spend all the money!

 

On Sunday, my friend Lizzi and I met up early with iced coffees in hand for a little trip down the highway to go outlet shopping. Lizzi and I go outlet shopping together about once a year (last year we went before we saw Florence and the Machine. I miss my long hair). As a general rule, we always tell ourselves not to buy something just because it's inexpensive and I think we did pretty good this year! I purchased this pair of shorts and this skirt (seen here) at the J.Crew Factory store, and a sleeveless top from the Banana Republic Factory store. I ended up getting that pair of denim shorts I was interested in from the Gap Outlet store as well as a pair of leather sandals. I originally also purchased a pair of floral shorts (seen here) but I returned them after purchasing the J.Crew shorts as I figured the J.Crew ones would be more versatile. I think I'm now pretty set on summer bottoms! Lizzi found a few adorable polka dot dresses (including this beauty but in blue with red polka dots) as well as buying this linen skirt which I also own. Love those 50% the entire store days :)  

On Saturday I spent a bit of time out with my mom and sister Karoline. My mom and I went to but didn't have much luck at Goodwill - all I found was a pair of Nike gym shorts for school (we have a lab where we practice on each other so I need some not completely ratty work out clothes). We then went to the mall to meet up with Karoline. We were just browsing around the Gap when my mom spotted this dress - it's basically all the things I love (popover, polka dots, rolled up sleeves) combined. I fell in love with it on the spot (as seen here). I used the money I had set aside last month that I originally intended for this dress that didn't look great in person. I purchased it for the full price in store, but went home to find it online reduced down to $50, plus another 35% off meant it cost $33 as compared to $70. I included this shirt to get the free shipping, and together they were still less than the dress in store! I will be returning the dress from the store as soon as the dress from online arrives. I'm so excited to wear it, and I'm so happy I didn't buy that J.Crew dress. I feel this one will get so much more wear.

Tee: Everlane

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Belt: Old Navy

Purse: Coach via Etsy [current style]

Shoes: Target [similar]

and here's what Lizzi wore! Does her skirt look familiar? It's the Fran skirt that I also own! 

Hope you are all having a great Monday - I'm off playing doctor!

friend ♥...and cold ankles

After I graduated from college in May 2011, I had somewhat of the "recent graduate blues". Besides the whole "real world" stuff, I'm not exaggerating when I say that all but one of my girl friends moved away to go to graduate school, or go on adventures in other states/countries. Chris was also in the middle of hardcore studying, so I felt really alone a lot of the time. I mentioned that I'm so thankful for all of you blogging friends I now have because you make me feel like I have friends I connect with every day...which is probably why Chris doesn't always understand why I spend so much time typing on my computer ;)  

But we all need to have people in our real lives, so this is all just a rambling way to tell my last Madison friend standing, Lizzi, how much I appreciate her. She's the friend that I go to concerts with, the girl I go pilates-ing with, and the girl I call when things don't happen like I want them to. We met up Saturday afternoon just to chat, and I think the signs of a true friend are when you get chat for hours and could keep the conversation going with ease. So thank you Lizzi, for being a true friend, my confidante  and sometimes photographer.

Sweater: J. Crew Factory  {exact}

Scarf: Forever 21  {save / splurge}

Jeans: Gap  {similar}

Boots: Frye  {exact}

Belt: H&M Mens

Watch: Fossil  {similar}

Bracelet: J. Crew via eBay  {similar}

P.S. I know some of you have expressed a bit of concern about my bare ankles during the work week. Please know that I'm not some cold ankle baring hussy all day - I park my car in our attached garage at home, and only have to walk about 30 yards from my parking spot into work, so I spend minimal time outside during the winter. On days where it has snowed, I wear either my real boots, or I'll wear my ugly $10 Target fake Uggs into work and change. I didn't want you to think that wearing thin ballet flats is the norm for Wisconsin winters ;)