More rain

Rain. ALL THE TIME lately. And cold. Friday was a stupid cold, rainy mess. My cure for this is more cow bell Hunter boots.

I am a creature who needs the sun. As soon as the weather was nice on Saturday, I was out and about to enjoy it (those pics to be posted later). Of course, all of the crazies were out on Saturday also... doing last minute Christmas shopping (I was actually doing the FIRST of my Christmas shopping. sigh). Chaos EVERYWHERE. People driving crazy. People lined up for miles to checkout at stores. People running into things with their shopping carts (okay, that last one was me). It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.






Ann Taylor cardigan, Gap shirt, Wal Mart jeans, DIY boot socks, Hunter boots, Louis Vuitton bag, Michael Kors watch, Forever 21 earrings and bangles, AT Loft necklace and ring

Shirt Dressing

I always look forward to weekends...I know everyone does. But there are weekends that I look forward to, and weekends I NEED. I know, bloggers often mis-use the term 'need' (i.e I need these boots, I need this jacket, etc). But saying that I need this weekend is pure fact.  Another fact: I need a massage.

So I've been working a lot. But I did get to wear this dress that I love (worn here and here) as a blouse this week. When you're lost in spreadsheets and presentations and meetings, funny how you'll cling to something as simple as wearing a favorite item of clothing a different way to help make you feel more chic.  #ItsTheLitteThings








Parker dress worn as a shirt (similar), Ann Taylor trousers (old), Banana Republic trench, Zara pumps (no longer available), Coach bag (old), Gap belt (old), F21 earrings and bangles, Michael Kors watch, NY&Co Earrings, Ann and Ava elephant ring (similar), Lancome L'asbolu Rouge in Jezabel, Revlon nail color in Vixen.

Making the transition

FINALLY... we are starting to at least hear that temps are expected to drop in our area.  I'm in full transition mode with my wardrobe trying to make use of every last summer/fall/transition item I have.  There is just no better time of year than when the air starts to feel a little more crisp in the mornings when you walk outside.  For this particular morning, I chose my favorite lightly layered casual transition outfit.








Thrifted J Crew shirt (similar), Gap Outlet sleeveless cardi (similar), F21 shorts (similar), Ralph Lauren belt (similar), Franco Sarto shoes via TJ Maxx (similar), AT Loft necklace (similar) and bangles (similar), Michael Kors watch (here), NY&Co earrings old (similar), D&G aviators (similar), Rebecca Minkoff bag (here), Essie 'power clutch' polish (here)

I hope everyone is having a fabulous long weekend!  Which transition pieces are you excited to wear??

Animal Lover

SO EXCITED to feature a guest on my blog.  Clearly continuing my love of chambray, flats, and all things animal print... I decided this would be the perfect time to introduce a very special friend to you all.






Zara skirt (similar), GAP outlet shirt (here), Karen Millen belt (similar), Sam Edelman flats (here), AT Loft necklace (similar), F21 bangles (similar here and here), Michael Kors watch (here), Francesca's shades (similar) and ring (similar), Rebecca Minkoff bag (here), Essie 'Turquoise and Caicos' polish, gifted earrings from my friend Jodi :)

This is Dixie!!  Also known as 'FBG' (Fat Baby Girl - check out the belly).  Dixie is 9 years old, and I've had her since she was just 8 weeks old!!  I swear this dog is the love of my life.  If she could talk, I just know she would be sarcastic 99.9% of the time... check out the "Mother - what on earth are we doing?" face....


You will never see a happier dog, she is so friendly and up for anything.  She also loves to travel, and she's even going to Tampa with me for the Blogger Brilliance conference! :)


Action shot... I just know she's singing "I'm on the EDGE of GLOOORRRYYY....."* while she's running around.  *That was just for you, Jenn ;)


Okay so she's starting to get a little fed up with outfit pictures here.  This is what we know as the "Seriously?" face...


And then the "when in Rome" attitude comes in.  If I must be here, I suppose I'll practice my high editorial pose...

Oh.  I'm tired.  Just a little nap won't hurt anything.

