Random Summery Cravings

I always forget that Victoria's Secret has real-person clothes.  They sell themselves so much as just lingerie, but when you go on the website you realize that there are so many adorable clothes you can get there!


Cut-Out Shoulder Tee, $34.50 at victoriassecret.com, Retro Push-Up Triangle Top, $38 at victoriassecret.com: I love shoulder cut-outs.  I love them in dresses and I love them in tops, but I especially love them in tees because basic tees with a twist are basically the best things over.  They're comfy like a tee but they have a little extra oomph that makes you look polished.  Also this top is really similar to this other top that I really wanted, but the VS one is half as expensive.  WIN.  So I need a new bikini, and I've just accepted at this point that being a 32DD means that I need an underwire bikini.  There's really no other logical solution.  I love sweetly retro styles like this one.  It's clean, but it's old-fashioned and glam at the same time.  It also comes in a fun bright pink and a ton of ridiculous leopard prints, so there's something for everyone.

Lace-Trim Playdress, $29.99 at victoriassecret.com, Zip-front Dress, $59.50 at victoriassecret.com: The first sundress I got from VS was a total failure.  But I can't help going back to look at theirs because they're just SO CUTE.  I like the offbeat print on this blue dress (as, $30 is a pretty fab price), and it's actually a wearable length!  I have a dress a lot like this zip-up dress, but...it's just so sweet.  The silhouette is very retro and girly and wearable, but the zipper adds some fun, edgy sass, and the pink is just so summery and bright.

Conclusion: Victoria's Secret has real-person clothes that I want to wear.  So weird.


Images via victoriassecret.com.

Do Want

Hello and welcome back to another episode of things Megan wants today.  She may even buy one of them--oh, the insanity!


Mason by Michelle Mason Open Shoulder Dress, $320 at shopbop.com, DVF Garbo Day Bag, $625 at shopbop.com: I've had this dress bookmarked for almost a week now.  That's love.  I think my favorite part about it is the sleeve construction.  That sort of sleeve is perfect, because it shows skin and highlights your shoulders in a really flattering way BUT it totally hides any tricep naughtiness that may be going on, instantly making your arms look fabulous and Michelle Obama-like.  Add that to the loose, but not oversized cut and the sexy cutouts in the back, and you have the makings of a totally flattering, casually hot LBD.  All it needs is a little waist-cinching belt, maybe one with a bit of sparkle, and you're good to go.  In all honesty, I never thought I'd fall for a zebra/wood-grain print bag.  I'm all about basics!  Not $600 animal print accessories (actually that's a total lie).  But this bag is just so charming.  I love how the neutral color palette balances out the fact that it is in fact zebra print, and how the beading at the edges adds just a hint of rock and roll glam, and how the classic, boxy satchel shape counteracts all of that to make it a really practical, wearable piece.  If you're looking for a fun bag that you can really wear all the time, this is your guy/purse/thing.  Oh, words.  How you fail me sometimes.

BCBG Print One Shoulder Dress, $348 at shopbop.com, Delia's Triangle Halter One-Piece, $29.50 at delias.com: The cut of this BCBG dress really reminds me of the Resort 2010 Lanvin dresses, with the drapey silhouettes and one-shoulder sleeves.  Obviously, this version is significantly more affordable, and it comes in a fun, festive print with little ruffles!  So cute.  The really great thing about this sort of cut is that it manages to accentuate your curves without hugging them too tightly, and basically makes your body look fab.  Now, as for the thing I actually ended up buying, yes, it's from Delias.  I feel like a 13 year old right now.  The thing is, I'm going to Hawaii with my mom in a few weeks, and I literally own 0 complete swimsuits.  I have half of one and half of another, and no, sadly, they really don't go together.  I really never go to the beach or even go swimming, so I don't want to spend a lot of money on a swimsuit, but I don't want an ugly one, and I really wanted a one piece.  I like this version because it comes in black (black and navy are my go to beach colors, yes, I am that boring), in long and regular torso sizes, and it has ties at the hips!  The problem for me with one pieces is that they are made for people with normal hips, not wide Megan hips, and even if I lost 30 pounds, they would still cut into my thighs.  This suit is at least mildly adjustable for minimal thigh-mutilating, and is the perfect canvas for all the ridiculous beach accessories I plan to throw on top of it.  Win-win!

