52. The Horrendous Blogger

Greetings readers!

This post is properly titled as The Horrendous Blogger, for I am just that. I'm not entirely sure if it's laziness (which it probably is), or forgetfulness (ditto on that). I won't even state this time, "I promise I'll be better," or the "Let's try routines," for I clearly do not stick to them and frankly, both of those are just plain excuses.

Life Update due to Slacker Blogger.

A quick run-down of what's been going on lately:

• Since my last post, or better yet, since December 24th, when I decided to change my life (in a small part at least), I've dropped 15 pounds! Woohoo! Probably shouldn't be all excited, since I'm sitting here having 2 slices of cold pizza for a quick lunch haha. :) *Side note: I prefer my pizza to be cold lol.*
• I'm still at the same job, still as a contract, and still being highly underpaid for a new role that came into play as of January 1st. I've been interviewing, but alas, no new job yet. 
• One of my very good friends recently became single, so naturally the first thing you do is book an All-Inclusive Vacation to Cancun with 4 of your girlfriends. August 5th, I'm ready for you!! :)
• Fun adventures lately: Worked on a yacht for a day; Went for a dingy ride around Newport Harbor with my best-friend; Saw The Impractical Jokers live in Staten Island, NY (first time to Staten Island, too!); went down to the Cape for the first time in like 10 years; and just frequent visits to Newport. 

So that's life in a nut shell! 

Monthly Budgeting? Oof!

With the current role, as I previously noted, I am highly underpaid. Plus, life in Boston is very much above my means. It's time to start budgeting more appropriately. One of my favorite bloggers, J from J's Everyday Fashion, always sets a monthly budget. My blogroll as of late, is getting a bit out of control. I always find new bloggers, due to guest postings, or Pinterest. From every new blog, comes a new article of clothing, or a fabulous accessory that I just long and die to have. J's Budgets seem like something I need to do. Here are steps and tricks:

1. Your budget is based off of 2-8% of your yearly take-home income. 
2. Once you have an idea in mind, then factor in your family- since I'm single, I don't need to worry about budgeting for a husband and/or kids.
3. Factor in your job. If you work in a certain environment, you may need certain attire. My work is business-casual. 
4. Factor in your financial goals. Are you trying to buy a house? Right now, for me that is, that isn't a concern. Renting is fine for the time being.
5. Factor in your values. Some people want to save for traveling, or for charities. I have a LOVE for travel, so this is definitely something I'll need to take into consider!
6. Shopping Habits. What a hard thing to answer! You have to factor in whether you shop all year long (in which case a monthly budget is decided), or if you only shop at selective times. Since I clearly shop constantly, a monthly budget will be best for me!
7. Once you have your ideas in mind, create a wishlist for that month. Items you may be eyeing. It will help you stay on target! This will be crucial for me, since I find myself often buying less statement/ simple/ every-day items, and more pieces that are fun, vibrant and unique. It's all said and good, but you need those statement items, too!
8. If you have a monthly budget of $200, but only spend $150, carry that $50 over and use it at another time! Perhaps on that vacation you've been dying to plan. ;)
9. Lastly, "Return overages. Let's face it, sometimes our eyes are bigger than our wallets. No biggie. Whenever this happens to me, I go through my purchases that month and pick a few things to return. If I really, really love them, then I take them out of next month's budget, or I simply go back and buy them next month." I obviously need to do this more often haha.

With that said, July's wishlist!

Based off of J's tips, I can spend roughly $200 a month: a.k.a. $2,400 for the year. As previously noted, I LOVE a lot of the items that bloggers are featuring in their daily posts. I save whatever ones I'm lusting after in folders on my browser: one for Accessories/Other (everything except Clothes), and then one for Clothes. Every couple of weeks, I weed through the items and figure out if I'm (a) still loving it enough to purchase it, (b) if the item is still in stock, or (c) if the item is on sale. By keeping everything all in one place, it really helps me weed out just an item I want "in the now," or an item that I can actually see myself purchasing. (Thankfully you don't see how long it takes to create a post, for I just did 2.5 hours worth of weeding through things I didn't want. It wasn't completely 2.5 hours for I was multitasking with other things, but close to it!)

