Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #14

A quick outfit for day or night!

LOTD

Today’s outfit it all about transitioning clothes. Whether we like it or not, September is the next month and fall is approaching. I love to buy clothes that can be worn in more than one season.

I picked up this cute jean dress from Marshalls’s a few years ago. It is made from soft material and have pockets which I can’t get enough of. Dresses and pockets go perfectly together. Buttons go up the front of the dress so you don’t have to wear a piece of jewelry if you don’t want to.   I originally thought it would be good for a night out but quickly discovered all the outfits I could make out of this one dress.

For example, today I paired it with a pair of nude wedges for a lunch date. I have worn it in the fall with a pair of brown booties going shopping.

I paired the same jean dress when I went to Europe two years ago.

In the winter I have worn it with leggings and black boots. I love having one dress that I can mix and match shoes and jewelry for different outfits.

This  dress and ones similar to it are also great for traveling. You can wear it all day and you won’t have to change when you get to your destination. It’s a simple dress that you can throw on for a quick dinner.  I’ve worn it out to dinner, to work, shopping and even to class.

Whenever I go shopping  whether it be in store or online I try to find outfits or pieces that can be worn in different ways. This dress is just one example of many. I have also found using this strategy helps me save money by mixing and matching outfits.

Categories
Fashion

A Few of My Favorite Things: Summer Edition

A few of my favorite things:

As summer is winding down here are a few of my favorite summer must haves.
T-shirt Dress
I love a good t-shirt dress
Dress it up with wedges or sandals or dress it down with converse. This dress works for both and it’s perfect for traveling, shopping, or date night. I got this one from Marshalls.
Jean Jacket
A great transitional piece for different seasons
A perfect light jacket to wear on cooler nights by the fire. Also a great transitional piece of clothing from spring to summer or summer to fall. I got mine from Old Navy.
Fuzzy Sandals
Comfort + Cute
A cute and comfortable accessory. I’ve talked about them a lot in the past and I have worn them on numerous occasions. Definitely a favorite in my closet.
Bare Minerals Matte Lip stick
A pop of pink to add to any outfit
An up close view of the color
I love a good lipstick. I started using this Bare Mineral matte lip stick from Ulta Beauty and fell in love with it. It goes on soft and smooth and dries matte. I love the soft pink. It works with any outfit. They have a wide variety of shades but I loved this pink in the summer months.
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation
What I wear every day!
Another Bare Minerals product I use daily. This foundation feels so good on my skin and lasts all day. It’s smooth and has great consistency. I wear a fair share to go with my light skin. I got this from Ulta Beauty as well.
That wraps up my summer favorite things. This is not an advertisement or sponsored by any brands. Just sharing my love for these products!
 Sorry for the shorter post, I’m currently training for my new job which is taking up a lot of time. Not to worry, I will be back in full swing soon!!! xoxo
Categories
Fun Ways to Organize

How to Organize: Your Pantry

This summer I tackled a project that was on my to-do list for a while. My pantry. After numerous pinning and watching organizational videos I took it upon myself to clean out and reorganize my pantry. Although it may seem, like a daunting project, it’s not as bad as you think. Let’s get started.

Before

Step 1: Clean it out.
I went through my pantry and completely cleaned it out and gave it a good wash down. This gave me the opportunity to throw out old or expired food and see what I had. Cleaning out the pantry gave me the chance to consolidate any food that I had as well. It also gave me an idea of what space I had to work with. It’s a great feeling to see any empty space just waiting to be utilized.

Step 2: Get shopping
Now, after you clean everything out there are two ways you can go about organizing . You can either put everything back in your pantry in an orderly manner or you can go shopping for some organizational tools. These tools allow you to keep things tidy, neat and you can get a better idea of what food you have in your pantry. There are so many options when it comes to organizational tools. I like to start my search by doing recon work. I hit a lot of stores to see what they carry, the amount they have, and the prices. I hit the basics like Home Goods, Target, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond, T.J. Maxx, At Home, and Walmart to name a few. I ended up getting a majority of my tools from Home Goods, Bed Bath and Beyond and At Home. I decided to go with the Good Gripes OXO series but there was an abundance of different brands and options at all the store I went to. As I was shopping I kept in mind what containers I wanted to use to store my food it. This helped when it came to purchasing the right amount of containers.

Step 3: Get Organized
After I purchased all my containers I washed them all, I put all the food into the containers I had purchased. For some it was easy, for others it took trial and error to figure out what containers worked best for each food. After all the food was properly stored came the fun part. I got to organize the containers and baskets in my pantry. Once again this took time to see what set-up worked best for my pantry. I got chalkboard labels for my baskets to show what’s inside. I kept a few things in their packaging but for the most part everything is in clear containers.