Image Sources:
Mason dress: shopbop.com, DVF bag: shopbop.com, BCBG dress: shopbop.com, Delia's swimsuit: delias.com.

You Know What Friday Means...

WEEKEND!!!  If you can't tell, I'm excited.  I have a day off!  Sadly, not a regular occurrence.  Now, I'm sure y'all like to celebrate said marvelous weekend time multiple ways, but why not head to the beach like Aitor Ocio, Spanish football player?

Is this post just an excuse for me to post shirtless pics of said footballer?  Maybe.  But I also wanted to share this adorable swimsuit I stumbled across on Shopbop the other day:


Jo de Mer Cindy Maillot, $117.50 down from $235 at shopbop.com: I've always been a die hard bikini fan, but there's something about maillots that's been catching my attention.  I think they might be even sexier than bikinis, because there's something to be said about keeping a little to the imagination.  And who doesn't want the opportunity to camouflage any semblance of a stomach? The grommets add a nice bit of edge to the basic black, and the cut is just so perfect--flattering on any bust size, skimming perfectly over hips.  Did I mention it's on sale?

Image Sources:
Aitor: elcorreo.com, Jo de Mer maillot: shopbop.com.

Madewell and...Taylor Momsen

Ok.  So I know that I critique (AKA mock) Taylor Momsen a lot, but up til now, her main offenses have been wearing too much eyeshadow and pretending to be Courtney Love.  But this...this takes everything to a whole new level.


Problem #1.  She looks like a panda, and those extensions wouldn't fool a blind person..  They're beyond the point where they look fake but everyone gives her the benefit of the doubt.  I feel like if you took those extensions out, they would stand up and walk away (in shame) by themselves.  She reminds me of Ursula from the Little Mermaid.  Ack.

Problem #2: So.  Um.  Can we discuss this?  She's wearing a lace bra, garters/thigh highs, granny panties, and a tank top.  If I walked out of the house like that, my parents would murder me.  Literally.  If she was going for something a la Lady Gaga, and being really creative/making an artistic statement and not SIXTEEN, I'd let that amount of public nudity slide, but she's SIXTEEN and pretending to be a stripper pretending to be Courtney Love 20 years ago.  Oy vey.  I feel like working on Gossip Girl should help her with fashion.

Karla Sugar posted these fab swatches of all the MUFE Aqua Cream Shadows/Blushes/Lip tints/whatever they are.  Aren't they gorgeous and CRAZY pigmented?  I want 2 (mmm taupe), 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.  I really like that they're come out with a good formula AND included a great range of colors and finishes.  I hate it when a great new shadow or lip gloss comes out and the color range starts out sooo limited.

And now for something completely awesone: there's gonna be a MAC for Rodarte collection!!!!  It comes out in September.  You can read about the deets at the link above, but here's what I'm really looking forward to: Sleepless Lip Glass (light grey taupe--could be awesome or terrible), Nail Lacquers in Juarez (bright opal pink) and Factory (light opal mint), Beauty Powder in Softly Drifting (pale neutral white-ish pink with soft gold pearl), and Badlands pigment (mid-tone shimmer beige brown).  I like how off-beat and almost weird this collection seems, like they didn't water-down the Rodarte aesthetic to make it more wearable.


All Madewell: Chiffon-Ruffle Tank, $48 at madewell.com, Moto Sweatshirt Jacket, $78 at madewell.com, Denim Midi Shorts, $59 at madewell.com: Madewell just launched an e-commerce site (woohoo), so of course I had to go through all of it and pick my favorite things, and then stop myself from buying them.  Ahem.  Anyways, I love this chiffon-trimmed tank.  It has a little bit of a tuxedo meets bib necklace feel, but with all the ease and slimness of a tank top.  I think I've posted like 10 different sweaters that look like motorcycle jackets, but I have a real moto jacket and a sweater version, and I have to say, I wear the sweater version more.  It's just so cozy!  I really like denim shorts for summer, but I'm not a huge fan of Daisy Dukes.  At all.  I'm always trying to find other silhouettes that have a similarly summery feel.  These boyfriend-ish shorts are fab.  They're still short, so they show off a summer-time amount of leg, but the slightly baggier leg is a lot more flattering than a pair of micro-shorts, and probably a lot comfier.

