Material Instinct

Summer Plans (For My Wallet) 2011 ed.

2011-06-21T08:57:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this is the third year I've done this post! Time flies! This summer I'm trying to cut back on the crazy spending, so my plans aren't quite as lofty as they usually are.

First, I want to get my hair colored (a la the Kim Kardashian pic above) and I am dire need of a MacBook. Second, I'd really love to take Nikki out for some Mommy/Son adventures, like the beach or aquarium. As for girly, material things, I'd like to get a new perfume (I have my nose on LIV GRN's Natural Eau De Parfum) and the Michael Kors Hamilton tote bag in Luggage with silver hardware. And last but not least, I plan on getting in some quality time with friends (preferably over delicious margaritas).

**What are your summer plans??

What To Wear: Summer Festival

2011-06-17T12:37:00.000-04:00

Heading to a music festival this summer? Here's my take on proper Day to Night attire:

Tank, Sass & Bide

Shorts, H&M

*Bag, All Saints

Headband, swell.com

Bracelets, Miss Selfridge

Sunglasses, Dolce and Gabbana

Rain Boots, Kamik

Sweatshirt, Wildfox Couture

Skinnies, Lee

*With a roomy enough bag you can bring along a change of clothes if it gets chilly at night. I suggest a baggy sweatshirt to throw over your tank and a pair of skinny jeans to tuck into your boots.

Have Ya Joined JewelMint Yet??

2011-06-13T04:08:00.003-04:00

I know I've already blogged about Kate Bosworth's jewelry club JewelMint, but I'm still loving it! I've been a member since March and have been 100% satisfied with my membership. For those of you who haven't joined yet and want to know what type of jewelry you can expect, here are three of my purchases:

Sweetheart Ring

This is the first piece of jewelry I ordered from the site. I think it's really unique. I love that it looks like two separate bands being held together by the heart and the little rhinestone details are so unexpected.

Versailles Earrings

I missed out on these gorgeous earrings the first time they were released, but thankfully the website brought them back last week due to popular demand. I have an all lace, cream, one-shoulder dress that was made to be paired with these earrings!

Metal Mosaic Ring

I'm a sucker for a good statement ring. This picture doesn't really do it justice, it's truly a wearable piece of modern art. I love the drama of the squares' varying heights and how it looks handmade.

P.S. - The boxes the jewelry come in are almost as pretty as the jewelry!

Click the link to sign up: http://jmnt.me/giiJ4X

**I looked around the web for a coupon code you all could use & I'm pretty sure "WELCOME50" should still work for 50% your first purchase.

Request: 2011 Prom Looks

2011-06-12T19:03:00.000-04:00

This post is for "thefirstgoldengirl" of Curious Leo. She requested a Prom themed What To Wear so I've styled a couple of looks for her:

Dress, H&M

Jewelry, Nordstrom

Clutch, endless.com

Heels, Nine West

Dress, pacificplex.com

Clutch, River Island

Ring, Dorothy Perkins

Earrings, Max & Chloe

Heels, dressrail.com

As always, if you have any styling requests, feel free to email me through the Contact Info tab on the top of the page.

What To Wear: Memorial Day BBQ

2011-05-29T23:06:00.000-04:00

As usual, I don't have any Memorial Day plans this year other than hangin' around the house with Jason & Nikki but if I happen to get a last minute invite to a backyard BBQ... I'd wear something along these lines:

Dress, Calypso St. Barth for Target
Earrings, Old Navy
Tote, Calypso St. Barth for Target
Espadrilles, Aldo

Total Cost: $140

This Year, Treat Mom To Lush Lashes - LiLash BOGOHO Coupon!

2011-05-03T14:16:00.002-04:00

I know it's been a while since I mentioned my Holy Grail lash stimulator, LiLash, but I've been waiting for them to release another coupon code.

In honor of Mother's Day this week, they're offering their customers a $70 savings! Just use the code "MOM11" upon checkout & receive 50% off your 2nd tube!

