Labor Day weekend

image via

This weekend, I'll be spending some time on the Cape with a group of people who made my college years incredible. 

But before I go, here are some links to check out:

• Is your makeup expired? Put it on the to do list for next week
• Ammo the Dachshund's blog always puts a smile on my face
• Check out these 20 celebs who went the best route for getting a pet - adoption! (And how cute is that picture of Ryan Gosling carrying his dog, George?)

piece of my home

I thought I'd share a piece of my home and some of the things that make me happy:  This side table has a few of my favorite living room things on it.

1. A framed picture of T and Sprout from the day we picked up the little guy. It's one of my absolute favorite photos from the past few years, because it takes me back to that exciting and nerve-wracking day, and it's just plain adorable.

2. Slate coasters. I found these in a TJ Maxx, and they're just the right mix of texture and polish.

3. A small rose plant (specifically a "victory rose") from my local grocery store, with tissue paper and a silver bucket I found in the $1 bin at Target (a dangerous but great spot). 

Also pictured: A lamp I would like to replace and a candle that should have been moved. Sometimes I'm lazy.

P.S. Please excuse the Sephora bag in the background of this photo. See aforementioned laziness.

what I wore: style inspired by a green & blue bedroom

Occasionally, I'll be picking out an outfit in the morning and will think back to a picture I saw - whether it's a bedroom (in this case), a piece of art, or something from nature. (This bedroom image is a much more muted version of what I put together, but it still was in my head nonetheless.)

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Earlier this week was no exception, when I decided to pair my lime green suede "tennis ball shoes", as I affectionately call them, with a bright blue blazer and plain white tee. A sparkly necklace and standard MK watch later, I was out the door for another exciting day at my desk. Bonus: Check out how cool our office carpet is, with hints of pink and yellow in the gray base.

Michael Kors tortoiseshell watch // blazer from Nordstrom Rack (similar) // Steve Madden pumps (similar) // Lucky Brand skinny jeans

Not pictured: white Old Navy tee // necklace from Nordstrom Rack (similar here and here)

store spotlight: zara home

There are some stores that put out images I'd love to just crawl into. Zara Home does this to me often with its luscious Parisian style. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough suitcase space to bring stuff back when I went to Paris earlier this year, but working at a company that has EU offices is definitely a plus - might have to have some things brought back for me next time someone takes a trip!

bedroom by Zara Home

glassware 1, 2, 3

style inspired: j.biel's "in style" cover

Kudos to the fashion editors at In Style - Jessica Biel's Fall cover has an amazing outfit, featuring Gucci heels and an embellished Ralph Lauren blazer. Here's my take on a dressier version of the outfit, keeping the velvety texture of the jacket and some embellished black/gold detail.

alice + olivia pleated dress

Rupert Sanderson booties

splurge jacket from Alexander McQueen // save jacket from J. Crew

into the weekend

[image via 1, 2]

• Loving the new graphics and headers on The Loft's website
• Blogger and fashion illustrator Dallas Shaw looks adorable on Anthropologie's site
• This bulldog puppy is an adorable grump

I'm hoping to test drive a few cars this weekend - my lovely little red car is getting old. Also looking forward to spending some time with my mom downtown. Lots going on in Boston this weekend!

Have a great weekend! 

DIY: blue sprayed shoes

I had a pair of BCBG black heels that were great aside from the fact that the heels were once gnawed on a bit by my small fluffy housemate. Even though I touched them up with black nail polish, you could tell that there had been a touchup if you looked close enough (granted, who is actually looking? but I had a thing about it. And also after a while the black nail polish would turn sort of white? It was weird.). 

While I was cleaning out my closet recently, I set these aside and figured I'd decide what to do with them later. And then I came home one day and decided to fix them then and there, and thus begins the story of why I went to work with a blue hand.

I taped up the sides of the shoes so that the heel and a bit of the back were exposed.

Then I took a can of Krylon blue spray paint in Regal Blue that was conveniently in my basement and sprayed down the heels.

Then this happened. Important tip: Make sure the paint is spraying toward what you want painted, not toward your hand.

Sprout wasn't very impressed by my DIY attempts and whined at me from inside the fence. So while I waited for the paint to dry (on the shoes- the paint on my hand was pretty dry already), I played fetch with this guy. 

