Tucker for Target & Other Weekend Shopping (Pottery Barn, Lulu Lemon, Z Gallerie)

Before I begin this post, I want to say a sincere thank you, from the bottom of my heart to everyone who sent their condolences in my last post. I really appreciate it.  I just know that when people pass, you always have to remember they are going to a better place. So thank you everyone who took the time to leave a kind comment, it really means a lot to me.

Yesterday I started my Pilates classes again. I am very sore today, but I must admit it felt great to start working out again.  After class, I met up with Candice and we did our Saturday tradition of going to Starbucks and doing a little shopping.  We headed to Highland Village first because we both had home decor on the mind.

I ended up finally using a gift card we got for our wedding from Pottery Barn. I got this beautiful blanket for our sofa.  Kevin says our dog needs his "own blankie" so I got the new one for myself. I really love the texture of it and it's also very soft! It retails for $79.50. Oh and by the way, our dog is sleeping on the NEW blankie as I type this post. Hmmphhh!

I also picked up this new table runner from Z Gallerie ($34.50).  We had the same one for several years and I just felt it was time for a change. I wanted to go with the purple theme we've got in the house right now. I just love the damask print.

Because I've started my fitness routine back up again, I wanted to pick up some leggings from Lulu Lemon.  I got the Special Edition Wunder Under Pintuck leggings.  I was previously wearing cheap leggings from A'Gaci but they are sort of see-through if you bend over so uh...not great for working out. PS- Size up in these ones.

So that was yesterday's shopping.  It was nice to get a few things for the house. I always love to add an item or two to keep things fresh.

Today (Sunday) Kevin and I went to Target so I could check out the Tucker collection. It was already picked over for some of the items, but they had a lot in stock of most of the things available for purchase.  For reference to my fellow Houstonians, I went to the Target off of Sawyer.

First, I'll show you the items I DID purchase:

I got this green and pink dress. They didn't have a size medium, so I just got the large because I would belt it anyway. The length is perfect for a work dress...and, it's NOT BLACK! Let's celebrate!!!!!!!

Next up is this pretty top with sleeves that my husband described as "pirate sleeves" ARRRRR!  All I need is an eye patch and I'm good to go!

I really love that blouse. It adds a nice pop of color to my fall wardrobe.  The skirt I tried on with it is by Merona, and it was a size 6 and too big on me (I wish they had a 4 or 2 because it is such a great skirt! It has a houndstooth print on it, really cute!)  BTW the Tucker blouse is an XS. I didn't want it to be too billowy so I sized down and love the fit of it.

I also got this pretty tank on sale for $16.99 and a white ruffle Henley for $14.99:

Some of the items I passed on today were:

This Tucker dress, same print as the blouse. I actually loved this dress but it was a bit short so I thought I'd just get the blouse because I love the print. I suppose I could wear it with tights, but it's still SO hot here.

I think this dress was Merona- it had a lace top. It was so short.  Also, the zipper got stuck when I tried it on so I had to have the fitting room attendant mess with the zipper until I could get it off of me. If you're tiny and short, this dress could be fantastic!

This cream colored blouse is the same as the one I got, shape wise, but I just didn't love the color and print on me.  It just kind of bored me.

I didn't mention this in my fashion-show post, but I picked up Stila's new Custom Color Blush and I absolutely love it. It's one of those blushes marketed as adjusting its tone based on your skin's PH levels.  It's a pretty hot pink but it's sheer so it doesn't give you clown cheeks. It's supposed to work on any skin tone.

Finally, while grocery shopping today I saw that L'Oreal's lash serum was on sale (at Kroger) so I finally got some. I don't think it grows lashes but it keeps them soft and moisturized.  I also got a REVLON navy blue eyeliner. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I felt compelled to have navy liner. I know Rachel Bilson loves to wear navy liner so we'll see how it works for me:

I also picked up the new issue of Women's Health which I plan to start subscribing to.  I LOVE Carrie Underwood. Her body looks amazing in these pics!

OK, LOOK at those LEGS!!!

Did you do any shopping this weekend? Have you checked out the Tucker collection at Target?  What's on your wish list? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Home & Design: Dear Marshalls, I Heart You <3

My bestie Candice and I went to our local Marshall's Home Store on Saturday "just to look." We both ended up leaving with so much stuff, we had to call a friend to bring a truck to haul it all home (oops.)

There were so many great items, I just couldn't resist. The damage:

One of my purchases ending up being uber-disappointing. You know when you find something and you think it is just the most perfect thing for your home, and then when you actually try it in that room, it's awful? Well, that's what happened to me.

There was this amazing comfotor and duvet cover set there that I immediately fell in love with. It was a bold, black and white large floral print and I thought it would be oh-so perfect for our bedroom. FAIL:

I mean, it's not horendous or anything (and in person, I promise it was much more shocking) but it just didn't work. It was too much, too bold, too busy. Our room lost its softness and calming feeling.
I returned the set the next day, but kept the lime green and white sheets of the same pattern. Those I actually like. Here's a close-up:

Now, I'm thinking I'll probably just get an off-white quilted blanket to use as a coverlet kind of thing on our bed. We only have a duvet right now, so it can look messy and unfinished without that final touch. I like the idea of a quilt because it's thin. The comfoter was too thick on top of everything else that was wrong with it.

Now, onto my most exciting purchases. These lovely boxes. They are purely for display at this point. I don't mind if they stay empty forever. I just like to look at their pretty-ness.

I have a similar jewelry box from West Elm. These were $14.99 and $19.99 for the larger white one. I love their modern elegance and smooth finish. Perfect for storage or just for show.

Then, there's this beauty:
This beautiful box has little legs it stands on. I just captured my attention right away. Right now, it just sits in the corner looking pretty, but it can also be used for storage (magazines, a blanket.) My husband always makes fun of me for "buying so many boxes" but there is something so lovely about pretty boxes everywhere (or as I like to call them "useful storage units.")

In more useful storage unit news, I also picked up this mirrored one in a previous shopping trip at Marshall's for $10- this one is on our bedroom:
In addition to my love for boxes, I also love pretty picture frames. I got a few at Z Gallerie this weekend. All were on sale, except for this first one, which reminds me of an awesome animal print:


I also picked up this 3-compartment serving tray on sale for $19.99 at Crate & Barrel. It was on our registry but we never got it, so I thought I might as well get it while it was on sale:

I tried one of the pillows from our bedding set on my couch and ended up liking it. I think I will keep it there for now. I'm laying back on it as I type this, and I likey.

I also got this awesome monogrammed rug from Marshall's for our downstairs entryway:

In keeping with the monogram theme, I got this candle, on sale from Pottery Barn for $11.50:

I love black and white. It's such a clean and modern look.

And for those wondering, yes, our tree is still up, in all of its Christmas-garden glory:

Do you ladies have any home improvement plans for 2010? Let me know in the comments below. Our home goals for the new year are to hardwood our entryway and to get a new couch and bed. We kind of just bought a cheap bed when we first moved in, but I'd love something more grand and lighter. I already have one I love in mind, but I'll do a seperate inspiriations post.

Also, let me know if you like these posts about home decor. I think it's a nice mix with all of the fashion and beauty stuff, and I enjoy writing about it.

xoxo,

Veronika.