Top 5 Must-Shop Labor Day Sales

 

Here's the Top 5 Must-Shop Labor Day Sales!

1- Baublebar: My favorite store to get the best jewels! And they're having major sales starting at 50% off! The Best Savings: Elizabeth Collar ($20), Crystal Quad Drop Earrings ($10), and Pearl Chevron Bib ($20).

2- Sole Society: Up to 70% off select styles! This is a fabulous sale because the 'select' styles include shoes that could easily be transitioned to Fall and season-neutral handbags and jewelry. Plus, they have free shipping! A few of my favorites: Morganne Bow Slingback Flats, Caddie Block Heel Sandal, Christine Buckle Detail Mini-Heel, and Midi Ring Set. 

Shop the Sale! Sephora Labor Day Sale

3- Sephora: Up to 65% off online only! They're spotlighting select beauty products and supplies; hot tools, make-up, accessories, perfumes, and more. The Best Deals: Sephora Tourmaline Flat Iron (only $25!), Smashbox Photo Op Eye Brightening Palette, False Lashes (50% off!), and Bombshell Cone Rod Curling Iron

4- Old Navy: Free shipping everyday but the real savings here is up to 50% off the entire store now through Sept 1st. Stock up on all your favorite basics and work-out gear for the Fall. The Best Transition Pieces: Poplin Stretch Dress Shirt ($10), Lightweight Cardis ($12), Textured Sweaters ($15), Jersey Pencil Skirts ($6!), and Pleated Chiffon Skirts ($12).

5- Loft: 50% new Fall arrivals... and everything else! Most stores are trying to unload their Summer stock, but Loft is offering discounts off new Fall pieces! It doesn't get any better than this. No code needed. My Fall Favorites: Cotton Twill Cadet Jacket, Wild Prairie Print Zip Bomber Jacket, Chevron Jacquard Skirt Dress, and Floral Peplum Top.

Save or Splurge: Luxe

Topshop: Monroe Sheepskin Rever Collar Coat  //  H&M: Faux Fur Jacket

Often times, it seems the best pieces in fashion are the most expensive. I know I'm always lusting after things I can't afford! But the truth is, if you look hard enough... there's something, somewhere that is very similar and a lot less expensive. Then you're faced with the question- save or splurge?

One of my favorite trends for this upcoming Fall season is luxe. It's luxurious, elegant, and chic. Think furs, satins, tailoring, quilting, and leathers. I'm predicting a fur coat to be an absolute must-have this season. I'm lusting over this Monroe Sheepskin Rever Collar Coat from Topshop, but who has over $400 to spend on this fabulous piece? A great alternative I found is a cream Faux Fur Jacket from H&M for only $58! Now, that's a deal!

Back to Work 101: Quilting

Banana Republic: Quilted Field Jacket // Quilted Faux Leather Pencil Skirt
Quilted Whisper Tee  //  Ninah Pump  //  Candace Crossbody

Back-to-School shopping isn't just for the kids! As the seasons change, I love to revamp my closet and transition to new trends. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to introduce you to my favorite Fall trends for this year with my Back-to-Work series!

Quilting is going to be everywhere this season! It's not necessarily a new trend, but I love it because it's so chic. Whether it's jackets, handbags, or sweaters- almost anything can be quilted. This design takes a classic piece and gives it beautiful texture.

Keepin' It Classy at a Bachelorette Party

What do you wear to the ultimate girls night out? Yes ladies, I'm talking about... the bachelorette party. Last weekend, I attended my friend's bachelorette party and was faced with that exact question when packing. What on earth do I wear? I wanted to look fabulous! A slinky party-girl dress isn't exactly my style, but I didn't want to look like the old maid either. So, I opted to fall somewhere in the middle!

I decided to fashion-it-up and play with bold prints and bright accents. I got this amazing zebra print sheath dress! But this cute little number can easily go from fun and flirty to trashy in an instant if styled incorrectly.

Here are some tips on keeping your fashion classy and styling this bold print to perfection!

