It’s been awhile since I’ve purchased some basics, but last week was kind of a wake up call that I really needed some. When it comes to shopping, I am pretty stubborn. I’ll only typically buy what I actually need and treat myself only with dresses. It’s not a bad shopping style to have, but it can make life pretty challenging when you are putting together an outfit and find that you’re missing a key piece. For example, I purchased a beautiful blouse from Aritzia last week, but since it was a bit see-through, I couldn’t wear it without something underneath. Luckily the staff at Aritzia are always so helpful and are prepared to provide me with other options and alternatives. They brought me this tank and while I’m pretty particular when it comes to basics, having it underneath the blouse was exactly what I needed. Since it was nude, I was able to wear it underneath the blouse while still masking it. Also, it helps that it has the pretty lace detail.
Yesterday, I finally had a chance to visit the new Aritzia store at University Village and though I went into it not wanting to be tempted by any of the pieces, I did succumb. I had been searching for a simple blouse that would double as something I could wear for work and a night out for quite some time and found what I had been looking for in their Wynwood Blouse by Tallulah. And yes, that scalloped hemline is as wondrous in person as you would imagine!
Before we begin, I must admit that I almost always never go shopping two days in a row. In fact, I’ve been a savvy spender lately that I really only go shopping once a month. However, when birthday week arrives, all bets are off! This purchase was a complete accident I swear. We returned to Urban Outfitters on Sunday so that Kevin could make an exchange. I saw this dress on Saturday, but didn’t think much of it because I had already picked out a dress for my birthday, but believing there was no harm in trying it on (wrong the harm is actually done to your wallet) – I took it with me to the dressing room and fell in love with it.
Which dress will I wear out for my birthday celebration?!
And in case you all were wondering…the other contender is:
Yesterday, I totally pulled a “Kevin.” Since I had arrived early to my appointment over in Uvillage, I decided to pop into Madewell since I knew they were having a supposed sale this weekend and immediately, my eyes were glued to this beautiful striped sweater. Stripes have kind of been my thing up until recently, but oh my goodness neon has been my thing since I was a freshman in college. All throughout high school when I began “borrowing” my mother’s clothes, I was the queen of neutrals. It wasn’t really until college that I decided to branch out a bit. What I love about this sweater is that it is a combination of both my mother’s style and mine. The neon orange is just what I’m looking for the spring. This sweater also comes in mint and gray and while I’m obsessed with mint, the gray (which I have too much of) kind of washed me out so I went with this one and I love it. In fact, I loved it so much, I wore it out of the store and will probably proceed to find ways to incorporate it into various outfits this week.
It’s been awhile since I’ve done some personal retail therapy, but you know what? After this week, I damn well deserved it. Yes, it’s still February and winter and cold, but spring is around the corner. There’s no reason why I can’t start it earlier. The best part about this dress also is that you can tie it several different ways. HELLO VERSATILITY! Those types of pieces are always my favorite. It’s the perfect dress to wear for a blogging event (maybe my next one) or even a night out! At Aritzia, I paired it with a long cream cardigan and my brown boots and made it totally casual.
Let’s just say I am more than a little excited about my new purchase.
I am about to embark on a little post-grad traveling shortly and thought it was about time that I bought myself a traveling bag for the occasion. I’ve had my Madewell gift card since Christmas so I was a little bit excited to finally put it to use. As for the plain white tee, you can never have enough! I’ve been exhausting mine from Forever 21 for years and that one is a little bit more tight fitted than usual. This time around, I was looking for something a little bit looser and with a v-neck.
After saying goodbye to my BDG ankle cigarette white denim pants at the end of this past February, I thought that it would be impossible for me to find another pair that I would grow to love and that would actually fit. The impossible has been done. When I thought of replacing the white denim pants that I had before, I assumed that I would go back to BDG, but this past Saturday I found the perfect pair at Gap! These are definitely a lot more white than the ones I had previously, which can be nerve-racking, but I suppose I can live a little, right? The prices were relatively similar and the fit on these Gap ones are a little more classic and a little less hipster.
Is my style evolving once again? Only time will tell.
