Pixie in Pumps

Budgeting: April Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:56:00 +0000

So the question is, did I stick to my April shopping ban for clothing and shoes, etc? And the answer is... yes! Haha. I think this might have been the first time I stuck to an intentional shopping ban. The first of the month was the hardest especially the part where I was in Goodwill helping the boy pick out shirts and pants and I REALLY wanted to go look at the skirts and see if they had any nice maxi skirts. But I stuck to my ban with help from Justin who I think found pleasure in reminding me not shop. Haha.

I did spend a bit of money on beauty stuff, but that was ok because I wasn’t banned from that. Here’s what I bought.

1 | 2 | 3

I ran out of my Juice Beauty moisturizer that is ridiculously expensive and was just assuming I wasn't going to be able to buy it again for awhile when I saw this special kit on Ulta.com with a full size of the moisturizer and samples of some other things in that line for $15 less than the full sized moisturizer alone costs... so that was a no brainer for me.

OOTD: Hat Time & Pattern Mixing

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:22:00 +0000

I'm happy to be sporting bare legs and a breezy dress. I took an accidental blogging break because I have been focusing hardcore on my eating and exercising habits. I started the Tone it Up Bikini Series two weeks ago, and I've been making some great progress. Much better than I ever have before on a health/fitness challenge. Basically just trying to make exercise part of my daily routine and eat more clean, lean, and green. It has definitely helped me to feel better and have more energy.

Dress: Banana Republic
Belt: Goodwill
Scarf: LOFT
Hat: Target
Shoes: Mix No.6, via DSW (similar)
Bracelet: Little Black Bag
Glasses: Coastal.com

Window Shopping: J. Crew Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:23:00 +0000

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

(it seems a people went actual shopping for a few of my favorites... they're not even on the site anymore!)

So being on a shopping ban hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I have been really good. I mean seriously we are 19 days in and I haven't caved. So even though I can't buy anything... which let's be honest I really couldn't anyways because WHOA the prices even on sale... it was still a lot of fun to look at the J. Crew sale section which is an additional 30% off right now. I think my favorites thing is that tomato striped dress and the mint arrow printed shorts.

Do you do any window shopping during this sale? Or actual shopping? I love see what other people love and buy.

This is not a sponsored post.

OOTD: Art Deco School Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:02:00 +0000

Some told me I looked like a school teacher today. Not sure how one looks like a school teacher... my mom was a school teacher for 33 years and she never wore anything like this. But anyways, I told Justin this and his response was "Maybe an art deco school teacher." Yeah I REALLY don't know what that's supposed to mean. But this skirt is fun to twirl in! And this is straight up third day DIRTY hair. Yep, keepin' it real on the blog.

I'm linking up for What I Wore Wednesday with Transatlantic Blonde & The Pleated Poppy. Check out what everyone else wore!

Top: Sanctuary Clothing

Skirt: Thrifted, Goodwill (similar)

Tank Top: Kohls

Belt: Modcloth

Shoes: DKNYC

Necklace: Vintage, Sarah Coventry

OOTD: Denim Vest, Maxi Dress, Field of Wheat

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I have been eyeing this field for about a month just waiting for the right day and light to take pictures here. So when I realized that it was the perfect day on my way home I quickly rounded up my equipment and my lovely boyfriend who humors me, and headed to this field. About halfway through taking pictures a professional photographer showed up with an arm chair, a client, and whole much of random large equipment. Justin laughed because I glared at them and said under my breath "Back off! I was here first!" Haha. I was not going to have somebody ruining my perfect day of perfect light in the perfect field! But we co-existed just fine and I love how these turned out!

There's a behind the scenes photos on my facebook page that Justin took. He also took the close up picture of my earring... which I promptly lost in the midst of this GOLDEN WHEAT!

Dress: Target (similar)
Vest: Forever21 (here)
Necklace: Kohl's (similar)
Earrings: Target (similar) (similar)
Watch: Phosphor (here)
Shoes: Vintage, via Etsy

Also, here's my handsome fella, who makes faces at me pretty much every time I take his picture.

