SPRING DENIM OVERALL DRESS

Dress: Free People [mine is old-- this new version is almost identical!] | Bodysuit: Forever 21 [also old-- this one + this one are almost exact] | Sneaks: Converse | Sunglasses: Gucci [similar here] | Necklace: LuluDK [similar here] 

SPRING DENIM OVERALL DRESS

Spring outfit alert! I'm loving this-- such a cute option for daytime or a casual date night! Speaking of dates, we celebrated my boyfriend's birthday Monday night! I shared a throwback picture of us on IG (@TheKristenDiary) in case you missed it. He didn't want to do anything crazy so we just picked up Japanese and spent time together. I love sesame/teriyaki chicken with sweet carrots!! Do you usually dress up for date nights? We go out a lot but always keep things pretty casual! 😜

Okay so this denim dress-- it's like a cute, updated version of overalls! It brings a little more to the party than your regular jeans or shorts and in typical me style, has some distressed edges. What are your thoughts on overalls? I like both a dress or shorts style but I'm not sure that I could do the regular pant-length. You also have to find the right look + fit. I've tried some of the shorts ones before and have never found any I love. I like the dress style because you don't have to worry as much about how the shorts fit your body (things can get a little weird in the crotch area depending on if you have a short/long torso!). 

My dress is actually an older style from Free People but they have this new version which looks almost identical. I also found it in black denim here. The blue is also the perfect shade-- I've been loving Free People denim lately! I also really like that in the new version there is a pocket on the front-- I wish mine had one!

The great thing about overalls is you can wear all sorts of different tops underneath. The one things I've figured out is that it's better to go for a more fitted top that isn't too bulky/frumpy. Because of that, I went for a bodysuit to keep things smooth underneath. I will link a few of my favorite options here, here and here.

Since we always love casual, I opted for white chucks! I love the bright, clean pop that they add to the look for spring. It almost gives the whole look a girly, youthful vibe which I think is fun for this time of the year. I also think it would look so cute with a pair of Golden Gooses or a short sleeve black tee underneath! My sunnies are from Gucci--- here is a current/similar style. 

What are your thoughts on overalls? Let me know below!

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

MARCH 2021 INSTAGRAM RECAP

I've seen a lot of bloggers share these "Instagram Recaps" and I really like them! I thought it would be fun (and hopefully helpful) to start sharing mine with you! We'll start with a roundup of my March 2021 IG photos with links to all outfit + beauty details. Also be sure to keep up with me on IG to see daily posts + stories. You can find me @TheKristenDiary! 

OUTFIT DETAILS

EllandEmm Tee | Spanx Leggings | Free People Jacket (similar) | Converse Sneakers | Gucci Sunglasses (similar) 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Sweatshirt | Old Navy Leggings | Birkenstock Sandals | Quay Sunglasses | Forever 21 Hoops (similar)

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Tee (similar) | Old Navy Leggings | H&M Jacket (similar) | Adidas Sneakers | Quay Sunglasses

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Sweatshirt | Old Navy Leggings 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Spanx Leggings | Adidas Sneakers | Quay Sunglasses

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Free People Shorts | Birkenstock Sandals | Quay Sunglasses | Forever 21 Hoops (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Pullover | Old Navy Leggings 

Adidas Slides 

BRIOGEO SCALP REVIVAL KIT

Shampoo | Conditioner | Treatment Oil | Scalp Massager

FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS I LOVE (POST HERE)

Dior | Lawless Beauty | The Ordinary | L'oreal | Estee Lauder | It Cosmetics

Wearing this foundation here!! 

That's a wrap for my fashion + beauty IG posts from March! What do you think of recaps? Let me know if I should do more below! Also be sure to find me @TheKristenDiary for more :) 

I love sharing all things beauty + fashion with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

WHAT'S IN MY TARGET CART | MARCH 2021

Hi, friends! Today's post is another What's in My Target Cart. I love doing these when I come across new finds and right now Target has some great things out for Spring! We're in full blown shorts and flip-flops mode over here. I found a mix of clothing and accessories that are fun statement pieces for this time of year! Now to just tone it up for bikini season... LOL. Can you believe that March is almost over? It feels like the year just started! I can't complain though since we FINALLY have nice weather here in Tennessee!

