Audrey inspired, black and white polka dot ootd

Audrey Inspired Classy Look

A little black and white style for you this lovely Friday afternoon. Was going through all my photos from the passed few weeks and still have a bunch I have not uploaded or shared on social media or my blog. I hate to post a bunch of outfits each day but was laid up and then had some technical issues with my phone, so I am a bit behind on posts. I would normally just discard some photos which I have done, but there are some I just have to share. 

First up I felt this Audrey Hepburn inspired look was one that needed to be shared. This is just another example of how you can take a graphic tee shirt or tank then style it to make a classy outfit perfect for work, or a night out. 

I have always loved black and white photography has that vintage feel and I love all things vintage. How much do you think, if you had to guess this outfit cost? Keep in mind I have on some simple black heels, with a slightly pointed two and mid heel by Rock Republic that aren't pictured, and then some classic pearl and rhinestone earrings.  I will go over the outfit and break it down, then do my best to add some links where you can find similar or same pieces, then I will tell you how much the outfit cost when I am done. Let's see if anyone guesses right. 

My necklace is a Chanel inspired pearl necklace I found on EBay. Its half black and half white with the C logo enamel black and white charms. I purchased this necklace and another blush with cream pearls from the same buyer back a few years ago and paid $7-10 a piece. 

You can find a real Chanel necklace similar to mine here Chanel Black and White pearls $1790

Mine of course is not real they are inspired by and I got these awhile back, I was not able to find the same style but did find the above one for $65.  Still high priced but lovely necklace.

   Designer Inspired Pearls

If I come across any similar deals I will update with a link.  

Love off the shoulder graphic tee $19.99 Tara Lynn's Boutique 10% off link

Use my exclusive link and save 10% off at Tara Lynn's now 

A closeup of the necklace and love the length, I can wear it many ways including as a bracelet. My graphic tee is an off the shoulder cut and I got this from Tara Lynn's Boutique. At the time I believe it was $19.99 but had a coupon code so paid less then that maybe around $15-17 for it. I adore graphic tops because really they can be worn and styled so many ways. It's not just jeans and tees anymore you can wear them with skirts, tied in the front over a maxi dress, with a blazer, the options are endless. If you are like me and like to look around you can find so many cute, unique tees and tanks. 

Polka Dot Chiffon Maxi skirt prices vary by size Polka Dot Chiffon Bohemian Maxi Skirt Ebay

Xl was $12 from this seller, but you can go to Ebay and search Polka dot chiffon maxi and a bunch of different sellers pop up, I went with the one of the first ones and less expensive.  

I saw a few of these skirts online and for $45-70. I wasn't sure how it would look on and if I was going to love it so I didn't really want to spend that much for it without really knowing, so I started the search. Sure enough good old eBay always come through for me. It isn't as well made as some of the ones I saw listed for a higher price, or who knows could be the same skirt, the stores have to get find them somewhere and resell them but I really love the quality. It has a nice lining and isn't see through. At first I thought I would maybe need a slip or under skirt to make it look fuller and keep it from being see through but that wasn't needed. I ended up loving it so much I ordered it in an emerald green solid and then a floral print. This skirt I paid under $10 for only down fall was it took a couple weeks to arrive. It is from China and when ordering from China remember their sizes are a lot smaller. I went with a XL and it fits me perfect. It has an elastic waist and I can wear it lower on my waist for a long floor sweeping skirt, or higher on my waist for the perfect ankle length. I can't say enough times how much I love this skirt. I have worn it several times with graphic tees, and I have worn it with black and white dressier tops, which make it actually look like a really fancy dress. 

I purchased this bracelet almost two years ago so was not able to find the same one, did find a pretty rhinestone burst bracelet that would look pretty with some strands of plain pearls 

Blissful Marquise Bracelet, Charming Charlies

Also found this triple layer pearl bracelet Lynne Pearl Bracelet

  

My rhinestone star burst, and multi stand pearl bracelet I purchased at Charming Charlie's when my oldest daughter had a Gatsby themed dance for middle school. Added it for a little extra touch of glam. 

