28.12.13

I've Got The Eye of The Cheetah


[Sweater - Target; Skirt - Loft; Shoes - Payless; Necklace - Express; Watch - Michael Kors]

I have a thing for leopard print.  I'll admit it.  I find it super chic.  I'm not really in to zebra or tiger prints, but that leopard... oh la la.  This is one of my favorite outfits to wear to work when I want to be comfortable yet ultra-professional.  The sweater is super soft (dear Target, I love you) but the long printed pencil skirt and heels give it a kick.  



26.12.13

December Birchbox Review

[Tocca Lotion, Lulu Organics Hair Powder, twistband Neon Hair Tie, Secret Agent Beauty Lip Gloss/Plumper, Grand Central Beauty Skin Polisher]

S.M.A.R.T Skin Perfecting Polisher: I definitely like this product a lot.  It is true to what is advertised - it is perfect for on-the-go list.  I felt like my face still was moisturized but had the toned, fresh feeling I get from peels and toner.  

Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder: I LOVE THIS POWDER.  I tend to use the normal run of the mill brands when I use dry shampoo (which is completely necessary for me - my hair has more oil than Greece.. ugh) but by the end of the day, my hair just can't mask the "I didn't wash my hair today" look (and may I remind those who judge - it's unhealthy for your hair to wash it daily).  Those run of the mill powders tend to make my hair look gray for the first 2 hours, but this one blended right in.  IT IS AWESOME.

Nourishing & Plumping Lip Gloss in Foreign Intelligence Flirt: I put this on it's own and with some chapstick as base and it definitely looks pretty.  I love the color.  I did feel the tingling (not like snake venom, though) but didn't really notice a plump.  Can you notice a plump on naturally thin lips though?  I don't know, but if you're looking for a plumping gloss, maybe you should move along.  If you're looking for an awesome color gloss that doesn't have that goopy gloss feeling?  This is definitely a pick.

Crema da Mano in Cleopatra: Speaking of oil... don't you hate when you use just a dollop of lotion and it looks like you have Crisco on your hands?  Not with this!  It still gives the moisturizing you crave without the oily look.  I also love that it's super natural.

Printed Hair Tie: How fun is this hair tie?  I love these ties (thank you to whoever started that trend) and appreciate some neon fun in my life.

Pick of the Month: I can't even begin to think which one would be my number one. I would definitely buy all of these.  Birchbox definitely hit a triple if not homerun with this one.  So I'll play the elimination game - I already have plenty of hair ties & lotion, however will definitely be looking towards these two companies when repurchasing.  I recently purchased more lipsticks/glosses/stains so I'm good there.  So while I want to say it's a tie between the powder and the polisher, I think I'm going with the powder.  I'm pretty sure it would be worth every penny for the amount of damage control it would give my hair.

[This review is in no way affiliated, paid for, or sponsored by Birchbox.  If you're interested in this product, you can visit their website - I highly recommend it!  All opinions are my own & I review for the purpose of knowledge - not for extra Birchbox glory ;)]

22.12.13

Christmas Party Attire Part IV: Christmas PJs!

[From Left to Right: Forever 21, Macy's, Anthropologie, ShopBop, & Bloomingdales]

Who doesn't love opening Christmas gifts in warm pajamas?  Every Christmas morning I debut adorable pjs while sipping on coffee in front of the fire with my family.  It's tradition!  I'm thinking some cute polka dotted ones are going to be in my future.  I'm just so excited for Christmas!



19.12.13

Christmas Party Attire Part III: Ugly Christmas Sweater Party


[Cardigan - Target, T-Shirt - WalMart, Jeans - Old Navy, Boots - Ugg]

Okay, okay, it's not a sweater, it's a t-shirt.  But c'mon... this is pretty awesome.  I walked into WalMart and was overwhelmed with the options.  My mother has decided she loves Duck Dynasty & Si (if you saw the woman, this would be even funnier than it seems).  I bought this to wear Christmas morning so she's jealous... then she can have it.  She'll definitely wear it.  It's just too funny.  Really, anything with a real life person's face on it is perfect.

