Shopping without Spending (very much!)

Getting a job with JCrew/Madewell was one of the best and worst decisions I ever made.

Yesterday JCrew had their associate sale- to push out the old to make room for Spring's new.

I got over $200 worth of clothes (1 mint toothpick cord, 1 pink toothpick cord, purple wool cafe capris, 1 necklace, 2 very pretty bangles, and a tshirt for the bf). Total cost for me? $50 total.

But there goes my paycheck from them this week (good thing I have another job!).

I just checked by BirchBox account and I have 220 points which equals about $20 to spend.

I'm trying to decide between a few items:

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Trinket Box - $14

BAGGU Zipper Bags - $12

Herringbone Napkins - $5

Ssupergoop! SPF 30 Sunstick - $15

TOCCA Candelina in Havana - $20

I'm definitely leaning towards the macaron trinket box.

But a sample of this:

Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo - $32



Was in my BirchBox this month and I loved it! The smell was divine!

It's expensive, but would make a great occasional shampoo.

Love,

Charlotte

2013! And Updates!

So I failed miserably at blogging these past few months.

But I have a ton of updates!

I got a job as a recruiter for a marketing company.

The company was a joke, and I'm pretty sure a pyramid scheme (via Smart Circle International).

I missed immigration work.

I started to interview for immigration paralegal positions.

One really big imressive firm kept dragging their feet about actually hiring me (even though they said tey wanted me) but we are a "huge company and just don't move that fast".

I waited 3 months... from my interview at the beginning of September... and they posted the job in May.

I interviewed with another firm, I got the offer, and took the position.

Gave my notice to the sketchy marketing firm.

And now I'm sitting at my paid, hour long lunch blogging.

Moved into my dream apartment with a HUGE walk-in closet.

I've got a FANTASTIC new roommate I met at Madewell.

Oh yeah, I work part time at Madewell too, and it is AWESOME.

My best friend is engaged and I'm super excited for her and the wedding (wherever it may be!)

My hair is bobbed, and I'm thinking about adding bangs.

I saw my familyand friends in Seattle in late November.

I hung out with my aunt and cousins for Christmas.

I've lost 3 dress sizes since moving to Colorado - down to a size 0 at Jcrew!

I walk every day.

I have new friends I go out to happy hour with.

I am really really happy with my life right now, and so excited for 2013.

Living a bright life,

Charlotte

Have: Wardrobe Staples

There are a few pieces every lady should have in their wardrobe:

Jeans, well fitting skinny jeans and a bootcut.

 I love my Joe's Jeans bootcut, and Ben Sherman skinnies.

Black dress pants. I'm loving the J.Crew Minnie Pant- and the tan are perfect chinos.

Pencil skirts, black is a easy choice, but a colorful print or solid can pack a lot of punch into a wardrobe.

Oxford button-downs. Love the soft cotton ones from RL Rugby. Too bad they are going out of business!

Wrap dress. The dress that made Diane Von Furstenberg. They go with anything, are super comfortable and transition easily from the office to cocktails.

LBD
Whatever the shape that fits you best, you can never have enough little black dresses

Cashmere sweaters. In as many colors as you desire, v-neck or crew. I love J.Crew's Cambridge Cable sweaters- they come in both crew and v-neck. 

Black cardigan
I actually have a cardigan addiction- I have 3 black cardigans, and a rainbow of other colors.  So why do I pick black? It goes with everything (expect navy).

Navy blazer. A classic school-boy blazer goes well with both casual and dressy occasions. They look great thrown over a dress.

Leather belts. Make sure they are well made in a nice leather. You should have one in black and one in brown.

Trench coat. Think Burberry styling. I have one from London Fog with a cashmere liner that I love.

Peacoat. No matter where you live, this is perfect for winter. 

Riding boots. The Classic Equestrian style (think Ralph Lauren and Burberry) never goes out of style. It is classic and timeless and always perfect for fall.

CFMN boots. Black boots that say Come F*ck Me Now. Sexy and practical.

Black ballet flats. Always and forever. I wear through them so quick that I might as well buy these Old Navy ones in bulk.

A Day in the Garden

A few blocks southeast from our new apartment is Cheesman Park in the heart of Capitol Hill.

Cheesman is gorgeous with a nice running park and lots of green space. It even has a picture perfect neoclassical pavilion surrounded by a rose garden.

This part Saturday I treated myself to a nice day in the park while G was entertaining his brother who flew into town.

I met this guy (see above squirrel) who was none to happy about me hanging out near his tree. After running around the park I stopped by Cheesman's neighbor, the Denver Botanical Gardens.

The gardens are so much nicer than I thought they would be! It only costs $12.50 for a whole day in the different gardens.

Some of my favorite garden shots:

Very Provencial! Feeling like Southern France

Polka dotted orchids!

This is in the tropical conservatory. Reminds me of Swiss Family Robinson!

I've always loved clematises!

At the end of the day I decided I wanted to come back as the season's change so I stopped by the visitor's office and asked about membership options. It turned out that they had a special that day, so if you had already paid for admission they took that place an additional amount of time off the membership costs. I ended up getting a membership for 2 for only $45 ($20 off the list price)!

If I go by myself just 3 more times I pay it off! If I drag G, it pays for itself in even less trips!
I also got a free pass to go to the Garden's CORN MAZE near Littleton. I dragged G and my cousin out for the adventure:

We managed to finish the maze in under an hour! Such winners! We celebrated with burgers afterwards.

Things I learned:

1) I'm really excited to watch the leaves turn colors at the park
2) I'm never bringing kids to a full size corn maze. Disaster waiting to happen.
3) My younger cousin is pretty awesome
4) Squirrels are very possessive of their trees
5) I want a tropical conservatory in my home, complete with tree house, stat