Neutral Ground

I’m actively trying to rotate items in my closet and wear as many things that I own as possible.  Today’s outfit was a result of that attempt.  The top, believe it or not, had been sitting in my closet for 7 months!  My sister gave it to me for Christmas and sadly, it had just sat there…for months.  The skirt had been sitting in my closet for over a year, sadly.  Sigh.  Partly because I could not fit into it a few months ago, but also because I have a bad habit of not circulating my clothes often enough.  That ends today!

Neutral Work outfit, http://chicinacademia.com

View from above, http://chicinacademia.com

Walmart Necklace, http://chicinacademia.com

Nine West Shoes, http://chicinacademia.com

Marshalls heels, http://chicinacademia.com

Details:  Skirt – Forever 21 old, similar here, herehere, and here and here; Top – Windsor Store, similar here and here; Shoes, $30 Nine West via Marshalls, check stores but similar here and here; Necklace – Walmart here; Bracelets – Forever 21, here.

For those who love the shoes in this post, know that they are currently sold at a Marshall’s store near you!  They were $30, are super comfy, and a must-have for any professional wardrobe.  Highly recommend you get them if you don’t already own a pair! The pearl cluster necklace is also a must, in my opinion.  It’s classic, goes with so many things, and for $5 it’s a purchase you just cannot pass up.

Well, friends, hope you enjoyed this outfit recap!  Have a happy Tuesday and I look forward reading your comments in the comments section below!

Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!

Instagram Lately

Happy Monday, Friends!  Hope everyone had a fun/restful/food-filled holiday weekend!  I was fortunate to spend mine with friends and family, so for all intents and purposes, it was perfect.

Week 4 of my Get Yo’ Fitness On is coming on the blog later this week, but in the meantime, I thought I would share a bit of what’s happened on Instagram lately.  I also made sure to highlight some fun purchases I made this month.  All super affordable of course! 😉

First up, are a pair of JCrew statement earrings.  I found these by chance on eBay not long after they sold out online.  They are SUPER fun to wear and add a great pop (or pops) of color to any outfit!  I could not find a pair anywhere, so I linked some others I’m coveting at the moment.

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails: J Crew earrings (sold out), other versions here and here.

The skirt in the photo below is Milly for Kohl’s and I had my eye on it from the moment I found out the Milly for Kohl’s collaboration was happening.  I waited and stalked it much like a hunter does it’s prey, then pounced the moment it went on sale!  It’s SUCH a fun skirt, and paired with the chambray top pictured below, or a crisp white shirt, very workplace-appropriate, in my opinion.  Well, at least my workplace, haha.

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails:  Skirt, Milly for Kohl’s.  This one is sold out, but you can find it on eBay here, or other items from the collection here. PS – Do you spot my little photobomber?! #photobomblove

You may or may not already be familiar with the Kendra Scott necklaces that are EVERYwhere, but if you’re not, allow me to educate you.  Kendra Scott is what Juicy Couture jewelry was in the early 2000’s.  Err-body wants it and most err-body owns at least one piece.  Well, go ahead and count me as one of the molecules in the mole (he he he!).  I TOO wanted this jewelry.  BUT, I didn’t want to pay the price, so I waited and waited and sure enough, someone produced a dupe.  I happened to have found mine for about $9 with free shipping, so I call that a pretty savvy purchase for an on-trend item.  Hold your applause, por favor. #gracias

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails:  Tassel necklace, eBay here.

I recently mentioned that I made a trip out to LA, and while there, stopped at Forever 21 where I found the necklaces below for less than $20 combined.  They are actually sold separately, but the part of my brain that processes fashion information quickly computed that these two might in fact look amazing when paired together.  I listened and voilà – genius pairing in the making.  Is there a MENSA for fashionistas??  Just saying’… See Exhibit A, below.

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comExhibit A: Forever 21 necklaces, here and here.

Last month, I happened to be shopping for my boys’ birthday party goodie bags and stopped by my go-to spot for such things – Walmart.  A true fashionista seeks inspiration everywhere she goes, so naturally, I took a stroll through the clothing and jewelry department.  That’s where I found the two necklaces pictured below.  At $5 a pair, they had to come home with me.  Both are very work-appropriate and paired with the right outfit, can look like you paid far more than a mere five buckaroos!

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails:  Walmart, similar here and here.

