2012 Goal Review

I don't really believe in New Years Resolutions.  I think most people end up failing at them, and that they are always uuber cliche.  However, I do believe in goals, and the end or beginning of a year is a great time to evaluate them. 

Last year, I wrote about ten things I wanted to do in 2012 - you can see that post HERE.  Today, let's see how the heck I did.

1. Buy a condo with my very Handsome Husband.   Check! We put an offer on a condo we absolutely adored in March, suffered through a horrific short sale, and closed escrow on the second-to-last day of August of 2012.  We have been soaking up the last few months as new homeowners, and this was a huge accomplishement for us!  You can read about our Hunt to Homeownership HERE.
2. Start making lunch more often.   Fail. I definitely improved over 2011, but still not where I'd like to be.  I don't see this getting all that much better in 2013 to be honest, but a girl can dream.
3. Work out more often. Note: It's a lifestyle change, not a "lose 10 pounds" thing.   Fail. I definitely did work out more in 2012 than I did in 2011, however, ever since I stopped running with Tutor Girl, I lost a lot of motivation.  I would really like to get better about this in 2013, so we'll see.   4. Read more books.   Sort-of Check! I read a lot during the first half of 2012, due in part to my awesome new gadget at the time - the Kindle Fire.  However, once we got close to closing escrow, I was using my reading time for pursuing Pinterest for home decor ideas, and after that I was using every available second to make Pinterest come to life.  I would like to read more in 2013, mainly because I have SO many fabulous books in my Kindle wishlist!   5. Further my education.   Sort-of Check! I took a whopping one class this year which, for me, is sad.  I would really love to be saying that I will become an RN in 2013, but I know that is not the case.  And not because I do not have the drive, motivation or dedication.  But because the nursing education market here in California really does not favor those trying to work and go to school.  For me to go to school, I would have to change positions, and would not be able to work full-time.  With a Handsome Husband in law school, this is simply not an option for me at the time.  For now, I am focusing my efforts on excelling in my current nursing role, perhaps taking some units next semester to prepare myself for the nursing program even more, and being a supportive wife for my student Husband.  I know he will be there for me when it's my turn, and I know that will come before I know it.
6. Visit my family on the east coast.   Fail. This one makes me sad, but spoiler alert: We are heading to the East Coast in 2013!  More deets to come!
7. Be a strong support for HH as he starts law school in the Fall.   Check!  Or at least, I'd like to think so! I would like to hope I've been helpful and supportive for my sweet HH, I guess we'd have to ask him to find out for sure!
8. Focus on growing my wardrobe in a thrifty and practical way.   Fail. I think the main reason this one was a fail was because HH and I were trying to save as much moola as possible for our move in 2012, so I really tried to keep purchases on the minimum.  This year, I really would like to grow my wardrobe, and on top of that?  I'd like to take more fashion risks.   9. Do more things for and with my girlfriends - I think I do pretty good now, but I don't ever want them to not know how important they are to me!   Check! From Girls Weekend last January (and another one just weeks away!) to lots and lots of girls nights out and even my Victoria's Secret party - 2012 was the year of growing my relationships with my girlfriends.  And you know what?  2013 is going to be, too!
10. Start thinking about having a little kidlet? Key word: Thinking. See HERE. (and also HERE.)   Check! I mean, sure, I thought about it.  

No nonsense

I am a big leggings girl, and to be honest I'm not quite sure where I stand on the whole leggings as pants debate.  Spoiler alert: No nonsense leggings are quite thick, and can totally be worn as pants.  And tights?  Oh how I wish it got cooler here more often because I think a fun pair of tights can take an everyday outfit to a whole new level of adorable! 

No nonsense tights and leggings was kind enough to send me a pair of their corduroy leggings in a mustard-y beige color, and a pair of fashion tights in a beautiful purple shade.  If I’m being honest?  Corduroy is so not my thing.  I was really intimidated when I received these leggings in the mail, and so nervous to come up with an outfit.  I wouldn’t say I knocked it out of the park or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised with what I was able to throw together to complement these high-quality leggings!  The tights are by far my ultimate fave, and I see them as a long-term staple in Closet Stress Case!  No nonsense has many other fashion tight options that I can’t wait to order, also!

My casual leggings look!

