Happy Independence Day!

Somehow July 4 isn't as momentous when it falls in the middle of the week. Still, I can't complain about a day off work/ excuse to eat delicious food and drink outside all day.  Not that I need an excuse for a cocktail. (Seriously, my instagram feed is 90% food, cocktails and my cat)

I'll be going to not one, but two parties today! First a birthday backyard barbecue for my friend Kelly in Somerville, then fireworks and drinks on the beach in East Boston. I've go a killer outfit planned, a new swimsuit,  and two bottles of moscato chilling in the fridge, so I'm ready!

This is not the outfit I have planned, but it's the most patriotic outfit on my computer that you haven't seen, so here ya go!

How will you be celebrating today? 

Uninspired

I don't take blog photos very often these days. To be honest, I don't have an excuse. I just don't feel motivated by it like I used to. I still enjoy reading blogs, and I still love shopping, but I just haven't been feeling inspired to step out of the box with my outfits. No crazy color combos or pattern mixing for this lady as of late.

In short, I've been feeling uninspired. Maybe I need to seek out some new blogs to read, or maybe I need to hit up pinterest again. I'm not sure.

I'm reaching out to you for help. Who/ what inspires you? Help me break out of my rut! 

Outfit: Shirt- Old Navy; Pants- Target; Flats- Target; bracelets- various

Jumping for Joy

Wednesday was an awesome day. I woke up to news that State Senator Wendy Davis's filibuster against an egregious antiabortion bill in the Texas Senate actually worked. Feeling cheery and optimistic, I decided to wear this crazy Asos neon shirt dress I got from Gwynnie Bee.

I'd slept with my hair in buns Tuesday nights with the hopes I'd acheive beachy waves, and it actually worked! 

Outfit: Dress- Asos Curve via Gwynnie Bee; Sandals- old Payless similar; Belt- thrifted

A women's rights victory, a bright dress, and beachy wavy hair Could this day get any better?

Well, yes. Before I'd even finished my morning coffee the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, is unconstitutional. DOMA kept legally married same-sex spouses from getting federal benefits allotted to other married couples. The federal government has finally recognized that love is love. and that makes me want to jump for joy. 

While that decision, and the decision regarding California's Prop 8 don't make same sex marriage a constitutional right, they are certainly a step in the right direction. Hopefully we'll see more states join Massachusetts, Maryland, and co. in recognizing that love is love, no matter your gender. 

A Little Old, a Little New

For the most part, I've stuck to my one in one out policy regarding my wardrobe. Having a membership to Gwynnie Bee has certainly helped, a well as having a nice collection of garments that were purchased last year that I'm not bored of yet.

Lately I've been trying to mix newer items in with older items. When I buy something new I try to envision all the items in my wardrobe I can mix and match it with, and what old or ill-fitting item it will replace. 

For instance, this cardigan replaced a similarly colored cardigan that had seem better days. This scarf was purchased because I knew it would add some fun to a lot of existing  items in my closet and that it could be worn in the spring, summer and fall. This skirt and these sandals are both from last summer.

Outfit: Skirt- OldNavy similar from asos; Tank and Scarf- H&M; Shoes- B.O.C similar; Cardigan- Gap Outlet similar

Now if I would just take the giant bag of clothes I'm getting rid of to be sold/ donated... 

PS: If you live in Massachusetts, don't forget to vote in the US Senate Special Election today!!
Learn where to vote HERE.

Boho Dreams

Do you ever have problems with outfit execution? I often find that outfits just don't look the way I'd imagined them in my head. 

When I bought this flowy, hi/low hemmed, sleeveless blouse (which I loved so much I bought in two prints) I imagined I'd style it in the kind of bohemian street style you'd expect to see from Nicole Richie:

I've always loved the boho look. As a 13-15 year old I mimicked and idolized the style of Kate Hudson's Penny Lane character in Almost Famous. On my curvy frame those loose, flowy styles don't always have the same effect. I wind up looking more frumpy than free spirited.  In the hopes of balancing out the volume of the shirt, I paired it with some fitted skinny jeans and brown flat sandals. 

The result was sadly a little more frumpy than boho, but at least the shirt was comfy and breezy on a warm day. 

I'm not ready to give up on this shirt, or it's black feather print cousin. I think I'll play around with the styling a little bit more. 

Outfit: Shirt: H&M similar from Evans; Jeans: Old Navy Rockstar; Sandals- ? via Marshalls similar from DSW

Help me! How would you style this shirt? 

