Must Have bags of Summer 2017

Ya’ll it’s Saturday! This was a longgggggggg week and I’m so glad it’s over and tomorrow is Mother’s Day so I’m spending the whole day with my littles! In the meantime I thought I would share with you my favorite bags for summer 2017!

I must also confess I purchased all 4 of these and love every one of them! All of these work for spring too and I promise you will love any of these bags! Make sure you also stay tuned because I plan on featuring each on of these bags in a full outfit post for each one separately so you can see just how I styled each one!

1. Mar Y Sol Ibiza – This bag is my absolute favorite bag! It’s huge inside and works for a day at the beach, shopping or even a night out in the summer!  The straw is very sturdy and amazing quality and the colors are gorgeous.  I got this bag via the LUVIT app and the cool thing about the app is that you get cash back on each purchase! You can also get it at Nordstrom too!  It comes in Natural, Navy (shown above), Pink, and Aqua but if you check out the LUVIT app they also offer it in a gorgeous yellow! 

2.  Mar Y Sol Mia Raffia Clutch – This is another adorable bag from Mar Y sol and you can also get this via LUVIT or Nordstrom.  Its the perfect clutch to transition from a day to night look! I can’t wait to use this for a date night with the hubby! The best part is it comes in 4 colors and is under $50!!!!

3. Steve by Steve Madden Jyme Clutch – This clutch is seriously perfection! The poms and the embroidery make it the perfect statement piece for spring and summer and this clutch also works for day or night.  I like that it’s a bit larger for a clutch so I can fit more inside too!  I must inform you though.  This bag is sold out everywhere! I wanted (and still do) the Natural color….but like anything…if you wait too you may lose out!  I was lucky enough to find the denim one on HSN HERE though! Hopefully Nordstrom will restock this and if any of you find the natural color one somewhere please let me know!

4. Sam Edelman Milly Straw Minaudière – I just got this gorgeous Sam Edelman bag in the mail this week and it’s fantastic.  It comes in 2 colors that are both perfect for summer but I got the red/pink one because I think it will work well into fall as well! This one is definitely more of an evening style bag but you could rock it during the day too maybe to a mid-morning brunch!

Hope you enjoyed my top picks and if you would like to shop any of them you can check out the links below or for the Mar Y Sol ones you can also check out the LUV.it app for cash back!

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Linking Up With:
Life as I Know it // Style Elixir // Katherines Korner // The Fashion Canvas // Pink Sole // Not Dead Yet Style // ClaireJustine // By Lauren M

Why I Cancelled Stitch Fix

Happy hump day! Thank god the week is halfway over! Tomorrow is the Anthropologie fashion show down at Lenox Mall and I’m stoked!  Then I work from home all next week since my little people have spring break, YAY! Let’s hope the remainder of this week goes by fast so I can bust outta here!

This post won’t have any pretty pictures and it’s kind of a vent.  Well Not a vent just facts really so feel free to comment with your Stitch Fix thoughts.  I know most of you love your stitch fix subscriptions and that’s cool. I gave it a shot for about 6 months and finally I have decided cancel my Stitch Fix subscription….for good!

Being a fashion/style blogger my main goal is to “share” my style with my readers in hopes of giving them tips and inspiration.  I know myself as a reader of many other style & beauty blogs…….I look to bloggers for style inspiration or products referrals.  If they have a piece that I love or a product they swear by most likely I want to purchase the same item.

While my stylist eventually sent me items that I did “like” 99.9% of them are no where to be found online. ANYWHERE.  They say they have the hottest name brands or brands you will find in stores.  Most I could not find anywhere.  The only time I ever found a brand was when I receive a pair of Steve Madden mules.  Other than that, each month I would receive my box and search high and low for the item and no luck.  I sometimes would even search for the brand and still nothing.  The only thing I would turn up would be other bloggers reviewing the same items they got in their fix.  But no place for anyone to purchase online.

This also has nothing to do with not being able to use affiliate links.  Take those out of the equation completely.  Here’s an example ….Remember THIS POST?  I showed you the cutest mustard colord fringe bag.  It was a dupe of the Chloe Hudson Bag.  I wanted to purchase a second one for my friend since she loved it so much but it was NOWHERE to be found online.  I found similar ones in different colors and even a came one that came close but not a mustard colored one like this.

I mean from what I can see they don’t even seem to be items from the prior season or year.  There is just literally no trace of them online ….unless like i said you request a pair of shoes ……usually you get something like lucky brand or Steve Madden.

