My Thoughts: Rodarte for Target
It’s here.The designer collaboration that we’ve all been waiting for, right? Rodarte for Target is now in stores!
After having a strange dream that I saw the Rodarte for Target collection in store and the prices were astronomically high (for instance, I dreamed that I picked up a dress for $3,499.00), I had to shake it off. I lumbered out of my bed and drove over to my local Target to check out the collection. I’d previously written about the Rodarte for Target collab before, so I was very anxious to touch and feel the clothing for myself. What did I think?
Can I be honest? I mean, really honest?
I was surprised at the quality of the clothes. Yes, I know, what was I thinking, right? The prices are low and it is Target, but I was really shocked. Some of the items, such as the leopard print dress, didn’t look or feel at all like I’d thought on the pictures. Even with the prices (at my local Target) ranging from about $14.99-$44.99, I still couldn’t imagine paying that for a few of the pieces.
While browsing, I was able to snap a few pictures on my Iphone (sorry if the quality is not stellar):
I did end up buying the black lace cardigan, because for me, I’d had my eye on it since the pictures of the collection were announced and after seeing it, I still really wanted it. I’m still mulling over the tulle skirt, but I don’t think I’ll be greatly upset if it sells out before I make up my mind.
Have you checked out the Rodarte for Target line? What are your thoughts?
My Thoughts: WEN by Chaz Dean
Trying out new hair products can be a harrowing experience for me. It’s only been recently that I have developed a regimen that I’m comfortable with. So when presented with the opportunity to try Chaz Dean’s hair products,I’ll admit, I was just a bit apprehensive. What eased my apprehensions? After doing rounds of research on the product line, I read that the cleansing conditioner is free of all traces of sodium laurel sulfate and detergents.
When I opened the package, I saw that I received the Tea Tree Cleansing Conditioner, Fig Re-Moist Hydrating Mask, Fig Styling Cream and the Tea Tree Oil.I decided to put my regular regimen to the side on Saturday and instead used these products to wash, condition and style my hair in my regular ‘fro. Here is what I thought of each product:
Tea Tree Cleansing Conditioner: There are no shampoo’s in the WEN product line, so you use this cleansing conditioner to clean your hair instead. I’ve been over using shampoo for awhile, so I was interested to see what this would do. There is no lather to the cleansing conditioner when you apply it to wet hair, but you don’t need lather to feel like your hair is squeaky clean. My curls were popping every which way and I was pretty happy with my outcome. Here is a shot right after I washed my hair:
Fig Re-Moist Hydrating Mask: I really loved this. In fact, I wish I could keep it on hand at all times. Normally when I deep condition, I usually use whatever is laying around the beauty cabinets. This mask really melted into my hair and made my curly Q’s feel hydrated and manageable. I used my trusted Denman brush to make sure I applied the product to my entire head and lounged around for 30-45 minutes while I waited for it to permeate.
Fig Styling Cream: This was the only product that didn’t work particularly well for me. I used it exactly as the directions specified, but I could tell that it wasn’t going to work out so well. I used a generous amount and applied it all over my hair, but it still felt too light for wearing my hair natural. I had to mix it up with my Kinky Curly Curling Custard to weight it down a bit (my hair is thick, so it likes some heft). However, I do think the product would work great if I decided to blow-dry my hair or if I wanted to use my Curlformers.
Tea Tree Oil: I’m a huge fan of tea tree oil and this isn’t any different. I love the way the oil tingles on your scalp.Very beneficial for these dry, winter months.
All in all, what did I think? I definitely liked the Cleansing Conditioner and Hydrating Mask and I could see incorporating them into my new regimen. How did my hair hold up? See a picture of my 2nd day hair that was taken while lounging on the couch and watching bad TV (yes, I know, I need a haircut!):
Yes, more boots. The hunt is on!
This is Vol. 2 of my freak out over boots that I’m having. See, other than looking for snow boots, my other big obsession has been finding a pair of lace-up boots. I’ve been on the fence between finding a pair of “granny boots” or a pair of combat boots.My main objective is that they lace-up.I posted a pair of boots on my Twitter to see what others thought of the particular pair, and a honest and caring friend told me to my face that they looked “wrestler chic” (thank you!), so we are back to square one. Here are a few choices for boots that I’m thinking of:
Loving these LD Tuttle boots from Oak NYC. Not loving? The price tag at $889 is too rich for my blood right about now.
I also like these Jeffrey Campbell “Acme” boots, but I’m really not 100% sure about them:
And I REALLY like these boots from Modcloth. However, they wouldn’t work out in terms of practicality.
