Sequin Floral Party Pants

Collection Cafe Capri in Embellished Floral - $795 from J.Crew

Well, J.Crew has done it again and made me want to spend more than one month's rent on a pair of pants... While I certainly could not do that, the 25% sale (along with the $50 gift card I still have from Christmas) has me contemplating buying this blouse and just about everything from the jewelry page. I guess if I had to pick just one piece I would pick this necklace (or this, or this, or this one...). The party pants department is pretty lust-worthy as well... Sigh.

love the little sequin flowers!

Heavy Heart

I feel as though I cannot go on posting about fashion and shopping without recognizing how trivial those things seem at a time like this. I am deeply saddened by the horrible events yesterday that occurred in my hometown of Boston. This tragedy hits especially close to home, but I find solace in knowing how many people came together and continue to come together to help those affected by the disaster. I am always in awe of all the people who rush to help those in need in horrific events such as this, especially because they completely disregard their own safety to help others. First responders, surgeons, nurses, law enforcement, volunteers, everyone who helps - they all can never be thanked enough. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, and anyone else who is affected. My heart will be heavy for many days and weeks to come.

Floral and Leopard

Blazer: Ann Taylor Loft, T-Shirt: Gap, Jeans: Paige via Nordtrom Rack, Bag: Forever 21, Shoes: Aerosoles via Lord & Taylor (sale), Lipstick: M.A.C Candy Yum-Yum

I did it. I broke my shopping fast and bought the Loft blazer I've been eyeing for awhile. I couldn't resist when I walked in the store and it was even cheaper than it was online... and I have no regrets. I've worn it with printed pants, a black peplum top, black pants, a coral top - the possibilities seem endless. Here I pair it with my favorite closet staples: a white tee, jeans, and leopard shoes (a girl can never own too many pairs of leopard shoes). Sometimes the simplest outfits are the best - complete with lipstick, of course.

Zara Crushes

Zara Zara Zara, you always make me want to spend my money on you. Fortunately, most of the pieces are affordable and good quality. Unfortunately, I always want so many items that it ends up not being a budget-friendly place to shop. Below are some items I have my eye on for spring/summer:

 

 

COMBINATION JACQUARD TOP $79.90

A splurge (for me) for a shirt, but I am a sucker for white tops, a sparkle embellishment, textured fabric, and a structured design.

 

 

CULOTTE SHORTS $49.90

 Zara is KILLING it with their shorts right now. The pair above would be so chic to wear on a summer night out with either a graphic t-shirt/statement necklace, a white collared button-down, or a feminine top. Also loving this black and white pair, these leather-look, and these floral silk.

 

MID-HEEL SANDALS WITH ANKLE STRAP $49.90

 

I recently Instagramed a pair of Michael Kors heels that looked identical to the ones above, only they were much more expensive ($129.99 at TJMaxx). I love the simplicity of the straps, and the fact that I would actually be able to walk in them (heel height measuring just under 3 inches, my personal, realistic max). They'd look great with the Culotte Shorts too...

 

 

METALLIC CLUTCH BAG $35.90

 

I'm a sucker for clutches, even though I am always afraid I will lose them on a night out. This one has a wrist strap which would prevent it from slipping out from under my arm while dancing, sipping a drink, or reading a book... The metallic is modern without being too "out-there," it would go with everything, it's big enough to fit all of the necessities, and it's only $35! What more could a girl ask for?

 

Now the question is, how will I decide?!

 

THE Summer Sandal

This Sam Edelman "Trina" Sandal is currently the top shoe I am coveting for summer. You can't go wrong with a simple, leather sandal and I love this current version with its short, chunky, gold heel. 

While it is a "splurge" item, I believe it would be well worth the investment as I would be able to wear them every single day, dressed up or dressed down. The hardest decision is which color to choose!

Sam Eldeman Trina Sandal, $100 at Nordstrom, Zappos, Piperlime

images 

I envision the "whiskey" brown or nude/yellow pair with a chambray top and pastel scalloped shorts for a simple summer look:

Chambray Shirt $69.50 via Madewell (worth the investment), Scalloped Shorts $17.80 via Forever 21

Spring Party Blazer

 

LOFT Blazer: Was $98, on sale for $89.99 (+40% off = $53.99) 

I've been stalking this blazer for awhile now, and am thinking I might have to make it mine soon as the price keeps going down (see, stalking can be a good thing). It'd be the perfect almost-spring pick me up (so sick of winter!). What makes it such a great piece is that you can wear it so many ways - with an LBD, jeans, or a pop of leopard print. Pair it with one of the biggest trends of the season - bold black and white stripes (like this tee, this dress, or this tank dress) - for a super chic look.

Trying Trends

 

Beanie & Camo Shirt: Primark (London); Tee: Gap (old), Jeans & Bag: Forever 21 (both recent); Sneakers: Target

 

Like I have mentioned previously, I'm obsessed with the beanie trend (now that winter is almost over... not the best timing, but also not sad about spring coming). So when I saw this neon pink beanie in London for just over $1, I had to have it. I'm also loving the camo trend, and the wedge sneaker trend - ok lots of trends. I think trends are great, but I make sure to keep a couple of things in mind when wearing them:

 

1. Buy trendy items on the cheap - check stores like Forever 21, H&M, Target, etc. No one (with the average wallet) wants to drop a ton of money on a piece that they don't like the following year.

