Endorphins Make You Happy

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As part of my resolutions outlined in Shape Up or Ship Out - I’ve been hitting the gym regularly! I’m already finding that it is becoming more and more integral to my daily routine and hope that soon I’ll become addicted so I don’t have to consciously think about it anymore, it will just happen.

Today was especially frustrating on various levels – computer issues, communication issues, weather issues… etc. Instead of going for a drink like I normally would, I ordered a water with my coworkers and headed straight to the gym to work out my frustrations and clear my head. I forgot how well that worked!

So, when considering what to cover tonight, while I still have a slew of fabulous purchases/outfits to share, I think I’ll save them for the redesign I’m about to do this weekend. A whole new look for Little Wonders is definitely in order. (so is the decision on whether to speak in first or third person… always a toss up).

Mostly, I want everyone to click away from this post with one message:

Whatever your frustrations are, find your outlet and release that negative energy in a healthy way. Then, learn to “be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too.” It’s a much better way to get through the day!

Blazing Pink

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Apparently I’m more interested in sharing what I didn’t buy this week than what I did… or I guess what I wish I would have. During my raid at H&M on State Street – I found this fantastic pink blazer for only $19.95:

I’ll spare you the pain of the exposure to me taking my own photo, however, I was shopping alone and needed second opinions from my BFF Sarah, who also happens to write a lovely blog of her own, Where I Come From. Anyway, I talked myself out of this particular blazer because I didn’t think anyone would take me seriously while wearing it, nor could I pull it off. Today, I took to the internet to find some solutions:

I love this look by Jenni in Jacquard! Especially the blouse!

Easily jazz up an otherwise boring work outfit with this hot pink blazer and head straight to date night, happy hour, wherever!


This look, by Nothin’ fancy. Really.   is absolutely fabulous – and versatile!

I’d probably change up the shoes for a pair of pumps, but definitely with the LBD and pink belt. So cute!

Carry this look into spring and summer with neon color blocking as seen here  in one of our very first blogs!  My advice to fellow budding fashionistas, if you love it, but you don’t know how to wear it, google it!

The Fur That Almost Was

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I enjoyed another Monday off of work in Chicago, per usual, but today I decided to take my talents to the streets to “research” for Little Wonders. Throughout the week, I’ll unveil some of my finds and for now, I’ll share the one thing I let go. For quite some time, I’ve been wanting a real fur coat – one that you can’t help feel fabulous in while strutting down the street. One problem – they are so expensive!

So, I stopped into the Chicago Fur Outlet for a little modeling session to see what I should look for in a fur. I didn’t go in with the intention of actually finding the perfect one, which of course I did, but more with the expectation that I would fall in love with everything and not be too broken hearted on the way out. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did I find a jacket that fit me perfectly, it was on the low end for a fur ($500) and it was absolutely fabulous!

Brown Mink fur with black jeweled buttons – detachable back belt

$500 at Chicago Fur Outlet - ask for Renee (she’s a gem!)

The staff at Chicago Fur Outlet could not have been any sweeter, more charismatic or more understanding of my budgetary issues. Someday, I’ll be able to walk out with something and hopefully it will be just as perfect as this gem. A big thank you to my roommate who told me that this was nowhere near reasonable to purchase :) My heart is only a little (okay, a lot) broken.

The Perfect Pump (for under $30!)

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Earlier in my blogging career, we featured the 4 P’s of the workplace: Pink, Pumps, Pearls and Perfume - and if you haven’t found the perfect pumps yet, we have the perfect pair for you for only $29.99 – seriously.

They’re Mossimo brand (yes, the Target generic) and while we frown greatly upon cheap shoes, these can’t be beat! They live in our desk at work and although they have never ventured outside, they could still (nearly 6 months later!) easily pass for brand spanking new. They’re perfect for the office, transition well into a night out and could definitely make it through date night.

If you’re in need of a pair of quick fix heels, find the nearest bullseye and go for it. You won’t be disappointed!

Women’s Mossimo Paisley Platform Pumps, $29.99 Target.com

 

People’s Choice

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Red Carpet season is starting which means there will be TONS of amazing dresses and TONS of horrid faux pas. Can’t wait to cover them all (hint: we’ll most likely be blogging during the Golden Globes)

For the most part, the red carpet was impressive tonight! Lots of green – which we love! Emerald  (ahem, Wicked!) is a Little Wonders favorite. Along the same line of jewel tones, Jennifer Lawrence rocked a cobalt, spiral dress that was – um – strategic and a bit puzzling, but so enticing. She wore it well!

Here are two of our favorite looks – one to emulate and one to envy.

