Pull On and Go

Constantly on the hunt for "easy, breezy, beautiful" summer dresses, I've been hitting up T.J. Maxx quite frequently because they're cheap and usually have a lot more character. But then I found this store online and I am so super bummed that it is online only. I am so fickle when it comes to dresses and usually end up buying every 10th one I try on, so I don't really want to order any and end up having to constantly return. But the prices, styles, and varieties offered on Asos makes it very tempting.

{nautical: Vero Moda Samba Stripe Vest Tulip Dress, 30.44}

{Westernish: Vero Moda Belted Cotton Dress, 57.49}

{girly: ASOS Frill Front Strappy Sundress, 30.44}

{soo comfy: ASOS Contrast Cord Hoodie Lounge Dress, 33.82}

Listening to: "Wonderwall" Oasis
Thought of the Day: "Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have." -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Spring Frocks

Tonight was my last sorority chapter ever and my roommate reminded me this weekend just how close graduation really is. I will be a college grad in just 18 days. Meaning 18 days until I'm officially done with this amazing place I have been lucky enough to call home for the last 4 years and only 17 days until I need two dresses for the actual SLU-wide graduation and my college's pre-commencement ceremony. Yikes! Back in high school, I remember being so freaked out about finding the perfect graduation dress, which I never did and consequently ended up buying one the night before the ceremony. It's a really awesome feeling though this time around that I am not so concerned about it. First because this means that I realized that I'll be wearing a gown for the majority of it and secondly, because I am not focusing nearly as much on the image/materialistic things in life, but instead on the people around me - friends, family, people I have never met, but are sharing in this special day of a loved one.

However, this didn't stop me from eyeing some lovely spring dresses like these which are each adorable in their own unique way:

{AE's Fireworks Ruffle dress, $44.50}

{J.Crew's Ginny dress, $148}

{Anthro's Silken Pathways dress, $168}

{Mod Cloth's Cute as a Clover dress, $49.99}

Listening to: "Graduation" Kanye West
Thought of the day: "This is your world. Shape it or someone else will." -Gary Lew

Pink Glitter

So tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and that means I am going to be trying out a new lifestyle, trying to live more simply and more similarly to the lifestyle I would be assuming if I am selected to be a Jesuit Volunteer next year. More on this later, but for now, for my last consumeristic post for a while... lust worthy shoes. I know, I know, I really shouldn't be posting about these since they cost approximately the same as 200 days of food for a volunteer in Belize, but they're gorgeous and I would never actually think of buying them.

Mr. Louboutin knows how to design seriously glamorous heels. How cute would they be with a one sleeved black mini dress?

{Christian Louboutin Declic Glitter Pumps, $675}

Listening to: "1901" Phoenix
Thought of the Day: "One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks." -Jack Penn

Perfect Pink

I love Valentine's Day. Well, maybe not the day itself, but the pinks and reds, the dresses, the hearts, seeing the word "LOVE" everywhere... it just makes me feel like there is love in the air. And what better way to kick off the season of love than with a gorgeous bridesmaid dress? J.Crew has sold this dress for the past couple seasons and I have been infatuated since the first time I saw it. It looks figure flattering and seems like one that you would actually wear again after the wedding. It's usually shown with a gold skinny belt which makes it even better. But I don't think I could ever ask my bridesmaids to buy a $225 dress...

{J.Crew cotton cady Erica dress, $225}

Listening to: "Brick by Brick" Katy Perry
Thought of the Day: "What you are in love with seizes the imagination, will affect your everything. It will decide what gets you out of bed in the mornings, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, what you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Elegance

I'm not usually a fan of Jessica Stam, but isn't she lovely in this Feb. 2010 Elle China photograph?

I'm smitten with the combination of pearls and black lace.

Listening to: "Shed a Little Light" James Taylor
Thought of the Day: "This is my wish for you: comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, hugs when spirits sag, sunsets to warm your heart, friendships to brighten your being, beauty for your eyes to see, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, patience to accept the truth, courage to know yourself, love to complete your life." - Anonymous

{via A Glamorous Little Side Project via Elle China}

Winter Blossoms

{Teacher Clothes Part 2: EmersonMade Blooms}

{I want this dress}

{simple and chic, love her heels}

Easy Embellishments

{Teacher Clothes Part 1: J. Crew}

{love the ruffles and layered necklaces}

{for an important day}

{add a grey blazer}

{I can't wait to try out my two new blazers!}

Counting Down the Days

I know it isn't even January 1st yet, but I'm already sick of the cold weather. Don't get me wrong, I like snow, but only when it is falling and I am sitting inside watching it. And I don't mind sledding, snow ball fights, and making snow men (I made one this past week with my little cousin!), but after the first day of snow on the ground, I'm ready for it to melt away and for the sun to bring back some warmth. So while I wait for the next couple dreary months to pass, I'm going to dream of being in warmer places with cheery, girly dresses like these by Thread Social.



Listening to: "Woke up in a Car" Something Corporate
Thought of the Day: "The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Basic Blazer

I went shopping for some pieces I can wear for student teaching next semester and I kept having the problem that everything was too stiff and not very versatile. Everything made me feel like a little kid playing dress up in my businesswoman mom's closet.... not that my mom's a business woman, but if she were a workaholic executive, these were the pieces she would wear. So rather than sticking with my basic cardigans everyday, maybe a black blazer like this one would provide a bit more style in the outfit rotation.

{Forever 21, $28.80}

{Gap, $88}

Not only would it look great during the work day,
but I also love this look of a clean blazer over a flirty party dress.

