Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Christian Siriano for Payless

This past Sunday while watching the Red Carpet coverage on E!, they featured a little clip on one of my favorite Project Runway alums Christian Siriano.  The clip was all about his affordable shoe and accessory line at Payless Shoes.  Well I had to check out the collection myself and let me just say that his goods do not disappoint. 

I absolutely, positively must own these Parisienne Exotic Platform Pumps.  My black work heels are about ready to keel over and die (just noticed a large chunk of leather missing off the back - how did that happen?) and I am looking for a new affordable pair and these puppies seem to fit the bill. 

Last year these Jimmy Choo boots were all the rage.  Unfortunately they were so not in my price range.  Well wouldn't you just know that Mr. Siriano's Storm Rain Boots are the perfect alternative?  I really would love to own these guys for Christmas in Seattle and walking Waldo this fall. 

Okay, so I am pretty much obsessed with his use of "snakeskin" for his shoes and accessories but I really am loving this Mena Small Clutch as well.  It looks very luxurious and really transitions into fall and will the perfect accessory for any outfit. 

Mr. Siriano did Payless proud with this collection, which no doubt is sure to sell out.  Saving money and looking fabulous has never been so fierce.

Don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple San Gabriel Dress Giveaway!  You have until Thursday afternoon to enter! 

Red Carpet Rundown ~ Emmy Awards 2010

I was really looking forward to the Emmy Red Carpet yesterday, after watching Rachel Zoe's mad dash to find Oscar dresses on the Rachel Zoe Project.  I couldn't wait to see the amazing gowns, colors, makeup, accessories and hair styles.  Sadly, the selections this year were mostly dismal and boring to me.  There were a few standouts of course, but mostly I was just left feeling "meh" when the Red Carpet was over. 

Winners:

photo credits: Matthew Imaging/Matthew Imaging/Jeff Vespa

Thank goodness these beautiful shimmering ladies came out to play last night.  Connie Britton in custom Burberry, winner Claire Danes in Armani Prive and Jennifer Carpenter in Oday Shakar all dazzled the hell out everyone on the red carpet.  The dresses were perfectly fitted and showed off these beauties figures and couldn't be missed wherever they went. 

On the Fence:

Jeff Vespa

I was anxiously anticipating January Jones arrival, after her show stopping Atelier Versace dress last year....my first reaction when I saw her was just kind of stumped.  I loved the color and the detailing but just couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it.  When I watched the show and they scanned over the audience with her in the front row, I got a little nervous we might see a little of her "britney"  with the cut of the dress.  However, after looking at it again today and seeing all the incredible detail on this dress, I think I do like it.  Not love it (like I love her date she brought, Mr. Jason Sudeikis) but definitely like it. 

Worst Dressed:

Jeff Vespa/Jason Merritt

These two ladies dresses just left me scrunching my nose in disgust.  The drapery of both dresses is just not flattering at all.  Lauren Graham's Yigal Azrouël dress had such a funky top.  The draping looked so sloppy and made her appear frumpy and dumpy.  Newlywed Anna Paquin disappointed in Alexander McQueen, with the bizarre hem and overly embellished top.  It made her look squaty and heavy.

Jason Merritt/Frazer Harrison

Where do I even begin with these two incredibly talented actresses?  Mindy Kaling and Naya Rivera looked like they had just arrived at Prom 2010 with their massive dresses and over the top hair.  I can't find who designed Mindy's dress, but the combination of the fullness of the dress in addition to her high updo just had me grimacing.  And Naya Rivera....you are absolutely gorgeous in every single way and this is the dress you chose?  It looks like a very, very, bad prom dress or bridesmaid dress.  The color is gorgeous, but the leg slit, and ruching and fluffy hair is just not working for you.  Please come back for the Golden Globes in something stunning!

What were your favorite looks?  What did you think of January Jones dress?  Who had your least favorite look?  What winner were you most excited for? 

Song Of The Week: Leave The Pieces

It's crazy to me how much a song written by a complete stranger can really hit close to home.  It doesn't matter how many times you have listened to the song, feeling exactly the same way or being in the same situation makes it all the crazier. 

For me, The Wreckers Leave The Pieces (Album Version) is pretty much exactly how I am feeling right now.  Breakups are always hard, and for me personally music is always there to get me through it.  I especially love the chorus of this song, as it is sad but inspiring at the same time.

"And it's alright, yeah I'll be fine
Don't worry 'bout this heart of mine
Just take your love and hit the road
There's nothing you can do or say
You're gonna break my heart anyway
So just leave the pieces when you go"

So it's back to the drawing board and starting over for this girl...here's to the journey ahead!

Forever Frugal Friday

Let me just say that if I was wearing this darling Retro Woven Dress I would look a little more enthusiastic and happy than this girl here.  I love the color, the cinched in waist and the dainty print.   A great dress for those last few weeks of summer, that can follow you into fall with the addition of some tights and boots. 

Not Too Shabby ~ Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Hello my luvies! 

I am super excited to to share this awesome contest with all of you readers!  Shabby Apple is a "small company based in Utah and our main focus is to make cute, affordable, and work-appropriate dresses" and let me just say that have fulfilled their focus! 

And guess what!  The lovely folks at Shabby Apple have generously offered one lucky Yellow Brick Blog reader the chance to win this darling San Gabriel Dress! 

Rules to Enter:

Valid only for US readers

Simply head over to the Shabby Apple site, check out all their amazing dresses, and leave a comment here sharing what Shabby Apple dress or accessory that you absolutely adore!  A winner will be selected at random on at 5 PM PST on Thursday September 2. 

