Memo 136: A Seersucker for Fast Fashion

To: All

From: Me

Date: June 4, 2014

Subject: Five Things to Remember When Shopping Fast Fashion
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Deep in my spirit, I aim to shop at other retailers. I really do. But the way that my bank accounts are set up. See, I have this checking and this savings account… 

H&M (Zara and Topshop) just gets me and has respect for my wallet!

To be honest, I don't love everything in H&M BUT I have never once walked out empty handed. Never not once!

When shopping at fast fashion retailers, I like to keep a few things in mind:

1. Buy items made from natural fibers (i.e. Cotton, Silk, and Wool). Synthetic materials from lower end retailers tend to look really inexpensive (read: cheap). Just because it is inexpensive doesn't mean that it should look inexpensive!
2. Try on more than one size or a couple pieces of the same size. Don't pay attention to the number; just make sure that it fits! Also, if your size is sold out, grab the next size or two up and take it to your favorite tailor.
3. Inspect before you buy! I've seen holes, missing sequins and buttons, make-up stains, and more from the clothing hanging on the racks. Often times, you can negotiate a little discount based on the severity of the damage.
4. Go to the store either early in the morning, say like when they first open, or on a quiet Monday or Tuesday. You want to be able to take your time and see every piece in it's fully stocked and in place glory!
5. Lastly, Go often! The great pieces are the first to go, online and in the stores. So, if you can swing it, visit once a week or at least once a month so that you don't miss any awesome buys. After all, that's what it's all about. 

Before you go, two looks from The Werk! Place have been nominated for June 2014 Users' Choice Award in the Vanity Fair International Best Dressed Challenge. Please, vote for the looks here by clicking the hearts in the corner of the photos and spread the word!

Trench Cape: H&M, Shirt Dress: H&M, Harness: ASOS,  Bag: Louis Vuitton, Shoes: Max Studio, Sunglasses: H&M

Trench Cape: H&M, Shirt Dress: H&M, Harness: ASOS,  Bag: Louis Vuitton, Shoes: Max Studio, Sunglasses: H&M

Trench Cape: H&M, Shirt Dress: H&M, Harness: ASOS,  Bag: Louis Vuitton, Shoes: Max Studio, Sunglasses: H&M

Trench Cape: H&M, Shirt Dress: H&M, Harness: ASOS,  Bag: Louis Vuitton, Shoes: Max Studio

Trench Cape: H&M, Shirt Dress: H&M, Harness: ASOS, Sunglasses: H&M

Get the Look:

H&M Trench Cape - Similar here and here

H&M Shirt Dress - Available at H&M 

ASOS Harness - Similar here, here, here and here

Louis Vuitton Trevi Bag - Available at Louis Vuitton Retailers

Max Studio Shoes - No Longer Available

H&M Cat-Eye Sunglasses - Similar here and here

Memo 132: White Out

To: All

From: Me

Date: May 12, 2014

Subject: The Day After...
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A day past THEE day and I'm feeling pretty….(hungover) much the same as I did two days ago before THEE day. I'm not sure why we (women) get so bent out of shape about a little ol' birthday. We're not doing anything but getting older, wiser and better with time!

So, cheers to another year here in this crazy life of mine. It's about to get really bananas. Just wait for it.

Big thanks to the editors at Vanity Fair for choosing "Memo 110: So Icy" as one of the Editor's Picks for the week of May 9th. Check out the Editor's Picks here.

Dress: Alexander Wang, Sneakers: Sam Edelman

Leather Wrap: H&M, Sunglasses: H&M, Clutch: BCBG

Clutch: BCBG, Watch: Kenneth Cole, Bracelets: ASOS and H&M

Dress: Alexander Wang

 Get the Look:

Alexander Wang Dress - Similar  here, here (tie a sweatshirt around the shoulders), and here

H&M Leather Wrap - Similar here, here and here

H&M Sunglasses - Similar here and here

BCBG Clutch - Similar here, here and here

Kenneth Cole Watch - Similar here and here

ASOS Silver Bracelets - Similar here, here, here, and here

H&M ID Bracelet - Similar here and here

Sam Edelman Sneakers - Similar here, here, and here

Memo 120: Houndstooth Fairy

To: All

From: Me

Date: March 4, 2014

Subject: Black and White Excellence
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Hello.

Welcome to March 2014. 

Is your time flying by just as fast as mine? I was literally just kidnapped by New York for an additional four days after fashion week (due to the snow of course) and now it's March. What the what? 

Moving on, this is one of the many looks that I wore during NYFW. This time, I switched out my black coat for this oldie but goodie houndstooth number. This was my go to coat a couple of years ago and it's looking to make a comeback.

Coat: Zara, Top: See by Chloe, Skirt: D&G

Top: See by Chloe, Skirt: D&G, Sunglasses: H&M, Tights: Forever 21

Clutch: ASOS, Gloves: H&M

Shoes: Chanel

 Get the Look:

Zara Coat - Similar here and here

See by Chloe Top - Sold here

D&G Skirt - Similar here

H&M Sunglasses - Similar here

ASOS Clutch - Similar here

H&M Gloves - Similar here and here 

Chanel Shoes - Similar here and here

Memo 108: The Mountain Top

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 23, 2013

Subject: Neutral Texture Clash
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So…Christmas is in two days. Are you ready?

