Stitch Fix #2

A few months has passed since I received my first Stitch Fix box in the mail, and I had the itch for another! I find the whole process really fun. Here's what they sent me this time!

Street Level Anchorage Diamond Printed Tote - $64

Verdict: I love the look of this, and I'm in the market for a new tote that I can use for travel instead of a backpack (I'm trying NOT to look 16 when we go on our honeymoon.) It therefore needs to fit my laptop-- and it did-- but it warped the bag's shape in a way I didn't like. I think I'm going to look for a fully vegan leather option. Sent back.

Hourglass Lily Stanley Diamond Print Hi-Lo Jersey shirt - $48

I wasn't sure about this at first, and I'm still not quite sure about the pattern. But I LOVE the fit and the keyhole in the back. Kept.

Renee C Landry Printed Cross-Front Blouse - $58

Verdict: I LOVE the shape and pattern on this, but it was just entirely too big and unflattering. You might need actual boobs for it to work. Sent back.

 Kut from the Kloth Aviva Cuffed Straight Boyfriend Jeans - $78

I have never owned boyfriend jeans. They are usually too long and too wide and make me look like an actual 12 year old boy, not a sexy grown woman in her significant other's jeans. These, however, are great! They are a slimmer cut for a boyfriend, really comfy, and I like the length with booties. Kept.

Collective Concepts Reanne Cap Sleeve Polka Dot Dress - $78

I so wanted this to work. It actually fit and was the right length, but I didn't love how it sat across my midsection or the cap sleeves. Then Tony asked me if I was keeping the "Mickey Mouse Dress." Sent back.

Here's me wearing the items I kept (minus my face, which was a blotchy mess this day!)

Have you guys perused the Stitch Fix site? Let me know if you would have kept the same items in the comments below!

Our Wedding - The Favorites

On Easter, I got a call from my mother in law wishing me happy Easter, as well as a happy 6 month wedding anniversary! I'm glad someone keeps track of these things, because I certainly haven't been. I guess six months over the course of our (almost nine year) relationship doesn't seem like that long to me at this point. But it's true! It's already been six months since we stood up in front of all of our friends and family and said "YOU GUYS IT'S THE TWO OF US FOREVER AND ALWAYS AND AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW LET'S DANCE."

In celebration of that, I thought I'd share some of my very favorite photos from that day with you all. You may have seen some of these in other places on the Internet, but I wanted to curate the best. At least-- what I think are the best! Our wedding photos were taken by Paper Hearts Vintage Photography and our venue was The Metropolitan Building in Long Island City, New York. Enjoy!

 

 

I'm also thinking about sharing our wedding songs/playlist with you guys. It's a set of 17 songs in a playlist in my iTunes that I still listen to on the regular to remind me about the day. Let me know if that's something you'd like to see!

The Top Ten

A few weeks ago, I filmed a video talking about my TOP TEN favorite nail polishes-- and because I have suddenly lost my camera memory card and could not film a Tumblr Lesson today, I decided to finally edit it.

 

From left to right:

 Revlon Cherries in the Snow http://dft.ba/-8Ao9 

Julep Mischa http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Julep Zelda http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Julep Gianna http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Julep Blake http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Ulta The Jungle Look http://dft.ba/-8ADB
Ulta Mint Condition http://dft.ba/-8Aoc
Julep Ivy http://dft.ba/-8Aex
Chanel Vendetta
Loreal Safari Chic http://dft.ba/-8zOv

Do you own any of these? Check out the video below!

Stitch Fix #1 and Spring Lookbook

HELLO.

Jeez, it's been a long time. I apologize. March was crazy (excuses, excuses.) Anyway, I have been planning to share this little post with you for a while. You may or may not have seen the Spring Lookbook video I posted last week on beautifullybookish. And you may or may not have noticed a few of the items I'm wearing are from Stitch Fix. That's because it was my birthday on March 29 (I'm 27! Eek!) and I decided to treat myself to a Fix.

I feel like bloggers know about Stitch Fix, but in case you don't: it's an online-based personal styling service that sends you a box of clothing and accessory goodies whenever you request one! You keep what you love, and send back what you don't. Here's a look at what I received in my first Fix: 

 

Everything comes beautifully packaged with a personal note from a stylist.

 

 The breakdown:

 

41Hawthorn Topher Lurex Striped Fit & Flare Dress - $78

Verdict: Cute, but a bit long on me (often a problem.) Would be a great work dress with a blazer, but I work from home sooo... I wear leggings and pajamas ;) Sent back.

Sanctuary Rizzo Skinny Ponte Pants - $88

Verdict: really cute and comfy, but very long and a little big on me. Very similar to my J. Crew pixi pants, but did not fit as well. Sent back.

Loveappella Denise Stripe & Dot Print Dolman Top - $48

Verdict: SO my style and fit beautifully! Kept.

41Hawthorn Colibri Solid Tab Sleeeve Blouse - $48

Verdict: A little long (seeing a trend here? It's tough to be 5'1") but I love the color and style. Kept.

Pomelo Aleah V-Neck Heathered Dolman Sleeve Shirt - $48

Verdict: I love a good dolman. This is great for comfy, casual days. Kept.

