Travelogue: A Champagne Wedding Day

Much to the point of mockery from some of my friends (and even a bit of point of avoidance by a certain someone -- I jest), I love weddings.  Then again, it's probably the Disney princess in me talking, but I love the dresses, the decorations, the flowers, the mustaches on sticks, lit up mason jars,and photobooths... alright, scratch that, I love a good hipster wedding.  While it wasn't quite that hipster, my cousin played bride to a gorgeous wedding at the B.R. Cohn winery in Sonoma Valley California.  For the sake of respecting their privacy and that I want to watch the debate, I'm just going to post some pictures of some knick-knacks from the wedding that I particularly enjoyed.  Enjoy the pretty, fall romance of it all.

BR Cohn Winery

Travelogue: Adventures in Hipstergram

Starting earlier this week, I'm going to be away from home for three weeks.  Of course, there's the obligatory trips to New Hampshire for work, but I'll be headed to California, Boston and then New York before the month's end.  Part of me is thinking it's about time since I haven't been outside of my normal routine for more than a month now.  Then again, I could use another weekend living in my own apartment.  It also didn't hurt that last weekend was my birthday.  In any case, here are some super hipster pictures made even more super hipster from Instagram from what could have been deemed a super hipster weekend that consisted of the Neiman Marcus Sale, a birthday plane ride courtesy of my friend Salvador, and a coincidentally stumbled upon food truck fair in the hipster part of Atlanta (Inman Park).  Oh, did I relish in it...

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:  (1) J. Crew Factory Camp Shirt and Joe Jeans; (2) Black Vince Sheath Dress at Neiman Marcus; (3) View of Spaghetti Junction on Sal's plane; (4) Work dress line-up at the Neiman Marcus sale; (5) My friend Eric and I looking chic in our air-wear; (6) Filipino street food and bubble tea from FlipOne; (7) Hello Kitty band-aids; (8) Inman Park's "Atlanta Streets Alive" festival; (9) View from the plane of Lake Lanier Islands

To check out my of my hipstergrams (if you are at all interested, which I'm guessing you're not), check out my Instagrid.  Also, if you have any good recommendations for places to check out in NorCal, Boston, or New York, let me know.  I'm all ears.  Holler at your girl down below in the comments!

Weekly Deals and Steals 10/6 - 10/12

I know, I know.  Technically, the window of shopportunity (yes, that's a pun and yes, I'm ashamed I just pulled that one) has not ended since the last post, but there are way too many deals going on for me to be silent. Alright, well, not terribly many, but some really good deals if you search hard.  I think the best I've seen is Ann Taylor Loft's jewelry selection, with earrings and necklaces as low as $12.  Check it out.

Online

• Ann Taylor - Extra 25% off sale items
• Ann Taylor Loft - Extra 50% off sale items
• C Wonder - Extra 50% off sale items
• French Connection - 25% off any purchase with code AW12CD, ends 10/8
• Neiman Marcus - 40-65% off sale items, with 10% off two select sale items and 20% off three or more select sale items, ends 10/9
• Tory Burch - Extra 25% off with the code TBFRIENDS, ends 10/8

In-Store

• Madewell - Extra 25% off sale items, ends 10/8
• J. Crew Factor - Extra 40% off pants at J. Crew Factory stores

Travelogue: Inside the Spanish Shopping Scene

In retrospect, I realize that writing about a 10-day trip chronologically more than a month after the trip occurred can get a bit strained.  One, because I never had very good memory to begin with.  Two, because it's almost October so what really is the point to talk about summer clothing when the leaves are changing colors and the days become shorter?  As such, why not change how to approach the situation and jump around by what's most interesting.  As a mentor in the paper biz once told me (yes, college newspaper now officially counts as "the biz"), "write about what you know and what you love... the rest will flow from there."  As evidenced by about 70% of this blog, you know what I'm talking about.

Zagora in the Alfalfa neighborhood of Sevilla.

About seven days into the trip, we finally had some time to do some real-honest-to-blog shopping in Sevilla, which is this gorgeous, romantic city in the south of Spain.  Known primarily for its winding roads and beautiful Islamic-influenced architecture, Sevilla also had quite the shopping district, almost unmarred by the pickpocketers and riff-raff commonly found in other major European cities.  While wandering through the streets of Sevilla, you can encounter any standard international brand like Zara, H&M, and MANGO, but I think my favorite part was finding little gems like the ones in the Alfalfa neighborhood of Sevilla.

Inside of Zagora

Zagora had to be one of my favorite picks as far as small independent shops go in Sevilla.  Filled with enough vibrant fascinators to make Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice a little jealous.  Not to mention, the dresses had a fun Anthropologie style to them, and were rather nicely priced at about 40-60 euros a piece.  My favorite had to be the tote bags on the right, straight from Japan.

I've got more where that came from.  Looking for the Spanish version of Zara or Mango?  Wait... Zara and Mango are already Spanish?  Darn, well, I've got some more.  Just click the next page.

Weekly Deals & Steals 9/30 to 10/07

Looks like I dropped the ball a little bit on this post.  It's been a busy weekend, ya'll.  What with moving, reclaiming my social status at home, managing through the 5-car wreckage of an Outlook calendar at work on Friday...  A girl can get exhausted.  In the midst of all that, there is a small glimmer of hope that I'll actually be able to do some real shopping (for work clothes, boo) this afternoon.  Fingers crossed.  To make up for it, I'll give you the low-down on the near-ending sales and some ones that might be coming up in the next two weeks (again, sorry, boo).

Some choice steals for the weekend and into the next week definitely at Bloomingdales.  I loved the tech accessories they had for sale like their tablet and laptop cases from Marc Jacobs and Rebecca Minkoff.  Definitely worth taking a look.

Tibi Diamond Jacquard Circle Skirt at $269.50; Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Logo Neoprene Tablet Case at $40.60 without the extra 20% off at Bloomingdales

Online

• Bloomingdales - Extra 20% off regular and sale items with the code FANDF, ends tomorrow.
• Diane von Furstenberg - 30% off new fall items with the code SURPRISE, ends Wednesday
• J. Crew Factory - Extra 25% off, ends today.
• Tibi - Pop-up Sale, up to 40% off plus free shipping, ends today.
• Urban Outfitters - 50% off fall womens and mens items.

In-Store

• Bloomingdales - Save 20-30% off regular priced and sale items, ends tomorrow.
• Gap - Extra 40% off all sale items, ends today.

Sales - New York

• Rent the Runway - Sample Sale, up to 95% off of gently worn designer dresses, at 260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th Sts, ends Oct 5.
• Scoop NYC - Closet Clean-Out Sale, up to 85% off designer clothes such as Philip Lim, Alice and Olivia and more, 430 W. 14th St. between Washington St. and 9th Ave, ends Oct 22.