Wanderlust Sumatra Shirtdress, $88 at madewell.com, Bensimon Vintage Lace-up Sneakers, $65 at madewell.com, Slouchy Sweatshorts, $48 at madewell.com: Menswearish shirtdresses are my absolute favorite swimsuit cover-ups.  They're offbeat and a little more sexy than your average sundress, and transition off the beach nicely.  I like this incarnation because it's longer than a regular shirt and slightly slimmer without compromising that borrowed-from-the-boys effect.  I am not a sneakers girl.  I wear tennis shoes only to work out, and I detest (sorry y'all) Converse with every fiber of my being.  At the same time, there are occasions when I really need some sort of cute sneaker.  These Bensimon sneakers have an adorable retro French girl vibe, they don't like like your average sneaker, and they come in chic colors.  Win-win.  A few months ago, Garance Dore posted some really cute sweat-shorts that she made, but since I couldn't find a buyable version, I forgot about them entirely.  Well.  These shorts have that same designer sweat pants vibe, but they're summertime appropriate, affordable, comfy, and super chic in a very Alexander Wang sort of way.  For less than $50.  Sign me up!

Image Sources:
Taylor Momsen: gofugyourself.com, MUFE swatches: karlasugar.com, Madewell: tank: madewell.com, sweater: madewell.com, shorts: madewell.com, dress: madewell.com, shoes: madewell.com, sweats: madewell.com.

Keep Calm and Shop On

Is anyone else dying for it to be June 13th and the premiere of True Blood Season 3 already?  OMG.  And it's totally fashion-related too, since there are some fab sundresses and trenches on that show.


Keep Calm and Shop On, $14.95 at etsy.com, Keep Calm and Eat Cake, $14.95 at etsy.com, Keep Calm and Latte On, $14.95 at etsy.com: Have you guys ever seen the British WII propaganda posters that say "Keep Calm and Carry On?"  I totally love those posters, and I really love these modern takes on that poster.  There's a fab Etsy shop that sells 100 different versions of this, everything from Keep Calm and Love Dogs to Keep Calm and Blog On (lol).  These are three of my favorites.  I got the first one for my dorm room.  They come in 20 different colors and right now you can get 4 for the price of 3.  How fab is that?

Miley Cyrus: I'm not one to fawn over Miley Cyrus.  However, her eyeshadow here is really, really pretty.  That sparkly, frosty pale lavender is both summery and flattering, and just a little offbeat.

Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, Rory Beca Bailey Cutout Halter Dress, $289 at shopbop.com: There's no actual point to me posting this KStew look.  I just wanted to point out that she actually looks happy!  And her clothes fit!  Yay for KStew.  We all know that's difficult for her.  On a totally unrelated note, how adorable would this dress be as a swimsuit cover-up at the beach?  It's light, it's a fun color, it has sexy and therefore beach-appropriate cutouts, and would transition easily from sunbathing to shopping or cocktails.



 Kelly's Drawstring Pouch, $398, Emily's Satchel, $498, Krystal's Fringe Shoulder Bag, $498, Karla's Clutch, $398 at coach.com: I have mixed feelings about Coach.  Occasionally they come out with a few adorable pieces, generally I strongly dislike most of the stuff in their stores, especially that Coach logo fabric.  But this time, I'm totally loving their newest idea.  Coach has collaborated with four fashion bloggers, including Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere (love her, more details at the Coach website) to create four bags.  The bloggers seem to have had a lot of free reign in creating their bags, and I love that they don't look like the usual Coach fare.  My favorites are Emily's Satchel and Karla's Clutch.  The idea of doing a doctor bag in pink is just so darn cute, and that clutch is a dead ringer for the Mulberry Baywatch, but at a much lower price and with a convenient shoulder strap.  I think I would get the clutch, and since I have a 40% off coupon, I might just end up doing that.  It would work as a shoulder bag for day and an oversized clutch for night.  Perfection!

Marina & The Diamonds "Hollywood" Music Video: Here's my current most-played song and fashion inspiration.  Shameless summer-time Americana all the way.





Image Sources:
Keep Calm posters: etsy.com, etsy.com, etsy.com, Miley Cyrus: glamour.com, Kristen Stewart: gofugyourself.com, Rory Becca dress: shopbop.com, Coach bags: coach.com, 

I'm Alive!!! And J. Crew.

Sorry for the posting fail this week, but yesterday I had a date with my bathroom floor and a lovely case of food poisoning.  Thank you, Jamba Juice.  But I've recovered (kind of), and even managed to do a little shopping today!  If that doesn't make a you feel better, it's time to go to the doctor.


