Travelogue + Lookbook: Unplugged in the Park

I feel like it's been a while since I've last wrote, but then again, that could be either extreme exhaustion or withdrawal from a clear case of writing addiction.  I'm sorry, I love to write.  Can you love a fool?

Part of the exhaustion could probably be attributed to the amazing and horrible decision to go to 99X's Unplugged in the Park concert series at Park Tavern in Atlanta on Sunday.  99X, which is a local rock station in Atlanta, puts on a free concert series from May through September at the gorgeous Park Tavern, which  is located on the southern tip of Piedmont Park (our own little version of Central Park).  Last Sunday, the Tavern played host to mine and my friend Coleen's (half of the incredible duo responsible for Cass and Cole) favorite singer Katie Herzig.  More on our ridiculous antics can be found on the next page.  Being fashionistas (or in my case, an unstylish poser), we dressed in our best bohemian summer dresses and skirts and hightailed our way to the park.

J. Crew Vintage Cotton Cowlneck Tank; Zara Accordian Pleated Skirt (similar)

Prior to my Neiman Marcus shopping spree, I had gone on a Zara binge during their semi annual sale.  The result?  A lovely little lace dress and this gorgeous mint pleated skirt, which was made for twirling and dancing like a mad woman.  Again, more on the dancing like a mad woman a little later.  To top it off, I paired it with a slouchy tank from J. Crew that I had gotten from $8 earlier this weekend (so much for giving up shopping).

Left:  Kate Spade Enamel Garden Drop Earrings (similar); Top-Right:  Second Hand Banana Republic Leather Sandals from Pony (Brooklyn, NY, similar);  Bottom-Right:  Sam Edelman Leather Clutch (similar)

Being that this was a party in the park, I accessorized with some Kate Spade gold drop earrings, that I had purchased on sale earlier this year.  Seriously ladies and fabulous gentleman, I had so much trouble figuring out what to pair those earrings with up to this point.  If you have any suggestions, this lady would love to hear it.  The concert also brought out two other blog-documented purchases of the leather sandals from Pony and the leather clutch from the Sam Edelman sample sale.  I personally would like to consider this a homage to my time in New York, but in all honesty, it's probably more indicative of my growing shopping problem.  Alas, we move on.

THE CONCERT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  One, because it was free and two because... well, you're going to probably want to click the next page?  What am I?  A girl that kisses and tells?  Absolutely not.  Fine Southern ladies make others work it.  Click the next page and I'll make it worth your while by proving some lovely Instagram-bastardized pictures.

In all honesty, one of them is my favorite pictures I've ever taken at a concert.

Travelogue: Saturday at the Symphony

Is it sad that in the five months I've been living in my apartment that this is the first full week I've actually stayed there?  Ah, the life of a wandering nomad.  It's really glorious, isn't it?  I wish I could tell you that I did some exciting things back in Atlanta like rappel down the side of Stone Mountain or wrestle a panda, but alas, instead I decided to do boring stuff like go to BBQs and hang out with friends and family.  We can't win 'em all, now can we?

Yesterday, my friend Kathryn decided to shake up my normal Saturday night in Atlanta routine of Pinteresting and solo wine drinking by inviting me to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with her.  As a former stereotypical Asian American high school student, I was happy to oblige.  Now, Atlanta is surprisingly more culturally and artistically diverse than the average tourist might believe.  The orchestra, along with Atlanta public radio, puts on a free general admission show once a month.  Tickets are first come first serve when the show is announced on the symphony's website.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The show proved lovely, opening with Wagner, intermittently incorporating gossip and catching up, and finally closing with Stravinsky's "Firebird."  Kathryn wore a black Banana Republic maxi dress with gold accessories, and I wore a yellow lace Zara sun dress with nude heels and a nude Sam Edelman clutch.  Unfortunately, the downside to traveling all the time for work and running a style blog is the fact that you have to rely on a cell phone to take all of your pictures, because nice cameras and tripods are too big and hard to transport.  As such, blurry pictures are never fun to look at.  I reiterate again, we can't win 'em all, can we?

In any case, have any fun girl dates you'd like to share, dearest reader?  Or are you a Saturday night Pinterester and Wine-drinker like myself?  I'll give you a cookie if you can give me a good answer.  Scouts' honor!

