Dress for Less: J.Crew Bubble Necklace

 If you've followed my blog for more than a week, chances are you've seen me wear my very favorite jewelry piece:  My J.Crew Turquoise Bubble Necklace that I scored off Ebay a year and a half ago - and have loved unconditionally ever since.

You can still find a this necklace and other color variations on Ebay.  And the other day I was flipping through a magazine (I can't remember which) and saw this summer's ad for H&M...

 

That necklace looks very framiliar.... So if you live near an H&M (unlike me) you should check it out!  Let me know if you find it, how much it is, and if there are any other colors.  I'm curious. 

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Don't Let Me Fool You...

Just a hint.  I am not in London, though this vintage red telephone booth sure makes me feel like I am!!  Last night I celebrated a good friend's engagement on the patio (finally -- patio weather!) of a bar in Westport.  I even donned a corsage for the occasion.

{Dress - J.Crew Jenny Dress, Leopard Cardi - INC via Macy's, Black Flats - Nine West, Floral Corsage - $1 each last summer from New York & Co}

And because it was a celebration...

mmmm....Cupcakes.

Happy Friday!!  I hope you can have a cupcake this weekend, or go to London. Something like that.

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Colorblock & Colored Jeans

You might be sick of this trend by now, but I'm still loving it.  And until I can get my hands on some red jeans, these not-denim-blue-but-royal-blue jeans will have to do.

 {Yellow Cardi - J.Crew, Turquoise Blouse - Marshalls, Blue Jeans - Old Navy, Turquoise ring - H&M, Gray wedges - Target}

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Chicago.

This past weekend I spent some quality family time in Chicago.  For one, my  husband and I actually got to travel together.  I also hung out with my sister, who lives there and is celebrating her birthday this week.  We got to see friends that live there attend a Cubs game.  The weather wasn't fantastic, but it could have been worse. So all and all, a pretty good weekend, and a lot shoved into only 2 days.

 Dressed for dinner at SUSHISAMBA 

{Stripe top - Anthropologie, Purple skirt & Red belt - Old Navy, Nude flats - ASOS}

 View from friends' apartment

Easter Brunch.
This photo was my this week's I See, You See Pic at A Candid Life.  Hop over there to give us next week suggestions!

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Swish Swish

Maxis and midis are my new best friends (as seen here, here, here and here).  After years of all minis, I'm so excited for the longer hems.  If for nothing else, but more options.  The length on a skirt can really change up an entire outfit.  And it is way more work appropriate.

Plus, the flowing fabric is fun to play with and moves with you as you walk.  This skirt was the 3rd item of my 1st ASOS order.

 {Denim shirt -Target, Midi Skirt - ASOS, Hot pink wedges - Nine West, Rosette Necklace - Twenty Five Design}

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Favorite Blogger Outfit: Unexpected Pop of Color

Scrolling through my Google Reader (how I read my blogs I follow & subscribe to), I came across The Pretty Life Anonymous' post.  I thought her outfit was lovely, and then as I was scrolling further saw her legs.  Pow! I love the mix of her bold tights with denim and floral.

Her Outfit Deets: 

Top: F21

Skirt: DIY

Tights: F21

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: ROS

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Double Trouble

Silver and Gold.  Red and Pink. Two Belts. $6 Jacket. One Outfit.

I got this jacket at Old Navy for $6. It was on clearance in store for $16, and I had a $10 rewards coupon.  I'd say that is a steal! I love mixing warm tones with cool ones - like the warm brown color of the jacket and gold jewelry with a metallic silver dress.  To add some color, I decided to layer on two skinny belts in contrasting colors - both from Old Navy.

 {Jacket & Belts - Old Navy, Dress - Anthropologie, Leopard Flats - Marshalls, Scarf - San Fran China Town, Gold Cuff - Loft}

 

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is only 2 weeks away!  Do you know what you're getting yet? Please share your ideas in the comments. :)

You may recall my Stella & Dot jewelry gift ideas (and a chance to win an extra piece of jewelry) here.  All that still applies - so make sure to check out Stella & Dot, and shop via Chasing Davies Trunk Show to be entered to win.  To see all the giveaway info - click here.

 I'm loving gold this season - surely to make a great gift for any mama:

Gold Leaf Earrings, Jasmine Filigree Earrings

Or something with a little pop of turquoise:

 Threaded Turquoise Necklace,  Layla Stretch Turquoise Bracelet

My gift to my mom last year was a  locket  necklace. I filled it with a photo of me and my sister.

Aimee Locket Necklace

Perhaps your mom isn't a jewelry feign?  Photo gifts are always a good idea:

Printed and Framed photos by Pinhole Press make it super easy to get your gift ready for mom.

One of my favorite things to make others, as well as for myself - Photo Books:

Kodakgallery.com has a great selection of styles and sizes and really easy to use.

Happy Shopping!

May Sponsorships Available & Giveaway

Chasing Davies is also now accepting sponsors or integration for May! There are a variety of options available and custom opportunities may be negotiated.  Let me know your ideas and we can find a solution!  You can see all the details on the Sponsor tab here.

Monthly Packages...
1. The Whole Thing
Ad Units on my side bar + Reader giveaway + Personal review of provided product

2. Giveaway Package

Ad Units on my side bar + Reader giveaway

3. Personal Review Package
Ad Units on my side bar + Personal review of provided item/product or given store credit

A La Cart Options...
1. Ad Unit Only Large, small or custom size
2. Reader Giveaway Only
3. Personal Review/Wear Your Items Only

Now, the Giveaway: You can win free advertising on my blog for the month of May.  Win your choice of ad size (200x75 or 80x80) that will be placed on my side bar.

