Top Three and Flashback Friday

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If you are new to my blog, I like to re-cap my top three looks from each month. It doesn't necessarily have to be the top three posts as far as page views; it can just be the looks that I liked the most. Link-up your top three looks below!

Read post here

Read post here

Last Friday I decided to start a new tradition called Flashback Friday. I think it is so funny to look back through old posts and see how I have changed. Here is my post (read the full post here) from one year ago today:

Apparently I thought a tree branch made a great way to display this broken necklace. But hey, I did create new pieces out of a janky, broken necklace so I get points for that, at least.

Where is this bracelet? I completely forgot that I made it! Thank you, blog, for reminding me.

Link-up your top three looks below! Don't forget to enter to win a $50 Sephora gift card here. Oh, and don't forget to have a fabulous weekend. That's pretty important.

* Please please please vote for me in the Wallis Ambassador contest. Go like their facebook page here and then click on 'Blogger Ambassador Contest' and then click on my picture (it will take you to another page) and then click 'vote.' I would SO appreciate your help in this! Thanks!

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Wallis Fashion

Hey everyone! Just a quick post today to remind you all to vote for me in the Wallis Blogger Ambassador Contest. Like the Wallis Facebook page (here) and vote for Fashion and Beauty Finds! I had some people not understanding yesterday that they have to click the link next to my picture which takes them to another page where they officially vote.

I can't do this without you all! Many, many thanks in advance.

Don't forget that the Top Three link-up is happening tomorrow! Make sure you link-up your favorite three looks from March!

Keeping It Casual - 3 (Link Up) & A Contest

A.N.A blouse via JCP, H&M blazer, Loft jeans, Sole Society flats, Zara clutch, bracelet from Dillards,
belt from TJ Maxx

I've been a big fan of bright colors for spring and feel like a girl can never have too many brights in her closet. However, Saturday was cold and rainy so I opted for more of a neutral outfit. If these pictures didn't have pretty flowers blooming in the background you might think it was fall based on my outfit. 

So, my computer crashed, again. We took it to the 'computer doctor' and she said that the hard drive was failing. She was able to pull some of my data off but I lost all of my blog pictures. I plan on going back through my blog and saving pictures from it to my hard drive and then backing them up. I hope you people are a lot smarter than I am about backing things up. 

Since I am linking up with Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesdays, I thought I would give you a little peek of randomness into my life.

•  I struggle with flexibility. I guess there could be worse things to struggle with but as a dancer it's a pretty big deal. If I don't stretch at least twice a week, I lose all of my splits. 
• I want to go on a cruise at least once a month. Who's going to foot the bill for that one?
• I hate popular music. I don't know who any of the singers are because the only thing I listen to is electronic dance music and old school tunes. (Two completely different genres!!)
• I'm obsessed with 15th century England. Obsessed. 

On a completely different topic, I am going to be involved in a contest to choose the first blogger ambassador for Wallis Fashion. I am so excited to be selected for this competition! As a stay-at-home- mom, I love the idea of being selected to represent this fun clothing company. I feel like fashion is not reserved just for those with full-time, nine-to-five jobs, but for anyone (like me) who loves to look chic on a budget. Go like the Wallis facebook page here to be able to vote. This means SO much to me!!

Link-up below for today's Keeping It Casual post. Please make sure that you follow and link back to my blog. 

Make sure you enter to win $50 to Sephora here.

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Sophisticated Fringe

Francesca's blouse and clutch, Mossimo chambray shirt, Zara blazer, skirt and heels, Old Navy glasses, gifted earrings

Well, if you haven't tired of me wearing this fringe skirt already, here is another post. When I bought this skirt, I only envisioned it with a white blouse. Thanks to blogging, I've gotten a little better about stretching my wardrobe and coming up with more creative combinations. I *think* I might have reached the limit for this skirt but I could be wrong...

If you are new to the blog, there is proof here, here, and here that I am a bit obsessed with this skirt.

Don't forget to enter the $50 Sephora giveaway here. Also, don't forget about the Top Three link-up happening this Friday. Create a post with your top three looks from March and join the link-up party! You can see how one works here. Have a great day!

