Honestly, when I first starting seeing the distressed shoe trend around, I was like no way, I am not going to invest this fleeting trend. But then it started to stick around, and I honestly started to love the look more and more. HOWEVER - I am not spending $500 on an intentionally worn out pair of shoes...

I set an alert on Mercari (a site similar to eBay where people sell their stuff!) to let me know when Golden Goose sneakers in my size are listed, and when I got an alert and saw they were only $100 - I bought them right away! Most of these selling sites protect you against counterfeit items - ie if the seller says they are real and you receive them and find they are not, you can return them and get your money back no prob - but you have to know what to look for. If you are searching for your own pair, keep scrolling to find out some tips to authenticate your Golden Goose sneakers!

As with authenticating most designer items, stitching is an important detail to look at. Specifically on Golden Goose sneakers, an area where counterfeits often miss stitching detail is the rectangle below the laces. The lines should be straight and make a perfect symmetrical rectangle.

Another area of stitching to inspect is the seam on the back of the shoe. Make sure the stitching is straight and the stitches are a consistent size.

The triple dots on the side of the shoe is an important detail to look for on Golden Goose Superstar sneakers. The dots should be the same size, consistently spaced, and at an angle.

Often, counterfeit GG Superstars will have stitching that does meet the ends of the stars, therefore allowing wrinkling and rolling of the edges of the stars. 

Scuffing is a signature of Golden Goose sneakers. However, the scuffing should look "real". There should not be a system to the distress. Make sure the scuffing is inconsistent through out the whole shoe. 

There are a couple areas on GG SS sneakers that have words and letters, including the side (GGDB SSTAR), the back (Golden Goose), the tongue (GGDB Made in Italy) and the soles (Superstar Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Venezia). Make sure the font and spacing are consistent throughout, and that the shoes include all these details. 

Before I found my GG sneakers secondhand, I also had a dupe pair. (Dupes are similar styles that  don't try to pass for the originals, ie logos and brand name -- these are counterfeits!) For being so cheap, they were not cheaply made! I still have and wear them, and they have held up so well! Below are a dupe pair that are only $21 + have free shipping!

Below are a couple options if you are looking for a pair of secondhand GG sneakers. Not all are superstars, but all are under $130! Just click directly on the pic to shop. 

I'm all in for this high waist trend I've been seeing everywhere! They are so feminine and create a great hour glass look while also hiding all those extra tacos... I've been looking for a high waist jean short that feels great and is long enough to where I feel like I'm not always adjusting them. I couldn't believe it when I found this Madewell jeans over 50% off! 

BP Bodysuit [new, $12] Madewell Perfect Jean Shorts [new, $29] Valentino Rock Stud Dupe Flip Flops [new, $19] Zara Straw Beach Hat [new, $20] Chanel Cat Eye Sunglasses [secondhand, $30]

I own a couple pairs of Madewell jeans, and looove them. They are so worth the price! They are stretchy and form fitting without stretching out, and have a really long life. If you are looking to purchase a new pair, you can bring in an old pair of jeans (doesn't have to be Madewell!) and get $20 off a new pair! They use them for insulation for Habitat for Humanity, so you are helping those in need as well!

Anwayyy, the shorts are just as great as the jeans I have owned. Like other Madewell jeans, they fit very true to size. I am wearing a size 27, so I recommend going with the size you normally wear.

I'm practically living in these tank bodysuits this summer. They are light and airy, and make all my outfits looks seamless. They come in multiple colors and patterns, so I recommend stocking up because when you spend $50 at Nordstrom Rack you get free shipping! The fit is a bit on the tighter side and because they are thong they come up on high on your hips, so I recommend sizing up one size. I own them in size small and medium, and I find the medium more comfortable. 

And of course I love my Amazon designer inspired pieces at a fraction of the price! I've had this Hermes inspired double wrap Apple watch band for 6 months now and it still looks brand new! I get compliments on it all the time. Also loving my rockstud flip flops that look JUST like the Valentino ones, but under $20! Both are prime on Amazon, aka free shipping and free returns, so there is nothing to lose!

This weekend we got to spend the most amazing, relaxing time in Pismo Beach! Between the cafe and spa time I wanted a really easy + cute beach-y look that took as little time as possible. AKA a big floppy hat to hide second day hair and a cute pair of flip flops! 

