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

Ignite the Nite 2013

Thursday night I attended Boston GLOW's third annual Ignite the Nite Fundraising Gala. This was my first year attending as a guest instead of as a volunteer. For the first two years I checked coats. Thankfully GLOW had a wealth of volunteers this year, so I felt free to buy a ticket and go for fun.

Who doesn't want an excuse to curl her hair and wear lipstick on a Thursday night?

The evening did not disappoint. There was good company, lots of food, some drinks and of course some ridiculous dancing. It seemed like there was a great turnout and some high bids for the silent auction prizes, so I'm hoping we raised a lot of money for the Ignite Change scholarship contest.

Outfit: Blazer and tights- Marshalls; Skirt - Prabal Gurung for Target; 

Blouse and necklace- H&M, Boots- Madden Girl

I was really excited to find this Parabal Gurung skirt at my Target (and in my size!). I enjoy the designer collaborations, but I'm not one to line up in the cold waiting for Target to open. I love the bright colors, and I'm really looking forward to styling it in a bunch of different way as the weather warms up.

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?



1, 2, 3, 4, 5



What do you do to motivate yourself to work out?

via

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? 

Power Dressing

Do you ever have one of those days where you need to project an air of confidence, but you're just not feeling it? I've found that on days like that it really helps to put on an outfit that makes me feel confident and authoritative. For me that "power outfit" is a dress or pencil skirt, a low heel or wedge and a blazer or cardigan.

Outfit: Blazer- Target; Dress- NY&Co (old); Heels- Crown Vintage via DSW; Tights- Hue via Marshall's; Earrings?

I love this blazer. I'm strongly resisting the urge to order another color from the Target website. I imagine it will be appearing on the blog a lot as it is a very versatile piece. It looks great as a suiting piece for work, but also with more casual pieces.

By the way- the thing I needed to feel confident for went really well. I'll be less vague when I know the final result. I don't want to jinx anything! What do you wear on days that you need to feel and project an air of confidence? Do you have a "power outfit"?

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!

A Farewell to Summer Clothes...

Hello friends! Long time, no blog! I've been super busy, very tired, and a little sick, but for the most part I've been getting dressed every day... (if you count wearing the leggings I slept in and throwing on a hoodie as getting dressed.) I even left the house a few times over the long weekend! Here's what I wore for a brunch date, grocery shopping, and a walk around the park with Mike on Saturday. 

We had an unseasonably warm Saturday, so I declared the day a farewell to summer clothes. I ate my brunch al fresco, walked in the sunshine and relished in what will probably be my last opportunity to wear both sandals and a sundress for quite a few months.

Outfit: Dress, belt and cardigan- Target (old); Sandals- Payless (old)

Last week I finally got a new computer. I've been trying to teach myself photo shop, so my pictures might be all over the place over the next few weeks. That being said. I really like the way these turned out with the edits. It was definitely easier to edit the bottom photo. That's probably a good thing, since most of my pictures are going to be in front of concrete walls this fall/ winter. Y'all don't actually expect me to walk away from my apartment building for photos, right? 

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!

(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?

Fall Can Wait

I am not one of those bloggers that can't wait for fall. I love sweaters, boots and scarves as much as the next girl, but I also love sunshine and being able to leave the house without a jacket. In fact, Boston has been having my favorite kind of weather for the past few days. Breezy and sunny with highs in the high 70s/ low 80s and lows in the 60s. I've been taking advantage of the weather by wearing some of my summer favorites that just don't work on the really hot days. Because of its long sleeves, this dress is one of those items.

Coral is kind of my favorite color to wear right now. I loved coral and leopard together in this outfit, so I decided to wear my new flats from Target. They're so comfortable and cheap (on sale for $14!) that I might have to go back and buy them in another color. One warning- they run a bit small so go a half size up.

Outfit:
Dress: H&M  purchased in Dec.
Flats: Target
Cami: ?
Bracelets: thrifted/ vintage

Fall can wait because I really want to keep wearing sandals, breezy dresses, and denim shorts:)

Teaching Pants

As part of my job I serve as a CPR and First Aid instructor. When I'm teaching I demonstrate a lot of the skills, so I like to wear pants. I've mentioned many times before that I have trouble being creative with pants, so I rarely post the outfits I wear on teaching days. Due to a lack of outfit pictures in the latter part of last week and no pictures from the weekend, here is a boring pants, blouse and cardigan combo!

I don't love this outfit, but I do love this blouse. I need to find more ways to style it. Any suggestions?

