up, up, and away

 

Hello from O'Hare! Despite my dry bagel sandwich and overpriced coffee, I am thrilled to be on my way to Seattle! This is my last trip before a week of packing and then moving away so I'm trying to enjoy every single minute of it. I don't usually like to travel in shorts (I prefer jeans for sticking leather seats), but the weather is beautiful and warm in both Madison and Seattle, so I thought it would be a good time to bust them out, along with my new tee and new favorite sandals. A cardigan for cold airplanes, and my trusty leather bag, and I'm basically set. 

When I first got into school, I knew that I wanted to take a bit of time off. I've never had six full weeks of no responsibilities - I've had a job since I was 15 - so this no working thing has been awesome. I wanted to use this time to travel a bit, and I've always wanted to go visit Seattle. I don't really travel on my own - almost everything has always been with my family or with Chris, so it was a little bit of an adventure for me to book this trip. Every time I told people I was going to go to Seattle, they gave me a really confused look when I said I was going by myself just to go. I'm very lucky though, that this trip is turning into not a by myself trip. When I told Bri I was coming, she insisted I stay in one of her guest rooms. Internet friends are the best - and the most trusting apparently. She's luckily she's smaller than I am or else all of her clothes would be coming home with me ;)   On top of that, Kimmie and I have become fast through-the-wire friends, so she's taking this afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday off from work so we can hang out. We have a segway tour booked - it's going to be hilariously awesome. I think visiting a city is the best when you get to see it with people who live there - you get the best mix of touristy stuff and seeing how people actually live there.

So! If you've been to Seattle, are from Seattle, or have heard great things, tell me what I need to see! I want to do, see, and eat it all. Of course it'll all be documented on here and on instagram :) 

Bri just said we might see some whales this afternoon. WHALES! We don't have those in WI.

Tee: J.Crew [exact on super sale for ~$18 with code STYLE40]

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shorts: Gap Outlet

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Belt: Madewell [exact | in brown | on sale]

Shoes: Target [exact]

^^ this one's for you Kimmie! 

two

 

A list of alternative titles:

+ you look just like ke$ha : my co-worker looked at the sequins on my shirt and said I was all sparkly and looked just like Kesha. I suppose, if Kesha dressed like a cross between an old man and a disco ball....so maybe that is an accurate description after all.

+ total copycat: AJ wore her chambray with her sparkly shirt so I wanted to too. That's what friends are for right, showing us how to wear our own clothes?

+ pro-layerer: months ago I wrote about how I really struggled with layering, how I knew what I wanted to look like, but wasn't sure how to make that happen (side note: don't let me dye my hair dark ever again). With a lot of experimenting, and a few helpful tips, I feel like I'm finally able to dress myself the way I wanted to. It's not that wearing one shirt over another is something that's difficult, it's just that I never felt comfortable, that there was weird bunching, or that I felt like there was just too much going on on my torso. I don't know what has really changed over the last 6 months, but I finally feel comfortable with the clothes in my closet and how I wear them. I don't spend all day tugging and pulling and wishing I was wearing something different - it just somehow clicked, ya know?

Chambray: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Shirt: Loft 

Pants: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Purse: Coach [current style]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

I am so obnoxious.

four

 

I accidentally matched my glasses today.

This morning I wasn't really feeling getting dressed, and as I longingly stared at my new shorts, I reached for the most comfortable pair of jeans I own (which is why you see them all the time...) and this simple top. I bought this shirt at the Banana Republic Factory store a few months ago, but have only worn it once since then because it had this weird bell sleeve going on which I knew I could fix myself. I borrowed my mom's sewing machine a few weeks ago and cut those suckers off to make normal sleeves. And because I can't help but combine black, white, and red (see below), I figured this would be as good of a time as any to wear my new prescription glasses from GlassesUSA.com.

Although I could wear contacts, I mostly choose not to. I think I look better in glasses as they balance out my chubby cheeks and my smaller eyes, and I honestly just feel a bit naked without them....I even go to push them up when I'm not wearing glasses. I have a really great pair of glasses that my aunt, an optometrist in Germany, made for me last November, but it's always nice to have a bit of variation. I was excited when GlassesUSA offered to send me a pair to test out. It took me a while to decide which eyeglasses to get (see some choices here) because they have quite the selection, but the try on view with your own picture made it a bit easier. I like that the pair I chose are black from the front, but then have red sides. I used to wear all red glasses, so this was kind of a throwback for me. I think they frame my face nicely, and were fairly inexpensive. If I could change one thing, it would have been to upgrade the lenses to the anti-reflective kind. If you are interested in mixing up your glasses routine, you can use the virtual mirror below to buy glasses and use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off your order.

Shirt: Banana Republic Factory [similar]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Glasses: c/o GlassesUSA [exact]

Shoes: Old Navy [cute save | WANT]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Belt: The Limited

Black and White and Red all over:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

P.S. Virtual hugs for everyone who clicks on the little heart :)

grey sweatshirt, you fancy: everlane sweatshirt

I've been sick for the past three days, but with limited PTO left at work, I had to go in. The thought of putting any effort into my outfit, hair, or makeup was just not going to happen, so I was happy that my new Everlane sweatshirt came in last weekend.

I've wanted a "fancy" sweatshirt for a while now.

Hear me out!

I've seen Dotty wear this thinner red "sweatshirt" numerous ways over the past few months, and it was always the perfect combination of comfortable and somehow still appropriate. I felt having something similar in my closet would be great for when school starts. I'm sure there will be numerous days where the last thing I want to do is put on dressy clothes, especially for eight hours of lecture, so having a similar dressy sweatshirt would allow me to look pulled together but be secretly wearing a comfortable sweatshirt. so sneaky. 

