Splurge or Save

Ever since I saw Lauren Conrad's 'Love' ring, I have been smitten (or more literally, in LOVE). Just as everyone else, I had to find out where it was from. After a long and exhausting search (yes, I am being over dramatic, but its fashion dah-ling, everything should be dramatic) I found out the beautiful creation was done by jewelry designer, Sydney Evan (PS. Her other jewelry is just as precious), and it clocked in at a whopping $890.

Well, since the average everyday person can't just run around spending almost $1000 on the fly, I knew I had to find a budget version of the ring. After another long and exhausting search, I found a pretty damn good recreation in the Jewelmint Collective. This rose gold plated, CZ studded ring, comes with a tiny price tag of $29.99. I knew it was a winner, you seriously cannot beat that price. Needless to say, this small beauty is going to make a home in my jewelry collection really soon.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop for jewelry?

Lust List : Get In Shape

The new year always brings promises of getting fit. Since the new year I have been on a quest to get off my butt and start moving, so far so good. I am still working on getting into a workout routine that works for me, but so far I have managed to get my butt off the couch more often then not.

With a new workout routine it is always nice to get some new things to put a pep in your step. There is something about getting new workout gear that gets me motivated to use it. 

Recently I have delved into the world of workout clothes, like actual workout clothes built for people who work out. I figured at 27 it was no longer appropriate to wear my old cheer leading shorts (you know the ones I'm talking about) and band tee's while going to the gym (or anywhere outside my apartment for that matter).

Since diving head first into the world of workout gear, I have become obsessed with the dry fit work out clothes that are available. They are comfortable to wear and they leave you feeling dry not sweaty and gross and sticky even when you are sweaty and gross and sticky (I gave them a full test out during hot yoga). More dry fit work out gear is a definite must, since I only have a couple sports bra's, 2 pairs of pants and 1 top.

Other than clothes there are some accessories that I have been lusting after to complete the circle of workout life. A squishy workout mat has been on my lust list for a while now. Living in a 4th floor apartment, I try to be nice to my neighbors and go to the gym to work out, but there are times that I would like to workout at home. A nice squishy mat will not only help reduce noise, but also gives me a comfy place to do sit ups and other exercises on my wood floors.

A great water bottle is a must when getting into shape. I found a great one at Target over the holidays and I want to get my hands on another (mostly because we have one and the bf and I are constantly stealing it back from one and another). The one I found has a nice squishy straw which doesn't injure you when you are feeling daring to take a drink while running on a tread mill. The straw also tucks away and is fully covered so no icky germs get on it if you accidentally drop it (you know when you are being daring), as well as an easy access button that pops the straw up (for when your daring abilities succeed!). Also it is BPA free, dishwasher safe and has a wide enough opening to put in ice cubes (whip cream, sprinkles and cherry on top of my already in love sundae).

Enough about my love affair with a simple water bottle, and onto more pressing matters. When you are on a health kick it is important to eat healthy, for a quick breakfast I have either been having yogurt with fruit and granola or a delicious smoothie. Making a smoothie has not been easy ( I have been having to use my stick blender, which works but is not idea). A few months ago there was a nasty accident that occurred while making a smoothie in my old blender (see instagram evidence). Since then I have been eyeing a cute little compact Cuisinart one that comes with little individual cups for all your smoothie making needs. (Smoothie recipes coming soon!)

What is some of your favorite workout gear or accessories?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Splurge or Save

My favorite little ankle booties finally died. It was such a sad day, I wore them to death. 

Anyways enough with the mourning. Since my favorite little booties have been laid to rest, I have been on the hunt for a fantastic replacement pair. One day I came across these beautiful Rag and Bone booties with a cute little ankle strap. Perfect for everyday wear. They would look adorable with jeans, leggings, dresses. Let's be real, I could fit these into every aspect of my wardrobe, just out of sheer love and desire. The one thing I don't love and desire is the price (don't get me wrong, I don't mind splurging on classic pieces I will keep for life, but these shoes will be traipsed through mud, snow, rain and salty ice. I am not spending that much to ruin them). 

