Express Giveaway Winner!

Can anyone say MIA? I've been hunting for a new place to live and all I have to say is STRESSFUL.  But on to FUN things, like who won the $25 Express Giftcard Giveaway?

"New follower and I love your blog! Following on bloglovin for sure." - Hilary Mae

Congrats to Hilary Mae!  Email me at perkette@gmail.com and send me your address within 48 hours.  Bummed you didn't win?  Keep following my blog - I have more great things to giveaway in the next few weeks!


Tweet

Just Because...Another Giveaway!

Alrighty readers! Just because you are so fabulous I have decided to give away a

$25 Gift Certificate to Express!



Picture from Express First Look for May 



Here's how to enter:

*MANDATORY*

You must be a public follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect (right hand sidebar)

Leave me a comment below about what's missing in your closet!

Extra Entries:

*LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH*

-Follow me on Bloglovin

-Follow me on Twitter (@imageenvyblog)

-Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post and leave me the URL

-Tweet about this contest with a link back to this post and mention @imageenvyblog.

You can use this as a sample tweet:

@imageenvyblog is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Express! Enter here: http://bit.ly/ijRMGv

That's FIVE ways to enter! This contest is open to US and Canada. The winner will be drawn by random.org. Giveaway ends Monday, May 30 at Midnight EST with winner announced on Tuesday, May 31.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.


Tweet

Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School

I was excited for this edition of Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School (although sometimes I call it Menswear).  The only requirement from Pretty Shiny Sparkly?  Wear a tie. And so I googled "how to tie a tie" and tried my hardest with Husband looking on disapprovingly!   My tie-tying skills are terrible.  I fully admit, if it weren't for Husband helping me out, I may not have participated!  He tied two ties for me (always good to have a backup) the night before and so I'd like to introduce you to my perfect Windsor knot: 

Shirt from J. Crew, jeans from Gap, tie is from Dillards, vest is custom, boots are Skechers, belt I've had forever, and earrings are from Chicos.

But Bloggers Do It Better is not the only great thing going on today....come back later this afternoon to find out what I'm giving away!

See Bloggers Do It Better: White Out
See Bloggers Do It Better: Color Blocking

Tweet

My Pathetic Attempt at Outdoor Shots

Remember when there were a few days last week that were warm and perfect?  This outfit happens to be from then but I kept it until this week to remind myself what will be coming (hopefully soon)!  Also, below is not my "sultry" face, its my "its really bright and I'm hurrying before the neighbors stare" face.  There is a difference.

A random sidenote on these bermudas (and to show how long I've owned them): A boy in college asked me to go golfing with him just because he thought these shorts belonged there.  So I went and he was amazed at how well I golfed.  And then I accidentally broke his club.  We'll leave that part of the story for another day...on to the closeup!

Bermudas are from Dillards (long time ago), shirt from DownEast Basics, belt from Gap, necklace from ShopBop, earrings from Nordstrom, shoes are Jeffrey Campbell, purchased from Nordstrom.

I'll leave you with a little sneak peek of what's coming tomorrow:  something my husband had to do for me AND something just for you!


Tweet

How to Shop Smart: Be Nice

**This was posted originally on May 12 but because of Blogger technical difficulties, it is being reposted.**

This may seem like common sense in the how-tos of shopping smart, but being nice not only makes a good shopping experience, it has its perks.

For example, Husband and I went shopping to add a few items to his business casual wardrobe.  We knew we needed 2 dress shirts and at least one pair of pants, but they also needed to coordinate with what he already had (remember the rule of three?).  We walked into a chain store and have never received better service - she checked up on us, she fetched what we wanted so I didn't have to drag the stroller around the store, she asked people to move for us so we could get the stroller around, she was magnificent.  We put several items on hold and checked out a few other stores. 

After a terrible shopping experience at other stores (what is it about a baby that makes salespeople run from you?), we made our way back to the first store with the great saleslady.  As she was checking us out I told her about how she was the best customer service we'd seen all day and if there was a manager I should compliment her to.  There wasn't anyone to talk to (I think she was the manager) but she told me about the survey on the receipt for 15% off my next purchase and then gave me a $40 discount right off our total and extra coupons.  With the sales that were going on plus the discount she gave us, it saved Husband and I $150!!

This isn't the only time being nice and friendly to the sales staff has benefited me - I've had exchanges/returns when they weren't supposed to, I've been let in on when new sales were going to start, I've found out about how to get better coupons in my e-mail, the list goes on and on.  So next time you're at the mall or wherever you shop, go out of your way to thank the people helping you and see what it can do for you!


Find out other ways to shop smart, how-tos, and leave me a comment about how being nice while shopping has helped you!



Tweet

Monday Makeover: How to Make Stick-Straight Hair Wavy

Katie asked how I get my hair wavy.  I naturally have stick-straight hair and getting any curl can be a nightmare.  I used to use a ton of hair spray but hated the stiff feeling that it left. When I had longer hair I used a thicker curling iron to get big waves, but with short hair I didn't like the way it looked.  Using a straightener gives me that I-just-woke-up-and-my-hair-is-naturally-this-great look.  Below are simple steps to allow you to create the same look.