And then I came back to the shoes. I sprayed a clear coat on them when the blue was dry, thinking that would help seal them. What it actually did was create a weird ombre look that probably could have been okay, but I wanted these shoes to be black and blue, not black and ombre blue/gray/drip. So I did another coat of blue, played some more fetch, and let the shoes dry overnight.

be true to who you are: a thank you

This morning I was thinking about my classmates from my class early this summer who encouraged me to branch out from what I've been doing to what I want to be doing. The class wasn't a typical MBA elective, but rather a self-exploration exercise with a peer coach and a group of peers to bounce ideas off of. While I have only made a small move professionally, I feel like I am in a good place right now, and it is partially because I have this outlet that I call my blog. So even if the only people reading this are my mom, my boyfriend, and my closest friends, thank you for letting me express my love of fashion and my less business/more creative side with poorly taken iPhone photos and graphics that I will look back on in a few years and will make me cringe. And thanks also to an awesome group of people from the aforementioned class: Ryan x2, Ben, Henry, and Devon; for your honest feedback and for making me feel like I needed to get off my butt and create something.

image via

cleaning out for a new season

Out with the old, and in with the new! While you're cleaning out your closet and getting ready for another Fall season of fabulous fashion, check out these two new sites which allow you to sell your clothing. They both make it super easy - tell them what it is you have, get a quote, and send it to them (and they pay the shipping). Klury accepts mostly luxury brands, and you can find items on there like this vintage beaded top and BCBG fringe top for around $50 each. They allow you to get a quote before you send them your items. Twice, on the other hand, accepts other brands, like Gap, Ann Taylor Loft, and The Limited (just to name a few), and you send them your items before they tell you what they're going to pay you. There, you can find dresses by laundry for around $30 (a steal!). I've sold to Klury, and I'm planning to also sell to Twice. So far, so good!

a wish list Tête-à-Tête from One Kings Lane

When I was gallivanting through Paris and London, I saw an amazing Tête-à-Tête in Napoleon's rooms at the Louvre and said that if I ever found one just like it, I would totally be all over that (because I have 2 sisters and then we could all sit and chat on the same awesome chair, obviously). 

One Kings Lane, you're killing me. Look at what showed up today:

images via One Kings Lane

No, I'm not buying it now. But if I ever have the room for it, and the disposable income that allows for $2,000 fun pieces, it will be mine.

Fall prep: alternatives to ballet flats

Like every girl in America, I have a collection of ballet flats for the days when I want to be more comfortable and casual. Luckily for us, this Fall is bringing some great alternatives to the ballet flat, like smoking slippers (with embroidered details), brogues, moccasins, and more.

Clockwise, from top left: Embroidered smoking slippers bring some more color to an otherwise plain (in most cases) shoe. Look out for blinged versions of the smoking slipper (Steve Madden has some), including colorful details and even studs. // Brogues bring a back-to-school vibe to any outfit. Just avoid wearing them with a pleated skirt and knee socks. // Minnetonka has a fabulous line of moccasins that are comfortable but can still bring style, like this bow version or their beaded versions. // Another loafer option from Gap (theirs come in a multitude of colors). // Pointy-toed flats from Steve Madden are saucier versions of the ballet flat. // These oxfords are stylishly casual and are one of my favorites because of their simplicity. // The wingtip and brogue details on this silver oxford make it a perfect choice for adding some shine.

hair jewelry inspired by Downton Abbey

Since learning that Downton Abbey is coming back to PBS in January, I'm getting excited about the costumes and hair styles for the new season. If only it was normal these days to wear bejeweled headgear to family dinners every night... but why not dress up your bun or updo for special events?

{images via 1, 2, 3}

{images via Etsy stores - clockwise, starting top left - 1, 2, 3, 4}

There's no shortage of Etsy stores that will make custom pieces for your wedding day, prom, or any old Wednesday when you feel like dressing up your white t-shirt.

Fall prep: not a cardigan

I wear as many cardigans as the next girl, but there are some days that a cardigan just doesn't feel right. To prep for the Fall season, get a few key pieces that can be dressed up for a day at the office or can be worn over something as simple as a white tee for a more casual feel.

Cardigan coat // Navy-accented blazer // Four-pocket jacket // Military jacket

back to school necessities

Because I'm a part-time MBA student, I feel totally okay saying I have to go back to school shopping and putting a budget towards that. Here are some items that are on my list this year as I'm getting ready to head back to the classroom.

Clockwise:  I need to get a little more organized with mail and keys, so a wall-mounted mail organizer would be perfect to add next to the door. // Pretty toiletry bags can be used to carry pens, highlighters, etc., or lipsticks, glosses, and bobby pins. // Umbrellas are much more fun when they have dog silhouettes on them! // These twig pencils caught my eye - not exactly practical, but they're seasonal and would be cute in your living room. // A practical (yet fashionable) tote - this one from Foley and Corinna - can easily go from the office to the classroom. // Even if you don't use pencils on a regular basis, these "Things We Love" pencils from Design Darling are too cute to pass up. // Colorful notebooks are much easier to spot and grab on your way to class - and this one, from Three Hip Chicks, can be monogrammed.

weekend recap & organized cabinets

This weekend was much calmer than the rest of the summer has been, since we're done with weddings until November. T and I spent some much-needed relaxing time at home, and Sprout had a few play dates. I met up with some girlfriends to see Ted (which I liked more than I thought I would), and when I came home, T had completely organized all of the kitchen cabinets, even labeling the pantry shelves. The corner cabinet I took a photo of (below) has been a mess since we moved in - but T put my lazy susan in there, and it is so much better! 

