Mix and Match from the Past

Posted on September 4, 2014 by alexnguyen

This school year has found itself to be busier than ever! I won’t bore you with education jargon, but let’s just say that I already broke my “no working from home” policy. Busy life = no time to waste planning a super trendy outfit. So here’s to a mix and match outfit from the past (Faux Fur, Stripes and Blue).

**Tip: Spice up an old outfit with a pretty scarf! 🙂

Skirt: Thrifted via Crossroads – Similar // Top: Free People via Buffalo Exchanged – Similar {on sale!} // Scarf: Madewell – favorite! // Belt: Anthropologie – Similar // Cuff: Kate Spade // Bracelet: J. Crew

Have a wonderful Thursday and thanks for reading!

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Another Day, Another Dress

Posted on July 23, 2014 by alexnguyen

I don’t know what it is about yellow and cobalt, but I absolutely love the combo. Hence this is the second post with the same color combo, and maybe even a third one on the way! 😉

The dress I am wearing today is an old Anthropologie find. I usually wear this dress for more formal occasions, but if you haven’t noticed, I like to convert nice dresses into more everyday wear. More bang for your buck, right?

1. The Red Brocade // 2. Wicked in Green // 3. Hat Happy

And you’re probably sick of seeing me style this denim jacket, but don’t you think it’s a great way to casual-fy a dress or to throw on for a nice summer/spring look?

1. Pink Lemonade // 2. The Tulle Skirt // 3. Itty-Bitty Polka Dottie

Dress: Anthropologie – Similar $284 or THIS one for $99 // Denim Jacket: Thrifted – Similar $70 // Shoes: J. Crew – Similar $33 // Purse: Coach // Necklace: Talbots – Similar $38 // Bracelets: J. Crew , Forever 21 // Cuff: Crystal Hexagon Cuff from INPINK $18 // Belt: Thrifted from Crossroads

Because I just recently moved to a new place and am a new professional, I need to watch my spending a little. No more purchasing to keep up with the latest trends, no more emotional shopping, and no more thoughtless buys.

To help control my spending, I always ask myself three questions before I swipe the card:

1. Is it versatile? {whether or not I can dress it up or down, multiple seasons}
2. Do I have at least 5 items already in my closet to mix & match with it?
3. Do I LOVE it? {emphasis on the LOVE, not just like}

What are some questions that you ask yourself before you purchase something?

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Splurge vs. Save + J.Crew Giveaway!

Posted on July 9, 2014 by alexnguyen

Today I am excited to share with you my participation in Credit Card Insider’s Challenge “Splurge vs. Save” campaign!

Who says you need to spend a fortune on a fabulously chic outfit? Between bills, student loans, and a desire for travel expeditions, who has the money to spend on clothes like there’s no tomorrow? I certainly don’t. I’ve been in love with Olivia Wilde’s style for awhile now and I thought she’d be the perfect “Splurge vs. Save” inspiration.

Her Look
Dress: Ella Moss $188
Leather Moto Jacket: Unknown
Bag: Gucci ($2190)
Sneakers: Uknown

My Look
Dress: Crossroads $15
Jacket: Crossroads $30
Black Bag (that I have but totally forgot – Last seen here): Crossroads $60
Sandals: Gifted

**Keep scrolling for my chevron dress and jacket picks ALL UNDER $50

My Picks:

Dress: Charlotte Russe $25 // Overstock.com $37 // Dorothy Perkins $35

Jacket: Mango $40 // ASOS $44 // Free People $50 {sale VEGAN LEATHER)

My tips on saving:
NEVER buy something full price
WAIT till the end of the season
SURF through the sales rack
VENTURE to thrift stores in rich neighborhoods
Be AWARE of the extra savings events

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Now for the giveaway! I am co-hosting with some other fabulous bloggers to give away a $300 gift card to one of my favorite stores — J. Crew!

The giveaway is NOW until July 23rd. The more entries you complete, the more chances you have to win! Good luck!

GIVEAWAY ——- CLICK HERE FOR THE RAFFLECOPTER!

