Tag Archives: obsessed

Forever 21 Purchases

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Forever 21 Purchases

Howdy! So as I mentioned in my last post, my previous trip to the mall this week allowed me the time to use up my Forever 21 Christmas gift cards. I was really excited about this because the spring clothing in the store was in full bloom and I couldn’t wait to add something pretty and new into my wardrobe. I don’t have a lot of clothes that I would classify as “spring” worthy. My niche really is in cold weather clothing so I was looking forward to adding something that isn’t a peacoat, moto jacket, or skinny jeans into my collection! Take a look at what I ended up with:

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^^^ So cute!

My new jersey and dress costed only thirty five dollars which I thought was a steal and the rest of my gift cards went towards a sweater that I purchased about a month ago. I was really happy that I was able to buy three things with my fifty dollars in gift card cash and barely had to pay anything out of my own pocket! It was really a Christmas gift that gave a lot to me!

I am SO thrilled with my leopard print baseball jersey because I have a confession to make…I secretly love leopard print…when it’s done right, of course. Leopard print is one of those animal patterns that walks the thin line of either looking chic and cool or totally tacky depending on the colors used and the style of the clothing. I personally stray away from any leopard print that uses brighter colors and appears to be more for wearing for a night out. That’s why I loved that this jersey used a darker shade of leopard and had some lettering and numbers on the front and back to break the pattern up. The boyish shape of the top also helped this leopard print go from a night in the club to urban and hip and I really just adore it.

I plan on wearing this top a lot this summer with a pair of black shorts, Nike sneakers, a backwards baseball cap (which I’ve grown increasingly fond of), and some chunky gold jewelry for a fun urban chic daytime look. Then, come evening time, I’ll trade in the Nikes for a pair of wedge heels for drinks with friends or a late afternoon of shopping at my favorite outdoor mall. This top will also look so cute with a long sleeved shirt layered underneath for a chillier spring or summer night.

And finally, I really love my new dress! I have been trying to incorporate clothing that I can wear for both work and play into my wardrobe and I’ve found that dresses are the best way to do this. They’re easy, pretty, and can be quickly transformed from work to play by simply removing your tights and changing your shoes. Normally, I’m not the biggest floral kind of girl but the colors used in this dress are ones that suit me so well. Dark shades like the navy, burgundy, and deep yellow used are ones that always pop nicely with my pale skin and red hair and always has such a lovely overall effect on my look for the day.

This button down dress was something that I was able to look at and know that there is a 99% chance that it will look nice on me but it still felt so good to have that “yes!” moment in the fitting room! This dress will be perfect for wearing to work with tights and a little heel and then for play I plan on ditching the tights, heightening the heel, and adding a big floppy sunhat into the mix.

Fifty dollars at Forever 21 went a long way for me and I was happy to have had such good luck during my last shopping trip because sometimes you don’t always get so lucky at F21! I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear my new purchases but, until then, it will be nice to daydream of a sunnier, super fashionable new season!

So there you have it, my newest Forever 21 Purchases! What are you most looking forward to wearing in the spring? What season is your wardrobe the most accommodating to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mia Toro Luggage

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Mia Toro Luggage

Hiii everyone and happy Hump Day! So this past weekend my mom and I went on a quick trip to TJMaxx just to get out of the house for a little bit. To be frank, the store was not looking all that great because of the transition from cold to warm weather clothing and the end of season clearance sales. But, despite this, I was still able to walk away with two things that I simply love. This includes the gorgeous Mia Toro Paris themed luggage seen below which will be absolutely perfect for my future trip to Europe. Take a look:

I have had my eye on this darling rolling luggage for literal months now but never much cared to by it because it was priced at a steep one hundred smackers. And after about a month or so of the luggage being at the store, it was gone. In my head, I thought that that was that and I would just have to settle for something less cute once my European travels are a go. It turns out that, four months later, I was wrong.

My mom was actually the one who spotted the Mia Toro baggage sitting among all of the other travel accessories, so a major shout out to her! And, even better, the price was slashed to fifty-six bucks, which I thought was totally reasonable. To put it lightly, I was completely TICKLED that some way, some how my beautiful luggage found its way back to me and at a fraction of the cost, to boot!

