To The EngaGIFment

When you go ring shopping together... and eight months later, there's still no ring.

When you've vacationed in London, Paris, Canada, Colorado, New Orleans, Scottsdale, Chicago, and California together…and he still hasn’t popped the question.

When an acquaintance tells you, “you aren’t getting any younger.”

When you finally realize you are probably just going to be boyfriend/girlfriend forever.

When your boyfriend wakes up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday and wants you to go with him on a 20 mile bike ride on a nature trail.

When your bike tire goes flat a half mile into the ride.

When he wakes his friend at 7 a.m. to borrow his air pump to refill your tire.

When he suggests you take a break during the grueling bike ride.

When he says “look, there’s a deer over there”...and you look.

When you turn back around and he’s down on one knee and asks you to marry him.
 

When you suddenly realize that you’re wearing a helmet for your the most important moment of your life.

...And then when he puts the beautiful ring on your finger and you see that your hands are orange from self-tanning the night before. 

When you have to bike 12 miles to get back before you can tell anyone.

When your parents don’t answer their phone for two hours when you are trying to tell them the big news.

When his friends find out he's engaged.

When your friends find out you're engaged.

When your sorority sisters find out you’re engaged.

When your Mom finds out you're engaged.

When you find out your Dad semi-grilled him when he called to ask permission to marry you.

When you’ve been engaged only four hours and people ask if you've set a date.

When you almost crash your car because you can’t stop looking at your ring.

When you realize you get to spend forever with the love of your life.

 




Hope you all enjoyed our engaGIFment story! Thank you so much for all the love and support.

It might have been better if I had left the helmet on.

To the Night I Met Brendon

I know I said I was going to save the story of how I met Brendon for my e-book but I just sort of had a hankering to post it now. So, here it goes...

My whole life, people have always told me that you meet "The One" when you aren't looking for it...when you are doing things that YOU love...spending time with your friends...doing activities that help you grow as a person.

Blah, blah, blah.

I always thought this theory was complete bullshit. Like, I'm not going to meet "The One" sitting on the couch eating a Family Size bag of Doritos watching Laguna Beach reruns with Andrea, which, to me, is really the epitome of utopia. I'm sorry; I know that's not how I'm going to meet the love of my life.

And because I used to think the whole "it will happen when you aren't looking" notion was crap, I made sure to do things I liked, but also kept my eyes very open for any opportunities that might come my way in regard to relationships.

Let's just say that my way never worked.

There has only been one night in my entire adult life that I wasn't looking for the man of my dreams.

It was a Saturday night in February 2011. I had just moved to Memphis, which felt night and day different from my previous NYC life. I had a new job, which was great, but frankly I had no idea what I was doing. I was still recovering from a volatile on-and-off relationship that had officially been made "off"a few months prior. And, to top it off I knew zero people in Memphis.

Who moves somewhere without knowing anyone? 

Idiots, thats who.

I had been living in Memphis for three weeks. My first weekend here, I had to attend a weekend conference for work. My second weekend here, I attended my grandmother's funeral in Texas.

I had high hopes for my third weekend, though. A really nice girl from work named Anna invited me to  go to her birthday dinner downtown on Saturday night. I tried not to be too squealy and eager when she asked if I could come.

I looked forward to it all day that Saturday. I did more prep for that birthday dinner than most people do for engagement photo shoots. I vacillated over what to wear. I got my hair highlighted. I decided to wear heels that were way too high, but knew would look good and be worth the pain. I googled our meeting spot a million times to make sure I knew exactly how to get there and how long it would take.

I even got to the restaurant early and looked lame. Gulp.

Anna and her friends arrived at the pub and we all ordered dinner. I even ordered the same thing Anna did to try to fit in and show her that I was clearly her new best friend, she just didn't know it yet. More coworkers showed up and before I knew it, I was enjoying myself. They told me about all of the things they liked about living in Memphis, and when I told them I still hadn't been to this famed place called "Beale Street" everyone insisted we go.

We walked (I tottered, wearing those damn heels) over to a pub on Beale called "Silky's." Despite the sketchiness of the name, the venue itself was pretty fun. In an effort to prove to my new friends I was fun AND responsible, I paced myself pretty well that night, literally following the old adage: One beer every hour and a glass of water in between.

