Tag Archives: cute

Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Standard
Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! One brand that I’ve always really liked but never explored to an extent is American Eagle Outfitters. I like their classic style, muted colors, and the fact that their clothes can definitely be viewed as appropriate for a twenty something. Despite an appreciation for the brand, their clothes are just way too expensive for my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, my frugality doesn’t exclude the knowledge that you get what you pay for. But my frugality DOES include the fact that, often times, you can find amazing brands elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. This is why I am a tried and true Maxxinista. TJMaxx is a store that I shopped at from a very young age. I can remember browsing the aisles hand in hand with my mom or grandma when I was little and thinking that it was the most fantastic place on earth – and I still do!

TJMaxx allows me to live out my rich girl fantasy by providing me with brands for purchase that I would never buy in my wildest dreams for full price. TJs dwindles down the cost of clothing, shoes, and accessories to a price that I’m fully comfortable paying. When people ask me where I get my clothes, it makes me proud to say that I get a majority of it from TJMaxx, which proves that I look sharp at a budget price. Check out my latest purchase, which happens to be an American Eagle Outfitters cardi at a TJ’s discount, and let’s discuss:

dreamon2dreamon3dreamon4dreamon5

It has been a long, long time since I stepped foot in a mall. And when I do, it’s rarely for myself, but for gift shopping during the holiday season. But, even then, I still prefer to do my shopping elsewhere. However, when I do find myself in the mall, I like to take my time, look around, guffaw at costly price tags, and take note of the things I like for when I do my bargain shopping later.

This adorable, prep school style AEO cardi cost me THIRTEEN DOLLARS, and I know for a fact that it would have been at least fifty had I bought it at the mall. Somehow, this made my new cardigan appear even cuter to me! It has been a good, long while since I bought myself a new cardi – probably back in 2014, actually, when I was still working at PacSun and got a nice employee discount.

I love the cardigans that I do have because they’re older, but I can’t help feeling like everyone and their brother will have the cardigans that are in store right now. And if there’s one thing that I hate, it’s feeling like a million other people have what I’m buying. This is why I usually shy away from purchasing a cardigan, but go for something like a cool jacket or comfy chic sweaters, instead.

However, this AEO cardigan was too cute to pass up. It features my three favorite colors – black, red, and white and it’s SO comfy. I normally don’t dress for comfort, but there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself up in a nice, cozy cardigan to combat the autumn chill. And, of course, the “Keep On Dreamin'” embroidered back made me smile.

If you must know, I was totally “sadness shopping” after a rough day full of questioning myself and just not feeling good in my skin. The sweet, inspirational surprise on the back of this cardi made me happy and it felt like a message from the shopping gods telling me that I’m going to be okay. You can’t beat finding something totally adorable, affordable, and confidence boosting on a really blah day. Needless to say, it was a total TJMaxx cardi party!

So there you have it, my recent Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid! What is a purchase that you made recently that made you smile? How do you ball on a budget? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Taqplayer

A Tale Of Two Scarves

Standard
A Tale Of Two Scarves

Hi everyone and welcome to an ode to one of the it staples in every girl’s fall wardrobe – scarves! This piece is written by my friend, Embery, over at Cozy And Sage and I just know that all of you are going to love it. Please be sure to check out Embery’s blog for more if you enjoyed her post for my Falling For Fall series! Take a look:

A Tale Of Two Scarves

Scarves have always reminded me of fall. The cool crispness of the air and the snuggly warmth of a well-worn stole under my chin as I sip a warm caffeinated beverage and watch the autumn breeze play with the falling leaves is my ultimate pastime. Scarves work just as well for me in the office as they do out on the town. I always feel like I (hopefully) look not only a bit more sophisticated, but perhaps also a bit more prepared for the day enveloped in a proper scarf.

Every scarf that I own seems to have some sort of narrative attached to it, a little snippet of my life that is evoked every time I pull it from my closet. These are two of them:

 The Paris Scarf

My scarf obsession was born on an overseas trip to Paris almost a decade ago now. This burgundy and green darling emerged from the hustle and bustle of the shopping scene along the Seine as my very first scarf purchase. Desperately attempting to fit into Parisienne life, I purchased several stoles while I was there and wore them with gusto about the city during that September. In many ways, my very intentional nod to French fashion paid off, and I was often accepted as a local, initially. Of course, my obvious accent and my clearly American quirks gave me away almost immediately after I opened my mouth, but I found the people there to be quite forgiving. At least I felt more French draped in my new acquisition.

