Since I've started this crafting/thrifting streak, I have become addicted to spray painting anything I can get my hands on. My favorite color to paint, you ask? Why GOLD! Alas, this post isn't about gold spray paint.

With Lily's big baby shower on the way, I've been trying to get everything together, a little bit per day, to make this a big shindig. My theme has to do with horses because A) In the Chinese horoscope, it is the year of the horse (and I was also born under this sign), and B) you'll have to wait till after the shower to see the theme because I think its pretty EX.CIT.ING!

I've been on the hunt for anything horse-ish and have been dying to get out my trusty spray paint trigger and getting started. The weather was FABULOUS this weekend so I set out to paint this adorable carousel horse I found at a thrift store a few weeks ago. For $6, you can't beat it!

I love that the white gave the horse a modern, classic look and kept the pole its original gold. I'm going to use this and a few other DIY projects I have going on as decorations for the shower. Once that is done, I can use it in her nursery!

Oh, and that GORGEOUS tassel bracelet was made by Lakeitha Duncan of Wrist Soiree. She makes her bracelets to size and has some beautiful and reasonably priced pieces. Check her out!

Neiman Marcus has been reduced even further to 70% off. Go buy that Alice + Olivia bike NOWWWW!

Hello lovelies! Its been about a week and a half since I've blogged = BAD BLOGGER!  I have mixed emotions about the holidays this year. My family is scattered around the country (sadface) for Christmas and I hadn't seen them at Thanksgiving either (my parents were out of the country) although we had spent it with Mister Special's family (they are always a fun bunch and the food is DEEEELISH!). This year for Christmas, we decided to stay home and celebrate Christmas together. While I do love hanging out with my Mister, I am missing my family a bunch. :(

A giant storm had rolled in on Friday (last night) as one of my closest friends was coming to visit. Unfortunately, when she arrived, she was also came down with the flu. Reluctantly this morning, she had to drive home and cancel our weekend. Double boo.

The rain is steady here but that didn't stop the Mister and I from bundling up and walking downtown to get a coffee and watch all the Christmas shoppers dash to and fro in their giant colorful umbrellas (and some parents scrunched under their children's tiny Power Rangers or Hello Kitty ones) as the rain blew in sideways and pouring at certain times.

I do have a shopping tip if you haven't already been into Target. The Neiman Marcus collection is HALF OFF ladies! Since the collection has come out, the biggest complaint among customers I've talked to in the store and my friends say that they simply wouldn't pay the full price for those items because Target has a reputation for providing "reasonable prices," despite the fact that they are selling luxury items. With the 50% reduction, that Jason Wu dress you've been eyeing  or that Alice + Olivia bicycle (which is now $249.99) is now attainable.

Here is the link to the Neiman Marcus for Target shop: http://www.target.com/c/target-neiman-marcus-collection/-/N-5ouwb%20%20#?lnk=lnav_t_spc_x_x&intc=910053|null

Happy Shopping ladies!

As I was on my way to SF from SLO last week, I stopped in at the Target in Morgan Hill (its usually the spot where I take a break from driving and stretch my legs). WELL, I wanted to share with you the lovely blouse I bought since it was such a bargain at $19.99! I purchased a lovely navy blue blouse with pink chevron stripes all over it. BEEEEAUTIFUL! And (i'll say it again) its only $19.99! Its a little shorter than I prefer but it lays nicely and doesn't ride up.
Isn't it adorable? I wore it to a girlfriend's going away party this past weekend. As warm as it was, this shirt kept me cool! I have other sheer blouses which I'm more conscious of since I feel like I have no shirt on when I wear them but this shirt and the coloring disguised the sheerness!

Here I am with it on. :)



Target always releases some key items that are a must-have for every season! Its a purchase I definitely recommend!
 Here is the link for it:http://www.target.com/p/xhilaration-juniors-pleated-chiffon-top-waves/-/A-14181739

I recently stumbled upon an Iphone app that has changed the way I shop. Ever heard of Poshmark? You can sell your items (take up to 4 pictures, add fancy filters and a brief description) in one sitting! As a buyer, you can barter the price, trade or pay the price given. Most of the items are priced decently but I've been able to barter all the purchases I've made for lower prices! The app is user friendly and convenient in that posting isn't a chore (unless you really hate taking pictures... but who doesn't like Instagramming and Iphoneing these days!) and paying through the app is crystal clear. As a seller, the app takes 20% from your purchase and they send you a package to ship your items to the seller.

I can find awesome deals on mainstream brands like J. Crew, Banana Republic and Gap. People also sell high end items like Christian Louboutin, Gucci and Prada... I must warn you...once you try it, you might become hooked.

If you log on, come find me @howlovelee

Happy shopping!

(that's me @howlovelee! below are some of the beautiful items i'd purchased: Zara bubble skirt, a bib necklace from F21, and a beautiful green one sleeved dress)