Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Houston Skyline at night.  How beautiful!

Howdy y'all!  Guess what?  I'm in Texas!

I am an alumni of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity (yes, we're called a fraternity, not a sorority: we were around before the term sorority was coined, so we're a women's fraternity.  Fun fact!).  This year, our biannual Convention is in Houston, so I'm here for it acting as a representative for the Iowa State chapter.  How cool is that?

The Iowa State ladies that I traveled with yesterday.

My adventure to Houston was an interesting one.  With my layover flight from Dallas to Houston cancelled, a handful of us ladies hitched a mini-van and traveled just over 4 hours to Houston.  It wasn't ideal, by any means, but it was an adventure!

Anyway, I'll try to post occasionally while I am here, but forgive me if I am MIA - we have tons of meetings to attend all weekend, so it's possible I won't be blogging much. 

Here are all three of today's looks:

Dress: Banana Republic (no longer online, but I just got mine in the store)
Heels: Aldo

I'm in love with this hotel's carpet.  Can I get this in my house? ;)

I found a few others with the same dress, which I was expecting.  Because this dress is cute and so flattering.

My hotel-room selfie.

I was so honored to meet Carol Rasco, the President and CEO of Reading is Fundamental (RIF).  As the philanthropy Kappa Kappa Gamma sponsors, RIF is so important to me, so it was an amazing surprise to meet this powerful woman!

Top: eBay

Cardigan: Old JCrew 

Pants: Banana Republic

Necklace: eBay

My third and (hopefully) final outfit for the day (besides maybe some yoga pants and a tee) was this BCBG Max Azria dress that I've had for a few years, a silver belt from Banana Republic, sandals from Aldo and a Necklace from eBay, all which are older.

And now I'm off to our biannual awards dinner, which should be another fantastic evening.

Ya'll have a hootin' n hollerin' good evening now, ya hear?

My Moment to Shine in the Des Moines Register

The festivities for the first USA game of the World Cup yesterday evening led me to a local West Des Moines bar, called The Keg Stand with my fiancé and future cousins-in-law.  Given the chance to be totally Patriotic, you better believe I took the opportunity to dress in my red, white and blue!  Des Moines news crews and newspaper personnel were roaming the grounds the whole evening for the gathering and the celebration after America won 2-1 against Ghana.  

My attention-grabbing apparel led Des Moines Register senior reporter, Daniel Finney to inquire.  I explained to him that, although I do not follow soccer, my fiancé does and that, along with the chance to just have a good time, I see any opportunity as a good opportunity to dress up and represent my blog.  

So what did I see this morning in the paper?  A little blurb about my blog!  I was excited, as I'm always looking to get the word out more about it.  Especially in Des Moines, as I am planning a social get-to-know-me event in the area in the near future!  If you get the Register, be sure to check out today's cover story!

Here are a few shots of yesterday's World Cup look!

A shot with the greatest flag in the World post-victory!

Skirt: Choies (seen full length here before I DIYed it into a midi)

Top: eBay

Blazer: Forever 21 (similar)

Shoes: Coach

Necklace: Charming Charlie

I will, of course, be cheering for The US of A again this Sunday, as we defeat Portugal!  Hopefully you all will be enjoying this world-wide sporting event with your friends as well.  If you wear some awesome patriotic apparel, be sure to tag me in your instagram posts - I'd love to see your looks!

Happy World Cup!

Summer Savings $$$

This fluted skirt was on sale at Loft for $12.88.  Originally $69, that's an amazing deal.  But I could make it better.  I could get it for even less.  How?  Keep reading for some examples on great summer savings!

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With the first day of Summer quickly approaching (it's June 21, if you weren't sure), Summer styles are sure to hit the streets soon!  This has been a fabulous Spring for some fashion trends I love, but I'm also really looking forward to some Summer trends!

As you all know, I've been on a tight budget lately, so I want to tell you all about an amazing way to save potentially big money if you have some summer-trend shopping to do.  It's called Raise.com.  Raise is a network of Gift Cards that others sell if they have cards they won't be using and would rather have some pocket cash at a slightly less dollar amount.  With Raise, you can save 5%-15% on average to your favorite stores by purchasing these gift cards.  You can also sell gift cards, if you have any that you won't be using either.

