I know, I know…it isn’t even Christmas yet and I’m already giving you ideas on what to buy with your Christmas money…you’re welcome.
Pink Shoes Make Me Happy
Today, my dear Phyrra posted about purple shoes on her blog, and it made me SO happy! I can’t even really put my finger on why. But I love purple shoes. And so here’s my inspired post…about pink shoes! Take a lookie!
Gingerkitty Designs Earrings
I just wanted to show you guys the most gorgeous earrings!! These were handmade by the amazingly talented Tracey Barker of Gingerkitty Designs. I ordered a ring, and she included these stunning earrings! Isn’t that sweet? The reason why I am especially ecstatic about the earrings is because I am normally not an earring person. I have ridiculously sensitive ears and almost every pair of earrings (including high end ones) hurt my ears and I end up having to take them off within a few minutes of putting them on. But these don’t hurt my ears AT ALL! I wore them an entire day and it was fine. They’re so comfortable and so lightweight and GORGEOUS.
The nail polish I requested for the ring (and thus also the surprise matching earrings) is Orly Lunar Eclipse. Lunar Eclipse is one of my favorite polishes ever! It’s blue with blue shimmer that flashes purple. What’s not to love? Here’s a sort of blurry shot that shows a bit of the purple shimmer:
Tracey is so sweet and her work is GORGEOUS. I tried to photograph my ring, but I couldn’t get an accurate photo. It matches the earrings, except the setting is silver-tone and these earrings are more brass. If you dig these, they’re the “Lever-Back” earrings. The ring I got is this style.
Do you have any of Tracey’s designs? They’re so so so pretty! And quite affordable too! My ring was about $25, which is a really good price for such a pretty handmade piece of jewelry.
Color Blocking Tips For Dummies & Scaredy Cats
Okay. So.
FASHION.
I have never claimed to be a fashion expert or anything, and if you ask Mr. Boyfriend I need help. But I like to learn by DOING, so I am a huge fan of trying out different things, seeing if they work on my body etc. I also blog about fashion for Caboodles, so I do have to educate myself on fashion for everyone…not just chubby little white girls. :D [Read more…]
Little Black Bag – Obsessed!
Alrighty, time to tell you all about something I’ve been pretty obsessed with lately– Little Black Bag. It’s a monthly shopping site unlike any other! I have to thank Ivy @ Jeweled Thumb for introducing me to my latest addiction. [Read more…]
Lush Lashes & Pink Lips Inspired by Betsey Johnson Spring 2012 RTW!
When you’re witnessing a Betsey Johnson runway show at Fashion Week, especially among the likes of fearless fashion pioneer Nicki Minaj, you know you’re in for a no-holds-barred treat. And the Spring 2012 RTW runway show did not disappoint with its lingerie-inspired pieces, patent leather details, cheeky prints (what’s a Betsey show without cartoon skulls?), and of course, in-your-face punchy makeup that reminded us of a modern pin-up girl gone wild… or just plain Betsey-fied! Doll-like fringe-y fake lashes with glittery silver liner gave the models the perfect naughty-but-nice doe-eyed look (but still with plenty of edge), while glossy neon pink lips stood out to even the bloggers back in the nosebleed seats! If you’re gutsy when it comes to makeup and aren’t afraid to try out the amped-up coquettish look inspired by the Betsey Johnson runway, look no further! Wear them together for a high-fashion night-out look, or go slightly more subtle by channeling Betsey-inspired doe eyes or alternatively, stand-out luscious pink lips!
Shown Above: Napoleon Perdis Lash Patrol Strip #68 and Lip Pencil in Haute Pink, Stila Smudge Stick in Silverdollar, and Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Gelee in Electric Pink.
– Alex Gambardella for TheFind
Betsey Johnson Photo Credit: Style.com
This has been a guest post by our partners at TheFind.
Crocs Adrina Flat Review
I’ve been rocking a couple pairs of cute new shoes this summer, and everyone I’ve shown them to has been blown away by one thing: they’re Crocs! Yes, Crocs. Fashionistas everywhere have made Crocs the butt of many jokes, and even fans often said they wore them despite their appearance and not because of it. The classic croc clogs (seen below) may indeed be super comfortable, but not exactly the most flattering or attractive silhouette.
But Crocs have come a long way since the classic clog! The latest styles from Crocs are finally pairing the undisputed comfort of Crocs with something my fashionista friends won’t disown me for wearing.
80s throwback fashion has been popular lately, and the “jelly shoe” is back in full force. One of the pairs of Crocs I’ve been wearing, the Adrina Flat, is Crocs’ take on the retro jelly style.
