Marianne: Search for Leopard Flats.

**I'm selling a pair of Sloops and some yellow Tieks in the shop!**

I've been in denial for months, but it's time to replace my beloved leopard French Sole Sloops.

French Sole 'Sloop' Flat

I have blogged about them a million times, but I'll say it again: these shoes are so ridiculously soft and comfortable, it's like wearing slippers. Unfortunately they are also over $100 and I don't know if I can swing that right now (but you can bet I'm watching eBay like a hawk). And so, join me on my quest for inexpensive, but still comfortable, leopard flats.

I know a few people that love these Yosi Samra flats:

Yosi samra Leopard Elastic Top Line Ballet Flats

But I don't know. They only come in whole sizes, which bugs me, and honestly there isn't much to them for $70.

I have never tried a pair of Toms on in my life, but I will admit that the ballet flat version is pretty cute. Do y'all know if they are comfortable? This site has them on sale for $60:

TOMS Sanborn Leopard-Print Ballerina Flat

These actually look a lot like the French Sole Sloops, and they are only $45. Not available in my size, though. Sigh.

BC Footwear Limousine Flats in Leopard

I'm actually most tempted by the Lucky Brand "Emmie" flat, which is on sale right now for $41:

Lucky Brand Ballet Flats - Emmie

My only concern is that the fabric upper won't hold up well.

What do you guys think? Should I just hold out for another pair of FS/NY Sloops, since I know I love them? Have y'all seen any of these in person? Help a lady out.

Feelings.

M: We all love Victor Garber, right? Have you...have you seen his long time partner? Because I have FEELINGS.

M: His name is RAINER.

M: And I want him to build things for me.

A: Hot damn Victor Garber HIGH FIVE.

M: Right? I mean well DONE:

A: I need him to build me a log cabin RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND.

M: Yes, and then, I don't know, make me a canoe. Shirtless. Just go on.

A: He should maybe be racing cars with Paul Newman?

M: Looking at his younger photos, he might BE Paul Newman. I mean goddamn:

A: What the actual fuck.

M: Victor Garber has been with him for FOURTEEN YEARS I MEAN REALLY.

A: I'm getting angry about this.

M: I am more in awe than anything.

A: That's fair. I just. Damn.

M: I know, pet. I know.

A: *sob*

Important Makeup Talk.

A: Kim France is making me want All The Things.

M: Dang it. Let me tell you, I shattered my Josie Maran eyeshadow compact and I'm still sad about it. It's so good for spring, a little lighter than the Naked stuff and so blendable and glowy.

A: Aw man. The compact she posted is SO PRETTY.

M: It's filling me with Longing. I also have that lip stain and totally forgot about it.

A: I really want to try the cheek stuff.

M: I have decided I have to buy a little makeup for spring. I do not have any tinted moisturizer that matches my skin right now. It's pretty rad.

A: Ooh, what kind? And I think you need a new Josie Maran palette.

M: I don't know, I'm thinking about trying the NARS tinted moisturizer. I am wondering about primer, too. My skin is looking ROUGH, I shouldn't let it bum me out so much but it does.

A: I am still using my sample of the Nars primer and I really like it.

M: That's in my shopping cart right now. I want to just order but I should be a good girl and go to the store to get the tinted moisturizer shade right.

A: I want that Josie Maran palette BADLY. My favorite purple eyeshadow just finally bit the dust.

M: What's your favorite purple eyeshadow?

A: You are going to be mad.

M: I will not. Unless you bought it in high school.

A: Well, not in high school.

M: SIGH.

A: It's Aveda and they discontinued the color! What was I supposed to do??

I was the best.

M: I can't even talk to you any more.

A: I knew you'd be mad.

M: Now I remember you showing me a picture of this sadness. Buy yourself that palette, please. PLEASE.

A: Yes!!!1

M: Jesus, girl. You are going to break your eyes one day.

A: Can I feel your face? I forget what you look like.

M: Of course I'm the one that used fake Chinese lead makeup for a few days, so.

A: GOOD POINT, LADY.

M: I didn't knooooooooow. 100%.

A: I'm sorry, did you not keep using it even after you knew it was made of lead and crushed insects?

M: I stopped after I compared it to yours. I promise.

M: Tell me to be patient and go try this shit in the store and not just order it right now.

A: I should, but what I do is just buy the color online that I think is right, and then exchange it in-store for the one that's actually right.

M: OKAY I AM DOING THAT. I really hate the mall.

A: Me too! The mall where our single Sephora lives is so so so depressing.

M: What code should I use? Can't decide.

