Today's Look

This look is not one for anything in particular. I just took a little risk and wanted to share!  I'm home for the holidays and went to see my sister's basketball team play tonight, and my outfit is mostly inspired by their team colors: blue & orange. These actually make for a great color combination because they're complimentary. So what I've done here is kept things simple with a brown boot and black leggings, and then mixed things up literally with a men's plaid flannel and a striped long sleeve tee layered together. What's key here is the neutral navy blue in both pieces. They're not an exact match but who's looking that close? The only strong color here is obviously the bright orange! So it absolutely works! I've cuffed the sleeves of the flannel and laid the collar out against the long sleeve tee, and having it poke out just enough at the bottom made it a great option for leggings. Oh and my San Francisco Giants hat was the final touch! This was my second time mixing patterns together and again I loved the results. I hope you all will give this a try if you haven't already. If you do, please tweet me your looks so I can see!! 

Boots: Enzo Angiolin

Leggins: J.C. Penny

Flannel: Liz Claiborne

Long Sleeved Tee: Gap

Watch: Fossil

Winter Look

Winter is coming! Applause to you if you got that one.  Yes, the winter season is definitely upon us. My neck of the woods is entirely blanketed in snow so naturally it's time we brought out that winter wear. This look is meant to embody not only the snowy season, but the holidays as well! There are numerous pieces involved here so if you're inspired to recreate this look, feel free to mix things up a bit, especially with color! After building most of this ensemble, I'd originally decided on a black scarf, but to incorporate a dash of color in my neutral pallet, I ended up going with a bold red one instead.  Also, I have many different textures and fabrics involved which I believe gives the look some additional appeal. 

Dress: Lucky Brand purchased at Tuesday Morning

Denim Jacket: Aberocrombie & Fitch

Black Boots: CVS Pharmacy (honestly!)

Red Scarf: China Town, San Francisco

Gray Cable Knit Tights & Brown Waist Belt: Unknown

Game of Thrones: Daenerys Targaryen Halloween Costume

Almost a month later, I'm finally blogging about the details of my Halloween costume! Earlier this year I became a fan of the hit TV series on HBO, Game of Thrones. I knew months in advance that I wanted to dress as one of the series' leading characters, Daenerys Targaryen or Khalessi as she is sometimes referred to in the show. "Dani" has several ensembles through out the first through the third seasons of the show so having plenty of options to work with in creating her look was very helpful. 

The main two pieces that I'm wearing are not an exact replica of anything she wears in the show, but are extremely inspired by her style.  I could absolutely see her wearing something of this nature in the show. As to where to purchase the top and skirt, I wish I could tell you! I bought both pieces several years ago from a small Indian clothing store, and I'd never had an occasion to wear them until now. My brown boots are by Enzo Angiolini. My gloves I purchased in a two set from Walmart. I cut the fingers off mid-length and gently scorched the edges with a lighter to ensure they need not begin to unravel.  My wig, I simply purchased at a local Halloween store open for the season. My sweet dragons, I also purchased at Walmart, and my makeup look was inspired by a Youtube tutorial by Michelle Phan. This look was very inexpensive and I was extremely happy with the way it turned out!

Playing with Patterns

With fashion, as in life, it's important to take risks every now and then.  Those risks might lead you to discover something spectacular like a new outfit that was living in your closet all the while that you never knew you had! Such was the case for me several weeks ago when I was surveying my wardrobe in search of something to wear to one night of my show that was running at the time. I wanted to piece together some items I never had before and that's when I decided to take a risk and mix some prints and patterns together. This is what I came up with! I'm in LOVE with this look. There's so much going on but I don't feel like anything clashes or it's too much and here's why; Though my top is polka-dotted, my skirt is striped, and my heels are leopard print- every piece contains the neutral color black. In fact the only none neutral colors in this look are the two pinks. Besides pink, we have black, brown, and white; Not a very loud color scheme when you think about it yet the look is quite eye catching due to the various patterns. If you're not someone who wears a lot of patterns but would like too and just aren't sure how to make them work, I hope this will help you out!

