Weekend Shopping: Pre-Birthday Haul

I had THE BEST shopping trip today.  I think it's because it's one week before my birthday so I got lucky!

I'm just glad the rapture never happened, because now I'll be able to wear all of these clothes!  (totally being sarcastic here). Here's the damage:

But first things first. Here's what I wore for my little shopping trip (which was pretty short, I was a gal with a plan on this shopping excursion!)

Top- A'Gaci
Shorts- American Eagle boyfriend shorts
Sandals- Steve Madden
Nails- Essie "Mint Candy Apple"

I received several comments today from randomly sweet strangers today about my embroidered shirt from A'Gaci so I'm really glad I got it because it really is such a pretty piece. I know there are tons of shirts like this in various stores, but this one had embroidery that felt a little different.

Okay, let's begin with my pre-birthday haul. I'll start with my Sephora & MAC purchases:

Living Proof- Straight---This product is said to help straighten hair and keep it straight---you can also use it to refresh your style the next day.  It also helps protect against humidity, which I need here in Houston.  I will review once I've had a chance to try it out.

I used 500 of my Beauty Insider points to get this Ole Henriksen skincare kit. I don't usually use my points but this line is amazing and I can't wait to try these products. I've already used samples of the Invigorating Night Gel before, and it's amazing.

At MAC, I picked up a StudioFix Powder foundation since I am running low (my color is C3, for anyone wondering).

Next on my shopping excursion, was a stop at American Eagle where I got a cute, loose striped top and some white shorts.

I believe the shorts were originally $36.90 and they were on sale for $24.95 and I got an additional 15% off my purchase because it's my birthday month. Woot! The pink top was $24.50.

Next up, I got these very cute workout shorts at Lululemon. Now that it's hot out, I need to wear shorts to work out, it's way too gross outside to wear pants.  They are the Run Speed Shorts. FYI Houston gals: a new Lululemon store is now open in the Galleria---it's near Macy's and across from Club Monaco.

You can't tell in the photos, but the waistband is actually baby pink with teeny tiny white stripes.  So cute!  I love these so much! I got them in a size 6, for anyone wondering.

Next up is this amazing hat that I got for $12.50 and cute feather earrings that were $6.00, both from Charlotte Russe.  The hat is perfect for the beach or pool (I hate exposing my face to the sun for long periods and always wear a big floppy hat). For $12.50, I just couldn't resist!

Next up, I got this pretty-in-pink top at Hollister Co.  I know that store is totally for teenagers, but it was too cute to pass up. I saw it on fellow blogger Heidi's blog and she just looked so great in it that I had to get one for myself.  You can visit Heidi's blog "As the Foreste Grows" here. She has the cutest little girl! This top was on sale for $29.50:

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I tweeted about THIS AMAZING TOP from Gilly Hicks Sydney a few days ago.  Well, after making my purchase at Hollister, the cashier hands me a coupon and says "this is valid for 20% off of your purchase at Gilly Hicks, today only." Perfect, I thought, I was just on my way over there to try on THE AMAZING TOP. Did they read my mind or what!?

This may seriously be my BEST and most favorite purchase so far this year.  It is SO pretty.  The 20% off didn't hurt either since it retailed for a steep $79.50. Behold:

I also got the sweet tank I'm wearing underneath it here.  It had a cool shape and was super-long, which I love. I got the tank in a large and the lacey top in a medium.

I am really excited to wear all of these lovely purchases! Finally, I leave you with Lulu. He got shaved down this week and he is obviously not very happy about it:

"where did my fuuurrr go mamma?"

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend! Let me know what you bought this weekend in the comments below! I tried to link all of my purchases in the text above, so if I'm missing something I probably couldn't find it online!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Navy, Pink & Gingham & Brazilian Butt Lift Mini Review

Happy Monday ladies! I hope you had a nice day today. I know things can be funny the first Monday back from a time change. I laughed on my drive home today because I realized that today is the first day that I forgot to wear my watch to work pretty much since I've had it.  What a coincidence!

I always love daylight savings because that extra hour of sleep really does make a difference for me. I like to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night.  I understand not everyone can get that much sleep because they have kids, but if you are childless, making sleep a priority is really important. It benefits how you look, how you feel and even your weight. Okay, off on a tangent there!

