OOTD: Black & White Part Deux

I had a very long day today (worked until 8 tonight) so I wanted to keep it simple with my attire today...and keeping it simple often means resorting to black and white.  I had an important meeting in the morning and last-minute event planning all day so there was no room for fuss with today's ensemble!

Here's what I wore:

Seriously. Need. New. Camera. I already sent out a text of desperation to my tech-savvy kindred spirit of a friend in Toronto to come to my camera-aide!  and THANK-YOU to all of the wonderful ladies who posted camera recommendations in my post yesterday. I am going to do some research and then decide which camera will soon be mine!

Dress- Club Monaco
Belt- J. Crew
Cardigan- Express
Shoes- Michael Kors

...and before I go, I want to address something and then it won't be addressed again. I created my Formspring page so that there would be one place for my most commonly asked questions. I used to just have people email me when they had a question, but Formspring made it easier because the answers are all in one place and can be accessed by anyone.  The problem is the "anyone" part.  I've just decided that I'm no longer going to answer questions that are rude, offensive or too personal.  I just don't have room for that kind of negative energy in my life and I feel like I repeat myself over and over (and over) when I answer these types of questions.  So please note that from now on, all questions of that nature will be deleted. So please, save your time.

Thank you to all of my lovely readers who support this blog and give me the positive energy I need everyday to remain committed and passionate about blogging.  I love you girls!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Pretty Petals & A Mini MAC Haul

After work today, I stopped at MAC Cosmetics in The Village because I was running out of my precious, holy-grail Studio Fix Powder...and I needed new concealer too.

Well, imagine my surprise when as I walked in I saw a familiar face...I thought I might have been wrong, but it was indeed miss Taylor from A Little Bit of Everything.  I promised I would mention that she was back-to-MAC-ing since she's technically on a makeup shopping ban! Go check out her blog, she's so sweet! I love randomly running into people like that (even when I'm sweating like a maniac from the 105 degree heat!)

What did I get at MAC, you ask?  Like I mentioned above, powder and concealer...and I also splurged on the MAC 150 brush  and a bottle of MAC's brush cleaner.

I use sigma brushes right now and I abused my SS 150 to the point where it's probably ashamed to call me its owner. Yes ladies, I was using my SS 150 powder brush to apply both powder and bronzer...and I was rubbing it vigorously on a face towel daily in between applications which led my makeup brush to look like my hair does right now: desperately in need of a trim.  

Unfortunately, you can't really trim makeup brushes so I decided to invest in the MAC 150 powder brush and to STOP mutilating my face towels by cleaning my brushes on them.  I'll let you ladies know how I like the brush. I'm sure I'll love it as I tend to favor the large, fluffy brushes over all others.

Though Houston is hot as the sun right now, I though "today would be a great day to wear a silk top" even though the moment you step outside you sweat in it. Ick.

My purple Ann Taylor blouse has been an often worn item in my closet lately.  It's one of those pieces that I feel happy wearing. The color, the petal-style collar. It's like the peony of silk tops.

I paired it today with a floral print skirt from Forever 21 which  happens to have hints of the same purple color of the top in it. Brilliant!

Blouse- Ann Taylor
Skirt- Forever 21
Cardigan- Express

Nude Pumps- Jessica Simpson

Bag- Kate Spade
Watch- Michael Kors

I've been trying something new makeup-wise for the last week or two and I think I like it. I've been using mascara on my lower lashes.  I know a lot of ladies do this already, but it's something I haven't done in years...probably since high school! I was kind of inspired by Kim Kardashian who's lashes always look so full and long.  Do YOU use mascara on your lower lashes too?

Hope you're all having a great week!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Questions? Ask Me on Formspring!

OOTD: Shades of White

Happy Friday Ladies!

I had a TV segment to coordinate today, so no casual Friday for me.  I wanted to keep it light though, so I decided to go for an all white/cream ensemble.  I had forgotten my love for this J.Crew blouse. I haven't worn it since the winter time.  I love the neckline- it's so feminine and pretty.

Silk Top- J.Crew

Cardigan- Express

Skirt- LOFT

Bag- Kate Spade

Nude Pumps- Jessica Simpson (buy them here!)

Watch- Michael Kors

I've been thinking of having another blog sale this weekend.  I have a few items left over from the last sale and also some new items (went through my closet again).  Let me know what you ladies think! It won't be as many items as last time. I also have a pair of heels to sell this time around.  They are these great, nude patent sandals that I can't wear because although they're my size (10) they just do not fit me. I can get my foot into them but can't walk in them. They are really cute so it sucks I can't wear them (especially since nude heels are so now.)

Hope you all have an awesome weekend!  I promised I'd start my clean-out and organization this weekend so I'm looking forward to getting all of that done.

xoxo,

Veronika.

Ask me Anything- on Formspring!

OOTD: Giraffe City

I don't know that I've ever considered a giraffe print for clothing, but this dress changed my mind. Its pretty coral-colored animal spots have won me over.

Some of you might remember from my weekend shopping post that I got this dress at LOFT for 40% off plus another 15$ off. I always feel even more awesome when I wear something I saved a significant amount of money on!