Now, can I show you the boots I found and thought were winners and I mean, they pretty much hit the mark on everything I was looking for and the price is right? They are here:
However, I had concerns about buying these from Ebay and the ever fabulous and kick ass Wendy Brandes was nice enough to look the shoes and agreed that I should look for some other options for something quite similar to this shoe since I’m really in love with them. I’m looking for alternatives that will be kind to my pockets (I’m not supposed to be shopping for myself unless it’s for winter boots!) and have the same aesthetic as the boots above.
So I am asking you, dear reader: do you know of a similar shoe? Think I should say “Eff it” and go with one of the above options?
And yes, I know, I still have got to do better 
Snow? Boots?
Snow
It won’t be long before we’ll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow
This is a picture of what greeted as I l opened my door to leave for work this morning. I’m pretty much an angry hermit in the mornings, so that means that I don’t look out of my window, I don’t watch the news or check the weather to see the forecast for the day. Not smart, huh? Well, that’s exactly why I was surprised when I walked out to find snow covering my car yesterday morning and its continuance today.
My first thought? “Dammit! I STILL don’t have any winter boots!”
I have fashion boots; but here in Chicago, they aren’t going to cut it. I need winter boots. Boots with a great grip on the bottom and will absorb the snow. In the past, I’ve worn Ugg boots (don’t judge me), but not from a fashion standpoint. My thoughts? They were extremely comfortable and worked extremely well in protecting me from falling on my butt in the icy conditions. Con? Even after using the protection guard, my boots still became worn down after a harsh Chicago winter.
So I’ve been researching options for boots. Durable, snow absorbing, ice-defiant boots. I’d still like them to be pleasing to the eye, but they don’t necessarily have to be dainty. Â That won’t cut it for a morning of wiping snow off my car and carefully plotting my way to and from destinations. A friend recently suggested rain boots:
“Would they be durable, though?” I asked her.
“Uh yeah, snow is still precipitation! Plus, they have nice grips on the bottom”, she replied.
So I did my research. Yes, the rainboots will keep my feet dry, but warm?Talk about doubling up on the socks! I’ve never been a fan of rain boots, even the trendier Hunter boots, so I searched for awhile before I settled on this pair from Urban Outfitters:
But these suckers might just be on their way back.I’ve been cursed with wide calves and underestimated the fit. So that leaves me with no winter shoes in hand right now.
I’ve got to do better.
Where are you hiding?
Image Source: We Heart It
I hope everyone reading this had a great holiday weekend, possibly enjoyed Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, and spent lots of time with their loved ones.
I am back. No, really, I am. I’ve missed this blog. I went on a bit of a blogging sabbatical for the last week or so. What did I do? The picture above pretty much explains it all. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, lounging around, watching horrible, one-star movies, and contemplating the year of 2009 and going into 2010.As someone who spends hours on the computer every day, sometimes I feel like I have to take a break. I was minimal with my contact on Twitter and emails, and I’ve resisted the urge to window shop online for hours at a time.
With all of that being said, I am going to be updating my blog roll (something that I have not done in a long time and I’ve been neglecting, sorry!). If I have not added your blog to my blogroll and you would like to be added, please let me know!
Inspiring Friends
Earlier this evening, I visited my friend, Ms. Sister Baby at her home to work on a project. I hadn’t been over to visit for some time, so when I walked into her room, I immediately noted her jewelry collection. I noted that she always wears at least one piece of jewelry every time I see her, but I didn’t know that her collection was this large. Also, most of her items have been handed down to her by her grandmother. As I’ve been working on my sparse jewelry collection, I definitely admire her assortment of jewelry, especially her vintage pieces. She let me snap a few pictures, although she objected that the jewelry layout was “messy”, but I thought it was really cool:
Head Gear
As my hair has been a hot mess as of late and it doesn’t seem to have any intentions on changing and I don’t think I have any intention on making it change, I’ve come to appreciate the ornate headbands and hair accessories that are out and quite popular these days. To be quite honest, if someone thinks I have a bird’s nest on my head, I’d rather them be distracted by that than the state of affairs that is my hair. Hair clips, headbands, hats, I don’t care–I want it all.
Image Source: Bitching & Junkfood
Image Source: Urban Outfitters
Kreativ Blogger Award
I would like to thank the always creative and fabulous Pretty Robotic for this lovely Kreativ Blog award.  I’m very honored to receive an award , especially from a blogger who is highly creative and churns out great posts on the regular. Thank you very much, Pretty Robotic! When I first began writing this blog, I honestly just wanted to open up an outlet for me to express myself and not feel like I was performing a “job”. And this never feels like a job, so it’s worth it.  So to follow the rules in receiving this award, I must:
1. List 7 things that you don’t already know about me.
2. Â Name 7 other blogs to receive this award
3. Â Leave a comment on each of the blogs I nominated
4. Â Thank the person who gave you the award.
