Instagrams as of lately....

SO I haven't been updating this lately, but I will post my instagram pics from the last month to update you on what I've been doing on my life.

Some of the great cards I've recieved this year!! I'm a huge fan of getting people cards so when I get some special ones I always save them.

Work outfit of the day.... heart blouse Loft, Cardigan Banana Republic, Jeans Gap, Shoes JCrew, Alex and Ani bracelets and Fossil watch

Banana Republic Cardigan, JCrew Shirt, Gap Jeans, Alex and Ani Bracelets, and Fossil Watch

Sunday Funday riding around on the scooter

Earle hunting his prey

JCrew Sweater, Gap white oxford, gap pants, JCrew flats, Fossil watch, alex and ani bracelets, and Kate Spade phone case

Tinks through the years.  My little precious angel celebrated her 20th birthday on Valentines Day!!!

Banana republic Sweater, Jcrew Sparkle top, Jcrew pencil skirt, michael kors watch, jcrew necklace, Hue tights, and Toms shoes

Frost on the window this morning

Me and my Tinks da Stinks

Happy 2013

Hello Lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a great and safe new year.  I'm never one to make resolutions but I feel like now that I'm done with school I feel like I should start making some resolutions.  For me it is important to set realistic goals because I actually want to achieve what I'm setting out to accomplish. Ok, so I'm hoping 2013 is a year of discovery.  I want to discover who I really am! That may sound odd to you but I feel like I'm currently in a space of indecision.  I want to find a job that I'm passionate about and that supports me financially.  I also want to start making the beginning steps of venturing out on my own.

So what I hope to accomplish in 2013 is:

1. Find a full-time job. Whether this is in retail or in communications, I want to find a job that allows me the financial security I'm looking for.  I want benefits, vacation time and a lovely paycheck.  I know it's a tough market out there but there has to be a job for me somewhere.  My mission in 2013 is to find it!!!!!!!!!!
2. Start saving to purchase an apartment.  For me, it's important that I start establishing my independence and I honestly don't think I can fully do that until I move out.  I don't think 2013 will be the year I move out but it will be the year I start making financially sound decisions that will help support this goal.  As noted on this blog, I am a shopaholic.  I planning on only shopping for clothes 2-3 times a month.  I need to really analyze my purchases and not just buy because I feel like it's a good deal.  I have a million great deals in my closet that still have the tags on them, which makes them a bad deal because I haven't worn them.  Goal for 2012: Stop shopping and start saving!!!!!
3. TRY NEW FOODS. I make this a priority every year and every year I try a few new things a year. This year I re-introduced meat into my diet.  I've never been a huge fan of meats such as hamburgers, pork, steak, or ham but I've had 3 hamburgers this year and some turkey sausage that weren't terrible.  Honestly, I could live without meat but I realize if I'm in a pinch a hamburger won't kill me.  For 2013, I'm thinking of trying sushi (vegetable rolls, I don't do fish), and I want to introduce new proteins into my diet.
4. Improve/mend friendships and relationships.  I've realized over the years that sometimes I let the people I care most about slip away.  I want to make it a point to re-connect with lost friends and improve the friendships I have now! When I lost my grandma 2 years ago, I swore that I would tell the people that matter the most to me how much I really value them.  Although, I've done a decent job at that I want to keep doing that.


These are my new year resolutions that I hope to achieve in the coming year.  I also plan on working out more and eating healthy but I don't think those boring resolutions need there own bullet point. I'm also hoping to try new things in terms of my appearance.  I'm thinking of trying the 30 outfits challenge that Kendi Everyday did http://www.kendieveryday.com/p/30x30-remix.html). Click here to see the Pieces Kendi chose.  This is a way for me to stop shopping and to rediscover key pieces in my wardrobe.  It's also a way for me to update this blog more frequently!!!! Wish me luck!

A Week in Review... outfits, movies, and shopping

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry again for the lack of posting.  I've been super busy at work since it's Christmas shopping time.  However, the only plus to working a lot is I get to put together some cute outfits.  This past week in NJ was unseasonable warm so I got to wear a few items that I would never imagine wearing in December.

So without further ado, let's get on with the outfits!!!

 The first outfit was a black and white plaid chiffon blouse from Old Navy paired under a black V-neck sweater.  I also chose to pair this outfit with my boyfriend fit pants from Gap and my J.Crew CeCe flats, which I absolutely adore.

Probably my favorite outfit of the week was the one I wore when it was 65 degrees this Tuesday.  I paired my skinny cropped navy polka dot pants, a lavender boyfriend fit shirt, and a navy crew neck sweater all of which came from the Gap.  I also work my favorite gold cece's from J.Crew and my bubble necklace, which has quickly become a staple for me.  

Although I mentioned above that the polka dot outfit was my favorite of the week, this Chevron outfits was a close second.  I love this blouse that I got at Nordstrom during their Anniversary Sale, and this is actually the first time I wore it.  I paired it with a pair of Black Rockstar skinny pants from Old Navy, which I took a chance on because they were only $15 and surprising I liked the fit.  I also decided to wear my pink CeCe's as my pop of color because I felt like this outfit needed something to spice it up.


So onto movies.... I just got back from seeing Playing for Keeps.  Overall, I say the movie was cute and heartfelt but by no means was it amazing.  My favorite part of the whole movie is that Gerald Butler has the sexiest Scottish accent ever.  Jessica Biel, on the other hand was a little annoying in the movie.  I love Jessica Biel and am considering dying my hair like hers but in the movie she has this dark hair that just washes her out.  Again, it was a cute movie but I definitely think it's one of those that you can wait to see on Redbox or OnDemand.

