Crushing, no, full on loving, on the weekend!

Hi dolls! How were your weekends? Fabulous, I hope. Mine was actually one of the best I have had in a long time. Not that my other weekends have been bad, but this one was just one of those particularly wonderful stand out kind of weekends. You know, one of the ones where when you stop and think for a minute you realize how much you love your life and how happy you are with exactly where you are. Yep, that was how I felt all weekend. Blessed to be living where I live: in a fun and exciting new city and surrounded by incredible friends and family; blessed to be working a job that excites me every day about my future; and very blessed to have this fun, supportive community of people who share similar interests! Oh and did I mention that when are lucky enough to finally meet some of your bloggy friends in real life it is fantastic and not all awkward like making new friends sometimes is, because you skip the whole awkward phase since you feel like you "know" one another so well just from reading blogs every day? No, I didn't mention that? Well, now I did. And it is. Absolutely fantastic, that is.

You've probably guessed by now that I got to meet up with some bloggers this weekend, and you are correct! On Friday I met up with six other local bloggers- some fashion, some food, some photographers and a wedding blogger- and we ended up just hanging out, chatting, sipping wine eating yummy food for over 4 hours! It was an amazing night and I think it is safe to say we will be doing it again, soon! I was a bad blogger and didn't take any photos! I know, can you believe it? I think I was purely focused on getting to know the girls that I didn't even think about bloggy duties. But Liz to the rescue, for snapping some group photos of us all and I think Jenny got quite a few candid shots as well! I'll share some with you once the lovely ladies post them, if they are ok with it of course :) 

So I'm thinking we know each other well enough by now for you to know about my penchant for participating in fun blog games! So when Megan announced that she wanted to start a new feature called "Inspiration Monday" I figured I would be on board. Then when she decided that the first inspiration was going to be the ever chic Alexa Chung, I knew I was on board!

Here is this week's "inspiration photo." I used the general basics of the outfit- cardigan, tee, skirt, tights, chunky necklace and shoes- but played around with colors, patterns silhouettes, etc. Oh, and I don't have a bag even remotely like her fabulous baby, so I didn't include a bag. You'll have to let me know what you think.

Tee/skirt: J. Crew (recent sale), Cardigan: American Eagle, Tights: Target, Flats: Steve Madden, Watch: Michael Kors, Earrings:Forever 21, Necklace/rings: gifted

While I don't own any polka dotted or funly layered skirts such as the number miss Chung is sporting, I had just received this pleated navy trashbag skirt the day I found out about this challenge, so I decided it needed to play the role of sub. At least my skirt is still blue and it is flared. And to stick with the basic tee concept I paired it with this sent-from-heaven comfy tee, instead of a graphic tee since I thought this was more office appropriate. I think my cardigan is pretty right on, minus the color difference, and it was just a ballet flats kind of day, so that is my explanation there. To make up for the lack of a fun pattern on my skirt (aka no dots anywhere) I gave you some fun, detailed tights to look at instead. See last photo for close-up.

Oh hi there sideways me. I think roommate was getting a little interesting on this one tonight. Aka she wanted me to hurry up and be done with my daggone pictures so we could get running. I guess being sideways is what I get for delaying us :)

My new favorite pair of tights thanks to the floral detailing on the back! They add such a playful touch. My only worry with these is they are so thin, and I have long nails that just love to snag my tights. Often. As in I got a run in not one, but two pairs last week thanks to my annoying nails. So please, send your best wishes to these babies that they survive the tight scare of '11!

Fellow divas, what do you think of my Alexa interpretation? Do you draw inspiration from celebrity outfits? Who influences you most? Are you going to go click yourself right over to Megan's blog to see how some other lovely ladies styled this look? Hint: YES! Oh wait, I think I just gave you the answer. Oh well, go do it! Happy clicking :)

Bisous!

A fond farewell to animal print

Evening loverlies! I hope you all had wonderful weekends and indulged your heart's desires while you were out. My weekend involved time with this cutie, so you can be assured that I was in heaven :)  

What do I call snuggling this little princess for awhile? Winning.

