OOTD: The Textured Hem

Happy MONDAY everyone!  I am feeling incredible right now because I just had the BEST workout. I took one of my trainer's classes and let me tell you, I was sweating like I've never sweat before.  It feels amazing to start my week with a massive sweat and muscle burning session.

I was also thrilled to start my week with this gorgeous black dress I got at Marshall's this weekend. It's by the brand Taylor which is sold at Nordstrom and other stores. It was originally over $100 and I got it for $49.99. Score. It's just such an incredible dress---and yes, it's black, but I just had to get it because it's so different from anything I own with the pretty texture on the hem---it's simple, yet makes a statement.

Let's take a look:

 

Dress- Taylor brand, Marshall's
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Cardigan-  Express
Bag- Tory Burch

Thank you, as always, for being such amazing, sweet and supportive readers! I'm lucky to have you all.  Also---did you start off your Monday with an awesome workout? Tell me in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: Paris, Here I Come (Baby, It's Cold Outside)

I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning to do a quick work thing where I had to be on-site somewhere.  I wore a tee, my VS PINK thermal hoodie and my Zara jacket that I bought for our trip to Paris.

Let's just say that being outside even for 5 minutes felt awful even though I was wearing layers. I finally came to terms with the fact that my lined wool jacket just wasn't going to cut it in the freezing Pairs temperatures. I've been in denial all this time. "I'll layer!" I said confidently. "I'll wear polar fleece underneath!" I assured myself. Alas, I realized that the thin wool coat I have does not actually prevent wind from going through it, which is why my teeth were clacking as the wind lashed through my not-so-warm layers.

You can imagine my predicament on one of the busiest shopping days of the year---finding a down-filled jacket for under $300 was a challenge I didn't want to take on today---battling the traffic and parking space madness was already too much for me (Dear dude in the Dillards parking lot---thanks for blatantly pulling into a parking space when I was in fact signaling that it was mine, and then "shrugging your shoulders" when I tried to point out I was there first. Merry Christmas).

First, I tried a store called Whole Earth Provisions Co. which was good in theory but all of their down coats were the North Face and other pricey brands---I didn't want to pay $300 for a coat I was buying for one occasion.

I also tried Old Navy which was a fail...then I went to Nordstrom Rack...another fail.

Moving on.

I finally struck gold at Macy's where I found a MICHAEL KORS coat for 60% OFF! I couldn't believe my luck because it's exactly what I was looking for.  It was originally $265---I paid $103. Sweet lord was I ever happy!  It even made up for my parking lot experience.

Oh yes. I am going to be toasty and stylish, my vacation dream come true! 

Speaking of toastiness, behold my new gloves. Warm and cozy. I got them at Marshall's for $12.99:

Also from Marshall's this travel bag. I plan to bring this as my carry-on with things like my makeup products (no liquids), my camera and other pricier items or things I'll need on the flight.  It was $16.99.  Usually I take a large purse with me, but I'd rather have more room this time around since we'll be gone a longer time.

It's got side pockets and comes with a little baggie inside that matches to keep change in...or whatever else might fit that you need to store.

Finally, I got this cute tank at Marshall's for $7.99. It's super long and it's made of that comfy stretchy fabric.

My last purchase of the day was from Banana Republic. Right now they're having a 40% off of your ENTIRE PURCHASE sale---so go while it's still on (until tomorrow, Sunday Dec. 19). It's a great sale if you still have some last-minute gift-buying to do.

I got this cozy sweater (um, can I use the word cozy any more in this entry?) It's a light oatmeal color with super soft baby pink stripes. It's so soft and warm. I just love it.

This isn't a purchase---but the lovely Candice lent me this pretty sweater for my trip. It's so holidays! I love it :)

More to come this weekend.  I'm going to do a ton of laundry tonight so packing can commence.  I'm kind of stressed out about packing but I know I'll get it done and it will be just fine :)  I will definitely do an entire post about it.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend (and if someone tries to take YOUR parking spot, just yell "Merry Christmas" at them, like I did.)

xoxo,

Veronika.

We Got An Elliptical, Some OOTD's & OPI's "Midnight in Moscow" Polish

Hello ladies!  We made it through another Tuesday!  Today was an exciting day for me because we got an elliptical machine! The wonders of Facebook connected me with a friend who was selling hers and so we got this lovely elliptical for just $100.  It's so essential for me to get cardio since I quit the gym so this will be perfect for me.  It's not a fancy one like they have at the gym, but it will serve its purpose for me. Here it is in our second bedroom:

It even has a fan which is great! I must admit that cardio is my weakness. I hate it. But I figure I can watch some of my YouTube subscriptions or flip through Us Weekly while I'm working out in the comfort of my own home. Do you have workout equipment at home?   In addition to this elliptical we have a bunch of other things in our home gym and you can check those out here.

