April 14 cometh

Dear Mr. IRS,

It has come to my attention that you want a lot of money from me this year. I am writing this letter in protest, to state my case.

It's really unfair, Mr. IRS, that you need me to fork over right in the middle of the spring season. Why, just this week, the temps have finally hit the reasonable mark. Spring is finally here, and every day I receive another coupon and another sale flyer beckoning me to come purchase lovely frocks and shoes that are just perfect for warm weather.

Mr. IRS, if you take all my money, I won't have any left to spend on this
or this


or these!


Do you understand what you'll be putting me, and the rest of my family through, if I'm deprived of shoes? Do you really? How's a bitch supposed to stimulate the economy?

Let's not forget my poor little wains, bless them, they need to be clothed too! How will I ever be able to afford to dress them in the manner to which they've become accustomed?

So please, Mr. Taxperson, Please, think of my fashion needs. The economy, the children, sure. But mostly think of my fashion needs . .

Can we strike a deal on this whole tax thing? I promise to give you a good writeup on my blog!

Very truly yours,

The Bitches

Closets Are the New Boutiques

Something must be in the air. An allergy to spending money, perhaps, or maybe just disinterest in the ready-to-wear lines coming down the line for spring. I don't know, exactly, but like Tex over at Fashion Butter, I have also been spending a good deal of time shopping my closet. My current kick? Mixing textures. Here's what I came up with for a party this past Saturday:

(clicky all photos for closer up details)

Top: Karen Millen (thanks, Pirate!)
Skirt: Eddie Bauer (thanks, Goodwill!)
Black Tights: Hue (not shown)
Boots: Isabella Bird
Earrings: Wear It! Boutique

Not only do I dig the contrast between the materials – silk satin, suede, and gold filigree – I also like the mixture of styles. The Asian style top lends a kind of arty sexiness to the overall Boho feel and keeps the whole look from going too Full On Hippie. I also paired this with another Asian style top, this one by Anac, which lends a brighter pop of color and a more casual vibe:



As for new purchases, I'm only allowing myself a couple for spring (I swear!), and that's only if I don't end up owing half my life to the IRS:

1. Some kind of platform sandal or wedge in a neutral color:

or

or

or

(If the question you are asking yourself right now is: "Dang, doesn't Moi ever get tired of the gladiator trend?" the answer is, "NO.")

2. This gingham-patterned dress from BCBG's Spring 2010 collection.



Gingham, you say? Surely, you jest! Hey, I laughed, too. I mean, when was the last time anyone saw gingham on anything except a onesie for a twosie? But believe me now so I don't have to tell you again later: This dress is so sweetly sexy cool, I can channel Lauren Bacall flashing her sloe-eyes at Bogie just by looking at it.

Unfortunately and for some mysterious reason, the dress seems to have disappeared from the BCBG Web site, where, I was hoping, it would soon go on sale. WTF? There is one seller on eBay that has listed this dress at a Buy It Now price of $49 two times within the past month, but the dress she lists is a size small and the one I tried on at Dillard's is a 6. Whenever you see size discrepancies like that in an eBay listing, it's a for sure red flag that said item is as fake as a porn star's tan. Boo. Hiss.

Which means, I'll have to keep an eagle eye out on the two left here in town.

And continue to play around in my closet.

So, tell the Bitches, other than warm weather, what is it that you covet for spring?