Splurge Vs. Save: Investment Pieces

Today on Splurge Vs. Save: My top five things you should absolutely invest in when shopping.

1. Bags: I’m not talking about a 1,000 + bag (although those are freaking amazing and if you got it flaunt that shit). But I’m talking about a real, leather, or well made purse. Nothing is better then that. Really. They last a long time, and boost the overall look you are wanting to achieve.

2. Athletic Shoes: A good running shoe can be the difference between well, running and just not. running…Truth: I’ve never, ever, been into running. But I got these great (expensive) Nikes and I’ll tell you what I wanted to show those bad boys off. So after a few trips into conditioning land I’m the proud owner of several good pairs of running shoes and have gone from no way to a 5k. Without getting scientific, the way shoes are built help to support the arch of the feet..yada, yada and can really improve your overall workout.

3. Heels: Now that I’m in my thirties I no longer have the need to go clubbing and prance around in crazy ass heels. (Literally, I have no idea what i was thinking back then). And now, p-r-a-c-t-c-a-l-i-t-y tells me every time to ditch the bad pumps and trade them in for some good ones. Because of this, I’m longer aching to take my shoes off after date night, but I want to extend my after hour “partying” because my feet don’t hurt. (And to a parent like me, after hours is like 10:00. Seriously. Maybe 10:30.)

4. Foundation: Nothing says fabulous like having great skin. I alway, always, splurge on foundation and skin care. You want to put your best face forward, and nothing says awkward more then a foundation that doesn’t match your skin tone or doesn’t compliment your skin type.

5. Jeans: Now, I used to be, the cheaper the better on this. But, I’m short and my legs are curvier.   So finding jeans can be a pretty difficult task sometimes. But no longer do I gasp at a $100 price tag when it comes to denim because this gal (finally) found a pair that worked and made my legs look great, they don’t look like tightly wrapped vienna sausages anymore! So spending a little more in this area will help your look, and the jeans will last much longer through several washes!

I Hope this helps!

XO-Mimi

My Lilly Pulitzer for Target Jumper (that almost wasn’t)

You must be thinking, is this girl serious? Is she really writing a blog post about her almost near miss of the Lilly Pulitzer for target collection? And yes. I am dead serious. I am writing a post about it. For someone who loves fashion I can hardly believe that I didn’t set a reminder for this when my girlfriend told me who this designer was. (Thanks Jessica!)

You see, to be really honest, I didn’t even know who this was before a few weeks ago. I had a client ask me for items that looked similar to Lilly Pulitzer prints and I had to call said friend, Jessica (one of my most fashion forward girlfriends) who told me that Lily Pulitzer is a resort brand that is super popular in the south. (And if you have read the news lately Target was overran by not only women in the south, but…well everyone in the US Sunday morning. My city included)

Anyway,  I stumble into target early morning Monday morning (the day AFTER the Epic Launch) and see a rack of beautifully printed pieces almost stripped down to the bare tee-stand. There was nothing on it but this green jumper and a few other pieces. So I check the tag, I look around AND OMG, its that brand my friend told me about! I quickly ran about the store in search of the nearest attendant to find out what I missed. Apparently I missed a lot, fashionably speaking. They said they ran out of mostly everything within minutes and the items I did see on the rack were the only pieces left.

WHAT!

I went into a panic. There is something about having something that no one else has, that drives me absolutely i-n-s-a-n-e. Even if I don’t want it that bad, I still have to have it. Call me a bandwagon jumper! I like to call it…an obsession with clothing.

After a few hours of searching and heavy bribery for my children to cooperate, I was able to snag a jumper, a beach tote and some flip flops! But it could have been bad. I could have missed this launch all together and I would be forced to go on ebay and pay a ridiculous price (which I wouldn’t) for these items that cost me less then $100. I may or may not have checked the two other stores in my city, and I may or may not have called around to see if they had ANYTHING in my size. (And everywhere was sold out if you were wondering.)

