So Long, Summer!

{ON dress (similar) & hat (similar) | f21 jacket | qupid sandals | fossil watch | stella & dot bracelet}

Things I will miss about summer as demonstrated by these photos:  Hanging out on our friends' rooftop in NYC without getting cold, having silly photo shoots accompanied by an amazing sunset (without getting cold), and wearing in public what is essentially a glorified nightgown masquerading as a chic and stylish maxi dress (and, yeah, without getting cold).

We're leaving today for a quick little road trip up to Buffalo.  If traditions hold true, then there is a distinct possibility that summer will end while I'm away and it'll be cold by the time I get back.  I promise to take full responsibility for any seasonal transgressions.

See you next week!

p.s. - Linking with these ladies today.
p.p.s. - The Chicwish giveaway ends on Monday.  Don't forget to enter!

Making the Cut

{sears dress (cute option) | f21 jacket | o'neil sandals (similar) | fossil watch | stella & dot bracelet}

If you've been keeping a keen eye on my hair, (because I'm sure you've all just been simply glued to my mane) then you might have noticed that I got it cut.  It was pretty long, and after a less than desirable and kind of pricey haircut, it was looking a little funky.  Luckily my (super, amazing, talented hair dresser of a) sister came to the rescue a few days later when she was here for a visit.  She dyed it the totally rocking ombre you see here and fixed the chop job the best she could, short of gluing hair back on (which, btw, she is totally qualified to do).  Basically, she stopped me from bursting into tears any time I'd catch my reflection in a shiny surface.  Moral of the story: if you have a sister who's an amazing hairdresser but lives 1,000 miles away, it might not be a bad idea to only get your hair cut once or twice a year when you get to see her.  And if you live in Ft. Lauderdale, then definitely make an appointment with Jen at The Factory Salon.


p.s. - linking here today.
p.p.s. - the Chicwish giveaway ends soon.  Don't forget to enter!

The Illusionist

{sears dress (cute option) | i heart ronson jacket (similar) | steve madden boots | boyfriend's belt | inpink necklace (similar) | f21 & gifted bracelets (similar 1, 2, 3)}

I bet looking at these photos you can't tell that I was so full after going out to lunch that I could barely walk, let alone smile.  And I also bet you can't tell that we only happened to stumble onto this beautiful secret garden because we went poking around behind the back of a Target.  Also on the list of things you might not have guessed - this was the first time I wore this dress and accidentally left the tags on it all day long.

This is why I don't usually give behind the scenes peeks.  I like to maintain the illusion that I actually have it together.


{Linking here today.}

Winter Stripes

{ON sweater (cute option -on sale!) |  target skirt (similar)  |  steve madden boots | ON scarf}

I've been a little off track from my usual outfit posting format, but Christmastime simply requires a departure from the norm to bring you some gift guides and a fancy nails how-to, (and maybe even a couple more surprises before the big day).  But just because I've been in the Christmas spirit doesn't mean I haven't been getting dressed.

In fact, between visions of sugarplum fairies dancing in my head, and dreaming of a white Christmas, I've been conjuring up ways to transition my beloved striped maxi skirt into the colder months.  Inspiration struck and I pulled some leggings on underneath, and wore this get-up to do a little shopping.  I was totally toasty, completely comfortable, and most importantly, was wearing my maxi in winter.  That's a big ol' check mark in the win-win-win column.

You can catch me here, too.

Orange you glad?

{target top  |  tulle skirt  |  shoes  |  dogeared & inpink necklaces (similar) }

You wouldn't know it from looking, but I was sweating like a beast in these photos.  See that last photo?  The one where my skirt's being blown by the wind?  Don't let it fool you.  Even with the breeze, it was still about 85 degrees with 60% humidity.  I could barely be wearing less clothing.  And yet, I wish I was.  Orange you glad autumn's almost here?

Linking up here today.

Festival Ware

{tank: target  |  boots: kamik  |  similar shorts, similar backpack, necklace: f21  |  bracelets: f21, delias, diy}

If you've been reading for a while, you know that I make no pretense of having any semblance of a cool or exciting life.  But on occasion, I do get down with the get down.  And it's usually in summer, in the form of an outdoor day-long concert or festival.

And this is the kind of outfit I usually wear.  I like a light and breezy top to keep cool, with a bikini underneath so I can dry a little faster after walking through the misting tent (and if things really heat up I can take off the shirt, and for whatever reason, not feel as awkward running around in a bikini as I would in my skivvies).  Shorts need no explanation, and wellies help protect my feet from all of the mud, dirt, and dust that inevitably accumulates with the constant stampede of thousands of dancing feet.

If I'm really lucky, maybe I'll get some interesting tan lines courtesy of that tank top.  Because nothing says "I spent all day listening to music" like a lace-patterned tan.

Find me linking up with Sharon, and over here as well.

Stuffed Animals & High Heels

{top: c/o sugarlips  |  shorts: old navy (similar)  |  shoes: payless (similar)  |  bracelets: f21 (similar 1, 2) }

Last night I had a date with hunny bunny to go see Ted.  Since I wasn't sure what to expect from a movie about an anthropomorphized teddy bear, I erred on the side of fancy.  

Really, I would have used any excuse to wear this amazingly light and flowy top I got from Sugarlips Apparel, though.  Its feather-light fabric, unique cut-outs, and sheer side panels make it an instant favorite.

Yup, I think dressing up to watch an animated bear hump a cash register, ingest large quantities of drugs, and curse like a sailor was the right choice.

I'm classy like that.

You can also find me hanging out here today.

That time I looked like Zooey Deschanel

{top, jacket: target  //  jeans  //  shoes: spring, similar  //  bracelets: f21, similar #1, #2  //  scarf: diy}

Yesterday I finally went to renew my license at the DMV.  I was expecting the usual - waiting, annoyance, waiting, getting frustrated, and waiting.  So imagine my surprise when after waiting only 45 minutes (which to be honest, did kind of feel like an eternity because I forgot to bring a book and there's only so long I can amuse myself counting mullets), I got to the desk and both the girl taking my photo and the guy next to her told me I look like Zooey Deschanel.
This is especially cool because she's sort of  my girl crush and the only celebrity that I actually do want to look like.

{Personally, I don't really see it.  But if putting big waves in my hair (which I will then come home, try to "fix", wind up ruining, and salvage by putting my hair up before leaving the house again), winging out my eyeliner, and using red lip stain does the trick, then I'll take it.}

I tried to play it cool, as if I get that all the time.  But I think my response went something more like:

"Oh my God!  Thank you!" (Awkwardly give the guy a high five). "That's the nicest thing I've heard all day!  Awesome!  Thanks!"

Smooooth....


By the way, somewhere in here they saw Zooey.
(Now that I've been compared to her, I feel we should be on a first name basis.)

Come party with me today here.

Flurries & Fair Isle

{sweater: old navy  //  shorts: f21  //  leggings, boots: delias}

If you noticed all those little white flakes in my hair, don't be alarmed.   I assure you they are snowflakes.  I know I've been shoving Jersey's awesome winter weather in your faces lately, but I suppose winter wanted to send a little reminder that it could still make my life miserable if it wanted to.

{It was a pathetic attempt - the snow stopped after about 20 minutes.  Nice try, mother nature.}

In other news, I may have uncovered the secret to wearing shorts when it's snowing: super soft, cuddly-warm, Nordic* style, fair isle leggings.

*Leggings may or may not be Nordic style.  I just like frivolously tossing around cultural terms without actually researching the geographical regions from which they may possibly have originated.