ab nach kiel und stade

After leaving Munich on Monday, I stayed in Göttingen with my aunt and uncle until Wednesday morning. We used this time really just to hang out, give my sister a little hair cut, and play fetch with the dog. I lived with my aunt and uncle in eighth grade when my parents wanted me to go to school in Germany for a year, so I always love being back in their house. We didn't go into the city at all because Tuesday is when the jet lag finally hit, which is why I somehow ended up staying up until almost three in the morning.

On Wednesday I took the train up to Stade where my grandma lives. My dad and I drove up to Kiel, which is my mom's hometown. My parents met there when they were both in medical school, and it's also where my sister and I were born. My grandfather was a German Navy Admiral, so the sea has always been something close to our family. Kiel is a huge port city with a history rich in naval activity and ship building and each year they have a huge city fest known as Kieler Woche, which is the largest sailing event in the world. We stayed with my father's frat brother (we stayed with him last time too!) and met up with a ton of his other frat brothers, many whom he hadn't seen in decades. The weather unfortunately wasn't that great, and therefore there weren't that many sail boats out, but the rowing competition was going on (which my dad used to take part in in the 80's).

Jacket: Hof in Germany [adorable save | splurge]

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Scarf: Forever 21

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact]

During the 1972 Olympics (which is unfortunately known for the Munich massacre), Kiel was the site for the sailing competitions. 

Today we are celebrating my grandma's 83rd birthday. My grandparents share the same birthday, except they were born one year apart. My grandpa unfortunately died my freshman year of college, so he hasn't been with us know for more than half a decade, which is felt by everyone. Their wedding anniversary was also right around this time, and my grandpa used to get my grandma a bouquet of roses for the number of years they were married. My dad and uncle have now taken over that role.

^^my dad made all of these from scratch when he was a super cool teenager ;)

I wanted to wear my blue polka dot dress, but it's way too cold so black jeans it is...

Blazer: thrifted

Tee: Everlane

Jeans: Urban Outfitters...still [exact]

Necklace: c/o Apple of My Eye - win here!

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Nails: Essie Park Avenue 

poser

 

As you guys (may) know, I take my own pictures for this little outfit blog. Overall, I don't mind doing it myself. I can take 50 pictures within 2 minutes and not have anyone judge me that it takes 50 pictures for me to find 4 that I find acceptable. I can go to a different location if I don't like the one I'm in, and I don't have anyone groan at me when I ask them to take my pictures out in public.

The awkward part for me is the posing, I think. If someone else is taking your pictures, you can at least pretend it's impromptu and if someone happens to walk by, you can just pretend you are a tourist. If someone catches you taking your own pictures, then you're just the weirdo in the middle of the street taking pictures of yourself. When someone else takes your pictures, you can give the camera all these cutesy looks because chances are you like the person behind the camera so it comes naturally...but truthfully I feel so silly doing that because I don't love my tripod all that much (not as much as I like my boyfriend anyway). On top of that, I don't really know how I'm supposed to stand taking these silly pictures. I have like three "poses" I do - hands on hip or pocket, looking down at ground, or staring off to the side - so versatile, so not a model. 

I hope you guys aren't too bored with me though :/  I can always do more twee poses if you prefer...

If you're looking for advice for your own selfie adventures though, I really enjoyed Megan's post on this a few months ago (her go-to poses are a lot cuter). 

Shirt: Gap [exact]

Cardigan: Target, thrifted

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Shoes: Gap [save | splurge]

Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury

Ring: Jewelmint via a giveaway from Bedknobs & Baubles 

via instagram

P.S. Congrats to Sabrina Alley for winning the WCIS giveaway - Bri will email you!

the joy of moving

 

This weekend I flew with my parents out to the city I'm going to live in to find housing for next year. I met up with my future roommate and I think we found a place to live (fingers crossed we get it!). Because I will be moving by myself in July with only my little hatchback and a small trailer, I packed a few boxes up to store in a family friend's basement for the coming months. I packed up most of my winter clothes, which means my current closet feels so empty...but in a good way. Like I've mentioned, I'm trying to narrow down what I actually keep in my closet and plan on only taking clothes with me that I actually like and wear. I still have a bit of work to do, but man, it's so much easier to get dressed when the only pieces in there are seasonally appropriate (...it was 37 degrees this morning) and pieces I like. My new-ish blouse, favorite blazer (seen here), and so worn jeans they now have holes in the thigh just felt right together.

If it weren't such a hassle, I should move more often!

