Showing posts with label haul. Show all posts

Fashion Friday: Outfits from Charlotte Russe's Closing Sale Haul

Last month, when I heard juniors retailer Charlotte Russe was closing all of its stores, I honestly wasn't surprised as similar stores like Wet Seal had done the same. I never shopped there a lot but did on occasion, so I was a little disappointed. But I was honestly more excited and looking forward to the liquidation sales because I love a good sale! And with it finally starting to feel like spring, it was a great time to shop for some warm weather clothing or get a great deal on fall/winter clothes.

There are quite a few Charlotte Russe stores in the areas I usually shop at, but I went to only two within a week or so, closer to the start of the liquidation sales. I bought the most stuff at the first store I went to, probably because it was either the first or second day of the closing sales, so that's when the most stuff and the best items were available. The second store I went to several days ago still had a lot of stuff but not as much good stuff, so I didn't buy as much. None of the sales were like ridiculously good, like 70% off the original price (except maybe the clearance rack items), but they everything was at least 30% off, which is still quite a bit of money to save.

The first time I got seven items (five clothing items and two undergarment accessories) for $78, and the second time I bought two pairs of shoes and two clothing items for $63. Considering $80 at Charlotte Russe would typically get you maybe three or four clothing items or two pairs of shoes, I think I got some pretty good deals.

Pink criss-cross dress and Nude pointed stud flats


This dress was one of the first things I saw when I first went to Charlotte Russe for their liquidation sale. The bright pink color easily caught my eye, and we all know pink is my favorite. The color is perfect for summer. I really like the fit of the dress with the flared skirt, and the criss cross design at the front adds a bit of flair to the solid color dress.

Another thing I like about this dress is that it can be easily dressed up or down. I can throw on a denim jacket and some flat sandals for a more casual look, or I can wear it with some wedges of heels for a fancier look. Pairing it with these pointed studded flats creates a look that would be in the middle.


Ever since I saw Valentino make shoes with studs on the straps like these, I wanted a pair of similar shoes, knowing full well that I could not afford the actual Valentino shoes. So when I saw these dupes of the flats, I immediately tried them on. The nude color makes it so they're versatile and can go with pretty much any color combination. 

These shoes have two adjustable straps: one at the ankle and one on the foot to make them fit you best. Almost every pair of flats I own are uncomfortable and give me blisters, and while I haven't actually worn these yet, they were pretty comfortable when I tried them on in the store with somewhat swollen feet and when I took all the photos for this post. I think I wore these shoes the longest during my photoshoot, and my feet didn't hurt, so that's good!


Tropical floral lace-up back dress


The best thing about this dress is that it was on one of the clearance racks, so it was an addition 30% off the already-cheap clearance price! This dress just makes me want to go on a warm, tropical vacation ― or a vacation somewhere warm at the least! The tropical floral print is just so fun and summery and pops really well on the white. The dress itself is made of a very light and airy fabric that's perfect for summer and makes it super comfy. 

I feel like I hardly ever see V-neck dresses, so I really like the neckline of this one. The flutter sleeves are really cute and actually have an opening, so it sometimes looks like there's a cutout in the sleeve or there's a straight-up cut in the sleeve. Either way, it's a unique little detail that would make this a great dress to wear along the water or on the beach where the breeze would blow through the sleeves and give you some refreshing air.


My favorite detail, though, would have to be the back. I love the lace-up design on the back that just more fun and flair to the dress. It's another reason this would be great to wear on a beach or somewhere along the water. Plus, the lace-up back allows you to tighten or loosen the top of the dress to your desire, which is neat, because it allows you to be the most comfortable you can be.

I paired this dress with some '90s-looking heeled sandals because I wanted to add some more color, but this would look great with almost any kind of sandal: flip-flops, flat strappy sandals, wedges, or some block heels. I absolutely love the Sugarfix by BaubleBar earrings I accessorized with, because they add some more fun to the look without overdoing it, especially looking at the outfit from the front since it looks more plain. Anyone up for a trip to Florida or California?


