OOTD: Lost & Found

Here are quite a few old OOTD's that must have gotten misplaced in my photos. These are from the beginning of May.
Enjoy!

Navy & white striped v-neck: Ralph Lauren outlet $30
Grey cardigan: Target $15
Necklace: came with another Charlotte Russe shirt
Jeans: Macys $30

Ruffle blue top: TJ Maxx
Grey cardigan: see above
Black leggings: Zara $40
Brown boots: Walmart

Long sleeve navy & white top: Wet Seal $20
White jacket: Ralph Lauren outlet $50
Jeans: Guess $40
Tan wedges: Aerosoles (see previous post)

Dupe it: Miu Miu Wooden 'Wedges'

When I started seeing wooden wedges aka 'clogs' (I hate calling them that so I call them 'wooden wedges' instead) coming back, I wasn't the biggest fan. BUT the style of an old-fashioned 'clog' wasn't what I happened to start seeing. Instead, it was a much more open-toed/modern version. The most popular version being the Miu Miu coconut leather slingback wooden platform sandals.

Miu Miu leather slingback wooden platform sandals
$357

However, with a hefty price tag of $357, it didn't exactly tempt me to try out such a trend that I'm already kind of wary over.

Hence, another one of my DUPES!

Target Xhilaration Tayla Platform Sandals in Brown
$20

Don't get me wrong...I'm still ultra picky when it comes to buying a pair of these babies...this version from Target got me more open-minded about wearing a pair of the so-called clogs. For $20, I won't be kicking myself if this happens to be a short lived trend or I decide this whole trend is still too 'ugly' for my liking.


Below are some versions worn by 2 of my favorite bloggers:

(photo courtesy of Cupcakes & Cashmere)


(photo courtesy of The Chloe Conspiracy)

Wishlist: Arden B. Clearance

So many of the bloggers that I follow always mention items from Arden B.
I wish I had a store closer to my area, but since I don't I have to result to doing my shopping or browsing, online.

I look for 2 tricky aspects when I do some online shopping:

1. Trying to get an overall sense of the quality (or lack thereof) in the material being used to see if it's worth the price

2. Making sure to check the cuts on the outfit to be sure they suit your taste.
I'm very picky with the backs of dresses or tops. I don't like anything that I can't wear a regular bra with. So I always check the 'alternate view' to see what the back looks like on an item. A lot of the time, you can never tell the top or dress that you're looking at happen to be an open back.

The last time I ordered something online from Arden B. was back in the wintertime, sometime around February or March. It only took 2 days to arrive and mind you it was only standard shipping, no fancy shmancy express shipping.

Other stores like Forever21, Charlotte Russe, and Wet Seal usually take at least 7-9 days which is b/c they are shipped from Cali.

Here are a few picks that are on sale, but stilllll a little pricey for my taste. I'll hold out until they go on clearance. ;)

$50

$29

$29

$29

$25

Loving it: House Of Harlow 1960

Ever since I first saw celebrity's sporting this necklace I've been in love with Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960. Unfortunately, the price tags are way too high for me, so I'd rather keep an eye out for similar dupes for much less money...make that wayyy less.

I love how each piece is designed with a simple black or creme color that just makes the whole piece really pop and stand out. It doesn't need tons of 'bling' and diamonds to really stand out and make a statement.

$125

$95 each



$68 each

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!

Hope everyone has a lovely, long, warm, fun, beaching, fishing, catching rays, and of course relaxinggg Memorial Day Weekend!

In my book, SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

Here's a pic of the pup to start your weekend off right! xox

OOTD: Romp it!

Here's a super cute romper from Target ($20). They had lots of colors (black, grey, brown, blue, purple), but not as many 'fun' colors as you would expect for a romper from Target....get with it Target...it's almost summer!

Tan cardigan: Old Navy $30
Brown belt: Target $23
Cognac wedges: Target 'Elianna' $25
Silver ball bracelet: Ralph Lauren $14

OOTD: Linen..Hate it or Love it!

