Monday, November 24, 2014

Black Friday & Cyber Monday...Ya'll Ready For This?

Hello Friends!!
*** I do NOT own this photo ***

Hello Everyone!! 
As we all know, Black Friday & Cyber Monday are upon us! For some of us, these are days we plan for far in advance, trolling all the ads and having a detailed systematic approach. For others, we squeeze in a post-dinner cram session after Thanksgiving in preparation for the night ahead. And still, for others, we wing it all the way and try to enjoy the adrenaline and hope we stumble upon some great deals! 
I am a definite mixture of all three! My sister however is definitely the first! For those of you participating, whether seriously or lackadaisically, I have some tips I have learned from my own personal Yoda of a sister, as well as links to some of the Black Friday ads for your comparison convenience! 

TIP 1: Wear gym shoes or boots
      Here in the Midwest, sandals are out of the question during this season, but gym shoes/boots are the best types of shoes to wear anyways as they will best protect your toesies from being hammered by fellow heathens, I mean, shoppers ;) 

TIP 2: Crossbody bags are the way to go
    Crossbody bags are the most convenient style for stampede style shopping. Once you throw it on you can forget about it until you hit the register. Totes, satchels, and oversized bags can become cumbersome, feel heavier as the day goes on, and be generally annoying as you are trying to grasp your items. 

TIP 3: Park in the FIRST spot you find 
    We are all guilty of circling around parking lots trying to find the closest spot available. Today is NOT the day to do that! While you're waiting to satisfy your lazy-gene, other people are inside making the rounds and grabbing your gifts!! And what better way is there to work off those heavy Thanksgiving calories than to get in some extra cardio?? :) sneaky exercise is the best exercise!

TIP 4: Pack bandaids and a couple of mints 
    Seriously. I have seen some scary stuff go down on Black Friday, and a bandaid may be necessary. Even accidental incidents can occur, like a box scraping your finger by the cuticle (major OUCH), someone rams the back of your foot with a cart (that's really never an accident though am I right?), either way, if something happens and you need a bandaid, you will be happy to have one. 
      The mints are for nausea. Anyone else get nauseous when they get hot? In the wee hours of the morning, there will be no time to snack, so a mint may help in case of nausea due to intense running, body piles, minor tug-of-wars, etc. And again, if you feel hungry or nauseous, won't you be happy you packed the mint? :)

TIP 5: Bring a water bottle 
      This is definitely important because you need to stay hydrated during all the mayhem! I think the best way to do so is bring a large water bottle, and drink in between stores. Bringing the water bottle in the store will leave you with one less free hand, so leaving it in the car between stores, (where it will stay cold - especially for us Midwesterners) is a great way make sure you keep hydrated! This will also be a time saver! Instead of running to Starbucks, or a grocery store, gas station, vending machine, etc. You have your hydration ready to go and waiting for you in the car between stops! Fast and free! :) 

TIP 6: Bring your car charger 
    This may seem like a no brainer, but definitely make sure to have your phone car charger in your car and ready to go! If you are in for a long night, you definitely want to make sure your phone lasts, especially if you are shopping with a group! Also, with so many shopping apps available, you won't want to miss out on extra discounts! 
      My FAVORITE shopping apps are SHOPKICK and SHOPULAR! Both are FREE apps and collect stores ads and coupons right at your fingertips! 
      Shopkick is great because you can earn points at certain stores just for walking in! You can then redeem your points for gift cards to a variety of places! It's THAT EASY!!! I personally have used this app for years now and have redeemed my points for places like Target, Old Navy, American Eagle, and the movies!! 
      Shopular is fantastic because this app lets you select your favorite stores, alerts you when you are nearby, and shows you coupons and their latest ads! Almost every time I visit one of my favorite stores Shopular has a coupon for me to use!
          

Below are some Black Friday ads for your comparison convenience! 

