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OMG, SHOES.

August 14, 2016by seeitwithsami1 Comment

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS POST.

Tell me something more important than finding the perfect pair of snakeskin booties. I have really tried to ponder this yet nothing seems to come to mind.

My fellow fashion loving friend Nicole, and myself (check out her blog) have been on the search for some snakeskin booties. However, not breaking the bank was also a goal of ours. Who comes to the rescue of course?! Free People.

I know what you’re thinking. How can not breaking the bank and Free People be in the same sentence? Sales, sales, sales. A few weeks back Free People was having an extra 50% off of their sale section, and I picked up snakeskin booties, a fringe bag, and an awesome belt for SO CHEAP. I was living. Check it √

Beautiful right!? This sparked such inspiration within me and I just knew what had to be done. A back to school lookbook that is! I am slightly broken hearted to even mutter the words back to school, but that time is among us we need to face it head on!

Every outfit was focused around these snakeskin booties and I LOVE the way these looks came out. The amazing James Conley took these photos and I highly recommend checking out his website as well as his Instagram for more great stuff —> philatawgrapher.

Let us get into the lookbook shall we!

Look 1:

Clearly all about those neutrals. For both of our looks, we kept it simple with black jeans with rips at the knees. Nicole is sporting a throwback Harley Davidson off the shoulder crop top with AMAZING Free People sunnies that I need in my life despite my oddly shaped head. To finish it off, of course the bejeweled belt and snakeskin booties.

For myself, I wore my new favorite LF inspired tee with the ties going all the way down the front. Its super long so I tucked it into the front of the jeans so that the belt would still be visible. I wore my black Topshop choker as well as my metallic sunglasses from Forever 21.

thumbnail_IMG_3647 — Photo By: James Conley

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THESE DETAIL SHOTS THOUGH!

Look 2:

Still keeping things quite neutral. For this look, Nicole and I still decided to let the shoes do the talking, I mean.. look at em. Nicole paired a black see through chiffon top with the same pants and belt, while I threw on my classic Urban Outfitters tee that is so slouchy and comfortable.

thumbnail_IMG_3664 — Photo By: James Conley

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Look 3:

My personal favorite look. Yes it is a bit more on the wild side, but sometimes you just have to step out of the box even if it is for a school day.. (coming from the girl who wears workout clothes everyday, woops). For this look I paired my new Forever 21 red slightly bell sleeved top with the classic black jeans.

As you can see, every look changes one item, which is the top. You can completely transform an outfit by simply changing one item and not breaking the bank. A pair of black jeans can go a really long way! The choker, belt, shoes and sunglasses remained the same:)

thumbnail_IMG_3681 — Photo By: James Conley

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Bonus Look 4: !!TREND ALERT!!

More of the lady in red. After laying all of my outfits out I realized I had beige and red in front of me. I’m not exactly sure how that happened but hey let’s go with it. I found this amazing blazer vest just a few days ago on sale at Lord and Taylor. I’ve seen these vests everywhere and absolutely love the way I’ve seen them styled. I may or may not have also purchased it in white…

I threw on a black tight tank with the vest right on top. Not only does this give off a sophisticated feel, but it was very lightweight and comfortable. Not to mention it can be styled so many ways and bring you well into the colder seasons.

thumbnail_IMG_3654 — Photo By: James Conley

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Ending it off with my favorite photo with this beauty! So excited about this collab blog post with Nicole. Be sure to check out her blog post coming very soon including more pics from this fabulous, yet 1000 degree day.

Meet you here again soon,

Sami

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Summertime, and the Livin’s Easy

August 4, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

Ah, glorious summer. The most convenient season of the year, where limited clothing is always better and rompers are a girls very best friend. I cherish a good romper when I find one, and love having plenty to chose from at my fingertips. My latest shopping sprees have been based around this wonderful piece of clothing, and I have successfully found a few that I love!

Today however, I am going to be talking about one in particular. I found it for under 20 dollars at Forever 21, (YES, Forever 21!!). It is possible to find some good pieces there, despite my streak of bad luck.

This romper caught my eye because of the blue and white color scheme which has always been so appealing to me. The colors together are so clean and beautiful. Secondly, the cut of the romper. It did a nice job hugging my waist while the shorts remained flowy and comfortable. What is the best part you ask? You can’t forget about that plunging neckline! This adds such a nice touch of skin and makes it a little more risque.

Take a look!

For this look, I kept my hair out of my face by having Tali (thank you) put my hair in a bun with some nice braids. Paired with my mirrored sunglasses and glowy makeup, this was a perfect summer outfit. I added my jeweled hamsa choker which added the perfect amount of pazzaz.