Here are my outfits for the past two days!

Shirt- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21
Skirt- Banana Republic
Shoes- Me Too @ DSW

I also snapped a shot of my nails this week too because I tried a new dark color introduced to me by the lovely Candice- OPI's "Midnight in Moscow." It has quite a pretty sheen to it but not obviously metallic at all.

I LOVE to wear dark colors in the fall and winter almost exclusively!  My next one to try is a light gray color.  I've never worn a color like that so we'll see how it goes.

Today's outfit was a dress I got at Marshall's a couple of weeks ago for $29.99:

Dress- Marshalls
Shoes- Jessica Simpson

Bag- MbMJ Hillier Hobo in "rosie"

Hope you are all having a great week so far!  Before I go, I wanted to share the article I wrote about the Napoleon Perdis event I attended last week.  You can read it here, on CultureMap.

You can also ENTER MY 1000 PLUS SUBSCRIBER CONTEST HERE and read my latest MOTIVATION MONDAYS post HERE!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Haul: Bows, Sparkles and the Gorgeous Jacket I Had to Have

Today, my husband and I went shopping for some new work clothes (for him) because he just got a new job! (yay yay yay times infinity!) I am so happy for him and proud of him.

I also picked up a few items for myself (which I'm sure isn't surprising.)

Let's begin:
This tee from Forever 21 was just irresistible. I know it is a little bit holiday-esque, but you know I can't resist a sparkly bow. The shoulders have a tiny bit of padding in them, and it actually makes the shirt look very flattering when on.

This jacket from White House Black Market had me at hello. I was walking out of the store after trying on a zebra print bikini top (I know, I know)...and I immediately fell in love with this lovely jacket laying on one of the tables. I stared at it longingly, and was too scared to look at the price tag, as some of WHBM's jackets can often cost more than $200. I nearly squeeled when I saw it was $98. Which is still a lot...but but but...I don't own even one "suit" style jacket (well, I own one, from Zara and I hate the way it fits.) This jacket will be a staple and just looks oh-so- good on. I can just picture it with some pearls...oh pearls.

Onto the details:
Ugh. So so good. We just belonged together. I will definitely have to do an OOTD post when I wear this. I got a size small, for reference.
This lovely military-inspired sweater from Forever 21 is another one of my favorite purchases. I saw it on the "return" rack area when I was leaving the fitting room and quickly tried it on. It looks incredible on, and I had to have it. The ruffles at the neck and hips just make it so feminine. It really is an incredible piece and feels well made. It cost $24.50 and I got a medium.

And because a shopping haul is never quite complete without some rosettes I also picked up this lovely rosette adorned top at Forever 21. I want to say it was $15.50 or $17.50. I like to layer these kinds of tees under simple cardigans to give the look a little some extra.

With my sunny vacation on mind, I picked up this pretty cotton dress from Victoria's Secret PINK, on sale for $19.95. It is actually quite long (most of their "dresses" are shirts on me.) I really love the bust detail. It makes the dress feel more special. I plan to wear it as a beach cover-up and with heels it could even look cute to wear to dinner.

Here is the bust, up-close:

I might be a little obsessed with zebra-print...so I also got this VS PINK tee (on sale.) I think it's a cute weekend tee and gym shirt:

It's supposed to fit loose and off-the-shoulder, but I got an XS because I liked how it looked better when it was more fitted. It was on sale for $12.99.

My zebra love continued when I went to Old Navy to pick up 2/$5 flip flops for our trip. I also got a pair of black ones with a slightly metallic finish:

Earlier this week, Chloe posted about these gorgeousValentino Couture Half D'orsay Bow Pumps.

I fell in love with them, but not with the price tag. You can see the ones she got here.

While browsing at DSW today, I stumbled upon these Me Too brand shoes that are somewhat similar to the Valentinos. I had a $20 off coupon so they came to $37.50. They are very very cute! If you are near the Galleria store here in Houston, they still have a lot of them left...mostly in sizes 7-9 and hald sizes, if I remember correctly.

(I forgot to take out the foamy things that keep the bow shape in the shoes.)

Yes, that is a *new* zebra print pillow. My husband thinks I buy too many pillows (and decorative boxes, as I mentioned in a previous post.) I got the pillow at Target last week, and when I came home with it my husband gave me his "I can't believe you bought another couch pillow you crazy woman" face. I promptly added it to the couch, and took two current couch pillows to the guest room (they matched perfectly.) That way, I wasn't adding more...I actually left our couches with less pillows (now that's quick thinkin'!)

