Tried Hot Yoga

Please give me a moment to stray from my fashion explorations to share a fitness find. After hearing about hot yoga for years, I finally mustered up the nerve to try it (I was originally paralyzed by the idea of fainting in an awkward position because of the heat, inevitable causing a domino falling of my fellow yoga-ers). To my surprise, it was approachable, relatable, doable, and totally refreshing.

The "can-do" tone was very much set by the instructor, owner of Yoga Story, and well practiced and passionate yogi, Cindee Joslin. The cute studio off the Bentonville square proved to be a place of peace and inner exploration as I managed to somewhat successfully contort my body into all the positions.

Miss Cindee offers several different class times with several different types of yoga all in the comfort of 90 degrees (it literally felt comfortable). The best part: she charges by donation only ... now that is true passion. Check out Yoga Story's site for more info and look for me in future classes, the one sweating buckets and loving it.

Cynthia Vincent for Target

I have been coveting Cynthia's work in shoes for over a year, but the steep price tag has always prevented me from making them mine. When I heard Target was collaborating with her to say I was excited would be an understatement. I am now a proud owner of what I think she does best--overly strappy wedges--for only $30. They are super comfy, and I have already gotten tons of complements on them! You better hurry to your closest Target because they are selling out fast, or you can always buy them on eBay for about $15 over the current retail price.

My First Giveaway!!

I am so thrilled to be offering my readers my first ever giveaway. A dear friend of mine, Wendi, has a special talent for making sweet, feminine jewelry with a vintage twist (some pieces even use real vintage beads). On top of that, her prices are so reasonable! She has offered to let the winner of the giveaway pick her (or his) favorite piece! Here is how it works--you will receive one entry if you are a current follower or sign up to be a follower and you will get an additional entry if you leave a comment.

Check out Wendi's Etsy site to explore her whole spring/summer collection.

See below for some of my personal favs!

Denim, Denim, Everywhere

Have you noticed how everything has gone denim? I have wanted a soft, light denim button-up forever. One that is comfy, modern, and didn't break the bank. I found one today a Walmart thanks to Miley Cyrus herself. The original price tag said $18, but it rang up for only $10. I am totally wearing this tomorrow and turning denim Friday upside down.

Picture Source: Walmart.com

NARS Makeup at TJ

It was the hardest thing for me to pass up on, but I simply didn't need any of the NARS eyeshadow or lipgloss gift sets the Rogers TJ (2203 Promenade Blvd, Rogers, 479.621.0214) currently has in-stock. So! Please! I need one of my readers to reap the benefits. I found several boxes of product on the second beauty endcap and several pieces in the beauty sale dump bin near the shoes. Hurry my beauty divas ... before my strength gives way and I return to buy it all!

Shoes for Me and You

I know it has been a while, so if you are counting, I am sorry for not posting more often.

My fashion motivation has been re-ignited with my recent TJ find. After spotting these shoes several months ago but being too cheap to invest the $50, I have been watching them go lower and lower in price. On Saturday, they were at the ripe price of $20, so I gladly toted them home with me. The adorned suede makes them luxe enough for winter, but the bright fuchsia will be perfect for spring. If you love them and are as frugal as me, the Rogers TJ has tons of these left in various sizes.

Don't Be Played By Plato

I am always a sucker for a deal, so after I understood Plato's Closet's concept (buying and selling gently used brand name clothing), I had to check it out.

Noticing the inventory tends to skew more teen, I wasn't sure if a selling venture with my more sophisticated clothes would be successful. But I figured it was worth a try. I visited the Roger's location (there is one in Fayetteville too) with my laundry basket of neatly folded clothing branded BCBG, Max Rave, To The Max and H&M.

While waiting for the teen sales associate to judge if my fashion sense is Plato worthy, I perused the exisitng merchandise. From my bargain shopping expertise, Plato's is anything but a bargain with high prices and low quality. Used F21 and Old Navy shirts start at $10. Used designer jeans are priced at $55+ (HINT: Rock and Republic, Joes, etc. sell for $55 new at TJ Maxx). I even found the pair of F21 jeans that I bought new for $12.50 (everyday price) priced at $12 used. Don't think so.

A true bargain is the iconic Diane von Furstenberg printed wrap dress I discovered at Helping Hands thrift store for $18, which typically retails for close to $400.

I did sell $38.00 worth of clothes. So Plato's is a yes for selling and a no for buying. But I am not sure if my bargain shopping ethics can support them in the future.

Guest Blogger: The Tale of an Amazing Find

Still not a TJ fan? Read this post from a dear friend, Natalie Anderson, and fellow TJ fanatic. If this doesn't change your mind, I suppose you are hopeless! (Don't forget to checkout the "compared at" price.)

If you’re like me, you have a hard time not picking up a few items for yourself while Christmas shopping for others. I had not considered this risk when my mom sent me to find a “fabulous” purse for her to give my sister for Christmas.

I went straight to my nearby TJ Maxx for their variety of styles and prices. While I found a few great options for my sister, there was one that called my name and I knew I could not give it up!

I found this amazing handbag in the clearance section, marked down to $90 from an original $180 TJ Maxx price. A little google searching after the purchase confirmed that this was a VERY good deal.

Some of you might be thinking I’m selfish for not giving the fabulous purse to my sister, but I can assure you that her personal style and lifestyle do not fit with this beauty. So I’m off the hook for any guilt!