look i'm loving:: floral jeans

I'm channeling my inner Kelly Kapowski here. I don't know about you, but between her adorable on-again-off-again boyfriend, Zack Morris, and her equally adorable, colorful 90s wardrobe, I pretty much wanted to be Kelly (really, did any girl from the ages of 10-15 not want to be Kelly during Saved by the Bell's run?).

But now, true to its cyclical nature, fashion has come back around to some of those 90s styles I rocked as a tween and teen. This time though, while I may delve into floral jeans territory, I still plan to leave the sky-scraping, hair-sprayed-up-to-there bangs firmly anchored in the past (where they belong).


Shop:: Floral Print Skinny Jean, Delias | LC Lauren Conrad Pointelle Chiffon Cardigan, Kohl's | Vintage Cotton V-neck Tee, J.Crew | Millie Necklace, Stella & Dot | La Mer Collections Turquoise Crystal Chain Wrap Watch, ShopBop | Denim Dreams Artisan Bracelet by Bling, Glamour, & Glitz, Etsy.com | Martina Patent Wedges, J.Crew




Shop:: Current/Elliott Floral Stiletto Jeans, ShopBop | Slub Knit Drop-Shoulder Sweater, Gap | Berhta Flats, Nine West | Mixed Brass Lariat, Bauble Bar | LC Lauren Conrad Gold-Tone Simulated Crystal Filigree Ring, Kohl's | Heidi Clutch, Deux Lux

line i'm loving:: lc lauren conrad

I'm not normally a Kohl's shopper, but the LC Lauren Conrad line has sucked me in! It reminds me a lot of other higher end lines that I like, like See by Chloe and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, and of course, Paper Crown, which is Lauren's contemporary line. I adore the LC Lauren Conrad blazers and have nearly all of them (some styles I have in multiple colors, too).

As for prices, I find them to be pretty reasonable as well. My only complaint is that there are more synthetic fabrics used than I'd normally like (polyester instead of silk, acrylic instead of cotton, etc.), but given the price points, I understand that. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the recent collection:


Necklace: Silvertone Simulated Crystal Necklace | Sweater: Lurex Open-Work Sweater | Blouse: Solid Pleated Top | Pants: Pleated Trouser Pants | Ring: Silvertone Simulated Crystal Flower Ring | Bracelets: Tri-Tone Simulated Crystal Cuff Bracelet Set | Blazer: Ruched Boyfriend Blazer | Dress: Floral Shirred Dress

Does anyone else love this line?

weekend wishes: peaches and green

We've had an unseasonably warm winter so far this year, which means spring fever is hitting me even earlier. And what combination is more spring-like than grassy green and petal peach?

1- Stella watch in rose gold, Fossil / 2- Kelly Glam Collar, Bauble Bar / 3- Cabana Dress, Madewell / 4- Pretty Edgy Nail Polish in Vivid Palmetto Green, Essie / 5- Nuance Salma Hayek Cucumber & Rosewater Dual Phase Makeup Remover, CVS / 6- Martina Suede Wedges, JCrew / 7- Felix Weekender Duffel, Deux Lux

oh, autumn!

After a fun-filled summer of beerfests, baseball games, and the beach, I'm excited for all things autumn- pumpkin ale, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin lasagna (really anything pumpkin), and crisp evenings, cozy sweaters, Sunday afternoons watching football and cooking something tasty in the crock pot, and of course, all of the fabulous fall fashion.

Late summer into fall is easily my favorite time of the year, when balmy August nights start to give way to cool September evenings. I can trade in my flip flops and sundresses for ballet flats and long-sleeved silky tops, and generally don't have to worry about being a sweaty mess by the time we walk to our destination. And while it may be Spring 2012 in New York right now, I'm all about Autumn 2011. I haven't really done any serious shopping for the past few seasons, but this year, I'm really excited about some of the fall fashions. That, and I think my taste has changed a bit over the past few years, from a little twee and ruffly to a little more modern and edgy.

