Recent Purchases

I have done a little shopping recently and thought I would share with you what I picked up.

This vest is great quality and looks like the J.Crew Excursion vest.  This one is from Madison and Mallory and is coming soon!!  I can't wait for fall so I can break this sucker out!!

While in NC we stopped at the outlets and I popped into Forever 21.  They were having a buy one sale item get one free so I picked up two things.  This super soft emerald velvet hoodie is gorgeous!!  It was $9 but ended up being $3.50.  This one is perfect for the holidays but also just great for everyday, so cozy!

I also picked up this really classic varsity sweatshirt dress that is so cozy and comfy.  Perfect with sneakers for an easy, comfy look. 

OK so I didn't really buy these...my sister gave them to me while in NC but I just wanted to share my Rae Dunn mugs.

I had a Nordstrom note that was expiring so I stopped in Nordstrom Rack to see if I could find any deals.  I stumbled on this Dogeared necklace on clearance for $8.74 and couldn't say no.

So cute and boho!  I also love the almost two tone look of the metal.

Such a great deal as these are normally over $50, with my note I paid less than $5!!

That's all I've picked up lately, let me know your favorite recent purchase!

Forever21 Clearance Haul

I haven't been to Forever21 in a hot minute.  Our closest one shut down there big store and moved into a tiny baby store that just isn't the Forever21 experience.  We have one at the outlets but that is just a little too far away to go regularly.  We happened to be at the outlets a couple of weeks ago celebrating my husband's birthday and I of course stopped in.  They were having an extra 50% off clearance items and I found a few goodies.

The first thing was this studded black denim jacket and I am obsessed with it!  It is an oversized fit and so super comfy!  It was on clearance for $19 and I got it for $9.50.

I also picked up this blazer that is a sweatshirt material and I love it!  So crazy comfy and perfect for when you want to look a little nicer but don't want to feel restricted and uncomfortable.  It ended up being $3.50

I have been wanting a good t-shirt dress for a long time and am so excited for these!!  They have a really pretty criss cross detail and a flowy silhouette, so comfy and perfect for pairing with sneakers and a denim jacket.  They were around $4 each.

I have been on the search for a small wallet for so long, this one was $1.50 and I really liked the layout and the size is great.  I plan on using this one for travel and when I carry smaller bags.

My last find were these really fun hoop stud earrings.  I have seen these types of earrings on youtube and instagram and really wanted some for myself.  These were $1.50 for two.

Have you found anything good at Forever21 lately?

What to bring on your Cruise

Travel Mug: Coffee, water, lemonade and juices are provided on the ship free of charge.  The cups they provide are pretty small so a travel mug is perfect for getting a normal amount of liquid and you can carry it around with you.  

Cardigan: I freeze in air conditioning so a cardigan was a must for me!  I brought one to dinner every night and it definitely came in handy.  You would be surprised how chilly the decks can get at night with the breeze as well.  

Wristlet: I carried this guy with me all week.  On the ship they give you a card that is your room key, payment info, and your way on and off the ship.  This is obviously something important to hang onto and something you will need on a daily basis.  I kept mine in my wristlet along with my id, phone and Chapstick.  

Water Bottle: Again small cups are the only things provided and sometimes your spot for the day is far away from any sort of refreshment.  A water bottle is great to carry with you and stay hydrated.  

Plastic bags: I stuffed a couple of these in my suitcase and was so glad I did.  They came in handy for keeping our passports together and clean, keeping sand out of my phone and also storing things like bathing suits and such in larger ones.  

Beach bag: On excursion days we brought one beach bag with our ship towels, sunscreen, books, and whatever else we needed for the day.  I love a big bag with comfy handles and a cute design.  

Floppy hat: I almost didn't wear my floppy hat but was so glad I did.  I wore the stank out of mine.  It was so nice to wear around and keep the sun off my face and shoulders.  

Sunglasses: These are an obvious must-have.  They are great for lazy days when you don't want to do your makeup but still want to look semi cute.  

Powerstrip: Little known fact of cruise ship rooms: they have about two plug in spots, not even kidding.  We survived because we really weren't using our phones and didn't have a lot of electronic devices to plug in.  If you have more than two appliances to plug in bring one of these suckers.  

Sunscreen: Again this is a no brainier but make sure you bring it!  My husband got burnt in less than thirty minutes in the sun.  Trust me that sun is intense! 

Highlighter: You might think I am crazy but we actually used ours.  Everyday you get a ship itinerary for the day.  There is a lot going on in a day and you want to make sure you don't miss things.  We used highlighters to go through the list the night before and mark what we liked. This helped to keep track of what we wanted to do.  

