Stay-cation Shopping

I'm stay-cationing this week. It's like vacationing, but without the travel. I'm off work until Monday, and I'm enjoying myself close to home. I've visited friends and family and had the opportunity to visit places normally off my radar. For example, yesterday I went to the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester. I very rarely visit that mall as I am very rarely in the area. But, due to stay-cation plans, I ended up in Manch-vegas and decided to stop by the mall. I'm so glad I did because I discovered the best new shop- it's called Charming Charlie and I may or may not be obsessed.

Honestly, what is so great about this store is that just about EVERY adorable accessory I've ever pinned on Pinterest seems to be there! Cute earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, handbags, scarves, even iPhone cases! I don't have an iPhone, but if I did, I'd go to Charming Charlie's to buy a case for it!

But even better than all their fabulous, of-the-moment inventory is the fact that it's all organized by color. And I'm not talking just the basic ROYGBIV. I'm talking individual shades of each color organized together! Kelly green, mint green, emerald green, turquoise blue, baby blue, electric blue, ballet pink, coral pink, fucshia- I'm NOT exaggerating.

I don't know about you, but I know this scenario has happened to me: I put together a fabulous outfit, whether new, or using older items in my closet, or maybe a combination of the two, and as I look in the mirror I think, "All this outfit needs is ___________." And usually that "___________" is something specific, like:

- A pair of moss green ballet flats
- A cluster-y bobble bracelet in various shades of brown and beige
- A cross-body bag in a specific size and the perfect shade of apple red

Do you understand? You know exactly what the outfit needs, but finding the perfect accessory can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Even shopping online can be difficult when you're looking for the item that's "just right." You're a real-life Goldilocks for a while. It lasts either until you find the perfect item, or you give up in frustration and either settle for something not-quite-perfect or go without. Sometimes what makes the item hard to find is that it's not trendy at the moment. Other times, it's right on-trend, but so new it's hard to find on the cheap. (I don't mind spending more on an item I know I'll wear a lot and for a long time. I'm less inclined to spend a lot on something super specific that I may not get a lot of use out of.)

Well, I think that Charming Charlie could solve that type of dilemma once and for all. Don't believe me? Check out these photos I snapped of just a handful of their sections of goods:

One of MANY selections of fabulous scarves

Watches! Lots and lots of watches- this was ONE section of a display that represented about 20% of the total watches in the store! 

Purple!

Red!

Neutrals!

Black!

Turquoise!

Mint green!

They even keep gold and silver separated whenever possible and they even have this fabulous section of super trendy ROSE GOLD! 

Here's a "nautical" section. They also had another section up front themed "Garden Party." 

One final selling point for Charming Charlie: Everything is very inexpensive. It's not quite as cheap as Forever 21, but it's also a significantly higher quality store. I bought a ring, a necklace and a bracelet and spent $22. Look at how happy I am: 

So very happy. 

You can see in some of the pictures that's it's not strictly accessories. They have clothes there as well, but I didn't really look at any of them. I was so focused on the amazing accessories, I didn't even bother to look at a single dress. Maybe next time. 

I am not sure if there are other Charming Charlie's in New Hampshire, but they are most definitely a wide-spread chain with stores all over the country. Have any of you been to this fabulous store yet? What do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Leave a comment and as always, thanks for reading! 

Denim Nightmare

I love denim just as much as the next person. Maybe not quite as much as cowboys and rednecks, but I do love denim. Just like most people, I've got a dozen pair of jeans for every possible occasion and/or shoe. I've got a couple of denim skirts and a couple of denim jackets. What I don't have is anything like this:

Recognize Melanie? 

Melanie and I, along with her husband Kevin, were bopping around some northern New Hampshire towns a few weekends ago and we happened upon this tragedy. The worst thing about these bags is that they used to be on someone's a$$. 

