Holiday Shopping (Already)

all items found at Ross (cozy slippers and foot treatment set, blanket scarf, picture frame, "Good Morning Gorgeous" mug, lavender soy candle and designer perfume)

In just about two more weeks, holiday shopping becomes official. I'm talking about the day after Thanksgiving when stores, both physical and virtual, saturate us with deals, steals and frills.

I've been more excited for the holidays this year than any other year though. A baby can do that to you, ya know?

Usually, I'm one of the last minute shoppers. Try as I might to get an early start, I always have some gifts left to the end. This year though I've already been active in searching for gifts for people. *crossing my fingers I'll get things done earlier!* Frankly, my time isn't what it used to be so time to shop has become a luxury. I'm lucky to even get some time on the computer to window shop! I have to be more efficient than ever before. Not so surprisingly, Ross has become my one-stop shop. True story - Ross has become a great resource for gift buying. 

Just last week, I found things for the gal pals in my life...

foot spa goodies with cozy slippers for my always-on-her-feet-sister-in-law. 

lavender scented candle for my zen friend

designer perfume for my makeup guru friend

picture frame for my mother-in-law (inspirational quote insert optional)

I even found a couple of treats for me - a blanket scarf and a new coffee mug (hey, moms deserve some self-love too!). 

I'm certainly not done, but I'm getting that head start I never made time for before. As the holidays inch closer and closer, I'll be making several more stops for the gents and maybe some more special treats for me. Tis the season, right? 

Have you started on your holiday shopping?

*This post is in collaboration with Ross as their Ross Bargain Hunter program. Compensation was received but all opinions and ideas are my own.

Fall Sweater Weather

 Sweater and denim: via Ross

We had a bit of an unusual summer in SF with lots of heat and sun that was a departure from the typical fog and chill. The recent cool down has timed nicely with fall though. I for one have welcomed the cooler temperatures with open arms. I'm so ready for colder weather and a change in season. I've swapped my shorts and tanks for sweaters and jackets and couldn't be happier. Bring on the pumpkin spice, fall layers and everything else that's nice.

On a recent shopping trip to Ross, I snagged this designer-label sweater. The cut-out shoulder and split side details are on par with current trends and I love the stark white color for the season. Surprisingly, my only pair of black denim came during my pregnancy days so I was doubly thrilled to come across a pair I liked at Ross. To give this look more texture and interest, I took a pair of scissors and did my own distressing. 

Yup, exposed skin during fall is definitely so California of us.

*This post is in collaboration with Ross for the Ross Bargain Hunter program. Compensation was received but all opinions and ideas are my own.

Eyes on Fall

 Stripe skirt and sneakers: via Ross (c/o), Leather jacket: H&M Icons Collection, Top: Aritzia, Accessories: Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace, La Mer watch, Casio watch, Tory Burch crossbody bag

Even though we're still in the midst of summer (and we just finished celebrating the 4th of July), my mind is gearing up for fall. Typical SF summers can do that to you where our summer feels like fall and our fall feels like summer. The husband and I are already anticipating travel plans in our near future (first trip in another week!) and with a new baby added to our crew, unpredictable predicaments are bound to come up. So what I can't control with a baby on board, I can at least control my wardrobe.

My desire for comfort is at an all time high. During a recent trip to Ross, I found this striped skirt and this pair of sneakers. Without hesitation, I grabbed them since I know I can easily pull them on while dressing and get going for my day. Not only were the two items both under $40 but I know they'll easily transition from summer vibes to fall and accommodate my new lifestyle with baby. Win-win.

*This post is in collaboration with Ross as their Ross Bargain Hunter program. Compensation was received but all opinions and ideas are my own.

Ross Dress for Less Bargain Hunter

Lady in Black post // In With the New post

I mentioned in my post here that I had some exciting news to share with you and today, I'm finally sharing it! 

As you may know, I've worked with Ross several times in the past and have enjoyed every bit of the experience. Bargain shopping is something I'm certainly familiar with and will be even more familiar with in my future with a baby on board. So, for a year, I'll officially be involved with Ross's Secrets of a Bargain Hunter program. 

This is Ross's first ever social influencer program! Along with seven other unique bloggers, we'll showcase the thrill of finding fashion and lifestyle goods that fit our personal style. Ross believes in "no frills and big thrills," which means they offer big discounts on designer and non-designer goods without the fuss of changing out window displays, mannequins or excessive decor (especially since they get new products 3-6 times a week!).

I'm pretty stoked to share this news with you! I hope you'll enjoy the content that will show up throughout the year. 

In the meantime, that $200 gift card to shop at Ross is still up for grabs by voting on your fave spring show style on Ross's FB page. 

OR you can win a gift card by showing off your Ross goods on IG and tagging #GottaGoToRoss where a winner will be selected each week throughout the year! 

Below, you can catch up on a recap of my previous Ross posts. Thanks for joining me.