Top: Charlotte Ruse
Skirt & Belt: Charlotte Ruse
Heels: Unknown, 

but if you want to recreate this look, any leopard print using the same colors should work!

Fall Looks (Day to Night)

Fall has indeed arrived! Breezy, sunny days, and calm, chilly nights are a tell tell sign, not to mention the changing leaves of course.  With the transition from summer to fall comes some daily attire alterations as well.  I find fall to be a little tricky to dress for. It's hard to chose one outfit for the entire day that accommodates both the warm afternoon and cool evening.  So I opted instead for two separate looks, exchanging a few pieces and keeping some others! Here are both of my looks! Daytime transitioning into nighttime. Loved them both!

Daytime Look
Top: Forever 21
High waist-ed Shorts: Charlotte Ruse
Heels: Department Store 

Nighttime Look
Blazer: Kasper
Top: Forever 21
Jeans: Lucky
Belt: J.C. Penny
Heels: Department Store

Jewelry
Watch: Fossil

Green Bracelet: J.C. Penny
Clear Bracelet/Pearl Ring: Gifts
Nail Polish: Peridot by Chanel

Wedding Look

Tonight I spent the evening at a gorgeous wedding ceremony and witnessed two lovely people vowel to spend the rest of their lives together. I was so happy to have the chance to rock my Lilly Pulitzer dress one last time before the weather begins slipping into the lower digits. Also, again I'm sporting my favorite pair of nude pumps by Liz Claiborne. As for jewelry, I'm wearing my Relic watch by Fossil, which you might remember from an earlier post, a clear stoned bracelet given to me as a gift, and a pair of rhinestone bow earrings. Simple and chic. That's how I usually like to keep it!

Nuts About Neutrogena!

But seriously.. I am nuts about Neutrogena!  I've loved every product I've ever used by this company and so I thought I'd talk about my three absolute favorites! First off, the Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover. I've been using this product the longest because #1, it serves as a makeup remover and a cleanser saving me both time and money.  I've no need to buy two products to accomplish two separate jobs.  Infact I find that this product works better as a makeup remover than other name brand products designated for that single purpose.  Second, it works wonders as a cleanser. Any time I stop using this product for a more than a couple days spells disaster for my face.  My skin literally can not live without this product. I use it everyday! Next, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. I had no idea Neutrogena made anything for hair till I stumbled upon this gem. I've been using this product for several weeks now and couldn't be happier with it. The purpose of this shampoo is not simply to clean the scalp, but to remove any built up residue from your regular shampoo that may cause your hair to become greasy and flat more quickly. I can honestly say I've noticed a real difference in the liveliness of my hair, not to mention, gained a few compliments on it!  I've also not had to wash my hair quite as frequently. Lastly, I've been searching for a product to aid in closing my pores after I've washed the day off my face. So, I picked up a bottle of Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner.  I simply apply this to my entire face after cleansing and rinsing with cold water to completely close and refine my pores so that no dirt or oil can sneak back into my skin afterwards. I've not been using this product for very long, but I have begun to notice a difference in the feeling and look of my skin, especially in the morning after using this product the night before.  In case I haven't made it clear, when it comes to skin care, Neutrogena is my forever favorite, go-to, can't live without, must have brand for all skin cleaning essentials.

Red, White & Blue Worn by Me for You

Today is an important date in history for us all.  It's today that we look back on that tragic events that occurred and remember all of the souls whose lives were lost. We may all come from different backgrounds and walks of life, but our pride and love for this country is what truly brings us together. So this is also a day for celebration.  We celebrate our ever thriving hope, will, and patriotism that is the American spirit. Show your support today and wear your country's colors proudly. I know I am. 

Black Button Up Cardigan: Gap
Blue & White Striped Tank: Gap
Black Belt with Brand Logo on Gold Buckle: Ralph Lauren
Red Shorts: Hollister
Black Ballerina Slippers: No Call (Purchased at a shoe store)

Interest Peaks in September SEVENTEEN!