After

I have had this setup for a few days now and I am really loving it. It keeps things neat and organized and it allows me to see my food and how much I have left of everything. This has been the biggest saver. I found myself in the past buying food because I didn’t remember seeing it in the pantry or I couldn’t find it. With the new containers I have a better understanding of what I have and what I need.

Although this was a big project, I am happy I got it done and I’m even more happier with the results.

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #11

Jumping for joy on this Thursday!

LOTD

A quick look of the day for you on this lovely Thursday. I’m currently traveling today so expect a fun travel post next week. Also, a quick thank you to my cousin Anna, for these great pictures.

When I am not working in the summer I love to wear a cute short and t-shirt set. This is perfect for a day at the park, a shopping spree or just hanging out with family. It easy to throw on in the morning for a day out or at night for a late dinner.

Starting from the bottom, I’ve worn these high waisted shorts before and I can’t say enough about them. They are comfortable, easy to wash and since they are white they can be mixed with different tops. I previously wore this shorts with a black blouse, today I decided to go with a brighter top to break it up. My shorts are from Marshall’s. I always had good luck finding great deals at Marshalls.

Moving on to the top, I got this lightweight blouse from Old Navy. I like the bold and bright colors which complements the plain white shorts. The fun colors scream summer and this top can be worn with white shorts, black shorts or any combo.

That’s a quick recap for what I’m wearing today. I promise to have a MUCH longer post next week about my travels. Until then, have a happy Thursday and wonderful weekend!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #10

LOTD

Gotta love a pop of pink in the middle of the summer. Thanks to my talented cousin for all the pictures.

Lots to talk about on this lovely Thursday! Today, I decided to change it up and show TWO different looks for two different women.

First, I want the give a HUGE shout out to my cousin for taking these amazing pictures. You will see more in future posts but here’s a sneak peek. She is so talented and I was so lucky to have her help me with these new shots.

A HUGE thank you to my cousin for all these amazing pictures (more to come in future posts)

Plus, how cute is her outfit?! I’m kinda obsessed. Her bold pants are so comfortable and are from TJ MAXX (one of my favorite stores) In a previous post I talked about how it’s good to have a few solid t-shirts in your wardrobe and its paying off. The white t-shirt complemented her pants perfectly. She got her shirt from TJMAXX as well and her shoes are from Marshalls. I love the straps on them!  Thank you so much Anna!!

I’m in love with this outfit. The pants are a must have for me!

Now, for today’s looks I’m showing two different styles of dresses. Another big thank you to my mom, who stepped in front of the camera this time to show off her outfit.  Both dresses are from Old Navy. They are both light weight which are great for summer and come in a variety of colors. I personally like to go with bright, bold colors so, I went with pink. My mom decided to go with blue, which is a more relaxed color.

Gotta show my mom some love on the blog. And i had to show her dress off!

Starting off with my look, I went the bright pink dress. I loved the cutouts in the front and back and I love how it was loose fitting. Since it is a solid color I can add different statement pieces. I decided to down play my look with just a simple pair of wedges. But, I could also add a sweater, jacket, or bold necklace to change up the look. I am always wearing these shoes. They are super comfortable, they are nude (gotta love a neutral color), and they are versatile. I can wear them with a dress, capris, or even jeans. Wedges are on my summer must have. I got mine from DSW.

Gotta love a pop of pink in the middle of the summer.

My mom decided to add more accessories to her outfit. She went with a similar dress in blue (her favorite color). She also decided to get a style with longer sleeves. They are ¾ quarter length and the dress works great for a night on the town with a bit of a breeze. My mom decided to add some jewelry. Her necklace and bracelets are from Old Navy as well. I love to use jewelry to make a statement but I love dhow my mom had her jewelry match her dress. I also like how she wore a pair of sandals to dress down her outfit. I, on the other hand dressed it up with wedges.

My mom is showing off her blue dress, on sale from Old Navy.
I love how she matched her jewelry perfectly to her dress.

I love how you can see two very different styles and outfit puts together from dresses that are so similar. I hope this gives you a few ideas for outfits to wear in the middle of the summer. As well, as show you how you can wear similar dresses in different ways.

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #9

I’m loving this easy outfit for today’s look of the day. Whenever I travel I want to be comfortable, but I  also want to look fashionable. This outfit gives you the best of both worlds.

