Chips & Salsa, yes please

I'm in a craze over Mexican accessories as they seem to be the perfect flare for my every outfit. This may or may not have to do with my recent trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mex (twas very influential). I was immediately attracted to the brightly colored bowls and platware that are sold on every street corner. As my tiny apartment has wall to wall artwork I had to come up with a new way to document my travels, hence my newly acquired condiment bowls, vase and multicolored glass mugs. I found the best deal in town as I befriended the nicest lady selling her mother's hand painted ceramic, of course I bargained down and got my batch of goods for much less than you would find in any American boutique or Mexican boutique at that.

My love for the bowls then showed up in my choice of clothing. The belts add a dash of color, the necklaces a bit of ethnicity and the barrette a little touch of something different. The first belt is from a boutique in La Jolla and I got it for under $30, whilst the second belt is a simple wrap around sash, hand me down from my lovely mother. The sash can be paired with any flowy dress or shirt to master a casual beachy look. The necklaces pictured here also acquired from my favorite Mexican lady and she just threw them into the deal. I like to wear them with anything black or white to liven an outfit or something mixy matchy just for some flare. The barrette was a happy find in the Cabo San Lucas airport for $3. Who said you can't wear some worry dolls clipped in your hair?! I wear the barrette on any occasion when I want my hair out of my face, just something useful to throw in my purse for an emergency fix.

k love you bye'

Hi Waisted! I'm In Style.

I have found Urban Outfitters to be my favorite online store, they have new items on sale everyday and their sale items are actually cheaper online than in the store. My most recent purchase came from a splurge in order to get free shipping. I picked out some things that I thought would be fun to try on and they ended up working out better than my original choices. I never thought I'd say this after my Freshman Winter Formal, but corsets are back and better than ever. I found a red, white and blue one by Pleasure Doing Business that can be paired with virtually anything. I prefer to pair it with a high waisted skirt to give it the effect of a dress. It's funkiness looks wonderful with other off the wall patterns but can also be paired with navy to achieve the preppy look.

Another simple and fresh look that I've recently fallen in love with is a crop top paired with a high waisted mini skirt. I'd say it's a new take on the 80's and a fairly inexpensive acquisition. You can find any color cropped shirt at American Apparel or if you're willing to wait, go on ebay and buy it for less.

Online shopping has an addictive personality of its own and can get quite expensive with shipping costs and returns. At least that's why I used to shy away from it. You can't tell how things fit and end up spending $20 just to try something on. Well its a good thing that there is such thing as free shipping. When an online store has a shipping cost, I just pick a couple of things out to bring the overall cost up and get the free shipping. The best strategy in doing so is shopping at a store that allows you to return merchandise to a store location. Hence resulting in excitement while waiting for your free delivery, the convenience of trying on that cumbersome corset in the comfort of your own home and returning anything and everything without paying a dime. Now this is a habit I could get used to! Also, don't forget to search for promo codes before checking out, you can usually save 10% on your purchase(yes I do this every time).

k love you bye'

Look, something shiny

Nothing catches my eye like something shiny poking out in the midst of a haphazard department store rack, and there's no better time to rock sequins then in the heart of Winter. Glitter and sparkles scream Happy Holidays better than a singing Santa card. I was fortunate enough to take a trip to New York in October and found myself the glitzy essentials without spending their actual worth. Brooklyn is known for thrift shops and I found a vintage beaded blazer for $20. They are going for over $100 on ebay and can be paired with any solid black outfit for the perfect sophisticated look, or mixed and matched with light denim jean shorts for something a little bit more funky. I also chanced upon a vintage sequin floral print blouse at Beacon's Closet in Williamsburg/Brooklyn. It is the perfect statement maker paired with a pair of skinny black jeans and pumps. It's a to die for original look, again for $20.







