OOTD: Lace On Top

You may have seen that I picked up this lacy top last weekend at Zara on sale for $29.99 from $59.90 (I had my eye on it for awhile but didn't take the plunge, hoping for a sale!)

I wore it on Monday and I absolutely loved it.  Someone even asked me "why I was so dressed up on a Monday?"  I think this top has a dressier vibe and I love that it's a bit cropped because it looks great paired with a high-waisted pencil skirt.

Top- Zara
Tank (underneath)- Target
Skirt- Banana Republic
Shoes- Kate Spade
Necklace- NY Light Metals on Etsy.com

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: Saks, Lululemon, Zara

So I'm kind of excited right now because I just got flash seats to the NKOTBSB concert tonight. I was a HUGE BSB fan back in the day (I even met them in 8th grade!)  and I can't wait.  I totally forgot they were coming and then I saw all of these Facebook posts about it and I just knew I had to go. So I got myself some $25 seats way in the 400's but I don't care. I'm going to go alone and LOVE it!

My H and I went to the mall today. Among other things, I had some returns to make:

1. My white American Eagle shorts. I decided I wanted shorts that were a bit looser in the thigh area and those were fitted. They didn't look bad, I just found myself never feeling eager to wear them, so back they went!

2. My Tiffany bead bracelet---I exchanged it for a new one because the one I got turned a weird orange/gold shade after I wore it once for only like 5 hours. Not okay. So they gave me a new one and it's nice and shiny again.  The salesperson told me it could be because of lotions, etc...but I don't use lotion. I also bought Tiffany's silver polish/cleaner.

3. My NARS "Albatross" highlighter. Okay, so this one's weird.  I got it a few weeks ago and have been using it and love it...and then one day I open the compact and the entire thing just breaks into pieces. I hadn't dropped it or anything, it just broke into about 5 pieces.  So I exchanged it for a new one.

Okay, now to the actual purchases.  Well my friends, today was a good day, I must say. One of my dreams came true.  Several months ago (over 6 months at least) I saw this gorgeous BCBG dress at Saks Fifth Avenue but it was $388...plus tax, over $400. I couldn't justify it. 

So today, as we were leaving the mall (we always park at Saks), I see THE dress on the "extra 40% off rack."  It was marked down to $233.99, plus an additional 40% off.  Of course, nothing in life is perfect and the only sizes they had were a 2 and an 8.

The size 2 fit perfectly. It was like a GLOVE on my body. BUT...it was too short. Like so short I could never justify it because it could not be worn to any work-related events.  The dress is white, so I can't wear it to weddings, so it had to be long enough to work for a variety of occasions. The waist on the 8 was huge on me, but the length was PERFECT (it's always so hard for me to find party/formal dresses that are an appropriate length.)

So, I bought the 8 and I'm having it altered to fit in the waist area. It will have to be taken in several inches, but the length is just perfect on my 5'10 frame.

Here it is, in all its loveliness:

Edited to add this photo (I realized I had taken a picture of myself in the size 2 dress---so this is how it should fit once altered, but it will be longer!)

The dress cost $150 total, which I think is great considering the detail of the dress and that it was originally $400.

The second thing I got today are these ADORABLE shorts from Lululemon.  Since I work out so much, I'm building my collection so I can have more options and don't have to wash the same pair all the time.  These have a cute scalloping detail at the pockets and are a different material than most Lululemon shorts...the girls there called them "board shorts." They were marked at $58 but I think the price was wrong because I got them for $47. They are called the "Paradise Short Short," but something I actually love about them is that they are a little LONGER than most lulu shorts:

(Yes, my bellybutton has two holes in it. I regretfully had both the top and bottom pierced and now I have scars from it. I am having them fixed after I have kids, thank goodness!)

Lastly, I bought this pretty top from Zara. They are having their summer sale so it was reduced to $29.99 from $59.90.  I just love anything that looks sort of lacy...if you couldn't already tell...

Okay, I'm editing this entry AGAIN because I realized I forgot to add one purchase!  I got this adorable crochet-style bikini at Victoria's Secret!  As soon as I saw it in the swimwear section I knew I had to try it on. It's a bright pink crochet-style bikini (but lined with normal swimsuit material) and it had gold tie strings and there is a bit of gold woven through the crochet. So different and pretty.  The tie bottoms are very flattering too---especially for girls who are curvier and have hips!

