The Look for Less! Christian Louboutin Stud Pumps

On "The View" today, Victoria Beckham wore these amazing Christian Louboutin leather stud pumps this morning, and I am in LOVE with them.

Hot Pumps

Only problem, they are $1040.00. Yikes!

So I found a look for less!

These are $72.33 at Amazon by Luxury Rebel.

Tomorrow's Giveaway Is.... (drum roll please)

I am picking a winner of my facebook fan page challenge at 10 AM tomorrow morning! So you only have a little while longer to participate.  All you have to do is go to the DBMB fan facebook page and LIKE, and you are automatically entered!

Click Here, to do so.

Now...(drum roll please)

The piece of jewelry I will be giving away IS...

The Sweet and Sassy Bracelet!

Retail Value - $17.00

Wordless Wednesday

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Four Fashionable Fall Favorites!

Winter is just around the corner and here in Ohio we are starting to feel the temperatures drop already.  So, this weekend I did a little work on my winter wardrobe.  Being only my second year in Ohio for winter, (well in the last 4 years that is) I definitely needed some warm clothing. Theres no way I could get away with just wearing a hoodie all winter like I did in North Carolina! Here are a few of my favorite fall/winter picks to keep you warm and fashionable for the next few months.

A Chunky Knit Infinity Scarf

This one is $19.99 at Amazon, but I got a similar navy blue one at Forever 21 for $9.99 and cant wait to wear it!  Infinity scarves do not have ends, and are just one big circle.

Arm Warmers

I have arm warmers exactly like this that my boyfriend likes to call my "homeless gloves." I love them though! It's nice to have your fingers free if you are driving, or using your IPhone! Plus I think they look kinda cool over a long sleeved t-shirt.

Hunter Boots

Ahh I LOVE Hunter boots. These guys come with a little bit of a pretty price tag - around $125.00 but are the perfect fall/winter boots. I love the purple ones but they also come in pink, green, red, yellow, and black.

Pink Snuggie

Me and my mama cheesing with our snuggies last Christmas

Ok, make fun of me all you want but I absolutely love my pink snuggie! I got it last year for Christmas as a joke, but I use it all the time in the winter months. Its very warm, and I love that you have your arms free to, say, write a blog post! :) My snuggie is definitely one of my favorite fall/winter time items!

Don't forget to add some bling to your winter outfits from Designs by Mandi!

xoxo - M.

New Comments

DBMB has been open about a month now and I already have a few comments on my comment page! Take a look!

DBMB Comments

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent mine with the family, and watching lots of football :)

xoxo - M.

Want to Win Free Jewelry?

Hello all!

I have decided to do a little giveaway, via facebook.  All you have to do is "LIKE" Designs by Mandi Boutique on facebook and you are entered to win a free piece of jewelry shipped directly to you! I will be picking the winner in a couple days. Soooo, head on over to facebook to enter!

photo

You can either:

1. Search for Designs by Mandi on the facebook page

OR

2. Click here

 xoxo, M.

Lady in Lace

Have you noticed that lately lace has been everywhere? From Saks to Target I have been spotting lace tops, skirts, tanks, and leggings non-stop.  Lace is one of those items that never really goes OUT of style and is very versatile.  You can make a lace top look uber dressy by adding jewelry, or ultra chic and edgy by layering it with other pieces.  I love layering my lace shirts with tanks and vests to make it look a little less girly and more updated.

lacey items

Feminine lacy dress goes great with the leather jacket and cool booties. Its all about the contrast.

Lace Dress

Another lace dress

This dress says sophisticated and classic to me, especially paired with the pearls.

Lace Skirt

So cute, and not too girly. Defiantly a great look for a younger girl.

Skinny Jeans

I love lace with skinny black jeans! The hat is an extra cute touch.

And last, but not lest - me in my lace shirt.

The shirt looks white in this picture, but is really more of a creme color. I would also wear this outfit with gladiator heals if I was going anywhere by shopping... :)

Note: Lace does not look that great with blue denim, AND please wear something underneath it! Its clothing, not lingerie. Thanks :)

Don't forget to check out Designs by Mandi Boutique!

The Cupcake Girls

I have a new obsession.

 Have you guys seen the show "Cupcake Girls" on WE? I saw a mini marathon this weekend, and I am completely obsessed with the show. 

yum yum

The reality show takes place in Canada, and is about two best friends who go into the bakery business together, following the ups and downs of their business adventure.

I have officially made Heather and Lori my reality TV business entrepreneur mentors. Check them out.

