Do the Nasty

Hello lovelies! I hope you had an amazing Valentine's Day filled with lots of love, or lots of fantastic date time, or just lots of fantastic warmth from your human friends or your favorite fluffy friend.

Funny Story & Advice

(( Word of advice from a lesson learned the hard way. Ladies: DO keep a spare change of clothes in your car including undergarments. Brothers/Boyfriends/Friends of females: DO keep extra products for women in case of an emergency, or your lady might end up spending a special day, i.e. Valentine's Day, running around downtown Santa Barbara on State St. going in and out of stores looking for undergarments and a change of clothes. Not that it's particularly difficult to find clothes and underwear on a typical day, but I guess on Valentine's Day people need their underwear more so than usual. ))

A few months ago I ordered a $5 something from Nasty Gal. A week later I received an email stating that my item was no longer in stock and the order had been cancelled. When I went back onto the website, the item was still listed as being available. A bit frustrated, I emailed them asking them why my order had been cancelled but the item was still being offered on the website. About 2 weeks later I received an email from them apologizing and giving me a $20 gift card to their site to use whenever I want.


2 weeks ago I used the gift card, buying a pendant necklace and a pair of leopard print socks. Both came within a few days, and both were nothing like they were on the site. I was rather horrified at how tarnished and cheap the necklace looked and felt, when on the site it looked bright, shiny and strong. The socks looked like something I'd find for $1 at a sale bin at Marshall's. Immediately I returned both items, and instead used my $20 to buy the Gunmetal Filigree Ring.

Product Review

 

Gunmetal Filigree Ring: $11.20

This ring is absolutely stunning and worth the wait. It's not too heavy, but heavy enough so that you feel it. It fits nicely on my hand and is very comfortable for wear. Its colors are striking and go with everything. This is my new favorite ring and because of it's darker, edgier vibe will retain a permanent place in my jewelry collection for as long as it is intact. (I have a nasty habit of being slightly rough with my jewelry, never intentionally of course, but nonetheless it happens.)

I'd recommend this ring for anyone, and with the price being as affordable as it is, why not splurge and get it? It will fit perfectly in with anyone's wardrobe, and truly if you're only going to wear one piece of jewelry, this is the one to wear. 

My Fair Ring

Valentine's Day: Minus the confusing subplots

Hello lovelies! I hope we are all gearing up for the exciting Valentine's Day coming up. For those of us (myself included) who don't have a boyfriend per-se, but are seeing someone, it can be rather awkward to think of what to wear. It's not a serious relationship, so do you actually need to dress up for the occasion? What if it's a simple friends-with-benefits situation? What if it's someone who you hope to turn into a boyfriend but just haven't reached that stage? Maybe an ex hoping to rekindle a romance? There are all kinds of hairy situations when it comes to that famous holiday surrounded by love, and heartache coincidentally, but not to worry, there are all kinds of fun date ideas to take the pressure off.

For now, I'm here to help you take the pressure off your date outfit. What should you wear, you ask? It's February, so unless you live in the Keys or the desert, you want to dress in layers. Tonight, I'll show you a few different V-Day outfit ideas that will work for almost all body types and skin tones.

Outfit #1

$50 or Less

 

Poppie Jones Turnlock Shoulder Bag: $19.94

A funky shoulder bag at a fantastic price, paired with the neutral dress and fun shoes makes this outfit scream "Awesome and fun date".

 

Back Zipper Dress: $8.74

Just the prettiest LBD that will work for any occasion.

 

Dollhoues Pitone Flat Boots: $14.94

Snakeskin flats = <3

Outfit #2

$50 or Less

 

SOHO Central - Pocket Front Dress: $19.80

Dresses like these become instant favorites because of their versatility. Layer them over wool tights and boots, or over jeans and flats, or wear with sandals on a cool autumn day. The simple design and sweet color make this dress a must-have.

 

 Polka Dot Hard Case Wallet: $5.70

 So cute, so functional and so affordable. I am in love.

 

Step in the bright direction Wedge: $21.99 

The coolest wedge. Ever.

Outfit #3

$50 or Less

 

Deer Sweater: $13.99 

Just the funkiest little sweater on the market. So cute. So affordable. So going into into the "Must Buy" category.

 

Glen Plaid Trousers with belt: $15.99

A fantastic pair of pants that can work in any situation with the right shoes and accessories. These will become a wardrobe staple.

 

Folded Collar Sueded Bootie: $14.99

This beautiful little bootie will give you a sturdy foot in any dating situation, with a beautiful color to boot. The folds make this bootie stand out from every other girl and will make you the chicest date he's ever had. All of the colors work together because of the neutrals and the shoes being the only pop of color you'll have.

The battle, not the war

Don't worry Patriots, you may have lost one battle, but there will many more ahead and you will prevail. You lost this battle, but not the war to being the best team in NFL history. Someday my Pats, someday soon you will rise again and take back your glory that you deserve. <3

Leather & Lace

As we all know, one day you're in, and the next day you're writing a memoir of your 5 minutes of fame.

