fluffy scarf and caffeine: a survival guide

Top: Old Navy-$22.00 / Pants: J Crew-$98.00 (Old Navy Version-$32.00!) / Scarf: Old Navy (Similar-$30.00)
Booties: Old Navy (Similar-$28.13) / Bag: New York & Co. (Similar-$29.99)


As much as it looks like it, I promise that it took me more than five minutes to put this outfit together. In fact, I've actually been planning to wear this outfit for... ever, basically. Unfortunately, I never had a scarf like this or the right kind of boots. But guess what? I got them! And I finally got to wear this outfit! It makes me so, so happy.

Anyway, today was a weird day for me. Lots of stress, lots of work, lots of coffee. I eventually go through, however, and I've only got four more days of school left to go before winter break. I've just gotta hang in there. I can't do it! ...I hope.

What outfit have you been meaning to try as soon as you get all the pieces? Ciao!

keep calm and chevron

Dress: Hello Glam (Similar-$26.97) / Necklace: Charming Charlies (Similar-$10.90)
Boots: Gifted (Last seen here)


I was feeling very southern prep today, and, on top of that, very festive and excited to start the holiday season. So what came out of that? This outfit. I couldn't believe I still had this little dress that I bought at the beginning of the summer and was so happy that it still fit! I threw it on and also wanted to celebrate the closeness of the holidays, so I paired it with one of my favorite necklaces. It was freezing, and I honestly don't know how I got through the entire day with no tights or anything! My boots kept my legs mostly warm, I suppose!

Anyway, on another note, just keep an eye out for more posts coming soon. I've been trying to get more organized with things I want to do, but school's been getting in the way, unfortunately. Stay with me as I try to get my posting to be regular, though, and expect a post on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays! See you soon!

Do you try and dress festively near the holiday time?

creepy costumes: black is back

For the next part of this costume series, I figured I'd show you some ideas for costumes using a little black dress in contrast with the LWD post I did on Sunday. First off is a costume I think is a classic and one that I see every year, but on a very limited number of people, making it a good choice! That costume is: Wednesday Addams! Start with a long sleeved dress, wear a collared shirt under it, pair with black stocking and combat boots, and top it all off with those famous middle-parted pigtail braids, and you'll be saying that murder is on your mind in no time! *Alternatively, some dresses already come with white collars & cuffs! A personal favorite costume of mine is one of Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's (go watch it right now). I think it's timeless, classy, and extremely elegant, not to mention easily recognized and cute! If you have a floor length blackdress, use that, but if not, start with a spaghetti / thin strapped black dress. Add long white gloves, a small tiara pushed in your hair, a thick strand of pearls, and almond toes heels. Finish with a big pair of black shades and a thin, long cigarette and you're (movie) gold. The final costume I have to show you today is a referee! This one is very simple as well, making it a good last minute choice. Start with a body-con or tight dress and simply add a striped (either vertically or horizontally striped, though vertical makes it look more obvious) blazer, a pair of white with black stripes knee socks, comfy white sneakers, and a whistle and you're done. Complete the look with any accessories you think would work well i.e. a hat, penalty cards, and a sports ball.

Which of the LBD looks are your fav? Planning to try any of them out this season? Let me know in the comments below!

creepy costumes: all white

Still on the hunt for a last minute costume? You're in luck! For the next few days, I'll be displaying a few easy and quick costumes that you can throw together and still make it out looking fabulous. Today's theme is little white dress. For a cute little sailor outfit you can throw together, you need to start with a good base: a fit and flare white dress! Add a blue and white striped cardigan to get the nautical look that you think of when you hear sailor; furthermore, to complete this idea, add red heels / shoes with a bright red lipstick and a cute little anchor pin. Finish the look off with a paper sailor hat from any party store (or, if you want the added benefit of donuts, stop by a local Krispy Kreme and just cover the letter with paper or paint). For another easy white dress look, think scrumptious and unleash your inner cook! Start with a white dress and white apron, add a comfortable pair of white shoes, and throw in a whisk or other recognizable kitchen utensil. Pop on a paper chef hat and finish the costume off with a pop of any color on the lips to break up the monotone white! The final look I have to show you is my favorite one... a winter fairy! Start with a detailed and long-sleeved white dress (try a criss-cross detail or lace!) and add some fairy wings from a store or make your own*! Then add some glitter tights* and white, sparkling shoes. Throw in a cute wand and a nice flower crown*, and you're ready to fly!

