Author: luxeandloaded

Two Year Blogiversary!
This past week marked my second year since Luxe & Loaded went live!

So…

Happy Blogiversary to me! 🎉

Luxe & Loaded 2 Year Blogiversary
Shot + Edit: Me 🙂 | Music: bensounds

Cookie Monster: Kaws x Sesame Street | Sign: My Cinemalightbox
T-shirt: Barbie x Missguided

A two year commitment is a lot in a relationship. Could be make or break point for some. A big milestone. The deciding factor year to whether something is magical and turning into real love. Or, realizing you’ve developed different interests and don’t love it as much as you did in the beginning.

For me, it’s the first part.

I’m super excited about this blog and I can’t wait to continue to try new things and watch it flourish!

I took some time to read my 1st year post and see what goals I had set for myself to accomplish for this blog. And let me tell you, I pretty much accomplished none of them.

Yes. I suck.

It’s not that they were hard goals or tasks I had set for Luxe & Loaded. Turns out 2018 was a very draining year and I was not prepared to balance work, life, wedding and blog.

Something had to give.

I wanted to write more blog posts than I did the year before. I wanted to introduce more videos to my posts and Instagram. I wanted to start a Youtube channel. I even had plans to do a whole wedding series!

It started out that way… but then I slacked and none of that happened.

Though, surprisingly my numbers were up!

Even with less posts, I actually got slightly more views and visitors than I had the previous year – woo hoo!

And that goes to show me I’m headed in the right direction with L&L. So I’m allowing myself a do-over for my blog goals – No shame.

So once again – Let’s get it done!

What’s gonna be different this year?
For one, I don’t have a wedding to plan in another country.
Secondly, I don’t have a wedding to plan in another country – yes I said that twice because you don’t know until you do it! And I had no professional help, but I digress.
Thirdly, I’m being selfish and putting myself first this year… scratch that.

I’m putting my creative self first.

I miss creative Steph. For a while, I lost touch with that aspect of me. So I’m going to make an effort to pay more attention to that side of me. Plus, I have to be, because I’m broke af this year so not as many shopping hauls or travels – womp womp.

Source: Pinterest

Though I’m feeling good about blogging in 2019.

It’s all about positive energy, perseverance and of course, having fun creating.

Once again, as they say on the Bachelor – we’re going to go on this an amazing journey together.
And I can’t wait to spend another year with you!

xo
Stephanie

Cookie Monster: Uniqlo
My Cinemalightbox: Indigo
Missguided T-shirt: Hudson’s Bay

Subscribe to Luxe & Loaded to stay updated with my latest posts!
For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

Check out my previous posts below
January 20, 2019
Happy New Year 2019!

– Happy New Year from Cookie –

And another one!

New Year. New Post.

Now let’s quickly reflect on the past year.

Basically…

2018 has definitely been a whirlwind – to say the least!

There has been a lot of highs and lows.

Lots of lows.

For starters, I’ve officially realized I’m stuck at a dead end job because there seems to be personal roadblocks in helping me grow. And thus, I’ve also experienced many anxiety and panic attacks.

Though I can happily say, one major high – I got married!

Which in turn was a major contribution to my many anxiety and panic attacks… but totes worth it!

Future posts to come on my whole wedding experience however…

I am now currently broke af.

Like AF for realsies people!

And so how am I supposed to live my best Luxe & Loaded life when I gots no moneys?

I’ll figure it out.

Once again, I am going in to this year head strong. Same as last year’s plan but f*ck the confidence this time! It’s gonna be more of an I kick ass at life attitude.

Because I deserve to be the best me. And I deserve to attain my greatest goals. And no one can tell me otherwise. #GIRLPOWER

Mug & Book – You are a Badass… found at Indigo

Putting it out there! I am going to be more proactive. I’m already in the process of making my first ever vision board and got my first book lined up.

So you ready, 2019?

xo
Stephanie

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

January 6, 2019
Seaonal Stress: How to beat it, but not really… ft. Saje Natural Wellness

It’s that time of year again!

