Why online shopping is the Bees Knees.

First, I’d like to give a big internet high five to all of you out there that have been adulting really well lately. You know, paying your bills. Going to work, on time. Packing a lunch. Making coffee at home. Paying your rent, on time. Paying your car payments, your registration, your insurance, on time. Doing your taxes, EARLY.

Just being all around badasses in this game of Adult Life.

Now one perk of staying on top of everything is having a little money left over to

TREAT YO SELF. 

This brings us to the topic of this post, Online Shopping. Below you’ll find a list of the top 15 reasons why online shopping is BASICALLY the greatest thing ever.

1. You don’t have to leave the house.

2. Which means you can wear WHATEVER you want. Sweatpants, Pajamas, No Pants. It does not matter. You’re shopping from home.

3. Since you’re shopping from home, you don’t have to socialize.

Shout out to all my fellow Social Anxiety Cats out there! I can’t emphasize this one enough, no socializing. No awkward small chat, no pretending to know what your looking for even when you are TOTALLY lost because you don’t want to hear this dreaded question:

“Are you finding everything ok?”

4. You can drink! 

No fear of public intoxication or having to find a DD to lug your silly behind around all day. You can drink while you shop. I think the only thing better would be ordering a pizza, drinking and online shopping, or as some of us call it “Friday Night”.

5. Amazon Prime and other free shipping options. 

You can basically get things delivered to your door next day, with very little effort. So many places offer free shipping over a certain price and with the cost of gas, meals out and avoiding parking lot fights with greedy drivers, it’s entirely worth the couple extra bucks.

6. A virtual closet of your own. 

Sometimes stores are overwhelming. It’s almost impossible to narrow in on exactly what you’re looking for. With online filters, you can find exactly what you need, even if you didn’t know you needed it 🙂

7. Didn’t fit? Returns are a SNAP. 

This is a huge turnoff for some people. They want to know what they purchase will fit. Honestly, returning an items or exchanging for a different size is a SNAP. Seriously. You can repackage and ship back or you can simply return to a store (if there are physical stores in your area). If it fits, it ships right? Plus, they always send you a return label to put on the box.

8. Different ways to pay. 

Credit Cards. Pay Pal. Debit. You name it. Easy and simple. Just like shopping in a store without having to put on pants and actually BE in the store.

9. You can still enter coupons online! 

Discount codes, coupons… can all be entered online! Get those savings AND that free shipping!

10. Did we mention you avoid crowds? 

All of them. Every last person. Except maybe your roommate.  Or your cat.

11. And in that same vein, you don’t have to go out alone.

Shopping in stores is WAY more fun with other people and can be a total bummer alone. Crew MIA? …Online shopping is the fix all for this.

12. You get MAIL. Fun Mail! Not bills.

Opening up your purchases is like christmas morning, with presents you bought for yourself!

12. Make a Wishlist: For the Indecisive!  

Don’t want to break the bank just yet or just NOT quite sure on an item? That’s what wishlists are for! Some websites and online stores will even notify you when items  on your wishlist get close to selling out, sell out or come back in stock!

13. You can buy everything from Make Up, To Shoes, to Beds to Food. Anything. Everything.

14. Online Shopping has no judgement (although for the record I’ve always hated Uggs).

15. Shopping on the cheap is SO much easier online with “Sale” sections. Rather than rifling through countless clearance racks PRAYING they have your size. Maybe with no holes or make up stains.

SO SHOP till you DROP guys. From the comfort of your VERY own couch, your desk, in the dark or in your bed.

Yes, again, you can shop in bed. In bed. The end.

Boys on Fleek : Men’s Wardrobe Musts!

Hey there Fellas! Today on Fleek Week we’re giving you XY’s some love with our Boys On Fleek Post! Below is a list of items we think EVERY guy should have in their wardrobe as staples. Come on guys, get Fleeky with us! *photos link you to shop, just click!

1. Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up. SHOES.