Did YOU score any good deals this weekend? I noticed that a ton of stores were doing 40% off---Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, LOFT, etc...

I am looking forward to the 4th of July sales. We are going to Austin again but we will likely stop at the outlets on the way home because I always like to check out Kate Spade since they get new stock in pretty often and they usually do 40% off during holiday sales.

xoxo,

Veronika.

PS- Have you ever bought something that had to be altered? The only garment I've ever had altered is my wedding gown...so I don't know what to expect.

OOTD: Think (Hot) Pink!

When I put together this outfit, I had intended to wear heels, but I'm glad I didn't because the hot pink flats I wore ended up being super-cute with this look! 

Blouse- Zara
Skirt- Heritage Collection @ Banana Republic
Shoes- J. Crew

If you work outside the home, how many days per week do you wear flats versus heels?

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Mixing it Up

I've been noticing that some of my skirts feel loose on me lately....and I haven't really lost weight (at least I don't think so) but they seem to just not be as fitted as they used to be. While I'm happy my fitness is paying off and my body is getting more toned, I don't want to have to buy new skirts!  Maybe I can safety pin or clip them so they are a bit tighter at the waist.

I wore this outfit on Monday (I've been writing posts in advance which is why I'm a little behind on my days)

Top- Target
Skirt- LOFT
Cardigan- Zara
Shoes- Nine West
Necklace- F21
Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelet: Pandora

 

Hope you had a great day!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Shopping: Target, Zara, MAC

I usually post these on weekends, but we were so busy cleaning on Saturday and I didn't feel great Sunday so I decided to post this during the week.

I picked up a few things last Thursday when I went to the Galleria mall and a few things are from my wonderful mother in law.

Let's start with my lovely gifts from my mother in law. I was sad because I couldn't find either item below at my Target in the sizes I needed, and she was nice enough to check her Target for me and sure enough, they had em':

I also have this Mossimo top in a dark turquoise color. It fits lovely, has a racer style back and I love the little buttons and front pocket. Perfect for tucking into a skirt or wearing with skinny jeans.

This little romper from Target was too cute to resist but it was sold out everywhere in the smaller sizes, including online. My MIL was able to snag the last size small for me. It's so pretty and feminine. I believe she got in on the clearance rack, so check your local Target and you may have the same luck!

Next up, I visited Zara.  I bought a sweater and a dress---and I think it's the dress I will wear for my birthday this year:

I think the green dress is simple and pretty. I may even wear it to a beach wedding I'm going to in the fall.  Not sure yet, by then I may find something I like even more.  I'm actually on the hunt for a dressy maxi dress to wear to the wedding---since it's on the beach I think it could be lovely and I could just wear flat sandals and no one would even see my feet!

I also picked up this darling cardigan. I have been on the hunt for a neutral, oatmeal-colored cardigan for a good 3 months now. I've even bought and returned two of them that didn't quite meet the mark. This one is a keeper. I wore it on Friday and I absolutely love it.  The button detailing really adds a little something extra!}

I also picked up one of my favorite glosses at MAC---it's called "underage" and I've been wearing it for several years now. It's the perfect pinky-nude. I back-to-MAC'd this one so it was FREE!

Lastly, I picked up a pretty top from A'Gaci.  That store is a huge hit or miss for me, but this time, it was a HIT. I tried on several very cute items there---if you have one by you, definitely pay a visit to the store because they have REALLY cute summer tops, dresses, rompers etc in right now.  I was really impressed.  The shirt I got is from a higher end line they carry (a little pricier than their regular clothes) and I'm such a sucker for these peasant-style tops so when I find one this pretty I just can't resist!

I have no idea why I'm making this ugly scowl face, but here it is on, sort of:

So, that's the end of my little spree!  Hope you have a great night!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: The (Hot) Pink Skirt

It's nearly nine at night and I'm still awake after a grueling workout. It was one of those workouts that you almost didn't think you'd ever be able to finish without (gross) vomiting, but at the end of the workout I felt great (and I definitely ate some delicious dinner from Zoe's Kitchen which was awesome). I'm really enjoying the extra time my H and I get to spend together taking our workout class!

