Thursday, June 30, 2016

{weekend sales + staying on budget}

Everyone loves a good sale... but you don't want to blow your spending money on the first reduced price you see and then have buyer's guilt. Or not be able to buy groceries for the rest of the month. Before I share some fun weekend sales I wanted to share my tips with you guys for shopping during sale season and not breaking the bank!




Drawing credit: Inslee

Most people could tell you that I have a lot of clothes... I mean, hi, I'm a blogger aka shopaholics not-so-anonymous. My secret is that I rarely buy things full price and I always set a monthly budget for myself. This has taken some trial and error (luckily I could survive off of Kraft mac & cheese for a month hehe) so I've narrowed it down to 5 foolproof tips:

1 // SET A BUDGET - this sounds really obvious but if you aren't aware of what bills you have coming up and what's actually available in your bank account then you could be treading in dangerous waters. Stick to your budget and then stop shopping once you spend it all. Don't go into Target and tempt yourself. Seriously, don't do it.

2 // PAY WITH CASH - I was the queen of this in high school. But that was pre-internet shopping takeover. Nowadays this is my biggest trick around the holidays so I don't buy my sister a million new pieces of jewelry (even though she would love that). When I shop online I set up notifications with my credit card company so that if I spend over a certain amount of money I get a text. I've also set it up to get a text for any amount over $50. Having the reminders and watching the amounts add up (or the bills decrease in your wallet) visually helps me check myself.

3 // MAKE A LIST - Don't let yourself browse through the rompers if you're looking for a dress for an upcoming wedding. Stick with what you "need" and items that you specifically want - staples are always okay in my book!

4 // ALWAYS BUY THE RIGHT SIZE - ugh, I've done this way too many times. I'll buy a dress a little too big and think "I could get this hemmed"... guess who never gets it hemmed? Yep. It's not a deal if it doesn't fit right. You'll spend more money on alterations in the long run!

5 // DON'T BUY IT JUST BECAUSE - my adrenaline goes crazy when I find a really sweet sale. I try to convince myself that I've been lusting over this item and I need it now because it will never go on sale again and I'll regret everything if I don't purchase it. Y'all. Don't do this! Nobody likes items in their closet gathering dust. If you buy it because "omg this is on super sale give it to me now I have to have this in my life omgomgomg" you'll be purchasing a really great dust bunny.


Any tips y'all have for shopping on a budget? Summer time can be hard! With student loans and a new rent that's gonna be jumping steeply I'm cracking down on my shopping funds even more. Does this mean I'm growing up?!

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up to 50% off 4th of July sale + up to 40% off summer clearance
up to 80% off handbags and jewelry

extra 30% off all sale with code: EXTRA30

up to 70% off summer sale + free shipping on orders $40+ with code 0040
$4 deals + free shipping on orders over $50 with code 3125 (starts 7/1)

South Moon Under
extra 25% off already reduced items 

50% off everything with code: JULY4TH

up to 70% off and free shipping with code: SHIPINSTYLE

30% off sale with code: SUNSHINE

Caitlin Wilson Design
15% off everything with code: JULY15

up to 80% off sale + free shipping

extra 15% off sale with code: ENDOFSALE15

50% off in stores and online
Plus, extra 50% off Clearance with code: HAPPYSALE

up to 50% off sale

extra 60% off clearance

extra 30% off sale items

25% off site wide with code: ALLAMERICAN

extra 50% off sale

up to 60% off

Loren Hope
20% off sitewide with code: SUMMERSALE

Gigi New York
30% off select styles and colors

extra 20% off Fourth of July Sale with code: FOURTH

up to 60% off sale and clearance with code: KEEPCOOL

extra 40% off everything & free shipping on orders $25+ with code: GOLDMINE

up to 20% off select styles

up to 50% off + free shipping on orders $25+ with code: VS25FREE

up to 50% off select patterns and free towel with orders $100+

up to 60% off 4th of July Sale

up to 50% off the Summer Holiday & July 4th Sale

up to 30% off 4th of July Sale + $5 off orders $50+ with code: TGTYHC36
30% off apparel, shoes and accessories
up to 30% off furniture and home with code: HOMEOWNER

20% off with code BBW20 and $10 3-wick candles

10% off for VIB Members with code: V436CB

15% off with code: STARS + free gift with orders $50+

$5 off any $15+ purchase with code: 205730

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PHEW. My fingers are tired from searching for all those sales and typing them up!! Happy shopping and have a great Fourth of July weekend :)

