Clothing Haul

Summer Clothing Haul (+)

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This past weekend I headed out to the outlets to get some new summer outfits for work. I work in a school setting and I find in the summer it’s difficult to be professional, yet still manage to stay cool in the dreaded summer heat. So this summer I decided to get a head start on beefing up the summer pieces.

 

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I know these look white, but they are actually mint green.- $50

 

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I loved how this can add a pop of color to a simple outfit- it’s a cross body bag which is a plus. #handsfree. AND it was on sale for $10, so how can you go wrong!

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This was a little cart or stand in the middle of the outdoors within the outlets. It was purple and yellow and reminded me of something that should be in Aladdin or The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And then once I read the name, I knew it was a place for me. I was instantly swept away into the world of incense, homemade soaps, candles and perfumes. It was such a gem.

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Two candles: Caribbean Coconut & Black Raspberry Vanilla. I kept one and bought the other for a friend. The small vile is a roll on perfume in the scent Rosehips and Jasmine. I can’t tell you how obsessed I am with these scents. Breathtaking!

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This is where I did most of my heavy lifting! I got some great staple pieces for the summer/for work. Some tops, a sweater, and some comfortable Capri pants. All of this actually cost me under $120, which I thought was a steal. Hello Summer Wardrobe!

And last but not least I picked up a few more tops from…

(these three all together cost me about $22)

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So there you have it! That’s it for my haul! I caught some good sales and had some coupons, so I kinda just went for it. Granted this is not something I do often but I feel like it’s nice to treat yourself every now and then. And I know with Summer coming up, I want to be prepared to dress both comfortably and professionally. I feel like I went with pastels, and light colors, and a lot of whites and light blues. I think it’s going to be fun pairing these new pieces and mixing them in with some of my other summer wardrobe pieces as well. Happy Summer!

*All images are my own.*

-<3-

 

My long weekend of Food, Fashion, Friends & Family.

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FRIDAY: I had a day off of work so I met my friend for dinner at a local Greek restaurant.

 

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Grape leaves & some red wine

 

 

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SPANAKOPITA (Spinach Pie)

 

 

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Lamb Gyro Platter

 

After we went for some coffee and ice cream at Dunkin Donuts.

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My newest drink is an iced decaf hazelnut swirl coffee. So good!

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I tried their Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream. Delicious!- (Google Images)

This was a nice little catch up time with my best friend Jenny. She’s getting married in less than 2 weeks. And we had much to discuss. Her fiancé joined us at Dunkin’ Donuts which was a nice well rounded night out before I get to witness their BIG DAY, as her maid of honor.

SATURDAY: I went out to the outlets upstate with some family and we shopped til we dropped! Literally.

I caught some good sales! I needed some nice summer outfits for work- I got some really great stuff!

*Stay Tuned for a Clothing Haul!

SUNDAY: I met up with my Best Friend Roe and her cousin for brunch to celebrate her birthday and her wedding. She had gotten me this voucher to a place in the city called Vandal, so we just decided to make it one big all inclusive celebration.

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The ambience was very cool, covered in street art inspired walls.

 

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Seriously wanted to hide this lamp in my purse and take it home.

 

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We really treated ourselves that day. We just got a whole bunch of dishes to share. And topped it all off with a pitcher of Sangria.

Left to Right: Sangria, House Salad, Coffee Pancakes, Polenta w/ Scrambled Eggs, Frittata, and Chicken and Waffle Mac & Cheese. Everything was served in pretty small proportions and it was definitely a splurge but, it was all really delicious and we got to sample a lot of different things. You know what they say…sharing is caring. 😉

After we relaxed our stomachs a bit, we walked our food off and ventured toward Black Tap.

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We got three different crazy shakes to share.

 

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Left to Right: The Cookie Shake, Brooklyn Blackout, Bam Bam.

I know they look super intimidating, but honestly under all that fluff and decoration on top, it’s just a simple small shake. We shared and even ended up leaving some behind, because we were all so stuffed. But these were definitely delicious!

MONDAY: My brother and sister in law hosted their first BBQ. If I tell you how much food they had, it’d put the rest of my food filled weekend to shame.

 

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To support the day I rocked a blue and white striped- off the shoulder top, a navy knit cardigan over top, some high-waisted acid washed jeans that I cuffed up at the ankle, and some black tie up flats. I kept my makeup simple with just a bold red lip and for hair- my go to messy bun. ❤

 

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Corn Soufflé and Empanadas.

 

The picture on the right is a Berry Crumble which I made….you pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So good!

 

I had such a great long weekend, filled with great company and great food. There’s no other way I would have liked to spend it. And I don’t get to go out and splurge often, so it was all a great time.

Thank you to all those who fought for our country. Your bravery is what allows us the freedom to be able to celebrate our own lives. I pray for your loved ones, that they can find comfort in your heroism, and I pray for your eternal life at peace. ❤

*All photos (with the exception of the dunkin donuts ice cream photo) are my own.*

-<3-

 

What I Got For My Birthday- Birthday Haul

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My best friend is going to be treating me to a brunch and she also bought me this beautiful Portuguese candle. I am part Portuguese so this was super interesting to me and it smells beautiful too- the scent is Rose, Cassis, and Redberries!

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Yes I know, the date is wrong, I can’t bother to fix it. #IDontKnowHow

I love the gold and pink detail. And can we just talk about that peacock patterned packaging? Gorgeous!

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My other best friend bought me some of my favorite things, I love scarves, I love jewelry, I love bath and body works.

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This Cucumber Melon scent makes me feel like I’m a tween again!

My brother and sister in law got me a nutra ninja, which is what I really wanted most. I can’t wait to start making smoothies! I was also told that my brother did the shopping this year, since my sister in law was feeling under the weather, and I have to say I think he did good on his own.

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That Golden Girls shirt though. Mind you we didn’t even know what Golden Birthday was until after I opened my gift and then the shirt’s awesomeness was just elevated even more. It’s perfect because I’m a grandma at heart, such an old soul. Haha. Thank you for being a friend. Stay Golden! 😉

I’ve been wanting a new fake leather jacket, so my parents got me one.

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My goddaughter, her baby brother and my cousins surprised me with a brownie cake and a new natural life water bottle.  These are really good and I use one for work everyday so this is perfect. And seriously how cute is that pattern and that motivational message! Such a Michelle bottle.

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She knows me for my messy hair buns! Haha.

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Delicious!

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One of my Aunts bought me a fit board. I mentioned wanting one so long ago, but couldn’t bring myself to spend the money. I can’t believe she remembered! It’s fun too! Feels like I’m surfing! #WipeOut Haha.

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A few of my Aunts also gave me cards with money too, so the wheels are already turning with ideas on what I can buy with it. I’m kind of dying to just go full on splurge at my favorite drugstores and get all the makeup and nail polish I want! Haha.

Drugstore Haul?

This also happened on my birthday! And being that I am a total TV junkie and a romantic at heart, it made my birthday all the more sweeter! When Calls The Heart has become one of my new favorite shows…HE FINALLY ASKED! #JackAndElizabeth #WhenCallsTheHeart #Hearties #HeartiesLetsParty

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Watch the scene HERE

I am so excited and appreciative of everything. I have already put some things to use! I’m one lucky girl to have people who celebrate with me each year! xoxo

*All images are my own.*

-<3-