Crazy for chambray

Hey loves!

Hope everyone had a great new year and happy holidays! I know I'm excited for 2013, most especially because I'll be turning 21 on Monday! Woo! Haha anyways...my mom and I usually do a weekend shopping trip for my birthday but this year we decided to do a fun little day trip down to Milwaukee. We discovered a HUGE Anthropologie store, which I'm so in love with it's insane. Seriously if I could live in that store, I totally would. It was here where I found the most amazing chambray shirt ever. For quite a while now, I've been wanting one because it's a quintessential piece in every prep's wardrobe. However, finding the perfect chambray shirt has not been the easiest task. Most that I've tried on have not looked very attractive on me, I don't know what it is but they're too stiff and just don't fit in the right places. I look like I'm wearing a men's shirt, it's been a very depressing hunt for one of these haha BUT the Cloth and Stone shirt I found at Anthropologie was sheer perfection. For one, it's chambray with polka dots, I couldn't dream up a better combination. And second, the material is so soft and a lot more relaxed than normal chambray shirts so it looked great on! Here's a pic, I love that the polka dots are smaller and a little more subtle as compared to the Gap one below that I tried on last week. Excuse my poor photography skills but this shirt isn't on the Anthro website.

Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with this Gap chambray shirt. I would've bought it if I didn't look so terrible in it but there's something about the more subdued polka dots that I like so much more. Another random note, Gap has some amazing spring clothes out right now so if you haven't been in there for a while go check it out! There are these amazing navy ankle pants with little anchors all over them that I'm in love with. Needless to say, I'm beyond excited to wear my new chambray shirt, especially with all my colored and white jeans in the summer! Other quality purchases from the shopping trip were from Lululemon and J. Crew! I'm thrilled about the hot pink toothpick jeans I got from J. Crew for $16! So insane!

Also, what did everyone get from the Lilly sale?! This is the dress I got :)

SO glad to be blogging again, happy shopping ladies!

xoxo,

rFe

It's the most craftiest time of the year...

With the holidays quickly approaching, it's time to start figuring out what gifts I'm going to give everyone this year. As much as I love shopping for myself (and that's a lot) it's so much more rewarding to surprise friends and family with that perfect gift! However, doing that on a college student budget is not the easiest of tasks. Lately, I've been spending a lot of my time thinking of great crafts I can make for people instead of buying something. It not only saves me a ton of money but it's fun to do and it allows me to personalize the gifts! I'm still searching for ideas on Pinterest and Etsy but these are a couple crafts that I've done lately.

I made these chevron wooden letters for my little as an early Christmas present! 

 I also learned how to make bows recently so I've been making a ton for myself but they're great little gifts to add on to presents

 This was an early Christmas present from my best friend! I love the monogram and my favorite Lilly print in the middle 

Anyone else doing any homemade gifts for the holidays?

xoxo,

rFe

A quick hello and today's steals!

Hello loves!

Wow seriously how long has it been since my last post?! This semester is just flying by, I can't believe it's almost winter break (and my birthday!). I really miss the blogging world and I'm definitely going to try and make this blog more of a priority starting now! With finals week approaching, I don't feel nearly as prepared as I should for my exams but hopefully it'll be a productive week :) In more exciting news, my sorority's initiation week was absolutely amazing and I got another little! She's absolutely adorable and we are two peas in pod so I couldn't be happier. We are both avid country fans and are attending the CMT Jake Owen, Love and Theft, and Florida Georgia Line concert this Thursday in Minneapolis! SO beyond thrilled to throw on my cowboy boots and see all those sexy men perform live. I'm anticipating it will be an amazing concert and I'll definitely let you guys know how it went on Friday.

Now, I love bargains just as much as the next shopaholic but today I got some incredible (and unexpected) deals from the one and only Ann Taylor! I consider myself kind of an expert in finding great clothes for affordable prices. I would much rather catch an Ann Taylor/J. Crew sale than buy things for the same price at Forever 21. Not trying to knock Forever 21, I do like to buy certain things there but for me, quality always comes before quantity. My first rule of thumb for finding good deals is to shop in stores, working retail has taught me that the actual stores ALWAYS have better deals than the websites do. Case in point, I bought a dress from Banana Republic this summer for $12 in store while it was still "on sale" online for $70. Craziness I know and I see it happen all the time. Anyway, today Ann Taylor had 25% off their sale items so these are the dandies I picked up!

