Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Hello everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is in good health and spirits for this Thanksgiving holiday! For those of you traveling, I know traveling is exhausting, I wish you all a safe trip to and from your destinations and hope everyone gets to spend time and eat tons of food with your loved ones on this day.
                                                             -the brunette

P.S. Thanksgiving sales at:
Macy's.com
Saks
Bloomindale's



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Pre Thanksgiving Pharmacy Trip!

JF 


Sunday I went shopping with my Mom for some pre-Thankingsgiving items she needed. I don't know if it was shopping for the cranberry sauce, scanning through the pumpkin and mince pies or passing by the succulent butterballs, just waiting there to be cooked and gobbled up, that it really set in that the holiday's are here. Anyways, for the whole two hours we were there, I realized four things. 1) It isn't hard at all to fill up two baskets worth of goods (especially in preparation for Thanksgiving). 2) I never realized how incredibly cheap Ramen is. 3) the pharmacy had a nice selection of hair products. and 4) Mom's know everything.

To elaborate more, lets start with this Ramen business. I don't know how much Ramen is where you live but last night at the market, I glanced at the price and was astounded that the Ramen was 16 cents! I turned to my mom and said "Oh my goodness, Ramen is 16 cents! No wonder people live on this stuff..." I had heard that college students lived on Ramen and so did fashion adoring individuals sometimes but never realized how cheap it was. I thought Ramen was at least 60 cents and shocked that I was way overreaching. "Yeah, you didn't know that?" My mom responded to me like I just admitted I didn't know what 2+2 was. I started to think more on it and came to the conclusion that I would seriously consider giving up regular food to be able to afford designer goods if I had to. Not saying I would do it, just that I would consider it.

Secondly, upon walking in the store, my Mom grabbed a basket and mentioned I should grab one too. "Two baskets?" I asked incredulously. "Trust me" she scoffs. I guess mom does know best after all because we were close to needing a third.

The last thing I realized at the pharmacy was their extensive variety of hair products. I ended up getting four things from the hair section. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Conditioner, John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone Correcting Shampoo and the Suave Professionals Black Raspberry + White Tea Shampoo & Conditioner. I am repurchasing the go lighter conditioner (I know what you're thinking. It makes no sense that my blog is called thebrunettescapades and I am buying a conditioner for blonde hair along with a purple shampoo. One word will answer all your questions: ombre.) and I have used the suave professionals shampoo & conditioner while staying over at relatives and know it works fantastically. This is however, my first time using the John Frieda purple shampoo (since my hair is getting a little brassy) and I will report back on how it holds up.

Anyways other things I ended up picking up were a two pack of Dove deodorant (the cucumber kind), and dog food. I always buy the Purina green bag but it was way up top on the highest shelf (remember, I'm 5'2") and I couldn't find any workers (also there were so many people in the store) so I decided to just get the Beneful range from Purina. My aunt and uncle buy it for their dog too and it was on the low shelf (and it's resealable so my dog can't sneak to the utility room anymore and stick his head in the bag when I'm not looking) so I just grabbed it and off I went.

All in all, I had a nice time with my mom and learned a couple things along the way. Question of the week: What is your favourite thing about Thanksgiving and how will you be celebrating?
                                                                                                                      -the brunette

P.S. Battle of the... Navy Suede Pumps + reviews coming soon!
Mentioned in this post:
John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Conditioner                                        John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone Correction Shampoo                                   Suave Professionals Black Raspberry + White Tea Shampoo & Conditioner







Friday, November 16, 2012

Battle of the... Black Suede Boots!



Black Suede Boots

One of my latest fashion craves has been for a black suede tall boot. I just adore suede and love the look of it when you don't want something as edgy or full on as leather boots can look. In my efforts to find the perfect black suede boots, I have come down to these 4 boots and will compare them to one another. My list for the perfect suede boot entails a minimum of a 3 inch heel, a shaft height of no longer than 15 inches, and a calf circumference of around 15-16 inches depending on the shaft height. I have taken to Nordstroms.com to find these shoes (with the exception of the L.K. Bennett boots) and since I am an 8.5 and Nordstrom's measure their shoes with an 8.5, I am in luck with matching up their measurements to my own. Hope you enjoy!



1. L.K. Bennett Rusk Point Toe Suede Knee High Boot- $435


L.K. Bennet Rusk

Nordstrom's do sell some L.K. Bennett shoes but unfortunately Nordstrom's didn't have these lovely boots on their site. No matter, I found these on lkbennett.com but they didn't list any measurements. I ended up finding the measurements at sarenza.co.uk (Thank you) and here they are referenced on a size 38 shoe (5 in the US):

Heel: Approximately 9.5 cm = 3.74 inches
Shaft Height: Approximately 33 cm = 12.9 9 inches
Calf Circumference: Approximately 35 cm = 13.77 inches

Now the shaft height is perfect really since i have such short legs but the calf circumference is still a problem. These were measured from a size 5 shoe (I'm a size 8.5 again) but unless I can try these on in person, I am still unsure of the circumference and probably won't buy these shoes. For $435, I would definitely like to try these on before I buy.



