new camera, new look

Happy Monday all! Last Monday was my birthday, and for said birthday, my parents got me my first DSLR camera. (And I've been squealing ever since.) I was so pumped when I finally got to shoot some outfit pictures with it, and it is safe to say I'm in love with it. The camera really does make a difference!

Also, I recently joined the renting program at Ditto, where you can rent sunglasses! You pay a monthly fee, and can rent pairs as often as you want. Basically, Netflix for sunglasses. I absolutely LOVE these Karen Walkers I got first, and I'm thinking about a pair of RayBans next! You can get your first month of renting free with the code DRESSINSPARKLES!

shirt: Loft (similar) // shorts: Target (similar) // shoes: Carlos Santana (similar) // sunnies: Karen Walker c/o Ditto (use the code DRESSINSPARKLES to get your first month of renting free!) // purse: Lilly Pulitzer (similar) // necklace: Groopdealz (similar) // lips: NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Prague

Who else has tried Ditto and loved it?

-Kylie

flash sale sites

At this point, I'm sure most people have heard of flash sale sites. The one most everyone knows is Groupon, which is pretty darn awesome. But I have three other go-to's I hit up when I want smaller items (think jewelry, clothes, home items). I apologize in advance for all the shopping you're going to want to do because it's all so cheap and it's only available for a short time!

PS I Adore You: This is probably my absolute favorite. Not only do you get awesome deals and steals, some of your money is also going to an awesome cause. They sponsor a child with cancer each month, and a portion of the sales brought in will go to the child and their family. Pretty awesome, right? Loving these phone cases, these fun mugs and this sweet print. 

Eleventh Avenue (which most people probably remember as Groopdealz): This is the first flash deal site I ever found, and I have made quite a few purchases through here. Such a great selection, plus I've always had excellent customer service experiences. Major plus! Loving this awesome travel mug, this bright midi skirt and this dainty necklace. 

Jane: Rounding the list out with Jane. It's very similar to Eleventh Avenue, with a couple more product categories, and about a million and one things being sold. Seriously. It takes forever to even scroll to the bottom of the page! But we like our options, right? ;) Loving this awesome address stamp, the sought after herringbone vest ($18!) and these pretty glass monogram cutting boards. 

Do you have a favorite flash sale site? (And does anyone else end up spending way too much time looking through all the products?)

-Kylie

plaid and wine

I have my last final this morning and then I am heading hoooome! I am so ready for all things Christmas, and to just be done with school for a couple weeks. Yay for breaks! If you haven't figured out yet from my pictures, instagram or my ramblings, I just really love Christmas!
I also love this blazer. It was such a steal from Target, and I swear it can be paired with almost everything. This is actually the top I was wearing when I got it, and it's not something I would've immediately thought about putting together. But it totally works!

blazer: Target // shirt: Forever 21 (similar) // jeans: Lucky Brand // boots: DSW (similar) // necklace: Groopdealz (similar)

I know I'm not the only one, who else snagged this blazer?

-Kylie

the maxi trend

Life update: Driving to grandma's house today! (it's like a twelve hour total trip to get back home, so we always have to break it up)
Onto this maxi. I know it's hard to believe, but this is actually my first maxi dress. I know, I know, I'm crazy. I've just never found one that I like on me! They're always a tad too short, or just not my favorite. Enter a maxi I found on the dress rack at TJMaxx. I grabbed it on a whim, and immediately loved it when I tried it on. Plus, the $20 price tag made it a must and I just couldn't pass on this color!
(Fun fact: I used to do ballet here at the Musical Arts Center when I was younger!)

(yoga and ballet poses ;))

dress: TJMaxx (similar) // shoes: Chinese Laundry // necklace: Groopdealz

Anyone else late to join the maxi game?

-Kylie

do the ice cream freeze, strike a pose

(If you know what song the title is from, we should probably be best friends.)
Life update: officially moving out of the apartment today! Thankfully, I have my parents and one of my good guy friends helping me out. We'll be staying in a hotel for the night, and then headed home! (Since I can't move into my new apartment yet.) Bloomington has been good to me for the past four years, but I'm ready to move on!
The first night my parents were here, we went out for dinner and ice cream. And let me tell you, as great as it sounds to use ice cream as a prop in pictures, you WILL end up with it melting all over your hands. Thankfully, it stayed off my clothes and my new tank from TJMaxx. I absolutely love the bright neon color of it, especially against white!

(gotta have some good bloopers ;))

shirt: TJMaxx (similar) // shorts: Target // shoes: Carlos Santana // purse: Charming Charlie (similar) // necklace: Groopdealz // earrings: American Eagle // nails: Essie Full Steam Ahead // sunnies: Cole Haan via Nordstom Rack

And we have a winner for the Preppy Bows and Sass giveaway! Make sure to check your email Karolyna!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-Kylie

orange and gold

As you've probably noticed, my living room is starting to look a little bare. That would be because I'm moving next week! Wahooo! So all my Pittsburgh girls, let me know all the places I need to be going when I get there! ;) 
I wore this outfit out for a birthday dinner, and I just love how easy it is. The top is super lightweight so it doesn't stick to my skin in this humid weather, and while these heels are super tall, all that extra strap support makes them super comfy! (And I don't know why the picture quality is extra bad. Maybe I'll meet a hot photographer in Pitt who will take my pictures for me. A girl can dream, right? ;))

shirt: Francesca's (similar in chambray) // shorts: Target // necklace: Groopdealz // shoes: Target

Happy hump day!

-Kylie

Make sure to enter the Preppy Bows and Sass giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

groopdealz deals

There are some awesome deals happening over at Groopdealz right now! If you haven't blown your bank account at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale or don't have that big of a budget, head over there for some cheaper prices!

Boyfriend/Crew/Vneck comfy tees $7.99

Boyfriend Style Watches $7.99

Dainty Chevron Necklace $2.99

BOGO Free Home and Office Prints $6.99

Statement Rope Necklace $9.99

What GroopDealz deals are your favorites?

-Kylie

nice and bright

With it being summer, I love wearing all the super bright colors in my closet. Case in point, this neon orange tee from Victoria's Secret. They have my favorite basic v-neck shirts! They're super soft and they're normally only 2 for $32. Major win! Plus, I get to show off my new Shop Pretty Pants earrings! I love how Kendra Scott inspired they are, and that they aren't too heavy on my ears!

shirt: Victoria's Secret (same shirt, but in different colors) // shorts: Target // scarf: Urban Outfitters // necklace: GroopDealz // earrings: Shop Pretty Pants c/o // shoes: Sperry

Where do you find your favorite v-necks?

-Kylie

brights and whites

With this super warm weather we've been having (I'm talking 80's almost 90's, we just skipped right over spring this year!), I've definitely been drifting towards my super bright pieces. The nice weather just makes me so much happier, and I just have to wear brightness to correspond to that! ;)

shirt: J.Crew (similar) // shorts: Target // scarf: Forever 21 // shoes: Sperry (found on sale in a Macy's store!) // bracelets: Forever 21 1, 2 // necklace: GroopDealz // ring: GroopDealz // nails: Essie Watermelon

Anyone else gravitating to their brights?

-Kylie

50 shades of blue

For someone who's favorite color is pink, I really don't own very much pink clothing! It's become almost a joke at this point that almost everything I buy is a shade of blue. Case in point, this outfit. Seriously all shades of blue. Without even thinking about it.

shirt: J.Crew Factory // chambray: J.Crew (similar) // shorts: Target // shoes: Tommy Hilfiger // necklace: GroopDealz // sunglasses: Anthropologie (similar)

Does anyone else have this blue issue? I can't be the only one!

-Kylie