Red/pink/white/black striped cropped hoodie


As much as I like to dress up and wear skirts and dresses, there are of course days where I'm feeling a more casual, laid-back look. And this cropped hoodie is perfect for that. This was another one of my clearance rack finds, and I just liked everything about it: the cropped design, the colors, the stripes, the fit.

I personally love high-waisted jeans and shorts, so I love to pair them with crop tops. However, I actually have only one cropped hoodie and think they're just so cute and comfy. This one definitely adheres to my cute and comfy opinion. The red, white, pink, and black is simple and still allows me to wear pink like I always do. The stripes are just classic and timeless, so they'll never go out of style. Sometimes cropped tops can be too cropped, but this one is just right.


I wanted to keep it all simple and casual with this hoodie and paired it with some distressed black jeans so the hoodie would be the focal point of the outfit. I wore black slip-on sneakers here, but a lot of different sneakers would work well with this. I also have white low-top Converse, light pink Keds, and rose gold Reebok sneakers, all of which would look good with this hoodie and add some contrast to the black jeans but also bring out the colors in the hoodie. I'm currently saving up for some white slip-on Vans, and those would be perfect with this hoodie, too.


Yellow striped off-the-shoulder top and Yellow floral high-low skirt


It's pretty rare that I buy a shirt that has absolutely no pink on it unless it's a solid, neutral-colored shirt, but I couldn't pass up this shirt when I saw it on the same rack as this floral skirt. They basically put the outfit together for me right then and there! 

I've seen a lot of these fitted off-the-shoulder tops in the past year or so but just never bought one. But with this one, since I immediately saw what I would wear it with, I didn't hesitate. The yellow color fits the spring and summer seasons so well (and could even be worn for fall if done correctly). It's a departure from my usual color palette, so it'll add some variety to my wardrobe.

If I'm being honest, I pretty much bought this floral skirt only to go with the yellow top, but I know I have other shirts in my closet already that I can pair it with. What I like about the florals on this skirt is how they look like a painting. Also, they're pretty big compared to any other piece of clothing I have that is floral print. I love high-low skirts like this where it's almost like a wrap skirt in the front with the overlapping curved front.


Mixing patterns is something you can totally do if you know how to do it without looking like you're dressed for a high school spirit week on tacky day. But it actually isn't that hard, and this outfit here is a great, easy example of how to do it. The striped top provides a more subtle pattern while the floral skirt is bolder. Both the top and the skirt have a main color in common, yellow, which ties the two together without the mixing looking tacky.

Don't these two pieces make a cute outfit?! I love the variety in designs and lengths where the off-the-shoulder top shows more skin while the high-low skirt has more coverage, balancing nicely. Off-the-shoulder tops go great with chokers, because they let them be seen more as opposed to other tops. I wore a gold choker and a rose gold chain necklace here, which are simple but add some shine. 

I chose wedges to go with this outfit to add some height and dress it up a bit. The high-low skirt lets me show off my shoes without detracting too much attention from the clothes themselves. But this could also be worn with flat sandals for a more casual look.



Light olive/pink/white striped blazer and Rose gold glitter pointed heels


No matter where I'm shopping, I always try to take a look at the clearance and sale racks, because you never know what's there. I never want to miss out on a good deal, and this blazer is one of those. As I begin to become a fully-fledged adult with a job, I need certain clothes, like blazers. I'm not a big fan of boring black blazers, and as someone who works in media and communications, I can get away with colorful and patterned blazers, like this one. 

Olive green is actually one of my favorite colors to wear because it's a great color for spring and fall and goes with pink, especially light pink, well. So I'm a fan of the color combo of this blazer, and the pink and white contrast well with the olive and give it a fresh spring vibe. It's not a super stiff or structure blazer and actually is really easy to move in, so it's comfortable to wear. The little ruched detailing on the side at the bottom of the sleeves are super cute, too, and shorten the sleeves, which I like since I'm often working with my hands, doing a lot of writing and typing, and sleeves can sometimes get in the way.