I've come to view Seventeen Magazine as a hand guide towards my personal style as a young woman. Every issue has me wanting to abandon my responsibilities for the day and head out to the nearest drugstore and stock up on the latest beauty products recommended and featured in the magazine. This issue in particular had me running back and forth between issue and closet, acting on my inspiration, and recreating looks from the magazine that I might be able to rock myself.  Below is the actual look from the issue and my recreation. I think I did pretty well working with what I already owned! In addition to the style inspiration, I was baffled at the makeup look for $5 page, and that wasn't just each product, the entire look was done for $5! If you're looking for a reason to purchase this issue, let that be it! Lastly, if you're like me and become instantly motivated to try some new makeup products after viewing an abundance of beauty ads, let Seventeen help you out, not just with inspiration, but with coupons! My favorite tear away coupon of this issue was definitely the $4 off 2 Covergirl eye products. It's like they want you to look awesome!? Might as well let them!

Blazer: Kasper
Crop Top: Forever 21
Skirt & Belt: Charlotte Russe
Heels: Cosmopolitan (Purchased at JCPenney)

Theatre Audition Look

Now that I'm back at school, auditions for this fall's productions have been in full swing! Thus, proper and fashionable attire is a must! Tonight I wanted to appear very polished in accordance with the show being cast, and you can't go wrong with Liz Claiborne! She is the designer of this little number, even the shoes!  As usual, I kept things simple with the jewelry, which to me is a good idea for an audition or interview as you want to refrain from distracting your employer from anything but your performance.  Here's hoping this ensemble served me well!  

 

Picnic Look

Today was the annual back to school picnic for the visual and performing arts department at my school! I decided to keep it classy yet absolutely comfortable in this emerald green tank top dress from BCBG. You might recall this dress from my shopping in California post earlier this summer. Besides that, my orange rhinestone sandals are also a BCBG purchase from last summer. My jewelry here has been found and purchased from all over. Nothing too flashy or expensive here. Just wanted to jazz the solid color dress up a bit! 

September Issue of MARIE CLAIRE

What a way to welcome fall! An exceptional read, I had to set my September issue of Marie Claire aside after reading a little more than half way through just to get a start on this post before everything I read became fuzzy. First off, reading any Marie Claire is always an insightful adventure of sorts. I feel more intellectually mature after simply opening an issue, but after an afternoon spent marveling at new trends and being intrigued by every article, short and long, start to finish, I can feel my brain tingling with new fashion know-how and vocabulary. Talk about becoming your own personal thesaurus in 400 pages or less!  The magazine demands that fashion be seen as an art form. Every issue never fails to revamp the old ways of styling and accessorizing into something more current for the modern fashionista.  Seasons come and go, and with each passing season a new trend(s) arises. Rather than emptying your bank account at the risk of not being perceived as fashion forward, choose a few pieces you can incorporate with items in your current wardrobe that project this fall season's trends. Nicolette Mason, writer of Big Girl in a Skinny World, writes "I call them 'strong basics' --edgy enough to stand out but as versatile as your favorite LBD or pencil skirt." So what exactly can we expect for fall fashion? Combing through the issue's 101 Ideas pages will give you just that, ideas! No I can't purchase the luxury high fashion garments that grace this part of the issue, but I'm always inspired by them nonetheless, and from that inspiration I conjure up my own ensemble ideas that I can purchase at my favorite stores for less. Where else can you discover fashion inspiration? If you're a busy woman in business, according to Small Screen, Major Chic writer Melissa Bykofsky, checking out some of the latest television hits like ABC's Scandal or HBO's Veep, showcasing career focused women, is a great way to do so.  More specifically though, layered metallics and fur, faux of course, are a couple of key pieces you might want to invest in for this season.  Seeking inspiration from style magazines like Marie Claire can aid you in shopping locally or online so you can become a little more trendy and a lot less spendy ;)

Summer Inexpensive Must Haves!

