dress designer on a budget

I am no fashion blogger but I felt like I needed to share my ways to dress in similar-to-designer duds for MUCH less than the designer price tag. 

I'm going to start with this gorgeous Kate Spade dress. It carries a hefty price of $398.

(found here)

I found a similar dress at Forever 21 for $27.80. It does not have the great print of the KS dress but the shape and the great collar accent are present.

(found here)

Military style jackets are EVERYWHERE this season. You can dress them up with bright accessories, skinnies and heels or you can throw on an old pair of jeans with some combat boots.

This jacket by Michael Kors is beautiful but stabs you with it's $275 price tag.

(found here)

Forever 21 always has stylish outerwear at great prices so it was no surprise that they had something similar with a budget friendly price of $39.80.

(found here)

White is the new black as far as I'm concerned. It goes with anything and everything and gives an outfit a nice crisp feel. This crossbody by Jason Wu is the perfect accessory to top off a plain outfit except for the $1,495 price.

(found here)

Charlotte Russe carries a bag with the same bright white hue for a reasonable $15.99. 

(found here)

Denim is back! I still don't know how I feel about denim jackets but vests are just enough denim to add an edgier look to a sundress or bright tank.

This J Brand vest from Anthropologie is a whopping $218.

(found here)

Lulu's carries a distressed denim vest for a much better price of $52.

(found here)

Happy shopping y'all!

currently learning the cup song from Pitch Perfect.

I'm baaaaack :]

I haven't written a post since October 8 and a TON has happened since then. This post will be strictly for catching up. I have lots planned for future posts so make sure to stop by again!

1. I got laid off from my job on November 13.

2. I GOT MARRIED ON NOVEMBER 16!!!!

3. I moved to Chesapeake, VA on December 9. It was a terrible drive. I don't wish it on my worst enemy. Let's just say that we will NEVER move ourselves by pulling a U-Haul behind one of our vehicles. What was supposed to be a 13 hour trip turned into 24. We couldn't go above 55 mph & if we hit a bump in the road, the trailer started swaying back and forth, causing my Jeep to sway back and forth, causing me to pee my pants several times. We were so tired by the time we made it into VA that we had to stop & sleep for 2 hours. The hotel room had obviously not been cleaned because there was black hair in the bed & in the bathroom and I thought I was going to contract some kind of disease. It was absolutely disgusting.

4. I got to ring in the new year with my best friend, Liz :] Her dad and sister live in Virginia Beach so she came and visited with them for the holiday and we conveniently got to slip in some best friend time.

5. Bristol is loving the new apartment. We live on the first floor so she can run around and play and not disturb the neighbors like in our apartment in MS. She enjoys long walks/sprints around the courtyard chasing the resident rabbit and sleeping on the back of the couch like a cat. There is a dog park less than 5 minutes away which is awesome. I would be so bored on duty days without her.

I guess that's all for now! I gotta get my tush in bed. See y'all later!

What If...

1. If you could relive any memory in your life, tell us what it would be, and what/if anything you would change about it? I would definitely go back and relive my college years. I spent a lot of time wishing I was done with school and dealing with drama and I wish that I could have just appreciated being away at an amazing school with all of my friends. (And I would bribe convince them to come back to Memphis with me.)

2. If you could be any celebrity or well-known person, show us who you would be.
Taylor Swift, hands down.

3. If you won the lottery, tell us would you take the lump sum or take the money over time, would you continue working or quit right away, would you reveal who you are, and what are some of the first things you would spend with your money?

I would probably take the money over time and treat it like a salary. I would like to say I'd keep working but I would probably quit and start doing something I love that just didn't pay enough to make it a career. The first thing I would buy is a new vehicle because I'm about to have to buy one anyway.

4. If you could live anywhere, show us where it would be and tell us why.
I've answered this question before with Savannah, Georgia but now I'm thinking bigger. I would LOVE to go to Rome. The culture and architecture are just beautiful. I've never left the US before so I think it would just be amazing and overwhelming.

 

5. If you could have one magic power, what would be and what would you do with it?

I think it would be the ability to teleport. I spend SO much money going back and forth to Connecticut and it would be a lot more convenient to be able to snap my fingers and be there whenever I wanted to! 18 more days until I'll be there!

 

Have a great Monday (if that's possible)!

things that make you go ugh..

Okay, I really need to be more consistent with my blogging. It's kind of a problem.

Today Jeff Foxworthy has inspired me. Yes, the "you might be a redneck" king.

He does a segment during several of his shows called "things that make you go ew". I'm changing it to ugh for the purpose of this not being a gross post.

1. Amateur "Photographers". Just because you have an iPhone and Instagram does not mean you are a photographer. Just because you can push a button on a camera does not mean you are a photographer. Photography is an artform. I am not a photographer and I never claimed to be, just like I never claimed to be an artist. I guess with the ease of creating a Facebook page for a business comes a bunch of quacks.