     

So how much did you guess the cost of this look was? My tee was roughly $16. Skirt was $8, necklace $7, earrings were a hand me down so free but you could find simple earrings for under $5 and the shoes were on sale for $19. So that would make it around $50 give or take a few dollars. If you take away accessories the tee and skirt cost under $25. That's awesome for such a classy look. 

Photo from Pinterest.com

Audrey wore a lot of black and white, along with being seen in polka dot often.

Photo from Google image search

Just something about that skirt always makes me think of this fashion and style icon.

*Photos are not mine, all photos are from google search or Pinterest.

I love vintage clothing, always looking for real vintage pieces still in good condition and in my size to add to my wardrobe.

Before I sign off since I am posting black and white wanted to share another post that was left out. Call it one from the cutting room floor. 

Dress, similar style $14.99 Trust Black and White striped dress

I got this cute black and white striped tank dress off eBay for under $10 and the faux leather cropped jacket with studs was from Love Culture when the store was closing. It was marked down to $8 and was 65% off that. Another cute outfit for under $25. Love this jacket, has a quilted leopard print lining and snap buttons up the front. Has that eighties vibe with the wide waste band and wrist bands? I love rocker chic looks as much as I love vintage and bohemian chic looks. 

Excited for all the new pieces I have found lately. Stocked up on some new graphic tees for fall and winter, jeans, leggings, mid to long skirts, boots and more. Can't wait to style them all and post more outfit ideas and inspiration for everyone. Also excited to be taking part in a style challenge, I have seen these on social media and was thinking it would be fun to take part. I usually just wake up and do my morning routine then walk into my closet and whatever piece whether a top, bottom, dress or shoes calls out to me, I then style an outfit around it. Also some days it's my mood or the weather that has a lot of play in what I wear. 

Again this is an older jacket but was able to find a faux cropped leather jacket on eBay

  Cropped Faux leather studded jacket $24.99.

Hope everyone has a fun Friday and dliteful weekend. Ty for passing by my blog and make sure to check out my links on my side bar to some of my favorite stores. Lots of great shops I love. I am going to be adding more this weekend. Also have some promo codes to add as well. ✌️❤️

*All Audrey Hepburn Photos are from Google Image search.  None of them belong to myself or my blog, using solely for comparison and inspirational use only.  Thank you.

Designer strappy ankle boots for fall

Falls hottest ankle boot trend, look alike for less.

Strappy ankle bootie with chunky heel

SophieMay MiracleMile StrappyAnkleBoots $40

I have been wanting to order these high end, strappy ankle booties for a while but purchased a fringe pair a few weeks back and already own so many boots that I don't really need any.  How ever I have been wanting a good pair of dark or light ankle booties for my collection.  I found a cute pair at Marshall's and scooped them up under $40 in a brown shade then found some cute straps that you can tie on to your old boots for a new look, that are super cool.  I will have an upcoming post to feature these cute accessories that I wish I would have thought of designing, last year I had to have the FreeBird by Madden tall boots with rope and chain ankle detail, and these new add on straps could have turned any average pair of boots into a similar look for way less.  I also just love how you can buy a few pairs of these tie on straps to take one pair of boots and give them so many looks.    More to come on those in the next week or so...

For now these are my favorite boots I have been eyeing from Free People, the Hybrid boot.  They retail for $175-200.

Photo credit and shoes also found here: Veryvoila.com Hybrid on sale $140

Then you can find all the color choices at Free People Hybrid Boot $198

I want every color but was wanting a dark pair and a beige pair.  I went on the search and found several sellers from Sears, Overstock and Zulily, but most only had Navy and sizes were limited.

Finally after contacting several Ebay stores I buy from often that sell wholesale to a lot of the online boutiques and shops you find on FaceBook and Instagram these days, I was told the lighter beige and brown in the common sizes 7-9 would be out of stock till mid October.