I hardly use blazers for everyday casual wear, but even this blazer can be dressed up or down depending on what I wear with it, mainly the shoes. Whenever I wear blazers, I typically wear them with a matching top and pants. Since this blazer is striped, I'd probably stick with plain shirts or maybe a lace top and black business casual-appropriate leggings or skinny leg pants. But I could also be more formal and wear a black or pink skirt. I'm not sure I have any business-casual dresses that I could wear with this, but that would work as well.

To dress up the outfit with pants, I chose to wear these Charlotte Russe heels to add some shine and formality. While glitter isn't something I'd wear for any business purposes, I feel these are subtle enough to work, especially since the rose gold color isn't bold. Plus, I work in a more creative industry where that isn't as big of an issue.

I don't usually shop for heels unless I'm seeking ones to go with a certain dress I bought for an occasion, but since these were on sale and I love pink and rose gold and glitter, I thought these could be a good, justifiable investment. One of my cousins is getting married later this year, so I'm definitely going to try to wear these even though I don't have a dress yet. Anyway, even though these are literally covered in glitter, I can make them work for more casual but still fancier than normal occasions like Easter. I actually bought a Ted Baker dress at Marshalls not too long after buying these, and it would go with these quite well since it has gold accents.



Purple/white/pink/light blue striped turtleneck sweater


The last thing I bought from Charlotte Russe was this comfy striped sweater. Although I'm pretty over wearing sweaters since I've done it for the past four months or so, I loved the colors on this one and thought this would be a good sweater to wear on a cooler spring day. I love how the pink really stands out among the other colors, which all pair well together while still contrasting. I typically like my sweaters to be a little big, so I definitely liked the fit of this as it wore like a slightly oversized sweater. The sweater itself is soft and it isn't too warm, so I was able to wear it last Sunday on a rainy, cooler spring day.

While I could pair this sweater with black jeans or leggings, which are usually my go-to, I wanted to brighten and lighten it up and chose to wear light wash distressed jeans instead, which is more of a spring outfit choice. I'm also kind of over wearing boots, but when it's raining, there are only so many good footwear options. Besides, these sparkly Kate Spade boots stayed in the color combo of the sweater while adding some shine. This was a great, comfy cool, rainy spring day outfit. 



February Shopping Roundup

The first several weeks of 2019 actually didn't include very many trips to the mall, which is pretty odd for me since my mom goes shopping almost every weekend of the month. So when we finally went to the mall at the end of February, I couldn't help but treat myself to some new clothes.

Nike Factory Store

Nike SB Icon Hoodie
Since finishing school, I've realized I don't have many hoodies, which are a staple closet item as well as just plain old comfy clothes that never go out of style. So when I saw this hoodie at Nike, I decided to get it. The light pink print on the olive green looks great. I wear similar color combos often, and I've wanted something Nike SB for several years now.

Sanrio and Skincare: Riley Rose Winter Beauty Haul


Last weekend while I was in downtown Chicago, I went to my favorite non-clothing store, Riley Rose. For those of you who don't know, Riley Rose is Forever 21's beauty and gifts store. They have tons of makeup, hair, and beauty products and a ton of fun home/gifts stuff, like pens, stationery, and home decor. Inside of the store is all white and pink and super pretty and fun, so I love the atmosphere.

Now that it's officially winter, I realized it was a great time to buy and try some new beauty products. The cold, dry winter air is no fun, and I as get older, I realize I need to take better care of myself, not just in the general terms of health and not getting sick. So scroll down to see what I bought at Riley Rose! (Click the name of the product to shop it online.)

The Creme Shop x Sanrio Chococat Handy Dandy Hand Cream


Whose hands don't get super dry in the winter? I can't go a single winter without buying new hand cream. I'd already bought some earlier this year, but it doesn't last too long, and I don't think having too much hand cream is a bad thing. So when I saw this limited edition one, I immediately tried some from the sample. Chococat's always been one of my favorite Sanrio characters, and the shea butter in the cream makes it a great hand cream. It's much better than the cheap one I currently have.

