Best Of Memorial Day Sales

1. ASOS: 20% off with code "HiSummer": They have tons of cute options for off the shoulder dresses, tops and cute swimsuits

- One piece swimsuit
- Floral dress
- Off the shoulder top

2. Anthropologie: Take an extra 30% off sale items (a rare promotion): No code needed

- Embroidered Waters Shirtdress
- Lace-front chambray top
- Petite lace dress

3. Banana Republic: Take 40% off your entire purchase

- White eyelet dress
- Fringe sandals
- Floral dress

4. LOFT: Take an extra 60% off sale styles

- Halter dress ($24)
- Lace shorts ($16)
- White denim ($24)

5. Macys: Take an extra 20% off with code MEMDAY

- Striped dress (available in XXS)
- One piece swimsuit (I bought this suit in an XS - The fit is amazing)
- Gladiator sandals (see them on me)

Chanel Pre-Fall 2016

For this week's handbag chit chat, I wanted to share some information regarding Chanel's Pre-Fall 2016 collection. Please note that I haven't seen any of these bags in person. This is just what I gathered from my wonderful sales associates as well as from people I know who have purchased the items. I am not in the market for a Chanel bag anytime soon but 3 bags below have caught my attention.

1. Chanel caviar boys: When I purchased my boy bag, I really wanted a caviar one. However, it wasn't available at the time so I ended purchasing a calfskin boy. Even though it's been wonderful, the thought of having a caviar boy is always in the back of my mind. Knowing Chanel will be bringing back caviar boys this year, I was so anxious to learn more about it. Caviar boys were released a month ago in 4 color (only available in ruthenium hardware). However, the caviar boy bags for pre-fall are made out of soft caviar leather (similar to the coco handle). I haven't seen one in person but based on feedback from those who bought the bag, it doesn't hold its shape like the classic caviar bags.



2. Chanel Rock in Rome: This is a new release this season. Available in black, burgundy and deep blue (the blue ones are not available at Chanel boutiques). It's however available at upscale department stores like Saks and Bloomingdale's. If you're a fan of the jumbo classic flap but don't like the $5500 price tag, this is a great option at $3100. It's super roomy (11"L x 8"H x 4"D) and the organization of the bag is excellent as seen below. I wanted to point out that this bag is a shoulder bag. At 12.5" strap drop, it is not long enough to be worn as a cross-body (only available in one size with ruthenium hardware).

3. Chanel Trapezio: This is a new release as well (I could be wrong). This bag is definitely my most favorite out of the 3 (especially the burgundy one). This particular bag is made out of grained sheepskin. It sounds so luxurious, doesn't it? Starting from $2700 for the small ones and $3400 for the large ones. Again, if you like the look of the classic flap but don't want to pay the price tag, this is another fantastic option.

I hope you find this post helpful. Let me know if you have any questions. On a related note, I will have a medium Chanel boy in red up for sale next week. Please keep an eye out if you're interested. Have a great weekend!

White denim :: Striped peplum top

White jeans are always a must have for Spring. I bought this pair last year and still love them to pieces. White denim adds an element of crisp freshness to any outfit. To help balance out the look, I paired the skinny jeans with my new peplum top. The look of peplum gives the outfit that feminine flair. I then finished off the look with my nude mules (another spring must have). For this top, sizes starting at M (which is what I am wearing here). As expected, it's a tad big on me. I wish the small had been available. Outfit details: Express white skinny jeans *size 00S* | Make me chic top *c/o* | WHBM leather mules | Quay sunglasses | Kate Spade clutch | Michael Kors runway watch | Banana Republic earrings | Anastasia Pure Hollywood lipstick. On an unrelated note, Nordstrom's half yearly sale is here. A couple of my closet favorites are on major sale: Hunter original rain boot (on me), Nike Pegasus sneakers (on me). Grab them now before they're gone!

The Designer Sale: Valentino, Prada, Saint Laurent

Saks is running a really great promotion on some of the most popular designer items. This is the perfect chance to scoop them up as they rarely go on sale. Shop the entire sale of women's apparel, shoes and handbags here. Happy shopping!

1. Prada small double bag (was $2600 - now $1560) - More than $1000 off - Read my review here

2. Saint Laurent Tassel Clutch (was $1550 - now $1085)
3. Fendi 2Jours Petite Shopper Tote (was $1900 - now $1330)

1. Valentino flats (was $975 - now $682) - Most sizes are still available
2. Valentino rockstud pumps (was $1075 - now $430) - These shoes rarely go on sale
3. Stuart Weitzman gladiator sandals (was $445 - now $311) - All sizes are still available

1. Burberry duffle coat (was$1195 - now $717)
2. Burberry wool cape (was $1495 - now $897)
3. Burberry wool coat (was $2195 - now $1317)

Barneys is also having their own designer sale. Below are some killer deals on designer handbags:

