Movember.

November is one of my favorite months for many reasons (the weather, getting into the holiday season, etc), but one of the top reasons is No Shave November.  Something about a guy with facial hair... nom.  I do like a bit of scruff to be honest, it's just so ~manly~ i suppose. ;)

Not only do i enjoy the men participating in No Shave November/Movember getting scruffier as the month goes on, but i think it's awesome that it raises awareness for men's health (prostate cancer, etc.) as well.

Movember has an official website on which you can donate money, learn more about the cause, participate, etc.!

Since i cannot grow a beard or a mustache of any kind, i thought i could kind of show my support through these quirky little earrings (above :).  I think they're adorable & they were only $5.50 from Claire's, woop.

Hope you're all having nice weekends. ♥

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away?  Crazy how fast time flies!

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Forever 21 and H&M purchases.

I've been wanting to stop by H&M for ages and finally went today.  It seems like it's the one store accessible to me that's in my price range & that carries clothes that are more 'me'.  I find that for fashion and styling and such, i really don't look to bloggers here in the US, but more in the UK, it's just my personal taste & what appeals to me!  So it helps that H&M also carries the same clothes (for the most part) in every country, so if i see a blogger/Youtuber wearing something from H&M that i really like but doesn't live in the US, i can most likely find the item and get it for myself!

I love that H&M's overall style is chic & polished, but still young & fun.  I spent about almost two hours in there and found so many great pieces, sucks i had to narrow my picks down!  Maybe another payday....

Sheer 3/4-length sleeve blouse - $29.95, mint green cardigan - $19.95

Can't have too many sheer blouses can you?  Think this top will look amazing with dark wash skinny jeans & flats in the fall with a cute bag.  Actually had to get it in a size 4 since it was a bit too floaty... too much floatiness on me makes me look/feel really large!  I always seem to buy a cardigan when i go into H&M, and this time i got this mint green colored one.  I don't have a cardigan this color, think it's quite nice. :)

Aztec print cropped sweaters - $29.95 each

When i spotted this on display, i was like 'oooh, Lily totally has this!' so basically i was sold.  Got it in both colors in size 12 so they're a bit bigger.  They're super soft & i cannot wait to wear these!

Peach/white/black/pink striped high-waisted shorts - $12.95

These look a bit strange in the photo, but IRL they look kinda cool.  When they're on, they are flowy & almost look like a high-waisted skirt, i think these would look nice with leggings & a cardigan as well during the colder months.

Clock ring - $5.95, purple cracked stone ring - around $5 (came with another ring but the stone was missing so i got 10% off)

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Forever 21

I recently made another Forever 21 order and didn't pick up too much, as i'm trying to save my money a bit (as you can probably tell, it's not working out too well :P).  I got a lace cardigan kinda thing but i didn't even include it in this post because i'm just returning it!  I saw they've opened a store on Oxford Street in London and it seems like the overall feelings toward it are disappointment, and a lot of people do seem to like just the jewelry.  Thought that was quite interesting, i remember when so many people were excited when they heard 21 was coming to the UK.  I think Forever 21 can be quite a hit & miss really.

I'm dying to have stores like New Look or Primark (i can dream.......) open up over here.  I think i would die!  Or just be completely broke.

Fringe top - $17/18, feather & chain earrings - $5.80

The earrings are about 10" long, so i thought they would look quite cool with my hair down, since they would kind of blend in with my hair!  Finally have some feather earrings in my collection. :)  The fringe top i'm actually wearing today, very oversized & comfy, but it's made of rayon so it's a bit clingy!  Really like it though, glad it's a bit longer as a lot of tops out at the moment are cropped.

Rosary - $4.80/5.80

Probably my favorite item i got, been wearing it with everything!

Feather necklace - $4.80

Considering returning this actually, the feather tends to stick out and it's just not what i thought it was going to be i guess!

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Necklace storage

Two Christmases ago, my sister gave me an Urban Outfitters gift card and i just used it last week... pathetic, i know!  I'd been looking for a better way to store and display my necklaces for the longest time (they were all tucked away in a drawer before) and i've finally found something i really like.  It's this Birdcage Jewelry Display from Urban Outfitters - there were two colors to choose from, white and gold, but i went with white as it will go with a lot more and i think it looks a bit nicer!  It has fourteen staggered hooks which fit all my necklaces (doubled up, of course ;).  It also has bars going across the top where you can store dangly earrings & such, but i only have two pairs of them so i thought i would leave them with the rest of my earrings. :)

I sound like such a saleslady, but i really do think it goes so well with my room and it's just super adorable. I was a bit appalled that shipping was $10 (which took up half of my gift card amount -_-).  It did arrive at my house quite quickly and unharmed though, so that's a thumb's up from me.  The birdcage storage was $30, which i think is quite reasonable as it is really nice quality & i think i'll use it for years to come.