What are your must-haves, tips and tricks?

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Stocking Stuffers for Girls

Can you believe that Christmas is next week???  Where did the month go?  I though I would share some stocking stuffer ideas in case you need inspiration for your friends, daughters, wives, whoever it may be.  These are some items I would personally love to find in my stocking...hint hint.  

Gift cards: these are perfect for stocking stuffers as they are small and cute.  This one is a Starbucks which I love but you could get anything that suits them. 

Sunglasses: I am not an expensive sunglasses girl.  Sure I would love to have a pair of designer sunglasses but I would probably never wear them for fear of breaking them.  For me cheap sunglasses are the way to go.  This pair from forever21 is on trend and so cute.  

Coffee mugs: I am a coffee mug hoarder. We have a cabinet full of them and I still find myself looking for more.  There is just something about drinking your cup of coffee from a cute special mug.  Just think whenever they have heir coffee they will think of you and your sweet gift.  This one from Kohls is adorable and has a top so it's travel friendly.  

Cute compact:  I love getting cute little items in my stocking.  Compacts are great because somehow mine always end up broken or lost.  This one from forever21 is adorable!  

Socks:  Socks may seem boring but I love getting fun ones in my stocking.  Bonus if they are Christmas themed.  I am absolutely obsessed with the cabin socks from the sporting goods stores.  Hey are the softest socks you have ever felt I guarantee it.  Go feel them, seriously you will want to curl up in them. 

Nail polish: This is always fun to find in your stocking.  I am a nail polish addict and I have no shame.  Essie and OPI are my favorites and this seche fast dry top coat is something new I want to try.  

Candy: if you don't get candy in your stocking is it even Christmas??  Some of my favorites are Reese's, Milky Ways, chocolate coins and these Hershey Candy Cane bars (they taste like a big version of candy cane kisses and are so very dangerous!) 

Jewelry: Perfect stocking stuffers, you can find inexpensive pieces at Walmart, Target, and Forever21.  What girl wouldn't want to get jewelry in her stocking?? 

Makeup: Beauty items are great stocking stuffers because they are small and relatively inexpensive.  This is a new palette from e.l.f. that's on my wish list.  It's the clay eyeshadow palette.  e.l.f. Is one of my favorite brands, it's super affordable yet still high quality.  You can find them at Target, CVS, Walmart and their own website.  If you are unsure of what colors to get stuck with more basic nudes, flattering on everyone.  

Also this Maybelline Age Rewind concealer is one of my favorite products and super easy to use.  I always get the lightest shade since I'm super pale, pick them up at Walmart.  

Travel size products: These are the perfect size for a stocking and are so useful.  I love little mini products to throw in a bag or keep for easy travel. I spotted these Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo travel sets at Target. This is one of my favorite dry shampoos.  

What are you hoping to find in your stocking?

Stuff the stocking guide for girls

stocking stuffers for girls by erin-rucker-richardson featuring a maybelline mascara

1.Orbit Sweet Mint Gum- $3 for a pack of 3, candy of any kind is great for a stocking, this jus happens to be my favorite gum. 

2. Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit- $16, This all-inclusive kit is designed to help women survive beauty, fashion, and personal care predicaments. Fix flyaways with a teeny-tiny hairspray and bobby pins, stop runs in your hose with clear nail polish, or mend a fallen hem with double-sided tape. This collection does it all—and it comes in an adorable, multicolored glitter Pinch-perfect pouch.  Contains everything you need from bandaids to hair spray.   

3. Eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm -Coconut Milk- $5.90, This stuff is on trend at the moment, smells great and is so cute!  

4. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rollerball set- $20, Ever since I tested this at Sephora I have been OBSESSED with these scents.  The white is a daytime floral scent while the black is more nighttime deep musky scent.  With this set your girl is guaranteed to like at least one of them, and I like to mix them together for a scent just for me.  

5. Forever 21 teardrop earrings set- $5.90 These are absolutely beautiful but super affordable.  She gets both silver and gold options too which adds versatility.  

6. Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum' Express- $4.97 makeup is always a good option and mascara is a good bet.  This one is great and is inexpensive.  

7. Hair Tie Set- $2.90 These have been so popular this year and are so cute!  I found a set of 5 at Forever 21 for under $3.  

8. OPI Nail Lacquer Gwen Stefani Holiday 2014 Collection Christmas Gone Plaid - $7.60 I love getting nail polish in my stocking and this color is just beautiful for Christmas!