It might be your favorite of the four seasons, but summer might very well be the time in which your hair and skin are most vulnerable to damage. All of that direct sunlight and persistant exposure to chlorine aren't doing your body any favors. Sunlight of course not only heats and dries out our hair and skin but the UV and UVB rays are what you should ultimately be most concerned about.  This summer I used Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa product, monoi oil sunscreen lotion as a daily facial sunscreen. I love the fact this is a broad spectrum sunscreen so I know I'm being protected from harmful rays. Not only that but it smells fantastic and I don't have to worry about sweating or being exposed to water because I'm covered for up to 40 minutes!  Purchase True Blue Spa Products Here!

As we unwillingly pass into the later part of summer, I know one of the things on my mind and perhaps yours as well, is not so much losing the warm weather as the nice tan you've been tediously working on for months now. By the time you achieve the color you've been aiming for, it's time to hide away those bikinis until next season. But I think if you've worked that hard and long to achieve something, you ought to be able to keep it for a while! Everyone's skin is different and mine isn't the type to make me appear to be a different ethnicity but just by simply keeping up with and sticking to a great moisturizing routine from the end of summer and beyond, I've kept tan lines well into the wintery months! My weapon of choice? Ocean Potions Moisturizing Aloe Lotion! I can't get enough of this stuff! It's extremely inexpensive, large container, extends the life of your tan as well as helps your skin recover from sun exposure, and it smells absolutely divine. Both this product and the True Blue Spa product contain glycerin as a main ingredient which also does wonders for skins softness. Stock up now while you can! Purchase Your Own Ocean Potion Lotion Here!

On to hair care, a good habit I got myself into this summer was applying a bit of heat protectant in my hair before I spent a long period of time outdoors. Heat damage isn't limited to only flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers. Nope unfortunately the sun can be a culprit too but that's easy to tell. Just take a feel of the top of your head the next time you're out in the sun. A bit warm isn't it? Applying any heat protectant product will do, but a personal favorite and one I've seen numerous hair gurus on YouTube use and recommend, TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray. Very inexpensive and just a few mists of this product will have you covered. Should you go for a swim, re-applying a few more mists would be wise. Purchase Some TRESemme Heat Protectant For Yourself!

Speaking of going for a swim, a day by the pool might be a relaxing and popular summer activity, but let's not forget chlorine is a chemical. It helps keep swimming a sanitary experience but at a cost to our hair. When leave in products aren't up for the task, it's time to look for something natural and logical. Coconut oil IS IT. Who doesn't know that oil and water don't mix? It's basic knowledge and undeniably beneficial for hair care and protection from chlorine. The length of and the amount of hair you possess will determine how much oil you'll need. If you're like me with medium to long hair of average thickness, a tablespoon is really all you'll need. A little bit goes a long way. Simply rub it in your hands and slather your hair from root to tip before making a splash. You'll be good to go! Own Your Own Jar of Coconut Oil!

Beach Look

Spending the day strolling along the boardwalk or having dinner at the local hotspot, this outfit is guaranteed to keep you looking fashion forward and hot while it's hot! I wore this ensemble last week on an evening out in Edisto Island, SC. I paired my black crop top by Forever 21 and my turquoise shorts by Banana Republic with a pair of jeweled and rhinestoned orange sandals by BCBG as well as a few other low key jewelry items. 

Another Reason to Love Clinique

If you read my earlier post concerning Clinique and weren't sold on the company just yet, perhaps this will change your mind.  Along with my bogo win yesterday, I took up Cliniques incredible offer on a 7 piece gift set with a $25 dollar purchase.  Since I've never actually bought a designated facial moisturizer for myself (I've only ever used my unscented body lotion) I bought myself a bottle of Cliniques latest skin care innovation, their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, which came right in at $25.  The gift bag which of course can be used as a cosmetics bag, contained Clinique lipstick, mascara, facial wash, eye makeup remover, liquid foundation, which the associate made sure to match to my skintone, and a beautiful shade of blush.  Well worth the initial $25 purchase? I think so!

