Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

#1 - I love this post from The Everygirl, "Fashion Essentials for The Everygirl" (even though I am lacking a few of their suggested items...I mean, there really is no need for a cold-weather coat when the temperature in South Florida is always HOT!)

#2 - This video cover of the new hit "Call Me Maybe" is brought to you by Rebecca Minkoff. She's playing karaoke with model Hilary Rhoda & Leandra Medine (aka The Man Repeller). I have been playing it non-stop!

#4 - These "scrapbook nails" by Birchbox are super cute!

#3 - Holy cuteness. Jessica Simpson's baby girl Maxwell is too cute for words!

(via)

#5 - Who wants to make this colored layer cake for me??

 P.S. - I Made This... makes it look pretty easy!

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

Recent Looks

I do not post my own outfit photos the way most bloggers do. I don't have someone to follow me around while I prance about in my outfit. I don't have a fancy camera either. My pics are taken with my iPhone and I am the photographer. Oh well. I guess I also feel shy about posting my outfits because I think "who really cares?" but I know how much I love seeing bloggers post outfit pictures, so what's the big deal? Stupid insecurities!

Whatevs. Here are some of my most recent outfits.

Maxi Skirt: Sears
Top: Simply Vera Vera Wang at Kohl's
Necklace: J. Crew via eBay
Shoes: Aldo (seen here)

Cropped Jeans: Old Navy (not online but these are a good dupe)

Top: StyleMint - The Madison T

Gladiator Sandals: Target (old)

Necklace: Spike the Punch - The Dakota (40")

Jeans: Old Navy - The Sweetheart (boot cut)

Sweater: New York & Company (not online)

Shoes: JustFabulous - Elvira

Jewelry (necklace & bracelets): - unknown

Jeans: Old Navy - The Sweetheart (boot cut)

Top: Old Navy (not online)

Cardigan: Old Navy

Gold "Boat" Shoes: Old Navy (also seen here)

And finally one taken by someone other than me (first seen here)...

Jeans: Gap - 1969 Always Skinny

Top: Express (not online)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson via eBay

Necklace: J. Crew via eBay

So tell me....are you shy about outfit posts or is it just me?




Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

Handy Dandy: Drying with Tennis Balls

Throwing a few tennis balls into your dryer machine will help give your items a good fluff! Try this with any laundry load but this works exceptionally well when drying comforters, towels, coats and even pillows!

The tennis balls also help dry your loads in less time which in turn can help cut down your electricity bill!

For more info on how tennis balls can help with your drying cycle, go here!

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/ 

Style Crush: Nicole Richie

I cannot think of anyone else who defines "boho glam" better than Nicole Richie. She mixes up laid-back cool with effortless glamour in a way that seems so unbelievably natural for her. Plus the success of her own fashion empire (House of Harlow 1960, Winter Kate) alongside her gig on Fashion Star shows that she has a following all her own.

 

On another note, I joined the Bauble Swap over at Because Shanna Said So!
Check out the details & sign up - the last day to do so is July 15th!

     Shop My Closet!

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Friday's Five

My five favorites (post-it pranks!) this week....

#1 -

#2 -

#3 -

#4 -

#5 -

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

*Thanks to my friend Kristen for sharing these pics!

The Latest from Aldo

I am supposed to be on a shopping freeze...but really, that never lasts.

So I am trying to buy things only for cheap - by means of a sale or coupon only.

I am not sure if this will last either, but I am trying. I did snag up these gold puppies after posting them on a "Luxe for Less" post & since then, I have been on an Aldo kick.

My two latest buys from Aldo were also on sale so that made me feel better.

Ever since I wrote this post about corked shoes, I have been on the hunt for a cute, inexpensive pair. These sandals have a decent platform & feel pretty comfortable on. Plus I can't have enough of the cognac/flesh-toned color in my shoe collection!

(They also come in black & bone)

I saw this cute polka-dot bag in store but wasn't that in love to pay full price. I saw it on sale & immediately ordered it...I love me some polka-dots & I think they really give this bag a bit of fun & girly-ness in one sweet package.

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

Handy Dandy: Freeze then Grate!

To help make the grating process a bit easier, freeze your block of cheese an hour before you plan to grate it. This will help make the cheese hard enough to grate yet it won't ruin the taste or texture!

