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

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?

Really Business Casual

I got some really great news! Really casual business casual is awesome.

I found these eggplant colored jeans at buffalo exchange. They're a little long, but otherwise I love them. I wore them last Friday to test the waters with colored denim at the office. My coworker told me I can wear them any day of the week. Hooray!

Outfit: Jeans- boomboom via buffalo exchange; Shirt - Old Navy; 

Cardigan - Old Navy similar; Shoes- Minnetonka

Now to find a pair of mint jeans, and a pair of coral  jeans, and...

Buttons and Cameras

This outfit is pretty representative of what I've been wearing to work lately. With temperatures mostly below freezing I've been choosing warmth over style. 

I've really discovered the beauty of button down shirts this winter. In the past I've had trouble with fit on button downs. It's hard to find one that fits over my hips and boobs, but isn't too baggy in the shoulders or waist. Thankfully, I've  found two flannel shirts and this chambray shirt that fit pretty well, and I've been wearing them constantly.

Outfit:  Pants- Forever 21; Shirt- Old Navy similar at Macy's; Boots- Me too; Cardigan- Target  similar at Old Navy

I've about had it with my camera. I've been thinking about/ lusting after a DSLR. However, I really don't want to invest a ridiculous amount of money in a camera right now and I don't actually know very much about photography. I'm leaning towards skipping the DSLR for now and upgrading to a nicer point and shoot.

Before I make the purchase, I wanted to reach out to y'all for suggestions. What type of camera do you use? Any suggestions for a user friendly camera that takes beautiful pictures?

Weekly Wish List: Workin on My Fitness

While I didn't set any concrete health or fitness related New Year's resolutions, I still plan to establish a better exercise routine this year.

It's no secret that I hate working out. I make excuses all the time. I'm too tired, it's too cold, my hip hurts, etc. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I'm paying $60/ month for a gym I haven't been to since before Thanksgiving. When I start my new job I'll work and live within two blocks of my gym, so it's going to be a lot harder to make excuses. I'm always looking for new ways to keep myself motivated. What better motivation to work out than some adorable new colorful workout clothes/ accessories?



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What do you do to motivate yourself to work out?

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Calm Before the Storm

The nonprofit I work for told all nonessential employees to stay home until noon Tuesday,  so I am enjoying a lovely, lazy hurrication. As I sit in my apartment on Monday night listening to the winds of Sandy/ Frankenstorm howl outside, I can't help but feel thankful that I am warm, dry and still have power. I know many others on the eastern seaboard are not as lucky this evening. Stay safe y'all!

I keep thinking about how beautiful and calm the weather was on the days leading up to this storm. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. I spent the day having some Halloween fun in Salem with my friend Kelly and two of her friends. Although the whole town is pretty cute, the Derby Wharf is my favorite part of Salem. I love this little walk on the waterfront.

Kelly and I took a ton of pictures by this cute little light house.

It was my third trip to Salem. I had a decent time people watching and walking around, but I learned that I enjoy the city better without the Halloween weekend crowds. I think if I decide to visit in the fall next year, I'll visit earlier in October.

Outfit: Shirt and Jeans- Old Navy; Cardigan- Target; Boots- Rampage via Marshalls; Bag- H&M

For this Marylander no trip to Salem is complete without a trip to the only Ritas in Massachusetts. 

Autumn in the City

Saturday was a beautiful autumn day. The air was crisp, the sun was shining, and the foliage was beautiful. It was also one of those days that reminds me why I love city living, specifically Boston city living.

Outfit: Jeans and Shirt- Old Navy; Jacket- thrifted JCrew; Boots- MeToo via DSW; Scarf- Target; Bag- H&M. 

I met up with my friend Kelly and we walked around the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Fanueil Hall a bit. Then went to the Boston vs New York Food truck throw down.

Unfortunately the lines were super long, so we only got to try two of the food trucks. We stuck to the New York trucks since we can eat at the Boston trucks almost any time. First we had tacos from Big D's Grub Truck. They were delicious and well worth the long wait.

