secret.

When I was younger (and not responsible for all my expenses) I pretty much only wore Victoria's Secret panties/underwear. I loved that they had any and every color/print you could dream of, plus, any girl knows that once you find that perfect fit everything else seems uncomfortable. So, since I'm trying to save money, I mostly pick up panties and underwear at target or discount stores. But I still frequent the VS website, because they have some really cute clothes. I've always wondered why they only do online sales when it comes to clothing. I would be in the store all the time if they carried some of jeans and tops they have online. The stores in my city recently started carrying some of the swimsuit styles so maybe the clothes are on their way too.

I went to do a quick scan of the site today but ended up staying for awhile. They had so much more cute stuff that I ever remember...so I decided to post all of my favorites here. They have GREAT sweaters and I feel like all of their stuff is pretty reasonably priced. The only downside to shopping the Victoria's Secret website is the fact that the amazingly beautiful women who model the underwear also model the clothes.

Colin Stuart Strappy Studded Sandal

Colin Stuart Cut-out Mary Jane

Harajuku Lovers Patent d'Orsay pump

(i like both colors but i think i'd go for black, yellow, and green)

Colin Stuart Slingback Bootie

Lucky Brand Lace-up Boot

Steve Madden Distressed Boots

Report Over-the-Knee Boot

( i think i like the black the best, but for only $89 maybe both???)

Tiered Silk Skirt

V-neck Tunic Sweater

(the matching scarf is detachable!)

Silk and Cashmere Pleated Crewneck Sweater

Lightweight Cardigan Sweater

Fair Isle Turtleneck Sweaterdress

Off-the-Shoulder Dress

Printed V-neck Dress

Relaxed Boyfriend Jean w/ Studded Pockets

Rocker Jean

Sequin Leggings

Lace Inset Leggings

Cropped Tie-Dyed Leggings

Silk Halter Jumpsuit

Ruffle Cami

Ruffle Halter Top

Scoopneck Burnout Tee

I hope you enjoyed my picks!! I hope that some of these looks find their way under the tree with my name on it!

J. Aldridge by Sea of Shoes

so i follow a lot of blogs. there are so many interesting people laying their lives out on the internet for the world to see and I'm super nosy so of course I LOVE this. If i had an endless amount of free time i'd be reading blogs forever. My version of heaven = shopping, coffee, and blog reading. I find that I'm inspired by them more than anything else and that is the main reason I can't get enough. If you'd like to check out some of the blogs I frequent please reference the side bar. Be careful an addiction may ensue. You can't say I didn't warn you.

getting on with things...

My favorite fashion blog, by far, is Sea of Shoes. Jane, the girl who writes the blog, has amazing style and is a very talented photographer. I love that she's a southern girl with a fashion brain. Her creativity is showcased through her outfit posts, shoe selections, and overall style...which is nothing short of brilliant (did i say that already...well it is). She's beautiful and she's a jet-setter. She had a fitting at the Chanel showroom in Paris. Her shoe collection is endless. Do I need to go on?? Are you extremely jealous yet?? Yep, that's what i thought. Just bookmark her blog and read it religiously. I promise it will enhance your life.

She not only writes this amazing blog...she has a bunch of side projects. One of those is a shoe line available at Urban Outfitters. I knew i'd love it before I even saw it and i was right. We all know that my shoe budget is pretty much negative but i probably won't be able to keep myself from purchasing a few of these. I love supporting brands and people I truly believe in plus her vision is cutecutecute.

