The perfect Puffer Vest

I love the look of these classic navy vests this season!

I searched high and low to find the perfect, simple, navy puffer vest, like these above!

 

You think it would be easy, but it was quite hard to find! Many stores had crazy colors, or shiny materials, or bulky hoods.

 

Finally, I found the exact vest pictured above with the gold buttons on the pockets at J. Crew online (stores did not carry the Navy this year), however it sold out in AUGUST in normal sizes....only XL is available.

J. Crew, $120

            After some more searching, I found the following similar vest at J. Crew Factory online.

 

J Crew Factory, $78

Some others I found as well (for a lot less):

Belk, $36

Old Navy, $22

 

Vox Box (Something Blue Review)

Last October I blogged about freebee website, Influenster that sends samples to you for you to try and review (Domesticated Officer Fall Freebees).

 

 

Just this week I was sent another box of samples, which Influenster calls a "Vox Box". Each box has a theme and this particular box was the "something blue box" a wedding themed box.

 

Here's what was in the box:

 

Kiss Eye Lashes 

I stopped wearing false eye lashes when I discovered Latisse (see my post- Addicted to Drugs)

False lashes look, well false, fake, and normally pretty hooker-like.

 

                          

        Dr. Scholl's For Her       

These are great! Very comfortable and good for that pair of shoes that are so cute, but not so comfortable. Only issue with these, they do not fit in tight shoes, like stilettos. I used these when I was on Ravens in the cheap black boots we wore. They definitely helped out a lot!

 

They are made more for sandal style shoes. Lastly they have a sticky side and can only be used in one pair of shoes.

               

Luster NOW!  

So I had heard about this product a while back on Refinery 29 (here for post/video). This toothpaste is super blue and it's supposed to make your teeth white after just one use. Well although it tastes good (very minty) I saw no difference after using. I was also disappointed to see it contained no Fluoride, which is an important and usually an active ingredient in toothpaste. I would not recommend this product.
 

                              

        My Trio Rings      
This was not a sample, but an advertisement for wedding rings and bands that were extremely cheap and would not be something I would ever consider.         
             
                                       Urgent Rx                                       

This is a powder form of pain reliever. I'll stick with Advil or Aleve if I need to take something.

 
Q-TIP 
Kinda surprised to get a sample of Q-tips....pretty sure everyone in America already buys these. I do like the small travel containers they came in- perfect for my next getaway!
                                           


It's definitely nice to get full size freebees and coupons in the mail and it's nice to be able to try before you buy.

As seen online....

 

If you haven't already checked out the blog, "J's Everyday Fashion" I recommend you do so now!

 

This girl is super creative when paring affordable everyday outfits and provides links to the clothing (or similar style) with each post. Although I disagree with purchasing cheap clothing for the majority of your wardrobe, the blog does have some clothes from Loft, Express, etc.

 

A recent post (here) did lead to me purchasing an skirt from Target.com (here). Since I had a gift card and the skirt was only $23 I decided to go ahead and buy it. I really liked the bold white and blue print and the pencil fit and was surprised by how well it was made once it arrived. In the post, J explains how she was returning the skirt, since she purchased the lightly less expensive Forever 21 dress in a similar print (here). I prefer the look of the skirt and all dresses are too short on me from that store!

Target apparently run's big in their sizes. I ordered a 2P (the smallest size) and it fits well. The length is right above the knee.

 

I plan to pair the skirt with a deep navy blouse and my nude Louboutin's.

 



Picture from J's Everyday Fashion

Tulle Tutu Trend

The opening for each SITC episode, there was Ms. Bradshaw rocking a lovely tutu skirt. I was amazed when Fields dished that the iconic skirt was from a bargain bin and cost a whopping $5! (read full story here).

 

This is a style I don't think every girl can pull off. Careful what you pair it with to avoid looking like an adult ballerina or a cracked out fairy.

 

This ultra feminine look is sneaking up all over the place and on celebs:

 

MTV STYLE

 

Here are some variations of the look:

 

Bright and FULL
Here

 

 

Black and short

 

Knee length paired with a tank
Etsy

 

Long and paired with chambray and a belt
Etsy

 

When looking online try searches, use tulle as well as tutu for best results.(For example Forever21 and Nordstrom have them listed under tulle in the search)

 

 

Want to make your own tutu skirt just like Carrie's? Here is tutorial showing you how you can do it yourself (granted you know how to sew).

 http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/diy-halloween-the-carrie-bradshaw-costume-creative

 

Ladies: Dress the Part

If you are a lady then dress like one. If your not a lady, well I can't help you there. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to dress up. There is nothing more ladylike to me then dresses. From work to NYE and all there is between, the colors, patterns, styles, and colors are endless. I contantly find myself browsing sites like Dorothy Perkins (which the Kardashians now have partenered), Asos, Edressme, and of course all the random sites Pinterest takes me too. Speaking of, here some cute ones I've spotted lately online (most of which I cannot afford):

 

 

Kors, $1,595, here



$149, here

Jil Sander



 



$179, here

Lanvin, $1,750, here

Vionnet, $2,059, here

Belted

Have you met the belt above?