For dessert we had apple, cranberry and nutella empanadas from the Nuchas truck. Yum!

Earlier in the day, while waiting for my friend Kelly outside of the Park Street T station, I had the kind of experience that could only happen in Boston. I was watching an antiwar/ pro- Green Party demonstration, near by there was a guy dressed in revolutionary war era clothing leading a freedom trail tour, a guy with a thick South Boston accent peddling fried dough, and the air smelled like burnt leaves. Then all of a sudden a parade of anti-rape culture demonstrators walked by. I love this city!

From Dusk til Dawn

I am making real strides towards becoming a morning person. One of my biggest motivators has been joining a gym that is two blocks from my new apartment. I have gone to that gym more in the past two weeks than I went to my old gym in the previous two months. It's so much harder to make excuses when I don't have to haul a change of clothes to work with me. I just roll out of bed and run out the door with my keys, water and ipod then come back home post workout to shower and get ready for work. Monday morning I didn't get up early, I didn't make it to the gym, and I didn't take outfit pictures. I did put together a really cute outfit with my new mustard yellow corduroy pencil skirt and jewel toned leopard print blouse!

The other big motivator for getting up earlier? My day light hours are fading. Since coastal Massachusetts is about as far east as you can get on the eastern seaboard, it gets dark here REALLY early in the winter. We're talking 4:30pm early. I have no choice. I'm going to have to either get up early and take my pictures in the morning, or start bringing my tripod to my office.

Outfit: Skirt- Old Navy; Blouse- Target; Flats- Old Navy (old); Cardigan- Old Navy (old)

These pictures were taken around 6:20 in the evening. I this is the earliest I can get home to take pictures after work and the light was definitely low. I better become a morning person really fast!

Come Sail Away

Coming into the fall and winter shopping season I decided to focus on two things- basics and interesting accessories. When I saw this scarf at Old Navy about two months ago I knew I had to have it. But since I never pay full price at Old Navy, I also knew I had to wait. Eventually I had some extra cash coupons and the scarf came home with me.

                             

I don't sail, and I get motion sickness on boats, but I love sailboats. I went to a top sailing school for undergrad and have lived in several places where sailing was one of the primary recreational activities. I've been planning a tattoo of a sailboat for years, but I keep chickening out because I pass out when I get shots or blood drawn. 

Outfit: pants- Target (old); shirt and cami- H&M; denim jacket- JCrew thrifted; flats- Target;  scarf: Old Navy

I am not loving these pants any more. I've had them for over a year, but they just don't fit that great and the fabric doesn't maintain it's shape very well. If I could just find some charcoal colored, straight legged slacks to replace them, I would gladly let them go. Any suggestions?

Reality: Football

I don't really get into sports. Mike loves sports, especially football and baseball. This year he is participating in not one, but four fantasy leagues. As a result, he monopolizes the television all day on Sunday. I'm not exaggerating! He had football or football related programming on TV from abut 8:30 in the morning, when we got up until 11 at night when the last game was over. As someone who finds football to be about as entertaining as watching paint dry, I knew I needed to get out of the house for most of the day. Thankfully, my friend Kelly recently relocated to Boston and was available for brunch!

A maxi dress and cardigan combo are perfect for a cool late summer outdoor brunch. Afterwards we went to a few stores, and I managed to stay out of the house for a full 5 hours of football!

Outfit: Dress- Calvin Klein via Marshalls; cardigan- Old Navy; sandals- Payless; Sunnies- thrifted; necklace- gifted.

Now I just need to figure out what to do to get out of the house next Sunday!

Glimpses of Autumn

I have said on this blog before that I am really not a morning person. I've been trying, but I still just can't bring myself to get up in time to do more than shower, get dressed, pack my lunch and pack or grab a coffee. As a result, I've been taking a lot of my outfit photos in the evening.

I'm dreading the day when it will be too dark after work for photos and I'll have to get my butt out of bed to take pictures in the cold!

