Tips on Mixing Floral Prints with Leopard {Personal Style}

 top: NY & CO | jacket: Target | jeans: 7 for Mankind | shoes: Nicole Miller for JCP

 So last week, I bought a jacket on clearance at Target. It was meant to be worn on date night with a skirt but I couldn't resist and wore it the very next day to work from home. This is where I do my wardrobe experiments and why I rarely do outfit posts, I work solo. I'm always cautious about mixing certain prints. Many have tried, failed and yes, I have laughed at them...not really but I have cringed. We follow certain bloggers for being bold and daring, I am not one of those bloggers. I am casual, comfortable and very Chicago. I am the everyday woman. The floral jacket is muted so it works here. Key to mixing floral prints with leopard? Tone it down. One has to be muted or it just looks like you dressed in the dark. Here's to turning on the lights.

Target's 50% Off Clearance Rack {Personal Style}

Normally Tuesdays, my parents pick up my little one and take her someplace fun, like the playhouse in McDonald's or Chuck E Cheese. Yesterday, my parents were unavailable so I had to shut off my computer, leave Starbucks early and pick up my Princess. She was so happy that her mommy was there to get her. When I asked what fun thing she wanted to do, she said go to Target to buy shoes and sunglasses. I am so proud to be her mom. She didn't get shoes but she got her sunglasses, jump rope and I hit the clearance rack.

 This Prabal Gurung skirt was on clearance for $8.98. It is a size bigger than my size but I took it anyway. It fits.

 This top was also on clearance and so comfy. It also was only $9 but I have enough casual pieces. The skirt was picked out by my little one but it was full price and even though $24 doesn't seem like a lot, I would love it a lot more if it were on sale. Bad habit. I'm cheap. I left both items.

This jacket was my first find and some of you saw it on Instagram yesterday. I thought it was $6, it was actually $8 but it came home with me anyhow. Big baller. I am wearing it today, stay tuned for the outfit post. I tried on a few things but not much I loved this time. I also picked up a few things for my desk from the dollar section. I was sad I didn't look at the rugs but I had to run home and clean before the man of the house ripped into me for not doing so. Again. :)




DISCLAIMER: This wild shopping trip was sponsored by my husband's credit card as a reward for the cleaning I actually did. Love you!

Miami, Hispanicize & What I Am Wearing {Personal Style}

With less than a week before I head out to Miami for Hispanicize, the biggest conference for Latin influencers, I'm trying to be smart and plan ahead of time. I've downloaded their new app on my iPhone that lists the agenda of the conference, I can pick what sessions I attend and put it in a calendar. I think it makes for packing a bit easier. I know I don't have much time from when I arrive in Miami to when I need to catch the shuttle to the first event so I now know I can relax and hail a cab instead. It also helps me plan what days I will wear what and what shoes. Wednesday will be a busy day so I've planned a comfy but chic outfit for the day but their are a few events that I plan on attending in the evening and something like this skirt that I found at Target for only $8, would work. I wear a lot of neutrals in Chicago but I've had this skirt now for almost two months and the tags are still attached. I've been waiting for warmer weather here but wait no more because I'm off to Miami. Don't worry, I'll have quite a few outfits to share when I return. Be sure to follow along on twitter with the hashtag #Hispz13 for all the details on Latinos in Social Media, and well...this mom.


If you like this skirt and want something similar, check out the few I've selected below.

More Calvin Klein...

Casual Day {Personal Style}

I'm shooting a video today for a PR firm regarding what my audience needs from a certain budget brand. The project is in such beginning stages that all I can share is that for now. They did ask, I dress casually, so I chose my chambray top from JcPenney, my $6 harem pants from Target and my comfy "mom" wedges from Aerosoles. I've worn this top at least 3x a month since I got it and it is time for a new one so I found the same one in a lighter color here. What do you think? Should I go for the lighter one?

Chambray Tops

At Home Manicure {Brilliant Nude}

 Fashion by Deborah Lippman (old) & Stroke of Brilliance by Essie (c/o)

I'm horrible at painting my own nails but my budget doesn't always allow for my no-chip manis and it is great quality time with my daughter who loves when mommy paints her nails. Kind of reminds you of the Tracy Reese for Neiman Marcus/Target Collab, right?

It was totally unintentional but it was all I could think of after I did it. What nail colors are you looking to try?

The Perfect Tweed Non-Jacket

So I decided that there were a few things missing from my closet and I knew I just needed a tweed jacket of any sort. After giving myself a budget of no more than $50 including tax, I searched online for the best deals and found this one at Target. Since, I did not want to pay for shipping, I grabbed my kid and headed to Target and found a Tweed sweater for under $9! They should still have a few so I would run, not walk over to check out the sale rack.

The Inspiration:

My Version:

button up: UK French from Sears | sweater: Mango from Jcpenny | leggings: Target | boots: Steve Madden | necklace: Jojo & Sofia

dress: H&M | leggings: Target | boots: Steve Madden | watch: Chanel | bracelet: THS 

Now I just need a white tunic like she does in the picture. Back to the sale rack.