What are you planning on wearing for Halloween? Which one of these is your favorite look?



* DIY Fairy Wings, glitter tights, and flower crowns!

fashion 101

Top: Old Navy-$21.00 / Blazer: Target (Similar-$29.99) / Leggings: Victoria's Secret-$19.50
Boots: A Gift (Similar-$18.75 sale)


Hey myself, would it kill you to smile?

I'm not really one to wear blazers - er, I mean, have blazers - because they're so much money for some reason (and I'm just broke); however, I was able to snatch this beauty on sale and with a coupon and, let me tell you, there was no second thought in my mind. Also, yes, I am definitely wearing leggings as pants and nothing you say will make me stop this madness. It's like wearing a t-shirt on your legs. There's literally nothing better. If you've never tried it, do it, and thank me later. Seriously.

creepy costumes: yabadabadoo

Since Halloween is right around the corner, and not everyone is as single as me, I figured a couple costume would be a good way to make sure I cover all my bases! Here's a really simple and easy one to make that will throw you and your partner way, way back to the cartoon days.

Fred and Wilma Flinstone doesn't require a lot of effort, and you can totally throw it togather the day of a party. I used this tutorial (keep in mind I sewed mine), but as it broke throughout the day, I found that hot glue was the best substitute for stitching (I'm not super great at sewing). Alternatively, a large men's shirt can be tailored to fit you, or you can go on the hunt for a simple white dress. For me, the white sheet was the most accessible and the cheapest, so I was on it!

Accessories really make the outfit, though. The tutorial I mentioned before gives you an opportunity to DIY a necklace, but any pearl necklace will work, chunky or not. And to top it off, put on some pearl earrings (if you're looking for the chun kier look, hunt around for pearl clip-ons, they tend to be larger). With the shoes, I opted for brown sandals to be as close to stone age as possible, but if you're brave enough, barefoot it! Otherwise, nude flats or minimal sandals do the trick.

For the Fred costume, my friend cut up a sheet as well, but an extremely over-sized orange shirt could do the trick with a couple cuts on the bottom and a black marker. Add a blue tie, and you're done! We both chose to use sprayable hair dye from the local party supply store, really making the costume complete.

Would you ever do a couple costume? What's the best one you've ever seen?

creepy costumes: up in the sky



Formal apology: sorry about the awful pictures!

Halloween is right around the corner, and, if you follow me on twitter, you'll know I've been desperately meaning to do a series on potential costumes! Thankfully, I found a good venue (though not great - curses, rain!) and a good amount of time to take the photos. Please excuse the quality; like I said it's raining and fairly dark outside.

So, without further ado, here's the first installment in costumes: a flight attendant! This one is fairly easy to recreate.. all you need is a white oxford, a solid colored pencil skirt, a nice ascot, for small scarf, and a pair of nude heels! If you don't have a pair of wings, you can do what I did and just print out a nice image from online, cut out, and attach to shirt with tape! It's foolproof.

Keep the hair and makeup simple: a tight low bun and simple liquid liner with a bit of lip gloss. The best part of the old-timey flight attendants is their overwhelming self-confidence and pride that they carry themselves with. This costume is perfect for a quick throw-together and a really low effort party / get together!

What did you think of this costume? What are you planning to be for Halloween?

the season's biggest trend

Leopard print is really big this coming season and continues to stay in style through every time of the year. Basically, leopard print is a classic and necessary part of anyone's closet. sometimes it can be hard to style the busy design, though, so here are some ways to do just that! For a casual style, try pairing a busy leopard blouse with dark wash jeans, a bright colored necklace, and a pair of riding boots. The jeans can also be switched with leggings or black jeans as well! The trick to this outfit is making sure you have a bright colored necklace to contrast with the shirt and making everything else neutral. Looking to incorporate leopard in a business setting or just want to wear a more business attire-y outfit? A good way outfit is a crisp white oxford, a nice pencil skirt, and leopard accessories. For this example, I chose a deep red leather skirt to show a mix of textures and because I love this color for fall. In order to have more than one leopard accessory, I would suggest getting them both in close to or exactly identical prints for cohesion. The last way to style it is by mixing prints! I, personally, am slightly terrified of mixing prints because I don't want to be the poster child for how not to do it. BUT, if there's anything I've learned from the fashion community, it's that prints work if they are different sizes. So for this outfit, I paired a large leopard print with a small striped top and a pair of nude flats. If you chose to take such a daring route, make sure the rest of the outfit is simple and neutral!

