So, from totally whimsical to absolutely serious, here is in a complete lack of order what is essential to me…

Freedom: The ultimate luxury. Freedom to move, freedom to love, freedom of speech – there is no flavor of freedom that I don’t find essential.

My iPad: Because it replaced my books, my magazines, my CD & DVD collection, my planner, my notebook… Because it keeps me organized, alerts me when something needs to be done, entertains me when I travel, allows me to chat with my friends around the globe or to splurge on a new pair of shoes, keeps me connected with my social networks and let’s me work remotely without weighting a ton.

My iPhone: See iPad. Add make phone calls and tells me how to get where I need to go.

My nail polish collection.

Sunshine: Since I moved back to France I saw very little of it. It has been cold, rainy, windy… A perfect November weather. I am digging deep into my willpower savings not to get depressed. That’s when I realized how much sunshine is important to me.

Hugs: French people don’t hug. It’s sad.

My family: I see a lot of sadness around me lately and it reminds me how much I cherish my family and how important it is to give them my time.

A French Press: There’s no better coffee in the morning.

Yoga.

Chanel #5.

Jazz music: In the large sense of the term. There’s a really great radio station around here, Frequence Jazz; it reconciled me with listening to the radio.

Peanut Butter: But of course, if you know me, you know that.

Cats: Hearing them purring under your caress is the best and most relaxing feeling in the world. You were wondering about that photo, weren’t you?

Black patent leather stilettos: Because they make pretty much anything look sexy.

The Internet: Without it, we wouldn’t be here, chatting, would we?

I’m sure I forgot things here and there…

What are your life essentials?

Tell me a little about your new store: what did you like about the place?
I love the light and the abundance of our new space, it is clean and fresh, very European! We have a shoe gallery in the front of the shop with cool lighting and modern acrylic shelving. The shoes act as art pieces against our warm white walls. And we love our men’s wall with its steel handcrafted shelf and king’s crown towering above. We went mad for vintage lighting and pops of red. The back of the shop has a boyfriend lounge, with the hottest fashion mags, vintage furniture, and union jack bits and pieces. We have the best spot for happenings, a giant window to play with, and a vintage BUS STOP sign hanging outside as our signage!

What pair in your Spring collection are you the most excited to wear?
I love wearing my John Fluevog‘s! They are colorful and have interesting constructions, supple leathers and add just the right amount of funkiness to my spring looks. They are show stoppers and are sold exclusively here, not only in Philly but the whole of Pennsylvania!

Are you a heel or a flat kind of girl?
It’s a toss up! I love a fun flat for walking around the city, like those from All Black and J Shoes, but I also love a sexy heel like my new Melissa‘s made in Brazil of recycled plastic!

What should a girl be looking for when picking a new pair of shoes?
Let the shoes speak to you and you will just feel which one must come home with you and be yours But don’t forget about walkability and always consider the occasion. Is this a shoes for a fab event or is this an everyday walking shoe? Comfort is key but it is okay every now and then to let your initial love attraction take the reigns and buy that sky high pump because it’s just oh-so-sexy!

What would you say are the staples in a good basic shoe rack for the everyday girl?
A flirty heel, an edgy cutout bootie, a colourful or neutral flat, a high heel boot, a lace-up granny boot, a fun wedge, something metallic + something unexpected to add a fashion statement to any basic outfit!!

If those words triggered any questions, feel free to put them in the comment section and I’ll make sure to ask Elena. And to figure out what to do with your freshly spring-cleaned closet check Elena’s blog, also make sure to Like Bus Stop Boutique’s Facebook Page or to follow Elena on Twitter @ElenaLBre.

Purchase #1: Pimp + Larkin Patchwork Stripe Dress – $79.00
The silhouette is feminine, flattering and a breeze to wear. Fell in love with that dress as soon as I saw it on Piperlime.com (another website that doesn’t charge for shipping – hat tip for that…) I love the boatneck sleeveless bodice, give it a little classy touch and the lightweight fabric of the skirt that provides graceful coverage. This is going to be an easy dress-up or dress down!

