Kitschy

If you ever find yourself in a style rut, find the kitschiest pattern possible from Forever 21 and buy it on complete impulse. Then style it proudly and ignore anyone who questions why you're wearing a men's buffalo print polo.

Rinse & repeat.

P.S. Am I the only one who wants everything from their Men's section right now?

Forget florals...I'm seriously on board for these popsicle and cactus prints.

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Outfit Details:

Forever 21 Animal Print Polo

Mustard Yellow Pullover Sweater

TOMS Sunglasses

Gold Wishbone Necklace

Nixon Kensington Leather Watch

Madewell Skinny Jeans

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Strappy Tan Heels

Ryanair Approved

I was lucky enough to spend last weekend in San Francisco after heading up to the city for a quick business trip earlier in the week. A few of my best friends have recently moved up there, so it's becoming a home away from home for me. Plus, it helps to always have a place to stay if you're like me and would rather spend money on brunch than boarding :)

One thing I'm slowly learning is how to pack effectively for short trips like this. I can proudly say I was not the girl carrying ten different bags around the airport. Would you be surprised if I told you I usually was? Probably not. Instead, I broke out my beloved Ryanair-approved (miss those travel days) suitcase and strategically packed five days worth of mixed-and-matched outfits. There's something fun and kind of mathematical about creating outfits from a limited selection and this funky look (yes, those are purple boots and I'm going to love them forever and ever) was a product of such an equation.

P.S. These photos were taken on Fillmore Street after a great day of brunching and thrifting.

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Outfit Details:

H&M Striped Tee

UO Mustard Pullover Sweater

Paige High Rise Canyon Jeans

Vintage Jade Necklace

TOMS Bellini Sunglasses

Nixon Brown Kensington Watch

Madewell Glasgow Satchel

Vintage Printed Scarf

Madewell Lindley Boots

Feels Like Fall

Get the look:

I'm currently sitting in my favorite neighborhood café, wearing a beanie, and drinking a big Americano. Life is good. Maybe it was the bottomless mimosas I had earlier today, the game spent with good friends, or even the long, much-needed phone conversation I had with my mom this weekend...but things are looking up. Look at me being all optimistic—nice change of pace isn't it!?

Anyway, it feels like fall and I'm back at it with my layering ways. Also, can we just talk about how many times I've worn this mustard sweater? It's always those random impulse buys that turn into unexpected closet staples. Wouldn't it be nice if I could know what pieces these were while shopping. By now you'd think I'd be able to spot them, but unfortunately I have yet to develop that sixth sense. Adding that to my to-do list alongside "figure out life" (not kidding, that is actually on my iPhone checklist).

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Outfit Details:

Striped Top—H&M (similar)
Mustard Pullover—Urban Outfitters (similar)
Denim Vest—Nordstrom BP (similar)
Sunglasses—Ray-Ban
Watch—GUESS (shop)
Jeans—Urban Outfitters (shop)
Ankle Boots—Madewell (shop)

My Fair Lady

I wasn't sure what to name this post (I'm trying to avoid having every London post include the word "London") so I decided to name it after the little nursery rhyme about London Bridge :) London Bridge was one of our first stops in the city on our second day, and I was happy with how all the pictures turned out. It was so nice to walk down the bridge boardwalk and just enjoy the city during the day.

All these photographs were taken on our second day in London. Since our hostel was a little bit on the outskirts, we became experts at navigating the tube and bounced all around the city each day! My favorite stop, by far, was the Borough Market. We tried delicious coffee at Monmouth and then got yummy savory pies from a little stand in the market.

If there's one thing I miss about the UK and Ireland...it's their delicious pub food. You really can't go wrong with a chicken pot pie, bangers and mash, or a hot pub burger. And now I'm really hungry...

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Outfit Details:

Dress—Anthropologie "Two-Button Sailor Chemise" (similar // remixed) | Mustard Pullover—

Urban Outfitters (remixed) | Blazer—H&M | Scarf—vintage | Boots—Marks & Spencer (similar)

The Tower

As you can see, I kind of sort of liked taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower :)

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Outfit Details:

Dress—Ruche (remixed) | Sweater—UO (remixed) | Scarf—Forever 21,

Coat—VILA | Bag—Fossil (shop) | Socks—Target | Boots—M&S (similar)

On the Edge

{Sweater—Urban Outfitters (remixed), Dress—Anthropologie "Brushed Terra Dress" (similar // remixed),

Scarf—Forever 21 (similar), Socks—Target, Boots—Marks & Spencer (similar), Bag—Fossil (shop)}

I explored the Cliffs of Moher in this comfy, layered outfit. Although the sun shined all day long, the temperatures were a little unpredictable because of the wind. That's why I opted for breathable layers—a cotton sweater, tights, and a light scarf—and threw on my black peacoat when it got really chilly.

This dress has been one of my go-to pieces in Ireland. It's actually one of those dresses that looks better when it is layered with other items, rather than when it stands alone. Last year, I almost didn't purchase it because I thought it looked a little "bland." However, because of its neutral color, it matches with almost everything and I love throwing my mustard sweater over it (as you can see...I had the same idea back in January). It just goes to show, you never know what simple purchases might become your most-loved closet staples.

P.S. These photographs do a pretty good job at showing how close we were able to get to the edge of the Cliffs. The view was truly incredible!

Whiskey Connoisseur

{Chambray—Urban Outfitters (shop), Sweater—Urban Outfitters (remixed), Earrings—Nordstrom (similar)}

The other weekend, I went with a group of friends to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery in the small town of Midleton. The tour took us through the old distillery and gave a little history behind the whiskey brand. While I've never been much of a whiskey fan myself, seeing the long and painstaking process it takes to make a batch of Jameson made me appreciate it a little more :)

AND on top of that, Andrew and I somehow got chosen as one of the few people in our tour group to do an official "whiskey tasting" with Jameson, Scotch, and Jack Daniels. Now, let's be honest, the whiskey tasted pretty awful by itself (Andrew might tell you otherwise)...but we got personalized certificates and free drinks so I definitely wasn't complaining!

photo credit goes to my friend, Jason!