Two months ago they sent me the most fabulous layered gold choker known to man.  I wanted to share it online.  But seriously why get my readers hopes up that they can but it?  The brand was literally non-existent online and I couldn’t find anything similar at all.  Very disappointing.  On top of that I felt like I was throwing away money every month because I rarely kept anything!

Now I still love the concept of monthly subscription boxes especially when it comes to clothing which is why I am going to try out Trunk Club! What I love is that they are part of my favorite department store Nordstrom and they get all of their items there so I’m positive you will be able to find the items online.

Have any of you ladies tried Trunk Club?  What are your thoughts?

Tobi Sweater Dress

I always love finding new brands and shops online.  It’s so much fun stepping away sometimes from the big box retail stores and finding fun unique pieces from smaller brands online,  Recently I found Tobi and their online shop has tons of adorable pieces to choose from! I ordered 3 adorable dresses and they are perfect for spring!  Two of them are sweater dresses and one is a cute floral fit and flare.  Today I’m sharing this black sweater dress.

Booties:  H&M (Old) // Necklace:  BaubleBar // Bracelet:  The Styled Collection // Bag:  BCBG via Marshalls // Earrings:  Kendra Scott via Rocksbox // Sweater Dress:  Tobi // Sunnies:  Nordstrom

I absolutely love this dress and right now is the perfect timing because as much as we all wanted spring time temps to stick around …..the weather God’s in Atlanta just reminded us it’s still technically winter and the highs were only in the 50’s! Too cold for my liking!

Anywho…..the back of this dress has buttons that go all the way down the back and it’s super thick and cozy for when you want a cute LBD but still want to keep warm! It also works for any body type because it’s not super fitted so it’s more like a shift dress! I wore this with black ankle booties but you could also pair it with OTK’s as well!

Stay tuned for more looks from Tobi and in the meantime check out their awesome spring line!

Linking up with:
Sincerely JennaMarie // By Lauren M // Pink Sole // Claire Justine // StyleNudge // Style Elixir  // Walking in Memphis in High Heels // Not Dead Yet Style // I Do DeClaire // 

Embellished Boots & Designer Dupes

You know I have a sick obsession with boots, booties, etc…..and now I’m crazy for all the metallic accented and embellished boots that I’m seeing everywhere.  Whether metallic heels or toes….or sparkly embellishments……I love them all!!!!!

Target recently came out with their Raine Western Boot which is a Dupe of the popular Catherine Malandrino Driscoll Boot.  The Target version is a fraction of the cost and nearly identical!  If you prefer the Catherine Malandrino ones they were originally $240 and now on sale for $119.99 at Nordstrom Rack and they are available in several colors!  Jeffrey Campbell even has a version of this popular boot found HERE.

If you like a little sparkle you can find several options ranging in price from super affordable to luxury designer prices.  If money is no option check out the Fauna Bootie by Aquazzura, however if you are looking for a less expensive option check out the Diamond by FarylRobin Fawcett version at Target!

For those of you ladies that are really bold check out one these lovely options.  The Roger Vivier Sequin-Embellished Bootie available on My Theresa is a super sparkly luxurious bootie but at $2350 may not be budget friendly.  Target has another gorgous option in a floral Velvet print found HERE! For a mid-grade price point check out THIS PAIR by River Island!

I hope you enjoyed my favorite picks for sparkly embellished booties …..I’ve also added a few more options to the widget below 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!

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I VOTE – for FASHION!

Call me insensitive but I won’t bring you a post today about how I’m disappointed or stressed because quite frankly…….I don’t care to share my political opinions or choices.  I’ve seen too many friendships and family relationships destroyed recently so I’m keeping quiet on this one.  Let me also remind you that God is in control and knew the outcomes of this election way before it was decided so we need to just trust in that!

I will however bring you a cute outfit post! I VOTE fashion all day every day!

Felt Floppy Hat – (Similar Here) // Gray Jeans (Similar Here) // Over the Knee Boots // Blanket Scarf – (Similar Here) // Gray Tote Bag // Versace Glasses

It finally finally finally feels like fall here in Georgia …..like mid to upper 60’s fall which is heavenly.  This shoot was a couple of weeks ago and it was still in the 80’s hence the sleeveless top! But now that we finally have some cooler weather I’ve been able to wear my sweaters and scarves without dying!

My floppy hat is the same one I was wearing in my previous post and is from ZAFUL and is similar to the Leith Felt Floppy Hat from Nordstrom! The Boots are one of my favorite pairs of OTK’S and they are from Loft.  You can purchase them HERE.  I also have the same ones in a camel color as well!

