Thursday, November 28, 2013

Black Friday 2013: My top 5 deals

I hope you are having a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with your loved ones. We're currently stuffing our faces with my Mom's yummy goodness. After lunch, we're heading out for our Black Friday madness. We're hoping to score some door-buster deals for the home. There are just so many deals happening today and it's hard to keep track off. Below are my top 5 picks. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy shopping =)

1. Old Navy - 50% off the entire store (sale starts at 7:00 pm in-store)


Fair Isle sweater (perfect for the upcoming holidays)
Honeycomb sweater (very similar to the J.Crew version)
Color-block sweater (the material is very soft in person)


Crew-neck sweater (so perfect for me)
Graphic sweater (super adorable!)
Poncho sweater (cozy for Fall)

2. Express: Take 50% off the entire store (valid in-store and online)

Cropped sweater: I've been looking for a cropped black sweater and this one seems like a good option. I am wearing an XS here. I wanted a solid black but my size is sold out.. Will try to stop by another store and pick this one up.
Skirt/Top set: I really love this set. These 2 pieces work great as a set as well as separate pieces. The skirt runs really small. I am wearing a size 00 here and the fit was really snug on me. I would have to go up a size for a comfortable fit. I couldn't find the matching top online but check your local store. 

This top is the perfect piece to wear under a blazer for the holidays

3. Ann Taylor: 50% off all cashmere sweaters


4. Anthropologie: Extra 50% off all sale styles from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. (valid in-store and online)

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Fall 2013 Trend: Pastels


Top :
 Christine from The Fashion Pledge / Christine from Petite Hues / Fallon from Sage + Sparkle
Bottom : Kileen from cute + little / Olivia from Corporate Catwalk / Sydney from Sydney's Fashion Diary
Previous Topics : Leather, Monochromatic



Pastels are no longer reserved for Spring. It's one of the Fall hottest trends. Don't believe me? Walk into one of the GAP stores and you'll see what I am talking about. Sweaters are available in an array of pastel colors from mint to lilac to pale pink. For not being a pastel kind of girl, I had a hard time putting together a look for this week's collaboration. The easiest way to pull off the autumn pastels is to style it with darker hues. For this outfit, I paired my power blue sweater with a black skirt. I kept the rest of the look simple with a pair of black boots and accessories. I hope you've enjoyed the series so far. Check back next week to see a trend that I am pretty excited about =)

 

What I am wearing:


Sunday, November 24, 2013

Black and White Houndstooth


If you're a fan of the B&W combo like I am, you probably are a fan of the houndstooth print as well. It's a classic print that has been around for decades. I've been looking for a houndstooth skirt to add to my closet for quite some time. While browsing, this skirt immediately caught my attention. Not only because of the classic print but the trendy cut as well. Fun details can help spice up a dreary outfit. This was my first time order from Front Row Shop and I am impressed with the quality of this skirt. The material is thick and sturdy in person (fully lined). The waist measures 12.5" (laying flat) and I couldn't have asked for a better fit.

 

What I am wearing: 
Skirt: Wrap skirt in houndstooth c/o - size XS

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fall 2013 Trend: A monochromatic look


Top :
 Christine from The Fashion Pledge / Christine from Petite Hues / Fallon from Sage + Sparkle
Bottom : Kileen from cute + little / Olivia from Corporate Catwalk / Sydney from Sydney's Fashion Diary

Last Week's Collaboration on Leather.




