do the peg bundy

I love leopard print, but in very small doses.

Belts? cute.

Shoes? yes please. 

Clutches? adorable.

But leopard print in giant doses always feels very Peg Bundy to me, so even though this shirt is actually a bunch of poppy flowers, it looks like a leopard print from far away. I tried to tone that down by wearing it with other neutrals (no red shoes this time!) but I'm always unsure about it. Maybe if I ever find that perfect maroon pencil skirt (which thanks to Barks and Baking, this J.Crew Factory version, currently on sale, is now heading my way!) it'll feel less Peg and more Fran. 

Or I'll just embrace the Peg. All I need is a little more hair teasing and a better push-up bra. 

Blouse: Loft [similar as an actual leopard print]

Skirt: thrifted

Belt: Gap

Shoes: Banana Republic - currently on sale

Watch: Michael Kors

So if you're like me and like leopard in small doses, here are a few leopard calf-hair shoes currently out there. I own the Madewell version (found on major sale last year) that I love - it's the perfect way of adding just a little bit of sass to an outfit ;)

lub dub

Life has been a little hectic lately.

We officially finished the GI system on Monday - it's been my favorite so far so I'm sad to see it go. I missed getting an A by 3 points (out of almost 400) so I'm fairly disappointed that I was so.close, but didn't quite get there. They say grades don't "matter" in the grand scheme of things, but when you spend so much time working towards it and fall just short, it's always kind of a bummer.

But now we have started cardio...and it's going to be ridiculous the next few weeks. We have a test every week (always on Mondays too, because who needs even half a day off?), with a sprinkling of random tests and practicals all over the place. I'm already dreading all of it.

At least by the end of it I'll know what all the squiggly lines on an EKG mean though - Tracy already informed me that flat line is dead, so at least I'm off to a good start ;)

Blouse: ASOS [similar]

Pants: The Limited [same style - the green is so pretty!]

Necklace: Forever 21 [cute stone similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Shoes:  Banana Republic [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save || exact]

On a side note, if you've been eyeing the Madewell Transport Tote, but don't to spend the money on it, this tote from Forever 21 looks very similar in size + shape for a fraction of the cost!

tweedy

I've been looking for a dark tweed skirt for the better part of the last year. Who know something so simple was seemingly so hard to find? I thought I finally found "the one" when I found this skirt from Ann Taylor. It was everything I was looking for - (what I thought was) black, thicker, long enough. I waited and waited for it to be included in a sale, and so when the Labor Day sales finally included it, I quickly ordered it (along with this simple but flattering striped top). It arrived, and I spent the better part of twenty minutes trying to convince myself that I loved it. While dark, it turns out it's actually navy, and while I like navy, I know that especially come tights time, I wouldn't wear it because I have a navy/black aversion. I also found the fit a bit off - it was too tight in my thighs but too loose around the waist. I still tried to convince myself that I liked it (and I got it for such a good deal!) to the point that we took pictures of it - you can see it here. It wasn't until I saw the pictures that I really was like "yeahhhhhhnooooooo" - you can't completely tell in that picture, but it hardcore pulls across my thighs.

So back it goes, and the search continues. I did see this beautiful (black!) skirt at Banana Republic, but it's one of those "BR picks" which I'm pretty sure is just BR's way of not putting all their good clothes on sale. They sometimes have their "picks" go on sale though, so I'll just have to wait for that to happen.

Until tights time rolls around though, my pink tweed skirt will serve me well, even if I always go a little matchy matchy with it :)

Top: Loft [pricey similar]

Skirt: Banana Republic [save | splurge]

Necklace: Forever 21 [really dang cute similar]

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Ring: DIY [tutorial here]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

the classics? [+ 9th&Elm giveaway]

As I was trying to write this post, I initially was going to talk about how I tend to wear a lot of "classics" but I don't really know how define my style. So while I was trying to come up with a definition of what my style is (a very good use of my time, I promise), I realized that I already wrote a really similar post 1.5 years ago about this...and it turns out I was wearing a very similar outfit. 

