Bell of Brooklyn

Hey Loves, 

I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite places to eat and shop in Brooklyn. Since the dawn of time, well at least since the start of TheFabJunkie.com, I always talked about my weekends in Williamsburg with my beau Danny. Brooklyn is always our “go to” borough for food and shopping. We drive down (or up not really sure) there to take a few pictures, eat, shop and top it all off with a latte. Honestly, even though Williamsburg has become crazy congested it still has the best places to eat and the best thrift shops. I put together a short list of some of my favorite places to do just that, shop and eat. I wanted to share this with you guys in case anyone is looking for a new place to try. Along with this post, I’m showing the last outfit I wore while we were hanging out in Williamsburg. It just started to get cold out so my leather jacket was perfect for the occasion. On to the good stuff!

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Shopping:
Crossroads Trading Co
135th N 7th Street
Crossroads is perfect for on trend thrift finds. I find myself roaming around the store for at least an hour and I never come up empty handed.

Buffalo Exchange
504 Driggs Ave
Buffalo Exchange is known for on trend items AND you can sometimes find a couple of vintage pieces.

Food:
Wild Ginger
182 N 10th Street
If you’re looking for delicious vegan asian dishes, this is the place to go. We found Wild Ginger by total accident and it was made to be. Since switching over to a plant-based diet we have visited this place a handful of times.

Sweet Chick 
164 Bedford Ave
The best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. I first tried Sweet Chick when they opened their first location in Manhattan. It was love at first bite. Because of my diet restrictions, I haven’t had it in a long time but I do recommend it to anyone looking for some good ole’ comfort food.

Coffee:
New York Muffins
198 Bedford Ave
Before getting ready to go home, we always stop at this corner coffee shop to get a latte and sometimes a sweet treat. What I love about this place is they have alternatives to dairy milk and sometimes they stock vegan treats. Also, it’s a perfect spot for people watching.

Trust me when I tell you that Brooklyn does not lack in the food and shopping department. These are just a few places I love to visit while in Williamsburg. My list is growing and we’re trying new places more often. Until next time…..

Colourpop x Hello Kitty Collab | PART ONE

Hey Loves, 

I’m super duper excited to share the new ColourPop x Hello Kitty collaboration. First off, it’s been a while since I bought a new makeup collab AND THIS is my first ColourPop purchase. I know, crazy. I truly feel that I’m one of the last bloggers on earth to try ColourPop. None the less, it’s here and it’s in my hands. (Screaming with excitement right now). I received a couple of text messages that morning they launched the collection and I’m thankful for those friends in my life. I feel as if it was the universe telling me it was time to bite the beauty bullet and buy some ColourPop! 

I didn’t get everything in the collection because some of the colors weren’t for me and they had a bunch of glosses that I know I would never wear. I mean, I didn’t want to “waste” money 😆 I heard great things about their Lippie Stix so I picked up two three then grabbed two Ultra Satin Lip (which is their version of a liquid lipstick). BUT I was most excited about the shadows- hence why we’re talking about them now. 

I swatched EVERYTHING and obviously I wanted to share! Check out PART ONE of my ColourPop x Hello Kitty Haul.

Here we have “MAMA”S APPLE PIE Super Shock Shadow Collection”. The collection came with four shadows. 

Top: “Small Gift”

Below: “Friendship File”

Top: “School Bus”

Bottom: “Rainbow” 

I was dying to use the shadows this past weekend. I did a pretty simple makeup look. I was going out to an early dinner with friends so it gave me a reason to play with new makeup! I used “Small Gift” on my lids and “Rainbow” in the inner corners.  I added some lashes for a bit of a pick me up and decided to skip the liner. The image below was posted on my Insta, so if you think you’re seeing double, don’t worry you’re not going crazy.

The collection is a lot of fun to wear. I can’t wait to do a makeup look with “School Bus” (the blue). I can just envision rocker kitty vibes. Stay tuned for PART TWO of my ColourPop x Hello Kitty Collab Haul. Until next time…..

