Nasty Gal

Badda Bing, Badda Boom!

Ladies, i have found thEee 'It' website for all things 'GORG'.  I completely fell in love with this website and all the eye catching fashion items! It's called Nasty Gal.  Its not porn, or the name of some hot stripper. It's the Holy Grail for Broke Fashion!!
They sell this amazing, super fab, Ostrich feather collar for $100. Things that you could not find anywhere else. You must, MUST, go on the website and check it out for yourself.

They carry vintage, shoes, accessories, you name it! I wish i could buy everything off their website. Everything on there is so unique and I'm sure you will find something that goes with your sense of style.

Now stop reading and click on the link! Go. Now.



You can thank me later!

Heels & kisses,

Nadia

New Years Resolution = LIFESTYLE RESOLUTION

I don't want to make a New Years Resolution, i want to make a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.  In 2012, and from now on for the rest of my life, i will focus on the following things:

1. Save Money:

My goal is to start saving more. That means, i will go on a top ramen, bean burrito, and water diet until i hit my savings goal. Because after all, i am a single mother and i am the ONLY provider. Hopefully, by the end of the year i wont feel like i am living check to check anymore!

2. Travel More:

My passion in life, aside from Tyler and eating, is traveling!! I love me some traveling! If you said to me: "Nadia, do you wanna go on vacati-...." I wouldn't even let you finish the sentence because i will be on Kayak.com searching for flights!! I want to go to Anguilla, Paris, London and Chicago this upcoming year. If that means, having a glass of fat free milk and a bean burrito for dinner every night, bet your ass i will! That's my goal. If i hit at least two of those destinations, i will be a happy jet setter :)

3. Be a better person:

I am a very loyal friend. I am. I'm a Leo. I am very good to those around me. I have a heart of gold and cannot be more loving. But- i need to be a better person. I need to learn how to always, always, be better than i was yesterday. I want to start "Paying it forward" from now on.

4. Live in the moment:

I need to learn how to stop controlling every little thing in my life and simply "let go". I need to laugh more, love more, and enjoy more.

5. Challenge myself more:
I need to challenge myself more. I want to write a book on my life. I want to blog more. I want to be the best at what i do. I want to read more. I want to dedicate more time to my son. I want to volunteer at a charity. I want to do productive things with my talented friends. I want to be more disciplined with my time. Only one person will understand when i say this: (i am referring to you) "Time is my biggest commodity". Time is money. Time is everything to me and i am done wasting it. I need to be more productive with how i spend my time. I need to self educate myself more. Because at the end of the day, if I dont challenge myself more, i have nothing. My confidence derives off of accomplishments. If i cannot accomplish these things, i have no confidence. And if i have no confidence... i am not Nadia.

In conclusion: i am an amazing woman. No one can take that away from me and my goal from now on is to focus on MYSELF! Because at the end of the day i must realize... "The purpose of our lives is to be happy" -DL. I must never forget that.

Cheers to 2011, to the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the unforgettable memories that made me into who i am right now. Here's to a very amazing, adventurous, unforgettable 2012.

Heels & Kisses,

Nadia

Happy Holidays!

It's been a while!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (whether you celebrate it or not)!! Nadia & I went to Disneyland just before Christmas and had a blast.

The Disney-freak I am, I arrived at rope drop. I walked around New Orleans Square by myself and went to visit Jack & Sally at the Haunted Mansion.

img via flickr

Nadia and her son showed up shortly thereafter. When we met up she told me that he was expecting to go to Chuck E. Cheese and that he hated Disneyland! What kid hates Disneyland?! HA! I promised him that by the end of the day he'd have a blast and that he wouldn't think Disneyland was so bad ;)

2 broke LA girls out and about at Disneyland :)

The little one who swore he hated Disneyland :p

Look who started having fun :D

The princess in her natural habitat ;)

It got SUPER cold, really fast. 

By the end of Fantasmic, we were both so exhausted. We did a little bit of shopping at World of Disney, and of course I can't leave without a bag (or three lol) of the AMAZING kettle corn from the Planet Popcorn cart in Downtown Disney.

We hope everyone has a wonderful new year!  We hope to bring you lots of great finds and fabulous deals. We heart you!

