What I bought in August

I got a little overexcited shopping this month.  I was on a spending freeze for almost 2 months so I guess I should have known it was coming, AND I'm really proud of the deals I found.  I have been really obsessed with stripes, so I stocked up on more....because you can never have enough stripes, right?!  Okay, maybe that's just me.  I also tried finding a few more basic pieces.  I only spent full price on one top in that whole collage!  I couldn't help myself.  (I'll let you know which one towards the end)

Everything I bought below was from an online site called ThredUp.

ThredUp is basically an online thrift store.  They buy and sell gently used clothing from top brands.  I love Express clothing but can't really afford to buy it at the full price, so this has been a great option for me.  Every top above is from Express.  The only thing I bought that wasn't from Express was the striped skirt on the bottom left.  

Here is what I paid for 8 tops, 1 jacket, and 1 skirt from ThredUp:

Express camel sweater - $8.49

Express red and navy baseball tee - $7.49

Express b&w dolman top - $12.49

Express blue and black top - $10.49

Express red & white henley -  $7.99

Express berry top - $8.49

Express grey top - $9.49

Apt 9 skirt - $8.99

Express jacket - $18.99

Express b&w striped top - $9.49

Subtotal - $102.40

Free shipping & 20% discount TOTAL: $81.92

If you want to give ThredUp a try, here is my referral link.  Thank you in advance if you use it!

Gap b&w striped top - thrift store - $2.99

Foo Fighters top - $30

Banana Republic pink top - thrift store - $4.99

Loft grey sweater - thrift store - $2.99 - 50% off - $1.50

Charming Charlie tortorise bracelet - $6.99

Forever21 striped top - thrift store - $3.99

Total - $ 50.46

Total spent in August - $132.38

I'm really happy with that total and the amount of stuff I was able to find!  Obviously the Foo Fighters top was the full price item.  It's been a long time since I paid full price for anything, but it was worth it!  I bought my husband tickets to see Foo Fighters for our anniversary, and I have to buy a tee shirt at every concert I go to.  It's tradition!  And also why I have a whole dresser drawer full of band shirts. haha!  Ooops!

OUTFIT: Cobalt and leopard

We had a couple of really pretty days over the weekend.  On Saturday the weather was absolutely beautiful and sunny and Sunday it was a little cooler and cloudy.  I was just happy that we had a little break from the rain.  It didn't start raining until later in the day on Sunday.

Saturday my husband and I took a trip out to Ohiopyle to check out the waterfalls and go for a nice long hike.  It was so great to get out in nature for a while.  I actually ended up getting my first little bit of sunburn for the year!  My nose ended up a teeny bit pink but that's about it.  I'm the type of person that burns once or twice and then gets a really nce tan.  My husband is not. He turns into a lobster, peels, and is super fair skinned again. haha!  I have a feeling my daughter is going to be the same way as him.

Top - Express

Pants - Charlotte Russe

Necklace - Charming Charlie (Similar)

Clutch - The Mint Julep Boutique

Heels - Payless

All of the trees and flowers are starting to bloom now.  I couldn't resist taking a couple pictures near this pretty tree.  I love this time of year everything is so pretty!  I'm excited to start seeing leaves on trees again.  I'm sick of the dreary bare trees.

What did you do over the weekend?

linked up with: On the Daily Express and More Pieces of Me, Rhea EtCetera, Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius, A Touch of Tartan

Feeling festive in red

You may remember me mentioning last week that I am a huge dork and catch myself wearing a lot of red right before Valentine's Day.  It just gets me in the mood for it, I guess.  I wore this over the weekend on a quick dinner date with my husband.

Unfortunately my no-headache/migraine streak has ended.  Friday I woke up with a migraine and it didn't end up going away until Sunday morning.  Terrible!  The good news is that it wasn't as intense as they were before., I could still function.  And I guess I can't be too upset because it was the first real migraine I have had in over 3 weeks, so that's not bad.  

That's also probably why I look a little "squinty-eyed" in these pictures, I guess...

I love this new purse I got from The Mint Julep Boutique!  It's the perfect size and of course the red is perfect for Valentine's Day!

I also found a great deal on fleece-lined leggings at Wal Mart.  They had a six pack with  different colors for only $30!  I was a little iffy on whether or not to buy them because it's Wal Mart but most of the reviews were good so I went for it, and I'm really glad I did because they are so comfortable!

