Cloche Hat Love #1

My name is Raquelle and I have a cloche hat addiction. I just think these 1920's style hats are adorable and I'm really happy that currently there is a trend for modern interpretations of this classic hat. Move aside Fedora, it's time for cloche hats to shine! I thought I'd do installments called Cloche Hat Love for whenever I find nice cloche hats online. I just picked up the cloche from Forever21 that I list below and I'm super excited to get it. It'll be my 5th child in my little cloche family.

Wool Felt Cloche Hat with Flower - San Diego Hat Company*

This is another version of the same hat Kate Gabrielle blogged about a while back.

Navy Blue Felt Floral Cloche Hat - Forever21

Twined Ribbon Cloche - Anthropologie

Deena and Ozzy Stud Cloche - Urban Outfitters

dancing shoes

I've been very slow jumping on the "oxford shoe love" bandwagon. My ardor has been reserved for a pair of oxfords of which I could unconditionally approve. Up to now, there was always some little flaw with the pairs I found that dropped them from the running. Well I've finally found my oxfords. And 2 pairs to boot!

Swiss Dot Oxfords - $38, Cotton flats with nubby little texture bobbles and laces. Too cute!

Two Tone Oxfords - $38, I'm not terribly fond of 2 tone accessories, but these are pretty nifty. I could see these looking lovely with a light brown summer dress.

40's Heels - $128, Okay so the price is insane, but aren't these outstanding??

just give me a velvet cushion

Urban Outfitters stunning array of lovely colored velvet cushions make me wish I had a room to furnish. I'd buy several in every color and toss them about haphazardly, inviting guests to stop and rest a while. I especially like how this pleated style fits with a bunch of different home decor eras: the sumptuous Victorian age, 40's savored splendor and 60's eclectic hodgepodge. Luckily for us, these cushions are on sale right now!

urban outfitters, velvet pouf pillow - $20

Find it Cheaper {Miss Darling Dress}

Urban Outfitters - $98.00
Modcloth - $79.99

Okay, so $80 still isn't quite a steal (at least not with my bank account balance) but it's a heck of a lot better than $100! Hey, I just realized this is the first time Modcloth was on the cheaper end of Find it Cheaper..

a furry subject

As an animal lover, vegetarian and animal rights activist, I have always been vehemently opposed to fur and leather. So when shopping, I always made sure that anything resembling leather was 100% man-made. No real leather for me! But for some reason I drew the line at faux fur. The mere fact that it resembled animal fur kept me from buying it.

But last year, when stores started rolling out more faux fur coats & accessories I started to re-think this decision. Early last winter I was shopping at Kohls, when in the jewelry department I saw an old lady walk by in a floor-length fur coat. Obviously real, I thought to myself, and gave her a really dirty look. Not minutes later I saw a girl my age (early 20's) walk by in the pajama section, wearing a cute pea coat with fur trim. Awesome coat, I thought to myself, and admired the obviously faux fur lining.

When I snapped out of my clothing-envy-daze I realized that both of these women had on something resembling fur, but I automatically assumed the old lady was wearing real fur & the young girl was wearing faux. The same would hold true, I think, for two middle aged women -- one wearing huge diamond rings, a Prada bag and a perfect coif (obviously real fur) and one wearing flats, leggings and a non-designer bag (obviously faux fur) If you're old or rich, I think the fur is real. If you're young or not rich, I'll tend to think it's faux. Obviously there are many rich old people who have qualms with wearing animal fur & go with the faux. Obviously there are young people who splurge on a real mink hat. But for the most part, this is my perception.

Perhaps all of this reasoning was just my brain's way of convinving myself it was o.k. to wear faux fur. (After all, I do wear faux leather!) But aside from its relevance to my own personal decision to wear faux fur or not, I think it's an interesting thought. Now that we know where fur comes from, and what the process does to animals, is it a consensus thought that most young people nowadays will only wear faux or vintage? When you see young people and old people wearing fur, do you have the same inclinations to think what I did?


Here are some examples of some really nifty faux fur options available online, really gorgeous clothing and not one animal was harmed in the process of making them.

