Strike a Pose

In the words of Madonna, "strike a pose."  Unless you are a 2 year old who wants to move, move, move and go, go, go.  I had to take an action shot of little man today because I'm loving this affordable outfit.

Get it Carter!  And get it daddy who dressed him today.  Apparently my husband knows a thing or two about fashion.  

In the excitement of having a first child we didn't tend to look at price when shopping.  If my husband or I saw something cute, we HAD to have it for Carter.  And now a days boys clothes are adorable so we want everything.  However, with two kids, and all the costs involved (food, daycare, diapers), we now try to be a little bit more cognizant of the cost of our purchases, especially when it comes to clothing.  Now don't get me wrong, we still splurge every now and then.  The boys are 22 months apart and were born around the same season so we have been lucky to be able to recycle tons of Carter's old clothes.  It's been really fun to see Luke wear the clothes Carter once wore.  Yesterday I hung up all of Carter's former 3-6 month clothes and it gave me all the feels.  It was like taking a walk down memory lane.  I know one day Luke won't want hand me downs, but luckily that day is not today and camo is NEVER going out of style (at least not in my world).  Our go to stores for toddler clothes and great deals are Target, Old Navy, Costco, and Walmart.  Yes I said it, Walmart.  Don't believe me?  The pants he's rocking today...

Wrangler Relaxed Cargo Jogger (Toddler Boys)

Walmart.  And those kicks... 

Athletic Works Boys' Mesh Jogger

Walmart!

Both the Wrangler Camo Pants and Athletic Sneakers were purchased in store at Walmart for a combined total under $15.  They are fashionable and can be worn various ways.  Camo is on trend and the pants seem like they will be great quality.  Plus grey and white sneakers go with everything!  Blue clothes, black clothes?  It don't matter.  It works!  Grey sneakers are the best.  We will see how long the shoes last, but they feel comparable to Champion, which was my go to shoe brand when Payless was still a thing (RIP Payless, RIP!).  Carter is extremely active and growing like a weed so sneakers only last  him a few months.  Every time I blink I feel like his feet have grown again.  He's currently a toddler size 7 and he just turned 2.  I'm  hoping future NBA all star.  With the price of these shoes I don't feel bad tossing them if and when Carter grows out of them or more likely destroys them playing "ball".  They are far cheaper than the majority of the other sneakers he grew out of after a few wears.  And more money in my wallet and not down the drain makes me a happy mama.

How do you save money on kids clothes?  I would love to hear your secrets in the comments below.

Gamiss for Affordable, Trendy Fashion

So let's be real, my body has changed.  I put on the "freshman 15."  But I'm not a freshman...  Adult life gets busy and I made sacrifices to get to where I am in life.  I'm proud of where I've come, but in the process I got totally out of shape.  

I don't want to invest in pricey pieces since I've decided I'm getting my groove back.  Gamiss was nice enough to give me the opportunity to try them out.  

Trendy V-Neck Floral Print Slimming Women's Romper

I love rompers and this print caught my eye.  This outfit can be dressed up or down, is light and comfortable and totally does what it claims, helps slim my waist.   

I did, however, have to use fashion tape to keep the top from exposing my goods.  No bigs.  

Plus it gives the illusion that I have legs_for_days!  #legsfordays

Fashionable Round Neck Floral Print Layered Women's Tank Top

Lately I have disliked my stomach.  I had a beautiful, flat tummy until I got diagnosed with PCOS and it feels like overnight it became my problem area.  If you have this issue then flowy tops are your friend!  But pair them with something more fitted on the bottom for a streamline look. 

Sizing for these items was a little confusing.  I ordered the romper in a large, which I'm glad I did because I think it would have been too short in a smaller size.  The tank top is a small and is roomy and comfortable.  I also ordered the Trendy U Neck Sleeveless Printed Women's Maxi Dress in a large, but it was too big and was unflattering.  When ordering I erred on the side of ordering the size corresponding to my biggest measurement, but I think you could get away ordering your standard American size.  

All in all I really liked Gamiss and will definitely order form them again.  There clothes are fashion forward and affordable, which means I can splurge from time to time without feeling guilty.  

Lucky girl, lucky life

I like to think of myself as a lucky person.  Scratch that.  I know I am a lucky person.  I have insanely good luck.  Always have, always will.  I firmly believe that what you put out into the World will come back to you.  You manifest your destiny.  It may sound silly for some, but it works for me.  

I was blessed to win an amazing contest and won a huge prize.  I won a Clare Vivier clutch, Dolce Vita Nakita woven leather sandals, and a $200 Shopbop gift card.  Told you I was lucky!

 Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch

I'm not mean, I just have resting bitch face

Necklace is handmade from my dad's travels in Asia

Dolce Vita Nakita Woven Leather Sandals

 Once upon a time I had big, sexy, soccer player calves.  What happened?

Top: Zoe & Sam for Gilt, Skirt: Simply Sage Market during a Jane.com deal, Necklace: Turquoise Necklace (similar) Earrings: Honora Pearl Studs, Watch: Michele Rose Gold Urban Mini Watch (similar), Bracelets: Sunstone bracelets (similar), Clutch: Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch, Shoes: Dolce Vita Nakita Woven Leather Sandals.

The combined prize payout is: $600+.  I haven't decided what to spend the $200 on yet, but I have an idea that will go fabulous will my Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch and Dolce Vita Nakita Woven Leather Sandals.

Tomorrow I will be posting a small giveaway as my way of giving a karmic thank you.  Stay tuned. 

My Necklace That Always Impresses

Do you like my necklace?

Every time I wear this "sapphire and diamond flower necklace" I get compliment after compliment.  I pair it with my (real) sapphire studs and I would like to think it always accentuates my blue eyes.  Yesterday I wore this beauty to clinical / work and my friend's 9 year old asked me why I would wear such a pretty necklace to work?  "What if you loose it?" Duh!  Who wears expensive jewelry to work?  Why do kids always point out the obvious?  Too smart!

This necklace is from Netaya and it is 2 carats of "created blue sapphire gems and cubic zirconias" in sterling silver.  It retails for $39.

Netaya frequently has special discount promotions and today is your lucky day because select items, including this necklace, are 20% off when you use code SPRING20.  That means this beauty is a whooping $31.20.

Pictures do not do this necklace justice.  It is stunning and I promise you people will think you have a small fortune around your neck.  And let them think that, unless you are like me and you have to blab about the fabulous deal you scored.

Happy Friday and happy shopping!

Have you heard of Jane.com?

Jane.com is my guilty pleasure.  Every morning I have my ritual: While I let the dog out I make a cup of Trader Joe's coffee.  I then sit down on the couch to check out the latest deals on jane.com while the dog goes back to sleep.  He's spoiled like that.  Jane offers everything from clothes to jewelry to home goods and accessories.  The only thing is the deals don't last long and once they are sold out you better hope you got the deal because if you snooze, you loose!

Up to 80% off Women's Clothing, Baby and Kids, Home Decor and other handmade items from Jane.com! Shop today!

Today I bought the following items because I thought they were too cute to pass up:

My grand total: $37.94

Go to jane.com to go get your daily fix of fashion favorites before they sell out.  

The life of my agenda

I have had a planner for as long as I can remember.  I have also had a smartphone for as long as I can remember, but I do not "write" anything down in my smartphone.  In fact, as long as I have Internet access I could probably have the dumbest smartphone and still function quite well in a technology standpoint.  There is something about being able to visually see what I have to do for the day, the week, in October (bridesmaid) etc. that puts me at a sense of ease.  And better yet, that feeling when I check off that little box next to a task makes me feel such a sense of relief.  Perhaps I have turned a little OCD over the years, but hell it keeps me organized in my little world of chaos.  The problem I have when someone invites me to put an event in my google calendar is that I am going to miss it.  In my world, if it is not written down, it does not exist.  Like the old adage, out of site, out of mind.  

So why all this talk about planners?  Two posts back I showed off my new Louis Vuitton splurges.  I decided to upgrade from my Moleskin 12 month weekly notebook agenda to the Louis Vuitton Medium Ring Agenda Cover.  Initially the Small Ring Agenda Cover caught my eye because I am obsessed with the agenda in the monogram vernis.  Only a Virgo would think a planner is sexy.  Issues...  After seeing the small agenda in person, however, I realized that the small size would simply not work with my needs.  I need to be able to visually see a year layout and have a weekly calendar so I can not only have personal calendar appointments, but also my school assignments and requirements.  Unfortunately there is not room to do both with the small agenda.  There are a lot of great youtube videos that go into depth on Louis Vuitton small agenda reviews if you are still interested.  Part of me was tempted to buy it to have an agenda, for my personal calendar, but let's be real, I'm not a baller.  

One thing I chose to do thanks to all the great youtube tips is fill my agenda with filoFax goodies.  After spending a small fortune on a the agenda, I could not rationalize spending another small fortune on gold line paper even though I wanted to.  So again I had to remind myself that I'm not a baller.

