Guess Who is featured on Daily Buzz!!!...

Morning Plummies! I'm pleased that Daily Buzz featured Yours Truly along with these fabulous ladies as this week's New Bloggers:

Sarah from Mocha Soy Whippy

Nikki from My Style Diaries

Sally Ann & Molly from A Piece of Toast

Check out their adorable blogs <3

Cheers to cultivating our passions and immersing ourselves in creativity! I hope that all you Plummies do the same, and never give up on trying something new (even if you are scared to do it, or worried about what others may think.) Do what makes your heart happy!

PS. Yay, I am reppin' for all the brunettes out there!

Remember this:

                             etsy.com

Bella Sole Foldable Flats

Top of the week to you! Aren't these flats adorable!? This past weekend I went out for drinks with some girlfriends. I was wearing a new pair of heels, and by the end of the night my feet wear killing me! I wish I had remembered to pack my Bella Sole foldable flats in my clutch. 

Bella Sole makes cute flats that are so compact, I can literally take them everywhere and anywhere with me. Another reason I love them...they are super affordable! (You know me, and my budget!) You can wear them casually (like I did above), wear them while running errands, tuck them in your clutch when you go out dancing, so your feet have relief by the end of the evening. Also, don't forget to always keep an extra pair in your car just in case. Check out what essentials I keep in my car at all times.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT...Right now, Bella Sole is offering a 50% Discount to all you Plummies until Valentine's day, Just remember to "Like" Bella Sole on their official Facebook page. Then enter the code: "BellaPlummies50" at check out. 

Happy Shopping!

Snappyshots: Mmm, Mmm, Good!

Happy Weekend Plummies! Here are some quick snaps of things I chomped on this week! The tiramisu, caprese salad and veggie bagel sandwich all came from local neighborhood restaurants. Yay for supporting small businesses! I find that the true food gems are usually small mom and pop shops which are right under my nose! 

Eat well everyone & enjoy this weekend!

To Tea, or Not to Tea?

Morning Plummies! I know that many people drink coffee to jump start the day...but how about tea in the a.m.? I usually drink tea in the evening as a way to wind down and relax before bed time. I often drink green tea, camomile, or chai. 

A fairly new one that I have incorporated into my tea rotation is an amazingly delicious one by Aveda. It is naturally sweetened because it contains licorice root (I usually dislike the taste of licorice, but trust me, it is divine!) It's yummy either brewed and enjoyed hot, or chilled and enjoyed cold. Aveda offers their tea in either teabag or loose leaf form. I'm a fan of teabags because I often stash some in my purse so that I can enjoy a cup throughout my work day. FYI: You do get more product in the loose leaf form.

What are your favorite teas?

                   

Daily & Weekly Lists

                                    Source: lifes-a-journal.com

                                              Source: lifes-a-journal.com     

    

                                   Source: lifes-a-journal.com         

                                   Source: lifes-a-journal.com

For as long as I can remember, I have been big on making daily To-Do lists. I am pretty sure it is a skill that I picked up from my mom; She has always been very organized, and on top of things. I am glad that I have acquired this habit over the years, because it is what keeps me sane during all the hectic-ness of grad school (and life in general). I usually create my to-do list before bed, or during my morning coffee.

Recently, I came across Dani's blog: Life's A Journal, which offers great daily, weekly, and grocery lists that she created herself! These cute lists are a great supplement to any iPhone calendar or reminder. There is just something about physically writing down a list and checking things off after it has been completed that gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment!...Don't you agree?!

If you're interested in free printable versions of Dani's Week-At-A-Glance pages, click here. For free printable versions of her Daily Lists, click here. If you'd rather purchase packs of these neat lists, you can click here.  Or, if these don't float your boat, you can always create your own to accommodate your lifestyle. 

How do you stay on top of your to-do's?

Sneak Peek: DIY Project

inthecitywithcrystalin.com

Hello lovely Plummies! Above is a quick lil' sneak peek of a DIY project that I am conjuring up for ya. Stay tuned for the finished project. Fingers crossed that it turns out well...

Have a gorgeous day!

