Yeah, Maybe

Blogging opened up doors for so many of us. It helped us find new friends, jobs, explore our passion, write more, read more, heck even shop more. Blogging is not just a place for our daily whereabouts and ideas or issues, it's about so much more - it's a fantastic community.

As a supporter of this great community I would like to tell you about Joey. I don't remember when I started reading her blog. All I remember is that it made me smile, come back and read on. Plus, her love for nail polish fits perfectly with mine. So when I learned her e-book was out and on sale I agreed to share the news with my lovely readers; with you!

Joey's e-book - Yeah, Maybe - will be on sale starting tomorrow until the 28th of this month; it's only $1.99 and it's available on Amazon. I believe that's an awesome deal.

Here's the blurb for the book:

For quiet, reserved, and focused 15 year old Annie Mackey, school was a sanctuary. 

 But when her bubbly and beautiful neighborhood best friend joins her at Willow Point High for freshmen year, her world is turned upside down.

Everything Annie could count on for stability is shattered, 

and she's left feeling more alone than ever before.

Just when she's about to lose all hope, 

someone unexpected swoops in and gives her a much needed lesson in perspective.

The e-book is available on amazon: http://amzn.to/1DiZ2nV

I never blog on Sundays but for Joey I thought I would make an exception. That is what this blogger community is all about y'all. Thought I'd share the love and support for a fellow blogger.

Hope your weekend has been great, and I'll be reading you soon again.

xoxo

Fall Wish List

1) Kate Spade Glasses {I am obsessed}
2) Plates by Kate Spade {different design}
3) this wallet comes in different colors {I want magenta, or dark blue}
4)  Kate Spade Crossbody in either cream or black {did I mention I am obsessed with KS?}
5) Ankle booties that are comfortable
6 LLBean fleece sweater {purple is a must}
7) LLBean vest {it is getting colder and I always wanted one}
8) I have my stylist on Stella&Dot and found this necklace
9) a new phone. maybe the iPhone 6? Maybe just the 5s...my good old 4s is deteriorating

Fall is around the corner even though we are still having temperatures in the mid and high 90s. I cannot wait for cooler temperatures to arrive. Living in California this may not be happening as fast or as beautifully as it does in other parts of the world but I am still looking forward to this season change. Having moved up to NorCal fall does happen more up here than it does down in the south. I am excited. Also, we have family in northern Nevada and since that is high dessert it does get cold there and it may even snow, so I must be prepared.

You probably noticed my Kate Spade obsession. I found cute glasses and plates and would love to add some fun, color and sophisticated yet still subtle touch to our little place, but I will wait. I might add these to my Christmas list. I am all about money saving, and I am actually pretty good at it. Also, this month I am not buying new clothes or anything for me or the man unless it is truly necessary {like when he comes home with a hole in his work pants...hmmmm...how the heck did that happen? Luckily those pants were old}. 

Are you ready for cooler temperatures?
Are you always buying new items, or use your old items for years?

Do you have a wish list?

I try to keep my clothing items as long as even possible, but what I wore at 20 may not fit me anymore and kind of looks outdated and used by now. Cleaning my closet for fall is always fun!!! I am so getting rid of so much stuff, and yes, will donate if possible.

I got my First Fix!

 

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? 

I did not until a few weeks ago. I couldn't sleep one night and browsed around on my phone {yes, I know, not at all good for my precious eyes} and stumbled upon Stitch Fix. I don't remember how I found this but I did. I desperately needed to update my wardrobe, so I was interested from the beginning. 

Stitch Fix, basically, is your personal stylist. It is easy, accessible, affordable, and it is also delivered to your doorstep. It is a different shopping experience that is personalized just for you. All I had to do for my first fix was to fill out their Style Profile, and then let their stylists handpick a selection of five clothing items or/and accessories for me that they think would fit my budget, lifestyle and taste. Once delivered I had time to try the items on, mix and match with my own clothes and whatever I didn't like send back within three days. A prepaid envelope is included {awesome!}. I would only pay for what I choose to keep. If I keep all five items, I pay for all five items {and as a thank you get 25% off}. Best part, I can schedule fixes if I feel like "shopping" on a regular basis. Since my budget won't allow this luxury at the moment {I haven't gone shopping in months!!!} I don't do this {yet} - but I had to give Stitch Fix a try and see how it fits my lifestyle. 

