Merry Christmas to All and Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Merry Christmas my lovelies!!!!

Well technically its 11pm on Christmas Eve when I'm writing this but by the time you read it, Santa will have already visited all you good girls and boys!! It's the most wonderful time of the year because it's CHRISTMAS TIME and it also happens to be my birthday!!!! Yes that's right, I was born on Christmas Day!!!

Now for some time there has been a debate about whether or not having a Christmas birthday is a good thing? I honestly go back and forth with loving the fact that I have a Christmas birthday and hating it.  When I was little I used to think it was so cool that my birthday was on Christmas because I was the only person I knew that had that birthday.  However, as I got older it became more and more difficult to celebrate my birthday because I could never have a physical party on my actual birthday, many of my friends would go away for Christmas, or everyone was busy with shopping or planning their Christmas parties.  As I got older I began to find the fact that I shared a birthday with the big man upstairs pretty hilarious (i.e. this year I dared my mom to ask the bakery to write "Happy Birthday Tori and Jesus! which shockingly they did!!!)  I'm also rocking this great shirt for my Christmas PJ's from lookhuman.com

Now, every time I tell someone my birthday is on Christmas, 9 out of 10 times the first thing they ask is "Do you get ripped off when it comes to presents?" Honestly, I've been fortunate that my parents have always spoiled me rotten when it comes to presents and really go out of their way to make sure that I feel appreciated on my birthday!  To make this day feel super special, I laid down a few guidelines for my family to follow... 1. NO CHRISTMAS/Birthday cards.  I'm sure many of you have never heard of this but the lovely company known as Hallmark actually makes a card that is marketed for those of us that were in fact born on 12/25.  2. Wrap my presents differently.  Now this may not seem like it would be a big deal for people who don't have a birthday that shadowed by a major holiday but for me it makes a huge difference.  I simply ask my family to wrap my Christmas presents in one wrapping paper and my birthday in another so we can distinguish which is which.  3. Opening my presents at different times.  Usually my family will all open all our Christmas presents first then take a little break and later open my bday presents.


For those of you that have the privilege/misfortune of sharing the same birthday as me I wish you A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and oh yeah, Merry Christmas, or what ever you celebrate!

My next post is probably going to be showing you what I've bought/received for Christmas and my birthday!

My Warby Parker Experience

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry for the delay but I've been busy trying to accomplish my Christmas shopping!  I'm practically done but I feel like I could use a few more little tiny gifts!

Anyhow, the last update I posted showcased the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G  home try on program Warby Parker has to offer.  I did two rounds of home try ons and found that I liked most of the glasses.  I was able to narrow my choices down to two choices: the Nash and the Welty.  Ultimately, I decided on the Nash glasses because I had those in front of me but I can honestly say I don't regret my decision.

I absolutely love these glasses.  The quality of these glasses far surpasses the $95 price tag.  When I went to order these glasses I did experience a bit of a hold up (which I attributed to the busy holiday business) but the lovely customer service representative explained that my prescription actually held up the process.  So aside from that hold up I would definitely, definitely recommend this company!!! I actually visited their showroom in SOHO because my friend wanted to pick out a pair of glasses and loved that experience as well.  I would highly recommend visiting one of their many showrooms because you can try on all the glasses in every color imaginable instead of only getting 5 choices at a time.  They are also able to order your glasses and do any test that may need to be done in house (which is awesome!).

This morning I awakened to the Santa mail man delivering my glasses.  I couldn't wait to open them and try them on because I was wondering if I made the right decision.  Once I opened the package I can honestly confirm that I did make the best decision.  Who knows, maybe I'll even buy another pair in the distant future!

Until Next time.....

* my next post will probably be after Christmas and it will be updating you on what I got for Xmas/birthday.  Hint hint... it may include a new Kate spade bag that I've been eyeing for months!

  

Birthday Wishes and Christmas Dreams...

Hello all,

Long time no blogging but lately I haven't been very creative with my outfits so I haven't been posting.  Also, I was going to post about the horrific school shooting in Newton but I couldn't gather all my thoughts into coherent sentences.

So, today is Christmas Eve, which means tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!!! Yes, I know, you think having a christmas birthday sucks and I would have to agree with you.  However, in all honestly I have never experienced what having a birthday on another day feels like.  The one thing I hate about having a Christmas birthday is I always get asked "Do you get less presents because your birthday is on Christmas?" Without fail within a few minutes of people knowing when my birthday is this is the first question I get asked.  To which I respond, "If anything I get way more presents then I deserve!"

When I first started this blog I talked about how I needed a new perspective and needed to make a change in my life.  I left my retail job for another retail job in hopes that it would be better.  When I graduated college I had zero desire to ever want to work in retail again but that was until I found my current job.  I work with people who are nice and I actually enjoy being around.  Also, the management team understands that I am interested in learning new aspects of the job and are willing to train me.  Today, after they bought me a delicious cake for my birthday, they gifted me with a lovely surprise.  They offered me an opportunity to expand my responsibilities within the store.  They understand what I want and are willing to invest in my future.  Although it's only been a few months there I've enjoyed every moment I've spent there and am thankful for the opportunity.  My only regret is that I didn't leave my previous job and come to this one sooner.


I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas or whatever holiday you may celebrate.  May Santa bring you everything you may want and need.

Image from: http://yummyplants.com/vegan-holidays/merry-christmas-welcome-santa-with-delicious-vegan-christmas-cookies/

 Clearly, I should look into becoming a mime.....

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!!!!

M.I.A.... Missing in Action

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry I've been MIA lately but I've been super busy with work and just haven't had the motivation or inspiration to update blog.  I figured since my most popular post seem to focus on my shopping addiction I'd fill my lovely readers on what my shopping compulsion has lead me to buy.

I went a little crazy at the Gap because I got a coupon for 50% off one item and 40% off the rest of my items.  I had to take advantage of this because I no longer can use my employee discount, this was as close as it was going to get.  So the things I bought were:

This sweater was on sale for 29.99 and I got 40% off

I already have this sweater in the grey with neon pink but when I saw this one was $11 I had to have it

Cute plaid oxford with a ruffle collar, it's playful and girly and so festive!

I love these fitted boyfriend shirts that the Gap has right now, I really think they look great on all body types

This is a super cute and super comfy flannel dress

This sweater is super comfortable but I pretty much got this because navy and neon pink is my absolute favorite color combination!

Now onto J.Crew 

I bought a beautiful chiffon black and white chevron scarf that I can't seem to find a picture online and I don't want to take a picture of it right now (but I'm positive I'll be wearing it with an outfit within the coming week). I bought two of the Merino Wool Tippi sweaters.  If you love J.Crew sweaters they are currently on a promotion for 25% off, which is a great deal for these amazing sweaters.

I bought this Biennial hobo for my mom for Christmas, partly because she liked it but because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BAG TOO

and I bought these shoes on clearance because I thought they would match my bag, I mean my moms bag perfectly

Now for some random work outfits of the day.  I need to get a new full length mirror in my room so I don't have to keep taking pictures in my bathroom.

 The headband is from Nordstrom's BP, shirt from Loft, scarf from Banana Republic Factory, Jeans are from Urban Outfitters, Boots are Steve Madden Troopa Boots

Headband from Forever 21, Scarf from Express, sweater from Old Navy, wool pencil skirt J.Crew, and flats from Banana Republic.

As you can see I've been obsessed with head bands lately.  I've been pretty bored with my hair recently so I think I need to spice things up and change it up.

Well hopefully my next posts won't be too far off but if it is, I promise I'll have tons of items to haul