Life Lately: March

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:36:00 +0000

This month I had a mini staycation with Justin, got to see a bunch of my out of town friends, did a fair amount of spring cleaning, and saw one of my college friends marry the love of her life. It was a pretty great March. Oh and I turned 27.

You can see more photos from the month and follow my 365 photo challenge on Instagram: @lolainred

I had fun participating in Fran & Whitney's 5 Days, 5 Ways Link-up: Tops, Pants, Accessories, Dresses, Casual Friday

And I kicked off my goal of getting back to working out with a few easy, but effective arm exercises: Tone Your Arms in 6 Weeks

OOTD: Conference Wear - Social Slam

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:20:00 +0000

If you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed a fair amount of tweets with the hashtag #SoSlam. Well, Friday was the much anticipated Social Slam. It's an amazing Social Media conference in Knoxville, TN that I have been lucky enough to attend two years in a row. Last year I went on my own for my blog, but this year my company sent me for my job, though of course there was a lot there that was very insightful for blogging too. I have pages of notes I that I took throughout the day, but I don't want to bog you down with all of it at once, so if you're interested in hearing more about the conference and what I took away from it, I'd be happy to do a separate post about it. Just let me know if that's something you'd be interested in seeing.

A FEW THINGS I LEARNED AT SOCIAL SLAM

"Vision without action is hallucination." - @HowellMarketing

Headlines are very important. 5 times as many people read the headline as read the actual article/blog post.
Keep it simple, structure your content, and make it easy for people to read quickly.
Vary your content. Different people respond to different mediums. Test out different mediums until you find what works for your audience.
Don't let the quest for perfection keep you from starting.
It has to start with passion. Passion is what enables you to get up early and stay up late. Passionate people are more effective content creators.
Inform, educate, inspire, and entertain.

- @jeffbullas

"Community is at the heart of everything we do." - @GabrielleNYC

Dress: LOFT

Blazer: Lilly Pulitzer (here) (similar)

Shoes: Mix No. 6 (similar)

Necklace: c/o Charmaine Parker (similar)

Watch: Phosphor (here)

P.S. Anyone recognize this location? I was in Knoxville, so I figured I might as well stop at an old blog photo haunt for pictures! (Lots of pictures taken here)

Budgeting: March Breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:30:00 +0000

Saying I blew my budget in March would be a massive understatement. Let’s be honest... I was practically throwing money around this month. Even with the addition of $150 in birthday money, I was still way over budget. And if I’m being COMPLETELY honest, I do have a regret or two about my purchases. I did get a lot of great pieces this month, and the one thing that really blew my budget was something completely unexpected to find at the end of the month, but something that I will love, treasure, and wear for a very long time, which makes it worth it.

Two | Three | Four | Eight | Nine

I bought 4 things from Forever21 this month. I went in with a mission the first time and came out with only the three things I went in for. I call that a freakin’ miracle. That place is like impulse buying candyland. I did see the polka dot vest while I was in there the first time, but I passed and only went back for it when I was still thinking about it and envisioning ways to style it two weeks later. I'm really looking forward to styling it as the weather warms up.

My regrets come in the form of two pairs of shoes. I bought them both at this fantastic local place that has discount shoes that come from big name retailers. I know that I’ll get wear out of both pairs, but if I had it to do over again I would probably have passed on both and unfortunately their return policy is exchange only, so won’t be returning them.

The big ticket item, I stumbled upon in a really lovely vintage shop in DC, called Junction. It’s a vintage red leather coat with a hood. It’s in amazing condition, and though it is missing the zip off lining, it’s still amazingly warm and stylish. I just couldn’t walk away from it, and Justin and Ashley agreed that it was too good to pass up. I know it’s a classic piece that I will wear for years to come, so I feel really good about the purchase even if it was a budget buster.

April is going to be a No Buy month. It was in my 2013 goals to have at least one No Buy month, possibly two. So thank you March Madness for deciding for me which month would be a No Buy. Excuse me while I unsubscribe to all of my store emails and put a repello charm on all malls.