October Shopping Roundup

It's been a long time since I've last done a shopping post, and that's for several reasons. One: when I do shop, I don't buy a lot at once/around the same time anymore, and that's because of two: I don't have as much money to spend on clothes as I used to now that I'm paying off student loans. Three: I'm trying to save money and buy less clothes (or at least really think about how much I'll wear the clothes I'm buying).

But this month has brought a bit of a change ― a good one. First of all, October is my birthday month, so I was gifted with money to spend. Second, I went on vacation that included a trip to the Mall of America, which is in Minnesota, and Minnesota exempts clothing from sales tax! Third, I finally got a job and realized I need more clothes for work. So I splurged this month and treated myself to celebrate my birthday and new job. After all, "Treat yo'self" Day is in October.

TJ Maxx/Marshalls

Freshman 1996 striped knit sweater
Fall has finally arrived, and so has sweater weather. I actually don't own a lot of sweaters, which probably isn't a good thing considering I live in the Chicago suburbs where we actually experience all four seasons, including rather cold winters. And most of the sweaters I do own are pretty plain and just solid, so to add some variety, I purchased this cute striped sweater. The colors are so fun and perfect for fall, and the knit material it's made of is super soft. I like that it's a little loose and oversized because that just makes it comfier.

One Clothing plaid shift dress
Obviously short sleeves aren't ideal when it comes to fall and winter in Illinois, but I couldn't pass up this dress. It was in the clearance section at Marshalls for only $10, and I can use it for work ― it's the perfect length and isn't too long or too short ― or a casual outing. It's always a plus when something can be used for multiple occasions.

The plaid is super trendy right now but is a classic kind that will never go out of style, which is great. The black stripes on the side are a fun little touch, too. I have a short sleeve shirt that has pearls on the collar, and I think it would look so chic under this dress and make me feel like Veronica Lodge from Riverdale. I didn't try it on in the store, but when I got home, I did, and it was really comfy and easy to move it, which is perfect if I wear it for work because being in communications is definitely not a 9-5 job where you sit behind a desk all day.

Fashion Friday: $100 Tillys Shopping Haul

One great thing about social media, especially Instagram, is the abundance of contests. I was the winner of a contest at the end of February and won a $100 Tillys e-gift card just by commenting on an Instagram post! As a fashion lover and recent college graduate who's still looking for a job and paying student loans, I was ecstatic and took full advantage of the gift card.

I wanted to get the most out of this gift card and buy as much as I could, so I looked at all of the sale items first, and a ton of great items were on sale. After hours of browsing the Tillys site, I decided on seven clothing items to use all of my gift card on. (What a steal, right?)

Without realizing it until checkout, I bought clothes that went together to create three different outfits. I was so excited to get my clothes that I couldn't wait to go out and wear them to show them off. So I did a mini photoshoot to try on and style the clothes for this haul post and show how much $100 can really buy.

(I've linked everything I bought from Tillys in the photo captions and even indicated if what's on sale!)

Outfit 1

This first outfit is definitely a fall outfit, but there is no way I'm waiting for August or September to wear it. It's just too cute to wait to wear. I wish it were warm enough in Chicago to wear now because I want to wear it so badly. I absolutely love the colors of this outfit since I'm a big fan of burgundy/maroon/deep dark reddish pinks. The different textures from the suede skirt and the ruffled bell sleeves play off each other quite nicely. The top can be tucked in or worn normally, and it looks cute both ways. I personally prefer it untucked.

Altar'd State choker | IVY & MAIN Off The Shoulder Womens Plaid Shirt | IVY & MAIN Suede Scallop Skirt (SALE) | Charlotte Russe ankle boots
This top was the first thing I added to my cart. Once I saw it, I knew I wanted it because I really liked it but didn't have anything like it. I don't own a lot of purple but really enjoy these deep, rich colors. I've seen a lot of off-the-shoulder tops with bell sleeves but never one like this. I like to think of this as a top as a modern, trendy Blair Waldorf because plaid is so Gossip Girl.