Before I get to today's outfit, I wanted to share a quick, mini-review on the Brazilian Butt Lift videos by Beach Body.  Beach Body seems to have a wonderful talent for finding the most annoying video hosts ever. From P90X to the Butt Lift series, all I want to do is mute the entire workout so I don't have to listen to the voices/comments/attempts to be funny/motivational. It's really just too much (though, if I had to pick, I'd rather listen to the Brazilian guy, at least he actually is sort of funny and doesn't constantly remind you how fat you are or how gross Big Macs are.)

Okay, so let's get down to the video. Yesterday I somehow managed to motivate myself to do a 5:30 PM workout in our guest bedroom/home gym.  I popped in the Brazilian Butt Lift 45 minute sculpting video and worked it out.  I am sore today. Genuinely sore. The video also makes you break a sweat.  The moves are a little fast---I had to kind of start some of them later than the people in the video because I had to get used to the moves and transitions.  For the sculpting video you need two free weights and a yoga mat (and uh...stamina.) Overall I felt like I got a really good workout and think this video is a great way to stay in shape between gym workouts. I should also mention that the sculpting DVD features a full-body workout (arms, abs, legs.)

Like I mentioned above, the video host is totally cheesy and the scenes of gyrating hips over and over is kind of overkill but it's a good workout, so I'll let it slide.

Moving on...

Shirt- Abercrombie & Fitch (in the clearance section!)
Cardigan- American Eagle Outfitters
Skirt- LOFT
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Bag- MbMJ
Necklace- Forever 21

I absolutely LOVE a bright pink and navy blue together. It's one of my fave combos lately!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Black & Blush Pink, Sephora F&F & American Eagle Jacket

This week just flew by.  On Tuesday I saw my trainer and last night my H and I went to see Jonsi (he's the lead singer of Sigur Ros, we love him!)  If you haven't heard anything be Sigur Ros, I recommend checking them out.  They are a band from Iceland and have a very unique sound.  We even played their music at our wedding. You can see a video from last night's performance on my YouTube page if you're a fan!

I wanted to share with you ladies what I picked up at the Sephora F&F sale:

I got Benefit's "eye bright" pencil (mine is running low), the Philosophy Microdelivery Mini Peel (I've never used these) and a Victor & Rolf Rollerball Perfume in "FlowerBomb" which is my next favorite scent to Marc Jacobs Daisy, which I wear everyday.  I also got a few samples with my order.

Did you pick up anything from Sephora's F&F?

Here is my OOTD for today. Black and soft blush pink:

Top-  Ann Taylor
Skirt- Banana Republic
Necklace- Forever 21
Cardigan- White House Black Market
Shoes- Jessica Simpson

On Sunday I took advantage of the last day of the 20% off sale at American Eagle and ordered this olive-colored parka.  It's lined with faux fur and is really warm (which surprised me.)  The online reviews say to go UP in size, but I ordered both a medium and large and the large was too big on me (I'm returning it). The medium was perfect so I would stay with your regular size.

so warm and cozy!

Though it's more casual, I plan to take this to Paris when we go in addition to my longer wool coat.  It's really warm and is cute for a more casual look.  I love the fur on the hood. When I lived in Canada I had this awesome, long, down-filled white parka with fur on the hood and I loved it.  We don't usually need coats that heavy in Houston so I didn't bring it with me when I moved.  I don't miss winter, but I do love jackets!

Hope everyone had a great week so far!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Navy Blues

Hello ladies! Sorry this post is so late tonight. I just got back from working out with my trainer. I feel both exhausted and exhilarated. I also did some cardio today which was great. I really have to work on building my endurance. Skinny is no fun when you're weak.

I decided to bring my iPhone with me to use as an iPod for the cardio portion of my workout and it occurred to me that I could watch YouTube videos while I worked out. I used to watch E! News at the gym to keep my mind off of cardio (because I hate it) and the YouTube videos worked great! I was able to catch up on some of my favorite beauty guru's new videos all while breaking a sweat...I mean glisten. 

