Springing into Summer in Polka Dots

This adorable polka dot top has  been featured on the blog two times already, once featuring a professional spring look and again last spring paired with a floral skirt.  Today I am showing you a casual summer look.  I love when a piece of clothing is this versatile and I can wear it over and over again. This is one of the key features that I think about when adding new items to my closet.  Not only is it a financially important consideration, but I also really do want to be mindful of how my consumption of new items impacts the environment.  A couple of tips to help you think about how and when you should add new pieces:

1. Keep a list of items you would like to add to your closet, this avoids impulse purchases that you really don't need.
2. Get to know what's in your closet.  I don't have huge amounts of clothes in my closet/drawers, which means I am pretty much on top of what I have available to mix and match with any one item.  
3. Bring it home and make outfits.  If I am adding a $$ item to my closet I will often make up 3 -5 outfits before taking off the tags.  I like to make sure that I can wear it multiple ways before committing.

Anyway, back to the outfit.  This cute little outfit was perfect for our first HOT summer weekend.  We were going to do a few errands and it was just so dang cute, yet casual paired with denim shorts and flat sandals.  I love everything about this top, from the simple ruffle neckline, to the off the shoulder look (which I still love), and then add the bow shoulder ties.  It's just curtness overload, but without being tacky.  I added just the tiniest bit of sparkle by wearing my Hillberg and Berk initial necklace.  This little necklace is a daily staple and honestly I would recommend it as a gift for someone, or yourself.  

These running photos were actually taken because I was literally running from the rain.  Although it was a beautiful day, just as we went to take pictures the wind came up and was blowing intensely, that we had a hard time getting any descent pictures.  And then it threatened to rain but we already got everything we needed.  

Happy weekend and thank you for stopping by.  

Shop This Post:

Dex Polka Dot Top (old; Shein top)

ON Denim Shorts

Hillberg and Berk Necklace

3 Makeup Dupes to Save You Money

Hello!!!!  I am back.  This little unexpected hiatus just kind of happened.  Life got in  the way and honestly I didn't have the energy to do it all so I didn't.  Isn't that just the greatest gift of getting older?  You kind of learn to embrace, except and continue to move forward even when you drop the ball.  Anyway, today I am back finally sharing a post I've been meaning to for a long time now.  I am not a makeup guru and keep my supply actually pretty simple.  That being said, there are things I splurge on such as my Mac foundation, concealer and powder.  If you have a dupe that you think I need to try let me know, but I do love those products and I really appreciate being able to go into the store to have a trained person match my shade for me.  Everything else, I am kind of open to trying various things and here are three dupes that I think are 100% as good as the $$$ items I've purchased.

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara $30  vs.  Voluminous Primer $7   & Voluminous Mascara $7

I got the Stila Huge lash mascara in my fabfitfun box and LOVED IT!!!!  I did purchase another tube on my own by the $$$ hurt and I really didn't want to continue to dish out that kind of money.  So I tried Voluminous Primer and Mascara combo.  You guys the primer makes a huge difference!  I am now on my second set of the combo and honestly I don't think I need anything more.  

Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner $29 vs.  Elf Intense H2O Proof Eyeliner $8

The Stila eyeliner was also in my fabfitfun box and it was super easy to use, but at $29 for a pencil I couldn't even entertain the idea.  My teen stepped in and introduced me to Elf Intese eyeliner and I see no difference.  Honestly, it's easy to use, great color, smudge proof, lasts all day, at a 1/3 of the price.  My daughter loves a lot of the Elf makeup products but this is the only thing I've tried so far.  

Mac Prep + Prime $40  vs.  The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer $5

Okay, the Mac primer I used for years.  I tried Smashbox and it wasn't good for my skin, I kept breaking out.  I would say the primer is fine.  I didn't love or hate it.  It got the job done and absorbed quickly and made my makeup go on nicely.  Well, guess what The Ordinary primer is 100% just as good in my opinion.  In fact I had an extra bottle of the Mac and I now prefer The Ordinary primer!!!!  And you guys is $5!!!!!

So there you have some of my dupes.  I don't mind spending a little extra here and there but lately I've decided to add a few key products into my skincare routine that I 100% feel are worth the investment as my skin is aging,  read about it here.  

Tell me your best dupes!!!!