That will be it for this month since I went over my first 2-month budget…

First quarter recap:
- 2 pair of patent leather pumps ( one black & one nude)
- 1 plaid shirt
- 1 motorcycle jacket
- 1 dress

Total: $307.40

I wasn’t able to stay on budget… but only for under $8.00 which I think is pretty fantastic considering I have really been building a good quality base here. I’m debating  increasing my budget to $150.00 for the next three months since I will now be shopping in Europe and I’m going to lose with the currency exchange rate.

What do you think? Should I give in or should I tough it out?

The History of the Little Black Dress starts with the 1920’s designs of Coco Chanel. Published in Vogue (1926), “it was an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black crêpe de Chine, with long, narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls;…” says Justine Picardine in her Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life. In the 1960’s Audrey Hepburn, as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, wore a dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy and epitomized the standard for wearing little black dresses. Holly’s confidence, charms and chic look were inspiring to women through the 60’s and on. As the fashion industry embraced the LBD it has evolved but the essence of the little black dress has stayed the same.

I personally not just own one Little Black Dress but three (first signs of addiction maybe). Two of them have a little bit of Mad Men’s Joan Harris to them, the third one is more office/boyfriend parents-friendly; and there’s no better choice in case of a closet nightmare than to fall back on one of those staples.

If you don’t already own a LBD, go get one. There’s one for every shape and every budget.

Then comes the accessorizing… Here are a few items to gather that will always work with your Little Black Dress:
- Slingback (preferably peep-toe) shoes.
- A little bit of sparkle with costume or precious jewelry (think drop earrings).
- A cardigan for the times you’ll have to “undress” your dress or cover shoulders and necklines.
- A small clutch is a lovely, discreet look. Try a dazzling or sparkling color to dress it up for the evening.
- Finally, for the most daring of us, long black gloves in the evening are guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

Purchase #1: Steve Madden Unityy Pumps – $69.95
Bought at the Steve Madden store on Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA. Love the huge reusable shopping bag they’re giving instead of the classic plastic one.

Purchase #2: H&M Biker Jacket – $49.95
Bought on their Chestnut Street store in Philadelphia, PA – Word of advice: items located on the first floor of the Walnut Street store are also available a couple block down at the Chestnut Street one. Useful to know when one does not have your size. I was disappointed not to be able to snatch the hot red leather jacket from the Dragon Tattoo Collection, but I’m happy with my more classic (and cheaper) find.

Total for this month: $119.90 – $19.90 over budget… Adding the $8.50 from last month, I’m out $28.40… But I have some great basic pieces…

On my birthday, I could make “good” wishes: peace, health & happiness for all those around me… And I do. But the thing is, I always do. I don’t wait for Christmas, New Year or my birthday to want everything for my friends and family. So, this year, on my birthday, I decided to be selfish and make a list of what I want for myself… and not the become-a-better-person type of wish. The cost-money, don’t-need-it-just-want-it, type of wish.

And, you know what, all those things, I don’t expect anyone to get them for me (except maybe the Ouija Board); but if this year or next I can get them for myself… Then that will make me very happy.

What is on my wish list?

From the top, clockwise…

1. A Ouija Board (estimated value: $25)
Because I can’t find that in France and it would be so much fun to have one for game nights!

2. A pair of black Christian Louboutin pumps (estimated value: $650)
It’s a statement.  They’re beautiful. They’re expensive. And I could just rock those shoes!

3. An iMac desktop (estimated value: $1,500)
To complete my collection and because it would make a better TV screen than my MacBook Pro. Oh, sure, I could do some serious work on that too…

4. A trip to Patagonia (estimated value: $4,500)
If I can only take one more trip in my life, I would like to see Patagonia.

I’m not a cheap date, I know… But I’m worth it.

Purchase #1: L.L. Bean Rangeley Camp Shirt, Flannel – $39.50
Bought online – L. L. Bean has a free shipping policy that is very appreciable when trying to stay on a budget.

Purchase #2: Nine West Flax Pumps – $69.00
Bought at Macy’s, not on sale, but somehow cheaper than the discounted ones on the Nine West website.

Total for this month: $108.50 – $8.50 over budget… Not too bad…