Prizes: $300 J. Crew Gift Card

Co-hosts: Lush to Blush // A Labour of Life // Comfortably Young // Notoriously Dapper // Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog // Just Peachy Blog // Miss Erin Says // alex à la mode // Pretty Thrifty // [oomph.] // Mass Musings // Southern Girl Ramblings // StushiGal Style // Simply Sinova // Skip to the Details // Prosecco & Plaid // Snippets With Alex

Organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 7/23 and is open worldwide.

**Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

Yellow Blues

Posted on July 2, 2014 by alexnguyen

I don’t know about you, but dressing up for work in the summer is such a pain in the butt. I’ve been getting lazier and lazier in dressing professional for my summer gig. Seriously though, yesterday I came in jeans and a top that made me look even more like a high school student. I was overwhelmed by dissatisfaction about my style choices yesterday, so I decided to step it up a slight notch today — wrinkly pencil skirt and wrinkly button up top.

Hopefully my shoes will be the forgiving factor.

Shirt
Wearing: Thrifted Old Navy – Similar

Skirt
Wearing: J. Crew Factory – $37.50

Shoes
Wearing: J. Crew – Similar

Necklace / Ring / Bracelet / Watch
Wearing: Trendy Trinket / Rings & Tings / J. Crew / Michele

Oh, and if you haven’t checked out my Shop yet, do it! 🙂

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Crop Top Wanna Be

Posted on June 26, 2014 by alexnguyen

I found this great polka-dot top at Crossroads and thought to myself “Let’s be a little daring and maybe, just maybe, wear it with shorts for a cute mid-drift-showing summer look.” Yea, I think my conservative self died for a second and was resurrected the moment I took it out of my closet to wear the next day. But no problem, good thing I had a high waisted skirt to pair it up with. Purchase saved.

Top // Shoes
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks: Shirt found @ Nordstrom! $36 // ALDO $90

Skirt
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks: Anthropologie $40 {sale!} // ModCloth $60 or THIS one for $50

Flower Ring // Bow Ring // Bracelet // Necklace
Wearing: Vintage // Rings and Tings // J. Crew – Similar // Garage Sale

Purse
Wearing: Vintage Coach

Watch
Wearing: Michele

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Happy Thursday and keep me in your prayers seeing that tomorrow I am hiking Half Dome!

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And I know I haven’t really been keeping up with TST….this week is Florals. I had polka dots. Close enough. 😛

Spoolish // Sandpaper Kisses // Sincerely Miss J // Confessions of a Refashionista // Lipstick and Yarn

Aligator Toe // The Two Cent Chick // Buttons and Birdcages // Eclecticity // Being Zhenya

Erika’s Style Diary // Sistas From Cali // Bethie the Boo // Rachel’s Lookbook // Muddy Flowers

Fun Florals

Posted on June 19, 2014 by alexnguyen

And teaching summer school has begun! I keep forgetting my reasoning for signing up to teach summer school. Maybe it was the fear of boredom, habit of busyness, or just the lost of my sanity, but I did. At least I have an excuse to dress up! 🙂 Haha, but honestly, it’s not so bad thus far. I’ve got great kids who are so eager to learn and that’s all a teacher could ask for.

So about this outfit…probably my new favorite summer work outfit. I decided to keep it casual with jeans but dressed it up with this great floral blazer that I found at DenM during my vacation in Redlands. (Scroll down for similar options!)

Blazer
Wearing: DenM Boutique
My Picks: ASOS (too many good picks to choose from!) // Windsor $34 // Boohoo (many affordable choices!)

Shirt
Sleeveless Shirt c/o Boden (sale $40)

Jeans
Wearing: American Eagle $44

Shoes
Wearing: Norway Sandals by MIA {sale $50}

Purse
Wearing: Abaco Paris

Bracelet
Wearing: J. Crew – Similar {30% off with code HISUMMER}

Rings // Pocket Watch
Wearing: Vintage // Wrenn Jewelry // Flea Maket

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Thanks so much for stopping by and don’t forget to follow me on other social media! 🙂

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Maximize the Maxi

Posted on May 19, 2014 by alexnguyen

I love adding pieces to my wardrobe that is easy to mix up and dress up for different occasions. It’s all about maximizing what you’ve got already, especially when you’re just starting out in the professional world.

