Leathering Up

I bet the first thing you see and that your eyes are drawn to in the above picture are the orange sunnies and/or the nifty neon-ness of that brilliant bag, right? Well, would you believe me if I told you that my little eye spied something else entirely at first? Something white and leather-y that I just had to immediately emulate? And so I did. By finding this to leather right on up to.

Photo Source: we the people

Pinkerton

I'm kinda sorta lovin' the fact that this season, hot pink is considered a neutral basic. Who woulda thought that would ever happen? But, then again, I guess there really are no rules when it comes to this whole fashion thing, now are there? So I wanna do my part, my donning duty, and hop on the bright bandwagon too by buyin' this rainbow brite buttoned beauty. 

Photo Source: Refinery29

Celebrate Good Times

Today is a good day to wear a hot pink pout, dontcha think? Really, every day is a good day to don a brighty-bright lip, but especially today. Why, you say? Because today is my 1000th post.YAY! One thousand. Not one hundred, nopey nope nope. ONE THOUSAND. That's just bananas. So bloggin' bananas, in fact, I'm a-thinkin' we need to celebrate. Come on! So whadaya say? Will you swipe some brighy-bright today ?? 

Photo Source: Le Fashion

The Braidy Bunch

Of course. Of course I would see this picture literally right after I chopped, chopped, chopped and then chopped some more of my coif off into the shortest pixie cut I think I've ever had. Of course. And as totally and completely IN LOVE I am with said 'do, it still makes me think back and remember the time that I had bangs long enough to braid like that and just never did. Darn it.

Photo Source: rockstar diaries

Neck Lift

Good gracious. Look at that modern-y breastplate/necklace up there. All bright and purdy-like on that blondie. The perfect accessory to her orange crush-y and coral dress. Makes me want one for own little version of a neck lift too. BIG time. So much so, I'm a-goin' right here where there are dangle-y options aplenty.

Photo Source: Garance Dore

The Red Eye

I've never personally taken a red eye flight into or out of anywhere (although I have taken many an early morning flight to get to where I wanna be for a normal-ish ETA to get to partay on my vacays) so I thought I'd bring it back - and take it quite literally - to the cosmetic basics today with what I know: Make-up. And wouldn't a red eye like this be so gosh darn rad the next time you go and/or fly ... well ... anywhere?!?

Photo Source: Refinery29

California Dreamin'

Remember that clothes horse cohort I was talkin' about? Well she's gettin' ready to head on off to the sun, surf and sands of my birthplace, the very same destination I tell people I'm from whenever asked - even though I moved away from it when I was only four years young - the good ol' sunshine-y state of California. And since I'm sadly not going, I thought I could still show some sort of style solidarity with this pretty pouch, yeah?? 

Photo Source: GREEDY GIRL

Tumblin' Down

There are two drinks I just can't get enough of once the season officially ticks over to summer: Strawberry Lemonade and Cherry Limeade. Mmm. Yum-yummy. And it's a proven fact that they instantly begin to taste better the minute they pass thru a striped straw and an itty-bitty and too cute tumbler too. 

Photo Source: OLIVE & COCOA

Candy Striper

I don't know if it's the sweltering sun's heat or the fact that it actually stays warm for longer than a minute these days, but with it all comes my wanting to dress in nothing but the girliest-of-girlie colors: pink, pink and then some more pink. And it comforts me to know (just like cotton candy would, I'm sure) that I'm not the only one thinking pink. One, two & three. Wee.

Photo Source: OH HAPPY DAY

Man Up

I was just discussing all current fashion-y trends at the dinner table the other night with my clothes horse cohort and the subject of menswear came right on up as being uber popular right now. Again. And I gots simply nothin' wrong with it since I seem to only wanna wear loose-fitting trousers, button-ups and pretty pretty chiffon-y bow ties at the moment. Must be my new freshly-cropped 'do's doing.  Makin' me man up and stuff. 

Photo Source: ban.do

Waterworld

Water can be ... well ... what's the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah. Plain. And usually oh-so-boring for me to drink on down. So you can imagine how gosh darn hard it is for me to take my daily vitamins too. Yick. Well, luckily, with just one twist and turn of a cap, ACTIVATE has taken care of my H2O woes for me by not only dressing it up and making it a teeny bit fancier in flavor for my taste bud's liking, but also by including and reminding me how important it really IS  to take my vitamins.  

Photo Source: ACTIVATE

Wonkavision

There isn't a week that goes by where I don't see Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory while flipping through the TV channels. And yes, I almost always stop to watch it. And when faced with Slugworth's tempting everlasting gobstopper offer of to take or give it back, I wonder which choice I would make. But with this near-perfect match/necklace, now I don't have to. 