 

THE LOOK: Jennifer Lopez Zebra Print Sheath Dress

Jennifer Lopez White Faux-Leather Moto Vest  // Simply Vera Wang Contrast Heels

Target Mini Neon Pink Crossbody, similar // Target Gold Chain Link Necklace

When styling a bold print, I like to stick with a classic black and white color palette. It helps to simplify it a bit. There's enough going on with that eye-catching print! I added a white faux-leather moto vest to this look for some feminine edge and to break up the print. Black moto jackets can be a little too edgy, but this white vest is just right for me. It makes the look just a little more interesting!

To wear a necklace or to not wear a necklace? I thought this neckline totally needed a necklace, but it's a little tricky choosing just the right one. If it's too delicate, it would get lost in the print! I went with chunky gold jewelry so it would really pop on this bold print. I chose a gold chain link necklace from Target because it's bold, yet has an air of sophistication.  

Remember ladies- the bolder the outfit, the smaller the chain. For this type of outfit, I recommend choosing a small to medium sized chain detail for the necklace. I've seen some really cool, large chain link necklaces but I would reserve that for accessorizing a little black dress.

Lastly, I added a fun pop of color to my look with a neon pink crossbody from Target. A crossbody is ideal for an evening out because it decreases your odds of losing something and it gives you one less thing to carry or hold. When I saw this neon pink beauty in the store, I knew it would be the perfect accent for a girls night out. There's nothing more girly than bright pink!

5 Grocery Store Habits of the Skinny Girl

5 Grocery Store Habits of the Skinny Girl by theclosetbychristie

At the start of this month, I began the 21 Day Fix diet! There's so many scary crash diets out there, so I was hesitant at first. But after watching my friend lose inch after inch, I decided to take the leap of faith and give it a try. It focuses on 'clean eating' and encourages a complete lifestyle change. It comes with color-coded measuring containers, one color for each food group, to educate on proper portion sizes and the food pyramid. The best part is the work-out regimen! There's a 30-minute fitness video for every day of the week. For me, it's ideal because I don't have a lot of spare time to spend at the gym.

As I embark on this journey, I am learning a lot about nutrition and healthy habits. I was eating SO many things that seem healthy but really aren't. Lesson number 1- how to tackle the grocery store! I'm no stranger to the grocery store, so here's a few tips I've picked up along the way.

 

Here's the 5 Grocery Store Habits of the SKINNY Girl that we all should be following!

1- Stick to your list: Create a shopping list before you go to the store and stick to it! This will help you resist the temptation to buy those yummy chocolate chip cookies!

2- Shop the perimeter: Grocery stores are universally the same layout... for the most part. If you're trying to stay healthy, stick to the perimeter. That's where they keep all the good stuff! They reserve the middle for junk.

3- Plan meals in advance: This will help you save time! You will end up spending less time at the store because you prepared. And you'll be less likely to veer off your course to health!

4- Read the ingredients: This is key! That nutrition box can look a little intimidating, but it's really pretty simple. Particularly with a 'clean eating' diet, you'll want to choose foods with minimal ingredients. If there's a large list of ingredients you've never heard of, it's probably something you want to avoid.

5- Relax! I've always been a 'get in and get out' type of grocery shopper. I don't like to waste any time. I would rather spend my spare time doing something fun! But the truth is, it's not a race. Slow down and breathe! You'll be happy you did. You'll make smarter choices!

Here's to leading a healthy lifestyle and adopting that 'skinny girl' mindset!

Beauty Obsession: Deep Cleansing Weekly Shampoos

Elementage Be Cleansed weekly shampoo c/o John Barrett Store and Lucky FABB

My latest beauty obsession is deep cleansing weekly shampoos! Now, let's not confuse a weekly shampoo with a once a week wash; that's not what we're talking about here. I'm talking about the equivalent to a facial masque- but for your hair! Think about it... you curl, wave, or straighten your hair daily. You use mousse, hairspray, dry shampoo, etc. to maintain that style. Sometimes a little shampoo and conditioner ritual just isn't enough. A deep cleansing weekly shampoo is meant to strip your hair of all the product you used that week and the build-up it may have caused.

I honestly can't believe I am just discovering this product now! At first I was skeptical and thinking "c'mon now, do we really need another product?" I feel like I'm constantly being sold something that I "can't live without." But after using John Barrett's Elementage Be Cleansed weekly shampoo, my hair feels lighter and cleaner. And it's only $30- which is a great value for a product you're using only once a week. I've made it part of my weekly beauty routine!