LOTD: When in Doubt...Belt it Out

Sweater: H&M | Scarf: F21 | Belt: F21 

Skirt: Evelyn | Boots: Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Yikes! It's been almost a month since my last post, and even longer since I did a LOTD. Not sure if I haven't done a LOTD because I wasn't inspired, or I hadn't been inspired to get particularly sassy with my attire because I was off the LOTDs for a while. Chicken or the egg, huh? Either way, here's one!

I'm really over winter. I know, crazy since I'm a January baby and all, I should love the snow, right? Nope, not one bit. When it's cold like this, I can't fathom doing anything but layering up, wearing chunky sweaters and tights and boots. But I still want to look somewhat feminine and cinching my natural waist always seems to do the trick. I'm not averse to belting anything, sweaters, dresses, coats even! When in doubt, belt it out!

What's your trick to jazzing up a look? Funky Belt? Fierce Pump? Sexy Red Lip, maybe?

xox

LOTD: A Little Blue in J.Crew

Sweater: J. Crew | Shell: J.Crew | Skirt: J.Crew | Scarf: Burberry

It's been a crazy stressful past few days, but a new J. Crew sweater always seems to make me feel a bit a better. I picked up this bright pink cardigan on sale over the Thanksgiving weekend. And without noticing paired it with pretty much everything else J.Crew too. I really wanted to put on a pair of navy tights with this blue pinstriped pencil skirt, but I don't have any :( So I paired it with a pair of sheers and some Tod's. I also got this super cute multi-color tweed pencil skirt for just $35.

(J.Crew, originally $148)

Go me! (Doing happy dance) So the navy tights will come in handy when it arrives any day now.

As you may have noticed, I've also changed my locks for the winter. I love that hair is an accessory just like everything else, to me at least. And I also love that I've been granted the talent/guts to do it myself. Do we like??

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I'll be back soon with lots of recipes for my first slow cooker meal as well as a holiday cookie exchange I have to prepare for. Wish me luck.

xox

LOTD: Pinspired - Black&Yellow

So a while back I stumbled upon this photo on Pinterest and I loved everything about the look.

(via Pinterest)

From the huge bun to the splash of yellow to the otherwise all black ensemble, I simply couldn't wait for Fall to rock the color combo. And then a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this look over at Pink Peonies...

(via Pink Peonies)

And got super excited because I had just nabbed a neon yellow blouse just like this from Mommy's closet with the tag still on it ;). And I thought, I have some black satin ribbon...(gears churned)...

And voila!

Blouse: J. Crew | Bow: Black Satin Ribbon | Skirt: Tahari

Arm Candy: Michele, David Yurman, Tiffany & Co.

I promised I'm not wrinkled...although silk does do that easily. I think I merged the looks pretty well. Loosened the bow and made it a little more Janelle Monae-esque. Maybe I'll rock a pompadour next time. And yes, this is a very bright color to wear on a gloomy Nor'easter looming day, but you know how I feel about bright colors on grey days, keeps the cloudy blues away! 

xox

LOTD: Patriotic Pennsylvanian

Shirt: Cambridge | Dress: Anne Klein 

Necklace: Long Strand of Pearls (wrapped thrice)

So it normally takes some sorts of patriotic day you know like 4th of July or Election Day for me to realize that I have very little red clothing in my closet. Blues & whites galore, red - one pair of red skinnies recently acquired and clearly not Tuesday cubicle appropriate. Even though the red lip could have been enough of a statement, my red and blue striped scarf from last year's Homecoming at Penn felt like the perfect addition. After speaking on a panel last night for prospective English majors, I was feeling a bit nostalgic. My plaid cape completed the look and was the perfect background for this pretty little sticker I got.

Did you vote today? Because I did. :) 

Just a few hours left before the polls close...Exercise your right to vote, because someone probably fought for it. And even if something shady happens to you while you're there, like having your registration card in hand and them saying they don't see your name in the binder which means you have to cast a "Provisional Ballot" which may count or be rejected if your voter eligibility isn't verified (SIDE EYE!!!)...Recklessness all over the country with stuff like this...see this list by the Washington Post of "Voter Irregularities". My vote will count. I'm speaking it into fruition...hmmph!