It Seriously Pays to BOGO

Coupons in hand, my mother and I browsed through Goody's this evening looking for, what else, but deals and boy did we land a few! The store was having a bogo sale on their shoe selection, specifically buy one get one 50% off.  A khaki and pink colored pair of Polo Ralph Lauren loafers were the first pair to catch my eye.  I'd previously purchased a similar pair approximately a year ago. They're a tad rough looking now though. They might have lasted me longer had I not worn them frequently at my work-study position involving various types of construction.  The other purchase was a pair of electric blue and neon yellow trainer series Nikes. Coincidentally, I'd purchased a similar pair of Nikes a couple years ago, but as they were the only athletic shoes I would wear, frequent use in both indoor and outdoor exercise activities took its toll on them. I guess you could say I updated my shoe game today.  Besides having the bogo sale reduce the total for both shoes, of course coupons lent a hand in reducing our final total even more. The Nikes were originally priced at $65.00 and the use of our 40% off coupon made them $39.00. Then the loafers started out at the price of $60.00, were on sale for $34.99, factoring the 50% off from the bogo sale made them $17.49, and lastly another 40% off coupon set them at the purchasing price of  only $10.49! Our grand total for both pairs of shoes was $52.11, saving us $75.51!  It's always rewarding to know you saved more than you spent.

Pricing & Quality

Skilled shoppers are frequent shoppers.  Regular visits to your local malls and department stores can increase your knowledge of prices as well as quality and up your chances of spotting and catching a deal.  That being said, frequent shopping doesn't have to mean frequent purchasing.  Just simply looking through racks and examining prices will give you a better idea of what specific items are typically priced; What's the average price on jeans in this store, how much do the shoes in here usually go for? Prices vary from one store to another as does quality. While some of my favorite tops are from American Eagle, unless you're buying jeans from them, much of their merchandise is rather fragile and not long lasting. The prices are often greater than the quality of the items being purchased. When it comes to an equal price to quality ratio, I've found Banana Republic to be one of the best out there.  A black V-neck tee I purchased there sometime ago still appears just as new as the day I bought it along with several other purchases I've made from there. Becoming accustomed to prices in various stores can really help you out in the long run. You never want to over pay, or pay for something you could've gotten for less if you'd only waited for a sale or mark down. Be aware of quality as well. Good quality clothing and accessories can be inexpensive, you've just got to know where to look. Practice makes perfect. Get out there and check things out!!

Making the Most of Seventeen Magazine

When it comes to a magazine that's so full of deals & sales it's obnoxious, it's hard to beat Seventeen.  As a magazine that targets readers ages 13 to early twenties whose incomes are usually on the small side, it's almost a necessity to advertise and provide insight into items they can more easily afford.  Although the layered outfits and mix matched ensembles that Seventeen is known for are a little too bold for my more reserved fashion taste, I have however found an excellent use for those pages specifically. In the vicinity of almost every shoe, blouse, and blazer is the name of the website or store from whence it came!  The other day as I sat down to browse the web for swimsuit deals, I made sure to have my Seventeen handy as I wanted to check out some new shopping sites.  Besides providing readers with a broader list of online shopping sources, the magazine also provides coupons for in store shopping.  Though my style is more reserved, I do like to have fun sometimes and Seventeen has definitely inspired me to take things up a notch from time to time.  I've been intrigued by the magazine for just about everything: clothing, hair, makeup, fitness, skin care, nails, and even it's basic but beneficial life advice and inspiration.  It's absolutely a great source of reading and browsing material for anyone who's looking to be confident and cute despite a low budget.

"Don't Settle for Second Best Baby!"

It's natural to have a certain preference when it comes to shopping.  You might prefer one brand to another, one fabric to another, or perhaps you're like me and don't know what you prefer until you find it!  For a long time now I've known I wanted a pair of nude pumps. They're such a versatile shoe; able to go with so many ensembles and can be worn for practically any occasion.  For years I'd been keeping my eyes open for just the perfect pair, because when it comes to shoes, I'm a just a little on the picky side.  But that's ok!  You should never have to settle for any item of clothing especially shoes and I wasn't about to!  A few weeks ago I was out searching for nothing in particular at JC Penny's which is a store that's all about some sales so naturally I'm a regular! In fact I found a pair of $.97 leggings reduced to %20 off that day! Unheard of right? But even that wasn't my favorite purchase. No I finally stumbled upon what I had been looking for all this time. THE pair of nude pumps! Liz Claiborne AND only $5. 5 has really become my lucky number lately! Patience, as they say, is a virtue and I believe mine paid off as I was hoping it would!

