Tag Archives: shopping

Always Have Something To Wear With These Shopping & Style Tricks

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Always Have Something To Wear With These Shopping & Style Tricks

Always having something to wear can seem like a stretch if you’re the kind of person who can never seem to throw an outfit together without panicking about having nothing to wear. To have an outfit to wear, you don’t have to be constantly shopping and buying new things. In fact, doing that is a surefire way to feel like you don’t have anything to wear, as you’re buying for the sake of it instead of because you genuinely like the item and think you’ll get a lot of wear out of it.

Below, we’re going to talk you through some shopping and style tricks that you can use to make sure that you always have something to wear:

Before Shopping, Shop Your Wardrobe:

Before you go shopping for something new, shop your wardrobe. Oftentimes, people forget what they have in there and end up buying pieces that closely resemble things they already own. Do the following:

  • Get rid of anything you haven’t worn in over a year.
  • Get rid of anything that no longer brings you joy.
  • Make sure your items can be spotted easily and give them room to breathe.

Assess Past Outfit Decisions:

Look at your past outfit decisions and work out why you loved/didn’t like an outfit. Maybe it wasn’t comfortable for you or you just hated the material. By doing this, you can begin to really hone in on what works for you and what you should avoid when dressing/shopping.

Have Your Own Personal Color Scheme:

Coming up with your own personal color scheme will make dressing and shopping so much easier. Know the colors that look best on you (and, of course, those that you enjoy wearing most) and make sure your wardrobe is made up mainly of those colors with additional pops of color worked in.

Think Of Three Words To Define Your Style:

By thinking of three words to define your style, you can bear them in mind when shopping and dressing and make sure you’re being true to them. If one main element of your style is ‘comfy’ and you buy a pair of shoes with a huge heel, you’re probably not going to feel amazing when baby deer walking around in them.

Build Up Your Accessory Collection:

A great accessory collection can make all of the difference to just about any outfit. You can visit this website to get a feel for what sort of accessories you like and fill in the gaps in your jewelry box. Sometimes all that’s missing from your look is a gorgeous statement necklace.

Visit A Personal Stylist/Shopper:

A personal stylist/shopper can help you to pinpoint the best colors for you if you’re unsure. You can pick up some valuable tips and, the great thing is, you’ll rarely need more than one session.

And, Finally:

Only buy something if you absolutely love it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

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Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

Hiiii! There are less than ten days left until Christmas and that means that it is crunch time for all of the late holiday shoppers. If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, the anxiety definitely might be setting in, considering that most stores are well picked over by now and the shipping dates with online orders will be cutting it close. But, that doesn’t mean that you should throw in the towel just yet and hand over a card with cash to your giftee (Unless that’s what they really want!). So, here are some last minute gift ideas to help with your holiday shopping:

A Framed Photo:

Nothing is more sentimental and sweet than some of your favorite pictures of you and the giftee set in a beautiful frame. Purchase a photo collage frame or even make your own and give your loved one a reminder of your friendship and happy memories. This gift is well thought out, it’s easy to buy as most stores have frames to purchase and ways to print your photos, and it will surely be treasured by your giftee. Photos and memory books come highly recommended in this list for DIY holiday gifts for seniors but will be appreciated by anyone of any age as the memories are so special.

Add To Their Hobby:

So you’re in a bind to finish your shopping and your giftee has a hobby that they absolutely love. This is probably the best situation to be in, because that will make for a really simple purchase. Do they have a record player? Buy a few new records for them to jam to. How about a Polaroid camera? Get them some more film. Or maybe they love acting on stage? Grab them a few plays from the book store so they can discover a new monologue. Buying according to the hobby is a great way to go and it will always be well received because it’s so useful to the giftee.

