I went shopping this weekend with my boyfriend's sisters to celebrate one of their birthdays. Also, we're all going out of town in June and needed some new gear. And... Oh, I'm out of excuses. We just wanted to shop. We decided on Westshore Plaza because it's more affordable than International Plaza but has a good restaurant selection. We had lunch first at P.F. Changs, during which we consumed heaps of Dan Dan Noodles, fried green beans and several Chinese martinis. YOU GUYS, it's fun to go shopping after several martinis. But it's also dangerous. Your guard is down. Money seems limitless. Both judgment and vision are impaired.  And then, inevitably, you're dropped like a rock about three hours into the mall, clamoring for a Diet Coke in the food court.

Anyway, we all did great in spite. I scored this lemon yellow pleated swing skirt from the Limited, marked down from $60 to $35. Ain't it grand?

My friends wondered what I would pair it with, to which I enthusiastically said "PURPLE, DUH!" (See: martinis.) I actually tried it on with purple shoes and a cardigan this morning, and it kind of worked, but I thought it might be a little candyish for a Monday. I instead partnered my new skirt with a ruched black top and peep toe heels from Target, a leopard cardigan from Forever 21, and a Betsey Johnson cocktail ring.

My favorite part of today's outfit, though? My new necklace!

It's a bird inside a cage, and I snagged it at Claire's. Claire's was our very last stop of the day. We were tired (hungover), and seriously punchy. It's easy to get silly in Claire's. When I was a child, I wanted nothing more than to work there when I turned 16. When I got old enough, though, I realized that store is mostly for kids. But if you look past the Justin Bieber sleep masks and the teddy bear headbands and the princess crowns, you can actually find some affordable accessories fit for a grownup.

Or maybe it was still the martinis talking.

Deal Diva Stephanie