color rut

 

Last week I wore chambray, then coral, then chambray, and then coral again. It was completely unintentional but it did make me think about how that happened. As I was going through my closet again the other day weeding out more items to sell/donate, I realized that my entire wardrobe is white, pink/red, blue, and black. I wonder if we all tend to gravitate towards certain colors more in our wardrobe, or do most people have a more balanced closet? I want to branch out, but are my purchases over the past years telling me that what I'm doing is working for me, or are they telling me I'm stuck in a color rut?

Blazer: Gap [exact now $49.99 + 25% off]

Tee: Everlane

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Sam Edelman [exact]

Necklace:gift from my sister/H&M 

Rings: Jewelmint [exact]

Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury 

via instagram

cold spell + J.Crew Button Front Dress Review

Remember how about three days ago I was bitching how it was so hot and I have no clothes to wear for that weather? Luckily for me, the temps have dropped about 30 degrees so we're right back into perfect weather territory - just enough to layer a little bit but not not cold enough to need a jacket. All you need is a fun scarf ;)

Unfortunately this weather won't last long until it gets hot again. After hearing about Everlane for over a year, I finally caved and ordered two of the v-neck tees (I was boring and just got white and black). Both Jess and Lauren rave about their quality and longevity so I'm excited to test them out. I'll be sure to report back once I receive them. I also stumbled upon this tee from Express (as seen here) and I think it'll be a fun casual shirt to have for the summer. I'm hoping to do a bit of Memorial Day shopping (mostly to get those last few pieces for school) but I'm also going to keep my eyes out for shorts. Ick. Budgetting Bloggers goes up on Tuesday so at least consider trying to stick to your budgets while all of the sales are temping us!

Cardigan: thrifted

Tee: Hanes

Scarf: Target [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch, thrifted by my mom

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

In other news, yesterday I went to J.Crew to try on this dress. I saw it in stores when we were in Minneapolis, and then I also saw it on Lauren and thought it was just gorgeous. I've set some money aside recently to buy a dress specifically for my work going away party / summer weddings / possible white coat ceremony that isn't a part of my normal budget. I wanted something versatile and appropriate for all of those occasions, and I was hoping this dress would be it. I even had a dream about it, so needless to say, I had high hopes for it. 

In the catalog it looks like it was knee length, but online it looks a bit shorter. I think this picture is a little bit misleading as well because it is on the shorter side of "knee length", at least on 5'9'' me. The fabric is thick, and the lining would prevent having to wear a slip, and of course the pockets are fun. I felt that the dress runs small, as I wear a 10 in both blazers and tops at J.Crew, and this dress is a 12. It's too tight in the chest as you can see by the buttons pulling on the chest, and leaves too much of the armpit area exposed. 

I think my problem with the dress is more on me than on the dress. I really really dislike my arms, and therefore a sleeveless dress obviously is only going to show those suckers off. I'm disappointed because I kind of hoped that wouldn't be the case in this situation (why, I'm not sure, it's the allure of the skinny models wearing the pretty dress!). It's definitely a beautiful dress in real life, and I'm envious of those who own it, but it just isn't going to be the one for me :(

the not investment piece.

 

On Monday I waxed poetically about making smarter purchases over the past year - pieces that fulfill a hole in my closet, pieces that can be worn multiple ways, and something that I'll wear for years. While those are admirable goals, like Jacquie and Jessica both said, the statement/non essential pieces are necessary too, and may just be the pieces we like the most. I bought this sweater a few weeks ago when Chris and I were in Minneapolis. It doesn't fulfill a need (....who really has a need for a linear black, grey, cream, and peach sweater?), I'm unsure how many ways I can wear it, and who knows how long I'll keep it in my closet. 

But for now, I really like it. And as long as these kind of purchases aren't an every purchase occurrence , I think they help spice things up a bit....even if it's just wearing it over a white button up. so spicy.

