Belated Fashion Resolutions

About 22 weeks ago, or 154 days, I decided that I needed to stop buying new accessories and start utilizing all of the ones I currently have. Since then I have made an attempt to not wear a necklace twice until all have been worn.


Of course I don't wear a necklace everyday- in the winter I usually trade between scarves and necklaces but if the shirt has beading or a graphic I try not to over do it with the accessories.

I heard once- you should put one of everything on you like, earrings, necklace, ring, and bracelet. And then take one off.

I don't know if that is true or not- I don't personally think you can be overstyled if its your personal style.

Either way, I don't have earrings so I guess by default I follow that rule.

This years fashion resolution- while belated is coming at the perfect time, its never too late to get your style on!

What I initially loved about this idea what that it really forced me to wear certain necklaces that I bought for maybe a one time occasion.

And even better it tested me sometimes, which sounds so dramatic, and it totally wasn't THAT serious; but it made me really think about the colors that I liked together, and styles to try and new things. It made me sometimes reinvent my style so to speak.

Anyway, I have posted a few of my favorites and will continue to do so. However I can't guarantee the no repeat... I might let some of the newbies slide :)

As always, I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!

Eyeing these items!

Lately, with all the events I have coming up and birthdays, I cant but help jump on the ball with my outfit selections. Below are the top things I have been eyeing.


The plaid blazer totally gave me a clueless moment and I know I needed to have it.
While the floral blazer is perfect for a garden party, or a brunch.
And don't even get me started on that amazing skirt... definitely my top pick.
Charming Charlie I came across just recently and have to say it is amazing. An accessories warehouse- I couldn't help but explore it.
and last but not least that gorgeous shoe, that would be perfect accompanying that floral jacket for a champagne brunch with the girls. Links are down below!
Hope you enjoy!

Floral Blazer|Plaid Blazer | Necklace| Shoes| Skirt

Making a Winter Statement

According to my holy grail, AKA Instyle Magazine, Statement coats are being seen on the runway for winter fashion.

It put a HUGE smile on my face because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE winter fashion- there is something about bundling and being comfortable, yet fashionable the warms the cockles of my heart.

For the link to the instyle page look here.

They featured an amazing Diane Von Furstenburg coat had me in awe.. but the price had me in tears- a budget breaking $2,000. Which is great for the splurgers out there, but for humble me- that is a month's rent.

I went on the hunt to find something similar that would make me and  my bank account happy!

A little defeated, I found that getting a beaded winter coat for under $100 was nearly impossible.

Instead I went to google and found this great ASOS coat for the much more feasible price, but didn't warm the heart like DVF did.






That coat is picture here.

A little defeated I couldn't find exactly what I wanted... I went to my closet for some inspiration.

Low and behold I did not find a DVF look alike, but I did find a statement jacket.

One that I had worn maybe twice in the two years I have owned it ever.


My coat, no longer available is from Lucy Love, you can order items directly from their site here or here.


I found a similar coat for around the price I pair $70 from Isaac Mizrahi and that can be found here

What I love about Damask print, is that it is so universally classic. The black and white makes it so that your not straying to far away from the norm if your new to wearing prints.

Friday Finds- Get the look for less

What I love about fashion, getting ready, and makeup is that sometimes it makes you feel fabulous and gives you a confidence that I think we all lose sometimes.

I wish sometimes people had this confidence all day every day, but alas that is truly wishful thinking.

I know that for me, while I can rock a no makeup look and I don't mind dressing down sometimes, the way I feel when I truly get to take my time and feel great is what I love.


Circa 2009-2012 I was loving the style of Kim Kardashian, like most people I drew some ideas from her, but now I am not digging the over the top style- it is definitely not an every girl, every day look.

Now I've discovered my own fashion sense but like to draw from what I see on TV or magazines.

I am guilty of liking about one show and following it, Once Upon a Time, but I have to admit that when I am in  a style funk- or don't know what to wear I draw some ideas from the hit show Pretty Little Liars. On and off set those girls have great style. While browsing the internet today I came across this look by Lucy Hale on the set of Pretty Little Liars and fell in love with the jacket!