So, here are a few things I'm craving for fall (besides everything pumpkin):

{Shop}:: Marlie Sweater, Abercrombie & Fitch; Clara Skirt, Abercrombie & Fitch; Hammered Sequin Tank by Vince, PiperLime; Druzy Quartz and Chrysophrase Earrings by NYC Jewelry Design; Stella Plated Stainless Steel Watch in Gold, Fossil; Svetlana Bracelet, Dannijo; Tight-End Tights in Black, Spanx; Seychelles Theory Boots, Zappos


{Shop}:: Christina Skirt, Abercrombie & Fitch; LC Lauren Conrad Ruched Open-Front Boyfriend Blazer, Kohl's; Silk Layering Cami, J.Crew; Greer Wedge Ankle Boots; Bekah Necklace, Dannijo; Amelie Leather Clutch by Ira Grant; Spanx Tight-End Tights in Bittersweet

outfitted:: white and breezy

This gorgeous dress has been hanging in my closet for two summers now and this is the first time I've worn it. Not because I don't love it, but because I often find it not-quite-appropriate for whatever event I may have considered wearing.

But last Saturday was Mr. DU's birthday and we had reservations at Checkers downtown, and I figured that was as good as an occasion as any to rip off the tags. And so, I did.




{What I'm Wearing}:: Dress, Banana Republic; Espadrilles, Seychelles (circa, 2008); Jewelry, Sun Sugar Studio

PS - Sorry for going MIA last week. I've been a little busy with work and I was also enjoying my last week before the new semester starts. I can't promise I'll be posting every day, but I will try to get at least a few posts a week. I did buy a new laptop, which I'm hoping will help motivate me. I'd much rather veg out on my couch with a laptop in the evening rather than sitting at my desk at home for another few hours after sitting at a desk at work all day.

outfitted:: casual saturday

Quick outfit post today. And for once, it's actually what I'm wearing today (at least for the morning/afternoon). Today is Mr. DU's birthday and we're heading to one of our favorite restaurants tonight where ratty, cutoff jean shorts are not appropriate attire.

But this morning, we just grabbed a quick breakfast at a local cafe, so really all I needed to be was semi-presentable. I think I succeeded, no?

Happy weekend!


{What I'm Wearing}:: denim shorts, Forever21 from last year, I think; t-shirt: j.crew outlet; hoodie, alternative apparel (bought from local shop tellus360); shoes and bracelet, target; sunglasses, lc lauren conrad

outfitted:: red, olive, and butterflies

 I got beat up at the beach last week. No, not in a bar fight or anything that could have resulted in jail time. No, no. I got beat up by the ocean. Specifically, by a really big wave. And while I was crouching under the water trying to pull up my swimsuit bottoms, which I nearly lost in my fight with said wave, another wave pummeled me and tried to steal my swimsuit top.  It's a good thing my embarrassment threshold is fairly high, otherwise I may have run right off the beach crying in humiliation. After I pulled up my bottoms and re-situated my top, of course.   {Shop}:: red cropped jeans, lc by lauren conrad at kohl's; top: o'neill from a surf shop at the beach; cardigan: j.crew outlet; shoes: dolce vita for target; necklace: j.crew outlet; bracelets: madewell and j.crew outlet  PS- I'm participating in the Color Brigade with this outfit. Color Brigade is hosted by Kileen of Cute and Little. Visit her blog to check out the other entries.  PPS- Excuse my slowness on the uptake with getting back into the blogging groove. My sunbleached brain is still halfway in vacation mode and I have to use the precious non-vacation brain moments at the day job.

outfitted:: cropped, slouchy, and time to celebrate

As you read this, I am en route to the beach (or quite possibly, on the beach). Today is my birthday and I'm a firm believer that birthdays should be celebrated at the beach. With a mojito in one hand and a mojito in the other. Oh. Whatever, I like mojitos. And they are perfect for celebrating things like final project for grad school class completed, second week at new job survived, and of course, a shiny new year. And as you probably guessed, I didn't wear this outfit today. I'm probably wearing something more like this. But I did wear this little getup to work earlier this week, and I have to say, I was pretty thrilled that that leopard print belt, which used to barely fit my waist when I belted a cardigan now sits quite comfortably on my hip bones. Finally, all of this working out is paying off! It's a good thing, too, because my little beach trip also requires wearing a swimsuit.

