The Cloudburst on clearance

It's a pretty frequent occurrence that I see something on another blogger and then immediately want it for myself.
When I first saw Dotty wearing this very dress, I told her I thought it was "divinely adorable" and I meant it.

When I was perusing the clearance racks at TJ Maxx the other week and I spotted that cloudbust print, I snatched it from the hanger, saw the $25 clearance sticker and did a a little happy dance.

Then I noticed it had an ink stain about two inches long, undoubtedly courtesy of a ball point pen, and was sad again.

I brought the dress up to the register to inquire about perhaps a greater discount due to the stain and was told that I could try to get it out, and if I couldn't, I could just return it.

I went home and attacked the stain with dish soap and q-tips, and everything came out!

Because I was so excited and happy about my wonderful TJ Maxx score, I submitted it to their weekly facebook contest. But everyone seems to think Sam Edelman shoes and Anne Klein dresses are better, because I'm in last place.
That's okay. I know that my $198 dress for 87% off was an amazing deal.

The Rundown

Cloudburst Dress Joie via TJ Maxx same print

Grey Jacket H&M

Sandals Frye Gerry

Pink Clutch TJ Maxx similar
Bracelets Town & Reese similar
Crystal Bracelet Taken for Granite similar
Necklace c/o Jami via LuckyFabb

 Nail Color c/o Julep Claire via LuckyFabb

Orange maxi

This summer I was obsessed with wearing white. I was looking over my past posts and found that something white occurs at least every three outfits.
It really is the best summer shade, don't you think?

The Rundown

White Tee TJ Maxx

Orange Maxi Skirt c/o Sheinside
Panama Hat Gap
Bracelet Thrifted

Ring Thrifted similar

Sunnies Ray-Ban Emma

Boating

I really meant to wear this sailboat top more this summer too, and I guess I really need to get through my backlog of summer photos.
Not that I mind having a backlog - the time when it will be too dark for outfit photos after work is fast approaching, and it will mean having to take all my photos over the weekend. (Which never gets any less annoying. Especially when it's cold.)

The Rundown

Sailboat Top Old Navy

White Shorts Banana Republic

Sandals Onex Puffy

Monogram Necklace Amazon similar

Starfish Ring c/o LuShae Jewelry cheap, mid, expensive
Shell Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pearl Bracelet Thrifted
Bag Big Buddha
Gold Belt Gap

Lace + Stripes

Will this be the last of the striped shorts this year? It is very likely, but at least we will get all of next summer together, and it will be great.

The Rundown

Lace Top Talbots Thrifted and Altered

Striped Shorts Old Navy

Sandals Onex Puffy

Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Chain Necklace Home d'jour Consignment

Ring Thrifted similar

Monogram Necklace Amazon similar 

Sunnies Ray-Ban Emma

 

London Times Day to Evening Challenge

Today I am participating in the Day to Evening "Savvy Style Challenge" sponsored by London Times.

The challenge at hand is to take this stunning metallic stripe dress from day to night on a budget of $100.

Several bloggers are participating in this challenge, and you get to vote for your favorite blogger on Facebook. Once you vote, you will be automatically entered to win:
A $150 Giftcard to London Times
And a $100 Amex Card to complete your own savvy look.

The Fan and Blogger winner will be announced on Monday, October 8th.

---

I actually did quite well with my budget - I managed to only spend $95 (including sales tax) and got some pretty great deals. The temptation to go to Forever 21 and accessorize the heck out of this dress was definitely there (isn't every piece of jewelry in that store $5.80?) However you know my focus is on quality over quantity, so I did all my shopping at TJ Maxx.

Side by Side... To me, transitioning from day to evening means shedding some layers, adding some sparkle, some height, and letting your hair down.

A closer look at day... A sweatshirt blazer is an easy, comfortable way to make a dress causal while still being polished. The studded boots add a little bit of an edge to the look. I would definitely wear this look to work on a Friday, or even for some errand running on a Saturday.

The Rundown
Dress c/o London Times Metallic Stripe $88
Sweatshirt Blazer Olive and Oak $25
Studded Boots Toi et Moi $18

A closer look at evening... The spiked necklace was a bit of a splurge at $20 considering the budget restraints, but I had to have it, and more than made up for it in savings on the shoes - these little BCBG peep toes were on clearance for $26!
As any evening look would require, I amped up the makeup with a bright lip, some shimmery shadow and a few coats of mascara.

The Rundown
Dress c/o London Times Metallic Stripe $88

Spike Necklace Natasha $20

Snake & Nude Pumps BCBG $26

Nail Color Butter London Wallis

Now go vote for your favorite Blogger! 

(which is Me, right?)

This post was sponsored by London Times, who provided me with the dress and a $100 Amex gift card.

Last day of summer

It's the last day of summer. Where did it go? I feel like I barely scratched the surface of all the outfits I wanted to wear, all the things I wanted to do, places I wanted to visit, heck - I bought a new swimsuit and it still has the tags on it.

Maybe I need to move somewhere warmer. 

Remember to take a deep breath, drive with the windows down, go out for ice cream, and take in every last bit of summer you can today.

The Rundown

Top TJ Maxx

Ikat Shorts Gap similar

Sandals Naturalizer
Bag Otis Thrifted

Elephant Bracelet Ebay similar

Bracelet Kohls
Earrings TJ Maxx
Ring Thrifted similar
Sunnies Betsey Johnson similar

"Le Chic"

Have you met Alyssa of Fleur De Lis? In addition to her great blog she has an Etsy shop of the same name full of chunky chains, bright beaded bracelets and delicate necklaces with crystal centerpieces. Best of all, everything is under $50.

I really love how this brilliant topaz Swarovski stone necklace she sent me looks against my skin and catches the light.
I know this necklace was designed for the stone to sit along the side, but gravity insisted that it be in the center.

The Rundown

White Shirt J.Crew

Orange Ruffled Skirt Tinley Road similar

Sandals Nine West

Color Block Clutch Zara similar

Tozap Necklace c/o Fleur De Lis Le Chic

Earrings TJ Maxx
Pendant Kohls similar
Spike Bracelet c/o T&J
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
 Ring Thrifted similar

Moonrise

Clearly I'm on a mint kick (or I was at the end of August, anyway).
I got to see another beautiful moonrise, and I finally took some photos by that picket fence, which I'd been wanting to do all summer. It is right near the docks at the beach, but belongs to a private resident. I generally try not to take my photos near anyone's house, I've had owners come out and ask me what I'm doing one too many times in the past. 

The Rundown

Striped Top Old Navy similar

Mint Jeans LC for Kohls similar
Sandals Frye Gerry

Monogram Necklace Amazon similar

 Ring Thrifted similar
Crystal Bracelet Taken for Granite similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Elephant Bracelet Ebay similar

Sunnies Ray-Ban Emma