-------->CLICK HERE to score this AMAZING deal!<--------

*Valid thru 5/5, 11:59pm PST.

What To Pack: Packing Light

2011-04-20T15:43:00.001-04:00

Next Tuesday I'll be embarking on a 4 day, 3 night adventure to Atlanta & New Orleans to visit my BFF Kimberly & take a road trip to see one of my favorite bands Mumford & Sons! I'm only bringing a carry-on suitcase & my handbag, so I've gotta pack light.

Here's my game plan:

Jovovich-Hawk for Target floral dress
Jovovich-Hawk for Target polka dot dress
Tucker for Target floral dress
Rodarte for Target lace print tunic
Cognac boots from Target
Black boots from Torrid

I'll try to take some OOTD shots while I'm there so you guys can see my looks in action! In the meantime, any tips on packing light??

March ShoeDazzle How-To: Matilda

2011-03-24T14:52:00.001-04:00

I thought I would try something new on my blog by sharing how I plan on styling my monthly ShoeDazzle buys. I've seen this done on YouTube before & thought it was a cute idea. This month I ordered the Matilda motorcycle boot. I love the chain & buckle details!

Outfit #1:
I plan on pairing these boots with skinny jeans & a simple top for a summer concert.

Outfit #2:
I can also see myself wearing these with a feminine LBD on date night!

*Sign up for ShoeDazzle & SAVE 20% on your first purchase!

Saturday Night Special

2011-03-19T12:50:00.001-04:00

Guns N Roses Tank, Amplified Clothing

Skinny Jeans, JBrand

Suede Slingbacks, Jessica Simpson

Quilted Bag, Marc Jacobs
Geometric Earrings, House of Harlow 1960

What To Wear: St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-14T13:25:00.001-04:00

I have to work this St. Patrick's Day (I recently picked up a hostessing job at a local Italian restaurant), but if I could wear what I wanted, it'd be something like this:

Skull Top, E.VIL

Boyfriend Jeans, American Eagle

Strappy Wedges, Michael Antonio

Clover Earrings, Anya Jewels

Wooden Bangles, Forever21

Freshen Up Your Style With JewelMint

2011-03-08T11:43:00.002-05:00

Celeb-endorsed online shopping clubs are quickly becoming all the rage and while Kim Kardashian may have started it all with ShoeDazzle, Kate Bosworth is jumping on the bandwagon with her jewelry of the month society, JewelMint.

Started by Kate & her stylist Cher Coulter, the members-only site is filled with fun & funky earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets all priced at $29.99*. Here's a screen cap of my current showroom:

This is the third shopping club I've joined & I'm actually saving money! I've cut back my "in-person" shopping trips & limited myself to my beauty samples from Birchbox, a pair of shoes or a handbag from ShoeDazzle & a piece of jewelry from JewelMint. My total for the month is $80 -- I used to spend that in one store! Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE to go shopping, but I love getting pretty things in the mail every month even more!

*Join here & save 60% off one piece with the code "surveyfeb60"

Please Pause For A Brief Intermission...

2011-02-28T00:22:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to write a quick post to let all of my amazing, dedicated followers that I may be a little slow with the blogging for a bit. I fear that my trusty MacBook may have gone to Apple heaven!

I have found an adorable & affordable netbook however, so rest assured that the hiatus shouldn't last long.

Crossing my fingers for the best!

What To Wear: South By Southwest

2011-02-23T02:02:00.000-05:00

Sequin top, Edun

Studded jean shorts, Cosmic Denim

Floral boots, Dr. Martens

Wallet, Balenciaga

Cuff bracelet, Dorothy Perkins

Double finger ring, Low Luv by Erin Wasson

Love Samples? Join The Club!

2011-02-19T11:44:00.002-05:00

I read about birchbox.com in a magazine the other day and couldn't wait to get on the computer to check it out. A club that delivers beauty samples to it's members every month? Count me in! Their motto is "Discover what you love and buy with confidence," which has been a personal shopping mantra of mine ever since the Great Foundation Debacle of 2002. (I really wish someone had told me that MAC foundations break you out before I spent $40 on one!)

