Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Wedge Sneaker

I know they're really big this year, and I really hate whoever's idea they were, but this is just one of those things I think we'll look back on and really regret.  As in "OMG WHATT was I thinking?".  Still, I may get a pair...don't judge...I'll just refuse to be photographed in them.  However, if you ARE interested in following this latest fashiontrendzilla...here are some options for you ranging in price.

Rachel Zoe

Chloe

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sam Edelman

Vince Camuto

Forever 21

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Travel Attire

Today is both a very exciting, and very annoying day.  At 7 pm (assuming I can pull my act together) Dylan, the dogs, and I will be en route to New York.  It's a 20 hour drive, (yes, we're driving) and we don't stop for anything, except maybe gas and bathroom/food breaks for ourselves and the pooches.  So in honor of this miserable drive across the Midwest to the east coast...here is a travel-inspired outfit that I will NOT be wearing, because there is no good outfit for 20 straight hours in a car that doesn't include baggy sweatpants and a huge t-shirt, maybe some slippers if I'm feeling polite.  However, if I were traveling a path more comfortable and timely, then this would be the perfect outfit!  Think: Airport, shorter road trip, train, bus etc...

In college I was always making the 4 hour drive back and forth from New York to Massachusetts.  Often when I reached my destination I needed to be ready to head out again for dinner or parties or meeting up with friends.  An outfit like this is perfect for that transition.  Comfortable, but presentable.

A word on the watch:  I know that the trend right now is huge watches that make your wrists look super tiny (awesome).  But I have a feeling that smaller more feminine watches are going to make a comeback.  Sometimes driving can be uncomfortable with a 20 lb watch on your wrist, so this is a more practical alternative.  I made this outfit on polyvore, so it doesn't mean that it's within budget, although I kept every piece under $200, besides the cardigan. But you can without a doubt find all of these pieces at a great price!

Travel Attire


Cashmere cardigan
$385 - veryeickhoff.com


Lot78 printed shirt
net-a-porter.com


Bardot tall pants
$83 - bardot.com.au


Leather boots
$165 - zalando.co.uk





Pendant jewelry
baublebar.com


Pendant jewelry
baublebar.com


Rag bone
rag-bone.com

Monday, March 11, 2013

Sushi Dinner

It's been a serious while since last time I had sushi.  Since we moved in August I haven't had it once.  I can partially blame the fact that I'm an East-Coast snob, and was afraid I'd be disappointed so I just kept putting it off.  Finally, we took the Midwest Sushi plunge Friday night with some friends, and it was a party on my palate.  The only problem, is that this particularly delicious Japanese restaurant is only one block away from my apartment.  Needless to say, I'll be getting sushi a lot more often.

I'm having a bit of a love affair with these Boutique 9 heels, and wanted to try the boyfriend jean look with them.  I felt very casual-chic in this outfit, something I've been making a priority in this dingey winter weather.  Some Mac's red-orange "Lady Danger" lipstick to brighten things up, and a leopard belt to make these neutrals a little less boring.  I love leopard, especially as an accent piece.  It really helps tie together blacks and browns, and looks super-hot when paired with bright colors such as the red-orange lipstick I'm crushing on.  Seriously I want to wear it everyday.

Part of my goal with this blog, is to prove that you can wear signature pieces over again, and they can work with different looks.  I'm also not exceedingly rich, or endorsed by brands, so all of my clothes are easily attainable with just about any budget.  I take a great deal of pride in how I present myself, but I do so with affordable clothes, and I want to show my clients and readers that you can too.


Shirt - Urban Outfitters
Belt - Target
Jeans - H&M (old)
Shoes - Boutique 9
Clutch - Zara
Watch - Michael Kors
Bangles - Hermes, Forever 21
Lipstick - Mac, "Lady Danger"



One promise I need to make is to get better pictures.  I'm spend too much of my time getting ready, and then before you know it I'm in a rush to get out the door and this is the result.  Hopefully you get the idea!



Crunchy Roll from Fuji Ya Sushi in Uptown, Minneapolis.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Some Sort of Oxblood Take 1

I know it's March, and essentially the end of the season, but I couldn't resist buying some Oxblood lipstick as a last hoorah.  It's been a really crazy winter for me, so I haven't exactly had much time (or funds) to dedicate to beauty.  Living on my own for the first time has made me really value every dollar.  Sometimes, I like to reminisce to just one year ago when a paycheck meant a trip to the mall.  Now, I have actual responsibilities.  This girl is on a tight budget!  But I really couldn't help myself taking a trip down the street (literally I'm a few blocks away) to the MAC store.  I went in on a mission to embrace the oxblood trend while I still could, and I came out with not one, but two.  The lipstick here is "Hang-Up", and I'll snap some photos this weekend of the red-orange "Lady Danger" I also snagged.  I'm thinking Hang-Up may be a little too berry sheen for what I wanted.  I know everyone has "Rebel", so I was trying to break the mold.  I guess there's a reason when something is a best-seller.  I like that Hang-Up has a dewy look to it, since I usually wear matte colors, but I'm thinking about exchanging it for the ever-popular Rebel, let me know what you think!

