OOTD: Blush Pink & Creams in 100 Degree Heat

Today I wore the most non-ideal outfit ever.  Not realizing I'd be running around all day from store to store and picking up heavy bags and boxes, I wore heels and a silk top in 100 degree weather. I deserve a prize!

I did really love the outfit, but by mid-day I had to hit Target to buy some Dr. Schols  inserts for my pumps!  (which, by the way are very comfortable in normal circumstances.)

Walking around for hours in heels in 100 degree weather= sweating and chafing and rubbing and just overall discomfort.

Speaking of feet and sweating, does anyone else who lives in a warm climate do a different (foot) routine in the summer?  I'm not going to lie, my feet sweat when it's hot out.  When you wear shoes made of synthetic materials (and even non synthetic in this weather) your feet are bound to produce sweat. To keep my shoes in good condition and to avoid stinky feet as much as possible, in the summer I use a deodorizing foot spray (you can get it at any drug store) and I also have foot powder as needed.  I also bought a product at DSW called the "Shoe De-Fogger" and it's a spray that's meant to deodorize shoes. I invest a lot in my shoes and I want to keep them looking (and smelling good.)  I know for most people feet are a gross topic, but I just had to put that out there.

OK, here's what I wore:

Blush Pink Satin Top- Ann Taylor
Skirt- LOFT

Cardigan- Express (yes, I wear the heck out of this cardigan. I LOVE it!)

Shoes- Jessica Simpson Nude Pumps
Bag- Kate Spade

Thanks to everyone who left me comments yesterday sharing their laptop stories. It helped me heal to know others could relate!

BTW- I think there's something for everyone in these photos- lack of pigeon toes in some, looking at the camera, standing up straighter...oh how I'm growing ;)

xoxo,

Veronika.

Questions? Suggestions? Formspring Me!

Let's Talk Ann Taylor Sizing (& a Weekend Haul)

My husband had to exchange some of his shirts today, so we headed to the Galleria and of course, I had an ulterior motive and wanted to check out Ann Taylor because I had wanted to use my 40% off coupon on these shoes with a bow. When I saw them in person, I just felt the bow was not dramatic enough to spend $155 on, even if they were 40% off. I want to find shoes similar to the Ann Taylor ones but with a larger bow. I am tall and my feet are huge, so sometimes I need something a little more dramatic to make an impact/be noticeable (I was thrilled, for example when the huge purse trend started several years ago, because I can rock a massive travel bag like it's any old handbag.)



Anywho, you KNOW I didn't leave Ann Taylor without checking out their new spring collection and sale racks. A few weeks ago, I paid a visit to Ann Taylor and tried on a pretty, simple black dress with bow accents at the shoulders. It was on sale for about 50$ and I thought to myself "this is a cute dress for $50.") Alas, they didn't have my size.



Wait, let me re-state that. Ann Taylor sizing is SO incredibly off, that my size was too large on me. Yes, the size 4 dress was too big. They swore they didn't have a 2 and I checked the racks over and over. Sadly, there was no 2.



Oddly, when I went today, I found that same dress in a 2...and another in a 2P...I wonder where those were a few weeks ago? Considering the $50 dress was actually an additional 40% off today, I felt like it was a message from the shopping gods whispering "you must have this" [to me] as my husband shook his head at the feverish look in my eyes when I realize what an amazing deal I'm about to score.



The dress doesn't look like much on the hanger, but I promise it is the perfect work dress. So it was $49.88 and I got it 40% off: (by the way, the dress was originally GASP!!! $175. I want to know who would actually pay that much for a simple black work dress that's not a designer brand...no judgment, but phew, that's a lot for an Ann Taylor dress. Thank God for sales!)







After I got my hands on this dress, I became even more excited as I focused in on one item so amazing, it took my breath away a little bit (umm...I think I have a problem.)



As with everything in that store, the sizing is crazy and I had to get this gorgeous top in a size XS. Oh but how gorgeous and fluffy it is....and the color...oh the sweet gorgeous color. The collar reminds me of little flower petals...like you could pick them off for days and days saying "he loves me, he loves me not..." sigh. So pretty.



You may not agree...but this blouse is just so stunning. It looks especially incredible on. I just <3>



I am just so confused about the sizing in this store...is it a massive case of vanity sizing? I just can't imagine I would ever be a size 2 in anything in any other stores. I guess maybe it might be just that one dress since the bottom part is not super fitted or anything. Does anyone else find the sizing off at Ann Taylor? By the way, if you haven't been yet, their spring collection has lots of pretty stuff.



I also paid a visit to J. Crew and they had a few amazing items...but I'm kind of boycotting them because I hate that they never have specials or any significant sales (in stores). I would be shopping there ever darn weekend if they offered me 40% off of one item for one day only. I always have to wait for things to go on sale there, and even when they do I sometimes think they are too pricey. Especially tissue-thin shirts. They have gorgeous stuff...but sometimes I think the price just completely turns me off.