Anyway, back to Summer style... If ya'll saw my post from Friday, you may have seen me rocking the headband updo hairstyle.  I think this is going to be a go-to for me this summer, as it takes no time at all, keeps the hair off your neck keeping you cool, and it is so feminine and adorable!  Having only a few headbands like the one I wore, I would love to invest in a few more from Francesca's Collection.  Here's my photo from Friday, and a few headbands I'd love to get (and keep reading for the money savings!)  Also, be sure to watch MY VERY FIRST VIDEO, which is a tutorial of this style!

$14.00

$12.00

$16.00

$12.00

How much can you save?  With Raise, you can purchase a Francesca's Collection gift card at up to 18.3% off.  The total price of all 4 headbands above is $54 retails.  With a Raise gift card and the 18% savings, you could save $9.88 leaving you at a final total of $44.12.  That's either $10 extra in your pocket, or a $10 sale headband for free! 

If you're planning to wear the "Headband Updo" hairstyle a lot this summer like I am (even for a day laying by the pool!), investing in a few more headbands to spruce up your outfits wouldn't be a horrible idea!

Okay, so now I have to talk about another great-savings idea I have!  You all know that I'm obsessed (and totally over-wear) my black midi skirt from Express (above).  You may have also seen that they have others that I am coveting as well, especially to wear into summer to farmers markets, concerts, date-nights on the patio, etc.  

Well, at Raise, you can get an Express gift card for up to 11% off.  It's easy enough to spend $100 there anyway, so why not keep $11 in your wallet?

With that said, we can really do some number crunching and figure out how to get all the things you want for way less than you imagined!  Here are a few things I'm eyeing:

$69.90

$79.90

$59.90

These three skirts together retail for $209.70.  Using just the Raise gift card would already save me about $23 (which is awesome, if I'm planning on buying the skirts anyway).  BUT, if I wait for one of Express's notorious sales ($60 off $150), my price would go from $209.70 to $125.82.  With my Raise gift card on top of that, the grand total would be $111.98, ultimately saving me just under 100 big ones!  Seriously, if you're not amazed... 

This is my fiancé, Joel, and I.  We love date-nights, especially in the summer when we can sit on the patio enjoy each other's company while savoring delicious eats and cocktails. I think that every couple needs their date-nights.  Make it cheaper by purchasing a gift card!  For example, Joel and I thoroughly enjoy PF Chang's for date-nights (especially their gluten-free menu!).  With Raise, we can save an additional 8% if we're smart and plan ahead! We like to buy our meals, some drinks and the Flourless Chocolate Dome, so with all of that 8% of our own money is nice to save. Really, it's silly not to!

Myself with the most refreshing and summery drink of them all: Passion Tea Lemonade!

Are you a Starbucks fanatic like myself?  If so, save a few bucks there by purchasing a $50 gift card for only $41.25 saving you 17.5%!  That's at least two free drinks, and all you have to do is grab a gift card!  It's an easy way to save a few dollars, if you know you're going to keep getting Starbucks anyway!

As you all can see, there are some great ways to save on some summer favorites of my own, such as headbands, skirts, Starbucks and food.  Be sure to check out Raise.com to see what kind of deals you can find.  It's so easy to search their site for the gift card you're craving and will ultimately save you bucu-bucks!

Happy Gift Card shopping!

Thursday's & Friday's Looks + JCrew Party

Thursday's Look

Flats: Aldo (similar)

Dress: Mango Germany (similar)

Cardigan: JCrew (similar here or here)

Belt: Gap (almost identical from Kate Spade)

Scarf: Aldo (similar)

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

This dress was purchased at Mango in Germany last year, but the American website has a very similar one right now.  The color looks close, and it even has the cap sleeves.  Mine, however did not come with a belt, whereas the dress currently available does!  And it's only $39.99.  The bright color is perfect for summer.