Yeah, me either. 

This past weekend, the girls and I went on a 24-hour trip to Sedona. To say that we had a bawl; that it was beautiful, amazing, breathtaking, and wonderful would be an understatement. During the holidays (and mostly any other time of the year), I like to celebrate my relationships. The memories created with friends and family last more than any gift in my opinion.

On to the look...

Lately, I've been feeling very neutral. For this look, I went on a texture frenzy. A little leather here, some faux fur there, topped off with a quilted cherry on top. It was perfect for the cooler Sedona temperatures!

Coat: Zara, Faux Fur Vest: Rebecca Taylor, Leather Shorts: tba, Turtleneck: Zara
Fauxtography: Maya Monitto-Webber

Faux Fur Vest: Rebecca Taylor, Leather Shorts: tba, Turtleneck: Zara
Fauxtography: Maya Monitto-Webber

Bag: Coach
Fauxtography: Maya Monitto-Webber

Sunglasses: H&M
Fauxtography: Maya Monitto-Webber

Memo 104: Fall Into Something Amazing

To: All

From: Me

Date: December 11, 2013

Subject: Statement Coat: Look 2
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I just came to the realization that I want to laugh all the time and all day. I'm not completely sure how I'm going to make that happen but I'm definitely going to give it a try. Laughing is just so good for the soul and it burns calories if you laugh hard enough. 

Moving on, this coat just screams FAAAALLLLLL!!!! And you know I love the prints going on in the fabric. For this look, I focused on the green and orange accents in coat to complete the look.

Coat: Moschino, Sweater: H&M, Pants: Zara

Sunglasses: H&M, Clutch: BCBG, Shoes: Stella McCartney

Coat: Moschino, Sweater: H&M, Pants: Zara

Clutch: BCBG, Sunglasses: H&M

Memo 070: Get Your Independence!

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 4, 2013

Subject:  Happy Independence Day
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I can bet exactly 13 cents that you were expecting red, white and blue? 

See that's the thing about expectations, they make an "expect" out of "a" and "tions". Wait...

So, what I'm saying is that we put a lot of expectations on each other. Parents to children, teachers to students, siblings to one another, spouses or partners to each other, and so on. At some point you have to live YOUR life according to YOU. I don't mean live a selfish life but live one that is uniquely yours.

Free yourself from the expectations that other people have put on your life. Cut yourself free of the mold. Make your own path. Take the road less traveled. Do something that is against the norm. 

I did! I wore orange, black and white on Independence Day! (Gasp) What will the people think?! Throwing expectations to the wind...

Be free to be YOU! 



Scarf/Turban: Marni for H&M, Swimsuit Top: H&M, Sunglasses: H&M, Lip: Dior Blazing Red

Clutch: Nasty Gal, Sunglasses: H&M

Swimsuit Top: H&M, Sunglasses: H&M, Swimsuit Bottoms: Victoria's Secret, Clutch: Nasty Gal

 Links:

Marni for H&M Scarf - Similar here

H&M Swimsuit Top - Similar here and here

H&M Sunglasses - Available In Stores

Nasty Gal Clutch - Sold out here (keep checking for re-stock)

Victoria's Secret Swimsuit Bottom - Similar here and here

Rouge Dior Blazing Red Lip Stick - Sold here

Memo 054: It Never Rains...

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 10, 2013

Subject: Cuff My Trench Coat

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Let me tell you what happened last night. It rained! Trust me it's a big deal here. So, because it rained, it cooled off tremendously today. Therefore a trench coat was necessary until about noon. At Noon:01, the coat had to come off!

So, a few weeks ago a special package from Alexis Bittar showed up on my doorsteps. I may or may not have let out a little yelp when I laid my eyes on the gunmetal large scale cuff from the Miss Havisham Collection. Like, is it my birthday!? 

Trench Coat: Perry Ellis, Top: Corey Lynn Calter, Skirt: Jigsaw, Sunglasses: H&M

Belt: BCBG Max Azria

Shoes: Chanel, Clutch: Kenneth Cole

Earrings: ASOS, Cuff: Thanks to Alexis Bittar

Memo 052: Double Up

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 3, 2013

Subject: Two Coats and Two Other Things...

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Two things...

Number one, I lost my mind in H&M, recently. Hence, the reason why almost every article of clothing that I am wearing is from H&M.

Number two, I love this hairstyle! Apparently, I like hair on top of my head.

When I saw this coat and jacket, I immediately loved the patterns together. And yes, I used the jacket as my shirt. That actually happened.

Coat: H&M, Pants: J. Crew, Sunglasses: H&M

Jacket: H&M, Necklace: H&M

Clutch: Nneka Saran, Shoes: Stella McCartney