We had been there for about an hour or two. I was sitting on a barstool talking to a new friend Rachel. All of the sudden, I looked across the room and saw this guy looking at me. Our eyes locked and then I turned away. Then I looked back and he was still looking over at me.

This happened three or four times in the next hour. Normally I would have been thrilled by the prospect of a cute guy looking my way. But not that night. That night I was so desperately in need of female friends, I didn't want any male attention at all. Like I said, there has only been one night in my entire life I wasn't looking for The One. And I was looking for girlfriends.

That fateful night

I went to the ladies room, and when I came out, he was standing outside the door, waiting for me to exit. He smiled at me and then said...well...slurred, "I think you are incredibly beautiful....and...I'd like to buy you a drink."

Ugh, I thought. A cute guy, but I'm not dealing with a tipsy person right now. Not when I'm trying to make friends. 

I said no to the drink, but he insisted. I gave in, ordered a Guinness, and prayed my new friends weren't judging me for talking to some Rand-O. No one wants to be "that girl" who just goes out and meets guys in bars, especially when you are there with a group of girlfriends.

We awkwardly chatted for about five minutes, he, a little too drunk; me, a little too sober. His friends were beckoning him to leave the bar with them, but he was having none of it. Finally, his friends came over to get him and he said he wasn't leaving without my number, so I distractedly gave him my phone number and wished him well.

I returned to my group of friends, hoping to spin this semi-mortifying moment into a bonding experience.

"Ugh, can you believe how drunk that guy was??"

"Um, Whitney did you notice his shirt was tucked into his boxers??"

We all laughed at the guy's expense and carried on with our night.

About 2 a.m., I was asleep in my bed and my Blackberry started ringing from a random Memphis number. It was the same number that had kept texting me later that evening saying I should come out to another bar. That Rand-O guy, Brendon, just wouldn't let up.

The next morning, I received a very apologetic text from that number, saying how sorry he was for calling and texting so much...that he had been celebrating a friend's birthday and things got a little crazy.

I texted him back that it was fine and continued to delete his texts and not save his number to my phone.

A few days later, I got a text from him, asking how my week was going.

WTF?

I told him it was "fine."

A few days after that, I got a text asking if I would like to go to the James Taylor concert with him.

Seriously, could he get any weirder? Who is this guy who keeps texting me who probably doesn't even remember meeting me?

Thankfully I was on a work trip and just responded that I was out of town.

A few days later, when I was back in Memphis, he called to ask me to dinner. Unfortunately, I still hadn't saved his number to my phone and thought his call was actually one from the Macy's furniture department, saying they were finally delivering my couch and chairs. I picked up the phone and answered really bitchily (if that's even a word), and, upon realizing it wasn't the Macy's people, stammered through the conversation, accepted his invitation to dinner, and hung up, completely thrown off.

I met him at a restaurant after work and I can honestly tell you, I have never seen a more gorgeous man.  I don't know why I didn't remember this from when I met him. He gave me a warm hug and we sat down. And I don't know what it was, but I have pretty much never been so nervous in my life. He was just so beautiful and I had been SO BITCHY.

BITCHY, BITCHY, BITCHY. Sheesh.

As we chatted over drinks, I finally asked him: What made you want to ask me out when you probably didn't even really remember meeting me on Beale Street?

He laughed nervously, and told me he woke up the night after we met and saw he sent all sorts of text messages to someone named Whitney. He called his friend who had been with him and asked "Who the hell is Whitney?"

Lucky for me, his friend told him I was cute and that he had been calling and texting me all night. So, he decided to Google my phone number, somehow found my name from that, and then was able to actually Google me.

And wouldn't you know? He found my blog. And that's when he decided to keep pursuing me.

So Toasties, it's actually true: If you are doing what you love, the right person will find his or her way into your life...even if what you love is writing your blog.