Now onto Talis look!

Sticking to the blue and white theme of course (yes this was July 4th) Tali incorporated the same color scheme but in a very different way.

Tali sported another Forever 21 piece, this time it being a dress. Paired with a cream lace bralette, and red lips, it was the perfect look. For accessories, the mirrored sunglasses were a staple of course, as well as the head chain with the french braids which added a very unique and unexpected little twist (you go gurl I miss you).

Summer is the perfect time to be carefree with your outfit choices, so why not do just that!?

Bonus outfit?! Heck yes. Took some pics of this look so thought I would include just a few. Here, I am wearing a flower embroidered mesh bikini top with my new favorite pants. These pants are suppppper flowy and comfy. Not to mention the beautiful tie dye which never fails to appear in my closet each Summer. The bathing suit top is from Target, and the pants are from a local boutique. If you’re headed out, throwing on a white tee would make for the perfect look, unless you are hanging around poolside of course… a bathing suit top will do:)

More posts are on their way.. from skincare, to fitness, to more fashion! I hope you enjoyed.

Meet you here again SOON!

Sami

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Skin Skin Skin!

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016by seeitwithsami3 Comments

On a scale of one to important skincare is WAY UP there. Over the past few years I have dabbled quite a bit into the skincare world and experimented with countless products. As someone who used to struggle with acne, and still deals with having sensitive skin, I know how important it is to find products that WORK to incorporate into your skincare routine.

When talking about skincare, knowing the basics of how to care for your skin is step 1. Despite the natural course our skin takes as we age, there are definitely some tips and tricks you can incorporate into your daily life to ensure healthy looking skin! Take a look.

1. Taking off your makeup every night

(I know I know so cliche, but I promise you taking the extra step to take your makeup off makes the biggest difference. Do you really want all of your makeup, grime, grease and dirt to sink into your pores while you’re sleeping!?

2. Skincare

Make sure you are using something suited to your skin type (oily,dry, combination) Also, do not be afraid to spend a little extra money on skincare, it is an investment that will be well worth it.

Helps to make sure you removed all of the makeup and dirt off after you washed it. You’d be surprised at how much makeup is left on your face!

4. Drinks lots and lots of water

I cannot stress how important water is, not only for skincare but for your entire body and will make a huge difference in the clarity of your skin.

5. Using a soothing/calming face mask one to two times a week

A few times a week I make sure to apply a soothing face mask which definitely helps to keep it clear and smooth!

6. Exfoliating

If you have sensitive skin like myself, make sure you don’t exfoliate more than once or twice a week because it will irritate your skin!

7. Changing your pillowcase

Every few weeks changing your pillowcase that you sleep with is a great trick to ensure clear skin!

8. Cleaning up your diet

The food you feed your body affects you in more ways than one. Chances are if your diet consists of lots and lots of junk food and non nutritious food, your skin reflects that. Cleaning up your diet will make a massive difference and clear up those breakouts.

9. SPF

This is me telling myself to take my own advice. I have to say, with this one I don’t practice what I preach but that will change! SPF is essential especially if you are spending your days in the brutal sun. Whether it be a sunscreen, or foundation, having some SPF in there does wonders for the skin.

10. Cleaning your face immediately after working out

A staple in my gym bag are my facial wipes. Immediately after finishing my workout I do a quick cleanse in case I can’t make it home to shower after working out. That way, the sweat isn’t clogging up your pores.

Now for my skincare routine 🙂

A little back story… My skin type is combination, however definitely leaning more towards oily. When I was 16 I went to the dermatologist for the first time and was prescribed two medications to help clear up my skin which worked great! However, when you use a product for a long period of time your skin starts to get used to it and in turn, stops combating the problem, which resulted in another trip to the dermatologist. This time, with different topicals that did the trick yet again. My skin is very clear 95% of the time except for the occasional breakout which is totally normal.

After a lot of research, and reading of reviews I have been using the products below for months now and absolutely love them. If you are in the market for new skincare I would definitely recommend you stop by your local Sephora for a try! Links to everything are below, so you can read about these products for yourself, read reviews and maybe even purchase a few.

Face wash- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Morning Moisturizer – Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Night Moisturizer- Origins High- Potency Night-A-Mins

Eye Serum (optional, preventative)- Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Eye Serum

Face Toner- Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

Facial Cleansing Wipes- Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Altering your routine in the slightest way for the better can make such a drastic difference. Skin is so important and deserves the best care! I hope you have enjoyed.

Meet you here again soon,

Sami

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So fresh, so clean.