1. Anastacia Dress - $40
I am loving this Black and White Striped Dress. I'm trying to focus more on statement pieces and I feel as though this could definitely be it. It's something I can wear in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the Spring and Summer with Flats, and in the Fall with Boots. One of my favorite Bloggers, Robyn from Cleverly, Yours is actually the one featured in this photo!

2. J Crew Factory Earrings -  $14.50 (on sale)
These earrings, normally $32.50, are on sale for $14.50. Woohoo! If you look at Robyn's earrings in the Anastacia dress, they're very similar to these. These earrings will be very versatile. Plus, I have a beautiful coral summer dress and these little beauties will complement it perfectly!

3. Nude Bow Sandals - $30
A couple of years ago my friend got the most darling pair of bow sandals from V. Secret and I could not hide my jealousy. With my upcoming trip to Cancun, I'm thinking these will need to be in the suitcase!

4. & 5. Bowed Ballet Flats - $18 each ($36 total, originally $42 each!)
I currently own a similar pair of black ballet flats from Urban Outfitters and I wear them constantly! Urban Outfitters had a tan pair too, but I opted to only buy the black. I don't think I'm going to buy both of these pairs, but definitely the tan.

Total Budget Used: $102.50 
(Assuming I don't buy the black lace flats).

Happy Holidays, all!

50. The Things for Thursday

Greetings readers!

I think one of my favorite posts to you all lately is The Things for Thursday segment. Call me "Materialistic," I don't care! I love shopping, I love the thrill of it, I love all of the endorphins from it... sorry, but it makes me happy. Plus, I love the thrill of the hunt and finding wonderful things that intrigue me and all of you. Remember my crazy hunt for my bubble umbrella (here and here)?! Enough said.

The Things for Thursday

1. The Moss Bathmat

For those of you that don't know me very well, I HATE showering. Yes, you heard that right. Perhaps I just hate the readying process, but nevertheless, it's not one of my favorite things to do. Ask my roommates, they think I'm crazy. Let me make this clear though, I do shower on the daily and also after my workouts. Yes, I'm clean. :) ... end rant.

If I had this awesome Moss Bathmat, I feel like entering and exiting the shower, would be miraculous. It looks so soft and smooth. Perhaps a natural exfoliant? Now, I just need to track down where to actually purchase one! The Obsessed Woman Strikes Again, Part 2?

2. Laundry Signs

Being a "blogger" (or attempting to be- you pick!), you have to have a knack for writing, which I most certainly do. Catch phrases excite me to no end, so once I saw these signs originally via Pinterest, it just had to be included in this week's post! 

As I've mentioned earlier in the week, I'm hoping and praying my *BIG* move comes true and if so, I'd love to have this in my laundry room. Is it sad that I often reward myself if all of my socks from a load of laundry come out matched? With the "Lost Socks" sign, maybe they'll one day join up with their mate. I've also seen this variation of a "Lost Socks" sign, which I absolutely love, too.

3. Break the Ice

One of my favorite bloggers, Miss Robyn from Cleverly Yours, posted her Wednesday Wishlist items yesterday and I loved the coffee traveler that was included. I clicked the link and it's currently unavailable, but then it brought me to this fabulous "Break the Ice" cup. 

One of my good friends from college is a fitness and nutritional guru, having lost around 50 lbs, and she recently started a Facebook fitness group. One of her recent posts asked how everyone ensures they get the right amount of daily water intake. With a glass like this, I'd be bound to get in my daily intake! Plus, it would be nice to switch it up from my Camelbak. Best part is, it's only $18 and it's Kate Spade!

4. Conair Curl Secret

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an infommerical for the Conair Curl Secret. I am an absolute DISASTER when it comes to curling my hair. The wand made me fry my hair - it was nice and crispy for days and falling out. A curling iron has burned my forehead a few times when I was in middle school adding to my already existent scar. Low and behold, I needed something easy to curl my hair, so I went out and bought this little baby. To say I'm obsessed with it, is the understatement of the year. 

It is on the pricier side, coming in at $100; however, with a lovely 20% off Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon, I was able to score it for $85, including tax. You can also find it at Best Buy, according to their website.

