spring breakinista

Ian and I are headed to Florida in just a couple days!

Over 10 days we will be spending some time with my grandparents* and on a short cruise to Cozumel and back to Florida.

*these cool folks

Photo by Lucy Hewett

This is my first vacation in 2 years and I'm SO ready. (beyond ready. wish i was leaving right this minute.) 

I am excited for 10 days full of sun, sand, ocean, reading, my grandparents, good food and quality husbandry time. (I also will not be blogging! If I get antsy, I might start researching some projects that I am planning for this summer :) )

As soon as our flights and cruise tickets were booked, my pre-spring break Maxxinista vibes sent me directly to TJ MAXX (of course). In Spring Breakinista fashion, I picked up these beauties in anticipation for our vacation. 

$98.00 BCBG shoes for $39.99. Not too shabby.

Generally, when I have a trip coming up, I head straight to the store(s) and stock up on lots of cheap trendy clothes. Instead of the usual impulsive vacation buy, I only bought these shoes and bowed out of TJ Maxx gracefully without apparel. (My accelerating rate of maturity is impressive, I know.) 

I have some heels and some flats, but these are:
1. not too tall
2. not too short
3. look fairly comfortable (time will tell)
4. can dress up or dress casual

Each of us are only taking a carry on suitcase for 10 days, so multi-functional outfits will be imperative.

I decided to check my closet before I made any unnecessary clothing purchases. I've gained some weight since last summer (probably because I eat too much pulled pork as explained here), so I was a little worried. I tore my closet apart and tried on all my warm weather clothes and dresses. I was impressed on what I found, what still fit, and the fun outfits I created out of clothes that I forgot about! (It's amazing how 6 months of cold weather can freeze your memory.)

When it was all said and done, I ended up purchasing some basic items that will hopefully transcend trends, and be wearable for a few years. These can all be paired up with my trendier closet clothes!

1. full length black maxi dress/bathing suit cover up $19.99 (orig. $40)

2. white short sleeve henley top $14.99 

3. restocked my basic black and white tank tops $12.99

4. comfy calvin klein cargo capris $19.99 (orig. $59)

5. nuetral long sleeve light weight cardigan $17.99 (orig. $70)

My entire spring breakinista purchases were under $140. I should be all set for spring and summer this year!

What is your favorite find this spring?

happy spring! xo
*I'll be back to blogging the first week of May. Hopefully, with some awesome pictures!

fancy pants

My first trend alert!!!

Actually, it's not an alert. I'm about 3 - 4 months behind on this. But hello, I just started blogging!

This spring is all about bright colors. They are everywhere!!!


I've incorporated into my nail polish collection. . . and other accessories.

But most exciting of all, this season is about colorful denim on those hot legs! Three months ago began the excitement around bright denim, and now the focus is shifting to pastels for the summer.


















You can get this pair of jeans for a measly $125 from J.Crew.

OR you can shop smart like I do and have a whole closet full of colorful denim for less than $90.

    (from right to left)

1. Teal purchased from Forever 21 in 2010 (I'm so ahead of the trends, it isn't funny :).
    Cost: I can't remember, but probably less than $30.

2. Burgundy purchased from Kohl's in Fall 2011.
    Cost: crap. I can't remember exactly, but I think it was less than $30, on sale & with a coupon.

3. Blue purchased from TJ MAXX in January 2012.
    Cost: $19.99.

4. Orange purchased from TJ MAXX on clearance in January 2012.
    Cost: $7.99.

J.Crew quality might "out-wear" these, but that's not a concern of mine because I doubt the trend will last long enough. OR I'll be on to another color palette by next Spring!

Now, for the fun part of this leg trend! 

Please welcome back, Kelly. She will re-introduce us to floral jeans!

 this guy beat me to this trend and posted about it in February. (Gr. I'm so behind!)

Here is Jenna Dewan wearing them in that article:


If you are nervous about how to wear these, don't worry, Cosmo is offering some advice here.



Now, where can you pick up a pair? Looking at Polyvore, it seems only the high-end brands have them right now. I haven't seen these beauties in TJ MAXX yet. (I'll let you know the second I do!) Have you seen them anywhere for less than $50?!


Don't like the flowers? Anthropologie has polka-dot denim here!


If the denim part of this trend scares you, it looks like stretch cotton pants in all sorts of flowers and patterns are here for the summer too. H&M has a pair for $14.95! Stella McCartney has a silk pair for only $1,165.00. Hurry, though they are running low on inventory! :)

shop smart! xo