Top: Forever 21 a long time ago

Leggings: No nonsense

Sandals: Love D

and, a more formal look:

Perfect for a cocktail party!

Dress is so old, I have not a clue where it came from,

but how freaking cute are these tights?

Unfortunately my camera blows, because the texture on these is to die for.

 

Find your pair of affordable No nonsense tights and leggings here. I was sponsored by No nonsense for this opportunity. All opinions are my own.

Christmas Came Early: GORGEOUS EARRINGS GIVEAWAY!

 

Amber from Brunch With Amber and I have got something sparkly for your ears today!  Amber recently opened an online jewelry boutique, and she was kind enough to offer to give away a pair of earrings to one lucky reader!

 

 

These stunners are the Elyse earrings, as seen in June's issue of Glamour!

 

You can find them and other beautiful pieces of jewlery at Amber's new online jewelry boutique HERE!

  Enter via Rafflecopter below! Tune in tomorrow when I've got a fantastic graphic designer from Etsy giving away a credit to their shop! Enter to win the Sponsorship Bundle HERE. Enter to win the Vinyl Decals for Stand Mixer HERE.   

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Scrubs GIVEAWAY!

When Dansko contacted me asking if I'd like to review a pair of their scrubs, I just about spit out my wine (what else would I be drinking?) in excitement!  Of course I emailed back, overly excited for my new work outfit.  I even got to choose between a few styles and colors - so much fun!

I finally settled on the Geri top in navy, with matching Gina pants in the matching navy color.  I chose navy because I don't have any navy scrubs, and I am a long time believer in the whole navy is a neutral debate (is this actually a debate?), and thought it would be a lovely addition to my ever-growing scrub collection!  I'm also a little boring, and love a good solid colored scrub set, so this was perfect!

In my hustle and bustle of moving, unpacking, planning a housewarming, and then trying to recover from the craziness that was August-October, these cute little scrubs just sat there waiting for me to try them on!

And finally I did - and I'm so glad!

 

These Dansko scrubs are so soft and comfortable (I may or may not be wearing them as I type this).  They are like wearing your most comfortable pair of pajamas (and everyone's second reason behind the whole saving lives and helping the world thing for becoming a nurse is wearing pajamas to work).  The navy is a really pretty dark shade, and will look adorbs with some of the print tops I have.

 

One thing to keep in mind:  these run a bit big.  I ordered both the pants and the top in a medium and I'm sort of swimming in the top (not usually a problem for me in tops if you know what I mean...who am I kidding, not usually a problem for me in clothes).  I did wash and heat dry the top, so I'm thinking it's just going to be a big comfy one - which is fine, but had I known, I may have ordered a Small, which would have been good for the fit and also for my self confidence cause God knows I don't get to wear a size small very often!

 

You can see Dansko's entire line of scrubs at Dansko.com/atwork if you or someone you know is lucky enough to get to wear pajamas scrubs to work on the daily!

 

Speaking of lucky, Dansko was kind enough to offer to give away a pair of their fantastic scrubs to one of my readers as well!  Enter below via Rafflecopter to grab a pair of these, and you know, with the holidays coming up, maybe there's someone you know who would love a pair of Dansko scrubs!  The winner will be able to select their own style and color of choice from Dansko.com/atwork.  Good luck!

 

 

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Fill in the Blank Friday

It's been a while since I've linked up for Fill in the Blank Friday, but I'm fresh out of inspiration, so here goes!

 

1. My favorite flower is  stargazer lilies.  And lucky my Handsome Husband knows that...ps HH, it's been a while since I had some pretty pink lilies to gaze at.

 

 

2. You should never talk about money, unless someone wants your advice/knowledge.  People who can't have a conversation without reminding everyone how much money they have or make drive me bananas. 

3. My favorite discovery as of late is some of the super yum recipes I have tried out recently.  Taco shells, zucchini boats (c/o Katie!), SO good!

 

4. This fall you will probably find me wearing leggings (just bought a pair from Old Navy, per Megan's glowing review!), loose tops and sweaters, and boots.  Or you know, scrubs five days a week.   

5. I wish I were at my house, painting the rest of my half-painted kitchen.  I got awfully inspired a few nights ago, and inspiration has yet to hit again...at least not when I'm home. 