While on my bargain hunt, I came across a DV by Dolce Vita pair, which are so similar. The same nice suede and the cute little ankle strap. Since they are about 1/3 of the price, my wallet is happy. I would be happy as a clam wearing either pair of these booties, but we all know which pair is coming home with me ( it rhymes with Bolce Dita). 

Holiday Gift Guide : Stocking Stuffers

Long time no see. I have been in a rut ever since I returned from my vacation a few weeks ago. Call it "return from vacation blues". I struggled with getting a lot of things done that needed to happen (like unpacking, I finally finished that this weekend). Anyways excuses are excuses and I am sorry that I neglected you during my rut. I hope that my absence made your heart grow fonder.

Lets get on with the holiday show....STOCKING STUFFERRRSSS!! (sorry I am obsessed with stocking stuffers).

I can't help myself but always buy a bunch of stocking stuffers when buying my friends and family holiday gifts. They are cute little add on's that can beef up a gift or just be a thoughtful inclusion. I came up with a list of my favorite little add on's for the holidays this year, ranging from beauty to clothes and accessories.

Little beauty products are always a great stocking stuffer, they are a great way to give your friend's small sizes of products that you love (so they can fall in love with them too). I have already bought some of the NYX Butter Gloss trios, I am obsessed and my collection keeps growing.

A sampler pack of perfume or some luxe hand cream is always a nice stocking stuffer. I try to get things that I wouldn't normally buy for myself but are a luxe treat for someone (just because I wouldn't buy it for myself doesn't mean I wouldn't want to receive it as a gift). Lovely bath treats from high end brands such as L'occitane or Laura Mercier are great, everyone needs a little pamper session.

If beauty product's aren't for you (or your gift receiver) don't fret, there are plenty of great options out there. I love getting people things like cute little notebooks, coin purses or even a nice bracelet. Another item that is a little bigger then your traditional stocking stuffer is a nice pair of slippers. I have been eyeing the Minnetonka slippers with the fur inside, I would love to cozy up next to the fire in these with a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Whether you go for beauty products or other accessories, there is always a great little stocking stuffer that your gift receivers are going to love. There are cute little add on's available for every price point and they always put a smile on someone's face. 

1. Alex and Ani 'Initial' Bangle - $28
2. Marc Jacobs Roller Ball Trio - $39
3. Kate Spade Notebooks - $12
4. Bite Beauty Best Bite Set - $25
5. Laura Mercier Hand Cream Sampler - $28
6. Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Trio - $28
7. Minnetonka 'Cally' Slipper - $36.95
8. Bare Minerals 'Pink Persuasion' Lip and Cheek Set - $19
9. NYX 'Enchanted Kiss' Butter Gloss Trio - $10
10. Rebecca Minkoff 'Cory' Leather Pouch - $50

Lust List : Graphic Sweaters

Every shop (high end and budget friendly) I have been looking in lately is doing their version of a graphic black and white sweater, and I WANT THEM ALL! Was that a bit intense?  But really, I am such a sucker for these graphic sweaters that it is hard to choose a favorite. They are a great layering piece and a very versatile piece for the fall and winter. I will wear these with a cute colorful pencil skirt to work, casually with jeans and moccasins on the weekend or dressed up with a cute dress and heels for a night out. 

I already have one for the fall, but I have the feeling that I will be picking up another before the fall is up. Have you picked up a graphic sweater this season?

1. Merona Open Layering Cardigan - $29.99
2. H&M Knit Cardigan - $34.95
3. Zara Pleated Jacquard Jacket - $59.99
4. Explorer Drape Front Cardigan - $27.80
5. Merino Knotted Scarf Sweater - $118
6. Merona Long Sleeved Cardigan - $29.99
7. H&M Fine Knit Cardigan - $12.95
8. Zara Two-Toned Wrap Around Jacket - $59.99
9. Must-Have Zig Zag Cardigan - $29.80

Splurge or Save : Boots

We all know now that I love boots (see here), they are one of my favorite parts of fall / winter. For years I have been eyeing the classic motorcycle boot by Frye (technically called the "Harness 12R"), it is a classic boot that has been around for decades. I know people who have had this style boot from Frye for decades, it is a classic that always keeps coming back in style. 

