We’re Engaged!

engagement 2

I feel that I should just start off with the best news right away! HJ and I are engaged!

We were on vacation last week (I will definitely have a new post soon about our budget-friendly trip!!) and HJ made me the happiest girl in the world when he asked me to marry him!

Let me set the scene! We were in Williamsburg on our last day and just checking out of our hotel. We had already planned on walking around the College of William and Mary campus. The concierge was telling us to check out the gardens and the bridge (This was not planned by HJ, just coincidence!). As the woman was talking to us, HJ was texting on his phone (little did I know it was to our secret photographer to make sure she was in position!) Once we got outside, I confronted him about texting while the concierge was talking, saying it wasn’t like him to act that way…I had no idea what he had up his sleeve, or in his pocket! We started walking towards the campus and I started telling him about the love legend of the Crim Dell Bridge-If you walk across with the person you love and kiss at the crest, you will be happy together forever! A woman I had worked with had told this this legend and I thought we should take a look at the bridge and see for ourselves. (Perfect! Now HJ had a reason to get me there!) As we meandered, HJ took the long route but seemed to know the area and streets pretty well, but then, he is always better at direction than me! Once we got to the bridge, there were several graduated getting photos taken. We waited for them to cross (and so HJ could text photographer that we were there). I started teasing him that he was afraid to cross the bridge with me, because then he would have to marry me! (Little did I know!) We finally started walking to the crest of the bridge. I gave him a little kiss, but he was stiff (nerves, no doubt). I told him he didn’t need to be shy, there was no one around, but then I saw the photographer and turned around quickly, thinking we had just been caught by a graduation photographer! Then HJ pointed out some turtles in the water. I turned to look, and when I turned back around,he was down on one knee! I was so confused! How did he know this would be a prefect spot to propose? I had JUST told him about the bridge moments earlier?! After I repeated “ohmygod” several times, HJ pulled out the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen. He told me I meant the world to him and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. All I remember is telling myself to say yes, but I didn’t even here him ask me, I was in shock! Then he put the ring on my finger and said “The photographer is for us!” He must have seen my Pinterest wedding board! Of course I cried, and laughed, and then cried some more, especially once I found out that he had asked both sets of my parents for their permission to marry me.

It was definitely one of the best days of my life, and I can’t wait to top it the day I become his wife! ❤

engagement 4

engagement 6

engagement1

engagement 3

That last one captures my joy so perfectly! 🙂

4/22-4/26

image_1

Striped Top: H&M

Green Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Wide Leg Pants: New York & Co. Outlet

Black Heels: Nine West Outlet

 

image_2

Blue Striped Button-down: JCrew Outlet

Pearls:Charlotte Russe?

Ballet Pink Blazer: Charlotte Russe

Black Ankle Pants: Express

Ballet Pink Flats: Liz Claiborne via TJ Maxx

 

image_3

Eggplant Ruffle Neck Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Cream Cami: Express

Pearl Charm Bracelet: gift from Sue!

Dark Tan Ankle Pants: Express

Leopard Flats: Rocket Dog via TJ Maxx

image_5

Black Blazer: Target

Oatmeal 3/4 Top: Target

Tribal Print Scarf: TJ Maxx

Studded Cuff Bracelet: Charming Charlie

Black Ankle Pants: Celebrity Pink via TJ Maxx

Black Flats: Rocket Dog via Famous Footwear

 

 

 

image_6 image_7

 

Nice Hair!! 🙂

White V-Neck T: H&M

Navy Dalmatian Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Dark Denim: Ann Taylor Outlet

Lavender Flats: Born Shoes vis TJ Maxx

More Outfits

image_1

Mint Flower Applique Cardigan: Target

Checked Button-Down: JCrew via Greene Street Consignment

Khaki Ankle Pants: Express

image_2

Blue Button-Down: J Crew Outlet

Chunky Gold Chain Necklace: Charming Charlie

Black Wide Leg Pants: New York & Co. Outlet

Black Heels: NIne West Outlet

Blue Bracelet: Charming Charlie

image_3

Lavender Parachute Blouse: TJ Maxx

Yellow Chunky Necklace: Charming Charlie

Dark Denim: Charlotte Russe

Lavender Flats: Born Shoes via TJ Maxx

image_4

Chartreuse Blouse: Banana Republic via Greene Street Consignment

Cream Lace Tank Top: Express

Aqua Necklace: Deb Shop

Tan Pants: Express

Tan Heels: Nine West Outlet

image_5

White Flower Applique 3/4 Sleeve Top: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Cobalt Skinnies: Target

Multicolored Flats: Lucky Brand via TJ Maxx

image_6

Coral Blazer: Charlotte Russe

White Top: H&M

Black Pants: The Limited

Flower Sandals: BCBG via TJ Maxx

image_7

Purple Knit Top: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Purple Feather Necklace: Rue21

Black Leggings: Express

Black Boots: Etienne Aigner

image_8

Lime Top: JCrew Outlet

White Striped Button-Down: Express

Blue Necklace: Roma, Italy 🙂

Black Pants: Express

Black Flats: Rocket Dog

image_7

 

Tan Striped Wrap Top: Ann Taylor Outlet

Cream Leather Jacket: ❤ ❤ ❤ this! Modern Vintage Boutique

Dark Denim: Charlotte Russe

Pink Ballet Flats: Liz Claiborne via TJ Maxx

Headboard fit for a Queen…sized bed

So you probably noticed the updated headboard in the background of my fashion posts. Last time I posted about this, we left off here:

