High Rollin' On Hump Day (Translation: Expensive Stuff)

All of the following items have the following in common:

1.) They're gorgeous.
2.) I want them all.
3a.) They're all $169 and up.
3b.) In my world, things $169 and up qualify as "expensive."

Let's take a looksee, shall we? In declining order of dearness, meaning the closer you get to the bottom, the greater your chances become of being able to afford stuff (if you're me).

($895, Anya Hindmarch, Vivre.com)

DEFINITELY not a plastic bag.

($390, Celestina, Vivre.com)

Beautiful, timeless, worth doing some "creative refinancing" on the monthly budget for... almost maybe.

($385, Jill Stuart, Shopbop.com)

So sweet, and more subdued than your typical red-and-black cherries fare.

($365, MZ Wallace)

Gorgeous everyday bag. Love it in orange too.

($363, Alexis, ActiveEndeavors.com)

And you, faux croc ombre envelope clutch -- I covet you most of all.

($216, Maria Bonita Extra, ActiveEndeavors.com)
Possibly the greatest ballet flats/ skimmers/ whatever ever.

($169, Prairie New York, CoutureCandy.com)

I'm starting to feel a bit "meh" bout jeweled embellishments at this point (but not 100%), though this is supes cutes. But don't click the "indigo" version if you're easily offended!

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FashionBinge Forced Retirement: The Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flat

Yes, the Tory Burch "Reva" ballet flat is cute, but so is Abigail Breslin, but you don't see me hanging out with her. That's why I have to take issue with iVillage for putting them on their "Still In For Spring" list. Conversely, they're on my own personal "First to Go" list. Enough is enough! They're overly specific to last spring, and they're making me yawn.

Let's step it up with some new flats, shall "we"?

($375, Tashkent By Cheyenne, Piperlime.com)

The gold buckle and square toe are simply sublime, and the neutral tan make this an excellent (yet expensive) winter-to-spring transitional shoe.

($155, Corso Como, Piperlime.com)

Um, okay. I was just about write that these sassy yet simple shoes are the Dorothy Zbornak of awesome flats, and THEN I saw that these are called "Dotty," thus confirming my long-held suspicions that I am a FUCKING GIRL GENIUS.

($235, Repetto, Creatures of Comfort)

Not so me, but I could see MKHo pulling these off with much "aplomb." And speaking of black ballet flats -- throughout much of last fall, I wore a pair of subtle black patent quilted ballet flats that I got at like Rainbow or something (no joke) for under a twenty. I wore them with everything, and quite well, if I must say. Unfortunately they started to smell like a pile of fragrant garbage, so I had to trash them, but they're such an easy go-to that I may have to replace them:

($22, Torrid)

Simple, sweet, and so cheap! Thanks, Torrid!

($11.49, Target)

No, thank YOU, Targz!

($49, Steve Madden)

See? Behold: a simple, stylish flat, unadorned by now-ubiquitous tack, which is more than I can say for...

(Via iVillage, unfortunately)

A crime -- and fate -- worse than Crocs, my friends.

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Old Navy's Safari Style

Dear Todd Oldham,

I know we don't know each other personally, but I used to like watching you on House of Style back in the day on MTV. I'm sorry that neither your clothing line nor, let's be honest, that Bravo show you hosted worked out. But I'm over the moon over the news that as of October 2007, you've been named the new creative director of struggling Old Navy.

Old Navy's always been there for me, but only sorta in that last resort sorta way. In much the same way that you'll eat the last, sorta crappiest looking thing in your pantry -- the thing you wouldn't touch but only turn to out of starving desperation -- Old Navy is usually last on the list.

But I have hopes that much as you were able to resurrect shitty old college couches by recovering them with animal prints, you'll be able to breathe life back into Old Navy, which, it seems, is now "The O.N."

And, seeing as how I have a weird giraffe-print fetish, I'm hugely enamored of your new urban explorer line of safari-inspired stuff:

So much cute animal-print stuff, and so easy to shop for! And I truly love the citrusy yellows and greens. Lovely change from Old Navy's usual crop of primaries and pastels.

More stuff I'd readily buy:

($29.50, Old Navy)

While there's been much ado about this dress, I'm a much bigger fan of this one. Nice way to do florals and safari without doing too much of either.

($19.50, Old Navy)

Speaking of ado, there's been plenty of it over the giraffe-print clutch, but I'm also fond of the squiggly olive-print clutch too.

($15, Old Navy)

Sweet, simple little keyhole top -- a classier alternative to a tank or Tee.

($19.50, Old Navy)

I do believe I need both of these animal-print and animal-print-inspired (because I'm not sure what animal is red and grey, but I'd sure like to meet him!) flats. (MKHo blogged about the lemony ones not too long ago. Psychic style sisters!)

($4, Old Navy)

We all need undies! I have a pair of similar hipster unders, and they fit perfectly and have held up after many a'wash. (Because I'm hygienic like that!) And these are waaaay cheaper than the awesome yet expensive Cosabella bottoms I blogged about befo'.

Okay, well, Todd, I realize that this has become more of a personal shopping list than a letter. I'm off the ballet (yay!), so I'll end this now with this old-school House of Style clip.

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Ask A Binger! Do Ballet Flats Go With Skinny Jeans?

In our recent Cigarette/ Skinny Jeans post, Laura S. of the adorable DachsiesandDaisies -- who finds heart-wrenchingly cute stuff like marshmallows with heart cut-outs (!!!!) -- asked if ballet flats are appropes footwear for skinny jeans.

In a word: Absolutely, sistrah!

Observe:

(Credit: Instyle.com)

Rachel Bilson always looks so super comfy-casual-cute.

(Credit: ImNotObsessed.com)

Such a pretty princess! Even if she is dating the human equivalent of a two-by-four. (Hayden = zzzzzz).

(Credit: Glam.com)

Chloe Sevigny may be one of the only people on earth who can pull off white jeans. (J.Lo does NOT count). God bless, I say.

(Credit: Glam.com)

Casual Kate Bosworth in skinnies and flats -- love the all black.

(Credit: Instyle.com)

Granted, all jeans are skinny jeans on Kate Moss (here in her Doherty days), but here's another example of the classiness of black flats/ black pants. Perfect way to not look like a crazy person in animal prints.

(Photo: Couturecandy.com)

Perfect ensemble for when you're about to take naked pix of your underaged self! On the reals though: I'm basically indifferent toward Vanessa Hudgens, but these flats are cute.

Anyway, especially in the warmer months, ballet flats are the perfect outfit upgrade from flip-flops (which I absolutely abhor), and sandals, which I've never been too fond of. Flip-flops: hangar steak and Cristalino. Ballet flats: Kobe and Veuve. Got it?

PS: DC blogger HeyPretty's post about skinny jeans and boots has little to do with either, but it's a funny read in a self-deprecating-but-not-too-severely way.

PPS: Also, read HeyPretty's post about how fucking shitty Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle are and how there's a dearth of TV shows that realistically portray working women in their '20s and '30s. Which is why I primarily watch Intervention and Tell Me You Love Me. And Millionaire Matchmaker.

PPPS: I am not actually, nor am I in any way, shape or form associated with HeyPretty. I just discovered her blog today and like it. KThXbYe!!

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