The Boyfriend Has A Blog!

Hey Everyone! I am very excited to introduce my boyfriends new blog - "Ram's on Sports."  Ryan and I are so excited for his new sports blog that I'm sure everyone is going to love. Ry literally eats, breathes, and sleeps sports, so this is going to be an amazing opportunity for him. Please stop by and say hello!

(Ry in the "Big Chair" where he watches all of his games, with our dog Scarlet)

Congrats Ry! :D

100 TH POST!

ITS MY 100TH BLOG POST!

Apparently its blog tradition to post 100 things about yourself for your 100th blog post. So...here we go!

1. I started this blog to promote Designs by Mandi Boutique back in April, and I have since then become obsessed with blogging!

2. Designs by Mandi is my dream job, and has been open for exactly one month!

3. I have the sweetest, funniest boyfriend ever. I am SO lucky to find a good one! (finally - haha)

4. I am an older sister to a younger brother, but most of the time he acts like an older brother :) And hes awesome.

5. I love PINK and BLACK.

6. Jersey Shore is my guilty pleasure :)

7. I'm a very spiritual person, but organized religion drives me nuts sometimes.

8. I'm pretty obsessed with my Jack Russel Izzy

9. I love Diet Cherry Coke

10. During the day I work for an occupational health company as a marketing/client service rep and I love it. (It's more fun than it sounds!) 

11. I've been making my own jewelry for a few years now and really enjoy it.

12. I have the rarest blood type that  only 1% of the population has.

13. I went to modeling school when I was in junior high, and it did wonders for my bookworm personality.

14. I could never had been a model - I'm too ADD and love to eat :)

15. I never cooked until I moved in with Ryan, and now I LOVE it.

16. I DVR cooking shows during the day. I love Sandra Lee and Rachel Ray.

17. I obsessively check my facebook.

18. I used to live in Charlotte, NC and I miss it SO much.  I have the most amazing friends there.

19. I love photography.  If I didn't major in fashion marketing, I would have def majored in photography at AI.

20. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I would have stayed at BGSU instead of making the huge life changing choice to move to Charlotte.  I'm pretty sure my life wouldn't have turned out this good though :)

21. I think people in high school thought I was really stuck up, which I wasn't.  I was painfully shy until my senior year, and very insecure.

22. I love the vino.

23. I have the WORST memory. Just ask my boyfriend :)

24. When I drink too much I walk REALLY slow.

25. I'm very visual. Hints why I didn't do very well in school, except in art classes.

26. I hate feet. EW.

27. I REALLY hate spiders.

28. I used to be a one pack a day smoker. I quit about two years ago cold turkey. Thank God.

29. I love to wear dresses and long necklaces.

30. I have to keep up at the gym or else I start to feel like crap. Physically and mentally.

31. I'm allergic to codeine.

32. I'm a HUGE daddy's girl. My dad is awesome :)

33. I have problems sleeping sometimes.

34. I have really bad anxiety, and have had it pretty much my whole life.

35. I'm a completely different person than I was five year ago. For the better.

36. I have lots of friends, but they are all over the country, which SUCKS. I miss them.

37. If you betray me, I wont necessarily cut you off, but don't expect me to bend over backwards to talk to you.

38. I'm extremely protective of my good friends and family.  I have been known to go off on people if they are even a little bit rude to them... oopse.

