Bye-Bye Brooklyn

Welp. So long, New York! :( I officially said goodbye on Saturday and am back in beautiful, clean, green Michigan. I of course will always have a special piece of myself devoted and in love with the big city, but it sure feels good to be back home.

Two nights before we left (and after our little shopping spree), I went to dinner with my roomies and my roommate's mom & her boyfriend. I was a little overdressed, but I was determined to wear my new goodies out! Even though Forever 21 didn't take off my security tag on my purse and I looked like a felon carrying it around...

dress: Forever 21
bag: Forever 21

Favorite Fall Essentials

Back to school season is just around the corner which means a new wardrobe will have to commence. These are my picks to get a renewed and revamped closet this autumn.

Jackets/Outerwear

1. Gallery Three Quarter Length Trench Coat, Nordstrom, $78.90
2. Michael Kors Black Leather Vest, K&G, $59.99
3. ASOS Power Shoulder Tailor Boyfriend Blazer, ASOS, $112.05

Cardigans/Sweaters

1. Letterman Sweater, Forever 21, $19.80

2. BKE Loop Closure Cardigan, Buckle, $68

3. Elbow-Patch Sweatshirt, Delias, $38.50

Bottoms

1. Collin Signature Skinny, Hudson Jeans, $165

2. Lexi Skinny Jeans, French Connection, $43.99

3. Faux Leather Leggings, YesStyle, $21

Finishing Touches

1. Sheer Lurex Infinity Scarf, Express, $29.90

2. Pretzel-a-Porter Ear Cuff, ModCloth, $14.99

3. Lace Up Combat Boots, Love Culture, $29.90

What are you guys dying to get your hands on this fall? I want to know!

Goodbye teen!

Sorry for the major lack in posts - I've been crazy busy with work and all that nonsense. But this weekend has been amazing. On Thursday the 4th, I finally turned 20 years old :). It's so exciting for me to not be a teenager anymore especially because everybody out here mistakes me for being between the ages of 16 and 18... #annoying. Anyways, I had an amazing birthday! I was lucky enough to have Adam and his sister Angela come to visit the city for the weekend and get to do all the touristy things with me. We shopped like crazy, ate at some great restaurants, and went to the Museum of Natural History, the NY Aquarium and Coney Island. I even introduced them to Nathan's Hot Dogs, New York Chinese food, the subway, and the art of the black market.

I had such an amazing weekend. My birthday was great, and I got to wear my amazing dress I got from Zara.

 mind the messy room. O:)

dress: Zara
shoes: Forever 21
chunky ring: taken from Alex ;)

gold ring: Christmas gift from Adam

For my birthday, my awesome cousin Ashley (who is an avid reader of my blog, I guess!) got me a pair of TOMS Shoes! I was so happy when I read the label on the package since literally everyone and their dog has a pair of TOMS in New York. Angela got me a black and white striped skirt that I've been wanting for quite a while, and my mom sent me a package with crackers, snack foods, and some stuff she got from Kohl's. Adam decided to buy me some stuff while we were here, but I decided to get one thing that I had been wanting the entire summer: a New York Yankees fitted baseball cap. I've been wearing it constantly since I got it. 

X-ray on PhotoBooth is so creepy. lol

We went to the Roxy store and I seen this hat!
I had to try it on and get a picture. Too bad it was $129! :(

Until next time! xo

Flower Child

It's flipping hot in New York City. Yesterday was a high of 105 and today was a high of 100. Hence, no clothes, no heavy bags, and no cares with your hair.

top: Love Culture
shorts: Love Culture

earrings: Claire's

black jade necklace: bought in China. one of my favorite pieces.
ring: gift from Tieka :)

bag: handed down from Alex's boss

Sorry the pictures are so... yucky. lol. :(. We were in a hurry to get inside because we were sweating and dying from the heat and overstuffing ourselves at McDonalds. If you ever think you can down a 20 pc, a medium fry, and a chocolate shake, keep dreaming... We also went Salvating today at the Salvation Army and I got some great finds that I'll be sure to blog this week! It isn't much, but I love steals and deals. :)

Until next time, beyouties! xo

Diamond in the Rough

I've had a rough past couple of hours. I'm extremely tense and stressed out, but if there is anything that calms me down and makes me feel better, it's primping up and doing my makeup. I think it's because in order for me to do my face, I have to have a steady hand and be relaxed, or else my face will look like crap.