The Basics:

We all know the standard Christmas gifts well. Booze, candles, fuzzy socks, knitwear, etc. But, they are staple prezzies for a reason, and are a fine way to go when you just need to finish up your shopping already. As an avid wine lover, there are some gorgeous bottles around this time of year with holiday sentiment on it, which will make for a lovely gift to enjoy during Christmas dinner. Throw in a few candles to light on the table and you’re done!

Family Fun:

Spending Christmas day with your family can seem like a daunting task for some, so maybe you can buy a gift that will spice things up a bit. Buy some fun classic or modern board games and have a tournament with your fam. Or maybe get some adult coloring books or art supplies and have a crafting contest. These gifts are wholesome and perfect for a day spent with your family – unless someone likes to cheat at Monopoly!

Sigh… Gift Cards:

Okay. You’ve been to every store and there is nothing left to purchase that’s even remotely close to what your giftee would want. You check all of the online sites and all of the shipping dates can only make it to your home in 2019. This is bleak, and it means that you might have to go for the gift card route. If you must use this option, make it a little adventure for the giftee. If you give them a card to their favorite clothing store, for example, tell them that you’ll come with and treat them to a coffee date beforehand for some pre-shopping fuel. Gift cards often lack any warm fuzzies behind them so add a little something something to make it a bit more special. 🙂

Christmas will be here ASAFP, so use the ideas above and, for the love of god, get your shopping done!

When did you finish your holiday shopping? How early into the year do you start your purchasing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Kut From The Kloth Starred Skinnies

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New Kut From The Kloth Starred Skinnies

Hello everyone and welcome to the final post in the PANTS PATROL series! This little number by Kut From The Kloth is probably my favorite new pair, because they’re really different than anything I’ve ever owned before. I’ve never had a pair of patterned pants, even though I have always wanted to. But, I would shy away from them because I thought that they would draw more attention to my curvier skater thighs and booty. I liked this pair by Kut From The Kloth so much, though, that I just had to give them a try and I am sure glad that I did! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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In all of my years of searching for a pair of patterned pants that I actually liked, I have never seen a black pair with some visual embellishment. So, when I found these on TJMaxx’s website, I had to give them a go and see if a black pair would suit me better and it definitely did! At the end of the day, Lil Red just isn’t a white pants with flowers on it kind of girl and, it took this starry pair from Kut By The Kloth, to make me realize that I was trying to play the patterned pants game all wrong.

Not only do I adore the charcoal grey stars adorning my new jeans, but I simply love the fit of them, too! I think that in all of my years of pants failures, the shopping gods decided to smile on me and throw a dog a bone by introducing me to several bottoms that actually fit well. This Kut From The Kloth pair is tight and curve hugging but they look more edgy than sexy to me and that’s the look that I always go for. And, if people happen to think that I look sexy in whatever I wear, then that’s just fine!

I cannot wait to pair these skinnies with my red and black faux fur jacket by June & Hudson and my favorite platform boots from Forever 21 for a look that it totally glam rock. But, I can also see myself wearing them with my ladybug button down from Zara and some ankle boots for an OOTD when I have a more laid back day at work. Dressed up or down, these jeans freaking rule, and I am SO happy to have found such a perfect pair for my first patterned skinny jeans. :*)

How would you style these jeans? Which types of clothing do you shy away from wearing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Blank NYC Faux Leather Skinnies

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New Blank NYC Faux Leather Skinnies

Hi! While on PANTS PATROL, I was able to invest in a wonderful pair of faux leather skinny jeans by Blank NYC. I have been on the prowl for a good pair of faux leather skinnies for a while now, but they are so hard to find. I don’t want them coated, I don’t want something crazy expensive, and I want something that it going to fit me well. At forty bucks, these new skinnies matched all of the listed criteria and then some! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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I ordered these bad boys in my actual size off of TJMaxx’s website, but they were SO. FREAKING. TIGHT. that I had to return them and reorder in a bigger size. Once I sized up, they fit perfectly. The fit was tight, but not so tight that I felt like I was vacuum sealed into them! And, I’m sure that after I wear them around for a day or so, they will break in a little more. I am not sure if all Blank NYC bottoms run small or just this one, but Lil Red definitely recommends sizing up.

I adore all of the details that these skinnies have like the zippered ankles, the zippers on each hip, and the ribbed knees and lower thighs. All of these extras add even more edge to an already badass material and, we all know how much Lil Red loves that! The quality of my new pants and the fine attention to detail make the forty dollar price tag so worth it and, although sizing was an issue, I would happily buy Blank NYC clothing again.

Faux leather skinnies are awesome, because you can toughen up a rocker look even more or you can add some spunk to a sweeter garment like a flowy blouse or cardigan. Pairing them with my favorite black moto jacket and boots is an obvious must. But, they will also look just as cool with a peacoat and heels for a holiday get together.

How would you style these jeans? Where do you get the best jeans from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Almost Famous Skort

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New Almost Famous Skort

Yo! As we all know, Lil Red has been on PANTS PATROL and I am honestly so happy about it. There’s a few things that I hate shopping for and they go as follows: Bikinis, bras, and PANTS, PANTS, PANTS. Pants are a pain in the ass to shop for and they always have been. Your girl suffers from the figure skater booty and thighs but a tiny waist, which makes getting a pair of pantelones that actually fit well really difficult. The same goes for shorts. Literally anything that you can wear on your bottom half that you have to put both legs through. Lol, so that’s why I was thrilled to snag this adorable Almost Famous skort seen below:

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Hopelessly out of season, I know. But, I just couldn’t help buying this cute as a button skort on TJMaxx’s website. I only own one other pair of shorts, so this actually was a really necessary purchase for when summer rolls around. I thought that this little number would make a really sweet addition to my summer wardrobe, because they are so different than your basic booty shorts, which will definitely add that Lil Red flare to any outfit, even if it’s just paired with a T-shirt or crop top.

Of course, I’m looking forward to wearing this in the summer but, I also plan on incorporating it into my spring wardrobe with some sweater tights underneath. The material of my new skort is nice and thick so it will do just fine. Then, I will pair it with a blazer on top and some cute little booties for a cool look for work or play. Love it!

Which type of clothing do you struggle shopping for? How would you style this skort? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Free People Pinstripe Pants

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New Free People Pinstripe Pants

Hello! I will tell you what, I have been on PANTS PATROL lately, because all of my black skinnies are fading into grey and I just won’t stand for it. Luckily, TJMaxx has got my back with all of the best fashions and I’ve been able to restock the bottoms department in my wardrobe so I won’t have to run around in my SKIVVIES! Although these new Free People pants seen below are navy instead of my beloved black, I still like them just the same. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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TJMaxx began carrying Free People shoes and clothing within the past year or so and my quality of life has increased tenfold since this happened. As you can see from the price above, their clothing is nowhere even close to my budget, so I just admire them from afar. But, a new pair of SLACKS for twenty bucks was a deal that I couldn’t pass up on so here we are now chatting about them!

I have been on the prowl for a paper bag style of pants like these for a while now. And, the nice thing about my Free People pair, is that they are made from a cloth material instead of that weird filmy kind that the paper bag style uses. That material does no favors for my body type and I wouldn’t want it close to my skin, anyways! I also like that the fit of my pinstripe pants isn’t high waisted like the paper bag style traditionally is. These are a normal rise pant with a baggy fit and a dipped crotch so they are obviously crazy comfortable but, they still manage to look chic, which is important.

I’m looking forward to pairing my new pantalones with a plain white T-shirt and my black Urban Outfitters boyfriend blazer for a cool and relaxed look. I then plan on dressing up the outfit with a long in length gold necklace and rings for a pop of bling. And, to finish it off, a nice pair of heels will do for a look that is perfect for a day at work or a night out for drinks with the girls.