I picked up this striped tee and this elephant necklace, neither of which I could find on the Forever 21 website, but the shirt was $10.80 and the necklace was about $6.80.  I would have never picked up this striped tee, mainly because I am so not a stripes person, but Maud suggested it, and I totally love it!  It's very French girl chic, and it's super comfy.  The navy on white stripes are actually pretty flattering, and it's just a fun little summer shirt that I can get a lot of wear out of.  The necklace has a giant elephant head pendant with some bling-bling--it even has little green eyes!  So cute.  Forever 21 had at least 10 different elephant necklaces today, no joke.  I picked this one because elephants are my school mascot (aw), and I think that the frontal elephant head is a little fresher than the usual profile elephant.  And you guys know my obsession with awkward animal jewelry.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu at Cannes.  This is my favorite dress from Cannes, hands down.  It definitely makes a statement with those colors, but it's incredibly simple and tasteful.  The cut is very flattering, there's just enough embellishment, and I love how she kept everything else simple.  Plus, I heard she does her own hair and makeup AND styling!  Serious props.

The J. Crew summer sale just started, and I picked out a few pieces that I really love, plus a few new pieces that aren't on sale, and are just plain pretty.


Majesty Stone Cocktail Ring, $29.99 down from $68 at jcrew.com, Tissue Boyfriend V-neck Tee, $19.99 down from $29.50 at jcrew.com, Sunray Sequin Tee, $14.99 down from $52 at jcrew.com: I've wanted this ring forever (giant cocktail rings are so perfect for, well, cocktail parties and even better during the day), and $30 is a bargain for a J. Crew cocktail ring.  I've seen it in person, and it's huge and statement-making and just generally awesome.  I think my favorite pieces from J. Crew are t-shirts, especially their boyfriend v-necks and their embellished tees.  These v-necks have the perfect fit, flattering but not skintight, and just get softer and comfier each time you wash them.  The sunburst pattern on this embellished tee is so fun, and it's a great way to add a workhouse white tee to your wardrobe without feeling like it's too basic or boring.



Cashmere V-neck Cardigan, $119.99 down from $168 at jcrew.com,  Skinny Flip-flops, $6.99 down from $12.50 at jcrew.com, Solid Underwire Tie French Top, $50 down from $34.99 at jcrew.com: J. Crew cashmere cardigans are fantastic wardrobe staples.  They're cashmere, so they're warm and cozy, and they come in a wide variety of shades and basic, flattering styles.  This schoolboy-esque cardigan is one of my favorites.  The little pockets are streamlined and practical, and the buttons give just the right amount of contrast.  Basically, any time J. Crew's cashmere cardigans go on sale, buy them.  I know the flip-flops seem random, but J. Crew's rubber flip-flops are the comfiest flip-flops EVER.  It's something about the plastic, but they are worth the $7, no question.  I've come to the conclusion that I need a bikini top with an underwire.  Confession time: I'm a 32D, aka an awkward bra size, and halter/triangle tops just don't have any support.  I love the retro-glam, French girl on the beach vibe, and it comes in a ton of different colors.

Linen-silk Bustier Dress, $198 at jcrew.com, Silk Cargo Dress, $118 at jcrew.com, FENTON/FALLON for J. Crew Jaws Earrings, $85 at jcrew.com: None of these are on sale, I just like them.  First off, I'm so glad J. Crew finally put out a bustier dress!  I love bustier dresses, and theirs manages to walk the line between tasteful and lingerie-inspired very nicely.  This army-green dress is so perfect for summer/fall's military trend.  The neutral color is both flattering and versatile, and the safari meets army cut is so, so on-trend.  You could throw this on and be out the door in seconds, and get so many different looks out of it with different accessories.  I want these earrings.  They're so awkward looking, which is part of why I love them.  The combination of the rhinestones on top and the askew 'sharks teeth' on the bottom gives these earrings the perfect amount of thematic tension.  Plus, they're the perfect statement piece for any basic outfit.

Image Sources:
Diane Kruger: gofugyourself.com, J. Crew: ring: jcrew.com, v-neck: jcrew.com, embellished tee: jcrew.com, cardigan: jcrew.com, flip-flops: jcrew.com, bikini top: jcrew.com, bustier dress: jcrew.com, safari dress: jcrew.com, earrings: jcrew.com.