Here's what I received:

1) Daniel Rainn - Lara Lace Detail Silk Blouse
2) Kut From The Kloth - Keslie Braided Detail Belted Maxi Dress
3) Bay to Baubles - Marcia Faceted Stone Teardrop Bib
4) Sweet Rain - Azalea Heathered Open Cardigan
5) Pink Martini - Joshua Colored Ankle Jean

While I loved the vibrant summer colors, and the new approach to silk {I don't own a single silk blouse}, I had to send all clothing items back and only kept the bubble necklace. All of my clothes came in small, which normally would be fine but not this time. The dress was way too big {no idea how that happened}, the pants I could not close {I have big hips; after all I have a Turkish figure}, the silk blouse was phenomenal but so see through I just felt like I wasn't wearing a thing, and the cardigan fit perfectly except on my arms. It would not stretch; it would probably rip before it stretched. The necklace...oh the necklace. First big necklace I got, and it feels glamorous. Kept it because it looked and felt good. Once I had sent all unwanted items back I had to give Stitch Fix my feedback on each item. Feedback is necessary because if you choose to use their service again, you want your stylist to improve. Honest feedback is the best way to let your stylist know why you chose not to keep the item{s}.

The lovely necklace...I wasn't sure about the gold-pearl lookalike but it looks awesome on. :) 

Excuse the flash light...it is dark at home due to me having closed off all blinds so the heat won't come in as fast.

Just because my stylist {which I think did a fantastic job} couldn't fully satisfy my size {not my style, I loved every single piece} doesn't mean I will give up on this service. I love the idea of having a stylist help me find new items to add to my wardrobe. I will try it again in the fall, and I know my stylist will succeed. 

You may wonder why I don't just go out and shop on my own, and try it all on in the store. One thing is this: I don't have a car, so always borrowing my favorite person's car just to go shopping isn't my thing. Also, I am kind of tired of the stores available at the mall. You see, since I left Los Angeles/Orange County it is not easy to find a decent, nice-looking store to buy from. I get tired easily by seeing the same stores over and over again. I love J.Crew, Anthropologie, The Gap {yes, even that place}, Nordstrom, and what not...but in the end it is not exactly appealing to me when I only have those options. So, getting new brand or designer names added to my already existing wardrobe spices things up for me, and who knows, I might even fall in love with a new brand and spread the word. 

xoxo

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was NOT asked to write for Stitch Fix and was not gifted anything.

Kate Spade Love

If you haven't heard I love Kate Spade. I am not the only one, I know.
There is this certain vibe to KS that I love. It is not only purely feminine, it is also girlie, playful, and just timeless beautiful. This combination makes it so splendid if you ask me. If you were wondering whether or not I owned something with the brand name Kate Spade on it, then yes, I do. I own and love three pairs of sunglasses {the pair above is actually exactly it, just mine is turquoise}, a pair of pink earrings, and a wallet. I am hoping to get either one bag I posted above, as well as the plates. I saw the plates at Nordstrom and fell in love. They are perfect for appetizers, or just finger food for when I do not feel like cooking. I will not a wedding registry {weird, I know} but instead will have a "list" with things we/I need in life. Ha! Kate Spade stuff will definitely be on that "list". I can already see my favorite person roll his eyes. Sorry honey. I need my girlie fix. 

I am so ready to go shopping now. Trouble is ahead...I can tell.

xoxo

P.s. I might have taken advantage of Nordstrom and its Anniversary Sale and bought a few things. Early Christmas/Wedding gift I guess. :)

Week{end} Update...

Well, I have been slacking off a little lately...so I thought I'd update you not only on one weekend but possibly also two. And probably show you that I'm still around, still care, still read but hardly find time to comment. So....be prepared for some picture overload.

So here it goes...

