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

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. 

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. 

Emerald and Teal for Spring

Teal has long been one of my favorite colors to wear. It's appropriate for every season and it pairs well with all the neutrals- navy, black, brown, white, and leopard. Plus it looks good with most skin tones and hair colors. When I found this scarf for $5 at H&M a few months ago, I was stocked. Not only did it have teal in it, but two shades of the "color of the year" emerald.

From the lack of greenery in these pictures, you'd probably guess they were taken a few weeks ago right? Wrong! I took these photos yesterday. 

We're slowly getting some buds on the tress and some green sprigs poking through the dead leaves, but for the most part it's still pretty gray in Boston. 

Today it warmed up to a balmy 65 degrees, and tomorrow it's supposed to be even warmer!

Outfit: Pants- Seven Jeans via Marshall's; Cardi- Gap Outlet; Tank and Scarf- H&M; Flats- Target

Here's hoping that spring is here to stay! I'm looking forward to sunshine, tulips, daffodils, iced coffee, and farmer's markets.

What are you looking forward to as the weather warms up?

Spring in My Step

I almost titled this post LBD with a side of frog legs, but I didn't want to box myself into only talking about my outfit.

Outfit: Dress- NY&Co. similar at Old Navy; Scarf and tights- H&M; Shoes- Target

I've got a lot of spring in my step these days, and it's not just from finding the perfect shade of emerald tights to match my emerald ballet flats purchased on super clearance at Target ($6ish in stores, y'all!). After a few weeks of being extremely busy, and anxious, the stress cloud I was sitting in has dissipated. I start a new job in less than two weeks!

I've been unhappy at my current job for quite a while. I don't want to divulge a whole lot of detail because I pride myself on keeping my professional life separate from my personal life/ blog life. Long story short, I decided to start looking back in September, but after being told I was overqualified for a job I thought for sure I had landed back in October I was feeling really discouraged. Recruitment is a major part of my job, but I had forgotten how stressful it is to be on the other side of things!

When job searching patience is definitely a virtue. Lots of carefully crafted cover-letters a few less than stellar phone interviews, and some heart break finally led to a job that is the perfect next step in building my career in nonprofit human resources/ administration.

The best part? I'll be able to walk to work! I'll get one and a half to two hours of my day back. That means more time for blogging, going to the gym, snuggling with my cat, or whatever.

...Oh, and more money for shopping!

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.

Cozy Chic

I love leggings. However, I typically don't leave the house wearing them as anything other than hosiery. It is a rarity for me to find a tunic type garment that is actually long (and wide) enough to go over my hips and provide enough booty coverage for me to wear leggings as pants. So, when I found this flowy gray tunic on super clearance at H&M, I knew I had to have it. I also knew I would layer it under my over-sized, vintage grandma sweater. I love outfits that are as comfortable as pajamas, but still look put together.

I wore this outfit to get out of the house on Sunday while Mike watched foot ball. I ended up going a little crazy at H&M, but since my cold weather professional wardrobe is lacking, I feel I can adequately justify my purchases. 

Outfit: Cardigan- vintage/ thrifted; Leggings and flats- Target; Blouse and Belt- H&M; Jewelry- various 

Maybe I should think about investing in some thicker/ higher quality leggings, so that I can wear leggings as pants more often. 

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!

How I Layer

Fall is the time for layers. While I wear cardigans year round, I also love layering sweaters, scarves, and jackets and you just can't do that during the summer. Monday was one of those days were I would have been happy to go to work in leggings or jeans and a sweatshirt, but sadly that just isn't an option. Next best thing? Stretchy black pants and a comfy shirt.

But it was chilly out Monday morning. I knew it would also be chilly in my office, so I added a red blazer...

... and a scarf

Outfit: Blouse- Old Navy; Pants- Torrid; Blazer- vintage, thrifted; Scarf- H&M; Flats- Marshall's

Yep. That'll do. 

What are your favorite layering pieces?

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!

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:)

Pencil Perfect

It seems counter intuitive to buy new clothes while attempting to purge my closet and down size, but I've been on the hunt for a new black pencil skirt for a really long time. I love pencil skirts, but they're hard for me. My waist is much smaller than my hips, butt and thighs. In fact, I have two pencil skirts in my closet that were online purchases that I can't wear until I get them altered.

