I'm so excited...

...and I just can't hide it! Well, we got through Monday {phew!} and I am so excited!  Why? {I will tell you in just a second}

You can call me shallow, say that I have too much time on my hands, wonder if I should get a hobby or say to yourself, "simple things really do make this girl happy".  Heck, maybe you will check yes to all of the above, but I am EXCITED, ELATED, PUMPED and a bit GIDDY.  Here's why:

TOMS just announced yesterday that their ballet flats will be available for sale on February 1st.  I want every pair.  Maybe my girlfriends and I can each buy a pair and share!  I have dibs on the animal prints! {Insert EXCITED}

Jason Wu for Target will be in stores in less than one week; February 5th to be exact {you know, Super Bowl Sunday}.  I have had this date marked on my calendar for over a month now.  This line will fly off the racks.  Set your alarm clocks so you don't miss out!  Anyone want to carpool? {Insert ELATED}

I just discovered the MOST amazing Facebook page ever!  It's called Accessory Auctions and they release adorable and affordable accessories for all occasions every Monday night at 8pm CST. They offer FREE SHIPPING too! They have over 4,000 followers, so why in the world did I just come across this yesterday?  Am I the only one left who hasn't heard of this? Oh well, better late than never.  Check it out and make sure to 'Like' them so you can join in on the goods! {Insert PUMPED}

In case you didn't notice or this is your first time to visit my blog, I have a new design.  I am thrilled with how it turned out .  I must give all the credit and high-fives to Casey Bartholomew with Sugar Studios. If you are in the market for a new look or need some graphic design work, be sure to check out her Etsy shop.  Thanks, Casey. You are the BOMB DOT COM!  Oh, and I have almost hit 100 followers!!  Who will be my 100th?  This is a milestone for beginner bloggers! {Insert GIDDY}

Okay, now are you ready to get EXCITED?  You have the chance to win six fab products from Stila cosmetics.  It's my latest {and first} giveaway.  Make sure to get your entries in. The winner will be announced February 5th.

Cheers to the little things in life!

Stila Cosmetics Giveaway $125 Value

You read it right!  I am doing a super fabulous giveaway that includes six of Stila's best products worth $125.00! It's my way of saying thank you for all the love and support I have received during my first month of blogging.  This is a whole new world for me {the blogging world} and I am enjoying every minute of it...writing my posts, reading all of yours and learning something new every day.  Starting this blog, documenting my fashion finds and sharing beauty tricks has truly sparked my creativity again. It's refreshing and I am having a ball! So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for following, commenting, sharing and most of all believing.  

The Giveawy:{brand new-never been used}

1. Stila Eyeshadow Trio - Ethereal

2. Stila Convertible Color - Gerbera {one of my personal faves}

3. Stila Custom Color Blush - Coral

4. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner - Blue Ribbon

5. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner - Purple Tang

6. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - Intense Black

How To Enter.  

One entry for each one that you complete.  You can have your pretty, little name thrown in the drawing up to 6 times!  

1. Become a "Because Shanna Said So" follower

2. Follow me on Bloglovin' {leave a comment so I know you did so}

3. Leave a comment about the giveaway

4. Like my Facebook page {6. I will post an extra entry here - will only be posted on my FB page}

5. Follow me on Twitter

The lucky winner will be announced on Sunday, February 5th! 

Good luck!

Cheers and love to each and every one of you!

"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"

How many of you remember being so pumped when your mom bought you that first pair of jeans with the zipper at the ankle?  Or are you too young to even have that memory?  Heck, some of you might not have even been born when zippers down the side made their debut...crap, am I dating myself again? 

I must say that when I spotted these Georgia Peach skinny jeans {with zippers down the side} I had a flashback....let me take you back to that moment....I was at Wiener's {remember that place and it's weird smell} with my mom and she bought me a pair of jeans {with zippers}. They had flamingos all over them.  I thought I was the luckiest and most fashionable 10 year old girl in the world!

Okay, back to the present...I truly fell in love with these jeans.  I had no idea what I was going to wear with them, but I knew I had to have them.  I loved the pastel peachy color {another great Spring 2012 trend}, I am a sucker for skinny jeans and best of all they had a zipper at the ankle.  Score!

When I brought them home and showed them to the hubs, he looked at me like I was crazy and just shook his head.  But, once I pulled this little get-up together he actually said that they were 'cute'.  Ha!

I think I am digging these more than my red skinny jeans, and you guys know how much I love those!

So, here is the low down, I took another pair of colored jeans and toned them down with some simple, classic and feminine pieces.  Who says jeans with zippers are a distant memory?

I focused on natural, skin-toned colors to make this an edgy, but soft everyday style.

Notice the zipper in this picture?  Super cute, right?  Are you warming up to the idea yet?