MAC "Hang-Up" Lipstick


I hate selfies!
I was feeling kind of avant-garde this morning.  Dylan missed his bus so I had to be ready in about 5 minutes flat to drive him, but I think I did okay with so little time.  As you can see I'm seriously obsessed with my Zara Basic Messenger Bag you saw here.  It's the perfect size to fit my journal, iPad, sunglasses, and pretty much anything else.  It's also extremely versatile.  I have worn it with everything from jeans and a t-shirt, to heels and leather pants.  Love!



I have to admit, when I left the house I was channeling St. Laurent Paris from their SS '13 runway.  Because of the hat, black blazer/white shirt/black pants combo.  Not giving myself that much credit.  Although a bow would have really completed the look.  This H&M hat is really amazing, I always throw it on to feel a little more bad-ass, or if I'm hiding second day hair.  These Forever 21 booties are perfect for the Minnesota weather.  With all the snow and salt, I won't be upset if they get ruined because they were dirt cheap.


Hat: H&M
Shirt: Zara
Blazer: Lush
Watch: Fossil
Bag: Zara
Shiny Leggings: Romeo & Juliet
Shoes: Forever 21

 ...and one because I can't take myself too seriously...




Tuesday, March 5, 2013

My (Almost) Everyday Wrist Candy

My go-to accessory for just about every day is my Michael Kors Oversized Runway Watch in gold, and Hermes Printed Enamel Bangle my mom got me for my birthday 2 years ago. If I leave the house with an empty set of arms I feel incomplete all day. The only exception for when I don't wear these two, is if I'm wearing silver instead. As a matter of fact, I'm so attached to my watch that although it's in serious need of repair, (cracked screen/scratches) I can't bring myself to send it in knowing I won't have it for at least three weeks. This is clearly an issue, so I'm in the market for another watch, that way I won't be lost while this baby is being fixed. My Hermes bangle is so special to me for so many reasons. It's a beautiful sentimental treasure that I know I'll always have. Best of all, it's pattern is so versatile it matches just about everything. Just thought I'd share these with you, since they're staple members of my stile!


Hermes Printed Enamel Bangle, Michael Kors Oversized Runway Watch

Sunday, March 3, 2013

First Outfit Post!

It's taking a lot of courage for me to get in front of a camera this winter. I am currently the palest I've ever been in my life, due to my decision to boycott tanning. And for the record, spray tanning scares me more than real tanning. Mark my words in 10 years they'll be telling us that gives you cancer too, all those chemicals seeping into your skin, no thanks! Getting back on track...it's kind of a struggle to take pictures when it's -5 degrees outside, you look like a vampire, and all you have is an iPhone camera, and its the 4S not even the 5 (woe is me). Here are pictures Dylan quickly snapped of two outfits from the two past weekends...


Last night we were meeting some friends at a local bar, so this was a nice balance of casual chic to compliment my mood. My favorite part was that my sweater was so warm I didn't have to bring a jacket! (Minnesota Problems).  Okay, and the shoes...OBSESSED.  They were my outfit inspiration, in other words I planned my outfit around the shoes.  Dylan calls this my "Cher Hair", but I think the straight hair compliments the simplicity of this outfit, it speaks for itself. Plus, waves would have been too much for a chunky sweater like this. It's important if you're going to hide yourself in some places, you hug yourself in others, and in this case straight hair helps frame my face.

Lipstick: Sephora Rouge "1st Night"
Sweater: DKNYpure (Mom's from the 90's)
Long Sleeve High-Low Shirt: Zara
Clutch: Zara (Get it here:Basic Messenger Bag)
(P.S. This bag was my look for less based on:Marie Turnor Lunch Clutch)
Watch: Michael Kors
Bangles: Hermes, Forever 21
Shiny Leggings: Romeo & Juliet (old)
Shoes: Boutique 9 (get them here: NM Last Call)



Next time I'll try getting better pictures of my accessories...I was so happy to get any pictures that I raced right out the door.  I kept my makeup simple with a more delicate smokey eye, and a berry pink lipstick for a pop of color.



This outfit was from last Friday. Once a year, Dylan's classmates perform a law parody musical. It's the go-to event for all members of the law school, and I was blown away at some of the talent that these law students had! For this outfit, I didn't have much time to get ready, so unfortunately my hair is lacking (that's what happens when you work until 5 and have to be somewhere at 6). The twin set is making a comeback, so I chose this blazer and peplum shirt for a more modern take on it. I was very lucky that the colors were almost exact, with the exception of the blazer being a little more blurple. This peplum shirt was a great find for me, since I have a shorter torso this shape usually doesn't flatter, but this particular shirt is called a "low-rise" peplum, perfect for women with a similar problem! Since we were going downtown to a well-known theatre, I of course needed to jazz things up a bit with these amazing winter-white faux leather pants!

Blazer: H&M
Peplum Shirt: Francesca's Collections
Faux Leather Pants in Winter White: H&M
Nude Studded Platforms: Steve Madden
Clutch: Zara (see above!)
Necklace: Forever 21 (get it here: F21Necklace)
Watch: Michael Kors
Bangle: Hermes

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