Stud Finder

There's no better way to draw attention to your face and add a subtle touch of glamour than with stud earrings.  Especially as we head towards summer, when soaring temperatures make wearing necklaces & layers of bracelets feel far too constricting.  Whether you prefer a sparkly oversized pair or small & colorful, there's something here for everyone - and all my picks below are under $40!

Sabine Turquoise - $15.00

Anthropologie Down & Up - $28.00

Juicy Couture Princess - $38.00

BaubleBar Blue Pop Knot - $24.00

Anthropologie Neon Beacon - $28.00

Belle Noel Wishbone - $30.00

Kate Spade Anchors Away - $24.00

J. Crew Factory Pave Starfish - $29.50

BaubleBar Beetle - $26.00

Forever 21 Horseshoe - $1.50

Tinley Road Opaque White - $15.99

Dana Buchman Textured Oval - $9.00

Hive & Honey Triangle - $14.00

Juicy Couture Pyramid CZ - $38.99

Poshlocket Tate Crystal Cross - $26.00

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Wild at Heart

These white trousers are the most repeated piece of clothing on my blog.  Probably because they go with everything - perfect for toning down a busy print (here), balancing out a bold mix of colors (here) or creating a graphic look (here).  If you haven't found your perfect pair yet, I've included links below to several options for every price point, height & shape.

What I'm wearing:

Ann Taylor blouse (similar), Gap trousers (similar here, here, here or here), ELLE pumps, Jason Wu for Target bag, Target sunnies, Michael Kors watch, Bracelets: ASOS, Vintage & Monet, Lips: Revlon Lip Butter Candy Apple, Nails: Zoya Paz 

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World's Fastest Flat Iron

Being a mother of two, my time to get ready in the morning is pretty limited - between making breakfast for my kids, packing lunches for school & fixing my daughter's hair...there's not many minutes left for me!  So when I heard about José Eber's World's Fastest Flat Iron & that it heats up in less than 5 seconds, I couldn't wait to try it.  Not only did it get hot as fast as promised, but I love that the temperature is adjustable all the way up to 450 degrees (my hair is naturally curly & quite stubborn).  

Please excuse the orange walls - we are renting & haven't repainted this room yet!

Smooth, straight & shiny hair - this took me less than 5 minutes!

My favorite feature by far, though, is the lifetime warranty.  If you're like me & typically buy the cheaper version of hair tools...you usually have to replace them every 6 months-1 year (maybe 2 years, if you're lucky).  Admittedly, this is more expensive than the products you'd find at Target or WalMart.  But, think about it being the last flat iron you EVER have to buy!!  In the long run, it would actually save you money!  All of the products from José Eber have a guaranteed lifetime warranty (with the original receipt) & they will replace your tool at any time, no questions asked.

The people at José Eber have graciously offered PPF readers an exclusive 15% discount off all products on their site!  Just use code PENNY15 at checkout & pick out your favorite flat iron, clipless curling iron or blowdryer...it's the last one you'll ever need!

Disclosure: José Eber provided me with the flat iron free of charge to review.  I was not paid for this post & all opinions here are my own.

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Rainbow Sherbet

Today I'm excited to introduce you to a new Etsy shop that I recently discovered called Love Obsessed.  If are a fan of Tom Binns jewelry, you will be thrilled because these are similar, but cost much less!  And the best part?  Each piece is a vintage one-of-a-kind, so you won't have that awkward, "oh, we're wearing the same thing" moment.  You can even place custom orders and request the exact color combination you want. 

Stacy, the talented & super-sweet owner of Love Obsessed, is offering an exclusive discount to PPF readers!  Just use code NEONLOVE at checkout to get 5% off your purchase (valid thru May 2nd) - of course you can buy something for yourself, but these pieces would also make an amazing Mother's Day gift!