100_2817

But now, we have finished the headboard! But as you can see, not the whole bedding situation…

image_6

We started out using this trim, which I purchased from here

fabric farms nailheads

We just laid out where we wanted the trim to go and used our rubber mallet to hammer it into place!

image_1

image_5

image_2

image_3

image_4

So easy! It took us about 45 minutes total to move the headboard out from behind the bed, nail in the trim, and hang it on the wall! We also hung some black and white photos (that we had in our old bedroom) above our nightstands, so it feels more personal 🙂 We definitely have a ways to go, but at least this is looking better!

photo-12

Lets break down the cost:

IKEA Malm Headboard…………….$25.00 clearance

Linen fabric, batting, and mallet…$50.00

Nailhead Trim……………………….$20.00

Mounting Hardware………………..$10.00

GRAND TOTAL……………………..$110.00!!

This definitely beats the $300 one I had been pining after. And because we were able to hang it at whatever height we wanted, it gave us an even more dramatic effect than the more expensive options. We are so happy with the results. It makes us feel accomplished every time we see it!

Inspired by Amanda “Dell”

I have been promising to wear this/post this for a while, so thank you Amanda for making me completely OBSESSED with this stripes and mustard combo. This one is for you 🙂

image-3

Mustard Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet

Striped Top: H&M

Black Ankle Pants: Express

Leopard Flats: Rocket Dog, TJ Maxx

Thanks, Amanda!

like, if you really like it, you want more!

All that comes to mind when I am about to post this, is this AT&T commercial:

Well, today you are going to get more. Here are some great outfits from my weeks long hiatus…

100_2823

Just wore this yesterday. I was asked to go back to my Alma Mater and be a guest critic for a design presentation in the morning, then in the evening, I went with my lovely friend Sue to check out wedding flowers, then we went out to dinner with our other girlfriends and talked for 4 hours…so I needed something that was going to look polished and sophisticated for the morning, but comfortable and fun for the evening, I think I hit the right note with this!

Cream Portofino blouse: Express

Peach acrylic necklace: Charlotte Russe

Bracelets: Charming Charlie

Pink coral ankle pants: Express

Nude bow heels: Nine West Outlet

image

Black slouchy top: Charlotte Russe

Green ankle pants: Express

Leopard flats: Rocket Dog brand TJ Maxx

image-1

Navy polka-dotted cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Navy polka-dotted textured blouse: Target via Greene Street Consignment

Khaki ankle pants: Express

Lavender flats: TJ Maxx, Born shoes brand

image-5

Camel sweater: J Crew Outlet

Light blue check button-down: J Crew via Greene Street Consignment

Skinny jeggings: CAbi Outlet

Cognac boots: Bare Feet

image-2

Initial Necklace: Gift! Thanks Barb and Dad!

Messy Closet: courtesy of me!

image-4

Pink sweater blazer: Petite Sophisticates, old old old

White ruffle top: Target

Jeweled necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet

Lavender flats: TJ Maxx, Born Shoes

image_2

Green blazer: Love Culture

Navy button-down: J Crew Outlet

Navy stripe flower elastic belt: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Dark Jeans: Ann Taylor Outlet

Leopard Flats: Rocket Dog brand, TJ Maxx

image_1

Purple Printed Wrap Dress: Ann Taylor Outlet

Black Bow Heels: Nine West Outlet

image_2_2

Light Blue Check Button-down: J Crew via Greene Street Consignment

Gold Chain Trimmed Cardigan: Target

Yellow Bauble Necklace: Charming Charlie

Peacock Blue Pencil Skirt: Ann Taylor Outlet

Leopard Flats: Rocket Dog, TJ Maxx

image_4

Leopard Earrings: Deb Shop

Black Ruffle Jacket: Banana Republic Outlet

Black Top: Forever21 Essentials Collection

Skinnies: CAbi Outlet

Leopard Flats: Rocket Dog, TJ Maxx

image_5

Coral Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet

Leopard Print/Coral Lace Trimmed Tank: Wal-Mart

Brown V-Neck: J Crew Outlet

Tan Pants: Express

Nude Bow Heels: Nine West Outlet

image_6

I just wore this today!

Black Lace Long Sleeved Top: TJ Maxx (black tank was separate and from Forever21 Essentials Collection)

Pearl Ribbon and Chain Necklace: Forever21

Light Khaki Ankle Pants: Express

Black Bow Heels: Nine West Outlet

Past Few Weeks

As you could see by all of the bags in Blanca, I have been running around A LOT lately, and haven’t really been dressing for fun, but for function. I have managed to get a few outfits though, that you may want to see:

image_7

Black Ruffle Jacket: Banana Republic Outlet

Orange Leopard Blouse: Charlotte Russe

Black Leggings: Express

Black Flats: Lucky, TJ Maxx

image_6

Purple Knit Top: Charlotte Russe

Grey Ankle Pants: NEW! Target, $27.99!!!!

Lilac Flats: Born Shoes, TJ Maxx

image_5

White Blouse: Express

Royal Blue Blazer: Bare Feet Shoes

Black Leggings: Max Studio, TJ Maxx

Black Boots: Etienne Aigner

image_4

Yellow Floral Dress: NEW! Forever21, $29.80 (belt not included)

Black Belt: Target (came with a skirt)

Black Heels: Nine West Outlet

image_1

 

Silver Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Navy Jacket: Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet

Skinny Jeans: Charlotte Russe

Cognac Boots: Bare Feet Shoes