IVY & MAIN Off The Shoulder Womens Plaid Shirt (SALE) | IVY & MAIN Suede Scallop Skirt (SALE)

2017 Black Friday Weekend Mini Shopping Haul

Although it's officially the holiday shopping season, the time to buy gifts for everyone on your list, I took advantage of the great sales to spoil myself a bit. So here's what I scored during the Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend (that isn't a present, of course!):

Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe had quite a few deals for Black Friday, but I wasn't sold on any of them except for its BOGO scarves deal. Now that winter's nearing, I've been breaking out my scarves from my closet. When I'm out and about, my neck can feel naked without one during this time of year. I especially love blanket scarves because they add a fun and cozy touch to an outfit. Blanket scarves are also unlike other winter scarves where you actually want them to be part of your outfit. You aren't just wearing this fuzzy piece of cloth around your neck to keep you warm.


After looking through my fall and winter clothes, I realized I needed more neutral blanket scarves. I have a dark gray/pink/white one, a light gray/pink/white one, and a beige/hot pink/navy/red one. So I realized I needed ones that matched more of my clothes. 

2017 Labor Day Weekend Shopping Haul

It seriously isn't a holiday weekend in my family if my mom doesn't go shopping at the mall. This year for Labor Day, my mom was off for five days straight, which meant there'd be a lot of time for shopping. I've been trying to save my money and stop spending so much lately since I don't have a job or any consistent income coming in like I did when I was in school, but I just couldn't pass up some of the stuff I saw this weekend. Plus, I got to go to a mall I haven't been to in years that had such good deals! But I'm definitely committing to saving my money from here on out until it's time for Christmas shopping.

Forever 21

Care Bear Cropped Graphic Tee
I loved Care Bears as a kid, and I actually still do, so when I saw this graphic crop top, I just had to have it! It reminds me of my childhood (especially because I have Cheer Bear, the pink one on the left), and I really like the light, soft colors. This will serve me well when I just want to throw jeans and a shirt on. Plus, I love crop tops. 



Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Cropped Graphic Tee
Shortly after I found the Care Bears top, my sister showed me another graphic crop top that reminds me of my childhood. I wasn't even born yet when the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie came out, but my brother watched it and had the movie on VHS, which I eventually ended up watching several times throughout my childhood. I also watched newer Power Rangers seasons once I was old enough to actually comprehend what was on TV. 

The vibrant colors of the Power Rangers and the logo really pop against the pink and white tie-dye. I've always been a fan of the pink ranger, Kimberly, so I love that she's in the middle of the shirt. I even have a pink Might Morphin Power Ranger bear named Kimberly!



Lace-Insert Crepe Top
After finding two graphic tees, I knew if I were to buy anything else from Forever, it probably shouldn't be a graphic crop top. As someone who's currently looking for a job, I'm trying to buy clothes that I could wear to work if I had a job since most of the time, I'll need to wear work clothes, not just any clothes.

I love everything about this top. The bright fuschia is such a fun color, and the lace and ruffles on the sleeves add some feminine flair. I didn't take a photo of the back, but there are some gold buttons in the back as well that are super cute as well. And while this shirt could be worn for business casual, I would also just wear it on an everyday basis as well. 


Polka Dot Shirt
This is another shirt that I intend to use for business casual purposes. The dusty pink color is perfect for fall, and polka dots are just classic. I like the boxier, looser fit to this because it pairs with skinny jeans and leggings better. Similar to the previous shirt, I would also wear this casually as well, and it's nice when you can wear your clothes for more than one occasion to get the most out of them.


Altar'd State


Since I've been a student for nearly all of my life, I'm accustomed to using a planner to organize my life and what I need to do. For the first time in over 15 years, I'm not in school, so I don't have a big need for a planner. But I love planners, so I got a new one anyway! What I like about this one is that in addition to the normal monthly and weekly pages, it has Bible verses at the start of each month, notes pages for each month, and a little goals page to begin every month. It's a nice personal touch that gives me a reason to use my planner while I'm still searching for a job and just have some appointments and events in it.




