Knowledge, Yo.

vest: ON | similar 1, 2
sweater: (old) target | similar
jeans: UO | similar
boots: exact
necklace: c/o Sheinside| similar 1, 2
hat: c/o Our World Boutique

_____________________

The weather.  Drinking a daily green smoothie.  My dramatically lower cholesterol levels, most likely a direct result of said daily green smoothie.

These are all topics I jotted down in an attempt to brainstorm something to write about, then immediately rejected on the grounds that they are all fairly boring to discuss.  And still, for lack of a better idea, they remain on the screen.  Since this post is quickly becoming a conglomeration of random thoughts, I'll throw this out there, too.  Today my boyfriend was supremely impressed when I knew that the German name Wilhelm translates to Guillaume in French.  Since he speaks both languages fluently, and my French is approximately at the level of a 4 year old, while my German is limited to about five words, I'm always pretty surprised when I know something he doesn't.  Like when I bought these jeans two years ago - he thought they were a terrible idea, but I knew better.  I knew red skinnies would remain a thing for a while, and look who was right about that, too.

Linking up with my homies.

Cookie Prom

{source}

I just watched the Cookie Prom episode of Super Fun Night, where the girls have an awful time at their  high school prom, and after they come home decide to have a massive cookie binge to feel better.  Long story short, they turn it into a yearly tradition.  And it got me thinking - mostly that I should start my own annual cookie prom,  because...cookies.  But also, it got me thinking about how much prom dresses have changed since I had a prom to go to (besides my newly impending, imaginary Cookie Prom, that is).  Here's what my prom dress looked like (please ignore those awful shoes; I promise I swapped them out in the limo for something less - uh - strippery; I still kick myself for being too lazy to just take the time to buckle the straps of the cuter ones before pictures were taken).

And then while perusing JenJenHouse, I decided to click to see what prom dresses look like today.  I am impressed (and admittedly kind of jealous that these kinds of beauties weren't available when I went to my prom).  Take a look at some of these amazing dresses.  

I may just have to make this Cookie Prom happen, if only so I have an excuse to wear one of these beautiful dresses (even if it will just be my boyfriend and a box or five of Entenmann's original recipe chocolate chip cookies that appreciate it).

This post was created in partnership with Mom Buzz Media.  As always, opinions are 100% mine.  Because every girl deserves to wear a pretty dress every so often - even if it's just to eat cookies alone at home.

Tanks A Bunch

{Hurry!  Today is the last day to enter the Chicnova giveaway!!}

It appears the powers that be have noticed my little temper tantrum about the cold weather, and responded with a short burst of warmth.  Never has 45°F made me want to run outside in shorts as much as it has this winter.  So, in keeping with my dreaming of spring theme (you guys are still with me on this, right?), I'm thinking about tank tops today.  Because as much as I appreciate a slightly sunny high of 47° followed by a cozy 49° with an 80% chance of thunderstorms, I'm still waiting on those perfect 74° days to arrive (followed all too shortly by 95° & humid, but that's a tantrum for another time).

I went back to visit TBDress again, and searched through all of the cute, fun, summery tank tops here:  http://www.tbdress.com/Cheap-Tank-Tops-100519/.

I'm really feeling a simple, neutral palette full of interesting silhouettes in light, floaty fabrics.

I feel like each and every one of these tanks would be beautiful to wear - they are so sophisticated and stylish, and  yet are made of ultra-thin, lightweight fabrics that really let a gently blowing summer's breeze (or the frigid blast of an air conditioner) get in there and cool you down, if you know what I mean.  I know it's hard to imagine while in the throes of the worst winter ever (true fact* - this is the worst winter ever), but one day we will sweat again.  And won't it be nice to have one of these tops looking all pretty while it's secretly airing out our - ahem - glistening under arm and/or cleavage areas? 

*based on my own, completely biased opinion

Compensation was provided in exchange for this post.  As always, all opinions are 100% mine.  Because, f#ck winter.

Short Dreams

{Just one day left to enter the Chicnova giveaway}

So far this winter season it has snowed in NJ more times than I can remember.  Since December I have yet to check the 10 day forecast and not see snow predicted at least once or twice that week.  This winter has been so bad that I've even complained to my boyfriend that I feel like we're being punished for living in this state.  Winter has made me question my love for New Jersey.  Not cool, winter.  Not cool.