Roe Boulevard was kind enough to let me try out their Remember Me Maxi Dress {50% off your purchase using the code LUCKY50} which I instantly knew had so many different possibilities. With just a change of the outerwear, you can go from a beach day, to a city stroll, or to a work day as easy as one, two, and THREE.

Just add some delicate lace or crochet to the mix to bring out the girl in a casual outfit.

For an even more laid back look, just throw on a chambray and head out the door.

You can’t wear pajamas to work, but you can get pretty close by just throwing a soft blazer on top of a maxi!

Dress
Remember Me Maxi Dress c/o Roe Boulevard
40% off your purchase using the code LUCKY40

Lace Top
Thrifted @ Crossroads
My Picks:

Chambray
Wearing: Madewell
My Picks: Old Navy $24 // J. Crew $78 [25% off right now using code PACKME] // ASOS $79

Blazer
Wearing: Anthropologie [Similar]

Cream heels (from third look)
Thrifted from Crossroads

Jewelry
1) Anthropologie
2) Rings & Tings // Wrenn Jewelry
3) Talbots

And lastly, because maxis has a tendency to hide the footwear, do take note of these perfect summer sandals 🙂

I could hardly believe how comfy and cute these were! Yes, my jaw dropped. Yes, I keep raving about them. And yes, my feet are without a doubt happy.

Wedges
Yulia c/o Born Shoes

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Have a spectacular Monday!

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”Lisa

Wicked in Green

Posted on May 8, 2014 by alexnguyen

What happens when you have a dress made from heavier fabric that’s perfect for winter but it is currently spring? Well, don’t you dare push it to the back of your closet! Put on that dress, grab a denim jacket, throw on some bright accessories and some light colored shoes, and no one will know the difference!

So a little about this dress…I’m kind of in love with it 🙂 The emerald green caught my eye as well as the peek-a-boo striped panels. I think it gives a little something extra, don’t you think? And let’s talk about this silhouette. The midi length and cinched waist keeps the dress classic and chic. It doesn’t need much to dress up this beauty. I can’t wait to style this dress up, down, during winter, fall…oh the possibilities.

Make sure to check out Crystalie and their gorgeous collection of apparel!

Dress
Hidden Motive Dress c/o Crystalie

Denim Jacket
Wearing: Thrifted (Gap)
My Picks: Gap $79 // Lulu*s $129

Shoes
Wearing: Thrifted (Cathy Jean)
My Picks: Sole Society $65 // Shoe Mint $80

Necklace
Wearing: Talbots
My Picks: Benevolent Jewels $42 (use code SAACODE20 forextra 20% off! ) //
J. Crew $138

Rings
bought them while in Nepal

Clutch
Wearing: H&M $10

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Last random thought: I don’t know if you’ve been watching Once Upon a Time, but I’ve got to say that I’m enjoying the new twist with the Wicked Witch of the West.

Have a wondrously wicked Thursday!

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Last last random thought 😛 – I didn’t participate in Thrift Style Thursday this week but do check out my lovely friends who styled animal print thrifty finds. I’m not “LION” when I say they “sNAILED” it!

Yes, I’m really this corny.

Buttons and Birdcages // Spoolish // Sandpaper Kisses // Sincerely Miss J // Confessions of a Refashionista // The Two Cent Chick // Snippets with Alex // Eclecticity // Being Zhenya // Erika’s Style Diary // Sistas From Cali // Bethie the Boo // Rachel’s Lookbook // Muddy Flowers // Lipstick and Yarn // Aligator Toe

Snake Bite

Posted on April 21, 2014 by alexnguyen

Why hello there! Hopefully you had a wonderful restful weekend celebrating Easter with your families and are ready for this new week! Personally, I’m not. Between late night movies, “Frozen” karaoke sessions with the little ones, Easter church services, and procrastination efforts, I’m in need of another weekend! Let the countdown begin!

Okay, so about my outfit. I usually steer clear from animal print because sometimes it’s a little too edgy for me, but I am quite fond of this Snake Print Top from Norka. The neutral color and silky fabric makes this top very versatile and the shape makes it easy to wear, no matter your body type. Be on the look out for more stylings of this sweet baby. 🙂