I also attempted to watch Rock of Love but I lost interest about 45 minutes in and don't think i'll ever be able to watch it again.

Until next time......

Outfits of the Week!!!!

Hello Lovelies,

I've been super busy with work and took some time off to have some fun in Atlantic City.  I don't really have anything worthy of blogging about but I did put some cute outfits together and wanted to share them.

 My top is a lovely paisley print from J.Crew Factory store.  I'm wearing black cords from the Gap from last year.  I'm on the lookout for a great pair of black jeans.  I want them to be a little on the dressy side but not look ridiculous if I want to wear them casually.

Although this outfit isn't terribly original, I was the best I could do with only a few minutes to get ready.  I was running extremely late for work so I put together the first thing that matched.  Here I'm wearing the same black cords paired with a Loft tunic underneath and Merino wool Tippi sweater from J.Crew. I've also found that the colder weather is making my hair really staticy if I straighten it.  I've been enjoying curling it but I don't have the time in the morning to actually curl it.

I promise next week I've have some better outfits to show you!!!

Black Friday Outfits and Cyber Monday

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry for not updating more frequently but I've been busy working non-stop this weekend.  I usually love working in retail but every year around Black Friday I start to dread this job.   This year many stores opened at 8pm on Thanksgiving night.  I think that is absolutely ridiculous that crazy people can't wait a few more hours to get a few dollars off something.  I think what many people forget is the fact that those workers who are working at 8pm actually have to come in at 6pm on Thanksgiving to prepare for the madness that will ensue.  I personally refuse to work Thursday night into Friday because I don't think it's fair to ruin people's time with their families.  I honestly think those people who have to be there at 8pm should be ashamed of themselves because of their selfish ways they took valuable time away from the workers families.  I will state this now, I have never and will never shop on Black Friday. Honestly, I love to shop but no deal is worth spending all night with crazy people trampling you.  I hate crowds and waiting on lines so Black Friday shopping is not for me.

Anyway, I digress.  Now onto the outfits I wore to work this week.

Friday my dress code consisted of a chambray shirt.  I paired that shirt with a black cardigan and one of my new favorite jewelry pieces, a white and gold bubble necklace from J.Crew.  I thought my outfit was a little dark so I added some chestnut boots to break up the darkness.

 Now Saturday my dress code consisted of plaid.  I wanted to take a girly take on the typical "flannel" look.  This lovely shirt dress is from the Gap and I love it.  It's a gorgeous green, navy, and red plaid flannel dress.  I paired this shirt dress with my same chestnut boots and J.Crew necklace.  Being that it's cold here in NJ I did wear navy tights under this dress.  I think the next time I wear this I'm going to forgo the matching belt and pair it with a fun belt that I already own.

 Now for Sunday.  After having have to be told what I could wear, I was lacking some creative ideas when it came to clothes.  I decided to pair a Gap Boyfriend fit ruffled dress shirt with a classic crewneck navy sweater.  I liked the contrast of the navy with the red shirt.  For a girly feel I decided to wear the bubble necklace again.

Here's the ruffle shirt available now at Gap

 Now, onto a good deal I got yesterday morning.  It seems many retailers are expanding Cyber Monday to start on Sunday.  I got a email from Kate Spade stating that their sale was 75% off.  I quickly jumped on the website and found this gorgeous bag.  It's the cobble hill small Kori and I look forward to opening it up on Christmas morning.  Thanks Kate Spade for this great deal on this bag!!!!

Bracing for Hurricane Sandy

Hello Lovelies,

Here in NJ I am under lockdown because of this crazy Frankenstorm known as Hurricane Sandy is currently wrecking havoc on my beloved state.  I live only a few miles from the beach but I'm far enough that the ocean can't reach my house.  However, the town I live in is surrounded by the Shrewsbury River so a lot of the residents have been forced to evacuate.  My family has not had to do so, but my thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering through this storm.  Here in NJ, we're no strangers to storms but this storm is particularly bad because it's going to make landfall in NJ.  What also doesn't help is that the tides are at an all time high, and the full moon is probably to blame for that.  The pictures of Atlantic City are heartbreaking because most of the city is actually underwater and the brunt of the storm isn't even here yet. (If you want to see the pictures of the destruction just go on Instagram and search the hashtag #hurricanesandy)

 


On a more positive and uplifting note, I've been trying to experiment with different types of outfits that wouldn't normally be my style.  Here are some work outfits that I've been experimenting with...

Here's to hoping that I don't loose power and survive Hurricane Sandy with relatively little damage.  

Outfit of the day- 10/26

Hello lovelies!!!

I'm writing this quick post to feature my outfit for work today.  I thought it was kinda cute.  I'm starting to dress more professionally so it's interesting to create and experiment with these different looks.

My top is a lovely black and white tunic from J.Crew factory store, the skirt is a turquoise wool Number 2 Pencil skirt from J.Crew factory, and my watch is from Fossil.  I have my little turquoise heart pendant necklace which I got from a local jewelry store.  Although you can't see it in this picture I completed my look with some black tights and black ballet flats.

I have no idea what I'm planing on wearing to work tomorrow but I have a feeling it maybe my go to navy polka dot pants from Gap (you'll have to stay tuned to see.)