In all honesty, I don't shop at Forever 21 that much. Their clothing tends to not be well made, but sometimes you can find a gem in the rough. This dress is that gem!! It is linen and really well made. Plus it is adorable and so comfortable! I love the midi length, but it is still breathable and light. I've linked the dress I'm wearing along with another similar option, you can shop by just clicking the pic! I'm wearing a medium, the dress runs a bit small.

The beach hat I'm wearing is Zara, but I've found a few other similar, cute options all under $20 above. One is under $10 and from Nordstrom!

Lastly, my VERY favorite piece from this weekend are these Valentino inspired rock stud flip flops from Amazon. They look just like the real deal!

I wore them all around the resort and on the beach. So comfy and well made -- there have 4.5/5 stars on Amazon! Plus they are a fraction of the cost of the Valentino flip flops. Depending on the size and color you want (there are many color options!) they range in price from $12-$19. AND they are prime so you get free fast shipping! I will be wearing these all summer for sure. You can shop directly below!

It's definitely fun to try all the new beauty trends and products that seem to always be coming out, but when I'm at the store there are a couple products I KNOW are good and will always pick up. A lot of them I have been using since high school! I really believe we don't have to spend hundreds of dollars at a time to have the best beauty products, you just have to find what works best for you. Keep scrolling to see the products I've been using for such a long time that I can't help but recommend them!

**if there is any product you want to try out just click the pic to go straight to purchase! :)

This is hands down the beauty product that I have been most loyal to since I was a teenager. This mascara is amazing! I don't know the science/magic behind it, but it just lifts and curls eyelashes so well, and holds all day. When I was a cashier at Target in high school, it literally happened more than once where a woman coming through my check out line asked what mascara I was wearing, and came back through my line again to buy it. 

I am SO grateful my mom had me start using a daily moisturizer with SPF when I was 13. Not only because I am super pale and avoided a lot of sun burns, but because I feel it has played a large part in avoiding wrinkles. 

Also a high school goody! The pencil + gel combo is very subtle but you really notice a fuller eyebrow. Plus I love that they are combined in one product so you don't have to go searching for two products!

This is a really mild, fresh face wash that I love for the mornings because I really feel like it activates my skin and wakes me up. Even hubby likes to use this stuff everyday.

Another Target cashier story! So this guy came through my line and told me his lips were so chapped and asked if there were any chapsticks at the counter, and I pointed to the few I had behind him. He handed me a Burts Bees tinted chapstick to ring and I handed it back to him because it seemed like an emergency lol. As I was finishing up the transaction he put some on, and I was astounded to look up and find he had bright red lips! I couldn't bring myself to tell him he had not bought ordinary chapstick, or maybe he knew and liked it? Either way that guy left with some fierce lips. I love this stuff because it is super moisturizing and gives really great, subtle color.

I stumbled across this tinted moisturizer when I was looking for a less expensive option to the Nars products (it hurts to pay that much for makeup!) and this one is so much more bang for your buck. It's great to smooth out any roughness or redness and just give your skin tone a more even look. Plus it has SPF!

The OG. I know I've talked before about how great this stuff is, and how closely it resembles much more expensive moisturizers (ahem La Mer) but I just love how full and moisturized my skin feels in the morning after applying over night. Nightly staple at our house!

Another great, long-lasting higher end makeup dupe! Milani makes an incredibly similar blush to very popular Nars "orgasm". The color lasts all day and a little goes a long way, so the product lasts a long time!

I've always loved the Hermes Oran sandals, but they hold their value and it is really hard to find a pair used pair under $400. Sorry, just not at a point in my life where I can justify that. Steve Madden has a pair of dupes that retail for around $60, so when I found this pair at Target FOR UNDER $20 I had to get them!

They have a super similar "H" band across the top of the foot, plus they are really comfortable (the sole is squishy!) I bought my usual size 8.5 and they fit just perfect, but maybe I should have gone up to a 9. If you are between sizes I would recommend going up.

You can shop them down below! I would recommend picking them up now, sizes are selling out! These are such a cute sandal for spring and summer. I'm already planning all the outfits for Europe this summer I can wear with them!

I've also linked my super cute "hello" welcome mat below. Under $23 and prime, so free fast shipping!