Needless to say, the luggage was coming home with me and my mom was kind enough to treat me to it since it was originally supposed to be one of my Christmas presents before it vanished into thin air. I think that this rolling suitcase is the most precious thing on the planet and I love absolutely everything about it. The size, colors, and pattern – *muah* c’est magnifique!

Nothing will be better than rolling into the airport with my Mia Toro Paris themed luggage in tow as Lil Red goes Europe! Love. Love. Freaking LOVE. It truly was my lucky day during that trip to TJs because I was also able to snag my FAVORITE skin care item – the Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar.

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If you ever encounter this beauty bar, then I really encourage you to get it. I have been using the same bar since the middle of OCTOBER and it is still going strong!! My skin has never looked better thanks to the cleansing power of charcoal and because of the bar’s gigantic size, I’m sure that I’ll still be working on the same one for another few months. I’m so happy to have found another one to put in back stock and at six bucks per bar, I consider it a super steal! GREAT SUCCESS!!

Obviously, I’m beyond obsessed with my Mia Toro Luggage and can’t believe how lucky I got during my last trip to TJMaxx! What is your favorite score from TJs? What are some must see locations in Europe that I should check out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Black & Neon Green Nails

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Black & Neon Green Nails

Hi everyone and TGIF! Yesterday was crazy busy for me but because I always get my nails done on Thursdays when I need a new set of nails or a fill, I just had to make time to see my beloved nail tech, Vinny, so he could get me right. I usually get my nails filled every three weeks for twenty bucks and honestly it’s the best money that I spend all month. To me, there is nothing better than taking a breather and being pampered before you have to step back into the real world. And, of course, it is always so fun hanging out with Vinny and the salon gang for an hour or two!

Last fill, I was loving the hot pink accent nails that I picked and I decided to go bright or go home again this time with neon green and a coat of sparkles over top of it. As always, the rest of my nails were black with an airbrushed cross on each middle finger. I’m thinking of upgrading to gemstone crosses next fill, though! I’m so obsessed with how my nails turned out yesterday and they might just be my favorite fill yet. Check it out:

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LOVE!!!!!

After a delightful rendezvous at the salon, I went to get myself some Starbucks with a Christmas gift card before heading to the skating rink to coach for the Special Olympics. As I was being rung out, the barista asked for my name and when I told him it was Sarah he checked to see if it was with or without an H (I love when people do that!). After I told him that it was with an H (the best way), he told me that he’s “always told that the H is for ‘high maintenance'”. I guess that has to be true, considering that I was just coming from getting my nails done!

What is your favorite nail polish shade right now? What color should my accent nails be next fill? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Being Female Isn’t Easy, But You Can Make It Fun!

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Being Female Isn’t Easy, But You Can Make It Fun!

As a woman, you can often feel like life is either on your shoulders or an absolute blessing – we never really spend a lot of time in-between (thank you hormones). Although we have some tough times to deal with, it’s not all that bad. Being a woman has it’s woes – think childbirth, periods, and taking longer to get ready in the morning, it also has it’s highs. When you’re female, you get to have a whole lot of fun and be girly in ways that really highlight the little perks in life. So, if you’ve all but given up on being a girl, these little reminders should pick you back up and perk you up on your (high heeled) toes.

You Get To Dress Up: What girl doesn’t love to dress up? We all did it as children, and sometimes, being able to raid your mom’s closet was the best fun you could ever have. But now, you get to do it all in your own closet – and who wouldn’t want that. Sometimes, we get wrapped up in the idea of looking good and shaming our own bodies, that we forget how fun it is to get all dressed up!

And Play Around With Makeup: If the whole idea of wearing an incredible outfit isn’t enough, we also get to wear makeup, too. To some people, it will be a chore. But, when you have enough time to do it, playing around with makeup is a whole lot of fun. Not only can you experiment with different looks and try out different hacks, but you also get to feel beautiful throughout the entire process.