So I say, enough is enough.  I am officially in dreaming of spring mode.  I've been keeping a mental list of all the nice, outdoor places I'll go visit once the ground is no longer covered in two and a half feet of icy "winter wonderland".  I've taken to opening my closet every so often, just to stare longingly at the pretty, lightweight dresses, tops, skirts, and shorts I'll be able to wear once it warms up again.  My patience for winter has become so nonexistent that I even caught myself having a mental wager (with myself) to predict the date that all the snow will be really, truly, completely gone for the year (so far I'm placing all my bets on March 28th...anyone else care to get in on the action?).

And to kick start my countdown to spring, I'm shopping for one of the only pieces that I can't successfully wear in the dead of winter - shorts.  (I realize shorts + tights = winterized shorts, but that only works when it's 35° & up.  When it's about 17° & windy, not so much).  Here are some of my favorite picks from my sponsor, TBDress.  (To check out the rest of their selection, click here: http://www.tbdress.com/Cheap-Shorts-100532/)

I feel like I could spend at least half of the entire summer wearing these.  They're just a cute, comfy, basic denim short.

These are more polished than the denim shorts, but look just as comfortable. I'd wear these to transition into spring with a striped sweater, some sheer black pantyhose underneath, and black booties.

These bright blue cuties are just the perfect pair to add a fun pop of color!  I pretty much adore every single thing about this outfit.  I'd rip it off in a heartbeat!

Who says shorts can't be fancy?  I would so wear this sparkly little number to a party or a club.  The chance to be my own walking disco ball?  Yes, please.

What kinds of shorts are you dreaming of for spring/summer?

Compensation was provided in exchange for this post.  As always, all opinions are 100% mine.  Because, f#ck winter.

Little Red Riding Vest

Hurry! Time's almost up! Click here for the Chicnova giveaway, or here to win a $250 AMEX giftcard!! 

vest: c/o joules
sweater: thrifted gap | so similar
jeans: exact (and on sale!)
boots: exact
scarf: (old) h&m | option
rings: c/o born pretty | option
earrings: c/o sahara jewely | similar

_________________________

Winter.  It seems to be the bane of my existence lately.  It just won't go away.  As much as I'd love to be able to change it, I can't.  So I'll do the next best thing - dress appropriately for it.  I've never really been one for functional vests before; I always assumed that they would only keep my chest warm and leave my arms literally out in the cold.  I don't have particularly warm arms during winter (and let's not even get started on my icy cold hands), so I never saw the point in wearing one, unless it was simply for looks.

But recently the kind people at Joules offered to send me one of their vests for review.  As soon as I saw this adorable red one, I had visions of Marty Mcfly dancing in my head, and I couldn't resist.*  There are lots of other colors and styles, too.  Click to see more womens' vests from Joules.

First of all, this is the packaging.  I mean, is this not the prettiest envelope ever?

But most important - this thing works!  I wore it out in 23° weather - without a coat! - and this baby kept me downright cozy.  I left the coat behind because I knew I'd only be walking from my apartment to the car, and from the car to other assorted temperature-controlled establishments, but for those short 5 minute bursts it really did the trick. Amazingly, my arms never got cold!  Later on I went for a walk after the sun had set, so this time I added my coat, and I felt comfortably warm the entire time!  Arms included!

This is my first piece from Joules, and I have to say that I am extremely impressed with the quality - it's well constructed, the colors are vibrant, the zippers, snaps, & other details feel solid, and it's cozy!  Plus, the hood is removable.  A cute piece that does what it says, is festooned with stripes, and has serious Back to the Future vibes.  I think I'm in love (though it could be my childhood crush on Michael J. Fox talking).


*Stay tuned; I will most definitely be having a Marty moment in the near future.  Great Scott.


Linking here today.