I added a little black into the mix to break up the soft, muted colors in the top and pants.

This necklace can be dressed up or down.  It is a piece that can be worn with a variety of outfits.  The colors in the beads remind me of my favorite Essie and OPI polishes.

These shoes are Missoni for Target. I have so much to wear with them!  You can't see it in the picture, but they have a fab wooden heel.  I heart them!!  These babies are gone from Target, but I know that you can snag a pair on eBay for a great price!  Plus, the chevron print is all over the place right now!

One last look...again, do you see the zipper? Pretty cute, right?  Get you some!

Top-F21 | Jeans-F21 | Shoes-Missoni for Target | Purse-Old Navy | Jewelry-F21 

Happy Friday, My Friends!

Cheers to adding a bit of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in your life!

Shanna Schneider

Similar look you may like:

Straight Denim by GUESS
Sandals at Nordstrom

Orange You Glad?

I have always loved orange {maybe because it's one of my high school colors-Jacket Pride Never Dies}and it's one of the must have colors for Spring.  I am also OBSESSED {maybe a strong word} with scarves - every shape, size and color. They are my go-to for an added "pop". So, when I found this fab scarf, I already had a vision in mind...Must.Be.Paired.With.Orange.  So, I took a few items that I already had in my closet and viola...this is what I came up with.

Okay, I love hats, but not digging this fedora.  I wish I could pull off this look...at least I can say I tried...

I think I like myself much better without the hat.

 

Purple Madden Girl shoes...ladies, snag some bold colored heels...you will be in amazed of how much you have to wear with them...promise, cross my heart!

Just to show you another reason why orange and purple are a match made in fashion Heaven.

A bird's eye view...mixing florals and stripes is a good thing!  Think...."non-matchy-match" and layers!! 

 

I love mixing and matching bangles and wearing a big Texas-sized ring. 

Jacket - F21 | Stripe Top - F21 | Purple Tank - Old Navy | Jeans - Express | Shoes - Madden Girl | Hat - F21 | Bracelets - Random Places | Scarf - F21 

(I need to invest in F21 stock...it's ridiculous)

Cheers to "Orange you glad I love these colors?"  What colors do you like to pair together?

Shanna Schneider

Get the Look Here

Skinny Denim by Express
Scarves & Wraps by Forever 21

Just Jute It - DIY Clutch Purse

I was on a mission at Hobby Lobby to grab a flower to use as a hair accessory for the photo shoot I helped style a week-and-a-half ago.  But, if you are a Hobby Lobby lover like me, there is no running in and running out.  There is always something new to discover or stumble upon when you least expect it.

I was reminding myself to remain focused on the goal at hand.  Ha!  Yeah, right.  I totally lost all concentration when I spotted these little beauties...jute clutch purses.  Fashionable purses at Hobby Lobby?  What?  Like Ren McCormick says in Footloose, "Jump back!"

Well, my friends, it's true.  They have an entire section of fun and affordable jute bags, purses and my favorite, the clutch!  So, I whipped out my iPhone and started taking pictures.  I found some fun accent fashion pins and started playing purse dress-up.  Really, Shanna?  Yes, I was that girl that laid the purses on the floor in Hobby Lobby and started creating fun easy, DIY clutches.

This is a NO SEW project...just don't poke yourself when you are pinning to the purse.  If you do like to sew, then your options just quadrupled, because there are so many appliques you can put on these clutches...good luck choosing...I would be wandering Hobby Lobby for days deciding what to buy! 

Now to the best part, besides looking totally fab, they are only...wait for it...you won't believe it...$3.99!!  The drive out price of the large one with the brown button is $5.99 and you don't have to get any additional accessories to put on it.  Remember, Hobby Lobby always has a 40% off coupon on regular priced items.  I use it every time I go, you can just pull it up on your phone and show the cashier.

So, here are some of my jute clutch dress-up creations. 

Bold Black Flower with White Polka Dots

Chic Little Cream Bow with Black Polka Dots

Eclectic Beaded Circle (My Personal Fave!)

Seashell and Beaded Square

The Brand is - Me & My Bag - So fitting, right?

So, there you have it...A quick, easy, affordable and don't forget fashionable DIY clutch all for $10.00 or less!  Let me know if you go out and make one.  I would love to see your design...maybe it will show up on Pinterest!

Cheers...and Happy Clutching!

Shanna Schneider

My Guilty Pleasure

Hey Friends! Just thought I would add an extra post today...I started doing the Instagram Photo a Day Challenge (I know January is almost over...better late than  never). Today you had to take a picture of your guilty pleasure....well folks, mine are shoes and jewelry.  So, this is the picture I took for the challenge.  As I posted a few days ago, if you have an iPhone get the Instagram app.  It's free, so much fun and a little addicting! 