And thank God for an end to these awful ads, tonight the real work begins...and fun for those having Election Night shindigs! A Pinterest Success or Fail post to come after tonight's try at a few tasty appetizers.

xox

LOTD: Shades of Grey

Sweater: J.Crew | Skirt: Banana Republic Shoes: Me Too | Necklace: Henri Bendel

A boring (read: bad) hair day doesn't have to rain on the chic parade. But the morning overcast did inspire my shades of grey. Whenever I wear my hair in a bun during the fall, I tend to reach for turtlenecks like this classic one from J.Crew. Comfy, warm, and with just the right bit of stretch, paired with a fitted wool pencil skirt (another fall staple) and some grey patent pumps. This monochromatic look is a go-to, add a little bling and the look is complete.

Happy Monday!

xox

LOTD: Red Lips & Polka Dots aren't just for Minnie Mouse

When I woke up this morning and checked the weather I realized that Fall was attempting to make it's presence known, and in this attempt just confusing the heck out of everyone trying to get dressed this morning. With a high of 77 and a low of 61 and a 60% precipitation rate, I didn't know if I would swelter in my raincoat or be sad and cold that I didn't have one at some point in the day.

Either way when I start with my raincoat, then my color scheme is kind of set - black, white, red, tan. Can you guess what my raincoat looks like? :) Lol. I tried flexi rods for the 3rd time and was substantially more successful than the first two resulting in these pretty loose waves. And I even had a little time to play in my makeup, yes I'm embracing my Russian Red.

I scanned through my newly refreshed with fall staples closet and nabbed this super cute polka dot blouse. While I would have loved to pair this top with the red skinnies I also found over the weekend, I instead remembered where I was going and kept it simple with this black pencil skirt and black pump.

LOTD: Little Miss Sunshine - Lunch Date Attire

Top: Urban Outfitters | Skirt: F21 | Shoes: Dolce & Gabanna

Necklace: Henri Bendel | Ring: Vintage | Arm Candy: Michele, David Yurman

Call me dorky if you'd like, but whenever I have a set date with my boo piece, I get excited and dolled up as if he's never met me before. Idk there's just something about being asked to go somewhere at a set date and time, doesn't matter where, but it's a date. Nonetheless, when I woke up this morning, it was all dreary and rainy, and I have this thing when it's gross outside I decide to brighten up the day with my attire. Strange, I know. But it brightens moods, I tell ya!

I've wanted to play with the trend of mixing prints and monochromatic looks for a while, and this stripes and pleats yellow look gives me a tad of both worlds. Whenever I wear yellow I always pine over silver or gold accessories, but today rose gold and brushed silver took the lead, so I thought I'd show off my baubles. The grey patent slingbacks I nabbed from Mommy's closet perfectly complimented my grey stripes and the rain :).

I hoped to brighten the gloomy day when he saw me, but the Sun wasn't having my competition and came out just in time for our lunch date in Chinatown. Great food and greater company.

Happy Tuesday! 

xox

LOTW: I did it! 5 Work Days w/o Black!

               Weds             |               Thursday          |             Casual Friday

Monday                  |                 Tuesday 

Casual Friday Shirt: Ralph Lauren (Men's) | Pants: Banana Republic | Shoes: Tod's
Thursday Shirt: Poof | Skirt: F21 | Shoes: Boutique 9
Wednesday Blazer: Talbot's | Tank: J. Crew | Skirt: T.J. Maxx | Shoes: Zara
Tuesday Shirt: J. Crew | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Zara | Necklace: ILY Couture (J. Crew inspired)
Monday Sweater: J. Crew | Top: Zara | Skirt: Laundry | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: J. Crew 


Clearly this was a personal challenge, as my morning routine is usually consists of grabbing a black skirt or pant and pairing it with a white tank, J. Crew cardigan, and a Tory Burch flat. Makeup - psh, now you're really pushing it. Obviously earlier in the week (post bachelorette party raging) were glasses days (aka sans M.A.C. help), but I think I did well trying to incorporate a little more color and effort into my attire. I will admit that I did feel better when I liked my outfit.  Did I struggle not to put on my black skinny pants this morning for Casual Friday? Hecks yeah, but went for my khaki ones instead. ;)