I hit Amazon because my husband has the Prime membership and is always on me to check Amazon also.  I am a Ebayer and Etsy gal he is an Amazon guy.  Sure enough I found a pair in gray which doesn't look gray to me, looks more like a dark brown but we will see when they arrive.  I love gray for fall, and wanted a darker color.  Love the look.  Went with a 7.5 usually I am a 8 and in boots I tend to order a 8.5 because of socks but these won't need socks since they are open maybe a slip on nylon style no show sock but nothing thick.  The size chart showed for a women's 7.5 that it measures 9.5.  Fingers crossed, measured my shoes and all are 9-9.5 unless I got them bigger for room for socks.

Photo above is from Sears.com and is the Mi.im Urban 04 in gray.  These retail from $30-42 depending on the site and color.  I paid $40 for mine. They only had a size 6 left but found these on Amazon.  They had sizes 5-7.5 and 10 then all sizes in navy. Update:  Received my boots and added a new post and a photo to this post along with a link to the shop.  They have some sizes in stock still so be sure to hurry to get a pair before they sell out.  I know some shops I spoke with on eBay are hoping to restock the other colors in all sizes mid October.

MI.IM Urban 04 Amazon Gray

The Amazon store sent me the boots so I now have the name they have a Instagram @shopsophiemay and their website is Sophiemay.com.

Above are two of the other colors that are available, the beige is the hardest to find in stock and navy you can find almost everywhere.  I also saw a dark brown and black but were out of stock.  You can google mi.im urban 04 and then the options will pop up.  Check Ebay, Amazon and then google has other shops that carry them.  Several sellers I spoke to told me that these are popular cause of the high end version being a top seller for fall, so they are sold out of the popular shades in the most common sizes but are expecting more mid October.  If you can't find your size or color just be patient they will be in stock soon.  Happy to have saved $150 then save $140 on my other boots thats almost $300 saved for a trip for Spring Break or for Christmas.  Love to save.

Would love to hear from anyone who has similar finds or bargains, or that own the higher end design or the inspired by ankle boots.  I love to hear what everyone thinks and what you like.  I know I like to save always.  Off to bed late here, happy tomorrow is Friday.  Typing at almost 1 a.m. so going to have to proof this tomorrow but wanted to share this hot trend and amazing deal with all my fashionista bargain hunters.  I am excited to share some beauty stuff next week along with sharing lots of new items I ordered online and picked up while puling pieces for a job, got some cute new jeans, joggers, flannels, accessories, and a long maxi that has a total vintage vibe, from all places Target!  Got to love Target fashion.  Good night and happy bargain hunting. XOXO

Limited Edition Pink Lokai, Breast Cancer Awareness

  

Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Lokai Bracelet

Limited Edition 

 Hello everyone. I wanted to do a quick blog post because today I was pleasantly surprised to come home to an unexpected delivery after a long day. I ordered my Lokai Pink, Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet back Sept 12 I believe and thought it was a Pre-sale so was not expecting it to be shipped out till after Oct 1. If you collect these cool bracelets then you know they have a limited edition bracelet that they release every couple of months in addition to the Classic (clear) lokai bracelet. 

I was gifted with the Blue Lokai back in March and didn't know much about them at the time but my daughters were both given one too from a good family friend who was born on Israel and always gives us stuff Dead Sea related when she travels to Israel. She had placed a large order of these cool bracelets and gave them out as gifts for one of her many events she has every year. I got the card explaining the foundation it was for along with what the bracelet represents. The black bead is the grounded bead and comes from the lowest point on the earth, it contains mud from the Dead Sea and then the white bead has water from the highest level on earth. Mount Everest. It is a reminder to always be grounded and humble in good and bad times. I really loved the meaning behind it and I always love companies that give proceeds to a good cause. The blue bracelet was giving proceeds to Charity Water, a non profit organization devoted to bringing clean drinking water to developing nations. 

