Fall Haul 2015

Fall is looming (despite the 90 degree weather right now) so I decided it would be best for me to do some small fall shopping before I move into school (just moved in today!!!). Sorry for the delay in a post to follow up with my last double denim, however I was waiting on some things to arrive in the mail so let's jump right in!

 One of the first items I purchased was a  denim jacket from target. I've been searching for a new one because the last one I bought I originally wanted because it was longer than a lot but it ended up just being way too oversized. Finally I was able to get this one which fit perfect besides around the armpits which sadly is just what happens when you wear denim.

Next is this awesome brown, faux-fur vest from a local shop 

called Blue Peppermint Boutique. It has a cool faux-leather trim as well 

and makes me feel like a cute teddy bear when I'm wearing it!

These awesome BDG jeans are ones I've been lusting
over for some time now and Urban Outfitters had their
big BDG jean sale so I decided why not? Textured items are huge this coming season so one pair are a deep purple corduroy while the others are just a staple
black.

This green heathered dress is one I was able to find for cheap from Forever 21. It tends to look grey in some lightings I think that's just the effect of the heather. This is really just a versatile piece I'm hoping to be able to wear with basically whatever.

I have been looking for a casual button down for ages now so I was so excited when I stumbled upon this striped blue and white one from H&M. They also had a solid blue one in a little darker shade, but I thought this was a little closer to what I've been searching for.

These pants are ones I found from Target as well, and they're just your basic jegging with rips down both legs. And who doesn't need a pair of jeans with rips?

I was so so so elated when I saw this button down jean skirt at Forever 21 because I feel like

I have seen so many models/fashionistas wearing this and it looks very cute on anyone. My only fear is that the buttons will all unclasp at the same time leaving me in just my underwear, but we'll face that problem if I get to it (hopefully not). 

This pants may be hard to see, but they're a pair of textured jogger-esk pants with pockets and tie at the waist. Again readers, remember to get your textures in this fall!

This is a necklace I bought from Urban Outfitters and it was a little pricey (probably not actually, I'm just not used to spending money on jewelry) however I think I will really wear this a lot because it's layered and pretty simple and chic.

Another layered necklace I bought, but this time from Forever 21. I'm pretty excited about this one too because of the arrowhead stone at the bottom.

This is a simple choker with a simple but really pretty emerald green stone on it. I have a feeling this will pair well with a lot of tops, especially sweaters once it starts getting colder out!

[Surprise] I've been looking for an intricate, big, silver necklace as such pictured above for awhile and I found the perfect one at H&M but it was way above how much I wanted to pay ($30). This was about $12 and it doesn't make a bunch of noise or anything while being worn. 

How exciting my socks! 5 pack of assorted colors from H&M and two back of black and white from Forever 21.

I about died when I got these in the mail recently because they are just so freaking cute. They're suede, which on shoes can sometimes get dirty so easily but hopefully it doesn't show as much since they're a rather dark color. I love the 3 straps and luckily it even fits my high arch because they're adjustable.

 Ok these are true to color more in the first picture but they are Roma rain boots. I paid more than I wanted to for rain boots and they are not the super tall ones but I'll probably have to walk in the rain a lot and they're great quality. Plus, they give a pair to a person in need (like TOMS brand) and do other amazing stuff.

So that's it guys! Tell me what you think in the comments and make sure you're getting email updates for when I post. Sorry there aren't more detail shots of the items, every time I attempted to take a decent photo the coloring was just way off I felt like it was distracting. Anyways, still next time!

What's In My Bag?

Marc by Marc Jacobs 'New Q Natasha' Bag

Hello fashionistas! Today I thought I would post a What's in my Bag (hints the name). This is mostly stuff I had in my bag whilst traveling but most items will also stay in there I'm sure, either because I'm very slow at unpacking and cleaning or because they are useful. I have included links for most products, especially if they are harder to find.