As you can tell from her poor red nose, there was absolutely no evidence that spring has arrived, considering I spent the majority of the time wrapped up in blankets, willing my toes to get warm and sipping copious amounts of the chocolatiest hot chocolate ever! Ok, so the last part of that wasn't too hard to take at all. And that little pink bundle of joy on my lap made everything seem sunshiney and warm, so really I guess I can't complain.  

If you follow me on twitter, you have heard me taking a lot about Vista Print business cards, and I can't seem to stop! I recently ordered blog business cards from them and I had such a good experience (received shipment within 3 days without having to pay for express shipping, and adore the way the cards turned out) that I felt the need to share the wealth with you! If anyone is looking for memorable business cards, I highly recommend Vista Print. And with incredible deals like these offered to their twitter followers, you can't go wrong. Oh, and did I mention you should stay tuned for a giveaway coming soon :)

I felt like this design had been made just for me!

I don't know about you gals, but to me animal print is a distinctly fall/winter appropriate pattern. I can't say for sure why I don't care for the print in the warmer months but it just isn't for me. Therefore, I knew this skirt was going to be getting shoved to the back of the closet very soon so I decided to give it one last spin around town before the only light it sees for months is my closet light in the mornings. This skirt was my first (and only) animal print item, and she was very good to me this fall/winter. So here is her farewell party. Wish her well for the next few months and remember to reassure her that you will meet again. She is sensitive.

Blouse/tank: White House Black Market, Skirt: Michael Kors via Rue La La, Shoes: Off Fifth Avenue, Necklace/earrings/rings/bracelet: gifted/ borrowed from mom, Watch: Michael Kors, Headband: H&M

I felt like this outfit was just screaming for some color, but I decided that sometimes you need a little black, brown and cream day.

Headless shots are becoming a regular feature over here! I apologize, and will work diligently with my face to help it learn how to stop looking quite so "special" in at least one photo every day. Gosh face, try harder!

 Ok, time to tell me about you my dears! What did you do this weekend? Did your weather necessitate bundling or are you going to make me very jealous by telling me you frolicked around in shorts and sandals having a jolly good time? Choose wisely, oh smart ones.

Bisous!

It ain't your birthday no more

Hello lassies! It pains me to say it, but alas, my post title is true. Birthday came. Birthday went. And you know what I learned? Adult birthdays are not nearly as awesome as kid birthdays. Sure I can now enjoy March 21st with a fun cocktail should I choose to do so, but you know how else I now get to enjoy March 21st? By working an 11 hour day. Womp, womp and Happy Birthday to me! Thank goodness for my amazing friends who already celebrated with me on Saturday and made me feel so loved, and for my ridiculously sweet parents who drove all the way into DC to go out to dinner with the roommate and me! I am a very blessed girl!

My parents and roommate made my post-work birthday just lovely! Thank you guys and love you! Oh and I don't usually wear such BRIGHT statement shoes to work, but I decided if I have to work on my birthday I am at least going to rock the shoes I want to rock.

All I can about this collage is "nom, nom,nom, nom!!" Ok, sorry inside joke. But no joke, last night's food was AH-MAZING! My family took me to this wonderful restaurant in Georgetown called Peacock Cafe and the food was SO good! I'm not usually one to take food photos, but when you are eating food this pretty, a picture is merited. Mom enjoyed a lovely leg of lamb and mashed potatoes, roommate (and my dad) dined on salmon, asparagus and sweet potatoes and I devoured a filet of fresh Mahi-Mahi on top of a bed of mashed potatoes. And of course I shared my incredibly birthday apple tarte with everyone. Well, not mom, but only because she doesn't eat dessert. How she manages to live without dessert is beyond me.

