one day left

Hello ladies!
I wanted to thank you for commenting on my previous post, for sharing some of your tips and also showing support. I know all of you understand how hard it is not to shop :)
A few ladies have expressed interest in joining me on this little shopping ban. I think we can do it girls. Even a few weeks would be a great accomplishment.

The change of seasons is making it somewhat challenging not to buy certain Fall items. I think making a couple of exceptions for 1-2 items you REALLY NEED would be fair. My exception: Boots (and if J.Crew has an additional % off their sales items than maybe, just maybe, the pink checkered button up).

So lets put away the little thin plastic implement of financial destruction and shop our own closet, mix'n match the unexpected and have fun with it!

And here is Wednesdays outfit:

Blouse: Old Navy

Jacket: Aeropostale

Pants and Necklace: F21

Flats: Marshalls

Bag: Gift from Mr.

Happy Friday! 

Why do I like shopping?!

via google images

Shopping! Why is it so hard to say no?  Why can't I skip a month of shopping and buy the "must" items the following month?  Where is that discipline I so desperately need?

I guess I prefer immediate gratification. I don't do well with delayed gratification. When I get what I like quickly there seems to be some happy brain activity going on. Except that "happiness" is temporary.  I know that! I've known that! Does it stop me from shopping? No! Sadly, it does not!

There are SO many items in my closet that haven not seen the day-light in a looong time.
And it doesn't help that my "slight" weight gain is making it a little harder to fit into my beloved jeans and skirts...and therefore I "need" new things. Or do I? Is that just an excuse?  Perhaps I should work with what I already got and can fit in...which, lets face the truth, is a lot...and it can all be found in my packed closet.

Ideally, I would like to make the month of October a NO SHOPPING month. One exception: Boots!
Can I do it? Honestly, I don't know!  I've done it in the past, way before this blog way born.
But one thing I do know is that I will give a serious try. For realz!

Your Fall favorite

Skinny red pants...are back

Sweater: Kohl's

Pants: JCPenny

Flats: Marshalls

Bag: Gift

Belt: Target

Necklace: F21

I must say how surprised I am (but at the same time I'm not) how much my color has already faded. Holy cow!  I know the auburn/reddish color is one of the hardest ones to maintain as it fades pretty quick, but I was expecting the rich color to last at least two full weeks. I guess I better lower my expectations here. 

Happy Monday! 

"smile everyday, and the day will be ok" 

It's a plan

Blouse: Elle via Kohl's

Jeans: Candies via Kohl's

Shoes: Zara

Purse (chain strap tucked inside): eBay

Belt: Gap

I'm on the fence about this blouse. I do like the style but I'm not so sure about the color. I'll give it second chance, it's just fair. 

Tomorrow Mr. and I are going to pick up my Mom from the airport (after spending the whole Summer in Europe visiting the family....and no, I'm not jealous at all....). 

Anyway, 

you know what's on our way there?  H&M...which is an hour away from our place so passing it without making a stop would be wrong, SO wrong.  I'm sure you understand! :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Amazing talent

Blouse: F21 (buy here)

Skirt: Loft

Shoes: Zara (buy here)

Necklace: J.Crew Outlet

Not today's outfit, just so you know.  

My Mr. got me these shoes when we were in Chicago. I've worn them quite a bit already, but haven't been taking pictures.  I love them. The color is gorgeous and the heel height is just right. 

On a different note, did any of you watch the X Factor last night? If not, you have to see this adorable little performer that gave me goosebumps. Amazing talent.

xoxo

An oldie

Shorts: Banana Republic

Top: Marshalls

Flats: Gift from overseas

Bag: Coach

No more shorts, not until our vacation next month at least.  Found this on my cell phone (taken at DSW) and thought might as well share it.  But the truth is...I'm looking forward to layers, cozy sweaters and boots. Fall is, and always will be, my favorite season. The smell of Fall, changing tree colors and falling leaves just make me smile.

What do you love about Fall?  

Red hot pants

Finally found me a pair of red skinny pants that were budget friendly (orig. $40, on sale for $20). I hardly ever shop at JcPenny's but today I saw their ad with a purple pencil skirt and had to check out if they still had it in my size. Yep, they did, last one in my size. So the skirt and the pants came home with me today (forgot to take a picture of the skirt...the excitement got in the way).  So I thought I'd share the red-hot-pants with you. 