Lea Michele in a beaded (and heavy!) Marchesa gown – Spring 2012 Collection

Love her look?
We got a similar white, low-back, sparkly dress by Lovely Day, $32 at Never Mind Chicago

For lip gloss tips, see Sealed With a Kiss
Dolly Pink by NYX, $5.99 at ULTA

Emma Stone in a kelly green, black lapel Gucci tuxedo

Usually, we’d say redheads who don’t want to encounter a myriad of leprechaun jokes  should avoid green, however, Emma looks AMAZING in this ensemble. We especially love the gold chain accent on the blazer, bringing the whole look together. The color also beautifully compliments her eyes AND the fact that she gave such a heartfelt, genuine speech earns her extra brownie points. It takes one hell of a woman to beat out Julia, Reese and Anne Hathaway!

Shape Up or Ship Out

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I have been so negligent about blogging over the past few months. After moving to Chicago, starting a new career and attempting to decorate my apartment (which is still a work in progress…), I lost focus and dedication in blogging. I think about Little Wonders every day, though, so I haven’t completely fallen out of touch!

There are a few fantastic resources I have stumbled upon over the last few weeks that have given me a lot of insight into what I want to get out of 2012. I had such a rough start to 2011 and an emotional personal journey, I made the decision late in the year to make 2012 mine and truly work toward my happiness. Little Wonders is a huge part of that happiness and it is a huge part of who I am. Learning to embrace and appreciate all of the small things is what gets me through even the toughest days!

With that in mind, I have come up with a few goals that will (hopefully) keep me on track in my business and personal/blogging life :)

  1. Diligence and Discipline 
    I absolutely refuse to sacrifice these values this year. Whether it be in the office, the gym, or just at home, it is so important to hold myself accountable for the goals that I want to achieve. In all of my experiences, these values have been reinforced over and over again: In martial arts, “Excuse is weakness!” In cheerleading, “To get what we’ve never had, we must do what we’ve never done.” In sorority life, “Together let us seek the heights.” So, why should I stop now? “The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.” Time for me to hold my ground, grow my brand and share my experiences with the world.
  2. The Chicago Marathon (pending!)
    I have been seriously considering signing up for the Chicago Marathon. I have never been a runner, but I think that’s why it appeals to me. I stopped working out after high school, but I want to get back into it and try something new. I’ve been reading up on the training and it claims that if you can run a mile, you can run a marathon. The reward of finishing something like that is enough to motivate me to at least attempt the challenge. Official registration begins February 1 and I’m going to sign up for a gym on Thursday! That’s one step in the right direction!
  3. Genuineness
    With Little Wonders (and everything else), I strive to share only the things that I truly care about, that have actual value and that are in good nature. Along with that, I am looking to a close photog friend of mine for some help in shooting some new photos for the site, in addition to working on a new design for the blog and brand as a whole. One of my goals this year is to solidify  the LW brand and come up with some kind of official merchandise, whether it be a business card or a coffee mug, that I can have with me at all times to remind me of my purpose!

Although I have many more internal goals, these are the three that are most important to me. I really want to focus on being a better, more well-rounded person and I want to share that journey with all fans of Little Wonders. I promise I’ll get back to fashion and beauty news after this, but an official update was definitely in order!

xx

ak

Happy New Year

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Thanks to WordPress, we have this handy little report on how our debut year went! For starting in the 8th month, we’d say we are off to a great start! Thank you to everyone who reads Little Wonders, hopefully we can continue to grow and flourish together!

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,300 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Minute to Win it!

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I watched a tutorial online today for this quick 30-second to 1-minute hairstyle that is effortless and chic for the holiday season! I know I’ve been neglecting blogging lately, but I promise I’m back on track!

 

Watch the full tutorial from Refinery 29 here :)

 

All it takes is three easy steps!

 

1. Take a stretchy hair band (like the ones below) and put it over the crown of your head

 

2. Wrap and tuck your hair around the band (it works best if hair is messy or a little dirty… use hair spray to increase hold)

 

3. Adjust bangs/free pieces accordingly and VOILA! You have this:

Illness Remedies

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Tis the season for shopping, tidings and – you guessed it – illness. Now that we’ve eaten ourselves into a coma and shopped until we dropped on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday – it has come to our attention that we’ve neglected our health! Yet again we consult the Beauty Bible – How to Walk in High Heels – for the go-to cures:

Soup

Tomato for comfort, Chicken for mucus

Fever?

Hot showers, hot drinks and LOTS of water 

Stay Calm

If you are stressed, it will take you longer to get better

Herbal Remedies:

To prevent a cold, try echinacea and garlic and zinc

For coughs and colds, you want honey and glycerine

For sore throat, add 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary to boiling water and drink

To relieve fatigue, add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath

When all else fails, sleep it off and milk the situation for all it’s worth!

Be Thankful (Part 2)

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The day is here! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

While the story we all grew up on of the pilgrims feasting on harvested crops may be a bit… um… fabricated, let’s take the time to appreciate the way we celebrate now. My family plans have taken a turn this year and we will be doing something a bit different than usual, but nevertheless I am excited!

Don’t eat too much because the REAL holiday is coming up tomorrow… Black Friday! Stay tuned for findings :)