Today we went to a 1-year old's birthday party. It's my husband's cousin's son - so that makes him a 1st cousin once removed if you want to be technical about it. Although, I consider their children our niece and nephew. Considering it's a one year old, I whipped out my flats. I got these in San Francisco, and they're just adorable, no? And I figured I would get in touch with my little boy side by sporting a little camo and some chunky chain jewelry. You wanna check out the party?
Yep, even mommy is sporting a mustache scarf. It was gifted to her, but a super similar, if not the exact one, is available here.
Naturally, he stripped down to his birthday suit for cake time!
So much fun! Between you and me, it's awesome to be on the other side of the camera every once in awhile! Although, taking photos of toddlers is a challenge because you have to take 25 pictures to find that one good one when nothing is moving or blurry! Oh and, that choco-stache was amazing. Kind of wishing I had another one right now! (Clearly my belly has recovered from the Thanksgiving food hangover.) Hope your weekend is full of fun also!
Oh hey! Before I forget - the Holiday Style Link-Up series starts on Monday, December 2nd!! It's not to late to participate! Hope to see you there!
Has everyone survived Black Friday? I did end up venturing out this morning. No, not for flooring or paint, I just wanted the good ole fashioned mall. I usually go around 6am or so, but this year, my plan was to be at the mall by 8am. It's amazing how much Black Friday has evolved over the years, with everything being available via the internet now. To be quite honest, all of my Black Friday finds I bought prior to today because each retailer had already started their Black Friday discounts.
1. Necklace: Stella & Dot (Sold out) - Extra 25% off sale items, Reg. $298 for $111.75. You have no idea how excited I was to see this on sale finally! I've been lusting after it basically since I first even learned Stella and Dot existed. I've been admiring it from afar, and every once in awhile I will visit it on the website. I squealed when I saw it was now a sale item, and with the Black Friday extra 25% off discount, I was able to snag this for a little over a third the original price. SO EXCITED.
2. Small foldover wallet:Kate Spade - Up to 75% off surprise sale, Reg. $78 for $39. I visited Kate Spade's website last night to see if they mentioned what their Black Friday sale was going to be. That's when I stumbled upon the surprise sale. The one thing I've been wanting is just a small card wallet. I switch purses so many times nowadays that I usually grab my license and a couple credit cards from my larger wallet/clutch and just loosely throw them in one of my purse pockets. I figured it'd probably be best to get a small card wallet that could easily fit in any of my purses, big or small. And you know how much I love cobalt.
3. Full Zip Fleece:The North Face - via Dick's - Up to 30% off, Reg. $99 for $69.98. This sale I learned about from a commercial as I was watching TV last night recovering from my food coma. I have a couple North Face fleeces that I love, and decided to snag another while it was on sale. Since I already have a black one and a baby blue one, I thought brown would be a good addition to my collection. The husband ended up getting one as well for a similar discount.
4. Sequin Mini:Express - 50% off everything, Reg. $59.90 for $29.95. Express has been running their half off sale all week, and it was difficult to stay away from it! A friend of mine got this mini some time ago; I have been loving it for so long that I figured at half off, it was time to pull the trigger.
5. Colorblock Sweatshirt:Express - 50% off everything, Reg. $39.90 for $19.95. I don't have a back story around this sweatshirt other than the fact that I love anything colorblock and it just looks cozy.
6. Plaid Coat:Express - 50% off everything, Reg. $198 for $99. I originally saw this coat in this post over at On the Daily Express. How freaking awesome is it on Style Me Grasie?? I ordered it and then ended up trying it on in the store afterwards, and it's just adorable. The perfect fall/winter coat. It does run a bit big though, just FYI. I ended up getting an extra small, and I am almost always a small at Express.
Ok, so if I pre-ordered all that stuff before Black Friday was even here, then what the heck was I doing at the mall at 8am this morning? Well, I did want to check out all the other sales. The one thing I did buy ended up not even being a sale item, so I'm not sure I should even be classifying it as a legit Black Friday find. However, it definitely is worth mentioning, so here she is.
