"Good price for you"

Those were the words I heard over and over again for the entire 3 1/2 hours I spent in Chinatown on my NYC trip a couple weeks ago.

Don't get me wrong -- I wasn't surprised. I've been to Chinatown twice before so I know how it works. But it just never ceases to amaze me and make me laugh.  

Oh, Chinatown.

;)

Apparently Chinatown is getting a little on the comfortable side because the first couple times I went, I was taken into so many "back rooms" and swung behind countless fake walls that I lost count and often risked my life for the sake of a knockoff handbag.

But this past time, there wasn't a back room in sight. Everything was kept in drawers right in the store. The drawers weren't even locked.

So I figure that means 1 of 2 things:

1. Like I said before, they're just getting cocky and saying "to heck with the cops"

or...

2. Everything is a lot more fake than it used to be so they just don't care. 

Personally, I'm going with number 2 because we still had a couple store owners rush us in our decisions because of "cops, hurry up, cops". Yeah....

Nonetheless, I racked up in Chinatown and am extremely satisfied with my loot...knockoff or not. 

Take a look:

Tory Burch handbag: $35

Tory Burch wallet: $20

Michael Kors crossbody satchel: $30

Tory Burch necklace: $15

(p.s. I talked homegirl down from $45...winning!)

Tory Burch stud earrings: 2 for $25 

 

David Yurman-ish ring: $15

 L: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy: $15

C: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia: $27 (talked down from $65)

R: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: $15

8 solid color pashminas: $27

3 printed pashminas: $14

1 chunky infinity scarf: $8  

 (slapping myself for not getting more than one of the infinity scarves..so soft, warm, and comfy)

And I know y'all can't tell from the picture, but you'll just have to take my word that these aren't the cheap scarves...they are THICK and so soft. I should have bought a few more, don't you think?

And my most favorite purchase/find...without a doubt...

 .

.

.

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 Michael Kors watch: $40 

Now, I know this is fake. BUT, I think it's a pretty good fake for $40.

What do y'all think? 

Oh, and would y'all think I'm crazy if I said this entire Sterilite container is now filled with scarves?

Yes? 

Then let's pretend they're....blankets. 

No? 

Feel free to borrow a couple any time.

Maybe so?

Maybe you're right...

Have y'all ever been to Chinatown? Do you have any funny stories? What was your favorite purchase? 

Have a fab Monday, y'all! 

xo

Start spreading the news...

...I'm leaving today in 3 days.

 

 I'm in a New York state of mind, y'all.

I'm still alive, I promise!

 Hey y'all, remember me?!

I know you guys must have just been dying the past 2 weeks without me. 

TOTALLY KIDDING.

Kinda.

;)

Well, I found myself with a little free time today so I thought I would spend it playing catch up with y'all! I've missed blogging so much, so hopefully things will settle down a little more in the coming weeks and I can get back to blogging at least 2 or 3 times a week :)

I've got a jam-packed schedule until November -- wow, did I really just say that?

NOVEMBER?! Holy cow, where is time going...I just started classes like, a few days ago. (Or was it a few weeks? Whoops...)

Anyway, here's a little peek at what the next month and a half holds for me:

This weekend (Sept. 22nd) - UNC vs ECU football game

Now I've gotta be really honest with y'all here -- I was raised to cheer for ECU football and UNC basketball. But now that I actually attend UNC, it's only fair that I cheer for them, right? Right. However, I personally will be content with whoever wins because I love both teams. I cheer just as hard for ECU as I do for UNC. 

___________________

 The next weekend I actually DO have free, but that will be spent doing some hardcore schoolwork. BLEH.

___________________

 Moving on (Oct. 5-7th) - NC Seafood Festival  

Now y'all....being that I only live 2 hours from the coast, I LOVE me some seafood. And nothing makes me happier than a festival. And the beach. So...combine those two and I am in Heaven for a whole weekend. My family has been going to the NC Seafood Festival for several years and it gets better and better every. single. time. The food is absolutely ah-mazing, and don't even get me started on all the vendors selling homemade jewelry and crafts. Whew...my wallet always takes a beating that weekend. Can't wait to do it again this year!! 