Shoes Missoni for Target | Bracelet F21 | Neclaces F21 & Target

If you want to join in on the fun, click on this link for January's Photo a Day Challenge!  I can't wait until the one for February.


What is your guilty pleasure?  Cheers!
Shanna

Date Night Outfit - Vintage Romance

I actually got a date night after a week of my oldest being sick with a virus.  Can I get a "woo-hoo" for adult night?  I decided that, since this doesn't happen very often, I would dress up and look a little fancy.

I found this dress a few years ago at Buffalo Exchange.  It is a great resale store that has chains all over the U.S.  They have some super unique, vintage finds as well as items you can find in retail stores today.  I love thrifting and resale shopping.  It is like going on a treasure hunt and when you find "that" piece, you feel like you have struck gold! 

Some good thrift chains to check out are Buffalo Exhange, Platos Closet and even Goodwill.  I know some people my turn their nose at thrifing, but I will tell you first hand, that I have found some fabulous pieces at these shops including brands such as  J.Crew, BCBG, Banana Republic, Lucky Brand, Zara and so much more.

So, if you are looking for an amazing steal and truly enjoy snagging that fab find, I encourage you to check out your local thrift or consignment stores.  You will be amazed at what you will discover.

Remember my philosophy..."You don't have to spend a lot of money to look like you did."

FYI- I kept everything pretty simple in this outfit since the dress has so much going on. A few small, simple accessories are all you need when your main focus is your dress, top or pants.

Dress - thrifted
Flower Belt - Arttie (similar)
Shoes - Payless
Ring - Forever 21 (similar)
Bracelets - Forever 21 & vinatge from my Grandmother
Clutch - Forever 21 (similar)

What has been you're fab find while thrifting?  I would love to know.  Please share your goods!

Cheers to recycling fashion!
Shanna Schneider

How to Apply Flawless Foundation in 6 Minutes

Okay, I am totally taking one for the team on this post.  I am still wondering why in the heck I am showing the "World Wide Web" how horrible I look without makeup, but I reminded myself that this is why I am doing this blog...to help other ladies...whether it's fashion focused or beauty related.  You take the good, you take the bad...none of us are perfect.  I am definitely a million miles away from having perfect skin.  But, I DO know how to cover unwanted scars, pimples and uneven skin tone.  So, I did this video to show you my daily regimen of applying foundation that helps cover my unwanted, ever so dreadful zits and scars.  FYI - This was my very first YouTube video, so much love is appreciated!

My best makeup friends are the Beauty Blender, DermaBlend, Bare Minerals and Makeup Forever.

I hope that after you watch this, you will still want to be my friend and think that I am still sort of cool.  :)  But, most importantly, I hope that you can grab a few tips and tricks to help you with your makeup application.  Okay, here we go {sign of the cross}...click on the video below. 

 

BEFORE

AFTER

So, do you still want to be my friend?  I warned you, I look rather rough without my makeup.  But, I am confident in my own skin and that is what matters most. I am just thankful that I have some amazing products that make me feel oh so much better about myself!

Again, here are the products that I use EVERY SINGLE DAY!  Go out out there and get them...Because Shanna Said So!

Beauty Blender $26.00 - http://beautyblender.net/

Dermablend Cover Creme $34.00 - http://www.dermablend.com/

Bare Minerals Foundation $26.00- http://www.bareescentuals.com

Makeup Forever HD Powder $30.00- www.makeupforeverusa.com

What is your favorite foundation?  I would love to hear!  Also, please share this video or post with any lady you know that might find this helpful!

Cheers to conquering "Zelda the Zit"!  

Shanna Schneider

 

Sail Away with Me - Nautical Now

I am adding a #11 to what originally was my "Top 10" Trends for Spring 2012.  The lucky number eleven is....Nautical Now.  Spring fashions are hitting the stores and this one is sprinkled nicely all over the place.  I am ready to "set sail" with this trend....literally, to some place tropical.

The funny thing is, the outfit I wore yesterday had a smidgen of nautical to it and it didn't even dawn on me until I decided I was going to post about this trend...guess it was meant to me.

Once you look at my outfit, you will probably say to yourself, "I don't see any anchors, stripes or captain hats." 

"Mayday, Mayday" - You don't have to have a big anchor slapped across you chest to rock this trend. 

Here is what I wore:

Top- Old Navy
Pants - Old Navy (similar)
Shoes - Forever 21 (similar)
Necklaces - Forever 21 (similar) (similar)
Bracelet - gifted

Belt - from another dress (similar)

Are you ready to set sail?  Because Shanna Said So thinks you should look for:

Okay, I really want to hop on a Carnival Cruise ship now! Anybody with me? Happy Friday!

Cheers!

Shanna Schneider

Evening Dresses at ModCloth
Flats by Sperry