A Pop of Neon: AZ Look #1

I finally got around to snapping some pictures of what I wore during my trip to Arizona.  For the next few days, I'll be sharing them with you:

Delia's jeans - gift from Mom via Uptown Cheapskate
Rue 21 button-down - FC ($6)
J. Jill sweater - thrifted w/Mom
Boots - xmas gift from BF
Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse - FC ($40)

Buck snuck into this last one -
isn't he getting big??



About my outfit:  This is my Arizona Day 1 outfit (polyvore).  I wanted to be comfy for a day of shopping, so I wore my skinny jeans (which I love as a base to try on clothes with) and my flat boots.  I layered my peachy oversized sweater over my neon plaid button-down for a pop of bright color - I think it corresponds nicely with the embroidery on my boots!  I only brought 2 purses, so I carried my tan D&B across my shoulder (to keep hands free!)

Stay tuned for more travel-worthy, layered looks!

Must Love: Darby

Menswear is a trend that's been around for a little while now, and I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon. I think it's fun to add a pop of this trend through footwear - and what I'm currently digging is the Darby slip-on loafer.  J. Crew said "inspired by a gentleman's formal dress slipper" it's part smoking-slipper, part loafer, and a whole-lotta cute!

J. Crew had a wide variety (for a pretty penny) that included fun prints and patterns like glitter, or animal-print in real calf-hair.  However, now I only see the leopard-print Darby calf-hair loafers on the website.

Anthropologie recently introduced an eclectic collection.  Though hard to choose, these are my favorite:

Tasia from Ruffles & Sequins shows 8 fun, funky styles from different designers.  Click here to see her post with corresponding designer and price info!

I've been seeing them for a while around the blog-o-sphere and on pinterest.  I think they are a fun alternative to ballet flats, a nice way to experiment with the menswear trend, and a perfect footwear option for Spring!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

via Late Afternoon

via pinterest

via Atlantic-Pacific

via pinterest

via The Blonde Salad

What got me started on this?  These just in at our Monkey Junction location (size 9, $14):

I would so wear these.

What do you think about this trend?

Would you wear the Darby slip-on loafer??

Running Errands

When I don't have time to think about what to wear...

Bullhead jeans - Marshalls ($10)
F21 black tee - FC ($6)
(old) Express sheer button-down - FC ($7)
Boots - xmas gift from BF
Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse - FC ($40)
Scarf - gifted (old); World Market earrings - gifted

About my outfit:  For running errands a couple days ago, I didn't have the time to put a lot of thought into my outfit, and I wanted to be comfortable.  So, I went with an all-black base, used (my favorite) tan shade of brown as accents, and then punched it up with some funky, colorful accessories like this multicolor scarf and these fun, bold earrings.  I didn't need much else to complicate my look so, with that, I was out the door!

What do you wear while running errands?

How I Packed for Arizona

A while ago I asked you guys to Help me Pack.  I received a lot of great feedback like "roll your clothes instead of folding" and to "think layers" or "utilize accessories to dress up basic outfits" and ended up bringing some great layered-up looks.  I used polyvore to help me visualize each outfit.


I also jotted down notes for myself, which greatly reduced my packing time!  (highly recommend this)

So...what did I end up with??

Travel Days - I wore my (first and only) leggings on the plane with an oversized sweater, my denim shirt which I sometimes wear as a jacket and my heaviest (Dex) boots.  On the way back I layered a button-down under my sweater but pretty much followed the same formula.

Day 1 - We did a fair amount of shopping the first the day, so I knew I wanted to be comfortable and have a good base to try clothes on.  I went with my polyvore Day 2 look which consisted of my comfy skinny jeans, plaid button down, and peach sweater layered over.  I originally planned on wearing my new statement bib-necklace, but decided against as I didn't want to pull it on and off every time I tried on something.  This went nicely with my embroidered (and comfortable) flat boots.

Day 2 - More shopping and errands warranted the same skinny jeans, another button-down and this time, a sweater-vest.  I wore my red Dex boots with this look since I knew I'd be on my feet less. (see polyvore Day 4)

Day 3 - Saturday, party day, I put off showering until closer to the party.  We went to this amazing art festival and the weather was absolutely amazing.  I threw on my alternate - gray stripe dress, cropped Free People sweater and comfortable flat boots (see here) for walking, then added a scarf, just in case it got cool.  For the party that night I went with my mesh material White House Black Market dress (a traveler's dream - it doesn't wrinkle when you pack it!) and kept it simple with black tights and booties, my diamond necklace (Xmas gift from BF) and added a pop of color with a funky scarf.

Day 4 - We went and had lunch with Mom's dad on the last full day of the trip.  For this outing I went with polyvore Day 3 - my Coincidence & Chance sweater-skirt, blue elegantees bow-tie blouse, and, of course, my red Dex boots.  Afterwards I gave my mom the elegantees shirt because I thought it fit her better, and let's face it - she gifts me things all the time!

