Body Central Review

With a lot of contemplation, I decided to order 3 things that were on sale from this site called Body Central. I had a lot of hesitations when I was browsing online because of their size chart. I'm tiny, so a lot of American sites smalls are still too large for me. After doing a lot of research online, I decided why not take a chance and order something from their clearance section. I read that their items ran small which is good news to me!

I wish I took pictures of the three things I order. Maybe I will after I try them on. I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed by the quality of their items. I kind of thought that it would be comparable to Alloy but it's more like a bad version of Forever21.

Floral Tie Front Top

This is actually on sale right now for $1.99. That's right. I actually paid $3.99 for it, with a discount came down to $3.59. I got it in a SMALL. It looks SUPER CUTE on the model but when I got the actual product, the fabric is super thin and the top just didn't really have a shape to it. It might be different when I try it on. I just realized how pointless this review is without pictures of the actual items! Original price is $16.99. I would NOT spend $16.99 on it.

Knotted Skinny Stretch Belt

I got it on sale for $3.99. I actually, really like the belt. It's cute and it fits which is perfect. Hard to find belts that fits me. Usually, I have to make my own notch.

Ponte' Panel Skirt

This was on sale for $6.99. Once again, I got this in a SMALL and I don't think it fits true to size compared to the size chart they presented. My hips are about a 33" and my waist is probably a 25". This is definitely snug even on me. It's good for the price, more of a body con skirt. Although, the weird thing is the skirt has lines and the inside of those lines are actual seams. So, when you put it on, you see all these bumps/bulges where the lines and seams are. So it's kind of weird. Makes you seem really bulky.

I'm actually wearing the skirt today so I just went to the bathroom and took a picture of it. It's really not that flattering now that I look at it haha. It is exactly what it looks like I guess it just does not look as good on me.

Overall, I think I would have to try on the other top but for what I paid. It's DIRT CHEAP. But it does make me hesitant to try and buy some of their other stuff that might be a bit more expensive only because I don't think I would expect great quality. With that being said, I would still probably take my chances on some stuff that are on sale.

H.S Dropout

Today I wanted to write about a personal achievement. It's really not that big of a deal because there are a lot of notaries out there and it's a very easy process. However, it's kind of a big deal because...well I've never really academically achieved anything. I don't even know if this could be considered academic's because it's not. I've never had a certificate of any sort that I could frame and be proud of. 

Why is this a big deal you ask? First of all, it's something that I'm ashamed of. It's a tough question to answer especially when I am interviewing or when I have professional conversations with other people. I didn't go to college. I don't have a degree. What's even worse than that? I'm a high school drop out. That's right, I said it. Now it's out there for the whole world to know. I don't have a high school diploma. I did get my G.E.D a couple years after I dropped out but that's not exactly something you want to put in a frame.

For me, it's something that I have embraced but at the same time it's a VERY awkward topic when I work among people with college degrees and masters from respectable colleges. I feel like in the financial  professional world,  if you didn't go to college then you've lost a couple points. I know that for myself, where I am now, it's not something to be ashamed of. I have been very fortunate and blessed to be able to be where I am without a degree. At the same time, it wasn't just an opportunity that landed on my lap. I've had to work really hard to prove that I was just as good as the people with a degree, if not better. 

I didn't drop out because I was dumb. Well, yes I was STUPID to drop out, 4 months before graduation senior year. I dropped out because I felt like I was bored. The fact that I didn't need to apply myself to get a passing grade made me lose interest. I didn't need to be there to pass a test. Then eventually, I just stopped going. Probably one of the only things I can honestly I say I regret was not staying in school and pursuing something. If I can get a job like mine now, with just a GED. Can you imagine where I might be if I had actually studied and picked a major? 

Now, I feel like it's too late. I know it's never too late but I have so much going on in my life it's really hard to focus. My goal is to start college again and get a degree. Just so on paper, I can be taken more seriously. 

Blu Dot Swap Meet

So one of the things I do a lot is, I venture the web. I do a lot of searches depending on what's my niche for the moment. The thing I love about the internet is you never know what you will find. The possibilities are endless. You start somewhere then, something gives you another recommendation and *click click click* you are at a site that you've never seen before. To me, it's kind of like driving to some place you don't know, (or in my case usually getting lost) and finding the coolest hole in the wall place to eat or discovering a new store with a closet to Narnia.

Today, the website that I've found is Blu Dot. Blu Dot also has pieces of furniture that's offered by Target and that's kind of what drew me to the site. So upon finding this site, there's this link on the top that says DO NOT CLICK and of course I clicked it! One of the things they had within that page was a online swap meet. Okay, what a brilliant idea that is. I'm guessing it's a place where people can trade stuff that they have with other people. I personally don't think I have anything that anyone could want but I thought the idea was genius.