2. Sam Edelman Empire Boots- $225


Sam Edelman Empire 

Sam Edelman make some of my favourite shoes so I was thrilled to see they had some suede boots with a heel. However, these are way too tall for my legs and would come up to my knee and hit right in between and at an awkward spot and cut my legs in half. The heel height is perfect and although the calf circumference is 14", these boots do have a built in slip at the top on the insides (look at picture in the middle and you'll see a V- shaped slit) where it does allow for a little more calf room. Again, these would be perfect if I were taller and maybe for some of you it is the perfect suede boot. The price to me is reasonable for black suede but I will not be making a purchase (sorry, Sam Edelman)

Heel: Approximately 3 3/4"
Shaft Height: Approximately 17 1/2"
Calf Circumference: Approximately 14"




3. Via Spiga Bethany- $398 $198


Via Spiga Bethany

I am obsessed with these Via Spiga Bethany boots and the best part is they are currently on sale for 50% off at Nordstroms.com for $198 from the original price of $398! The heel height and shaft height are perfect for me but I wasn't a big fan of the calf circumference. However, when I zoomed in, I noticed there was also a slit on the inside. (You can view here). I am sold on these honestly.

Heel: Approximately 4"
Shaft Height: Approximately 14 3/4"
Calf Circumference: Approximately 14 3/4"



4. Coach Therese High Heel Tassel Boots- $398 $298.50



Coach Therese 

When first looking into new boots, I was 100% behind these Coach boots (originally, I saw them in leather and they were also seen here on my Current Lusts: Lusts of the Winter post). They have a stacked heel which is chunkier than all of the above, making it easier to walk in. Although I was not a huge fan of the thicker heel, I let it pass because of the comfort factor and the amazing tassels. And when I saw them at Bloomingdales.com in suede (for some reason I could only find them in suede at Bloomingdales), I knew I had to include them in my Black Suede Boots list. These boots are chic and if they were ankle boots, they would remind me of  the Isabel Marant Dicker suede boots I always see Katie Holmes wearing. The reduced price makes them a lot easier to want to lust over them even more.


Heel: Approximately 3 1/2" (3.25 according to Bloomingdales)
Shaft Height: Approximately 16"
Calf Circumference: Approximately 15"




All in all, I am dying for either the Coach Therese suede boots or the Via Spiga Bethany's. Both are beautiful and well done but only one can be declared the winner of the Battle of the Boots... Until then, let me know which Black Suede Boot is your favorite! Thanks for reading!
                                                                                                                     -the brunette


*UPDATE: Coach Therese boots for sale at $239 at belk.com


In this Post:













Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Fur Frenzy: Shoes!


Today's post is a fur frenzy edition all on faux fur shoes! Okay, mainly boots but who really wants to be walking around without a full shoe on when its cold out? I do have one sandal with faux fur though for you risk takers. Let's get started! Enjoy!



fur frenzy boots







                                                                                                                              -the brunette


In this Post:




  • MICHAEL Michael Kors lace up boots
  • $195 - zappos.com




  • Chinese Laundry platform boots
  • $100 - dsw.com











Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Current Lusts: Lusts of the Winter

Here, I list 10 items I am lusting after, specifically for the winter season. Enjoy!


Winter Lusts

1) BCBGENERATION faux fur scarf to wrap around plain coats to give it a touch of the glamour fur can add to an everyday outfit.
2) Ted Baker gloves. I hear they're the best and last a long time. Quality... check!
3) Fait isle sweater. I love sweaters and have been dying to get one with a tasteful fair isle print that screams the holiday's are right around the corner!
4) Chanel sunglasses... need I say more?
5) Faux fur cassock hat. Have one in white from last winter and really want one in a brown shade.
6) Coach Therese boots. 3 1/2 inch heels for this 5'2" brunette and tassels. I also really need a pair of black boots and these seem like they'll get the job done. They are also currently on sale at coach.com.
7) Carven cable knit dress for holiday parties. Would look amazing with pearls and a nice winter coat.
8) New pair of Wolford tights. Super comfy.
9) Burberry London shearling coat. Just look at it... I have for the past 2 or so weeks. MAJOR LUST.
10) Calvin Klein snow boots for skiing this holiday vacation. My last pair got lost and I had to but a new cheap pair on holiday that just weren't as stylish as these seem to be.
                                                                                                                  -the brunette


In this Post:



  • Ted Baker Leather Gloves
  • $104 - asos.com



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Fur Frenzy: Gloves and Mittens


Today's Fur Frenzy post brings gloves and mittens accented with fur. Not only does this look great but its actually functional at keeping you warm. I don't know about you but one of the first things to freeze first when out in the cold are my hands and the fur is absolutely brilliant at keeping your hands toasty especially if they are fur lined. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard to find these gloves and mittens. I thought they would all look the same but as you can see they come in a variety of colours (I even found a tiger print one from Mulberry) and many brands do them. From the classic Ted Baker to French Connection, you're sure to find a pair of gloves that fit, well, like a glove.     
                                                                                            -the brunette

fur frenzy gloves





In this Post: