Head to Toe Flamingo!

This round of "Save or Splurge" is going to focus on probably my favorite trend of this summer: flamingos! These colorful birds are finding their way onto just about everything you can buy, including cookies!

Did you know that a group of flamingos is called a stand? Well I can't stand how much I love this trend!

hats: left | right

scarves: left | right

necklaces: left | right

dresses: left | right

shoes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I will admit that I am not at all likely to wear a hat with flamingos (though I do find the less expensive version is cuter), but if it fluffs your feathers, go for it!

These shoes and this sweatshirt are at the top of my list. Which flamingo filled goodies do you want in your closet?

Peace,
Sarah

Here are a few more flamingos to browse. Enjoy!

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Save or Splurge: Tropical Prints

Guess what! It's Friday! Oh man, I felt like this week would never end and now there's just one workday left and a weekend to explore! I flew back to Berkeley on Tuesday afternoon and jumped straight into the office prepping for next school year already. Can you believe another school year has come and gone? Crazy.

Anyway, today I thought I'd share a little bargain hunting I have been doing with the Tropical Print trend that has been popping up everywhere. Here are just a few items I've found...

maxi dress: left | right

iphone case: left | right

tank top: left | right

How great are these printed maxi dresses? They both look so comfortable! The black and white pattern leaves lots of room to accessorize with pops of color (just don't go too far - the prints are already pretty bold). I also love the criss-cross back of the Forever21 dress. It's sexy, but still pretty covered.

The phone case at Forever21 caught my eye because (duh) flamingos! The Nordstrom version is a little less busy with so clear spacing to let your phone peak through.

--- side note: I did not realize how expensive phone cases were nowadays. I finally upgraded my iphone 4s to a 6 this week and couldn't believe case prices! You know it's something when Forever21 is charging about $25 for a case.

I really like the ruffles on the Forever21 tank and think they could be flattering on everyone, but I would need to see if it is long enough. The Vince Camuto top is gorgeous! The material is so light and airy and is made to be worn out in the summer sun.

Have you seen any tropical printed goodies out and about? Any other summer trends I should keep my eye out for?

I hope you all have a wonderful (and restful) weekend!

Peace,
Sarah

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Save or Splurge: Pineapples

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope your weeks are off to a great start. 

Today I wanted to share more save-or-splurge items involving a trend I have been seeing and loving: pineapples! Has anyone else noticed this tasty treat becoming the focal point of shoes, jewelry, clothes, etc? Pineapples are the perfect summer fruit and now they're becoming a great summer accessory or accent. 

shoes: left | right

tank: left | right

tote: left | right

Another thing that I love about this trend is that not all pieces are obnoxiously loud and in your face. There is a time and place for your wardrobe to say "Hi there, pineapple here!" (see the shoes and bags above - I'm in love with the Kaanas espadrilles). But there are also more subtle uses of the fruit in patterns that give a little interest without screaming "I'm wearing fruit!" (like the patterns found in the two tank tops). 

As far as jewelry, Jessica over at Bedknobs and Bobbles shared these adorable pineapple studs last week, which would be another great way to add a pineapple to your look --- never a phrase I thought I would use... but hey, they're pretty great!

Any way you slice it (see what I did there), pineapples are making quite an appearance this summer. Has this summer trend found its way into your closet yet?

Peace,
Sarah

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Save or Splurge: Sandals

Well, it's that time of the year again: sandal time! (Or so my friends in the midwest tell me. It's pretty much always sandal time in California...) Either way, summer is coming, which means stores are being stocked with new sandals to show off freshly painted toes.

This summer I decided to look for a nice cognac pair. After browsing the different choices, I put together a list of some "saves or splurges" to share with y'all, though a couple are in different colors. 

(From top to bottom)

Left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I bought the top left pair from Target (here) and love them. They're versatile, comfy, and easy to slip on and off. I have a feeling they're going to be my go-to pair of shoes this summer. Plus, Target is having a buy-one-get-one-50%-off sale on select apparel, shoes and accessories which includes both pairs shared above! I chose this wallet as my second item because my old one recently bit the dust. The bold color and plenty of pockets and card slots made it a great choice. 

Have you bought any new sandals this summer? Which style do you prefer?

Peace,
Sarah

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Save or Splurge: Tassels

Many who know me know that I'm a fan of shopping. Those who know me well, know how much of a bargain hunter I am. It is rare, if ever, that I pay full price for an item, especially a "trendy" one. As much as I love keeping an eye out for the latest fad, I am very aware of how quickly trends fade and new fads arise. Why spend 5x as much on an item that will never be a staple in my wardrobe, right?

So, I shop around. Before deciding to buy something, I look at multiple stores and websites to check out my options. Often I find almost the exact same item from different stores at different prices. Other times I have found something I like even more than the piece I originally set my eyes on. It's almost like a game - a game in which I usually win a prize of saved $$$ and a new addition to my closet.

I don't know about you, but lately I have been seeing tassels everywhere. They're on shoes, purses, dresses, scarfs, and just about everything else in stores. I've been loving the subtle flair they can give to an item or outfit. I also like the variety of materials and colors they are found in.

As jewelry, tassels can add interest to an otherwise simple outfit without having to be as dramatic as your typical statement pieces. For example, check out Fran's use of a tassel necklace with her gorgeous red dress. Stunning.

I've been perusing and comparing (aka shopping) some tasseled jewelry to share. Here are some of the items I found. There's a high chance that a pair of tassel earrings will be somewhere in my near future...

Left: bracelets | necklace | earrings

Right: bracelets | necklace | earrings

Something to keep in mind is the saying "you get what you paid for". Sometimes the cheeper option is made with less quality. While it is nice to save money, you have to be aware of the fact that the bargain piece may not last as long. For example, the less expensive tassel jewelry I've posted (all on the left) is from Forever21. Forever21 is a great store for those looking for the latest trend, but their quality can vary (though I usually have success with their jewelry). The pieces on the right are from Nordstrom and Shopbop which tend to have higher quality items but also higher prices. When it comes to staples rather than trends, I still shop around, but usually opt to pay a little extra for quality when purchasing an item I know I will be wearing a lot.

What are some trends you've been noticing? Any favorite tassel pieces to share?

Peace,
Sarah

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