The whole moto trend is huge for fall this year, not everyone wants to invest a ton of money in keeping up with the trends. Even though this is a classic staple that has been around for years, it is nice to not have to break the bank when trying a new style. As quite the girly girl, I am not 100% sold on the trend, I'm afraid I will fall out of love with it quickly. For us fickle fashion folk (try to say that 3 times fast), there is a more affordable option by Target, that I definitely would like to get my hands on. 

If you know this trend is here to stay for you, or you just want an amazing pair of boots that will last you for years, I would go with the Frye boots. If you aren't completely sold on the trend, or can't afford to drop loads of money on a pair of shoes, the Target "Katherine Engineer" is the right boot for you. The Target boot is even made with real leather, so it should stand up to a lot of wear and tear. 

I know which one I would go for, which one would you choose? 

Packing List: Outfits

This is my final installment of my packing list series, I am so sad to see it go. If you want to relive the memories of the previous posts, or just want to know what essentials I like to keep in my carry on (here), what makeup I travel with (here) or an easy 14 piece travel wardrobe that you can get a million outfits out of (here).  

Speaking of those outfits you can make out all the clothes you can fit in a carry on, check out the 8 days of options below. 

Travelling can be a pain. On travel days there is typically a lot of sitting and waiting, to make that time less annoying or uncomfortable I like to wear something that is stretchy and comfortable but put together. I have never really been a sweat pants in public wearing person, so wearing those on an airplane is out of the question (I once read an article that said if you look put together and nice while flying, you are more likely to get upgraded). While flying I typically go for nice leggings like these thick Zara ones (here) that are almost pants or stretching jegging jeans.

To get the most out of my pieces I try to bring more polished pieces that can easily go casual or dressy. A sleek dark wash pair of jeans work great going from day to night. A quilted leather jacket makes a great layer over a casual t-shirt or a nice dress

There are endless possibilities of outfits, everything can easily be mixed with one another. Basics and neutrals with pops of color is a safe way to be able to mix up the pieces you bring. It really helped me to visually see everything as I was preparing my packing. I put pieces on hangers, I was able to see pieces next to each other and mix and match to see how everything looks together. 

This packing list is a great starting off point for travelling. You can add and change things as you need. The goal for me was to be able to get the maximum amount of outfits out of a minimal amount of pieces. Packing light is the goal, but you don't want to be stuck with not enough clothes. 

What are your favorite outfits out of the packing list I put together? 

Packing List: Clothes

Continuing my series on travel (check out the previous posts here and here), today we come to packing....ugh (at least that is the thought that goes through my head when I hear that word).  

Packing for a trip is my Achilles heel, okay not that dramatic, but I hate packing. I wait until last minute, I have no plan and then I over pack or under pack. This time I have made a list of clothes that I want to bring, it is enough to create at least 8 outfits, plus the possibility of a few more. Now to be fair this isn't the exact pieces I am planning on bringing, but it is a general outline of similar things I want to bring with me.

Sticking to a palette is key when travelling, if you do, then you have endless possibilities with outfit combinations. Basics are also great, you can wear a plain white t-shirt with jeans and flats or wear it with a skirt and a statement necklace for a night out.  

Versatile pieces are important when packing for a vacation, a dress that works both dressed up and dressed down or a patterned blouse that looks great with a skirt or with jeans. 

Layers is another important part of packing, you may have a vague idea on the weather at your destination, but as we all know weather reports lie. Bringing items that can be layered to stay warmer or stand alone when it is hot is a great plan. 

When it comes to shoes, I try to stick with flats when I travel. With all the walking and sightseeing bringing anything else is pretty much impractical. I always like to bring a cute comfy pair of ballet flats which are great for going out for a nice dinner or just wandering around your vacation spot. It is also great to bring a cute pair of flat riding boots, you can wear them with dresses, jeans, skirts and leggings. Plus if there ends up being a rainy day, they work well when you don't have rain boots. 