How do you store your necklaces/jewelry?

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Thrifty Finds

I apologize for the second 'haul'-type post in a row, i just thought i'd share with you all what bargains i've gotten recently!  I've mentioned before that i work at a thrift store that's about five or so minutes away from my house, and when it's a slow night or while i'm cleaning/organizing i like have a little look around.  Lately, we've had a lot of clothes and bits & bobs that have caught my eye, and of course i've ended up picking them up most times! Thankfully, all the prices are super reasonable and i do get a 50% discount on clothes, otherwise i would be breaking the bank!

I urge you ladies to check out your local thrift stores/secondhand shops if you're looking to spice up your wardrobe or room a bit, but don't want to spend too much money. :)

Cross pendant necklace - $1.99, turquoise stone necklace - $3.49, heart crystal necklace - $1.49 

 Brand spankin' new canvas shoes - originally $1.99 per pair, bagged both for $1.99 :)

 Tapestry bag with longer strap - $2.99

 '80s-esque geometric-y skirt - originally $2.99, bought for 50% off

Mirrored, spinny, metal, tray thing (which i have put most of my earrings & brooches on) - $3.99

Candy dish, not sure what i'm going to use this for yet but it's pretty :) - $1.49-1.99ish

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Jewelry storage bits & bobs.

Working at my local thrift store has it's perks: getting a 50% discount on already super cheap stuff and being constantly surrounded by clothes, accessories, and stuff for around the house.  We were having a really slow night last night so i decided to look around for some bits & pieces i could use to help organize my jewelry better.  I've been having countless problems with the way i store my jewelry lately, it's so unorganized, everything gets tangled or lost, it's hard to look for something you want, etc.  Although i haven't completely solved this problem, i purchased two things to help sort it out a bit.

The first thing i found was this shallow, little box.  It has a grippy sort of bottom to it, which really helps the earrings stay in place.  It is a bit small to fit all of my earrings, but it fits a majority of the studs and is actually really handy when i'm in a hurry in the morning.  I believe this was only about 99c, but as i mentioned before i get a 50% off discount, so this was definitely an absolute bargain!

The second and last thing i bought was this dainty, little dish that i use as a ring-tray-sorta-thing.  I like to display my jewelry, not just because it makes my room a bit prettier, but because it is soo much easier than having to go through drawers & such to pick out what you want to wear for the day.  It goes with my room as well, so yeah. :)

How do you ladies store your jewelry?  Any tips would be much appreciated. <3

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Rings, Glorious Rings :) & Inception!

I went shopping downtown with my sister a few weeks ago, where we stopped at PacSun.  I don't normally shop at PacSun, but i had a gift card that i still needed to use up.  I wandered in there and nothing really made a huge impression on me - there was this adorable floral crop top that i wanted, but even with the gift card, it was a bit out of my price range!

I wandered over to the little jewelry section & hidden behind a deep stack of some fairly pretty rings was this beauty!:

I was immediately attracted to the sparrow ring (in the middle), and then after i calmed myself down a bit haha, i came to really like the other two rings on either side of it.  I also really love the color, it's more of a warm goldy-bronze, which i enjoy & wear much more than a cold silver.
I absolutely love wearing jewelry with cute little animals on them, especially my signature owl ring! :)

Post on these nails here :)

Since the three rings aren't attached, you can mix & match the rings, by wearing just one or two at a time, or wearing them on different fingers - which is super fun & versatile! :)

This set of rings was around $6.50-$7.00, not including the gift card - basically a steal!

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I honestly cannot believe i didn't mention this in my last post, but i saw Inception on Friday (opening) night and i have not stopped thinking (or tweeting about it ahh!) since!  It was absolutely incredible, spectacular, brilliant, fantastic ahhh - the whole idea of it, the cast, the effects, the score..everything about it was just stunning.  I think it's safe to say that it's now my favorite film of all time ♥.  Definately go see it when you get the chance!!

I should also let you girlies know that i'm babysitting my cousin everyday this week, so i may not get around to posting a lot - i promise i'll try to put something up if i can!

Hope you are all having a lovely Sunday :)

Formspring / Twitter

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Jewelry & Accessory Storage! ♥

This post will be a picture-heavy one, showing you lovelies how i store my jewelry & accessories!

I keep a majority of it on top of my dresser, as shown above :)

I'll go into specifics of what is stored where, and i'll try to make it brief!

Oh, and i apologize in advance for all the weird colors going on in the photos of this post..i couldn't take a decent shot of anything for the life of me today :/

Let's get started!