Love Always,

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

{stone tower winery}













ASOS Dress ($25 and comes in 5 other colors - I'm wearing a US 4) // Joie Sandals // Vera Bradley Sunglasses c/o // J.Crew Panama Hat // Kendra Scott Benning Necklace in Rose Gold c/o (WIN your own)  // Loren Hope Gold Link Bracelet (similar) // David Yurman Cuff // Kendra Scott Jana Bracelet

Last weekend my little sister came to visit me for the weekend so Samantha, my best friend Kaitlyn and I packed a little cooler and headed to Stone Tower Winery out in Leesburg, Virginia! It was an easy 45 minute drive and the weather was perfect. We did a wine tasting and then grabbed a bottle of rose and sauvignon blanc to enjoy with our pretzels, cheese, hummus, and carrots out on a blanket in the shade! The views were gorgeous and we even watched a wedding go on down by a little lake.

While getting dressed I knew I wanted something light and breezy. This off the shoulder dress has been my saving grace multiple times because it goes from day to night so easily. I grabbed my favorite hat (literally had this for 2 years now) and sunglasses so that I wouldn't get sunburned. Even though I packed sunscreen in our cooler ;) I kept it easy with sandals (I wear this every day at work I think) and topped it off with my new Kendra Scott necklace!

Speaking of this necklace... You can win it!! Head on over to my Instagram to see how you can snag this gorgeous piece for yourself! Hint hint: go like the Kendra Scott Bethesda Row page ;) Their one year anniversary is coming up this month! Hard to believe I was helping them with their store opening this time last year. Time sure flies by! If you live in the area I would LOVE to see you at their One-Year Anniversary Event. They will be celebrating all day with fun surprises, giveaways and (as usual) lots of sips and sweets!! Good luck!



Love Always,

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

{fourth of july}













Old Navy Dress (40% off everything today!) // Old Navy Flag Scarf (40% off everything today!) // Wedges (similar) // Kendra Scott Rogan Earrings // Kendra Scott Mia Bracelet c/o //

There's nothing better than a red, white and blue outfit... Something about patriotism brings everyone together and puts me in a true summer spirit! Plus, it's an excuse to break out bright red lipstick (not like I need one) and who doesn't love wearing royal blue and white?! Last year I wore a straight week of red, white and blue on a dare. It's amazing how easy it was.

While I was shopping with my sister the other weekend I was on a mission to find something "perfectly summery" to wear - basically I was looking for something in particular but I had no idea what I wanted. I found this linen/cotton blend dress (after trying on tons of other white dresses - I'm not kidding when I say I love to wear white) and knew I had to be "that girl" who paired it with an American flag scarf. It's so cliche and I absolutely adore it. I don't know how I went this long without having one! If you aren't big on creating red, white and blue outfits then this look is perfect for you. Need a more casual look? Pair the scarf with jean shorts and a tee and you're set for fireworks in your backyard or sitting on the National Mall.


What fun plans do you have for this coming holiday? Do you like to dress festively?



Love Always,

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

{neon summer days}


There's nothing better than an easy black romper in the summertime. It's the perfect backdrop for all of those neon accessories that are so popular right now ;)














H&M Black Romper (similar, similar) // Tassel Necklaces (similar) // Gladiator Sandals // Gigi NY Purse c/o // Prada Sunglasses via Shop Ditto // Bite Lipstick in "Palomino"

I wear white a lot in the summer but sometimes there's nothing better than an easy black romper that you can run around in! You don't have to worry about spills or grass stains or sitting on dirty patio furniture... Maybe just dog hair since you can't not pet a dog every time one walks by. I threw this on to run errands with my sister last weekend - it made shopping and riding around in the heat a lot more comfortable.

Speaking of comfortable, these sandals have been my new favorite pair this summer. I love how I can simply wrap them around my ankles or tie them farther up my calves to get a more gladiator look! They come in other colors but I knew the nude suede would work perfectly with my wardrobe. They're surprisingly comfortable too - I was worried I would have my ankle circulation cut off (normal worries, ya know) but they're great!


What items have you been reaching for this summer? Are you a fan of the gladiator trend?