Dress- LOFT (buy it here)
Cardigan- Charlotte Russe (similar here) (and here)

Shoes- Michael Kors Berkley T Strap
(buy them here)
Belt- Club Monaco
Bag- Michael Kors (similar here)
Watch- Michael Kors (buy it here)

I'm trying to provide more links to the exact items or similar items to what I'm wearing. Is that helpful? I hope so!

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Ask Me Anything- On Fromspring!
...and you really can ask me anything, but if it's too personal and/or offensive, I probably won't answer it. 

OOTD: "Boring Black" & Pearls...& A Trip to Banana Republic

It was back to black today for me! After yesterday's burst of brights, I felt like going back to my tried and true lovely black (oh, and I threw my new Forever 21 pearl necklace into the mix):

Cardigan- Charlotte Russe
Tee- Victoria's Secret
Skirt- Banana Republic
Necklace- Forever21
Wedges- Michael Kors

I also wore my second-day curls today (well, second day curls on third day hair) I just touched them up a bit in the morning in less than 5 minutes (and added baby powder to the roots for volume):

It's a little bit straighter the next day but still cute and sort of piece-y.

I went to Banana Republic at lunch for BR Wednesdays and unfortunately I was unable to find anything I really loved...I did like a pair of cropped white casual boyfriend style crops, but they didn't have them in my size.

I didn't want to leave without anything though (hello, 40% off!!!) so I got this pretty mint colored tank with satin trim (Sleeveless Luxe Tank) which, BTW is $25.00 in the store, but $29.50 online...

See how I'm getting more color in my wardrobe!? I would say the color is similar to Essie's "Mint Candy Apple" nail polish.

Thank you for reading!  

xoxo,

Veronika.

Seriously, I Promise I'll Stop (Little Haul)

I need to stop shopping. As good, responsible and sale-hungry as I am, I just need to stop shopping. I have everything I need at this point. I broke my Jessica Simpson heels a few weeks ago at work. I tripped on a rug and flew forward out of my shoes which cause the inner and outer side of the shoes to get little slits in them that are now full-on rips so they fall off of my feet.

I tried to find shoes yesterday but I didn't find any I liked. I went to Memorial City mall today and Macy's had lots of shoes on sale so I got one classic black pump (Jessica Simpson) and a pair of Michael Kors Sandals that I've been in love with forever and were finally on sale. At least you could say I needed new shoes. I also had my new watch size-adjusted when I was there! yay!

I actually only own about 10 pairs of shoes total. This doesn't include old grungy flats I don't wear or flip-flops. But maybe 8-10 actual heels/dressier shoes. For someone who loves fashion so much, you'd think I'd be more into shoes (and handbags) but I actually own very little of both. I don't even own one designer bag. I just get something that looks designer-esque at Aldo and call it a day. I do love purses, but I can never bring myself to pay so much for one. I do really love Michael Kors purses, so I might watch out for some of the styles I like to go on sale.

I promised my husband (and myself) no more shopping for at least 2 weeks. The thing is, it's not about the money. It's about treating shopping like a hobby instead of a once-in-awhile treat. I think I'd rather shop less often and feel like I really scored some great stuff than shop every Saturday like it's part of my weekly routine. I don't always buy a lot of things or expensive things, but I just need to focus on accomplishing some of my other goals and use my weekends to do that.

I'd like to start running in Memorial Park, for example. I could do that on a Saturday or Sunday instead of shopping, right?

Right.

Here are the lovely shoes:


And the Michael Kors (oh zippers, how I love you:)


I think both pairs will take me through spring/summer. I usually wear closed-toe shoes in the fall/winter and then open toe in the spring/summer, but if I have meetings with some of our more corporate clients, I like to have closed-toes on hand for that.

I also stopped by at Forever 21 because I had a gift card. I bought one shirt and a tank. The shirt is actually super awesome, and I'm so glad I saw it before almost leaving empty-handed. Once again, I wasn't that impressed with the selections at Forever 21. I think right now the seasons are transitioning and it's just a mish-mash of stuff.


It fits super great and the ruffles on the sleeve are the perfect touch to the otherwise simple tee. Marie Claire magazine has "ruffles" listed as a top Spring 2010 trend, so I think I'm OK to continually buy stuff with ruffles everywhere. (OMG I hope ruffles never go out of style. sigh.) It's a size small and cost $17.50.

I also picked up this purple tank for $4.50. It fits cute. Perfect for the gym. I bought it without trying it on first, so as soon as I got home I threw it on and was impressed with the fit.

Speaking of the gym/workout wear. I am obsessed with Victoria's Secret "The Lacie" panties. OMG. I stopped wearing thongs when the whole boy undie/cheeky craze began (even Cosmo Mag recently declared "The Thong is Over") but let me tell you, The Lacie is not your typical thong. It is the most comfortable one you will ever wear. I absolutely love them and picked up 3 more today. They actually work perfectly under all pants, especially workout pants, you can't detect them at all. I know its weird because they are "sexy" thongs...but I see them as more functional than anything else and wear them to work out. They come in super-cute bright colors too. I believe I heard that they are supposed to be a cheaper version of the "Hanky-Panky" lace thongs.

So that's it...for awhile, I hope.

Do you own a lot of shoes and handbags? I know a lot of women just love to have a lot of shoes...I just try to find ones that are fairly classic so they'll look good with lots of different outfits. Let me know below!

xoxo,

Veronika.