Cape Cod Getaway Weekend - Part 2

After checking out of the B&B on Sunday morning we went for a final walk on the beach (and snapped some outfit photos). 

As much as I love city life, it's really nice to get out of it for a little while. The salty air, the breeze in my hair, driving on country roads, it all feels like home to me. Mike really enjoyed it too. we joked all weekend about moving to one of the Boston area's many coastal towns. 

Outfit: Dress and Belt- H&M; Cardigan- Old Navy 

After our walk we went to play mini golf at Pirates Cove in South Yarmouth. I started out several strokes ahead, but ended up losing by one stroke. We were both so sad to leave the cape, but a fear of end of the weekend traffic encouraged us to head back earlyish. I'm hoping we can make a few more trips this summer. 

Cape Cod Getaway Weekend - Part 1

For my birthday last month, Mike bought us two nights at By the Sea Guests in Dennis Port, MA on Cape Cod. I have been looking forward to this trip for a month, and it did not disappoint! I had such a fantastic weekend that you're going to get two posts about it. I've gotta warn you, if you don't like pictures of seafood, the beach, min golf or maxi dresses, you might be bored.

The weekend got off to a rough start. It was chilly and pouring rain when we picked up our zipcar. Between the rain and the rush hour traffic it took us an hour just to get out of the city, and another two to get to the Cape. When we finally arrived we rewarded ourselves with a pile of fried seafood and some chowder from Kream n Kone and then settled down in front of the gas stove in our suite for an evening of HBO and wine.

In the morning the rain was gone, but the skies were still gray. Thankfully, by the time we went to the market and made lunch the sun started to peak out from behind the clouds. After a delicious lunch on the porch, I spent the afternoon drinking moscato, reading a book, and lounging in the sun on the B&B's private beach.

Outfit: Dress- Old Navy; Cardigan and Sunnies- Target; necklace- ? 

There's something so perfect about wearing a breezy maxi dress on the beach. It was perfect for both the chilly morning and the warm breezy afternoon. However, I probably shouldn't have taken my cardigan off and hiked up my maxi dress without applying sunscreen. I now look like the lobster that was in the bisque I had with dinner Saturday night!

Tune in tomorrow for mini golf pics, and another maxi dress :)

In My Backyard

I love where I live. Sure, my apartment is small, and my closet smaller, but you can't beat the location. The only way I could have a shorter commute would be to work from home. I can walk to just about anywhere in the Back Bay or South End in 20-30 minutes, and I live within two blocks of a great coffee shop, a Marshall's and a plethora of restaurants. What more could a girl want (besides a bigger closet)?

Well, since you asked, I do miss having outdoor space. A yard, a deck, or a porch would be amazing. Especially when temps over 90 degrees+ no AC = hotter temperatures in my apartment than outside. Thankfully my fantastic location also means I have a variety of parks and gardens at my disposal.

On Sunday Mike and I got some frozen yogurt and went for a walk in the Fenway Victory Gardens. It's really cool to see what people grow in their little plots. Some were filled with flowers, others with the starts of a vegetable garden.

It was a hot day, and super windy. I'll spare y'all the photo where I had to hold my dress down, Marilyn Monroe style.Thankfully, I always wear shorts of some sort under my dresses. Despite the wind, this Dorothy Perkins dress really is perfect for a hot day. It's light and airy, the perfect length, and it's striped!

After our little walk we retreated to the crisp air conditioning of the movie theater for a matinee showing of the new Star Trek movie. There is seriously nothing better than a frigid movie theatre when it's over 90 degrees outside and you don't have air conditioning. 

Outfit: Dress- Dorothy Perkins last summer; Sandals- Payless old; Braceet- vintage (either my mo;m's or thrifted, not sure); Sunnies- Target

What do you like to do/ wear on a hot day? 

The Unofficial Start to Summer

Today is the start of a 4 day long heatwave in Boston, and I for one am stoked! (especially after a less than warm holiday weekend)

I spent the long, cold weekend in New York. Friday we headed to the Neuberger Museum of Art in Prospect. Most of the exhibits were closed, but there was still some cool stuff!

On Saturday Mike and I braved the cold, rainy, NYC weather and headed to Brooklyn for pizza brunch with friends and a trip to the Brooklyn Brewery. 

Yum! Then we headed to Citi Field to catch Mike's birthday Mets Game.

