Summer Wedges and Why I Went With the Expensive Ones

So I am sure you have by now seen the infamous Marc Fisher Adalyn wedges all over Instagram. And its also likely you have seen the Steve Madden Jaylen dupes as well. But what about the differences besides the price? Which shoe is actually the best for you? Well here is my opinion on the matter and why I, the ultimate bargain hunter, decided to keep the $160 Marc Fisher wedges. (I also included two other types of wedges.)

First and foremost of importance to me is quality. I love bargains but if something is not good quality and I am going to have to replace it soon I take it into consideration. I ordered three pairs (yes three pairs) to try to get a version of the Steve Madden wedge that did not have a flaw in it and every single one did. There were issues in the woven wedge part (numerous in every single pair) and weird discoloration in the suede on two of them. After reading reviews on DSW it seems that some other people have had these problems but not everyone. Granted I also ordered two pairs of the marc fisher and while they were slightly different colors of suede per pair the wedge was not flawed and the suede matched the right and the left shoe perfectly in each pair.

 

 

Secondly, the faux leather strap on the Steve Madden wedges was not nearly as comfortable as the real leather strap on the Marc Fisher wedges. To me this was important because I plan on wearing this to a high school graduation, a wedding and to easter so they need to be comfortable enough for all these events. Plus the real suede is more comfortable than the faux suede on the Steve Madden wedges.

Third, I did a little bit of fashion digging and these Marc Fisher wedges have been in for about three summers making them more of an investment piece for me. Even if they are not as popular as they once were in the upcoming years I know that I will still be wearing them come spring/ summer because they are such a classic.

And lastly, I would not be the bargain hunting blonde if I didn’t find a way to get the Marc Fisher wedges at a discount. I received an email from Zappos that I would be getting $25 off if I signed up for their rewards program. So I did that and promptly used the $25 off towards the price of the $160 wedges bringing them down to $135.

BRAND and STYLEMarc Fisher Adalyn Steve Madden Jaylen Indigo Rd. AiryMerona- Mala
PRICE$160$60$69$33
SIZINGTrue to SizeRuns slightly big (I normally need a 10 and the 9.5 was actually the right size for me) True to Size Runs small (I normally wear a 10 and had to size up to a 11)
PROS-real leather stap is way more comfortable
- way better quality than any of the others so heres to hoping they last longer
- suede is great quality
- looks the most like the chloe original
-more height than the other dupes (which for me is actually a bit of a con but I am a giant)
- very similar to the marc fisher ones
- vibrant cognac color
- wedge part was not falling apart/ well constructed
- pretty toffee color
- most affordable
- cute white stitch detailing
CONS- way more expensive than any of the dupes
- already sold out in a lot of places in common sizes
- quality- I ended up going through three different pairs and all of them had flaws in the wedge pair
-strap is uncomfortable
- weird slit in top of shoe that I assume is to allow your foot to move more but just looks like the elastic will stretch out over time
- well constructed but the materials seem to be of poorer quality then the steve madden - very uncomfortable (just walking around in them for 5 minutes had the top part of the shoe rubbing a blister on my toe)
OVERALL WINNER. These are my favorite of all 4. The leather strap made them way more comfortable and I found them to be the best craftsmanship. Not sure if I just got three very bad quality pairs of this shoe but for the $60 price tag I was hoping for better quality. The toffee is a unique color but in this price range I do think the Steve Madden is a better option While it is the cheapest option I still think the Steve Madden is the best if your looking for a cheaper option
LINK http://www.zappos.com/p/marc-fisher-ltd-adalyn-natural-suede/product/8743190/color/1758?ef_id=Vpq7EgAAAKc7i2lw:20170320023540:shttps://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/steve-madden-jaylen-wedge-sandal/387593 https://www.macys.com/shop/product/indigo-rd.-airy-wedge-sandals?ID=4453775&LinkshareID=QFGLnEolOWg-R799MZrpcw.mvVrcH0zaqQ&PartnerID=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-5-_-63-_-MP563http://www.target.com/p/women-s-mala-shield-espadrille-wedge-sandals-merona/-/A-51743896

Summers Coming- One Piece Round Up!

Some days its feels like we are solidly in spring and other days it feels like winter is never leaving but either way swimsuit season is approaching. While most people dread swimsuit season I have an unhealthy bikini/ swimsuit addiction (right behind my unhealthy purse addiction) so I have rounded up some of my favorite one-piece swimsuits to share with you all.

There are a variety of price points, a variety of cuts; and a variety of colors. My personal favorite is the Poppy one piece by Frankie’s Bikinis. And there are a lot of reasons why so here we go:

1- The swimsuit material is so soft. Like amazingly soft. By far the softest and therefore the comfiest one-piece I own.

2- The tie in the back makes it adjustable for all chest sizes.

3- The crochet is very well done unlike the dupes of it.

4- The Poppy now comes in two different bottom cuts- the one shown below and the classic cut which is more full coverage.

5- All the colors, and patterns make it so not everyone has the same suit.

6- Its so comfy I like to wear it as a bodysuit. Making it great for festivals or vacations.