Heels & Kisses

XO,

Nadia & Janea

These boots were made for walking

I LOOOOOOVEEE downtown LA. There is something so beautiful about it. F*** Beverly Hills, F*** West Hollywood, downtown LA has my name written all over it.

I used to go to school, work, and play in downtown. I love this city. It is unique, beautiful, charismatic, and charming.

Lately, I've been looking for a pair of casual boots. I have searched high and low for them and have not come across a pair i love. So i decided to head to downtown LA since i love the fashion scene there.

I found two amazing stores; Bliss shoe store and Lola's Shoetique.

I found these amazing boots. It was love at first sight. I knew i immediately had to buy them. The guy quoted me $40. My instinct was to 'keep shopping' (although normally, i would've yelled out. "DEAL!!!! I'LL TAKE THEM") He saw me put the boots away and i told him i would keep looking around, he then said: "I'll give them to you for $32, will you pay cash?". And i glowed of happiness. For some odd reason, sellers in downtown LA love cash shoppers.

So i walked out happily with my awesome pair of boots that i paid $32 bucks for!

Look how happy i am in this picture! lol (Yes, i made the sales girl take a picture of me)

I walked over to Lola's and the sales staff apparently must be all family. The 16 year old boy who helped me was a little hustler. I got my sister a pair of dark brown boots for $25 bucks flat! What a freaking deal!

I normally am a 'quality-over-quantity' type of girl and i must say 'times are changing'. Shopping in downtown LA changed my views. Not because its cheap but because i saw so many young girls shopping on a budget. I had a lot of 'stares' and looks from young girls. This 17 year old girl came up to me and asked me where i got my clothes. It was flattering but it felt so real. Because 10 years ago. I was that girl. I know I'm going off the subject, and I'm pretty random in the way i write these blogs. But i just want to remind you, don't ever forget the girl you were 10 years ago. Don't ever forget that you were once shopping on a budget. Don't ever lose your sense of fashion because of brand names.


Stay true to your sense of fashion instinct even when you shop on a budget. If you just bought yourself a pair of $32 boots, make sure you strut the shit out of those boots. Because there are so many girls that cant even afford to buy $32 pair of boots. I used to be one of them. Don't let the girl next to you who is holding a Prada bag, wearing Christian Louboutin heels, and a DVF dress intimidate you. Stay confident in what you wear. You are not your clothes. Don't ever forget where you came from, or who you are.

Heels & Kisses,

Nadia

Bliss || 1129 Santee Alley Los Angeles 90015 || 213.747.1812

Lola's Shoetique || 1155 Santee street Los Angeles 90015 || 213.745.6632 || http://www.lolashoetique.com/

The new "it" bag: A Cloth Tote

Today i was reading the New York Times Style section and i came about this article that talked about Totes and how they are a staple in our purse wardrobe.

As i was reading it, i thought about how essential cloth totes are and how we take them for granted because what we really wish for are Hermes Birkin bags, Patent Leather LV's, and the Oh-so-fabulous Chanel Purse!

The raggedy cloth tote, just sits there collecting dust and cookie crumbs. Perhaps its used to carry our school books, magazines, or anything we might throw in there. But still- it is neglected. Not glorified like these other gorgeous bags. Why is that? Sure we get them for free, as a gift with our 'Lancome' purchase, or even sometimes gifted to us because it was $5 bucks and too good to pass up.

We should notice these cloth totes and glorify their true uniqueness.

I was gifted this cloth tote over a year ago. Its my favorite:
It's from a book store in NYC.

I love the boldness and character it brings to my everyday outfit.

So next time, you want to save up for an LV, realize that since we are still in a recession, we should glorify our raggedy old cloth totes and recognize the character they bring to our persona :)

Heels & Kisses,

Nadia

Blanket Statement

I'm in love. My boyfriend's mother introduced us to these blankets and now I want to buy them for EVERYONE!  They are incredibly soft and are the coziest, snuggliest, warmest blankets I've ever owned.

A few weeks ago we tried out many dozens of blankets at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Macy's, etc. but when I felt these little bundles of joy at her house over Thanksgiving I needed to know IMMEDIATELY where I could get my hands on one of my own.

"Sam's Club," she replied. WOMP!! I have never been a fan of the Wal*Mart corporation and have never personally patronized the company, however...I really did have to make an exception for these.