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{Shop}:: cropped pants: the limited, super old; top: thrifted; shoes: loft, super old; necklace: forever21, super old; bracelets: j.crew, last season, sun sugar studio

outfitted:: purple ruffles and cargos (and the blond debut)

So, here it is everyone. The blond debut. And it's straight, too, thanks to my awesome stylist, Jenn at Trim Salon, who battled with my hair for a good 30 (maybe more??) minutes, armed only with a brush and a blowdryer. Sadly, while I do have similar weapons, I do not have the patience or the skills to straighten my hair like Jenn does, so my wild and wavy hair has been back to doing its wild and wavy thing for the past several days now. And I'm left with only these pictures as a reminder of the short-lived but happy times my straight hair and I had together.

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{Shop}:: top, lc by lauren conrad, kohl's (purple not available online- check the brick and mortar store); cargos, american eagle (older than dirt); earrings: old and not a clue where I got them; bracelet: sun sugar studio; sandals: madewell silverlake sandal

outfitted:: peach and red

I wore this outfit last week to go fill out all of the paperwork for my new job. Said paperwork also required a drug test. Every time I have to take a drug test, or even hear the words drug test, the following incident I recently witnessed at a nearby pharmacy will forever come to mind:

Irate customer storms up to pharmacist.
Pharmacist: "Can I help you, sir?"
Customer, waves a paper wildly in pharmacist's face, points to it, and says: "I want to know why THIS [prescription] drug didn't show up on my drug test, but COCAINE DID!"
Pharmacist:  (Blink. Blink.)

Clearly (and shockingly), this customer has never had to take a drug test before.

Also, this is the last post where you'll see my non-blond hair (well, my non-light blond hair, since I guess this is still sort of dark blond).

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Shop:: top, loft (last season); skinny red jeans, lc by lauren conrad at kohl's; earrings: sun sugar studio; bracelet: j. crew; shoes: aerosoles (several seasons ago)

outfitted:: grey and white stripes

I think I'm quickly moving into "obsessed" territory with grey stripes as of late. I keep buying them and the items I have in my closet with grey and white stripes are in heavy rotation. I just picked up this dress and I think it's already earned a place as a closet front runner, sort of like this top and this top (both posted over on the DU Facebook page).

I never really used to like stripes of any color. At all. But for some reason, I'm loving them now. Maybe there's just change in the air. And who knows? Maybe I'll suddenly fall head over heels for polka dots soon, too.

PS- Just in case you're wondering, this was yesterday pre-blond hair adventure. Trust me. It's blond now.

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{Shop}:: dress: lc by lauren conrad, kohl's; sandals, target; jewelry: american eagle and sun sugar studio

outfitted:: blue flowers and boots

Looky, looky, two outfitted posts two days in a row. I'm on a role, you guys. Don't get used to it, though. I'm not that excited about getting out of my tank tops and knit shorts most days.

Full disclosure: I did not wear this outfit today. I wore it back in June when we were in LA. I didn't get an iPhone picture of it for the DU Facebook page, so here it is, making its debut on my blog. If I wore this in PA in June (or really any time between May and October), I probably would have melted into a sweat puddle because it's too hot and humid for more than one layer and anything other than the strappiest of strappy sandals or flip flops. We've discussed this before. And before that.

So anyway, did you ever notice that when you're a blogger, you scrutinize every moment of your life to see if it's proper fodder for your next blog post? No? Only me? Seriously own up to it, fellow bloggers, because you know it's true. Unfortunately for me (and you, readers), today I've got nothing. Except it's Friday! Go have a good weekend, everyone!

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{Shop}:: dress, madewell (summer 2010); denim jacket: old navy, circa 2000; boots, dolce vita (several seasons ago); earrings: sun sugar studio; bracelets: j.crew and sun sugar studio; scarf: h&m

outfitted:: ruffles and gladiators

I went to officially/legally change my name this morning. (Yes, it has been seven months since we got married and I'm just now getting around to changing my name- so?) So anyway, after visiting the Social Security office, I decided to go to the pet store to pick up some toys and other random dog necessities.

The route from point A to point B is fairly direct via the highway. That is, if you manage to take the right exits. Guess who did not take the right exits? Guess who also missed not only the first exit, but also the second and third ones? Yep. This girl. And I ended up on a 10 minute detour because of it. Never mind that I drive this highway all the time. From this, only one logical conclusion can be drawn: changing my name also made me a space cadet.

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{Shop}:: dress, madewell (similar); sandals, can't remember (similar); necklace: sun sugar studio; bracelets: AE and It's Me Mary (lots of options here)

outfitted:: everybody everywear- yellow

In case you haven't heard of Everybody Everywear, it's a monthly fashion blogger challenge and each month participants vote for a theme and then wear it on the designated day. July's theme? Yellow!

