The Holidays: Renting Dresses for the Special Occasions

Posted on December 31, 2014December 31, 2014 by El Geeezy

For Christmas this year I decided to rent a special dress. I loved this dress so much. The high-low was subtle, the fabric was great (though the sequins in the bodice were uncomfortable).

And now, the fabulous ML Monique Lhuillier Back Down Dress.

ML Monique Lhuillier Back Down Dress (retail $498)

I paired the dress with the Ella Carter necklace I received in my last batch of Unlimited items from Rent the Runway.

Also, included are my favorite Capezio tights. Yes, they are for dancers. Yes, they are a little pricier than some tights. And yes, they are worth it. I rip every pair of tights I own. The difference here is that it’ll take me a couple years to rip my Capezios. I am also wearing my favorite black pumps by Guess (and they’re on sale at Nordstrom Rack!!! I picked them up at Bloomingdales a year ago). Who would have thought Guess had such fabulous pumps, but I have these in black and nude because they look great and are super comfy. And of course it’s all tied together with a black Ann Taylor cardigan. Cause of course.

Disclaimer: I wound up changing. I usually don’t when posting here, but it became quickly evident that being a Christmas glutton would be out of the picture in this dress.

I was going to do a post on my NYE rental outfit (this romper), but had a little medical emergency and won’t make it make to DC in time. So instead, enjoy my “hospital chic” look (Big Sug pointed out that the gown looks like Brooks Brothers meets ER with its slight pinstripe and shield accents).

I’m totally fine now, just a small surgery so I can’t fly. Because of course that would happen to me.

Until next year!!!

Love,
The Rentanista

Packing Like a Rentanista

Posted on December 24, 2014December 24, 2014 by El Geeezy

I take packing for long trips very seriously. I have been known to put outfits together, bind them with ribbon, and list what day the outfit is for and what jewelry to wear with it (and if I’m repeating an item I let myself know which bundle to find it in). I’m a little nuts. In my defense, though, I like “looks” not outfits. I want it all to tie together, and that takes forethought (usually while I’m doing my make-up and I have my entire closet at my fingertips…so don’t think I mean that much forethought).

When I say “I like looks not outfits,” what I mean is I want every piece to jive. I usually want to emphasize one piece and then build around it, but not overpower. It’s more than making sure I don’t clash, it’s about wanting everything to look intentional. I try to figure out best hair, best jewelry, best lip color (and let’s be honest I have a small bank of hair styles and make-up looks that I pull from–I am not reinventing the wheel everyday). I don’t always hit the mark (because I am hella quirky and sometimes just say, “NO! I AM GOING TO WEAR A FUZZY YETTI VEST AND NO ONE CAN STOP ME!”

Now that I’m renting so many pieces I had an idea: why don’t I incorporate all of my rentals into this week’s looks and then send the packages back on the last day? That opens up room in my suitcase for whatever I need to bring back with me (hint: it’s my gigantic wedding dress).

Now, without further ado, the pieces that I have packed and how I’m incorporating them into this week’s looks!

My options from LeTote include a really fun sweater, a fairly neutral black top, and a bright blue shirt–it’s a shade I used to wear a lot, and have kind of backed away from, but let’s give it a run! The jewelry is all perfection.

BCBGeneration Crosby Crewneck Sweater (retail $78)

Adia K Silver Crystal Bracelet (retail $28)

Rent the Runway was pretty spot-on, too. The necklace is going to be perfect for my Christmas look, and this bag was fantastic for running around San Francisco with my husband. The earrings, while super cute, hurt so much I could only wear them once and then kind of regretted it. My poor ears!

Elizabeth and James Accessories Cynnie Coco Bucket Bag (retail $485)

Ca and Lou Faye All Over Earrings (retail $260)

Here is what packing looks like:

Step 1: make a basic list of your outfits

Step 2: I mean…at this point you just pack.

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/9f3/78903514/files/2014/12/img_0495.jpg — Can’t forget the pre-paid envelopes!!!

This is seriously the easiest way I’ve ever packed bags. When I implemented this method I went from over-packing and never having anything to wear to packing fairly lightly and always having a “look.”

Christmas Parties!!!