Luxurious shag jacket
F21 - $32.80

Jealous of Fame stole
Modcloth- $59.99

Motel Leopard Faux Fur Short Coat
ASOS - £65.00

Snow Leopard Faux Fur Coat
Urban Outfitters - $124.99

Faux fur swing jacket- brown/black minx
Target - $39.99

Faux fur hat- grey
Target- $14.99

The Spiffy Urban Outfitters Gift Guide

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting some suggestions for holiday shopping at different online shops-- first up is Urban Outfitters.


The fashion emergency kit ($12) contains a nail file, elastic hairbands, blister bandages, a mini sewing kit and more-- a fantastic stocking stuffer!

Neff knit headphones ($42) These look like the most comfortable headphones ever!


Pet Playhouse ($32) I have two cats, and I know from experience that they will choose an ugly cardboard box over a pretty cat house every day of the week. But what about a cute cat house that's made out of cardboard?! I am SO getting this firetruck for my kitties - little will they know that I've finally outsmarted them. (They also carry one that looks like a tank)

Faux Fur Muffler ($28) UO carried this last year, and I decided not to get one despite my years-long search for a faux fur muff. Once they sold out I realized my mistake and spent endless hours perusing the listings on ebay for a used one. As soon as I saw this posted on their site today I knew I'd be regretting it for the rest of my life if I didn't cave in and purchase.


Cateye Readers ($6.99) I've always had 20/20, but when I was little I wanted glasses so badly that I'd pretend to read the wrong numbers & letters on the eye chart at the doctor's. I never fooled them, but I eventually realized that bad eyesight isn't necessary to sport a cute pair of cheaters.

Chunky Bow Beret ($34) This perfectly adorable hat would look perfect with just about any winter ensemble but I'd prefer to see it wrapped neatly in red and green and waiting under the tree for me on Christmas morning.


Oui Posts ($12) I think these are delightfully French, even though I'm pretty sure that real French people would never wear them.. (would we wear earrings that said "yes, yes"?) Nevertheless, I think they're adorable.

Fish Plaque Sculpture Ditsy Floral ($9.99) Not quite sure if this is really awful or out-of-this-world-awesome yet. What do you think?

plaid

I grew up in the 90's when plaid meant grunge, ripped jeans and dirty t-shirts. Well plaid is back, and this time it's actually stylish. By creating fitted silhouettes and adding dainty details, designers have taken this tomboyish print and made it chic. Here are some of my new favorites --

1. Stephanie Plaid Shirt at Forever 21
2. Bonnie Plaid Shirt at Forever 21
3. Technicolor Dream Shirt at Modcloth
4. Beach Bonfire Tunic at Modcloth
5. Deena & Ozzy Oversized Plaid Wrap at UO
6. Kimchi Blue Plaid Shawl Collar Blouse at UO

I need these.

  Buttonfront Dress.  Ponte Cutout Back Dress.

  Blue Pintuck Dress.  Blue Vintage Tweed Dress.

UO accessories love

Deena & Ozzy Striped XL Wrap

I love the idea of summer scarves, there is just something so breezy and lovely about them. This one is at the top of my summer scarf wish list. The best thing about summer scarves? Lightweight, cool alternative to a jacket, but will still keep you warm when you go in the frozen food aisle at the grocery store.

Message in a Bottle Necklace

The note inside reads "How much do I love thee, Let me count the ways" but it looks to me like the cork can come off to add your own note. Either way, it's a beautiful, romantic necklace. Reminds me of the message-in-a-bottle letter service offered by Jessica at Miniature Rhino. (By the way, Jessica did the most fantastic custom embroidery for my parents anniversary this year. Click here to see it...)

Plumage Washed Tote

I purchased this last November (before it was on sale... darn!) and it is THE. BEST. BAG. EVER. Trust me, this bag is amazing. It is the perfect size- not too big, not too small. It has long enough straps to fit over bulky coats in the winter, but it's straps are thin and summery enough to go with sleeveless dresses in the summer. I'm actually contemplating buying a second one as backup now that it's on clearance... that is how good this bag is!