As I was figuring out what to wear, I came across my black slip thrift find. It's so simple but makes me feel so dressed up and pretty. At a time like this, when I feel so upset and stressed, a little treasure like this one really helps me feel a little better.

Can you see how stressed I am in my face? Ha ha.

Tank: Hollister

Skirt: Thrifted

Belt: Forever 21 (came with a skirt)

Gettin' Coney

Alex and I decided to take a beach day to get some color and girl talk in. We wanted to go out to Fire Island or Fort Tilden, but Coney Island is about a 20 minute subway ride away and much more convenient (and free), so on we went. :)

Yucky, yucky, yucky! I'm so white! My color completed faded.

Romper: Love Culture

Belt: Forever 21

Flip-flops: Old Navy

Sunglasses: Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers at the Church Ave. subway station ;)

Bag: c/o Model Lounge

Blue on the Roof

Hey guys! So, last night, my wonderful roomies and I went out to a rooftop party for a friend's going away party and I wanted to share my outfit with you all. The dress pictured below is black because the site doesn't feature the blue one. :( Sorry! But enjoy and be inspired!

1. Gold Button Tube Dress, Love Culture, $26.90

I love this dress because it's so cute if you're all dressed up, or even if you wanted to dress it down with a cardigan and pair of flats. Plus, it's really stretchy, so it's easy to zip/unzip and pull down if you need to.

2. Button Down Basic Cardigan, Papaya, $12.99

I live in this cardigan! It's perfect in every way.

3. Crisscross Slingback Heels, Forever 21, $26.80

Yeah, so I didn't wear these. But I was about to! They went perfect with this outfit and accentuated my legs so nicely. 

BeYOUty Queen tip: When buying nude heels, find a shade of nude that matches your skin tone. Not all nude heels are the same shade of "nude," and the point of nude heels is to make your legs look extra long. Don't buy until you find YOUR shade! :)

Hoppy Easter!

I spent a couple of days at home to celebrate Easter with my family and it was definitely time well spent. I spent Thursday with Adam and his family, mainly his sister, Angela, while they cut down some dead trees and dealt with one of them falling on the power line - oopsie! It was still such a relaxing time just sitting in his house with Angela and their new Rottweiler puppy. Friday we tried out Bagger Dave's in Novi, a popular burger place, then I came home to spend some time with my 1 1/2 year old nephew, Nathaniel. I'll try to upload a video of him coloring eggs! He was so excited - it was his first time!

Saturday, I spent about 2 hours playing with my makeup so I could get some ideas for Angela's prom makeup. I'd post pictures, but I want her makeup to be a secret until her big day. :) It's going to look so awesome though! After lots of makeup time, I went to dinner with my parents, aunt, and uncle to On The Border in Dearborn. For all my downriver followers, if you ever happen to head in there, be sure to ask for Dan! He may be an older guy, but he provides great service and is so nice! Don't you just love when you get a server like that? Especially when they cut you some deals? ;)

Here is my first ever outfit shot. Thanks to my momma for the shoot - she did a good job for a newbie. :) I can't wait to get to NYC so my roommates and I can do these all the time. Picture is in a part of my back yard, by the way.

Dress: Body Central
Cardigan: Papaya
Shoes: Deb
Earrings (bows): Charlote Russe
Necklace: I got it in China at a Jade jewelry dealer. Yes, it's REAL black jade! :)

Have a beyoutiful Easter Sunday everybody! And for the college students: good luck on finals! I have 5 last-minute tests this week along with 3 finals next week. Going to be a drag!

OOTD: Office Monday

Back with another Office Monday! Gosh, I really miss doing OOTD's every day. But they'll be back soon, promise! This week's Office Monday is from Love Culture. Enjoy!

3/4 Striped Business Shirt, $17.90
Love Culture

Basic White Skinny Jean, $21.90
Love Culture

Ruffle Pumps, $23.90
Love Culture

Framed Heart Ring, $7.90
Love Culture

I really love this outfit. I want it all!! lol ;). What do you ladies think?

Have a great week, and I'll be posting again soon! xo

Online Shopping Haul!

I've been dying for new clothes - I haven't bought for myself anything since the Fall, and most of the clothes I got for Christmas were clothes for the warmer season. So, I decided it's time to spoil myself! Here is my recent order of stuff from Papaya, Forever 21, and Charlotte Russe!

Papaya Clothing

Nobody has any idea how bad I NEED a black cardigan. Just a plain, simple, black cardigan. I don't want any detail besides the buttons! And I finally found one. This one was a steal from Papaya for $12.99, and I'm sure they're going to run out very quickly!

