BOP

Umm...I found BOP magazine at the grocery store today...I didn't even know they still made BOP! I used to buy these back in the day when New Kids on the Block or Joey Lawrence would be on the cover. This just made me feel old...I don't even know who Justin is, and he looks like a 10 year old! Now I kind of wish I still had one of the BOP mags to look through, just to see who I had a crush on, lol. Hilarious...xo, B

Grub Nation

So I ventured back to Wholesome Choice for lunch...I waited in line for about 20 minutes this time to get my hot sangak, and another 20 minutes for my chicken barg plate. The chicken barg is basically like a shish kebab, seasoned grilled chicken, and it came with basmati rice and a grilled tomato (which my mom ate...not into it), oh yeah, and of course I got the ashreshte soup again. Seriously yum! To be honest it wasn't the best chicken barg I've ever had...Ferdussi's is by far the best...but, for fast food type food, it's pretty amazing! xo, B

The Block

We did a little drive to Orange to check out The Block so I could peruse Saks Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus Last Call. The Block is this typical heinous California monstrosity of an outdoor mall. Everything in these malls are usually the massive chain restaurants and stores...but in this case it is awesome for all the discount shopping it has to offer. Discount stores are getting the best merchandise these days. All the designers sell off their excess inventory at the end of the season to these off price stores, and with the economy the way it is right now there is a lot of merchandise to sell. It will definitely not continue this way, since designers are learning to adjust the amount of units they cut, but right now it's a playground for me to play in.

My first stop was Saks Off Fifth...I looked forward to trying on all the shoes. That is a plus when going discount shopping, all the shoes are at your disposal...no asking pretentious retail "specialists" for help. I hid in the back, playing with Prada, Alaia, Miu Miu and Jimmy Choo all sprawled out as we danced about the shoe department together. I didn't end up committing to any of them...the Alaias were my absolute favorite...but still rang up around $550. The wood Prada platforms were the runner up...but they were a tad small! The only thing I did purchase from Off Fifth, was a pair of black Blank denim jeans with side zip ankles and studded back pockets. Super cool, and will be great pair with any of my heels or kicks!

Piperlime sells the same Blank denim jeans for $78...I got them for only $45! Quite the steal...and the denim is super soft, it's like a legging!

Found these shoes at Neiman Marcus Last Call...just thought the soles were super cute!

These were the only kicks I found at Last Call that were somewhat worthy...I had them on my feet for a while...but I had my heart set on high tops as my next purchase of converse, these were cool black sequined chucks, but maybe a little too much bling. Hmm...what do you think BFFL?

My only purchases were this yummy white plain tee by Romeo and Juliet, with a longer back hem the was really pretty and flowing...will be a great layer under my cardis and leather jackets. My fave steal was more of a necessity than a splurge, I bought a handful of my fave Hanky Panky undies for around $10 instead of the usual $18. They are the only thongs I wear, that are the most comfy and stay in place. Sorry...a bit TMI...but amazing price and amazing brand! Loving the discounts...xo, B

Lovin' Abbey Lee

Abbey Lee is one of my fave models to date...she has walked down major runway shows and always looks amazing in her own style on the street! It was awesome to see Abbey Lee grace the cover of Vogue Nippon as posted by Because I'm Addicted. She looks so sophisticated, and I'm obsessed how easily transformed she is with thick bangs. Love love love her...xo, B

Loehmanns

Well, I guess you could say I'm somewhat obsessed with the MJ Carter collection with the studs. But, as I was BBMing my bestie Te today, she advised me that she had found MJ Carters at the Loehmanns in NYC. So, when I got to Loehmanns today, I darted straight for the bag section to find the charcoal grey Carter sitting there staring back at me. I picked it up like a long lost friend, and reminisced about the day he used to be mine. You see, he was mine, sort of...earlier this year, my Carter in charcoal grey was stolen off the back of my chair at some restaurant in NYC, with all my personal belongings. It was one of the most traumatic life experiences to date...so when I saw Carter today, it brought me back to a time when I was more innocent. Anyways, he is part of my past, and I left him there at Loehmanns, but he will always be missed. RIP...xo, B

That's me with my Icee from Target...I was on a hunt to find Rodarte stuff...but everything was gone. I did buy the black lace camisole though, it will be a great layering piece.

Souplantation

There's no better way to end a shopping trip than with food! My mom and I headed off to Souplantation for what is one of my favorites stops when I go back to Orange County. The dinner is only $9.95, and my mom had a buy one get one free coupon...seriously the best deal ever...NYC is so overpriced, you don't even realize until you get away, and appreciate a $10 meal. An all you can eat salad bar with fresh muffins, soups and soft serve yogurt for dessert...Yum! I always stock up on the salad bar with the Chinese Chicken Salad and plain noodles with the freshly made cheese foccaccia from the muffin station! It's such basic food, but it's something that I grew up on, and it's brilliant. Comfort food is always...well...comforting. xo, B

SCP Mania

The last part of my 6 hour shopping extravaganza ended with a Zara marathon. The mall was crazy and Zara was just as crazy or worse...there were more women there than in Gap or Bloomingdales. I may have spent an hour in Zara just dating my new pair of brown caramel suede tall boots, my black leather faux fur collared jacket and waiting in line to pay. I circled the five different mirrors in the womens section trying to get a good look at what would be my new purchases. I think half of shopping is getting caught up in the hype...it wasn't like my new pieces were exceptionally unique or cheap, but just that they were in my hand and mine. The mall was crazy...and the women were crazier...so I ended up taking my new boots and jacket home, and I am a happy woman. I can't wait til both my boots and jacket are broken in and yummy! Til then, there are more places to shop and food to eat. Cheers! xo, B

My new boots...love the height!

Getting a pic of my jacket was difficult...I'm a bit picky on the angle of my pics, and I can't seem to give direction very well to my mom, bf, brother etc to take the pics... This was attempt #1

Attempt #2

Attempt #3