I also discovered that T's Ray-Ban Wayfarers look somewhat good on me, so I spent some time kidnapping those!

Also, can we talk about the Closing Ceremony last night? Posh still has no personality, and I would love a modified version of Emma's pink dress.

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a bargain hunter's woes

If you're a bargain hunter like I am, you probably also get about 15 emails every morning at 11am from flash sale sites, offering colorful, fun items that you can't help but add to your shopping cart. This morning was one of those when I opened HauteLook's email, thought, "Okay, handbags- I'll check it out" - and immediately fell in love with one by designer Erica Anenberg. But, of course, what did I see? ....

Sigh. Guess I'll have to wait to get my hands on a blue satchel.

P.S. HauteLook "On Hold" button, my bank account thanks you.

style inspired: ballerina

Today I'm trying something a little different. I love this image (found via), so I put together a style board based on it. 

And now, the style board!

1- I love the colors in this Max and Cleo gathered dress
2- Orange leather tassel from Design Darling - last year I purchased a jeweled keyring addition, and it definitely helps me find my keys
3- Sperry Top-Sider has moved away from the typical "boat shoes" I grew up with, and they've expanded to include these cute flats
4- While we're transitioning from the humid summer weather into Fall, this modal ruffle cami set from Gap is perfect
5- Original artwork by Jen Ramos of Made by Girl
6- Belted cream skirt from Dorothy Perkins - would look really cute with a plain white tee and jazzed up necklace
7- I'm a big fan of anything mustard colored - House of Fraser mustard tee
8- Fun crystal necklace from BaubleBar - I purchased a similar one and wear it with everything (even as a belt at a recent wedding)
9- This Asos sequined dress would be so fun for a bachelorette or night out on the town
10- Loafer from Marc by Marc Jacobs - normally I don't like anything with logos blatantly displayed, but the pattern isn't obvious, which I like

designer spotlight: Dita

I've been on the hunt for sunglasses that look nice on a small face (because yes, my head is small). I recently purchased #3- the Dita Avocet - and I am in love with them. Worn by Kim Kardashian, Usher, and various other celebrities, they're definitely not cheap, but quite a few of their styles are dainty and gorgeous. Plus, I purchased my last "nice" pair of sunglasses back in 2007, so I figured it was time.

[Styles: 1- Wonderlust 2- Condor 3- Avocet]

I got my pair in NYC at Safira, the boutique at Dream Downtown. Check them out if you're in the area!

August covet list

Continuing my obsession of Fall apparel and accessories, here are some things I'm loving right now. The covet list:

sassy heels: heels found on Pinterest but brand unknown - similar by Nine West, black heels by Lanvin
something leather: Warehouse leather dress, Cacharel leather skirt, Foley & Corinna blue leather bag
monogram necklace from BaubleBar, plates on sale at West Elm

weekend recap: august maine wedding

What a weekend - my sisters and I have been referring to it as "Sleepless in Kennebunk". We were part of a wedding in Kennebunkport, Maine, where we had a really fun weekend but are all exhausted from late nights, early mornings, heat and humidity. Now I'm slowly making my way back into the work week - and very much looking forward to the weekend already.

I loved the combination of red cheetah print carpet and blue and white striped wallpaper in the house we rented for the weekend.

Aren't my sisters gorgeous? I loved my dress- it was so fun to wear!

That's me in the middle!

Britt's in a Calvin Klein teal dress, Amanda in a chocolate brown Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dress, and I'm wearing a blue Casual Couture one-shoulder number that I found on ideeli for a steal. It needed a little bit of sparkle, so I added a necklace as a belt (Cara Couture, also purchased on ideeli). I added a fake flower to my low bun and rocked my favorite heels (which most men referred to as "weapons") - Sam Edelman Lorissa pumps in nude.

a new type of summer salad

Last night I decided to branch out with my cooking (it's been a goal for a while, yes) and make my own version of a summer "salad". 

Ingredients:  1 small red onion, 2 avocados, 1 lb. uncooked shrimp, 1 lime, 1/4 c. chopped cilantro, 1 grapefruit

Prep:  Chop your red onion and cilantro, and mix together. Cut up your grapefruit. I like to stand it so that the edges are on the top and bottom, and cut in quarters from the top. It makes it easier to cut out pieces without getting too much of the membrane, which you need to remove. Cut up your avocado into the same bite-sized chunks as your grapefruit. Mix grapefruit and avocado together in a bowl and set aside.

1. In a pan with a few tablespoons of olive oil, combine red onion and cilantro. Squeeze half of your lime into the pan, dropping the pieces in.

2. Add your uncooked shrimp. You probably could get away with putting cooked shrimp in, but it's about half the price to buy uncooked, and then the lime and cilantro flavors will be cooked into your shrimp. Cook thoroughly, until shrimp is a pink color (and not at all see-through).

Spoon avocado and grapefruit mixture onto a plate and top with the cooked shrimp mixture. Add a lime wedge and serve.

T actually said I should make this one again - something I strive for when I try to cook!