From that first date on, we were inseparable. While I learned that our interests were so different and our personalities couldn't be more night and day, for the first time, I realized I was dating someone whose fundamental values were the same as mine. Someone who was working diligently toward long term goals and actually having success. Someone to whom marriage and parenthood were things he wanted to work for -- not just things that would be "nice, someday." Brendon is my biggest cheerleader, my most honest critic, the person who makes me a daredevil, the person who makes me calm, and the person that I get most excited to see, text, call, or hug.

Well, that "someday" is here. This morning, we got engaged. And, yes, I was wearing a helmet, but more on the details of this surprise engagement in another Toast Post.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

The funny thing is, I look back on that night we met all the time, reminiscing about how desperately I was searching for a Memphis best friend. I certainly found one.

The End.

(Slash, beginning)

P.S. Children, if you are ever reading this, Mommy and Daddy met in a church. Not in a bar.

(Yes, Silky's Presbyterian Church.)

P.P.S. I later learned on that on his car ride home that fateful night we met, he kept saying "She's the one"....really, really one of the sweetest drunk moments I've ever heard.

Many thanks to Rachel who kept taking pictures of Brendon that night as he kept saying "she's the one."

To Extreme Makeover: Toast Edition - Part 1

Two blog posts in one week?! This can't be MY blog.

(I know. I can't believe it either.)

Toasties, I come to you with important business to discuss today. As I mentioned a few posts ago, my blog is getting a makeover, thanks to Alivia at Brunch in April!

To get started, she sent me a very comprehensive questionnaire a couple of months ago, asking me about my favorite fonts, layouts, colors, and more. She loved this exercise because it gave her at least a modicum of direction and I loved this exercise because it was completely about me.

And on Saturday, after several weeks of traveling for work, I had so much fun to coming home to an email full of design ideas from her. But before I can move forward on anything else...I need to choose a header.

That's where you lovely people come in.

The header will really brand the blog, obviously. And as much as I LOVED some of her fancier header designs that were completely elegant and sophisticated....my blog is just not. Mainly because my blog is about my life, and my life is just not elegant and sophisticated.

(Yet. I'm still holding out hope my life and blog will both be full of sophistication someday.)

In the meantime, I think I am leaning toward her designs that are full of fun quirkiness and general whimsy. I've posted some of my favorite concepts below...please take a moment to vote on your favorite!

Okay, so after I just went on and on about how I wanted something quirky...I couldn't help but love this design. What do you think if I left one champagne glass and replaced the other with a piece of toast? Champagne would be classy...but goodness do I love carbs and butter.

I love this. I really do. I wonder what it would look like to put a couple pieces of toast on the left hand side of the header? Or a piece of toast with a heart shaped egg in the middle? Or it's just dinnertime and I'm starving and rambling?

Okay, so I'm sort of loving the Instagramm-y retro-ness of this. Is it too cheesy? Is it too young? And have I really been blogging since 2010??

And last but not least...what do you think of this one? I love the simplicity, though I would probably change the text to navy and the "sticks" to a gold color. My high school's colors were blue and gold, so I guess this color combo has just always stuck with me....but since it's been 11 years, maybe it's time to move on? Whatever. Bearkats forever.

Vote for your favorite design below, referencing the number in the left hand corner of the design...I need your opinions and can't wait to see what you love! And, as always, you are welcome to leave additional comments below!

To My Face

Perhaps my most narcissistic blog title yet and you are still reading. God bless you.

So one of the perks of working for a sorority is occasionally I get to go on trips to college campuses and see our sorority chapters in action. One of the downsides of these trips is the shock and horror on collegians' faces when they find out my age. 

"You were born in the...eighties???"

Sometimes they try to cover up their awe by saying things meant to make me feel good like, "Well, you don't even LOOK 28..."

As if 28 is an age people often try to avoid looking like.

I've spent basically the last four weeks on four different college campuses, mostly doing marketing for Chi O. After a few futile attempts to try to blend in with the 19-year-olds (yes, I wore a sorority tank top, Ray Bans, and short shorts) I realized I needed to be more realistic with myself. Blending in with the collegians was like when Joey on Friends tried to audition for the part of a 19-year-old.

Impossible.

Yep...me just hanging out...pretending to be 19....thank God for Instagram filters to blur out my fine lines.

So, I decided to let our fresh-faced, crows-feet-free 22-year-old national consultants "be" the collegians and I served as the "grown up" figure of authority. 

