It's hard not to shop

This weekend started out with the May issue of Lucky, and I spent my morning, steaming cup of coffee in hand, engrossed; dreaming of bright colors and warmer days, drooling over these looks:
This is my hands down favorite look. I wonder if my Greek Key skirt could work for a recreation...
I can't get over this color mix - black and white and brown with pink and seafoam and leopard? Insanity? Perfection? I need to try it.
So, so simple, but with amazing accessories.
I want to duplicate all these looks. I need this lace top.
Look at those scalloped edges! Look at those color pairings.... so swoon worthy.
Bright, cute, and scalloped.

My immediate reaction was to take a mental inventory of the piece I have, and the pieces I will need to achieve summer style perfection.

Then, what do I do on my fashion and coffee high, but head straight to TJMaxx and hope to make some sartorial dreams come true. I search, meticulously, keeping an eye out for colors and prints and textures... but the only item I find is a tweed jacket, reminiscent of the one from the first look. It's on clearance for $10, the brand is Willie Smith. I try it on, a fellow shopper tells me it looks great on me... But I don't buy it. I think of all the items I was dreaming of finding, that was probably the one I was least interested in. Where are those black and brown sandals, the cream bow blouse, the black and white printed jacket, the striped sun hat... and that damn lace top!?

I tried not to let my lack of purchases bother me. I tried to be proud, but come 1 AM I am browsing Forever 21 and filling a cart with nonsense I don't need... a navy dress with a cherry print, a striped terry blazer, a white lace skirt, a red mini skirt, just because it was $5...
I forced myself to sleep on it, and by this morning I'd talked myself out it.
But the hunt continues.

Pink and leopard
The Rundown
Top Gap - Leopard Cardigan Gap - Jeans Kohls - Shoes Steve Madden - Necklace Monet

39 comments

  1. It is so hard not to shop...but right now I really should be doing anything but shopping. I need a big wave of closet creativity!!
    Your jeans from Kohls are really cute!

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  2. nice outfit!!!

    xoxo jenna
    http://thepetiteblog.blogspot.com

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  3. here's my advice: anything you think about buying online, put it in a cart. and sleep for a week on it. i have made WAY too many mistakes buying stuff i thought i couldn't live without. it's more painful when you bring it to goodwill 2 years later. whenever i wait i always end up saying "what was i thinking? i'll never wear that!"

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  4. you should check thrift stores for tie-neck blouses. the long-sleeve blouse section at my favorite local one always is stuffed with them. they're mostly polyester, not silk, but i've found a few hidden gems!

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  5. Drat! I can't go shopping because I am doing the remix challenge but good gracious the pics you posted make me want to go shopping. I particularly am in love with the white / black striped hat outfit. Swooooon!

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  6. Bummer you can't find what you're looking for! They really are lovely looks, though, and I hope you find the items you like. :D

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  7. I can't wait to get the new issue of Lucky. It looks full of style inspiration!

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  8. Ohhh I can't wait to get my copy of the new Lucky!!! Love the inspiration for spring, that magazine is by far one of my faves! Cute look!

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  9. I definitely know the feeling! I do that a LOT but have been trying to be better lately. I just unsubscribed from all my favorite stores' email lists to avoid the constant temptation, but sometimes I just want to shop.

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  10. That striped floppy hat definitely has my heart. I'll be on the search for something similar! Love the leopard cardy on you!

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  11. i can already imagine all of us wearing these looks! amazing! i am now thinking of the pieces i can use to put these outfits together. :) i gotta get some skirts and a lace top. :D

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  12. I can see why you'd be tempted. The looks are really smart and on-trend. Love your jeans.

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  13. Whoa, that lace is gorgeous! I can't find it on bebe though! Aww!

    Don't get sucked into F21 - you can great pieces that last more than a few washes and may be pricier but are so much more worth it (and lawsuit free) elsewhere. I have faith you'll find similar pieces eventually (for the lace we can both wait for a sale or a great vintage store).

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  14. i love that story about the white lace top!they did a greqt job

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  15. I keep seeing scalloped edges on skirts and I can't seem to find any in my price range so I'm thinking I might try to make one myself.

    Love those pages from Lucky... I need to pick up the April one before it disappears.

