Birthday Rewind #27on27 (Photo Heavy)

So I know that I said I was going to get back to blogging, but I failed, LOL.  I realized that when was blogging I was motivated to do things that brought me joy because I wanted to share all the wonderful fun things I was doing with you.  So to help balance out all the craziness that is work and excitement of starting my own business, I'm getting back to my blog.

The Birthday Rewind

So I turned 27 last month and decided to do something special for my "Champaign Birthday."  Me and my friends took a long weekend trip to Atlanta.  It was my first time there and I wanted to completely unwind, so the weekend theme was "Turn Down for What!?"  I can't say tell you enough how grateful I am to have great friends that would travel half way across the country to help me celebrate.  They're amazing!

Day 1

Windy City Adventures

The last weekend of June I had to take a business trip to Chicago.  I was so excited because it was my first time visiting the Windy City.  I was also able to catch up with friends.  I must say that the traffic that I experienced getting into the city from the Indiana state line took forever, but the drive went by so fast that it was a minor hiccup of the trip.

The business trip was for a leadership retreat PAN, a professional association that I'm apart of.  Below is a picture of me and my crew on our way to our first meeting for the weekend.

My first night I was able to walk around and see a little bit of Michigan Avenue and I just felt at home amongst the hustle and bustle of a big city.  For dinner that night we went to a Chinese and Thai
restaurant called Big Bowl.  Their menu is split, Chinese on one side and Thai on the other.  I went with Thai and had the chicken pad thai.  I was thrilled to finally indulge in ethnic food that is non-existent in eastern Kentucky.  It was delicious, but I still can't find a place that matches up to the jewel in Stony Brook, NY.

The Gift of Thrift

So this post is way overdo!  Before I went on vacation, I organized a Holiday party for few co-workers.  Because it was right before Christmas, there was a theme of "Ugly Sweater" but no one had an ugly sweater surprisingly enough.  Prior to the party, I helped a co-worker go shopping for something to wear.

We went to our neighborhood Goodwill and found a ton of blazers.  Nothing fit me, but she it the walked out with a least 5 at about $6 each.  This green velvet blazer was one of them.  To update it, we went to Walmart and found new buttons for $2 a pack.

 

To bring it into the theme of the party we walked over to the jewelry section of Walmart and found a snowman broach for her to wear with the blazer.

How did we do?

Partnered with Shabby Apple

Happy Tuesday everyone.  I'm so happy to announce that I'm an affiliate member of the online boutique Shabby Apple!  I'm currently working on getting a promotional code for you all to use and some possible giveaways.  Just click on the button in the right sidebar to check them out.  They have beautiful pieces.  Their clothing items range from size 0 to 28, children and lots of extras (accessories & novelty items).

I'll be placing a small order and will provide a review on my purchase withing the next few weeks.  Until then here are some pieces that I thought you all might enjoy.  I love to hear what you all think!

Romantic, Poetic...Eclectic

Thanks to ShoeDazzle.com I am that much closer to finding my style.  When first looking at the selection that they gave me after taking the quiz, I thought that they didn't understand my style.  But after looking at this "style profile," they definitely had my number.  I like simple classic styles with a small, yet loud (usually colorful) touch to it that balances it all out.  I didn't place my first order yet, but when I do....WATCH OUT! lol

If you shop with ShoeDazzle, how do you like it?

Enjoying the Country Side

"Welcome to Kentucky!"  I'm can say that I've truly enjoyed my time here in Morehead, Kentucky.  The people have been very friendly and I haven't been surrounded by so much nature since I went camping in the 6th grade.  I was lucky enough to create travel plans that let me see almost the entire state in about 2 days.  I flew into Louisville and drove to Morehead (in east KY).  Just look at the view that I had:

Why are in you KY you ask?  Well, this little chick-a-dee had an on-campus interview at Morehead State.  I love the campus and the people - staff and students.  I am leaving with a lot to mull over.  I really enjoyed my time here and appreciate the hospitality that was shown to me.  The biggest questions that I was asked for the day was why I want to leave San Diego to come to little ole' Morehead.  It's something that I'm still figuring out, but I could definitely see myself here - bringing a little CA to KY.  Here's what I wore:

Jacket & Dress- Torrid

Jessica Simpson Peep-toe Mary Janes & Handbag - Ross

Well as I reflect on my trip, KY just might get a little more Cali in their lives!

First Purchase of 2011

The Purchase!

So as I went to the mall to return some Christmas items to the store, I couldn't resist purchasing some items that really caught my eye.  My first stop was the Old Navy clearance rack where I found a great blue striped top for $7 and a gold piggy bank that was missing it's bottom for $0.49!  I figured that I could use the piggy bank as decoration.  I had a hard time deciding between silver and gold, but I might go back so I can have both.  Why not for $0.49!?

$0.49 piggy bank from Old Navy

And of course in order for me to get out of the mall, I have to go through the Forever 21 that has an exit to the parking lot where my car was located.  Know mind you that this is not one of the stores that carries Faith 21 so I knew that I couldn't fit anything but the accessories, l0l!  I noticed that there was animal print everywhere.  I don't really own animal print items, just a pair of amazing Steve Madden sling-backs (I looked, they're no longer available), so I thought that I might be able to find something that I could actually use.  And as soon as I saw the leopard print scarf, I knew it was mine! I love scarves and this is the time to be wearing them.  In California you can get away with wearing them for most of the year.  I look forward to wearing it with a colorful pair of pumps!

The Necklaces from Forever 21

After I grabbed the scarf, I walked straight towards the jewelery racks.  I was looking for a new long "pearl" necklace to replace the one I broke but I had no luck.  Not to fear, I definitely found some other pieces that I look forward to wearing.  I saw the green stone necklace in the People Style Watch Magazine (my favorite reference after people watching), and I knew that I wanted it.  When I saw the pinkish stone on the silver chain I grabbed it because I don't have any pink jewelery and its about time that I got some.

And after grabbing that necklace, I saw the pink and gold earrings (to the right in the bottom picture).  Never leaving the house without putting on some earrings, I grabbed some simple gold hoops that are connected together with gold thread and some silver earrings that reminded me of Heidi Kluem's jewelery line.  I looked around a bit looking for what else I could grab, but after calculating what I had in my hand I decided to head to the register.  And on my what there I saw this gold hot-air balloon necklace and I couldn't let it go.  My mom owns a home-based business and has a hot-air balloon as part of her company logo.  She explained that it signified the possibility of accomplishing the things that were once thought of as being unattainable.  So the necklace was a purchase that will help me keep my mom close.

The Forever 21 earrings

 I had fun finding these purchases and as soon as I start to wear them I'll be sure to keep you updated with a photo!