Beginner's Guide: Room Tour

Frame: Ikea / Under-the-bed Storage: Target

As most of you may know I recently upgraded to a bigger place.  With school + work + the 3rd season of X-Factor recently premiering, I anticipate it will be a long while before the entire place is fully put together.  I thought I'd show my readers what I've gotten done so far for my room.  I have much more to add so keep in mind this is just the beginning stages.  Hope you enjoy the room tour!  If you have any ideas/recommendations for me, feel free to send them my way!

Keroppi will likely be donated sometime in the near future but in memory of me winning my first State Fair game this year, I thought I'd use him as a mantle until I can find a mirror to replace him and/or until he causes nightmares.  This beautiful dresser I got on Craigslist for $25.  I repainted and refinished it myself - a proud domestic moment.  Makes up for the time I burnt ramen noodles, no?

Thrifted accents.

More thrifted finds.  Love this candle holder!

This corner is just a mess.  I plan on changing everything. 

If any of you remember my gold vintage mirror, it now hangs white!

Shoe solutions.

Yes I painted my antique wicker bench white!  I went on a white painting craze, as you can tell. 

10 under 10

It's really no secret that the majority of my wardrobe can be considered budget friendly fashion finds.  Today I thought I'd share some of my more recent bargains with you guys.  This post was probably one of my harder ones as almost everything I buy falls in the "Under $10" category.  Expect more of these to come!

 5 Panel Hat; Urban Outfitters: $5

Not everyone understands my preference of hats, including myself.  If I see something unique or crazy, I basically have to have it.  I call this recent find my 'Animal Kingdom' hat.  It has been on repeat.  LOVE.
  

 Clutch; Urban Outfitters: $5
Probably one of my FAVORITE finds as it is acutely reminiscent of traditional Hmong patterned stitching.  I adore the bright colors on this clutch and carry it with me every where I go.  Everyone seems to love it just as much as I do!  

 Pink Drop-Waist Dress, Urban Outfitters: $5 
Perfect piece for this summer! Although if you live in Minnesota like I do, you might be putting this on hold for just a bit longer (or forever).

 Brown Booties; Forever 21: $8
These are the superlative pair of boots to go with any pair of jeans.  The height is just short enough to make walking comfortable and tall enough to give your legs that extra 'wow' factor.  They are also running-man friendly so consider that the icing on the cake. 

 Knit Cardigan; Mango: $7
Everyone needs a grandma cardigan in their life!  This one is great for throwing over a summer dress or t-shirt.  I got it from my momma who got it from her momma :D

 HELLO BROOKLYN tee; Urban Outfitters: $7
Word to Jay-Z for this one.  You can never have enough t-shirts.  Or in my case, you can and you do, but you are just in denial and won't accept it.

 Linen Shirt; Target: $7
Pair this with everything!  Shorts, pants, skirts, short pants, long pants, skirt pants, no pants, etc.  You get the idea.  LINEN SHIRTS RULE THE WORLD.

 Clear Clutch; Supplies Store: $2
Yes I carry clutches inside clutches.  When they are all this beautiful, the world needs to see each one.  I'm still in the process of finding some cute zipper accessories for this one, but it is absolutely one of the coolest and unique finds ever.

Leopard Print Trousers; Target: $8
I prefer the leopard trousers over the leopard print denim as these prevail to be much more comfortable.  Pair these with that linen shirt circa 2 photos ago and you are officially everyone's desire.

Gold Sequin Pencil Skirt; Cotton On: $5
I saw this gem and almost died.  It's as if the Fashion Gods knew that this skirt and I were star-crossed lovers destined to meet.  The last time I wore this, I paired it with a flannel (naturally) and baseball cap.  This versatile piece is a must-have!  

Xo, Amy

Wild Wild West

I was excited to pack for my Cali trip the second time around, being told I would be basking in 75-80 degree weather (only to later find out that wasn't the case).  This time I left the scarves & chunky sweaters at home and packed some staple summer pieces: shorts & graphic tanks.  Didn't get a chance to take as many outfit photos as I would have hoped, but enjoy the few I got!  Also didn't do as much shopping as I had suspected I would, but I did indulge in some fine dining (see below).  I did pick up a couple pair of booties from H&M's clearance sale for $10 though :)  Fashion finds in LA, check.

Highlights of the week: spontaneously eating at the SAME restaurant as my FAVORITE blogger Sincerely Jules! (I dieee), visiting scenes from Rush Hour 2 in China Town, touching the ocean for the first time, seeing the stars at the Griffith Observatory, & boating on the coast in Marina Del Ray.
Thanks to all my friends who took care of me this weekend!  Now it's time to hit the gym two fold this week!

Xo, Amy

Cali Fever

Although my trip to LA isn't until the beginning of January, I've already caught Cali Fever.  Hence my recent t-shirt buy.  I spotted this $3 steal at Old Navy yesterday and had to have it; a true tourist buy :) I am really going to try and utilize my wardrobe attire and not buy too many things for this upcoming trip!  Did you laugh out loud as much as I just did? Yeah we both know that's actually not possible...

(All outfit details with links listed below!)  

[Another $3 steal!  All you 80's babies can voice your jealousy.]

It isn't an official post unless the baby brother makes a cameo.  Everyone have a great weekend!

Outfit Details: 

LA tee - Old Navy $3

Moto Jacket - Marshalls (similar here)

Faux leather pants - H&M

Wedged sneakers - Urban Outfitters (link here)

Flannel - Target (similar here)

Watch - Michael Kors
Infinity Scarf: H&M 

OOTD: Sick Baby

'Tis the season of sickness!  Thanks to everyone who sneezed, coughed, and shared their bacteria with me these past few weeks, I'm officially sick -__-  I've been drugged up on zinc & chicken noodle soup the last few days so I apologize if we encounter and I seem discombobulated.  This morning I left the house accidentally with my towel still in my hair so I am obviously experiencing side effects to my vitamins.  Off duty, I've concluded my sickness suffices as a fair excuse to look like a homeless person (not that I don't normally).  It's a 'sweats & sneakers' kinda day....although I feel like I've been saying that since '88.  

I made a trip to Target today to grocery shop & pick up a few more toys for my 'Operation Christmas Child' box I'm filling. (more info here http://www.samaritanspurse.org/) But of course it's Target so you walk in for 1 thing and leave with 9,029 things.   

H&M blazer (old), H&M tank ($7), TJ Maxx sweats ($12), Converse from TJ Maxx ($24), MKors Watch, F21 cross necklace  ($3)

Despite my dampened mood, I'm ecstatic the sun is shining in Minneapolis today :)

Curse Target's clearance section!  Picked up this super cute flannel original price $17.99, marked down to $5 & an ash grey (it looks white, but it's not) Sally Hansen polish originally $6.99 marked down to $1.  I'm loving muted nail colors for fall/winter. 

Of course what I went into Target for.... 

And last, but not least, toys toys toys! for my special baby girl I'm donating to for Operation Christmas Child.  What are you guys doing to get into the Holiday spirit? 

Baby Chic

Photos from a shoot I directed with Thrive Fashion House.  Check out all our latest projects & more from this project at thrivefh.blogspot.com! :)