For some it’s the holly, jolliest of months. The most wonderful time of the year. Magic is in the air. The Hallmark feel good movies are on – you should be well onto your 20th one by now. And every night is spent by the fireplace, snugged under a blanket. You’re with your loved one, sipping hot cocoa waiting for St. Nick to come.

And then there’s the reality for the rest of us.

Where it’s pretty much the worst season of all.

You want to develop a loathe for the holidays? Then work in retail for December.
The once a year shoppers come out and really make you question humanity sometimes. That could be a whole other post on its own…

But enough about that!

We’re here to talk about stress relief for the holiday season.

So here are some ways you can beat the stress, but not really… because this is pretty much me showing you some goodies I got at Saje Natural Wellness.

Now let’s get started!

Body Mists

Refresh (Energizing Mist)
I’m not much of a morning person. So I like the idea of this body mist since it can be a complete drag getting up early and ready for work sometimes – especially in the cold months where the mornings are hella dark!

This mist can especially come in handy the morning after your work Holiday Party. Maybe you had one too many tequilas with your coworker Jan and aren’t feeling so hot the next morning. Or, maybe you could use a spritz because you’re working overtime and are gonna need some positive vibes to take on all the nasty clients or customers.

I got Refresh as a little pick me up to get myself in a positive mood before I head out the door. One spritz on my face, the cool mist awakens my senses and I’m ready to go.

And it’s not overpowering like when you accidentally spray perfume on your face. It’s just a light scent to give you that quick boost of energy to take on the day.

Refresh – Energizing Mist

Unwind (Anti-Stress Mist)
This body mist I got for the total opposite reason. After coming home from a busy day – whether it be work, running errands or just facing the crowds or people while you Christmas shop – I need a little quiet time to help my mind relax before I carry on what I need to do at home.

So I got Unwind to help me do exactly that – unwind.

I’m not usually one for lavender, but I know it’s a recommended scent when it comes to relaxing.

And this mist gives me just that hint of lavender I need to shut out the world and slow my mind.

A one-two spritz and a 10 second count as I close my eyes, helps me to forget about all the negative Nancys I may have come across during my shift.

As they say, keep calm and carry on.

Unwind – Anti-Stress Mist

Breath Freshener

Kiss Mist (Zesty Breath Freshener)
With the holidays in full swing, almost anything can trigger stress. Even the littlest things like having a tuna sandwich for lunch and then having a one-on-one meeting with your boss. Or, maybe Carl borrowed your favourite pen without your permission and next thing you know, you’re yelling at him after eating a herb and garlic bagel spread – Dammit Carl!

Whatever the case may be, this a very social season and you may find yourself more often than not, getting a little up close and personal with coworkers, clients and customers.

And especially during this time of year, the surprise luncheons and delectable treats can find their ways into your mouth. So, to save myself from unsuspecting stank breath as I face customers, I thought this Kiss Mist would come in handy.

It’s small enough to fit in my purse, so when I find myself munching on snacks throughout the day I need not worry!

This mix of mint and fennel are a definite refresher – Bye bye tuna breath! So long garlic whore!

Kiss Mist – Zesty Breath Freshener

Diffuser Blend Collection

Peaceful
I’ve gotten used to having a diffuser in the bedroom due to bae’s seasonal allergies. We’ve used a few different blends, but wanted to try Peaceful to stay zen as we sleep – and so far we’re pretty happy with 3/4 the scents. Yoga is delish!

Saje has a few blend collection options, but just the names alone convinced us to choose this kit.

I didn’t find the benefit in having a diffuser for myself, since I’m not really prone to congestion like bae is, but I’m all about aromatherapy.

And having a pleasant aroma while your rest is a huge stress relief for me. It just triggers my mind to relax.

Honestly speaking though, I was excited to try Gratitude. And upon first use it was lovely… but then it wasn’t. Maybe we just needed to clean the diffuser out thoroughly, but neither of us was a big fan.

I’ve only recently starting getting more and more into Saje products after bae got his diffuser.

It’s understandable that for first timers, the store can be a little overwhelming with scents, but have an idea of what you’re looking for or what aspect of your body needs attention. That will help narrow down your search.

Plus, it’s all about testing your nose.
Trust me.

