a nonconformity equation.

1.)   (black dress x brown accessories) + a pop of color = pure perfection.

So, I like to push the envelope a little bit. People have been saying that you can rock a combo of brown and black for a while now and I love to find ways to do it. We all gotta break the rules every now and again, no?

Dress: Marshalls $8

Shirt: Walmart $6

Belt: Thrifted $1

Shoes: old school payless.

Tights: Brown Sugar in Jet Black $2

Earrings: Target $2 (hard to see, but you can get a closer look from my second blog post... they're the feather ones!)

This look turned out to be just darling! It is now one of my favorites! :)

'hard candy' gets a new look and dollar madness!

4 words:
Went to Walmart today.

Enough said.

But, I'll elaborate...

Like just about everyone else, I cannot set foot into this store and not buy ANYTHING! I don't know why, and would rather not take the time to find out either. Before I knew it, I was walking out with all this...

...except for the little slippers. (Those were a $1.48 find at Target!)

Do you see what "walking around" will get you?! Sometimes, I think the strategic placing of items far away from each other was meant just for me...
I'm telling you that I was truly looking for something before I came across the new 'Hard Candy' display! The problem is that I can't recall what I needed after the fact. Lol. I was caught completely off guard! I had just given one of their mini palettes to my sister a few days before. It was like the stars had aligned and commanded that I make room for their new products! Now, how could I let fate down and not follow through with this prophecy? I very well couldn't, right?? So, here's what I bought:

I fell in love with their baked eyeshadows! The one pictured above is in 'ab fab' (the blush, also baked, is called 'bombshell'). Based on appearance alone, the eyeshadow reminds me of a few other brands. They're like, 'HIP duos go Sugar Cosmetics in Urban Decay packaging'... Another cool thing? The price, of course! The eyeshadows retail for $6 (a little cheaper than HIP, btw.) and the blush was $7. I haven't cracked them open yet, but I'm thinking they're going to be pretty sweet!

The other stuff in the photo? A Dr. Miracles deep conditioning packet, the November issues of Glamour and InStyle magazines, my Target slippers, a Dove deodorant/body spray duo ($5!), a cute striped tote and my favorite lipstick of the moment...

It's called Shiny Choco-latta and you can find it where they keep CoverGirl's Queen Collection Vibrant Hue sheer lipsticks.
This stuff is awesome! I had some once before and LOST IT!!! 'Twas a sad, sad day for me. Since I couldn't find it, I finally broke down and bought a new one today. I love how sheer it is while not skimping on the color payoff. It's like a gloss in stick form; creamy and shiny, but not sticky. What's not to love?

As far as the "dollar madness" goes, that would be in reference to the tote bag. That's right, y'all! I got that bag for $1! It's not the only item I purchased for $1. There were also some clothes that were marked down, so I picked up two simple t-shirts. Nothing special, thus they aren't pictured. I'll post about the makeup soon; I feel a FOTD coming up!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Thursday...
♥

flowers and fire hydrants.

Check out all of this hotness going on! Lol... just kidding. All jokes aside, I DID feel pretty saucy...

Had the day off today and really didn't do much. Caught up with a friend, drowned myself in the soaps and noshed on banana bread! Just your typical, fall day.

For those familiar with GH, I'm ready for Dante's secret to come out, Johnny and Olivia's relationship is kinda weird, I'm totally rooting for JaSam, and I'm wondering WTH is Luke??? :)

Top: Jonathan Martin $10

Skirt: Off the clearance rack at Kohls, from forever ago.

Belt: Thrifted $1

Shoes: X-Appeal $17

Hair Clips: H&M $2 (these little yellow roses make me smile!)

Glasses: prescription.

Did anyone else have the day to themselves? What did you do?

Glamour vamps with voluptuous vixens.

Now, that we have the alliteration out of the way....

Has anyone heard about this??!

I think it is the coolest thing! Glamour Magazine is taking a step into the "real world" and wants to start featuring more true-to-life models on their pages...

It all started with last month's issue, on page 194 and a 21-yr old girl by the name of Lizzie Miller. Apparently she was featured in all her stripped down glory with a "normal, pudgy tummy". What I happen to love about this, is that others are starting to take notice of the fact all shapes, sizes, heights and colors can be beautiful! I personally read this magazine, and while I would never stop reading due to the lack of images that mirror my own, I can't help but to be excited for more models that do. Inspiration for outfits and beauty tips will be a little more pleasurable when the model is wearing something that suits her body shape or skin tone, which look like mine.

One controversial topic this is stirring up is whether or not showing "plus-size" (if you can really call them that!) models will promote obesity and unhealthy habits among readers. My thought? No way! Showing people how to dress or care for themselves in their current state while working towards a better one, couldn't possibly be a bad idea (IMHO)! And sometimes, that pudge just isn't going anywhere, dammit!

Finally, I wanted to leave an excerpt from the original article. Cindi Leive, Glamour's Editor-in-Chief also took the time to point out that the magazine isn't transitioning from completely one body-type to the other. However, she makes it apparent that from now on, Glamour will be celebrating us all!

"To be clear, I'm not on the "real women have curves" bandwagon here, arguing that only bodies like Lizzie's are "real"---and that slender women are all unreal waifs who should just eat a cheeseburger and get over themselves. Turning the tables so we can bash one type instead of another isn't the answer. Celebrating the fact that we're all born different is. Think about it: In real life, women of all shapes and sizes have crazy sex appeal and killer confidence. Why should our own pages look any different?"

Check out the full article, complete with a picture of the models and a link to Lizzie's topic provoking story, and don't forget to pick up a copy of the November issue of Glamour, featuring their newest representation! Maybe a few will be similar to you? ;)

"...but I don't DO the outdoors!"

I wanted to throw on something light before the fall weather really settled in. The title of this post is a little more true to life than I'd care to admit. I don't dislike being outdoors, but let's just say I'd be no "happy camper", lol.

Dress: Old Navy $15

Cardigan: Target $4!!!

Sandals: Target $8 (similar to Steve Madden slides from forever ago...)

Watch: a gift.

Hair Clip: Bobby Pins $2 for 100 (can be found in just about any beauty supply store.)

I wonder what just might not be your "thing"...

♥

mmm... delicious!

I think I have a problem...

...but how could I resist these??! From the dove gray shade to the dainty bows there was just no denying these Mary Janes, courtesy of Delicious. The price? $16.99 at Burlington Coat Factory. What can I say? Shoes are my ONE kryptonite! Well, maybe not the only one... but we'll save that story for another day. ;)

I know it's early, but this pair of shoes may be my "Fabulous Find of the Month"!

are you taking extra care?

Just taking a moment to throw out the cheap thrill of the month! This is no secret, but sometimes we need a reminder...

Behold, CVS' Extra Care Card!

Did y'all know this was free? I hope so. I had one before and racking up those extra bucks can really be a help. Maybe, there's enough to get a free lip product, or maybe you need a little bit taken off for that moisturizer that you really love... Whatever the reason, make the most of any rewards you can get for just purchasing the things you buy regularly.

***On a random note, most CVS clerks will ask if you have one of these, but do not share that they are free and take 5 minutes or less to fill out the mini application (pictured above). So... JUST ASK!***

I lost my keys with my old card unfortunately, but I got a new one and will start collecting those points as fast as I can...

Do any of you have an ECC? How much have you saved? What were you able to purchase with your extra bucks? Do you even recommend getting one???

♥