My oldest daughter came home from school not long after spring break and told me all the kids at school had similar bracelets but were clear, so I googled the Lokai company and came across their website. I discovered back in 2009 they had released the Classic Lokai with clear beads and it was the same deal with the black and white beads. These became popular with people as a reminder to always remain grounded and humble. Whether through your highest points in life remaining humble and lowest points of being hopeful. To always be grounded. I really liked this and everything I read so I decided to order the clear classic and sign up for their emails. 

Not long after my classic bracelets arrived along with a pamphlet about the bracelets and a sticker I got an email that they were about to launch their next limited edition bracelet in a camouflage design. I love camo and it was to raise money for the WWF. I of course had to order them, I love again anything that I order and know that proceeds are going to a respected foundation that I support along with receiving a positive and cool bracelet in return. Both my kids love them as well so I always get three. 

Not long ago my blue one broke and I was super upset. I was getting ready for our camping trip and was wearing camo so of course I had to wear my Lokai bracelets. I went to slip my bracelet on and I have ordered the medium cause I have small wrists, I don't ever have to stretch them to put them on the slide right over my hand but it just snapped as I slid it on. It could be from wearing to the beach between salt water and sun, plus I had this one the longest. My oldest daughter told me a lot of the kids at school had their bracelets break. I was sad because it was a limited edition one and they don't sell them through Lokai. My hubby knew I was upset and told me before we left not to worry he ordered me replacement off Amazon that would arrive that next week. It came within a few days but as soon as I opened it something looked off. I still had my broken on so I compared them and sure enough it was smaller in size and I he had ordered me another medium, then the beads were smaller and it looked cheaper. I was sad I had a fake but was happy I had something. I happened to mention to the same friend who had given it to me a few weeks later and she told me she had two larges left if I wanted one. I took the large and honestly it isn't much bigger, I actually prefer the large because I goes right on and I feel like it won't snap cause there is no spot it feels tight going over my hand. I now wish all of them were a large because with my OCD I like them to all be the same size lol. 

I was wondering what would be the next lokai and actually messaged them on FB and Instagram asking if it would be pink for Oct, Breast cancer awareness month but no one answered me lol. I had a feeling and when I saw the announcement I was excited. I set a reminder on my phone of the three dates and luckily ordered that first weekend. I got a small, medium and large, one for each of my girls and myself. I didn't think it would arrive till mid October but was excited to open my envelope to find a pink envelope, lokai sticker and Susan G. Komen letter. The pink is lovely and again I love knowing that proceeds from each purchase goes to an amazing cause. 

I hope in the future they have a bracelet for MS. Leukemia and even Lupus. Below are my photos and remember you can officially order your own Sept 27 is the last Pre-sale date and then after Oct 1 they will be available on the website for the entire month. Don't order off amazon or eBay. Already saw some people selling them for double the money. I have all the limited editions. You don't need to pay more for them unless you miss the date or time frame. You have plenty of time to order. Don't purchase anywhere other the Lokai cause they are likely fake and the proceeds aren't going to the charity. 

            // www.mylokai.com//

Thanks for reading and my prayers and thought are with everyone battling or that know some who is or has battled Breast cancer. 🎀✌️❤️

Blessing always 

Xoxo

Hair secrets and tips, Olaplex and Pravana.

Hello and for a while now everyone has been asking me about my hair. I am always bleaching it to add a new fun color and a lot of people ask me how I manage to keep it so long, hence the question is my hair real or fake? My hair is real I don't have any extensions. I have used extensions in the passed. I had the hot heads which attach using a medical grade tape and can be reused they don't have the same bulky heavy feel that clip in or the old style braided and threaded in extensions have. I can't do the threaded in ones they are so heavy on my head and I suffer from migraines so not good for me. 

I also have had the glue in kind but never really liked any of them longer then a few weeks. Its fun to add length when you have shorter hair and want to have it long quick. I use clip in pieces for special events or if I have a style I want to wear that I need added length but not often. My hair is all mine. I recently committed to not cutting it off for four years about two years ago. I had cut it short and regretted it so I decided I would let it grow out. I still get tempted to cut side bangs or layer it but my hair lady knows not to listen to me for another couple years lol. 

