Friday, April 28, 2017

Organizer for Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

I've been carrying my new bag to work everyday and am loving it. It's super roomy and can hold a ton (hence, the name "Neverfull"). However, I don't think I would enjoy the bag as much without an organizer. Today, I wanted to share an in-depth review of the inserts I am currently using just in case you're interested.

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A huge thanks to Purse Amie for sending over the Orange Enchantment Purse Insert Set. This set includes both a small and a large insert in the ivory satin fabric, trimmed with orange. The large insert works in my Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM and the small insert works in my other 2 bags (more info below)

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Key features:
  • The organizer is super light weight and made of poly-satin. It feels really nice to the touch. Most inserts I saw on the market are made of felt or nylon.
  • These inserts are designed to work in all types of purses and totes including high-end designer bags, diaper bags, gym bags and brief cases. They are perfect for young mothers and working women to have all their purse contents with them without carrying two different bags. 
  • A unique feature is the cut out handles which makes transfer to different bags very easy
  • With more than a dozen pockets, there are places to store all of your necessities such as wallet, phone, keys, bottle of water, umbrella, sunglasses, make up pouches and much more. I even use the outside compartment for documents (so that the ink won't accidentally transfer onto the lining of my bag)
  • The insert also has an interior key ring to secure your change purse or key

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Floral Printed Dress :: WHBM Giveaway

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Today, I am partnering with White House Black Market on their week of Petites Giveaway! They've expanded their Petites collection and are giving away 7 outfits (including the dress I'm wearing) to 7 winners. Please click here to enter or visit their Facebook page for more details. The giveaway starts today (04/26) and ends next Tuesday (05/02)

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Giveaway details:
- Giveaway starts 4/26 and ends 05/02
- WHBM will provide one head-to-toe outfit of your choice
- The giveaway will be hosted on a tab at their Facebook page
- Prizing/winners: WHBM will randomly select 7 winners to receive one outfit each (7 outfits in total will be gifted throughout the giveaway)

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Closet Essentials :: A White Button Down Shirt

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I've done several posts talking about closet essentials in the past. Today, I wanted to add another one to the list - a white button down shirt. I purchased this linen boyfriend shirt early this month and have worn it a ton already. The white shirt is a classic item that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Now, let's talk about these jeans. There is no denying that raw/uneven hem jeans are everywhere and I personally love them. Those raw hems add a little cool factor to any outfit. I love mixing classic items with more trendy pieces. These jeans fit me so perfectly and I feel great in them. Granted, they're not the most comfortable jeans but I imagine these will soften up after a few washes. Outfit details: GAP linen shirt *size XS* | Sammy Dress jeans c/o *size S* | Steve Madden wedges *$10 off with code AprilShowers* | Tom Ford sunglasses | Gerard cosmetics lipstick in skinny dip

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Monday, April 24, 2017

Target x Victoria Beckham

I stopped by Target yesterday to pick up a few things for the girls and am surprised to see quite a few pieces from the Target x Victoria Beckham collection are still available in stores. The collection launched over 2 weeks ago (4/9). Some items have already sold out online. I grabbed a handful of items to try and below are my thoughts:

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  • Every single piece from this collection runs extremely big. Most things I tried on were shapless on me.
  • I am very impressed with the quality. They look more expensive than they're actually are
  • Prices are more affordable compare to some of the past collaborations
  • The designs might not be everyone's cup of tea but at the end of the day, it's Victoria Beckham we're talking about
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1. Orange rompers *size XS*
2. Orange one-shoulder dress *size XS*
3. Mint green lace short *size 0*
4. English floral dress *size XS*
5. Black and white dress *size XS*

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I am disappointed that none has worked out perfectly for me. I walked out with these lace shorts. They're so beautiful for spring and summer. I do have to spend a little extra on alterations but at $28, I think it's worth it. I still think the whole collection is beautiful but unfortunately, sizing does not work for me.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Weekend sales :: Deals of the day

TGIF! A slow day at work means more time browsing the web lol I said it before and I'll say it again - this is the best time of the year to buy winter gear. You can definitely score designer pieces at a deep discount. Take a look at a few notable sales below if you're interested.