This “Paris” scarf, as my husband and I now refer to it, has accompanied me to many days at work, as well as countless trips to local coffee houses in pursuit of something (or anything) containing pumpkin and nutmeg. Whenever I wear it, I am reminded of those chilly fall days in Paris, seeking out coffee and Cȏtes du Rhȏne. This particular scarf is a polyester blend, I believe (although it did not come with a tag) and wears lightly, yet quite warmly, perfect for the cooler months. I generally wear it looped around my neck twice, sometimes twisted just a little, and then add a simple knot.

The Professional Look

My next scarf investment came years later from Macy’s at a time when I had finished school and was just becoming comfortable in my career. After years of studying and working in the trenches as an intern, I was finally beginning to grasp what being a professional meant. Rather than toiling away, working based off of other’s scientific decisions, I was at last making my own. After surviving the gauntlet of my internship, I was consequently being seen as an expert in my own right, rather than a lackey. To this day, I feel more scholarly and a little more erudite (optimistically, I realize) when I adorn myself with this piece.

Although the color is not particularly fall-ish, this scarf wears much too warmly for spring and is definitely a cold weather staple for me, as most of my wardrobe gravitates towards blues, browns, and black. This is an infinity style-scarf from Calvin Klein and is 100% acrylic. This one layers beautifully over light sweaters as well as long sleeve t-shirts. At times, this scarf can feel a bit bulky and occasionally I will use a pin or broach to keep it closer to the body and prevent it from interfering with my favorite fall beverage. I like to wear this one a bit twisted, as well, as it tends to keep the look slightly crisper and cleaner.

These scarves are still in my rotation, and every autumn when I pull them from their summer sleeping area, I am reminded vividly of these times in my life. Every scarf of mine bears a story, and these have been two of them. I hope you have enjoyed my post and thanks so much to Sarah for the opportunity to share it here! (You’re welcome! -Sarah)

Stay cozy! 🙂

Many thanks to Embery of Cozy And Sage for sharing her Tale Of Two Scarves with us! How do you style scarves into your outfit? What color is your favorite scarf? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day!! I would by no means say that I care deeply about designer clothing and accessories. A majority of my shopping is done at Target, TJMaxx, and Forever 21 and I’m extremely okay with that. However, we all have our favorite high end designers that we love to ogle over. Myself, for example? I love Michael Kors shoes. I adore Kate Spade and Betsey Johnson accessories. And, I also can’t get enough of Calvin Klein everything!

I would never ever pay full price for any of the designer goods that I listed above, but I definitely am inclined to make a purchase if I see any of their duds at TJMaxx. I’ve gotten gorgeous Michael Kors booties, darling Betsey Johnson jewelry, and sweet Kate Spade accessories for a fraction of their original price tag. However, my past two times at TJs has resulted in Calvin Klein sleepwear that I’m simply obsessed with, including these new pajama pants that I purchased this weekend:

ck3

  • Original Price: $42
  • TJMaxx Price: $15

I genuinely love pajamas and I’ve accumulated a collection this year that I am very happy with. To me, there is nothing better than slipping into a sweet nightie or a cozy flannel top and pants set and crawling into bed. It’s such a simple pleasure but, to me, it feels luxurious and I am all about a ballin on a budget life of luxury. And to think that up until now I was literally just sleeping in unwanted, god knows how old t-shirts!

I was so excited about these pajama pants because I had recently purchased the matching pair of boxers, which I love! They also had a nightie in this pattern that I shied away from because I didn’t much care for the shape. These pajama bottoms look cool and comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them during a chilly fall night while tucked under a million blankets.