I hope everyone gets invited to at least one ugly Christmas sweater party because they really are a trip.  Whoever started this trend is my hero.  I have two sweaters I'm in search of: One with cats playing with ribbons and Christmas ball ornaments... the cats are fuzzy.  The other is red and white striped like a candy cane with lime green yarn poof around the collar.  I'm in love!



16.12.13

The Lady is a Vamp



[Tank Top - Kohl's; Sweater - Target; Leather Leggings - Forever 21; Heels - Ross]

I broke my rule: I wore leggings with a shirt that didn't cover my whole butt.  But I just love this sweater and it only looks good with the super tight pants.  I never thought I would buy a pair of leather leggings in my life, but there I was standing in Forever 21 and I saw this $13 pair and thought, "when will you have this urge to buy leather leggings again?!  And if it does happen again, they will definitely be more expensive".  So I tried them on, was not repulsed by my image, and swiped the plastic and left the mall.  Approximately 30 minutes later, I'm thinking to myself WHAT HAVE I DONE?  But here are some things I've learned with my leather leggings:

1. It was very good I bought them a size larger than I normally would.  Leather leggings are going to make me feel self-conscious.  Fact.  Last thing I need is to feel like I look fat on top of feeling weird because I'm being trendy.
2. They're the most comfy leggings I own.  Seriously.  They're so soft.  I could sleep in them.  Not a lie.
3. Because they're comfy, and warmer than a skirt, and are black and sleek, they will be my winter go-to going out staple.  I will look chic.  I will look fancy.  I will be able to fall asleep at the bar.
4. I look much more edgy than I really am.  I love bows.  I look like I'm 12.  I will take anything to make me look over 21. [Note: I am past 21... as in my baby brother will be 21 in a month]
5. I feel very in.  While some think I may be on the "cutting edge of fashion", I feel like I hit the tail end since I look at the next big thing for months until it hits my budget range.  Now, ta da!

Moral of the story: Buy leather leggings and don't turn back.  You'll be happy you did :)

10.12.13

Fancy Lumberjack



[Blouse & Skirt - Gap; Cardigan - Old Navy; Tights - Target; Boots - Aerosoles; Necklace & Ring - Express; Ring - 310 Rosemont; Bangle Bracelets - Alex & Ani]

I hate that it's getting colder and now I need to be wearing a coat.  While I think they can make an outfit, sometimes they keep you limited.  But I do love plaid shirts - flannel or not.  They're just too cute.  I also like adding tights to give outfits a different look.  

Speaking of different look - I've started realizing that necklaces are becoming more and more prevalent in my wardrobe.  The story behind this beauty goes a little like this...

My co-worker & I went to Target one day to pick up a dress for her to wear to her best friend's rehearsal dinner.  We kept trying to think of the necklaces she had that would look good with the dress.  This type of necklace kept popping in my head and then we couldn't stop thinking about it.  The next time I saw one, I had to buy it so she could borrow it for the rehearsal.  Friendship sometimes is manifested through fashion, people ;)

Now I keep getting called the 2 Broke Girls Girl at work though...

7.12.13

Christmas Party Attire Part II: The Office Party


[Dress - Ya; Top, Bracelet & Necklace - Kohl's; Shoes - Target]

Part II is here!  So do you have an office Christmas party coming up?  You want to look super cute - you have a reputation to uphold.  Your boss needs to be impressed and so does the guy in the accounting.  But you don't want to be the girl that everyone is discussing at the water cooler on Monday morning.  Here are some things to keep in mind when dressing for the event.