Posted on December 10, 2014 by El Geeezy

Last night was my office holiday party. I went with the JOA Third Dimension dress. I loved the print! The dress felt a bit short, but I think the flare at the bottom made it feel shorter than it actually was. It’s not my usual cut, but I’m glad I took it for a spin. I also wore those crazy Ben-Amun One Love Hoops. Turns out they’re clip-ons. So…they hurt!!! But they were so fun, so I wore them. As promised, here is my look!

Bonus!!! Tonight was my most fabulous friend/bridesmaid/brunch husband’s (Christian’s) Christmas Party. I loved getting to wear the BCBGeneration peplum top. I paired it with a neutral pencil skirt, black tights, pumps, a faux fur coat, pearl headband, and elbow length mittens (that started normally, I know, and then it’s like BAM faux fur coat).

BCBGeneration Paula Peplum Blouse ($68 retail)

I love having the rotating accessories, but I’m also really enjoying the clothes. I cannot wait to play around with what I get next. It’s so fun to step out of my comfort zone–I mean, I LOVED wearing peplum for the first time.

Perfect Holiday Party Pieces

Posted on December 8, 2014December 9, 2014 by El Geeezy

You guys (gals…?)! My pieces have arrived from LeTote and Rent the Runway, and I could not be more excited about this batch! With my office Holiday party coming up I was really hoping for at least one good piece to wear. Lo and behold, I have options! EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!

My options from LeTote include the most adorable sweater dress ever, a peplum top (I have yet to try out a peplum top), a pullover top that is EXACTLY my style, a funky pair of earrings, and a bracelet that I’m dying for. Do I have a bracelet addiction?

And here’s what I got from Rent the Runway:

I have a crush on Ben-Amun.

Bag look familiar? It’s basically the same as the Gigi New York Blue Hayden Satchel I had last week. I laughed when I got it (“didn’t I JUST send this back???”). I will say, though, that I like the python better, and this deep shade of blue is much more me.

You’ll notice I only have 2 items from Rent the Runway. I kept this necklace a little longer than one cycle, because I just loved it so much.

I’ll show you the look I came up with tomorrow. And I’m so excited to show y’all the updates I’m doing to the apartment we rent in DC (all cleared with the landlord!). Check back tomorrow!

Matinee at the Kennedy Center

Posted on December 3, 2014December 11, 2014 by El Geeezy

Big Sug surprised me (well, the surprise was a month ago) with tickets to Little Dancer at The Kennedy Center. Sometimes, we act so refined.

For our afternoon at the theater (pronounced thee-ah-tah) I chose my favorite black slacks from Ann Taylor, my black Betsey Johnson coat belted with an Ann Taylor reversible belt, and Ann Taylor flats.

I accentuated my outfit with these fabulous Ella Carter Azalea Earrings and this fun Gigi New York Blue Hayden Satchel.

Winter is coming. So let’s make it fabulous.

Two Outfits, One Day

Posted on November 29, 2014 by El Geeezy

Going to work the day before a holiday is basically the best day at work ever. It’s more relaxed, half your coworkers are gone, and you’re probably going to be let out early. Best. Day. Ever. No offense to my coworkers.

For my relaxed day at work, I decided to spice up an all black outfit with this ultra fabulous, ultra blue satchel.

Gigi New York Blue Hayden Satchel ($595 retail)

Fabulousness ensued.

Pants are Ann Taylor (obviously), shoes are Ann Taylor (again, obviously), top and cardigan are random pieces from Nordstrom Rack.

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Big Sug, Whit, and I host a Game Night, so obviously I needed a costume change (also, changing your clothes after work helps you get into fun mode).

Next up is the Willow & Clay Billy Cardigan for my night in.

Willow & Clay Billy Cardigan ($88 retail)

I stayed in my black top and switched out the ponte pants for my favorite pair of leggings. And guess what: they aren’t Ann Taylor. These faux leather leggings are Michael Kors and I picked them up on Poshmark (what WON’T I do for a deal?).

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

💋Love💋

The Rentanista

Obsessing Over Elbow Patches

Posted on November 25, 2014December 2, 2014 by El Geeezy

I have been obsessed with elbow patches lately, so I was pretty stoked to get this sweater from LeTote.