 

2. Pair trendy items with classic pieces. In this outfit I wore basic jeans, a striped T (that I wear to death), and a classic black bag. Classic pieces are a better bang for your buck as you will wear them over and over again, season to season.

How do you wear trends?
 

Travel Uniform

Beanie: Gap, Jacket and Scarf: Zara (sale), Crab Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21, Purse: Kelsi Dagger via T.J. Maxx

I tried to dress both functionally and fashionably while sight seeing on my trip (stepping it up from my last European adventures four years ago where hooded sweatshirts and a North Face jacket were outfit staples). It was absolutely FREEZING in France so I opted to wear lots of layers. I pretty much stuck with the same uniform each day, except for swapping out the sweater/shirt underneath my jacket(s). I'm currently obsessed with the beanie trend - both warm and an easy hair fix! Thanks to my brother for photo-bombing my elevator selfie.

Change of Heart

Have you ever thought that something was really, hideously ugly, come to find a few months (or weeks) later you can't live without said item and need it in your life ASAP? This experience has happened to me many times over the course of my life (bell-bottom jeans in 5th grade and UGGs in high school, to name a couple and is how I currently feel about high-top and wedge sneakers. Many months ago, when I first saw wedge sneakers, I was like WTF?, but now I think they are hideously wonderful. I always look to Jules of Sincerely Jules for ideas on how to wear sneakers, as she always looks uber cool and even made Sambas look stylish (I used to wear them for Marching Band).

 

 

I can't stop thinking about these Michael Kors Glam Studded High Tops. Can I justify the $195 price tag for a pair of shoes I can only wear 2/7 days a week? Time will tell...

 

 

These Marc by Marc Jacobs Cutout Sneaker Wedges are just too cool. How functional they are or what socks (if any) you wear with them remain big questions in my mind, but the color is so me (the price? not so much).

 

 

 

While still a little pricey at $129, I obviously love these leopard print sneakers from Zara.

 

I ended up picking up this pair of MIA high top tops (in tan) for $29.99 from T.J.Maxx and these metallic wedge sneakers from Target (on sale in stores for $24.99!). I don't know if I will keep both, or hold out for those Michael Kors at the top... What do you think of the sneaker trend?

 

images: 1, 2, 3

 

Snaps from London

I recently returned from a wonderful ten day trip to London, Paris, and Bayeux, France with my family. We were visiting my sister who is studying abroad in London this semester. It was so much fun to have my entire family (all six of us!) together and explore Europe for the first time as a whole group. London holds a special place in my heart because I studied there four years ago. It honestly felt like no time had passed since then! Below are some of my favorite pictures from the first half of our trip.

I love the colorful buildings in Notting Hill 

My sister Bridget and I in front of Kensington Palace 

Signature vehicles 

In front of Tower Bridge at Sunset


Big Ben at day...

...and night

Hair Party

My little sister exclaimed "what's on your head?!" when she saw me sporting my hot pink feather pouf clip (first picture above). I've recently been obsessed with fun (read: girly and a little out-there) hair accessories. I contemplated buying this black pouf from Nordstrom, but could not bring myself to pull the trigger with it's $32 price tag. Luckily, a few weeks later I came across a much more affordable version at Michaels for only $2.99! It even had a little clip attached so the only DIY-ing required was giving it a little trim (yes, that is the trimmed version shown above). I bought one white and one hot pink feather clip (I was bummed there was no black, but I'm thinking about dyeing the white one to black) and plan to wear them as brooches and possibly shoe clips as well! In the second picture above, I'm wearing a glittery bow clip from the girls' section of Target. I highly recommend shopping in the girls' section of your favorite stores to find sparkly accessories (sometimes they seem to make the best stuff for kids!).

 Below I've rounded up some of my favorite hair accessories from around the web:

1. Powder Puff Clip: Nordstrom 2. Metallic Bow Clips: Forever 21 3. Glitter Bow Clip: Forever 21 4. Glitter Hair Ties: Anthropologie 5. Tulle Pouf Headband: Anthropologie 6. Pop Flower: ban.do 7. Feather Headband: ASOS 8. Mint Pouf: ban.do 9. Boom Boom Flower Comb: ban.do 10. Purple Glitter Bow: Claire's

Holiday Hot Pink

Sweater: Forever 21, Rhinestone collar shirt: Ann Taylor - ON SALE!, Velvet Jeggings: Sara Campbell, Booties: Wanted via DSW, Clutch: Ann Taylor (old)

Hello again! I've taken a little bit of a hiatus from blogging, but I'm back! These outfit pictures are way overdue, but this is the outfit I wore Christmas Eve. A little bit non-traditional, but I figured I couldn't go wrong with my favorite color (hot-pink) and a little sparkle. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!