7- I have worn mine numerous times and it keeps its shape and color!

Frankie’s Bikinis Poppy One Piece- $225 (comes in black, blue dahlia, cloud, Hawaiian mist, maroon, red) ( it also comes in a more full coverage (called classic) cut)

  

Target- $39.99 (comes in black, maroon and indigo)              Blue Life Eclipse- $145 (currently only in sage)

    

Sweets One Piece- $45 SALE (blush)           Morning One Piece – $45 SALE (Mellow Yellow Stripes)

  

PINK Plunge One Piece- $49.95 (comes in neutral palm, black, soft begonia, matisse blue)

PINK Lace-Up Front One Piece – $49.95 (comes in neon coral, black, violet palm, rainbow stripe)

ShopBop Spring Big Sale- 2017

Its that time of year again when ShopBop has their Big Sale. The discounts apply to both regular priced AND sale item. That means your getting a discount on already discounted items! Plus to make things even better the discount applies to staple items that never go on sale. So why not get that item you have been eyeing when its on sale now? I snagged the Jeffery Campbell Cor bootie in taupe that is the perfect transitional piece from winter to spring. I can even see myself wearing it into summer!

I rounded up some of my favorite regular priced items I consider staples. Plus remember to use the discount code “GOBIG2017” so you get your discount. Sale ends March 4th!

Regular Priced Items

        

       

      

    

Can it Please Get Warm Enough to Wear Motorcycle Jackets Already?

So it is no secret that since moving back to the Bay Area I have become obsessed with jackets. In LA having a jacket normally means something light weight and something that is more for looks then warmth. But here in Palo Alto I spend most of my time freezing and needing a warm jacket. (I am a self proclaimed cold weather weenie!) So needless to say all the beautiful motorcycle jackets I have accumulated this winter have rarely been worn and I need it to warm up already so I can wear them!

But great news for all of you is that a lot of great motorcycle jackets are one sale and perfect for spring! Below is a round up of some great jackets that I found while shopping this weekend. Click on the name of the jacket to take you to the correct site!

    

Levi’s Quilted Detail Faux Leather Racer Jacket– $99.90 (33% off) (Left)

GUESS Faux Leather Jacket– $99.99 (33% 0ff) (middle)

Andrew Marc Leanne Faux Leather Jacket– $150 (right)

      

Blank NYC Vegan Leather Graphic Moto Jacket in Secret Keeper-$148 (left)

KUT from the Kloth Brooke Faux Snake Coat– $75.99 (30% off) (middle) This is the same jacket in my flat lay on Instagram that I thought was sold out everywhere but I found it and its on sale.

Jack by BB Dakota Blossom Tumble PU Moto Jacket– $70.00 (right)

 

Missguided Cropped Faux Suede Moto Jacket– $41.00 (50% off) (left)

Romeo & Juliet Couture Faux Leather Moto Jacket– $49.97 (77% off) (middle)

Missguided Cropped Faux Suede Moto Jacket (cobalt)- $41.00 (50% off) (right)

Sometimes Comfy is Best

So true life I need to own up to the fact that, even as an attorney, I am lucky enough to wear jeans everyday unless I am in court. But do I always look as put together (or as put together as I think) as I do in my Instagram posts? No, those are the good days or the days that I just put on an outfit to take a picture. (Yes this really does happen.) So I decided to show you all a typical hanging out doing nothing outfit that I wear all the time. Also the exact Patagonia I am wearing is on sale in different colors which never happens- links below pictures 🙂

 

  

    

patagonia| mother denim | ecco leather slip-ons | celine trio

Want to replicate this look but not break the budget and buy new things? To recreate the look with what you have in your closet, I recommend wearing any type of 1/4 zip sweatshirt as it gives you a more of a put together look. Then pair the sweatshirt with a jean with character. That can be a raw hem, ripped knees, distressed areas or a cool fade. Make sure though that it is a tighter fitting pair of jeans as pairing a sweatshirt with baggy jeans does not achieve the same look. Pair this combo with a comfortable pair of sneakers or dress it up a little bit with booties. And lastly add a pop of color. It can be a fun colored bag (like I did) or a statement piece of jewelry.

The Sweater of the Season

So Friday was a normal enough day. I had gone to work and then convinced myself that I needed some exercise. I rationalized that walking around the mall was still exercise and I would just browse. Famous last words of course because if I happen upon a deal I have to buy it. Well low and behold I stumbled on clearance rack of Free People stuff. After a quick once over I found the cutest rose colored cardigan marked down from $128 to $29.99. After trying it on and realizing it was comfy and long enough for my 5’10” frame (even in a XS/S)  I purchased it. Not even five minutes later I walked into Nordstrom and saw the exact same cardigan at full price! So clearly the purchase of that sweater was meant to be.

Linked below is the sweater in question (the Macy’s link is on sale!) and some other blush/ rose colored sweaters that I think are perfect transition sweaters.