6. My favorite TV show currently is a list way too long to list right here, so instead I'll share my top three new-ish shows: 1. The Mindy Project, 2. Partners, and 3. Up All Night (this is the second season, but I just recently watched the entire first season On Demand so it feels new to me!).  

 

7. This weekend I want to go to San Diego to see our amazing friends that I miss everyday, watch HH kick some alumni soccer ass, beer garden my booty off, go out to a bar (hello, it's been a while from this girl), and then head home for a Sunday of seeing my Small Town Grandma who I never get to see and flower/plant shopping for my front patio with Gardening Mama.  Couldn't plan a better weekend if I tried!

Stress Casey and Cold Shoulder Tops: A Love Story

I recently learned the name of a trend I've been all over for about a year: Cold Shoulder Tops.  If I didn't love these types of tops before, you better believe I do after hearing that's what they are called!

Check out these adorable CSTs (Cold Shoulder Tops...duh):

Source: wetseal.com via Chana on Pinterest

Source: bostonproper.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Source: fashionologie.com via tania cristina on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: laurenconrad.com via Brittany on Pinterest

I mean, if LC wears it, it's gotta be fashioniable, right?

Four Eyes

I've been keeping a little secret from my readers for quite some time.

You ready for me to spill?

Here goes.

I can't see.

Okay, slightly dramatic, but seriously I have the worst vision.

For years, I have been wearing my glasses only when it is absolutely completely necessary.  Not because I don't like them, in fact, I kind of do!  (Is it just me or can you wear no makeup and look like a scrub and then put on some eyeglasses and instantly look brainy instead of drabby?)

So, it has come the time to start looking for another pair of glasses for Four Eyes over here.  For two reasons:

1. Last weekend, while standing with Cute Apartment on the sidewalk of an average width street, she was shocked and appauled I could not read the lit-up sign across the street from where we were standing.  Granted, I wasn't wearing my bifocal glasses at the time, but still - me thinks my eyes have gotten a bit worse.

and

2. It is seriously unsafe for me to drive at night without my glasses anymore.  And since I wear them so sparingly, sometimes I'm caught out without my specks.  My solution?  Wear them more often.  Yeah right - my solution is to get a fresh new pair, so I'll have a spare to leave in the ole Jeep Liberty.

So when GlassesUSA.com contacted me about their company, I was so excited to check out their website!  They have so many options for cheap glasses, and what girl on a budget doesn't like cheap!

Do you think I could pull these off?  I'm worried I would feel like I was playing dress up everytime I put them on!

GlassesUSA.com

Another fun feature on GlassesUSA.com is their Virtual Mirror, where you can see what the glasses might actually look like on!

GlassesUSA.com is even offering some special promotions to Stress Case readers:

STOREWIDE OFFER

Take 15% off your entire order amount + FREE shipping (orders over $50).

Code: FS15

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses.

Code: Blog10

Your welcome, fellow four eyes!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, but all thoughts, opinions, and words are mine and mine alone.

The Most Fashioniable City in America

Being that I wear scrubs a good 25% of my week, and yoga pants for another 20% or so, I don't consider myself a fashion expert.  I also don't like to spend more than Forever 21 prices, so I'm no Best Friend Fashionista.

Great with accessories, though.

However,

I love to do some bragging about my home town, or my home county rather.

(Seriously my love for Orange County, California is a little over the top, you'd think I was the damn mayor.)

So, when I saw this little article, and saw where was considered the most fashionable city in the world?

I was proud!

Source

You see that little city listed right there in the #1 spot?

Irvine, California!

Just 15 minutes north of where I call home, and a place I frequented quite a lot when Bestie Fashionista was in college. 

(Is it a coincidence she is named BF Fashionista and spent four years in Irvine going to college?  I don't think so.)

And wouldn't you know it?

California is home to 4 of the top 15 most fashioniable cities in the country!

Not everyone in the state dresses like me, I guess?

If you want to see some of my better fashion choices,

check out some of my

What I Wore Wednesday posts!

Adventures in Pinterest {Vol. 1}

Like many of you do, I adore Pinterest.  There is a wealth of creative ideas on there, and I love to pin some recipes, crafts, and even dream home ideas.

So, after re-creating a few things from Pinterest recently, I thought - I should be sharing these with my fabulous readers!  All too often on Pinterest, things look so complicated or difficult, I am intimidated to even try, so I hope seeing my Adventures in Pinterest will encourage you to do some adventuring of your own!