Do you guys like the items I received? I did! If you'd like to see them on me and see how I styled the items I kept, make sure you check out my Spring Lookbook video here:

Here are the outfit breakdowns for easy reference:

OUTFIT 1

Top: StitchFix http://dft.ba/-8jYU

Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: American Eagle

Watch: Fossil http://dft.ba/-8lto

Bracelet: MintBarry http://mintbarry.co/

OUTFIT 2

Top: StitchFix http://dft.ba/-8jYU

Shorts: Express

Sneakers: Converse http://dft.ba/-8len

Necklace: Forever 21

OUTFIT 3

Romper: Forever 21 http://dft.ba/-8kMU

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac http://dft.ba/-8kcJ

Shoes: Target

OUTFIT 4

Top: StitchFix http://dft.ba/-8jYU

Pants: StitchFix http://dft.ba/-8jYU

Bracelet: Piperlime

Boots: Sam Edelman http://dft.ba/-86fF

More posts soon, I promise! xx Sarah

February Favorites

Hey guys. I thought I would post this here in case you didn't catch it on my beautifullybookish channel. It's a video in which I talk about my February Favorites! WOOO.

Here's a little sneaky peak at my favorite things:

Physician's Formula Day & Night Cream http://dft.ba/-86vv
Mary Kay Timewise Firming Eye Cream http://dft.ba/-86Kl
Love & Toast Gin Blossom Body Spray http://dft.ba/-86Kn
Bath & Body Works White Citrus Triple Moisture Body Cream http://dft.ba/-86Sp
Olay Body Wash http://dft.ba/-86fD
Bath & Body Works Spring Candle http://dft.ba/-87yo
Sam Edelman Penny Boots http://dft.ba/-86fF

Little Pick-Me-Ups

OK. So. It's no secret that I love shopping. However, if you follow me around the Internet or watch my beauty channel you'll know that I don't post loads of "hauls" or things of the sort. I love shopping, but it's not like I have money to burn after bills and student loan payments every month. I know this is a problem a lot of us have, and it makes us feel bad when it seems like there's all these young women online spending frivolous amounts of money on all the latest beauty products and fashion items.

However.

I do believe in a little pick-me-up every once in a while. You don't have to spend a ton to get yourself a little something that will make you feel good, and I am the queen of coupons and sale shopping for this exact reason.

A while back, Victoria's Secret was having their semi-annual sale (which I think is basically their all-the-time sale, because it seems like they're always having it.) I was walking around the mall one evening when Tony was working late, and I popped in.

I wound up leaving with two fun spring-like items for around $5. The first was this Sunny Brights "Sky Bright" body wash, which smells super fresh and kind of floral at the same time.

I also grabbed this cute pair of undies, because who doesn't love a colorful, cute pair of undies? I'm not really sure if it's weird to show undies on the Internet, but TBH, IDGAF :)

Moral of the story is: five dollars bought me a little piece of spring, and a pat on the back for working hard-- even without a lot of extra dough left over. Sometimes something as little as buying yourself a pack of gum in the grocery check-out line can make your day a little brighter, don't you think?

Alone Time

It’s Saturday night. I’m home alone with the puppy. I’m writing this blog post, and probably eating a Lean Cuisine for dinner while watching documentaries on Netflix.

And that’s OK.

One thing I've learned after being in a long distance relationship for so many years, having a single room in college, and just being an introvert in general, is that I like alone time. One may think “alone time” pretty much ends after you get married—but not for me! Because Tony goes to work every day and I work from home, we do spend most of our days apart. He also travels a lot for work, so there are still weeks and weekends where we’re worlds away from each other. Although I miss him (and his help with Jaspy baby puppy ruckus) I’m actually totally cool with hanging out with myself. It’s actually nice once in a while.

Alone time means I get to spend my time however I want it without (too many) distractions. I can clean the house without anyone but me to mess it up again. I can watch the girliest, most awful reality shows on TV without a single complaint about it. I can watch YouTube videos on the couch without my ear buds. I can get drunk on wine and stay on Tumblr until the wee hours of the morning, just like the old days!

Maybe the above sounds sad—but it’s really not. Introverts, like myself, take pleasure in these things. Of course, it would be totally different if I had to spend alone time without the Internet. I mean, if we’re honest, when Tony is on a trip, the most real social interaction I usually have is with the cashier at Target. And nothing against cashiers at Target (there’s this one elderly woman of Asian descent who I absolutely love) but I’d rather hang out with me, anyway. I’m pretty cool.

How do you feel about alone time? Do you get “stir crazy” without other humans in your space? Let me know in the comments :)

Welcome To Leviosaa

This is my first ever post on my *very official* new blog. Welcome!

I've been toying with the idea of starting a proper blog for a while. I did, as most of you know, major in English in college. Since I graduated with my Master's in 2011, I haven't written as much. I miss writing. Of course, I have my Tumblr and my Twitter and YouTube, where I can express my thoughts in other forms-- but it's not really the same, is it?

I have a lot planned for this new little space, including lifestyle things, beauty things, home things, and general thoughts things. If you're interested in seeing a bit more of my life (and the inside of my head) but aren't familiar with reading blogs, I recommend following me on Bloglovin' or subscribing to my posts via e-mail. You can do both in the sidebar to the right.

 

I leave you with a photo of my wedding shoes. Because I liked my wedding shoes, and this post needs a photo.

Thanks for reading!

xx Sarah