Clothez & Clutchez

Jun 12 2013

Moving On…

This is literally how my house is beginning to look. Next weekend I will be moving out of my current apartment and into a new one. The apartment I’m in now was my first place, and when I moved out back in March 2011, I really had no idea if I could take care of myself. A 28 year old shopaholic living on her own?!

But as it turns out I am actually more responsible than I give myself credit for…Lol

Although a few bad things happened, a lot of great things have happened in my life since I moved out. While I have been living here I’ve lost my grandmother, freed myself from an on-again/off-again relationship, published my thesis, graduated from Georgetown, started my blog, fallen in love with someone new, and filled up at least 4 journals with all of my personal thoughts.

It’s crazy how you see your life going one way, and God says, “I know that’s what you think you should be doing, but let’s do this instead…” Lol…What I thought my life would look like at this stage is nothing like what I’ve experienced, but dare I say that it’s better than I could have imagined. Life isn’t perfect at all (and never will be) and yet its still incredibly beautiful.

It’s funny how packing up your life and moving some place new makes you nostalgic, but more importantly, gets you excited about what is to come. Moving on seems to be the theme of my life this year…So many new things to discover, so many things I had to let go of in order to move forward.

I am really excited about moving and I can’t wait to decorate my new place. I’ll be sure to post my décor ideas here on the blog so you guys can see the progression. I think I’ll actually put my paintings up this time around.

BTW: I don’t have any internet access at home right now so my posts will be a little sporadic until I get settled in to the new spot. I hope you all are having a wonderful week. Talk to you soon. xx

Image Credit: Speedy Deliveries Inc

Jun 06 2013

2 Comments

Nail Polish, Nail Polish Swatches, Nail Polishes, Revlon, Revlon Nail Polish

Revlon’s Enamor: Perfect Bubble Gum Pink

One of my guilty pleasures is walking through CVS, Walmart, Target, or Walgreens off the late night looking at nail polish. CVS and Walgreens usually has the newest nail colors so I like to go in there to see what’s new. It’s crazy, I know, but I can’t help what I like to do. Lol…Anywhoo, I was in CVS one night and I came across Revlon’s Enamor. Because it was kind of expensive, I decided to wait on buying it because I knew I could find it for cheaper somewhere else.

After my run Sunday morning, I went to Ulta and they were having a sale on Revlon products (jackpot!), buy one get one 50% off. So I decided to pick up Enamor and Passionate Pink (which I swatched the other day and didn’t like).

Enamor is a part of Revlon’s new Brilliant Strength line and is the perfect bubble gum pink! I would say that it is comparable to Zoya’s Sweet so if you have that one you don’t really need to purchase this one. The formula is a little thin at first (very streaky), but in this swatch I used two coats and that was more than enough. The brush is interesting..It’s flat and squared at the tip, which makes it easier to paint your nails, provided that you have big nail beds like me. For those of you with smaller fingers/nail beds, you may find that the brush is a little big. Overall I think this nail polish is well worth the $6 I paid for it, and I will definitely be wearing it again.

Have you all tried this Brilliant Strength line from Revlon yet? It’s supposed to be a base coat, nail color, and top coat all in one. However, because I am super impatient, I can’t roll without a fast drying top coat, but I suppose the concept is a nice one. Lol…

What are your favorite drug store nail polish brands? I would have to say Revlon, Essie, and Sally Hansen are my favorites. And how do you all feel about bubble gum pink nails in the summer? Or pink nails, period?

As always, I hope you all enjoyed this post. Talk to you soon! xx

Tagged Barbie Pink Nails, Bubble Gum Pink Nails, Drugstore Nail Polish Brands, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Swatches, Revlon, Revlon's Enamor

Jun 05 2013

1 Comment

Events, Summer 2013, Vacation

What’s Happening: Summer Wish List

With the weather being so beautiful here in DC now I have been thinking a lot about all the recreational things I want to do this summer. I miss buying jewelry and random paintings from Eastern Market and drinking frozen margaritas outside of Alero (a Mexican restaurant in DC) with my girlfriends. This summer, however, I plan to do much more than that.

I was just telling my boyfriend that I haven’t been to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in so long so that will be one of my first stops. I also want to go to the Baltimore aquarium, go paddle boating at the Jefferson Memorial, run through downtown DC near the Monument, go to drag queen brunch at Perry’s, and attend a wine tasting/festival. Of course, I will be taking pictures for my blog and attending as many blogger events as I can fit on my agenda. I may even try to find a 5k/10k race to do as well.

The possibilities are endless. That is one of the great things about living on the outskirts of the city (I live in Maryland). You can always commute to the city for an adventure or two and then haul tail it back to the ‘burbs when you’re done. Lol…

What are you guys doing this summer? Are there any special events going on in your city that you’re looking forward to? I’m also trying to plan a vacation in September after the kiddies are back in school and the hype of the summer has fizzled a bit. What vacations do you all have planned?

