The Weekly Gimme: Etsy Hoodie Sweatshirt Dress

£56.29, Etsy

Why is this model so bemused? Is it the fact that she's wearing jeans and a dress? Maybe she's just hungry. So, I recently purchased this lovely rag rug from Etsy and I have recovered from my TERRIBLE Etsy experience a few months ago (NB: If you're placing a custom order, don't pay until it's ready to ship!). 

For the past few years (ever since college, really . . . ), I've wanted a hoodie dress. It combines my favorite things of not wearing pants and wearing a hoodie. Unfortunately, most hoodie dresses (and I've tried on many) are not flattering. I guess they're not really meant to be flattering, because, come on, it's a hoodie dress. But this one looks okay. It's nipped at the waist, so it won't look like a sack, and the pockets in front incorporate an integral aspect of the hoodie.

I also like how the dress is longer and flares at the bottom. The hood is also nice and large, making it a wee bit costume-y, which I like (I did just buy a cape). I would NOT wear this with jeans--leggings or bare-legged and my Frye boots. Add a stack of rings and I'm set for the weekend.

The Weekly Gimme: The White Co. Cashmere Robe

£295, The White Company

You know what's dangerous? Working on top of a mall. Especially when the sales are on. And you have nothing to do at work. Fortunately, most of the stores in London right now are selling party stuff--sequins and fur and mini skirts, so I haven't been tempted much. (I am looking for a furry coat, but I can't find one that doesn't make me look like a disgruntled koala bear.)

The most successful stores in London (and any place, really), in my opinion, are the stores that sell you a lifestyle. I mean, who doesn't want to live an Anthropologie life? That shabby-chic, bohemian, Parisian-cum-Brooklyn way of being? I love going into the White Company because they sell me the lifestyle of an eternal lounger. Loungewear everywhere: robes, soft henleys, candles, pillows, the softest most plushest stuffed penguin . . . 

But the absolute best thing in the store is this cashmere robe (completely unaffordable and not sensible--how does one even wash a cashmere robe, especially in a goddamn London washing machine). But it is so soft and warm and comfy and I just want to be able to show up at work wearing no pants and just this robe. Livin' the dream.

The Weekly Gimme: Cuyana Alpaca Long Classic Cape

$195, Cuyana

I'm so glad capes are back. I've always wanted to live in olden days, but you know, without all the disease and lice and treating women like chattel. Also, as the weather gets cooler in London and the days get shorter, all I want to do is shnuggle up in something cozy.

Also, my office is cold, which is good, because I get drowsy after lunch, but it's not so good when it's ten at night and I'm staring at my computer and my fingers get stiff from the cold and I'm waiting for catering to bring me my damn tea and cookies . . . 

Anyway, I'm also trying to build up my neutrals wardrobe. I have always and will always love bright colors (cobalts, emeralds, hot pinks) and have so many of those in my closet. But now, I've decided I need more neutrals (especially beige--why do I always shy away from beige?) and pastels. 

Maybe Cuyana will do a Black Friday sale? 

The Weekly Gimme: Massimo Dutti Blue Leather Jacket

£225, Massimo Dutti

Sorry for the ghetto picture, I couldn't find a better one online. I saw this in store today when I was out shopping with a friend (King's Road is SO much better than Oxford Circus on the weekend, although nothing beats Canary Wharf). Anyway, the leather is buttery soft and a gorgeous true navy color. I've been in the market for a non-brown leather jacket (I have a super cute biker jacket in a rusty brown that I wear a lot and got for super cheap from Wilson's Leather). I had been looking at solely black jackets, but now I'm thinking that a navy or even a dark gray would be a wonderful choice (black leather frequently looks fake or cheap to me).

But, even though I actually got paid today (first real paycheck!) I exercised true self-control (but maybe not in the dessert department) and spent less than twenty quid. I got a comfy shirt from Brandy Melville and a bun-maker from Accessorize. 

The Weekly Gimme: lemlem Bathsheba Dress

$248, lemlem

This is a gorgeous dress, no? I don't know what's wrong with me. For the entirety of summer, I'm just shopping for cashmere and boots, but a week before October hits, I want to buy a white, pleated dress. 

I actually saw this dress in Harper's like months ago. Serious, I think I started Googling this dress in April. Well, it's finally hit the interwebs. It's beautiful. It's also made in Ethiopia (it definitely has a slightly African feel to it). 

