Day 23/184 Days of NO Shopping

Hi Pretty People!  As promised I am back again this week to let you know how the whole NO shopping for my wardrobe and jewel box is going.  It really had not been that tough...until yesterday.  I popped in to a new vintage shop Pura Vida Vintage to get a birthday gift for a friend.  This place is literally less than two blocks from my office and opened right around when I started the NO shopping.  And it was a test of my strength.  So much fun packed in to one little shop, I don't even want to reminisce for fear I will run over there and snatch up everything I left behind (like the amazing straw back that was calling my N-A-M-E).  

I think the only reason I was able to stay strong was because I was on a mission.  I am headed to NYC today to visit one of my best buddies in the whole world and it was her birthday last week.  I of course remembered a day late, so I wanted to get her something extra special, and since I could not get anything for myself I snuck out of there with two amazing finds for her.  Cannot wait to share them with you!!

Aside from almost swan diving off my No shopping wagon yesterday, the only thing I cannot get off my mind are these BLANK high-waisted skinnies.  I had been eyeing this pair at SF for a while and then I died when I saw these on Cupcakes and Cashmere.  To my surprise...or not really because I knew those jeans would be amazing...they were the same ones from SF but from ShopBob.  Just crossing my fingers that there is still a pair left to be had in November when this No shopping craziness ends.  But for now, I will squirrel away the $78.00 I would have spent for something else.  

One last thing...can you send some good thoughts my way this weekend when in the New York City Vintage shops.  I don't want to not go because I love visiting them, but I might just have to leave all forms of payment at Anna's APT if we go out "window shopping," though I am not sure if I want to know how creative I would get to make a perfect little vintage find mine if I had no money on me.  Can see myself brainstorming now..."I wonder if they will let me clean their shop bathroom for that vintage necklace?"  Ok...now I just feel uncomfortable.  See what I mean...I need the good thoughts.  Happy Thursday...J

If the Shoe Fits...

I have learned two things from this middle of the week round up.  (1) I never wear normal shoes.  I mean do all my shoes need to be of the printed, heeled, shiny, chunky, bold, fringy variety?  No, but apparently they are.  (2) I walk on a lot of cement.  Many of these photos were taken on sidewalks, parking lots, or off road, but I would have thought this group of shots would be a little more glamorous.  I guess not.  At least we know I am not afraid to get my feet dirty!  Happy Wednesday...J

Old Faithful: Pink Skirt

So we all have them.  Those things in our closet that we always turn to.  And I know I will be turning to them a lot more lately with this whole no shopping for 6 months thing.  So I wanted to start Monday off by sharing a favorite "Old Faithful." Meet my hot pink long skirt from BCBG.  When I purchased this I remember getting it for two reasons.  1.  Obviously...the color.  2.  It feels like I am walking around in a silk blanket with an elastic waistband.  I mean what is not to love about that?

But I will be honest; I did not think it would become an "Old Faithful."  However, you can see from the shots above that I turn to her pretty often, and these are just the pictures I actually took to share on the blog.  Doesn't count the other times I have rolled out of bed reluctantly until I remember that "Yes...yes I can wear something that feels like a silk bathrobe out in public."  So a big thank you to my hot, pink, maxi skirt.  Really don't know what I would do without you.  Happy Monday...J  

{Love You: Chelsea}

I am so excited today to be sharing with you my sweet blogger friend Chelsea from Haute Child in the City.  Like many blogger buddies, I can't remember exactly how Chelsea and I met, whether it was stumbling upon her blog or instagram, but I am just glad we were able to "virtually" meet.  Chelsea's fun, sparkly, and sassy personality exude on her chic lifestyle blog Haute Child in the City, and I am excited for you all to see what she is loving about herself today.   

"I love that I am decisive

I have the ability to quickly come to a decision and stick with it.  Sometimes it can be to a fault; but mostly, it enables me to get in and out of the grocery store much more quickly than the average person.  Anything that acts as a time-saver for me is aces in my book. 

I love that I am loyal

To my friends, family, and colleagues, I am one of the most loyal people that you will ever meet.  I will always be there for you, I will travel great distances to support you, and I will go to the mat for the people in my life. 

[via]

I love my scars and random body idiosyncrasies

From the small stitch marks on my forehead from my first stitches to my oddly shaped toes from years of dance, they are all a part of who I am and tell the story of my life.  Also, it's super fun to mess with people when they inquire about certain ones. "Oh that chunk out of my leg?  Shark attack."