I feel like I own two different sizes of purses - ginormous carry all bags for work and small crossbody bags for when I want to run around hands free and travel light. My favorite one is my blue Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Karlie bag (other colors here), but I felt silly getting the exact same purse in a different color (I wanted a red one). I like that the MbMJ bag has a chain strap because I feel like that makes it easy to dress up and dress down. I was honestly thinking of getting a red Chanel wallet on a chain to complete my little Chanel trilogy, but they're very hard to come by, and well, they're pricey. I checked out the Chanel boutique inside Saks this morning, and as I suspected, they had exactly zero WOCs and the only small red bag they had was a little clutch without any straps. I've never owned a Gucci before, much less shopped for one. My sister is very much into the logo'd bags, but I never was. However, this little guy caught my eye. Perfect size, loved the chain (and that it looks different than a Chanel chain), and I loved the tassel detail (even though it's ginormous… ok, ok, *especially* because it's ginormous). Even though I was at Saks, I was able to use my Nordstrom Visa. My Nordies SA made today my triple points day, so I'll have some Nordies notes on their way to me as a result of this splurge. Yay and yay! This outfit was the same outfit I changed into last night for round 3 of Thanksgiving. Comfortable and cozy and easy to throw on first thing in the bitter cold morning to get my shop on. Hope your shopping day was just as productive and exciting!
I don't know about all of you, but I am absolutely stuffed. I feel like I have been putting food and drink in my belly non-stop since about 1 o'clock this afternoon. My tummy feels like it has an all over Charlie horse right now, and I could not possibly fit one more thing in there. Not even a pea! Guess that just means today was a success!
I have a lot to be thankful for - God, my family and friends, my health, my career, my closet room - but right now I want to thank all of you! I am not breaking records by any means, but I am amazed and grateful everyday by my readers. Even if you're not an active commenter and you're simply adding to my page view stats - it makes this blogging thing even more worthwhile. I've never really had a true hobby before. I'm not crafty nor do I have a green thumb. This blog is my one creative outlet, my one stress reliever from work, and I am very thankful to share it with all of you! I thought I'd leave you with some of my accomplishments in this 10.3 months (but who's counting) I've had this little area of the internet carved out for me:
*First post published January 23, 2013.* *267 total published posts (that's a lot of outfits in there!)* *197 average page views per day* *5,925 average page views per month* *108 followers on Bloglovin'* *Started a Facebook page on November 10, 2013 with 102 likes* *Finally figured out how to be a Lucky Contributor.* *Eliminated the Captcha requirement for those of you who leave comments. This one might be my favorite :) *
One more thing -- although I admit it's not always unicorns and rainbows with the husband as my photographer - this blog would be nothing without his help and patience and support (and flexibility that allows me to shop!) So, everyone should thank the husband with me! Thank you, husband!
Hope you all had/are having a fabulous Thanksgiving! Thank you so so much for reading More Pieces of Me!
It took all my strength to wake up and get ready for work this morning. The husband took today off as a vacation day. I'm running pretty slim on vacation days since I have to save some for Christmas. Knowing today would be a short, easy, and quiet day, I decided to go ahead and just go in. But it was rough. On top of that, I hadn't picked out my outfit ahead of time, so I just kind of stood there in my closet room staring aimlessly waiting for inspiration to jump out at me. And it did - the frog. The frog jumped at me! This sweater is a hand me down from a good friend - it's cashmere and quirky, perfect for a half-ish day at work.
So, I haven't talked about Black Friday yet! Frankly, I have no business shopping on Black Friday considering how much shopping I've done the rest of the year, much less this week. I have a few things ordered and on their way to me, which I will have to summarize in a weekend post. For now, I thought I would share some of my if-money-were-no-object Black Friday wishes.
