25's a-comin'

My 25th birthday is fast approaching. Whoa. Here are some things that have been catching my eye. I'm not usually a dress-wearer, but I've been realizing lately that it could be because I'm not thrilled with my current options. I think I need some casual dresses that are more my style. All of these would look great with a pair of clogs, no? :) I got an amazing (and very rare) Ruche coupon a few days ago, so I snatched up all three to try them on!

1. madewell tomboy workshirt (have it in green & it's fabulous) // 2. essie chinchilly. so great for any season // 3. a top I've been eyeing from H&M for quite some time // 4. farmer's market tank dress from ruche // 5. aftermath striped dress from ruche // 6. starboard striped midi dress from ruche

clogs

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Happy Valentine’s Day!

In honor of loving things - I’ve been completely enthralled with these clogs lately (in Cognac or Bordeaux). Will and I are people who love our shoes. Each shoe purchase is deliberated over for what seems like months, and because of that, we are obsessed with nearly every pair we purchase. 

For the most part, we also love the other’s taste in shoes. Will wears the Timberland Earthkeepers, Clarks Desert Treks, these adorable Sperry sneakers… I love them all. And he loves my Madewell riding boots, my Clarks Fairfield “sneakers”, my Bensimon flats, my New Balance Minimus running shoes. But every once in a while, we are in very different camps. He hates my Sam Edelman ankle boots, which obviously makes me want to throw his opinion straight out the window. 

I’ve been really digging the look of these clogs with some cute skinny ankle jeans. I especially love it when the top is baggy and cozy. The clogs seem like a clunky, care-free way to add style and “dressiness” to an outfit. I’m not one for dainty shoes (I rarely wear heels), but these are tom-boyish enough to get it done. It’s like “I’m kind of frumpy and messy, but I still have stylish shoes - so there.”

If I ever got these though, I think they would quickly be on Will’s hate list and he’d want to toss them straight out the window.   ;)

something else that's new.

Here’s something new around these parts: a few weeks ago, I got glasses!

At first, I was a bit insecure about the way they fit my face because I think they look a little large for my long and narrow face. However, they’ve grown on me and I’ve received nothing but compliments on them. I also don’t need to wear them all the time, so that helped me ease in. Upon further study, I think they work well with my face shape since they and my face are both kind of square-ish. Also, they are for distance, so the big lenses really help me gather everything in my line of sight and bring clarity!

I had been getting headaches more and more frequently, and Will and I had conducted some tests while driving to compare my vision with his. Turns out, I wasn’t able to read most road signs until the very last second - a tad unnerving. I also noticed that when viewing presentations at work, I had to literally stop looking at the screen and just listen in order to prevent a headache, no matter how close I was sitting to the front. It was clearly time for a test!

I’m so glad I got them. Honestly, since then it has been amazing how clear everything looks. It’s like I didn’t know what I was missing without the comparison. While watching TV now, I will start with my glasses on and then lower them from time to time throughout the episode (ie: Downton Abbey) and the contrast makes me feel practically blind. It’s shocking how much I must have been straining my eyes before. Thank goodness for the new spectacles! Love ‘em. 

summer style

It's been a while. Summer has been doin' it's thing - being beautiful and going by way too fast. Lots of changes over the past few months for us, so while I stall on writing more blog posts, I'll distract you with these pretty things from around the web. They've been serving as good distractions for me when I should probably be doing other things ;) 

Hope you're relaxed, sunned, and soaking up every minute of it.

1. geometric necklace // 2. dipped earrings // 3. australian opal

4. flats that I'm too cheap for, but obsessed with // 5. flowing maxi // 6. pretty print

7. scalloped shorts // 8. beautiful ombre // 9. the flawless 'transport tote' // 10. a top I could totally make.

my favorite accessory

I hope you all had a relaxing and blessed Easter! Tomorrow I'll write about the adventure that Will and I went on for the weekend - we're not even home yet!

But for now, I thought I'd quickly share about a slight addiction I have...

You may not consider this legitimate, but my favorite accessory is my hair. It grows back, so why not change it to suit your mood or current look? Inspired by a recent hair post from Cup of Jo, I thought I'd share the extensive journey my hair has been on. I think I change my hair more than anyone else I know. Such a trooper, that hair of mine.

Starting with late high school through the present day, here we go:

My hair was naturally blond for so long and I would just highlight it, that I didn't even realize when it naturally got so much darker! So as you can see, I did a major chop to get back to my natural color - which turned out to be some mousey brown with a little reddish tint shown in photo number 4. Interesting. Didn't see that coming.

I did Locks for Love in early high school, but not this time around. This time I was gradually chopping because I'm a haircut addict. I had the bleached blond short 'do in photo number 3 when Will met me, and I haven't looked like that since! After that, we had the pixie cut, the faux hawk, the mom phase (love it short, but growing it back is a long arduous trek through mullets and soccer mom looks), bangs to change it up during the growing process, short perm preparing for dreads, the lovely locks themselves, the chop post-dread-pre-wedding...

and I've been trying to patiently grow it ever since.

I'm so fickle. When it's short, I want it long. When it's long or growing, I just count the days until the next big chop. What on earth is my problem? I think I have an issue with being content.

But why not? It's just hair :)

So where am I now?

photo by Will

Fresh bangs again. 

The great chop is oh-so tempting to me these days, but I'm sticking it out for now! 

Look how long it's getting! Be proud of me. It's a big deal.

the big day!

Well, here we are folks! One of the most anticipated days of my year! Why am I such a birthday spaz? I really couldn't tell ya. I think the people in my life just always do an awesome job at making me feel really special. What's not to love, right?!