For some reason, I don't have any clear/plain earrings that could go with anything except for my pearl earrings. There are times when I want to wear earrings but don't have any I want to wear with my outfit because the pearls just don't seem right. So when I found these for only $5, I thought it'd be a good idea to get them.

I like that they aren't normal stud earrings and have little gems around the big stud to add a little more shine. They're not too big or too small either, so the combo of the little studs around the big one is nice. 

Tilly's

Ethika Rose Clay Sports Bra
I've known about the underwear brand Ethika since I was in middle school because of professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, who is one of Ethika's sponsored athletes. But Ethika didn't start making stuff for women until a few years ago, so I was excited when they did. Ethika had always had a good reputation, and I'd always heard good things about their products, so I've wanted to try them for a while but never felt like buying its stuff online. 

Luckily, Ethika now sells some of their stuff in Tilly's stores, so I finally got the chance to buy some for myself! I think all girls and women can agree that sports bras are comfier than normal ones, so I wasn't really hesitant to buy a sports bra. Plus, I have quite a few tops this could go with.


Ethika Rose Clay Staple Boyshorts

While Ethika mainly makes undergarments, I've definitely seen women wear its signature Staple like it's a compression short or pair of spandex shorts. That's what I plan to do with these, especially because it's a good color to go under some of my dresses and skirts.


Nike


For some reason, I don't have a lot of workout tops that have sleeves, so I've been looking for some. The problem is that I often find ones but they're just plain, which I don't really want. I found this striped one at the Nike clearance store and liked it right away. It's not plain, but the pattern isn't overwhelming. It also has a good fit and doesn't conform to your body like some workout shirts do. 



If you've read my blog before or seen my bio on any website, you'll know I didn't go to LSU. I went to the University of Illinois. So why did I buy an LSU tank top and quarter-zip pullover? Because I'm an LSU gymnastics fan, and these were marked down so much that I could not resist.

The only LSU shirt I had before buying the tank was a long sleeve, which meant I could only support LSU when it was reasonable to wear a long sleeve shirt. So I got the tank top with the cool graphics on the front and back.


This quarter-zip is actually a little snug on me since it's an XS instead of a small, but with the discount I was getting on it, I could definitely deal with it. Plus, since it's made of spandex, it's stretches.

I already had a long sleeve top to support LSU, but this quarter-zip was just too cool to pass up. Plus, I can wear it while exercising, which is a plus. But my favorite thing about it has to be the thumbholes in the sleeves. I love those!



I'm not sure how or why, but I didn't own a plain black pair of shorts to exercise in (except for spandex/compression shorts). That's a key piece of athletic wear, so I did not pass up the opportunity to get some for less than $15. Plus, I needed shorts to go with the LSU tank.



How did you spend your Labor Day weekend? If you shopped, what deals did you score?

Fashion Friday: 2017 Fourth of July Weekend Haul

With the Fourth of July being on a Tuesday this year, it was a long weekend for many. And holidays plus a long weekend equals sales galore! Surprisingly, my family and I only went shopping once during the holiday weekend, but I made the most of it. I got to go to a mall that's a bit farther from my house that I've only been to a few times, so it was nice to go somewhere new.

Banana Republic

I stopped by Banana Republic after I went to all of the stores I really like and normally go into just to look around, especially since they had a 50% off sale sign in the window. Plus, now that I'm done with college, I feel more inclined to start shopping at more "adult" stores. When I went inside, I actually saw my mom right at the front of the store, so then she told me to go look at some shorts that were half off.


These ones look purple in the picture, but they're actually a pinkish-purple color. They're dressier shorts than most of the ones I own, and they're a higher quality since most of my shorts are just denim. I actually have a floral button-up peplum top that will go with these perfectly. The color is fun and bright, making it perfect for summer. They do seem like more mature shorts than what I have, so hopefully these can last me quite a while.

Winter Break Shopping Haul 2017

With four weeks off school, winter break provides lots of time for me to do whatever I want, particularly shop. After all, the end of the year means a lot of stores are having sales! Here's what I bought over my final winter break.