I finally broke out the Zara hot pink pencil skirt today. I'm a little sad because it's too big for me, but I think it looks okay. I may look into getting it altered so it fits a little better on my body because right now the waist is too big and so are the sides.

Top- Forever 21
Skirt- Zara
Cardigan- Express
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Necklace- Forever 21
Bag- Tory Burch Reva Clutch

Aside from the sizing issue, I love this skirt because it's so different from any other skirt I own in both color and tailoring.

I hope everyone has a great night and a happy Friday! I will be out celebrating a friend's birthday tomorrow so probably no posts until the weekend.  Thanks so much for reading!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: The Pink Skirt

I started my Saturday right with an AM workout. It's so gross in Houston today---hot, sticky...yuck!  The Final Four is happening here and it's a shame the weather is so sticky when there are so many people in town.

I did a little shopping today, but sadly, I haven't found the perfect spring shoes yet. I am SO over shoe shopping right now that I think I need to move to online shoe shopping because I'm so frustrated going to stores and trying on shoe after shoe and not finding anything I love (plus, it's a miracle sometimes if they even have the shoe I want in the size I want.)

Today wasn't a complete fail though, and it was all because of one joyous skirt.

A few weeks ago, I saw an incredible HOT PINK skirt at Zara. I knew I had to have it.  The problem? It was too short---definitely could NOT wear it to work. I said a little prayer that day at Zara, hoping the skirt would one day come in a pencil skirt style. For weeks, I went back and nothing and the shorter pink skirt had long sold-out. The lovely Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere even had THE pink skirt:

See Emily's Original Post-  Blending Brights on cupcakesandcashmere.com

At this point, I had sort of given up all hope for this skirt. It was gone...or so I thought.  Imagine my utter shock (and joy) today when I walked into Zara and saw ONE hot pink pencil skirt in the exact same color and fabric as the one above. Was it a mirage? Could it really be?

I picked it up...please be my size, please be my size, I thought. I turned around the tag and it was a Medium! I couldn't believe it. It was meant to be. I grabbed it and looked around me as if someone would come up behind me and snatch it away. Yes, I'm a little crazy. I couldn't actually believe that I had hoped the skirt would come out as a pencil skirt, and then it did, and I happened to be in the store when they had ONE left in MY size (okay, this reminds me of the time they had one pair of Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges in my size left in the entire store. Goodness gracious I'm a lucky gal!)

I tried it on, it fit, and to the register I went. There was just no way I could pass up it's awesome brightness.  For $79.90, it felt like a steal.

It has a slit at the front (don't worry, it doesn't show anything)

Does my new skirt remind you of anything (the colors are nearly identical in real life!)

Yes! It's just like my MbMJ handbag!  I can't wait to start carrying it again...I've just been hopelessly devoted to my Tory Burch bag lately because it's smaller and I've had a lot of events lately so it's easier for me to just bring the Tory bag.

That's all I got at the mall. When I stopped in at Target to pick up a few essentials I also got this pretty nightie.  It's by that Gilligan & O'Malley line:

It's super soft and comfy and the lace detail is very pretty!  It was $19.99 and I got a Medium.

Lastly, I stopped by Academy Sports today to pick up some shorts. I own some really cute Lululemon shorts, but they are too short for working out (I don't want to flash someone, if you know what I mean.)

Many people recommend the Nike Tempo Shorts, so I tried a few pairs on. I wasn't super-impressed with the fit (they just weren't that flattering, especially in the butt area where they just kind of bunched and sagged) but I was going to get a pair anyway because I needed longer shorts. My husband actually said "hey, why don't you try on a pair from the Under Armor brand?"  I'm so glad I did, because the Under Armors ended up being much more flattering of a fit and I just liked them better overall. They retail for $29.99 and I got a Medium.

I also picked up a foam roller for post-workout muscle rolling. It hurts so good.

Thanks for reading and for your patience. I know i didn't blog a lot last week because work and life just got very busy and I wanted to prioritize pushing myself back into my nightly workouts since I had skipped a week.  I'm pleased to say I went 5 days this week :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far!

xoxo,

Veronika.