WHAT'S IN MY TARGET CART

1. Flower Drop Earrings - Okay how Chanel do these earrings look?? The black + gold, pearls and flower design is very Coco! I love them-- such a pretty statement in a classic design. Super affordable too-- I think they are only around $12! They also come in a pearl color so I'll link them here for you. 

2. Evil Eye Necklace - Any evil eye jewelry immediately reminds me of spring and summer! I think it's because they often times come in bright colors + turquoise which is very beachy to me. I love the look and the sentiment behind them is really neat too! This evil eye necklace is gorgeous-- definitely ordering!

3. Def Leppard Band Tee - At this point I don't think graphics + band tees need an explanation! You can never have too many in my book. I've seen a lot of DL ones out there but really like the coloring of this one. Will be so cute with cutoff shorts or ripped jeans! 

4. Spotted Slide Sandals - They're currently sold out of these sandals in my size but I'm hoping they come back in stock soon. I love the print on them + that they are a slip on but they also come in this really cute platform style too.

5. Evil Eye Stud Earrings - I had to include these earrings too-- so funky + cool. I love the look of oversized studs!

6. Cropped Smocked Waist Top - Okay I'll be honest-- this top is different for me! You all know I mostly go for a tees so this one is out of my comfort zone. I've been itching to branch out and switch things up and this top caught my eye. I don't normally go for cropped but it looks like it would be long enough with high-waisted jeans and shorts. I also the scalloped edge, it's a nice feminine touch for spring. It comes in both white + a pretty green. What color do you think would look best on me? 

7. Distressed Jean Shorts - I'm always looking for the next best pair of distressed cutoff shorts. It's so hard to find good ones but these are SO cute and only $15! Honestly the price itself makes me a littttttleeeee skeptical (sometimes the cheaper pairs can be very thin!) but they have really good reviews online! Should I try them??

8. Tie-Dye PJ Set - My ultimate goal one day is to have drawers full of pjs! Comfy clothes + fuzzy socks are my jam. I usually just wear oversized tees to bed but I love pajamas. Target always has the best ones and this tie-dye set is so cute. The tee says "be the good" and the color looks very relaxing! 😝

Cheers to the weekend!

I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

THE BEST FREE PEOPLE DENIM SHORTS!

Tee: Aerie [wearing a size small] | Shorts: Free People [wearing a size 27] | Shoes: Birkenstock | Sunnies: Quay | Hoops: Forever 21 [old -- linking similar here] | Lip Combo: Liquid Lipstick [shade "Cameron"] & Gloss [shade "FU$$Y"]

THE BEST FREE PEOPLE DENIM SHORTS!

"Who wears short shorts? We wear short shorts!" Anyone else remember those commercials?? Did you ever try Nair?? I wanted it so bad when I first started shaving, LOL. I remember trying it out but I couldn't hang with the scent! Anywho, if you thought I couldn't come up with anymore basic outfits, jokes on you 😜 There really isn't much I love more than a good jeans + tee combo (maybe just a tee + leggings, heh). I was finally able to bust out my shorts for the first time today so I snapped a few pics of this look! These pieces are great staples that I'll be wearing all spring and summer. 

I shared these tees in last week's blog post and highly recommend. They have a distressed/washed look to them, are oversized + will go with pretty much anything. I grabbed the dark grey I'm wearing, an olive green + bright pink. They were also $17 last week when I bought them but are now on sale here for $15! 

I front tucked my tee to show off these shorts. They are from Free People and are some of the best ones I've seen them come out with! Cutoffs are always on the short side but the fit on these is good. One of my pet peeves with short shorts is that they can be too tight in the legs but these are very relaxed and loose! I also love the distressing + the color-- this pair is the perfect shade of blue for me. I also have them in this black shade too.

This morning I finally painted my toes but I don't think you can really see! My shoes are cutoff in a few photos but I'm wearing my favorite pair of Birki's. They're easy to wear + casual for running around. Same thing with my Quay sunnies-- they always just work! 

Would you wear this look? Let me know, I've been loving your fashion feedback on Insta! 