Adidas



Thanksgiving Break Shopping Haul 2016



Whenever I go home from school, I always look forward to shopping. Being away at school for most of the year and being busy with classes, yearbook, and clubs, I don't get the chance to actually go out and shop for clothes too often. So I always try to go when I'm at home.

And there may be no better time to shop than during Thanksgiving break. Unlike some college students, I get a whole week off for Thanksgiving break, so I get to take advantage of the pre-Thanksgiving and holiday sales in addition to the Black Friday steals.

Take a look at what I scored over the holiday week below!

Fashion Friday: Final Back to School Shopping Haul

Back-to-school shopping has always been my favorite part of going back to school, whether it be school supply shopping or clothes shopping. As a senior in college with no plans of going to graduate school, this was my last year of back-to-school shopping!

I can hardly believe this is my last year of school, but I'm excited for it. I will miss the school supply shopping, though. I love school supplies and stationary. Thankfully, shopping for clothes is something I'll always need to do.

Lately, I've been into more solid and simple clothes and more neutral and softer colors, so a lot of my recent purchases are more on the plain and earthy-colored side. I've also been digging the lace-up trend, whether it be shirts, dresses, or shoes.


Fashion Friday: 2016 Fourth of July Weekend Shopping Haul

The holiday weekend last week certainly made this week feel rather short. Like many, I took advantage of the holiday sales offered last weekend and shopped till I dropped!

I'm aware that I have more than enough clothes, so what I've been trying to do lately is buy less everyday clothes that I'd wear to school or out with friends and family and buy more workout clothes, which I think I did a good job of!

I've been trying to work out and be active more often. In that endeavor, I've discovered I need more workout clothes other than compression shorts, and I need actual workout shirts, not just old volleyball t-shirts. But, of course, I still ended up buying some normal clothes!


Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack

Fashion Friday: Memorial Day Weekend 2016 Shopping Haul

Just like any other season, summer has its holidays where stores and manufacturers take advantage of the special occasion to have sales and great deals. Memorial Day Weekend's no different. And since this year, MDW was my first real weekend of summer, I was glad to spend it out and about at the mall and a few other stores. I also couldn't pass up some great online deals for the holiday weekend.

But in addition to shopping, I of course remembered what Memorial Day is all about and didn't let the shopping and sales overshadow the real reason for the long weekend. So when  you're out shopping MDW sales and see red, white, and blue everywhere, don't forget the real purpose for the holiday.

Anyway, I definitely prepared for summer with all the shopping I did that weekend, so take a look at what I got. If the items are available online, I've linked them in the caption.


Portland 2016: Shopping Haul

Oregon has no sales tax, so I of course had to do some shopping while I was in Portland. I didn't have too much time to shop with all of the visits I had to do for class, and stores downtown seemed to close around 8 p.m. on weekdays, but I managed to leave the state with some good deals and stuff!


Beaver Store

The Beaver Store is an Oregon State fan store, and there's a location in downtown Portland despite Oregon State being half an hour or so away in Corvallis.


I'm not a big fan of Oregon State's gymnastics team, but I do like a few of their gymnasts. Plus, I'll take a gymnastics shirt from almost any university! I'd like to start a collection of collegiate gymnastics shirts. Right now I have Illinois (of course), Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, Arizona State, and now Oregon State!


Spring Shopping Haul 2016

Last week, I was on spring break, and for me, breaks from school mean going home. And for me, going home means shopping. That was definitely the case this year as my mom decided we'd be going to three different malls. Plus, I did some online shopping before leaving for break in case I needed an outfit for Easter. So it's safe to say I've done a lot of retail therapy over the past few weeks. 

Many of the items I purchased are available online, so click the hyperlink in the photo caption to find it online. I couldn't find the exact ones on websites for everything, but I did find similar ones that are also linked below the photos.

Fashion Friday: Unexpected End of January Mini Haul

When I returned to campus for spring semester, I definitely wasn't expecting to do another haul post until at least after spring break simply because I don't have time to go out and shop during the school year. I was wrong. I don't have any classes on Friday this semester, which gives me a three-day weekend every weekend!

