New Shoes!

Well I had a crappy morning.  I was rear-ended this morning and it was a hit & run.  Thank goodness there wasn't any damage to my car other than scuffed paint.  Mostly, it was irritating and pissed me off.  Since my day kind of sucked, I went to Off Broadway Shoes after work (and the insurance adjuster).  I fell in love with glittery peep-toes and pumps at Kate Spade a few weeks ago that I couldn't afford, so I went in looking for something similar.  I got SO lucky!  I found a pair of pewter glitter covered pumps in my size that are comfortable which is insanely lucky in a size 5!!

And a theme song for this post:

My Favorite Home Decor Store

It's not what I expected to be my favorite home decor store.  Since I'm not scheduled to close on my townhouse until mid-October, I've been curbing my desire to shop for furniture.  I've been restricting myself to only buying decor items for now.  Almost everything I've bought so far has come from one store!  And it's a store I had previously only bought clothes at - Urban Outfitters.  Who knew they had such great home stuff?  (I used birthday money to buy the last print today, thanks Grandma!)

   

Mirror, picture frame (purchased in white), Paris print, & this must be the place print

Summer Whites

It's finally not raining!  This is exciting since I feel like it's rained a lot since I moved.  I was able to go over to the outdoor mall without carrying my umbrella.  I wasn't planning on doing much actual shopping, but I did pick up a few items at Francesca's Collection.  One of those is this watch (no, I hadn't set the time yet when I put it on).  I've wanted a sparkly white watch all summer, so although fall will be here soon, I finally bought one.  This is one of the dresses I purchased from Banana Republic as well.  I took this photos just outside of my apartment.

    

Tax Holiday!

So my first weekend living in Charlotte is their tax holiday for back-to-school shopping.  This means that all clothing is tax-free.  Since I have birthday month coupons, I decided that I should spend my first weekend exploring the area, starting with the shopping!  I happen to live walking distance from an amazing outdoor mall, Blakeney.  On Friday night I drove over (due to a thunderstorm) and hit up Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, and Banana Republic.  I did SO well at Banana Republic!  They had two deals going on, 25% off all sale and $25 coupons for ever $50 spent.  In addition, I had a $10 reward card.  So, I bought two dresses, a pair of pants, and a cardigan for only $100, plus I got two $25 (off of a $50 purchase) coupons!  I still have a $15 birthday reward, so I hope to go back later this month to pick out a few more items to use those coupons.

This dress only cost me $18!

Today I drove over to the mall.  It's very nice, but all on one floor, so it involves a ton of walking to get around it.  It's definitely a high-end mall - the anchors include Neiman Marcus, Belk, and Nordstrom.  My goals were Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and American Eagle.  I saw they also have LuluLemon, Sur La Table, Tiffany's, Godiva, Sephora, Apple, and several other stores I look forward to having nearby.  I used my birthday discount at Anthropologie to pick up a dress, cardigan (in bright blue), tank, and belt.

   

North Georgia Outlet Shopping

I am on vacation.  No, not the lay by the beach in a tropical setting or explore European cities kind of vacation.  I went to a wedding last weekend, so I took a week off to spend with my parents.  Yesterday my mom and I went to the outlet mall, one of our favorite things to do together.  I did pretty well, although I was trying not to do much shopping because I do have to pack to fly home.  I wore two of my purchases today because I was so excited about them.  The dress my dad was kind enough to shorten the straps on, and the length actually works for me if I wear heels.  Those heels are also new, and they're super comfortable.  I wore them all day today and my feet weren't sore or red at all.  Amazing!

Dress: Charlotte Russe - $23

Earrings: Cost Plus World Market

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks - $51

I also bought a french press that was on clearance at Williams-Sonoma for $9.

Happy Pi Day!

Did you make pie for pi day?  I made derby pie, and my coworkers loved it!

So based on Gayathri's comment yesterday, I knew I had to go back to Target today.  I tried on almost every dress they had.  I ended up buying two!  First up, my outfit today.  I almost wore my navy khakis, but at the last minute I switched to jeans.  I'm glad I did.  I ended up crawling around the test stand above where the engine will be.  I came out dirty and covered in paint chips.  Everything shook off, but I can't risk wearing nice clothes to work anymore.

 

Outfit 9:

Top: Nordstrom

Jeans: Lucky

Sweater: Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Naturalizer

 

Dress 1: Tucker for Target

Dress 2: Libertine for Target

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a great day!  I guess it started yesterday.  I bought myself a dress from Anthropologie.  (My grandma sent me a gift card, so it's from her too.  Thanks Grandma!)  I cannot believe I found this dress hiding in the sale room in my size!  I also finally bought my formal dress for the Los Angeles Engineers Council banquet.  I tried on this dress months ago, but it was $228 at full price.  I bought the last one in my store for only $91!  Last night while I watched the Grammy awards, I treated my cat to her Valentine's gift - a whole pile of cat-nip!  I poured it onto the base of her scratching post.  As you'll see, she loved it!  Today I arrived at work to find my rabbit (with big pointy teeth!) toy biting down onto a little box of chocolates on my chair.  There was no note.  As the day went on, it became clear that about 7 other girls at work also received mystery chocolate.  It was a fun day talking with the other girls trying to figure out who the gifts are from!  Tonight I treated myself to a fantastic dinner at Morton's steakhouse.  I ate at the bar for happy hour.  They offer a prime burger with fries for $17 and cosmos for $7.  One of my friends, Marinelle, met me at the bar for dinner too.

