My Mani ~ I Know What Boys Like & Shine Of The Times

Hey lovelies!  I thought I'd start sharing my mani's with you all :)  I usually do 1-2 a week, this is the one I've currently got on.  Fierce, right?  {More after the break}

This or All These ~ Polka Dotted Edition

I love polka dots.  I think there's something retro and whimsical and ladylike about polka dots.  They are just so fun!  Now have you seen the new Marc by Marc Jacobs polka dotted faux snakeskin crossbody bag?  I covet it so badly.  But at $298, I figure I could do a lot better, and I've found a ton of great stuff for less than the cost of the bag, including 3 Kate Spade items!  Check it out!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dotty Snake Lil Ukita Crossbody $298
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
H M polka dot blouse $18
Kate Spade Dot iPad Sleeve $50
Kate Spade Swiss Dot Tights $28
BAGGU Endlessly Useful Navy Dot Shopper Bag $21
Gap Dot Print Scarf $30
Tweezerman 'Hot for Dots' Mini Slant Tweezers $15
Bijoux-Dots Pillow Cover | west elm $34
Kate Spade La Pavillion iPhone Case $40
Kate Spade Dot to Dot Hoop Earrings $48
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL:  $284


I don't know about you, but I'd rather have all this other stuff more than another bag that I won't get that much use from.  How fun is the Baggu shopper bag?  I think that will be the first thing I get, and the West Elm pillow covers are next!  What are you eyeing?

xoxo
Lia

This or All That ~ Neon Satchel Edition

Ahhh the nefarious neon Cambridge Satchel.  How badly we all want one!  But, it's $155 price tag is quite a deterrent, especially for such a trendy piece.  With Old Navy's online sale - last day is today, so order now! - use code NEWYOU at checkout, and receive all the pieces below for only $75 (!), and STILL have  enough leftover to get 15 grande lattes from Starbucks!  Think outside the box sometimes, and save some money!  I don't know about you, but I'd rather have the whole outfit - AND the coffees :)

Neon Cambridge Satchel $155
Old Navy crochet sweater  $30
Old Navy Chiffon Maxi Skirt  $34
Old Navy Ballet Shoes  $23
Old Navy Messenger Bag, $20

PS ~ I ordered the bag and shoes already!

xoxo
Lia

January Birchbox ~ Unwrapped

Hello lovelies!  It's that time of the month again - Birchbox time!  I am pretty pleased with what I received this month.  I've seen better boxes, but I've definitely seen worse!  Here's what I got, and what I thought!

{More after the break}

Smart n Snazzy Hates Wrinkles!

Hello lovelies!  If you're anything like me, you despise ironing yet find that virtually every item in your closet is in desperate need.  Then multiply that times three, for my husband, son, and daughter's wardrobes.  Now I got a steamer for my birthday, and I love it, but there are pros and cons to using it.  The steamer takes too long to heat up, it doesn't get really wrinkled clothing smooth.  So it seems there would be a huge need for items on either end of that spectrum to help make this mama's life a little easier.  When I was asked to test and review two such products, I gladly and enthusiastically agreed!

{More after the break}

Broncos at Patriots Playoff Game ~ Gratuitous Love for Tim Tebow Part 2

Lovelies, my game is about to start and I realized I never shared part 2 of my Broncos and Patriots love!  This is from the game December 16th at Mile High ~ Pats v. Broncos.  Although we put up a good fight, the Patriots killed us.  Actually turnovers killed us, the Pats did a great job taking advantage of it!  So without further ado...

John tebowing...  {More after the break}

Steal of the Day ~ Alexander Wang Mules

Hi lovelies!  While perusing the interwebs this morning, I came across an INSANE deal that I need to share!  If you're like me, you covet some Alexander Wang heels like none other.  But opening up your wallet and blowing away the cobwebs, you realize there's no way in hell they will ever have a place on your feet or in your closet.  Well hold the phone!

Would you believe that I found these Alexander Wang Red Bette Eel Mules on sale for only $85?!  (Original retail at Neimans was $495!)  I don't know about you, but I'm ready to snatch them up!  Now the only question is, what do I wear them with....

xoxo
Lia

Tangerine Tango ~ Faves Under $50

So in honor of my Broncos' big game this weekend, I thought I'd share some rad orange accessories.  Well couple that with Pantone's announcement of Tangerine Tango being the 'IT' color of the spring, here's some ways to incorporate it into your life!  Some of us need baby steps, and here's the perfect way - better yet, all of these clock in UNDER $50!  Be it a punchy bangle or a funky skull ring, a crossbody bag, some colored digits, or even a tray table in your living room.  My personal favorite is the Pantone journal; I know where I'll be jotting down my ideas!  How about this funky color block striped shirt, incorporating multiple trends in one, at only $20?!


FULL TILT Stipe Double Pocket Tee, $20
Forever 21 Cross Body Shoulder Bag, $20
TopShop Dome Bangle, $14
Topshop Skull Ring, $25
Chanel Orange Fizz Le Vernis Nail Colour, $26
CB2 Tray Table, $50
Pantone Tangerine Tango Journal, $9.95


So which is your favorite?  How will you incorporate this color?  

xxooxoxo
Lia

Broncos at Patriots Playoff Game ~ Gratuitous Love for Tim Tebow

Lovelies, in preparation for my current team playing my home team this weekend (the Denver Broncos at the New England Patriots) I thought I would share with you some highlights of the teams.  Now by highlights I mean pictures.  And by teams I pretty much mean Tim Tebow.  This is part 1, tomorrow you will get part 2!

