixed as far as sizing so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Size 7 was sold out so I ordered a size 6.5, which surprisingly fit my foot well. Here are the boots on me:

Unfortunately, the boots did not fit my calves well at all. Even with socks and jeans tucked into them. Major bummer. They were really cute and looked more expensive than they were. I can see these fitting someone with slightly shapelier calves (but not recommended for anyone shorter as the boot shaft hits me right below the knee).

I know that boot season is nearly over (although I'm not convinced that this winter will EVER end), but knowing me, it will take from now until the Fall to find the right boots.

Love and Loss

Once I entered Chanel territory, I thought I had outgrown Coach. But last fall, my interest in Coach piqued again with the introduction of the Coach Hamptons Leather Carryall. I saw it in the perfect-for-fall dark brown color on Emily at cupcakesandcashmere and fell in love. But at $698 and measuring 16"(L)x12.5"(H)x6.5"(W) (I thought it might be a little too big next to my small frame), I had to pass. I was hoping it would go on sale or go to the outlet at some point but no such luck for a limited edition bag. The brown is All colors are sold out online now, but it's still available in raisin and black. Bummer.

Coach Hamptons Leather Carryall - $698

Then Emily debuted her Mulberry Oak Oversized Alexa Bag (15"x12"x6") and I thought, yes, this is gorgeous, slightly smaller, and so so similar!! But then I saw the price tag and kicked myself again for not buying the Coach bag when I had the chance. Don't you just hate it when you let something you love slip by?

Mulberry Oak Oversized Alexa Bag - $1250

So anyway, now I'm on the lookout again. I'm obsessed and will not rest until I find it. This is just a sad sad reminder that for all the times we make purchases that we regret later, the biggest regret will always be the purchases we failed to make!

It's a Sunshiny Day

I woke up today excited for the Ray-Ban sale at Ruelala (referral link here) because I've been looking to replace my old Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses in silver metal with gray gradient lenses with a pair in gold metal. I own so many pairs of sunglasses but these are my go-to pair. I've worn (and dropped) these old aviators to death. There's just something about the classic shape that fits almost every face and goes well with every outfit. 

Ray-Ban Metal Aviator Sunglasses - RB3025

Unfortunately, Ruelala didn't have the sunglasses* I was looking for, but after a little online searching, I found the exact pair I wanted at endless for $89.87 with free shipping plus 7.5% cash back from Ebates (referral link here)! I ordered immediately. These sunglasses are also available at Ray-Ban for $139. Yes, the EXACT same pair. 

What are your go-to sunglasses?

*Ruelala had the model I wanted for $69.60 plus $9.95 shipping. But only in matte fuchsia metal with purple accents and grey gradient lenses. And it sold out within 30 minutes! 

How-To: 90 Days of Outfits

Ever heard of the 30 for 30 challenge? Well, it's a closet remix challenge where you take 30 items from your closet and remix only those items into 30 different stylish outfits. This is quite a feat and kudos to all those creative ladies for taking the challenge! I'm certainly not quite up to it myself. But one day...when I grow another set of hands.

Until then, I thought it was very interesting indeed that Lucky magazine (March 2011 issue - I highly recommend picking this up) did a "how-to" using 26 items, costing less than $500 in its entirety, and styled them into 90 days of outfits!! Wowsa! Clearly $500 for 90 days of outfits (or ~$5/day) is super budget friendly. But you know what? I'd rather save my pennies for a rainy Burberry boot day. 

So instead, I broke down the article and applied their thinking to my existing overflowing (but I've still got nothing to wear) closet. Takeaway #1: You only need ONE dress and 

8 tops

2 pants, 2 skirts, 1 shorts

3 jackets 

3 shoes 

4 belts, 1 scarf, and 1 necklace.

Seriously? Seriously? What's all that other stuff doing in my closet? I am shamed. And ashamed.

Takeaway #2: Limit your color palette (sorry Kileen - the Color Brigade is for those with generous closets it seems!) The outfits in the article were limited to these colors:

black

gray

white

cream

brown

camel

safari green

red

denim

silver

turquoise

dark muted floral print (containing black)

I have all these colors!!! Don't you? I'm feeling encouraged, but still ashamed.