So here we go. The 7 things you don’t already know about Clandestine Chic:
- I got my first job at the age of 13, working at my local pool for the summer. Reason being? My allowance was okay, but I wanted more money to shop for new clothing. My first clothing purchase with my first big paycheck? A pair of cutoff Levis shorts from Nordstrom for $13. I stay classy.
- I’ve written about my favorite holiday being Halloween, and my least favorite holiday? Christmas. Yes, bah humbug, I am a scrooge. Not that I become necessarily moody or irritable on Christmas, but I just don’t really like the holiday. Don’t worry, I still hand out gifts to loved ones and sing “Joy to the World” with carolers, but the day itself usually entails me to laying on the couch watching the “A Christmas Story” marathon and finally dragging myself up mid-day to see family. This isn’t some fairly new thing, either.  Look at me with Santa circa 1993-1994 and giving someone the “Whatever” face:
- I am an only child. I’ve found that there are some great pros and some great cons to not having any siblings. If I had the choice, however, I think I would have at least one sibling.
- I am deathly afraid of snakes. I can’t even stand the sight of them on television. My skin starts to crawl and I feel dizzy every time I even think I hear the slithering of a snake on the ground.
- I have never lived outside of Illinois and I think it’s taking its toll on me. I need to move around more and experience more. Chicago is a lovely city and it will always be my hometown, but it is time to go.
- Okay, some of you may know this, so I am kind of breaking the rules, but I am a Sims-O-Holic. I love playing the Sims and I’ve been addicted to the game for quite some time now. Whether it’s the Sims 1, 2, or 3, I am a loyal follower. I’m the person who buys all of the expansion packs, mourns when I accidentally kill my Sims in a fire and loses sleep because “one more hour” turns into an all-night extravaganza.
- And last, but not least: I am a pre-K dropout. Yes, at the tender age of 4, I decided that pre-school was no longer for me and I dropped out. Luckily, my dad worked a night shift, so he was able to watch me in the mornings (although, he probably wanted to sleep), so I kind of got off easy. The reasons I dropped out were due to what was probably some separation anxiety (see number 3) and being ignored after I fell off a see-saw.  However, I am living proof for all parents with children in pre-K that there is a glimmer of hope if a kid drops out. I’m not trying to advocate children not attend pre-K at all, but I’m just saying, if they don’t make it through, it can be okay. Me? I just watched lots of Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and read Berenstain Bears, so I did feel a bit prepared when I joined the other kids in kindergarten.
Now, to pass on this prestigious award on to other creative bloggers, I choose:
I Like Her Style
I haven’t written an “I Like Her Style” post in awhile. Lately, I haven’t been felt like there is anyone in the public eye whose style has been too inspiring lately. However, this “I Like Her Style” has been long overdue since I’ve been an admirer of musician Janelle Monae and her style for quite some time. The pompadour, her “uniform” and unique musical sound are a bit different from what you might see or hear daily, but you can still pinpoint some of her inspirations. Her style is simple and usually remains the same: black tuxedo pants, a dinner jacket and her Charlie Brown shoes..And although I don’t personally subscribe, I love her take on uniforms:
“I have always taken to uniforms,” she explains. “I loved watching the guys and the girls in their post office uniforms. And I was obsessed with Colonel Sanders.”
For me, her style and music are always inspiring to me. From my failed pomp’ that I tried on my own hair (and it was bad) to listening to her music for stimulation while writing or even cleaning around the house, Janelle Monae never really fails to inspire me.
Perfumania: Leslie Blodgett’s Bare Skin
Choosing the right perfume can be difficult. I find that for me, wearing perfume is like sharing a personal part of myself with others. So much of what type of perfume I choose to wear mirrors aspects of my personality, so I can be quite picky when it comes to finding something I like. For the longest time, I’d been wearing Stella McCartney’s Stella perfume because the notes worked blended so well for me.
So when I received samples of Leslie Blodgett’s (CEO of Bare Escentuals) new perfume line exclusively for Sephora, I was intrigued. I wanted to review the perfume mainly because of the name, Bare Skin. It sounded more in line to what I’m used to, which are clean and simple notes, with a feminine flair. I received my samples and wore the perfume while out and about over the weekend. What I really liked about it was that unless you were sitting really close to me, the scent wasn’t overpowering at all. However, there were times when I would catch a light whiff of the scent and was pleased at the smell.  For those who are like me, and enjoy light, clean, yet musky perfumes, I’d definitely say give this one a try.
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