sassafras

Apparently, I was feeling extra sassy this day (you should see the outtakes - the eyebrows were out.of.control)!

I think I was probably slightly compensating for that grow out - yikes! I haven't been to the hair dresser in almost six months (partially to grow my hair out after it accidentally got chopped off last summer), and I finally go in next week! While I'm a blondie, it has slowly become a dark dirty blond over the years, so girlfriend needs her highlights. For me, I've run the gauntlet with hair - I've had red hair, black hair, long hair, short hair, bangs, a perm...but I always go back to medium length blond with side swept bangs. It's that safe hairstyle that I think looks best on me...but then I get an itch to do something new. Any suggestions for this time around? Or just pretty highlights and a trim, as always? Because to be honest, this is basically what I wish my hair looked like all the time. 

Tee: Gap [exact]

Jeans: Paige [exact]

Jacket: Paige [save | splurge]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact on sale]

Necklace: Charlene K

Today is the second to last day of the Shopbop sale - save 25% off your entire order using the code INTHEFAM. This is one of the best sales out there, and even though Shopbop does have many expensive items, they also have some great more reasonably priced items as well. Below are my picks for shoes, jeans, and clutches at three different price points. Have you picked anything up during the sale? 

under $50: Soludos espadrilles, Free People flares, Hershel clutch

under $100: KAANAS flats, Blank denim, Splendid clutch

under $150: Sam Edelman flats, James jeans, Oliveve clutch

spring ahead (+ a shoe giveaway!)

Oh hey, is it snowing where you are too? Same here.

But let's all remind ourselves of the beautiful weekend we had last week - when it was 65 and sunny and the perfect dog walking weather. While fall is my favorite season, spring is a close second - everyone is just excited to finally not wear a jacket and to pull out those lighter layers. 

When Laura asked me to participate in her weekly link-up with the theme being spring fashion, I knew I wanted to wear my white jeans. Unlike Hallie, I'm a bit nervous about wearing white jeans during the winter, so now that it's just a tad warmer out, it's time to break them out! Today I'm wearing them with my new blouse from Loft, but I plan on pairing them with just about everything else in my closet - white tees and a cardigan? chambray tops (blazer?!), striped tees? 

All of the above.

Blouse: Loft [exact]

Pants: Articles of Society [exact]

Shoes: Ferragamo c/o Shopbop [save | exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact 25% off]

Lips: Clinique [exact in fab pop]

trying something a little new (+ premium jeans giveaway!)

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to buy a pair of flare jeans. I have so many skinny jeans, and while I love them, I was ready for something new and fun. Because I have to order everything online, I went to my trusty Fitcode to guide me in my search. I've used and talked about them in the past, but basically Fitcode has an algorithm to figure our your shape, and then makes recommendations for jeans that would fit your body well. Since you can filter your results by shape, I quickly found these BLANKNYC flared jeans...and bonus, they were on sale! I ordered them in my regular jeans size, and find they run true to size. I think they are just a fun way to add a little variety to my closet while having them be super versatile - I can wear them with blouses, sweaters, tees, and it just always works. CR kept calling them mom jeans, but really, what do boys know anyway? I love the sexy shape the create, plus it's always a win when you add something to your closet that goes with so much you already own.

Jeans: BLANKNYC [exact on sale]

Blouse: Asos [cute similar on sale]

Wedges: Frye [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Seriously three days after I ordered my jeans, Fitcode reached out again and asked if I wanted to hold a giveaway on my blog for a pair of jeans. I'm already such a fan that I agreed immediately because I have enjoyed using their service, and I wanted one of you to win a pair of jeans! 

As a disclosure, I paid for my own jeans before they even reached out, I am not being compensated for this giveaway, but it is also a blogger competition so if my giveaway has the most entries, I get a giftcard too. Enter the giveaway though the Rafflecopter below - your Fitcode is the number you receive when you answer their 4 questions. For example, mine is 710. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

back to #basic

I don't know what it is about fall, but it always makes me feel so basic. Not that I'm not (because I clearly am) but with the scarves and the boots and starbucks and the leaves, I turn into every single cliche pinterest picture...and I love it. 

But seriously, aren't scarves the best? I still can't get on board with the super oversized blanket scarves (trust me, I've tried) but I feel like I'm trying to smuggle Hans around under my scarf all day, that's how big (...and annoying) they are. I've been so happy with my slightly more manageable version from Target - I've had it since last fall, and it's probably my most worn scarf. It looks like they brought it (and this awesome reversible scarf) back again this year if you want to look like a more manageable pinterest cliche too ;)

Shirt: Loft [exact on major sale]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Bag: Mulberry [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Shoes: Ferragamo c/o Shopbop [save | exact]

via instagram 

ponte pants are the best kind of pants

We are currently in the best part of the year - true fall. When the leaves are the prettiest, the jackets are a necessity, and ponte pants + boots become a staple. I've been wearing my ponte pants for three years now, and love them just as much as I did when I first bought them. They are thicker than most leggings, so they are warmer, aren't see through, and I think they look better than jeans when it comes to what pants to wear with boots. While mine are old, there are three pairs at three different price points at the bottom of this post!