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1. Stuart Weitzman Highland boots (30% off)- These boots are incredibly popular and rarely go on sale. Score them now for 30% off.
2. Stuart Weitzman Midland boots (40% off) - The mid-heel version is on sale as well.
3. Burberry quilted jacket (30% off) - If you live in a colder climate, you still can get some use out of your lightweight jackets
4. Burberry detachable hood jacket (30% off) - Another beautiful lightweight jacket from Burberry
5. AG legging ankle jeans (30% off) - How amazing are these jeans? All sale styles available here
6. Colehaan Marina OTK boots (60% off!!!) - These gorgeous boots are on my wishlist. At 60% off, I might have to pull the trigger

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Affordable Spring Haul 2017 (part 2) :: Clothing

As promised, here is part 2 of my affordable spring haul (see part 1 here). I purchased a few items myself and some were sent to me. I feel like I hit a jackpot with Shein this time. Everything works out so great (it's a rare occasion). I put together a short video so that you can see how they look on me. Most items featured below are pretty trendy and under $50.


1. Zara pearl buttons top - I picked up this top last month and am loving it. The bell sleeve trend is huge right now. I love the pearl details and 3/4 frilled sleeves. This affordable version looks almost identical
2. Shein crisscross v-neck top *size S* c/o - This top is available in 6 colors. It's one of those easy tops that can be dressed up or down. The fabric is not see through and wrinkle-free. The criss-cross necklace and the ruffle sleeve are so on trend. Measurements: shoulder-to-shoulder = 14", bust measurement (laying flat) = 17"
3. Shein blue striped sleeveless top *size S* c/o - Blue striped shirt trend is everywhere this season. I personally love it. I love new twists on this classic blue and white striped shirt (not to mention the beautiful embroidery). Measurements: shoulder-to-shoulder = 13", bust = 18", length = 23".
4. Shein lace top *size XS* c/o - I found an identical option here. This is my most favorite of the bunch. It's so beautiful in person. Gorgeous lace detailing throughout. The fabric is very well made yet delicate and feel luxurious at the same time. The choker trend and the bell sleeve trend are so on point. Measurements: shoulder-to-shoulder = 16", bust = 17", length = 21".
5. GAP linen oversize boyfriend shirt *size XS* - Everyone needs a classic white shirt and this one is great for warmer weather. It's loose and baggy on me but I don't mind. I can tuck it in for work or pair it with denim shorts on the weekend. I can also use it as a swim cover-up. It's a linen shirt so wrinkles are expected
6. Boohoo embroidery skinny jeans *size 2* - I've had good luck finding jeans lately. I found 2 pairs of skinny jeans that I am so in love with. Embroidered jeans are the new rage this season (thanks to Gucci). I didn't want to spend more than $50 on a pair of trendy jeans and am so excited to found these. I ordered a handful of items from Boohoo in the past and luckily, I love every single thing. These jeans are thick yet super comfortable to wear. The embroidered detail is so pretty and the most important thing is they fit extremely well on my short frame. I just realized they're no longer available but similar options available here.
7. Charlottle Russe skinny boyfriend jeans *size 0* - This was a random find and I am so pleased with the fit. Again, I don't want to spend a lot of money on trendy items and these jeans fit the bill
8. Shein ripped overalls *size S* c/o - I've been wanting a pair of denim overalls for a while but am not sure how they would look on me. Am I too old for overalls? lol I am still indecisive about them but one thing I have to say is that they fit extremely well. I was pleasant surprised because it's really hard to find a pair of overall that fit a petite frame and look cute. They're perfectly worn in and great rip placement.
9. Shein tie dress *size S* c/o - This dress is probably my least favorite item in this haul. Love the silhouette and the unique design. The material is pretty decent as well. However, it's a bit short on me (I am only 5'2"). I can get away with it but if you're taller, I don't recommend this dress. I paired it with my favorite sandals here but it would look cute with a pair of white sneakers as well

Monday, April 17, 2017

Best Hair Store :: The most natural looking hair extensions

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend with your loved ones. We had so much fun with the girls, went to multiple egg hunts and got to see my in-laws. Back to work we go today *sigh*. Onto today's post, a few weeks ago, Best Hair Store contacted me and asked if I am interested in trying out their hair extensions. Since I love writing reviews, I said yes. This is my 3rd set of extensions and I will go over the other 2 as well. My hair loss began after giving birth to my 1st child. Even though my kids are no longer babies, my hair is still falling out quite a bit. I've been trying several methods to help slowing down thinning and hair loss. Pray to God I will see some improvements soon.

