Paint Party

As I may have mentioned, oh maybe a thousand times, I've been obsessed with the Tibi splatter skirt  for ages {ok since last year.} Of course, I figured I shouldn't spend the money blah blah blah and figured I could find on ebay, but no. It is gone. Forever? Hopefully not, but it feels like that. I've been suffering from a severe case of non-buyers remorse, if you will.

 All hope is not lost though-- I snagged this version when Tibi had a sample sale going on and do adore it. I will still climb mountains {or at least sale racks} to find the original, but this version still makes me very happy.

Sweater: Rag & Bone {almost identical here}

// Skirt: Tibi {This dress is a little similar if you want to mix it up}

Necklace: Anthropologie

Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc' // Ring: H&M // Bracelets: Vintage, J. Crew

Leather Jacket: Guess // Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Zara {I will literally SOB the day these fall apart}

Clean and Simple

I woke up this morning and decided that whatever I wore, I wanted to belt it. Well actually, I woke up, wished I had 2 more hours to sleep and someone who would bring me coffee in bed...but after that I had belts on the brain.
I'm not sure if this was meant to be a lady cummerbund or an homage to the obi but it always makes me feel a tad fancier whenever I wear it-- and we all know feeling fancy is one of my favorite things! However, some days even I don't feel like going completely over the top, so I call this my version of 'minimalst(ish).

Sweater: Isli {similar} // Dress: Ecoskin // Belt: Vintage {try this or this}

Jacket: J. Crew // Faux Fur Collar: Asos

Earrings: J. Crew {sold out but try these} Ring: Consignment // Bracelet: Banana Republic

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop'

{guess who finally got a haircut?!}

{so obsessed with these earrings...}

Boots: BCBG

Toughened up Tweed

Dress: Rebecca Taylor {old but try this, this or this version in mint}// T-shirt: Theory 

// Coat: Anthropologie {try this though great vintage ones too like this and this}

Necklace: Baublebar // Bracelet: Banana Republic // Nail Polish: Essie 'Devil's Advocate'

Bag: J. Crew 'Tillary' tote // Thigh high socks: H&M // Boots: Stuart Weitzman '5050'

Fancy Friday

{image}

Most importantly...Happy birthday to my incredible sister-- She is the best and I couldn't ask for a more amazing one.

Now onto my usual musings....I think my heart skipped a beat when I saw this photo. Of course the dress is beautiful, flirty, retro and fun, but the whole look is just the ultimate cool girl sophistication. Put together without trying to hard. I'm still trying to master that 'effortless' chic look (guess that's a little bit of an oxymoron, yes?)

While the seasons (gasp!) change every year, I still always find myself flummoxed with the transitional temperatures. You'd think by now I would have a system...other than just buying more stuff so I don't have to face making decisions.

I've managed to feel under the weather yet again, so I've got a lot of hot tea, cozy pj's and quality relaxation ahead of me. I know, I am out of control! Hopefully your plans are more fun than that, but I think we can all agree TGIF!

Broken Record

Penguins, Oreo's, old movies...there are a lot of fantastic things that are black and white. A perfect combination, perfect contrast, perfect...oh wait, I've done this before here already! So instead of rehashing how much I love black and white together, I'll just direct you to the photos below. Me? I'll be enjoying my milk and cookies.

Blazer: Theory // Sweater: Aro {try this or this} // Coated pants: Zara {identical}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc'

Ring: Consignment {similar} // Cuff: ebay {There's Hermes obvi, but try this or this}

Heels: Topshop

Tweed Indeed

I wish I had this dress in a million colors and fabrics. It makes getting ready for work so easy that I could do it with my eyes closed (and before coffee, this is practically true!) Transitional pieces like these make me think I really could pare the wardrobe down, get rid of those 'what if I need a sequin disco tunic' items, but we all know that is a pipe dream...at least for now!

Dress: Rebecca Taylor {similar}

Cuff: Similar {Still a placeholder for my Hermes!}

Ring: Consignment // Nail Polish: Butter London 'Fiver'

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman {similar here and here} // Jean Jacket: Zara

Black and White Thinking

I've spent the last couple of years trying to break my habit of 'all or nothing' and 'black and white' thinking. In short, trying to find the grey area in thoughts and decisions...and be ok with it. Like most things, its a work in progress. However, when it comes to black and white outfits? I can never get enough of them!

This is a great and comfy tank dress I just got from the Outnet, but not exactly work appropriate. In fall, this means I would add a blazer. Random weird weather lately? Just throw on a blouse and tie it. Not exactly Boardroom appropriate, but for the average day it'll do just fine.

Dress: Kain Label // Blouse: Lucca Couture {can't go wrong with this classic}

Necklace: BaubleBar // Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed & Blue' // SJP on the cover of Harper's Bazaar

Cuff: Ebay {similar}
Its gotten to the point where I wear my faux Hermes so much that I can practically justify cost per wear for the real one. Ok, not quite, but sort of semi almost!

Flats: Sam Edelman {try these or these}
I love pretty much every shoe Sam Edelman makes-- stylish, comfortable and they don't break the bank. Even though these are flats (thanks to commuting) they still feel fancier than my usual ballet flats!

Fancy Friday

{image}

With everything going on this week, I was thinking at first that I'd forgo the usual weekly post with some frilly frothy dress, waxing poetic on issues like twirlability. Then I thought about how we all might need a distraction, no matter how small, to lift the clouds a little.

No political statements here or social commentary. Just get out and do something, anything, with the ones around you. Its easy to forget how lucky we are not to be alone.