When Missoni for Target launched a few years ago my husband thought I was nuts searching everywhere for a coveted $20 scarf.  Was I nuts? Maybe. I told him I was being sensible because that same scarf could cost me upwards of $100 if I bought it at a regular place. And he agreed and let me search. I should have just learned my lesson to mark my calendar then.

Mark your calendar when Target Launches these special promos friends. That way you don’t end up scouring the Earth and navigating you way through other disappointed female shoppers in search for the hottest item, like me.

XO-Mimi

And PS: The Jumper is amazing, might not look like much on the hanger…but it really is fabulous.

 

 

That Dress

Photo Credit Mimi B.C

I bought this dress recently from the Gap and I just about died. I love it so, SO much. Thing is my body right now isn’t where it needs to be to rock it. But thats ok! You see I love to purchase things like this in order to find fit inspiration.(#Finspiration?) I’m sure many of you have an “inspiration ______ (insert item of clothing here)”. So As a homage to my new dress my health changes documented below.

#1: DRINK MORE TEA and NIX COFFEE: Can’t believe i’m (typing) that out loud! Plus coffee has dairy and we all know how much many calories half and half can have!

#2: DON’T EAT FAST FOOD: With kids, and when you are in a hurry this is, very, very difficult. But it can be done.  I’m super guilty of this, so this may be a hard one.

#3: MAKE GYM TIME A PRIORITY: Not that working out isn’t. I think working out is something that we do, but only when we have time. So much like bathing, gym time should be an important part of the day…no matter what you do, some exercise is better then no exercise right?

#4: COOK MORE: This goes in-line with the whole, not eating fast food thing. As a mom, cooking is something that I tend to pretty much suck at. Not going to candy coat it. I’m not a very good cook. But I try, and trying is all that matters.

#5: HAVE PEOPLE AROUND WITH LIKE MINDED GOALS: Of all of the of these health habit changes, this one is my favorite. I think that having friends and family who are supportive of your lifestyles changes (and tend to have a healthier lifestyle in general) make it easier to maintain a healthier balance!

So what is your fit-inspiration? In what ways do you modify your lifestyle to achieve this?

Four Gifts for girls who have everything.

Shopping for a gift for a friend (who has everything) and not sure what to get her? Here are five simple and amazing gifts to grab for your gal pal without breaking the bank.

Photo Credit: mimi B.C.

 

 

1. The Simple Girl: Succulents are beautiful and really inexpensive gifts that are easy to care for! I grabbed this silver pot to put it in from Target for a $1!

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Makeup Junkie: These lipstick holders are amazing for that girl who has a ton of beauty products! These hold between 18-20 and you can find them online for less then $10!

 

 

 

3: The Fashionista: Statement necklaces are really amazing for girls who like to make a big statement with what they wear. Target and Forever21 are great places to find inexpensive necklaces (both classic or statement for less then $20). Just be sure your gal pal isn’t allergic to synthetic materials.

 

 

 

4: The Working girl: A cool pen set from their favorite designer is always a fun accessory for the working girl to keep at their desk.

Military Chic for under $120

Holidays are amazing times to double up on coupons for clothing. I was able to get this amazing transitional winter-spring look for less then $150! With a little searching (and patience) you can get some really good deals!

Never underestimate the power of coupon codes. I LOVE a fantastic deal, and I got one with this. These destroyed black Jeans are American Eagle, and I purchased them during a clearance blowout! They were offering and additional 60% off clearance price and offered free shipping! Practically giving these amazing jeans away. Original price: $39.99. My Price: $15.

The Marc Fisher booties where also an amazing steal. Macy’s had an additional 20% off clearance during their Presidents day sale. Original Price: $120.  My Price: $60.

Last up, the Lucky Jacket was purchased at Tj Maxx and If you are willing to hunt, that place has the most amazing deals. Original Price: $89.50 My Price: $60!

This would have cost me somewhere in the 200+ Range had I purchased full price. Moral of the story, sign up for emails and keep an eye out for good sales. Often times you can stack those coupon codes.