OOTD // Thanksgiving

Can you believe that Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone? I swear this holiday season is just sneaking on by - this is the first year since the Hubs and I got married that I failed to bring out the fall decor. I totally skipped Halloween and then skipped on Thanksgiving as well! I don't even know how that happened. And it's not me - I LOVE decorating for the holidays. Anyways, back on today's post - what I wore for Thanksgiving dinner. My entire family got together at my aunt & uncle's home for a big feast and lots of photo ops. Thanksgiving tends to lean on the less dressy side of the style spectrum for our family, but I still like to add some sparkle and dress up just a bit.

 

 

 

Express Sweater (out of stock online, but similar option) / Old Navy Cords / Steve Madden Heels (old, but similar option) / BaubleBar Necklace (no longer available online, but a nice alternative) / Guess Watch / Express Bangle Bracelets / J. Crew Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

  We hope you & your loved ones had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Who's taking part of Cyber Monday?! Some of the deals I shared on Friday's post are still active for today, so be sure to check them out. Let me know what deals you score!

 

 

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2012

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your nearest and dearest. I spent some great time with my family centered around yummy eats & the Monopoly board (more on that next week), but today is just as important! I have gone out for Black Friday for quite a number of years, but today I decided to stay in.

 

I put together a list of some great sales that you can take advantage from the coziness of your home.

 

ASOS:

11/23 use code BLACKFRIDAYBONUS for 20% off

11/25 use code CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL for 30% off

 

BAUBLEBAR:

11/23 only - use code FRIDAY15 for 15% off two baubles, code FRIDAY25 for 25% off three baubles, code FRIDAY35 for 35% off four baubles

 

C. WONDER:

30% off on orders $100+

 

GAP:

Up to 60% off

 

J. CREW:

Use code COLOR25 for 25% off plus free shipping on orders $150+

 

J. CREW FACTORY:

Use code GIVEANDGET for 40% off plus extra 15% on orders $100+

 

PIPERLIME:

Use code ME for 20% off site-wide

 

SHOPBOP:

Use code BIGEVENT12 for 35% off

 

STEVE MADDEN:

Use code HOLIDAYS30 for 30% off plus free shipping

 

T+J DESIGNS:

use code TDAY35 for 35% off site-wide

use code BLACK50 for 50% off on select items

 

VINCE CAMUTO:

Use code HOLIDAY for 30% off site-wide

 

 

 

 

 Image

OOTD // Blogger Inspired: Bows & Sequins

As an avid reader of fashion blogs, I come across outfits often that make me want to recreate them from within my own closet. Sometimes it doesn't always work out - I may not have similar items or the outfits may not be realistic for my daily life - but other times they are just perfect! I saw this look over at Bows & Sequins and immediately fell in love. I knew I had to make it my own.

 

 

 

The combination of the striped tee + boyfriend jeans + leopard flats made for an easygoing, practical look for the workday and luckily enough, I had every single piece!

 

 

 

J. Crew Top / Target Boyfriend Jeans (similar option) / Target Leopard Flats (similar option) / Kristin Hassan Necklace (similar option) / Guess Watch / JewelMint Gold Bracelets / BaubleBar Coral Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what do you think? How did I do in remaking Jessica's look?

 

 

Should I do more 'Blogger Inspired' outfit posts?

 

Crushing on Green

 

Green is one of my favorite colors for fall. The richness of it is just perfect!

 

 

Wedge Sneakers / Hat / Scarf / Blouse / Necklace / Eyeshadow / Blazer / Earrings / Legging Cords / Leather Flats / Clutch / Nail Polish / Dress / Skirt

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

 

#1 - I love this dark ladylike look by Atlantic-Pacific. It totally proves me wrong about combining navy & black together.

 

 

#2 - Maya Brenner's iconic pieces are now on BaubleBar. I totally love the state pendants & teeny, tiny initial necklaces!

 

 

#3 - Bath & Body Works "Leaves" candle. The perfect scent for fall.