Outfit:

Blouse: Old Navy

Cardigan: Target

Pants: Target

Sandals: Payless

Necklace: flea market

Taking it Outside

Now that my guy and I are living together you can expect a lot more outdoor photos. Not only is he a morning person who encourages me not to hit snooze for the third time, but Mike is also a good sport about snapping some pictures for me. Monday morning he snapped these on our way out the door (25 minutes before I usually leave!).

I live on a really busy street and I still feel awkward about taking pictures in front of people, so I took these behind my apartment building. Maybe over the next few weeks I'll get up the courage to try some new spots. I can't wait until we move into our new apartment on a less busy street so I can find some fun spots to take pictures in.

Outfit:
Dress: Target (also seen here)
Cardigan: Target very old
Sandals: Payless last year
Bracelet: So Good
Belt: H&M

Purging

As I've mentioned on here a few times, my guy and I are moving in together. He's going to be living with me at my current apartment starting Friday (eek so soon!) and then we're moving into our first apartment together on September 1st. In preparation for the move, and the shared closet space that comes along with it, I've been slowly organizing and purging my wardrobe. Part of this process has been wearing items that I'm on the fence about or have trouble styling. 

This tshirt is one of those items. I love the coral print and modest neckline, but I have a hard time styling it in a way that doesn't look old/ matronly. A high waisted denim pencil skirt may not have been the best idea if I was trying not to look matronly, but it was Friday and I love this skirt! I think this shirt is going to be staying a little longer. I can see it working well with a cardigan and skinny jeans or slacks for fall. 

Outfit:

T Shirt: Target last year (solid colors still available)

Denim Pencil Skirt: Forever 21+ last summer

Belt: H&M

Shoes: Payless

Earrings: So Good

Bracelets: assorted 

Maxi Monday

Every week one of my favorite blogs, Two Birds, does an Inspiration Monday link-up. I have discovered lots of other blogs through the link up. I also just love seeing how Megan and Nora, the two sisters that run Two Birds, create outfits inspired by a celebrity photo. I haven't participated in a really long time because I always forget about it until I am already dressed and at work Monday morning. When they posted this awesome picture of Michelle Trachtenberg, aka Harriet the Spy, in a maxi dress and denim jacket I just HAD to participate.

I brought my striped maxi dress and denim jacket with me to upstate New York this weekend, but didn't find the opportunity to wear them. I think it all worked out for the best because I found an awesome maxi dress on clearance at Target over the weekend. So this morning I got up early so I could take pictures and edit them before leaving for work.

This is the perfect outfit for that Monday where you really don't want to go to work and can't believe the weekend is over already. Is anyone else having one of those days?

Outfit:
Dress: Target
Cami: ?
Jacket: JCrew, thrifted
Sandals: b.o.c. via Famous Footwear

Weekend Recap: Two Sundresses

It was a very summery Memorial Day weekend in Boston. I didn't make it to any barbecues or to the beach, but I did spend a lot of time walking around Boston in the sunshine. It's weekends like this that remind me why I love this city, and why I love sundresses. They're so effortless and comfortable.

Saturday it was hot and humid. My beau and I took some measurements of our apartment, had brunch, walked around a bit, and then went to a house party in Cambridge. You may recognize this navy polka dot dress from this post. I have to say that I much prefer wearing it with sandals instead of tights and boots.

Outfit 1:
Dress: Target
Belt: H&M
Sandals: Payless (last year)
Necklace: gift
Sunnies: Forever21

Sunday my beau and I spent the day at the SoWa Market browsing vintage and local art, furniture and clothing and eating delicious food truck treats. I wore denim shorts, but didn't get any pictures.

This outfit is from Monday and was taken in the Boston Public Garden. I spent the day catching up and shopping with a friend who is in town for a summer internship. I also bought these awesome mint green canvass shoes for $13 at H&M and immediately put them on. They are super comfy and will be getting a ton of wear this summer.

Outfit 2:
Dress: H&M last summer
Belt: Target
Shoes: H&M (available in stores)
Sunnies: Forever21



Want to keep up with me on the weekends? Follow me on twitter!  What did you wear this weekend?

Working Blues

I bought a coral pencil skirt at Target a few weeks ago without trying it on. It fit kind of funny, so I decided to take it back. I still wanted to add a colored bottom to my closet, so when I saw these pants on the rack I had to try them on.

I probably didn't need another pair of blue pants in my closet, but I can wear this pair to work! The best part? I had coupons for both the pants and the shirt!

Outfit:

Shirt: Target- Merona

Pants: Target- Mossimo

Wedges: Madden Girl via DSW

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?