Ok, I promise birthday celebration photos/chatter are officially over. No more self-absord-ed-ness. Now back to regularly scheduled posts complete with photos of, oh wait, still me. I guess you're stuck. :) Well now that Spring is finally here, I am all about color, stripes, airy tops and billowy silhouette skirts with non-tight clad legs! And to honor Spring's official March 21st arrival (and don't even bother trying to convince me it is the 20th because you won't be able to! I was born on the first day of Spring ok??) I threw all these things together in one outfit and called it a party. I worried that could go horribly awry, but since I was in a rush already I was determined to make it work. I am happy to report that I, surprisingly, loved it instantly. The skirt was the piece de la resistance that the outfit was built around, and I absolutely adored everything about my new skirt. The length makes me feel incredibly old school feminine (which I love), the high-waisted fit is flattering on me if I do say so myself and the pleats added an on-trend touch. And since I am so into black and blue lately, this airy striped tee was a natural fit. Plus, it was just the right combination of form fitting enough to balance out the flowy skirt, without being glued to my body and uncomfortable. The pink cardigan was another easy choice to add in color, and lastly the nude heels were a necessity to pull together an outfit with various shades of colors going on and to ensure that the length of the skirt didn't make my 5'3 frame appear even lower to the ground than it is. Remember that below-average height ladies: you can still wear calf-grazing skirts without looking stumpy as long as you don't let your feetsies stay flat on the floor and you give them lift with heels or wedges.

Cardi/Tee: Loft, Skirt: White House Black Market (bday gift!)

Belt/Shoes: Kohl's, Jewelry: Forever 21 or gifted

So I FINALLY made it home before it was completely dark (I know it doesn't look like it in these pictures, but there really was a little daylight left) so roommate agreed to do a longer photo shoot, than we have been doing. One of my goals really is to start doing more outside shots, and daylight savings time is going to help tremendously with that goal! And then when I was just going to be content to take them in the non-attractive mini patch of grass behind our apt. parking lot, roommate goes and has the bloody brilliant idea to run over to the really cool castle looking building that we have no idea what it actually is and snap some photos. THAT is why I keep her around. Well, that and she makes quiches, and is really funny and basically an all around amazing roommate. Oh, and sorry about the headless shot, but the upwards angle is never flattering on me :)

Have you ever put on an outfit and it was insta love?   Well I did today. New favorite skirt!

There is nothing I like more than sitting on stairs in a flouncy skirt. I felt like a princess waiting for my prince.

I love this time of year when everything is just starting to bloom. It is so fantastic. So almost all of my outfit came from birthday gifts. Although, the cardigan and tee were bought by me as a present to me, which I am totally counting. Don't judge. But that little skirt diddy is all thanks to mumsicle and her amazing taste!

And this is when I get silly :) I think we all know by now it happens every time. I felt like every car driving by watching me do this was probably judging me. I guess that is the life of a fashion blogger who dares to venture outside the comforts of her own home. Oh by the way, what do you think of the ballerina bun? I admit, I didn't spend a lot of time perfecting it, so I'm sure it could be a lot better but I thought it was a nice change from my typical straight and down look, or pushed back by a headband when I am too lazy to dry it, which incidentally is what happened again today that led to the new look.

And just to show you the heights I will go to for you, my loves :)

Ok well I hope you enjoyed seeing outdoor Laura. I sincerely hope you will be making her acquaintance much more often these days, but I also hope you will forgive her if she takes a night off and lets indoor apartment Laura do her thang sometimes, too.

Bisous! 

Please don't go

Ahoy there mateys! Oh wait, today isn't international talk like a pirate day? Zut! Well, I guess I am just getting in some good practice then. You know what else I practiced today? What it will be like when I don't have this amazing job that lets me amble on in at 10:15 (ish) every morning and instead I work in a place that believes that you can sleep when you are dead and I have to resign myself to racing in at 8 am on the dot. Did I lose you there in that lovely run-on sentence? Basically, I got up early this morning to drive roommate to her meeting on the Hill. Though I hated hearing my alarm at 7 instead of 8:30, I did feel very productive when I had already done a favor for a friend, been to the post office/paid my rent (yay!!), drank two cups of coffee and enjoyed some piping hot oatmeal by the time I sat down at my desk this morning. Impressive, non?

So I bet you are all just sitting on the edge of your pants to find out whether I'm walking around sporting a birth-marked eye, could be labeled an attempted murderess or if I'm a world traveler and have stepped foot on four continents. How do I say this without scaring away every last one of my readers? Well...

Do you see it? The brown spot in my right (actually it is the left but when looking at it this way it is in the right) eye. Yes, that is a birthmark. Yes, I am aware of it. No, I don't have crap in my eye. Thanks. So that is one down...

