how to wear a blanket scarf: for work and for play (+video)

and by work I mean school and by play I mean the library, but really who's counting. Do I feel like a slight blogging cliche by wearing my blanket-like scarf all the time? Yes, but:

Okay but really, I've been loving this scarf and wearing it almost every day - one of my classmates has it too so we are twinning most days :) It's just so dang cozy and comfy and warm. It actually was out of stock for a few days when it first came out, but it's back online now if anyone wanted to pick one up for yourself (or as a Christmas present, which someone told me they did on Instagram, which is so smart!). There's a little video at the bottom of the post showing you how I "tie" my scarf, even though it's not really evening tying it so much as stuffing it together ;)

Shirt: J.Crew [exact]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Belt: Madewell [very similar on sale]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact in rose gold @25% off]

Earrings: eBay [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [similar]

slight switch for the library in my Boden tee, Gap ponte pants and Sperrys 

up, up, and away

 

Hello from O'Hare! Despite my dry bagel sandwich and overpriced coffee, I am thrilled to be on my way to Seattle! This is my last trip before a week of packing and then moving away so I'm trying to enjoy every single minute of it. I don't usually like to travel in shorts (I prefer jeans for sticking leather seats), but the weather is beautiful and warm in both Madison and Seattle, so I thought it would be a good time to bust them out, along with my new tee and new favorite sandals. A cardigan for cold airplanes, and my trusty leather bag, and I'm basically set. 

When I first got into school, I knew that I wanted to take a bit of time off. I've never had six full weeks of no responsibilities - I've had a job since I was 15 - so this no working thing has been awesome. I wanted to use this time to travel a bit, and I've always wanted to go visit Seattle. I don't really travel on my own - almost everything has always been with my family or with Chris, so it was a little bit of an adventure for me to book this trip. Every time I told people I was going to go to Seattle, they gave me a really confused look when I said I was going by myself just to go. I'm very lucky though, that this trip is turning into not a by myself trip. When I told Bri I was coming, she insisted I stay in one of her guest rooms. Internet friends are the best - and the most trusting apparently. She's luckily she's smaller than I am or else all of her clothes would be coming home with me ;)   On top of that, Kimmie and I have become fast through-the-wire friends, so she's taking this afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday off from work so we can hang out. We have a segway tour booked - it's going to be hilariously awesome. I think visiting a city is the best when you get to see it with people who live there - you get the best mix of touristy stuff and seeing how people actually live there.

So! If you've been to Seattle, are from Seattle, or have heard great things, tell me what I need to see! I want to do, see, and eat it all. Of course it'll all be documented on here and on instagram :) 

Bri just said we might see some whales this afternoon. WHALES! We don't have those in WI.

Tee: J.Crew [exact on super sale for ~$18 with code STYLE40]

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Belt: Madewell [exact | in brown | on sale]

Shoes: Target [exact]

^^ this one's for you Kimmie! 

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...

one year of budgetting: a slap on the wrist / pat on the back

I purchased this anchor belt last summer, and I think it may have been the smartest purchasing decision I made those months. If I look back to what I actually did purchase a year ago (May/ June/ July), I'm not really wearing those items any more (except this belt of course). I was making a lot of impulse purchases, not thinking about what I wanted my style to be, and what I wanted in my closet. I wasn't thinking about how I could re-wear items, how they fit on my body, and if the trends were something I wanted to spend my money on.

I started working with a budget a year ago, and I've definitely learned a lot since then. I've sold or donated most of the items from a year ago actually, and it makes me angry that I wasn't better about shopping then. I'm no where near a perfect shopper now, and I still make shopping mistakes, but I do feel like my purchases are adding something to my closet other than just another item I won't own a year from now. Between my list of items I would like to add, and understanding my preferred style better, I feel the purchases I've made recently won't end up in someone else's closet by this time next year. For example, my new nude flats have already been worn three times this week. They were something I identified was missing in my closet, I took the time looking for a quality pair that is comfortable (which these are! they were comfortable from the second I put them on and have required absolutely no breaking in, which is a first for me), and now I feel I could wear them everyday.

I still have a lot to learn about being a smart shopper, especially with the transition my wardrobe is going to take in the coming months, but I'm proud of where I am now as compared to a year ago.

Blouse: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Skirt: thrifted

Belt: Madewell [exact on sale]

Tights: Target

Shoes: Sam Edelman [exact]
Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Earrings: Ralph Lauren [exact]

Watch: Target [save | dream]
Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue + Julep Oscar

downside of taking your own pictures: no one around to tell you your necklace is all wanky.

no springing, just jumping

What, you expected that I wasn't going to wear my new shirt right away? We all know better.

While it was only 6 degrees on the first official day of spring, I felt it would only be appropriate to wear my new floral scarf that Audrey tracked down for me (what a gem that girl is), and my favorite belt. I got this Madewell belt last summer on clearance (worn here), but it looks like they brought it back again this year - smart move, Madewell. 

Don't forget! Monday starts the 5 Days, 5 Ways link up - first up is tops! I can't wait to see all the ways you've worn a shirt / jacket / vest / something that covers the top part of your body.

Looking for a way to make a collage? I use iPiccy for every collage I make - it's super easy to use.

Chambray: J.Crew Factory  [exact]
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  [exact]
Scarf: Target
Belt: Madewell   [exact]
Shoes: Nine West  [save | splurge]
Watch: Target [LOVE this similar white style]
Bracelet: Forever 21
Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue







P.S. Kimmie said she was going to ban me from the internet if I didn't post this picture. I was trying to spring forward. It is truly embarrassing and awful but also hilarious. Hilariously awful.

P.P.S. One day left to enter the above the knuckle ring giveaway!

ketchup and mustard

I'm ready for this week to be over. Two people of 4-person team were pulled into a different department so now we have to cover their duties as well so this week has been a little (a lot) hectic. We're also supposed to get a huge snow storm tomorrow - gross. I seriously hate snow so I ask myself why I live in this state every winter.

The good news is once Friday comes, I get to fly off to the Gulf for a week to spend time with the entire family. Plus Chris will finally be home for a while :) God I've missed that guy.

linking up with wiww.

Sweater: Thrifted  {save / splurge}
T-Shirt: Gap
Scarf: DIY
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  {similar}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather {exact}

After my last post about my thrifted Grandpa sweater (did you guys like the song?), Bri asked if I had any tips for thrifting.  To be honest, I haven't done a ton of thrift shopping in my life so I don't have years of experience to tell you how the best way to go about buying clothes second hand. I've only gone to our local Goodwill, Savers and St. Vinny's but here are a few things I've learned from those experiences and from around the internet:

- Take your time. The thing with thrift stores is that there is no display or giant racks of the same thing. Look through each rack piece by piece.

- Try on anything that catches your attention. You'll never know until you try!

- Find out when your local stores have discounts. Our Savers store is 25% off on Mondays. Goodwill has weekend sticker percentages off. St. Vinnys often has a certain type of item on sale. A $4 sweater becomes a $3 - we all know how much I love a bargain!

- Don't forget to wash anything you buy. 

- For all your experienced thrifters, I would welcome any tips you have as well!

embarrassed

This whole "stop somewhere along the way to work to take a few pictures because it's too dark when I'm leaving home" thing is getting more embarrassing by the day. I prop my camera in my drunk so every time a car gets close, I go to my trunk and pretend I'm looking for something...except for on this day, a man parked his car a block away, got out, and just watched. Yep.

Embarrassing stories aside, I was really excited to wear my watch because I finally put a new band on it. I initially wanted a navy blue band, but those are surprisingly hard to find, so I settled on a dark brown band instead. I'm still going to be on the lookout for a navy band though to switch it up in the future.

Blouse: Equipment via eBay  {save / similar on sale}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact on sale}
Scarf: gift from my friend Alexa  {save / splurge}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {save / exact}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Bracelet: DIY
Earrings: Banana Republic Outlet  {similar}
Purse: Kate Spade  {save / similar}












linking up with wiww

reporter

My aunt is an optometrist in Germany and she generously made me a new pair of glasses since my old pair were "awful". I'm still getting used to these as they are quite a bit bigger than my last pair, but I've been told they are more flattering than my old pair was.

I think between the glasses and then blazer, I look like a news reporter. Maybe if this whole medical school thing doesn't work out (which it may not after receiving some disappointing news today) I'll go into journalism...

Blazer: H&M  {similar}

Top: Forever 21  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact, on sale}

Belt: Madewell  {similar}

Purse: Kate Spade  {similar}

Tassle: DIY by my mom!

Watch: Target

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}









Linking up with the Pleated Poppy

On Layering

Fall means for most of us cooler regions means dropping temperatures, and dropping temperatures means more clothes. We're all about the layering. I look to other women out there and  see the way they layer and I say to myself "Self, you have those pieces in your closet - do that!". So then I pin all of these pictures and tell myself I'm going to recreate them.

And then every morning when I'm trying to figure out what to wear, I think today's the day I'm going to be one of those people that effortlessly layer...and it never turns out right. I know my expectations of what I want it to look like are too high - my body is not like Lilly's, so why would the clothes look like that on me? The layers end up bulky and instead of defining anything, my boobs just become a blob with my waist, making me look heavier and flabbier than I am. So then I go back to boring shirts and scarves because that's what I kind of know how to do.

And then I'm upset all over again for falling into the trap I started this blog to avoid. My outfits become repetitious and bore me, so I'm sure they are boring you. How does one break out of this trap? How do I prevent looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy when trying to layer? Help me internet.

Shirt: H&M

Scarf: Present from my sister

Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}
Watch: Target  {only in stores}
Bracelet: DIY

Emerald

This is the third day this week I've worn flannel. Even though it's not technically fall until Saturday, Wisconsin decided to be chilly early, which is fine by me! I love this weather :)   Now I just need to find some quality flannel sheets....

Sweater: Gap  {similar}
Scarf: I made it!
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target  {exact in stores}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}

I think this color is one of my new favorite nail polishes (second to Chinchilly, which I wear way too often). It is Julep's Hoch from the August box (I wore the white polish here) and it is the perfect emerald color. The September box email just came today. It seems that instead of sticking with just one style, subscribers can pick whatever style they want this month! I think I'm going to get Maven's Choice because it comes with three colors that I really like, and because I'm not a fan of crackle nail polish.

If you're a subscriber, which box do you think you'll go with this month? If you aren't a subscriber, you can sign up here and get your first box for only a penny with the code COLOR2012.

On Tuesday I drove home to be a stand-in parent for my younger sister Karoline's Volleyball parent night because my dad had to work and my mom was in Germany. The drive back home is beautiful - lots of open fields and now pumpkins. I had to stop to snap this picture but it doesn't do it justice.

Look at her go! I'm so proud - I definitely am not coordinated enough to play volleyball which is why I ran cross country (like all the cool kids, am I right?! haha).






Linking up with Mani Monday.

Let's Not Get Carried Away

I leave the house by 7:10 every morning (okkk, most mornings) and even though it's still August, it's been getting chillier. Chilly enough to need a jacket? Maybe, maybe not. But I can't help but reach for them, even if it's just for the walk to my car.


Jumping the gun on fall? Perhaps.

Jacket: Banana Republic  {save, spend, splurge}
Shirt: Forever 21  {similar}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang

1 day left to enter to win an intro box to Julep Maven. I just received the "your box has shipped" email - I'm so excited for this month's colors!

Sparkled

Happy (haha, yeah right) Monday everyone! I don't really have much to say about today or this outfit except that I've been looking for a sparkly necklace like this one forever. Just like that pearl bib necklace, I knew if I waited long enough that Forever 21 would eventually make one. I found it randomly hanging with the rings in the jewelry section while shopping with my best friend. It was the only one left in the store - fate :)

Shirt: Calvin Klein Outlet {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {save, exact}
Necklace: Forever 21  {exact}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Seen here - Enter the Julep Giveaway!

Edited to add the close-up...because who writes an entire post about a necklace and then doesn't show it?







Linking up with Real Girl Glam