The One From The Army

Everyday, Real Simple sends me a newsletter on a random topic. Sometimes it's 5 or 6 pretty candy dishes - which I ignore - or a way to clean inside a muffin tin - which I also ignore - but today...the email was about "Everyday Carryalls." And now I want this bag, from Free People, which is made out of recycled Army surplus blankets. Very cool.

The One With A Reminder

I'm now using this blog as a giant, online sticky note....

excellent.

The One About White Eyelet

I distinctly remember having a conversation with my mom one day that went something like this:

(we're shopping)
Mom: You do not need that.
Me: Yes I do, it's adorable, and white eyelet.
Mom: Why does it matter that it's white eyelet.
Me: Because white eyelet is a staple item.
(Mom gives me a look that says "you're insane, a black pair of shoes is a staple item - a white eyelet sundress is not")

BUT. I maintain that white eyelet is essential to every girl's wardrobe (specifically in Alabama).

I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but I recently cleaned out my entire closet/dresser/armoire which was overwhelming to say the very least...but resulted in a SERIOUS lack of white eyelet (from one dress, to none).

So...now I've found the absolute PERFECT replacement.

MOM?

Are you still there?

from Calypso

The One About Dace

I found an email in my inbox this morning that reminded me how much I love this brand. Dace is simple, classic, but with some fun twists in texture, pattern and color.

The first thing I fell in love with was this great dress (and the shirt) mainly because I loved the fabric. And guess what! Now they're both on sale. If you know me at all, then you know I'm a HUGE fan of blue - in all shades.

This gauzy white dress is pretty phenomenal too. Wouldn't it be perfect with flats at a picnic. I also know exactly how I would wear my hair in my fictional life.

So on that note...if anyone is capable of making my thin, very flat, hair do this - I would be forever grateful.

from Turned Out

from Tobacco&Leather

And...I'm looking for a good idea on how to wear my hair up to a wedding. The dress I'm wearing is one shoulder with a bow, and I think it would look better to have my hair up. I'm horrible at all things that involve me being able to see the back of my head, so this could be an interesting challenge.

Any thoughts?

** both braid images via definitely golden

The One About Stripes

I'm on a stripes kick apparently...

from Anthropologie, West Elm, Ikea, Ikea, Kate Spade, Piperlime, Piperlime, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Saks Fifth Avenue. Just click on the image to find the link. I mean...those shoes are seriously cute.

The One About Charm and Chain

No one told me about this website!

They have some ADORABLE jewelry. There are definitely some pretty pricey pieces, but also some less expensive ones. They have a huge selection, so it's perfect if you're looking for something really fabulous.





And hey, look at that - a mint necklace!

The One About Mint

Apparently mint is out and about in full force this spring. I'm kind of madly in love with these shoes.

I'm also a little bit in love with this color - I'm just not sure it's physically possible to be this tan. Don't you think pale would be a little bit horrendous with this Topshop dress? I could definitely do one of the bags though - or at the very least, that nail polish!

On another note - I'm going to a cookout tonight, the first of the summer, and I am so excited! Kind of unnaturally...

A friend of mine's brothers are coming in town so he and my best friend's boyfriend are having a party. I think the girls are in charge of anything that doesn't revolved around meat and beer. There will be burgers, and sides, and I'm making salad and THESE. Aren't they so precious? I'll definitely let you know when they work out. I just need to go pick up the ice cream...

Have a fabulous weekend!

The One About Parties

Do you ever just want to get all dolled up and go out for no apparent reason? Or even if there is a reason, isn't getting dressed up the best part!? Putting on a long dress and going to a fancy party is one of my all-time favorite things. Aren't these dresses gorgeous? Polyvore might be my favorite website to play on. LOVE. Along those same lines...this lady and this blog do a lot of creating gorgeous outfits. I have the iPhone app and I've taken to checking that in the morning instead of the weather. It just makes so much more sense. I don't know why someone hasn't already done this.

The One About These Shoes

I want them.

The One With The Weather

I spent the end of last week and the beginning of this in gorgeous, sunny, happy Phoenix, AZ.

I came home to the COLDEST WEATHER EVER. It is (I'm not exaggerating) in the single digits here in Alabama and I can't even come up with clothes that work with that type of weather. And when I can't figure out what the heck I'm supposed to be wearing (I'm trying to avoid long-johns at work) I turn to Polyvore - where life is fake and I have an endless supply of "the perfect thing." Wouldn't I look just freaking fabulous treking around snowless Alabama with those adorable gloves??

And I'm pretty sure, that come Saturday I'll want to be snuggled up in this (rather than the cocktail attire a friend's wedding is requiring). What are you bundled up in this season?

The One About Valentino

As my boss would say: "Can I get a what-what?"

Valentino.

The One About Gorgeousness

Some of the most beautiful dressed floating around this time of year are the palest pink, creams and nudes. Most also have embellishment or a one shoulder silhouette - which apparently are two huge trends this year. Any of these would work as cocktail party attire - but the same color scheme could be translated to the office, or Saturday afternoon.

The One About Kate Spade

Kate Spade makes jewelry....?