There are so many names and combinations of scents, but your nose will tell you what you need.

So if you’re looking for something to help calm your stress, but in all honesty you think it absolutely stinks… then it’s not for you! Because if you’re looking to keep calm, but you’re spraying mist or rolling oil on yourself that you think smells completely atrocious, then it will have the opposite effect.

What are some of your ways to destress during the Holidays?
Are you a fan of Saje products too?

Hope these tips helped!
If not… then I hope you enjoyed looking at the goodies that I got!

xo
Stephanie

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

December 16, 2018
Boujee on a Budget: Louboutin

As any fashionista or shopaholic, I have always been into designer shoes… though I’m more of an avid admirer than a collector/spender. And at least for myself, I know that I would get more use out of a designer handbag than shoes.

So I choose to save, spend or splurge my monies on purses – always outlets of course. I think we’ve cordially introduced my Kate Spade habit.

Though let’s rewind back to earlier this year.

Let’s say… April.

Basic scenario as follows… borderline broke bride with no budget for her wedding she has to plan that’s 4 months away, needs to find shoes to pair with her wedding dress that she has no idea what it will look, or fit like, because she is forbidden to touch or try on her dress until the wedding day and she still hasn’t gone dress hunting.

Did you catch all that?

Yes ladies and gents, that was me!

No money. No budget. No plan. No vision.

Pretty much every wedding planner’s worst nightmare.

Fortunately for me, I was my own wedding planner.

So how did I snag a pair of slingback Louboutin for practically half price??

Pure luck and coincidence.

Honestly, I wish I had a better story of me camping out for a major Black Friday sale, or I met the GM of North American Louboutin boutiques by rescuing their dog from an oncoming bus… but it was pretty much *drumroll please*

I walked into a store.

Checked out the sale rack.

And there she was.

😍😍😍

Surprisingly, it wasn’t something I set out to look for. And knowing that I had a rough budget for my dress, but no sense of what my dream wedding shoe would be, I didn’t put much thought into it. I was too concerned about my dress shenanigans and worried about it fitting me, that honestly shoes didn’t seem important.

Plus, knowing I was getting married in Italy and what the environment would be – aka the cobblestone hills I’d be walking up and down for my photos – I didn’t think designer shoes would be the most comfortable or realistic.

But TG for once my nonchalant, care free attitude worked out because these beauties just fell into my lap.

How?

I was downtown one day, walking through Yorkville on Bloor Street and my sister asked if I wanted to go in to DAVIDS footwear store. I was hesitant because I didn’t want to tease myself with gorgeous shoes that I couldn’t afford to buy, but she walked in.

I headed straight to the sale rack.

And then a little glitter catches my eye.

They were pink. They were peep toe. They were slingback. And they had a platform.

It was honestly the perfect shoe for my non-existent dress. Then I looked at the price tag and they were on sale for around $695 – down from $990. That on it’s own is a pretty good deal, but take into consideration the tax.

I drooled over them for a bit, then put them down because I already had set in my mind that I’d be spending no more than $200 since I was still dress hunting and didn’t know what that total would add up to.

Then the sales associate came around and starting talking to me. Mentioning how cute they were and they were a great price since they were 30% off. I said yes, but it’s still a little too much for me. Then she corrected me because they were an extra 30% off the lowest ticketed price.

So that now brought them down to about $485!

Well okay, for THAT price, I had to try them on. And lucky me, they were the last pair in my size. And once my foot slipped in, I was in love. They were actually really comfy and my toes weren’t squished!

I debated for about 30 minutes. Walked back and forth from the mirror to the bench. I was seriously about to say no, but I imagined future Steph would be kicking herself for not snagging these because they were a total steal! And I doubt that future Steph would find Loubous like this for this price ever again.

So wedding shoe or not, I could not pass on this.

And there you have it.

My first pair of Christian Louboutin.

Welcome to my closet!

Oh, did I wear them for my wedding you ask?

You’ll have to wait and see!

