mute

 

Happy Memorial Day!

I don't have much else to say, but I do have a few reminders.

+ budgetting bloggers goes up tomorrow!

+ have you entered this giveaway yet? you could win this watch!

+ the shop my closet post is up and ready :)

Shirt: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Vest: Old Navy [similar]

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Necklaces: "f" from Whitney, diamond is a family heirloom

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

fate

You know how sometimes when we're shopping and we find something that we think is cute and it's the last piece and it's our size? We tell ourselves it's fate and buy it because the universe has clearly decided that it was meant to be for us to own that jacket / scarf / ring. Yeah, I'm not immune to that feeling either.

I mentioned that I was looking for a new pair of boots and when I saw that this pair (at the time) only had one pair left and in my size, I did not even hesitate to press buy. Obviously the fashion gods felt that I needed to own those boots. A week later they arrived at my front step, and I'm now a fashion atheist because girl, no. They look like plastic rain boots! Not what I expected from something that claims to be leather boots. I know my expectations are higher because I love my Frye boots so much, but another pair of such expensive boots is just not a possibility right now (especially since I need to be good about saving money while I'm still working). Back those go. Next up: this pair or this pair.

Maybe they'll make me be a believer again.

Dress: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar for less than $30}
Tights: Target  {exact}
Belt: Old Navy  {similar}
Scarf: Victoria's Secret
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Target  {similar}

Day Four of TOPIO











linking up with Sunday Style!

dschungel

In case you are wondering what that title is, it's the German word for jungle. If you have ever wondered why my name is spelled so weird, it's because it's the German way of spelling Franchesca...because I'm an (permanent) alien in this country and originally from Germany. And jungle in German is dschungel. 

maybe I'll start giving you a random German word a day that someone describes my outfit. Today it's dschungel because I felt like I was going on a safari. A cold, Midwest safari, but a safari nonetheless.

Chambray: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Boots: Steve Madden  {save / splurge}
Scarf: borrowed from Emily, originally Target*
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}
Bracelets: Forever 21


*a few weeks ago when I was debating between this scarf and the blue one, I choose the blue one. I then told Emily about all the amazing scarves on clearance, so she went and bought the one I didn't get...and then let me borrow it. What a good friend huh?

...and this is what I look like when I'm trying to figure out why my camera is taking such shoddy pictures.















linking up to mix & match fashion.

Stripes and Cargo

I've been on the look out for a blue and white striped button up blouse for a while, ever since I saw one on Alternations Needed and J's Everyday Fashion. Kelly's was too expensive, and J's was too boxy on me, so I was thrilled when I found this inexpensive and longer version at Forever 21. I've been really pleased with my last few purchases there because I'm finally figuring out what sections to avoid (like 90% of the store) and what just won't fit me (blazers, all dresses/skirts, pants).

Even though I just wore this vest last week (and although my coworker Emily hates it), I knew it was what I wanted to wear with it first. For someone who wasn't sure about keeping it, I sure am wearing it a lot. Were you ever unsure about a purchase and then ended up loving it?

Blouse: Forever 21 {similar}

Vest: Old Navy  {similar}

Belt: Target

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact, on sale}

Watch: Fossil  {very similar}

Ring: Present from my Mom

Shoes: Tory Burch  {20% off with code FANDF}

Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

P.S. Going back to blond. Step 2 commences in December. Happy early Birthday Mom! ;)

P.P.S. With J. Crew's 25% of online sale going on, I'm thinking about getting this vest. Does anyone have an experience with it? It's exactly what I've been looking for, but we all know how deceiving online pictures are!

linking up with Real Girl Glam and WIWW.

Belted Vest

Thank you so much for all of your words of advice and tricks on yesterday's post about struggling with layering. You guys had some great ideas, including lots of belting. I've wanted to belt this vest since I saw Audrey's post so that's what I did this morning. I really like the way this came together, even if I kind of look like I'm ready for a picnic.

I really like the idea of wearing more vests because like Elissa said, they add a layer without adding bulk to arms, which is something I try to avoid, so I'm going to be on the look out for more vests. Bri had a great tip of wearing a tighter tank over a button down, but under the sweater, which helps give you more shape. I can't wait to try that out! You ladies are so smart.

