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.

OOTD: The Lace Skirt

This week went by so fast---I can't believe tomorrow is Thursday!  Eeepp!  Lots to get done before then. 

I had a work function tonight so I'm blogging super late in the evening but thought I'd do a quick outfit of the day post. I wore my new LOFT lace skirt today (got it 40% off during my Black Friday shopping.)

As you can see, I need to get a new tripod before I start taking pics with my remote control---I'm still using the mirror, but with the new camera, I think the pics are  a bit more clear.  I will try to get on that this weekend!

 I loved how you could really see the extra highlights my stylist added in this pic!
I think they are more visible when I curl my hair.

Top-  Costa Blanca
Skirt- LOFT
Cardigan- White House, Black Market
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Tights- Hue (available at Macy's)
Necklace- F21

Hope you had a great night!

xoxo,

Veronika.

(Black) Friday Shopping: Best Buy, Express, LOFT & Bath & Body Works

I hope everyone had a safe and happy thanksgiving!  Ours was spent with my husband's wonderful parents and my best friend who joined us for a turkey dinner.  Candice even baked an apple pie (from scratch) and it was delicious!  I couldn't have asked for a better thanksgiving.

I was able to get some reading done this weekend. I had read about this book in a few magazines and it peaked my curiosity so I bought it Thursday after work using a 50% off coupon from BORDERS.  It's called "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem" by Jillian Lauren.  It was a really quick read---definitely a page turner.  It's sort of a mixture of her life and what happened both before and after she decided to go to Brunei and live in a harem serving members of the royal family.  The descriptions of her time there are very interesting.  I almost expected it to be more shocking than it was, but it's certainly a great read and takes you into a world 99.9% of the population will never experience.  Candice is already next in line to read it!

So...I went Black Friday shopping. I had planned JUST to go to Best Buy but then I got all of those emails from all of the stores I shop at and when you see 40% OFF OF EVERYTHING IN THE ENTIRE STORE(!!!!!!!!!!)...well, that's kind of hard to ignore ("think of the money I'm saving!" I exclaimed proudly--- as my H rolled his eyes.)

Many of you ladies will be excited to learn that I finally took the plunge and invested in a good camera.  I purchased the Canon Rebel T2i!!! I am beyond excited!  This means better photos on the blog which I'm thrilled about. I also purchased a camera remote so I can take multiple frames using a tripod.  Very exciting! Finally, I purchased a DVD that's all about how to use the specific model I bought because honestly, I have no idea how to use it outside of automatic mode (haven't even taken it out of the box yet) and I'd love to learn to use it how it's meant to be used and learn about things like white balance and aperture.  It will be a fun little learning journey for me. I can't wait!  Plus getting it now leaves me time to learn to use it before we head to Paris.

So that's my BIG purchase...it's my Christmas present :)  We aren't really exchanging gifts this year (the H and I) because our trip is our gift.

Next up, I got this pretty sweater from Express for 40% OFF:

It's got this pretty, gunmetal colored metallic thread through it.  It was $79.50 and I got it for 40% off.

I picked up 4 packs of Wallflowers from Bath & Body Works too because they were on sale for $5 for a pack of two refills. For anyone who doesn't use these---I recommend them above and beyond any plug in air freshner I've ever used. The quality of the product and the variety of amazing scents available simply beat out the competition.

Lastly, I purchased these two incredible items from LOFT (at 40% off) that I am very excited about!

First, this gorgeous top (*sigh*, it's just so feminine and romantic)

The second item is this lovely lace skirt:

and here they are when I tried them on
(I wouldn't wear them together, this is just from the fitting room):

The top photographed a bit red...it's more of a reddish hot pink---a color I was actually worried about but I think it's nice to add a little something bright in once in awhile. I thought it looked flattering with my skin tone.

Lastly, I forgot to share something I bought at H&M when I was in Slovakia. Believe it or not, I didn't ASK to shop, my grandma's sister and her husband took me to the mall because they wanted to show me where my grandma had liked to shop (her and I shared a love for shopping.)  I only went to about 3 stores.  I ended up getting this sweater coat from H&M.  It's super long and warm...yet also lightweight so It's perfect to layer under a long coat, or even wear as a coat here in Houston where it's not too chilly:

and here's what I wore today---comfy clothes for shopping!