Thursday evening, I attended a Wedding Styling event at the JCrew store in West Des Moines, Iowa.  These lovely ladies behind me are a pair of a fabulous event decorators.  They were a lot of fun to talk to, as they were around my age and one is getting married in a month and the other was just married two weeks ago!  Along with their friendly personalities, these girls do amazing work.  Check out their website to see more!  Their entrepreneurial spirits were quite inspiring!

Of course, I also forced my favorite JCrew sales associate, Nate, to join me in the photo.  He's the best.

JCrew also so kindly made my favorite Blood Orange San Pellegrino up for grabs with an adorable pink and white striped straw.  So dainty and irresistible.  

While at JCrew, I couldn't not try on some fun clothes!  The colors in this dress were so attention-grabbing, I had to give it a go.  I was definitely a fan, but am still resisting the urge!  Online it shows up as he original price still, but at my location, it was on sale for $129 + an additional 40% off.  So head over to your store if you're as in love as I was (and actually have money to spend)!

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Today's Look

Flats: Nordstrom (similar)

Skirt: JCrew ($39 + 40% in my store last night - much better deal!)

Chambray Top: Dillards (similar)

Necklace: Very old JCrew (love this one)

Bracelet: JCrew (not online, but still in my store!)

Headband: Old (similar)

My photorgaphers and I had lots of laughs this afternoon.  It was definitely a Friday!  We were so antsy and just itching to get outside, so our afternoon break was much appreciated.

If you're thinking this  fluted skirt looks familiar, it's because I also have it in lime and wore it here and here. 

Today was my first time trying la mie, a French-style bakery in Des Moines.  My salad was delectable, as were these French Macarons!  If you're in Des Moines and haven't tried la mie yet, I recommend it!  I know they do also sell some of their pastries at the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings, I just can't enjoy them, unfortunately, as I am gluten-intolerant.

A toot-my-own-horn moment: I did these French-tips on my nails all by myself!  I'm also pretty proud that my nails are as long as they are.  I struggle at growing them out.

I've been wanting to try this hairstyle for years (literally).  I don't know why I finally decided to do it, but I'm glad I did!  It's a very feminine and (as complimented by a co-worker today) becoming style.  Although it is insanely simple (it literally took me less than a minute while I was half awake), I watched this tutorial for moral support.  Another plus?  When I took the headband out, I had fantastic loose waves.

A view of the back of my hair, and also a sweet shot of the Des Moines Art Festival's wall of words.

Happy Friday the 13th and Full Moon to you all!  Don't get too crazy now.  Have a fabulous weekend, and be on the lookout for another post that has to do with gift cards! :)

A Midi With Some Lace & Beads

Heels: Coach

Skirt: Express (here in zebra)

Top: Very old from Forever 21(similar)

Bracelet: eBay (similar)

Clearly, it was another midi day for me!  My thighs are terribly sunburned from the weekend, so they're not ready to be seen right now.  ;)

Today I paired my Express midi with a top that I got from Forever 21 back in my high school days, I believe (at least 5 years ago!)  It really is always fun to find things in your closet that you've completely forgotten about!

The City of Des Moines workers were planting flowers today in all the beds around the downtown area and I was loving it!  I'm so excited for all the colors that are popping up everywhere.  Flowers can really brighten your spirits if you're having a crumby day, and these ones were just beautiful!

Here's a closer look of the lace and bead detailing of my top.

Typical me: spinning around in my skirt!

I got this bracelet for super cheap on eBay a while back and so wish I could find it again to make it available for you all.  Because, with shipping, I spent less than $3 on this baby!  I'll keep an eye out though, just in case I find it again!

My shoes had a little bit of mud on them from sinking into the grass today, but they're easy to clean: One of the fabulous things about them!  The silver pair is on sale for $79 right now and I want them so bad, but I've been so good at not spending money, I'm going to try to keep it up!  It's very difficult though, as I have wanted some metallic pumps since Annie from Stylish Petite blog wore them here in January.  She has so many amazing shoes though.  Some day, I keep telling myself, I too will have an amazing shoe collection.  :)

Tomorrow's my day off (hooray!) I hope you all have a fabulous hump day!