I don't really have much yellow in my closet. In fact, all of the yellow I have in my closet, you've already seen here and here, and now in this post. It's not that I don't like yellow. It's that yellow doesn't really like me. It's a pretty one-sided relationship and yellow is holding all the cards. Unless I'm really tan, which rarely happens since I'm not out catching rays all that often, yellow sucks the color right out of me and suddenly, I'm Casper's even paler twin. Not pretty, people. And so, I wear yellow in small doses as an accent or far, far away from my face.

Anyone else feel this way about yellow?

Click this button to see the rest of the Everybody Everywear yellow wearers:

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{Shop}:: dress: h&M; vest: target; shoes: target; necklace: madewell; bracelets: charlotte russe, j.crew, sun sugar studio
All items are from seasons long passed. Shopping bans have a way of forcing one to wear what's already in their closet, so nothing new or current to share with you. Fingers crossed this shopping ban will be over soon. Because I really, really want some of those Madewell dresses.

currently loving (and styled):: colorful summer dresses from madewell

Summers in Pennsylvania are hot, humid, and sticky, and definitely not good for my hair. But they are the perfect excuse to stock up on silky, lightweight, colorful dresses (because really, that's about all I can stand to wear around these-here parts during the summer months; anything else and I feel like I'm suffocating).

And I'm loving all the cute dresses at Madewell right now (as usual). Even better- these are dressy enough to wear out at night but easy enough to dress down with a pair of cute flat sandals during the day (like I styled my favorite dress- the purple one!- below):



PS- You can see how I styled the pink dress for a guest post over at my friend Brandi's blog.

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{Shop}:: (dresses clockwise from top left) floral croquet dress;  silk safari dress;  midsummer dress;  shadyside smock dress;  electric ikat silk dress;  silk ballad dress;   market tank dress;  silk speakeasy dress

speakeasy dress, day: fringed bag, american eagle outfitters; long links necklace, anthropologie; whistlestop sandal, madewell

speakeasy dress, night: peacock clutch by mermaid's dream; via spiga elyria sandals, piperlime; eddie borgo at j.Crew fringed mesh pocket necklace; classic pave link bracelet, j.crew

what to wear:: 4th of july picnic

Usually I'm a dress girl, but this summer I'm loving shorts. I haven't loved shorts since high school, but for some reason, this season's batch is just so cute and versatile. You can dress them up or dress them down, and they're perfect for a weekend's worth of 4th of July festivities. If I wasn't on a shopping ban, I would have snapped up every last piece from the outfits below for the plethora of events I have to attend this weekend (three today, two tomorrow, Monday activities pending). Do you have any fun plans for this weekend?


{Shop}:: top: angel lace sleeve top, planet blue; shorts: flounced silk shorts, anthropologie; shoes: bridgewalk sandal, madewell; sunglasses: LC lauren conrad textured round sunglasses, kohl's; earrings: david aubrey jade turquoise earrings, south moon under; bag: backyard binocular, madewell; bracelet: vintage rhinestone friendship bracelet by essentia


{Shop}:: top: jane, abercrombie & fitch; cardigan: herd geometry cardi, anthropologie; shorts: glitter hem shortie, american eagle; hat: park bench fedora, madewell; necklace: diving deeply necklace by dk jewels; bracelet: multichain brass howlite bracelet by bead blossom; shoes: collected lights sandals, anthropologie

outfitted:: mustard, pink, and bronze

I've been meaning to participate in Kileen's (of Cute and Little) Color Brigade challenge for a while, but just haven't gotten around to it. I've also been meaning to take the tags off of this skirt and find things to wear with it. Consider both goals complete.

I've actually had this skirt for a few years (I picked it up on clearance), but I've never actually worn it. This is definitely not typical of me to purchase things and leave them hanging in my closet with the tags on; usually, I'm ripping off the tags and wearing my fresh purchases out the very same day. But something about this skirt stumped me. I love the color and I love lace, but it just isn't super practical for my lifestyle. I couldn't wear it to work and I just never bothered to wear it out.

For the Color Brigade challenge, I thought pairing it with an unexpected color like pink would be fun (plus some sparkly bronze shoes and a touch of aqua in my earrings). And now I'm on a mission to find other ways to wear it (be on the lookout for a blog post about that).

