Author: chelseawp

The Statement Necklace

I recently got this beautiful color mix necklace for my birthday and I’m in love! It is definitely a statement piece and makes an impact on any outfit. The color-mixing gives it a ton of versatility, making it easy to pair back to almost anything. Today I chose to pair the necklace back to neutral colors to let the necklace shine on it’s own. Lastly, I showcased this fun necklace with a high pony to keep the look casual.

Nordstrom Scoop Back Tee- similar Free People blouse ($68) / Levi’s High Rise Skinny (On Sale for $54) / Payless Shooties (On Sale for $15) / Hautelook Cleopatra Brooke Clutch- similar on Overstock ($20.20) / JCrew Color Mix Necklace ($165)- similar at Shoptiques ($29) / Marc by Marc Jacobs posts ($42) / Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses ($110)

Bags in Disguise

I think personal style is the easiest way to express your personality. I love having fun and a sense of humor with my fashion choices- it reminds me to never take myself too seriously! This is why I was thrilled to see such fun and funky handbags coming back into style! These bags are statement pieces. You can barely even tell some of these are handbags! My personal favorite is the kate spade love story clutch in the top left corner, but retailing at $328, I’m not sure it’s worth the splurge! But, not all of these handbags are priced equally. Can your EYE (hint, hint!) spy the most expensive handbag below?

kate spade book clutch ($328) / ROMWE ladybug crossbody (On Sale for $21.99) / ROMWE Dog Crossbody ($38.99) / H&M Lip Shoulder Bag ($24.95) / Accessorize Camera Crossbody ($44) / kate spade piano purse ($328) / ASOS Orange Clutch ($19.33) / Betsey Johnson Cupcake Clutch ($68) / Charlotte Olympia Eye Clutch ($1,995) / Nasty Gal Daisy Crossbody ($45) / ALDO Dog Clutch ($30) / ALDO Notebook Crossbody ($50) / kate spade toucan clutch ($328)

Stacked Cannolis

My husband and I have tons of fun experimenting in the kitchen together and this past weekend was no exception! We decided to take on the feat of making cannolis for the first time. As we finished up our dinner, we started reviewing the cannoli recipe and quickly realized we were unprepared. Who knew you needed a cannoli mold to make that tube shape? I quickly researched alternative ways to make the cannoli shape without a mold. I read a few recipes that said you could cut off the end of a broom handle or make a mold out of aluminum foil. Besides the fact that I use a dustbuster instead of a broom, I wasn’t loving the alternative options. It all sounded a little messy to me, so I decided to get a little creative and try stacked cannolis!

They actually turned out great and were super easy to make! We used Alex Guarnaschelli’s Homemade Cannoli Recipe from Food Network (which is delicious by the way) and tweaked the preparation to make them stacked instead of the traditional cannoli shape. Once you cut the dough into circles, you put them right into the hot oil and fry them into flat discs. We put a spoonful of the filling between each layer and topped the tower with the last of the filling and a few raspberries. Didn’t they turn out adorable? Bonus- they taste delicious too!

Craving a delicious italian pastry? Instead of making a batch of cannolis, consider trying this posh spin on the traditional dessert.

The Boyfriend Jean

Last week I finally found a pair of boyfriend jeans that work for me. I spotted these 501’s with the perfect amount of destruction I was looking for and had to have them. After a quick cuff and throwing on some heels, I’m out the door.

I love this outfit because it’s simple and effortless. These jeans can be dressed up or dressed down. For dinner with my husband, I decided to dress them up with heels and a leather jacket. This leather moto jacket is a recent find from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale- they sold out, but I found a similar one at Macy’s. Shop the full look below!

Levi’s 501 Boyfriend Jeans ($88) / Gap White Tee ($14) / Celebrity Pink Moto Jacket (On Sale for $54.90) / Steve Madden Sequin Pumps- similar Cole Haan ($98.40) / Cleopatra Bianca Purse (Hautelook)- similar Steve Madden Chain Clutch ($68) and ASOS Shoulder Bag (On Sale for $17.41) / Cat Eye Sunglasses- similar AJ Morgan Siren ($24) and Maybe ($24)

Glam Up for Under $50

One of the best ways to showcase your personality is how you style your home. Making a house feel like a home can be time consuming and costly, but I’m here to help! I’ve moved several times in the past few years and have learned quite a few budget saving decorating tricks. The most important one of all is to keep the big purchases, like furniture, classic and neutral and to use accent pieces to bring in color and trends.

