Happy {Welcome to December} Weekend!

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holy cow - this weekend marks the beginning of the last month of the year! 

 

this weekend i am celebrating a group 30th b*day, attending my first holiday party of the season and hopefully putting up a few holiday decorations!

 

cheers to the official start of the holiday weekend!  hope you stay warm and merry!

 

don't forget to enter to win a $100 shopbop giftcard!

 

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

after seeing this waffle knit sweater on the look for less and then seeing andee from the honeybee in it i have been crushing on this sweater pretty bad. 

 

well today, at lunch wouldn't you just know that this sweater was all alone, front and center as i walked past forever 21.  and wouldn't you just know that it happened to be my size?  well you can pretty much assume (and you would be correct) that it made its way home with me. 

 

in the photo above it looks yellow but this sweater is neon green - do not be fooled!  the sweater is also available in cobalt blue and cream.  perfect piece for the cold winter days ahead. 

 

wanna know what else is frugal?  entering yourself to win a $100 giftcard to shopbop!  click here to enter!

'Tis the Season - Shopbop $100 Giveaway - Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent

 

i just love the holidays!  i always say that thanksgiving would be my favorite holiday if i didn't enjoy giving (and receiving) presents so much! 

 

well guess what!  the nice people at shopbop have provided me with a $100 giftcard to reward to one lucky ybb reader! 

 

shopbop is my go to website to always browse all of the greatest items from all of my favorite designers!

 

one designer i have always enjoyed is twelfth st. by cynthia vincent.  i love her use of color, prints and most of all her dresses.  simple, clean and sexy. 

 

i currently loving the printed challis grocery bag twelfth for some grocery shopping and these wells gold trim riding boots are just beginning to be worn in the current rainy conditions in l.a.  the gathered strapless dress and pleated shirtdress would be perfect for the holiday season in that gorgeous shade of red.  best part - the boots and dresses are all part of the twelfth st. by cynthia vincent sale going on right now!

 

TO ENTER:

 

*leave a comment below telling me what you would treat yourself to from shopbop with the $100 winnings (be sure to leave your email as well)*

EXTRA ENTRIES:

*please leave a new comment for all of the additional entries*

1. become a follower of ybb via google friend connect at right

2. follow shopbop (@shopbop) on Twitter

3. tweet or retweet this giveaway and be sure to tag @lyndsylee

 

the contest closes on december 9, 2012 at 5:00 PM PST and i will announce the winner on december 10th! 

 

good luck and happy shopping!

 

*this is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Song of the Week ~ The Nutcracker Suite

 

oh me oh my, the time has arrived! christmas music nonstop until december 26th - woot woot!

 

it is absolutely pathetic how much i look forward to listening to christmas music, some might say borderline psycho, but i can't help it.  it's how i was raised and the only way i know. 

one of my fave christmas movies with a killer soundtrack is of course elf which introduced me to a great modern, jazzy remake of a christmas classic the nutcracker suite.  it is so good!

are you a fan of christmas music?  do you sing along out loud with pride or immediately change the station and grumble when you hear it at the stores?  (i should note, the next few weeks are going to be dedicated to christmas music... don't say i didn't warn you)

happy holidays, let's get this celebrating started!!

Happy {Thanksgiving} Weekend!

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happy thanksgiving to you all!

 

i am thankful for many things, including... a healthy, loving  family, incredible friends, and all of you who continue to read and support my blog.

 

wishing you all a thanksgiving that leaves you full of thanks!

 

xoxo

Word Up Wednesday

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truth.

 

this thanksgiving i am responsible for apples on horseback appetizers and cauliflower gratin.

 

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i couldn't agree more! 

 

i am thankful for all the blessings in my life.  although i may overlook them occasionally not a day goes by that i do not remember at least one thing i am thankful for. 

 

xoxo

Rent It ~ Moonrise Kingdom

 

it has been awhile since i watched a movie that had me smiling from ear to ear the entire time.  moonrise kingdom was beautiful to watch, had an incredible soundtrack and reminded me of my youth.  first loves, rebelling against your parents and camping.  pure fun. 

 

with the four day weekend ahead, i highly recommend renting...heck even buying this flick.  it will not disappoint (unless you absolutely hate wes anderson flicks - then perhaps you should skip it). 

 

here's a sneak peek of what to expect...

 

 

amazing.

  (also my favorite gif to describe how i am feeling about this short week and thanksgiving!)