I did well this month in the beauty department. I knew I was going to need to pick up my conditioner and toning mist this month, which are a bit pricey, but they both last a pretty long time so they aren't something I buy all that often. I picked up two of the new Revlon lip butters and a mini thing of perfume my mom bought be at Tjmaxx. So not to shabby there.

Beauty budget not too bad... clothing budget... can we just not talk about it?? How did you do this month?

I'm linking up with Franish's Budgeting Bloggers.

OOTD: Dinner in DC

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:20:00 +0000

This past weekend Justin and I headed to DC to see one of my friends from college get married. It was a gorgeous wedding, but more on that later. We flew up friday, checked in to our hotel, and headed straight out to meet one of my best friends are her girlfriend for dinner. This was my plane to dinner in the city outfit. Just changed by shoes on the way to the restaurant and threw of a coat and some jewelry and I was good to go. Just took these pictures with direction from the control freak that is me.

Tank Top: Splendid, via Hautelook

Blazer: Lilly Pulitzer (similar)
Jeggings: Jessica Simpson (here)

Coat: J. Crew Factory Outlet (similar)

Flats: Tahari, via Tjmaxx

Heels: BCBG Generation, via Marshall's (similar)

Necklace: 1928 Jewelry, belonged to my grandmother

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff, via Hautelook

5 Ways: Green Anthropologie Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This was definitely one of those days photography wise when I thought the pictures were not going to come out well at all, but I had already committed to the location, so I was just going to roll with it. Then I got home and saw them on my giant monitor and I was shocked at how well they looked. It's definitely hard sometimes to be photographer and subject. You really don't always know what you're going to get. This day in particular I tried a hand full of different angles to hedge my bets, but it is honestly crazy what slight change in angle can do for photo quality.

Dress: Anthropologie

Shirt: Target (here)

Tights: Unknown

Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

I am joining up with Franziska and Whitney again today for the 5 Ways Link-up. Today's link-up is for dress remixes. Here are few different ways that I styled this dress in the past. And a reminder to myself that it has been quite awhile since I wore this lovely green number. Click through for bigger pictures and outfit details!

5 Ways: Printed Top

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:39:00 +0000

I bought this shirt at a consignment shop in Dupont Circle in DC a few weeks before I moved back to Tennessee from DC. I just fell in love with it on the hanger, and it fit so well I knew I had to have it. I wore it once or twice, and then it just hung in my closet unworn for the most part until I included it in the 30x30 that I did in 2010. I have to say it hasn’t really gotten a lot of wear in the last year or so yet again. It’s such a beautiful print, but for some reason I always get blocked when trying to style it. Which is funny considering some of my favorite outfits have included this shirt.

Top: Nanette Lepore, from Secondi

Skirt: J Crew (here)

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, from Off 5th Ave

Belt: Forever21

Necklace: Portland, OR Gift Shop

Ring: Vintage Avon, belonged to my grandmother

I am joining up with Franziska and Whitney this week for the 5 Ways Link-up. Today's link-up is for top remixes. Here are few different ways that I styled this top in the past. Click through for bigger pictures and outfit details!

OOTD: Old & New

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:00 +0000

I have a few beautiful vintage items that I have a really hard time styling for some reason. This is one of them. I remember when Ashley and I found this at a little consignment store in DC and I instantly fell in love. But I've only worn it maybe three times since I bought... two years ago. I always look at it longingly, but can never figure out how to style or where to wear it. For some reason these polka dot jeans just called to it though... and I'm glad I listened, because... well... ADORABLE!

Do you have pieces that you have a hard time styling, but love too much to let go?

Top: Vintage, from Second Time Around

Tank Top: LOFT (here)

Jeans: Forever21 (here)

Shoes: Payless (here)

What I Wore Wednesday: The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde

And with Google Reader on it's way out, remember you can follow Pixie in Pumps on Bloglovin!

OOTD: Not Flattering

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:36:00 +0000

I do NOT like the way these pants fit... not to mention half the time I feel like I'm not wearing pants because they're so pale and practically look like my legs. Ladies and gents, my legs are practically this color... it comes with the ginger territory I guess.