 

 

#4 - My 'little' brother was in town this week and I totally enjoyed every moment we had with him. Lots of family time at our parent's house. And just before he left, we got some good news! I'll share it once I get the ok. :)

 

 

#5 - Today is "Pink Day" at work in honor of those who have battle & survived breast cancer. I'm wearing it for my mama who has survived it twice.

 

 

 

 

OOTD // Seaweed & Coral

I wore this Seaweed & Coral outfit this weekend for church. It's such an easy dress that can easily be dressed up or down. And I love throwing on a denim jacket over dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Dress (similar option) / Old Navy Denim Jacket / Jessica Simpson 'Astor' Shoes / Necklace (similar options here, here, here, here & here) / BaubleBar Bracelets / Guess Watch / Jessica Simpson Sunglasses (similar option)

 

 

 

 

And I am totally loving my sock bun. I practiced this all through Tropical Storm Isaac and now I am almost a pro. Practice makes perfect - check out the 'how to' here!

 

Florals for Lunch

No I didn't eat florals for lunch....I wore florals for lunch!

Yesterday we had lunch with my Mom (& Dad too) at PF Chang's for Mother's Day. The Hubs and I looooove PF Chang's. Seriously, we would have no problem eating there everyday if we could. We don't even open up the menu because we have the same order every single time. Occasionally, we try something new but that's rare. One of my favorite treats: this mini red velvet cake dessert...yum!!!

Anyways back to my outfit!

(without iPhone flash)

(with iPhone flash - the colors look brighter here!)

Dress: Old Navy

Cami: New York & Company

Cardigan: Target

Gladiator Sandals: Qupid

Gold Watch: Guess (as seen here)

White/Gold Bracelet: BaubleBar

Neon Leaf Earrings: BaubleBar

Love Necklace: (I can't remember!)

Gold Links Bracelet: Spike the Punch

Unfortunately I didn't get any shots with my Mom or Dad. I thought I took a picture of them but it's not on my phone and the one group shot the waiter took was all blurry. But I did snap this one pic of my husband & I....isn't he so cute? :)

Hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day!

 

Friday's Five

Here are my five favorites this week...

#1 - I don't think I have watched this commercial without getting choked up!!

#2 - The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit up this week & this is just another reason why I wish I lived in NYC. How amazing to see this on a regular basis!

(via)

#3 - Have you checked out the blog ...love Maegan? It's a fantastic blog put together by Maegan that features lovely outfit posts, her amazing DIY craft projects & the occasional tutorial. I am in LOVE with her "Zig Zag French Braid" that she posted this week!

Doesn't this look amazing?! Learn how to do it yourself - check out her tutorial here!

#4 - You know my love for BaubleBar & their weekly special, the Buried Bauble which is a piece offered each Friday for only $10! They post a hint on their blog & then it's up to you to find the Buried Bauble before midnight...or before it sells out! Well beginning yesterday, they will be offering their Buried Bauble EVERYDAY till December 20th!

So sign up HERE & get in on the frenzy!

#5 - The Hubs & I picked up our very first REAL Christmas tree this week! We have a really nice fake one that is super tall & super full but we wanted to give a real one a try to see what the hype is all about. We found the most perfect one & tonight we are going to decorate it! This night is always one of my favorites!

Isn't it pretty?! The smell is AMAZING.

Are you following The Pretty Factor? Check out yesterday's post & see how you can!

New Shoes & Baubles via Instagram

I haven't shared Instagram pics in awhile and I was pulling some of them for this post, I realized that the majority of my recent pics were of shoes and jewelry. Makes me wonder how many purchases I haven't taken pictures of!

BaubleBar

(FREE with my referral credits!)

JewelMint

Meghan LA via HauteLook

Monica's Fantabulous Fashions

Michael Michael Kors (thrifted!)

ShoeDazzle

ShoeDazzle

Marco Santi via SoleSociety

Marco Santi

And I found this cute calendar for the new year...it will bring a little girly cheer to my office!

 You can find my pics on Instagram @theprettyfactor

Not a member yet? Sign up here -

BaubleBar

HauteLook
JewelMint

ShoeDazzle

Sole Society

Find Monica's Fantabulous Fashions on Facebook!