 

1. Starting at the top left, there is a key I found on the ground in Paris and for some reason just decided to keep it because why not, right?
2. Oil absorbing sheets, aka my savior. I only recently started using them after hearing rave reviews from many people about their powers. And seriously, they're amazing. My face has slowly shifted to more oily than it used to be, and even though my face still peels occasionally, it constantly looks so shiny in pictures that I take, so every once in awhile, or before taking a photo, I just whip out one of these sheets and let it do the rest of the work! up & up target brand, only $4.49 for 70 sheets
3. Small container that includes biotin pills because if I'm out I will forget to take these and aspirin because I constantly get headaches.
4. Below that is my sleeping pills for the plane ride! (Weren't even really effective, but then again I might've needed to take 2).
5. In the next row is an elastic band for my hair and two bobby pins because I'm irresponsible and will leave the house without these if they're not already in my bag.
6. Lip Service, my favorite lip balm along with Nivea. This you have to apply with you finger, but it will leave your lips shiny and completely moisturized/soft for the longest time.
7. A spare key for my moms car. I should probably return that now, oops.
8. In the last row I have my mac, Shanghai Spice Cremesheen lipstick by Mac. This is the lipstick that I use the most often because it's a great neutral that just adds a little bit of color and works with everything! Plus you can literally blend it with hundreds of different lip liners (not an exact number, but I'm assuming it has to be that many). Get it here
9. Extra Spearmint Gum. This is my favorite mint gum and it lasts for so long!
10. Okay that notebook on the bottom of some items is my [newly] created bullet journal where I basically just create my own calendar and also add in multiple other things like shopping lists, my budget, goals, things to remember, etc. Black Moleskin Classic Notebook, Squared
11. The first thing on top here are some cat-eye framed sunglasses from Forever 21. I love the way these look on me, plus since the lenses aren't pitch black they don't make everything I see too dark. Sadly, I couldn't find these on their website, and since I received them in the spring, I'm sure they're sold out by now. The great thing about sunglasses from there though is that they are so cheap (think $5-10) and if you are like me and can't be trusted with something as fragile as sunglasses, you can switch styles every season and not break the bank! And actually every pair I own from there have held up well so far.
12. Apple earbuds. These come with every device you purchase from them, so I am sure you are all familiar with these.
13. That item on top of the notebook to the right is one of my favorite pens to write with; the Pilot Precise V5 Stick Rolling Ball Pen (what a mouthful). I've always just gotten these from my dad, who's an architect, but they are so precise and smooth to write with I'm obsessed with them. Get it here
14. And last but not least, on the far right side of the picture you see one of my most cherished items, my black leather Calvin Klein wallet. I searched for so long for a zip up wallet of this size and style. The one that set me out on a search was the Marc Jacobs one, but I really did not feel like spending $200-300 on a wallet, but alas, one day in Nordstrom Rack I found this gem sitting there for a much cheaper price of $50. Not quite as cheap as I got it, but you could search around for deals at places like Nordstrom Rack


Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed! Let me know in the comments what you keep in your bag that's different or the same to what I have. xoxo

Paris Day 4 (Last day in the City)