How to Decorate on a Budget {Master Bedroom}

Moving into our new place has been no walk in the park, emotionally or financially but here we are. We have moved twice since the end of September and by the first of November called the new place home. Anyway, here we are and for a while...a long while. I'm glad since the place is a spacious (1650 sq ft) 2 bedroom condo steps away from public transportation and underground garage. I am happy. Now I just need to decorate and on a majorly tight budget which means time. It will take a while to make this place a home but so far my bedroom is coming along nicely.

 Use items from another room: These Missioni for Target pillows were in my daughter's room. Now that she is in a "princess only" phase, the pillows were the perfect touch to my neutral room.

 Designer collaborations: I would love to buy fancy things but the truth is, they just have to look fancy and last. This combo from the Nate Berkus for Target collection was $75 each. Not quite the amazing saving I would have liked but I instantly fell in love with the lamps.

Make your own art: I used ads that I loved from W and V magazine. The frames were a lucky dumpster find and the mat board less than $15 total.

Use large frames: This is obviously a $10 poster but instead of being tacked on the wall, we used a frame from Target for only $39.99. The size alone add luxury.

Display memories: We bought this little guy on our first major family vacation to the Dominican Republic in 2011. He was a $5 find from a street vendor.

Comparison shop: We needed a new bed. I wanted upholstered but the prices were too high, like the $1900 piece I found at Macy's. After searching for a bed for over a year, we found one the day before we moved in and only $495. Some things are worth waiting for.

Add detail: My side dressers are from Ikea and were cheap. I added a few handles and they instantly look better. I also like the contrast of metals with the pulls and my lamps.



It is still a work in progress but what home isn't. In the meantime, I will be moving on to the living room.

Let's Celebrate...One Last Time

source: elmuseo.org

So in Puerto Rico, where my parents are from, the holidays go on until after the 6th of January, Dia de Los Reyes, Three Kings Day. My husband never grew up with this holiday so he insists that I do not get presents on Sunday. That is fine but I will continue to eat like like I made no "get healthy" resolution. One typical yummy goodness is Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings bread. I found a great recipe here. Meanwhile, the fine folks over at Target decided to add their own little twist.

Your Día de Reyes celebration doesn’t start until you bite into the traditional Rosca. To add a twist to this traditional dish, include some tasty toppings you can find at Target. The following items are a few treats you can add to this scrumptious dessert and a delicious, warm drink you can enjoy with it:     ·         Sprinkle some sweetness all over your Rosca with Ghirardelli Boxed Chocolate ·         If you’re the opposite and like salty treats, then you’ll definitely add the Archer Farms Salted Roasted Deluxe Mixed Nuts ·         Enjoy your Rosca with some hot cocoa with the help of Archer Farms Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Also, check out how to make a kid friendly set up this Sunday as you celebrate and close out this holiday season. Enjoy your day!


Disclaimer: I was not compensated in anyway for this post. All writing in italic is wording from the fine people at Target but they mentioned chocolate. Twice. That makes it okay to post on this mom's blog.

Prabal Gurung for Target: Will We Love the Price?

video via Style.com

Prabal Gurung for Target is not new news. In fact, Fashionista had been sharing that rumor with us since 2010 but late last year (yes, because it was so long ago) the official announcement about this long awaited collection finally came. However, with the failed success of the Neiman Marcus collection which so quickly was marked down to 70%, I question this new step for Gurung. I am an avid Target shopper and a typical one at that, one who is looking for a bargain. The question here is did Target forget who their shopper is? This isn't a question as to whether or not the collection would be good because we saw the images with the stunning Olivia Thirlby but whether or not the price is right? Will this collection be as worthy as Missoni for Target or another epic fail like the over priced Neiman Marcus collection?

My Kid has Style {Personal Style + Kid Style}

jacket: Guess | dress: BB Dakota via TJ Maxx | leggings: Target (on sale now $5) | shoes: Prada

I had no clue what to wear on Thanksgiving. I knew leggings would be a great choice since I love to eat but the way I had been feeling the last few days prior to, I knew I wouldn't eat much. In fact, I decided on my outfit at the last minute since the outfit planning when into high gear just the day before and the only person I was worried about was the cutie pictured below.

I found this corduroy skirt for $4.50, the top and tights for $5 and her shoes we bought earlier on in the season all from her favorite place to shop...Target. I actually spent quite a bit more but I basically cleared the clearance rack of all 3T and 4T, I just love their kid's fashions.





Disclaimer: Ignore the poster on the floor, it should have been hung by my husband but he gets too busy laying on the couch to actually hang ANY artwork in our new place. Also, our camera is still ugh so for now, iPad pics will have to do.

UPDATE: My husband has since hung this poster up and all artwork that I had found room for. Then he went back to the couch. ;)