It's the end of May and we've had a few days here and there that have hit just under 90 degrees! I'm never one to complain about warm weather...

That is, when it comes to cold weather...I'll admit I complain day and night about how I wish I lived closer to the equator..I said it

So when we reached a few hot days this past week I reach for the lightest, breeziest material I own that can still be worn to work...linen.

I have a love/hate relationship with this fabric that I seem to always forget about when buying spring/summer items. It's comfortable and light, but wrinkle free it is not!

Sit down for about 5 minutes and you'll get yourself an annoying wrinkle for the whole word to see. Nonetheless, these OOTD are post-work so please excuse the millions of wrinkles...even my dog notices the wrinkles haha. ;)

Blue ruffle top (actually much lighter than it looks in this photo): TJ Maxx $30
Dark brown waist belt: New York & Co. $12
White linen skirt: vintage
Dark brown sandals: Franco Sarto for TJ Maxx $30
White watch: Target $15

White top: TJ Maxx $15
Green capris: TJ Maxx from 3 years ago
Tan wedges: Aerosole 'Rekindle' (see previous post)
Pendant necklace: Charlotte Russe $12
Silver watch: Fossil (bday gift)

OOTD: Splash of Black

These are actually from awhile ago...prob 3 weeks ago. Notice how each outfit has alot of black in it. I realized these were from a week that the weather was crappy/rainy. Sometimes you don't even realize how the weather/your surroundings affect your outfits until you line em up!


Tan cardigan: Old Navy $30
Ruffle scoopneck top: TJ Maxx $18
Jeans: Macys
Silver sandals: TJ Maxx $25


Black cardigan: Vera Wang for Kohls
Black & white plaid button up: TJ Maxx $15
Dark wash jeans: TJ Maxx $16
Black wedges: Aerosole 'Plum tree' (see previous post)

Black long sleeve top: Target $20
Grey pants: Wet Seal (see previous post)
Long silver/grey necklace: Charlotte Russe
Tan wedges: Aerosole 'Rekindle'

OOTD: Chunky Forever21 Necklace

I've had this chunky silver necklace ($17)from Forever21 for awhile now. I LOVE how it can dress up a plain t-shirt so I can wear it to work on a casual Friday. Below you'll see a few different ways I've dressed it up while keeping casual.

Purple tee: Vera Wang for Kohls $30
Angel Jeans: Kohls $20
Silver Gladiator sandals: TJ Maxx $17

Ah this shirt is see-through on camera for some reason..I swear it doesn't look like that in real life haha.

Pink stripe top: Charlotte Russe $16
Guess Jeans: TJ Maxx $40
Tan wedges: Aerosole 'Rekindle' (see previous post)


Black tee: Target $10
Jeans: Macys
Black wedges: Aerosole 'Plum tree' (see previous post)

Black cotton cropped blazer: TJ Maxx $25
Grey tee: Kohls $12
Angel Jeans: Kohls $25

OOTD: Florals/Prints

Florals/prints are always a tricky thing for me to wear. I love love love a little touch of floral, but I have to be sure not to over do it. Otherwise I can end up looking heavy or like a grandma..or even worse...both!

Black v-neck: Old Navy $10
Floral skirt: Dollar Tree $6
Black waist belt: TJ Maxx, had for awhile
White watch: Target $15
Silver bracelet: Ralph Lauren $14


Grey dolman top: TJ Maxx $18
Dark wash jeans: TJ Maxx $16


White floral tank top: TJ Maxx $12
Black cardigan: Vera Wang for Kohls
Dark wash jeans: TJ Maxx $16
Black sequin flip flops: Walmart $10, I've had them since forever, LOVE them!
Rhinestone finger ring: Forever21

Brown summer dress: Cohens, I've had this for probably 3 years
Silver bracelet: Ralph Lauren $14

Update on Cynthia Vincent for Target Wedges

Unfortunately, after much searching and invading Targets within a certain radius of my home..I never found a pair of the Cynthia Vincent wedges.