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Blazer: J.Crew [save for <$20 | exact]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Necklace: Groopdealz [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

via instagram

linking up with the pleated poppy.

Linking up with what I wore to work!

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!

april budget

1. Gap Pique Academy Blazer, originally $88, on sale for $54: I haven't actually received this blazer yet, so I don't have much to say about it other than I really really want it to work. I first saw it on Kendi, and then on Anne, and just feel in love with it. I didn't want to pay full price for it (which is the complete opposite when it came to this blazer. I have no reasons why this is) so I was happy to get it for $54. It is currently on sale for under $50 with this weekend's 40% sale items promotion going on if you are interested! I'll keep you updated on if it works - I ordered it in a tall so I'm not sure how it will fit. I think it's the colorful blazer I wanted from the floral blazer, but in a style that will be a LOT more versatile.
2. Gap Round Belt, originally $40 + 30% off = $28: I also haven't received this belt but I've felt it up every time this month I've gone into the Gap. I should have actually tried it on, but I took a chance ordering it online and hope it works out. From the pictures and from looking at it in real life, it is exactly what I was looking for when I said I wanted a nice brown leather belt. Fingers crossed!
3. J.Crew Factory Linen Cotton Mini [seen here], originally $70 + 50% off = $35: I have six full weeks off this summer which means: FREEDOM FOR MY LEGS. No safety regulations and no dress code means I can wear whatever I want, and what I wanted to wear is this skirt. It is really comfortable and an easy way to dress up a casual look. 
4. BDG High Waisted Cigerette Jeans, originally $60, on sale for $15: These jeans are my absolute favorite jeans. I was pretty upset a few months ago when I finally wore through my mid-rise pair, and then those were sold out so I got the high rise just to test it out, and I ended up liking those even more! They do a really great job of smoothing out the belly area, they are super comfortable, and ordering them longer means I could get them hemmed to the exact length I wanted. When I saw that these were being sold for $15, I immediately ordered a second pair. Because my normal size was no longer available during this selling out period, I ordered a size up which I think works out well. They are just a bit looser in the calves. I plan on hemming these just a little bit longer too, so I'm hoping I can wear them to school as they are "pants" and not jeans ;)
5. Gap Printed Tunic, originally $55 + 30% off = $38.50: I tried this shirt out on a whim and ended up really liking it. I originally purchased it in store for $45 because I had a $10 reward, but then I when I went to go order the blazer and belt, I ordered it as well to get it another $7 cheaper. I plan to do a switch around with returns since I have already worn this shirt (and LOVED it - see it here).
6. J.Crew Factory Tee, originally $26 + 50% off = $13: I don't have a lot of short sleeved shirts, I liked this color, and it was relatively cheap. 
7. Banana Republic Engineered Tee [seen here], originally $45, on sale for $14: I ended up combining a few promotion codes to get this purchase down to less than $14. I (obviously) really like stripes, and I know that this light grey/white combo will get a lot of wear. Banana Republic is currently having a 35% off online special which would bring this shirt down to just over $14 if you are interested in it. I do a bit more of a review on it here.

= $198 - $110 worth of clothing sold = $88**

Not too shabby this month! If I end up keeping both the blazer and the belt, I will still be $60 under budget "technically". Last month I said I wanted to do a bit less shopping, and I think I did a pretty good job sticking to that goal. I made a few other purchases this month from my school wardrobe fund, but I will write a separate post on the progress on that in a few weeks. Overall, I feel good about the pieces I purchased.

Next weekend Chris and I are going to the Twin Cities to have a little weekend getaway. We are going to the Mall of America, so I'm excited to get to some stores that we don't have here. I plan on "rolling over" money from this month (so at least $60, maybe more if I return either of those items) into next month's budget. I am really hoping I find some jeans at Nordstrom Rack (we don't have one in Wisconsin), an emerald scarf, and some nude ballet flats (similar to this pair), or maybe even a low wedge (like this pair - safety regulations be damned!....kidding. kind of). Other than that, I don't have any big needs in my closet right now. 

How did you do this month? If you are interested, please feel free to add a link to your spending recap below. I ask that you please link back to this post so that your readers can read about other budgetting bloggers. You guys all inspire me every month with your dedication to looking great on a budget, so I want your readers to be able to feel the same way.

EDIT: I went to the mall today to do a bit of birthday shopping with my sister, and I ended up finding the round belt in a bit of a lighter color on final sale + 40% off for $7. I also bought these leopard loafers for $18, so my overall money spent didn't change since I'll be returning the darker brown belt that was $28. I'm pretty excited about both finds!