OOTD: Pink and Cobalt Blue + $50 Gift Card Giveaway!

Cardi/ Denim Trouser/ Top/ Necklace/ Belt/ Blue & Red Bracelet

Hi Ladies,
Happy Thursday..the weekend's almost here! Ready to do a little shopping on Saturday? If so, I've got a site you have to checkout: Before I Shop (BIS). Their goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your shopping experience:

• Current sales
• Product reviews
• Outfit Inspiration

"Every day people" provide the product reviews, so if you find a Brand Contributor with your body type and style, you can just buy what they buy! :) Personally, I love scrolling through the different outfits to see how people have styled items from the stores I love.

In addition to being a user, I am currently a Brand Contributor and am teaming up with them to give away a $50 gift card to a Before I Shop store of your choice:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Giveaway will run until Thursday 3/6/14 12am MST and I will announce the winner within 2 days. 

Here are a few reviews I did:

And now back to the post... :)

I couldn't get as close as I would've liked but I wanted to show you this simple nail design. I dabbed the 'Spoiled' polish near the base of my nail. Then dabbed Nicole's near the top (it has larger flakes). Then dabbed a little more 'Spoiled' at the bottom and spread it to the tip. The effect is a sort of glittery-ombre look. (You can buy both of these polishes at the drugstore.) Enjoy!

Linking Up With:

Penniless Socialite

Little Miss Fashion Queen

Simply Lulu Style

Style Elixir
Grits the Blog
Pinterest Told Me To
The Larson Lingo
Blushing Boulevard
Fashionista Momma 
Watch out for the Woestmans

More Pieces of Me & On The Daily Express

My Thrifty Chic 

The Molly Buckley

Fizz and Frosting

Mom Trends
Little Fashion Queen
Basic Training Corporate Style

The Fashion Canvas

Karly Kim

Elizabeth Nygard

Simply Lulu Style

Simply Just Lovely

Because Shanna Said So 

Meg on the Go

Wantables Makeup and Accessory Review

3 Ways to Style a Wrap Dress + The Liebster Award!

Hi Ladies,

Who doesn't love the simplicity and flattery of a wrap dress? It's great to throw on when you have nothing to wear, but unfortunately it comes with a few challenges to work through. Never fear! Here's my guide to overcoming them:

OOTD: Azure and Red

Cheap, Chic Beauty Finds

Tarte Lip Surgence/ Revlon Lip Butter

Tarte Cheek Stain/ Ulta Cheek Stain

A Few Days in So Cal!

Hi Ladies,

Sorry, it took me so long to post this. My mom and I took a road trip to San Diego and Santa Monica for NYE. We had a wonderful time and I want to share our favorite experiences. This post focuses on two of my favorite things...food and fashion!

What We Ate:

• La Monarca Bakery (Santa Monica) 

I had a Mollette with vegetarian chorizo. I am not vegetarian and could not see how anything could hold up to real chorizo...however, this was delicious! They use a black bean spread and make their own bread...fantastic...especially for about $6. My mom got the quiche and it looked really good too...more cheese than egg. :)

• Eclipse Chocloate (San Diego)

Do yourself a favor and go here...I could take up an entire 2 pages writing about them, but I will try to be concise. Their slogan says it all: "eclectic cuisine of small plates infused with chocolate, vanilla or caramel". Think sweet and savory.

 spiced pumpkin french toast - not too sweet, but came with syrup if you want it. Filled with pumpkin cream cheese and some sort of cream. Also sprinkled with candied ginger...mmmm.

 garlic parmesan biscuits

avocado benedict - comes with a burnt carmel hollandaise sauce, which i know sounds weird on eggs benedict, but it was really subtle. This is now my favorite eggs benedict in the world!

basil mimosa...basil makes everything better!

• Blue Stove (Santa Monica)

A great place to eat when you are doing the rounds at the Nordstrom in Santa Monica. This is one of Nordstrom's specialty restaurants and features tapas. I've eaten here the past 3 times I was in L.A. and everything I've ordered has been delicious.

• Zengo (Santa Monica)

Asian Latin fusion...tapas and small plates...the drinks and entres are always great! Our favorites were spicy jumbo crab guacamole and tempura asparagus tacos. I would've had pictures, but got distracted when the food came. :( I highly reccomed checking out their "all you can eat" tapas brunch which includes brunch cocktails!

What I Wore:

This was my favorite outfit!

Pearls/ Rhinestone Necklace/ Top (old, Limited)/ Pants/ Shoes

Where We Stayed:

We stayed in a stunning hotel in Santa Monica: The Shore Hotel.

