Tag: academic

Hermes Tray DIY

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If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I’ve undertaken an office-makeover project at work.  I’ve posted a couple of updates so far, but today got lots of questions about one of the items in my post: an Hermès tray!

Hermes Tray Vintage, http://chicinacademia.comVintage Hermes Tray, 1stdibs.com (Photo: 1stdibs)

The one pictured above is a vintage tray that sells for $875.  If you’ve read my blog once or twice, you know that I’m not one to pay retail, but that instead, I’m one to seek luxe for less.  Well, that’s exactly what I did…again!

I’d known for some time that I wanted one, so I searched Pinterest for possible places to purchase one that wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a leg.  Pinterest is a great place to seek inspiration.  If you’re not a big ‘pinner’ feel free to peruse my boards from time to time!  Anyway, after searching Pinterest a few times, I did find some replicas or ‘inspired’ trays that were reasonably priced; but as I am decorating this office on a budget, I really wanted to pay less than $50 for mine. Here are a couple of ones I found, both which are priced $125 or less:

Hermes Tray Replica // http://chicinacademia.comHermès Tray Replica, Artfire.com, $99.00 (Photo: Artfire)

Hermes Tray Replica Etsy, http://chicinacademia.comHermès Tray Replica, Etsy.com, $125 (Photo: Etsy Seller)

I still felt like $100 was too much for a replica.  So, I searched for just a simple tray instead.  That’s when I found this one I decided for in the end on eBay!

Orange Lacquer Tray eBay Timeless Settings, http://chicinacademia.comOrange Lacquer Tray, eBay, $20 (Photo: Timeless Settings)

I like that it has the mirrored bottom, and also loved the price!  You can find this one on eBay from seller Timeless-Settings for a mere $20!  Score!  There is also a round one you can buy for $52 dollars, but again, that starts to get a bit out of my price range, so I stuck with the $20 tray.  You can find the round one, here.

Honestly, initially, I didn’t have plans to make my own Hermès DIY tray; but, then, I happened to come across this decal while shopping for decals for my office wall and decided I’d give it a try!

Hermes Logo Trading Phrases, http://chicinacademia.comHermès Wall Decal, Trading Phrases, $14.99 (Photo: Trading Phrases)

They have several sizes, but happen to have a decal that measures 5.5″ x 1″.  The size is perfect for the side of the tray I found on eBay!!  I ordered both and one week later, I had my own Hermès replica tray for about $35!  Here’s a sneak peak of the tray:

Tray without logo, http://chicinacademia.comTray without logo (Photo: Chic In Academia)

Tray without logo, http://chicinacademia.comTray without logo, another view (Photo: Chic in Academia)

Tray with Logo on Bar Cart, http://chicinacademia.comTray with logo.  DIY Success!! (Photo: Chic in Academia)

What do you think?!  I’m personally pretty excited about the way it turned out!  I’m not quite done decorating and this bar cart is not quite styled the way I want it yet, so stay tuned for an update on the make over and all the final details.  In the meantime, I wanted to share this with you before the trays sell out!  Keep up with my updates on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.  I’d  also love to hear what you think about the DIY or what you think of the bar styling so far, so leave a comment below!  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and I can’t wait to hear from you!

Until next time!  Stay chic!

The Zara Sale for the Professional Woman

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Well, the sales keep on comin’!  If I were told that for the rest of my life I could only shop one store with an unlimited budget, it would likely be Zara.  For the professional woman, this is the relatively affordable mecca of work-appropriate clothing that is not only chic, but also great quality.  I LOVE ZARA.  LOVE.

So when my sister called me earlier today to alert me to the fact that some major sales were going down, I immediately took to the ‘internets’ as some would say, to scour the inventory.  She was not lying.  The selection and prices are amazing.  AH-MAZE-ING.

Here are a few of my faves:

Fitted Blazer with Pleated Sleeves, $39.99. I am ALL about an amazing shoulder on a jacket. I love this color of this one, but it also comes in black for those of you who are averse to color. :D

Fitted Blazer with Pleated Sleeves, $39.99. I am ALL about an amazing shoulder on a jacket. I love this color of this one, but it also comes in black for those of you who are averse to color. 😀

Checked Shift Dress, $49.99. Okay, so this dress isn't super cheap, but it's half off and just perfect in terms of tailoring! The color combo is gorgeous, and well let's face it, it's just simply a great lookin' dress. Not gonna lie, I bought it. You should buy it too and be dress twinsies. ;)

Checked Shift Dress, $49.99. Okay, so this dress isn’t super cheap, but it’s half off and just perfect in terms of tailoring! The color combo is gorgeous, and well let’s face it, it’s just simply a great lookin’ dress. Not gonna lie, I bought it. You should buy it too and we should be dress twinsies. 😉

Judge me all you want, but I think these trousers are über chic! Paired with a sweater, a silk top and a blazer, you've got a comfy, chic outfit for most office environments. Get them now and wear them until it gets to warm to sport them!

Judge me all you want, but I think these trousers are über chic! Paired with a sweater, a silk top and a blazer, you’ve got a comfy, chic outfit for most office environments. Get them now and wear them until it gets to warm to sport them!