After nearly 28 days of envying their youthful skin (which was make up-free most of the time, mind you), I was very surprised when out of nowhere they wanted to know any and all cosmetics that I use.

(I've decided not to take offense to their asking for me to tell them "EVERYTHING" I use "from bottom to top.")

Without further adieu, here is my make up routine. 

To Start....

I have literally the driest and most sensitive skin on the planet. It's one of the curses of being a redhead, along with freckles and not having a date to any school dances from ages 12-18. It took me a long time to realize that spending money on really good quality products with natural ingredients was money well spent, compared to the angst of acne, rosacea, peeling, dry skin, etc. 

(Gingers, back me up here.)

Origins Checks & Balances Face Wash

I used to use Cetaphil for the longest time but never felt like it really cleaned my skin, you know? I got a sample of this Origins face wash and fell in love. It lasts forever, so don't let the price tag deter you. You literally only need to use a drop the size of your pinky fingernail. It lasts three times as long as a bottle of Cetaphil and (bonus!) smells awesome.

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

So, I was late to the game when it came to Benefit products but I'm a total convert now. A little dab of this cream goes a long way, and it's super rich. Just as important, I think having an additional moisturizer (besides sunscreen) helps blend my make up to look more natural.

Origins Brighter by Nature SPF 35

In an effort to curb ongoing #gingerproblems, such as freckles and sunburns, I wear SPF 35 every day. This particular moisturizer could definitely by used alone, but like I said above, I like to have a couple different moisturizers on to help my make up look more natural. Origins is seriously the best when it comes to skincare and if you are like me with dry, flaky skin, you must spend the money to test out these natural products.

The Base...

Some of my friends don't wear concealer or foundation and, for that, I basically hate them. (I'm talking to you, Lauren, Chelsea, and Kate.) I, on the other hand, live for the stuff and would look like a walking zombie if I didn't conceal my undereye blochiness.

CoverGirl Fresh Complexion Concealer

Yes, CoverGirl! I've tried a whole bunch of under eye concealers and nothing works better than good ol' Wal-Mart CoverGirl for me. I dab this under my eyes and have also started dotting this along the sides of my nose, because apparently this is an area where women show signs of aging first. I read it in a magazine. It must be true.

Origins Stay Tuned Foundation

Here we are, back to Origins! I really lucked out on this product because my mom bought it and didn't like how sheer it was so she offered to trade me this brand new Origins foundation in exchange for my half-used bottle of Revlon foundation. Sucker! But anyway, the sheerness of this foundation is exactly what I DO like, as I hate cakey make up and especially hate when foundation is really thick and you can tell a difference between a person's neck and face color. For a freckle face like me, sheer make up is the way to go because my freckles still peek through, but it still provides enough coverage to even out my skin tone. The product pictured is a slight variation from the exact product I use because mine has SPF 15 in it (wooooo sunscreen!) but it's close.

To Give a Little Color...

Since I am obviously never going to allow one ray of sunshine to touch my skin, thanks to many layers of SPF, I do a little faux glow on my own. 

Benetint in Rose

If I could be an ambassador for Benefit's Benetint, I would. Apparently, this product started out as a "nipple tint," which makes sense because I hear of women so often wanting a different nipple color, but has now morphed into a cheek and lip stain. I literally paint this in a whisker-like fashion on my cheeks (confession: sometimes I say "meow") and blend it in where blush would go. Then I put a little dab dab on my lips. It stays on my cheeks all day and being able to make cat noises as I apply makes it worth the money.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer

I'm not trying to be dramatic here, but this Too Faced bronzer was sort of "the one that got away" in my relationship with make up. I tried it, liked it fine, and didn't appreciate all it was doing to keep my skin sunny and glowing. And then I switched to another bronzer that was cheaper...and I wanted to die. In fact, I hated the substitute I was using so much that I immediately went back to Sephora and repurchased this bronzer. I apologized and we've been inseparable ever since.

To Make My Eyes Pop...

Okay, so while God totally ignored me in the height, melanin, and Prince William departments, I did get some pretty decent eyes and eyelashes. Here's what I do to try to make them pop.

