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.

rain or shine

Chris has a habit of not wanting to spend money on certain items, but then stealing mine in situations where he wants one. Besides face wash and individually packed desserts, this mostly applies to umbrellas. I had this great black umbrella that I used for years...until he stole it this year for all of his away rotations leaving me without one. SO RUDE. In his defense, he does have a lot more walking in his commute than I do. It's been raining so much here lately though that I do need a new one. As I was looking through the J.Crew sale section last weekend, this bright (and girly!!) umbrella stood out to me. I would never spend almost $30 on a simple umbrella but with 30% off the sale price, it ended up costing me just under $10. I'm not one to just to buy something at J.Crew because of the name, but I figured the bright print would deter Chris from stealing it. 

Plus it does brighten up the gloominess :)

Trench: Banana Republic [current season]

Blouse: Calvin Klein Outlet [similar]

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact on super sale]

Scarf: Target

Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

linking up with Plane Pretty.

the audrey

Blazer: H&M

Pants: Urban Outfitters [on major sale!]

Scarf: gift from my mom

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Flats: Tory Burch [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

Trench: Banana Republic [current style]

Purse: Coach [current style]

This week: I'm so glad it's over. I would say that rainy dreary weather puts me in a worse mood than a snow storm does. My hair just gets all frizzy, my glasses get wet and foggy, and picture taking just can't happen (wah wah, how does a blog go on?!). 

But yesterday I stopped being such a baby, pinned back my hair, pulled on my new rain boots and my beloved trench coat, and ventured out down town to meet up with Audrey from Putting Me Together as she was in town for work. I was so excited! I even wore my Audrey scarf in celebration of our meeting. We went out for dinner and shared delicious plates of brisket and mac&cheese (YUM) and then walked around down town. Audrey, the born and bred Californian, was such a trooper in our wet and cold weather though! I had such a great time chatting about blogging (obviously), TV shows (we are both still hanging on to Grey's Anatomy), and then I got to meet some of her very peppy and friendly co-workers. Audrey is just as cool in real life as she is on her blog, so I'm already excited for her to come back in June...and then possibly visit her home turf later this summer!

Audrey Scarf in honor | Brickhouse BBQ for dinner

it was raining, don't judge | being touristy...as the Asians do

april showers?

 

This morning when I was getting ready for work, I looked outside and noticed that everything looked a bit wet and dreary, so I thought it would be the perfect time to wear my new rain boots. April showers, right? I haven't had a chance to wear them a lot other than to walk the dogs, so I was really excited. So excited in fact that I neglected to notice that only my driveway was wet (from the giant shoveled snow mass in the front yard), and everything else was bone dry. Once I stepped out of my car to take pictures, I felt a little ridiculous standing there in my rain boots. Plus I already felt so twee with the skirt, pattern mixing, and little bow in my hair that this is what I ended up doing:

So I changed into the flats I was going to wear at work. Maybe not as fun, but also not as silly as wearing rubber boots when there isn't any wetness on the ground.

Shirt: J.Crew [exact on sale]

Skirt: Thrifted

Scarf: Forever 21 [similar]

Tights: Target

Watch: Target (for $1!)

Boots: Hunter [exact]

Flats: Tory Burch [exact]

linking up with wiww.

hunters, chambray, and cowls

During my February budget post I mentioned that Sam and I were going to Chicago together and that I planned on purchasing a few items as a part of my tax return that I was allowing myself to spend. Well, some asshat stole her wallet the day before we were supposed to go, so our trip fell through. I was determined to get rain boots though, so I went to a local shoe store to figure out what size to order.

I realized that due to marching band calves (no for real, that's a thing), the traditional rain boots were not going to fit me properly - the tightness around the calf made them awkwardly squish down in the middle. I then debated between getting the Huntress which has a thicker shaft all the way down, and the originals with an adjustable back. I ended up deciding to get the adjustable ones as I think they create a nicer line (as much of a nice line as rain boots can make) as I have relatively slim ankles compared to my calves. 

I'm really happy that I finally have a nice pair of rain boots as the last 2 pairs from Target tore within weeks. I even took the pups on an extra long walk after work so we could splash in all of the puddles!




and don't worry, I didn't wear these all day at work ;)

In a chambray popover update, Ellie mentioned to me on this post that J.Crew Factory has a similar version to the J.Crew version for about half of the price. J.Crew Factory is currently running a 30% off sale (with code STYLESCORE ) so the shirt is around $35 now! I put in my order this morning - I'm hoping it's "the one". As soon as it comes I plan on doing a post about all the different versions out there.

Sweater: Gap  [similar]
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  [exact]
Boots: Hunter  [exact]
Belt: Old Navy
Watch: Kate Spade  [exact]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo
Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  [exact]

I highly recommend everyone to go out and buy a cowlneck/turtle neck sweater. You can spend all day like this and no one can question it.