Presents for myself

So I told you all I was going to Woodbury Commons with my friend, and look at the damage he did! He got some awesome stuff though and I'm slightly jealous he got to have so much fun. Sometimes I wonder if I have become to serious when shopping, always thinking I can find a better deal somewhere else but I guess that is being conscious.

Anywho...wanna see what I bought?


The first purchase I made was these bowls, that go great with my parents china and the glass mugs. All at Crate and Barrel and all under $30.00 for 4 of each. Score some points for me!

Then I bought this workout outfit from LuLuLemon, seriously why even buy from the store? The outlet had prices that would blow you away.

For the shorts original price $58. Sale price $19.
The tank original price $40. Sale price $14.

I also love the tiny pockets and flower detail


SAY WORD!

And that's all folks! I'm a penny pincher these days.

I highly recommend Woodbury Commons though. A great time in the mountains of NY with Gucci and Prada still around.

Midge xoxo

SALE SALE SALE!

I wanted to let everyone know that Rachel Roy, the NYC designer who now sells her designs in Macys is having a sale through her website with 30% markdown at the time of check out!

If you have never seen Rachel's clothing its really great. Bright, fun, and creative. I feel like she designs casual clothing, but something I can throw heels on and head out into NYC for some late night fun in.

I just bought this vest:

I plan to wear it to work with my bootcut jeans, my tuxedo tank, bright red lipstick, some bangles, and cute ballet flats. At night I plan on pairing it up with cute black shorts, my tuxedo tank, those bangles again, and some funky turquoise suede heels.

I also bought this ring:

If I haven't said it before, I love wearing gold jewelry and this ring caught my eye instantly. I think this is a great every day ring to be worn with so many outfits. Its subtle, but interesting on the finger.

Happy shopping!

Midge xoxo

Coco Puff

I recently went to a Japanese grocery store by my house, not sure what to expect but I assumed I could probably get some great sushi for a lunch time craving. Little did I know that this grocery store was so cool and had little restaurants set up inside that served all types of Japanese hot and cold food. As I was walking around looking at all the pictures of different types of Udon noodles, I approached a Japanese bakery within the large grocery store.

There were so many types of baked goods that I knew I had to try one. I picked out this little treasure that wasn't too little:

It is an "Coco coca puff". A large but light filled puff of soft bread filled with chocolate and custard. Sooooo delicious and not too sweet, but a really great indulgence. The bread didn't have much flavor, but it was fine because the chocolate had a hint of almond in it.

Get yo' style on

I started playing around with the apps on my Ipod and while searching "style" I found the app: "Ask a stylist" by Glamour magazine. It was free so I downloaded it and thought this could be kinda fun.

I have been wanting to get my most stylish friends into my closet for 2 years now, ever since I went on a hardcore budget spending program of my making. I feel bored with my wardrobe and seem to just recycle my clothing week after week with only a few changes. I thought bringing in a stylist to my home would be WAY to expensive, but I needed to know if something was missing in my wardrobe so that I could make more outfits for my every day and it would be smoother than my "Try everything on and throw it on the bed when it doesn't work" approach. Also, my friends have their own lives in NYC and I live in a far away place called NJ that no one seems to want to take 20 minutes to venture to (I'm a great host if you do!).

So I downloaded this app and started playing with it. I realized they wanted me to choose between 1 look I need help with or 2 looks that I cant decide on, I picked 1 look. Then you upload a picture, pick a stylist to help me, tell them where I am wearing this outfit, and any questions about my outfit I have for the stylist I can ask. The process was painless, I gave my cell phone number to them and POOF, in 5 minutes I had a text saying my response from my chosen stylist is available.

Here is the picture I sent:

(You may recognize it from this)

My question to her was: I work in NYC and sometimes feel like I don't dress well enough for the city I love. What else does this outfit need and does it even look good on me?

Her response:


"I totally know how you feel! Sometimes I feel like I should get dressed up just to go to the grocery store! Accessories are key for feeling more dressed up in New York. Try adding a big gold statement necklace and some gold bangle bracelets. For this particular outfit, I might opt for a slouchy tank instead. Don't be afraid to be bold and show off in New York! Also, an easy and comfy way to feel more dressed up in the city is to throw on a breeze summer dress! You look awesome already, so just have fun with your style!"

Fun, gives me ideas on how to wear this outfit next, and sparks imagination with my clothing and things I can shop for when I have some cash!

Midge xoxo

Outlet Shopping on a budget

If you have ever been to Woodbury Commons in Central Valley, NY you will know there are over 100 stores and some are major fashion stores like Prada, Gucci, and Chloe. I have been to W.C twice before and spent my time shopping two very different ways.

The first time I went with my good friend and we started when the outdoor mall opened and finished when all the stores were locking their doors. I blew a whole paycheck I had saved and loved every minute of it since I hardly ever allow myself to spend a lot of money. The second time I went was for X-mas gifts and I only went into the stores I knew I would buy a gift from. I am going to be going back to W.C and this time I am going to spend money for myself but on a budget.

I have made a list of the things I need in my wardrobe and plan on sticking to it. I will bring cash so as not to keep charging things on my debit card and not know exactly how much I spend, and I will not bring any credit cards (last time I ended up buying a Burberry coat, which I love but didn't really have the cash for).

