Styling a Tunic

Happy Monday beauties! If you’re on the East Coast, enjoy digging out of the snow. If you’re anywhere else, enjoy the pictures of people shoveling loads of snow. Lucky for me, I missed that big blizzard by a few days! I’ll be headed back to Maryland on Wednesday when the roads are clear but the powder still sits nicely on the tree branches.

Last week I did a little shopping and found far too many things on sale! My favorite thing I found was a button up tunic from the Limited. It was $34.99 with 70% off! There were quite a few on the final sale rack and I snatched one up! Here’s a link to a few other tunics they have on sale.

I love this style of blouse for a variety of reasons but mostly because it’s flattering on every body type. They’re easy to style too! For this look, I wore basic skinny jeans and purple ballet flats (featured here). The fun part about a simple outfit like this is being able to add more elaborate accessories to it like the necklace I’m wearing from Chico’s. Since it was a chilly day, I added a cream puffer vest and an infinity scarf. Perfect outfit for a lovely day!

 

Fall Haul featuring Seasonal Sale Items

Shocking report ladies and gents- I’ve been shopping. Alright, maybe not so shocking. I’m the poster child for shopping addiction. Really though, I have some great finds to show you! My number one rule of shopping is never pay full price. Nothing is ever worth the sticker retailers put on their items. I have the best time finding great deals at all of my favorite stores. I’m going to share my latest finds with you today.

 

 

During a short trip to Marshall’s, I was browsing the clearance and came across this gold candle votive holder for 30 cents. I was stoked because I had seen it a few weeks earlier for about $3 and determined that I didn’t need it and wouldn’t pay over a dollar for it. Turns out, I didn’t have to.

Literally everything else in this haul is from Bath and Body Works. Both candles I got for half off and I was sent in the mail a flyer for a free body mist with any purchase. The Mahogany Teakwood room spray was also half off coming in at $5.

I absolutely love the scents of each product. The Sea Salt and Maple candle smells so good and welcoming for any home. Unlike other candles, its very potent! You can smell it all over my house when its burning. Warm Caramel Cider is similar but has a spicier smell.

 

Probably my favorite purchase recently is this adorable jewelry tray. Another find at Bath and Body Works for $6. The gold and white detailing with the cheetah print is just too cute and I couldn’t pass it up. The lipstick sitting on the tray is from Color Me Beautiful in Cinnamon in case you were wondering. It’s a really deep shade of red. Sometimes I have a hard time pulling it off but it sure looks cute on my jewelry tray!

 

Hope you enjoyed this little haul. Let me know if you’ve found any good deals recently!

 

 

Back to School ‘Must Haves’

Back to School ‘Must Haves’ by oceangirl15 featuring an alarm clock

Browsing through Target and online today I realized that there is an overwhelming amount of excitement for back to school and college planning. I start my final semester of college on Monday and frankly, I’m not all that thrilled. I came to realize that new school ‘supplies’ might be just the ticket to get me excited! Here’s my list of  “must haves” (if I could afford them, that is):

1. Kate Spade planner: Kate is making a fortune off of girls like me who think life gets better when your planner is pretty. Kudos to Ms. Spade, I wish I had thought of this. I found very similar planners for half the price at Target fyi!

2. Kate Spade clock: Alright Kate your killing my budget. Why must you make everything cute? Seriously though, buy a clock with an alarm! Just a tip, put it on the other side of the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

3. iPhone case: I think this is by Kate Spade too. Oops! Oh well, a new case is in order after a summer of getting sandy in the beach bag. Find a cute one for cheap or splurge and get an Otterbox.

4. Hunter Boots: It’s a preppy staple and one that this middle-class prep can’t afford. I’m a lover of rain boots because they can look kinda cute with most things and I won’t get my good leather boots dirty or wet. Target always has a few that debut in the fall for about $25.

5. Dooney & Bourke bag: I bought my mom one for her birthday and it’s huge! It fits everything you would need to take to class or the library. I found her’s at the D&B outlet for about $135. If you don’t want to spend that much, browse through Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for a similar one.

