five

I found this vintage blazer at Goodwill a few weeks ago, and it luckily had the color tag of the weekend, so it only cost me $4. I hesitate to call things vintage because really, who knows, but I feel this one is definitely from a previous generation. The quality is great, the lining is beautiful, and the buttons are real leather. The label says Justin Ltd, but that doesn't mean anything to me or google. 

I wanted to wear it for one of my last days of work because once I'm done (four more days!), almost all of my cold weather/high AC clothing is being packed up to be shipped to me at the end of July. I was hoping that my nude wedges would have gotten here in time so that I could wear my new jeans but no such luck. I'm going to miss my colder weather clothes just because I like them a lot more than my almost non existant summer items. I did go to Old Navy the other day though specifically to find shorts similar to Whitney's, and got lucky when I found this pair and this pair. Both were on clearance, and less than $7 each in store. With some left over giftcard money, I only spent $5 in the store. 

You guys are going to get so sick of seeing them this summer.

Blazer: thrifted [similar-ish]

Tee: Tahara via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: Madewell [exact on sale]

Shoes: Nine West [save | splurge]

Bag: Coach via Etsy [current style]

Nails: Essie Spagetti Strap

Watch: Target [MK knock off version]

the light this morning was so pretty...

hard & soft

I ordered this necklace and this bracelet over the Memorial Day weekend and they finally arrived last night. I've been thinking about ways that I can put quick and easy outfits together once school starts, and versatile accessories are the easiest way to top off any outfit. The necklace is a bit heavier than I thought it would be (I feel that a lot of the jewelry at Forever 21 is hollow and this one isn't), but I feel that I'll be grabbing for it a lot to top off quick outfits of pants, blouses, and cardigans/blazers. The color is obviously versatile, but the shape and size makes it special. The bracelet isn't anything to write home about, but I like that the shape of the bracelet plays off of the shape of the necklace.

Blouse: Everlane

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style on sale!]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Bracelet: Forever 21 [exact]

Shoes: Sam Edelman [exact]

Ring: Jewelmint [exact]

P.S. I'd really appreciate it if you could take 2 seconds to vote for me here! Thank you to all of you who have already pressed the little heart :)

Linking up with mix and match fashion!

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!

fittings and failings

 

and we're back... and with my new coral blazer! This is the second time I've worn this blazer in the last three days, except this time it was for a more appropriate occasion. I initially wore it Saturday night for dinner with Chris but he asked me if I was going out for a job interview so um, memo to self: buy sexier date night clothes. 

But for work, it is very much appropriate. Like I've mentioned, I love the color, and flexible fabric and fit. My only issue with the blazer is that it isn't very fitted in the waist, which may because I was debating between sizes and  decided to size up. It fits well in the shoulders though which is the most important issue for me. While I've been dabbling in altering my own clothes (I slimmed the sides of both this polka dot popover and my chambray popover recently), I do not trust myself at all with the blazer. I think it'll be worth the ~$20 to have a tailor slim the sides for me so it looks more like this.

Blazer: Gap [exact - now $60 + 30% off]

Blouse: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Necklace: gift from my mom [save | splurge]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue & Julep Oscar

And for BEDIM: the thing I'm most afraid of. This is pretty easy for me to answer: failing. 

I'm not very used to failing because once I set my mind to something, I get it done. Starting medical school will be like a whole new world for me - the dedication needed to not only complete, but to do well, is something I have yet to experience. I'm terrified that I won't be able to handle it - the coursework, the new lifestyle, the lack of free time, the new roommate, the newly long distance relationship. I'm so afraid that I won't be able to handle it all as well as I want to but in the end, I don't have a choice in the matter. I have to not fail.

P.S. Congrats to Denial Renae Nichols for winning Tea & Sequins' $50 Gap Giftcard Giveaway. Be on the lookout for an email from us!

mismatched leathers

Is the fact that my purse and belt match, but my shoes don't, driving you crazy? I didn't even notice how much they aren't the same color until I looked at these pictures. Yikes! To be honest, these shoes are also looking to be replaced, or at least I need to add a pair in a darker leather to put into the rotation to give these a break. Cognac is one of my closet neutrals though, so a simple flat such as these Clarks, these Fryes, or these Steve Maddens would get a lot of wear. I think a simple ballet flat will also help some of my looks not be so old man.

but like...cute old man, right? 

Blouse: Calvin Klein Outlet [similar]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Belt: Gap [slightly darker version]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Watch: gift from my sister [similar]

Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury

of course I'm linking up with Heidi and Marissa for their pantone challenge!

how to look like a wrinkled mess

Step 1: iron your bottom layer shirt 

Step 2: don't iron your sweater and make sure you wear it a size too large for extra wrinkles

Sweater: Target [very similar]

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Necklace: Express [interesting option]

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Shoes: Nine West [similar]

5D5W: Casual Friday

I think this may be one of my most favorite outfits I've ever worn. I was trying to figure out why that is exactly. Some theories:

+ I just feel best in these jeans. I think bootcut really just looks best on me. I haven't had any luck finding a second pair on eBay yet, but I continue to be hopeful that a pair will come my way eventually. I still will not pay full price for them because once school starts I won't be wearing jeans much, but some days I'm tempted. Some one hold me back.

+ This blazer rivals my schoolboy blazer for most worn top. I love the neutral color, the fit, and the elbow patches. The blazer is from H&M which has always been kinder to me than Forever 21. I may have to see if they have anything similar currently...in April (side note: budgeting bloggers goes up tomorrow! eek.)