Yesterday's outfit:

Dress, shoes & belt: Target

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Heart necklace: gift

Hair bow (not seen): Forever 21

Dresses I bought:

Anthropologie De Chelly Dress

White House Black Market Crystal Circles Gown

My mystery chocolate (and my Monty Python rabbit).

And as promised, photos of my cat high on cat-nip.

My valentine!

Urban Holiday

Today my mom and I went to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza malls for some after Christmas shopping.  Our best stop of the day was in Urban Outfitters.  The whole sale section was an additional 50% off and all holiday decor was 75% off.  We picked up ornaments for both my parents' Christmas tree and mine.  Our favorite purchase were two Linus blankets for only $9 each!

Owl ornament for $0.99

Bird ornament for $0.99

Good luck ornament for $0.99

Pickle ornament for $1.99

Six Cupcake ornaments for $1.99

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang hardcover for $5

Plus my outfit of the day includes a new dress that my mom bought me from Target earlier in my visit.

Dress & boots: Target

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Tights: Forever 21

Belt: Anthropologie

Earrings: bought in Mexico

Anthropologie Sale Scores

Yesterday I hit up my local Anthropologie store after work to take advantage of the extra 25% off of sale deal.  I picked up a skirt, top, belt, & tights all for $69!  I wore the new skirt and tights today to work.

Sweater: Banana Republic

Tank: Jockey

Skirt & tights: Anthropologie

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: Tiffany's

Gilt Sale Find

Last night I went to the Gilt Warehouse sale in Hollywood and a friend's birthday and housewarming party.  I wanted to be warm in case the party was outside, so I wore tights.  Luckily the party was inside his apartment this year.  My friend's new place is on the 26th floor of a building in the heart of downtown, so I ended up outside on the balcony a lot anyways!

Dress & tights: Forever 21

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Boots: Target

Today I wore my purchase from the Gilt Warehouse sale last night...with a super comfy outfit.  I purchased a Rosena Sammi bracelet for $25 and the original price was marked as $150!  I just love the peridot stones and intricate details.

Tunic: American Eagle

Leggings: Target

Shoes: Clarks

Fall Boots

Last night I went to LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, for live jazz music with SWE.  It was a fantastic evening!  I highly recommend going.  The museum hosts live jazz music for free every Friday night.  Museum entry is also free for LA county residents after 5 pm.  I wore a new lace cardigan that I picked up on clearance at Target.  I really love it!  I wish I could get one in every color.

Cardigan & tank: Target

Jeans: Paige

Boots: Franco Fortini

Ring: Forever 21

Earrings: Savannah Art Market

I wore the same boots today.  I put together this outfit actually in the Target dressing room.  I went in for olive green leggings, and this tunic sweater was hanging near the leggings and on sale.  It felt like the perfect fall outfit!  Plus it feels like pajamas.

 

Tunic & leggings: Target

Tank: Jockey

Boots: Franco Fortini

Ring: Forever 21

One Dress Three Ways

I bought this dress from Anthropologie using my 15% birthday discount and it was on sale.  I'm calling it my birthday dress this year.  So far I've worn it two different days, three ways!  I have even more ideas of how to accessorize it.  I think it's a great purchase!  First, I wore it as is, with the sash that came with the dress.  Please pardon my wet hair in this picture.  I wore this to go outlet shopping with friends.

Shoes: Naturalizer

Earrings: Barbara half dollars from a SF artist

Today I wore the dress to work.  After work I took off the cardigan and added my birthday candle necklace from Anthropologie.

 

Belt: Target

Cardigan: LOFT Outlet

Flats: Clarks

Sandals: Target

Fun With Work Outfits

I like putting together new and different work outfits.  Takes me out of the ruts I get into.  Last week I woke up with a strong urge to wear American Apparel to work.  I paired a tunic that I hadn't worn in months with a pair of black khakis.  I prefer this shirt with leggings, but it worked with the pants as well.

  

Tunic: American Apparel

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Naturalizer

Today I wore a new shirt I bought at Anthropologie this week.  I used my 15% off birthday discount to pick up a few sale items.  I've been wanting a striped boat-neck top for a while and this one was too cute to pass up!  It helped me get over my fear of wearing stripes too.

 

Top: Anthropologie, Little Yellow Button Curator Top

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Naturalizer