Photo Source: FIVEANDTWOshop

My Boyfriend's Back

And I'm gonna be in trouble. Hey-la-day-la, my boyfriend's back. Hey! He knows that I've been tryin' all those skinny, flared and boot cut styles AND he knows that I've been lyin' when I say I've not been buyin'. But now he's back and things'll be fine, fine, fine 'cause I'm gonna make these blue boyfriends mine, mine, mine. Hey-la-day-la. My boyfriend's back.

Photo Source: Anthropologie

Daddy's Day

I've got the most unselfish, un-self-celebratory parents on the planet. So when it comes to days like today, and asking what my daddio could possibly want or need, he always says the same thing, "Nothing." But I'm a blogger and I gots to say and post something -- so I'll just simply say: HAPPY DADDY'S DAY!

Photo Source: Pinterest

By The Book

Being a nerdy wordy, this short little French film just 100% solidifies my decision to only take Trax (ie: the train) and public transportation from now on. Only for the off chance that I just so happen to sit down next to a cute and handsome penciled fella that enjoys the silence as much as I do. It could happen, right?!?

Video Source: YouTube

Cute By The Foot

I've got a need. A need for greed. But really only when it comes to the world's most uncomfortable shoes. Platforms, high heels and wedges ... you name it, me and my wallet have claimed it. No one is safe. Not even a kitten heel. But I pay for it (usually in more ways than one) with tired, ache-y and not-so-happy feet. So this warm weather-wearin' summer, I plan on remedying it. With gifted-to-me, fully foldable, clearly oh-so-fashionable and cute-by-the-foot Kushyfoot's Sandal Flats to Go. 

Photo Source: Cute By The Foot Me

In A V Formation

When summer hits, I seem to slack right on off of taking the extra ten minutes or so to really concentrate and put on a full face of make-up. Usually thinking that there is nothing wrong with a little dab of concealer and some chapstick to call it a successful cosmetic day. But then Valentine up there had to go and get all sorts of pretty with her v-like liner, makin' me think I need to do nothing but the exact same thing with/on my own.   

Photo Source: Hello It's Valentine

Seeing Eye-To-Eye

As if Kate's blog, wit + delight, wasn't already one of my daily must-reads, now she's gone and gotten herself photographed in what just may be the cutest pair of glasses I ever did see. You know my ongoing obsession with all things specs, so naturally, I want to see if I can emulate her lovely lenses. And I think I will with this purdy lil' pair. Or maybe this one. Yes. Yes indeed-y.

Photo Source: The Glitter Guide

Over The Moon

I love being introduced to new things. Gets me all sorts of happy-excited and I start to sport what I have fondly dubbed "the perma-grin." You know the one. Where you literally CAN'T STOP smiling at the thought of the thing that has you so giddy to begin with? Well. That's what happened when I became aware of Chibi Jewels. To which I am now completely over the moon about. Especially their Tribal Crescent Necklace that comes in small, medium AND large. Yep. Cue perma-grin.

Photo Source: Chibi Jewels

Slickery When Wet

After fluffing, spritzing, scrunching and spraying my hair while styling it day in and day out, there are times when I just want a completely different and whole new look. And since I have the short-ish hair for it, I figure why not go the exact opposite end of the strand spectrum and sleekify it by becoming a city slicker sometimes? It's so chic anyway. And easy. All you need is some good old-fashioned gel and you're set. And slickery when wet ...

Photo Source: REAL SIMPLE

Skin Deep

I've never really ever had any major problems with the skin I'm in (other than its total and complete sensitivity to the sun or anything resembling light - maybe that's why I take such a liking to all things vampire-y) so my all-to-familiar routine of washing my face with soap and slathering on sunscreen seemed to work and do me just fine. Until now. And until H A V V N. 

This complexion o'mine and I have had the pleasure of testing and trying this particular DNA System for a good week or so and now I'm a total believer in all its beautiful botanical-y benefits. That radiant glow they talk about? They aren't kiddin'. I saw it day one. I don't even need to wear any make-up, but when I do, it glides and slides on like buttah. BUTTAH. 

I also catch myself running my hand over my face WAY more than any one person should because I just can't believe how smooth and naturally shiny I look and feel. Imperfections completely and 100% erased and gone only to be replaced by a pretty dewy glow. And now it's your turn to go skin deep. Until July 14th, use the code bargainbex, for 10% off. Suuhhwweet.*

*Good golly gosh, have I got some GREAT and easy-peasy for you, dear readers o'mine, news! You can now enter to win a free DNA KIT (Yeah!) by simply signing up for HAVVN's newsletter. Enter here: http://www.havvn.com/havvn-form.php.

