Spring Haul!

Tags

Fashion, pacsun, floral print, Pacific Sunwear, Spring fashion, Spring trends, Steve Madden, Marshall, Forever 21, Color

Hi there! It’s been so long since I went shopping. I had a look at my closet the other day and realized it lacked color. It was filled with black, brown and white. The only bright color I owned was pink, and the last pink item I purchased was probably back when I was in college (a long, long time ago). So I decided to add some color to my wardrobe, my shoes and some accessories. (Yes that is my shower curtain in the background of most of the photos. And I recently lost the battery charger for my new camera so all photos were taken from my iPhone, so please excuse the quality.) So, here’s what I got:

Tops

Coral chiffon top. $15 Store: 5.7.9.

Colorful top $10 Store: 5.7.9.

Chiffon blouse $13 Store: Forever XXI

Open Back Blue Chiffon Cami $23 Store: Pacsun (left = front, right = back)

Here’s the same top as above displayed on the model from pacsun.com. This photo better displays the colors and the open back detail of the top.

Open Back Orange Chiffon Cami $23 Store: Pacsun (same as above but in orange floral print)

Bottoms

White shorts (included belt) $20 Store: 5.7.9.  - Black shorts (also included belt) $11 Store: K-mart.

Dresses

Left: Crisscross dress $25 Store: Pacsun (it looks sooo pretty when it’s on) Right: Lace, striped dress $12!! Store: Forever XXI  - I am in looove with this dress. It is very form-fitting and short and sexy. And the price was amazing. It was the last one in my size and I accidentally snagged it on my ring trying it on. I tried looking for it online to purchase a backup dress (that’s how much I loved it) but I couldn’t find it. So if anyone knows how to fix a snag on lace, let me know.

Shoes

Turquoise flat sandals $15 Store: K-Mart (These are Steve Madden knock-offs! I saw the Steve Madden pair in Marshall’s for $30 and you couldn’t tell the difference).

Floral print flat sandals $15 Store: Pacsun

Floral print sneakers $12 Store: La Defensa. I shared these on Pinterest and they got over ninety repins. Apparently a lot of people loved them. I believe the store I purchased them at is only located in Puerto Rico but you can try Traffic Shoe Stores in the US.

Swimwear

Blue Ruffle Polka Dot Bikini $30 total (buy top get bottom 50% off) Store: Pacsun – Photo is from pacsun.com (I posted the photo from the website to spare you from seeing me in a bikini.)

Accesories

Floral print flower earrings $5 Store: Forever XXI

Silver feather earrings $3 Store: Exentrix

Upper left: Feather Owl Necklace $5 Store: 5.7.9. –  Lower left: Owl Necklace $8 Store: Claire’s (I am obsessed with wearing owls lately. I think it’s because they remind me of my little sister who loves owls) – Right: Long Necklace $5 Store: Exentrix

How would you style any of the items? Would you wear any of them together?

I think I’ve done enough shopping to last me till the end of summer… maybe ♥

Cooking Class Update

Tags

Cook, Cooking Class, Corelle, Culinary art, Food, Kmart, Rotisserie, Walmart

I feel so guilty for not updating my blog as frequently as I’d like to lately. I can’t say that I’ve been super busy but I’ve been using most of my time practicing what I’ve learned in the culinary art class I enrolled in and I’ve been spending most of my money on (1) attempting to upgrade my kitchen and (2) paying for the culinary art class. So I haven’t done much makeup or clothes shopping in a while. I haven’t gotten dressed up in a while either (unless an apron counts). And the only makeup I’ve been wearing is waterproof mascara since I’ve discovered the mighty power of onions. But I promise to get this back to a “fashion-on-a-dime” blog as soon as I can.

I am now halfway through the classes and I have learned a lot. My skills so far have gone from hot dog in the microwave to bacon and mushroom risotto. And my food is not only edible now but it actually tastes pretty darn good. Our first class was culinary art history, then portions and cutting techniques, then follows rice, sauces, garnish styles, and we are now onto the international cuisine part and we’ve learned Caribbean and Spanish (specifically Spain) cuisines. Upcoming classes include: French, Italian, Oriental, Mexican, Vegetarian, etc.

Now that I’m getting a hang of the kitchen, it was obvious that my $20 toaster oven and my rusty pot and pans set weren’t going to cut it so I had to make some improvements. Here are a couple of things I’ve purchased recently for my kitchen:

Mainstays Non-stick Aluminum Cookware Set ($48 – Walmart)

I love these. Nothing sticks to them. I’ve even burned rice in one of the pots and it came right out. I highly recommend them for anyone starting out and doesn’t have to cook for a lot of people. And the price?!? Just awesome.

Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven &  Rotisserie ($115 – Kmart)

I can fit two cupcake pans, two cookie sheets, two cake pans, or two pizzas at a time in this oven and it also comes with a rotisserie feature that will twirl a chicken while it roasts. And it isn’t that big so it fits comfortable in my limited space apartment.

Corelle Pure White Square Dinnerware Set ($50 – Kmart)

I searched everywhere for simple square dishes only to find them at Kmart. And to top them off they are Corelle, which if you didn’t know are supposed to be unbreakable dishes. They even come with a 3 year manufacturer’s warranty if they break, crack or chip. And they are so classy, they can make a hot dog look gourmet.

I promise to do a Spring “What’s on the mannequin”, hauls, and makeup looks soon. Oh and also a new DIY project is next, hopefully (preview on my Facebook page). If there’s anything else you’d like me to rant, I mean talk about, let me know. ♥

Products I Can’t Live Without

Tags

Clean & Clear, Clinique, dishwand, eye cream, foundation for oily skin, gain apple mango tango, Hair care, Lotion, product reviews, revlon colorstay, Shampoo

I have commitment issues. Not in relationships. I can proudly say that I’m 100% faithful and committed to my hot boyfriend. What I have trouble committing to are products. I am the type of person that will try every single brand of an existing product before I can pick out one that I like. Proof: I currently have about 20 different mascaras and each week I have a different favorite and I have yet to repurchase a single one. I’m not kidding. There are very few items in my apartment that would make me run out of the door to re-stock if it were to run out. Here are the lucky winners (in random order):

1. Head & Shoulders “Smooth & Silky” Dandruff Shampoo (aprox $7.49)- I pretty much purchased all of the expensive dandruff shampoos available over-the-counter before purchasing this one thinking that the cheap ones like Head & Shoulders weren’t going to work. Boy was I wrong. I have not seen a single flake in my head since using this shampoo. And the best part: it doesn’t dry out my hair. I have seriously curly hair which is currently chemically straightened, it’s also dyed a lighter color, and on top of that I straighten it with a flat-iron at least twice a week so it goes through intense heat damage, spilt ends and occasional frizziness. I’ve used shampoos that have cost me up to $28 each and none have worked better on my hair than this one.

2. Avon “Silicone Glove” Hand Cream (aprox $5)- This is the best hand lotion I’ve ever tried. It’s so good I keep one at my apartment and the other at my cubicle in the office and I use it basically after every time I wash my hands. It literally feels like it’s creating a super soft protective silicone glove around your hands.

 

3. Neutrogena “Oil-free Acne Wash” (aprox $7.49) – I have been using this sporadically for years and every time I try a different acne wash I always seem to return to this one. I recently used the Clinique’s Acne Soap (which retails for $16 liquid/$12 bar) and to be honest worked pretty well, but the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash gives very comparable to equal results at a much lower, affordable price.

4. Clean & Clear “Dual Action Moisturizer” (aprox $6.99) – This moisturizer is formulated specifically to hydrate and treat acne prone skin. Like I mentioned in #3, I have also tried Clinique’s Moisturizing Lotions (which retail around $13-$25), among others, and have returned to this one and with this one I will stay. No other moisturizer does the job of hydrating my skin all day without making me feel oily and without causing me to break out. And it is light-weight enough to even use under my foundation. And the minty feel it has upon applying to the skin is very refreshing but gentle.

5. Clinique “All About Eyes” Eye Cream ($29) – Ok, so I’m not sure if this one really counts. Besides being the most expensive on the list, I haven’t really purchased it. To me $29 is seriously expensive for an eye cream. So what I do is wait until Clinique is giving away their seasonal “bonus gifts” with the purchase of aprox $25 and I check to see if a trial size of this eye cream is in it and if so I make a purchase totaling $25 and get a lot of goodies plus the eye cream! And the trial size contains exactly the same amount (.5 oz) as the retail size.

6. Crece Pelo Hair Growth Treatment (aprox $10)- I swear by this. This probably isn’t available in your area but I purchased mine in my local Wal-Mart. And from what I see online, it can be purchased at www.amazon.com. This hair treatment leaves your hair so soft and tangle free and it really does stimulate hair growth. My hair grows noticeably faster when I use this product. I also notice less breakage and split ends.

7. Revlon “Colorstay” Foundation (Combination to Oily Skin) (aprox $12.99)- This is by far the best drug-store foundation for oily skin. It provides medium to full coverage and will last all day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Gain “Apple Mango Tango” Laundry Detergent (aprox $6)- I used to always buy the cheapest laundry detergent at the super market, until one day I ran out of detergent right in the middle of doing laundry and this detergent was just lying around in my apartment’s laundromat and I used some. Your clothes will smell sooooo good. I have literally had people tell me I smell good without having put on any perfume and then they’d sniff me when I tell them it’s my Laundry Detergent (yeah, totally weird). Plus I do both my whites and colors all together in the wash and this works great for both.

9. Crest Complete “Extra White with Scope Outlast” Toothpaste (aprox $4) – I embarrassingly admit to severe morning breath and I need a powerful toothpaste to kill it. This one is as good as it gets.

10. Scotch-Brite “Soap Dispensing Dishwand” (aprox $3) – From now on this is the only way I’ll do the dishes. My stepmom bought one for me in Florida. Unfortunately I have not seen it available in Puerto Rico so I would have to purchase the refills online. You fill the wand with the dishwashing soap (preferably Gain Apple Mango Tango for awesomeness) and it automatically dispenses on the sponge while you do the dishes. Plus no more having to actually touch yucky food to scrape it off the plate.

♥

Apparently Santa Thought I Was A Good Girl!

Tags

Bronzer, Christmas, Christmas Gifts, Coach Purse, Gift, Guess Watch, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Simpson Necklace, Orgasm Blush, Sephora, Tattoo Concealer, Victoria's Secret

Hi everyone! As promised in my last post, here are the photos of the items I got for Christmas. Looks like I was on Santa’s good girl list! Apparently donating clothes that I no longer wore gave me good karma. Since this post has so many photos, I’ll make it short. I divided the items in two groups: What Santa Left Me Under The Tree (which are gifts I received from others) & What Santa Left Me At The Mall (which are gifts I purchased for myself). I know I splurged on myself in this post too but who’s counting.

What Santa Left Me Under The Tree ♥:

Guess Watch with interchangeable bands. Gift from my Dad. 

Jessica Simpson Heart Necklace from Zales. Gift from my Dad.

Coach Purse! with optional long strap. Gift from my boyfriend ♥.

Nars Blush in the color Orgasm. (Best blush ever!!) Gift from my boyfriend ♥.

Victoria Secret Pink Half-Zip Pullover in Sugar Plum. Purchased with a gift card given to me by my Dad.

Image via www.victoriassecret.com

Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Push-up. (Best bra ever! Seriously, every woman needs one of these. It’s like memory foam for your boobs!). Again purchased with gift card.

Image via www.victoriassecret.com

Body by Victoria Push-Up Bra. Again purchased with gift card.

Image via www.victoriassecret.com

 Elizabeth Arden Fragrance Set. Includes Red Door, 5th Avenue, Pretty (my favorite) & Green Tea. Gift from my mother-in-law.

What Santa Left Me At The Mall ♥:

Sephora Collection Bronzer in the Color Bora Bora $15 @ Sephora

Image via www.sephora.com

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer in the Color Medium $25 @ Sephora (best concealer ever!)

Image via www.sephora.com

Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods Fragrance Set

Image via www.bathandbodyworks.com

Japanese Cherry Blossom Fragrance Set

Image via www.bathandbodyworks.com

Sexy LBD (little black dress) from H&M $17.95 (I promise to do an OOTD when I wear it.)

Skin tight lace pattern dress from Forever 21 $9.80. (OK I agree the dress looks horrible in the photo, but when you put it on, it fits like a glove. I promise to do an OOTD with this dress too when I wear it.)

Sheer button down long sleeve blouse in ivory from Rainbow Stores. $16.80

Same sheer blouse as above in black. $16.80 Rainbow Stores.

Brash Nail Polish in the colors Totally Teal, Toxic Purple, & Red Riot. Purchased @ Payless Shoe Stores $2.99

♥

The Mall Diaries: Attempting Christmas Shopping

Tags

jeans, Claire, Bacon, Christmas, Hello Kitty, Florida, Pacific Sunwear, Colored Jeans, Rainbow Stores, Leopard Luggage, Oxford Wedges, Owl Necklace, Peacock Necklace, Owl Ring

So I went to the mall with the intentions of Christmas Shopping. Thanks to my short attention span and my lack of resistance for a good deal, I splurged more than I should have on myself. This is probably the second or third time I do a post about the items I purchase while being side-tracked at a mall so I’m going to call these posts the “Mall Diaries” (you like?).

Since I was feeling kind of bad about the splurge, I took on the mission of cleaning out my closet and decided to donate some of the items I haven’t worn in a while. At least I can now tell Santa I was a good girl once this year.

Here’s what I splurged on and of course the prices. The first thing I got was this heart print dress. It’s very girly and flowy and looks soooooo cute with a bow belt. I hope to make an outfit of the day post when I wear it. I purchased it at a store called Valija Gitana for $25 (not sure if this store is only available in PR).

I then went to Claire’s and they had a mega sale so I purchased this Hello Kitty iPhone 4 case for $2 (can you believe it?!) and these polka dot tights for $1.

All of the jewelry below I purchased at a store called Exentrix (I’m not sure if this is store is only available in PR). I got this Long Peacock Necklace to match my peacock ring. $6.99

Long Owl Necklace $6.99.

Long Silver Bird Necklace $6.99

Bow Ring $1.99

Owl Ring $5.99

Silver, White & Floral Bangles $5.99 & Bacon (my cat) $4.99, just kidding he’s priceless

Now to the good part! The shoes!! (trumpets playing in the background) These I purchased at a store called La Defensa (again not sure if this is a PR only store but the exact same brands and styles can be purchased at Traffic shoe stores). These suede/velvet type material boots were $25. Completely unnecessary for the tropical 85° weather but I had to have them. I plan on wearing them to my upcoming trip to Florida to visit my Dad and the family.

I posted these oxford wedge shoes on my facebook page asking if I should purchase them because I thought $40 a pair is a bit pricey. I fell madly in love with them the first time I saw them but they weren’t available in my size (I checked  4 different stores). Then Pacsun restocked and were running out fast so I had to act quickly, when I finally made up my mind to go get them, they were on sale! (buy one get one half off) So what does a girl do? Duh! Buy one in each color.

The best deal I probably got were these jeans. Each $10 at Rainbow Stores. They fit perfectly, one of them competing with my Levi’s Curve ID jeans which cost me $40 (not shown). And of course, they have Bacon’s seal of approval.

And I finally purchased colored jeans! My boyfriend says the purple ones look like joker jeans. Any how I really like them and can’t wait to find ways to wear them. I know they aren’t as bright as this season’s colored jeans but since this is the first time I incorporate colored bottoms into my wardrobe I thought I’d take baby steps. They were $25 at Rainbow stores and were on sale for buy one and get one 50% off.

The final piece of clothing is this sheer, lace, floral print shirt. It is really pretty. It has lace going down mid back. I hope to take an outfit photo of it soon. I purchased it at Rainbow stores as well for $16.80.

And last but not least, my very tacky leopard luggage! One thing’s for sure, the chances of not recognizing my luggage on the conveyor belt is reduced by 99%. I purchased it at Me Salve for $39.99 (again, so sorry if this store is only available in PR) and it is quite big and spacious. Like I said above, I’m going to visit my Dad and the family in Florida in the next weeks for the holidays. I hope to take lots of pictures. I am terrified of flying, no matter how many times I fly, I hate it even more. And the nightmare I had last night about being in a crashing plane with the cast of Jersey Shore didn’t add to my courage. I’m sure many of you wish the cast of Jersey Shore would be riding on a crashing plane but please don’t let me be on it.

♥

My Fashion Ring Collection ♥

Tags

Bacon, Fashion, Fashion Rings, Mood ring, ring, Rings

I wanted to do this post mainly to show off the gorgeous ring I won from 30 Something‘s Blog Giveaway. I was really excited to win it (I’ve never won anything before) and it is such a unique ring that it deserves to be shown. But then I thought to myself: “Dood, (that’s what I call myself) why not do a post about your ring collection?” I don’t have many but the ones that I do have I really love.

So first and foremost, most importantly, the one and only (drum roll please) beautiful ring I won from 30 Something‘s Blog Giveaway. It is a stunning purplish/lilac colored stone/gem/rock on a gold band. I’ve received so many compliments when I wear it. It is definitely a showstopper.

Actually, this ring brings back some of my best childhood memories. When I was a little girl (getting a little personal here) my Grandpa used to take us to a playground where you could have picnics, hike through the woods, and right next to it was a museum. Every time we would go there, right before it was time for us to leave, we would stop by the museum where I would make him kindly ask him to buy these rings they would sell with stones on them. My Grandpa is now in the heavens and unfortunately I lost all of those “rock rings” (as I used to call them) when I was a little girl so looking at this ring will remind me of those very happy childhood memories.

I highly recommend you have a look at 30 Something‘s Blog (linked in about three different places in this post ). She has a great sense of style and her blog has a very positive/inspiring vibe to it. Her outfit of the days are very chic and fashionable yet she manages to look very comfy, all the while staying in a very affordable budget.

Moving on to my “collection”, this set of live, laugh, love rings was a gift from a friend. Best part is that she said she got them for $1 at Claire’s! I don’t mind knowing the price of gifts at all, on the contrary, it makes me proud to know that she purchased a great find! When I thanked her for the rings she said: “You’re welcome, just don’t forget the meaning.” Which I thought was very nice and gave me a reason to smile when I look at them.

Next is my owl & mood ring. Personally, I don’t wear more than one ring at a time. I just did it for the photos. I got the owl ring from Payless (yes, the shoe store) for about $4 and the mood ring is from the CY Zone catalog for about $5.

This bow ring I got from Forever 21 for $1.50. I think it’s super cute. I normally wear it on my ring finger. The next ring (I don’t even know what to call it) I fell in love with it immediately. I purchased it at a store here in PR called Valija Gitana for about $6. It goes well with boho styles but it also has a very edgy tribal look to it.

And finally here’s my complete collection. The peacock ring you can see in larger detail on a previous post (link here).

Recently I have been very, very sad. I lost a ring that I had purchased when I graduated from the University of PR a couple of years ago. It wasn’t the usual graduation ring. I wanted something that when I looked at it, only I knew the meaning. It was pretty expensive (purchased at Zales so I’m not even going to mention the price). It had a beautiful princess cut pink sapphire and a total of 24 (my favorite number) small diamonds around it. It was the first time I took it off in years, I would even wear it to sleep and to shower, and now it’s gone. Here’s the only (very bad quality/blurry) photo I have of it close up holding my cat Bacon when he was little, cute & cuddly (now he’s just big, fat & grumpy). May my ring rest in peace and I hope whoever finds it doesn’t sell it for less than half of what it’s worth.

♥

 

My Fall Obsessions: Flower & Leopard Prints + Faux Leather (Haul)

Tags

dresses, Fashion, feather, flats, floral, floral print, handbags, hauls, leather, leopard, leopard print, peacock feather, purses, ring, sales, shoes

I went to the mall the other day to buy shampoo and walked out with a scarf, a ring, a handbag, & two pairs of shoes. The story of every woman’s life.

I am currently obsessed with floral and leopard prints. And I love combining these with nude or brown faux leather items (jacket, shoes, belts). Almost everything I purchased was either on sale or at a relatively good price (so I don’t feel so bad for the random splurge).

These were the items I purchased on my shampoo trip to the mall. The handbag was $10 (Rainbow Stores), the nude-simulated-leather-beaded-bow flats were $15 (Rainbow Stores), the leopard flats were $7 (Rainbow Stores), and the leopard print scarf was $13 (Pacsun).

I also purchased this ring on my shampoo trip for $9 at Claire’s Accessory Store. It has a beautiful, real peacock feather in the inside. It is even more beautiful up close. I know it’s not leopard or flower print, but feather’s are also very in this season and I had to have it, but I wouldn’t consider feathers one of my “obsessions”.

I purchased this faux leather jacket a couple of weeks ago at Charlotte Russe for about $40. I tried taking a photo of myself wearing it and it didn’t come out very good so I will try to remember to have someone take a picture of me with it on. It is a very nice cream color, so it isn’t very overpowering when you wear it. And it is also very warm (not that I need the warmth since I live on a tropical island, but I envy all of you who get to wear nice, sexy jackets so I buy them and wear them anyway).

I purchased these dresses a couple weeks ago also. Since I didn’t have a photo of me wearing them I added a photo of the model wearing them because the hanger does not do the dresses justice. The blue and yellow flower print dress I purchased from the Mark Catalogue for $40. It is called the Sheer Genius Dress in case you want to purchase it on ebay (where I am sure it is cheaper). It is a very beautiful, flowy and girly dress. The other dress I purchased from Pacsun for $35. It is also a flowy dress, but sort of has a more boho, seventies feel to it. Both dresses have a slip layer underneath and a sheer flower print material over it. You’d probably say $35-$40 for a dress is a bit much, but I look at it this way, one dress is a complete outfit. You spend way more than that forming a complete outfit by purchasing pants and a top.

What are your fall obsessions? ♥