Homeward

Missoni for Target sweater; American Apparel skirt; Wanted Shoes "Maple" Boots;
Hue sweater tights; Vintage Chanel backpack; Target scarf

Sorry to say I have no update on the job situation from my previous post, but I do hope the interview(s) went well. I really think I need to invest in more professional clothes, I've been wearing the same blazer to every interview and clearly it isn't working out too well for me! What do you guys wear to job interviews? I need some fresh ideas!

Also, I'm getting super excited for Thanksgiving! I'm going home for the first time since I moved down to NYC six months ago, and I miss my family (especially my baby niece) SO much! I can't wait to gorge out on turkey and mashed potatoes and watch Caillou. Oh and I'll definitely be going thrifting, I had no idea how amazing the prices were upstate until I moved to New York - definitely a positive of living in the middle of nowhere!

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving! What are your plans for the holiday?

Leaves and Lita

H&M dress; Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots; Vintage Chanel bag

Fall is finally here! I love when there's a chill in the air, the leaves start changing colors, and I can finally break out my favorite leopard maxi dress! Of course it's about 6 inches too long on me (another drawback of being short), but that just necessitates the wearing of my favorite shoes as well. If this outfit was appropriate to wear everywhere, I would!

Also guys, don't forget that tomorrow is 11-11-11! I'm not sure what that signifies but I hope it's something good - I have a job interview that day for a position I desperately want, and I need all the good omens I can get!

High Line (& giveaway reminder!)

Thrifted Armani top; American Apparel skirt; Matisse sandals; Chanel backpack; Burberry sunglasses

First off I want to remind you all to enter the Sebastian Fierce Color giveaway this week - you only have until Thursday night to enter, so get going creating those colorful Sebastian-inspired outfits! You can make as many outfit collages as you like - my favorite will win a Sebastian color ignite gift basket, and the grand prize winner (across all blogs hosting this contest) will win an iPad, a Marc Jacobs iPad cover, an iTunes gift card, and a Sebastian gift basket - all together worth about $1,000! Click here to enter!

These pictures were taken the other day on the High Line in Chelsea. The High Line is a park built on a former abandoned raised railroad line. It's soooo beautiful there, you have views of the Empire State Building and NY skyline on one side and the Hudson River on the other. Also, it doesn't hurt that there is amazing shopping on the streets below. I definitely wouldn't mind moving down to Chelsea after my lease is finished!

Jazz Man

American Apparel top, Current/Elliott jeans, Jeffrey Campbell clogs from Lori's Shoes,
Vintage Chanel backpack, Vintage necklace and bracelet

I wore this to go to the first night of Jazz Fest this Friday with the BF. We saw the Sauce Boss, who is described as having a "distinctive slide guitar sound, wrought out of his 53 Telecaster like a man beggin' for mercy, and slung through a 1948 Fender amp like a dark horse running through the night. [T]he Sauce Boss has a truly authentic sound that leaves you looking for something you thought you'd lost, but in fact you never knew you had." Yeah, I have no idea what that all means, but he handed out bowls of gumbo after his show, so I'm now a loyal fan!

And this was my first time out with the new bag! I love it, everything is so much easier when you have both hands free! Also, thank you all so much for your comments on the shopping addiction post, it's comforting to know that I'm in the presence of so many fellow addicts! We can quit whenever we want, we just choose not to... right?

"I have an addiction, sir!"

Quick pic of my new-to-me vintage Chanel backpack... I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help myself. Shopping is a legitimate addiction! I've also recently acquired the vintage necklace and bracelet shown above, as well as these *amazing* sunglasses from Seventh Door. What are some of your recent buys? Help me feel like less of an addict!

Currently Craving: Dreaming in shades of black

1. Free People Strappy Over-the-Knee Boot
2. Free People Draping Chains Tank (I've tried this on, it's even more beautiful in person!)
3. Norwegian Wood Luxe Collection Banded Lace Leggings
4. Alice + Olivia Military Jacket
5. Chanel Classic Flap Bag

Mmm, I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard after staring at these beautiful Nicolas Kirkwood for Rodarte knockoffs by Free People. What a beautiful boot! Plus, they have a thicker heel, so they seem like they couldn't be too uncomfortable! And FYI to the FTC, Free People is not paying me to write this, nor are they giving me freebies - however, I'd gladly accept it (and report it!) if they sent me these boots! LoL! While we're on the topic, what do you fellow bloggers think of the new FTC guidelines? I haven't researched them fully yet, but I don't see anything wrong with encouraging honesty.