Top: Tresics, via Backstreet Betty's

Pants: Target

Boots: Gianni Bini

Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (here)

Watch: Phosphor (here)

OOTD: Girls Night Out

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:13:00 +0000

One of my friends from out of town was visiting over the weekend and so we decided to get a few people together for girls night out, and then another friend was celebrating her birthday the same night, so we met up witha big group of people at a local pub. It was a fabulously good time all around. This is what I decided to wear. I took the outfit pictures before I finished my hair and makeup because I was losing light fast and I wanted to get pictures, but I took a picture of my finished hair and makeup after the fact. I would say I clean up nicely. haha.

Yesterday I turned 27... my how the years go by! I still can't believe I've been out of college for 5 years. Anyone else feel like their 20s are getting away from them?

Top: Forever21 (here)

Skirt: Lovemarks, from Backstreet Betty's (here) & (similar)

Tights: Unknown

Shoes: Steve Madden

OOTD: Add Spice to Casual

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:18:00 +0000

And my hair has a mind of its own. This is it without product and it looks like a puffskein. Yep my hair could be a pet out of Harry Potter. I'll get the hang of it one of these days.

So this is basically casual city. I had a really rough day the day before and I knew this wasn't going to be a much better one. But to keep this from being dull and boring, I threw on my bright blue blazer. Instantly this outfit has much more pizazz.

How do you spice up a casual outfit?

T-shirt: Nashville Charity

Jeans: Miss Sixty

Blazer: Lilly Pulitzer (similar)

Shoes: TOMS (similar)

Belt: Unknown

Ring: Raven Talon Ring, Jewelmint

February on Instagram

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

OOTD: Weekend Wear

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:35:00 +0000

So my boyfriend, who has asked that I quit calling him "the boy", took these pictures. He's been asking if he could take pictures for me for awhile, and since I forgot my tripod on our little mini vacation I decided to let him. He did a pretty good job, though as I have previously stated I love taking my own pictures. It's probably my favorite part of blogging because I am so much prouder of my pictures when it was particularly difficult and then I get a wonderful shot.

Also, it was COLD AS CRAP over the weekend. We were staying on a boat on the river in downtown Chattanooga, the Delta Queen, and we decided it would be a good idea to ride the rental bikes around downtown instead of driving. Good in theory... not so much in practice when it is 30 something degrees and snowing. We do silly things. People were staring at us as we biked around all bundled up.

Sweater: GAP (here)
Jeggings: Jessica Simpson (here)
Scarf: TJMaxx
Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

OOTD: New Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Surprise! I cut over 10 inches off my hair! I've had long hair for as long as I've had this blog... and quite a few years before that too. I've been ready for a hair change for awhile, but just wasn't sure what to do. I've always loved short wavy bobs, but was always afraid that I'd look like Annie with one. Then I saw the beautiful Megan of Feathers & Freckles and it gave me hope that I could actually pull off a wavy bob. So I tweeted my amazing hairstylist Dennis at Kaleidoscope Salon to see what he thought. I think he might have been even more excited to cut my hair than I was to have it cut. Haha. It tured out really fantastic, and I am so glad I took the plunge. I'm still getting used to it and trying out different ways of styling it... i swear it has a mind of it's own! And there's a creepy ponytail of hair sitting on my ironing board waiting to be mailed to locks of love. Exhibit A:

Oh and I FINALLY bought a spare pair of glasses. Coastal.com had a code for a free pair of glasses on your first purchase on their site (still might be going on. I'm not sure. The code was FIRSTPAIRFREE). After my last pair of glasses split down the middle while I was out shopping and I had to have them taped back together for weeks until I could get new ones, I knew I needed to get a spare pair. I was nervous about buying glasses online, but I really like this! Its fun to change up my glasses now and then! I especially love that they have a multiplication symbol on one side and a division symbol on the other... such a math nerd!