What is a brand name that you admire from afar? How would you style these pants? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

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New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

Helloooo! It’s funny how your fashion sense continues to develop year after year. For example, when I was 23, I wore skirts on very rare occasions. And, here we are now one year later, and I can’t stop buying skirts to save my own life. My New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt is one that I have had my eyes on for a while but, I couldn’t justify paying fifty dollars for it. So, imagine how happy I was when I snagged it on clearance for twenty bucks! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Where do I even begin when it comes to expressing my adoration for this skirt? Should I start with the charming color palette of candy colored embroidery against navy blue? Or how about the whimsical layer of the gauzy fabric flowing against the actual skirt? This Eva Franco piece is total fairground fun and I love every minute of it.

The beauty of this skirt, aside from how darn pretty it is, is the styling opportunities that come with it. I consider navy to be a neutral, so you could pair this with almost any color on top and you would create a stellar outfit. I can’t wait to pair this with a hot pink crop top in the spring and summer for an adorably bright look. But, I can also see this skirt worn during the winter with a pair of thick tights underneath and a warm moto jacket to add some colorful delight to the bleak outdoor weather.

My new Eva Franco skirt makes me smile when I look at it and getting it for a bargain price makes the purchase just as sweet as the pastel polka dots adorning it. Love, love, love!

How would you style this skirt? How has your style developed over time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Freebies

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Sephora Freebies

Hi! While getting some of my holiday shopping done on Sephora’s website, I received a major freebie haul! It. Was. Awesome. I cashed in my 500 point Beauty Insider gift for a Clinique goodie bag and I also received a free travel bag filled with good stuff for spending over fifty dollars. Plus, I got free shipping! I spent just one dollar over the fifty minimum and I got a ton of amazing travel sized products to show for it. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Lancome: La Vie Est Belle perfume sample
  • Laneige: Water Sleeping Mask (Loved it!)
  • Lancome: Mascara
  • Rahua: Omega 9 Hair Mask
  • Urban Decay: All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
  • Fresh: Soy Face Cleanser
  • Briogeo: Heat Protecting Cream
  • Caudalie: Moisturizing Sorbet
  • Tarte: Lip Paint in Birthday Suit (LOVE! I was running low on my birthday gift color from last year!)
  • Clinique: Moisture Surge Face Spray
  • Clinique: Chubby Stick in Woppin’ Watermelon (See the swatch tomorrow!)
  • Clinique: Moisture Surge moisturizer sample
  • Clinique: Mascara
  • Clinique: Foundation + Concealer samples

^^^ So good, right?!

Sephora is such a wonderful company to shop with online, because the promotions that they offer are second to none. I have never not received a free product when shopping online, because they usually offer the promo when you spend over twenty-five dollars. And, let’s be honest, that’s not hard to do!

I used to shy away from Sephora, because when you shop in store there is never any type of promotion running to give you some bang for your buck. But, when I shop online, I always feel pleased with what I’m getting in free product for the amount that I’m spending. I will definitely still pop into the store to see what’s new and examine all the colors and products up close. But, I will go home and order whatever I liked online every time, and I recommend that all of you Sephora lovers do the same. Can you get that amazing haul seen above in store for absolutely free?? I think not!

Which stores offer the best online promotions? How do you shop smart when it comes to Sephora? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Poshmark Review

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Poshmark Review

Hiii everyone! If you guys remember from a post a few days ago, Lil Red tried Poshmark for the first time to get a moto jacket by Kensie. The jacket arrived a few days ago, one day after it shipped because, coincidentally, the woman who I bought it from and I live about twenty-five minutes away from each other! Let me give you a reminder of what this Kensie number looks like if you don’t remember and let’s discuss:

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Overall, I’m really happy with this purchase and I love my new/used jacket. BUT, my major complaint is that it smelled so smokey and I could smell it as soon as I took it out of the packaging. Now, I get why this would be hypocritical of me to say since I smoke. However, if you’re sending out any type of product to someone, I think that it’s important for it to be in the best condition possible and that includes the smell.