6. Hair ties: This new trend of hair ties is strange but cute. I always end up needing one while I’m out anyway. Buy a pack at Old Navy for $3 and put it in your purse for emergencies.

7. Highlighter pens: These are God’s gift to college students. Just buy brand new ones and throw out the old ones. They’re great for organizing and color coding. Plus they’re just pretty.

8. Kate Spade wristlet: Darn you Kate, I’ve found something else you sell that I love. Wristlets are perfect for stashing all your money, IDs etc. without having to lug a bag around. My wristlet is Vera Bradley and I bought it for $15. It was worth every penny and have never looked back.

9. Lilly Pulitzer tumbler: I love taking flavored water with me to class or wherever I’m going. I find that I’m thirsty whenever I’m out and about. I save money by having one of these with me.

10. iPhone charger: I’m always running out of battery power and of course no one else has their charger. Just buy a cheap one and put that in your bag too. Target is selling them for $5 right now!

Extra Tip: For college students, I recommend you invest in some pepper spray as well. There are so many creeps in the world and you need to be able to defend yourself from them. Most schools have a ‘no firearm policy’ so this is the next best thing. Fair warning however, your school may try to confiscate this as it can be considered a ‘weapon’. If this happens to you, simply comply and give up the pepper spray. After this, head straight to Wal-Mart and pick up a small can of wasp spray. Why? Because it shoots at 20 feet with accuracy and is not considered a lethal weapon but it sure can burn the eyes (ask any of the pesky wasps and bees I’ve sprayed). Check local laws on this to make sure, but quite honestly if you did use it to stop an assault and it worked, I doubt any judge or jury is going to wet themselves over your use of bug deterrent.

Staple Items for a Lady’s Closet

Nothing says regret like the things we wore 10 years ago that are so bitterly tacky and outdated now. One of my infamous outfits from circa 1998 was my ballet leotard paired with a butterfly print sarong, straw hat, red tights, my tap shoes, and a rainbow colored xylophone. Yes, you read that right, a xylophone. In my defense, I had watched a kid’s tv show that day about being and dressing for yourself. Boy, did I ever. In all seriousness though, there were outfits we all wore that were trendy at the moment but now we would like to burn the evidence that we ever wore them.

However, there are some things worn by some people that never go out of style. Sure, over the years how they were made and fitted changed, but in most aspects it has remained in tact. These articles of clothing are called “staple pieces” and they’ve been in every well-dressed woman’s wardrobe for years.I’ve created a little visual for you to follow along with as I explain exactly why these pieces are so important and useful! Enjoy!

Staple Items by oceangirl15 featuring a double breasted trench coat

The top left-hand corner showcases a gorgeous trench coat! It’s a throwback to Breakfast at Tiffany’s when Audrey Hepburn is drenched in the rain looking for her cat. Ever since then, it’s been a classic piece and here’s why: it matches everything, has multiple uses, and can be dressed up or down. Burberry makes a stunning one (with a stunning price) and every year these lovely coats can be seen in places like Overstock.com and New York & Company. Invest in a decent one! Find one in either this classic tan color or a navy blue!

Next we’re moving on to the Little Black Dress, a staple made famous by Coco Chanel! Unfortunately it’s also a staple that has been hijacked by the clubbing scene and all those who come with it. This is a classy piece for any professional woman and even their younger counterparts. Please, for the love of all things Coco Chanel do not choose an LBD that’s too short, too tight, or too revealing! This dress should be worn for evening dinners, cocktail parties, or night time events that do not involve bouncers or 16 year olds trying to get in. Mod Cloth has several options in all shapes, sizes, and budgets.

Oh look where we are! A navy blue blazer. My how classic! Boring you say? Oh how wrong you are! This is the staple that can be worn to work, school, dates, lunch, brunch, church, to the park, and so many other places! It isn’t meant to be worn by itself; it’s meant to be accessorized and made stylish by the top and jewelry you pair with it. Find a good one. The one pictured above is from Ralph Lauren. However, you can find a decent one at Target. It may not last forever, but it will last until you can afford another one.

