black & white & striped all over

This month's Marionberry Style "Challenge" is stripes...which is why I put that in quotes because with my collection of striped shirts, it wasn't really a challenge. When I was trying to figure out which shirt to wear, I realized I haven't actually worn my sequin striped shirt to work. Back when Whitney and I did our 4-ways-to-wear-this-shirt challenge (mine here, hers here), she layered a collared shirt underneath it. I thought it looked so great on her that I wanted to try it too. 

The shirt I used for layering used to have sleeves - until I hulked out in it during a time I was doing 60 pushups a work out session (which no longer happens, because my body structure does not need more bulk in the arms). I was wearing it mostly as a layering shirt at that point anyway, so I just cut off the sleeves where the rips had started. It actually makes it easier to wear now since I don't have to worry about rolling sleeves and adding even more bulk. 

Also, my nails have been bare for the last 2 days and it's driving me nuts. I hate the feeling of bare nails, but I just ran out of my favorite top coat (Seche Vite...go buy it immediately) and I'm doing some physician shadowing on Friday so no crazy nails for me. But trust, come Saturday my nails WILL have color on them.

Shirt: Loft  {similar}

Under-shirt: Francesca's  {similar}

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Boccia

Bracelet: DIY

Bag: Kate Spade  {similar}

Tassel on Purse: DIY by my mom

Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}

Please go check out how everyone else wore their stripes today - and then wish Marion luck as she's due to give birth any day now!
















also linking up with wiww.

everyday black purse for less than $100

I've had several people comment on my black Kate Spade purse, and also had a request to find something similar for less than $100. If you are in the market for a Kate Spade purse, I recommend signing up for their emails. The only reason I could afford my bag is because I got it during a flash sale and got it for $199 (instead of $400+ which is a little outrageous for someone in my tax bracket). All of the following bags are under $100 and perfect for every day commuting and casual work attire. Which one is your favorite?

1. Urban Expressions
2. Big Buddha
3. Le Donne
4. Big Buddha
5. Asos
6. Urban Outfitters (my friend Emily has this - it's super cute!)
7. Big Buddha
8. Forever 21

embarrassed

This whole "stop somewhere along the way to work to take a few pictures because it's too dark when I'm leaving home" thing is getting more embarrassing by the day. I prop my camera in my drunk so every time a car gets close, I go to my trunk and pretend I'm looking for something...except for on this day, a man parked his car a block away, got out, and just watched. Yep.

Embarrassing stories aside, I was really excited to wear my watch because I finally put a new band on it. I initially wanted a navy blue band, but those are surprisingly hard to find, so I settled on a dark brown band instead. I'm still going to be on the lookout for a navy band though to switch it up in the future.

Blouse: Equipment via eBay  {save / similar on sale}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact on sale}
Scarf: gift from my friend Alexa  {save / splurge}
Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {save / exact}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Bracelet: DIY
Earrings: Banana Republic Outlet  {similar}
Purse: Kate Spade  {save / similar}












linking up with wiww

ladylike

I felt very girly wearing this blush, black and white outfit. I don't really own a lot of items in the pink family besides this cardigan, my pink chambray shirt and my LC blazer. Although I would consider myself pretty girly in the sense that I like clothes, painting my nails and not getting dirty, I don't really do pink. I don't have some deep explanation for this. Maybe my parents dressed me in only gender neutral clothing as a child so now I've continued this in adulthood?

Ok, I'll stop now ;)

Last day left to win one of these purse tassels! 

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet  {similar}

Blouse: Forever 21  {save, similar}

Pants: Urban Outfitters  {exact}

Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  {save / exact}

Necklace: Souvenir from Germany  {similar / splurge}

Watch: Fossil  {save / very similar}

Bracelets: Forever 21

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs  {exact on sale}

Purse: Kate Spade {save / similar}

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

Investment Pieces

After looking over the last couple months of budgeting, I decided that instead of buying fast fashion/cheaper pieces, it was time to do a little investing. I love classic blouses and have heard great things about Equipment shirts. A $200 brand newblouse was not an option so I  went to eBay and found this beauty for $50. The shirt feels amazing on and is even prettier in real life. I already am planning for a nude companion :)


This Kate Spade purse was another investment I made about 6 months ago. I got it during a flash sale and love it to pieces. It is the closest I'll get to a quilted Chanel any time soon.

What have you invested in recently?

Blouse: Equipment (similar at NM for $80)
Jeans: Urban Oufitters
Necklace: Forever 21 (save, splurge)
Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW
Bracelet: J.Crew via eBay (save, splurge)
Purse: Kate Spade (save, splurge)
Hair: Tutorial by The Small Things
Nails: OPI - originally seen here

My friend Kim and her husband (!) just got this adorable Corgi named Tucker. They came over today for a play date with Hans and Baer. They had so much fun rolling around. Isn't he adorable?











linking up with fashion friday :)