I found this sweater at Victoria's Secret, and I think it's entirely lovable. I love the color, I love the sleeves, I love the cashmere. The downfall? It's on sale from $128, but it's still pretty pricey. In keeping with my decision not to do any more shopping this season, I will settle for admiring it from afar.

Cashmere Bow-sleeve Sweater, on sale $79,
Victoria's Secret (link)

Recently, my mantra when looking at clothes online has been: "Post, don't buy." I've already done all of my fall shopping, and now I'm cutting myself off. As tempting as new clothes are, I've decided that I'm going to be happy with what I have. (Happy, at least, until Christmas time.) No more online shopping for me right now. Thank goodness I have this blog! That's the reason I created this blog, after all -- to keep myself from buying every pretty thing I see. Sometimes it's just so hard... expect a plethora of wishlist posts as I continue to curb my shopping appetite.

Any advice from you, readers and fellow bloggers? How do you keep your shopping impulses in check?

And just to make it harder for all of us to stay within budget this month, I found this gorgeous dress at Banana Republic this morning. It looks like a perfect dress to wear to holiday parties, and it's marked down from $180 -- such a steal!


BR Monogram flutter-sleeve pleated dress, on sale $59.99,
Banana Republic (link)

If you haven't already figured it out, then let me tell you something about myself: I'm a major Ann Taylor Loft fan. In fact, my favorite cardigan is from ATL. No other clothing line pairs sleek menswear with soft, feminine details the way they do. My favorite thing about ATL at the moment is the wonderful sale they've got going on. As my sister-in-law Catherine would say, I. love it. I've created a few outfits from wonderful ATL pieces that are on sale. I like the first one the best -- have I mentioned that gray is my color this season? Let me know which is your favorite!


1. Chiffon Bow Trim Tee, on sale $9.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
2. Merona Beaded Sunburst Flap Clutch, $16.99, Target (link)
3. Double-Faced Synthetic Pencil Skirt, on sale $39.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
4. UO Chain Fringe Earrings, on sale $9.99, Urban Outfitters (link)
5. Wrap Cardigan with Inset Waist Tie, on sale $29.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
6. Lace Suede Pumps, $24.99, Charlotte Russe (link)

total: $131.94


1. Leopard 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan, $22.80, Forever 21 (link)
2. Stripe Pleated Collar Button Front, on sale $29.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
3. Merona Large Hobo, $24.99, Target (link)
4. Oxford Denim Pencil Skirt, on sale $39.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
5. Twisted Rope Bracelet in Pewter, $9.99, Ruche (link)
6. Patent & Suede Maryjanes, $24.99, Charlotte Russe (link)

total: $152.75


1. H81 Striped Cardigan w/ Tie Belt, $32.90, Forever 21 (link)
2. Refined Jersey Ruched Mock Neck, on sale $19.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
3. Belted Patent Flats, $22.99, Charlotte Russe (link)
4. Exclusive Wash Marisa Trousers, on sale $49.99, Ann Taylor Loft (link)
5. Mossimo Flower Hobo Bag, $19.99, Target (link)
6. Ocean Charm Necklace, on sale $14.99, Urban Outfitters (link)

total: $160.85

For anyone who has been wondering about my little black dress situation, which I talked about in this post, I have an update.

My two favorite dresses from the ones Emily suggested were Shabby Apple's Rita Hayworth, and Ann Taylor's Wool Ballet Neck Dress. I thought they were both beautiful. I had reservations about spending so much for a dress that I couldn't try on beforehand, so I e-mailed both websites, asking for specifics on each dress.

My big concern was that they wouldn't be long enough -- at 5'8" I'm not extremely tall, but I do have a long torso, and I also think it's possible that I have an abnormal thigh to calf ratio, so that the distance from my shoulders to my knees is crazy long.

I asked for the length of the dress, from shoulder to hem, and how much, if any, seam allowance was at the hem. The replies were not encouraging.

