Oye Swimwear Sally Crossover Bikini

$350

Oh, this. What do I say about this? It's naughty and chic at the same time. Do I love it? You bet your sweet Aunt Fanny I do. It's a cool 80 degrees in NoVa today, and swimsuits are on my mind. There's no way that you won't be turning heads on the beach or at the pool wearing this beauty. If you want to buy me this, I won't hold it against you. 

Clover Canyon Desert Home Sleeveless Cropped Top & Neoprene Pencil Skirt

$185 - $220

I'm a grown woman. I'm professional. I'm chic. I'm sophisticated. All of those things aside, I love this look. I don't even know why. It's very trendy. In all honesty, I could probably only wear it once (on vacation) before it would cease being culturally relevant. But. I. Love. It. What's a girl to do?

Coach Clarkson Sandal

$148

I live for the summer. It's so cold and icky in Northern Virginia that I don't even feel alive until the sun comes out and the temperature rises. That said, I'm eternally on the hunt for the perfect flat sandal. It needs to be chic, comfortable, and reasonably priced so I won't cry if it gets ruined from daily wear. I'm not usually a huge fan of Coach, but they really hit the nail on the head with this sandal. It's everything I could want and then some. Best part? Since I purchase a bag or two a year from them to give to Mama for some random holiday or occasion, they constantly send me discount codes and coupons every few weeks. Now all I have to do is wait, and I can buy these at 25% off...

Athleta Tee Dress

$69

So... it's not couture. It's not fancy. It's a long v-neck t-shirt... with rouching at the bottom to turn it into a "dress." Talk about the polar opposite of all of my other material lusts. Ignore all the things that it's not. This dress looks totally laid-back and cool. I wanna throw it into my carry-on and hop on a plane right now. Ooooo, and it would look fabulous with a pair of Coach sandals that I'm lusting after right now. I can see the whole look right now -- dewy tan, Ray Ban or Chanel aviators, this dress, Coach sandals, Tory Burch cross-body bag. Must. Buy. Now. <dreamy sigh>

Comme des Garcons Low-Top Converse Sneakers

$100

Holy Converse, Batman! These are adorable. But maybe I'm just partial to CdG's cute little heart with eyes. It's darling and a little creepy at the same time. You know what I really love about these kicks? They're elitist Chuck Taylor's. Yup. That's the main appeal. The whole "my shoes are better than yours because they were harder to find and more expensive" thing. I'm shallow, I know. Get over it.

AllSaints Steine Biker Jacket

$595

I LOVE AllSaints. They're different. They're edgy. They're British. They do several things right. AllSaints practically wrote the book on how to make asymmetric apparel look sexy and chic. (Think Vivienne Westwood with a grungy flair and at more affordable prices.) And then we come to the topic of their leather jackets… <takes a deep breath> Look. At. This. Jacket. It's perfection. I almost wish that I had a Harley so that I would have an excuse to wear it all the time. It's that major. And all of their leather jackets are this hot. Forget Justin. AllSaints is bringing sexy back 24/7.

Grey Zig Zag Jonathan Adler TOMS

$59

Does the name "Jonathan Adler" sound familiar to you? It should. He's designed everything from decorative trinkets for the house to a limited edition collaboration with Tumi so that even your luggage can boast his snarky flair. Now, Monsieur Adler and his team have joined the do-gooders at TOMS to make sure that underprivileged children the world over have the chance to get a pair of shoes when you buy one. I love the geometric pattern on this grey pair and the good cause that purchasing them would support. Granted, I'm pretty certain that a small child in Rwanda won't be given a matching pair...

Diane von Furstenberg Miranda Strapless Short Jumpsuit

$345

Hello. My name is Constance. I'm a grown woman, and I have a romper obsession. I'm practically shaking looking at this one from DVF. I'm not usually a huge DVF fan (which you wouldn't know, given that this is my second DVF post on here), but this Chili Pepper confection is smoking hot! I've been known to pair my rompers with cardigans and obscenely high heels or wedges for nights out or with flats for a day of...well...romping. And I would do just that with this piece. It's the perfect piece for vacationing somewhere sunny. Not only does it take up less space in your luggage than separates would, it can spare you the agony of going through all of the random bits and pieces that you've packed and trying to come up with a sensible outfit. (I write this as a girl who more often than not packs all of her pretty and expensive things without any regard for how they work together.) Anyway, buy this romper. Or just buy it for me!

Tom Ford Large Kidskin Natalia Bag

$3,980

Meet Natalia. Isn't she a beauty? I've always believed her to be Tom Ford's answer to Hermes's Constance. She's the perfect size (large enough to stow all of the essentials), and she can be worn crossbody. Extra props for that. The only thing that makes her even more appealing to me is how few people have been spotted rocking her. Call me an elitist, but don't you think that something is that much more special when fewer people have it?

