Shop Smart . . . One Handbag & 5 Shoes Styles To Meet All Your Casual Needs

Although I love to shop, I always try to shop smart.  For example, I have a not-so-secret obsession with handbags.  However, I do not switch handbags daily.  In fact, I have grown more selective about which handbags I purchase so that I can enjoy them for at least a few months at a time.  In order to shop smart, I choose a handbag that I absolutely love and then I make sure I have several pairs of shoes that work that bag.  If I fail to do this, then the bag will likely end up in the back of my closet in less than one month's time.

For casual everyday use, I am infatuated with the Reef Weekender Bag.  Not only does the generous size make it versatile, but the colors in the hand woven textile are among my favorites.  This oversized bag could easily be paired with anything from denim to linen to silk.  All I would need to make this weekender carry me through at least the next two seasons would be some stylish and comfortable coordinating footwear.


My top shoe picks for the upcoming seasons . . . 

1.  Ballet Flats (The Reef Tropic Ballet Flat comes in a pattern that matches the Reef Weekender perfectly! . . . I'm just sayin'.)

2.  Low-Profile Boots or Booties (My go-to shoe for pairing with denim.)

3.  Flat or Wedge-Heel Espadrilles  (I personally cannot walk in wedges, but if you can, go for it because they look so flattering and feminine.)

4.  Canvas or Crocheted Oxfords (For when you are feeling a bit sporty, but not too sporty.)

5.  Understated Sandals  (Choose a pair that can be worn as easily with denim capris as with a little black dress.)


What tips do you have for shopping smart when it comes to shoes and handbags?

Weekend Wishlist: "You Decide How To Survive" Adventure Book, a Dry-Erase Lamp, Pet Bunk Beds, and More!

It's Friday!  That means I've been browsing the new sales on Zulily.  I love shopping on the weekends because I only pay shipping on my first order and get free shipping on everything else from Friday through midnight on Sunday.  I usually make my wishlist on Friday mornings and share it on 3G2S right away.  This morning, I made my wishlist, but other things needed my attention.  By the time I got back to my computer this evening to type up this post, several of the things I had on my wishlist had already sold out.  Luckily, I was able to find a few more things I liked to make my top 8 most wanted for this week.

What's new on my Zulily wishlist today?

1.  The Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure: Mars [Hardcover] - $8.99 (Originally $13)

2.  Stella Leather Ottoman - $79.99 (Originally $137)

3.  Silver Dry-Erase Lamp - $27.99 (Originally $40)

4.  Pink Floral-Trim Scarf - $19.99 (Originally $42)

5.  Black Floral Crinkle Maxi Skirt - $14.99 (Originally $28)

6.  Hush Puppies Dark Red Leather Sonnet Flat - Women - $34.99 (Originally $80)

7.  RocSoc Pink Stripe Flip-Flop - $7.99 (Originally $13)

8.  Fire Red Metropolitan Pet Bunk Bed Set - $220.99 (Originally $400)


If you haven't already, be sure to checkout my post "6 Tips for Shopping on Zulily"!  What's on your weekend wishlist from Zulily or somewhere else?

The Valentina Teagan Ballet Flat . . . a Shoe for the Sweet, Smart, and Confident Girl

Thank you to Valentina Shoes for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

Our 6 year old daughter is a girl who loves to look stylish, but she also values comfort.  If she tries out a pair of shoes that constantly lets wood chips fall into them at the playground, then she will not wear them to school again, no matter how cute the shoe or how much I paid for them.  What can I say? . . . The girl knows what she likes.  The fact of the matter is that she wants to look good, but it can't stand in her way of running as fast (or faster) than her friends at recess.

I think Valentina has achieved the perfect balance between style and comfort with their line of girls ballet flats.  The styles are fun with bold colors . . . definitely not for the wallflower.  My daughter fell in love with the Teagan ballet flat, which comes in 3 color combinations.  The Red with Turquoise was her favorite.  This shoes is definitely for a girl who likes hearts.  In addition to the prominent heart on the vamp of the shoe, there is also a goldtone heart on the side of the shoe . . . a Valentina signature.

My daughter is just starting to wear a Size 1 shoe.  This ballet flat is a Size 1 to 1-1/2, so it was slightly large on her. It will likely fit her perfectly when school resumes at the end of August.  Still, our daughter had to admit that this shoe was exceptionally comfortable.  The synthetic upper was extremely soft and the rubber sole was cushy and flexible.

Turquoise just happens to be one of my daughter's favorite colors, so she had several tops to coordinate with this shoe.  I personally think any of the Valentina ballet flats would look great as a pop of color with a black tee and blue jeans.  What do you think?

To view all of Valentina's shoe collections for girls, including the ballet flats, espadrilles, and sandals, visit www.ValentinaShoes.com.  You can also find Valentina Shoes on Facebook!