Wednesday's Wish List 3.0

About a month ago I did a Wednesday's Wish List blog post you can see here, so my goal is to do one every Wednesday from now on. I always find that the most interesting reads for me are the ones that bloggers share personal items they want, love, hate, etc...Pretty much I am nosey and like to see what others are buying! (Who's with me?) So why not create a post with a fun mix of things I'm loving found from around the web every Wednesday as a pick me up during the week? 

It's now March which means Spring is almost here. Finally!  I have actually never actually owned a khaki trench coat before (I don't know how I have managed without one all of these years!) Investing in a good fitting classic piece like a trench coat is so worth it. You will wear it for years and it is versatile enough to literally wear with anything. After many weeks of searching for the perfect trench coat, I finally came across this one yesterday. The color is just right (it's not the light "stone" color), it has a feminine A-line wait, and the buckles add a little edge. It is even on sale! I'll be ordering this tonight...

BCBGeneration

Since starting my internship I have not been living in my own apartment. I don't have my desk, dresser, pretty decorations, or anything girly here for that matter. I want my own work space  I love the West Elm Parsons Desk you see in almost every blogger's home, but not the $349 price tag. I found this cheaper alternative at Overstock that is similar for only $150.

Student White Desk

I have come across some really great prints recently on Etsy and Instagram. This pink bow is just darling. 

To personalize my workspace:

Glam

The perfect slouchy tee. I am making a point to finally buy a nice tee when I find one. I've heard multiple bloggers talking about the quality and durability of these.

Long Sleeve Boat Neck Tee

White jeans are everywhere come Spring. I like the boot cut leg for myself. They are more flattering than a skinny jean on those of us that were not blessed with stick legs, especially when wearing such a light (and unforgiving) wash. My search begins now for a better deal on a pair of these!

MiH Jeans Kick Flare

Guys, isn't this just the cutest outfit?! It doesn't get much better than that. I about died when I saw the combo: lace skirt paired with a cashmere sweater. Why don't I ever think of something like that? Sadly, you won't be finding this stuff in my closet any time soon...So here it is, just for fun :)

J.Crew

What's on your shopping list for Spring? Happy Wednesday everyone!

What I Bought This Month

As I mentioned earlier in a past blog post, I want to go through my closet and do some Spring cleaning to get rid of the old clothes I no longer wear, and really update my closet with a few basics and some nicer pieces that are fit well. Now that I am getting a little older, I have found what styles of clothing and fabrics look best on my body type. I think it's important to dress for you and your style, while keeping your body type in mind. In magazine you see articles that tell you what to wear if you have an athletic shape, curvy, short, etc. but I never fit any of the categories. So after a little reading, looking back on pictures, and some serious trial and error, I have found that more structured pieces like blazers and jackets and button down tops are most flattering on me. That doesn't mean I don't wear anything else except blazers, but I think it's always important to have some go-items that you know look good.

 As I shop online and stroll through stores I see tons of cute things, but rarely do I actually buy them. I always feel like I have to have an event coming up in order to buy a new outfit. I don't even like to buy plain tees when I find a good fitting brand because I would rather have a cute nice top. Of course I always want to kick myself the next time I'm searching my closet for my lone black tee (that is in the laundry basket). We all know the importance of a few good tees in black, white and gray...you see why I need to do some Spring cleaning now?! 

Anyway, I did a little shopping throughout February and here is what I found:

I apologize for the bad quality, I should think about investing in a better camera besides my iPhone!

The flats are from JCPenny and were only $16! I had been looking for a neutral pair of flats for  Spring and happened to walk by these and thought they were adorable and too hard to pass up. They are a light pink with a camel colored bow (I will remove the jewel from the center of the bow). 

The camel colored faux leather jacket is from Target. Jackets are nice to throw on in the Spring, and I always love a nice leather jacket. 

The tan jacket to the right from Love Culture (reminds me of Forever 21) does not look half as good as it does in person. The color looks really off here. The sleeves and body of the jacket are almost a chiffon material and the collar and shoulders are a faux leather. What do you think, are the studs on the shoulders a bit much? The jacket looks so good in person and has a great fit, so I thought it was a good addition to my closet. It is the same concept of a blazer, with a little bit of an edge.

Next is a faux leather (what can I say, I'm digging leather lately) black flouncy skirt from Love Culture. The material is really thin so it has a lot of movement which I like. I think the flounce down plays the toughness of the leather which makes it work. 

The cream chiffon button up blouse is from Love Culture. I have a few other similar tops like this and I always find myself grabbing for them in my closet. 

The gold chain necklace is from Charming Charlie. 

The tank top is from Target and is a good alternative to a solid color tank top. 

Last but not least is the Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo foundation. I have been using Revlon ColorStay foundation for a few years, but I wanted to try something different to help minimize the creasing around my mouth (you know, the smile lines). I have used it a couple times and I'm really liking it. The formula seems to holds up well throughout the day. 

What styles look best on you? Do you have a go-to item in your closet that is a never fail? 

Wednesday's Wish List

I thought it would be fun to show you guys what I've been loving and shopping for lately. As you know, I online shop quite a bit (but I have cut back tremendously since I set goals in my previous blog post!) so I always seem to have a running list of things I need, want, or like. Most of the time I end up filling my online shopping cart and never returning to checkout. I do this because, 1) I like to think a few days about most purchases I make so I can decide if it's what I really want or need; 2) decide if it is worth the money; or 3) search for a better deal. If I instantly bought everything I saw and liked I would not have any money left! Here are a few items on my current wish list...

 I recently purchased a new purse I love, but I downsized a little from my previous one I used regularly. Now my wallet no longer fits very well in my new purse, so I want to find a wallet that is a little smaller but still has compartments for cards and cash. Kate Spade has some cute options, but the wallets that have multiple compartments are over $100. So...being the bargain shopper that I am, I looked around until I came across this one (shown below) on Ebay. It has a zipper closure, a few different slots for keeping cash and cards separate, and the pink color matches the inside of my purse. Perfect! 

Kate Spade Mini Neda Wallet.
Ebay.com

How pretty is this robe! Need I say more? 

Knee Length Kimono Robe $65
plumprettysugar.com

I heard about these fabulous robes from the lovely Rhiannon on her blog Hey Gorg Events. I encourage you to go check out her blog--everything she does is awesome, just likes these robes!

I really love the print shown, Beckoning Creatures, and Pink Love Poppy. The photo does not do it justice, so go online and check out the pretty prints for yourself. :)

In Iowa, Winter is the longest season. Walking to class is bad enough, and when the temperature is freezing it's even worse! Boots are the only thing that keep my feet warm this time of year, so I consider them a must in my closet. I have been wanting a pair of Frye boots for a while now, but the price tag is holding me back. With Fall and Winter combined I can wear them for at least 5 months, so they are a good investment, right? 

Check out these beauties. 

Jane Tall Cuff Boots 
Zappos.com

I may have struck a deal on a pair of these (fingers crossed) that are slightly used, but in good condition and 1/3 of the retail price. I will let you know if the deal works out by tomorrow hopefully! 

Lately, I am obsessed with anything sheer or floral print. This top looks so pretty and easy to wear. I would wear it with my faux leather black skinny pants to toughen up the look a little bit, or with dark wash flare pants, a blazer, and wedges for a Springy look.

Pins and Needles Blouse $49
Urban Outfitters

As Spring gets closer and closer, I am excited for some closet cleaning and updating! Stay tuned for more. 

*Also, don't forget to follow me on Twitter at AmandaRisius and on Instagram at amandarisius. I post different things than on my blog, so don't miss it!