Photo Source: Shiny Happy Me

Shipwrecked

I'm wrecked. Positively GUTTED that me and my measley means of a wallet can't possibly begin to afford this pirate's booty of a necklace. I mean, look at it. It's so blessedly perfect. Ah well. This is just a perfect example of one of the many woes of being a bargain-y budget blogger. AAAARRRRRRGGGHHH.

Photo Source: Little House Of Vintage

Writers Stripe

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that has gone completely head-over-heels bonkers for all things stripey-striped this season. It's also comforting to know there is someone else out there who has my bloggy back and that can introduce me to all the lil' lines I may have missed - like these beautifully-lined Bobby Stripe Lace-Up lovelies that can only be described as black and white and (that I just wanna) tread all over (in). Yeah.

Photo Source: American Apparel, The Drifter and The Gypsy

Love Is All You Need

Did the Beatles have it right all along? Is the answer to all of life's questions based upon and in one super simple four-letter word? Well if London's Bundle MacLaren Millinery has got anything to say about it, with their flowery headband, declaring so, then ... yes. Love IS all you, me and we ever need.

Photo Source: Boticca

Short Sell

You rarely, if hardly ever, hear of someone wishing that they were shorter than they are/were, but you're hearing it here first, today, on this blog o'mine: I, Bargain Bex, wish right at this moment that I was much, much shorter than my what-I-thought-to-be pretty universally average height of 5'6". Wondering why? Well just look at the darling pink dress up there on Kelli. All 'Live Fast' and totally and completely lovely. 

Oh wait. That's not a dress ... it's a TANK!?! And all she had to do in her short-storied and small-framed wonder was put a red dress-like piece to peek out from under said topper. How gosh darn cute is that? If I tried that, I'd look like I wasn't wearing any bottoms! So yeah, you're hearing it here, first: I, Bargain Bex, wish I was much, much shorter today. Much, much shorter.    

Photo Source: Kelli Murray

Right In The Kisser

I know I said I feel like I've already got the whole red lip thing down pat, but, it's always smart to continue your cosmetic education, is it not? Especially since there is never just one way to do things. And thanks to Keiko's Makeup Academy video series, I feel like I could learn something new for both me AND my face with every little clickety-click. Today's lesson? The perfect, stay-put, not-goin'- ANYWHERE ruby red-lined kisser.  

Photo Source: Keiko Lynn via Pinterest

Me, Myself And I

I am most definitely NOT what you would call a super duper skilled (or even promising starter and beginner) at DIY-ing. Really. Not even close. I'm just not known for my craftmastery when it comes to me, myself and I making something from nothing. But. I AM really, really good at following well-written and precise step-by-step directions, so it couldn't hurt to at least try to earn my brightly-colored tassel(s) by graduating to the next level of DIY-dom by making this ombre-d dangler, right??

Photo Source: Oh The Lovely Things via Creature Comforts

Sheer Genius

One of the prettiest color combinations I think has ever been invented is pink and red. So girly, so feminine and SO purdy. And since I've already got the red lip down pat, when sheer ruffles and a peplumed waist are added, you start gettin' into total and complete genius territory, according to blouse-bloggin' me. Besides, wouldn't this top be BEYOND brilliant paired with some baggy boyfriend jeans, ankle socks and platform-y heels ?

Photo Source: Fancy Fine Vintage

Treading Lightly

There are times in this chunky monkey, high-heeled shoe-lovin' life o' mine when my tootsies not-so-quietly beg for some much-needed (and what I've deemed deserved) downtime and R&R. And during those times, I try my best to please and appease by wearing the Grandoe Corporation's Smartdogs Comfort Slippers. 

'Cause they actually heal while I heel about town with antibacterial properties and energy chakras. Plus they come in four chic, warm weather-approved colors AND now thru July 31st are being offered at 15% off with the code SUMMER12. So if you're ready to start treading lightly this summer, let's do. 

Photo Source: smartdogs

Waxing Philosophic

I made the decision a long time ago: I'd be a lifelong shaver. And that was that. I had no problem resigning myself to a daily morning routine of grabbing a razor and soap while showering. No problem at all. That is until me and my brows were introduced to Nad's. Then the whole glam gam world of waxing opened up to me. And now, with these two kits, I can always and forever be bikini-ready and, well ... I've changed my mind and have made a new decision:  I'm a lifelong waxer.

Photo Source: Pinterest

Eye Of The Tiger

Can't you just see it? Total tiger territory within this neon-y sees orange and black eye look? All bright and fierce-like? Makes me wanna let out some kind of a roar, purr or at least flash my talons a bit to let everyone know I'm here and I mean business. Dang it. And isn't that what make-up is supposed to do for us anyway? Boost all of our cosmetic (and feline-y) confidences???

Photo Source: le FASHION