I got this all black jumpsuit from Old Navy a few years ago. It’s very comfortable and has pockets (a personal favorite of mine)!! Who doesn’t love pockets in skirts, dresses, and rompers?!

I got these fuzzy slides from Marshall’s and they too are comfortable but also a major fashion trend right now!  An added Bonus: they were under $20! Lastly, my hat can be paired with shorts for a day outside, with a bathing suit for a relaxing day by the pool.

These fuzzy slides are fashionable and comfortable!

I got my hat on sale from Old Navy as well! Who doesn’t love shopping without worrying about breaking the bank?! I decided to wear it

A fun, summer hat that can be worn with any outfit!
  1. My purse is from Francesca’s boutique!! It’s lightweight and has a lot of storage.

That’s what I’m wearing today. How would you accessorize this bold, black jumpsuit? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Thursday friends!

Categories
Fitness

My Fitness Journey {Part 3}

Heading to the gym, bright and early!

Today, concludes my three part fitness journey.

Here’s part one. Here’s part two. Just in case you missed them. I am going to wrap up my fitness journey and share how I get motivated to go to the gym and ways to stay healthy when you can’t make it to the gym.

For my gym-loving friends, no worries, there will still be more fitness posts in the future. You can never stop being healthy.

How I get motivated:

  • Go to the gym with a friend (or by yourself)
    • It’s great to go with someone to talk to, or be there for moral support. At the same time it’s great to take some time by yourself and go solo. I enjoy both, sometimes I like to go by myself and focus on me but at the same time it’s good to go with someone to push you.
  •  Buy some fun work out gear.
    • If you haven’t been to the gym in a while or are hesitant to go, buy some fun looks to sport at the gym. I am not an “Under Armour girl” or “a just Nike gal”. I wear anything. I have gotten some of my favorite pairs of work out pants from Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods on sale. Get something that makes you happy.

      It’s always fun to match at the gym.
  • Lastly, be positive about it.
    • You wont see changes overnight but be proud of yourself for getting out there and doing it. Whether you went to the gym for an hour, found a Yoga DVD to watch and work on, or even went for a walk around the neighborhood. That’s something. You stepped out of your comfort zone and you should be proud of that. Remember to celebrate the little victories in life!

Ways to Stay Healthy:

  • Drink lots of WATER
    • It may sound crazy and I am sure you have heard it before but drink a lot of water. Some benefits that come along with drinking water includes: it increases your energy, flushes out toxins, gives you clearer skin, and it’s healthier than any other sugary drinks we put into our body every day. I go through a few bottles of water every day, easily. It also doesn’t hurt to have some fun cups or tumblers to put your water in. I got this bottle from Marshalls for under $10. I always bring it with me when I go to the gym.

      Some fun motivation to get me through my workouts
  • Look for healthier options
    • I will have a post later in the year about my favorite healthy snacks and meals but until then, reach for something healthier. Instead of grabbing the doughnut and coffee on the way to work, have some dry cereal and water (maybe even a small coffee if you need it to get through the day!) If you are really craving that chocolate cake, eat it at 4:00 instead at 10:00 so you can burn it off in the evening before bed. We all can indulge ( I love chocolate so I don’t plan on giving that up anytime soon) but, it’s all about eating in moderation. Stay tuned for a longer post on healthy eating, but hopefully this will hold you over until then 🙂

That wraps up my journey to where I am today for my fitness. This is not the end, but only the beginning let’s get healthy together!

 

 

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #6

LOTD

Last week I shared a dressed up and more formal look, Today I am sharing how you can use the same pieces to dress the look down. I wore this over the weekend spending time with my family. It was a perfect casual look to sport.

Starting at the bottom, I got these gladiator sandals last summer from DSW and they have been a crucial part of my wardrobe. They are fun and unique since they are black, they can go with anything, shorts, skirts, even a t-shirt dress.

Shoes from DSW

I got my shorts last summer as well from Marshalls but they are originally from Nine West. They are comfortable and a bit longer so you can wear a longer top with them.

Shorts from Marshalls

This top is the same one I wore last week with my orange skirt. I got the top from Francesca’s.

Front of top from Francesca’s
Back of top from Francesca’s. Gotta love a little lace in the back!

The necklace is also the same from last week to add a pop of color! I purchased that from Francesca’s as well.

A pop of color from Francesca’s

Lastly, the hat I got this summer from Marshalls. It was a total splurge purchase, but I am so happy I got it. It is big and protects you from the sun and it’s black which matched perfectly with my outfit.

A fun hat to finish off the outfit!

Well, that’s the rundown of what I am wearing today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!