Funny Little Valentine

Valentine's Day is coming up and whether you're in a relationship or not it's a fantastic excuse to add some CUTE to your life! And if you're looking for some VDay inspiration, I've scoured the Internet to bring you the cutest:

Happy V'Day B*tches - Pink Slouchy Oversized Sweatshirt $29

SCRATCH Love Letter Nail Wraps $12

North American Bear Co. "Be Mine Goody Bag" $12

AE Short Sleeve Intarsia Sweater $39.95

Mel by Melissa Mel Raspberry Pumps $75

Rose Heart Bath Bombs $11.25

Hate Hearts Mark II Skirt $20

Review: BPS Black & Rose Gold Watch

I was recently asked to do a review for bornprettystore.com watches and jumped at the chance! I love watches and was taken aback by all the choices the website had to offer. I ended up chosing a black silicone one with a rose gold and rhinestone dial. It's made by Geneva, a trusted and durable watch brand. I have been obsessing over rose gold for the past year now and I've been wanting a black watch so it was the perfect choice for me.

Burnished Fluorescent Silicone Student's Watch

*This style also comes in all the colors above.

It arrived much quicker than I expected (it traveled all the way from Asia) and came in an adorable striped gift box on a tiny velvet pillow! 

I love this watch because it's casual and comfortable enough to wear every day, but the rose gold and rhinestone details make it easy to dress up too! Here's an example of how I would wear it:

The lovely BPS rep I worked with also gave me a special discount code for my readers. Just enter "VALERIEPC10" to get 10% off & FREE SHIPPING on any purchase!

Read the Born Pretty blog here: http://bornprettystore.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolutions 2014

I've done quite a bit of self-reflection over the past year and while I've always been introspective, more recently I've been making a conscious effort to really process my thoughts, rather than just "think" them. I'll turn 30 (eek!) in 2014 and can finally say that I'm at place in my life where I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for where my life has taken me and also the only one responsible for taking it where I want it to go next. After all,

“Nobody’s going to save you. No one’s going to cut you down, cut the thorns thick around you. No one’s going to storm the castle walls nor kiss awake your birth, climb down your hair, nor mount you onto the white steed. There is no one who will feed the yearning. Face it. You will have to do, do it yourself.”

― Gloria E. Anzaldúa

In the past when making my resolutions I've kept them fairly vague and without clear instructions on how to accomplish them, so this time I'm going to be specific and include how I plan to succeed. 

Without further adieu, here are my 2014 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Live a more healthy lifestyle. I will be mindful of my carbohydrate, gluten and sugar intake while also following a regular fitness plan.

How: I will use the myfitnesspal app to track calorie intake as well as exercise, follow Amanda Russel's Fit, Strong & Sexy program and make the most of the workouts, recipes and tips I find on Pinterest.

2. Save more money. I am moving back to my hometown (Sarasota, FL) in June so saving money for the move is priority 1. I will also pay down student loans and clean up my credit. 

How: I will use a savings account I cannot easily access.

3. De-clutter. I will stop my hoarding tendencies and drastically cut down on all I have accumulated thus far. 

How: I will use the "40 Bags in 40 Days" system as well as donate 2 boxes a month to charity. Anything worth selling will be sold and the funds will go directly into my savings account.

In addition to those top 3, I also intend to:

• Cook more (a.k.a. learn to cook).
• Read more (books, not just Us Weeklys).
• Take better care of my skin (exfoliate & moisturize, ladies!).
• Travel! Though I've been to all of them before, I plan to visit NYC, Key West & Disney World in 2014.

What are your New Year's Resolutions this year??

Fake It Til You Make It!

Since moving to Tennessee from Florida last year, I'm finding it much harder to keep my natural tan. One thing I've noticed about my new southern surroundings however, is that a tanning bed is only a stone's throw away. I kid you not, there are tanning beds in video rental stores, gas stations and diners around here. Being tan is a big deal for women in my new state. Even more so than in Florida where laying out at the beach was a weekly ritual for my friends and I.

While tanning packages are fairly reasonable, I prefer to skip the UV bulbs and opt for a gradual fake tan from a bottle instead. I loved L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer but have recently found a product I love even more - Banana Boat Sunless Tan Lotion. Unlike the L'Oreal Bronzer, this one has no shimmer that can rub off on your sheets, clothes, etc. and it's steak-free, self-adjusting formula is almost as amazing as it's $6 price tag.

