Shopping Made Simple

I know we all love Forever 21. Such cute finds for so cheap. But sometimes I get overwhelmed. There are just SO many items in the store that it can be difficult when I see something I like online and I try to find it in the store. There are so many times that I wish I just can place an order to my nearest store so that I can go in and try on the clothes before purchasing them. Wouldn't that be so convenient?





Aren't these tanks fun and fresh... paired with a high swing skirt or high waisted shorts? I really liked these retro glasses one of their models sported too. If only shopping were this easy. :P

Ideeli

I'm sure a lot of us have heard of sites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La where you can get designer items at a deep discount. Recently I got an invitation to Ideeli. I figured I'd check it out to see what kind of items come up on their sales events and how much of a discount there is.

It's probably not a good time for me to be shopping, being a recent graduate and having no source of income. I feel like all I do these days is shop. Maybe it's the Jersey girl in me or maybe it's because of all the great sales there are this time of year. I went to the Mall at Short Hills yesterday. I saw a darling Longchamp satchel that I wanted once before, it was originally $1200 and on 'sale' for $800. Sigh, don't worry, I didn't buy it. And while my mom was the reason we went into Victoria's Secret to look at some bras, I was the one who came out of the store with two shopping bags! I got a couple of bras, a handful of panties, a swimsuit and a yoga outfit... all for $130! Not bad right? Well, that's what I'm telling myself.

So anyway, I was looking at the Ideeli site today, and I saw this amazing sale on ABS dresses at prices up to 90% off! I saw a couple that I liked but my size was all reserved/sold out already. The sale had just started this morning! It's amazing how quickly things happen on the internet. I put myself on the waiting lists and before you know it I got an email saying they had some dresses in my size available. I immediately placed an order because I knew how quickly they would be gone. So I am now a proud owner of yet another little black dress, one that I paid $52 including shipping and tax that used to cost $328. Pretty decent deal if I say so myself.



To check out these designer discounts, visit these invitation links:
Gilt Groupe
Ideeli
Rue La La

Tea Parties & Dresses

I've seen a lot of inspiration surrounding tea parties these past couple of days so I thought I'd write a post about it. It started with this dress that I bought from Forever the other day. It's called the Tea Party Dress and I didn't bother trying it on because the line for the dressing room was a bit long and I was feeling lazy.

{Source: Forever21}

It's really cute and has a fun A-line with a natural waist. I am thinking of returning it though because it's quite short and seemed somewhat inappropriate for my age. Perhaps girls younger would look adorable. I think I also would have wanted something less plain, maybe some kind of pattern to make it more festive.

Yesterday, I went to the dentist's office with a friend and while I waited I picked up a copy of last month's FamilyFun. There was an article about celebrating Mother's Day with your daughter and other mother/daughter friends. They had sweet ideas for decor and suggested treats like cupcakes and petit fours. While this seems a tad far into the future, I do envision my bridal shower themed as a tea party/brunch... But that won't be anytime soon either. :P

{Source: Beaucoup}

And finally, as I was checking my daily reads (and I forget exactly where I saw it) but I came across Etsy seller sohomode, who makes these uber feminine and whimsical tea dresses. I thought of my dear friend and fellow blogger Beautiful Day who loves tea parties. I hope we can plan one together someday! :) I thought you might like her dresses so I definitely had to post this.

{Source: sohomode}

Before I go, I did want to ask for some help from my girls who follow this blog. I bought this super fun, ballerina-esque skirt when I was in Korea. It is much like the one pictured below with the black band but in a lighter ballet pink color. I just can't think of what to wear with it. Korean girls tend to wear oversized tees with this but I don't think I can do that. I was thinking a simple black tank or maybe even my leotard with leggings? I don't know if all that black would be too much against the skirt. And it is a bit see through even with the satin lining underneath.

{Source: Forever21}

What do you girls think?

For the Love of Food

For another 6 weeks and couple of days, I am trying my best not to eat any meat. This isn't really for any religious or dietary reason. It's because I'd like to be supportive of a friend and share in the pains of not eating meat. I think I can be strong and go without for just a little while. I don't think I'll be perfect considering the traveling I'll be doing and the family gatherings I have to attend and while it won't make much of a difference, I hope the effort means something. It hasn't been too difficult as of yet. I don't really crave meat or eat it in large portions to begin with, it just gets a little hard because your food options are lessened greatly.

So today, I wanted to share a couple of food blogs that I love. One is a favorite of my roommate who is now in Shanghai and I believe she can no longer see the photos because Flickr is blocked in China. :( She's tried so many of her great recipes which all turn out lovely. It's a must visit, smitten kitchen. It even has a fun surprise me! link which randomly directs you to one of her delicious recipes. Her photos are so inspiring, even to the undomesticated kind, like myself.

Martha's Mac & Cheese

Something so great about the blogging community is that you are somehow attached to some of the blogs you read even if you may not know the author personally. When they share news of an engagement or relocation to a new home and in this blog's case, news of a baby on the way, you can't help but be really happy for them and it's exciting to follow their updates as well.

The next blog, I just found today on Snippet & Ink, it's called La Tartine Gourmande and just the name itself drew me to the site because my favorite dishes from France were les tartines! Another site with great photos, there are also gluten-free and vegetarian recipes. I love that everything looks not too indulgent and proportioned for a tummy like mine.

Tartelettes Aux Pommes et Aux Coings

{photos credited to blog authors}

Oh, and please do remind me to do updates from my past Restaurant Week adventures. I always tell myself to do so when I look at the notes I keep in my phone but they never seem to make it onto my blog!

AE's Ruffle Dress

I've barely shopped at American Eagle since high school but I still get their occasional e-newsletters. I randomly check to see if there is anything worth checking out on their website and today I came upon this. AE's #3 on their Top 10 Must Have List.

The Ruffle Dress.



I've been looking for a white summer dress for quite some time. I saw a couple at Forever that I liked but they never had my size. And again, AE doesn't have my size on their website. I'll have to keep my eye out when I go shopping to see if they have any in stores.

One of our cousins is throwing an uber chic white party for his housewarming and this would be perfect for the occasion! Paired with flat leather sandals, it's a look that is absolutely effortless!

Sexy Summer Suits

Summer is here and I saw a post on WeddingbeePRO that was not so wedding-related and it got me thinking about swim suits. It featured a retro one-piece much like this first suit. I love the shape, so classic, very Marilyn Monroe.



I began to realize how little we all wear when we go out to the beaches these days and how crazy women get trying to get in shape for summer. It's one of my goals to eat healthy and get in shape but not for the reason of looking good in a swim suit. While I'm young, I figured I have to start maintaining a better lifestyle that will help me stay fit as I get older.

While I don't see myself in these kinds of suits quite yet, I'm so glad that there are stylish options for all body types and ages. I tend to be extremely self conscious and critical about my body even when I am still lucky enough to be considered thin and walk around in skimpy suits myself. I would kill for a body like Adriana so I could look good in a glamorous suit like this. But wouldn't we all?



I've been wanting a one piece much like this last one and since it's on sale, I might get it. It's very modern and flattering with the cut outs at the waist. I think I would feel less exposed in something like this and yet still sexy for summer.



Photos courtesy of Victoria's Secret.