Red is one of those colors, that to me, can be worn all year long.
Lucy's look is below, and I have attached where you can buy her outfit.




Jacket| Current Elliot| $225
Top| Equipment Kyle| sold out

Now for my version of the look
Jacket| Forever 21| 32.90
Tank Top| Kohls| $26

Charlotte Russe Haul

With the new year, comes new clothes. I did not make a resolution this year, but instead I started it with an "in comes the new" state of mind.

There has been a superstition that what you bring into the new year is what you will bring to yourself- this year I spend some Christmas money on new clothes.

Charlotte Russe was having an amazing sale and I picked up some great finds!

P.S- if you download the app there is a FREE SHIPPING NO MINIMUM!


I went on a blazer/sweater shopping spree and purchased 7. All of which are professional, comfortable, and stylish.

The pastel Pink is on the site with the color label of "violet" I was a little worried that the color would not be the gorgeous shell pink that was pictured... Low and behold when I opened the package everything was as pictured and fit perfectly!

I can't wait to put together some outfits! 

Hope you enjoy!

Neon Trends for Winter

Winter is my favorite time of the year, but sometimes I look in my closet and I get sick of wearing the traditional black which is so timeless for Winter.

 

As I was getting ready this morning I looked through my accessories and was drawn to my neon collection. Then I started to Overthink.. Is neon appropriate for fall?

 

I immediately headed to Pintrest and discovered that shown on the runway this winter was Bright yellows and Citrine colors. I thought what a better way to brighten up the gloomy cold weather than to add a POP of color.

 

 

The clutch (pictured) is not the easiest thing to pair with everything, it looks amazing with white and grey and I have a few pieces that are interchangeable. This however  was my staple inspiration- I thought why not wear this with nude colors or black? Make this the centerpiece of my outfit- a subtle outfit with this wonderful pop was just what I needed.

 

As most of the working force know, neon is not the typical office wear- but in small doses I think the office could get used to it. So I am saving this look for my fabulous casual Friday!

 

I included more of my neon accessories in the picture below and details are to the right.

 

 

Pictured is:
JUICY COUTURE Sunshine Shimmer Madame Daydreamer Clutch in Ultra Yellow

Neon bracelets, find similar here:
neon bangles

Skull bracelet made by Rachel Eva designs can be found here

Find similar necklace 
here

Winter Lipstick Swatches

Like most working women during the week getting up and getting ready is similar to the opening scene in "The Devil Wears Prada"... and no, I don't mean the gorgeous models who have time to match underwear and bra and count their almonds as they put on gorgeous shoes. Most women relate to the Andy Sachs character- we barely have time to dry our hair let alone look incredible.

I usually set an alarm for  6 AM  a good 40 minutes before I leave for work and  wait until about 6:15 before I roll out of bed. By the time my face is washed and teeth are brushed I am already running late.

I tend to stray away from too much makeup at the office- this is a personal choice, some women rock the red lips, while others rock the smokey eye. In my office though, I follow the routine look of the other women and keep my makeup minimal. Which hurts the heart a little as I get ready and leave all my makeup to the way side that I love so much.

That's why when I get the chance, on the weekends, I love experimenting with my look- I am absolutely loving trying new lip colors!

They can make the whole look come together and it is effortless, timeless and chic if done correctly.

I don't follow skin tones and color palettes that are suitable for them. I think everyone has the right to wear any lip color they want- I do!

Winter I usually stick to deeper colors and if I do venture out to the "brights" they are in the red to orange and magenta to purple colors.

Below I have posted some of my favorite winter lip colors. All drug store buys ranging from $1.99-7.99

Just remember, these are MY personal favorites- by all means wear whatever color your heart desires. Makeup is meant to be fun, no rules here!

