Hophead's Musings

Hey you guys! I was hoping everyone here could help me pick out a bridesmaid dress my my friends wedding next spring. She has asked all of her bridesmaids to pick out a knee length dress in the color "Clover". Luckily J Crew has a few options in this color that are on sale right now.  I am 5'3" and have an average weight hourglass figure. Which of these three dresses do you think would be the most flattering on someone with my figure?

Also, it's going to be an outside wedding, so what kind of shoes should I get? Normally I'd get a pair of heels, but I dont think that would be a good idea since I'll be walking around on grass the whole day. I'm also not sure what color shoes would look good with a "Clover" green dress. I usually wear all neutrals so this is a new one for me!

I'd love to hear your opinions. Thanks!!

As you all know, (and if you don't, check this out: http://www.kaboodle.com/holiday/holiday-wishaday) this year Kaboodle teamed up with great retailers to give away more then $30,0000 worth of prizes for the Wish-A-Day Giveaway. Well guess what?  I WON!! This is actually the first time I've ever won anything in my life, so needless to say I'm pretty stoked about it.  I won a $250 dollar gift card to the very cool and contemporary 80's purple and the above items are what I ended up buying with the gift card. I think all three pieces will blend in seamlessly with my wardrobe and I know I will get a lot of wear out of them. Yay, Merry Christmas to me. :)

I'd love to know, What's the coolest thing you've ever won?

Back in December of 2000 I had the opportunity to visit my friend in London, who had promptly moved there following our high school graduation 6 months earlier.  That was my first taste of the store Topshop. At the time I was in Awe. I grabbed a bundle of clothes and headed to the fitting rooms. Everything fit magically, and more surprisingly was of exceptionally high quality for the price.  I ended up with all new London-esque clothes to wear on my visit. I was thrilled. For the next several years I would periodically google the internet for any new news of topshop. Then one day, to my excitement I found they had launched an e-commerce site. Unfortunately at that time they didn’t ship to the USA so all I could do is drool over the clothes. I would email them on occasions acquiring about any news of them shipping internationally. A part of me was hoping other people out there were doing the same and would in turn push them to start shipping to the USA. In the summer of 2006 I found news feeds saying that Topshop had plans to start shipping to the USA and not too long after that, they indeed were. Of course, with shipping costs at a flat rate of approx 20 USD per order, it is pricey to have orders shipped here. That affordable 60 dollar top suddenly is 80 dollars. Yikes. Not too long ago Topshop announced that they would be opening a flagship store in NYC, due to open October 8th 2008. It will be on Broadway and Broome in the fashionable and hip Soho district. Today, Topshop launched their official US Topshop site, which now has the prices in USD instead of GBP, and also has specific style features that are more “American” (apparently). The prices are exactly double the GBP amount (60 GBP will be 120 USD etc.) I’m less than thrilled with this because, after checking out the current exchange rates, I found that Topshop is charging quite a lot more for each piece for US shoppers. 1.0 USD = approx .568 GBP which can means an item on the British site that sells for 60 GBP should technically only be 105 dollars, instead we are getting charged 120. This tends to add up rather quickly if you are buying multiple items. Bummer! Before the launce of the US site they simply charged you the current exchange rate and the flat shipping. Ahh well, such is life. At least Topshop is in the USA! Finally!

Oh how I love thee...

I'm not a big "jewelry" person. Almost every piece of jewelry I wear is a gift from someone or a piece that means something to me, either it reminds of a happy moment or reminds me of someone or something.  A part of me is afraid of jewelry. Expensive jewelry at least. I'm always afraid a clasp will break..afraid I'll wash my hands and down goes the rings in the drain....fear losing something so tiny and precious.

Until I discovered Iosselliani. Twisted chains of chaos and beauty. I can't resist. I want the whole collection. Unfortunately, the prices disagree with me. But I shall resist (the disagreement part).

I've also recently discovered Dirty Librarian's line of twisted chain jewelry. The prices are much more reasonable.  They even made a few pieces for Urban Outfitters called "DL by Dirty Librarian". I purchased one of the necklaces and I'm very impressed with the design. The lobster clasp is a bit stiff, but I think good old wd-40 can help me out with that. For 38 bucks, it definitely fulfils my twisted chain obsession....for now.

One day, dear Iosselliani, I shall wear your crown jewels....

I fear my bank account is in trouble.