1. Don't wear something you couldn't wear to the office.  It's ok if you wouldn't wear it normally, but if the cut, length or general look wouldn't pass HR's rules, it's still not ok to wear to the office Christmas party.
2. Do wear something you haven't worn to work before.  Even if you've worn the pieces separately but never together, a new twist will make people notice.  I have a very limited amount of work appropriate clothing so I'm rewearing outfits over and over again.  People notice when they haven't seen something before.
3. Do add elements of pop!  I'm obsessed with this Lauren Conrad top for so many reasons.  I love lace, I enjoy the cropped element (it's something different) and the back bow detail is so precious.  This simple black & white ensemble has a little bit of a wow factor.  The leopard print flats help, too.
4. Don't be afraid to dress it up.  I always want to fit in with how I dress wherever I go.  That means no evening gowns at a backyard picnic and leaving the Bears jersey at home when I go to a wedding.  But I have found that I'd rather be over than under dressed.  I own lots of t-shirts and tend to wear them when I'm doing a lot of cleaning, working out and running errands.  That being said, I never want to be social in them.  When I do get caught in a moment where I am hanging out in a t-shirt, I definitely am more self-conscious and less comfortable than if I were in just a nice top and jeans.  Sometimes adding the little dressy element makes me feel better and MORE comfortable than if I were dressed down.
5.  Do have a good time.  Office Christmas parties have the stereotype of being awkward and boring and needing lots of alcohol (which end in those horror embarrassing stories you read in Cosmo).  There is no need for any of those.  You work with these people, see them every day, and now you don't have to focus on work!  Relax, enjoy yourself, have a beverage or two (that's all) and recognize that it's one night and you can always go home early if you can't take it anymore.  No one will remember you left with all your dignity - but they will remember how great you looked when you walked in :)

4.12.13

Christmas Party Attire Part I: Family Christmas Party

Welcome to my 4-Part Series (One for every week leading up to Christmas - woo!)  I love Christmas parties because I love dressing up in pretty dresses, drinking warm drinks, singing Christmas songs, and the whole romantic side of Christmas.  I also love the not-so tame side... but today's topic is Family Christmas Party attire, and while my family knows how to have a good time, if your family is anything like mine, you want to look classy while doing it ;).

So here's the situation: Your mom wants lots of cute pictures, your dad has a lot of impressive colleagues showing up, and your older brother's good-looking best friend from college could make an appearance (and you've always thought he had a thing for you...).  So now you have to meet your mother's approval, look classy but also super hot for the possibility of mistletoe.

[Top Row Left, Center, Right; Bottom Row Left & Right]

While black is always beautiful and a classic, you can make a dress pop with color and metallic.  A winter white/ivory dress will look amazing with black tights.  Lace is a staple when trying to look sexy - adding a sleeve makes it less lingerie and more appropriate. A sequin number can be a possibility as long as it's the right length and has a tasteful cut.   

1.12.13

November Birchbox Review


Beauty Protector Shampoo & Conditioner: This shampoo conditioner combo smells absolutely delicious.  My long hair is always looking for hair products to bring it back to life, and while I liked the product, it's just not the amazing wow that I'm searching for constantly.

Dr. Jart + Beauty Balm: I love BB Cream.  It's my go-to for an easy face day.  The BB cream I own tends to be a little darker for my skin, but this one is just right.  It also doesn't have a smell like the one I normally use (which isn't bad) or a previous BB Cream I got in a Birchbox (that smells rancid....)

Color Club Nail Polish - On the Rocks: I always love the nail polishes I get from Birchbox.  This one looks silver but goes on more blue which reminds me of the Essie polish, Blue Rhapsody.  While I really like this color, it's not super professional, so I'd probably choose other more subtle colors before this one for daily wear.

Juicy Couture Perfume - Viva la Juicy Noir: As always, Juicy produces delicious scents.  I think I've actually had this one in a box before.  I tend to like lighter scents.  This one is definitely for a seductive night.

Ghiradelli Toffee Crunch: I don't like chocolate.  I'll wait while you gasp.  That being said, I did enjoy this toffee crunch.  As always Ghiradelli chocolate is smooth and the toffee gave it a kick.  While I really enjoyed the product I'll be honest... I haven't touched it since.  I know, there's something wrong with me...

Pick of the Month: Dr. Jart + Beauty Balm.  It definitely goes on smooth, matches my pale skin, and doesn't smell weird!  I think I'm going to go to birchbox.com right now and make a purchase...

[This review is in no way affiliated, paid for, or sponsored by Birchbox.  All opinions are my own & I review for the purpose of knowledge - not for extra Birchbox glory ;)]