My hair colors are all done in the salon, I use to color my own hair for many years before Pravana became really popular in the salons because it was hard to find salons that carried the colors I wanted. Now you can find them in almost every salon. I use Pravana dye and then I touch up my roots once every 3-4 months. I use a technique they call Balyage, where the stylist paints the highlights on with a brush versus using foils so you don't have the bad re growth and it doesn't need to be touched up every few weeks. I like a natural look on my blonde because I was born blonde. I change my blonde often lighter in the summer, more golden or honey in the fall and more of a strawberry blonde in the spring. I love ombré I don't have it in me to dye my entire head one color. I get bored with hair color very quick and it is a lot easier to only have to strip the ends and underneath versus my entire head. I also like my natural color to frame my face because I think it looks best with my complexion, there is a reason we are born with it. I always like my lighter blonde shades right around the front framing my face.

Okay so the next question I always get is how do you keep your hair looking so healthy when you strip it and bleach it so often. Before a year and a half ago, it was always using a clear coat and developer to strip my hair instead of bleach. I still don't use bleach to strip my hair but when using the pravana colors usually the stylist is well trained in what procedures work best to remove the bright colors without damaging the hair.

Also I have never been one for shampooing my hair a lot. I don't use shampoo first off I use a cream cleanser with no sulfate or harsh soaps. I only wash it once a week, between washing I use dry shampoo, or baby powder lightly to absorb any grease or oils. For a year I used the Wen products but got costly and wasn't loving them. Matrix makes a similar product that smells amazing but u actually use my own concoction that I created. It has aloe, olive oil, keratin, and coconut oil in it and then I use a cream cleanser that conditions and cleanses at the same time. 

       //My Best Hair Secret: Olaplex//

Olaplex three step system for protecting hair. 

I don't use any styling products in my hair. No gel, hair spray, mousse nothing. I use the Wet Brush to de tangle and then every other week I do a deep condition treatment in my hair. My true secret for the last year and a half is Olaplex. I have mentioned it in previous posts and on my social media. It is an amazing product that came out around the time I started using it and they mix it with the products when stripping your color or lifting (bleaching) and then my stylist also uses after she dyes my hair, then I have step 3 for at home use. I don't over use it cause to much of a good thing can always be bad eventually, but if used just right it is amazing. I don't have to cut inches off my hair every time I change my color because the Olaplex saves it every time. My hair usually looks healthier after my color is done then it did before. 

I am so addicted to Olaplex that I don't use anything else and refuse to color my hair without. It's my secret weapon. Yes, I trim my hair every 2-3 months when I touch up my color to remove split ends. I only wash once a week, try not to use hot tools like flat iron, curling iron or blow dryer. When I do use hot tools I have a spray in protector for my hair, I also use Miracle 10 leave in spray in my hair after every wash. Also when using hot tools I let my hair air dry then right before it is fully dry I use cool air from my hair dryer to fully dry it and then hot air to smooth it. I don't use styling products because they usually make my hair greasy or cause build up which would make me have to wash it more often. 

When I shower I wear a towel wrapped around my hair or a shower cap, my shower cap is scented so it makes my hair smell yummy after I get out of the shower. I have a silk pillow case so my hair doesn't crease when sleeping or get messed up. I could go on for hours with hair tips. I always have loved to style hair and color hair, all my friends come to my house for blow dry or to have their hair curled. 

//Google before and after photos of hair that Olaplex has been used on for some amazing results you can see for yourself. I have been using it for awhile so I don't have before and after shots of my own, then before Olaplex I have used Keratin and usually get my hair blown out after my color so it almost always looks healthy and amazing when I leave the salon, but Olaplex has changed my hair for the better for sure, and made my crazy coloring even more possible because now I have Olaplex to protect my hair from future damage. //

When I use the flat iron I only go over the top by my roots or crown of my head because that is the only area that looks wavy usually. Then when using a curling iron I start with the hair closest to my scalp and curl then gradually pull down to bring in the ends and hold that area the least amount of time so it doesn't get damaged. We all know that the ends of our hair are the most damaged so as long as you keep long exposure to heat off the ends it is all good. 

