Ewok Chic

| Earrings & Necklace - Gifts | Similar Earrings | Similar Necklace | Cami - Kohl's | Similar | Blouse & Vest - TJMaxx | Similar Blouse | Similar Vest | Bracelets - Alex & Ani | Similar | Skirt - Loft | Similar | Boots - Old Navy | Similar |

I've had a fur vest on my wish list for a while.  When I found this one at TJMaxx for $20 I knew I had to get it (even though I was TRYING not to shop for myself... I swear!).  It's super out of my comfort zone to wear fur, but I need to start taking risks, and I'm not disappointed by the result.  Even some of the men from my office complimented me on it.

Is there something you've been wishing to purchase, but are afraid to wear?

Also: you'll notice I've kind of toned back on the blogging - don't worry!  This won't be the normal.  Unfortunately, since before Thanksgiving, I will not be spending both nights of my weekend at my house until New Years - I'm CRAZY busy.  On top of the normal holiday craziness, I have four birthdays (Dad, Mom, Brother & Boyfriend) around the holidays so this is a crazy busy shopping for not me time.  AND I'm going up to Manhattan next weekend for work so it never ends!

I'll return after the holidays with a more consistent blogging schedule - and I promise to get to all of your blogs at some point... it just may take a couple of days more than usual.  <3 all="" p="" you="">

Ocean Tulle

| Sweater, Necklace & Booties - Target | Similar Sweater | Similar Necklace | Similar Booties | Skirt - Lauren Conrad for Kohl's | Similar | Earrings - Charlotte Russe | Similar | Bracelet - J.Crew Factory | Similar |

I hit the beach when I got to Delaware - ta da!  Very cold, very pretty!  There's something about the beach that is just so calming and comforting to me, no matter what time of year.  There were surprisingly a lot of people on the beach, too, so I guess I'm not alone.

When I saw Lauren Conrad post this skirt, I knew I must have it!  I have been dying for a tulle skirt, preferably a midi one, but I've also had a shorter one on my list and I knew this was the one - especially for the price!  I felt like a ballerina all day, and enjoyed twirling and swaying to and fro all day long.

Did you all have nice holidays?  What did you wear?

Falling in Love with Fall

| Sweater, Socks, and Bangles - Target | Similar Sweater | Similar Socks | Similar Bangles | Skirt - Loft | Similar | Boots - Old Navy | Similar | Earrings - Gift | Similar |

Boyfriend really wanted the last picture to make the cut.  I feel super British in this outfit.  And that is a wonderful thing.  I'm pretty sure I need to go to a fox hunt and drink some Earl Grey and go by the name Lady Sissy of Lancashire or something.  

Point is, this outfit is my perfect fall outfit and I love it.  Tweed, riding boots, and light, soft sweaters speak fall to me.  What speaks fall to you?

Puffer Fish

| Coat - Michael Kors at TJMaxx | Similar | Ring & Jeans - Old Navy | Similar Ring | Similar Jeans | Plaid Shirt - New Look | Similar | Booties - Target | Similar | 

I learned my mistake last year.  I haven't had a proper winter coat since my mom stopped buying them for me and after last year's winter, I learned that sometimes, you can be cute as a snow bunny.

So right at the top of my must-have list for this winter was a puffy coat.  One of my best friends had the North Face option that I was looking at and always seemed so cozy.  But when I saw this MK option at the Maxx, I knew I was in a lucky situation.  Sure, it wasn't North Face nor was it black, but who doesn't like navy (my favorite color)?

I didn't know how I felt about the hood - especially with the fur.  I wanted something simple.  But my boyfriend, who spent his college years in Chicago, assured me that I would love it and be glad I went this route.  

So I've learned - cover your butt.  Don't worry about look like the Michelin man.  Embrace the fur around your face.  Enjoy your hood.  Use those pockets.

I'm actually a little excited for winter...

Do you have items of clothing where you prefer comfort over cuteness?

Printed Pants

| Glasses - Warby Parker | Similar | Blazer - New Look | Similar | Top - JC Penney | Similar | Cami - Target | Similar | Necklace - Charlotte Russe | Similar | Pants - Old Navy | Similar | Shoes - DSW | Similar |

I promise one day I'll stop wearing my glasses... but it's so much easier to wear them!