Skirt with side zip, $22.99. My bestie and I loved this skirt! A little bit of sexy without crossing the line into trashy, haha. Pair it with a button down or even a plain white t-shirt and call it day.

Skirt with side zip, $22.99. My bestie and I loved this skirt! A little bit of sexy without crossing the line into trashy, haha. Pair it with a button down or even a plain white t-shirt and call it day.

High Heel Leather Boot, $79.99. In case you didn't already know, now is the time to buy boots! These in particular are $100 off. The heel is a good height, and chunky, so they are bound to be relatively comfy to wear.

High Heel Leather Boot, $79.99. In case you didn’t already know, now is the time to buy boots! These in particular are $100 off. The heel is a good height, and chunky, so they are bound to be relatively comfy to wear.

Pleated Dress with Flared Skirt, $49.99. If you're tall and slim, this is the dress for you. I'm obsessed with the color, but for a short curvy woman, this is not the beesneez. So, I pass it along to you who can rock it!

Pleated Dress with Flared Skirt, $49.99. If you’re tall and slim, this is the dress for you. I’m obsessed with the color, but for a short curvy woman, this is not the beesneez. So, I pass it along to you who can rock it!

Faux Leather Obi Belt, $12.99. In my opinion, everyone needs a great statement belt. This one is a good neutral one to have, and I love that the size is adjustable, without having those horrid holes telling the wold whether you've gained or lost weight recently. Ugh!

Faux Leather Obi Belt, $12.99. In my opinion, everyone needs a great statement belt. This one is a good neutral one to have, and I love that the size is adjustable, without having those horrid holes telling the wold whether you’ve gained or lost weight recently. Ugh!

Faux Fur Jacket, $25.99. If you've been looking for a faux fur jacket, look no further! I love the color of this one AND the price is literally unbeatable. Even by Forever 21's standards! BUY.BUY.BUY!!

Faux Fur Jacket, $25.99. If you’ve been looking for a faux fur jacket, look no further! I love the color of this one AND the price is literally unbeatable. Even by Forever 21’s standards! BUY.BUY.BUY!!

Printed Top with Shirt Collar, $29.99. I'm in love with this top. I think it's perfect for the office, for a date night, or even for brunch outing on the weekend. Perfection all around!

Printed Top with Shirt Collar, $29.99. I’m in love with this top. I think it’s perfect for the office, for a date night, or even for brunch outing on the weekend. Perfection all around!

Mini City Bag, $25.99. I'm a sucker for a great statement bag. Add this to an all black outfit, and all white outfit, or even to the checked/plaid dress above, and you have a fantastic outfit. My laptop would likely not fit in this bag (8 x 9 x 3"), but for the price, I say it's worth buying.

Mini City Bag, $25.99. I’m a sucker for a great statement bag. Add this to an all black outfit, and all white outfit, or even to the checked/plaid dress above, and you have a fantastic outfit. My laptop would likely not fit in this bag (8 x 9 x 3″), but for the price, I say it’s worth buying.

Let me know what you end up buying!!  I will post my pics on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, so make sure to follow along!

Don’t close your wallets yet! Henri Bendel is having a Sale…

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Yup.  You read that correctly!  Another sale indeed!  No doubt that the incidence of store sales this increased significantly this January.  A histogram would be fun, but I will leave that for a later time. 😉

Anywho, there are some fun items that are 50% off – and also all less than $50 – that might be worth your time and money. Below are a few of my faves.  Hope you love them as much as I do!

Until next time!  Stay Chic!

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This can be worn stacked with other bracelets or alone. I love the mix of different types of bracelets, and especially love the combination of gold and black.

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Can I just say that I am IN LOVE with this bracelet?! Sigh. I want it, but for now, on my birthday wish list it goes! Anyhow, it reminds me of the Hermes turn-lock bracelet which I also covet, but cannot phathom paying the price they demand for it. This is definitely a great ‘luxe for less’ alternative.

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As an academic, I tend to carry business cards with me often when I travel. This card case is different from the traditional card case where the cards are exposed, thereby exposing the cards to possible damage to the top edges from coming into contact with other items in your bag. This one is a nice neutral color and also fully protects the cards. Perfection.

Screen Shot 2015-01-07 at 2.45.08 PM

So, this is a hair tie with a fancy chain on it. Well, to me, it seems this could easily double for a bracelet, don’t you think? That’s how I would wear it if I purchased it! Stack it with other chunky and not-so-chunky bracelets and you have quite the arm party!

Screen Shot 2015-01-07 at 2.44.42 PM

I’ll be the first to admit that I had NEVER heard of a travel candle, but it makes SO much sense to have them!! I think that in all of my travel, I have stayed in a single hotel that smelled amazing the entire time I was lodging there. Others smell mildewy or smokey… Anyhow, having a travel candle is a must from now on for me. This one is great for travel, particularly because of the non-glass casing.

Oh this clutch! What isn’t there to love about it?! Geek chic, much?? Yup. I think so. A bold, amazing hue; the functional strap to enable adequate holding of said clutch; and the fact that you can also store other items inside along with your iPad makes this a winner in my book. For anyone wondering, this TOO is on my wishlist. Buy it. Now. For me. Kthnxbye. 😀