Anything filoFax in personal size will fit perfectly in the medium sized LV agenda.  I purchased the:

• Zip Lock Envelope 
• Assorted Sticky Notes
• Month on Two Pages Diary
• Week to View Yearly Calendar (from Amazon)

Personally I prefer the Week to View Yearly Calendar, which was no longer available in the personal size from filoFax, because it has a spot each week for notes.  

I'm starting to realize that I am way more of a Virgo than I ever thought.  The Week to View Yearly Calendar filoFax refill I purchased from Amazon was authentic filoFax and was comparable in price to the filoFax website.  

 For anyone that still has a written agenda I highly recommend Pilot Frixon Erasable Pens.

This video explains how Pilot Frixon Erasable Pens work, but I can assure you, they work.  Justine tested, Justine approved.  Before these pens I wrote everything in pencil since life changes and I don't like to cross things out.  Now I don't have to.  I can roll with the punches and simply erase what I wrote and no one has to know, but me because frankly no one else should be looking in your planner!

Note: picture of the dividers in the first picture were posted on my instagram here, here, and here.  I bought them from etsy seller glitteryjem.  I absolutely adore them and they bring a little bling to my everyday normal.  Her shipping was fast, communication was great, presentation was so cute, and she included some free treats.  Check out her page.

A photo posted by J$ (@justineelise13) on Apr 1, 2015 at 8:16am PDT

Looking good - Adore Me and Vinylux

While picking out my April order from Adore Me I realized that I did not show off my March bra set.    

Susanna Push-Up and Cheeky Thong and Vinylux in Topcoat and Wildfire

The Suzanna Push Up is super cute, delicate, and feminine .  It reminds me of something you would see in Victoria's Secret, but for a fraction of the cost.  Plus Adore Me VIPs get any monthly set for $39.95.  For those of you who don't know what Adore Me is you can check out my other posts on Adore Me here and here.  

Adore Me gives you the option of purchasing an extra pair of underwear in the style of your choosing for $9.95.   The first time I ordered I made the mistake of not buying an extra pair of underwear with my bra set.  I have since learned my lesson and now always purchase an extra set of skivvies.  Often there are different styles of underwear to mix up your ensemble, but frankly I buy the extra pair of undies because I'm a fan of matching sets.  Nothing is quite as sexy to me as knowing you look damn good under your clothes.  

Well the perfect red nail also does it for me.  I have fond memories of my great aunt who always had perfectly bleached blonde coiffed hair and freshly painted fire truck red nails.  Maybe that is where my obsession with the perfect red nail started?  All I know is you haven't met red until you try Wildfire by Vinylux.  

Not only is Wildfire the perfect red, but Vinylux is also my absolute favorite nail polish.  Vinylux can last for up to a week chip free and dries in 8 minutes.   If I do get a tiny chip, however, I can touch it up during a commercial and it is dry by the next commercial.  I know it sounds too good to be true, but this product is awesome.  I personally buy it from Amazon because you can't go wrong with free 2 day prime shipping, but there are many online retailers who also sell this product.   I love this nail polish so much that I recommend it to everyone and will never go back to gel nails (they ruined my nails!).  If could be their spokeswoman I would be.  Vinylux call me!

Louis Vuitton Love

I had wanted to buy a new Louis Vuitton handbag for awhile and figured this year I would be completely irresponsible with my tax return and treat myself.  My husband agreed to this plan because he too had his eye on something he wanted, but did not need, so my plan, needless to say, come to fruition rather easily.  But then something marvelous happened.  I won a contest and not just any contest, but the #hellomarchgiveaway on instagram.  And with that I won $500 (and two other items, which I am waiting to receive and then will happily review).  So what is a girl to do when she receives such a large amount of money?  Go shopping!  And that I did.

 Totally MM in Damier Ebene Canvas and Medium Ring Agenda Cover in Monogram Canvas

I ended up splurging with the rationalization that I am working oh so hard, which I am!  Did I need  
a handbag and agenda?  Not really, but with an extra $500 my eyes got a little wider while shopping.  Do I love them?  Yes!  I love the agenda.  Planners are my life line.  I have to write things down and visually see what I have due and check things off as I go along. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I see a long list of things completed.  With this agenda I will have it for years to come.  And the Totally MM is big enough for me to carry my things including my laptop.  It is cute, but functional and has a zipper, which is essential.

Stay tuned to see what I keep in my agenda and to see what else I received in the #hellomarchgiveaway.