So I am afraid of prints.  But I decided to swallow my pride (or fear) and get a pair.  I stuck with black and white (safe) and went the pant route since I tend to be more boring in that department (I remember when I bought mint jeans, I thought I was wild).

I think the secret to wearing prints is going basic elsewhere.  Now, I seriously appreciate all of the bloggers out there who mix prints.  You are my idols.  But I look like a major fool when I do it.  So I'm starting out slow.  

Also - this necklace was a Halloween costume purchase that I loveeeeee.  My friend and I found some awesome headbands at Charlotte Russe and decided to go all out and be flappers (we love the 20s).  When I saw this necklace I knew I had to have it.  Who knew Charlotte Russe would deliver? 

Hand Me Downs

| Dress, Necklace & Booties - Target | Similar Dress | Similar Necklace | Similar Booties | Sweater - Banana Republic | Similar | 

Let me start by saying, I wanted to wear this outfit with black knee-high boots.

I don't have black knee-high boots and this outfit is mocking me. 

But alas, I'm trying to make a point here.  One of my favorite people in the world decided to go through her closet and give me some of her clothes.  Now, she's a naturally generous person, but I don't know how someone can give away clothes - except I kind of can.  You know that shirt that you purchased on a whim and were like "no way, I'm not trying just this shirt on... it'll fit" and then it didn't?  Yeah, you don't wear it... what are you going to do with it?  You have some options:

A) Keep it and never wear it.  Hi, Hoarders is calling.

B) Consign it... except you've already tried that and it didn't sell within the 9 week time-frame.

C) Donate to Goodwill - Great cause!  Total option... but...

What if your friend wants it?

I'm not saying don't give to Goodwill (or your other local charity thrift store).  I make a point to give up clothing at least twice a year (sometimes more) because I'm SO super fortunate, and I need to give up some of my material possessions for the greater good.

But... to save money and kick that "must go shopping" habit for a couple of weeks, have a clothing swap!  My dear friend gave me this AWESOME wool sweater - BRAND NEW and I love it.

I'm usually freezing at work - not today!

Get over the stigma of hand me downs.  They're fabulous.  And sometimes, you may try something you normally wouldn't but continue to try because you just love that friend.  I know this because this said friend loves jewel tones (I'm afraid of them) and she gave me a couple jewel toned shirts.  Every time I wear them, I think about her and it makes me happy because I live an hour and a half away from her and don't see her often.  It's like a token of friendship right there.

Hand me downs are great.

In other news:

HAPPY WEEKEND/HALLOWEEN!

Camel

| Jacket - Old Navy | Similar | Headband - J.Crew Factory | Similar | Sweater - Forever 21 | Similar | Chambray Top, Jeans, & Booties - Target | Similar Top | Similar Jeans | Similar Booties | 

I've been wanting to copy this outfit for a while and when I saw this coat I knew I was ready.  Camel is huge in the fall and I love it.  For some reason it seems so clean and chic to me.  It's warm (unless you plan to wear it during a winter like last) and not too fancy.  It's the Goldilocks of coats.  

Do you have outfits you see on Pinterest that you like to copy?

Source

Fall is here

| Glasses - Warby Parker | Similar | Button Down - Gap | Similar | Sweater - Old Navy | Similar | Skirt - Clothes Vine Boutique | Similar | Bracelet & Booties - Target | Similar Bracelet | Similar Booties | 

I'm so excited about this skirt and sweater.  Both have been on my list for a while.  The skirt has this awesome and sexy zipper in the back and I love it!  Plus, a good cableknit was on my list for this year and I found it!  It has a slight turtleneck but you can turn it down (for what? haha) and I like the butt flap.  I haven't purchased new jeans that fit yet, so I plumber-butt often - this will be nice to have meanwhile...

In other news, have you ever had a cold that went away...... exccceeepppttt you're still kind of coughing and blowing your nose more often than normal?  Yeah, I'm there.  So annoying!  I guess that was fall's welcome to me!