Keep an eye out for wedding posts 😉

xo

Stephanie

Shoes – Christian Louboutin (120 Glitter Tisse Patent Poudre)

Shoe: Christian Louboutin

Model: 120 Glitter Tisse Patent Poudre

Size: 35.5

Original Retail Price: $990 + tax

Sale Price: $485 + tax

Savings: over $505

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

November 18, 2018
HAUL IT Feat. Kylie Cosmetics

Okay guys. Love them. Hate them. Hate to love. Love to hate. Whatever the case may be, the Kardashians know business.

They are major influencers in the fashion and beauty game.

And they are killing it.

That’s one of the reasons I got in to the show. I always love seeing how they did their hair and makeup and their clothes. And though I’m more of a Kim fan myself, my curiousness couldn’t help but wonder what the fuss was all about with Kylie Cosmetics.

And so I caved and placed an order – but of course only when there was a sale!

Top: In Love with the KoKo | Bottom: The Birthday Collection (Mini Matte)

So my complete honest opinion?

I really like them!

They are #2 for my favourite matte liquid lipsticks brand at the moment – just after Lime Crime.

The Birthday Collection (L to R): All Nighter, August Bug, Angel, One Wish, Gorg & Baby Girl

I really like the consistency. I really like the pigment. I like how it’s smooth and doesn’t cake. I like that it’s long lasting and the wear and tear is pretty good even after meals. And they even smell delicious! Plus, the packaging is super cute.

I was really excited to try the nude colours. So automatically I loved Angel and One Wish from the Birthday bundle, and Bunny from the Koko bundle. These are perfect for me for when I only rock black liner and no eyeshadow.

For colour, I fell in love with Doll from the Koko bundle. It’s a nice change from a red lip, as it’s more orange, but still gives that sense of Hollywood glam. And for days when I want my lips to pop, but don’t want to be too bold, Baby Girl is a nice substitute. It comes in both bundles, but I love the tiny size from the Birthday Collection. Fits right in my wallet when I’m out for a quick errand and don’t carry a big purse.

In Love with the Koko (L to R): Doll, Bunny, Baby Girl, Sugar Plum

I really have nothing to complain about.

EXCEPT…

It’s not exactly a Kylie issue, but more of a customs, tax and duty issue.

I carefully made an order that was just over $60 US to receive the free international shipping. I even did some quick research before placing my order to see if people had to pay anything extra. And everyone said if your order is under $100 it will be fine.

Well they lied.

Because no it was not fine. And this is where companies like Lime Crime and Colourpop spoil me.

I expected not to pay any surprise, hidden or extra duty/delivery fees when my makeup came to my door. However, I ended paying an extra $10. Which may not sound like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, I had to pay conversion because currency was US. So a $60 US order was now basically $100CA.

And it left me a little sour.

Because I’d think that for a name and company of Kylie’s stature, this would be something I wouldn’t have to worry about. Because if Lime Crime and other companies can do it, so can Kylie Cosmetics. And at least older sister Kim has the right idea with KKW* where the fees are calculated at checkout so there are no surprises.

*Note – This refers to KKW Fragrance. I recently checked for KKW Beauty and you are subject to additional fees upon delivery.

Would I order again?

I’d love to, because I actually genuinely like the product. And the pricing for the lip bundles, with or without sale, are very decent – even after the conversion to CAD.

Though, because now I know there are fees upon delivery, I’d rather stick with Lime Crime if I’m going to online shop for new liquid lipsticks.

However, knowing me, I might cave once some of my favourite Kylie colours are done. Oh the tough decisions cosmetics brings!

Anyways, check out more pics below!

xo

Stephanie

In Love with the Koko: Regular $40 US| Sale $32 US

Top to Bottom: Doll, Baby Girl, Bunny & Sugar Plum* (*gloss)

L to R: Baby Girl, Angel & One Wish

The Birthday Collection: August Bug

The Birthday Collection Mini Matte: Regular $36 US | Sale $28.80 US

Top to Bottom: All Nighter, August Bug, Angel, One Wish, Gorg & Baby Girl

*Disclaimer – these lip bundles were received in 2017 so the Birthday Collection is currently unavailable.

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

September 30, 2018
Current Mood: Champion x UO

Tracksuits. Matching sweats. Athleisure clothing.

