Money Grubbers: New Wallets for Spring!

Wallets for Spring! by elbonner featuring green bags

I have a confession to make: I hate my wallet. I didn't hate it when I bought it, but it was my first foray away from a large wallet since my Roxy Velcro wallet phase that probably lasted longer than it should have. The wallet I have now can't hold bills that aren't folded, the soft leather is very floppy and it's small enough to get lost in the cavernous abyss that is my giant purse. I am, for what might be the first time ever, on a hardcore wallet hunt. I have never had a problem getting wallet because almost every one I've ever had has been given to me as either a birthday gift, Secret Santa present, or a "I bought this and hated it, now you get it" present from my mom. I am excited at all the new possibilities that wallet shopping can bring, but unfortunately, my old nemesis has reared it's head again. It's almost a law of nature that the one thing I really want, whether it be purses, shoes, or even Greek yogurt, is the most expensive one I find. I am having this problem with my current wallet obsession. Cleobella is an awesome retailer of handbags, but they make these "Mexicana" wallets that are just the dogs bollocks. They come in every bright, obnoxious color you can imagine and they just look super cool. Of course, they are $138 a piece, but maybe I'll find $200 stuffed in the pocket of something (never ever going to happen) and spoil myself with a fabulous wallet.

But because I live in the lame world of reality, I will probably be looking at my old haunts like Target, H&M, and Urban Outfitters to find myself a fun new money-holder. Now, these places are in no way a downgrade, in fact, I might find something even better than what I originally lusted after. For now, I'm still shopping around for the perfect wallet, but I can gaurentee this: it will be neon, it will be big, and it will have at least 4 Pita Pit cards in it because I always tell the cashier I forgot mine. Organize your life and get a new wallet!

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet
Cooperative Colorblock Zip-Aorund Wallet- Urban Outfitters
Merona for Target Zip-Around Wallet

Cold Weather Gifts for Warm Weather People

Beachy Gifts by elbonner featuring purple gloves

My second installment of my holiday gift series is one that is close to my heart. At Christmas time, all I want is to be back at the beach reeking of sunscreen and caked in sand. Because I am not able to do that in my neck of the woods, I can still live the beach life if I put in the effort at home. If you have a friend who is not a winter person, there are many ways you can soothe the sting of winter's cold with these awesome, beach-inspired gifts!

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1. Flash Tattoos "Goldfish Kiss" Edition: these metallic temporary tattos are so firggin'cool. The only thing that makes them cooler is the fact they got a whole collection to be designed by one of my favorite blogger, Rebekah Steen, of Goldfish Kiss. Her beachy creations 1.)make me want more ink and 2.) remind me that summer will be here eventually! Be wild and wear these to a holiday party and be as sparkly as a Christmas tree! (Photo: Flash Tattoos/Rebekah Steen)

2. Kai Fragrance Travel Kit: This stuff smells like a tropical paradise in a bottle. Kai is all about the gardenia and it transports me back to the North Shore of Oahu every time I smell it. Gardenia is a soft enough floral to wear during the day, but I think it's just as nice on a night out. Everyone will be yearning for summer and creepily sniffing you all night long! 

3. Verloop Rothko Texting Gloves: To ease the heavy hand of winter, how are you supposed to look back at your summer Instagram photos when your fingers are inhibited by stupid gloves?! These are the answer. Smartphone gloves allow you to scroll through those lazy summer photos without forcing you to feel the cold and hate everything again. These ones from Urban Outfitters are a fun color, too!

4. Malie Plumeria Home and Linen Spray: Want your house to smell like a tropical paradise instead of a Christmas Tree? We're not all holiday scent lovers, and this spray can make your home a little more summer-fiend friendly. Malie carries all sorts of tropical scents, but the plumeria is my numba one faveorite.

5. RockaBella Jewels Shark Tooth Necklace: You can always lie and tell people you wrestled this out of a sharks mouth yourself, it will greatly impress the recipient. This necklace is pretty whilst also being badass. Always a good combo!

6. J. Crew Metallic Triangles Sweatshirt: A cute sweatshirt can easily be incorporated into your spring attire, and this sweatshirt fits the bill. The metallic gold makes it festive for winter, but the funky print makes it great to pair with some mint cut-off in the spring time!

7. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and Sugar Lychee Fragrance: Keep winter dryness from ruining your lips this summer. Keep a fancy shmancy, spf lip balm with you at all times. It makes a great stocking stuffer or secret Santa present. Smell like the freshness of summer with a citrus-based perfume too. This one is sweet, but has a little more depth than their lemon version which makes it better for cold weather. It's still fresh and fruity enough for summer wear!