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

3 FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS I LOVE

I'm always looking for a new foundation-- it's one of my favorite makeup products to try out! What kind of coverage do you like? Depending on what look I'm going for or the time of year, I like both light and full-coverage. I'm also usually an all or nothing person when it comes to makeup-- either I wear none or I wear a ton! Lighter ones are great to do a fresh "no makeup" makeup look (which still usually requires a lot of makeup-- LOL!) but for "full glam" days I always go for a full-coverage look. If you're in the market for a new one to try-- here are 3 Full-Coverage Foundations That I Love!

**I have normal-to-dry skin! When I apply foundation, I always use either my favorite sponge or foundation brush. I love them both equally so I just switch back + forth. **

3 FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS I LOVE  

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation 

The Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is so so good- definitely a holy grail for me! I have been wearing this one for several years now and it has rave reviews for good reason. It is very full coverage that gives a matte, flawless finish. It's marketed for oily and combo skin but I have normal-to-dry and still love it! If you're like me and like a matte finish, definitely give this one a try. The shade range they offer is also insane-- it comes in 55 different shades in all undertones (cool, neutral + warm). I have always bought 1C1 Cool Bone (light for cool/rosy undertones) which has always been just a tad too dark. It use to be the lightest shade so I made it work but now they have a few new lighter shades! Next time I re-purchase I will try 1C0 Shell!  

Lawless Woke Up Like This Foundation

Another long-time favorite of mine is the Lawless Woke Up Like This Foundation. This one also offers a full-coverage finish that I would say leans more towards the matte side as well. Something I love about this foundation is that it's full of antioxidants and clean ingredients that are safe for your skin. It has a luxe, sleek design (and pump!) with no silicones or harmful chemicals. I wear the color "Pristine" which is a VERY close match (just a tad darker than my skin). The color works but I would love to see some additional shades added to the line. PS-- also just spotted it on sale here for 30% off!

The Ordinary Coverage Foundation

I can't believe how good this foundation is for the price-- the coverage is amazing and it is under $7!! I have a harder time finding affordable foundations that work well and match my light skin tone. The Ordinary Coverage Foundation is the perfect color/undertone-- I wear the shade 1.0 P. It also really smooths out my skin and with a good primer is very long-wearing and stays put. There are about 21 total shades available here + the packaging has a pump! This one has been my go-to recently, I'm wearing it in the photo above! 

What's your favorite foundation? Comment below so that I can try it out!! 

I love sharing my beauty faves with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS + RECAP!

Jacket: H&M [old -- similar here] | Tee: Target [old -- similar here] | Leggings: Old Navy [wearing a size small] | Sneakers: Adidas | Sunglasses: Quay 

Hey hey! I thought we'd switch things up today with a little chit chat. Anyone else feeling a little out of it and mentally bogged down this week? I think daylight savings and the time change this past Sunday really kicked my butt. My body has been stuck on the previous time so it's been such a struggle waking up this week and I'm feeling more tired than usual. Mornings have never been my friend (total night owl here-- it's 12:44am right now) but I should catch back up on my sleep this weekend! 

Some positive news for the blog is that yesterday marked two months of me putting up three blog posts every single week! I feel silly mentioning this but I've loved being more active on here and my Instagram (you can find me @TheKristenDiary). Right now I've been putting up new posts every Monday, Wednesday + Friday. If you missed this week's post, check out How to Spend Your Stimulus Check and this post on my New Fave $17 Basic Tee. I also post on IG pretty much everyday so you should come chat with me on there too! 

My boyfriend's family is also in town visiting all week so that's been keeping us busy. We've been going out to dinner and getting to spend time with them in the evenings which has been fun! I also went dress shopping with my sister and her best friend one night-- she is getting married in August and my sister is the maid of honor. The dress shopping process is no joke- it's crazy how many choices there are. I can't even imagine the process for picking out a wedding dress! 