I love that my superpower is the ability to wear any height of heels without feeling pain
Sure, it’s a little freakish that the nerve endings in my feet don’t communicate with my body well and I’m sure that most doctors would read this and tell me that I needed to lay off of the heel wearing, but being 5’0 on a good day, this super power comes in handy.  It also makes me a bad gauge for people who ask, “Are those shoes comfortable.” My answer is ALWAYS yes.   

I love that I have the most random (and at times, terrible) taste in music

My iPod has everything from The Clash, to GirlTalk, to Vampire Weekend, to John Mayer to Van Morrison, to The Beatles, and yes, even the entire music catalog of the one-and-only Britney Spears and Taylor Swift, as well as most of the songs from Glee.  I unapologetically download Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez.  It should be shameful, but for me, it’s totally not. #sorryI’mnotsorry

I love that I am a nerd

I’m a totally science nerd and I love to read, mostly nonfiction.  I never want to stop learning and I think that the thirst for knowledge is an under appreciated quality.

I love that my sister and I are close

My sister and I haven’t always been close.  In fact, it wasn’t until I went away to college and she started high school that we actually could tolerate being the same room as one another.  Most of that was my fault; I was too cool to have a little sister hanging around and we fought like cats and dogs.  I’m lucky and thankful that she and I are very close now because there is such an awesome bond between us a sisters; a sense of comradery that only we will every truly understand being sisters.  Not to mention she’s way cooler than I’ll ever be and is such an amazing Aunt to our little guy.

I love that I don’t own a scale

Seriously, if you asked me what I weighed right now, I couldn’t even wager a guess because the last time I was weighed was at my post-partum appointment after my son was born which was over a year ago.  I just don’t see a point to obsessing over a number; as long as I’m happy with what I look like, my clothes fit, and I’m eating well, it’s just not a priority to me.

I love that I am comfortable in my own skin

It’s taken a while to get here, but I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I know who I am, I don’t regret any foolish decisions from my past, I know what I like (and what I don’t), I’m settled in my life and career, and I’m happy with and appreciative of where I am."    

Do you see what I mean about being sassy???  I love that she jokes with people that she was in a shark attack because her toes and feet are a little wacky after years of dance.  I also really loved that Chelsea shared her love for her sister.  I too became very close with my sister, especially after I went to college, and so often relationships with other people are such an important part of our lives and certainly something we should cherish.  A big thanks to Chelsea for sharing so much on the blog today.  I am not surprised, but happy to know she is just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.  If you have not checked out Haute Child in the City yet, the site is a must.  Happy Friday...J 

{Day 16/184 of No Shopping}

So I am on day 16 of 184 {6 Months No Shopping}.  It has not been awful yet, but I will say I am getting a little nervous about my upcoming trips to NYC and SF this summer, but the plan is to stay strong. As you know if you have been reading along, I thought it would be fun to keep track of items that I see that I think I would have bought to see how much money I am saving and to see if a couple months down the road I am still thinking of any of those items.  

So this week up on my "Woulda If I Coulda" Pinterest Board is this amazing Zara shift print dress. I love little shift dresses because I know I will wear them for work and play.  This one in particular just had such an amazing print and after seeing it all styled up on Cheetah is the New Black I was wishing I could have the dress for myself.  But the bright side is I am saving myself $79.90.  Anything you have been dying to buy lately?  Happy Thursday...J 

{Sate Love}

So I practically lived in this shirt when it first arrived.  Not only is it darling, but so soft.  It is the perfect way to stay comfy and show a little state love.  And the best part is...Riffraff has a whole line of State Love items that you can check out here.  Whether you are looking for a cute workout tee, something to pair with jeans or a flowy skirt on the weekends, or a new lounging top, these are the perfect addition to any t-shirt collection.  I also think they make an amazing gift.  I decided to pair my State Love tee last Sunday afternoon with crisp white jeans and a DahliaLynn necklace for a laid back Sunday evening.  

Happy Wednesday...J

Top {Riffraff}, Jeans {Joe's Jeans}, Heels {Lucky Brand}, Bag {DANNIJO}, Necklace {DahliaLynn headed to Savoir-Fair}

{This & That: Black Meets White}

With these few days of breezy, cool weather all I want to do is lounge around on the porch or inside with the windows open.  So I would not mind taking a break in THIS chair in THAT sweet tank and killer necklace.  Who doesn't lounge around their home in killer jewels??  Happy Tuesday...J