1.  Take a small section of hair:  the smaller amount of hair the tighter the wave.

2.  Rotate straightener 180 degrees:  I roll my straightener backwards because I prefer a wave curling away from my face, rather than towards it. Think Farrah Fawcett.

3. Rotate another 180 degrees making one full turn:  this is what will create the wave so try to keep the straightener level and close to the scalp as you move on to the next step.

4.  Pull the straightener out:  Depending on the speed of which you pull, you'll either get a ringlet type of curl or a wave.  I prefer the wave so I pull quickly.

5. Repeat!  The great part about using a straightener is if you don't like the curl, you can straighten it and try again.

See the finished product here, here, and here.  The outfit featured in this how-to is featured here.


Tweet

P.S. Whatever Blogger has been doing the last couple days is affecting my blog. I've lost a few posts and some other functions aren't working properly so I apologize if the formatting and comments aren't working!!

Paper Doll Project with Curvy with a Side of Confidence

Can I just say how happy I am for the Paper Doll Project?  I have this pink jacket and every time I wear it I feel like a candy striper.  Enter the Project and my partner, Dana from Curvy with a Side of Confidence.  Dana didn't plan out just one cute outfit for me to wear this jacket with, she planned four.  So thankful for a fresh pair of eyes! (Any my eyes look super-funky in the picture below because they're dilated!)

The jacket is custom, tee from Shade (no longer in business), capris from Wet Seal, shoes are Enzo Angiolini, belt from Ann Taylor Loft and the scarf I swiped from my mom.  Thanks Dana!

Dana had a shirt she just didn't love anymore.  Check out how I styled it over at Curvy with a Side of Confidence.  Want more Paper Doll love?  Head over to Miss Vinyl Ahoy where it all started!

Tweet

Everybody Everywear Florals!

Apparently I need a style-attitude adjustment because all of the style groups are doing outfits I don't want to wear!  But then something marvelous happens - I wear them and love them!  Case in point - today's category of Florals from Everybody Everywear.  Besides skirts, floral prints are very limited in my closet.  This shirt is from Old Navy from 2005.  Not joking, 2005.  It has darts in the back and a very boxy fit in the front.  Since its not my preferred fit, I styled it differently today.

Shirt from Old Navy, undershirt from Wet Seal, jeans from Gap, necklace from Cookie Lee, earrings from Dillards.  And yes, I cut off my feet!!




Tweet

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day out there to all of the moms and non-moms - I'm a firm believer whether or not you have children, you can always make a difference in a child's life, and therefore, I celebrate all women on Mother's Day!

Husband spoiled me this year and gave me the weekend to do whatever I wanted!  It started with a walk for breast cancer in beautiful weather (finally!), a 1 hr. massage at Massage Envy, and then we dropped off Little Miss S at a friends house and watched Thor.  Can I just say I might be naming my next son Thor?  Thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and Chris Hemsworth.  In fact, maybe Chris Hemsworth more than the movie. 

Sunday came and was even better - I don't think I changed a diaper all day long.  Do I have the best Husband or what??  This is Little Miss S and me on Mother's Day headed to church (where I received a potted plant that I hope I don't kill).

I hope you admire the great color on my legs, I've worked really hard at it with natural tanning lotion! :)  I should probably start putting some on my arms...

Tweet

Bloggers Do It Better: White Out

When the next Bloggers Do It Better assignment came as White Out, I have to admit I was pretty bummed.  Not only do I not dress in neutrals, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to have anything to wear.  Still determined, I went to my closet.  Turns out, I'm glad for this assignment.  (Did I really just say that?)  For two reasons:

1. It gave me the chance to re-shop my closet.  I've forgotten a lot of things I own for summer, especially since this winter/somewhat-spring seems to be lasting FOREVER out here.  I found these capris that were long lost and bonus - also realized they are too big. Thus, awkward side pose (classy, I know).
2. It also made me appreciate neutrals.  Dressing monochromatic is slimming in any color and I have always passed over the white/cream/sand colors jumping straight into bold/saturated/bright colors.  I feel ready for spring in this fresh, clean ensemble and especially ready for the pool to open up at my complex!! 

Collared shirt from H&M, undershirt from DownEast Basics, capris from Ann Taylor Loft, necklace from ShopBop, belt from Gap, shoes from Kohls.

Head over to Pretty Shiny Sparkly to see the other Bloggers doing White Out here.
Check out my outfit for color blocking here.

Tweet

Makeover Monday: How I Keep Busy During Finals

I know Makeover Monday features a person getting a makeover, but since Husband has been busy with finals the last couple weeks, I did a makeover on a lamp.  Two, actually.  They are identical so we'll treat them as one.  Next week we'll be back to that person stuff.  Until then, enjoy the lamp(s).

I swiped the original lamps from my mom (thanks mom!) who I think bought them from Lowes.  I spray painted the base and bought new white lampshades for 7.99 each.  I taped off the parts I didn't want painted and colored the rest yellow.  I used acrylic paint which gave me the color that I wanted, BUT next time I would use screen print paint for the reasons stated in this blog post here.  The lamps belong in Little Miss S's room which is decorated in bright pink, green, and of course, yellow.  Enjoy!


Makeover Mondays are now happening on the Image Envy blog!  Want your own makeover regardless of where you live? Enter your information here!

Skip to my Lou to the others participating in Made By You Mondays!


Tweet