Have you been watching any good shows or movies lately? I recently started The Chef Show on Netflix. It's so so good if you're into cooking and baking. I love the filming style, special guests + that they cover different cuisines/types of foods. Speaking of food, I'm also back on my "healthy kick" of trying to cut back/slim down a little for spring and summer. I've been easing into it the past few weeks with little changes here and there. Right now I'm trying to be good on workdays so I can eat whatever I want on off days + weekends. It's all about the balance! Be sure to check out my post on How I Lost 30lbs + Weight Loss Tips for how I cut back + lose weight.

I think that's pretty much my week summed up! #TGIF so we can all hopefully sleep in this weekend + get back on a normal schedule. Do you have anything fun planned this weekend? Let me know! 

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

NEW FAVORITE $17 BASIC TEE!

Tee: [oversized fit - wearing a small] | Leggings: Spanx [wearing a small] | Sneakers: Adidas | Bike Shorts: [wearing a small] | Sunglasses: Quay

I actually went shopping at the mall today which believe it or not, is pretty rare. I never really go or even try clothes on in a fitting room! I can't even remember the last time... anyone else? I typically just buy them or order online and try at home. A lot of the time it's too much hassle but I've been in a shoppy mood with spring + summer coming so I went in for the whole shebang. Some new basic tees have been at the top of my wishlist and I think I may have just found my new favorite one today!!

Okay so I did a pretty casual fitting room try-on but this tee is so so good you guys. It's oversized, comfy, has a little bit of a distressed/washed vibe and is the perfect weight (not super thin or too thick). I also really like that it's a scoop neck but the oversized fit keeps it from being constricting around the neck + chest. I like basics to be "basic" in comfort + versatility but I'm pretty picky with how they feel, fit + look. The best part is that this one is also SUPER affordable-- right now they are on sale for around $17! PS-- I also have a referral code you can use to save an additional 20% off which makes them under $14! If you want to use my code, click here. 

The tee also comes in so many different color choices + a few prints here. I originally planned on just picking out two colors so that I could wash and wear them before buying several, however I had a hard time deciding. I ended up purchasing three of the four I'm wearing-- the olive green, grey + the pink. I really love the tan color but I think it washes my pale skin out a bit! If you're tan or have a darker skin tone, I think the color would be gorgeous on. Also still eyeing the white, yellow + heather grey-- I always go for the basics but I love the bright colors for spring.

I also have to talk about these bike shorts really quickly! If you've been keeping up with recent posts, you know I've also been wanting a pair of them for the spring + summer. I ended up trying this pair on (in the last picture) but I was still undecided on them. I've never tried or owned a pair so they are different for me. I ended up polling on my IG stories (@TheKristenDiary) and almost everyone voted yes! Thinking I may order... what do you think? 

Stay tuned for some looks styling these soon and have a great week! 

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

HOW TO SPEND YOUR STIMULUS CHECK

Since a third round of stimulus checks are going out as we speak, let's chat about some ways you can use the money to your advantage! If you're in a position right now where you don't need the money to cover basic expenses and necessities, it's easy to view it as extra spending money to go on a shopping spree with. Instead of blowing all of the money on unnecessary purchases, here are some alternatives on how to wisely spend your stimulus check to better your financial situation!

**These are my own personal opinions + is not intended to be expert financial advice. Be sure to do your own research + contact a financial advisor to discuss what works best for you.** 

1. BUILD YOUR EMERGENCY FUND - I'm a big fan of the emergency fund + having a financial safety net. With all of the uncertainties of life and the world we're currently living in, it's essential to have some extra savings available for emergencies. Most financial experts recommend building your emergency fund to $1,000 first and then over time increasing it to cover three to six months of your expenses. I always veer on the side of caution so I'm passively working on building mine up to a year's worth of expenses. This is a great opportunity to help you financially that your future self will thank you for!

**Even if you can only save a small amount, start now! Every dollar counts. It might not seem significant but small steps in the right direction is better than no action at all.** 

2. PAY OFF BAD DEBT - If you have any high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans, etc.) it's a good idea to get rid of them as soon as possible! The rule of thumb on this one is usually anything with an interest rate of over 5%. Typically if your interest is higher than 5%, you are losing more money to interest than you could earn by investing. Use your stimulus check to help reduce or get rid of bad debt! 