Studied abroad in China. One continent...

Spent four months in Paris. Two continents...

And I live in the U.S. so that makes three continents. What does that leave us with loves? Yes, I can see you are putting two and two together and getting a little nervous. The only thing that is left is that I once tried to kill my brother... Should you run away from crazy could've-been-a-killer lady? Now before you get all wonky over this revelation, let me explain. I was three, he was a few weeks old. He was cute. He was stealing attention. I (the formerly only child) did not understand why I was suddenly no longer cute. So one day my genius friend's older sister convinced me that I would definitely be cute again if he wasn't always hogging the spotlight. Flash forward a few minutes and my mother comes running up the stairs (mother's intuition, thank goodness!) to see me poised above the sleeping "angel's" bassinet with a doll raised above my head. Who knows what I was really going to do, but to this day anytime my brother wants something out of me he casually reminds me that I once tried to kill him and thus owe him... for life I guess.

Blouse: Kohl's, Blazer: Elie Tahari, Skirt: White House Black Market, Tights: Kohl's, Booties: Steve Madden, Belt: Kohl's, Jewelry: Personal Accents

So as I scan back through my previous 20 outfits, I am realizing that anything with this blazer in quickly becomes my favorite outfit. It's been worn belted and un-belted prior to today, and though I am a fan of both looks, I think belted is best. It breaks the outfit up in a good way, gives definition to my waist and brings the whole outfit together. I think my post shopping ban shopping list will certainly include a few vintage belts.

I have not given these fantastic booties nearly enough loving in this remix. I think it is mainly because they have a very slippery bottom and I nearly killed myself walking down our hill to get to my car the last morning that I wore these. But, I am smart now and wait to throw these puppies on until after I have conquered the treacherous slope. How's that for putting my college education to good use!

Oh hello there pattern mixing! Maybe we can be friends? I realize that this is just a teensie mix, but you have to give me credit for wearing florals and stripes in the same ensemble. Mixing is not my forte, but it is something I am trying hard to master. Not there yet, but I think I have made progress throughout the 30x30! I originally had this outfit without the blazer, but couldn't handle it. Blazer to the rescue.

Nine to go, and then I will surely have an over dramatic tear-inducing reunion with my closet. We have missed each other so. Do those of you who have already finished your remix challenge have any special celebration plans? Do you have your first day of freedom outfit picked out? I do and I have just been itching to wear it for weeks now! If I stay on schedule I will wrap up next Friday and be able to finally don the outfit I am dreaming of. Surprisingly, the shopping cravings subsided rather quickly and now the hardest part of the challenge is resisting the urge to remix my entire closet! Who would have guessed.

Bisous!

Bipolar weather, confusing old men and hot Aussies on trees, oh my!

Hola chicas!I hope you all had a lovely and not too boring Monday. Our weather here is so bipolar it is starting to drive me a little nuts! We experienced a warm spurt this weekend as the thermometers proudly hit 50, and now we have snow on the ground. Only a whopping 2 inches, but snow nonetheless. Just hoping it doesn't affect my drive in the morning! 

Sad day for me tomorrow: my roommate starts her first day of work and I lose my "wife" :( Oh what a tragedy! I kid, I kid! I am of course extremely happy for my roommate to start her exciting new job. But I will dearly miss walking in to a delicious meal on the table and the most wonderfully yummy smell that lingers in our apartment all night long. Le sigh. We were oh so domestic this evening. What was supposed to be an idle night consisting of a much needed Gossip Girls catch up session turned into a way too practical laundry and other random chores evening. Again, le sigh. Although, I was in desperate need of clean tights so laundry night became *gasp* more important than GG! The joys of being a "grown up".

By the way, you might have noticed I made a few changes to the blog today! You can now know more than you probably ever wanted to know about me, conveniently find any giveaway I am hosting and track my 30 for 30 progress. You're welcome :) It always takes me a little while to fully adjust to any change, no matter how small, but I think this is one I am A-Ok with. We shall just have to wait and see if I keep it or change it. Chime in if you have an opinion one way or the other!