After my Everlane tee review, several of you ordered the shirts, which is awesome for two reasons: one, you guys get to try them out for yourself (are you loving them as much as I am??), and two, for every person who orders, I get a store credit. I had several store credits saved up, so I decided that it would be a good time to try out their sweatshirt. I decided to get the graphite version because I felt it would be the most low-key, but I'm kind of wishing I had ordered the mustard instead just because the color is a bit more fun (and especially because my mustard cardigan gets a lot of wear).

Anyway, so Monday when I was only going in for a half day after having to sleep 5 more hours in the morning, I was happy to have this to thrown on along with the minimum amount of makeup, and the maximum amount of dry shampoo. The material is thin but very dense and soft - perfect for a day when you want nothing more than to put your pajamas back on.

I may have worn pretty much the same outfit today too.

Sweatshirt: Everlane

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Purse: vintage Coach via Etsy  [current version]

please excuse the mess behind me. I'm starting to slowly pack - it's obviously not going well!

P.S. Do you have 2 seconds to spare? I'd love for you to vote for me here! all you have to do is click the heart :)

rainy day

 

Since it was still snowing in April, it only makes sense that it's still raining in May, right? So much for flowers. 

I am happy I get to wear my rain boots again! I'm so happy I found a pair that actually fit my calves instead of trying to squeeze into "normal" size. I'd be lying if I didn't get just a little bit excited to wear them. I'd also be lying if I said I haven't worn a variation of this outfit for the past three days. I just really wanted to wear my new tee [review here], and it's been chilly all weekend so the chambray and jeans just kind of made sense.

whatever, like you've never worn an outfit several days in a row.

Chambray: Old Navy [same style | fun inexpensive variation]

Tee: Everlane

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Umbrella: J.Crew

via instagram.

linking up with wiww.

the joy of moving

 

This weekend I flew with my parents out to the city I'm going to live in to find housing for next year. I met up with my future roommate and I think we found a place to live (fingers crossed we get it!). Because I will be moving by myself in July with only my little hatchback and a small trailer, I packed a few boxes up to store in a family friend's basement for the coming months. I packed up most of my winter clothes, which means my current closet feels so empty...but in a good way. Like I've mentioned, I'm trying to narrow down what I actually keep in my closet and plan on only taking clothes with me that I actually like and wear. I still have a bit of work to do, but man, it's so much easier to get dressed when the only pieces in there are seasonally appropriate (...it was 37 degrees this morning) and pieces I like. My new-ish blouse, favorite blazer (seen here), and so worn jeans they now have holes in the thigh just felt right together.

If it weren't such a hassle, I should move more often!

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Blazer: J.Crew [save for <$20 | exact]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Necklace: Groopdealz [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

via instagram

linking up with the pleated poppy.

Linking up with what I wore to work!

playing favorites

I think I have fallen madly in love with this Gap shirt. I'm not one to choose favorites with my clothes (I want to love all of them equally!) but I wore it on Friday, and then again on Saturday. I think popovers/button up tunics are my favorite of all the types of shirts, as evidenced by this, this, and this purchase. What can I say, I'm loyal! I like that it can be both more dressy (because of the collar and buttons) but also casual when worn untucked, or with a fun scarf. 

Plus sometimes you don't have to iron them if you are going for that more casual vibe ;)

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Scarf: Forever 21 [save for under $10 | splurge]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Purse: Madewell [exact]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Rings: Galisfly [exact]

Nails: Color Club Age of Aquarius 

P.S. I really wanted to participate in the Pantone-inspired challenge today but I realized I don't own anything emerald. I've actually wanted an emerald scarf for several months now, so I went looking for one in the mall last Thursday but didn't find one anywhere! If I don't find one this weekend in Minneapolis, I may look for one on etsy. This one is adorable, and this one is simple but the exact color I want.

P.P.S. Have you entered both giveaways going on right now? You can enter to win a scarf/clutch here and a $50 Gap card here. Good luck!

how to look like a wrinkled mess

Step 1: iron your bottom layer shirt 

Step 2: don't iron your sweater and make sure you wear it a size too large for extra wrinkles

Sweater: Target [very similar]

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Necklace: Express [interesting option]

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Shoes: Nine West [similar]

lazy

You may have already seen me complain about this on twitter, but this weekend was somewhat of a dud. With Chris being gone I've lost that built in person to go do things with, and I'm getting to the point where I'm sick of going out and doing everything by myself. wah wah, life is so tough!

But I did spend most of the weekend on my couch. I ate about 4 omelets (they were delicious), and watched the whole first season of Homeland. Living the dream! Maybe next weekend I'll actually go outside and enjoy the springtime. Or watch season 2. 

Blazer: Old Navy [save | splurge]

Shirt: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact on super sale]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Watch: Fossil [exact]

Necklace: Gift from Whitney

Shoes: Rocket Dog [similar]

via instagram

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!

groundbreaking

So this is the first time I've worn these pants "in real life". They've been in my take-to-the-tailor pile since I purchased them because they need to be taken in at the waist, but I wanted to wear them for Bri's upcoming Third Thursday Threads (floral, duh) so I decided to do the old pull-up-and-cinch. Boy was that a mistake. I was pulling up my pants all day and it just created all this unnecessary bunching. I need to stop being lazy and just take them in to be fixed. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this. 

To quote my friend Lizzi....looking for a friend here.

Pants: Target [save | splurge]

Blazer: Thrifted

Tee: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Necklace: Forever 21 [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

linking up with wiww.