Top: LOFT

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Jacket: Big Chill Vintage

Scarf: LOFT

Boots: Seychelles

Glasses: Derek Cardigan 7009 Fuchsia, Coastal.com

My Top 5 Red Lipsticks Picks

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

This winter has been the winter of red lipstick for me. I know that this isn’t a new trend and basically everyone wears dark lips in the winter, but I haven’t always been one for a bold lip. Up until last year I only actually had one red lip product which was a red lipstick I bought for a photoshoot. Funny story... it’s still a favorite.

Most of the products I picked are actually lipsticks, or some incarnation of a lipstick, though I threw in one stain, and a few glosses and a lip liner made it into honorable mentions. They vary between true red, cool tone, and warm tone reds and are a mix of finishes as well. That’s part of what makes red lipstick so fun. It seems like no two reds are the same, and each has it’s place in your beauty arsenal. I’ve swatched all five together so you can see just how varied the tones and finishes are.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (#040 Red Velvet)

At first I wasn’t really that big of a fan of this particular shade of the Revlon Lip Butters, but I threw it in my purse one day and found that I was reaching for it more than I thought I would. It is the deepest of my favorites and the most blue toned. It leans a little bit to the berry side. I’m pretty sure by this point most people have tried the Revlon Lip Butters, so it probably goes without saying that they are moisturizing (though not so much so that they replace lip balm) and have great color payoff. This one in particular is a wonderful buildable color. You can put one layer on and get a nice deep red, but then if you apply another layer or two you get a really deep vampy red, which is part of why I keep reaching for it. It doesn’t have great staying power, but that’s sort of part for the course with this type of formula.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick (#302 Sunset Red)

This was that first red lipstick I ever bought for a photoshoot back in 2010. I remember we spent a good hour in the store looking at and comparing red lipsticks to find the one that was right for my skintone. I had no idea at that point that reds came in cool or warm tones. But clearly we picked well because it has been an enduring favorite. It’s a true red that’s actually rather dark on it’s own, but lately I nearly always wear this paired with Covergirl’s Lip Perfection Lip Liner in #215 Passion, which is more orange toned. The combination seems to balance out to a really lovely shade of red. Even my grandmother who has been wearing only red lipstick for decades asked about this combination because she deemed it “the perfect red lip.” It has the most matte finish of any of my favorites and the staying power is pretty great on it’s own, but pair it with lip liner and it’s on for the long haul!

Too Faced La Creme (Stiletto Red)

Described as a rich and creamy lip color infused with moisturizing and strengthening benefits, this is definitely one of the most hydrating red lip products I own. It can easily replace my lip balm, but still have amazing color pay off that makes it more like a lipstick. It has a vague fruity scent, sort of like Starburst candy, but that could just be that I’ve been eating too many Starbursts lately. It’s a blue toned red, that leans a tad bit pink on me. This is probably the most everyday wearable of all of my favorite reds. It has a beautiful glossy balmy, finish with surprisingly good staying power.

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick (Fierce)

This one applies like a dream. Seriously it is so smooth and creamy. I can’t say that it lives up to the claim of 12-Hour staying power, it probably lasts more like 4-Hours max. It has a creme finish that gets more matte as it wears. It also seems to begin to feel a bit tacky after an hour or so of wear. The biggest downside to this lipstick is that it travels like crazy. It ends up on my chin or hand and definitely all over my food, drinkware, and boyfriend’s face. I haven’t tried it with a lip liner yet to see if that helps with the staying power or traveling, but for now it’s definitely not a date night dinner lipstick.

It is by far the brightest of my favorite reds, and the only truly orange toned one. I tend to stay away from orange toned lipsticks, and if I hadn’t gotten this one in a Glossybox, I would have probably bought it’s blue toned sibling Wild. That said it’s nice to have a red that’s distinctly different from the others in my collection.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain (#190 Endless Red)

This is the only non-lipstick product in the top 5, though it’s a little on the liquid lipstick side of glosses/stains. It has a very interesting texture. I’ve heard it compared often to the YSL Glossy Stains, but I’ve never tried those, so I can’t say for sure. When first applied it feels sort of slick, like a thin gloss, but quickly starts to dry to a jelly-like texture. I tend to put on two to three coats of this to build up the color. It does leave behind a slight stain to your lips when you take it off, but I wouldn’t put it in the same category as true lip stains. It’s a slightly orange toned red, but becomes closer to a true red the more layers you build up. I do find that you have to be careful when building up the layers, because it can get a bit patchy.