Blazer: Elie Tahari via Bloomingdale's, Sweater: Gift from mom a few years ago, Dress (acting as skirt/peeking out of sweater): XOXO via TJ Maxx, Belt: Kohl's, Tights: Accessorize, Boots: Steve Madden via DSW, Necklace/earrings: Gifts from mom, Bracelet/leaf ring: Gifts from cousin, Bow ring: c/o Lichen and Lychee

So I don't know about you ladies, but old men complimenting me on my clothing weirds me out. I can never tell if they are being ooky or if they are just genuinely sweet old men being sincere. So I wind up laughing nervously and willing the elevator doors to open sooner so I can be done with the awkwardness! I mean, I appreciate being told that I look sharp, but repeatedly telling me you like the way I look/ my clothing choices in the span of an elevator ride and a walk to my desk is a bit of overkill Mr. Old Man. Take it down a notch, maybe? Thanks.

This outfit had quite the night on the town... with my dad! Who would have thought that going out with dear old dad could be such fun! Last Tuesday (yes that is how far behind I am thanks to the plague I enjoyed the rest of the week) my dad came into the city to officially see my new pad all decorated and such and took me out for an amazing dinner. Dinner turned into an epic night out which included window shopping long after the stores had closed (aka me lusting and my dad analyzing the store designs and marketability) and a very enjoyable encounter with a group of Aussies visiting DC! Only downside of cruising the town with your dad? Flirting with the cute Aussie with your dad within earshot is quite an interesting challenge! I accepted that challenge though, friends. Cute Aussies don't grow on trees after all! 

It may be a little premature to say this, but I think this outfit might win my favorite outfit of the remix award! I loved how professional I felt all day at work, but also how chic I felt when I was out that night. All the layers made me see how far my style has come in just the few months that I have had this blog, since I was a layering failure before! Plus, it mixes navy and black together, which is one of my favorite "rules" to break. All in all, a success in my book!

Ok all you remixing style goddesses, how are you doing at this point in the 30 for 30? I'm almost at the half way point, and I know most of you are a little bit past it. Anyone else hitting a bit of a slump? Have you found yourself whispering sweet nothings to the rest of your closet late at night lest they think you have abandoned them? Are you just itching to get your credit card some swiping action? Or am I just a little bit off my rocker today? Hmm I'm afraid it could, potentially, possibly be the latter. Thank goodness for Kendi's just-in-time-ride-in-on-a-white-horse of a post chock full of great remixing advice, from the lady master herself! I think I will be doing some major blog browsing tonight to get myself re-inspired for the remainder of the challenge. Ta-ta for now darlings!

 Don't forget to enter the CSN giveaway before Sunday for a chance to win a $40 gift code!

Bisous!

Monday brights

Salut ladies! Yes, yes I am fully aware that today is Tuesday but since I am behind on 30 for 30 posting I am living life a day behind. Shh don't tell me what happened today, I want to be surprised :) And perhaps that is why I am at a total loss as to what to write today. Can I blame it on the Monday blues, even if it's Tuesday? It is kind of one of those days where I know I have so many things to tell you but I just can't seem to keep them in that little brain of mine long enough to share them! So maybe you will forgive me if I promise to have a super-duper entertaining post tomorrow? Great, it's a deal!

Sweater: New York and Co, Cardigan: American Eagle, Skirt: Michael Kors, Tights: unknown, Boots: Madden Girl

So you will have to excuse me for two things today. One, the crazy hair. I was too lazy yesterday morning to blow-dry it, so this is the price I pay for the extra 30 minutes in bed. Two, the bad lighting/ cluttered background of these photos. I am still trying to figure out the best place for outfit photos in my new pad. But hey, you could just look at as an opportunity to see something in my new place besides the floors and white walls! (Oh and I am laughing here because my roommate is standing on my bed yelling "work it!" and jumping around like a photographer has been trapped inside of her for years and finally released! This is real life, folks.)

So my dilemma yesterday morning when putting this outfit on was (once again) whether to belt the cardi. Seems that "to belt or not to belt" is an ever plaguing question when dealing with this cardigan. This time I opted to leave it open, as I felt the belt did not look right with the dipped cut of the skirt. It broke the outfit up in all the wrong places. So the cardi was left to its own devices this go around.

