Weekend Update!

Hi y'all,

So this past weekend ended on Thursday for me with leaving work a bit early(after lots of wonderful work birthday celebrations) to head to my parent's house. With the snow that fell on Tuesday, the roads still had some ice so I wanted to make it home before it got dark. While I was pulling into town I caught this sunset below. It was such a great reminder that God is the creator and even after a long day of work we can revel in the beauty of this earth.

After arriving home it was time for lovely home-cooked dinner, watching Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune, then watching Reign and Elementary before crashing.

Friday I was able to sleep in (after waking at 4:30 when some cats decided they wanted to walk all over me) and watch Live with Kelly & Michael before getting ready to head out for my birthday! My mom and I decided to hit the Old Navy where I got a pair of black flats and a nude pair of flats along with this dress. Then at Barnes & Noble, in the bargain book section I picked up Time Untime(in hardcover) and The Runaway Princess. After a nice lunch at Ruby Tuesdays and some Coldstone (I mean you have to indulge on your birthday) we headed over to Target. At Target I was able to find this beautiful scarf and picked up some other items that were necessary but I hate to buy bras so why not make them part of your present? Finally we ended at Marshall's where I got a bash and chop!

The evening ended with some Quiznos, skyping into book club, watching Say Yes to the Dress, watching Parental Guidance and opening up the rest of my presents to find a Vera Bradley large duffel in Baroque, Downton Abbey Series 1-3 on DVD, and a Willow Tree figure. 

Max and Lilly liked my present.

Saturday was a lazy day. It was raining outside so we spent the day in pajamas watching movies like Dolphin Tale on ABC Family and The Butler. We also made it to mass that evening and while we were going to go to a new Italian restaurant near my parent's house the wait was 40 minutes so we went to the Harris Teeter next door and got salads and ready made meals. Lazy Saturdays are the best.

Sunday was my last day at home so it began with homemade waffles, eggs and sausage. After breakfast I packed up my stuff while watching Say Yes to the Dress and my Mom and I watched Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters before I hit the road. Once back I hit the Aldi for some groceries and then unpacked, made dinner and watched Downton Abbey.

I would call the weekend as a nice relaxing time away! What did you do this weekend?

Some OOTDs

Hey y'all,

I was way to busy yesterday to post so I hope you understand! This past weekend I went home to visit my parents, got my hair cut (you can see the new 'do here), saw one of my best friends from high school, slept 10+ hours every night, cuddled with kittens. Then yesterday I left home to go to the dentist, drove back to Chapel Hill for a doctors appointment and then did the usual weekend things like clean my room, grocery shop all topped off with an amazing night of small group. So I hope you understand that blogging was kind of neglected but I will post my 30 days of thanks later for today and yesterday. Now onto what you really want, my daily life of outfits.

Exploring Duke Gardens
Top: Old Navy
Jeggings: Target
Boots: Belk
Scarf: Gift

Top: LOFT Outlet
Cardigan: Work provided
Pants: Target
Flats: Ralph Lauren
Bag: Philip Lim for Target (actually my Christmas present but I found it and gave it to my Mom to wrap)

Cami: Aeropostale
Cardigan: New York and Company
Skirt: Target
Scarf: Target

Zero Dark Thursday
Dress: Target
Cardigan: New York and Company
Shoes: Target
Bag: Kate Spade
Scarf: Light Years

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer
Scarf: JCP
Boots: Belk

My evening wear
Sorority Long Sleeve, Norts, Minnetonka Slippers

And I only captured one outfit from last week with Halloween and Casual Friday going on I was slacking Monday-Wednesday.

Cami: Aeropostale

Cardian: Target

Scarf: Target

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Franco Sarto at Marshalls

I am trying to break the cardigan+scarf+pants outfit that I always create this time of year, so what is your go to fall outfit for work? Where do you find the best work clothes at an amazing price?

