Happy Thursday!

                                      

                                      Philip Lim / Dress

 It was my first time using polyvore today. What was suppose to be a 10- minute study
 break became a 30- minute battle with my computer. For new time bloggers, this is
 not as easy as other bloggers make it. 

Happy Thursday!

Happy feet

So, my last blog entry I talked about how I went over January's shopping budget? Well, I found something that I really liked and purchased... Black high heel boots! Okay, so I stayed at BR for a long time thinking if I should buy it or not. My reasoning for the purchase was the quality of the boots is awesome. Most of my boots are not real leather and these are real leather and soft as well. I usually can't walk in heels, but these are so comfortable. I mean, after couple hours my feet hurt a little, but I am not where I can't walk anymore and I need my husband to carry me to the car (happens a lot). I also reasoned myself that I'm sure in February and March I will not buy a lot of clothes because all the spring items are coming out and most will be full price (I hardly buy things full price). The last reasoning is that these boots make me look so lean and tall! I am 5'2 with short legs and big calves. 

So, I got it at BR store with extra 40% and I have a gap card so I had a $20 dollar rewards to use. The total was $60 dollars. Original price was $225, so I saved $165.  

I am a happy girl. 

Happy Weekend!

Wearing -
BR boots. Similar to here
Madewell cardigan. Similar to here
Madewell stripes t-shirt. Similar to here

A Timeless Classic

When I don't know what to wear and I want to wear jeans to work, this is often an outfit I like to throw together.  A white button up and jeans are both must haves and they are a timeless classic.  It never goes out of style and you can dress it up any way you like.  You can add any accessories and any shoes.  Now when I say jeans, I'm talking about real denim--not the stretchy kind and not the kind that changes shape/color after a couple of washes.  Everyone should invest in a nice pair of real denim jeans.

Wearing:

White button up--J.Crew (old)
Khaki chunky cardigan--J.Crew  (old)
Denim--Club Monaco (very old)
Necklace--Amazon (I got these for $2.  These are not the same but same price)
Shoes--Tory Burch Outlet (here)
Watch--Skagen

The Shelf

A friend recently asked if we had any tips on finding good deals online.  So, when I came across this giveaway on this blog I was estastic.  There's a new website called The Shelf and it works very similarly to Pinterest.  However, what it does for you is it tracks the items you put on your shelf and sends you alerts when an item goes on sale or if there is a coupon available.  So instead of constantly checking online for the price to drop on those items you've been eyeing, you can put it all in one place and not worry about missing that sale.   So simple but so perfect!!

So go build your shelf and save some time and money.

Happy Thursday!

Gold and White Kitchen

We are getting ready to renovate our house and I have spent countless hours on Pinterest and Houzz saving images of kitchens, bedrooms, great rooms, and bathrooms.  In this whole process, I have fallen in love with white kitchens and gold lighting.  The kitchen we are designing will have white cabinets with white granite and white subway tile backsplash.  I can't wait to show everyone our final product.  However, in the meantime, here are a few of my inspiration photos:

Photo 1:  Love everything about this kitchen.  The subway tiles, the white cabinets, the white granite, the floating shelves, the contrasting island. LOVE!

Photo 2:  Love the two islands.  I love the simplicity of the white kitchen with the one contrasting dark countertop on the island.

Photo 3 and Photo 4: I love how these gold pendants bring a warm touch to the white in the kitchen. 

To see more of my home renovation inspiration, check out my Home Renovation Board on Pinterest.

Lace and Mint

For some reason I've always resisted going to Forever 21--maybe it's because I felt too old to be shopping in a store named Forever 21 or I wasn't too sure what others would think if they saw me shopping there...  Well, the beginning of the year was my kick-off to Forever 21 and I love it.  It's not really different from H&M and I'll definitely be frequenting this store for the more "trendy" items that I don't care to spend too much money on.  So mint and lace is what's trending right now on Pinterest.  I love the detail of the lace peterpan collar and I love the fact that I only spent $19 on this cardigan!

My "must have" item for today is my heirloom earrings.  These are so versatile and pulls together any outfit.  Now you can spend a whole bunch of money or just $1.75 like I did from Forever 21 on sale.  I think I've worn these earrings every other day since I've bought them.  They look great dressed up and dressed down.

Wearing:
Lace and mint cardigan--Forever 21
Gray pinstripe pants--Banana Republic Factory
White tanktop extralong--H&M
Heirloom earrings--Forever 21
Bead bracelets--Little Black Bag
Brown booties--old

got my hair done

I got brand new shoes from Madewell. It was extra 40% off and is cheaper in the store than what they have listed online. I've been dreaming about leopard print wedges and I finally got them! wahoo! These beautiful pair of shoes made me go over my January's budget. I've been good about spending what I promised I would spend each month (maybe because I was a full-time student and with no full-time job), but December and January I went overboard with the great sales that were going on.

Do you guys have a strict budget for clothes?

madewell shoes

My post yesterday I complained about my long hair. Finally got it cut! I was thinking about coloring it again or getting a perm, but I didn't know what I wanted and didn't want to spend the extra money so I just got a simple cut.

I love the length and love how my head feels lighter. I do miss my long hair with my curls, but the long  hair made me look shorter.

Okay, study break is over!

my long hair...

My hair is super long. I haven't had my hair this long since high school and I don't know what to do with it. I am definitely getting a hair cut tomorrow, but I haven't decided what I want to do with my hair. I've been under a lot of stress lately and when I am under a lot of stress, I do things I regret, like drastically changing my hair. Last time I made that mistake was years ago in school, and I have a feeling I might do the same thing again.

We will see...