* I'm still planning on the regular casual Wednesday link-up for tomorrow. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Glitz & Gold and a Giveaway

Let me just start out by saying that I love blogging. I love sharing my style with you all, but most of all I love finding other blogs out there that are beautiful and inspiring. I read a lot of blogs daily and when I find one that I like, I make a note.

So you will understand why I had to share this blog gem with you:

Meet Kati, the sweet girl behind the blog Glitz & Gold. I stumbled upon her blog a few weeks ago and was instantly impressed. Not only does she have incredible style (see below for proof) she has a blog with a professional, clean look that I love. Enough from me. I'll let her go from here:

Hello Fashion and Beauty Finds readers! I'm Kati with Glitz & Gold fashion blog. First of all, I want to thank Amy for this amazing opportunity to be featured on her adorable blog. Amy is one of my favorite bloggers because of her classic style mixed with current trends, not to mention how sweet she is. 

I started my blog to share my passion for fashion with the blogging community. Fashion is something I turn to for myself! You can say it is my version of the spa. :) I try not to get caught up in what others are wearing or what may or may not be in style. My philosophy is to wear what makes you feel pretty and comfortable. Fashion and style don't have to be about pleasing or seeking the approval of others; it's about feeling good in your own skin. I hope to see you over at Glitz & Gold!

There you have it, ladies. Kati and I are so glad that you stopped by. We've teamed up to offer you an awesome prize: a $50 Sephora gift card! Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Almost) All Black

A.N.A blouse (here) and jeans (here) via JCP, Shoedazzle heels (here), Aldo clutch, Charming Charlie bracelet, sunglasses (here), gifted necklace

It's been a pretty colorful week here around F&B Finds but I decided to change it up a little and go with some black and white. I love all black and think it is perfect with little touches of white.

I tried on about six or seven pairs of black skinny jeans (only $20!) the other day and could only find super tight ones. I ended up with a pair (a little too tight) and told myself I wouldn't gain an ounce and I should be fine. Of course, sometimes I can't control myself and I have to eat a whole bowl of chips and queso. I guess I will be okay with super tight jeans because this girl is not going without good food. 

I added up the shoes, jeans, blouse, and bag and it was all under $100 (right at $97). Who doesn't love an outfit under $100? Have a great weekend!

* Make sure you export your Google blogs into Bloglovin'

Keeping It Casual - 2 (Link-Up)

F21 blouse, Gap jeans, Old Navy flats, Francesca's earrings and bag, bracelet from Dillards

Saturday we celebrated my little boy's fourth birthday (I just watched his birth video and now I'm an emotional wreck!). This is pretty much the outfit that I wore to the park for his party except I wore regular jeans. For church that afternoon, I swapped my regular skinny jeans for these bright yellow ones.

There might have been a time when I would have been hesitant to wear two bright colors together. Now, I throw in a third color without even thinking about it. Is it for everyone? Probably not. But I like it, and that is all that matters. 

Don't forget to add your link below. This is a link-up, after all. Please make sure you link back to my blog and you must be a follower. And after the whole GFC drama, please follow Bloglovin. Anyone else annoyed at this whole situation? I'm thinking about just deleting my whole GFC. What do you think? Is that shooting myself in the foot? 

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesdays.

Have a great day!

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Color Splash & A Giveaway

Hey everyone! I'm guest posting today over at Keeping Up With Kelsey. Come on by and say hello. Also, don't forget to get your post ready for the link-up tomorrow!

Do you want to win $50 in PayPal cash? (Who wouldn't?!) Fashion and Beauty Finds is partnering with a couple of other bloggers to give away this cash prize. Enter below!

 Brought to you by:

Amy of Fashion & Beauty Finds

Sheila of She Is Lovely

Catherine of Small Town, Big Wardrobe

Nicole of Treasure Tromp

Renae of Simple Sequins    

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekend Recap

Well, finally got around to getting my hair cut this weekend. It's only been six months (or maybe more). Every single time I walk out of the salon I always tell my hair guy, "See you in eight weeks!" He just laughs because he knows it will be more like eight months. I have good intentions, honest. Somehow life just gets in the way, you know?