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In the mean time, I was looking for a set of hair extensions that gives my hair a little extra oomph for certain styles. I don't necessarily want a head full of hair. After looking through all the options, I decided to go with the 16" silky straight in the color "natural" for my review

Friday, April 14, 2017

Treating Louis Vuitton Vachetta Leather

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Today, I wanted to share some information about treating Louis Vuitton vachetta leather. To treat or not to treat the vachetta on your new bag is a personal preference. Some people just let it age naturally and some like to treat the bag before using it. Since this is my very first Louis Vuitton bag, I feel the need to "protect" it lol. I did a ton of search and decided to give the Apple brand garde' rain & stain repellent a try. I wasn't 100% convinced at first but after got caught in the rain, I figured I better do something about it. Find pre-owned versions here

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Soufeel :: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is just one month away. I am delighted to partner with with Soufeel again to showcase a few pieces from their latest collection. They have some of the most impeccable quality pieces yet affordable in my opinion. Each piece of jewelry being shipped in a beautiful white box along with a matching gift bag. Soufeel is graciously offering a 10% discount code plus free shipping if you're interested in ordering (use code SHS10 at checkout)

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Starting off with my favorite piece - the engravable hang tag necklace. I have always wanted a necklace with my girls initials and this necklace is exactly what I was looking for. This simple yet elegant design makes it a perfect accessory for Mother's Day. Each pendant comes with an adjustable chain (can be adjusted from 15.7" - 17.7"). As you can tell from the photo, each length has its own ring. How cool is that? I wear both pendants on the same chain but you can totally wear them separately to create a layered look. The metal feels sturdy and it seems like it will last. Even though I usually prefer silver jewelry, I went with the rose gold version. I am glad I did. It's so beautiful. This will no doubt be my first choice for everyday necklace. It's also available in silver and yellow gold.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Choker dress :: Suede wedges

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The choker trend is everywhere from fashion to accessories and I am personally a fan. I stumbled upon this dress online and fell in love immediately. For under $20, I didn't expect the quality to be amazing. As is, the dress didn't do anything for me. Online reviews are true, it runs really big (I ordered a size XS). I have never altered anything from Shein because let's be honest, their stuff is not worth it. However, I love this dress so much that I decided to spend extra money to make it work. I had both sides of the dress taken in. The overall length also has been shortened. I spent almost $40 on alterations (double the cost of the dress) but love the end results. I dress very basic and sometimes, it's great to have one of those stand-out pieces in the closet. I wore it out to dinner once and got compliments all night long. I also wanted to mention that the dress is not lined. It's a bit see through. To solve the problem, I wore this underneath and am completely covered. I will be the first to admit that Shein is definitely hit or miss but that's why I am here to give you my honest reviews. Forever 21 has a super similar version if you don't want to order from Shein. Happy Monday, ladies! Outfit details: c/o Shein dress | Tom Ford sunglasses | Steve Madden wedges | Saint Laurent clutch | Michele watch | Marc Jacobs lipstick in slow burn

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Friday, April 7, 2017

Department Store vs. Standalone Boutique

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Today, I wanted to discuss the pluses and minuses of buying luxury handbags from the stand alone boutiques vs. the department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman (bonus points event going on now) and Bloomingdale's. Aside from the differences in stock inventory, below are a few things to consider when planning your next big purchase:

1. Presentation: I bought my very first brand-new Chanel bag from Saks. Not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed when the SA handed me the bag in a generic Saks shopping bag (without a camellia flower/ribbon/Chanel shopping bag). On the other hand, I purchased several things from the standalone boutique and they always came beautifully wrapped. Something to keep in mind if the presentation is important to you.

2. Discounts & savings: For me, this is what I consider the most when spending a large amount of money on a bag. The benefit of buying from a department store is that you can (and should) take advantage of their promotional programs.
-  Take 10% off your first purchase (I took advantage of this). I saved $520 on my purchase. I would not have saved anything if I purchased my bag from a standalone boutique.
- Reward points: You can also participate in their rewards program and receive bonus point offers throughout the year. If I recall correctly, I received $150 worth of gift card on top of the 10% discount.
- Save on sales tax: If you live in certain states, you don't have to pay sales tax on your purchases. Say if I purchase a Chanel bag from a Neiman Marcus, I would save about $330 on sales tax (6.75%). I do have to pay sales tax if I purchase from a stand-alone boutique. If saving money is your #1 priority, then purchasing from a department store is the way to go.

3. Return policy: Another thing you'd want to consider is the return policy. The boutiques have a strict 14 day return policy vs. department stores allows up to 30 or even 60 days to return your purchases. I personally have not returned anything from Chanel so I can't tell you for sure if there is any catch.