 I was looking around the sale items to see what they had, and they had an adorable, simple pair of black shorts in my size for $12.60! I'm such a bargain shopper ;-)

Forever 21

I had to get a pair of Oxfords! My collection really wouldn't be complete without them. I wanted a darker pair, but the darker pair had a different style and laces, and I preferred these. These were $24.80 from F21.

I wanted a plain black skirt for my tights that I've been loving lately (thanks to Alex!!). This one comes with a belt, and I figured without the belt in, the belt loops won't be too noticeable. This is on F21 for $17.80.

Yes, I finally gave into a romper. I couldn't pass this gorgeous blue color up (it comes in pink, black, and teal, too). Plus, it's a yellow tag discount for $10!

Charlotte Russe

Eeeeeee. :) Sheer polka dot tights is a trend I have loved seeing on tons of fashion blogs and on models. I had to have them. These were $6.75 at CR.

Someone at a family get together snagged my big, diamond studs, so I have to have new ones - I can't stand wearing my flowers everyday lol. The set of 3 pairs has diamonds, pearls, and bows. :) The best part, it was $4 for the set! I love cheap, cute jewelry!

I also got a top in the clearance section for $11.69. It's unavailable on the site though, I must have gotten one of the last ones! It's a black corset top with a huge, black, sequin bow on the top. Once I get it, I'm sure I'll have a picture of it up!

Unfortunately, I can't buy everything I love right now - I'm on a pretty tight budget right now! I have a house down payment to pay, as well as a big down payment on a NYC apartment! I can't wait to have some extra cash to buy some goodies on ModCloth! It's killing me to just window shop for that site!

Let me know what you lovely subscribers think of my little haul. Any ideas of what I can wear some of the stuff with? I would love to hear what you think!

xo, & have a great weekend! I'll be studying for 90% of it. D:

OOTD: Office Monday

It's Office Monday! I have another look from Charlotte Russe for you guys. I'm starting to remind me of my high school days - I was obsessed with Charlotte Russe! lol. Anyways, I'm hoping to be posting more OOTDs this week, but I'm still quite busy. If I wind up not doing many more this week, have a wonderful week!

Ruched Shoulder Knit Top, $14.50
Charlotte Russe

Tweed Bootcut Trousers, $34.50
Charlotte Russe

Patent Peeptoe Slingback Heels, $30.00
Charlotte Russe

Clear Faceted Stone Ring, $4.00
Charlotte Russe

OOTD: Simple, Sexy Soldier

Finally, an OOTD! This look is from Katwalk. Enjoy, and have a fabulous weekend!

Cynthia Dress, $34.00
Katwalk

Military Jacket, $49.00
Katwalk

Colada Pump, $29.00

Katwalk

Plumage Earrings, $12.00
Katwalk

I know this look is quick, easy, and simple - but it's great for a casual night out. Even paired with a pair of flip flops or gladiator sandals!

OOTD: Office Monday

I think I'm going to start doing Monday OOTD as an "Office Monday" theme with appropriate stuff to wear into the office.

Starting this, I'm kicking it off with a skirt outfit from Charlotte Russe. Enjoy!

Basic V-Neck Knit Tee, $7.50
Charlotte Russe

Satin Cargo Pencil Skirt, $26.50
Charlotte Russe

As if this isn't stressed enough, always be sure your dresses and skirts are long enough. Barely making it past your fingertips is not enough (unless you're going for the "sexy boss" look this Halloween). Looking sexy isn't what is going to raise your paycheck and can actually get you taken less seriously and possibly even fired.

Patent Pointed-Toe Pump, $24.50
Charlotte Russe

Be sure your shoes are always something you can bare to spend all day in. Invest in gel inserts and take the time to break them in before you're on your feet all day in them. Also, be sure that you know how you're going to feel while wearing them. I know that if I wear a platform pump, it can take me a couple of wear times to get used to the height and how to walk in them!

Long Woven Twill Scarf, $9.50
Charlotte Russe

A scarf can liven up a simple outfit so easily. Check out Michelle Phan's video on different ways to wear your scarves. She also just did one for silk scarves, which I am loving the one you wear with your hair!

What do you guys think? It seems a little safe, but with a fun scarf or another accessory, you can really stand out. Do you guys want to see more office looks every week? Let me know! Your opinions and ideas are important to me. xoxo