3. INVEST + GROW MORE $$$ - If you have "good" debt that is under 5% or no debt, chances are you can grow + earn more by investing the money. The average return on most investments is around 10% per year so with investing you can use the money to your advantage. A few ways to invest your money is through a retirement account such as ROTH IRA/Traditional IRA, with an individual brokerage account, etc. 

**Do your research or consult a financial expert to find out what the best option for you is!**

4. TREAT YOURSELF (WITHIN REASON!) - If you know it's not realistic for you to save/invest/pay off debt using all of your stimulus money, it's okay to treat yourself A LITTLE. I'd recommend budging out a percentage of your check for spending money + then utilize the rest to your benefit via savings, investing, etc. 

**I also like to spend locally where I can so if you're planning on shopping or eating out, it's also nice to help support small businesses and restaurants in your area!** 

Are you a spender or a saver? Comment down below!

 

ALSO READ: 

Money Moves I'm Making in 2021

How I Save Money Shopping

March Money To-Do List

BEAUTY HAUL + 2021 ULTA/SEPHORA BIRTHDAY GIFTS!

Happy Friday-- are you ready for the time change this weekend? I normally hate losing the hour of sleep but the closer to spring we can get the better! Soooo ready to wear my shorts and flip-flops. Another thing I've been wanting to do is revamp my makeup + beauty for spring! I've been searching for some new products to try so I have a mini haul with a few things I thought we could chat about today. I feel like when the weather changes or we have a new season, I'm always in a shoppy mood! I only have a few items today but also have some really good samples + birthday gifts from Ulta/Sephora! 

GISOU HONEY INFUSED HAIR OIL 

Fully expecting to see some major hair goals out of this Gisou Honey Infused Hail Oil! She's a boujee one but my hair needs it asap. It's been feeling a little lackluster recently so we're on a mission to revamp + revive. The oil has honey that's suppose to help repair but hopefully will also help with styling + flyaways. It now comes in a mini size so I wanted to test that out first before buying the larger bottle! 

Mini Size / Medium / Large

VELOUR LASHES FLUFF'N BROW PENCIL 3-IN-1 BROW PENCIL + BALM

I can't wait to try this!! I just broke the rest of my Hourglass pencil so I decided to switch it up + try out this Velour Lashes Fluff'N Brow pencil. I thought this looked really neat because it's a 3-in-1-- it has the brow pencil, a balm + a spoolie. It also feels super luxe + heavy! My holy-grail has always been this Anastasia pencil but the one thing I hate is that the plastic packaging cracks easily. The Velour is made of metal and feels very durable. I bought the shade "Taupe." 

TATCHA THE DEWY SKIN CREAM PLUMPING + HYDRATING MOISTURIZER

Okay I lucked out and got this as a free sample with purchase! I've been needing a new everyday moisturizer and have been curious about the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream so it was a weird coincidence that I got this! Tatcha is a great brand but this one's a little pricey so I'm excited to try it out before spending the $$$ on the full size. If you can't find a free sample code, they also have a mini one for around $20! 

Mini Size | Medium | Large 

MOROCCANOIL SEPHORA BIRTHDAY GIFT

On to the birthday goodies! Most of you probably know but Sephora + Ulta both come out with free birthday gifts every year that you can redeem for free during your birthday month! There are four different ones this year at Sephora-- one from NARS, Laneige, Moroccanoil + Kerastase. 

Since I've been wanting to try new hair products, I went for the Moroccanoil set. This one includes mini sizes of the Moroccanoil Treatment, Hydrating Styling Cream and Night Body Serum. I've used the Moroccanoil Treatment before and it's SO SO good. Super hydrating + the smell is unreal. Excited to try out the cream + serum! 

Treatment | Hydrating Styling Cream | Night Body Serum

TOO FACED BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA

Ulta does their birthday gifts a little differently. Instead of offering the same ones all year, they do a new one each month. My birthday was in January but when I went in, they were all sold out and told me to come back. I did a few weeks later and they were so nice-- they gave me both the January gift + the February Gift! 

The gift for January was a deluxe size of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. I've used this before and it's amazing! I love getting little samples of mascara-- they last a long time + are also a great to throw in your bag. 