Rapunzel in Tulle

Remember when we talked wedding dresses?  Well, what's a beautiful wedding gown without a gorgeous veil to accompany it?  Just as it is important not to take out a loan to be able to afford your gown, you certainly don't want to go into debt over a piece of fluff you'll wear on your head for a few hours.  In theory, there's a good chance you can alter your wedding dress, and fashion it into something for everyday wear; but the veil?  I can't think of a single occasion outside of your own wedding when it would not look utterly inappropriate...unless you're going for the Madonna "Like a Virgin" look on Halloween. Ok, so there's one, very specific occasion you can re-wear your wedding veil and not look completely insane.  Luckily, TBDress has us covered (literally) in the beautiful, yet inexpensive veil department as well.

I searched all the veils on the site, and not a one was over $150 (in fact, the vast majority are significantly less).  If you don't believe me, I highly encourage you to click on this link: http://www.tbdress.com/Cheap-Wedding-Veils-4323/ to see for yourself.

And really, at an average of around $50 bucks a pop, who can resist a beautiful, elegant, delicate veil?  Whether you choose to go traditional with an elbow or fingertip length one, retro with a jaunty little birdcage, or dramatic with one of those amazing cathedral length veils like the one below, it's fulfilling almost every girl's lifelong dream - being Rapunzel in tulle.

Compensation was provided in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% mine. Cos that's how I roll.

Guilty Pleasures

{Have you entered the Chicnova Giveaway?}

I don't know about you, but I would not categorize myself as one who cares about celebrity news.  Who's dating who, who's wearing what, who showed up where...it's all pretty inconsequential to me.  I've never bought a Star magazine or watched TMZ for more than a few seconds before coming to my senses and changing the channel.  I normally pride myself on my utter ignorance of all things celebrity news...

...Except for sometimes.  Sometimes little ads off to the side of whatever weird site I've been lured into by my Facebook friends having shared its post will call to me.  They usually say something like: 20 Celebrities You Haven't Seen in 20 Years, Celeb Plastic Surgery Before & After (I'm a complete sucker for that one), or Sophia Vergara Eats a Banana (I swear this one's totally real) ...and I...just...can't....resist.

You know this has happened to you.  One minute you're innocently reading What State Do You Belong In?, or Take This Quiz to Discover What Your Animagus Would Be, and the next thing you know, you're sucked into the vortex of Brad Pitt Smiled At Jennifer Aniston Right In Front of Angelina Jolie, The 10 Worst Dressed at the Oscars, or Celeb Plastic Surgery Before & After (again).  So whether you're an out and proud celeb gossip-monger, or are in denial like me, I encourage you to check out TheGossipBlog.com.

I clicked over to the site and was instantly hooked.  In searching through the fashion category, I came across this piece about Nicki Minaj:

{see more photos and read the full article here}

Personally, I think she looks about 100,000 times better with her natural hair!  I have to say that I never really thought she was pretty before with her overly blonde hair and bubble gum pink lips, but seeing her like this, I think she's absolutely gorgeous!  Does knowing what Nicki Minaj looks like sans wig, over the top makeup, and a crazy costume improve my life in any way?  Of course not!  But still, I somehow - strangely - feel better for having seen it.  I suppose there's something to be said for indulging in a guilty pleasure from time to time.  And now if you'll excuse me, since we're on the topic, I'm off to go spend a few hours perusing all of her outrageous getups.  But don't tell my boyfriend.  There are just some things between couples that are better left unsaid.

Compensation was provided for this post. As always all opinions are 100% mine.  Because, Celeb Plastic Surgery Before & After.

Love Is...

...when you're so in tune with each other

that you unintentionally make a weird face at the same exact moment.
Because after close to 7 years together, you're practically the same person by now.
And it's fantastic.

Happy Valentine's Day!



{There's still time to enter the Chicnova Giveaway!!}

Blurb-spiration

Remember a few months back when we spoke about Blurb?  You know, that awesome place you can go to publish your own books?  Well, I'm here to share with you this little video about Kal Barteski; maker extraordinaire whose creativity knows no bounds. She’s a working designer, painter, storyteller, book creator, TEDx speaker, and calligrapher who can now add “video star” to her resumé with the first of Blurb's Canadian book-maker profiles. Here's the first installment in the Canadian Author video series with a look at Kal’s process.  Her energy and creativity is so contagious, you just might be inspired to make a Blurb book of your own. 