• A great pair of shoes are really crucial for a guy’s wardrobe. I feel as if my shoe tendencies have always been a bit on the masculine side. I love the idea of shoes, but REALLY truly only switch back and forth between 2 different pairs, routinely . So I feel pretty confident in my selection of Men’s kicks ranging from casual to dressy.
• A Classic Shoe like these longwings seen here from Aldo, Priced $125.00 (NOT bad for a good quality shoe guys.) Going with classic means its never going to go out of style. They also have these in 4 different colors, Forest Green, Cognac, Bordeaux and Black *as pictured.  You could also do a loafer or dessert shoe if that’s more your style. What’s a dessert shoe? Here you go.
• A Casual Boot. Lace up is always great! The one’s pictured are on the pricier side but for you gents on a budget. Check out Urban Outfitters Sale Racks, Target has a lot of great boots this season or Thrift at stores like Buffalo Exchange!
• Your SUPER fancy Dress Up Shoe. You know, something you can wear with a tux or any super formal ensemble. You don’t have to break the bank either, these are from Target for $39.99 but don’t look it.
• A Simple Sneaker. I like to go with super classic 50’s 60’s style vans. Again, simple yet stylish. A good rule of thumb is “classic” looks are classic for a reason. The clean lines of Vans and similar styles are HARD to beat. Trends are great but you usually get bored with a trend after sometime. A clean line goes with everything. Plus play around with a different color, maybe a burgundy or teal? Maybe even a pattern. If you stick with classic styles, it’s easier to branch off with a little personal touch, while making sure you can still make these shoes work with your current wardrobe. So if you’re not a dress shoe type dude, try out something more casual AND STILL Look super sharp brah!

                               

2. Everybody pants now! It’s all about the FIT.

• Great Fitting DENIM.  I mean GREAT fitting. None of this loose, we have no idea what you’re working with garbage. I speak for all people who are attracted to men… when I say. We’re done with it! Get PANTS THAT FIT. Levi’s would be my global GO to recommendation. Again, they’ve been around FOREVER. Try 511s? or go IN and try a bunch on! Find the fit that works JUST for you. They have an array of colors and washes but, if you’re stumped…Go Dark Denim. Goes with T-shirts to Dress Shirts to Blazers. You have a staple son. Plus, you can buy them in SO MANY PLACES: Levi’s Stores *duh*, Macy’s, most major department stores in fact. Classic and Everywhere, WIN FREAKING WIN!
• Trousers or Slacks. Again, fellas. WITH the fit! Don’t be scared to have pants that FIT you. For trousers, I say Express would be a great place to start. They have a great selection for your desired fit from Extra Slim to More Relaxed.
• Classic Chino.  Not quite jeans, not quite slacks. Casual but still looking good. And again, guys….the fit.

    

3. Shirts. This category isn’t too complicated. It’s really a personal style choice but, here are a list of recommendations if you’re finding yourself style stumped! Just again, make sure they fit you!

Solid Button Downs: Flannel, Denim and Classic Oxford (Great for the office!)

Casual Shirts: V-necks, Crew Necks or my personal fav the raglan tee!

                                      

4. Jackets! 

• I kind of want to scream this one from the mountain top. A solid few jackets can mix and match, dress up or dress down ALL of the items in your wardrobe.
  • Denim, Leather or Bomber Jacket – For the casual times, a very every day jacket.
  • Blazer – You can pair with jeans for casual wear or with dress pants if you need to up your fancy level a bit.
  • Overcoat – unless you live in a warm climate, a solid winter coat is a MUST. I would say stick to something you can wear with the dressiest of attire and also something you wouldn’t mind tossing over a sweater and jeans.

        

5. Make it completely your own! – A few fun additions you may want to try!

• Suspenders – a little extra flare from a belt.
• A great watch – Personally, I find this one super sexy. It’s a willingness to REALLY commit to a look and of course…punctuality is hot.
• Hats – This can be a really scary area for guys but hats are GREAT. Whenever a guy dares to be different and pulls it off, he can GET it.
• Sunglasses – If you wear terrible sunglasses, we are never making out.

So there you have it. A selection of Men’s Wardrobe Musts. Now fellas go shopping!

P.S.

Worried I forgot about the Suit!?!?

Don’t you Fret… There’s a whole post in the works dedicated to that Mammoth of a wardrobe must!

My Colors Are Blush And Bashful

Despite my Wednesday Addams sensibilities, I’ve suddenly found myself drawn to the Shelby Eatenton Latcherie end of the color spectrum. Shelby is the pink obsessed character in Steel Magnolias, who famously bathed the church in her favorite shades of pink, blush and bashful, for her wedding. I actually do like the color pink, but usually for things like water bottles or a hot pink patent leather wallet. But recently I’ve been on pink overload: lipstick, blush (I’ve stubbornly resisted wearing blush for years), shoes, and HATS – you name it, I’ll look to see if it comes in pink. Let’s indulge my inner Shelby and bathe this whole fleeky world in pink for a bit…

Obviously, we’re starting with blush. I don’t know why I had such an aversion to blush all these years, I’m kind of an idiot. Being a blush novice I decided to start slow and try a budget-friendly drugstore brand instead of shelling out for something more expensive. I went with Physician’s Formula Happy Booster (about $12), it has natural plant extracts that are supposed to promote happy feels “by mimicking the effect of endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress.” That’s all very scientific, but I chose it because it’s in the shape of hearts. Another drugstore brand I might try is Milani, they’ve got a limited edition Rose Powder Blush available for about $8. Once I nail down my blush game, I’m trading up to Too Faced Love Flush!

