5D5W: Casual Friday

I think this may be one of my most favorite outfits I've ever worn. I was trying to figure out why that is exactly. Some theories:

+ I just feel best in these jeans. I think bootcut really just looks best on me. I haven't had any luck finding a second pair on eBay yet, but I continue to be hopeful that a pair will come my way eventually. I still will not pay full price for them because once school starts I won't be wearing jeans much, but some days I'm tempted. Some one hold me back.

+ This blazer rivals my schoolboy blazer for most worn top. I love the neutral color, the fit, and the elbow patches. The blazer is from H&M which has always been kinder to me than Forever 21. I may have to see if they have anything similar currently...in April (side note: budgeting bloggers goes up tomorrow! eek.)

+ My new soft striped tee. This outfit was inspired by Chioma - I don't think I would have paired stripes and plaid like this on my own, but it works. right? yes. stripes + plaid = win

+ Cognac on cognac - my closet neutral color. 

Okay so I may not have a concrete answer...but I really did like wearing this.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]

Tee: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: H&M Mens

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Bracelet: "J.Crew" via eBay [similar for less than $20]

Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue

Today is the last day for the 5 Day 5 Way link up I put together with my good friend Whitney. It brought such a smile to my face going to all of your blog posts and see you guys commenting, encouraging each other, offering advice, and just connecting in general. I love blogging because of my new found group of friends - you guys honestly bring so much joy into my life with every comment, email, and tweet. I hope this little challenge brought new readers, followers, and friends into your lives. Can we do this again soon? Maybe a end of spring 5 Day 5 Way Challenge? Please say yes.

Now onto the challenge - Casual Friday. Every day of the week is "Casual" for me - I could wear jeans and sweatshirts every single day. I make the effort to look just a little bit more pulled together than that (mostly so I can blog about it, amiright?). Here are 5 of my favorite "casual" looks from the past couple months. Jeans, flats, layers - doesn't get a lot more "work appropriate" casual than that! Go check out everyone else's definition of Casual Friday over on Along the Lines of Style....and thank you again for reading / participating / bringing joy into my life. You are all great :)

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Linking up with Plane Pretty.

chance of flurries

oh hey! surprise! it's still snowing here in Wisconsin. I know that if you read any fashion blogs at all you would think that spring has sprung, that the birds are chirping, and that flowers everywhere are blooming.

not here.


don't worry, we're used to having flash blizzards in May so a few flurries in March is fine...

...except when you try to take pictures of yourself outside.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]
Tee: Forever 21  [exact]
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  [same style]
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]
Purse: Madewell  [exact]
Watch: Target [check in stores]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo*


*I received this pair of glasses from Firmoo last week and I've really enjoyed having a second pair to rotate with my other glasses. I really like the color and style of frames available - I had a pretty hard time deciding which frames to get so I choose to get something similar to what I already works on my face. The glasses are great - my only hesitation with ordering glasses online is that no one fits them specifically to your head like they would at the optometrists. If you are interested in trying out a pair, Firmoo offers first time customers a free pair - you can find out more here.

Also. The nice thing about documenting what I wear every day (ok, most days) is that I can go back and see how I've worn items in the past. I went to go see how I've worn this blazer and I realized that the second to last time I wore it was the day after I found out I was rejected from my #1 school choice. Today when I wore it I turned in my notice for my last day of work for when I leave to go to my #2 choice. Kind of interesting, no? No? Fine.











Linking up with Style Elixir and wiww. 

wind like woah

You guys. It was so windy this morning. I had no idea what to do with myself...or my hair which was all over the place. That's what I get for even attempting to do anything with it - a face full of wind. I was doing all these unnatural (more unnatural than standing in front of a camera taking pictures of yourself already is) poses and nothing worked. So this is what you get today. At least I tried...

Blazer: H&M  {similar}

Chambray: Old Navy  {exact}

Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}

Belt: Gap  {save / splurge}

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Watch: Target  {similar}

Ring: Stolen from my sister Karoline

I'm in love with this belt. I bought it when Whitney and I went shopping and got it for a song. Since I now realize what I was missing out on with mustard colored items (hey, only like 4 years behind), I am trying to play catch up.


via Instagram

reporter

My aunt is an optometrist in Germany and she generously made me a new pair of glasses since my old pair were "awful". I'm still getting used to these as they are quite a bit bigger than my last pair, but I've been told they are more flattering than my old pair was.

I think between the glasses and then blazer, I look like a news reporter. Maybe if this whole medical school thing doesn't work out (which it may not after receiving some disappointing news today) I'll go into journalism...

Blazer: H&M  {similar}

Top: Forever 21  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact, on sale}

Belt: Madewell  {similar}

Purse: Kate Spade  {similar}

Tassle: DIY by my mom!

Watch: Target

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}









Linking up with the Pleated Poppy

Plaids and Rain

Oh heyyy, welcome to my basement, where pet hair comes to party. I've been wondering what I was going to do about taking pictures for this here blog once winter really sets in, when it's dark before and after work. My questions were all answered today when it was dark before I left, and pouring rain when I got back. Looks like you'll be seeing a lot more of my basement and a lot less of my backyard from now on.

But you can here for me and not the background, right?!

.....right?

Yesterday I mentioned that I was hoping homemade banana bread and crafting were going to brighten the beginning of the week. The banana bread was delicious - you should all be disappointed you don't live near me (if I were to share...which I'm not going to, so back off).  I also made the middle bracelet, which I now refuse to remove. I'm also going to make a silver one and document the process so you can make your own - it's super easy!

Blazer: H&M  {similar}
Blouse: H&M
Pants: Gap
Belt: The Limited
Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW  {similar}
Watch: Target   {in stores only}
Bracelets: J. Crew via eBay, DIY (instructions and opportunity to win one here)







linking up with wiww

Plaid to Meet You

I love this blazer but I feel it never photographs the way it looks in real life. Plus posing in a blazer is not really that flattering, am I right? #bloggerproblems #whocares


Blazer: H&M
Shirt: Banana Republic
Belt: Madewell
Ring: Forever 21

German Professor

Chambray: Old Navy  (in tall) 
Blazer: H&M
Necklace: H&M

Walking out of work today, I realized my outfit today is something my favorite German professor used to wear. So either that’s awesome, or incredibly lame.