Yes, yes, it is my 4th and final day in the beautiful city of Paris. I'm genuinely going to miss everything from the tiny, yet efficient apartment, to using the metro to get around to the cafe's where it's expected to have long meals where you talk to your friends/family and sit in crowded spaces. It is quite dirty, and at times smelly, here, however after the first day or so you don't even always notice it (you still do sometimes not gonna lie, just not as often). I really love how there's a different cafe every ten feet and they all have outdoor seating, with heating lamps if it's cold, and most often they's also small tables that face the street so when you're eating or drinking you can watch the passerby's. Going back to how this is the last day, we started off early by taking the metro to the catacombs and after getting in line we ran across the street to a bakery and I got pain a chocolat (my favorite!), then back in line. It took around 2 hours probably to finally make it in because it has a max capacity of 200 but it's worth it because it's so amazing and creepy at the same time to see with your own eyes. There are just all of these walls underground lined with real, human skulls and bones from centuries ago stacked on top of each other and it takes around 45 minutes to walk through. Next we headed off to the Pantheon in Luxembourg. This is where many famous people, most notably Victor Hugo (wrote Les Mis) and Marie & Pierre Curie are buried. It also has beautiful architecture all around it, no surprise. Luxembourg is so beautiful to walk around because it is filled with trees and pretty flowers so we stopped at Le Creperie after to have a [very] late lunch and dessert. The senate and Luxembourg gardens were the next stop, where we also ran into my friends old au pair again because she is a guard there! It has an amazing view so it is great to take pictures at or just sit and chill (there's many tables and benches to sit at around the flowers and garden area). After a short time here we had to race off to the site where Napoleon is buried to make it in time before it closed. There is also a mini museum there with tons of ancient armour there. Napoleon is not alone buried there, because many others have joined him since, but the building, again, is magnificent from the inside with the high ceilings and ornate wall designs. After spending some time here, we were on our way to the *drumroll* Eiffel Tower!! The grounds weren't as beautiful as I imagined and pictured it, with grass all around, it was actually just dirt and gravel sadly, however the eiffel tower itself was so grandiose. We weren't allowed to go to the very top for some reason it was temporarily closed and since we had already seen the skyline of Paris from a few different places around town already we decided to move on and took a boat tour. Sounds cheesy but honestly if you ever find yourself in Paris this is a must do because you don't even necessarily have to pay attention to the "popular" sites (unless you don't have time to go to them individually). Since we had already seen all these things many times in passing and going there, I just focused on the architecture of the city and the people. It was around 8 o'clock there and the walls surrounding the water were just brimming with people everywhere, with family, friends, and lovers talking, drinking, or having picnics. To me it all just seemed so perfect and beautiful. I know I must've used that word so many times by now, but all of this honestly is. We finally hopped back on the metro after the tour docked and made our long way back to around the apartment to have dinner finally (10 pm!). We finally found a good place, but me and Megan headed back right after eating to pack and get ready to move on to Normandy tomorrow. Plus I have had very little sleep so far and I've mostly ignored it, but today I couldn't anymore. So head back here tomorrow for my next update! I'm assuming our hotel near there will have wifi, if not, just keep checking because I might just have to post it a day or two late. As always, thanks!

The Catacombs

The Catacombs

Wall of skulls/bones in the Catacombs

Where Napoleon is buried

Marie Curie and Pierre Curies entrance to their tomb

Armour from the museum 

Ceiling detail at Napoleon

Eiffel Tower!!

Romper/Necklace- Forever 21
Bag- Marc by Marc Jacbos
Windbreaker- Columbia
Ring- Mexico area in Epcot at Disneyworld

Paris Day #1

Finally, after 4 years of waiting, me and my friend Megan, along with her dad, were off to Paris! It is so exciting and still surreal to me as I sit in this tiny, yet quite maximized space of ours for the next 4 days that we are here. After driving up to O'Hare Airport in Chicago and waiting for our plane to take off (it was delayed because it arrived late), we worried that we would not make it onto our next flight from Dublin to Paris because of the exceedingly short layover plus that mess. Luckily, we boarded the 7 hour flight and, after fast walking through Dublin's airport, made it onto our next plane with success. This flight was much shorter, only around and hour and 20 minutes (thank GOD) and then we stepped into the Paris airport, filled with wonder. I've personally never been out of the country before and having to base my expectations off of what I see on TV, movies, and vlogs on youtube (don't do this guys, perception is not reality) I had no idea exactly what to expect. After stumbling around trying to find the exit from there, we hopped in a cab and it was a little bit of a drive to actual downtown Paris from the airport, but definitely made me have a different perspective. One of the first things I noticed when driving on the interstate was a cornfield (I was trying to escape those in Indiana) and also that the walls were covered in graffiti practically the whole way that there were walls. I kinda liked the graffiti though because the walls before were so plain and boring. Then, once you start to enter the city, it looks like most other cities outskirts and all, with some newer, and some older, unkept buildings. Once you got into the central part of Paris however, it all changed and I was in love. After dropping our stuff off in the apartment, we headed out. Side note: to make use of my time while we waited for a guy named Louis to come let us in, I sat in the empty staircase and did my makeup, it definitely saved me time even if I looked insane when he walked up to us and I had all my makeup spread around me. I highly recommend trying this. Anyway, we decided to just walk around and scope out Paris today and also check out the Tour de France finale. They pretty much just were doing victory type laps today since the race technically ended I think (?) yesterday. After they went around a lap and were coming back, one biker fell over causing a ripple effect and bringing down tons of other bikers, still pretty exciting to witness that though (the finale, not the accident). We also visited the beautiful Notre Dame which is just, completely on its own level, I mean it was built in 1163. How many buildings were built that long ago and are still around today?! Pretty awesome. So yeah we saw a lot of different sites today but didn't do too much actually going in places because we wanted to get ourselves used to the city and just take it all in. I'll check back in with you guys tomorrow but for now you can take a look at some of my pics below!

