Pantsuit Plaid

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This plaid number is the newest addition to my collection of printed pants. I suppose you could consider this look an updated version of my original lady suit. Like I've said time and time again, you really can't go wrong with wearing pants that feel like PJ's to work :)

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Outfit Details:

Blazer—Zara (similar)

Top—Zara (similar)

Pants—Threadsence (similar)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Heels—Zara (similar)

Vested

I am unusually exhausted, but proud of myself for putting together some sort of weekday blog post. So, here's a casual outfit I wore to work last week. It was one of those outfits I kind of threw it together in my delirious morning fog, but I think it works. It's comprised of mainly old pieces alongside a Zara vest I snagged on sale after the holidays—nothing too special!

Have a lovely Thursday :) More words...soon.

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Outfit Details:

Chambray—GUESS (similar)

Vest—Zara (similar)

Jeans—Urban Outfitters (similar)

Bag—B. Makowsky (similar)

Boots—Madewell (shop)

In The Sneaks

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Don't ask me how I managed to go four years without sneakers, but somehow...I did. However, after wearing uncomfortable flats one too many times, I decided it was finally time to be a normal person and invest in a pair. Anyway, this outfit was inspired by this pin. I've always been a fan of bomber jackets (am I the only one who remembers when they were in style in middle school? Pretty sure my first myspace picture had me wearing one...) and loved the floral print on this one. Even though I took these photos like two weeks ago, I've re-worn this exact combo a couple times since. My new weekend go-to has definitely become these destroyed jeans and comfy sneaks.

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Outfit Details:

Bomber Jacket—Ruche (shop)

Striped Tee—H&M (similar)

Jeans—GUESS (shop)

Necklace—Dogeared (similar)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Sneakers—Converse (shop)

Just One More

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I got an amazing deal on this dress during Madewell's after Christmas sale. I feel like I've been in need of more "work appropriate" dresses and this bold shift fit the bill. Even though I really don't need any more floral prints in my closet, I decided to make room for just one more :)

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Outfit Details:

Shift Dress—Madewell (similar)

Necklace—Dogeared (shop)

Watch—Nixon (shop)

Bag—Dooney & Bourke (similar)

Tights—Anthropologie (similar)

Boots—Madewell (shop)

The Swing

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For some reason I haven't had the motivation to blog lately. I've seriously been writing bits and pieces of this one post all weekend. Plus, I have like seven un-blogged outfits photos just waiting in the wings (which never happens). I guess I can blame my lack of posting on adjusting to a new schedule. This was my first official week working full-time after the holidays and I just felt like I had a million things to do every night. Then this weekend, I spent most of Saturday in bed. I wasn't sick, I just literally could not bring myself to do anything except completely veg out. And the highlight of today was taking a field trip to a laundromat in Santa Monica and running errands. So please, don't for one second think I'm living some high-roller-LA-life over here!

These photos were actually taken an embarrassingly long time ago. A month ago maybe? My best friend from home came to visit me, and we decided to have a little photo shoot since we hadn't taken a picture together in who knows how long. I had just bought this plaid blazer and decided to pair it with my go-to striped top for some simple print mixing. I've worn this combo a ton since then, and am becoming pretty keen on plaid.

Okay, here's to being back in the swing of things and hopefully blogging more this week! P.S. Who here is as excited as I am for GIRLS!?

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Outfit Details:

Plaid Blazer—Madewell (similar)

Top—H&M (similar)

Boyfriend Jeans—AG (similar)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Bag—Fossil (shop)

Flats—Anthropologie (similar)

Fresh Start

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I tend to wear casual ensembles like this a lot, but often neglect to document them. So, here's an example of what I wear on most normal weekends. Also, I've been on a big jewelry-kick lately. I really like the look of mixing a bunch of different delicate pieces together. It somehow feels fancy (but not overdone) and I like to use it as a way to dress up a simple combo like this.

In other news, tomorrow marks the first day of winter quarter for all my friends still in school, and unofficially my first week working full-time since I took a little time off for the holidays. When I really think about it, nothing much is going to change. I've been working in the same office since June and am still living in the same apartment with all my best friends. But still—this feels like a fresh start. While the 8 to 5 grind takes some getting used to, I'm excited for this year and the beginning of my postgrad life. Also, I've made a mental note that I probably need to change my blog header and About Me soon. Baby steps.

This was a relaxing weekend spent running errands and tying up loose ends (getting new sneakers was the most exciting thing that happened). But honestly, sometimes it's nice to not really have any plans and just lounge around for a couple days—something I constantly need to remind myself.

Anyway, I'm excited for this week. Oh and also, The Bachelor.

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Outfit Details:

Sweater—Nordstrom BP (shop)

Skinny Jeans—Madewell (shop)

Sunglasses—Ray-Ban (shop)

Wishbone Necklace—Etsy (similar)

Gear Necklace—craft fair (similar)

Bracelet—Coordinates Collection (shop)

Watch—GUESS (shop)

Bag—vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar)

Sandals—Target (similar)

Growing Pains And Everything In Between

2013...ohhhh where do I begin? Let me start out by saying: 2013 was one for the books. I'm fairly certain I used the exact same phrase in last year's New Year's post, but um, I'm pretty sure they would be filed in very different record books. Like 2012 would be in Guinness' World Records, and 2013 would get recorded in some strange, alternative book that no one wants to read.

You know, I've thought long and hard about this post (just kidding, I'm writing it on the fly), and the best way to describe 2013 was that it was kind of—please excuse my French—the little asshole of years. But as completely overly dramatic as I'm being, I'm also so grateful this year happened. I needed this year to happen; I needed the growing pains. Looking back, I can honestly say I've learned more about myself in these twelve (or really even six) months than I have in the past four years. Self-awareness was a big thing for me this year. As was growth.

I feel like a different person now than when the year started, but not in any drastic way. I just feel healthier and more in control of my well-being. The book I'm currently reading talks a lot about growth as a means of happiness. And while the growing pains themselves weren't pleasant, I think I've finally reached a plateau of contentment, as well as excitement for the coming year. For the first time in my life, I'm running regularly (shocking, I know), eating healthier (of course there's always the occasional chocolate croissant/wine binge), and even meditating. I hope to keep up these habits in the coming year and add on new ones like reading and writing more, even as I'm working full-time.

Anyway, the number 13 is usually associated with superstition (or just awkward-pubescent-junior-high-teenhood), so REALLY 2013 was doomed from the beginning. So, by that logic, if 13 was the year of bad luck/difficult changes....I'm hoping 14 can be the fun and carefree "freshman" year of my postgrad life. I'll be adorably innocent, and maybe even some hunky senior on the football team will want to date me.

Happy 2014! Let's make this a good one :)