Crowd Funding The Nerve For Céline Sunglasses

For the first time since I could remember, I bought myself some new sunglasses without the use of a sale, a gift card, a self-employed RewardStyle link, or even a BlueFly or The Real Real to achieve a discount. Nay. Like some sort of rich person, I simply walked into Barneys one day and tried these Céline sunglasses on and loved them. It wasn't my intention, after all, I only went to Barneys to pick up some Oribe product (only one bottle of the Volumista because GURRL this line is pricey and we are not made of money), but apparently I wanted to be extra stupid and try on things I knew were out of my monthly budget. How could I not fall in love with these frames? They are a) oversized, which flatter my roundish/oval face, b) a sort of an aviator style that actually works for said roundish/oval face, c) tortoise shell, which I've been looking for ever since dropping my precious and super old (5+ years!) Karen Walker Number Ones into the Dominican Republican ocean. Did I mention they were Céline and I'm a vain person that occasionally gets sucked into labels? So I did the only thing there was to do after trying them on; walk out of the store like a financially responsible person. But not before taking a selfie and crowd funding the balls to actually go back and purchase the sunglasses. (Thank you all who participated — I hate and love you dearly...you know, like family.). So here I am, with my new favorite sunglasses in a super special plushy pocket of my purse that keeps them forever scratch-free and safe, and a happy customer. Can we be a happy customer at all times buying things full price? I doubt it, but every now and then it sure is nice to treat yourself.

Grandpa's Shoes

My everyday shoe for the past two months can be easily confused as my grandpa's shoes. You can always go to client presentations with Vans on, sometimes you have to look presentable. Grown up, even. Why not index way older then? I got them in one of J. Crews 25% off bonanzas, so when there is another promo I suggest snatching these up because the quality is real nice. Just get them one full size smaller though as they run real long. These are pretty similar, you know, if you wan't me to get a commission or whatever.

Rill Rill

Who really needs gold and silver when you've got marble? I walked into Social Studies in Berkeley the other weekend and could literally not resist trying on (and dropping! ah! it fell on my shoe, it was all fine!) this amazing Rill Rill marble necklace. I'm really not one to shop at boutiques—I'm more of a browsing window shopper when it comes to little shops—but I felt compelled to buy this necklace the moment I tried it on and looked at it in the mirror.  It is lovely. It's got a nice heft, which is to be expected from the two types of marble, that are constructed so beautifully on  copper and leather fixture. I love how the minimal and classic look of marble contrasts so nicely with the handcrafted feel of the leather and copper straps. It's exactly the unique piece that I look forward to wearing with t-shirts and otherwise plain ensembles.

On the fence: Mansur Gavriel Sunshine Yellow Interior Bucket Bag (Help Me Decide)

I originally thought I wanted a black bag. Not a bucket bag either, but a special black bag. My mind was on some sort of anonymous looking, yet quality-feeling, tote like the Petra from Everlane, but my mind was foggy, confused. Maybe it's time to buy things that aren't black, I said to myself. Mind you, it was also week #3 of 60+ hours at my crazy workplace, so imagine my surprise when I saw the hard-to-get Mansur Gavriel bucket bag on Needy Supply Co.  a) in stock, b) in tan/brown, c) with the most adorable sunshine yellow lining. I jumped on it and bought it, knowing that these are pretty much the hardest bags to get a hold of in this very moment.

The question remains: do I only want this bag because it's so hard to get, or is it a genuine thing of beauty that I'll use over and over?

Someone, anyone, please help me decide. I've been working 60+ hour weeks and my mind is jelly. Would you keep it? Would you wait and trade up for something else? What would that be?  

Dear Ann Demeulemeester,

 This year has been a spoiled year for me, but I want to say I'm sorry.

(I realize this is a terrible to way to begin an apology, but bear with me.)

 I moved into my very own house at the beginning of the year, a house I worked hard for —even after placing the offer! It was a wonderful and happy time, and I was never more happy than then to liquidate my hard-earned savings to pay for glamorous things like "a sump pump system" or a "new roof to prevent future water damage." I even got a new job around that time, which I currently love despite the sometimes grueling hours advertising demands. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, having been über-blessed to own a house, have a great job, and a handsome man who loves me at home. 

(Apology status: I'm getting there, I promise!)

After a couple months of working hard and saving money, paying mortgages and such, I treated myself to Pair #1 on my Dream Shoe list: the Balenciaga cut out boot. Ooh, boy, I love those shoes. The best part about them is that the are mine and I worked hard to save my $200 a month until reaching the Everest-like peak of (gulp) $1,200. But, I did it. And felt like I could want nothing more until I recently acquired Pair #2 on my Dream Shoe list in the very same year: The Valentino Rockstud in black on black — a serendipitous story, actually, where I found them on sort-of-sale, not fitting my foot, then finding them again, on half-off (!!) sale, and this time fitting perfectly. 

(Side note, Ann: Yes, I know, it's pretty trite as a blogger to love these two shoes, but I'm not a special snowflake. I am Jack's medulla oblongata, and I am a consumer just like you, so please don't judge me. Leave that to the discerning readers of GOMI to do). 

So cut to yesterday when I'm out having a nice day of after Christmas sales shopping with my mom and I come across these shoes at a store. My inner monologue said, "OMG, those are like, exactly the same as those Ann Demeulemeester pair I love." I approached the shoes, asked for them in my size. Tried those on. Shook my head, sized them up and tried those on. They were beautiful, Ann. They look just like yours. But, like, 1000% less. So this is where I tell you the bad news: despite knowing better, I decided to get them, realizing in full that they will never have your name stamped on them! I can live with it though, especially because these days I have to deal with a little something called a "Supplemental Tax Bill" which is "due in full" in "30 days." 

So I'm sorry, Ann. I really am. If you want to write me, you can email me whenever, girl.

XOXO

Shoes by the ultimate wig snatcher, Jeffrey Campbell. 

But here are the originals, if you can bear the price.

New In: Thierry Lasry Orgasmy in Tortoise Shell

Yes, that is me in my robe early in the AM, unaware that my brand new Thierry Lasry sunglasses are reflecting my unkempt condition to the world. It's okay, though. I will own up to it. After all, it's Friday.