1. Saint Laurent Sac De Jour (was $2750 - now $1649)
2. Fendi mini peekaboo (was $3450 - now $2069)
3. Givenchy medium Antigona (was $2435 - now $1459)

Give your smile a new look with Pure Smile Sydney

 

{Teeth whitening pen | Teeth whitening foam} 

Summer is the perfect time to show off your bright summer grin. I personally love using teeth whitening products for several reasons. They're super convenient to use. I can use it when it is most convenient. No need to travel to my dentist’s office or take time from work to get my whiter smile. Pure Smile offers teeth whitening pen which is super easy to use. You can just simply paint it on your teeth. It can be worn while you relax or when doing chores around the house. Your teeth will become whiter with each application by using it once a day. Pure Smile also offers teeth whitening foam which can be used once or twice a day to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing. The best part is both products are super affordable and provide amazing results. If you want to keep your smile as white as possible this summer, don't forget to check out Pure Smile Sydney.

What to wear on Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend is almost here. Today, I am showing you 2 easy outfit ideas that are perfect for the occasion, whether you’re planning an outdoor picnic, hitting up the beach or just simply spending time with your family. Gingham is always a classic for spring and summer. I love a good playful print. These dresses are adorable and trendy but the quality is nothing to write home about (both are unlined). In case you haven't noticed, off the shoulder dresses are everywhere this season. I will probably wear this more as a cover up than a dress when the weather heats up. If you're looking for something that will last more than a season, I would not recommend either one. Outfit # 1: c/o Romwe dress | Almost identical belt | Target sandals | Quay sunglasses | H&M denim jacket. Outfit # 2: c/o Romwe dress | Michael Kors runway watch

Splurge vs Steal :: Summer Edition

It's been awhile since I've done a splurge vs. steal post. I found some amazing dupes below if you're interested. My favorite is definitely the white 2-piece suit.

Printed one piece swimsuit: Splurge ($253) vs. Steal ($88)
Reflected sunglasses: Splurge ($560) vs Steal ($20)
Suede bag: Splurge ($1390) vs. Steal ($178)
High neck swimsuit: Splurge top ($98) & bottom ($94) vs. Steal top ($15) & bottom ($16)
Suede wedges: Splurge ($625) vs Steal ($160)

Kids Playroom Storage Ideas

It's been awhile since I've done a home update so I thought today I'd share the kids' playroom as well as our storage solution (see the rest of our home here). When we built our home, we designed the kids play room to be central to the kitchen and the great room. While wonderful for the family to stay connected through day to day activities (i.e., cooking, home work and lots of play time) – the toys, dolls, books and games are not out-of-sight, out-of-mind. The challenge we faced was to make the room a multi-purpose room – though mainly dedicated to the kids, but quickly made presentable to those over 10 years old. Items pictured: Sharp 70" TV | KidKraft Kitchen Playset | Ikea activity table

The idea is to clean up the kids mess quickly. This means having storage for everything. Their play room floor goes from child disaster to tip-top-shape in under five minutes – with or without the help of the little ones. When we built our home, we added four sets of 36” wide base cabinets in the play room with this in mind. The cabinets are topped with granite – making it easy to transition from play room to adult space depending on the occasion. Each cabinet is deep and has two large hinged doors and a single shelf. This allows for each cabinet to hold 4 plastic storage containers measuring 24” wide x 16” deep x 13” high. These clear plastic bins are light weight, stackable and the kids can easily identify what's inside.

Chanel Coco Handle :: What fits & my general thoughts

Happy Friday! Today, I have a full review of this Chanel coco handle bag for you. I'll go over what fits inside and my general thoughts. I know this bag is relatively new to the market and hope you'll find this review somewhat helpful. I wanted to mention that I no longer own this bag :( Yes, I cried a little while packing but I'll save the reason why in a later post. I took a few photos to show you how much you can fit in it before sending it out. This is a size small (style code: A92991, currently retails for $3300, measurements: 9.8″ x 6.7″ x 4.7″). It's also available in mini ($3000), medium ($3600) and large ($3700) sizes. If you're my height, a small is the perfect size in my opinion (especially when carry as a shoulder bag). The bag hits me exactly where I wanted. The leather portion of the strap makes it very comfortable to wear.

Even though it's a small, you can fit a ton. As you can see below: I have a mini iPad, a full size cosmetic pouch, a full size wallet, my iPhone 6 plus and a full size pack of baby wipes. I don't ever carry a mini iPad with me but if you want, you certainly can. It fits perfectly in one of the 2 big compartments. This bag provides great storage and organization capabilities. Love the divider in between. It provides great separation and not on big hole. There is a middle zipper compartment for added security. If I was going to travel with this bag, this is where I probably will keep my passport or important documents. The back pocket is too small for my phone but it's great for some sort of tickets. Below is how I pack this bag. As you can see, everything fits comfortably and there's no problem closing the bag. This is the most I will ever carry with me on any given day even with my kids.