Lastly bringing some statement jewelry and a scarf helps take and outfit from drab to fab. A statement necklace, a sparkly bracelet and a scarf can work well at dressing up a simple t-shirt and jeans or compliment a dress on a nice night out.  

All these pieces work well with each other, the blouse and t-shirt work well with any of the bottoms. The sweaters and jacket also work well with all the pieces. Sticking with a color palette and layering pieces helps maximize what you bring with you. I leaned towards neutrals with some pops of jewel tones, but you can change it up with whatever suits you. 

The bonus is, all these pieces should fit into a small suitcase, which could easily be used as a carry on. Now going on a week long trip does not mean you have to break your back carrying your luggage. Considering that I am a fan of public transportation, this helps immensely when dragging luggage up and down stairs and all over a city, nobody likes that.

Next week I will show you 8 outfits you can make with these 14 pieces. That is just the tip of the iceberg, with the endless combinations you can come up with.

1. Sweater - $24.95
2. Dress  - $165
3. Scarf  - $19.95
4. Blouse  - $34.95
5. Quilted "Leather" Jacket -$59.95
6. Chunky Cardigan - $29.99
7. Statement Necklace  -$42
8. Leggings  _$35.90
9. Riding Boots  - $139.95
10. Tunic T-shirt - $50
11. Jeans - $39.95
12. Skirt - $110
13. Ballet Flats  - $39.95
14. Sparkly Bracelet  - $42

Lust List : Boots

As soon as fall rolls around all I want to do is wear boots, tall boots, short boots, riding boots, wedge boots, the list goes on and on. To me they are a great completion to an outfit, they take a cute tee and jeans to a new level. They can really change the mood of an outfit, sleek boots can make you look sophisticated, cowboy boots can make you look laid back and biker boots can make you look fierce. 

Every year I try to buy a new pair of boots, because typically an old pair has to come out of rotation (so sad). There isn't a boot I don't love. I can find an outfit for all of them, I love wearing them with jeans, leggings, dresses and skirts (ok everything). Because I love so many different kinds, it makes choosing just one very difficult. Here are some boots that I am loving right now, and would love to have in my collection (especially numbers 4 and 7, hint hint). 

What are some of your favorite boots that you want this year? 

1. Target "Kiriana Ankle" - $34.99
2. Louise et Cie "Lo-Wikket" - $178.95
3. Jessica Simpson "Catcher" - $109.95
4. Seychelles "Scoundrel" - $130
5. Sam and Libby for Target "Parker Tall" $49.99
6. Tory Burch "Britta" - $495
7. Joe's "Seren" - $198.95
8. Frye "Dorado" - $458

It's All In The Details

As the days get colder and the fall sets in my style takes a drastic change. I quickly go from breezy sundresses to leather jackets and riding boots. This fall is all about the leather details and the mixing of textures. I would be happy to add any of these pieces into my regular fall wardrobe to help refresh my closet.

A great pair of faux leather pants would look great with an oversized sweater or even a silk blouse. For weekend style I would love to throw on an army jacket with quilted leather sleeves over a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt to keep me warm on the crisp fall days. You can also mix the trend into your office wardrobe with a tailored dress with leather accents or a loose leather jacket with a lace back.

You can amp up your wardrobe for every price point, stick with faux if you are on a tight budget. There are pieces ranging from under $20 upwards to well over $100.

You can easily stay on trend with a simple dress or a functional jacket, either way I know I want to get my hands on a few leather pieces this fall. What are some of your favorite fall trends coming up?

1. H&M Biker Style Jacket - $59.95
2. Target Mossimo V-neck Ponte Dress - $27.99
3. Zara Faux Leather Biker Jacket - $99.90
4. Zara Faux Leather and Lace Jacket - $69.90
5. Zara Parka with Faux Leather Sleeves - $179.90
6. Zara Faux Leather Combination Skirt - $69.90
7. H&M Short Dress in Jersey - $17.95
8. H&M Imitation Leather Pants - $34.95