39. I have phone anxiety. When my phone rings, my stomach turns.

40. This has gotten a little easier since I HAVE to be on the phone for work a lot - but I still don't like it.

41. I probably send two thousand texts a month. :)

42. I love Rachel Zoe.

43. Chanel is my inspiration. Whenever I am overwhelmed with a business decision I think about her.

44. I think I'm one of the only people my age who uses the library for fun.

45. Since I've turned 25 I feel like I have this weird biological thing happening where I want babies. (yikes)

46. I'm a little psychic.

47. I have a stuffed bear (Mr. Bear) who I still sleep with.

48. I only like about two rap songs.

49. I'm a big classic and new rock fan.

50. I want to go to Italy in the next few years with Ryan. We are sorta starting to plan the trip.

51. I used to be afraid to swim in the ocean.

52. I've recently started a low carb diet life, and love it.

53. I eat chicken at least once a day.

54. I'm a little bit of a clean freak.

55. I HATE doing laundry. Ugh.

56. I love fall, but hate winter. Especially Ohio winters. Burr.

57. I have a red 2010 focus who I named Roxie who has a big dent in the side of her right now.

58. I hate long nails. Mine are always short, and most often painted dark.

59. I'm kind of a bad driver. (Even though my wreck was NOT my fault).

60. I get a lot of compliments on my teeth. Kinda weird.

61. I love to smell books. Especially library books.

62. I LOVE veggies.

63. I've seen every episode of Sex and the City, and both movies.

64. When I was little I used to pretend I was Ariel in The Little Mermaid and swim around the house.

65. I'm obsessed with my IPhone.

66. If I'm forced to watch football, I will almost always fall asleep. Unless I'm AT the game, of course.

67. I danced from the time I was 2 until 17.

68. I love Vegas. I a slightly addicted to slot machines.

69. I love to cuddle with Ry's big old English bull dog - Scarlet. I fall asleep on her a LOT.

70. I rarely watch movies twice.

71. I love to swim

72. I have three huge tubs of shoes, yet I wear flip flops most often.

73. My mom is my first and foremost best friend.

74. I sing and dance around my house almost all the time.

75. The Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorite movies.

76. My feet MUST be covered at all times when I'm sleeping.

77. I love the SUN.

78. A hobby of mine is horseback riding. I've been riding for a little over a year now.

79. I love the show The Cupcake Girls

80. I love crazy eyeshadow.

81. Fall fashion is my favorite :)

82. I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar.

83. I love the smell of matches.

84. I really like penguins. They are too cute.

85. Victoria's Secret is my weakness.

86. So is ice cream.

87. I hardly ever wear a watch. Maybe that's why I'm usually late.. :)

88. Target is one of my favorite stores

89. I truly be live that accessories make the outfit.

90. I absolutely hate chipped nail polish

91. When I was little I wanted to be a garbage man

92. I hate seafood.

93. Lillie's are my favorite flowers.

94. I constantly spray air freshener in my house to make it smell like clean clothes. I love that smell.

95. I tend to be a little bit of a workaholic.

96. I have trouble just sitting around and doing nothing.

97. I always have marketing on my mind, and am thinking of new ideas to get my product out there.

98. The Challenge show on the food network where they make amazing cakes is one of my favorite TV shows. Ry and I watch it every Sunday night.

99. I love furniture and decorating stores.

100. I can't believe I thought of 100 things! That was hard!

Little Pieces of Heaven - Designed exclusively by ME!

I am proud to present my very first piece of DBMB jewelry that is designed and manufactured exclusively by ME! Check out my "Little Pieces of Heaven" earrings! They are sterling silver fish hooks with aqua and white beads.

Check them out at the Designs by Mandi website!

Go Bucks!

Tonight is the first official game of Ohio State football for the season :)

WOO HOO!

I think to live in Columbus Ohio you HAVE to be an OSU fan! The whole city shuts down for a game. Its insane.

OH - IO

Don't forget to check out DBMB!

Announcement - DBMB Lux Line :)

I am excited to say that I have decided that along with the fashion jewelry line I currently have at Designs by Mandi Boutique, I will also be introducing a Sterling Silver line!

Silver

For my sterling silver line I will keep the same basic principals that I have set forth with the current trendy line.

Quality products, at an affordable price, and as always - free shipping.

The line should be up and rolling in the next few weeks. I will keep you guys updated!

Don't forget to "LIKE" Designs by Mandi on your facebook page! I will be updating there first and foremost, and will also be doing giveaways and contest exclusive to facebook followers.

xoxo - M.

DBMB's Hooty Hoo Ring!

Hooty Hoo!

Give your outfit some character! Check out DBMB's Hooty Hoo ring for only $14.00 and FREE SHIPPING! Isn't he cute?

:)

xoxo - M

Bing Bing!

So, while I was on vacation I got an amazing email. 

Lets back up.

BEFORE I left for vacation I decided that it would be a great idea for Designs by Mandi to get on the search engine Bing's website.  Bing is a search engine that helps you make decisions on what to buy, depending on what you search for.  I thought, since Bing is growing like crazy, it would be a great engine for me to participate in! 

So I took the plunge.  I filled out this loooooooooooong application with all of my product detail, tax ID number, etc, and sent it away, not expecting to hear much of anything back.  After all, I'm just a small fashion jewelry boutique in the mid-west, I seriously doubt if Bing would be interested.

Well a few days later, as I lay on the beach watching the sun go down my IPhone "binged" to tell me there was an email ready to be read.  It was Bing! They had approved my application! Woo hoo! 