In the meantime, hope on over to Kileen's blog and check out the other members of Color Brigade Vol. 25. Also, feel free to "like" my outfit on her blog- the Color Brigade participant who gets the most votes gets featured next week on Kileen's blog.

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{Shop}::
top: old/no tags; skirt: rodarte for target collection (on ebay); shoes: old (similar- thinking of buying these for myself since mine are starting to wear out!); bracelets: j. crew, charlotte russe, h&m; earrings: sun sugar studio, my jewelry line (these are one-of-a-kind but contact me for something similar!)

Shirt previously worn here.

outfitted:: rosettes and cargos (and some beagles)

I know I've been light on the outfit posts recently, but do you all really want to see my t-shirts and ratty old cargo shorts that I wear most days around my house? Didn't think so.

Yesterday, I managed to dress up a little (sort of kind of) to head out to Home Depot for some paint. Mr. DU and I are in "designed to rent" mode for our house (can't say much more than that at this point, but I'll keep you posted!). But what it means for the house is that my decorating plans of wallpapering and updating living room/dining room with new furniture are on hold right now. I'm working with what we have, and I'll try to post my new inspiration board later this week.

And since we haven't had a Beagle Mania Monday in a while, here's a picture of Lucy and Meadow trying to get in on the outfitted photography action (and me with a ridiculous look on my face).

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{Shop}::
top: urban outfitters (from 2008), similar; cardigan: abercrombie & fitch (really old, similar; cargo capris: amercian eagle (really old- maybe 2004?), similar; sandals: antik batik via anthropologie (2009); bracelet: madewell; headband: charlotte russe; necklace: american eagle

shopping list:: la vacation

In just over a month, I'll be packing my bags and leaving on a jet plane for sunny LA. It's been over a year since I've been to California, so I'm ridiculously excited. And of course, I need some new wardrobe stuffs (mostly because I want some and partially because a lot of my clothes are starting to get too big- big yay!). I'm always cold when I visit California, so lightweight cargo pants, a breezy striped top, and a versatile cardi are a must. As for the shoes and jewelry, well...a girl can never have enough of those, right?

{Shop} fig.1: russet shore bracelet by seashore glass, fig.2: perfect storm boro lampwork glass ring by the venerable bead, fig.3: mooring line top, anthropologie, fig.4: bronze curator cardigan, madewell, fig.5:XL stella rose gold silver dial watch, fossil, fig.6: the whistlestop sandal, madewell, fig.7: christa cargo pants, abercrombie & fitch

shopping list:: weekend casual from american eagle

So earlier this week, we discussed how I fail at weekend casual looks but I managed find a super cute ruffled sweatshirt and actually look pulled together for once. I went out with a blaze of glory in that one because this weekend, I'm back to my total fail of a hoodie and pj pants. Hey, the only things I have to do today involve thesis proposals and taxes. Don't be jealous.

Besides, this week was so horrendously horrible, I don't think I even have the energy to do more than lift the coffee cup to my mouth at the moment. Totally wiped out. I hate weeks like that. So really, big fat YAY for the weekend. Too bad I'm already dreading Monday and it's barely even Saturday afternoon.

But enough of the pity party and back to a much more important topic- finding decently cute but casual weekend gear.

I'm often leery of American Eagle because I fear if I wear their clothes I'll look like a sorority girl trying way too hard to relive the glory days, but D and I stopped in at the store last weekend because he needed some pants (because apparently guys can shop there at any age and be just fine) and I found myself oddly drawn to a lot of the womens clothing.

Never mind that the sales associate (who probably is currently in her glory days as a sorority girl) called me "ma'am." (Does anyone else who is clearly not in "ma'am" territory despise being called that? I know it's not just me here, people.)

Thankfully, I can avoid the store and the whole "ma'am" experience by happily pointing and clicking my mouse (apparently, I've also got the energy right now to do that). A few of my picks below:


top row: aerie slouchy slub cardi, ae floaty print cami
middle row: ae boyfriend plaid shirt, ae casual cropped popover
bottom row: ae dot tunic, ae floral tunic


top row: ae utility midi short, ae slouchy skinny military pant
bottom row: ae boyfriend fit chino, ae peasant skirt

So really, who else hates "ma'am"? And does anyone over the age of 25 ever stop in at AE and buy clothes?