I have the exact pair pictured above. The color combo is called Ultraviolet/Berry, and the color is extremely true to what you see online. Unlike a lot of my flats, they have a decent thick sole to them that offers a lot of support. The heel of the shoe feels like your heels are on a cloud. They’re so ridiculously comfortable. The Adrina Flat retails for $39.99, which I think is a great price for a versatile summer shoe you can run around and do errands in, and wear to the pool or beach all while looking adorable. They look really cute with jeans, or even dresses/skirts. For even more versatility, they also come in brown and black (and some other bright colors too!).
These shoes are great for everyday activities. If you plan on walking a lot of extreme distance, I wouldn’t recommend these – I’d recommend an actual walking shoe. But for something comfy for a walk to the park with the dog or running around after kids? Perfect. The fact that the shoes are “plastic” (Crocs calls their proprietary material Crosslite – and it’s antimicrobial!) makes them easy for outdoor activities because they can get wet! If you get dirty or muddy, just hose them off! My other concern about wearing these was that due to them being a plastic-like material, would my feet sweat? It’s summer! It’s hot! It’s a valid concern. But I did not have any problems with these – I can’t say that about my old jellies from childhood!
Overall, if you’re having any doubts about Crocs – get these. They’re so worth it! And don’t forget to use Ebates when you order for 5% cash back. ;) I’m dying to get my paws on the Leigh Wedge next!
Sample received for editorial purposes. Ebates link contains referral.
My Mom The Purple Princess
My mom loves purple. It is her faaaaavorite color. Sure, pink is nice, but this lady is serious about her purple stuff. Someday when I’m rich and famous (lol) I will buy her dream car and have it painted purple for her. So, inspired by my dear mommyloves, here are a bunch of awesome purple things, and where to buy them.
1. Makeup Cleansing Tissues w/ Lavender Extract – $2.80 / Forever 21
Okay so these aren’t exactly purple…but they smell purple. And my mom loves face wipes. These are great, by the way. I have the cucumber variety on my bedside table right now. I’m fairly certain these are the exact same wipes sold by Beauty Treats too.
2. Ruffled Silk Dress – $27.80 / Forever 21
How cute is this springy ruffled dress? I like that it is obviously a warm weather, daytime dress without being really revealing. I’m of the mind that with a great jacket or sweater and some tights, this dress could transition into cooler seasons as well.
3. French Connection Bow Back Knit Sweater – $50.20 / ASOS
Now that is how to show a little skin while still being classy. It’s sexy, not trashy at all, and the bows keep things feminine and pretty.
4. Benefit Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in “Kiss You” – $18 / Sephora
These lovely lip shines give a pop of color without any stickiness. If you’re timid about rocking a purple lip this spring and summer, a gloss is a great way to start.
5. Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder – $32 / Sephora
This powder is ever so slightly lavender-tinged in color, and comes in an absolutely gorgeous purple compact. I’ve used up a lot of my De-Slick and it has never let me down. It doesn’t cake, doesn’t look chalky, and keeps oilies and shine at bay.
6. Tweezerman Hot For Dots Matchbox Itty Bitty Files – $4 / Sephora, drugstores
I’ve been trying these out recently, and as soon as they came in the mail mom was hooked. “Can I have one?” she asked while opening the box, hahaha. Anything miniature is cute, and miniature with polka dots? Sold.
And for more purpley goodness…
Best Purple Eye Shadows
- Make Up For Ever 92 (Sephora)
- MAC Satellite Dreams, Vibrant Grape, Plum Dressing, Fig. 1, and Shale (MAC)
- Wet ‘n Wild Color Icon Palette in Lust (Drugstores)
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencils in Delinquent and Morphine (Urban Decay)
- NYX Single Eye Shadows in Sensual and Beauty Queen (NYX)
- Stila Cassis (Stila Cosmetics) it looks blue online but trust me it’s a gorgeous purple!
So, what’s your purple preference? Comment and tell me! :)
Where I Shop
Since I love to shop, and surely at least some of you do too ;) I thought I’d share my favorite places to shop online. I’d love to know where you like to shop too!
