Hello, my name is Melissa and I am a shopaholic...

Fellow Shopaholics: "Hi, Melissa"

  

Remember back to earlier this week when I posted about things I like to collect for Top 2 Tuesday and rambled on about my love for shoes...and how I had another pair on their way to me in the mail...

...well since then I have also purchased the pretty pair on the top.

I saw them the past few times I've been to F21 and walked right by them, though intrigued. I was there yet again yesterday and decided to try them on. I know better than to do this because I tend to fall in love & sure enough I fell in love. They are so cute on! 

The two on the bottom I spotted online, as if I need to be online browsing-that only leads to online shopping. I resisted the urge to buy anything but I do love them both! I have a similar pair to the ones on the bottom right by Guess, only they are black {I wanted them in cognac, but TJ Maxx didn't have my size, so imagine my excitement when I came across this similar pair for much less!} These neutrals are perf for spring!

I have been trying to avoid Forever21 because they always get me like this with their cheap clothes and cheap shoes! I need to quit cold turkey.

Truth be told, their shoes may not be the best quality. BUT they are actually quite comfy... I have several pairs from F21 that I really love and that have held up through my irresponsible college years. They are perfect for my budget so rather than swear off Forever21, I wrote them a love note instead ;) I had to share these great spring finds with any other budget constricted shoe addicts like me who may be reading :)  

Maybe I won't quit, but just follow the "everything in moderation" rule instead.

Seriously though, does anyone have the number for shopaholics anonymous?

Fascinated by fascinators

If the title didn't give it away, yes this is yet another Royal Wedding post.
Sometime early this week, I cracked.

I tried not to invest myself in the Royal Wedding...

...but it didn't work.

{Photo via Elle.com}

How could you not get excited, though?! It is such a great love story (If only every girl could be so lucky to literally meet Prince Charming in college...I could so easily be jealous but she is such a doll!) & it truly is a once in a lifetime event for most people, especially to witness as much as we were able to.

Thanks E!

I did not wake up at the wee hours of the morning to watch it, but I was up early enough to watch the first replay. If you're sick of hearing about the wedding, sorry. I'm somewhere between obsessed and over it, if that makes any sense at all.

There have been very few times when I'm watching an event like this where every aspect of it makes me genuinely wish I were there! (I have really only felt this same way about Woodstock, which is a night and day comparison to the Royal Wedding, but that's just the hippie in me) The fashion, excitement and beauty of it all literally brought me to tears. Admittedly, I am a baby when it comes to mushy-gushy stuff. If you remember back to Kay's wedding where Lindsay and I were bet on that we would be the first to cry...well that just says it all.

All of the guests and their fun fascinators & classy dresses and trench coats made me wan't to be amongst them and dressed accordingly. I wish this style was acceptable for everyday- Luckily I have 2 weddings to look forward to this summer where it will be acceptable, and after watching this wedding I am feeling a bit inspired :)

I thought Kate looked stunning and was amazed at how well she carried herself. I am without a doubt going to be a mess on my wedding day and I won't have 9 billion people watching me. Talk about pressure! And with Posh and Becks & Sir Elton John present; I would have lost it! The Beckhams looked amazeballs as always.

{Photo via Eonline.com}

On some less mushy-gushy notes:
 

+Poor Will and his balding issues :( I'm not going to lie I would have covered that up a little, but good for him for wearing his bald spot proudly! I was cracking up at JoAnna's post yesterday! Although, it is quite sad.
+Was anyone else reminded of the wedding in the movie The Sweetest Thing when you saw some of the outfit choices? Is it bad that I was?

{Photos via Elle.com & flixter.com}

The guests all truly looked beautiful. But I thought I'd share my observations with you :)
 

What did you think about the Royal Wedding?
the hype? the fashion? ya diggin it?

The look for less

 Photos via Pinterest



Yes... I am STILL lovin on fringe :) I posted about this ACB necklace a while back and today when I was shopping with my sister I found a similar style at Forever 21 for a fraction of the cost! 

bought it. wore it. love it.