But don't you love Mel's skirt? At least she looks adorable, right? It kind of makes up for this tragic abuse of denim! Although one could argue that a wash like that is no worse off as a hideous handbag, since they likely started out as 90's-era mom jeans. Either way, like I said, it's a tragic abuse! 

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment- you know how I love them! 

Stylish Co-Worker: Ashley

You're all well aware of my love for stupid, little hats, but there are some others out there who love them as well. Namely, my fabulous coworker Ashley. She's pretty much the most adorable person I've ever met and I just love her. She's always smiling and laughing, even if it's to tell me how crazy her bride is at that moment.

Not too long ago, she said to me, "I want to wear a tiny hat, too!" So, I brought in my small collection of stupid, little hats and let her take her pick. I think she looked absolutely adorable:

Funny story: I came very close to purchasing that exact same dress myself. It was part of one of the many diffusion lines that Target has done recently, although I don't recall which one exactly. 

We struggled a bit to keep the hat nestled in her mane of curly hair, but she loved wearing the hat and I loved seeing another person walking around in one! 

Didn't I say she was adorable? I don't lie. 

Thanks for reading, y'all! 

Earrings Jackpot at Target

I've been pretty busy lately, folks, which is why I haven't been blogging. I recently took a trip to North Carolina to visit the Professor and the kiddos. It was a blast! I actually helped host a spa-themed slumber party for the Prof's daughter. It was a hoot! Picture me in charge of planning an 8-year old girl's spa party- everything was pink and fluffy and girlie. It was fabulous.

For anyone who may want to do something similar for a young girl they know, I'll be writing a separate post about what I did and how easy (and inexpensive) it was in a day or two, so check back.

Today, my focus is on the awesome earrings jackpot I hit at Target the other day. It was a completely unexpected find and I just had to share!

There's just something about a great pair of earrings- no matter what you're wearing, the right pair of earrings can really jazz up and outfit. They can add a pop of unexpected color or glamour or movement to just about any outfit.

I'm excited to wear these bad boys this summer:

Target Earrings by rtboo featuring imitation jewelry

All three pair cost a total of $21, but the crazy thing is that the black and the blue/white ones are exactly the same as a similar pair that I already own that cost me about $30! I'm sure the quality isn't quite as good, but I'll settle, especially given the fact that they're earrings I already love and now I can wear them in more colors! The green/gold are going to be great for summer, too with those bright colors.

I love wearing a simple outfit and dressing it up with an amazing pair of statement earrings. What's your favorite accessory right now? Leave a comment and tell me all about it!

Accessories Anonymous: New Oversize Watch

While shopping earlier this week, I decided it was finally time for a new watch. I'd purchased one on my shopping trip a couple of weeks ago- it was an amazing deal at only $4.77! But, after wearing it for a few days, I just stopped liking it. And then I started hating it. And while I plan to hold onto it because I may start liking it again at some point, I knew it was time to try something new.

For years, I've always looked at my watch choice as being one that I want to be innocuous, to blend in with the type of wrist jewelry that I wear every day, namely my Tiffany's bracelet. But while strolling through the mall, I saw a truly over-sized watch and I decided to give it a try. Minutes later, I was handing over my credit card. I just fell in love with the look!

I joked with Juhree that it looks like I've got poor vision, but there's something about it that I love. Later on that day, I snapped a photo in a fitting room so that I could see the proportion on me. It's definitely a bold accessory, but it works.

Sorry for the terrible lighting. I just love that goofy watch! It's hard to see the detail of it, so here's the manufacturer's photo:

The band is white leather, and I love how the winding mechanism is offset instead of being centered on the side. It's a lot more comfortable, actually. Something I never thought about until I tried on a watch like this. Smart design is so refreshing. 

If you're in the market for a fun, oversized watch, here are a few similar to mine: 

Oversized Leather Strap Watch, Guess, $59.50

Anne Klein Peach Leather Watch, Macy's $65

Nemesis Women's Oversized Watch, Overstock.com, $43.99

Mostly I'm excited about this watch because now when people ask me what time it is, I won't have to fumble in my purse for my cell phone. I'll be able to promptly reply, "Time to get a watch!" 

