Just One of the Boys

I have a love hate relationship with button-downs. For the last year, the majority of mine had been stuck languishing away in the back of my closet (except for my Equipment blouses which are always and forever perfect.) They just felt too preppy, too stuffy, too 'done.' Then all of a sudden I did my usual 180 and starting throwing them over everything (just look at yesterday's post!) Instant-waist just by tying them, its like closet magic. That being said, I'll probably banish them again by next year, but they always come back around.

I've been eyeing this top for a while but considering I already have 3 (or is it 4?) short-sleeve buttons downs I held back. Then of course the little devil on my shoulder (whispering about an extra 30% of the sale price) reminded me that I don't have a striped one. Plus, it fits much better than the shirts I used to steal from my Dad!

Shirt: J. Crew // Skirt: Zara {similar here and here}

Necklace: Vintage

Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed & Blue' // Bracelets: Oia Jules, J. Crew

Sandals: Vince Camuto // Toenail Polish: Essie 'Lilacism'

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

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Not sure which I'm more envious of, the stunning background, or the work-of-art dress. Ok, knowing me its the dress, but the scenery is a close second! One of these days, I'll stop posting photos filled with travel and my wanderlust, and just GO. Today though, this will do.

The weather has been imitation Fall perfection and for once, I'm loving it. I must have hit my sundress saturation early this summer! Not only are the days of summer numbered, but after almost 8 years, my days of working on the weekends are as well. 

This year, I don't want the only changes I make to be with my wardrobe. I'm hoping that maybe now I'll go out and take those art classes, start yoga, learn another language...Ok, realistically probably just yoga but still, baby steps.

Whether your plans are big or small (or none at all) I hope you enjoy them!

Red Rover, Red Rover

...Is summer truly almost over?

It feels like only yesterday I was wearing a short little DVF dress out on the town...Ok, it was just last week but you get my point. The seasons change every year, yet every year I am miraculously still baffled by how to dress. Trying to get ahead of the game and adjust accordingly, as opposed to just buying more.

I got this red maxi on the last trip out to San Francisco with the family. I was on a mission to buy a red maxi, and finally found the perfect one! No clue why I was convinced that I simply must own a red maxi, but I'm sure I had my reasons. Even if SF didn't feel like a second home, I'd go purely for the fantastic shopping...So I guess you could say I left my heart (and my wallet) in San Francisco!

Shirt: J. Crew // Dress: Honey Punch {similar here and here}

{The second picture is very important because its me pretending to be fancy and ladylike}

Necklace: BaubleBar {try this similar pink BaubleBar or this }

 Nail Polish: Essie 'Play Date' 

Shoes: Cole Haan // Toenail Polish: Essie 'Lilacism'

Aztec Gold

While it looks more like paisley from afar, its actually a cool Aztec inspired print, with that wonderful retro vibe I do love so much. No shocker here but my accessories are...gold! Ok, so maybe not points for creativity, but this dress makes me so happy I don't care. Did I mention it has pockets?

Dress: Trina Turk {try this or this} // Blazer: Marc Jacobs

Necklaces: Max & Chloe // Gift from Parents {try this zodiac one at BaubleBar}

Nail Polish: Essie "Where's My Chauffeur?" // Bracelet: HRH Collection

Heels: Pour La Victoire

Tan and Tasseled

While I wish the tan in the title referred to my skintone as a result of some recent tropical vacation, its sadly only a reference the color of the stripes on my sundress. I think this is the 3rd appearance already of this J. Crew necklace, but it really goes with everything...I'm almost tempted to buy another as back-up! Of course, what I need to do is start buying less and paring down what I do have, but where's the fun in that?

Dress: Old Navy {try this or this}

Necklace: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Where's My Chauffeur?'

Sandals: Pour La Victoire {now more than 50% off on Amazon!} // Bracelets: J. Crew


Other than being crazy comfortable, I just ADORE the little gold heels!

Fancy Friday

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I have no idea if this is just a camera trick (likely) or if she is actually submerged in water in that gorgeous gown-- either way, hello STUNNING. The photo is truly a work of art, my kind of art at least. Its as if a mermaid directed a fashion shoot-- all that's missing is Ariel singing 'Under the Sea.'

While I could attempt to wax poetic about this shot, honestly, its been a long week and this photo really does speak for itself. So instead, how about we go soak up what's left of summer, because next thing you know it'll be October!

Have a great weekend!


**do you have 'Under the Sea' stuck in your head? Because I know I do! You can thank me later.

Grecian and Gold

I am fully aware that I have been awful about posting lately, work and life have just been nuts. Some good, some bad, but all around NUTS. Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things soon, but until then, I don't ever seem too busy for Instagram...

This dress was a great find from a little sample store in San Francisco called 'My Best Friend's Closet.' I always score some great pieces and deals whenever I get out there.  Sadly after these photos were taken, the tassel on my necklace mysteriously fell off...thank goodness I have my J. Crew one to replace it!

 Ok now on to some serious business:


These new Karen Walker 'Super Duper' sunglasses are my everything.
I love them so much I practically sleep in them!

Dress: Plenty by Tracy Reese {try this or this}

My favorite (and also cheapest) ring // Nail Polish: Essie 'Watermelon'

Necklace: Vintage {I own and adore this J. Crew one that is similar} 

 Ring: Vintage // Cuff: H&M {try this or this}

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Fancy Friday

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You know how sometimes a look is just perfect from head to toe, but doesn't seem too 'done'? Well, that's this look in a nutshell. I'll take the dress right now, please and thank you. Oh, and the bag ever so casually draped with fur? Yep, that too. 

Probably good that she looks so amazing she'd stop traffic...since she's standing in the middle of the street!

I know its already a cliche at this point to exclaim disbelief that it's already August, but I'm still going to. How is that even possible? Did someone speed up the space time continuum? No? Well then I guess I'll just have to accept it...and start daydreaming about boots and apple picking.

Enough of my ramblings, go and enjoy the weekend!

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing

While I have faux leather galore (and certainly adore), sometimes a girl needs some good old fashioned leather. Thanks to this dress just having leather panels, it felt great on a 'cool' summer day (aka 80 degrees.)  That being said, a full leather dress is next on my list. Oh and a  full leather midi. Ok I may have an addiction...

Dress: Renvy {similar here and here}

Necklace: Anthropologie {similar in turquoise}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Boom Boom Room' // Ring: Ambiance // Bracelets: J. Crew, Vintage

{I later realized I had forgotten to put on earrings and all of a sudden felt naked...}

Heels: Pour La Victoire

I have no idea why, but I really like this shot for some reason....Maybe because there 

isn't any fake wood!

Going Global

Between the somewhat tribal print and the South African necklace, I felt a little more worldly and a little less city. Of course, the fact that I had taken the day off contributed to this vacation feel, but I'd like to think the outfit was partly responsible.
I was iffy on drop-waist dresses for a while. Sure they are crazy comfortable but I was worried I would look like I was trying to make a potato sack chic. As always, Tibi came through with this fabulous swingy dress, which hopefully looks as good as it feels! Chalk one up for a new-found open-mindedness (however I still refuse to change my mind on overalls...)


Dress: Tibi {try this or this} // Necklace: Gift from South Africa
{This also counts as the before shot prior to my haircut}

Nail Polish: Essie 'In the Cab-Ana'

Sandals: Dolce Vita {similar here and here} // Nail Polish: Essie 'Hotshot'

Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Number One'

Also, guess who FINALLY got a haircut?!