I actually want a lot of things on lemlem's website . . . If only their prices didn't seem so outrageous . . . (Although Gwyneth Paltrow doesn't think the prices are too bad.)

The Weekly Gimme: Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt

$188, Alexandra Grecco

I really wish I had purchased this skirt last season from Anthro. I was just all "Where would I wear that?" even though that's hardly stopped me before. But now, thanks to Pinterest, I've seen all the ways to wear it! I could make it cazh with a graphic tee and booties, make it ladylike with a nice black sweater and pumps, or go full-on ballet with pearls, a cardi and ballet flats. 

The real question is whether I want it in ivory (ready to ship!) or peach (have to wait until December, which might not be a bad thing). 

Meanwhile, my shopping moratorium begins this Monday, September 23 and will extend until I get settled into a new flat in London!

The Weekly Gimme: Tammy Fender Epi-Peel

$80, Space NK

You know what I hate? When magazines feature a really cute dress or skirt, and you can't find it anywhere. I don't understand it. This has happened to me with a Kenneth Cole skirt, a Mango dress, and a LemLem dress. It's absolutely infuriating. In a similar vein, I hate it when stores (*cough* Ann Taylor *cough*) put up pictures of clothes that they don't have out yet. 

Anyway, I've been hearing about this peel in many magazines and I'm interested in trying it. Eighty bucks is a bit steep, but I might have to treat myself after pulling in a paycheck. I like how it's all natural, because I'm also wary of putting too many chemicals on my skin when I'm still young. Also, if you google Tammy Fender, she looks pretty damn good. Something she does must be working.

Gimmes Update: Gots and Nots

I thought it would be fun (and a bit ghastly) to see what Daily/Weekly Gimmes I eventually purchased. I probably should have waited for the one year anniversary of the blog, but I was bored. I wish I could say that I only bought these things . . . but that would be a baldfaced lie.

The Weekly Gimme: Rag & Bone Newbury Booties

$495, Shopbop

I don't know what I've been doing. Honestly. I keep meaning to post, but then I get sucked in by terrible television and cakes and napping. Unemployment makes the days seem longer and yet also shorter.

Anyway, I'm in Hotlanta right now and I just went shopping yesterday. Got a really cute tweed suit set from Banana Republic and some black jeans from Madewell. And my first pair of Loubies!! Just the Simple 100s in black, which is the perfect foundation for a designer shoe collection.

Speaking of classic shoes, I've got my eye on these Rag & Bone Newbury booties. They're classic and pretty much every who's who has a pair. The only question is whether I should get them in black leather or a dark suede. I might even go off the reservation and get some hunter green suede booties.

The Weekly Gimme: H&M lace dress

$69.95, H&M

Argh. I'm so annoyed with myself for sitting on this dress and not purchasing it right away. Now, of course, it's unavailable in my size. My only option is to buy it at a 66% mark up on eBay or wait for it to come back in stock. Detroit, being Detroit, does not seem to carry any "fashion" items at their H&M's . . . 

It's a bit wedding-dressy, but I love the vintage look of it. I might not have anywhere to wear this dress, but that's never stopped me before. 

The Weekly Gimme: Madewell Transport Tote

$168, Madewell

I have never been more miserable in my life. Seriously. Why is the bar exam during the summer, when people are probably making moving arrangements? It's absolutely awful. 

I like the simplicity of this tote. It doesn't have a zipper, which makes me uncomfortable, but as a shopper, it is elegant and sleek. 

The Weekly Gimme: Loeffler Randall Rider Bag

$495, Loeffler Randall

This photo does not do the bag justice. This bag has like ten different compartments! Nothing could possibly get lost in this purse. 

It's a pretty pinky-peachy-beige color, made of real leather, and has sleek and clean, but still classic lines. 

Obviously, it's not large enough for a work bag, but it would be a great choice for a casual weekend day. That pretty much sums up all of Loeffler Randall's goods--classic, casual, clean. I love these shoes and these shoes.

The Weekly Gimme: Personalized Whiskey Book

$92, Gump's

This would be such a wonderful present for someone. Like me. Anyone who can appreciate a good scotch. It is leatherbound, with two-color illustrations (very old timey), can be personalized with gold initials at the bottom right corner, has recipes, and offers a survey of whiskey producing areas.