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest to see all the fun things I pin!

First up in Adventures in Pinterest?

Recreating this hair style at the request of my dear Sister Singer:

Source: Uploaded by user via Casey on Pinterest

And with the help of a 1-inch curling iron,

a shit-ton lot of hairspray,

and a cute lil pink bow,

we (and by we, I mean me, considering SS just kinda sat there) ended up with this:

Try not to be distracted by the gorgeousness that is my reflection in the background.

And?  I think we I nailed it.

One more photo of pretty Sister Singer for good measure:

If you're hoping over from a linkup party today - Welcome!

Thanks for coming by and I hope you'll take a looksie around!

And if you wanna make me smile really big?  Join us for our Spring Sweets Swap!

Linking up with: The Vintage Apple, Blue Cricket Design, Someday Crafts, Creations by Kara, and A Brighter Yellow.

{Fabulous Valentine's Challenge} Day 3: Love My Outfit

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Day 3, ladies!  LOVED reading all of your bad date stories - hilarious!

Today's Topic: Love My Outfit

Share a favorite V-day outfit from your past, or your dream outfit for this year!

(See all topics and dates HERE.)

Well, you ladies got a little glimpse of one of my past Valentine's Day outfits when I shared my Best Date story earlier in The Challenge, but here's another looksie:

Valentine's Day Outfit 2010

Dress: Forever 21

Heels: Charlotte Russe

As far as my dream Valentine's Day outfit for this year?

Well, I'm thinking this year is going to be pretty low-key, as we are currently on super-save-money mode, hoping to start searching for our first home in mere months!

Here's a little something I think would be fun to wear to a casual date night for V-Day:

Source: texastanners.blogspot.com via Leah on Pinterest

What's YOUR V-Day Fashion Look Like?

Link up and tell us!

Tomorrow's Topic: Love Weddings

Share your wedding photos, your friends' or families', or your pinterest inspiration!

(See all topics and dates HERE.)

Nail Polish Swap

This was such a fun swap to participate in!

Kudos to Tara and Celia for hosting!

I got paired with Ashley from

Random Thoughts From a Mad White Woman

She got me some awesome goodies:

And today, it's disco day at my clinic:

Don't mind my janky paint job.

Go check out what all the other ladies got from this fun swap at the link-up!

Target Tuesday: Boots

Today, I am linking up with Tara at Fabulous But Evil for Target Tuesday!  It has been a long time, and I'm happy to link-up again!

It is finally starting to feel like Fall in this paradise weather land we call Southern California.  It is getting chilly at night, and it even rained last weekend (and no, we don't know how to drive in it).

My all-time favorite, go-to, best ever Fall outfit is something like the following:

Except for that I am not as tall, blonde, fashionable or thin as this chica.

Anyways, all comparisons between me and tall skinny blondes aside, my favorite thing about Fall is that boots become acceptable again!  (Of course, if you work the corner, they are acceptable year-round, lucky girls.)

Target has some fierce boots in their stockrooms this year, and this girl is thinking she might need to convince her Handsome Husband that they are a necessary purchase.

Fiest your eyes on these babies:

Love the furry lining and the little buckle detail.

LOVE THESE.  There is something around the rain that just makes you feel like you can dress like an asshole all of the sudden.

Guess I'm a sucker for the buckles.

These beauties remind me a little of my ultimate boot love affair - Tory Burches.

Love these western lookin' boots!

Go check out all the other cool Target Tuesday ladies at Fabulous But Evil!

Guest Blogger: Beauty Tips with Sarah

How sweet was Meghan's post about her lovely step-mother?  Here's to hoping everyone has at least one person in their life they can be so insanely grateful for like Meghan?  (And me - and I am the luckiest little lady and have tons of wonderful people in my life.)

Today, Sarah from Living, Laughing, and Loving Life is here sharing some fun beauty tips.  Sarah and I went to high school together, and in her post she reveals some formerly top secret news from my past...okay fine, I did want to be a cheerleader at some point...I admit it.

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Hi there!  I'm Sarah, guest posting today from Living, Laughing, and Loving Life because this week Casey is on vacation...lucky lady!  I have had the privilege of knowing Casey since, I believe, junior high.  We even tried out together for cheerleading our freshman year...(forgive me for bringing that up! depress...depress! hahaha!)