So does that mean that nothing has really changed in the last 18 months, and that this is just my style? Button-ups, slim pants, cap toed flats - I suppose they're called classics for a reason. So maybe slightly boring, but at least I'm consistent ;)

Shirt: Banana Republic [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Necklace: c/o 9th & Elm [exact]

Shoes: Target [even cuter similar]

Bag: Kate Spade [save | splurge]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact]

...and nothing completes defining your style like a piece of jewerly with your monogram on it. I've received several pieces through 9th & Elm now, and I've always enjoyed wearing them. It's a fun way to add a little something customized or hand-made and independent into your outfits. If you'd love to own your own personalized piece of jewelry, or any of the other great products on their site, you can either sign up here, or enter the giveaway for a $30 credit! US residents only please. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

staples on sale: madewell post-labor day whites

white blouse  | jeans | eyelet dress

I love Madewell - I love how sleek everything looks, how nothing is ever too crazy or weird, and how well my items from there have held up over the years. I only own a few items [including my tote, anchor belt, and slingback sandals] that were all purchased on sale, but they still look like new (or like a very loved new). Their current 30% off sale items (using code TOPITOFF) is a good one because includes a mix of summer staples, and pieces you can wear all year long. Here are three of my favorites:

Essential White Shirt: I've never believed in the whole "30 pieces every woman should own" schtick because my life as a student is different than a stay-at-home mom which is different than the business woman on Wall Street. But if you have a semi-typical office job, a white button-down can go far - with sleek pants, a fun skirt, even layered under a dress. This one is cotton, thin enough to wear under a sweater once it cools down, but sleek enough to wear on its own too.

Skinny Skinny Jeans: I own these in the normal length, and they are my favorite pair of jeans. I save them for nights out or trips out of town because I don't want to wash them too often or wear holes into the thighs like I have with all my other denim ever (from $30 AE jeans to $160 Joe's). These ones on sale are in the "tall" length, so if you are particularly leggy, these would be great for you. I would double cuff them like all the cool girls are doing now, or get these in the regular length with a little zipper on the side.

Eyelet Dress: The "no white after Labor Day" is not a rule I particulary follow, so I think it's time we all threw that "rule" out the window.  While this white dress would be beautiful in the summer time too, wouldn't it be adorable with some cognac boots and a burgundy or mustard cardigan? It's currently under $30 with all sizes available!

P.S. J.Crew currently is offering 25% off fall staples - I finally ordered the chambray shirt!

birds of a feather

This dress is one of my favorites in my closet for many reasons - it has little feather polka dots on it, it has long sleeves, it's super flattering, and it was once upon a time a "first date" dress. I don't think I've worn it once on the blog because I always wear it the same - with a belt and similar shoes. Maybe one of these days I'll get adventorous and wear a blazer over it or something (hold me back, it's getting crazy up in here), but for now I'm not going to mess with a good thing. 

Until it's -20 here. Then all bets are off, and all scarves are on.

And speaking of cold weather (NOT YET, PENNSYLVANIA), I'm still debating which booties I'd like to try. I want something that is a bit more appropriate for school, and something I can wear with black tights (stockings?) with skirts/dresses this fall and winter. I mentioned I was looking at these Vince Camuto booties (the reviews are all raving about them!), but noticed this very similar pair from Geox that has a bit of a thicker heel. I don't really have a commute so I'm not too worried about walking in a bit of snow, but I also don't want to wobble the 30 feet of walking from my parked car into school. Any suggestions/input? Like I said, totally bootie newbie here ;)

Dress: Loft [similar short sleeved | expensive similar]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact on sale]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [save | splurge]

my hair curling routine

I've had a couple requests to share how I curl my hair, so I made a little video about how I try to do it most days. I use the following products, but am definitely open to suggestions (especially ones that help the curls stay!) :

Kiehl's Smoothing Cream

Aquage Uplifting Foam

Suave Dry Shampoo

John Frieda Curling Iron

Tresamme Hairspray

(P.S. I'm wearing a Project Social T + a Kendra Scott necklace c/o Popsugar)