As much as I love bright printed couches and white dining room tables, I know these are trendy pieces and aren’t worth the investment. Instead, I would spend my money on a nice neutral couch and a natural wood dining room table. Now you can dress it up with throw pillows, centerpieces, or anything you can get your hands on. As a bonus, it’s easy to find decorating accents to fit any budget- they are easy to replace when you get sick of the trend or want to try something new.

Below I gathered 10 of my favorite gold pieces to glam up your home. All are fabulous, fun and under $50!

Wayfair Pineapple ($49.34) / Stay and Co. Polka Dot Pillow ($29) / CB2 Pig Bookends ($29.95) / Zhush Feather Tray ($48) / Dwell Elephant ($49) / West Elm Hurricanes ($19.99 each) / West Elm Gallery Frames ($24-$54) / Hautelook Chevron Pillow ($19) / Crate and Barrel Glass Boxes ($29.95-39.95) / West Elm Serving Tray ($34)

Converse x Missoni Collaboration

I am a sucker for a fun collaboration, so when I found out about Converse’s collaboration with Missoni I had to share it with all of you!

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This isn’t the first time these two iconic brands have teamed up. It is actually the ninth limited edition collection they have released together since their debut partnership in 2010. This time around, their collection includes six different styles, all of them available at Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com since August 4th. In addition to granting Nordstrom customers with early access, they even released one Nordstrom Exclusive style in the Lucky Stone/Egret print pictured below!

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Missoni’s signature zigzags cover the canvas sneakers in vibrant color combinations. The sneakers are available in both the classic Chuck Taylor All Star high-top and low-top silhouettes. All styles, except the Nordstrom Exclusive print, will be available starting August 28th at the converse stores and converse.com.

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If you are anything like me and have been lusting over Missoni’s beautiful chevron prints for as long as you can remember, this collaboration is a great way for you to grab a piece of the Missoni brand for a fraction of the price! These styles are retailing for $85-$100 and if you are planning on grabbing a pair for yourself, I suggest you run to Nordstrom and buy them before this limited edition collection sells out!

Which print is your favorite? Share in your comments below!

Christian Louboutin Nail Polish

Being a shoe lover for most of my life, I have always been infatuated with Christian Louboutin’s red-soled heels. There is something about that luxurious red sole that just calls my name! A pair of Louboutins are a girl’s best friend and the perfect pump! They are classic, iconic, fun and always make a statement as you walk away!

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Now, Louboutin is taking the perfect shade of red from the bottom of their heels and literally bottling it up! Christian Louboutin has finally decided to enter the beauty world and is paving his way with the release of his Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour. This nail polish isn’t an ordinary nail polish, it’s a work of art!

Let’s start with the price. It’s the most expensive nail polish I’ve seen, retailing at $50 a bottle! The bottle’s cap is an 8-inch tall spike, replicating the height of the beautifully unrealistic Ballerina Ultima shoe pictured above. Painting with the thin, elongated cap is reminiscent of painting with a paint brush. With all this going on, this lavish bottle is not a nail polish you throw into your kaboodle and hide under your sink. This ombre bottle is meant to be décor for your bathroom or vanity. It’s made to leave an impact and it does just that!

As of today, only the Rouge Louboutin shade is available, but they have decided to come out with three different color families of shades, the Pops and Nudes and the Noirs, all available August 31st.

photo credit- The Zoe Report

Christian Louboutin came up with his red sole while working on an early prototype and thought something was missing. He grabbed his assistant’s red nail polish and painted the sole of the heel on a whim! With that, the signature red sole was born!

I am loving the bottle design and all the colors above (especially the Nudes!), but is a nail polish worth $50? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

BTS- Back To Skorts

Skorts used to be one of my go-to looks when I was young- they were a staple for any young girl in the 90’s. Skorts pleased your parent by looking like a skirt, but you still able to keep up with the boys without flashing your princess panties. To put it simply, they are the clothing version of a mullet- business in the front, party in the back!

But, skorts are no longer just for the 90’s and tennis matches, they are coming back! If you haven’t noticed, skorts are everywhere this summer and I don’t see them going anywhere for fall. There are tons of ways to wear them and I’m sharing a few of my favorites below!

Printed: wear this look with a simple button up or tee

ASOS Mono Print Skort ($58.04) / Topshop Lemon Skort ($68) / Express Animal Skort ($59.90) / Nastygal Gingham Skort (On Sale for $19.60)

Textured– To keep it casual, wear these with a graphic tee- both a bold graphic or an aged concert tee works!

White Topshop Textured Skort ($68) / Orange Topshop Quilted Skort ($68) / Free People Faux Leather Skort (On Sale for $70.80) / ASOS Pink Petal Skort ($48.37) / ASOS Yellow Crepe Skort (On Sale for $30.96)

Last, but not least, Florals– pair with your favorite moto jacket for an edgy/girly look

ASOS White Floral Skort ($48.37) / ASOS Black Floral Petal Skort ($29) / ASOS Floral Bordered Skort ($58.04)

Share your favorites and how you would wear them in the comments below!