I don't normally wear my hair straight, only because it takes so long to fix. The whole back of my hair is extremely curly but the front part is straight (how crazy is that?). So I usually just throw my hair up in hot rollers. So much easier for this mama.

I love how he did my hair after cutting it. While blow drying, it split on its own into a center part. I've never been one to sport the butt cut (or, center part as we call it in polite society) because I felt like I always looked weird. I kind of like how it turned out, though, so I might try and style it this way in the future.

Went to see this little guy play soccer on Friday night. At his age there isn't much 'playing' but they still learn the idea of kicking the ball around. It is fun to watch and he is too cute out there on the field.

This little guy can't wait to get out on the field. He ran around the whole time and was itching to join his big brother in the game.

We had this little guy's party at the park on Saturday. My baby turned four and I don't know where the last four years have gone. I held him and rocked him and pretended to be sad and said, "How are you a big boy now? When did that happen?" He just replied with, "But I'm still alive mama!" Sweet boy is funny, and one smart little cookie. I love him.

Weekly frozen yogurt tradition...

Little man on left ate small bites (slowly) and big boy on the right shoveled in the fro yo until the brain freeze happened. Poor little guy (but so funny too).

Don't forget about the link-up happening this Wednesday! Get your casual outfit post ready to share. Have a great day!

Think Pink and Flashback Friday

H&M top and jeans, F21 blazer and earrings, Shoedazzle heels (here), Aldo clutch, sunglasses (here), Charming Charlie
necklace, belt from TJMaxx

I've come to the conclusion that I am obsessed with blazers. They end up in just about every outfit post that I do these days. I'm actually wondering how I will be able to be separated from them in the summer. Whatever will I do? Until then, I've decided that I need a yellow and a blue one to get me by until the heat rolls in. 

This week I've entertained myself by going back through some of my old posts. As painful as it can be to see some of the bad posts I've done (come on, we've all done one or two that we haven't loved!) it is fun to see how I have changed, hopefully for the better.

Here is the post from one year ago today. Brace yourselves.

Read post here

Posing was not natural so the obvious thing for me to do was to hold up the pole with my hand and stare at the ground. I'm not perfect now by any means but I sure hope that I have improved from this! 

Also, a big thank you to Kati at Glitz and Gold for the feature. I stumbled upon her blog not too long ago and was instantly impressed with the professional layout and pictures. Check out this post she did on mixing prints. 

* If you are a new follower, please follow via Bloglovin' as Google Reader is being shut down. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Shades and Scary Trends

(Click picture to shop)

Two of my favorite colors for spring are white and blue. I love how clean and classic white looks, even when a piece is sporting a row of studs. Blue is just a fun color that is starting to become a neutral in its own right; especially with shoes. 

(Click here to shop)

As far as bloggers go, I know many of you would wear the white laser cut out heel pictured above and the next day carry the white bag with gold studs. Or even (gasp!) wear them together. I feel like as fashion bloggers, it is our job to wear the latest trends to show the world. Sure, some of you ladies out there I consider a little cooler and braver than myself. Brooke at What 2 Wear is just one of those women who can put together an awesome outfit (Look at this and tell me she is not cool!). The 'cool' girl in me (she is very small and usually squashed by the safe, classic girl) loves and appreciates the girls out there who take fashion blogging to new levels.

Before I get completely off track, I want to point out that I have readers who are not fashion bloggers that might be a little hesitant to try a bag with studs. Before we scoff in disbelief, I think we should remember that maybe at some point we might have been hesitant to try studs, or bright color, or even mixing prints.

I've heard people say that they couldn't "pull something off," but I think it's always best to start small. Any single one of these pieces would be a great starting point to your already-existing wardrobe. Baby steps. When you are comfortable with a new trend, push on to the next thing. 

I will be the first to admit that florals are what I've been scared to try. There, I said it. I'm always afraid that I am going to come off looking like Blanche Devereaux (who was fabulous... in the 80s). But I've decided to be brave and try it. Eek. So you people have to hold me accountable, okay? What trend are you currently wearing or planning to wear that you were scared to try? It's okay to admit it. We are all friends here.

Have a great day!