Everybody's ZOOing It

Down Jacket: American Vintage 'Soledad' (50% off for $160 here) 

T-Shirt: American Vintage (40% off for $68 here)

Denim: Dittos Brand

Booties: UGG Australia 'Cortona Convertible Boot' in Indigo (here)
Necklace: Vanessa Mooney 'Ridem'high Necklace' (now only $30 from $185 here)

our private tour with Katherine

highlight of my day — feeding okapis

Oshana & her baby cubs

rhinos "crash"ing for the day

things may have gotten a little wild at the back of the cart

the cutest and craziest kids

post cheetah run

I began my new year with a trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the animals weren't the only wild part about my day adventure! My sister and her boyfriend invited my mom and me to join them and his family (including 3 cute & crazy kids) to a private behind the scenes tour of the zoo so I instantly jumped on the rare opportunity! The private tours are just one of the many perks from donating to the zoo! It takes about $90,000 a month just to feed these animals alone so if you can afford to, donate here for a good cause! I mean...everybody's (zoo)ing it, so you should too! ;)

Our amazing tour guide, Katherine, began our tour by bringing us to meet an armadillo, Luna the anteater, and Oshana & her four lion cubs! We even had the opportunity to feed some very beautiful and rare okapis, which was definitely my favorite part of the day!

After Katherine finished our tour, we continued exploring the rest of the safari park with our own little walking tour that went on for hours and hours. At the end of the day when most people had left, we took advantage of the safari tram ride and rode it twice (once during the sunset and then immediately after when the sun was already down). It was interesting to see how some of the animals really come alive as soon as the sun sets! I honestly could have spent another 9 hours at the park and that still wouldn't have been enough! We only ended our day at the zoo because the park was closing and the temperature reached an uncomfortable low for us.

I had so much fun during the day that I'm going to plan a "Roar and Snore" overnight camping experience at the zoo with my boyfriend! There's nothing better than bringing my three favorite things together—boyfriend, animals, and camping! I can't wait!!!

So Sneak-y

T-Shirt: Joe's Jeans 'Maven Tee' (here for $68)

Jacket: Mink Pink

Sweatpants: LnA (similar here)

Sneakers: Nike

Oh Mother Nature...you sneaky sneaky lady. You and your wildly fluctuating weather is getting me oh so sick. And my body is really struggling to keep up with you! I mean I was literally knocked off my feet Saturday afternoon and spent my whole weekend feeling like I was more than half dead. 

Before this sickness suddenly overcame me, I was able to take my pups on a walk around the neighborhood during the chilly morning. But after that, it was game over for me. My weekend came to an instant end within the next couple hours when I was pretty much confined to my bed for the rest of the weekend. I guess you win some and you lose some...and clearly Mother Nature won this battle. 

inVESTing

Necklace: Vanessa Mooney "The Sheba" Necklace (here)

Vest: Stylestalker "Biker" Vest (here)

Leather Backpack: Stela 9 (here)

Long Sleeve Linen Tee: Joe's Jeans "Dames Tee" (here)

Bracelet: Vanessa Mooney "Roxanne Cuff Bracelet" (here or here)

Leggings: Romeo and Juliet Couture

Heels: Charlotte Ronson "Hayworth Studded Heel" (on super sale here)

STYLE TIP: Add some personality to a plain and boring outfit with accessories! I started with some basic staple items that most girls can find in their closets but then I spiced it up and added some of my own personality by throwing on a vest, a statement necklace, and a black leather backpack. Without my accessories, my outfit would just be a simple grey long sleeved shirt and some black leggings....nothing exciting there! 

This tip really comes in handy especially when I'm in a rush out the door. I typically throw on a tee, a blazer or leather jacket, and some jeans. I'll grab a nice statement necklace to top it off...and VOILA! A cute and stylish outfit within 5 minutes!!! 

Additionally, I believe that investing in quality accessories is key. I personally grow attached to all of my clothing and accessories so it's really important to me that my items last me through the years. For example, I've had these Charlotte Ronson heels (which are on super sale now!) since my college days and I'm hoping that my brand new Vanessa Mooney turquoise necklace also lasts me many many more years to come.

GREYT WEEKEND

Wool Blazer: Joe's Jeans 'Meredith Blazer' (on sale here!)

Linen Tee: Joe's Jeans (similar here)

Jeans: Dittos Denim

Booties: Kelsi Dagger (on sale here) 

Clutch: Stela 9

Jewelry: Vanessa Mooney

Hat: Urban Outfitters

I stayed warm this weekend in my new favorite blazer from Joe's Jeans! It's made from 100% wool, it's oversized, it goes with everything, and most importantly....it was on sale!!! Hurry and get yours before this perfect staple piece is sold out! I'm honestly obsessed with mine and I couldn't resist going back online and ordering another one in 'heather charcoal' too. 

What started as a simple and innocent  one piece purchase quickly led to a destructive shopping spree. There's nothing like going on a shopping spree to lift your spirits when the weather is too sad and depressing to go out...but I have to admit that I may have gotten a little carried away. I just couldn't resist all of the 'End of Season' sales! Anyway, I'd like to give a big thank you to my credit cards for helping me get through this stormy weekend! I owe you big time...literally! Lol

Even though the skies were nothing but dark grey clouds thundering and crying, I was on cloud nine! I bought some coats, leather jackets, jeans, and my absolute favorite scores...4 pairs of Jenni Kayne D'Orsay flats! I can't wait to wear all of these items on the blog! Hope y'all also had a GREYT Weekend!