Shameless little tricks..

I am becoming increasingly afraid of what will happen to my Nordstrom’s card when I’m working full time again. Very, very afraid.

Unfortunately, I’ve got about eight more months of being broke until that gorgeous storm hits. In the meantime I thought I’d share some secrets on how to cut corners in the bill department.

1. Go to the grocery store more often for less things. Only buy what you’ll eat in the next few days, this will prevent the dreaded pantry full of nothing you want to eat. Plus, for dairy items like Greek yogurt (that will at least keep you skinny and hopefully get you free drinks) are often reduced to miniscule amounts to sell by the upcoming printed date.

2. Purchase beauty products with at least 3 uses. One of my favorites is E.L.F.’s cheek/lip/lid shimmer stick. Also, skip the $8.50 OPI nail lacquer for the 99 cent option. The name brand is only going to last a few days longer than the cheap one. Quit being lazy and reapply.

3. Go to the same Starbucks location for you fix and get to know the baristas. The friendly ones are famous for handing out free refills and venti-for-a-tall charges.

What are your favorite broke girl buys?!

Light up the night

4th of July is on a Weds this year which kind of sucks. I mean how many of those red, white and blue jello shooters are we going to put down with work at 8am the next day?

For those of you who just took that as a challenge.. God Bless America.

What to wear on such a patriotic day? Stand out from the sea of sundresses and cropped shorts while staying in-theme of the holiday with these pieces.

Shoes: Jefferey Campbell; Pants: Free People; Top: Forever21

My life right now and reasoning for lack of posts

And by day, I mean summer. I’ve been tired for 13 days straight now. College graduation, please come sooner. I’m ready in desperate need of a real career. and income.

Reminiscing in the good way

This weekend brought back a lot of great memories and even greater friends.

Since moving to Europe and back I feel like I sifted through a lot of dead relationships and cut loose ends instead of tying them. I think this is healthy for everyone to do because it A) gives you way more energy to really do the things you love with the people you love and B.) provides more opportunities with said people to reminisce on good times instead of forcing “so what’s new” coffee dates with people you don’t have memories to laugh at.

Saturday, I threw my little sister a birthday bash in which I bonded with my fellow of-age girlfriend and her boyfriend. I was quickly reminded that when I turned 20, the boyfriend (who is a 6ft+ hilarious black man) provided piggy back rides for my mini dress wearing intoxicated self in ankle boots to and from the light rail all night. Then on Sunday, one of my first real friends I made when I moved to AZ and who is still a fabulous friend came over and did his usual… cooked. Food is what friends are made of?

I have pictures of us from freshman year homecoming till senior prom and even that was years ago and we have memories in between. I was never Suzie High School and prom was not a huge deal to me but I give myself a HUGE pat on the back for this dress. It’s not neon nor bedazzled and its even been to a military ball. Check it!

My first pair of +$100 shoes

Adding a snakeskin accessory spices up even the most proper gowns

In moderation

I’ve never been good at moderation. I’m very much an all or nothing kind of person which I admit is not always beneficial. But as life spins faster and faster you have to learn how to disperse yourself a little more evenly or else you become completely obsessed or engulfed in one thing. Or at least that’s what happened to me once upon a time, but more on that later..

Today I went to the gym with a girlfriend after an 8 hour work (uh, interning..) day only to end up at happy hour. That turned into a chicken sandwich and a complete negation of my burned calories. Laughs and the stress avoided by not going to the grocery store at aisle rush hour count for something though right?

Anyways, one thing I do have a flair for is, lets say balancing, the proportions of clothing. Ladies and gents, skin is something you MUST learn to show in moderation. Want to wear daisy dukes? Fabulous, but for God’s sake do not pair it with a DIY skin tight v-neck. You all know the celeb I’m referring to and we all know what happened to her career..

Here’s some pins from my Pinterest that give a little of this and a little of that to save for someone sexy.

Happy Hump Day!

Happy Hump Day everybody! We’re one step closer to the weekend!

Here’s the BEST #CallMeMaybe video I’ve seen and trust me.. I’ve seen one or 48,382. Rebecca Minkoff, you are revolutionizing the face of American fashion and have the cutest babe in the world. Also, this is me physically kicking my own ass for not purchasing the classic Morning After bag 3 years ago. I should have listened to my Nordstrom’s sales associate. She always knows what’s best for me and is way cheaper than a therapist.

Craziness & Congratulations!

I know these first few posts haven’t been as career-oriented as my blog title entails but I promise wheels are turning for me people, so stay tuned! I could not be more excited for what the next 12 months are so are going to bring me. Want a hint? I finally had a sit down with an organization I’ve been in contact with via email since I was living in Italy and turns out they may or may not have a job opening come graduation time for me (which is Dec, btw, I’ll take drinks over cards!) that would be a dream come true. I’ll keep ya’ll posted!

In more concrete news, my older sister Kate, was not only accepted into nursing school after being wait-listed for 2 freakin’ years but her entrance exam scores ranked in the 98th percentile of ALL applicants!! She’s a rockstar. In addition to being the future best/hotttest nurse around (she’s leggy too. my sisters are gene hogs), she’s also a mom to two of the greatest little boys and a jewelry designer. In all honesty I just realized that I’m surrounded by majorly beautiful, creative minds in the sister department. Lucky me! Her designs can be seen on Photobucket here while the Enchanted Ladies’ official website is undergoing maintenance.

Here are two of her pieces that will compliment all of your tribal garments this season!