They are only $18 and worth every. single. penny. We went back to Sam's Club and got two for ourselves, one in caramel and one in blue.  They have replaced the SNUGGIE as my cuddle buddy!  I even sleep with the blanket since it has been so fricken cold in LA the last few weeks!

Now...if anyone can show me an equally warm, cozy, snuggly, and comfy blanket at a similar price and is made in America, then I'll gladly welcome the suggestion. For now I will curl up in the softness from the Evil Empire lol.

XO
Janea

Broke Holidays

If you're reading this, you're most likely broke. Thats ok, so am i ;)

I love the holidays. The music, the smell, the decorations, but most of all, because i get to give presents to the people i love.

I have put together a small list of cheap items you can buy for people.

1. Fabulous Pouch from Papaya Art $19.00

2. $17.95 H&M top3. $5.80 for ring at Forever 21
4. Anne Taintor Flask $21.95 (SOMEONE PLEASE BUY ME THIS!) 5. The power of now. Found at Amazon starting from $9.95

And remember, its the thought that counts, NOT the price tag! So if its just simply writing on a $4 dollar card to someone telling them you love them, or framing an old picture of someone as a gift, or just a simple hug, its about the meaning behind it all: Taking the time to appreciate the people that mean the most in your life.

Happy Shopping!

Heels & kisses,
Nadia

Happily Ever After B.S.

A very close, close friend of mine recently broke up with her boyfriend of 5 years.

We had a conversation about our loves lives and how it didn't come out as planned. (if my life came out as planned, i would've been a 27 year old millionaire, living in a sick apartment in Manhattan, being such a bitch while running my own, wearing Christian Louboutin heels, and being the ultimate socialite!! A total Samantha from Sex and the City) That was my dream :/

She said: "Whats wrong with us? Why arent we married yet?"

I sat there in silence as a few tears rolled down my cheek and i really processed her comment. I said: "There's nothing wrong with us! It simply wasnt in the cards for us. But its not the end of the world."

That for me was a wake up call.

If you know me, you know that despite being such a huge feminist and pro 'Girl-Power', i believe in true love. I am a hopeless romantic in every way. In my eyes, the more imperfect a love might be, the more romantic it is. (Think: Pride & Prejudice)

I have read this book that has helped me so much these last few weeks. Its called the 'Power of Now'.

I love it. It has helped me truly figure out what it is that will make me happy. And it isnt love. It isnt Prince Charming, or that happily ever after b.s. Its me! I can make myself happy.

We have been raised to believe in Disney fairy tales, Prince charmings, glass slippers, a 5 carat Cartier diamond ring, a beautiful wedding, raising kids, getting married at 27 and buying a home. We put so much emphasis on these things without realizing it.

But what does it all mean? Does it mean that if you receive all these things that this is true love? That somehow it will bring you everlasting happiness?

I am not knocking anyone down who is in love, but i hope i am being clear as to what i'm trying to say.

Sometimes, you have to let go in everything we ever believed in, order to realize that there is a bigger purpose as to why were all here.

I know that i dont want to be alone for the rest of my life. I want to grow old with someone and share my life with him. I hope i find him. But.... what if it doesnt happen? and somehow we miss each other... and we never meet... is it really the end of the world?

I hope for the holiday season... you can pick up this book. Lose yourself in it. And i hope you find your true meaning and your life purpose. Its called the 'Power of now' by Eckhart Tolle.

I have realized my life purpose: which is to love, be happy, and travel the world.

Heels & kisses,

Nadia

Life....

I once read..."Life isnt measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away".

I can now say,.... that i have lived a good life.

My life isnt perfect. I'm certainly not perfect. I've had my share of hard struggles. I now call them blessings. If it wasnt for those moments i experienced... i wouldnt be the woman i am right this second.

Sometimes, i wonder why things happen the way they do....I know that life and love can be hard sometimes.

If you ever have one of those days... like i'm having today... you must know... that your life's purpose is to love and be happy. Nothing will ever be picture perfect. But dont give up. Keep believing in love and keep dreaming. Because... one day... that moment will come... when you realize that all those hard times were now worth it. And that person will love you for all that you are and all that youre not.

Dont ever stop believing. Love with all your heart. And.... always... always... be happy.

Heels & kisses,

Nadia