2. Getting called the wrong name after introducing myself. This happens at work ALL the time. I have to say "(name of company), this is Samantha" when I answer the phone. Getting "Hi, Lisa" or "Hi, Amanda" in return really ticks me off.

3. Driving in Memphis. We were named the worst drivers in TN. I believe it. What should be a 15 minute drive to work takes 45 minutes because people have NO IDEA how to drive. There are always cars broken down in the middle of the road or crashes or people on their phones not paying a bit of attention.

4. Political posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Newsflash: Nobody cares who you're voting for. My opinion is not going to sway anyone else's vote so why post about it? I was taught when I was young to never talk about politics, religion, or abortion with others. These are too sensitive of topics to bring up with people you barely know or don't know at all.

5. Inconsiderate neighbors. I live in an apartment. I hope I never have to live in one again. Thank God I live on the top floor or else things would be a lot worse. My downstairs neighbors think it's cool to have parties at midnight on a Tuesday. Hey old farts, it's time for bed. Some of us actually work. And another thing, don't mess with my dog. Little Bristol mostly keeps to herself when she's outside. She does her business and then wants to come back in. When I'm walking back up the stairs with her, what makes you think it's a good idea to bark at her? How old are we? 2? Even my 3 year old cousin knows not to mess with strange animals.

6. Bad customer service. I am an avid online shopper. It's just way too convenient not to partake in but occassionally you get a lemon of a store. I ordered a necklace from veryjane.com on July 31. After contacting the shop about not receiving it on August 28, I was told it was on it's way. It finally arrived to me the first week of September, complete with a broken chain and 13 beads broken off. Needless to say, I had a few choice words with the seller and was told I would receive a prepaid envelope to return the necklace and she would send me a new one. I have still not received the envelope and have given up hope with this one. $20 down the drain. On the flipside of bad customer service, you sometimes get excellent customer service out of it. I ordered a Tennessee Vols sweatshirt from a store online and they sent me the wrong one. I contacted them that day saying I received the wrong item and they got back to me within 12 hours. I simply filled out the return form on the packing slip, sent it back with the prepaid sticker provided, and received the correct sweatshirt 3 days later. I wish that would magically happen with my necklace.

Does anyone else have any pet peeves?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

if I could write a letter to me..

I've seen a TON of these posts lately and I think it's a really cool idea. I'm going to write a letter to my 17-year old self. stay tuned.

Dear 17-year old, senior in high school, freshman in college Samantha,

I wish this was real and my 23-year old self could actually tell you all these things. It would save you from a lot of heartache and stress. Let's start with your love life.

That boyfriend you had in high school that you thought you would marry..yeah, you won't. You'll actually break up with him on Valentine's Day during your freshman year at UT. It actually won't hurt as bad as you think it will. It's for the best. I promise. He's a loser with a capital L and has done absolutely nothing with his life.

You remember that guy, your best guy friend who has wanted to date you for 3 years? You date him for a year. It was really hard being 5 1/2 hours away from him and you both were not mature enough to handle the distance. This one absolutely breaks you. He tries to get back together with you the entire summer after and you just don't have it.

You go back to school for your junior year and meet a guy who will end up proposing to you after a year and a half. You think it's exactly what you want but it's not. You break off the engagement after 3 months and have the time of your life for a month before you move back home.

You move back home and the first thing you want to do is see the one that broke you. This time it has a happy ending. He is 22 hours away but you are both mature and ready to handle the adjustment. You two are engaged and getting married very soon.

Let's bounce back to school. You start your freshman year at UT not knowing anyone. You decide not to join a sorority or an athletic team and just focus on your studies. You never had to study in high school but by God, you need to study now. Those late night movies and classes you slept through lead you to lose your HOPE scholarship after just one year. You decide to rush the next fall and that is one of the best decisions you ever make. These girls quickly become your best friends and motivate you to be a better person. Your grades are AWESOME this year but that one bad grade from before keeps you from getting your scholarship back. Moving into your sorority apartments is great for your social life, not so much for your academics. It's way too easy to sit and watch Real Housewives with your sisters instead of walking 25 minutes to class. Your senior year is stress on stress on stress but you get through it and you come out with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Didn't see that one coming, did you? You were set on being a teacher but it just isn't the right thing for you.

You'll struggle to find a job & actually work retail again for a little over a month. You'll go back to the credit union until you land a full time job your good ole neighbor told you about. It's absolutely not what you want to do but it allows you to move out of Bartlett and into your own apartment with your puppy. (Yes, you have a puppy named Bristol.)

All things considered, you're happy and that's really all that matters. I don't have all the answers of course. I mean, I'm only 23. Check back with me in another 23 years and maybe I'll be able to tell you a lot more about life. It's been real. Love you! (P.S. Never drink hunch punch. It's NEVER a good idea. You'll thank me, I promise.)

hello, fall. i've been waiting on you.