From left to right 

NYX- simply vamp - enamored 

NYX- Copenhagen 

Maybelline-divine wine 

NYX- castle 

NYX-macaron-violet

Revlon-mauvynight 

From left to right 

Maybelline- espresso exposed

NYX- san Paulo

Wet n wild- cherry picking 

NYX- indie flick 

J cat lip paint- much mucher

J cat lip paint- 2nd impossible thing 

Fashion spotlight: nakamol jewelry

 

My new recent fashion obsession is beaded statement necklaces- it makes everything look a little more special, if you will. I was shopping at my local TJ Maxx and came across a gorgeous piece of jewelry (not pictured) and I read the name on the tag was Nakamol.... that name sounded very familiar to me. And I remembered, 3+ years ago I used to manage a boutique in the heart of downtown Los Gatos, Ca- I loved it. This was my dream job until I decided to make a move to better my education, while I worked there I would help the owner buy for the store. We came across Nakamol years ago and bought their leather and beaded wrap bracelets (pictured above), if you remember those were and still are a huge fashion staple. But a few years ago the Chan Luu Wrap bracelets were the "it" thing to buy at a pretty penny ranging from $100- $300 to check out Chan Luu click here. In an attempt to stay up to date in fashion at a lower cost Nakamol came into the picture- and their bracelets are gorgeous, in the picture above I have included pictures of some of my favorite pieces- you can order directly from Nakamol here or if you have a local Nordstrom they also have their jewelry there.

 

Now, back to my killer find- I am so glad I found my necklace at TJ Maxx, it is similar to the one above  (retails at $40) but I couldn't get the best picture of it in my lighting so found a sort of dupe. The best part of my shopping excursion is that my necklace retailed for $50 and I got it for $24.99.... and that my mom bought it for me as a Christmas gift:) Thanks Mom!

 

 The necklace I have inspired my OOTD (outfit of the day) - you can find a similar houndstooth jacket here. I plan on keeping Nakamol on my favorites  list so I can get more gorgeous finds! So glad I lucked back into finding this brand at my local TJ Maxx.

 

I chose this outfit because it wasn't the traditional matchy-matchy I would normally do, I am stepping out of the "normal" and trying to find something that would highlight the necklace and in my humble opinion it did just that. I think when things get to similar you lose the statement, if I wore a burgundy necklace it would have been lost in the tank top. My rule is I find what I want to highlight and form the outfit around that. Most days I highlight a necklace, I have so many and it dresses up a plain or solid colored outfit.

 

I think we tend to stray away from things we think people will judge, but you can't judge fashion- if you like it wear it. I find that I get the most compliments on my looks when I go out of my comfort zone.

 

Houndstooth is probably my favorite thing to wear, its so classy and chic- paired with this gorgeous necklace I felt like a glamazon and wouldn't have it any other way.

The battle of the poreless primers

For many makeup wear-ers out there, finding a primer to make your pores smaller and makeup last longer is a toughy. You have to find something that works with your skin. 

I was gifted my Tarte poreless primer by my sister, the retail price at Ulta is $30 and I have to say I am loving it right now. 

My skin is normal to dry, and this works great! 

For people with a little more oil to their skin, this product is really hit or miss. I fknd that on days it's hotter, or when my skin is oily for whatever reason in the summer that I don't love poreless primers. It sits on top of the oil instead of covering the face as it should. 

In this case since it is winter I have no complaints with Tarte other than the price. Don't get me wrong $30 for a great primer that lasts forever is a great deal. But for those of us that want a cheaper price point I tried NYX pore filler for $13 at ulta. 

After I washed my face this morning and moisturizer as I normally would, I applied Tarte to the left side of my face and nyx to the right side. 

Tarte felt a little creamier as I put it on and is a clear color with a thick consistence. NYX was a nude color with a thinner consistency. 

After I let them set,  they both have a velvet finish and my makeup went on smoothly.

After 6 hours of wear, I can say both have stayed on well. It's cold in the office though so that may play a part. 

 

8 hours into the day you could see a little creasing on the NYX side- Tarte is still as I applied this morning.

Over all the only place that needs touching up is my chin and side of my nose on the NYX side but that's minor. I think that on a scale of keeping makeup on its doing a great job. 

Side note- I had used NYX a couple days prior and used too much. And my makeup just slid off of it. The trick is to not over do it. A little bit does do the trick so even if you think it's not enough put some on and see if you need more. Your face shouldn't be a velvet slick- but instead just soft as velvet. 