Candy Contour Update and Wick Candles

So my intention was to start a new blog so I could blog more frequently, but unfortunately a lot has been going on lately and it has been difficult to find any free time.  I will say though, that I finally had a chance to try on the Candy Contour bra by Adore Me that I wrote about in my last post and it is a winner!  

The longline fit is very slimming and, while the style makes you look Va Va Voom, it is very comfortable.  Now, however, I must patiently wait for the design to be made in some new colors...  

The weather here on the East Coast has been awful and I have never been, nor will I ever be, an outdoor, winter weather kind of gal.  And frankly I have way too much work and studying to do to find any time to take a moment to go have fun.  This is my life for a while and I accepted it.  Since I have no choice, but to be a homebody, I have been burning a lot of candles lately.  My sister in law turned me on to WoodWick candles when she gave me one years ago as a gift and it was blessing and curse because a) they are awesome, b) they have a loud crackle that soothes my soul, c) I became addicted to candles, d) they are expensive (for for a candle).  Campfire Marshmallow is amazing!  

Eco Wix

Another brand I like that is a fraction of the price ($7.99) is Eco Wix.  You can find them at Home Goods and they burn for hours longer than the WoodWick candles, however, their crackle is significantly quieter to the point that sometimes you do not hear the noise at all.  I personally prefer the ambient noise of the WoodWick candles for studying and like I mentioned earlier I'm addicted to Campfire Marshmallow.   Eco Wix is a decent alternative, but I say shell out the cash and go for the WoodWick!  

Je adore Adore Me

And let's face it, he does too.

Adore Me is one of my new guilty pleasures (but patience my darlings...one at a time).  So what is this new pleasure of mine?  Well Adore Me is a website that features lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear, and robes, which you can buy outright for comparable prices, or you subscribe to their monthly plan and pick out any bra set, lingerie, sleepwear, etc. on the website, regardless of cost, for a flat fee $39.95.  This cost includes shipping and returns.

I first found out about Adore Me through Gilt City, where I got a great deal and was able to buy two items or sets from Adore Me for a steal ($20 each).  The only downside of this deal was that I could not return these items with the Gilt City promotional credit.  So I did what any sensible shopper would do and purchased first through Adore Me's own website  to see if the quality was good and if the bra would actually fit me, because most bras don't fit me.  Valentine's Day was coming up and I bought this little number:

Mandy Unlined

I'm not normally one to wear unlined bras, but this is beyond comfortable, flattering, and offers support for a large chest, while not making my headlights show.  It is the perfect amount of sexy, which still making me feel classy.  I ordered my regular bra and underwear sizes and both fit like they were made for me.  Wife tested, husband approved.

So then I went ahead and used my Gilt City credit to buy another bra and underwear set and pajamas:

Candy Contour

Matilda

Candy Contour bra is being saved for date night and I'm sure it too will be husband approved.  There is something about the vintage bra look that I find terribly sexy.  I'll report back once I try it on, but I'm too comfy in my Matilda pajamas.  The Matilda are soft, comfortable and keep me looking sophisticated while I get my lounge on.  My old target pajamas are going to have to go to donation heaven because these are here to stay and I have my eye on them in blue aka "Justina."  Good thing I have a $15 credit.  Whoop there it is.

The quality of these items seems to be on par with Victoria's Secret.  I can't comment on how these items will hold over the long term as I've only had them for a short period, but the pajamas alone are more substantial than my Victoria Secret pajamas, which are of similar material and style.  I will say that the Mandy unlined bra is more comfortable then any of my Victoria's Secret bras, but then again, Victoria's Secret doesn't target girls that are my size.  I'm normally one that buys Felina bras, but those get very pricey.

With the monthly plan you can:

• cancel at any time
• skip a month as long as you contact Adore Me by the 5th of each month.  If you forget to skip a month by the 5th, however, you get a credit to your account
• get a free item after you purchase 5 items 
• refer friends and receive $15 for each friend that signs up...your friends will get their first set for $20 if they sign up with your referral (you can sign up with mine by clicking here or below)
• shop for lingerie from the convenience and privacy of your home even if you are plus size or have a weird bra size like I do (Adore Me doesn't discriminate)
• take advantage of many specials that Adore Me offers (once again, see below)

I'm giving you the chance to sign up with my referral link and get your first item (bra set, corset, sleepwear, etc.) for $25 and hopefully you will be as happy as I am.  

Additionally, as of today, Adore Me is offering a special.  When you  buy 1 item you get 1 sale item free when you use code 2FOR1.