What I'm wearing:

J. Crew sweater (here), H&M pants (here) & blazer (here), Mossimo sandals (here), Merona clutch (here), Banana Republic necklace, Lucien Picard watch, Bracelets: Banana Republic/DIY & c/o Love Obsessed, Nails: Essie Tart Deco

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GCOGH Giveaway ~ CLOSED

If you haven't yet heard about Go Chic or Go Home, welcome to your newest online obsession.  GCOGH is a photo-sharing community that combines your closet, outfit inspiration, your friends & shopping (all of my favorite things)!  Think of it as a combination of Pinterest + Polyvore for everyday fashion, where you can follow your friends/other bloggers boards to see how they put pieces together for outfit inspiration.  You can also create your own "look book" with pieces from your closet and then mix & match them into different ensembles!

The talented people behind GCOGH have graciously offered to give away a $50 gift card to any of the retailers featured on their site (including Gap, J. Crew, ASOS & more)!

How to enter:

1) Request an invite to Go Chic or Go Home

2) Use your invite link to sign up & become a member

3) Leave a comment below about the GCOGH community.  What is your favorite feature?
(Existing members are more than welcome to enter the giveaway, too!  Simply log into your account so that it's active during the giveaway period.)

Open to all PPF readers, even my international followers!  Giveaway will close on April 30th at midnight EST and I'll announce a winner the following day.
Good Luck!!

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Shabby Apple Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my giveaway & a special thanks to Shabby Apple for providing this $75 gift card!  Our winner is...

Calli

Congratulations - I will be emailing you shortly with your special code so you can pick something out!  For those of you who didn't win this time, don't worry...I have another great giveaway coming up tomorrow!

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Chevron Striped

After putting this outfit together, I realized that the last time I wore this blouse (here), I also paired it with a black & white skirt.  There's just something about this cheery color contrasted against a graphic print that feels right to me...and it was the perfect laid-back combination for a family trip to explore a new park and watch the sunset.

My son hijacked this shot J

What I'm wearing:

J. Crew blouse (here), Vintage skirt (via Etsy - similar here), Bracelets: Tasha (similar), Sonoma (similar) & Forever 21 (similar), Target fedora (here), sunnies & sandals (here), Lips: L'Oreal Target Red

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Going West

In just one short week, I will be headed to California to attend Lucky Magazine's Fashion & Beauty Bloggers Conference in Santa Monica.  I was fortunate enough to get to attend the last conference, held in NYC during fashion week (read the recap posts here, here & here), and I am so excited to see what this year's event will hold (see the list of speakers here). 

Thankfully, I get to have Tiffany as my traveling buddy & roommate (who I met at FABB 2011) and I will also FINALLY get to meet my blogging bff, The Stylish Housewife, for the first time in person!  Though I will miss my husband & kids, I am so looking forward to a sun-filled mini-vacation with my girls (& some of my family who lives in LA).

Posts will continue as scheduled for the 5 days that I'm gone, but I may be a little slower to respond to your emails and comments...though I promise to do my best!  I'll be taking tons of pictures & can't wait to share my trip diary & personal photo album with you when I return (plus a few goodies from my gift bag)!!

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Simple Sophistication

I spent some time this week browsing through & cleaning up my boards on Pinterest...and it proved to be a fruitful exercise.  While doing so, I realized that most of the outfit pictures I'm drawn to & inspired by are really simple looks.  Sometimes the chicest combinations are just basic pieces combined with interesting details.  A lace-embellished collar on a silky white button-down + a classic pencil skirt in sleek (faux) leather + mixed metal dainty bracelets = simple sophistication. 

What I'm wearing:

H&M top, Forever 21 skirt (similar), Zara sandals (here) & clutch, Bracelets: Vintage, c/o Poshlocket (here) & J. Crew (via eBay) Target sunnies & earrings, Nails: Essie Lollipop, Lips: Revlon Moon Drops Blase Apricot

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Dainty Rings

Big, bold cocktail rings used to be the statement jewelry of choice for your fingers...but lately, understated styles have become more popular.  These small & delicately thin bands are taking over because they're much more wearable & versatile.  I personally love this trend and have been looking for some affordable options to add to my jewelry box.  If you don't see a style you like below, I highly recommend checking out Etsy & just type "thin stacking ring" in the search bar - there are literally hundreds of options at very reasonable prices!