Not only do I love samples because of their adorable, purse-friendly size, I love them because you get to try before you buy! Clearly, the people at Birchbox feel the same way. For just $10/month, you get to test-drive 4 to 5 beauty samples and if you decide to buy the full size product(s) from their site, you earn points towards further purchases. No more hounding the clerk at Sephora for a trial size of something you're unsure about, just check your mailbox!

Here are just some of the brands they carry:

Bare Minerals

Korres

Kiehls

Nars

Benefit

Oscar Blandi

Stila

Too Faced

Phyto

For all the details on how the club works, watch the video below.

I'm Baaaaack!!!

2011-02-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Sorry for leaving you all for a while; I've been busy getting in shape and preparing for my new career as a cosmetologist. Dental Assisting school just wasn't girly enough for me!

Don't worry, I'll be blogging regularly and starting up my YouTube channel again very soon. If anyone is interested in following me on my weight loss journey (30 lbs shed so far thanks to Dr. Atkins), I'm considering making a separate health/fitness blog.

Until next time, thank you all so much for sticking with Material Instinct & a huge "Hello" to all of my newest followers!

Love,
Valerie Valentine

Coolest Rain Boots Ever?!

2010-09-16T19:27:00.000-04:00

While shopping for my Marc Jacobs Sasha, I spotted these Chooka moto studded rain boots on ShopBop.com for only $24 -- 70% off retail! I can't wait for hurricane season (yes, we really have a "hurricane season" in Florida) so I can rock these waterproof bad boys!

My First Marc Jacobs Bag!

2010-09-15T21:14:00.001-04:00

Summer is almost at an end so I decided to make good on [most of] the Summer Plans For My Wallet list I posted a few months ago.

First and foremost, I treated myself to some stylish uniforms & spellbinding books for Dental Assisting school.

{Insert sarcasm here}

I didn't end up getting an iPhone, but I did get the HTC EVO with a sparkly case!

Loves It!

The most exciting thing I purchased this Summer was the Marc By Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal "Sasha" bag. It's my very first Marc Jacobs bag and I've wanted it for soooo long. (Ok, well at least six months.) I'm not exactly sure when the collection came out, but it was nearly impossible to track one down. If I did stumble upon one, it didn't have the lining I wanted or it was a color I wasn't crazy about.

Thank God for ShopBop! I got the Newsprint color with the black & white MJ print inside.

My Dream Bag! (for now...)

Have you bought anything from your own wishlist lately?

The Look For Less: Miu Miu Platform Mary Janes

2010-08-29T14:53:00.001-04:00

Photo from "This Free Bird"

I absolutely love the whimsy of Miu Miu's satin platform mary janes (especially the cat print), but Lord knows they are expensive. If you're searching for a good knockoff, look no further than Forever 21. They come in plain black (which I managed to scoop up in my size before they sold out), polka dot (which I've only seen here) and a fun 90s flower print. The best part? They're about $560 cheaper!

Mary Jane Posy Platform Pumps, $25.50 - Forever21

Sneak Peek: Mulberry for Target

2010-08-20T12:40:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter, I mentioned earlier in the week that Gilt.com was having a sale at noon today featuring a sneak peek of Mulberry's collection for Target (which will officially be in stores on October 10th). Well, like any good fashionista/shopaholic, I made sure to be at my computer at 11:59 this morning for the sale. To my dismay, there were only five pieces and they were all either cheap-looking denim or cheesy black patent leather. Not what I was expecting from the house that's known for their classic, timeless style.

What do you think about the collab so far?

Hautelook Finds!

2010-08-11T14:32:00.000-04:00

While doing my daily perusing of Hautelook.com, I came across a BCBGeneration handbag sale. I wasn't planning on buying anything but I fell in love with the convertible messenger bag! I'm obsessed with the Chanel-style chain handle and little pyramid stud detailing on the sides, and the $49 price tag (50% off retail) doesn't hurt either. I've also been trying to give my shoulder a rest lately, so I'll definitely be taking advantage of the detachable cross-body strap.

