Loving: Low Luv X Erin Wasson

As people who know me (and read this blog) are aware, I have a huge love for jewelry that could have been worn by ancient people or that you could find in history museums. I mentioned this love in my blog post from yesterday, as well as blog posts from the past. I just find the look of jewelry that nods to the ancients appealing so end up buying it more often than not.

I found Erin Wasson and her Low Lux jewelry designs on my wanderings of the Internet some time back.

Above: Calendar Ring by Low Luv X Erin Wasson

I am loving her jewelry and it is fairly affordable a huge plus to me at the moment.

Above: Double Finger Ring by Low Luv X Erin Wasson

I like how the jewelry could adorn a Viking woman yet it also fits into modern times. It just compliments my style so well.

Above: Gypsy Necklace Low Luv X Erin Wasson

Even the necklaces from this designer are great as are the bracelets.

Above: Small Gladiator Cuff by Low Luv X Erin Wasson

I know I may be a bit biased since I am currently in love with Viking and Gladiator/Roman history but I am just loving the idea of wearing a piece of jewelry that is both rough looking and beautiful. A piece of jewelry that could be worn by a gladiator like the above cuff or by a woman of 2010 who wants a piece of jewelry that is a little bit different from what everyone else is wearing.

Above: Negative Space Ring by Low Luv X Erin Wasson

I am starting to consider buying one of these pieces for my "Christmas gift to myself" that I do every year.

 Above: Aztec Finger Ring by Low Luv X Erin Wasson

Yes, I shall have to price the jewelry at different sites and decide what I want. I am leaning toward one of the rings since I love bold rings...thought the gladiator bracelet is appealing to me as well. Decisions, decisions!

Back to the ancients.

I found a bracelet that appeals to the 'ancient inspired' jewelry lover in me.

Above: Medusa Snake Cuff at Lulus.com

I have a thing for jewelry that ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Celts, Native Americans, or Vikings would of worn. The above hits the 'Ancient Greek' inspired style of my love.

Look how large it is! It has a hinge closure which I love as well. I may have to add this to my Christmas list since it is affordable at $17.00 and this Christmas is all about keeping things within budget.

*Adds bracelet to list*

Snowed in and moisturizing.

I have felt really housebound the last 2 weeks due to the huge amounts of snow we received and the fact that the snowplows failed to plow us out until this week. This means I am lounging around in pajamas and not bothering to get dressed to go anywhere. I am lazy, I admit it, but when I have no way to get out of suburbia and head anywhere, I just don't see the point of getting dressed.

Above: After the second snow storm hit, before the snowplow.

I have been thinking about what my wardrobe needs and been cruising the Internet to see if I can find inexpensive basics the past few days. I have gotten a few cardigans and a sweater from Forever 21...as well as a skirt and many pairs of socks. All are basics and all did not hurt my bank account. I just cannot afford huge expenses these days and needed more than one thing so the whole "Buy one thing for quality" wasn't going to fly when I needed many socks, a few cardigans, a sweater, and a skirt to extend my winter wardrobe.

Now, I am eyeing tops on various sites because I own an abundance of v-neck t-shirts but not real "tops or not v-neck t-shirt". I am also in search of the perfect black pencil skirt as well.

I made my way through the snow to Walgreens last week (to get out of the house) and bought this face moisturizer:

Above: Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Creme

I have problems with the extremely dry air here in eastern Washington, dry air that is around even during the snows of winter. I am tired of thick moisturizers that clog my pours and cause breakouts. So, I decided to give this one a try.

I find it actually very light and refreshing to use. It was very surprising that it just seemed to sink right into my skin and make it a lot softer than it was. My face did not break out, nor did the pores get clogged.

I still have a pesky dry patch (T-zone area that is all shiny) which is slow in disappearing but the more I use this moisturizer, the smaller the patch becomes. So, I call this a hit and will be using it. The best part is it is under $10 at $7.99 before tax.

Time to wander the Internet a bit and see what is new out in Internet shopping land.

Booties Can Be So Tempting.