Travel Size | Full Size 

LANCOME LASH IDOLE LASH-LIFTING & VOLUMIZING MASCARA

The February gift was the new Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara! I haven't tried this one yet so I was stoked that they also gave me this one. Lancôme makes some of the BEST mascaras I've ever tried-- I love this one + this one. 

Travel Size | Full Size 

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

Have you tried any of these? Would love to hear your thoughts!

THE BEST SPRING TIE DYE SWEATSHIRT!

Sweatshirt: Target [oversized fit - wearing a size small] | Leggings: Old Navy [best compression + so affordable - wearing a small] | Earrings: [old - similar pair here] | Sandals: Birkenstock [so comfy] | Sunglasses: Quay | Lipgloss: Fenty [love -- great shine]

TARGET SPRING TIE DYE SWEATSHIRT

New fave sweatshirt right here!! I found this amazing Target Tie Dye Sweatshirt so I snagged it in two different colors. I shared both in my Target Spring Try-On Haul from last week! It's such a good staple for this time of year. It has the perfect weight-- not too heavy but still super soft on the inside + comfortable. When it's a little cool and breezy it's the perfect thing to throw on with a pair of denim shorts, leggings or even bike shorts! The colors are super bright + fun on the teal blue/green one I'm wearing-- very spring and summery! Also picked up this color which is a pretty pink and purple tie dye. 

Since it's not quite shorts weather here, I paired it with my favorite Old Navy leggings. Honestly you guys-- these are a MUST-HAVE. I'm superrrrr picky with leggings but these are so so good. They're a compression material so they suck you in + are very flattering! Also very sporty chic so perfect to workout in or throw on and go. I wear this pair the most during the spring and summer because they're a lighter fabric and they hit right at the ankle. I don't love thicker leggings when it's hot out! Also just found out they make them in bike shorts too!! They're only $20 so I'm going to order them in black and maybe a fun print for spring?? I'll link them here!

Okay so don't look at my toes because I need to do them! 🙈 I feel naked wearing sandals without polish but I was just running out to grab lunch + it was too nice to not wear! What do you think of the Birki's?? I love them but I know they get some pretty extreme reactions! My boyfriend HATES them, haha! I've tried to get him to buy a pair but nope! I love tho-- they're just easy, comfortable + I feel like they go with a lot. Also very casual so perfect with this easy look. I have a couple different pairs but I like this style the most. My sunnies are my everyday Quay's + I just threw on some old hoop earrings (similar pair here). 

Comment below YAY or NAY on the Birki's!!

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

MARCH MONEY TO-DO LIST

It's another Money Monday here on TheKristenDiary! I have a few important goals I'd like to tackle this month relating to my money + finances. Tax season is coming to an end soon so it's a good month to cross t's and dot i's with filing taxes, retirement funds, etc. It's also a great time to reevaluate your yearly financial goals + see how things are going! If there's something on your goal list you haven't accomplished yet, look into making it happen this month! Here are a few of mine. 

**This post is not intended nor meant to be financial advice. Just sharing my own goals + things that work for me!** 

MARCH MONEY TO-DO LIST

• Boost retirement contributions for 2020 - This is my top financial goal for the next month. The cutoff date for 2020 retirement contributions is on tax day, April 15th. I've already funded some of my ROTH IRA for the year, however I plan to max out the $6,000 contribution limit. I still need to transfer over the difference within the next month. 

          **If you don't have a ROTH IRA, I highly recommend you look into opening one! It's free to open + you can add any amount of money up to $6,000. If you contribute by April 15th, you can also still get credit for the 2020 year!**

• Diversify retirement portfolio - I like to invest in mutual funds within my retirement account. I currently have investments in a few different sectors but I'd like to expand + diversify. It's on my list to research new funds in different sectors + invest in those. 

• Fund + invest brokerage account -  I finally set up a new individual brokerage (non-retirement) account! This was one of my goals for 2021 (read Money Moves I'm Making in 2021 for more). My main priority is to max out my ROTH first, however I also want to start investing in this account soon. I'm thinking of making a small initial investment this month to just get started! I also haven't decided what I want to invest in yet so I need to do some research on mutual/index funds, stocks, etc. 