I couldn't decide between Indigo or Blush, so I got them both!

Not a Hautelook member yet? What are you waiting for? It's FREE!

Click here to join.

What I Wore: Aerosmith Concert & Casino Date

2010-08-11T00:28:00.000-04:00

Saturday night Jason and I saw Aerosmith in concert (which was amazing) and then we hit up the Hard Rock Casino (my second trip there this month) afterwards. It was extremely hot and humid outside so my outfit choice wasn't the best, but I felt cute regardless!

Handkerchief Tube Top - American Eagle

Skinny Jeans - Levi's

Cropped Cardigan (similar to one shown) - Target

Suede Biker Boots - American Eagle

Necklace - House of Harlow 1960

Bracelets - Forever21

Balenciaga-style Bag - eBay

Show Your Team Pride with ThatsMyShirt.com!

2010-08-08T16:33:00.003-04:00

I may not be the most loyal of football fans (my family thinks I'm a Patriots girl, while my boyfriend prefers me in Packers colors), but I love to show my support through fashion. After all, a fashionista will find any excuse to dress the part.

While searching for "cute football tees", I stumbled upon thatsmyshirt.com and found dozens of adorable NFL tops and hoodies!
Here are some of my favorites:

Green Bay Packers Girly T by JunkFoodClothing

AFL Boston Patriots T by JunkFoodClothing

NY Giants V-Neck Lightweight Hoodie by JunkFoodClothing

Pittsburgh Steelers Tri-Blend Raglan T by JunkFoodClothing

Who will you be cheering for this season? And, more importantly, what will you be wearing??

TAG: Top 5 Must-Bring Items

2010-08-07T12:30:00.000-04:00

The other day I was thinking about what beauty products/tools I could not live without and thought it might be fun to make a blog tag about it! When deciding on which items I would pick, I didn't think of the old "desert island" scenario because, let's face it, if you're honestly stuck on an island somewhere your hair and makeup will be the last things you're concerned with. Instead, I imagined that I had 5 minutes to pack for a road trip! (Assuming your clothes & basic toiletries are already packed.)

Here are my top 5 must-bring items:

1. Dry Shampoo: Not only can dry shampoo prolong your need to wash your hair, it's also great for creating volume and won't leave a sticky residue like hairspray will.

2. Flat Iron: I hate my naturally curly hair, so a flat iron is an absolute must for me. I love creating beachy curls with it too!

3. Black Eyeliner: I couldn't decide between mascara or eyeliner, but I chose the latter because I figured my LiLash would be in my toiletries bag, so I wouldn't need any mascara! Eyeliner wakes your eyes up and depending on how you apply it, you can create a variety of looks.

4. Concealer: Conceal under-eye circles, cover a pimple, smooth out large pores... concealer is a multi-purpose must-have.

5. Nude Nail Polish: I love having my nails painted. It instantly makes me feel more polished and put together. A nude color is the most fool-proof color since it doesn't show mistakes as bad as other shades.

TAG! What would you bring??

What I Wore: Birthday Fun At The Casino

2010-08-02T23:22:00.000-04:00

Today's my 26th birthday, so my best friend Kimberly and I went out to the Hard Rock Casino last night to celebrate! I wore the same purple floral dress and cropped cardigan I wore to my friend's bridal shower last week, but this time I switched up the shoes, bag and accessories to make it a little more fun.

Purple Floral Tiered Dress - Target
Skinny Studded Belt (similar to one shown) - Target
Black 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan - Target

Studded Ankle Boots - Forever21

Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette

Petal Earrings - Forever21

Cross Ring - eBay

Anxiously Awaiting Autumn

2010-07-29T16:15:00.001-04:00

Scarf - Burberry

Lipstick - TopShop

Bag - Mulberry

Tank - BESS

Jeans - 7 For All Mankind

Boots - Chloe

Anyone else tired of this Summer heat??