So this combo is kind of a big step for me. I have been dying to try pattern mixing, but just could not figure out what patterns to mix and how to pull it off without looking like I got dressed in the dark! I have played around with several combos, all that got vetoed by the mother, and finally settled on this one. I really liked the argyle mixed with thin stripes and the pink of the cardigan played nicely with the pink/purple of the diamonds on the sweater. So now the real test: mom, does it work??

I guess I lied to you yesterday when I said I would be back on track Wednesday with challenge posts because I actually won't be. Tomorrow I will post today's outfit (otherwise known as day 7) alone since it is my entry for EBEW blazer day and then Thursday I will post days 8 and 9 so that on Friday I will finally be caught up and posting regularly :) Whew, that was a lot of exercise for my brain so early in the week. Now that I've gotten it all revved up, time to get cracking on some work! Unfortunately it won't do itself. Wouldn't that be the day!   

Oh, and a bit of shameless self promotion, if you are a twitter user and you enjoy getting occasional news updates I would loooove for you to follow the opinion section of USA Today on twitter! I am the tweeter and it is one of my jobs to get our followers to 1000 by the end of the month. Yikes! So, if you want to just head on over here and click that nifty little follow button, I might maybe just love you forever! No guarantees, but it is a distinct possibility.

Bisous!

Let's get it started in here

Bonjour babes! Happy February. In the past I have despised this month of mushy gushy overload and seemingly daily reminders of my singleness. But this year ladies, I am fully embracing the power of the L-O-V-E, and no it does not mean that I am now in a two-some. I am still a one some. I am just, possibly for the first year in a long time, very ok with that. I am incredibly happy with my life and thankful for all the blessings I have been given. I am surrounded by the most amazing family and friends a girl could ask for, I have a job that I not only like, but love, I am in the process of moving in/ decorating a fantastic apartment (before and after shots will be coming) in the exact location that I wanted and with a fabulous roommate to boot! Honestly, how can I not be happy right now! Do I wish I had a special someone in my life to share all these excitements with? Absolutely. What girl doesn't want that. But I have faith he will come in due time and this year I am focusing on what I do have and not what I don't.

You are probably wondering where in the world that came from and why you had to read it. But honestly girls sometimes I don't even think I can control what comes flying out of these little fingers! It seemed like a good opening to the month though. And you know why else I am loving February?? Guesses anyone? There might be a prize involved. Well if you guessed because the 30 for 30 remix is occurring, step right up and claim your prize! Congratulations you are now the proud owner of all my love. You can take that right to the bank girlfriend.

I know that 30 for 30 created quite a controversy on twitter and throughout the blogosphere yesterday, so I thought I would take a (brief) moment to tell you why I have chosen to participate in this awesome 30 day challenge! Though many bloggers expressed the opinion that this idea is unrealistic, leads your blog to bore-ville and may even cost you readers for the month, I couldn't disagree with those opinions more. For me, choosing to participate in this remix had nothing to do with trying to be one of the popular kids. I had seen many of my favorite bloggers participate and write about how meaningful the experience was and I felt that it was a worth-while experiment for me. I decided that it was right for me personally to challenge myself to become more creative with my existing wardrobe, to place a firm shopping ban on myself and have a community of people that would hold me accountable and last, but most importantly, to bond me with other bloggers who would also be challenging themselves in the same arena. The joy of blogging for me is all about the socializing aspect and the creative outlet that the writing gives me. I adore fashion, but it will likely never be my career. Blogging about it is a stress reliever and something that I do purely for myself and for fun! Making new friends is a huge benefit and I am in favor of any blog project, such as the 30 for 30, that allow me an avenue to pursue new friendships. But I completely respect varying views and after all, blogging is all about the freedom to speak your mind, anyways! I'm very curious to hear what my readers think so don't hesitate to give me your honest opinion! So with all that said, let's go ahead and get down to remixing business!

Shirt: Paris H&M, Cardigan: H&M, Skirt: Michael Kors via Rue La La, Tights/Shoes: Kohl's, Watch: Michael Kors, Rings: gifted, Earrings: Forever 21

This skirt was one of my favorite fall purchases, yet this is only the second time I have worn it (not cool) which made it a prime candidate for the remix. Plus, it has a multitude of shades of brown (dark, light, caramel and even hints of blue at times) in it so the pairings are further expanded.