CoverGirl Brow and EyeMakers

My friends who don't wear foundation are also my friends who were born with very good eyebrows. (I should probably just end these friendships, huh?) My brows, on the contrary, are piddly little patches of hair, growing in various directions with no rhyme or reason. So, I try to tame these suckers by filling in the patchy parts with my wondrous CoverGirl brow pencil. Because I have to skimp money wise in some areas when it comes to make up, brow pencils are one of my budget items that still work and make a huge difference in how I look.

Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner

I had been a long time devotee to pencil eyeliner, mainly for the reason that if it smudged, it was okay, because I could pull off some sort of "smoky" look. That was, until I discovered Eyeko liquid eyeliner. So, here's the deal. I tried this eyeliner, primarily because I liked the color choices (I use navy or olive green) because they are more natural looking on me than jet black. However, if I wanted to use black liquid liner, I probably would use a drugstore brand, just because this is probably kind of expensive for a basic color. That said, the applicator is nice and long so you can get a straight line AND it stays on all day. Sometimes it's actually hard to remove. So, if you are like me and like eyeliner colors other than black, give Eyeko a whirl (and tell me what you think!).

Sephora Eyeshadow Collection: Moonshadow

If you are like me, when you get one of these eyeshadow palettes, you get all excited about all the different colors you are going to use and then only use like two colors until they run out and then you ditch the rest of the palette all together. I would say that out of this palette, I use at least five colors regularly and love the light bit of shimmer in each. Plus, I love Sephora's brand of products, and since eyeshadow isn't something I care to spend a ton of money on, this is a great mix of good quality, variety, and price.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara

Y'all. This mascara is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. You know when you see people with naturally fluttery, feathery eyelashes, while your lashes look like a spidery, globby mess? This helps your eyelashes look like the former. My only beef is I can't seem to find a dark brown version, which looks more natural on me than black, but whatevs. I was such a Maybelline devotee for years but now I can never go back. You can call me a diva, that's fine. I'll roll my fluttery eyelashes at you. 

For My Kissers...

I have to admit, while I have the rest of my make up routine down pat, I have yet to find a lip gloss that gives me a reason to live. It's true. I am one product away from complete make up utopia. However, there is one recently that's sparked my fancy...and unfortunately costs a fortune. Why is that always the case with me??

Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss

Just so you are aware, I have never been one to think $30 for lip gloss is reasonable, because it's really not. Except I was lured by advertising on this purchase, with promises that this "Golden Gloss" has flecks of 24 carat gold swirled throughout. How could I pass this up? Gold prices have been on the rise for years and this seemed like a steal. While I definitely LOVE the color and taste of this gloss, I won't be able to make it a staple unfortunately, because it's just too expensive. But it's definitely fun for a special occasion or if you want a beautiful, natural looking gloss!

To Finish...

Finally, some of you may be thinking...how long does it take her to get ready in the morning??? The answer? Seven minutes. Yup, it only takes me seven minutes, start to finish with all of this, so if I can make time for it, you can too! And on mornings when I need my make up to last well beyond 5 p.m., I use a little secret weapon that was introduced to me last summer...

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Makeup Setting Spray

This product is basically like hairspray for your makeup and keeps every bronzer sparkle, every mascara fiber, and every concealer molecule IN PLACE ALL DAY. Just spritz your face with it before you leave for a long day and I guarantee you will look just like you did when you got ready that morning.

************************************************

***Please note, these are my own opinions and I have not been asked to endorse any products.

****If someone is out there reading this and would like me to endorse a product, send me lots of free samples and I'll totally give you a great review. My love can totally be bought.

To My E-Book

we heart it

The Bachelor is over. Downton Abbey is over. Girls is over.

And the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills only has one episode left this season.

What I'm trying to say is, unless Brandi Glanville has been given a secret TV spinoff (oh please, oh please!) I've now been given the gift of time to get back to blogging.

Which is actually really great, because as some of you may remember, my 2013 resolution was to write an e-book. And since I made that declaration (with no thought or consideration as to the time it would really require) I have done two things:

1. Googled "How do you write an e-book?" and,
2. Created a list of potential chapters and composed many of them in my head on my car rides to work. Now, if only I had one of those voice-to-type contraptions in my car, I could be done. 