Thanksgiving weekend first:

This is not me in this photo...I had to tug someone in and pretend the pillows were a blanket. That is what I was told. Her new and probably favorite word is "pretend"...so we pretended to be asleep and use pillows as a blanket and all that...it was the cutest!

Ignore the wrinkles...but I wanted to share my Thanksgiving dress with ya! :) I love it a lot.

And Thanksgiving, or any other holiday needs to have something "weird" going on...look at the following photo...

And yes, that'll be me...with my new girlfriend... ;) No idea who stood behind me...but the dog loved me and this photo was captured right after she tried to kiss/lick me a billionth time.

 

I love Candy Canes...I just do...and photos that I took at 1 or 2 in the morning...while shopping!

And yes, I went to Black Friday Shopping...but as stated earlier...I wasn't going to get crazy and go all over...we did not stay in line, or fight for whatever. It was a chill morning. Loved it. We didn't even wanna buy anything just see how crazy it all was...and we were lucky, it was not crazy at all. Yay. 

And now this weekend....or this past week so to speak...all via my Instagram.

First Advent...I just love the Christmas season!

Hope you had a fantastic weekend.
It was so gloomy here in southern California it was just perfect!

Three more weeks...I can do this!

xoxo

P.s. Yes, linking up with the lovely ladies of the Weekend Update LinkUp.

I want...

...when autumn arrives or fall how I like to call this marvelous season I always long for new clothes, shoes and accessories...and well today I'm drooling on a few things. Have a look!

click on image for source

Hmmm I have a theme going here...white and blue! I really don't mind, do you?

So all I need now is a birthday coming up, or Christmas.
I let you in to a secret...I sadly never get any birthday gifts, let alone Christmas. I know it's never about gifts but we all know we make wishlists and wishlists should be crossed off from time to time. I would really once get a few things crossed off my list. Hopefully one day. 

Have a wonderful Thursday lovelies!!!

xoxo

Weekend Update

So my lovely readers,

My weekend was...well...nothing special. I'd love to say I did major things but I did not. I stayed home, worked on homework, read a ton, wrote a ton, went to the car dealer to get an oil change (and it wasn't for my car which I don't have by the way - yes, no car for me yet!), found out one of my dear friends here in Los Angeles is pregnant and might even sell her car to me (double yay!!!), and managed to attend the Style Week Orange County :)  Okay, at least I got something fun to do but only by myself which is never fun if you know what I mean.

Without further blaaaaahhhhhhsss...here are the pictures!!!

 A fun mural-like thing at the car dealership?! Those seats belong to Subway where I ate a sandwich!

If you've been to Orange County you know where this is! :)
Style Week happened at the Spectrum and at Fashion Island!

 Not the best picture but this is my new nail polish. Got it for free thanks to Style Week!

 These are just a few photos I took.
My favorite host hosted again. Thanks Nick Verreos.

That pretty much sums up my weekend.
How was yours?

I'm linking up with Leeann, Sami and Dana today.

PHILADELPHIA!!

I am still in Istanbul enjoying time with my family and friends...so I have this last guest post for you by my amazing friend Amanda. Hope you're okay with the lower case post. Haha!

This time she's talking about something she's very proud of and I have to admit me too. It's all about the city of brotherly love and my lovely readers...I have been to this city and it is amazing. If you never made it there you are missing out. It is by far my favorite east coast city (sorry NYC, I love you but Philly has won my heart!!). I will be back there soon...my cousin lives there! So I definitely have a reason to go again - besides visiting Amanda of course! 

*LOVED reading this post...brought back funny memories especially with the challenge we both mastered so beautifully...

Have fun reading about Philadelphia!
Get some eye drops...it's a long post!