Click the thumbnail below for product information.
I have an iPad already - an iPad2, but the husband just got the Air and really likes it. A friend of ours is interested in buying mine should I upgrade… but it's kind of like buying a new car. Mine works, it's paid off, do I really want that car payment? If money were no object…
As I said yesterday, my black moto jacket from Express is getting lots of air time. The one I'm wearing today is also one of my favorites - it was a splurge a couple years ago, and I've worn it to death and will wear it until it's in shreds. It makes me want another moto jacket, but in oxblood. How many moto jackets does one *need* though is the question. If money were no object…
I need another purse like I need a hole in my head. And I need another Kate Spade product like I need a hole in my head. But gosh, isn't this Beau beautiful? Everytime I see it in the blogosphere, I just sigh. If money were no object…
I debated on these Manolos as a birthday present for myself this year. I ended up buying some animal print/studded Alice and Oliva pumps instead, but I can't stop thinking about these. AND Nordsrom just marked them down, but of course, they're only available in a size 8. I have my Nordstrom SA investigating my size. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be, and if money were no object…
So, what about you? What's on your list for yourself or others, whether that be real life or fantasy life?
In case you didn't catch that Mean Girls reference from my title, you can watch the scene here! You ever have one of those mornings where two thirds of your closet ends up on your bed? Yeah, that was me this morning. I had an outfit in mind, and of course in real life it was awful. I tried a second. Just as awful. I tried a third - the worst of them all. Sweaters, dresses, slips, scarves were being strewn everywhere. I felt like everything was unflattering on me.
Twenty minutes later, I decided to reach for my version of sweatpants - the maxi skirt. I struggle with wearing maxi skirts in the colder months because I never know what shoes to wear. I ended up going with my black Report Marks booties. They gave me height and blended with the skirt to where you really couldn't see them anyway. And if you couldn't tell, I'm in love with this moto jacket from Express (now half off!) It just fits so well and goes with everything - I'm so ridiculously glad I bought it! I love thinking how my price per wear lowers the more and more I put something on. I've got to be in the pennies by now with this jacket!
Oh, and this scarf! When I bought it, I liked it because of the red and black abstract pattern. I didn't realize until I was taking this off today that it's not so abstract. Love! Literally, love!
And that's all I have for you today. Just trying to get through this short week, which feels like 7 long regular weeks crammed 3 days! One more work day. One more work day...
I've had this thing for vests lately. I have no idea why. The JCrew Factory herringbone vest is everywhere in the blogosphere, and even though I never really wanted that specific one, I'm wondering if that has influenced my current vest obsession. And it's not even that I've been on a vest buying binge, because I haven't. At all. But I WANT a new one SO BAD. Specifically the one pictured above or pretty darn close to it.
I saw it on a lady at the airport a couple weeks ago. Sometimes I wish it would not be creepy to ask strangers if you could photograph them because their outfit rocks. She had the perfect travel outfit on - this vest over a striped long sleeve shirt, wine colored skinnies, and flat, neutral colored suede booties. I loved that the vest was quilted but not puffy. And I loved the wine colored collar. When I got home from the trip, I started a google search and happened to find, what I believe, is the exact vest she was wearing. Of course it's at Nordstrom, of course it was $180 (aka waaaaay more than I want to spend on a vest) and, even if I could stomach the money, of course it's not available in my size, or at all at this point.
Fast forward to today as I have to pick a work travel outfit. I realized I have a blue quilted vest with my company logo on it! It's not the Barbour vest, but it shall do for now so I could at least recreate the travel outfit I had seen on the stranger (hers was way better.)
Vest: From work, hence the blacked out logo | Top: Gap (option) | Skinnies: Express (option) | Booties:Sam Edelman | Bag:Lo & Sons
Yes, it's dark outside because I had to be up at 3am for a 6am flight!! Thank goodness it's a short week. Here's a close up of me and my OG bag which I just adore. It really needs its own dedicated post.