Baroque Crop Top Matching Set

I love matching sets. They are so easy to wear and require pretty much no effort styling wise. You can wear them separately or together like I did here. I plan to pair the bottom with a plain tee and the top with a pair of denim cutoffs in future posts =) Outfit details: Make me chic matching set c/o | Marc Fisher gladiator sandals *love* | Quay sunglasses | Anastasia liquid lipstick in Pure Hollywood

Rebecca Minkoff Online Sample Sale (up to 70% off)

Rebecca Minkoff is having their online sample sale (up to 70% off handbags, clothes and shoes). Everything pictured below is at least half off. Happy shopping!

1. Rock pearl earrings
2. Suede platform
3. Bucket bag (love!)
4. Beige saddle bag
5. Leather tote
6. Saddle bag
7. Hudson mini crossbody
8. Neoprene moto jacket
9. Love crossbody

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I meant to get this post up yesterday but couldn't find time to do so. I had an amazing time celebrating with my Mom and my 2 girls. I feel truly blessed to have 2 wonderful daughters in my life. My oldest one is one of those well-behaved children. She is turning 11 next month and raising her as been as easy as pie. She always listens well, follows instructions, does well in school and has never gotten into trouble. I can always count on her. In the other hand, she is not always willing to take risks and sometimes, needs to be pushed out of her comfort zones. The youngest one is my strong willed child. To be completely honest, I had a tough time figuring out how to discipline her at first. We work hard to find a process that will not break her spirit. She often tests my limits, ignores warnings and has a mind of her own. I am surprised that she hasn't broken any bones yet =) On brighter side of things, she isn't afraid to speak her mind, voice her own opinions and is an experiential learner. That kid is one tough cookie. My girls are my pride and joy. They are special in their own way and I wouldn’t want it any other way. As much as I want to show them off on social media, their privacy is my number one priority. At the end of the day, no one really cares about the kids other than the parents. This is what I wore yesterday running around town. I am not a big sneakers type of girl but have been loving my new kicks so far. They run true to size and are super comfy. Can we take a moment to acknowledge how cute this t-shirt is? The material is incredible soft and it was just so perfect for the occasion. Mom life is the best life indeed =) Happy Monday, everyone! Outfit details: American Eagle shorts | Thread tank tee *size S* c/o | Nike Pegasus 32 | ZeroUV sunglasses

Review: Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack

The star of this week's handbag chit chat is this adorable Longchamp backpack. I picked this up a few weeks ago and am loving it so far. I am a huge fan of the brand in general. I reviewed their expandable travel bag in this post. There's a whopping 12 colors to choose from so there is certainly something for everyone. I went with the color "pearl". It's a mixture of silver and gray. The contrast is great with the dark colored straps. I took the backpack on a few hikes and can't say enough good things about it. The size is perfect for my frame size. It can fit quite a bit of stuff but not bulky. I was able to fit my DSLR camera, a bottle of water, a cosmetic pouch, my keys and my phone. There is an inside pocket and it's big enough for my iPhone 6 plus. Staying true to the brand's values, the craftsmanship and quality is fantastic. The backpack is super lightweight yet durable and easy to clean. The adjustable straps are comfortable to wear and not digging into my shoulders. All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this little number. Outfit details: Top and bottom by Kyodan Clothing | Longchamp backpack in pearl | Saucony running shoes | Quay sunglasses

What I Eat In A Day (1500 calories)

Today, I wanted to share what I typically eat in a day. 2 months ago, I started documenting what I eat. My body responds quickly to healthy eating. I lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks (not necessarily a good thing) but I am slowly adjusting to these changes and wanted to share what I eat in a typical day. My food choices are boring and plain for the most part. The biggest thing I changed about my diet is cutting down on refined sugar, carbs and processed food. I used to go to Starbucks 7 times a week (I now cut it down to twice a week). Whenever I order, I ask for half the amount of syrup required in a drink.

My typical day of eating:

Breakfast:
My breakfast usually consists of something quick like oatmeal with whatever toppings I have that day. My favorite brand is Oat Fit by Better Oats. Each pouch contains 100 calories and no sugar added. I usually make it with hot water at work. On the weekend, I sometimes make it with almond milk.

Snack:
I recently discovered Clif dark chocolate and coconut bars and am hooked. They are a bit high in calories but not too bad. I usually just eat half of the bar and save the other half for later. I am definitely a dark chocolate girl. Dark chocolate + coconut = tasty combination!

The perfect summer mules

{Pictured: WHBM leather mules - size 7}

I was on the hunt for a pair of nude mules since last year and can finally check them off my list. These mules are everything! I seriously love them. They run true to size and are super comfy to wear (I took my usual size 7). The color goes with practically everything especially when pair with white jeans. I love that they have the comfy elastic on the side to prevent rubbing. The leather is very soft and requires no breaking in period. If you're looking for an effortless pair of mules for spring/summer, I highly recommend you check these out!