____________________________

Next up...my personal favorite (Oct 12-14th) - NEW YORK CITY

  Ahhhhh! Excited doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel, y'all. I've been to NYC a couple times before (once with family friends, once with family), but I've never been with Jordan and that is exactly who I'm going with this time (plus her bf's mom, Susan, and another one of our great friends, Danielle)! We're actually taking a day trip. Yes, you read that right. We will leave home via charter bus around 11:00pm Friday night, arrive in NYC around 10:00am Saturday morning, leave NYC around 11:00pm Saturday night, and arrive back home around 10:00am Sunday morning. WHEW! These day trips are very common around home, but neither of us have ever done one before so we're both a little antsy about it, but we know that we'll have a blast no matter what! Oh, and this is strictly a shopping trip for us. We've both been to NYC twice so we've seen all the sights -- we just want to get the goods this time. Mhmm..you know what I'm talking about. Chinatown, baby. Pashmina scarves and knockoff handbags and sunglasses galore. That's my kinda "town". 

However, we do plan on making it by Ground Zero because the new memorial and Freedom Tower weren't there the last times we went. As I said before, excited doesn't even begin to describe it and I'm so, so glad that Jordan and I get to go together! Be expecting a full recap when the time comes! ;) 

____________________

Finally, (Oct. 18-21st) - FALL BREAK/NC STATE FAIR

 Like I just told y'all earlier, there aren't many things that this girl loves more than a fair/festival. There's just something about them that I can't get enough of. Maybe it's the sense of community in all of the people, the atmosphere, or maybe it's just all the fried food.

Yeah. It's definitely the fried food. ;)

Anyway, our state fair always falls right in the same week as UNC's fall break, which is perfect for me since I only like to go with my Dad. It's just something that we've always done and since I'm free from class for a couple days, it's the perfect time for us to go. And as I mentioned before, the food is definitely my main reason for going. 

Here are my favorites:

-apple cider (cold during the day, hot at night)

-chocolate covered frozen bananas 

-homemade peach ice cream

-the BEST ham biscuits known to man

-ribbon fries (nom nom nom)

-fried shrimp sandwich (I'm already drooling..)

and of course...

FUNNEL CAKE!

Can't forget the funnel cake. That would be a sin.

_____________________

Well, guys...that's what I've got planned to kick off the fall season with! 

It's finally starting to get a little cooler here in NC (the high today is only 72 degrees!!!) and this chick could not be any happier. I'm ready to break out the boots and scarves, y'all!! 

Hope y'all have a fab Wednesday and hopefully it won't be so long before I make it back to blogland! 

xoxo

 

take me away..

I have a confession to make, y'all....

 .....

.....

.....

.....

I HAVE VACATION FEVER. 

But really, it's been over  2 years since I've had a true vacation (i.e. going somewhere other than the mountains or the beach). And while I realize how fortunate I am to even be able to go to those places, I am still just itching to get out of North Carolina and see the rest of the world amazing (...sometimes) country that we live in. Here's a quick recap of the places I've traveled to so far...

January, 2007 - first ever trip to NYC (with friends)! 

this view...makes me melt. every time.

 December, 2008 - 2nd trip to NYC (this time with my family)!

atop the empire state building...it was FREEZING!

 July 2009 - first trip out of the country...CANCUN!

I'm not kidding when I say my life is full of handsome men, y'all ;)

 These are by far the most exciting trips in my life..but others include...

1. Disney World, FL when I was 7

2. Washington, DC with the family when I was 10

3. Peoria, Illinois when I was 14 for a World Series softball tournament (this was my 1st flying experience!)

4. Disney World, FL again when I was 15 for another World Series softball tournament

5. Countless trips to Snowshoe, WV for some good 'ole skiing and snowboarding

so, so beautiful.

 6. And then here and there trips to Tennessee to visit family, Myrtle Beach, SC for cheerleading competitions, and Virginia for more softball tournaments.

SO, therefore...

I'm planning a trip (for my birthday, May 12th) to three places (still close by, but hey..I have to get away ASAP) that I've never been before....

Charleston, SC

picture perfect

Hilton Head, SC

did I mention that I love sunsets on the harbor?

and Savannah, GA

pure bliss

I am so pumped about this trip and cannot wait to get out of North Carolina there! 

I'll be posting again soon about all of the other places in and around the U.S. that I have yet to visit, so be sure to keep checking back! :) xo

Have you guys been itching to get away lately? Where have you been before, and where would you like to go?! I'd love to hear! 

Always,

Haley