{Dresses: Camilla and Marc, Preen, Herve Leger}

Listening to: "Winter Paradise" -Destiny's Child
Thought of the Day: Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act." -Jack Welch

Stylish Pair

Yesterday in one of my classes, we were comparing the portrayal of families in the media and one of the shows we discussed was Full House. A girl in my class commented that the Michelle was such as cute baby and it was a shame that the Olsen twins are so dysfunctional now. Everyone but me agreed with her. I didn't voice this then, but am I really the only one who likes these two? They just exude such a carefree, glamorous, and chic image. What do you think? I am crazy in this opinion?

Listening to: "Stay or Leave" Dave Matthews Band
Thought of the Day: "Without friends, no one would choose to live" -Aristotle

{Image via Saints and Liars}

Frost Yourself

I am loving Heidi Klum's ads for Ann Taylor. It seems so funny that a brand I considered "old" and "mom-ish" about 3 years ago is now being represented by Heidi and I actually would love to wear their clothing. Isn't the pearl and diamond combination lovely? Some of my faves...


Inspiration for some Christmas break DIYs? hmm....

Listening to: "Never Knew I Needed" Ne-Yo
Thought of the Day: "Don't pray for an easier life; but instead pray to be a stronger person." - Bishop Lafino

{Images via Instyle and Ann Taylor}

Dreaming of Summer Nights

Doesn't this dress just beg to be worn for first date cocktails followed by a stroll along a riverwalk?

{Queen Street Draped Jersey Dress, $190}

It is so effortless looking yet glam at the same time. Made by Carol Hannah of Project Runway fame, it, along with the rest of her fall collection, can be found on her Etsy shop here.

Listening to: "Wedding Dress" -Matt Nathanson
Thought of the Day: "Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away." -Hitch

Hanging on to Summer

Last fall I tried the shorts-over-tights idea a couple times but to be honest, I felt a little silly even though I really liked the concept. I love fall, but I would much rather wear shorts any day (I'm wearing them right now and it's in the 40s!). I was re-inspired after seeing this Winter Shorts post on Cup of Jo and promptly found a few coveted pairs.

{J. Crew, $98}

{Forever 21, $19.80}

{Shopbop, $370}

Still not feeling it? Check out these outfits for some shorts-over-tights inspiration: Anthropologie, J.Crew's LookBook, and Couture Carrie


Listening to: "Do You Remember" Jay Sean
Thought of the Day: ""Overcome the notion that you must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary." -Uta Hagen

Seeing Hearts

This is what confidence looks like.

{love the sunglasses}

Listening to: "Watcha Say" Jason DeRulo

Thought of the Day: "The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of." -Laise Pascal

{Image via The Sartorialist}

Ruffles and Rewards

Is it weird that I had a conversation today with another education major about what we are looking forward to as a teacher and one of the things we both thought of was the fact that we will always get a discount from J.Crew? Someone smart realized teachers make next to nothing and decided to extend the student discount (15%) to educators. Thank you! Perfect timing too since I am loving the ruffles that are everywhere in their fall collection.

I don't know how affordable their clothing will be as a teacher though, even with the discount. But I can dream, right?

Listening to: "Peaceful World" John Mellencamp
Thought of the Day: "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." Matthew 6:34

{Images via J.Crew}

Breezy Beautiful

How timeless is this?  I love how she takes the staple trench, adds some fun heels, dark nails, and a cherry red wallet, and creates a glamorous look.  And the banana peel doesn't hurt either. 

Listening to: "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"   James Brown

Thought of the Day: "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage that we bring to it."  - Yogi tea bag

{Image via The Sartorialist}

Fall Nails

So I don't know if it is because I didn't wear nail polish when I was growing up or what, but I am obsessed with painting my nails. I get so excited when I buy a new color. Summer was fun with the neon mattes, but I am ready to fall into cozier colors.

After browsing these ideas and these, here are some new colors by Rescue Beauty Lounge I can't wait to try:

{Drifter - matte deep plum... yum}

{Recycle - love this but there is a girl in my Poli Sci class who wears neon green and it is atrocious}

{Stormy... who would have thought that grey would catch on for nails?!}

Listening to: "Whatever it Takes" Leona Lewis
Thought of the Day: "Play after every storm." -Mattie Stepanek

Pink Perfection

I admire how Whitney Port always dresses so classy yet still takes risks. Her combination of conservative cuts with girly fabrics is perfect as is the contrast of the twisty hair with pink lips and her dark nails.
love love love

Listening to: "T-shirt" Shontelle
Thought of the Day: "Get inspired or be depressed. Ace a test or flunk a class. Make babies or make art. Speak the truth or lie and cheat. Dance on tables or sit in the corner. Life is divine chaos. Embrace it. Forgive yourself. Breath. And enjoy the ride..." -Solbeam

{Image via Glamour}

Rock On

Did you know that greaser and teddy boy are synonymous with the term "rocker"? Or that early rock 'n' roll music has roots in Honky tonk, swing, and Appalachian music?
Random, I know, but I came across these tidbits while I was doing a little research on my latest obsession with edgy, rocker style. I am so excited for fall... just as long as the greasy hair doesn't make a comeback.

Lust:

{Love studs}

{Laid-back prep - perfect over a dress or with grungy jeans}

{everyday edgy}

{my fav - I am completely obsessed}

Listening to: "Walk This Way" Aerosmith
Thought of the Day: "When it comes to luck, you make your own." -Bruce Springsteen

{Images via: Net-a-Porter, Gap, Express, ShopBop}

Getting Ready for Fall

Love:

{classic sparkles}

{glamorous granny-ish}

{unexpected}

{rocker chic}

Listening to: "Freedom" Akon
Thought of the Day: "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."

{Image: J.Crew, Anthropologie, UO, ShopBop}