Sunday Social {4} & Sayings

Happy First Day of JULY!
I can't believe June has come and gone and this blog is a whopping 2 months old. I'm so excited to see where the road goes on my journey post-college but as of right now I will continue with lots of inspiration and the usual Sunday "get-to-know Jessica" post.
The questions of the week: FASHION
1. What is your favorite store to shop at?If you looked at my clothes currently you would see a lot of college/sorority t-shirts and that is truly what I wear mostly since it was my go-to college look and my current retail job has a strict wardrobe so I don't purchase a lot of clothes currently. My top 5 stores would probably be: Old Navy/Gap(I love their basics and their jeans.)T.J. Maxx/Marshalls(I love a good deal)Target (hello cute affordable and great clearance section)Anne Taylor LOFT (I only go to the outlets. Frugalista here if you can't tell)J.Crew (Warehouse Sales....)I do also love small boutiques like Vestique and Francescas and department stores like Macys.
2. If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?This is so hard. I'm leaning towards J.Crew because it has a large range of everything, but I love Kate Spade accessories, and then there is always something more designer such as Ralph Lauren.

3. Must have closet staple?

This is a long list:

The perfect pair of jeans

A White t-shirt. Classic and can always be dressed up.

Black dress pants

LBD (or whatever color. Just something that makes you happy and you could wear for many occassions)

Cardigans

A blazer

A button down blouse

A Suit

Black Pumps

Flats

My Favorite would be a tie between jeans and cardigans.

4. Favorite kind of shoes? (brand or type)

Hmmm. This is hard since I love shoes but I will go with what you will most likely see me wearing on a daily basis(well not at work)...

Rainbow Flip Flops

5.Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find) 

Well, I would probably go with the dresses I have gotten from the J.Crew Warehouse Sales. There were two sales in the Chapel Hill area while I was in college there. One the January of my Junior year and the other the fall of my Senior year. The first year the dresses were $15 a piece and the second sale they were $20 but for the J.Crew Collection of dresses that was an amazing deal(sometimes over $200 a piece). I love to find deals on clothes( FRUGALISTA right HERE) but I think that was probably the best deal. But I also got my suit from Belk's this spring from $300 to $99 so I consider that one a good deal too.

Here are some of my J.Crew Warehouse dresses in action.

Big/Little pic at SemiFormal Fall 2012

Sorority Fam: Activation Fall 2012 (also worn for Formal 2011)

The Lorelei Dress at the Nutcracker December 2012
(I also have the Lorelei in silk in brown)

Graduation Dress

Formal 2012

Cotton Lorelei in White: worn for everything.

6.Style you'd love to try?

I'm not that adventurous in my style. I have always loved classic and simple so I would love to try something a bit more daring like a splash of neon here or there but nothing crazy.

Sunday Sayings: For your weekly does of Inspiration (rather Pinspiration)

What are your responses to the questions? Any suggestions for places to shop/bargain find?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Walk it Out

Hey y'all,

This weekend as I mentioned in my Monday post I stumbled upon some great deals at Marshalls. While I was looking for gifts for my Daddy, my best friend (graduation) or khakis for my retail job I found none of those things but 3 pairs of gorgeous ballet flats. While I have no occasion to wear them a whole lot since it is almost "officially" summer here in the south as well as the fact that I don't want to damage them at my retail job, I am a shoe addict and justified it by saying one day I will have an office job where I can wear these pretties to daily. 
ps. the job I was waiting to here back from was a no. Oh well, on to the next one.


Here's What I Got:

Jessica Simpson Pink Ballet Flats
Clearance: $28 

I love the pink color, jewels and bow. These will be perfect to add a pop of color to a plain outfit. I also love the fact that the top of the flats are square like a point shoe. 

LAUREN Ralph Lauren Amarissa Gold Leather Ballet Flats
Clearance $28.00 Originally:$69.00

The gold metallic color is the perfect neutral. The simple bow and design make it the perfect "everyday" shoe.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Pewter Ballet Flats
$35

These flats with the silver/blue colored sequins and jewels are enough of a neutral color for lots of wear but lots of fun and personality. 

I am so excited for my purchases and can't believe that I got some great flats at such great prices. Now to keep working on job applications!

Peace and Blessings,
jDl