Next up is a pink lipstick that’s Shelby-worthy, Kat Von D’s Everlasting Lipstick in Bauhau5 (previously seen in our 7 Day Lipstick Challenge post). It’s a vibrant, crazy, cuckoo catchoo shade of pink and I loooooove it. For other pinker than pink options you can also try: Pinky Promise by Dose of Colors ($18), Lipstick Queen’s Cupid’s Bow in Eros ($22), or Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick ($7-$9) has a couple of pretty pink shades (Sultry Samba and Fuchsia Shock would be my picks).

Now comes the part that makes my heart race and my cheeks flush in all shades of blush and bashful… the clothes. Do you go full Shelby and do head-to-toe pink, or dial it back and go for small doses of the stuff? Whatever you decide, I put together some of my favorite ways to wear pink. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Skirts
There is nothing I love more (at the moment) than a skirt, especially a midi skirt and bodysuit (or cami) combo. It’s a fun mix and lets me play around with different combinations – like real life paper dolls. I gravitate towards A-line, circle, and skater shapes because they’re the most flattering to my figure. A skater skirt is a short circle skirt that falls above the knee, and as you may have already guessed, looks like an ice skater’s skirt. The one featured above (top row) is available here for $30 in sizes small to 3X. My other skirt obsession is the high-waisted midi, midi skirts are mid-calf length and are sort of a throwback to 70s styles. I normally never wear hems below the knee, but midi skirts changed my tune. I wear them with bodysuits so I get a nice balance of fitted on top and more volume at the bottom. That gorgeous floral print midi seen in the photo is here, the shimmery pink midi in the bottom row is from Choies and is under $20 (!), check out another bargain priced solid pink midi (only $20!), and lucky for us – Eloquii has their Studio Midi Skirt in pink on sale for 40% off here.

The world of skirts exploded for me when my mom (hi, Maria!) told me she would make them for me if I bribed her with In-N-Out burgers and kept her freezer stocked with vodka. Lena Dunham told me she loved my parasol print skirt at her book signing, my immediate reaction was to shout, “my mom made it!”. Halloween fabric just arrived in craft stores, and I’ve already done two rounds of fabric shopping. If you don’t have sewing skills (or know anyone who’s willing to teach you or make stuff for you), check out etsy, there are tons of options for all sizes!

Tops
Ughhh…. this is where I reveal my fashion blind spot, tops. I am totally lost unless it’s a sweater, cami, or bodysuit (the Forever 21+ ones are perfection). I’m working on it, promise. Just today I almost wore an actual blouse! Almost…

Let’s keep it simple and start with the little number in the top row, it’s a Splendid top from Net-A-Porter that’s priced at $120. Um, I’m sure it’s suuuuper nice, but no. Target saves the day with a couple of similar tops, here and here. I found some plus size options at Simply Be, this pullover tunic at Torrid, and yet another from Torrid.

Even though it’s broiling hot as I type this, sweater weather is just around the corner… and that means SWEATERS!! I might set aside my normal black and white stripes for this pink version, or this one. But then how could I resist this fluffy cotton candy sweater? Or this one?! If fluff isn’t your thing, you can try this option Simply Be.

Shoes
I hear a chorus of angels, which means it must be time to talk about shoes. If these hot pink Doc Martens don’t get your heart racing, you and I will never fully understand each other. Or maybe we can come together on these pink Chuck Taylors in low or high tops? How would you feel about heels that are super cute and also really comfortable and easy to walk around in? Please meet Swedish Hasbeens. As much as I love a sky-high glamazon heel, they’re just not realistic for day to day, which is why I love the Hasbeens so much. They’re not cheap, but they are so worth the price! The two in the photo above are the Kringlan (also available in a lower heel) and the Pearl.

And there we have it, I somehow turn an afternoon viewing of Steel Magnolias into an excuse for buying a bunch of new pink stuff. Okay, fine, I guess I’m also trying to expand my fashion and beauty horizons with colors and styles I’d been to chicken to try before. Even if pink isn’t your thing, go on with your bad self and try something new! It’s fun, and doesn’t have to be scary, weird, or expensive.