The Pretty Pear

We've all heard about Etsy by now

We all love Etsy, we're all addicted, we all need a 12 step recovery program. I could browse through the listings all day and never run out of cool stuff to covet. To me, Etsy signifies everything that's wonderful about the internet and I'm more than happy to hand over money to the artists that sell their wares there. Let's see what I've bought recently.

Brown and cream ponytail holders from cutecumber. A fun little treat at $3.50. I tie my hair back a lot and wanted something cute to perk things up and these are perfect. I use a regular, black hair elastic for the actual hair holding and then wrap these around to cover it up. The seller has tons of cute hair accessories just like this.

Oui Bird and Tender Pear necklaces from birdzNbeez. Ok, yes, I seek out pear stuff because I'm just that narcissistic but come on, it's cute! I love the little birdies and overall vintage feel of both pieces.

Wine Tasting Weekend Bag from Paco and Lupe. I don't normally drop $110 on handbags but I knew that if I didn't buy this bag, I'd regret it. So I bought it and I'm glad I did because I love it. It's even better in person and I plan to carry it forever and ever.

Found: green handbags that aren't $250!

So, I've been lusting after the bag I posted about last week and now it's not even available on the Zappos website. I'm taking that as a sign that I should look elsewhere. I remembered a few places I hadn't looked yet and lo, I've found a few great bags that are in my budget:

• Ring Satchel from Nine West, on sale for $30
• Large Suede hobo, also from Nine West, on sale for $100
• Nine & Co. Big Shot tote from Kohls, on sale for $20
• Merona large satchel from Target, $25

I'm sure there are more out there but those caught my eye the most. Now I just have to decide which I like best. What do you think?

Bag lust

I've been searching all over the internet for The Perfect Green Bag. It's become a minor obsession that's left me feeling mostly disappointed. I do believe that I've found my ideal bag, though: this gorgeous patent tote by Fossil. This bag is the closest I've found to what I'm looking for. The color, shape and size are all perfect. The only problem is the price.

At $240, it's outside of my price range. But instead of doing what I'd usually do, which is find a cheaper alternative that I don't like quite as much and would probably end up not using because it's not perfect, I'm going to see if I can save my pennies and splurge on this bag a little later. I'd use my birthday next week as an excuse but I already ordered a new laptop (which I actually need), so there goes that plan.

If I do end up buying this bag, it will be the most I've ever spent on a single accessory. I'm hesitant but I do love it so we'll see. Hopefully a cheaper, just as perfect alternative will present itself to me.

Hey, look! Cute bags!

I have a major weakness for inexpensive, yet seriously adorable cotton tote bags. I think that a good quality leather (or leatherish) everyday bag has a place in most women's wardrobes but I tend to use my cotton totes more often. And interestingly, I've gotten more compliments on an extremely simple $5 tote with a bright polka dot print than any of my more expensive bags.

I spotted this floral graphic tote from Old Navy and had to have it immediately. I love the print, especially because it's just creeping up from the bottom and doesn't cover the entire bag. It's a little unexpected. The bag is 18 inches wide so it'd make a good shopping companion and at $12.50, it's a fun little splurge. It also comes in gray and red.

This squirrel lovers tote bag from Torrid isn't exactly a mature choice in handbags. It's actually really silly. But you know what? It's hanging in my closet right this second. I laugh a little every time I look at it and if something brings a smile to my face, even if it is a little dorky, what's so bad about that? Look at the crazy bunnies!

I don't think that clothes and accessories have to be all business, all the time. I work from home and I dress casually 95% of the time so I don't really need anything that's office appropriate. If you do have to dress up every day, why not have a little fun with your weekend bag? 

Holly Aiken bags on sale

I've written about Holly Aiken bags before because she makes super cute bags that are as durable as they are stylish. I've got good news - they're 25% off from now until Halloween, October 31st. And you'll get free shipping on your order, too.

 

Sometimes I shop in actual stores

Have you ever come home from a shopping trip and felt very proud of yourself, like you actually accomplished something other than a sizable dent in your checking account? That's how I feel right now.

First, the shoes. I hate buying shoes. I mean HATE HATE HATE buying shoes. I know, it's weird. I'd rather try on 15 pairs of jeans that are a size too small than ONE pair of shoes. But this doesn't stop me from looking at shoes. I love shoes! But I have wide, flat feet and shoes do not love me.

I headed over to my local DSW to see if maybe my number wiould come up and I'd get lucky. Just as I was about to give up, having tried on every pair of shoes that caught my eye and not a single pair felt right, I saw these flats by Dollhouse. They're a tiny bit snug but they'll definitely stretch with a little breaking in and frankly, that's good enough for me. I can't find them online anywhere but I'm guessing they retail for about $40, I got them for $30. Yay shoes!

Then I headed to Marshalls, a discount department store that sells clothes, shoes, housewares, etc. I never have good luck in that store because the plus size selection is a nightmare. So I looked at clothes first, to get that freakfest out of the way and headed over to the shoes. Ok, freakfest there, too. Oh, but bags! So many bags! And you know what's great about bags? They're one size fits all! (Except when the shoulder strap is too short and that pisses me off.)

And just like the shoes, I was just about to give up when I spotted this brown corduroy Tommy Hilfiger tote. It's brown! It's corduroy! It's roomy and the shoulder strap is long but not too long! It's exactly what I've been looking for! It retails for $80 and I got it for $30!

Now you see why I'm so proud of myself.

So now I want summer to go away so I can rock my new fall accessories. Brown corduroy doesn't really say "Summer in Chicago" to me. But I'm still being patient.

accessories

As a plus size woman, I know that accessories can take a dull outfit and make it super cute. I'm not big on jewelry but I love purses and shoes. Urban Outfitters has a lot of really fun accessories and homewares. Delia's plus sizes are a joke but there are other cute, inexpensive things to be found on their website. Girl Shop is pricey but it's always fun to look and they carry Loop stuff, which I love. Bebe is about as trendy as it gets and their shoes are fabulous, not that I could ever fit my wide feet into a pair! Anthropologie is a little more realistic, if you ask me.

It kind of sucks that the only things a big girl can buy at these stores are accessories, but they are good for stuff besides clothes, I guess. I'd love to open a fabulous little shop that's super trendy, fun, and caters only to young, hip, plus size women. Who's with me?