 

have you seen it yet?  what did you think?  love or hate?  i think i may be adding it to my christmas wishlist.

Song of the Week ~ I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)

i totally had a different song in mind for song of the week, but on my lunch break heard this song instead and just knew it was a better fit for the mood i am in. 

only problem...i didn't know the name of the song, nor the artist and the only words i could remember were, "i, i, wanna".  well let me just tell you, googling that phrase will not provide you with the song i was looking for.  so i took a shot and sang those three small words to my co-worker yvette who luckily, knew not only the song name but also that it was lykke li!

what a lifesaver! today i am thankful yvette knew what the hell i was singing since the lyrics are actually, "i, i follow, i follow you" - not even close. 

in any case, if you need a little pick-me-up for this monday (it's a short week!) this song is sure to do the trick.  

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i recently picked up this iphone cover in gold from the jcrew outlet in palm springs and have received numerous compliments on it (surprisingly mostly from men?) and while i am seriously in love with it right now, i am always keeping my eye on what cover will replace it.  the only problem with constantly replacing your iphone cover is that these suckers don't run cheap!  thank goodness forever has jumped on the bandwagon and is carrying their own affordable trendy cases. 

 

i am a sucker for anything with hearts and am loving this metallic heart phone case.  ever since i saw design love fest's  gold chrome iphone case, i have lusted for my own, and this metallic case would work just fine.  lastly, looking ahead into spring, this ombre metallic case is just gorgeous. 

 

best part...they are all under $10!  they would make a great gift for your office secret santa or as a stocking stuffer!

And I'm Off...

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i'm off today to scottsdale with my gf christy for a little getaway. 

 

 

 

we'll be lounging by the pool, dining here, watching the cougs take on the sun devils and exploring a new city. 

 

so excited! 

 

have a fabulous last weekend before the holiday madness ensues!

Word Up Wednesday

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it really would.

 

happy hump day friends!

Lusting Lately ~ Leopard, Leather, Lippman

 

ever notice when you start your holiday shopping, suddenly everything you see you want? 

 

yeah...me too.

 

this year i will be doing most of all my christmas shopping online (using ebates of course) and have a feeling that a few of the items above might just happen to find their way into my own shopping cart (or hoping my mom will pick up on my subtle hints - aka sending her the links to everything i want).

 

it appears i am craving dark and glimmering this holiday season (i am sure next week i'll crave bright and sparkly)...

 

lustworthy leather - bod and christensen draped leather jacket (earn 6% cash back using ebates at cusp)

 

leopard with flair - sperry top sider annabelle leopard pony gold glitter

 

t-riffic - t-rex necklace

 

add it to my list - ash and dans- metallic cutout wrap w/ jersey

 

struttin' it - regina frye boots (earn 10% cash back using ebates at piperlime)

 

glam at your fingertips - deborah lippmann - cleopatra in new york nail lacquer (earn 3% cash back using ebates at norstrom)

 

what are you lusting after lately or adding to your wishlist? 

Happy {Vetrans} Day

 

a big heartfelt thank you to all who have served us and all who are currently serving for us. 

 

Happy {Take it Easy} Weekend!

 

doesn't that just look lovely?

 

this weekend i am planning to "take it easy" before all the holiday madness begins.  planning on some netflix time, exercise, massage and a b*day/anniversary bbq on sunday.  laying low and loving it!

 

hope you get a little time to yourself this weekend as well!

 

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

even though the warm weather is supposed to return next week to l.a., i am planning to take full advantage of this fall chill and bundle up in sweaters, boots and scarves!

 

i was looking through my collection of scarves this morning and noticed i didn't have a chunky scarf that goes with everything.  what a shame!  thank goodness i found this metallic flake infinity scarf which fits my every need and desire.  creamy, cozy, with just hint of sparkle. 

 

done and done. 

Word Up Wednesday

 

how on earth is it already the 7th of november?  woah.

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love this.

 

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good to remember

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my much needed motivation for the gym today.

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four more years!

Do It!

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please.

 

 

i did and you get a fancy sticker - woot!

 

Song of the Week ~ Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz)

the first time i heard "thrift shop" i totally thought it was a really long commercial with a catchy beat.  then i noticed that it was the song my roomie avery was raving about on instagram earlier that day. 

turns out this song is fun, catchy and totally puts a smile on my face.  which is the best way to get the month of november started!  anyone else excited for thanksgiving, starbucks red cups and the return of eggnog? 



