Just How it Goes

I wore this a few weekends ago, but somehow never managed to share it.  It's from a Saturday, and it's pretty sloppy.   

Some days, unkempt is just how it goes.  

No point in fighting it...

Top & Pants: H&M

Sandals & White Tank: Gap

Necklace: Macy's

Scarf Season

Remember my rant last month about missing scarves?  Well, finally my scarf drawer is back in business. My favorite part about a scarf is that your outfit can be completely boring and everyone is always distracted by the pretty patterned piece of fabric!  (That's some fanTAStic alliteration, isn't it?!)  

I also love that it is completely flexible with my inability to commit to one look each day.  I've worn this scarf in many different ways, and I love constantly changing.

Do you stick to wearing your scarf one way, or are you also switching it around throughout your day?

                   

Wrap Dress: The Limited (over 10 years old!)

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: Loft

Scarf: H&M

Summer 2011 Recap

I cannot believe this summer has come to such a quick end.  I had such a wonderful time relaxing during all of July and August, and the time flew by, just as it always does.  This summer, I turned 28, enjoyed some weekends at the shore, had some great times with family and friends, enjoyed a beautiful vacation, and even got engaged!

In terms of personal fashion, I really enjoyed playing dress-up this summer and mixing and matching some unexpected items in my closet.  I'm proud of the outfits I pulled together over the past several weeks, and I want to share a few of my favorites before the weather turns cold and I have to completely forget about my favorite shorts and sandals.  Any favorites?

            

         

 

Grandma's Pearls

My grandmother had a lot of costume jewelry that she never wore.  Years ago she passed along many pieces to me, including these pearls.  

So before you lecture me about what I did to this necklace, oooobviously they are not real pearls.  They also have this really great stretchiness to them that allows you to easily knot them. 

Now, what to do with all of those clip-on earrings she gave me... 

Skirt: Banana Republic

Blouse: Gap

Heels: Urban Outfitters

On Repeat

Today was a busy work day, and I felt compelled to wear something I really love.  My '80s power suit was at the cleaners, so I turned back to this old pic.  Well, it's not really old.  At all.  But I loved the outfit, so I made a few minor changes and walked out the door with a smile on my face.  Two prints that don't match, some bright colors, and my favorite pants?  That's my power suit.

Blazer & Pants: Gap

Shoes: Seychelles

Scarf & Blouse: H&M

Necklace: Loft

The Best I Can Do

Well, a few pics from grocery shopping over the weekend is about the best that I can do.  I've been sick with a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad cold.  It really is the worst.  And you know what my doctor said?  "Well, there's only one group of people who are exposed to more germs than us doctors.  Teachers." 

Yup, it's been a few terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

 Dress: H&M

Sweater: J.Crew

Glasses: Warby Parker

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

 Wooden Necklace: Target

The Ring

Three weeks ago, Erik managed to surprise me with a beautiful proposal.  I've already shown off my favorite new accessory on this blog, but I wanted to share the road we took to having a ring made, especially since we took an untraditional approach by choosing the ring together.

When we began talking about rings earlier this year, I quickly realized how big of a style choice I was making.  I started thinking about all of the different types of jewelry I love to wear, and it made me a bit of a committment-phobe to wearing one ring for the rest of my life.  I wanted to have a ring that would work with any other piece of jewelry I might be wearing.

Ultimately I decided I wanted a ring that showed very little metal and something that was somehow untraditional, even though we were still using diamonds as the stones.  I also decided that one special ring instead of 2 rings was the way to go for me, so we mixed a wedding band and an engagement ring together, and voila! ... this is how it turned out:



This spring, when we knew that we were finally in the perfect place in our lives to move forward, my aunt gifted me a beautiful necklace so that I could have several diamonds to use for a ring.

We found a jeweler who would make a ring with these stones.  I provided him with a photo of an eternity band I found online, and he took us through the entire process of making the ring.  We saw the ring as a plastic mold, and then again as the gold setting without any diamonds.  After that, I had to sit tight and wait patiently for Erik to share it with me!

So in this world of personal-style blogging, how many of you are wearing a ring that you chose yourself?  If so, what process did you go through to decide which ring was right for you.... and was it a tough decision or quick and easy???  

St. Peters Church, Philadelphia

Today we took a quick trip across the Delaware River to visit a flea market surrounding St. Peter's Church.  We arrived at the market a little too late to find anything good, but visiting the church grounds was interesting--tomorrow the church is celebrating its 250th year!

Oh, and yes, I'm wearing the ugly pants again...

Pants: Gap

Shoes: UO

Bag: Target

Sweater: H&M

Necklace: Macy's

Those Pants are Wild

Yesterday was my first pay-day since June, so I couldn't resist checking out a good sale at the Gap on my way home from work.  I brought these pants to the register and when the sales associate scanned them all she could manage to say was, "Those pants are wild."  ...But I know polite-girl-speak, and she definitely wanted to say, "Are you crazy?  Don't buy these."  

Sorry girl, I just have to disagree.  I love the color, I love the fabric and (shhh don't tell anyone) nothing beats an elastic waistband.

Blazer & Pants: Gap

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Top: H&M

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors