wearing now: shop till ya drop

Nothing beats fun times with good friends.  I'm trying to soak up every moment until I can!  Today, I had the great fortune of lunching and shopping with some friends who are always a good time.  Guaranteed!

maxi dress: Tirxxi from Belks shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

I mentioned here, that I wanted to find some casual shoes that were comfortable.  Kind of flip flops, but better.   And at a great price.  I don't think that was too much to ask for, and apparently Target didn't either!  I have to say that Target always delivers.  Check out my caged sandals courtesy of Dolce Vita for Target.

The best part?  They were only 13.00.  The dress is just a wee too long for me, so the very small wedge on this shoe was perfect for making the dress wearable.

We wanted to do something a little different for lunch so we treated ourselves to a little Hibachi.

It is always a great time!  The meal was full of talk, laughter, and just the right amount of sexual innuendo. Chef Walter was really one of the best Hibachi chefs I've ever had.  Even he got in on the jokes.  At some point, I'm pretty sure there was some talk of him being able to go all night long.  Hilarity obviously ensued!  

wearing now: purple and white

I'm hoping lilac is going to be the it color for fall.  Really, really hoping!  I think it's such a pretty, underrated color that doesn't get enough play in the fashion world.  Is that what you call it?  PLAY?  Whatever it's called, you know what I mean!  I was thrilled to walk into H&M the other day and see a sign that read "5.00 and up" on a display.  I was even more thrilled to find this shirt on that tabled.  And I was the most thrilled to learn that it was, in fact 5.00! (I was later less thrilled to find out it is a racerback shirt, but it still came home with me!)  SCORE!

shirt: H&M cardigan: Old Navy jeans: BCBG shoes: BCBG necklace: Old Navy Belt: Forever 21

What's this I spy.  Not one, but two accessories!  Check the belt and necklace.  I really feel like I'm doing something now!  Sometimes I double loop the necklace, but I kinda fancy it knotted.  

You can't really see the details on this shirt, but it has a layer of ruffles around the neckline.  Nothing too fancy, but it adds a touch of femininity.  I'll have to take a better picture of the detailing at some point.  This outfit is totally, completely me.  But I don't know exactly what it is that makes it me, I just know it when I see it.  I really should be working on defining some kind of personal style.  

The flower in my hair is also from H&M.  I purchased it on the same day I bought the shirt.  I love curly hair and hair flowers.  I think the flowers add a little something something extra!

wearing now: hanging with my cousins

I spent the day hanging out with my cousins, and of course it's a million degrees outside.  I wanted something nice, yet comfortable.  I'm also going to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday this evening. Does anything fit that bill more than a maxi dress?  I absolutely love them!

The day I purchased this dress I got three others maxi dresses that I'm sure will be making a regular appearance on the blog.  I was thinking of returning this one, but my friend convinced me to keep it.  I'm glad she did because this is the dress I wear most often. 

dress: Planet Gold from Macy's shoes: random flip flops necklace: Charlotte Russe w/ H&M flower hair pin Ring: Charlotte Russe

I love that this dress is the perfect length without any alterations.  I did attempt to wear it last weekend with my Dolce Vita for Target wedges, but it was too short (insert sad face here) so flip flops it is!  I'm also on the lookout for some nice looking casual, but not quite flip flop, casual shoes.  I think Target may have some that fit the bill, but I'm trying to hold out until the go on super sale. I attempted to add a little bit more visual interest to the dress by attaching one of my flower hair pins to my necklace.  I kinda like it!

*He* does not like these dresses.  *He* says they look big and shapeless.  Ah well.  I still love them!  I also wore my hair in a big textured bun secured with one of the pins mentioned here.  I kept the makeup simple and used a little bit of bronzer, winged blue eyeliner and pink lips.  I wanted to look easy breezy!

wearing now: self care

I had the best massage of my life today.  Never mind that this was only my second massage ever, but she even massaged my fingers and toes.  Yum!  I am definitely a believer in self care - whatever that means to you.  I love getting pedicures as often as I can.  I usually go to the nailery the first week of every month - all 4 seasons of the year.  Even if no one else is going to see my toes, I'm going to see them!  If anyone is in the area, Wellville Massage and Healing Arts is the place to be.  I totally plan to make an appointment whenever I'm in town.

shirt: Express pants: Gap cardigan: Express shoes: BCBG necklace: Old Navy watch: Mavado

This is an after work/after massage picture.  My camera battery died this am so I couldn't take pics :(  These pants are actually a boyfriend cut so they are definitely a little more roomy in the hips than some of my other pants.  They were less than 5.00 at the Gap a couple of months ago and I had my tailor take in the waist and hem them.  I actually wanted her to sew the pockets closed as well, but she forgot.

I really wanted to wear a necklace, but didn't want it to compete with the ruffles on the top.  I didn't pack a short necklace, so I opted to look my long strand of pearls around my neck 3 times.  This was my first time doing it, but I think I like it.  Now off to bed.  It was a long day!  After my massage I ended up poolside with my cousins - so I'm exhausted!

wearing now: dresses and wedges

 dress: ? shoes: Dolce Vita for Target necklace: Charlotte Russe sweater: Hooked Up, Macy's belt: Forever 21

Just a quick post of an outfit I wore about a month ago, and forgot to post.  Ooops.  And of course, I don't have all of the outfit deets because this dress is in the city.  I'll fill them in once I get them.  This outfit is full out items that I absolutely adore.  My goal in life should be to have a closet full of items that I *love*.

shopping now: banana republic sale

My friends kidnapped me and made me go to the mall with them today.  With friends like that, who needs enemies!  Just wanted to pop in and let you know that Banana Republic is having a pretty good sale right now.  All of their clearance merchandise is an additional 40% off, plus they give you a card for 25% off your entire purchase!  (This is in store only, I checked online, and they are only offering 25% off your purchase.)

I picked up 3 button down sweaters for under 52.00 including tax!

These shirts are a 0p.  This is my first time purchasing button downs in petite and I was pleasantly surprised!  when I first tried them on, I turned my nose up at the length of the sleeves - I thought they were too short, but my friend told me to stop tripping and actually put the shirt ALL THE WAY ON before I judge it.  So glad I did.

This one is a 0 regular.  It was the first one I picked up and tried on. Unfortunately, they didn't have this one in petites, but I loved the color and the price so much, that I may just have it slimmed if it doesn't shrink in the dryer.

Happy Shopping!

wearing now: jeggins

Jeggins are this girl's best friend.  Even if , Heaven-forbid, they go out of "style" one day in the distant future, I will probably still prance around in mine, laughing in the face of fashion.  Being a rebel.  Take THAT!

I would also like to take a quick moment to confirm how hard it is to take pictures of yourself.  And how stupid you feel doing it.  It is hard and I felt stupid.

jeans: Target shirt: H&M necklace: NY&C shoes: Target watch: Movado (and a hairtie that shouldn't be there)

I was sorely lacking inspiration for an outfit to wear to work, so I turned to my "inspirations" folder on my PC.  I wasn't inspired by any of my usual "inspirations" so I had to look elsewhere.  Enter the fabulous network of petite bloggers!  I looked through the petite fashion challenges and thought the "dressing up your basics" challenge was perfect for me.  I'm very much into wearing basics, and looked through the entries until I found one that struck my fancy (some of you petite bloggers have fancy, shmancy basics).  A fellow petite paired some denim with a plain white shirt and a scarf.  PERFECT...except it is 99 degrees outside and I would look as crazy as I felt taking pictures of myself if I worse a scarf.  I decided to pair my white tee with one of my NY&C necklaces to shnazz things up a bit.

Check out my Dolce Vita for Target wedges. I purchased a brown pair in a different style a couple of months ago and love love love them!  I didn't want to have two pairs of the exact same shoes in different colors (I'm notorious for that) so I chose this style, which is slightly different, but just as comfortable.  *love*

***note I wore these shoes and pants in a different outfit and cuffed the pants under so they didn't bunch up so much at the ankles.  MUCH better!***

writing now: forced 30ish for 30ish (okay, okay 46!)

I've been intrigued by the 30 for 30 challenges that various bloggers participate in, but thought, "who me? nevah!"

Well never say nevah because I am now imparting on my very own, modified, 30ish by 30 ish challenge.  Might I add that this challenge was forced upon me. Forced I tell ya!

