the limited pencil pants...FTW

I've gotten through the better half of the last 25 years without having to wear dress pants. I had to wear them here and there for interviews or important occasions (...?), but in both college and working in a lab, I could wear jeans all day every day. I feel that dress pants don't look that good on me, and I've just never felt that comfortable in them. Trying on those from the Gap was really frustrating because I just wanted it to be easy - here's some black pants, look - they fit! wear them all the time. But it wasn't, and they all looked terrible. I did mention a few weeks ago that I was interested in the Gap True Straight pants, and then Laura suggested that I try these from The Limited. I think because I got to wear casual clothing in the past that I've always somewhat shied away from that store, but I figured it was worth trying out while I was already at the mall returning all of those other pants.

The first pair I tried on were the pencil pants recommended by Laura. I LOVE THEM. While they also have angled pockets like the Gap pair do, these didn't jut out. The knee area doesn't have too much extra fabric, and they are really comfortable. My school states that technically "cropped" pants aren't allowed, and these may be just on the edge of that, so I think I'm going to have the hem taken down maybe 3/4 of an inch (but at the same time, they also say you have to wear pantyhose and no one seems to follow that rule!). I really like ankle pants as I have this weird thing about not liking things to cover my ankles, so I'm thrilled that I now have these. I did buy them full priced, but I'm going to keep my eye on the sales, and then maybe do a switch with receipts so I can "get them" at a lower price. If there's ever a really good sale going on, I think I'll get the blue pair as well. I think they would look really nice with my nude wedges!

As much as I really like the pencil pants, I knew that I needed a full length pair as well. Luckily, they were having a sale on all regular pants and I ended up really liking this pair. They aren't nearly as baggy as the ones from the Gap were, and they created that streamlined look I wanted. I'm too tall for the regular length, so I purchased them in the tall length (for reference, I'm between 5'9'' and 5'10''). They are currently at the tailors to be hemmed to the appropriate length to wear them with flats. 

I'm happy that I feel content with the current staples in my closet, and that I have pants to reach for now on days where I need to be thinking about what innervates the muscles of the forearm instead of how I'm going to accessorize a dress.

Shirt: J.Crew

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Belt: thrifted

Watch: Fossil

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs [save | splurge]

Please think good thoughts for me this week! We have an exam every day, including our first anatomy practical and oral exam on Friday!  eck! 

P.S. it's the last day for 40% off at Banana Republic - a great time to buy my new favorite skirt if you've had your eye on it! Same goes for at the Gap - this shirt may be on its way to me. 

And this.

Shopping makes me feel better.

a light jacket

Yesterday was April 25th, and as well know, it is the perfect date. My "light jacket" was purchased in November when I was in Germany, but I have only had a chance to wear it once since then so I was actually pretty excited to finally be able to wear it. It wasn't too hot or too cold out ;)

In the past I've been somewhat of a jacket hoarder. I kept buying new ones because I wasn't satisfied with the old ones, but the new ones weren't that great either. I really want to end that cycle though. With this move coming up, I'm getting rid of everything that isn't something I actually like anymore, which includes a lot of my old jackets. I think in the end I'll only be taking 4 jackets with me (this one, my Burberry coat, my Banana Republic trench coat, and my thick heavy duty winter coat). I'll need a nice "professional" winter jacket sometime in the fall, and then I should be set on jackets for a really long time.

Not that winter jackets are something I need to be thinking about in April, but ya know...just planning ahead....talking myself through the process of packing up my life and moving three states away.

Jacket: from Germany [save | spend | awesome splurge]

Blouse: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Scarf: Victoria's Secret

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs [exact]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Bracelets: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Nail Polish: Color Club Age of Aquarius

Ring: Galisfly [exact]

P.S. It's a great weekend for sales!
+ Tory Burch's Friends and Family Sale is going on (Code TBSPRING)
+ Loft is having a flash sale this morning = $50 off a purchase of $100+ full priced items (Code FLASHSALE)
+ J.Crew Factory is having another 50% off everything in store event like they did a few weeks ago when I get this skirt (which it's obviously still too cold for but I know will be a staple for my time off this summer)
+ Gap is having 40% off already reduced items (Code GAPSALE). I ordered this blazer yesterday during the 30% off everything.

P.P.S and in case you were debating blowing all your money, budgetting bloggers is going up tomorrow to remind you to be responsible :)

how do you define your style?

I really liked this outfit today -it just felt very me...but what is "me"? I always have a hard time pinpointing what my "style" is. I think I'm a bit preppy, a bit classic, a bit masculine-inspired with a feminine touch, a bit rough around the edges... but that's all a mouth full, isn't it? I know what I like and I tend to buy similar style pieces again and again because I know it works - like this oxford popover. It's a bit classic but also a bit more casual, inspired by men but with a girly touch. Does that mean I have my taste figured out and I just struggle with the words? 

Can you pinpoint your style or are you complex like I am? ;) 

Shirt: J.Crew [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [save | splurge]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs [exact]

Linking up with mix and match fashion!

double dots

Man, are my eyes staring straight into your soul or what?

OK, I'm going to be honest and say this isn't my favorite outfit of all time. This cardigan...is just is not working on me I think. I really love the idea of it, but it always looks like I gained 20 lbs when I wear it (which may be true after this weekend - making a carrot cake for Chris means I'm obligated to eat half of it - that's how that works, right?), and it's just a smidgen too short. I think I'm going to hang on to it in hopes that it will look better with skirts than with pants though. 

Although I'm not moving for another 4.5 months I am starting the slow process of packing, starting with my closet. Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of everything I don't really use -  I'm only going to take items with me that I truly wear. I started the process yesterday and realized I have 4 (FOUR) pairs of colored skinny jeans and I wear none of them because they all don't fit me. Talk about jumping on a trend even though it's not right for you, right? I love the colors, just not the fit. They, along with lots of other random pieces, will be listed on my new poshmark account. Feel free to look around and let me know if you have any questions/offers. I'll be updating periodically through the clean-up. Looking through the clothes I've purchased over the past five years, and what mistakes I've made, has been pretty humbling. It just feels like a lot of wasted money for items that aren't me, or don't fit my body. I think, for me at least, it really only reinforces the need to stick to a list of items while shopping, and hammering in that it's quality over quantity. Gahhhh, but sometimes it's just more fun to buy a bunch of shiny sparkly shirts than to save for those perfectly fitting trousers, ya know?

Blouse: J. Crew Factory  {save | exact}
Sweater: Forever 21  {similar}
Pants: Urban Outfitters*  {exact}
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact}







*um yes, these are still my old pants. I really wanted to wear them Saturday night so I willed them to stay together at the seam with some help from patches and some not so neat stitching. I'm afraid to even wash them because I'm afraid they'll just fall apart. Those new pants need to really get here soon.

10 days left of TOPIO! I'm definitely enjoying the challenge of having to think about outfits around certain pieces but at the same time it'll be nice to just wear whatever I feel like that morning...although an outfit around simple shoes isn't exactly rocket science.









Linking up with Style Elixir and Marionberry Style!

patterned

When I start school this fall, the way I dress will have to change. My school requires us to be in "business casual" clothing at all times on campus, which for the men means shirt and tie. The clothing for women isn't as clearly defined though. I know that blue jeans will be out of the question, so for the next couple of months I'm going to explore my options out there. Since colored skinny jeans just aren't working for me anyway, I'm really hoping that colored and patterned pants will be a way to add color into my wardrobe. I really like my polka dot pants - they fit a lot better than skinny jeans do - so I hope to find a few pairs similar to them. I'm for sure going to try these pants (one | two | three | four) as I think they would look great with a nice simple blouse and the accessories I already have. 

Do you have a favorite store when it comes to buying "dress" pants? I have never really had to buy a lot of them, so I'm starting out new here.

Chambray: Old Navy  {exact | splurge}
Pants: Gap  {exact}
Scarf: Forever 21
Belt: Thrifted
Watch: Fossil  {similar}
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact}










Linking up with MoMoMod!

tickled pink

I think that impending sickness I complained about implied was coming decided it wasn't going to mess around with me, and left to bother someone else. So to celebrate, I wore all of my favorite things today: polka dots, a bright scarf, a pretty ring won in a giveaway, and cute flats. 

I would like to thank my immune system for showing those germs who is boss, my boyfriend for making me food all weekend while I sulked about the "sickness" and my dogs for giving me snuggles whenever I asked for them.

I think from now on I'm going to fake sickness whenever I don't want to make dinner. Seems to work like a charm! ;)

Shirt: J.Crew Factory  {exact}
Scarf: c/o The Posh'mina  {exact}**
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Belt: Target
Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact}
Watch: Boccia
Bracelet: Express
Ring: via The Demure Muse
Nails: Essie Ballet Slippers



**There's 2 days left to enter to win one of these bad boys. Enter here!

via Instagram.







linking up with wiww.

ladylike

I felt very girly wearing this blush, black and white outfit. I don't really own a lot of items in the pink family besides this cardigan, my pink chambray shirt and my LC blazer. Although I would consider myself pretty girly in the sense that I like clothes, painting my nails and not getting dirty, I don't really do pink. I don't have some deep explanation for this. Maybe my parents dressed me in only gender neutral clothing as a child so now I've continued this in adulthood?

Ok, I'll stop now ;)

Last day left to win one of these purse tassels! 

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet  {similar}

Blouse: Forever 21  {save, similar}

Pants: Urban Outfitters  {exact}

Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  {save / exact}

Necklace: Souvenir from Germany  {similar / splurge}

Watch: Fossil  {save / very similar}

Bracelets: Forever 21

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}

Purse: Kate Spade {save / similar}

via Instagram

One Item, Four Ways: Loft Sequin Striped Top

I purchased this Loft top as a part of my November Budget. After finding out that Whitney also just purchased the same top, we decided it would be fun to show multiple ways of wearing the same top using pieces in our own closets. Although I maintain that my blog is not about dressing up (but rather actually showing what I wear every day), I had a great time playing around in my closet coming up with these outfits. It made me realize what I'm lacking (skirts, heels, evening bags) but also made me think of future outfits I can wear with my new shirt. Our four categories are work, date night, girls night and party. Make sure you check out her post as well! Girlfriend has a great collection of skirts :)

Work

At work, my legs have to be covered and my shoes have to be flat. I went with some of my favorite pieces - a classic blazer, dark wash skinny jeans, and cap-toed flats. It allows a fun and sparkly top to pop out without being overbearing in a work environment.

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}
Earrings: Tiffany & Co. {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Bag: Kate Spade  {similar}
Purse Tassel: DIY by my mom (win one here!)

Date Night

Between Chris's long rotation hours and loans, and how much money I've had to put into school applications, most our our date nights are very casual and inexpensive. We like to go to movies (usually a matinee) or just going on walks with our dogs. For this outfit I choose comfy shoes, a crossbody bag, and my new cargo jacket I purchased in Germany. It allows a dressier top to seem a bit more casual.

Jacket: Hof Germany  {similar}
Bag: Gift from my BFF Hannah {similar}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW  {exact}
Watch: Target
Bracelet: DIY
Nails: seen here

Girls Night

I think this top was made for girls nights. It's cute, sparkly and can stand alone without too many accessories- everything you need in a top! I paired it with my beloved black skinny jeans, a black trench for the treks between events (read: bars), a simple clutch and a pop of red.

Trench: Banana Republic  {very similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Shoes: Unlisted  {similar}
Clutch: Forever 21  {similar}
Bangles: Forever 21

Party

I'm in love with this outfit and wish that I had somewhere to wear it to. Subtle pattern mixing and classic pieces allow the top to take center stage. Sequins were made for the holidays!

Skirt: Target  {similar}

Belt: Old Navy  {similar}

Heels: Nine West via Marshalls  {similar}

Clutch: Charming Charlies  {similar}

Bracelet: InPink

October Budget

1. Laundry by Design Jacket via Savers: $20  {seen on Instagram}
2. Gap Sweater: $49.95 + 30% off + exchanged for returned sweater from last month = $0   {seen here}
3. Old Navy Black Cardigan: $19.95 + 30% off = $14  {seen here, here}
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Shoes: $199 at DSW + 50% off + $5 coupon = $95  {seen here, here}
5. Forever 21 Polka Dot Blouse: $19.80 + $12 return credit = $8   {seen here, here}
6. Forever 21 Maroon Sweater: $19.80  {seen here, here}
7. Thrifted Sweater via Goodwill: $5  {alteration seen here}

October Budget = $162

I did go a little above my $150 budget, but I'm very happy with the purchases I made. My new winter jacket is a style I've been looking for a while now, but most new jackets are $100+, so I was thrilled when I found this jacket at Savers. I could have waited 2 days to get 25% off on Monday (a special they have every week) but I was scared it would be gone by then so I bought it for the full Savers price. I bought a couple new sweaters that I've already worn several times now with the dropping temperatures. My Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes, found in the clearance section, are another style I've been looking for for a while, and the Forever 21 blouse is my favorite F21 purchase of all time.

In November I'm hoping to find a great pair of dark wash skinny jeans, and a patterned sweater like this or this one. I'm also going to Germany for a week in the middle of the month, so who knows what I'll find over there. I do have several hundred euros stashed away so I may just leave those purchases out of next months budget ;)

How did you do this month? Link up below - please make sure you link back so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers!

ETA: I purchased the bare Minerals concealer as well after I made this list. It is around $30. I finally scraped the last of my Boi-ing concealer out, and was itching to try something new.

Feathered

Before my co-worker/friend Emily and I had annoying things like car payments and other life responsibilities (she just got engaged!!), we used to do a ton of shopping....like every weekend shopping. Our style is very similar (except she loves pink and sparkle much more than I do) so our separate closets have a lot of either exact, or very similar, pieces.

I would be lying if I said that today was the first time we've worn the same thing to work, but it has happened so often that our supervisor now comments on it.

If we weren't forbidden from taking pictures on company grounds I would prove it.

TWINSIES!

Blazer: LC Lauren Conrad {similar}
Scarf: H&M  {similar}
Pin: my Mom made it!
Shirt: Gap
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Watch: Boccia
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact}
Nails: seen here