summer wish list.

I have to stay up because I just put laundry in the wash and the thought of wet clothes sitting all night...nawww, not so much.  I can either work on the reference list for my junior thesis OR I can compile my summer clothing wish list.  The choice is clear. (:

• shorts! I have two pairs...from two years ago. Time to upgrade.  I feel like all the leg workouts I've been killing myself over in the last six weeks should warrant a pair similar to these..  

American Eagle, $40.  

American Eagle, $40.

Definitely won't be spending $40 on something that's probably only worth $10.  This is just inspiration for when I hit the thrift stores. (:

These from Old Navy are also sweet, and cost half as much. 

Old Navy, $23

• What I really need ("need" being a very relative term after spending  a week in India) are skirts.  Much like shorts, I own two skirts I would actually wear.  Those post is making it much more glaringly obvious how pathetic my wardrobe really is. 

I love this skirt from American Eagle!  It also happens to be on sale at the moment.  Hm..

American Eagle, on sale for $20

And then there are these two, from Old Navy. Ahh!

Old Navy, on sale for $17

Old Navy, on sale for $17

And these two, from Maurices.  Wow, wow, wow.  I'm a fan.

Maurices, $32

Maurices, $32

• Next I would buy a bunch of t shirts from Target because they are great and come in great colors and one of my favorite looks is a cute skirt such as the ones I've picked out here paired with a simple, fitted, feminine t shirt.  Solid stuff there.  Like such as this one, which is $8 and comes in 12 colors. Thank you, Target.  

Target, $8

• I'm feeling some chunky jewelry to pull all these hypothetical outfits together.

Target, $25

Target, $30 

Target, $14

• And shoes! Oh summer shoes!  

Target, $15

Target, $20

Now I have an itch to make a few polyvore outfits from everything in this post.  You might see them soon, considering that today was my last day of classes as a junior! WHEW!  

toms: are they worth it?...and alternatives.

Cute, to be sure.

Comfy, too.

But also...at least fifty bucks for a piece of Canvas.

Let it be known that I have been sucked into the world of Toms.  My hipster-trendy roommate had a pair that I borrowed at least three days a week.  Finally I bought a pair of my own.  They are perfect slip-on-and-go shoes, with jeans, or shorts, or even a skirt.  But $50?  One accidental wearage in the rain and the inside sole will curl up.  Each additional accidental contact with water causes the inside sole to curl up more and more.  Unless worn only in perfectly delightful weather, Toms don't last very long.  And they're sweaty.  

While I do love my Toms, I'm thinking that my next pair of errand-running shoes won't be Toms.  Here are the alternatives I'm considering:

First, we have this number from Urban Outfitters, which I personally think could work as a quick slip on shoe with a multitude of outfits, and is a little more unique than your average Tom. (oh and they're cheap too.  2 for $20.)

Next we have Bobs by Sketchers, which look and cost almost the exact same as Toms.  But I guess you better watch out that no one looks too closely at the tag, because that wouldn't be cool.  

Here we have your Soludos for $28 from Shop Bop.  

Oh, yes! And let us not forget Target! These espadrillas may be ugly, but they're cheap!  $17!  (Also I'm fairly certain they have better colors when they're in season. These must've been the 'tovers.)

And, saving the best for last, my all-time favorite canvas shoe...

VANS. I dearly like Vans.  

Just look at all the color choices!

Conclusion:  Toms are about the cutest shoe of their style category.  None of my similar examples come close to competing with Toms' cute factor.  But honestly, I'm not sure that cuteness is worth the $50 for a shoe that isn't going to last very long.  Especially because they're so in.  I don't like succumbing and getting what's in. I know, I know, I did it.  But I'm done buying Toms!  

Moral of the story: buy Vans, kids.