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Wearing -
Gap Sweater
Paige skinny jeans / similar to here
Cathy Jeans booties
Knitted grey scarf / knitted myself
Elliott Lucca handbag / similar to here

Repeat

Went to North Carolina with some friends over the weekend. Although I got car sick during my ride to the cabin, it was relaxing 2-day weekend just eating and hanging out with friends. I think I've gain couple pounds from eating every two hours.

This outfit is a repeat from another post, casual monday. I love this outfit so much because it's so comfortable and easy to put together. 

The hat is brand new and I got at Jcrew for additional 40% before leaving for the trip. The sale is still going on and I got it for under 10 dollars at my local jcrew. I love how it covers my ears as well and can't wait to wear it for many years!

F21 Jeans
Gap vest. similar to here
hunter boots
Fleece is a gift from school. similar to here
Jcrew beanie. similar to here
F21 flannel shirt

Rain, rain, go away

I am tired of the rain. I am tired of being stuck in my house for 3 days studying all day. Thanks to our wonderful friends for reminding us pappadeaux's oyster special. I feel better and I feel alive. 

I will also try to do a must have item. For me, it my Joe's jeans! I bought these jeans a month ago from offsaks for 50 dollars. A little bit expensive, but I love how stretchy they are (especially nights like tonight when you feast). I love how you can dress it up or down. I had to alter these jeans and thanks to my mother-in-law who can alter, it was free! 

Wearing -

Blouse F21. similar to here
Joe's jeans here
Shoes (old). similar to here
Sweater (thrifted). similar to here
Madewell bag here

Rainy Days

I hate wearing pants on rainy days and it's been dark, dreary, and rainy the past several days which means I've been wearing bright, fun, dresses/skirts/leggings.  My biggest pet peeve is when the bottom of your pants are wet because they never seem to dry and I especially hate it when I get home, take off my shoes, and my socks get all wet because the bottom of my pants are wet.  Thankfully it stopped raining and was drizzling for a little bit so I could take these pics.

Also, I am going to try to incorporate at least 1 "must have" piece in all my updates.  The must have piece here is my sweater.  I think this sweater is from high school or college but an absolute favorite piece of mine and absolute must have in every girl's closet.  What makes this a must have?  Because it's so versatile, it's light, it has texture, it's the right length, it's the right color, and it can be dressed up and dressed down.  I wear this sweater in all seasons, with all different types of outfits, and I just throw it in the washer/dryer to clean it.  Plus, I get compliments on it all the time.  Like I said it's at least 10-13 years old but still "in."  It's definitely a must have!!

Wearing:

Dress--Thrifted from sister's closet (haha)

Sweater--really really really old but my favorite that I wear all the time!  I think it was bought from Abercrombie.

Belt--old from Anthropologie

Tights--H&M (you can't see the detailing on it in the pics but there are small coral/orange polka dots on them) 

Shoes--Cathy Jean

Sensitive Skin

Growing up I didn't really have skin problems. A few acne here and there as a teenager but, I would say I had pretty decent skin. After working in the hospital for a few years, my skin has become super sensitive to everything. My face turns red with every type of emotion I show and every type of face product I used. I have tried so many different products (especially really expensive products) because I thought expensive = good quality. Lots of skin products irritated my face and I was about to give up until I discovered Avene. I was looking at Allure Best Beauty products and Avene was featured in there sensitive column. You can buy it at Amazon or drugstore.com. I buy it from Amazon because I have prime and it saves me a couple dollars.  I highly recommend this brand for gals with sensitive skin! 

I love their spring water spray and I use it before I put on heavy make-up or hot summer days when my face turns red. I've been using this product for 3 years and so far it hasn't caused me any problems. 

here

here

here

Vacation

 Went on a vacation with the hubby for 6 days/5 nights at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. It was a much needed break for the both of us! We recommend going to Cancun right after New Years because prices are cheaper and less people at the resort (if you like that). 

Majoirty of my outfits I previously had and I didn't need to buy a lot. The only thing new was my coral skinnies from Madewell that I got on sale for $14 dollars a week ago and my brown/black skirt from F21 for $15 dollars. Since I haven't worn my summer clothes in awhile, I was excited to wear them again!

A Little Edge

Work clothes can get a little boring and there's only so many ways to spruce it up.  Today, I added a little edge to my outfit with this necklace I bought from Francescas last week when they were having an additional 30% off sale for $6 (and right now they are doing an additional 50% off sale).  I also added a pop of color with my purple pumps.  (Please excuse the horrible background and the poor lighting and thanks to Lena for taking photos!!)

Wearing:

V-neck white sweater (old):  JCrew

Pants with button details along pocket (from the fall):  Ann Taylor Loft

Jacket (old):  United Colors of Benneton

Shoes (old):  Kate Spade

Necklace:  Francesca's 

Pop of color

I recently went to H&M and bought a fushia beanie for $3 dollars on sale! wahoo!

I like basic colors for my outfit and my closet consisted of majority blacks, whites, browns, & blues. Now, I'm starting to buy more colorful accessories (hats, scarves, necklaces) to incorporate into my basic outfits.

Wearing -

Hat - H&M (similar to here )
Shirt - Oldnavy ( similar to here )
Vest - Gap ( similar to here )
Skirt - Ann Taylor Loft ( similar to here )
Boots - Aldo ( similar to here )

Bad hair day

My hair is way too long! I've been having lots of bad hair days and I am thinking about chopping my hair off. I don't know what I want to do with my hair. Perm? Dye? Short cut? Bangs? I am waiting until I get back from our beach trip to do anything drastic, but I am getting tired of my really long hair. For now, I just put it up in a low bun. 

Outfit -

Sweater - Gap (similar to here )
Shirt - Abercrombie ( similar to here )
Jeans - Joe's
Jacket - Anthropologie ( similar to here )
Shoes - Tory Burch Reva Flats