June 6, 2016June 6, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

Summer is the ultimate time to break out those white kicks. White shoes are all the rage right now and I can’t say that I haven’t purchased a few myself. These two pairs in particular are the best options for the summertime and can be paired with absolutely everything! Take a look.

White Nike Roshes– I have been lusting over all white roshes for the longest time and finally decided to grab them! I love how fresh and clean they are not to mention they are so comfortable. They go with everything and are the perfect pair of sneakers to throw on with a casual outfit, or even to catch your workout in.

2. White Birkenstocks– Saw that these “beach” birkenstocks were being released while scrolling through social media and then found them at Nordstrom. They have a variety of colors like red, blue, black etc. However I fell in love with the white. I have been wearing these nonstop and they are so comfortable. Not to mention they are a fraction of the price of normal birkenstocks. Got these bad boys for 35 dollars!!!

There is a really good chance i’ll be living in these two pairs of shoes all summer long. What shoes are you living in this summer!?

Catch ya here next time,

-Sami

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Factory Finds

April 4, 2016April 4, 2016by seeitwithsami5 Comments

I can’t quite express my love for simplicity enough. I have a knack for buying an abundance of clothes I don’t need and then wearing the same few pieces over and over again. Why? Because it’s easy, simple, comfortable, and I have a severe shopping problem which in turn means I’m spending money I don’t have on a daily basis.

In addition to simplicity, I love the look of streetwear. When I’m not in workout clothes, you will see me in leggings and a graphic tee with some sneakers.What better way to pass along some inspo than with some sick pics taken in an abandoned factory, right?

Yes, I did just say abandoned factory and yes, it was as cool as it sounds. Take a look!

Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH — Photo by Matt Iwasko

What was left of the walls were COVERED in graffiti, and the non existent floors made for some really sweet spaces for a few photos.

On this day, I decided to keep my look super simple. I am wearing a pair of black ripped jeans that you can literally find anywhere, and a Norton graphic tee which I believe was purchased from either Bloomingdales or Nordstrom. I finished it off with some black converse, and lightly curled hair.

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset — Photo by Gina South

Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 preset — Photo by Matt Iwasko

Meet Nicole » My insanely stylish, talented and cool friend who also has an amazing blog that you MUST check out over on Wanderess World, as well as on Instagram (nicole_currier). Nicole wore a stylin outfit that I just love love love. She paired some denim shorts with a pair of black tights, knee high socks and white high top converse. On top, she wore an amazing Rolling Stones vintage tee with a light washed denim jacket thrown on top. Not to mention Nicole’s silver coin necklace that topped off the look perfectly.

Keeping your look simple is always a safe bet when you are not sure what to throw on. More times than not I resort to my basic ways because I know it just works for me. The amount of graphic and vintage shirts that are at our fingertips nowadays is unreal, and can make for some amazing looks.

Meet you here again soon,

Sami

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Feeling Fringy?

March 14, 2016March 14, 2016by seeitwithsami8 Comments

Has anyone else noticed the comeback that fringe has made!? Whether it is on a bag, jacket, or vest I swear it is EVERYWHERE, and I am so not mad about it.

I did some shopping about a month ago at Lord & Taylor and copped this amazing fringe leather jacket for SUCH a great deal (I believe it is no longer available after doing some research). I absolutely love this piece and the variety it can easily bring to one’s wardrobe.

LOOK NUMBER ONE:

Need I say more!?!? This jacket speaks for itself. For this outfit, I chose to keep my entire outfit black and white themed because let’s be real, do I ever wear anything else? I paired my classic Adidas logo tee with a simple pair of black Lululemon Align Pants (CHANGED MY LIFE), and simple white Converse. Not to mention, I topped it off with my favorite pair of Ray Bans that never fail to make me feel as hipster as they come. For both of these looks, any graphic tee would do the job. You can incorporate as much or as little color into these looks depending on your personal style. I did some research and found some really cool graphic tees on Colabination. Not to mention, FREE SHIPPING! What what!

LOOK NUMBER TWO:

In case you are a bit on the wild side unlike me on most days, you may incorporate some color into your life. That was my goal when helping Tali put together her ever so cute outfit. Tali is sporting some burnt orange colored jeans from Pacsun, paired with a graphic bullhorn tank from Nordstrom. (Plenty more graphic tees over on Colabination). Over the tank we threw on the black fringe jacket of course, and paired it with some simple white chucks for the shoes. I personally love how stark and bold the jacket looks with the neutral warm tones that the pants and top provide. I think it calls for a really unexpected and western feel to an otherwise simple outfit.