To get qualified to win:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google Friend Connect (if you aren't already).
2. Tweet about this giveaway & sponsorships linking to this post.

In ONE comment of this post, let me know you are a follower and provide the link to your tweet.  I will pick a winner through Random.org and not count those that don't meet these qualifications.

You have until Saturday April 30th at 11:59pm CST.  On Sunday, May 1st, I will pick a winner and that winner can send me their ad to be placed on my site.

Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions (email me).

Leapfrog

I tried not to get blown over or spike myself on a yellow cement pillar during an impromptu game of leapfrog.

{Navy Cardi - J.Crew, Purple Silk Tank - Anthroplogie, Jeans - Gap, Yellow Flats - Target, Pink Cuff - c/o Art on a Wire}

Does this Pink Leather Cuff look familiar?  Michelle Money wore a turquoise version on the Women Tell All episode (seen here). The great people at Art on a Wire sent me my very own as a thank you for blogging about it.  I chose pink.

Now to the leapfrog game.  Lulu won.

 But to be fair.  I did get up a little further, but those photos were not attractive. Lulu makes it look effortless.

Happy Friday!

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My New Toy

You might know about my recent journeys in Photography.  I got a used dSLR Camera for my birthday back in October, took a photography class Feb-April (that just ended), documented some of my practices with Lulu in her weekly I See, You See posts and now, got a brand new lens.  Yay!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

This lens does not zoom in or out.  So you'll have to get use to moving around physically to get the right photo.  This lens allows you to focus one activated sensor on your subject of choice and giving everything else around it a softer feel too it or a blur.  It make the subject in focus stick out more and gives the overall photo a more artsy feel.  I managed to get a few practice shots in of Mr. Chuckie-Poo.

He's sad because at his recent yearly vet visits, we discovered he gained SEVEN pounds in the last year.  That's a lot for a should-be 50 lbs pup. 

So, he's on a diet now.

So, not-so-little-anymore Charlie was plopped in front of my closet and thought this was the perfect setting to give my new lens a whirl.

I kept his face in focus and the foreground (my closet goods) and some of his body are soft.  

Anyone out there have any tips on this lens?  Or recommendations on my NEXT lens purchase (once I can save up some $$)?

Also, you can keep up with my Photography progress at A Candid Life in her I See, You See posts that we will continue to do even thought our class is over.  It will actually be BETTER now, because we'll get to pick each week's theme and better show a different perspective.  We also want some of your suggestions on our weekly themes!  So either comment here or at the last I See, You See - At the Zoo post with your suggestions!

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ASOS Review & A Blue Dress

 Hey all! You saw my new shoes yesterday and I had mentioned I recently placed my first ASOS order.  I had a few questions on my experience, the fit, etc.  So thought I'd give you more info, while showing you what else I got from ASOS.

 {Dress - ASOS Soft Skirt Midi Dress, Stripe Tee Under Dress - J.Crew, Jacket -H&M, Leopard Belt - Target, Rosette Necklace - Twenty Five Design, Heels - Target}

So on to my experience with ASOS.  Once I learned about the free shipping and return shipping (should something not work out), it definitely eased my mind.  Ordering from a new online retailer for the first time can be scary, but especially if you've never tried on something by the brand.

Shopping on ASOS.com is easy.  Select the category you'd like to first browse (say dresses), then you can narrow by color (in this case, blue), skirt style (midi length), and even price range (under $100 for me).  Then your options are easier to flip through.

Selecting my size: I first inspected the dress I was choosing - the style and fit.  In this case, the dress was looser fitting and an elastic waist (no buttons or zippers). Then I read the size guide (clicked on the button next to the size selection) and ordered my size that I normally get (at J.Crew, Loft, etc).

If the dress would have been a more fitted options, I might have considered ordering 2 sizes, since I could return the one that didn't fit for free.

Once I selected my items, I checked out and paid - confirming it was indeed free shipping.  ASOS sent several emails to confirm order, once it shipped and tracking updates.  Keep in mind, it is coming from UK - so maybe took a couple days longer, but I didn't notice.  My 3 items came in two different packages a day apart (my shoes and dress together, and then a skirt separately).  Not sure why.

All in all, a great experience and I will now add ASOS to my go-to online shopping site list.

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Shoe of the Day: Nude Bow Flats

It is straight up back to winter in Kansas City.  Cold!  But I've already switched my closets and winter clothes are packed away!  So I forged ahead with my spring clothes and some NEW SHOES.

If you Follow Me on Twitter, you know I made my first ASOS purchase.  I got a skirt, dress and these sweet little shoes.  I loved all 3 items and so glad I finally popped that cherry.  Now I feel like I know how it goes and comfortable shopping there.  On to the shoes and spring clothes...

 Grass clippings sold separately.

London Rebel Classic Pointed Toe Bow Ballerina Flats - also comes in black and coral

I wore these little flats with bright yellow pants, silky pink blouse under a cotton bejeweled tee - Spring Fever.  Kind of looked like an Easter egg?  I'm not sure if primary yellow and pastel pink go together, but I felt a bit more creative than yesterday, at least.

 {Yellow Cropped Pant - J.Crew, Pink Blouse - Loft, Gray Tee - Forever 21, Herringbone Jacket - Anthro, Black purse/camera bag - Theit}

Happy Hump Day.