Sweater: Madewell [similar??]

Blouse: H&M

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

duplicates?

I bought this shirt over Thanksgiving break and I'm actually kind of disappointed that I didn't get a few more colors during that 50% the entire store sale. I'm not one to buy duplicates, but I just feel really comfortable in this shirt - it isn't too tight in the arms, it fits across my chest, and is long enough on me. 

How common is it to buy duplicates of something - do you own anything in multiple colors?  I guess it makes sense that if you find something that you love it would be beneficial to own several variations. 

Shirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21

Belt: Gap [same style]

Bracelet: Australian souvenir

Flats: Sam Edelman [exact]

...Friday Favorite Remix...

1 | 2 | 3

fixations

 

You guys. Remember how in my April Budget post I said that I had ordered this Gap blazer online because I wanted it in a "tall", and because they were having a 30% already reduced items promotion? Well, it came yesterday and I'M IN LOVE I'M IN LOVE and I don't care who knows it! It is so cute. It's that bright and fun blazer I wanted when I ordered this floral blazer, but it's going to be so much more versatile and actually wearable. I feel so content with this purchase, a feeling I didn't have when I ordered that Zara blazer. I'm really excited to wear it!

Okay, so now about today's actual topic: things that make me uncomfortable. I don't know how much this qualifies, but I'm a person who fixates on repetitive motions or sounds, which annoys me and therefore makes me uncomfortable. Does that make sense? For example: pen clickers. or people who twirl their hair. or foot tappers. or whistlers. or even worse, hummers. I get so distracted by those motions or out of place noises that I just fixate on them and how much I hate it, and I just want to crawl out of my skin. In college there was a girl in my physiology class who always happened to sit in front of me no matter where I sat, and she was a hair twirler. I always had to hold up a notebook to shield my eyes. I would sometimes even "accidentally" kick her chair to see if it would startle her out of the twirling. It never worked.

There you have it, people of the internet. I am a crazy person.

Shirt: Forever 21* [similar]

Cardigan: NY&Co.

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact - I'd love the silver too!]

Watch: Target

Shoes: Tory Burch [save | exact]

*This shirt used to have sleeves, but it's also from Forever 21...which means the quality isn't always the most reliable. It lasted a good 6 months but then the sleeves just started to tear on the cuffs. I cut off the sleeves and it's now a great layering shirt :)

via Instagram.

Also, this outfit is a direct copy of this pin. I knew it would be the perfect inspiration for the Pantone Color Challenge!

playing favorites

I think I have fallen madly in love with this Gap shirt. I'm not one to choose favorites with my clothes (I want to love all of them equally!) but I wore it on Friday, and then again on Saturday. I think popovers/button up tunics are my favorite of all the types of shirts, as evidenced by this, this, and this purchase. What can I say, I'm loyal! I like that it can be both more dressy (because of the collar and buttons) but also casual when worn untucked, or with a fun scarf. 

Plus sometimes you don't have to iron them if you are going for that more casual vibe ;)

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Scarf: Forever 21 [save for under $10 | splurge]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Purse: Madewell [exact]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Rings: Galisfly [exact]

Nails: Color Club Age of Aquarius 

P.S. I really wanted to participate in the Pantone-inspired challenge today but I realized I don't own anything emerald. I've actually wanted an emerald scarf for several months now, so I went looking for one in the mall last Thursday but didn't find one anywhere! If I don't find one this weekend in Minneapolis, I may look for one on etsy. This one is adorable, and this one is simple but the exact color I want.

P.P.S. Have you entered both giveaways going on right now? You can enter to win a scarf/clutch here and a $50 Gap card here. Good luck!

unexpected

A year ago I said that I don't really do florals. Isn't it funny where I am a year later, happily wearing a bright floral blazer? Okay, this blazer is still a bit out of the comfort zone, but I think it'll be a really fun piece to own. The shoulders are a bit more padded than any of my other blazers, but I was told it makes your waist look smaller so you girls on instagram better not be lying to me! 