This blouse is actually navy blue with the coral and white details, not black, which gives it a much more preppy/nautical look! Totally my style so obviously I had to get this at a mere $11. 

This adorable sweater is going to go with some Banana Republic burgundy cigarette pants for Christmas :) unfortunately, you can't see the back detail but there's a bow tie at the top and the whole back is sheer - love! This again was only $11. 

My last sale purchase was this burgundy top (can you tell I'm obsessed with this color?) which is a great causal top for me to wear to class! I seriously wear these kind of oversized, comfy tops to class everyday and how could I not buy it for $7?!

I couldn't resist putting up some of Ann Taylor's new arrivals as well. They're featuring this mint color, which is my absolute favorite color of all time. I couldn't justify buying any of it though because 1.) my budget would not allow this and 2.) I don't think it's a very season appropriate color (especially the pants) I just wouldn't feel right wearing pastel before Spring came! Call me crazy but it's almost as bad as wearing white this time of year...almost...

Anyone else finding any awesome deals lately? Let me know what you think about mine!

Oh, it's good to be back :) xoxo,

rFe

OHP Wednesday

I haven't done a Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday in forever so I'm thrilled I finally have the time to do one again! Go ahead and link up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple! Unfortunately, I'm not quite the Pinterest addict that I used to be (maybe that's a good thing...) but it is a good way for me to fend off boredom in long lectures! These are my favorite findings for this week, enjoy :)

Seriously though...

 New motto! 

Haha I need to start thinking like this 

So adorable 

If only...

Love love love her hair color 

Good motivation 

:)

 And lastly, some Gangnam Style! 

Hope all of you lovely readers are having a good week!

xoxo,

rFe

Lilly loves Repub girls

Now as much as I don't like to bring up controversial topics on my blog, I just have to admit I'm loving this election season! I'm so interested in politics and now that I'm getting older (and wiser) I feel like I can make more informed decisions about the candidates and party I choose to support. Not to mention this is the first presidential election I'm eligible to vote in! Woohoo! Watching the debates and getting closer and closer to election day is absolutely thrilling. I love the fact that even though I can only vote once, I'm still helping decide who will lead this great country the next four years. Now, another thing I love just as much as politics is LILLY! Obviously :) and I don't think it's a coincidence that Lilly came out with a elephant print right as election season started...I've been lusting over these items for a while now and I just need to take the plunge and purchase them already. How cute are they?! The tank is a little worrisome as winter is quickly approaching but paired with a cute cardigan, I'd be good to go!

This has also been the background on my iPhone for quite some time!

I think it's really important for young people (especially my age) to get involved in politics, to learn about the issues, and ultimately cast a vote! There's a great number of us and we have a lot more power to make an impact than we might think we have. This issues are going to be even more relevant to us than they are now once we enter the real world! As much as I hate to admit, this fantasyland I call college won't last forever. Anyhoo, that's my political schpeel for today! 

Anyone else loving the election season like me?!

xoxo,

rFe

Flats on flats on flats

Hey lovies! I hope everyone's enjoying their weekend, I've been waiting for what seems like forever for it to finally get here! I'm still extremely stressed and busy with school, my sorority, tennis, and working (not to mention trying to keep up with friends and family!) I feel like I literally never have a free moment and it's still soo overwhelming dealing with everything right now. If anyone has any good tips for relieving stress, that's not time consuming, I would love to get some advice! On a brighter note, one AMAZING thing I did this week was attend an impromptu afternoon concert held by Hunter Hayes! He was in town with Carrie Underwood and did a pre-show performance at a local bar/restaurant. A couple friends and I heard about it on the radio the morning of and decided to skip class and take a little adventure! It was great because it was at noon on a Thursday so it was a very exclusive and private show. I absolutely adore him so seeing him in that intimate of a setting was the best experience ever!