This is my list as of now:

1) A new black leather purse: stylish, big, and multiple ways of carrying it
2) Work out clothing: t shirts, tanks, and shorts/capri's
3) Sunglasses: ray ban (ish), something square framed
4) Home goods at Crate and Barrel outlet: glasses (mine all broke in the sink), rugs, bowls (I only have 2), and mugs.
5) There is a Converse store, so I am hoping they have the black kind (bought them once before and my dog ate them and made them into sandals for me)

I find that writing a list before I shop really helps me stay within a budget and I don't go buy something I didn't really need or plan for. Yes, sometimes just popping into a store and finding a beautiful piece of clothing is exciting, but I am really trying to have a great savings account and don't want that dream to disappear because I saw a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress in a print I just had to have when in reality I wont be able to wear it to work and that's what my wardrobe is made up of.

Keeping my fingers crossed I stay within budget but am able to leave the mall with lots of good stuff to show ya

Midge xoxo

Sometimes you just need a few pigs in the blanket to get you through your day...

Walking through Trader Joe's, I stopped and stared at their Parmesan Pastry Pups. I had just had a conversation with a co-worker on what little snacks we buy at the grocery store to help us through our weeks. I said mine had been the Morning Star Corn Dogs which were Weight Watchers friendly and I dipped them in a little mustard which is low-cal too. His choice was Amy's small pita pockets with spinach and feta (also a fave. of mine but dipped in some hummus).

So I bought the Pastry Pups and have been eating them very slowly, but they are great and on a Friday when you have a weekend full of work, sometime you just need a little treat.

Have a great weekend!

Midge.

"Over the shoulder boulder holder"

This post goes out to all my voluptuous women out there! Can I get a "hhhhaaaayyyyyy"!!

Well ladies, we all know what its like to shop for bras and we all have seen our bank accounts dwindle because larger bra sizes seem to mean a larger price tag. We can spend upwards of $65 to $80 dollars for a regular every day bra, but watch out if we want something a little special, $90 +.

Women with the bra sizes D, DD, DDD, through G all know how hard it is to actually find a bra that has great support, the under wire is secure, good cup size, fashionable, and non grandma like. We would love to be wearing the bra with the tiny straps down our back and the cute pattern, but for some reason companies just don't want to give the big chested ladies out there any love.

But don't fret my bigger boobie havin' women, I have found a great store (and online site) that has just opened for us AND they have a sweet deal going on!

May I introduce you to Soma Intimates. They have stores through most of the US and a few outlet stores. Soma Intimates is actually a sister store to Chico's, a women's fashion store. At first when I knew that I was kind of turned off, thinking I'm 27 I don't shop at Chico's yet. I gave it a shot and walked through the doors and was pleasantly surprised. I found 3 great bras right off the bat. I bought 2 every day bra's and treated myself to their new "Lace Cami Bra" that goes up to a DD.

This bra is really fun for the summer because with the plunging necklines happening now on shirts and dresses, this bra fills in the space where oops...maybe a little too much skin is showing. It has a soft lace that looks beautiful when poking out from your top. There is also a great array of colours and the bra is soooo supportive. For $34.00 you cant beat it.

Also, Soma Intimates carries pajamas and clothing. I love their pajamas though I haven't bought any yet since they are not as fairly priced as the bra's. I have touched them though and want to tell you the tunics, pants, and nightgowns are all made with a very soft cotton that is perfect to lounge around bed in.

Right now Soma Intimates is offering $10.00 off full priced bra's. Every time I have been in the store or walked by they have been offering some great deal so keep your eyes peeled.

Yay for support!
Midge xoxo

The wonders of a little time before work :)

Well, I found my new gold ballet flats in a place I never expected. I was walking through Zara because I had a little time to kill before work and they were having a HUGE sale. As soon as I looked down and saw something gold and sparkly and long enough to be a boat (big feet, short girl) I knew I had found them.

Though they were not on sale I bought them anyways for $59.00



Cant wait to wear them today!
Midge xoxo

Chanel Perfection

(picture stolen from "beacause Im addicted" blog)

Her makeup, hair, dress, and jewelry are perfect in my opinion. If feel like I am constantly trying to achieve the "No I didn't just spend 2 hours on my hair and makeup, then an hour picking out and trying on clothing" look. She looks effortless and chic (and not just because she is probably foreign). This model is getting ready for the Chanel Haute Couture fashion show for 2010/2011. I know Chanel has there own makeup line, but I have never tried it. Maybe its time to use that Sephora gift card? I say yessss

The only thing Chanel I have ever had the chance to grace my body with was this hair poof:



...my life.

Tootles, Midge.

Summer hairdos

Its hot as you know what in NYC and as soon as I get out of my a/c room I usually find myself throwing my hair up into a pony tail or some kind of mess on the top of my head. Because I am growing out my bangs I am trying to find creative ways to pull them back as well. I sometimes do the Whitney Port curl back:




















or the Kate Hudson pull up and back:


















But recently I have been trying this new hair do:






















I braid back the sides of my hair with bangs included, then pin both braids at the back of my head with a clip. I then take the remainder of the hair and twist into a low bun. Easy, quick, and pulled off you neck and outta your face. I spritz a little hairspray and put on some Jersey hoops and I am out the door!

I found this magazine in a Japanese bookstore and it has a TON of hairstyles. I cant wait to play with them and show you all!



Stay cool, Midge. xoxo

Outfit #1 with new shoes

So the other day I wore my shoes to work with my Target shorts, Zara sweater, and H&M belt.

Whatcha' think?

What do you guys think of my new hat?

Also, what would you wear with this hat? Lemme know

Midge xoxo

"Rosette Straw Fedora" , Forever 21