A: maybe the Tarte BB primer stuff? I tried it and thought it was pretty good.

M: Hmmm. I'm buying primer though. I am thinking about that Living Proof style extender, which I have heard raves over, but I think it's probably not for curly hair?

M: lash plumping serum?

A: Oh, I'm curious about the style extender. Your lashes be plump already.

M: You know I am like the Veruca Salt of eyelashes. Eventually they are all going to fall out from excessive vanity.

A: When that happens and you go blind, I will let you feel my face. SEE HOW THAT WORKS?

Planet Swinton

A: This is making me crazy:

source: The Sartorialist

M: I am pretty sure that's one of those blankets they wrap on marathon runners, and I'm pretty sure she's rocking it.

A: YES. EXACTLY. AND YES. EXACTLY.

M: She is not a mere mortal, Adrien.

A: Giovanna is a beautiful crazy fashion alien from the planet Swinton.

M: Pretty much. Damn, those shoes.

A: I know. I feel like I need a guest pass to even look at her.

M: What do you think she eats? I can't imagine her, you know, grocery shopping.

A: Eats?

M: Right, I'm being silly.

A: She gets her nutrients from the AIR, Marianne. Swinton planet air.

M: Sigh.

A: You weakling mortal with your food.

M: I'll never be America's Next Top Moddle.

A: Did you want to be?

M: I can't develop a taste for cotton balls this late in life.

A: So filling! Not quite like air but you wouldn't know.

M: I'll never know. Sniff.

James Jeans Couture Skinny Review.

So, I've got this problem that has led me on a quest. I would like ONE GODDAMN PAIR OF JEANS THAT STAYS PUT. Just one, y'all. ONE. Every pair of jeans I own starts out where it should and then slippity-slides right down my ass until I'm forced to hoist them up repeatedly in a most unlady-like manner. I had high hopes for this pair (reviewed here by Marianne) but realized too late that I should've sized down. Even my everyday pair of bootcut jeans fails me. So when I read about James Jeans Couture I was super skeptical. They make some crazy claims. Oh, it's suction thigh wrapping, is it? And vortex waist contouring? Power denim?? OH YOU BET. Uh huh. WE SHALL SEE.

So I bought a pair of the Couture Skinny 1285 because they were on sale and I really wanted to see this shit for myself. They come in two versions - one with slight padding in the back pockets (no thank you) and "virgin" which is what I bought. I went by the size chart on the James Jean site and was slightly terrified by their warning:

"Couture styles appear smaller than regular James Jeans because they expand to mold your body in order to promote maximum hold and lift."

Um, great. Anyway, they arrived and wooooooo, they were not kidding. I had to shoehorn myself into these jeans. It was not pretty. But I got them on and wow, tight. But I persevered and gave them time to, um, mold to my body. And I have to admit, they did do that and were pretty comfortable. And that "suction thigh wrapping" thing is the honest truth - these jeans totally hold you in and don't bag out. See for yourself:

Bare feet! Sorry.

Booty.

Better with boots and a sweater.

James Jeans Couture Skinny 1285

I also really love the wash - very plain, very dark, very much all over my hands to the point that people kept asking about my circulation. (But whatever, this is what happens with dark denim.)

So you're probably wondering, "HEY. DID THEY SLIDE DOWN YOUR ASS? PLEASE TELL US." And you guys? Listen. They totally slide right down my ass. Please excuse me while I throw myself on my bed and cry.

Adrien: Squinty.

Oh, the sun, it was everywhere I didn't want it to be including in my face. The outfit is an old one, but it's tried-and-true and sometimes you just go with what works. The bag/cardigan feels a little too matchy for my tastes but I think the overall look is fine? You tell me. Too matchy? Ugh, Monday.

dress: Ann Taylor (spendy similar, inexpensive similar)

cardigan: Ann Taylor (similar)

locket: J Crew (similar)

boots: Frye (similar Frye boots)

bag: vintage LV (similar)

MINE ALL MINE.

Oh, hi there! Friday is usually when Marianne and I post our "cute boy" entries. But, here's the thing - Marianne is on vacation so that means this task is all mine. MINE. ALL MINE. Hahhahaaaaaaaaaaaa. So, forget about the witty banter and just...yeah:

What, this old thing?

Hot even when wearing my girlfriend's shirt.

I make this grandpa cardigan look great.

Mmmm.

Booty said pow!

Well, yes.

This issue *is* fantastic.

I am rocking this purple tie.

gurrrrrl.

Unh.

I miss Marianne.

And yes, I did Google "Daniel Craig butt" in the making of this blog entry. Want to make something of it?