Tee- Love Culture
Hoodie- Victoria's Secret PINK
Tights- Lulu Lemon Wunder Under Pintuck (crops)
Boots- Nine West
Scarf---- My grandmother's---it was one of the items I took as a memory of her and I absolutely love it!

By the way---the Nine west boots are INCREDIBLY comfortable. I was so impressed with how great the felt when I walked around in them for a few hours. I am so very glad I bought them :)

How was your thanksgiving? Did you brave the malls today to get some great deals?

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: Navy, Pink & Gingham & Brazilian Butt Lift Mini Review

Happy Monday ladies! I hope you had a nice day today. I know things can be funny the first Monday back from a time change. I laughed on my drive home today because I realized that today is the first day that I forgot to wear my watch to work pretty much since I've had it.  What a coincidence!

I always love daylight savings because that extra hour of sleep really does make a difference for me. I like to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night.  I understand not everyone can get that much sleep because they have kids, but if you are childless, making sleep a priority is really important. It benefits how you look, how you feel and even your weight. Okay, off on a tangent there!

Before I get to today's outfit, I wanted to share a quick, mini-review on the Brazilian Butt Lift videos by Beach Body.  Beach Body seems to have a wonderful talent for finding the most annoying video hosts ever. From P90X to the Butt Lift series, all I want to do is mute the entire workout so I don't have to listen to the voices/comments/attempts to be funny/motivational. It's really just too much (though, if I had to pick, I'd rather listen to the Brazilian guy, at least he actually is sort of funny and doesn't constantly remind you how fat you are or how gross Big Macs are.)

Okay, so let's get down to the video. Yesterday I somehow managed to motivate myself to do a 5:30 PM workout in our guest bedroom/home gym.  I popped in the Brazilian Butt Lift 45 minute sculpting video and worked it out.  I am sore today. Genuinely sore. The video also makes you break a sweat.  The moves are a little fast---I had to kind of start some of them later than the people in the video because I had to get used to the moves and transitions.  For the sculpting video you need two free weights and a yoga mat (and uh...stamina.) Overall I felt like I got a really good workout and think this video is a great way to stay in shape between gym workouts. I should also mention that the sculpting DVD features a full-body workout (arms, abs, legs.)

Like I mentioned above, the video host is totally cheesy and the scenes of gyrating hips over and over is kind of overkill but it's a good workout, so I'll let it slide.

Moving on...

Shirt- Abercrombie & Fitch (in the clearance section!)
Cardigan- American Eagle Outfitters
Skirt- LOFT
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Bag- MbMJ
Necklace- Forever 21

I absolutely LOVE a bright pink and navy blue together. It's one of my fave combos lately!

xoxo,

Veronika.

OOTD: A "LOFTY" Ensemble

Happy day-before-Friday ladies!  My entry is so late tonight because I just had a great workout with my trainer.  Now I'm relaxing on the couch with Lulu and ready to show you my outfit of the day.

All three main pieces of this outfit are new, from my shopping trip to LOFT last weekend:

Blouse- LOFT
Jacket- LOFT
Skirt- LOFT
Tights- HUE @ Macy's
Shoes- Jessica Simpson
Bag- MbMJ
Necklace- Forever 21

Did you see I finally broke out the tights today!? I was actually excited that it was chilly enough today to wear them!  Ladies who live in the south---are you wearing tights yet?

xoxo,

Veronika.

PS- I blew my hair out this morning after using a clarifying shampoo to get all that Redken product out and I can finally really see the shape of my haircut and I really do see how different the layers are from the way they were before :) 

OOTD: Blush Pink & Creams in 100 Degree Heat

Today I wore the most non-ideal outfit ever.  Not realizing I'd be running around all day from store to store and picking up heavy bags and boxes, I wore heels and a silk top in 100 degree weather. I deserve a prize!

I did really love the outfit, but by mid-day I had to hit Target to buy some Dr. Schols  inserts for my pumps!  (which, by the way are very comfortable in normal circumstances.)

Walking around for hours in heels in 100 degree weather= sweating and chafing and rubbing and just overall discomfort.