Purse - The Mint Julep Boutique  |  Boots - Charlotte Russe  |  Earrings - Charming Charlie  |  Fleece Lined Leggings - Wal Mart (6 pairs for $30!)  |  Jacket - Wet Seal  |  Dress - Body Central

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

linked up with: On the Daily Express and More Pieces of Me, Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius, A Touch of Tartan, Rhea etCetera, Pumps and Push ups, Cappuccino and Fashion, Get Your Pretty On

I think I have a purple addiction, is that a thing?!

As I was looking at my outfit posts recently, I realized I've been wearing a lot of purple lately.  I've always been drawn to anything purple, remember my purple bed set?! And I'm always picking stuff out in stores that is purple, but I'm lucky that purple happens to look good with my dark hair... or so I've been told.  Maybe they were just being nice because they know how much I love purple. haha!

Don't forget to enter in my giveaway for a $25 gift card to The Mint Julep Boutique!  They have SO much cute stuff on their site!  Check it out!

 Top - Express  |  Cardigan - Express  |  Pants - Charlotte Russe  |  Flats - Charlotte Russe  |  Ring & Necklace - Premier Jewelry  |  Earrings - Charming Charlie

linked up with: The Pleated Poppy, Shopping My Closet, Because Shanna Said So, Style Elixir

It's just plum lipstick, I swear I don't have hypothermia!

Whenever I reach in my closet to find something to wear in the morning, I always find myself reaching for darker colors like black and gray.  So this morning I forced myself to go against the norm and grab something lighter.  

I just got this white Express top for Christmas and I love it.  It has beautiful lace detail at the top and it is so comfortable.  I also got the purple skinnies for Christmas and I am surprised at how versatile they are.  I've already worn them a bunch of times.  I was a little nervous to get them because I wasn't sure how often I would really wear them, and I've also heard that colored denim is slowly phasing itself out, but they had an amazing deal on them so I was sold.

Jeans - Charlotte Russe  |  Top - Express  |  Bracelet & Earrings - Charming Charlie  |  Watch - Craft fair  |  Boots - Charlotte Russe(similar)

If you couldn't tell by the look on my face in these pictures, it was FREEZING outside.  Yeah, I'm a wimp, I know it.  And of course right after I took these pictures I realized I could have worn my coat in the pictures because it matched and was actually really cute with it ...fail.  Oh well!

I tried a sheer plum lipstick for the first time and I think I actually really love it!  I figured what better time to wear it than with plum colored pants!  I was a little worried that I would look like I had hypothermia or something. haha!

Do you think colored denim is slowly phasing itself out?

linking up with: The Pleated Poppy, Shopping my Closet

OUTFIT: A surprising "warm" day!

I'm pretty sure this is the comfiest top I've ever owned!  I kind of want to go back and buy one in every color! lol!  I got it for Christmas at Express and I love it!  I was a little too excited when I realized it matched my favorite scarf, and then I decided to put on my favorite black pants, and then my favorite accessories, and my favorite moto jacket.....  so basically this is an outfit of favorites!

I wore this outfit on a surprisingly"warm" day over the weekend.  It was around 47 degrees and sunny, so that's pretty warm for this time of year.  I'll take it!  I'm pretty sure the rest of this week's forecast is cold and snow, so it's a nice break.

I wore this outfit to go out thrift shopping and a quick park trip with the baby.  It was a little chilly but in the sun I started to sweat in my leather jacket.  Bring on the spring!!!  Yeah, that's wishful thinking.  We had a great weekend.  

I don't want to jinx it but, I haven't had a headache/migraine in a whole week!!  I can't remember the last time that happened.  I'm so incredibly happy to have a little break and a chance to be able to actually think.  Thanks to all of you for thinking about me and leaving your well wishes!  I really appreciate it.  Still waiting on word from the doctor on when I will be having the MRI brain scan... I guess my insurance has to authorize it first.  So keep your fingers crossed for me just a bit longer, please!  

Top - Express  |  Pants - PacSun  |  Scarf - Charming Charlie  |  Ring - Premier Jewelry  |  Bracelet - Charming Charlie  |  Boots - Charlotte Russe  |  Jacket - Wet Seal

What did you do this past weekend?

linked up with: Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius, More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express, Rhea etCetera

OUTFIT: What do I do with my hands?!