Whistles Spade Charm Ring - $21.81

Diament Jewelry for Urban Renewal Knot Ring - $16.00

Gold Arrow Ring - $25.00

Gold Fill Heart Ring - $35.00

Accessorize Love Ring - $18.00

Delicate Arrow Ring - $12.00

Tiny Skull Ring - $35.00

Gold Fill Stacking Rings - $8.00/each

(also love the silver ones here)

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Industrial Garden

Do you ever feel that your personal style can't be classified into one category?  This is certainly true for me - I tend to fluctuate between being drawn towards classic tailored styles and flowy, slightly bohemian pieces.  As John Fairchild (former publisher of Women's Wear Daily) said: "Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma."  In other words, what really matters is staying true to what works for you (& what you love) and not worrying about whether or not you fit into a specific mold.

What I'm wearing:

H&M tee, Allen B skirt (here), Forever 21 belt, BCBG sandals, Candies jacket (similar here or here), Dockers aviators, Bracelets: Banana Republic, Target & Forever 21

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Drugstore Favorites

When it comes to hair & beauty products, I have no problem spending a little more if the results are worth the price (proof: my regular shampoo costs $30 a bottle!).  But, there are some things I've found to work just as well as (or in some cases, better than) their more expensive counterparts.  I'm not one to keep a good thing to myself, so I thought I'd share with you my latest discoveries that are definitely worth adding to your cart.

1) CeraVe AM - $13.99 (print a coupon here)
At my last dermatologist appointment, she recommended I switch from the regular CeraVe moisturizer to this version.  I love that it keeps my skin hydrated all day long + contains hyaluronic acid, SPF 30 & zinc.

2) Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo - $5.59
The best clarifying shampoo I've tried!  Wash with this once a week to get hair squeaky clean & remove any residue build-up (especially important if you regularly use products with silicone).

3) L'Oreal Elnett Unscented Hairspray - $11.99
My favorite hairspray just got even better!  Gives you great hold that still allows your hair to move...and now without the awful smell!

4) Garnier Skin Renew B.B. Cream - $12.99
My new go-to product for the warmer months ahead - a primer, SPF and illuminator all in one!  Slightly better coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but less than regular foundation (I use the light/medium shade).

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Lacy Afternoon

You may have seen me tweeting recently about my new clothes shopping discovery.  It happened accidentally one day while getting some things for my 8-year-old daughter.  I bought an XL girls striped tee & realized that it fit me!  So, when I saw this top on clearance at Gap Kids, I was so excited - it's the same color as the J. Crew lace top I've been drooling over, but cost me less than $15!  (This is a decidedly more conservative pairing, but was ideal with a white blazer for Easter service at our church last weekend...which was when these pictures were taken.)

What I'm wearing:

Gap Kids top (sold out online, check your local stores), Banana Republic skirt (last seen here), Merona belt, BCBG pumps, Forever 21 necklace, Vintage & Monet bracelets, Nails: Sally Hansen Shrimply Devine, Lips: NARS Roman Holiday

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Shabby Apple Giveaway ~ CLOSED

Today I'm excited to introduce you to Shabby Apple ~ an amazing online boutique that has gorgeous & feminine pieces, with a slightly vintage feel.  If you haven't heard of them before, you must go check them out!  Here are just a few of my favorites from their shop right now:

Andes Skirt (on sale now!)
Bistro Blouse

Tiber Dress

Bandersnatch Skirt

If you're loving these items as much as me, then you're in luck because Shabby Apple has graciously offered to giveaway a $75 gift card to one PPF reader!