I ordered some stuff over the weekend from American Eagle and sadly, two of the items have to go back. I got a sweater (they sent the wrong color and I didn't love how it fit) and skinny jeans (their sizes are inconsistent so those didn't fit me either.)  But I did get one cute item. Just a simple navy blue cardigan that I wore today. Here is my outfit:

Shirt- Forever 21
Cardigan- American Eagle
Skirt- Target
Belt- J. Crew
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Bag- MbMJ
Necklace- Forever 21

Before I go, I just want to say I am completely humbled and amazed by the incredible readers I have. Thank you to every single person who took the time to write a heartfelt comment on my last post. It really means a lot to me that you support me and care enough to comment---so thank you!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: (Thank God for AE's Boyfriend Shorts), Essie's Pink Parka & Homemade Cards

What a random post title, huh? So much happened today that I didn't quite know what to call this post, but I'll start at the beginning.

I got to meet one of my LOVELY blog readers today.  She had bought several items from my blog sale and since she also lives in Houston we decided to meet at a local Starbucks.  Ilham is the most awesome girl.  I just clicked with her right away! She was so sweet (and stylish, of course).  It was a very fun experience! I sometimes wish I could just take all of my favorite bloggers and blog readers, move them to where I live and we could all be best friends. 

After I met up with Ilham, my husband and I went to DSW because I had to return some shoes.  I stumbled upon these COACH flip flops, and although I usually don't like COACH's  overly-logo'd items, I liked these because 1. they have a cute heart on them and 2. they have support to them instead of just being completely flat and after my episode two weeks ago of hardly being able to walk after wearing flip flips for 5 hours, I was looking for something that will offer a little extra support but still had the flip flop look. I think they're cute to just wear casually, for running errands, etc (excuse the splotchy feet, I forgot to use the barrier cream during my spray tan):

Next up, we went to the Galleria so I could buy my lovely best friend some lovely birthday presents. I have to keep it a secret because I won't see her until tonight and she may read this, but here's a little preview of my wrapping job: (the presents aren't all from VS I just used the boxes)

Pretty, huh? I LOVE VS's boxes and bags. They are so cute! I especially love how they change the bags out during the holidays.

Next up, I was once again sucked in by Zara and just as I was leaving I spotted this lovely loose-fitting tunic dress.

It was on sale, of course, and you know I can't say no to a pretty, versatile tunic dress.  It's perfect for more casual days at work or for running errands. I even joke with my husband that it's an "investment piece" because I'll wear it when I'm pregnant too! LOL.

Then, I got THE boyfriend shorts. I say THE because the lovely Chloe and BeautyGirl24 have raved about these American Eagle shorts and the moment I put them on I knew EXACTLY why. So thank you CHLOE and BeautyGirl24 for telling me about these because I'm seriously in love with how cute and flattering they are!

They're longer than traditional short shorts and they look great with both flats and heels...perfection!

And yet another thanks to Chloe I picked up Essie's PINK PARKA nail polish last week and finally put it on my nails last night and it's LOVE. It's an incredible formula (I only needed 2 coats) and it is literally highlighter neon PINK! I absolutely love it and though it might seem jarring to some, I think it's cute and flattering.  I used my Seche Vite Topcoat over it because the polish actually dries matte.

I'm not sure the photos show it, but they are way bright in real life, but in a good way. If you're looking for a great true hot pink, this is for you.

Before I go I wanted to share a fun little DIY project I did today.  Our neighbors are having their first baby soon and our other friends are celebrating their sons first birthday next week so we got them some gifts and when I got home I realized we had forgotten to get them cards. So I went to my craft drawer, got out my scissors, pearlized paper, leftover wrapping paper and came up with these home-made cards:

...and the gifts ( I suck at wrapping but I decorate to distract from the badly wrapped edges):

Both cards took only minutes to make :) I was proud of my creative little problem-solving!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! Tomorrow H and I are going to go see Inception. We heard it's really good.  We are also going to drive around and look at houses and see if there are any open houses. We aren't ready to move just quite yet but we want to see what's on the market and all that good stuff.

Update- I totally forgot to add this purchase to my blog post...this cute $16.99 dress from Target! How could I forget?

xoxo,

Veronika.

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