Which is your favorite way to style? How do you wear leopard?

sneakers on steroids


{ one | two-Unavailable | three }


Fashion trends come and go, but one that I've seen in the front and center for a lot longer than I expected is sneaker wedges. I don't know if they're something I could ever pull off, but for some reason, I really want to try. I've seen a ton of bloggers trying them out and styling them perfectly, but I feel like if they landed in my hands, they'd just become dirty, gross lazy day shoes. Honestly, that's what I think of when I think sneakers: lazy day shoes that you throw on with a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and you're good to go. Hm, maybe wedge sneakers don't sound to bad after all. They are super comfortable on top of being an easy go to. I'm slowly being persuaded now!

What about you? What do you think of wedge sneakers? Will you be trying out this trend or passing?

it's a ruff life

Top: Jcrew c/o A thrift shop (Similar-$9.99) / Sweater: Old Navy-Unavailable
Jeans: Old Navy-$29.94 / Shoes: Target-$9.78


Apple picking is my favorite part of the entire year, mostly because it means that autumn is right around the corner. This year promised nothing less, what with cool air and lots of apples to be picked, I could feel the fall in the air, and, oh, how excited I got! Now I have four bags of apples and two gallons of apple cider to remind me of the yearly trip. They should probably last me about, uh, two weeks. Have I mentioned I love apples?

While we were upstate I also got the opportunity to see my sister graduate for intermediate honors, meaning she's been spending a heck of a lot of time in class. I both envy he work ethic and wonder how she still has time to have fun in college, yet I know she can still balance it. A post of photos I took in Charlottesville will be up soon. Prepare to feel the magic of the coming season!

september loves

There are so many things I've been loving in the month of September, but I've managed to narrow it down to just the things I really want. And by really want, I mean that you should expect a haul post next month featuring these items.

1). Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot
Let me tell you something about this boot: ever since the first time I laid eyes on it, I've been in love. There's something about this boot that makes me realize that it is the shoe I've been missing in life. The problem is, they're over four hundred dollars and I'm a broke high school student. I won't stop drooling over these babies, though, and I know I'll have them one day.

2). Navy & White Polka Dot Overall Dress
Okay, I admit that this dress has a lot going on. It's got to pull off the polka dots and the look that says, "who cares if I dressed like this when I was 6, why can't I dress like this now?" In all honesty, I'm majorly excited that the overall look is being rocked back into style, because there are so many ways you could style them. I can't wait until I can get my hands on these and really make them an integral part of my wardrobe.

3). Plover Mustard Ankle Booties
I have been looking high and low for a good pair of either mustard or taupe ankle booties and, let me tell you, it's harder to find one than you'd think. I often hate the color, or the heel is too high, or i just plain do not like it; however, I've got no complaints about this pair. Plus, they also come in taupe. Steve Madden does it again.

4). Navy Playsuit
I saw this playsuit on a blogger on Lookbook.nu and instantly knew I needed to have it. Everyone knows I've got a thing for navy, and I've been wanting to try pulling off a playsuit. I was always afraid that they'd make me look like a 7th grader who's just starting to experiment with good clothes, but this one looks so chic and mature. This will definitely be one of my first purchases.

5). Orange, Navy, & White Sleeveless Dress
I've got a sister who is a 3rd year at a particular college that boasts these colors with pride every day, and I absolutely love going to its football games. The problem is, though, I never have a good game day dress, and as soon as I saw this, I knew this was the perfect dress I was missing. This will probably be my first purchase, because the next game I'm going to is coming up very soon!

That's it for my September soon-too-be purchases! What are you loving this month? Leave a comment in the section below!