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! 

Accessories Anonymous: New Glasses!

This is the time of year when I take a look at my Flexible Spending Account and realize I never went to the doctor this year. Suddenly I find myself with a deadline to spend all the money left in it. This year's deadline is March 15th. The easiest way for me to get rid of it all is to just buy a new pair of glasses. It makes a lot more sense than stocking up on tons of NyQuil. It's also a lot more stylish.

I am a huge fan of funky glasses, and this new pair is no exception. They're a fabulous line by Dilem Eyewear that allows you to first choose your frames and then to customize them with different sets of temples. Each pair of glasses comes with 2 sets of temples, so right off the bat you've got a little variety. You can of course order more sets of temples, if your little heart desires. Mine desired the standard 2 sets.

I've always wanted a pair of true red glasses. I've also always wanted to wear true red lipstick. For some reason my skin tone just doesn't want to cooperate. Instead of true red, the most flattering lipstick colors tend to be more berry colored. And I discovered while shopping for glasses that true red frames didn't really work on me either. I looked a lot better in deep purples and dark browns. But then the optician showed me these bad boys and I fell in love:

The color is like a deep, burnt orange, and it is fabulous on my skin. The temples I chose in this photo have a light orange and grey polka-dot pattern. The other set I had to order, but it's a super cool bird feather print called "Fenix." The design on these glasses is brilliant. The temples just snap on and off which makes it super easy to switch the look to complement what you're wearing. 

Here are a few other sets that were contenders: 

Cute, but not as fabulous as the orange ones, right? 

These were the true red ones I tried on- see how the color just isn't quite right? Also, the frames aren't as flattering on my face. Not sure why I made this funny face, either. 

These were my 2nd choice- the purple color is so rich and the design of the temples is so unique! 

I think we can all agree I made the best choice. The frames I picked are also available in a deep, chocolate brown color, but I love the idea of the orange- they're so much more special. I can't wait to show you the alternate feather-print temples, too! On the Dilem website, you can browse through all the options and use their glasses simulator to see which frames work best with which temples. Take a minute to click through some of the options and you'll realize just how brilliant this concept is! 

At work I see lots of really fabulous glasses on customers- I've seen Coach, Fendi, Calvin Klein, Gucci- you name it, I've seen glasses of all labels. I kind of love that these glasses are by a different designer, something that isn't yet a household name. Everyone loves to think they've discovered something new, and I'm no exception, I suppose. 

I'll be sure to post a photo once they come in! Have a great day, everyone and as always, thanks for reading! 

Accessories Anonymous: Statement Studs

It used to be that to wear a large earring, you had to pick a chandelier, or some type of drop earring. These days, there is an abundance of amazing statement stud earrings and I just can't get enough! I'm in love with every single one of these. In fact, if any of you lovely readers out there want to express your gratitude for my ongoing commitment to quality style blogging with a small gift, may I suggest something below? Of course I'm kidding. I'm not giving any of you crazy stalkers my address! As if!

Anyway, back to the fashion. These are all amazing:

Stone Boutique Stud Earrings, ASOS, $20.35

The color combination is perfect for spring! Love! 

Never Too Jaded Earrings, Modcloth, $12.99

Mad Men, anyone? I can so see these on Betty Draper. 

Cobalt Talon Studs, Bauble Bar, $24

These remind me of something Phylicia Rashad might have worn in her Claire Huxtable days. 

Mixed Gemstone Studs, ASOS, $25.43

Stone Bouquet Studs, ASOS, $20.35

(Exactly the same as the first pair, but in a different color. So glamorous!)

So, whether you're more inclined to wear dainty studs or bold chandeliers, why not give the statement stud a try? It might be a fun departure for you- you never know!