Bing Bing

So last night I decided that its time to get set up with Bing. I downloaded the tutorial, and studied it for a while. It was then I decided that I need an idiot proof version. It's a lot of html stuff that I just do not understand! Talk about confusing. So, needless to say, I'm still trying to figure it out. I will keep you guys updated when we are launched on Bing!

PS: If any of you have merchandise on Bing, and have conquered this html giant, please let me know. I could definitely use some tips!

xoxo - M

I'm Back!

Hello all!

I am back! Ryan and I arrived back home to Columbus last evening from wonderful 5 day hiatus in St. Pete Beach, Florida.  It was an amazing, relaxing vacation, and boy did I need it!

Here are some pictures I took :)

Feeding baby alligators!

Why Shop Online?

This past weekend I was feeling incredibly adventurous and decided that despite the before school starts ciaos at the mall, I would go walk around anyway to see if I could find a few must haves for my upcoming vacation.  I wasn't looking for much really, just a cute little romper to wear to Universal Studios, and perhaps a new handbag.

Bad idea.

Not only was the mall crazy on a Saturday afternoon but I spent four hours walking around and didn't end up buying anything except some Victoria's Secret lip gloss. This got me thinking. I just wasted four hours looking for a couple things, when I could be spending time with the boyfriend, my family, or laying out in the sun. 

Why didn't I just shop online?!

This is just one of my reasons why I think its so great to shop online. Here are a few others...

1. Saves time - (ie what I just explained above)

 In just about five minutes you can go from Macys to Nordstrom to J.Crew and take a look at pretty much their whole collection.  That would take about two hours if you actually went to the store!

2. You have more of a selection.

Basically, you have the whole world! I love to check out little boutiques online that are in LA and NYC. They have things that you just cant get anywhere here in Ohio!

3. Lower prices!

A lot of online stores have promotions, but you can also find really good deals on ebay, overstock.com and amazon.com. I know when I was in school I would buy all of my school books on amazon, its saved me SO much time.  Most online stores (including DBMB, hehe) ship in a good time frame, about 3-5 days if they are in the same country as you are.

Shopping Online

Sure you might have to hit the gym an extra day to burn off some of those extra computer calories that you would have burned by going to the mall, but sometimes it might be worth it.  There ARE some exceptions though:

1. Shopping = More fun when your going to spend time with a friend or family member and just browsing. Its more about the quality time your spending with the person than actually finding a sale or item your really looking for.

2. Sometimes you CAN find better sales and hidden treasures at the store if you dig hard enough.

3. Thrifting cannot really be done online! Its one of my favorite things to do, and I'm not sure if dot com will ever be able to compete!

 Don't forget to check out my favorite online shop Designs by Mandi Boutique

Happy Shopping!

 xo - M.

My Newest Favorite Blog..

Hey guys! So I found a great new blog the other day. Well it isn't exactly new, just new to me.  Its called J's Everyday Fashion, and its written by a normal girl, who puts together fabulous outfits every day for various events in her life, at a budget price. You should take a look, shes defiantly inspired me to vamp up my work outfits!

Also, don't forget to check out Designs by Mandi Boutique! I added some new merchandise the other day.

xoxo - M.

I Have Not Fallen off The Face of the Earth..

Hello there! I know what your thinking -- Mandi, what the heck, where have you BEEN?

I know..I have been slacking a bit on the blogging for the last few days or so. Sorry guys!  Things have been pretty hectic for me recently.  As I posted a few weeks ago, I got a new car that I absolutely love.  Well on Thursday evening when I was driving home from the "job that pays the bills" I got side swiped on the highway by some girl. Needless to say my car has a huge dent in the side, is all scratched up, and if it would have happened a few yards ahead I would have been made into a cement block construction sandwich. 

And no.... I'm not kidding. I wish I WAS kidding.

 My brand new, still has the temp tags on it, smells so wonderfully like new car smell, little red Focus.

So I've been having to deal with that along with several visits to the dentist for my TMJ that is so painful I cant even sleep, all the while trying to keep up with "my job that pays the bills," adding more DBMB merchandise, marketing, and trying to spend time with the oh so patient boyfriend. :)

When it rains, it pours, ya know? Oh well. I still have so much to be thankful for!

I promise I have not forgotten about you though loyal readers! I will be back to normal blogging soon. :)

xoxo - Mandi

Rockin the Plummity Plum Plum Bracelet!

Me rocking the Plummity Plum Plum Bracelet! Check out this bracelet and a lot more at Designs by Mandi Boutique