Playing Favorites

I love new clothes. There's something really satisfying about ripping the tags off a garment and wearing it for the first time. Some items go on to become favorites, worn over and over until they literally fall apart. Other items get worn a few times and then get thrown into the "donate/ sell" pile. This dress is one of those items that I will wear until it can't be worn any more. 

I bought this dress at Target  back in February or March and I have worn it once every two weeks ever since. It works for every season, and I love challenging myself to style it in different ways. (Like here, here, and here). When I bought this floral and leopard print scarf (on super clearance for $5!!!) at Urban Outfitters, I knew I would eventually pair it with this dress. Pardon the pattern explosion, but I think they're a perfect match.

Outfit: Dress, Cardigan, Belt & Tights- Target; Boots- Matisse via DSW; Scarf- Urban Outfitters 

Do you play favorites with your clothing? 

Frost and a Borrowed Skirt

I did it! I got up early enough to take outfit pictures before work! Okay, so it only happened once, but  at least it happened!  It wasn't exactly a warm evening either. It's hard to tell from these pictures, but there's frost on the grass! 

Outfit: Skirt- Kiyonna via GB; Shirt- H&M; Cardigan- Old Navy; Belt- Steve Madden; Boots- Madden Girl; Tights- Hue 

This skirt is my first item from Gwynnie Bee. I decided to take advantage of their first month free  promotion and sign up. After getting my first few pieces, and seeing the items they'll be adding to the collection in December, I'll definitely be continuing my subscription for at least a few months. Wondering what Gwynnie Bee is? Think rent a swag.

This skirt fit me perfectly except for the length. I like my pencil skirts to hit me at the knee and this one hit a little below my knees. I don't think styling it with boots was the best choice, but it was a chilly day. I think it would look better with platform sandals and bare legs, so maybe I'll borrow it again in the summer.

Holiday Wishlist 2012

So I'm a little crazy and started my holiday shopping a few weeks ago, but today officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. What better way to commemorate the biggest shopping day of the year, than with a list of what I want for Christmas? (Mike and Mom- this one's for you!)

image via SquareHue's Pinterest Page

Lots of nailpolish.
So I'm kind of obsessed with nail polish right now. I've been looking into various subscription options, and Square Hue is definitely the most appealing. For $14.99 a month you get three .5oz bottles of polish and they donate part of their profits to an anti- human trafficking group? Sounds awesome. I would love a few months for Christmas!

image via rei.com

A fancy travel mug.
I have a beautiful ceramic travel mug that I love, but on really cold days my coffee is cold before I even get on the train. I'd love a fancy travel mug that would keep my coffee hot for a few hours, like this one from REI.

image via asos.com

The cutest sweater ever.
I never thought I'd buy into the animal sweater trend, but then I saw this adorable Asos Curve Sweater with a Polka dot Robin. I must have it.

image via nordstrom.com

A cozy robe.
When I get out of the shower, I like to put on my makeup before I get dressed. Lately I've been stealing Mike's robe in the mornings while I do this. I could really use a robe of my own like this adorable and cozy Kensie robe from Nordstrom. 

image via modcloth.com

A cross-body bag that can hold everything.
This is another commuter must have. I like to keep my hands free to hold the aforementioned travel mug, and hold on if I'm standing on the subway. I've been looking for a cross body bag that can hold my laptop, lunch, umbrella, wallet, keys, etc. I love this "Truly Gritty" bag from Modcloth.

image via sephora.com

image via ulta.com

Multi-product cosmetic gift set.

I love cosmetics, and I'm always looking for an excuse to try new products. I'd love a sampler set of multiple brands like the In The Glow gift set from Sephora. Or a set of products from one of my favorite brands like the Benefit Sexy Little Stowaways kit from Ulta

A little something sparkly.
Jewelry is, of course, always appreciated, but this sparkly polka dot sweater from JCrew would do just fine:) 


What's on your holiday wishlist?

A Trip to the ICA

My friend Kelly was kind enough to invite me along on her visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The last time I visited the ICA I left feeling a little underwhelmed, but this trip did not disappoint! I loved the new exhibit This Will Have Been: Art, Love and Politics in the 1980s.  

The ICA is just a few blocks from the site of the Boston Tea party and has amazing views of the harbor. I couldn't help but take some pictures in some of the glass lobby areas overlooking the harbor. 

Outfit: Dress- Gap; Cardigan- Old Navy; Tights- H&M; Boots- Me Too via DSW; Belt- Urban Outfitters. 

The lighting in these photos was a little tricky. I had to clean them up a lot in photoshop, and I still couldn't get them right. This dress is actually a charcoal gray flannel, but it looks a little blue in the photos. My photos of the harbor turned out much better. Seriously, how beautiful is this view?

I want to thank y'all for sticking with me despite my sporadic posting. I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving, but I'm going to try my darnedest to take lots of pictures (and dress really fabulously) over the long weekend! I hope everyone enjoys a day full of friends, family, and delicious food! 

Weekend Only Skirt

I am so thankful that the storms we had last week didn't knock all of the beautiful fall leaves off the trees. I'm just not ready for the grays and browns of winter, at least not when I can have fiery yellows, oranges and reds! I couldn't help but stop and have Mike snap some pictures of me in front of these beautiful trees on our way home from Haymarket Saturday

I love this skirt, but I always forget about it. I think I only wore it once last winter.  It's too short for work, even with tights on, so it gets relinquished to my "weekends only" wardrobe. And let's be honest, I'd rather wear leggings or jeans on the weekend than a skirt. While I loved this outfit, I think next time I'll tuck in my shirt and belt the skirt.

Outfit: Skirt- Thrifted; Sweater- Old Navy; Cardigan- ?; Boots- Me Too via DSW; Tights- Hue via Marshalls 

Unfortunately these were the only outfit pictures I got over the weekend. On Sunday I wore leggings and a long sleeved tee all day. In my defense, I didn't leave my house except to get some tomato sauce from the grocery store! Here's hoping I can get up early a few days this week. I miss should go the gym, and take outfit photos!

Negligent Blogger Alert!

I have been really negligent about blogging lately and it makes me sad. Finding the time to take blog photos in the fall and winter is really difficult! I know I should be used to it, since I started this blog in January, but I took indoor photos then!

I wish I had considered an indoor space with good natural lighting as part of my apartment searching criteria. Between the wind, the rain, the snow, and it getting dark at 5:30 I have taken outfit photos only on Saturdays 3-4 weeks. Terrible! I miss it!

These photos were taken in the Boston Common this past Saturday. Mike and I had brunch in Beacon Hill and then headed to Haymarket for some cheap produce. I think we're going to make brunch and Haymarket a weekly ritual. The prices really can't be beat! For less than $10 we got 3 peppers, an eggplant, a bushel of bananas, 3 avocados, a bushel of asparagus, and 6 apples. 

Outfit: Sweater: H&M; Leggings: Danskin via Marshalls; Boots: Me Too via DSW; Jacket: JCrew thrifted 

Today felt like winter (rain, snow, wind, freezing temps) but Saturday was gorgeous. The foliage on the common was absolutely beautiful. I wish we'd had more time to walk around, but Mike had homework to do and I had a birthday party to get to. 

Hopefully you'll be seeing more of me in the coming weeks. Maybe it's time I start toting my tripod to work and take advantage of the lighting in my office? Thanks for sticking with me while I work out the kinks that come with the change in seasons. 

VOTE!

It's not just about the president. For information about what's on the ballot in your district, visit Project Vote Smart.