Herve Leger One-Shoulder Below-Knee Bandage Dress

$1,390

Don't judge me. I have loved this dress ever since I saw it on Sonja on an episode of Real Housewives of New York. If it can make that disgusting cougar look hot, just imagine what it would look like on someone younger and hotter! The only modification I would make would be to take the hem line up a few inches. 

Monique Lhuillier Asymmetric Draped Gown

$5,995

Oy vay. Could this gown be any dreamier? The asymmetric flowiness of this dress seems absolutely ethereal, almost like it was spun from clouds that drifted too closely to the ground and were delicately sewn together by a nimble tailor who caught them quickly in a butterfly net. It's heavenly, and it truly shines on someone with the palest of skin. It has magical powers and can turn any fair maiden into an elvish princess or a muse who has been kissed by Zeus himself. <dreamy sigh>

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Earrings

$4,150

Oh. My. Gawd. Van Cleef's onyx Alhambra earrings have been on my lust list from the second that I first laid eyes on them. Have you seen all of those cheap clover pieces that everyone's sporting? Well, these are the originals. The real deal. The ultimate "it" piece. I will never buy a knock-off because nothing compares to the real thing. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl. I'd rather go without than purchase something that's an imitation of greatness. These are timeless perfection, and the last pair of earrings that a girl will ever need to buy. Mucho gusto!

Oscar de la Renta Strapless Gown with Bubble Hem Peplum

$7,690

Hellooooo, gorgeous! Senor de la Renta has done it again. This dark confection is chic perfection and absolutely worthy of a royal function or the Oscars. I don't know why, but I'm really loving the peplum look this season. And this gown has a marvelous peplum, perfectly matched with the fitted silhouette of that fabulous skirt. It's all that and a bag of potato chips. All you're missing is a young, handsome prince to lead you around on his arm.

Tory Burch Aimee Flat

$250

How cute are these? Tory Burch is totally channeling Audrey Hepburn here. Everything about them is chic perfection, from the color blocked pointy toe to that darling bow. Wear them to work. Wear them on the weekend with cuffed jeans. Wear them with a little black dress for a night on the town. Wear them everywhere. If I had them, I sure would!

Chanel Watercolor Flap Bag

$2,000+

I have been having multicolored dreams ever since seeing this bag from Chanel's 2014 Spring/Summer collection. Unlike many other Chanel bags (and all of mine), this bag is canvas as opposed to leather or patent leather. Of the many versions of this bag that I've seen, no two seem identical because the colored swatches are always sewn differently. Kinda makes this bag the cheapest "unique" Chanel that you can buy right now while still boasting the classic flap style. Not available online, you'll have to contact a Chanel boutique to purchase it. 

Rene Caovilla Chandelier Sea Stone Ankle-Wrap Flat Thong Sandal

$1,285

This shoe has been called "jewelry for your foot." I couldn't have said it better myself. Well, maybe I could, but I won't try. This shoe is absolute toe bling. Every time I see these, I think to myself, If Disney princesses wore sandals, they would wear these. I specifically can see Jasmine wearing them with her cropped tops and harem pants. As un-prissy as I am, I adore these. I can't see myself ever spending that much for a pair of sandals, but my inner Disney princess alter-ego would rock the hell out of 'em! 

Christian Louboutin Affiche Peep-Toe Wedge

$745

I. Want. These. Shoes. Granted, they are the most pointless Louboutin's ever. The whole point of wearing Loubie's is to flash those shiny red bottoms. Who's going to know you're wearing a pair if they can't see the bottoms? That's probably a shallow way to look at it, but that's how I see it. Anyway, whether the bottoms are flash-able or not, I love these wedges. I can already see myself wearing them all summer long with short shorts. Total shoe lust. 

Louis Vuitton Keepall 60 with Shoulder Strap (avec Mon Monogram)

$2,140 avec Mon Monogram ($1,680 plain)

"Hello, lover," she purrs, in her best Carrie Bradshaw voice. What Manolo's were to Carrie, Louis Vuitton luggage is to me. Except for the fact that I don't exactly own any Louis luggage. Yet, anyway. When I do start cultivating a collection of Louis luggage (to join my other Louis's), the Keepall 60 will be my first piece. (Unless I'm traveling via private jet, you can be damn sure that I would never let this bag leave my side save to be tucked into an overhead compartment.)  Because I love to be different/difficult, you just know that I'll throw a couple hundred extra bucks at 'em so that they paint a few lines on the bag and add my initials. My picks? A thick jaune stripe down the middle of the bag with a thinner violet stripe on each side of it and my initials (CAS), naturally. God help me if I marry a man whose last name doesn't start with an "S." 

