Happy Shopping

This holiday weekend, use the code HELLO30 for a discount of 30% off final sale items! This includes jewelry and collaboration items that are in sale, too!

Crystal Baguette Necklace in Jade

MacAlister ankle boots

Painter button boatneck stripe tee

Metallic leather coin purse

Printed calf hair belt

Gap has their Labor Day Red, White, & Blue Event, with select styles up to 40% off. And don't let the "up to" fool  you, there is seriously a lot of great stuff for sale. My favorites:

Eversoft Varsity Sweater in Red

1969 Coated Biker Legging Jeans in Black

Stars and Stripes raglan tee

Pretty dotted Modal Robe

Tales from Online Shopping

I recently ordered a pair of sneakers for our family trip to walking-worthy Chicago. From all the blogs, I'd decided these were a pretty fabulous option next to my ratty Converse. (Plus, that white toe-cap always made my foot look long and ski-like!)

Long story short, these beautiful shoes arrived, and to my dismay one rivet popped right off! After sending them back I patiently awaited my replacement and pondered online shopping.

Thoughts on online shopping:

1. Shoes, shirts, pants; you name it! It needs to be tried on before being purchased! Reviews aren't as helpful as they seem. Everyone is different.

2. Shipping rates are astronomical! So many sites require a minimum of about $75 for free shipping, enticing you to buy more than you wanted. (P.S. Piperlime has free shipping and returns always!)

3. Delivery dates are pretty accurate, but when it's suddenly several days late the anticipation gets to be annoying.

4. Where's the people? Sure, some sites have those pop-up windows for chatting with an online representative. However, I really prefer to talk with a person in a store. They are experts on the clothes, so they'll be able to help you with dressing for your specific body type, budget, fabric care, etc.

5. A big bonus for online shopping, though: it's pretty convenient. You can shop in your PJs on a girls' night, quick order a secret birthday present for a family member, and compare prices efficiently.

A lot of pros and cons with online shopping. What's your consensus? I generally like it just fine, but there have been several times when I've had to send it back because of wrong size or item sent, defective product, or ill-fitting clothing. In the end, is it worth it the "home convenience" or should you just drive the five minutes to the mall in jeans instead of sweats?

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

Would You Wear "Nerd Shirts"?

I'm kind of in love with this New York Times sweatshirt, but I know I'd feel like I was trying to be a hipster, or something. Seriously, I've seen a handful of girls on campus wearing shirts that say, "Party at Gatsby's" in anticipation of the new Baz Luhrmann film. I'm convinced they haven't read the book and are really just swooning over Leo, so it feels a bit like a facade.

But as an English major, I'm always tempted to wear some of my favorite books. Literally wear your hear on your sleeve. My big concern is that wearing a book cover shirt might come off as a bit precocious. I think they would make great gifts for book-worms and wannabe hipsters! What are your thoughts? Is it pretentious? Or can I get away with it without looking like a total book snob?

P.S. Dudes dressing like Gatsby. 

Photo via Pinterest. Anyone know the credits?

{Friday Challenge}...Get Dressed Up

My good friends from my hometown will be visiting this weekend and I'm so excited to see them! We're getting up (kind of) early on Saturday to spend the day shopping around The Cities, and after we're having a fancy dinner together to celebrate! Most weekends, I hang out in cozy sweats and pajamas. However, since we're going out together for dinner and shopping, I'm getting dressed up! Perhaps I'll wear my favorite purple blazer...

Anyway, this weekend, find a reason to put something special on, whether it mean Saturday brunch, dancing at night, or Sunday church service. It makes everything feel more special. 

Photo via