February purchase: GAP real straight jeans

I first mentioned about these GAP jeans here. Continuing with the one per month challenge, these jeans were my sole purchase for the month of February (my January purchase). I love them so much and can't help but reach for them every.single.weekend. This is my kind of weekend outfit - comfortable and casual. This top is actually from a 2-piece set. I love the set but unfortunately, the skirt was too small for me. If you're interested in getting it for free, just leave me a comment.

 

What I am wearing:
Denim: GAP destructed real straight jeans - size 0R
Top: from this set c/o TBdress
Wedges: Target *super old* (buy similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One (25% off w/ code FRNFAM)
Watch: Michael Kors runway 5128 (20% off w/ code FLING)

Easter 2014

For those who celebrate Easter, I hope you all had a wonderful time with your loved ones. We decided to skip the crowds this year and have our own Easter egg hunt in the comfort of our home. The kids had a ball. C was thrilled to have a "big girl bike" for Easter this year. The 24-inch one is a tad bit for her right now but I know she'll master it in no time. I really look forward to many bike rides this summer. Of course, gotta have cute gear to go with the new bike =). We then spent the rest of Sunday with my family. Food was never disappointed at Mom & Dad's. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate the holiday, I hope your weekend was filled with sunshine and relaxation.

Bike | Top | Bottom 

Hi-Lo Hem Flower Cut Out Pencil Skirt

If you're looking for a traditional lace pencil skirt with a twist, you need to check this skirt out. It's fun and chic at the same time. On an unrelated note, Shopbop is offering a 25% off on all orders with code INTHEFAMILY14 (the promotion good through tomorrow). A few of my closet favorites are: Karen Walker Super Duper (wearing below), Karen Walker Number One (on me), Michael Kors runway watch (http://www.sydneysfashiondiary.com/2013/03/spring-trend-vivid-neon.html), Hunter boots (on me), J.Brand skinny jeans (on me)

What I am wearing:

Skirt: Hi-lo hem flower cut out c/o - size XS

Sweater: Old Navy *old* (buy similar, similar)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker

Shoes: Tahari *old* (buy similar, similar)

Jacket: H&M *old* (this year's version)

Closet Confidential Tag

Today's post is a little different. I saw the "Closet Confidential" tag floating around YouTube and thought (as a style blogger), it would be fun to do this tag. If you ever wondered what's in my closet, please keep reading =)

1. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe/closet? I donated most of my older items 6 months ago before moving into the new home. Looking through my closet right now, this dress from Banana Republic is probably the oldest piece that I still have (5 years old??).

2. What is the newest item? 
My newest item is my beloved Burberry trench that I purchased last month. I haven't had a chance to wear it out yet but hopefully soon.

Tote | Jacket (similar, similar)

3. What is the most expensive item? My most expensive item is hands down my Chanel jumbo flap. I love it more and more each time I use it. I know it'll be in my wardrobe for years to come.

4. What is the cheapest/most affordable item? (that you wear/use a lot!) 
My Forever 21 white tees. I own several of them and they were only $5.80 each. I wear them almost every week and surprisingly, they seem to hold up pretty well in the wash.

Chanel flap (similar, similar) | Tee

5. What was the biggest bargain? 
My biggest bargain has to be this red cowl-neck sweater from GAP. I think I paid .97 cents for it =)

6. What was the biggest waste of money?
This North Face jacket that my husband got for me years ago. I think I wore it once. It's not really my style but I didn't want to hurt his feelings by taking it back. It's been sitting my closet unworn for years =)

Sweater (this year's version) | Jacket

I hope you enjoy this post. Please feel free to join me. If you end up doing this tag, let me know in the comment section. I would love to see it.

Recent beauty favorites

Today, I wanted to share a few beauty items that I've been loving lately.

1.  Healthy Sexy Hair soy renewal beach spray
2. Almay longwear & waterproof eye makeup remover
3. Maybelline the rocket volum' express mascara
4. Anatasia brow wiz pencil in brunette/dark brown
5. NYX butter gloss in Creme Brulee and Vanilla Cream Pie

1. I used to shower in the mornings but my routine has changed recently. Since I run 3 times a week at night (after the kids go to bed), I would have to shower after my run. Because I shower at night, my hair is flat and loses its volume in the morning. Dry shampoo just doesn't cut it for me. I picked up this Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray last month and have been loving it. It creates volume and texture in minutes. I typically spray a generous amount at the roots, blow dry then style as usual. I love it and highly recommend it.

2. I was a huge fan of the Lancome Bi-Facial eye makeup remover for years but it is very pricey. I've been on the look out for a cheaper alternative and found the Almay version works just as well. It takes off my waterproof mascara with just a few swipes.

