f21 spring picks

nothing says 'spring has sprung' to me more than vibrant floral prints. here are my favorites from forever 21's spring collection...

if i prefer my accessories to make the statement, i like to choose neutral palettes like this, then add the pop of floral, like in the heels...

here are some other great blank canvases to start with...

let the blossoms bloom!...

i love spring, and only because it brings me this much closer to summer!

Fashion Lusts Meets Reality Budget

Sebago Dockslides - $85.00

Forever 21 Laced Boat Shoes - $19.80

I have always had a thing for deck shoes. They're so simple and chic, perfect for the casual summer prep look with some khakis and oxford blouses. I am sure the F21 pair aren't fit for actual deck wear, but they are a bit more feminine, no?

accessory

So I mentioned in a few posts back that I am working on the accessories part of my wardrobe since it's been lacking for quite some time. I started out small with some thrifted items and got some accessories thrown in with some other shopping and then BAM! I got sucked in.

I love white shirts in the Summer and I would've worn a belt with it just like it is pictured, so the included belt was just icing. And it all started with this one white dress shirt. Here's how the inner dialogue kinda went:

"Hm, I have white shirts, but I am really liking the ruffle detailing on this top. What's another white shirt? It's a basic. I'm getting it." :clicks ADD TO YOUR BAG:

"Oooh, but I just love wearing silver jewelry with whites in the Summer and look at all these cute leaves! I love this dangly one!" :clicks ADD TO YOUR BAG:

"Wow, and this filigree one looks awesome too!" :clicks ADD TO YOUR BAG:

"Oh, but I also love wearing turquoise with white in the Summer too!" :clicks ADD TO YOUR BAG:

"And they have it in black too? OMG, too cute!" :clicks ADD TO YOUR BAG:

The rest goes along in the same pattern until I realized I had an entire shopping cart of just accessories for Spring. Such a sucker.

craving spring

I was giving my brain a break from schoolwork and decided to roam around different online shops I haven't been to in a while (just so you all can't say I am biased with Forever 21! ;p)

Good and bad news, I found some cute stuff for Spring/Summer on CharlotteRusse.com...

Haven't liked midriffs in awhile, but when I saw this modern twist on a midriff I couldn't deny being suckered. - $16.99

Hm, not really Spring, but I liked the DIY feel of the slashed collar of this shirt. - $18.99

I LOVE the ginormous slouchy pocket on this racerback tank! And it's in my favorite Summer color. Coral just looks so lovely on sun kissed skin! - $10.00

I like the edgy, anti-femme silhouette of this skirt. Goes so well with any top. - $22.99

Don't worry, I haven't checked out...yet.

such an enabler

MJRSales

So I was browsing through YouTube fashion related channels today and came across a thrifty kinda girl and she was talking about this website that sold returns and overstock from retailers such as Bloomingdale's, Victoria's Secret, etc. At first, I was thinking yea sure, whatever. I've been on THE Overstock.com website, and they don't have deals that speak my language, so I have never gone back.

Well, curiosity got the best of me, again, and I logged on to see what was up. I was kinda tired so I did a quick breeze through. They seriously have deals on there from what I saw, I have to admit. Like this...

Colin Stuart Sandals

$25.50 vs. $85.00 Retail

I would love this pair for Spring/Summer, but my feet whimpered at the 5 inch heels!

Colin Stuart Booties

$14.70 vs. $95.00 Retail

Maybe a pair to stock up on for next Fall/Winter. What a steal for leather boots!

I would suggest checking it out, it looks pretty promising! I gotta decide whether or not to check out my shopping bag myself.

Forever 21 Haul

Since my last few hauls was pretty much me stocking up on Fall items due to the awesome prices, I just had to make my birthday haul a preparation for Spring looks.

These first few items I got at the F21 2-story in Anaheim. I only got a few items there because I didn't find much that I liked and knew I had a Shopping Bag started online already. ;p

Side Note: Don't go to that one on a Saturday unless you like waiting in long lines! I am talking dressing rooms AND registers!

Cute little red leather braided belt.

I don't have a red belt and braided belts look so cute in the Spring/Summer.

Instant must-have.

I would wear this cloth belt with a washed out denim shirt. If I had one.

Romantic little bandeau type bra.

I actually got this the other day but just found the matching panties today.

I wore the bra under a sheer white collared shirt that I cinched with a tan belt.

Which reminds me, I did shop the other day but can't find pics of the items on the website.

I am too lazy to take pics right now, but I must because I found the cutest tie-dyed maxi dress.

Now for the online portion...

I actually saw this cute tunic for the first time the other day at school before knowing it was from F21. The girl wearing it looked so cute, I did a literal double take on her.

She must've thought I was crazy but she looked so adorable I couldn't stop checking her out!

When I logged onto F21, I was so excited when I saw it there on the New Arrivals!

I just love the color scheme of it so I put it right in my Shopping Bag.

The best part is the back detailing...

It's a t-back with the entire zipper exposed.

So cute and different! I just hope that it doesn't lay awkward.

I just adore this chunky ring and all of it's crazy textures. It also comes in gold, but I am not a big fan of gold. Plus my wedding/engagement band is white gold so I rarely wear any gold jewelry due to the clash factor.

Another item I was drawn to simply for the color scheme. It's a light weight scarf, so wearing it on cool Spring or Summer nights with a simple white v-neck will be just perfect.

Yet another pair of F21 jeans. I am so glad they are better on the fit now. Back in the day, I used to throw away so much money on designer jeans that now sit unworn in my closet. After I had my little one and was in the process of losing the baby weight, I decided to give F21 jeans a shot as I transitioned back to my normal weight. I have lost the weight but not the jeans! I keep coming back for more. I have wanted these for a while but every time I stop in the stores, they are out in my size. I like the length of it, not too much bunching at the ankles.

This might be a bit TMI, but I thought this bra was so girly-cute.

I like how it's so frilly and dainty.

There are just some days I prefer not to wear any wires.

You know what those days are...

A lace top for Spring and Summer.

I most likely will pair this with some cut offs or bleached out jeans.

Another one, just because it's so romantic looking.

I thought these earrings were just too cute to pass up. I like it's simplicity.

My guilt-free damage...

Luckily I still remembered the ilovef21 code! Another yay for family supporting my addiction! xoxo

News

The good: packages one and two arrived on the same day though they were ordered 3 days apart.

The bad: I am not returning a single thing.

My favorite of both hauls was so hard to choose. Everything fit so well and looked so cute but if I had to choose, my favorite is the silk navy blue dress. It fits like a dream, so flattering. I am thinking I should have gotten the medium though. The bottom is a bit snug. I got two raised eyebrows from the hubs.

Excuse the crap images. Taken by Blackberry.

Wouldn't this look cute with the L.A.M.B booties? My second favorite item was the navy blue military inspired coat. It fit like it was tailored for my body. The wool is good, thick quality. The only thing is I could've sworn that there was red detailing on the collar, but my coat does not have any such detailing. Hmmm. Weird. Still love it though!

Actually, I really liked all of my purchases. There is not a single item that I thought that it looked better on the website than in person and on my frame. Maybe the skirts are a bit shorter than appropriate for work, but I still think they're super cute. I am surprised about not liking something. Even shopping in the store some items will look better on the hanger and then morph into something hideous as soon as it slips onto my body. I shouldn't speak too soon though, I have one more shipment coming...

p.s. i will try and post more pics of outfits as i wear them...