Every time I take an outfit shot I'm always wondering what to do with my hands.  So I end up in this really weird "frozen" look.  Do you ever do that?  I see so many fashion bloggers that make it look so effortless but I am so awkward.  That is definitely something I am going to try to work on this year, getting more comfortable in front of the camera.  I've always been the one that takes the pictures.  Never the one on the other side....if I could help it!  

I just threw this look together really quickly before heading out the door for dinner with my family, but I actually really love it.  This is the very first peplum top that I've ever owned (because for the longest time I didn't want to give in) and I really like the way it flatters me.  I was worried I would be too tall for it or something.

Top: Express  |  Pants: Charlotte Russe  |  Necklace: Premier Jewelry  |  Bracelet: local craft fair  |  Boots: JC Penney

Have you ever tried a peplum top?  What are some fashion trends that you avoided?

linked up at: Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius, On the Daily Express and More Pieces of Me, Still Being Molly, Rhea etCetera, Fashionably Employed, I do deClaire, Induffinitely Me, The Pleated Poppy, Shopping My Closet, The Brandied Pear and Style Honestly

OUTFIT: Dinner with the girls

Sometimes life seems to just move way too quickly and before you know it, it's been over a month (or 2 or 3) since you had a girl day with all of your best friends.  We didn't do anything fancy, and one girl even had to bring her kids along, but it was so nice to just get together and catch each other up on what's going on in our lives.  

It was a really casual get together at Panera Bread.  They have THE BEST broccoli cheese soup!  We just sat and talked for a couple hours.  It was so nice to get out for a little while.  

Anyway, onto the outfit I wore....   

Outfit details: Top - Express, Cardigan & Jeans - PacSun, Necklace - Charming Charlie, Boots - Charlotte Russe

Do you still make time for dinner dates with your girls?  If not, you really should!  I always leave feeling so de-stressed and happy

linked up at: Shopping My Closet, The Pleated Poppy

OUTFIT: Monochromatic

You may remember this top from my shopping post earlier this month.  This is one of my favorite tops at the moment.  It's so soft and comfortable!  

I wore this outfit to dinner with some of my husband's family.  It's a nice dressy outfit while still being casual enough to be acceptable for a casual restaurant.  I dressed it up a little more with a pearl necklace and bracelet.

 Outfit details: Top: Express |  Bottoms:  PacSun, old! |  Bracelet: Premier Designs Jewelry  |  Necklace: super old, I can't remember!  |  Flats: Charlotte Russe

linked up at: Rhea etCetera, Cha Cha the Fashion Genius and Pink Sole, More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express, I do deClaire, Induffinitely Me, Bless Her Heart Y'all

OUTFIT: Lace and leather

It's been getting chilly here in Pittsburgh!  Last week I had to break out the blazer to wear over my lace Express top.  I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that it's getting cold.  It's the end of October already!  I can't believe it.  Lace has always been a little too girly for me but once I added the leather boots I feel like it added just enough edge to the outfit.

Another slightly depressing thing about it being the end of the month....  I turn 30 on Wednesday!  Yuck!  My husband says I'm not allowed to lay in bed and cry all day with a bottle of wine, so I guess we will go out to eat instead. haha!  Is there anyone else out there in the dirty 30 club??

Anyway, back to the outfit!  The blazer is REALLY old from Guess.  I honestly don't remember where I got the boots and they are so old that the logo wore off so I can't even look.  All I know is that they are the comfiest heel boots ever.  I will be sad when I have to retire them soon.

All of my accessaries are from Charming Charlie.  Seriously, isn't that place the greatest?!?! 

...and unfortunately I didn't notice that part of the necklace flipped until I loaded the pictures on my computer... and I was too lazy to retake them. LOL!

Do you like pairing leather with lace?  Or am I just crazy?! haha!

linked up at: Rhea EtCetera, Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genuis, More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express, Fizz and Frosting, I do deClaire, Bless Her Heart Y'all, Induffinitely Me

What I bought..

I have a bit of a shopping problem so anytime I see a sale I always end up leaving with something.  I went to the mall over the weekend and they were having a HUGE sale at Express so I had to stop...  My bank account wishes I hadn't. lol

Here's what I found:  Express.  I had a gift card so I only ended up spending about $40!

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5-sold out / 6 -sold out (similar)

I also went to Forever 21 .  They were have a buy one get one free sale on clearance! I spent $60 on all of this great stuff!!

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5

Have you run into any sales lately???