Motorcross

| Jacket - The Limited | Similar | Top - TJMaxx | Similar | Cami, Jeans & Booties - Target | Similar Cami | Similar Jeans | Similar Booties | Glasses - Warby Parker | Similar | 

This outfit is super comfy, even if it looks badass.  The shirt is soft, the jeans are more like leggings, and the booties are well-padded and tend to be warm and easy to walk in.  The jacket isn't stiff either so I was super happy the day I wore this to work (one of seven people in the office - womp).

Since I stare at spreadsheets on the regular - about 7 of my 8 hours - I prefer wearing my specs for my poor eyes.  A lot of my outfits don't look wonderful with them (just the color and style) but this one fits the bill.

I feel like I should be on Sons of Anarchy.  I say this with absolutely no prior knowledge aside for finding Charlie Hunnam delectable.  And scene.

Cobalt

| Shirt - Old Navy | Similar | Sweater - Target | Similar | Necklace - Charming Charlie's | Similar | Pants - The Loft | Similar | Shoes - DSW | Similar | 

I told you I was ready and willing to accept fall.  Well, I am... but can I continue to wear bright colors, please?  When I saw this sweater at Target, I knew I had to have it - that color is a color of fall!  I love the brightness of it and I love my other sweaters like this.  Unlike many items I buy from Target (cardigans, for example) they stay soft after multiple washes.  I love them.  They're comfy & don't break the bank and are awesome for layering.  Point - buy one now.  You won't regret it!

BBQ Style

I'm not a big meat eater, but if you cook it on a grill, there's a good chance I'll at least try it.  I love summer for so many reasons, but a big one is cooking out on the grill.  I could make grilled anything - especially lettuce - every day!

Since sitting out by the barby is one of my favorite evening activities (as long as there is a beverage in my hand), I take great interest in what I wear - it must be comfortable since I'm in the heat, by the heat, and sitting outside.  But I also need to look cute for all of the instagram pics - duh!

Here are three BBQ outfit options:

[Dress - Joe Fresh; Hat - Shop Lately; Cuff - Love Stylize; Bag - Warehouse; Flip Flops - Yosi Samra]

[Sunnies - Ray Ban c/o Singer22; Sandals - Payless; Top - Sosie; Skirt - Nasty Gal; Necklace - Kenneth Jay Lane c/o The Outnet]

[Necklace - Neiman Marcus Last Call; Top - Ralph Lauren, Clutch - Henri Bendel; Shorts - Catch Bliss Boutique; Wedges - Lori's of Chicago]

Anchor Splash

[T-Shirt & Cami - Target; Blazer - J.Crew Factory; Scarf - Charming Charlie; Jeans - American Eagle; TopSiders - Bass]

One of the positives of not being in college any more is being able to wear anchors.  Weird, you may think?  Well, not only do I love anchors and all things nautical, but I also love blue and pink as a combo - which are the colors and symbols of the Delta Gamma [DG] sorority - not my sorority.  Unfortunately, lions are not as common in fashion as anchors, but never fear, I can wear my oceanographer desires!  I love dressing like I'm going on to the yacht for the day.  It's definitely my favorite look when I want to be super comfortable and casual but need to go out in public.  Boat shoes all the way!

Is there a specific look or style that you tend to gravitate towards?

Modern Grecian Goddess

[Maxi Dress & Wedges - TJMaxx; Jacket - Target; Scarf - Nine West]

I loveeee this Maxi Dress.  It's strapless and tasteful and makes me feel like a Greek Goddess.  I'm definitely picking up on this fashion craze.  It's just so comfortable!  Also some wonderful things about this outfit - the jean jacket is from the girl's section in Target.  I love it!  It fits so much better than the woman's jacket, so why not?  And this scarf was a birthday gift from my boss - she has excellent taste!

On a sad note, my legs are so white, it looks like I'm wearing white tights.  Oh dear.  Self-tanner, we have some serious work to do.

Stray Hair

[Top - Express; Blazer - Kohl's; Skirt - Gap; Boots - Target; Clutch - Strawberry; Bracelet - Forever21]

As I type this post, boyfriend is making me watch a scary movie.  It's something with an elevator and M. Night Shamaylan.  I'm just trying to find things to distract me (I'm glad I got to keep the light on though) because I'm the biggest baby on earth.  I blame The Ring.  It was horrible and scared me half to death.  I also have never watched all of The Sixth Sense because I know what happens and I just can't handle it.  Ahhhhhh... SCARY!