What I love the most about these sleep pants is the feeling of “treating myself” that I got when I made the purchase. You would be a fool to spend over forty bucks on a pair of pajama bottoms. But fifteen? I can swing that! I get to hit the hay in one of my favorite designer’s sleepwear and it feels kind of naughty and absurd. But the fact that I got it for an amazing price makes the feeling of almost foolishness that comes with the territory of sleeping in designer duds totally guilt free and a whole lot of fun.

treatyoself_main01

So there you have it, Lil Red’s Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition! How do you treat yourself? Who is your favorite high end designer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

Standard
It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! So all over the blogosphere I’ve seen posts about this month’s Ipsy bag featuring a special little egg named Gudetama. Long story short, I’m obsessed. I’m not that big of a makeup girl so I’m not subscribed to Ipsy, but lucky for me, my older sister is! As soon as I saw the picture of the bag for the month, I made it clear to Kristen that I desperately wanted it. She wasn’t particularly blown away by the design (lol), so she happily passed it on to me! YES! Take a look:

gudetamagudetama1gudetama2

Everything about this pouch speaks to me on a spiritual level. The out there design, the “meh” zipper, the colors, Gudetama’s cute little fanny! It’s just perfect. Lol, I am so excited to transplant all of my little odds and ends from purse to pouch. Chapsticks that I never use, lighters, hand sanitizers, the whole nine yards. Who better to be the guardian of all of my random baubles than the laziest egg in the whole world?! I LOVE YOU, GUDETAMA! ❤

And a very special thank you to my beloved sister, Kristen, for parting with this sweet angel. :*) ❤

So there you have it, the newest issue of It’s In The Bag (Or, rather, It’s In The Pouch!): Glorious Gudetama Edition! Who of my readers are Ipsy subscribers? How did you feel about this month’s bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Deviant Art

Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! A brand that I admire from afar but would never purchase for myself is Calvin Klein. The chic, all American designs, the crisp and put together approach to their styling – I just love it. Unfortunately, my ballin on a budget lifestyle doesn’t allow for such designer spending – but that doesn’t mean that I can’t snag some darling CK sleep shorties at TJMaxx for a fraction of the cost! Take a look and let’s discuss:

ckck2ck1

The original price tag on the above short set was SEVENTY-TWO DOLLARS and I snagged them both for a phat twenty bucks! I absolutely love, love, love sleepwear. Nighties, pajama sets, sleep T’s, and shorts – I’m a huge fan. These Calvin Klein boxer style shorties are completely perfect for beating the summer heat with a huge T-shirt while lounging around before bed.

I’ve had my new shorties for a whole two days and am already so obsessed that I had to check the TJs website to see if they have them in any other colors. These sleep shorts are SO comfortable, breathable, and totally freaking adorable! And it does feel nice wearing Calvin Klein anything, even if it is just to bed! You can’t beat paying twenty dollars for a short set that costed over seventy smackers, that’s for sure. Another added bonus, is constantly thinking about Kate McKinnon’s glorious mock Calvin Klein ad on Saturday Night Live as Justin Bieber. #DYING

(And as always, I have no rights to this video!)

I might not be able to sport Calvin Klein on the daily, but at least I can break out my branded shorties every Pajama Party chance I get! How do you rock designer brands on a budget? What are some high end designers that you lust after? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Dream Control Edition

Standard
It’s In The Bag: Dream Control Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend and are filled with endless energy to tackle your day. My brother and his wife are celebrating their second marriage anniversary shortly, so my mom and I hit up TJMaxx to see if we could find a nice present for them. We didn’t. But, naturally, I did find something! Take a look at this new backpack beauty and let’s discuss:

dream22dream23

^^^ Pretty! ❤

Although I share a deep love for all things fashion, I can’t say that I’m a very big purse girl. Don’t get me wrong, I have purses for days, darling, but I normally don’t go actively out of my way to acquire new ones on a regular basis. That’s what my love for shoes is for! ANYWHO, I’m very particular when it comes to my purses because it is absolutely crucial that my bags are unique but neutral enough to work well with my quirky, mix and match wardrobe. And that’s where this vegan leather, thirty dolla holla Dream Control book bag comes into play…

I LOVE IT SO MUCH OMGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! ❤

Everything about this bag is just perfect to me. The slate grey color, the ethical material, the daring, envelope style shape. And, of course, the meager price tag didn’t hurt, either! Backpack style bags are so cool to me. They’re such a solid, unexpected staple piece that can be used in so many different cases. Whether you’re running around town, packing an overnight bag, or jamming it full of paper work from the nine to five, the backpack has got you covered.