Like I mentioned last week, blogging isn't changing my style but I do think it's pushing me to try new things. Is there something a year ago you thought you wouldn't wear? Besides florals I really didn't think I'd be wearing skinny jeans as much as I do. They're just so dang comfortable!

Blazer: Zara [save | exact]

Tee: Fruit of the Loom*

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | awesome "Cat" splurge]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie

Watch: Kate Spad [exact]

Nails: Color Club Age of Aquarius

*I'm pretty sure I used to work out in this tee. I really need to go find a non sweated on replacement. I've tried on a few so far, including this J.Crew Factory Version, this J.Crew version, and this Gap version but I'm not really thrilled about any of them. The search continues...

Looking for more ideas on how to wear a blazer like this? AJ and I have the same one, and she wore it yesterday and looked SO CUTE.

P.S. Heidi and Marissa are holding a Pantone-Spring Color Challenge next week. I know many of you enjoyed the 5 Days, 5 Ways Challenge Whitney and I held, and I think this one will be just as fun so if you are looking for another blogging challenge (who isn't, amiright?) I hope you join them! I'm already excited to see what everyone comes up with.

stripes | leopard

 

So the weather this week is um...shitty. Rain or snow all week! Eek. Well I attempted to take a few pictures quickly after work today during a break in the rain, but I only got one picture where I didn't look like I was trying to fly away. But this is what I wore! TA DA.

Blazer: J.Crew [exact]

Shirt: Banana Republic [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie :)

Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW

Watch: Target

 I have two things to say about items worn.

1. I'm wearing my new Banana Republic engineered striped top. I ordered this color and the blue one last week during a 30% off promotion and then had a 10% off coupon on top of that from a Gap order that went wrong, which brought the price down to less than $14 each. I like this shirt a lot - the material is pretty thick, it is long enough on my torso, and I like the somewhat not traditional neckline. As far as negatives, on me the sleeves are just a tiny bit too short, but I never have my sleeves not pushed up so that doesn't matter to me. I think I will probably sew in little bra strap holders as the neckline is a bit wide and I don't want my straps to show, but for $14 I will accept those few minutes of sewing. I think I'm going to return the blue one just because I'm not big into having duplicates, and the blue isn't the right color blue I was looking for. If you are interested in trying them out for yourself, it looks like they have restocked many of the sizes online that weren't available last week!

2. I think it's time to update these leopard flats. I've worn them a ton over the past year, but they are fabric shoes and have become wet one too many times. Since I know that I would wear a similar style a lot I'm willing to maybe spend a bit more than I normally would on "fun" shoes. I would like a pair that is calf hair or suede, either smoking or ballet flat, and under $100. The current remaining budget for the month is $185 (I sold $100 worth of clothes, but purchased this skirt and this tee) but I don't plan on spending all of it (unless I decide that I can't live without this Zara blazer, which it's looking like that may be true). The more I think about it, I think a ballet flat would get more use, especially next year. Which one would you choose?

Nine West | Steve Madden

Nasty Gal | Steve Madden

lines & edges

 

I've been slightly obsessed with finding a geometric top after seeing this pin (Kendi's original here). The print is not something I really gravitate towards usually but for some reason I couldn't let it go. I always kept an eye out for something similar whenever I was shopping so I was really excited when I finally found this shirt at the Banana Republic Factory store this weekend. I know it will get a lot of wear now and once school starts because it is so so soft and can be worn a whole number of different ways.

And speaking of shirts that would get a lot of wear....have you been looking for the perfect striped long sleeved tee? Banana Republic currently has theirs on sale for $21.99, and with their 30% promotion that ends today, it's down to $15.40. Thank you to Professionally Petite for introducing it on her March Budget post!