Unfortunately it was cold and rainy, so we spent most of the game in the Caesar's Club. We did manage to sneak out for a bit to some seats that were not as good, but also not as windy as ours. 

Most of the weekend was spent hanging out with Mike's family. 

Including this cute kitty, punky. 

On Sunday the clouds finally cleared!

The sun finally came out on Saturday, so we had a little barbecue. Mike did the grilling. I lounged.  And took outfit pictures in the back yard. 

Dress: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx; Sandals- ? via shopbop; Cardigan- Old Navy

Busy Lady

I had my three month review at work last week. I can't believe I've been there three months already. Lately I feel like I blink and another week has passed. I am definitely not complaining. I'm lucky to have a job that I love, a man that I adore spending time with, great friends, and lots of activities and social ventures to keep me busy. 

I'm also lucky to have some fun trips and activities planned for the coming weeks. I'll be spending Memorial Day weekend in New York, and then two weeks after that Mike and I are doing a little weekend getaway to the Cape.

I'm hoping I'll find plenty of time on those trips to take some outfit photos, so that I can stop posting photos 2-3 weeks after I take them!

Outfit: Skirt- ? Marshalls 2008; Tank and belt- H&M; Blazer- ? TJ Maxx; Shoes- Lucky Brand via Marshalls

I want to thank all of you that still read and comment despite my blogging negligence. I may not always respond to comments, but I assure you, I read and love all of them. I also love reading your blogs while I unwind in the evenings, or on my phone in the elevator at work. Y'all are awesome! 

Feminine, Classic, and Fuss Free

The further I get into my 20s, the more developed my personal style becomes. I like simple, classic prints like polka dots and stripes. I love dresses, skirts, flowy blouses, and strappy sandals. I shy away from fussy or complicated. I don't wear a lot accessories. I wouldn't dare call myself sophisticated.

This outfit feels very me. Feminie, classic, and fuss free.

I bet you'll be seeing a lot of this dress this summer. The navy and white stripes are so versatile.

Outfit: Dress- EvanPicone via Marshalls; Cardigan- Old Navy; Shoes - Payless; Sunnies - F21

Spring is definitely here to say. Look at this little bunny that decided to crash my photo shoot!

And the flowers are gorgeous right now!

How would you describe your personal style?

Insta-Birthday Weekend-gram

This was a big birthday weekend for me! Yesterday was my birthday, and Friday was Mike's birthday. Unfortunately Mike is in the middle of law school finals so we had to keep the celebrations pretty low key. Regardless we had a great weekend including dinner and a movie Friday, some much needed lady time for me on Sunday (brunch and shopping!), sushi, desserts, and presents.

Here are some pictures from the weekend. (Did I mention I am on instagram now?)

I gave myself a pretty awesome funfetti cake inspired manicure. 

The city is totally in bloom right now. Clearly just for my birthday. 

Outfit: Dress- Cynthia Rowley via Marshalls; Flats- ? via Marshalls; Jacket- Jcrew thrifted; Scarf - H&M; Shades- F21 

Myles kitty decided to be super adorable just for me. 

Fancy birthday cake and ice-cream after a delicious sushi dinner. 

The birthday celebrations are going to continue after Mike's finals are over. I got him NY Mets tickets for our trip to NY Memorial Day weekend, and he got me a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast in Cape Cod. 

Mint Chocolate Chip

The chilly New England spring has me turning to cozy pieces in brights and pastels. This sweater was an awesome find for less than $10 at H&M!

Did I mention that up close it looks like mint chocolate chip ice cream? 

Maybe with the mint flats, mint heart earrings, and gingham it's a little too 1950s ice cream parlor?

I'll take two scoops of mint chocolate chip, please! 

Outfit: Sweater- H&M; Shirt- Old Navy; Pants- Torrid; Flats- Lucky Brand via Marshall's; Earrings- F21 

 What colors are you attracted to this spring?

Violators will be Towed

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I've been experimenting with new locations for photos. 

When the Red Sox have a home game, it can be a challenge to find a place that isn't crawling with people. But when the Sox are away, there are empty parking lots everywhere! 

Who doesn't love prancing around a sketchy parking, dancing in front of a tripod lot like a weirdo? That's what blogging is all about right? Well it's all fun and games until you realize that said parking lot is on your boss's walk home...

Outfit: Dress- H&M; Cardigan- Gap Outlet; Shoes- Payless; Shades- F21; 

So my boss looked at me like I had three heads, and I shrugged it off. If you can't be a little goofy, what's the point?