Blouse: Banana Republic [even cuter version]

Pants: Gap [similar below]

Scarf: Forever 21 [exact]

Coat: Old Navy [exact]

Boots: Vince Camuto [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact on sale!]

Bag: Madewell [save | exact]

Here are several ponte pants at different price points - I'm actually really tempted by the <$25 pair (because they look exactly like the $100 pair!)

< $25 | < $50 | < $100

denim season

If there is one thing I miss from my pre-med school life...it's the jeans. I just really love jeans - they are so much more comfortable, versatile, and in my opinion, flattering than dress pants. So when J.Crew Factory offered to let me try out one of their new pairs, I was super excited because...jeans. 

I've had the miller wash skinny jean for a few weeks now, and I'm a bit in love. I find that they run true to size, and stretch out only slightly throughout the day. I went with the 30 inch inseam (they come in 26, 28, and 30) and the classic medium wash - I love that it can both be worn casually (like I did above for a day brunching and going to the zoo), and more dressed up with a button up and blazer. 

On a different note, if you've had your eye on this sole society bag, act quick. I've watched it pop in and out of stock for the past few days! 

Jeans: c/o J.Crew Factory [exact]

Sweater: Joie c/o Zappos [similar]

Bag: Sole Society [exact | slurge]

Shoes: Sperry [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

The new J.Crew Factory denim collection has a whole line of different styles, from skinnies to flares. My favorite pair is the slightly distressed black skinny jeans - they have just the right about of distressing. J.Crew Factory is currently offering an extra 35% off (code SALEUPGRADE) if you've had your eye on anything!

black skinnies | high waisted | bootcut | flares

Disclosure: while I received the pair of jeans for free, I was not paid for this post. I just really love the jeans :)

summer fever

Although we are only 14 days away from fall (I only know this because my birthday is the last day of summer!), it looks like summer just decided to show up around here! Besides that tiny break of cool weather a few weeks ago, it has been in the high 80s/low 90s for weeks now, and I'm so ready for it to finally cool down. All I want to do is wear the wool skirts, jeans, and sweaters in my closet - I'm so sick of my warm weather clothes! Anyone else have a bit of "summer fever" now that we're close to the cooler temps? Or you happy to keep the warmer weather around?

Top: Boden [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [similar]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Shoes: Banana Republic [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Besides jeans and blazers, the best part about fall clothing is the scarves. Forever 21 has some really cute ones out currently - I just ordered the camel one, but the colorblocked version is very similar to the popular Zara scarf from years past. 

one | two | three | four

jean shopping made easy

Jeans are absolutely my favorite type of clothing. I could wear them every single day, and be fine with never having to wear a skirt or dress ever again. The strange thing is that for as much as I love jeans, I hate shopping for them. It takes me a really long time to find some I like, which is why I rarely buy any. If they fit in the hips, they are too loose in the waist, or if they fit my thighs they are too short, or any one of those combinations.

A few weeks ago, Fitcode approached me to test out their site with no obligation on my part to share my experience. Free jeans that supposedly will fit me like I want them to? Sign me up. 

The way it works is that you take a super short (5 question) fit test to describe your body type, and then it tells you what jeans would fit you best. 

I'm Fitcode 710. The jeans include all my favorite brands like Paige, Hudson, Joe's Jeans, and all the jeans sold at Nordstrom. Once you pick out the style of jean you like, you can even see a video of them on someone with your same fitcode, which I think is genius because we aren't all size 00 models like on most websites. They then show you the different places you can buy the jeans, and for how much. It really takes all the work out of jean shopping for you.

I decided to go with this lighter wash of jeans from 7 for All Mankind just because I've always wanted a lighter pair, and honestly, I'm obsessed. While us girls with thicker thighs are told that dark washes are more flattering (which I do agree with), I think it's okay to mix things up sometimes. These are actually the only jeans I've worn this summer (when it's cool enough to wear jeans), and they really do fit me great. I didn't have to get the waist taken in, like I have with some other jeans I own. The fabric is thick, doesn't loosen up a ton during the day, and has just been holding up really well. 

Like I mentioned, Fitcode did not ask me to write this post, but I offered after having such a great experience with the process. I know how difficult it is to find clothes that fit you the way you want them to, so maybe this will help you out too the next time you are jean shopping!

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind c/o Fitcode [exact]

Tee: Nordstrom [exact, on sale for a few more days!]

Shoes: Jack Rogers [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]