Now I was born and raised in RI, left when I was 20.  I moved to FL for 6 years, where I met my husband who is a Florida alumni - a Gator.  That's right folks.  I became a huge Gator fan.  Fast forward, living here in Denver and Tebow gets drafted to the Broncos.  I was ecstatic.  

So ecstatic, I went to training camp twice!  Here are my highlights of Broncos Training Camp, August 2010.

{More after the break}

The Nefarious Rose Gold Watch

Hello lovelies!  Ahhh the nefarious rose gold watch.  No matter how much we've resisted it's charming temptations, we still cannot escape its inexplicable seemingly gravitational pull.  Just when you think you've forgotten all about it's shimmery blushing hue, BAM! - it's back in your life.
Well fear no longer!  You don't need to spend several hundred (or even one hundred) dollars to satisfy this craving!  I've rounded up some options at every price point that are guaranteed to tickle your fancy.

MICHAEL Michael Kors rose gold watch, $250
Burberry watch, $495

Armani Exchange rose gold jewelry, $180
Marc by marc jacobs jewelry, $175

Relic fine jewelry, $72
Flud Watches rose gold watch, $80

ASOS retro watch, $40
ASOS face watch, $37


I don't know about you, but I am LOVING the retro digital one from Asos.  And at only $40, it's a steal!
So tell me, have you tempted fate and bought a rose gold watch yet?

xoxo
Lia

My Newest Craving....

Hey lovelies!  Today I thought I'd share a new craving of mine... Cravebox!  By now we allllll know how the monthly boxes work, so I thought I'd try this one too since it promised to be more of a lifestyle brand.  Last month was the first month, and here's what I received:

Okay, so for $10, I got about $70+ worth of products.  The lotion is a $54 value, and sadly it was the only thing I disliked.  It smells horribly.  But, the chocolates are soooo good.  The Baci truffles remind me of these similar ones my dad would bring me back from Greece.  They're chocolate covered hazelnuts and were wrapped with the Mona Lisa on the top of the wrapper.  Does anyone know how I can get my hands on some?  LOL anyhow, I love the nail polish stick; it's so easy to apply this way.  And the pens are rad, I think I was most excited by them!

I can't wait to see what's in next month's Cravebox, I hope it's fabulous!
Have you tried any of these products?  What are your thoughts?

xoxo
Lia

Winter Chic Styling

Hey lovelies!  Ahhhh winter, where accessories are a must and I'm not talking baubles.  Living in Colorado, it gets cold, as it does where most of you are as well!  It's tough to stay warm and comfy, yet look chic while doing so.  Ladies, put down the oversized coat and baked potato boots!  Here are some chic options to ensure you stay warm and look good doing so!

J Crew j crew coat, $200
Sorel waterproof boots, €159
Kate Spade shoulder handbag, $105
Glove, $12
American Eagle Outfitters Cotton Headphone Earmuffs - Gift Ideas For...

I don't know about you, but I *always* have my iPhone out, so gloves I can text with are a must!  For double duty, I am loving these earmuff headphones - seriously, how cute are they?  I refuse to bust my butt on ice, so wearing some stomping boots are a necessity, and these bad boys from Sorel are at the top of my To Buy list (As is the cape, but that just goes without saying, doesn't it?).  Finally, I don't know about you but I do NOT want my leather bag getting stained from being in the elements.  A chic nylon tote is perfect - and I can stuff my heels inside to change into later!
So this is how you can stay chic - and warm! - for work.  Here's how I stay warm for play :)

Helmet ~ Smith
Goggles ~ Dragon
Mittens ~ Dakine
Coat ~ Sessions
Pants ~ Volcom
Boots ~ DC
Bindings ~ Burton
Board ~ Roxy

Public service announcement time ~ The chicest winter accessory when out on the slopes is a helmet.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather NOT have my skull cracked opened....
These photos are from some riding I did last month at Loveland, my favorite non-resort in CO!

What are your favorite winter accessories?

xxooxoxo
Lia

DIY Bottega Veneta Inspired Woven Clutch

Hey lovelies!  Today's DIY is inspired by the gorgeous Bottega Veneta woven clutches.  Ahhh they're so gorgeous and the leather is so supple.  Yet at about $1,500 I think I'll pass!  I picked up this red clutch at Walmart for less than $5 and spent about $10 on ribbon (I used 2 spools of the ribbon to create the woven pattern, so plan accordingly).  So, for 1% of the cost, I give you my Bottega Beneta inspired woven clutch:

{Steps after the jump}

How I Wear Sequins

Well it's that time again, another BDIB challenge.  This time we are showing how we wear sequins.  I bought this matte sequined top at H&M, and here's how I wore it.  I wore this to work yesterday; please bear in mind that we have a casual dress code at my office :)

 Toggle Sweater Coat: St. John's Bay; Sequined Shirt: H&M; Jeans: 17/21; Mocassins: Target

Lipstick: Kat Von D Foiled Love in FTW; Earrings: Jewelmint


So there sure are a ton of ways to wear sequins, and I'm sure all the other ladies did fabulously as well!  I wanted to show a completely different look with this top and love it; it's very me.  I wanted to dress it way down and wear it like I would a plain t-shirt.  How would you style this for a casual look?

xxooxoxo
Lia

DIY ~ Compact Scarf Organizer and Hanger

Hey lovelies!  Happy New Year!  Sorry I didn't do any obligatory end of year / beginning of year posts, but I'm not so big on them.  So to ring 2012 in the right way, here's a spanking new organization DIY!  I know many of you resolve to better organize yourselves, so I'm going to help you organize your closets...in particular, your scarves!  Mine were overflowing, and I could never find the one I wanted.  So I made a solution, and it seriously takes up as much room as a sweater in my closet!  Here's the how-to: {Steps after the jump}