My co-workers already threw me an Australian-themed party - so clever ;) - which effectively used up two hours of our workday. I think I've mentioned before that my job, although as dull as it comes, is filled with co-workers who certainly know how to party. And I love them dearly for it.

My phone has been blowing up with texts and calls which is so so fun, and I've been getting mail today and have been told that more packages on the way! Seriously, such a blast. Will and I are also going out to dinner tonight, and then maybe watching some LOST later with a glass of wine for the birthday girl. Yep, that's how I roll. Party. Animal. You don't have to tell me.

Growing up, did anyone ever ask you what age you would freeze life at if you could? Well, I'm at the age now that I always said I would choose to live at forever. So we'll see if it's all it was cracked up to be!

J.Crew also decided to celebrate by putting a bunch of bathing suits on sale! Woo! Thanks, J.Crew! Too bad I can't afford any of these anyway, but hey, a girl can dream and they're pretty to look at. Take a peak!

1. floral 2. seersucker 3. seashells 4. adorable retro bottoms 5. paisley 6. ruffly top

These are getting me dreaming of warmer weather, which is waaaay far off on this windy 30 degree day. Can't come soon enough!

I hope you all have/had a wonderful March 6th! I know I will :)

why I can never be a "what I wore today" blogger.

This is something I've given great thought to, and I figured I'd let you in on my ponderings.

I really do enjoy fashion. Honest. 

I freakin' adore Kendi Everday and get ideas from her all the time.

{via}

{via}

She's very "pinnable" and I love the way she pairs so many unique pieces. And I really admire that she's made a living out of posting what she wears! That's so impressive. She rocks.

I also commonly drool over all things J.Crew. Their bright colors and unexpected combinations always keep me coming back for more. It's not uncommon for me to visit their website for inspiration before I get dressed in the morning. I'm currently styling my thrifted-but-nearly-identical pieces in this sort of manner...

{via}

{via}

See? I'm not inept! I can get the job done.

However, the truth of the matter is - if my job didn't dictate my fashion choices, 

here's what I would naturally gravitate toward...

{find sources on my pinterest board}

Frump. Central.

Not gonna lie, I think that second photo is of a guy but I don't even care. I would wear that every day.

Maybe "frumpy" is the wrong word. The connotation is all wrong. Some of my favorite words are "over-sized", "cozy", "comfy" and "loose". I think you get the gist.

This is why I need a work-from-home job - so I can sit on my couch in my wool socks, leggings and blankets. Or do work from Starbucks in loose jeans, baggy sweaters and a baseball cap.

At the heart of it, could I post photos of the J.Crew inspired outfits that I put together for work?
Yes.
But could I do it in good conscience, knowing that it actually only takes about five minutes before I start feeling constricted, cold, and daydream of my more generously cut articles of clothing?
Never.

I just needed to be transparent about that fact.
I admire all of you dressy ladies, because I'm simply not cut out for it.

super cute restyle

Everyone has an old bummy crewneck lying around, right? If not, it's probably worth it to go thrift one just to do this adorable restyle I saw on A Beautiful Mess.

Click here for the tutorial.

Just wanted to share a pretty find :) Happy Wednesday!

the color of fall

Here's a tribute to the most fantastic color to wear during the autumn months...

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

1   2   3   4


It can look bold, it can look neutral - it's so versatile and I love it. I'm especially diggin' the first ModCloth dress and the world's most perfect heels. The dress is so Mad Men. 


What's your favorite color of the season?

a great big thanks to the 1960's

I'm feeling thankful to the 1960's for the wonderful fashion trends that we have today. We're

 rockin' a hybrid of styles from the 60's, 70's and 80's these days, but here's a 

peek at what beauties come to us from the 60's.

My co-worker recently lent me Barbra Streisand's 1968 hit Funny Girl and I really enjoyed it. 

The best part though? Her clothes! What a freaking trendsetter. Take a look:

Half way through the movie, she ditched her long locks for this adorable stacked bob. 

Was this not the copied style of last year? Why yes. Still love it, especially in the top photo.

(pardon the widescreen shot)

but this above outfit may have been my favorite. The slate teal colored drop-waisted dress with side tie (see above) and the long knotted pearl necklace. Top it off with some chunky rings? 

Well done, Miss Fanny Brice.

scarf headband over her "poofed" up bob.

the color on this one is a bit intense, but the high-buttoned bodice is great with the tiered ruffled skirt.

in higher fashion settings (NYC, Italy) animal print is actually making another comeback.

shoulder cut-outs, glamorous beading, fabulous skirt on that gown, beehive with a braided headband.

a. ma. zing.

So there you have it. The talented and fashionable "Fanny Brice" paved way for the future.

Thanks Barbra!

:)

inspired & affirmed

Thanks to Jo for showing me how to wear my new (new to me, anyway) loafers! I got these killer loafers from Savers for $7.99 and I was quite pleased. Score 1 for me! Even more pleased when I peeled off the price sticker to reveal "Genuine Leather, Banana Republic."

Score about 200 more for me.

But I was feeling a little self-conscious because I knew that I liked my loafers, but would it advance my age 50 years? Is that no good? I had some ideas of how I'd wear them, but then I found this little nugget. Thanks to Jo for pinning this piece of inspiration...

And #6 loafers look just like mine! Win. What do you think? Too granny-like still? 

Chic finds

I frequently tune into The Sartorialist for some fashionable spottings on the streets. Here are some of my recent faves...

Milan

Paris

New York

Some are wild with too many conflicting patterns, but these are nice yet still unique. Thoughts?

c'est gris.

For a day like today, here's a collection of things in my favorite hue.