  

Free People Low Tide Cardigan

Left- Nordstrom- $128

Right- Macy’s- $76.99

Halogen Linen Blend Cardigan- Pink Peach- $68

Super Long Open-Front Cardi- Mauvey Star- $27.00

(I find it to be more pink in person)

In this Spring- Cropped Denim

Being 5’10” has its positives and its negatives. Positives- I never have trouble reaching high things on shelves, I can wear flats and still be tall enough in pictures and things are never too long for me. Negatives- I am often bumping into things, people remark often on how tall I am, and cropped jeans rarely rarely fit.

But low and behold I was in the Nordstrom Rack and these Calson Jeans were calling to me. I looked at the raw hem and the ripped knees and fell in love. I took them home even thought I was thinking they were going to be way to short for me- but seriously who can turn down $15 dollar jeans?!?! When I got home I was pleasantly surprised. Why of course they are slightly short they are not too short and are totally wearable. My only regret is buying the size that I normally wear (a 25) when really I should have scoured the racks for a size smaller. But nothing a belt cannot fix 🙂

Linked below is a bunch of cute cropped jeans for this spring from a couple of different retailers.

       

       

Love Louis Vuitton But Not The Price Tag?

Cross Body Edition

Everyone meet my new-to-me LV Jeune Fille GM in Epi Noir! This love affair all started when I saw the bag on a fellow blogger and immediately thought I have to have this bag. After a quick google search I realized this bag was no longer made and I was going to have to get resourceful to find the GM size, in the leather I wanted, and in the near perfect condition I was craving. To me the bag was the perfect combination of luxury and practicality. The luxury was incapsulated in the Louis Vuitton name while the epi leather makes the bag practical in every weather- including all the rain I have experienced since moving back to the Bay Area. As I scoured the sites for this bag, I found some other fabulous crossbody bags along the way to share with my readers. So I hope you enjoy the bags (and the savings) I have linked below! (Click on the picture to go to the correct site.) (Plus I sadly do not have unlimited funds to buy bags so I figured I would share the wealth :))

*Please note all the bags listed below are a link to just one item so when its gone its gone. Plus I recommend reading everything about the bag listed (including condition and size as many vintage bags will have minor flaws like sticky pockets-which can be cleaned) and asking any questions you need to. Plus if the website you decide to purchase from doesn’t authenticate first I recommend paying the extra $20 to confirm it is in authentic.

The Jeune Fille

Sizes- PM, MM and GM

Materials- monogram canvas, epi leather

Retail- $1,340

Price Range- $228.50-$437

From Left to Right- size not listed ($228.50), size not listed ($298.50), size not listed ($335), MM ($375), size not listed ($447.85)

       

From Left to Right- size not listed ($283.50), size not listed ($323.50), MM ($349), PM ($399), GM ($437)

       

The Trocadero

Sizes- 23, 24, 27, 30

Materials- monogram canvas, epi leather

Retail- $1,290 (27), $1,295 (30)

Price Range- $188- $495

From Left to right- 27 ($188), 24 ($325), 30 ($345), 27 ($375), 23 ($431.95)

        

From Left to right- 24 ($228.50), 29 ($329), size not listed ($372), size not listed ($495)

       

The St. Cloud

Sizes- PM, MM, GM

Material- Monogram Canvas, Epi Leather

Retail- $1,290

Price Range- $268.50-$595

 From Left to Right- GM ($395), MM ($595), GM ($595)

     

From Left to Right- PM ($268.50), GM ($293), GM ($338.50),  GM($504)

    

The Cartouchiere

Sizes- 22, also seen listed as PM, MM and GM

Material- Monogram Canvas

Retail- $1,250 (epi)

Price Range- $439-$598.50

From Left to Right- 22 ($495), 22 ($500) , 22 ($550)

   

From Left to Right- size not listed ($439), size not listed ($499.50), size not listed ($543.50), size not listed ($598.50)

      

Don’t see what you like here? Go to my Bargain Hunting Blond Approved Shopping List and search some great sites for other fabulous Louis Vuitton deals!

 

Sneaker Game on Point

 

I don’t know how many of you have noticed but sneakers are seriously hot this spring and I predict they will be staples till at least next winter. They are comfortable, easy to walk in, and relatively cheap in price. (Assuming you aren’t splurging for the adorable VINCE ones!) My two personal favs are the Steve Madden velvet lace ups in taupe (called the and the Ecco all leather ones (called the Fara Sambal). But my all-time best sneaker find is the VINCE white sneakers I have pictured below. (I linked a very similar but not identical pair.) They retail for $250 and I got them for $28.12 thanks to the 25% off clear the rack event! So keep your eyes peeled at the Nordstrom Rack because you never know what you may find.

Below I have posted pictures of my latest finds and where I got them plus some links to some fabulous shoes if you would rather shop from home the venture out to your nearest retailer!

 

 

         

          

                  

 

Hello world!

So excited to start this blog and be able to share my shopping knowledge with all of you!

Keep your eyes out for posts on where to get designer bags for the best price, where all the sales are and much more!

Also if you have any specific topics you want me to discuss please feel free to reach out to be via my contact form 🙂

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