Hope you all are burning all your calories now to make room for the food coma later! So so close, can't wait!! By the way - the Holiday Style Link-up starts on Monday, December 2nd! It's never too late to participate! As you're thinking about what you're going to wear over the next few weeks, or if you simply want to document and share your Thanksgiving outfits - please be sure to link up on Monday when the theme will be Holiday Party Part 1: Casual Holiday Party or House Gathering!! Hope to see you there!
Remember that 30 x 30 post I put together last weekend about building your fall wardrobe? Well, I had featured an oatmeal colored cardigan similar to one I already owned. I had a few people ask me about the actual one I linked to in my post, and that's when I discovered it was from Modcloth. It was also when I discovered that I had a $40 credit at Modcloth that had been chillin in my account since over the summer. So, guess who ordered herself a new cardigan this week? I bought it in burgundy since, like I said, I already have something similar in oatmeal. I decided to wear it similar to how I styled it in the polyvore - over a striped dress with flat boots and a moto jacket. I love this outfit. It was perfect for Sunday shopping. Now go get yourself one of these cardigans, ok?
Before I get started, I just want to give a huge spoiler alert because I plan to go into detail about the concert. So, if you are going or planning to see the show and you want everything to be a surprise, then I suggest you stop reading right this second!
Still here? Ok then, don't say I didn't warn you!
HOLY WHOA the concert was amazing! I've been to all of his solo concerts to date - I've even been in the VIP section for one of them, which meant I got to touch him. Twice! But despite the touching, I have to say that this, by far, was his best solo concert ever. Oh, I don't know, it could be because he sang THIRTY ONE SONGS FOR THREE STRAIGHT HOURS!!! Ok, I'm exaggerating - it was not three *straight* hours, he did have a 10 minute intermission in there so everyone could catch their breath.
I don't even know where to start. I guess I will just use his set list as my guide, so to speak, and add commentary and video when appropriate. But let's talk about the seats first. Back up. Let's talk about the tickets first and how I got them. Welllll, I had already seen Justin in Chicago when he was with Jay Z over the summer. It wasn't until after I had already bought the Chicago tickets that the St. Louis date was released. I already ruled out going to the St. Louis show because it landed on the husband's birthday, and well, what husband really wants to spend his birthday at an ex boy band member's concert? Apparently *my* husband does because for *my* birthday, he bought me tickets to the show! And he picked seats that are in the perfect sweet spot that I like! We were two rows off the floor, and in the first section to the side of the stage so that we were close, but still able to see a full front view of the stage.
As soon as I saw our seats, I literally screamed out loud. Don't get me wrong - I would love love love floor seats! But unless you're in the first 10 rows, this shorty would much rather be elevated on the side where I can see over people's heads! These seats were perfect. I ended up not bringing a regular camera to the show, so all of the pics and videos I took were with my phone. The videos were great considering the fact they came from my phone - the videos ended up coming out much better than my still photos, so this post will be pretty video heavy.
The tickets said the show was starting at 8pm. We got there at about 7:30, which gave me time to buy my concert merch before the show.
He did not have an opening act. There was a DJ set up in the middle of the stadium to keep everyone entertained - quite interesting seeing a crowd full of JT fans doing the Harlem Shake… I was starting to get a little restless the later and later passed 8pm it got, but I finally heard one of the security guards tell the guy in front of me that he wasn't coming on until 9pm, so I hustled for one last potty break before the show! OK, now I'll move into the set list.
1. Pusher Love Girl. He opened with Pusher Love Girl. I love how artists always tease the audience with the first song. They stand there in the dark or hidden so you can only see hear their voice, so that anticipation builds and you just want to scream, SHOW YOUR FACE ALREADY!!