5. The Flannel Shirt-Hoodie Combo

I love comfy and just want to jump in this flannel shirt-hoodie combo right now! My best-friend "re-pinned" it on Wanelo the other day and I immediately added it to one of my boards. Unfortunately it's unavailable, but hopefully I'll find something similar to it one day. 

6. Riding Boots

These boots are a perfect combination of quilted riding boots and grungy-chic. Unfortunately everyone else had the same opinion on them as I do, so only available right now is the dark brown and tan versions. Coming in at $51.92, I can see why the black are all sold out.

7. The Chevron Infinity Scarf

One of my best-friends sent me a Snap Chat the other day of her wearing a pink and white Chevron infinity scarf. I've been hunting, and hunting, and hunting for the perfect Chevron infinity scarf and had yet to find one. I asked her where she got it and she said from Boneca Linda. I found this black and white version, emailed Boneca Linda asking if it was still available, which it wasn't, but she's making me one! I should have it within a couple of weeks. I can't wait to sport it, especially with temperatures like they've been. Ew.

The scarves are $25 and you can purchase them via her Etsy shop, or contact her via Facebook.

8. Writable Coffee Cup

Lastly, how fun is the Writable Coffee Cup?! I saw it originally on Wanelo and it's only $13.95. I like the idea of being able to specify what is in my cup. :)

8. The Yellow, The Gray, and The Relaxed

Greetings readers!

Day 3 of my Diet Coke "Cold Turkey" and I'm still alive! I'm still craving the taste, but the good news is that my headaches seem to have subsided! There's still a teensy bit of a pain remaining, but other than that, my symptoms seem to be clearing; however, the parched throat has not begun to clear yet.

Today was Day 1 of "Les Mills COMBAT." Oh my dear! I'm certainly in for some hardships within the next 60 days. During today's first workout, I was drenched within 10 minutes. And tomorrow's workout is double the length- YIKES. After working out, I hobbled downstairs (my legs are so sore from all of the cardio this week), grabbed some water, and my dad just laughed. He was stunned by how drenched I was, "I figured you were going to be hurting from the sounds I heard from down here." Oh, the joys of my bedroom being above the kitchen. While downstairs, he asked me if I wanted to go see one of my cousins' basketball game. I was elated!

Yesterday, while browsing "Pinterest," I found the most perfectly relaxing-like attire that I was itching to try and today was my excuse.

The Inspiration.

I love the comfortable look of this whole piece: the yellow scarf, the loose yet tucked in gray shirt, the brown belt, the jeans, the brown shoes, and the silver bag. Perfection.

The Pinspirable.

This coat, unfortunately due to the lighting looks blue, but is actually more of a brighter shade of green. Instead of pairing the outfit with a silver bag, I went for a mustard yellow. When I was pulling out my silver bag, it just looked too Spring-like; whereas, my mustard yellow bag looks more fall and/or winter appropriate.

The Pinspirable.

It was quite the comfy outfit! I get a little paranoid wearing shirts tucked in due to those joyous things called love-handles, but thanks to all of these workouts, I'm feeling a little better about my overall look. A weight loss of 6lbs since the beginning of the New Year will definitely boost your confidence!

Last night, my friend and I met in the city for some shopping and drinks (wait till you see my purchase I made!). She's been there for me throughout this whole unemployment process and bestowed me with a gift. The gift is a combination of "Keep your chin up kiddo" and Christmas. Awhile ago, she had shown me a pair of these earrings that she wanted and I had said, "I saw those and instantly thought of you/ wanted a pair for myself! I'm afraid I won't be able to pull them off though." She immediately disputed that theory and then decided since she recently got a position at one of 10 best law firms in the country that wearing these earrings probably wouldn't be the most appropriate.

She had requested a picture of the earrings...

The gift.

I absolutely love them! I love the quirky-ness and edginess of the wooden earrings. Thanks, KiKi!

Items:
Wooden earrings - a gift from KK
Yellow scarf - a gift from Santa
Plaid coat - a gift from Santa
Gray shirt - $12 from Marshall's
Belt - from Hollister circa 2004
Jeans - originally $180, but on sale for $70 from TJ Maxx. True Religion score!
Tan flats - $15 Marshall's
Mustard yellow bag - originally $250, but on sale for $110 from Bloomingdale's Outlet

Till next time,
Bells