 
{Watch the video on youtube}

Now through the end of the month, Blurb is offering all new customers 15% off.  The offer ends on February 28th, so if you want to save 15% on that book filled exclusively with photos of your cat you've been meaning to make, or the scrapbook of wildly complicated macarons you have no intention of ever baking, you better act fast!

Compensation was provided by Blurb for this post.  As always, all opinions are 100% mine. 'Cause that's how I roll.

Basic Shapes & a Giveaway

sweater: c/o chicnova

jeans: exact
booties: c/o chicwish | option 1, 2
scarf: (old) h&m | option 
necklace: c/o born pretty | option 1, 2
watch: exact

__________________

Ever get one of those days where it's currently 1°F out and your brain just refuses to produce a clever quip to open with?  I tried really hard to come up with a witty way to work in this stroke of genius: 

I felt really shapely in this geometric print sweater. (get it?)

...I guess I used all my brain power on that gem.

But just because my lazy ass brain doesn't feel like being smart, doesn't mean that I can't tell you how much I freaking love this sweater I got from Chicnova.  It's so soft and comfy, and I love how the graphic black and white print really pops.  My only complaint - the sleeves were a skosh too short.  But a simple tug on them after the wash cycle remedied that little problem nicely.  It was also really cozy - I knew I'd be outside for a bit the day I wore it, so I added a thermal shirt underneath.  Even though it was pretty chilly out, I definitely remember remarking to my boyfriend that I wasn't feeling too cold, despite not having my coat or hat on for a solid 15-20 minutes.  It's a wonder what long underwear and a pretty cotton sweater can do.  I reacted accordingly.

Now Chicnova would like to give you a chance to rock out in the same sweater, or in any other piece from their shop.  Enter below to win a $30 gift card to use towards any item of your choosing!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rolling with my homies.

Prints Charming ModCloth Contest

Happy Monday everyone!  Let's start the week with some fun news, shall we?  I'm here to announce the ModCloth Make The Cut contest, where you can win $500 for designing a new fabric print to be sewn into ModCloth's next Air of Adorable dress.  The program is a recurring design contest that invites the ModCloth Community to design garments, graphics, or fabric prints.  Its main purpose is to further their mission of democratizing fashion by producing clothing designed by its community members. YOU can become a designer at ModCloth!

How does the contest work?

Entrants will design a new print for a private label dress silhouette that is already being produced!  After the submission period, the ModCloth Creative Team will narrow down the submissions to 20, which will be sent to the guest judge, Amanda Needham, Costume Designer for Portlandia. After Amanda has chosen the 10 finalists, they will be posted on the Be The Buyer page for voting. There will be a week for the Community to vote, then ModCloth will contact the winner and update the contest announcement with the big news!

Here's what you need to know:

• Contest is Live Now!

• End of Submission Period: Friday 02/14/14

• Launch voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/03/14

• End voting on Be The Buyer: Monday 03/10/14

• Winner announced on ModCloth Blog: Wednesday 3/12/14

Good Luck!

Reebok ZQuick

With the way-colder-than-usual-winter we've been having, my daily runs have literally been put on ice.  I'm daydreaming of warmer days to come, when I can get back outside and enjoy a nice, exhilarating jog; to feel the sun shine on my face and the wind blow in my hair (and not return with frostbite or slush-filled shoes).  And in my daydreams I get to be as cool as the people in this video.

Since it's been a couple years since I last bought running shoes, I've been dreaming of getting a new pair lately, too, and these Reebok ZQuick running sneakers are looking pretty sweet.  I love my trusty Nikes, but with their steep price and new model tweaks that make them feel different than my perfect, original pair, they're just not doing it for me anymore.  Reebok, on the other hand, shows promise.  They've been inspired by hi-performance, Z-Rated tires, and created the Reebok ZQuick training shoe to deliver sports car handling, but like, for your feet. And they have plenty of color combinations to choose from (my favorite is the neon yellow & pink - Hello drivers! Please notice me!). Best of all, these kicks come in at just under $90 and they're available in models designed for both running (ZQuick) and training (ZQuick TR).   Since I do both, I may need to get one of each (as bad as my Nike's have become, my 7 year old (seriously) trainers are even worse.  Check these babies out and let me know if you buy a pair of the Reebok ZQuick!  