Despite that little hiccup, I would definitely use Poshmark again, I just don’t think that I would buy from the seller that I purchased from. This is all hunky dory with me, though, because, at the end of the day, I got the jacket that I was so desperately seeking out. The price was also fair enough although, since the odor was an issue, I wish that I got it for a little cheaper. But, alas, beggars can’t be choosers!

Poshmark seller rating for @sundaygirlpicks:

6

What has your experience with shopping or selling on Poshmark been like? What else do you do to make some money off of used clothes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Poshmark, Please

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Poshmark, Please

Hi! Have you ever thought about a piece of clothing or accessory that you didn’t buy, but really really wish that you did days, months, or years later down the line? No? Maybe it is just me. Anyways, that’s what this blog post is about today and how my memory of an elephant, some help from a blogging friend, and an obsession with getting some cheetah print reunited me with this beautiful Kensie moto jacket:

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^^^ Thank you, @sundaygirlpicks !!

Once upon a time, I found this jacket at TJMaxx and I have no idea why I didn’t buy it. I guess at the time (Say, two years ago) I just wasn’t interested in cheetah print. And, then, a few days ago, I became obsessed with all cheetah print everything. It’s funny how people’s tastes and opinions can do a complete one eighty in time! I began scouring TJMaxx’s website and all I could find was faux fur cheetah print which, sadly, would make me look like a (Very high class) hooker. You may laugh, but it is oh so true.

After inspecting the site further, I realized that, for once, I was out of luck on TJ’s website. And, like magic, a memory of me trying the above coat on in the TJMaxx fitting room went through my head. All I could think about was how I wish that I just bought the damn thing and began a new quest for a moto or denim style cheetah print jacket. It was so on. I looked through Asos, Nasty Gal, Shein, Romwe, Nordstrom Rack, and Zara but I couldn’t find NOTHIN. I was crushed. And I was desperate.

In this state of frenzy, another little ditty popped into my head, because a similar situation has happened to me before. This took place in the form of a faux fur vest that I had bought years ago, but didn’t have the self confidence to wear. And, once I gained an improved self esteem, I wanted that vest back REAL bad. A fellow blogger left a comment on the post that I linked to and recommended that I try Ebay or Poshmark, because they might have it. And that is exactly what I did with my Kensie jacket…

But, at the time, I didn’t know that the brand was Kensie. So how the HECK did I find it, you might ask? Well, my friends, the revelation came to me in a place where I do my best thinking. On the toilet.

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The toilet. The john. The loo. The porcelain throne. Whatever you may call it, is where a vision came to me. Before doing my business, I was typing brands into Poshmark willy nilly hoping that I would strike gold, but it just wasn’t working. I tried Carolina Belle and Sanctuary and a handful of other brands that TJ’s carries and was having absolutely no luck. I thought that my search was nearing its end when, all of a sudden, I had to WHIZ like crazy.

A combination of coffee and Diet Coke that day left my bladder on the fritz, and I ran up the stairs to my bathroom so that I could have some peace and quiet. It was midstream that my final vision of the night came to me. It was crazy because, in my head, I could see the brand tag on the jacket at TJMaxx so clearly and it said KENSIE. I hurriedly finished the task at hand, ran back to the computer, typed my desire into Poshmark’s search bar, and there it was.

I couldn’t believe it. My size. The right price. The right brand. MY jacket. Without a moment’s hesitation, I shot up, grabbed my wallet, created a Poshmark account, and made my purchase. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Kensie moto jacket and I’m not sure why I felt so inclined to share this story but it was so crazy that I just had to. Yes, this was a rambling post but, goddamnit, I’m so excited that I don’t even care. I DID IT! Long live fashion! Long live TJMaxx! AND MANY THANKS TO POSHMARK!!

Has anyone ever experienced a similar ordeal to mine? Who else uses Poshmark or Ebay to update their wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Edena Fashion