BUT I DID find a great pair of cognac wedges instead! I've had my eye on the Target Merona Elliana wedges. Despite the thick straps and 3" heel, they're surprisingly comfortable and the sole is super soft. The height of the heel was the one thing that would've made me hesitate to buy the Cynthia Vincent's..if I had ever found them lol.
$24.99

OOTD: What a stud.

Black gold studded top: Charlotte Russe $18
Gold cropped jacket: Know Style $30
Jeans: Macys (see previous posts)
Tan wedges: Aerosole 'Rekindle' (see previous posts)
Gold cuff: New York & Co. $12

Forget the LBD...make room for summer dresses

Here are a couple summer dresses I've been wearing to work lately..it's finally warming up!
(In some of these pics, the bottom left-hand side of the pic makes my legs look like I'm wearing nylons, def not, it's just a distorted flash from my camera)

Black caridgan: Vera Wang for Kohls $30
Floral dress: TJ Maxx $15
Studded waist belt: TJ Maxx $10


Black & grey striped dress: TJ Maxx $25
Studded belt: same as above
Sandals: TJ Maxx $25


Pink cardigan: Zara $30
Black & blue dress: Dollar Store (believe it or not) $12
Shoes: same as above


Dress: TJ Maxx $20


Dress: Target $30
Blue cardigan: TJ Maxx $25
Sandals: Marshalls $30

'Little' words of wisdom

This morning I saw alot of hype about a recent pic of Kim Kardashian wearing high waisted jeans that apparently made her look like she was wearing 'Mom Jeans.'

Now if people are saying these are Kim's fat jeans then I've got a long treadmill run ahead of me. ;)


I came across this on Fashion for the Economically Challenged's blog. It's not even a quote, just something she said in one of her posts about weight...

After all, one lady's "fat jeans" are another's "skinny jeans."

No mas margaritas...

Even though this post is a day late...HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Last night I met up with some girlfriends for some MUCH needed margaritas. And let me tell you, I had some of the largest frozen margaritas I've ever seen. I DID take my camera w/ me but the battery was dead of course!

Hope you all had a good one!

I'm in love....

...with this TopShop dress....$84

Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of 'tube top' dresses or tube tops in general. While most people wish they had bigger chests, I'd rather go down a size. Hence my horrible burden..lol ;p

But because my chest is larger I find wearing a strapless style dress or shirt tend to either not hold up or squish my chest together and inward, giving it an overall awkward and misshapen look.

HOWEVER, before I ban all strapless articles of clothing, my last resort would be to try a 'sweetheart' top. And this TopShop dress might just be what I've been looking for.

OOTD: Hello Yellow

It's funny how wearing a bright colored item in what feels like a regular typical outfit can give it such new life!



Black Cardigan: Vera Wang for Kohls (see previous post for price)
Yellow Top (the necklace is actually attached to the top): TJ Maxx $30
Jeans: Macys (see previous posts)
Black wedges: Aerosoles (see previous posts)
Black cuff: Forever21 $12

Product Comparison: Hot Tools IONIC® Anti-Static Salon Dryer VS. Biosilk Tourmaline Ceramic Dryer

Last week my Conair blow dryer of 2 years FINALLY gave out on me. You're probably asking..FINALLY? already? It's only been 2 years...well here's the thing, I'm not a big fan of Conair or Revlon hair products whatsoever, I just dealt with what I had b/c it was a gift from my Mom.

I've had Conair and Revlon hair curlers as well as hair dryers in the past and I HATED them w/ a passion. They had no 'juice' to them. Weren't hot enough, strong enough, wouldn't hold a curl, etc. So eventually it started sparking and would shut off by itself while leaving a lingering smell of burnt...

So I said GOOD RIDDANCE & started looking into new hair dryers! With a $5 off coupon, I went to an Ulta and tried to decide between a Hot Tools or Biosilk brand dryer. Both were listed for $40 and that was the most I was willing to spend on a blowdryer.

