I heart you

Outfit Info

Shirt - Gift from Lulu's, Skirt- Banana Republic, Shoes - Stella Says Go

I got this adorable top at the Clothing Swap presented by Swap.com and Lulu's during Texas Style Council.  I'd never gotten anything from Lulu's before and when I saw the racks of complimentary clothes they were bright and shiny and I wanted to have them.  Sadly, once I dug into the racks I realized that most of the bright and shiny weren't really the right size for a 5'11'' lady who said goodbye to size 4s dozens of cheese plates ago.  Thankfully, a super sweet blogger (who I unfortunately forgot to ask her name) had this top in her hand and graciously gave it over to me.  It fit (hooray!) and makes for the perfect, fun yet work appropriate (with a tank underneath and a high-waisted skirt) outfit for a Thursday that's really my Friday.

And I'm rocking an Easter-esque manicure since that's how I roll.  

Flower checks

Outfit Info

Shirt - Gap Outlet (I actually have this in multiple colors and I have have two of the gray one.  I blame Christian), Skirt - Ralph Lauren Outlet, Shoes - Stella Says Go, 

Bracelet - Banana Republic, Watch - Target

I love all of the beautiful greenness in our backyard.  We have french doors in our master bedroom so I can just lie in bed (one of my favorite activities) (let's be honest, my favorite activity) and take in nature (in between naps, of course).  

You know who else loves our backyard?  This neighborhood stray cat who loves coming up to our french doors and trying to start a fight with our cats.  That little bugger tried to come up and make friends with me while we were taking pics today.  No, sir/ma'am, you torment my cats and you've me up in the middle of the night far too many times for us to be buddies.  Plus, you probably have fleas.  

If we could even get a curtain rod and some curtains hung in the bedroom, that would help dissuade these kitty battles, but that will involve me picking curtains and that's not my favorite decor activity.  So I'll probably just continue to blame the cat who doesn't know any better rather than take any culpability for myself.  Yup, that's how I roll.  

Working without a net

Outfit Info

Skirt - Madewell, Shirt - H&M, Blazer - Banana Republic, Shoes - Stella Says Go

Or rather I'm working without a full-length mirror because it's one of the things still back at our old apartment that we need to bring over to the new house.  The new house whose front door I'm proudly standing in front of!  

Not quite ready to show you inside yet because I didn't get as much unpacking and beautifying done this weekend as I thought I would, so for now you get the front door.  And our adorable welcome mat from Target that coordinates nicely with the front door (total coincidence).

Back to the whole no mirror thing.  Until we get it over here, Christian's acting as my outfit cuteness test.  I think he did a pretty good job this morning, right?  I should give him some real challenges, though, like wearing two different shoes and see if he catches it and calls me out on it.  Let the games begin! 

Don't you LOVE my new purse?

Outfit Info

Shirt - Old Navy, Skirt - Banana Republic, Shoes - Calvin Klein, Watch - Target, 

Bright and shiny new purse - Target (I can't find it online - grrr - but I swear it's at the store!)

1. I love this shirt with this skirt.  So much better than when I wore it with black pants.  It's all classicy and wonderful.

2. I love this purse.  It's such a bright pick-me-up and totally appropriate given the spring weather we had this week.  Also, I've had a ton of people tell me they love it.  That could be because I walk up to everyone I see and say "Don't you LOVE my new purse?".  Or because I've been running so late to work this week I've had to schlep my purse to every morning meeting because I didn't have time to drop it at my desk.  One of those is true.

Zoya Megan polish is still going strong. 

Variation on a theme (polka dots)

Outfit Info

Skirt - Madewell, Blazer - Banana Republic (similar here on sale), Shirt - J Crew

Heels - Michael Kors, Necklace - J Crew Outlet, Bracelet - J Crew, Watch - Michael Kors

I saw this skirt when Christian and I were out doing last minute Christmas shopping.  Like the pain in the butt charming girl that I am, I instantly tweeted a picture of it saying I wanted it for Christmas.  Poor Christian ran right over to Madewell but he wasn't sure what size to get.  So it wasn't under the tree Christmas day.  But, we went the day after and it was still there so I snatched it up.  That story probably isn't too exciting to other people, right?  Oh well.

Given that it's been nowhere near winter temps here in Austin I busted it out today for the first time.  Wearing something new always gives me a little boost and that boost is even bigger than normal given how darn cute this skirt is.  The polka dots are just cheer inducing.  

Seeing dots

Outfit Info

Cardigan - Banana Republic, Skirt - Thrifted from hunt.gather.style, Tights - Who knows

Shoes - J Crew, Earrings - Stolen from my mom

My mom wasn't happy when I stole those earrings.  But comeon, giant, black, oval earrings with a flower motif imprint?  Those babies needed to come home with me.  If they weren't living with me now there would be far too many days with no earrings in my ears.  And dad didn't get my ears pierced when I was 4 and you were out of town so I could go earring-less now did he, mom?  I think not.

Thankfully, the earrings are living happily with me and they were thrilled to be paired with this lovely polka dotted skirt today.  

Co-ed

Outfit Info

Sweater - Banana Republic, Button up - Old Navy, Skirt - Thrifted from hunt.gather.style

Boots - Aldo, Earrings - Anthropologie, Ring - Target

Something about this outfit makes me feel like I should be back in college on my way to a literature seminar or something.  Not that I really attended literature seminars in college but whatever.

Anyway, I do have to admit that I'm very proud of myself today for several reasons.  1) I actually put together an outfit based off those earrings and it looks good.  A lot of times when I try to build an outfit around an accessory it comes off awkward.  2) I got dressed.  This is a big deal because I went running last night for the first time since Missoni for Target opened (and that was the first time I ran since junior high).  So, getting out of bed and into clothes (that look good with my earrings!) are huge accomplishments.

And why did I go running?  To prepare for Jason Wu for Target, of course.  

Or, because of a stereotypical New Year's resolution I made to exercise.    

Monday blue

Outfit Info

Sweater - J Crew, Blouse - H&M, Pants - Gap, Pumps - Calvin Klein

Necklace - Anthropologie, Bracelet - Banana Republic, Watch - Target (reminds me of my grandma)

Like many fashion bloggers, I quite enjoyed watching the Golden Globes and the red carpet last night. 

You would think that seeing lots of gorgeous dresses would inspire me to vamp it up but instead I went the entirely different direction: buttoned up with a dose of grandpa sweater.  In the right light, my shirt is a little see through, though.  That's vampy, right?

As a side note, can Michelle Williams please stop rocking her short hair?  It makes me want to chop mine off again and I'm really trying to resist that urge.