Bargain Hunting at the Neiman Marcus Sale

If there's one thing my mother taught me right, it was how to find a bargain.  This isn't your let's-go-to-Marshall's-and-see-what-turns-up kind of bargain.  Though for the record, Marshall's is AWESOME.  I mean, home decor at low, low prices?  Yes please.  No, this is fabulous, designer clothing and accessories for as low as you can get.  While my shopping budget was almost done with for the month, my sister dragged me to Neiman Marcus' Fourth of July Sale (everything an additional 40% off).

Neiman Marcus sale rack Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, GA

At this point, you're probably thinking, "Vivian, you stupid idiot, you're trying to save money.  What the hell are you doing at Neiman's?"  Why, I'm glad you asked, rude questioner.  Bargain hunting can be easily done at high-end department stores (not even the off-rack places like Off Fifth or Nordstrom Rack), at prices comparable to H&M and Forever 21 retail.  You just need to know how to attack it.  Allow me to explain with 5 easy tips.  Now you're probably asking, "Why would you ruin it for yourself by telling people this?"  Well, persistent questioner, if you look at it this way, you will help me save money by taking all of the wondrously cheap designer clothes away from me.  We all win in this situation.

Click the next page to read on.  There are way too many pictures and words that the aesthetics would drive me insane looking at it on the main page.  Much of it is common sense, so if I'm pontificating then just tell me to shut up.  Spoiler alert, I ended up buying two pieces that were:  1) Killer and covered in rhinestone, and 2) Under $100 with tax in total.  Click away!

Holiday Deals & Steals 7/04 to 7/08

Looks like no one was interested in buying my good friend Lu, which is fine because I'm not a huge proponent of human trafficking.  Hopefully these little gems will amuse you better.

Online

• Ann Taylor Loft - Extra 40% off, enter SHOP40 at check-out
• Anthropologie - Sale clothing an extra 25% off
• J. Crew - Extra 30% off final sale, ends Monday.
• Kate Spade - Extra 25% off, ends Sunday
• Saks Fifth Avenue - Up to 70% off
• Threadless - Extra 25% off, enter JULY25 at check-out, ends Thursday 10 a.m. CT

In-Store

• Armani Exchange - Up to 70% off, ends Sunday
• Anthropologie - Sale clothing an extra 25% off
• Bloomingdales - 25% to 60% off, ends Wednesday
• J. Crew - Extra 30% off final sale, ends Monday.
• Neiman Marcus - Extra 40% off, ends Thursday
• Ted Baker - Up to 40% off, ends 7/22

Sales - Atlanta

• Festivity - 30% to 70% selected mechandise, multiple locations

There's pretty much a sale going everywhere.  Hopefully one of these will tickle your fancy.  Happy Fourth of July, ya'll.

Travelogue + Lookbook: East Village Street Styling

Travesty of travesties, this weekend marked the last bit of my four-month stint in New York City. What's up next, you may ask?  Next in a few weeks is the exotic and mysterious land of "New Hampshire", where I will in no doubt fight an army of lobsters with my bare hands.  Just kidding.  It will probably be more blog posts about food, travel, and fashion.  In any case, this weekend proved to be jammed packed with East Village culture, much needed girl time, and necklaces with dinosaur robots attached to them.  To celebrate my last full day in New York City, I met up with my friends Nicole and Jodi to explore East Village through cookies, coffee, and clothes (clearly the three most important C's in my life).

Zucker Bakery at Avenue A and E. 9th Street

Fully caffeinated with some 9th Street Espresso coffees and ice teas, Jodi and Nicole insisted on trying out Zucker Bakery a couple blocks away.  Funny note, 9th Street Espresso is actually on 10th Street.  Who would have thought?  Zucker proved both adorable and delicious, with light powdery confections that weren't too sweet and brought foodgasms all around.  Not to mention the decor was simultaneously quaint and fabulous.  I can't imagine that a single person would hate a stuffed moose with bedazzled sequin antlers.  We fully approved of the honey almond fingers (essentially Mexican wedding cookies, but in stick form) and the alfajhores (dulce de leche short bread).

Cloak and Dagger on Avenue A and E. 9th St.

Down a couple stores was quite possibly one of my favorite boutique finds, Cloak and Dagger, which was filled with flowy tops and dresses in bold prints, blues, reds and neon yellows.  The store itself was a tad pricey for on-a-budget me with  pieces from $60-$120, but it was definitely somewhere that was getting a second visit in the future.

To see me "awkwardly" pose through some photos in a "summer look", click the next page.  If that doesn't convince you to click the next page, there's a pretty sweet photo of a dinosaur robot necklace.  Trust me, it's worth it.