Now let's see if Cyber Monday brings anymore shoes or jewels my way!

BaubleBar: Show Us How You Store 'Em

I have been selected as a finalist in a Facebook contest for BaubleBar! They are running a contest where we show off photos of our jewelry storage and the winner gets a special care package from BaubleBar. I have a major love for BaubleBar as seen in this post and I previously shared how I organized my own jewelry collection here. I sent those photos to BaubleBar as my submission. They picked the photo of my beaded necklaces as one of their finalists! The photo with the most comments wins!

I would absolutely LOVE to win this care package from BaubleBar and I need YOUR help! Please go to my photo and COMMENT underneath! Contest ends next Wednesday.

Vote Here

THANK YOU!!!

And while you are on Facebook...like The Pretty Factor!

Monograms

Monogrammed jewelry has have been out and about for awhile now, especially on the rich and famous. You can see Taylor Swift sporting the look with her necklace...

These delicate pieces can cost you a pretty penny. Taylor's necklace is a Jennifer Zeuner piece which begins at $264 but can cost up to $895 depending on which metal you prefer! You can also find a similar monogram necklace from Jennifer Miller. Again, these choices aren't fitting within my "non rich and famous" budget.

But this style isn't beyond our reach! Bauble Bar just released their own collection of personalized pieces! Grace from Stripes & Sequins is Bauble Bar's Director of Social Media and she announced today on Facebook that we can get our own monogrammed piece straight from Bauble Bar! Their collection features six pendants that you can customize with your choice of metal and your own initials. Grace has seen them herself and placed her order and I am excited to order my own. Their pieces are definitely more affordable! Thanks for the heads up Grace!

Check out their Personalized Pendants collection here. New to Bauble Bar? Check out some of my purchases and then sign up here!

BaubleBar

BaubleBar is an online fashion jewelry retailer that offers their pieces at affordable prices. All of the items offered are sourced from high-end designers and sold without the high, marked up costs. Their jewelry is available till they sell out and new collections are offered each Monday and Wednesday. Shipping is free and their return policy is easy too! You can read more about their site specifics here.

I personally love that their site is obligation free - no membership necessary! You shop as you please. Their blog also keeps you informed to new promotions and insider info. One of my FAVORITE promotions from the summer just recently came back - each Friday, BaubleBar offers an item for only $10! It's a game of hide & seek - they post clues as to which item is the "Buried Bauble" for that particular Friday, then you search the website to find it and it's yours for $10! Subscribe to their blog or Facebook page for their "Buried Bauble" posts each week.

Each purchase gives you a credit to future purchases from "The Vault" - these items are specifically set aside for loyal purchasers. Another way to earn credits is to refer friends to purchase from BaubleBar with your personalized referral link. This is such an amazing way to earn FREE jewelry! Almost every single piece I have received from BaubleBar was either purchased thru their "Buried Bauble" promotion or from "The Vault" with my free credits!

Each order comes with a personalized note from their staff!

This is my BaubleBar collection so far

Glam Nautical Duo necklace

Cluster Fringe necklace (via "The Vault")*

Coral Hexagon bangle (via "The Vault")*

Top Row, L - R

Pink Flower chandeliers (via "The Vault")*, Blue Cabochon bubble drops

Bottom Row, L - R

Elongated Green double drops*, Sherbet swing teardrops

Peach cushion cut studs

I also have the Hematite chunky links bangle (I forgot to include them in the picture!) and the Marbled enamel bangle is on it's way to me in both the brown and ivory!

As I stated before, every piece I have ordered from BaubleBar has either been a Buried Bauble purchase ($10) or from "The Vault" (free with credits). The only item I paid full price for was the Glam Nautical Duo necklace.

I highly recommend BaubleBar - their jewelry is made with such great quality and you can't beat the deals offered! Plus their customer service is top notch!

If you would like to check them out for yourself, please sign up here! Don't forget to follow their blog too and 'like' them on Facebook - right now, they are offering a 15% discount if you sign up to receive email updates!

*Items may no longer be available.