Anything with fringe just attracts me. The picture doesn't do it justice, it is much cuter on. The pink is perfect for spring; I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish it were black like the ACB one. I have too much black. Owning something pink will be good for me :)

What trends are you lovin on?

The look for less

i like to shop. i am broke. i make it work.

 

I have chalked up my Lemon Chiffon as one of the best purchases I made in 2010 (And trust me, there were many). I actually won mine on EBay the day after Christmas for $19.99! Well, truth be told I was the only bidder...not mad about it! I could wear it everyday; it goes with everything. I'm just as protective of my Lemon Chif as I would be if it were it's $1,200 twinnie! Ob-sessed!

I know $88 is a lot. I am a bargain shopper and pride myself on my ability to go shopping and come home with a lot after only spending a little. I am sharing this with you because this item can currently be found on EBay for between $15-20. 

Target also has a similar style for $25.49
You're welcome :)

Inspired by: Marc by Marc Jacobs {Part One}

Spring 2011 trends that I love

As promised...

  + Shorts, Jacket, Shirt, Bag- H&M

+ Scarf- American Eagle

+ Belt- Forever21

+ Flats- Urban Outfitters

I said in a previous post that I would post some outfit pics for my mini, vaca-style-30 for 30 if I were brave enough...Unfortunately the weather has been foul and we have all spent most of the week wearing the few pairs of long sweat pants and hoodies that we brought, and that doesn't make for a good outfit post. But I did hold to my word and VOILA! Here is the one outfit I have put together so far & so bravely posted for all to see!
  Two days to go though, so if it is not frigid outside I can utilize the rest of the contents of my poorly packed suitcase containing only warm weather clothing. I guess I just got too excited for spring when I was packing? Who would assume that a beach vacation would be cold in the spring time? Hmph :(

My mom was my photographer, and it was incredibly awkward taking pictures on the pier with loads of people walking past. One man even asked, "Would you like me to take a picture of both of you?" I thought it was easier to simply smile and say, "Yes, thank you" rather than explain, "No sir, this is for my blog!" As soon as he walked away, I carried on with my mission.
And yes, I realize the sun in the middle picture is blocking out my face, but there is something I really like about it anyways! Maybe because it's showing just the outfit, which is really the purpose for the picture. Or Maybe it's because it is covering my sunburned face? We layed out on our only sunny day...and by that I mean we layed, covered head to toe in clothing, concealing all but our faces because it was still so chilly. We now all have lobster faces.

After my first ever outfit post I would certainly love your input...
{More please!} or {Never again, lady!} or {Too soon to decide} or {Insert your own words}

Thanks so much, XoXo :)

PS. On a side note, please excuse the ADD that is the ever-changing layout, font, color scheme, etc of my blog! I'm trying to remodel a bit!

On the Hunt: over the knee boots

 Thank you Aldo for having a 30% off all Clearance boot's today! Shame on you for not having my size in the ones that I love :( I thought I'd spread the joy anyways! If you are a size 6 you are the lucky ones...orig $170, on sale for $90.99! Gotta love end of the season sales :) These will still be great forever and always! Get 'em here! They still have the same boots available in all sizes in black, but I really like the cognac better with the buckles... hmm to buy or not to buy?

Thoughts??

Inspired by Fringe

Fringe...love it or hate it?

On the Hunt: High Waisted Shorts

As the warm weather is finally approaching, spring & summer clothes are now on the racks and I can continue my hunt for the perfect pair of...

If only you knew how long I have been searching for the perfect pair... my poor best friend and best shopping partner has been with me on this search and has got to be sick of me talking about them! Every time I see a considerable pair I have a battle with myself that goes a little something like this: "Should I get them? But what if I find a better pair? Are these the best ones?"....ya know, because this is a life or death decision.

I just get an idea in my head and when they don't make them MY way I get really aggravated! I actually found a pair that was so-so and bought them...but their job was simply to satisfy me until I found the pair that makes me see shining lights radiating from them and hear the angels singing. And then... on this Sunday morning as I was doing some unnecessary online shopping on UrbanOutfitters.com, I saw them...could it be?