Have a great weekend and I shall be back with my own updates next week.
Excited to hear from me again???
You better be.
Missed you all.

xoxo,  Selma

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

amanda here. hope y'all have been doing well!

i think i told you before that i'm a transplant to philly from louisiana. well, today i'm going to tell you about that. in 2004, i got the opportunity to move to philly for 6 months to work with a non-profit organization. i was NOT expecting what i got when i moved there. I FELL IN LOVE!! what an amazing city! but, i'd already made a commitment to another job back home, so in august 2004, i headed back to louisiana, but not without a heavy heart. it was all i thought about for a couple of years and finally, i decided to go for it. so on january 3, 2007, i packed my car with as much as i could and headed out of the home i'd known for 25 years. i got to philly on january 5, 2007 and it's been my home ever since. (don't worry, it didn't take me 3 days to drive here, i stopped a few times!).
the longer i've lived here, there more i've grown to know and love it! i lived with a friend (that i met on an airplane!) for a couple of months while i tried to find a place to live and a job. i spent a lot of time wondering around the city by myself, but now i know it better than most born and raised philadelphians! i thought i'd share some of that knowledge with y'all! who knows maybe you'll fall in love just like i have!

there are so many things, i hardly know where to start! well, i guess first things should be first! philadelphia is the city of firsts. there are many things that were first in philadelphia. here are a few:

library: 1901 vine st.
zoo: in west philly
stock exchange
united states mint: at 5th and race
art institution: PA academy of the fine arts
med school: UPenn
theater: walnut street theater, 825 walnut st.
grand opera house: academy of music, 240 s. broad st.
escalator
taxi service
thanksgiving day parade
department store: wanamaker's, which is now macy's center city (and the site of the movie, mannequin), 1300 market st.

philadelphia is also home to many 4 year colleges and universities:

thomas jefferson university
drexel university (where the airplane friend went to school)
holy family university
lasalle university
moore college of art and design (where selma's aunt's sister is the dean)
pennsylvania academy of the fine arts
philadelphia university
st. joseph's university
temple university
university of the arts
university of pennsylvania (ivy league)
villanova (outside the city limits, but we don't hate)

there's always the historical part of philly:

independence hall: 14 n. 6th st.
liberty bell: right across the street from independence hall
betsy ross' house: 239 arch st.
ben franklin's grave: at christ church burial ground, 3rd and arch

but, here are my favorite parts of philly, the things i do on a regular basis!

one of the best things to do on a nice night out is to walk along the river at boat house row

or on main st. in manayunk. there are tons of shops and restaurants/bars. manayunk is also home to the international cycling championship every year in june. cyclists have to climb the steep streets that are difficult to WALK up, much less ride a bike up.

chestnut hill is about 10 minutes from where i live and the last time selma was here, she helped me explore it! we found a great place to get a mani/pedi. we also found some great places to eat.

since we are talking about neighborhoods, i'll keep going with that. society hill and the gayborhood in center city are pretty spectacular as well. south philly is very interesting and has it's own culture. when you're in south philly, you have to take a walk down south street, home of jim's steaks (we'll talk about that later) and condom kingdom (i know, i know) and occasionally flash mobs, so be careful! also in south philly are the sports venues: lincoln financial field - "the linc" (home of the eagles), the wells fargo center - "the well" (home of the 76ers and the flyers), and citizens bank park (home of the phillies and the greatest mascot in the world, the phillie phanatic!)

in center city, you must check out the race street pier (at penn's landing) which is only about a year old and a very nice place to hang out and read a book or get some sun. check out city hall, it's a gorgeous building that is in the very center of the city. last i checked you can take a ride up to a lookout inside the clock tower for free. it was once the tallest building in philly. there was a gentleman's agreement that no one would build anything taller than william penn (who sits atop city hall), but in 1987 construction was complete on one liberty place and that ended the agreement. the buildings are still only taller in certain areas of the city, so as to not hinder penn's view of the delaware river.

 in this picture you can see city hall in the center with penn on top. one liberty place is to the left with the antenna on top.

places to get food:
reading terminal market: 12th and filbert st.
italian market: on 9th street between washington ave. and christian st. in s. philly

azalea gardens in fairmount park (the largest landscaped park in the u.s. at 9,200 acres) is a fantastic place to hang out on a nice day for a picnic. i was actually just there last week.

if you're looking for cheesesteaks, there's the iconic pat's and geno's at 9th and passyunk in south philly, or tony luke's at front and oregon. but, i prefer jim's on south street. or you can always do what selma and i have done, which is the cheesesteak challenge: one from each place! do NOT eat breakfast if you plan to do this and take your time.