I'm a Medium/Olive skin tone naturally but find I look much healthier and can wear less makeup when I've got a nice dark tan going. It also makes my teeth look whiter!

Speaking of white teeth, my other favorite fake-it product is Crest Whitestrips. Currently, I'm using the 3D White 2-Hour Express but want to try the Intensive Professional Effects next.

One last "fake-it" I love to use when I can afford it is LiLash eyelash growth serum. If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know I saw dramatic results and my before/after photos were undeniable. I LOVE this product and am anxious to start my LiLash routine again. 

LiLash - The world's most popular purified eyelash serum - SHOP NOW

What are your favorite "fake-its"?

Happy Bday, 'Merica!

Why am I not wearing these with a Bud Light in my hand on a pontoon boat somewhere? Why?!

Fresh Take Leggings in "Flag" on ModCloth

What To Wear: Cinco de Mayo

"Where's the Salsa" tee - Spenglish

Cropped boyfriend jeans - Vince Camuto

Red sandals - Tory Burch

Pinata wallet - Xhilaration for Target

Silver watch - Michael Kors

Day to Night: Casual Friday

Transitioning from the office to drinks out with friends or co-workers is easy when you stick to a neutral palette. (I'm a fan of the black and cream combo myself.) A simple shoe and bag change is all you need to reinvent your casual, work-appropriate attire to an outfit that is ready for a night on the town.

Blouse, blazer, jeans, tote bag and flats - H&M

Arrow necklace - Forever 21

Watch - Casio

Wristlet and booties - Target

My Mother's Day Wish List: 2013

This year's wish list is kind of all over the place.

I've asked my husband for perfume & a diamond candle -- but I have specific requests. I've become a bit obsessed with Diamond Candles for the past few months and love the surprise of finding a ring inside every time (even though I know it's in there, I still act surprised). I have a few different scents already but I really want the "Carnival Candy" one next. I love the smell of cotton candy & I think it will compliment my fragrance choice nicely...

I've been teetering between both of the Taylor Swift Wonderstruck perfumes for a while now but after smelling the Nicki Minaj Pink Friday on a whim at ULTA one day, it's moved to the top of my list. It reminds me of what a stripper would smell like before she "took the stage" - fruity lip gloss, flowery deodorant and lots of vanilla body spray. Mmmmm.... slutty! (But in a good way.)

As for the other items on my list, they're more of a Lust than a Wish. I am dire need of a larger vehicle (my VW Beetle is just not family-friendly) and I think a Jeep Compass would be a fabulous replacement. The Nike Free leopard print sneakers are an urban legend. I've drooled over pictures of them online but only seen them for sale on eBay. If they do in fact exist, I would literally squeal like a schoolgirl if I got a pair.

The french toast with fresh strawberries just sounds delicious, so I figured hey, while I'm wishin', might as well add some good ol' breakfast in bed to the list!

What do you fabulous mamas want for Mother's Day this year??

Work Appropriate Halloween Costumes 2012

It's been quite a while since I've blogged so I thought I'd make a few styleboards for you ladies who may be in need of some costume ideas this Halloween.

I recently started working as a medical secretary at a prison (it's much less scary than it sounds, I promise!) and while we're allowed to dress fairly casual most days, full-on costumes are not allowed. Being the festive, holiday loving girl I am however, I will be sneaking in some elements of costume while still staying within the confines of our dress code.

Here's what I came up with:

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

This was my first choice but I wasn't able to get all the pieces in time. The dress is from Old Navy, the shoes are Toms and the necklace is from Etsy. I was planning on styling my hair in curled pigtails like she does in the movie and wearing the bows on the ends. The gold glitter polish is of course a nod to the yellow brick road.

"Rosie the Riveter"

After watching last week's Parks and Recreation, I was inspired to dress as a modern day Rosie the Riveter a la Councilwoman Leslie Knope, but I think I'll save that one for next year when my arms are (hopefully) more flex-worthy than they are now...

Minnie Mouse

I finally settled on an updated version of everyone's favorite mouse, Minnie. I already had the top from Forever 21 and the ears from a trip to Disney World a few years back. I plan on clipping some yellow bows to a pair of black flats and picking up some white gloves and frilly socks to make it a bit more cartoonish. 

What will you be going as this year??

LiLash Promo Code!

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Reading my blog for the first time or don't know what LiLash is?? Click here to see my un-sponsored & honest reviews of this lash growth serum.