Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Outfit Under $50

I am a firm believer that having style has nothing to do with how much you paid for a piece in your wardrobe. It's all about what inspires you, how you put it together, and knowing how to rock it.True style is eternal and you can not buy it- it's a bit like rhythm, you either have it or you don't. With that being said I definitely can dance but I am also a bargain shopper, have always been. I prefer to get most of my pieces at thrift shops, garage sales, department store sales, vintage expos and I do buy the occasional cheap & chic piece from lower end mall stores. I prefer to buy pre-owned clothing and accessories when I can. Not only is it economically friendly there is nothing like the hunt.  I enjoy sifting through a round rack of old clothes that once was stuffed to the back of someone else's closet. Its true; one persons trash is another person's treasure. There also is no comparison to finding a unique piece that has already lived a life before you purchased it. I enjoy knowing that the pre-owned clothes I buy have a story and that once purchased it's next page is a chapter in my life. I also know that what I buy in a used clothing store usually means only I will be wearing it, since its mass production trend life cycle has already passed. 

The cheaper price doesn't hurt either. I refuse to pay retail for anything! Working retail both on the front lines and behind the scenes as a buyer has ruined me. Since I am now aware of how much things actually cost to make, the ridiculously cheap quality the fashion industry has come to depend on and the super high mark up, not to mention a built in markdown cost I can no longer buy anything at retail price because I just feel like I am cheating myself. And trust me they are cheating you too - but I won't get too ranty right now- that's a whole other blog post. 

Bottom line is an outfit does not need to cost an arm and a leg.This outfit costed me a grand total of $38.94! I styled everything around the striped denim pants I got at H&M last week for $4.95. Yes, these amazing ass-flattering pants were under 5 bucks! I originally got that too-good-to-be-true feeling in my gut when I picked them up to try them on because well, something that is on promotion for $4.95 has got to have some major flaws, right!? Like maybe the fabric is paper thin, or maybe they are capable of showing your thong because they are so low when you crouch down, or maybe the cut is just weird? Turns out they are not that bad. I mean obviously the most picky person in the world bought them, me.I even got a few compliments on my ass-et if ya know what I mean. Also only 5 bucks were these cute booties I got at a garage sale last Spring. Can't beat that price! The backpack is perfect for my commute. I picked it up a few summers ago at a thrift store in San Diego for 3 bucks! I find myself wearing it everyday now. Why backpacks ever went "out" of style is beyond me. My blouse is the most pricey at $17.99 from Forever 21. Hello, on trend outfit for under $50 dollars. 







Outfit Anatomy
Top: Forever 21-$17.99
Cami: Forever 21- $4
Pants: H&M- $4.95
Booties: Garage sale- $5
Necklace: Forever 21- $4
Backpack: Thrifted- $3



Living for the hunt,

<3 Sab


Monday, April 7, 2014

The California Life


This Sunday, like a kid on Christmas morning, I woke up unbelievably excited because I was going to the beach! I couldn't wait to take the hour drive to destination: Paradise. I happily slathered on my SPF, packed some sandwiches, snacks and of course wine along with my beach blanket, threw on my shades,and was out the door. Oh, and of course, naturally, I dressed like a modern mermaid, spritzed my hair with sea salt spray, and  even packed on the gold foil shimmer eyeshadow. :)

A Bay Area girl through and through I decided a couple years ago to move to San Diego. It was a great few years of living with two of my best friends, club hopping in the Gaslamp, meeting amazing people, and of course practically living at the beach. I got really spoiled as many San Diegans do, and probably the reason they never leave, because they either get the luxury of living on the beach or having access to it within 10 minutes. Now that I am back in the Bay Area I have realized that it was the best decision I have made in a long time. I feel a deep connection to this place I call home and wouldn't have it any other way. It's not 75 degrees all year round but I like it that way. We have everything and more here; art, culture, diversity, amazing food and of course sky-high rent prices but the one thing that has been calling my name to head back down south is the hot sand, crisp breeze and smell of the ocean one can only find at the beach.

Although I no longer reside in Sunny San Diego I am unbelievably lucky to be a California girl. We have every terrain possible within just a few hours drive. Want snow? Head to Tahoe. Want city? San Francisco or LA is a hop skip and a jump away. Want mountains, hills and camping? Umm, yeah beautiful Yosemite and many more amazing campgrounds exist here. Want the ocean? Drive an hour to the coast nestled in the beautiful redwoods of Santa Cruz. Which is exactly what I did this Sunday.



Who needs San Diego when I can drive an hour to the Santa Cruz coast!? Luckily we have been going through an insane heat wave this "Spring" and I was able to go visit the sunny sands of Capitola in April.
My friend and I had the BEST day. We didn't listen to the radio on the entire drive through the beautiful 680 through San Jose and along the windy CA 17 and instead just lusted after the beauty of the green hills, valleys, and the way the clouds float in the crisp blue skies. "This looks exactly like Italy"  my friend said. "We live in the most beautiful place ever", she continued and I can not help to agree.

Once we reached Capitola and found parking we headed down the hill towards the ocean breeze but were stopped by the perfect metaphysical shop that one could only discover in a sleepy beach town. Its called Avalon Visions.  It reminded me of the one I used to frequent in Ocean Beach in San Diego called Tree of Life and I was happy to find something comparable here in the Bay Area.  We spent an hour or so observing a photo of a woman's aura being captured, talking to the lovely shop owners and perusing the crystals and oils. In case you haven't realized I am a witchy woman at heart.

Amazing selection of crystals for an affordable price at Avalon Visions

Each oil serves a different purpose. The "Money drawing" oil actually has strips of cash in it. I ended up getting the "Divine Love" oil because, well, why not?


After purchasing some rocks, oils and candles we plopped down on the beach. The sand was beneath my toes and I was one happy lady!The rest of the day consisted of beach napping, reapplying the SPF, playing with a Shitzu-Yorkie mix named Bella, complimenting little-ones on their rad swimsuits, drinking wine with strawberries, and just generally chillin. It was so relaxing. On the ride home in my best friend's convertible while blasting and swaying to the dopest beats on the radio I could not help but to be overwhelmed with gratitude for being a California girl.



Outfit Anatomy
Bathing Suit - Target
Mermaid Skirt - Twirl, San Diego


Brushing off the sand,


<3 Sab