Whatever you want to call it, this whole sporty chic trend is in full swing. We’ve seen the return of some brands that I used to wear when I was a child, are making the biggest comebacks in fashion.

One of which being Champion.

And I am obsessed with my new pink tracksuit.

I stopped wearing full matching tracksuits around 8 years old. And never looked back.

Maybe because at the time they were sent in from Italy by my grandparents and were the cheesy children’s sweats of the ’90s. Known to me, at the time, as my tuta (pronounced too-tah) – which I just now Google translated and see that it simply means ‘suit.’ Makes sense.

My nonna and nonno always sent care packages around Christmas time, filled with homemade cookies and clothing. Sometimes pyjamas. Sometimes a tuta, but always bold and colourful with patterns and random words.

How ’90s.

I remember one was a bright, leprechaun green with flowers. Only once did I received a nice blue Kappa tracksuit. Which again, at the time it wasn’t cool to wear Kappa, but now I’m totally styling because I’m retro – Yes I kept it. No I don’t wear the pants because it doesn’t fit over my bum… but I’m holding on to the hope that I will once again be able to squeeze them over my cheeks.

And growing up I’ve always had clothes for the house and clothes for going out. I change out of my house clothes when I go out. And I change out of my going out clothes when I get home.

So the fact that I can reminisce about my childhood while at the same time rocking my new millennial tuta both in and out of the house is currently the greatest thing. And the fact I just coined the term millennial tuta is second greatest.

Let’s bring the tuta back.

#MILLENNIALTUTA

How do you feel about the latest athleisure fashion takeover?

I can’t hate. Most trends that I find weird at first, I eventually start to warm up to – like aviator sunglasses, skinny jeans and wearing leggings as pants.

And this colour is so me!

xo

Stephanie

Sweater: Champion (Urban Outfitters exclusive)

Shoes: New Balance

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

Music: bensounds

June 17, 2018
Wedding Planning: What’s a budget?

So I think I’m going to spontaneously combust.

Not because I want to, but that’s just how I feel after trying to calculate a budget for this wedding. Because it seems to have mysteriously doubled overnight without my permission.

And yes, it was our decision to have a destination ceremony and reception. And yes, it was ultimately our decision to invite 100 people – this is still debatable though because parental influence plays a huge roll on the family invite list.

And yes, there are many other things that, in the end, are our decision.

That doesn’t change the fact that I want to spontaneously combust.

I’m not having a bridezilla moment…
I’m just having a ‘life crisis, I’m broke ass’ moment.

And it’s really stressful. Especially when you’re trying to crunch numbers and you think you’re doing a decent job at saving and budgeting, but then more things pop up that you forgot to consider. Like the church donation. Or, photo permits. Or, transportation. Or, even something as simple as a guest book and seating chart.

Every little thing costs.
And then on top of that, for bae and me, every other little thing needs to be converted to Euros.
And the Euro sucks right now. Major suckage.

Wallet: Valentino

Is this something we should have really planned for?
Yes.
Could we have started saving for this a long time ago? Like even before our engagement?
Yes.
Are there areas we can cut costs?
Most definitely, yes.

But a lot of things in life that happen are unforeseen.

Sometimes you just really aren’t prepared.
Period.

Kind of like studying for an exam. Whether you’ve studied a full week, or crammed the night before, you can still walk into that exam room, read the first question and your mind just goes blank. And no matter how hard you try, you really can’t remember any sh*t you studied, for the life of you.

So how am I coping?
To be honest, I really have no idea. I’m just taking things day by day. And trying to check things off my list as they come.

I’m usually great at saving and setting affordable goals, but this wedding was something that started off small and kind of exploded. And now it’s at a number that scares me.

But I know we can do it. We’ll be okay.

And yes, the next couple of months are going to be all about the hustle. Or praying we win the lottery. Because realistically, this wedding is more than we can afford, but we’re going to get’er done. It’s something we both want and we’re all about the positive vibes right now. And I’m positively certain we’ll win the lottery jackpot before the wedding. Might as well try to put that out there to the universe.