This week's trend is monochromatic (see last week's trend). It has always been a favorite trend of mine. The outfit today showcases a monochromatic look using different shades of black. The key to keep a monochromatic look interesting is playing with patterns. You want to incorporate as many different patterns as you can to create dimension. One color from head to toe isn't boring when you mix textures and patterns =)

 

What I am wearing:
Dress: Express  *old* (buy this year's version or similar)
Blazer: Espirit *old* (under $30 or petite version)
Sunglasses: Prada 17OS
Earrings: Chanel (buy similar in silver)

Monday, November 18, 2013

2013 Holiday gift guide: For beauty lovers

Can you believe Christmas is only 36 days away? Over the next few weeks, I will be showcasing a ton of great items for everyone on your shopping list. This week’s gift guide is for all beauty lovers out there. I actually own everything mentioned in this post. I call these my "holy grails". They have stood the test of time. I stand by these products and would highly recommend them. If you’d like a detailed review of any of these items, just leave me a comment.


1. Clarisonic Mia cleansing system: I have been using my Clarisonic for almost 3 years and never had any problem with it. It is the most important thing in my skincare routine. I use it every other day with the Shiseido Purifying Cleansing Foam.
2. Chanel Chance: This is my favorite daytime fragrance particularly because the scent is clean and fresh without being overpowering.
3. Urban Decay De-slick makeup setting sprayAfter I apply my makeup, I spray this product 2 times to keep my makeup stay put. It keeps my skin looking matte all day and controls oil.
4. Urban Decay Naked 2 paletteWhen it comes to makeup, I truly believe less is more. The Naked 2 palette is my go-to palette. It has all the shades I need to create daily neutral looks. Urban Decay is releasing the third version of its popular Naked palette in a few weeks. What are your thoughts?
5. Shiseido purifying cleanser: This product leaves my skin squeaky-clean without drying it out. It lathers really well and not to mention the scent is amazing. This cleanser does not have the brightening effect.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A weekend hike


It was unseasonably warm yesterday so decided to take a hike. The cave and waterfalls make Old Man's Cave one of the most beautiful spots in Ohio. Hiking with kids is a great way to keep them connected to the outdoors. We hiked this park countless times and luckily, the little one always enjoys the time exploring outside. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Decorating with me: Indoor hanging swing

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This week's decorating with me post features a corner of the little one's bedroom. Since two sides of her room have windows, we thought it would be cool to have a hanging swing in that corner. It would make a great reading nook. We asked the builder to put in an extra beam to support the swing. That was an easy part. The hard part was looking for an actual swing. This is what we had in mind but let's be real, who would spend that much money on a swing? I've been scouting the Internet for months looking for an alternative. Below are the 6 possible options. Which one is your favorite and why? BTW, we let her pick out her room's paint color and she decided on 6821 Potentially Purple by Sherwin Williams =)


 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fall 2013 Trend: Leather leggings from day to night

Happy mid week, ladies!

I am teaming up with 5 other fashion bloggers for a fun collaboration. Over the next 6 weeks, we will be showing you our takes on the latest trends. This week's topic is leather. Leather has been a Fall trend for several years now, and it is a no brainer that it is back this year. From leather panel leggings to a leather jacket, it seems that leather is popping up anywhere and everywhere this season. Add a leather accent of two, and you'll be chic and stylish this season.


Top : Christine from The Fashion Pledge / Christine from Petite Hues / Fallon from Sage + Sparkle
Bottom : Kileen from cute + little / Olivia from The Corporate Catwalk / Sydney from Sydney's Fashion Diary




I chose a pair of leather leggings as my styling piece. I bought them from Express last year but they've been sitting in my closet unworn. When it comes to leggings, I have 2 general rules. Rule #1: They should be form-fitting but not skin-tight. Leggings tend to be less forgiving in general so pay close attention to your undergarments when wearing them out out in public. Rule # 2: Whatever top you're wearing should cover your behind.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Light layers


We were blessed with a few mild days last week so a light layer would be sufficient. Adding a layer underneath a dress is an effective way to transition your summer wardrobe into fall. This dress is almost 10 years old. I bought it when I had my first "real" job. 10 years later, I am still wearing it. Every working woman should own a simple sheath dress in their closet. While trends are fun, closet staples will last you season after season.


What I am wearing:
Dress: Express *super old* (buy similar here or here)