I can’t say that I’m a trend follower, but when it comes to book bags, I willingly break my own rule! I have one other backpack that was also from TJMaxx and it’s one of my favorites. I freaking LURVE that thing, but it was lonely without a backpack buddy to hang out with on my purse display in my room, so obviously my Dream Control find was a must buy! #backpackBFFs

The slate grey color will make this bag easy to incorporate with all of my outfits, and I can just feel the compliments rolling in thanks to its unique shape. (I’ve literally never seen anything like it before!) Was it a necessary purchase? Uhhh…not necessarily. But a fun purchase, none of the less! It’s in the bag, darling. 😉

So there you have it, the latest issue of It’s In The Bag: Dream Control Edition! What is your favorite shape for purses? Who else loves sporting the backpack trend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Puppy Peek-A-Boo

Standard
Puppy Peek-A-Boo

Hi everyone and happy weekend! So nine times out of ten during the day, my little baby dog named Ollie is basically joined at my hip. His favorite place to be is right at my feet while I’m working at the computer. His other favorite hang out, whether I’m in my room or not, is underneath my bed. Take a look at Ollie’s adorable, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt at hide and seek the other day:

I wonder where my doggie is…

bb1

There he is!

bb2

Boy, does that little cutie always know how to brighten my day! What kind of dog do you have? Where is your dog’s favorite random hang out spot? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Lust For Life Edition

Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Lust For Life Edition

Hellooo everyone and welcome to the rest of my TJMaxx shoe haul in this edition of If The She Fits! And also, TGIF! You guys already know about my undying love for TJ’s so take a look at these two new beauties by Lust For Life and let’s discuss:

lfllfl1lfl2lfl4lfl5

I have been looking for heels with writing on them for what feels like a lifetime. The lettered shoes of my dreams always seem to be in flat or sandal form and we all know that Lil Red does not do flat feet. So when I saw both of these pretty *heeled* babies online, only getting one of them just wasn’t an option.

These ad-lib chunky heels give me life. Cher from Clueless is my spirit animal so when I saw the black pair with her signature phrase on them, they were as good as mine. And the royal blue “Blah Blah Blahs” are a fun change up from my normal all black everything preference. Frankly, if there were more different colors available, I probably would have bought those, too. Color me freaking obsessed.

The fact that my shoes can literally do the talking now is something that I am so in love with. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for shirts with weird or funny slogans on them so having some sass on my shoes is a godsend. A godsend, I tell ya! These heels were a bit more expensive than what I usually pay at twenty-nine dollars a pop, but with the abundance of love that I felt for them, they were well worth the price. They both look and feel well made and their structure is sturdy, so I know that I will have them for a long time! (And, let’s be real, I’d have them for a long time anyways because I’m a total clothing hoarder! #smh)

My new Lust For Life heels are literally everything that I wanted from a worded shoe and I couldn’t be happier. Although they costed a little more than I would have liked, TJMaxx pulled through once again for their most dedicated shopper. ❤

So there you have it, the last of my TJMaxx shoe haul in this issue of If The Shoe Fits: Lust For Life Edition! Who else is rocking the worded shoe trend this summer? Where do you find the best shoes at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Many Virtues Of The Rose Gold Makeup Look

Standard
The Many Virtues Of The Rose Gold Makeup Look

If you’re shopping around for a new look, then we think we’ve found it. Well, actually, we didn’t find it – it’s been around for a while and has been especially used by makeup artists, but it’s finally come across our radar and now we’re ready to share with the world. We’re talking about rose gold makeup, which you can find just about everywhere: on the red carpet, the high street, in the clubs…everywhere ritzy and glamorous, that is. And that’s not all: this makeup is for everyone. That’s right: this makeup is transcending looks, financial status, job. Uniting the world with makeup…we like that idea!

The Virtues:

If you’ve never used rose gold makeup before, then don’t worry: we’re pretty confident that there will be a perfect match for you. In fact, this is one of its main benefits. It’s flattering, warm, romantic, and perhaps, best of all, it’s different. Far from traditional, it’ll make you stand out at any event where you rock this look. It also isn’t too much of any one color. It’s not too gold, not silver. It’s the Goldilocks of the makeup world, essentially and it’s fabulous, darling.

In Style:

If Pinterest is anything to go by, (And why it shouldn’t it be?!), then rose gold makeup is the style that everybody is clamoring for at the moment. Searches for this style of makeup has been up 190% over the last year. If you want to be part of a new wave of makeup that’ll shake up dance floors and events across the world this summer, it’s time to check out the best makeup tutorials and join all of the others who have fallen in love with this makeup style.