July Birchbox | 2014

Since we are officially saying goodbye to July for another year, it’s time for me to review this month’s Birchbox products. If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a service with subscriptions to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer both men’s and women’s boxes!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Below is what I found when I opened my Birchbox this month- a collaboration with Women’s Health!

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Let me tell you, the wait was worth it! My box included:

suki exfoliate foaming cleanser

LAQA & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil

NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask

First, I tried the suki exfoliate foaming cleanser. As I mentioned in my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale post, I love and use my clarisonic everyday. Although cleansing is important, I think exfoliation is key! So needless to say, I love a good exfoliator and I was excited to find this suki sample in my box. I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s made with all natural ingredients, not to mention the amazing lemon scent. It’s supposed to be a two-in-one exfoliator and cleanser. But I have to admit, I didn’t love it as a cleanser. I found my everyday facial cleaner to remove my makeup easier and more thoroughly. But once my face was clean, I thought it did a great job exfoliating! It left my face feeling soft and refreshed!

Now onto the LAQA & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil. I never seem to buy lipstick or tints for myself, so I love to get samples of them. With the luck of the draw, I received the coral shade of this lip pencil. I have to admit, I am usually a pink lip girl so I wasn’t crazy when I saw the coral shade. Even though the color doesn’t do much for me, the lip pencil was otherwise great. I liked the sheer, shiny look it gave my lips and the minty smell was a nice bonus! I checked out the other shades offered in this pencil and they look really fun! I could definitely see myself purchasing one of their more versatile colors.

Next I tried the NAOBAY Body Radiance Lotion. This lotion is yet another all natural product, made up of olive oil and avocado! This lotion is light and soaks into the skin quickly. I loved that it wasn’t greasy, but I felt you might be sacrificing moisturizer for the light consistency. The smell was light and unique, but not exactly what I want in a lotion. For the price, I don’t personally think this lotion is worth it, unless using all natural products is a priority for you.

Now for a fun one, Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels. These are a great idea! They are little gel pockets with an adhesive side that you place under your eyes for 10 minutes. Once applied, they have a cooling effect that both hydrates and refreshes your skin. Feeling stressed? It’s a great idea to add to a mini spa night at home to get rid of those dark circles under your eyes. I have to admit, it’s not something anyone needs, but it’s definitely a fun beauty treatment for a night with the girls!

Last, but definitely not least, the Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask. I love everything I’ve tried from this brand! Just like the rest of Beauty Protector’s products, this mask smells amazing! The only downside is you have to let the product sit in your hair for 20 minutes, but let me tell you- it’s worth it! The next day, my hair felt amazing! It gave my locks great shine and was super soft! Although I loved it, I tend to shy away from mask products or treatments because I usually forget to take the time to sit down and do them. Therefore, I prefer their Protect and Detangle Spray. Instead of one 20 minute application, you spray on your hair everyday after showering. It gives very similar results and is easier for the low maintenance girl!

Have any of you tried these brands or products before? Let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below!

That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s samples on June’s Birchbox- Unboxed.

Chevron Chic

Most of you know Chicago as the Windy City, and so did I… until I moved to the top of a hill in San Francisco. This city by the bay is windy, especially as you climb further up the hills. And as much as I try to get my hair to cooperate, sometimes you’ve just got to surrender to the wind and throw it on a bun!

This chevron baseball jacket was one of my many scores from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It’s a pretty busy print, so I chose to keep it the rest of my outfit simple with a black top and maxi, finishing it off with gold accessories. I love to take everyday basics and pair them back to one pop item or statement piece. This jacket gives the look personality and a fun seventies vibe!

Notice that pop of pink on my wrist? That’s my new fitbit! The jury is still out on it, but so far I’m really liking it and learning a lot about my body. Do any of you have a fitness tracker? If so what are your thoughts on them?

BCNU Chevron Baseball Jacket (On Sale for $26.40) / Gap Favorite Tee (On Sale for $14) / Old Navy Maxi Skirt ($34.94) / Cleopatra Bianca Purse (Hautelook)- similar Steve Madden Chain Clutch ($68) and ASOS Shoulder Bag ($24.75) / Target Sandals- similar DSW ($29.94) and Lucky Brand ($38.49) / francesca’s tassel necklace- similar Sosie (On Sale $15.50) / Forever 21 Gold Jewelry / Pink fitbit ($99.95) / BP Heart Sunglasses ($12)

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