The little pop of contrast on the elbows just makes me feel so hip and trendy and simultaneously like a grandpa. I think I’d be a fantastic grandpa.

I paired the sweater with my favorite leggings (that I own three pairs of) from–you guessed it–Ann Taylor. Boots are Chinese Laundry. Scarf is H&M. You can’t see them, but I’m also wearing Under Armour running pants under my leggings (gotta keep warm!).

I am also sending back the Gorjana Accessories Lula Sunglasses Studs. I couldn’t see myself wearing earrings shaped like sunglasses when it’s zero degrees outside. Excited to see what they send me! It feels like playing the lottery except I’ll always win, and at some point I chose the prizes.

B-Man does not care about being a Rentanista–he owns all of his fabulous clothes (show off).

Check back Thursday to see if I can sass up the Willow & Clay Billy Cardigan and make that Gigi New York Blue Hayden Satchel work in the winter!

Renting the Runway

Posted on November 24, 2014December 2, 2014 by El Geeezy

Most ladies I know have used Rent the Runway for special occasions. Recently, they started an unlimited rental service that works similarly to Netflix (back when people actually got DVDs from Netflix). How it works: For $50/month (it was $75 so you can imagine how excited I was to get that email) you are allowed three items at a time. If you send one item back, they send you one new item (if you return two, you receive two, blah blah blah). Pros: You receive accessories that are too trendy to spend big bucks on. Higher-end costume jewelry–no green rings around your fingers/wrists/neck. Fabulous outerwear. You can buy the pieces for 30% off retail. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their customer service–it is always incredible. Cons: You don’t get to pick the order of your queue–they send you three random pieces from a queue of 15 or more pieces you choose. Some of the outerwear only comes in limited sizes. So far, I have had two pieces that I kept for longer than a cycle. The first was this necklace:

The other was this clutch:

I really think the rental aspect is fun. I’m the girl who buys a necklace and then gets so excited about it she wears it every other day for two weeks and then never wears it again. This way I can over-wear something that is a higher quality and get a new one a week later. Now, without further ado, an outfit featuring this week’s necklace from Rent the Runway.

Kenneth Jay Lane Lennox Hill Bracelet from Rent the Runway.

I’ve become a big fan of blinging up an otherwise neutral outfit. Unfortunately, I have a 9-5 that requires slightly less lamé than I enjoy. I feel like if the rest of my outfit is a little more demure–a cream Ann Taylor sweater, black Ann Taylor skinny-leg slacks, and black Ann Taylor flats (yeah…THAT girl)–then I can totally wear a giant chain link necklace to work. Right? Right? Bueller?

Why I Rent

Posted on November 24, 2014December 2, 2014 by El Geeezy

Let me start with this: I DO own some things. I own a car. I own furniture. I even own some decent jewelry. However, I don’t have the capital to just own many things outright. It’s one of the plagues of my generation. Our parents owned homes by the time they were our age, and we have a hard time just finding an apartment we can afford. It’s frustrating.

But that’s enough complaining.

We’ve been dealt this hand, so let’s make the best of it. Let’s be the next Greatest Generation. One of my favorite things about Millennials is our desire for innovation. We will figure out a way. It’s beautiful.

Renting satisfies my craving for something new without breaking the bank. I enjoy my rental lifestyle. Instead of trying to “fix” my desire for constant change, I’ve decided to embrace it. I enjoy changing my look often, but that’s a hard thing to budget for. Instead, I’ve decided to join two services that allow me to wear something and send it back for a monthly fee. Gone are the days of leaving tags on clothes–this is a legitimate business model, and you’ll never have to feel sketchy as you return an item after a date.

Each week I will put up pictures of the pieces I receive from Rent the Runway and Le Tote. Then I’ll share the outfits I put together. I’ll also share updates of my “renovations” to my apartment. We rent in DC where buying is just out of the question for us, so we decided instead of saving for a down payment we would beef up our 401ks, have a comfortable savings, and travel while enjoying rent control in a neighborhood we love.

So let’s dive into the fun world of being a Rentanista with this week’s batch of items.

I receive 3 items from Rent the Runway and 5 items from Le Tote about once a week. The sooner you send back items, the sooner you receive a new batch, so it varies from week to week.

Here are this week’s items from Rent the Runway: