adopted

We moved to America when I was five, and as a permanent resident but not a citizen, I like to think of myself as an adopted American. I have lived here long enough (most of my life) that I've taken on the language, the customs, and the holidays of my adopted country. Of course, there are parts of me that misses Germany (mostly the fact that my whole family is still there, and the food!!!) but I'm thankful that America has welcomed me with open arms.

Happy (belated) Birthday 'Merica - you don't look a day over 238 ;)

Skirt: J.Crew Factory [current adorable pattern]

Tank: Everlane [exact - so so comfy!]

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

P.S. The last time I wore this skirt was the day I renewed my permanent resident card....freaky.

x marks the spot

We're half way through our summer, and I'm almost done with my summer prosection job in the cadaver lab. The last five weeks have had a ton of events stuffed in, including family commitments, concerts, camping, and baseball games, and the next five are just as packed! We are going to Seattle for a whole week starting next week, and then more camping, baseball games, and enjoying the last few weeks of freedom. 

I've loved having this time to pick and choose what I want to do and wear. I'm sure you've noticed that these shorts have been on constant rotation, and that's because they are just so dang comfortable in the hot weather. Old Navy currently has a 30% off online sales [code: SURPRISE, ending the 1st], and I plan on picking up the grey pair as well. Based on the cost per wear, they'll cost me pennies in the end!

Blouse: ASOS [exact on sale]

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

x Ring: BaubleBar [exact]

Sunglasses: Amazon [exact under $5!]

Nails: Essie [exact]

who wears short shorts

There was a time in my life when I refused to wear shorts. A girl in high school once told me I had fat thighs, and it's one of those things that kind of stuck with me, so I tried to hide them for years and years. It wasn't until the first summer that I worked as a camp counselor that I kind of let that notion fly out the window - it was hot outside, I was having fun playing with the kids, and no one was paying attention to what I was wearing. Ever since then I've been pretty "eff it" about wearing shorts in the summer. My wallet may be wider than my shorts are long, but it's hot outside, I want to have fun, and no one is probably looking at my "fat thighs". 

It also helped that I always lapped that girl during our 2 mile runs in softball practice ;) 

Anyone else out there with a body hang up based on one comment? It's so ridiculous but it's just one of those things that is hard to shake.

Blouse: H&M [expensive similar...but beautiful]

Shorts: Gap [similar]

Sandals: Madewell [exact]

Rings: JewelMint [exact]

Wallet: Kate Spade [current version - it's called the travelers wallet if you want to ebay it!]

scrub a dub dub

I started my summer job last week. I'm working in our cadaver lab for four weeks removing the skin from the cadavers used for next year's class. We wear scrubs (thankfully! in anatomy lab we had to wear dress clothes) and I'm already having a love hate relationship with them.  Love because I get up and put pajamas back on. Hate because is there anything less flattering? 

I went to the movies with a few of the girls I'm working with, so I used that as an excuse to actually put on real clothes. I figured my new top would pair perfectly with my white jeans and beloved cognac accessories. Unfortunately for me, my black dog's hair also loved this outfit ;)

Shirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Jeans: Kut from the Kloth [similar]

Monogram Necklace: c/o oNecklace [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Watch: Kate Spade [same style]

via instagram

can't wear the same shirt all the time

...or can you? I live in my Everlane tees - I have at least 4 white ones, several blue and blacks, and a few of the other colors they have in their rotation. They just fit so nicely, hold up really well, and are always comfortable (Everlane is also currently offering free shipping if you want to give even just one a shot here)

But also boring. Lately I've been really anxious about feeling overdressed when I go anywhere, so even though the plain v-necks are a great way to not feel overdressed, I also think it's time to just add a few more detailed tops into my closet that are still comfortable and not too dressy. I prefer them to have sleeves though, and that always seems to be a little difficult because all the pretty things seem to either be completely sleeveless, or have the dreaded cap sleeves (who thought those were a good idea?! seriously). 

This pretty eyelet shirt though is something I hope to try on next weekend when I'm back home for the weekend - it's cotton and not too detailed, but still interesting in it's own right. Fingers crossed it is as pretty in real life as it is online! Someone was just raving about this shirt (who was it??), and it's currently under $10 - if only they had the navy left in tall sizes, it would be on it's way to me immediately. And lately it seems that I can't get enough of Madewell - even though many of their pieces are boxy and for the skinny minnies out there, I want nothing more than for this shirt to look good on me. Why can't you have a v-neck, pretty shirt? 

And I know I said short-sleeved shirts, but can you blame me for wanting this blouse? It just looks so comfortable! Damn you online shopping. 

Tee: Everlane [exact]

Shorts: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

and in case you've wanted more outtake pictures than I share on twitter...

can't help myself

If this is giving you major deja vu...it's because this is the dressier version of what I wore last week. I already have a tendency to hardcore match my belt and shoes, but with this recent obsession with black and cognac, I just can't help but repeat myself all the time. I promise I'll dip back into the colorful side of my closet soon ;)

Blouse: Loft [similar on sale]

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Sandals: Madewell [exact]

Nails: Essie

Ring: DIY - tutorial coming later this week!

quintessential

Everything about this screams summer to me, right down to the layer of sweat ;) Now that my life is a little less hectic, I'm trying to eat better (and regularly) and exercise more, but that means I feel like I'm constantly sweating too. But seriously, what's more summer than stripes, light weight shorts, sandals, and feeling too hot?

Well, possibly linen. I've wanted some linen pants forever, especially for cooler summer days/nights (unlike today) when it's still too hot to wear jeans. I happened upon these from Loft, and decided to order them after seeing that they are currently 50% off. I'm hoping they're that perfect in between pant for summer. 

Plus linen is supposed to be wrinkly, right? Perfect, because I do not plan on taking my iron out once this summer.

Tee: Boden [exact]

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Shoes: Madewell [exact]

Belt: Gap [similar]