Honestly, the stuff on the site is too pricey for me. It might not be for others and the style is very modern and unique. So this is my web find of the day!

Bargain Shopping

I know that I like to shop. When I was single and bills were my only worries, I definitely spent some money on  materialistic things to treat myself for my hard work. Now that we are a family of four, we have to be careful with our spending. I don't think I could completely sacrifice not shopping all together so here and there I'll do some major bargain shopping. I'll find a couple pieces from Forever21 or just anywhere online in their sale section. I am a clearance/sale online shopper.

Recently I went into the F21 store, which I almost never do and I did find a couple things. I've been wearing a lot more dresses to work lately because it's simple and easy. Plus, a dress always looks professional and I'm just not really that into slacks. They don't fit me well and I feel awkward in them.

I decided to share my look and outfit today.

Let's start with make-up. I did what I think people call a pin-up look? I don't really know what you'd call it. Vintage? It's minimal and most people would add fake lashes to the look but I'm not going to wear fake lashes for work.

This look is SUPER SIMPLE! Here are the products that I used.

For my eyes:

I used my Chella highlighter pencil for under my brows.

I use this as a primer ALL the time. I love the subtle color with a hint of shimmer. I use my right ring finger and apply all over my lids.

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

I use gel liner EVERY day. I use to use it on both my top and bottom, but lately I've only used it on my top. I find that it's the only way my liner won't smudge because I have greasy Asian eyelids.

I actually got this one from my Ipsy bag and started using it when I ran out of my Buxom Lashliner.

I used the Marbella eyeliner pen for my bottom lashes. I also got this from my Ipsy bag. I don't typically use this because I feel that the color was kind of light. But, it was perfect for my bottom lashes in this case, because I wanted something natural looking and for my top liner to be more dramatic. 

For my cheeks I used one of my favs! :)

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide On Cheek Tint in BANG!

For my lips I actually went with this old lipstick I purchased from Target. It's the cheapy Wet & Wild brand. I remember I tried it and didn't like it the first time and abandoned it. At the time I couldn't adjust to using brighter color lipstick. Now, I actually love it!

Wet & Wild 905D "Hot Pink"

I don't really wear any foundation or concealer besides under my nose. I know I'm weird. One thing that I have been doing different when I wear lipstick is that I actually use my The Body Shop Tea Tree Concealer stick and I outline the outside of my lips. I feel like it defines the shape of my lips and helps my lipstick not run.

Another thing I wanted to write about today was this dress I got from F21!

I paid $16.80 for it and I was super excited to wear it for work. The only thing was the waist was much baggier than I expected so I added on a belt to it. It's a chiffon fabric and it has pockets. Very comfortable and a great steal!

DIY- Braided Racer Back Tank-Old T-Shirt Project

So, I've been on this new DIY kick lately with my old t-shirts. One, because I have a TON of plain t-shirts with sayings on them. I usually, wear them for volleyball because they're not fitted enough for me. So I decided to re-vamp some of them. Why not right?!?

I looked up this Youtube tutorial the other day, more like earlier this week and well I tried to do it to one of my t-shirts by memory. Let's just say I think I should have pulled up the video and done it side by side.

I also recommend practicing on a t-shirt that you really don't care for until you've mastered it.

First you cut along the sleeve lining.

Then you make an incision along the neck line so you can cut along the front and the back.

Then you cut a racer back shape off from the back of the shirt. The best thing to do is to cut one side, then take the cut off piece and use it to trace the outline for the other side so they are identical.

Then you cut it straight across.

Then you cut the long strand into 3 pieces.

Then you braid it. If you don't know how to braid...uh Youtube it :)

Get your needle and thread

And just sew it together enough so the braid won't undo. I just stuck the needle in the middle so it would capture all the layers,

Wrap it around

and wrapped it around the sides a couple times, 

pierced the needle through the middle again and tied a knot.

Here's the trickier part. So you take the secured braid and you find the center of the top part strand of the t-shirt. You sew it with the braid underneath the shirt collar. So it forms a T look. The t-shirt is upside down at this point.

And you just sew it the same way to secure the braid to the T-shirt. Through the middle.. 

Then I just wrapped it around..and through the middle again and tied a knot.

Okay, now take that extra piece we cut off from the sleeve.

And you cut a strand from it. About 3/4" inch.

You wrap it around that ugly sewing job you just did and end with the extra piece underneath the braid.

You sew it again. The part you're sewing would be considered the "inside of the shirt," if that makes sense. It's the part that would be touching your back.

I just did a simple straight across line. I call it the road. Looks like the lines in the middle of the road - - - -

So when you're done, you'll still see a little flap of cloth left.

Just cut it off and what ever piece hanging around that you might need to clean up.

Then you cut along the bottom hem of the shirt. Depending on how you like your length.

I think the top part looks kind of funny, but not bad for my first time!

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