Farmer's Market Experience post

Cozy Season post

Simple With Pops post

Exciting News post

City Sneaks post

Also, thanks to Ross for sponsoring this campaign. All opinions are my own.

Exciting News

 Polka dot dress: Ross (c/o), Heels: Prabal Gurung x Target (old), Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace, ily couture pave bracelet, Jimmy Choo x H&M bracelet (similar)

I have some exciting news in my camp (and it's NOT about the baby!). Throughout this blog, I've collaborated with Ross on several campaigns that allowed me to showcase my style with them and with all of you. The variety of designer goods mixed with affordable pieces available at Ross really mirrors my personal aesthetic. I always want to look stylish but, I don't want to it to be at sacrifice to my budget. 

With this in mind, Ross reached out to me to collaborate with them on a special project that I'll get to reveal more details about shortly. I'm pretty stoked, to say the least. This will be a fun adventure that I'll get to go on with all of you!

To help celebrate this new collaboration, I couldn't help but pick up a new designer piece from Ross. This polka dot dress. For half the original designer price, I've got something classic I can wear over and over (since it's not even a maternity dress!). This dress makes me feel more feminine and sophisticated than my usual urban vibe but I love the change-up. I can envision this dress transforming with me whenever I want it to be seen as something else. That's the best thing about re-using classic pieces.

And so my dear readers, please stay tuned for the exciting announcement of this collaboration with Ross. In the meantime, you can hop over to Ross's Facebook page and get a chance to win a $200 git card by voting on spring shoe styles. Pretty awesome, right?

UPDATE:  Annoucement here! =)

Cozy Season

 Jacket, top, pants, sneakers: Ross (c/o)

We haven't had a real rain day in California in a while. I miss them dearly. Yesterday, we got a tease of rain. While I didn't pull out my umbrella or other rain gear, it reminded me of the hopeful rainy season ahead (*crossing all fingers and toes*). 

Despite the non-rainy rain, I could smell the change in the air that comes when seasons change. It made me feel ready to fully embrace fall and all my seasonal traditions. Part of that includes the best kind of cozy days. With the chill in the air and the decrease in daylight, I opt for pieces that make me feel comfortable. 

In my final collaborative look with Ross for #RossFallFaves I'm all about this laid-back vibe. In my house, seasonal traditions include staying in on Sundays to watch the (football) game. We do what we have to in the morning and hang out with our friends for the rest of the day to cheer or jeer the teams. It's a tradition I love and I love a look that can get me indoors to outdoors without fuss. With such a casual vibe, this floral jacket is a great way to dress up without dressing up. The sheer detail creates a lightness to the look that I couldn't achieve with any of my other jackets. It's perfect for that quick coffee break I love to take.

What's your favorite seasonal traditional?

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And with my final collaborative look comes your final voting! If you want your own seasonal cozy look you can win a $150 gift card to Ross by voting for me or any other look. I'm so grateful for your support and votes throughout this fun challenge. Thanks for it all!

As with my first, second and third look for #RossFallFaves, I received a gift card for this post but all comments and opinions are my own. Thanks again to Ross for including me in this campaign.

Simple with Pops

 all clothing and shoes c/o Ross

My lifestyle, as with my personal style, is simple with pops (of excitement or of color). I don't like to do or wear things that are too fussy. Throwing on a t-shirt and skirt with booties and camo print is perfect for a casual day out.

I wore this to brunch with friends to catch up over life. Isn't it funny that when we're kids, all we do is hang out with our friends to talk about stuff? Then,we become working adults and now we have to plan when we can meet with friends to talk about stuff. This is especially funny to me since I "swore" I would not become one of "those adults" who did that. 

In other news, this is my second collaborative look with Ross for their #RossFallFaves promotion (my first outfit here)! Check out Facebook to vote for the second look when it goes live and enter to win $150 gift card. As always, your support is incredibly appreciated!

Thanks to Ross for including me in this campaign. I received a gift card for this post but all comments and opinions are my own.

Lady in Black

 Top, pants, heels: Ross (c/o), Clutch: gifted (unknown brand) 

I recently collaborated with Ross Dress for Less for their #RossFallFaves campaign and each week I'll bring a new outfit to showcase. This week, it's all about entertaining. 

Not long ago, I hosted my first gig at my home. Since then, I have had several more get-togethers and I have become increasingly comfortable in the "entertaining at home" chapter of my life. 

Whether I'm hosting or I'm going to someone's home for a party I always keep a specific tip in mind. Keep things basic. It's easy to become obsessed with details but the older I get, the more I believe in the "less is more" adage. I kept my look simple but sophisticated. An all-black outfit is effortless to wear and you can create instant glam with accessories. I wore this look to a friend's "end of summer" party and easily mingled with guests and ate to my heart's content. These pretty dahlias also made the best accessory when I walked in.

If you feel so inclined, you can vote for my look. or any other blogger look, on their Facebook page. I'd be ever so grateful for your support! Woo!

Thanks to Ross for including me in this campaign. I received a gift card for this post but all comments and opinions are my own.