When I saw this skirt at Macy's, I knew I had to try it on. I was in the plus size section, so I grabbed the 1X and I was really disappointed when it was too big. As some one who is in between sizing systems, I love it when stores carry the same pieces in plus sizes and straight sizes. I was stoked to find an XL on the other side of the store. Perfect fit! The stretchy fabric is forgiving of my curves, but helps it maintain its shape at the waist.

Outfit:

Tank: thrifted

Cardigan: Target

Pencil skirt: Alfani from Macy's- Standard Size, Plus Size available in store.

Leopard and coral are just too great together.

Do you have any luck with pencil skirts?

Wild

Tuesday night I headed to a Spitfire event hosted by BostonGLOW. The event was focused on navigating the professional world, and I found it really helpful! I know that there are a lot of things I need to work on professionally to build up my confidence and make sure I'm not selling myself short. 

I absolutely love the Spitfire events. They're a great way to connect with other women, and to talk about issues that are important to me. Being involved with GLOW gives me the same sense of a strong community of women that I had through the various clubs and activities I was involved in in college. I'm taking on a little more of a leadership role in the organization this year. One of the potential Spitfires we're planning is going to be focused on balancing fashion, beauty, and being feminine with feminist/ egalitarian ideals. It would be great to get some Boston area bloggers involved, so I'll keep you posted!

I've worn this necklace about a dozen times since I bought it at the beginning of the month. The colors match a lot of my summer clothes and it is the perfect piece to spice up neutral outfits. I picked up this leopard print tank at goodwill a few weeks ago. It's super 80s, and about an inch away from being a crop top, but I love it! 

Outfit:

Tank: thrifted

Cardigan: Old Navy

Necklace: H&M

Pants: Target

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? 

Reluctant Pants

After checking the weather I reluctantly put on pants Monday morning. Rainy, chilly, windy, yuck! Bad weather means I can't wear sundresses and skirts, and that makes me sad. I spent the whole day counting down the hours until I could go home and snuggle under the covers with my kitty. 

Speaking of my cat.This was one of those mornings where he really wanted to photo bomb me.

I think it's because I had black pants on. I swear he has a radar for dark colored pants.

Outfit:
Blouse: Old Navy
Pants: Target
Flats: Payless
Necklace: thrifted
Earrings: Old Navy

Breezy Blue and Leopard

Are y'all tired of seeing me in dresses yet? I hope not, because the summer is just getting started! Tuesday I grabbed my favorite royal blue sundress and layered my thrifted leopard cardigan over it.

Most residences and many businesses in Boston do not have central air. It makes sense, since there are only a few days a year where temperatures climb above 85. My office has central air, and it's freezing! Hence, the necessity for a cardigan, even though it was 80 degrees outside!

Outfit:
Dress: ? TJ Maxx a few years ago
Cardigan: Old Navy thrifted
Bracelets: F21 and thrifted
Belt: H&M
Shoes: Payless

Wicked Stylish

I rarely get comments on what I wear from coworkers and when I do it is typically a simple "cute dress" or "nice shoes" in passing. Last Thursday one of the facilities guys popped into my office and asked "are you into fashion?". I, of course, responded with "yea, why?". He proceeded to complement me on being well put together and to tell me my outfit was "wicked stylish".

I love this dress. The combination of the color-blocking and the rouching make the dress super slimming and flattering. It's long enough for work and has a modest neckline, yet I feel kinda sexy in it. Especially with these leopard print wedges.

Outfit:
Dress: Lodon Times via TJMaxx
Wedges: Payless
Bracelet: Thrifted

Nonprofit Jungle

I did not want to get out of bed Monday morning. After hitting snooze five times and taking a really long shower I left myself with out a lot of time to get ready. When I'm low on time I reach for a dress. 

Work has been super busy for me lately. Putting on a zebra dress and some fierce heeled boots gave me the attitude to strut on into my office and attack my ever-growing to do list.


Outfit:
Dress: Forever 21+
Cardigan: Old Navy
Boots: Madden Girl
Necklace: Eloquii

What do you wear when you need to get down to business?