***Thanks to the good people at ELLEgirl.com for picking me as their Street Style Monthly Winner!***

Interview with Sarah of Rice and Beans Vintage

Rice and Beans Vintage is an independent online store that features vintage and designer goods at incredible prices. Offering items from Chanel, Gucci, Ferragamo, Lanvin, YSL, and more, Rice and Beans Vintage is one of the premier online vintage clothing stores. Just this past weekend there was a private vintage Chanel sale for email subscribers, and if you sign up for their email list you'll be in the know for future sales! I got to talk with the owner of Rice and Beans Vintage, Sarah Korsiak Cellier, and she answered a bunch of questions about what it's like to run a vintage clothing store and more! She also generously offered readers of Breakfast at Saks a 15% off discount code, good for anything on the site! Just enter "BREAKFAST" at checkout. Happy shopping!

What is the significance of the name "Rice and Beans Vintage"?

The name Rice and Beans Vintage actually comes out a nickname that I was given a few years back, Ms. Rice and Beans. Essentially the name Rice and Beans Vintage describes a free spirit, someone who loves to play around with fashion, and has a little bit of sass!

Why did you decide to start an online vintage and designer clothing store?
I've always been passionate about fashion and putting together outfits. I began dealing in vintage 6 years ago. I started on eBay and eventually wanted more so I started Rice and Beans Vintage after the birth of my son. It is definitely my creative outlet. I was going to be an Acupuncturist but decided to deal in Vintage instead and I'm glad I did! Rice and Beans Vintage is a place for hybrid fashionistas, people like me who love to mix current designer pieces with vintage. I hope we have something for everyone.

Where do you find the pieces that you sell in your online store?

Ahh...the question, well I can tell you that I have been amazingly lucky to build such a great collection of vintage and designer pieces. Rice and Beans Vintage is not a consignment store and I handpick each piece you see in stock. That said I do have a few very special pieces that I sell for people, because I just couldn't pass them up!

What criteria do you have when choosing what vintage pieces to buy and sell?

There are a few things I look for when choosing a piece of Vintage or Designer clothing for Rice and Beans Vintage. First, I love fabric, so the material is very important to me. Condition is huge, the piece must be in very good to excellent condition. I also choose pieces that are classic while always paying attention to current and up and coming trends!

What have been your favorite pieces that you have seen come through your store?

Oh, there are so many! I have a soft spot for Vintage Gucci and I still think about a Vintage 70's Gucci Saddle Bag that sold, I think I shed a little tear. I really love every piece at Rice and Beans Vintage.

Do you have any advice as to how a person should go about incorporating vintage clothes into their wardrobe?

Definitely go for it! Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe should be fun. It's really important that you love the piece and that it caught your eye. Take liberties and make it your own. If you are just starting to incorporate vintage and you're not sure how, start with an accessory. Try a fantastic Vintage 70's Platform sandal with a modern dress or add a Vintage Designer handbag to your look. Once you start you'll know what's right for you.

Chanel Haute Couture S/S 2009

Paris Couture Week rolls on, today with the Chanel Haute Couture S/S 2009 show. Lagerfeld opted for a white, pristine backdrop constructed with 4,000 meters of white paper folded into flowers (check out a better picture here). The backdrop complemented the paper headpieces worn by the models, which were painstakingly handcrafted by Japanese hairstylist Katsuya Kamo. The palette of the collection was entirely black and white, which some have already critiqued, but I think Coco Chanel said it best: “Black goes with everything. White also. They have absolute beauty. It is the perfect match."

Also stirring up a bit of controversy is that the final outfit in the collection was done with white pants, rather than an elaborate gown. The first picture above is the final runway piece. What do you think, is that look a bit of a letdown to end a Couture show with? I love the long train and the flower headpiece, but I'm also a sucker for giant Couture gowns, so I'm torn.

You can check out the entire runway show at WWD, and then let me know what you thought of it!


Pictures from WWD

Chanel Pre-Fall 2009

If the Calvin Klein Pre-Fall 2009 collection didn't inspire you, this collection from Chanel may do the trick. The theme of this show was "Paris-Moscou", and this collection was designed to show off the skills of the French embroiderers, milliners, goldsmiths, and shoemakers the house supports. It features sequins, pearls, fringe, chiffon, fur, leather, and military badges - something for everyone! Check out some pieces below, and the whole collection at Style.com.

I need a Chanel muff!

Pictures from Style.com

And another one... Win a Chanel bag!

WhoWhatWear is giving away a medium classic Chanel bag in black (pictured above)! All you have to do is subscribe to WhoWhatWear's newsletter (which you should do anyways, it's a great fashion source!) before December 10. Click here to subscribe. Good luck! And let me know if you win!