Picture it: Spring 2011, I left my small town life to interview for a job in Washington DC!  Never thought I'd get the job, however I had my sights set on the hustle, the bustle, the excitement that the city brings.  I went to the city for the interview and thought that would be the last of it.  Low and behold, by the end of the week, I received a call.  I had been selected for the position.  **insert Jersey Shore fistpump here**

But wait, DC?! This is going to be quite the transition.  Where will I live?  I won't know anyone!  I won't know my way around the city.  What am I going to do??  This is why *he* says I need my very own reality show something along the lines of "Country Girl Moves to the City."  This is where I politely remind him that I'm from the SUBURBS not the COUNTRY - big BIG difference!

The entire process has taken an eternity (I'd like to personally thank Congress for their inability to pass the budget in a timely manner and the hiring "pauses" that ensued), but it's finally coming to a close.  As such, I packed up my entire apartment in the SUBURBS, and moved all of my belongings to the big city and started my new job.  HA.  That would be too easy.  I did pack my entire apartment and move my stuff to my city apartment, but I haven't yet left my job here yet.  So, that means I'm staying with family for a couple of weeks while I wrap up some lose ends.  So THAT means, that I'm living out of a suitcase.

The contents of that suitcase (and toiletries case and makeup case - what can I say) would not entirely fit into the rules of the 30 for 30 cause this girl has got to have options, but I am much more limited than I am used to.  As such, I may have to get just a wee bit more creative than I have in the past!  I'm very grateful for the community of bloggers than have shown that this *is* possible!

Now, I do have a confession to make.  I had 3 weeks of outfits all picked out!  THIS TIME, I was not going to overpack.  Not THIS TIME!  NEVAH! *sarcasm voice*.  As I was walking out of my apartment, I kept running back in to get miscellaneous shirts and such.  Ah well.  Better luck next time!  I may actually participate in a 30 for 30 if this goes okay!

I packed:

18 shirts

 10 bottoms

6 dresses

5 cardigans and

7 pairs of shoes (not pictured boo )

(most of the shirts were last minute additions...oops!)

I know, I know, I FAIL! But still, wish me luck!

loving now: june 2011

I realize this post is a little late, and I wish I had more to share but this has been a slow month for me *sad face*

Here's a roundup of the things I am loving now:

photo credit here

Revlon Super Lustrous Nude Luster Lip Gloss.  Nudes have been very popular for some time now.  However, has anyone realized how hard it is to find Nudes for African Americans?!  Just like band-aids are supposed to be "flesh toned,"  traditional nudes always end up being more beige on me.  I have been on the hunt the perfect nude lip and have some great products in my arsenal, but my find for this month is Revlon Nude Luster Lip Gloss.  This product is a perfectly low maintenance nude lip color for me.  I say low maintenance because I have pigmented lips and usually have to pair my lip products with a lip liner (colored or color correcting) in order to get the lippy to show up properly!  I don't *have* to do that with this gloss!  Most of the time, I do use a color correcting liner with it, but even if I'm in a rush or on the go and don't have time, it still looks great!  The gloss is very pigmented - a great drugstore find!

 photo credit here

Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar.  I found this in the bottom of one of my purses a couple of days ago and put it back in my cosmetics bag.  I had forgotten how much I loved it!  This is another one of those glosses that gives my lips a decent amount of coverage.  I also like that the applicator is a brush.  That helps with getting the application precise.  The brush also reduces contamination of the product inside the tube because you aren't applying it to your lips and then dipping it back into the product.  Fair warning though, don't twist the applicator too much.  Just give it a couple of quick twists and wait so you don't have a product explosion on your hands!

photo credit here

Scunci mini hair clips.  I've been wearing my hair up a lot.  It's summer and it's hot!  I've been washing 2 - 4 times a week and don't have time to straighten my hair, nor is it healthy for my hair to have so much heat applied to it!  This means I've been washing my hair (mostly a quick rinse with conditioner - no shampoo) at night, but of course I still need to look presentable for work.  Enter braidouts and buns!  I've been doing braidouts for YEARS now and they are among my favorite summer styles (especially when I need a relaxer, like I need one now!).  Either I've been wet bunning my hair or rocking a braidout bun for some funky texture, and these clips hold my hair really well.  I also like to use spin pins and scunci hair pins occasionally.  These clips are great, they don't snag my hair which is so important when you have long, relaxed hair!  They were extra cheap too, only $1.00 at Target's dollar spot.  I'll be going back to pick up a couple more packs!  Two thumbs up! Mine are a little larger than those in the photo above and came in a pack of 3 - 2 black and 1 brown.