I just love him so much 

Another reason I've been looking forward to this weekend is because my mom, grandma, and aunt came into town yesterday! We spent the day shopping which was exactly what I needed to get my mind off this crazy week. I made some great purchases but I think my favorite was my new Cole Haan ballet flats (dying with excitement inside) from Nordstrom Rack! I've been wanting a nice pair of flats forever and I'm so happy I found a quality pair and got the best deal on them :) I feel like it's the perfect weather for flats right now because it's still a smidge too warm to wear boots, my feet and legs get way too hot! I'm a little obsessed with flats right now which is funny because I used to hate them - I thought they made my feet look big...haha but now I definitely appreciate them and their classiness so much more! Here are some more amazing flats that I'm lusting over, if only I had unlimited funds to buy them! Oh well, it makes getting a really nice part that much more special. The middle, shimmery ones are the ones I bought today :)

Tory Burch flat heels, $290 / Sam Edelman animal print ballet flat / Vera Wang ballet flat shoes / Kate Spade wedge heel shoes / Cole Haan grey ballet flat / Kate Spade ballet shoes flat

Let me know what you think and enjoy this beautiful weekend!

xoxo,

rFe

Let's play catch up

Wow, it's been WAY too long since my last blog post. I've missed the blogging world and I promise I haven't forgotten about all my lovely followers! I've been ridiculously busy with school, recruitment, work, and tennis starting up again this year! I was feeling very overwhelmed at first but everything's starting to settle down now that recruitments over (which went amazingly) I'm so thrilled to get to know all our beautiful new members! Here's a couple pics during bid day and recruitment! These first couple weeks back at school are always the hardest (and most fun!) Still adjusting to my ridic crazy schedule but it's better to be busy than to be bored right? I think so at least :)

Anyway, I was graciously nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by a fellow Midwest Prepster, A. Whitney. Go check out her blog, I love it! Since I've already received the Liebster Blog Award (twice, haha), I don't think I need to do the 11 facts about myself again but here's the links to my previous Liebster posts if you'd still like to see some random facts about moi :) Post 1 and Post 2. Here's my answers to A. Whitney's questions!

1. What is your favorite word? This is interesting, I've never thought about what my favorite word is. Hmm...I'll have to go with "woooo!" If anyone's seen How I Met Your Mother, you'll understand what a woo girl is. Haha it's kind of a running joke between some friends and I, we like to pretend we're woo girls.

2. What is your idea of happiness? For me, happiness is the little things that have the ability to brighten my day. Whether it's a card from my mom, a great conversation with a friend, or a vanilla latte, it's small, random things that make me the happiest.

3. Where is your favorite place to shop? Don't even get me started...Nordstrom is my go to for shoes and purses. I like to buy my clothes from Banana Republic, J. Crew, Gap, and any department store or boutique.

4. What is one thing you want people to remember you for? I want people to remember me for being a kind and generous person. Maybe someone that could brighten their day if they're having a bad one. A lot of people say I'm always poised so that's a good thing to be remembered for too.

5. Rainbow's or Sperry's on a guy? Sperry's...I don't do mandals.

6. Favorite after work/school treat? Lately it's been making the snack size kettle corn! I also love making passion tea to relax with after a long day.

7. What is on the top of your wish list for fall? I reeeeallly need new ballet flats. I'd die for some Tory's but a simple nude pair will suffice as well!

8. Cupcakes or brownies? Brownies, much easier to eat!

9. What quality do you most admire in people? I admire people that have that leader quality about them. There's always times in life when no one wants to take responsibility for anything and I think that when that one person steps up and is a leader, it really can change a lot.

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? I'd like to be welcomed with a glass of champagne and have God say my Grandma is waiting to meet me.

My Questions

1. What's your favorite movie quote?

2. Team Gale or Team Peeta?

3. What's your go to outfit for a night out?

4. Who's your biggest celebrity crush?

5. Who's your biggest inspiration?

6. Mac or PC?

7. Thoughts on 50 Shades of Grey?

8. What has been your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?

9. What's your favorite part about blogging?

10. Favorite food?

And the award goes to...

Cotton's Pickins
Chicago Prepster

Love your blogs ladies!

That's all I have for now but I promise a super awesome post will be coming up soon :)

xoxo,

rFe