Watch Me

Hey Loves, 

First off, let me start by saying that I’m not one to wear a watch and I recently posted this exact phrase on my Instagram (if you’re not following me, get out of that ditch and follow) BUT when I saw this cool watch from JORD watches, I couldn’t wait to wear it. It is so my style. What’s cooler than a wood watch? Nothing my friends. Nothing. I have been wearing my one of a kind wooden watch non-stop. My boyfriend Danny has even tried making a move on it. Thank goodness my watch came sized to fit! 

Watches are a fun and easy accessory to style. I was worried that the wood color would look awkward on my skin tone however I think it’s actually the perfect color. JORD Wood Watches has turned me into a watch wearer. Trust me, it doesn’t sound like much of an accomplishment but it is. Check out my look and make sure to keep scrolling for the giveaway and the link to my exact watch. 

Outfit Details:

Jacket:Target/ Pants: Zara/ Shirt:Old Navy/ Scarf: Torrid/ Boots: Sam Edelman/ Bag: MZ Wallace

Watch: Find Here

Since I KNOW you’re loving my unique watch, JORD has given you guys a chance to WIN a $75 gift certificate for your OWN Wood Watch! The best part is that every and anyone who enters automatically will get a $20 e-gift card (expires 2/28/17) – Basically, everyone’s a winner!

CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway and the winner will be contacted by JORD. Contest ends 11/27/2016
This Post Was Sponsored By JORD Wood Watches

Wooden Wristwatch//www.woodwatches.com/widget/

Orange You Glad?

Hey Loves,
I know my title sucks isn’t the best but don’t judge my corny jokes because they make me laugh. I mean, that’s all that matters right? I’m so extremely GLAD this sweater is now a member of my closet. It’s the ultimate cozy oversized sweater my life needed. I found this perfect cardigan while browsing Tobi‘s website. I LOVED the color and this color is all the rage for fall. Rust (or burnt orange-depending how you look at it) blends so nicely with the cool air and warm lattes. I literally smiled while typing that line. No but for real, since receiving this sweater, I’ve worn it a bunch of times. I paired it the first time with a floral jumper, then with jeans and a tee and today I realized it mixes perfectly with anything olive-falls other favorite color. 
I had a few errands to run and a couple of doctors appointments so I wanted to top my comfortable look with a pair of sneakers. I broke out my Puma Creepers (that I was stalking online and finally got my tiny hands on them) and my trusty ripped denim to complete my “I’m a cool relaxed chick” look. The key to accomplishing the casual relaxed look is not looking sloppy. You always want to look polished when stepping out in the world. I know we all have days where we’re like “eff this I’m wearing my stained tee to the grocery store”- that’s also fine. Who am I to judge? I may or may not be typing this in my favorite stained tee. 
Check out my second collab with Tobi.com

Until next time…..

Shift

Hey Loves! 

I’m thrilled to share this post with you guys today. I’ve collaborated with one of my favorite online store, Tobi  to bring you some fall looks. There are so many trends floating around the internet and real life- what I love about Tobi (@ShopTobi on Instagram) is that you can find it all in one place. I picked out a few pieces to style and one of my favorites was this olive green shift dress. I adore shift dresses. They can be so flattering! I wore this dress out to my friends art opening. I paired it with some lace up heels and my denim jacket. One reason I picked this dress was because I envisioned all the ways I could style it. When the weather gets colder, I can add a pair of leather leggings and a heavier coat. The possibilities are endless. You can find this dress here (not an affiliated link). Check out the rest of my look and stay tuned for a few more looks from Tobi! 

Embellish A Bit

Ok, so it’s officially fall. 
I couldn’t wait to break out this fluffy sweater I thrifted while visiting Buffalo. Cozy sweaters are the best for crisp fall days that move into cold nights. What’s the most fun about this season is the fact that you can layer lightly without feeling like a bundled up snowman (yes, those days are near but we won’t really speak about that yet). I wanted to share some of my easy pro-tips for transitioning outfits this fall. We sometimes don’t know what to wear when we get up in the morning. The temps are low but can get warmer later in the day. THAT can get annoying, especially if you decided to wear a heavy sweater. The solution to your troubles is LAYERING. Layering is not only fashionable but it can be extremely functional. Did I mention you should layer? 