3. Speaking of mascara, this Maybelline The Rocket mascara is my new favorite that I picked up recently (also comes with the waterproof version). I really enjoy this as my everyday mascara. It gives great volume with a good amount of lengthening.

 

4. Let me start by saying I absolutely love this Anatasia Brow Wiz pencil. It's amazing! I heard so many You Tubers raving about it. I was hesitant to try at first because I know I will get hooked on. Sure enough! I am a pencil kind of girl when it comes to eyebrows. This pencil helps me create the perfect and natural-looking brows every time. I know it's pricey but well worth the price. If you're interested in seeing my eyebrow routine, just let me know in the comment section.

5. I am a lipstick girl through and through. I don't like the sticky feeling. One of my girlfriends who is a lip junkie introduced me to the NYX Butter Gloss line and I am hooked. They're very pigmented and super creamy. They feel great on the lips, not sticky and do not dry out my lips.

Blue Eyelash Lace Dress

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My husband and I took Friday off from work to relax and enjoy a full day all to ourselves. We dropped the kids off, grabbed some coffee, went out for lunch and did a little shopping for the house. Something simple as taking a work day off can do wonders. I feel recharged and ready to tackle Monday =) Now onto today's outfit post - If you love this dress by Three Floor but don't want to pay a hefty price tag, Chicwish has an option for you. Despite the affordable price tag, the dress is very well made. The fit is amazing and super flattering (on me at least). I kept the accessories minimal and let the dress shine on its own. Have a great week ahead!

What I am wearing:

Dress: Chicwish eyelash lace dress c/o - size XS

Shoes: Express *old* (similar, similar)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker

Purse: Chanel (same size in olive)

Cobalt blue & Floral

A blouse is probably one of the most flattering, versatile piece of clothing a woman can own. I have a few of them and they're always in rotation. If you read my blog on regular basis, you know I love to figure out different ways to wear my clothes (see the proof here, here and here). This week, I will be featuring different ways to wear this gorgeous blouse that I am thrilled to add to my closet. I am wearing a size small here and it fits nicely at the shoulders but flowy in the body. It's one of those easy pieces that you can just throw on over everything. This one is sold out but the white one is still available. If you're interested, please use code SFDLOVE20 for 20% off everything site wide.

 

What I am wearing:
Top: Chiffon blouse (on sale!) c/o Please Don't Tell Shop (available in white)
Skirt: H&M *old* (buy similar, similar)
Shoes: *old* (buy similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker

Get Organized - Weekly meal planning

As mentioned here, one of my 2014 resolutions is to stay healthy and be fit. I am not in any way, shape or form trying to lose weight. My goal is to adopt a healthier lifestyle and become more active. We all know diet and exercise go hand-in-hand. You just simply cannot achieve a healthy lifestyle without personal fitness and nutrition. Three months ago, it was not unusual for us to make 3,4 trips to a local grocery store a week and believe me, it can be frustrating from time to time. Planning is key when it comes to building a healthy diet. I started meal planning recently and wanted to share a few tips.

The benefits of meal planning:
- Less trips to the grocery store (this is a big one for us)
- Eliminate the question "What's for dinner tonight?" 
- Eat out less, eat healthier and eat a variety of meals
- Waste less groceries = save money

January purchase: Tweed Vegan Leather Peplum Top

Following up on my previous post, this top was my solely purchase for the month of January. It's no longer available but this one is very similar. Tweed and leather are always huge trends for Fall/Winter. I couldn't ask for more when 2 top trends combined into one piece. Since there is so much going on in the top (leather/peplum/tweed), I wanted to keep the rest of the look simple by pairing it with a pair of white denim. I then finished off the outfit with a B&W jacket to keep everything in the same color palette.

 

What I am wearing:
Top: Piperlime *no longer available* (buy similar, similar)
Bottom: GAP always skinnies *on super sale*
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One
Shoes: Express *old* (buy similar, similar)
Jacket: Ann Taylor *old* (buy similar, similar)

A closet tour & one item per month challenge

I wanted to do a few things in my closet before showing it to you guys but since I mentioned about my closet resolution here, I thought what better time to just go head and show you..so welcome to my closet! When we designed this house, the original plan was to have a joint closet sitting on top of the garage. Not that I care that much about how big/small my closet was going to be but I wanted my closet to serve as a refuge space for me. Something special that makes me smile every time I walk in (just like a man cave if you will). The engineers made a mistake and was discovered late in the process. Long story short, we not only had to down size the closet but also had to split one big closet into two smaller ones in order to make the structure works. This is my closet and the husband has his own on the other side of the bedroom. Disappointed? Yes, at the time but looking at my closet now, it's probably best that I have a smaller closet or else I would not able to fill it. For those who are wondering, my closet is 6'x 12'. Products pictured: High back adjustable bar stool, IKEA storage boxes, Singer sewing machine.