    Rochelle

    http://rochelleapproved.tumblr.com/

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  16. I just purchased the lace dress about 2 weeks ago! You should be able to find it at a TJ Maxx or Marshalls :)
    xo Lynz
    http://sparklingfootsteps.blogspot.com

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  17. Ohhhh I wish I could get LUCKY or ANY magazines issues on time. They get here about a MONTH later and that is IF you can find them....
    I like the looks ! and i think you can recreate it with the greek skirt. You know I think you can find a lace top in a vintage/thrift shop - :)

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  18. In love with the 3rd image. The whole outfit is so adorable and Im totally smitten with the huge hat! Btw: you look beautiful. The leopard cardi is sooo sweet! Hugs and kisses, darling

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  19. Why can't I be taller? I am loving the outfits and those skirts are so chic, but I am definitely not tall enough for anything like that. Love your outfit!

    xo

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  20. Che bello questo blog! anche io ho appena aperto un blog di street style! Se vuoi puoi divenare mia follower!

    http://theempireofsuccess.blogspot.com/

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  21. Those pink sunglasses are super cute, but I always scratch sunglasses so I try to find cheap ones.

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  22. Oh Lucky why do you torture me so

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  23. where have you been all my life?!

    following, now! JEEZ! I've been underneath a rock.

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  24. Ah the late night F21 online shopping spree...how many times have I done that? It's always frustrating when you find some great new thing you're desperate to try and the stores just aren't cooperating - but keep your eyes peeled and I'm sure you'll find some great stuff!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  25. I haven't bought Lucky in forever, but may pick up this months copy now. Don't forget to check InStyle they have a great color issue this month.

    Cute animal print cardigan and lovely maryjane flats!! HAPPY SHOPPING!! :)

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  26. I like the third look.
    The hat is cool.

    windowshopz.com

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  27. I haven't seen the new Lucky yet, but I can tell it's just going to make me want to shop. I love the examples you pulled - I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  28. I can completely sympathise with this post... An unsuccessful shopping experience on the wrong day can send me into a tailspin of silly spending. Good for you for taking a night to think things over :) I can see why you feel for these looks in Lucky, though. I'm in love with the pink Anthropologie sunglasses in the first photo!
    xox,
    Cee

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  29. Love the color your are wearing!

    xo www.thefashionguitar.com

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  30. New seasons always make me want to buy new clothes. Good for you for thinking before buying...hopefully your patience will be rewarded by finding the perfect lace shirt!

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  31. Yep. The Lucky Mag does it to me every time. I seriously am beginning to think that they have the best, most realistic, most true to my personal style editorials out there. It's weird because it's a shopping magazine. Sigh. It never fails to make me want want want. What I want is some wedge sandals with chunky straps. Sigh...

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  32. Gah! Stinkin' Lucky - so full of gorgeous temptation! I'm also in love with that lace top - and your salmon colored one. Too pretty!

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  33. i think its definitely a good idea to sleep on purchases. i once bought a $90 lace back white tee while drunk online. it looked good on the model but no one needs to see my love handles. i only wear it under cardigans :S i should have definitely turned off the computer! lol

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  34. What about when you want to buy things... but can't actuallyfind anything you want to buy? I pretty much want all the shoes in Lucky now :) but I will resist! Seriously though, I was shopping today and yesterday in New York and I got two things. Total fail.

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  35. I just got my Lucky in the mail today and just put it down
    Loved so many looks in there
    funny, there were a pair of shorts from OLD Navy they featured in the plaid shorts article.
    Went to the site and they are men's shorts LOL
    Brett

    Scout Bag Giveaway

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  36. I love that pink pleated skirt in one of the first spreads!! Some months I think I'd just like to climb on in and live in an issue of Lucky magazine. Everything is always so pretty (but still so wearable!!).

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  37. It's good to not shop sometimes... then you appreciate your other purchases more later. Or not. Who doesn't love to buy something. But I tell myself this all the time. My husband thinks I'm crazy for being happy sometimes when I shop all day and come home with nothing :)

    Love that lace top too! I really want one. I also want those cute yellow shorts!

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  38. Okay - I'm not going to lie. I bought a hat at Kohl's online that is white/black striped. Similar to one of the outfits. Can't wait to wear it! Oh wait - it has to stop raining in Seattle first. ARGH.

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