At the end of the day, money comes and goes. Obviously, it’s preferable that we have money… and lots of it, but if this wedding is costing more than we thought, then we’ll just have to work 10 times harder. Whether it’s in the next couple of months, or the next couple of years after our wedding. We know there will be times when we’ll have an abundance of income. And times when we may be strapped for cash.

C’est la vie.

This is in no way shape or form my life advice for the world. These are my thoughts for my life and what works for me and how I’m choosing to go about things.
Is it ideal? Maybe not.

Though, you only have one life.
So, really… what’s a budget?

xo
Stephanie

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

May 27, 2018
Wedding Planning: The Beginning

It’s official!

I’m getting married!

This may be old news to some, but I think it’s the first time I’m officially posting about it. I just didn’t want to mention anything until we confirmed our date and planning has begun.

That being said…

Today marks 1 year to the day that bae got down on one knee and proposed! And I kid you not when I say our experience was exactly how it you would see it in the movies.

Everything fell into place perfectly… except maybe my outfit. Though I wouldn’t dare change a thing… Future post to come about our engagement story and I’ll divulge all the deets.

Anywho…
For a while I was living off the engagement high. Re-telling the story until people were sick of hearing it. Flashing my ring until I was all bling-ed out… which I’m still not and don’t think I’ll ever be.

And then the questions started.
Do you know when you’re getting married? Have you picked a date? Do you know where? Have you gone dress shopping? Bridal Party? Church? Venue? Flowers? Photographer?… blah blah blah.

People. Can a person go through one month of enjoying their engagement without being bombarded?
The answer is no.
But I tried to do it anyways.

And it wasn’t until last December that we selected and finalized our date.
And then I realized it was less than 8 months away.
And cue panic.

As a student, I may have been a bit of a procrastinator. I remember starting essays the day before they were due and pulling all nighters. Totally a bad habit to develop, but sometimes it happens.
Though, it would also put me in the zone and once I get started on something and my mind is focused, I do not like to be interrupted. It puts me in work mode. And I always get the job done.

Same goes for this wedding. It is the beginning of May and right now my mind is on wedding mode and there are no time for distractions. So, sorry life, but you’re going to have to take a break… and please don’t throw any more drama my way. Ain’t nobody got time for that!!

Bae and I are having a destination wedding and so we took a trip to Italy last month. Mostly to secure our date and to meet with the caterer and see some venues and churches to confirm we could, indeed, get married this year.
Once we got the green light from everybody, it’s been go go go.

Operation: Tivoli Wedding – is now in full swing.

Though, let me tell you, it is not an easy ride.

We thought we were on the right track. We started the year meeting with the Italian Consulate and making sure we knew exactly what we needed for our civil paper work. And since we are having a Catholic Church ceremony, we needed to get the religious paper work in order as well.

So we began the process.
Signed up for our Marriage classes. Started gathering our marriage searches and translated birth certificates.
Thinking we were on the right path and ready to send our papers over to Italy, we find out we were missing a big chunk of requirements that needed to be sent to the Canadian Embassy in Rome. Which was basically where we just came back from a 2 week trip.

Then the snowball effect.
Thinking we could go ahead with our religious documents, we find out from the priest, they have begun restoration on the front of the church. Aka – scaffolds.
Okay, well I can at least get the invitations started, right?
Oh no, wait. I can’t. Because the caterer and his assistant still haven’t gotten back to us with the pricing. So we haven’t selected our venue. Which means, we can’t do our invitations.
And I can’t budget for a photographer or anything else, if I don’t have a rough estimate of what the venue and food will cost me.

But at least I’ll have fun dress shopping and going to my fittings?
Oh, that’s right. I don’t have a dress yet.

Because did I also mention I can’t try on my wedding dress until my wedding day?

Thanks to my mum and her lovely superstitions, I’m not allowed to try or even touch, my wedding dress until the day I get married.
I’ll let you process that for a moment. And I will write a blog post totally dedicated to my dress shopping experience.

So, to say I’m stressing, is to say the least.
I can feel the grey hairs sprouting. And I can feel the chocolate settling into my thighs, but I know everything will work out.