The gray cardigan and brown tights were the natural choice to compliment the skirt colors, but I'll admit that I went out on a limb when I quickly grabbed the pink shirt. However, I ended up loving the bright contrast to the darker colors of the rest of the ensemble. And it gave me a chance to try out my new tan businessy pumps.

Before I forget, shout out to my new photographer (aka roommate who probably didn't know photographer was a requirement of living with me!) Samantha and big thanks for these and all future photos you will lovingly take! You're the best!!

I just looove the ruffled front of this skirt. Totally takes it from drab to fab. Oh the genius of Michael Kors.

Ok 30 for 30ers the challenge is afoot! Let the games remixing begin!!

Bisous!

A splash of red, please

Aloha chicas! I am attempting to channel a warm Hawaiian breeze and the airy Hawaiian attitude to get me through the rest of this week. You know how when you have something that you are really looking forward to time just seems to drag on? That is exactly how I am feeling this week because Thursday after work I am taking the bus up to NYC (!!!) to collect my soon-to-be-roomie and help her move to DC! Yes, I know I make it sound like we are getting married and you would think for how excited I am that we were. But I can't help it. We have been talking about living together practically since we met in Paris on our study abroad trip two years ago and now it is finally becoming reality. She has her last day of work Friday so I will pass the time shopping (twist my arm) and then we will celebrate with a fancy dinner courtesy of restaurant week. Then on Saturday we will load up her car, thankfully with the help of her boyfriend, and drive back to DC. We still haven't figured out our official move in date but it will be sometime in the next few weeks. I'm sure you will end up hearing more apartment/moving talk than you signed up for, so I'll try to keep it to a minimum!

So if you check out the Color Brigade today your eyes might think they are seeing green. Yes, they might be a little green with envy over how gorgeous those ladies look but I meant literally seeing green! It was obviously the color of the day. While many of these fantastic bloggers dazzled in lime and emerald, I went with a slightly muter olive and gray combination, with a red accent. It is definitely not a color combo that I usually choose, but hey that is what this blog is all about, right? And it gave me the perfect opportunity to debut my new snake-skin Dany's :) For those of you questioning my sanity wearing such a ridiculous heel to work, don't fear: I didn't. These only made an appearance for my sushi date with the bestie for her birthday! She was questioning my sanity for buying them so I had to prove to her how wearable (and fabulous) they truly are!

Dress: H&M, Cardigan: Forever 21, Belt: Kohl's, Tights: Unknown, Shoes: Jessica Simpson

I have been wanting to wear this dress ever since I saved it from it's lonely existence on the sale rack this summer. It isn't a color I usually wear, but the flirty bow tie was too much to resist. I just wish it didn't get so wrinkly so fast! Would you believe I fully ironed it this morning, and it was already looking like this after work? Annoying.

I had a long debate with my mirror this morning over the red belt. I loved the pop of color but I just wasn't sure I was feeling it. In the end, the mirror won.

What you don't lounge around on your sofas posing for pictures? Oh I guess that is just me :)

I was totally in love with this lace back cardigan from the moment I saw it. It is actually a lot harder to work into outfits than I would have imagined, though. I have found a couple of options so far and will just have to keep working on it.

My dreams have been Dany-filled for quite some time now and when I saw that they had miraculously gone on sale for under $50, I just had to make them mine. Or I might have to had to make two pairs mine :)

All in all this outfit is certainly darker than many entries you will see over at cute and little but I think the genius of Color Brigade is that it means something different to us all. And for me, it is all about having fun with different color patterns. Some days they will be bright and wild and other days they might be darker with unique color pairings. Who knows. The mystery of not knowing where my style will go next is one of the many reasons I love blogging. What about blogging keeps you awake at night with excitement dears?

Last but certainly not least, a big birthday shout out to the BEST FRIEND a girl could have! Since I know you read this, I wanted to make sure you know how much I value you in my life. Love you babe and hope you had a wonderful day!

Bisous!