Spring has sprung in Seattle, therefore, I think that it is justified for me to be purchasing a new pair of shorts. Even though I’m not as much of a girly girl anymore as I was in high school ie) I don’t feel like being covered in pink everything, I still have a soft spot for the color. Every once in awhile, my weakness for it will make me break out the wallet and this time it was on a pair of pink pastel seersucker shorts. Yep, seersucker. The kind of fabric all babies wore in the 90′s. It’s a classic though! Pair it with a tank top, a button up shirt, or a cardigan and you’ve got the ideal outfit perfect for the season. I’m pretty happy with my purchase, but am quickly realizing that I am trying to convince all of you way more than I need to.
With a week of midterms ahead for Seattle University students and the combination of not wanting to study for those midterms and gorgeous Seattle weather, all I wanted to do was take a stroll. Yes – Cyril and I took a walk today right down to Urban Outfitters. For the last year, I have been wanting to purchase a pair of white denim pants and today I finally took the plunge! I knew that I wanted to buy them through Urban Outfitters because I already wear my gray denim and black denim pants religiously. It just made perfect sense. I know that this isn’t going to be a purchase that I will regret and with spring creeping up on us, I’ll finally have the chance to wear them.
“Less is more,” my mother always said to me. It has taken me nearly 21 years to fully grasp the meaning behind that. Through high school and in my scene phase she watched me from behind my mirror as I doubled – sometimes even triple lined my liquid eyeliner and as she watched me with concern, I always sort of brushed it off. Ugh teenagers, right? While I am glad that I have since moved on from that stage in my life, I do believe in experimenting with different beauty and makeup products.
Now, I am no where near to being a pro when it comes to the products I use, but through following in my mother’s footsteps, I have learned a lot about what I am comfortable with and what I need to toss out. First things first – samples ARE your best friend. Every time you have a chance to grab a sample, take it. It’s the best way to test drive a product without emptying your entire wallet.
My routine in the morning is probably the most disorganized part of my day and it is always confusing to some people because I use an array of products that were purchased both at drug stores and at department stores. This past weekend, I made what I like to call an investment purchase on two products from the Chanel counter. The Chanel compact is a product that I have been using for at least four years and was a product that I was introduced to after getting my makeup done at their counter for my senior homecoming dance. What I love most about this compact is how easy it is to apply and how natural it looks against my skin tone. Since I’ve been using it as my main foundation for years, I have never really considered branching out to any other kind. The Chanel foundation brush is new to my makeup family and was recommended to me this past weekend from the person that sold me my usual foundation. Remember when I said I was no pro? Well, for as long as I have known, I had been applying my same foundation with a brush that was once given to me in a sample that may or may not have been designated for just powder. Out of sheer laziness, I never thought to change that. However, the compact is a product that I value and if I have the opportunity to make it last a lot longer, why wouldn’t I choose that? I had to have it. I didn’t intend on buying it on my visit, but that day – Minus the Bear was playing throughout Nordstrom as I was sitting in that chair – and that was just the sign I needed. No, I realized that if I didn’t buy it then, I would probably forget about it and continue to ruin my skin with the wrong brush.
I was recently inspired to write this post after reading one of my favorite blogs, The Formula, and following their series “You Are A Babe.” The series features women in the fashion industry revealing some of their best kept beauty secrets and product recommendations. I would love to continue discussing some of the products I use, but would love to hear your feedback on whether or not this is of interest to you. Please share your response with me by participating in the quick poll below!
I caved! After practically living in my first flannel from Urban Outfitters, I decided to go ahead and purchase another one over my winter break. In the spirit of Christmas, I now own both a green and red flannel. Also I am not quite the proud owner of this yet, but when an item I wear frequently becomes lost or damaged, the only sensible thing to do is replace it. Back in December, I lost my gray ear warmers at the Deck the Hall Ball concert and have felt a little bare without it since then.
Unfortunately, the original one I had is now sold out, but I think I could still work the neutral color into a few of my outfits. At the end of the day though, I don’t really care what color it is because I’m still going to wear it regardless out of how comfortable and warm they are.
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