New Shop: Ruche

*Simultaneous groans from my mom and my bank account*

I was poking around online last night and came across a new online shop for me to spend all of my money at. Ruche is a self described "modern boutique with a vintage touch". Their clothing style to very similar to ModCloth but less expensive. I even ran across a few items that ModCloth sells, and they were about $10 cheaper at Ruche (don't shoot me, ModCloth, I still love you!). Ruche does not have as big of a selection, however. I also was extremely underwhelmed by their skirt/shorts offerings, and I couldn't even scrape together six that I liked enough to feature here.

The real reason I fell in love with Ruche isn't because of their tops or dresses. It's the shoes. So many glorious shoes! I tried to narrow my favorites down to only 6 but I just couldn't do it. So you get 12 instead. Lucky you.

Dresses:

1) Floral Mirage Wrap Dress, $65.99

2) Date with the Wizard Emerald Green Dress, $52.99
3) Some Kind of Wonderful Floral Dress, $36.99
4) Dewy Lanes Navy Dress, $36.99
5) Flowers for Algernon Dress, $37.99
6) Sandy Mandy Dress, $37.99

Tops:

1) Chasing Waterfalls Top, $40.99
2) Forever and Always Floral Trapeze Tank, $34.99
3) Take Me to the Emerald City Top, $29.99
4) A Day in Chantilly Chiffon Top, $45.99
5) Shooting the Breeze Ruffle Tier Top, $31.99
6) Lace is for Lovers Top, $34.99

Shoes:

1) Restricted “Scrabble” Oxfords in Green, $38.99
2) “Rae” Jazz Oxford Shoes in Tan, $32.99
3) Fern Weave Flats in Coral, $26.99
4) Pink Studio “Izzy” T-strap Sandals, $59.99
5) Pink Studio “Junnet” Peep Toe Wedges, $65.99
6) Crystal Colorful Sandals, $35.99
7) Pink Studio “Jules” Peep Toe Pumps, $80.99
8) Pink Studio “Thora” Peep Toes in Olive, $57.99
9) Chelsea Crew “Master” Oxford Heels, $58.99
10) Out and About Lace-Up Boots, $39.99
11) Buckled Up Booties, $42.99
12) Nicole “Open Up” Heeled Oxford in Velvet Brown, $74.99

Bags:

1) Buckle Me Up Crossbody Bag in Rustic Blue, $38.99
2) Mini Button Ruffle Purse in Raven Black, $22.99
3) Glitz and Glam Purse in Ruby Red, $41.99

Shoulder the Bag

Though I'm fairly certain not many of you noticed, I haven't posted any new blogs in a few weeks. I spent two weeks in France with my best friend for our senior trip and then the past week since I've been home I'm just been bumming around, not particularly motivated to do much of anything.

But I am back to work now, working on some new jewelry designs and putting together ideas for new blogs. Today's blog is about shoulder bags, simply because I like them and I think you should like them too.

In all honesty, though, shoulder bags are really quite handy. While there are some ridiculously cute handbags out there in the world, they just aren't as practical as shoulder bags are. Shoulder bags are hands-free, leaving both of your hands to do other, more important tasks, such as texting and waving at cute guys (neither of which I do on a regular basis, in case you are wondering...)

Also, shoulder bags are generally smaller than regular purses, forcing you to cut down on the amount of stuff you take out of the house with you. Nothing builds more character than having to decide if you really really need hand lotion and a back-up pair of sunglasses with you at all times. Try it sometime! You'll be amazed at how much stuff you carry with you normally that you end up leaving home when you are using your shoulder bag.

Some of my favorites:

Forever 21 has a wide variety of cute shoulder bags at the best prices you'll find anywhere. All of the shoulder bags I currently own except for one are from Forever 21 and I'm extremely pleased with all of them.

1) Classy Leatherette Should Bag, $26.80
2) Vintage Leatherette Bag in Green, $29.80
3) Leatherette Ruffle Purse, $22.80 (I saw this one in person once and it's really awesome!)
4) Quilted Shoulder Bag, $19.80
5) Claudette Shoulder Bag in Red, $25.80
6) Quilted Shoulder Bag in Lavender $22.80

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ModCloth's shoulder bags are more expensive, but their style is arguably worth it. I don't own any of their bags, but I look forward to getting one someday to see if they really are as awesome as they look.

1) Regal Tender Bag, $65.99
2) Never a Dull Moment Bag, $24.99
3) Marigold Marvel Bag, $27.99
4) On the Same Beige Bag, $63.99
5) The Grace of Grey Bag, $399.99 (Nope, not a typo. But isn't is so gorgeous?)

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Urban Outfitters' bags are a little simpler but still have a nice vintage-but-modern look to them. Next time I order from them I'm considering treating myself to one.

1) Swedish Hasbeens Small Saddle Bag in Red, $265.00
2) Ecote Studded Suede Bag in Tan, $29.99
3) BDG Square Leather Cross-Body Bag in Blue, $68.00
4) Deux Lux Mid Grommet Cross-Body Pouch Purse in Berry, $48.00
5) Cooperative Saddle Bag in Navy/White, $38.00

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Anthropologie is the store I am going to shop at when I am rich. So while it will be a long time before I can ever afford to buy one of these bags, I still enjoy looking and planning ahead.

1) Wandering Wisteria Bag, $288.00

2) Stone-and-Fronds Bag, $188
3) Malleable Bag, $148
4) Unbloomed Rose Bag, $305

And that concludes this blog.