Savvy Shopping Criteria in July's Marie Claire

I have to say the highlight of my day was lounging in a lawn chair on my front porch, sipping ice water, soaking up the southern sun, and of course reading my new Marie Claire. I found this issue to be quite insightful where my values of savvy shopping are concerned. What first caught my eye of course was the cover. The celebrity of interest this month was reality tv star and acclaimed writer, Lauren Conrad. Reviewing her story, I discovered she is very much a fan of the flea markets in Southern California. As well she should be! If second hand merchandise is that last thing you'd consider spending a few bucks on, you might wanna think again.  I'm a Goodwill, thrift shop, and antique store regular and what I find among the racks isn't always the Macklemore deer sweaters and fringe. While visiting California last month I couldn't help but check out one of the local thrift stores, which was teeming with potential finds.  One of which was a brand new pair of American Eagle jeans, size 4L, not always easy to find as you have to special order Long sizes from A&E, at least where I'm from.  But there they were and at a cool $5!  Back in my homeland, a few weeks ago I peeked around in a tiny thrift store located on the ground level of my moms work place.  My mother is always snatching up some excellent finds in there and just as we were about to leave, a long purple raincoat hanging in the storefront window caught my eye. I decided to try on the lovely thing which was actually made by Michael Kors. The fit was great and the sales associate told me I had once again stumbled upon another $5 dollar find and an unbelieveable one at that!  Besides being delighted to see someone of such celebrity status still shopping for second hand goodies, I was also intrigued by the article Big Girl in a Skinny World.  Here, writer Nicolette Mason gives some great advice on packing for vacation.  What I found particularly helpful was her tip on avoiding purchases specifically for your trip "A word of advice: Don't blow your budget on last-minute purchases you'll never wear again. (You'll kick yourself later.)" Lastly, kudos to MC for supplying readers with a pageful of sequined and rhinestoned garments and accessories all priced at under $100.  My first thought in seeing the page was Ok everythings $99.99 right? Not even! Of the 9 items displayed, only one piece was listed at $99.  The rest seemed pretty reasonable considering their makers. In addition to all of these savvy shopping aspects, the issue also contains several other articles that might be of interest to all you fashion forward, healthy living, latest beauty trend seeking gals.

Shopping in California!

About a month ago, I visited the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. I spent two weeks there sightseeing, fine dining, touring and of course shopping! The area is an absolute shopping oasis compared to the options where I'm from. We visited numerous malls and department stores during my visit, but I chose one day in particular to really do some major purchasing. We spent approximately only 3 hours shopping in the outlets at Livermore, but I acquired so many new pieces and couldn't have been more happy with all my purchases.  My first purchase was a green tank top dress from BCBG, this item was on sale, and I purchased it for $13.99. The next item was a 6 pack of multi colored ankle socks from Ralph Lauren, again on sale, and purchased for $15.81. My third purchase was a pair of red shorts from Hollister, these shorts were on sale and I bought them for $12.13. My fourth purchase I was especially proud of, a pair of peachy-pink skinny jeans from J. Crew, on sale, and I was able to use my student discount and purchase them for only $17.98. My last purchase was a duo from one of my favorite stores, Banana Republic; a pair of high waisted turquoise shorts, and a sleeveless, silky blue and white patterned top, totalling $38.13. Both of those items were again, on sale. I was officially ready to deem this my most successful trip ever when I calculated my final total to be only.. drumroll please.. $98.04!! Oh my goodness I couldn't believe it! I'd purchased 6 items, all of which were from designer stores, and under $100! How did I do it? I stuck to my rules! I didn't spend too long in any one store, hence my only 1 purchase per store for all but one. I never spent over $30 for one single item. I didn't even look at anything that wasn't on sale. AND I made sure I bought things that I actually wanted to wear. Below are the actual items I purchased.

Scoring Some Free Clinique!

I'm a firm believer in that makeup also serves as an accessory.  If I don't appear to be put together in my face, then it won't matter how splendid my outfit is.  That being said, sometimes the best makeup for your skin, isn't the best for your wallet. For years I've been purchasing my makeup, from foundation to mascara and everything in between, from good ole Walmart, which is just fine with me but a few months ago for my birthday, I wanted to treat myself.  So, I visited the nearest Clinique counter in my area.  The consultant there determined which shade of foundation was right for my skin tone, and I spent $24 on a 1oz tube of "Creamwhip 04".  I've been wearing the stuff ever since and it REALLY is as good as they say, but what's really nice is that a coupon came in the mail earlier this week, announcing I could walk away with a free week supply of Clinique foundation by simply presenting the coupon at the counter the next time I came in! So earlier today I did just that!  I received two jars of the size shown below, one of "Even Better Ivory 03" and the other of "Even Better Neutral 05". Also, because I don't use but a drop of product about the size of my pinky nail to cover my face because Clinique covers so well, I'd definitely consider this as more of a two, possibly even a 2 1/2 week supply of foundation.  So if you're contemplating treating your skin to some top of the line products as I did, I would absolutely recommend Clinique!  Your skin will thank you and so will the company by sending some sweet coupons your way in the future!

A Less Than $30 Total for 3 Designer Pieces for Him!

When shopping for my man, I keep the exact same rules in mind and still have great success! Last month was my boyfriend's birthday but I actually purchased his presents a few months in advance. This wasn't intentional but I came across some great deals out shopping one day that were too amazing to pass up. While shopping at Belk, I came across a couple of clearance racks with some great designer clothes for much less than designer prices. After combing through the hangers for a bit I came away with two pieces that I knew he would appreciate. Item one was a crisp white long sleeve thermal tee (long john material) by Calvin Klein originally priced at $39.50, reduced to $18.99 and an additional 30% off made it a steal for $13.29! The second item was a long sleeve charcoal grey sweater by IZOD, originally priced at $58.00 marked down to $28.99 and then again to $13.98. As if that wasn't great enough, the additional 30% off made it too irresistible not to purchase at only $9.79! I also snagged him a nearby pair of winter gloves originally priced at $24.00, marked down to $5.98, and bought for practically nothing at $2.98. After tax, my combined total came out to be a mear $27.06! I bought three presents for my man and for under $30 and had a total savings of $95.44! Can't beat that! 

Time to Talk Watches

It's no secret that since the invention of smart phones and tablets, watches have become a piece of jewelry more than a means of telling time. Though there are still instances where I'm unable to use my trusty Galaxy and am glad to have my watch at hand for checking the time. In fact, I wear my Relic watch by Fossil almost on a daily basis, but how am I able to do that? Well it's because my watch is clear! Yes it literally goes with everything I wear. What's even better is that it's just the right amount of bling so it's completely suitable for a tee-shirt and jeans ensemble or a semi formal event. I know this might seem like a style tip but actually purchasing a watch like this could save you some big money! My watch is the only one I wear because it's the only one I need to wear. I don't have to purchase six different watches in order to compliment individual outfits. Of course there's no harm in that if you enjoy changing things up a bit accessory wise. But if you're looking to save your money and make a single purchase on a functional jewelry piece then my suggestion would be to invest in either a clear banded one such as mine or I'd like to think that a nude colored band would have the same "goes with everything" quality. 

Oh.. and mine was purchased on Amazon.com for the price of $29! Just within golden rule #2! 

Beating Shoppers Stress

There's no denying that shopping can be stressful. Sometimes it becomes so overwhelming that we turn around without having made a single purchase that day. We want so badly to have a successful trip at a distant mall or day devoted to the outlet stores while on vacation that we psych ourselves out and take all the joy and pleasure out of shopping. Buying goodies for yourself should be an enjoyable experience so let it be! Think about these three tips on your next retail rendezvous!