Finally, we stopped by at LuluLemon so my husband could get his first pair of Lulu's. Yay! LuluLemon pants are seriously superior to any I have ever worn. I've had my black still pants for like 4 years, wash them at least once a week and they still look and fit great. Amazing.



While at Lulu, I remembered a girl in my Pilates class this morning was wearing a gorgeous colored racerback from there, so I made a note to check and see if they still had that color (they switch out colors a lot.) They did, and I got to snag one of the last ones. It's light a bright indigo purple. Love it!



I actually own this top in 3 other colors and love them because they are so long and comfy. They wash and wear well, and because of the long length, I'm not always having to pull them down. I just lover racerbacks. They are so flattering.



Did you shop any Valentines/Presidents Day sales today? Let me know what you got in the comments below.



xoxo,



Veronika.

Weekend Haul: Deals I Just Couldn't Resist

Hello my lovely readers! I've been posting like crazy today to catch up on some of the posts I should have posted last week. Before I begin my weekend haul, I wanted to post pics of the gorgeous beach bag I got on Black Friday from Zingara for our upcoming vacation.

Isn't it gorgeous? I absolutely fell for the pretty purple color and leather straps:

Last week, I ordered a dress from Lulu's for our vacation that I thought would be perfect for a tropical setting. Well, it came in on Friday, and it is so gorgeous, that I will probably wear it for my friend's wedding while we are there. I will more than likely cinch the waist with a belt. It is just so bright and tropical. I love it. I believe it was $49 which I thought was a great price.


Now onto my weekend haul. My husband bought me this gorgeous black sweater from White House, Black Market for Christmas. I usually don't buy much there because some items can be quite expensive, but this sweater was not one I could part with. It looks incredible on, and can be dressed up or down. The knit is an amazing texture and the little button details make it that much awesomer (yes, I'm aware that's not a word). Sigh. Here it is:


Because I am absolutelyandtotallyobsessed with sweaters, I also got this gorgeous pink Cardi from The Limited. Can I just make a confession here and admit that I've never shopped there before? They were having a 40% off sale, so I thought "why not take a peek?" I did a little more than peek, I fell in love. Yes ladies, this just might be the most adorable sweater ever. I got it in an extra small, which is rare for me because I'm so tall, but I just liked the way it fit over the small, which felt a little too big in the waist area. The detailing on the left side is what attracted me to the sweater, and the color is so flattering. Here is my pretty-in-pink cardi (it was less than 30$ with the discount)


Confession number two- I have never shopped at Ann Taylor Loft. That's right. I've walked by it, seen some things online etc...but never shopped there. Then, I noticed that many of Chole's outfits included ATL items, so I decided to check out the store. They were also having a 40% off of one item sale, so of course, I took advantage. The store has SO many beyond gorgeous items, many of which include bows, flowers, ruffles, pearls and girly accents galore!

The tee I got is so soft and feminine and just pretty. See for yourself:


Feeling lucky after finding some great deals, I made my way over to J. Crew, and beelined to the sale section where I found this purple top, in my size (and it happened to be the last one in the store- score!) The best part? It was $19.99 down from $89.50.


It looks a bit wrinkly in these pics, but I promise it looks wonderful on. I plan to wear it tucked into a pencil skirt with a cardi and possibly a belt at the waist (oh how I love belts.)

And, because a shopping trip is never quite complete without a product (or two) I headed over to Ulta to purchase a product that Elle (AllThatGlitters21 on YouTube) recently raved about in her haircare routine video.
It's the Joico Split End Mender. Now, I'm no fool, I realize nothing can really "fix" split ends (except for a brief encounter with some scissors) but, I took Elle's word for it, and decided to purchase it to see if it could at least mask them (that's one of the hard parts of growing out your hair, split-ends galore.)

Finally, while at Bath and Body Works, I was able to score some free products because of all of my coupons, so I impusively grabbed this lip blam. I had never really seen them there before or used them, but I've used other products by that brand (C.O. Bigelow) and enjoyed them. I tried it today for the first time, and it is a gorgeous pink color and shows up as a sheer wash of pink. I applied it lightly. It is definitely pigmented enough to make your lips have actual color. It's called "Poppy Pink Mint." The name alone sells it for me. Here is a photo:

That is all for this weekend's shopping haul. I find myself shopping more than I usually do because the deals are just so good right now, and I hate paying full price for anything.

Before I forget, I encourage you to use your Victoria's Secret coupons before they expire on December 24th. I had 3 of them, plus a 10$ off rewards card, so I was able to save 40$ on my purchases. I bought 5 pairs of VS PINK undies (LOVE EM'!), a VS PINK turquoise blue waffle henley shirt (it says "PINK MAKES ME HIGH" on the back hehe) and a VS black lacie nightie:

Thank you for reading, and I hope you all had a great weekend! If you went shopping this weekend, share your purchases in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.