Here are some easy breezy tips to try this fall.
Pro Tip 1: Wear lighter layers for easy removal. You don’t want to bulk up. It’s not necessary right now. Enjoy the weather and think light layers. So if you’re still loving that lacey tank from this summer- keep it in rotation but pair it with a cardigan for colder mornings. 
Pro Tip 2: Make sure the pieces work together and separately. Think, “If I remove my sweater or jacket, will this outfit still make sense?” 
Pro Tip 3: Accessorize. I always add this to any styling post. Fall colors can be a bit drab sometimes. Some colors can be rich but if you find yourself sticking to neutrals, jazz it up with something embellished. Throw an oversized hat on and it will take any outfit to the next level.  

Have fun with it as always! Until next time! Outfit Details: Sweater: Plato’s Closet, Tank: Target, Denim: American Eagle, Boots: Payless, Bag: Goodwill, Hat: C/o Popsugar Must Have Box
Photo Credit: Sally Prisco Photography
You can also check me out on Goodwill’s Blog here

Beauty Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

Hey Loves, 

When life gives you Sephora gift cards, you must shop. No but for real, shout out to all my friends who hooked me up with gift cards for my birthday. You guys rock. Moving on…. I haven’t really purchased any new high-end makeup in a while. Minus my beauty “ride or dies” that are always in full rotation. When I first started blogging, I ran out and bought everything- I mean EVERYTHING that was on trend. Anything that was mentioned in popular youtube videos or blogs, I purchased it. I then realized that if I wanted to eat, I couldn’t do that. So needless to say, I’ve slowed down and basically pumped my brakes on buying high-end makeup. 

Just like any beauty lover, I’m lucky enough to have friends that recognize my addiction to makeup and support it. I mean, what better addiction is there in this world? The answer is nothing my friends. Nothing. When I round up my Sephora gift cards, I normally get my necessities (moisturizers and such). This time, I decided to say “screw it! I’m getting lipsticks!”. There has been a few on my mind that I’ve been eyeing up to review. The first one on that long list is the social media reigning queen, Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick. 

So here it is guys, my 100% honest review.

I picked out the color “Craft” because I thought it was the perfect transitioning fall color. The first day I wore it to work, I received so many compliments. The color is gorgeous. The lasting power on this liquid lipstick is pretty impressive also. I didn’t have to reapply till about 3 and 1/2 hours into my day- and that was after my morning latte, breakfast and some water here and there. The line around my lips stayed pretty intact and was extremely hard to remove. Overall for color and staying power I give this product an 8. My only real issue was that the formula dried out my lips to the point that I felt it was sucking out all the moisture in my body. No joke. My lips felt dry like that through-out the day. I give the formula a 2- I know, I feel terrible saying that but I have to be honest.

I LOVE trying out new beauty products and it’s fun to see how I feel about things that others rave about or even hate on. Hopefully you liked my review! Until next time………

So Damn Magical

Hey Loves!

Thrifting ain’t easy. Just kidding, it’s not hard at all. I consider myself a master of thrift. I love walking around my favorite Goodwill store and scanning for gems.  I was lucky to find a MAJOR deal when I was hanging out at the Goodwill Store on 14th street awhile back. I wasn’t expecting to grab anything but I found the cutest pair of sneakers and they were the perfect price. What’s the perfect price you ask? Anything under $10. When you find a deal for under 10 bucks, how do you talk yourself out of it? I sure as heck can’t talk my brain out of it. I found the sneakers and yes they were a little worn in and yea they had a few marks on them but boy oh boy was I in love with deal. That’s what’s so great about thrift stores, you can’t go wrong with the prices. 

It was the middle of August so I knew I would get a few summer days out of them. What I love about the sneakers is they are the perfect shade of pink. This week is calling for the end of summer, I know, super sad- But what better way to say bye then wearing my favorite pair of cut-offs and the perfect pair of $6 sneaks? SO before I take my first sip of those infamous pumpkin spice lattes, I want to enjoy the closing of those sweet summer days with my favorite thing, denim cut-offs and sneakers. These sneakers are really easy to style and comfy. Check out my look. 

You can also find this post and more on Goodwill’s blog! Until next time………

Overall, I’m Happy

Hey Loves!