Vest: Old Navy
Shirt: Gap  {similar}
Belt: H&M  {similar}
Jeans: Gap  {very similar}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

In other news, I went to Goodwill today for a little sweater shopping. I found a few finds, and then experienced the biggest thrifting disappointment - I found a grey J. Crew schoolboy blazer in pretty much perfect condition....for $7.99....in a size 4. I am not a size four. Dang it. I'm pretty disappointed :(











Linking up with Marionberry's Trend of the Month,  wiww and Everybody, Everywear.

Have you linked up with October's Budgeting Bloggers yet?

Hopeful.

I try not to share too much about my current "life" situation because frankly, it's all so up in the air. As you know, I work for a pharmaceutical development company...but I'm actually in the process of applying to medical school. It's been a rough couple of years of applying, with plenty of money and tears spent throughout the process. I interviewed at my #1 choice last year....and it obviously did not work out.

Today I found out I get a second chance at it.

November 9th. Cross all your digits for me.






What do I wear?!

Vest: Old Navy {similar}
Shirt: H&M
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {see my breaking-in post here}
Watch: Target
Nails: seen here
Bracelets: H&M, DIY {instructions and chance to win here}






(sorry about the somewhat blurry pic - it started to pour right after I took the first picture so I only had 1 chance)

Bang Bang

I may have gone a littttttle crazy yesterday while getting my hair cut. Full on bangs. I've never had them before but they're pretty fun! Any styling tips for bangs?

The more I wear my vest, the happier I am that I kept it. I can't wait for the temperatures to drop a little bit more so I can wear it outside of work too.

I've been seeing tons of ladies wearing theirs in cute ways so check them out if you are looking for some new ways to style a cargo vest:

26 and Counting
Because Shanna Said So
My Here and Now
Lilly's Style
Putting Me Together
Sterling Style
Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique
J's Everyday Fashion
C's Evolution of Style
Clothes, Kinks and Curls
Librarian for Life Style

Let me know if you'd like to be added - I need the inspiration :)

Vest: Old Navy (sold out online, try in stores)
Shirt: Old Navy  (similar - on sale!)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target (exact)
Bracelet: J. Crew

One of my closet friends Alexa (the one that gave me my favorite scarf) is back from New Zealand for 6 weeks - I'm so excited to have her back stateside! Her family just got this adorable yellow lab that we've been cooing over all afternoon - her name is Cali - isn't she just adorable?!

Copy Cat

Today's weather was perfect. Now if only I got to experience it at all during the day at work - there aren't any windows in the room I sit in so I just like to pretend the weather is terrible outside so I don't have to feel bad about not enjoying it.

Luckily for me I get 2+ undisturbed hours "with nature" tomorrow as it's the day of my half marathon! It turns out that Chris doesn't have to be at the hospital this weekend so he is doing it with me. Wish us luck!

Sweater: Old Navy  {exact, splurge}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Belt: The Limited
Shoes: Rocket Dog  {exact, spend, splurge}
Bracelets: Forever 21

Since buying this vest I've been playing around wearing it with different pieces in my closet. I ended up not wearing it today but will re-wear this outfit for a cooler day. Not wearing it though means that I basically copied Sarah from Small Town Catwalk exactly - I just think it means we have great taste ;)

 Hansi wanted in on the pictures...

Have a great weekend! If you never hear from me again, take that as a lesson to never sign up for a half marathon.










P.S. I have removed Disqus for my comment section. That means that all of my comments have been deleted :(  I think going back to the Blogger comment section is better for my blog as a whole so I appreciate your support in this tiny transition.

Invested?

You can only wear so many button ups and blazers before you get bored. I don't think I've owned a vest in about 10 years, but seeing how cute it looks on everyone (like here, here and here) I wanted in on the cargo vest. I happened upon this Old Navy version while I was there returning a top, and picked it up.

On the one hand, I can think about 10 outfits on the top of my head about how I would wear this vest. On the other hand, am I falling into a trend trap, and will regret this decision in 6 months?

On a different note, I am in LOVE with this shoes. I've been stalking them for about 2 months now, but (of course) wasn't willing to pay full price. I was watching the price on Zappos, but they never went lower than $55. I checked on the Aldo website, and they were $33 on there! While I'm disappointed I couldn't get them through Zappos and use a giftcard I have, I'm happy getting these shoes for 50% off retail.

Vest: Old Navy  {exact}
Shirt: Forever 21  {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Gap Outlet
Shoes: Aldo  {exact}
Belt: H&M
Watch: Fossil {save, spend, splurge}
Bracelet: Tiffanys & Co {exact}