Louvre Entrance

Notre Dame

What is left of the lock bridge 

Shirt dress and flannel from Forever 21, Necklace from Go Fish (one of a kind), Purse is Steve Madden from DSW,  Map Watch from Urban Outfitters and shoes are Nike

Tour de France (pre-crash)

Best Dressed at The Oscars 2015

As i'm sure most of you watched last night, the oscars were on. And with a major awards show, comes a major red carpet, however this year I was not thoroughly impressed with the way most were dressed. Not many dresses stood out or popped, not meaning that the women did not look great the other night. But then again maybe that is just another sign that minimalism is in right now? Either way, I have compiled a list of women and [a few] men who were my personal best dressed (in no particular order).

1. First up are two women that were dressed almost identically but equally beautiful. Jennifer Lopez and Luciana Duvalle. Jennifer of course caught the most attention, being Jenny, however, Luciana's underappreciated outfit of choice was similarly stunning. Both have the plunging neckline, sparkling detail, and fit. JLo is wearing Elie Saab, and Luciana is sporting Jad Ghandor.

2. Next up is the always gorgeous Julianne Moore. There were a lot of predictions and speculation surrounding which designer and dress she may be wearing, and she ended up in this delightful Chanel piece that I couldn't be happier about. The dress itself, especially the colors, are very classic Chanel looking and the piece fits her like a glove. 

3. Zoe Saldana. Need I say more about this? I mean HOT DAMN is it perfection, and can we talk about the fact that just three months ago she gave birth to twins?! That self discipline in getting her body to look like that after pregnancy is something I desire to have in the future, (but probably won't achieve because who are we kidding here). That shade of pink with her skin tone, the simple jewelry, fresh face, and drape of the Atelier Versace dress all mixed together made everything about this look lustworthy. Just take a look for yourself.

4. Reese Witherspoon. The clean lines and shape of her Tom Ford black and white gown combined with her sleek hair and accessories all contributed to making Reese look impeccable last night at the awards.

5. Emma freaking Stone. Need I say anything about how amazing this light green colored gown meshed with her red hair and skin tone? I was a little worried with how she would look compared to her show stopper of an outfit at the Golden Globes, but was pleasantly surprised when she stepped out in this number by one of my favorite designers of all time, Elie Saab. 

6. Suki Waterhouse seemed to have been passed over on the red carpet but had on one of my favorite gowns of the night made by fellow British design powerhouse, Burberry. This stunning red dress was clean cut yet classic and young feeling. 

7. How could we forget about Kerry Washington in this perfect peplum piece? The top piece of this Miu Miu gown is decoratively embroidered while the bottom section boasts delicate scalloping. This is peplum done right. 

8. Margot Robbie may not be everyone's favorite from the other night, but I personally loved the relaxed vibes from this black ensemble paired with her effortless red lip and that statement necklace piece (the sheer sleeves were a bonus). And who else to design this dress than Saint Laurent?

9. Jamie Chung. And why may I ask, is she being passed over too from the other night? It may be because she is not an A-lister and was not personally nominated for any awards, however credit needs to be given. This tight fitted top with the poofy bottom of this nude and dark colored Yanina Couture dress including firework-like detail is all very Princessy and I want it. 

10. Miles Teller. The navy colored suit [with black lapels] seemed a favorite among the males of the night, including Miles good friend Ansel Elgort was also sporting the trend last night. 

11. David Oyelowo. The 'Selma' breakout star was definitely rocking this Burgundy/Red/White suit making him stand out among the others while also following the bow tie trend of the night.

12. Common. This Prada suit of his really wowed me when he walked the red carpet because of the velvet blazer and off white bowtie that blended in with his shirt underneath. Definitely one of the best dressed men of the night.

So guys now you've seen my best dressed of the night! Again, there were many beauties of the night including Chloe Grace Moretz, America Ferrera, Jennifer Aniston, Keira Knightly, Rosamund Pike, and Lady Gaga's gown while singing during the Oscars. If you agree or have another that you thought was dressed to perfection don't be afraid to comment below!