Xo, Sheel

                                                       

Detox Yo' Self

                    cancancleanse.com

Happy Tuesday, lovely Plummies! The holidays recently ended, and if you are like me, you may have indulged on one-to-many sugar cookies, glasses of wine, and chocolate truffles. Now you might be feeling a bit lethargic...so, detox cleanses are ideal during the month of January. Have you ever done a juice cleanse? Basically, cleanses are periods of time (usually 1 - 7 days) when an individual consumes only raw fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts in liquid form. This is usually done in an effort to rid the body of toxins and boost energy (Not to loose weight; However, you may lose a couple pounds during the cleanse).

                  cancancleanse.com

While reading one of my favorite blogs Apartment 34, I came across a post wherein Mrs. E introduced the 

Can-Can Cleanse, which is a fabulous company based in San Francisco that equips you with either a 1-day, or 3-day supply of juiced veggies, nuts, fruits, soups and teas. If you are not in the San Francisco bay area, you can simply follow the Can-Can Cleanse regimen and create your own cleanse at home (of course you need a juicing machine; I have the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer, which was about $100 from Target.) 

Happy Juicing! :)

                           weeklygreens.com 

*Of course, consult with a doctor before beginning any new health regimen. 

Look for Less: Midi Skirt & Leopard

belt, sunnies, skirt: thrifted

t-shirt: Target

heels: Jessica Simpson

bag: Pink Zone

Happy Monday, Plummies! I hope your weekend was rejuvenating. (How 'bout those football games huh?) Anyway, I had the opportunity to spend last Friday and Saturday at a conference with classmates, went out for happy hour, and had dinner and drinks with girlfriends. Today I have a dentist appointment...fingers crossed that they don't find any cavities!

Above is my version of the look below. Of course, I was able to find all the pieces for much less!

Look for Less: Midi Skirt & Leopard by sheilaho featuring a black quilted bag

Splendid heather grey shirt, $40
J W Anderson wool pleated skirt,
Steve madden heels, $90
Chanel black quilted bag
Michael Kors clear crystal earrings, $95
Silver bangle
Alexander McQueen silk shawl,
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture, $30
O.P.I Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Lacquer, $8.50

Cha-Ching!: Money Talk

Cha-Ching!: Money Talk by sheilaho featuring leather wallets

Marc by Marc Jacobs leather wallet

Hey there, Plummies! Let's have a money conversation...

My mom taught my siblings and I how to be smart with our money. She taught us that: "Money does not grow on trees", and that we should: "Always try to save up for a rainy day". She would give us a weekly allowance of $5 upon completion of all our household chores. After weeks of saving up, we would be able to buy any toys our hearts desired.

Now-a-days, I am constantly attempting to hold on to those same money lessons. 

• I try not to spend more than I earn. 
• When possible, I shop either discounted or second-hand. 
• I try to pay off my credit card every month...otherwise, I will be paying tons of interest! (*Opening a couple credit cards in your own name is necessary for building good credit, and is great for emergencies; However, be smart about using them!)
• Every six months I take an inventory of what I spend, then I cut back on what seems unnecessary (i.e: I do not have cable at home; I just don't have the time to watch, and the internet seems to have it all!)
• Most importantly, I create a realistic budget that I can stick to! 

The most brilliant way that I have found to help me manage my finances and create a budget is with Mint. It helps me: track all of my spending habits, organize automated bill payments, plan my college loan repayments, and even helps me plan for vacations and retirement! It is free, so you should probably get on board, like...right now! 

Click here to begin being smart with your own money.

What tips do you have in regards to money?

Two Week Challenge: COMPLETED

Mission Accomplished! The 2 Week Challenge is complete! How did all of you do? It went rather well for me, but honestly, I was only able to workout 10 out of the 14 days due to my hectic schedule on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But hey, that means I averaged to workout 5 days out of the week...not bad. Life is not about perfection, but about giving things your best :)

Anyhow, I wanted to share with all you Plummies a great website that I stumbled upon, It's called Random Abs, and it gives you a new ab workout everyday (complete with video tutorials!) Summer is coming up sooner than I think...and I have a couple new bikinis that I am excited to wear...

What are some ways you like to exercise?

Shopping Mode

Happy Thursday, Plummies! Today I don't have any obligations, and I am going to take time to relax and recharge before the last school semester of my master's program begins. I love it when I have a free day during the week because I feel as though the streets are clear, the stores are empty, and the city is all mine! 

Today's Agenda: morning workout, meet with a professor, a bit of shopping (I need some new pants), perhaps dinner date with the boyfriend, then catch a movie. 

Any movie suggestions? I'm curious, what do you do when you have a free day?