Overall, I’m happy (see what I did there?). No but for real, I am. Don’t worry there’s a point to all of this. This past year has been a struggle for me and my weight. You wouldn’t believe this but I was a size 0 in high school and most of my adult life. At one point in my life I was in a terrible relationship and gained a lot of weight. After ending that relationship many years ago, I took hold of my life and started my weight loss journey. I was extremely successful with it and ended up back to my size 0. In all honesty, I was too thin at that point- But regardless, I reached my goal of a healthy lifestyle. After a few years of being single and skinny (and young), I met my now boyfriend Danny. The first few years of our relationship was a crazy sexy cool roller coaster ride (sorry for the TLC reference but if you got it, lets be besties, ok?). We hung out at bars, ate pizza bagels and stayed up until all hours of the night. It was the best time ever. Needless to say, it took a toll on my body. Still elated in love, it didn’t bother me that I put on few pounds here and there. I had a man who loved me and no matter how much weight I put on, he still kept me feeling beautiful and confident. 

Let’s skip a few years forward, shall we?. I noticed that my clothes started to fit me, um how can I say… not right. I went up about two sizes and it was noticeable. Especially when I started blogging. I always looked at my style photos and thought “hmm… I look a bit thick but eh, whatever”. It was hard adjusting. With weight loss and even weight gain, no one in this world can tell you to do something about it, it has to be you. You have to come to the realization to know that there needs to be a change. Also, it doesn’t matter what size you are either. If you feel uncomfortable with your weight it’s ok to make a decision to change that feeling. Don’t let anyone tell you “you’re fine.” or “you’re already skinny”. You know you’re body better than anyone. 

Moving on…….

This past year is when I buckled down and started to make changes in my diet and even in my physical activity (I despise exercise). It’s been a long process for me but like I said in the beginning, overall I’m happy. We’re our toughest critics. We’re surrounded by such beautiful men and woman so often that instead of appreciating the beauty, we compare ourselves. I fall victim to this all the time. I blog. I show my style and beauty everyday of my life. It’s terribly hard not to think “she’s so much skinnier than me or her skin is so much better than mine. Guys, this attitude has to stop. I know it’s easier said than done but the point of this post today was to show that we all go through those feelings and we’re all on a journey to better ourselves. 

In the past, I would only post pictures that complimented my body. No “fat angles” as I would refer to it in my head BUT this post I let it all hang out. There are a few pictures in this post that I would NEVER EVER post but today I’m giving myself a break. Life is too wonderful to have things like my body be an issue in my mind. Here goes nothing…..

Side note: “overall, I’m happy” is a reference to my overalls. In case it flew by your head. 

I know this was a long one but thanks for sticking with it. I will forever work on myself to make myself feel good about where I’m at in life or this case, how I look. If you don’t love yourself, who will? Until next time…….

Buffalo Solider {Photo Diary}

Hey Loves! 
I think it’s about time I share our trip to Buffalo. My brother and sis-in-law moved out to Buffalo about a year ago. I haven’t been up, so Danny and I thought it was a good idea to take a road trip. I mean, we have been aching to escape the city life for awhile now. Sometimes all the hustle and bustle makes you lose sight of all the fab things around you. It’s nice to slow down every once in awhile. We drove up with the two pups (they’re not puppies anymore but I still see them that way). It was super cute to see the dogs experience the “country life”. It was actually hilarious. My dog Ellie loved it but his dog Achilles wanted to get on a plane and come back to the city. Well at least that’s the vibe he gave us. 

We made a few stops here and there and 6 hours later, we arrived. In all honesty, I felt an instant connection- the moment I stepped out of the car I thought “wow, I could totally do this”. I always consider myself a glorified “city girl” BUT Buffalo made the country life very appealing. I put together a little photo diary from our trip. My bro and sis-in-law took us to all the cool joints. We hiked the Eternal Flame Trail (which I thought I was going to die), took a walk through Canalside, hung out in Elmwood Village, saw the beauty that is Niagara Falls and did A LOT of thrift shopping (you know I LOVE to thrift). Oh and we ate Buffalo Wings, like actual buffalo wings. Well not actual buffalo but we ate at the original spot where buffalo wings were created! Cool right? Unfortunately the buffalo wings experience was NOT documented. 
Check out my photo diary!