Outfit: sweater- Old Navy; Pants- H&M+; Jacket- thrifted JCrew; flats- Old Navy; sunnies- thrifted

I'm afraid that day may not be as far off as I'd like. It was 50 degrees outside when I got up for work on Tuesday! I wore a sweater, a jacket, and got a pumpkin spice latte on my way to work. I still refuse to wear socks that require shoes, and I'm not ready to pull my tights out of storage, but I'll acknowledge that Autumn is starting to show herself here in New England.

Weekend Recap: Happy Blur

Happy Monday, y'all! I'm home from work today due to a doctor's appointment this morning, so it's a three day weekend for me. Thus far it has been a really great one. I finally got the rest I was craving and also managed to be really productive.

Friday night we had some date night barbecue at Sweet Cheeks Q  (so yummy!) and watched a movie at home. Mike snapped these outfit pictures for me on the way to dinner, but somehow they all turned out just a little blurry.

Outfit: Dress- Old Navy; Cardigan- Target; Belt- thrifted; Shoes- Payless; Necklace- Gift

Saturday I slept in, made french toast with bananas, and then made a trip to Ikea. That trip lead to assembling a bookcase, putting doors on it, and unpacking almost everything! I'm so proud/ amazed that we've only been in the apartment a week, but the only box we have left is stuff that we have to hang on the walls. Hopefully by the end of this week that box will be gone and all of our shelving and art will be on the walls. As soon as we're finished I'll post some pictures.

Sunday I had a brunch date with a friend and did some shopping. I redeemed my Old Navy extra bucks and got some shirts and a scarf. In sticking with my one in, one out policy, here's a recap of my purchases/ items to be donated for the week.

IN: Items purchased

OUT: Items to be donated (plus a scarf, not pictured)

How was your weekend?

No Facts, Just Pictures

Since I haven't been posting a lot lately I didn't want to focus solely on Friday Facts this week. Outfit posts really are the guts of this blog, so why miss the opportunity to post some? Plus, my hair is finally long enough for a sock bun (shh... I know it's crooked) and I've had this dress for like two weeks and I've been dying to wear it!

Outfit: Dress- Old Navy; Belt- H&M; Sandals- Payless; Earrings-?

Can y'all tell how much I am loving being able to take pictures outside without a big audience? I am actually doing different poses! We'll see how I feel when the weather turns...

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Recap: Beer, Dinosaurs,and a Walk in the Park

Saturday I went to Brew at the Zoo at the Franklin Park Zoo. About a dozen breweries were there giving out samples, as well as some food vendors. I had a lot of delicious beers, but my favorites were the Espresso Amber Ale by Peak Organic and the Pumpkin Ale from Brooklyn Brewery. It was a ton fun walking around the zoo, beer in hand looking at the animals and the animatronic dinosaurs in the Zoorasic Park.

Our Souvenir Dinosaur Photo

Sunday Mike and I went to our favorite brunch place and then went for a walk in the Arnold Arboretum. It was the perfect afternoon to lay on a blanket surrounded by trees, sip some iced coffee and read a book, so that is exactly what we did.

Outfit:
Tee: Old Navy
Blue Denim Skinnies: Old Navy
Sandals: b.o.c.

How was your weekend?

Full Price

I almost never pay full price for clothing from Old Navy. They always have a sale, so when I see something I  like I just go back a week later and it's on sale (or I wait until I have a coupon). When I saw this dress, I knew I couldn't wait and risk having it not available in my size. Office appropriate length and neckline? Black and white print that isn't a stripe or polka dot? Sign me up!

 

When I saw this dress my mind started racing with all of the possibilities for styling. I can't wait to wear it layered over tights with boots and a chunky sweater for fall/ winter. For my first spin in it I was going to keep it really simple, but it looked sort of off with the sash that came with it, so I took off the sash and added this red patent belt. 

Outfit:
Dress: Old Navy
Belt: ? Came on a skirt.
Necklace: So Good
Shoes: Spring Step via DSW