In the end, I had packed just a few unnecessary items (but I'd rather have the option than not!).  For the most part, I got a lot of wear out of what I packed, and utilized layering as it was cooler in the mornings and warmed up during the day.  I'll try to snap some pictures soon of exactly what I wore so you can really visualize it!  ...Stay tuned...

How do you pack for a trip?
Do you tend to pack too much or too little??

Arizona Photo Diary (Long Overdue)

So, here are some quick pics from my recent Arizona trip.  I had so much fun visiting with my Grandma, celebrating my Great Aunt's 90th birthday party, shopping, walking, eating authentic Mexican food, and just soaking in all the wonderful weather and beautiful surroundings!

Mom, me, Grandma
(wearing F21 dress, Free People cropped sweater, gifted boots & scarf)

adobe-style houses

not a very fancy outfit
(walking clothes - comfy pants, Mellow Mushroom tee, Free People hoodie)

jumping cactus

Grandma, Mom, me

me & Grandma

"Twiggy" - the saguaro cactus skeleton

a very tall (and strange) cactus

I took a lot of scenery pictures to show the BF (he's never been to AZ) but included mostly pictures with people in them - those are always more fun, right?  Unfortunately I didn't really get any outfit pictures, but in the next day or so I'll show you what I packed (thanks to your advice!) and what little treasures I got while I was out there : ).

Where have you traveled recently??

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vintage photograph of the BF's grandparent's prom

The vintage photo above is my boyfriend's grandparent's prom picture.  A little less than 2 years ago, we celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  This picture takes my breath away; I hope you can see as much beauty in it as I do.

Wishing you all the most amazing Valentine's Day

no matter how you choose to spend it

or who you choose to spend it with

remember you are loved

XOXO

Valentine's Day Lace & Red

In honor of the lovey-dovey holiday of Valentine's tomorrow, here's a romantic-inspired look that combines black lace and a pop of red:

Vintage skirt - FC ($8)
F21 lace top - FC ($6.50)
We Who See booties - FC ($16)
Vintage Coach purse - FC ($38)
Gold chain-link necklace & belt - FC@MJ

About my outfit:  I think pleats and lace is an understated-ly sexy combination.  When I took these photos the weather was still warm enough to sport bare legs (though the outfit would be just as cute with black tights) and I liked the texture contrast of lace, pleats, and suede.  Since there's enough going on with textures, I kept the accessories simple: gold chains.  The pop of red in my vintage Coach purse (and occasional red scarf) really pushes this into a "Valentine's Day look" don't you think?

What do you wear for Valentine's Day?

Buckwheat & Me

...are getting ready for Valentine's Day

Are you???

A Fall-Colored Color-Block

If you saw my Fall Inspiration post a few months ago, then you know what a fan I am of earth tones and muted Autumn hues.  Back at home my room is painted burnt orange and my favorite cardigan is mustard (see me style it here, here & here).  I've always been drawn to the colors of the 70s, and this look is no exception:

Michael Stars top - FC ($9)
Acne skinny jeans - FC ($45)
J.Crew mustard belt - gift from Mom in AZ
Vintage Dex boots - FC ($24)
Vintage necklace & clip-on earrings set - Xmas gift from Mom

About my outfit:  How do you decide what to wear each day??  I usually start with one piece - this time it was this Michael Stars shirt that I've had for a week or two but hadn't worn yet.  I paired it with my Paper, Denim & Cloth jeans...but it just didn't look right.  So I switched to my trusty skinny jeans but thought my shirt was way too long.  Then I added my new mustard belt (finally - a skinny color belt!) and as soon as I did that, I knew my brick-red boots would pull this whole Fall-colored color-block look together.  I finished it off with a vintage set and then fishtail braided pig-tails.

Are you a fan of color-blocking?

Which colors do you color-block with??

Currently Crushing: Tiny [Animal] Prints

Recently I've been obsessed with tiny all-over prints.  Remember this "animal print" of mine?

And the crushing continues...

 

 

all photos link back to original on my
pinterest page

In Arizona, I picked up this nifty deer&wolf tiny-print dress at H&M (we don't have one here at the beach so I was super excited to check out the store) and just love it!  Something about looking down at these tiny animals just gets me every time!  Oh, and, still dealing with some tech issues so apologies for the lackluster photo quality again, hope you can at least get the idea!

And if you haven't seen the lining of my all-purpose trench, you've been missing out!  Every time I take this baby off and lay it on the bed while grabbing a hanger from the closet, I can't help but smile.

Do you love tiny prints?

Or are you a fan of big, bold and all-over?

What are you currently crushing??