My friend Britt sent me this message {on behalf of our friend Christa} via Facebook yesterday:

Mary.  Christa has been looking for a denim pencil skirt for a while now, with no luck.  One that not only looks cute and stylish, actually is a pencil skirt, but is also long enough.  I thought maybe you could be able to save her ;) Not only is your blog awesome, but you and Christa both have the same amazing long legs, and a keen fashion sense.  So by any chance have you come across the perfect denim skirt recently?

The perfect denim skirt?  That's a pretty tall order, but I've done my best to compile a collection of skirts, in a variety of price ranges, that I think are adorable:


1.  Tailored denim pencil skirt, $69.50, J. Crew {link}
2.  Denim skirt, on sale $39.50, Victoria's Secret {link}
3.  Scalloped Sailor Skirt, $88, Anthropologie {link}
4.  Denim Skirt, $42.50, Shade {link}
5.  Denim Pencil Skirt, on sale $28.99, Old Navy {link}
6.  Merona Refined Denim Skirt, $24.99, Target {link}
7.  Merona Denim Skirt, $19.99, Target {link}
8.  Lauren by Ralph Lauren Stretch Denim Pencil, $59.50, Macy's {link}
9.  Chelsfield Stretch Denim Skirt, on sale $49.99, Ralph Lauren {link}

Still not what she's looking for?  Here are a few more links to try: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

I can completely understand if Christa is frustrated trying to find a skirt that's long enough for her.  I have the same problem all the time.  Even sites that specialize in modest clothing don't always provide skirts that hit my knees.  My best advice is to find a good skirt that fits well and has a good seam allowance at the hem, so that even if it's not long enough, a tailor can let it down.  {Tailors can also sew up slits to make a skirt more modest.}  If you're shopping online and the item description doesn't have all the information you need to make a good decision, e-mail the store's customer service department; they should be able to tell you anything you need to know.

Britt, I hope this helps!  I was lucky enough to receive my own denim pencil skirt as a hand-me-down from my sister; I actually dreamed last night that I went into my closet and I had two identical skirts, one for me to keep and one to give to Christa. :)

Have you ever been browsing through a collection of clothing, either online or in-store, and you saw something so gorgeous you literally felt your jaw drop?  Have you ever felt so shocked by your emotional reaction to a piece of clothing that you gasped out loud?  I have.  {I've even created a blog on which to post these items, so I wouldn't empty my bank account in order to possess them.}  It's not often that I have this reaction -- more likely I'll do a double-take, or just gaze longingly at something for a prolonged period of time.

This Anthropologie dress, however, got both the jaw-drop and the audible gasp.  It's just so gorgeous.  {I don't think I've mentioned it on this blog before, but red poppies are absolutely my favorite flower.  Stick them on anything and I'm guaranteed to love it.}  I created an outfit around it, just for fun:


1.  Homegrown Dress, $158, Anthropologie {link}
2.  Featherweight cotton long cardigan, $69.50, J. Crew {link}
3.  Braided Claudette necklace, $16, Fred Flare {link}
4.  Colin Stuart T-strap wedge, $29, Victoria's Secret {link}
5.  Fossil Latigo C-Buckle Belt, $28, Dillard's {link}

I think a boyfriend cardigan, with the sleeves scrunched up to the elbows, would look great with this dress.  Add in the shoes, though, and it becomes a little too Grandma's garden party.  I added an edgy necklace and menswear belt {which I would wear over the cardigan} to make it feel more modern.

What do you think?  Am I crazy for my intense reactions to clothing?  Are you a little afraid of me now?  What about the dress?  Breath-taking, isn't it?  And do you have any thoughts about the outfit -- is it something you would wear for spring?

1. Wool bomber jacket, on sale $89, Victoria's Secret (link)
2. A-Line Box Pleat Skirt, on sale $49.95, Martin + Osa (link)
3. Pleated Flutter-Sleeve Top, $24.50, Old Navy (link)
4. Coloured Over The Knee Socks, $6.80, Asos (link)
5. Merona Solid Wrap, $12.99, Target (link)
6. Basic Flat Boot, $29.50, Wet Seal (link)

total: $212.74
{Or $123.74 without the jacket, which would be a major investment piece.}

What do you think? Do you like the outfit? Would you ever wear knee socks with knee-high boots? And will you forgive me for my blog-wrongdoings? {I hope so.}


Your internet friend,
Mary

I found this lovely in my inbox this morning:


Victoria's Secret is offering 25% off certain items, termed "Winter Favorites" {which you can view here} with coupon code 25VS. Since many of the items are already on sale, with prices reduced up to 25%, you can get up to 50% off the original price! The promotion is good through Sunday, so you have a little time to look around and decide what you can't live without the most. Additionally, you can receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more with coupon code VS50.

Here are my favorite things*:

Sweaters:


1. Silk & cashmere turtleneck sweater, $29.25 (link)
2. Cowlneck sweater, $29.25 (link)
3. Silk & cashmere ruffle-front mockneck sweater, $29.25 (link)

{Please excuse the young lady whose stylist neglected to provide her with pants for her photo shoot... she seems quite upset about it, so perhaps it's best if we don't mention it to her...}

Dresses:


4. Cotton & cashmere sweaterdress, $22.49 (link)
5. Ruffled v-neck sweaterdress, $14.99 (link)
6. Tie-neck dress, $29.99 (link)

Outerwear:


7. Double-breasted ruffle coat, $74.25 (link)
8. Wool bomber jacket, $66.75 (link)
9. Classic wool coat, $66.75 (link)

I have to say a few things about the gorgeous outerwear: I absolutely adore the ruffle coat {it reminds me of this one, now sold out, from Tulle}, almost enough to justify purchasing it... if only I hadn't banned myself from shopping until the end of the year. The bomber jacket also has me drooling -- I want to copy the model and wear it with a gathered skirt {and knee-high boots, with some knee socks peeking out the top, perhaps?}.

Which item is your favorite?



*As with all of my sale posts, the prices I post reflect the price you would receive after applying the promotional code. They are not the prices currently posted on the Victoria's Secret website.

My amazing husband Christian and I have a tradition of making Christmas wishlists. (It's only a two-year-old tradition, since we haven't been married very long, but traditions have to start some time, right?) I recently made my 2009 Christmas wishlist, and item #1 was boots.

I've known for several months that I wanted a pair of boots -- my first real pair of boots. However, in a budget discussion with my husband, we decided that I could either get a new winter coat or boots, but not both. I got the coat from this post, and I love it. I have no regrets.

I have no regrets, but I would still love to get boots for Christmas. Inspired by Elaine (of clothed much)'s post, I did some serious research. I looked for brown boots, size 8.5, leather or leather-like material, knee-high or mid-calf, with a small wedge heel. (Whatevs, I'm not picky. I just know what I want.) I found six pairs that fit my requirements. I couldn't decide between them, and also I love surprises, so I put them all on my wishlist and let Christian pick.

For under $100:

4. Kenneth Cole REACTION Cash Cab Boot, $109.95, Endless (link)
5. Steven by Steve Madden Intyce Riding Boot, $129.90, Endless (link)
6. Steven by Steve Madden Inragee Low Wedge Boot, $159, Amazon (link)

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)