//Biolage Matrix makes this amazing cream cleanser for the hair that doesn't strip natural oils from your hair and it smells amazing. //

When I have fly aways or need something to smooth my hair I will use Bio Silk oil or Redken frizz dismiss but only a tiny amount and try to stay away from your roots and only use on your ends to avoid greasy or oily hair. Another great tip is using clips instead of hair bands when wearing your hair up, that way you don't get a line or crease in your hair. If you do get a crease you can use the flat iron quick to smooth it out. 

               Redken Frizz Dismiss

Hope this helped with some of the questions I always get asked about my hair. My ombré is done similar to my roots with the balyage style application of color. I color the underneath of my hair using the lighter shade closest to my roots since that lifts the lightest then going darker as it gets to the ends. Then on the middle and top layer I have blonde roots with the color going from lighter to darker, darkest part being on the ends. Also remember that the color will bleed when washing so you have to use dark towels, and be prepared for some bleeding on your linens, bedding and clothes. I use shout to remove from my clothing and hot water removes any dye from my pillow cases. If the hair is wet and it bleeds that color will not come out that is why I recommend gray or black towels for your hair when using Pravana colors. My orange and coral has not bled at all but when I had my purple and magenta colors those bled big time. I had purple on everything and I have white bedding lol. 

//My personal collection of favorites for leave in, frizz smoother and brushes.//

So be sure if you are bleaching, stripping and dying your hair to ask your stylist about Olaplex. In use the 3 step treatment that you can at any salon supply store but have to have your license or your stylist purchase. Step 1 is used when lifting or bleaching, step 2 is used after rinsing color before drying, then step 3 you take home a small bottle to use after washing. It is amazing and my favorite hair product ever. 

//Hope the photos of my hair curly and straight then below some other colors help show the health, length and then how vibrant the Pravana colors are. Above photo was taken today and my color was done the first week of July. It's still as vibrant as the day I got it done just need to do my roots soon. Love the Balyage style high lighting because it doesn't go all the way to the root on each section so it doesn't show regrowth right away like regular highlights tend to.//

Then if you are washing your hair daily or multiple times a week try cutting back to 2-3 days a week, or as little as you can. Also try using a cream cleanser, sulphate free shampoo and products. Then remember the less styling products you use the less oil and grease or build up from styling products you will have in your hair so you won't need to wash as often. Grab a bottle of dry shampoo, even suave makes an inexpensive dry shampoo that works amazing. It's basically powder in a can. I used baby powder for years before the dry shampoo came out. I admit I am lucky I don't have thin hair I have thick curly hair so my hair doesn't get greasy quick. I can a week or longer without washing it but I don't like how it feels. Sometimes I will just rinse it and use conditioner to scrub my scalp then rinse to make it feel clean, specially when I am going to the gym or over the summer when I sweat more. 

If you have hair that tangles or is hard to comb after washing you need a Wet brush I have three in my house and we all love them. I also use a wide tooth comb, if I don't have time to dry my hair before bed, I towel dry, spray in my miracle ten and brush out with a wide tooth comb then braid it loosely. The next morning I take out the braid and sometimes wear it wavy using a salt water spray for that beach wave or I just lightly dry using cool air then hot to smooth it down. 

Above are some photos of my favorite products and I have also posted about Olaplex, Pravana and other faves for my hair in the passed so check back some previous posts for more details. 

     

  

A few photos of my old hair colors top one is the most recent with the coral and orange ombré. All colors are Pravana. 

Any questions you have feel free to leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer for you. Also if I left anything out feel free to let me know. Xoxo❤️✌️