We Have More Clothing Options: Whoever invented the dress and skirt should be given a medal! Not only does that mean we can explore more options to choose from in the morning (and who doesn’t love options), we also get a lot more choices than men do. Skirts and dress are huge wardrobe staples. They have the power to make you feel girly and sexy and they can be pretty exciting to buy, too.

Feeling Sexy Is Fun: And while we’re on the topic of feeling sexy, let’s talk underwear. As women, we’re well and truly spoiled. Men usually have a total of three underwear options to choose from! But us, we have so much more. Choosing sexy underwear can be just as fun as wearing it. Whenever you’re feeling down, you can buy a new set, like the Freya underwear and lingerie options and completely change your panty drawer game.

And So Is Wearing Heels: Being female really does become the ultimate treat when it comes to fashion. We’ve talked about clothing, underwear, and beauty too. But it all really kicks up a notch when we get to the footwear. A good pair of shoes is all every girl could ever ask for, right? And, flats are great and everything, but, we all have to agree that heels are the best! When you get to wear heels, you not only feel fantastic, but you look it, too!

Featured Image By: Pexels

How To Brew Delicious French Press Coffee

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How To Brew Delicious French Press Coffee

Us coffee drinkers know that there’s nothing quite like that first steaming hot morning cup of coffee to awaken our senses and get us ready for the challenges of a brand new day. Forget standing in long Starbucks queues or missing an important phone call because you were busy at the coffee machine. Or – the worst – instead of having a rich, full bodied brew: drinking plain average coffee because it’s the only choice that you have. In recent years the humble coffee bean has exploded on to the scene, going from being a simple, hot drink at breakfast to a full on lifestyle statement. Read up to see how you can make the perfect cup to kick start your morning:

What Is A French Press? A French press, or a Cafetière, is a coffee brewing product which allows the water to permeate the coffee beans. The plunger separates the beans from the brewed coffee which, if allowed the seep through, can make the coffee astringent and bitter. First designed in Italy by the designer, Attilio Calimani in 1929, today the French press is used all over the world and is said to make a smoother, richer cup of coffee than any other method. French presses are fairly inexpensive and tend to last for a good few years. Depending on what beans you choose to use, you may also want to purchase a grinder as finely ground beans often taste better than rough ground ones. However, at the end of the day, it’s down to the coffee drinker’s personal preference.

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The Best Beans: Coffee comes in a variety of strengths and flavors. From the milky yet sophisticated cappuccino, dark espresso, and chocolate infused mocha to the simple black coffee, latte, and the sugary sweet cuban cafe con leche there are countless ways of making coffee and just as many beans themselves. Let yourself experiment with different beans or, if you prefer instant coffee, then go online to check out some instant coffee reviews by those who take their morning cup of joe pretty seriously.

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How Much Water? Brewing a cup of coffee is, in theory, relatively simple. However there are a couple of things that, if you get them wrong can ruin the whole batch. First, make sure your beans are ground coarsely enough and if you’re using instant coffee, make sure that it’s a good quality brand with a high richness rating. Boiling water will scorch the grounds instantly which will leave you with a very bitter cup and tepid water won’t fully extract the coffee from the beans.

A good way to achieve the perfect temperature is by letting the water fully boil, then remove it from the heat to sit for a minute before pouring into the French press itself. When it comes to how much water to use consider how much coffee you want to make. One serving will equal one cup of water and two tablespoons of coffee beans; two servings equals two cups of water and a 1/4 cup of coffee beans and so on. A good French press coffee should be brewed for two to four minutes while cold brewed coffee uses a different method and should instead be left for two to four hours.

Featured Image By: Bryan Mills

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

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Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Heyy everyone and TGIF!! So, if you have been reading my blog for a while or just take a look at the plethora of posts under the “Fashion” category, you might be able to guess that I love to shop. Honestly, the word love is an understatement because I am lightweight obsessed with purchasing all things fashion, beauty, and accessories. There’s just something about the act of going to your favorite store or getting comfy on your couch to shop online that’s moderately addicting to me.

Why is that? I guess because it feels good, damnit. Sometimes I have a really hard time feeling good. Long story short, things at home are basically a shit show seven times out of ten so when I can just go and surround myself with things that are pretty, it feels like a much needed vacation. Even if I don’t end up buying a single thing, I could spend an hour filling up a cart on ModCloth and wind up feeling infinitely better.