In the past I have collected my best shiny pieces in thrift stores or consignment shops, including a gold sequin trench coat and a rainbow sequined blazer. People get tired of such memorable pieces, thus they dominate the second hand racks.

k love you bye'

Faux Reals

I live by the rule that one can never look too good, and in order

to accomplish this, one must accessorize. Everyone writes articles on the perfect little black dress, but what's the perfect little black dress without the latest hottest accessory?! Here's my quick fix, every couple of months I stock up on the latest accessories, mainly necklaces, in order to revamp my wardrobe. It's easier and cheaper to do this than to buy a whole new closet. The key is knowing where to find these. I'm biased towards necklaces solely because I have long hair and earrings are never noticed and bracelets can fly under the radar, literally. On my latest necklace hunt I went to forever 21 and I picked out 4 pieces that would really change up my style. My major piece was this lace collar with diamonds and pearls pictured top left. It can be worn with high necklines or low cut tops and will spruce up any outfit along with adding a bit of an edge. I also picked out a feather piece that was under $15 dollars that will add flare to any outfit, especially perfect for Fall(top right). I have an eye for shiny things so I couldn't resist a gem necklace that when paired with a tube top dress makes the perfect Vegas outfit(lower left). Last and least, price wise, I scooped up this beaded necklace for under $7. It is being sold in all major department stores for upwards for$35(lower right). It will add the

perfect glam to any outfit or when paired with warm colors will cool down your look. These pieces are sure to be noticed and were acquired for under $50. An easy way to make an old boring t-shirt come back to life. Plus they are easy to throw on with any outfit.

k love you bye'

Shady

Found'em! I have been searching for a pair of round preppy/funky sunglasses for about 3 months. I am a devotee of Ralph Lauren, as I have owned 3 pairs of their shades throughout my lifetime. This pair was a quality find, they are a dark shade of transparent green and are perfect for the rest of the summer going into fall. On the RL website they can be found for $375 and even as little as $250 0n some discount websites. I found them on a shabby rack at TJ Maxx for the price you would pay in sales tax for the original pair. I'm always on the look out for sunglasses at TJ Maxx because it's the place everyone forgets to look. They can be paired perfectly with the boho look or straight off the yacht like a true RL print ad.

k love you bye'

Jungle Fever

I've had a very lucky week in terms of exciting finds. It looks like the summer selling season is coming to an end and I'm scoring designer items before they even leave Neiman Marcus. I chanced upon this seasons most beautiful Michael Kors mailout(one piece) cutout swimsuit, pretty much looks like it came straight off the set of Tarzan, but hey I like themed pieces. It was selling at Neiman for $270 and lets just say I found it at Marshalls for a quarter of the price. It's a one piece miracle in such that it fits proportionately everywhere (except of course the buttocks), that was remedied quick with a trip to the tailor and stitch stitch the "butt scrunch" was applied. To those that aren't aware of this little trick, I am not surprised as I learned about this technique not too long ago. If you are good on the sewing machine all you need is a little piece of elastic and a once too large bottom will fit perfectly. I have attached a picture of one of my favorite bathing suit designers that has mastered the technique and charges a pretty penny for it. Luli Fama, charges $70 per bottom, not saying its not worth it because I'm a huge fan, but you can do this to all old worn out bottoms for a new effect.

After that jungle of a find, I couldn't help but indulging in the newest Sam Edelman 'Katrice' zebra wedge sandal. I guess you're starting to pick up on my summer theme. ;) They are featured in all of Edelman's latest print adds and being sold at Nordy's for $160. As my luck would have it, they are also available at Marshalls for half the price. They are super light and comfortable and a must have for the pool, yacht, or Vegas this season.

k love you bye'

Nude

I'm going to start with my most recent shopping expedition. For those of you who don't know, Banana Republic has been having a 40% off sale every Wednesday all summer. First rule, never buy anything full price at Banana because it always goes on sale! Just my luck, I have a Banana right by my office. I have been in search of the perfect flats that go with everything and look ultra chic, well I found them and they were an awful $85 dollars...but then again it was Wednesday so my 40% off kicked in. I am now the proud owner of Nude Scotty flats. Nothing beats this soft suede/leather combo. Nude, it turns out, just so happens to be my new favorite shoe color. ;)

k love you bye'