Weekly Wishlist: A Little Sparkle

In college I had a lot of sparkly clothes in my wardrobe. When I graduated and stopped going to dance parties I got rid of a lot of my "going out" clothes. Gone are my sequined party dresses and glittery belts. As a result, I struggle when it comes to putting together outfits for events that require "cocktail" attire. I want to invest in some sparkly basics that can be remixed for formal events, or just for days when I feel like wearing a little something sparkly.

image via DSW.com

Plenty by Tracy Reese Naia Wedge Bootie- $129.95 at DSW

It's boot weather in Boston about 60% of the year, so these sparkly little booties would definitely come in handy. I can see them with a cocktail dress and some funky patterned tights for an event, or with opaque tights, a black pencil skirt and a sweater for the office. 

image via forever21.com

Cropped Sequined Jacket- $29.80 at Forever21

This color is listed as bronze on the website, but I think it looks more like a rose gold color. I'm a little obsessed with rose gold jewelry right now, so I love this little cropped jacket. I'd use it to dress up jeans and a tee.

image via Nordstrom.com

Adrianna Papell Sleeveless Lace Sheath Dress- $140 at Norstrom

This dress isn't technically sparkly, but it's lacy and it's one of my favorite colors. It's sleeveless so it could be layered in cold weather or worn alone in warmer weather. There's also a 3/4 sleeve version if you don't like showing your arms.  I would style this dress with a sparkly blazer and pumps for an event, or with a cardigan and flats for the office. 

image via oldnavy.com

Braided Sparkle Belt- $8 at Old Navy

I love a braided belt, and this one is covered in pewter sequins! At $8 I'm strongly resisting the urge to order it for myself right now.

image via forever21.com

Sequined Scallop Skirt- $24.80 at Forever 21

Quality at Forever 21 is always a gamble, but how beautiful and delicate is this skirt? The sequined arches give it an art deco vibe, which I love. I think it would look great with a simple black sweater.

Which is your favorite?


PS: I did some blog design changes yesterday with my limited tech abilities. What do you think?

 

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!

(Not So) Weekly Wishlist: Booties

What started as a really small fall and winter wishlist is growing every day. The latest thing I just have to have in my closet? A pair of booties. I only own boots that go up to my upper calves or knees. I am finding that, while those boots are awesome, I want some more variety in my footwear. I am loving booties, or ankle boots on other bloggers. Look how cute Annie from Other Side of Gray and Yi-chia from Always Maylee look in theirs, and how bad ass Megan and Nora from Two Birds look in theirs! Shoes that can be styled with dresses and skirts, but also look totally chic with skinny jeans? Shoes that can by styled classically, bohemian, or rockstar bad ass? How versatile! Clearly, I need a pair! Here are a few I've got my eye on:

 

 

image via zappos.com

 Blowfish Gambitt Bootie in Black- $59.00 at Zappos

Call me boring, but I'm most likely to purchase flat or slightly wedged black booties. They're versatile, they look comfortable and they'd look great with skinny jeans. The side zipper on this pair gives them a little rock and roll edge.

Image via payless.com

 Pixie Western Boot in Taupe- $44.99 from Payless

These booties remind me of the pair that Katie Holmes wears everywhere. You know, the pair that is always made fun of on Suri's Burnbook? Regardless, I love them. I can see the taupe color looking great with just about everything, and they're basically flat, so they should be pretty comfortable for my commuting feet. My only qualm is that $44.99 seems pricey for a shoe from Payless.Maybe this pair from Target would a be better value?

image via DSW.com

Qupid Nesha Bootie in Red- $44.95 at DSW 

How cute are these? The deep ruby red color fits with my fall shopping theme of neutral basics and pops of color/ bold prints. Realistically, I wouldn't wear a pair of red booties all that much, and I shouldn't waste my precious closet space on the, but if I had endless closet space I'd totally buy them!

image via Target.com

Kalama Shootie Wedge in Chestnut- $34.99 at Target

While I think shootie is a totally ridiculous word, I love these shoes. I can see myself wearing them with cords or jeans and sweaters or with tights, a sundress and a cardigan. Plus, I love a wedge:)

image via AldoShoes.com

Cedrina boot in Black- $120 at Aldo

These booties would be a totally ridiculous splurge item. Is it bad that I just want them to wear on every New Year's Eve from now until eternity?

What are your thoughts on booties?

