‘shopping’ Category

08 June 2011

Things I love right now

By: Jessica B.

Right now, I’m not spending crazy, but let’s just say…I’m enjoying not funneling all funds in to a trip fund again just yet :)

So now that I’m helping Chicago’s economy by doing a little spending, I’m making a little list of things I’m loving right now.

Target’s Grocery - Okay this is a little lame but I’m obsessed with the grocery section of Target. City grocery stores (even chains) are expensive but this is SO NOT. I love it.

Chobani Blueberry Yogurt – I was not a Greek yogurt fan at first, but now I’m loving this. It’s a little pricey but a nice treat

Nordstrom-brand necklaces – I bought one about a year ago and I wear it all the time. Affordable and the metal doesn’t fade after multiple wears. I just picked up the Etched Link one this weekend. LIKE!

Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment – My pale skin shows scars pretty well but this has helped soften the scars I do have on my face and neck. LIKE!

Truffle Salt - I brought a LOT of this back with me from Italy and it’s so tasty. Adds so much to regular pasta dishes, popcorn, etc. LIKE!

Sequin enamel bracelets (Brights and Ikat) – Found them at Nordstrom and fell in love! Stackable and bright, two things I love in bracelets

Moleskine notebooks – My stationary-savvy friend introduced me to Moleskine and I picked up an adorable red journal for Italy. A) I never lose it and b) the bookmark and elastic closure keeps it from getting damaged

Summer nail polish colors! – My go-to colors are OPI’s Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot for my toes and Essie’s Guchi Muchi Puchi for my fingernails. Time to get back in the mani/pedi routine!

What are some of the products or foods you love right now?

28 March 2011

The Forbidden Shopping Fruit

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: shopping, travel

As I mentioned last week, I’m in hard-core savings mode for Italy and I’m not a fan of it anymore. I know it will be worth it but after four months of heavy saving, I WANT TO SPEND MONEY. Disposable income? I MISS YOU SO MUCH.

Oh and it’s 20 degrees in Chicago, so winter is back and that is not helping me be distracted from shopping either.

So this intense savings time has made me rely heavily on online window shopping (thank you Pinterest for keeping me sane) and making a list of what I want to buy post-trip so I don’t go out and buy it now. But this desire to spend money has also lead me to actively window shop for things I absolutely do not need.

It’s as if my brain just likes the creative stimulation of non-trip-related research and mentally buying things. That’s what I’m telling myself at least :)

For example, here are things I’m window shopping for that I don’t need:

Condos - I blame my intense HGTV addiction for this. I online shop condos and get design/decorating ideas as well from places like Pottery Barn, Pinterest and Anthropologie. It’s intense. Sometimes, I daydream what I would do to decorate those condos, like install double ovens, butcher block countertops…take me away…

Wallets - I found a charming Louis Vuitton wallet two weekends ago that I was coveting pretty hard core. I had no intention of buying it, but looking at it, when I absolutely don’t need it, was interesting

Other trips – Yes, I have a trip within a month and the planner part of me is already very loosely researching my summer trips to Portland, Seattle, Louisana and Vancouver. Seriously, I need to stop!

Cosmetics - I have more samples and beauty products than a Nordstrom counter. I don’t need more of this stuff but I cannot resist in looking. Um, getting samples of products I’m looking at don’t hurt right?

Clearly, I need to start reading again and avoiding any store unless my item to purchase meets a rigorous screening of “do I need this before my trip? No really, do I?”

Do you online shop for forbidden things? If so, what?

Movie review: Hoping Matthew McConaughey can keep his shirt on in The Lincoln Lawyer

17 March 2011

Shopping for spring!

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, shopping

Today was an amazing spring-like day in Chicago. And I don’t know about you, but I’m excited for spring to stay around. The Uggs have been put away for the season and I’m looking forward to warmer temperatures. But my toes are in need of desperate TLC. I have to work on that.

I’m still scared to go in my closet and weed out what doesn’t fit or I haven’t worn in a bit, so while I’m playing the avoidance game there, I’m looking ahead to what I do want to be buying this spring (in moderation.) I feel like my taste in clothes and style changes yearly or evolves so I try to manage what I WANT and what I NEED to replace.