Celebrity Use:

Okay, we all know that it’s not the Average Joe on the street who can really send a makeup popularity soaring: it’s the celebrities on the red carpet. These superhumans, who usually look like a million dollars at the worst of times, take it to a new level when they hit the red carpet in their rose gold best. Of course, these celebrities don’t do the makeup themselves: they get their makeup artists to do it. Armed with RCMA makeup, they make their famous clients look their absolute best when they’re in front of the cameras. And with the right makeup in your bag, you can have the celebrity look, too.

A Face For Everyone:

Another reason for the ever increasing popularity of rose gold makeup is that it suits all face shapes. Whatever style your face happens to be, you’ll be able to play around with rose gold makeup styles and find the look that’s right for you. So perfect!

Getting The Best:

Of course, when it comes to makeup, it pays to do some research as to which products are worth investing in. You’ll want to make sure that you’re getting makeup that will look great when it’s applied to your face. If you buy the right products, then it’ll all come to your individual skills. You don’t have to go at it alone, however: check out some of the best beauty blogs and get a helping hand when it comes to getting the look that’s right for you.

How To Wear:

There are many ways to wear the rose gold makeup look. What will you choose? You can add a subtle but striking dash to your eyelids, let your lips do all of the talking by adding a rose gold lipstick to your lips, or give yourself a metallic glow by adding the color to the cheeks. This is one of the best things about the style: it’s versatile. You could go for the same color three days in a row but, if they were applied to different parts of the face, you’d have three completely different, though equally classy, looks.

Going Further:

It’s not just in makeup bags that rose gold is taking over. You can also change your look by having a rose gold hairstyle. There have been plenty of celebrities adopting this look in recent times, including Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, and Kate Hudson. That’s a pretty impressive list of beauties who thought it was the look worth going for!

Conclusion:

Clearly, with infinite virtues, celebrity endorsements, and quality makeup products available, it looks like the rose gold style is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Start playing around now and join the movement, you beautiful metallic GODDESS!!!!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

Standard
Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

Most people pay close attention to their weight, and with the modern prevalence of obesity, that’s hardly surprising. The dangers of obesity are huge, and the condition affects much more than just our looks! Unfortunately, standards in pet care have also meant that this is a very real concern for dogs, as well. If you’re worried about your dog’s weight, here are some important steps for making sure that they don’t become obese:

Knowing Their Healthy Weight: Keeping tabs on your dog’s weight may seem a little excessive to some pet owners, but it’s extremely important if you want to minimize their chances of obesity. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the challenge of getting them to sit still on scales regularly, and mapping this on a chart. Checking a dog’s weight by ratio is fairly easy, barring a handful of breeds. Their ribs should be easily felt, but not visible most of the time. They should also have a fairly well-defined waist. There are many handy guides that you can find on the internet for judging your pooch’s weight.

Changes to Their Diet: In many cases, you won’t need to change the food that you’re feeding your dog. Sure, if one chicken dog treat has less additives than another, then switch to the healthier option. Aside from that, sudden changes to their diet will usually just lead to an upset stomach. The portion sizes you’re giving them are usually the thing that you should be paying more attention to. Try to avoid tossing them scraps from the table, and make sure that you’re keeping an eye on the amount of treats that you’re giving them when you’re trying to decide on a healthy portion size.

While there are a lot of guidelines out there for this, remember that they are only guidelines. You should be trying different combinations with your dog, keeping in mind their weight ratio, and figuring out what’s best for them. All dogs, even of the same breed and age, have different body types and levels of activity. These factors need to come into play when you’re working out the best portion sizes for your dog. If your pooch is acting hungry when you know they’re getting enough to eat, try adding some fresh, steamed greens. These have very few calories, and are a great source of fiber.

Getting Enough Exercise: Finally, try to make time to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Exercise is not only essential for your dog’s mood and mental health, but also a big factor in their physical health, as well. This needs to be more than a walk around the block, depending on the individual dog. Slow, leisurely strolls are nice when you’ve had a stressful day, but if you really want your dog to keep at a healthy weight, you also need to get some more vigorous exercise – power walking, running, and so on. This will be beneficial for you and your dog’s weight! Even an extra 15 minutes can make a big difference to your dog’s weight, so get out there!

dog8

PUPPER!!!

A slim dog is a happy dog (as my vet says). Although chubby puppers look adorable, it’s not healthy or fair to them. Manage your dog’s weight for a longer and happier lifetime with your doggo.

Featured Image By: Max Pixel