Buy This - Not That: January Edition

It's time to play...say it with me now...Buy This, Not That! (applause in background)

Here are a few items that caught my eye recently and their waaaaaay more affordable dopplegangers. So gather round, ye vixens of the interwebs, and enjoy some morning window shopping.

Gianvito Rossi "Osaka" Knee Boot ($927)  vs.  Ivanka Trump "Sarena" Over-the-Knee Dress Boot (ON SALE NOW for $111.30!)

Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in "Fair and Square" ($13.69)  vs.  Tom Ford Eye Color Quad ($96.92)

Dannijo Tessie Ear Jacket ($245)  vs.  Mariposa Ear Jackets ($32)

Lookbook Black Sequined Leggings ($29)  vs.  Juicy Couture Sequined Leggings ($138)

Mason Martin Margiela Wool Pullover ($815)  vs.  Metallic Pleat-Back Pullover in Gold/Bronze ($59)

Gum Drop Strand ($48)  vs. J.Crew Crystal Venus Flytrap Necklace ($98)

Rise and Shine Turtleneck Sweater Dress in Light Gray ($78)  vs.  Joie Sweater Dress in Gray ($226)

Wednesday Randoms

Hello, hello! It seems we've reached the middle of the week, which can only mean one thing...only two days 'til Friday - hooray and hoorah for that.

Grab some coffee, sit back and enjoy a few random thoughts this morning ; )

1. If you're in the market for a cute pair of over-the-knee boots that won't break the bank, might I suggest the Ivanka Trump Sarena boot? I found them for $111 online, (regular $170), the best deal I've seen on these all winter. I used some of my Christmas moolah on these and I'm pretty pumped to bust them out for a date night, soon.  Anywhoodle, I thought I'd share the deal I found, in case you want them, too.

2. Confessional Friday WILL RETURN this Friday, January 9th! Be here ready to link up and spill your innermost thoughts. 

3. I posted this photo on Insta yesterday and got several questions about the lip color I was wearing. It's my all-time favorite: Estee Lauder gloss in Pink Innocence. Get it - you won't regret it.

(Don't worry, Mom. We were parked in the Starbies lot, not actually driving down the road.)

Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Gloss in Pink Innocence

4. Has anyone tried the Miracle Blanket for their baby? I'm considering getting one for Ainsley because baby girl loves to be swaddled tightly. I've heard that these are complete game-changers. Honest momma reviews would be much appreciated!

5. We got a sneak peek of Ainsley's newborn photos that our friend/photog Bethany McGhehey captured on New Year's Day. I know she's mine and I'm obviously biased, but I think she's a beauty. So excited to see the rest of the pics Bethany took!

5. What is it about taking Christmas decorations down that makes you want to re-decorate your entire house? (Or in our case, decorate, ha!) Deep thoughts...

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Y'all have yourselves a fantastic Wednesday. I'll see you back here tomorrow for January's "Buy This -- Not That", so if you've got Christmas gift cards or money that you're itching to spend, be back here in the morning. It's my personal favorite post to write each month because, let's face it, it gives me the chance to shop for myself - oops! ; )

Blush & Leather

My current favorite color for fall is blush. I love that it's a little unexpected for the cold weather seasons and, well, it just looks good on everyone - no matter the skin tone or hair color.

My friends from Wallis -- I introduced you ladies to them in this post last month -- asked if I wanted to feature a coat for this month's look and naturally, I jumped at the chance. So. Many. Amazing. Coats. (See them all here!)

Pale Pink Collarless Coat (size small) c/o Wallis // East Village Sweater (size small) via Riffraff // necklace (old) similar here (for less than $30!) and here (free shipping!) // Coated Panel Leggings (size medium) in black (non-maternity, but totally work for expectant mommas) // Black Patent Pointed Side Zip Booties (U.S. size 7.5, UK size 5) c/o Wallis

To balance out the softness of the blush color and silky fabric of the coat, I went with something edgy for the bottoms: leather. Love these from Forever 21.

Now, shoes. I can't say enough about these booties, also from Wallis. I've worn them nearly every day since I got them and they're so comfortable. Doesn't hurt that they have just enough heel to give some extra height ; )

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Have you added any blush to your fall rotation yet?

THE Most Perfect Fall Boot

Sweater via SheInside // Sunnies here // Scarf via Heart & Home Collection // Jeans via Destination Maternity // Socks via Target (in leopard) // Try to Explain Boots in whiskey c/o Riffraff // purse (Prada Saffiano Tote in caramel), similar here and here

I'm sure you've heard all you care to hear about boots thus far this fall. (Or, maybe you're like me and can't get enough. Either way.) But girls, these are just too darn good not to share.

My hand to the heavens, these are my most favorite boots I've ever, ever owned, (and I've owned eleventy million.)

33 week bump problems: when your necklace won't hang straight down because your baby belly is in the way. 

I also find it coincidental that these are called the Try to Explain boot because it's hard to put into words what makes them so great, only that the subtle heel, rich color and soft leather check off every one of my qualifications when it comes to boot-buying.

Oh, and at the price point they're listed, you can still afford to buy groceries this week. Holla.

Take a gander at the Try to Explain boots and all the other cute shoe offerings available at Riffraff. Oh, and if you do decide to make a purchase, use the code BLONDE to get yourself a nifty 10% off.

I've Never Loved TOMS...Until Now

Here's what I've got today. Shoes galore. Lots of booties. (Not to be confused with "lots of booty". That would be my pregnant backside, which is expanding at an alarming rate.)

I know these certainly aren't new to the shoe scene, (many had them last year), but I decided this year might be the year to purchase. I'm on top of the latest trends like that, you see... 

#latetotheparty

However, yesterday, I finally put my foot down (ba-dum-bum!!) and ordered a pair. And I want them to come to my mailbox YESTERDAY. 