I hope these gift ideas will help alleviate the sadness that us warm-weather people feel when winter comes and ruins our lives. Christmas is a great time to perk those up in need of a summer fix!

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Fringe Benefits

Fringe Benefits by elbonner featuring hobo handbags

Call me Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, but I effing love fringe bags. Oh my god, I can't get enough of them. They are perfect for fall, summer, winter, whatever; they always give your outfits a laid-back easy feeling without being boring. This winter, I'm feeling the whole "wear everything that looks like a Mexican Blanket" thing and fringe bags only make that look better. I am in love with the first bag shown from Spell and the Gypsy Collective. If it was $100 I could maybe justify getting it after some serious penny pinching, but for now I can just look at it and dream. My only real beef with fringe bags is that all the really good ones that don't look cheapy are sooo friggin expensive!! Come on people, I needs my fringe! Anywho, if you want a cool new bag that is a little more interesting than your usual satchel or shoulder bag, go for some fringy stuff to connect with your inner Walker Texas Ranger!

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Spell and the Gypsy Collective for Free People
Cut N' Paste for Free People
Cleobella
Mango 
Urban Outfitters 
Free People

Statement Jackets!

Statement Jackets! by elbonner featuring a light weight jacket

JUST SAY NO to dull black and tan jackets this fall. You're not the founding member of the Boring Society, so why should your fall wardrobe? Jackets are things that can really make an outfit whilst actually serving a purpose and this season is featuring lots and lots of cool prints that put your trench to shame! Get some color in your life and make your jacket something you want to keep on instead of praying for someone to steal it from the coat room at a party. These can be paired with what could have been a very plain outfit (t-shirt and jeans) and turned into a super statement! Accessorize with a crazy necklace and cute bag and you'll look cooler than everyone!

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Roxy Dancing Shores Jean Jacket

Free People New Romantics Carnival Baseball Jacket

Urban Outfitters Somedays Lovin Botanic Bomber Jacket

Whether you want a smidgen of fun color or an in-your-face print, this fall is loaded with jackets that say more than "I pay my taxes on time!". Jacket-up!

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Wedding Outfit Choice #1: If You Wanted To Be "The Nice Girl"

Wedding Outfit by elbonner featuring suede pumps

I've got a wedding to go to in January, and even though it feels like it's a lifetime away I'm trying to think of what I want to wear to it. I've been trying to figure out what my mood will be come January, whether I'll be hopeful for spring, or totally bitchingly sick of wintertime. This is my nice girl wedding guest look, complete with sensible heels and a dress with flowers all over it. I like this one from Modcloth.com because it's not your typical floral print, it's like a pastoral painting turned party dress. This outfit is cute, but not so cute that you won't be ID'd at the open bar (which they better be having).

BACK TO WORK :(

Labor day is over and done. Wish this past weekend was a bit happier, but I can't complain with going tothe beach twice, eating ice cream twice and Mexican twice! Hung out with some wild toddlers that exhausted my boyfriend and I and even got some shopping time in for me.

I really want a for real leather jack, but they are so expensive. I don't want to opt out and get a crappy leather one from some no name place just because it kind of looks like what I want, but I keep finding all these faux-leather jackets that are just toooo cute! I went to H&M Monday morning and found a really cool biker jacket for $50, but I couldn't bring myself to buy it because I already have a black faux-leather jacket. I'm kind of regretting it now.

Not the best picture in the world (and no I'm not taking a picture with an ice cream sandwich!), but it's got quilted shoulders, zippers, and all that other stuff that makes leather jackets cool.It seems like it would be warmer than my current ones because it felt like it had some sort of insulation in it. I don't know what to do! Should I shut up and buy it already or hold steady and save for a really awesome one? I NEED ANSWERS!

Treasures

Until now, I have never really been that into jewelry. I still don't like really gaudy pieces and big jewels, I like simple things that will look good for years to come.I also like things that look like someone just pulled it out of the ground and slapped it on a ring. I essence I like lots of natural pieces clothing and jewelry-wise. I think it just looks more down-to-earth and not so show-offish. I made a collection of a few pieces I've found around the internets that show what sort of stuff I'm into and these pieces go from fall to winters and back to spring and summer. I think it's important to have a wardrobe that can transition easily from season to season so you're getting your moneys worth out of your stuff! This set features lots gold, leather, and jewel tones that just look exotic and lush and I want all of them. Come on lottery I've got shopping to do!