A week into the semester, I didn't have much to do, so I went online shopping. Then last week, my sister and I went out off campus because I needed more hangers for all my jackets and she wanted to find some dress pants. But, of course, I ended up buying clothes as well. 

Many of the items below are available for online purchase! Click the caption of the photo to shop for the item online.

Winter Break Shopping Haul 2015

My winter break was five weeks long, so I had plenty of time to go shopping. Considering I hadn't really done too much shopping since the summer, I was excited for all the possible shopping time and the holiday/year-end sales. While I honestly didn't go out to the mall or stores too much, I took advantage of the time and sales and got a quite a lot.

Some of the items I bought can be found online, so click the link in the photo caption to shop online.

Thanksgiving Break Haul 2015

For college students like me, Thanksgiving break means a nice, little vacation from the stresses of school. For fashion lovers and shopping enthusiasts like me, it means it's time to shop! While most shopping around Thanksgiving probably occurs during Black Friday, I shopped throughout the week because it had been months since I set foot in a store or mall simply to shop. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the shopping I did over break was for Christmas presents. But I did get to buy stuff for myself as well!

(The last three items are available online. So if you'd like to buy one of these online, click the item's name in the caption.)

Marshalls/TJ Maxx

burgundy Pink Rose lace trim sweater
I actually have a sweater very similar to this (it's this sweater from Forever 21 except it's normal sized, not plus), but I'm a sucker for lace trim on sweaters, and I love this color. Plus, this one is thinner than the one I have from Forever.

Fashion Friday: Labor Day Weekend Haul 2015

If you go shopping a lot, pass stores a lot, or just get a lot of promotional emails from stores, then you'll know that businesses use every holiday as an opportunity for a sale to get people's money. Labor Day is no exception.

Usually, I go home for Labor Day weekend, and I go to the mall with my family. But this year, I didn't go home since my family just came down to visit me and my sister the weekend before. It felt a little weird to not go home and shop, so my sister and I just went shopping here in Champaign instead since didn't have much to do and it may be the only chance we get to go to the mall this semester. And while I prefer the malls closer to home that I go to all the time, I didn't waste my time at the mall.

Victoria's Secret PINK

PINK is one of the only stores I'll splurge at, because I think it's worth it, especially if it's part of their collegiate collection. No one else has the same cute Illini clothes they have! So when it came down to choosing what Illini PINK piece of clothing I wanted to splurge on, it was a little tough, but I managed to make a decision.




Fashion Friday: Back to School Mini Shopping Haul

Usually, I get lots of clothes at the end of summer in preparation for school. This year was pretty different in that I got almost nothing compared to what I usually get. Part of the reasoning for this was that I don't really need new clothes (I know I have plenty) and that there just wasn't a lot of time to go shopping for clothes. I did manage to get some new things though, mostly professional clothes that I can use in the future for job interviews, formal presentations and internships. I'm now a junior in college, so I thought it was time to finally get some.

Also, you may have noticed that this post's title begins with "Fashion Friday." I'm going to try to post a fashion-related post every Friday or every other Friday in an attempt to be more active with this blog.

TJ Maxx

These leggings are actually originally from American Eagle, but if you've ever been to TJ Maxx, you probably know they sell quite a few things from brand name stores at the mall a few months after they're originally sold at the brand name store.


When I think of professional clothing for women, pencil skirts often come to mind, but I think a flared skirt like this could work as well. 



What I like most about this pencil skirt is that it's got a little flair to it in the front with the curved hem and layers.



I used to have a lot of cardigans and sweaters, but I realized that a lot of them were getting worn out because I've been using the same ones for about four years.



I just really love how this is a loose-fitting and relaxed fit hoodie. It's comfy and cute at the same time. What more could you ask for? (Plus, I love the crocheted hem.)


This shift dress is unlike any other dress I own simply because of its fit and the strap that ties around your waist. I really like the colors and the pattern, which is what drew me to the dress, but I wasn't sure if I'd like the style and fit of the dress. I recently wore it though, and I love it!