(She looks plenty sweet and innocent... just FYI she snores like a trucker)

I know what you're thinking - and the answer is NO.  NO, you have not ever seen anything this cute in your whole life.  :)

Not-so-casual Friday

You all know I love casual Friday - but today was actually my birthday as well, so I thought I would dress up a little more than usual.  There was a fun birthday happy hour after work that I wanted to be cool and comfy for, so I decided to wear this breezy skirt and lightweight top.  I got this skirt from the Gap outlet months ago but this is the first time wearing it - I have no idea why!  I'll definitely be wearing it more often.

I have so many pieces in my closet that I hesitate to wear and then once I do, I don't know why on earth I waited!  Do any of you have forgotten pieces/neglected items in your closet??  I know this makes me want to go through mine looking for more pieces like this skirt!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!










Zara blouse, GAP outlet skirt, F21 necklace, Calvin Klein shoes, Charming Charlie's bracelet, old earrings, Coach shades, Michael Kors watch

Having a chambray summer...

This was a casual Friday look I wore a few weeks ago (obviously it's been a while - my hair was still long!).  I have been practically living in this shirt all summer... it is by far one of the most versatile pieces in my closet.  It's great to wear for traveling, running errands... I can dress it up or down... it's just an all around great piece!  I love how simple it is to incorporate chambray into my wardrobe... I'm thinking for summer 2011, chambray is the new black ;)

Has everyone been obsessed with chambray this summer?  






GAP shirt, tank, and belt; Ann Taylor jeans; F21 necklace, bracelet, and earrings; Calvin Klein shoes; Michael Kors watch; Dolce and Gabbana aviators; Louis Vuitton wallet 

Quick and Casual

Quick post before my 3 day weekend shopping trip (so exciting!) - I'm so thrilled to feature this pink bracelet, which is a giveaway item that I won from Bravoe Runway, one of my favorite fashion blogs!!  Wore this outfit last weekend to dinner and a movie, SUPER comfy and the jeans keep me from freezing to death in the movie theater (why must it be so cold in there??).

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!






AT Loft bracelet (giveaway WIN from Bravoe Runway!), GAP outlet vest and tank, NY&Co jeans, Calvin Klein wedges, Michael Kors watch, old necklaces, F21 bangles, Rebecca Minkoff bag

Time for a change

Happy Monday, friends!  Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know that this Saturday, I decided to take the plunge and chop my hair off.  After over 3 years of patiently growing it out with only minor trims to shape up the ends occasionally... I decided within 24 hours of my hair appointment to go for a pretty drastic change.  Luckily for me, my super fun friend and hair stylist was up for the challenge and made the new cut/color look so fab that I didn't have any regrets!!  Even when I saw the 6 inches of hair on the floor (okay, that made me a little uneasy - but only for a second)... (alright, it was a few seconds).

The moral of this story for me:  it was time for a change.  I wasn't into styling my hair anymore with the length it was before.   The whole point of having long hair for me was to be able to do so many more things with it, curl the ends for going out, etc.  Well my hair was so heavy that curls would fall out within an hour, and I was wearing it either in a ponytail or a bun EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Blah.  I wanted to feel excited about my hair again.  

Another thing I learned from this haircut?  This blog makes me take so many more chances than ever before.  I'm so inspired and touched by the feedback and encouraging comments I've gotten so far, and I feel accountable to my readers.  I feel the need to make every photo and post a constant evolving reflection of who I am and what I'm loving, even if it's just for the moment.  Right now I'm making some changes in my life... I wanted my hair style to be an expression of that.    

For those of you reading this thinking "seriously? it's just hair...." I should admit that a big part of me agrees with the fact that it isn't this big of a deal.  However, that part of me is too busy enjoying how simple this new haircut is to manage to comment right now :)








Victoria's Secret t-shirt, GAP shorts, F21 necklace and bracelet, NY&Co earrings, Francesca's sunglasses, Rebecca Minkoff bag, Michael Kors watch

Track Lighting

The best thing about the weekend is simplicity.  It feels great to be able to wear anything I want, in this instance a pair of shorts and a lightweight top.  This look isn't exactly the 'neon and neutral' trend, but close - these shorts are BRIGHT.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic, relaxing, beautiful weekend... I know I am! :)











GAP shorts, F21 shirt, Franco Sarto shoes (from TJ Maxx), Ann Taylor Loft necklaces, Charming Charlie's bracelets, Michael Kors watch, old earrings, boutique rings