What I Bought in New Orleans, Part ... Like, 40

Okay, so I promised to share what I've bought in New Orleans besides beauty products (though I got even MORE at CVS last night... Forgot how good Pantene conditioner is!).

So far my favorite purchase is a braided black cotton belt from American Apparel. Don't laugh, but this is officially the first belt that I've owned...ever. Isn't that INSANE?!?! I'm just not a belt person--but I REALLY want to be! They ALWAYS look cool. Lots of NOLA girls are rocking big leather ones low on their hips. I also just bought this elaborately beaded black Indian-cotton skirt on the street in Soho and want to wear it as a minidress, but it definitelyrequires some waist-definition. The simple American Apparel version is perfect for that and a good way to ease me into wearing belts...though seriously, my inexplicable fear of them is weird. Does anyone relate? (Shout out to Jessie Baylin for the recommendation, BTW.)

I also bought a white denim miniskirt by Joe's that I plan on getting a little grungy and wearing with white ribbed Hanes boys tanks from K-Mart and loads of black bracelets and my favorite black leather cuffs. Then I stopped by Urban Outfitters for my annual sandal binge: I buy four pairs for about $30 each, wear them allsummer until they're trashed, toss them in September, and do it allover again the next year. Oh--and the $10 Nicole Ritchie sunglasses ITwittered about---thanks for the support, Tweeties! I knew I was right.

So I'm actually blogging from a blanket watching Neil Young perform... back to that! More later!

--Cat Marnell, associatebeauty editor