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

 

Pretty Things via Instagram

Sometimes the most simple of things can be the prettiest...

delicate cross bracelet

end of the week treat to myself

sweet eclairs

gift from my Mama

Palace Dome ring from JewelMint

All photos via my Instagram

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

Luxe for Less - YSL "Tribute"

Today's "Luxe for Less" feature is dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent's "Tribute".

This stacked 6 inch heel with platform features crissed-crossed bands of leather and adjustable ankle strap. This t-strap heel is a favorite among celebrities with deep pockets. At $850 a pop, I don't think I will see many of these showing up in my neighborhood.

Unless they happen to be wearing Lianca from JustFabulous.

Take the cue from YSL but take your wallet to JustFabulous, where their pretty-close-to-a-perfect-duplicate comes in at under $40! They also offer Lianca in wine & taupe.

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

*Thank you to my friend Jasmine who shared this dupe with me!

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...inspired by some of the blogs I love to read...

#1 - We can never have too many manners. Grit & Glamour shared some of my favorites!

(#2 is one of my biggest pet peeves!)

#2 - How gorgeous are these chopsticks?! ...love Maegan does it again!

 (via)

#3 - I love that bloggers so such sweet support to each other and I am so thankful for the support I have received from Marie at NYorkeratHeart! She is an active follower on Facebook and I just wanted to say THANK YOU!

Plus, I think you should visit her blog - it's pretty awesome! :)

#4 - I cam across this quinoa recipe on Pink Pistachio & it just so happened that I had everything needed to make this yummy dish. This was my first time making quinoa!

#5 - It's been Wedding Week over at Fash Boulevard! Everyday this week, Anna has been sharing peeks into her special day. Can we say STUNNING?!

(via)

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

 

Spring Beauty Vox-Box by Influenster

A few months back I applied to receive a Vox-Box from Influenster. A Vox-Box includes a mix of items for the recipient to test out and provide feedback to Influenster.

For May, I received the Spring Beauty Vox-Box.

My Vox-Box included:

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer

Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot Cushions (Bonus gift!)

Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Japanese Cherry Blossom

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

ChapStick Lip SHIELD 365

SOYJOY Bar

I am already a big fan of the fragrance mists from Bath & Body Works as well as the Dr. Scholl's cushions, but the others will be first time tries for me. I love trying out new things so I am super happy that Influenster sent me their Spring Beauty Vox-Box!

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: I received each product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster. 

Handy Dandy: How to 'Fix' Burnt Rice

Ended up with burnt rice?

Just place a slice of bread over the burnt areas for 5-10 minutes -

the bread will draw out the burnt flavor from the rice making it good as new...almost! ;)

Shop My Closet!

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Peachy Keen

I have been seeing the color peach everywhere lately...and not just in my fruit basket.

It's a great color for summer & comes in a variety of hues from pastel to bright.

Here are some peachy keen things to add to your closet this summer!

MICHAEL Michael Kors

Rebecca Minkoff

Loeffler Randall

ASOS

7 For All Mankind

How do you feel about peach in your closet?

Shop My Closet!

http://shoptheprettyfactor.blogspot.com/

 

Bring on the Heat!

For those of you who have been following the NBA's Eastern Conference games, you knew the big game was this past weekend - the Boston Celtics versus the Miami Heat. I did not watch a single game until this one (if my hubby isn't home watching it, why would I watch it voluntarily?!) but I had all intentions to cheer on the home team (being a NY girl, it's kinda a rule to be anti-Boston teams). Anyways, we dressed in our Heat colors and headed to church first before going to a friend's house to watch the game.

I think this picture totally shows how opposite we really are! It's too funny! My Hubs wanted to be all decked out for the game while I still wanted to be dressed nicely for church. We had such a good kick out of our ideas for church/game appropriate dress.

They do say opposites attract, right?

Our local grocery store even had cupcakes with Heat colors!

Did you watch the game?

Were you cheering for Boston or Miami?

*Follow my photos on Instagram - @theprettyfactor

Shop My Closet!

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Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...with a twist of humor ;)

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Shop My Closet!

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Cork It

As of late, I am seeing more and more shoes made of cork. I think the cork material paired with a nude/flesh color makes a good alternative to a basic, nude pump. I just don't know if I love it or hate yet. Sometimes I think they are super cute & other times, I think to pass on them since they aren't really more special than my basic, nude pumps! ;)

7 For All Mankind

Stuart Weitzman

Bebe

KORS Michael Kors

I think the styles offered by Stuart Weitzman & KORS Michael Kors are my favorites!

How do you feel about the cork trend?