2. Rock Your Body
3. Don't Hold the Wall
4. Future/Sex/Love Sound
5. Like I Love You. Ah his first solo song from his freshman album. It will always be one of my favorites!
6. My Love. Speaking of favorites! I love this song, too (ok, I love all of them), but I loved that he did this beginning rap part himself <3
7. TKO
8. Strawberry Bubblegum. Only Justin can make "strawberry bubblegum" sound sexy.
9. Summer Love. Does he not have the best acapella voice ever? I mean seriously.
10. Love Stoned
11. Until the End of Time
12. Holy Grail. I was so so so happy he sang this. He ended up not singing all of it - just that opening chorus, but it was a great lead into Cry Me a River. I couldn't resist scream singing as I video'd this, so no video for the blog, sorry! (No one needs to hear my scream sing voice.)
13. Cry Me a River. The ending of this song (see here) definitely felt like a grand finale of sorts. The lights came on and there was an announcement that the concert would resume in 10 minutes. The entire stadium was on its feet the entire show, so I think everyone was a little relieved of the little break (even though he's totally worth the back aches and sore legs!)
**Intermission**
14. Only When I Walk Away
15. True Blood
16. Drink You Away. I put a 15 second video of this song on my Instagram. It's one of my favorite videos I took during the show, but I did't want to post it here since it's formatted to portrait view for optimal viewing on my phone, but not so much for a computer screen. Check it out on Instagram here.
17. Tunnel Vision. Ok, so, yeah. This one was great for the boys because he had naked women projected behind him! Yep, boobies. So, yeah. All I could think of was the DJ announcing before the show that a mom had brought her 8 year old son for his birthday and that this was his very first concert. #awkward
18. Seniorita. I was distracted as he was performing this song because they started setting up caution tape at the ends of the floor seats to keep the aisles clear. I noticed there was a stage at the back of the stadium at that VIP section, so I thought for sure that Justin was going to come walking 5 feet in front of me down that aisle and to the back stage. Nope. Not exactly.
19. Let the Groove Get In. Turns out, he had a rolling stage. It was pretty amazing actually. A portion of the stage lifted up and basically straddled the floor seats as it transported him and his dancers to the rear of the stadium. I loved this! I just love when artists make it a point to be accessible to every last person in the audience. There honestly was not a bad seat in the house.
20. That Girl
21. Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis cover). I can only imagine how crazy Memphis got when he performed this!
22. Not a Bad Thing. I listen to this song on repeat. It's probably my favorite song on this second album. It's very NSync'ish, which may be why I like it so much!
23. Human Nature (Michael Jackson cover). This was a great tribute to him!
24. What Goes Around Comes Around
25. Cabaret
26. Take Back the Night. For this song, the stage started transporting them back to the front. I got the cutest video of his feet dangling off (see here). And he was wearing Christian Louboutins - I die!
27. Murder
28. Poison (Bel Biv Devoe cover). So here's what happened. I was shooting some video and then all of a sudden they bust out with this Poison cover. And then when this dance break happened, it took all of my strength not to scream and go crazy for the sake of not messing up my video!! I could watch him dance. All. Day. (Sorry for the portrait view.)
29. Suit & Tie
30. Sexy Back
31. Mirrors. My favorite song on the first album. I could scream sing this on repeat for hours! It was kind of cute once the music for this song started - this look of relief just crossed his face; kind of like when you're running a half marathon and you see that last mile marker. 31 songs. He was visibly sweaty after the first one! I can't even imagine how exhausted he was by that last one! I mean, *I* was exhausted from just scream singing! I couldn't catch my breath! And here he is, jumping around and dancing and singing on stage. I give him props. I just want to hug him and put him in my pocket!!
It was just shy of midnight by the time it was over, but wow was it worth the sleep deprivation. I cannot stop watching my videos and trying to relive it. I'm so happy and thankful that I was able to go. The Chicago concert was just a tease - this was how Justin SHOULD be! If you have the opportunity to go, I say, don't even think about it, JUST GO. And take me with you!