Now to give you some background info, I LOVE Hot Tools. I've had the same straightner for 5 years now and it still works like a dream. On top of that, all of my curling irons are also Hot Tools (I have 3 to be exact) which have also been around for 2-3 years. So take a guess at which brand I went for....

BIOSILK!



WHAT!? Why you ask? I know, I know...it makes NO SENSE. I was just in the mood to try out a different brand b/c every once in awhile I'm curious.

However, when I went to use it for the first time I noticed it didn't heat up at all,'Oh crap..I must've grabbed a broken one.' is what I thought. I figured b/c it was a 'Ceramic' hair dryer it must not get as hot as regular dryers. So a few tries & a few days later it was taking me almost 30 minutes to dry my hair! Some more background info, granted I have straight & long hair, it's THIN. It's NEVER taken me this long to dry my hair, 15 minutes TOPS. I'd HAD it, enough with this crappy dryer when I could've stuck by with my trusty and true Hot Tools...



Don't get me wrong, believe it or not the ONLY problem I had with the Biosilk dryer was how it didn't let out much heat. As far as power, that baby gave me tons of volume especially b/c of the fantastic narrow nozzle (see picture above). But even though it gave me volume, my hair didn't come out silky or smooth b/c there wasn't much heat coming out of the thing. Instead it felt more brittle b/c it was being dried with mostly cool air.

So the next day I went and exchanged it for none other than the Hot Tools blow dryer. So far I love it. The Hot Tools dryer also comes with an attachment, but it's not AS narrow so it doesn't give AS much volume as the Biosilk, but it still gives volume.

Wishlist: Cynthia Vincent for Target

I've been in love with Cynthia Vincent's gorgeous wedges on Vanessa Hudgens almost a year ago.


$396

$29.99

But for an almost $400 price tag, it was wayyy out of my league. So when I saw Cynthia Vincent was coming out with a few shoes for Target excited isn't the word. :)

I'm a little disappointed with the color, I wanted more of a chestnut brown like the real deal wedges. On their website they only show the wedge in Cognac. However, according to Viva Fashion Blog, they are also available in black and yellow.

Anddd I'm always a little cautious with height when it comes to shoes, I'm very picky. I don't last very long in them b/c of a past surgery on my right foot not too long ago. And even though a higher heel in a wedge is usually bearable, I never know until I try it on.

These have been out for a few days now and they are not available for purchase online. So far every Target I've gone to has been sold outtt. Hopefully soon I'll get to take a look at 'em and see how I feel about the height of the heel, etc.

Make up HAUL!

Not a big fan of making posts about 'HAULS' haha what a strange word. I figured I'd share this with you guys and if I get good feedback I'll post more of these.

Went into a longggg overdue trip to Sephora. Picked up a few items:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona

I've heard so0o0o much talk on youtube and blogs over this one. I've been a BIG fan of the Dior Nude Hydrating Foundation and have been using it for at least a year if not more. However, with summer around the corner, the Dior foundation I have is getting too light for me. So not only was I in need of a new foundation, I'll only wear sheer foundations in the summer. So this was just perfect timing. Hopefully I'll have a 5 star review on this soon!

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in Tan

Another item for perfect timing. Let me tell you...back in the fall I bought the 'to go' size aka a small tiny tube of this concealer in Medium Beige for $28. It's now mid-April and it is finally about to run out. AND not only do I use it everyday, my Mom also shares it on a daily basis with me.

I say perfect timing b/c the concealer was getting a shade too light for me. So this time I bought it the next shade up in 'Tan.' The saying 'A little goes a long way' was MADE for this concealer...seriously.


Josie Maran Eyeshadow in Beach

My favorite Make-up Artists, Troy Jensen and Mario Dedivanovic, always rave about the Josie Maran eyeshadows. This was my first time buying a Josie Maran eyeshadow. I've seen them use this color eyeshadow counts times on ppl like Kim Kardashian. Not only is it a gorgeous color, it's super soft and pigmented. However, I'm not too big on shimmer when it comes to eyeshadows, so we'll see! But it can definetely also double as a highlighter.