Also loved this camel sweater I tried on but it didn't come home with me...not this time. 

Would you wear red pants? Or do you already own a pair? How do you/would you style them? 

xoxo
L

Happy Anniversay to the most amazing man

It's been two years since we said "I Do" and I look forward to many, many more years.   I feel SO blessed to have found the most loving and caring man.

I love you David!

Hair color change

Sweater & Necklace: F21

Jeans: Old

 Shoes: DSW

 Bag: Gift (Liebeskind)

I did it you guys, I finally decided to go ahead and have my hair colored. With the cooler weather already here I thought it was a good time to go darker. I pretty much told my friend to do whatever she thought might go well with my skin tone. It did take a couple of days to get used to it, but now I do like it. I also lost a couple of inches of my hair (insert sad face). I always have a hard time getting my hair cut. The layers are a bit shorter than I would like them to be, but I keep telling myself it will grow back. Quick I hope.

Hope all of you had a fabulous weekend

Mustard yellow and purple...not on me

I haven't been much of a blogger lately. Truth is, I just needed a break. We all need one once in a while.  Not only have I not been posting, I haven't been taking pictures either. Odd, I know ;)  But, today I liked the colors of my sisters outfit, therefore she needed to pose for the camera....after "how do you bloggers pose? how do you want me to stand? this is so awkward". We managed to take two pictures with all the laughing.

My pretty sister would like to remain annonymous 

This skirt actually has pleats, but I guess if you don't feel like ironing pleats after washing your skirt you can pretend you have two skirts in same color. It got me fooled!

Say Hello to my new skirt

One of the ways to style the skirt.  I do like the skirt a lot, but not sure if I love it....yet.  What do you think?

 

FALL-ing for color

FALL-ing for color by lilz29 featuring a twist necklace

Old navy t shirt
$8.99 - oldnavy.gap.com

TopShop belted coat
$180 - topshop.com

Pleated skirt
$70 - topshop.com

Zara pointed shoes
$90 - zara.com

H M zip bag
£25 - hm.com

ASOS strap watch
$55 - asos.com

Twist necklace
$36 - meetmark.com

Roberto Cavalli plastic shades
£190 - flannelsfashion.com

Umbrella
£20 - houseoffraser.co.uk

be kind

Too often we underestimate the power

of a touch,

a smile,

a kind word,

a listening ear,

an honest compliment,

or the smallest act of caring,

all of which have the potential

to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia

What should I do?

Vest: Old Navy

Chambray Shirt: Target

Pants: Kohl's

Flats: AE via Payless (2010)

Bag: H&M

Belt: Target

Today I just had to run a few errands and since it feels like another Fall day I was excited to wear my vest, again.   Friday it was 90 degrees, today it's 60 out. Go figure. 

My roots were asking for some attention today...as in "can you please fix us...so we look like rest of your hair" type of attention. I haven't decided if I just want my roots done or go darker again. I really like this color but the upkeep is little expensive. But again, if my hair isn't right, not even a perfect outfit or makeup can't make up for it or fix it. Originally I wanted highlights for Summer and darker hair for Fall/Winter. So I need to decide pretty soon what to do.

 Any suggestions?  

Hope all of you are having a great Monday! 

Where's the motivation at?

This has been a crazy, busy week. I was in no mood to take pictures...not even work-bathroom-mirror pictures you guys, not even those.  Therefore, I'm SO looking forward to another three day weekend. I thought I'd share just a few pictures from our Chicago trip last weekend. I haven't taken many, I never do. Should think about hiring a professional photographer to travel with me and capture all the special places and moments I fail to capture. But it also could have been worse...I could have not taken any or I could have forgotten my camera completely. So there might be some hope for me after-all.

Taking a much needed break in a park by Lincoln Park Zoo (the Park probably has a name itself, I was too tired to pay attention. Note to self: pay attention to names of beautiful Parks you chill at)

____  Park   :) 

 We were in Town just in time for the Chicago Dancing Festival: Celebration of Dance. This was Friday night rehearsal. Saturday was the amazing performance, loved it. 

 Didn't really ask for my sisters permission to post this picture of the two of us...therefore I blurred out the faces (I'm guessing once she sees it she might find something wrong with the picture and ask me to remove it haha)

Glad I brought the blazer with me, evenings were nice and chilly.

Have a great and safe weekend!