Lusting after...spring pastels and LOFT new arrivals.

Snow hasn't even hit NYC yet (unless you count the freak snowfall on Halloween, which I would just like to erase from memory altogether...) but spring fashions have definitely hit the stores - and I'm loving the pastel colors that are everywhere this coming season! So much so that I just wanted to share a few items with you all that I'm dying to wear. Can't we just skip over February and March?

The other day, I stopped by a nearby LOFT to see what they had in stock (Twitter followers may have seen some of the items I Tweeted about when there). I fell in love with the Patch Pocket A-Line Skirt in Scuba in 00P. It doesn't seem to be available in petite/small sizes online, but there were several in-store. If you're interested in this skirt, I suggest you go check it out in person to see if it's available (or, of course, do a Stylefinder).

Lusting after...ASOS 50% off sale!

I have a bit of down-time at work today - hurrah for the holiday lull! - enough for me to have thoroughly browsed through ASOS' 50% off sale which just started today. There are so many terrific items that have been reduced and which are still available in a whole range of sizes! I wanted to share my favorites with you all.

First is this cableknit sweater in navy that I've been eyeing since it first appeared on the site. I like both how cozy it looks, and how petite-friendly the length appears to be - this sweater appears to truly be cut short. It is currently retailing for $29.09, down from $63.63, and is still available in all sizes excluding size 1.

Black pumps and goals for my wardrobe.

Although I don't follow astrology at all (fact: I actually typed 'astronomy' before I corrected myself - that's how much I don't follow it) there is one thing I believe: Libras are indecisive by nature. There have been so many times I've rolled into a department store, certain of what I want (classic black pumps, for example) and then proceeded to be just so totally overwhelmed by all the choices that I've ended up leaving without anything except a head full of seriously confused ideas (Do I want black leather pumps, really? Or do I want the comfier - and therefore more practical, right? - black leather wedges? Or what about boots? I need boots...and so on, and so on). It's a terribly disorganized and frenzied place, my mind.

But I was inspired by Elle of Fast Foot and Fast Fashion's recent post about "good" deals, as well as her "Sartorial Bucket List." What a fab idea! Although I keep an itemized spreadsheet of all the purchases I make throughout the month, which has helped to curb my spontaneous spending some, I still inevitably end up  dazed and confused whenever I go to most stores. No more!

I have a new goal, and that's to form a list of items that are absolutely necessary (e.g., the perfect trench coat, which I've been trying to hunt down for what seems like forever) and to only buy items from that list...well, with the odd exception here or there.

One of the items on said list is definitely a pair of black pumps - that is to say, affordable pumps, at a price tag of $150 or under. The ones I currently have are these Nine West Selene Pumps, purchased in the summer:

Reviews...H&M

So I popped over to H&M today, and was really impressed with some of the items they have out right now! I wanted to buy so many more than I actually ended up purchasing, but isn't that always the case?

Originally, I headed in to check out this tie-collar cardigan that I had seen (and loved!) on Really Petite's blog. Coincidentally, I was also on the hunt for the wool mini-skirt she's wearing too - I need more skirts that aren't black and camel, and the grey option is so cute! But unfortunately, I didn't find either of these items. I knew I should've jumped on that skirt when I saw it a week or so ago...oh well. Luckily, I did manage to find a few items that I loved - and some real bargains, too.

In particular, I wanted to highlight this wool-blend skirt - the photo is from my Blackberry (I really need to start carrying around my digital camera when I go shopping) so the colors are a little off. In person, it's a beautiful rust and grey wool blend. The reason I'm so excited about this skirt in particular is because it fits so small. Seriously, it's like I had it tailored for my pocket-sized frame!

Lusting after...Versace for H&M

I've always found it difficult to find high-end designer items that fit - leaving aside the fact that said designer items usually tend to be far beyond my price point anyway, I'm additionally deterred from buying anything due to the extensive alterations I'll inevitably have to do ($250 for a button-down is steep enough - I don't need to tack onto that price tag with sleeve-shortening and side-slimming!). 

But that's exactly why the new Versace for H&M collaboration has got me oh so excited. It's Versace! It's (somewhat) affordable! And, here's the kicker, if it's sized even remotely according to H&M's standard, it might actually be petite-friendly. 

After browsing through Vogue's gallery, I've come up with several items that I'm definitely going to have to nab. First is this beautiful black silk dress that's going to retail for $79.99. Amazing! I love the slit-sleeve detailing...and you can never go wrong with adding another LBD to your wardrobe, right?

Lusting after...the ideal LBD.

Entering the quote-unquote real world means that acquiring the perfect little black (business) dress for my closet is definitely more necessary than ever before. And while I have tons of LBDs, none of them are the LBD. You know what I mean, right? I'm talking the ideal little black dress, the one that can transition from a day at work to a dinner with family to a night out with friends. Of course, I've seen a ton that could work in theory, but as soon as I put them on, it's more like I'm wearing a three year old playing dress up in mom's closet than a 22 year old gearing up for a day in New York. Sigh.

But that's why I'm currently lusting after this dress (shown below in red, but which also comes in black) from the ASOS Petite line. Although my experience with ASOS has taught me that the quality may not necessarily be worth the price - this dress, for example, is a cool $73 and change - I've also learned that finding a dress that fits you off-the-rack is priceless. And ASOS Petite is one of the only lines I've found where "Petite" actually means petite; it fits me well, both at the hem and at the waist. Shocking!

I love the neckline and sleeveless cut - it's not so low that it would be unprofessional for the office, but the detailing definitely keeps it interesting enough for nights out, too. I want to buy this so badly, but since I'm currently trying to save up for an apartment (I'm moving into the city at long last) I think I'll have to wait for a sale. Fingers crossed that they're still a US Size 2 when one rolls around...

For those of you that can afford to splurge a little, there's also some more good news: ASOS has a 20% off sale on all items in their new collection - but it ends today! So go, go now!