Although the winter months have just come to an end, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself when it comes to textures, fringe, color palettes etc. You never know the type of outfit that can come out of a little experimentation.

Anyways, feel free to check out my Instagram @slsandler in case you are interested in seeing some more pics there, as well as Tali’s of course @talitangir.

Meet you here again soon all,

Sami

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Daring With Denim

March 8, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

What is more classic than a denim jacket? I have been looking for the ultimate denim jacket for some time now.. but I REFUSE to pay 50 dollars for a distressed denim jacket that I could make myself. Plus.. I wanted do something a little funky with my denim jacket. PATCH IT UP!

I’ve seen some bomb patched denim jackets all over Tumblr and was dying to have one of my own. I figured the only thing I would need was a denim jacket and some patches, and I was right!

SO… if you care to make one of these bad boys for yourself, keep reading!

Firstly, head out to your local thrift store and search for that denim jacket! I went to a local thrift store and found one pretty easily which I was actually kind of surprised about. It was $7.99! Holler for a dollar am I right!

Next, the fun part.

So, luckily patches are kind of a thing right now and you can find them at places like Michaels Craft Store & Jo-Ann Fabrics. This was super convenient considering I am a person that needs to complete something once I have an idea in my head. So I headed on out to both stores and picked up some sick patches that I thought would totally personalize my jacket.

I also found some really cool ones on Amazon and Etsy and ordered those. I feel like this is a project that will be never ending, and I kind of like that. Years to come when I spot a cool patch I can just iron it on and keep the collection growing which is cool to think about.

This denim jacket has been my SAVIOR ever since I made it. I didn’t realize how many outfits this jacket would be the perfect addition to, but it was a pleasant surprise. Not only just some simple leggings and a v-neck, but even thrown over top of a sweater, you can not go wrong!

I have spotted denim patched jackets so much lately whether it be on the streets of Soho, or ALL over Instagram. They are a trend ready to explode and I am confident will never go out of style.

I hope you’re feeling inspired and jazz up a basic denim jacket up for yourself. You will not regret it (just one step closer to fitting in with a motorcycle gang which is a plus).

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Protein Pancakes for the Win!

January 15, 2016January 15, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

PROTEIN PANCAKES. Where have they been all my life!?!?

Today I will be sharing with you how I created my first successful batch of protein pancakes! I used two items and a child could do this but hey, why not share.

HOW TO:

Mix one cup of Kodiak Cakes mix (shown below, purchased mine at Target), with one cup of water
Mix together to create your pancake mix (for thicker pancakes use less water)
If you would like to add more flavor you can add vanilla extract or peanut butter however I kept it plain!
Pour mix onto your pan (spray non-stick spray prior & set stove to medium temperature)
Let mix sit about one minute on each side then flip over until it is golden brown/a little dark
Added sliced strawberries and bananas on top and it was PERFECT! ENJOY
YOU’RE DONE!!

*Also, I successfully did 6 unassisted pull-ups at the gym today. By the end of my workout I did about 20 total and I shocked myself! A year ago I couldn’t even do one. Just goes to show ya that with hard work and dedication you get stronger mentally and physically!

Meet you here again soon,

Sami

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Outfit of the Day

January 14, 2016April 7, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

Its that time again, and no I don’t mean all of our favorite shows returning to TV, I mean the start of second semester!!!!!

Although this is semi depressing, it is also inevitable and with that, we need to wake up everyday and just be ready to take on the day!

I wanted to do an outfits of the week, however today I am dressed like an actual boy so unfortunately that is going to have to wait until next week.

But, I figured I would talk about my outfit for the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! This used to be a really big deal back in the day, and when I say back in the day I mean like 2 years ago…

The energy to pick out an outfit is going to diminish anyway so why not let it happen the second day of school ay?

JK I totally picked out a cute outfit for today, but decided to go to the gym during my break so I wore gym clothes to school. Who am I kidding.

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Turtleneck sweater: Old Navy on sale for 10 dollars! What whattttt

Leggings: Lululemon (do I wear any other form of pant????)

Shoes: Steve Madden slip ons

*Trying out the middle part cause I woke up like that (literally)

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December Favorites!

January 14, 2016January 14, 2016by seeitwithsamiLeave a Comment

Well helloooooo!

Today I will be discussing my current favorites. Or I guess my favorites from December? A December favorites.

The last few years I have controlled myself when it comes to buying new makeup. However, over the last month I really don’t know what happened but I am assuming the reason why my wallet is currently empty is because I blacked out in Sephora three too many times.

Below I have a list of my favorites of the moment, from makeup to music to food and everything in between! I hope you enjoy!