Love Always,

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

{coffee date no. 5}

Grab a cup of coffee - I've got my fifth coffee date to share with y'all. Let's start off with some of my recent purchases that you can shop before they hit the blog! I've been working hard on getting lots of looks shot. I can't wait to show you everything for this summer :)






Are you following along on Instagram? I'm always staying up to date there! 
and on Snapchat: jennrog3)


A lot has been happening recently. June was a bit slow with blogging for me - I took a step back to focus on friends and figure out myself a bit. It wasn't anything I had planned, but when I realized I felt better letting myself be okay with not having 3-4 posts a week a weight was lifted. Blogging has always been my escape from reality but sometimes it just adds more pressure. I'm even struggling while writing this post... I feel awkward with words and not knowing what y'all want to see or read. I guess I've been going through so many personal issues and struggles that I've lost touch with what makes me happy. I'm trying to get back into a routine but that's proving to be difficult (in part because coming back from vacation isn't easy haha). There are a lot of big changes happening - I told myself that 26 was going to be a fresh start and that's already been the case in a lot of unexpected ways.

Alright enough with the heavy stuff... hopefully that will all work itself out! I want to fill you guys in on the fun things that have been happening! I always like seeing snapshots of blogger's lives beyond the blog so that's why I like sharing these coffee dates with you!

MAY // May started off with my 26th birthday! It was so great to spend so much time with all of my friends from all different parts of my life. I love birthdays because it's an excuse to get everyone together and reconnect with old friends - I really needed some extra TLC this birthday because my dad had just gotten out of the ICU. He was in the hospital for 9 days with a really bad infection in his jaw that didn't get better because of his cancer. He's doing much better now! My girls made me feel so special and loved - plus, it was great to finally have had a weekend in DC!




I went to a horse race called Gold Cup with a bunch of fellow architects and was lucky to find my two best gals, Kristyn and Lauren! It was the best Saturday spent walking around in rain boots (because of the mud) drinking Mint Juleps and boozy Lemonade cocktails while playing corn hole, eating, and watching the horses race!





A fun Blog Societies meet up with a bunch of Virginia and DC girls! I'm headed back to Charleston in August and can. not. wait. I'll be staying with my sweet friend Brittney Ann and can't wait to be reunited!! Bachelor Monday's just aren't the same with her and our red wine shenanigans (be sure to follow me on snap so you can see everything that goes on: jennrog3)



I began checking off my Spring to-do list... I guess now it's becoming a Summer to-do list hehe. I've been checking them off slowly and I'm really proud! It's funny how creating a list like that gives you ideas for a day off.



Witnessing an incredible marriage of two amazing people - and seeing my gal pals!! And guess who caught the bouquet again bahaha




Memorial Day Weekend :) y'all know this is my favorite weekend of the whole summer. It did NOT disappoint. From slip-and-flip to chilling on pizza floats to creating relay races. Putting a bunch of people in a big house to just hang out and do nothing is my kind of fun!





JUNE // This month started off with the 6th Annual Watermelon Bowl. My college friends and I made up this wacky game 6 summers ago when we were lounging on a dock at Lake Anna. A greased up watermelon, two teams, murky lake water, and a lot of football style tackles later... the Watermelon Bowl was created. Nowadays it's less about the sports and more about getting together post-college. Plus, a weekend on the lake is never a bad thing! Did I mention it's just a lot of guys playing football in the water with a watermelon?? haha yep.





Okay guys - the MOST exciting thing happened this month too.... I PASSED MY CERTIFICATION EXAMS!!! Yaaaasss!!! It's funny because my last coffee date was all about this exam because I had been getting lots of texts, snaps and emails about it! I still can't believe that it's over and I did it haha reality will sink in soon but for now this high is great!



My trip to Key West was easily the highlight of June - don't worry... I'll have LOTS of posts detailing my trip and will be sure to share all of my recommendations and outfit posts!







Last weekend I was home for Father's Day and my sister was in town! It was great to have no plans and just lounge around with my family grilling and talking. We even had an impromptu photo shoot with my Dad to get some good pictures.




SUMMER // So what's coming next? Obviously, more outfit posts ;) a couple of travel guides, holiday inspiration, some huge sales, and a bit more home decor posts (hint hint big changes). Is there anything you want to see or read?? I'd love to know! What do you like to see best? Thanks for sticking around and checking back on this little ole blog of mine. XOXO


Love Always,
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