Is this a bad thing? Sometimes! My bank account definitely doesn’t love me for it! In fact, just last night I had a splurging sesh on TJMaxx’s website but it was a graduation gift to myself so I thought that it was okay (the voice of an addict!). BUT sometimes I think that my shopaholic nature is a blessing.

1) I have the most phenomenal wardrobe that I know of.

2) I am never spending money that I don’t have.

3) I rarely turn to getting sloppy drunk or self harming methods anymore when I feel like shit.

As I mentally rearranged new homes in my closet and shoe wall last night after my TJMaxx graduation shopping spree, I had to stop and think if some of the purchases that I have made in the past have been worth it. And honestly? I answered with “yes” to every single one of them. If it takes treating myself to something new and pretty when I’m feeling blah every so often, then I say go girl!

I feel as though some people have a hard time with treating themselves but hey, they don’t call retail therapy “therapy” for nothing! If you get happy or have something to look forward to with a purchase, then do the damn thing! Buy the heels, get the pedicure, take yourself out to dinner. At the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and if a little splurge here and there helps ease the ache that life can throw at you, then I will be with you there at the checkout line.

Here’s to shopping (In moderation!). Here’s to making yourself feel good. Here’s to treating yourself like the amazing person you are!

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How do you treat yoself when you’re feeling blah? What is your favorite way to splurge on yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

They’re Baaaack

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They’re Baaaack

Hi everyone and TGIF! Okay, so this week’s Monday Update involved me freaking out because I broke one of my natural nails that I have been trying so freaking hard to grow out in lieu of getting acrylics. Well, two days after that, another nail broke so I said “fuck it” and went to get my claw babies back on Thursday. After about a year of being talon-free, it felt so good being back in the trusted and true hands of my beloved nail tech, Vinny.

As I mentioned before, asides from dying my hair, getting my nails done is my absolute favorite way to pamper myself. I love being able to sit back, relax, and let Vinny work his magic and make my nails look pretty. One of the things that I love the most about long nails is how they make my hands look. Naturally, my hands are quite small and stumpy but lengthy nails make my hands look elongated and beautiful. When I had to cut my natural nails after two of them broke, I was so sad to see my hands shrink down to their bitty size right before my eyes. But now, everything is as it should be and having janky nails is one less thing for me to worry about. Take a look:

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The other main reason that I wanted to get my nails done was for my graduation which is coming up on December 15th. I told myself that if I can’t get my natural nails how I like them, then I would treat myself to my acrylics and I am so glad that I did! I do wish that they were a little bit longer but they will do for now and Vinny said he’ll take care of it when I get them filled – he’s such a gem! :*)

Now my graduation ceremony beauty check list for looking fab as I strut across the stage looks something like this:

  • Get nails filled.
  • Dye hair.
  • Get a hair cut.
  • Put together a graduation ceremony worthy outfit!

I am so happy to have my nails back but it has been a doozey of a twenty-four hours while I get used to living my life with talons again! So far, everything is going just fine minus a small scare with my car door. Other than that things are A-okay – especially now that I can put my babies to work on my laptop keyboard again! LOVE IT! ❤

I hope everyone has a super fun and relaxing weekend! What kind of outfit do you think I should wear for graduation? Who else has a passion for long nails? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: NAIL HELP!!!

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Monday Update: NAIL HELP!!!

Hey everyone and happy Monday! I hope all of you had a fab weekend. So as you guys know, I was beyond obsessed with my stiletto style claws back when I was wearing acrylic nails. But, because I am ballin on a budget as a college kid, I decided to cut back on my favorite way to pamper myself besides from dying my hair. I haven’t been wearing acrylics for about a year but in the past four months I have been attempting to grow my nails out because I’ve been missing them badly.