The Ann Taylor dress was nowhere near long enough. The Rita Hayworth definitely sounded long enough, but they were sold out in my size. Blerg. I went back to perusing Nordstrom's Dress Shop, but nothing looked right. I felt like I was in the Berenstain Bear's Old Hat, New Hat. (Did anyone else read that book when they were a kid?) Too short, too sleeveless, too low-cut, too shiny, too old, too beaded, too silly, too fluffy.

Finally, however, I have the solution to my problem:

I looked through all the dress patterns of every major sewing pattern manufacturer, and I found the dress that I wanted. My wonderful and patient mother went with me to the fabric store to buy fabric. (My mom did this cool thing where she took a small section of silk and balled it up in her hand for a few seconds to show me how badly it wrinkles. We decided to go polyester.)

But I am not going to make this dress myself. Oh, no. No no no no no no no no no no. No. I do not have the skills. I could count on one hand the items of clothing I have made for myself and looked like a homeless person while wearing. No, I am taking my pattern and my fabric and going to a very highly recommended tailor. I have a $200 budget on this dress, after all. I am very excited. I think it's going to turn out just right. I'll keep you updated!

Down East Basics is having a great promotion:


If you buy a pink Wonder Tank, Wonder Tee, or Wonder Camisole from the Down East Basics website before October 31, then they'll donate 30% of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the largest breast cancer charity in the world! Breast cancer research is an issue that is close to my heart, and I'm so glad that Down East Basics has decided to support the cause.

Here are the items eligible for the promotion:


1. Wonder Tank, $9.99 (link)
2. Wonder Tee, $9.99 (link)
3. Wonder Camisole, $9.99 (link)

Also, the wonderful people at Down East Basics have told me that if you spend an additional $20, you can get a pink tee, crew, or camisole for just $2.00. If you spend an additional $40, you can receive free shipping!

www.downeastbasics.com

Velvet Gathered Dress
price: £110 (or about $179.48)


Wool Tulip Dress
price: £135 (or about $220.27)

What do you think? Do you think you'll ever buy something from Saltwater? Would you, if it was in the budget? Does the fact that it's a British clothing line make it more appealing to you? (I know it does for me.)

{As seen on AmandaBeth Online.}

I found this sweater at Ruche today, and I have to say that I have fallen in love with it. Amazingly, it looks both snuggly comfortable and elegant. It's listed as a sweater dress, but it's not nearly long enough to be worn modestly as a dress, so I thought it would be cute worn as a long tunic-y sweater. I've never actually worn a dress as a long top, but I like the idea in principle. Let me know what you think -- do you love the sweater as much as I do? Do you love it as a top, or a dress, or both? Have you ever worn a short dress as a top?


Here's how I would make this sweater into an outfit. I'm really loving grey this fall, and I think different subtle colors of grey can actually make an outfit interesting:


1. Wool Trench Coat, $34.99, Charlotte Russe (link)
2. Modern Victorian Sweater Dress, $54.99, Ruche (link)
3. Velvet flower pin, on sale $14.99, J. Crew (link)
4. Vintage inspired ivory chandelier earrings, $9.99, Ruche (link)
5. American Eagle Anstin Point Flat, $19.99, Payless (link)
6. Women's The Flirt Flared Jeans, on sale $20, Old Navy (link)
7. Kelly Hobo, on sale $39.99, Nine West (link)

total: $194.94

Until I have the know-how and sewing skills to make an awesome embellished tee myself, I'm going to have to stick to buying off the rack. I'm so glad these are on sale!

1. Tissue beaded necklace tee, on sale $19.99 (link)
2. Textured jersey ribboned collier tee, on sale $29.99 (link)
3. Slub cotton swirling flowers tee, on sale $19.99 (link)
4. Carnation cluster tee, on sale $29.99 (link)

www.jcrew.com

I have to say, I love pearls. I love pearls for the charm of their vintage feel, for their classic simplicity and elegance, and for their lustrous beauty. I love the soft, creamy colors of pearls -- whites, yellows, pinks, corals, lavenders, and dove grays. I especially love pearl jewelry. My favorite pearl jewelry has a nautical, natural, or antique inspiration. Because of my passionate love of pearls, I have created the longest Etsy Find post to date. Let me know what you think!


1. Freshwater pearls cluster necklace, $27.30, lilyja @ Etsy (link)
2. Elizabeth Pearl Earrings, $26, tamar @ Etsy (link)
3. When I feel... I wear pearls earrings, $10, lizix26 @ Etsy (link)
4. Bronze Branch Birdie Bracelet, $18.50, BeadsByEvelyn @ Etsy (link)
5. Freshwater Pearl Drop Necklace, $30, bluelovebirds @ Etsy (link)
6. Bouquet No. 2 earrings, $35, bluelovebirds @ Etsy (link)
7. Soaring Bird and Pearl Necklace, $25, chrdesigns @ Etsy (link)
8. Pearl Blossom Earrings, $20, SweetGems @ Etsy (link)
9. Bud Earrings, $18, ticklebean @ Etsy (link)
10. Petals Necklace, $39, susidjewelry @ Etsy (link)
11. The Pirate's Life Necklace, $24, CosmicGirl @ Etsy (link)
12. A Bird and Her Eggs Necklace, $36, juneshin @ Etsy (link)
13. Flirt bracelet, $22, lizix26 @ Etsy (link)
14. Freshwater Pearl Earrings, $5, heartdesignjewelry @ Etsy (link)
15. Lotus and Pearl Necklace, $20, jewelsbyn (link)
16. Pink Fresh Water Pearl Hoops, $22, lulidesigns @ Etsy (link)
17. Becky Bracelet, $19, savvystatecollege @ Etsy (link)
18. Erin Necklace, $24, savvystatecollege @ Etsy (link)
19. The Vintage Sea, $29, NewFashionedWhispers @ Etsy (link)
20. Limerick Necklace, $26, liliswan @ Etsy (link)
21. Amelia Necklace, $30, EmmaAlisonDesigns @ Etsy (link)
22. Pearl in a bowl necklace, $31, ShoogiSpark @ Etsy (link)
23. Mermaid Tears necklace, $189, nicholaslandon @ Etsy (link)
24. Pearly Hoops, $28, Balanced @ Etsy (link)
25. Sidney Necklace, $20, prideandjoy @ Etsy (link)
26. Phena Creamy White Pearl Bracelet, $10, ilovesugar @ Etsy (link)
27. Athena Earrings, $10, beakee @ Etsy (link)
28. Pearl Necklace, $12.90, heartdesignjewelry @ Etsy (link)
29. Jane Austen earrings, $12, ellabelleboutique (link)
30. Jackie Neckalce, $96, nicholaslandon @ Etsy (link)
31. Freshwater Pearl Amanda Earrings, $24, Balanced @ Etsy (link)
32. Marie Earrings, $27, prideandjoy @ Etsy (link)
33. A Bouquet of Pearls, $21.50, starrydesigns @ Etsy (link)
34. Petite Bird's Nest Pendant, $20, starrydesigns @ Etsy (link)
35. Freshwater pearl necklace, $45, violetdelight @ Etsy (link)
36. Real freshwater pearl studs, $9.95, violetdelight @ Etsy (link)
37. Flower Girl Pearl Bracelet, $12.99, violetdelight @ Etsy (link)
38. Love eternal necklace, $45, violetdelight @ Etsy (link)
39. Custom silver bracelet, $29.99, violetdelight @ Etsy (link)
40. Freshwater blush necklace, $19, edor @ Etsy (link)
41. Simply Pearl necklace, $17, edor @ Etsy (link)
42. Pearly Acorn Necklace, $23, Peaches4me @ Etsy (link)