How to enter:

1) Be a follower of PPF on at least one platform (BlogLovin, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Google, RSS, etc.) - sorry, US residents only
2) Like Shabby Apple on Facebook
3) Head over to Shabby Apple and let me know in the comments below what you'd purchase if you win (& please make sure you include your email address with your comment so I can reach you if you're our winner)

You have 10 days to enter - the giveaway will close on April 22nd and I'll announce a winner the following day!  Good luck!!

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Great Lengths

I kind-of have a thing for pleated skirts - you can look back through my outfit posts & see the proof (here, here & here).  But, because of my height, I've had a hard time finding a maxi skirt that is truly long enough...and within my budget.  So when I came across this one at JCPenney, I snatched it up right away.  Not only is the length just right (I can wear this with flat sandals, wedges or heels), but the creamy white color will go with everything from a plain gray tee to a chambray shirt or a bright blouse like the one I'm wearing here.

What I'm wearing:

Old Navy top (here), Allen B skirt (here), Vintage necklaces, Target cuff (similar), Gap belt (similar), BCBG pumps (not shown)

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Steals Under $30

I had a hard time choosing which pieces to put together for this edition of SUT, so after much going back & forth, I finally decided to show 3 different options for the tops (a button-down neutral, a solid bright & a fun print) - this way, there's something for everyone.  As a side note, I recently purchased this skirt for myself & will be using it as my feature piece in next month's 4 Ways to Wear!

Forever 21 Sleeveless Shirt - $15.80

Forever 21 Cuffed Sleeve Top - $15.80

Forever 21 Straw Fedora - $9.80

Forever 21 Dotted Top - $14.80

H&M Flat Sandals - $24.95

ASOS Skinny Boyfriend Belt - $10.74

Old Navy Tea-Length Skirt - $29.94

Accessorize Square-Edged Hoops - $10.00

BaubleBar Gold Geo Cuff - $22.00

Lulu's Red Leather Clutch - $29.00

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Preppy Pastels

For this month's edition of Everybody Everywear, we were challenged to wear pastels.  Since I'd already done a dressed-up outfit in these hues (here), I decided to choose something more casual this time.  The nude accessories help tone things down a bit (so I don't look too much like an Easter egg) & make it slightly more sophisticated. 

What I'm wearing:

Gap shirt (here), Merona sweater (similar) & belt, H&M pants, MRKT wedges, London Fog bag, Banana Republic necklace (via eBay), Michael Kors watch, J. Crew & Banana Republic/DIY bracelets, Dockers aviators, Nails: Sally Hansen Shrimply Devine

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4 Ways to Wear ~ Floral Pants

For last month's 4WTW, I focused on a closet staple: the chambray shirt (see the full post here).  But, this time I wanted to show you how to wear one of the biggest trends for spring - floral pants!  I know this style is more fashion forward and may not be for everyone, but I'm hoping these outfits will prove just how versatile they can be & maybe convince you to give them a try.  In addition to these looks, other ways I have worn them is with a simple white button down & my bright peplum top (seen here).  You can view more detailed photos from this shoot on my Facebook page & let me know in the comments below which look is your favorite.  Next month, I'll be featuring 4 ways to wear a midi skirt!

What I'm wearing:

Ann Taylor blouse, H&M pants (here) & necklace (here), BCBG pumps, Michael Kors watch, Vintage bracelet, Zara clutch

What I'm wearing:

Banana Republic tank, H&M blazer (here) & pants (here), Mossimo pumps (here), Christian Siriano for Payless tote, Michael Kors watch, Express bracelet & earrings, Dockers aviators

What I'm wearing:

Forever 21 shirt (here) & vest (here), H&M pants (here), SO flats (on sale here), BCBG necklace, Target sunnies, Urban Expressions clutch,Bracelets: Forever 21, Target, Monet & Fossil 

What I'm wearing:

Ann Taylor top (on sale here), H&M pants (here), Guess pumps, ASOS clutch, J. Crew necklace (via eBay), Forever 21 belt, Target sunnies

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