Okay, this is totally gross, but because of the cold weather, my knuckles on both hands are cracking and bleeding because they are so dry. I despise hand lotion, so my options are limited. I've been using Eucerin cream at night, but it's not working. So I went to the Body Shop and picked up some of their HEMP hand cream. Hopefully it will make things better:

I am also happy to announce that today, I purchased some dress pants from Express. The reason I'm happy to announce it, is because today I bought a size 4 dress pant. I already have a pair of Editor's in a size 6...because that's all that ever fits me because of my hips. Today, I was able to buy a 4. It just proves that the way your clothes fit will show you the results of you fitness routine...because when I look at myself in the mirror, I am so critical, so I don't always see the changes as much. It was an exciting moment. Maybe it's just that style or something, but I was proud.

PSA: Marshall's Home Store has amazing and inexpensive yoga/pilates mats. I picked up one to take with my to the studio (they provide them, but I prefer to have my own) and I also got a thicker mat to use in my downstairs bedroom which I am going to use as a home gym (to do my workout videos.)

Here are the ones I got:
Did you buy anything this weekend? Let me know in the comments below. Also- have you been working out this year? How do you measure your results? Is it by how your clothes fit, how much you weigh, how you feel? Please do share!

Thank you for reading, and happy Sunday!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Home & Design: Dear Marshalls, I Heart You <3

My bestie Candice and I went to our local Marshall's Home Store on Saturday "just to look." We both ended up leaving with so much stuff, we had to call a friend to bring a truck to haul it all home (oops.)

There were so many great items, I just couldn't resist. The damage:

One of my purchases ending up being uber-disappointing. You know when you find something and you think it is just the most perfect thing for your home, and then when you actually try it in that room, it's awful? Well, that's what happened to me.

There was this amazing comfotor and duvet cover set there that I immediately fell in love with. It was a bold, black and white large floral print and I thought it would be oh-so perfect for our bedroom. FAIL:

I mean, it's not horendous or anything (and in person, I promise it was much more shocking) but it just didn't work. It was too much, too bold, too busy. Our room lost its softness and calming feeling.
I returned the set the next day, but kept the lime green and white sheets of the same pattern. Those I actually like. Here's a close-up:

Now, I'm thinking I'll probably just get an off-white quilted blanket to use as a coverlet kind of thing on our bed. We only have a duvet right now, so it can look messy and unfinished without that final touch. I like the idea of a quilt because it's thin. The comfoter was too thick on top of everything else that was wrong with it.

Now, onto my most exciting purchases. These lovely boxes. They are purely for display at this point. I don't mind if they stay empty forever. I just like to look at their pretty-ness.

I have a similar jewelry box from West Elm. These were $14.99 and $19.99 for the larger white one. I love their modern elegance and smooth finish. Perfect for storage or just for show.

Then, there's this beauty:
This beautiful box has little legs it stands on. I just captured my attention right away. Right now, it just sits in the corner looking pretty, but it can also be used for storage (magazines, a blanket.) My husband always makes fun of me for "buying so many boxes" but there is something so lovely about pretty boxes everywhere (or as I like to call them "useful storage units.")

In more useful storage unit news, I also picked up this mirrored one in a previous shopping trip at Marshall's for $10- this one is on our bedroom:
In addition to my love for boxes, I also love pretty picture frames. I got a few at Z Gallerie this weekend. All were on sale, except for this first one, which reminds me of an awesome animal print:


I also picked up this 3-compartment serving tray on sale for $19.99 at Crate & Barrel. It was on our registry but we never got it, so I thought I might as well get it while it was on sale:

I tried one of the pillows from our bedding set on my couch and ended up liking it. I think I will keep it there for now. I'm laying back on it as I type this, and I likey.

I also got this awesome monogrammed rug from Marshall's for our downstairs entryway:

In keeping with the monogram theme, I got this candle, on sale from Pottery Barn for $11.50:

I love black and white. It's such a clean and modern look.

And for those wondering, yes, our tree is still up, in all of its Christmas-garden glory:

Do you ladies have any home improvement plans for 2010? Let me know in the comments below. Our home goals for the new year are to hardwood our entryway and to get a new couch and bed. We kind of just bought a cheap bed when we first moved in, but I'd love something more grand and lighter. I already have one I love in mind, but I'll do a seperate inspiriations post.

Also, let me know if you like these posts about home decor. I think it's a nice mix with all of the fashion and beauty stuff, and I enjoy writing about it.

xoxo,

Veronika.