I don't really know this girl but I know that if I did we'd be best friends. maybe that seems odd to you, or even creepy, but fashion brings people together unlike any other force. I've never had expectations for this blog but if I can provide inspiration to just one person, like sea of shoes has done for me, I'm on my way...to where I can't say but we'll figure that out later.

tall wedge lace boot

tall buckle boot

satin bow heel

gladiator heel

(these are AMAZING and on sale. if my size is still in stock when i get my next paycheck i might just have to make these mine! omg. i'm excited just thinking about it.)

lace-up skimmer

laced boot

(i'm in love with these shoes and they are officially on my christmas list.)

booties.

so this is my new obsession. i'm so excited about winter wear and boots and such. I bought a few pairs of booties last winter and i will be pulling them out again very soon...that and tights which i lovelovelove forever. i'm sure i'll put together some very adventurous yet beautiful winter ensembles and post them here, so just be patient. but in the meantime i did some online lusting and put together a list of some of my favorite booties out for the upcoming season.

i probably won't be purchasing any of these myself but feel free to pick one to give to meep as a generous holiday gift.

you don't even have to wrap it.

size six and half please.

Proenza Schouler Platform Ankle Boot

Michael Kors Pink Suede Zip Up Bootie

Giuseppe Zanotti Red Heeled Bootie

Betsey Johnson "Capri" Boot

BCBG Max Azria "Colly"

Robert Clergerie Dorine Cutout Suede Bootie

Jenner Houndstooth Haircalf Booties with Zip by LAMB

Prada Sudded Shoe Bootie

Deena & Ozzy Suede Zip Bootie from Urban Outfitters

Candela NYC Perforated Bootie from Urban Outfitters

Izzie Ruffled Nappa Bootie from Juicy Couture

Honey Dipped Bootie From Anthropologie

Free People Lace Ankle Bootie

Stella McCartney Perforated Bootie

Manolo Blahnik Ruffled Booties

shoes.

if you haven't heard about Lucila Iotti do yourself a favor and look her up. She has an interesting family history as well as an eye for cute shoes. I love the color combinations and the styles she offers. check out the whole collection at her website.

i also read on the cool hunter that you may be seeing a lot of her styles in the upcoming sex and the city movie!! oh how exciting.

i propose that in addition to fashion shows designers should be required to put together an interesting movie showcasing all of their pieces. I love sex and the city just like the next girl...but we all know that without the fabulous wardrobes it would just be a bunch of chicks talking about dirty stuff.

also, i'm going to go ahead and put this here. if you haven't seen this...you should be ashamed of yourself.

update.

so i haven't posted anything lately because i was away on vacation. i had a wonderful, relaxing time but the real world comes crashing back pretty fast once it comes to an end. but i'm not thinking about that now because the pretty things are so much more interesting. first things first, i'd like to introduce you to the newest member of my shoe family. i got these at the outlet mall for, wait for it, $19.99. such a great price i gave myself a little imaginary pat on the back as i walked out the door.

aren't the precious? it was love at first sight.

in other news i got these cute wedges during tax free weekend from Banana Republic right before we left. on sale from $120.00 to $18.97, one pair left---IN MY SIZE, and tax free! obviously not an opportunity i could pass up.

this is my kinda-new brown leather, gold studded, Joe's clutch that i carried for the majority of the time i was away. it has all sorts of nifty pockets inside and i just love it! it came with a strap too but i've been mostly using it as a clutch.

for most of the vacation i was dressed only in a large hat, swimsuit, and a lot of SPF but i did manage to get myself dressed a few times. here's what wore (like you really care...).

pink deep-v jersey dress from tjmaxx

gold wedges from nine west outlet

beaded necklace from express

razorback maxi dress from burlington coat factory

white necklace from the thrift store

sliver gladiator sandals from ross (not pictured, but trust me you don't want to see them...they're falling apart)

black tie-dyed dress from forever21

black patent peep toe heels by jessica simpson

(sporting my new glasses!)

'80s black purse from the thrift store

my new pink ruffled monokini from target

blue cotton skirt from american apparel

seen here wearing pretty much my only pair of flip flops. I HATE FLIP FLOPS!

vintage levi jean vest from the thrift store

run dmc tee from tjmaxx

red cotton pencil skirt from american apparel

black studded gladiators from tjmaxx

white wayfarers by rayban

after taking this picture my boyfriend says to me, "ok we need to take another one and this time try not to mean-mug the camera." i do look ridiculous but in my defense i don't think i was ready...but his honesty is always appreciated and he's usually right.