ANASTASIA BROW WIZ– This product has really changed the game for me when it comes to eyebrows. I have tried every Anastasia eyebrow product on the market thus far, and this is by far my favorite. The most precise and quick application that I have discovered and a TRUE holy grail product for me.

2. OATMEAL AND AVOCADO FACE MASK – Purchased this face mask about a month ago and I absolutely love it. I am a die hard lush fan, however this face mask being four dollars TOPS is insane. So incredibly gentle and good for your skin. I use it about two times a week and leave it on until it dries/hardens then wash it right off!

3. MAYBELLINE FIT ME CONCEALER- Instead of investing in a high end concealer from Sephora, I was on the search for a concealer from the drugstore that would still do the trick, and I found one! This concealer does a great job at covering up my under eye circles while still brightening and highlighting! I would definitely recommend setting this concealer with a powder however, because I have noticed it tends to crease in the lines under my eyes. But for the price you can’t beat it!

4. MAC WHIRL LIP LINER/FAUX LIPSTICK/VELVET TEDDY LIPSTICK– I successfully found my everyday pairing! I have heard great things about these specific colors and had to pick them up for myself and I am so glad I did! These colors are incredibly natural while giving you that “my lips but better” look. Velvet Teddy is very similar to my lip color while Faux has a pinkier mauve look, but they are both perfect paired with Whirl!

5. STATEMENT SUNGLASSES- Sunglasses are one of my favorite accessories. They can do so much for an outfit at such an affordable price. Trendy sunglasses are all the rage now, and although I have a few of my own already, it can never hurt to amp up your collection a bit.

6. SILVER COIN NECKLACE & CHOKERS- Over this past month I’ve realized that I am either wearing little to no jewelry at all, a choker necklace, or a huge statement piece. I had been lusting over the Free People coin necklace for a while but couldn’t justify spending 90 dollars on it. However, while doing some searching I found a dupe (but better) on Amazon and I LOVE IT. It’s the perfect statement necklace not to mention the quality is A+! However, if you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum and enjoy a toned down look I love chokers with crystal pendants attached. I found my first one at a flea market for a dollar but found a duplicate on Colabination🙂

Amazonite+chocker-Flea+Market+Girl-Colabination-Necklace

7. WHAT A TIME FOR MUSIC, WOW– This is a really dangerous topic because once you get me started I don’t think I have the willpower to stop. Soooo much good music came to my attention this month my ears were truly blessed.

Trap Soul- Bryson Tiller —- What an album. Some of my favorites—> Sorry Not Sorry, Exchange, Overtime, Right my Wrongs. Listen now, and thank me later.

In Return- ODESZA —- The ultimate feel good tracks. This album was my fuel when studying for finals last year, and I just forgot about it. But, it has made a return and i’m so happy it did. Love me some ODESZA. Some of my favorites—> Say My Name (obviously), All We Need, Sun Models, Always This Late.

Lastly, It would be morally wrong if I didn’t include the obvious…. Adele and Bieber. Enough said.

NOW for my favorite part… FOOD.

If you know me in real life, you’d know that I am actually the pickiest eater probably ever. So when I find something that I do like I tend to become obsessed with it until I become completely sick of it (normal right?). I’ve been on an acai/smoothie bowl kick for a while now and UGH ARE THEY GOOD.

I usually tend to make smoothie bowls over acai bowls because they are sweeter, but if you want the benefits of acai, you can find acai packets in any natural foods store! For smoothie bowls however, I use frozen fruit of my choice which is usually strawberries, blueberries and TIP: peel a banana and freeze it, then let it defrost a few minutes and chop it in a 3 pieces then throw it into your smoothie! Makes the smoothie a really thick and creamy consistency while adding the banana flavor! Then I add about half a cup of milk, greek yogurt of my choice, and blend it up!

Adding ice isn’t necessary because of the frozen fruit, in fact I think adding ice makes it too thin and watery which is not the consistency were going for!

Then the fun part which is adding the toppings. For the photo above, I added honey roasted granola, carob chips, and coconut flakes! But, you can always top it off with fresh fruit, chia seeds, or whatever you’d like! You’d be surprised at how filling this is! Try it out for yourself instead of spending the money on one!

AVOCONTROL! Just recently got over my fear of avocadoes, and have been experimenting with avocado toast! For this I used 2 pieces of carb style bread which is 5 carbs a slice, mashed up some avocado, added salt and pepper then drizzled some balsamic on top! Sooo good!

I hope you have enjoyed me rambling on about my current favorites and maybe try one or two of these things out for yourself!

Meet you here again soon,

Sam