outfit: transitioning into Fall

The weather in Boston has been perfectly Fall - crisp air and cooler temps - but not without some warmer days thrown in the mix. I started to transition my closet from Summer into Fall, but those warm days are tossing a wrench into my typical closet-turnover plans.

A good chambray works all summer and makes its way into the next season easily with darker pieces on the bottom. I've been loving these leopard loafers lately, wearing them for a pop of pattern with all solids or as a neutral when I need it. Leopard is a neutral, right?

Old Navy chambray shirt // Banana Republic black skinnies // Bamboo leopard loafers (these are fun too) // Michael Kors tortoiseshell watch

Dazzling Blue crush

Aéropostale ponte knit dress // Le Silla pumps // Betsey Johnson earrings // Charlotte Olympia clutch // GUESS by Marciano clutch // MSGM quilted skirt // INC International Concepts cabochon ring // Joie top // Gorjana bracelet // Givenchy shoulder bag

Pantone recently named Dazzling Blue as one of its colors for Spring 2014, which I could not be more excited about:  I'm a sucker for anything in a cobalt hue. I feel like I should be focusing on patterns and cozy knits in neutral colors right now, but I can't help but mix in bright blues to my ever-growing wish list.

wedding Wednesday: my sister got married!

This past weekend was my older sister's wedding, and it was an incredible, perfect event. I don't have a lot of pictures, since I was kind of busy being in the wedding, but the incredible Mary was the photographer. I'm sure she will have some really great photos of the whole weekend!

Here I am with my co-maid of honor before the ceremony... I'm really not short, I swear.

The setting was gorgeous. This property in on the North Shore of Boston.

The garden where the ceremony was held was incredible.

The wedding had the perfect amount of handmade elements, like these chalkboard signs my younger sister (pictured above) crafted.

It was such a great weekend, and I was so sad on Monday that it was over! But I'm taking that as a good thing - fabulous people, gorgeous day, and one really great party.

falling into the fall

I'm a huge fan of the fall season, so I was excited today when I had to wear a jacket to work. Don't get me wrong - I love the spring and the first few summer days, but there's something about the crisp air and a to do list full of apple picking and prepping for the holidays that makes me happy. I'm all about cozy sweaters, knee-high boots, and pretty scarves. 

What are you most looking forward to this season?

wedding Wednesday: this week's wedding frenzy

If you know me personally, you know that this weekend my big sister is getting married! And that means my free time this week has been filled in with various (co)maid of honor duties. This weekend I tied more bows than I have ever tied in such a short period of time - because, you know, a welcome bag isn't a welcome bag unless there's a bow tied to it.

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. I got a preview of my sister in her wedding attire at her last fitting last week, and I'm so, so excited for her fiance to see her, for the food, for the dancing, and for all of the love that will be surrounding everyone there.

I'll be posting on Instagram throughout the weekend, so follow me there!

outfit: flowers and bows

The weather in Boston has been a little crazy lately - 65 degrees one day and 90 degrees the next. I love sleeveless shirts because I can easily layer a blazer or jacket in the office and not swelter walking to my car.

bow bracelet (old, similar) // Banana Republic black pants // floral top from Marshall's (similar here)

#PhillipLimforTarget social shopping insanity

The Limsanity Twitter storm started Saturday evening here on the East coast and lasted well into the early morning hours. After buying a few items, I told myself I'd go to bed and get up early to hit the suburban Target for the bags, since those were sure to quickly sell out online; but I actually woke up before my alarm and went right online. I was able to score a couple more pieces and a couple of bags. too.

This was my first experience in social shopping, and I have to say, it was far more fun than Black Friday's waiting in line for some crazy-well-priced item. But it was also an inimitable view into the influence others have on a shopper's mindset. I don't think I've shared before that I was an undergrad Psychology student, and in my more recent classes for my MBA, I've been studying consumer behavior... so for me, it was very interesting to see how social shopping turned my "one bag, maybe one top" purchase plan into the following:

Yep, that's 3 tops, 2 dresses, one sweater, and 3 bags. Oops. At least they have a good return policy? There was so much excitement when a new product was launched that it was tough to not get sucked into the thrill.

Shout outs to Hallie and the other crazies awake with me late last night to hit the #PhillipLimforTarget collaboration. If you search the hashtag, you're sure to find many people who were awake and live-tweeting the sale.

So, fashion friends, what's next?

Fall wardrobe wish list

Fall is my favorite season, so it's only natural that my wish list this season is much, much longer than it has been in a while. At the top of my list are a girly bow-detailed coat and a (faux) leather skirt. I already purchased one at Zara, but I have a feeling I'm going to be filling my closet with more before the season's end.

coats: pencil // wrapped // ladylike

skirts: pencil // wrapped // ladylike

Here, you can shop more wrapped leather skirts

Nordstrom Skirts · Asos Mini Skirts · Donna Karan Skirts

and more gorgeous coats

Wallis Coats · Moschino Coats · Thakoon Coats

Her Style: Jackie

Today I'm introducing you to Jackie, one of my very dearest friends. We met in high school and were both recently bridesmaids in Molly's wedding. She agreed to appear on my little blog, so we took these photos while we were on the Cape.

A little about Jackie in her own words: 

I chose this outfit because it reflects my personal style preferences (colorful, fitted, little bit preppy), and was also appropriate for the location- a summer evening on the Cape! Summer is my favorite season; besides the amazing weather I just feel like there are so many more wardrobe options. Every year I can't wait to break out my dresses, skirts, shorts, and tank tops and soak up all the summery goodness of this far too brief (in my opinion) season!

I loved that her purse is vintage and was her mom's over 30 years ago!

Vineyard Vines dress (this one is cute too) // necklace (similar) // bracelet (similar here and here) // vintage purse (her mom bought it on her honeymoon 38 years ago in Bermuda!) // wedges (similar here and here)

homemade fish tacos

One of my favorite dishes this time of year is fish tacos, which I've never before made at home because I thought it would be too involved. Well, friends, I was wrong. This was one of the easiest dishes I've made - and probably one of the healthiest, too!

Here's the recipe I created in my kitchen, with helpful visuals.

You'll need a mortar and pestle to grind up about a teaspoon of cumin. Add this plus a teaspoon of chili powder to a cup of sour cream and mix well. 

Chop half of a small red cabbage and mix in a bowl with a small red onion (chopped well) and a glove of garlic, minced. Also add a large tomato, chopped finely.

Grill a one-pound piece of white fish (I used cod) until fully cooked.

Layer your cabbage salad, chili sour cream, and grilled fish. Top with a squeeze of lime, fold, and serve.

Enjoy!

wedding Wednesday: Brittany Fuson stationery

If you aren't familiar with Brittany Fuson, you should check out her work. The two cards here are ones I purchased for two of my besties getting married. I loved that they resemble the ladies in my life.

Brittany also does custom illustrations, which would be a really cute way to ask your girls to be in your wedding or would make a unique wedding gift. nudge nudge.

outfit: the blues

Do you ever have one of those days where you go through three or four outfits before finally finding something you're comfortable in that suits your day? It seems to happen to me more often than not, which is why I have a healthy collection of easy shift dresses for summer work days. Sidenote: I need to start taking photos in the morning, when I don't look exhausted from the work day.

Someone really wanted to be in the pictures. Here's the look he got after pawing at my hand, to which his face said, "What? I'm important."

Calvin Klein dress (similar) // Anne Klein cap-toe pumps // Old Navy scarf (old, similar here and here) // essie "Sunday Funday" // Cape Cod bracelet