Happy {Gratitude} Weekend!

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this week i was reminded of all the things i have to be thankful for...

 

my heart goes out to everyone that were affected by hurricane sandy.  i feel blessed that all of my east coast friends are safe and at home recouping for the storm. 

 

it's events like this that sadden me and yet lift me up in the most surprising of ways. 

 

take for example my cousin taryn who lived in jersey city and whose apartment was completely flooded and without power.  my  cousin was sleeping on her wet bed in her flooded apartment seeking a place to stay but stuck in jersey city.  i reached out to my friend christa who offered to pick her up and let her stay at her house.  my friend kimi reached out to her east coast friends and a total stranger offered to meet my cousin at the williamsburg bridge and offered her a place to stay, a warm shower, internet and anything she could need.

 

strangers opening up their homes to strangers.  i didn't know this girl sarah but she was willing to help my cousin anyway she needed it.  it warmed my heart and reminded me that humanity is not dead.  there are still good people out there and that human kind is indeed kind.  i have been hearing and reading stories like this all over the web and am so thankful for the existence of these people. 

 

and so today, this weekend, next week, etc, i need to remind myself of all the things i am blessed to have in my life.  i need to stop complaining about the petty things and start observing my amazing surroundings. 

 

i am happy to report that my cousin is on a flight to seattle for a hot shower, drinks and a meal with the family.  and i hope that you all have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love and take a moment to recognize all the amazing things you have in your life. 

 

xoxo

 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

 looking through my closet recently i noticed a few things...

*i have been very frugal with my clothing purchases

*i think i buy more workout attire than normal clothes

*i need to add red, pink, and blue into my wardrobe more

* i need to buy new jeans

*i lack polka dots

which is why this polka dot raglan sweater is the perfect piece for me to add as it is both work friendly and weekend friendly. plus every time i see someone wearing polka dots i get jealous that i have not incorporated any into my fashions as of late.

what's your closet lacking?

Drug Store Beauty Booty

 

1 ~ got2b rockin it encore fresh dry shampoo

i have never used the got2b products before and kind of find them a bit gimmicky.  i was forced to try this dry shampoo as it was the only option at the grocery store and i was in dire need of some.  well my friends, turns out jokes on me, because not only is this stuff totally cheap but it always totally works and makes your hair smell amazing.  it isn't the best dry shampoo i have ever used but i much prefer it over the dove and suave dry shampoos. 

 

2 ~ clean clear morning burst skin brightening scrub

this goodie was recommended to me by mr. b himself.  when we were home in may for the young wedding my parents had this in their shower and b kept raving about how much he liked it.  so i thought i'd surprise him with a tube of it at my house.  well wouldn't you just know that it turns out i quite enjoy it myself as well!  the scent is incredible and it really does do a lovely job of exfoliating and leaving your skin clean and clear and under control!

 

3 ~ maybelline color show nail color "green with envy"

i kept seeing this color at the drug store and picking it up and then putting it back because i needed another nail polish color like i needed  a hole in the head, but it turns out that i did need this color for the wedding i attended in september!  the color is very similar to the essie "mint candy apple" but a lot less goopy.  it required two coats (like most polishes) and lasted at least 3 days without chipping.  i received many compliments on the color and will definitely be exploring the other colors in the collection for my next special event. 

 

4 ~ garnier fructis body boost conditioner

i have extremely fine hair that is so easily weighed down.  finding the right shampoo and conditioner is down right difficult.  i usually stick with the bumble & bumble thickening products but always require a little extra conditioner for my ends and don't want to waste the expensive stuff on that.  i recently purchased this conditioner for less than $4 and i absolutely love it!  it has a lovely scent and leaves my ends soft, straight and healthy.  in fact since i started using it, people have complimented me on my hair a lot more frequently. 

 

THE FAIL

 

organix nutritional acai berry avocado shampoo

after raving last post about organix coconut conditioner, i figured i would absolutely love their acai berry avocado shampoo which smelled wonderful.  wrong.  i have pretty normal hair, neither oily nor dry, but when i began using this shampoo i noticed my hair looked really flat, dry and dull.  not at all what the bottle promised.  i also felt as though i had to use a lot of the shampoo to get my hair clean.  not a fan at all.  after about two weeks it was back to bumble and bumble and my hair has been a lot happier.