As the snow continues to fall (it has been falling for 4 days now)  and we continue to be snowed in due to lack of snowplow action on the city's part, I have been wandering the sales online to see what has been discounted. In this wandering, I noticed that Victoria's Secret has the boots I love on sale for $58.

Above: Open Heel Bootie by Colin Stuart

It is taking all my strength not to press buy as these booties sit in my shopping cart at the site. I cannot justify buying them even though I love the dearly. It is just out of my budget at the moment and I cannot just ask for them as a Christmas present as the family is all out of work this year. So, I get to sit there and drool over them and pine for them...and wish they were mine, my precious!

So, as I sit here and watch the snow fall outside, I long for these booties and wait for them to sell out so I can stop being tempted.

Cold Weather Means Sweaters.

I awoke on Friday to the weather attempting to snow. Little snow flakes streaked toward the ground only to melt on impact. I heard on the news that they received a lot of snow at the local ski resort that day. The temperatures also are not getting out of the 30s (F) during the days. Yes, winter has arrived and very swiftly.

This has me pulling out warmer outfits and layering what clothing I own. I noticed I do not own many sweaters and have no idea why not since I am living in Washington state and am just a few hours drive away from the Canadian border. It is not like I am in a warm climate.

I think it may have partially to do with the fact I despise turtlenecks. Many years ago I had to wear turtleneck shirts/sweaters for a job in the winter time (the dress code was conservative) and always felt like the turtlenecks were choking me. I promptly gave them all to the Goodwill when I moved on from the job. I would never, willingly, wear a turtleneck and in the wintertime, a lot of the tighter fitting sweaters I see offered in the local stores are in that style.

Now, if I could find a sweater like this one:

Above: Cowl Neck Sweater by Alexander Wang

I would be extremely happy. I like the overlong sleeves and the colour. I think I would be able to deal with the cowl neck as it is less constricting than a turtleneck. The trick is finding a similar version of this sweater that I can afford. I am going to keep my eye open for that.

Despite the cold weather, I am heading out to take photos this afternoon downtown. I just hope that the model shows up like planned she she keeps getting the time wrong and asking me when she is suppose to be there! Cross your fingers that all goes well for the photo shoot. Every little bit of good vibes sent my way helps.

Look-a-likes Can Be Awesome.

I know, we all HATE imposers who appear to borrow a bit much from the original. Let us boo and hiss them for a moment.

Boooooo! Hisssssssss!

Okay, now that we have that out of our systems, let's look at our bank balances and cringe to get some perspective on our funds. Not pretty and definitely will not stretch to buy this beautiful handbag:

Above: Marcie small leather bag by Chloe

Marvel in the clean lines of the bag. Drool over the beautiful colour of it. Sigh with deep need for the bag. Curse the gods for making you unable to buy it because it is too expensive. Resign yourself to the fact that it was not meant to be in your possession.

But wait....what is this?

Above: Laura Buckle Hobo at Handbag Heaven 

Are your eyes playing tricks on you? Does this bag look similar to the price-y Chloe one? Yes, it does!

And look at the price tag: $50.11. Now that isn't as hurtful to the savings account. Can you get over the fact it is a "knock-off" of the style? I know I could because it comes close, but not too close to the Chloe bag in style. Heck, the tan colour is even easier to match up with clothing than the orange-brick colour of the more price-y bag.

So, maybe, just maybe, lower cost versions exist for women just like me. Who like to look well pulled together but cannot pay the hefty price tags of higher designer looks. I am definitely putting the Handbag Heaven bag on my wishlist this holiday season.

Another Perfume For Me To Love: Alien by Thierry Mugler.

I want this perfume but it is way too expensive:

Above: Alien Perfume by Thierry Mugler

This perfume was in a sample strip in a magazine and I loved it the moment I smelled it. It reminds me of Ma Dame by Jean Paul Gaultier which I love to death but has been discontinued.

I really want this perfume but when the smallest and cheapest is $75? Yikes. So out of my range right now when it comes to money.

A girl can dream.