Anyways, my post today will be Beauty Tips, because, come on, every girl loves to learn new things about how they can wear their hair or what makeup is good.  I know I do!
- Hide quoted text -

1.  Ok, first off, I have to start off by saying that this past weekend I was out shopping with my grandma and she said I just had to try eyebrow threading.  I've seen shops before that do this, but I've always been too scared skeptical to try it.  I used to get my eyebrows waxed and plucked, but I hated it, so I just stopped...over a year ago! Ahh! I know!  I've always hated how my eyebrows looked, and I could never get them to look they way I wanted to...until now...

BEFORE

AFTER

I don't know why I never tried it before!  They look amazing and it only took the lady like five minutes to do it, if that.  And it's cheap ($7)!  When it's being done, it feels like little tiny rope burns.  It hurts a little and makes your eyes water still, but no where near as much as waxing! I'm hooked!

2.  The eye widener pencil is my new best friend.  I found this girl on youtube who is from England and has a ton of 'how-to' videos that are awesome!  In one of her makeup 'how-tos,' she said that she wears it all the time, so I had to give it a try.  It makes my eyes pop and I love it!

3.  Braids are one of my favorite hair styles, and I've always wondered how to do the fishtail braid.  Well, stupid me, never thought of looking online, duh.  So when I did, I found the girl on youtube, I talked about above, and I finally learned how to do it.  And surprisingly, it is so easy!!

4.  My face was always very dry, but regular lotion made my face too oily.  So a few months ago I went looking for a facial creme, and stumbled across this...

I apply it in the morning and it makes my face feel soft and my makeup goes on so much better.

5.  I'm a fan of Olay, and their makeup remover wipes are awesome too.  They leave your face feeling moisturized, without feeling too dry.

6.  I have yet to try it, due to my busy schedule, but last weekend I bought the crackle nail polish that is the latest craze right now.  From the reviews I've seen on it, some people say it's great and they can get it to work, but others say the opposite.  So I'm hoping when I try it, I can get it to look like it does in pictures.  I bought the white crackle nail polish, so I can put it on top of another color.  Stay tuned for pictures and a review on my blog later this week! :)

7.  I have been using e.l.f. makeup for about four or five years now, but recently I bought a bunch of stuff online, and here are a few of my favorite things...all over cover stick, eye widener, eye concealer & highlighter, and fan brush.  Everything is great and cheap!

8.  Ever since I saw Lindsey @ The Bargain Blonde's post on doing a mud mask, I just had to try it.  Last weekend, I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and picked up the Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque, which was only a few bucks.

I tried it one night when I was home alone and it is wonderful, just like Lindsey said HERE.  Although I don't know how she was able to smile in her pics because after it started to dry on my face (which happens in minutes), my face was so stiff!  But after you remove it from your face with warm water and a wash cloth (it comes off easier than I thought), your face will be smooth like a baby's bottom ;)

 9.  I've noticed lately that vests are the "in" thing.  Well since the only one I had doesn't fit me anymore because my cup size has gone up (a good and bad thing), I needed to get myself a new one.  I searched and searched all over and finally came across this adorable one at Charlotte Russe for about $26.

10.  Lastly, if you've been wondering how to get that fantastic smokey eye look, check out this video...

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Well, that's it!  I hope you enjoyed my Beauty Tips!

Thank you again Casey for having me over :)

Have a great day!


Don't forget to grab my button!

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What I Wore Wednesday

After taking a week off, I'm back linking up for What I Wore Wednesday with The Pleated Poppy again!

I am also linking up with No Model Lady for All Dressed Up this week - so fun finding new parties to join!

This week, I am sharing what I wore on Mother's Day, when we spent the afternoon at the lake celebrating with Handsome Husband's family.

(See what I mean about the capris?  Really accentuate these stumpy legs I've got, no?)

Sweater: so so so old, but I think it is originally from Charlotte Russe

Camisole: Charlotte Russe

Fants*: Nordstrom Rack

Sandals: gift from Fashionista, but they are Steve Maddens

*I am fairly certain these pants are not actually called fants - the reason I call them fants (fake pants) is because they are super soft and stretchy like leggings, but have a fly and buttons like jeans.  Thus...fants.