Budgeting Space- One In, One Out

My new apartment is really small. I guessed when we signed the lease back in March that our biggest challenge was going to be clothing storage, so I started brainstorming, googling, apartment therapy-ing, and pinterest-ing storage options. During a trip to ikea a few months ago Mike and I discovered a brilliant storage solution- a bed frame with four giant drawers underneath! After checking craigslist religiously for a month, I found a slightly used Brimnes storage bedframe for less than half the price it sells for at ikea!

Image via ikea.com

With the help of those 4 deep drawers, a six drawer dresser used as a tv stand in the living room, and some closet organizers we got all of our clothes and shoes to fit! The only issue is there isn't room for any more. As a result, I'm instituting a one in, one out policy for my wardrobe.If I buy something it has to be replacing an item that is no longer wearable OR I have to be willing to donate or sell an item to make room.

I am actually really excited about this philosophy. It will keep me from making too many impulse purchase, thus saving me money. It is also challenges me to pick pieces I will get a lot of wear out of. If it's going to take up space in my closet/ drawers the I better wear it!

The only items on my "must buy for fall" list are black riding boots, and black flats. Yesterday I went to DSW to see if they had any wide calf boots in stock. They did! I used my $10 off coupon and bought a great pair of wide calf, black leather riding boots. I'll be throwing out an old pair of faux suede black boots to make room for them:)

How do you store/ organize your wardrobe? Any tips for sharing closet space with your significant other?

Pink Crayons

My high school wardrobe was built around two colors- pink and black. I think it started with a pink Rancid band tshirt I got in the 8th grade (I was so "punk rock"). But what really my obsession with the colors was a friendship I made in 10th grade. My new bff, Brooke, and I called ourselves the pink crayons (long story behind that one) and naturally, we wore a lot of pink and black. We passed notes back and forth to each other in a hot pink notebook. 

My obsession with pink continued throughout most of high school until Brooke and I had a falling out in the latter part of our senior year. To my Jr. year homecoming I wore a black and white hounds-tooth dress with a pink crinoline underneath and a big pink flower on it. In one of my senior pictures I wore pink and black Chuck Taylors and a pink and black polka dot ribbon belt. My mom has photographic evidence of these things. Let's call this outfit a grown up throwback to my high school self. 

I don't have a lot of pink in my wardrobe these days, so when I saw this lovely beaded cardigan at a clothing swab, I just had to have it! What better to pair a vintage feeling cardigan with than a vintage feeling polka dot dress and some classic black pumps?

Outfit:

Cardigan: swapped

Dress: H&M

Pumps: Crown Vintage via DSW

What did you wear in high school?

Weekly Wishlist: Flat Sandals

I have not been doing a good job of taking outfit photos this week. I promise I'm getting dressed, but I've also been over-sleeping. My excuse? I got sucked into the Hunger Games books and read all three in just three days. I know, I know, I'm late to get on that bandwagon, but I didn't want to buy the books and they were reserved at the library for infinity. I finally borrowed them and stayed up until wee hours of the morning reading with my kitty in bed.

Anyways no outfit photos means you get a Weekly Wishlist instead. I love flat strappy sandals. They are possibly my favorite style of shoe. I usually buy inexpensive sandals at Target or Payless and then they never last more than a summer or two because I wear them basically every day. I've been thinking about investing in a few higher quality pairs of sandals in hopes that they will survive more than two summers. Here are my favorites:

image via bornshoes.com

Born Aberlin Sandals in Cream Patent: $112 via Born Shoes

I can't imagine spending over $100 for a pair of simple sandals, but Born makes a super comfortable high quality shoe, and the nude color would go with everything. They're also available in brown, black, pink, and aqua. I bet I could find them cheaper if I did some hunting.

image via stevemadden.com

Daffy leather sandal in Turquoise Leather: $41.98 via Steve Madden

I love, love, love the beautiful color of these turquoise leather sandals. They would be great to add a pop of color to my summer outfits. The price tag isn't bad either.

image via dsw.com

Naturalizer Temma Comfort Sandal: $49.95 at DSW

These neutral cuties look super squishy, and that's important. There's nothing worse than walking around all day in hard sandals and going home with blisters on the balls of your feet. My Payless camel colored brown sandals are on their last leg, so these would be a good replacement. They're also available in wide width!

image via stevemadden.com

Srikka Leopard/Multi Sandals: $69.95 from Steve Madden

How cute are these? I love the pastels and leopard print. I can see them adding a little spice to a black sundress. 

Which sandals are your favorite? 