Honorable Mentions

I have three honorable mentions for red lip products. The first is my most used lip liner, Covergirl Lip Perfection Lip Liner (#215 Passion), I find that I put this under practically any red lipstick or gloss. It’s such a bright orange toned red that it gives an extra punch to any red you pair with it. Inversely, a gloss that I love to top reds with is the Make Up Forever Glossy Full Couleur (#43 Moulin Rouge). It has great color payoff of on it’s own, but also lends itself well to adding shine to true and orange toned reds. The Stila Lip glaze (#C5 Holly) on the other hand is a gloss I wear on its own, or sometimes over that Covergirl lip liner. It has amazing color payoff and staying power, even if it is a rather sticky gloss.

What are some of your favorite red lip products? Have you tried any of these, what did you think of them?

Budgeting: February Breakdown

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:30:00 +0000

I know I didn't post January's budget breakdown, but it would have come too soon on the heels of my budget breakdown explanation or too close to this post. So I just skipped it. I did pretty well in January actually. February on other hand... I didn't do so well in February... I definitely took a chunk out of my budget and I really don't have that much to show for it clothing wise. I did better budget wise on beauty, but I definitely went through some of that Sephora money I got for Christmas.

[ One | Two ]

Both of these items are things that I have been on the hunt for, so it was money spent on the right things. The cobalt blazer was actually pretty great deal considering that it originally cost $178. I found it on the clearance rack and just loved the fit and since I have been on the hunt for a bright colored blazer, I knew it was coming home with me.

[ One | Two | Three | Four | Five ]

I went to Sephora to try out a few new lip product formulas and ended up coming home with three new red lip colors... I think i'm obsessed with red lips. But luckily I was armed with Christmas gift cards. I got a a lot of Sephora gift card money. haha. And then a week later they released the new Disney princess collection. This one is Jasmine, and my boyfriend and I love Aladdin, so I really wanted to get something and the perfume was right up my alley, so I cashed in some more gift card money. Now I think I'm gonna have to put myself on a no buy for makeup for awhile. Even if I didn't take a chunk out of my actual budget, I spent way too much this month on beauty products.

Are you doing any kind of budgeting challenge or restriction this year? If so how did you do?

I'm linking up with Franish's Budgeting Bloggers. Go check out how other bloggers did this month.

OOTD: Sunset Orange

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:15:00 +0000

Saturday was a much warmer day in comparison to the last couple of weeks, so I busted out the flip flops because I'm tired of wearing the same five pairs of flats all the time. I spent my Saturday doing laundry and making appointments to get estimates for new windows at the home show in town. It always feels weird to do serious adult things like that. Doesn't help that on the way into the home show a man giving out tickets for a prize drawing hesitated to give me a ticket asking, "are you an adult?" Seriously? I'll be 27 next month and I own a home... aren't we past this whole everyone thinking I look like I'm twelve? About four years ago someone actually offered me a kids menu in all seriousness at a restaurant. I thought my sister was going to pass out she was laughing so hard. Everyone always says I'll appreciate it when I'm older and I'm sure I will, but for now it's just a little annoying.

Top: LOFT

Pants: Target (similar)

Shoes: Lilly Pulitzer (similar)

Watch: Phosphor (here)

OOTD: Little Black Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Some days I really question my sanity in thinking blogging is fun. This was one of those days. I was shivering from head to toe on a deserted beach in February dodging goose poop with every step (There's a great outtake on my Facebook Page). It was interesting. You also can't see all of the CREEPY geese hanging out just out of frame. I don't like geese.... I was chased by one when I was a little girl. Those birds are MEAN.

Anyways... as you have noticed there's not little black bag in this post. So what's up with the title? Well you guys have probably heard of the subscription service Little Black Bag. If not, the gist is you pick an item out of the gallery, pay the $49.95 for the box (aka the bag), and get to see the 2-3 mystery items the site adds to your bag. Then you can trade with other users to get different items you might want. Many people have explained this more eloquently than I (i.e. Jen).

