Even though we are stuck indoors that isn’t stopping me from doing a little spring shopping and picking some trendy spring favorites from Red Dress Boutique! From cute dresses to stylish shows to fun bags, I am rounding up them all! To kick things off I am crushing on this look – this dress, shoes + bag are the absolute best.
If ya’ll know anything about me, you know I LOVE some good designer goodies. Ever since I was a teenager, I began my handbag obsession, saving up for designer bags like Gucci, Dior, LV etc + as I got older I moved on to Chanel, Hermes + more. Recently I have been also stocking up on designer shoes like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman + more. While I love designer must-haves, I learned that sometimes buying brand new in store isn’t the most cost effective so I am sharing my secrets with ya here!
First up, SHOES! So I have scored tons of designer heels, boots + more all for 40% Off or MORE! How?? Easy, research baby. I search the SALE section of my favorite sites that have all the designers I love + keep an eye out for certain styles I am lusting after or staple pieces I can interchange with various outfits etc. I found that investing in classic pumps, sandals etc that are nicely constructed really last a while PLUS they are easily repaired from your local shoemaker or one of my go-to shoe + handbag magicians, PurseRehab! They can fix ANYTHING! From resoling your shoes to fixing fabric damage, stains etc…such a must-have if you are a designer lover like me so you don’t worry about messing up your higher end pieces.
While certain staples like the Manolo Blahnik Hangsi Pump may not go on sale brand new from certain retailers, a great option is to search for them ‘New with Tags‘ from eBay Fashion, Poshmark, Yoogi’s Closet, FashionPhile, The Real Real + more! These second hand retailers often have shoes + bags in MINT condition and you can usually save on shipping, tax or snag them under current retail price AND they are all GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC (make sure you 100% verify the seller)!
When it comes to buying second hand designer goods here are some things I look for:
Box, Authenticity Card / Papers, Dust Bag
(these are helpful to verifying the shoes or bag are REAL + AUTHENTIC, plus they are helpful when going to resell in the future if that is something you are interested in doing)
Condition
(examine the photos very carefully, look for discoloration, damaged threading, piping etc, marks, tears etc…while these aren’t deal breakers, they do contribute to quality factor however you may be able to use these hiccups to your advantage + simply go to a place like PurseRehab to repair those issues at a relatively low cost making the items look BRAND NEW for less!)
Compare Costs
(just because you find a Chanel for a killer price doesn’t mean that is the best deal out there, search the serial number of the item – any reputable seller should have that or the full product name for you to do a quick search + compare pricing, condition etc from other sellers)
Whether you are searching for brand new pieces at a trustee retailer like Net-A-Porter, Saks Off Fifth etc or want to score a deal at a second hand luxury site, either way you are sure to find some amazing + unique finds at a fraction of the retail cost, perfect for avid collectors or first time buyers if you are trying to save a little!
Ok, not the gossipy kind but the statement making, breath taking, traffic stopping kind…like a chic dress like this one from Pink Lily! The second I spotted it on their site I knew I needed to have it + when I was planning my outfits out for my NYC shoot I knew this beauty was meant to be styled in a chic NYC way on the Brooklyn Bridge.
I couldn’t wait to wear this dress…it was my perfect Carrie Bradshaw moment…a moment I always tried to have while I was living in NYC but years later I was finally able to achieve it. It’s funny how time makes your style mature + allows you to feel confident enough to walk the Brooklyn Bridge in the rain in a tulle + floral print dress…it was one heck of a journey but I am so glad I am here.
I love this dress so much + after I posted it during a Pink Lily Try-On Haul on instastories it seems like ya’ll did too! I styled it with a moto jacket, a statement making Gucci pearl belt + white pumps. Whether you want to wear it to prom, a wedding, a special occasion or just a fancy date night…this piece is a total must-have + you will feel like a true princess!
While this dress is my favorite, I wanted to link to some more of my favorite Pink Lily Boutique pieces below. I have been shopping their site for over a year now + from dresses to sweaters to cute tops + more, Pink Lily has trendy, cute pieces at an affordable price point.
Even though it is only a 4 day work week, this week has been jam packed, making me crave summer pool days + BBQ hehe :p Since I am still in a summer state-of-mind I decided to share a fun look back at one of my easy breezy summer looks (pre-weight loss) that I will wear well into the fall. Whoever said you can’t wear white after Labor Day has it all wrong if you ask me hehe :p
I have always loved wearing white year round. While I know black makes you appear slimmer + is easier to style, I find white to be crisp, clean + classy (unless you are messy from time to time like me haha then it’s not always a classy moment).
I love a simple white dress + I lived in this one from Shop Dress Up all season long. While this dress is no longer available on their site, I linked to some similar ruffle white dresses below!
Because I love white on white on white, I had to style this White Beachwood Handbag from Miss Lola with my look. I love this bag because it fits the Cult Gaia trend but retails for a fraction of the price (under $100).
I am beyond obsessed with these black espadrille wedges from Shop The Mint. You can style these wedges with jeans, dresses, skirts + more well into the fall (plus they are SUPER comfortable).
If you aren’t a wedge person, I highly recommend you reconsider 😉 Comfort + height in one shoe?! Count me in!
I am keeping today’s post short + sweet + straight to the point…White After Labor Day is most certainly a ‘thing‘!
Happy Monday Loves + Happy Summer! ♥ I have been busy getting myself into a new fitness + healthy living routine…talk about a challenge but I am doing it. From finding a new gym to literally gutting my kitchen of all junk food, I am ready to finally get that ‘summer bod‘ back on track (better late than never…right? :p) Anyways, that’s why I haven’t been blogging as much since I am trying to jump into my new lifestyle which with work takes a little bit of a time commitment #TheStruggleIsReal…honestly, there just aren’t enough hours in the day! But…something there is most certainly time for? A new summer look that combines some of my favorite trends of the season – Off The Shoulder Tops + Platform Wedges!
This look is one of my favorites as of late…it’s comfy, casual + is great for those business casual days at the office or just for hanging with friends or date night. My top is from Wild Blue Denim but is no longer available so I linked to some similar styles below 🙂 I paired it with a bandage skirt since I feel like I haven’t worn one in a while and figure why not right? 😉
My bag is from GiGi New York + has been my go-to for weekend adventures + running errands since it fits my makeup + essentials and rest comfortably as a cross body. P.S. you can score it ON SALE now!