color outside the lines

When I think of fall colors, I think of the shades of falling leaves and crackling fires. Oranges, browns, reds, deep, rich, warm colors. A bright coral...not your typical fall color. But I have to be honest, with style, I love breaking rules. In my day to day life, I will be the first to label myself a rule follower. But with my clothes, I like to break the rules, color outside the lines. I bought this dress resale the other day. It is not a fall dress and that is doubtless why it remained on the racks. I can see no other reason an Anthropologie dress with the tags still on would not be scooped up. The color and material scream spring or summer. I almost passed it up but I bought it and like many other items (I'm talking to you ballerina skirt and ugly plaid skirt) this dress is now a challenge to me. I will make it work in the fall. Round one...

dress: Anthropologie resale

wrap: Chico's gift from Aunt Kathryn

tights: Kohl's 

belt: Target

shoes: BCBG from Nordstron Rack

necklace: Unpossible Cuts

danger zone

cords: J Crew

socks, blouse, jacket: Target

necklace: unpossible cuts

shoes: Blowfish resale

This outfit fall under my "what was I thinking" comfort zone. For me, getting dressed is a process of trial and error as I try to build an outfit. The goal is usually to come up with a combination I have never worn before. Often times, I get fixated on an item and build everything else around it. This day, that item was these blowfish platform sandals. In spite of the rain and the cold, I was determined to wear them. And for some reason, bright blue socks and vivid coral pants seemed like the only viable option. sigh. Way outside my comfort zone this day. Every now and again, you get way out of control and have to remind yourself to rein it back in.

This is one of those days.

9 days!!!

 dress; Old Navy clearance

boots: Seychelle's Romance

tights, socks: Kohl's 

belt: Target

scarf: on loan from Erin J

necklace: unpossible cuts

Oh, glorious, amazing, fantastic, undeniably enviable week off of school!! I jerked awake at 7 and frantically grabbed for my phone since my bleary eyes could not make out the numbers on my alarm clock. My heart dropped in panic, which was immediately followed by the realization that it was Saturday. When I remember that this Saturday is the first day in my 9 days of vacation I smiled and blissfully sank back to sleep.

My friend at Unpossible Cuts commented that his necklaces have not been on here in awhile. I wear them all the time but by chance they have not been on the blog much lately. I intend to remedy that beginning right now. if you have not checked out their etsy shop recently go now!! Their stuff is adorable, edgy, clever, and trend-setting all at the same time. I have gotten compliments almost every time I have worn something from them...food truck employees to flight attendants have asked where my necklaces are from. I have my eye on the State Love necklace, to represent where I'm from, and the Hella necklace in honor of where I am now.

hot mess of patterns

skirt: Banana Republic resale

top: ??

button up: American Eagle 2001

wedges: Lela Rose for payless clearance

belt: Old Navy

It was a grey day but the good kind. The air had that lovely, brisk feeling that somehow smells like the holidays. I made me think of the Christmas music and crackling fires for the first time. Considering Thanksgiving is a week away, I am right on schedule.

This is a whole lot of pattern happening. I've got the grey, plaid, pencil skirt. I've got the green, floral top. And I've got the pink striped button up. Sometimes, when you mix up the unexpected you get a hot mess. Other times it just works.

Andi's real camera

I am feeling so ridiculously grateful to my little sister, Andi. She graciously agreed to let me borrow her super fancy camera while I continue to contemplate upgrading from my smart phone camera to a real camera. And would you look at these photos!!! Real cameras take pretty amazing pictures. I almost feel like I shouldn't ruin it by telling you that I am pretty sure I am standing on a landfill in these pictures. But, obviously I am unable to keep things to myself and there we are. Landfill. Yup. Standing on one.

But the view from the landfill sure is pretty.

skirt: Target resale

cardigan: Banana Republic resale

top: Old Navy, gift from Andi

tights: Kohl's 

wedges: Forever 21

 necklace: gift from Mom

Purple haze

 dress: H&M

cardigans: Target

tights:Kohl's 

hawk wedges: Seychelle's

EBEW colored tights. I felt alittle bummed about this challenge b/c I didn't have any fun new tights to wear. My drawer is packed full on last winter's tights in the same, old colors I've worn and worn and worn. I can't really justify buying new tights though, when I already have so many pairs. I have never pair these tights with this polka dot dress. I have usually worn this dress as a top but today I wanted a light colored, short dress to show these purple tights off. In these chilly temps I added a purple button-up layered under the dress.

blue owls, blue dress

I recently gave in to the phenomenon that is Pintrest and, like everyone else, I am quite fond of it. I pinned this adorable photo of owl cupcakes to my "Yum Yum" board and knew that I HAD to make them. As cute as they are, building 50 mini owl cupcakes, takes a significant chunk of time.

 dress: Banana Republic resale

Cardigan: American Eagle circa 2003

Tights: Old navy

belt: Target

Boots: Seychelle's Romance

This dress is one of my many resale purchases that I am never quite sure if I bought it because I like the idea of it or because I actually like it. After belting it with a fitted cardigan, I remain on the fence. Not sure if I am a fan or not. It's just so much fabric that I do not know if the pretty details and the brand are enough to redeem it.