(Do those actually exist?)

(Also, the title of my e-book should be called "Digressing.")

(Or, "A Toast to Parentheses.")

(God I really love parentheses.)

Ahem.

So, in an effort to prove to you that NewYears resolutions really can come true, here is my list of potential chapters for my e-book. Don't get too attached -- I still have to run them past my agent.

And when I say "agent," I really mean my mom. Duh.

Whitney's E-Book Chapters*

A Chapter Dedicated to Dedications

Why Are You Reading This Book and What's Wrong with You?

Where I've Lived: A Choose Your Own Adventure Experience

The Many Mysteries of Kathy Heckathorne: Unveiled

A Taylor Swift Song for Each of My Ex-Boyfriends

My Abusive Relationship with High Heels

How I Really Got That Giant Scar on My Abdomen

In the Land of Exclamation Marks: What It's Like Working for a Sorority

'Twas The Night I Met Brendon

Stories Unsuitable for My Parents, Grandparents, Aunt, Uncles, or Unborn Child(ren)

What It's Like Being in A Grown Up Relationship

I Eat 6,552 Tortilla Chips Annually and Other Life Audits

Prologue: About the Author

I hope you are looking forward to the possibility of me keeping a New Years resolution as much as I am.

Continuing with more news that is only exciting to me, "Toast" is finally getting a redesign, thanks to Alivia at Brunch in April. She will certainly take this wee little blog to new heights...not that it is going to be particularly hard to improve my 2010 design attempts, which mainly entailed piece mailing copyrighted photos and broken HTML code together.

Stay tuned for it all. Muah.

*Subject to change based on mood of the author.

To Your New Spring Wardrobe - All for $100 or Less!

Dvice.com

My name is Whitney, and I am a shopaholic.

But you already knew this, because I professed my addiction back in 2010 when I was still living in New York. And really, nothing has changed in the last three years.

If anything, I've become the worst kind of shopaholic -- an online shopaholic. Being an online shopaholic is so much less painful than being an in-person shopaholic, mainly because you don't have to watch the salespeople laboriously remove all 20 H&M shirts off their hangers or untangle countless Forever 21 statement necklaces while you shamefully watch.

Gulp.

No, being an online shopaholic is pretty much amazing. Especially if you have all of your credit card numbers memorized, including the credit card your dad gave you in college "for emergencies only."

You might think that being a shopaholic, I am some sort of high maintenance diva, requiring only the finest of threads.

Alas, this is so untrue.

Not only do I thrive on finding a new cheap clothing site or designer discount subscription, I also feel this terribly compelling need to tell people where I find all my cheap duds AND the price tag. Like some sort of weird, shopping, church confessional.

SAMPLE CONVERSATION

My friend Holly: 

I like your shirt.

Crazy Shopaholic Whitney: 

Ohmigod thank you soooo much. I got it on clearance at Target.com for like $11 AND also had a five dollar online coupon AND it was the last one in my size. Even though they are out of this color, they still have it in purple, which is still really cute, so you can totally still get it too - I'll send you the link right now! 

Holly: 

Uhhhhhhh....you're scary.

(Just kidding. Holly would never say that; she would just think it.)

However, recently, I've decided to see if it's even humanly possible for me to put the kibosh on cyber shopping ways. In a perhaps futile effort to curb my addiction I thought I would highlight what I WOULD buy, if I were allowing myself to take part in some bargain hunting for a new spring wardrobe. 

That's right. I went and filled little, virtual shopping carts all over the web. And am praying for the strength to fully abandon them.

In the meantime, enjoy my faux shopping spree, future and current online shopaholics! Don't say I didn't warn you.

 Mango.com

Bands Jersey Dress - $59.99
Tres chic and adorable for summer, I must say. This dress would be so cute with espadrilles and a colorful necklace. 

Plus, it's totally something Princess Kate would wear. I can't even stand it.

CAN'T. EVEN.

Pleated Blouse - $59.99
I know. You're like...snoozeville, Whitney. Lame, white blouse. But I need a new white blouse and this one would be so cute with a pencil skirt for work or leather leggings for an evening out. 