For those of us that prefer to look the part, even if we're not exactly Heidi Klum status yet, I have found some amazing ways to partake in the latest trend, pairing leather with lace. There's something delicious about the combination of the tough leather with the sweet lace, and it can be worn at any size for any setting.

Sugar + Spice

(Any everything nice)

Sugar

 

White Long Sleeved Lace Top: $9.90

 

Floral Lace Trapeze Top; $9.50

 

Lace Inset Pull Over; $22.50

 

Lace Wrap Dress with sleeves: $40.29

 

Jancy Lace Dress: $20.00

Lace Pleated Skirt: $16.00

Spice

 

Olsenboye Faux Leather Shorts: $10.00

 

AGB Petite Cap Sleeve Dress: $13.99

 

Faux Leather Pocket Boyfriend Cardigan: $35.00

Olive & Oak Leatherette Tee: $34.99

 

Hidden Zip Faux Leather Jacket: $44.99

 

Petite Faux Leather Shorts: $16.00

Products & Provisions

Good afternoon lovelies! Thankfully my laptop is now in working condition again, so back to our regularly-scheduled fashion rendezvous.

Products & Provisions

Elemis Skin Care

Free product reviews

Lip Gloss: $24

The lip gloss definitely moisturizes, but it doesn't last as long as my Burt's Bees lip balm. It's a good product, but not one I'd willingly spend $24 on.

Fresh Skin Makeup-Away Wipes: $16

These wipes take away my makeup beautifully and don't make my skin feel greasy or dry afterwards. A pack comes with plenty, so you won't be running out a week after you buy one. I definitely recommend this for everyone; the wipes are gentle, smell nice, and work wonderfully.

Tired Eyes Soothing Rescue: $30

This beautiful little serum works very well from what I've seen of it so far. This past week has been a hectic one and I haven't gotten as much sleep as night as I should have. Every night I've been putting the serum under my eyes and on the corners and I've woken up looking far less tired than I have other sleepless nights. I recommend this, ESPECIALLY for college students who still want to look somewhat rested the next day!

Those are the only 3 I've tried so far. Next week I will hopefully have more reviews for you on the other products that came in the set.

Promised Prizes

Good evening lovelies! As we all know, when it rains, it pours. Relationship ends, job doesn't accept you, car needs to be fixed, etc, but despite the pouring, there's always a silver lining to every cloud.

My silver lining is a slightly silly one; winning free hair care and facial products from Lucky magazine. Every month I enter the contests for every single prize. I won Rusk hair care from the September issue (Cue Anna Wintour cameo) and I recently won a whole skin care line from the December issue.

I enter the giveaways and sweepstakes all the time because, well, why not? They're free and only take a minute of my time. Even if I don't win, nothing was lost, save for a bit of my day. If I win, then I have enough hair care and skin care to last me over a year. One last thing I have to worry about. Score!

When I called Lucky to ask them a question about what I had won, the girl who works for the magazine told me that she never ever enters those contests. I asked "Why not?" she said "Well, I'll never win."

Just think though, even if there's no chance you'll win, what if you do?

You might open up an email to see this:

The Endless Debate

Hello lovelies! Not to worry, I'm not talking about politics on a budget today, I'm talking about an interesting conversation I had this morning that I've been having ever since I went in to fashion nearly 6 years ago: materialistic vs. realistic. 

I understand not everyone understands the fashion industry in the same way, and that's good; if we all were experts of the same thing that would be really boring. Frustration though always seems to ensue whenever friends and I get on to the subject. "I don't participate in fashion" a friend once told me. I couldn't help but recite the scene from "The Devil Wears Prada" where Meryl Streep verbally knocked the heels off of Anne Hathaway's character by explaining how by her "not participating in fashion" she is actually a big part of the fashion cycle.

The Devil Wears Prada

My conversations with friends as of late though have been more along the lines of "I don't like the materialistic aspects of fashion", which I can understand. It has become less about morals and more about selling to meet the goal, no matter the destruction along the way. I stand firm when I say that I will always be a REAListic fashion blogger as opposed to a MATERIAListic one.

Is that dress in the window at Nordstrom's beautiful? Of course, but will it work with my lifestyle? Will it work with my wardrobe? Will it meet both my style needs as well as my wallet's needs? If not, then don't convince yourself you can afford it if you cut here and scrimp there. With every single purchase I want you to ask yourself whether you're being REAListic or MATERIAListic. If you already have 20 pairs of earrings in a similar style, you don't need a 21st pair. Even if it's only $1, save it and spend it on something REAListic; like a pair of jeweled flats that work with every outfit for work AND play.

It is important to understand the cycle that retailers and consumers are constantly swept up in, but also remember that treating yourself every now and again is just as necessary as leaving that 21st pair of earrings right where it is.