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! 

recent j.crew additions (polka dot blazer!)

With my Chippmunk winnings, I choose to get a giftcard from J.Crew so that I could finally purchase this blazer that I've been eyeing up for months now. It was originally $190, then reduced down to $130, and with an additionally 30% off, it came down to around $90. When Caroline informed me that it was so far reduced, I made the choice to buy it outright with my money because my giftcard hadn't arrived yet, and I was scared that my size would sell out. A few days after I ordered it, my giftcard came in the mail, but when I went to go re-order, the only size sold out was my own. Caroline urged me to call customer service to see if they can change the method of payment on my original order, which I didn't know you could do, but they were so accommodating and changed it right away.

It came today and I'M SO HAPPY. I ordered it in a 12. My navy schoolboy blazer is a 10 Tall, but this linen blazer didn't come in tall sizes so I sized up. It fits great off the hanger - the sleeves are short on me, but I wear my blazer sleeves rolled up so that isn't a problem. The fabric is thicker than I expected (in a good way). I'm so excited to wear it once school starts. I was scared it was going to sell out right away when it first came out (because come on, look at it!) but I'm glad I waited to get it for half of the original price. Most sizes are still availalbe for purchase if you are interested!

As I was perusing the sale section, this tee caught my attention. I figured I may as well try it out - it was on sale for $20. It's also a linen material, light weight but sturdy. One can never have too many striped tees, right?

^and as you can see, packing is going really really well.....