I’ve scoured online and my fashion magazines and below is my list what what I have my eye on to be welcomed in to my home, and closet this spring.

Stripes! Tough for me to wear (thanks to my bosom and hips) but I love this look because it’s casual but put together. Okay, I’d probably replace the khakis with jeans but that’s just me

Sparkly shoes (I must have these TOMS)

Big, bold rings (fab! And I love turquoise)

Messenger bags (difficult with big boobs but still functional)

Bright colors! (I cannot wear orange but I love the bold print and I got this Hot Pop Pink color from Shellac on my nails at the Beauty Show over the weekend. Obsessed)

Wedges! Perfect for the petite girl that is awkward in heels

Yes, all of these are on my shopping list. What about you? What are you shopping for this spring? Any big weekend plans?

Update 3/17: Review of Revlon’s CustomEye eyeshadows on the review blog!

10 March 2011

Size is more than just a number

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, shopping

Last weekend, while enduring my least favorite type of shopping, aka bra shopping, the salesperson and I got into a little argument about my boob size.

She said I was a DD, I said I was a D. We bickered, passive aggressively snapped at each other and in the end, she was right.

I am now a DD. DAMNIT. I have Jessica Simpson-like boobs. DAMNIT AGAIN!

Even though my new bra fits much better than my old ones, I fought her on that size right down to the end. Why? Because I didn’t want to give in and be a DD.

I hear so many times on fashion shows that it’s not about size, it’s about fit. Well let me tell you something sir or madam, that is easier said than done.

Size and age may only be a number but it in some situations, that number is important to people. After years of hovering between a size 13 or 14, I’m very proud and possessive of my size 12 body. At my thinnest, being between a 10 and 12 was huge and I would prance around in my size 10 skirt like I was the sexiest thing alive. But, if I tried on a skirt that looked fab but was a size 14, I probably wouldn’t buy it…because it’s a 14. Mentally, that’s taking me back to my heavier days and I refuse to feel that way again.

I know the logic on this is backward but mentally, I can’t get over that hump. I would rather squeeze myself into something a little smaller, with a number and size I can live with rather than go up a size.

Others won’t know but I will and if I can’t pull it off, why force it? Of course, I won’t be prancing around in something ridiculously small or bad looking, but I’ll just have to search harder to find an outfit or top I love that will fit me as me and in a way I can feel comfortable with.

What about you? Do you believe fit is better than size?

 

17 February 2011

Some pre-weekend random thoughts

By: Jessica B.

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you’re having a great week. Things are crazy yet again in my world so I am keeping this post full of bullets.

Let’s venture in to my brain :)

  • Found out today from Nora and other Twitter friends that they DID see me on Oprah today. That totally made my afternoon. Tonight, I saw it with my own two eyes! I’ll try to grab a picture of it to show everyone. If you DVR’ed it, I’m at the commercial break around minute eight
  • I’m thinking of taking the 30-Day Vegan challenge. I think it would be a great opportunity to readjust my diet but giving up dairy would be a huge problem. I love dairy…a lot
  • The movie trailer for Something Borrowed (inspired by Emily Giffin’s “pink book”) was finally released. I’ve watched it probably 10 times. My man, John K, is looking SUPER hot in this yet again. I’ll be seeing this
  • Bethenny Ever After starts in two weeks on Bravo and I cannot wait. I would love to have tea and scones with Bethenny and Gail Simmons. They are my Bravo girl crushes
  • My HGTV addiction is on full-force. I am obsessed with House Hunters and Selling New York. Makes me want to have my own home
  • An SLR is in my future but I can’t pull the trigger to buy. Sometimes, I hate being so cautious with spending
  • I’m also becoming addicted to Fringe and Parks and Rec. Both are must-watches in my DVR and I look forward to both each week. My Pacey crush is getting bigger too
  • I have another week to take vacation this summer. I’m thinking of Seattle and Portland or Seattle and Vancouver. I honestly cannot decide

Well, I think that covers just about everything I’m thinking about right now.

What’s on your mind? Any big weekend plans?