Takeaway #3: Take inspiration from the pros and fellow fashion bloggers! At last, this is what I've always wanted - the article provides 6 pages of fully styled outfit ideas with the exact pieces needed to create them. At long long last - inspiration for the lazy! And yes, that is also why I read fashion blogs. To be inspired out of my PJs and hard-earned cash!

Now here are the 26 items broken down by category.  

Tops:

1. Black tank top
2. Gray tank top
3. Floral tank
4. White long-sleeve cotton top
5. Red and white striped long-sleeve top
6. White button-down long-sleeve shirt
7. Cream-colored tunic
8. Camel short-sleeve sweater 

Bottoms:

Pants: 

1. Cream-colored cropped trousers
2. Skinny jeans

Skirts:

1. Light gray pencil skirt (matches the blazer)
2. Black pencil skirt

Shorts:

1. Black drapey shorts

Dress:

1. Sleeveless denim dress

Jackets:

1. Light gray blazer
2. Army green cotton jacket
3. Black leather biker jacket

Shoes:

1. Black and white striped sandals

2. Black suede pumps

3. White lace-up flats 

Belts:

1. Brown and cream woven leather belt

2. Black leather belt

3. Silver-colored leather belt

4. Black braided belt

Scarf:

1. Purple patterned scarf

Necklace:

1. Turquoise and silver bead necklace

Although I don't have these exact pieces, it'll be lots of fun to pull 26 similar things from my own closet and see if I can recreate some of the looks. You know, one day. After I do a 30 for 30. And climb Mt. Everest. 

How do you put together your outfits?

Best Jeans for Petites?

I came across this article in Lucky magazine about the "Best Jeans for Petites" and was surprised to not see listed the petite favorite Gap Legging Jean (see my review here) or my recent find of Joe's Jeans Provocateur Petite Fit Bootcut Jean (see my review here). Instead, the following were listed as the top 5 brands and styles for petites:

1. Paige Verdugo Jeggings

2. MiH Breathless Jean

3. J Brand Love Story

4. 7 For All Mankind Georgia Trouser Jeans

5. BDG High Rise Cigarette Jean

Of all the brands listed, I'm tempted by #5 because it's high-waisted and is reasonably priced. I don't need another pair of skinny jeans right now but I'm really tempted! How hot are these?

{click for image source}

Have you tried these jeans? Or any of the others?

I Am Petite No More Review: Joe's Jeans Provocateur Petite Fit Bootcut Jeans

Based on my past experience (all good) with Joe's Jeans, I went out on a limb and bought this pair of the Provocateur jeans online even though I had never tried on the Provocateur style before. Let me just jump the gun and give the verdict first...I LOVE THESE JEANS!! They make my legs look long and lean and I feel freaking fantastic (and mighty tall) in them. Keep keep keep!!

As you may recall, I had ordered both the size 23 and size 24 in hopes that one of them would fit me. Luckily, size 23 fits almost perfectly - no waist gap, fitted in the hips, butt, and thigh with no weird wrinkling in the back, and no hemming required with 2.5 inch heels or higher. My heels these days are normally 2 inches or lower so I'll most likely get them hemmed. According to the tag, these jeans are made especially for petites: "The Provocateur Petite Fit - this silhouette has a shorter inseam and a higher knee break to elongate the leg..." which addresses the problem with hemming jeans that were made for taller girls.

Here is the size 23 on me wearing 2 inch heels. It would've looked even better with higher heels, but those sexy shoes will be in storage for a good long while.

Joe's Jeans Provocateur Petite Fit Bootcut Jeans (buy here, here, or here)

Measured flat, the waist is 13", hips are 16", thigh is 7.5", and inseam is 31". You can see that I have a full break in front because the heels I'm wearing are too low.

From the back, you can see that the hem is barely above the ground. The original hem is distressed along the bottom edge. I'm actually not a fan of the distressed hem so if I were to shorten these jeans, I could save some money getting a regular hem for $8.

Anyway, these jeans are super comfortable and the denim is soft and thick. It is very difficult finding size 23 jeans so I'm extremely happy I took the risk in buying these! These jeans are going to last a long long time. Love!

As for the size 24 jeans, they were definitely a bit big on me. The stores are currently selling the Provocateur style for $153-$174 but only in size 24 online. For reference, those jeans measured in at approximately: waist 14", hips 16.5", thighs 8" and inseam 31". I'll be returning the size 24 tomorrow unless another petite wants them for the awesome price I paid plus shipping.