help me find mid-priced denim

i have a problem.

a big one.

i have been searching high and low for mid-priced jeans that aren't too skinny and aren't too wide. like straight-up stovepipe. not hugging my calf nor too flared or bootleg. not too cheap but not too expensive. and i can't find them.

i started with gap, trying on every style in every size and color. always skinny, $69.50 / real straight $69.50

next i went to the matchsticks from j.crew ($98), but i'm not sold. they're way too long (even the short sizes) and i hate hemming jeans because they never look the same.

then i went to anthropologie (i have a gift card, woot!) and tried on every single pair they had in store. every. single. pair. again, either too skinny or too wide. ag colette bootcut, $168 / ag stevie, $168 / joe's muse, $158



and now i'm waiting for these to arrive from ann taylor although i think they'll be too skinny. (i think the outfit is so cute, btw) - $88 plus 40% coupon EXTRA40

these *might* be good, but it's so hard to tell from the shoddy fitting on the model (really, loft, really?!), $59.50 plus 40% with code EXTRA.

if you were me, where would you turn next? i really don't want to pay more than $100 but i just might have to...and is it a pipe dream? are there no straight leg jeans for less than a benjamin out there anymore?

oooooooooooooor maybe i'm not cut out for straight stovepipe jeans. maybe it's all in my head. just maybe.

ps. can't wait for my cousin katy to arrive!!! she gets in tonight and we have so much to catch up on. can't wait can't wait.

first day of school outfit

eek, so as already mentioned, today is my first day of my new jobby! starting a new gig always makes me so totally nervous...so much to learn, so many new names to remember, a new routine to figure out. reminds me of the first day of school every year when i spent the entire night before trying on every single article of clothing in my closet for the oh-so-perfect back to school outfit...and yes...i went through the exact same process last night.

i want to wear something that's kinda a "take me [kinda] seriously and i can look casually professional while not looking too cookie cutter" type of thing. i ended up with something just like this (subject to change when it actually comes time to get dressed):


clockwise from top left:

• ann taylor silk georgette open stitch shirt, ann taylor, $49.99 + an extra 25% off
• muse bag, yves saint laurent, $1,395
  
• spanx swiss dot tights, shopbop, $28
• follies suede wedge in purple, seychelles via overstock.com, $61.99 from $80
  
• blossom belted skirt, forever21, $17.80
  

ps. i'm gonna wear the skirt with a black belt instead of the floral but i couldn't find a photo.

ann taylor ruffles for work

yes, another post about clothes for the new job. sorrrry but it's kinda all i've been shopping for recently. anyway, i really wanted some more refined, grown-up looking tops to pair with jeans and heels and ann taylor had exactly was i was looking for - on the sale rack!

this silk twill ruffle front top is on sale for $49 from $88, plus all sale items are an extra 25% off for a limited time. i picked it up in navy blue and limeade but i kinda wish i got it in the ceramic teal too. all three colors would probably be against the rules, though...

impressed by ann taylor

ann taylor recently got a new head designer and i must say that i'm pleasantly surprised. i went in this past weekend for a new interview suit and i found myself trying on a whole bunch of items from pants to dresses to jackets. these are just a few of my faves.

above: silk crepe confection top, $95

above: large ruffle bag, $295

above: ribbon neck sweater, on sale for $49 (i saw it in store for less)

above: grosgrain strapless dress, $240

full priced items are a little high but not to worry...ann taylor ALWAYS has sales (in store and online) and their couponing is outrageous. sign up for emails to receive them first-hand. dying for something but they don't have your size? call 1.800.DIAL.ANN and they'll find it/ship it from a store.

ps. LOFT is having a huge sale right now with an additional 25% off sale items. some good stuff!

i love me some haircalf

i've always been a sucker for animal print accessories so i was happy to see designers embracing haircalf again this season. two of my favorite pieces - the perfect haircalf flat for $155 and perfect haircalf clutch for $125 are by ann taylor and i think they're very reminiscent of some much pricier classic michael kors pieces. i'm not typically a big fan of ann taylor clothes for myself but this clutch will definitely keep me looking out for a coupon code.

photos from ann taylor.