I highly recommend it for couples...checkout the picture below:

Yes, the entire wall dividing the bedroom and bathroom is made of glass...giving you a clear shot of the shower and toilet. My mom and I stared at each other in horror until the bell hop explained that you can lower a shade for privacy. :) Thank goodness!

Question: Where have you traveled lately?

Linking up with:

Penniless Socialite

Little Miss Fashion Queen

Simply Lulu Style

Style Elixir
Basic Training Corporate Style
Fashionista Momma
Watchout for the Wostemans

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Happy Valentines Day!

Floral Heels/ Skirt/ Clutch

Wrap Dress/ Striped Dress/ Tweed Dress

Patent Leather Flats/ Trench/ Pants/ Ballet Flats

Hi Ladies,

I am a girly-girl, but I'm not a big pink wearer. Maybe it's because I'm petite and don't want to look too cutesy, but something about it is speaking to me this season! Therefore, in honor of V-Day and  because pink is a happy color, I've done a spread from Banana Republic w/ cute pink dresses and accessories for your special day. (Looking for the perfect perfume to compliment your outfit?...click here.)

I also wanted to give an update on week 2 of my Chow Locally experience. (What is it? click here) Why am I sharing these so-so pictures of obviously non-gourmet food? Well...I want to share my adventures as I finally do what the doctor ordered and eat more vegetables! I signed up for this vegetable delivery service on a whim when I saw the flyer on a table at work. It's only $23 bucks a month and they deliver to my local food store, so I thought...if it's in my kitchen, then i'll have to eat it! I also hope that you will share your recipes and tips with me. :) (This is not a sponsored post.)

Week 2's Box

This has turned out to be my favorite box, because I've made so many delicious things! Plus the cabbage, romaine, grape fruit, oranges and potatoes last forever!

Collard Greens - Yum! Great recipe and soooo simple.

Honey Glazed Radishes - If you like glazed carrots...you'll love this. (I do not like glazed carrots...oh well, at least the picture was pretty) recipe. 

Roasted Cesar Salad - Good...kind of like kale chips but more moist (recipe). 

Citrus Cheesecake - I've bought all the ingredients, but haven't cooked it yet, so I'll let you know next week! (recipe)

Finally, I wanted to share an update on Mary's trial. My little one is now in kitty reform school awaiting trial for her home invasion "incident". (For more details, click here.)  If you are interested in contributing to her legal fund, go to www.free_naughty_kittie.org. 

(This is a joke...no kitties were harmed in the making of this post. She is actually sitting in a kitty tree and I have no idea why she is looking so pitiful and forlorn...she must have known I was going to write about her.  :) )

 All opinions expressed in this blog are my own, however if you decide to click on the links above, I may earn a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you!

Linking up with:

Because Shanna Said So 

Meg on the Go

Mix Match Fashion

Stylin' in St. Louis

Perfectly Coutured 

Vodka Infused Lemonade

Glitz and Gold

The Tiny Heart

Thirties Two Cents

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OOTD: Pussy Bows Galore!

Hi Ladies,
I loooove these pants from Gap! Bright colors cheer me up and these are so comfortable to sit in. Did I mention that Gap makes them every season in a new fun color? (Right now it's cobalt blue.)

So, I've paired these pants with another favorite of mine: Bow Neck blouses (aka. Pussy Bow blouses). There were a couple fit issues that I had with this outfit, as I always do since I"m only 5'2":
1. I shortened the pants.
2. I took in the sides of the blouse for a more fitted look.
3. When I originally did a single loop with the bow...it hung down too far (see pic). This will probably look good on a tall person, but not on me. So, I looped the the bottom tie over the knot a few times so it would be shorter. I would also try to copy how Gap styled the knot: (see pic).

Thanks for visiting with me today! I hope you have a week full of outfits that make you smile. :)

(For more bright inspiration, see January Shopping Haul)

Click on pictures below to buy. (Similar items have been substituted for shoes and bracelet.)

More Banana Republic...

All opinions expressed in this blog are my own, however If you decide to make a purchase through the links above, I may earn a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! 

OOTD: Red and Teal

Rocks Box Review (Plus a side of Chow Locally)

Hi Ladies,
It's Wednesday...hump day! Only two more days until friends, shopping and happy hours take over our lives. So, to get the fun started early, I want to answer two important questions: should you rent jewelry and should you let someone who you don't know and has never met you select said jewelry? Let's find out!

My 1st Rocksbox:

January Shopping Haul: Winter Brights