Clothes
As I’ve mentioned here and on Twitter, I am plus sized and finding cute clothes is a challenge. Then again, isn’t finding cute clothes a challenge no matter what size you are? Anyway… the places I shop most often for clothes are Old Navy and Lane Bryant. I like Old Navy because it’s cheap and they have sales all the time. I’m pretty sure every one of my jeans is from Old Navy as well. I like that the short inseam is the perfect length for me. Sometimes I wear the plus size jeans and sometimes I wear the regular women’s jeans. Either one is fine. I like the Diva cut and the Sweetheart cut. I also have some skinnies from ON that I’m very much obsessed with. I have posted before about the Old Navy lace thong that is like Hanky Panky but for $5, well it seems they discontinued them. HEARTBROKEN over that! But they still have another of my fashion staples – the bra cami. I don’t use the bralet inside as my bra, I wear it over my regular bra. But those camis add so much more support, and are great for the gym or for under work clothes. Speaking of bras (and work clothes!) that’s what I mostly get from Lane Bryant. Their right fit trousers are great for work, as are their “perfect shirts” – that’s the short sleeved button down shirt that they always have in whatever the season’s colors are. I also love Cacique bras. I don’t own any bras that aren’t from Cacique. They’re the absolute best I have ever tried. When I was unemployed I tried to save money by getting cheaper bras from Walmart and they just fell apart in a few months whereas I’ve had Cacique bras that lasted years. They’re kind of expensive, but they go on sale a lot and are almost always buy one get one half off. Sweet!
I do shop other places for clothes, but that’s where I have gotten the most stuff. I also have a few things from Torrid, though I find their clothes to frequently be overpriced and not the greatest quality sometimes, and a few things from Gap too. I also find great workout clothes at Target. Their sports bras are awesome. Recently I found out about the ASOS Curve line, and I think as soon as I can afford it I’m going to be splurging on some of the fantastic pieces there. If any of you have any of the ASOS Curve line please tell me how you like it! I’m also really curious about the Curvy Plus line from ShopRuche.com. I saw their ad on Facebook and it looked cool so I bookmarked it. Everything seems to be low inventory though, and sells out quickly. Lame.
Other assorted plus sized sites I frequently stalk and drool over are: Alight, PlusSizeFix, Kiyonna, and B & Lu. I like to look at the plus size offerings from Forever 21 on occasion, but on the few trips I’ve taken to try stuff on, the clothes have fit me really weird. I’ve been told Wet Seal‘s plus line is good, and they often have really cute things on the site, but I haven’t tried any of it. If you’re not shopping online, go to Ross. I have gotten some really cute dresses there, including a plum stunner that I get complimented on virtually every time I wear it, and it was only $15 or so.
Accessories
Sooo….I’m not much of an accessories person normally. In high school I used to wear all sorts of gaudy, super tacky plastic jewelry. After high school when I entered the work world I ditched all my cheap jewelry but never really bothered to replace it with “grown up” jewelry. The jewelry I wear nowadays is still cheap, but it’s a lot less juvenile and very rarely is it plastic ;). The majority of my jewelry is from Forever 21, but I have found some really nice things at Charlotte Russe, and I got some great bangles from Torrid. I still have a few pairs of Claire’s earrings, but they’re the least tacky ones I had from that era. My prized earrings are a little pair of silver bow earrings by Juicy Couture that came from an outlet.
As far as non-jewelry accessories go, I don’t do those too often either. Except headbands. I’m obsessed with headbands and I wear them a lot. I used to be a total hat person but I’ve gotten rid of a lot of my hats because I never wore them. I also have a scarf I got from Walmart (! I know, I know) that looks surprisingly classy.
If you’re looking for unique and not super expensive accessories, Etsy is a great place to look too. And of course, my new love – ASOS. They have gorgeous accessories. I have one other guilty pleasure – designer sunglasses. I have 4 pairs of designer shades (2 Coach, 1 Betsey Johnson, and 1 Dolce & Gabana). All of them were purchased at outlets. You can get such great deals on designer sunglasses at places like Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, and in the case of the Betsey Johnson sunnies, Ideeli.
Shoes
Ivy over at Jeweled Thumb will hate me for saying this, but I love cheap shoes. Some of my favorite shoes are from Payless. However, I also like nicer shoes (thanks to a gentle erm, kick in the right direction from Ivy!). When I want nicer shoes without spending a ton of money I turn to DSW, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, and Piperlime. Nordstrom Rack and places of its ilk are great for shoe shopping on a budget as well.
So how about you…? Where do you shop?
Recycle Your Denim!
I just heard about a really cool promotion that Gap is doing in their stores now through 10/20. Bring in any old denim to be recycled and they will give you 30% off their 1969 line of jeans. That’s mens, womens, and maternity 1969 jeans. If you have a Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic card it’ll be 35% off! The recycling program is through Cotton’s From Blue to Green program.
I usually donate any clothes I have if they’re still wearable. I donate to Goodwill, or CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County – I was born there! heehee). But if you have any denim that isn’t wearable anymore because it is torn up, worn, stained, etc. this would be a great alternative to just throwing it out!
I haven’t personally tried the 1969 jeans yet as they are kind of pricey for me, but they look really great. There’s styles for pretty much anyone. Just please, if you love me, don’t get the stirrup jeggings. I mean really.
Do not want! Cute shoes though.