*One comment/entry per person*

Be sure to include your email address!

Some of my favorite looks include:

The Consultant

L'artiste

Kai Necklace

GOOD LUCK!!

Me & John Mayer

Hollywood Bowl Owl City

John Mayer was phenomenal on Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl.  He was witty as hell, sang beautifully and looked oh so hot in his white tee and jeans.  I knew he was an amazing artist but had never seen him live.  Holy cow!  He is a MEAN guitar player.  In the end of Gravity he played the guitar while it was on the floor and it was so intense and incredible to watch. 

John Mayer

He did an incredible cover of Bitter Sweet Symphony.

Which is one of my absolute favorite songs!  He also worked in a Don't Stop Believin'cover to end the show. 

My favorite performances were "Gravity", "Vultures", "Edge Of Desire" and "Heartbreak Warfare". 

That John just seems to always have the exact words that I am thinking, feeling or experiencing and Sunday was no different.  It was a rough day that ended with some beautiful tunes and me listening to John Mayer on repeat the last two days.  If you have the opportunity to see John Mayer live in your city, don't think about it, just buy, buy, buy. 

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

So I haven't been completely honest on my sidebar here....I show that I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which I did start (got a whopping 5 pages into it) but then I accidentally picked up my gf's copy of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang started laughing immediately and sort of set The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to the side. 

The first chapter of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang "The Feeling" had me in stitches from laughing so hard.  Completely inappropriate and hilarious all at the same time, this chapter definitely set the tone for the rest of the book.  I loved this book especially due to her constant references to various places around Marina Del Rey, because I knew where she used to live and also know exactly what Ralph's and other various location she refers to are (my gf's and I once were lucky enough to see her our local fave happy hour location Canal Club). 

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I chuckled out loud a few times when reading this book.  The dog funeral had me in tears, and the Turks and Caicos trip had me rolling on the floor.  The absurdity of her father was mind boggling and her affectionate nickname "Chunk" that she bestows to anyone she loves or cares for. 

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If you like Chelsea Handler's sense of humor you will love this book.  I have already read Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea and I loved it so much!  I preferred it over Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, and still need to read My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands to finish out all of her books.  If you are easily offended or not a fan of pranks or sexual humor, I would just pass right by these books at your local bookstore or library.  However if you like to laugh out loud and don't care who is around to hear you even if you are laughing at really inappropriate things then you should most definitely pick up a copy of any or all of these books. 

So now I REALLY am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and will hopefully be able to respond to all of your comments asking me what I think of the book.  I hear that it takes a little bit of time to get into but once you reach page 70 (some say 200) you are hooked and cannot put the book down.  I am so looking forward to diving in. 

Song Of The Week: Impossible

Shontelle's "Impossible" is one of those songs that I love to blare in my car and sing along to.  Her voice is gorgeous and the chorus is just so easy to belt out at the top of your lungs.  This song is just a good one, plain and simple.

Happy {Musical} Weekend

This week started off not that great for me (hello hangover), then the sun came out to play on Tuesday (yay), stuck around Wednesday (woot), scored a single in my softball game Thursday and Friday said goodbye to one of my faves at work (sad) but sent her out with excellent news and champagne wishes!  Can't beat it!  Sunday I am off to see the divine John Mayer at the Hollywood Bowl.

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Hello hotness.

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Looking forward to hearing this song.

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A guest appearance from the darling Taylor Swift wouldn't ruin my day either :)

I am also hoping to hear some of my favorites from his Where The Light Is:John Mayer Live In Los Angeles album.  This album definitely helped me get through some tough times, specifically disc two tracks #4 and #9. 

What is your favorite John Mayer song?  What concert has been you all time favorite?

Mucho love to you all!  XOXOXO

Forever Frugal Friday

A few months back I dusted off my cowboy boots that had been sitting in the back of my closet for about 4 years and wore them out to Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival. 

I was so comfy and cozy in my boots and totally sad that I forgotten to wear them all these years.  I picked up these guys at a vintage store in Redondo Beach for about $35.  When I went to Nashville 2 years ago I realized what a deal I had gotten as authentic "Cowboy Boots" can usually run you $300+.

Fret not!  If you want to sport some boots this fall or end of summer, Forever has just the pair for you!

 

These Distressed Cowgirl Boots will only set you back $32.80 and look just as good as those other ones.  I love the boots with skinny jeans, leggings or dresses.  Plus if you scuff them up and get them a little dirty it just  makes them look that much better. 

Yee-haw!

Groupon + Gap = GREEEEEEAAAAAAAAT!

Yes I realize just a few weeks ago I was raving about Groupon here, but it really was such a steal of deal and easy as pie that you can only imagine how much I look forward to my daily deal of the day.  Well today's Groupon was especially awesome and was quite the fodder at the office and amongst friends. 

Today's Groupon was spend $25 and get $50 worth of merchandise at Gap- sale items included! 

I am thinking of using my Groupon towards

this

this

these 

and

this in both colors

If you are loving the things Gap has to offer, don't miss out on this insane deal only good for 5 more hours! 

Also, I read an incredible article about the "Fastest Growing Company Ever" (in Web history) AKA Groupon over at Forbes this week.  It is absolutely insane how successful Groupon has become, and all at the hands of a 29 year old!   Thanks Andrew for making these deals happen!

Word Up Wednesday

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Journey really did say it best.

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True, the movie "Yes Man (Single-Disc Edition)" takes this to an extreme, but saying yes is sometimes the best thing.

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Happy Hump Day Friends!