1. TARGET: Black Friday Ad
3. WalMart: Black Friday Ad
4. Macys: Black Friday Ad
5. Toys R Us: Black Friday Ad
6. Kohls: Black Friday Ad


Cyber Monday CASH BACK!!!

If you are more of an at home shopper, then Cyber Monday is your day to shine! This year, Cyber Monday falls on December 1st. Cyber Monday, if you don't know, is the day all online stores have fantastic, exclusive deals online!! So not only do you get to skip the crowds and shop in your jammies, but the items will be shipped directly to your home! 
What could be better than that? LET ME TELL YOU!!! 
Would you like to earn CASH BACK on your online purchases?? So yes, I'm saying you can skip the crowds, shop in your jammies, have your items delivered to your home AND earn cash back!! So you are making money to shop from home!! Too good to be true right? WRONGGGGGGGGGG!!! 
Now let me tell you how I earn CASH BACK on my online purchases! 
I use EBATES
You can click the link above to join, or the link I have below! The setup is simple, just an email and password. Then choose the stores you like best, shop through EBATES and they will send you a check quarterly with your earnings! 
There are TONS of stores that work with Ebates, such as Target, Carters, Old Navy, Kohls, Ebay, WalMart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, the list goes on and on!! 
As if that isn't enough, right now Ebates is allowing all new members to make up to $75 just by having their friends sign up! So after your join, make sure to send your link to your friends!
If you are a little wary, don't worry, I definitely was too! There are plenty of reviews about the website and after using EBATES myself for the past year, I definitely agree that it is a reputable and reliable company and it just doesn't make sense to go back to online shopping without it! 
Ebates does NOT ask for credit card information, they simply redirect you to your shopping website of choice to document the transaction and calculate your earnings that way. 
What have you got to lose? Start earning your cash back on your online purchases! You will never shop without EBATES once you start!!

Sign up here !!

Where are you heading for Black Friday? Do you have any good tips for me? 

Let me know if you sign up for Ebates! Let me know what you think! 

Safe Shopping everyone!! 

And as always, THANK YOU for following, commenting, sharing, supporting!!!!!!!!!! 




Thursday, November 20, 2014

Fur-get Me Not...

Well Hello There!!
Hello Again Friends!! 
Today's outfit is all about casual glam!
Anyone who knows me, knows I believe there is never too much of a good thing! And in this case, its a great mix of trends all blending together for one fabulous outfit! Here we have faux fur, studs, the perfume style purse and leopard! 
Some may say "too much" but I say "just enough"!!!
Unfortunately, my heels were digging into the grass pretty intensely after about 1.5 minutes so we moved to a different area and, no pun intended, the grass was not greener on that side! 
I tried to make the photos look more vibrant and not so dull and boring but, well the outfit is supposed to be the focal point anyways right?? :) 

Outfit Details:

Faux Fur Sweater: H&M (similar here )

Vest: Charlotte Russe (similar here )

Belt: Forever 21 (similar here )

Pants: Rue21 (similar here )

Bag: Ebay (find it here )

Heels: Target (find them here )




What are your plans for the weekend? Will you be doing any shopping before Black Friday? 

As always, thank you to each and everyone one of you for following, commenting, supporting and spreading the word!! You are everything!!!!!! 

Monday, November 17, 2014

Before Fall Leaves...

Hello Again Everyone!


Well that beautiful crisp Fall weather is nearly long gone for those of us in the Midwest! 
It always seems that every year right before my birthday we get bitch slapped with a frigid gust of deadly winter weather! -_- 
SO...just before that happens I wanted to make sure I worked one last fully-Fall influenced ensemble! 
Blanket scarves are ALL THE RAGEEEE right now, and of course are a perfect transition piece from Fall to Winter! 
I hope you enjoy this Fall outfit! 

Outfit Details:

Hat: H&M (this one is super edgy!)

Top: H&M (similar here )

Scarf: Target (find a cheaper one here !)

Bag: Michael Kors (find it here )

Jeans: Rue21 (similar here )

Booties: Charlotte Russe (similar here )






GIGGLE SHOT! :) 

And my favorite shot of the day! :)


How many Blanket Scarves do YOU have? 
Where did you purchase your favorite one from? 

Thank you yet again, to each and every one of my followers that comment, show support and spread the word! I appreciate you all so much!! 

xoxoxo

Thursday, November 13, 2014

November Lust List

Well Hello Everyone! 

          Today I am going to be discussing what is on my November Lust List!
Of course, the links for all items will be below incase you find yourself lusting too! 

1. Michael Kors Bag - If you like this bag just from the picture, you will LOVE it in person! When I saw this bag in the Michael Kors store I immediately fell in love! The style is classic, the color is a perfect neutral, and the chain/strap is just exquisite! Although this is great as an everyday glam bag, I would also love it for travel as a carry on for my magazines, ipad, snacks (lol), camera, swimsuit, and of course IDs, passport, and all of that! The shape of this bag reminds me of the vintage PanAm bags! 

2. Muk Luks Mocha Knit Boots - Aren't these just the cutest? They are perfect for fall and so chic! They look super cozy and like all they need is some dark wash jeans, an oversized sweater with a blanket scarf and a top knot and BAM! Recipe for a perfect cozy outfit to shop in! Who doesn't love that??

3. ModCloth Hat - This tan and black hat can go with so many outfits! This can be casual or dressed up and the shape is so classic, this could be worn for years to come! The bow is also the perfect girly touch without being too in your face. Perfect colors and shape to contrast and compliment a number of outfits! 

4. Eau So Fresh - Marc Jacobs - My absolute favorite scent! So fresh, flowery and classic! It is in no way overpowering, but absolutely intriguing! Not to mention the bottle is just too cute! This is on my lust list because sadly, I no longer have a bottle of my own. Perhaps someone will surprise me for my birthday? ;) 

5. City Girl Smoking Slippers  - I admit I am obsessed with smoking slippers! I LOVE that they are trendy now and that they come in so many cute styles!! These City Girl smoking slippers are just amazing and perfect for me as I am indeed a city girl! These are however, on the pricey side, so I will lust for these until there is a sale! 

6. Calypso St Barth Fur Vest - Last but not least, this Calypso St. Barth fur vest! I do NOT wear real fur of any kind, however the look of this vest is so luxe I couldn't help but add it to my list! This comes in 4 different colors and all of them are just exquisite! Again, this vest is definitely on the pricey side, so on my lust list it will remain. 


What is on your November Lust List? 
Are you lucky enough to have a November birthday like me? 
Scorpios Unite!!!!!!


As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comments, for following me, and for all of your support! I appreciate each and every one of you!! 

xoxo




Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Shady's Back



HELLO AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!!!!!


I can't believe how long it has been since my last post! Let me tell you lots and lots has happened! 
I now have 3 nieces and 1 nephew! :) :) :) :) 
I have a new photographer, new sense of style, new motivation and I just feel really excited about what lies ahead!!!

For my first look back I went with this burberry inspired poncho, some wedged boots, a super cute hat and minimal accessories. 

Some of the pictures are on the darker side, I do apologize, the weather and therefore, the lighting were being very fickle!! 




Outfit Details: 

Hat: H&M (similar here )

Necklace: Francesca's (similar and super cheap here )

Poncho: Macy's (I'm also after this one )

Belt: Express (this one is super cute!)

Pants: Rue21 (similar here )

Bag: Michael Kors (I want this one !)

Boots: Wet Seal (similar here )







And of course, what is a shopping trip without a selfie??
Home Goods <3 <3 <3 

How you do feel about ponchos? What is your favorite fall trend this year? 

Thank you to each and every one of you that follow, stop by, share, comment, and read my posts! I truly appreciate it more than I can express! Thank you from the bottom of my heart everyone!!


Until next time fashion friends! :)