Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Philanthropic Prints

Blogland is such an incredible place! I've had the opportunity to connect with others across the globe, and meet with a bunch of ladies throughout the country, thanks to the bonds I've made through this little ol' site. One such person is Jodi of Jodi Bean's Blog. Although she lives in Boston and I'm in LA, we've met up three times in person.

Jodi created her blog soon after being diagnosed with MS and has used it to spread awareness and fundraise to find a cure. From that it turned into a full-blown lifestyle blog. If you've yet to "meet" her, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Right now Jodi is having one of her unique fundraisers - she's partnered with Letters From Rita and created two special prints that you can buy to support the case. These 8x10 typography portraits are $20 and $6 of each one sold will go toward the MC Challenge Walk this fall. Below is one of those prints, a Nelson Mandela quote.



Looking for a new print or want to support a great cause? This is the perfect opportunity to do both!


Linking up for What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jodi and Rachel



Monday, April 27, 2015

An Eventful Week


Today I start my new job! So last week I tried to do a bunch of stuff while not having a care in the world. 
It was pretty eventful. Here's what I got up to:

the voice red carpet / flower arranging

sunset walk in huntington beach / saw age of adaline

donut date with a friend / snagged some lilly items


This week is probably gonna be a bit crazy as I get into the swing of a new routine. Please bear with me :)




Friday, April 24, 2015

The Voice Top 8, Season 8 Red Carpet

Last night I hit The Voice Season 8 red carpet to get up close and personal with the top eight contestants. With me was the lady who introduced me to blogging over eight years ago (and my former boss!) Elana of Diary of a Personal Shopper. We had a blast talking entertainment!

Diary of a Personal Shopper and Join the Gossip

Unfortunately Adam and Christina skipped the red carpet and Blake was rushed through by his publicist, but we did get some time with the nicest dude in the music biz - Mr. Pharrell Williams. He made it a point to shake each reporter's hand and ask each of us our names. That's really rare. When you watch him on The Voice and see how kind he is, it's totally genuine and real.

We also got face time with the top eight contestants - all of which who explained how stiff the competition is, but how much they like and root for one another. So much (humble) talent!

Be sure to tune into The Voice on Monday at 8/7c on NBC when former coaches CeeLo, Usher, and Gwen come back to help out!

Who are you rooting for to take it all as The Voice Season 8 winner?




Wednesday, April 22, 2015

New Workwear Purchases

Go me, I got a new job! I was contacted by a great company, went in for an interview and was hired on the spot. The whole process was so easy and smooth that it has to be a sign of good things to come.

Rewind to two years ago. I had a stable job of nearly five years but decided to try something new. Unfortunately that something new led to getting laid off, a few months later starting a job that wasn't a good fit and quitting last month. This job is a blessing that came out of left field - I didn't even apply, they contacted me after I was referred. I am really excited. It's about time I score something great!

A new job means a new wardrobe, right? ;)

Despite the fact that I HATE Target (see previous post), they do have some really cute items right now. And so does Old Navy. Here are a few things I picked up. The super comfy pants I got in "black print" and the blouse on the bottom in "fading blue" that is a light mint. The top is fun because the back is long and has a (work-approrpiate) slit that gives it some style.
I start the new gig on Monday. Of course I am nervous, first days are scary. But at least I'll look cute!




Monday, April 20, 2015

Lilly for Target, an Online Shopping Nightmare

*footnotes at the bottom for those who don't want to read my long rant ;)


Have you ever been so mad you don't know whether to cry, scream, or throw something? That's where I'm at now...multiplied by 10. All thanks to the Lilly for Target collab.

But before I get into that hot mess, let's start with the good news - I snagged these two items from the online collection launch. No dresses but I'm hoping that the top and shoes end up being keepers. They were on my wishlist. Now I have to wait and see if I ever actually get these items sent to me.


Lilly for Target 




And now the bad news...

Along with the rest of the women across America I was prepared and ready to shop the Lilly Pulitzer collection. I signed into my Target account, favorited must-have items, and refreshed my computer every few minutes so I could snag what I wanted the minute they were available. That was at 9pm (I'm on the west coast). Finally around 12:30am all hell broke loose as the items were released, then pulled back, then released again - all in while the site was alternating between acting a fool and crashing.

I had four items in my cart, but then they would disappear, only to return two seconds later. When I was able to proceed, two items were left in my cart. Annoying but a win in the scheme of shopping a designer collaboration online at Target. But then the real nightmare happened.

I verified my credit card and saw my address so I proceeded to checkout. I wasn't asked to verify in stages like normal, though (credit card, billing and shipping addresses, then conformation). Instead the order processed. When I received my confirmation email I realized somehow my old address was listed for shipping. I have no idea where that came from. I've had plenty of shipments in the last two years since I've moved. My current address is my default address. WHAT THE HELL?

I immediately tried calling customer service. Over and over from 12:45-3am. Each time my wait hit the 25-minute mark, I'd automatically get disconnected. Between all of the phone calls, I sent several tweets and emails to various accounts desperately trying to get help. I understand that the launch was a mess and they were overwhelmed but they should've been better prepared. If they can't host a collaboration without the site crashing like it always does, they should at least have resources to help people.

To make a ridiculously long story short(er), I finally got email responses and spoke to actual customer service reps on the phone - all of which led to the same answer, that I'm out of luck and they can't help. More like won't. Now my package is being sent to the wrong address and I have to hope the person who receives it will notify Target that they are not the correct recipient. Yeah, right. My old apartment is in Hollywood. That package will never reappear. I was advised by Target to contact UPS for shipping help but they saidnthey have to send to the address Target instructs them to. So I'm screwed. What I'll probably have to do is dispute the charge with my credit card company.

It took me over 12 hours just to get a "tough luck" response. How is that acceptable? They have my package and if there isn't a policy to update orders there should be. There's no way that I'm the only person ever to enter an incorrect shipping address - especially in the frenzy of one of these insane collabs where you have seconds to buy an item before it's sold to someone else. Target should be able to assist me and make this right. Instead I have to worry about paying for a package that someone else gets to keep.

I'm beyond livid. This treatment and runaround I've received is inexcusable. Unfortunately they don't care. Everyone shops at Target. They'll do as they please because alienating one customer among the masses is nothing to them.


Footnotes for those who don't want to read the whole post: Target is shipping my Lilly for Target items to the wrong address and will not update to the correct address. It took 12 hours for them to tell me I'm out of luck. Horrible customer service and purchase procedures. Big thumbs down to Target!




Thursday, April 16, 2015

Shop Lilly Pulitzer for Target This Sunday

On Sunday, the long-awaited Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection launches! I've already scoured the selection of items and favorited several that I plan on buying, so when the times comes I know exactly what I want and can act quickly. When you heart an item it saves so I'm hoping that I'll just be able to quickly add those saved items to my shopping cart on Sunday.

Just like the Phillip Lim for Target collab, I plan to shop online instead of fighting the crowds. Plus, there's more of a selection online (including plus size options).

If you plan on shopping online also, there has only been a time range for the launch this Sunday - between 12-2am CST. I suggest being logged into your Target account and making sure your address and credit card info is all set. That way you don't lose any items that may sell out while you're checking out.

Be sure to scope out your Lilly + Target must-haves before the big day. Here's what's on my list to buy. As you can see I love the Upstream print! I'm sure I won't get all of these items...but a girl can dream, right?

Lilly Pulitzer for Target