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Linking Up With:
Sincerely JennaMarie // Fizz and Frosting // Pink Sole // ClaireJustine // Style Nudge // Elegantly Fashionable // Style Elixir // Walking in Memphis in High Heels // I Do DeClaire // The Pleated Poppy // The Mummy Chronicles // Cappuccino & Fashion // Shopping My Closet // Living in Color Blog // MixMatch Fashion // The Fashionista Momma

Photo Credit:  J Nelly Photography

Lace Up Flats for Any Budget

Flats have always been one of my favorite go-to shoes because sometimes you really just don’t want to wear heels but you are really not going for full on “sneaker casual”. They are perfect because they are just the right amount of sophisticated yet casual and can be worn on date nights, shopping trips, to work, while traveling……really just about anywhere!

Right now one of the biggest trends in flats are lace-up pointed toe flats and in a perfect world we would probably all be wearing the Valentino Rockstuds or the Aquazzura Belgravias……but most of us are not spending $900 on 1 pair of shoes.  We can still dream though, right?

Valentino – Rockstud // Aquazzura – Belgravia // Aquazzura – Christie

Michael Kors – Kallie // Salvatore Ferragamo – Claire // Manolo Blahnik – Aneska

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Halogen is probably the top contender right now in this style of flat that is a more mid-range price.   They are not super expensive but they are also not cheap but their signature lace-up flats will run you close to $90 a pop!  I won’t lie,  I do own 2 pairs of the Halogen ones but Steve Madden also has a few styles coming in slightly less at around $80 each……but if $80 for a pair of shoes is still too much their are tons of other affordable options out there!

Steven Madden – Sunshine // Vince Camuto – Emmari // Halogen – Owen

Sole Society – Georgina // BP – Katrina // Lucky Brand – Aviee

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Not only do I have the two Halogen pairs from Nordstrom, but I also have a few pairs from H&M.  ASOS, Revolve, Target …..even Charlotte Russe & Forever 21 also have several gorgeous options that won’t break the bank!

Target – Kady // H&M – Suede Ballet Flats // H&M – Pointed Flats

ASOS – New Look Pointed Pump // Charlotte Russe – Lace Up Pointed Toe Flat

Forever 21 – Faux Suede Lace Up Flats

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The H&M Pointed Flats with Lacing that I’m wearing above are ON SALE NOW – $34.99 $19.99 

All in all this is a style that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon! Are you guys totally as in love as I am with lace-up flats? Would you take the splurge or steal?????

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Linking Up With:

Fizz and Frosting // Sincerely Jenna Marie // Pink Sole // Not Dead Yet Style // Claire Justine // Style Nudge //

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

So if you love fashion then I’m 99.9% sure you already know about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you don’t know….well let’s just say that we can’t be friends.

I’m kidding people! But  It’s seriously one of THE best sales EVER!

I’m talking like designer brands for like 50% off sometimes like 70% or more.  You definitely need to take note because it starts today ….if you already have a Nordstrom Card. If you don’t have one then you can shop the sale in a few days, but it’s not to early to start browsing around and get your list of must-haves in order.  I seriously have tons of faves but I’m limiting myself to a select few pieces that i really want.  This is just a cute simple fall look.  You can never go wrong with skinny jeans, wedge booties and a cute sweater!

Nordstrom sale by ericavalentin featuring skinny jeans

I’m loving Rose gold everything right now and rose gold works for summer or fall but I definitely love it more during the fall time and these picks are really reasonably priced even before the sale so right now is a great time to jump on the deals!  The MAC lipstick is actually not on sale but I just adore the darker plum shades during fall and there are some MAC products that are on sale at Nordy’s if you shop now. 

Those gorgeous Kate Spade sunnies are also not part of the sale but there are a few pairs of Kate Spade sunglasses that are included

Check out My Picks

Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans (Darker Wash Here) // Monica Vinader Friendship Bracelet // Kate Spade Aviator Sunglasses // M.A.C. Lipstick Color: Cyber // Kate Spade Stud Earrings // Wildfox Pullover V-Neck // Vince Camuto Leather Bag // Timberland Wedge Booties

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Linking up with:
Penniless Socialite // The Mix // Living in Color // Happiness at Mid-Life // Curly Crafty Mom // Thursday Favorite Things

What are you ladies eyeing in Nordstrom for the upcoming fall season???