My favorite thing to pair with a blazer is a great pair of dark wash jeans. My favorite brand is Lucky Brand but I paid through the nose for them. It was worth it in the long run but I understand it can be pricey! I found some that are a bit cheaper and still good quality at New York & Co (bonus: they’re having a buy one, get one sale right now). I prefer a skinny jean but straight leg is great too. Avoid boot cut unless you’re into baggy in the calf and slightly too long in the leg.

Another thing you can wear with that great blazer is a pair of shorts! No, not Daisy Duke shorts, more like the J Crew style. I have so many pairs of shorts but the ones I get the most use out of (and look the classiest) are my chino style shorts like the pair above. You can find similar ones at Target, but the best come from J Crew. I get them on sale every August and save them for the next summer because it saves about $20.

Moving on to pencil skirts now! I love these for so many reasons but mainly because I can wear it to work with pretty much anything on top (sometimes I don’t even need to iron mine but don’t tell anyone!) My favorite ones come from Banana Republic. Yet again, they can be pricey. My solution for savings? Go to their factory store and browse the clearance section. I found a great navy blue pencil skirt for only $10 one time! I suggest finding one in either a cream color or a black.

Cardigans are a lovely thing to pair with just about anything. Buy them in a grey or black and then a red/orangey color for some zip. To get a really good quality cardigan you’ll be needing at least $40. I’ve made it through life with a few from Forever 21 and Old Navy. I can’t say the quality is stellar but it’s good enough for a lower budget.

A cardi looks great with a buttoned up oxford shirt underneath (and guess what? It goes with that blazer again). The best ones I’ve come across are from Ralph Lauren. Once again, head to the factory store and browse clearance. My blue oxford came from the clearance rack and it looks amazing for only $22. If you aren’t near a Ralph Lauren store, then check out Old Navy, they usually have some.

Last but not least, t-shirts. Everyone can rock these and they are the one item that we wear all the time. Get them in neutral colors for the most versatile wardrobe. A good brand of t-shirt I like is Zara but Old Navy can make a good one too. Check to make sure it isn’t too see-through. No one wants to see your bra when you’re walking down the street. At least I hope not.

To finish out this staple piece series tomorrow I will be covering staple accessories and a few other items! Check back for this grand finale!

For a Restful Night…

For a Restful Night by oceangirl15 featuring a down alternative bedding

I am a terrible sleeper and have been since I was a baby! Last night I was having the worst time sleeping. Tossing and turning for hours on end is just not how I want to spend my sleeping hours. For those of you who are like me I’ve come up with a short list of things that might help create a mind set and space that allows you to hit the sheets with less struggle.

1. Comfy Pjs are a must for a decent sleep. I can’t stand wearing anything that might get twisted around me or pulling at me. I wear short shorts and a soft t- shirt to bed. I’d sleep in my underwear but all I can think of is a fire in the middle of the night and not being able to find my pants!

2. Sleep mist from Bath and Body Works is one of my favorite things! I get the vanilla and lavender scent and spray it on my pillow at night. Aromatherapy really helps some people relax!

3. A down comforter is probably the best bed spread I’ve ever had. I found mine at Marshall’s for $39 in a really pretty ivory/white color. For some people, this might be a little too heavy. Find a comforter in a light color and fabric if down feathers are too warm for you.

4. A pillow can make or break your sleep. I’ve found the square pillows are the best shape for me because I like to sleep on the edge of the pillow for prime breathing space. I can’t stand anything in front of my mouth or nose!

5. Sleeping masks aren’t for everyone but I personally like them if the street lights (or even the moon) is a little too bright for me. On a red eye flight from Los Angeles to DC the flight attendants passed out sleeping masks and ear plugs. I woke up feeling pretty good for someone who had to sleep sitting up.

6. Electric fans have been a God send for my family. We live in the woods and little creatures make freaky noises at night so we sleep with fans on. It acts as a white noise to block out anything that might distract me from the mission of going to sleep and staying asleep.

7. Most nights I like to have a bowl of cereal (usually Cheerios) and milk. For some reason, milk has ingredients that calm and induce sleep. Since I can’t digest milk without the help of something else, I add Cheerios to my night time snack!

What do you all do to help you sleep? Leave a comment below and share with your Facebook buddies!