This little stackaroo from Walmart is what i used to store my makeup in, until it didn't fit anymore haha.  Sure it's really not the prettiest thing to store jewelry in, but i can see everything i have easily & it gets the job done.

In the first drawer, i keep pins & brooches - it's definitely the prettiest drawer :)

In the next drawer down, i keep all my earrings.  I keep the bigger studs down toward the front, my dangly/hoop ones in the back right corner, and the smaller studs in a box so they don't roll around & get lost.

This next drawer contains the bracelets i don't wear as often & my SillyBandz teehee :D

The fourth drawer doesn't contain much, but i keep the loose pendants & things to be repaired in here.

The last drawer contains my other pins & badges.

On the left is a vintage jewelry holder, with some jewelry from my aunt in there.  In the "sweet" jar, i have Werther's caramel candy :) hehee.  In the little circular jar, i keep the backs of my earrings - this container is actually from Chile, my dad brought it back for me :).

Next to the drawer-unit, i keep my Lush goodies in this really lovely floral bowl from Goodwill.

Over to the right, i keep my Yankee Candle diffuser (mmmmm ♥), a gold basket of more jewelry, my everyday sunglasses, a watch, my pearl earrings from China, and a random necklace.

In this basket (from an estate sale), i keep the jewelry i wear most often & my rings.  I like to keep it out here instead of in the plastic drawers because it's all laid out for me & i can quickly pick out what i'm going to wear that day.

In the top drawer of my dresser, right below everything i just talked about, i keep my sunglasses, safety pins, hair ribbons, bracelets i rarely wear, & necklaces that don't fit with the rest of my necklaces.

In my closet, which is right to the left of my dresser with all the things above, i keep my necklaces.  They're hung on the wall with push-pins.  I really need to find a better way to store these babies!

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Hope you ladies are all enjoying your Thursdays! :)

Formspring / Twitter

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My Favorite Jewelry Pieces ♥

This post is just going to be on my favorite jewelry pieces in my collection.  I'll put a little description of each & i'll try to be brief as to not bore you all! :)

I also want to add quickly that i hit 300 followers yesterday!  That's honestly insane & i love each and every one of you, i really do :).  Cyber-hugs? :D ♥

This is an overview of my faves :)

I love everything girly and quirky, and i gravitate towards gold the most.  I love pearls and cameos, and i love sparkle.  I absolutely adore anything vintage as well, and a lot of my favorites are from my auntie & grandma ♥

Let's get onto it!

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NECKLACES

1. The pendant on this necklace is from the Washington National Cathedral & was one like $2!  I put it on a chain i had & i bring this necklace everywhere with me - like a good luck charm i suppose :)

2. This heart locket necklace was a gift from my parents, it has a longer chain & i just think it's so pretty.

3. I felt the need to include a statement necklace & this is it!  I got this from my aunt.  It's massive (which i love hehe) & i rarely wear it, but i think it's a really cool piece.

4. This necklace is from Charlotte Russe & i got it after i saw a photo of Demi Lovato wearing a similar necklace (because i'm lame ;).  It adds a bit of interest to a would-be boring outfit :)

5. This necklace was a gift from another aunt & it's really subtle, but very pretty.  It says 'dream' on it, which might be a bit tacky to some people, but i actually love it - it also has two little crystal charms.

6. This is a cameo locket from Forever 21 - it has a chain, but it broke =/.  It's still a fave & it came with bow and rose charms - super cute!

7. This is a vintage pendant from my grandma & i think it's absolutely gorgeous, i prefer this over my Forever 21 one :)

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RINGS

L-R

1. This owl ring from PacSun is really quirky & pretty and i always get compliments on it!

2. I got this rose ring from my sister just yesterday, and it's already one of my faves!  It makes my hands look feminine & i just adore it hehe :)

3. I got this super beat-up ring from an estate sale - it's so sparkly & unique, and i love it, missing rhinestones & all :)

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BRACELETS

L - R & no, i don't wear these all at once ;)

1. The "Laura" bracelet my friend made for me :)  I adore it & it fits my wrists perfectly!

2. This pearl bracelet i got from Boston Store is all one piece & it used to have a flower on it, but it fell off within 24 hours of getting it =/ - still pretty & feminine :)

3. This dolphin hinge bracelet is so pretty!  I got it from Goodwill & i always get people approaching me & asking if they can try it on..haha :)

4. I just got this last bracelet from Summerfest last Thursday & i've been wearing it since.  I just love it :)  Reminds me of that amazing night whenever i look at it ♥

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BROOCHES/PINS

1. I call this lovely lady on the left my "Lady GaGa" pin!  I absolutely lovelovelove it.  I got it from my aunt & i can really spice up a plain blazer or sweater!