Diane von Furstenberg Fleurette Silk Chiffon Dress

$345

What is not to love about DVF's Fleurette? This dress quite literally looks amazing on everyone. I'm serious. My black and white printed version from Bergdorf is one closet staple that I can always throw on when I need to be dressy-ish (though not formal) and want to feel sexy, even when I'm having a fat day. And this black version? Sheer perfection. It might be time to start growing a Fleurette collection... 

Valentino Rock Stud Gladiator Thong Sandal

$895

I'm going to skip right through the end of winter and most of spring so that I can get straight into summer and wear these! Valentino's spin on a warm weather staple is very rock n' roll -- boasting studs on just about every visible inch of leather. I am just dying to wear these with everything, from short shorts to lady-like skirts and dresses. Want, want, want!

Tory Burch Robinson Traveler

$250

I have an itch to travel, and nothing appeals to me more right now than this little piece from Tory Burch. The Robinson Traveler is the epitome of everything that the perfect toiletry case should be. It's durable. It's spacious. It's structured. Have I mentioned yet how chic it is? It is chic to the power of infinity. Totally drool-worthy. And another one goes on the wish list...

Hermes Clic H Bracelet

$650

What "It" girl doesn't have an Hermes bracelet? This one. <le sigh> Hermes' timeless signature enamel bangle may be pricey, but it's pure class. Personally, I'm a big fan of the black version, but good luck finding that one for sale from Hermes online. This is a lot more in reach than my ultimate Hermes lust: my namesake bag -- the Constance. Starting at around a cool $7,000, I'd better win the lottery before really setting my heart on that one. 

Lanvin Ruched Textured Mini Dress

$2,695

Holy hot pink scandal, Batman! This Lanvin number is saucy. It's spicy. It's chic. It's unexpected. I love asymmetry and sculptural elements in clothing, and this dress is a perfect example of both. Not for the faint of heart, only a bold fashionista could even attempt to pull a number like this off. Now if only I had somewhere to wear it...

Burberry English Lace Trench Coat

$2,495

Oh. My. Burberry. This trench is beyond. Just beyond. Burberry is freaking me out a little bit, because this jacket is all of my favorite things. It's lace. It's lavender. It's more fashion than function. IT'S BURBERRY! I must have this! It is so impractical and girlie that it's sheer magic! J'aime beaucoup. 

Dior Silver and Orange Bustier with Peplum

$12,000

Raf Simons' Spring/Summer 2014 Ready-to-Wear collection for the House of Dior is filled with timelessly chic ensembles evoking a bygone era while still keeping things playful by showing off semi-risque expanses of skin. The second I saw this look (#62) in the March edition of Neiman Marcus's Book, I was smitten. Alas, something of the top's chicness is lost when one sees it in color. Silver and orange? Um, I want to say "ew" but it's so darn cute otherwise. Well, as "cute" as a $12,000 top or ultra minidress can be. (Let's not forget what Tim Gunn said: "If you have to ask if a clothing item is a dress or a top, it's always a top.") For now, I'll just keep dreaming of it in black and white.

Feel like buying it? The good folks of Neiman Marcus might be able to help you if you call them at 1.800.944.9888 and refer to page 51 of The Book. Otherwise, try your local Dior boutique.

Chloe Marcie Perforated Medium Shoulder Bag in Tan

$2,800

Chloe has done it again. For Spring 2014, they have taken their timeless Marcie and spruced it up with some perforated leather. Available in Tan and Black, this bag epitomizes the light, airy feeling that seems to be tres a la mode this spring. J'aime beaucoup!

Vince Half-Placket High-Low Dress

$325

I've been on a very hip/futuristic kick lately. This lil' confection from Vince's Spring 2014 is everything I'm loving right now and everything my mother would hate. I can just hear her asking me if they ran out of material when making it. But that's part of it's appeal! I love how loose and flowy the cut is. Don't even get me started on how fab this would be for showing off my miles of legs (and distracting from everything else). It's attention-grabbing without being too form fitting and slutty. Brownie points for that, Vince! Given how understated the color and cut are, you can easily wear some wildly bold heels with it without looking like a hot mess. This one's going on the wish list. Maybe those Neiman Marcus gift cards will finally come through...

Bienvenue!

Welcome to our blog! We're recessionistas -- and by that I mean highly educated working professionals whose fashion dreams (lusts, really) exceed their spending abilities. These days, it's hard to pay one's bills (including ridiculous student loans from grad and law school) and buy Chanel with a Target budget. As we pay our dues and climb the corporate ladder until we're financially at the place where we can afford anything that our hearts desire, you'll be able to follow our daily shopping lusts here.

Hold on tight, because you're in for a wild, couture ride!

XOXO,

Connie