I am sending that out in to the universe.
Please universe. Be kind. I know Mercury has been in retrograde and will be going back, but please, let this be the worst part of planning and help us get back on track.

And if you can add a couple more zeros to the end of my bank account that would also be most appreciated.

Thank you.

xo
Stephanie

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

May 11, 2018
Current Mood: Goal Digger

Alright, so we’re almost halfway through March and already, I’m failing at my 2018 blog goals.

#ISuckAtLife

Honestly, I coasted through January thinking I’d have so much more time to update my blog. I started off in the right direction. I wrote almost 10 postings last December just to make sure I had material to spit out every week or two. I upgraded my blog and have my own domain. I filmed and edited a few short videos to post.

And then adulting happened and I don’t even know where February went.
Basically, I wasn’t going to write about it since I didn’t want to get too personal, but my best postings come about when I write what I know.
And I know, I’m freaking the f*ck out right about now.
So here goes…

Bae and I are engaged.
We’re getting married in Italy.
Our hopeful date is for this August 2018.
And I say hopeful because we don’t have our venue book.
We don’t have our church booked.
We don’t have all our civil paperwork done.
We don’t have our religious paperwork done.
I don’t have my dress.
And that’s just the beginning because the list goes on…

Get why I’m freaking the f*ck out?

I’m going to Italy at the end of the month to at least get my venue and church crossed off. And potentially my dress – which is a whole other dilemma on its own and I will probably write a post solely on that. Just know this… I’m not allowed to try on or touch my dress until my wedding day.

Get why I’m freaking the f*ck out now?

Plus, I’ve been trying my hardest to save as much money as I can, but it seems like the closer we get to August, the more damn expensive the Euro becomes. And then there’s a bunch of other stuff going on in and around my life, I feel my head is on the brink of explosion.

Yet, when I feel like that, I give myself a mental, imaginary slap in the face.
Because this year is all about being a

#GOALDIGGER

Sweater: Bow & Drape

I’ve been eyeing this Bow & Drape sweater for so long. It’s super cute and super soft and I thought it was never going to have a decent sale, but just after Christmas it became 50% off. So I snatched it.

Mostly, I like it for its GIRLBOSS message. And the fact that it’s in sequins screams kick ass, but stay glam – which is totally me.

Hard to admit, but lately I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and having a difficult time staying positive and just being in a good mood in general. This goes for both my work and personal life.

At the end of the day, I need remember to breathe and take the time to pause and remind myself that this too shall pass.

Cliché, yes, but so true. There is nothing I know can’t do. And I shouldn’t focus on what I don’t have. Rather, I need to focus on what I’m working towards.
And that’s getting married, making more money, finding ways to turn my passions into a career and maintaining an amazing blog.

Because I’m super cool and know I can do it.
Period.

Now excuse me as I start digging for goals.

xo
Stephanie

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March 11, 2018
FAB FINDS Feat. Kate Spade purse

Kate Spade you’ve done it again!
Back at it with your blasted ‘too good to pass up’ outlet sales.

I went in to your store telling myself, I’ll just look around for birthday presents for my friends. I really don’t need anything. I have too many cute coin purses, handbags and other accessories. I’ll just be in and out in 20 min. MAX.

And then I came out with another member of the Kate Spade family of purses. All because you had an extra 70% off and I have no will power when it comes to your store.

On that note, let me introduce you to miss finlee! At least that’s what the tag said, but I think I’ll name her Maude. She gives mature vibes.

This purse was a total steal though. It came to $81 in the end. And can we just look at this colour? And style? That’s what sold me. It’s not the signature Kate Spade shape. It’s not your typical neutral colour, but this gorgeous mauve. I’ve been totally feeling warm pinks and rose golds lately and so I couldn’t pass up this bag! Plus, it was the only one left in the store. So just didn’t have the heart put it down and let another soul pick it up – some shoppers have quick hands!

It belonged with the Luxe & Loaded – Kate Spade, family of purses.

Maybe one day I’ll be able to walk around your store and feel no type of way. Until then, check out more pics of my Fab Find below!

xo
Stephanie

Did you miss my last Fab Find feat. Kate Spade? See more here.

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

February 18, 2018