• List + sell unwanted items - Over the years I've sold some of my old/unwanted things online. I'd like to clean out my closet and get rid of some things I no longer want or wear. This is a great way to make more room in your space + also make a little bit of money! 

That's a wrap! I've been really into sharing + talking more about money and finances on the blog. I think it's a great way to share information + learn how to improve. Let me know if you like these? Also if you have any topics + or ideas you'd like me to share feel free to comment below or message me on IG! You can find me @TheKristenDiary :) 

Have a great week!! 

xx,

Kristen

WHAT I WANT FOR SPRING

Back with another "What I Want" post today! This one is all things spring-- new clothing, shoes + beauty. The weather is spoiling us this week, I love love love! It's been warm, sunny + a little breezy. So we know I love the easy, simple vibes and I found some great basics for spring. I really need some new go-to tees and jean shorts! I feel like I have the hardest time finding great ones of those-- maybe I'm just too picky?!?! 

1. Distressed Boyfriend T-Shirt

Okay this might be the one. I have such a hard time finding the *perfect* tee. I like them to be a little oversized, comfy, have the right neckline + not be too structured. Can't be too thick either! I found this one which I think is a great contender. It's oversized with a distressed, almost washed look. I also refuse to pay $50 for a basic tee + this one is on sale for $18. I'll link all the colors here-- I want the black, white + tan. 

2. Retro 80s Cutoff Denim Shorts

Jean shorts are another one that's a b*tch for me to find! They're usually too big, small or short. The worst is when they ride up! Loving the looks of this pair. I always go for a relaxed, distressed look but these aren't too holey + have a nice wash. Interested to see how they are in person!

3. Saie Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 35

Has anyone tried Saie before? This brand is new to me but dying to try out this Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer! It has a dewy, lighter coverage which I think is great for this time of year. Also love that it has a mineral sunscreen + clean ingredients. 

4. NARS The Multiple in Orgasm 

I'm feeling nostalgic with this one! NARS use to be one of my favorite makeup brands years back + I haven't used anything from them in awhile. Their powder blushes are some of the best so I thought this multiple stick would be perfect for spring. It's an all-in-one cream stick that you can use on cheeks, lips, eyes + body. Their "Orgasm" blush was always my favorite shade (forever a classic IMO) so I have my eye on that one + "Copacabana." 

5. Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

Love this makeup remover-- so so good. It's an oil that you apply dry first, then you emulsify it with water and it gets everything off! Needing a new one of this so adding to my list. Highly recommend-- it lasts forever + has clean ingredients. 

6. Nike Bike Shorts

Lol okay this one is funny because I use to HATE bike shorts! I didn't get them at all and thought they were so not cute. Then I realized they're just leggings adapted for hot weather + I was sold. You guys know I live in leggings so I'm going to try out a pair this spring. I've been searching for the right pair to buy and I think these look like one of the best. They get great reviews + the material is a polyester/spandex which I want over cotton. I want them to be fitted + not hot (more like compression/"workout" material). These also are a moderate price-- not "cheap" but not super expensive either. I've looked at several cheaper options and have seen a lot of reviews on them being see through, etc. Would rather pay a little more for a good pair so hopefully they are IT-- will link them here!

7. Leather Narrow Strap Sandals

If you don't own these sandals, buy them ASAP! They are my all-time favorite/go-to/holy grail, whatever you want to call it. I've been buying them for as long as I can remember + they're the best leather sandals. The look is super simple but they go with almost everything, are very well made + mold to your feet. I usually buy a new pair every 2-3 years so I have my eye on these black ones. I currently have them in the dark brown narrow strap but they also come in a wide strap too. 

8. Gold Ear Jacket Earrings 

How cool are these earrings?! I saw them in store over Christmas + loved them. Thinking it might be nice to pick up another pair to swap out with the Nordstrom ones I wear almost daily. I really like this pair because they're also dainty but come in gold w/ white druzy stones. Also a little bit of edgy vibes which I am all for! 

I still think it's so crazy that we're already in March! Do you have any spring break/vacation plans this year or are you staying home? Zero plans for me at this point! Hope you have a great weekend!

xx,

Kristen

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I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)