So far, my nails have been doing pretty good. I began a regimen of taking Biotin and Calcium vitamins and I really think that they have been helping. I have also started soaking them in olive and coconut oil as a moisturizing treat. My nails are now quite strong as opposed to the brittle, flimsy mess that they were before. I am a little less than halfway to the length that I would like them to be at but then…the unspeakable happened. The nail on my thumb broke clean off yesterday. 😦

I am genuinely at a loss of what to do. There was no salvaging the nail and now I have nine long and beautiful nails and a mere stump on my right hand thumb. What do you guys do in a situation like this? Do you cut the rest of your nails and let everything start fresh? Or do you just wait it out and let the broken nail grow again? I suppose it’s a matter of preference but I have no clue what to do and I feel like I would benefit greatly from hearing what all of the amazing beauty gurus out here have to say.

As a reminder, this is where I last left my nails in acrylic land and I am a little less than halfway to that length now. Ironically enough, I’m wearing those exact same colors right now! All I need are my middle finger crosses and I’ll be all set! #thosewerethedays

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I am in desperate need of advice and also some comfort because I am so upset about this nail breaking. The worst thing, though? About an hour before the nail broke I literally told my mom “wow, it sure would suck if one of my nails broke now”. FML!!!

As of now, I’m leaning towards letting my little thumb stump grow out because it is not as noticeable as say, if the break happened on a pointer or middle finger. However, this is subject to change! So what do you do when a beloved nail breaks? Let it grow or hack off (so violent!) the rest? I want to hear from all of you, so PLEASE leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

^^^ Acrylic nail jams! 😉

Joy Of Garlic

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Joy Of Garlic

I am sure that you guys gathered by now that I love food. I feel like I am constantly talking about cooking, baking, eating, or Taco Bell to someone! But one thing that I really love is garlic. I remember the first time that I had a super garlic-y food. My mom made my brother a snack of spaghetti and pesto when he came home from work about ten years ago and after trying a taste of the garlic filled sauce, I was hooked.

After my revelation of how freaking amazing garlic is, I began seeking out foods and recipes that would be filled with the stuff. When I cook, I use no less than an entire bulb of garlic in my meals despite the recipes only calling for about three cloves! When it comes to garlic, I mean bid-ness so when I was at a farmers market in Asheville, North Carolina at the beginning of summer and discovered the Joy Of Garlic stand, I truly believe that I died and went to heaven.

The Joy Of Garlic boasts, sauces, dressings, salsas, and spreads that are all dedicated to giving you the biggest blast of garlic imaginable. Their salsa is superb but after taste testing their Chipotle and sun dried tomato spread, I had discovered what it means to be alive – they are that good. Take a look on their website and you’ll see what I mean!

Upon returning to Asheville in October, my family bought three of each of our favorite spread flavors which will probably last about a month at most considering we put it on everything! Sandwiches, pizza, French bread, crackers, pretzels, you name it. The reason why it dawned on me to even write this post to begin with is because I had some for lunch today over top a microwave pizza! This spread literally transforms everything that you put on it and it turned my somewhat crappy pizza into instant deliciousness.

I also did promise the lovely woman who sold my family our garlic spreads both times that I would write a post about it on my blog. So if you’re reading this: THANK YOU!!

You can shop online for all things garlic at the Joy Of Garlic’s website and you can also learn how to sell the products in your area! If there are any local farmers markets in your neck of the woods, I cannot recommend starting a stand enough because I one hundred and ten percent believe that it would be a hit!

Thank you so much to the Joy Of Garlic for introducing me to my new favorite topping for literally any food and for also helping me keep vampires away with my breath! What is your favorite topping to put on your meals? Is anyone else super obsessed with garlic like me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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What Is Your Third Love Bra Personality?

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What Is Your Third Love Bra Personality?

One thing that I truly believe in is amazing lingerie. I stand firmly with the statement that under every gorgeous outfit is fabulous lingerie to go with it. Ever since I was out of trainer bras (those were the days!), I have been enamored with the endless possibilities that come with shopping for the perfect bras and panties. If you guys know me, and my “If I like it, I obviously must buy it” attitude, it should come as no surprise that I have two drawers filled with pretty little underthings. I’m talking bras and panties for days. Some are fun and bold, others are pretty and flirty, while a few are totally va va voom sexy.