$49.00 from Urban Outfitters

These babies are close enough to my ideal high waisted shorts as I could hope for from someone who is not inside my head. What I'm usually picky about are the buttons and how high the waist is. At a glance I'd say they make the cut! They look cute on this girl anyways... They are a little pricey for me, but I think I might have to splurge! I just need them! I don't know what it is but I love them; they are a closet staple!

Looks like I'll be taking a trip to Urban soon! Please fit me shorts :)

Time to get a new watch!

I don't know about you, but my body is still getting used to the time change! Thinking about time got me thinking about watches...I have been on the hunt for a watch that I actually like and want to wear all the time for FOREVER! When I was student teaching I bought a POS watch to get me through the day...a watch is a must have in an early childhood classroom because young children rely so heavily on their daily routines and schedule and with the chaos that can arise with young children it certainly helps keep things on track! Substitute teaching in someone's classroom when you aren't familiar with their schedule is even more of a reason to always wear a watch! 

At any rate, I need/want a new watch. However, I am super picky when it comes to the look. I honestly don't care who makes it as long as it's wearable. I want a watch that is versatile. I want to be able to wear it in the classroom, casually-out, or out-out. I've only found a few that are pleasing to my eyes...

I ADORE these Badgley Mischka Watches! The bows... :)

and

I've lusted after this Michael Kors watch for oh so long...I STILL think it's my fave of the bunch!

I'm picky about the size, shape, band, color, face, literally everything! Is anyone else as picky about the look of their watch as I am? I can't even put my finger on what it is that irks me about the look of watches that don't tickle my fancy. All of the above watches satisfy me! More importantly, all of the above can be found for around $150.00 or less, which is just about the max I'm willing to spend on a watch, until I get a big girl job anyways.

Which do you like best?

Stumble across any great watches lately? Let a girl know please and thank you! ;)

Pretty in Purple

So, I never really considered purple to be one of my favorite colors. I'm a green lovin girl, and when it comes to clothes I get scolded by my mom for always buying black everything. I've added a lot of color to my wardrobe lately...although I am still always drawn to black! 

Anyways, I have a purple pea coat from Forever21 that I got last year, which was really the only purple thing I owned, and pretty much only bought because it was on clearance and I was desperate for an affordable coat to wear out that wasn't too casual. Cody makes fun of me because I "always" wear it...which I guess I do. After a day of window shopping he asked what I bought and I told him about my super cool new glittery purple nail polish and the gorge purple bikinis that I must have when I get back into shape. "So is purple your new favorite color?" he asked...shhh green will hear you! I thought...but yes I guess purple is sort of fabulous.

LOVED all the purple on the red carpet at this year's Oscars!

These are my pretty purple must haves that I am currently stalking (or have already cracked and bought them...ohhh, shopping) 

I'm currently rockin "It's Bouquet with me" on my toes...it brings new meaning to the term "twinkle toes" :) One coat gives a nice, subtle glittery look, but I did three to make my toes glitter central! I love it! It makes me feel youthful! The first few times I saw this color at Sephora they only had a sample bottle on display and it was sold out! OPI is a little pricey for me, especially knowing that Forever21 has great polish 1/3 of the price, but I stalked this baby until it was in stock and couldn't resist when they finally had it! I did say no to the Forever21 mood struck (for now, anyways) but still think it's really cool!

 

I have been lusting after feather earrings for a while now but have been reluctant to buy any because I have yet to find the perfect pair! How sad that these Urban ones are no more :( They are so fun!

 I like to keep it on the natural side when it comes to make up. Whenever I try to apply fun eye shadow I usually wipe it off...I'm trying to get better about this! If the occasion calls for it, why not! How fun would this be for a girls night out downtown?

Target truly has some of the best affordable swimwear! If only every gal and their sister didn't shop there...Regardless, they are adorbs! To buy or not to buy?

Purple, you are no match for my love green...but maybe this is me taking another step away from all black everything? Yay colors!

What colors are inspiring your wardrobe lately?