Tagged Events, outdoors, Summer 2013, Vacation

Jun 03 2013

5 Comments

Essie, Nail Polish, Nail Polishes

In The Cab-ana

I don’t think I have ever worn a nail color as much as I have worn Essie’s In The Cab-ana this month. I have the tendency to be obsessed with a nail color when its fresh and new and then I move on to the next one once the obsession had subsided (which doesn’t take long). However, I have been wearing this color so much, I was actually contemplating whether or not I should purchase a back-up when I was in Target the other night. Lol…

I won’t bore you with the details. Take a look at the swatches of this color and you will know why I am obsessed with it:

In The Cab-ana is kind of a robin’s egg blue with a hint of mint. It’s very opaque in one coat, but I used two in these pictures. Like First Timer, the color isn’t too bright and overpowering, but is still very eye catching. The formula was great, but since I have been using it so much I have noticed that it’s getting a little thick. Other than that I think it’s amaze balls!

What colors are you guys into right now? Have any of you tried the new neon collection from Essie? I haven’t only because I don’t like to feel like I am being forced to put white nail polish underneath another nail color to make it pop. I feel like they should be opaque enough on their own so I am on the fence about that collection.

I hope you all enjoyed this post…Talk to you soon! xx

Tagged Essie, In The Cab-ana, Mint Nails, Nail Polish

May 28 2013

1 Comment

Essie, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Swatches, Nail Polishes

Go Green: Essie’s First Timer

I must apologize to you all for my lack of nail polish swatches lately. I haven’t done a nail post in a while because a few of my nails on my left hand (my swatch hand) had broken and I had to cut all of them down. I like my nails short, but not quite this short. Lol…I’ve also been slacking on my Biotin vitamins so my nails aren’t growing as fast as they normally do.

Anywhoo…Greens aren’t always on my wish list for nail polish, but Essie’s First Timer caught my eye recently and I had to try it out. What I love about this green is that it’s bright without being too loud. It’s an eye catching color but isn’t neon. Loves it!

The formula was amazing as well. I am wearing two coats in these pictures (no top coat), but I easily could have gotten away with one coat. There was a tiny bit of streakiness with the first coat but it was barely noticeable due to the opacity of the color. If you like green polishes, you will love this one as well. What do you all think of this color? Is it, or any of the other colors from Essie’s 2013 Resort Collection, on your wish list?

I didn’t buy all the colors from this collection, but I am smitten with In The Cab-ana as well, which will be my next nail polish swatch. Do any of you have that one? Are there any other nail polish collections you all are obsessed with? You know I am always on the prowl for something new!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! xx

Tagged Essie, First Timer, Nail Polish, Nail Polish Swatches, Resort Collection 2013

May 23 2013

7 Comments

Georgetown University, Steve Madden, Zara

What To Wear: Graduation Edition

It’s finally a done deal!!! This past Friday, May 17, I graduated with my Masters in Literature from Georgetown University. When I tell you that walking across that stage was the best feeling in the world, I truly mean it! I’ve never been so intellectually challenged in my life…

But for now, let’s just discuss the outfit…As I already stated here I bought the dress from Zara. My bestie, Brandi, actually picked it out so I can’t take credit for that. But the shoes…

Originally, I bought a simple gold shoe, but it just didn’t wow me, and I knew that I wouldn’t wear it again. And then I found the shoe I am wearing.Oh.My.God…These shoes are thebomb.edu!! I actually wanted the black ones, and went to Macy’s and tried them on and everything. However, I knew that I needed a graduation shoe and the black one just wouldn’t go with my yellow dress.

So I ended up getting the snakeskin version of the shoe online (at the last minute) and had to have them shipped to me overnight. And I am soooooo glad I did!! I loved the fact that the shoe had gold in it but wasn’t all gold. I also loved that they didn’t match the dress exactly but somehow still worked …Oh yes, I will definitely be wearing these all summer.

As you can see I kept my accessories to a minimum, only wearing gold stud earrings and a gold watch. The look really didn’t need much added to it…

Check out the complete graduation look and a close-up of the shoes below:

{Dress: Zara. Sunnies: Tory Burch. Shoes: Steve Madden. Timepiece: Michael Kors. Nails/Toes: Zoya’s Ali.}

Tagged Class of 2013, Graduation Look, Steve Madden, Style, Zara

May 13 2013

Armani Exchange, Asos, Leopard Print, Nail Polish, Nordstrom, Nordstrom BP, Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch, Urban Outfitters, Zoya

What To Wear: Black & Gold

Since I knew I was going to be with my entire family on Mother’s Day, playing with my nieces and nephews, I wanted to wear something chic but comfortable so I decided on this Femme Fatale tee (which I didn’t realize said 666 until today…I promise I don’t worship the devil!) and my favorite leopard Sperrys.

When I had gone outside initially I didn’t have on a jacket because the sun was beaming, and I assumed that it was warm. Not so…The weather here in DC is super weird. It was beautifully sunny, but very windy yesterday. So I took a few pictures with and without the jacket:

{Jacket: Armani Exchange. Tee: Urban Outfitters. Jeans: Nordstrom BP. Shoes: Nordstrom Rack (Sperry’s). Belt: Michael Kors. Sunnies: Tory Burch. Purse: Rebecca Minkoff. Watch: Michael Kors. Bracelet: HRH Collection. Necklace: Asos. Nails: Ali from Zoya. Lippie: Rebel from Mac.}

Some of my favorite accessories at the moment…

And yes, I have on leopard again. Lol…I just can’t stop wearing it! I am also super obsessed with gold accessories. This bracelet from the HRH Collection is super adorable and girly. Definitely one of my favorite pieces at the moment. Not to mention this ID necklace from Asos…Loves it!

I hope you all enjoyed this post!! xx…Kel

Special thanks to Kayla for snapping these pictures for me.

Tagged Armani Exchange, Asos, HRH Collection, Leopard Print, Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff, Sperry's

May 11 2013

7 Comments

Graduation 2013, Zara

The Graduation Dress

Although I totally waited until the last minute, I finally found some dress options for graduation. My bestie and I went to the Zara in downtown DC and scored these two dresses on Wednesday. I personally like the pink one more than the yellow, but I ultimately could not decide between the two. They were only about $60 each so I bought both, and figured that I would make a final decision later.

Even though these dresses are very similar, everyone I’ve asked seems to gravitate toward the yellow one. I really wanted to wear the pink, but I think finding shoes to go with the pink dress would be quite a hassle with such a short amount of time left (only a week). I think it will be a thousand times easier to find a shoe/clutch combo that will match the yellow dress instead. I plan to head out later on today to see what I can find.

What do you guys think? Which dress do you all like best? What kind of shoe (color/style) would you wear with them?

As we get closer to the date, I am getting more and more excited about graduation. Going to pick up my cap and gown on Monday. Yippie!!! Hope you all have a blessed weekend! xx

Tagged Dressses, Georgetown University Graduation 2013, Graduation 2013, Summer Dresses, Zara

May 06 2013

2 Comments

Forever 21 (Store), Personal Style, Rebecca Minkoff, Style

Spikes & Thangs…

I’ve been looking for a cute military chic jacket for quite some time now and although I was supposed to be shopping for a dress to wear to graduation yesterday, I stumbled upon this. I had seen it online on Forever 21′s website (available here) and I have been contemplating whether or not I should buy it. I was hesitant to purchase it online because I wasn’t sure about which size to get, and I was a bit leery of the price point. However, when I saw it in the store yesterday I had to have it. I was thinking that this would be super cute for the fall, but since Summer is still playing hide and seek here in Maryland, I just might get some wear out of it this month.

For some odd reason I am absolutely obsessed with spikes and studs. Do you guys remembered when I purchased this Rebecca Minkoff Wallet on a Chain last summer? Yup, I am still loving it! I usually only carry it when I am going out and want to be hands-free, but it is still want of my favorite pieces in my accessory closet. Who doesn’t love a cute, lightweight crossbody!?

This one is no longer available but Rebecca Minkoff has come out with a number of crossbody bags that are really similar. I see that many designers have caught on to this trend and now you can find spikes or studs on practically everything! Shoes, handbags, hats, jewelry, and even iphone cases. This spike trend is getting out of hand but I have to admit, I am loving it!

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Talk to you soon…Be blessed! xx…Kel

Tagged Army Fatigue, Fashion, Forever 21, Military Chic, Military Jacket, Rebecca Minkoff, Spike Trend, Spikes, Studs, Style

May 01 2013

6 Comments

Alexander Wang, Alexander Wang Rocco, HRH Collection, Michael Kors, Michael Kors Watch in Gold, Nordstrom, Nordstrom BP, O.P.I. Nail Polish, Pandora, Tory Burch, Urban Outfitters, Zara

What To Wear: Leopard+

In case you all have not noticed, I decided to change the name of my blog from Clutchez to Clothez & Clutchez. The name change just seemed to makes sense, and I feel like it gives people a better sense of what the blog is actually all about.

What To Wear is going to be a new series here on Clothez and Clutchez. Therefore, I will now be posting outfits at least 2-3 times per month. I really hope you all like the series…I had so much fun shooting these pics:

{Blazer: Urban Outfitters. Top: Nordstrom BP. Boyfriend Jeans: Nordstrom BP. Shoes: Zara. Handbag: Alexander Wang. Necklace: HRH Collection. Timepiece: Michael Kors. Bracelets: Pandora. Sunnies: Tory Burch. Nails: OPI Can’t Find My Czechbook. Lippie: Maybelline Hot Plum.}

Nowadays, I find that I am always wearing leopard of some sort. Today its a blazer, tomorrow it may be shoes, and the next day it may be a clutch.

Traditionally, a lot of women tend to pair leopard with the color red. I thought it would be fun to pair this blazer with a different pop of color instead. This turquoise blue really does the trick, and I think the gold accessories really compliment the contrasts between the colors.

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Be blessed…xx KEL

Special thanks to my photographer for the day, Brandi!!

Tagged Alexander Wang Rocco, Fashion, HRH Collection, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, Nordstrom BP, OOTD, OPI Nail Polish, Pandora, Style, Tory Burch, Urban Outfitters, What To Wear, Zara

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