Navy Blazer...ish

No, your eyes are not deceiving you - this is not a navy blazer. But last night in Forever 21 it looked like one! I've been searching for a navy blazer for a long time...and it looks like the hunt will continue because as fun as a purple blazer is, it isn't what I want to spend my limited budget on. So far this month I've spent $90 of my budget, so I'm thinking about cutting it off there and putting the rest of the money towards next month to use it to buy myself a great navy blazer as a birthday present. So far I'm considering this Topshop blazer, this Banana Republic one, and of course this J.Crew one. Any suggestions where else I can look?

Blazer: Forever 21  {exact}

Scarf: Forever 21 {save, spend, splurge}

Top: H&M

Jeans: Gap  {exact}

Shoes: Aldo  {exact, similar, similar}

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew  {similar}

A few weeks ago I had my first Save/Spend/Splurge post about pink saddle bags. Kara who blogs at My Life in the Curvy Lane mentioned that she had a very similar bag that just neeeeeded to be taken off of her hands. I was kind enough to help her out with that ;)  Make sure you stop by My Life in the Curvy Lane! She has some great pieces in her giant closet, and I wish I lived closer to her so she could make me her amazing Strawberry Stuffed French Toast.

We're going to be good friends, you and I.








Linking up with Everybody Everywear, WIWW...

Invested?

You can only wear so many button ups and blazers before you get bored. I don't think I've owned a vest in about 10 years, but seeing how cute it looks on everyone (like here, here and here) I wanted in on the cargo vest. I happened upon this Old Navy version while I was there returning a top, and picked it up.

On the one hand, I can think about 10 outfits on the top of my head about how I would wear this vest. On the other hand, am I falling into a trend trap, and will regret this decision in 6 months?

On a different note, I am in LOVE with this shoes. I've been stalking them for about 2 months now, but (of course) wasn't willing to pay full price. I was watching the price on Zappos, but they never went lower than $55. I checked on the Aldo website, and they were $33 on there! While I'm disappointed I couldn't get them through Zappos and use a giftcard I have, I'm happy getting these shoes for 50% off retail.

Vest: Old Navy  {exact}
Shirt: Forever 21  {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Aldo  {exact}
Belt: H&M
Watch: Fossil {save, spend, splurge}
Bracelet: Tiffanys & Co {exact}

1902

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a red Equipment blouse and said that I'm already looking for a nude version. I found this cream blouse while shopping the other day at H&M - it's a great alternative! It's not 100% silk but that means I don't have to take it into the dry cleaners ;)   I'm excited to have a white button up that I really enjoy as I think it's a timeless piece of clothing to own. I kept on telling my best friend Hannah how excited I was to "find the perfect white shirt" which saying and typing out just sounds kind of silly but  for me, it was exciting!

Blouse: H&M {exact, save, splurge}
Jeans: Banana Republic {similar}
Shoes: Crown Vintage {save, spend, splurge}
Belt: very very old
Bracelets: J. Crew, Forever 21
Nails: Seen here

This necklace is a gift that my maternal grandmother gave me several years ago. I haven't worn it since the chain it was on was too long. I did a little metal working this morning and changed out the chain. The pendant is an old German coin from 1902.  It's pretty neat wearing a piece of history around your neck!

Linking up with A Little Bit of Lacquer

Summertime Sadness

This is not my favorite manicure of all time. I wanted to keep it light and "summery" but I'm so excited for fall that I wanted to use my copper glitter. So there you have it folks. I'm trying to cut back on buying nail polishes right now since I have heaps of them, but sometimes I'm bored with what I have. Are you ever uninspired when it comes to doing your nails? Or is this such a #firstworldproblem that I should just shut up?

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday

Base: Julep Renee
Glitter: OPI Traffic Stopper Copper

Remember you have 2 ways to get a box of Julep Maven for 1 cent or less!

1. You can get your own box by taking the beauty quiz here and then get your first box for only a penny.  Use the code MAVENINTRO.

2. Julep Maven and I are holding a giveaway to give you the chance to win a beauty box!  It is open to all US and Canadian residents. Enter here!

Please let me know if you decide to order a box through my link so I can thank you properly :)

Sparkled

Happy (haha, yeah right) Monday everyone! I don't really have much to say about today or this outfit except that I've been looking for a sparkly necklace like this one forever. Just like that pearl bib necklace, I knew if I waited long enough that Forever 21 would eventually make one. I found it randomly hanging with the rings in the jewelry section while shopping with my best friend. It was the only one left in the store - fate :)

Shirt: Calvin Klein Outlet {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {save, exact}
Necklace: Forever 21  {exact}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Seen here - Enter the Julep Giveaway!

Edited to add the close-up...because who writes an entire post about a necklace and then doesn't show it?







Linking up with Real Girl Glam

SSS: Pink Crossbody Bag

Cross body bags have always been my favorite type of purse. You can just sling them on and have both hands free. I recently found my new favorite bag, a green Kate Spade crossbody bag, at Nordstrom Rack. I love it, but my eyes have always been on the search for a pink one as well. Of course I would love another Kate Spade but it is completely out of my budget. Luckily there are some more budget friendly options :)

Save: Target
Spend: Steve Madden
Splurge: Kate Spade (no longer available in store but found on eBay)

P.S. Interested in winning a Julep Maven Box? Enter here!

Julep Maven Giveaway

A few months ago after receiving my third Birchbox and being disappointed for a third time, I was reading a blog talking about the newest beauty box they received, a Julep Maven box. I was intrigued by what the Julep box offers : $40+ worth of nail products for $20. There were three factors that I especially liked about this beauty box: the fact that you get a preview each month of what you would receive so you can opt out if you don't want to pay for it, you can get your first box for a penny, and you can earn free boxes by referring others. I figured I had nothing to lose by spending 1 penny to receive 2 ~free $15 nail polishes.

I received my first box right before the 4th of July and was immediately a fan. The polish goes on smoothly, it  is long lasting, and best of all, it is toxin free. I also really like the brush - it allows you to make very clean and straight lines. You can see my first two manicures from my first box here and here. 

This manicure was made used Natasha and Oscar from June's Bombshell box*. I think the colors are perfect for summer! I used Natasha as the base, waited for it to completely dry, used scotch tape as a guide and then used 3 layers of Oscar on top.

Linking up with #SawPinnedConquered (as it's inspired by this pin), The Nail Files and Mani Monday.

I have teamed up with Julep Maven to offer you two ways for you to try out Julep nail polishes for yourself:

1. You can get your own box by taking the beauty quiz here and then get your first box for only a penny. What do you have to lose? Use the code MAVENINTRO for the penny special.

2. Julep Maven and I are holding a giveaway to give you the chance to win a beauty box!  It is open to all US and Canadian residents. All you have to do is enter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure: I received a free Julep box as compensation for this post. All opinions are my own - I really do love this nail polish!