2. The bumblebee pin on the top right i got from Goodwill & i really love it - it's so cute!

3. The crown pin i just think is really pretty & yeah :)

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EARRINGS

1. My dad brought these pearl earrings back from China and gave them to me as a gift when i was younger.  I absolutely love them ♥.

2 & 3. I made both pairs of these earrings myself out of buttons :) They can both add a little bit of interest & quirkiness to an outfit.

4. I got these earrings from my aunt - they're clip-on, which can give my ear / head region a bit of an ache, but they are absolutely gorgeous.

5. I got these rose earrings from Forever 21 in a set with #7, and they are super pretty & girly :)

6. These ladybug earrings from Claire's are super old, but soo adorable!

7. These are my go-to earrings.  They always, always in my ears, unless i take them out to put other ones in of course :)

♥

DIY: Earrings, Hair Accessories, & Phone Case :)

This past weekend i was inspired by Lisa & Katie to make cute little things to wear and to put around my room.  I was feeling super crafty & ended up making some things i'm quite proud of :)

Crafting is a fantastic alternative to going out and buying jewelry & hair accessories - because it saves you money and it's also a fun hobby to do over the weekend or whenever you fancy :)

I made an assortment of bows, flowers, & a lone strawberry for my hair as well as earrings.

How i made the cuties!:

I made the bows out of ribbons & hot glued clips that i already owned to the back.

I made the flower clips for my hair by snipping off flowers from this fake bouquet we had around the house & hot glued them to clips.

I made the strawberry clip out of felt.  I sewed the main red part to the green stem, and then sewed little bits with white thread on the red part to look like seeds.  I then hot glued the finished strawberry to a clip.

To make the earrings i found buttons that my mom keeps in a huge container (it's a massive collection from over the years) and found matching ones.  I then hot glued the backs (more toward the top so it kind of hangs off the ear more) to earrings i don't wear anymore :)

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ignore my cracked Crackberry :O

Oh!  And i also made this little phone case that i was originally just going to make into a plushie, but discovered my phone would fit in it, so i chopped off what would've been his ears & just sewed around the body, leaving the top open to slide my phone in :).  I wanna name him!  I just can't think of a name...my phone's name is Daisy so it would be cute if they kind of went well together!  Suggestions?  :)


:) Twitter / Formspring

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Vintage haulage :)

My dear grandmother watched (& i'm not quite sure how..haha) my jewelry collection and storage video, and after discovering my interest in jewelry, she has sooo lovely given me a few of her pieces.  One of my aunts has also given me jewelry..they are both such amazing people (and not just because they're giving me gorgeous things hehe) ♥

My grandma also gave me a cameo pendant that i put on a chain from one of my Forever 21 necklaces.  I think it's soo classy and pretty.  I love the detailing of her hair and the gold/copper tones of it.  Cameo necklaces are my faaav :)

I am such a pin person.  I put them on blazers, cardigans, you name it, i bedazzle it :)

I hate that Picnik makes the quality of your photos worse than they actually are when you want to make a collage and don't have a premium account grrr.

Anyway, these are clip-on earrings that i usually wouldn't go for, but i actually really like these.  My grandma said that these can also be put on shoes :)

This has to be one of my favorite pieces that i was given.  It is absolutely gorgeous, it's adjustable to fit my tiny wrists without falling off, and to my surprise, all of the little stones are still in place (the jewelry with rhinestones in it that i have have been such low quality).

This necklace goes with the cuff above and omg so gorgeous.  I feel like i don't have any event to go to worthy of wearing this to tbh haha.  My grandma also gave me this display mannequin thingy which is really awesome because i want to take special care of it ya know? :)

More sparkly things eeeeeeeeee :)

I couldn't get a decent photo of these earrings so i thought i'd just take a photo while i have them on.  These earrings are clip-on as well and i absolutely LOVE how they hang on the ear.  They are sparkly and gorgeous and i just love them ♥

Even more sparkle!  Haha :)

This is a pin as well, and i think it's soo pretty.  It will look amazing on my blazer!

This pin is my Auntie Pearl, she got it from her boyfriend when she was twenty, making it sixty years old.  I think that's so amazing, and it's sooo lovely of her to give me this piece that must've meant a lot to her.

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Some extra bits:

A big, blue, velvet jewelry case.  Really nice actually, it looks pretty and it's a really good place to put those fragile but special pieces :)

Aghhhhh i was going totally bananas when i opened the envelope that contained these absolutely stunning photos of Marilyn Monroe.  Not only are they gorgeous, they go with my room perfectly and are such a collector's item.

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I cannot tell my grandma and aunt how much i appreciate their generosity.  I'm soo thankful.  I'll be sure to take care of these pieces to preserve them and someday pass them on to my children.

♥