And the desire to be comfy but cute this Friday morning led to my menswear moment with my Men's Pink & White striped Oxford and Tod's driving shoes. But when I saw this oldie but goodie sitting in my jewelry box, decided to add just a little bling. :)

Happy Friday!! Hope you've got something fun and/or relaxing planned for the weekend.

xox

LOTD: Blue Hues

Top: J. Crew | Necklace: J.Crew/ILY Couture | Pants: H&M | Shoes: Zara

Woot woot! So far this week I'm 2 for 2 on the non-drab corporate colored attires! I'm clearly really milking the last few weeks of summer and being able to get away with cropped pants and cute sandals. And yes, I know navy was one of the colors in my go-to palette, but blue + neon green = turquoise! And who can resist smiling at such a pretty color??

Happy Tuesday!!

xox

LOTD: Trying to Pep Up

After a ridiculous weekend in AC to send a dear dear friend off into married life correctly (read: awesome day/night of bachelorette festivities), this pretty much sums up how I feel this morning. Oddly enough it seems to be the days you feel the craziest that you end up looking more put together than most other days.

Sweater: J. Crew | Top: Zara | Skirt: Evelyn | 

Necklace: J. Crew | Sandals: Steve Madden

As you can see, I thought to incorporate this little peplum top that I recently acquired from the crazy sale Zara is having right now might add a little pep to my step. ;) Even if it didn't do that, it at least put me on a good path toward my attempt of staying away from dreary dark colors for the few weeks of summer that are left. The cool breeze this morning reminded me that summer heat while oppressive is so short lived. So these last few weeks are going to be milked for all the bright, sunny, warmth it's got left.

Happy Monday! 

xox

LOTW: Black, White, Accent Color Apparently...

Look1 - Sweater: J.Crew | Top: H&M | Skirt: Jones NY | Shoes: Zara

Look2 - Sweater: Urban Outfitters | Top: H&M | Skirt: J.Crew | Belt: F21 | Shoes: Zara

Look 3 - Blazer: Jones NY | Top: Gap | Skirt: Pink Rose | Shoes: Calvin Klein | Bracelets: F21

So I haphazardly snapped the looks a few days this week. And I clearly noticed a pattern. I'm apparently a classic black/navy and white kinda girl, with an accent color probably inspired by the color of my nails that week. And this week it happens to be Mint Candy Apple. But on the real, if I don't wear color during the summer, when will I?? Goal for next week...be a little brighter in spite of the 9 to 5!

LOTD: Bonjour Mate!

Top of the morning! So after stumbling upon a few gems in H&M yesterday (if you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw a few fit room flicks ;), and yes, that's the coral dress hanging on my armoire...), I got inspired to start doing a LOTD - Look of the Day series on here, both to display the fun things I've found and a way to make sure someone sees a great outfit, even on a grey gloomy day like today.

Katherine over at A Bit of Sparklefarkle has a series called "Powder Room Fashionista" and posts fabulous looks from various available toilets she encounters lol. Since I don't have my own personal photographer to follow me around, mirror shots might be the way to go.

Online Shopping Haul!!

Ok, so I don't know what exactly classifies a "haul" per se, but I've seen a number of vloggers use the term, and thought why not use it to describe the little binge e-shopping I did last month. I wrote a bit about the shoes I found for a steal at Zara not too long ago. But I also got a few additions to my beauty and bauble collection.

First up - BHCosmetics. So I'm all about learning new makeup techniques, you know to enhance my pretty and all, and while most of the YouTubers are makeup artists and use way more makeup than I could ever imagine, I try to learn a thing or two. I'd heard a couple of them mention this BHCosmetics place for amazing deals and good quality. And when I stumbled upon the site, I honestly couldn't help but have my suspicions. It was just price slash after price slash EVERYWHERE! But I'd seen multiple YouTubers do tutorials with the palettes and have awesome results. So I went ahead and added a few things to my shopping cart. I got a 15-piece brush set, a 28-smokey eye palette, and a 28-color neutral eye palette - get this - all for the bargain price of $42 (+nominal shipping & handling). But seriously?!? My mac eye shadows cost like $15 a piece! Anyway, I was quite delighted when my package arrived, quite promptly I must say.