Designer or Dupe? What's worth the money?

Ok guys..I have been meaning to do a post like this for some time! As a fashion blogger, I am always looking for good deals and stylish pieces. A lot of times, things can be super trendy and I don't like to spend a lot of money on them. Other times when debating buying an expensive item, it's a great idea to buy a dupe (an inexpensive version), and test it out to see if you would like it in the long run to invest in it.

With that said, I have purchased some 'dupe' items that I am completely obsessed with. 

Spring Dress Round-up! What dresses you NEED for Spring

Hi everyone! So sorry I didn't get a post up last week. Hopefully I'll have two your way this week! It's been crazy end of my last semester of undergrad. Time is flying and I almost forgot that I need to be shopping for dresses for all the upcoming events, like my graduation!

With that being said, I wanted to share with you guys dresses that I have purchased/ordered so that you guys can get some inspiration for the events you have coming up. This coming month is always filled with weddings, baby showers, baptisms, graduation parties, etc.

Casual/Dressy Options

• This first set of dresses are dresses I think would be good for events that are casual, yet dressy at the same time. I'm loving the color blue for Spring! It's everywhere and so classic and fresh.  I own all of the ones in the top row (besides the cold shoulder ruffle one), and love them all! As for the second row...(From left to right)
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• Another huge trend I'm loving is the tie front top. It's such a cute detail. It's probably only friendly to woman with a smaller bust tho. 
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• Stripes are also huge! This striped dress is something I ordered and love. I love the cold shoulder detail and the tie waist.
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• Yellow is an in-trend color for spring and summer. This fun pattern and style would be such a show-stopper at any event.
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• White is also such a fresh color and eyelet detail is just gorgeous on this little mini!

Shop these here:

This dress- Target Universal Thread Dress 27.99

On Trend Spring Outfit

Hi y'all! 

The easiest spring outfit ever is blue and white stripes with white denim. If you haven't seen this outfit already, it's one of my favorites. I'm totally a nice top and denim kind of girl. It's so easy and looks so chic and polished! I paired it with some easy mules and gold earrings. My blue ray bans were the right pop of blue.  Matches the spring vibes of this outfit. 

Other blue and white options:

22 things I've learned by 22

Today is my 22nd birthday. Nothing special, just another year of my 20's. Every year I like to reflect on how far I've come and what I have accomplished in the last. Here are some thoughts I have that I wanted to share with all of you.

22 things I learned by 22:

1. Learning to say no is hard, but you have to be firm in your decisions
2. Lack of sleep will catch up to you
3. Planning your weeks are important and maximize your time
4. Planning in general is so helpful, meals, friends, school, plans, etc. I feel like every year time always passes me by and it's something I'm working on getting better at.
5. Communication in all of your relationships, whether it be friends, work, school, significant other, family -- it's crucial. No one knows what you're thinking or what you are dealing with unless you talk.
6. Setting your goals and timelines are soooo important. Where do you want to be in life in a year? in 2? In five? Figuring out what course you want to take in life is tough, but it deserves some thinking. 
7. Always tell people how much you love them. Life goes by fast and you never know when you will have your last moment with someone.
8. Listen more-- this is a skill that took me a long time to master, but listening more than talking pays off
9. Your goals are worth the time, and take time to pursue what's important to you 
10. Listen to what your body needs
11. Take personal days -- read a book, light a candle, do a face mask, clean your room, or simply just rest. 
12. Alone time is necessary
13. Budgeting your money pays off 
14. Splurge on yourself, but in moderation
15. Cooking at home is way better than eating out all the time, and you will feel better too
16. Your $5 Starbucks latte really isn't as fulfilling as it used to be
17. Being an adult isn't easy, but it's apart of life
18. Complaining will get you nowhere
19. Embrace your quirks (Mine that I am learning to love are that I snort when I laugh and my lisp) 
20. You are unique and beautiful to a stranger, sometimes we forget our beauty and our light but we all have something special about us that is worth sharing
21. The power of prayer and a good relationship with God will take you a long way. Talk to him, he's always listening. 
22.  You must prioritize yourself above all

Click here to shop my outfit details. 

Love you all. Thanks for following along my journey! Cheers to a new year.

Xoxo,

5 Friday Finds: Makeup Edition!

Hey everyone!

If you guys know me, you know I love makeup! There have been some products that I recently discovered and I am loving --

1. Palladio Rice Paper - These are oil absorbing blotting tissues with powder on one side of them. After you blot, you can put some powder back on. I love this idea because it doesn't take away your makeup. These are only 5! 

2. Palladio Rice Powder- My friend Sara introduced me to this. It's a great face powder, keeps me from getting oily and very comparable to the Laura powder I love. Best part is, it's only 5.99! I got the shade translucent.

3. Mac Fix + Setting Spray- this is my go-to setting spray! Always works like a charm. Second time buying it! Love it so much, it really fuses makeup together well. Price: 26

4. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water- I just got this to use as a setting spray as well! I have used for the past two days and loved it. You can also use it before makeup. 

5. YSL All Hours Concealer- I have been the BIGGEST tarte shape-tape fan but I felt like it was getting a little dry for my skin. I just got this ysl one in place of the tarte, it lasts really well and does not feel drying at all. Said to last for 16 hours, I got shade 2 which is ivory. Price is 34!

Ulta's Beauty Deal Today:
Urban Decay Single Eyeshadow: 10 dollars
Velour Lashes: 50% off
Exuviance Performance Peel: 50% off (38.50)
Dr.Brandt Pores No More Primer: 50% (22.50) 

Hope you all enjoyed this post! Let me know if you like the idea of a 'Friday Find's Post' on the blog weekly.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Xoxo,

Polka Dots + Best Black Jeans Under 50

Hi everyone! Hope you all are having a good week. My weekend went by so fast and spring break is over so soon. I wanted to share an easy outfit that I love.

TOP:

I picked up this easy polka dot top at target over the summer, and have yet to wear it until more recently. Polka dots have been super in right now and I see them all over! I got this classic black and white top, and recently picked up a navy polka dot dress. I am eyeing this top in navy too! It has an open back detail that is gorgeous. This is the most similar top to mine!

JEANS:

Ok, jeans are always hard to find. I feel like when you find a good pair that fits well, it's practically a miracle. This black denim by Treasure and Bond are so comfortable! My favorite thing is probably the high waist and the crop length. The high waist is good for tucking in tops. The length of the pants is perfect with booties, heels, or sandals. I got a size 29 and I love them. Super stretchy and they fit
like a dream! They are on sale-- so rung and grab them while you can. Click here to shop them.

Spring Cleaning Tips + Tricks -(Clothes & Makeup) How to know when it's time to throw it away

Hi everyone,
This blog post has been delayed this week since it has been my spring break and I have been super busy being productive doing exactly what this blog post is about! I spent this week working on new content for my blog and purging my closet and makeup collection. Here are my tips for purging your wardrobe.

How to purge your clothes, shoes, and accessories:

 I start by going through my clothes, starting with my DRESSES. For my formal dresses, I only wear them about 1-3 times before I am over them. I pull out any dresses that I have worn a lot or that are super old. I removed about 5 from my closet. Two of them I wore for Easter in 2014-- super old!

• I then move on to TOPS. For tops, if I have not worn it in the last year, I get rid of it! If I can't get myself to completely get rid of it, I try to make an outfit with it and put it in the front of my closet. This way, I now have a way to wear it. If I don't wear it in the next 3 months, I donate it.