Speaking of which, I haven't seen my leather leggings since I left New York. 

Have any of my one million former roommates seen them?

Lace Edge Dress - $59.99 (on sale from $109!)
Okay. Confession time. I saw this dress in a Mango in Rome with my mom last year and we didn't have enough time for me to try it on before we had to meet the rest of the family. I thought this dress was the one that got away.

How mistaken I was when I found it on Mango.com on SALE last week. God is good.

 Piperlime.com

Tinley Road Long Sleeve Ponte Body Con Dress - $69.00
I haven't purchased this....YET. Lucifer must be paid by Gap.com.

Vince Shirt Tail Short Sleeve Tee - $78.00
You're probably  all "$80 for a gray tee???? How is that reasonable??" 

My answer? It's not. 

But if you wear tshirts often (I do) investing in a good quality tee that fits dreamily, doesn't pill, and doesn't even need a statement necklace to look badass, makes it seem a bit more "reasonable."

(Even though we all still know it's not.) 

Rhyme Los Angeles Ruano Kaleidoscope Print Shift - $79.00
I realized I am addicted to solid colors, so I decided to throw in this doozie.  

Adorable, comfortable, and multi-seasonal. Hello, tights! 

Plus, prints mean no one will be able to see when I spill coffee all over myself on my drive to work. 

Free People Ombre Cropped Skinny Jeans in Graphite - $78.00
Okay, so I'm sort of at a loss as to whether or not these are cute. 

Weigh in. Cute with like a black, batwing top? 

 Asos.com

A Wear Wrap Front Dress - $70.16
Wrap dresses never go out of style. Just ask Diane von Furstenburg. 

Glamorous Midi Dress in Tribal Print - $42.10
This is in my shopping cart as we speak...about to press "complete order"...no control...save me!

Forever21.com

Fringed Ganado Cardigan in Mint - $24.50
Luckily, it's almost spring 'cause wearing this likely ill-made Forever 21 cardigan won't keep you warm.  

It'll keep you cute, though!

High Low Floral Lace Top - $19.80
I'm a sucker for sheer and lace. And $20 shirts.

Pointelle Knit Sweater in Sea Green - $22.80
There's a reason why emerald is the pantone color of the year -- it looks sensational on everyone.

Ganado Cutout Earrings - $4.80
Sort of tribal-ly. Sort of stripe-y. Sort of chevron-y. 

Sort of amazing-y. 

Colorblocked Snake Chain Necklace - $12.80
Whitney here. More confessions.

I've already bought this. But I got so many unexpected compliments that I felt the need to report back to my valued readers.

Scalloped Crochet Lace Skirt - $24.80
Elegant with a dressy top and heels or cazsh (cashe? caszh? How do you spell that?) with flats and a denim shirt.

Essential Floral Print Pencil Skirt - $17.80
Yes? Yes.

French Terry Pullover - $17.80
And we will end this Forever 21 binge with a simple terry shirt that I own already and can vouch for.

I promise it's just as cute, comfortable, flattering, and cheap as you dream it to be.

Bluefly.com

Kendra Scott Blue Agate Stone "Diana" Cuff - $37.09
Kendra Scott jewelry is a slippery, slippery slope...trust me. 

Don't go to her direct site. Don't visit her Color Bar. 

Don't click this link.

If you are trying to curb your Kendra addiction (as I am), stay true to your bank account and shop Kendra on Bluefly.

JBrand Snow Stretch Twill Skinny Jeans - $99.00
I'll tell you that no one likes finding a cheap pair of jeans more than I do. 

HOWEVER...I've learned my lesson. 

Above all else, you MUST, I repeat, MUST spend more money on good quality white jeans. 

Or else your booty will show. I'm just sayin'.

Rebecca Minkoff Black and Gold "Uma" Flats - $159.00
And, the grand finale! These adorable Rebecca Minkoff flats. I know they aren't under $100, but they are still such a good deal that I had to include them. 

Because it's not how much money you spend -- it's how much money you save, right?

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What are your favorite places to shop online? What are your spring splurges? Should I get those ombre jeans or not?

Shopaholics: Confess!