EBEW: Schooltime

This month's Everybody, Everywear theme is back to school. I already wore a back to school outfit last week, but I don't need many excuses to wear my new blazer and scarf!

A note on the blazer: I've been looking for a red blazer for some time now, both for regular outfits and for football Saturdays. I got this baby for $27 (I refuse to buy anything from Old Navy at full price - there is always a sale going on!). It is unlined and a bit stretchy which means it isn't that bulky. The only fault is that the material that makes the lapel and opening of the jacket has folded over fabric that would sometimes stick out. I bought iron-on adhesive (~ $3 at a fabric store) and ironed down the inside fabric. It was super easy and the added stiffness really makes the blazer sit better.

I was debating wearing my yellow loafers but I felt it was a little too Ronald McDonald...

Blazer: Old Navy (exact)
Scarf: DIY (you can win one here!)
Tee: Gap
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Boccia
Nails: Seen here







Linking up with EBEW, wiww and real girl glam.

Fade

I used two polishes to do this. The pinkie is all white and the thumb is grey, and then I just mixed the polishes for each finger to create the in between shades. Much cheaper than buying five different polishes!

White: Julep Eileen
Grey: Essie Chinchilly



Linking up with The Nail Files and Mani Monday.

Happy Birthday Nailed It!

Homemade Flannel Scarf + Giveaway

In my Fall Wish List post, I mentioned that I was going to make my own flannel infinity scarf. I couldn't find any in stores or online that I really liked (or were less than $50).

Now that Chris is 3 hours away, I have a lot more time (and table space) available so I spent an hour making one! I googled instructions (I used these) after debating fabrics at Jo-Anns. I love the way it turned out.

Luckily for you, I had so much fun making my own, I'm making another to give away! See below for instructions to enter. This is open internationally. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bang Bang

I may have gone a littttttle crazy yesterday while getting my hair cut. Full on bangs. I've never had them before but they're pretty fun! Any styling tips for bangs?

The more I wear my vest, the happier I am that I kept it. I can't wait for the temperatures to drop a little bit more so I can wear it outside of work too.

I've been seeing tons of ladies wearing theirs in cute ways so check them out if you are looking for some new ways to style a cargo vest:

26 and Counting
Because Shanna Said So
My Here and Now
Lilly's Style
Putting Me Together
Sterling Style
Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique
J's Everyday Fashion
C's Evolution of Style
Clothes, Kinks and Curls
Librarian for Life Style

Let me know if you'd like to be added - I need the inspiration :)

Vest: Old Navy (sold out online, try in stores)
Shirt: Old Navy  (similar - on sale!)
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang
Watch: Target (exact)
Bracelet: J. Crew

One of my closet friends Alexa (the one that gave me my favorite scarf) is back from New Zealand for 6 weeks - I'm so excited to have her back stateside! Her family just got this adorable yellow lab that we've been cooing over all afternoon - her name is Cali - isn't she just adorable?!

Back to School?

Happy first day of school! Even though today I drove to my job like I do every day instead of starting out a new school year, I like to reminisce about back to school time. God, the beginning of the school year was the best! You got to wear all of your new clothes you spent your summer job money on, you get new school supplies (nothing I love more than a new planner and pens), and you get to see all of your friends again.

So even though today was a day like any other, I wanted to wear my brand new blazer and even though I'm seeing less friends (Chris just left for 2 months! :(  ), I'm excited for what the fall has in store for me. 

Are you surprised at all that I'm wearing this blazer today? I'm so glad that I didn't stick with the first navy(ish) blazer, or the second/third blazer to cross my path. I want to wear this one every day this season but I promise to hold myself back.

Maybe.

I just love these two rings together.

Blazer: J. Crew {exact}
Blouse: Gap
Belt: so old
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Shoes: Aldo {exact}
Necklace: family heirloom {more here}
Heart Ring: Karen Walker  {exact}
Anchor Ring: H&M
Watch: Target  {exact}
Nails: OPI Razzle Dazzler

What's your favorite back to school memory?











Linking up with Real Girl Glam and wiww.

Mission: Classic Wool Navy Blazer, Part 2

As I mentioned in Part 1, I ordered the J. Crew Schoolboy blazer in a size 10 tall to see how it compares to a regular size 10. The J.Crew website says that tall sizes are for women 5'9'' and taller. I'm 5'9'' so I ordered both regular and tall blazer to compare the fit.

As you can see, the tall blazer has longer arms (by about an inch) and a longer torso (by about 3/4 of an inch). With the added length of the sleeves also comes a bit of width, which I may have corrected by a tailor. The longer sleeves allow me to move my arms without looking like I am wearing a 3/4 sleeve blazer, which is what happens a lot when i buy blazers/sweaters. The added length in the torso, even though it is just a little bit, allows the blazer to sit a lot better on my waist. I feel the buttons on the tall blazer aren't pulling pulling across by chest like they are on the regular blazer because they sit right underneath it.

The catalog and website don't tell you the fabrics used for the blazer, but in case you were curious, the shell is 98% wool and 2% spandex (which explains the "wool with a hint of stretch").

Over all, I'm thrilled with this blazer. Expensive? Yes, but I hope that the cost per wear will drop quickly because I plan to wear this allllllll the time. Get excited.

U-Rah-Rah

This weekend is the first Badger game of the season and I'm so excited. I was in the UW Marching band for 5 years (before you laugh, go watch this - can you spot me? I have blond hair!) and this weekend is also Alumni Band so we all get to relive "the glory days". All my friends are coming into town so I'm really happy to see everyone - I miss them so much :(

Enough sob stories, here's the manicure, all ready for a weekend of celebrating my alma mater.

White: Julep Eileen  (this month's Julep box)
Red: Sally Hansen Cherry Red
Glitter: Essie Set in Stone - looks green because of my yard :(




Speaking of Julep, congrats to Ashley M for winning a Julep Maven Intro Box by liking Franishh on facebook. Be on the look out for an email from me! If you didn't win, remember you can sign up for a box for just a penny using the code MAVENINTRO. Sign up here - and let me know if you end up signing up so I can thank you properly!

Linking up with the Nail Files and Mani Monday.