 

Her name is "The Bold & The Beautiful" and is by Australian designer Mettle. She sells for $198 at ShopBop and is all over the freaking place right now!

There are, as always, cheaper alternatives (try Celeb Boutique and of course Ebay - just search gold metal plate belt)

However, I like the original the best , since it is metal all the way around versus the cheapos that are just metal fronts with elastic around the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freebies! (Fall Voxbox Review)

There is nothing like going to the mail box and getting a bunch of junk, or even worse bills! I can't complain about today's delivery- a box of freebies from a website called, Influenster. The site is designed for and geared toward those who blog and or use social media websites like Facebook. Once you sign up (which is free) you are eligible to receive a box filled with goodies to keep all for free! The site is filled with unbiased product reviews on all sorts of stuff.

 

 

 

Today my box arrived and I was kind of disappointed (which I feel bad for saying since it was free!). Every item but one (the B&BW candle) was something you would find at Walgreen's or Target and is something I would not buy or want to buy and here is why....

Kiss Ever PRO Lash Starter Kit

I love the look of lashes! We are required to wear them at every home game and appearance for the Ravens Playmakers. I am a huge fan of Ardel brand. Lashes can either more natural looking lashes (still dramatic though) or can look very Halloween or Drag Queenish. Unfortunately this pair falls in the second category. To thick and too even, creates a look that is less than flattering. I do like the plastic lash applicator (which resembles tweezers) and the glue in the bottle, less mess than the Revlon Brand with the brush applicator.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin

These look cool and simple to use....too bad they are not! I think my hair is too long, thick and layered for this 3 step system. First you gather hair in low ponytail (with no elastic). Then twist into a bun (here my layers were everywhere) and then "twist" into hair- thus securing it. It didn't hold up any of my hair. Oh I also got pins for DARK hair, which I have blonde- so if they did do what they were designed to do, you would see them very easily in my hair.

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle and $10 off coupon

The candle is Pumpkin Cupcake and it definitely is a mini candle (cute!). I like the smell and the glass jar it's in. I would buy a full size version!

Not Your Mother's Hair Cream (Curl Defining)

This product is designed for naturally curly hair...which I do not have. It smells okay, but that not great. I have a lot of hair and spend a lot of money at the salon to keep it blonde! With that being said, I do not use drug store brand hair products. I love my Moroccan Oil, Redken Blonde Glam, and Sebastian Shaper Hair Spray!!



NYC New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact (for Brown Eyes)

 

I'm not a fan of cheap makeup. What you put on your face should be high quality. Also if your going to spend the time applying it, then it should stay. Cheaper store brand shadows like this are less pigmented and do not stay as well as MAC or Urban Decay. You can tell as soon as you apply it- it just doesn't go on the same as a higher quality shadow.

 

The colors in this pallet are not bad (4 total) and includes primer and illuminator. I don't have brown eyes, but I think the colors are neutral enough they would look okay on me.

Vitabath Fragrance Mist

EWW!! This smells so terrible, which is such a disappointment since it is one of the full size products in the box. The sent is "Asian Orchid and Coconut". It smells like something a smoker would wear- kind of like candy with a hint of alcohol (like hairspray). As soon as I opened the box I could smell it was terrible! I do not really see the purpose, I rather just wear good perfume.

EBOOST

 

This is a small packet of a dietary supplement in a salt like form. Add to water and this orange flavored concoction is supposed to provide a boost of energy and a boost to your immune system. I guess this is supposed to be like Emergen-C meets RedBull and defiantly not a fan! I'll just take my vitamins and drink my coffee :)

MISSING ITEM:
Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion, Cleansing Balm, & Night Cream
This wasn't in my box :( I got the smelly mist instead.

 

 So to conclude- I liked getting free samples, but didn't like ones I wouldn't use (cheap makeup) or can't use (hair pins for people with a lot less of it than me).

 

Log on to http://www.influenster.com/ and sign up to get your box of freebies :)

Spotted

Look I'm loving right now- Polka Dots. Yes the pattern isn't just for 7 year olds. I stopped in the new J Crew in Baltimore and the store was littered with the spotted design.

Personally I like the classic navy. The red to me is a tad Minnie Mouse. This is a classic look, but from some ensembles I have viewed online, this can be overdone. To avoid a diaster, I recommend to pair with solids.

Here are some of looks done right.....

Love the pairing with brown leather bag and sandals

Peplum Vintage Classic Style

Polka with an edge.

All American

Preppy

J Crew Top paired with their mint jeans

Oh so simple cami

Paired with a pop of color

Sheer Black instead of Navy

And lastly red...paired with white pencil pants.

To view J Crew's Polka Dot Collection....click here.