If you're oh-so-current with trends like me (cough, cough) and were also living under a rock when these became popular last year, you should buy yourself a pair, too!

This is the pair that I bought yesterday. The TOMS Desert Wedge Bootie in cheetah. (I bought from Nordstrom and got free shipping, just FYI, if you want to save a little moolah.)

If you aren't a fan of prints, it comes in the taupe color and is just beautiful. My mom has these and loves 'em.

These are freaking chic. I mean, if TOMS were ever considered sleek, these would be the shoe that earned them that title. TOMS 'Desert' Wedge High Bootie in Black.

I also love this one with the snakeskin sides...very cool.

Here's a medium brown version. These will probably be the next pair I purchase. I think they'd get more wear than a riding boot (for me), since a bootie can be transitioned a bit more easily into spring.

The Herringbone patterned pair has me in fits. LOVE.

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That's all she wrote, folks. Stay tuned tomorrow for a very touching and not-gag-inducing-at-all wedding anniversary post.

Bring your tissues, (or your air sickness bags), ladies.

My Answer to the Birkenstock Trend

My answer to the Birkenstock trend is a hard and fast NO.

Forget it.

Happened in the nineties.

Not gonna happen again.

Ever.

My philosophy toward trends that resurge from my pre-teen years is that they should never, not ever be repeated. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

-Rope sandals
-Tie dye anything
-Butterfly clips
-Schoolgirl skirts (see collage for reference below)
-Utilization of feather pens (a 'la Cher Horowitz...youknowwhichmovie)
-Anklets

But not all of the nineties were bad...oh no, they had their good parts, too...

However, I know some of you are all, "But they're so comfy, Leslie! Give a girl a break!"

I understand and, as a mom who's on her feet 90 hours a day, even sympathize. But y'all, for the love...just don't with the Birks. Yuck. And yes, I'm aware that they come in metallics (!!) and, at least to me, that doesn't boost their appeal enough for me to schlep around in those boats.

For what it's worth, I do understand that doctors and nurses may wear them for comfort. They're saving lives. They get a pass.

If you're in the market for a comfy, easy-on/easy-off sandal with oodles more appeal AND for less moo-lah, check these out.

Bodhi sandals in Honey Leather from Riffraff

Neary Sandal by Dolce Vita from Riffraff

Seychelles 'So Far Away' Calf Hair Sandals in Leopard

Sam Edelman 'Carnie' in Natural

Splendid Congo Sandal in Midnight

Splendid Congo Sandal in Light Tan

Falling Flat

As you all know, I love, love, love my heels with a purple passion. However, I know that with the wee little one around this fall, I'm going to need to mix in a few pair of chic flats to pull mommy duty. And I must say, I'm pretty excited about the options out there.

Behold (!!) - a few glorious flats for your viewing (and purchasing) pleasure:


From the top right: Ruby flat from Shoemint // Whisper in my Ear flat from Zappos // The Narea by Ted Baker // Leopard flat via Forever 21 // Kaeli flat from Aldo // Gav d' Orsay via Shopbop

Have you scooped up any flats for fall yet?

*Collage by me. Feel free to use, but please credit my blog : )

Hunter Games

It's a dreary day in NWA, which only adds to my insane craving for a pair of Hunter boots. I justify paying one million dollars (okay, $135) for rubber boots because our spring seasons here in AR are typically rain-filled, storm-filled, mud-filled etc. As many are in the contiguous United States.

Okay, so this doesn't exactly boil down to need. And I can't even wear them during the days of Monday through Friday, as I'm not sure they're work appropriate. Plus, I probably wouldn't get a whole lot of use outta these puppies. I mean, I park in a parking garage, not a swamp. And I hate mud and being out in the elements, meaning the chances of me being in a predicament that requires rubber boots is slim.

So, there's that.

Still, in an attempt to look "outdoorsy", I pine for these boots.

I'm told these repel water just like a snake's skin. (I mean, they must, right?)

I'm not always British, but when I am, I wear these boots.

These remind me of Tory Burch's lovely boots. 

A wedge! In rain boot form! For us vertically-challenged gals...

These are green.
And in other news, the sky is blue.

Two things:
1) This was not a sponsored post. I just plain like these boots.
2) Fun post featuring a cute little get-up from Hazel's Haven tomorrow. Stay tuned, bunnies.

Wedged In

via

Wedges. There's never been a more classic spring shoe than the wedge. Although they can make walking gracefully a bit difficult without practice, when worn correctly, they're a piece of art.

I love all of the following equally and would gladly welcome any of them into my closet. Here at A Blonde Ambition, we don't discriminate when it comes to shoes.

Or clothing.

Or accessories.

Elie Tahari 'Megan' Wedge

Cole Haan 'Air Tali' Wedge

Nine West Packpunch Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal

Michael Antonio 'Alura' Wedge

Lela Rose for Payless 'Clarendon' Wedge

Here are a few self-learned tips for wearing wedges, if you're a newbie:

1. Make sure they fit correctly. You want them snug. More snug, actually, than your regular heels.

2. When walking in wedges, lean forward slightly in your stride. This keeps you from looking like a mule, plodding along the farm : )

3. Start small, then work your way up. Start with a 2 inch "kitten" wedge. Once you're comfortable with that, take off the training wheels and go for the classic 3-4 incher. You'll be walking sky high in no time.

4. Try them with flare leg jeans for a retro, fun look this summer. Just make sure to pair the look with a simple and fitted top, to look "retro chic" instead of...well...just old.

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I'd tell y'all how I feel about them, but I think this post speaks for itself. Big, colorful, insanely high shoes...I'm 5'4", ya'll! These are a God-send!

What say you about the wedge? Classic or cumbersome?

Be blessed, lovelies-