I'm hot and cold about the site honestly. If you like to change up your handbags often or just love handbags or jewelry, then you'll probably really love the site. I think most people choose a handbag for their item they know they'll get. I've gotten some really nice things through the site, and everything has been pretty good quality too. I traded hard for this scarf actually. It was in my latest box. I don't get a box very often because it is pricey, but every now and then I'll see something I really want and give it a go. It's kind of fun to trade with other users, like a game... where you pick the prizes.

Top: Thrifted, from Goodwill

Jeggings: Jessica Simpson (similar)

Jacket: Big Chill Vintage

Scarf: Cejon, from Little Black Bag

Shoes: Lower East Side, from Payless (here)

This is not a sponsored post and I have never received anything from Little Black Bag that I did not pay for with my own money.

OOTD: Finding the Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:08:00 +0000

Finding a balance in my life has been quite a chore. I feel like I am finally adjusted to my new job and having a job where I go to work and come home at basically the same time every day. So I've added in working out and photography classes, hanging out with the boy and friends when schedules match up. I'm starting to get the hang of squeezing in blog pictures when I can and writing posts on my lunch breaks and in the evenings/weekends. I still have a list of post ideas a mile long and a ton of work to do on my house, but I do feel like I have a hold on things finally. Life is quite full these days. It's definitely a nice change, but it has taken a lot of adjustment.

When do you guys write your blog posts? I've always been curious how others weave blogging into their daily routines.

Top: Target (here)

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Belt: American Eagle

Shoes: Steve Madden

I actually started the day out wearing this, but then I decided that even with tights this skirt was far far too short for the daytime. I liked the outfit, but the cover of darkness is needed to keep this from slipping to the streetwalker side of the scale.

Skirt: J. Crew

Tights: We Love Colors (here)

Shoes: Naturalizer

OOTD: Raven Talon? Ravenclaw!

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 14:50:00 +0000

Apparently this was don't look at the camera day.

So can I just point out that I am a huge Harry Potter nerd and I might have bought this ring based at least 50% on the face that it is called the Raven Talon ring... and I'm a Ravenclaw. Yeah. That did happen. I might have even worn it when the boy and I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter because I felt it was only right. And funny enough this isn't the only Harry Potter-esque jewelry I own. I have a necklace, bracelet, another ring... and I even got the boy deathly hallows cufflinks. Should I stop talking? Probably a good idea....

Collared Shirt: Isabella Sinclair, from Anthropologie

Sweater: LOFT

Capris: Paper, Denim, & Cloth, from Tjmaxx (similar)

Shoes: Tahari, from Tjmaxx

Necklace: LOFT (similar)

Ring: Jewelmint (Raven Talon Ring)

Red Lipstick: Tarte (Fierce) (here)

OOTD: Refreshing Red

noreply@blogger.com (Pixie in Pumps) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:43:00 +0000

Alright this day was a lot of firsts. First foray back to taking picture out in public spaces. First time fitting a outfit pictures into my lunch break (seriously Kimmie, you do this all the time?) First time using a gray card. And first time using my my f1.4 lens for outfit pictures. Probably shouldn't have tackled them all at once. haha.

Time and working with a new lens meant sacraficing detail shots. Sorry about that. But the gray card made editing RIDICULOUSLY easy. I mean seriously how did I never white balance before. And I am happy to be out of the backyard. I just think it makes taking the pictures and the pictures in general more interesting. I'm looking forward to more daylight after work, so I can take my time and utilize some of the locations I have filed away on my route home.

So these pants were a bit washed out after a year or so, and they just did not look good anymore. I grabbed a bottle of rit dye and refreshed them and now I think I like them even better than I did when I bought them! They're so bright!

Sweater: Target (here)

Pants: Jessica Simpson (refreshed with Scarlet RIT Dye) (here)

Shoes: Tahari, from T.J.Maxx

Necklace: Mikimoto (similar)

Watch: Phosphor (here)