4. Other benefits: When I purchased my bag from Saks, my information is in Sak's database not Chanel's. Therefore, I don't get any promotional materials in the mail. After I made a purchase from a standalone boutique, I was pleasantly surprised to see a gorgeous Chanel catalog arrived in my mailbox. Now, I get one every season along with other promotions they have.

There you have it. Hope you enjoy the post =) Have a great weekend!

Monday, April 3, 2017

Affordable Spring Haul 2017 (part 1) :: Shoes and Swimsuits

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Happy Monday, ladies! Today, I wanted to show you things I've been collecting over the past few weeks. I decided to break it into 2 parts - part 1: shoes and swimsuits and part 2: clothing. I am still waiting on a few more pieces to arrive. I put together a video to show you how they look on me. I hope you enjoy something a little different. The swimsuit try-on part is definitely out of my comfort zone. I spent hours working on this short video. I am very new to iMovie and learning as I go. I finished editing this video around 11:30pm last night. It was uploading while I was sleeping. I didn't realize I picked the wrong song until this morning. The music is kind of depressing. I would not be offended if you mute the sound lol. At least, you still can see how the items look on me. Everything featured below is less than $50.



Shoes: If you follow my blog for awhile, then you know I am the biggest fan of Target shoes. I recently threw out 4 pairs of Target shoes and replaced them with some new ones. They served me well over the years. I've never had a single issue with their shoes. They fit and feel comfortable right out of the box.

#1: Merona Kona backless mules: They're the best dupe for the Gucci Princetown mules. These mules run true to size (I took my usual size 7). They're incredibly comfortable and so chic. I wore them to work a few times and got so many compliments. Go get yourself a pair. I promise you won't be disappointed.

#2: Merona denim sandals: These simple sandals are so perfect for spring. They go with practically everything (especially white denim). I decided to go with the lower heel version for practicality (high heel version here). They run TTS (again, I took my usually size 7). Target's shoes are currently buy one get one 50% off

#3: Steve Madden suede wedges: You probably have seen these wedges everywhere. I am glad I finally have them in my closet. I had a hard time deciding between the taupe and the cognac but ended up getting the taupe since my Zara suede sandals are in cognac. They look great with everything. They run a tad big. I got them in a 7 as well but could have gone with a 6.5. I am just too lazy to exchange. I know I will be wearing them a ton this spring and summer. Use code "NOJOKE" for $10 off (making them less than $50). Highly recommend these wedges (other similar versions here)

Swimsuits: I am miles and miles away from a beach and don't see the point of spending a lot of money on swimsuits. I've been intrigued by affordable swimsuits that I had to try them myself. Some were sent to me. Some were purchased with my own money. Trying on swimsuits is definitely out of my comfort zone but I hope it will give you a better idea of how they fit.

# 1: Zaful red swimsuits c/o (size M): *sold out - Found this suit which appears to be identical* This suit is my absolute favorite. A fair warning - It's so confusing to put on. Took me 15 minutes to figure it out. Once on, it's very flattering. It hugs you in all the right places and a black swimsuit is very chic. Online reviews suggest to size up and I did. Took a size M and it's perfect. I would recommend this suit

# 2: Zaful printed one-piece c/o (size S): The print of this one-piece caught my attention. The darling cut out details add a fun interest. However, I can only recommend this suit for short-waisted ladies. On me, the length barely fits. It has shelf bra and removable padding (which is nice)

# 3: Summer Mae one-shoulder two piece (size S): I need a filler item for free shipping and decided to order this suit on a whim. The design is unique and attractive. So happy it fits my body so well. The suit is very well made (double lining). I probably will looking into getting another color. Definitely would recommend this suit.

# 4: Soma intimates swimsuits: Soma sent this suit to me a couple of months ago as a gift. I am not obligated to post but wanted to share how they look on me. The smallest size available was a 32 B (for the top) and S (for the bottom). The suit is very well made but sadly, both are too big on me. If you're a tad bigger than I am and looking for a full-coverage modest swimsuit, definitely worth taking a look

# 5: Zaful leaf print swimsuit: I love the print and have seen it everywhere. However, the cut of the top is really weird. The band is tight on me, yet there is extra fabric underneath my chest. I would not recommend this suit. I also ordered these Vanilla Beach swimsuits from Target (top, bottom). I wanted to have a matching suit with my kids so bad. Unfortunately, I had the exact same issue with this suit so they went back

I also purchased this suit and this suit to try (non-sponsored). It's been 6 weeks since I placed my order and I haven't received it yet. How annoying is that? I am working with their customer service and hope to get my package soon.

I hope you enjoy this post. Stay tuned for part 2 of my haul =)