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#1. Don't Have Any Expectations; you can't always have a predetermined list of everything you'd like to find because everywhere you shop is different. Instead go with the flow and be open minded. Now keep in mind I'm not saying you can't head out in hopes to find a summer dress. I'm saying unless you know for certain it exists, don't go looking for an emerald green, cotton blend, spaghetti strapped, sweetheart neckline, knee length summer dress. 

#2 Don't Spend More Than 30 Minutes in Any Given Store; I strongly advise this tip for many reasons. The longer you spend in one store, the less time you give yourself to search through other stores, assuming you're on a shopping "trip". Get in, get the deals, and get out. If you've been combing through racks for nearly 20-25 minutes without any luck, it's time to move along. 

#3 Buying A Lot Doesn't Necessarily Constitute a Successful Trip; I'd rather spend 3 hours on one particular trip and come away with only 2 pieces that I'm nuts about as opposed to 7 pieces that I could probably live without. Again, we're practicing smart shopping here. That being said I have come away from a trip with multiple items of clothing, all of which I was very happy with. Every trip is different. You've got to learn to be a good judge. An ideal trip is one where you and your wallet are happy. If you can do that 9 times out of 10, you're definitely on your way to becoming a savvy shopper!

Splurging 101

Is splurging ok? Yes.. on certain items. Just last month I purchased a sweet pair of Lucky Brand jeans for the not so sweet price of $100. I'm not sweating it though because they're jeans and jeans last and last and LAST! Especially Lucky's! Why I'm still wearing jeans that I purchased back in my highschool days. Jeans I was wearing at 15, I'm still wearing at 20! So no matter what the price, I've definitely gotten my moneys worth! Not to mention, if you're like me, you wear them quite often. As for other acceptable splurging items, I would also add well made watches, winter outerwear, and high quality boots to the limited list. Avoid splurging if you can.. it's not a good habit to get into.

The Exceptions

If there are rules then there must be exceptions right!? Of course! For rules 1 and 2 of my list below, I do recommend some lenience. If everything I ever bought was always on sale, I wouldn't have some of the great pieces in my wardrobe that I do!

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If you happen to come along your dream pair of sling backs but they're neither on sale or under $30.. so what!? Get 'em! It's not every day you come across your ideal make and style of shoe so you can't pass up an opportunity as such. Paying $60 or $70 is fine.. as long as you're not finding "your dream" whatever, every week! In addition to this.. Let's say I come across a beautifully well made suede jacket by Ralph Lauren, originally priced at $250, now $45. You'd think I'd walk away from a deal like that even though it breaks my $30 rule? Nonsense! If I like that jacket I'd be crazy not to grab it! Deals like that can't be found on a daily basis so count your blessings and invest in some serious style!

My Golden Rules

So you want to become a savvy shopper?! Excellent!! Then first off let me tell you my rules to complete success in the land of retail.

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#1 "No sale? No sale." Meaning if it's not "on sale" then don't consider it "for sale". If you're going to save money, you've got to set yourself some limitations. But after following this rule for years, I don't consider my shopping choices limited by any means!

#2 Nothing Over $30. On sale or not.. If the price exceeds 30 bucks, move along to the next item of interest.

#3 Buy Things You'll ACTUALLY wear. I know this may seem like common sense but how many times have we walked up to a particular garment outside of our personal style comfort zone and thought "Oh yeah I can totally find an excuse to wear this eventually!", bought it and it's now that mistake hanging in your closet taunting you. Don't let that happen! It's nice to buy different things than we might on the regular but those should be things that we can incorporate into our current wardrobe. Things that we really like in the store, so we'll definitely wear them later. Leave the "uncertain" pieces on the rack and out of your closet! Someone else may come along and absolutely love that sweater you only kinda sorta thought you might wear someday.

My Message

This is my blog on anything and everything shopping.  I don't simply love shopping, I love being a savvy shopper and I'm here to aid others in doing the same! I want the world to know it doesn't have to sacrifice half or more of a paycheck in order to look fab. This isn't just about spending less money, it's about being smart about spending money. I don't know that my advice is the best out there but it works for me and if it can help someone else, then I'm more than happy to share it!