Speaking of feet and sweating, does anyone else who lives in a warm climate do a different (foot) routine in the summer?  I'm not going to lie, my feet sweat when it's hot out.  When you wear shoes made of synthetic materials (and even non synthetic in this weather) your feet are bound to produce sweat. To keep my shoes in good condition and to avoid stinky feet as much as possible, in the summer I use a deodorizing foot spray (you can get it at any drug store) and I also have foot powder as needed.  I also bought a product at DSW called the "Shoe De-Fogger" and it's a spray that's meant to deodorize shoes. I invest a lot in my shoes and I want to keep them looking (and smelling good.)  I know for most people feet are a gross topic, but I just had to put that out there.

OK, here's what I wore:

Blush Pink Satin Top- Ann Taylor
Skirt- LOFT

Cardigan- Express (yes, I wear the heck out of this cardigan. I LOVE it!)

Shoes- Jessica Simpson Nude Pumps
Bag- Kate Spade

Thanks to everyone who left me comments yesterday sharing their laptop stories. It helped me heal to know others could relate!

BTW- I think there's something for everyone in these photos- lack of pigeon toes in some, looking at the camera, standing up straighter...oh how I'm growing ;)

xoxo,

Veronika.

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OOTD: Shades of White

Happy Friday Ladies!

I had a TV segment to coordinate today, so no casual Friday for me.  I wanted to keep it light though, so I decided to go for an all white/cream ensemble.  I had forgotten my love for this J.Crew blouse. I haven't worn it since the winter time.  I love the neckline- it's so feminine and pretty.

Silk Top- J.Crew

Cardigan- Express

Skirt- LOFT

Bag- Kate Spade

Nude Pumps- Jessica Simpson (buy them here!)

Watch- Michael Kors

I've been thinking of having another blog sale this weekend.  I have a few items left over from the last sale and also some new items (went through my closet again).  Let me know what you ladies think! It won't be as many items as last time. I also have a pair of heels to sell this time around.  They are these great, nude patent sandals that I can't wear because although they're my size (10) they just do not fit me. I can get my foot into them but can't walk in them. They are really cute so it sucks I can't wear them (especially since nude heels are so now.)

Hope you all have an awesome weekend!  I promised I'd start my clean-out and organization this weekend so I'm looking forward to getting all of that done.

xoxo,

Veronika.

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Versa Spa Tanning Review & OOTD: The Giraffe Dress, Round 2

It's amazing how a spray tan and a great blow-out can make you feel awesome. I know I was whining yesterday about feeling "blah" but today is a different story. I felt fab today!  

I think the spray tan turned out great. I like the Versa Spa system. Though I got mine through Groupon, the regular price is about $40-$45 per session, which I think is quite high and for that price I'd rather get sprayed by an actual person. Some people are shy or don't feel comfortable getting spray tanned by an actual person, so the Versa Spa might be a good option for those people.

I think Versa Spa gives good color and overall is an easy process.  I have done sessions both with and without the bronzer, and I prefer the solution with the bronzer in it because it allows you to see if you "missed" any spots (but watch out, it gets all over clothes and sheets- it washes out, but be aware.)  

I think one of the reasons I felt so great today is because I had a glow from the tan, so I definitely recommend Versa Spa for anyone looking for a good spray tan. However, if you can find a technician who will do it for the same price, I'd go with having a human apply it over a machine. It ensures the tan is even, ever spot is covered and they can even darken/shade certain areas to make you look more toned.

Now onto my OOTD.  This giraffe print dress from LOFT is making its second appearance on my blog, but styled differently this time around. I love this dress because every time I wear it I get a lot of compliments on it! It's always nice when people take the time to send good vibes your way (which I always make sure to do on the daily to show people I genuinely notice and care to say something nice.)

Here's how I wore it today (oh and I'm trying to "look into the camera" as some of you ladies suggested I try doing my shots..I'll work on it!)

Dress- LOFT
Cardigan- Express

Wedges- Cynthia Vincent for Target
Bag- Kate Spade

I also snapped a few shots of my hair because I used a bunch of volumizing products and velcro rollers on it and I loved how it turned out! 

I used: Pureology Pure Volume Thickening Mist, Redken Guts 10 Volumizing Spray Foam and in the shower I used BIG SEXY HAIR Extra Big Volume shampoo.

What are your weekend plans? It's my best friend's birthday so we are going out for dinner Saturday night!

xoxo,

Veronika.

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