another thing that makes philly unique is the mural arts program (which you can check out at http://muralarts.org/ ). it started in 1984 as an anti-graffiti campaign and has grown to over 3,000 murals around the city. it affects over 1,500 youth in the city every year.

before you leave, you have to take a run to the top of the "rocky steps" which is actually the art museum and take a picture with the statue (but only after you've made the run up the steps!). you also have to check out love park and check out the art that everyone knows, but has no idea where it originated. (by the way, the O is crooked on purpose, to show that human love is imperfect, beautiful right!)

you should most definitely take a trip "down the shore" while you're in philly and check out the jersey shore (NOT THE SHOW!) but, rather the towns like ocean city, sea isle city, wildwood, and atlantic city.

there's so much more i should tell you, but i think this will do for now! have a great day and let me know if you're ever planning to visit this fine city. i shall be your personal tour guide!

Spring Shopping!!

Spring to me starts March 1. No, not when the time changes, and not when it hits the 21st or the 20th or 23rd or whatever date you may wanna throw my way. No! It is March 1. See, spring is March, April and May, then summer is June, July and August, fall is September, October and November and good old winter is December, January, and February. I'm fully aware that it could snow in April or even May (yes yes!) but to me, for years now, March 1 is the first day of spring. That's it. :)

So, during my spring break (heck it's almost two weeks ago already!) I went shopping. I hadn't been shopping in a while and I had been itching to go out and try on new colors and all. I also had a couple of gift certificates I wanted to use instead of letting them accumulate over the next months, so yeah, it was time to go out and shop. I clearly don't have money, especially without a job, but I can't say no to stuff that is cheaper than cheap, or so marked down I just want to faint. And again, gift certificates are awesome...thank you Christmas gifts! :)

I ended up buying a lot. Candy included. But again, I hadn't gone in a long time, needed new items, and had to use my Christmas gift cards at some point. Among so many things I bought the following items and love them all equally...sort of. ;)

Ignore the wrinkled  (and bad phone camera quality - I forgot the flash!) look. Obviously I can't stand ironing these days either...whatever. :) Life takes over and I sometimes have no time to iron stuff. Sorry!

Shoes (rose) Nine West, pink cardigan and tunic Gap, red purse Coach, striped top Free People

I even bought mom a scarf she might hopefully like, and if not, I know I will! ;)
I love it when I find items for $20 instead of almost $150 or even more. Love love love it! ;) 

I am definitely ready for spring...mostly.
A new tote bag would be fun, too. And some fun jewelry, but I won't go there now...as long as I'm healthy, can afford what is needed at the moment and that I pass my classes is more important than material things. If I could only manage all of it...sigh!

Linking up with Kori and her Fashion Friday today!







Hope you're having a great Friday and a fantastic weekend.
Can you believe Easter is basically around the corner!
Incredible!!!

xoxo

Winter Fashion

Lovelies...

...as some of you know, and I've mentioned it quickly before, I am going away right before Christmas. I'm slightly excited. Cold winter will welcome me once I land there and it will be perfect for me to enjoy "real" winter. We all know southern California doesn't really have winter. I like it that way. However, pre-Christmas and Christmas in general should consist of warm, cozy clothes, hot drinks that don't make you sweat, and colder temperatures with possible snow. I am definitely looking forward to all these parts. Now you may wonder "why on earth is she even considering going to an area that might be covered in 20 inches of snow? She lives in California where it's sunny and warm, pretty much all year round." Yes, you're right. However, I have to. It's family. And I should not ignore that part of my life, should I? And heck, I didn't even have to pay for the ticket so that's all good with me.
*early Merry Christmas to me?!*

So, by looking forward to some fun winter getaway, I thought it was perfect timing to share my love for winter clothing...and linking up with Kori's fun Fashion Friday series!!!

And when it comes to winter...I just shiver by just thinking about it...so I was googling and pinteresting...and that's what I came up with this week. Enjoy!

I just feel like I need a pair or two, or three, or four...

Have a fantastic day and stay warm!