[X] Striped Jersey Blazer

I'm a little bit obsessed with blazers.  I think I just really like layering and blazers are an easy way to do that without getting to frumps.  I went through a cardigan phase in college, but I definitely prefer the more structured feel of a blazer.  Ironically this blazer I've been hunting for is a slightly less rigid fabric, maybe a knit, making it a more comfy fit.  I love the look of dark navy or black with lighter stripes and have been on the prowl.

     $69//Mango                       $80//Macy's                    $100//HouseOfFraser

I had to make a quick stop at Target to pick up some essentials (i.e. toilet paper, body wash) and as everyone knows you can't make it out of target without accidentally buying a bunch of stuff you didn't really plan on buying.  I always like to take a quick peek over at the clothes, especially the 50 and 70% off racks.  Boy am I glad I did!  I couldn't believe I found this little guy.

Target Ponte Blazer//Exact here

There was only one left and I figured it was likely in the sale section by accident but I pulled it out anyway and couldn't believe my luck when I saw the tag.  I feel like I'm already seeing the benefits of having a list of things I need and finding them.  I'm still able to find deals but am doubly pleased with myself when I get an item I know I need and saved a bundle.

Target Ponte Blazer (Heather Gray & Black)//Original Price: $29.99//My Price: $8.98//Total Savings: 70%

[X] White Blazer

     $40//Urban Outfitters                    $50//Macy's                   $74//ASOS

There are a lot of looks that I think I can't pull off.  Way at the top of that list is a white blazer.  Don't get me wrong.  Its not because its wild and out there and its not me but because its so classy and elegant I just don't think I'm quite made for it.  I decided to bite the bullet and buy one.  As the saying goes, fake it till you make it.

Until I think I can put together and outfit that trendy and fits my life and style it will never happen.  So like I've said before, plunging in head first.  I'd been on the look out for a crisp white blazer for a while.     H&M is one of my go tos for blazers because I'm on the petite side and their sizing is a little more forgiving for me than other places where I feel engulfed by outerwear.  I snagged this piece a few weeks ago sometime after Christmas and before New Years.

I'm so excited for the winter weather to make its exist so I can wear this sans another layer of warm clothes and a jacket.  So versatile and so vibrant, I think this is going to be one of my spring favorites!

H&M White Boyfriend Blazer //Original Price: $49.95//My Price: $20.00//Total Savings: 60%

[X] Bauble Necklace

Cardinal rule of blogging, no big giant gaps.  I won't let it happen again, I promise!

Ever since I laid eyes on this style of bauble pearl necklace I've wanted it.  I've been salivating over it because of how versatile it is.  The varied size of pearl and cascading clusters make it the perfect accent piece for any outfit.  Plain monotone outfits can benefit as much as an elegant ones from the hint of style and opulence that is dripping from this necklace.  Here are some of the ones I found below that were just a little pricier than I had really wanted.  I was getting to a point where I was ready to spend a little more because I had to have it!

$21//Express               $48//Lord&Taylor                  $89//Etsy    

This weekend I finally had a little free time and decided to head over to Forever21 to return a shawl/sweater that I had loved to pieces in the store but after bringing home realized it was too much of a statement piece to really go with anything I had.  I begrudgingly took it back to the store and received a $25 dollar store credit in return.  I listlessly wandered through the store, not much caught my eye so I thought i'd head over to the jewelry.  Recently they've really amped up their big, bold necklace selection and I thought maybe I'd have some luck.  I didn't.  I was feeling pretty unenthused and as I turned to leave a torso mannequin on the highest shelf caught my eye--it was wearing THE NECKLACE.  

Beautiful (affordable) baubles! 

I couldn't believe it.  I riffled through the racks again to see if I had just missed it, but I hadn't.  I tracked down a sales associate and begged her to take it down and sell it to me.  Just my luck this was the last piece and it had no tag on it.  Long story short I told her I would pay whatever price they determined it to be, I was expecting to use up my entire store credit and then some but I didn't care.  I had to have it!  The manager was nice enough to locate the price for me and my jaw hit the ground when it came out to a whopping $12.50.  Then it dawned on me that the F21 version was the exact one that I had pinned as well.  I'm quite pleased at the new addition to my very baby collection of accessories.  And while I was there I picked up a black and gray cami in small, at only $1.80 a pop you really can't go wrong.  I hate when I have to turn my closet upside down looking for a plain black cami, any good tips for keeping those on hand? 

Forever 21 Opulent Faux Pearl Necklace//$12.80//exact here

Forever21 Opulent Faux Pearl Necklace //$12.80

Instant, Rock Hard Nails

I love wearing nail polish.  I wrote a whole post about it over here.  But I also hate wearing nail polish. This is probably a familiar story for some of you out there.  You meticulously apply one coat of nail polish to your nails.  It looks a little bit milky and transparent but you aren't worried.  You apply another fresh layer of polish and its perfect.  A glistening, smooth finish.  You admire your nails and carefully keep your hands still and only handle things by the pads of your fingers, IF absolutely necessary.  The night winds down and you take one last look at your beautiful tips and head to bed.

The next morning you wake up and are horrified when you look down at your nails only to see the impression of your pillow case weave imprinted in your nails.  Nooooooooooooo!

Thats the worst, isn't it?  I was so sick of this happening as I perused the aisles at my local walgreens I spotted a little red bottle that would change my life.