Like a Rock Star

It was about 70 degrees in Boston on Sunday, so I was really excited to wear my new Madden Girl wedges. You may recognize them from this weekly wishlist. I had been coveting them for weeks, so imagine my excitement and surprise when I found them in the DSW clearance section for 70% off! $12 wedges? Yes please!

There's something about wearing skinny jeans with heels or wedges that makes me feel like a rock star. Maybe it is because a few extra inches on my 5'7" frame makes me a giant? I definitely had some swagger in my step on Sunday.

Outfit:
Blouse: Forever 21
Jeans: Old Navy
Wedges: Madden Girl via DSW
Bracelet: thrifted necklace

Weekly Wishlist: Wedge Sandals Under $40

If I had to pick one thing I hate most about dressing for cold weather it would be the limitations on my footwear choices. I hate socks and having to wear boots all the time. I am much more comfortable in a pair of strappy sandals, flats, or peep-toes.

As soon as the weather warms up (it is going to get into the high 50s tomorrow!) I start dreaming of wedge sandals. I find wedges easier to walk in and more comfortable for all day wear than heels. They're also dressy enough for a casual office setting. Here are a few pairs I've got my eye on that are under $40.

Image via DSW.com

 Aerosoles Plush Wedge Sandal in Cognac: DSW $39.95

Since purchasing (and wearing the hell out of) my cognac colored riding boots, cognac has become one of my favorite neutral shoe colors. This pair of cognac wedges is guaranteed to be comfortable since Aerosoles makes them, and they're available in wide width!

Image via torrid.com

Lena Coral Cork Wedge Heels: $39.50 from Torrid

I love coral! Torrid has some really cute, on trend shoes on their website. I can't speak to the quality of their shoes because there is not a Torrid store in my area, but they look nice and are available in wide widths.

Image via DSW.com

Madden Girl Kenzley Wedge Sandal in Taupe: $29.94 from DSW

This neutral pair of wedges would be very versatile. Madden Girl shoes tend to be fairly comfortable and decently priced if you get them at DSW or Famous Footwear. 

Image via payless.com

Christian Siriano T-Strap Wedge in Turquoise: $29.99

I've been wearing a lot of blue lately, so these strappy wedges in various shades of blue would be a really great addition to my closet. I might have to get them the next time Payless has a BOGO sale.

Do you prefer wedges or heals?

Dress Obsessed

I love dresses. In fact, I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated solely to dresses. I carry most of my weight below the waist, so it is a lot easier for me to find dresses that fit than it is for me to find fitted bottoms. I am most comfortable in a dress with leggings or tights and a cardigan. 

I really love this dress. In fact, I love it so much that I bought it in two colors, and I've been thinking of stopping by H&M for one more. I wore the coral one last week but didn't get outfit photos because I had to be into work early that day. (I am really not a morning person.)

Outfit:

Dress: H&M

Camisole: very old, but I think Old navy

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: Target

Boots: DSW (wide calf) 

When I find a basic item that I really like I tend to buy it in several colors. Do you own multiple colors of the same style, or do you like more diversity in your wardrobe?

Cranberry and Mustard

Contrary to what the title may lead you to believe, this post is not about food. Yesterday I was feeling emboldened by my new blog to mix some colors I might not normally mix, so I paired a mustard and white striped shirt with a cranberry/ fuchsia colored cardigan.

Viola!

Were the results delicious? I'm not sure. No one gave me a funny look, and I liked it.  Still, I kept hearing my mother's voice in my head telling me "your colors clash" the way she did when I would channel Clarissa from "Clarissa Explains it All" as a kid, pairing my bright purple bike shorts, green t-shirt and hot pink scrunchi.

Outfit:
Shirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: another Old Navy cardi
Pencil Skirt: Target
Tights: Target
Boots: DSW- Coconuts (they're wide calf!)

Dive into Layers

Winter in Boston turns me into a layering addict.

My friend chose a dive bar with live music for her birthday venue. The event was on Sunday evening, one of the coldest days we've had so far this year. So, I knew layering up was necessary. I warmed up a short sleeve sweater dress by adding a wool blend cardigan and a cozy scarf. I also layered my leggings over tights and  added a pair of boot socks for added warmth. When I got toasty dancing I just took off my cardigan and scarf.

Outfit:

Dress/ belt: Forever 21+

Leggings: Target

Boots: DSW- Coconuts

Cardigan: Old Navy 

Scarf: Target

What are your favorite pieces to layer?