The Weekly Gimme: Zara Asymmetric Leather Pointy Shoe

$99.90, Zara

Red shoes. I can't get enough. There's nothing sexier than a red shoe. Seriously. These are the perfect height (3.75"), the perfect color, and they're real leather.

I also love the special touch of the asymmetrical top; the black version at Zara sold out quickly last season, so I might have to snatch these up.

However, I'm wavering. I would have to wear these 50 ish times for the price per wear to be worth it. Sigh. Decisions.

The Weekly Gimme: Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

$18.50, Sephora

The Memorial Day sales are still on and my shopping needs have been (mostly) fulfilled. I got some great new metallic sandals, a cute vibrant green purse, and a DVF wrap dress that is the HG of wrap dresses. 

So, it's time to start squirreling away money for the deposit I'm going to need for a flat in London.  Thus, I'm going to declare a shopping hiatus (on everything besides food) for the next two weeks. I was reading on one of my blogs that it's good to try to compete with yourself (i.e., try to set a new record) for how long you can go without shopping.

That strikes me as a good idea and worth an effort, especially considering all the eating out I have been/will be doing.

But anyway, I love fresh products, especially their Sugar lip stuff. I have three different lip balms and their lip scrub. While I'm not a big fan of lip glosses, if anyone can do it right, it would be fresh. I have more than enough lippy for now, but I will definitely pick this up on one of those days where I have the blues and need something pretty from the mall.

The Weekly Gimme: Zara Chain Sandal

$49.99, Zara

These would have been the perfect graduation shoes, had I jumped on them fast enough. However, in the six hours since I saw them while in BarBri and I went home and finished all of my chores, my size sold out. Alas.

I might buy them after graduation when they come back in stock, because I'm still looking for a metallic sandal. I recently bought a pair of pumps from Zara, and I was so pleased with their quality and fit, as well as the shipping speed. I rarely have any luck in-store at Zara, but their e-retail experience is excellent. 

The Weekly Gimme: State Pride Necklace

$42, Kris Nations

I've only been in BarBri for ten minutes and I already hate it. But that's a good excuse to do a little more blogging. Anyway, I don't remember where I originally saw this necklace (The Free People sale section I think, and the only state remaining was Florida--ha) but I love the idea of it.

The problem is I'm not sure which one to purchase. Illinois? Massachusetts? I settled on Georgia mostly because I think it's the cutest state. The closer my move to London looms, the more I want to gather all sorts of American reminders to bring with me. All Americans in London are always more patriotic than when they're back in the States.

The Weekly Gimme: Lo and Sons O.M.G. Bag

$295/$275, Lo & Sons

I'm really susceptible to "in the know" items. These are pieces that aren't super famous (e.g., Longchamps) but a certain echelon of professionals are all aware of. The Lo and Sons O.G. and O.M.G. bags are popular among fashion bloggers for being roomy, sleek and pretty  much perfect.

Although I don't think I would carry this bag for day to day purposes, I would use it as a gym bag or as an overnight bag or as a larger carry-on for business trips (how profesh!). This is going to be a difficult decision though, should I go with the smaller O.M.G. or the larger O.G.? What color? (They have black, purple, and an army green). I recently purchased a new set of Tumi luggage, so I should probably choose a color that is complementary. 

The Weekly Gimme: Pim + Larkin Large Link Necklace

$58, Piperlime

Doesn't jewelry seem expensive? It's so much smaller than an article of clothing, and yet it's always more expensive. You can often find nice clothes for cheap, but it's extremely rare to find nice jewelry for cheap. I don't like to wear jewelry that pretends to be expensive, because even normal people can generally see through that. 

This necklace is not studded with diamonds or other gems, and it's so thick that it's obviously not made from gold. The not-found-in-nature bright blue adds a nice touch that makes it different from a normal chain necklace. 

The Weekly Gimme: Eva Franco Shangri-La Dress

$370, Eva Franco

Eva Franco shows up on the flash sale sites frequently, and I am always looking for this dress. It was featured on Modcloth a while ago, but I waited until there was a sale, and they were sold out in my size. (I also think this dress might run small.) Anyway, this dress is gorgeous. It's Asian, but not toooo Asian, amirite?

I'm also thinking of the skirt in the same fabric because the skirt might be more versatile, but I loves me a good dress.