Today is full of random thoughts. My head is completely spinning so I thought I'd share :]

1. I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to visit John in CT on August 31 for Labor Day weekend and he asked me to marry him..at 4 in the morning on Saturday..no makeup..pajamas..watching tv. It was the most perfect proposal ever. No frills or fancy food. Just us. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

2. Building on #1, we're getting married the end of November/early December. We're not sure when he'll be graduating from A School yet. We're just going to go to the courthouse and have a party/reception after :]

3. Work is stressing me out. It's always something at this place. In the 10 months I've been here, I've been handed responsibility after responsibility and it can be a bit overwhelming.

4. My little Bristol is perfect as usual. She has really become clingy to me and she's starting to get separation anxiety. I bought her a Thundershirt originally for her fear of thunder but it also helps with anxiety. I don't know how it works but it sure calms her down. I would highly recommend it.

5. Can we take a sec to talk about this gorgeous weather?? Fall is my favorite season by far. My Vols are playing some great football, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back, my apartment is full of almond biscotti and pumpkin patch candles, and I can turn off the air and open the windows. It's amazing. I can't wait for the leaves to start changing.

6. My air compressor in my car went out for the second time in 3 years. My daddy was definitely not happy but thankfully it was not my fault. $860 later, my air conditioning works again :] Thanks, Daddy!

Have a great week everyone!



I'd like to thank the Academy..

Okay, that was a tad much haha

 

Morgan from Stars, Stripes, and a Military Life nominated me for my first blog award, the Liebster Award!

 

 

To accept this award you must follow these simple rules:

1. Each person must list 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you plus you MUST create a set of 11 new questions for the 11 people you tag.

3. Choose 11 bloggers

5. Absolutely no tag backs.

6. The bloggers have to have less than 200 followers.

7. Go inform you nominated them for the award.

 

Eleven things about me:

1. I am obsessed with school supplies. I am no longer in school which means no more of those for me, right? Wrong. I was definitely at Target fighting the mothers for my chevron notebook, cheap pens, and folders. I found uses for them at work :]

2. I have a precious little boxer/lab mix named Bristol. She's one of my best friends & I love her dearly.

3. I am a Sigma Kappa alum. Shoutout to all my Greek people!

4. I was born & raised in Memphis, TN.

5. I met the love of my life when I was 15. He's the most amazing person on the planet(I am a little biased).

6. I have a caffeine addiction. You know it's an addiction when you can drink a bottle of Diet Coke right before you go to bed or drink 2 Red Bulls at work & still be falling asleep.

7. One of my biggest dreams is to go to Italy. I wanted to study abroad there but that never really panned out. I hope to get there someday soon.

8. I love to read. My mom got me a Nook for my college graduation & it is full of books that I've read in the past year and a half.

9. I know more about football than most boys. Don't challenge me.

10. I danced for most of my life & I miss it every single day.

11. I have 3 tattoos. I don't plan on getting any more but if the mood hits me, you never know.

 

Morgan's Questions

1. What is your favorite food?

sushi! John hates it so I have to get it when he's not around :]

2. If you could spend the rest of your life in one city, where would it be?

Savannah, GA. It's BEAUTIFUL & has all the charm of a small, southern city.

3. What's your favorite Starbucks bev?

Venti Non-Fat White Chocolate Mocha

4. Do you use Instagram, if so what's your username?

samanthanicole1003 <--follow me!

5. If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what type of cuisine would it be?

It would probably be Chinese or Italian because there are so many different varieties!

6. What's your favorite quote?

"The Lord will fight for you. you need only be still." Exodus 14:14

7. What's your favorite past time?

Dancing!

8. What's your favorite movie?

That's a tough one. I love so many. I would have to go with The Notebook or Beauty & the Beast.

9. What's your favorite flavor jelly bean?

Cherry Starburst

10. What's your favorite candy?

It's a tie. Reese's or Hershey's Special Dark

11. What's your most prized possession? 

Would it be weird to consider my dog a possession? If not, I pick Bristol :] If so, my necklace that John gave me for Christmas.

 

I tag:

1. Nicole at A Southern California Belle

2. Ashley at Ashley's Passion for Fashion

3. Emily at Dirt Bikes and Diamonds

4. Laurie at The Rookie Wife

5. Melissa at 53Blonde

6. Laura at Loving Life in Love

7. Sara at You.And.Me.Are.We.

8. Mary at This is How My Garden Grows

9. Krista at Crescendo

10. Sadie at indecisive

11. Morgan at Ms. Morgan's Reality Check

 

My Questions

1. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

2. If you could only live for 24 more hours, what would you do?

3. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

4. Nail polish or lip gloss?

5. What genre is your favorite type of music?

6. Where are you located?

7. Who is your celebrity crush?

8. If you could pick 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be?

9. What is your favorite color to wear?

10. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

11. What is your favorite part about blogging?

Have a fabulous monday y'all!