Compensation was provided by Reebok for this post. As always, opinions are 100% mine.  'Cause that's how I roll.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Join The #Markerly Network Right Now (& a Giveaway)

Can we talk business for a minute?  I'd like to introduce you to Markerly.  Markerly is a really great blogging network that hooks bloggers up with sponsored content gigs from pretty awesome brands like Levi's, The Super Bowl, TruMoo, eMeals, and Skillshare, and is staffed by a super friendly team that is always willing to lend a hand.  Being a part of the Markerly network myself, I know from experience that they are a complete pleasure to work with (I may have taken advantage of their 24/7 blogger support on more than one occasion and sent innumerable emails to my contact there as well).  In addition to getting to work with the brands listed above, there are also opportunities to receive free products for review like Jaybird ear buds, or wine from Invino and Last Bottles Wine.  Yes.  They pay in money and free wine.   As if free booze isn't reason enough to sign up, get this: They payout within 48 hours of the post going live.  If you've worked with some of the other networks that make you wait 30 days or more to cash out, then you know two days a pretty quick turnaround.  I mean, day jobs don't even pay that fast.  

Markerly's network is open to anyone with at least 10,000 pageviews per month or an average of three comments per post.  They value quality blog posts and authentic engagement with your audience over number of followers.  This is great news, especially if you're a new blogger and don't have a big following yet, or are an established blogger who's just not into racking up facebook likes and twitter follows.  And what's really unique about Markerly is that with the code you'll embed in your posts, you'll be able to access a heat map of your content, so you'll have insight as to what parts of the post your readers clicked on the most.

So, a quick recap:

1. Super awesome friendly cool staff
2. You get paid to write content and/or receive free stuff, and collaborate with some pretty solid brands
3. They pay you really fast - within 2 days
4. Only 10,000 pageviews or 3 comments per post required to sign up 
5. You can see a heat map of your post so you know what people clicked on, as pictured below 
6. The $250 American Express gift card giveaway happening at the bottom of this post (I know this is a top 5 list; just think of this as the bonus good luck candle on the birthday cake)  

Seriously, I can't believe you're even still reading this post.  Click here to be taken to Markerly's sign up page.  There is literally no good reason I can think of for you not to join this wonderful network right now!

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided in return for writing this post. All opinions are 100% my own. Because I really, truly do think you should sign up for Markerly. I honestly love working with this company!

LWD

dress: exact | option
fleece tights: royal cult
booties: payless (old) | similar
scarf: diy | similar
hair jewelry: c/o born pretty | option 1, 2
necklace: c/o born pretty | option 1, 2, 3

__________________

You may recall me publicly professing my love for this little white dress a year and a half ago (or maybe not since it was a year and a half ago), and I am finally wearing it now. (!)  The short story is that when I ordered what I thought was an identical version of my friend's, it turned out to be sewn just slightly different, in a way that magically makes it unflattering.  So my lovely, generous friend lent me her dress....and then I let it sit in my closet for a year.  (You totally want to lend me all your stuff now, right?)  Last week was really cold so I figured why not wear this lightweight, semi-sheer, chiffon, clearly-meant-for-summer dress outside without a coat for a while.  You know, to keep things interesting.  Fun fact: it was so cold that day that not even my body heat could melt the snowflakes in my hair.  

On another note, I was so happy to receive those delicate hair combs and necklace in the mail from Born Pretty!  I had been wanting a long pendant necklace, and this one is the perfect length with a simple, clean design.  And don't even get me started on the hair combs.  I wore this outfit to a party and I think every single girl there complimented me on them.  They're such an easy way to add a little extra prettiness to an outfit; they're kind of my new favorite thing.  You can get 10% off of the already realllly reasonable prices at the shop with code: KNT10.

Also included in the package was the cotton candy pink soft chalk pastel (#038) below, which can be used to temporarily color hair.  I thought I did everything right when I followed The Beauty Department's tutorial, but clearly I cannot follow simple instructions because the attempt was a fail.  If you give it a try and it works, please feel free to come back and tell me exactly what I did wrong.

Attending these parties today.