Also while in LA last month, I found a skirt for work.  I found that I’d been slacking on the office-formal wear, so I decided to step up my game again and try to dress up a little more, again. 😉  Part of the reason I think I’d been slacking is because I felt so out of shape.  Many of you will understand this, but when one has packed on the pounds, pencil skirts aren’t always the most flattering items of clothing one can or should wear.  But, since I’ve started working out (see Get Yo’ Fitness Challenge workouts here, here, and here) and eating healthier, I find that I can fit back into my fitted pencil skirts; or, in this case, buy new ones, haha!

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails: Skirt, Forever 21, here.

It seems I found lots of items during that Forever 21 trip in LA, because I also purchased the pearl cuffs pictured below! These in particular I also loved because they’re subtle enough to wear to the office, AND – added plus – they don’t get in the way while typing!  Fashionable and functional.  Done and done.

Instagram Lately, http://chicinacademia.comDetails:  Pearl Cuffs, Forever 21, here.

Well, that’s my Instagram Lately recap for ya!  Hope you found some of these pieces inspiring for your own sartorial adventures this month.  Should you find yourself on a tight budget, worry not!  I have a giveaway active on Instagram for a tassel necklace of your choice (see below).  They are Sift With Style necklaces from Heart and Home Collection, worth over $20 a piece!  Enter on Instagram to win!

Tassel Necklace Giveaway, http://chicinacademia.comDetails:  Free beaded tassel necklace to one luck winner!  Check out Instagram to enter.

That’s all for now, friends!  Let me know if you know of any other deals on either clothing or accessories.  In particular, I’m on the hunt for a pink tote or satchel so holla at ya girl if you spot any under $40!

Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!

FREE LG G Pad!

Today, I bring to your attention a major geek chic announcement.  Many of you may or may not know that my husband is an account manager for Verizon Cellular Sales.  He came home to tell me about a pretty great deal on the LG G Pad 8.3.  How great??  Can you say, “FREE”?!  If you haven’t heard of the LG G Pad, then keep reading.

LG G Pad 1, http://chicinacademia.com

The paper clip in this photo is GIANT, btw. Haha! Seriously, the tablet is 8 x 3 inches. 🙂

I’d asked for a tablet because it’s sometimes cumbersome to travel with my laptop – especially on short trips.  My colleagues also have tablets that they take with them from meeting to meeting at work, so that’s also inspired me to try and get one for myself.  So, I’m going to give this one a try and so far I love it!  What’s even better is that there is quite the incentive for you to buy one too!

My hubby hubs can get you this tablet, free of cost, after rebate!  All you pay for is the service each month.

FREE LG G Pad Verizon, http://chicinacademia.com

Details: Day Designer Planner, Target notepad, Nate Berkus oversized paper clip, Nate Berkus Bulldog Tape Dispenser, 8 x 3″ LG G Pad, Little Love Press Coffee Mug

As you can see, it’s small enough to carry with you everywhere you go and yet large enough to work off of.  It’s the perfect size for reading books with the Kindle app, watching movies, playing games, and other activities to entertain the little ones.  It fits perfectly in your purse, and it doesn’t even have to be a tote bag.  As you can see below, it fits in my Tory Burch satchel.

Tory Burch Thea Triple Zip with LG G Pad, http://chicinacademia.com

It has a front and rear facing camera, a quad core processor, and from the picture above you can see the colors on the screen are amazing.  With Father’s Day just around the corner, one of these would make the perfect gift.  You can get text messages on this tablet while making sure he (or you!) stays up to date with the coolest technology, haha.

So, how do you get yours FREE?!  Contact my hubby, Mike!  Out of pocket cost is $140+tax but then you get a $140 rebate back in about 10-12 business days.  No other Verizon store or online company is offering these free at the moment, so this is a very unique offer I get to share with my readers.  Yay for us!  Online and most Verizon stores are offering this tablet for $229 with a $100 rebate.  The monthly cost for most Verizon plans is just $10 a month to have internet access on it everywhere you go.  You can also connect to WiFi when available to save your data.

For more information, contact Mike at 760-447-7788 or mike.frymark@cellularsales.com.  LG G Pads can be shipped anywhere in the US, so you do not have to be local to purchase from him.  They all come with a 14 day worry-free guarantee to make sure you are completely happy with your purchase.  If you don’t have Verizon you can still get the tablet for FREE and the Verizon plan would be $30 a month for 2GB of data.  My husband can also help switch you, your family, and even your business to Verizon and give you the best deal possible on equipment.  Verizon is also now offering a $100 bill credit per line you bring from another carrier that gets a smart phone.  So get on it!  This is not a scam, btw.  I fully endorse this product, and my hubby. 🙂

Until next time!  Stay ‘Chic’!