Lazy Friday

Sometimes after I have a really high-stress week, all I want to do is lounge around in my room and watch Gilmore Girls.  Of course, I also feel the need to always look cute during said lounging, which is harder than it sounds.  Scroll down for a few options that are comfy and adorable.


But first, this ridiculous fragrance ad from Kimora Lee Simmons.  Not only is it blatantly obvious that that is not her body, but apparently the retouchers took her lower half straight off of Daria Werbowy on the cover of Vogue in 2005.  Even the shorts are the same.  I understand that retouching is pretty much a given in campaign shots, but stealing half of someone else's body?  Just weird.



Viv & Ingrid Black Diamond Swarovski Mini Bobby Pair, $36 at vivandingrid.com, Chanel Nail Polish in Versailles: I have trouble getting anything at all to stay in my hair: clips, headbands, barrettes, anything.  My hair eats it and then spits it out on the ground.  Bobby pins, however, have a fighting chance, which is why I've been looking into embellished bobby pins.  They're a really simple, easy way to add some bling to your hair style, and imagine how adorable that tiny slice of sparkle would be peeking out from your hair.  On another sparkly note, I want this Chanel nail polish.  First off, love the name.  I'm a total Marie Antoinette nerd.  And second, I've had a serious craving for metallic polishes recently.  Shimmer is so standard and mattes just don't do it for me, so the next logical step is metallics.  Having gold-plated fingernails just seems so summery!

 J. Crew Seersucker Sidney Underwire Top, $50 at jcrew.com, Hint-of-Lace Briefs, $38 at anthropologie.com: So this J. Crew bikini top is in no way related to lounging.  I just really want it.  I've always wanted an underwire bikini top, just because they're a lot more flattering if you're above a B-cup, and have a serious retro-glam vibe.   The seersucker print is so old-school summertime, and coming from someone with a serious lack of preppiness in her closet,  I want this preptastic swimsuit.  I've realized that Anthropologie has the cutest camis ever.  As for the lounging ensembles I promised earlier, my new favorite look is to do a very cute little cami with a pair of more boyish sweats.  It's an interesting mix of contrasts, and insanely comfy.  The combination of tiny nautical stripes and delicate lace is another offbeat juxtaposition that really works.

Victoria's Secret Cami & Panty Set, $19.50 at victoriassecret.com, Victoria's Secret Ultrasoft Tank, $22 at victoriassecret.com: Victoria's Secret also has a ton of adorable little camis in super-cute prints.  This cami is totally affordable, comes with matching panties, and the colorful leopard print is equal parts fun and super-sassy.  This with a pair of cute little shorts or yoga pants = adorable lounging.  If you're less into the crazy leopard prints and a little more into the basics, Victoria's Secret also has these asymmetrical hem tanks that I'm seriously craving.  The a-line body balances out the tank cut nicely, and these are the kind of top that would go equally well with a pair of shorts or yoga pants or a pain of little jean shorts.


Rose Window Chemise, $58 at anthropologie.com, Victoria's Secret Soft & Lacy Robe, $48 at victoriassecret.com: If your lounging style is a little on the girlier side, I totally recommend this chemise.  It's not too sexy or too revealing, could actually double as a daytime dress, and has an adorable, beachy Lolita vibe that's totally endearing.  You could sleep in this, roll out of bed and do homework, and still look totally put together.  Or if it gets a little chilly, you could throw a chic robe on top.  These Victoria's Secret robes come in subdued pastel colors with delicate lace trim--basically the epitome of girliness.  I've always wanted a glamorous robe.  There's something so Sunset Boulevard about them.



Also, on an unrelated note, the Times Online released their list of the top 25 fashion movies of all time.  Here are some highlights: West Side Story, Belle de Jour, the Big Sleep, Atonement, Gone with the Wind, Coco avant Chanel, Funny Face, To Catch a Thief, Zoolander, Devil Wears Prada, and Avatar.


Image Sources:
NARs polish: temptalia.com, Kimora Lee Simmons ad: jezebel.com, Viv & Ingrid bobby pins: vivandingrid.com, Anthropolgie striped cami set: anthropologie.com, J. Crew bikini top: jcrew.com, Anthropologie chemise: anthropologie.com, Victoria's Secret robe: victoriassecret.com, Victoria's Secret cami: victoriassecret.com, Victoria's Secret tank: victoriassecret.com.