Pixel Pieces

Retro is in. It's always in. The question isn't whether or not it's in, but which decade is currently the hottest. The 80's and 90's are all the rage right now. It's all those 20 and 30-somethings who are fueling the trend, basking in the nostalgia of their childhoods. Since tight-rolled jeans and scrunchy socks will never be attractive, what can you wear to look 80's-retro, but also cute and chic? Try something pixellated!

Before high-definition, we had 8-bit, but now that over-pixellated look is permeating fashion accessories and I think it's kind of cute!

Pixel Heart Brooch, Topshop, $18

8-Bit Sleeve (for iPad, or just a cute clutch!), Big Big Pixel, $29.95

8-Bit Sunglasses, Sunglass Hut, $6.49

Pixel Heart Earrings, Topshop, $20

I can't go so far as to endorse the idea of wearing Mario and Luigi 8-bit printed clothing, at least not for anyone over the age of 11. But I do think these accessories are quirky and cute and a subtle way to show off your nerd side without being too over-the-top about it. 

So what do you think of this trend? Leave a comment if you have an opinion. You know I'd love to hear it! Have a great day, everyone and as always, THANK YOU for reading! 

This Post is for you, Beth!

Last night, I took a drive over to Manchester to meet up with some friends I haven't seen in a while. They are all performing in the Palace Theatre's current production Divas Through the Decades (which, by the way is a super fun production). Anyway, after catching up at dinner, they went off to get their hair and make-up on for the show and I spent some time strolling through the streets of downtown Manchester, popping into shops I didn't know existed because it's been so long since I was in that part of the state! Anyway, in the course of my hour shopping, I saw more than one store carrying the line of Harvey's bags. I had never heard of them, but I learned about them last night and I was wondering what all of you thought about them. Do you already know about these bags? Am I way behind on the trend? If so, please let me know and I'll try to be more up-to-date with my fashion. I guess a girl can't keep up with everything all the time, right?

Anyway, these bags are made entirely out of recycled seat belts. You read that right- seat belts. They come in clutches, totes, shoulder bags, satchels, messengers- you name it! And they all are pretty much made with a pattern of woven seat belts. Check 'em out:

Large Tote Storm, $118

Large Stella Hobo Treecycle, $308

Marilyn Tote Black and White Polka Dot, $258

Hipster Mint, $84

Lola Ruffled Satchel Red, $234

According to their website, the Harvey's are a husband and wife team who decided to make a handbag out of  seat belts. It garnered such praise that they started a business. Apparently, they've done well. I say "Good for them!" I love the ingenuity of the product. I love the idea of products made in the USA. I even like the overall design of a lot of them. I just don't know if I love the look of them enough to want to own one. 

What do all of you think? Please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts on these bags. It's an interesting concept, at the very least, right? 

Jet Set Style: Weekender Bag

Today is the start of my weekend. When you work in retail, your weekend often falls on less than typical days. 90% of the time, I don't really get a weekend, since my days off are usually split up. This week is different, however, and I'm taking advantage of that by making a quick trip down to North Carolina to visit the Professor. What makes this weekend different? Well, it's Valentine's Day this week, which means that the shop is pretty much a ghost town. This often surprises people when I tell them that, but think about it: on Valentine's Day, you're probably not shopping for a wedding gown because you are either a.) getting engaged that night or b.) having a romantic dinner with your fiance. Now it makes sense, right?

So, since the day is dead, I decided to switch my days off to allow for two in a row and then I booked a flight to North Carolina. It will be a very quick trip- less than 24 hours together with my honey, but that's ok. We'll make the most of it, I'm sure. Last year on Valentine's Day, I surprised him by showing up at his door. It was quite a shock for him- he didn't expect it at all. I'll always smile when I remember the look on his face when I knocked on his front door. This year won't be a surprise, but it's kind of fun that we've managed to have a quick visit together on Valentine's Day for two years in a row now.