Blouse: Banana Republic Factory [save | extreme splurge]

Cardigan: Thrifted [similar]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: gift from my sister [similar]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: Target

P.S. I promise my hair doesn't stand up on its own like that. That wind is brisk!

mind changer

I don't really plan my outfits in advance (I really should though, as I keep telling myself) so the great thing about blog challenges is that it gives me a direction when getting dressed. Marion's monthly trend this month is lace, so I knew I wanted to wear my Forever 21 lace tee...as it's one of the only lace items I own (so that makes the decision for me!). Bri's link up for Third Thursday Threads was winterizing a warmer weather item, so what's better than...a tee! 

So to winterize it I decided to wear a button down underneath it like I have in the past. I wore my leopard button up, that I generally shy away from, in hopes that I could find a new way to wear it. Although I liked the outfit just fine when I left my house, I quickly grew to hating it when I started to take pictures. It felt unnatural - the colors didn't go together, the leopard always scares me, and I dont know - I just didn't like it!

So I hopped into my car, took the shirt off, and felt much better. 

Tee: Forever 21  [exact]
Blazer: thrifted
Jeans: American Eagle [exact]
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  [save | splurge]
Watch: Target
Shoes: Tory Burch  [exact]

via Instagram

also linking up with wiww.






Have you entered the above the knuckle ring giveaway yet?

fall forward

Happy Friday! Today you can find me in two different locations - here you can learn a little bit more about me, blogging, what I looked like as a high schooler, and my closet and here you can learn about the three things I'm hoping to add to my closet this spring.


Other than that, not much to report. Three people told me that I look like fall today - even though these are flowers and not trees! Oh well,  like I've bitched about, it's still winter here so it's only appropriate-ish.

Sweater: Thrifted  [save | extreme splurge]
Blouse: H&M  [save | splurge]
Jeans: American Eagle  [exact]
Necklace: H&M
Belt: Thrifted
Purse: Madewell  [exact]
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  [exact]
Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]

via Instagram

on trends

Looking at fashion from previous decades, it's easy to nail down certain time periods.

+ Full skirts, pulled in waists, perfectly coiffed hair? 50's.

+ Flowing skirts, hippie jewelry, long straight hair? 70's.

+ Neon, shoulder pads, big hair? 80s/early 90s.

They say because our decade (the 20teens? the 2010s? what do we call it?) lives and breathes fast fashion that our "style" will be harder to nail down. I always thought that since what we do nowadays is a lot more natural (more neutrals, no crazy clothing pieces or hair styles) that we will be considered pretty timeless but I probably only think that because that's what we're living right now and maybe everyone in 1994 thought the same thing (although please, I disagree - this is not cute).

I was thinking about current trends - chambray, print mixing, neon (which I'm still refusing to participate in), skinny jeans - and I wonder if we'll look back at our blogs/yearbooks/facebooks/family photo albums and wonder what in the world we were ever thinking. Are we going to have to explain to our children that mixing stripes and florals (or ya know, plaids because Wisconsin is still firmly in winter) was the cool thing to do in 2013 and it was totally on trend? That wearing a denim shirt with denim pants was completely socially acceptable and not just in Canada (I kid!)? That neon made a resurgence and we (you...) welcomed it back with open arms?

What do you think - are there any trends you think we'll regret or is what we are wearing now timeless and not year-definable?

Shirt: Gap  [exact on sale]
Chambray: Old Navy  [exact]
Jeans: American Eagle  [exact]
Scarf: DIY
Boots: Steve Madden
Watch: Fossil  [similar]
Rings: Galisfly

On a side note, with daylights savings time I now have to take pictures after work again, which means there is more traffic. I take pictures on a little side road, but three cars specifically drove over to me to see if I need help - apparently a girl standing behind her car while it's snowing is a girl in need. That's what you get for living in the Midwest. Here's my reaction after I heard the third car pulling up to me. I just politely declined their help as they awkwardly stared at me and my tripod trunk. That things I do for you...