Apparently.

AND - it's gorgeous.




This locket, shaped like a nut, opens up to reveal a tiny squirrel.

How adorable.



And these classic earrings are so simple that I could wear them everyday. That's great, because I'm HORRIBLE about switching out jewelry - it just never even occurs to me.



A simple gold cuff with a girly addition would add interest to any outfit.



These are the perfect going-out earrings. They'd work with a ball gown (if I ever had the need for a ball gown) or just to dress up a t-shirt and jeans at night. These are so pretty I might actually think to wear them.



And...my all time favorite. This might have to make it's way to my wrist soon. My everyday wrist full of jewelry is silver now (watch, charm bracelet, 21st birthday present), but I think I could add a hint of gold and get away with it. It might even make me feel better about wearing gold earrings.

Have a happy weekend.

The One With The Chill (via Anthropologie)

from here. Don't you wish you lived here? Me too.

It's cold here!

I still haven't gotten out my winter clothing (mainly because that involves cleaning and organizing) so every morning I wake up and try to figure out how to stay warm in summer clothes - it's not going well.

I buy too much. I know this. I also know that means that this unpacking of all things winter is going to involve Goodwill bags, and trying a lot of things on - something I DO NOT want to do.

Maybe I should just go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe.

I saw this, this, this, this (so cute with black flats and tights, or brown boots and tights) and these. Oh, and these - which I'm DYING to have on my feet - showed up in the catalog yesterday. In what universe do I skip out on the boots that have a bow on the back?

And...there is always this, when I finally book my plane flight back to Texas for Halloween/Homecoming. Or this, even though it's not purple.

PLUS, my friend Liz called yesterday to inform me of this little gem, and it's worked its way all the way to the top of my fall wardrobe's wish list. At least I think this is what she was referring to.

And then there is this - which I definitely do not need, but it's just so pretty for a winter party dress. Let's think...where might I need to go in a cocktail dress?

I just need to stop decorating my apartment for Halloween (more on that later) and get my clothing situation organized. Maybe I'll do that tonight...

The One With Lots of Boots

For some reason - maybe it's because I'm hoping for fall weather, but I've been shopping for fall necessities lately. I need to start a "fall clothing" account at the bank - one reserved just for shopping sprees. I'm not sure Dave Ramsey would approve.

I've been looking for great boots lately. I have two pairs of cowboy boots - one classic brown pair, and another pair (cream Frye) that my mom gave me for my birthday freshman year.

**sidenote: If you have the money - buy Frye, they're IMPOSSIBLE to destroy. My Justin's are slowly (or not so slowly) dying...but my Frye's look brand new.

I have a pair of slouchy, black suede boots from last season. I need to pull them out and make sure they're still presentable - I might have run them into the ground during Mardi Gras. They're similar to these.

But I'm really feeling incomplete without some great, brown, non-cowboy boots. I keep seeing boots that I think are wonderful - but I'm not even sure what exactly I'm looking for.

Heel, no heel?

Cognac, chocolate, tan? There's even a few I like that are closer to gray.

I would LOVE over-the-knee boots but we all know that's not REALLY going to happen.

And I am legitimately considering booties...

These are some I think might work...but I'm SO confused.

On another note - this is my 100th blog post, seems like a lot doesn't it? This weekend I'm just hanging out with the fam mostly, my sisters back in town from school so hopefully she'll want to go boot scouting with me. She's going to get to see my "completely" put together apartment tonight - my roommate had ordered dining room chairs MONTHS ago and they finally came in yesterday. Now that everything is headed towards finality, maybe I'll break out the camera and take some pictures of this apartment I keep talking about - just to prove it exists.

Happy Friday!

The One For Anyone BUT Mom

Last weekend my mom bought me some pretty wonderful things at Urban Outfitters, so this is NOT directed at her, unlike the last post...just anyone else with free-flowing cash and a giving spirit.

The Top 10 Things From J.Crew I Want: The Not For Work Edition

OK, so I would wear some of this to work. I'd love this in red please.

This works with the jeans further down the list. I could also probably swing it (with a cami) for work. Multi-purpose is good.

I'm not sure where you wear a Maribou clutch - but I could find out.

The perfect jean (for this girl). A "love it - should try it on" situation.

I don't have a place to wear this - but at $2,000, I'm not buying it anyway.

Ruffles - on leather gloves.

It's cashmere, and there is a bow.

This would be great for dinner out - jeans, white shirt and there you go.

It's a great color, and HOW cute tucked into jeans with a belt like this!?

Does that make this list 11 items long?

And...I just desperately want this bag. The strap is long enough to make it a crossbody - but could still be carried on my shoulder (at least I think so...)

J.Crew is my new favorite place to fake shop. It used to be my favorite place to real shop but unfortunately I'm not in the market for expensive clothing.

Bummer.

On another note. My sister is coming in town today! I haven't seen her since July 4th and it's about time she get her butt back to Alabama. She hasn't seen my (much more adorable than when she left) apartment - and she's going to provide me with entertainment this weekend.

I'm sitting here contemplating delicious places to eat dinner tonight...