Perfect home manicure finish, exact here

At $5.99 a bottle it seems a little unnecessary but let me tell you, its totally worth it.  A medium-ish layer applied on top of wet polish sets and hardens in minutes.  I kid you not.  For an hour or so you probably shouldn't poke and prod at it on purpose but its amazing.  You can sleep on you  nails without pillow print.  I can even do my nails right before I step out and they dry to a hard and shiny finish.  I think this is a must have for every girl.  There are a few other products out there similar to this I have used and enjoyed, one specific is Revlon Liquid Quick Dry which is at an identical price point.  Give it a whirl and let me know what you think! I refuse to be without a bottle since I've discovered these amazing top coats. 

[X] Wallet

If you take a peak over at the list one of the things I've had my eye on is a new wallet.  The last time I bought a wallet was in high school.  It was Guess, it was shiny and it had a big shiny G on it.  At the time I loved it.  In the interim period I was on a wristlet kick, I went through two coach wristlets until I came around full circle and wanted to use a wallet again because I got sick of pulling out my stack of cards and fanning them out like a poker hand every time I needed to pay for something.  I dug out my old high school wallet because I thought I'd pick up a new one soon enough.  A year later I was staring at the over shiny trifold wallet too filled with stuff to even close.

I had stopped into ALDO to make a return on a pair of boots that seemed like such a great buy until I brought them home and realized they were engulfing my legs below the knee making me look like a little kid playing dress up.  I spotted this little guy on the shelf and knew I had to have it.  I love the two tone finish and the texturing.  The inside has two compartments for cards and a middle change chain section.  Its perfect! It was already on sale and I was able to snag an extra 30% off because of a store wide deal going on.  This exact color is no longer available but a similar version is still available online, check out the link below.

I know a wallet may be a little thing but like I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm coming to see that building my own style is about a solid base and having little things that pull it all together.  I love this wallet, I love that I picked it out myself and I also love that I didn't have to pay a ton for it.  I think spending responsibly now is something my future self will appreciate.

Exact here, similar here

ALDO Cyd Wallet //Original Price: $24.99//My Price: $13.99//Total Savings: 44%

Nail Lacquer: Accessorizing for Pennies

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

A glimpse of my collection of nail lacquers

The saying goes the devil is in the details.  Well manicured nails are definitely a seemingly small thing that can play a huge role in putting the finishing touches on an outfit.  I don't mean in terms of the color being matching or complimentary but rather that neat, clean, well polished nails really elevate any look. Nail polish is such an easy and versatile accessory that can be changed in the blink of an eye.  A lot of women treat themselves to a mani but I love settling down on the couch with a bottle of polish and treating myself to a fresh set of nails. 

Amazing quality polishes at a more affordable price point, see here

Everyone is familiar with the slightly pricier brands like Essie, OPI and China Glaze but I'm a huge fan of ULTA brand polishes.  They come in a wide array of colors, I have yet to set out in search of a color or finish and not find it here.  My personal preference is for matte finish polishes, I don't think the pearly finishes look quite as flattering on me.  At $6 a bottle they aren't that big of a bargain BUT a couple of times a year they come on sale for $1.99 each.  That coupled with a $3.50 off $10 that is a mainstay of ultra discounts a set of 5 polishes comes out to $6.50.  Thats $1.30 per bottle!  That is a deal you cannot beat and with my nail polish obsession it doesn't break the bank either.  I am a believer in high quality polish--finish and durability are important points for me--these bottles do not disappoint in either category.

On another note, does anyone else do their nails at night and wake up in the morning to an imprint of their bedding because the polish wasn't rock hard dry?  Keep a look out for my perfect solution to this annoying little hurdle that keeps some women away from home manicures and paying too much for manis at the salon. 

ULTA Polish //Original Price: $6.00/ea//My Price: $1.30/ea//Total Savings: 78%

The Purge

Before setting out to fill in the "holes in my closet" it was important for me to figure out and catalog what I already had. I truly see how important it is to (1) know what clothes you have (2) have them visible because there are few instances I put together an imaginary outfit and go hunting for the pieces that I want. My goal is to purge my closet of the clothes that I have a bizarre sentimental attachment to wearing in the future and the ones that I know that I will never be able to squeeze into. I was mildly successful in both of these avenues. I read a tip online that for clothes you feel attached to for no reason just take a picture and get it outta there, so I snapped a few pics on my iPhone and was able to get rid of another chunk of clothes.  I am guilty of keeping some pants that were a little snug but managed to give away the ones where I couldn't even get the button to fasten.

Finally letting go of some old stuff

As I mentioned above its vitally important to do a systematic review of closet inventory at least once a year.  I knew I had a love of colored pants and had picked up a few here and there, little did I know I'd hit every color of the rainbow already.  Glad I finally got them all together and neatly arranged so I can pick out exactly what I need.

One of the joys of closet reorganizing, rediscovering your past purchases

Going through and sorting my clothes allowed me to rediscover the wardrobe I already have.  I'm realizing this is a little bit about buying new clothes but mostly about learning what works for me.  Learning how to combine the pieces I already have and breathing new life into them is going to be the real challenge here.  I still need a solid foundation of basics to lay the meshwork of my style and then use the interesting pieces I've picked up along the way as adornments.  After weeding through the screen printed Ts and unflattering tiered cotton tank top dresses I was left with some beautiful textures and prints.  I had bought these more recently but they were buried underneath the other drab prints and textiles I'd been keeping around. 

Plush gray sweater, heavenly soft. Black lace top with stud detailing.

Light cotton T with delicate lace inset. Monochrome print top.

I picked up a few great deals around holiday time and even managed to hit some things from my list!