+ My new soft striped tee. This outfit was inspired by Chioma - I don't think I would have paired stripes and plaid like this on my own, but it works. right? yes. stripes + plaid = win

+ Cognac on cognac - my closet neutral color. 

Okay so I may not have a concrete answer...but I really did like wearing this.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]

Tee: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: H&M Mens

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Bracelet: "J.Crew" via eBay [similar for less than $20]

Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue

Today is the last day for the 5 Day 5 Way link up I put together with my good friend Whitney. It brought such a smile to my face going to all of your blog posts and see you guys commenting, encouraging each other, offering advice, and just connecting in general. I love blogging because of my new found group of friends - you guys honestly bring so much joy into my life with every comment, email, and tweet. I hope this little challenge brought new readers, followers, and friends into your lives. Can we do this again soon? Maybe a end of spring 5 Day 5 Way Challenge? Please say yes.

Now onto the challenge - Casual Friday. Every day of the week is "Casual" for me - I could wear jeans and sweatshirts every single day. I make the effort to look just a little bit more pulled together than that (mostly so I can blog about it, amiright?). Here are 5 of my favorite "casual" looks from the past couple months. Jeans, flats, layers - doesn't get a lot more "work appropriate" casual than that! Go check out everyone else's definition of Casual Friday over on Along the Lines of Style....and thank you again for reading / participating / bringing joy into my life. You are all great :)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Linking up with Plane Pretty.

chance of flurries

oh hey! surprise! it's still snowing here in Wisconsin. I know that if you read any fashion blogs at all you would think that spring has sprung, that the birds are chirping, and that flowers everywhere are blooming.

not here.


don't worry, we're used to having flash blizzards in May so a few flurries in March is fine...

...except when you try to take pictures of yourself outside.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]
Tee: Forever 21  [exact]
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  [same style]
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]
Purse: Madewell  [exact]
Watch: Target [check in stores]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo*


*I received this pair of glasses from Firmoo last week and I've really enjoyed having a second pair to rotate with my other glasses. I really like the color and style of frames available - I had a pretty hard time deciding which frames to get so I choose to get something similar to what I already works on my face. The glasses are great - my only hesitation with ordering glasses online is that no one fits them specifically to your head like they would at the optometrists. If you are interested in trying out a pair, Firmoo offers first time customers a free pair - you can find out more here.

Also. The nice thing about documenting what I wear every day (ok, most days) is that I can go back and see how I've worn items in the past. I went to go see how I've worn this blazer and I realized that the second to last time I wore it was the day after I found out I was rejected from my #1 school choice. Today when I wore it I turned in my notice for my last day of work for when I leave to go to my #2 choice. Kind of interesting, no? No? Fine.











Linking up with Style Elixir and wiww. 

5 Days, 5 Ways

It was so so bright out when I tried to take these pictures - my eyes are either closed in the pictures, I look angry, or I look like this. You just can't win! 

In other not weather related news, Whitney and I will be holding a week long link up the week of the 25th of March called 5 Days, 5 Ways. As women who blog about their every day style with their every day closets, we repeat item pieces all the time and we're always so inspired by you guys when we see all the different ways you've worn something.

This link up is an opportunity to share how you've styled certain items different ways - you can either pull looks from your archives, make new ones, or even make polyvore sets of how you would wear that piece of clothing different ways (and if you can't come up with 5, do 3 or 4! or be an over achiever and come up with 10! no hard rules here kids). The first two days will link to me (tops and pants) and the last three days will link to Whitney (accessories, dresses, and casual Friday looks). We will of course remind you of everything the closer we get, but now you have a few weeks to come up with some ideas, or find a new way to wear something you've worn a lot in the past.

I really hope you guys join us - I'm so excited to see all the ways you've worn items already in your closets!

Blouse: Forever 21  [very similar]
Sweater: J.Crew Fact. [exact on sale | splurge]
Jeans: Joe's Jeans*  [same style]
Necklace: Forever 21  [similar]
Watch: Fossil  [similar]
Shoes: Tory Burch  [exact]
Nails: Essie Berry Naughty





*I've come to realize that as comfortable as skinny jeans are, I think that bootcut jeans help balance out all the junk I have going on in the hip region. I'd love to own another pair of these jeans, possibly in a longer inseam so that I can wear them with wedges (I think I could probably get away with that at work). I've been stalking eBay for a pair in my size so wish me luck - $180 just isn't something I'm willing to drop on jeans right now but I can probably manage $50 ;)

via instagram

Have a great weekend!






Linking up with Plane Pretty.

wasted

No, I am not drunk in these pictures as the title may suggest. About 2 hours after I took these pictures, I started to feel really really sick at work. I was having hot flashes and shaking and felt sick to my stomach, so I went home and laid in bed all day in hopes that puppy cuddles would cure me. I do feel a lot better now, but putting clothes on for 3 hours is such a waste of an outfit!

Blazer: LC Lauren Conrad  {save | splurge}
Tee: Banana Republic
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  {similar}
Scarf: Victoria's Secret
Pin: DIY by my mom
Shoes: Tory Burch  {similar}
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury & No Place Like Chrome

On Friday it was snowing pretty hard during the time I would normally take pictures, so an instagram selfie was used to document my oh so interesting and innovative outfit. I can't cheat on TOPIO! Here are all of the ladies partaking in Sarah's challenge.





Linking up with Style Elixir