The lingerie that I house in my dresser can only be described as a magnificent, lacy hodgepodge of styles so I really wouldn’t say that I have a bra “personality”. That’s why I am so totally excited to feature this way fun quiz by ThirdLove here on lifewithlilred. It is going to be such fun to take this quiz together and find out what our fall lingerie look is.

After the quiz, you fabulous people are going to have free range to shop till you drop because I am going to give you a fifteen percent off promo code for any purchase on Third Love. Their lingerie is to die for and nothing is better than getting something pretty for a steal! Is everyone ready? Let’s do this.

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My Answers:

Favorite Fall Activity: Howling through haunted houses, obvs! This weekend my boyfriend and I are going to the Factory Of Terror and I’m SO excited. As a horror buff, haunted houses are a must and I can’t wait to make my way through the five haunted houses that the Factory has to offer.

Best Fall Flick: HORROR MOVIE MARATHONS!! I do this on the daily anyways but it’s even more fun when the spooky chill of Halloween is in the air! Also, is it bad that I’ve never seen Hocus Pocus…?

Go-To Fall Outfit: If by my boyfriend’s flannel you mean my flannel, then YES! I love flannels all the time but they are the best ever in the fall! Whether they are tied around your waist or keeping you nice and warm under a quilted sleeve coat, flannels are a no brainer for an autumn outfit.

Favorite Fall Flavor: All apple everything, please! I’m not a big Pumpkin Spice Latte kind of gal but I’ll take a warm glass of fresh apple cider any day!

The Results:

  • 24/7 Classic T-shirt bra

I can totally see why I ended up with the bra that is perfect for a fall fashionista on the go. Whether it be browsing through pumpkin patches or a night hike through the woods, I’m always down for fall activities. However, I don’t own one single t-shirt bra. Is that bad? In Lil Red’s world, appearance trumps all functionality when it comes to lingerie so I want the drama, the lace, and the perfect push up.

As opposed to the 24/7 Classic T-shirt bra, I can totally see myself sporting the 24/7 Strappy T-shirt bra. I absolutely LOVE it. This bra is too cute to not play peek a boo with so I would style it with a warmer fall afternoon in mind. Here are my steps to creating a totally cool fall look that will make the corn maze your new runway:

  • 24/7 Strappy T-shirt bra: You want a pretty bra with a rocker edge? Say no more. Whether you play peek a boo with this bra or not, knowing that you have a gorgeous bra on with some sass to it is a huge confidence boost. WORK!
  • Muscle tank with oversized arm holes: A muscle tank with the slouchy sleeves and a fun pattern or logo is a must for the Strappy T-shirt bra. The double band is totes adorbs and will be able to make a guest appearance through a tank with some slouch to it.
  • Flannel tied around your waist: All of the flannels that I own are pretty oversized and I really like that when I tie them around my waist, it goes down close to my knees. I recommend a larger flannel but any size will do! When you are getting dressed, don’t just grab any old flannel, though. You never know when it might get a little chilly and wearing it wouldn’t be a bad idea! Make sure the flannel compliments your outfit well because the possibility of a fall chill is real.
  • Black or dark blue skinny jeans: Of course, I only wear black skinnies but a nice, dark wash indigo jean is the perfect hue for fall.
  • BOOTS: Ankle booties, mid rise combat boots, knee high riding boots, or thigh high va va voom boots, boots are a must for this outfit. Take your pick of style (I’m not picky!) and strut your stuff!
  • Oversized sunglasses: To accessorize, make sure to pack some oversized sunnies to fight off the fall glare.
  • Canvas messenger bag: I think messenger bags are so on campus cool and they are perfect for storing apples from the orchard, beautiful fallen autumn leaves, and some extra cash for a PSL for later.

No matter how you style your fall looks, just remember to have fun and that the base of any amazing outfit is some amazing lingerie! What was that? You want the promo code to pick out some super fab ThirdLove bras of your own? But, of course! Happy shopping!

Fifteen Percent Off Promo Code: TLBBOCT16

So there you have it, my Third Love Bra Personality! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post as much as I did making it! Who is going to do some shopping on Third Love? What was your bra personality? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah