OOTN: The Dress I Didn't Wear

Last night H and I went to dinner with Candice and her date and we had a blast. I was so excited when I was getting ready to go out last night because I decided to wear one of my favorite dresses that I bought last year at Forever21.

Ultimately, I didn't wear it because I was worried it would be too cold inside the restaurant and I also didn't have a cardigan or blazer that worked well over the dress (note to self: get neutral/light colored blazer or cardigan.)

I did snap some pics of the dress before I changed because it's really truly one of my favorite pieces--- it reminds me of a watercolor painting.  What do you think?

 Dress- Forever 21
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Belt- my grandmother's

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I will probably do a shopping post when I get back from returning some shoes today. I got some peep toe black classic pumps yesterday and for some reason they looked great with my skinny jeans when I tried them on in the store but then when I tried them on at home with just a skirt, I didn't like how they looked. So back they go!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Casual Friday: Black & White Stripes (OOTD)

Happy Friday everyone!  I just got back from an awesome session with my trainer. He actually had a holiday special recently where he had an awesome deal on unlimited training sessions so I'm going to be working out pretty hard/regularly for the next 6 weeks. I'll miss the 9 days we are on our trip, but I'll more than make up for it. 

I think the promo is valid until midnight tonight---if you're in Houston and you're interested, please email me as soon as you can and I'll send you the info!

Today was casual Friday at our office so I went with a really simple black and white ensemble and threw in my cognac boots for a little warmth.  Here's what I wore:

Tee- Love Culture
Jeans- GAP "Always Skinny" in black
Boots- Nine West
Sweater- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21

Tomorrow I have a busy day of errands.  First I'm going to see my doctor and get a bunch of blood work done.  Since my grandma had some medical issues that can be hereditary, my aunt who is a doctor recommended I get a series of tests done just to be sure. Then, my H and I are going to go to return some things at the mall and try to get the last little things we need for our trip---he needs a hat and some warm boots.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Target

This is my second blog in a day---I love coming here.  I love that every time I open my inbox I'm met with such beautiful, wonderful and kind comments. Thank you a thousand times over.

As I mentioned earlier, Candice and I went to Forever 21 today at Baybrook mall which is a drives away for us, but well worth it. Once again I tried on a ton of clothes and only bought a few items (pretty sure the fitting rooms girls think we're crazy when we come in with all of those clothes.)

I also returned my American Eagle parka and a black and white lace top from Forever 21 that I had purchased previously.  I try to keep all of my receipts now because I find myself returning more things than I used to.  I like to try to make smart purchasing decisions but if I have a few misses at least I know I can return them.

Here's what I got today (I also went to Target and a few other stores):

 $2 holiday knee socks from Target

Black dress from Forever 21--- looks more expensive than it is, in person.  It's more like a longer tunic length on me, must be worn with tights or leggings. I think it cost $27.80. I got a size Large, for extra length.

Black peasant-style top from Forever 21. It looks so lovely on and the sleeves are pretty too, when worn.  I got a size Medium and I think it was $24.80.

Black circle scarf (from Forever 21)--- $8.80. I got this for my Slovakia trip and for Paris.  I LOVE circle scarves because you don't have to worry about the ends of your scarf sticking out.  It's so comfy and you can wrap it around your neck over and over.

Hat---Charlotte Russe, $10.80.  I love the looser sort of beret-style hats.  I think this will look chic with my black jacket.

Extra-long white tank--- $9.80, Forever 21, size Medium---this is great for working out and it's so long that you can wear it over leggings too. Great for ladies who want to cover their butt while wearing leggings. I just love these extra-long tops.

Pink Gloves---Merona, at Target, $10.99.  I got these for our trip.  I needed mittens and I just love these pink ones. I'm still looking for black ones too.

That's everything for today.  I still have to make a trip to Sephora tomorrow morning, so I'll post what I get when I get back.

Thanks for reading---for being so supportive---and for bringing such a positive energy into my life during this tough time.  Before I go, I wanted to show you a few cute pics of Lulu's haircut. He is SO tiny looking now!

Before (fluffy maniac!)

After (hairless wonder!)

We always laugh because he looks like a little lion after his haircuts. He is not very happy for the first few days afterward!

and...more peony gorgeousness (thank you again Jamie, from the bottom of my heart!)

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Haul (Oh Yes, It's a Haul)!!!

My feet are still burning.  Oh yes ladies, I shopped for a solid 6 hours today with my husband.  Bless his heart, he was such a trooper.  We started off at the Galleria where Kevin got a beautiful coat from Zara for our trip to Paris. It's a very nice, long, black wool jacket that's heavy enough for winter.  It's gorgeous!  He also picked up some jeans and a pair of TOMS shoes.  Guys are always so easy. 

I did an unexpectedly large amount of shopping today.  Most of you ladies know that I only shop when there's a deal going on and when I truly love something...and oh were there deals today!!!!

Let's start off with my shopping ensemble.  I finally broke out the JS boots and they were admittedly very comfortable for the first few hours. By the end of the day the balls of my feet were burning...BURNING!  I'm going to add some gel insoles like I do with most of my shoes. I do love these boots so much though.

Tee- Love Culture
Tights- Lulu Lemon Wunder Under Pintuck tights
Boots- Jessica Simpson Collection
Zip-Up- Lulu Lemon

Now onto the shopping!  I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous eyeshadow set from MAC's Tartan collection--- and ladies, this is NOT a collection to pass up.  I try not to get too into all of those collections MAC does because it's easy to go overboard and buy products you don't even need and won't use...but this collection has so many incredible sets that I urge you to check it out.  The packaging is also my favorite packaging MAC has EVER done, and when you see it in person, you'll know why.  The e/s set I got was the brown neutrals one.  The picture simply doesn't do the colors justice. They are gorgeous!  It retails for $36.00:

I just realized I totally forgot to take a picture of the top of the compact.  It's the same blue tartan print of the box and it's velvet and has a gold MAC emblem. It's very high-quality looking.  I almost bought a brush set JUST to get the amazing bag it came with...but I somehow resisted because I didn't need any brushes. I have a feeling this collection's going to go fast.

LOFT was having a 30% off of your entire purchase promo today so of course I just casually stopped in...and I came  out with three absolutely incredible additions to my wardrobe...and one of the items took a trip to another mall!

First up was this navy skirt with silver metallic flecks.  I know I said this earlier, but the picture doesn't do it justice. It looks incredible on.  It's a size 4, was on sale for $39.99 and I got it for 30% off of that.

Next up is a jacket I had to travel for. My LOFT store only had this in a size Extra Small Petite.  It was just too small in the shoulders, but I had to have it. This jacket is probably my favorite thing I got today. It looks absolutely incredible on.  It originally retailed for $148. It was on sale for $59.99 and I got it 30% off of that price.  We ended up driving to Memorial City Mall to pick up the size Small (regular) in the jacket.

The jacket just has so many great details! I can see why it originally had such a hefty retail price.  My final item I got at LOFT was this blouse. They only had a size Large left which turned out to be perfect because I wanted it to have that billowy look.  Believe it or not, I tried all three items I bought on together (with this blouse tucked into the navy skirt and jacket on top) and it looked amazing together. It was really unexpected.  This blouse retails for $54.00 and I got it for 30% off.

I will wear these in an OOTD soon!

Next up are some boots from Charlotte Russe.  BOOTS! Yes, you heard that right.  I have been on the hunt for some flat, cognac-colored boots for our trip and I went to seemingly every shoe store to try some on.  I kept finding boots that were $150-$250 that I didn't love. I thought to myself..."I'm not spending that much money on a pair of boots unless I love them."

So, while checking out the offerings at Charlotte Russe I wandered over to the shoe section where I saw a sign "BUY ONE, GET SECOND FOR $10."  That just couldn't be right.  I asked a sales associate who confirmed that every shoe was in fact, buy one pair, get the second for $10. I was shocked.  Then, I spotted them.  Flat, cognac boots.  At Charlotte Russe. I was hesitant but I tried them on. The felt comfortable and looked nice on.  They retail for $40.  That pretty much sold me since I'll be wearing these to walk around all over the place in winter weather, so I won't be upset if they get roughed up since they are so affordable.

I got the cognac flats and also a black pair with a heel.  The black ones were $10.  I still can't believe it.

 The girl who had no boots, now has three pairs.

I'm happy that my boot hunt has come to and end :) I LOVE boots now, but boy is it hard to find the perfect pair!

I also picked up this fun sequin evening bag at Charlotte Russe. It retailed for $19.50 but all handbags were 30% off.

This bag can really pop against at LBD or all-black outfit.  I just love it. 

Since we had to go to Memorial City to get my LOFT jacket, I was able to stop by Forever 21.  They have a lot of cute stuff right now, but the store was an absolutely clustery mess.  I must admit that the Memorial City store is usually clean and well-organized, but today was definitely an exception. It made it a bit more difficult to shop but I picked up so many great items!  Here we go:

 Tapestry-style scarf, $7.50

Striped open-face sweater $19.80, size Medium

Textured dress/tunic, size Large, $27.50. 
This dress is absolutely gorgeous but I had to size-up because it's so form fitting on the hips and thighs.  I could wear this as a dress if I wore it with black, opaque tights, but it can also be worn as a tunic over skinny jeans.  The texture is just beautiful.  It's really an expensive-looking piece, IMO.

Black and lace top, $15.80, size Medium.

Forever 21 is usually a hit and miss for me.  As in, there are a lot of misses, but when there are hits, the hits are pretty good.  I am really happy with the items I got there today. Can't wait to wear them! If you can find that striped sweater, I highly recommend it. It's just beautiful on.

OK, I swear I'm at the end now.  I also picked up this beautiful sweater by Kensie at Nordstrom Rack- they have lots left, Houston girls!  I got a size small. It was originally $88 and the Rack price was $39.50.  It looks great on and I can see it being cute belted as well.  It's got a very interesting texture, not like any piece I own. It doesn't look like much in the photo, but it's really a nice piece when worn.

Lastly, I used my Express Cash on this long cardigan. Many of you know that I also own this cardigan in white, the one with the crystal buttons.  It was $49.90 and i got $25 off of that (though, I had to buy a lipgloss because you have to spend $50 before taxes to use the coupon. That kind of upset me, but whatever.)

My sweater collection is great right now because I have a balance of all of the neutral colors now that I've added gray.

We also picked up a few antibacterial hand soaps from Bath & Body Works today. We had a 20% off coupon. They already have a lot of the holiday scents in! YUM!

What did YOU buy this weekend? Please please please make me feel better and tell me about your purchases too (in the comments, below!)

xoxo,

Veronika.