Car Essentials

My life is very busy. I am constantly running errands, attending meetings, going to and from class and work...a big chunk of my day is spent traveling to those various places in my car. That is why it makes sense to utilize and stock my car in a way that makes life convenient and functional. Above is a video of Maria Menounous (one of my role models), as she explains what things are crucial to keep in your car. 

An organized car = An organized life    

Below, is a list of things that I keep in my car, and you might want to keep in your car too!

• driver's license and registration (photocopy's of both)
• notepad and pen
• water bottle
• granola bars
• flash light
• umbrella
• sweater
• hat
• coins
• sunblock
• navigation system (I have an affordable Magellan, that sticks right on my windshield.)
• earbuds (so you can talk on your phone hands-free)
• cell phone charger
• flats (for when your heels need to come off!)
• flip-flops (for the unexpected pedi...I hate the flimsy ones that they give you at the salon.)
• gym bag (fully stocked, so you have no excuse to squeeze in that workout.)
• re-usable grocery bags
• overnight bag (equipped with: toothbrush, change of clothes, makeup basics, travel size toiletries) 

Everyday Makeup Kit

Hello Plummies, I hope your Tuesday is going well. Today I thought I would share with you what's in my daily makeup kit. I like to keep my makeup pretty fresh and neutral when going to work and class. I leave the elaborate stuff, like: false-lashes, bright eyeshadows, and dramatic lips for parties and events. Almost all the products I use on a daily-basis can be found in drugstores...a girl has gotta keep a budget, ya know?! I have been using many of these brands for years, and have found them to be comparable to many high-end brands. If you're interested in checking out my day and night facial skin care regimen click here.

What are some of your favorite everyday makeup products? 

M·A·C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $27
M·A·C 'Prep + Prime' Vibrancy Eye Primer, $30
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil 0.21 oz Hydrating Mineral Veil, $20
Anastasia Brow Wiz Medium Ash, $20
Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo ($30 Value) AM/PM, $7
Expert Wear Eye Shadow Duos- Maybelline New York-Beauty-Eyes-Eyeshadow
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara : Target, $4.24

Intant Cup-O-Joe!

                                                                               Source: hannaskoog.com

Happy Monday, Plummies! Well, I sure do love my daily cup of deliciousness. Trips to Starbucks use to be a routine of mine (a rather pricey routine). Then, two years ago my boyfriend was nice enough to get me a Nespresso machine, which makes the most perfect lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos. It put Starbucks brews to shame (Sorry, Bucks). However, when I run out of my Nespresso capsules, or simply don't have time to fire up the Nespresso, I grab my trusty San Mig Instant Coffee packets (found at most Asian supermarkets). These nifty little packs are perfect for mornings that I literally have NO TIME, because they already have the actual coffee, creamer, and sugar included. When I am pressed for time, I just throw the pack in my purse and then prepare my cup when I get to either work or school. 

Xo, Sheel

The Look for Less: Quirky Denim & Red

Denim & Red by sheilaho 

Dr Denim shirts blouse, $60
Rich & Skinny skinny leg jeans, $71
Miz Mooz leather shoes, $90
Alexander Wang duffle bag, $875
Ball earrings, $41
Michele gold tone watch
Ray-Ban wayfarer shades, $123
Monsoon cable beanie, £11
M·A·C Matte Lipstick, $15

beanie: F21

glasses, chambray shirt, purse, scarf, bracelet: thrifted

jeggings: Juicy Couture

watch: Invicta

Happy Weekend! Words cannot express how grateful I am to all of you Plummies for supporting Lady in Plum! Your kind words of encouragement and love has meant so much to this newbie blogger. Thank you! XOXO

PS. What posts do you want to see more of? Food? Travel? Outfits? Organization?
I have a DIY coming soon...so stick around ;)

Much <3, Sheel

Trip: Goat Farm

A couple friends and I took a trip to a local goat farm this past weekend. It was so much fun and the ladies who own it were kind enough to tour us around and explain the process of breeding and caring for goats. We even got a chance to hold 3 week old "kids" (that's the term for baby goats). Before leaving the farm, we were able to buy fresh goat milk, homemade jam, duck eggs, grapefruits, and the sweetest clementines I have ever tasted.

Do you have farms near you? If so, I suggest that you pay them a visit. By supporting local farms, we are not only eating healthier, but we are also learning about animals and agriculture, investing in our local producers, and being kinder to our environment. So go ahead, visit your local farms!