I like these quick trips because packing is really simple. I essentially need to pack an overnight bag and that's about it. My small carry-on suitcases have taken a beating over the last few years, so while I was at TJ Maxx the other day, I picked up an adorable "weekender" bag by Steve Madden and I'm in love with it!

It's big enough to fit the clothes and toiletries I need as well as an extra pair of shoes, my hair dryer and my laptop. And it's still small enough to fit in the overhead bin. I love that it's a bright color and since the leather is faux, it will be easy to keep it clean. Also, it only cost $50 at TJ Maxx, so I think it was a bargain to boot.

I've had pretty terrible luggage for most of my life, but with all the traveling I've been doing for the last couple of years, I figured it was time to get some nicer, functional travel gear. I don't care much about it matching perfectly, but I do want it to be durable enough for all the use it will get.

I couldn't find this exact bag anywhere online, but I did find some similar ones for those of you who may be in the market for new luggage of this kind. Believe it or not, finding a durable, stylish, functional travel duffel bag is no easy task. Finding one that's affordable? Even harder.

Vera Bradley Weekender, Vera Bradley, $98

Let me be clear: there are very few Vera Bradley bags that I would deem stylish or even cute. The hideous floral and paisley patterns are just wretched the majority of the time. This particular print isn't that offensive, in fact, it's kind of cute. Of course, if it doesn't suit you, there are about a dozen other options. 

Bueno Patent Croc Print Weekender, Target, $39.99

Holding Pattern Overnight Bag, Modcloth, $94.99

British Predator Weekender Bag, Etsy, $61.66

Happy travels to anyone out there jetting away for the weekend! And as always, thanks for reading! 

My New Hair

As you all may remember, I had a hair appointment on my birthday last week. Even up to a few days prior, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do, but I knew I was ready for a change. When I walked through the salon doors, I knew in that moment that I was going to make a big change. And here it is:

It's hard to tell in the photo, but it's actually a dark eggplant color and it's completely cropped in the back, as in pixie-cut short! I absolutely love it! 

All in all, my birthday was completely fabulous. It started a day early on Tuesday when the Professor had a gorgeous arrangement of flowers sent to work for me. I didn't get a very good photo, unfortunately: 

The next day, my actual birthday, I had a fabulous lunch with my mom at one of our favorite restaurants before she treated me to a hair make-over. After finishing that, I stopped at home to discover the Professor's birthday gift had arrived in the mail. Also, my step father had sent me a gorgeous arrangement of flowers, too! 

So pretty! I love how both arrangements make me feel like spring is right around the corner! 

Next, I drove up to Portsmouth to have dinner with the ladies from work. We got some Indian take-out and they baked me a cake!

I'm not sure why my face is so red in that photo, but my guess is that it was a combination of the spicy food and a whole lot of laughing and smiling. The evening was such a great surprise and a perfect finish to a wonderful birthday. 

Even though I was very specific about not wanting presents or a cake, there are always a couple of friends who just can't help themselves. And you know what, having a birthday cake and a couple of gifts when you don't expect them is really fun! The cake was delicious- it was a strawberry cake with vanilla frosting. It tasted a lot like a strawberry frosted donut. The next day at work, I was treated to an enormous cheesecake- the kind where each slice is a different flavor. So delicious! I think I had a bite of about six different flavors. 

As for gifts, the Professor was very generous and gave me a Wii! We've played MarioKart together before and I'm looking forward to playing it with him on a more regular basis. It kind of blew my mind when I learned that we can play that game together even when we're 1,000 miles apart! Technology is amazing! In addition to that amazing gift, two different people gave me two very similar presents. They even had similar packaging: 

Two bright green gift bags and each one had something similar inside: 

Two brand new STUPID LITTLE HATS!!! These ones are the fanciest of all and the one on the right looks more like a fascinator than a hat. I'm thrilled about both of them and can't wait to wear them! You can bet I'll be posting photos when I do. 

Thirty-four is going to be a great year. It's certainly off to a great start!