I am so in love with my Tarte poreless i has been saving for days that I can get glammed up and not on a workday when I look more plain Jane. I would recommend NYX pore filler for those that need a primer. 

I also paired this makeup with the NYX finishing Mineral powder and matte spray and can proudly say I am impressed with the product and would buy again. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars! 

Winter Favorites

Fashion

Here is a brief colletion of some of my favorite accessories for winter. Black is s sessonal given but I love adding gold in for a little extra sparkle, especially around the holidays. 

At home facial for under $50

Happy Skin, Happy feeling with-in

 

 

I find that on days that I am feeling stressed, or have worked a few hours of overtime, or at a particular time of the month my skin freaks out. The way I deal with the breakouts that come from sleep deprivation and stress are giving myself an at home facial. A spa facial is great, but for me, sometimes all I want is to be at home in my pajamas and this is an easy step to achieving a similar face feel. I love facials, professional ones are amazing- but for a girl on a budget, getting a $80+ spa treatment is a splurge, and more often than not especially with work we do get stressed. When you give yourself this facial make sure you have the time to enjoy the benefits of it. Take a day or evening where you have a little extra time and just relax- take yourself away from the hustle and bustle.

 

First, your going to want to set your spa "scene":

For me this means lighting a few candles in my clean room, nothing stresses me out more at home than having a pile of clothes to wash and put away- I usually stuff everything in my closet before I begin "treatment".

 

Next- I make my bed, and spritz lavender vanilla pillow mist  all over it, this added step is $10 at Bath and Body works.



Finally, I close the door to my room, dim the lights and put on Spa Music on my Pandora.

Then I begin.

All of these things were found at my local walmart. 

The steps to the facial:

1. Clean off all makeup with a makeup wipe 

2 Cleanse my face with Biore blemish fighting ice cleanser $6.47
I love this product because of the cooling feeling, you feel it working immediately and for me the cooling feeling makes me feel extra squeaky clean!

3. Tone the face with neutrogena oil free acne stress control triple-action toner $6.97 and a cotton ball, don't soak it- but saturate it enough so that it gets on the skin.

 

Salicylic acid is in this product, which is great for those prone to breakouts.

4. Now to exfoliate I used St. Ives apricot cleanser $3.27 

I picked the cleanser because it still has the beads to exfoliate without it being so harsh on the skin, I added a little baking soda to make it a more intense scrub- this will strip away dead skin without any harshness or added chemicals. Sometimes I add the regular apricot scrub to this cleanser as well, but that does tend to be more harsh on the skin.

 

5. After washing the scrub off, The next step is to steam the face, this was done by using a  hot washcloth or taking a hot shower. I ran it under hot water, rang it out and places it over my face until it got cold, and then repeated. 

You can also use the sink plug, run hot water and place a towel over your head.

6. Now time to take out the blackheads! 

Using Biore deep cleansing strips $8.47 ( 14 count) I dampened my nose and placed the strip on for 15 minutes. 

Pulling out all your impurities after is pretty interesting. Remember to take it off slowly from both corners pulling forward- If you take it off too quickly it could damage the skin... and OUCH! does it hurt.

6. I then toned my face again using the same Neutrogena product (you do not need to add this step if you do not want to)

7. Finally it was time for my mask. I love this mask, not only does it minimize pores it will help clear away any black heads that the Biore strips missed. I apply this using a flat foundation brush.

Queen Helene mint julep mask $2.47

 

 

I let the product sit for 15 minutes before washing it off with warm, then cool water. 

 

8. Moisturizing, I start with eye cream- always apply moisturizer's thinnest to thickest on the skin.

This eye firming treatment I really like, its subtle and the benefits of blueberries is it helps neutralize oils and helps prevent against free radicals so your skin keeps that young appearance.

Say Yes to Blueberries eye treatment is $9.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used olay active hydrating beauty fluid lotion $5.94 

All in all this at home facial cost a total of $45.00. That is what the price of just one high end product, at it's cheapest. The facial was good and just what my skin needed! 

 

If you like posts like this let me know, I will be posting about my favorite high and low end skin care and makeup products.